USA: KOSOVO: NATO: MACEDONIA: KIRO GLIGOROV INTERVIEW:

(25 Apr 1999) English/Nat
In an interview on Saturday in Washington, D.C, the president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) said that although his country wishes to join NATO, it will not allow NATO's troops to mount a ground attack on Yugoslavia from its territory.
President Kiro Gligorov said that while Macedonia supports NATO's actions in Kosovo in a number of ways, the over 200,000 Albanian refugees that have fled across the border are causing great social and economic damage.
Macedonia, which gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, is currently one of the Partnership for Peace countries participating in NATO's 50th anniversary summit in Washington, D.C.
Partnership countries will meet with NATO members Sunday, on the last day of the summit.
While much attention has been paid to the three new NATO members at the alliance's 50th anniversary summit in Washington, D.C., there are two dozen other 'Partnership for Peace' countries waiting to join in the years to come.
Some of these countries, foremost among them the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), have provided crucial humanitarian and strategic support to NATO in its current military action against Yugoslavia.
Macedonia, situated between Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria and Greece, maintains a precarious balance in the often turbulent Balkan region.
For this reason, it seeks to enter the protective fold of NATO, and is willing to sacrifice to get there.
SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian)
'In light of the fact that we're members of the Partnership for Peace, and that we have the desire to become members of NATO as soon as possible, we felt that it would be in our best interests and the interests of the region to assist NATO in its current effort.'
SUPER CAPTION: Kiro Gligorov, President of FYROM
Macedonia has allowed NATO to use its airspace and to set up two centres to assist refugees just across the border from Kosovo.
It also vacated its army barracks to make room for NATO troops, which are currently stationed there.
But President Gligorov emphasises that those NATO troops may only stage their military actions from within Macedonia for a peace-keeping operation in Kosovo.
SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian)
'In light of the fact that for the time being there doesn't seem to be a chance for a peace agreement, it seems there is a growing possibility of ground troops going in without a peace agreement being reached. In this respect, I must say we have made a parliamentary decision which won't allow Macedonian territory to be used for a ground attack on any neighbor.'
SUPER CAPTION: Kiro Gligorov, President of FYROM
President Gligorov said that because Macedonia must continue to live among the countries of the Balkans, it would not be fortuitous to participate in such a military action, even as a prospective NATO member.
The Macedonian government estimates that over 200,000 ethnic Albanians have crossed the border between Yugoslavia and Macedoni, both legally and illegally.
This figure represents 14% of Macedonia's population of two million.
President Gligorov compared the percentage of refugees in Macedonia by pointing out that the same percentage would mean about 35 million refugees entering the United States or to about 6.5 million in Germany.
The impact of the refugees has meant a major burden for Macedonia.
It is currently seeking international support to help the overcrowed refugee camps along the border.
SOUNDBITE: (Macedonian)
SUPER CAPTION: Kiro Gligorov, President of FYROM
Macedonia will elect a new leader this Fall.
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