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Headlines of February 27, 2004 regarding President Trajkovski's tragic death


MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES COORDINATE BODY FOR PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI'S FUNERAL
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - The Government of the Republic of Macedonia established a Coordinate body for preparation of President Boris Trajkovski's funeral.

After the official report on the President's death, Macedonian diplomatic offices will open a Mourning Book. lv/aa/14:57/mia/MTnet/

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STENOGRAMS OF FLIGHT OF PRESIDENT'S TRAJKOVSKI PLANE ARE PROVIDED, COLAKOVSKI SAYS
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - "All elements that can furnish relevant information about the causes of the plane's accident, in which President Boris Trajkovski was killed, are provided," Macedonian Government's spokesman Saso Colakovski informed.

According to Colakovski, the stenograms of pre take-off and flight preparations are provided. The fuel was also checked.

"The hanger of the plane is sealed, while the device that has a funcion of a flight recorder would be sent on further experts analyse in Paris, Colakovski added. ev/aa/14:49/mia/MTnet/

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US AMBASSADOR BUTLER SENDS CONDOLENCES TO TRAJKOVSKI'S FAMILY
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - US Ambassador to Macedonia Lawrence Butler expressing deepest sympathies to the family of the President Boris Trajkovski Friday stated that he expected peaceful and democratic elections.

"I would like to emphasise that the Macedonian government is responding according to the constitution and I want to congratulate the government for its display of mature democracy despite of the loss of the head of the state the country functions, the civic organisations continue to work according to the law, despite the tragedy and the sorrow that we all feel," he said after the meeting with Macedonian FM Mitreva.

"Trajkovski was a man rare political vision and sense of humanity. Along the way he became the biggest fried of the US that we've ever had and he did it without compromising his efforts to advance Macedonia's issues, we did not always agree but we were always friends and we were always appreciated that," Butler said.

"I extend my condolences to his wife Vilma, to his children and his family and every person in Macedonia for the terrible loss. We will continue to work of Boris Trajkovski's legacy," US Ambassador said. mc/sk/14:46/mia/MTnet/

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PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI'S DEATH IS HUGE LOSS FOR MACEDONIAN CITIZENS
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - The Macedonian Government declared a three-day national mourning regarding the Macedonian President Trajkovski's tragic death and the death of his associates and flight crew members.

The flags at state institutions will be lowered to half-mast. All cultural events, regular home and international matches are postponed. Other institutions resume their regular activities.

A Mourning Book is expected to be opened after the official report on finding the President's remains.

The information on President Boris Trajkovski's death shocked Macedonian citizens. Many citizens late Thursday laid flowers and lighted candles in front of the Parliament.

"The death of President Trajkovski is a huge catastrophe. It is very sad and tragic event, because he is a family man, father of two children, and then a President... His death is a tragedy not only for Macedonian citizens, but for the region too. However, we should calm down and to continue those things that President Trajkovski started...," these are some of the citizens' statements after the information of his death.

The Embassies, international missions and organizations in the country were shocked and worried after receiving the information on the yesterday's plane accident. Their representatives sent letters of condolences to the families, of President Trajkovski, his associates and the flight crew members, as well as to Macedonian Government and citizens. mc/aa/14:29/mia/MTnet/

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PM CRVENKOVSKI POURS CONDOLENCES TO VILMA TRAJKOVSKA
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski Friday in the President's residence poured condolence to the wife of President Boris Trajkovski, Vilma Trajkovska. ev/aa/14:35/mia/MTnet/

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FM MITREVA MEETS WITH FOREIGN AMBASSADORS TO MACEDONIA
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - "At the meeting today I informed foreign Ambassadors to Macedonia on the latest news in relation to the plane accident of President Trajkovski and I convinced them that the security situation in the country is unchanged and all institutions function normally," Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva stated.

Mitreva said that the country would continue with the Eurointegration processes that President Trajkovski urged and supported.

The US Ambassador to Macedonia Lawrence Butler also poured condolences to President Trajkovski's family. sn/aa/13:47/mia/MTnet/

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MITREVA MEETS SOLANA
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - "In this moment of shock we demonstrate how close we are to you and how important for us is Macedonia to continue the course," Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, said Friday at the meeting with Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva.

