Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE556
2008-09-04 05:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
GEORGIA: MACEDONIA SUPPORTS GEORGIA QUIETLY, ALSO SEEKS
how-toVZCZCXRO4879 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSQ #0556 2480523 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040523Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7655 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE 0402 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUESEN/SKOPJE BETA RUEHSQ/USDAO SKOPJE MK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2339 RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000556
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RS MK
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MACEDONIA SUPPORTS GEORGIA QUIETLY, ALSO SEEKS
DIPLOMATIC TIES
Ref: STATE 91894 and previous
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000556
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RS MK
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MACEDONIA SUPPORTS GEORGIA QUIETLY, ALSO SEEKS
DIPLOMATIC TIES
Ref: STATE 91894 and previous
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to reinforce reftel
points condemning Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
and called on the GoM to make a forceful public statement to that
effect. Milososki replied that "we will never recognize" these
territories, and Macedonia wants to help Georgia. He reported that
he had met Georgian Deputy PM Baramidze and the Georgian Speaker last
week at the Democratic Convention in Denver and expressed Skopje's
strong support. In addition, the three discussed establishing formal
diplomatic relations as soon as possible (with Georgia recognizing
Macedonia under its constitutional name). He asserted that previous
Macedonian attempts over the years to establish diplomatic relations
had met with lack of follow-up from Tbilisi, but he was hopeful that
the two countries could exchange letters as soon as the upcoming
UNGA. He added that he had instructed the Macedonian PermRep in New
York and his ambassador in Washington to work with their Georgian
counterparts to this end.
2. (C) However, Milososki demurred when we pressed for a firmer
Macedonian public line, citing Macedonia's somewhat precarious
position as a non-NATO member: "We cannot make strong statements like
Lithuania." However, as a candidate country Macedonia has
consistently joined EU statements on the crisis, will continue to do
so, and will give full diplomatic support to Georgia. Milososki
offered that the Russian ambassador here did not press hard for
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, no doubt realizing
Macedonia's strategic orientation.
3. (C) Comment: Macedonia is reluctant to stick its neck out publicly
on Georgia, though it may become slightly more inclined to do so once
the two countries establish relations and, most importantly for
Skopje, Georgia recognizes Macedonia under its constitutional name.
While we cannot evaluate the GoG's equities, it seems that Georgia
and Macedonia establishing formal ties would be a welcome, supportive
gesture. In any case, we will continue to urge Macedonia to speak
out publicly for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
End comment.
NAVRATIL
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GG RS MK
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MACEDONIA SUPPORTS GEORGIA QUIETLY, ALSO SEEKS
DIPLOMATIC TIES
Ref: STATE 91894 and previous
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to reinforce reftel
points condemning Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
and called on the GoM to make a forceful public statement to that
effect. Milososki replied that "we will never recognize" these
territories, and Macedonia wants to help Georgia. He reported that
he had met Georgian Deputy PM Baramidze and the Georgian Speaker last
week at the Democratic Convention in Denver and expressed Skopje's
strong support. In addition, the three discussed establishing formal
diplomatic relations as soon as possible (with Georgia recognizing
Macedonia under its constitutional name). He asserted that previous
Macedonian attempts over the years to establish diplomatic relations
had met with lack of follow-up from Tbilisi, but he was hopeful that
the two countries could exchange letters as soon as the upcoming
UNGA. He added that he had instructed the Macedonian PermRep in New
York and his ambassador in Washington to work with their Georgian
counterparts to this end.
2. (C) However, Milososki demurred when we pressed for a firmer
Macedonian public line, citing Macedonia's somewhat precarious
position as a non-NATO member: "We cannot make strong statements like
Lithuania." However, as a candidate country Macedonia has
consistently joined EU statements on the crisis, will continue to do
so, and will give full diplomatic support to Georgia. Milososki
offered that the Russian ambassador here did not press hard for
recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, no doubt realizing
Macedonia's strategic orientation.
3. (C) Comment: Macedonia is reluctant to stick its neck out publicly
on Georgia, though it may become slightly more inclined to do so once
the two countries establish relations and, most importantly for
Skopje, Georgia recognizes Macedonia under its constitutional name.
While we cannot evaluate the GoG's equities, it seems that Georgia
and Macedonia establishing formal ties would be a welcome, supportive
gesture. In any case, we will continue to urge Macedonia to speak
out publicly for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
End comment.
NAVRATIL