Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SKOPJE465
2007-06-12 12:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIAN MILITARY ASSUMES CONTROL OF KFOR
how-toVZCZCXRO2454 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSQ #0465 1631235 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121235Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6167 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA
UNCLAS SKOPJE 000465
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KS MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MILITARY ASSUMES CONTROL OF KFOR
LOGISTICS AND MILITARY BASE
UNCLAS SKOPJE 000465
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KS MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MILITARY ASSUMES CONTROL OF KFOR
LOGISTICS AND MILITARY BASE
1. (U) On June 7, the NATO HQs in Skopje formally returned
all operational control of Camp Able Sentry (CAS) to the
Macedonian military, in a ceremony attended by the Minister
of Defense, the CHOD, the Ambassador, and the NATO HQ Senior
Military Commander. The handover took place after nearly
three years of NATO control of the facility, and over
thirteen years of international presence at CAS. In addition
to running everyday operations at CAS, the Macedonian
military now will provide logistical support to KFOR, which
was previously provided by NATO. CAS has been a logistical
base for NATO and UN operations in Kosovo since 1999, and has
supported all transportation of KFOR personnel or goods
through Macedonia, including support for the U.S.-run Camp
Bondsteel.
2. (U) The formal handover ceremony on June 7 marked the end
of a year-long draw down at NATO HQs in Skopje. NATO has
reduced personnel in Macedonia, from over 150 to only 50
today. The smaller NATO HQs will continue to support the GOM
on NATO-related reforms from offices within the Macedonian
Ministry of Defense.
3. (U) COMMENT: The handover of CAS operations and logistical
support for KFOR to the Macedonian military reflects
improvements in the military's capabilities and performance
in recent years. The smooth transition process during the
NATO HQs draw down, and the assumption of all KFOR logistical
support out of CAS, is a vote of confidence in the Macedonian
military's ability to successfully work with and support NATO
and international forces.
MILOVANOVIC
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KS MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN MILITARY ASSUMES CONTROL OF KFOR
LOGISTICS AND MILITARY BASE
1. (U) On June 7, the NATO HQs in Skopje formally returned
all operational control of Camp Able Sentry (CAS) to the
Macedonian military, in a ceremony attended by the Minister
of Defense, the CHOD, the Ambassador, and the NATO HQ Senior
Military Commander. The handover took place after nearly
three years of NATO control of the facility, and over
thirteen years of international presence at CAS. In addition
to running everyday operations at CAS, the Macedonian
military now will provide logistical support to KFOR, which
was previously provided by NATO. CAS has been a logistical
base for NATO and UN operations in Kosovo since 1999, and has
supported all transportation of KFOR personnel or goods
through Macedonia, including support for the U.S.-run Camp
Bondsteel.
2. (U) The formal handover ceremony on June 7 marked the end
of a year-long draw down at NATO HQs in Skopje. NATO has
reduced personnel in Macedonia, from over 150 to only 50
today. The smaller NATO HQs will continue to support the GOM
on NATO-related reforms from offices within the Macedonian
Ministry of Defense.
3. (U) COMMENT: The handover of CAS operations and logistical
support for KFOR to the Macedonian military reflects
improvements in the military's capabilities and performance
in recent years. The smooth transition process during the
NATO HQs draw down, and the assumption of all KFOR logistical
support out of CAS, is a vote of confidence in the Macedonian
military's ability to successfully work with and support NATO
and international forces.
MILOVANOVIC