10th of May 2001

THE TERRORISM IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia by the organised armed terrorist groups, mainly from Kosovo, that provides logistic and other support for these terrorist acts, caused firm reactions in the Republic of Macedonia, and in the world, which is obvious from the statements given by the representatives of the international organisations and high European and world diplomats.

I.

This Information will present a part of the reactions in the world, presented by the electronic and other media.

RUSSELL JOHNSON: The violence in Macedonia is an attempt to destroy the coexistence.
Strasbourg, March 6th 2001

The violence on Macedonian-Yugoslav border with Kosovo is an attempt to disrupt the efforts of the authorities in Skopje for coexistence, understanding and political co-operation between Macedonians and the ethnic minorities- efforts that should be a model for the other states on the Balkans, it is said in the press release by the President of the Assembly of the Council of Europe Lord Russell Johnson from Strasbourg.

In the press release Lord Russell Johnson points out that we should not forget the fact that Macedonian authorities managed to maintain peace between Macedonian and Albanian population in Macedonia and that representatives of the Albanians are members of the Government.

"The Government's of Macedonia responsible and restrained attitude shown now as an answer to this threat, which is pointed to its national security, is most commendable. The international community should give Macedonia the necessary help to put an end to the crisis, which is a potential threat for new bloodshed in the Balkans", stated the President of the Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"I will discus this question with the Macedonian authorities during my visit to Skopje on March 21st", announced Johnson.

MARC DICKINSON: Condemnation of the terrorist acts
Skopje, March 14th 2001

The Ambassador of Great Britain in Macedonia, Marc Dickinson, tonight assessed the situation in the Republic of Macedonia as serious "but it is obvious that Macedonia will survive this".

Before the tonight meeting between the Macedonian state leadership and the ambassadors of the countries from the European Union and NATO, Ambassador Dickinson strongly condemned the actions of the extremists, the armed actions and extreme actions of the demonstrates, especially the ones that happened today in Tetovo against the reporters.

"I think that the European Union will call upon all the politicians in the country, and the ones that call themselves like that, to strongly condemn the terrorists. For the ones that will not condemn them we will know whose side are on."stressed Dickinson and expressed hope that the violence will not spread. Answering a reporters question what measures should Macedonian security forces take to deal with the situation Dickinson said that The Army of the Republic of Macedonia and the Police must protect themselves, Macedonia and Macedonian citizens.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT: Violence can not be a political mean
Washington, March 15th 2001

"The Macedonian Government has our full support to appropriately reply to violent provocation by the extremists", said today the deputy spokesman of the American State Department, Fillip Reeker.

In the statement given for the Voice of America on Macedonian, answering the question what is the American stand about the possibility that the newest developments in Tetovo destabilise Macedonia and negatively affect the interethnic relationships, Reeker pointed out:"the USA strongly condemn the groups of ethnic Albanian extremists that accept violence as a political mean. That is not acceptable. Their actions undermine the real interest of the Macedonian ethnic Albanians and the ethnic harmony in Macedonia."

The deputy spokesman of the State Department presented what the USA has intention to do about this new situation.

"We will continue to co-operate with the Government because this kind of violence obviously can not contribute to progress, but holds back the course of the reforms in Macedonia and disrupts the peaceful and democratic processes there".

THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL PASSED A PRESIDENTIAL INTIMATION
New York, March 17th 2001

The UN Security Council after the yesterday's address by the Chief of the mission of UNMIK, Hans Heckerup, passed a presidential intimation.

In the intimation The Security Council demands from the Kosovo leaders to condemn the ethnic and other violence and to make bigger efforts for building interethnic trust and multiethnic society in that part of FR of Yugoslavia.

About the events in Macedonia the Security Council concluded that the violence that threatens the stability of Macedonia and the whole region is in a big part supported and imported from outside.

GEORGE BUSH: The rebels in Macedonia are not fighting for the Albanian cause
Washington, March 24th 2001

The situation in Macedonia was one of the subjects discussed on the last night's meeting of the American President George Bush with the General Secretary of the United Nations, Coffee Anan, in Washington.

