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Masked anti-mafia task forces from the special unit for anti-terror combat guarded the Central Prison in Sofia yesterday. There, taking extreme security measures, the Sofia City Court was deciding on the retention in custody of the busted ex-berets. Photo Marina Angelova
Foreign Minister Solomon Passy meets Iranian Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Ali-Abdol-Alizadeh. Pressphoto BTA Photo: Vladimir Shokov
Macedonian Orthodox Archbishop Stefan performs a sanctification service on top of Mt. Vodno, just above Macedonia's capital Skopje, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002. Several thousand Orthodox believers gathered for the sanctification of the 76 meter (yard) tall Millennium Cross, with a span of 45 meters, built to symbolize 2,000 years of Christianity. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
A couple hold hands in front of the 67 meters (220 foot) high and 40 meters (131 foot) wide cross during its consectration on the hills above the Macedonian capital Skopje, late August 28, 2002. Macedonian officials and large number of people attended the sanctifying ceremony of the biggest Christian monument built in Macedonia. (Picture taken on August 28, 2002) REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski
Macedonian Orthodox believers sit around a massive metal cross during a sanctification ceremony on top of Mt. Vodno, just above Macedonia's capital Skopje, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002. The 76 meters (yards) high Millennium Cross, with a span of 45 meters (yards), was built to symbolize 2000 years of Christianity. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
An unidentified woman, right, holds candles under the illuminated "Millennium Cross", during the sanctifying ceremony on top of Mt. Vodno, just above Macedonia's capital Skopje, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002. Several thousand Orthodox believers gathered for the sanctification of the 76 meter (yard) tall cross, which has a span of 45 meters, built to symbolize 2,000 years of Christianity. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Ukrainian Dynamo Kiev's Florin Chernat, left, challenges for the ball against Bulgarian Levski Sofia's Sasha Simonovich during their Champions League third qualifying round second leg soccer match in Kiev, Ukraine, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Ukrainian Dynamo Kiev's Florin Chernat, right, challenges for the ball against Bulgarian Levski Sofia's Konstantin Golovskoj during their Champions League third qualifying round second leg soccer match in Kiev, Ukraine, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
Series of shootings from various infantry weaponry were registered overnight in Tetovo region. According to police reports, the shootings had no determined targets, MIA's special correspondent reported.
The intensity of the shootings increased around midnight and than ceased early Wednesday morning. Continuous gunfire was registered from the textile school of "Gjoce Stojceski", the shoes factory of "Godel", the military barracks of "Kuzman Josifovski Pitu", the central city region, the reformatory school, Tetovo Teke, settlements of Ciglana, Gorna Carsija, Kupenik and Vonvardarska.
Sporadic and riffle gunfire was opened overnight from the villages of Dobroste, Odri, Prsovce, Tearce, Glogji, Slatino, Zelino, Strimnica, Palatica, Mala Recica, Radiovce, Celopek and Gajre.
Shootouts registered during Tuesday night in Kumanovo - Lipkovo region have violated the public order and peace seven times.
Anti-terrorism team of the Ministry of Interior accompanied by NATO TFF members have destroyed unexploded mine in the village of Gosince, MIA correspondent reports.
Police sources say the children who put the cattle out to pasture near the railroad station in Tabanovce, in the area of the village of Lopate have stoned train on line Skopje-Nis-Bar. One glass of the train was damaged no injured persons are reported.
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
Interior Department from Tetovo says a series of volleys of gunfire and sporadic shootouts have been registered during Wednesday night in Tetovo region and the surrounding villages, MIA's correspondent reports.
Shootouts have been heard in Tetovo Teke, Rasadiste locality near Tetovo - Popova Sapka road, "Goce Stojcevski" textile school, the SEE University, the city stadiums, "Kuzman Josifovski Pitu" barracks, the medical centre and Kupenik, Gorna Carsija and Vonvardarska settlements.
Volleys of gunshot have been registered from Odri, Dobroste, Vratnicko Ezero locality, Prsovce, Tearce, Otusiste, Glogji, Mala and Golema Recica, Sipkovicko teke locality, Radiovce, Platica and Celopek.
Gunshots have not been aimed at direct targets.
Bomb Blast Near DUI Quarters In Skopje.
Makfax - Reality Macedonia
Are the amnestied terrorists getting a taste of their own yesteryear's medicine; or someone's jumping on a bandwagon of attacks on political party HQs? (VMRO-DPMNE's HQ in Chair suffered a low-intensity attack--broken windows--too.)
Bomb blast was reported last night outside a bakery Mane, in Skopjes municipality of Chair, near the quarters of Ali Ahmetis Democratic Union for Integration (DUI).
The bomb exploded shortly after daybreak Wednesday (04:00 hours). The blast left no casualties or injuries but it caused material damage to bakery, two motor vehicles. DUIs house was lightly damaged. The blast disturbed the local residents and tenants of the nearby apartment-buildings.
The police has not yet released any details on suspected perpetrators of the bombing attack. The Spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Voislav Zafirovski, told Makfax news agency that DUI quarters was very likely the target of todays bombing attack.
Police suspects that todays attack is a follow up of terrorist-extremist activities run by a group of Albanian extremists who appear determined to undermine the peace and destabilize the country two weeks before the parliamentary elections.
Investigation into this incident is underway.
Macedonia Charges Three Albanians in Police Murder.
Reuters
By Kole Casule
SKOPJE (Reuters) - Police said on Wednesday they had charged three ethnic Albanians over the machinegun killing of two policemen, which Macedonia said was part of a bid to wreck next month's general election.
They said the suspects were former members of the National Liberation Army, which mounted an insurrection last year and fought for six months until, with international mediation, ethnic Albanians were granted greater rights in a peace deal.
Ramazan Jaovski, Selam Selmani and Sulejman Sulejmani were suspected of organising Monday's drive-by shooting in the predominantly ethnic Albanian western town of Gostivar, a high ranking police official told reporters.
"We have strong evidence that the three suspects were discussing and planning details for the attack several hours before it took place," the police official said.
He declined to be identified, a frequent practice at Skopje police briefings.
He said police were still seeking two others suspected of actually firing the machineguns and killing the policemen.
The shooting triggered alarm among European and American envoys in Macedonia that splinter groups opposed to the peace deal were out to provoke a nationalist backlash by the Macedonian government ahead of the September 15 election.
Macedonian police said the murder was carefully planned by one of these militant groups, aiming to trigger a strong reaction by security forces against ethnic Albanian civilians.
