Macedonia

[sToRmR1dR]

Senator Lee calls out Ambassador Baily to explain his support for Soros activities in Macedonia

http://english.republika.mk/senator-lee-calls-out-ambassador-baily-to-explain-his-support-for-soros-activities-in-macedonia/

Senator Mike Lee called out US Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily to explain his policy of awarding millions in grants to the George Soros led Foundation Open Society Macedonia. Lee shared an article published in The Daily Caller which warned about the activities of the Soros foundation in Macedonia, in organizing violent protests aimed at overthrowing the Government at a moment when Macedonia is a key country in blocking Soros’ pet project – opening the borders of Europe to unregulated migration from the Middle East.

“Good article – NGO’s pushing controversial agendas in foreign nations. I hope our Ambassador in Macedonia provides clarity”, Senator Lee wrote on his twitter account, while sharing the link to the article written by retired Colonel Wes Martin.

Lee is a Republican Party Senator from Utah and used to sit on the Foreign Relations Committee, while also reportedly being on the President Trump list for the Supreme Court seat left vacant following the death of Judge Antonin Scalia.

The US Embassy in Macedonia has frequently been the subject of criticism over the tens of millions USD it has awarded, mainly through the USAID Democracy and Governance project, to the Foundation Open Society Macedonia directly, and to numerous smaller affiliated organizations. USAID Macedonia awarded one of the largest such projects to FOSM right before the US Presidential elections, and the 9,5 million USD grant is currently being implemented.

The conservative VMRO-DPMNE party has also called for a process of removing Soros’ influence in Macedonia, saying that the sprawling network of NGO groups that includes youth organizations, left wing media outlets,refugee support organizations and activism schools was involved in the two years of protests that often turned violent with dozens of injured police officers, and sparked a serious political crisis. These protests were narrowly coordinated with the social-democratic SDSM party, that was using unlawfully wiretapped conversations in an attempt to bring down the VMRO-DPMNE led Government.

In The Daily Caller article, Colonel Martin warns that the current goal of the Soros organization is to prevent VMRO-DPMNE, which won the early general elections on December 11th, from renewing its ruling coalition with the ethnic Albanian DUI party.

“Why exactly would an American businessman be interested in spending millions of dollars in Macedonia? The main reason includes financial and ideological interests. George Soros is aiming to weaken the Macedonian government, exert influence over the country’s elections, and weaken Europe by exploiting the refugee crisis in Macedonia in order to drop the value of European currency through speculation. Soros worked with the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia and other influential figures to implement his plans and undermine the Macedonian political system. Fortunately, the election result has showed that George Soros and his money would not, and could not, win. Macedonians would now allow it. The country’s citizens voted for the political leadership and clearly showed the type of country they want – and not what George Soros and his cronies prefer. The people have spoken: Macedonians will control the future of Macedonia. But Soros is not ending there — media and influential people funded by his Open society institute do an intensive campaign with main aim Gruevski not to create coalition with his partner DUI who is representing the Albanian minority”, Martin’s article warns.

VMRO-DPMNE Demands Explanation from US and EU

http://www.independent.mk/articles/40924/VMRO-DPMNE+Demands+Explanation+from+US+and+EU

The VMRO-DPMNE party has demanded an explanation from the US Embassy and the EU in two separate press releases, following Nikola Gruevski's failure to form a government.

The party has asked the US Embassy in Skopje whether their position for the talks on the forming of the government to resume means that the US suggests and demands that the Republic of Macedonia should not hold snap parliamentary elections. VMRO-DPMNE wants to know if this is the official position of the new administration of the US.

"A day after VMRO-DPMNE has publicly stated that the situation in Macedonia is mature for fresh elections, the Embassy of the US in response to a journalist's question has called parties to resume with talks on the forming of a new government. This answer to a journalist's question followed VMRO-DPMNE's failure to form a government within the constitutional deadline, and SDSM's statement that they should hence be given the mandate, although this has not been stipulated in the Constitution. Given the reactions of the public regarding this position of the Embassy, VMRO-DPMNE wants to know whether their position for the talks on the forming of the government to resume means that the US suggests and demands that the Republic of Macedonia should not hold snap parliamentary elections. VMRO-DPMNE wants to know if this is the official position of the new administration of the US i.e. whether the parties should form a new government with the existing parliamentary seats," the press release reads.

Furthermore, according to VMRO-DPMNE, every country, particularly the Eastern European countries, require continuous reforms though alterations of laws, for which sometimes a bigger majority is needed, for instance a two-third majority, which is essential for the alterations of some laws in Macedonia.

"Still, governments rarely form governments with a two-thirds majority. Even in such a situation, some of them through debates and discussions with the opposition in the Parliament manage to pass laws by a joint effort when laws require a greater majority than the one of the ruling coalition. There were many such cases in Macedonia, when the ruling coalition managed to gain support for some reform laws in the Parliament from the opposition which indicates that reforms can be implemented without a two-thirds majority. Therefore, we would like to ask whether the EU has a set-up practice when a government is formed in every EU member country and EU candidate country to publicly call for a government as broad as possible or if Macedonia is an exception." the VMRO-DPMNE asks the EU.

 

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US Embassy in Macedonia under Investigation: Top Congressman Demands Removal of Baily

http://www.independent.mk/articles/40992/US+Embassy+in+Macedonia+under+Investigation+Top+Congressman+Demands+Removal+of+Baily

Leading Republican House representative Christopher Smith announced an investigation in the activities of the US Embassy in Macedonia, and the allegations that it has acted in an openly partisan way in the past years, supporting the left wing SDSM party, MIA reported.

The call comes after the Embassy failed to respond to a letter signed by Smith and five other GOP representatives, who demanded answers over meddling in domestic politics, but also over Embassy funding for activities of the George Soros-led Foundation Open Society Macedonia.

"The US Ambassador should not have a role in forming the Government or take sides during the coalition making process. It is not the place of the United States or the US representatives in Skopje to do so. We, as a group of members of Congress, sent specific question in our letter asking whether there was collusion between the Embassy and left wing parties during the elections. We need to have free and fair elections and to work with the media, but under no circumstances should we take sides. This Ambassador has taken a side and he should be fired immediately! I've served in the Congress for 37 years, I am a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I chair the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Global Human Rights and International Operations Subcommittee. And I think it is unheard of that our Ambassador in Skopje takes a side in these elections, or in any other past or future elections. That is not his job. We intend to get to the bottom of this. We did not receive a response to our letter and we are asking the Inspector General to file a report. If they violated the law, they will be held responsible", representative Smith told the Macedonian Television correspondent in Washington D.C.

Representative Smith reacts following numerous reports that the US Embassy has extended significant funds to activities of NGO groups associated with the Soros network. According to Smith, if the US Government gives funding to NGO activities, they should go to non-­partisan and neutral groups, and not to the Soros led groups for whom there are long-standing allegations that they are coordinating their actions with the social-democratic SDSM party.

"In this case, it seems that the US Government funded organizations that have taken sides, specifically, the side of the socialists, which is absolutely unacceptable. I think this is illegal and we will examine this case to the fullest extent. I sent Ambassador Jess Baily some very specific questions and, again, he did not respond. We need to promote democracy, and not take sides and promote political parties or their coalitions", adds Smith.

The letter was addressed to US Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily, and was sent on January 17th. It is signed by representatives Smith, Louie Gohmert, Randy Hultgren, Robert Aderholt, Robert Pittenger and Jeff Fortenberry, all members of the Republican Party, some of whom have strongly supported Macedonia in the past. The letter contains a series of questions to Ambassador Baily over the way he worked with the political parties in Macedonia, over allegations that he promoted positions favorable to the SDSM party, his funding of the George Soros led NGO groups and of media outlets who fall on the left side of the political divide. The letter coincides with a similar call from Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who sat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Lee called Ambassador Baily out via social media and asked him to provide clarity in his activities, after The Daily Caller reported on US Embassy activities to fund Soros groups in Macedonia.

"We value the close relationship that has been formed between the United States and Macedonia in the 25 years since it achieved independence. That relationship has allowed the US to contribute to Macedonia's political and economic development ­ and Macedonia to cooperate with the United States, contributing to many of our country's foreign policy priorities. It would obviously be profoundly destructive for that relationship were our country were to be perceived within Macedonia as interfering in its internal politics, media, and civil society in such a way as to consistently favor one group over another. We hope to receive from you accurate information in response to our questions no later than two weeks from the date of this letter. We also hope that you will be available to meet with us to discuss these matters the next time you are in Washington DC", is the conclusion of the letter signed by the six representatives.

