WikiLeaks: US Ambassador Reeker - "Greeks and Bulgarians Conspire Against Macedonia"

"SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: LESSONS LEARNED FROM NATO ADVISORY TEAM"

US Ambassador Reeker

Classified By: Ambassador Reeker for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

1(C) Summary: The assignment of Bulgarians to both the commander and deputy positions of the NATO Advisory Team for Macedonia is not in U.S. interests. End summary.

2(C) We learned off-line in early June that Bulgaria was the only Ally who volunteered to fill the "Chief NAT" position in Skopje, i.e., the deputy position at the NATO Advisory Team for Macedonia. As we understood it, the plan had been for the former Dutch DATT to take the Chief NAT position, but it appears that the Dutch government did not move precipitously to effect this. We then worked with Naples, USNATO, SHAPE, and the Dutch to turn this around, but it now appears that the Dutch DATT will almost certainly not be assigned, and the momentum remains that the next Chief NAT will be a Bulgarian. A Bulgarian, Commodore Valentin Gagashev, already holds the NAT Commander slot.

3(C) The negative consequences for NATO's engagement in Macedonia could be significant. Bulgaria and Macedonia are wary neighbors at best. Part of the larger Macedonian region became part of Bulgaria as a consequence of the Balkan Wars, and Bulgarian fascists occupied present-day Macedonia during World War II. To this day, there are elements in Bulgaria who consider the modern state of Macedonia as a historical mistake, and many Bulgarians do not recognize the Macedonian language as separate from their own. While a number of Macedonians work in Bulgaria and hold Bulgarian passports as a matter of convenience, we should not mistake this for deep affection. We have unsubstantiated reports that elements in the Bulgarian embassy here are working closely with Greek colleagues on activities that are not in our interests.

4(C) Regardless of the intentions of the new Chief NAT, it makes no sense from a NATO perspective that the commander and chief would come from the same country, especially a neighbor, and especially a country so new to the Alliance. Macedonia, and our interests here, would be far better served -- as in the past -- by a NAT leadership steeped in NATO experience from established Allies with no "negative baggage" here (such as Greece). Macedonia needs advisors in the NAT who have established relationships within NATO and know how to manage the unique bureaucracy at SHAPE. This is why the Dutch DATT was the ideal choice. When CHOD LTG Stojanovski learned that the new Chief NAT would be from Bulgaria, he was incensed and called SHAPE immediately. His response should have been predictable: many Macedonians do not trust Bulgaria. Thus the assignment of Bulgarians to run the NAT calls into question NATO's commitment to Macedonia, especially since a number of Macedonian military contacts had told us that they viewed the assignment of the Dutch DATT as a signal of NATO's commitment to again send its "A-team" here.

5(C) The new NAT commander, Commodore Gagashev, is by all accounts a professional and working in good faith. While we understand he privately believes it would be a mistake for his deputy to also be a Bulgarian, he cannot force the issue within his national command structure. While it is likely too late for the Dutch DATT to be assigned to this position, we would ask that Washington, USNATO, and Embassy Sofia work to issue to ensure a better outcome for U.S. and NATO interests in Macedonia.

REEKER

Daniel Cohn-Bendit

By David Edenden

Daniel, may I suggest that you table a motion in the EU Parliament to suspend Greece from the EU until it meets the qualifications for human rights with regard to its ethnic Macedonian minority ... as any new candidate would have to do.


Failing that, can you table a motion for reparations payments to ethnic Macedonians in Greece for the EU's role in aiding and abetting their cultural genocide.


Failing that, make it a crime to deny the ethnicity of ethnic Macedonians in the EU and to expel any professors who promote that genocidal hatred.


Failing that, can you propose a resolution warning the Ossetians and Abkhazians that Greece's values regarding minority rights are also, by definition, EU values and if they are unified with Georgia and then Georgia joins the EU, they can expect to enjoy the same rights as the ethnic Macedonians in Greece.