Solana pointed out that EU is ready to provide any assistance to Macedonia.

Mitreva "highly assessed the gesture of support by the great friend of Macedonia," expressed through his visit "in extremely difficult moment for the country". mi/aa/13:34/mia/MTnet/

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524 PEAK ELEVATION FATAL FOR ACCIDENT
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - The plane carrying Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski crashed at 524 peak elevation near the village of Huskovici, 15 kilometers far from Mostar. Five bodies were found at the place of accident, as well as parts of the plane, MIA's special correspondent Suzi Stoimenova reported.

"One carbonized and one unburnt body, and parts of five bodies are found," Deputy Prosecutor Roksana Krstevska stated.

The information on the found bodies was announced at the press conference in Mostar, where Macedonian Minister of Justice Ixhet Memeti and Bosnian Interior Minister participated.

"Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski's body and eight other bodies were found by the rescuing teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFOR and Macedonian representatives," Macedonian Government's spokesman Saso Colakovski informed.

Parts of the crashed plane were found in radius of 150 meters of the place of tragedy.

According to information of the Search and Rescues Department of the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 8.30 a.m. the rescuing helicopter unit managed to locate the place where the Macedonian plane crashed, MIA's reporter informed.

Bosnian CAA informed that it was a region of Huskovici village, near Stolac, at the south of Mostar.

Some local media reported that the plane probably tried to perform an emergency landing at a plain near the village of Huskovici, 15 kilometers far from the airport of Mostar.

Three plane accidents in radius of 250 kilometers happened in that region. Former President of SFRJ Dzemal Bijedic (1977), US Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown (1996) and Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski were the victims of the planes' accidents. sks/aa/13:06/mia/MTnet/

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BODIES OF PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI AND STAFF MEMBERS FOUND, COLAKOVSKI SAYS
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - "Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski's body and bodies of the staff members were found by the rescuing teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFOR and Macedonian representatives," Macedonian Government's spokesman Saso Colakovski informed, pointing out that the information is still unofficial.

According to Colakovski, the information will be announced at a press conference, which will be held in Mostar. Macedonian Minister of Justice Ixhet Memeti and the Interior Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina will give statements.

Macedonian Government will hold a press conference after the officialization of information.

Colakovski informed that PM Branko Crvenkovski would meet DUI and LDP leaders Ali Ahmeti and Risto Penov at 14:00 hours. ev/aa/12:42/mia/MTnet/

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(URG) MIA AT PLACE OF TRAGEDY: TWO BODIES AND PARTS OF CRASHED PLANE FOUND
Mostar, February 27 (MIA) - Two bodies and parts of the crashed plane of Macedonian President Trajkovski were found in the region of Rotimlja some 20 kilometers south of Mostar, MIA's special correspondent Suzi Stoimenuva reported.

"The soldiers informed that two bodies and plane's tail were found in Rotimlja," Bosnian official representative of the investigation Ismet Jamakosmanovic said.

He informed that he was moving behind the soldiers, who clean the terrain, and other plane's parts were found. The plane's remains were dispersed in radius of 50 meters.

Many SFOR soldiers and policemen are in the region.

According to information of the Search and Rescues Department of the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 8.30 a.m. the rescuing helicopter unit managed to locate the place where the Macedonian plane crashed, MIA's reporter informed.

Bosnian CAA informed that it was a region of Huskovici village, near Stolac, at the south of Mostar.

Three plane accidents in radius of 250 kilometers happened in that region. Former President of SFRJ Dzemal Bijedic, US Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski were the victims of the planes' accidents. sks/aa/11:40/mia/MTnet/

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LETTER OF CONDOLENCES BY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma sent a telegram of condolence to Chairman of the Macedonia Parliament Ljubco Jordanovski in connection with the tragic death of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski.

"I was deeply saddened to learn that the outstanding statesman, far-sighted political figure, wise leader, my personal friend - President of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski - had tragically died in an air crash. The person who made a great contribution to the peace-keeping process in the Balkans passed away.

