Interview

U.S. Ambassador Philip T. Reeker interviews with Kanal 5 TV

[See the video footage from Kanal 5 TV daily newscast, October 18, 2008 - size 24.7 MB].

Ambassador Reeker Interview w/Kanal5 TV   - size 24.7 MB

Kanal 5:  Ambassador, thank you for accepting our invitation to be a guest on Kanal 5 TV.  In his last interview with Greek Katimerini A/S Daniel Fried called on Macedonia and Greece to accept the last proposal of mediator Nimetz.  Is that the stand of the U.S. administration regarding the latest package of ideas by the mediator?

Ambassador Reeker: I think what Assistant Secretary Dan Fried expressed is the U.S. view that Macedonia and Greece should solve this dispute so that Macedonia can advance into NATO and into the European Union.  The mediator, Ambassador Nimetz, put forth some ideas that are designed to bridge the differing positions of the two sides.  That is his job.  We certainly believe that it is in the interest of Macedonia and Greece to negotiate.  This does not necessarily mean that you accept the proposals exactly as Ambassador Nimetz presented them.  Everyone realizes that both sides are going to have some core concerns that need to be addressed in a resolution.  So that is why a negotiation needs to take place and that is very much what Dan Fried has suggested all along.   

Kanal 5:  After the meeting yesterday of the President, the Prime Minister and the negotiators, there is no joint stand on how Macedonia will respond to the latest proposal of mediator Nimetz and how it plans to move forward in the negotiating process.  However, judging from the recent statements from both the President and the Prime Minister it seems that Macedonia will at least lodge serious remarks on the latest package of ideas by Nimetz.

Ambassador Reeker: Again, I think that it is very important that both sides realize this is a basis for further negotiation, it is not something to be accepted or rejected in its entirety.  Every negotiation has to start with elements that are positive for one party and some that are positive for another.  Ambassador Nimetz has put these ideas on the table and now Macedonia and Greece have to work together to see if they can find an acceptable solution.  We believe this is possible.  I think the Macedonian leadership should be commended for their actions in the recent days of coming together to coordinate and present a more unified position in this process.  They met on Thursday, I understand that they agreed to meet again next week and that shows seriousness of purpose.  I have no doubt that these leadership meetings are an important element in working through to a final settlement. 

Kanal 5:  After you arrived in Skopje, you had contacts with both the Prime Minister and the President.  Do you see a difference in positions between the President and the Prime Minister in their approach name negotiating process?

Ambassador Reeker: I’ll let each of the Macedonian leaders speak for themselves, but I do think the process of coordination is important and as we have said, serious negotiation is what is required here, to move this along, to find a solution which we think is possible ,and to see Macedonia join NATO which is what we have wanted for so long.

Kanal 5:  The part on the identity issues is most important for Macedonia - do you consider it a fair approach when Macedonia says give us a clear position on the language and the nation so we can agree on a new international name and the scope of its use?

Ambassador Reeker:  We are not in the position to decide what is fair and what is not fair.  This is something that has to be settled between Macedonia and Greece.  No one’s determination of what is fair or what is right is going to bring this ultimately to a close.  This is about what is best for every citizen of Macedonia and I think for a long time the people of this country and the leaders of this country have agreed and understood that becoming members of NATO and the EU, being part of these important Trans-Atlantic structures is what is best for Macedonia’s future.  This is about the future of every citizen, about their prosperity, about their security, about the interest of foreign companies wanting to invest and participate in Macedonia’s future, and this is about the children and the grandchildren of Macedonia, so that they too will have a better future. 

