SETimes.comWest Works to Soothe Tension In Macedonia-Yugoslavia Border Issue
24/02/2002
SKOPJE, Macedonia -- The West is working to diffuse tension that arose last week, insisting it does recognise the border agreement signed between Macedonia and Yugoslavia last year. Separately, officials from NATO, the EU, the UN and the United States confirmed Friday (22 February) their support for a statement issued nearly a year ago by the UN Security Council chairman, which called for respect of the Macedonian-Yugoslav border agreement "by all". Skopje demanded clarification after two Western officials in Kosovo early last week questioned recognition of the border. Macedonian Foreign Minister Slobodan Casule was expected to go New York, to attend the Security Council's session on Kosovo and underscore Skopje's firm stance on the border issue. (Vest, Utrinski Vesnik, Nova Makedonija, Dnevnik - 23/02/02; MIA, A1 TV - 22/02/02)