Macedonia peace mission approved

Ethnic Albanian rebels have handed over hundreds of guns, NATO says

SKOPJE, Macedonia -- NATO has approved a new German-led mission to Macedonia after declaring its operation to gather arms from ethnic Albanian rebels a "resounding success."

The new mission, Operation Amber Fox will protect peace monitors working in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia when the current NATO force pulls out.

That mission -- Operation Essential Harvest -- collected more than 3,300 rebel weapons as part of the Western-brokered deal to achieve peace in Macedonia.

The agreement compels the rebels to surrender their weapons in return for greater constitutional rights, including provisions for jobs in public services and recognition of the Albanian language.

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson described the new mission as "an offer of assistance in response to President Boris Trajkovski's request to NATO to contribute to the protection of the international monitors who will oversee implementation of the peace plan in Macedonia."

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German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has offered for his country to lead the next stage of the peace mission, overseeing the security of civilian organisations and returning refugees.

The United Nations Security Council members reached broad agreement on Tuesday to back a small new NATO security force following the German request.

A resolution was being discussed on Wednesday which would "strongly support ... the establishment of a multinational security presence."

The text falls short of a direct authorisation or a U.N. mandate for the force that Germany had sought.

Robertson said that without the success of Operation Essential Harvest "peace would not be within reach" in the Balkan country, after six months of conflict between the rebels and government forces.

NATO is now set to withdraw the bulk of its 4,500 troops who had overseen Operation Essential Harvest, leaving a reduced force of about 1,000.

Trajkovski welcomed Germany's move, but his government was concerned about the sensitivity of such an operation, diplomats were quoted by Reuters as saying.

Operation Amber Fox would be expected to consist of German, French and Italian troops, with possible access to United States' helicopters, and would last between three and six months.

The British, who had formed the largest contingent in Operation Essential Harvest, has signalled that it wants to reduce its force in Macedonia.

Robertson urged the Macedonian parliament to speed up legislative reforms -- also part of the brokered deal.

The U.N. security council resolution urged a "full and timely" implementation of the peace deal, which calls on the Macedonian government to provide improved civil rights for ethnic Albanians.

Ethnic Albanians, who make up about a third of Macedonia's two million population, have fought for better recognition of its language and an increased presence in parliament and the police force.

Macedonian politicians have threatened to slow the process down by discussing a possible referendum.

Robertson said: "The world is watching and the politicians of this country know they have an obligation that they must fulfil.

"NATO has delivered -- it is now up to the parliamentarians to deliver again."

He said an amnesty for the rebels was a key part of the deal and pressed the parliament to "enact that amnesty, so that peace can return."