Just days after the scandalous statement of the Metropolitan Bishop of Thessaloniki Anthimos, another Greek Bishop - the Metropolitan of Galabryta Ambrosios, said that parts of Macedonia actually belonged to Greece.
"Since the attack is the best defense, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki did very well. Skopje citizens rip the benefits of Monastery (Bitola) region, which is part of the Greek territory," the Greek media cited Ambrosios as saying.
"If Anthimos is a nationalist, then why is it improbable that some 'have sold' themselves to act in favor of foreign plans and interests," said the Greek Metropolitan's in his rhetorical question.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Bold police raid left six dead at a delicate time
Hundreds attended the funeral of the two Albanians killed in a military-style police raid last week in the village of Brodec in western Macedonia in an incident which threatens to stir up ethnic tensions again. Mourners were cramped into a mosque and a street in the village to which access is made difficult by a narrow, cratered road.
The raid, in which helicopters swooped in, automatic gunfire rang out and altogether six men were killed and 13 arrested, enraged the Macedonian Albanians in Brodec.
The incident now threatens to renew and ignite ethnic tensions in the area that teetered on the verge of a civil war when Albanians launched an insurgency in 2001.
Police said they had targeted a gang of fugitives from a prison in Kosovo, across the nearby border in an area largely disregarded by the local Albanian population, during the raid.
But many of Brodec's 1,300 still dazed and disbelieving inhabitants who say politics is of little interest to them, mutter that the deadly raid was politically motivated.
In their eyes, the two young local men they had come to bury and as those arrested during the raid are innocent.
"It was six in the morning, we were still in our beds when suddenly four helicopters appeared and started firing on the houses," Semsedin Selimi recalled.
While locals say that the helicopters sprayed walls, houses, the mosque and cars with bullets, Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska described the raid as a success without "major" collateral damage.
The six men were killed after they opened fire on police, officials say, backing the claim with forensic findings, along with that of a big cache of weapons that was seized in the Brodec.
The cache of automatic weapons, explosives, mines, grenades and rocket-propelled grenade launchers was intended for for attacks on cities and institutions, according to police.
Villagers, however, say they know nothing about the weapons.
"We are simple farmers loyal to the state," said Xheleb Dauti, who was still awaiting news of two sons and two grandsons who were among those arrested.
A third of Macedonian territory, along the northern and western borders with Kosovo and Albania, is dominated by ethnic Albanians, with Tetovo, the country's second-largest city, as the economic hub.
During the 2001 conflict, the entire region, dotted by villages along the porous borders and the population hostile to Skopje authorities, was virtually inaccessible for Macedonian police.
Even later, with the peace and reform deal fully in place, there were incidents of reportedly well-armed crime bosses and warlords driving police out of villages.
The showdown over the status of Kosovo, where the Albanian majority wants to obtain independence from Serbia, has again sent ripples of tension throughout the region.
The Albanians in Macedonia and southern Serbia keep their eyes riveted on Kosovo amid negotiations in a volatile atmosphere.
Ali Ahmeti, the mayor of Tetovo, who heads the Albanian opposition Democratic Union for Integration party and led the bloody insurgency in 2001, has criticized the raid.
In his words, the incident was a warning intended to "frighten and shut up" the Albanian population in Macedonia.
In 2001, the West brokered a peace deal which ended fighting through a broad constitution reform, giving Albanians and other minorities more rights in the dominantly Slavic Macedonia.
As a result, Macedonia became a regional example of conflict resolution for the United States, the European Union and the NATO alliance.
In return, Macedonia was given he status of prospective EU member state in 2005 with hopes of being invited to join NATO in 2008.
The raid, in which helicopters swooped in, automatic gunfire rang out and altogether six men were killed and 13 arrested, enraged the Macedonian Albanians in Brodec.
The incident now threatens to renew and ignite ethnic tensions in the area that teetered on the verge of a civil war when Albanians launched an insurgency in 2001.
Police said they had targeted a gang of fugitives from a prison in Kosovo, across the nearby border in an area largely disregarded by the local Albanian population, during the raid.
But many of Brodec's 1,300 still dazed and disbelieving inhabitants who say politics is of little interest to them, mutter that the deadly raid was politically motivated.
In their eyes, the two young local men they had come to bury and as those arrested during the raid are innocent.
"It was six in the morning, we were still in our beds when suddenly four helicopters appeared and started firing on the houses," Semsedin Selimi recalled.
While locals say that the helicopters sprayed walls, houses, the mosque and cars with bullets, Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska described the raid as a success without "major" collateral damage.
The six men were killed after they opened fire on police, officials say, backing the claim with forensic findings, along with that of a big cache of weapons that was seized in the Brodec.
The cache of automatic weapons, explosives, mines, grenades and rocket-propelled grenade launchers was intended for for attacks on cities and institutions, according to police.
Villagers, however, say they know nothing about the weapons.
"We are simple farmers loyal to the state," said Xheleb Dauti, who was still awaiting news of two sons and two grandsons who were among those arrested.
A third of Macedonian territory, along the northern and western borders with Kosovo and Albania, is dominated by ethnic Albanians, with Tetovo, the country's second-largest city, as the economic hub.
During the 2001 conflict, the entire region, dotted by villages along the porous borders and the population hostile to Skopje authorities, was virtually inaccessible for Macedonian police.
Even later, with the peace and reform deal fully in place, there were incidents of reportedly well-armed crime bosses and warlords driving police out of villages.
The showdown over the status of Kosovo, where the Albanian majority wants to obtain independence from Serbia, has again sent ripples of tension throughout the region.
The Albanians in Macedonia and southern Serbia keep their eyes riveted on Kosovo amid negotiations in a volatile atmosphere.
Ali Ahmeti, the mayor of Tetovo, who heads the Albanian opposition Democratic Union for Integration party and led the bloody insurgency in 2001, has criticized the raid.
In his words, the incident was a warning intended to "frighten and shut up" the Albanian population in Macedonia.
In 2001, the West brokered a peace deal which ended fighting through a broad constitution reform, giving Albanians and other minorities more rights in the dominantly Slavic Macedonia.
As a result, Macedonia became a regional example of conflict resolution for the United States, the European Union and the NATO alliance.
In return, Macedonia was given he status of prospective EU member state in 2005 with hopes of being invited to join NATO in 2008.
Brodec operation was successful, State Department deputy spokesman Casey
The operation of the Macedonian police conducted in Brodec village nearby Tetovo was successful, stated State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey at a regular press briefing in Washington. - It was a successful law enforcement operation conducted by a multiethnic police force against a group, including several wanted criminals, some of whom were recently escaped from a prison in Kosovo, Casey said.
Answering a journalist question, the State Department spokesman said that they didn't have any credible information that the group had Wahhabist ties.
- We're pleased that they nonetheless have been arrested and that some of the materials they were carrying were confiscated. And we certainly encourage the authorities to move quickly to restore normalcy to the village, he stated.
Answering a journalist question, the State Department spokesman said that they didn't have any credible information that the group had Wahhabist ties.
- We're pleased that they nonetheless have been arrested and that some of the materials they were carrying were confiscated. And we certainly encourage the authorities to move quickly to restore normalcy to the village, he stated.
Foreign Policy Blunders
Macedonia's international position has been seriously jeopardized. On one side we face intensive Greek pressure, on the second is Kosovo, whose unresolved status threatens to bring about a new explosion in the Balkans, and on the third, are the unfulfilled obligations toward NATO and the European Union, which may torpedo Macedonia's 15-year-old foreign policy plans.
