Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

Home , Bujar Osmani, Nikola Mladenov, Nikola Poposki, Oliver Spasovski, Zoran Jolevski

TWENTY FIFTH ACCESSION WATCH REPORT

IN THE NICK OF TIME

TICK-TACK IN THE NICK OF TIME

June 2015 TICK-TACK IN THE NICK OF TIME Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

Publisher: Foundation Open Society - Macedonia For the publisher: Fani Karanfilova-Panovska, Executive Director Prepared by: Macedonian Center for European Training and Foundation Open Society - Macedonia Proofreading and Translation into English: Abacus Design & Layout: Brigada design, Skopje Print: Skenpoint Circulation: 500 Free/Noncommercial circulation

CIP - Каталогизација во публикација Национална и универзитетска библиотека “Св. Климент Охридски”, Скопје 321.64(497.7) 341.171.071.51(4-672ЕУ:497.7)”2015” ТИК-так тик-так на минутка до дванаесет : дваесет и петти извештај од следењето на процесот на пристапување на Македонија во ЕУ. - Скопје : Фондација отворено општество - Македонија, 2015. - 146, 144 стр. : илустр. ; 24 см Насл. стр. на припечатениот текст: Tick-tack in the nick of time : twenty fifth accession watch report. - Обата текста меѓусебно печатени во спротивни насоки. - Текст на мак. и англ. јазик. - Фусноти кон текстот ISBN 978-608-218-227-8 а) Тоталитаристички системи - Злоупотреба на должност - Прислушување - Македонија б) Македонија - Зачленување - Европска Унија - 2015 COBISS.MK-ID 99536906 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. WHERE ARE WE IN JUNE 2015? 7 Unscrupulous arrest of Ljube Boskovski (BOMB #3) 23 Journalists – target of interception (BOMB #4) 24 1. LATVIA’S EU PRESIDENCY: Political vendetta continues (BOMB #5) 26 STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, DIGITAL EUROPE We spend on chocolate, but don’t have for bread (BOMB #6) 26 AND THE EU AS GLOBAL ACTOR 9 Zoran Stavreski’s press conference 27 Gordana Jankuloska’s statement 27 2. MACEDONIA IN POLITICAL ABYSS 11 Statements of individuals “offended” by the bomb 27 Law adopted through the back door 28 3. ACTION FOR COUP 12 Election nightmare, first instalment (BOMB #7) 29 Do crimes in question fulfil theoretical elements? 13 Election nightmare, second instalment (BOMB #8) 31 Feeble attempt at preventing “Truth about Macedonia” 15 Municipality of Centar, at any cost (BOMB #9) 32 EU worries about the political dialogue 15 Personal interests, part one (BOMB #10) 33 Everybody expresses concern 16 Election nightmare, third instalment (BOMB #11) 35 Court rulings “à la carte” (BOMB #12) 36 4. “SOMEONE” DISCLOSES A STATE SECRET 17 Urbanism mafia under direct control (BOMB #13) 37 Kickbacks and commissions (BOMB #14) 38 5. METHODOLOGY 18 Fat commissions in public procurements (BOMB #15) 39 Election nightmare, fourth instalment (BOMB #16) 41 Election nightmare, fifth instalment (BOMB #17) 41 II. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 19 The Hague cases – irreclaimable ace card (BOMB #18) 42 Bitola caught in the cobweb (BOMB #19) 42 1. CHRONOLOGY OF WIRETAPS DISCLOSED 19 Government as the Bureau of Employment (BOMB #20) 43 Opening the can of warms (BOMB #1) 20 Personal interests, part two (BOMB #21) 44 Whaz up?! 20 Bullseye on Stip (BOMB #22) 45 Faithful to death 21 Municipality of Centar at any cost, part two (BOMB #23) 45 Gorge Ivanov’s position 21 Government as editor-in-chief (BOMB #24) 46 Disclosure of public secrets (BOMB #2) 22 Truth about “Vizaris” (BOMB #25) 47 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

Defenders used as bargaining chip (BOMB #26) 48 III. ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY 71 Who intercepted communications? (BOMB #27) 49 Truth about SGS (BOMB #28) 49 1. HAHN’S FIRST VISIT 71 Truth about Martin (BOMB #29) 50 Truth about Mladenov (BOMB #30) 51 2. GRUEVSKI – JUNCKER MEETING CANCELLED 72 Mercedes (BOMB #31) 52 How about waging war? (BOMB #32) 54 3. GRUEVSKI’S VISIT TO NATO 72 Won’t give up the name (BOMB #33) 55 Deal-oriented (BOMB #34) 56 4. RESOLUTION ON THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 73 Baroque is one, classicism is another thing (BOMB #35) 57 Jankuloska’s and Stavreski’s apartments (BOMB #36) 58 5. DEMARCHE FROM THE EU AMBASSADOR ORAV 74 Who confirmed authenticity of released wiretaps 58 6. BRUSSELS RESPONDS TO THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION 75 2. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS ACCOMPANYING THE BOMBS 60 Secret services: storytelling for the Macedonian public 60 7. BRUSSELS TALKS 75 Caretaker government is possible and feasible, First round of talks 75 but without VMRO-DPMNE 61 Second round of talks 76 VMRO-DPMNE’s rallies in other towns 62 Third round of talks 76 Branko’s letter 62 Fourth round of talks 76 Gosince: pulp fiction or act of terrorism? 63 Fifth round of talks 77 Police action in Kumanovo 63 Sixth round of talks 77 Several unanswered questions about the police action in Kumanovo 64 8. HOYT YEE VISITS MACEDONIA 77 How did Serbian and Albanian media cover the incident?! 65 Telephone conversation between Rizaj and Ndrecaj 66 9. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS 78 Financial assistance and rewards for members of security forces 66 10. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CALLS FOR RESIGNATION 79 Terrorist manages to escape because of police inattention 67 Resignation as precondition for independent investigation 79 Evidence material is delivered 67 Boiko Borisov with advise for resignation 80 Citizen and counter-citizens 68 11. MEETING WITH THE GROUP OF SIX AMBASSADORS 80

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12. MEETING BETWEEN ZORAN ZAEV AND BOIKO BORISOV 81 Nepotism in the judiciary 93 The iron hand of the law 95 13. SUPPORT FROM RUSSIA 81 Partisan appointments, unconstitutional dismissals 95

3. HIGH LEVEL ACCESSION DIALOGUE FOR THE DEAF AND IV. ACCOMPANYING CIVIC MOVEMENTS 83 TESKOTO BY THE EU 96 Lustration as stigmatization 96 1. STUDENT PLENUM 83 4. THE REBIRTH IS DEVOURING ITS OFFSPRING AND 2. HIGH SCHOOL PLENUM 85 EUPHORIA FOR EUPHOBIA 98 Media crisis 98 3. REFERENDUM FOR #ILOVEGTC 86 Docket: A1 TV 98 Docket: MPM 100 4. PROTEST OF FREELANCE AND PART-TIME WORKERS 86 New episode of the series “media” 100 Gruevization of media – Macedonian phenomenon 101 5. PLATFORM FOR CIVIC POLITICS - AJDE! 87 Mutilated fourth estate 101

6. PROTEST OF GENERAL STOJANCE ANGELOV 88 5. TESKOTO BY THE EU AND EUPHORIA FOR EUPHOBIA 102 Crossing swords with political opponents 102 7. PROTEST FOR TAMARA AND RESIGNATIONS FROM KOSMOS befitting 102 HEALTH INSURANCE FUND MANAGERS 89 Detention for the critically-minded 103 Macedonian democradura 104 8. PROTEST FOR MARTIN NESKOVSKI 89

VI. STATISTICS ABOUT THE BOMBS 105 V. ANTICIPATION OF BOMBS 91 1. WHAT DID THE BOMBS REVEAL 105 1. HIGH LEVEL ACCESSION DIALOGUE FOR THE DEAF 92 Travesty of justice 92 2. OVERVIEW OF COLLOCUTOR PAIRS ACCORDING TO DATE OF RELEASE 107 2. ARRANGED MARRIAGE?! 92 Rule over law: plenty of room for Skopje 2014 92 3. OVERVIEW OF WIRETAPS RELEASED PER COLLOCUTOR 116

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4. OVERVIEW OF WIRETAPS DISCLOSED PER COLLOCUTOR PAIR 118

VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 121

1. FIVE TRAPS AND CHANCES OF THE EU-SPONSORED TALKS 121

2. PROPOSED MEDIATION FORMAT 125

3. CONCEPTS OF THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT 126

4. TASKS OF THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT 128

VIII. ANNEXES 131

1. RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 132

2. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS OF 21 APRIL 2015 141

3. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS OF 16 DECEMBER 2014 141

6 n June 2015, all key factors in the European Union (hereinafter: EU) focused their attention on negotiations between EU institutions, EU Member States and group of creditors, on one side, and the Greek Government and its team led by new Prime Minister ...I... IAlexis Tsipras, on the other side. Notably, SYRIZA (a coalition of radical leftists) has won people’s trust on parliamentary elections held in Jan- uary 2015. SYRIZA is civic and political movement, transformed into political party in July 2013, whose key political credo is based on rejec- tion of austerity measures imposed on state budget during mandates of governments led by Papandreou and Samaras.1

SYRIZA’s electoral victory triggered serious political shakedown WHERE ARE WE across Europe because, for the first time, political party that is openly against austerity measures and belongs to so-called radical left has IN JUNE 2015? won elections. SYRIZA’s raise in power is often referred to onset of left- winged populist waves in South Europe, mobilized against austerity measures, for example, Podemos in Spain, etc. Hence, certain circles in the EU treat this election outcome as historic event.2

1 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30975437 2 http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-anti-austerity-syriza-wins-historic-greek- election-victory-2015-1

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SYRIZA’s governmental programme is based on its Pre-election Plan the International Monetary Fund, by the end of June 2015.5 Moreover, for National Reconstruction. This plan3 is comprised of four pillars rep- as of July 2015, Greece should receive the third rescue package intend- resenting main policies aimed at addressing the deep economic and ed to prevent any possibility for the state’s fast-tracked bankruptcy political crisis in Greece, those being: 1) confronting the humanitarian and financial illiquidity.6 Therefore, all EU actors exerted pressure on crisis (example: 300,000 families are without income and their suste- the Greek Government to design plan with measures that would guar- nance needs to be subsidized); 2) restarting the economy and promot- antee the state will be able to service its liabilities towards the Euro- ing tax justice (example: change of the taxation policy in the field of pean creditors. On the other hand, SYRIZA has won the elections by property tax); 3) regaining employment (example: restitution of cer- offering political programme that fiercely opposes austerity measures tain labour rights and of collective agreements); and 4) transforming that implied budget cuts for public administration employees, pension the political system to deepen democracy (example: greater power to benefits and other social transfers. local authorities and more instruments for direct civil participation in policy making, such as civil veto for laws, civil legislation imitative, and In the heat of these negotiations, IMF announced its withdrawal the like). therefrom on the grounds of irreconcilable differences with the Greek delegation and lack of serious prospects for reaching an agreement on SYRIZA’s governmental programme has inevitably led to opening so-called “cash-for-reforms” that could whirlpool the state into bank- of new round of negotiations between the Greek Government and EU ruptcy.7 Nevertheless, the European creditors extended another chance institutions concerning the terms and conditions for state debt’s re- to the Tsipras Government to propose measures by the end of June payment towards international creditors, in the wake of newly emerged 2015 and hence save Greece from financial demise, provided they as- circumstances and the new government’s programme. sess these measures acceptable.

These negotiations are still underway and have assumed dramatic proportions, given the fact that final agreement has not been reached on EU’s further assistance to Greece and manner in which the state will manage to adopt policies that would close its budget gap and enable stabile repayment of government debt. According to some media, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission (EC) demanded Greece to introduce pension cuts and increase its value added tax.4 These policies should enable Greece to collect 1.6 billion EUR, i.e. arrears instalment owed to 5 Ibid 4 6 http://goo.gl/Wj5LG6 3 http://goo.gl/quGsaH 7 http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/11/us-eurozone-greece- 4 http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0614/708127-greece-debt-talks/ idUSKBN0OR19T20150611

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1. LATVIA’S EU PRESIDENCY: • Establishing an Energy Union: energy policy built on solidar- STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC ity, trust and security, focus on infrastructure, better gover- GROWTH, DIGITAL EUROPE AND nance, energy security and energy diplomacy. THE EU AS GLOBAL ACTOR

Latvia took over presidency over the EU on 1 January 2015 and will 2) Digital Europe turn it over to the next presidency country on 1 July 2015. Latvia, similarly to its predecessors, defined three key priorities for its Presidency This priority is centred on possibilities emerging from rapid devel- Programme: 1) Competitive Europe; 2) Digital Europe, and 3) Engaged opment of technology and potential for smart, sustainable and inclu- Europe.8 sive growth of the EU, which correspond to three key pillars defined under the Strategy Europe 2020. Main goal in this section of presidency priorities is to develop a base for truly digital Europe. In that regard, specific measures proposed by the Latvian Presidency include: 1) Competitive Europe • Building stronger and more coherent data protection Main idea behind this priority is to assist in generating new jobs framework: seek agreement on the General Data Protection and securing better social cohesion. Therefore, key goal of measures Regulation and Directive; taken within this priority is to generate jobs and economic growth in the EU. Key topics under this priority include: • Enhancing cybersecurity: implement the EU Cyber Security Strategy, finalize negotiations on the Network and Informa- • Investment plan: aimed at unlocking public and public invest- tion Security Directive (NIS); ments in the real economy; • Facilitating initial discussions on Digital Single Market • Strengthening the single market: make progress on remain- Strategy: eliminate online borders, build trust and confidence, ing Single Market Act II proposals, and launch discussion on remove restrictions, ensure access and connectivity, build the the expected Internal Market strategy for goods and services; digital economy;

• Enhancing competitiveness of industry and related service • Finding overall compromise on telecommunications market sectors: better regulation will be a guiding principle; package: find a balance between high-quality services and a reasonable cost for consumers;

8 https://eu2015.lv/the-presidency-and-eu/priorities-of-the-latvian-presidency 9 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

• Becoming digital by default: advance the digitalization of • Ensure safety of people: deal with the threats posed by the Europe, discuss digital skills, and promote e-Government. Foreign Fighters phenomenon, new Internal Security Strategy, follow up on management of migratory flows and ensure full support for containing Ebola;

3) Engaged Europe • Remain committed to EU enlargement policy.

This set of priorities defined Latvia’s view, in the capacity of EU presidency holder, about EU’s role as global actor. Accordingly, the EU has responsibility to assume full and active role on the global stage. Having in mind the conflict at the EU doorstep (refers to Ukraine’s conflict) the situation in EU neighbourhood is as challenging as ever. Main goal under this priority is to engage in issues of global importance. In order to attain this goal, following topics will be pursued:

• European Neighbourhood Policy with its eastern and south- ern dimensions: priority of the EU’s external relations, devote particular attention to the Eastern Partnership;

• Strengthening the Transatlantic Partnership: conclude negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partner- ship (TTIP) agreement by the end of 2015 (a/n: agreement on trade conditions between EU and USA), advance EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and EU- Japan Free Trade Agreement;

• EU-Central Asia Strategy: enhance discussions on security, border management, energy supply and educational exchange;

• Post-2015 developmental goals: focus on sustainable development, with an emphasis on gender equality and women’s em- powerment issues;

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2. MACEDONIA IN POLITICAL ABYSS Gruevski, have abused their power to wage war against those of different mind, have intercepted communications of high number of citizens In early 2015, after 24 years of independence and statehood, Mace- (22,000), have abused public funds in multitude of ways (kickbacks, fa- donia found itself amidst the biggest political and institutional crisis to vourable prices and procedures for acquiring land tenure, etc.) and have date. Answers to the question on what has led to this situation are very rigged elections or have engaged in inadmissible pre-election pressure complex and result of long term turbulences in the political arena, cou- and threats. From the moment criminal charges were raised against him pled with systemic regress of all institutions in the Republic of Macedonia. to present, the opposition leader and his associates published more than 35 instalments of wiretapped conversations that support allegations of In January 2015, Macedonia entered new and, by far, the most difficult government’s wrongdoings. stage of the deepest political crisis the state has faced in the last, almost 24 years of independence and sovereignty. At that moment, Prime Minister Be that as it may, genesis of the ongoing crisis dates much further in the Gruevski announced criminal charges against four individuals, including past. Actually, it started with so-called “Black Monday”,10 i.e. forceful evic- SDSM’s leader Zoran Zaev, on the grounds of cooperation with foreign intel- tion of MPs from the Parliament, followed by parliamentary boycott on the ligence services and providing them with illegally obtained, partially edited part of SDSM’s deputies. The political crisis triggered by opposition’s boy- recordings of telephone conversations led among high state and govern- cott of the legislative house was resolved in legal terms with the brokerage ment officials. According to Prime Minister Gruevski, Zoran Zaev used these of the March Agreement from 2013; however, in reality, it ended with the materials to blackmail him into resigning from office, establishing technical early parliamentary elections held in April 2014. Although new parliament government and organizing early parliamentary elections.9 Consequently, was in place, the crisis did not subside, on the contrary, it continued with MOI motioned another criminal charge against Zoran Zaev defined as “vio- opposition’s statement on non-recognition of 2014 election results. lence against high state officials”. This officially marked the start of lawsuit dubbed “Coup”. On the same day Prime Minister Gruevski announced his In the aftermath of 2014 elections, and after the opposition an- positions, three people were arrested, one of which was Zoran Verusevski, nounced it would not recognize election results and participate in parlia- former chief of MOI’s Agency for Security and Counterintelligence. ment work, Zoran Zaev announced that he possesses materials, i.e. evidence which – due to their strength – would resemble bombs and would On the other hand, opposition’s leader had demanded technical gov- force Prime Minister Gruevski to step down. These bombs were first an- ernment, Gruevski’s resignation and organization of new fair and demo- nounced in the fall 2014, but four months had to pass before the opposi- cratic elections as early as his statement on non-recognizing the results tion organized the first disclosure.11 from last year’s early parliamentary elections. On several occasions in the course of 2014, Zaev publicly announced that he is in possession of 10 so-called bombs providing evidence that governing authorities, led by http://soros.org.mk/mk/Home/Publication?newsID=641&catID=9 11 Zoran Zaev first announced disclosure of evidence materials concerning abuses on the part of governing authorities during the public debate organized in Bitola, on 5 9 http://kanal5.com.mk/vesti_detail.asp?ID=60373 November 2014. (http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/405769)

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Political crisis peaked with the indictment raised in the case “Coup”. 3. ACTION FOR COUP On 28 January 2015, in his public address, Prime Minister Gruevski herald- ed an action dubbed “Coup”. In that, wearing the hats of prime minister, On 31 January 2015, President of the Government of Republic of public prosecutor and interior minister, Nikola Gruevski indicated that Macedonia publicly addressed the public13 and announced that the op- key suspect of crimes defined as violence against high state officials, es- position leader Zoran Zev, by resorting to blackmail and threats about pionage and threat to the constitutional order, including undemocratic possessing wiretapped telephone conversations that implicate almost overthrow of government, is the opposition leader Zoran Zaev. the entire government, has demanded urgent establishment of technical government. This speech is so important for the Macedonian history, that it is almost certain it would be studied in history textbooks. In other words, Namely, presenting details from an ongoing investigation, the Prime by delivering this speech the Prime Minister himself activated Zaev’s Minister stated that, during the leader meetings of the two biggest po- bombs. On 9 February 2015, at the press conference marking start of litical parties in the Macedonian block, person Z.Z. had confirmed that the project “Truth about Macedonia”,12 Zoran Zaev revealed that more materials in question have been obtained from foreign secret services. than 20,000 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia have been illegally In the same address, Prime Minister Gruevski indicated that materials surveilled. At this meeting with journalists, the opposition leader stat- to be published by the opposition in future “are truthful in part, half- ed that wiretapped conversations would allow citizens to learn about truthful in part, and some of them are untruthful”.14 That same day, four the method of governance pursued by “the family”, referring to Prime criminal charges were motioned on the grounds of violence against Minister Gruevski and chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov, who is high state officials and espionage against former chief of the secu- his cousin once removed. rity services Zoran Verusevski and his spouse, against one employee in the Municipality of Strumica and against the opposition leader Zoran One thing is clear, after this storm Macedonia will never be the Zaev.15 Later, two more persons were arrested on same charges, both same. Alternatives to the current situation imply the state emerging as employed in MOI, one of which had been employed by 2013. winner, in hope that such scenario would not be repeated or the state would not fall into serious political and institutional depression that could not be exited for long period of time.

13 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=19860 14 http://goo.gl/9SF7BU 15 http://sitel.com.mk/zaev-osomnichen-vo-akcijata-puch-zaedno-so-zoran- 12 http://sdsm.org.mk/default.aspx?articleId=11768&mId=55&agId=5 verushevski

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Do crimes in question fulfil ESPIONAGE theoretical elements? Article 316

Analysis of crimes put on the burden of suspects in the case “Coup” (1) Any person, who discloses a state secret, hands it over or makes it available reveals that essential elements are missing to establish that crimes in to a foreign state, organization or person that serves them, shall be liable question had actually occurred, let alone to raise indictments. to imprisonment sentence in duration of at least four years.

(2) Any person, who for the benefit of a foreign state or organization, creates and manages an intelligence service in the Republic of Macedonia, shall be VIOLENCE AGAINST HIGH STATE OFFICIALS liable to imprisonment sentence in duration of at least four years. Article 311 (3) Any person, who joins a foreign intelligence service, collects information Any person who, with intention to undermine the constitution- to its benefit or in any way assists its work, shall be liable to imprisonment al order or the security in the Republic of Macedonia, by force sentence in duration from one to ten years. or by serious threat, prevents the President of State, of Par- liament, of Government, of the Constitutional Court or of the (4) Any person, who collects secret information or documents with the inten- Supreme Court of the Republic of Macedonia or the Public Pros- tion of disclosing or handing them over to a foreign state, organization ecutor of the Republic of Macedonia to perform their duties, to or a person that serves them, shall be liable to imprisonment sentence in do something, or forces them to do something, shall be liable to duration from one to ten years. imprisonment sentence in duration of at least four years. (5) In cases when the crime referred to in paragraphs 1 and 4 of this article is committed at the time of war or immediate military threat or has caused serious consequences to the security, economic or military power of the Analysis of the crime in question starts with essential Republic of Macedonia, perpetrator thereof shall be liable to imprisonment elements of the act itself and aims to establish to what sentence in duration of at least four years. extent they are fulfilled and what is their relation. (6) For the purpose of this Criminal Code, state secret shall be information or Subject of protection under this crime is the freedom of will, free- documents that by law or any other regulation or decision taken by compe- dom of own will and freedom of action. tent body pursuant to law are declared state secret and whose disclosure had or could have harmful consequences on the political, economic or military interests of the Republic of Macedonia.

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Action performed is exhortation comprised of forcing somebody else, Interpretations of the court, i.e. judge council, should establish wheth- contrary to their will, to make particular decision or undertake particular er legitimate political demand can also be treated as threat. action. The criminal act consists of restricting the freedom of own decision-making and action under duress that could be exerted in the form of Victim of this crime, i.e. subject of protection from the criminal act in force or threat. question is the Prime Minister of Republic of Macedonia, who had been expected to comply by taking action, i.e. establishing technical government. Force is physical act for overcoming anticipated or existing resistance on the part of the victim. In this specific case, obvious is that there was no At the court hearing scheduled for indictment review, i.e. whether the use of force, i.e. physical force has not been used. court would allow the indictment and would schedule the main hearing or reject it as ungrounded, the defence attorney indicated that, in addition Threat means putting into motion iniquity, whose attainment depends to failure concerning fulfilment of the essence (elements of the crime), on perpetrator’s power and whether victim reacts as desired by the perpe- the court must also reject evidence obtained by means of special inves- trator. In this case, the threat imposed concerns the fact that if technical tigation measures and collected without proper order issued by judge at government is not established, Zoran Zaev will start disclosing materials in the Supreme Court. According to Article 30 of the Law on Surveillance of his possession. Materials, i.e. wiretaps in Zaev’s possession provide such Communications, orders for interception of communications in cases of iniquity threatened to the victim, unless the latter does not move to es- crimes against state interests and security must be issued by judge at the tablish technical government. The goal pursued by perpetrator Zoran Zaev Supreme Court. is establishment of technical government. Force and threat are means applied to ensure particular behaviour on the victim’s part. In that, for crimi- Crimes defined as espionage and violence against high state officials nal act to actually exist, force exerted and intention or goal pursued need belong to the above-described corps of criminal acts. Action in this crime to be illegal. Establishment of technical government, as goal in its own necessitates performance in the form of treason or disclosure of informa- right, is not illegal. tion classified as state secret. Moreover, collection of secret information with the intention of handing them over to foreign state organizations or Intention in this crime is undermining the constitutional order and persons that serve them is also considered act of crime. In that, documents can be pursued by use of force and/or serious threat. Hence, the question must not be necessarily classified as state secret, i.e. it would be sufficient is raised whether technical government is considered threat to the consti- for these documents to disclose something that could endanger external tutional order and security in the Republic of Macedonia? or internal political integrity of the Republic of Macedonia and to have harmful consequences. An important element in this regard is existence of Establishment of technical government is political demand, which the foreign state, organization or person that serves them, irrespective of the politician Zaev clearly asked for in aftermath of 2014 elections and which fact whether they have used documents disclosed to them. In this specific was officially discussed at the negotiations table by mid-June 2014 for the case, neither the public is aware of the foreign state, organization or per- opposition to return in the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia. son that serves them, nor is this fact enlisted in the indictment.

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Feeble attempt at preventing EU worries about the political dialogue “Truth about Macedonia” Immediately after action “Coup” was announced, the European Ex- In the evening when the Prime Minister had his televised public ternal Action Service issued a communication and called for indepen- address, the opposition leader Zoran Zaev issued a press statement in dent and transparent investigation to be conducted, with due respect response to Gruevski’s attack and announced full disclosure of manner for the rights of defendants. In terms of its contents, this communica- in which the prime minister practices governance. In that, he referred tion was inadequate to the situation’s gravity and pending apprehen- to Prime Minister Gruevski’s public address and accusations raised as sion of the leader of the biggest opposition party in Macedonia. “audacious attempt of the government to prevent publication of evidence and arguments”16 about criminal manner in which ruling authorities exercise their powers and about violations and malpractices they have engaged in. STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESPERSON ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Indicating that thousands of citizens have been surveilled and had their communications intercepted, Zaev announced that in the follow- We have been informed by the Foreign Ministry in Skopje about ing period, pursuant to carefully designed stages, he will publish ma- details regarding the accusations against four people, includ- terials revealing numerous violations perpetrated by the government, ing Zoran Zaev, Zoran Verusevski and his wife. Charges report- including corruption scandals, election frauds, etc. At the same time, edly concern espionage and violent threats aimed at govern- referring to “undeniable link between MOI, public prosecution and ju- mental officials with the goal of undermining the constitu- diciary”, he urged the international community to get involved in this tional order. process and announced disclosure of crimes of unprecedented scope. These are very serious charges and we recall the inalienable Finally, responding to claims made by Prime Minister Gruevski that right for an independent and transparent investigation in case materials in question have been obtained from foreign secret services, of any alleged wrongdoing, with full respect of the rights of Zaev confirmed they were presented to him by people employed in the the defendants in accordance with the law and international Macedonian intelligence services and called them patriots. standards, including the principle of presumption of innocence.

The EU reiterates its concern about the deterioration in political dialogue in the country. Political parties must refrain from actions which would further undermine the situation.

16 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150131/428/428.html?id=26823322

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Later the European Commission, by means of statement made by the Embassy of the United States also issued a statement about the ac- High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica tion “Coup” and urged authorities to comply with the highest standards Mogherini, sharpened the tone towards the Republic of Macedonia and of the legal state, as well as those concerning transparency, principled called for balanced media reporting, referring to remarks put forward in processing, and protection of the freedom of speech.20 Similar call was EC’s Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia concerning politici- uttered after the Public Prosecution, on 3 February 2015, instructed sation of institutions and selective justice. Some media outlets did not the media not to publish any materials that might be subject of fur- cover the additional statement made by Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson ther criminal processing. Referring to this act as prevention of free- to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.17 dom of speech and media freedoms, the US Embassy issued a new press release,21 whereby it required clarification of the press statement made by the Public Prosecution and circumstances under which information Everybody expresses concern must be treated as official secret. In that, the press release focused on the critical role of media as pillar in any democratic society and their Statement about state-of-affairs in Macedonia was also issued by crucial role in presenting information of public interest. Finally, the the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.18 According to them, criminal US Ambassador at OSCE in Vienna, joined public display of concerns prosecution of the opposition leader brings under question function- and, on 5 March 2015, expressed his worries with latest developments ing of the democratic opposition. Germany’s truthful concern is best in Macedonia.22 In that, Daniel Baer’s statement called authorities to represented by the fact that this statement was published directly demonstrate commitment to the rule of law, respect for freedom of ex- by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not the German Embassy in Skopje. pression and integrity of democratic processes in Macedonia. Moreover, an important section of this statement refers to the danger of undermining functionality on the political scene in Macedonia, notably with the perspective of having the opposition leader arrested.

Statement in relation to the case “Coup” was issued by the British Embassy19 in Skopje, calling for full respect of the presumption of innocence, as well as highest standards in criminal proceedings. Therein, the British Embassy urged all political parties to do all within their power to improve the situation in the political arena.

20 http://goo.gl/AiKPtO 17 http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150131_01_en.htm 21 http://alsat.mk/News/4431/izjava-od-ambasadata-na-sad-za-ulogata-na- 18 http://goo.gl/eDqt5x mediumite-vo-demokratsko-opshtestvo 19 http://goo.gl/rSae8c 22 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150306/428/428.html?id=26884933

16 WHERE ARE WE IN JUNE 2015?

4. “SOMEONE” DISCLOSES A STATE SECRET the public would have to be satisfied with the press release23 indicating that a state secret has been disclosed. Claims made by Prime Minister Gruevski that the opposition leader Zoran Zaev had threatened him with publication of materials obtained from foreign services were confirmed on video materials leaked in public. Origin of these video materials has not been established, but it is as- STATEMENT OF THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION ON ORGANIZED sumed they are part of special investigation measures and feature Zaev’s CRIME AND CORRUPTION confirmation that materials have been obtained from foreign services. The Public Prosecution on Organized Crime and Corruption, in Having in mind that these videos were filmed in the Cabinet of the compliance with its competences, will make necessary checks Prime Minister where special security measures are applied, any possibil- concerning facts and circumstances under which materials from ity for this footage to be produced by another person is highly unlikely. the meeting held between the President of Government of the It should be noted that video materials were first broadcasted in the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, and the leader of Social central news programme on TV Sitel. People from this television outlet Democratic Union of Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, have leaked in the claimed that video footage was taken from Youtube channel, but detailed media. review shows they had been first released in the news programme on TV Sitel and only later uploaded on Youtube, as indicated by the time of both The Public Prosecution of Republic of Macedonia considers it releases, in the news and on the internet channel. necessary to reiterate that publication of materials that might become subject of further criminal proceedings is prohibited In such predicament, the Public Prosecution announced serious in- and punishable by law. vestigation into the origin of these videos and stressed that publication of materials that might be subject of further criminal proceedings is pro- Therefore, we call for immediate discontinuation of publication hibited by law and liable to sanctions. In the opinion of expert public, and broadcasting of such materials. establishing identity of the person that has uploaded video footage from special investigation measures on Youtube can be easily performed, giv- The Public Prosecution on Organized Crime and Corruption ad- en the small number of people that have access to them and by resorting dressed the MOI with a request to contact the network on which to the possibility to formally ask administrators of this internet channel the said materials were uploaded for the purpose of having it to disclose identity of the person that has uploaded them. By the cut- removed, together with any similar materials that might surface. off date for this report, this investigation is still underway. Hopes are that the investigation will be completed sometime in the future and the public will finally learn which “somebody” had disclosed a state secret, as well as that the perpetrator will be brought to face justice. Until then, 23 http://jorm.gov.mk/?p=1166

17 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

5. METHODOLOGY

The present Accession Watch Report provides detailed overview of genesis and development of ongoing political crisis in Macedonia. Moreover, it includes MCET and FOSM’s views on possible solutions to the crisis and specific recommendations that could assist political parties involved in negotiations, but also EU institutions, Member States and other friends of Macedonia across the democratic world, attempting to help in saving Macedonia from this political abyss.

Baseline for the present analysis are documents developed by EU institutions, political groups at EU level, as well as media coverage of events related to the political crisis and their analysis by relevant experts. The analysis also relies on disclosed audio materials, including transcripts and notes from the press conferences organized and held within the project “Truth about Macedonia”.

For the purpose of this report, we conducted interviews and desk research, and relied on media coverage from broad spectrum of media outlets.

18 ...II... 1. CHRONOLOGY OF WIRETAPS DISCLOSED

In this reporting period, the opposition held a total of 36 press conferences as part of its project titled “Truth about Macedonia”. At these press conferences they presented materials and evidence show- ing abuses and crimes perpetrated by governing authorities. Disclosed CHRONOLOGY materials, inter alia, represent direct attack on authorities for complete and utter exposure and unmasking the aura of honesty, human- OF EVENTS ity, frankness, closeness to people, etc., which VMRO-DPMNE ever so ardently used for own promotion in the last nine years.

This chapter of the report provides chronological overview of an- nouncements, i.e. summary of the most important disclosures, participants in wiretapped conversations and other evidence, and in some cases, in addition to disclosures made, includes explanation of related events or statements closely linked with materials disclosed.

19 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

In order to allow ease of reading, relevant headings of individual Special investigation measures are regulated under Chapter XIX of sections in this chapter define the announcement in question and are the Law on Criminal Proceedings. This set of legal provisions stipulates labelled with the bomb’s ordinary number. All headings, i.e. bombs cases in which special investigation measures can be ordered, the au- have an integrated link to the website designated for the project “Truth thority issuing such orders, the authority implementing such orders, as about Macedonia” hosting all audio and video materials from the rel- well as duration of special investigation measures. According to Article evant press conference. 260, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, surveillance of electronic communications and wiretapping of telephone communications can be ordered for a period of maximum 14 months, where basic implementation period of such measures is 4 months, with one extension by 4 months and another extension by additional 6 months. Measures are issued on request of Opening the can of warms (BOMB #1)24 public prosecutors and the order should be approved by pre-trial judge. According to the opposition, mass surveillance of communications has The first bomb revealed that, over a long period of time, more than taken place in continuation for a period of more than five years. There- 20,000 citizens in Macedonia have been surveilled. They include mem- fore, even if it had been legally pursued, i.e. court-ordered, duration bers of political parties, judiciary, academic community, business com- of special investigation measures indicates violation of the Law on munity, civil society, media, as well as ministers in the government and Criminal Proceedings and provides grounds for disciplinary, political other high state officials. According to the opposition, materials it had and criminal responsibilities. obtained do not include a single audio tape of conversations that have taken place between the Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, and his cousin first removed and chief of the Directorate for Security and Counterin- telligence, Saso Mijalkov. Reportedly, the fact that everybody has been Whaz up?! surveilled, except for Gruevski and Mijalkov, shows they had issued orders for this serious violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right The first bomb, which served the purpose of announcing future dis- to privacy. Finally, on its first press conference, the opposition referred closures, included conversations for which the opposition claimed be- to the fact that several persons had been illegally, meaning without long to Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski, conversations of Ali valid court orders, subjected to special investigation measures and had Ahmeti, Rufi Osmani, Menduh Taci and Ljubco Georgievski, conversations their communications intercepted. of Zoran Zaev, and one conversation between Zoran Zaev and Radmila Sekerinska. Biggest public attention, in the aftermath of this disclosure, was stirred by conversations, reported by the opposition to take place between Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski, where they arrange 24 First press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 9 February 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are employment in state administration for former MPs of VMRO-DPMNE and available on the following link: http://goo.gl/DEtuNo discuss actions of fellow party members they disapprove.

