MACEDONIA: DAS DICARLO MEETINGS WITH GOM AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SKOPJE 000336

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: DAS DICARLO MEETINGS WITH GOM AND
OPPOSITION LEADERS ON NATO MEMBERSHIP AND KOSOVO

REF: SKOPJE 296

Classified By: Poloff Katrina Mosser for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

SUMMARY
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1. (C) During April 23 meetings with GOM and opposition
leaders in Skopje, DAS DiCarlo emphasized the need for the
GOM to move forward on NATO-related reforms as time is
running out for Macedonia to make its case for NATO
membership in 2008. Of utmost importance is resolving the
ongoing political stalemate between PM Gruevski and ethnic
Albanian opposition leader Ahmeti, which has halted much of
the GOM's work in recent months. In addition, DiCarlo urged
the GOM to work towards reducing tensions with Greece over
the name dispute, so that this bi-lateral dispute does not
negatively impact Macedonia's NATO membership bid. DiCarlo
thanked her interlocutors for their support for the Ahtisaari
plan and received assurances this support will continue. In
his meeting with DiCarlo, Ahmeti showed a new willingness to
reach a compromise and return to parliament. END SUMMARY

DICARLO MEETS WITH GOM & OPPOSITION LEADERS
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2. (U) On April 23, EUR DAS DiCarlo met with President
Crvenkovski; PM Gruevski, along with DPM Aliu and FM
Milososki; and opposition leaders Ahmeti and Sekerinska; and
also attended a dinner hosted by Milososki and Minister of
Finance Slaveski. Her meetings focused on NATO membership,
Kosovo, and the name dispute with Greece. DiCarlo emphasized
that 2007 is a challenging year for Macedonia and the region,
but it is an important year. The last push by Macedonia,
Croatia, and Albania to implement key NATO-related reforms in
advance of possible membership invitations at the 2008 NATO
Summit and the resolution of Kosovo status are two critical
events that will shape the future of the entire region.

NATO MEMBERSHIP - POLITICAL DIALOGUE
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3. (C) DiCarlo said the USG continues to support Macedonia's
NATO membership bid in 2008, but emphasized to all her
interlocutors that there is much work to do and time is
short. Macedonia must make significant progress by the fall
of 2007 in order to gain the support of all NATO member
states prior to the 2008 NATO Summit. In the wake of recent
high-level Macedonian leadership discussions (reftel),
DiCarlo emphasized the need to resolve the political
stalemate between the GOM and Ali Ahmeti's ethnic Albanian
opposition party DUI that has slowed much of the parliament's
work in recent months. Crvenkovski and Sekerinska expressed
their frustration with the lack of political dialogue, saying
the stalemate has lasted for too long and is damaging
Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.


4. (C) Gruevski said progress has been made as a result of
recent meetings. However, he made a point of saying that
DUI's political demands are not mandated by the Ohrid
Framework Agreement (FWA) and that DUI must understand the
need to work together to improve Macedonia's NATO membership
prospects. Ahmeti said the leadership discussions are not
taking place simply for the sake of meeting and that DUI does
want to return parliament to help move Macedonia forward.
Backing away from his strong stance in a meeting with
Gruevski a week earlier, Ahmeti said that DUI would return to
parliament if the leaders could reach a resolution on the
composition of the Committee on Inter-ethnic Relations; agree
on a list of laws that require the Badinter majority; and
reach a "political agreement" on a language law and benefits
for NLA (the ethnic Albanian insurgent group during the 2001
conflict) veterans, which then would be finalized in
parliament within two to three months of DUI's return.
Ahmeti sought U.S. support for, and DiCarlo welcomed, his
compromise proposal. DiCarlo said embassy officials would be
willing to approach Gruevski with this new proposal in hopes
of arranging another leadership meeting to resolve these
differences and end DUI's boycott of parliament. (NOTE:
PolChief shared Ahmeti's proposal with PM Gruevski's Chief of
Staff later that day. He was positive in general, although

SKOPJE 00000336 002 OF 003


noting that the NLA provision would be more difficult.
Gruevski and Ahmeti are scheduled to meet Friday, April 27,
to discuss a package to resolve the issues Ahmeti raised with
DiCarlo. END NOTE)

NATO MEMBERSHIP - TIME IS SHORT
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5. (C) DiCarlo told Gruevski the political maturity of
Macedonia and the ability of the GOM to garner broad
political consensus to pass and implement NATO-related
reforms will be of vital importance to NATO member states
when considering whether to extend a NATO membership
invitation to Macedonia. Prior to September 2007, the GOM
will need to pass a new law on religion that confirms freedom
of religion and is in-line with international standards;
continue implementation of the decentralization process;
achieve further implementation of the FWA, including progress
on equitable minority representation throughout state
institutions; demonstrate continued progress on fighting
trafficking in persons (TIP); and strengthen the rule of law,
including the prosecution of two or three high-profile
corruption cases.