After the representatives failed to receive a response, they are now announcing an investigation in the allegations and say they will take the matter before the newly appointed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

"Our message is that, if the US Government took a political side, it has made a major error and all those involved should apologize and stop immediately. Ultimately, diplomats who were acting in this way will be held responsible. We are all for free and fair elections, but not for taking sides. I will be in touch with Secretary Tillerson, and I have already been in touch with members of the Trump transition team. We need to have a detailed oversight into what the Administration has been doing over the past eight years because we have been taking sides politically in other countries as well, and there have been other similar incidents. That undermines US public diplomacy and our diplomacy in general. It is against the law and is unheard of. Again, he (Baily) needs to be fired!", Smith told the Macedonian National Television.

The letter informs Ambassador Baily that the representatives have heard "credible reports that, over the past two years, the US Mission to Macedonia has actively intervened in the party politics of Macedonia, as well as in the shaping of its media environment and civil society, in a manner that consistently favors the parties, media, and civil society groups of the center left over those of the center right. These include disturbing reports that the actions of the US Mission to Macedonia strongly favored the center­left parties in the run­-up to the parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for April 24, later postponed to June 5th, and then finally held on December 11th, and in the post election process by which the Macedonian parties are now negotiating to form a new Government".

Specific sets of questions addressed to the Ambassador include:

- Has the US Mission to Macedonia selected the Foundation Open Society ­ Macedonia (FOSM) as the major implementer of USAID projects in Macedonia? Is FOSM perceived in Macedonia as politically biased? Do the activities of FOSM show a political bias? Do the NGOs, media entities, and projects funded by FOSM have an agenda that corresponds to or favors that of the center­-left and / or left in Macedonia?

- How many media outlets received US Government funds (through FOSM or otherwise) and what are their names? How many media outlets in Macedonian language that have received US Government funds are politically oriented to the center left? How many to the center right? Has the US Mission in Macedonia promoted the adoption by the Macedonian Government of a media regulation that would limit free speech in a way inconsistent with the first amendment to the United States Constitution?

- Have any NGOs that receive US Government funds (including through FOSM or otherwise) taken sides in the election or in the formation of the next Macedonian Government? For each NGO, what sides have they taken?

- Please describe the role that you and other persons associated with the US Mission to Macedonia played in the discussions that led to the scheduling of the parliamentary elections. It is particularly relevant to know whether and how the position represented by the US Mission to Macedonia corresponds or not to those of the various Macedonian political parties.

The letter also expresses the hope that role of the Ambassador was not improperly partisan.

VMRO-DPMNE: US Embassy Not representing the Trump Administration

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31162/1/

VMRO-DPMNE noted that the United States Embassy was not able to produce a confirmation that its earlier position, that Macedonian political parties should continue working on a new coalition, is also the official position of the new, Donald Trump led Administration.

Jess Baily going Rogue

The Embassy called on the parties to continue talking, even after VMRO-DPMNE called for holding early elections after the inconclusive outcome of the vote on December 11th. VMRO-DPMNE asked the Embassy whether the call to continue talks is the official position of the US Administration, and whether the United States are suggesting that new elections should not take place and that the current Parliament should continue to try and hammer out a coalition. The Embassy responded to the press that it will not make additional comments on the matter. According to VMRO-DPMNE, this response makes it clear that the initial statement made by the Embassy on Tuesday is not the position of the Donald Trump Administration.

US Embassy leans towards Soros, not their new president

"VMRO-DPMNE is grateful to the Embassy on its response. It is short, but it says it all. In it, there is no confirmation that the new Administration in Washington D.C. urges Macedonia not to hold early elections and that we should try to form a Government with the current Parliament", VMRO-DPMNE writes in its press release on Wednesday.

Coalition making talks were stuck after the Democratic Union for Integration was unable to reach an internal party decision on what to do after the inconclusive elections. VMRO-DPMNE and DUI have just about enough votes in Parliament to approve the next Government, but DUI said that it is torn between five options, which include calling for another election. President Gjorge Ivanov initiated meetings with party leaders, as there is nothing in the Constitution that will guide the process beyond the initial 30 days post - election period.

Russian FM: Once again we see massive Meddling in Macedonian Internal Affairs by few Western nations

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31174/1/

Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a press release in which it calls for an end to the political crisis in Macedonia and calls on "the West" to stop meddling in Macedonian internal political affairs.

"We note the serious deepening of the political crisis in Macedonia. It is now clear that the artificially caused early general elections on December 11th 2016 did not contribute to regulating the situation. Open foreign influence over the political forces in Macedonia continues under the guise of pseudo-democratic slogans", the Russian Foreign Ministry writes in its press release issued today. According to the Ministry, the goal of the Western countries that are trying to influence the coalition making process is to prevent VMRO-DPMNE and DUI from forming the usual a coalition of winners among the two largest ethnic groups.

The Foreign Ministry also reminds on the multi-ethnic character of Macedonia and warns that a situation when politicians from one ethnic group try to impose the coalition partner from another ethnic group can lead to confrontation. "The shameless Machiavellian manipulations with the will of the voters can escalate the situation in Macedonia and endanger the fragile stability of the entire region", the press release goes on, before calling on Macedonian parties to reject foreign interference and to focus on resolving domestic political issues internally.

 

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Senator Lee calls out Ambassador Baily to explain his support for Soros activities in Macedonia

http://english.republika.mk/senator-lee-calls-out-ambassador-baily-to-explain-his-support-for-soros-activities-in-macedonia/

Senator Mike Lee called out US Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily to explain his policy of awarding millions in grants to the George Soros led Foundation Open Society Macedonia. Lee shared an article published in The Daily Caller which warned about the activities of the Soros foundation in Macedonia, in organizing violent protests aimed at overthrowing the Government at a moment when Macedonia is a key country in blocking Soros’ pet project – opening the borders of Europe to unregulated migration from the Middle East.

“Good article – NGO’s pushing controversial agendas in foreign nations. I hope our Ambassador in Macedonia provides clarity”, Senator Lee wrote on his twitter account, while sharing the link to the article written by retired Colonel Wes Martin.

Lee is a Republican Party Senator from Utah and used to sit on the Foreign Relations Committee, while also reportedly being on the President Trump list for the Supreme Court seat left vacant following the death of Judge Antonin Scalia.

The US Embassy in Macedonia has frequently been the subject of criticism over the tens of millions USD it has awarded, mainly through the USAID Democracy and Governance project, to the Foundation Open Society Macedonia directly, and to numerous smaller affiliated organizations. USAID Macedonia awarded one of the largest such projects to FOSM right before the US Presidential elections, and the 9,5 million USD grant is currently being implemented.

The conservative VMRO-DPMNE party has also called for a process of removing Soros’ influence in Macedonia, saying that the sprawling network of NGO groups that includes youth organizations, left wing media outlets, refugee support organizations and activism schools was involved in the two years of protests that often turned violent with dozens of injured police officers, and sparked a serious political crisis. These protests were narrowly coordinated with the social-democratic SDSM party, that was using unlawfully wiretapped conversations in an attempt to bring down the VMRO-DPMNE led Government.

I hope Macedonia continues to push Soros and his influences (including Ambassador Baily) out of their Country. Considering Hungary, which Soros claims "to be his property" was able to push him and his NGO's, etc. out - Macedonia can follow the same path? Even Romania is rioting against Soros.
More neighboring Countries need to do the same, including reducing and eliminating NATO. Hopefully Trump might be able to push Soros out of the US, also?

There are some indications - Soros has been flooding the Balkans, primarily Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Islamist infrastructure including the Wahhabi movement for close to 20 years, to further break apart the Balkans for complete control (Globalism). I think, NATO has been a big part of this, along with Soros "Color Revolutions", financing and US/NATO installing their puppets in government positions?


Putin's visit to Hungary: Will there be a common anti-Soros front?
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/02/putins-visit-to-hungary-will-there-be.html

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Budapest is stirring European and Ukrainian media. First of all, everyone is offended by the fact that the Russian president peacefully landed in a country belonging to the EU and NATO and found understanding and full support there.