Although there has been no large scale retribution yet, diplomatic sources say Macedonia has reinforced several strategic positions with heavily armed special police troops.
There were signs of rising tension in the capital. Earlier on Wednesday, a hand grenade exploded next to the Skopje offices of former Albanian rebel leader Ali Ahmeti, who has formed a new party to contest the election.
Police said the grenade caused only minor damage when it detonated in a bakery just a few meters (yards) away.
The smaller ethnic Albanian National Democratic Party said its Skopje office had also been damaged in a separate incident. Police did not immediately confirm that or provide any details.
In Gostivar, about a dozen Albanian flags that had been run up over the weekend were pulled down and burned overnight, according to the town's mayor.
Macedonia teetered on the brink of civil war last year when rebels seized swathes of territory. Under the Western-brokered peace, they surrendered their guns to NATO troops.
But recently there have been indications that small renegade groups are again active.
DEDICATION OF MILLENNIUM CROSS.
MIA
The dedication of the Millennium Cross, erected in honor of the 2000th jubilee of Christianity, was held Wednesday at the Holiday Assumption of St. Holy Mother of God on the Vodno Mountain.
The dedication ceremony, conducted by Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia Stefan, along with members of the Holy Archpriest Synod and priests of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) eparchies, was attended by large number of believers and the country's highest officials.
After dedication, a Charter with details about today's ceremony, MOC, presence of the Macedonian top officials, constructors and donors was placed in one of the supporting pillar - 67 meter-high.
Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgiveski had the honor to light up the Millennium Cross.
In his address at the ceremony, Georgiveki said that by this construction "we wish to change the image about Macedonia, to show to the world that we -Macedonians - are creative people, asking nothing else from the international community, but a bit of freedom to present the creative gens of our people.
This is an act by which we wish to call the world to see our creative geniality."
"The metal over our heads looks like a wood carving, made by our craftsmen before 100-200 years ago. It seems that this metal has soul, built in this construction by each of us," Georgievski said.
This cross presented a part of the world's ambition and policy for celebrating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, he said.
"That was the reason for starting of this construction, to join the rest of the Christian world. I believe we have made a miracle, by which we will be remembered and recognized in many other countries. If the Plaosnik Temple was aimed at marking the last thousand, two thousand years of the Christianity in our country, if that temple was a memorial to our history, than this cross is a memorial of the new thousand, two thousand, three thousand years... of Macedonians and the Macedonian state, a cornerstone to the future generations. It is also a prayer to our protector St. Holy Mother of God and Jesus Christ for protection of the Macedonian people and state, as we live in a very troubled time," Georgievski said.
God said that Macedonia and its people needed heavy cross, Archbishop Stefan said.
"This is not a cross for the jubilee only, but for all times and all other crosses in Lerin, Voden, Pustec and all over Macedonia. Let's this cross becomes a cross of our reconciliation " Stefan said.
Architects Jovan Stefanovski-Zan and Oliver Petrovski are designers of the cross, illuminated by 600 reflectors.
The companies "Beton" from Stip and "Emo" from Phrid constructed the cross, realized by donations of the Macedonian Government, companies and individuals.
PM GEORGIEVSKI LAID CORNERSTONE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX.
MIA
Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, accompanied by Minister of Transport and Communications Ljupco Balkovski and Finance Minister Nikola Gruevski, laid a cornerstone Wednesday for construction of the residential complex B1 in the Skopje settlement Novo Lisice.
The Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia Stefan, dedicated the construction site.
Georgievski expressed satisfaction with the fact that such ceremonies took place today - on the great Christian Holiday "Golema Bogorodica".
"This is the largest construction site for the last 20 years. The Government's idea is to revive the policy for construction of state-owned and social apartments. Such policy has already presented results as 4,000 apartments are finished or in final stage," Georgievski said.
In the last ten years, such policy was abandoned or forgotten, he said.
"Construction initiatives were related with the private sector only. The Government will keep supporting this sector, but considers that its intervention is necessary in order to intensify the construction of new residential buildings and to alleviate the monopoly of prices, offered by private investors," Georgievski said.
He pointed out that one of the buildings within the new residential complex was aimed for the families of killed soldiers and policemen in the last year crisis.
Minister Balkovski expressed satisfaction with the good cooperation among the Government, the public company for Trading Residential and Business Premises and the construction companies.
"Such cooperation has been the best example for the last 20 years on successful construction of residential premises in the country," Balkovski said.
Denying the claims that nothing has been done in this sphere so far, Balkovski said that such statements were untruthful, as the Government has done a lot in regard to realization of residential buildings and public projects. Macedonian construction companies also achieved significant results in foreign countries, he added.
Balkovski extended his gratitude to the Macedonian Government for creating appropriate working conditions and to construction workers for their skill.
"All of that has transformed Macedonia into a vast construction site," Balkovski said.
Ilija Kitanovski, Director the public company for Trading Residential and Business Premises, said that this project was part of the Government's program. In 20 days, a construction of 42 apartments in the settlement Avtokomada would start, as well as of 240 apartments in the settlement Gjorce Petrov, he said.
He extended his gratitude to the Macedonian Government and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, as project investors.
"In such difficult period for Macedonia, the Government has managed to revive the civil-engineering sector, which is a pillar of the Macedonian economy," Kitanovski said.
How to Take Down a Government, Part Three.
Antiwar
by Christopher Deliso in Skopje
Collaboration Between the Media and NGOs.
The Wests current electoral intervention campaign in Macedonia is the largest since last September, when considerable efforts were made to decisively interfere with the Belarus elections.
That attempt failed. But the Macedonian campaign may just work.
The Barking Dogs of Intervention.
The media/PR war has been dictated by the ICGs Edward Joseph, and implemented by affiliated interventionist media, most notably IWPR. To a lesser extent, Reuters has been used. Not coincidentally, certain local media have also pitched in, as have the Guardian and BBC.
Through the recycling of both personnel and quotes, the broad-based international consensus necessary for deposing the government is being built.
Only that in this case, the base is not quite so broad as with Belarus. Only a very few major media organizations are currently operating in Macedonia.
Perhaps the West thinks that it will be an easy sell.
It is clear that the ICG and IWPR are merely front organizations, the "barking dogs" of intervention, used to advance the agenda of Empire. Yet what is most disturbing is that in Macedonia their shared media campaign has been characterized by its extremely personal and partisan nature.
