MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

SKOPJE, Sept 3 (Hina) - The Macedonian parliament continued a discussion on Monday on an initiative for changing the Constitution based on the Ohrid Frame Document, which is expected to last a few more days. Most of the MPs feel that in order to defuse the situation in the country, the proposed changes should be accepted, under two conditions: that the Macedonian troops control the entire territory of the country, and that the refugees are returned to their homes. It was also suggested that some of the questions should be solved by additional amendments, like the question of the makeup of police in the local government, which could be a problem in areas where Albanians constitute more than 20% of the population. Meanwhile, Macedonian radio reports that last night Albanian extremists broke the cease-fire agreement on several occasions, without consequences to the Macedonian forces. In Tetovo, Macedonians are still blocking the road to Jazince, asking for the release of their 11 kidnapped compatriots. Macedonian refugees from villages around Kumanovo again blocked the border crossing Tabanovce with Yugoslavia, but only for KFOR vehicles, OESS and EU observers, and International humanitarian organisations. The protesters claim they have not yet received any help from the international community, nor have they a roof over their heads. On the military polygon Krivolak, on the south of Macedonia, Monday marked the beginning of the operation of destroying collected arms and ammunition by the Greek NATO battalion. The guns are mostly older light weapons, but, as NATO spokesman Beri Jonson stated, almost 80 percent were still in working condition. (hina) js