Kanal 5:  You are talking about the benefits of Macedonia’s participation in NATO and the EU.  However, in Macedonia we have heard different analyses which say that Macedonia can continue to develop also without being member of NATO and the EU.  What do you think about those theses?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think Macedonia’s best future is in NATO.  I have thought that for a long time and when I was here before, ten years ago, we began to work very hard to see that Macedonia would have an opportunity to join NATO.  That opportunity is at hand.  This is something that many people would have not believed ten years ago, but it is so close, and I believe it is so important for Macedonia.  I don’t think Macedonia’s leaders disagree with that and I believe that some polls indicate that 90 % of the citizens of Macedonia believe that and want that.  I think the citizens of Macedonia want to be part of something bigger.  We have always said in the United States that they are part of Europe and that Macedonia should be a part of the European Union and a part of the Transatlantic Alliance.  I am disturbed often when I hear talk, and I heard this before I came back to Macedonia, that somehow Macedonia should go it alone in the world and could proper outside of these institutions.  I think you just need to take a look at the experience of all those countries who have joined, who have worked hard like Macedonia has to become members of these institutions, who have undertaken the reforms, and now have the security and are on the road to prosperity provided by being part of something bigger.  In the 21^st century it is very difficult to go it alone.  Just take a look at Georgia and what has happened in Georgia in the last couple of months.  That’s why this is an important thing and I think the citizens of Macedonia understand that.  They want the security of being part of NATO.  They want to join with countries like Albania and Croatia, who are on that path.  They have worked very, very hard to do this.  Our vision of a Europe whole and free and at peace includes Macedonia as a key part of that Europe.  And that’s why we have worked hard too, and we will continue to work hard not only with Macedonia’s leaders, but with all of the citizens of Macedonia, to help this country integrate into these very important institutions which is so key to your future. 

Kanal 5:  Nevertheless the atmosphere around the negotiating process is not promising, and does reflect much optimism that the issue could be solved any time soon.  What is your prognosis?

Ambassador Reeker: I think this is an important moment, I think this is the time to move forward and to resolve this question so that Macedonia can be back on the road quickly to join Albania and Croatia into the path of full NATO membership and of course to keep moving along the road towards EU membership as well.  As I said before, this is the key to security and to prosperity.  This is very…

Kanal 5:  October was mentioned as an informal deadline- the last active month of the current U.S. administration, which is strongly interested to see Macedonia as a member of NATO.

Ambassador Reeker:  You are absolutely right.  President Bush has been extremely interested in this situation.  He is well-informed of the situation.  He very much wants to see Macedonia become a part of NATO.  He and his administration over the past almost 8 years have worked very hard toward that goal, and we are so, close you are so close to achieving what the citizens of Macedonia deserve and, I believe, want.  Now is the time to work very seriously.  I know that the President pays attention to this; Secretary Rice pays attention to this; you heard Secretary Gates just last week in Macedonia visiting and talking about how important this is and how we believe a solution is possible and we hope that a solution can be found quickly so that we can all keep moving on this path, put this dispute behind us and look forward to what is a very good future for Macedonia as member of NATO and eventually the EU. 

Kanal 5:  During the process for the confirmation of your nomination in the Senate, responding to the additional questions of senators that were initially skeptical about your nomination, the State Department sent a letter which among others reads:  “We are seeking a solution that will overcome the confusion between Macedonia and the wider historic-geographic region of Macedonia.  In Greece there is concern that this confusion may incite irredentism.  Our ambassador will help the leaders realize the danger of irredentism of any form, understand the importance of avoiding implications of irredentism of any form, as well as the need for developing good relations with all its neighbors.”   Do these two sentences describe the essence of your diplomatic mission related to the name?

Ambassador Reeker:  The response and the letter that you mention was defining and talking about U.S. policy toward the region.  I think we have always said that there is no place for irredentism in the 21^st century, particularly not in the Balkans.  So that was something we have said for a long time.  There is no change to our policy toward Macedonia or toward the region and I think that letter is exactly describing our policy. 

Kanal 5:  Macedonia caused anger in Serbia due to its decision to recognize Kosovo independence, for which the U.S. administration had been appealing a longer time.  Part of the comments are that Macedonia once again made a difficult decision to the benefit of the Kosovars, and gained nothing in return, similar to 1999 when during the NATO intervention, Macedonia received a high number of Kosovo refugees in its territory.

Ambassador Reeker:  The Republic of Kosovo’s independence is a fact.  It is reality.  I think everyone should understand that establishing normal diplomatic relations with a neighbor is beneficial to Macedonia.   A positive relationship with Kosovo will contribute to Macedonia’s security, and certainly to economic well-being.   Those benefits will continue to increase as Kosovo grows and develops as well.   I will note that President Tadic of Serbia had some very constructive comments recently about maintaining the strong, important and indeed historic relationship between Serbia and Macedonia and we certainly support that as well. 

Kanal 5:  Thank you. 

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