For this is a campaign not meant merely to expose corruption and fight violence, to secure fair elections and reform the political system. It is also being used to settle scores, curry favor and advance careers. In short, it is being used as a tool, ingeniously disguised behind the rhetoric of Western humanitarian ideals.
What is the ICG?
The International Crisis Group is an allegedly independent think-tank based in Brussels. It has cells in various crisis-afflicted countries, where it functions as both an analyst and "watchdog." Along with Human Rights Watch, the ICG is the worlds most powerful and pervasive interventionist organization. Its board of directors includes former ambassadors, governmental advisors, corporate executives, and retired generals. It is funded by the most powerful benefactors in America: a few include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the Carnegie Corporation; George Soros Open Society Institute, Mutual of America, and the MacArthur Foundation, as well as 14 world governments, and a slew of influential individuals.
In Macedonia, the ICG maintains a small yet voluble mission, headed by American career peacemaker Edward Joseph. Although all ICG missions are known for being shrill and abrasive, Josephs operation takes the cake. As one European high official recently put it, "his arrogant, know-it-all attitude has made him very unpopular not only amongst the locals, but with many in the international community as well." Josephs partisan agenda has endangered both the respectability of the ICG as an institution, and even the stability of Macedonia itself.
What is the IWPR?
The Institute for War and Peace Reporting is active in "hot spots" around the world, wherever an intervention might bear fruit. It claims to be "a pioneer in harnessing the power of the internet to support regional voices and alternative information." Yet with its long list of heavyweight funders, its clear that there is nothing "alternative" about it. Quite simply, the IWPR is a mouthpiece for Western governments. Just a few of its benefactors include: the US Institute for Peace; Dutch Ministry for Development Cooperation; MacArthur Foundation; European Commission; Ford Foundation; British Foreign and Commonwealth Office; George Soros Open Society Institute; and USAID. For external media validation, the website advertises praise from the BBC, the Guardian and the like.
As might be expected, the IWPR fully lives up to its interventionist creed in terms of "training" foreign journalists:
"the heart of our work is professional collaboration between international and regional journalists - the aim being to enhance the latter's reporting skills."
This, which smacks uncomfortably of cultural chauvinism, certainly has its uses (since to "train" foreign journalists often means to mold them in ones own image). Since consensus-building relies on having "authentic" voices within foreign countries, such molding is essential for boosting the institutions believability factor. This phenomenon has been replicated perfectly in IWPRs Macedonia operation.
IWPR Tactics: Opinion Polls and "Experts"
A fleshed-out US government survey of 7 June stated that Albanians in Macedonia increasingly want an ethnically-pure state. And apparently, not without reason: Although intolerant Macedonians "have always had an unfavourable attitude towards Albanians," Albanian disdain for Macedonians was only recently provoked. To complement the propagandistic coup, the article is filtered through the mouthpiece of Balkan expert Tim Judah.
This article exemplifies IWPRs tactics in the field. The formula is simple: first, provide some "objective," empirical data, then the expert author and/or quoted individual to lend weight to the preconceived intended idea. Never mind that the opinion poll was financed and carried out by IWPRs funders. As we will see, a similar use of dubious opinion polls has been central to IWPR propagandizing in Macedonia.
IWPR in Macedonia: Sculpting History in its Own Image.
It has one of those feel-good names that just cant be criticized- the Macedonian and Albanian Journalists Dialogue Program. Yet does it pick sides? In fact, this operation is pro-Albanian, insofar is this stance remains politically correct. Now it has also become a mouthpiece for the "opposition" Socialist party (SDSM), and even for NLA boss Ali Ahmeti. In essence, it has been hijacked to fulfill the ambitions of the individuals involved.
A second example of how the IWPRs funders have shaped its agenda is the IWPRs partnership with the USIP.
In May, the USIP hosted Kosovo "Prime Minister" Bajram Rexhepi in Washington. Just as the crowded hall was testimony to Washingtons residual support for NATOs Kosovo adventure, Rexhepis words revealed Albanians increasingly aggressive attitude. Besides reiterating their desire for independence, Rexhepi also confirmed that his KPC thugs had helped attack Macedonias border.
Now, the USIP has helped fund two of IWPRs ventures in Macedonia: a "media advisory council" and a "workshop" for training school teachers in how to teach post-war history. Daniel Serwer (who was also Rexhepis host) explained the latter:
"No problem has troubled post-conflict societies more profoundly than how to teach about a conflict after a peace agreement is signed the separate ethnically based schools and local control that often result from conflict lead to educational programs that continue to paint negative pictures of other ethnic groups and perpetuate divisive historical accounts we attempted to counter this tendency in Macedonia, where last year's conflict between Albanian guerrillas and a Macedonian-dominated army and police force brought the country to the brink of civil war. The workshop for high school teachers was one of many steps needed to overcome prejudices and hostilities in Macedonia."
By calling the Albanians "guerrillas" and implying that the Macedonians "dominate" their own country, Serwer has made the USIP/IWPR take on history obvious. If it is true that the victors write the history, it seems that Ali Ahmeti, and the Western interventionists, won the war- as indeed they did.
"Independent" Media Monitoring and the Ties That Bind.
In Macedonia, it seems that everyone with an office and an underpaid assistant is in the media monitoring game. Unsurprisingly, the "media advisory council" claims that its "members represent all ethnic groups and are not involved in politics or the media."
Now, this would all be well and good, except that Agim Fetahu- a founder of this council- is active in the media: in fact, he is IWPR's program director in Macedonia. Fetahu also participated in the abovementioned history whitewashing project, together with representatives of the anti-government Macedonian Helsinki Committee, which is closely affiliated with the crew from Human Rights Watch; note HRWs cuckolding letter of protest to the Macedonian government.
The MMAC has also recently been employed to publicize the ICGs corruption crusade- and so, to influence the elections. Manipulated by political intriguers and a snakes nest of media interventionists- indeed, the MMAC is definitely unaffiliated with politics or the media.
All in all, the ICG and IWPR have much in common. Their boards overlap, and their benefactors attend the same cocktail parties. Not only do they advertise one another, they also have pooled their resources to advance their agenda in Macedonia.
In a series of coordinated articles denouncing the present government, the ICGs Joseph has been quoted by a handful of journalists- most of whom work for Saso Ordanovski, editor of Skopjes Forum magazine and IWPR Project Editor in Macedonia. Similar pieces, by the same journalists, have also appeared in Reuters. The timing of these reports and their intention cannot be coincidental: they are intended to decisively influence the September 15 elections.
