SKOPJE/JEREBINO, Sept 25 (Hina) - NATO's operation in Macedonia, "Essential Harvest", has not only achieved but exceeded its goal, with about 3,400 pieces of weaponry collected, NATO Secretary-General George Robertson said on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters at NATO's base in Jerebino in western Macedonia, Robertson said "Essential Harvest", which ends on Wednesday, prevented a civil war. Politicians have to step up the political process and resolve the issues of amnesty of extremists, the official said. He assured the Macedonian people that NATO and the entire international community would continue helping in the stabilisation of the country. To that end, the Alliance will establish its new mission for the protection of observers, although he said this was primarily the responsibility of Macedonian authorities. Robertson strongly warned all who thought of resorting to violence in Macedonia, reminding the
SKOPJE/JEREBINO, Sept 25 (Hina) - NATO's operation in Macedonia,
"Essential Harvest", has not only achieved but exceeded its goal,
with about 3,400 pieces of weaponry collected, NATO Secretary-
General George Robertson said on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters at NATO's base in Jerebino in western
Macedonia, Robertson said "Essential Harvest", which ends on
Wednesday, prevented a civil war.
Politicians have to step up the political process and resolve the
issues of amnesty of extremists, the official said.
He assured the Macedonian people that NATO and the entire
international community would continue helping in the
stabilisation of the country. To that end, the Alliance will
establish its new mission for the protection of observers, although
he said this was primarily the responsibility of Macedonian
authorities.
Robertson strongly warned all who thought of resorting to violence
in Macedonia, reminding the world had just declared war against
terrorism.
The NATO leader today also met Macedonia's state leadership for
talks on, among else, the definition of the status and tasks of
NATO's new mission, the amnesty of terrorists, and the reduction of
the Macedonian army's reserve, President Boris Trajkovski's office
said in a statement.
Trajkovski today also spoke over the telephone with German
chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in connection with NATO's new mission
in Macedonia, to be led by Germany.
The Defence Ministry said the Macedonian forces had withdrawn heavy
artillery from a location near the predominantly Albanian town of
Tetovo, despite the presence of Albanian guerrillas and nightly
shoot-outs.
The Interior Ministry said the blasts which rocked the capital of
Skopje over the last month had been caused by TNT explosive made in
China, which had been illegally imported from Albania.
The planted explosions are being investigated by a newly-
established centre, the ministry said.
(hina) ha