MACEDONIA'S DIASPORA GROUPS

UNCLAS SKOPJE 000540


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV BEXP BTIO EAID OIIP PHUM PREL SCUL SMIG
TSPL, EINV, MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA'S DIASPORA GROUPS

REF: SECSTATE 86401

This cable is responsive to the request for information in
SecState 86401.


1. (SBU) Summary: Diaspora groups from Macedonia, most
active in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, are divided along
the ethnic lines of the country,s two largest groups--
ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians. The ethnic
separation of diaspora interests -- coupled with use of the
term "Macedonian" by diaspora groups with links to and
interests in Greece (representing starkly different interests
from diaspora groups of the Republic of Macedonia) -- blurs
the picture of the Macedonian diaspora. As a result, there
is not a single diaspora linked directly back to the modern
borders and full ethnic diversity of the Republic of
Macedonia. Typically more rigid than mainstream political
elements within Macedonia on issues of identity and
ethnicity, ethnic Macedonian diaspora groups tend to focus on
history, identity, and the name issue. Ethnic Albanian
diaspora groups are pan-regional, focused on issues of
interest to ethnic Albanians throughout the Balkans and the
world, and not narrowly on the interests of the ethnic
Albanian minority in Macedonia. Ethnic Macedonian and ethnic
Albanian diaspora groups, both with some links to the
political leadership of Macedonia, so far have not worked
together on issues of importance for the whole of the
country, but have expressed some willingness to do so, with
encouragement from the Embassy. One group new to the mix,
Macedonia 2025, may help change the discourse of
diaspora groups by focusing on economic development in
Macedonia, rather than issues of history or identity. End
Summary.

Ethnic Macedonian Groups
--------------


2. (SBU) The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD),founded in
2004, is headquartered in Washington, D.C. UMD,s stated
main goal is fostering unity among ethnic Macedonian people
and advancing their interests, such as recognition of
Macedonia,s constitutional name, its language, identity and
history. UMD claims to have representatives serving
Macedonian communities around the world, including Brussels,
Canberra, London, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Stuttgart,
Sydney and Toronto. Website: www.umdiaspora.org.


3. (SBU) The Macedonian-American Friendship Association,
based in Columbus, Ohio, "is dedicated to preserving
the peace in the Republic of Macedonia by compiling and
disseminating information about the situation in the
Republic of Macedonia to the Government, Congressional
representatives and media," according to its website. As is
the case for the UMD, the issues on which the organization
focuses and disseminates information
are largely those of history and identity. Website:
www.macedonianamerican.org.


4. (SBU) The Macedonian Alliance, founded in 1991, is
headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, also is focused on
ethnic Macedonian issues. In particular, its website focuses
on funding and support to families of ethnic Macedonians --
"Fallen Heroes" --who died in the 2001 civil conflict.
Website: www.macedonianalliance.com


5. (SBU) The Macedonian Patriotic Organization,
headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, claims to have 16 local
chapters around the U.S. and Canada. Its primary focus is
the history/identity of ethnic Macedonians and the name
dispute. Website: www.macedonian.org. Other organizations
are also active in New Jersey and Florida.

Ethnic Albanian Groups
--------------


6. (SBU) The National Albanian American Council,
headquartered in Washington D.C. is, "dedicated to
advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic
development in the Balkans." NAAC representatives make
regular visits to the region and frequently schedule meetings
with Macedonian political leaders and senior diplomats within
Macedonia's international community. The NAAC's primary
goals in Macedonia are to encourage political dialogue and
promote foreign investment in the ethnically Albanian regions
of the country. Website: www.naac.org.


7. (SBU) The Albanian American Civic League, headquartered
in New York and run by former Congressman Joe Dioguardi
occasionally visits Macedonia, but focuses most of its
efforts on Kosovo and is less active in Macedonia than the
NAAC. Website: www.aacl.com


Economy
--------------


8. (SBU) While most ethnic Macedonian groups emphasize
identity, history and name over economic issues, one
diaspora group is breaking the mold, focusing exclusively on
issues of economic competitiveness and development for
Macedonia. Macedonian diaspora group "MK 2025," led by
former Motorola and Nortel Networks executive Mike
Zafirovski, signed a memorandum of understanding with USAID
on November 14, 2008 to cooperate in strengthening
Macedonia,s business competitiveness.


9. (SBU) Both ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian diaspora
members have returned to take on active roles in Macedonia,s
economy. The most common form of diaspora investment is the
purchase of small or medium sized enterprises, often together
with family members of the diaspora member,s home
"community" in Macedonia. These investments tend to be
smaller, less than one million USD as an initial investment.
Post expects that this type of diaspora involvement will
continue.

Engagement of Macedonian Leadership with the Groups
-------------- ---


10. (SBU) There is regular interaction between diaspora
groups and the GoM, including visits and high-level meetings
between ethnic Macedonian diaspora groups and the highest
levels of Macedonian political power structures. Recent
photos of meetings with the Prime Minister, President,
Foreign Minister and other officials cover the UMD webpage,
and top-level leaders participated in UMD,s Global
Conference. Similarly, ethnic Albanian members of the GoM
maintain contacts with the NAAC and other groups. For
instance, the most recent visitor from the NAAC expressed a
great deal of interest in development projects focused on
improving education and refurbishing schools in heavily
ethnic-Albanian communities. These contacts typically do not
cross ethnic lines, although as mentioned above President
Ivanov met with the NAAC leadership in September on the
margins of the UNGA, and proposed that next year he convene a
meeting of both ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian
diaspora organizations in the United States. It is also
noteworthy that two U.S. citizen members of the Macedonian
diaspora currently serve in ministerial positions in PM
Gruevski's cabinet.


Embassy,s Engagement with Diaspora Groups
-------------- --------------


11. (SBU) The diaspora groups on both sides of the ethnic
divide have shown enthusiasm for engagement with the Embassy,
and particularly for meetings and events with the Ambassador.
During visits to Macedonia, the various diaspora groups
typically make a point of including a meeting at the Embassy
in their travel schedules. Similarly, Ambassador Reeker
regularly meets with these groups during his consultations in
Washington and New York, and takes part in special events.
These include his June 2009 speeches to the "First Annual
Global Conference" of the UMD in which he encouraged UMD to
focus its energy on pragmatic measures to help the whole
country (he has been invited to attend the Second Annual
Global Conference in Toronto in June 2010; his attendance of
the 13th Annual Awards Gala of the NAAC in New York on
September 25; and his planned January 2010 meeting with the
Macedonian-American Friendship Association in Columbus.

REEKER