PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI VISITS BITOLA GARRISON.
MIA
Macedonian President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Boris Trajkovski accompanied by Minister of Defence Vlado Popovski and Head of the operations and planning department in the Army Staff brigadier general Dragan Andrevski paid a visit to the Bitola Garrison and to the watchtowers Staravina and Markova Noga Saturday.
During his stay, the President was informed about the work of the ARM soldiers in the garrison and in the watchtowers.
Trajkovski was especially interested in the process of transformation of the garrison units in the framework of the newly established inland army. He was also informed about the functioning of the Center for infantry training.
"Lately I have paid significant attention to the restructuring of the Army as well as to certain activities related with our adjustment according to the NATO standards," Trajkovski said, adding, "this is in function of the recent meeting of the NATO member countries and aspirant countries, which tackled the issues on the new defining of defence, the setting of a new framework for the security strategy in defence, as well as the new manner of equipment standardisation and its keeping up".
Assessing the security situation in the country "as significantly improved and on a satisfactory level," the Macedonian President stressed that this is also supported with the departure of the peace train from Kumanovo to Kicevo, which, as he said, "proves that unlike a year ago the people in Macedonia live in different atmosphere."
Another indicator for the stable situation in the country is the fact that the Macedonian parliament recently adopted several significant laws, which shows that the goals of the Framework Agreement are being reached.
During his visit to watchtower "Staravina", he emphasised that its recent turning into a permanent watchtower would create conditions for further security in this part of the border, but also for assistance by the Army members to the population in this region.
In the course of his visit to watchtower "Markova Noga", President Trajkovski was acquainted with the current situation in the border area, and met with the cadets from the Military Academy, who carry out part of their training at Prespa Lake.
President Trajkovski also visited settlement Staravina, where he met with Mayor Riste Momakovski and the local population. He was acquainted with the current problems and perspectives for development in this region.
During the visit, there were discussions on the opportunities for development of the Euro-region, which will include parts of Macedonia, Greece and Albania.
PEACE CONVOY "PEACE TRAIN"
MIA
The peace train, which departed from Kumanovo on Saturday morning, reached Tetovo train station, with its final destination being Kicevo.
The peace train symbolically marked the end of the process of peaceful reintegration of the crisis-impacted areas in Macedonia and also marked the reopening of the railroad from Kumanovo to Kicevo via Skopje, which was closed for more than a year due to the military clashes.
On its way to Kicevo, the peace train also stopped in Radusa and Jegunovce.
On the arrival in Tetovo, Minister of Interior Ljube Boskovski, who was on the train with Foreign Minister Slobodan Casule and Minister of Transport and Communication Ljupco Balkoski, several Assembly deputies, representatives of diplomatic missions to the country, EU, OSCE and other international organisations, as well as citizens, said the train, "symbolizes the reestablishment of the constitutional order in the country."
"For the first time after a year we arrive in Tetovo with this train, which passed through areas where the hardest battles were fought and where Macedonia's sovereignty was defended," Boskovski said, adding that everything that the Government promised for reintegration of the country was fulfilled.
"We did not cause the war, but we found a solution for how to prevent it, and this train symbolizes that," he said.
Commenting the frequent attacks on the special police unit "The Lions", Boskovski said that unfortunately some individuals, including some foreigners are too obsessed with "The Lions." "It is a fact that where the Lions are deployed there is peace," he underlined. He added that the Lions were in place to respond to any threat against Macedonia.
Asked about the fate of the 12 kidnapped Macedonians, Boskovski said that the investigation was ongoing.
"We asked for a comparison of the bodies that were found in the mass grave between Trebos and Neprosteno, but the faith of the relatives in the survival of the kidnapped did not allow us to apply this method to the end. The Ministry of Interior is still working on this case, but I cannot confirm whether the kidnapped are still alive or dead", Boskovski stated.
"The criminal Ali Ahmeti is the only one who has the answer about the 12 kidnapped persons," Boskovski said.
"I am sure that Ahmeti knows everything about the kidnapped persons, and the statements that only several outcast groups of the former NLA and their commanders know about the fate of the kidnapped are not true", Boskovski stated.
Peace convoy "Peace Train" was previously in Skopje, where Minister Boskovski underlined, "the peace is the most expensive investment", adding that today's railroad convoy "is very significant who stood for lasting peace in Macedonia."
"This Government stood for this idea, and it also showed that it is capable to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Macedonia. Boskovski was strict in the conclusion that "we proved that this war was imported from outside and that we did nothing to inspire that."
He said he was certain that the railway from Skopje to Kicevo, which will be reopened on Sunday, would be safe to travel.
Boskovski added that some time would be needed for elimination of the extremism in Macedonia. "There are extremist groups which fought against the peace ever since the beginning of the crisis, but there were also international representatives who doubted that the Government will manage to deal with the crisis," he said.
Before the departure of the "Peace Train", Minister Boskovski addressed the present in Kumanovo, emphasising "this symbolic peace manifestation departs from Kumanovo, the city of the Macedonian bravery and suffering, with a hope that there wouldn't be any extremism and military conflicts, with the return of the trust among people".
"This peace train, which is the train of the great victory of Macedonia, will take each person that is in favor of the peace towards Kicevo. It opens a new page of Macedonia's newer history", Minister Boskovski stated.
The "Peace Train" arrived in Kicevo Saturday afternoon, thus symbolically marking the end of the reintegration process and trust building in the crisis regions.
Minister of Interior Ljube Boskovski addressed the present in Kicevo, stating, "we, Macedonians will decide about our destiny now and in the future".
"We carry the peace through the regions that were in the thick of the military conflict with this symbolic train. Macedonia goes forward, and nobody can stop it", Minister Boskovski stated.
"Peace Train" headed for Skopje just before 18,00h, and the regular traffic at this line begins Sunday.