6. (SBU) Gruevski listed a number of the GOM's recent
accomplishments in the areas of rule of law, FWA
implementation, decentralization, combating TIP, religious
freedom, defense reforms, and preparations for the EAPC
Security Forum to be held in June. He highlighted recent
convictions in two large corruption cases and progress in
parliament on passing a new law on the public prosecutor as
examples of recent efforts to strengthen rule of law. The
decentralization process is moving forward, with phase two
set to begin on July 1. Gruevski hopes 30 municipalities
will be ready to begin the next phase; at dinner MoF Slaveski
said 10-20 municipalities will be ready for phase two,
including municipalities with mayors from coalition and
opposition parties. Gruevski said the Venice Commission
recently provided comments on the draft law on religion. He
believes the law will be acceptable to domestic religious
communities and the international community, with minor
changes.

KOSOVO - UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE AHTISAARI PLAN
-------------- --------------


7. (C) DiCarlo thanked the GOM for their continued support of
the Ahtisaari plan and asked that this strong support
continue throughout the UN Security Council's deliberations.
All her interlocutors pledged their continued support for the
Ahtisaari plan and said that the passage of a UNSCR would be
the ideal way forward for stability and security in the
region. There is a clear understanding within the GOM that
eventual Kosovo independence is inevitable and that any delay
in reaching a final decision on Kosovo would only serve to
destabilize the region. PM Gruevski said the demarcation of
the border with Kosovo is a key issue for Macedonia, and he
looked forward to a timely implementation of demarcation in
accordance with the Ahtisaari plan.


8. (C) DiCarlo said the USG would like to see a Kosovo UNSCR
by the end of May, but the path to reaching an agreement in
the UNSC is getting tougher as the Russian government is
hardening its stance on the Ahtisaari plan. President
Crvenkovski feared that Russia's position is raising
unrealistic public expectations in Serbia and will make the
realization of Kosovo independence more difficult for
Belgrade. Gruevski and Sekerinska strongly opposed any
partition of Kosovo, as they believe that would destabilize
the region and serve to embolden radicals in the region who
seek to redraw existing borders. Ahmeti said he is pleased
the Kosovar Albanians have remained largely calm during
recent months. He noted that the lack of violence in Kosovo
has served to reduce the strength of those who oppose the
Ahtisaari plan and Kosovo independence.


9. (C) Crvenkovski and Sekerinska stressed the need for
Macedonia to maintain good relations with both Pristina and
Belgrade. The President said the timing of Macedonia's
recognition of an independent Kosovo will be carefully
weighed in relation to maintaining ties with Belgrade; a

SKOPJE 00000336 003 OF 003


UNSCR would serve to ease this decision for the GOM.

NAME DISPUTE - "CEASE-FIRE" POSSIBLE?
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10. (C) In an effort to decrease tensions with Greece over
the name issue and avoid possible efforts to delay
Macedonia's NATO membership by Greece, DiCarlo asked Gruevski
and Crvenkovski to refrain from taking any actions that
Greece could see as provocative. In addition, she urged the
GOM to refrain from responding to any provocations from
Greece. DiCarlo encouraged the GOM to consider a "charm
offensive" with the Greek government, seeking joint
coordination and cooperation where possible and thereby
taking away Athens' argument that Macedonia is an
uncooperative neighbor.


11. (C) Crvenkovski noted the recent increase in tensions
between Skopje and Athens and attributed it not only to
Macedonia's possible NATO membership bid, but also to
internal Greek politics and the upcoming elections. This
point was later echoed by FM Milososki, who noted his recent
efforts to improve relations with Athens by inviting FM
Bakoyannis to visit Skopje. Nikola Dimitrov, Macedonia's
chief negotiator on the name dispute, said he had sought to
hold a meeting on the name dispute in Ohrid in April and the
Greeks had been receptive to the idea. However, these plans
were leaked and the meeting was canceled. Negotiators from
both sides now will meet with Ambassador Nimetz in New York
in May. Crvenkovski does not believe a new proposal to
resolve the dispute would be beneficial at this time due to
upcoming Greek elections.

COMMENT
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12. (C) DiCarlo's visit to Skopje was well timed with our
ongoing efforts to encourage the GOM to engage all political
parties in constructive dialogue and to focus the GOM's work
on NATO-related reforms. Her visit appears to have
re-energized the GOM's efforts on required NATO-related
reforms, with a clear understanding that time is short. In
addition, Ahmeti has finally offered a compromise solution to
resolving key issues that hopefully will bring an end to
DUI's boycott of parliament. END COMMENT


13. (U) This cable was cleared by DAS DiCarlo.
MILOVANOVIC