Envoys push for Macedonia peace

A Macedonian policeman relaxes as the ceasefire holds

International envoys were due in Macedonia on Tuesday as the second day of talks between Macedonian and ethnic Albanian politicians aimed at ending the country's five-month-old conflict began.

French constitutional expert Robert Badinter and Max van der Stoel, a Dutch representative of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, were set to arrive in the capital, Skopje, to try to push forward the peace process.

Refugees have begun to return to Macedonia

Mr Badinter has played a key role in drafting plans to address Albanian grievances.

The talks - the first formal face-to-face negotiations for nearly three weeks - got off to a positive start, according to European Union and US envoys, who mediated at the meetings.

"The parties expressed their commitment to engagement in this process," said a joint statement from the US representative, James Pardew, and EU envoy Francois Leotard.

But Macedonian and ethnic Albanian politicians participating in the talks said little progress had been made.

Ceasefire

As the talks continue, a Nato-brokered general ceasefire, which came into force at midnight last Thursday, appears to be holding across the country.

Macedonia key moments

26 February
Clashes between ethnic Albanians and Macedonian army begin

11 May
Government of national unity formed

11 June
Rebels threaten capital, Skopje

24 June
Nato-backed truce sparks riots outside parliament

5 July
Government and rebels sign Nato-brokered ceasefire

But the Macedonian defence ministry said that ethnic Albanian guerrillas were using the calm to reinforce their positions in the north of the country.

The truce has encouraged some of the thousands of people forced over the borders to Kosovo and southern Serbia by the fighting to return.

The UN refugee agency said 8,000 had returned to Macedonia from Kosovo by Monday but another 60,000 remained.

A lasting ceasefire and a political settlement are among Nato's preconditions for deploying the 3,000 troops it has at the ready to oversee rebel disarmament in Macedonia.

Macedonian fears

The document currently under discussion is thought to propose:

• greater use of the Albanian language in official business
• more Albanians in public service jobs
• the devolution of power to mayors and municipalities
• increased opportunities for study in the Albanian language
• constitutional changes so that Albanians feel they are equal citizens.

Ethnic Albanian politicians say Macedonian concerns about conceding to Albanian demands are unfounded.

"The Macedonian side has fears but those fears are not realistic - we are not jeopardising vital interests of the state," said one of the ethnic Albanian political leaders, Arben Xhaferi.

The talks are expected to become more difficult as the politicians try to thrash out the details of the plan.