Macedonian police gunned down seven innocent immigrants, then claimed they were terrorists, in a killing staged to impress the United States, authorities said Friday. Speaking after a two-year investigation, a police spokeswoman, Mirjana Konteska told reporters that six people, including three former police commanders, two special police officers and a businessman, have been charged by police with murder…. Konteska said the killings were an attempt to “present themselves as participants in the war against terrorism and demonstrate Macedonia’s commitment to the war on terror.”
Since breaking away from Yugoslavia in 1991, Macedonia has been eager to win U.S. political and economic support in its search for acceptance into the Western camp of nations. It took Washington’s side against traditional U.S. allies in supporting the ousting of Saddam Hussein and now has troops with the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.