Key Events in Macedonia's Standoff Posted August 13, 2001
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010813/wl/macedonia_chronology_1.html
Monday August 13 11:25 AM ET

Key Events in Macedonia's Standoff

By The Associated Press,

Key events in Macedonia leading up to Monday's peace accord signing:

Jan. 2 - One policeman killed, three injured in grenade attack on Macedonian police station in the predominantly ethnic Albanian village of Tearce.

Feb. 12 - First clashes between government forces and ethnic Albanian rebels of the self-styled National Liberation Army near Tanusevac.

March 4 - Three Macedonian soldiers killed in fighting near northern border.

March 8 - Rebels attack government convoy, killing driver. NATO (news - web sites) allows return of Yugoslav forces into part of buffer zone around Kosovo.

March 14 - Rebels attack police in Tetovo; 10 civilians are wounded.

March 15 - Rebels move to within 12 miles of capital, Skopje.

March 20 - Rebels issue ultimatum demanding talks to transform state into a confederation.

March 21 - Rebels announce they'll hold fire following government ultimatum.

March 22 - President Boris Trajkovski announces tough action against rebels. Security forces launch offensive near Tetovo with little success.

April 28 - Eight soldiers and police are killed in rebel ambush.

May 3 - Government offensive in Kumanovo area also fails.

May 13 - Government of national unity government is formed, including two major ethnic Albanian parties; political feuds start.

June 8 - Rebels take control of Aracinovo just outside Skopje.

June 15-20 - Negotiations between Macedonian and Albanian government parties fail.

June 24 - After more fighting, European Union (news - web sites) security chief Javier Solana wins cease-fire; NATO evacuates rebels from Aracinovo without disarming them.

June 28 - EU appoints Francois Leotard as Macedonia envoy; he joins U.S. envoy James Pardew at peace talks.

July 5 - Another cease-fire under U.N. auspices, but fighting persists around Tetovo.

July 19 - Albanian parties suspend negotiations. Two EU monitors and a translator killed in mine explosion.

July 22-24 - Fierce fighting around Tetovo. Government accuses NATO of pro-rebel bias; foreign embassies attacked in Skopje.

July 28 - Peace talks resume in Ohrid.

Aug. 5 - After agreement on Albanian as second official language in ethnic Albanian-dominated areas, rival factions also agree on police reform. Rebels control more territory, road links.

Aug. 7 - Macedonian police kill five ethnic Albanians accused of planning ``terrorist actions'' in Skopje.

Aug. 8 - Ten Macedonian soldiers killed in an ambush just outside Skopje. Parties agree to sign deal in formal ceremony Aug. 13.

Aug. 10 - Army truck hits land mines north of Skopje, killing eight soldiers.

Aug. 11-12 - Scattered clashes between rebels and government forces.

Aug. 13 - Rival sides sign peace accord.