Second of all, it appears like Russia is able to offer EU countries very attractive terms of cooperation that could outweigh all talk of European solidarity against Russia. As always, it’s suddenly been rediscovered that the riches that come from working with Russia triumph over evil.

What’s more, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stabbed “young Ukrainian democracy” in the back by stating that the transit of gas through Ukraine is unreliable, and that Hungary supports diversifying deliveries. Translated from Hungarian diplomatic language into simple English, this approximately sounds like this: “Ukraine and Naftogaz are out, we support Nord Stream 2 through which Putin has promised to supply us gas.” Now Ukraine has the bad luck of losing yet another European country to supporting Nord Stream 2. Against this background, the resolution introduced to the Verkhovna Rada that will severely undercut the rights of the Russian and Hungarian languages in Ukraine looks very timely. It will further enrage Budapest which traditionally, fiercely protects the rights of Hungarian minorities in other countries.

Here it is necessary to say a few words about the Hungarian PM, whose behavior has so upset European and Ukrainian media, not to mention Angela Merkel herself. Viktor Orban is a “Poroshenko in reverse.” For example, instead of serving the IMF, European Commission, Hillary Clinton, and George Soros, he has always entered into sharp conflict with them and always come out the winner.

The Hungarian prime minister is no Che Guevara, and he perfectly understands limits, but he has nevertheless simply kicked the IMF delegation out of Budapest and closed down Soros’ foundation branches despite the fact that Hungary has always been considered basically the property of this American billionaire. He’s also always been at loggerheads with Hillary Clinton over ideological differences, and he has not hesitated to ignore the European Commission when it pushes demands at Hungary while always shaking her off to the max when it comes to allocating European funds for the country.

Despite all of the rowdy behavior and several attempts at organizing color revolutions in Hungary, Orban has for many years remained in power, and Hungary remains in the EU. This is an example of correctly protecting national interests. Perhaps the Hungarians’ success is related to the fact that Hungary has nationally-oriented elite, not a kleptocratic oligarchy like Ukraine.

Unfortunately, Hungary hardly acts like a country that will veto the extension of EU sanctions against Russia. The price of this action would be too expensive, and Orban is first and foremost a pragmatist. The $6.5 billion that Hungary loses yearly due to the sanctions is still less than the money that Hungary would be deprived of by the European Union.

However, in the first convenient instance, Hungary could support some of the European heavyweights on this matter, such as if the new French or Italian governments oppose the renewal of sanctions.

But we need Hungary for a slightly different purpose.

By building an example of cooperation with Russia with this country, and by building an ultramodern nuclear power plant there, we are destroying the myths about Russia. First, it will be made clear that cooperating with Russia is beneficial. Secondly, that Russia is not a gas station with an economy "torn to shreds", but an exporter of high technology at an affordable price. Thirdly, that Russia can be cooperated with even in such a complex sphere as nuclear energy.

This is truly mutually beneficial PR, which of course has no effect on the stubborn Clintonites and Soros grant receivers from the Eurocommission, but works wonderfully on the European business elite and those politicians for whom their countries’ interests are more important than the ideological trademarks of Victoria Nuland.

And finally, with Donald Trump’s ascent to power, there has been a perking up of all those who want and need to urgently and radically reform the EU in order for it to finally start working for EU citizens, not the handful of supranational oligarchs mentioned by Vladimir Putin at Valdai.

By building an example of cooperation with Russia with this country, and by building an ultramodern nuclear power plant there, we are destroying the myths about Russia. First, it will be made clear that cooperating with Russia is beneficial. Secondly, that Russia is not a gas station with an economy "torn to shreds", but an exporter of high technology at an affordable price. Thirdly, that Russia can be cooperated with even in such a complex sphere as nuclear energy.

The European politicians grown in the laboratories of the CIA and State Department are now demanding that all of Europe show solidarity in front of the threat of “Putinism” and “Trumpism” which could destroy the EU.

The case of Hungary shows that there will be no such “solidarity.” Putin and Trump will undermine the European bureaucracy from without while such people as Orban, Beppe Grillo, Marine Le Pen, and Geert Wilders will hollow it out from within until it is completely destroyed. I’ve often said that any empire which includes Ukraine necessarily falls apart. This time, the EU could collapse even though Ukraine really wanted in but wasn’t allowed to enter. History has a good sense of humor.

** The following is an official statement, in Mr. Balan's capacity as President of the Union of Banat Romanians, in Serbia **

Massive protests rock Romania ... with the stench of Soros
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/02/massive-protests-rock-romania-with.html

Yesterday's massive demonstrations in Romania , where around 100,000 people gathered, were sponsored and organized by Soros financed NGO's in Romania, and by the Soros funded political party, the USR. They were praised and supported by the openly masonic German president of Romania, Klaus Iohanis, who incited violence and called for a revolution.

This impostor won a rigged election, he is against Romanian interests and calls for the so-called Europeanization of Romania. Their excuse for rioting was the the judiciary reform laws adopted by the new Socialist government, which are amnesty laws which would halt the political persecution of patriotic anti-globalist politicians in Romania, at the hands of the CIA and Soros funded anti-corruption agency DNA. These protect the interests of multinational companies, and prosecutes nationalists by indicting them with false charges.

The present Socialist PSD government was elected by an overwhelming majority vote in December, over 50%, on their promises they would halt the further selling of Romanian resources to foreigners, their anti IMF stance, Eurosceptic views, raising of pensions, eliminating taxes etc. The USR Soros party which led the maidan protest yesterday, only won 8% in the election. They recruited young deluded people over the internet, their aim was to storm the parliament building and seize power. They openly called for the lynching of government officials by publishing their addresses and phone numbers on the net.

Had they not been defeated by our brave police forces in Bucharest yesterday, they would have set up tents and other maidan like structures in the Bucharest city centre, Victoria square, and we all know to where that leads. We, the Romanians of Serbia condemn the Soros protest and so do the majority of Romanians in Romania, and all over the world in our diaspora. My view is shared also by the Serbian Radical Party leader Dr. Seselj, whom I visited today.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will visit Kosovo today. (03.02.2017)

Jens Stoltenberg to visit Kosovo today
http://katehon.com/agenda/jens-stoltenberg-visit-kosovo-today

Reasons of the visit - Jens Stoltenberg is set to visit KFOR troops in Kosovo, and meet with their commander, as well as with some key representatives of the international community in Kosovo. He also plans to hold talks with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic and Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj.

Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO would continue to contribute to stability and security in Kosovo. He also noted that there would be no changes made concerning the peacekeeping force before the situation was discussed and analyzed in every detail.

In all probability, he is going to discuss the supporting wall near the main bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica, which Pristina is tearing down.

Hide The escalation of Serbia-Kosovo tensions - The relations between Serbia and Kosovo have sharply worsened after this escalation of tensions, following the incident with the Serbian passenger train from Belgrade to Mitrovica. This train was painted in Serbian colors and held the words “Kosovo is Serbia” in different foreign languages. There were Serbian Orthodox religious symbols adorning the inside. This was a way of celebrating the cultural heritage, Serbia explained.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said that the train was stopped “to protect the country's sovereignty” and that the country would not allow “machines that will provoke with a message of occupation.”

President Tomislav Nikolic even accused Kosovo of seeking a war.

NATO’s Goal - NATO’s goal in the conflict follows the main globalist strategy of the alliance, and thus is aimed against Serbia. The visit’s main goal is to show NATO’s support for the self-proclaimed Kosovo republic.

The so-called Kosovo republic is run by war-criminals that are backed by the globalist elite. These people have been known for organ trafficking, slave-trade and illegal gun-sales. The globalist's main geopolitical aim is to alienate and weaken the Slavic Orthodox presence in the region. In a sense, this is a continuation of the policy that was carried out in the Kosovo conflict.

However, Donald Trump has expressed his skepticism towards the globalist ideology, aiming for «Americanism, not Globalism». The situation may be changed soon.

If Russia and the United States join their counterterrorism efforts and launch a comprehensive large-scale operation to tackle Daesh in the Middle East, the militants will most likely flee to the Balkans, primarily Bosnia and Herzegovina, experts told Sputnik Serbia.

