SKOPJE: Deterioration of Inter-Ethnic Relations

Skopje Mar 10, 1997

NATIONAL CIRCLES ARE CLOSING!

AIM, Skopje, March 2, 1997

The one-time cradle of civilization - the Balkans are becoming today a synonym of backwardness, irrationality and chaotic violence. Apart from not objecting to it, its inhabitants are actively promoting and "enriching" it with new elements. Today, the Balkans are running a dead heat which is leading into a masochistic ritual which is acquiring new inhuman elements with every new day. Caught in the middle of the south-Balkanic irrationality, Macedonia, or "the peace oasis", as the local state officials like to call it, could not fight against the emergence of "an epoch of the south-Balkanic street democracy" as a result of which the local town streets are several weeks now packed with protesters. This state, a crossroad of south-Balkanic countries, is specific in many aspects, starting from the mixed national composition (about 40 percent of the population consists of non-Macedonians by nationality) as well as the local on-going protests prove that it is "specific" in this respect too. Maybe some have prematurely concluded that Macedonia has resisted all the challenges, which most of the states created after the disintegration of former Yugoslav socialist federation, were faced with.

The Skopje protesters are not unemployed and do not demand the resolution of social problems. Streets of Skopje are not filled with demonstrators who want greater rights, freedom of expression or more democracy. Skopje and other cities of Macedonia are faced with "specific" protesters, secondary school pupils of Macedonian nationality who, led by students of the Faculty of Pedagogy, have risen to "defend" their state against their Albanian colleagues. They came to the conclusion that Macedonia was threatened by the Albanians and that the local authorities had been complying to their requests, so that they rose in defence of its constitutional order. Thus, the local secondary school pupils and some students do not demand the reform of educational system, which is functioning according to the old matrix from the times of the building of "socialism", but for the state, which is, as it turns out, only theirs, once and for all to settle the problem of "damn Sqipetars". They proposed "formulas" for doing it: "Gas chambers for Sqipetars", "Death to Sqipetars", "Macedonia to Macedonians", etc.

Only several days later, when Tetovo was celebrating the victory of the Mayor from the Party of Democratic Prosperity of Albanians, an answer befitting such messages, was sent back: "There can be no Macedonia without the Albanians", and threats that if the state failed to take measures "against Macedonian chauvinism" they would regionalize western Macedonia, meaning that they would activate the long-adopted referendum on the territorial and cultural autonomy - the "Illirida". The witnesses of this euphoric celebration say that the festivities lasted long into the night, with shooting which alarmed the inhabitants of Macedonian nationality.

What is going on in Skopje and other Macedonian towns like, for example, the "celebration" in Tetovo, is not unexpected and should not surprise those versed in the local circumstances. The Skopje demonstrations and Tetovo "messages" have something in common: both the Macedonians and the Albanians show unreserved loyalty to their ethnic community and none to the state in which they live! That should not baffle anyone, if you take into account the fact that during six years following Macedonia's winning of independence the official policy, local media, schools..., everything was turned to producing two categories of citizens: Macedonians who feel as sole masters of the "house", and on the other side Albanians who feel like "intruders" in their own state. In other words, those who "grant rights to the other side" and the side which is forced to greedily "demand" and take by force rights from "their state". Two hills with no bridges to connect them. Two hills which have drifted apart in the last six years more than they had been ever before. That is why two national circles are being closed in Skopje and Tetovo, which, if things proceed with this intensity will soon have nothing in common. And everybody will remain enclosed within his national circle. It will only be a proof that they don't deserve any better.

For six years Macedonia built "co-existence", emphasizing only the differences, not asserting public spirit, nor tolerating differences. No effort was exerted so as to eliminate decades-old stereotypes. For six years, only "unrealistic demands" of Albanians and the threat they posed to Macedonia were emphasized. In other words, without asserting those things which were common, but only those separating them, forgetting that this all remained imprinted for ever in children's memory.

What comes after these demonstrations which bring to surface all national animosity? It is a question raised by the local public which is confused by demands of its heirs. The first results are already visible - tense inter-ethnic relations. This is compounded by debates in the local media and parties accusing each other of manipulating students. Intellectuals are also called to give their contribution, the loudest being those who claim that "our" nationalism is not so dangerous as "theirs". In the meantime, students of The Faculty of Pedagogy - ethnic Macedonians again - announced a hunger strike until the fullfillment of, at least, three of their basic requests. These are resignation of Sofija Todorova, Minister of Education, resignation of the President of the Students' Alliance and the abolishment of 10 percent quota for the enrollment of non-Macedonian students. In short, Macedonia is in turmoil, looking for a way out of crisis, assessing and measuring the "fascistization" of local youth, with everyone blaming the local power potentates who allowed things to come to this. Authorities are most often blamed for (ab)using the existing inter-ethnic tension to cover up social and economic problems.

Be it as it may, the facts are the following: Macedonia is faced with the largest inter-ethnic crisis until now, which pushed into the background the unemployment problem (about 300 thousand people) and problems of those who had not received salaries for months. It is also a fact that this requires wisdom and a great skill for finding a way out of this situation. While Macedonian pupils shout "Macedonia to Macedonians" and the Albanians reply "No chance" it is becoming quite clear that behind these slogans lies frustration which is a result of economic collapse, misery and lack of prospects...The easiest remedy for such frustration is to blame the other nationality for one's own misfortune, loosing sight of the fact that Macedonia is drowning in a sticky mud of hopelessness.

The inter-ethnic skirmishes are "most suitable" for covering-up social problems, but at the same time represent the greatest danger for Macedonia. Simply because even the smallest inter-ethnic conflict may signify the beginning of the end of this state. Therefore the silence of the officials, as well as the relation of some local intellectuals and institutions who have risen in defence of their "progeny" come as surprise.

The leading group, consisting of professors of the University of Skopje, has been named generator of Macedonian chauvinism by the local unbiased intellectuals. The Senate of this University, as well as governmental people have been called, but everyone keeps silent. In the meantime, it is becoming clear that after these secondary school protests - of ethnic Macedonians - nothing will remain the same in Macedonia. They will either find a formula for building a true civil society befitting a multinational, multicultural and multiconfessional community, or the divisions will come to a climax. It is up to everyone: Macedonians, Albanians, Serbs, Turks...At the moment there is nothing Macedonia needs more than a self-conscious reliance on a faculty almost forgotten here - the common sense. This time the main stake is - the destiny of Macedonia!

KIM MEHMETI