SKOPJE REACTS TO XHAFERI-IMERI-AHMETI MEETING SKOPJE, May 24 (Hina) - Macedonia's state and military leadership met in the capital of Skopje late on Wednesday to discuss the political and security situation in the country in the wake
of information that Macedonian Albanian leaders had met with guerrilla representatives in Kosovo. The Skopje meeting was attended by the ambassadors of the United States, France, and Great Britain. The Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) reported that two Macedonian Albanian political leaders, Arben Xhaferi and Imer Imeri, had met in the southern Yugoslav province with a representative of the National Liberation Army (NOV). MIA reported they signed a document demanding unrestricted use of Albanian as an official language in Macedonia, proportional representation in institutions and the expansion of municipal competence, "support to the secularisation of the state," the introduction of "consensus in areas pertaining to Albania
SKOPJE, May 24 (Hina) - Macedonia's state and military leadership
met in the capital of Skopje late on Wednesday to discuss the
political and security situation in the country in the wake of
information that Macedonian Albanian leaders had met with
guerrilla representatives in Kosovo.
The Skopje meeting was attended by the ambassadors of the United
States, France, and Great Britain.
The Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) reported that two
Macedonian Albanian political leaders, Arben Xhaferi and Imer
Imeri, had met in the southern Yugoslav province with a
representative of the National Liberation Army (NOV).
MIA reported they signed a document demanding unrestricted use of
Albanian as an official language in Macedonia, proportional
representation in institutions and the expansion of municipal
competence, "support to the secularisation of the state," the
introduction of "consensus in areas pertaining to Albanian law,"
and "the right to free communication within Albanian culture."
The document also demands full rehabilitation for NOV members and
their employment in civil services.
Reporting on the Kosovo meeting, the Pristina-based daily Zeri
claims the document gives full support to Macedonia's integrity.
Macedonian Defence Minister Vlado Buckovski said after the Skopje
meeting the document's contents were unacceptable. He stressed the
most important thing was for Macedonian Albanian political
representatives to return where they belonged. "Instead of
isolating terrorists, we have the political isolation of Albanian
leaders," he said.
According to Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski, "there is no
official confirmation on a document signed by Albanian leaders and
the leader of the terrorists, but if it is true, then Xhaferi and
Imeri have taken an irresponsible step, and if they have done so
they should withdraw from the political scene."
Boskovski believes Xhaferi and Imeri have signed the document under
pressure. The NOV cannot be a factor in political negotiations,
which is a stance advocated by the international community as well,
according to Macedonian Radio.
(hina) ha sb