Skopje, 30 May 2001 (RFE/RL) -- Macedonian Slav and ethnic Albanian politicians have agreed to resume cooperation amid the government's continuing battle against ethnic Albanian rebels. European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana succeeded yesterday in brokering a deal to revive the ethnically mixed national unity government, which had faced collapse following the disclosure of a secret deal between ethnic Albanian politicians and the rebels.
President Boris Trajkovski said both Slav and ethnic Albanian party leaders had agreed that the future of Macedonia can be decided only by democratically elected leaders. He said the deal among the ethnic Albanian politicians and rebels was "no longer relevant."
In the north of the country, government forces remain locked in confrontation with the rebels. The United Nations refugee agency said up to 10,000 civilians could be trapped by fighting in villages in the hills north of the capital Skopje.
President Boris Trajkovski said both Slav and ethnic Albanian party leaders had agreed that the future of Macedonia can be decided only by democratically elected leaders. He said the deal among the ethnic Albanian politicians and rebels was "no longer relevant."
In the north of the country, government forces remain locked in confrontation with the rebels. The United Nations refugee agency said up to 10,000 civilians could be trapped by fighting in villages in the hills north of the capital Skopje.