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Regional Instability Question String—Macedonia

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a multiethnic state with a sizeable Albanian population. It borders on Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and the province of Kosovo. In 2001, armed Albanian separatists, who received support from Albanians across the border in Kosovo, challenged the central government. The Macedonian government attempted to contain the violence and to seek political accommodation through negotiations with moderate Albanian parties. Violence, however, continued, and commentators called Macedonia the next Balkan "powderkeg" about to ignite.

The head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Lord George Robertson, stated on 2 March 2001: "I strongly condemn the violent incidents occurring in the border area of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As reiterated by NATO's Ministers of Foreign Affairs earlier this week, I want to emphasise that NATO is fully committed to supporting the security, stability and territorial integrity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ("Statement by the Secretary General on the Situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 2 March 2001 <http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2001/p01-032e.htm> [24 April 2001]).

For background on Macedonia, visit CNN's Web site, which provides a comprehensive overview of Macedonia, with maps, profiles, and audio reports on the region.

Why would the military alliance of NATO support the territorial integrity of Macedonia, a non-NATO state?

  1. The territorial integrity of Macedonia is a NATO interest because of the military purpose and mission of the NATO alliance. More.

  2. The particular source of conflict in Macedonia represents a threat to members of NATO. More.

 

 

Credits Copyright 2001 W. W. Norton & Company Copyright 2001 W. W. Norton & Company