CIAO DATE: 07/04

Macedonia's Ethnic Albanians: Bridging the Gulf

Abstract

Ten Years after independence, Macedonia's two largest ethnic groups continue to lead very separate and distinct lives. The uneasy co-existence between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians has only just withstood the violent breakup of Yugoslavia and the continuing instability in Kosovo. Valid concerns about Macedonia's security are too often being used to justify postponing hard decisions about internal problems. Political leaders on both sides of the ethnic divide, while negotiating privately for piecemeanl improvements, publicly cater to the more extreme nationalists in their respective parties, and positions are hardening. There is a continued reluctance to squarely confront the compromises that would legally safeguard Macedonia's multi-ethnic comopsisiotn: if that reluctance is not soon overcome, Macedonia and the region face renewed instability.

Full text (PDF format, 33 pages, 225.5 KB)