SKOPJE: NATO SUPPORTS MACEDONIA, POLITICAL DIALOGUE

SKOPJE, April 3 (Hina) - NATO Secretary-General George Robertson and 19 ambassadors from NATO member-states arrived in the Macedonian capital of Skopje on Tuesday, where in the afternoon they held talks with senior Macedonian officials and the leaders of every parliamentary party. Robertson said after the talks that everyone using violence for political gain would be eliminated and beaten, and that the politicians supporting them would be isolated. Speaking about the situation in Tetovo, Robertson said KFOR had intensified control on the Kosovo-Macedonia border, having arrested 150 people and seized tons of military equipment thus far. He added KFOR would take stronger steps to disarm paramilitary units in the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo and help a similar operation in Macedonia. The Secretary-General applauded the dialogue between party leaders and the head of state in Macedonia, stressing political dialogue was the only possible solution not only for Macedonia, but for the whole Balkans. While in Macedonia, the NATO delegation intends to support and encourage the country in reforms which should unite the people and marginalize extremists. Robertson said NATO would also support Macedonia on its road to integration with Euro-Atlantic structures. (hina) ha