"The rebels in Macedonia claim to fight for the cause of the Albanian minority. But they are not doing that."Said Bush after the meeting and added that the USA and their allies pointed clearly that they stand by the Macedonian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The American President stressed that he supports those political leaders in Macedonia that prefer dialogue as a mean to resolve problems.

"I decisively support the efforts of President Boris Trajkovski and the Macedonian Government for promoting the democracy and the rule of law"said Bush.

Anan pointed that if the violence in Macedonia does not come to an end, there is reasonable danger that it will spread throughout the region and added that the UN firmly stands by the territorial integrity of Macedonia.

DEL PONTE: The Tribunal has jurisdiction over the criminal acts in Macedonia
Skopje, March 28th 2001

Prosecutor General of the Tribunal in Hague Carla Del Ponte, that has arrived in Skopje this afternoon, after the separate meetings with the Minister of Internal Affairs Dosta Dimovska and the Minister of Justice Devdet Nasufi, stated that the Tribunal has jurisdiction over the criminal acts in Macedonia.

Del Ponte said that it is not clear whether crimes of war were committed and expressed hope that the existing of this court jurisdiction will act as a warning and will prevent those criminal acts.

"I hope that all questions will be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner", she said and pointed out that if war crimes are committed the Tribunal in Hague will begin an investigation to resolve this crimes.

Del Ponte said that as soon as possible an investigative team will be sent to work with the Macedonian authorities in finding out what is happening in the country, and in the meantime the Tribunal will maintain close contact with the authorities in Macedonia for exchanging information about its activities.

HAMISH ROLO: Links between the extremist groups of the Albanians are strengthening
London, April 4th 2001

According to the Commanding officer of the British troops in KFOR, Hamish Rolo, latest events in Macedonia are contributing in the strengthening the links of the Albanian extremists in Macedonia with the terrorist groups in Kosovo and South Serbia.

"The so-called National Liberation Army (NLA) appeared in Macedonia during February this year to provoke armed rebellion in this state. With the offensive of the Macedonian security forces the members of the so-called NLA, which occupied the villages along the north border of Macedonia with Kosovo, where their bases are located and from which they are logistically supported, was forced out."stressed Rolo and added that NLA is created by the model of now dissolved Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), that fought the Yugoslav security forces in Kosovo during the nineties.

The third Albanian extremist group, according to Rolo, is the so-called Liberation Army of Preshevo, Medvege and Bujanovac, that fights the Yugoslav military and police forces in South Serbia.

"I am convinced that there is a link between the Albanian extremist groups that attack in Macedonia, Kosovo and South Serbia. That is why NATO is trying to prevent the so-called LAPMB to support NLA", said Rolo and excluded the possibility of these extremist groups gaining wide public support.

The Commanding Officer of the British troops in KFOR pointed out that many of the Albanian terrorists, that claim fighting for the rights of the Albanians, actually recognise that they fight for their own personal interests.

ROBIN COOK: The international community owes a great deal to Macedonia
Skopje, April 5th 2001

"I am vary glad to have an opportunity to visit Macedonia and to express my solidarity with the country and the Macedonian people", stated the British Minister of Foreign Affairs Robin Cook after the today's meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski and the President of the Government Ljubcho Georgievski.

"I am very much aware and I will never forget that the International community owes a great deal to Macedonia for the strong support that you gave us in the past and I admire the democracy and the multiethnic values of the country", added Cook.

He stated that Great Britain wants to help the Macedonian Government and the Macedonian people to defeat the terrorists and added that he congratulated the President Trajkovski for the professionalism and the discipline of the Army during the operation of cleaning the terrorists around Tetovo. Cook said that he congratulated for the restraint in which the operation was carried out and added that the International Community commends the fact that during the operation no civil casualties were caused.