20 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Faithful to death DUI requested Brussels to be actively engaged in finding a solution to the crisis. For the purpose of building its positions, DUI organized a This announcement included one conversation, which the opposition thematic congress, in the aftermath of which it issued the press state- reported belongs to Saso Mijalkov and Menduh Taci, where the second ment that reads: “As regards good governance, we will insist on and claim collocutor pledges faithfulness to death to the first. This disclosure an- that Macedonia needs consensual democracy, in combination with the gered DPA’s high officials, and immediately after the said wiretap was Badinter principle. Emphasis should be put on just and equitable alloca- released they threatened the opposition: “We will continue the political tion of public finances, i.e. state budget, power sharing on the basis of the fight against SDSM and would like to inform them that they will remain in principle of adequate and equitable representation at all levels of state opposition for the next 50 years.”25 DPA’s leader asked why the opposition governance, decentralization process adequate to the circumstances in does not publish anything about DUI and their crimes and corruption.26 Macedonia, which means equitable territorial development and second decade of implementation of the Ohrid Agreement”.28 At this congress, As regards the incumbent crisis, Menduh Taci is of the standing that DUI stressed that, as part of the dialogue for the crisis, solution should it must be ended in legal terms, although he is not sure how correct also be found to the name issue and that the dialogue for putting an such resolution would be. In his opinion, publication of materials and end to the crisis must include DUI. evidence by the opposition defocuses the public from the two most important topics in the country: EU integration and interethnic relations. DPA’s leader shared this position with Prime Minister Gruevski on their meeting held immediately after the first bomb was disclosed.27 Gorge Ivanov’s position

Zaev’s bombs did not reveal information about DUI’s coalition in the Ten days after the affair echoed in public, the president of state issued government, except for one conversation, which the opposition claimed a written statement about the political crisis and called for legal resolution belongs to Musa Dzaferi and Saso Mijalkov, where they negotiate ap- within the institutions, as well as to responsible behaviour on the part of pointment of judges and public prosecutors. According to the opposition political parties, in the spirit of developing democracy in Macedonia.29 leader, this is probably due to the fact that DUI members, assuming that their conversations are wiretapped, had been careful when speaking over In his second public appearance, i.e. interview for TV Sitel, the president the phone. On the other hand, DUI condemned the “Surveillance” affair; of state further elaborated his positions.30 Namely, in the televised inter- however, despite all insults directed at them by their coalition partners, view he attempted to excuse his absence from the public at these, most as evidenced on wiretaps disclosed, they still remain in the government. possibly, key moments for the state, which had been heavily criticized, and

25 http://meta.mk/menduh-tachi-sdsm-ke-bide-vo-opozitsija-narednite-50-godini/ 28 http://goo.gl/rcWpNF 26 http://goo.gl/vOH80j 29 http://president.mk/mk/2011-06-17-09-55-07/2011-09-03-11-41-54/3144.html 27 Ibid 26 30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvpg-1RXqBk

21 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report explained that although he had not been present in the media, politics also According to the opposition, this bomb includes conversations be- takes place behind closed doors. Gorge Ivanov’s idea for crisis resolution tween Gordana Jankuloska and Mihajlo Manevski concerning arrange- is to first find a political solution, by engaging in dialogue.31 In that, he ments to ensure loyalty of the Judicial Council by ordering favourable stressed that responsibility should be established in the case of surveil- court decision for one member of the Judicial Council who, in their lance activities, followed by court resolution of this matter, and that seri- words, is the “ace card” VMRO-DPMNE needs.34 Moreover, as reported by ous transformation of security services is needed. According to President the opposition, disclosed wiretaps reveal that editor-in-chief at TV Sitel Ivanov, these are times when our institutions will be tested in terms of Dragan Pavlovik-Latas arranged a court decision in his favour with the transparency and objectivity when acting in procedures led before them. spouse of former justice minister Mihajlo Manevski - Filimena Manevs- ka, who is judge at the Skopje Court of Appeals. The opposition leader Zoran Zaev had been invited by President Ivanov to engage in conversation about the ongoing crisis; however, according to Judging by statements and especially by feelings shared among the latter, he rejected any kind of dialogue on this issue. In his interview, many, this bomb disclosed what had already been considered public President Ivanov accused our neighbours and the EU Council of having con- secret – judiciary being directly controlled by the government. These tributed to the crisis by blocking the start of accession negotiations, thus materials demonstrated that the European Commission, quite rightfully, creating frustration among citizens and political elites in the country.32 criticized the judiciary’s track record in its Progress Reports, where it referred to politicisation of the third branch of government, political influences of the executive government, and even named the Minister Disclosure of public secrets (BOMB #2)33 of Justice, featured in above-indicated wiretaps, as the most responsible person for selective justice in the country. The second bomb revealed information about direct links of the ruling authorities and the judiciary. At this press conference the opposi- On 17 February 2015, the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola tion played five recordings that reportedly include discussions among Gruevski, met with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, fol- civil servants, judges and one editor-in-chief of news programme con- lowed by joint session of both cabinets. After these meetings, Prime cerning appointment of judges, assignment of court cases to judges Minister Gruevski refused to directly comment SDSM’s press conference and performance of prosecutors. that took place one day earlier. On that occasion, he stated: “At my previous press conference I warned the citizens that Zaev would make such disclosures, because on the four meetings I had with him, he confirmed being in possession of materials obtained from foreign services. On this 31 http://24vesti.mk/ivanov-sega-e-periodot-za-test-na-nashite-institucii occasion, I have nothing specific to say and will give my comment later”.35 32 Ibid 31 33 Second press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 15 34 February 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are Ibid 33 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/HswVZc 35 http://novatv.mk/index.php?p=1&navig=8&cat=2&vest=20302

22 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Following suit of practices set by the Prime Minister, all other col- gan Pavlovik-Latas “leave him to me”,40 alluding to the fact that he will locutors featured in audio materials presented at the press conference deal with Boskovski. held by the opposition were either unavailable or did not comment. Ljube Boskovski was arrested one day after 2011 elections, under charges for illegal financing of his political party’s election campaign. Unscrupulous arrest of Ljube Boskovski (BOMB #3)36 At that time, Ljube Boskovski was president of the United for Macedonia. On parliamentary elections in 2011, his party has won 17,081 votes, and As part of the third bomb, the opposition presented audio materials for on presidential elections in 2009, he had won 146,878 votes or 14.88% which it claimed reveal details about Ljube Boskovski’s arrest and direct of total number of votes. According to these election results, United for interference in news programmes on TV Sitel and TV Kanal 5, on the part of Macedonia did not pose actual threat for governing structures, but the chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov. party’s further strengthening and expansion implied potential for attracting portion of right-oriented constituencies. Furthermore, during Presented audio materials, which the opposition reported include the election campaign Ljube Boskovski opened two affairs implicating conversations between Saso Mijalkov and Dragan Pavlovik-Latas, i.e. cousins Gruevski and Mijalkov, most prominent of them being the af- Emil Stojmenov, are abounding in hatred, primitive anger and profani- fair that businessman Orce Kamcev, considered to be close to them, had ties targeting Ljube Boskovski. Recordings feature Saso Mijalkov telling bought a yacht worth 1.5 million EUR on their behalf, through a shell Dragan Pavlovik-Latas “he’ll get eight years for this, you should know”,37 company based in Panama. i.e. “didn’t I tell you, from Monday I start arresting”,38 and “he’s packed with evidence against him, with everything, can’t move, even God cannot Second set of recordings, according to the opposition, feature Saso save him”,39 implying knowledge of and advance imposition of the court Mijalkov instructing Emil Stojmenov when and where to send his camera ruling, not merely in terms whether somebody should or should not be crew to film Ljube Boskovski’s arraignment in court, i.e. being brought found guilty, but also in terms of type and duration of sentence. In the to courtroom handcuffed. According to published audio materials, the second conversation, for which the opposition claimed takes place on the first collocutor expresses his wish footage of this event not to shield Election Day and involves same two collocutors, Saso Mijalkov tells Dra- the defendant’s identity, i.e. footage to be broadcasted as provided by MOI.

This bomb confirmed findings and reports of several governmental 36 Third press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 20 and non-governmental organizations that Ljube Boskovski is political February 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/nyiW7S prisoner and had been arrested and sentenced because of personal ven- 37 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/15584/transkript-1-sega-so-velija-kje-slavi-pobeda detta. Ljube Boskovski’s political party ceased to exist on 20 June 2012 38 Ibid 36 39 Ibid 36 40 Ibid 36

23 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report when, by means of decision taken by 95% of municipal committees, According to the opposition, recordings of wiretapped conversa- party membership pledged affiliation to VMRO-DPMNE.41 tions played at this press conference feature Gordana Jankuloska, Mar- tin Protoger, Dragan Pavlovik-Latas, Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, Ivo Immediately after release of audio materials concerning Ljube Bos- Kotevski, Saso Mijalkov, Mile Janakieski and Nikola Gruevski. Report- kovski’s arrest and for the purpose of preventing sympathies and compas- edly, these audio materials include conversation between Martin Pro- sion emerging in the public, new video footage from special investigation toger and Gordana Jankuloska in which the interior minister instructs measures dawned on Youtube. This time around, they concerned footage Martin Protoger, who is chief of cabinet to the prime minister, which from special investigation measures for Boskovski and charges for illegal media should cover her events, including the public broadcasting ser- financing of his party’s election campaign. In that, one of videos uploaded vice – MRT. Another conversation, for which the opposition reported features Boskovski’s consent to negotiate the state’s name with our south belongs to editor-in-chief at TV Sitel Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and culture neighbour saying that “North” [Republic of Macedonia] is solid solution to minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, demonstrates the role of gov- the name dispute. ernmental officials in selecting which news stories will be broadcasted on TV Sitel. This conclusion is inferred on the basis of one exchange Videos which are obviously part of special investigation measures were from wiretapped conversations where Kanceska-Milevska requests uploaded in two cycles, and are 8 in number. Pavlovik-Latas to integrate an article in the central news programme on TV Sitel, previously commissioned by her, to which her collocutor responds: “I mean… don’t push… because your prime minister has so Journalists – target of interception (BOMB #4)42 many pre-ordered stories making the news programme on Sitel nothing but scumbag… have turned them into propaganda of VMRO-DPMNE”.43 At the fourth press conference, the opposition published list of journalists and media owners for which it claimed had been surveilled by the secret Other recordings played at the press conference, according to the services in the last three or four years. Wiretapped conversations presented opposition, include conversations between Gordana Jankuloska and by the opposition include members of the Government of Republic of Mace- Ivo Kotevski, where the latter informs the interior minister that jour- donia and other high level officials, i.e. demonstrate their direct interfer- nalist at MRT wished to produce news story on mass murders, which she ence in programme management at the biggest media outlets in Macedonia, decisively opposes and says “they will not!”,44 followed by segment in not only privately owned media, but also the public broadcaster - MRT. which they agree that the journalist might even “be given the boot”45 unless she abandons the news story in question. Next conversation, according to the opposition, takes place between Dragan Pavlovik-Latas 41 http://www.mkd.mk/45907/makedonija/obedineti-za-makedonija-preminuva-vo- vmro-dpmne 43 Ibid 42 42 Fourth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 44 25th February 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the Ibid 42 press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/MXGNXG 45 Ibid 42

24 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS and Saso Mijalkov and shows the latter’s dissatisfaction with time slot Later that day, VMRO-DPMNE reacted by issuing press release,47 given to central news programme on TV Sitel. In the course of this con- which stated that the opposition leader Zaev did not reveal anything versation, the second collocutor says that in return for the support in about SDSM’s close links with pro-opposition journalists financed amount of two million EUR, which according to him is awarded to TV by Zoran Zaev and the Soros Foundation. At the same time, they had Sitel and TV Kanal 5, these media outlets should cover current affairs not heard anything about the group of non-governmental organiza- better and stresses: “I do the dirty laundry for you. I didn’t deal with tions inclined to the opposition which, by the nature of their close Velija… my way… to have somebody airing entertainment programme relations, act in organized manner for the purpose of attaining SDSM’s at 9 pm, to boost their ratings in the midst of election campaigning“.46 goals, including funds spent by the Soros Foundation and SDSM to finance these media. VMRO-DPMNE added that citizens in Macedonia fol- As reported by the opposition, fifth conversation played belongs to low pro-opposition media and attacks on the government, lies being Gordana Jankuloska and Saso Mijalkov, who tells her that three news- placed in public by these media, calls for lynch, public hate speech, and papers printed by the MPM Group (Dnevnik, Utrinski vesnik, and Vest), therefore the citizens can assess whether there is freedom of speech in chaired by Srgan Kerim, will be taken care of in next days and will be Macedonia or not. under their control. Finally, one wiretap that gained enormous attention and was presented last at this press conference features, for the VMRO-DPMNE’s press release did not comment recordings published first time, the voice of prime minister Gruevski asking Janakieski, who by the opposition, although they clearly feature voices of members of is minister of transport, to arrange for the Agency of Electronic Com- government and their direct interference in editorial policies of par- munications (AEC) to make payment in amount of 30 million MKD on ticular media outlets in the Republic of Macedonia. behalf of the government for settlement of arrears concerning produc- tion of documentary films.

This press conference ended with the opposition presenting the list with more than 100 journalists and media owners which, according to them, had been regularly surveilled and were later presented individual folders containing their wiretapped conversations. Finally, the opposition leader Zaev revealed that owner and editor-in-chief of weekly Fokus, Nikola Mladenov, who died two years ago in traffic accident, is the journalist that had been surveilled over the longest period of time. Majority of journalists indicated as subjects of surveillance confirmed the authenticity of individual audio recordings the opposition had presented them.

46 Ibid 42 47 http://vmro-dpmne.org.mk/?p=25832

25 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

Political vendetta continues (BOMB #5)48 To justify the overall procedure, especially before foreign diplomats, Prime Minister Gruevski arranged other buildings of similar status The bomb no. 5 shed new light on the demolition of Fijat Canoski’s mul- throughout Macedonia to be demolished as well. Namely, due to re- timillion building “Kosmos”. Audio materials presented by the opposition marks made by representatives of the international community, Prime included several conversations which, according to them, feature Nikola Minister Gruevski requests Mile Janakieski demolition of buildings with Gruevski and Mile Janakieski. According to their telephone exchanges, similar status to be covered in the media. reasons behind the demolition of this building include the fact that Fi- jat Canoski’s Party for European Future had joined the wide coalition led by SDSM on 2011 elections and that Fijat Canoski is in-law to Velija Ram- We spend on chocolate, but don’t kovski, owner of TV A1, which was considered critically-oriented towards have for bread (BOMB #6)49 the government. As reminder, TV A1 was closed on 30 July 2012 by means of decision taken by AEC, immediately after this media outlet started its The sixth bomb abounded in wiretapped conversations which the oppo- receivership and bankruptcy procedure. sition claimed take place between Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski and include their thoughts on direct orders they had received from Prime “Kosmos” building was demolished on the grounds of non-compliance Minister Gruevski for illegal borrowing from abroad in millions of euros and with the project design, i.e. due to superstructure by one and half meters illogical budget spending on advertising and monuments at times when in height and two additional pillars that had not been anticipated in proj- salaries of administration employees, jobs and operation of key sectors in ect blueprints. Demolition of this building took place in the aftermath of the state have been brought under question. 2011 elections. Total of eleven wiretaps allow insight in astonishing statements made Recordings played as part of this bomb reveal revengeful intentions by both ministers, and their serious disapproval of many policies promoted on the part of Prime Minster Gruevski targeting Fijat Canoski. As reported by the government. In one conversation, Stavreski acknowledges that by the opposition, recordings played include conversations between Mile spending money on monuments is imprudent and adds: “Even if we were Janakieski and Nikola Gruevski and show details of their conspiracy to de- America, we would not be able to sustain [such public spending]. We should molish the building, i.e. whether it should take place after appointment know that we are lunatics. We spend on chocolate, but don’t have for bread”.50 of the new government or immediately. Furthermore, they agree on the Same set of recordings feature interior minister Jankuloska saying that manner in which the entire procedure should be conducted, i.e. whether they will have to start downsizing salaries for administration employees to change the general urban plan (GUP) or the detailed urban plan (DUP).

49 Sixth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 2 48 Fifth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 27 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are February 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/4n8MBl available on the following link: http://goo.gl/AKmlX8 50 Ibid 49

26 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS because the situation is unsustainable, regretting that policemen still Gordana Jankuloska’s statement sleep on iron beds bought at the times of the Yugoslav National Army. On the same day, after the press conference held by finance min- Furthermore, they discuss protests held in front of the Municipality ister Stavreski, the Minister of Interior shared her opinion about the of Centar on the occasion of changed location for the church “Ss. Kon- entire situation, since her conversations were also featured in record- stantin and Elena”. In this conversation, both collocutors agree that major ings presented by the opposition earlier that day. Hence, on her official stupidities are being done and that time will show that what they [ruling Facebook profile she copy-pasted a statement made by Zoran Stavreski authorities] are doing is erroneous. On top of that, Stavreski adds that cur- at the press conference and wrote: “Stavreski silenced Zaev: sometimes rent situation resembles the ruling style of Erdogan and EU representatives ministers and prime minister have different opinion, but we always choose will soon snap, because the government cannot always be in the right. the best for the citizens”.52

In addition to this exchange of complaints between the two ministers, recordings played also feature their personal insults targeting Nikola Gruevski, head of the EU Delegation Aivo Orav and Bitola’s Mayor, Vladimir Statements of individuals “offended” by the bomb Taleski. Prime Minister Gruevski did not comment released audio materials for which SDSM claimed include conversations of his ministers Zoran Stavreski and Gordana Jankuloska. One day after announcement of this Zoran Stavreski’s press conference bomb, on the question raised by journalist he responded in the same manner as finance minister Stavreski at the press conference organized In response to this disclosure, Zoran Stavreski organized 30-minute one day earlier: “We have been collaborating for many years and know press conference at 6 pm the same day. In contrast to what could be each other well. We have resolved many issues of contempt together, heard on wiretaps presented by the opposition, the Minister of Finance through dialogue and debate, and have always found the best solution, attempted to convince citizens that the Republic of Macedonia is on by talking for hours and hours. Hence, we do not have problem, as you the right path, that it is one of the least indebted states in Europe, and might think, to look at each other’s eyes and cooperate”.53 that it is only normal for members of government to sometime disagree in their opinions, but they present their views openly, reconsider them, One among characters gossiped in recordings released as part of exchange arguments and ultimately choose the best solution for citi- this bomb is Mayor of Bitola, Vladimir Taleski. According to wiretapped zens, pursuant to the government’s programme.51 conversations, Stavreski qualifies him as “bastard” and “criminal”. In

52 51 http://faktor.mk/2015/03/02/stavreski-snimkite-na-zaev-netselosni-konditsijata- http://goo.gl/6D9IdX na-budhetot-e-odlichna/ 53 http://goo.gl/Tr1vgf

27 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report his statement for TV Telma, mayor Taleski stressed that they had a tug of war concerning transportation of students and school heating, but he takes honest enjoyment in the seriousness of the finance minister, Article 5 adding that he has excellent cooperation with the minister. Article 91 shall be amended and shall read: Head of the EU Delegation, Aivo Orav, was also subject of gossip in wiretapped conversations featuring Stavreski and Jankuloska. One (1) When restoring public peace and order of large scope, po- day after the press conference, he and other representatives of the EU lice officers shall be authorized to order the assembled group Delegation in Skopje did not want to comment anything about these to disband. events. However, two days later, at the launch of EU-financed twinning project, he stressed: “…now is the time for all politicians, I reiterate, all (2) Should the group fail to act accordingly, police officers politicians in the country, to demonstrate their commitment to joining shall be allowed to resort to use of following coercion means: the European Union. We are here to help your country on the path towards the European Union; however, we must see that you really want that”.54 1) physical force;

2) police baton;

Law adopted through the back door 3) electrical paralyzer;

While the public was entertained with press-conferences being or- 4) chemical agents; ganized left and right, the Members of Parliament – purposefully or not – adopted changes to the Police Law allowing use of rubber bullets to 5) rubber bullets; prevent clashes in cases of violence erupting at protests. According to law amendments, except for rubber bullets, riot police are now entitled 6) service dogs; to also use electric paralyzers and shock bombs to disburse protesters. 7) specialized vehicles for public peace and order, and Most important provisions from the amended Police Law are given in the box below. 8) pyrotechnical and explosive materials.

After Article 91, two new articles shall be added, 91-a and 91- b, and shall read: 54 http://goo.gl/ZRzUBE

28 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Election nightmare, first instalment (BOMB #7)55

Article 91-a The seventh issue of press conferences organized within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 6 March 2015 which, as claimed by (1) Electrical paralyzers referred to in Article 91, paragraph SDSM and based on audio materials, reveals election frauds committed (2), item 3) of this law, shall be used to momentarily deal with, by the ruling party, abuses of state institutions for party goals, threats temporarily disenable and bring to obedience aggressive and pressures exerted on employees in state and public enterprises people, when they cannot be subdued with any other means. and institutions, and well developed schemes for issuing identification documents to citizens from Pustec, etc. Contents of wiretapped con- (2) Rubber bullets referred to in Article 91, paragraph (2), item versations played confirm claims about irregular elections put forward 5) of this law, shall be used to temporary disenable people in in international and national reports and abuses of election campaigns the crowd that are disturbing the public order and peace. and malpractices on the Election Day. As reminder, OSCE/ODIHR assessed the last round of elections in the country as efficiently imple- (3) For the purpose of Article 91, paragraph (2), item 7) of this mented.56 law, special vehicles for public order and peace shall be vehicles with special bars to block the space, to restrict move- The so-called “Pustec” scheme for election frauds was clearly dis- ment, to subdue a crowd and to use chemical agents, as well closed by journalists on the Election Day. According to this scheme, as special vehicles for controlling crowds by means of water 40 to 60 residents from Pustec have been registered on one address cannons. in the Municipality of Centar, have been issued ID cards in Macedonia, and were later integrated in the Voters List, for the purpose of having (4) For the purpose of Article 91, paragraph (2), item 8) of this them vote on elections. This election machinery was created so that law, pyrotechnical and explosive means shall be flash, shock the Municipality of Centar would remain in the hands of the governing and gas bombs used to restore public order and peace, rescue party, at any cost. As part of released conversations, for which SDSM people from enclosed space, distract attention or resolve hos- claimed feature the voice of the interior minister, she refers to resi- tage situations. dents of Pustec with derogatory words: “important is that these poor menial people hold hands, enter and vote, their mouths sealed”.57

55 Seventh press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 6 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Xq8yL1 56 http://www.osce.org/mk/odihr/elections/fyrom/121926?download=true; page 3, paragraph 2, lines 1 to 3. 57 Ibid 55

29 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

These were just some of election frauds disclosed by the opposi- in the very heart of MOI”.61 In another conversation, for which SDSM tion. In their opinion, audio recordings indicate numerous well-de- claimed features the voice of Mile Janakieski, the transport minister, veloped mechanisms for obtaining votes, such as: financial pressures worried about low turnout of their party members, advises his collocu- in the form of market controls sent to shops, tax inspections sent to tor: “press them brother, unleash the police, if necessary, to take them companies, pressures on farmers benefiting from agriculture subsidies, out of their homes”.62 suspension of licenses for activity performance, etc. Second type of frauds implies election calculations: which balloting posts should have Last group of election frauds revealed by wiretapped conversations higher number of invalid ballots; whether balloting in Municipality of implies pressures on employees in state administration, public enter- Kumanovo can be annulled, so they would “press the Albanians not to prises and public services, performed by compilation of lists of employ- turn out [and vote]”;58 ordering SDSM’s telephone number to be discon- ees; sending text messages with instructions to vote; and compilation nected on the Election Day; forcing Roma people in Strumica to vote: of lists on awarding social allowance. In one of these conversations, as “if it’s among Roma, we bring them by their ears, nobody should make a reported by SDSM, Mile Janakieski advises his collocutor: “first, your sound”.59 Third type of frauds implies abuse of state institutions for the directors should press their employees, there are lots of employees”63 and benefit of the ruling party’s election campaign. “send text messages to teachers with the following contents: for final victory of VMRO-DPMNE in Centar, we kindly ask you to secure another vote Released wiretapped conversations, which SDSM reported implicate for VMRO-DPMNE”.64 In another conversation, for which SDSM claimed Gordana Jankuloska, feature her saying: “They are here, 5 meters from features the voice of Irena Miseva, member of the City Council of Sko- the place where I’m talking to you Kire…. ha ha ha... We are all at work… pje, she briefs Mile Janakieski on lists compiled: “Right. We sent [lists] We have our campaign quarters here. Actually we have two centres, one from JSP [Public Transportation Enterprise], City Parking – complete is here on my floor, and works as local campaign quarters for VMRO in package, Water Supply Company, Universal Hall is also a complete pack- Centar... we have everything. The other is downstairs, in the hall, where age, Children’s Cultural Centre is complete, Museum of the City of Skopje – we receive the ambassadors, and I go there from time to time, for am- complete package, secondary schools ‘Vlado Tasevski;, ‘Braka Miladinovci’, bassadors to see that everything is OK. Then I go upstairs, and we do ‘Nikola Karev’, ‘ASUC’, ‘Maria Kiri Sklodovska’, ‘Pance Arsovski’…”65 party campaign work. That’s how we are organized”,60 and “we at MOI, VMRO-MOI the same… we have two campaign quarters… one party and one where we receive the foreigners… We have no problems, unlike other institutions, we are not restrained in any manner… we have a call centre 61 Ibid 55 62 Ibid 55 58 Ibid 55 63 Ibid 55 59 Ibid 55 64 Ibid 55 60 Ibid 55 65 Ibid 55

30 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Election nightmare, second instalment (BOMB #8)66 In his response, Saso Mijalkov explains to Janakieski that he is unable to speak because his phone is hooked on foreign telecommunication On 10 March 2015, at the Universal Hall in Skopje, the opposition operator and is unsure whether somebody could be intercepting their organized the longest and the most attended press conference and dis- conversation. In the next conversation, Janakieski explains to Mijalkov closure of wiretapped materials. Several high ranking SDSM officials that balloting materials could be used to check who has not turned out delivered speeches at this event. In addition to Zoran Zaev, speeches to vote and adds: “we’ll go door to door; if they are ours, we’ll press them were delivered by former presidential candidate Stevo Pendarovski, to vote”.68 Finally, the last conversation in this set of recordings, for SDSM’s general secretary Oliver Spasovski and deputy president Rad- which the opposition claimed belongs to Mile Janakieski, he calls Amdi mila Sekerinska. Barjam a complete and utter tsar for having all deceased members of the Roma community vote on 2012 elections.69 At this press conference, the opposition played more than 40 conversations, grouped in four blocks, which allow the public to hear col- Second set of recordings was focused on pressures exerted on locutors arranging election frauds, theft of balloting lists, issuance of citizens during elections. One conversation, for which the opposition new identification documents, direct threats for firing from work un- claimed features the voice of Mile Janakieski, reveals how the minis- less citizens vote for VMRO-DPMNE, etc. ter pressured soldiers to vote for them: “Soldiers are voting in Centar... forty something of them… they should vote for VMRO, otherwise they will The first set of recordings, according to the opposition, include not be soldiers”.70 Pressure was also exerted on the prison governor in wiretapped conversations led by Gordana Jankuloska, Mile Janakieski, Idrizovo, Zivko Pejkovski, to press inmates into voting for VMRO-DPMNE. Spiro Ristovski and Saso Mijalkov wherein they commission issuance of ID cards that will be used for balloting on the elections. In these Third set of recordings, according to the opposition, for the first conversations, one collocutor (Kosta) tells Mile Janakieski that he had time features voices of GROM’s leader Stevco Jakimovski and DPA’s managed to take four-five ballots scattered outside the bags, to which leader Menduh Taci. As reported by the opposition, both of them talk Janakieski instructs him to bring the ballots to his ministry. In another with Saso Mijalkov. In the first conversation, the first collocutor speaks conversation, Janakieski calls Saso Mijalkov and tells him that he is in about submission of list of candidates by Dragisa Miletik for the local possession of four ballots, and has the key to the room where balloting elections. As reminder, it was the official seal of Dragisa Miletik’s party material is stored in black bags asking him “is there a skilled person at that secured Stevco Jakimovski’s mayoral candidacy. He requests Saso MOI to open the bags [with ballots] without breaking the official seal”.67 Mijalkov to call the State Electoral Commission (SEC) and municipal election committees, and have them wait for complete documents to

66 Eight press conference within the project ‘Truth about Macedonia” was held on 10 68 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are Ibid 66 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/TMlM9E 69 Ibid 66 67 Ibid 66 70 Ibid 66

31 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report arrive from Kumanovo and Staro Nagoricane. At the press conference, lishment of caretaker government without international community’s the opposition disclosed several conversations for which it claimed engagement and without constructive political dialogue among po- belong to Menduh Taci and Saso Mijalkov. In one of these conversa- litical parties. Moreover, Grubi shared Ali Ahmeti’s position and called tions, Taci tells Mijalkov not to fear his telephone call and that he can Brussels to enter discussions with the political elite, supported by legal always rely on him: “I’m here… if you need anything… whatever… until and investigation experts who, together with the national institutions, death!”71 In the next conversation, he makes good on his promise as will contribute to greater credibility and transparency of the process Mijalkov requests DPA members to vote and support VMRO-DPMNE in aimed to resolve the mass surveillance scandal. the municipal election committee in Strumica.

Last set of recordings included conversations for which the oppo- Municipality of Centar, at any cost (BOMB #9)74 sition claimed are led between Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Mile Janakieski. They discuss discontinuation of assistance to the family This bomb was focused on irregularities during 2013 local elections, of the late singer Tose Proeski, because they do not support VMRO- in particular concerning Municipality of Centar, and covers the time DPMNE: “Tose’s family is against us. What are we going to do? We can period after the elections abounding in VMRO-DPMNE’s attempts to sack one of them, take away 3,000 euros we are paying them and close constitute voting majority in the Municipal Council. To ensure victory the museum?”72 in Municipality of Centar, according to audio materials released, VMRO- DPMNE resorts to several methods: brining voters from Pustec in Mala Day later, the government completely ignored this bomb, i.e. the op- Prespa, Albania; purposefully disabling elevators in high buildings position’s demand for resignation of the government, public prosecutor throughout the municipality; arranging for ballots to be invalidated; and MRT’s management. On 12 March 2015, although not representing pressuring teachers to bring one additional vote for VMRO-DPMNE, etc. an official position of the government, Gordana Jankuloska issued a At the same time, wiretaps reveal attempts to obtain insight in ballot- statement which reads: “The opposition, as always, has the legitimate ing materials and voter registers, for the purpose of exerting pressure right to demand resignation from the Government and from individual on those who have not turned out in the first round. state officials; however, the procedure for motion of tenure is institutional and should take place at the Parliament”,73 thereby confirming the Equally horrifying is the fact that after all election frauds, ruling previous position of the government. Similar position was published by authorities attempted to constitute majority in the Municipal Council. their coalition partner DUI, when Artan Grubi - chief of cabinet to DUI’s One of methods used for that purpose is well known to the Macedo- leader Ali Ahmeti - stated that it is still early to even think about estab- nian public even before the opposition started to release its bombs and

71 Ibid 66 74 Ninth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 12 72 Ibid 66 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 73 http://telma.com.mk/vesti/ministrite-ne-ni-pomisluvaat-na-ostavki available on the following link: http://goo.gl/a0ptfr

32 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS concerns apprehension of Municipal Council’s chair Miroslav Sipovik, who refrained from voting in the case of disputable land plots located above hotel “Tasino Cesmice”. Namely, wiretapped conversations reveal arrangements made to the benefit of one councillor, i.e. issue him decision for house legalization and pay on his behalf 200,000 EUR for that purpose: “Well, how are we to pay 200 thousands on his behalf?... No, if he accepts first”.75 Impression is created that - aware that they would not succeed in acquiring full power in Municipality of Centar on local elections - governing structures have moved to plan B, which means securing voting majority in the Municipal Council, at any cost.

Personal interests, part one (BOMB #10)76

Main characters in bomb no. 10 released by the opposition were Old DUP for the area NewDUP for the area Prime Minister Gruevski and Mile Janakieski. This press conference was near Pitu Guli Str. near Pitu Guli Str. held on 15 March 2015 at the premises of SDSM, exactly half an hour before VMRO-DPMNE’s rally in the sports hall “Boris Trajkovski” in Sko- At this press conference, the opposition presented previous and cur- pje. Audio materials include five conversations for which SDSM claimed rent DUPs, together with tenure deeds and property documents indicating take place between these two collocutors, and one conversation which, ownership of said land plots. At the first disputable location, near the end according to the opposition, involves chief of the secret services and of Pitu Guli Str., four plots intended for sports and recreation have been former chief of security to Nikola Gruevski, Dejan Mitrevski-Urko. These reassigned to family housing with special regime. The second disputable wiretaps feature discussions between Prime Minister Gruevski and location is immediately above hotel “Panorama”. According to original transport minister Janakieski concerning arrangement of changes to DUP, this land plot was intended as green area, but changes made to the ur- detailed urban plans and fragmentation of land plots in the Municipal- ban plan anticipated three large plots for individual houses. According to ity of Central for personal interests. information presented by the opposition, the first location is land plot in total area of 2,700 m2, owned by Kara companies, managed by businessman Orce Kamcev and offshore company Eksiko from Lugano, Switzerland. In the second case, disputable plots cover an area of 11,000 m2 and are owned 75 Ibid 74 by company named Sirah Engineering, founded by Sirah Limited from Be- 76 Tenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 15 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are lize. Manager at the mother company is Gruevski’s wedding witness from available on the following link: http://goo.gl/vn1WQz his first marriage Risto Novacevski, whose sister worked and probably still

33 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report works in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, while Novacevski held and still holds According to the opposition leader Zoran Zaev, these recordings pro- several public offices. Current market price of these two buildings amounts vide clear image about prime minister’s selfishness and dishonesty and to around 5 million EUR. that changes to these urban plans were made for his personal benefit. Another matter evidenced by these recordings concerns actual reasons Disputable DUPs “Tasino Cesmice” and “Kapistec- Vodno” were adopted behind the drama created around the chair of the Municipal Council Miro- by the Municipal Council of Centar in summer 2014. Mayor of Centar was slav Sipovik, and pressures exerted on other council members. What raises openly against and contested adoption of both DUPs. In the meantime, additional doubts is one conversation, for which the opposition claimed chair of the Municipal Council Miroslav Sipovik was arrested. He was appre- belongs to Prime Minister Gruevski and Mile Janakieski, where the first hended and detained on charges related to the case “Masinopromet” and tells the second collocutor “I don’t know how to depict it to you in codes”,79 was later released to defend himself from freedom.77 After his release from which is indicative enough that he is aware of telephone conversations detention, Sipovik abstained from voting to have both DUPs amended.78 being wiretapped. This bomb was among series of recordings that contrib- uted to demolition of the aura of honesty created about Nikola Gruevski.

Old DUP - near hotel „Panorama“ New DUP - near hotel „Panorama“

77 http://mkd-news.com/miroslav-shipovik-na-sloboda/ 78 http://goo.gl/Ddz2i0 79 Ibid 76

34 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Again, ruling VMRO-DPMNE did not offer in public specific explana- the opposition claimed takes place between Silvana Boneva and Nikola tion of allegations featured in this bomb. On the contrary, they issued Gruevski, shows the parliamentarian from Strumica complaining to the another press release80 and indicated that opposition leader Zoran Zaev, prime minister about racketeering practices pursued by Slave Gosev, also aware that he does not have anything to publish, resorted to comments, parliamentarian, during the election campaign. intros, and dishonest constructions, in order to give manipulative context to edited tapes. Furthermore, the press release added new accusa- “[NG]: Were they asking for sponsorship? Racketeering is blackmail, if you tions that Zaev himself admitted of having cooperated with foreign don’t give me, I’ll lock you up. But sponsorship is sponsorship. It’s when you services and had purchased personal computers and cars for primary tell them: if you can, help me. [SB]: Everything was used: threats and ar- suspect Zoran Verusevski, that his associates have pleaded guilty and ranging money to be given for the most impossible things, everything and that SDSM admitted to having cut and edited conversations they are anything. There’s not a single person…”82 publishing. Published audio materials show abuse of institutions during the election campaign, including deployment of police and public prosecution, is- Election nightmare, third instalment (BOMB #11)81 suance of more than 300 new ID cards, detention for persons that might interfere in their doings, etc. One conversation features the following Strumica is one of four municipalities (together with Centar, Kumano- statement: “How were they allowed that? Even the prosecutor is ours…”83 vo and Rankovce) where the opposition won mayor offices on 2013 local elections. For the opposition, Strumica is particularly important, having in Concerns related to independence of judiciary are permanent fea- mind that the opposition leader is also Mayor of Strumica. Audio materials ture in all EC Progress Reports for the Republic of Macedonia. Nota- played at this press conference demonstrate the importance VMRO-DPMNE bly, one conversation that commands attention and further analysis attributes to winning over voters in this municipality. Recordings show involves former president of the Supreme Court and Mile Janakieski, as abuse of institutions for party goals, financial pressures on shop owners reported by the opposition, and concerns trade mall “Global” in Stru- in Strumica, influences on the judiciary and electoral manipulations and mica. In this conversation, collocutors arrange for Mile Janakieski to calculations. send copy of given document with signature, because one of the judges has raised problems. Pressure was exerted by sending market and tax inspections, as well as racketeering of local companies. One wiretapped conversation, for which

80 http://vmro-dpmne.org.mk/?p=26017 81 Eleventh press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 82 18 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are Ibid 81 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/YAhx7K 83 Ibid 81

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Court rulings “à la carte” (BOMB #12)84 against the spouse of Martin Protuger’s friend to be dropped. Last recording played, according to the opposition, features Gordana Jankuloska and The opposition’s bomb no. 12 was announced on 19 March 2015 and Saso Mijalkov and shows the former’s request for MOI to purposefully concerned political influences in the judiciary. In that, wiretapped con- lose the lawsuit motioned against former defender – member of the as- versations allow the public to hear governing authorities ordering court sociation “Dignity” because, in her words, he had assisted MOI and VMRO- rulings and orchestrating appointment of judges. Interference in the DPMNE to destroy this association from within. judiciary was addressed as part of bomb no. 3, but after this press conference matters became much clearer. At the press conference organized Second set of recordings was comprised of five conversations that at SDSM’s headquarters, the opposition leader Zoran Zaev presented four provide insight into high governmental officials’ influences related to sets of recordings wherein, according to his statement, three people (the announcement of calls for vacancies concerning judges and prosecutors, prime minister, chief of the secret services and interior minister) pull all and is indicative of their treatment of judges. One of these conversa- the strings in the judiciary.85 tions, as reported by the opposition, features president of the Judicial Council Aleksandra Zafirovska and secretary to the prime minister Lence According to the opposition, first set of recordings comprised of Samardzievska where the former informs the latter about a pending call three conversations features voices of Saso Mijalkov’s brother – Vlatko for appointment of judges and presidents of courts because, in her words, Mijalkov, judge in the Skopje Court of Appeals and spouse of former jus- “that was agreed with the Prime Minister on the last meeting”.87 In another tice minister – Filimena Manevska, chief of cabinet to the prime min- conversation, which according to the opposition involves Saso Mijalkov ister – Martin Protoger, Saso Mijalkov and interior minister – Gordana and Gordana Jankuloska, collocutors agree which prosecutors will be Jankuloska. recruited at the Basic Public Prosecution on the request of then current justice minister Blerim Bedzeti. The most controversial conversa- One conversation, for which the opposition claimed to take place be- tion, reported by the opposition to take place between interior minister tween Vlatko Mijlkov and Filimena Manevska, the former makes urgency Jankuloska and Saso Mijalkov, allowed the public to learn that judges in court proceedings led before the Court of Appeals, while the latter have been enlisted in Jankuloska’s “notebook” and awarded merit points. refers him to the president of Court of Appeals qualifying her as “totally ours”.86 In the next conversation, reported to take place between Martin Third set of recordings offered one conversation featuring then cur- Protoger and Gordana Jankuloska, collocutors arrange for traffic charges rent prosecutor Ljupco Svrgovski’s intervention with the interior minister Jankuloska to have the son of the Court of Appeals’ president appointed as public prosecutor because, in their words, all their cases led before 84 Twelfth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 19 her had been resolved to their benefit. Next two conversations complete March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Fn96sU the puzzle. According to the opposition, they take place between then 85 Ibid 84 86 Ibid 84 87 Ibid 84

36 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS current justice minister Blerim Bedzeti and Vice President of the Gov- Urbanism mafia under direct control (BOMB #13)90 ernment, Musa Dzaferi, and show the first collocutor demanding party support for the post of public prosecutor to be given to VMRO-DPMNE This press conference was continuation of bombs no. 5 and 10 because interior minister Jankuloska had kindly asked them. This set focused on demolition of the building “Kosmos” and disputable land of recordings includes one atrocious conversation which, according to plots on Vodno. the opposition, features Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski. In this conversation Stavreski tells Jankuloska about a matter involving em- As regards land plots on Vodno, disclosed conversations show inten- ployee at the Ministry of Finance who, as said by Stavreski, is honest and tions of Prime Minister Gruevski to obtain that land at any price by April, diligent worker, but had applied for the post of judge without his prior i.e. prior to scheduled elections. According to SDSM: “New detailed ur- consent and therefore needs Jankuloska’s help to “bitter his life”.88 ban plan whose effect Gruevski wishes to impose by force, clearly shows that it is a matter of plan to construct buildings, shielded with company Last set of recordings, according to the opposition, includes two from Belize, on total area of 14,500 m2 located in Vodno, which will be conversations between chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov and worth over 17 million EUR”.91 two newly appointed judges. Saso Mijalkov personally calls judges So- fija Lalicik and Svetlana Kostovska to congratulate them, saying that he Wiretapped conversations, reported by the opposition to take place had made personal efforts to have them appointed. These conversations between the Prime Minister and Mile Janakieski, show the first collocu- again confirm influence on the part of chief of the secret services in all tor proposing outlay for the DUP that covers disputable plots, including state functions. coordinates for the nearby road and the fact that nobody should be given tenure over land plots above. Mile Janakieski reassures the Prime Later that day, ruling VMRO-DPMNE reacted to this bomb by issuing Minister that this plot is the frontier line in GUP and will be the final another press release.89 As was the case with previous statements, they construction plot, so nobody would be able to build above it. again refrained from commenting conversations released as part of wiretaps, but pointed out Zoran Zaev as the main culprit on the grounds of As regards the building “Kosmos”, released audio materials date his conscious and continuous efforts to harm the state. Accusations con- from the period prior to its demolition, i.e. before 2011 elections, when tinued with reminiscences of times when SDSM was in power and when Fijat Canoski and his Party for European Future were in coalition with party pressures had been exerted by SDSM’s staff commissions, resulting VMRO-DPMNE. According to Fijat Canoski’s testimony, in that period he in appointment of 617 judges and around 100 public prosecutors. had the previously issued construction permit for “Kosmos” withdrawn.

