Polyparty-ism - Search for Common Ground

28
time for their elaboration.
Macedonia is a rare example of a
country in this region that cares and
knows how to deal with these problems
carefully. I would not like to
go into details and talk about other
ethnic groups in Macedonia. They
themselves should present all the
advantages and disadvantages of
their social position.
Where are Roma in this tangled
bundle? They are somewhere in the
middle, recognized, having all
rights, politically active, but still
economically and socially marginalized.
Many people think that the
Roma are unable to make decisions
in the arena of important political
affairs. Arguments for such a policy
are always found. The Roma have
always been loyal citizens of this
country, and they have never
uttered a word that could harm the
state and its politics. In the past,
various people wanted to use that
neutrality and objectivity for their
political aims. They presented the
same people as actors in some
demonic processes, organized by
others who consciously pursued
their great ambitions for some
movements no longer found in civilized
countries. I will go back to the
events that started two years ago,
together with the Yugoslav drama
about Kosovo. Roma from this
region have never supported using
arms to solve problems. Because of
their neutrality, the Roma may
never have been an important factor
in finding solutions for critical situations,
but it is important to mention
that neither have they contributed
to radicalism and extremism.
They turned out to be losers in
the end. They lost their homes.
They live far away from their native
places, estranged and scattered
throughout Europe, including
Macedonia. And all they ever wanted
was peace and harmony.
Someone played with their destiny.
Albanians have always claimed that
the Roma helped the Serbs carry out
their exile from Kosovo. Serbs, on
the other hand, claim that the Roma
cooperated with Albanians in order
to destroy Yugoslavia. Both claims
are false. The Roma have taken no
one's side but their own.
Dark clouds have appeared over
this cursed Balkan region again.
Now it is going to rain on
Macedonia. The conflict that started
a couple of days ago is between
Macedonians and Albanian armed
groups. Among others in
Macedonia also live the Roma, who
stick to their golden line of neutrality
and consistently obey the law
and constitutional decrees concerning
the territorial integrity and sovereignty
of the Republic of
Macedonia. I would not like the
Kosovo scenario to repeat, as far as
the Roma are concerned. They will
support neither the Macedonians
nor Albanians. They will support
the Macedonian state. This is not a
warning. We only want to say in
time what could be expected from
our minority group. The time when
the Roma could be manipulated, or
bribed with a bag of flour and a bottle
of oil, has passed. The Roma as
a nation have developed in fields of
politics, culture, and education as a
part of society. They do not want
and do not accept being treated as a
marginal group that is used only as
a number to support the needs of
one interest group or another. Our
country is at the crossroads of destiny.
We wonder whether to turn to
the left or to the right, while the yellow
light is flashing. I believe that
wisdom will prevail again in everyone's
minds. Nobody needs adventure
and regression, which would
estrange us from democracy, civilization,
and integration.
As Europe has already offered
us help, we should accept it with no
second thoughts. That is an equal
offer of friendship for
Macedonians, Albanians, Roma,
Serbs, Vlachs, and Turks. It is
offered to everyone. We will all
equally feel its advantages and disadvantages.
As I see it, no one in
this state has special privileges,
which is how it should be. If we
exaggerate and develop in that
direction, we will just become
estranged. A cold rock will be created
between us, which we will be at
great pains to put away. I believe in
Macedonia and all people responsible
for it. We mustn't waste ten
years of experience. Fighting is
always possible, but solutions
should be discussed reasonably.
Finally, I will mention a famous
Chinese strategist Sun Tsu Wu, who
said: "The greatest success is not to
win all battles, but to overcome the
enemy without struggle."
(The author is a philosopher)
Liberation from war, April 2001