"We want to help the Government of the Republic of Macedonia to succeed in the fight against the terrorists and I informed the President Trajkovski that Great Britain is ready to provide additional equipment that the Macedonian Army asked from us. We will provide the equipment for finding and destroying of bombs and mines that were planted by the terrorist and large quantity of equipment for protection of the security forces", informed the British Minister of Foreign Affairs and pointed out that to completely victor the terrorists it is very important to isolate them.

COLIN POWEL: The USA is concerned about the situation in Macedonia and South Serbia
Skopje, April 13th 2001

The American State Secretary Colin Powel met today in Skopje with the Chief of the Civil Administration of the United Nations in Kosovo Hans Heckerup and with the representatives of the temporary Administrative Council in Kosovo Rada Trajkovic, Ibrahim Rugova, Hashim Tachi and Ramush Haradinaj.

On the press conference after the meeting, Powel said that the USA and the international community will "stayed in the region"and will support the political dialogue in Macedonia, and the talks between the Serbs and the Albanians in South Serbia.

"The International Community and the USA are deeply concerned about the terrorist acts in Macedonia and South Serbia", pointed out Powel, adding that the goal of the International community is isolation of the violent activities of the extremists in Kosovo and out of the Kosovo borders.

According to him, the conflict in Macedonia is a result of the activities of the Albanian extremists from Kosovo, who are trying to destabilise "a state that seriously aims to overcome the ethnic differences, that exist in a democratic society."

"Extremists groups are damaging the long-term interests of the ethnic Albanians in Macedonia and in Kosovo and in the hole region. We demand from the Kosovo leaders to condemn the violence otherwise people of Kosovo will loose the support of the International Community", said Powel.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT: The so-called NLA works against the interests of the Albanians in Macedonia
Washington, April 18th 2001

The Director of the Office for Central European matters in the Biro for European Matters in the State Departments, Tom Countryman today said "The so-called NLA acts directly and against the interests of the Albanians in Macedonia, of the Albanians in Kosovo, as well in the wider region".

As MIA reports, Countryman has given this assessment during the address the participants of the panel discussion in the "Woodro Wilson"Centre in Washington, dedicated to the present situation in Macedonia and the role of USA in provocating new conflict in the region.

According to him, the Albanians in the Balkans should be make perfectly clear, and especially to the ones in Kosovo, that any support of a rebellion or violence in Macedonia will affect on the future USA support for them.

"POLITICAL PLATFORM"OF THE SO-CALLED NLA PUBLISHED IN THE KOSOVO MEDIA
Prishtina, April 24th 2001

Media in Prishtina on Albanian today published an intimation of the so-called National Liberation Army, which according to its author, alleged representative of the so-called NLA Ali Ahmeti, is its "political platform".

The Intimation says"NLA supports the sovereignty and the integrity of Macedonia and demands that in the future the talks between the Macedonian authorities and the Albanian representatives be lead with an international inter-mediation".

According to it, The Albanian extremists also demand "The Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia to be amended and the Albanians to become a constituent nation with right to use the Albanian language and their symbols".

The so-called NLA wants the list in Macedonia to be conducted with international monitoring, return of all the Albanians that left the country and giving citizenship to all members of the Albanian nation that leave in Macedonia for a long period.

The intimation claims that these demands are sent to several international institutions among which the American State Department, the European Union, the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Security Council of the United Nations and the Council of NATO.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM:
PATTERNS OF GLOBAL TERRORISM - 2000
Washington, April 2001

In Southeastern Europe, groups of ethnic Albanians have conducted armed attacks against government forces in southern Serbia and in Macedonia since 1999. One group in southern Serbia calls itself the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvegja and Bujanova (PMBLA ). One group in Macedonia calls itself the National Liberation Army (NLA). Both groups include members who fought with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in 1998-99 and have used their wartime connections to obtain funding and weapons from Kosovo and elsewhere. The PMBLA has, on occasion, harassed and detained civilians travelling through areas it controls. Both the PMBLA and the NLA have fired indiscriminately upon civilian centers. (In the same region, ethnic Albanian assailants carried out a terrorist attack against a bus in Kosovo on 16 February 2001, killing at least seven civilians and wounding 43 others.)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF THE EIGHT MEMBERS
OF THE MACEDONIA DECURITY FORCES
Washington, April 29th 2001

The USA condemned as an "unthinkable act of violence"yesterday's attack of the Albanian extremists at the village of Vejce in Tetovo region in which eight members of the Macedonian security forces were killed.