In view of this, the Macedonian leadership has the right to be concerned about the country's future and its Euro-Atlantic prospects. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland has voiced the United States' concern about the stalled reforms in Macedonia and the absence of political dialogue. She clearly pointed to the criteria that Macedonia needed to meet if it wanted to shift matters to its benefit. She asked Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to implement the May agreement that he made with Ali Ahmeti and resolve the status of the former ONA [National Liberation Army, UCK in Albanian] fighters. She asked the state leadership to develop a clear strategy regarding the country's future actions, adding that she expected [President Branko] Crvenkovski to use his authority and restart the stalled political dialogue.
However, a number of issues remain unclear. Did the U.S. ambassador to NATO come on a mission to prepare [Macedonia] for a compromise with Greece regarding our country's constitutional name? A senior official from the ruling coalition and leader of one of the parties participating in the government has said this on two occasions, and no refutation has yet come from the other participants in the talks. The party leader claims that the sole objective of Nuland's visit to the country was to advise its political leaders to start preparing the ground for a compromise with the Greeks.
If this is true, the state leadership should not keep silent. It should make public all the details regarding Nuland's visit. Nuland's post is important for Macedonia's Euro- Atlantic prospects and this gives an even greater weight to her assessments and positions about the situation in our country. If there were any warnings in this respect, it would be better to make them public sooner rather than later, because the price of the country's foreign-policy defeat can only increase afterward.
Therefore, it is disgusting and uncouth of the state leadership to clash over the interpretations of Nuland's criticism. The heated arguments exchanged last weekend [10-11 November] suggest that the distress was not so much due to the guest's slaps as it was due to the slaps to be received in public. Will somebody's popularity decrease or increase after confronting truth? What is the price of regaining consciousness and accepting reality?
It is surprising that even after the unpleasant meeting with the U.S. ambassador, the political leaders in the country have not taken any action to show that they got the message. The direct and unambiguous recommendations have failed to mobilize the country's leadership toward sprinting until April next year. Instead, a pause and a thunderous silence have ensued, with Gruevski's denials of any criticism and Crvenkovski's insistence on the opposite being the only audible sound.
Nevertheless, the public has no doubts about the collision in the country's foreign policy. Kosovo is preparing to declare unilateral independence and Macedonia lacks a strategy on how to defend itself from internal pressure and recognize the former Serbian province as an independent state. [Greek Foreign Minister] Dora Bakoyianni has been touring the European political centers and seeking (and receiving) support for her demand that Macedonia change its name if it wants to avoid Greece's veto on its NATO accession.
On top of all, the country has received negative assessments in the European Commission's report regarding its progress toward the European Union, along with a strong message that the political criteria for NATO accession are not being met either.
Urgent solutions are needed for these issues before it is too late.
In view of this, the Macedonian leadership has the right to be concerned about the country's future and its Euro-Atlantic prospects. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland has voiced the United States' concern about the stalled reforms in Macedonia and the absence of political dialogue. She clearly pointed to the criteria that Macedonia needed to meet if it wanted to shift matters to its benefit. She asked Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to implement the May agreement that he made with Ali Ahmeti and resolve the status of the former ONA [National Liberation Army, UCK in Albanian] fighters. She asked the state leadership to develop a clear strategy regarding the country's future actions, adding that she expected [President Branko] Crvenkovski to use his authority and restart the stalled political dialogue.
However, a number of issues remain unclear. Did the U.S. ambassador to NATO come on a mission to prepare [Macedonia] for a compromise with Greece regarding our country's constitutional name? A senior official from the ruling coalition and leader of one of the parties participating in the government has said this on two occasions, and no refutation has yet come from the other participants in the talks. The party leader claims that the sole objective of Nuland's visit to the country was to advise its political leaders to start preparing the ground for a compromise with the Greeks.
If this is true, the state leadership should not keep silent. It should make public all the details regarding Nuland's visit. Nuland's post is important for Macedonia's Euro- Atlantic prospects and this gives an even greater weight to her assessments and positions about the situation in our country. If there were any warnings in this respect, it would be better to make them public sooner rather than later, because the price of the country's foreign-policy defeat can only increase afterward.
Therefore, it is disgusting and uncouth of the state leadership to clash over the interpretations of Nuland's criticism. The heated arguments exchanged last weekend [10-11 November] suggest that the distress was not so much due to the guest's slaps as it was due to the slaps to be received in public. Will somebody's popularity decrease or increase after confronting truth? What is the price of regaining consciousness and accepting reality?
It is surprising that even after the unpleasant meeting with the U.S. ambassador, the political leaders in the country have not taken any action to show that they got the message. The direct and unambiguous recommendations have failed to mobilize the country's leadership toward sprinting until April next year. Instead, a pause and a thunderous silence have ensued, with Gruevski's denials of any criticism and Crvenkovski's insistence on the opposite being the only audible sound.
Nevertheless, the public has no doubts about the collision in the country's foreign policy. Kosovo is preparing to declare unilateral independence and Macedonia lacks a strategy on how to defend itself from internal pressure and recognize the former Serbian province as an independent state. [Greek Foreign Minister] Dora Bakoyianni has been touring the European political centers and seeking (and receiving) support for her demand that Macedonia change its name if it wants to avoid Greece's veto on its NATO accession.
On top of all, the country has received negative assessments in the European Commission's report regarding its progress toward the European Union, along with a strong message that the political criteria for NATO accession are not being met either.
Urgent solutions are needed for these issues before it is too late.
Albanian secret service demands money for agents in Macedonia
Albanian state intelligence service SHISH demanded over 4 million euro extra funds to expand its activities in the region, including Macedonia.
Gazeta Shqiptare newspaper says the vast majority of additional agents will be sent to Kosovo, and the rest will be sent to "Albanian regions in Macedonia and Montenegro".
SHISH chief Bahri Shaqiri told the Albanian Parliament's National Security Committee that additional funds should be allocated to state intelligence service to expand its activities in 2008 and to recruit new agents outside the country.
The newspaper, citing sources who attended the session, says extra funds and new recruits will help the country stand ready for the eventualities that may arise from the tense situation in the Balkan.
A portion of funds will be used to strengthen the network of collaborators within the country and to step up the fight against terrorism, corruption and organized crime. Following the visit to Tirana by the US President George Bush, the government called on SHISH to downsize agents, the newspaper said, adding that 129 agents were laid off meanwhile.
Gazeta Shqiptare newspaper says the vast majority of additional agents will be sent to Kosovo, and the rest will be sent to "Albanian regions in Macedonia and Montenegro".
SHISH chief Bahri Shaqiri told the Albanian Parliament's National Security Committee that additional funds should be allocated to state intelligence service to expand its activities in 2008 and to recruit new agents outside the country.
The newspaper, citing sources who attended the session, says extra funds and new recruits will help the country stand ready for the eventualities that may arise from the tense situation in the Balkan.
A portion of funds will be used to strengthen the network of collaborators within the country and to step up the fight against terrorism, corruption and organized crime. Following the visit to Tirana by the US President George Bush, the government called on SHISH to downsize agents, the newspaper said, adding that 129 agents were laid off meanwhile.
Bakoyannis on FYROM 'name issue'
The need for a mutually acceptable solution to a dispute between Greece and the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the so-called "name issue" -- the only difference separating the two countries -- was once again stressed by Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Thursday.
Bakoyannis was replying to questions concerning a statement made the previous day by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador to Greece.
"Nobody wants to be put in the position of having to use a veto, that is why mutually acceptable solutions are needed," Bakoyannis said.
She emphasised that the goal - on the basis of UN Security Council decisions and an Interim Agreement signed by Greece and FYROM in 1995 - was to find a mutually acceptable name that would allow Skopje's unobstructed progress toward joining the European Union and NATO, with respect for good neighbour relations.
Bakoyannis also pointed out that good neighbour relations were among the fundamental criteria for all relations of partnership and alliance.