Why Bosnia May Become 'Ideal Refuge of Last Resort' For Daesh
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201702031050302782-bosnia-daesh-refuge/

Bosnia will become an "ideal refuge of last resort" for terrorists fleeing Iraq and Syria due to the existing infrastructure, an expert on terrorism Djevad Galijasevic asserted.

"Islamist infrastructure has been around in Bosnia for the last three decades. There are no obstacles preventing it from developing. Propaganda of [radical ideas] and financial assistance [to extremists] have continued unabated. One can buy any weapon in Bosnia. Some terrorists have their own banks," he detailed.

Milan Pasanski, president of the Forum for the Study of International Terrorism, shared these sentiments, saying that militants will most likely refrain from crossing the borders of the European Union since EU law enforcement and counterterrorism services have been on high alert. They will instead settle in the European periphery, primarily Kosovo, the Serbian region of Sandžak and Bosnia, he suggested.

The latest developments in Austria appear to confirm Pasanski's assessment.

Last week, imam Nedžad Balkan was arrested in the Austrian capital of Vienna. Galijasevic described him as the most radical, but not the most dangerous Islamic fundamentalist of Bosnian origin.

"Balkan is considered to be an expert in interpreting Islamic religious texts, particularly those on prophet Ibrahim. Balkan founded the İbrahim Milleti project. Several years ago the German police conducted a large-scale operation arresting Wahhabis affiliated with the project," the analyst said. "He is the most radical Islamist with ties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Vienna, but he is not the most dangerous one. In this respect, hafiz Muhamed Fadil Porča, who represents the Dawa Salafia union, is more dangerous."

The analyst added that Nedžad Balkan is active beyond Vienna, conducting operations in the Austrian cities of Linz, Klagenfurt and Graz. He was also active in other countries, most notably Switzerland and Germany.

"By detaining Nedžad Balkan Austrian authorities have indicated that if a second wave of refugees comes, they will not turn the blind eye on the fact that terrorists could be among them. It's common knowledge that Vienna has become a place where Islamic fundamentalists, with some coming from Bosnia, gather," Pasanski said.

The Wahhabi movement has gained wide spread all across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in past 20 years, Interior Minister of Republica Srpska Dragan Lukac said on Friday.

Several Thousand of Wahhabis Present in BiH - Rep. Srpska's Interior Minister
https://sputniknews.com/world/201612231048916831-wahhab-terrorism-daesh-bosnia/

The Wahhabi movement has spread all across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in past 20 years, and currently there are several thousand of its supporters in the country, Interior Minister of Republica Srpska, the BiH autonomous Serb region, Dragan Lukac said on Friday.

The minister had an interview with the N1 television channel to discuss security situation in the wake of attacks in Berlin and Ankara. According to him, the analysis of the situation shows an increase in the number of terrorists.

"In BiH, there are several thousand of supporters of the Wahhabi and Salafi movements that were the source of the terrorist attacks in BiH and Europe. This, however, does not mean that all who practice Wahhabism are terrorists," Lukac said.

He said that in the wake of conflict in Syria and emergence of Daesh, which is outlawed in many countries including Russia, up to 350 people left BiH to join terrorists in the Middle East.

The minister added that some 50 BiH nationals have been killed in the conflict zones, and some 50, who returned home, are currently under investigation over terrorism links.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

US Embassy in Macedonia under Investigation: Top Congressman Demands Removal of Baily

http://www.independent.mk/articles/40992/US+Embassy+in+Macedonia+under+Investigation+Top+Congressman+Demands+Removal+of+Baily

Macedonia's Sorosites to write Letter to Congress Supporting Baily

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31181/1/

Macedonian Soros activists made up of lefties journalists, professors and activists, on the payroll of USAid and George Soros will write a letter of support for US Ambassador Jess Baily. The reason is quite simple, if he is removed from Macedonia, their source of income will cease to exist.

There is a sense of urgency among the lefties NGOs funded by Soros, ironically through USAid. Professor Ljubomir Frckovski, Jovanovski, Najcevska, Gerovski, Open Society Heads Fanovska and Milcin will pen a letter to US Congress supprting the US Ambassador work in Macedonia, despite the fact there is overwhelming evidence he was at the forefront of destabilizng the country using US Taxpayers money in assisting the former communists in the country and the far left through demonstrations, and openly meddling in the electoral process.

The individuals behind the letter of support each recieve a monthly stipend from Soros (USAid) ranging from 5,000 - 14,000 euros. They are very much depending the man behind their additional source of income.

As we have reported earlier, US Congress has begun an investigation into the work of US Ambassador Jess Baily due to evidence he has colluded and abused USAid to finance George Soros NGOs up to the tune of 5m dollars in the past two years, and has already approved further financing of Open Society and NGOs tied to Open Society Foundation to the tune of $9m in the next few years.

The violent protests we see in the US today, already happened in Macedonia, except in Macedonia they were much more violent, and the US Ambassador was firmly behind them, so much so that Soros activists met at the US Embassy to coordinate their protests. Mr. Baily also was active in censoring the media and pressuring the judicial system in the country to side with lefties organization no matter what the case or the evidence behind it. Mr. Baily has been trully an embarassment for the United States and has set relations between the two friendly countries for at least 20 years.

There is a Shocker: Obama appointed State Department deputy spokesman supports Baily's Subversions

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31188/1/

U.S. policy in Macedonia is to support the country's Euro-Atlantic integration and the reforms necessary to advance that goal. This includes support for democratic reforms, the rule of law and the full implementation of the Przino agreement, Mark Toner, Obama appointed deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, said in a statement.

"Ambassador Baily and his team have been working in partnership with Macedonian authorities as well as with civil society to advance U.S. policy and U.S. goals. The Department of State has full confidence in our Embassy and Ambassador in Macedonia", says Toner.

Although Baily has created a toxic relationship and atmosphere goes without saying, Toner's statement is not surprising. It is a neocon leftie protecting his own. It is no different from the petition of Soros activists in Macedonia to Congress to back Baily's "work" in the country.

But Toner continues in Victoria Nuland style...

As a friend of Macedonia, the United States strongly urges all parties to respect the rule of law, democratic processes, and Macedonia's international commitments. We want to see a strong Macedonia, on its way to becoming a member of the Euro-Atlantic family, adds Toner in the statement, released by the U.S. Embassy to Skopje on Friday.

The statement comes after Republican House representative Christopher Smith announced an investigation in the activities of the US Embassy in Macedonia and the allegations that it has acted in an openly partisan way in the past years, supporting the left wing SDSM party. The call comes after the Embassy failed to respond to a letter signed by Smith and five other GOP representatives, who demanded answers over meddling in domestic politics, but also over Embassy funding for activities of the George Soros led Foundation Open Society Macedonia.

As Rush Limbaugh warned Trump earlier today, he needs to drain the swamp and drain it fast.

 

[angelburst29]

I have not been able to verify this information? But wanted to Post it, in case - it is valid?

RUSSIA WARNS: Serbs, beware, (Albania) is preparing a tough plan to attack you
http://srbin.info/2017/02/03/rusija-upozorava-srbi-cuvajte-se-sprema-se-pakleni-plan-za-napad-na-rs-i-sever-kosova/

02/03/2017 - Judging by the information provided by the Russian intelligence provided to our secret services, Albanians are preparing to invade the north of Kosovo, while Croats are preparing the same scenario for the western part of the Republic of Serbian!

In this wicked plan allegedly involved some NATO officials.

The plan is to carry out attacks in the next two weeks and at the same time, in order to prevent Serbia to react and protect their compatriots.

Their intention is to direct false motives for the attacks, but the goal is that in the next 24 hours Albanian special forces come to Jarinje, a Croatian Army RS cut in two!

For fear of a possible alliance between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, they want as quickly as possible to implement his plan to work, because they realize that this is perhaps the last good moment to attack.

That Russian intelligence services are not erred, confirms everything that happened on Thursday in the southern Serbian province.

Kosovo Serbs fear that the patrolling of special unit ROSU through Serbian villages only to prepare the ground for the implementation of the hellish plan on the final expulsion of our people from this area.

 

[Yozilla]

Well don't know for Albanians but there is no army in Croatia in broader sense to attack at this moment he he... Funny article

 

[caballero reyes]

Reply from yosilla 244: "there is no army in Croatia in broader sense"

Is this a captious statement, Is it? Or is it something real as there is effectively no army in Costa Rica country.

 

[Yozilla]

Well there are some so called professional soldiers/troops that are posing around in uniforms - in fact, in even more captious sense, it could be sarcastically said that we have more generals (200+ :O - some retired) than infantry men - he he. But our female president is former NATO gal - so we have someone to look after us!

 

[sToRmR1dR]

SDSM hired marketing experts from US, recommended by the Obama administration to run the election campaign

http://english.republika.mk/sdsm-hired-marketing-experts-from-us-recommended-by-the-obama-administration-to-run-the-election-campaign/

The Obama administration recommended two marketing experts to run SDSM party election campaign for the elections held on 11th of December, and the opposition party hired them.

Eric Burns and Kimberly Devlin are the two marketing and political campaign experts brought in Macedonia, hired by the SDSM party, who supposed to guarantee the victory for the opposition party at the elections held on 11th of December. The elections were postponed two times, on 26th of April and on 5th of June, so the international community did not wanted any mistakes. That is why these two experts were hired to provide help for the SDSM party’s political campaign. One of them from Huston, and the other from Washington. But their plan failed, since SDSM party did not won the elections, announces Vasko Eftov, in his TV show „Vo Centar“.

On both of their Facebook profiles, there are photographs from the SDSM party rallies.

Eric Burns is photographed on the rally held in Skopje:

SDSM should answer how much and how did they pay for the services, having in mind that the opposition party did not report such services. The evasion of this information raises suspicion that marketing experts may have been paid otherwise.

Many times before we have written about the indications that SDSM may have been financed from undeclared and illegal sources.

GOP Congressman funded by Albanian Mafia wants Macedonia split among neighbors

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31218/1/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia (MoFA) through its Embassy to Washington in diplomatic manner asked for stance of the US Department of State following the statements of US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher given with interview with Tirana-based "VizionPlus."

Congressman Rohrabacher is a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats. His expressed views generated great anxiety in regard to Macedonia and the region and inflame nationalist rhetoric in the neighborhood, returning us to the past, Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Foreign Ministry expresses confidence that the US Department of State will adequately clear up any doubt about the presented positions and would affirm its policy towards Macedonia and the Balkans.

In an interview for "VizionPlus" Rohrabacher said that the “creation of Macedonia as a state was a failure and that now, all the circumstances are created for this state to be shared by its neighboring, including Kosovo and Bulgaria.

To say that Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has a dubious past would be an understatement.

For decades, Rohrabacher has been a prominent supporter of radical Islamist terrorist organizations allied with the CIA – from elements of the Afghan Mujahadeen in the 1980s to the bizarre Iranian Islamo-Leninist cult called the People’s Mujhadeen (or MEK).

Rohrabacher connection to the Albanian lobby is well documented and dates back at least 20 years.

On July 23, 2001 Rohrabacher was hired by the Albanian Mafia in NYC and was the featured guest speaker at a fundraising dinner in Edgewater, New Jersey for the so called "Albanian-American Civic League", a political front group for the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army, or KLA. That event took place about fifteen miles from the World Trade Center, where – about six weeks later – thousands of people would be murdered in a terrorist act reportedly carried out by allies of the KLA. The KLA was branded a terrorist organization by the US State Department and European nations, but that didn't stop Rohrabacher from raising funds for them!?

He is frequently interviewed and called as a 'guest' on Albanian TV shows.

 

[angelburst29]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia has expressed its outrage to the US State Department after Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher suggested it was not a country, and should be partitioned by neighbors such as Kosovo and Bulgaria.

‘Macedonia not a country – sorry’: Skopje furious after US Congressman suggests partitioning
https://www.rt.com/news/376657-macedonia-split-rohrabacher-republican/

According to Rohrabacher, the creation of Macedonia itself was a failed project, and the atmosphere is ripe for a fresh redrawing of the borders.

“My inclination is Macedonia is not a country. I’m sorry – it’s not a country,” the California congressman told Albanian TV channel Vizion Plus.

“There is such a division in their country they will never be able to live together in the future. For this reason, Kosovars and Albanians from Macedonia should be part of Kosovo and the rest of Macedonia should be part of Bulgaria or any other country to which they believe they are related,” he was cited as saying by Bulgarian news wire BGNES in a translation from Albanian.

“The idea is to keep Macedonia alive because someone 30 years ago decided it is a configuration that should come out of the dismantling of Yugoslavia,” Rohrabacher continued.

But the congressman did not stop there. Asked if US President Donald Trump would be in favor of a partition, Rohrabacher said he has “influence on US policy makers now,” given his position on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “We will have hearings in the coming months,” he was cited by Albanian English news source Ocnal as saying.

On the issue of border redrawing, Rohrabacher said this would ideally be carried out with peace for the Balkans in mind.

The congressman also added that he is not afraid of Russian influence in the Balkan region.

These words led to a swift response from Skopje, whose foreign ministry took the issue up with Washington.

“His expressed views,” the statement reads, “generated immense anxiety regarding Macedonia and the region. They inflame nationalist rhetoric in the neighboring regions, taking us back into the past. We believe that the US State Department will adequately remove any doubt about the stated positions and will affirm its policy towards Macedonia and the Balkans.”

Rohrabacher currently chairs the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, and has served in the House of Representatives since 1989. During this time, he has had similar ideas. In 2012, he pitched a resolution for the self-determination of the Aziri people living inside Iran, suggesting to VOA Azerbaijani in an interview that the ethnic grouping should have the right not to be part of a state governed by “monstrous religious fanatics.”

Rohrabacher suggested in January to the Washington Post he would be visiting Moscow with a delegation “within a month” of Donald Trump’s inauguration as president. The plans are not yet confirmed and would first have to be approved by Representative Ed Royce (R-California), the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, who takes a hardline approach to Russia.

Rohrabacher, who has been called a part of the GOP’s “lunatic fringe” by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), has been vocal on constructive dialogue with Russia, earning him much ire with his Republican cohorts.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lukas Holub outed as Jess Baily's Agent in EU's Office

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31243/1/

A member of the EU's delegation in Macedonia, Lukas Holub whose official title is Counsellor (Head of Section for Political and Justice and Home Affairs issues, Information and Communication) has been identified as an agent of the US Ambassador to Macedonia, Jess Baily, reports InfoMaks.(http://infomax.mk/wp/%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B5%D1%83-%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%98%D0%B5-%D1%81%D0%BB%D1%83/)

On paper, it's the Soros vetted EU Ambassador to Macedonia Samuel Zbogar who is in charge, however, Mr. Holub has been identified as Baily's agent who is representing the interests of the US Ambassador during the negotiations for forming a Government. Holub has been persistent and instrumental in pressuring the DUI leadership from the first moment to form a Government with Zaev.

DUI's MPs have admitted Lukas Holub is defacto a representative for the US Embassy and Jess Baily as his requests are identical to those of the American Ambassador.

Jess Baily is forced to act via "third parties" in this case through EU's Lukas Holub because the US Ambassador is currently under Senate investigation for funding Soros NGOs and meddling in Macedonian internal affairs by supporting radical islamists and lefties political parties.

Soros-infected State Department plays political games in Albania

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/9/donald-lu-george-soros-cohort-plays-albania-politi/

Let’s start with a simple question: Is it OK for a United States ambassador to blackmail one political party in order to give an advantage to another party — in a foreign country?

Let’s take it a step further. Is it OK for a U.S. ambassador to dictate policy to the government of a foreign country, under the threat of “consequences,” if that government doesn’t follow his dictates? Is it acceptable for a U.S. ambassador to push the agenda of a certain Hungarian-American billionaire and the organizations he funds, and not the interests of the U.S. government, interests that include an open democratic process and the ability of the foreign government’s institutions to carry out their mandated duties?

What if I told you that the prime minister of that country attended liberal billionaire George Soros’ wedding? What if I told you that Mr. Soros has been supporting a government in Albania that critics say has profited from a raging drug trade that is killing thousands of people across Europe? What if this U.S. ambassador was seen to be attempting to shut down the investigation of one of the largest companies in Albania while preaching about the need to take a stand against official corruption?

It all started a few weeks ago in small Balkan nation, where an effort to overhaul the nation’s judicial system is underway. U.S. Ambassador Donald Lu, working with the Soros-backed party in power, canceled U.S. visas for approximately 70 members of the opposition Democratic Party, who were up for vetting to be named as judicial officials in the country. This blatantly partisan and undemocratic action threw the country into a political crisis.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana confirmed it had “revoked the non-immigrant visas of several Albanian judges and prosecutors after determining that the officials no longer qualify for these visas. Because visa records are confidential under U.S. law, we cannot comment on individual cases. The U.S. Embassy took this action in advance of the upcoming vetting process that will assess certain officials’ ties to corruption.”

What the statement doesn’t say is that none of the affected individuals was from the ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama. In short, the U.S. government’s envoy is now using strongman tactics to make the Albanian judicial system captive to the party that is getting rich off the drug trade and is supported by Mr. Soros’ Open Society Initiative, which calls for the legalization of drugs.

The Albanian prosecutor’s office reacted angrily, releasing a statement that said in part, “The Prosecution General would like to make it clear to Mr. Lu that if he’s used to being a lord in Albanian politics, he cannot do this with the prosecution. Mr. Lu thinks that he has the fate of the prosecution in his hand when he blackmails this institution in order to close investigations or by revoking visas.”

The statement said the ambassador’s moves were “typical Soros, aiming at manipulating public opinion and depreciating institutions.”

Any move by a U.S. diplomat meant to support only one party over another in a foreign country is anti-democratic, un-American and inconsistent with what the United States stands for. Creating a captive justice system for one party is the exact opposite of what was intended by Albania’s judicial reforms.

Here’s the big picture: There are covert sympathizers in the post-Obama State Department who are pushing a secret agenda that is anti-Republican and/or anti-Donald Trump. And some are now coming into the open: Some 1,000 diplomats recently signed a “dissent memo” against Mr. Trump’s temporary immigration curbs. These people have no problem canceling visas for those opposing their neo-Marxist policies overseas but will readily turn a blind eye to the misdeeds of, say, the Iranian regime, Hamas, or the Palestinian Authority.

Mr. Lu is destabilizing Albania by picking winners and losers in that country’s political disputes. Mr. Rama’s ties with Mr. Soros put the billionaire’s civil society nonsense over concerns about security and an independent judiciary.

The U.S. has until now staunchly sided with the ruling Socialist Party, polarizing this small but important Adriatic country. Albania is Muslim but secular. It is the only other Muslim country in NATO after Turkey and it is a candidate to join the European Union.

As Mr. Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clean out the Augean stables in Foggy Bottom, it is worth examining Mr. Lu’s partisanship and whether it’s in sync with Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” foreign policy.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Report: Saboteur Jess Baily to remain Ambassador at least 6 more months

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31254/1/

The decision of US President Donald Trump to replace the ambassadors appointed by the previous administration doesn't apply to any US diplomat serving in the Western Balkan countries, as none of them is a political appointee, the regional web portal 'European Western Balkans' says.

In December 2016 The New York Times reported that then US President elect Trump issued an edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by his Inauguration Day, which caused uproar in the diplomatic community and the global media.

To a layman, this sounds like a significant turn of events, but is nothing more than breaking of an established practice of granting of a few months grace period to the diplomats before appointing new ones. In reality, the resignation and replacement of politically appointed ambassadors at the end of the presidential term is an expected routine.

The news of hastened and forced resignation of US ambassadors raised public concern in the Balkan countries, as foreign ambassadors (especially US ambassadors) are perceived as powerful political actors who meddle endlessly in the countries of their appointment.

However all of the current top diplomats in the Western Balkan countries are career diplomats, unaffiliated with the old or new US administration. All of them have been confirmed by the US Senate around the end of 2014, and have assumed their posts at the beginning of the 2015, except for the Ambassador to Serbia.

Since most career diplomats serve a tour of roughly estimating three years per term, the regular cadre changes in the Western Balkans may be expected at the end of this or the onset of next year.

 

[angelburst29]

Former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said the Open Society Foundations of the US-Hungarian billionaire George Soros and other foreign actors are responsible for the ongoing political crisis in the country.

Ex-Macedonian PM Gruevski Accuses Soros of Formenting Country's Political Crisis
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201702121050598705-gruevski-soros-snap-elections/

Macedonia needs to hold new snap elections in which one party could clearly prevail over the rest, former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Sunday, as the country's parliamentary parties have failed to agree a coalition to form the government.

“We need snap elections. It would be better if one party, no matter which, clearly prevails, thus receiving the mandate to form the government and implement reforms. If we are going to get one seat less, we will not demean ourselves like the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia [opposition], who lost the election, but began to celebrate the victory, calling themselves the winners,” Gruevski, the leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), said in a statement.

A wide coalition of parties is not likely, as previous attempts to do so failed, Gruevski underlined. According to Gruevski, this point has been explained to Johannes Hahn, the EU commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, who had arrived to Skopje urging the parties to form a wide coalition.

The Open Society Foundations of the US-Hungarian billionaire George Soros and other foreign actors are responsible for the ongoing political crisis in the country, the VMPRO-DPMNE leader stressed.

The political crisis in Macedonia began in 2015 as the opposition accused the ruling conservatives of intercepting telephone conversations of some 20,000 people, including police officers, judges, journalists and diplomats. It resulted in the agreement reached last year between the most influential parties in Macedonia, under which Gruevski had to resign and the parliament was dissolved.

The Macedonians elected a new parliament in the early election in December 2016, after several cancellations. In the vote, the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party and the opposition party SDSM won 51 and 49 seats, respectively. However, each party had to gather support of minor parties to form a coalition government, as there are 120 seats in the country's legislative body.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lee Letter Seeks Accountability for US Ambassador in Macedonia

http://www.independent.mk/articles/41372/Lee+Letter+Seeks+Accountability+for+US+Ambassador+in+Macedonia

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to US Ambassador to Macedonia Jess Baily, asking for clarity on; the mission’s assistance to the formation of a new government; the involvement of George Soros’ Open Society Foundation; and the implementation of US Agency for International Development (USAID) programs. Sen. Lee eagerly awaits a reply from the State Department and hopes that the new administration will hold executive branch officials accountable for the way our tax dollars are spent.

Here is the full text of the letter:

https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=09FD00EC-5CA9-4FD4-8A18-03EE674A592A

Dear Ambassador Baily,

As you are keenly aware, the United States Senate plays a large role in not only Congressional oversight - preventing waste, fraud, and abuse of US Government resources - but also in statecraft and foreign policy through reviewing treaties, as well as confirming individuals to top leadership roles. With these responsibilities in mind, I am inquiring into the role the US Mission to Macedonia plays in the distribution of US foreign aid in Macedonia, the ongoing and sometimes tumultuous Macedonian political landscape, and in shaping Macedonia’s media environment and civil society. It is important that this nation of 2.1 million, situated in a historically turbulent region, continues developing with as little outside political influence as possible.

This is a critical time in Macedonia as their elected officials negotiate a new government in the aftermath of the parliamentary elections finally concluded this past December. Unfortunately, I have received credible reports that, over the past few years, the US Mission to Macedonia has actively intervened in the party politics of Macedonia, as well as in the shaping of its media environment and civil society, often favoring groups of one political persuasion over another. I find these reports discouraging and, if true, highly problematic.

In this regard, I respectfully request you answer the following questions:

1. Please describe the role that you and other persons associated with the US Mission to Macedonia played in the discussions that led to the scheduling of the parliamentary elections for April 24, 2016; the discussions that led to the postponement to June 5; and the postponement of the parliamentary elections to December 11. I hope in these dialogues all parties were consulted equally.

2. Has the US Mission to Macedonia selected the Open Society Foundations as the major implementer of USAID projects in Macedonia? And, is the Open Society Foundations perceived to have political bias by Macedonians? In this regard I would appreciate further information about the process by which projects and needs for Macedonia are assessed by US officials in country before requests for proposals are written and grant recipients org program implementers selected.

3. How many media outlets in Macedonia have received US Government funding and what are the names of these entities? Have you taken any action to influence the operations of these or any other media organizations? If so, what and why?

