9 Avgust 2001 Washington,

As previously annouinced in   organication  of  Macedonia Relief Fund, Macedonian American Council,Macedonian Diaspora,Macedonian American Friendship Association and NAMYO- North American Macedonian Youth Organization , Protests were held today in front of  the US Department of State and following the march in front of White House with title : March on  Washington  for Peace in Macedonia".

This Protest was in response of the current events in Macedonia, where Macedonian   and other non Albanian are  Ethnically Clensed with  real Genocide  committed by Albanian Muslim terrorists from so called KLA and NLA (UCK) and Albania proper.

In this  peaceful demonstration with participation of several thousands participants, relatives of (and or victims them selves) victims in Tetovo and other parts of Macedonia, there was  a display of high emotions and discipline. There were no Arrests made!

Official Press Release:

Press Release
Reference:  Peaceful Rally by Macedonian Diaspora from USA and Canada in
Washington DC.

    On August 9, 2001, in Washington DC, beginning at 11:00am, several
thousand Macedonian Americans, expressed their support for peace and the
territorial, national, political, cultural, constitutional democratic
integrity of Macedonia, by participating in a peaceful rally that began in
front of the State Department building, continued in a long march……. And
ended in front of the White House.
    At this historic event, the Macedonian Diaspora in the USA (which numbers
500,000) and Canada (which numbers 250,000) through their representative
organizations, for the first time in their history showed unprecedented
determination in their unity and solidarity with the tragic plight of the
Macedonian nation in Macedonia and vowed to continue their struggle for the
preservation of Macedonia as a nation state, as a constitutional democracy
and as a sovereign country based on the inalienable principles of freedom
independence and justice.
    Under unbearable conditions of record high temperatures which virtually
brought the city of Washington to a boiling point, the resilient Macedonians,
through their signs, slogans, chants and speeches one after another,
condemned the unprovoked invasion of Macedonia by Alabanian Terrorists from
Kosovo and Albania, called for an immediate and unconditional secession of
violence and criticized the NATO and US policies as they have been practiced
in Kosovo and Macedonia.
    While a large and energetic crowd was chanting anti NATO slogans and
calling upon the United States and the EU to act according to the principles
contained in the UN Resolution 1244, a delegation of 7 Macedonian Americans
held a meeting with the deputy secretary of state Richard L. Armitage.
    At this meeting the members of the Macedonian American delegation urged
the United States to show more transparency in terms of it's involvement in
the Macedonian conflict by more forceful enforcement of the control of the
Yugoslavia/Kosovo border with Macedonia and by demonstrating their
unequivocal support of Maceodnia's right for self defense.  They also called
for more concrete measure of military and economic help immediately.
    They demanded and immediate end of all terrorist activities on the
sovereign territory of Macedonia and they called for a direct and unambiguous
condemnation by the State Department of the terrorist activities committed by
the NLA/KLA terrorists.  They asked for support for the Macedonian government
to drive out the Albanian terrorists. 
    The Macedonian delegation stated that as Macedonian Americans they cannot
approve the endorsement of the "Peace Agreement" negotiated and signed under
conditions of military invasion of Macedonian, blackmail and political
pressure applied upon the Macedonian government from NATO, EU and OBCE.
     A member of the delegation, Professor Nestor Oginar, stated in
unequivocal terms, that it was more and more transparent that Macedonia had
been victimized and was a direct casualty (collateral damage) of the
misguided policies as applied by NATO and the United States in Kosovo and
asked for an account of political, diplomatic and moral responsibility.
    Other members of the delegation also stressed the need on the part of the
United States, NATO and International Community, for the need to put more
real pressure upon the KLA.NLA terrorists including a real, physical and
complete disarming of the terrorists who are operating on the territory of
the sovereign state of Macedonia as well as in Kosovo.
Deputy Secretary Armitage recognized the need for more expedient and concrete
involvement of the US in the conflict and promised the State Departments
support with regard to that matter.
    He pointed out that that was truly the stated commitment of the USA and
he recognized with satisfaction that this was the first time that an
identifiable and plausible group from the Macedonian Diaspora within the USA
has officially made contact with the State Department and he promised to
facilitate the Macedonian Diaspora's increased presence and influence in both
the State department and other governmental institutions.
    The rally's high point was the dramatic show on the part of the
Macedonians, of energy, resilience and patriotism.
    A news conference with a plethora of media was held in front of the White
House at which the Macedonians, having expressed their views and messages,
pledged that this was just the beginning stage of the birth of a true
Macedonian Diaspora movement intent on a continued struggle for the
preservation and protection of peace, justice, democracy and sovereignty of
Macedonia.
    This extraordinary gathering ended with an improvise mass, by Macedonian
priests, for the fallen soldiers and other civilian victims of this horrible
terrorist aggression against the Macedonian people.  We hope that the black
ribbons worn by several thousand Macedonians on this historic day will serve
as a powerful reminder to the American public as well as the world of the
devastation wrought upon Macedonian and it's people.
 

Dr Stojadin B. Naumovski, Media Chair, Co-Chair Macedonian American Council

Misko Vasovski, Co-Chair Macedonian American Council