More Than 50 Percent Of Macedonians Do Not Back Framework Agreement

MAKFAX

16 September 2005

Based on the opinion polls, conducted by the Institute of Democracy, Solidarity and Civic Society, more than 50 percent of the citizens of Macedonian nationality (50,7 percent) do not back the Framework Agreement, signed by the leaders of the broad government coalition, whilst, some 43.7 percent say the political settlement is the best option. The local daily Utrinski Vesnik quotes the results of the opinion polls.

As many as 78 percent of the citizens of Albanian nationality back up the Framework Agreement, whilst, 12.9 percent of ethnic Albanians voiced discontent with the agreement.

The opinion polls show that the majority of the citizens of Macedonia, excluding those of Albanian nationality, have no confidence in NATO and raised doubts on successful outcome of the ongoing NATO mission in Macedonia.

Some 81.8 percent of Macedonians do not approve amnesty to be granted to the members of the so-called NLA. Some 71 percent of Roma people and 69 percent of Serbs do not approve the act of amnesty. On the other hand, as many as 98.4 percent of ethnic Albanians, including 64.7 percent of ethnic Turks fully back the initiative on amnesty.

Asked who could create problems after the parliamentary approval of constitutional changes, 48.9 percent of Macedonians said the ethnic-Albanian political parties are very likely to create problems during the parliamentary debate on constitutional reforms. More than 50 percent of ethnic Albanians said they do not know who could create problems, whilst, 34.4 percent said VMRO-DPMNE will obstruct the procedure on constitutional changes.