Tension simmers in Macedonia

Macedonia remains in a state of high-military alert as peace talks continue

SKOPJE, Macedonia -- Peace talks are continuing in Macedonia but the population is divided on how best to tackle the country's inter-ethnic problems.

CNN's Nic Robertson says that normally bustling cafes in the capital Skopje are emptier than usual with tensions surrounding talks aimed at ending months of fighting between ethnic Albanian rebels and Macedonian security forces blamed.

Negotiators in Macedonia are entering a fourth day of talks with no word on whether they are close to a deal to prevent full-scale war between militant ethnic Albanians and government forces.

Politicians from all ethnic groups are currently considering a peace proposal drafted by Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia President Boris Trajkovski.

It calls for a cease-fire, amnesty for most rebels who disarm voluntarily and greater inclusion of ethnic Albanians in state bodies and institutions.

The proposal won backing on Saturday from European Union leaders, who promised more aid if it succeeds.

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Other possible changes to the constitution -- which was drawn up 10 years ago -- include giving the Albanian language equal status with Macedonian and removing references to ethnic groups in favour of the words "Citizens of Macedonia" in the preamble to the constitution.

The Macedonian Orthodox Church fears that direct reference to the church could be removed, with one priest, Father Georgi Kacorski, saying such demands show that the purpose is "a greater Albania, not the constitution not the human rights."

But there is disagreement among the population over how best to tackle the growing crisis.

One storekeeper told Robertson "we have been together for centuries and will continue to."

Ethnic Albanians make up between a quarter and a third of the population in the majority Slav country.

Rebels fighting in the hills of northern Macedonia say they are fighting for greater rights for ethnic Albanians but the government accuses them of seeking to grab land and split the state.

A source of much friction has been whether to include the rebels in the talks -- a position strongly rejected by Slav parties in the coalition government but sought by two of the major ethnic Albanian parties.

The self-styled rebel National Liberation Army (NLA), has called a truce until June 27 while politicians haggle.

However on Sunday, government forces and rebels exchanged sporadic gunfire near the village of Aracinovo, a rebel stronghold on the outskirts of the capital, Skopje and later traded shots near the northern village of Slupcane.

Military spokesman Col. Blagoja Markovski also said Albanian insurgents fired several mortar bombs on the army's positions near the town of Tetovo.