On the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government is expected to dismiss Jason Miko from the position of Honorary Consul of Macedonia in Tucson, Arizona, USA, to which he was appointed in 2013, BIRN learns.
His engagement with VMRO-DPMNE’s government included consulting services for which he was paid from the state budget. BIRN came across two agreements with which the Ministry of Defense engages Miko in 2015 and 2016 for intellectual services in the total amount of 17,875 USD.
Before being paid from the state budget, Miko was also a lobbyist for VMRO-DPMNE. According to documents registered with the US Agency for Registration of Foreign Contributors – FARA, VMRO-DPMNE for 7,500 dollars a month, hired Jason Miko to provide consulting services just before the July the 5th, 2006 elections, to which the party came to power.
During the entire time rule of VMRO-DPMNE’s, Jason Miko shared views very similar to the party. In the last ten years he has been particularly active on social networks.
We paid him from money from the state budget to write on “Twitter” against the US ambassador to the country, Jess Bailey, but also to interfere with the US administration’s internal decisions.
Since Donald Trump came to power, Miko was particularly critical of Baily. In a tweet from late November last year, he even called him to repent for “his hostile work towards Macedonia” and to be saved by the Lord!
All true. At least we know that Baily and folks like him will spend eternity separated from God, who created them, and loved them. Though there is still time to repent, Mr. Ambassador, and change your ways and accept God’s free gift of salvation. You can then live a joyful life. — Jason Miko (@JasonMiko) 29 November 2017
Almost a month later, in December last year, he wrote that Baily had sabotaged the implementation of policies by US President Trump because of the diametrically opposite views of his own.
Excellent point. But I expect @usembassymkd in #Macedonia to continue to do nothing to push @POTUS agenda for the simple reason that @AmbBaily holds a diametrically opposed worldview. Time for him to be recalled @nikkihaley @VP https://t.co/tz0un9HrKO
— Jason Miko (@JasonMiko) 23 December 2017
