Additional Information on Novi Pazar

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELGRADE 000609 SIPDIS TERREP SIPDIS DEPT FOR DSS/ITA, DS/IP/EUR, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X6 TAGS: ASEC PTER SR SUBJECT: Additional Information on Novi Pazar REF: Belgrade 372 CLASSIFIED BY NEIL J. MACNEIL, REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER U.S. EMBASSY BELGRADE FOR REASON 1.5 D. ¶1. (SBU) RSO Met with Director of National Security Veljevic on April 2, 2007. RSO was meeting to discuss the possibility of Serbian security forces providing personal protection to the Mufti of Novi Pazar. The Mufti expressed concern for his personal safety to the Ambassador just days before a munitions cache was discovered outside of Novi Pazar (reported Ref). ¶2. (SBU) National Security Director Veljevic appeared favorably inclined to provide protection to the Mufti. As expected, he indicated that this request would need to be approved by Interior Minister Jocic. ¶3. (C) National Security Director Veljevic provided some additional information on the weapons, and their discovery. a) (C) The cache was found in part due to information provided by an ?ethnic Muslim? police officer in Novi Pazar, who reportedly had two sons involved in the group. The police officer was concerned for his sons. b) (C) A small gorge near the weapons cache site showed signs of weapons training (targets and spent shell casings). c) (C) The cache of weapons and material included a laptop computer which contained instruction videos on the conduct of suicide bombings. Some of the material found on the laptop was reportedly of Afghan and Pakistani origin, possibly from Al Q?aeda. Veljevic stated (as reported reftel) that the central Mosque in Novi Pazar would be the likely target of these attacks. d) (C) Veljevic said materials found at the site also indicate that some the members of this group may be training to fight in Iraq of Afghanistan, but did not elaborate. e) (C) Director Veljevic believes that the material made its way to Novi Pazar through the Muslim regions of Bosnia, following the same route as the illicit drug trade from Central Asia. f) (C) Director Veljevic indicated that he believes that some members of the group are operating in northern Kosovo and that he has had discussions with UNMIK security forces. (RSO Note: There was no additional information provided as to why Veljevic would believe this, and it may be speculative on his part) ¶4. (C) Director Veljevic stated, as indicated in Reftel, that this is a small ?Wahabbist? group, but is dangerous nonetheless. Veljevic asked to keep the information in above Para in the strictest confidence as the investigation is ongoing and the details of the case have not been disseminated. ¶5. (C) RSO requested that the MUP provide any identifying information on the possible MANPADS found at the second cache site (Para 4 of reftel). Veljevic promised to provide whatever information he can. ¶6. (C) On April 17 RSO Met again with Veljevic on a separate matter. Mr. Veljevic provided several photos and a listing of the material found at the site. The photos show AK-47/AKM rifles and several RPG launchers, along with associated ammunition. Veljevic conformed that no/no MANPADS were found at the scene. RSO will have the material list translated into English and forwarded SepTel. POLT