Central Treaty Organization
Also known as Baghdad Pact, CENTO, METO, Middle East Treaty Organization
Military alliance involving Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom (1955-1979)
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- CENTO
- Formation
- 24 February 1955
- Dissolved
- 16 March 1979
- Type
- Intergovernmental military alliance
- Headquarters
- Baghdad (1955–1958), Ankara (1958–1979)
- Region served
- Eurasia
- Members
- 5 states Iran Iraq (until 1959) Pakistan Turkey United Kingdom
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
The Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), formerly known as the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO) and also known as the Baghdad Pact, was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed on 24 February 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The alliance was dissolved on 16 March 1979.
U.S. pressure and promises of military and economic aid were key in the negotiations leading to the agreement, but the United States could not initially participate. John Foster Dulles, who was involved in the negotiations as United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claimed that was due to "the pro-Israel lobby and the difficulty of obtaining Congressional Approval." Others said that the reason was "for purely technical reasons of budgeting procedures."
Gallery (3)
Connections
Categories
1950s in Baghdad1955 establishments in Iraq1955 in international relations1958 in the United States1979 disestablishments20th-century military alliancesAnti-communism in IraqCold War alliances and military strategyCold War treatiesFormer international organizationsIntergovernmental organizations established by treatyInternational military organizations