Military

NATO to Maintain Smaller Presence in FYR Macedonia

(Mission "Allied Harmony" to help minimize risks of destabilization)
(270)
NATO has agreed to a request by the government of the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia to maintain a "significantly smaller" presence
after the December 16 conclusion of Operation Amber Fox to help
minimize the risks of destabilization and to assist the government "in
taking ownership of security throughout the country."
Following is the NATO announcement on the new mission, to be called
"Allied Harmony":
(begin text)
NATO Press Release (2002)131
29 Nov. 2002
NATO TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF
MACEDONIA(1)
In response to a request from President Trajkovski, the North Atlantic
Council has agreed to continue supporting the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia with a new mission from 16 December 2002.
While acknowledging that Operation Amber Fox can now be successfully
finalised, the North Atlantic Council agrees that there is a
requirement for a follow-on international military presence in the
country, so that risks of destabilisation are minimised. NATO's
continued presence after 15 December will be two-fold: its operational
elements will provide support for the international monitors; its
advisory elements will assist the government in taking ownership of
security throughout the country.
The new mission will be significantly smaller in numbers and will be
called Allied Harmony. The mission will assist the government of the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in taking ownership of security
throughout the country. It will have the capability to liaise with
local authorities in the former crisis areas and will contribute to
support the international monitors, while acknowledging that the local
authorities have the primary responsibility in this regard.
The North Atlantic Council has agreed to review the modalities of this
continued presence in February 2003.
(1)Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional
name.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)