The FY 2002 FMF program will reflect priorities set down by a pending Macedonian Ministry of Defense (MOD) Statement of Work, and developed in cooperation with a DoD assessment team. The MOD terminated U.S. defense consultant MPRI's contract in 2001, which had been the primary USG vehicle for the bilateral military-to-military relationship. However, the MOD has requested, a similar program under new guidelines. Current indications are that the bulk of FY 2002 FMF funds will be directed toward reform consultants and communications equipment. Foreign Military Training and DoD Engagement Activities of Interest: Joint Report to Congress
For the past five years, Macedonia has focused its military efforts on bringing its Army into line with NATO standards, in the hope of one day joining the Western alliance. That has involved less tactical training than bureaucratic moves to redesign the military's force structure and chains of command.
Helping them to do that have been one British officer and 16 former US soldiers working for Military Professional Resources Inc. (MPRI), a private Virginia-based company on contract to the US State Department. For Macedonian government, one way out: talks (CSM, 9 Jul, 2001)
Wow. 16 +1 = 17. Where do you supppose the "MPRI in Aracinovo" tale got it's number from, huh Tom?
The fact of the matter is that the Macedonian military proved incompetent to wage war against the ANA, and the Macedonian government requested NATO's intervention in getting the ANA out of Aracinovo.
By taking bits and pieces of factual events, modifying them, and putting them together with other factual misrepresentations, a story was concoted about MPRI instructors being in Aracinovo with the ANA. And the only reason it still retains any currency is because of folks like yourself who want to believe are too damned lazy or disinterested to check the facts yourself.
Interesting argument.......but it doesn't make it true unless I see more evidence. I'm not buying it yet. The little bit of trivia that is believeable and consistent, is that the Macedonian forces were closing in..the MPRI guys called for helo support to pull them out before........The MACEDONIAN forces closed in. There are so many lies the Government covered up that I wouldn't take much of anything to heart that is written about the Balkans.
The Christian Science Monitor????? Hopelite, Ever read Brocks book on How the media lies....absolutely. There is massive deceit and BS from the media sources and one in particular is The Christain Science Monitor. That 17.....were advising the ANA smart guy. Their story about working with the Macedonians, if they did, was only part of their mission. Do you think for one minute that they would report to congress that they advised the ANA as part of their job requirement? This is why they had to be picked up by helo from Bondsteel and taken back there after the Macedonian forces were closing in. You can call it working the "night shift"......