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Press Briefing held on 16 October 2002 at the NATO Press Centre in Skopje Statement of Craig Ratcliff: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to today's press conference. Just looking around the room, I can say that all three of us were scared today. We were all thinking everything was nice and quiet, but there are a lot of people here, so we do not know what is going on. As far as NATO this week, everybody got the press release that went out, I think, either Friday, Saturday or Monday about the mandate. Certainly, I think the question last week was why just 49 days, but certainly we are here as Task Force Fox with the same structure till December 15. And, certainly, comments on the news last night and in the papers this morning, NATO, of course have always said that we are open for discussion in reference to issues about mandate and future missions; apparently there will be some discussions based on comments from the President's cabinet about the future, so we are open to that. And, there is only one other issue for me, I think, this morning; and, no, it's not what you think it is. Actually, today is my one-year anniversary in the country. I arrived one year ago today. It does not seem as a year to me, but I am sure that to some of you it seems a lot longer. So, I think officially it makes me an "old face" like Wolfgang. I turn over to you. Statement of Wolfgang Greven: Congratulations. It is a good place to live. I only have two short I think very good news. Probably you heard about this ethnic Albanian in Matejce, who fixed the monastery gates for free, and you heard about the bad situation of these gates. I think that is a good news. I think the other good news has probably got to do with why Craig is scared. You should put all your cameras on him today because it is the last time you see him as a bachelor. On Saturday, he is actually marrying a Macedonian lady, so the "old face" is, by the way, invited, and we will think of some speeches we will give to him, maybe we can give him some advise, knowing the country pretty good. Well, that is about all I have. Thank you. Statement of Irena Guzelova: I don't have much of a statement to make, but there are a couple of issues I wanted to address. One is speculation over the past few days in quite a number of the press, well, in about a couple of newspapers about some Balkan conference again to change borders. I have no idea where this speculation began, but it is completely erroneous certainly from the side of the European Union, and from the rest of the international community. We have always supported the Border Agreement between Macedonia and Yugoslavia, and the EU and other organizations have put great effort in trying to help stabilize the whole region. Maintaining borders is an inherent part of this. And there is one other thing that I also want to address, and that is another part of misreporting. And that refers to Javier Solana's interview in the German newspaper Die Welt. Solana did not say that the EU force will take over in January. He gave no time frame. What he said was that the EU would be ready soon to take over from NATO if needed. So I am actually going to quote to you the question from the journalist of Die Welt and also Solana's answer. OK, question: "And when will the rapid reaction force receive its first task, and take over the mission in Macedonia, hitherto led by NATO?" Answer: "That is a matter of weeks. All that is still required is a clarification of one or two details. We are ready." So, there is no time frame. And what Solana meant was that the EU would soon be ready to take over, if needed. However, as we have said many, many times, an eventual EU force is dependent upon two criteria. First and foremost, a request by the Macedonian Government. It is up to the government what and whether any military presence is needed in Macedonia, and what form this would take. Secondly, there would need to be an agreement between NATO and the EU on EU access to various NATO capabilities. Negotiations are ongoing, but such an agreement is not in place yet. Ratcliff: OK. We are open for questions on issues. Question 1: This is a question for Miss Guzelova. I would like to ask whether you drew the conclusion about what Solana meant in the interview for Die Welt, whether you drew the conclusion yourself, or after consultations with Solana about the arrival of EU forces should that be needed. Guzelova: What I am doing is reading to you one short excerpt of the whole of the interview, and the interview is translated in English on the BBC Monitoring Service, so you can probably get the whole interview. And, I am explaining what the thinking and what the current stage of play is to you. Journalist: Did you draw the conclusion after the consultations? Guzelova: I am explaining to you what the situation is, what the current situation is in Brussels, because this is not being done from this office here. These consultations are going on in Brussels. This office here has a role to oversee the implementation of the Framework Agreement. These negotiations are obviously being done in Brussels. Question 2: A question for Guzelova. What information do you have regarding the rapid reaction force of the European Union? Are they ready or formed, what are the latest information? Guzelova: Well, as Solana said, as far as the EU is concerned, they would soon be ready. However, their deployment would be dependent upon two factors. One is, as I said, first of all, a request by the Macedonian Government, and an evaluation of the Macedonian Government of what Macedonia needs. Second is an agreement in NATO. Question 3: OK, in fact, Irena answered partially my question. My question was: it seems that President Trajkovski and the new government prefer NATO troops to EU forces. What is your comment, and will the attitudes of the Macedonian authorities be taken into consideration? Guzelova: As I said, one of the criteria is the thinking of the Macedonian Government. So, first and foremost, the attitudes of the Macedonian government would be not just taken into consideration, but this is one of the major criteria. Question 4: Questions for the three of you. One by one, of course. Irena, why the agreement is not reached yet with NATO about these EU forces. Wolfgang, for you: can you explain more about the ethnic Albanian voluntary job with repairs of the monastery, I would like to know a bit more about that. And Craig, the question for you will be: having in mind that there is seven-week extension of the mandate, that means that next week Macedonia should request another extension of mandate for the NATO presence or any kind of presence, having in mind that this is a very short period. There is need for the request to be done and to monitor, to review into the NATO within probably next or two next weeks. What do you expect the Macedonian government to give you as the extension of the mandate or the NATO presence here? Thank you. Guzelova: Obviously discussing access to capabilities is an extremely sensitive and delicate matter. It is politically sensitive, and obviously, militarily sensitive. So, negotiations are ongoing, but an agreement is not in place. Ratcliff: I'll follow up to your third question. Obviously, if people in the government and the country are looking down the road, it is imperative that they engage in consultations as soon as possible. Certainly, NAC can look forward till the end of December in planning on a request to stay at least by the end of the year. But, certainly, your point is valid, if the President and the Government want NATO to stay in some shape, some military shape after the end of the year, then it would be prudent to engage in priority discussions as soon as possible. Greven: I let him answer first because I think that is much more linked together. Concerning the Albanian, I don't have all the details now here, but I can come back to you. But for us it a very clear sign that religious and multiethnic living together in this country is possible and it is obviously wanted by a lot of people who are fed up with all violence that was around. Ratcliff: OK, that generally covers the issues. Greven: OK, so again have a good look at him. You know, when you get married I heard that one week later you put on weight and all that kind of stuff, so maybe he needs some good pictures. Ratcliff: I was hoping to avoid embarrassment, but you can't avoid it. Yes, we try to keep secrets, but Saturday is going to big day. But there are no secrets in Macedonia, are there? Thanks, have a great day.