MACEDONIA: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL HAS CHAMPIONED A UNITED MACEDONIA URGING COMPROMISE BETWEEN SLAVS AND ALBANIANS
Record ID:
222923
MACEDONIA: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL HAS CHAMPIONED A UNITED MACEDONIA URGING COMPROMISE BETWEEN SLAVS AND ALBANIANS
- Title: MACEDONIA: U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL HAS CHAMPIONED A UNITED MACEDONIA URGING COMPROMISE BETWEEN SLAVS AND ALBANIANS
- Date: 12th April 2001
- Summary: SKOPJE, MACEDONIA (APRIL 12, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV/SV OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN GOVERNMENT BUILDING (4 SHOTS) 0.21 2. LV PRESS CONFERENCE 0.26 3. MCU (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL, SAYING: "It was my first, it is my first visit to the region. I gave to all my colleagues a solid expression of support from president Bush and the Bush administration for their work and the fact that we will be engaged politically and economically, provide military assistance as appropriate and try in every instance to provide an example of what can be done in a multi ethnic society such as we have in the United States and how that multi-ethnicity can be a source of strength." 0.56 4. SV MEDIA 1.01 5. MCU (English) POWELL, SAYING: "The conflict was dealt with in a way I think was proportionate. It is over for the moment, but those dangers are still there. There are still extreme elements, terrorist elements that wish to make trouble in this country and I am very pleased that the president has moved forward, and his government has moved forward to political dialogue that we talked about. So I think that they are responding in the proper way, by improving their military in case another such crisis comes along they can deal with it in a proportionate way and undertaking the political dialogue which if successful, and I hope it will be successful, will remove the grounds that give rise to this kind of violence. But at the end of the day it is a solution that Macedonia must come up with." 1.47 6. SLV MEDIA 1.51 7. CU (English) POWELL, SAYING: "In my meeting with Albanian leaders both in a group and when I met several of them separately I encouraged them to participate in a constructive and active way in this dialogue and to remain committed to it and to keep the coalition strong and together so that violence and extremism doesn't prevail." 2.14 8. SV POWELL AND OTHER OFFICIALS DEPARTING PRESS CONFERENCE 2.26 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 27th April 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: SKOPJE, MACEDONIA
- Country: Macedonia
- Reuters ID: LVA6ATFEFCJ4A0B3WESZ7DHG5B9L
- Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has championed a
united Macedonia urging compromise between Slavs and
Albanians.
The West fears a fresh outbreak of Balkan war unless
Macedonia's majority Slavs grant greater rights to minority
Albanians, whose complaints of discrimination contributed to a
sudden rebel insurrection last month.
Powell, in his first stab at treacherous Balkan diplomacy,
met Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, who told reporters
afterwards his government was committed to a serious political
dialogue with the Albanians.
Powell, addressing a news conference on Thursday (April)
said the Bush administration offered their support towards
stabilising the Balkans.
"We will be engaged politically and economically, provide
military assistance as appropriate and try in every instance
to provide an example of what can be done in a multi ethnic
society such as we have in the United States and how that
multi-ethnicity can be a source of strength," said Powell.
During recent conflict heavy Macedonian artillery and
helicopter gunship attacks repelled the rebels but they have
vowed to return unless there is an agreement on equal rights.
Powell indicated that the conflict had been dealt with in
a "proportionate" way.
"It is over for the moment, but those dangers are still
there. There are still extreme elements, terrorist elements
that wish to make trouble in this country and I am very
pleased that the president has moved forward, and his
government has moved forward to political dialogue that we
talked about," said Powell, adding that the Macedonians would
be "improving their military in case another such crisis comes
along" as well as "undertaking the political dialogue".
Powell also said he had met with Albanian leaders during
his visit to the region.
"I encouraged them to participate in a constructive and
active way in this dialogue and to remain committed to it and
to keep the coalition strong and together so that violence and
extremism doesn't prevail," he said.
Macedonian Slav and Albanian parties remain far apart on
terms for agreement. The main Albanian parties are demanding
international mediation and changes to the constitution.
The basic law makes Macedonian Slavs the main nationality
and Macedonian the only official language. Albanians comprise
about one third of the two million population.
Macedonia's political leaders opened a new round of talks
on Tuesday (April 10).
on how to reconcile the two communities, after promising
the European Union on Monday to draft reforms by June.
Macedonia aspires to EU links and is keen not to alienate
Western investors and donors needed for economic development.
Powell was also due to meet Arben Xhaferi, leader of the
ethnic Albanian DPA party that belongs to the fragile ruling
coalition, and was likely to encourage him to stay at the
talks despite his threats to bolt if progress were not made.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None