MACEDONIAN ALBANIANS THREATEN VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE FOLLOWING ARRESTS
MTV1 (Transcript) - May 30, 2003

Reported by: Dusko Arsovski

Units of the police are continuing their patrols in the area of Lipkovo Municipality. Yesterday an armed group threatened attacks on the police deployed in the region if two Sopot village residents were not released. The police arrested the two last Monday 26 May on suspicion of planting a mine near the village. Two NATO soldiers and two local residents were killed when the mine exploded. Arsovski Our sources in the village say that another message with a warning that the ultimatum given to the government is about to expire was apparently left at Slupcane police station, although the Interior Ministry could not confirm this information. The message warns that, unless the government releases the two Sopot villagers arrested in Monday's police raid, the armed group will start operations against the police forces in the region.

Ethnic Albanian politicians today remained silent on these latest developments in the Lipkovo region. Hysni Shaqiri, Assembly deputy of the Democratic Union for Integration, refused to comment on the announcements about an armed rebellion, noting that tensions should not be raised at this time.

Lipkovo Mayor Husamedin Halili neither confirmed nor denied reports that he had personally been to villages in the municipality in a bid to persuade the population not to support any armed gang.

The Interior Ministry today denied reports that mixed police units have halted their patrols in view of the threats.

Interior Ministry Spokesman Mirjana Kontevska Members of the Interior Ministry continue to carry out their routine duties in the areas of both Slupcane and Sopot villages. Mixed police patrols are present on the ground and no violations of public law and order or of the overall security situation have been noted.

Arsovski A Commander Cakala yesterday told a number of media about armed activities in the area of Tanusevci village, in connection with the arrest of the two Sopot villagers.

Xhezair Shaqiri Hoxha, Assembly deputy for the National Democratic Party from this area, categorically denied the allegations about paramilitary movements in the area.

If there were any problems in Tanusevci, I would not have been present at today's Assembly session, Shaqiri told us. He confirmed that he had met Commander Cakala yesterday and had asked him for a clarification of the statement. Cakala apparently said that the journalists had misinterpreted his statement.

President Boris Trajkovski's office has responded to the announcements of possible new developments in the country's northwest.

Presidential Spokesman Borjan Jovanovski We appeal to the Defence and Interior Ministries, as well as to the foreign monitoring missions, to take all the necessary measures to prevent any attempt to destabilize the country.

Source: MTV1, Skopje, in Macedonian 1600 gmt 30 May 03

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