90 Thirteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 23 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 88 Ibid 84 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Xj5rSK 89 http://goo.gl/jXjO00 91 Ibid 90

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Later, the construction permit was reissued, but only after Canoski’s forcing you to sign something and go to prison for that, one does not go to voice had secured the ruling party two-third majority to have a par- jail for giving opinion”93 which, in its own right, is indicative of the grave ticular law adopted. These conversations again confirm government’s situation Janakieski gets entangled in. Otherwise, the contract for façade vindictive attitude towards Canoski, affecting the building “Kosmos”. reconstruction of “City Gallery” in amount of more than 92 million MKD One of the reasons for reissuance of construction permit is fear on the or around 1.5 million EUR was signed on 26 November 2014,94 and con- part of Skopje’s Mayor Koce Trajanovski and Gazi Baba’s Mayor Toni Tra- struction works on this façade are underway. City of Skopje has selected jkovski from possible criminal charges on the account of suspending Urban Invest from Kavadarci to perform these works on trade mall “City already issued construction permit. Gallery” located on the main square in Skopje. Procurement contract on façade reconstruction and substructure for EVN’s building was signed on 22 July 2013 in value of more than 966 million MKD or around 4.3 million Kickbacks and commissions (BOMB #14)92 EUR. Reconstruction works on this building are also underway95 and are performed by construction company Beton from Skopje. On 26 March 2015, the opposition disclosed bomb no. 14 comprised of audio recordings with wiretapped conversations. According to the opposi- Other audio recordings presented by the opposition again feature Prime tion, wiretaps disclosed as part of this bomb feature the Prime Minister and Minister Gruevski and transport minister Janakieski. Wiretaps show them his closest associates engaged in arranging illegal tender procedures and arranging commissions as percentage of contracts signed for construction commissions for construction of baroque facades and highway sections. of highway sections Ohrid-Kicevo and Miladinovci-Stip. It is a matter of contracts the Government has signed with the Chinese Sinohydro Corpora- First audio recordings, according to the opposition, include con- tion Limited in 2013 for construction of said highway sections. This invest- versation between Prime Minister Gruevski and transport minister Mile ment amounts to 580 million EUR. Majority of funds (90%) were secured Janakieski. As heard on released wiretaps, the Prime Minister requests the by means of loan from the Chinese Export Import Bank, while remaining minister to illegally sign document for baroque facades to be construct- 10% were secured from the budget of the Public Enterprise on State Roads. ed on EVN’s building and trade mall “City Gallery”, although the minister More scandalous is the fact that decision on selection of contractor for claims that such endeavour would necessitate changes to detailed urban these two highway sections was taken without having announced call for plan (DUP). To this remark, the Prime Minister reiterates that the minis- tender, but by means of adopting a law that legalizes government’s crimi- ter is only required to provide opinion, because final responsibility lies nal activities. with the entity accepting the opinion given. In another conversation on this topic, Prime Minister Gruevski tells Janakieski: “I wouldn’t dream of

93 Ibid 92 94 92 Fourteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia was held on http://fokus.mk/siti-galeri-k-e-se-obleche-vo-barokna-fasada-od-1-5-milioni- 26 March 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press evra/ are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/oGWmqo 95 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=13819

38 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

On 25 October 2013, the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia adopted Macedonia by means of manufactured, edited, cut, taped and rearranged the Law on Implementation of Infrastructure Projects for Construction conversations, with the ultimate goal of coming in power without citizens’ of Highway Sections Kicevo-Ohrid and Miladinovci-Stip.96 Several days support. Moreover, they referred to the fact that highway sections dis- later, on 13 November 2013, contract with Sinohydro Corporation Limited cussed by the opposition earlier that day have been signed under com- from China was signed. One conversation, which the opposition claimed pletely legal and transparent procedure, in compliance with the law ad- takes place between Prime Minister Gruevski and Mile Janakieski, shows opted by the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia, as had been the case in Janakieski telling the Prime Minister that they have planned to request the past with other large scale infrastructure projects. commission of 5%, which would amount to 15-18 million EUR, and that such commission is considered business as usual, because the other con- Later that day, at parliamentary session for MP questions, responding tract was arranged under same terms and conditions. A simple math exer- to question about the surveillance affair raised by independent MP Roza cise for calculating total value of commissions under both construction Topuzova-Karevska, Prime Minister Gruevski stated that SDSM attempts “to contracts for highway sections shows that 25 million EUR had ended up in discredit people that have gained the people’s trust, for the purpose of dis- the hands of high governmental officials. turbing that trust and facilitating Zoran Zaev’s political success”.100

This contract was discussed in one conversation led between Zoran Stavreski and Gordana Jankuloska. In that conversation, visibly upset, Fat commissions in public Stavreski tells Jankuloska that his stomach churned upon receiving one procurements (BOMB #15)101 message, after which he had an urge to smash the phone on somebody’s head. Later in their conversation, the public learns that the text message This bomb stirred fiercest reactions on the part of governing struc- was sent by Prime Minister Gruevski. In that, Stavreski adds “he [Prime tures, including chief of the secret services, as the person that had been Minister] had lost all contacts with the reality”97 and forced Mile Janakieski held most accountable for actions disclosed. Disclosed wiretaps reveal and Vladimir Pesevski to sign “an illegal contract with the Chinese company a scandal related to procurement of equipment from Israel intended for to construct roads without organizing tender procedure”.98 MOI and the Directorate for Security and Counterintelligence and involve fat commissions payed on private bank accounts. After the opposition announced bomb no. 14, VMRO-DPMNE responded with press release.99 In this press statement they, yet again, indicated that According to SDSM, these conversations feature the voice of Svetlana Zoran Zaev is attempting to destabilize institutions in the Republic of Kostova. Being close associate to chief of the secret services, she medi-

96 http://goo.gl/dSW4ph 100 http://goo.gl/VXgDfe 97 Ibid 92 101 Fifteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 98 Ibid 92 1 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 99 http://goo.gl/eeJrkb available on: http://goo.gl/C2gsCL

39 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report ates transfer of funds as commission from representatives of the Israeli occasions, helped Macedonia in developing its serious and stabile security company that participated in this procurement. In reward for her success- potential. In the last two months, we have heard all sorts of accusations, fully performed mediation, as heard in previously revealed conversations manipulations and lies, but those presented today are the peak of Zoran for which SDSM claimed belong to her, Svetlana Kostova was appointed Zaev’s irresponsibility, not only towards us, but toward the state, security judge in the Administrative Court of Republic of Macedonia. At this press services, friendly countries and security of the citizens”.103 conference SDSM presented additional evidence: text messages, document with an overview of country entries and exits of the Israeli media- Additional reaction to this bomb was made by MOI, by means of press tor – person HH, as well as additional telephone conversations between release, as well as by chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov. In the Svetlana Kostova and the Israeli mediator. According to SDSM, these ad- press release, MOI stated: “In order not to allow the public to be manipu- ditional evidence materials complete the image about negotiations to lated, we would like to stress that what was presented today is donation sign the contract for procurement of equipment intended for the Mace- for equipment, not for interception of communication, but equipment for donian police, including arrangement of commission and details thereof members of special units within the Ministry of Interior. It is a matter of (bank account to which money was transferred, manner in which money more than 5.5 million EUR donated by a foreign entity, and intended as was transferred, etc.). In that, funds from the commission were trans- assistance to enable greater efficiency of special units. For that purpose, ferred outside Macedonia, i.e. on bank account in Budapest. The opposi- an official donation agreement has been signed, but is classified with the tion argued that these commissions and procurement of equipment had highest degree of confidentiality, i.e. state secret”.104 taken place with Prime Minister’s knowledge and approval. In order to prove this claim, the opposition played another wiretapped conversation Chief of the secret services reacted as well, by raising accusations which, according to them, features chief of the secret services and the for defamation and constructions against him, for which he expects the interior minister, where she suggests the collocutor to personally inform court to establish and adequately sanction libels and constructions in the Prime Minister that the budget item intended for procurement of this compliance with the applicable laws in Republic of Macedonia.105 In equipment should not be affected by the budget adjustment, because that, neither MOI nor chief of the secret services denied authenticity of “such issues are not discussed before everybody at government sessions”.102 disclosed wiretapped conversations; on the contrary, they engaged in According to SDSM, this procurement concerns the equipment used to discussion with explanations that it is a matter of equipment donation intercept communications of more than 20,000 citizens. for MOI’s special units and not surveillance equipment, which indirectly acknowledges authenticity of released wiretaps. This time around, in addition to claims that released materials have been created, edited and rearranged, VMRO-DPMNE stated that accusa- 103 tions put forward by SDSM harm the international image of Macedonia: http://www.plusinfo.mk/vest/20661/vmro-dpmne-zagrizeno-za-efektot-od- bombata-kaj-prijatelskite-zemji “Moreover, he inflicts damage to friendly countries that have, on numerous 104 http://goo.gl/oWjYv8 105 http://fokus.mk/mijalkov-nema-potkup-od-izrael-tuku-donatsija-od-prijatelska- 102 Ibid 10 sluzhba/

40 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Election nightmare, fourth instalment (BOMB #16)106 One conversation, for which SDSM claimed features Prilep’s Mayor Marijan Risteski and Gordana Jankuloska, shows the collocutors agree- The sixteenth press conference within the project “Truth about ing to stage an incident in Prilep which, according to Risteski, should Macedonia” concerned election frauds in Kumanovo and was organized be pinned to SDSM members, i.e. they should be accused of attacking and held by SDSM’s branch in Kumanovo. According to them, presented member of VMRO-DPMNE. As was the case with previous bombs, this audio materials included conversations between Gordana Jankuloska, one included wiretaps in which collocutors plan to prevent buses with Kiril Bozinovski, Viktor Cvetkovski, Nikola Todorov and a person named SDSM members to reach their destination, i.e. to have them stopped Riste. Wiretaps played at this conference imply arrangements for cash and referred to extraordinary technical inspection. exchanges that would be used for election frauds, abuse of lists with army reserve members and arrangements to have SDSM’s vehicles One conversation, which the opposition reported to take place be- stopped and referred for extraordinary technical inspection. tween Marijan Risteski and Dejan (manager at Pelisterka), includes the following sentence: “[Dejan]: I have a list of scumbags, from downtown, These conversations, which SDSM claimed involve Gordana Janku- who were against you. We should make their lives miserable in the next loska, Nikola Todorov and Kiril Bozinovski, reveal their dealings to four years”,108 to which Risteski responds: “well brother, you give me the award 75,000 EUR to Dragisa Miletik’s party and 225,000 EUR to parties list and I’ll f**k them up”.109 of smaller ethnic communities. After the press conference, VMRO-DPMNE issued another written statement110 emphasizing that SDSM’s choice to have Saso Veleski, Election nightmare, fifth instalment (BOMB #17)107 president of the municipal branch, hold the press conference about alleged crimes is utterly erroneous because he, according to them, had The press conference no. 17 was held in Prilep and included presen- enriched himself during the transition period, when more than 20,000 tation of 15 wiretapped conversations related to deployment of inspec- citizens of Prilep lost their jobs. In their opinion, this is the person that tions and closure of private companies, restaurants, coffee shops, with participated in destruction of the company giant Mikron JSC, leaving special focus on the private company owned by SDSM’s candidate for 350 workers jobless. In addition, they reiterated that numerous capi- mayor – Hari Lokvenec. Recordings also include schemes to stage an tal investments are made in Prilep and that many foreign investments incident, disturb election campaign activities, and the like. have been attracted.

106 Sixteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 2 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 108 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/QDOyln Ibid 107 109 107 Seventeenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held Ibid 107 on 4 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 110 http://faktor.mk/2015/04/04/aktsija-i-reaktsija-po-deneshnite-sobiri-na-vmro- are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/9SdetJ dpmne-i-sdsm/

41 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

The Hague cases – irreclaimable Presented recordings of wiretapped conversations reveal informa- ace card (BOMB #18)111 tion about the problem to secure quorum in the Parliament to have the authentic interpretation of the Law on Amnesty adopted, and in- At SDSM’s headquarters in Skopje, the opposition leader Zoran Zaev structions115 being issued by the Prime Minister in that matter while announced bomb no. 18 which, in his words, is an attempt to bring down vacationing abroad. the mask of “the biggest patriot” reserved exclusively for Prime Minster Gruevski. In another conversation, which SDSM reported belongs to the duo comprised of Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski, exchanges be- Published audio recordings, according to the opposition, include tween collocutors reveal the fact that both of them do not want to conversations between Prime Minister Gruevski and Silvana Boneva, i.e. attend the parliamentary session and vote for the authentic interpreta- his secretary Lence Samardzievska, between Gordana Jankuloska and tion of the Law on Amnesty. In that context, Gordana Jankuloska makes Zoran Stavreski, Trajko Veljanoski, Biljana Briskovska-Boskovski and Kiril a memorable remark: “now I’ll drag my feet… if not for anything else, Bozinovski. As reported by SDSM, recordings of wiretapped conversa- then because I don’t want to vote for that law”.116 tions between Nikola Gruevski and Silvana Boneva provide insight in the fact that agreement has been reached with DUI to grant amnesty in the In the written reaction of VMRO-DPMNE,117 published after Zoran Za- Hague cases and that the agreement needs to be effectuated immediate- ev’s bomb, they indicated that he had buried himself with today’s press ly, instead of being postponed for September of October that year. In the conference, especially because, according to them, entire management said conversation, Nikola Gruevski says that the government will issue an of SDSM voted for the same law to be adopted. opinion that would be “beating around the bush”112 or would be drafted in the form of “quotation from the Law on Amnesty”.113 Bitola caught in the cobweb (BOMB #19)118 In one conversation, which SDSM claimed features Gordana Janku- loska and Trajko Veljanoski, the Parliament Speaker uses defamatory The nineteenth press conference was held on 8 April 2015, in Bitola. words when referring to members of the Albanian community calling At this event, the opposition presented wiretaps implying criminal op- them “Indians”.114 erations on the part of Bitola’s Mayor Vladimir Taleski.

111 Eighteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 115 Ibid 111 6 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 116 Ibid 111 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/8NQK7f 117 http://goo.gl/c4VicQ 112 Ibid 111 118 Nineteenth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 113 Ibid 111 on 8 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 114 Ibid 111 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/KyLFYN

42 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

One conversation led between Zoran Stavreski and Gordana Janku- Government as the Bureau of loska, as reported by the opposition, features Stavreski’s qualifications Employment (BOMB #20)123 of Taleski as “bigtime criminal”119 and “perfidious actor”,120 while Janku- loska agrees, adding that is his profession. According to SDSM, next On 14 April 2015, at the party’s headquarters, Zoran Zaev announced conversation is led between same collocutors and includes Stavreski’s bomb no. 20 which, in his words, provided insight in the state’s com- admission of “utterly corrupt contract”121 being signed by Taleski with plete captivity by the ruling party, i.e. by handful of people from the company Transcop for transportation of students. party’s top management. Published audio materials allow the public to hear about occupation of trade unions, regulatory bodies, courts and In another conversation, for which SDSM claimed takes place be- their administrative services, public administration bodies, hospitals, tween Vladimir Taleski and Vlatko Mijalkov, the first collocutor re- as well as absence of clear division and boundaries between executive, quests people from the competitive group to be put aside, referring legislative and judiciary branches of government. to then commander-in-chief of the illegal trade and smuggling squad in Bitola – Kire Bozinoski-Katangata. Other conversations, featuring From one conversation, reported by the opposition to take place voices of Vlatko Cingoski, Siljan Micevski and others, are indicative of between Gordana Jankuloska and Martin Protoger, the public learns arrangements made for election irregularities and pressures to vote for that Zivko Popovski - father of the foreign minister Nikola Popovski VMRO-DPMNE, threats targeting several private companies and party and director of the Agency for Civil Navigation - expelled the trade employments. union’s president on the grounds of disobedience. Next conversations from this set of recordings reveal occupation of faculties by means of In their press release,122 published after this bomb, VMRO-DPMNE re- appointing teaching assistants so there would be no “commie” left at ferred to the fact that during SDSM’s governance in Bitola saving house the universities, in the words of Jankuloska. Conversations played later TAT had been closed, on the grounds of having stolen more than 60 mil- at the press conference, according to the opposition, feature direct in- lion EUR from citizens. Furthermore, they indicated SDSM’s responsibil- terference on the part of Prime Minister Gruevski in operations of the ity for the closure of ten factories in Bitola that have left ten thousands Army Hospital in Skopje and employment of party members, despite in- of people jobless. dications made by the hospital manager that such employments would leave hospital wards without resident doctors. Special attention was trigged by conversations where, as reported by the opposition, chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov requests 1000 people to be employed at the Directorate for Security and Counterintelligence, followed by ad- 119 Ibid 118 120 Ibid 118 123 Twentieth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 121 Ibid 118 14 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 122 http://goo.gl/Mng1qB available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Hkh2Yr

43 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report ditional 400 employments, without announcing call for vacancies and cabinet to the prime minister tells Latas that he would provide him with beyond law-stipulated procedures. According to exchanges made in photograph at which a school principle from Ohrid and close friend to Pe- these conversations, all these new employees are needed to operate treski enjoys jet-bath with highs school students and drinks champagne. the equipment obtained from Israel. One conversation was dedicated According to their agreement, this photograph should be plastered on to recently appointed president of the Judicial Council - Branko Us- the cover of newspaper Vecer and later presented in the central news pro- kovski. In this conversation, reported by SDSM to take place between gramme on TV Sitel. Trajko Veljanoski and Gordana Jankuloska, the first collocutor says that Uskovski has nothing in common with the judiciary, while Jankuloska Next set of recordings, for which the opposition claimed include con- completely agrees and ironically comments: “we didn’t put him there versations between Martin Protoger and Mile Janakieski, concerns privati- because he’s the most handsome…”124 zation of construction plots to the benefit of Protoger, which would later be sold at hefty rates. Moreover, they reveal that during the election cam- After SDSM’s press conference, in their press release, VMRO-DPMNE paign Martin Protoger plans to assemble a team of several people (major- stated that Zaev, by means of created and edited materials, has again ity of which are employed at the Ministry of Interior) who, together with endangered the security system by disclosing data and plans on staff Protoger, will be in Ohrid until election campaigning is complete and will recruitment for the security services. In addition, this press release en- be tasked to instil fear among members of their political opponent. In her listed that citizens do not forget Zaev’s statement when he said that conversation with Protoger, Jankuloska says: “Look, I told you... I mean… after coming in power he would eat people alive and expel them from god-speed for victory in Ohrid… but with the gang there… I mean… with work, from janitors to ministers. these… with your gang… there is no joy in that. Nothing will happen to them, don’t worry, but listen Martin, you’ve selected the biggest vagabonds from MOI”.126 The press conference was closed with one recording on which Personal interests, part two (BOMB #21)125 Protoger and Jankuloska agree the manner in which Petreski will be apprehended. This time around “Truth about Macedonia” was presented from Ohrid. Recordings played as part of this bomb provide evidence for several crimes After the press conference and new bomb released by the opposition, and abuses and include arrangements to have former Mayor of Ohrid, Alek- VMRO-DPMNE issued press statement127 indicating that citizens still re- sandar Petreski, arrested. In one conversation, reported by the opposition member that during Petreski’s term of office municipality’s treasury had to take place between Martin Protoger and Dragan Pavlovik-Latas, chief of a shortage of 50 million EUR, thus making Municipality of Ohrid the most indebted one in Europe. Furthermore, citizens and residents of Ohrid have not forgotten dozen factories being closed during SDSM’s governance. 124 Ibid 123 125 Twenty first press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 126 on 16 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press Ibid 125 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/m6suFW 127 http://sky.mk/makedonija/434690-reakcija-od-vmro-dpmne-na-ohridskata-bomba

44 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Bullseye on Stip (BOMB #22)128 conversations lead between Mile Janakieski and Vanco Kostadinov, i.e. Zoran Stavreski and Gordana Jankuloska. First recording features The bomb no. 22 was presented in Stip. At the press conference, Janakieski asking data from director of the Central Register Vanco the opposition released audio materials indicating intrusion in the au- Kostadinov about companies and persons that have not changed their tonomy of the University “Goce Delcev” in Stip, pressure exerted on mind in terms of supporting the government. On the second recording, companies and businessmen that do not wish to cooperate with ruling Jankuloska and Stavreski comment and tarnish their colleagues Nikola authorities, urgencies made to enrol Silvana Boneva at the university, Todorov and Mile Janakieski (calling him bad copy of Nikola Gruevski), as well as opinions of VMRO-DPMNE’s top officials about former mayors and nickname Vladimir Pesevski “Hippo”. of Stip and incumbent ministers in the government. VMRO-DPMNE, in their press release129 published after the opposi- In the conversation, reported by the opposition to take place be- tion’s bomb announcement, reiterated that SDSM continues to play on tween Antonio Milososki and the university dean, the first collocutor the card of cheap voyeurism, which is sufficient evidence of their mali- makes an urgency to have a person employed at the university. In an- ciousness, unproductivity and open manipulations. other conversation, which SDSM claimed features two MPs – Silvana Boneva and Nadica Tanceva-Tulieva, both collocutors discuss and agree that party members in the university management should enable the Municipality of Centar at any cost, former to be enrolled there. part two (BOMB #23)130

Another conversation, claimed by the opposition to take place be- The bomb no. 23 was announced in probably the most important tween Deputy Minister of Agriculture Vanco Kostadinov and director of municipality for VMRO-DPMNE, i.e. the Municipality of Centar. This the Customs Administration Vlatko Mijalkov, features comments about press conference was held in the settlement Kapistec and included set former Mayor of Stip Zoran Aleksov qualifying him as strange person of telephone conversations which, according to the opposition, reveal with flawed brains. According to another conversation disclosed by crimes committed by Nikola Gruevski’s government in this municipality. SDSM, in the opinion of collocutors Mile Janakieski and Aleksandar Nikoloski, more important is current mayor Ilco Zahariev, who receives First conversation, which the opposition claimed involves Gordana “compliments” from Mile Janakieski for being an outrageous scoundrel. Jankuloska and Martin Protoger, shows the first collocutor complain-

At this press conference SDSM presented recordings of wiretapped 129 http://fokus.mk/vmro-dpmne-vistinata-ne-e-vo-sechenite-i-kreirani-materijali- tuku-vo-toa-shto-e-sraboteno/ 128 Twenty second press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was 130 Twenty third press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held held on 18 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the on 19 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/QiCHTk are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/CyN4ZG

45 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report ing that their party members are making fools of themselves and have Government as editor-in-chief (BOMB #24)133 demolished Ljube Boskovski’s campaign quarters. Next set of conversations reveal that Nikola Gruevski has entered deals with Kondominas, The bomb no. 24 was announced from SDSM’s headquarters. In his businessman from Greece, about exterior design of the resurrected statement, the party’s leader stated that materials to be played would “Army Centre” on the city square, while the second conversation, led disclose relations between Gruevski and privately owned media and between Gruevski and Janakieski, includes admission that shelled by would demonstrate actual manner in which the public broadcaster op- businessman Alek Teranova they are now in possession of the entire erates. Recordings played at this press conference, according to the op- square. In addition to this admission, published recordings allow the position, feature conversations of Nikola Gruevski, Gordana Jankuloska, public to hear Gruevski’s concerns with the fact that they have allowed Mile Janakieski, Martin Protoger, Marjan Cvetkovski, Emil Stojmenov, an Albanian investor on the square which, in his opinion, could encour- Dragan Pavlovik-Latas, Saso Mijalkov, and others. age others to request access to construction works performed there. Nevertheless, one recording that triggered greatest revolt among citi- One conversation, led between Gruevski and Janakieski, reveals ar- zens gathered at the press conference and reported to take place be- rangements made for bankrupted Radio Gostivar to be taken over VMRO- tween Prime Minister Gruevski and Mile Janakieski features the former’s DPMNE’s Youth Alliance. Based on another conversation, taking place request to have disturbances caused outside the municipal building in between Martin Protoger and Gordana Jankuloska, the public learns Centar and to have one person from the crowd enter inside and “slap that recruitment of journalists at MRT had been pursued on proposals Zernovski five-six times”131 in front of cameras. After audio materials from VMRO-DPMNE’s municipal committees. were presented, mayor Zernovski addressed the audience emphasizing it was Gruevski who got slapped on the recent local elections, while the One recording, for which the opposition reported contains conver- biggest slap is yet to come his way. sation of Martin Protoger with Emil Stojmenov, shows executive government’s interference and direct control over editorial policies in the In reaction to this press conference, VMRO-DPMNE issued a press media. In that, Protoger requests his collocutor to remove one news release132 and stressed that nobody had been slapped nor ended in a story broadcasted on the television because it featured public opinion ditch, as claimed by SDSM in their created and edited tapes. poll whose results are unfavourable for them. Next conversation concerns the same issue and, according to the opposition, involves Mile Janakieski and Goran Ivanov. Contents of this recording reveal collocutors discussing cooperation with TV Sitel, whereby Ivanov requests Janakieski to arrange higher altitude for the Socialist Party’s building

131 Ibid 130 133 Twenty fourth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 132 http://www.telegraf.mk/aktuelno/makedonija/264105-vmro-dpmne- on 22 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press manipulacijata-na-sdsm-e-vidliva are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/SVZ6oQ

46 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS in Taftalidze. Fourth pair of collocutors, according to the opposition, ported by the opposition to take place between Dragan Pavlovik-Latas is comprised of Zoran Stavreski and Gordana Jankuloska. They engage and Ivona Talevska, she says: “by the end of 2013, if I get the tender in exchange of opinions about Milenko Nedelkovski. In the opinion of with Vizaris, one million and 300 thousand [EUR] should settle on Viz- Zoran Stavreski, he is scoundrel that should end up imprisoned. Last, aris’ bank account. Then we’ll have quite a different conversation with but not least important, the opposition played one wiretapped conver- Petrovic”.135 Having in mind that this conversation can be related to sation that reveals how the spouse of editor-in-chief at TV Sitel, Dragan actual event, in a way it confirms authenticity of disclosed wiretaps. Pavlovik-Latas, managed to land a job at the company GAMA and salary in amount of 1000 EUR, with direct involvement and urgency made by Second set of recordings implied conversations about son of the Prime Minister Gruevski. Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, and charges against him for illegal possession of opiate drugs raised in Greece. This information After this press conference, VMRO-DPMNE reacted with usual accu- was broadly covered by Macedonian and Greek internet portals during sations for the opposition. Easter holidays in 2013. According to Greek media, Veljanoski’s son had been arrested on the grounds of possessing half gram of cocaine, three ecstasy pills and knife. Wiretapped conversation of Nikola Truth about “Vizaris” (BOMB #25)134 Gruevski and Gordana Jankuloska features an appalling statement: “de facto, this is what [happened]… he passed our border control and, The twenty fifth press conference within the project “Truth about of course, nobody checked him because he is son of the President [of Macedonia” was held in Veles. At this event, the opposition played au- Parliament], but the Greeks checked him; quite possibly the dog sensed dio materials of wiretapped conversations that reveal several affairs. the drugs and they checked the car and… that is that. Plus, he had a knife, which he should not have with him. Maybe because this hap- First set of recordings concerns the case “Vizaris” in which com- pened abroad and we’ll act as if we don’t know, I mean, this [informa- pany owned by mother of journalist at TV Sitel had been awarded tender tion] came from people in the field. Let’s wait to see how it ends, i.e. contract by the Ministry of Health. This affair surfaced in the public im- what will the Greeks do with him. Let’s hope you won’t be brought in mediately after the contract on procurement of medical equipment was situation to…“.136 signed between Ministry of Health and Vizaris in January 2014. Later, this contract was revoked and journalist Ivona Talevska was withdrawn Third set of recordings released as part of this bomb provide an as news anchor on TV Sitel. This bomb confirmed doubts presented in additional argument on judiciary’s dependence from the executive public by the opposition in the course of 2014. In the recording, re- branch of government, clarifying how court rulings are agreed with phone calls, including detention orders. On the first conversation,

134 Twenty fifth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 135 on 23 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press Ibid 134 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/uILVOU 136 Ibid 134

47 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report for which the opposition claimed features MP Ilija Dimovski and Gor- In its press release,140 VMRO-DPMNE denied to have entered any ar- dana Jankuloska, the first collocutor says: “I want to have them put rangements with DUI related to the case “Sopot” or any involvement in in detention, to tell the truth… Who should I call? Should I speak to the said lawsuit, but redirected such accusations towards SDSM. Zvrlevski?”137

Subject of discussion in the fourth conversation, for which the Defenders used as bargaining chip (BOMB #26)141 opposition reported takes place between Saso Mijalkov and Gordana Jankuloska, is finding the least harmful way to resolve the case in- Materials released at this press conference were focused on the Law on volving persons convicted as part of the lawsuit “Sopot” without Defenders, but also referred to politicisation of public enterprises in Gostivar. damaging the judiciary system in Macedonia, while allowing DUI to score political points. In the case “Sopot” two Polish soldiers from First set of recordings provide information about politicisation of pub- NATO corps and one civilian lost their lives after stepping on a land- lic enterprises and their abuse for party goals. They disclose party employ- mine in March 2003. 11 Albanians were convicted for this crime ments under conditions when there is literally no space for new employees qualified as act of terrorism. In 2011, for the purpose of clarifying or when actual job positions have already been recruited. Furthermore, they all circumstances and facts in this case, special inquiry committee show use of company vehicles for party purposes and that “he is our child” is was established in the Parliament. As regards this wiretap, biggest used as key criterion for employment and getting better job, as was the case concerns were raised in terms of the easiness with which decisions with president of the local party committee, in order to demonstrate bet- are taken to seal human destinies. For illustration purpose, Gordana ter performance for the benefit of ruling authorities. Finally, these wiretaps Jankuloska makes the following statement: “They don’t care if Ship- show arrangements made for the Youth Alliance to take over Radio Gostivar. tars are in prison. After all, prions are packed with Shiptars. They only want to score political points and this is the season for such points, Second set of recordings concerns events around the adoption of the as they celebrate 13th August because of the Framework [Agreement]. Law on Defenders. Prime Minister Gruevski says he had kept this law as bar- They always do this kind of things in this period [of the year]. That’s gaining chip in negotiations with their coalition partner DUI, although in how they operate”.138 On the other side of the telephone receiver, Saso reality he never intended to have the law enacted. Hence, collocutors in this Mijalkov says: “We gave them an answer. I remember that we agreed to conversation say that they will “shelve the law and wait for the moment when do something about “Sopot”, after elections, i.e. after appointment of they need something important”.142 the new government, we said we’ll do something, nothing specific [had been arranged], but… “.139 140 http://goo.gl/HkJ2Lf 141 Twenty sixth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 137 Ibid 134 on 25 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 138 Ibid 134 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Lum3Ho 139 Ibid 134 142 Ibid 141

48 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Who intercepted communications? (BOMB #27)143 After the opposition’s press conference, ruling VMRO-DPMNE reacted with press statement144 indicating that obviously SDSM is still in The opposition announced bomb no. 27 at the press conference shock after having suffered fiasco and debacle at the referendum orga- held on 28 April 2015. At this event, the opposition leader Zoran Zaev nized in the Municipality of Centar, in particular because the citizens released wiretapped conversations and evidence materials in excel sent them clear message that they do not support SDSM’s destructive spreadsheets which, in his opinion, clearly show that MOI and the Di- policy and that, at the press conference held earlier that day, Zoran rectorate for Security and Counterintelligence are behind illegal sur- Zaev released created, cut, edited and rearranged materials whose cred- veillance of communications. Released audio material includes con- ibility has not been established, thus scoring goal for the opposing versations from 2012, at the time of enacting the Law on Interception team. Moreover, except for demonstrating that they work only for for- of Communications for which the EC insisted to include provisions that eign interests, SDSM showed that they lack capacity and credibility for allow parliamentary oversight committees on secret services and inter- real politics. According to VMRO-DPMNE, Zoran Zaev is deeply engaged ception of communications to perform unhindered control on issues in destructivity, which could only result in de-legitimization and self- whether communications are surveilled and whether surveillance is destruction of his political party. pursued in compliance with the law.

Recordings include conversations led by Gordana Jankuloska and Truth about SGS (BOMB #28)145 Saso Mijalkov, as well as Trajko Veljanoski, and their contents concern the legal text of this legislative act, for the purpose of preventing On 30 April 2015, at the Centre of Culture “Ivan Mazov – Klime” in Ka- members of parliamentary oversight committee to visit DSC, as they vadarci, the opposition announced bomb no. 28 within the project “Truth say, “unannounced”. about Macedonia”. Information disclosed as part of this bomb that stirred greatest interest in the public concerns the public secret that chief of the Excel spreadsheets show that records have been kept of persons secret services Saso Mijalkov is key person behind Security Group Services. surveilled, according to their telephone numbers. All persons surveilled were registered under code names. SDSM’s leader Zoran Zaev was regis- Released audio materials, according to SDSM, allow insight as to how tered with the code name “DS Zeko”, former president of state Branko Saso Mijalkov managed to obtain businesses worth millions for this com- Crvenkovski was “Cross”, minister Mile Janakieski – “Tobacco”, MP Sil- pany by entering contracts with T-Mobile and Albafon. Other conversations vana Boneva - “Bosil”, journalist Dragan Pavlovik-Latas - “Talas”, while feature him deciding about type of vehicles to be procured for this secu- former Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski was “NDS Buva”, etc.

144 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21947 143 Twenty seventh press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was 145 Twenty eight press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held held on 28 April 2015. Audio recordings played, transcripts and video footage of the on 30 April 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/0XzmEu are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/kYBNbi

49 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report rity company, rigging tender procedures and accusing chief of security to Truth about Martin (BOMB #29)147 prime minister, Dejan Mitrevski-Urko, for leakage of information about the actual owner of SGS. Otherwise, Security Group Services is a company that Exactly 3 years and 11 months after the audacious murder of Martin quickly managed to establish itself on this market and provides security Neskovski, on 5 May 2015, the opposition announced bomb no. 29 com- services for key buildings in the country. prised of audio materials with conversations involving high officials at VMRO-DPMNE and MOI related to this tragic event. This bomb reso- Another recording, according to the opposition, features conversation nated in greatest revolt among the citizens. At the press conference, between Kavadarci’s Mayor Aleksandar Panov and Mile Janakieski that has the opposition presented conversations for which it claimed belong to taken place two days before the local elections, wherein the former informs Gordana Jankuloska and Ivo Kotevski, Martin Protoger, Saso Mijalkov his collocutor that he had resigned from office due to personal problems. and Nikola Gruevski. Contents of wiretapped conversations reveal that Next set of recordings included one conversation, reported by the oppo- member of the special police unit “Tigers” Igor Spasov, who killed Mar- sition to take place between Mile Janakieski and Martin Protoger, which tin Neskovski, was present that evening on the Skopje square in of- allows the public insight in the fact that transport minister Janakieski ficial and not in private capacity, as reported four years ago when the phoned Martin Protoger to arrange cover up of mayor’s resignation. Nev- incident happened. At the same time, one telephone conversation of ertheless, conversations do not reveal why this resignation was not effec- Gordana Jankuloska and Nikola Gruevski features direct order issued tuated. Other recordings feature abuses of private companies and their by the Prime Minister, who says that at the press conference he will owners and employees for VMRO-DPMNE’s party interests and for election report that: “He was not there in official capacity, we have not deployed crimes. him there, most probably he was there privately and acted in private capacity”148 referring to policemen Igor Spasov. Again, VMRO-DPMNE issued a press release in reaction to the bomb announced from Kavadarci, which does not differ from their previous state- Inhumanity displayed on wiretapped conversations does not end ments. According to them, SDSM continues with its practices, but it be- with this cover up. One audio recording features Gordana Jankuloska comes increasingly obvious that such actions have not yielded expected saying that Martin Neskovski was “junkie” and that it would be nice to results and effects. In that, they added: “After series of major strategic mis- state this fact for the records, while in another conversation she regrets takes on the part of SDSM, which are increasingly visible in the recent period, that Ljube Boskovski’s arrest has failed and they have not been able the fiasco suffered on the referendum in Municipality of Centar, but also the to celebrate it in “triumphalist manner”. As reminder, Ljube Boskovski disastrous press conference held by Zoran Zaev two days ago, when he buried was apprehended on the same day (6 June 2011), one day after VMRO- himself by presenting unchecked and completely false materials, prove the overall scheme pursued by this group which, in cooperation with foreign fac- 147 Twenty ninth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held tors, attempts to destabilize Macedonia…”.146 on 5 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/dl6z8K 146 http://emagazin.mk/vesti/vest/8658 148 Ibid 147

50 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

DPMNE’s victory on parliamentary elections, and his arrest was subject • friction with another vehicle has happened, i.e. rear-end of of previously announced bombs. Following suit, MOI’s spokesperson Mladenov’s vehicle shows collusion traces from another vehicle; Ivo Kotevski, in one conversation with his minister, says: “it would have been better to leak information that member of SDSM at MOI... ha ha ha • connection to base stations can and was used to pinpoint Mlad- … has killed member of VMRO”,149 alluding to the fact that late Martin enov’s whereabouts prior to the tragic event; Neskovski was member of VMRO-DPMNE. • Mladenov had been located by the signal emitted from his mo- Later that day, at 5:45 pm, the interior minister Gordana Jankuloska bile phone; scheduled a press conference150 at which she stated that conversations played are not hers and they have been created, edited and rearranged. • pay toll bills were found at the accident site; In that, she added that the opposition is toying with citizens’ feelings and that, by disclosing these conversations, Zoran Zaev is inflicting • Mladenov’s body was not found 7 meters away from the vehicle, harm and attempts to manipulate citizens. but 22 meters away from the vehicle.