Before reviewing the evidence for this, we must set some context.
A Balkan Legend: Edward Joseph
"Basically, I do Bosnia. Thats it in a sentence." So said a glib Edward Joseph in 1999. He had arrived seven years earlier, as a US Army Reserves helicopter pilot. His subsequent civilian appointments made him known as a hardcore (and anti-Serbian) interventionist. As an UNPROFOR spokesman in Bihac, his presence is attested at a battle at Bosanska Krupa on 4 January 1995. That period was characterized by frequent cease-fire violations, and disorganized fighting between Bosnian Serbs, Croatian Serbs, renegade Muslims and the Bosnian Muslim army. Josephs attempts to put pressure on the Serbs are recorded:
"We are encouraged (by the potential for negotiations)... but we know that for the full progress in Bihac we need all elements involved,'' said Edward Joseph, a U.N. spokesman in the Bihac enclave. ``We know the (Croatian) Serbs are part of the problem. We hope they'll become part of the solution.''
This is noteworthy, according to our resident Bosnia expert. Says Nebosja Malic,
"The Bihac pocket was an interesting place during the war, because it was a haven for Muslim fundamentalist fighters. Even though they were surrounded by Serbs and moderate Muslims (Abdic's Autonomous Western Bosnia), they were resupplied by (banned!) helicopters, and saved by Western intervention every time their attacks met with resistance. By mid-1995, they wiped out the moderates, then launched a full assault against Serb towns in western Bosnia (backed by the Croatian Army). Further, the Croatian Serbs- part of the problem, for Joseph- were ethnically cleansed by the US-backed Croatian Army in 1995. Another thing is that there were very few Americans working for UNPROFOR then. And how many helicopter pilots know five languages? Hmm"
Contradicting Americas covert interests was obviously not Josephs role. His job was rather to execute these interests- for example, in his role as a negotiator in the Brcko arbitrations. As Joseph himself admits, he helped decree that Brcko be removed from Serb control. Nebosja Malic again provides the context:
"Brcko was a key town in the Serb Republic, which connected its two parts and gave them continuity of territory. For Serbs, this was of literally vital importance. Most Bosnian Serbs remember the 12 babies who died in a Banja Luka hospital, because there was no way to get oxygen to them through the Muslim-Croat blockade."
Of course, Joseph makes no mention of aiding mujahedin fighters or abuses against Serbs. In fact, he has expressed violent opposition to what he considers "revisionist" history regarding Bosnia, and has denounced claims that Serbs were ethnically cleansed from the Krajina. For whatever reason, it is clear that he wants the US status quo on Bosnian history to remain.
Kosovo and the Serbs.
In regards to Kosovo, Joseph is an apologist for NATOs war (incidentally enough, one run by his colleague, ICG board member Wesley Clark). Indeed, he once stated that "removing Milosevic was the essential goal," which validated the entire Kosovo bombardment- and the resulting deaths and dislocation of the Serbian, Roma and Turk populations.
Since 1999, Joseph has served the director of Stenkovich I refugee camp, as regional administrator in Mitrovica, and now as ICG boss in Macedonia. He has praised an ICG-Pristina report which accused the Serbian government of fomenting ethnic tensions by aiding Serbs in Mitrovica. Of course, Albanian intimidation and reprisals were barely mentioned. Such black-and-white thinking, and the victimologies it breeds, is now apparent in Josephs stated view of the Macedonian situation.
August 2001: The ICG Rolls In.
Soon after the implementation of the Framework Agreement last year, Joseph resurfaced- this time, in Skopje. He immediately began to seek out media exposure. Through the Guardians Nick Wood (who Joseph has claimed as a "good friend"), Josephs shrill call for NATO intervention was made. Within a short time he became known as the leading interventionist in Macedonia.
Josephs reign was made official (on 31 August 2001) in an ICG article called "Making a real peace in Macedonia." This editorial, which urged the government to accept long-term NATO intervention, also appeared in the New York Times. It provided a splendidly high-visibility start to a crucial mission, and a chance for Joseph to proliferate official US policy- as well as the "Slav" slur.
The partnership between Joseph and the IWPRs Saso Ordanovski began almost immediately. On 4 September 2001, we find the former quoted by an employee of the latter in an article for IWPR. This relationship has continued ever since. As could be expected, Josephs interventionist input- that foreign police advisors must be sent in at once- was again perfectly harmonious with US/OSCE policy.
The Trebos Massacre: Drowning Out Dissent.
This allegiance was again attested in the November 2001 Trebos disaster, when three Macedonian policemen were killed in a botched attempt to secure a mass grave site. Joseph was quoted in several decidedly anti-government articles. His recycled testimony for Reuters was picked up by the BBC and also carried by CNN on 12 November:
"the key question now is how the Macedonians will react to the police deaths and kidnappings and whether moderate voices will prevail, or those who are hellbent on another war."
This coordinated strategy in the Western media served both to attack the government, and to shout down dissenters. According to the Macedonian version of events, police had called in to US negotiator James Pardew and NATO beforehand, to announce the intended operation. Yet somehow, things went wrong. Dnevnik claimed that Pardew set up the ensuing slaughter. After promising the Macedonians logistical help, he hastily met with Albanian-friendly advisors- to deliberately sabotage the move:
"The American envoy made his final decision at this meeting: "No logistics will be sent. We'll leave [the Macedonians] alone, so they can learn their lesson."
Pardew ordered his assistants to instantly inform those in the "crisis terrain" about the coming of the police, with an added suggestion to prepare a "welcome." The epilogue: a black day ending with three killed policemen, two wounded policemen, and about a hundred kidnapped civilians."
This story was also confirmed for war reporter Scott Taylor, by a Macedonian deputy director of intelligence (Diary of an Uncivil War, p. 178). It is no coincidence that Pardews strong admonition of Boshkovskis police maneuver was parroted in a media blitz, perhaps orchestrated by Edward Joseph. As in every other case, the opinion of his "independent think-tank" harmonized perfectly with that of the US government.
The ICGs First Big Test: The Name Issue Disaster.
By December 2001, Joseph had become confident enough to launch his big idea on the Macedonia "name issue." This fatally flawed proposal met with an ambivalent reception from the Macedonians, and severe caution from the Greeks. Yet Josephs media cronies in IWPR helped him rush to his own defense on 21 December:
"After Washington and some EU capitals expressed support for the idea, the ICG representative in Skopje, Edward Joseph, said the proposal should be acted on without delay. He said the solution was "a compromise for both parties" which was particularly urgent owing to the "dangerous internal security situation" in Macedonia."
