ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS: NEGOTIATIONS PROCEED WELL

SKOPJE, July 14 (Hina) - Envoys of the European Union (EU) and the Unites States, Francois Leotard and James Pardew, on Saturday held separate talks with political party leaders on a frame document, three annexes amendments to Macedonia's Constitution and modification of the legislation aimed at the resolution of the current crisis. After their talks with the international mediators, leaders of Macedonian Albanian political parties (DPA and PDP), Mendih Thaci and Imer Imeri, said the political dialogue was proceeding very well. A spokesman for the Defence Ministry, Marjan Djurovski, said preparations for the implementation of a plan for the disarmament were near completion. The plan should be carried out by NATO troops armed by light weapons. According to estimates of the ministry, there are 1,200 armed ethnic Albanians and together with the local population which offers them logistic support, this figure comes to between 4,000 and 6,000. Estimates are being made on heavy arms which rebels are digging underground, the spokesman said. Upon the disarmament, amnesty will be granted to all who have not perpetrated crimes. (hina) ms