UNMIK ON AIR

March 4^th 2004

SKOPJE AFTER THE TRAGEDY

By Zoran CULAFIC

Presdient Trajkovski: From the very day of getting independence up to today there was no bigger project of strategic interests for our state, that secured strongest political, ethnical and general consensus, then the project of submitting the application for joining the European Union.

President Trajkovski speaking on Macedonian Radio, praising Macedonian political leaders who supported the idea of joining the European Union.

This was the last speech of President Boris Trajkovski just one day before the tragic incident on February 26^th near Mostar airport, when his plane crashed into the Bosnian mountains. The day of the crash—Macedonia’s prime Minister was in Brussels, Belgium, poised to submit the country’s application for EU membership- until news of the crash spread around the world. The application has yet to be submitted.

Hello and welcome to UNMIK on Air.

UNMIK ON AIR traveled to the Macedonian capital of Skopje just two days after the tragedy to gage the reaction of citizens:

Vox-Pop:

-First of all, I’m very sad because of what happened to him it’s a tragedy, frankly; but also because of his family. He had two kids it is a real tragedy.

-Do you think it could influence the situation in Macedonia in a negative way?

-No I don’t believe and it should not happen anyway. Frankly, I don’t believe in that. I think Macedonia would go the same road the President already made. Any politician that’d take his post would continue on the same path, I’m sure.

Macedonian Albanians we met in Skopje also expressed their respect for the late President.

Vox-Pop: It’s a great tragedy for Macedonia, he was equal with everybody, no matter of ethnic origin; being Albanian, Macedonian or any other, he was for all; yeah! He was for all; a human great tragedy.

Vox-Pop: Some Albanians were crying, the people who loved him he was very good

Vox-Pop:

-He was good, he didn’t make any difference because of what your ethnic origin is weather you were Macedonian or Albanian. He was very good, but when God decides to take ones soul he don’t ask you for that. He was good for everyone and struggling to make good environment for everyone, but you cannot escape your faith, can you?

-You are Albanian ?

-Yes I’m. I’m Albanian.

-What is your name ?

-Syla

-Do you expect some problems now ?

-No. God forbid! No problems for anyone, not only for us, every human would like to live, to have his freedom. Isn’t it like that; I think it’d be ok, but, also he was not just one in the airplane, there were nine of them in it, all high level people, good people, they were thinking about the people, for all, but one cannot escape the faith..

Vox-Pop: What to tell you, I’m very sorry; he was good man and good president, but let’s not talk about politics. Just look at the reactions from all over the world; everybody has nice words for him. I’m very sorry.

Vox-Pop: We’ve lost the best politician. He was very good man and a very good politician for all the people here

Vox-Pop: He was excellent as president.

Vox-Pop: It’s a big tragedy for Macedonian people, particularly for all families of the members of delegation, in any case we don’t feel good now. It’s not easy when you o loose a president like that; we participate in the pain and express our condolence to all their families, we express condolence to ourselves too; but we have to live, we have to work, we have to be united and work together for the good of our state.

In Skopje, the majority of people UNMIK on Air encountered did not want to discuss politics when asked:

Vox-Pop: It is very difficult to say, I think that we the citizens are not in a position to influence on such things. it’s up to them.

Even so, the death of President Boris Trajkovski had little emotional impact on a number of individuals UNMIK on AIR encountered, instead work and economic issues were of more important concern:

Vox-Pop: No feeling, no fears no hopes.

-Just how you felt when you heard about it?

-Quite normal it happened and what can we do now.

Vox-Pop: I’m not interested in that. I don’t like politics at all; for everyone the most important thing is to have jobs, that’s the most important …

Vox-Pop: we have no comments; we are just taxi drivers here.

Vox-Pop: I’m not interested in it. I’m thinking how to do a business, how to earn some money, no good in politics. I’m not going to talk about that, whatever they want to do, let them do.

The International community broadcast and printed that the loss of Trajkovski would upset the delicate balance of ethnic tensions in Macedonia. When UNMIK on Air approached citizens in Skopje asking that very question the majority of those responded differently:

Vox-Pop: It should not happen. The situation is calm.

Vox-Pop: I don’t think something could happen, we are able to deal with it, we have capable politicians. I don’t think some problems could raise here.

Vox-Pop: We can live together, no matter who you are. We all have the right to live, we all are guests in this world. That doesn’t bother me at all. We should live and help each other, we are humans. I wish for peace, jobs, justice for everyone, not hatred. We all are brothers no matter what nationality we are, I wish all Europe and Balkans for jobs; to live in peace with it’s neighbors. To have good economies, good jobs, that’s what I’d like to see. Now we are in the 21^st century, there should be peace; we should have culture.

Albanians in Kosovo feel similarly to those living inside Macedonia and say there is little to fear regarding ethnic tensions. Ilber Hysa, Head of KACI or Kosovo Civic Intiative, says he does not believe that Albanians in Macedonia will experience hardship in the political aftermath of the death of Trajkovksi:

Ilber Hysa: I don’t believe it could have any negative consequences. It’s a tragic event; unfortunately Mr. Trajkovski was a rising young politician who had a good political career ahead him. He was linked to a serious process with the “Ohrid Agreement” and he could contribute much to the stabilization process in Macedonia and the whole region too. This is a big loss for Macedonia but it should not be considered at all as a threat with negative consequences for that country, and it that sense it would have no negative consequences for Kosovo.

The Funeral service will be attended by many international heads of state. New elections are expected to take place in coming months in Macedonia to determine who will carry on the aim of Trajkovki’s party to become a member of the European Union. Plans to submit Macedonia’s application for membership are put on hold for the time being.

That is all for this edition of UNMIK on Air. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for more.