Macedonia's leaders given key draft

The envoys are keen to move forward swiftly

Leaders of Macedonia's political parties have been given a draft document setting out proposed constitutional changes designed to bring about an end to the fighting against ethnic Albanian rebels.

We need to have reactions, comments, amendments to the document. It is the basis for future negotiations

EU envoy Francois Leotard

The US special envoy to Macedonia and his EU counterpart presented the document after a Nato-brokered ceasefire between government troops and armed ethnic Albanian rebels cleared the way for political dialogue.

The document, prepared by a group of foreign and Macedonian experts, was given to President Boris Trajkovski, as well as to other Macedonian and ethnic Albanian political leaders.

It is understood to propose greater use of the Albanian language in official business, more Albanians in public service jobs and the devolution of power to mayors and municipalities.

Pressure

Consultations with the Macedonian parties on the draft are expected to take place on Monday.

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

"We need to have reactions, comments, amendments to the document," EU envoy Francois Leotard said. "It is the basis for future negotiations."

Asked about details of the plan, the US envoy, James Pardew would only say: "It's a comprehensive framework."

The BBC's Paul Welsh in the Macedonian capital, Skopje, says the party leaders are under pressure to work swiftly, because Nato will only deploy its troops to collect weapons from Albanian fighters if the talks have made substantial progress and the ceasefire lasts.

Our correspondent says the ceasefire, which began a little shakily on Thursday, is now holding well.

Optimism

The Macedonian Government signed up to the Nato-brokered agreement on Thursday after ethnic Albanian rebels agreed to do the same.

Life is beginning to return to normal for people on the frontline

There is much more optimism about this ceasefire than previous attempts to end hostilities between the government forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas who have been battling for control of villages in the north of the country since February.

A truce, struck with the help of EU's foreign policy representative, Javier Solana had technically already been in place since 24 June, but was broken on an almost daily basis.

Nato has 3,000 troops from 15 countries at the ready for deployment in Macedonia, once its conditions have been met.

The force, which is likely to be led by British troops, will oversee voluntary disarmament of the ethnic Albanian rebels.