Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SKOPJE1097
2006-11-17 06:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIA: REDUCING ISAF CAVEATS
how-toVZCZCXRO1785 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSQ #1097 3210650 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 170650Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5437 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0008 RHMFISS/CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 001097
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: REDUCING ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A. STATE 186256
B. SKOPJE 484
Classified By: P/E CHIEF SHUBLER, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 001097
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: REDUCING ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A. STATE 186256
B. SKOPJE 484
Classified By: P/E CHIEF SHUBLER, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) P/E Chief delivered reftel points on filling ISAF
force shortfalls and reducing caveats to MFA State Counselor
Milan Spiridonovski on November 16. Acting DATT delivered
the same points to MOD Elenovski on November 14. Both
interlocutors informed us that the GOM intends to remove
before the Riga Summit five of the seven caveats currently in
force for Macedonian troops supporting ISAF operations in
Afghanistan (ref B). Of the two remaining caveats, one would
prohibit Macedonian troops from carrying out "an order, the
execution of which would constitute a criminal act according
to Macedonian law or which would be contrary to human rights
conventions or the Law of Armed Conflict." The second caveat
prohibits Macedonian forces from "carrying out operations
aimed at demolishing bridges, tunnels, dams or dikes, and
other infrastructure objects of significance."
2. (C) Spiridonovski said the MFA and MOD would recommend the
deletion of the five caveats at an upcoming government
session, hopefully before the Riga Summit, and was confident
the recommendation would be approved. He said the government
would propose limiting caveats to the two mentioned above in
language for parliamentary approval of future troop
deployments to Afghanistan. Such language would be included
in the proposal for approving the next troop rotation, due to
take place this December.
3. (C) The five caveats to be eliminated, according to the
MOD, currently prohibit Macedonian troops from:
a.) Carrying out offensive operations planned with the
purpose of capturing territory or part of a territory
inhabited by a civilian population and in which there is a
risk of possible collateral damage to that population.
b.) Carrying out operations planned to be executed on
territory or part of a territory where NBC agents might be
present.
c.) Carrying out operations in religious buildings, museums,
and other sites containing cultural and/or archaeological
heritage.
d.) Carrying out riot control operations.
e.) Training host country national security forces.
MILOVANOVIC
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: REDUCING ISAF CAVEATS
REF: A. STATE 186256
B. SKOPJE 484
Classified By: P/E CHIEF SHUBLER, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) P/E Chief delivered reftel points on filling ISAF
force shortfalls and reducing caveats to MFA State Counselor
Milan Spiridonovski on November 16. Acting DATT delivered
the same points to MOD Elenovski on November 14. Both
interlocutors informed us that the GOM intends to remove
before the Riga Summit five of the seven caveats currently in
force for Macedonian troops supporting ISAF operations in
Afghanistan (ref B). Of the two remaining caveats, one would
prohibit Macedonian troops from carrying out "an order, the
execution of which would constitute a criminal act according
to Macedonian law or which would be contrary to human rights
conventions or the Law of Armed Conflict." The second caveat
prohibits Macedonian forces from "carrying out operations
aimed at demolishing bridges, tunnels, dams or dikes, and
other infrastructure objects of significance."
2. (C) Spiridonovski said the MFA and MOD would recommend the
deletion of the five caveats at an upcoming government
session, hopefully before the Riga Summit, and was confident
the recommendation would be approved. He said the government
would propose limiting caveats to the two mentioned above in
language for parliamentary approval of future troop
deployments to Afghanistan. Such language would be included
in the proposal for approving the next troop rotation, due to
take place this December.
3. (C) The five caveats to be eliminated, according to the
MOD, currently prohibit Macedonian troops from:
a.) Carrying out offensive operations planned with the
purpose of capturing territory or part of a territory
inhabited by a civilian population and in which there is a
risk of possible collateral damage to that population.
b.) Carrying out operations planned to be executed on
territory or part of a territory where NBC agents might be
present.
c.) Carrying out operations in religious buildings, museums,
and other sites containing cultural and/or archaeological
heritage.
d.) Carrying out riot control operations.
e.) Training host country national security forces.
MILOVANOVIC