Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SKOPJE598
2006-06-23 09:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIAN MOI: "POLICE NOT INVOLVED IN
how-toVZCZCXRO8454 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSQ #0598 1740914 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 230914Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4839 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 3607 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 4086
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000598
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MOI: "POLICE NOT INVOLVED IN
CAMPAIGN-RELATED INCIDENTS"
REF: SKOPJE 594
Classified By: Poloff Katrina Mosser for reasons 1.5(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000598
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MOI: "POLICE NOT INVOLVED IN
CAMPAIGN-RELATED INCIDENTS"
REF: SKOPJE 594
Classified By: Poloff Katrina Mosser for reasons 1.5(b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador and post's DOJ ICITAP representative
met with Minister of Interior Mihajlovski on June 22 to
discuss the recent campaign-related incidents and accusations
by political party leaders that the police have been involved
in or have provoked the incidents (reftel). The Ambassador
emphasized our continued support for the Ministry of Interior
(MOI) in all legitimate police actions to protect property
and persons, regardless of attacks on the MOI by the media.
At the same time, the Ambassador stressed the need to
investigate any credible accusations of police involvement in
the incidents, and to take action against suspected
perpetrators as appropriate.
2. (C) Mihajlovski said he had issued a written order to all
law enforcement authorities strictly forbidding involvement
in political party activities, and that any official who
violated the order would be "let go." According to
Mihajlovski, similar accusations by political parties and the
media of police bias in such incidents had occurred in
previous elections. Such accusations only served to
undermine the credibility of the police and erode citizens'
support. In addition, Mihajlovski said, activists from
several political parties were putting increasing pressure on
police officers by suggesting they could lose their jobs
under a new government if they failed to support their party.
(NOTE: The patronage system continues to plague good
governance in Macedonia, and the government is pursuing
ongoing public administration reforms that would create a
professional civil service to address the problem. END
NOTE.) Mihajlovski reported that, during the 2005 municipal
elections, credible accusations of police participation in
political activities resulted in the firing of those
officials who were implicated. At present, police are
patrolling areas affected by the recent incidents, and the
MOI has established regional centers to monitor events.
3. (C) COMMENT: All indications are that the majority of MOI
officers are conducting themselves in a professional and
non-partisan manner in dealing with campaign-related
incidents. There is no/no evidence of systemic partisan bias
by police. Embassy officials will remain in close contact
with the MOI through the election period. According to
post's ICITAP representative, Mihajlovski has been under
intense political pressure in recent days and appeared to be
showing the effects ("shell-shocked") in his demeanor - in
that sense, the reiteration of USG support for appropriate
law enforcement was helpful and well-timed.
MILOVANOVIC
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MOI: "POLICE NOT INVOLVED IN
CAMPAIGN-RELATED INCIDENTS"
REF: SKOPJE 594
Classified By: Poloff Katrina Mosser for reasons 1.5(b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador and post's DOJ ICITAP representative
met with Minister of Interior Mihajlovski on June 22 to
discuss the recent campaign-related incidents and accusations
by political party leaders that the police have been involved
in or have provoked the incidents (reftel). The Ambassador
emphasized our continued support for the Ministry of Interior
(MOI) in all legitimate police actions to protect property
and persons, regardless of attacks on the MOI by the media.
At the same time, the Ambassador stressed the need to
investigate any credible accusations of police involvement in
the incidents, and to take action against suspected
perpetrators as appropriate.
2. (C) Mihajlovski said he had issued a written order to all
law enforcement authorities strictly forbidding involvement
in political party activities, and that any official who
violated the order would be "let go." According to
Mihajlovski, similar accusations by political parties and the
media of police bias in such incidents had occurred in
previous elections. Such accusations only served to
undermine the credibility of the police and erode citizens'
support. In addition, Mihajlovski said, activists from
several political parties were putting increasing pressure on
police officers by suggesting they could lose their jobs
under a new government if they failed to support their party.
(NOTE: The patronage system continues to plague good
governance in Macedonia, and the government is pursuing
ongoing public administration reforms that would create a
professional civil service to address the problem. END
NOTE.) Mihajlovski reported that, during the 2005 municipal
elections, credible accusations of police participation in
political activities resulted in the firing of those
officials who were implicated. At present, police are
patrolling areas affected by the recent incidents, and the
MOI has established regional centers to monitor events.
3. (C) COMMENT: All indications are that the majority of MOI
officers are conducting themselves in a professional and
non-partisan manner in dealing with campaign-related
incidents. There is no/no evidence of systemic partisan bias
by police. Embassy officials will remain in close contact
with the MOI through the election period. According to
post's ICITAP representative, Mihajlovski has been under
intense political pressure in recent days and appeared to be
showing the effects ("shell-shocked") in his demeanor - in
that sense, the reiteration of USG support for appropriate
law enforcement was helpful and well-timed.
MILOVANOVIC