"The USA calls upon all the political parties and groups in Macedonia to condemn the unthinkable act of violence and to continue the process of political dialogue", it is said in the last night's statement of the Deputy spokesman of the White House Fillip Reeker.

In the statement The USA expressed their condolences for the death of the members of the Macedonia security forces.

From the beginning of the terrorist acts on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia 19 people are killed, 45 are wounded, 3 are missing, from whom members of the Army and the Police 51 and 16 civilians. Ethnically 55 are Macedonians and 12 Albanians.

SOLANA IS SHOCKED OF THE KILLING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
MACEDONIAN SECURITY FORCES
Skopje, April 29th 2001

The High Representative of the European Union for Joined Security and Foreign Policy Xavier Solana, in his statement for MIA expressed his "shock and anger"because of the yesterday's killing of the eight members of the Macedonian security forces in the Tetovo region.

"I would like to strongly condemn this cowerdless terrorist act and express my deepest condolences to the Macedonian Government and the victims` families.

For those that promote a nationalist agenda with violent methods there is no place in today's Europe and we should confront them with all legitimate means.

In this tragic moment I want to appeal to the people and the Government of the country to intensify the efforts to strengthen the interethnic understanding. First positive steps undertaken to strengthen the dialogue under the guidance of the President Boris Trajkovski have opened the path.

Staying firmly on the course of dialogue and reforms, responsible political leaders can efficiently confront the threat of the extreme nationalism and help the country to progress on the path for complete participation in the prosperous and stabile Europe", stated The High Representative of the European Union for Joined Security and Foreign Policy Xavier Solana.

SWEEDEN STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN VEJCE
Skopje, April 29th 2001

In the today's conversation with the Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia Srgan Kerim, the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs and actual presidentship in the European Union, Anna Lind, strongly condemned the armed attack over the members of the Macedonian security forces carried out by the terrorist group of Albanian extremists in the border region with Kosovo, between the villages Selce and Vejce.

Anna Lind asked the Minister Kerim to send the condolences of the Swedish Government to the families of the victims.

Minister Lind expressed the full support of the Government of Sweden for the Macedonian Government for the measures taken to overcome the situation caused of this latest incident.

She has also expressed Sweden's support for continuation of the started political dialogue in the institutions of the system of Republic of Macedonia.

Sweden, as an current president of the European Union, will take part in the plan for the enhancement of the realisation of the promised financial aid from the European Union, and in providing additional financial aid for the unexpected expenses for the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia due to the situation and the measures undertaken to overcome it.

In the conversation of the two Ministers Kerim and Lind, among others, it was agreed to maintain regular contacts on this level for future close co-operation.

MOSCOW CONDEMNED THE YESTERDAY'S TERRORIST ATTACK AT VEJCE
Moscow, April 29th 2001

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia strongly condemned today the armed attack of the Albanian extremists over the Macedonian soldiers.

According to Moscow yesterday's attack is "one of the many challenges facing the international community".

In the press release of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the action of the Albanian extremists in the area on the Yugoslav-Macedonian border in Kosovo, in which eight members of the Macedonia Security forces are killed, it is carried out to destabilise the situation while the Contact group, the European states and the international community and the international organisations are making efforts to normalise the situation in the region".

The Official Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexandar Jakovenko stated today that "we should stop the terrorism and the militant extremism, which today are the biggest threat for the stability in the Balkans."

JOHNSON AND PATTEN CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF THE MACEDONIAN SOLGIERS AND POLICE OFFICERS
Strasbourg, April 29th 2001

The President of the Assembly of the Council of Europe, Russell Johnson and the Eurokomissioner for Foreign Policies, Chris Patten, today condemned the the killing of the eight members of the Macedonian security forces, in the yesterday's attack near the Tetovo village Vejce.

