January 28 - February 3 2002

Skopje, February 4th, 2001

Security situation

The plan for redeployment of the police is proceeding with minor difficulties and delays.
After the negotiations realized between representatives of the international community in Macedonia and the local authorities from the village of Matejce, the ethnically mixed police patrols entered in this village. The six-member patrol was escorted by OSCE, NATO and EU monitors.

During his last visit to the village of Radusa, ambassador Klaus Vollers was informed that one of the main reasons why the police was not allowed to enter in this village were the four imprisoned persons from this village who are not included on the amnesty list. The Security and Counterintelligence Department suggested these persons not to be pardoned because they have committed serious criminal acts.

On January 30, based on recommendation from the international monitors, redeployment of the police to Otlja, Lipkovo and Orizare was postponed. The delay followed after about 20 citizens who live in these villages received court decisions for imprisonment. Due to security reasons, the ethnically mixed police patrols also did not enter in the Teke district in Tetovo. On January 1, after the news that law for amnesty was prepared broke out, the local population enabled returning of ethnically mixed police patrols.

New incidents committed by unidentified persons.
On January 28, a hand grenade was thrown in the yard of an ethnic Albanian in Cair municipality in Skopje, causing only material damage. The motives for this incident are still not known.

On February 2, in the Kumanovo villages Opaje and Ropaljce, two houses - property of ethnic Macedonians, were set on fire. At these villages the ethnically mixed police patrols have access 24 hours a day.

Political situation

Report from the commission of missing and kidnapped persons.
After two-month investigation, the Commission for Missing and Kidnapped Persons concluded that the 12 kidnapped civilians from the Tetovo were kidnapped by members of the NLA. The report is based on field research information and interviews made with the families of the kidnapped persons.

Second course for future police officers due to start.
On February 11, the second course for policemen is due to start, including 250 cadets, mostly ethnic Albanians - 150, 50 ethnic Macedonians and 50 from other ethnic groups in the country. The course will be led by OSCE representatives.

Possible continuation of the NATO mandate in Macedonia.
Commander of the "Amber Fox" mission, German General Haintz Georg Keerl, said that the NATO mission in Macedonia would be extended in order peace in the regions of crisis to be enhanced. According to the prognosis, there will be a new NATO mission in Macedonia similar to the "Amber Fox" mission, whose mandate ends on March 27.

Early elections in September.
According to the President of the Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski, best time for scheduling early elections is September 8, while the Assembly would be dismissed on July 7. By then, the priority laws should be adopted and amendment interventions should be made to the existing laws, in accordance to the Framework Agreement.

New initiatives about the amnesty.
EU, NATO and OSCE representatives in the country demand the Law for Amnesty for former NLA members to be put on the parliamentary agenda. These organizations are already working on the text of the Law.

At the meeting held on January 31 and presided by Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, the Governmental Coordination Body for Crisis Management concluded that the Ministry of Justice would be obliged to develop the Law for Amnesty. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia will submit the Law to the Parliament.

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