Pressure to be exerted over Greece to unblock Macedonia's EU integration, says French MEP
Strasbourg, 21 April 2010 (MIA) - Co-chairman of the European Parliament Group of the Greens, Daniel Cohn-Bendit believes now is the time to exercise pressure on Greece regarding concessions in the name dispute, adding however that the solution cannot come from outside.
"Regarding the Macedonia name dispute, I have always had a simple stance: Macedonia is Macedonia and it will remain Macedonia. It is time to end this game", Cohn-Bendit told Deutsche Welle. 

Pertaining to pressure put on Macedonia to change its name, he says, "If Macedonia wants to keep name Macedonia, it is fine with me. If Macedonia wants to change its name, I accept it. A big nationalistic contest has been made over the name, both in Macedonia and Greece. I believe it would be good to do something so that everyone calms down. If not, we will not find a way out" 

According to Cohn-Bendit, the way out is possible by exercising pressure on Greece to raise the blockade of Macedonia's European integration.
"However, there is also the problem of the unanimous EU decision-making process. As long as Greece blocks Macedonia, this is a problem in the Union's functioning. Now there is a possibility to negotiate with Greece regarding the aid provided to resolve the crisis and its concession regarding Macedonia's name. This could represent an opportunity to leave this impasse", stresses the French MEP. 

He says the European Union has demonstrated its weakness in the Macedonia case in the same way as the one of Cyprus. 

"We lost the battle with Cyprus. According to me, the game is played in Macedonia and Greece. They are the ones that need to become more reasonable. If they do not demonstrate reason, then a solution cannot be reached. When nationalistic madness gets in the way, then it is difficult to stop it", added Cohn-Bendit. 

On the possibility for the Group of the Greens, which has always given its support to Macedonia's Euro-integration, to launch an initiative for the name row's settlement, he says it could be done under the condition that both sides are ready to accept a compromise.
"For the time being, the reaction over the identity is the one blocking everything for both sides", assesses MEP Daniel Cohn-Bendit.

Some EU and Nato Countries "Say" Macedonia

By David Edenden

This is an article from September from the Greek daily Kathimerini. What struck me was that Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Estonia already recognize Macedonia by its name, thereby breaking EU solidarity of a foreign affairs issue.

What this all means, I don't know.

Greece should assent with bad compromise Athens
Kathimerini via Makfax vesnik:
Friday, 28.09.2007

Long is the list of countries that are about to recognize Macedonia's constitutional name, and Greece should resign to fate with unfavorable compromise on the name issue, Kathimerini daily said. The pro-government Kathimerini daily says in the footsteps of Canada many countries will recognize the country's constitutional name, including South Korea, Indonesia and one Scandinavian country.

Greece's allies in the European Union (Britain, France, Germany), side-by-side secretly and silently did what Canada had done officially.

Other countries, such as Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Estonia, had already recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name,' Kathimerini said. The paper regrets that Athens failed to convince anybody, not even the 'Cyprus brothers', over Greece's position on the name issue.

In the current development of events - Macedonia's likely membership in NATO and the Kosovo status settlement - Greece turns its back and we should all assent with the idea that an unfavorable compromise will be imposed on us, the pro-government daily Kathimerini said. /end/"

ekathimerini.com | Ire at Solana nod to FYROM

By David Edenden

Even when Javier Solana is taking a relatively pro-Macedonian position, I still can't stand the guy. He should resign already.

Ire at Solana nod to FYROM
ekathimerini.com

Athens yesterday reacted angrily to an assertion by the European Union foreign affairs chief, Javier Solana, that suggested Greece should avoid using its veto against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) if the Macedonia name dispute remains unsolved.

“I don’t like vetoes,” Solana said when questioned by reporters regarding a possible attempt by Greece to block FYROM’s bids to join the EU and NATO. Solana’s comments followed his talks with FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski in Brussels.

The office of Greece’s permanent representative in Brussels lodged an official complaint with Solana’s office, while Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis requested a meeting with him.

Meanwhile, expressing clear annoyance at Solana’s comments, the ministry’s spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos remarked, “No one likes vetoes, this is why problems need to be solved in a mutually acceptable way.” “Intransigent logic and tensions which betray,often unproductive arrogance should be avoided,” Koumoutsakos added.

