Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Sunday distanced himself from the publication of the controversial Macedonian encyclopaedia, and blamed the offending pages in the book on ''dark forces'' who wish to harm his country. Without pointing fingers, Gruevski said that the passages in the book saying that Albanians were ''settlers'' who came to Western Macedonia in the 16th century were written by ''individuals and forces that have not reformed and who do not comprehend the reality - that Macedonia belongs to all of its citizens”. Gruevski said that each time his country stands at a crucial point in its progress towards EU and NATO some forces try to undermine its prospects. His government is hoping to receive a positive assessment from the European Commission next month that will enable his country to start accession... [read full story]