A classic ICG tactic is to shout that "urgent" action need be taken- and now.
Everyone knows that the name issue, while irritating, does not endanger the security of either Greece or Macedonia. The only thing that does is the frenzied yelping of conflict-hungry foreign interventionists.
Saso Ordanovski: Leftist Leanings and Intrigue.
"Saso Ordanovski," says one media observer, "made his name for being a supposedly independent journalist. He fancies himself as some kind of intellectual, he also has enormous political ambitions- and enormous mutual hatred with VMRO, going back at least ten years."
After Macedonias independence, Ordanovski managed the countrys first "independent" media body, MILS (under the sponsorship of George Soros).
This organization was to provide independent information and train journalists in Western-style reporting. He maintained close ties with the socialist SDSM government, and was appointed editorial director of Macedonian National Television (MTV) during SDSM rule. Supporters say that Ordanovski and his allies were politically "framed" by rivals; this might have something to do with his abrupt termination as MTV director.
The Macedonian Socialists were the remnants of the established Yugoslav "old guard," and the archrivals of the re-emerging nationalists (VMRO-DPMNE). It is no wonder that in IWPRs upcoming, USAID-funded book on the Macedonian conflict, Ordanovski is slated to write a chapter on "the Macedonian right wing." Indeed, who would be more expert than a sworn enemy of that very same "right wing"? By employing individuals with active interests in Macedonian politics, IWPR strips itself of any pretense of objectivity.
Today, Ordanovski is editor of a glossy magazine (Forum), and well connected with a vast array of NGOs and Macedonian media bodies. He is also the assistant chief of IWPRs Macedonia project. Two of his Forum underlings also serve as regular IWPR contributors- and occasionally, for Reuters. Ordanovski and Joseph have used these resources as weapons to carry out their media campaign.
With these connections, and close ties to President Trajkovskis cabinet, Ordanovski has made himself a powerful figure in the Macedonian media. Until September 15th, he is forced to content himself with making criticisms from the sidelines. Yet there is a lot at stake: should the government change, all sorts of new opportunities may open up. But if the government does not change, the results could be unpleasant.
VMRO-DPMNE has a well-known hatred of A-1 TV, Macedonias most popular and allegedly independent television station. In another bout of wisdom, the party has actually boycotted it for the election campaign. This may be an ominous sign of things to come, according to one veteran Macedonian television journalist:
"if VMRO wins, it is quite likely that they will find a way to shut down A-1, and probably within 6 months. Ordanovski has close ties with A-1. Naturally, its in his interest to keep VMRO out of power."
Enabling the ICG: Feeling Out the Corruption Issue.
On 12 March 2002, Macedonias fourth international donors conference was held. The day before, Edward Joseph released a special report urging the EU to appoint a "corruption watchdog"- one that would be empowered to block international funding.
Joseph had arranged for heavy media coverage. Reuters published (on the 11th) a quite unusual ICG promotion- basically, a free advertisement. On the 12th, ICG world president Gareth Evans publicized Josephs report- in the Wall Street Journal Europe. Coincidentally enough, Ordanovskis Forum magazine chipped in on 28 March with an article called "Strike against corruption!" A few days later, one of Ordanovskis Forum writers praised the "hard-hitting report" in IWPR. On 27 May, Joseph arranged more self-publicity with a Reuters piece by Kole (son of Foreign Minister Slobodan) Casule. This kept the issue alive, and allowed Joseph to bluster that corruption "is a cancer that is debasing inter-ethnic, inter-governmental and even inter-personal relationships." He then made a not-too cryptic threat: to fight corruption, "you have to start from the top the fish stinks from the head."
In his major report of 14 August, Joseph cites these articles as "proof" that the world media has realized corruption is the issue in Macedonia. The farcical aspect of this crude appeal to the bandwagon, of course, is that Joseph is merely citing himself and his lackeys. There is no world media consensus- only that of Joseph and his cohorts. Indeed, who in the world cares about a peacetime Macedonia?
Election Rhetoric: Root Out Violence!
Another strategy has been to expose VMRO-associated violence. Interior Minister Ljube Boshkovski has marketed himself as a much-needed enforcer in a lawless land. At political rallies, he pumps his arms in the air like a heavyweight champ. Yet his antics- like accidentally shooting a reporter in May- have left fertile ground for his many enemies. Boshkovskis controversial sponsorship of special forces (like the Lions) has long been used against him.
Carla del Ponte has already come around to threaten Boshkovski (and set Rambouillet-like terms), over Ljuboten. An inside source claims that the only duty Britains MI-6 has in Macedonia "is to stay on Boshkovskis back." In short, it is clear that many would be glad to see "Brother Ljube" go.
This aspect of the Joseph-Ordanovski parallel campaign came together in an IWPR piece of 18 July, when the latter capitalized on fatal fighting in Vinica to attack his political enemies. According to Ordanovski, special forces units "under direct control of the governing party" (VMRO-DPMNE) will threaten the electoral process:
"With the election only two months away, the party is faring badly in public opinion polls and there are concerns that the special forces - made up of squads called the Tigers and the Lions - will be let loose to frighten voters and journalists and intimidate opposition politicians."
This opinion was given independent (ahem) validation by the notable Dr. Joseph:
"I am very concerned about the potential for violence and escalation during the elections in Macedonia," said Edward Joseph of the International Crisis Group. "It is very clear from some recent incidents that special forces are involved in creating incidents"
Unsurprisingly, Ordanovski also quotes an SDSM deputy and personality from the "independent" A-1 TV, which is itself mired in a vast corruption scandal.
"Independence" and Advocacy.
In anticipation of the final ICG corruption report, Joseph and Co. renewed the anti-corruption campaign. For example, an interview with the Albanian magazine Lobi/Press Online, which disintegrated into shameless self-promotion: "I'm glad," said Joseph, "that the International Crisis Group has played a significant role, focusing primarily on the corruption issue."
In his official ICG report on corruption, Joseph refers to Lobi as an "independent" magazine. However, its affiliated website (Press Online) is partially funded by the US government (IREX and the NDI). It is obvious that Lobi is just the needed "in" with the Albanian media. Through an ever-expanding web of circular references, the interventionists aim to build consensus and legitimacy.