The United Nations’ special mediator between Greece and FYROM told last Sunday’s Kathimerini that Skopje’s bid to join NATO could be a vital catalyst to solve the name dispute. “NATO and the EU are very important priorities for Skopje,” he said.

The European Commission is expected to present a progress report on candidate state FYROM next month, probably on November 6. Also next month a NATO delegation is scheduled to visit FYROM in order to assess the country’s progress in meeting EU-oriented criteria. NATO sources have told Kathimerini that FYROM has not yet fulfilled sufficient criteria to join the alliance.

Macedonian Soldiers to Soldier on in Iraq!

DM Elenovski met US Department of State officials
Macedonian Information Agency

DM Elenovski met US Department of State officials

---

Skopje, July 16 (MIA) - The current situation in Iraq and the achieved progress of the Republic of Macedonia in this period were the topics of discussion between the Macedonian Defence Minister Lazar Elenovski and Lawrence Butler, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs and Debra Cagan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Coalition Affairs.

At the meeting they exchanged views on participation of the Macedonian troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003 contributing in stabilisation and democratisation of the country.

Minister Elenovski emphasised that the Republic of Macedonia will continue to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom and together with the US will share the values, which are the real path to build and spread them throughout the world.

- The US will continue to support the Republic of Macedonia in integration to NATO. This is the position of the US Government and people which is unchanged and will not be changed additionally because based on mutual democratic values which we share as people and states are directed towards the same goal and at the same time we share the challenges and problems, Macedonian DM Elenovski said after the meeting.

He said that US support is one of the most important which is necessary for us especially prior to the NATO Summit in Bucharest next year. This will probably result in invitation for membership of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO, Elenovski said.

Butler, expressing gratitude for the Macedonian contribution for the peace and stability in Iraq, pointed out that the US will remain in close contacts until the operation in Iraq lasts.

- Macedonian troops in Iraq proved very well and the impression is very positive, Butler said.

Answering the journalist question he informed that he travels with his colleagues from Pentagon in a regular consultation with their partners because they consider that it is very important to inform the countries on latest political moves of their government.

Butler and Cagan will visit Tirana on Tuesday, on Wedensday they will visit Sarajevo, in Sofia are expected to arrive on Friday and on Monday they will be in Mongolia.

The US delegation led by Butler and Cagan will meet with members of the parliament Vladimir Gjorcev and Ruzdi Matoshi. sk/fd/13:20

More on British Troops in Macedonia

Smells like team spirit...12 July 2007
KAREN BURKE
Ilford Recorder

NEW RECRUIT: The Recorder’s Karen Burke
with members of the TA’s Seven Rifles battalion

AFTER surviving a gruelling joint training exercise with the Macedonian Army, Territorial Army soldiers from Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham were ready to win hearts and minds - by refurbishing a dilapidated village pre-school. Reporter KAREN BURKE joined them.

THE BEAMING faces of children peering into a box of donated toys saw hours of hard work and planning pay off in an instant.

For Corporal Francis Mahendra and his colleagues in the TA's Seven Rifles battalion - part of G Company based in West Ham Park - the youngsters' smiles were more than adequate reward.

The 55-year-old, who lived in Seven Kings until recently, admitted that the team had been taken aback when they first saw the school in the village of Pepeliste near Negotino, Macedonia.

"It was really bad," he said. "The furniture wasn't very good, the windows were smashed and the lights weren't working.

"We have been painting the walls, putting in new carpets and repairing everything we can."

Corporal Mahendra's colleague, Lance Corporal Derek Bennett, agreed the transformation had been dramatic.

He said: "The windows were shattered and there were things falling off the floor. Only one of the toilets worked.

"You couldn't really use it as a classroom because it was that bad."

The scale of the project saw the team of 15 soldiers work from 8am to 10pm to get as much of the necessary work done as possible.