Presented recordings of wiretapped conversations, for which SDSM Truth about Mladenov (BOMB #30)151 claimed belong to Gordana Jankuloska, Martin Protoger, Vlatko Mijalkov and Ivo Kotevski, confirmed above-enlisted positions. In particular, one Even at the time when this tragic event happened, nobody was con- conversation led between Gordana Jankuloska and Ivo Kotevski reveals vinced that it is a matter of traffic accident. Nikola Mladenov’s death that Mladenov was located, upon request made by his spouse, through and multitude of unclarified circumstances remained to hang in the air signal emitted from his mobile phone. This gives rise to the first mys- as cloud of questions that need to be answered one day. According to tery: how it is possible for Mladenov to be found based on his mobile the opposition leader Zoran Zaev, recordings they released at the thir- phone, but the hand-held phone was not found at the site. Furthermore, tieth press conference reveal completely contradictory claims made by conversations disclosed provide information about traces from another the Public Prosecution and MOI during this investigation. According to vehicle in the rear of Mladenov’s vehicle, which were not disclosed in Zoran Zaev, recordings of wiretapped conversations show that: public. At the press conference organized after this accident,152 while answering to journalist questions153 the public prosecutor Gordana Ges- kovska provided different information from investigation findings. In 149 Ibid 147 addition to wiretapped conversations, at this press conference SDSM 150 http://kumanovskimuabeti.mk/jankulovska-zaev-povekje-od-tri-meseci-se- izhivuva-so-mene-video/ 151 Thirtieth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 152 7 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwHLmSoH6aU available on the following link: http://goo.gl/dIZXh4 153 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzhRfPrDP7o

51 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report released scanned documents154 from the investigation confirming po- MOI or the Public Prosecution. Released wiretaps refute above made sitions presented by their leader Zoran Zaev. Finally, in the conversa- statements: “[MP]: …that he had evidence about Mladenov… they were tion led with her spokesperson, Gordana Jankuloska says: “I mean, we at the site… [GJ]: We don’t lead the investigation for Mladenov; an in- discussed with _____, DSC, and they think they could help, but the point vestigative judge is responsible for that. No, it’s no problem. I’ll connect is that… you know… ours are… how should I put it… insufficiently him with the investigative judge, if he wants”.157 On the journalist ques- coordinated. So, now we have to…”155 At the press conference, SDSM tion whether he suspects that Nikola Mladenov had been killed, the also disclosed text messages exchanged between Gordana Jankuloska opposition leader responded that he only enlisted 10 reasons why new and Prime Minister Gruevski wherein she informs him about the traces investigation needs to be carried and announced that when the oppo- from another vehicle: “Today, at 2 pm, the investigative judge will come sition will be in power it would immediately re-open this investigation. to MOI to explain the forensic report. There’s just one tiny thing… on the car there are paint traces from another vehicle. To make matters worse, this is the first case for the judge and our people say he doesn’t handle Mercedes (BOMB #31)158 it best”.156 This raises the second mystery: was Mladenov’s vehicle hit on the rear left side, as indicated in official investigation documents As part of the thirty-first instalment in the series “Truth about or it strayed from the highway on its own, as claimed by spokespersons. Macedonia”, the opposition disclosed wiretapped conversations about MOI’s minutes from the insight performed, which SDSM disclosed, in- political dealings between coalition partners in the government. From clude information that Mladenov’s body had been found 22.5 meters these audio materials, according to SDSM, the public learns how the away from his vehicle, having in mind that completely contrary infor- coalition of VMRO-DPMNE and DUI functions, especially their mutual mation were presented at the press conference organized by prosecu- protection and cover-up of illegal dealings. tor Geskovska indicating the body had been found at a distance of 7 meters from the vehicle. This gives rise to the third mystery: where was In the first two conversations, which SDSM reported feature Musa Mladenov’s body actually found?!? Dzaferi and Saso Mijalkov, collocutors arrange to have already seized property returned. In that, contents of this conversation reveals that in In the second half of the press conference, Zoran Zaev presented order to have this matter done pressure was exerted on judges. Other- several, in his words, obscurities concerning the trajectory of Mlade- wise, for the benefit of a person close to Musa Dzaferi, Saso Mijalkov is nov’s car, and the public was reminded about pay-toll bills which, ac- asked to arrange, in their words, “return” of number of tanking comput- cording to information presented by prosecutor Geskovska, had not ers for the petrol stations that have been previously seized. been found at the site, nor they had been additionally presented to

157 Ibid 151 154 http://sdsm.org.mk/default.aspx?articleId=12014&mId=55&agId=6 158 Thirty first press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 155 Ibid 151 13 May 2014. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are 156 Ibid 151 available on the following link: http://goo.gl/oQw2A5

52 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

In the third and fourth conversation, reported by the opposition to eral manager at the state energy company ELEM at that time, and Kiril take place between Nikola Todorov and Gordana Jankuloska, the former Bozinovski, General Secretary of the Government. Contents of these informs his collocutor about illegal procurements made by the Ministry conversations imply rigging of ELEM-organized tenders worth millions of Health and unrealistic payments approved by his predecessor Bujar of euros, under direct orders from Nikola Gruevski nonetheless, and Osmani from their coalition partner DUI. At one point in the conversa- division of such business among favoured companies. This set of re- tion, Todorov says: “The situation is much more complicated… I mean… cordings fully confirms that companies awarded contracts by ELEM had annexes [to contracts] have been signed under inflated prices, for exam- been obliged to return portion of funds or “materials”,162 as coded by ple, lights of 20 thousand denars are purchased at price of 70 thousand the collocutors, to VMRO-DPMNE. denars, on top of which, instead of 10, 20 or 30 of them are indicated as being procured, all for the purpose of increasing the contract’s value”.159 Nevertheless, what caused the greatest interest in public were re- Todorov admits that his predecessor has spent as much as 400,000 EUR, cordings on which Nikola Gruevski orders luxury vehicle of the Mercedes money from taxpayers, for hospital reconstruction in Ohrid. Moreover, brand, which the citizens of Macedonia have paid for in amount of al- in his words, nobody knows where the money ended: in the hospital most 600,000 EUR. In that conversation, reported by the opposition or - as he says - “in the well”.160 Continuing his lamentations, Todorov to feature the voices of Gruevski and Jankuloska, the Prime Minister tells Jankuloska: “The building has been poorly reconstructed and now… wants “full equipment”163 and “screens for the back seats”.164 By the end I mean … it needs refurbishment… the situation is so far gone, it seems of 2013 local elections, the purchased luxury Mercedes will remain in I would have to demolish it”.161 possession of MOI, which acted as the contracting authority, for the purpose of preventing information to be leaked in public. He even At the press conference, SDSM’s leader Zoran Zaev indicated that in- schemes that, when travelling in private capacity, one leg of his itin- tertwined business relations between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI are again erary will be spent in one vehicle and from one point onwards he will proved by the fact that company Ivanov Engineering, which appears as travel with the new Mercedes. In that way, the public, i.e. journalists contractor for project design and supervision of reconstruction works will not learn of the fact that he possesses a luxury vehicle with mas- on the hospital in Ohrid, is on the long list of companies whose seat is sagers, television screens, seat heaters, and the like. registered on the address of Mile Janakieski’s house in Prilep and has been frequently awarded tenders by the government.

In the second half of the press conference, the opposition disclosed recordings reported to include conversations of Vlatko Cingoski, gen-

159 Ibid 158 162 Ibid 158 160 Ibid 158 163 Ibid 158 161 Ibid 158 164 Ibid 158

53 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

How about waging war? (BOMB #32)165 I want to embellish the space”,167 and continues with vivid explanations about how important opinion of citizens living in nearby buildings is to After being indicated as directly involved in covering up the cruel him with the words: “If they voted for SDSM, f**k them, we’ll lose them tragedy and murder of Martin Neskovski, at the thirty second press anyhow, they won’t vote for us, let’s move forward [with the plan]”.168 conference it was revealed that Dejan Mitrevski-Urko commanded both police and para-police units, with Gruevski, Mijalkov and Jankuloska’s At this press conference, the opposition played audio materials knowledge. Notably, SDSM released several conversations for which it featuring Mijalkov and Jankuloska scheming how to degrade the job claimed belong to Gordana Jankuloska, Martin Protoger, Saso Mijalkov, position of one policeman who participated in the protest for support Nikola Gruevski, Mile Janakieski, Ivo Kotevski and Vlatko Ilievski. Re- to Ljube Boskovski; Protoger releasing his frustrations by wishing to cording disclosed by the opposition feature Martin Protoger confiding kill government’s servile editor in TV Sitel, i.e. Latas, but also journal- in Gordana Jankuloska that Urko “had beat the hell out”166 of two dozen ist Zoran Bozinovski, once brought to prison from Serbia; Jankuloska members of the special unit “Wolves” in downtown Skopje, and that and her assistant Ivo Kotevski scheming how to use the daughter of Urko’s close associate did not only smuggled crude oil for schools, but the police officer, who ended up imprisoned for killing two people in forced them to sign receipts that they have been delivered 3 or 5 tons Gostivar after a fierce quarrel for parking lot, by exposing her to cruel of heating oil, although he actually delivered only 1 ton. If Prime Min- media exploitation that would be arranged by editor in TV Sitel, Slavica ister Gruevski had his chief of security (Urko), his cousin once removed, Spasovska. Saso Mijalkov, also has personal bodyguard (Utka). According to contents of disclosed conversations, even OSCE monitors had failed when According to the opposition leader Zoran Zaev, this recording is intervening with Gordana Jankuloska to have Utka removed, because sufficient evidence that the government orders news contents in the during the local elections he had acted as sheriff of Struga and even media they control. Nevertheless, the public was most disgusted with pointed guns to people’s heads. disparaging vocabulary used by the Minister of Interior and her closest associates on several occasions in these conversations to refer to Second set of recordings included conversations in which Nikola ethnic Albanians, thereby encouraging ethnic intolerance. Best illus- Gruevski says he had his eye on the park near hotel “Bristol” in Skopje tration of this practice is found in Martin Protoger’s words “how about and asks Mile Janakieski to plan and construct baroque buildings. In waging war”,169 to which Jankuloska responds: “Well, if we are to demon- this context, Gruevski says: “I know it’s crowded, but buildings are ugly, strate strength, we’ll smash them within an hour. But, the thing is not to show muscles at this moment”.170

167 Ibid 165 165 Thirty second press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held 168 on 13 May 2014. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press Ibid 165 are available on the following link.: http://goo.gl/umoLSi 169 Ibid 165 166 Ibid 165 170 Ibid 165

54 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

Won’t give up the name (BOMB #33)171 la Gruevski and Saso Mijalkov as interferer, when put on the interphone. Contents of these conversations reveal collocutors discussing whether the This was one of the most anticipated press conferences, evidence for constitutional name of Republic of Macedonia should include brackets, which is the sarcastic announcement made by the opposition spokesper- adjectives, not one but two adjectives, to satisfy the Greek side in name son Petre Silegov on his Facebook profile with a short status update: “y’all negotiations. In that, collocutors hold an auction with adjectives “inde- patriots listen carefully”.172 According to the opposition, these audio mate- pendent”, “Vardar”, “sovereign”, “upper”, “north”… In other words, they rials, released in mid-May 2015, demolish the myth used by Gruevski to rule reconsider names more complex than the current reference FYROM, which for entire nine years, i.e. his patriotism. Recordings disclosed allow the Prime Minister Gruevski ever so fervently mocks, but which allowed Mace- conclusion that Gruevski entered secret bargains, not only for the name donia to join the United Nations. For illustration proposes, below is tran- of Republic of Macedonia, but also for the nation’s identity, with active script of one section from this conversation: “…or maybe put Vardar in participation in such dealings on the part of his cousin and chief of the brackets. If I had to choose between Vardar Republic of Macedonia or Upper secret services Saso Mijalkov. Republic of Macedonia as one name, without brackets or anything else, or Independent Republic of Macedonia in brackets Vardar or in brackets Upper, I This bomb documented conversations which, according to the opposi- would choose the option with brackets, because the brackets, wanted or not, tion, feature Saso Mijalkov, Antonio Milososki, Zoran Jolevski, Silvana Bo- will be left out in course of time and Independent Republic of Macedonia neva and Nikola Gruevski. One wiretapped conversation reveals that Saso will remain. The problem is that, in short term, when we offer the people this Mijalkov acted as back-door and shadow negotiator for the name of Re- name on the referendum they would say what’s this?, you talked about one public of Macedonia with Nikola Gruevski’s infamous business partner from reference, and now as if we are the United Nations, we have 5-6 additions Greece Emmanuel Melis, known as Manoli. According to the opposition and adjectives. It would be more complicated that the temporary reference leader, this is the person with whom negotiations have been led for the we have now. But in the long run, in about 5-10 years, the brackets will be sales of the Skopje Refinery and protected witness in the case “Campaign” left out and we’ll remain with whatever is chosen – independent, sovereign or led against Ljube Boskovski. something similar”173 said Milososki to Gruevski and Mijalkov.

First wiretapped conversation played at the press conference features According to Zoran Zaev,174 one conversation reveals that they have ne- on-paper negotiator Zoran Jolevski admitting to the foreign minister An- gotiated about the identity as well. As reported by the opposition leader, tonio Milososki that the UN mediator Nimitz feels he had been excluded this conversation features Nikola Gruevski and MP Silvana Boneva and from the process. Next was conversation between Antonio Milososki, Niko- includes the Prime Minister’s admission of having accepted Greece’s proposal. It is not true that Gruevski did not negotiate about the identity, as

171 Thirty third press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on 13 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 173 Ibid 171 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Cprzpy 174 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/26085/zaev-ne-e-tocno-deka-gruevski-ne-pregovaral-za- 172 http://slobodenprostor.com/?p=7850 identitetot

55 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report he had claimed, but demanded this issue to be solved with a resolution, things beyond the letter of the law, the Prime Minister himself instructs said Zaev. According to him, the opposition is in possession of tens of doz- him to be more “deal-oriented”.180 ens wiretapped conversations concerning bargains made with the state name, but would not disclose them in order not to undermine the ongoing Second conversation in this set of recordings reveals Gruevski’s efforts negotiation process. to have the building of Drama Theatre levelled with the ground and the new building to include business premises. This bomb discloses Gruevski’s action to protect a person that illegally sells red oil. In cooperation with Deal-oriented (BOMB #34)175 Jankuloska and current interior minister Mitko Cavkov, under direct orders from Gruevski, authorities have released a person who was in illegal pos- The opposition announced bomb no. 34 in front of the government’s session and has sold 5 tons of oil. The person in question had been re- building, i.e. from the so-called Freedom Camp. Standing in front of the leased because he is great supporter of VMRO-DPMNE.181 “White Cake” (a/n new building of the government), the opposition played several wiretapped conversations for which it claimed feature Nikola Another revelation within this bomb refers to the fact that, while the Gruevski, Mile Janakieski, Vlatko Cingoski, Gordana Jankuloska, Goran president of state Gorge Ivanov generally remains unnoticed in the entire Savovski and Goran Trajkovski. This set of recordings includes admissions process, his spouse Maja Ivanova had been a decision-making factor in the made by Gruevski: “nothing goes as planned for this government”,176 “not state. More precisely, she had the power to dismiss directors. Recordings a single large scale project has moved forward”,177 “this government hasn’t allow insight in the fact that Gruevski arranged to have an original docu- built a single hydro power plant”.178 Audio recordings also feature Gruevski ment disappear from MOI’s archive! It is a matter of the letter written by saying about himself and his associates “something’s not right with us”.179 the manager of the Directorate for Civil Aviation addressed to MOI, wherein he complains about the attitude of Gorge Ivanov’s spouse. According to In the first set of recordings, as said by Zaev, conversations take place the audio recordings, Prime Minister Gruevski and interior minister Janku- between Mile Janakieski and Nikola Gruevski and imply the Prime Minis- loska cover up an incident between the former director Dejan Mojsoski and ter’s disappointment with the fact that projects are failing. Further in the president’s spouse Maja Ivanova. Macedonia’s First Lady182 is employed at conversation, after the transport minister reports he had been asked to do the Directorate for Civil Aviation on the position councillor from 2001 onwards, while Mojsoski was appointed director in 2010. He had retained the office by January this year, when he was dismissed. According to the op- 175 Thirty fourth press conference within the project ‘Truth about Macedonia” was held position, recordings disclosed date from September 2011. on 27 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/Uj5Huq 176 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&vest=22631&cat=18 177 Ibid 175 180 Ibid 175 178 Ibid 175 181 http://goo.gl/Z14L1f 179 Ibid 175 182 http://daily.mk/makedonija/nekako-originalot-arhiva-izleze-prvata-dama

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Baroque is one, classicism is another state institutions, plans business buildings to be constructed in baroque thing (BOMB #35)183 style, approves project designs for the Vodno Tower of the “independent” AEC, for multilevel car parks in Skopje, compares architectural styles, deals Announcement of the bomb no. 35 was actually the second press con- with artistic impressions, designs public buses, and even handpicks fabrics ference organized from the Freedom Camp, in front of the government’s for bus seats. He goes as far as wishing to integrate something orange in building. According to opposition SDSM, the idea behind this bomb was public buses to mark their time in power. to reveal the mastermind, designer and implementer of “Skopje 2014” project.184 Published audio recordings, which according to the opposition Next set of recordings includes one conversation, reported by the op- feature the voice of Nikola Gruevski, include his admission about who is position to take place between Martin Protoger and Mile Janakieski, where- behind this project. in the former proposes his collocutor to have Disneyland constructed in Skopje instead of Aqua Park. Contrary to actual policy on giving the sta- The first conversation played, reported by the opposition to take place tus of protected heritage to many new buildings, the second conversation between Nikola Gruevski and Mile Janakieski, shows the former arranging from this set, which the opposition claimed belongs to Elizabeta Kanceska- dislocation of ministries. Moreover, from this recording185 the public is able Milevska and Mile Janakieski, reveals that numerous buildings protected as to learn that state institutions have been “illegally” reallocated to build- monuments of culture have been stripped of their status for the authori- ings that do not have approval for use, as well as that - in addition to the ties to have full freedom in their treatment. Museum of VMRO – half of state administration bodies and institutions have moved into new buildings in illegal manner. This set of recordings, ac- Several conversations that followed and are reported to feature Nikola cording to the opposition, includes conversations in which Nikola Gruevski Gruevski and Mile Janakieski show collocutors engaged in debate whether draws and designs balconies on a hotel built in baroque style, deals with the building near the Central Church should be constructed in baroque or contractors for construction works on different buildings, but also admits in the style of classicism, and after Gruevski’s admits that the state has no that Valentina Stefanovska is the regime’s sculptor.186 In the second conver- money, he asks Janakieski to have contractors use cheaper, in his words, sation, according to photographs of fountains in Rome, he wants to erect special plaster instead of marble. Nevertheless, Gruevski insist AEC, as it an identical fountain in Skopje, behind the Universal Hall. Recordings also disposes with own budget, to build its headquarters by using marble. Fi- include conversations in which Gruevski himself determines locations of nally, SDSM disclosed one wiretapped conversation for which it indicated belongs to Nikola Gruevski and Silvana Boneva, where the former informs his collocutor that Kanceska-Milevska should not attend the parliamentary 183 Thirty fifth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held on session dedicated to MP questions for the purpose of preventing her being 29 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/fo0TX6 held accountable for all the glitz and glamour. According to Gruevski, if 184 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22677 they disclose the actual amount of budget funds spent on “Skopje 2014” 185 http://goo.gl/TB9Nya 186 Ibid 183

57 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report project, they would lose the people’s trust. Later in this conversation,187 toaneta, reveal extravagant and pricy interior designs for these apart- Gruevski advises his collocutor that in the past all institutions have rented ments: real leather furniture, high quality doors, tiles, parquet, fantasy premises for years and that new buildings are intended to avoid such high balconies, etc. expenditure. One of three recordings played, according to the opposition, features conversation191 between former interior minister Gordana Janku- Jankuloska’s and Stavreski’s loska and her spokesperson Ivo Kotevski, where the latter warns that apartments (BOMB #36)188 citizens might react upon learning about her apartment, to which she responds that no media outlet would publish such information. “After Announcement of the bomb no. 36 started with an opening state- today’s publication of evidence, clear is why the biggest critic of Gruevs- ment that reads: “Gruevski and his associates attempt, at any cost, to ki’s megalomaniac projects, Zoran Stavreski, who had claimed that the remain in power and are pursuing this for money”.189 As was the case state doesn’t have money for bread, but the authorities spend on choco- with the previous two, this press conference was organized in front of late, is still in the government led by Gruevski. Who knows how many the government’s building, as part of activities in the Freedom Camp. chocolates he had eaten while citizen cannot afford bread and what kind of leverage Nikola Gruevski has against him to keep him in place”192 - According to the opposition, audio recordings reveal that in the same scored the opposition. building, attached to MOI, where now former interior minister Gordana Jankuloska had two apartments, apartment was bought also by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Zoran Stavreski. In that, finance Who confirmed authenticity of released wiretaps minister Stavreski does not worry about money, but how to avoid being seen while selecting and equipping the apartment, as well as how to mask Immediately after the first bomb, aimed at revealing scope of the the actual tenure thereof and have it registered on somebody else’s name. surveillance program, former leader of VMRO-DPMNE Ljubco Georgievski, as one of persons whose communications have been intercepted, con- Contents of one conversation,190 which according to the opposition firmed the authenticity of his conversations disclosed.193 Former Mayor takes place between Gordana Jankuloska and Stavreski’s spouse An- of Gostivar Rufi Osmani also confirmed authenticity of wiretapped conversations and expressed his concerns with the mass surveillance.194

187 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/496238 191 188 Thirty sixth press conference within the project “Truth about Macedonia” was held http://gragjanite.mk/bomba-36/ on 31 May 2015. Audio materials played, transcripts and video footage of the press 192 Ibid 188 are available on the following link: http://goo.gl/f6dtGk 193 http://goo.gl/wVrifQ 189 Ibid 188 194 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/14423/ndp-dojde-vreme-da-se-doznae-s%C3%A9-za- 190 http://goo.gl/J94iuZ sekogo

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Indirectly and often by means of press releases, newspaper columns edited and rearranged, are statements made by numerous journalists and official statements, authenticity was confirmed by high ranking that undoubtedly admitted authenticity of their wiretaps, first among officials at VMRO-DPMNE, as well as journalists close to them. In one them Jadranka Kostova and Olivera Trajkovska. Other journalists, for of his columns, without contesting the contents of wiretapped con- example, Saska Cvetkovska, Muhamed Zekiri, Meri Jordanovska and Kat- versations, Dragan Pavlovik-Latas wrote: “This time again, not a single erina Blazevska, expressed concerns and repugnance with the act of sentence from disclosed recordings has illegal context, let alone imply subjecting journalist to surveillance. criminal act. It is all about gossiping, entertainment for newsmongers... Yes, I am friends with Saso Mijalkov long before his political carrier start- On the other hand, when answering questions about recordings’ au- ed, and we will remain friends.”195 Except for corroborating genuineness thenticity VMRO-DPMNE officials always provided negative answers or of wiretaps, former public prosecutor Svrgovski even attempted an ex- responded in vague manner by indicating that until authenticity of cuse for his urgencies to have the son of the Skopje Court of Appeals’ wiretaps is confirmed in regular court procedure, they would not com- president employed. He issued the following media statement: “Policy ment their contents. regarding who would be prosecutor at basic, higher and state public prosecution is within the remit of the Public Prosecutor of Republic of Mace- donia, who puts forward proposals to the Council of Public Prosecutors. You are free to check whether there is one expert associate that has not been appointed prosecutor during my term of office. Only after having recruited these positions from staff within the institution, I have favoured ‘external’ candidates, from the line of attorneys-at-law, for example, as was the case with the son of president of the Court of Appeals”.196

Demarche lodged by the EU Ambassador Aivo Orav on behalf of EU and its Member States to the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the aftermath of information that six ambassadors in the Republic of Macedonia have been surveilled and after they were presented with folders including their wiretapped conversations, is another argument in support of audio recordings’ authenticity. Nevertheless, the biggest evidence corroborating their genuineness, as opposed to being created,

195 http://vecer.mk/komentari/dragan-pavlovikj-latas/voajeri 196 http://alsat.mk/News/12708/shvrgovski-potvrduva-avtentichnost-na-prezentiran- razgovor

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2. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS On several occasions during his speech, Prime Minister Gruevski re- ACCOMPANYING THE BOMBS ferred to information that could have been available to and obtained only from MOI and the Public Prosecution, thus confirming direct links between the judiciary and the executive branch of government, for Secret services: storytelling for the Macedonian public which he had been accused of as part of previously disclosed bombs. For the purpose of making his story convincing, the Prime Minister re- Immediately after announcement of the bomb no. 4 and half an hour af- iterated the enforceable court ruling for person Z.K., and the fact that ter entry in effect of plea-bargained judgment for suspect Z.K., who pleaded there is solid and irrefutable evidence for everything. Nevertheless, he guilty on accounts of espionage and unauthorized audio recording, Prime did not disclose the foreign service in question, although he stressed Minister Gruevski had his second public address.197 This plea-bargained judg- that the police is knowledgeable thereof, but cannot disclose more in- ment, by means of which the defendant and convicted Z.K. pleaded guilty, formation in public. was the missing piece of puzzle the government needed to make the story about foreign services credible in the public. Prime Minister’s speech as- With the aim of raising doubts in the public about the foreign ser- sumed the form of Q&A session on issues he believed the public is interested vice involved, his address included elements about the state’s great- in. Hence, he raised and answered the questions himself. est enemy, i.e. its south neighbour: “Portion of materials found with person Z.V. has been restored from the computer of his spouse, who used In summary, the Prime Minister provided the following storyline: “A c - the same computer at her job with one financial organization owned by cording to current information made available to MOI, a foreign intelligence private company from one neighbouring country.”199 service is behind wiretapping of conversations, and their key collaborator from Republic of Macedonia is person Z.V., who had developed an individual network Among other things, he responded to another self-raised question, of agents in Macedonia. Person Z.K. (employed at MOI), contrary to the law, saying that meetings in his cabinet are not filmed at all times “unless, has wiretapped telephone numbers upon request from person Z.V., while with as was the case with said meetings, the prosecution has issued an order, mediation on the part of person G.L., recorded materials were handed over to upon prior reasonably grounded reports, which resulted in installation person Z.V., in exchange for financial rewards. Materials were then presented to and later de-installation of filming equipment in my office”.200 a third party and used for analysis and other actions. MOI informed me that, in communication with the prosecution, they are of the opinion that there is solid The entire public was dumbfounded with Prime Minister’s role at evidence of this fact, both material and testimonial, and I’ll discuss some of this press conference, in particular because he disclosed details from them later. I reiterate there is solid and irrefutable evidence. Second method ongoing investigation and referred to solid and irrefutable evidence. used for wiretapping conversations relied on so-called ‘tactical equipment’.198 On the journalist question “Prime Minister, in what capacity do you hold

197 http://goo.gl/uvDWW7 199 Ibid 197 198 Ibid 197 200 Ibid 197

60 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS this press conference? Last time you announced transparent court pro- themselves obliged to fabricate excuses in order to avoid elections. Let ceedings, and this time around you disclose details from the investiga- me put them out of their misery. Do not worry. There will be no election, which de facto, turns you into MOI’s spokesperson. Where is minister tions. No need to be afraid. There will be no elections, but there will be Jankuloska and why are you disclosing such details?”,201 he nervously a response, serious response. This is our response. VMRO-DPMNE’s power responded “because I decided so!”202 lies with the people that have been supporting us all this time. Be aware, when you poke people in the eyes, or when you try to lie and manipulate Such retort made by the Prime Minister again confirmed absence of them, you won’t be saved by foreign or commissioned statements and power separation in the country, selective justice and problems with articles in foreign media, neither Vlade Milcin or Frcko, neither God or judiciary’s independence, which have been duly noted as remarks in Superman could save you”205 - said Gruevski. EC’s Progress Report for the Republic of Macedonia. At VMRO-DPMNE’s rally, the Prime Minister responded to key demand put forward by representatives of the opposition from the start of the process on disclosing bombs, i.e. possibility for establishing Caretaker government is possible and feasible, caretaker government that would allow Macedonia to exit the greatest but without VMRO-DPMNE crisis faced from its establishment as independent state. In that regard, Gruevski responded that “establishment of caretaker government In response to previously announced bombs, on 15 March 2015, VM- is possible and feasible, but without VMRO-DPMNE”,206 which further con- RO-DPMNE organized a party rally at the sports hall “Boris Trajkovski” firmed that he has no intention of cooperating with the opposition to in Skopje. The rally started half an hour after the opposition disclosed find solution to the crisis. On several occasions during his speech, he bomb no. 10. As is the practice with party rallies organized by VMRO- reiterated previously presented positions that Zoran Zaev works for for- DPMNE, traffic in the capital was congested by buses203 arriving from eign services with the ultimate goal of destabilizing the state and that towns throughout Macedonia. Message sent by the Prime Minister to he delivers an agenda that he does not understand himself. their supporters and SDSM’s leadership implied that there will be no early elections and that their response to bombs disclosed is the power Furthermore, the Prime Minister paid due attention to the freedom of people that support him all the time.204 ”It seems dangerous to hold of media, which has been seriously criticized in EC’s Progress Reports, mass rallies. Opponents immediately think we are preparing for elections and immense drop on rank lists published by all relevant world organi- and problems emerge: some have problems with their health, others find zations dealing with this issue (Press Freedom Index 2014 – 123 place, or drop by 7 places compared to 2013 ranking position). Be that as it 201 Ibid 197 may, the Prime Minister believed that the problem is not with media 202 Ibid 197 203 http://goo.gl/gkfw6q 205 Ibid 204 204 http://republika.mk/?p=402342 206 http://www.makdenes.org/content/article/26902134.html

61 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report outlets, but rather in the manner they operate. In his opinion, the fact Branko’s letter that as many as 22 media outlets report there is no freedom of media is sufficient proof that freedom of media actually exists. VMRO-DPMNE had been most successful in its black campaign to have former president of state Branko Crvenkovski represented as the By the end of his speech, as icing on the cake, Prime Minister face of transition. Having that in mind, and after infamous failure of Gruevski announced six new foreign investments that would result in the “Resistance” organized after events from Black Monday and change creation of 4,500 new jobs. of leadership in SDSM, Branko Crvenkovski withdrew from public life and his party. Start of the project “Truth about Macedonia” and disclosure of first several bombs made way for new round of roll calls for Crvenkovski, in the aftermath of which he issued a public letter ex- VMRO-DPMNE’s rallies in other towns pressing his positions about the current political situation.211

After the grand rally or public debate in Skopje - as some prefer In the letter, he first commanded Zoran Zaev’s courage and offered to call it - every Saturday VMRO-DPMNE held rallies in different town his full support for disclosure of “Truth about Macedonia”, adding that across Macedonia. Hence, they started a campaign for their promotion Macedonia is governed by “totalitarian, criminogenic and corrupted in response to bombs the opposition disclosed in public against them. regime”,212 which can be overthrown only by the people. In that, he After Skopje, the second rally took place in Bitola207 where Prime Min- called for nationwide movement in the fight against ruling authorities ister Gruevski presented the same facts. After Bitola, party rallies were that would not be monopolized by SDSM. Notably, he reiterated that organized in Stip,208 Ohrid,209 Tetovo,210 Kumanovo and other towns, and should this nationwide movement happen, he will took to the streets implied repetition of same speeches and conclusions. and be in first rows of the resistance.213

Pro-government media interpreted Branko Crvenkovski’s appearance in public as proof that he is still the opposition’s leader or that he is behind Zoran Zaev’s actions,214 despite the fact that in the letter, Branko Crvenkovski himself stressed that danger from having his name tied with the current opposition is the main reason for his silence in the past two years.

207 http://tvorbis.com.mk/?p=1776 211 http://goo.gl/UkZY5C 208 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21241 212 Ibid 211 209 http://goo.gl/jmlTPb 213 Ibid 211 210 http://goo.gl/Delnl5 214 http://sitel.com.mk/branko-crvenkovski-stoi-zad-zaev

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Gosince: pulp fiction or act of terrorism? tered public warnings that a scenario is under construction in the Lip- kovo Region, for the purpose of stirring ethnic tensions.216 Multitude of On 21 April 2015, MOI held a press conference and revealed details Albanian intellectuals, Macedonian analysts and the public assessed this from the terrorist attack on the border police station near Gosince watch- act as attempt to distract public from the ongoing political crisis. tower that had happened around 2 am. Once the press conference ended, series of inconsequential and open issues remained to hang in the air, thus raising doubts in the public about purpose of the terrorist attack. Police action in Kumanovo

As regards the attack, MOI’s official statement indicated that watch- Few weeks after the Gosince incident, on 9 and 10 May 2015, police tower in Gosince had been attacked two and a half hours after midnight. action was taken to neutralize an armed terrorist group in settlement In that, 40 armed and uniformed persons bearing insignia of the Kosovo “Divo Naselje”, part of the local community “Tode Mendol” in Kumanovo. Liberation Army (KLA) entered the police station, disarmed four police- The action started in the break of dawn (4:30 am) on Saturday, 9 May men, handcuffed three of them and physically abused one. They left half 2015, and continued for almost 28 hours until 10 am on Sunday, 10 an hour later, only after they had confiscated weapons and radio stations May 2015, when the police finally succumbed and disbanded the ter- and after they had broken mobile phones of border policemen. Entire rorist group.217 Shooting resulted in 8 dead and 37 wounded members time they were in the police station, the group communicated in Alba- of special police units, whereas the tally of victims on the terrorist side nian language and was assisted by an interpreter.215 included 10 dead bodies in uniforms found on the scene, and around 30 people surrendering to the Macedonian police.218 It should be noted First unanswered question concerns the fact that one border police- that initially MOI claimed to have killed 14 terrorists, and later changed men had been physically abused, while another one was not even hand- the statement with total number of casualties on the side of terrorists cuffed. Of course, the most important question concerns purpose of such amounting to 10.219 incident. Nevertheless, most disturbing is the fact that the police visited and secured the crime scene only after the press conference ended, i.e. In the course of 9 May 2015, MOI did not release any information 12 hours after the incident, allowing civilians from neighbouring villages about background and development of this police action in Kumanovo. to move freely. Of course, such freedom was not granted to journalists, as Later in the night, then current interior minister Gordana Jankuloska some of them were denied access to the location. held a press conference and announced that the police action in Ku-

In reacting to this terrorist attack, DUI applied a tone of calmness and urged citizens not to succumb to provocations. On the other hand, 216 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/480393 ten days earlier, the leader of Dostoinstvo, General Stojance Angelov, ut- 217 http://telma.com.mk/vesti/se-puka-vo-kumanovo 218 http://vecer.mk/makedonija/zavrshi-akcijata-poslednite-27-teroristi-se-predadoa 215 http://kanal5.com.mk/vesti_detail.asp?ID=67212 219 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150509/428/428.html?id=27006588

63 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report manovo resulted in 5 police officers killed and around 30 wounded.220 Several unanswered questions about Moreover, the action was taken for the purpose of discovering and the police action in Kumanovo neutralizing a large group of terrorists that have entered Macedonia in early May which, according to operational information disposed by Two weeks prior to the police action in Kumanovo, ruling VMRO-DPMNE MOI, intended to take advantage of current political crisis and organize had scheduled its party congress to be held in this town, nonetheless over attacks on state institutions. This group, aided by local benefactors, weekend days when the police raid was later conducted. Overnight, the found shelter and positioned itself in Kumanovo’s settlement “Divo party congress was rescheduled and took place one week earlier. At that Naselje”. The police action continued in the morning of 10 May 2015, time no questions or doubts were raised, however… After the events that again resulting in death of three members of special police units, thus took place one week later, several questions are raised, first of which reads: raising the total number of killed police officers to total of 8. Once the 1) why did VMRO-DPMNE rescheduled its party congress and did somebody action was finally over in the eve of 10 May 2015, after almost two days have advance information, but decided to remain silent? Let us assume of silence since terrorists attacked Kumanovo, Prime Minister Gruevski that they did not know anything about it. appeared in public221 to express his condolences to families of policemen killed, saying that these have been the most difficult days in his Throughout the police action, the interior minister Gordana Jankuloska life, but also for the police, because terrorists did not threat only the made only one public statement. In her statement, she claimed that the state, but the entire region as well. police action underway is progressing well.223 However, fact is that 8 policemen were killed! Exchange of fire was well into 40 hours of action, but One hour earlier, MOI222 announced that they have neutralized the statements have not been made by the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, most dangerous terrorist group on the Balkans. According to infor- with the President of State leaving the country for Moscow224 to attend the mation presented by MOI’s spokesperson Ivo Kotevski, the police had grandiose celebration of Victory Day. captured three from total of five group leaders, who are all citizens of Kosovo: Muhamed Krasnici, known as commander Maliseva; Mirsad After his official visit has been cut short, the President of State sum- Ndrecaj, known as commander Nato; Sami Uskini, known as commander moned his Security Council,225 and following a two-hour session, he read a Sokoli; Beki Rizaj, known as commander Begu; and Deme Sehu, known previously written statement, saying: “I had previous knowledge of pending as commander Juniku. On the same day, persons suspected of having threats and continuously indicated to representatives of the international committed terrorism and surrendering the Macedonian police in Ku- community that this group has potential to inflict unimaginable harm”.226 manovo were arraigned at the Basic Court Skopje, where they made And continued: “We knew the group was comprised of extremely dangerous their court plead. 223 Ibid 219 220 Ibid 219 224 http://goo.gl/RoO4ep 221 http://republika.mk/?p=428495 225 http://goo.gl/cNpVj0 222 http://goo.gl/35H5X6 226 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22280

