[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 88 (Friday, June 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6670-S6671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 115--RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING A LASTING CEASE-FIRE IN 
MACEDONIA, COMMENDING THE PARTIES FOR SEEKING A POLITICAL SOLUTION, AND 
                           FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Biden) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                               S. Res. 115

       Whereas, the political, economic, and social situation in 
     Macedonia has steadily deteriorated since February 2001;
       Whereas, ongoing fighting between the National Liberation 
     Army and the Government of Macedonia presents a clear and 
     present danger to the viability of Macedonia;
       Whereas, a Macedonian civil war exacerbates tensions in the 
     region and could trigger additional incidents of violence in 
     the Balkans;
       Whereas, the ongoing fighting has displaced at least 18,000 
     people inside Macedonia, and forced another 40,000 people to 
     flee into neighboring countries;
       Whereas, political parties in Macedonia are negotiating a 
     political solution to the current crisis;

[[Page S6671]]

       Whereas, a cease-fire and dialogue between the parties are 
     essential to preventing full scale inter-ethnic warfare in 
     Macedonia; and
       Whereas, a unified and independent Macedonia is in United 
     States national security interests: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) encourages a lasting cease-fire, and calls upon the 
     Government of Macedonia to ensure the protection of the lives 
     and property of all citizens of Macedonia;
       (2) commends the political parties in Macedonia for seeking 
     a political solution to the current crisis, and encourages a 
     continued commitment to dialogue by those parties;
       (3) calls upon the Government of Macedonia to address the 
     concerns of all citizens of Macedonia in a fair and equitable 
     manner;
       (4) recognizes that the United States and other countries 
     must assume a more pro-active role in aiding the Government 
     of Macedonia and the political parties in Macedonia to secure 
     and maintain a lasting solution to the conflict; and
       (5) pledges its support for additional United States 
     assistance for programs and activities that contribute to 
     reconstruction in Macedonia and a resolution of inter-ethnic 
     tensions in that country.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, Senator Leahy, Senator Biden, and I 
submit this resolution as an indication of our support and 
encouragement for continued negotiations between ethnic-Albanian and 
Macedonian political parties. A unified and independent Macedonia is in 
the best interests of all the citizens of Macedonia, neighboring 
countries, and the United States.
  The news this morning of renewed fighting in the wake of stalled 
talks is deeply troubling. Continued armed conflict serves only to 
exacerbate an already difficult and tense situation. American 
leadership and engagement is essential in resolving the current crisis. 
We must be clear: a lasting cease-fire and peace can only be secured 
through dialogue and disarmament.
  Frustrations on both sides of the negotiating table are growing 
daily. However difficult and dire the situation may seem today, it will 
only get worse if the talks completely collapse. The stakes are indeed 
high, and call for cooler heads and responsible, and responsive, 
leadership.
  Make no mistake, the long standing and legitimate grievances of 
ethnic-Albanians must be on the table for discussion, and successful 
resolution. While the rights and lives of all Macedonian citizens must 
be protected and guaranteed, Macedonian officials must be particularly 
vigilant in ensuring that ethnic-Albanians are not targeted for 
retribution, as has unfortunately been the case in the past. The 
foundation of peace and stability is nothing less than equality for all 
citizens of Macedonia under the law and genuine respect for democratic 
processes, institutions, and the rule of law.
  We hope that all parties at the negotiation table in Skopje 
understand that in their hands rests the fate of the country. We stand 
ready to support U.S.-funded programs and activities that contribute to 
the reconstruction and a resolution of inter-ethnic tensions in 
Macedonia.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution 
on Macedonia, with my friend from Kentucky, Senator McConnell.
  Macedonia stands out as the country in the Balkans which, until 
recently, avoided the bloodshed and destruction that engulfed the rest 
of the former Yugoslavia throughout much of the past decade. In 
Macedonia, ethnic Macedonians and Albanians have lived peacefully 
together.
  But recently, a small number of Albanian fighters have resorted to 
violence. Some have demanded a separate Albanian state. Others are 
interested in nothing more than control over smuggling routes in and 
out of Macedonia. Still others are from Kosovo, and are using Macedonia 
as a staging ground to focus international attention on their 
grievances in Kosovo.
  But there are others who have taken up arms who represent the 
aspirations of the larger community of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, 
who have been the victims of discrimination in their own country, or 
what is now Macedonia, for generations.
  Albanians comprise approximately one third of the population of 
Macedonia, but they hold only a fraction of government positions. There 
are no public institutions of higher learning where Albanian language 
is taught or spoken. Albanians are not recognized in Macedonia's 
Constitution.
  The ethnic Albanian's grievances are legitimate, and must be 
addressed. The ethnic Macedonians also have rights, which must be 
respected.
  Recently, the leaders of a coalition government, representing ethnic 
Macedonian and Albanian political parties, have met to try to find a 
political settlement of the conflict. Both sides have acknowledged that 
there is no military solution, and that a civil war would be 
devastating for the country. But after a week of negotiations they have 
made little progress, and the talks have reportedly reached an impasse. 
That is unacceptable. There is no other way to avoid a wider war than 
through dialogue. The United States has offered support, but not as 
vigorously as I believe it should. The leaders of the European Union 
have also invested considerable time and energy in search of peace.
  NATO is prepared to assist in implementing a peace agreement, as it 
should, but the parties in Macedonia need to recognize that the United 
States will not intervene militarily, nor will we finance a war on 
behalf of either side. To think otherwise would be both unrealistic and 
pointless. The United States would support a political settlement that 
upholds the rights of all citizens of Macedonia, regardless of 
ethnicity, and which preserves the political and geographical integrity 
of the country.
  This resolution calls attention to the importance of the situation in 
Macedonia, for the Balkans region, for Europe, and for the United 
States. This is a solvable problem, and it would be unforgivable if, 
what is still a relatively low intensity, localized conflict, erupted 
into full-scale civil war. The administration needs to give this 
precarious situation far more attention than it has thus far. We have 
an ambassador there who is doing his best, but it is not enough. Higher 
level diplomacy is needed, and it is needed urgently.

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