It was on the fifth and final day that their efforts were rewarded when the children filed in and they were able to present them with toys, clothes and computers donated by people back home

Captain Stephen Haywood-Smith, a 47-year-old civil servant from Chadwell Heath, has been working on the European Union's G5 project in Macedonia - an eastern European nation that is bidding to join Nato and the EU.

"This is the first foreign project like this I have worked in my 26 years of being in the TA," he said when the work had been completed. "I have never had the opportunity in the past.

"It has been rewarding, challenging and fulfilling. It is about getting to know the community and improving the school.

"The country is not as poor as Romania. But when you consider the average wage is 200 Euros a month, the standard of living isn't that bad.

"The poorest here are the gipsies. We have seen them around the village at night trying to sell stuff."

Colonel Damian Griffin, commanding officer for the Rifles regiment, told teachers and pupils at the school that British soldiers were grateful to have had the opportunity to train in Macedonia for the first time.

FOR MORE PICTURES OF KAREN'S TRIP SEE THIS WEEK'S RECORDER

EU Parliament to Macedonia: Geek Veto? Forgetaboutit

By David Edenden

The EU parliament is, I think, a toothless wonder since all the power rests with the heads of state. Nevertheless, its good news that these guys are on our side for a change. Macedonians should use our own incompetence as a weapon more often. The phrase "due to the non-recognition by one Member State of the EU of its passports." is really pathetic.

If anyone has background on this vote, I would be pleased to publish it.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Press service
European Parliament

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia EU prospects unrelated to its dispute with Greece<>

British Army Trains With Macedonians

We back TA unit's mercy mission to Macedonia
Karen Burke, 31 May 2007
Ilford Recorder

TERRITORIAL Army soldiers will be leaving their families behind for two weeks of intensive training in the rocky and arid terrain of Macedonia.

But they will not be alone - Recorder reporter Karen Burke will be flying out with recruits from Redbridge and neighbouring Barking and Dagenham to report on their manoeuvres.

The soldiers will be working with live ammunition and testing the chain of command in the 130-strong Rifles battalion before being sent to serve in Afghanistan.

Major Terry Roper said the lads are excited about the Afghanistan operation.

They will be sent to Camp Bastion at the heart of the Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, where they will carry out garrison duties from October until April next year.

This will be the first time the British Army has trained with the Macedonian Army in a joint exercise that will be very high-profile for the eastern European country which is keen to join both Nato and the European Union.

Major Roper said British troops wanted to win hearts and minds among the local population during the exercise, and would be supporting an EU project to help two village schools in Pepliste and Krivolak with equipment and repairs.

"The place has been ravaged by war and some of the gipsy population are actually living in rubbish tips," he said.

"They are living in shanty towns - what we would call landfill sites - and kids are going to school without any shoes. It is unbelievable in this day and age that people are living like this."

As part of the effort to help the schoolchildren, Major Roper is appealing for help from Recorder readers.

Donations of children's clothes up to the age of 12-years-old - including shoes, trainers and football shirts - are invited.

To help the schools, the Rifles are appealing for donations of unwanted computers, printers, laptops and software.

Readers wanting to make a donation can drop items off with Karen Burke at the Recorder offices at 539 High Road, Ilford

Unanimous For Nato

By David Edenden

I hope that all goes well in Macedonia's long trek to join Nato. We have put all our eggs in one basket. George Bush has been good to us, but the Democrats now hold the Congress and likely the US presidency in November 2008. It does not look good for Macedonia since the Greek Issues Caucus and the Albanian Issues Caucus have huge influence in the Democratic Party.

Macedonian Parliament adopts declaration in support for NATO membership
(SETimes.com):

"SKOPJE, Macedonia -- Parliament unanimously adopted a declaration Tuesday (June 19th) in support of the country's accelerated admission to NATO. The document, submitted by independent member Gjorgji Orovcanec, stresses the broad political consensus for membership and urges the government to speed up reforms related to the NATO integration bid. Expanding the Alliance, it adds, would help create conditions for sustainable peace in the Balkans. The declaration is being forwarded to all NATO member states. (MIA, A1 TV, Makfax - 19/06/07)"