Macedonia's politicians today prepared to resume stalled talks after top European Union and NATO officials twisted their arms in a new bid to stave off major bloodshed.
"We don't doubt there's an intention to restart talks," a diplomatic source said after a brief visit by EU foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana and NATO Secretary-General Mr George Robertson.
"But the location remains very much open, as does the time," the source said, casting doubt on the prospect of holding talks in Macedonia's main Albanian town of Tetovo, the scene of fierce gun battles between government troops and rebels this week.
One civilian was shot dead there yesterday, police said but gave no details.
Mr Robertson and Mr Solana, who sought to coax leaders of Macedonia's dominant ethnic group and its one-third Albanian minority back to talks, left with an upbeat message.
"The political process is back on track and the ceasefire is back on track. Both things are of tremendous importance," Mr Solana said.
Mr Robertson said Macedonia was pulling away from the brink. "This country for the past few weeks has been on the edge of atrocities that could lead to civil war. A civil war in this country would leave no victors but thousands upon thousands of casualties," he said.
US envoy Mr James Pardew and EU negotiator Mr Francois Leotard were meeting Macedonian President Mr Boris Trajkovski this morning, hoping to seize on the momentum generated by Mr Solana and Mr Robertson's visit.