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• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06728908
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: May 8, 2018
• Case Number: F-2017-00089
• Publication Date: December 13, 2002

Approved for Release: 2018/04/20 C06728908
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Balkan Update
13 December 2002
This report was prepared by the Office of Russian and European Analysis. Comments and queries are
welcome and may be directed to the Manager, OREA,
CL BY:
CL REASON: 1.5(c)
DECL ON: X1
DRV FROM: Multiple Sources
BCE 2002/0237
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2018/04/20 C06728908
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Balkan Update
Approved for Release: 2018/04/20 C06728908
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13 December 2002
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Balkan Update
13 December 2002
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Macedonia Developments
Former Government's Privatizations Come Under
Fire
Two privatizations carried out under Macedonia's
former leadership, the Internal Macedonian
Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for
Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) have
come under criticism for alleged rampant
corruption. Macedonia's Constitutional Court
annulled on 11 December the 1999 parliamentary
ratification of a deal with Greece's Hellenic
imports instead of the usual 20 percent and cost the
state $120 million in revenue over the past three
years.
Macedonian press alleged on 13 December that the
August privatization of Macedonia's largest media
house Nova Makedonija to an alleged Slovene shell
company, Jug-Uslugi, enabled the VMRO-DPMNE
to launder millions of dollars
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� VMRO-DPMNE spokesman Vlatko Gjorcev told
press on Friday that the party was only acquainted
with the media house's sale, but that the current
probe resulting in the arrest of the publishing firm's
manager is inappropriate. Gjorcev refused to
comment on whether the VMRO-DPMNE had
posted the $100,000 bail for the manager's release,
according to the press. (b)(3)
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Petroleum for a 54 percent share in Macedonia's Okta I
refinery, according to the press, because the deal 1
,
granted Hellenic a monopoly of Macedonia's oil i
1
market. 1
� Current Prime Minster Crvenkovski told the press
on Thursday that Macedonia plans to revise the
provisions of the 1999 contract, which allow
Hellenic to pay only a 1-percent tariff on oil
Approved for Release: 2018/04/20 C06728908