"This is Greece's goal, we are going to move in this direction on condition - I repeat - that we find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name," the minister said.
Bakoyannis made the statements on the sidelines of a reception she hosted on Thursday for the ambassadors and envoys of Arab countries stationed in Greece, specifically those of Syria, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Talks at the reception focused on developments in the SE Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on the Middle East problem.
Bakoyannis was replying to questions concerning a statement made the previous day by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador to Greece.
"Nobody wants to be put in the position of having to use a veto, that is why mutually acceptable solutions are needed," Bakoyannis said.
She emphasised that the goal - on the basis of UN Security Council decisions and an Interim Agreement signed by Greece and FYROM in 1995 - was to find a mutually acceptable name that would allow Skopje's unobstructed progress toward joining the European Union and NATO, with respect for good neighbour relations.
Bakoyannis also pointed out that good neighbour relations were among the fundamental criteria for all relations of partnership and alliance.
"This is Greece's goal, we are going to move in this direction on condition - I repeat - that we find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name," the minister said.
Bakoyannis made the statements on the sidelines of a reception she hosted on Thursday for the ambassadors and envoys of Arab countries stationed in Greece, specifically those of Syria, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Talks at the reception focused on developments in the SE Mediterranean region, with an emphasis on the Middle East problem.
FYROM cannot join NATO or EU without the consent of Greece
FYROM cannot join NATO or the European Union without the consent of Greece, the Greek daily Naftemporiki reported, commenting on the US Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns. According to Burns, the problem between Athens and Skopje for the name of Macedonia could not be considered a reason that could stop the accession of the country to the Alliance. He noted that a name of the republic, which is acceptable for both countries should be found.
Divided politicians - Macedonia stagnates on road to EU
Macedonia has stagnated on its road to the European Union due to divisions among politicians in the country, who are still not aware that they have to cooperate and help each other.
These are the remarks of Jelko Kacin, Member of European Parliament and the European Parliament's rapporeteur for Macedonia and also a member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).
"Macedonia, the EU candidate-country, waits and still didn't get a starting date for accession talks. Politicians in Macedonia, both the Macedonian and Albanian, are still divided and don't understand that they can join the EU as a whole country only." Kacin said after the European Commission's progress report on Macedonia, presented earlier this month.
According to Kacin, following the shift of power in Macedonia, the progress is insufficient and not promising.
"The implementation of the Ohrid Agreement in practice shows that the majority and the minority are not aware that the country's progress on the road to EU is possible only through co-operation and assistance by all," Kacin said. The ALDE Group is the third largest political group in the European Parliament.
These are the remarks of Jelko Kacin, Member of European Parliament and the European Parliament's rapporeteur for Macedonia and also a member of the Bureau of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).
"Macedonia, the EU candidate-country, waits and still didn't get a starting date for accession talks. Politicians in Macedonia, both the Macedonian and Albanian, are still divided and don't understand that they can join the EU as a whole country only." Kacin said after the European Commission's progress report on Macedonia, presented earlier this month.
According to Kacin, following the shift of power in Macedonia, the progress is insufficient and not promising.
"The implementation of the Ohrid Agreement in practice shows that the majority and the minority are not aware that the country's progress on the road to EU is possible only through co-operation and assistance by all," Kacin said. The ALDE Group is the third largest political group in the European Parliament.
A senior NATO official has told Macedonian leaders that the next few months are going to be decisive for Macedonia’s NATO membership bid.
The tiny Balkan nation host Croatia today and, if they win, they will keep alive England’s chances regardless of the result between Israel and Russia.
Group E leaders Croatia still need a point to qualify and, if they lose here in Skopje, England will be able to pip them to a Euro 2008 spot by beating them 2-0 at Wembley.
Steve McClaren’s men suffered a shock goalless draw at Old Trafford against the former Yugoslav republic.
And their star striker Ilco Naumovski, 24, has vowed to boost England’s chances by producing yet another shock result against Croatia today. He told SunSport: “I would like to see England go to Euro 2008 because it’s a big nation.
“Every football fan would prefer England to go to the European Championships than Croatia.
“I play football in Austria so I would like to watch England this summer. If we beat Croatia I know England will have a chance. I am 100 per cent sure we won’t lose here. I am 100 per cent convinced we will win here.”
Naumovski’s team-mates are a bunch of journeymen who ply their trade in Europe’s lesser leagues like Austria, Greece and Cyprus.
They are all desperate to get away from the national league, where the average monthly salary is a paltry £140.
In other words, some players in the squad of the Balkan paupers earn 1,000 times less in a month than England skipper John Terry earns in a WEEK.
Yet Naumovski insists they are not a team of no-hopers and they proved that with the goalless draw in England — one of the results that have brought McClaren’s men to the brink of catastrophe.
Naumovski added: “We have a very good team. We showed that against England. If we can draw in England, why can’t we beat Croatia at home?
“First we play for our country but if we can help England as well then great. There is no way Croatia will walk this game. They will have to fight hard not to lose it.
“This game is much too important for us.
“This is a Balkan derby, a big-time match.
“I know every Croatian player, they’re friends of mine. But they’re no friends of mine on Saturday.
“For us we all want to win, no draw or loss against Croatia — never!
“We need points to ensure our FIFA ranking stays high but this local derby is more important than that.
“Croatia and England are different teams. Croatia is a more technical team but I prefer the style of England.
“Against England every country gives 200 per cent because it’s one of the biggest. It would be a great shame for England if they didn’t qualify — and for the tournament itself. Don’t forget, football comes from England.”
Naumovski, who plays for Matersburg in Austria, is set for a switch to English football — with Reading and Leicester eager to snap him up.
He dreams of playing in the Premier League but SunSport understands the offer from Leicester supremo Milan Mandaric is better than the one from the Royals.
Naumovski added: “I know Reading and Leicester are interested in me. I would love to play in England.
“I know people will be coming from England to watch me in that game. It’s my big dream to play in England. In the past I was close to coming to England but I got injured.
“Now I’ve been playing in Austria for a couple of years and I was voted the best striker there last season.”
Macedonia skipper Goce Sedloski last night sent a blunt message to England: “You’ve only got yourselves to blame if you do not qualify.”
Sedloski, 33, who played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday a decade ago, said: “England can’t say they are relying on Israel or ourselves to get a result.
“It’s their fault they could not beat us and they lost to Croatia and Russia. Although I would like to see them in Euro 2008, if they don’t go it means they don’t deserve it because they could not get results in the games that mattered in Moscow and Zagreb.”
A draw would be considered a great result for Macedonia. Yet Sedloski insisted his side will go all out for the win at the Gradski Stadium.
He added: “We must get the points because it’s important for us ahead of the draw for the World Cup.
“There’s no calculation for us and we don’t think that a draw is good for both our team and Croatia. We will play to win.”
Group E leaders Croatia still need a point to qualify and, if they lose here in Skopje, England will be able to pip them to a Euro 2008 spot by beating them 2-0 at Wembley.
Steve McClaren’s men suffered a shock goalless draw at Old Trafford against the former Yugoslav republic.
And their star striker Ilco Naumovski, 24, has vowed to boost England’s chances by producing yet another shock result against Croatia today. He told SunSport: “I would like to see England go to Euro 2008 because it’s a big nation.
“Every football fan would prefer England to go to the European Championships than Croatia.
“I play football in Austria so I would like to watch England this summer. If we beat Croatia I know England will have a chance. I am 100 per cent sure we won’t lose here. I am 100 per cent convinced we will win here.”
Naumovski’s team-mates are a bunch of journeymen who ply their trade in Europe’s lesser leagues like Austria, Greece and Cyprus.
They are all desperate to get away from the national league, where the average monthly salary is a paltry £140.