Lord Johnson "condemned the killing of the four Macedonian police officers and the four Macedonian soldiers", stating that the yesterday's act is "a murder with no excuse and purpose."

According to Johnson murders like to one committed yesterday try to end the efforts to solve the problems in a peaceful manner.

Condemning the yesterday's terrorist attack in the village of Vejce, Patten stated that "the killing of Macedonian soldiers is a planed acttion"and that "the purpose of the Albanian terrorist is to destroy the basis for dialogue".

"We should not allow the violence to continue", said Patten and addressed the Macedonian authorities to consistent in their efforts for continuation of the dialogue for resolution of the problems in Macedonia."

ROBERTSON: VIOLENCE WILL NOT BRING JUSTICE, IT WILL ONLY CAUSE SUFFERING
Skopje, May 7th 2001

The General Secretary of NATO George Robertson after his arrival on the Skopje Airport stated that today he will discus the serious situation in Macedonia with the Macedonian Government and the leaders of the political parties.

"This country is on a verge of an ambis and we must pull it off. There must be a proportional, but decisive response against the eztremists that want to distabilise the democrasy."stated Robertson for the Macedonian Television, adding that he brings a message "for decisivness, solidarity and support against the extremists and for the teritorial integrity of Macedonia, but also for the programs and the reforms that wii unite the coutry against the outside threat".

"We wii continue with the political supprort and solidarity with the Government of the country and we will constanly press the ones that use violence to lay down their arms. The Government of this country should continue with the reforms which are a basis of future development that will bring security and saafety for all citizens of the Republic of Macedinia", added Robertson.

II.

The terrorist activities are criminal acts incriminated in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Macedonia in chapter XXVIII as "Crimes against the state". In relation with the legal qualification and this concrete case, considering the most serious consecvences that were cause to the victims of those crimes, for this type of criminal actions the law threaten with criminal sanction- life inprisonment.

From the beginning of March 2001 on the teritory of Skopje, Tetovo and Kumanovo large number of crimes of this typr are commited, aimed to indanger the constitutional system and the security of the Republic of Macedonia. At the same time we would like to stress that victims of these terrorist and cruel acts and extremist's attacks are not only the members of the military and the police, which are a direct threat to the state, but also ordenery citizens Macedinians, Albanians and Serbs. In the terrorist attacks till now 19 are killed, 45 are wounded and 3 are kidnaped. By their ethnic origin most of them 54 are Macedonians, 12 are Albanians and 1 is Serb, acording to the available data to the official authorities.

As an exeple for Your purticular and objective information about the crime commited over the security forces, the prosecution case with a description of the event and the legal qualification will be presented.

On April 28th 2001 on the road conecting the villages Selce and Vejce- in the Tetovo region a terrorist attack is commited by a large group of terrorists, when from an ambush araund 5.30 pm 4 vehicles of the security forces of the Republic of Macedonia were attacked during which 8 persons are killed and 7 persons were seriously and lightly injured.

About this terrorist act, of the most serious character, the Primary Public Prosecution Office in Tetovo the same day asked for an insight of the scene of the crime, what it is done on April 29th 2001 and the same day according article 148 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Macedonia submitted a Request for undertaking certain investigative actions for a criminal act- Most serious forms of terrorism article327 paragraph 3 in conection with article 313 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Macedonia, for finding the executors of this terrorist act. The record of the insight of the scene of the crimes listed in the Primary Court in Tetovo under number Ki.76/2001 from April 29th 2001. This case in the Primary Public Prosecution Office in Tetovo is listed under the number Kon.189/2001.```

Under the request of the investigative judge autopsy on the bodies of the killed soldiers and police officers is performed on April 28th 2001.

For a comleshion of the case with the Informationwe present you a supplement - Autopsy Report Preformed over the Bodies of the Victims killed in Vejce on April 28th 2001 by the forensic, and a CD- Fotodocumentation NO.809/2001-05-02 created by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia, Forensic Department. where the violent death of the victims is presented.

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Stavre Dzikov