For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 23, 2001
Statement by the President
The United States joins its allies and the United Nations in strongly
condemning the violence perpetrated by a small group of extremists
determined to destabilize the democratic, multi-ethnic government of
Macedonia. The United States and its allies have a
long-standing commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity
of Macedonia.
The insurgents in Macedonia claim to be advancing the cause of the
Albanian minority. They are not. In fact, their
violent methods are hurting the long-term interests of ethnic Albanians
in Macedonia, Kosovo and throughout the region. We support
instead those political leaders in Macedonia and the region who have
rejected violence and terror in favor of democracy and dialogue as a
way to achieve political change.
I strongly support the efforts of President Trajkovski and the
Macedonian government to uphold democracy and the rule of
law. We encourage the government to act with restraint and
to work closely with elected representatives of the Albanian community
to address legitimate concerns, while taking the necessary steps to
prevent further violence.
The United States is working with its allies and friends in the region
to assist the Macedonian government in countering the violence
perpetrated by the extremists. We support NATO's effort to
assess Macedonia's immediate security needs. We are already
providing surveillance information to the Macedonian government, and
our Defense Department is dispatching Predator unmanned aerial vehicles
to assist in this effort. KFOR patrols have been increased
along Kosovo's border with Macedonia in order to improve border
security and curtail the insurgents? activities.
Macedonia is a close friend, a partner country of NATO, and a
successful example of a democratic, multi-ethnic state in the
Balkans. As the United States knows only too well,
perfecting such a state -- and addressing the legitimate concerns of
minorities -- is a continuous process. It can only be done
through dialogue and democracy -- and never through
violence. That is why we call on all those who seek
political change in Macedonia to work through the democratic political
process.
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