64 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS criminals and we have carefully planned our steps and actions”.227 Neverthe- How did Serbian and Albanian media cover the incident?! less, neither President Ivanov’s statement nor the Security Council offered answers in public about several issues, as follows: 2) given that the presi- Exactly one week after the terrorist attack in Kumanovo, Albanian dent of state was knowledgeable about the group’s intentions and where- TV Top Channel and Serbian newspaper Blic came in public with their abouts, why there were no actions taken to intercept and disband it, and information about the crisis in Macedonia.230 In a statement for the why did the president of state left the country and went to Moscow?; 3) Albanian Top Channel, chair of the parliamentary oversight committee having in mind that criminals were extremely dangerous and police actions for Kosovo’s secret police said that the Kosovo Intelligence Agency had been carefully planned, why did shootings occurred downtown and (KIA) had informed them that agents from the secret police in Mace- resulted in 8 policemen killed and enormous material damages caused?; 4) donia had contacts with Kosovo nationals for the purpose of arranging information provided implied that group members have fought in several destabilization incidents in Macedonia. Serbian newspaper Blic called wars, but there were no indication as to which wars?; 5) how and where did on sources within their security services and reported that now former the group enter the country and are its members citizens of the Republic chief of the Directorate for Security and Counterintelligence, Saso Mi- of Macedonia or foreign nationals?; 6) why MOI refuses to intervene at two jalkov, played a crucial role in organization of terrorist attacks on Ku- mosques in Skopje that are not under control of the Islamic Religious Com- manovo. Blic covered a statement from source close to security services munity?; 7) are these two incidents somehow related?; 8) who will assume in Serbia, saying: “For one decade now, Mijalkov is considered as one of responsibility for this incident (political, commanding, criminal)?; 9) why the most powerful people in Macedonia, maintaining close ties with most was the opposition leader, accused of espionage and “coup”, invited to the influential politicians and criminals in Albania and in the region. Ulti- Security Council’s session? mate goal of attacks on Kumanovo was to instigate an interethnic incident that would protect the Government of Republic of Macedonia against In the meantime, while people focused their attention on events in accusations made by the opposition, which is organizing mass rally on Kumanovo, 9 persons - 2 of which students - were arrested and issued de- 17 May 2015 and will demand the government’s fall. Nevertheless, mat- tention for participation in protests held on 5 May 2015!228 ters have stirred out of their control and planned ‘interethnic incident’ had taken a turn towards terrorist attack.”231 According to this source, More than a month’s time has passed from the so-called “weekend war” Mijalkov is brought in direct connection to Mirsad Ndrecaj, known as in Kumanovo, and both domestic and international community229 continu- commander Nato, who is believed to have opened fire on the police and ously appeal for independent international investigation to be conducted killed one police officer. into this incident, but questions and concerns remain unanswered. Here, it should be noted that DUI’s leader Ali Ahmeti, one day earlier, confirmed that two weeks prior to clashes in Kumanovo he had been 227 Ibid 226 228 http://makfax.com.mk/makedonija/helsinski-privedeni-vkupno-42-demonstranti- sedum-studenti-vo-pritvor 230 http://goo.gl/9FgGlU 229 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22257 231 Ibid 230

65 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report informed about pending incidents and that on the day of shootings Financial assistance and rewards for members of security forces between police and terrorist group he had been in continuous contact with terrorists, who had asked him to help them out of their predica- The Government of Republic of Macedonia decided to award finan- ment.232 Ahmeti claimed that he had informed thereof both Prime Min- cial assistance234 to families of police officers killed during the raid in ister Gruevski and representatives from Brussels and Washington. Kumanovo, in an amount of 70,000 EUR per family. Moreover, the Gov- ernment decided to award financial reimbursement to police officers wounded and injured during the action in Kumanovo, as follows: the most seriously injured police officer will be entitled to financial assistance in Telephone conversation between Rizaj and Ndrecaj the amount of 40,000 EUR; four police officers seriously wounded and hospitalized at the Clinic for Anaesthesiology, Reanimation and Inten- On 8 June 2015, Kosovar TV Dukagjini played233 one telephone con- sive Care, who are still in intensive care, will be awarded in the amount versation that takes place between Rizaj and Mirsad Ndrecaj, on one of 35,000 EUR each; 19 police officers undergoing surgery for serious side, and secret agent from Macedonia, on the other side, all of whom injuries or wounded in action will be entitled to financial assistance in are believed to have close ties with an agent from the Directorate for the amount of 25,000 EUR each; remaining 13 police officers injured and Security and Counterintelligence of the Republic of Macedonia. Both wounded during the police raid will receive financial reimbursement in leaders of the group that attacked Kumanovo recorded their conversa- the amount of 15,000 EUR each. At the same time, members of the spe- tions with the said agent. The Public Prosecution confirmed that both cial task force and the rapid deployment unit engaged in the Kumanovo men had been among casualties from the police raid in Kumanovo. police action will be rewarded in the amount of 10,000 EUR each. Mem- bers of the police helicopter unit engaged in the police action and police Recorded telephone conversation had taken place few weeks after headquarter professionals coordinating the Kumanovo raid will receive Rizaj and Ndrecaj attacked the Gosince watchtower on the border line 10,000 EUR each, and members of the special police unit deployed in Macedonia-Kosovo. Ndrecaj and Rizaj did not expect intervention on Kumanovo will be entitled to 5,000 EUR each. the part of the Macedonian police at the time of their attack in Gosince and suspect they had been betrayed by the Macedonian agent. This In the past, the Government had not practiced awarding financial was confirmed in the conversation played. TV Dukagjini was unable to reimbursement in similar situations. In particular, police members, independently confirm authenticity of this conversation. members of the army forces and wounded defenders from 2001 armed conflict were not awarded reimbursement in such high amounts. At the same time, contents of wiretaps released as part of bomb no. 12 implied that 2001 defenders had been forced to refund financial reimbursement awarded provided they do not support and assist the ruling 232 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/25897/-ali-ahmeti-pregovaral-za-predavanje-na- teroristite-gruevski-za-toa-znael 233 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/499570 234 http://goo.gl/kdpU96

66 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS party. All these raise additional concerns about events that took place Evidence material is delivered in Kumanovo and underline the need for immediate international and independent investigation into this incident. On 24 April 2015, members of the opposition, led by Zoran Zaev, presented the Public Prosecution with evidence materials related to lawsuits “Coup” and “Bribe” in the form of transcripts from 100,000 wiretapped conversations and 18,000 text messages exchanged be- Terrorist manages to escape because of police inattention tween 12,000 different phone numbers that belong to more than 20,000 citizens surveilled. On that occasion, Zoran Zaev requested Once euphoria around the Kumanovo police action subsided, the the Public Prosecution, upon reconsideration of all evidence present- public learned that MOI’s internal control had established gaps in police ed, to immediate discontinue court proceedings related to lawsuits operations. Notably, after the situation in Kumanovo’s settlement “Divo “Coup” and “Bribe” and to raise criminal charges against Prime Min- Naselje” was appeased, the police – assisted by one suspect – started ister Gruevski and his associates. According to Zaev, this is only por- a search for attackers’ weapon, in the course of which the said suspect tion of evidence disposed by the opposition, indicating that entire managed to escape from police custody. On that occasion, MOI issued evidence materials would be presented to relevant state bodies only press release235 indicating that investigation of circumstances for the after the executive government becomes truly separated from the flight of said suspect, member of the criminal and terrorist group, was judiciary. In addition, the opposition submitted material evidence conducted and established that police officers in charge of securing the pertaining to the stage called “reproduction” in the system on inter- detainee accused of terrorism have acted in unprofessional manner and ception of communications, property of Ministry of Interior of the Re- contrary to police standards in such cases, leaving this person without public of Macedonia. Reproduction of contents of telephone conver- proper supervision, which he used to flee the scene. sations (more than 1,600,000 pages) represents material intended for final users. Such materials imply transcripts, analyses and reproduc- Accordingly, police officers have committed serious violation of the tion of telephone conversations belonging to opposition members, code of conduct and discipline stipulated under Article 208, paragraphs journalists, CSOs, intellectuals, i.e., people who are critically-oriented 3 and 10 from MOI’s Collective Agreement, on the grounds of which they towards authorities. Moreover, the Public Prosecution was presented motioned for establishment of disciplinary responsibility before the with 385 audio wiretaps that have been disclosed at press confer- competent disciplinary committee, reads MOI’s press release.236 Other- ences organized by the opposition, including additional 13 wiretaps wise, this press release enlisted that arraignment and detention of per- that have not been played in public. 237 sons apprehended in Kumanovo had been conducted in compliance with all relevant procedures, without violation of professional regulations.

235 http://mvr.gov.mk/vest/139 236 Ibid 235 237 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21861

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After the opposition submitted its evidence to the Public Prosecution, Nevertheless, this does not mean that the prosecution cannot use ruling party VMRO-DPMNE238 issued written statement. In their opinion, these recordings as starting point in its investigation, which means Zaev’s intention is straightforward, i.e. given that his deployment of fab- that should recordings clearly imply criminal act of bribe taking, as was rications and manipulations had not yielded results in terms of winning the case with construction of highway section Kicevo-Skopje, checks over citizens’ support, he continued to implement his destructive scenario need to be made about the price for construction of one kilometre for destabilization, raising tensions, and even encouraging violence, all for highway in other countries, insight needs to be made into bank ac- the purpose of coming in power. counts of persons named on recordings, and complete documents at the Ministry of Transport and Communications need to be reviewed. In In that, the statement indicates: “Fabricated materials which Zaev des- other words, this means that at this moment wiretapped recordings perately attempts to present as evidence, have been illegally acquired, i.e. by should be linked with actual events from the societal life and should means of illegal wiretapping conducted by his associates, headed by Zoran they exist, investigation is needed as to whether they imply criminal Verusevski, and in cooperation with foreign services. Essence of action does behaviour, i.e. they should be starting point of investigations. not lie with submission of 1,000 or 2,000 pages of hardcopy material, but whether those pages include legal grounds and arguments. As regards lawsuits motioned against Zoran Zaev in front of competent institutions, they Citizen and counter-citizens are based on irrefutable evidence, facts, testimonies and legal arguments”.239 In an atmosphere of heightened emotions and once conditions Immediately the question is raised whether recordings presented to have been created, the nationwide protest took place on 17 May 2015. the prosecution can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings. Accord- This protest was long announced and organized by the movement “Citi- ing to Article 25, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Law on Interception of Com- zens for Macedonia”. munications: “Data collected by interception of communications cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, in particular when the surveillance “Citizens for Macedonia” is a platform, i.e. movement that has been is pursued contrary to the procedure stipulated under this law, and when joined by 84 civil society organizations, individual citizens and 15 surveillance is not pursued in compliance with the legal provisions from the political parties. Common thread of all movement participants is the Law on Criminal Proceedings. In the cases referred to in paragraph 1 of this “Declaration of the Citizens of Macedonia” which reads: “This govern- article, data concerned shall be destroyed in compliance with Article 26 of ment refuses to listen to the reason and therefore it should leave and this law”.240 free the country from its captivity. We no longer have time, patience, or faith in those that have been leading the state, because they are steering it towards demise, are irresponsibly wasting the country’s wealth and 238 http://goo.gl/cWyOYV are forcing our children to emigrate, never to return again. Therefore, on 239 Ibid 238 240 http://www.pravdiko.mk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Zakon-za-sleden-e-na- behalf of citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, we are organizing a mass, komunikatsiite-08-01-2009.pdf vociferous and non-violent protest, scheduled to start on 17 May 2015,

68 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS in front of the Government of Republic of Macedonia. Our joint action government’s fall and liberation of the state. It functions pursuant to will continue and last until the definite fall of the government that has established code of conduct and daily programme that includes musi- robbed us of freedom, existence and future”.241 cal performances, debates, performances, etc.

This assembly was nationwide, in the true meaning of this word, One day after the mass civil protest held on 17 May 2015, i.e. on 18 and did not display political party insignia or symbols, although it was May 2015, the ruling party VMRO-DPMNE organized a rally in front of supported by 14 political parties, including SDSM. At the massively- the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia under the motto “Macedonia attended protest, citizens put up logos with demands for Gruevski’s Strong”. This assembly was opened with national folklore music, fol- resignation, democracy and freedom, all errors committed by authori- lowed by speeches delivered by prof. Violeta Ackovska from GDOM,242 ties in power, and waved Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma, Serbian GROM’s leader Stevco Jakimovski, and former president of the Trade flags, including flags and symbols of LGBTI community, etc. Protest Union in Education, Science and Culture, Dojcin Cvetanovski. Finally was opened with speeches delivered by students from the Student VMRO-DPMNE’s president and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski took Plenum, followed by speeches of civil society activists, politicians of the stage and addressed people assembled by delivering 45-minutes different affiliation and ideology, nationality and citizenship: Petrit speech. Saracini, Vladimir Milcin, Mirjana Najceska, Dzabir Derala, Borjan Jova- novski, Nikola Dimitrov, Zoran Zaev and others. This anti-government In his speech, he advised that they would not withdraw and give up protest lasted for about three hours and, in addition to speeches given and that they have no intention of establishing interim government or by participants, featured music performances, thus giving it whole- organizing new elections, because people decide who is in power, and some and rounded form of complete event. Key message shared by all people believe in them and their deeds, adding: “They firmly believed speakers implied that this undemocratic government should leave as they would break us, fool us with created, edited and rearranged tapes, soon as possible and that freedom and democracy should be restored in with fabricated intros and narratives; that they would threaten us with Macedonia. Individuals in attendance included member of and shadow terrorist groups; that we would break under pressure and surrender, but rapporteur for Macedonia in the European Parliament - Richard Howitt, tonight they have their answer. We are still here, three and half months with speeches delivered by vice president of the Socialists and Demo- later, in numbers three or four times bigger than people gathered yes- crats Group in the European Parliament - Knut Fleckenstein and presi- terday. Here we are, united as never before, hard as steel, decisive and dent of the Party of the European Left and former Prime Minister of determined to eternity. This is a message for them: we will not surren- Bulgaria - Sergei Stanisev. This event was completed with formation der; we will not withdraw! Macedonia is decisive. Macedonia wins. We of camp in front of the Government of Republic of Macedonia. This win!”243 Large portion of Nikola Gruevski’s speech was dedicated to the camp, based on the key message sent therefrom, was named Freedom opposition leader Zoran Zaev, yet again accusing him of corruption and Camp. In the words of its organizers, the camp will stay there until the 242 GDOM - Civil Movement for Defence of Macedonia 241 http://gragjanite.mk 243 http://goo.gl/SLgjjA

69 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report dishonesty, and saying that everything he does is to the benefit of un- this camp, they do not have specific demands, except to express their named foreign service, advising him that he would never become Prime support to VMRO-DPMNE and Prime Minister Gruevski, and do not in- Minister and will never be Mayor of Strumica. Rubbing shoulders with tend to leave until campers before the government disband.246 party top officials in the first rows of people assembled, former chief of the secret services Saso Mijalkov, and former interior and transport ministers, Gordana Jankuloska and Mile Janakieski, who have handed their resignations several days earlier, also attended this party rally.

Particular buzz in public was triggered by several Russian flags and t-shirts bearing the image of Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin. In this regard, Prime Minister Gruevski stated244 that party’s position and state’s strategic orientation are not mirrored in dozen t-shirts worn by few among hundred thousand people attending the rally, but in messages that he had - in the capacity of party president - publicly, clearly and unbiasedly sent at the event.

It should be noted that, contrary to the protest held one day earlier whose organizers and common citizens in attendance faced a series of problems245 and threats, including refusal on the part of bus companies to provide transport, barricaded roads, holding of buses to prevent their arrival on the protest, situation with the ruling party’s rally was quite the opposite. VMRO-DPMNE’s activists had been tasked to compile lists of members that must attend the rally and were reminded by text messages.

Immediately after the party rally, a counter-camp of citizens was erected in front of the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia named “Guardians of Democracy”. According to statements made by citizens in

244 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/28604/gruevski-reterira-od-ruskata-prikazna-i-se-kolne- vo-nato-i-vo-eu 245 http://goo.gl/xV5ikG 246 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI9inV69v8A

70 1. HAHN’S FIRST VISIT

Seven days after the announcement of bomb no. 2, on 17 February 2015, Johannes Hahn visited the Republic of Macedonia for the first ...III... time, in the capacity of EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.247 As part of this visit, he had meetings with representatives from the government and the opposition, as well as with representatives of civil society organizations and representatives of Member States in the country. On meetings held with President Ivanov, Prime Minister Gruevski, Foreign Minister Poposki and SDSM’s ACTIVITIES leader Zaev, Commissioner Hahn expressed serious concerns on the part of EU with the ongoing political situation in the country – read OF THE the statement issued on the occasion of Johannes Hahn’s first visit to Macedonia. Key message conveyed at meetings with all representatives INTERNATIONAL concerns proposal for mediation on the part of the European Parliament to address the political crisis.248 When exiting from individual meetings COMMUNITY with Macedonian representatives, Johannes Hahn did not make press statements, but his views about talks he had were presented in the press release issued by the European Commission.

247 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150217/428/428.html?id=26853507 248 http://kapital.mk/han-evropratenitsi-da-ja-reshat-krizata-vo-makedonija/

71 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report

It should be noted that, purposefully or not, Hahn’s meeting with 3. GRUEVSKI’S VISIT TO NATO Prime Minister Gruevski did not take place in the government’s building, because in the aftermath of leaked video footage with Zoran Zaev related During his official visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, on 11 to the case “Coup”, this building became known in public as the place March 2015, Prime Minister Gruevski met NATO’s Secretary General, where collocutors of the Prime Minister are being filmed. In particular, Jo- Jens Stoltenberg. Topics disused at this meeting, in addition to the hannes Hahn arranged work lunch with Prime Minister Gruevski at the EU country’s NATO perspective, included the current political situation in residence in Skopje.249 Majority of analysts and connoisseurs of diplomatic Macedonia. In that, the Secretary General expressed concerns about matters assessed this move on the part of EU Commissioner Hahn as seri- political developments in Macedonia251 and advised the government to ous deviation from standard protocol and message being sent to Gruevski. secure democratic processes in the country.

2. GRUEVSKI – JUNCKER Progress on reforms depends on effective democratic dialogue, MEETING CANCELLED widespread confidence in the rule of law and freedom of media. We count on the government to ensure that they are fully respected.

First meeting between the Prime Minister of Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, and the President of the European Commission, Jean Responding to journalist question whether the government has Claude Juncker, was scheduled for 26 February 2015. Three days earlier, required NATO assistance in identifying the foreign services involved, on 23 February 2015, Juncker’s deputy spokesperson Marina Andreeva Gruevski did not once refer to foreign services in his vague response, announced250 that this meeting is cancelled due to ongoing develop- adding that all issues that remain to be proven would be subject of ments in the Republic of Macedonia, adding that the time is not yet in-country court proceedings, pursued in transparent and open manner. ripe for such meeting to take place. Gruevski-Stoltenberg meeting can be assessed as public pressure to Meeting’s cancelation has again put under question credibility the resolve the political crisis, with clear expectations related to respect for Macedonian Prime Minister enjoys in high circles at EU level, especially democratic processes in the state, which should be secured by the gov- having in mind that Jean Claude Juncker comes from the European ernment nonetheless. Gruevski’s response on the issue of foreign ser- People’s Party, which is a sister party to VMRO-DPMNE. vices further confirmed that it is matter of storytelling intended solely for the public in the country, thus devaluating the “Surveillance” affair and ensuring motive for the indictment related to the case “Coup”. 249 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/15225/a1on-gruevski-mu-docni-na-han-vekje-polovina- cas 250 http://goo.gl/Gx4VeL 251 http://goo.gl/bqOZHD

72 ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

4. RESOLUTION ON THE legations and illegal surveillance, with full respect for the principles of REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA transparency, impartiality and presumption of innocence. Furthermore, concerns are expressed in relation to deteriorated media freedoms, fre- In parallel with Prime Minister’s visit to Brussels, on 11 March 2015, quently practiced self-censorship and political defamation in the me- at its plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament discussed dia, as well as the media’s dependence on budget funds. the resolution on the progress of Republic of Macedonia in 2014. At this session, the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on the At the plenary session, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn reiterated Progress of Republic of Macedonia and, for the ninth consecutive time, his concerns with the political situation, primarily due to selective ju- invited the EU Council to set date for start of accession negotiations. diciary, issues with freedom of expression and absence of constructive Members of European Parliament confirmed that the name issue should high level dialogue which, in his opinion, have been further under- not impose an obstacle to opening accession negotiations and regrad- mined with the ongoing crisis, adding: “Irrespective of the origins of the ed it as bilateral issue that should be solved prior to Republic of Mace- wiretapping… any potential wrongdoing revealed with their disturbing donia’s full-fledged membership in the EU. content must be investigated and appropriate consequences must be taken, especially if it infringes fundamentally on the rule of law and on the Quite expectedly, the resolution also referred to recent events in separation of powers. At a time when public trust in institutions is low, relation to the case “Coup”, the wiretapping program and the political all public figures must act responsively and take accountability for their crisis in Macedonia. In that regard, the European Parliament expressed actions in their own interest“.252 Worries were shared by EP’s shadow rap- great concerns with polarized political climate in the country and was porteur for Macedonia, British MEP Richard Howitt, who offered to act of the standing that both the government and the opposition should as facilitator in the current crisis. In his opinion, threats with prison start to cooperate in political matters. sentences to the opposition leader in Macedonia are dangerous for the country’s democracy. Fact that accusations against Zaev were made by Moreover, the resolution enlists that compromises, as way of find- no other than the Prime Minister himself on publicly broadcasted press ing solution to the overall situation, are of essential importance for de- conference adds to already great concerns emerged from evidence pre- mocracy to function and that post-election boycott needs to be solved sented as part of disclosed wiretaps, which allege disturbing political in the spirit of shared responsibility of the government and the opposi- interference in the judiciary and the media. Referring to wiretapped tion. European Parliament voiced serious concerns with accusations conversations, he said there are no doubts that large scale surveillance raised against the opposition leader Zoran Zaev, on the part of Prime program has been in place in Macedonia and that at least part of re- Minister Gruevski. leased wiretaps appear to be authentic, adding that such evidence cannot be ignored at the moment: “Again, promises are made for reforms in As part of its resolution, the European Parliament condemns any the judiciary and the media, although such promises have already been illegal surveillance and calls all allegations to be published and freely reported and for independent investigation to be carried into all al- 252 http://goo.gl/0Bvb0p

73 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report made in the past, but were not delivered upon. New elements of monitor- 5. DEMARCHE FROM THE EU ing and assessment need to be introduced and should allow competence AMBASSADOR ORAV within the country and guarantee credibility before the foreign world”.253 In the period of announcing bombs within the project “Truth about At the debate in Strasbourg, Sergei Stanisev, Bulgarian MEP and Macedonia”, on his public appearance in one debate show Zoran Zaev Deputy Chair of the EU-Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee, revealed that six ambassadors of influential states have also been presented his views whereby the authorities in Macedonia must take wiretapped.255 In that, careful about the sensibility of such information, initiative to restore the political dialogue, because on the contrary, Zaev briefly replied he would personally deliver folders with wiretapped mediation from EU institutions would not resolve internal issues in conversations to persons surveilled. Within a period of one month, EU the country. In his opinion: “It is no longer matter of inter-party dia- Ambassador Aivo Orav submitted a demarche to the Ministry of Foreign logue, but of defending fundamental democratic standards and principles, Affairs (MFA) on disregard for the Vienna Convention.256 which are integral part of the negotiation process. Attacks on the opposition leader give raise to the question whether the judiciary can truly be This demarche confirms that wiretaps presented to ambassadors trusted, as it has been subject of harsh criticism for selective justice under in Macedonia are authentic and that they have been captured by the the influence of authorities”,254 and added that should the government surveillance program as well. Here, it should be noted that demarches fail to take initiative on resolving the political crisis, chances for open- are tools used by diplomats in cases of breaching the Vienna Conven- ing the accession negotiations with Macedonia would be slimmer. tion.257 Contents of this protest note were not commented in public, having in mind that it implies diplomatic communication, but MFA is- All above-referred developments were merely an announcement for sued a written statement confirming that “the demarche was submit- EU’s enhanced presence as facilitator in finding a solution to the po- ted in circumstances of publicly expressed threats by one political party litical crisis in Republic of Macedonia, although level and method of leader about the fact that he is in possession of illegally obtained and brokering such solution remained to be determined. fabricated materials”.258

255 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/16396/rse-prislushuvani-i-stranski-diplomati-vo- makedonija 256 253 Ibid 252 http://goo.gl/Zft4fh 257 254 http://meta.mk/stanishev-eu-ne-mozhe-sama-da-gi-reshi-problemite-vo- http://goo.gl/WLmhwY makedonija/ 258 http://24vesti.mk/aivo-orav-podnel-nota-do-mnr-poradi-prislushuvanje

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6. BRUSSELS RESPONDS TO THE 7. BRUSSELS TALKS PUBLIC PROSECUTION In the aftermath of plenary session at the European Parliament and Given the public doubts related to performance of the Public Pros- the proposal made by EU Commissioner Hahn concerning mediation in ecution and for the purpose of demonstrating transparency, the pros- overcoming the political crisis in Macedonia, the so-called Brussels talks ecution invited experts from the European Commission to monitor pro- were initiated and pursued in the form of several meetings held in Skopje ceedings in the case “Coup” and thus witness transparency of actions and in Strasbourg, some of which were not organized in the original for- taken. After a period of time in which the public exerted pressure for mat, meaning they were attended only by EU and US observers. actions to be taken, on 30 March 2015, the EC issued a negative response to this request. This statement was shared in public by means of press release issued by the Public Prosecution, which reads: “In their First round of talks response, we have been informed that at the moment the EC will not provide external expertise in relation to contents of any criminal proceedings. First round of Brussels-mediated talks took place on 30 March 2015 In that, their communication stressed the fact that single authority com- and was organized among representatives of VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM and petent to access objectivity and transparency of actions taken by public the European Parliament, acting as dialogue facilitator. VMRO-DPMNE’s prosecutors is the court of first instance (and in case of appeal, the court representatives in negotiations included Nikola Popovski, Nikola Todor- of appeals)”.259 ov and Ilija Dimovski, while SDSM was represented by Radmila Sekerins- ka, Viktor Gaber and Renata Deskoska. Dialogue facilitators on the part By means of their press release, the prosecution attempted to rep- of the European Parliament included Richard Howitt (S&D, UK), Eduard resent EC’s response as alibi for their allegedly transparent and legal Kukan (EPP, Slovakia) and Ivo Vajgl (ALDE, Slovenia).260 conduct in proceedings, and thereby secure itself excuse before the public that these two individual cases are being conducted in compli- The negotiations, held behind closed doors, started with separate ance with rules of procedures and principles of the rule of law. meetings with delegations of both political parties with EU politicians. After having presented their starting positions, joint meeting with both delegations and facilitators was organized. According to information presented in aftermath of these meetings, both sides had remained on their initial positions, i.e. SDSM representatives demanded establishment of technical government mandated with enabling conditions for organization of free and fair democratic elections, including appointment of new prosecutor that would process suspicions of corruption and

259 http://fokus.mk/eu-nema-da-isprati-eksperti-vo-javnoto-obvinitelstvo/ 260 http://24vesti.mk/brisel-dijalog-megju-vmro-dpmne-i-sdsm

75 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report crimes disclosed from wiretapped conversations, whereas VMRO-DPMNE sadors, Aivo Orav and Jess Bailey.263 This meeting was also attended by representatives stood firm on their position that the crisis should be leaders of political parties in the Albanian block, Menduh Taci and Ali ended with court resolution of the case “Coup”, while political discus- Ahmeti, and it took place in the period leading to protests scheduled by sions are possible on all demands made by the opposition, such as: the the opposition (17 May) and the government (18 May). census, new Voters List, amendments to the Electoral Code and the media landscape, but not for interim government and new elections. Only break-through achieved at this meeting concerns joint agreement to support democratic values, right to peaceful assembly and the After their meeting with delegations from VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, country’s Euro-Atlantic agenda, and to condemn violence for criminal or EP representatives stated that having both parties sit at the same table political purposes. Topics that might be subject of further talks were not is positive and that talks will continue in April 2015. defined at this meeting. Initially, the meeting of party leaders was to be sponsored by President Ivanov, but due to the fact that DUI does not recognize his legitimacy, it was held in presence of said ambassadors. Second round of talks

Second round of talks took place on 15 April 2015 in Brussels. Political Fourth round of talks party teams maintained the same composition.261 Unlike previous round of talks, this round lasted much longer and in its aftermath the public was This meeting assumed the same format and composition, and was able to learn that discussions held were much more essential. Representa- organized on 18 May 2015 at the Club of Parliamentarians, one day be- tives from both parties did not make statements after the meeting, but EP fore the meeting scheduled to take place in Strasbourg.264 Ambassadors representatives gave a brief statement that participants have agreed to Bailey and Orav again assumed their role of silent observers, and wit- continue discussions.262 No specific date was set for next round of talks. nessed repetition of firm positions upheld by party leaders engaged in dialogue. Hence, SDSM’s leader demanded establishment of caretaker government without Gruevski and the Prime Minister remained on his Third round of talks decision not to step down from his office.

Third inter-party meeting was held in Skopje, at the Club of Parlia- Specific proposals to exit the crisis were put forward by DUI’s leader mentarians on 14 May 2015, under the auspices of EU and US ambas- and included establishment of working groups at the Parliament and government reconstruction. Despite that, the meeting did not result in

261 http://makfax.com.mk/makedonija/politika/nova-runda-razgovori-pomegu-vmro- 263 http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=51515937114&id=9&se dpmne-i-sdsm tIzdanie=23468 262 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21633 264 http://goo.gl/VQfbRU

76 ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY desired solution to the political crisis and ended as yet another round Sixth round of talks of failed talks. Sixth round of so-called Brussels talks was held in Skopje on 26 May 2015268 at the Club of Parliamentarians, and was organized as Fifth round of talks inter-party meeting including leaders of the four biggest political parties. It served the purpose of informing the Albanian counterparts Fifth meeting took place on 19 May 2015 in Strasbourg and implied about items agreed in Strasbourg and announcing the next meeting greater attention on the part of the EU, i.e. it was raised to higher level scheduled for 2 June 2015 in Skopje, under the auspices of EU Com- with the attendance of EU Commissioner Hahn and party leaders.265 For missioner Hahn. the purpose of ensuring Zoran Zaev’s presence in Strasbourg, he had been returned the passport that was confiscated as alternative measure to secure his presence in court proceedings for the case “Coup”. 8. HOYT YEE VISITS MACEDONIA VMRO-DPMNE’s delegation, in addition to party leader Nikola Gruevski, included Martin Protoger, Nikola Todorov, Nikola Popovski, Saso Mijalkov and MP Vlatko Gjorcev, while SDSM’s delegation was led US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Hoyt by Zoran Zaev, Renata Deskoska and Robert Popovski.266 Brian Yee, visited Macedonia on 16 April 2015269 and met with highest political actors both from the government and the opposition. After his Both delegations had separate meetings with MEPs, followed by meetings, Hoyt Yee stated to the press that the international commu- 10-hour marathon meeting with EU Commissioner Hahn, which ended nity is willing to help Republic of Macedonia in establishing dialogue around 3:30 am and was reported to include sincere discussions and and encourage authorities to find a way out, but they do not have read- agreement to continue talks.267 Having in mind the higher level of par- ymade solutions to the political crisis and therefore, at the moment, it ticipants involved, this meeting could be considered as signal of el- is of utmost importance for the opposition and the government to sit evated pressure to put an end to the political crisis. on the table and reach an agreement about the solution, in particular because Macedonia does not have the luxury of time, as regards the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration.270

268 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/27192/pocna-tretata-liderska-sredba- 265 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150519/428/428.html?id=27024143 269 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150416/428/428.html?id=26958686 266 http://24vesti.mk/gruevski-i-zaev-vo-strazbur-pregovarale-10-chasa 270 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=119869762156&story_ 267 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22510 fbid=10152827520152157

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After his meeting with Prime Minister Gruevski , Hoyt Yee stated: Council Conclusions demonstrate serious concerns about the rule “We have urged the government and its institutions to take the allega- of law, human rights and media freedoms as fundamental democratic tions, the insinuations of malfeasance, of possible illegal behaviour, very values underlying EU enlargement policy. Council Conclusions includ- seriously, at least as seriously as the government is taking the charges ed recommendations for both sides, accompanied with specific propos- against Mr. Zaev, the leader of the opposition”.271 als for steps to be taken in the forthcoming period, as follows:

As for his meeting with SDSM’s leader, State Department’s high rep- To political leaders: resentative said that he had advised Zaev that the opposition must play its democratic role in the country with full involvement within the • to uphold principles of the rule of law, respect of human rights institutions, primarily the Parliament, and therefore Zaev should find and freedom of media; ways to return his party to the Parliament and enable its unhindered operation with a view to advance the country’s integration in Euro- • to assume their respective responsibilities and take immediate Atlantic structures.272 measures towards a sustainable solution, constructively engage to restart political dialogue and restore trust in the institutions by adequate political steps; and

9. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS • to show restraint and to focus on finding solutions to the ongoing political crisis as soon as possible.

April 2015 was characterized by great engagement on the part of To institutions of the Republic of Macedonia: the international community. In parallel with announcement of bombs within the project “Truth about Macedonia” and Brussels-sponsored • to have allegations investigated by the relevant authorities, in- talks, the EU Council’s session from 21 April 2015 also included discus- cluding those allegations of potential wrongdoing being made sion about ongoing political developments in Macedonia.273 Discussion public, with full regard for due process, the principle of indepen- and adoption of conclusions about the situation in Macedonia was an dence and the presumption of innocence. added item on the agenda, due to the profound political crisis in the country. In its Conclusions, the Council welcomed dialogue established between the government and the opposition and facilitated by the Euro- pean Parliament. 271 http://telma.com.mk/vesti/hojt-jiprocesuiranje-na-sluchaite-protiv-vladini- pretstavnici 272 Ibid 270 EU’s profound concern is not reflected only in the Council Conclu- 273 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2015/04/st08159_en15_pdf/ sions, but also in increasingly serious messages being sent as the crisis

78 ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY deteriorated further. Namely, serious concerns as regards state-of-af- 10. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY fairs in the judiciary, the media and the rule of law were first indicated CALLS FOR RESIGNATION in relation to Macedonia as part of EU Council Conclusions from 16 De- cember 2014: “There are serious concerns about increasing politicisation of state institutions and growing shortcomings with regard to the inde- Resignation as precondition for pendence of the judiciary and media freedoms. Failure to deliver on these independent investigation issues has damaged the sustainability of reforms. The Council urges the authorities to take decisive action to rapidly address these concerns”.274 On the round table debate held on 27 April 2015 at the Faculty of Law in Skopje, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Am- EU Council’s session was held shortly after the failed second round bassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christine Althauzer, ex- of talks in Brussels between representatives from the government and pressed her views about the overall political situation in Macedonia the opposition, which resulted in agreement to continue discussions. and directed harsh criticism at the government, not only in terms of Against this background, the Council Conclusions should be interpret- the manner in which it handles the current political crisis, but also con- ed as additional pressure on the part of the EU towards authorities to cerning numerous problems in the state, such as: control over judiciary, engage in constructive dialogue and de-politicization of institutions, politicization of institutions and media independence. with the ultimate goal of restoring citizens’ trust in the state apparatus. In her opinion, solution to the political crisis in the country must Messages put forward by the Council urged the government and the involve resignations and independent investigation, adding that: “By opposition to engage in political dialogue, to find solution that would Western European standards, political consequences of this scope and the prevent any re-occurrence of crises and to undertake independent in- nature of allegations are unavoidable. To be as clear as my US colleague vestigation into contents of disclosed wiretaps alleging criminal be- last week, political consequences mean, for instance, resignations as a haviour on the part of ruling authorities.275 precondition to get the necessary transparent and impartial investigation started”.276 In conclusion she expressed concerns that other West Euro- pean ambassadors in Macedonia are irritated primarily with the government’s failure to take actions to address serious accusations, many of which correspond with remarks put forward in EC’s Progress Reports in the last several years.

274 http://sitel.com.mk/ek-so-shesta-preporaka-za-pregovori-so-makedonija 275 http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=42115950198&id=9&se tIzdanie=23449 276 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21929

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Boiko Borisov with advise for resignation The mere fact that this statement was read in front of the government’s building and without the Prime Minister in attendance could Two days after the Kumanovo incident, on 11 May 2015, the Prime be interpreted as straightforward criticism for his behaviour. Contents Minister of Bulgaria, Boiko Borisov, advised Prime Minister Gruevski of the statement confirmed this: “We have specifically reiterated our to resign from office, in order to calm protests and turbulences in the concerns to the Prime Minister that his government has not made prog- country. In his statement,277 Prime Minister Borisov indicated himself ress towards accounting for the many allegations of wrongdoing arising as example, recalling that during his first term of office he had resigned from the disclosures. This continued inaction casts serious doubt on the due to civil protests against high electricity prices and, according to Government of Macedonia’s commitment to the democratic principles him, this should be practiced by any chef of government wishing to and values of the Euro-Atlantic community”.279 Yet again, ambassadors restore people’s trust. Borisov did not forget to point that Macedonia clearly and undoubtedly confirmed the numerous criticisms addressed is very important country for them and that it is very important for to the Government of Republic of Macedonia. Furthermore, the joint the country to maintain its political stability, qualifying casualties statement included following calls: from clashes in Kumanovo as result of divisions and problems plaguing Macedonia. • to reform the electoral system;

• to guarantee media freedom;

11. MEETING WITH THE GROUP • to guarantee independence of the judiciary; OF SIX AMBASSADORS • to guarantee freedom of expression;

Immediately after events from 9 May in Kumanovo, the six ambas- • to guarantee the democratic right of peaceful assembly; and sadors from influential EU Member States, accompanied by the head of EU Mission in Macedonia, and the US Ambassador, held a meeting with • to take political and legal responsibility for contents of disclo- Prime Minister Gruevski. Topics discussed behind closed doors remain sures. secret for the public, but the joint statement given once they exited the meeting contained harsh criticism for the Government of Republic Ultimate message sent by the ambassadors to the incumbent gov- of Macedonia.278 ernment concerned the fact that failure to deliver on these commit- ments would further distance Macedonia from its integration in the EU and NATO. 277 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&vest=22284&cat=2 278 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=18&vest=22302 279 http://goo.gl/auKZEM

80 ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Immediately afterwards, separate meetings were organized with ist opposition in Bulgaria, thus demonstrating that Bulgaria does not SDSM’s leader Zoran Zaev and DUI’s leader Ali Ahmeti. They were tar- engage in left - or right-oriented politics at times when the country’s geted with individual messages, i.e. the opposition leader was request- stability is at stake. At the same time, the opposition leader Zoran Zaev ed to return in the Parliament,280 while Ali Ahmeti, as coalition partner stressed that Macedonia belongs in the European Union and NATO and in the government, was asked to assume responsibility for current po- that through these experiences, including within EU institutions, they litical crisis and contribute to independent investigation being carried are trying to find solution to the crisis in Macedonia, adding that care- into the wiretapping affair.281 taker government needs to be established and to guarantee fair and democratic elections.283

12. MEETING BETWEEN ZORAN ZAEV AND BOIKO BORISOV 13. SUPPORT FROM RUSSIA

Two weeks after the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov advised Several days after the police action in Kumanovo, the government Prime Minister Gruevski to resign from office, he met with the opposi- received its first support in the form of statement made by the Russian tion leader Zoran Zaev in Sofia.282 At the meeting, they were joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, during his official visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Daniel Mitov, and the Vice Belgrade. In his address, Lavrov expressed great concern with recent President of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Janaki Stoilov. developments in Macedonia. In that, he pointed the blaming finger to the EU and stressed that it should use its presence on the Balkans to In the aftermath of this meeting, Borisov said that Macedonia has pay special attention to these upsetting trends, especially those that the support of Bulgaria for its Euro-Atlantic integrations and that they can be categorized as acts of terrorism. expect the political crisis to be resolved in democratic terms. In his opinion, the government and the opposition must find common lan- In his opinion, attacks on Kumanovo are well prepared terrorist ac- guage, as required by EU, and that Bulgaria has no intention of inter- tions and therefore the EU should not assume cowardly position about fering in Macedonia’s internal matters, but the political crisis gives rise them being an isolated episode, adding that he is convinced Brussels to serious concerns. Finally, he used the opportunity to send a special is aware of that, but they go with these explanations to justify inef- message, saying that the meeting was held together with the social- ficiency of their efforts.284

280 http://goo.gl/LljNkk 281 http://goo.gl/O1tZJz 283 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22663 282 http://goo.gl/FE0Ozi 284 http://goo.gl/8e3nte

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This experienced diplomat explained why Gruevski’s Government is under attack: because of its support for Moscow and refusal to join sanctions against Russia, including the fact that Gruevski had supported construction of the gas pipeline “South Stream”. In his opinion, Prime Minister Gruevski has actively defended Macedonian interests, and expressed willingness to cooperate in implementation of other alternatives on energy fuel delivery from Russia to South Europe, including the option for so-called “Turkish Stream”. Therefore, he considers it is both sad and dangerous for the EU to play on the Albanian card to attain its goal of undermining Gruevski’s Government. Lavrov’s support to the incumbent government in Macedonia came only after official Moscow condemned the opposition’s protests accusing them of enjoy- ing support from the West, with the ultimate goal of organizing colour revolution following the example of Ukraine.285

Disturbing is the fact that, in his address, Lavrov predicted division of Macedonia and attainment of the idea for Great Albania.

