NLA reaction to debate in parliament on reforms

Описание: (5 Sep 2001)

Slupcane, September 4
1. NLA soldiers marching with guns
2. Close up of boots
3. Soldiers marching past camera
4. Various of parade
5. Villagers watching parade
6. Soldiers singing
7. Close up of soldier leading singing
8. View from car of damaged mosque

Lipkovo September 5
9. Wide shot of rebel house
10. Rebels sitting down
11. SOUNDBITE: (Albanian) Nazimi Beqiri "Ilri", National Liberation Army spokesman : "The NLA has signed an agreement linked to this whole peace process and it will stick to that agreement and obey the agreement it has signed. And even if the agreement is not voted today in the parliament - it will be voted tomorrow or the day after and the final outcome will be peace."
12. Close up of UCK (Albanian for NLA) badge on rebel's uniform
13. SOUNDBITE: (Albanian) Nazimi Beqiri "Ilri", National Liberation Army spokesman : "I am an optimist - both parties have worked (hard) to reach this agreement, it's not only us but the government of Macedonia has also admitted that they want peace - both parties are fed up with war."
13. Rebels watching parliament debating on TV

Skopje, September 5
14. Wide shot of news conference
15. SOUNDBITE: (English) NATO spokesman Mark Laity: "We don't know what is going to happen next in the sense that it is a vote for them to make, and a decision for them to make, but we know that the debate is continuing today and we are very much looking forward to a speedy conclusion to that because once there is that that conclusion we have every intention of moving fast. We are ready to go, we want to carry on with our mission as fast as we can so once that decision is made then we will be ready to move within hours if necessary."
16. Cutaway of reporters

STORYLINE:

Ethnic Albanian rebels in Macedonia said they were confident that parliament will back the peace process in a crucial vote due on Wednesday.

The parliament resumed its marathon debate on constitutional changes vital to implementation of a Western-backed plan to end an ethnic Albanian guerrilla insurgency.

The constitutional changes would allow greater official use
of the Albanian language and give deputies from ethnic
minorities more power to block legislation.

More jobs in the police force is another key part of the political package.

A ethnic Albanian rebel spokesman said both the government and rebels are tired of fighting and even if the vote did not go ahead immediately, peace would prevail.

The rebels launched their insurgency in February, saying they were fighting for greater rights for the minority ethnic Albanians who make up a third of Macedonia's two (m) million people.

Under a Western-backed peace plan, the rebels have agreed to surrender their weapons to NATO forces who say they are in Macedonia on a weapons collecting mission for 30 days.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...