MACEDONIA ON NAME ISSUE DEMARCHE

UNCLAS SKOPJE 000933 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR NATO PREL GR MK SUBJECT: MACEDONIA ON NAME ISSUE DEMARCHE REF: SECSTATE 160890 ¶1. (SBU) On November 29 DCM delivered reftel points to Deputy Foreign Minister Petrov and MFA State Counselor for Multilateral Affairs Geleva. Stating that he saw "nothing new" about the U.S. position of neutrality in the name dispute, Petrov was relieved to get DCM's assurances that the points were for internal use and would not be shared with the media. A visibly emotional Geleva said that Macedonia was already making steps towards reconciliation, and added that Greek pressure on Macedonia was "appalling." ¶2. (SBU) Later the same day, DCM delivered the points over the phone to Macedonia's chief negotiator on the name issue, Ambassador Dimitrov. Dimitrov is returning to Skopje on December 1 for consultations with the Prime Minister prior to the meetings with Ambassador Nimetz. He noted that the only officials actually involved in Macedonia's decision-making on this issue were at Cabinet level and above. ¶3. (SBU) Post will meet with the President's Chief of Staff tomorrow to deliver the same points. MILOVANOVIC