Anti-government rhetoric heated up soon thereafter. On 9 August appeared a Reuters article (by Forums Ana Petruseva) about the recent arrest of 19 Kosovo Albanians. After reporting the event, the team launches into blatant political advocacy:
"(Prime Minister) Georgievski and hawkish interior minister Ljube Boskovski have predicted imminent danger from Kosovo before, which analysts see as an attempt to boost their nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party.
"With elections barely a month away, it is no surprise that they would resort to the same rhetoric," said Edward Joseph, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank."
It is hard to imagine that the reference to "analysts" refers to anyone other Joseph, who is (in name, at least) a singular entity.
One day before, Petrusevas boss (Ordanovski) had written a similar, yet even stronger piece for IWPR:
"Facing defeat in September's general elections, Macedonian Prime Minister Ljupco Georgievski appears to be playing up the renewed threat of ethnic Albanian extremism.
the premier's fiery nationalistic rhetoric is largely seen as the first shots in a hotly contested election campaign in which things do not look good for his party. Indeed, a survey published on July 15 showed Georgievski's ruling VMRO-DPMNE behind the opposition SDSM by a 3-1 margin."
The interesting thing is that references to "opinion polls" (in at least three different articles) refer to only this one opinion poll- carried out on 15 July, by an American governmental agency. Media organizations funded by Empire, citing data funded by Empire, to advance the agenda of Empire; is there any room for doubt?
The Ahmeti Angle.
Two months ago, several curious articles began appearing in major American media. The subject? Ali Ahmeti, militant mastermind turned peace-loving politician. Only in Macedonia can a man start a war one year and be ushered into political power the next. Not only did these reports support Ahmeti- with that, "golly gee, what a surprise" ethos- but they also sought to disparage Georgievski. Reuters (on 29 June) offered what was basically an apology for Ahmeti, saying how the reformed guerrilla had moved into the "political mainstream."
Edward Joseph has long cultivated a relationship with Ahmeti and his NLA commanders. A minor scandal erupted in the newspapers two months ago; apparently Joseph had invited Ahmetis spokesman (along with the SDSM brass) to his cocktail party. That the relationship is quite cozy was confirmed by Joseph himself, in an IWPR article of 29 May, written by IWPR director Agim Fetahu. After discussing the new dynamics of the Albanian parties, Fetahu writes:
"Ahmeti confirmed he had received offers from the two parties but made no promises. "Ahmeti doesn't want to reveal his hand," said Edward Joseph, Macedonia Project director at the International Crisis Group think-tank."
Here, Joseph appears to be gloating over his privileged insider knowledge.
One gets the impression that he has become uncomfortably close to an individual who is, after all, on the US terrorist blacklist. Especially as it comes from a habitual mocker of Balkan intrigue, how can this statement not seem conspiratorial? The fact that Ahmeti and his cohorts are liberally (and positively) quoted in the 14 August corruption report is further evidence of a special relationship.
But Whats In It For Them?
By serving as Ahmetis enablers and disparaging VMRO-DPMNE, Empires servants Ordanovski and Joseph aim to bring in a (hopefully) more obedient SDSM/Ahmeti coalition government. Using imperial tactic of divide and conquer, Joseph has manipulated latent animosities between the Macedonian parties, to ensure they will never be united. He has successfully manipulated the personal enmities between Ordanovskis allies and their enemies, to promote further inter-Macedonian division. And so the Macedonians fight each other to the death, even as Ali Ahmeti and his thugs- tolerated, groomed and now enabled by the West- march to power. In 1999, US and OSCE "monitors" overlooked widespread election fraud to ensure victory for VMROs Trajkovskis. The same party is now being deposed by the US. There is no doubt about it: inter-Macedonian hatred is being incited from outside.
There are also personal motivations for Joseph and Ordanovski. For the latter, an SDSM return will mean a restoration of the "old boy" network that first brought him to prominence. With a friendly administration, and the ear of the presidents office, Ordanovski will no doubt win further media prestige- and perhaps realize his currently frustrated political aspirations. Not to mention that keeping VMRO out of power will keep the affiliated A-1 Television operating.
The stakes are even higher for Edward Joseph, who has breezed unblemished through an increasingly influential international career. Yet it has hit a snag. The fact that Joseph returned to America for "Campaign 2000"- and then straight back to the Balkans- indicates that he is currently biding his time with a trusty international "think-tank," until remnants of Clinton 2 can return to power, and elevate him to a State Department position.
Indeed, doing time in "non-governmental" organizations is one of those respectable diversions that keeps aspiring statesmen in the public eye while they plot their next move. Yet unlike the slightly older Wesley Clark- who wound up with the ICG after falling victim to nasty Pentagon politicking- Joseph has not been put out to pasture. "It is clear that he is being groomed for bigger and better things," said one Western observer in Skopje. "This ICG stuff is just a stepping-stone to a diplomatic career for Ed- a frightening thought indeed."
With so much at stake, Joseph is naturally concerned that his biggest project- the ICG report on Macedonian governmental corruption- influence the powers-that-be. Yet instead, the report evidences that ICGs entire Macedonia mission has degenerated into nothing more than one mans personal crusade. As we will see in Part IV tomorrow, there are serious concerns- in regard to both the reports method and its motive.
 August 28 in History.
Standartnews
In 1943 infant Prince Simeon of Tarnovo was proclaimed the Bulgarian King after his father Boris III died.
FOREIGN MINISTER-LIBYA.
BTA
Foreign Minister Passy to Talk to Seif al-Islam about Trial of Bulgarians Medics in Libya.
Sofia, August 28 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Solomon Passy said he does not want to encourage excessive optimism about the outcome of the trial of the six Bulgarian medical workers in Libya.
He will discuss the case with the chairman of the Gaddafi Foundation, Seif al-Islam.
He said that in response to a reporter's question about the position of the Bulgarian side before the start of the next stage in the case in which the Bulgarians are tried for intentionally infecting 393 Libyan children with the virus causing AIDS.
He said that three important things have happened: the living conditions of the Bulgarian defendants have been irreversibly changed after they were moved from the Judaida prison to a house near Tripoli; the worst charge of conspiracy against Libya was irreversibly dropped; and third, though not directly connected with the trial, relations between Bulgaria and Libya has improved also irreversibly.
"But none of these is satisfactory enough and I will never be able to sit back and relax while there are still charges that carry the death penalty," said the Foreign Minister.
