[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 13 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Pages 511-512]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Situation in Macedonia

March 23, 2001

    The United States joins its allies and the United Nations in 
strongly condemning the

[[Page 512]]

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 longstanding 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 dialog 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 dialog 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.

Note: In his statement, the President referred to President Boris 
Trajkovski of Macedonia. This item was not received in time for 
publication in the appropriate issue.