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