It was thanks to his efforts and well-thought-out policies that Macedonia was able to avert the tragedy of a civil war, avoid long-lasting inter-ethnic counteraction, get recognised by the international community and is now heading towards united Europe. Our repeated meetings at various international events demonstrated how close our opinions and views were, which promoted the development of the Ukrainian - Macedonian relations and our states' co-operation.

The people of Ukraine share the feeling of deep sadness over the Macedonian President's early death, which echoed in every heart with pain. We will always remember Boris Trajkovski as a genuine patriot of his Fatherland, a tactful, respected, intelligent person and a great friend of Ukraine".

The Head of the Ukrainian State conveyed sincere condolences to Boris Trajkovski's family and friends, to all the Macedonian people in connection with the bitter and irremediable loss.

Also Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostyantyn Gryshchenko sent letter of condolences to Minister Mitreva, which reads "It is difficult to understand that influential politician has died who was respected by everyone." vj/sk/11:35/mia/MTnet/

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SERBIAN PRESS ON TRAGIC DEATH OF PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI
Belgrade, February 27 (MIA) - A top subject of Serbian dailies is Thursday's plane accident in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski and other eight persons of Macedonian delegation, who traveled to Mostar to participate the International Investment Conference, were killed.

Politika read that the plane vanished from Air Traffic Control radar, while SFOR and police of Republika Srpska immediately sent search and rescue teams in the region between Stolac and Mostar. The daily quoted that search and rescue teams of Republika Srpska found parts of the fuselage and death bodies.

Under headline "Vanished", the daily Blic read that President Trajkovski "probably" was killed in a plane accident, citing Enes Ratkusic, a journalist of Radio Mostar, who stated that after the information of the accident the whole region was in a complete chaos.

"Here is a complete chaos, as a lot of disinformation came to the journalists. Firstly 5-6 locations of the plane accident were speculated. SFOR helicopter flew over the whole region. The southeastern area of Stolac and Gorno Butinje was checked, but the plane remains were not found," Ratkusic told Blic.

Ratkusic also informed that a demining team was engaged. The region was planted with mines that remained from the Bosnian war.

"There is no witnesses because it is a mountain's terrain. The plane that crashed was a small one, so there was no strong explosion that might be heard in Stolac," Ratkusic stated.

Danas also informs about the tragic death of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski. In the text headlined "Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski killed", the daily cites the statement of spokesman Zoran Glusac from the Foreign Ministry of Republika Srpska, who said that the local police informed about a strong explosion from the place of accident. gs/aa/10:56/mia/MTnet/

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CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT
Ottawa, February 27 (MIA) - "Canadians are saddened to learn of President Trajkovski's untimely death. He was a progressive leader and a champion of peace and tolerance in Macedonia," Canadian Foreign Ministry announced.

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham extended condolences to the people of Macedonia and the family of President Boris Trajkovski on their tragic loss.

"He played an important role in brokering the Ohrid Framework Agreement, bringing an end to the violent conflict of 2001 in Macedonia. He was a keen advocate of inter-ethnic reconciliation and regional co-operation," he said.

"President Trajkovski was a supporter of Macedonia's transatlantic future and will be greatly missed on the international political stage.

"The heartfelt sympathy of Canadians goes out to the Macedonian community in Canada, to President Trajkovski's family and to all of the citizens of Macedonia." reads the letter of condolences by the Canadian Foreign Minister. gs/sk/10:27/mia/MTnet/

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MONTENEGRIN MEDIA ON TRAGIC DEATH OF PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI
Podgorica, February 27 (MIA) - All Montenegrin media inform in details about the death of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski and his associates, as most of the dailies pointed out on the first page that Montenegro lost a great friend.

Montenegrin national television Thursday presented a repetition of a special program for Macedonia, as Boris Trajkovski was one of the main interlocutors.

The media reminded on Trajkovski's visit to Montenegro last fall, when he announced that he would come again.

Trajkovski in Montenegro is considered as a peacemaker, great statesman and supporter of democracy. Top Montenegrin officials sent letters of condolences to Macedonian citizens in the moments of national sorrow. jt/aa/10:20/mia/MTnet/

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SFOR AND B&H POLICE RESUME THE SEARCH FOR PLANE WRECKAGE
Stolac, February 27 (MIA) - International forces in B&H and police early Friday continued the search of the wreckage of the plane, carrying Macedonian President, which crashed 24 hours near Mostar.

