Polyparty-ism - Search for Common Ground

closely to see how much negative
energy radiates from their words;
words which only a few months
earlier had served only to create
absurd hatred toward Albanians in
general and the Albanians in government
in particular. Using a poisonous
vocabulary creates terrible
walls for people trying to find a
common language; people who
have chosen rationality and objectivity
to contribute to creating a
new image for the Balkans. And
when they cannot break through an
obstructing wall with their heads,
weapons like mines and grenades
are of great help since they have no
belonging, no feelings, no pain.
Weapons serve a single purpose: to
create new graves and nothing
more.
The table certainly will be
available, if not now then tomorrow;
whether we want it or not. The
Balkans, including Macedonia, are
part of Europe, and Europe will not
tolerate someone disturbing its
peace. Therefore, it is no accident
that Europe created so many democratic
institutions where the table
and constructive words are seated
at the place of honour.
Advocating for peace should
engagement us immediately. Any
other approach will only bring turbulence.
Macedonia's beauty will
emerge from tolerance, understanding,
and multiethnicity. Its beauty
will also emerge by removing mistrust
toward Albanians and by
removing the logic that views
Albanians only as potential enemies;
a logic that is created by certain
conjunctions which, if followed
logically, cause much harm
to the Macedonian population.
And what next? Will we keep
asking for absolute help? Or perhaps
we will come to the conclusion
that there is still a way to solve
all problems, a path that will lead
Macedonia to the community of
civilized states in which democratic
principles are the source of benefits
bringing well being to all.
Macedonia may enter the community
of states where there are no
absolute categories, one permanently
giving rights and the other
permanently demanding rights.
Where these two categories exist,
there cannot be permanent peace.
The ice from the North Pole,
which we brought this spring to our
region known for its mild climate,
will melt somehow. Goodwill and a
more rational approach is needed,
since people who believe there are
winners and losers are very wrong.
In Macedonia everyone can be winners,
just as much as everyone can
be losers. There is no other alternative.
One thing is clear: This spring
everyone would prefer to pick the
most beautiful flowers that the season
brings to the Shar Mountain.
Instead, this spring some people
had to dig graves, some to collect
spent ammunition, some to collect
animal carcasses. Someone created
an album of horror while someone
else compiled a journalistic report
on victory and defeat.
Are there really any individuals
among us who prefer spring with
bloodshed as a leitmotif?!
(The author is
editor-in-chief of the
Albanian daily newspaper Fakti)
27
Nedzhdet Mustafa
It has been clear for the last few
weeks that the Republic of
Macedonia has been in serious danger
of destabilization both politically
and in terms of security. The
whole world considers ideas propagated
by some people to be in contradiction
with European politics,
integration, and cooperation. In
almost every country human rights
remain the crucial segment of all
institutions of the system, the personification
of its choice of democracy,
and its image before the eyes
The Roma are on
the Macedonia’s side
Nobody needs adventure and regression, which will
estrange us from democracy, civilization, and integration.
As Europe has already offered us help, we should
accept it with no second thoughts.
of the world. The Republic of
Macedonia has been trying to maintain
balance in that field for ten
years, setting human rights at a
higher level than many European
countries. That is an indisputable
fact. All minority groups are more
or less integrated into Macedonian
society through the appropriate personnel
in the country's politics,
economy, and culture. We can no
longer discuss basic human rights,
because they have already been
implemented. (Rights concerning
language use, freedom of religion,
education, and the right to form
political associations are recognized
in the constitution.) Now it is
Liberation from war, April 2001