TheUS President Mr George W Bush condemned those he called "a small group of extremists"trying to undermine the government of Macedonia.
"The United States joins its allies and the United Nations instrongly condemning the violence perpetrated by a small group ofextremists determined to destabilize the democratic, multiethnicgovernment of Macedonia," Mr Bush said.
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The president refuted claims by Albanian rebels, who have seizedcontrol of several villages along the border between Macedonia andKosovo, that their struggle would help Albanians in the regionsecure their rights.
"In fact, their violent methods are hurting the long-terminterests of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, Kosovo and throughoutthe region,"he said.
"Macedonia is a close friend, a partner country of NATO and a successful example of a democratic, multiethnic state in theBalkans," he added. "As the United States knows only too well,perfecting such a state and addressing the legitimate concerns ofminorities is a continuous process. It can only be done throughdialogue and democracy and never through violence."
However, theUS Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell took aslightly softer approach, saying the United States fully supportsMacedonian military efforts to counter ethnic Albanian extremistunrest, while calling for Skopje to take political moves to addressminority grievances.
"We will engage ... in every way possible to make sure thatMacedonia can stand free and democratic and free to choose its ownfuture without being disturbed or upset by these kinds of armed,radical elements," MrPowell said.
"We've made it clear that we will work closely with thatgovernment that is a coalition government so that it is notshattered by this kind of gangster activity within Macedonia,spilling over from Kosovo," he said.
"We don't want that extremist action to take root in thisfertile ground," he emphasized. "We think there is a way to dealwith this that would not cause yet another Balkan war."
Ethnic Albanian guerrillas, estimated to number between severalhundred and 1,000, are operating in the hills along the Kosovoborder in northern Macedonia and have stepped up attacks in recentdays, prompting fears of a widening conflict.
AFP