FM MILOSOSKI STRESSES MACEDONIAN POSITION ON NAME

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001158 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MK SUBJECT: FM MILOSOSKI STRESSES MACEDONIAN POSITION ON NAME ISSUE ¶1. (SBU) On December 11, Macedonian FM Antonio Milososki stressed to Ambassador Khalilzad that he hoped Macedonia would be accepted into NATO at the April summit in Bucharest. He said Macedonia had doubled its troop level in Iraq and is making other important contributions to global security. On the name issue, Milososki said that for Greece it is a political issue, whereas for Macedonia, a country of only two million, it is a national issue. He argued that the issue "could potentially weaken the nation," adding that "as we face the Kosovo problem, now is not the time to weaken us." Milososki said Macedonia will be glad to engage in new talks brokered by Special Envoy Nimetz, but will resist any "blackmail or deadlines." He asked that the US use its influence with Athens to ensure that the bilateral name issue will not be a pre-condition for NATO entry. He also asked Ambassador Khalilzad to raise the matter of an intervention to Athens with the Deputy Secretary. Milososki noted, however, that the Foreign Ministry had asked Macedonia's parliament to accept entry into NATO under the name FYROM. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Khalilzad responded that we are sympathetic to the problems Macedonia faces, but that it is also important to keep a mature and long-term view, which might mean accepting NATO entry for now under the name FYROM, as Milososki had suggested. Khalilzad said we were pleased to see such a flexible approach. He promised to raise Milososki's concerns with the Department. Khalilzad