SKOPJE, May 24 (Hina) - Macedonia's security forces on Thursday launched an offensive against terrorist groups in the area of Kumanovo. The assault was carried out by the artillery and helicopters, and Macedonian troops began
advancing towards the villages which were the strongholds of the armed ethnic Albanian rebels. The operation has been going on toward 11 villages held by the Albanian insurgents. Macedonian Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski said the security forces had entered the village of Vaksinci and no injuries either among the Macedonian troops or among villagers had been reported. The Albanian guerrillas previously said that seven civilians had been killed in the shelling of the village Slupcane. Macedonian authorities and the international community have severely condemned Wednesday's act of Macedonian Albanian political parties leaders, Arben Djeferi and Imer Imeri, and the leader of the rebel libera
SKOPJE, May 24 (Hina) - Macedonia's security forces on Thursday
launched an offensive against terrorist groups in the area of
Kumanovo. The assault was carried out by the artillery and
helicopters, and Macedonian troops began advancing towards the
villages which were the strongholds of the armed ethnic Albanian
rebels.
The operation has been going on toward 11 villages held by the
Albanian insurgents.
Macedonian Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski said the security
forces had entered the village of Vaksinci and no injuries either
among the Macedonian troops or among villagers had been reported.
The Albanian guerrillas previously said that seven civilians had
been killed in the shelling of the village Slupcane.
Macedonian authorities and the international community have
severely condemned Wednesday's act of Macedonian Albanian
political parties leaders, Arben Djeferi and Imer Imeri, and the
leader of the rebel liberation army (ONV), Alija Ahmeti, who signed
a joint declaration.
The embassies of the United States, France and Great Britain, have
forwarded messages in which they deplored the declaration and
possibility for the cooperation with extremists. NATO Secretary
General George Robertson has said Macedonia has the established and
prosperous democracy and that the recently set-up broad coalition
government should address the problem by democratic means.
There is no justification for anybody to use force against the
government. The international community will work together only
with the legitimate representatives of the people. I ask those who
use force to lay down arms and I ask the Albanian Diaspora to
discontinue the financing of the extremists, Robertson said
expressing his support to the Macedonian government and
President.
The European Union has also protested against yesterday's act. The
protest was forwarded via Marc Dickinson, the recently appointed
envoy of the EU High Commissioner for foreign affairs and security,
Javier Solana.
There is no seat for ONV representatives at the negotiating table,
read the EU's statement which added that the ONV enjoyed no support
of the international community.
(hina) sb ms