Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SKOPJE1112
2006-11-24 13:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:  

MACEDONIA: GOVERNMENT ELIMINATES MOST CAVEATS ON

Tags:  MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5453
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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UNCLAS SKOPJE 001112 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: GOVERNMENT ELIMINATES MOST CAVEATS ON
TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

REF: SKOPJE 1097 AND PREVIOUS

UNCLAS SKOPJE 001112

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL MK AG
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: GOVERNMENT ELIMINATES MOST CAVEATS ON
TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

REF: SKOPJE 1097 AND PREVIOUS


1. (SBU) The GOM approved in a closed government session on
November 22 the elimination of five of seven caveats
currently in force for Macedonian troops supporting ISAF
operations in Afghanistan (reftel) and Macedonian soldiers
serving in Iraq. Of the two remaining caveats, one prohibits
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 those forces from "carrying out operations aimed at
demolishing bridges, tunnels, dams or dikes, and other
infrastructure objects of significance." The two remaining
caveats will be incorporated into language for parliamentary
approval of future troop deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.



2. (SBU) The five caveats eliminated, according to the MOD,
prohibited 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.


3. (SBU) COMMENT: This decision reflects the GOM's
determination to prove its dependability as a U.S. and NATO
ally. Both the MOD and the MFA have been supportive from the
beginning of our requests to reduce or eliminate the caveats,
and the new Minister of Defense made it a priority issue to
be resolved prior to the Riga Summit. Although the GOM
decision was unanimous, it is likely that the decision will
be questioned and criticized in the local media, which
already have suggested that reducing the caveats would lead
to risky combat deployments for Macedonian troops currently
serving in support positions with the German and UK
contingents in ISAF. We recommend that the Macedonians
receive positive recognition at the Riga Summit for this
decision, which appears to put them in the vanguard of
countries that have significantly reduced or eliminated
caveats on their troops supporting ISAF.
MILOVANOVIC