285 http://telma.com.mk/vesti/lavrov-predviduva-crno-scenario-za-makedonija

82 1. STUDENT PLENUM

...IV... On 10 December 2014, tens of thousands university and high school students, citizens and supporters took to the streets in several towns across Macedonia expressing their definite “NO” to government’s plan for introduction of external testing, i.e. state exams for university students at all levels. According to realistic estimates, more than 10,000 protesters286 took part in the march organized in Skopje and represented the biggest non-partisan, civil and multiethnic mobilization in last ACCOMPANYING decade.287 CIVIC As many times before, one day before this event the government, represented by the education minister Abdulakim Ademi, announced MOVEMENTS “its decisiveness to introduce quality control mechanisms in education”,288 despite growing dissent among the student movement, civil society and the opposition in the several weeks that passed.

286 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0UkoT8dVw4 287 http://www.makdenes.org/contentlive/liveblog/26731614.html 288 http://www.suedosteuropa.uni-graz.at/biepag/node/131

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Protesters put up slogans and banners in Macedonian and Albanian contrast, his media supporters relied on well-established propaganda languages, bearing following messages: “University is voice of free- techniques. In their commentaries and reports, they published photo- dom!”, “No justice, no peace!”, “Autonomy!” and the like. Some banners graphs of the protests with red circles indicating individual protesters explicitly ridiculed pro-government media, providing an implicit criti- allegedly affiliated with opposition parties and regular scapegoats – cism of the absence of media freedoms in the country. Sorosoids, i.e. civil society activists usually linked with the Foundation Open Society – Macedonia. Ultimate goal of such practices is straight- These demonstrations spiralled from the small scale student protest forward – to discredit protests by alluding to their politicized nature held on 17 November 2014. Events that followed are of crucial impor- and to deny their authenticity. tance to understand the potential of this newly-emerged social movement to become agent of broader social changes. In the days that followed, conditions were gradually created to transform the protests into an all-encompassing movement. Subject- Against all odds, this protest caught the government and its power- ing propaganda techniques to mockery and ironic comments, many ful populist media trumpets with their guard down. Both, the govern- students and supporters changed their Facebook profiles and labelled ment and the media, were unprepared to respond with counter-protests themselves with notorious red circles. “I think, therefore I’m labelled”290 and media attacks on individual protesters, which is tactics regularly became the slogan of consolidation with the symbolic protests. The applied by conservative and politically non-liberal VMRO-DPMNE to Student Plenum, which is an informal core group of protesters up- silence even smaller forms of opposition. Initially, the protest was ig- holding different, mainly radical left worldviews, carefully articulated nored even by pro-government media whose seats are located along its policy demands and called for society-wide solidarity. They used the route of marching protesters. Prime Minister Gruevski came in pub- Gruevski’s indecent promise that tests would apply to future genera- lic to comment students’ demands as late as 20 November 2014,289 fol- tions of students and invited high school students to join the protests lowing an extensive social media campaign ridiculing the authorities’ and stand up for their rights. indifference. What ensured afterwards has become part of history. Despite heavy Adopting the language typically used by his opponents in the civil propaganda, pressure and authorities’ attempts to break solidarity society arena, Gruevski reassured students that final decision would among discontent groups, individuals joining the second mobiliza- not be taken before organizing broad public debate and consultations, tion had tripled in number compared to the first, otherwise success- thus assuring them that they have the right to protest and express their ful event. Postponed effect of legal provisions was only the first step opinions. Moreover, he promised that the new law would not affect towards attainment of students’ demand for new law that will provide students currently enrolled at universities, but future generations. In complete systemic revision of the higher education.

289 http://vecer.mk/makedonija/gruevski-celta-e-da-imame-novi-generacii-so- 290 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/7350/reki-studenti-pred-platoto-na-ukim-marshot-kje- posilno-znaenje bide-velicestven

84 ACCOMPANYING CIVIC MOVEMENTS

In February 2015, several departments at the University “Ss. Cyril 2. HIGH SCHOOL PLENUM and Methodius” in Skopje were occupied for days. Prior to the start of university occupation, the Student Plenum issued a press release which After being set an example by students in terms of what it means reads: “Promises were made, but we have no intention of sitting at home to have strong position and maintain it, high school students started in hope that karma would do its bid. We have come this far because we defending their position as well. Encouraged by Student Plenum’s suc- countered – united, vociferous and with all means available – the higher cess and triggered by poor reforms in secondary education, high school education reforms imposed. Let us win back the university. The time has students established their High School Plenum on 26 January 2015292 come to create an autonomous zone!” 291 and started their fight for better education.

After a long period of time, Gruevski found himself in a deadlock In the beginning, this plenum organized protests in Skopje, but situation. If he decides to remain intransigent and refuse demands soon enough the protesting mode spread to other towns: Tetovo, Del- made by the student movement, he would face an even greater mo- cevo, Kumanovo and Kratovo. As time passed, high school students’ bilization, which he would not be able to prevent by applying stan- demands were becoming more articulate. More specifically, they de- dard tools. On the other hand, if he decides to withdraw the proposed manded mathematics not to be included as mandatory exam taken as law, he risks bringing under question the powerful myth about his un- part of external testing and evaluation and contested the entire pack- compromised nature and his invincibility. That could awake “sleeping” age of reforms, from its implementation to the calculation of external social demands and frustrations, and create problems with the broad exam grades into their general performance assessment. symbolic framework his regime is based on. At any rate, civil society and democracy in the Republic of Macedonia would achieve one small, High School Plenum requested meeting with the Minister of Educa- but paradigmatic victory. tion, who did not take time to meet them. In response, high school students organized complete boycott of classes and erected a camp in the park across the education ministry’s building.293 Their actions were met with lenience and resulted in several meetings between the High School Plenum, Minister of Education, and Deputy Prime Minister Pe- sevski, but no agreement was reached. High school students and their parents were under strong pressure from teachers and school principals not to join or support actions taken by the High School Plenum. 294

292 http://fokus.mk/se-osnova-srednoshkolski-plenum/ 293 http://www.plusinfo.mk/vest/21132/srednoshkolski-plenum-od-utre-zapocnuva- bojkot-na-nastavata- 291 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=20102 294 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/465281

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3. REFERENDUM FOR #ILOVEGTC 4. PROTEST OF FREELANCE AND PART-TIME WORKERS Members of the Municipal Council in Centar, with 12 votes in favour and 11 abstained votes, decided to organize local referendum about The first protest in front of the government’s building organized against the new outlay of the City Trade Mall (GTC) on the government’s initia- the new Law on Freelance and Part-Time Work took place on 22 December tive to change its existing façade with a baroque-styled one. After two 2014 and gathered around 3,000 people.297 According to law amendments hours of tensions and contentious deliberations, the voting outcome with effect from 1 January 2015, in addition to personal income tax all citi- sided with the citizens that have gathered more than 10 thousand sig- zens are obliged to pay social and health insurance contributions on par natures.295 This decision is important because it concerns organization with full-time workers. This levy on their income increases taxation from of the first referendum for “Skopje 2014” project. 10% to at least 35% of their earnings, including contributions for health and pension insurance. Freelance and part-time workers would be obliged to pay In a situation of narrow difference in votes, Miroslav Sipovik’s ab- such social contributions on all task or copyright contracts in the amount stained vote waged on the side of civic initiative. After a short recess, exceeding minimum wage calculated in the amount of 9,590 MKD. councillors moved to individual vote and confirmed the decision. De- spite stressing that they are not against free expression of citizens’ will, Once the date for second round of protests was set (13 February 2015), in practice, the abstained votes of VMRO-DPMNE’s councillors sided the Government of Republic of Macedonia reacted and amended the law against the initiative for referendum. In their defence, they stressed on 10 February 2015 to raise the threshold above which pensioners and that the outlay of GTC should not lie only in hands of residents in the employed persons, in addition to personal income tax, would be levied em- Municipality of Centar. ployment contributions.298 Hence, pensioners and citizens, who in addition to their full-time job also provide freelance services, will not be burdened The referendum organized on 26 April 2015 did not attain the law- with payment of mandatory contributions for income earned by means of stipulated threshold of 50% of registered voters in the municipality. On freelance contracts provided their additional income does not exceed the this account, the referendum failed. The State Electoral Commission re- amount of average wage in the state calculated for the last year, which in ported turnout of 40.53% on the referendum organized for GTC’s outlay, 2014 amounted to 21,300 MKD. with following breakdown of results: 95.36% of ballots indicated “YES” and 1.59% of ballots indicated “NO” to the referendum question. 296 Should their additional income exceed the amount indicated, pensioners and full-time employed persons would be levied payment of contributions only for the amount above the average wage of 21,300 MKD. New calculation base for these contributions is established also for unemployed persons

295 http://fokus.mk/k-e-ima-referendum-za-gtts/ 297 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/8768/deneska-na-pladne-protestiraat-honorarcite 296 http://www.build.mk/?p=44199 298 http://dnevnik.mk/?ItemID=7E2CAF718A1488418754B0BA991E62E9

86 ACCOMPANYING CIVIC MOVEMENTS earning their living on the basis of task contracts, copyright contracts or any other type of contracts. Similarly to the previous legal solution, they are exempted from payment of social contributions in the amount up to the law-stipulated minimum wage (9,590 MKD); however, should they receive reimbursement in an amount exceeding the minimum wage, they will pay social contributions only for earnings above the threshold set at 9,590 MKD.

Be that as it may, new round of amendments were not in compliance with demands made by freelance and part-time workers, and on 13 February 2015 they took to the streets demanding the law to be revoked in its entirety. 299

5. PLATFORM FOR CIVIC POLITICS - AJDE! In the end, members of the civic platform AJDE! sent message that this event marks the onset of civil awakening and civil movement to bring MRT back to the citizens. Single thing that marred the event were On 28 February 2015, encouraged by wiretaps released by the op- two water cannons located in the parking lot near MRT for the entire position three days earlier unveiling a surveillance program that has duration of protests. captured more than 100 journalists and governing authorities’ influences in the media, including the public broadcaster MRT, the platform On 23 March 2015, AJDE! began its campaign for collection of peti- for civic politics - AJDE! organized protests in front of MRT’s building.300 tion endorsements in 15 towns across Macedonia to challenge consti- This event started with symbolic tumbling down of three-meter high tutionality of the package laws levying payment of health, pension and pasteboard figure representing media dictator and removal of pink disability insurance on freelance workers.301 In the opinion of AJDE!, eyeglasses worn by protesters, in an act of demonstrating that matters freelance and part-time workers pay social contributions, but have are not as optimistic as MRT reports them to be. Large group of civil been denied rights to salary, work break, vacation, trade union organi- society activists and journalists attended this protest and advised MRT zation and maternity/parental leave. Moreover, freelance workers are that it should serve as public broadcaster to citizens, instead of being entangled in bureaucratic labyrinths, so complicated that even admin- government’s propaganda megaphone. istration employees cannot untangle, in particular due to the laws’ im- precision, ambiguity and vagueness.

299 http://24vesti.mk/honorarcite-izleguvaat-na-nov-protest 301 http://www.pravdiko.mk/ajde-ke-sobira-potpisi-protiv-davachkite-za- 300 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/16535/galerija-pocna-protestot-na-ajde-pred-mtv honorartsite/

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Another problem indicated by AJDE! implies the fact that unemployed freelance workers will be deleted from records kept by the Em- ployment Agency. New round of protests was held on 24 April 2015, starting at the Ministry of Finance and ending in front of the Constitu- tional Court with submission of the petition endorsed by 7,000 citizens to contest constitutionality of the package of laws governing payment of social contributions levied on freelance and part-time workers.302

6. PROTEST OF GENERAL STOJANCE ANGELOV

The protest organized by general Stojance Angelov began in the ures, journalists, actors and musicians coming to speak at these pro- afternoon of 11 March 2015303 in front of the Government of Republic tests. On 23 March 2015, general Angelov motioned criminal charges305 of Macedonia, when he announced that at 7 pm he would go to MRT’s in front of the Public Prosecution against MRT’s editor-in-chief Dime building and advise its news team to broadcast recordings released by Ratajkovski on the grounds of abuse of office and authorization. In the opposition, because they are obliged to publish them and inform that, he reminded editor-in-chief Ratajkovski that this offense is li- citizens of all developments in the country. Should they refuse, he an- able to imprisonment sentence and, sooner or later, he would receive a nounced forceful entrance in the building and lawsuits against respon- deserved sanction. sible persons.

General Stojance Angelov did not stop at this first protest and announced subsequent protests until, as he said, ultimate liberation of the public broadcaster. Mass protests were scheduled every Saturday at noon in front of MRT’s building.304 With every new protest, people gathered in greater numbers and were supported by many public fig-

302 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=21847 303 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=20856 304 http://24strumica.mk/5436/angelov-golem-protesten-sobir-pred-mrt-vo-sabota/ 305 http://goo.gl/Yptvcs

88 ACCOMPANYING CIVIC MOVEMENTS

7. PROTEST FOR TAMARA AND the tragedy greater, two days after she passed away, pending approval RESIGNATIONS FROM HEALTH of funds for her treatment abroad arrived at her home address. The sur- INSURANCE FUND MANAGERS gery in question necessitated funds in the amount of 30,000 EUR. On the day of protests, chief and deputy managers of the Health Insurance Fund, Parnadzieva-Zmejkova and Dzemaili Mehazi, submitted their ir- On 24 February 2015, several thousand people joined the protest- revocable resignations, but health minister Todorov turned his deaf ear ing march organized under the motto “Red card for health minister to citizens’ demands.310 Todorov”306 stirred by the death of nine year old Tamara Dimovska. Hold- ing red cards, the protesters marched the streets from the city branch of the Health Insurance Fund, pass its headquarters and ended in front of the Ministry of Health. In addition to demanding resignation from 8. PROTEST FOR MARTIN NESKOVSKI health minister Nikola Todorov, protesters demanded resignations by chief and deputy managers of the Health Insurance Fund, Maja Parna- dzieva-Zmejkova and Dzemaili Mehazi.307 On 5 May 2015, at 6 pm several thousand citizens gathered in front of the government’s building to protest against police brutality and de- This event308 was organized on social networks and was supported manded resignations of the government and interior minister Gordana by several non-governmental organizations and citizens’ associa- Jankuloska.311 Occasion for this was disclosure of bomb no. 29 within tions. Tamara’s immediate family members were in the first rows of the project “Truth about Macedonia” revealing that senior government this marching protest. In tears, her mother Zaklina Dimovska addressed officials covered up information about Martin Neskovski’s murder at health minister Todorov and demanded him to step down from office the hands of Igor Spasov, member of the special police unit “Tigers”, and assume responsibility.309 on the night when VMRO-DPMNE celebrated its election victory in 2011.

According to the forensic pathology report, Tamara died of broncho- Many of people gathered also participated in 2011 protests against pneumonia. She suffered from scoliosis, congenital spinal deformity, police brutality, including the brother and mother of late Martin Nes- and after her first surgery she was waiting for the Health Insurance kovski. Early into the protest, citizens gathered broke through safety Fund’s approval of funds to undergo second surgery in Turkey. To make fences around the government’s building, entered the front-door pla-

306 http://www.makdenes.org/archive/news/20150224/428/428.html?id=26865529 307 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/455449 308 http://goo.gl/eOcolN 310 http://goo.gl/Ny7KB1 309 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/16010/video-majkata-na-tamara-do-todorov-ja- 311 http://www.pravdiko.mk/deneska-protesti-za-martin-neshkovski-vo-poveke- isprativte-na-vecno-pocivalishte gradovi/

89 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report teau and started throwing items at the riot police.312 Police responded of 10 months. Protesters receiving probation sentences included two by pushing the crowd to nearby streets, towards the Central Church. members of the Student Plenum, while the single person sentenced Final tally of this protest included several dozen protesters and police with imprisonment is Martin Neskovski’s uncle, because he has previous officers injured, and dozen protesters taken into custody.313 Bitter taste record on having committed similar offense. of this event was identified with police’s raid at the city library “Braka Miladinovci” 314 resulting in violent arrest of several students under Second group of protesters that pleaded guilty was arraigned in suspicion of having participated in unruly protests. After these inci- court on 3 June 2015 and three of them were issued imprisonment sen- dents, regular protests against police brutality were scheduled in front tences in duration of three months each, replaced with probation in of the government’s building every day at 6 pm and continued until 17 duration of one year. By means of decision taken by the Criminal Court May 2015, the day of the biggest civil protest in the aftermath of which in Skopje detention was terminated for three persons that were issued hundreds of people camped outside the government. probation sentences, but detention order for Blagoja, who remains unavailable, remains in effect, although pursuant to the law he is entitled As reminder, MOI tried to hide this incident from the public back in to repeated court trial. 2011, issuing a press statement 48 hours after young Neskovski’s death and after series of protests had been initiated by people that have eye- Last two protesters that did not plead guilty were arraigned in court witnesses the fight that resulted in Neskovski’s tragic death. At that on 10 June 2015. The longest imprisonment sentence316 in duration time, after information about the tragic event were revealed street proof two years and four months was taken against B.J. on the grounds tests raised in number and strength, bringing together around 10,000 of participation in crowd preventing officers to perform their duties, people protesting against police brutality and demanding resignation while A.T. was issued probation sentence in duration of 7 months in from interior minister Jankuloska for 20 consecutive days. prison that would be served provided he commits new crime within next two years. On 22 May 2015,315 first group of protesters were arraigned in court and pleaded guilty on the counts of participation in crowd preventing officers to perform duties, resulting in eight probation sentences in duration of three months and one imprisonment sentence in duration

312 http://kanal77.com.mk/mk/vesti/crnastrana/item/15044-demonstrantite-go- probija-kordonot.html 313 http://24vesti.mk/protesti-pred-vladata-po-bombata-za-martin-neshkovski 314 http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22116 315 http://plusinfo.mk/vest/26766/pocnuva-sudenjeto-na-devettemina-obvineti-za- protestot-na-5-maj 316 http://www.osskopje1.mk/Novosti.aspx?novost=383

90 ...V... he Macedonian Centre for European Training, by means of its quarterly accession watch reports and monitoring of governmental policies, duly warned about shortcomings in implementation of laws, election frauds, judiciary’s dependence fromT the executive government, flawed lustration process, lack of media freedoms and Macedonia’s derailment from its path towards the EU. Warning and remarks made throughout the entire accession watch re- ANTICIPATION porting process were confirmed by contents of wiretaps disclosed by OF BOMBS the opposition.

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1. HIGH LEVEL ACCESSION 2. ARRANGED MARRIAGE?!318 DIALOGUE FOR THE DEAF317

Rule over law: plenty of room for Skopje 2014 Travesty of justice The government developed and adopted the first Roadmap for Im- From scandalous appointment of judges, primarily due to their plementation of Priority Activities in the High Level Accession Dialogue close ties with ruling authorities, through judiciary’s “improved” track (HLAD), a new instrument of the European Commission (EC) designed record, to “rebirth” projects such as construction of new building for to assist Macedonia in its EU accession process. the Public Prosecution… According to this Roadmap, construction of new building for the These were just few of events duly noted in MCET’s accession watch Public Prosecution was anticipated as one of measures which, by im- reports in the period November 2010 - June 2012, which did not go proving infrastructure, should result in better track record of the judi- then nor are going today along what the European Commission expects ciary. Macedonia to deliver in terms of judiciary reforms. At that time, the government demonstrated utter inventiveness and included its most significant project (and at the same time flag- ship of its “rebirth”) “Skopje 2014” and construction of the Public Prosecution’s building in the Roadmap. Attempting to demonstrate creativeness, the government misunderstood the essence of efficient judiciary, i.e. freedom and independence of the public prosecution to take actions against those who violate the law, rather than comfortably swing in office chairs.

Nevertheless, this was just one among many “revolutionary” measures enlisted in the Roadmap and intended to pave the road to more efficient judiciary.

317 Thirteenth Accession Watch Report was published in April 2012 and covered the 318 Fourteenth Accession Watch Report was published in July 2012 and covered the period January - March 2012. The full report is available on the following link: period April - June 2012. The full report is available on the following link: http:// http://mcet.org.mk/ckfinder/files/AW13%20Q01-12%20-%20MK.pdf mcet.org.mk/ckfinder/files/AW14%20Q02-12%20-%20MK.pdf

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Judiciary’s track record and efficiency were to be improved with judges and prosecutors) was reflected in the appointment of judges other measures implying developing software on judicial statistics, as Radica Vasilevska and Lidija Nedelkova. enlisted in the Roadmap. In that, an attempt was made to “sell” day- to-day activities of state institutions as Roadmap-related activities. As of 15 March 2012 when HLAD’s first session was held and when For example, establishment of commission, selection of the contractor, the Judicial Council appointed Radica Vasilevska (judge in Boskovski’s software development and testing, training for software users and data case) to the position judge at the Skopje Court of Appeals and Lidi- collation were enlisted as activities that should be understood as part ja Nedelkova (judge in cases Boskovski and Cobweb) to the position and parcel of normal operations at these institutions and therefore judge at the Supreme Court, judiciary’s independence became an ab- they should not be included in the Roadmap. stract noun – indicated the Fourteenth Accession Watch Report.

At that time, MCET reiterated that the government’s vision for the Performance record of judge Radica Vasilevska was also covered in Republic of Macedonia is far from a legal state, i.e. rule of law, espe- the Tenth Accession Watch Report (“Teskoto by EU”) and the Eleventh cially due to the fact that there is no political will to accept that judi- Accession Watch Report (“EUphoria for EUphobia”). In the respective ciary’s efficiency cannot be guaranteed by means of collating judicial reports, topics covered and implicating the above named judge were statistics and reducing backlog cases. analysed in terms of the rule of law and HLAD. In particular, after sen- tencing Boskovski in late 2011, judge Radica Vasilevska was promoted Conclusion inferred was straightforward: manner in which Roadmap by the Judicial Council to the Skopje Court of Appeals. measures and activities were defined showed that competent authorities do not care about efficient protection of citizens’ rights and imple- In an equally “transparent” procedure, judge Lidija Nedelkova was mentation of laws in effect. rewarded for her successful coordination of cases “Boskovski” and “Cobweb”. Namely, the Judicial Council appointed her to the post judge at the Supreme Court. Although president of the Judicial Council Alek- sandra Zafiroska claimed that “nobody can influence voting at the Ju- Nepotism in the judiciary dicial Council”, doubts about this appointment and evidence that this promotion was granted as reward was identified in the fact that judge Measures anticipated for “improved quality and independence of Nedelkova “caught the last train for the Supreme Court“, having in the judiciary” were also noted in MCET’s Fourteenth Accession Watch mind that from 2013 onwards judges at the Supreme Court would be re- Report, purposefully titled as “Arranged Marriage?!”. cruited among candidates with extensive work experience at the Courts of Appeals. In truth, Lidija Nedelkova was president of the Criminal Unwillingness to implement measures anticipated (such as, merit- Court in Skopje, which is the biggest court in the country, but she does based recruitment at all levels in the judiciary; analysis and evaluation not hold sufficient experience in second instance courts that would of legal provisions governing disciplinary procedures and dismissals of allow her promotion to the Supreme Court. Worrying is also the fact

93 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report that the Judicial Council adopted another scandalous decision on the Namely, Elena Goseva is the mother of former vice-president of VM- same day (15 March 2012) when the first session under HLAD was held, RO-DPMNE’s Youth Alliance, Slobodanka Goseva-Gievska, who is married dedicated to setting targets and priority measures. to former president of VMRO-DPMNE Youth Alliance, current member of the Council of the City of Skopje from the line of VMRO-DPMNE and Judiciary’s independence was supposed to be additionally member of EVN Macedonia’s Executive Board. “strengthened” with the appointment of Skopje-based attorney-at- law Spend Devaja as judge in the Supreme Court. Spend Devaja is the When it comes to judiciary’s independence, first and foremost as- husband of Teuta Arifi, Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European sumption would be that judges are appointed according to their quali- Integration, and his appointment has been insisted upon by high of- fications and skills. Hence, why do we need special measures to be de- ficials from DUI. Reading between lines and scrutinizing Arifi’s state- fined, such as appointment of graduates from the Academy for Training ment given at show programme “Win-Win” broadcasted on TV Alfa of Judges and Public Prosecutors (ATJPP) who completed the inception on 13 October 2011 (“everybody who came into power has done his training or amendments to the Law on Courts in order to accelerate share”), it becomes obvious that high offices in the government are implementation of new professional requirements governing appoint- used as bargaining chips for personal favours and benefits, rather than ment of judges to higher-instance courts? However, practices showed for guaranteeing judiciary’s independence. that appointment of judges to higher-instance courts is primarily de- pendant on close ties with the government and previously performed Unwillingness to truly improve quality and independence of the ju- “favours” as proof of loyalty. diciary, both at the time the report was written and today, is not identified solely in scandalous appointments of Nedelkova and Vasilevska as While the EC expected results in this section and required improved judges at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, respectively, for efficiency and quality of justice and improved independence of the which the Judicial Council explained “it had decided independently judiciary, strengthened anti-corruption measures and verifiable en- and without pressure”, but also in the appointment of three new judges forcement, increased efficiency and transparency of management of to the Constitutional Court that followed several months later. interception of communication investigative technique, and improved inter-community dialogue, the government delivered judges that hard- Given that appointment of Constitutional Court judges exclusively ly fulfil requirements for the positions they have been appointed to. depends on the parliamentary majority, it has been shown that the government believes that apologists of its “rebirth” (Elena Goseva, Nikola Similar was the situation with the Constitutional Court. Although Ivanovski and Sali Murati) were the most appropriate candidates for the said court declared large number of provisions from the Lustration these positions. In the public, this selection raised many issues, in- Law as unconstitutional two times in row, the government imposed its cluding quality performance of the Constitutional Court, education will for the third time around (through the group of MPs from the ruling background and length of studies of new constitutional judges, etc. majority), but improved circumstances, i.e. completely new composi- Nepotism in appointment of judges was more than evident. tion of the Constitutional Court.

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The iron hand of the law Partisan appointments, unconstitutional dismissals

Not only did new problems remain unaddressed, but were piled on In the aftermath of controversial dismissal of two judges from the top of old problems. In essence, remarks and criticism addressed to Skopje Court of Appeals, the situation peaked with the Constitutional the government and related to the judiciary continued. Long before Court revoking around 20 provisions from the Rulebook on Disciplin- the disputable decisions on appointment of judges, like in the case ary Proceedings and the Rulebook on Non-Professional and Unconsci- of Vasilevska and Nedelkova, it had been noted that the government entious Performance of Judges. Provisions revoked - as observed by creates problems that have nothing in common with the struggle for the public as well - implied that the two judges from the Skopje Court independent and efficient judiciary. of Appeals had been dismissed contrary to the Constitution, but also raised the issue of unconstitutional dismissal of other 40 judges on As early as 2010, at the event organized for promotion of the Acad- the basis of the said Rulebooks. No responsibility had been assumed emy for Training of Judges and Public Prosecutors, then current EU Am- for these dismissals: the Minister of Justice “passed the ball” to the bassador Fouere stressed the issue related to appointment of graduates Judicial Council as the competent authority that adopted the uncon- from the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors. stitutional Rulebooks, while the Judicial Council, despite the fact that both Rulebooks were contested in front of the Constitutional Court, Law-stipulated obligation that 50% of newly appointed judges and continued to dismiss judges under “full throttle”. These developments public prosecutors at basic courts and public prosecution offices must definitely confirmed the thesis that in addition to disputable appoint- be Academy candidates was pursued with great difficulty, despite con- ments of judges, their dismissal was equally problematic. tinuous remarks on the part of the European Commission. With the judiciary’s independence remaining to be “hot potato” in In that, it should be noted that appointment of judges and public the society, on the occasion of European Day of Justice, the govern- prosecutors who are not Academy candidates continued smoothly and ment was able to see assessments about the judiciary’s efficiency in without problems. the country. Even at that point in time, the citizens did not share the perception that the judiciary in Macedonia has become more efficient As was the general practice, the government “washed its hands” or more independent. In the absence of serious and sustainable system from any responsibility thereof and identified the Academy candidates on human resource strategic planning, the number of judges was con- as culprits for this situation. Candidates had been accused of prefer- tinuously increasing and court administration remained utopia. ring to work in Skopje and that - guided by such interest - they did not apply to vacancy calls for judges and public prosecutor in other towns The judicial budget remained largely underfunded and there were country-wide. no analyses of implications from the anticipated budget increase. Ad- ministrative Court’s track record remained uncertain, whereas execution of court rulings was entangled in the transfer of old cases to ex-

95 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report ecution officers, which had been postponed yet again. Measures antici- Court, Trendafil Ivanovski, followed by analyses of this process and the Law pated in the light of improving cooperation with the Public Attorney on Lustration as part of the Tenth Accession Watch Report titled “Teskoto were not implemented, thus leaving this indicator void of any results. by the EU” and the Eleventh Accession Watch Report titled “EUphoria for EUphobia”.

Once it became obvious that opponents of ruling authorities were la- 3. HIGH LEVEL ACCESSION DIALOGUE FOR belled snitches, collaborators and traitors and were assigned similar attributes, MCET raised the dilemma about the lustration process and its justifi- THE DEAF319 AND TESKOTO BY THE EU320 ability and constitutional grounds.

Negative examples related to the lustration process were in abundance. The docket “Dramatist” concerning executive director of the Foundation Lustration as stigmatization Open Society – Macedonia was analysed in detailed, including the miracu- lous leak of information in public prior to the final decision being taken by Envisaged as process aimed to dismantle the past, by identifying and the Commission for Verification of Facts (known as the Lustration Commis- preventing individuals who had violated or limited human rights and sion). Moreover, accession watch reports addressed the lustration cases af- freedoms, from political or ideological reasons and for personal proceeds, fecting former ministers of culture and interior, Gjuner Ismail and Ljubomir to continue such practices under the current social and political system, Danailov Frckovski, respectively. lustration had been transformed into genuine process of stigmatization. Adamant stigmatization of different-minded people grew in intensity, es- In that, the Constitutional Court was decisive: “…on the basis of the pecially in circumstances when number and strength of arguments made Constitution and the laws, it is justifiable and possible for the Lustration in support of governmental policies were marked by dramatic decline. Law’s enforcement to duly respect the Constitutional Court’s decision that waived the possibility for the lustration process to cover the period following MCET’s accession watch reports addressed the issue of stigmatizing the adoption of 1991 Constitution, in particular because the Constitutional “political opponents” on several occasions. For the first time, this issue was Court’s decision is final and enforceable and in the function of guarantee- addressed in the Seventh Accession Watch Report titled “Government Ltd.” ing the rule of law as fundamental value of the constitutional order in the and referred to the lustration of former president of the Constitutional Republic of Macedonia…”, in particular because lustration had been envisaged as process aimed to dismantle the past, by identifying and preventing individuals who had violated or limited human rights and freedoms, from 319 Ibid 317 political or ideological reasons and for personal proceeds, to continue such 320 Tenth Accession Watch Report was published in September 2011 and covered the period June-August 2011. The full report is available on the following link: http:// practices under the current social and political system. Given that the cur- mcet.org.mk/ckfinder/files/AW10%20Q02-11%20-%20MK(2).pdf rent social and political system is being developed from the adoption of

96 ANTICIPATION OF BOMBS the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia in 1991, Lustration Law’s (that accommodated a judge who was proved to have been a collaborator), scope of application is clear, i.e. it ends with adoption of 1991 Constitu- upon the initiative of a group of people (including a person for whom proce- tion. dure to prove his collaboration with the secret services is underway), revoked the most important sections from the already liberal Lustration Law. This Therefore, the new proposal for Lustration Law submitted by group of signalled that the structures installed from the former system have no will MPs which again expanded lustration’s timeframe and scope and reinsti- and no intention to allow real, fair and productive lustration to take place”. tuted already revoked unconstitutional provisions, was unconstitutional and directly opposite to what the EC has required. Lustration as form of witch hunt did not calm down, but rather gained new, institutionalized form in the attempt to deal with critically-minded MCET reported that adoption of the new law, whose legal text again in- NGOs. Namely, on 21 June 2011, the media announced that the Lustration cluded provisions that have been declared unconstitutional and expanded Commission has established that famous director and university profes- the law’s scope and timeframe seriously threatened the legal state and sor had collaborated with the secret services. Daily Vecer informed that undermined pillars of the constitutional order, in particular the rule of law the person in question was functionary at FOSM. This marked the onset as fundamental value. Moreover, it distorted the concept on power sharing of fierce, although indirect, attacks on FOSM, in particular because of its concept, system of checks-and-balances and mutual respect, judiciary’s continuous criticism for governmental policies. FOSM’s executive director independence and created legal insecurity whose effects have been insti- Vladimir Milcin, at the press conference held on 25 July 2011, presented tutionalized by the Government and the Parliament. his dossier kept by the services, which undoubtedly indicated the fact that he had been object of operative processing, and not subject of collabora- In other words, democracy in the state has been seriously impeded, al- tion. At the same time, he expressed his doubts that such actions were a though it is part and parcel of the political criteria for EU membership. matter of political lynch, whose final target is the Foundation Open Society - Macedonia. As a reminder, first victim of the lustration process was Trendafil Iva- novski, then current president of the Constitutional Court, which is an Implementation of the lustration process corresponded to the gov- institution that (on the basis of its jurisdiction) represents the last line ernment’s manner of operation – personal stigma and discredit. Even if of defence for the legal order in the state against tsunami of regulations a person succeeded in proving that he/she did not cooperate with secret tailored to the government’s liking. services, damages have been inflicted and the “snitch” is remembered for this label, be it for a brief period of time. In that, the Constitutional Court was target of continuous attacks by VMRO-DPMNE and high governmental and parliamentary officials from While citizens were eager to learn which current public office hold- that party. Ilija Dimovski, in his column for the daily Dnevnik (25.7.2011), ers collaborated with secret services, the Lustration Commission dealt only using his infamous aggressive writing and disrespecting presumption of with verification of snitching performed by former public office holders innocence, while demonstrating power, wrote: “the Constitutional Court - read MCET’s Tenth Accession Watch Report.

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4. THE REBIRTH IS DEVOURING ITS That hot political fall was abounding in comments from in-country OFFSPRING321 AND EUPHORIA experts about the situation related to media and freedom of expression in Macedonia, while problems thereof had been identified with govern- FOR EUPHOBIA322 ment’s campaigns that indirectly corrupt media outlets.

Introduction into events that ensued was organization of general assembly of the Association of Journalist in Macedonia (hereinafter: Media crisis AJM), scheduled for 20 November 2010, for the purpose of electing new management structures. On the day of this assembly meeting it was In January 2011, Macedonia had not found solution to the name determined that AJM has new 200 members (journalists, most of which dispute, was not given date to start accession negotiations, was not employed at the public broadcasting service), whose membership eli- invited to become member of NATO, but was presented with the worst gibility had not been examined. Fearing possible political influences ever EC’s 2010 Progress Report which included remarks about the seri- in this election process, then current president of AJM Robert Popovski ously endangered freedom of speech and media freedoms. rescheduled the assembly meeting for 11 December 2010.

EC’s 2010 Progress Report read: “Libel charges which target individual journalists with heavy fines remain a concern. Intimidation of journalists, who face political pressure and threats, is a serious concern”. Docket: A1 TV

Events that followed confirmed the gravity of problems affecting In the eve of 25 November 2010, the police – without warrants and pri- media freedoms in the Republic of Macedonia. or announcement – entered TV A1 premises under the auspices of assisting the financial police, labour inspectorate and Public Revenue Office (here- In his public appearances, former EU Ambassador Ervan Fouere of- inafter: PRO), whose officers were already in the television’s building, for ten indicated the fact that the state of affairs in the media is far from the purpose of “scrutinizing” six companies seated on the same address. satisfactory and that pressures exercised on journalists and poor working conditions make it difficult for them to work professionally. Journalists employed at the television were prevented in their work and their right to free movement was limited. The same evening, TV A1 was 321 Eighth Accession Watch Report was published in January 2011 and covered the the only media that covered events unveiling in front and inside its prem- period October - December 2010. The full report is available on the following link: ises. Ministry of Interior issued an official release several hours after the http://mcet.org.mk/ckfinder/files/AW08%20Q04-10%20-%20MK.pdf police was dispatched to TV A1. At the same time, PRO’s director Goran Tra- 322 Eleventh Accession Watch Report was published in February 2012 and covered the period October - December 2011. The full report is available on the following link: jkovski and spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior Ivo Kotevski were in- http://mcet.org.mk/ckfinder/files/AW11%20Q03-11%20-%20MK(1).pdf vited in prime-time news programmes on TV Sitel and TV Kanal 5. Trajkovski

98 ANTICIPATION OF BOMBS and Kotevski claimed that the six companies, and not TV A1, were subject As part of separate written reaction on the occasion of freezing and of investigation. The situation climaxed on 25 December 2010, when the withholding funds from implicated companies’ bank accounts, the Helsinki police arrested TV A1’s owner Velija Ramkovski and managers of companies Committee appealed to the court “not to forget the fact that the goal can seated on Pero Nakov Str. and detained them. be achieved also by means of other legal measure (seizure of immovable and movable property), without endangering the sustenance of any media, These events proved to be disputable from several reasons and raised which is also an important segment of democracy”. Ministry of Justice and issues that must be answered in public: the Directorate on Execution of Sanctions were addressed with numerous requests to visit premises at Skopje prison where defendants had been de- 1. Did the police overstep its authorizations and used excessive force? tained, due to unheated detention premises that has lasted for a longer period of time, poor accommodation and inappropriate care, especially for 2. Why did the Ministry of Interior failed to timely inform the public pregnant woman and chronically ill detainees. All requests were denied. on its action? For comparison purposes, Helsinki Committee representatives noted 3. Was the intervention of all state bodies in TV A1 taken under the that their previous appeals and requests for prison visits were listened to, auspices of fight against crime actually a selective application of for example, in the cases of “Snake Eye” and “Brodec”. the law? This situation was noted also in EC’s 2011 Progress Report: “the inves- Another question is raised: why did other media outlets fail to express tigation on charges of tax evasion, and subsequent closure of a television their solidarity for their A1 counterparts, and why they did not cover the channel TV A1 and newspapers […] has raised concerns about the propor- event or covered it in biased and unprofessional manner? tionality and selectivity of the procedure” and “intimidation of journalists and increasing self-censorship remains a cause for concern”. Final tally in this case dubbed as “Cobweb” was: one woman miscarried; two women were subjected to surgeries (one of them underwent a surgery Despite all remarks, scandalous extensions of detention measures con- to remove brain cancer and was immediately returned to detention and the tinued and Velija Ramkovski claimed that he has been convicted in ad- other woman fell ill from asthma); Ramkovski family and their collabora- vance. tors were accused of criminal association, evasion of taxes and other public charges. Obvious is that this is “Cobweb”, but someone else is behind it - was written in the Eleventh Accession Watch Report titled “EUphoria for EU- In the course of court proceedings led against implicated company phobia”. owners and managers, the principles of fair trial, presumption of innocence, humane and dignified treatment of defendants and unhindered media freedom had been breached.

