MACEDONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISAF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000582 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SUBJECT: MACEDONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISAF REF: A. STATE 120807 ¶B. SKOPJE 00569 Classified By: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On November 28 Ambassador Reeker raised with PM Gruevski the request for further assistance in Afghanistan and public support following the upcoming announcement of U.S. policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan. Gruevski said he would issue a public statement of support following the President's speech and reiterated Macedonia's participation in ISAF including its increased contribution of 79 additional troops this year (REFTEL B). ¶2. (C) Separately, we conveyed REF A points to Julija Bogatinovo of the MFA's Office of Security Cooperation. She also noted Macedonia's increased troop contribution and said she would pass along the request to all relevant government officials to see what additional support Macedonia could provide. MFA officials indicated that they would publicly back the U.S. Afghanistan/Pakistan policy following its announcement at the upcoming NATO Ministerial and requested that post continue to inform them of opportunities to contribute to stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. NAVRATIL