Estranged Relations between Skopje and Belgrade

Ice cubes in the Diplomatic Glass

The recent visit of Prime Minister Georgijevski to Pristina and problems of Macedonian citizens at border crossings with FR Yugoslavia because of the accursed "Kouchner's seals", have estranged relations between Skoplje and Belgrade despite the tropical June heat.

AIM Skoplje, June 11, 2000

On Tuesday, the Macedonian Ambassador to Belgrade, Slavko Milosavlevski presented the demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia rejecting the verbal protest of last Friday in connection with the recent visit of Prime Minister Ljubco Georgijevski to Pristina. The Belgrade Government reproached Georgijevski for going to Pristina in the first place, but mostly for the announcement of Macedonia's intention to open a liaison office and even, perhaps, a diplomatic representation in the Province's capital. The explanation given in the Macedonian protest might be interesting to anyone with a sense of irony; it reads: in this way Macedonia is rendering its contribution to the economic cooperation between the two countries and helping the reconstruction of Kosovo as a part of FR Yugoslavia.

The Macedonian Prime Minister came to Pristina to attend the international forum "Kosovo and its neighbours - together in future". Georgijevski was much criticised for his participation by the local press. According to that criticism he and his Cabinet are making preparations for diplomatic recognition of the independent Kosovo. Georgijevski tried to refute his opponents' rather weak arguments with the following words: "Today our largest export outlet, if there is a side with which we have an export surplus - is Kosovo. I think that it would be unreasonable to underestimate this dimension!" The Prime Minister also added that this was no different from what Europe and the United States were doing. "The other road is leading into the opposite direction - to Mongolia and North Korea."

In the past few days there were some indications in the media that diplomatic relations between Skoplje and Belgrade could be suspended, but diplomatic sources in the capital of Macedonia stated that they did not expect such a turn of events. Neither the Macedonian Foreign Minister Aleksandar Dimitrov nor Charge d'Affaires in the FRY Embassy in Skopje, Dragan Arsenovic, were inclined to dramatise the situation any further and have generally agreed not to suspend the diplomatic relations. Moreover, Dimitrov did not see any reasons for any deterioration of relations.

Certain confusion in the public was caused by a cable of the American State Secretary Madeleine Albright in which she congratulated Georgijevski on his brave move. The first lady of American diplomacy encouraged the young Prime Minister to persevere in his intention to open an office in Pristina as many other countries, including hers, have already done it. But, faced with the opposition's sword Georgijevski can only wish what the opposition in Serbia had once wished for - not to be defended by someone like the American State Secretary as that made his position only harder.

The mentioned Macedonian demarche also expressed the protest against the present behaviour of the FRY authorities which prohibit all Macedonian citizens who have the Kosovo UNMIK border service seal in their passports, and as of late, the seal from the Macedonian border crossing Blace, from entering the Yugoslav territory.

The Yugoslav border officials think that this is just another violation of this country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Owners of passports with UNMIK seals are prohibited from entering FRY in the next two years, while five to fifteen years of imprisonment is envisaged for violations.

The UNMIK Director in charge of Administration Affairs, Albert Kunz, says that the non-recognition of the seal is not UNMIK's problem, but the problem of the Yugoslav authorities. Civil Administration representative does not rule out the possibility that this question might be placed on the agenda of the next meeting with the Belgrade authorities.

Susan Manuel, UNMIK spokeswoman in Pristina explained that this measure is in line with the Security Council Resolution 1244 and serves to control the border. She specified that it is not a seal, but a stamp which is attached to passports, and has been in use for the last several months at the Pristina airport. The UNMIK stamp serves to register passengers coming to the Province. The registration is carried out only at the Macedonian border because this is the only international border of Kosovo; this kind of record keeping doesn't exist on the Montenegrin or Serbian borders.

The FRY Embassy in Skoplje confirmed that UNMIK has started stamping travelling document. Charge d'Affaires Arsenovic pointed out that it was unacceptable to have people enter the country (FRY) with illegal seals as that was in violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "One of the reasons why the FRY Government has decided on this measure was the information we received about a large number of Albanians from Albania having entered Kosovo at Blace crossing", explained Arsenovic shifting the responsibility to the other address: UN Civil Administration in Kosovo. "The prohibition will remain in force until the regime of illegal border crossings is changed", he warned. He indirectly confirmed speculations which some of the Macedonian media carried, that this was a kind of pressure which was being exerted pending the Security Council's vote on the further destiny of the Resolution 1244. For Arsenovic, the only solution would be the return of his country's army and police to the border between Kosovo and Macedonia. Foreign Ministry told us that many citizens were prevented from entering FR Yugoslavia and were therefore forced to either go around Kosovo or to ask UNMIK officials not to stamp their passports.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov mentioned two alternatives: if it turns out that UNMIK stand is in line with the Kumanovo Agreement and the Resolution 1244, some acceptable solution will have to be worked out with the Civil Administration in Kosovo (issuing of special certificates - without any trace in passports) or, if not, diplomatic pressure would have to be exerted on Belgrade, with the assistance of the international community (eg. the implementation of reciprocal measures). Such reciprocal measures are also mentioned by his boss Aleksandar Dimitrov, although there remains a dilemma as to how would these measures be implemented.

In any case, Deputy Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov points out that Belgrade's attitude was "unfair, to put it mildly, since it demands of the Macedonian side to do something that is not within its powers. It would be the same as if Macedonia were to ask Belgrade to secure the Kosovo border, which FRY is unable to do". The Kosovo Albanians also do not like UNMIK signs which they get at the border crossing General Jankovic - wrote the Skoplje papers. They protested because the seal has a "Serbian name" written in the Serbian language. UNMIK explained that General Jankovic was internationally recognised name and that it would remain as such on the seal.

Spokesman for the Macedonian Government first tried to convince the journalists that, in case of Belgrade's negative reaction to the protest, some other permissible measures would be taken, which would entail the analysis of all possible alternatives which imply the positive outcome of the passport problem for the Macedonian citizens. In cooperation with the police, the Foreign Ministry is considering the possibility of not stamping the passports of citizens who travel to Kosovo across Blace. Until bureaucrats reach an agreement, simple mortals will have to think of ways to cheat the Balkan potentates.

AIM Skopje

ZELJKO BAJIC