These are small but critical steps in an ongoing, fragile process a process intended to bring peace and prosperity to all the people here. It is a process that began back in June when President Trajkovski presented a plan for ending the conflict. Much courage has been shown since it was first presented. Courage by the soldiers of Macedonia who serve proudly while trying to contain the threat to their sovereign nation. Courage by the leaders who have worked so hard to find a solution to the problems even as all-out civil war looms on the horizon. And courage by every citizen of this nation who wakes up each morning without knowing what the future may bring, but trying very hard to maintain a sense of normalcy for their families as they pray for an end to this conflict and a true peace for Macedonia.

The turning in of 3,300 weapons is not just a gesture, it is a very real and substantial effort to remove the combat effectiveness of the so-called NLA fighters. They are disbanding as an organized unit, laying aside their arms, and preparing to regain their lives in an integrated nation where tolerance rules over hate. This does not mean they have suddenly learned to trust the government of Macedonia, but it does mean they are willing to take the next step that will one day lead to that trust. And as the government does its part, the process of building trust will continue moving forward one small step at a time as each side demonstrates its sincerity through its actions. Words may sooth the wounds suffered by this nation, but it is the deeds of all those involved that will heal them.

As a nation, there is nothing to be lost and everything to be gained by continuing this process, even if you believe those who are most cynical and pessimistic. The dying has stopped, if even for a short time. Weapons will be turned in and destroyed. An organized rebel movement will be disbanded. If the process of rebuilding trust and confidence is a success, the weapons that remain will rust in the ground or be taken out of the country to places where hate still rules over tolerance. If it fails, even as the government of Macedonia pushes forward in good faith by overcoming its own doubts and distrust, the world will see for itself who is to blame.

As the world bares witness to this process, it will also bare judgment. Those who continue to fight during this period of disarmament and after it is complete will no longer be labeled as rebels, armed groups, or paramilitaries, but will indeed earn the titles of terrorists and extremists. They will be condemned and they will bare responsibility. They will be the enemies of all peace-loving nations. Today another decision must be made. A decision to take one more step forward toward peace. There are no guarantees and the path will not be easy, but the alternative is clear. The alternative is war. The soldiers of the many NATO nations that continue to arrive even now are ready and willing to help the people of Macedonia move a little further down the path of rebuilding trust and confidence, but our soldiers cannot take that step for them. All the people of Macedonia must decide for themselves, with the leaders of this great nation guiding them, whether the next step will be forward or backward. We stand by you in peace and stand ready to fulfill our promises.

Question 1: Macedonian TV: General, what is your comment on the event in Chelopek? And the second question is what is your opinion of the Prime Minister's statement that 3,000 pieces of weapon is a ridiculous number and that three intelligence sources state the number is larger than 60.000?

Gen Lange: My mission is a limited NATO mission. We have been asked to collect weapons that are voluntarily handed over by insurgents. They have declared that this is the number they are willing to hand over. And these figure are very close to our own estimates. Of course, I cannot comment on what the government says, that is their estimate. As a soldier, my mission is very clear, to collect those weapons that are voluntarily handed over by the insurgents. Regarding the second question, the only information I have is that this incident is investigates.

Question 2: Has the Macedonian government now formally accepted the figure of 3.000 pieces of weapon?

Gen. Lange: When we received the figures from the insurgents, they were passed on to the president. The president requested some clarification of figures and we have been passing on that information, as requested. But, there is no formal agreement on those figures because we have received those figures from the insurgents and we are just passing on that information and those are the weapons that we are going to collect. The mission is sill planned to be initiated tomorrow and as I said my job is to collect those weapons that have been declared by the insurgents that they are willing to hand over.

Question 3: Austrian Television: Do you think that this is going to be a burden on the operation, since there are large differences in the estimation on the number of weapons that needs to be collected given by the government and your own ones, how are you going to know when one third of the weapons has been collected, and it is important since it is linked to the peace process and to the ratification process by the parliament?

Gen Lange: To me the figures are of significance because we have to know the exact numbers in order to provide the president with the information when was one third collected and then two thirds, and then the whole. So, this is being linked to the political process and that is one of the reasons are so important. Of course, it is going to be a burden for this mission because insurgents, they have declared their willingness to hand in their weapons and ammunition. