VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSQ #0540/01 3141221
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101221Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8654

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