Though Macedonia is a small country, I value the close relationship that has been formed between the United States and Macedonia over the 25 years since it achieved independence. The US is encouraged by Macedonia’s political and economic development and appreciated Macedonia contributing to many of our country’s foreign policy priorities. I hope that as our own country transitions power, we are able to maintain a positive and unbiased relationship that prioritizes mutual interests over political agendas. To succeed, we must avoid what some see as tendencies towards ideological imperialism and interference in the natural, democratic development of a country.

I hope to receive from you accurate and prompt information in response to these questions no later than two weeks from the date of this letter. I also would welcome a meeting to discuss these matters the next time you are in Washington, D.C.


Sincerely,

Michael S. Lee United States Senator

Srbov: From 2011 to 2014, US$ 16 million have flown into the accounts of 96 NGOs in Macedonia

http://english.republika.mk/srbov-from-2011-to-2014-us-16-million-have-flown-into-the-accounts-of-96-ngos-in-macedonia/

When the facts speak for themselves, even the Gods are silent, and the courts you use to threaten us as well, Nikola Srbov of the Stop Operation Soros movement wrote on his Facebook profile.

From 2011 to 2014 (including 2014) 16,034,352 dollars have flown into the accounts of 96 NGOs in Macedonia, excluding the USAID funds from this figure, wrote Srbov.

– 2,189,906 dollars have been payed by the NED (National Endowment for Democracy)

– 12,905,656 dollars have been directly payed by George Soros

– 938,790 dollars have been payed by other foundations

Where is the problem? Donors such as the NED and others who transferred money could not have had accurate insight into the ideological background of the NGOs (which should not be ideologically determined) and how they act in society, and therefore we cannot condemn these foundations right away. The problem is George Soros, because 90 percent of the active NGOs have been created by his foundation, so other foundations like it or not payed money to Soros, and it is the same closed circle and monopoly that we talk about all the time, and Nikola Gruevski underlined that in last night’s interview. Of all the funds given to the NGO sector, George Soros is leading with 80.49% of the transferred funds in this period. Or in dollars: 12,905,656 from Soros, and 3,128,696 dollars from everybody else. The bulk of the money that George Soros sent most of his funding from the Foundation for the Promotion of Open Society based in New York which transferred 7,450,432 dollars in the corresponding period. Other transfers come from 4 of Soros foundations, of which, the second largest is also from New York, while the other two are based in Switzerland and Hungary.

As George Soros donations grew, the crisis in the country deepened:

2011 – 1,359,190 dollars transferred by Soros in Macedonia
2012 – 2,685,353 dollars, more than double that the previous year
2013 – 4,210,728 dollars
2014 – 4,650, 385 dollars, which means an increase of whole 242%

These funds were transferred to 45 organizations, but 75% ended up in the account of the Open Society Foundation Macedonia. But here only part of the funds are represented, annual data reports from the period between 2012 and 2014 show that the Foundation spent 16.6 million dollars in 3 years, I will take the matter further.

We have another problem, and he is with us. In 2015 the Foundation spent 5.4 million dollars, while the Government of Macedonia spent only 645,000 dollars, while the former are spent for political purposes and the latter are spent for real NGOs (in the field of culture and environment) but too little. In conclusion, the Government should increase the budget, as Nikola Gruevski has already said.

Another funding should be added to all this, as I wrote, USAID is not included here because it should be found out how much of the USAID funds are linked to Soros, we cannot just put them all in a heap. I guess we are talking about a figure of over 32 million dollars given to the NGOs which 90% belong to George Soros, without last year.

Finally, threaten all you want, we just started and we will not go back because you put our country jeopardy, I will present details at a press conference, and in court if you want, wrote Srbov.

Eftov: British Intel behind BESA, and so called "albanian platform"

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/31273/1/

For nearly a century the British have played a key role first in the creation, then in the maintenance, but also in the support of the "albanian cause" in the Balkans, says popular Macedonian analyst and TV host Vasko Eftov.

"The evidence is widespread. The most recent and entranched in people's memories is of course the whisking away of albanian terrorists and islamic radicals from Kosovo and into Macedonia and vice versa in UK(NATO) helicopters each time their proxies faced defeat. Macedonian forces of course couldn't open fire on UK(NATO) helicopters. We saw it in Aracinovo. We saw the connection in Kumanovo" says Eftov.

https://www.sott.net/article/296362-Macedonia-The-US-quest-for-Greater-Albania-and-sabotaging-Russias-Balkan-Stream-project

Before Eftov, the Russians discussed British destabilizing influence in the Balkans. In a text covered by Russian based Sputnik News Agency titled "How the British formed UCK, split Kosovo and destabilized Macedonia" , it discusses the crucial role MI6 had in the Kosovo conflict, adding it illegally based their SAS team in Macedonia to assist the UCK.

"The entire SAS and MI6 teams had diplomatic passports. Their duties were essential in preparing the area for an upcoming conflict. Their job was also to make sure if any resistance is formed, how to undermine such resistance" says Sputnik.

Similarly to 2001, the British Secret Service has been very active in Macedonia since 2014. With MI6's assistance was created BESA, the radical islamic party in Macedonia.

The contact with the radical islamists in Macedonia was started by deputy British Ambassador Paul Edwards. It was initiated through Mia Marzouk, a political representative of the UK Government who speaks fluent Albanian.

Mia Marzouk, On November 26th, 2016, twenty days before the Macedonian elections scheduled for December 11th, visited Tirana where she met with Edi Rama. While in Tirana, Marzouk started working on the so called "albanian platform", a list of demands which all ethnic albanian political parties were told to adapt after the elections - says Eftov. To this end, a visit by DUI, DPA, BESA was arranged to Tirana so they can familiarize themselves with and accept the new platform. It's no accident that Zaev started this very plaform verbally two months before the elections.

According to Eftov, BESA was included in the British Umbrella of influence with DUI and DPA in order to prevent any Turkish influence over BESA because the Turks were seen as detrimental to the British agenda due to their strong support of Macedonia's name in its dispute with Greece.

Marzouk's husband Lawrence is also involved in anti Macedonian activities through the BIRN Balkan Network, a fake journalist network led by British Intelligence MI6 which covers the Balkans. Balkan Insight is part of BIRN's fake news network.

Gruevski: Accepting the Albanian platform will open Pandora’s box

http://english.republika.mk/gruevski-accepting-the-albanian-platform-will-open-pandoras-box/

Answering a question on the platform of the Albanian parties, VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski said he will not sign a platform that will not bring peace in the country.

“We told DUI that we cannot accept a platform signed in another country and talk about it. We recognized that this is an attempt to renegotiate the Ohrid Framework Agreement. And we know that many times we have had suggestions from all sides that there were difficulties reaching this agreement and that we should not think about renegotiating, because other communities would come with their own requirements as well as the majority community. Thus, we open Pandora’s box that I am not sure would end well”, Gruevski said.

“Everything should be logical in politics. In this elections Albanians were offered something that will not bring them any better. What benefit will they have if bilingualism is introduced in Berovo, Stip, Demir Kapija … We said we can talk about that in municipalities where there are at least 20% of any ethnic community, so that other minorities can get something. We need to see whether there is something logical and that offers some human rights or improves the lives of the people, not only politicians to boast that they did something,” Gruevski added.

In the interview on TV Nova, VMRO-DPMNE leader said that the party would not quit working for the sake of citizens.

“If SDSM does that and accepts the platform, we are ready to go into opposition and we will do everything in our power not to accept such requests which will disturb the peace. We want to help all citizens to have better life through economy, jobs, pensions, salaries and better opportunities for all. We are people who keep our promises and we will not accept illogical things. We are not against Albanians even though Soros media vilified us and created a bad perception of us”, Gruevski said.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

In meantime the Greeks and Bulgarians have been bombing the EU Parliament :)

Even 318 amendments to the resolution on Macedonia requests for deletion of the name!

http://vecer.mk/makedonija/duri-318-amandmani-za-rezolucijata-za-makedonija-so-baranja-za-brishenje-na-imeto

_https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=mk&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fvecer.mk%2Fmakedonija%2Fduri-318-amandmani-za-rezolucijata-za-makedonija-so-baranja-za-brishenje-na-imeto&sandbox=1

A total of 318 amendments were submitted to the draft resolution on the Republic of Macedonia in the European Parliament, which last month prepared and presented to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (AFET) rapporteur Ivo Vajgl, MIA reports from Brussels.

