5 - The Cold War
The year 1956 was full of events which significantly influenced the
geostrategic situation in Europe. In February, the opening of the 20th
congress of the Soviet Communist Party marked the beginning of the
"destalinizations." In March, both Tunisia and Morocco became
independent. In July, the President of Egypt Gamal Abd El Nasser
nationalised the Suez Canal. In October, the Hungarian people's
rebellion started, repressed by a Soviet intervention. Almost
simultaneously the Suez crisis was escalated by the Israeli "Sinai
campaign" followed by the French-British intervention, which was not
approved by the U.S. The Alliance's solidarity seemed to reach the
lowest level just as the Cold War was reaching a peak.
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6 - The First Reorganisation
Since 1952, AFSOUTH had been composed of an integrated staff from six
nations: France, Greece, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom and United
States. A change became necessary after an official announcement was
made by the French government on 29 March 1966: French personnel would
withdraw from the NATO integrated military structure, assignment of
French forces to international Commands would terminate and all the NATO
or allied units or installations would be transferred from French
territory by 1 April 1967. The NATO Council, therefore, had to make
appropriate modifications to the Allied organisation. As France
continued to be a member of the Alliance, a new forum was established to
discuss military questions in which France would not participate: the
Defence Planning Committee. SHAPE Headquarters was transferred to
Belgium, along with the NATO Headquarters. The Central European Command
was hosted by the Netherlands, with a German commander, while Italy was
asked to provide a new home for the NATO Defence College.
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7 - AFSOUTH POST: The Beginnings
The installation now known as AFSouth Post had its beginnings in 1932,
when it was designed to provide a home for the orphans of Naples,
including orphans of Italian sailors--a function it never served.
Funding
was contributed by the Foundation Bank of Naples to celebrate its 400th
anniversary, and construction began in 1936. It was completed in 1939
by the Cidronio firm, which worked on a commission from the Bank of
Naples. The institute was named "Istituto Figli del Popolo". The
original installation was designed and built to house 5.000 orphans in
the main buildings, with smaller buildings designed as support areas,
such as kitchens, bakeries, administrative offices, etc.
The
formal inauguration of the facility, under the name "Collegio Costanzo
Ciano della Gioventu' Italiana del Littorio di Napoli" took place on 9
May 1940, by Vittorio Emanuele III, King of Italy. The obelisk which is
prominently situated in front of Building "O” is a stylized rudder,
which was to be the symbol of this compound. Tunnels were constructed at
the same time as a result of a law which had been passed requiring air
raid shelters for each new construction.
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8 - The Soviet Presence in The Mediterranean
That was the first opportunity taken by the Soviets to demonstrate their
willingness to influence major events in the area by the use of
military power. During that crisis the Soviet Mediterranean Squadron
numbered up to 70 units, some of which were in Port Said and Alexandria,
to prevent Israeli attacks against those ports. The Cold War was
getting even colder. The invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968
contributed to the lowering temperature.
For the Mediterranean it
was the prelude to Albania renouncing its membership of the Warsaw
Pact. Late that year, the MARAIRMED Command was activated in Naples to
improve NATO surveillance in the Mediterranean. The Alliance's concern
for the never-ending Soviet penetration, by any means, in the
Mediterranean basin was reflected in this recognised need for increased
vigilance. NATO ministers instructed the Council in permanent session to
keep the situation under close review. In the framework of measures
studied at a Reykjavik meeting the previous June, the NATO Defence
Planning Committee approved, in May 1969, the future establishment of a
Naval On-Call Force Mediterranean (NOCFORMED).
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