[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MOURNING THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF PRESIDENT BORIS TRAJKOVSKI OF THE 
                         REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to mourn the 
untimely death of President Boris Trajkovski of the Republic of 
Macedonia. As many of my colleagues have heard, President Trajkovski 
was killed this morning in a plane crash while traveling to Mostar, 
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
  Mr. Trajkovski was born in Strumica, Macedonia on June 25, 1956. He 
graduated with a degree in law from the University of St. Cyril and 
Methodius in 1980. He was an ordained Methodist minister and President 
of the Church Council of the United Methodist Church.
  In 1998, he was appointed to the post of Deputy-Minster of Foreign 
Affairs. During his time as Deputy-Minister, he predicted the rise of 
ethnic tensions in Macedonia due to the crisis in Kosovo. He was right 
to criticize NATO's lack of help in that crisis. During much of the 
fighting in the Balkans, Macedonia allowed NATO to use Macedonian 
territory. During Macedonia's ethnic crisis, NATO was sorely lacking in 
assistance
  In 1999 he was inaugurated as President of the Republic of Macedonia. 
During his term as president, he faced near-civil war in his country. 
Ethnic divisions threatened to tear his country apart. President 
Trajkovski, however, worked with all ethnic groups to forge a solution. 
Despite criticism that he was too lenient on minority groups, he 
pressed for peace and facilitated a peace deal.
  In addition to forging peace in his country, Mr. Trajkovski worked to 
improve Macedonia's standing on the world stage. Under his leadership, 
Macedonia was one of the first countries to publicly support Operation 
Iraqi Freedom and to commit troops to the effort. Mr. Trajkovski was a 
tireless advocate for religious tolerance, religious freedom, and 
conflict resolution.
  Mr. Trajkovski's work also focused on improving the lives of all 
Macedonians. A strong believer in free markets and the importance of 
international economic co-operation, Mr. Trajkovski died while on his 
way to an international investors meeting that would undoubtedly have 
helped the development and future prosperity of Macedonia.
  The death of President Trajkovski is a tragedy. Macedonia has lost a 
true leader. The international community has lost a strong voice for 
peace and co-operation. On the passing of President Trajkovski, Kerri 
Houston, Vice President of Policy for Frontiers of Freedom noted, 
``President Trajkovski was a courageous leader who sought security, 
economic progress, and a common national identity for the Macedonian 
people.'' A truer statement was never uttered.
  Mr. Trajkovski leaves behind a wife, Vilma, and two children Sara and 
Stefan. I offer my sympathies to his family and the families of the 
other victims of this terrible accident.

                          ____________________