The Position of the EU and NATO On the Current Situation in the Republic of Macedonia
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Macedonia has received the support of the international community in dealing with the current situation. NATO Secretary General George Robertson called the rebels "a bunch of murderous thugs whose objective is to destroy a democratic Macedonia and who are using civilians as human shields" in a cynical bid to provoke "another Balkan bloodbath." Similarly, the European Union's foreign policy chief and former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, talking about the Albanian extremists in Macedonia, stated that "the terrorists have to be isolated. Even the Albanian prime minister has condemned the activities of these terrorists. All the more reason all of us have to condemn and isolate the terrorists. Nothing can be achieved through violence and nothing should be achieved through violence." Moreover, the US Secretary of State Colin Powell stated during the visit of Macedonia's President Trajkovski to the United States: "I once again had the opportunity to express solidarity with Macedonia; the United States' total commitment to territorial integrity of Macedonia; our commitment to this democracy which is facing dastardly and cowardly acts from terrorists and terrorist organizations that are trying to subvert the democratic process in Macedonia." US Secretary of State also stated that "the Macedonian Government's response to the challenge of extremist violence has been measured and proportionate" and "the Macedonian forces responded rather well and in a proportionate manner." U.S. permanent representative on the North Atlantic Council Alexander Vershbow told journalists in Skopje April 3 2001 that NATO and the US will take the security precautions necessary to prevent armed extremists from destroying the multi-ethnic fabric of Macedonia's society. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement issued March 19 2001 that the US condemned the continuing violence caused by the ethnic Albanian terrorists, and they do not represent the vast majority of ethnic Albanians there. Furthermore, the US has expresed support for the Macedonian government regarding the current developments, and the government's efforts to uphold democracy and the rule of law.
Finally, US President George W. Bush issued letters on June 27 2001 to Congress regarding executive actions (individuals in the US are not allowed to transfer, pay, export, withdraw, or otherwise deal in the property or interests in property of persons designated in or pursuant to the order, as well as making or receiving by the US persons of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any person designated in or pursuant to the order) and restricted entry into the United States of those who threaten international stabilization efforts in the Balkans, specifically members of the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja, and Bujanovac (a.k.a. PMBLA; a.k.a. UCPMB), LKCK (a.k.a. National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo), LPK (a.k.a. Popular Movement OF Kosovo), National Liberation Army (a.k.a. NLA; a.k.a. UCK), PCPMB (a.k.a. Political Council of Presevo, Medvedja, and Bujanovac).
The Republic of Macedonia has been, and still is an example of successful democratic state. Therefore, the attacks by the radical, unreasonable, barbaric Albanian terrorists are not just an attack on the Republic of Macedonia, but an attack on the democratic society in general.