In other words, some players in the squad of the Balkan paupers earn 1,000 times less in a month than England skipper John Terry earns in a WEEK.
Yet Naumovski insists they are not a team of no-hopers and they proved that with the goalless draw in England — one of the results that have brought McClaren’s men to the brink of catastrophe.
Naumovski added: “We have a very good team. We showed that against England. If we can draw in England, why can’t we beat Croatia at home?
“First we play for our country but if we can help England as well then great. There is no way Croatia will walk this game. They will have to fight hard not to lose it.
“This game is much too important for us.
“This is a Balkan derby, a big-time match.
“I know every Croatian player, they’re friends of mine. But they’re no friends of mine on Saturday.
“For us we all want to win, no draw or loss against Croatia — never!
“We need points to ensure our FIFA ranking stays high but this local derby is more important than that.
“Croatia and England are different teams. Croatia is a more technical team but I prefer the style of England.
“Against England every country gives 200 per cent because it’s one of the biggest. It would be a great shame for England if they didn’t qualify — and for the tournament itself. Don’t forget, football comes from England.”
Naumovski, who plays for Matersburg in Austria, is set for a switch to English football — with Reading and Leicester eager to snap him up.
He dreams of playing in the Premier League but SunSport understands the offer from Leicester supremo Milan Mandaric is better than the one from the Royals.
Naumovski added: “I know Reading and Leicester are interested in me. I would love to play in England.
“I know people will be coming from England to watch me in that game. It’s my big dream to play in England. In the past I was close to coming to England but I got injured.
“Now I’ve been playing in Austria for a couple of years and I was voted the best striker there last season.”
Macedonia skipper Goce Sedloski last night sent a blunt message to England: “You’ve only got yourselves to blame if you do not qualify.”
Sedloski, 33, who played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday a decade ago, said: “England can’t say they are relying on Israel or ourselves to get a result.
“It’s their fault they could not beat us and they lost to Croatia and Russia. Although I would like to see them in Euro 2008, if they don’t go it means they don’t deserve it because they could not get results in the games that mattered in Moscow and Zagreb.”
A draw would be considered a great result for Macedonia. Yet Sedloski insisted his side will go all out for the win at the Gradski Stadium.
He added: “We must get the points because it’s important for us ahead of the draw for the World Cup.
“There’s no calculation for us and we don’t think that a draw is good for both our team and Croatia. We will play to win.”
NATO Urges More Macedonia Reforms
A senior NATO official has told Macedonian leaders that the next few months are going to be decisive for Macedonia’s NATO membership bid.
Martin Erdman, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy of NATO, told Macedonia’s President Branko Crvenkovski on Friday that, “additional positive signals concerning the fulfilment of the criteria for receiving an invitation for NATO membership”, are expected from the country.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Thursday, Erdman listed the key requirements Macedonia has to fulfil before it can secure an invitation to join NATO.
Macedonia is hoping, along with Albania and Croatia, to receive a formal invitation at NATO’s summit in Bucharest, due in April 2008.
The criteria Erdman listed included the sustainability of Macedonia’s reform process and the implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement that brought to an end a six-month confrontation between Macedonian security forces and armed ethnic Albanian groups.
He also called for improved inter-ethnic relations, a sustainable dialogue and cooperation between the political parties and long-term political stability.
Erdman is leading a NATO team, which is evaluating Macedonia’s progress on its path to the Alliance.
“We need to stop wasting precious time and speed up the reform process”, Crvenkovski told media on Friday, urging to all political parties to reach consensus over the crucial requirements of NATO and subsequent EU membership.
Erdman praised Macedonia’s, “successful regional policy”, and the, “economic breakthrough”, that the country was making, adding that this, too, would be taken into consideration.
Asked to comment about US concern that Macedonia is backsliding on reform, a point made by Victoria Nuland, the US Ambassador to NATO, Erdman said that there were no rankings among the three NATO applicants.
In a statement on November 8, Nuland said, “My president wants to see you in NATO, but unfortunately from the three candidate countries you are currently holding third place”.
Martin Erdman, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy of NATO, told Macedonia’s President Branko Crvenkovski on Friday that, “additional positive signals concerning the fulfilment of the criteria for receiving an invitation for NATO membership”, are expected from the country.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Thursday, Erdman listed the key requirements Macedonia has to fulfil before it can secure an invitation to join NATO.
Macedonia is hoping, along with Albania and Croatia, to receive a formal invitation at NATO’s summit in Bucharest, due in April 2008.
The criteria Erdman listed included the sustainability of Macedonia’s reform process and the implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement that brought to an end a six-month confrontation between Macedonian security forces and armed ethnic Albanian groups.
He also called for improved inter-ethnic relations, a sustainable dialogue and cooperation between the political parties and long-term political stability.
Erdman is leading a NATO team, which is evaluating Macedonia’s progress on its path to the Alliance.
“We need to stop wasting precious time and speed up the reform process”, Crvenkovski told media on Friday, urging to all political parties to reach consensus over the crucial requirements of NATO and subsequent EU membership.
Erdman praised Macedonia’s, “successful regional policy”, and the, “economic breakthrough”, that the country was making, adding that this, too, would be taken into consideration.
Asked to comment about US concern that Macedonia is backsliding on reform, a point made by Victoria Nuland, the US Ambassador to NATO, Erdman said that there were no rankings among the three NATO applicants.
In a statement on November 8, Nuland said, “My president wants to see you in NATO, but unfortunately from the three candidate countries you are currently holding third place”.
Macedonia picks Ubuntu for 20,000 PCs
A batch of 7,000 PCs with Ubuntu Linux have been sent to Macedonian schools, the first of a collection that Ubuntu sponsor Canonical expects will reach 20,000.
Through a program called Computer for Every Child, the Macedonia Ministry of Education and Science plans to install the PCs throughout its elementary and secondary school system. Ubuntu will run on the 20,000 PCs, but 160,000 more students will be able to share those machines using hardware from NComputing, Canonical plans to announce Tuesday. The PCs are being supplied and installed by Haier, a Chinese PC maker.
"The Computer for Every Child initiative is the largest and most important education project undertaken in the 15-year history of the Republic of Macedonia," said Ivo Ivanovski, Macedonia's minister for the information society, in a statement. "By selecting Ubuntu as the operating system for all of our classroom virtual PCs, our education system can provide computer-based education for all schoolchildren within the limited financial and infrastructural confines that most institutions face today."
The schools are using version 7.04 of Edubuntu, a version of Ubuntu tailored for classroom use.
With PCs already commonplace in richer countries, companies such as Intel, Microsoft, and Canonical are focusing on reaching markets in developing countries.
Through a program called Computer for Every Child, the Macedonia Ministry of Education and Science plans to install the PCs throughout its elementary and secondary school system. Ubuntu will run on the 20,000 PCs, but 160,000 more students will be able to share those machines using hardware from NComputing, Canonical plans to announce Tuesday. The PCs are being supplied and installed by Haier, a Chinese PC maker.
"The Computer for Every Child initiative is the largest and most important education project undertaken in the 15-year history of the Republic of Macedonia," said Ivo Ivanovski, Macedonia's minister for the information society, in a statement. "By selecting Ubuntu as the operating system for all of our classroom virtual PCs, our education system can provide computer-based education for all schoolchildren within the limited financial and infrastructural confines that most institutions face today."
The schools are using version 7.04 of Edubuntu, a version of Ubuntu tailored for classroom use.
With PCs already commonplace in richer countries, companies such as Intel, Microsoft, and Canonical are focusing on reaching markets in developing countries.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Macedonia Must Work for the NATO Membership Invitation in the Next 6 Months
Macedonia must work for the NATO membership invitation in the next six months, which are historic for the country, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Christopher Hill following Tuesday's meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
"It is not up to me to say any news regarding the process. However, it is obvious that the upcoming period will be very important. I know there is a desire for Macedonia to succeed, but there is going to be a lot of work to do. Everybody needs to pull together and come together, politicians of all different parties, because if there was ever a time to work together, then the next six months is that time", said Hill.