"The search started early Friday 07:00 hours," SFOR Spokesman Dave Sullivan stated. The soldiers have been transported on the terrain and search the region of Stolac, near Mostar by the helicopters.

Bosnian police reported that hundred of policemen participate in the operation. Zone of searching is 15 kilometres wide.

Team of the Macedonian special governmental body, which arrived late Thursday in Mostar, early Friday started the search of the ground near Stolac, the location where the plane with the Macedonian delegation led by Macedonian President, crashed.

A crisis headquarters was formed in Mostar which will co-ordinated the investigation and is composed of Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Macedonia Roksana Krstevska, Public Prosecutor of B&H Nexhida and Minister of Security of B&H Barisha Colak. jt/sk/09:46/mia/MTnet/

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BULGARIAN DAILIES ON MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT'S TRAGIC DEATH
Sofia, February 27 (MIA) - Top story in Bulgarian dailies is the death of the Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski.

The dailies Trud, 24 Chasa, Dnevnik, Standard, SEGA, Monitor, Novinar, Duma, Zemja, Bugarksa armija, Pari, VIZ, CASH read about the plane crash.

Dailies stressed that Trajkovski was killed on the day when Macedonia should have submitted its application for EU membership and that the Macedonian PM Branko Crvenkovski had returned from Dublin cancelling the presentation of the document to the Irish PM Bertie Ahern, EU Chairman.

Bulgarian press read about the reactions after the tragedy the condolences from different countries, international institutions and organisations among which are Bulgarian state institutions. Trud reads that the President Boris Trajkovski was to Bulgarian State leaders a "close friend" (President Georgi Purvanov), "the man who preserved peace in his country" (Parliament Chairman Ognyan Gerdjikov), "an energetic politician" (Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha), a man whose "smile concealed no secret thoughts" (former President Peter Stoyanov).

"Man that balanced the inter-ethnic relations in Macedonia was killed," Pari comments and stressed "the name of Boris Trajkovski was not involved in corruption scandals." jt/sk/09:30/mia/MTnet/

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JAVIER SOLANA TO ARRIVE TO MACEDONIA
Skopje, February 27 (MIA) - EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana Friday will arrive to Skopje.

Macedonian PM Branko Crvenkovski will meet Solana at 09:30 hours. At 10:30 hours Crvenkovski, Solana and Ljupco Jordanovski, Assembly Speaker, will give statements for media. dma/sk/08:55/mia/MTnet/

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TAPE OF THE RECORDED CONTACT OF THE PILOT WITH MOSTAR AIRPORT KEPT
Mostar, February 27 (MIA) - Deputy Public Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nexhida Kresho Thursday stated that the tape of the recorder last conversation between the pilot of the plane, which carried Macedonian President and the flights control of Mostar Airport was kept and explained that the recorded data will be reviewed early Friday.

"Around 08:00 hours, flight control of the Mostar Airport received the last call from the pilot of the plane, after which the plane was lost," Kresho stated emphasising that SFOR in B&H was competent for the civil flights control. ab/sk/08:45/mia/MTnet/

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REACTIONS FROM CZECH PRESIDENT AND DUTCH PM ON DEATH OF PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI
Prague, February 26 (MIA) - Czech President Vaclav Klaus sent a note of condolences to the Macedonian people and his last goodbye to the tragically killed Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski , whom he called, "a significant person that contributed in the solution of the complex problems on the Balkans".

"I am convinced that your country will get over this difficult moment and continue the work of President Trajkovski on the road towards democracy, progress and good relations with all countries in the region", President Klaus stated in the note sent to the wife of the late President and to the Parliament Speaker Ljupco Jordanovski.

In a letter of condolences to the Trajkovski family and the Macedonian Government, Dutch Prime Minister Peter Jan Peter Balkenende expressed his shock from Thursday's tragic event. He should have met President Trajkovski on March 22 in The Hague. ev/ik/21:45/mia/MTnet/

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