[ALBSA-Info] FW: NAAC JOINS PRESS CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSIONAL LETTE R TO TRAJKOVSKI

[Lukaj, Richard (Exchange)]

National Albanian American Council
2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC  20036
(202) 416-1627    Fax: (202) 416-1628
Email: NAACDC at aol.com
______________________________________________________________________ 
Press Release


NAAC JOINS PRESS CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSIONAL LETTER TO TRAJKOVSKI


Washington, April 4, 2001:  Today, leaders of the Congressional Albanian 
Issues Caucus released a letter to Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski 
calling upon government to expeditiously move to address the concerns of 
Macedonia's Albanian citizens.  The letter is attached, as is a fact sheet 
outlining the concerns of Albanians in Macedonia.  Ilir Zherka, President of

the National Albanian American Council, joined the members of Congress at
the 
press conference.  His brief statement is below:

We in the Albanian-American community strongly support a political solution 
to the conflict in Macedonia.  But we think that the way to do that is to 
focus on the disease and not the symptoms.  The disease in this case is 
systematic discrimination against Albanians by Macedonians. The cure is for 
that discrimination to end.

The Macedonian government has it within its power to make the necessary 
changes in law and in practice to extend to Albanians equal rights and 
opportunities.  This letter which was released today calls for the
government 
to use this pause in fighting to make the needed changes so that the
conflict 
can come to an end and Albanians can feel more a part of the society in that

country.

Unfortunately, recent talks in Macedonia ended without agreement, and some
in 
Macedonia are fighting change and are calling for the government to listen 
more to Russia then the West.  That would be a tragic mistake.  Macedonia 
should not turn back from its journey to become a western-style democracy.  
The US has a very important role to play in ensuring that this will not 
happen.  Members of Congress are playing that constructive role by sending 
this letter today.  Next week, Secretary Colin Powell will visit Macedonia.

We hope that he will be firmed with all sides in stressing that Macedonia 
must dramatically improved the way it treats its Albanian population. 

We firmly believe that the Macedonian government can end this crisis.  But, 
in order to do so, it must be bold here and fully embrace its Albanian 
population as equals.  If it fails to be bold, I am afraid that the
situation 
will spiral out of control.  I hope they do not miss this opportunity and 
that they will heed the message being sent today by members of the US 
Congress. 


April 4, 2001

His Excellency Boris Trajkovski
President
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Skopje, FYROM

Dear Mr. President:

We write to express our concern with the situation in your country and to 
urge your government to expeditiously move to address the concerns of 
Macedonia's Albanian citizens.

Macedonia has been a good friend and strategic partner of the United States 
in recent years.  Your support during Allied Force was critical and will not

soon be forgotten.  We would like to express our appreciation that your 
government has suspended its recent military actions and believe that this 
pause in fighting provides an opportunity for dialogue and compromise.

We urge your government to work with the elected Albanian officials in 
Macedonia to address the concerns of Albanians throughout the region. 
Albanians in Macedonia have felt like second class citizens since
Macedonia's 
independence.  Their concerns are well known: Problematic language in your 
constitution declaring only Macedonians to be citizens; Denial of Albanian
as 
a national language; Legislative districts drawn to minimize Albanian 
parliamentary representation; Under-representation in public employment;
and, 
Lack of a publicly- financed Albanian university.

We have opposed the recent militant action in Macedonia and will continue to

do so. We believe quick action by your government to address the concerns of

Albanians in Macedonia will go a long way to rectifying the current crisis 
and is vitally needed to bolster the legitimate, elected Albanian political 
leadership. If Albanian politicians are unable to demonstrate results soon, 
we fear that more will turn away from the political process, further 
destabilizing Macedonia.

Macedonia is an important ally and strategic partner of the United States.
We 
are confident that this relationship can continue in the future.  However,
we 
believe that such a relationship will prosper best if your government
commits 
itself to promoting fairness for all of Macedonia. 
 
citizens and takes immediate steps to show Albanians that they are valued, 
equal members of society.  We look forward to working with your government
in 
the years to come to help bring stability and peace to your country and the 
region as a whole.

Sincerely,



Eliot L. Engel                      Sue W. Kelly
Member of Congress                  Member of Congress



John W. Olver                       Mark Steven Kirk
Member of Congress                  Member of Congress
 



THE CONFLICT IN MACEDONIA
Summary Fact Sheet


Why Are Albanians Upset?

The fundamental problem in Macedonia is the view there - which is embedded
in 
the Constitution -- that Macedonia is essentially a state of Slavic 
Macedonians.  This has perpetuated systematic and institutionalized 
discrimination against ethnic Albanians who make up between 33 and 40
percent 
of the population of the country:

·   Despite representing only slightly over 50 percent of the population, 
Slavic  Macedonians have over 90 percent of the public sector jobs, 90 
percent of the police   force, and 90 percent of the student population in 
the universities.
·   Macedonian is the only official language even in the Albanian part of
the 
country.
·   Only Macedonian-language universities enjoy public funding.
·   Albanians have substandard schools, bad roads, poor health facilities, 
yet little local    administrative control to address these and other 
problems.
·   100,000 Albanians not being recognized as citizens.
·   20 percent of Albanians in Macedonia were not counted in an earlier 
census. 
·   Parliamentary districts are drawn so that on average, an Albanian deputy

represents  about 18,000 people, while a Slavic Macedonian represents about 
7,000.

What Changes Would Albanians Like to See?
The following changes must be made immediately if Macedonia is to prevent a 
wider war: 

·   Changes to the constitution to make them equal citizens.
·   Right to use Albanian as an official language.
·   Equal representation in the government.
·   Equal employment opportunities within the public sector.
·   Public financing for higher education in Albanian.
·   Meaningful local authority and public financing to address the problems 
of everyday     life.
·   International oversight and involvement in the census to ensure it is 
free and accurate.
·   Freedom to use Albanian flag and other cultural symbols.

What Can the U.S. Do?

·   Call on all sides in the dispute to stop the violence and respect a 
unilateral cease-fire.
·   Call on Macedonia to make immediate and significant legal changes to end

discrimination against Albanians.
·   Send a special envoy to help mediate a resolution of the problem.

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