Asked about an assessment of the security situation in Macedonia, Hill did not give any comment, adding his main interest is North Korea's nuclear program.
Gruevski and Hill referred to the time when he had been the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, comparing the country's problems back then with the current ones, as well as the country's NATO aspirations.
"We contrasted the time I was here, when we dealt with difficult problems, such as war and peace, as opposed to the current ones, which are more inspiring, such as Macedonia's desire to join NATO", said Hill.
Earlier, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill met with President Branko Crvenkovski and Parliament Speaker Ljubisa Georgievski.
President Crvenkovski will present Order "September 8" to Hill at an evening formal ceremony. He is rewarded for the outstanding contribution to the development and strengthening of Macedonia-USA friendly relations, as well as cooperation during his mandate as U.S. Ambassador the the country from 1996 to 1999.
"It is not up to me to say any news regarding the process. However, it is obvious that the upcoming period will be very important. I know there is a desire for Macedonia to succeed, but there is going to be a lot of work to do. Everybody needs to pull together and come together, politicians of all different parties, because if there was ever a time to work together, then the next six months is that time", said Hill.
Asked about an assessment of the security situation in Macedonia, Hill did not give any comment, adding his main interest is North Korea's nuclear program.
Gruevski and Hill referred to the time when he had been the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, comparing the country's problems back then with the current ones, as well as the country's NATO aspirations.
"We contrasted the time I was here, when we dealt with difficult problems, such as war and peace, as opposed to the current ones, which are more inspiring, such as Macedonia's desire to join NATO", said Hill.
Earlier, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Hill met with President Branko Crvenkovski and Parliament Speaker Ljubisa Georgievski.
President Crvenkovski will present Order "September 8" to Hill at an evening formal ceremony. He is rewarded for the outstanding contribution to the development and strengthening of Macedonia-USA friendly relations, as well as cooperation during his mandate as U.S. Ambassador the the country from 1996 to 1999.
Macedonia name issue still a stumbling block
With Macedonia hoping for a NATO invitation in 2008 and Greece threatening to block it, there are pressing reasons to resolve their decades-old name dispute. But UN envoy Matthew Nimitz -- brokering negotiations between the two sides -- still faces a task akin to the labour of Sisyphus, the legendary king cursed to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity.
Both countries are proving tough bargainers, with Greece prepared to exercise its power within the EU and NATO, and its neighbour banking on getting enough international recognition to put pressure on Athens.
Late last week, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski firmly rejected the idea of a "dual name", under which the country would keep its constitutional name but use a different one internationally.
Any name other than Republic of Macedonia -- the name given in the constitution -- is unacceptable, Gruevski said.
The dual name idea is included in a new set of proposals presented by Nimitz at the start of the month. The prime minister said that while the document contains some good points, others pose a problem for Skopje.
"There is an item that is definitely unacceptable for us, which says that the Republic of Macedonia is to accept for international use a name other than the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia," Maxfax quoted him as saying.
Earlier, Macedonian leaders issued a statement opposing any name change, even if this means being denied NATO entry. The ruling VMRO party, its ally the Democratic Party of Albanians and the opposition Social Democrats have presented a united front on the issue. Polls show overwhelming opposition -- approaching 100% -- to a new name for international use.
Greece, however, argues that the name "Macedonia" implies claims on Greek territory and distorts history. According to the Greek daily Kathimerini, Athens is signaling that it would accept a composite name – such as Nova Macedonia or Upper Macedonia -- that clearly distinguishes the country from the Greek province of Macedonia.
Greek diplomats have already circulated proposals to this effect to members of the UN Security Council, NATO and the EU, Kathimerini said.
"Greece wants to solve the problem -- it is making a sincere effort in this direction," Nimitz said in an interview with the paper.
According to Denko Malevski, a former Macedonian foreign minister and UN ambassador, Greece "wants a fast solution, fearing complication after the recognition of the Republic of Macedonia's constitutional name by Canada" and other states.
However, he added, the political situation in Macedonia and Greece makes such a solution difficult to achieve.
Current Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki, meanwhile, hopes that "Greece will give advantage to regional priorities. The resolution of the name dispute is a factor for our stability, and our stability is beneficial for the Republic of Greece," he says.
Monday, November 12, 2007
13 Albanians in Macedonia accused of terrorism
Macedonian authorities have pressed charges against 13 Albanians arrested in the Mountain Storm operation, Serbian online edition Politika writes. Spokesman of Macedonian police Ivo Kotevski announced that the government wants arrested Albanians to be charged with attempts against the state. Interior minister Gordana Jankulovska announced that the police found weapons that are enough for 650 soldiers.
UNMIK extradites cop killer to Macedonia
Zaim Alili, who in addition to his conviction is wanted on several other felony charges, escaped to Kosovo after a clash with Macedonian police.
Macedonian MUP spokesman Ivo Kotevski told reporters Saturday that Alili was convicted for the September 10 murder of a police chief in the village of Matejce, Kumanovo municipality, and intent to murder another officer.
Alili was wounded in a shoot-out with Macedonian police, but managed to escape to Kosovo, where he was arrested by the Kosovo Police Service (KPS).
He was first sent to hospital, and later to the Dubarava prison.
Macedonian MUP spokesman Ivo Kotevski told reporters Saturday that Alili was convicted for the September 10 murder of a police chief in the village of Matejce, Kumanovo municipality, and intent to murder another officer.
Alili was wounded in a shoot-out with Macedonian police, but managed to escape to Kosovo, where he was arrested by the Kosovo Police Service (KPS).
He was first sent to hospital, and later to the Dubarava prison.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Macedonian Special Police Eliminate Armed Albanian Group with Paramilitary, Wahhabi Ties, Seizing Massive Arsenal
At around 5am on 7 November, an ethnically-mixed elite police force in Macedonia raided the remote, Albanian-populated village of Brodec. Their target: a group of vigilantes, led by a known Wahhabi extremist and a paramilitary partner who had been mysteriously sprung from jail in Kosovo in August. It would be the single biggest success to date for beleaguered Macedonia, chronically beset by troublemaking from Kosovo-based insurgents working in alliance with local radicals.
Unlike various similar operations carried out by the previous two Macedonian governments since 2001, innocent bystanders were not caught in the crossfire and there was no large-scale property destruction. The smooth handling of the operation won the interior ministry praise from foreign officials such as Victoria Nuland, US ambassador to NATO, who stated, “we were informed on the operation. We were especially impressed by the fact that multi-ethnic police forces carried out the tasks.”
Indeed, the operation – grandiosely dubbed ‘Mountain Storm,’ after the Sar Planina Mountain range where the villages of Brodec, Vejce and Vesela are located – was very successful, with six fugitives, including the Wahhabi ringleader, Ramadan Shiti, being killed, and 13 other terrorists captured. In the dramatic gun battle that ensued, only one policeman was injured. However, one of the most wanted men – Lirim Jakupi, self-proclaimed ‘Commander Nazi’ – escaped. Criminal charges on grounds of terrorism have been submitted against all 17 members of the group, as well as the four remaining fugitives, thought to be led by Jakupi.
Although the interior ministry at first stated officially that the killed and captured men were mere ‘criminals,’ the astonishingly large variety of weapons seized – enough for waging a small war – in houses and fields near Brodec belied that assertion. So did the fact that some, such as leader Shiti, have previously been linked with the Saudi-backed Wahhabi Muslim sect’s attempts to take control of the Islamic communities in Macedonia and Kosovo. Indeed, during the operation, Ramadan Shiti reportedly died as a suicide bomber, igniting the grenade he was carrying when surrounded by police.
