Macedonia: The Vnatresna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija - Demokratska Partija za Makedonsko Nacionalno Edinstvo (VMRO-DPMNE) political party; its role in interethnic conflict; philosophy and ideology; goals and objectives; current policies; number of members; whether there is a formal procedure to become a member; membership fees; membership card; whether the party is affiliated with the current government or the opposition

The VMRO-DPMNE (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity, or Vnatrešna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija – Demokratska Partija za Makedonsko Nacionalno Edinstvo) was originally formed in 1990 to promote Macedonian cultural identity and, according to the Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002, was initially perceived as "anti-Albania and right-wing" while claiming to be in the political centre (2002, 673). While Political Parties of the World 2002 describes the VMRO-DPMNE as Slav nationalist (2002, 310) and Amnesty International (AI) indicates that it is "predominantly ethnic Macedonian" (2003), following the 1998 legislative elections, the party nevertheless entered into a coalition with the firmly ethnic Albanian DPA (Democratic Party of Albania) (Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002 2002, 673; Political Parties of the World 2002 2002, 310).

An article in The Economist stated that the "VMRO is heir to a century-old Slavophile tradition and it is trying hard to rock the political boat" (5 Aug. 2004). Currently, the self-proclaimed "[p]eople's party with Christian-Democrat orientation" (VMRO-DPMNE n.d.b) is the main opposition party in Macedonia (ICG 3 Aug. 2004, 1; RFE/RL 19 Aug. 2004; The Economist 5 Aug. 2004).

The sources consulted by the Research Directorate did not clearly indicate the party's current leader (ICG 3 Aug. 2004, 9; RFE/RL 23 Jul. 2004; ibid. 19 Aug. 2004; VMRO-DPMNE n.d.a). A 24 May 2004 article by RFE/RL suggested that there are two wings of the VMRO-DPMNE. On the moderate wing are young leaders such as chairman Nikola Gruevski, leader of the whole party, and nominated Macedonian presidential candidate Sasko Kedev (RFE/RL 24 May 2004). Meanwhile, the other, more elite and nationalist wing, is composed of former party chairman and Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski as well as former Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski (who indicated that he wished to run for president but was barred by the state election committee) (ibid.). In addition, a 19 August 2004 article by RFE/RL mentioned Ganka Samoilovska-Cvetanova as the party's chairperson despite the undated claim by the VMRO-DPMNE that Ljubco Georgievski currently holds this position (VRMO-DPMNE n.d.a).

In a 12 August 2004 report, RFE/RL reported that the VMRO-DPMNE boycotted a vote by parliament to adopt a redistricting law, which many ethnic Macedonians are afraid might ethnically federalize their country. On 24 May 2004, RFE/RL indicated that the VMRO-DPMNE and its allies, the Liberal Party and the Democratic Party of the Albanians, boycotted the ceremony at which the Social Democratic Union's Branko Crvenkovski was sworn in as Prime Minister, because the VMRO-DPMNE alleged that the election was unfair and undemocratic. In August 2003, the VMRO-DPMNE criticized the government for giving an employment preference to ethnic Albanians in the administration (RFE/RL 25 Aug. 2003). Country Reports 2003 indicated that while in its view the September 2002 elections were free, the former minister of the interior of the ousted VMRO-DPMNE party called to have the elections annulled (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 3).

In its 2003 annual report, Amnesty International recalled a 16 July 2002 incident in which eight men attacked an A1 TV journalist in the wake of an A1 TV report that alleged corruption by a politician affiliated with VMRO-DPMNE. Also in 2002, Amnesty International reported that members of a "special mono-ethnic paramilitary police unit set up by the Interior Minister" called the Lions, who are suspected of being pro-VMRO-DPMNE, have been involved in various incidents of mistreating people during arrest or detention. For instance, Amnesty International mentioned the April 2002 incident in which two Muslim Macedonians were "severely beaten" and threatened by up to eight members of the Lions.

The VMRO-DPMNE lists its goals and ideology on its Website (n.d.b). Among these goals are disallowing discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion or gender; fighting ethnic divisions; supporting the development of a free market economy; attracting foreign investment; privatizing state-owned assets; promoting anti-corruption policies; reforming the civil service; encouraging better education; and making Macedonia a member of the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other international institutions (VMRO-DPMNE n.d.b). The Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) echoed the party's willingness to push Macedonia towards integration within the EU (22 Oct. 2003).

Information on the number of members in the VMRO-DPMNE, procedures to become a member, membership fees and membership cards could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

For further information on the VMRO-DPMNE's party platform, please consult the party's Website at . For additional information on the treatment of members of the party, please consult MCD39230.E of 9 July 2002.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International (AI). 2003. "Macedonia." Amnesty International Report 2003. [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2003. 25 February 2004. "Macedonia." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]

The Economist. 5 August 2004. "Gunning for Local Power." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]

International Crisis Group (ICG). 3 August 2004. Macedonia: Make or Break. [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE). n.d.a. "Selective Pursuit of the Rule of Law." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]
_____. n.d.b. "Who We Are." [Accessed 24 Sept. 2004]

Macedonian Information Agency (MIA). 22 October 2003. "Macedonian Rusling, Opposition Parties Reaffirm Common Goal of EU Accession." (BBC International/Dialog).

Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002. 2002. "Macedonia: Political Parties." Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Political Parties of the World 2002. 2002. 5th Edition. "Macedonia." Edited by Alan J. Day. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 19 August 2004. Vol. 8, No. 158. "Local Elections May Conflict with Referendum in Macedonia." ([email protected])
_____. 12 August 2004. Vol. 8, No. 153. "Macedonian Parliament Adopts Controversial Redistricting Law." ([email protected])
_____. 23 July 2004. Vol. 8, No. 139. "Macedonian Police Evacuate Defense Minister From Violent Protest." ([email protected])
_____. 24 May 2004. Vol. 8, No. 97. Uli Buechsenschuetz. "Macedonia Has A New President, But Not Everyone Is Happy." ([email protected])
_____. 25 August 2003. Vol. 7, No. 161. "Largest Macedonian Opposition Party Lashes Out at the Government." (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

Additional Sources Consulted

The Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) – did not respond to the Research Directorate within time constraints.

Internet Sites, including: Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW).