POWELL THANKS MACEDONIA FOR ITS SUPPORT TO U.S ACTIONS IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN

WASHINGTON, Nov 26 (Hina) - The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has thanked Macedonia for support it gave to the United States' operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and for signing an agreement with Washington on non-extradition of American nationals to the International Criminal Court (ICC). #L# After his talks with Macedonia's Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski in Washington on Tuesday, Powell told reporters that they had considered strong bilateral relations between Macedonia and the United States. According to Powell, he and his guest had talked about the fact that Macedonia had backed Washington when it needed assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq. Macedonians have ensured troops for deployment in both countries. Crvenkovski described Macedonia as a very stable and reliable partner and ally of the United States. He voiced hope that after his talks with Powell, Washington would back Macedonia's bids to join Euro-Atlantinc integration processes. Being faced with a possibility of civil war and conflict between Macedonians and ethnic Albanians in 2001, Skopje, with international forces' assistance, succeeded in solving the conflict. The European military mission will be engaged in Macedonia until 15 December, and after that there will be no foreign military units in that Balkan country. Powell praised Macedonia for a degree of political and internal stability it had achieved. (hina) ms