Ready for War
Macedonia’s Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankuloska, stated for media on 9 November that the Brodec haul was “the largest amount of [heavy] weaponry… seized thus far” in Macedonia. The arsenal included everything from sniper rifles, assault rifles, dynamite, hand grenades, mortars and thousands of bullets to artillery pieces, RPG launchers and laser-guided anti-aircraft missiles. The cache was deemed “sufficient to equip a battalion of 650 soldiers.” Indeed, black nationalist paramilitary uniforms were also found (the gang had been allegedly involved in conducting nighttime uniformed roadblocks in recent weeks in the area). The impressive haul, which also included nationalist booklets and weaponry manuals, was laid out for journalists and military attaches to inspect at police barracks in the western Skopje suburb of Gjorce Petrov on 9 November.
Other clear indications of the long-term war plans of the militant group became apparent when television crews showed the professional-standard bunkers dug into the mountainside above the village, stocked with sleeping bags, large bags of onions and potatoes, and other rations. The structures even included improvised shower cabins and beds. Both cars and horses had been used to bring in supplies from the nearby mountain border with Kosovo, as well as from Tetovo and other places. According to retired Army Col. Blagoja Markovski, now with the Balkan Security Forum, “the [terrorists] came in this region two or three months ago… with a plan, and were preparing for military actions.”
Countdown
The operation followed several weeks of tracking the fugitives, who were moving “throughout the tri-border area” between Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, aided by a large network of safe houses, stated one ranking military intelligence officer for Balkanalysis.com. However, the authorities also had their own network of local informers. “We contributed information from our side to the police, as did the Serbian government and KFOR [in Kosovo].” Finally, the special police unit, composed of officers of both Macedonian and Albanian ethnicities, pounced on Brodec in the early hours, sealing off the village and setting up checkpoints on access roads. The plans were finalized after the green light was given by US Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic and EU Special Representative Erwan Fouere, joked the officer- “our real ‘president’ and ‘prime minister.’”
Action
According to published accounts quoting police participants, the militants began firing first, forcing the police to shoot back. The battle took place in and around several houses in the village, as well as the Brodec mosque, which was being used as an arsenal by the gang. When the shooters were killed, police were able to scour the adjoining territory, discovering more arms caches and the bunkers, set in strategic places on the mountainside, with commanding views of the village and Tetovo beneath. Individuals killed in the operation included Hisni Ameti, also known as ‘Commander Cevaj,’ and Imer Gavazi (42), both from Kosovo; Bekim Memeti (21) from Tetovo; Ferat Sahini (20) and Fidan Fejzulahu (24), both from Brodec; and Ramadan Shiti (24), from Kosovo.
Shiti had already escaped twice from prison, once in Macedonia and once in Kosovo, and was wanted as an accomplice in the murder of a Skopje taxi driver and for participating in a bomb attack on the Bit Pazar police station in Skopje in July 2005.
However, while Shiti may be dead, according to Macedonian intelligence sources surveyed by Balkanalysis.com, some of his major accomplices in those crimes are still at work in Kosovo, developing the growth of radical Islamist cells there, with support from Saudi and other Arab countries channeling funds via diaspora Albanian radicals in Milan, Italy as well as Austria and Bosnia.
The Macedonian government claimed that the August ‘escape’ from Dubrava Prison of Shiti, Jakupi and co. was not a matter of luck, but done purposefully by ‘certain structures’ eager to provoke unrest to influence the Kosovo status process around the scheduled conclusion of ‘final’ negotiations between Serbs and Albanians on 10 December. That said, the bold, professional and unexpected operation was a sign of how far the country has come since the 2001 war, when unnecessary collateral damage and widespread leaks precluded efficient operations.
The present raid was very impressive, thus, in that it involved a multi-ethnic police force, operating in hostile and remote territory, and in that it unfolded amidst total secrecy. The fact that innocent bystanders were not affected also speaks well for the interior ministry’s newfound professionalism; this outcome is crucial as critics such as the opposition DUI party of former NLA boss Ali Ahmeti cannot claim it to have been an attack on the Albanian people, and thus use it to provoke knock-on violence.
Future Developments
On 9 November, Macedonian Intelligence Agency Director Viktor Dimovski was quoted as stating that Macedonia “is not under any immediate threat” of attacks from abroad following Operation Mountain Storm. However, rumblings from Kosovo and from NLA war veterans indicate that new provocations may occur. A shadowy, Tetovo-based separatist organization, calling itself the Political-Military Council of the KLA, claimed that the Jakupi-Shiti group was linked to them, and swore it would defend Albanian “national honor” through violence.
The still unknown organization claims that it has created paramilitary groups allegedly “to protect the endangered Albanian people, and every inch of Albanian territory.” In a statement relayed by Serbia’s B92, the group vows that “there can be no stable political or military solution, peace or stability in the turbulent Balkans without respect and implementation of a decision taken at a conference in Bujan for self-determination (Kosovo, and unification with Albania), and for institution of a military oath for all three liberation armies – Kosovo, Eastern Kosovo (Preševo, Bujanovac, Medveđa), and Macedonia.”
For his part, the better known local radical Xhezair Shaqiri (“Commander Hoxha”) threatened to “square accounts” with the Interior Ministry, reported Sitel Television, stating “we will wait for the police wherever they come.” Unlike the obscure “Political-Military Council,” Commander Hoxha begged ignorance of the culprits in Brodec shootout.
There are signs, however, of a certain momentum building up as Macedonia shows it is serious about cleaning up the territory from would-be troublemakers, and that outsiders are beginning to respect this. Three days after the police operation, the Kosovo government extradited another Albanian, Zaim Halili, to Macedonia. Halili had been wanted for the murder of Fatmir Alili, the (also Albanian) police chief of Matejce village, north of Kumanovo. In the attack of 9 September, which also involved two other accomplices, two Macedonian policemen, Janche Kitanov and Sladjan Kostovski were injured.
To conclude, the government’s success in eliminating paramilitary threats on their own turf and before they have time to position heavy weaponry is a dramatic and unprecedented defeat for the Albanian irredentists who would like to sever the western third of Macedonia for themselves. There are a number of reasons for this. A significant one is that the Macedonian police are much better trained and equipped than they were six, or even three years ago. The second vital factor is that they received cooperation from locals; indeed, without tips from local Albanians, discovering the vigilantes and their stashed weapons would have been much more difficult. Interestingly, a local Albanian from Brodec interviewed by television journalists stated that had the police in 2001 done such a ‘neat’ operation in the beginning of the war, it could have been stopped before escalating out of control. This week’s operation shows that the Macedonian security forces have come a long way in that time.
Unlike various similar operations carried out by the previous two Macedonian governments since 2001, innocent bystanders were not caught in the crossfire and there was no large-scale property destruction. The smooth handling of the operation won the interior ministry praise from foreign officials such as Victoria Nuland, US ambassador to NATO, who stated, “we were informed on the operation. We were especially impressed by the fact that multi-ethnic police forces carried out the tasks.”
Indeed, the operation – grandiosely dubbed ‘Mountain Storm,’ after the Sar Planina Mountain range where the villages of Brodec, Vejce and Vesela are located – was very successful, with six fugitives, including the Wahhabi ringleader, Ramadan Shiti, being killed, and 13 other terrorists captured. In the dramatic gun battle that ensued, only one policeman was injured. However, one of the most wanted men – Lirim Jakupi, self-proclaimed ‘Commander Nazi’ – escaped. Criminal charges on grounds of terrorism have been submitted against all 17 members of the group, as well as the four remaining fugitives, thought to be led by Jakupi.
