Ethnic Laboratory

The Macedonian ideological spectrum has been enriched with yet another, by no means original idea. While nothing about it is novel, it might, nevertheless, result in a unique tragedy of its own, as always in the past when the notion of ethnic engineering was put into practice

AIM Skopje, June 1, 2001

An article in Vecer, a newspaper believed to be close to Prime Minister Georgievski, claiming that some members of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences advocate an exchange of territories between Macedonia and Albania provoked intense reaction. The idea is that western Macedonia, predominately inhabited by ethnic Albanians, be given to Albania, while the region inhabited by the Macedonian minority surrounding lakes Ohrid and Prespa on the Albanian side of the border is to become part of Macedonia. Further more, the idea proposes that ethnic Albanians living in parts of Macedonia where they constitute a minority move to the west of the country and the Macedonian population constituting a minority there, to regions predominantly populated by ethnic Macedonians. According to Vecer, the chairman of the Albanian Academy of Sciences, Ylli Popa, had been acquainted with the idea during an academic conference held in Skopje last week. The following day, Nova Makedonija, a daily printed by the homonymous publishing firm, elaborated on the whole story. Citing diplomatic sources, Nova Makedonija alleged that the plan put forward by several Macedonian academicians is, in fact, but a part of a much wider international scheme according to which Macedonia is to give up its territories in the west of the country in order to obtain parts of the Pyrenean Macedonia (Bulgaria) and Aegean Macedonia (Greece), still inhabited by ethnic Macedonians.

To start with, the chairman of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences, Djordji Efremov, stated that the Center for Strategic Research of the Academy had drawn up a document on the possible solution of the Macedonian ethnic problem, pointing out that the said document is yet to undergo necessary improvements and corrections. In his own words, "the idea is not to be a priori dismissed, notwithstanding the fact that it has not yet been discussed at a general assembly of the Academy. Which is to say that the Academy as an institution cannot be viewed as the propagator of the idea." With all due respect for the "first and foremost among the nation's Wise Men", the esteemed Chairman could hardly hide his inclination towards the idea comparing the present situation in Macedonia with a bad marriage in which one of the spouses is being "daily blackmailed." By the way, according to Efremov, the controversial document will finally reach the general assembly sometime during the oncoming week....Some Academy members have disassociated themselves from the proposal on the spot, others flirted with the idea by claiming it merely represented a "scientific hypothesis", the ever silent majority kept its proverbial silence...

Journalists managed to get a statement from the chairman of the Albanian Academy of Sciences Popa who confirmed the document had been, indeed, submitted to him during a lunch taking place at a recent conference on the Balkans in the 21st century. Only after coming home, Popa claims, did he realize the full implications of the document he was handed.

Surprisingly promptly, President Boris Trajkovski stated that he "does not support proposals for the division of the country", stressing his commitment to the idea of Macedonia as a multiethnic society. At least that is what his office's press releases led the public to believe. If meekly, Prime Minister Georgievski dismissed the idea in such a manner as to prove right many claiming he was aware of the whole project much in advance.

At present, Branko Crvenkovski, the president of the Social Democratic Union, is the most radical opponent of the project defining it as "an insane notion, an idea bringing about war, not peace. The idea of "humane ethnic engineering" could only result in a conflict causing a massive loss of lives, a possible refugee crises and many fleeing the country in an attempt to find happiness elsewhere. The population of Macedonia is ethnically heterogeneous. When someone suggests a "humane" moving of 10 per cent of the population, i.e. 200 thousand people, it is not hard to imagine what sort an idea we are dealing with here." Crvenkovski also made it clear that he would insist on all top government officials taking a stand on the issue publicly. "It is a suicidal proposal originating from within the country, not from abroad, " warns Crvenkovski. The leader of the Social Democratic Union was explicit about the deep split within the top level of the government on the matter. His party comrade, acting Minister of Defense Vlado Buckovski, left no room for doubt either: "If this is a premeditated scenario, it changes everything and the government of national unity is doomed to failure."

The OSCE High Commissioner for national minorities Max van der Stoel stated he was "shocked by the very existence of such propositions". European peacemaker and "firefighter of seething Balkan passions", Javier Solana, also voiced his indignation.

Drawing on the wisdom of his 84 years, the former president of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov appealed to the public with a desperate cry that "the policy of further division would be highly detrimental to the country". Most local political parties point out that the implementation of the idea of a "humane exchange of territories and abodes" would, if nothing else, represent an unconstitutional act no one in the country is authorized for. On Thursday afternoon, political parties articulating the interests of ethnic Macedonians in Tetovo held a joint press conference. They denounced the whole idea, recommending its creators to test the notion of "ethnic engineering" on themselves instead. At the very start, while it was still uncertain what the response of the public to the unfortunate academic "brain child" would be, some took different stands. As, for instance, the chairman of the National Assembly Stojan Andov who, quite enthusiastically, stated that "the text was interesting enough and not that irritating. It is highly analytical and civilized in its approach to the whole problem." When confronted with the vehement reactions to the academic proposal he had implicitly backed, the Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament tried to find a way out of the mishap he put himself into by reminding the public of the ill-fated proposal of his calling for a fair treatment of minorities, be it Albanians in Macedonia, or Macedonias in Albania. Academician Efremov found himself at a loss as to what to do next, too. In short, the journalists lost no time in reminding the public that Mr. Efremov is quite close to VMRO-DPMNE and that, in fact, at a certain point, his name could be seen on the party list of possible candidates for ministerial posts... To say nothing of the message the angered citizens of Tetovo addressed to him, advising him to "pack his suitcases, resign his post at the Academy and flee Macedonia." To all this, academician Efremov responded by means of a statement released from his cabinet: "What on Earth are these people talking about?! "

Whatever the outcome of the controversial proposal, the Macedonian Academy of Sciences has once and for all lost its innocence. Thirty eight of its esteemed members will never again be able to persuade the public that the heretic "concepts" causing such havoc were not devised in their minds. By the way, the Macedonian Academy of Sciences is ethnically "pure", in as much as not a single of its members is of Albanian origin. As for the ethnic Albanian parties, they have chosen not to comment much on the controversial idea of the Macedonian academicians so far. Obviously, the idea itself has not taken them by surprise, their attitude perhaps best illustrated by the opinion of the leader of the Democratic Party of Albanians Arben Xhaferi who has openly questioned the scientific nature of the idea.

Regardless of what ethnic Albanians might think of it, the controversial concept has already caused a gap among the ethnic Macedonian population itself. A gap so wide many fear no one will ever be able to surmount it. President Trajkovski claims he will give it a try nevertheless. Only hopeless optimists believe he stands a chance.

Zeljko BAJIC

(AIM)

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