Passy will be meeting with Justice Minister Anton Stankov, who chairs an interdepartmental group on the case, and with one of the lawyers of the Bulgarians, Plamen Yalnuzov, after the two of them read the available documents.
"After we discuss the situation, I will talk to the chairman of the Gaddafi Foundation, Seif al-Islam," Passy said.
BULGARIA-IRAN-ECONOMIC COOPERATION.
BTA
Bulgarian Companies Can Take Part in Construction of New Iranian Towns.
Sofia, August 28 (BTA) - Bulgarian construction companies have the potential to take part in the construction of new towns in Iran, Iranian Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Ali Abdol-Alizadeh said Wednesday, emerging from a meeting with Foreign Minister Solomon Passy.
Dr Abdol-Alizadeh arrived here Tuesday on a four-day official visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Kostadin Paskalev.
The two sides expressed political will to further promote relations between Bulgaria and Iran which would be instrumental to the development of cooperation in construction, regional development and public works, Dr Ali Abdol-Alizadeh said.
He added that an agreement on long-term cooperation in construction will be signed within the framework of the visit. It will provide for Bulgarian and Iranian companies to carry out joint projects on the territories of the two countries and in third countries. Dr Abdol-Alizadeh said such projects could be carried out in Afghanistan, in Central Asia and in Iran. Experts of the two countries started preparing the text of the agreement later on Wednesday.
Dr Abdol-Alizadeh said he expects Bulgaria's National Assembly Chairman to visit Iran soon.
After a one-to-one session with the Iranian official later in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Kostadin Paskalev confirmed for the press Bulgaria's interest in joint projects with Iran in neighbouring countries, and mentioned a project for a gas pipeline from Iran to Europe through Turkey and Bulgaria.
The two government ministers opened a meeting of the Bulgarian and the Iranian delegations at the Boyana Residence that discussed cooperation in the construction business.
Dr Ali Abdol-Alizadeh said that the construction of transit corridors and projects for energy transmission may provide a basis for the development of the two countries.
Paskalev said that he expects on Thursday the Iranian delegation to be presented a draft memorandum of cooperation in the energy industry.
He also said that Iran's involvement in the Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRACECA) will link up Bulgaria and Iran through the Black Sea and the Caucasus.
Bulgarian specialist may be hired to restore architectural and cultural monuments in Iran, and design new cities in that country, said Paskalev.
Iran needs capital and qualified labour, said Dr Ali Abdol-Alizadeh. Iran now has a new law which protects and encourages foreign investment, and has changed its property legislation.
Two-way trade has dropped 20-fold from its level of the 1980s but Paskalev hopes that the situation will change and Iran will again be Bulgarian exports' top destination in the developing world.
The Iranian delegation includes the CEOs of a construction company currently working on a project for 18 new cities for 3.5 million people and of a company exporting construction services.
FRANCOPHONE INSTITUTE-AGREEMENT.
BTA
Francophone Organization Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, Foreign Minister Passy Sign Agreement.
Sofia, August 28 (BTA) - The Secretary General of the International Francophone Organization Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Foreign Minister Solomon Passy signed here Wednesday an agreement between the Bulgarian Government and the francophone organization on the operation of the Sofia-based Francophone Institute of Administration and Management.
The Foreign Minister said that the agreement will make happier the foreign students of the Sofia institute because now they and their professors relaxed rules for entry and stay in Bulgaria.
Passy said that this day is also good for the regional francophone movement and that since its admission as a full member of its international organization in 1993, Bulgaria has been trying to grow into a regional francophone centre for Central and Eastern Europe.
The Sofia francophone institute was established only in 1996 but has already grown into a successful project, said the Bulgarian Foreign Minister adding that this first and only francophone high school in Southeastern Europe is a breakthrough in a region of rich cultural traditions.
Boutros Boutros-Ghali said that the event has symbolic value as it shows the resolve of Bulgaria and the francophone community to strengthen the ties between them.
The Sofia francophone institute of administration and management offers two-year courses which are taught only in French. It has some 100 students of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Moldova and other countries.
Emil Kyulev Bought DZI.
Standartnews
Stephan Kioutchukov
The banker bought out the biggest finance group in this country.
Banker Emil Kyulev is already the owner of DZI (State Insurance Institute). Apostol Apostolov - chairman of the Privatization Agency (PA), and Emil Kyulev - owner of Contract Sofia company, sealed a contract on the privatization of 80 percent of the assets yesterday. Finance Minister Milen Velchev attended the deal. 'With this deal Roseximbank and DZI set up a finance group, which is probably the biggest in Bulgaria,' Emil Kyulev commented. The price of the deal is 21.522 million euro. 17 million euro cash, or 80 percent of the price, were transferred on the day of the signing, Apostol Apostolov said. 2.5 million levs will be invested in DZI in a month, Emil Kyulev added.
Farm Minister Accused Farmers of Cheating.
Standartnews
Krastina Marinova
Minister Dikme was handed in a petition with falsified wheat prices.
Farm Minister Mehmed Dikme found a fraud in a protest petition. After reading it, Dikme said: 'It's not true. The current wheat price of 160 levs/ton has been faked up into 180 levs/ton.' On Sunday, the Farm Minister pledged that the cabinet would buy 200,000 t of wheat at the price of 160 levs/t. Last year the price of the wheat was $77 per ton, while now it is $80. The minister elaborated that it is the last time the cabinet to help farmers, from now on the EU requirements should be met. To Dikme, a certain political party was behind the protest rallies of the grain-producers. 'We won't yield to political pressure,' he said. The cabinet is to start buying out 200,000 tons of wheat from the droughty regions in September, but not at a time. No grain producers will be omitted, Dikme pledged.
Unique Statuette Discovered.
Standartnews
Krasimira Slavova
In the region of Karabyulyuk, near the village of Yabulkovo, archaeologists discovered an 8 cm tall earthen statue of a woman, dating from the 2 century BC. The figure was found in a sanctuary from the early Neolithic period. The unique thing about it is in that the rear parts of the statuette are accentuated on. Probably this is an image of the Goddess-Mother - the symbol of fertility. One could easily notice traces of horns on the head of the idol. The statuette was found in the remnants of a settlement destroyed by fire. Along with it, archaeologists found a pair of small bull's horns. On the ruins of the first settlement, a second one has been built. The second settlement was built from stones. It is of great interest to the archaeologists, because such a sound construction is characteristic of the Medieval Bulgarian capitals and was found for a first time somewhere else.
