Word: macedonia
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Surely, though, if the Macedonians see this as an insurgency exported from Kosovo, then they could see their way clear to continue working with Macedonia's Albanian population...
...Macedonians certainly see this problem as exported from Kosovo, and deny that the guerrillas have indigenous roots. So there's some hope among Slavs that there are still moderate Albanians in Macedonia who would be willing to work toward some kind of political solution. But even the Albanian leaders here who have been working in the Macedonian political system have been calling for constitutional changes, such as a federation, which the government won't do. In theory there should be some room for further talks, further conciliation. But the presence of these rebels in the hills, and the fact that...
...Much then depends on what direction Macedonia's Albanian community chooses...
...prepared to recognize the rebels as a legitimate force to talk to. The fact is that there are Albanian parties in the government, and there have been ongoing discussions. But the rebels are doing an end run around those politicians and trying to force the issue. And both Macedonia and the international community remain skeptical as to whether the guerrillas are actually a force for democracy. So there's unlikely to be any progress on the political front while the rebel fighters remain active...
...Macedonia's "mini war" isn't going to end anytime soon. Government forces prepared Wednesday to relaunch what their commanders have called a "final offensive" against Albanian separatist guerrillas, after the insurgents appeared to reject a 24-hour ultimatum to lay down their arms or leave Macedonia. After launching a heavy artillery bombardment of guerrilla positions in the hills around Tetovo, Tuesday, government forces declared a unilateral cease-fire to allow the rebels to respond to their ultimatum. But there was no indication that the separatist fighters, many of whom are veterans of Kosovo?s KLA, have any intention...