As already regular practice the past years, the Greek-Bulgarian MEPs are leading the amendment cannonade on Macedonia's resolution and they have filed nearly two-thirds of the notes of the first text prepared Vajgl.

From requesting complete deletion of the words "Republic of Macedonia" "Macedonia", the adjective "Macedonian" in the draft resolution are often represented, through condemnation of the political crisis and withdrawal of the recommendation to start negotiations for membership in the European Union recognition of the 100,000 Bulgarians in Macedonia, a joint celebration of historical events in Bulgaria and so on.Everything is contained in this amendment dozen responses of Greece and Bulgaria in the European Parliament of a resolution next month should be made based on last year's progress report of the European Commission to the Republic of Macedonia.

First, Greek MEPs Sofia Sakorafa Manolis Kefaloyiannis and Mary Spiraki in Amendments 11 and 12 seek to completely discard that "Parliament has the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the implementation of the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995", although previously the Sakorafa required to be entered in the resolution that "the EP takes into consideration the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995".

Thus, MEPs from the European People's Party, Eduard Kukan, Kirstijan Dan Preda and Mr Kelam (page 3 and 4) insist that the head of the text of Macedonia stated that "the European Parliament reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to the process of EU accession of the Republic Macedonia "and that" the EP expressed strong commitment to the EU integration of Macedonia. "

But unlike them, European Social Democrats Tonino Picula and Knut Flekenshtajn with Amendment 14 seeking the deletion of the report of the terms "Republic of Macedonia" or "Macedonia":

- Given that the term "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" used in the title of the report in the report "A", all other references to the country's name in the text and the agreed amendments are changing "its", "country", " it "and the like. title" Republic of Macedonia "is not used in the text, but the word" Macedonian "is retained, seeking social democrats Picula and Flekenshtajn.

Here on them they join an amendment and Sakorafa insists' to replace 'Macedonia' and 'Macedonian' with 'country' anywhere in the resolution. "The MEP requested in Resolution harder to incorporate political problems and their failure to solve the country and in order to bring to the surface that Macedonia does not meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession.

However, the rapporteur Vajgl and MEPs Dubravka Suica and Kukan add new amendments where the Macedonian state use the term "Macedonia" to which Sakorafa responds with a counter-amendment which should be added to "the former Yugoslav Republic" and in terms of election was held on December 11, 2016, where the Greek MEP requested to add that "although they were peaceful and according to OSCE standards" that "took place after two delays."

Croatia Suica and Bulgaria Andrey Kovachev seeking to wipe "and review of the Ohrid Framework Agreement" of the resolution and according to Kovachev, just stay "review the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement." In this amendment responds George Epitidejos the Greek neo-fascist party "Golden Dawn" , which seeks to add "and change the name."

Social Democrats Flekenshtajn and Picula also looking positive recommendation for start of accession negotiations between Macedonia and the European Union to be conditioned by the "fulfillment of contract Przino and urgent reform priorities of the European Commission." Bulgarians Kovatchev and Angel Dzambaski ( VMRO-BND), insist as a condition to enter "and work towards the strengthening of good neighborly relations" and Dzambaski and Sakorafa have identical amendment that "the candidate countries for EU membership should be judged on merit and quality of reforms."

Flekenshtajn and Picula and Greeks Kefaloyiannis and Spiraki looking to throw out the resolution that "the country for years considered one of the most advanced in terms of compliance with European law" and demand or is gone or stand that "was good harmonized with the EU. "Greek Nikos Androulakis insists be deleted from the text that "according to EU standards and the United Nations, bilateral issues should not represent an obstacle to the opening of accession negotiations." His compatriot Epitidejos insists to note that "the difference the name is a bilateral but an international issue. "

Compared to the elections on 11 December last year, almost all its amendments note that they were "peaceful and well organized," except the Social Democrats Flekenshtajn and Picula Greeks Epitidejos and Sakorafa for which elections were marked "intimidation, abuse of resources, vote buying, distrust of public institutions "and so on.

Estonian MEP EPP, Mr Kelam, an amendment insisting that "it is important to conduct a population census, the last census was conducted in 2002, provided there is a broad consensus in the country on the methodology to be applied, in order to get updated and realistic picture of the constellation of the Macedonian population and better meet the needs and client services for its citizens, and continue to update the electoral register and to minimize any irregularities and deficiencies in the future. "

In this context, the Bulgarian MEP Kovachev, insisting census notes that "citizens of ethnic Bulgarian origin have not been represented in the legislature or in the census, although at the same time 100,000 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia holding Bulgarian passports" . Jean-Luc Shafhauzer Edward Ferrand, however, expect a "new government to speed up, in cooperation with other parties, the reforms needed to strengthen its state independence and sovereignty."In another amendment, the two look to states that "in the present circumstances in the country, Macedonia a long time will not be ready for the EU."

Croatia Zeljana Zovko, however, required in Rezoluciajta stand that "EP recalls that despite the first recommendation of the European Commission to open negotiations of 2009, and taking into account the progress achieved, the opening of negotiations has not yet been started, that attracts attention potential adverse political and security consequences of further delays in the process of Macedonia's accession to Euro-Atlantic processes, both domestically and in the region. "

Marijana Petir, MEP from Croatia and head of the "Group of Friends of Macedonia" in the European Parliament, by a group of MEPs require amendment "The European Parliament urged the European Council to dedicate the Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Macedonia "in the proposal of rapporteur Vajgl it to slui" once all conditions are met. "

Parliament points out that the current challenges that the European Union faces (Bregzit, migration, radicalism, etc.) should not affect the enlargement process, and these challenges have demonstrated the need for full integration of the Western Balkans into EU structures in order to improve and deepen the partnership and to overcome the international crisis and propose Petir group of eight MEPs and ask

European Council to allow Macedonia to join the second phase of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, signed in 2001.

Bulgarian Dzambaski Greeks Kefaloyiannis Spiraki Sakorafa and social democrats Flekenshtajn Picula and insist on "extension of the Special Prosecutor's Office until the end did not investigate all abuses in the process of tapping and enable protected witnesses."

Dutch MEP Marieche Shake, unlike almost all his colleagues who express praise and appreciation for Macedonia dealing with the refugee crisis, it condemns our country.

- Regrets notes that the Macedonian policy on asylum and migration continued failure to provide adequate protection for refugees and migrants who use excessive force being shoved back in Greece illegally were arrested and face abuse in prisons.Are urged Macedonian authorities to ensure that migrants and refugees who apply for asylum in Macedonia and travel across Macedonia to be treated in accordance with international law and EU law, including conventions on refugees of 1951 and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union responds amendment Shake, who asked Macedonia to impose sanctions on Russia.

In contrast, French Shafhauzer and Ferrand amanmanski require Macedonia to be praised for its management of the refugee crisis and notes that the European Parliament "welcomes the closure of the border with Greece on 20 January 2016, which helped to prevent the influx of illegal migrants the rest of Europe, "wrote the French MEPs. in this respect, Romania's Doru Franzulika requires the European Council to open accession negotiations with Macedonia" in order to allow the delivery of European Border and Coast guard and the agency to fully be able to operate in the country ".

More Greek MEPs seeking to delete the proposal of rapporteur Ivo Vajgl in the EP Resolution on Macedonia to invite the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the European Commission to develop new initiatives to overcome differences over the name issue with Greece.In this regard, the Social Democrats and Flekenshtajn Picula amendment respond that "more direct EU involvement in the dispute should take place if requested by both parties."

Regarding this problem, Messer Tamas (Hungary) and Igor Sholtesh (Slovenia) from the ranks of Europe's "green" with amendment 316 providing concrete proposal:

- EP recalls the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 5 December 2011 and supports the proposal of UN envoy Matthew Nimetz for a composite name with a geographical qualifier, while the Macedonian nationality, identity, culture and language are not affected, proposed by MEPs Messer and Sholtesh.

The second consideration of a draft resolution on Macedonian state before the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) is scheduled to take place on February 27 and the day later it will be the voice of the AFET-Committee.

The main debate and vote on the Resolution for Macedonia, it is planing to hold a plenary session of the legislature of the European Union on 14 and 15 March will be held in Strasbourg.

The resolutions of the EP for the candidate countries for EU membership refer to the progress report of the European Commission issued every year, but what will bring in conclusion the European Parliament has no legal weight and is only advisory.