Skopje, 6 November 2001 (RFE/RL) -- The Macedonian parliament today briefly resumed a session on constitutional changes called for in a Western-brokered peace accord, but suspended its work after an ethnic Albanian party disagreed on the wording of the proposed preamble that defines the status of Macedonia's ethnic groups. The Party for Democratic Prosperity said it opposes a compromise version of the preamble, which had been approved by the three other main parties -- two Macedonian and one ethnic Albanian.
Parliamentary speaker Stojan Andov said a vote against the preamble would provoke Macedonian nationalist deputies to oppose the constitutional reform package. The preamble was rewritten after pressure from Macedonian parties.
NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson -- who is pushing for quick passage of the 15 constitutional amendments -- plans to travel to Skopje tomorrow.
Parliamentary speaker Stojan Andov said a vote against the preamble would provoke Macedonian nationalist deputies to oppose the constitutional reform package. The preamble was rewritten after pressure from Macedonian parties.
NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson -- who is pushing for quick passage of the 15 constitutional amendments -- plans to travel to Skopje tomorrow.