Although the interior ministry at first stated officially that the killed and captured men were mere ‘criminals,’ the astonishingly large variety of weapons seized – enough for waging a small war – in houses and fields near Brodec belied that assertion. So did the fact that some, such as leader Shiti, have previously been linked with the Saudi-backed Wahhabi Muslim sect’s attempts to take control of the Islamic communities in Macedonia and Kosovo. Indeed, during the operation, Ramadan Shiti reportedly died as a suicide bomber, igniting the grenade he was carrying when surrounded by police.
Ready for War
Macedonia’s Minister of Interior, Gordana Jankuloska, stated for media on 9 November that the Brodec haul was “the largest amount of [heavy] weaponry… seized thus far” in Macedonia. The arsenal included everything from sniper rifles, assault rifles, dynamite, hand grenades, mortars and thousands of bullets to artillery pieces, RPG launchers and laser-guided anti-aircraft missiles. The cache was deemed “sufficient to equip a battalion of 650 soldiers.” Indeed, black nationalist paramilitary uniforms were also found (the gang had been allegedly involved in conducting nighttime uniformed roadblocks in recent weeks in the area). The impressive haul, which also included nationalist booklets and weaponry manuals, was laid out for journalists and military attaches to inspect at police barracks in the western Skopje suburb of Gjorce Petrov on 9 November.
Other clear indications of the long-term war plans of the militant group became apparent when television crews showed the professional-standard bunkers dug into the mountainside above the village, stocked with sleeping bags, large bags of onions and potatoes, and other rations. The structures even included improvised shower cabins and beds. Both cars and horses had been used to bring in supplies from the nearby mountain border with Kosovo, as well as from Tetovo and other places. According to retired Army Col. Blagoja Markovski, now with the Balkan Security Forum, “the [terrorists] came in this region two or three months ago… with a plan, and were preparing for military actions.”
Countdown
The operation followed several weeks of tracking the fugitives, who were moving “throughout the tri-border area” between Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, aided by a large network of safe houses, stated one ranking military intelligence officer for Balkanalysis.com. However, the authorities also had their own network of local informers. “We contributed information from our side to the police, as did the Serbian government and KFOR [in Kosovo].” Finally, the special police unit, composed of officers of both Macedonian and Albanian ethnicities, pounced on Brodec in the early hours, sealing off the village and setting up checkpoints on access roads. The plans were finalized after the green light was given by US Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic and EU Special Representative Erwan Fouere, joked the officer- “our real ‘president’ and ‘prime minister.’”
Action
According to published accounts quoting police participants, the militants began firing first, forcing the police to shoot back. The battle took place in and around several houses in the village, as well as the Brodec mosque, which was being used as an arsenal by the gang. When the shooters were killed, police were able to scour the adjoining territory, discovering more arms caches and the bunkers, set in strategic places on the mountainside, with commanding views of the village and Tetovo beneath. Individuals killed in the operation included Hisni Ameti, also known as ‘Commander Cevaj,’ and Imer Gavazi (42), both from Kosovo; Bekim Memeti (21) from Tetovo; Ferat Sahini (20) and Fidan Fejzulahu (24), both from Brodec; and Ramadan Shiti (24), from Kosovo.
Shiti had already escaped twice from prison, once in Macedonia and once in Kosovo, and was wanted as an accomplice in the murder of a Skopje taxi driver and for participating in a bomb attack on the Bit Pazar police station in Skopje in July 2005.
However, while Shiti may be dead, according to Macedonian intelligence sources surveyed by Balkanalysis.com, some of his major accomplices in those crimes are still at work in Kosovo, developing the growth of radical Islamist cells there, with support from Saudi and other Arab countries channeling funds via diaspora Albanian radicals in Milan, Italy as well as Austria and Bosnia.
The Macedonian government claimed that the August ‘escape’ from Dubrava Prison of Shiti, Jakupi and co. was not a matter of luck, but done purposefully by ‘certain structures’ eager to provoke unrest to influence the Kosovo status process around the scheduled conclusion of ‘final’ negotiations between Serbs and Albanians on 10 December. That said, the bold, professional and unexpected operation was a sign of how far the country has come since the 2001 war, when unnecessary collateral damage and widespread leaks precluded efficient operations.
The present raid was very impressive, thus, in that it involved a multi-ethnic police force, operating in hostile and remote territory, and in that it unfolded amidst total secrecy. The fact that innocent bystanders were not affected also speaks well for the interior ministry’s newfound professionalism; this outcome is crucial as critics such as the opposition DUI party of former NLA boss Ali Ahmeti cannot claim it to have been an attack on the Albanian people, and thus use it to provoke knock-on violence.
Future Developments
On 9 November, Macedonian Intelligence Agency Director Viktor Dimovski was quoted as stating that Macedonia “is not under any immediate threat” of attacks from abroad following Operation Mountain Storm. However, rumblings from Kosovo and from NLA war veterans indicate that new provocations may occur. A shadowy, Tetovo-based separatist organization, calling itself the Political-Military Council of the KLA, claimed that the Jakupi-Shiti group was linked to them, and swore it would defend Albanian “national honor” through violence.
The still unknown organization claims that it has created paramilitary groups allegedly “to protect the endangered Albanian people, and every inch of Albanian territory.” In a statement relayed by Serbia’s B92, the group vows that “there can be no stable political or military solution, peace or stability in the turbulent Balkans without respect and implementation of a decision taken at a conference in Bujan for self-determination (Kosovo, and unification with Albania), and for institution of a military oath for all three liberation armies – Kosovo, Eastern Kosovo (Preševo, Bujanovac, Medveđa), and Macedonia.”
For his part, the better known local radical Xhezair Shaqiri (“Commander Hoxha”) threatened to “square accounts” with the Interior Ministry, reported Sitel Television, stating “we will wait for the police wherever they come.” Unlike the obscure “Political-Military Council,” Commander Hoxha begged ignorance of the culprits in Brodec shootout.
There are signs, however, of a certain momentum building up as Macedonia shows it is serious about cleaning up the territory from would-be troublemakers, and that outsiders are beginning to respect this. Three days after the police operation, the Kosovo government extradited another Albanian, Zaim Halili, to Macedonia. Halili had been wanted for the murder of Fatmir Alili, the (also Albanian) police chief of Matejce village, north of Kumanovo. In the attack of 9 September, which also involved two other accomplices, two Macedonian policemen, Janche Kitanov and Sladjan Kostovski were injured.
To conclude, the government’s success in eliminating paramilitary threats on their own turf and before they have time to position heavy weaponry is a dramatic and unprecedented defeat for the Albanian irredentists who would like to sever the western third of Macedonia for themselves. There are a number of reasons for this. A significant one is that the Macedonian police are much better trained and equipped than they were six, or even three years ago. The second vital factor is that they received cooperation from locals; indeed, without tips from local Albanians, discovering the vigilantes and their stashed weapons would have been much more difficult. Interestingly, a local Albanian from Brodec interviewed by television journalists stated that had the police in 2001 done such a ‘neat’ operation in the beginning of the war, it could have been stopped before escalating out of control. This week’s operation shows that the Macedonian security forces have come a long way in that time.
Macedonia ranks 35th in gender equality index
Macedonia was ranked 35th in the World Economic Forum's ranking of gender-equal countries, a survey conducted in 128 countries worldwide.
Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland - dominated top gender-equality index. These countries retained the four top sport sin the 2007 Gender Gap Index, released by the Swiss-based forum on Thursday.
The study compared four areas: differences between men and women's salaries, access to education, political representation and health including life expectancy.
Turkey is the lowest ranked among the European countries.
Pakistan, Chad and Yemen are placed at the bottom of the table of 128 countries, with the biggest gaps in the four areas.