Milosevic attacks BBC 'bias'
BBC
Milosevic accused the BBC of unfair reporting.
The BBC's former Belgrade correspondent, Jacky Rowland, has clashed with former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic as she gave evidence at his war crimes trial.
She was cross-examined by Mr Milosevic in a tense exchange, which focused on the BBC's objectivity and impartiality.
Ms Rowland insisted that her reports from the former Yugoslavia had been fair and objective.
She had been called to the tribunal to testify about what she saw at Dubrava prison in Kosovo in 1999, where she found inmates lying dead.
The Serb authorities claimed the victims had been killed by Nato bombs, but she reported at the time that it was unclear how they had died.
She told Mr Milosevic that they did not appear to her to be the victims of bombing.
"If you were hit by a bomb - heaven forbid - I think I'd be able to tell by looking at your body whether that was the manner of death," she told him.
A previous witness claimed Serb guards had shot most of the victims.
Tribunal judge Richard May told Ms Rowland he believed that Mr Milosevic was also calling into question the wider issue of the objectivity of other BBC reports from Kosovo.
Jacky Rowland: "I took a great deal of pride in my work"
"What the accused is putting to you is that the BBC was not necessarily objective, that here was one objective report, but the fact that there was one objective report doesn't mean all the reports were objective," said Judge May.
But Ms Rowland insisted she took a great deal of pride in her work from the region.
"I think anyone who knew me in Yugoslavia at that time, including Kosovo Serbs, would say I was one of the fairest and most objective reporters they knew," she said.
"I am very happy to say the BBC enjoys probably the best international reputation of any international broadcaster for being objective."
She pointed out that her features from the region had included one on how Serbs were being demonised.
Tribunal first.
And looking directly at the ex-leader, she told him: "During the Nato bombing campaign, Mr Milosevic, as you well know, the British Government was sharply critical of BBC coverage.
At one stage some government officials referred to us as the Belgrade Broadcasting Corporation."
This is the first time a journalist has testified at the Milosevic trial, although several others have given evidence at previous trials held by the tribunal.
Mr Milosevic is accused of more than 60 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflicts in Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia.
Kosovo Peacekeepers Find Another Big Arms Cache.
Reuters
PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (Reuters) - Peacekeepers in Kosovo said on Wednesday they had unearthed a cache of more than 6,000 grenades while digging out a bunker bombed by NATO during its air war against Yugoslav forces in 1999.
The haul on Tuesday afternoon was the second big arms find in the U.N-governed province in as many days, following the discovery on Monday of more than 800 grenades and mortar rounds buried in a field near the Macedonian border.
Squadron Leader Anthony Adams, a spokesman for the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force, said the second cache appeared to have been there for several years and would be destroyed in the next week. The site was near the village of Goles, about nine miles southwest of the provincial capital Pristina and close to one of the biggest military bases in the former Yugoslavia.
The base had a large underground tunnel and bunker network and was a frequent NATO target during its 11-week air war to halt a Serb crackdown on the ethnic Albanian majority in Kosovo.
The province, which remains legally part of Yugoslavia, is still awash with weapons from both sides in the conflict, though KFOR has not confirmed the origin of either cache.
Albanian Families Request Investigation Into KLA War Crimes.
Makfax
The UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) will pursue an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) Daut Haradinaj and Rustem Mustafa, the UNMIKs Spokeswoman Susann Manuel told Belgrades news agency Fonet, adding that the investigation was requested by several Albanian families. UNMIK had arrested recently the former KLA commanders Haradinaj and Mustafa as well as other members of the Kosovo Liberation Army allegedly involved in murders of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
UNMIKs spokesperson denied Belgrade claims that Serbian Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice had presented evidence to UNMIK on alleged war crimes committed by Albanians against Serbs in Kosovo.
Russia says mass grave from first war found.
By YURI BAGROV, Associated Press Writer
VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia - A Russian squad in Chechnya found several mass graves believed to contain the remains of at least 80 soldiers and abducted civilians, an official in Chechnya's Moscow-backed administration said Wednesday, as violence across the republic killed at least 12 people, including 4 civilians.
Meanwhile, a high-level military official in the region, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Mi-26 military helicopter that crashed Aug. 19 in Chechnya, killing 118 people, was downed by two anti-aircraft missiles one that hit it in the air and the second near the ground. The commission investigating the crash has not announced the results of its probe, and its chief denied reports earlier this week that it had concluded a missile was to blame, saying investigators were still considering the possibility of mechanical failure.
The graves, found Monday in weed-covered fields near Stary Achkhoi, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the Chechen capital, Grozny, are believed to date from the past decade's first Chechen war in 1994-96, the administration official said on condition of anonymity. The remains, which were being sent to a military forensic laboratory in the Southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, have not been identified, he said.
Rebel fighters had a prison camp nearby, military spokesman Col. Ilya Shabalkin said in televised comments. "These were the bodies of servicemen and builders abducted by rebel groups" in early 1996, Shabalkin told Interfax news agency.
He said that rebels in the area had abducted 20 employees of the Germes-Yug energy company, 15 federal soldiers and 28 construction workers from southern Russia during the 1994-96 war, according to Interfax.
Russian troops withdrew from Chechnya in defeat in 1996, leaving the small southern republic with de-facto independence. Three years later, Russian troops returned after Chechnya-based militants invaded a neighboring region and the Kremlin blamed Chechen rebels for apartment-building bombings that killed 300 people in Moscow and other cities.
Moscow has said that the second war is winding down, but Russian troops still die daily in rebel attacks and many Chechens who fled to neighboring regions remain too fearful to return to their destroyed homeland.
In Grozny, a civilian resident was killed Tuesday and another wounded when their car detonated a land mine, the administration official said. A rebel ambush in the village of Avtury killed three local administration officials and one soldier, he said.
Rebel fighters also clashed with federal troops near the village of Gansalchu in the Nozhai-Yurt district, the official said. Col. Boris Podoprigora, a deputy commander in Chechnya, told Interfax news agency that the rebel group was surrounded and attempting to break out.
Two Russian soldiers died and five were wounded during the fighting, the administration official said. At least five rebels were also killed.
Throughout the republic, federal positions came under fire 18 times in the last 24 hours, killing three soldiers and wounding 10, the official said.
Russian aviation bombed rebel bases in the southern Vedeno district, while artillery shelled suspected rebel bands in Nozhai-Yurt, Itum-Kale, Shali and Achkhoi-Martan districts.
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