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Docket: MPM Such statement gave rise to questions on who can earn as many as 750,000 EUR in legal manner; what do the authorities consider to be On 13 December 2010, TV A1 investigated and opened the so-called legal manners for cross-border transfer of funds, and whether transfer MPM case. According to information revealed by TV A1, the Hungarian of money “in a bottle” is considered legal? Moreover, if this is the case, Financial Intelligence Authority, in a letter dated March 2008, informed then maybe the authorities should consider MPM’s driver as possible the Directorate for Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing Ter- candidate for the office Minister of Economy, in particular due to his rorism (hereinafter: DPMLFT) that on 10 March 2008 certain Dusan Og- unique skills to earn so much money. njanovski, employed at MPM, was caught on the border between Serbia and Hungary with 750,000 EUR (hidden in bottle!), for which he did not possess relevant documents. The person indicated stated that the cash was property of MPM and he was transferring the money to the mother New episode of the series “media” company seated in Vienna. MPM denied any involvement in illegal activities, while MOI confirmed that they have received the letter signed Introduction to these events duly covered by MCET in its Seventh by the Hungarian authorities. Accession Watch Report titled “Government Ltd.” include journalists being laid off from TV Kanal 5 and the clash between journalist Vesna This episode raised series of questions, such as: why did DPMLFT fail Kovacevska-Trpcevska with VMRO-DPMNE’s general secretary and chief to react to this information when received for the first time, as early of cabinet to the Prime Minister, Martin Protoger. as 2008; is selective fight against organized crime used to control and discipline the media, on one hand, and to instigate was between them, On 27 September 2010, journalist Emil Zafirovski, employed at weekly on the other hand? Forum, was taken into custody while having coffee with his colleagues in Skopje downtown. He had been tried in absence on the grounds of Competent institutions (including the government) forgot to report defamation from 2004 and was imposed fee in the amount of 500 EUR on the case “Money in a bottle”. Obvious was that this case implicates or alternative sanction of 25 days imprisonment. Ultimately, Zafirovski’s persons close to the authorities and therefore it is unlikely for this case fellow journalists helped and collected funds to pay his fine. to resolved in court in near future - noted MCET’s Fourteenth Accession Watch Report. Above-enlisted cases were noted in EC’s 2009 Progress Report as political influence over the media, source of self-censorship and lim- Only the Public Revenue Office stepped up to protect implicated ited freedom of expression. parties and stated that it is a matter of a person who could have earned the money in legal manner. After the parliamentary elections, dailies Vreme, Spic and Koha e Re stopped printing in late June 2011. Same destiny has caught up with TV A1 three days after announcement of its receivership. More specifi-

100 ANTICIPATION OF BOMBS cally, on 30 July 2011 TV A1 was presented with the decision taken by In that, TM explains that enormous funds expressed in millions the Agency for Electronic Communications whereby it had been denied have been spent for propaganda purposes, in particular by means of further use of frequencies granted. According to many experts, this poorly disguised ideological messages of the ruling party, distribu- amounted to breach of the Broadcasting Law and undermined compe- tion of which is pursued without proper criteria in place. tences of the Broadcasting Council.

Mutilated fourth estate Gruevization of media – Macedonian phenomenon MCET stressed these cases were evidence in support that the state, From its beginnings back in 2006, Gruevski’s government intro- instead of focusing on developing the strategy on deconcentrated own- duced a novelty in the political marketing arena characterized by ership in broadcasting and printed media, maintains the status quo, i.e. expressed media promotion of governmental projects and numerous reacts only in cases when it has clear political interest. The government public opinion polls, which due to their frequency did not resemble had stubbornly turned the blind eye to illegal media concentration and public opinion gauging, but were rather used as instrument for public financial malpractices in the sector until certain media owners decided opinion making. to oppose governmental policies.

According to expert analyses, strong influence on public per- At such moment, the entire state apparatus is used to control and ceptions is the cornerstone of VMRO-DPMNE’s strategy for staying to pressure. Such practices result in citizens’ mistrust in the media, di- in power, in particular exercised by enormous budget spending on visions among media on different lines, media owners’ interference in promotion and marketing which additionally corrupted media owners editorial policy in line with their political and business interests. This and swayed their editorial policy in favour of the government. is done to the detriment of professional and independent journalism, whose main role of acting as check-and-balance to governmental poli- Evidence in support of this thesis were found in Annual Reports cies has been utterly marginalized. for 2008, 2009 and 2010 published by Transparency Macedonia (hereinafter: TM). Namely, all TM reports contained findings on non- transparent, irrational and unjustified public spending for the benefit of media outlets whose owners are allied with the government. In TM’s opinion, such practices provided serious pressure on media’s objective and unbiased coverage of government’s work, in particular marked by a trend on biased and propaganda-prone coverage.

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5. TESKOTO BY THE EU 323 AND demonstrated its power to influence the judiciary for its own benefit EUPHORIA FOR EUPHOBIA324 and brutally disregarded power-sharing in Macedonia. Obvious is that power-sharing is tailored to the needs of particular individuals“.

Media continued to face pressures exercised by executive authori- Crossing swords with political opponents ties. TV A1 was closed and went straight to history.

Immediately after 2011 elections, the government crossed swards with its political opponents and critics of governmental policies. First, it arrested Ljube Boskovski, leader of the United for Macedonia, under KOSMOS befitting suspicion of election campaign’s illegal financing and abuse of office, then it persecuted Fijat Canoski by demolishing the residential com- As part of the Tenth Accession Watch Report titled “Teskoto by the plex called “Kosmos”. EU”, MCET warned about events related to “Kosmos” residential building and indicated that common reason implies constructive approach Pressures and discredit of NGO representatives who opposed gov- to law and problem-solving. In this context, two questions were raised: ernmental policies gained in intensity and reached their summit. In was local government’s reaction in the case “Kosmos” constructive and that, the lustration process was turned into witch hunt, with an ulti- was demolition of this building the best solution? mate goal to silence the civil society. Dossier “Dramatist”, i.e. decision taken by the Commission for Verification of Facts to proclaim Vladimir The public remained uniformed whether the construction of this Milcin a “snitch”, in addition to discredit and defamation of Milcin’s residential complex has overstepped project design or not. The local person and deeds, put a “bull’s eye” on the Foundation Open Society government claimed it had identified violation to the construction – Macedonia. permit by 1 meter and 43 centimetres.

Helsinki Committee was also subject of serious pressures and dis- Be that as it may, demolishing half-constructed building of such credits, in particular following the authentic interpretation of the dimensions is beyond any reason. Sources from the local government Amnesty Law adopted by the Parliament in July 2011 when the Hel- indicated that by means of an enforceable decision, the authorities sinki Committee published a communication that read: “On the meet- requested the developer to settle municipal communal fees for the ad- ing held on 19.7.2011, the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia ditional area of the building in question, but the later failed to make adopted the authentic interpretation of the Amnesty Law and in that the payment within the deadline.

323 Ibid 320 Moreover, collection of municipal communal fees was secured by 324 Ibid 322 means of a mortgage. If this was the case, why did the local govern-

102 ANTICIPATION OF BOMBS ment fail to activate the mortgage? Rule of law implies equal justice chaeological location “Skupi”. At that time, the developer Blagoja for all; however, in Macedonia some people are more equal than others. Nikolovski attempted to demonstrate the building’s legal status before the chief construction inspector Ljupco Balakovski. In both cases, the While “Kosmos” was being demolished on the grounds of non-com- state decided that it is better to demolish the buildings concerned. pliance with the detailed urban plan and the project design, on a different location and concerning a different capital investment, where the The first case ended up before the European Court of Human Rights, government appears as the investor, changes to the project design and which awarded the developer redress in the amount of 6 million EUR. to the main public procurement contract are made beyond any legal Only difference with the “Kosmos” building is the fact that amount of procedure, i.e. overnight. It case concerned the new building intended redress to be awarded will be much higher. Common denominator in to house the Constitutional Court. both cases is the fact that indemnity payment falls on the burden of citizens in the Republic of Macedonia, i.e. taxpayers. In the meantime, At that moment and especially nowadays, following disclosure of many families are deprived of housing. the opposition’s bomb, nobody could see any logic behind demolition of “Kosmos”, but competent institutions failed and still fail to react, in Fact is that current reality in Macedonia does not resemble any particular the Parliament or the City Council of Skopje. To make things common reason. worse, the local government decided to demolish this building, but allowed its owner tenure over the land and construction permit, notably to start constructing new building should he wishes so. The local government did not revoke the construction permit for “Kosmos” on Detention for the critically-minded the ground of collectables for municipal communal fees, which are intended to cover costs related to infrastructure landscaping. These fees United for Macedonia’s leader Ljube Boskovski was one of the loud- are paid for buildings put in operation, buildings that do exist, while in est critics of the method of governance pursued by Gruevski and “the the case concerned, the local government decided to turn a potentially family”. Immediately after 2011 elections, the police suspected Bos- functional building into meadow. Most importantly, the decision on kovski of election campaign’s illegal funding and at the time of his ar- collection of municipal communal fees is still in effect, regardless of rest found 100,000 EUR in his vehicle, allegedly intended to settle cam- whether “Kosmos” is built or not. paign debts. In the case dubbed “Campaign”, MOI secured evidence on two handovers of illegal funds. Boskovski was issued detention order In this context, it should be noted that during VMRO-DPMNE’s pre- and extended it on several occasions. vious rule (1998-2002), construction inspectors also demonstrated power and authority. Namely, ten years ago the state had demolished This case as well raised several dilemmas: if evidence on said hando- another elite residential complex located in Zlokukani, on the grounds vers existed from the start of operative processing until his arrest, what of alleged illegal construction within a protected area from the ar- prevented MOI to arrest Boskovski earlier in the process?

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Provided that Boskovski himself did not speak in public of his as- Furthermore, charging Ljube Boskovski with abuse of office is beyond sumptions that the ruling authorities have been intercepting his com- any common sense, which raised the question whether leader of a politi- munications, have surveilled him and have conspired his demise, events cal party, in the opposition block nonetheless, can abuse their office? and actions related to his arrest were beyond the letter of the law and represented serious abuse of investigation procedure and authorizations, Ljube Boskovski’s responsibility in this case is twofold: political and in particular aimed to settle the account with political opponents. moral. Therefore, if Boskovski has not committed a criminal offence, but was kept in custody for almost 90 days, he must have sinned against the As early as September 2011 and as part of the Tenth Accession Watch government. Report, MCET warned that Boskovski’s spectacular arrest implies serious violations of fundamental human rights. Mere fact that pro-governmen- Boskovski’s sins were seen in his persistent disclosure of new affairs tal media were present at the scene and immediately found him guilty and scandals related to governing authorities and perpetual criticism of as charged, failing to respect underlying principle on presumption of in- governmental policies. nocence, clearly demonstrated that they were informed in advance about MOI’s planned action. Such behaviour is considered unacceptable according to police professional standards in any country. Moreover, video footage of Boskovski’s arrest was uploaded on MOI’s website. Macedonian democratura

Nevertheless, the main problem with Boskovski’s arrest is identified On many occasions, the government demonstrated selective appli- in non-existent legal basis and legal qualification of the criminal act for cation of laws, used to impose the will of ruling authorities and sanc- which he was charged. Amendments to the Criminal Code that stipulate tion those who dared to oppose positions and views expressed by them. illegal funding of political party campaign as criminal act were adopted on 13 April 2011, whereas evidence stemming from first operative pro- So far, MCET has reiterated many times that stigma, labelling and cessing and related to handover of 10,000 EUR date from 12 April 2011. personal discredit of political opponents and those who criticize governmental policies must be discontinued. On that account, the question was raised: why was Ljube Boskovski intercepted when there were no legal grounds for such action? Moreover, Selective criminal prosecution and pressures must be discontinued. the criminal act for which he is charged was not stipulated as criminal In Macedonia, all are equal before the Constitution and the laws. offence, and did not fall under the scope of actions subject to use of special investigation measures. According to Article 14 of the Constitu- Court proceedings must be freed of political and governmental in- tion stipulates that there is no crime, no punishment without previous terference, while detention should be used as last resort. penal law.

104 1. WHAT DID THE BOMBS REVEAL

...VI... Wiretaps disclosed by the opposition party SDSM, also dubbed as bombs, reveal six systemic problems affecting operation of the state and its apparatus:

- Enhanced politicisation of the state and its institutions. This includes absence of power separation and unclear delineation between the state and the party. More specifically, this trend has spi- STATISTICS ralled beyond the institutions and seized every segment of the so- ABOUT THE ciety (culture, education, business community, civil society, etc.). - Obvious abuse of secret services for party goals. Having in BOMBS mind information about the number of citizens captured by the surveillance and interception program, as reported by the opposition, as well as contents of disclosed wiretaps, obvious is that there is standard oversight on the part of the Parliament over the secret services, that the overall police apparatus functions under personal dictate of small group of people and that attempts are made to cover up criminal actions, etc.

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- No political dialogue at the level of party leaders. In this con- private media, as well as complete dictate of steering of their edi- text, the government undoubtedly put party priorities high above torial policy and coverage of other political entities and actors. state priorities at key moments for the state. Political opponents are treated as enemies of the state, while the atmosphere created implies that any means and full power are allowed in that struggle. The governance style pursued by the authorities in power has been reduced to fulfilling personal desires of handful of state officials, without consultations or expert assessment on issues of strategic importance, such as, “Skopje 2014” project, finding a solution to the name dispute, EU integration, economic development, etc.

- Election frauds have been pursued in such great scope they amount to thorough and criminal electoral engineering. Ma- jority of released wiretaps focused on mechanisms applied to influence citizens’ will or concerned direct abuse of votes for the benefit of governing VMRO-DPMNE, starting from election campaign financing; pre-election pressures, blackmails and threats on companies and state administration employees; establishment of campaign headquarters at state institutions; abuses related to unlimited issuance of ID cards; as well as calculations with votes, by means of cancelling ballots and importing voters from Albania.

- Corruption behaviour among high political leaders. This implied arrangement of commissions for high state officials, direct interference in the judiciary, public prosecution, police, etc.

- Media pressures and restrictions. This category includes well- designed and planned closure of most influential independent media outlets which are critically-oriented towards the government, draconian sanctions for libel and defamation, surveillance of journalists, direct intervention on the part of prime minister’s closest associates in contents of news programmes at several influential

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2. OVERVIEW OF COLLOCUTOR PAIRS 25.2.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger ACCORDING TO DATE OF RELEASE325 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska Ivo Kotevski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Dragan Pavlovik-Latas journalist at Radio Free Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov 9.2.2015 Zoran Zaev Europe Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Zoran Zaev Radmila Sekerinska 27.2.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Zoran Zaev Zaev’s daughter Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Ljubco Georgievski collocutor 01 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Ljubco Georgievski collocutor 02 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Ali Ahmeti collocutor 03 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Menduh Taci collocutor 04 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Bujar Osmani collocutor 05 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 15.2.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Mihajlo Manevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Saso Mijalkov Musa Dzaferi 2.3.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Marjan Risteski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Filimena Manevska Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski 20.2.2015 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Emil Stojmenov Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski

325 http://skopjehacklab.github.io/bombstats/releasedconversations.html

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6.3.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Mile Janakieski collocutor 06 Mile Janakieski Spiro Ristovski Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 07 Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 20 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski collocutor 21 Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski collocutor (Stevce) Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Mile Janakieski Goran Trajkovski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Todorov Mile Janakieski collocutor 08 Gordana Jankuloska Vasil Pisev Mile Janakieski Spiro Ristovski Gordana Jankuloska Slave Gosev Mile Janakieski collocutor 09 Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski Mile Janakieski collocutor 10 Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski collocutor 11 10.3.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Spiro Ristovski Mile Janakieski Ljupco Dimovski Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Dusko Minovski Menduh Taci Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 12 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 13 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 14 Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski collocutor 15 Martin Protoger Ljupco Todorovski Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 16 Mile Janakieski Nikola Todorov Mile Janakieski collocutor 17 Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Mile Janakieski Irena Miseva Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski collocutor 18 Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski Irena Miseva Mile Janakieski Kiril Bozinovski Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Martin Protoger Vlatko Mijalkov Vlatko Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Zoran Konjanovski Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska Mile Janakieski Mile Janakieski collocutor 19 Saso Mijalkov collocutor 22 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski collocutor (Gjoko) Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski Mile Janakieski Irena Miseva

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11.3.2015 Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov 19.3.2015 Filimena Manevska Vlatko Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski collocutor 23 Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska collocutor (Ane) Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Gordana Jankuloska Aleksandra Zafirovska Mile Janakieski Zarko Lukovski Gordana Jankuloska Ljupco Svrgovski Stevco Jakimovski Saso Mijalkov Blerim Bedzeti Musa Dzaferi Mile Janakieski collocutor 24 Blerim Bedzeti Musa Dzaferi Mile Janakieski manager of centre Sofija Lalicik Saso Mijalkov 12.3.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 23.3.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski collocutor 25 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Irena Miseva Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 15.3.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Dejan Mitrovski-Urko Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 26.3.2015 Vlatko Cingoski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 18.3.2015 Mile Janakieski collocutor (Gjoko) Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Spiro Ristovski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski collocutor (Gjoko) Mile Janakieski collocutor 26 Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Slave Gosev Mile Janakieski collocutor 27 Mile Janakieski Marijan Nakovski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Mile Janakieski Jovo Vangelovski

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1.4.2015 Svetlana Kostova Saso Mijalkov 6.4.2015 Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski Svetlana Kostova Haim Hakeyny Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski Svetlana Kostova Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Svetlana Kostova Haim Hakeyny Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Svetlana Kostova Vlatko Stojkovik Gordana Jankuloska Biljana Briskoska-Boskovski Svetlana Kostova collocutor 28 Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Svetlana Kostova collocutor 29 Gordana Jankuloska Biljana Briskoska-Boskovski Svetlana Kostova Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Svetlana Kostova Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Ilija Dimovski Svetlana Kostova Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Lence Samardzievska Nikola Gruevski 2.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska collocutor (Riste) 8.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Todorovski Mile Janakieski Zoran Ilijoski Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski Vladimir Taleski Vlatko Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Vladimir Pesevski Vladimir Taleski Vlatko Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Viktor Cvetkovski Vlatko Cingoski Siljan Micevski 4.4.2015 Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Vladimir Taleski Vlatko Cingoski Mile Janakieski Marjan Risteski Mile Janakieski Vladimir Taleski Mile Janakieski Marjan Risteski Vlatko Cingoski Martin Protoger Marjan Risteski Gordana Jankuloska Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Marjan Risteski Gordana Jankuloska Lence Samardzievska Zoran Stavreski Marjan Risteski Gordana Jankuloska Kiril Bozinovski collocutor (Dejan) Marjan Risteski Antonio Milososki Tome Adziev Antonio Milososki Tome Adziev

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14.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger 16.4.2015 Martin Protoger Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Pance Kralev Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Martin Protoger security to Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Violeta Andonova Martin Protoger Ljupco Todorovski Gordana Jankuloska Ilija Dimovski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska collocutor 30 Gordana Jankuloska Lence Samardzievska Mile Janakieski collocutor 31 Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Martin Protoger Ljupco Todorovski Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Martin Protoger Ljupco Todorovski Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Martin Protoger Ljupco Todorovski Gordana Jankuloska Vlatko Ilievski Mile Janakieski Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski

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18.4.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski 22.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski and Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger 19.4.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Majran Cvetkovski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Goran Ivanov Silvana Boneva Nadica Tanceva-Tulieva Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Mile Janakieski Martin Protoger Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Silvana Boneva Nadica Tanceva-Tulieva Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Goran Ivanov Vanco Kostadinov Vlatko Mijalkov Martin Protoger Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Nikolovski Mile Janakieski Goran Ivanov Vanco Kostadinov Mile Janakieski Mile Janakieski Goran Ivanov Vanco Kostadinov Mile Janakieski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas collocutor 32 Zoranco Aleksov Vlatko Mijalkov Dragan Pavlovik-Latas collocutor 33 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Goran Trajkovski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Goran Trajkovski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Martin Protoger Emil Stojmenov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Goran Ivanov Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Mile Janakieski Goran Ivanov Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Goran Ivanov Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Goran Ivanov Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Goran Ivanov Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski 23.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Ilija Dimovski Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Ivona Taleska Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski 112 STATISTICS ABOUT THE BOMBS

25.4.2015 Saso Akimovski Vlatko Cingoski 30.4.2015 Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Panov Darko Dimitrieski Antonio Milososki Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Panov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Zoran Stavreski Aleksandar Panov Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Panov Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Panov Musa Dzaferi Saso Mijalkov Vlatko Mijalkov Kire Sosev Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Martin Protoger Vlatko Mijalkov Kire Sosev 29.4.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Vlatko Mijalkov Kire Sosev Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Mile Janakieski Aleksandar Panov Emil Stojmenov Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Ljupco Todorovski Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Emil Stojmenov Saso Mijalkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Trajko Veljanoski Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Musa Dzaferi Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Popovski Dejan Mitrovski-Urko Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Mitko Cavkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov Slobodan Nikolovski-Cobe Saso Mijalkov

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5.5.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski 13.5.2015 Musa Dzaferi Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Musa Dzaferi Saso Mijalkov Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Todorov Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Todorov Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski 7.5.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Vlatko Mijalkov collocutor 01 Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Vlatko Cingoski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Kiril Bozinovski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kiril Bozinovski Dragan Pavlovik-Latas Kiril Bozinovski Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski

114 STATISTICS ABOUT THE BOMBS

15.5.2015 collocutor 01 Saso Mijalkov 29.5.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski collocutor 01 Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Nikola Gruevski (Elizabeta Mile Janakieski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Kanceska-Milevska interferes) Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Saso Mijalkov Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Vlatko Ilievski 31.5.2015 Gordana Jankuloska Zoran Stavreski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Gordana Jankuloska Martin Protoger Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski 16.5.2015 Antonio Milososki Zoran Jolevski Gordana Jankuloska Ivo Kotevski Nikola Gruevski (Saso Mijalkov Zoran Stavreski (Stavreski’s Antonio Milososki Gordana Jankuloska interferes) spouse interferes) Antonio Milososki Zoran Jolevski Silvana Boneva Nikola Gruevski 27.5.2015 Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Vlatko Cingoski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Mile Janakieski Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Goran Savovski Gordana Jankuloska Goran Trajkovski Gordana Jankuloska Goran Trajkovski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski Gordana Jankuloska Nikola Gruevski

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3. OVERVIEW OF WIRETAPS Initials Name and surname No. of wiretaps RELEASED PER COLLOCUTOR326 AM Antonio Milososki 6 GT Goran Trajkovski 6 Initials Name and surname No. of wiretaps SR Spiro Ristovski 5 GJ Gordana Jankuloska 224 MT Menduh Taci 5 MJ Mile Janakieski 168 VK Vanco Kostadinov 5 NG Nikola Gruevski 85 C2 collocutor 02 4 SM Saso Mijalkov 70 IM Irena Miseva 4 MP Martin Protoger 67 BB Biljana Briskovska-Boskovski 4 ZS Zoran Stavreski 52 VT Vladimir Taleski 4 NN unnamed person 41 SG Slave Gosev 4 KB Kiril Bozinovski 29 KS Kire Sosev 3 DPL Dragan Pavlovik-Latas 25 ID Ilija Dimovski 3 IK Ivo Kotevski 25 MN Marjan Nakovski 3 VC Vlatko Cingoski 19 EKM Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska 3 ES Emil Stojmenov 15 RO Rufi Osmani 2 MR Marjan Risteski 12 AZ Aleksandra Zafirovska 2 SK Svetlana Kostova 11 RFE Radio Free Europe 2 VM Vlatko Mijalkov 11 C1 collocutor 01 2 LS Lence Samardzievska 9 RS Radmila Sekerinska 2 GI Goran Ivanov 9 DM Dejan Mitrevski-Urko 2 SN Slobodan Nikolovski 9 AA Ali Ahmeti 2 ZZ Zoran Zaev 8 VP Vladimir Pesevski 2 TV Trajko Veljanoski 8 FM Filimena Manevska 2 NT Nikola Todorov 8 DPL Dragana Pavlovik-Latas 2 MDz Musa Dzaferi 7 UJ unnamed journalist 2 SB Silvana Boneva 7 LjG Ljubco Georgievski 2 AP Aleksandar Panov 6 TA Tome Adziev 2 LjT Ljupco Todorovski 6 NTT Nadica Tanceva-Tulieva 2 BI Bedredin Ibraimi 2 326 http://bombojavlen.ie.mk/

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Initials Name and surname No. of wiretaps Initials Name and surname No. of wiretaps HH Haim Hakeyny 2 SM Siljan Micevski 1 BB Blerim Bedzeti 2 DM Dusko Minovski 1 ZGj Zoran Gjorgiev 2 MC manager of centre 1 AZ Aleksandra Zaeva 2 CA collocutor Albert 1 VP Vasil Pisev 2 CA collocutor Ane 1 MM Milena M. 2 DP Dejan Pandeleski 1 VI Vlatko Ilievski 2 CGj collocutor Gjoko 1 ZJ Zoran Jolevski 2 GJ Gordana Jankuloska 1 ZI Zoran Ilioski 1 SL Sofija Lalicik 1 MC Mitko Cavkov 1 VS Vlatko Stojkovik 1 MC Marjan Cvetkovski 1 SJ Stevco Jakimovski 1 LjS Ljupco Svrgovski 1 VA Violeta Andonova 1 LjD Ljupco Dimovski 1 VC Viktor Cvetkovski 1 UR unnamed person Riste 1 AN Aleksandar Nikoloski 1 TT T. Trpevski 1 CG Cvetko Grozdanov 1 KK Kosta K. 1 GS Goran Savovski 1 NM Nikola Micevski 1 AS Antoaneta Stavreska 1 NP Nikola Poposki 1 JV Jovo Vangelovski 1 NT Nikola Todorovski 1 PK Pance Kralev 1 IT Ivona Talevska 1 ZA Zoranco Aleksov 1 ZK Zoran Konjanovski 1 SJ Sanja Janakieska 1 SM Sasa Mitrev 1 MM Mihajlo Manevski 1 ZP Zivko Pejkovski 1 ZL Zarko Lukovski 1

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4. OVERVIEW OF WIRETAPS DISCLOSED Collocutor pair No. of wiretaps PER COLLOCUTOR PAIR327 Goran Ivanov and Mile Janakieski 4 Emil Stojmenov and Lence Samardzievska 4 Collocutor pair No. of wiretaps Irena Miseva and Mile Janakieski 4 Mile Janakieski and Nikola Gruevski 63 Mile Janakieski and Spiro Ristovski 4 Gordana Jankuloska and Zoran Stavreski 49 Vanco Kostadinov and Mile Janakieski 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Martin Protoger 39 Emil Stojmenov and Saso Mijalkov 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Ivo Kotevski 25 Gordana Jankuloska and Ilija Dimovski 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Saso Mijalkov 24 Menduh Taci and Saso Mijalkov 3 Mile Janakieski and unnamed person 22 Mile Janakieski and Marjan Nakovski 3 Kiril Bozinovski and Vlatko Cingoski 13 Gordana Jankuloska and Marjan Risteski 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Nikola Gruevski 12 Gordana Jankuloska and Slave Gosev 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Kiril Bozinovski 10 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Martin Protoger 3 Mile Janakieski and Martin Protoger 10 Kire Sosev and Vlatko Mijalkov 3 Saso Mijalkov and Slobodan Nikolovski 9 Kiril Bozinovski and Mile Janakieski 3 Gordana Jankuloska and unnamed person 8 Unnamed person and Saso Mijalkov 3 Gordana Jankuloska and Trajko Veljanoski 8 Kiril Bozinovski and Dragan Pavlovik-Latas 3 Mile Janakieski and Marjan Risteski 7 Goran Trajkovski and Dragan Pavlovik-Latas 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Nikola Todorov 7 Goran Trajkovski and Mile Janakieski 2 Mile Janakieski and Saso Mijalkov 6 Collocutor 02 and Svetlana Kostova 2 Svetlana Kostova and Saso Mijalkov 6 Mile Janakieski and collocutor 01 2 Emil Stojmenov and Martin Protoger 6 Mile Janakieski and collocutor 02 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Mile Janakieski 6 Ali Ahmeti and unnamed person 2 Goran Ivanov and Dragan Pavlovik-Latas 5 Gordana Jankuloska and Lence Samardzievska 2 Ljupco Todorovski and Martin Protoger 5 Unnamed journalists and Rufi Osmani 2 Aleksandar Panov and Mile Janakieski 5 Zoran Zaev and Radmila Sekerinska 2 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Saso Mijalkov 5 Antonio Milososki and Tome Adziev 2 Musa Dzaferi and Saso Mijalkov 5 Bedredin Ibraimi and Menduh Taci 2 Nikola Gruevski and Silvana Boneva 5 Zoran Gjorgiev and Zoran Zaev 2 Vlatko Mijalkov and Vladimir Taleski 2 327 http://bombojavlen.ie.mk/

118 STATISTICS ABOUT THE BOMBS

Collocutor pair No. of wiretaps Collocutor pair No. of wiretaps Biljana Briskovska-Boskovski and Gordana Jankuloska 2 Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Mile Janakieski 1 Emil Stojmenov and Milena 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Nikola Todorovski 1 Biljana Briskovska-Boskovski and Mile Janakieski 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Nikola Poposki 1 Blerim Bedzeti and Musa Dzaferi 2 Gordana Jankuloska and somebody named Riste 1 Nadica Tanceva-Tulieva and Silvana Boneva 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Mihajlo Manevski 1 Ljubco Georgievski and unnamed person 2 Zarko Lukovski and Mile Janakieski 1 Aleksandra Zaeva and Zoran Zaev 2 Zivko Pejkovski and Mile Janakieski 1 Zoran Zaev and Radio Free Europe 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Mitko Cavkov 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and unnamed person 2 Gordana Jankuloska and Marjan Cvetkovski 1 Haim Hakeyny and Svetlana Kostova 2 Vlatko Cingoski and Siljan Micevski 1 Vasil Pisev and Gordana Jankuloska 2 Zoran Ilioski and Mile Janakieski 1 Dejan Mitrevski-Urko and Saso Mijalkov 2 Zoran Stavreski and Marjan Risteski 1 Vlatko Ilievski and Gordana Jankuloska 2 Vlatko Cingoski and Nikola Gruevski 1 Antonio Milososki and Zoran Jolevski 2 Jovo Vangelovski and Mile Janakieski 1 Gordana Jankuloska and Goran Trajkovski 2 Vlatko Cingoski and Martin Protoger 1 Vlatko Stojkovik and Svetlana Kostova 1 Kosta and Mile Janakieski 1 Unnamed manager of centre and Mile Janakieski 1 Lence Samardzievska and Nikola Gruevski 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Elizabeta Kanceska- Lence Samardzievska and Nikola Micevski 1 1 Milevska T. Trpevski and Mile Janakieski 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Zoran Konjanovski 1 Ljupco Dimovski and Mile Janakieski 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Ivona Talevska 1 Ljupco Todorovski and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Gordana Jankuloska and Spiro Ristovski 1 Vlatko Mijalkov and Filimena Manevska 1 Gordana Jankuloska and collocutor Ane 1 Ljupco Svrgovski and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Nikola Gruevski 1 Martin Protoger and unnamed person 1 Gordana Jankuloska and Pance Kralev 1 Vlatko Mijalkov and Mile Janakieski 1 Dragan Pavlovik-Latas and Filimena Manevska 1 Vlatko Mijalkov and Martin Protoger 1 Dragana Pavlovik-Latas and Martin Protoger 1 Vlatko Mijalkov and Zoranco Aleksov 1 Dragana Pavlovik-Latas and Saso Mijalkov 1 Vladimir Taleski and Mile Janakieski 1 Dusko Minovski and Mile Janakieski 1 Vladimir Taleski and Vlatko Cingoski 1

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Collocutor pair No. of wiretaps Mile Janakieski and Nikola Todorov 1 Mile Janakieski and Sanja Janakieska 1 Vladimir Pesevski and Mile Janakieski 1 Mile Janakieski and Slave Gosev 1 Mile Janakieski and collocutor Albert 1 Vladimir Pesevski and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Mile Janakieski and collocutor Gjoko 1 Violeta Andonova and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Viktor Cvetkovski and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Mile Janakieski and Cvetko Grozdanov 1 Vanco Kostadinov and Vlatko Cingoski 1 Vanco Kostadinov and Vlatko Mijalkov 1 Antonio Milososki and Sasa Mitrev 1 Aleksandra Zafirovska and Lence Samardzievska 1 Aleksandra Zafirovska and Gordana Jankuloska 1 Aleksandar Panov and Zoran Stavreski 1 Aleksandar Nikoloski and Mile Janakieski 1 Sofija Lalicik and Saso Mijalkov 1 Stevco Jakimovski and Saso Mijalkov 1 Dejan Pandeleski and Marjan Risteski 1 Gordana Jankuloska and Goran Savovski 1 Antonio Milososki, Nikola Gruevski and Saso Mijalkov 1 Vlatko Cingoski and Nikola Gruevski 1 Vlatko Mijalkov and collocutor 1 Gordana Jankuloska, Zoran Stavreski and Antoaneta 1

120 ...VII... 1. FIVE TRAPS AND CHANCES OF THE EU-SPONSORED TALKS

Under circumstance as those described above, the European Union should assume special approach to talks, in particular because it has not been faced with such government in candidate-country for EU membership, and because it aspires to play a key role in resolving the CONCLUSIONS AND long standing political crisis in Macedonia. In order to assist the Union in developing adequate and just approach to finding a long term and RECOMMENDATIONS lasting solution to the crisis, thus leaving no space for recurrence, here we provide five key traps and chances under the current approach applied by the European Commission to put an end to the political crisis in Macedonia, which has not yielded satisfactory results. Often, traps enlisted below were used as arguments by the EC to justify its approach to mediating resolution of this political crisis. Therefore, this section of the report discusses arguments and offers counter-arguments for different approach in and direction of inter-party negotiations.

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Trap #1: This is only struggle between political elites (conserva- in various ways, have been victimized by the government’s capture of tives vs. social-democrats) and therefore it should be solved by means the entire state system. In such circumstances, pressure must be bigger of political dialogue. towards those who have power and space to further practice autocratic governance. Hence, Prime Minister Gruevski’s resignation would instil Recommendation/chance: Disclosed wiretapped conversations confidence that the negotiation process will be successful and that cri- led among high state officials and other power-players reveal that high sis will be solved in just and irreversible manner. Political responsibility number of citizens outside the SDSM-led opposition block have been tar- must be introduced as code of conduct in Macedonia, provided we want geted with pressures, threats and persecutions. In other words, nobody to sustain on the idea of being a democratic society, while revelation had been spared from the surveillance programme: students, universi- that government-sanctioned surveillance program is of unprecedented ties, businessmen, any category of citizens. Wiretaps published by the scope provides sufficient reason for demanding political responsibility opposition spawned major civil anger and reaction of individual groups from the key political figure, that would open way to resolution of the resulting in daily protests starting from 5 May 2015, when the opposition crisis in amicable manner and as part of level field negotiations. published the set of recordings revealing authorities’ attempt to cover- up Martin Neskovski’s murder in 2011. Mass nationwide protest under Trap #2: The EU should maintain its current approach to calming the motto “Citizens for Macedonia” was organized on 17 May 2015 and down political passions by pressuring those that would make conces- united not only political parties in opposition, but more than 80 civil sions first. It is important to maintain the course of stability and EU society organizations, in their demand for Prime Minster Gruevski to step integrations. down and caretaker government to be established, thus ensuring fair and democratic elections. Recommendation/chance: The European Commission and in particular the previous EU Commissioner Stefan Fule (in office from 2009 On this account, key recommendation for the EU and the internation- to 2014), had an utterly inadequate approach to resolving the political al community is that, by means of their approach, they must break the crisis in Macedonia. Notably, after the scandalous events of 24 Decem- balanced treatment of the government and the opposition as equal sides ber 2012, when the government organized police intervention to force- in the political conflict. Namely, after the publication of wiretapped fully evict journalist and opposition MPs from the parliamentary hall, conversations (bombs) by the opposition, the incumbent government Stefan Fule facilitated negotiations between the government and the is completely delegitimized, with the team of closest associates to the opposition that should have secured the opposition’s participation in chief of government utterly and completely compromised. forthcoming local elections, scheduled for March 2013.

