Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Your Excellency, it is a privilege to welcome you on your first appearance at the Permanent Council. I have listened closely to your very eloquent remarks, and welcome your forward-looking perspective.

As you said at the Bucharest Ministerial, and as you have reaffirmed today, the OSCE continues to have a critical role to play in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We believe this role complements and supports your government's commitment to the full implementation of the Framework Agreement, and it makes clear the OSCE's full commitment to Macedonia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome the renewed political will of the signers of that agreement to move forward on Framework Agreement implementation.

The constitutional amendments called for in the Framework Agreement are now law. Some of the legislative agreements proposed by that agreement are now in meaningful draft stages. The EU has drafted a legislative timetable to help the authorities plan for parliamentary action on remaining Framework Agreement commitments. Many of the implementation and confidence-building measures laid out in that agreement are being planned and budgeted for by the invited international institutions, including the OSCE.

We must also be direct, however, in pointing out the need for progress on those aspects of the Framework Agreement that remain unfulfilled, as only full implementation can ensure lasting peace and stability. Three areas bear particular attention.

First, on police returns to sensitive areas, we welcome the commitment of the Macedonian authorities to continue to undertake those returns in full cooperation and coordination with the international community. We share the goal of returning multiethnic police to former conflict areas quickly, but in a manner that enhances stability. I believe the OSCE and others stand willing to work in good faith with the Macedonian authorities to adjust the modalities for those returns, as needed. But we would like to see the government respond with a similar act of good faith, specifically withdrawing the "Lions" special police units completely from sensitive areas.

Second, we believe much remains to be done on the issue of pardons and amnesty. We believe the President's decree pardoning a number of insurgents was the right first step. But there remain eligible individuals that should receive pardons or public explanations as to why they are not eligible. Completing this process is critical to building and maintaining confidence. We also continue to support wholeheartedly the important efforts by the international community to help determine the whereabouts or fate of those who are still missing. Nevertheless, the search for those persons can not be linked with progress on the amnesty issue, which must move forward. We also welcome consideration being given by the government to passage of a formal Law on Amnesty at an appropriate time. Such a law would clearly contribute greatly to peace and stability.

Third, European Union Envoy Le Roy’s announcement on Tuesday of an agreement among the four party leaders and President Trajkovski on the draft Law on Local Self-Government is very welcome news. We hope the Parliament can pass that law as soon as possible. As soon as this is done, the United States Government will stand ready to support a donors conference to be scheduled by the EC and World Bank.

Finally, I want to express our appreciation to the Macedonian authorities, to the Chair and to Secretary General Kubiš, for taking the extra steps necessary to allow the OSCE Skopje Mission to begin multiethnic classroom training for police cadets on February 11, despite the lack of a 2002 budget agreement. This step will help ensure that the OSCE can still meet the deadline requested by the Framework Agreement for the training of 500 new police officers by July.

Mr. Chairman, Your Excellency, we look forward to a cooperative and productive OSCE relationship throughout this year with the Macedonian Government and people. Again, we welcome your support for our shared objectives in Macedonia, and we offer you our full support as you move forward with implementation of the Framework Agreement.