As regards the countries in the region, Croatia is highest ranked - 16th, followed by Bulgaria - 25th, Macedonia - 35th, Slovenia - 39th, Albania - 66th, Greece - 72nd and Turkey - 121st.
According to survey, Macedonia's total population ranges 2.03 million, population growth of 0.18%. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita - $6.405, overall population sex ratio (male/female) - 1.00.
Women in Macedonia have been entitled to vote since 1946. Macedonia had no woman president. Women in parliament - 28%, women in ministerial posts - 17%
Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland - dominated top gender-equality index. These countries retained the four top sport sin the 2007 Gender Gap Index, released by the Swiss-based forum on Thursday.
The study compared four areas: differences between men and women's salaries, access to education, political representation and health including life expectancy.
Turkey is the lowest ranked among the European countries.
Pakistan, Chad and Yemen are placed at the bottom of the table of 128 countries, with the biggest gaps in the four areas.
As regards the countries in the region, Croatia is highest ranked - 16th, followed by Bulgaria - 25th, Macedonia - 35th, Slovenia - 39th, Albania - 66th, Greece - 72nd and Turkey - 121st.
According to survey, Macedonia's total population ranges 2.03 million, population growth of 0.18%. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita - $6.405, overall population sex ratio (male/female) - 1.00.
Women in Macedonia have been entitled to vote since 1946. Macedonia had no woman president. Women in parliament - 28%, women in ministerial posts - 17%
Macedonia's credit ratings remain stable
Credit ratings of Macedonia were not affected by lack of EU accession date, said Standard & Poor's, the world's foremost provider of credit ratings.
Standard & Poor's assigned a BB+ credit rating with a stable outlook to Macedonia's long-term debt in foreign currency, and a credit rating of BBB- with a stable outlook for short-term debt in domestic currency.
Factors constraining the ratings of Macedonia include structural rigidities and residual political tensions among political parties, Standard & Poor's said.
Standard & Poor's assigned a BB+ credit rating with a stable outlook to Macedonia's long-term debt in foreign currency, and a credit rating of BBB- with a stable outlook for short-term debt in domestic currency.
Factors constraining the ratings of Macedonia include structural rigidities and residual political tensions among political parties, Standard & Poor's said.
Macedonia wins 'European Economic Development Region 2008' award
International Institute for Transport Management (ITM) has chosen Macedonia as 'European Economic Development Region' for 2008. - The World Bank's ranking of Macedonia as the fourth best reformer and the European Commission recognition of the country's economic progress present a confirmation that the Government reforms are going into the right direction, Foreign Investment Agency Director Vikto Mizo said Thursday at a press conference.
By awarding Macedonia, ITM calls on its members to take the country into consideration when they make investment decisions.
The award criteria include a solid infrastructure, integrated economic development tools, a well trained workforce, viable opportunities for growth and marketing.
- We have gotten the highest grades for the campaign (Invest in Macedonia), which according to ITM is being successful above all in altering the perception and image of Macedonia, Mizo said.
The award will be presented at a ceremony in London on November 26.
Commenting on the award to Macedonia, ITM Media & PR Director Mr. Patrick Sheedy said: "In light of the current economic and political circumstances in Macedonia, particularly the progressive commercial climate being nurtured by the Government, European investors would do well to consider Macedonia as a potential setting for their own growth and development."
By awarding Macedonia, ITM calls on its members to take the country into consideration when they make investment decisions.
The award criteria include a solid infrastructure, integrated economic development tools, a well trained workforce, viable opportunities for growth and marketing.
- We have gotten the highest grades for the campaign (Invest in Macedonia), which according to ITM is being successful above all in altering the perception and image of Macedonia, Mizo said.
The award will be presented at a ceremony in London on November 26.
Commenting on the award to Macedonia, ITM Media & PR Director Mr. Patrick Sheedy said: "In light of the current economic and political circumstances in Macedonia, particularly the progressive commercial climate being nurtured by the Government, European investors would do well to consider Macedonia as a potential setting for their own growth and development."
Macedonia displays seized arms, seeks terror charges
The operation, which officially left six gunmen dead, 11 wounded and 13 arrested, was carried out in the villages at the foot of Mt. Šara, and was dubbed Mountain Storm.
The presentation took place at Gjorce Petrov police barracks today, attended by police attaches within foreign embassies in Skopje, the country's state television MRT reported.
Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska also addressed some members of an police rapid deployment unit, who took part in massive raids earlier this week.
The group that clashed with police was thought to be headed by Ramadan Shiti and Lirim Jakupi, a.k.a. Nazi, who escaped from Dubrava prison in Kosovo a few months ago. Shiti was killed in the showdown, while Jakupi was not captured.
Yesterday, Croatian television HRT reported that Priština daily Koha Ditore carried a statement by a group calling itself the Political-Military Council of the KLA, which said it was behind the incident.
Today, it emerged authorities are seeking charges of terrorism against 13 suspected ethnic Albanian extremists who were arrested with the massive weapons cache that included anti-aircraft missiles and artillery pieces.
Police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said the government would recommend that charges of terrorism and activities against the state be filed against the suspects — all men — and four accomplices who evaded arrest.
Authorities said weapons were sufficient to equip a battalion of 650 soldiers. They included laser-guided anti-aircraft missiles, artillery pieces, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, sniper rifles, assault rifles, dynamite, hand grenades, mortars and thousands of bullets, police said.
"This is the largest amount of weaponry ever seized (in Macedonia), with huge destructive power," Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska said Friday.
Police described the gunmen with him as members of a "criminal gang" but on Friday suggested their motives may have been political.
"The seized bombs, grenades and mortars clearly show the criminal gang planned larger operations," a police official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to comment on the case.
Authorities said they could not say where the weapons had come from and have not identified all the gunmen killed.
Police spokesman Kotevski said one of the gun battle victims was Shiti, who committed suicide, placing a hand grenade under his body when he discovered he was surrounded.
Ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter of Macedonia's 2 million people.
The presentation took place at Gjorce Petrov police barracks today, attended by police attaches within foreign embassies in Skopje, the country's state television MRT reported.
Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska also addressed some members of an police rapid deployment unit, who took part in massive raids earlier this week.
The group that clashed with police was thought to be headed by Ramadan Shiti and Lirim Jakupi, a.k.a. Nazi, who escaped from Dubrava prison in Kosovo a few months ago. Shiti was killed in the showdown, while Jakupi was not captured.
Yesterday, Croatian television HRT reported that Priština daily Koha Ditore carried a statement by a group calling itself the Political-Military Council of the KLA, which said it was behind the incident.
Today, it emerged authorities are seeking charges of terrorism against 13 suspected ethnic Albanian extremists who were arrested with the massive weapons cache that included anti-aircraft missiles and artillery pieces.
Police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said the government would recommend that charges of terrorism and activities against the state be filed against the suspects — all men — and four accomplices who evaded arrest.
Authorities said weapons were sufficient to equip a battalion of 650 soldiers. They included laser-guided anti-aircraft missiles, artillery pieces, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, sniper rifles, assault rifles, dynamite, hand grenades, mortars and thousands of bullets, police said.
"This is the largest amount of weaponry ever seized (in Macedonia), with huge destructive power," Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska said Friday.
Police described the gunmen with him as members of a "criminal gang" but on Friday suggested their motives may have been political.
"The seized bombs, grenades and mortars clearly show the criminal gang planned larger operations," a police official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to comment on the case.
Authorities said they could not say where the weapons had come from and have not identified all the gunmen killed.
Police spokesman Kotevski said one of the gun battle victims was Shiti, who committed suicide, placing a hand grenade under his body when he discovered he was surrounded.
Ethnic Albanians make up about a quarter of Macedonia's 2 million people.
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