Therefore, this political conflict is no longer a tug of war between In those negotiations, former EU Commissioner Fule applied an ap- Demo-Christians and Social-Democrats unable to make compromises, but proach implying that it is not important who holds responsibility for it is a matter of corrupted clique in power applying dictatorship practices events nor what is the origin of the political crisis emerging, but that versus a broad civic and political front of different-minded people who, it is outmost importance to calm down passions and broker a comprise

122 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS to prevent the opposition’s boycott of the forthcoming local elections, This approach is another chance for the EU to repeat its track re- caused by events from December 2012. By doing so, pressure was di- cord from 2001. At that time, Western diplomacy demonstrated in rected at the opposition, which made concessions and agreed to par- practice its capacity for diplomatic resolution of security crises, after take in said elections, without any serious concessions made by the having learned the lessons from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and government. The final outcome of EU-brokered agreement implied Kosovo. Today, the EU is given another chance for that. By demonstrat- non-implementation of points agreed on the part of the government, ing respect for European standards and values related to democracy organization of the local elections characterized by enormous irregu- and the rule of law, in the case of Macedonia, the EU will demonstrate larities, which the government understood as signal that anything a number of positive things. First among them being that European goes. Therefore, the crisis re-emerged within one year’s period, after values and standards hold greater significance than declarative ten- 2014 early parliamentary elections, but this time around, in much com- ants. This implies that as part of EU’s conditionality policy and adher- plex and deeper form. Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia has not ent implementation of the Copenhagen Criteria, the Union will not been functioning for almost three years, while daily street protests and tolerate undemocratic practices and undermining of such values by assemblies articulate citizens’ discontent with governmental policies, candidate-countries for EU membership. This would serve as practical in absence of other forms to voice their opinion at this moment. exercise and message to other leaders in the Western Balkans prone to autocratic and populist tendencies (Serbia, B&H - Republic of Srpska, Therefore, the EU should adopt an essential approach to talks Kosovo, etc.). Second, the EU will establish itself as regional, but also wherein, instead of seeking any solution to mitigate the crisis, it would global, player that is able of solving problems in their surrounding and devise thorough decisions to address roots and sources of the deep can aspire to deal with more serious problems that imply security chal- institutional and political crisis that is reeling Macedonia for longer lenges (Serbia – Kosovo, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, etc.) period of time. Such thorough approach should find solutions to all systemic problems that have led to the ongoing crisis, for which the Trap #3: The interim government should be led by Gruevski, be- government is widely responsible since, in the last nine years, it has cause he had won at the elections recognized by the European Commis- wrecked all oversight and check-and-balance mechanisms between dif- sion and, in general, verified by OSCE/ODIHR. ferent branches of government and turned elections into engineering of fictitious ID cards and “El Dorado” voter records. Recommendation/chance: An interim government without Gruevs- ki is of crucial importance, in particular because disclosed wiretaps This might seem a big leap for the EU, but they can invite the Unit- clearly show that it was the Prime Minister and leader of VMRO-DPMNE ed States to their aid to increase credibility of the process and share re- on top of the system established for election manipulations, abuse of sponsibility for stability and democratization of Macedonia. This model institutions, corruption and the like. There is no logic in having the was already applied in 2001, when these two factors (EU and US) played person whose power and method of governance lie in the heart of prob- the key role in brokering the Ohrid Framework Agreement and prevent- lems and political crisis to be responsible for managing its resolution. ing the incipient civil war in Macedonia. In that, argument offered by the European People’s Party and by other

123 Twenty Fifth Accession Watch Report actors that he had won at elections should be acknowledged, but the ryline. This is particularly important, given the anti-West sentiments fact that recordings of wiretapped conversations imply organization cherished by portion of pro-governmental media and journalists that and implementation of elections in utterly illegitimate manner, with brings under question Macedonia’s path towards the EU. abuse of all institutions for party interest, should not be undermined as well. In order to balance between these two arguments, a solution is Principled approach on the part of the EU in this regard should needed whereby VMRO-DPMNE, as the biggest political party, must be demonstrate that EU considers Macedonia as part of its own space of represented and influential in the process for establishing a caretaker interest as candidate-country for membership and therefore expects government, and even allowed to nominate the mandate holder, but Macedonia to adherently implement the values that would showcase the said government must not include current members of government, its pro-European orientation with deeds instead of declarations. The including the Prime Minister, that are direct participants in and trig- EU must not demonstrate decreasing interest for the future of Mace- gers of the current political crisis. donia, because only by doing so it could heat up “geo-strategic” plans that might change the course of the state and its society set as early When weighing its offers in the negotiations, the EU should make as 1990s. due consideration of damages that might be caused by leaving Gruevs- ki in power and compare them against benefits from him stepping down Trap #5: Irrespective of the government’s attitude towards the EU, in the transitional period leading to the new round of parliamentary citizens of Macedonia remain pro-European. elections. Notably, abuses captured on wiretapped conversations seriously shake down his credibility and herald that his possible participa- Recommendation/chance: The ruling authorities led by Gruevski tion in the interim government would mean repetition of such prac- contribute to increased anti-European sentiment in the public, although tices and another round of compromised elections. majority of citizens are still pro-European. As regards the public’s opinion about Macedonia’s integration in the EU,328 an interesting indicator Trap #4: Macedonia is key point on the geopolitical map where is the public support for Macedonia’s EU membership, as expressed by interests of the West and the East are intersected. Therefore, the au- citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and shown on Chart no. 1 thorities should be assisted not to reorient the country strategically towards Russia.

Recommendation/chance: At this moment, geopolitics is not of key significance for Macedonia. Placing the political crisis in Mace- donia in the context of a new “coloured” revolution or prevention of the already uncertain “Turkish Stream” is utterly unrealistic. However, several statements about Macedonia made by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, may whirlpool the country into such sto- 328 Eurobarometer 2007-2013.

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MACEDONIA‘S MEMBERSHIP IN THE EU (%) Support was given to projects that are in direct collision with EU policies and initiatives (for example, “South Stream”) and questions were good thing bad thing neither good, nor bad thing raised whether the European Union truly wishes to welcome Macedonia

75 in its club. This communication strategy peaked in 2015 when Russian

60 insignia started appearing at party rallies organized by VMRO-DPMNE

50 (flags, t-shirts with Putin, etc.), thus demonstrating undoubtable sentiment against EU membership. Such guided actions resulted in sys- 28 27 temic drop of public support for Macedonia’s EU membership. 18 18 11 5

2007 2010 2013 2. PROPOSED MEDIATION FORMAT

Chart 1: Public opinion survey in Macedonia about the country’s membership in the EU329 Mediation for crisis resolution should involve several actors holding relevant influence and credibility in terms of addressing the po- From the time Nikola Gruevski’s first government came into power litical crisis in Macedonia. Hence, we propose, in addition to the Euro- in August 2006, in-country debate on the EU is gradually burdened pean Commission, represented by Enlargement Commissioner Johannes by the communication strategy raising new issues outside the regu- Hahn, this process to include other three factors, those being: lar package (benefit from EU membership, country’s preparedness to become full-fledged member, and the like). In the period 2007-2010, I. Envoy of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Macedonia’s membership in the EU was closely tied with the change Policy, Federica Mogherini. Mogherini’s involvement will give great- of the country’s name, i.e. support for EU membership with or without er political weight to the overall process, and through her envoy, ne- concessions concerning the constitutional name of the country. gotiations will include another EU institution (the Council of Minis- ters) because, in the capacity of Higher Representative, she serves In the period 2011-2014, the debate was centred on finding an a specific double role of acting as Vice President of the European alternative to EU membership for Macedonia’s strategic orientation. Commission and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council and of General Affairs Council as standing formations of the EU Council, where she 329 In 2007, 75% of respondents believed that Macedonia’s membership in the EU is good chairs meetings of line ministers from EU Member-States. This is thing, but their share has dropped to 60% in 2010 and to 50% in 2013. At the same logical order of involvement of EU institutions, having in mind that, time, there is increasing number of respondents that believe EU membership is bad thing (from 18% to 27% and 28% for the respective years), and that EU membership in addition to the European Commission, the European Parliament is neither bad nor good thing (from 5% to 11% and 18% for the respective years). is also involved through its MEPs Vajgl, Howitt and Kukan.

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II. Representatives from the four most influential EU Member-States, 3. CONCEPTS OF THE INTERIM whose ambassadors were included in the diplomatic sextet holding GOVERNMENT individual meetings with Prime Minister Gruevski and Zoran Zaev in Skopje after events of 9 May in Kumanovo that implied armed con- Next early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Macedonia are frontation between the police and terrorist group and ended with scheduled for April 2016.331 However, unclear is who will organize and eight casualties among the police.330 This group of six included: implement them, although having in mind all recordings disclosed to Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy. In addition to these present as part of the opposition’s project “Truth about Macedonia”, ob- four states, due consideration should be made for involving Austria, vious is that status quo is not an option. in particular because this year this Member-State is responsible for maintaining the EU-Western Balkan dialogue and the annual sum- Nothing and nobody could make citizens accept the audacity, in- mit under this dialogue will take place in Vienna, in August this humanity, greediness and array of criminal activities, as revealed on year, following the first summit held in Berlin. published wiretapped conversations, as normal state of affair. Judicial resolution has not taken place for this matter, and investigation is not III.To complete the group of six actors that could positively influence initiated into allegations about abuses and other crimes; however, more crisis resolution, a representative of the United States of America than obvious is that no citizen would be satisfied with the incumbent should be added and at the moment it is the US Ambassador to government remaining in power and its criminal structure. An interim Macedonia, Jess Bailey. USA and the EU are already responsible for government will have to lead the country in the given transitional pe- Macedonia’s stability and democratization, after having played a riod332 and should be tasked not only with organization of early parlia- major role in 2001 and being considered mediators and guarantors mentary elections, but also with complete democratic reset of the state. of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. USA’s role would only increase chances for agreement and crisis resolution. Options available for the interim government are:

I. Expert government, with special attention paid to its composition and selection of independent experts that would, for most part, not be elected among the line of administration bodies, but from academic community and civil society.

Due to the fact that the government would be composed of distin- guished experts, people believed to be extraordinary connoisseurs of rel-

331 330 http://daily.mk/makedonija/mvr-izvrshen-teroristichki-napad-cel-bile-drzhavni- http://24vesti.mk/han-dogovoreni-se-predvremeni-parlamentarni-izbori-vo-april-2016 institucii 332 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/497382

126 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS evant sectors they would be in charge of and free of any obligations to factors, such as EU and USA. follow party programmes and respect party hierarchy, the establishment of expert government has several advantages, as follows: Ongoing political crisis is a result of departures from democracy and democratic values, and its resolution must start with proper practice of poli- • it will be able to adopt and successfully implement a serious and tics. Having in mind the constitutional order, election results and the need comprehensive reform agenda; to function pursuant to the rules governing democratic political systems, advantages of the political government are straightforward and include: • it will propose policies that are correctly formulated, while ministers would be able to present and defend them before citizens • the government’s democratic validation, that would be result of in more simple manner; representation of political parties that have already presented their programmes on the elections and have obtained citizens’ ap- • it will be able to make specific contribution to complete demo- proval for them; cratic reset and de-politicisation of the state. • political and party support for such government will facilitate On the other hand, all above enlisted advantages are accompanied its operation and will ensure easier acceptance of reform actions with the fact that the interim government would face difficulties in needed for complete democratic renewal in the transitional period; terms of ensuring full political support and that its members have never participated in the political arena, which adds to other disadvantages: • political and party support and participation in such government will facilitate implementation of reform laws and other measures, • it will have to spend more time on explaining policies to politi- and will guarantee maintenance of democracy upon expiration of cal parties than to citizens; the transitional period.

• it will not be able to deal with pressures and subversions charac- On the other hand, all above enlisted factors could weight on the other teristic for the political arena; side and contribute to disadvantages such as:

• it will have problems in dealing with and ensuring success due to • party affiliation will make members of the political government the cumbersome partisan administration. susceptible to pressures and control from party hierarchies;

II. Political government, i.e. government of wide national coali- • it will be extremely difficult for members of the political govern- tion that would include all parliamentary political parties, whose prin- ment to accept something beyond their party and election pro- ciples of organization would be determined by means of inter-party grammes, provided such items are not part and parcel of the inter- agreement reached by political leaders and guaranteed by international party agreement for interim government.

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4. TASKS OF THE INTERIM GOVERNMENT According to EU Commissioner Hahn’s statement and having in Analysis of all statements made by EU Commissioner Hahn imme- mind recommendations put forward in last four issues of EC’s Progress diately after each of the three key rounds of talks333 organized to find Reports for the Republic of Macedonia, as well as duration of the tran- solution to the political crisis in Macedonia provides the mandate out- sitional period, the Macedonian Centre for European Training drafted a line for the interim government. Caretaker government or government list of tasks for the interim government: that will lead the state during the transitional period should maintain the country’s Euro-Atlantic perspectives334 and implement reforms re- I. ELECTORAL REFORMS. The interim government will have to quired. At the same time, careful reading of the statement made after open process of amending or adopting completely new Electoral Code. the round of talks held in Skopje,335 allows the conclusion that EU Com- Debates on this issue should duly reconsider the current election missioner Hahn has already enlisted in detail all tasks of the new, i.e. model’s success and possibilities for its further democratization by: interim government. establishing one election district, reducing the threshold for election, and/or introducing open lists of candidates. Selection of the election In his words: “It was agreed that by the end of April next year [2016] model should take into account the need for organizing extra-terri- there should be early elections, but it is important to prepare the coun- torial election of MPs. Having in mind how expensive this process is, try. It is about sound electoral codes and revised voting list. It is about including costs for these MPs and other factors in play, the best solu- respecting the rights of minorities... It will be further important to action would probably be to revoke the diaspora’s possibility to elect cept all recommendations being given by the European Commission when their deputies. it comes to the independence of the judiciary. We have agreed to apply the methodology we usually use to negotiate the Chapters 23 and 24, As regards election reforms, mechanisms need to be established although we have no real negotiations, but it is about the rule of law, in- to ensure level playing field for presentation of all political parties dependence of judiciary, freedom of media...”336 On this basis, elections and to control advertising of the government and the governing party, scheduled for April 2016 will crown the democratic renewal process, including mechanisms for control of donations extended by media with equal importance assigned to the manner in which they will be outlets and overall control and accountability for political party fi- organized and implemented. nancing.

Finally, election reform package should include complete revision 333 Strasbourg - 19 May 2015; Skopje 2 June 2015; Brussels - 10 June 2015. of the Voter List, and establishment of rules governing composition 334 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/497382 of bodies tasked to organize the elections: election boards, election 335 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/497382 committees and the State Electoral Commission. 336 http://a1on.mk/wordpress/archives/497382

128 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

II. RULE OF LAW AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY. In III. DE-POLITICISATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. In this pe- this sector, the interim government will have to deal with two major riod, the interim government will have to declare moratorium for new tasks. First task concerns establishment of mechanism for appoint- employments in public administration and public services. In that, ment, composition and complete independence of the Public Pros- exceptions therefrom will have to be clearly defined under the inter- ecution and appointment of new chief public prosecutor. This order party settlement and will concern new institutions to be established of appointment is not binding, which means that new chief public and tasked to enable democratic renewal of the state and unhindered prosecutor can be appointed first, as agreed under the inter-party performance of public activities (education and health care). settlement, upon nomination from the international community, i.e. his integrity, objectivity and independence would be guaranteed by In cooperation with the European Commission, the interim govern- the negotiation mediators. Only afterwards, work should continue ment will have make thorough assessment of the state administra- on establishing the mechanism that would emerge as result of broad tion’s scope of work at the level of ministries and bodies within them, expert and civil debates. and human resources needed for unhindered performance.

Second task implies establishment of specialized court to determine responsibility concerning the wiretapping affair, as well as abuses and crimes alleged in contents of wiretaps disclosed. The IV. FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. In this need for specialized court is imposed by the EC’s report and remarks sector as well, the interim government will have to deliver two specif- on non-existing independent judiciary. Therefore, appointment of ic tasks. First task implies moratorium on advertising governmental judges will also be an issue agreed with the inter-party settlement, projects that should prevent further financing of private media and as was the case with the chief public prosecutor, and this court’s influences on their editorial policies. composition (large council of 9 judges) and its integrity, objectivity, expertise and independence will be guaranteed by the international Second task for the interim government is of greater essence and community. Of course, the composition will have one seat for judge should ensure independence of the public broadcasting service and from the Court in Strasbourg, who will ensure application of provi- its function related to objective and unbiased information. As part sions from the European Convention on Human Rights and principles of the this task, the inter-party settlement should include appoint- underlying the EU law. ment of new manager at MRT and new editor-in-chief for the news programme, while MRT should present all audio recordings disclosed by the opposition, including any additional information, for the purpose of having the public fully informed.

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V. ESTABLISHMENT OF CHECK-AND-BALANCE MECHANISMS. Probably the most cumbersome sector for the interim government will be the one implying implementation of several steps that would lead to final and complete democratic renewal of the state.

First task in this sector is establishment of system for overall control of wiretapped materials and establishment of abuses made. In that, primary goal would be to protect citizens from further abuses and determine responsibility for violation of their constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy. This system, which will ensure complete participation of all relevant and active civil society organizations, would allow control over violations made, establishment of responsibility and actions upon wiretaps released.

Next task is to call moratorium on state borrowing and establish control mechanism for state budget loan-taking and spending. In that, again, complete participation of citizens represented by relevant and active civil society organizations will secure transparency in operation and publicity of data concerning state debt and budget spending.

Third task concerns another moratorium, this time around for construction of buildings under “Skopje 2014” project. The last task on this list comes with yet another moratorium and concerns payment of subsidies and state aid until establishment of the new government after April 2016 elections.

130 ...VIII...

ANNEXES

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1. RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT European Parliament resolution of 11 March 2015 on the 2014 Progress Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2014/2948(RSP)) The European Parliament, – having regard to the European Council decision of 16 December 2005 to grant the status of candidate country for EU membership as well its conclusions of 17 December 2013; having regard to the conclusions of the Council of the European Union of 16 December 2014, – having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council of 19-20 June 2003 concerning the prospect of the Western Balkan countries joining the Union, – having regard to the eleventh meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between the country and the EU, held on 23 July 2014, – having regard to the Commission’s Progress Report (SWD(2014)0303) and to its communication of 8 October 2014 entitled “Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2014-2015” (COM(2014)0700), as well as to its Indicative Strategy Paper (2014-2020) adopted on 19 August 2014, – having regard to UN Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), – having regard to the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the Application of the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, – having regard to the opinion of the Venice Commission on the seven amendments to the Constitution of the country, adopted on 10-11 October 2014, – having regard to the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR international election observation mission carried out for the presidential and early parliamentary elections, – having regard to the 12th meeting of the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) held on 26-27 November 2014, – having regard to its previous resolutions, – having regard to the work of Ivo Vajgl as the standing rapporteur on the country of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, – having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

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A. Whereas the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been an EU candidate for nine years and is the most advanced country in terms of alignment with the acquis; B. Whereas the Commission has recommended to the Council, for the sixth consecutive time, the opening of negotiations; whereas the country is prepared to negotiate with the EU; whereas for the past eight years Parliament has called continuously for the opening of accession negotiations with the country, and whereas further delays in opening the negotiations might have a negative impact on the reform processes in the country and the credibility of the EU in the region; C. Whereas the Council has been blocking progress to the next stage of the accession process owing to the unresolved name issue with Greece; whereas bilateral issues are not meant to obstruct the accession negotiations with the European Union; whereas the lack of progress in the EU integration process may increase the costs for regional stability, affect the EU’s credibility and lead to a decline in the country’s democratic standards; D. Whereas this further postponement is adding to the growing frustration of Macedonian public opinion at the stalemate in the EU integration process, and risks exacerbating domestic problems and internal tensions; E. Whereas each (potential) candidate country will be judged on its own merits, and the speed and quality of the necessary reforms determines the timetable for accession; F. Whereas bilateral issues should be addressed in a constructive spirit as early as possible, taking into account the principles and values of the UN and of the EU; G. Whereas the lack of constructive and inclusive government-opposition dialogue and the post-election boycott by the opposition have plagued parliamentary work; whereas it is the shared responsibility of both government and opposition to ensure sustainable political cooperation, which is essential for the country’s democratic development and the pursuit of the European agenda; whereas the elections took place under biased media coverage and in a climate of insufficient separation of state and party activities; H. Whereas at the 12th meeting of the JPC no joint recommendation could be adopted; whereas a fully functioning JPC is instrumental in ensuring parliamentary control over the accession process; I. Whereas the rule of law, freedom of the media, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations are essential parts of the EU enlargement process; J. Whereas corruption and organised crime continue to be serious problems; whereas freedom of expression and the independence of the media continue to be under threat;

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1. Reiterates, for the ninth consecutive time, its call on the Council to set a date for the start of accession negotiations without further delay, so as not to lose the momentum and in order to boost acquis-related reforms and strengthen the democratisation process; reiterates its view that the name issue, which is a bilateral issue, must not represent an obstacle to the launch of accession negotiations although it should be solved before the end of the accession process; endorses the Commission’s consideration that the failure of the parties to reach a compromise after almost two decades of mediated talks is having a direct and adverse impact on the European aspirations of the country and its people; invites both governments to take concrete steps towards finding a mutually acceptable solution; reiterates the importance and necessity of a constructive approach to challenges with neighbours on these bilateral issues; 2. Recalls the commitment of Member States to revert to the issue in 2015 with a view to opening accession negotiations; considers that starting EU negotiations can only positively influence efforts towards resolving bilateral disputes while also generating further much-needed reforms, particularly in respect of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption; emphasises that continuing to delay the opening of negotiations entails an increasing and unpredictable cost for the country as well as for regional stability; stresses that further prolonging the status quo undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the EU’s enlargement policy and its position in the region; 3. Reiterates its position that bilateral issues should not be resorted to in order to hinder the accession process; considers that they should not represent an obstacle to the official opening of accession negotiations, but should be addressed as early as possible in the accession process; is mindful of the lack of compliance by one of the parties with the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 5 December 2011 on the application of the Interim Accord of September 1995; invites Greece to reaffirm its commitment made in the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda, and to create a positive environment for settling bilateral differences in the spirit of European values and principles; calls for further progress, including in high-level contacts between the governments and in bilateral relations with Bulgaria with a view to negotiating an agreement on good neighbourly relations which would address common issues; reiterates its concern over the use of historical arguments in the current debate with neighbours, and welcomes any efforts towards joint celebrations of common historical events with neighbouring EU Member States; considers that this could contribute to a better understanding of history and good neighbourly relations; 4. Calls for more active EU engagement on the name issue, and supports a proactive approach on the part of EU political leaders; invites the new Vice-President/High Representative (VP/HR) to develop new initiatives to overcome the current stalemate and to work, in cooperation with the UN Special Representative, towards a mutually acceptable solution; calls on the Council to conduct a thorough discussion on the Macedonian EU accession perspective in the first half of 2015; insists that all candidate and potential candidate countries should be treated in the integration process on their own merits; believes that the continuation of the High Level Accession Dialogue with the Commission would bring additional quality to the reform process; 5. Calls on all NATO members, and especially all EU Member States which are NATO members, to actively support the accession of the country to NATO in order to achieve greater security and political stability in south-east Europe;

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6. Encourages the establishment of cross-border cooperation in the areas of history, culture and education and the promotion of European values that support efforts towards democratic changes; in that respect, calls on neighbouring EU Member States, in the spirit of good neighbourly relations, to support the willingness to introduce democratic changes, which means supporting the opening of the negotiation process; 7. Encourages the country to establish joint expert committees with its neighbours on history and education, with the aim of contributing to an objective interpretation of history, strengthening academic cooperation, and promoting positive attitudes in young people towards their neighbours; 8. Strongly encourages the authorities and civil society to take appropriate measures for historical reconciliation in order to overcome the divide between and within different ethnic and national groups, including citizens of Bulgarian identity; 9. Takes note of the proposed package of amendments to the Constitution; is of the opinion that some proposals, including the provisions concerning the definition of marriage and the formation of international financial zones, could be further improved in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission; recalls also the need to respect the European Convention on Human Rights as well as to take account of the EU acquis; stresses the need for careful preparation of the implementing legislation for any constitutional changes; emphasises that the process of long-lasting constitutional change requires broad political support, constructive dialogue and cooperation between all political forces; stresses the need for an all-inclusive public debate and careful consultation and the building of consensus with opposition parties, civil society and relevant stakeholders; 10. Is concerned at the polarised domestic climate; urges the government to respect the role of the parliament by providing sufficient scope and time for consultations, including on constitutional changes, in the interest of enabling full, independent parliamentary control; calls on the government and on all political parties to work towards improving relations in order to maintain political stability, to ensure sustainable constructive political cooperation, and to accelerate the European agenda; recalls that compromises are fundamental for a functioning democracy; underlines the need to improve the inclusiveness and transparency of the accession process; stresses that the post-election boycott is a problem that needs to be solved in a spirit of shared responsibility between government and opposition with regard to the correct functioning of the parliament; invites the VP/HR to engage with all parties in order to facilitate political dialogue; 11. Is seriously concerned at the worsening of relations between the government and the opposition, particularly with regard to the recent announcement of charges against the opposition leader by the Prime Minister and also to the counter-accusations of criminal wrongdoing; condemns all illegal surveillance, and calls for all allegations to be published and freely reported; calls for an independent investigation into all allegations and the surveillance carried out, on a basis of full respect for the principles of transparency, impartiality and the presumption of innocence; reiterates the importance of upholding the fundamental principle of freedom of expression; calls on all political actors to engage in constructive dialogue in order to keep the focus on the strategic priorities of the country and its citizens; 12. Regrets the absence of the opposition in the regular work of the JPC; considers it essential to ensure the proper functioning of the JPC through the proper representation of all parliamentary parties in its proceedings;

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13. Is concerned that interethnic coexistence remains fragile and poses a challenge for the country; is concerned about rising interethnic tensions exposing the lack of trust between communities; strongly condemns the use of ethnocentric and divisive language, particularly during election campaigns; emphasises that the start of EU accession talks can help the country better address this challenge by strengthening interethnic cohesion around that common goal; condemns all forms of extreme nationalism and ethnocentrism which deepen division in society; calls on all political parties and civil society organisations to actively promote an inclusive and tolerant multiethnic and multireligious society and to protect the fundamental rights of all persons belonging to ethnic minorities; recalls that education plays a vital role in achieving tolerance and respect between different people; calls on the Commission to step up projects and programmes aimed at strengthening interethnic dialogue and mutual understanding; 14. Welcomes the fact that the EU agenda remains the country’s strategic priority; encourages the country to further consolidate reforms and to reverse policies and practices which could still constitute obstacles for its European future, and to secure progress in the implementation of EU-related reform priorities, including in the context of the High Level Accession Dialogue; 15. Notes that the presidential and early parliamentary elections of April 2014 were assessed by the OSCE/ODIHR as efficiently administered; shares concerns, however, over the blurred line between state and party activities, which is contrary to international obligations for democratic elections, as well as over biased media reporting and allegations of voter intimidation; welcomes the electoral reforms, but urges the authorities to investigate alleged irregularities before and during the elections; calls on the government to address all ODIHR recommendations in due time in order to improve the electoral process, including the management and accuracy of the electoral registers; also, in this regard, recalls the need to draw up electoral registers corresponding to international standards; 16. Urges the government to address the shortcomings in the implementation of IPA assistance, such as the systemic problems of the control system, insufficient intrainstitutional and interinstitutional coordination, the backlog in procurement, the low absorption rate and the low capacity of institutions; calls for the strengthening of the link between EU assistance and national reform strategies and for IPA funds to be used to lever far greater budget decentralisation in the country; calls for action to prevent further losses of assistance and to accelerate programme implementation in order to enhance the impact of EU assistance; 17. Welcomes the adoption of the new legislative framework for the civil service and public employment in February 2014, as a step towards providing for a unified, transparent and accountable public administration; is concerned that, despite legislative progress, the public administration remains fragmented, politicised and subject to political influence; strongly encourages it to enhance its professionalism and independence at all levels; encourages efforts to implement the law, with due respect for the principles of transparency, merit and equitable representation; invites the government to adopt a public financial management reform program;

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18. Urges the full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA); calls for the completion of the review of its implementation, to result in policy recommendations; strongly recommends considering the OFA an essential element for the rule of law, inter-community relations and continued decentralisation; strongly encourages the development of local governance and the promotion of long-term confidence- building measures at the political level, such as holding public debates to explain the benefits of the OFA; calls on the government and the competent local authorities to proceed with the implementation of the Strategy on Integrated Education and to provide increased funding for that purpose; considers it important to include civil society organisations (CSOs) in the process; recommends a more proactive approach in order to ensure the ethnic, cultural and linguistic identities of all communities; 19. Welcomes the high level of alignment with the legislative acquis and the improving efficiency and professionalism of the courts as a result of comprehensive judicial reforms; is concerned, however, about undue political influence over certain court proceedings, and emphasises that the judiciary should remain independent of all external pressures of the parliamentary and executive branches; stresses the need to ensure proper implementation of judicial standards in line with European norms and best practice; calls for the unification of jurisprudence in order to ensure a predictable judicial system and public trust; calls for improvement of the quality of justice, increased use of non-judicial remedies and alternative dispute resolution, better strategic planning, better access to justice for vulnerable members of society and more involvement of professional and civil society organisations in monitoring judicial independence; 20. Notes the positive developments in the implementation of the 2011-2015 anti-corruption programmes, and the strengthening of the personal and institutional integrity system as well as of interinstitutional and international cooperation; notes the outstanding substantial issues related to the implementation of money-laundering legislation, including cross-border issues, the conduct of national risk assessment and improving operational efficiency; reiterates that an independent and fully functional State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption should be the leading state institution tackling this issue; in order to improve the work of that Commission, calls on the competent authorities to enhance IT interconnectivity between the courts and the prosecution service and to create a central register of public officials; 21. Calls for the more efficient implementation of anti-corruption policies and legislation, particularly in politics, public administration, public procurement and law enforcement, as well as for the enhancement of administrative capacities; urges the country to achieve a track record for convictions in combating corruption, including high-level cases; calls on independent CSOs and media to expose corruption and champion independent and impartial investigations and trials; calls on the public prosecutor’s office to enable adequate and timely investigation of claims in this area; 22. Notes with satisfaction that the legal and institutional framework is in place regarding the fight against organised crime; commends the country’s active regional and international cooperation, including through Eurojust and Europol; welcomes the fact that a number of successful police operations against organised groups have been carried out, in particular cutting off international routes for drug trafficking and smuggling of migrants;

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23. Condemns all forms of political and/or religious extremism and sees a need for cross-border cooperation with other Western Balkan countries and EU Member States; welcomes the changes to the Criminal Code which further define both offence and penalties for persons participating in political and/or religious extremism; strongly reiterates the need for a common proactive strategy for foreign, security and defence policy, having in view the current international terrorist threat; recalls that public policy should combat all forms of extremism, and that stigmatisation of any one religious group in this context should be carefully avoided; 24. Regrets the lack of cooperation with CSOs and public stakeholders in lawmaking; points out that such cooperation should be based on the government’s genuine will to consult various stakeholders in both lawmaking and policymaking; stresses the crucial role that CSOs can play in raising public awareness of the accession process and making it more transparent, accountable and inclusive; encourages the government to help develop civil society in rural areas as well; calls on the government to initiate substantial debate with universities, academics and students on higher education reform; 25. Encourages the authorities to retrieve the relevant Yugoslav secret service archives from Serbia; takes the view that transparent handling of the totalitarian past, including the opening-up of the archives of the secret services, is a step towards further democratisation, accountability and institutional strength; 26. Is very concerned that political and financial pressures are constantly and significantly undermining media independence; deplores the continued deterioration in freedom of expression, resulting in the lowest level of press freedom in the region; regrets in this context that in the index compiled by Reporters Without Borders the country has fallen from 34th place in 2009 to 117th in 2015; notes with growing concern state control over the media, including continued dependence on the state budget, frequent resort to self-censorship, and poor professional standards and ethics; notes with concern the resort to defamation in the political and media context; while noting that some steps have been taken to restore the dialogue between government and the media community, regrets that the law on audiovisual services has been amended by a fast-track procedure without due consultation with media stakeholders; 27. Urges the government to pursue policies enhancing media pluralism and diversity of opinion, and to guarantee the independence of the public broadcaster and the media regulator; notes with concern that the public broadcaster has displayed significant bias in favour of the governing parties, both during electoral campaigns (as reported in the OSCE/ODIHR reports) and in non-campaign circumstances (as reported in the Commission’s Progress Report); welcomes the fact that the government has made data on government advertising publicly available; calls on the government, however, to enhance the transparency of the criteria used in the allocation of funds; strongly recommends to the Commission that it be more active in monitoring and advising on policy developments and in encouraging dialogue among all media stakeholders;

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28. Reminds the government and the political parties of their responsibility to create a culture of inclusion and tolerance; calls for the anti- discrimination law to be aligned with the acquis as it does not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; condemns all violence against the LGBTI community and calls for the perpetrators, including those responsible for violent incidents against the LGBTI Support Centre in Skopje, to be brought to justice; underlines the need to combat prejudices and discrimination against the Roma and to take further measures to improve their situation, particularly in the areas of housing, health, education and employment; calls on the authorities to ensure a gender perspective in all policy areas aimed at ensuring equality between men and women; reiterates its concern at the continued existence of gender stereotypes in society and at domestic violence; encourages the government to address the structural gender and pay gap in the economic, political and social fields; calls on the Commission to fulfil its own commitment to making the Employment and Social Policy Chapter a priority in the accession process, by launching an initiative in this respect in the High Level Accession Dialogue with the country; 29. Remains concerned at the high rates of child poverty and lack of capacity of the institutions responsible for implementing policies and strategic actions in this field; urges the government to step up its efforts to implement the revised national strategy on poverty and social exclusion; urges that greater attention be paid to ensuring fair and effective access to justice for all children; stresses the need for additional efforts by the government to support children with disabilities and children from the Roma community; calls for further efforts to be made to improve children’s health and nutrition, with Roma children being a particular concern; 30. Welcomes the fact that the country continues to be the regional leader in terms of ease of doing business, as well as its improved performance in the World Bank global ranking, in which it has risen from 31st in 2013 to 30th in 2014; notes, however, that difficult contract enforcement and frequent legal changes without adequate consultation pose serious challenges to the business climate; underlines, at the same time, the importance of making progress as regards labour law and strengthening the social dialogue; stresses the need to further improve the business environment by supporting SMEs, reducing regional disparities, and linking R&D institutions to the business and employment sector; 31. Welcomes the fact that FDI inflows have remained stable and have allowed greater export diversification; notes that 80 % of total FDI stock originates from EU companies, with trade flows in goods and services with the EU having further increased; reiterates the importance of attracting foreign investment, and believes that the delay in the EU accession process may represent an obstacle to deeper economic integration; recognises the need to increase public revenues and create jobs in high-productivity sectors, as the overall structure of the economy remains focused on low-productivity activities; stresses that all rules covering the international financial zones should be in conformity with the acquis and with international requirements;

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32. Welcomes the reduction in the overall unemployment rate from 29.9 % in the first quarter of 2013 to 27.9 % in the third quarter of 2014; calls on the government to renew its efforts to further reduce structural and long-term unemployment, in particular among young people (for whom the rate stands at over 50 %) and vulnerable groups including the Roma; calls for the adoption of reforms to increase labour force participation and labour mobility as well as to reduce the large informal sector which continues to hamper competition; is concerned that the level of education and training of the workforce often fails to correspond to the real needs of the economy, and that a large number of young skilled workers are consequently being forced to emigrate owing to the difficulty of finding adequate employment opportunities within the country; expresses its concern at recent legislative changes that challenge the right to strike, and calls on the authorities to revise the legislation in line with ILO standards; 33. Notes the steps taken to reduce unemployment among women, but calls on the government to do more since unemployment among women is still much higher than the EU average; 34. Points out that significant efforts are needed, in cooperation with civil society and relevant stakeholders, in the field of the environment and in particular in the areas of air and water quality, nature protection and waste management; is concerned about air and water pollution; notes with concern the concentration of harmful particles, which is several times above the permitted limit, especially in Skopje, Tetovo, Bitola, Kicevo and Kavadarci; calls on the competent authorities to increase their cooperation with a view to implementing the relevant legislation, strengthening administrative capacities and allocating sufficient funds for investment in infrastructure such as waste water treatment plants; 35. Regrets that the 2013 energy targets have not been met, with regard in particular to energy efficiency and the use of renewables; calls, in this regard, for adoption of the relevant action plans and alignment with EU climate policy; 36. Welcomes the fact that the country has remained active and constructive in regional cooperation and has no outstanding border issues with its neighbours; welcomes its upcoming presidency of the Central European Initiative; invites the government to improve the overall level of alignment with CFSP declarations and decisions; underlines the importance of progressive alignment with the EU’s foreign policy positions; 37. Welcomes the progress made on and willingness to finalise the rail link between the country and Bulgaria, which will lead to better economic and social relations; 38. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of the country.

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2. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS 3. COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS OF OF 21 APRIL 2015 16 DECEMBER 2014

Recalling the EU commitment under the Thessaloniki Agenda, the The Council welcomes the fact that the EU agenda remains the 16 December 2014 Council Conclusions and the Candidate Status of country’s strategic priority. The country has achieved a high level of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council expresses its alignment with the legislative acquis. However, there are serious con- grave concern regarding the deteriorating situation in the country, in cerns about increasing politicisation of state institutions and grow- particular in the area of rule of law, fundamental rights and freedom of ing shortcomings with regard to the independence of the judiciary and media, which are core democratic values at the heart of the EU and its media freedoms. Failure to deliver on these issues has damaged the enlargement policy. In the interest of the citizens, democracy, rule of sustainability of reforms. The Council urges the authorities to take de- law and political stability, the Council urges political leaders to rapidly cisive action to rapidly address these concerns. address those concerns. Recurrent political crises between government and opposition par- The Council urges all sides to assume their respective responsi- ties have showed the need for more constructive and inclusive political bilities and take immediate measures towards a sustainable solution, dialogue. It is the responsibility of both government and opposition constructively engage to restart political dialogue and restore trust in to ensure that political debate takes place primarily in parliament and the institutions by adequate political steps. All allegations should be to contribute to creating the conditions for its proper functioning. As investigated by the relevant authorities, including those allegations of regards the interethnic situation, greater trust between the communi- potential wrongdoing being made public, with full regard for due pro- ties needs to be built. The review of the Ohrid Framework Agreement cess, the principle of independence and the presumption of innocence. needs to be completed rapidly and its recommendations implemented.

The Council welcomes the facilitation by Members of the European As set out in the European Council conclusions of June 2008 and Parliament of talks between the main government and opposition par- the General Affairs and External Relations Council conclusions of De- ties and calls on all sides to show restraint and to focus on finding cember 2008, maintaining good neighbourly relations, including a solutions to the ongoing political crisis as soon as possible. negotiated and mutually accepted solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, remains essential. There is a need to bring the Reaffirming the continued EU engagement, including through reg- longstanding discussions on the name issue to a definitive conclusion ular reporting by the Commission and the EEAS on the situation in the without delay. Resolute action is required. In light of the overall im- country and on the country’s European integration progress, and in line portance of maintaining good neighbourly relations, the Council notes with its 16 December 2014 Conclusions, the Council remains seised of the continued high level contacts between the former Yugoslav Repub- the matter and will revert to the issue in the next months. lic of Macedonia and Bulgaria and looks forward to their translation into concrete actions and results.

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The Council broadly shares the Commission’s assessment that the political criteria continue to be sufficiently met on the basis of cu- mulative progress achieved and takes note of the Commission’s recommendation that accession negotiations be opened with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. With a view to a possible decision of the European Council to open accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Council will revert to the issue anytime in 2015, on the basis of an update by the Commission on implementation of reforms, including in the context of the High Level Accession Dialogue, and on tangible steps taken to promote good neighbourly relations and to reach a negotiated and mutually accepted solution to the name issue.

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