Ceasefire in Macedonia plus ministerial comments
(5 Jul 2001) Skopje, 5 July 2001 1. Wide shot Skopje nestling in valley below 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nikola Dimitrov, Macedonia National Security Adviser to Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski: "Well after we received guarantees from NATO that the so-called NLA is ready to announce ceasefire and that they understand this as part of the disarmament process. High representatives from the Macedonian Interior Ministry and Defence Ministry signed a statement that the ceasefire will take place from one minute after midnight today. It is a major step forward. of course it is not the end of the crisis, but it will create peaceful conditions for the political part, for the political dialogue and it is one of the preconditions for the disarmament to be realised." Tetovo - 4 July 2001 3. Setup shot exteriors of Arben Xhaferi, ethnic Albanian leader's political party offices 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Arben Xhaferi, ethnic Albanian leader in Macedonia: "This is the main problem, how to protect and to defend each other. The Macedonians are protected by the principal players of the right. How can we not work without Albanian rights and to protect the rights for the future?" Skopje - 5 July 2001 5. Wide shot European Union Envoy Francois Leotard + US Envoy James Pardew leaving hotel 6. SOUNDBITE: (English/ French) Francois Leotard, European Union Envoy: "Welcome to you and welcome to the ceasefire. The ceasefire was agreed this morning as a political and non-military solution to the crisis which is running through this country. The decision for the ceasefire was taken in a context of renewed political dialogue, a renewal which was facilitated by the international community. We will be watching to see that all parties continue to respect the ceasefire. James Pardew and I will endeavour to continue our mission to preserve and develop the results we have already achieved." 7. Wide shot Pardew and Leotard 8. SOUNDBITE (English) James Pardew, US Envoy Q: What's going to happen with the second phase with political dialogue? Do you expert an agreement very soon? "The experts are working very hard on that and the process is continuing very intensively. We will follow the expert process and see where that leads us." Umindo near Kumanovo - 9. Various of Macedonian soldiers Skopje - 5 July 2001 10. Set up shot Vlado Buckovski, Macedonian Defence Minister 11. SOUNDBITE (Macedonian): Vlado Buckovski, Macedonian Defence Minister: "By signing this peace agreement, we are entering a new phase for Macedonia with entry of some 3,000 NATO troops in this country and this is going to be great for the country. By 15 July we could expect NATO's involvement in disarming rebels. 30 Days is a NATO's deadline to make complete peace." 12. Cutaway hands STORYLINE: The Macedonian government announced a nationwide cease-fire on Thursday with ethnic Albanian rebels whose four-month insurgency has threatened political stability in this Balkan country. Nikola Dimitrov, the national security adviser to Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski said the ceasefire will take effect at one minute after midnight local time (2200gmt) Friday morning. The agreement was signed in Prizren (Kosovo) by Macedonia's chief of general staff, Pande Petrevski, and Ali Ahmeti, the political representative of the rebel National Liberation Army. The NATO-brokered cease-fire clears the way for NATO troops to move in and disarm the rebels. British forces will lead the operation, which is expected to be completed in four to six weeks. No injuries were reported. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
