Greek reporters were mainly interested in the dispute between Athens and Skopje. "The only way to resolve the dispute is through talks and understanding, and I hope long- term interests will win in the end." To negotiate under an embargo, he said, means to talk under pressure, but Macedonia will not obstruct the activities of the international mediators. "We have a common responsibility toward peace and stability in the region, particularly Greece, being an EU and NATO member." Gligorov said relations with Bulgaria and Albania are satisfactory and, once the war in Bosnia is ended, such relations may easily be developed with Yugoslavia as well. As for the rights of Albanians in the country, Gligorov said Macedonia is ready to implement the standards of any country in the world, if they prove better than those currently in effect in Macedonia.
The foreign ministers of the two nations, Anjeli and Crvenkovski, met yesterday. The Italian foreign minister expressed readiness on part of the Italian government to support Macedonia's efforts to become included in European integration processes.
London sources inform that Hogg will pay separate visits to Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina between May 28 and June 2.
"It has been a great honor and pleasure for me to assist the authorities and people in Macedonia over the past 12 months, as well as to serve the United Nations as Mr. Akashi's delegate," he concluded.
Macedonian Radio cites him as saying this would unblock Greece's foreign policy which is currently abused by some parties and politicians for inter-party and suspicious political goals.
In an interview with A1 Television, the head of the delegation stated he was deeply impressed by the ways in which reforms in Macedonia are carried out, as well as by the trust in success with which the Government, managers and the people carry out their duties.
The delegation later visited the companies "Metalski Zavod - Tito" and "Hemteks", as well as a cattle farm in the village of Mralino, for talks on the progress of reforms and problems met along the way.
The World Bank delegates were received by Hari Kostov, Deputy Minister of Finance, who briefed them on the restructuring process of the 25 largest-loss producing companies in the country.
The Government continues with its anti-Albanian policy, creating conflict situations which lead to a de stabilization of Macedonia. The authorities clearly show their political course against Albanians by fabricating political processes linked to the university in Tetovo, by closing down an Albanian language high-school in the village of Radolishta near Struga, and by banning numerous private radio and television stations. The main activities of the party, after the congress, will be aimed at scheduling early parliamentary elections in cooperation with the Macedonian block of opposition partners. In the eyes of NDP it is the Government and Parliament which are the main generators of crisis in the country. The congress is expected to be attended by 233 delegates and guests from Macedonia and abroad. Representatives of political parties in Kosovo and Albania have also been invited. No Macedonian political party has received an invitation to take part. The work of the congress will be open to the public.
Question: To start with let me thank you for your readiness to come to this interview and to express hope that the Macedonian public will appreciate the opportunity to hear your initial comments on the recent US visit of Defense Minister Handziski and his talks there.
Answer: The talks were successful. This was a first-ever meeting between our bilateral working groups since the formal signing of the Agreement between the two countries. Yet much more important is the fact that this was a first- ever official visit of a representative of the Macedonian Government to the United States. I think you and your fellow compatriots were able to see the wonderful ceremony and honor presented as a custom for all politicians coming to meet Secretary Perry. This was a way for him to underline the importance of our relations with the Government of Macedonia and to point out just how essential security in Macedonia is, not only for your country but for the entire Balkan region as well. We discussed a great number of ways in which we could support the establishment of a defense system in Macedonia. We expect Macedonian students to be educated at American military institutions and we hope that, in the near future, Macedonia will be able to join the Partnership for Peace program and become included in multinational military exercises, thus enabling your military forces to contact not only NATO member countries, but also those already included in the Partnership for Peace initiative.
Question: Speaking of the Partnership for Peace initiative, I am sure you are well aware of the exact formal obstacle for Macedonia to become included in the initiative and the North Atlantic Treaty. Would you say this is a problem in the bilateral military relations between Macedonia and the US, as well as for stability in the region?
Answer: A larger problem at the present moment is the embargo on arms against Macedonia, a country which is, unfortunately, an innocent victim of sanctions aimed at limiting violence in Bosnia and surrounding states. The international sanctions were not supposed to affect Macedonia, which is a completely new state, in such a way.
But, unluckily, it does have an impact. What we can do is provide significant aid in military training, which at this present moment enables the US to become engaged in joint military exercises with Macedonia and provide aid in the form of military equipment. If such an opportunity existed in the future for us, we would be ready to go even further in this cooperation. In the meantime, we will be doing all we can within the framework of the legal limitations.
Question: My question referred more to the possible impact of Macedonia not being a NATO member on stability in the region.
Answer: We support Macedonia's desire to be included in the Partnership for Peace initiative, but this requires unanimous support by all NATO member countries.
Question: Which is impossible for the time being? Answer: It is unreal at the moment, but we hope that, should Greece and Macedonia overcome their differences despite the problem with the embargo, we will be able to move pretty fast.
Question: What if such steps fail to be undertaken? We know the latest development of the situation and I will recall Secretary Perry's statement, who said "should the situation worsen, an additional number of US troops will be sent to Macedonia." How do you intend to solve this problem, having in mind the fact that Macedonia is not a NATO member? Answer: The secretary was speaking hypothetically. We have no present plans to increase the number of our troops in Macedonia. But, as responsible military planners, we are considering all future possibilities. Should the situation worsen, one of the possibilities would be to increase the number of troops under different rules and new kind of engagement, maybe even under another flag. The NATO flag is only one of the possibilities. Nevertheless, this will not be prevented by the fact that Macedonia is not a member of the Partnership... initiative. There is no significant link between these two things.
Question: Yet, there might be a link, since such an agreement would have to be passed by the Macedonian Parliament.
Answer: Of course, any change in the deployment of UN forces in your country will be subjected to an agreement with your Government. We would not like to impose anything on President Gligorov, but I hope we will come to a common appreciation of a need for changes in the number and deployment of troops.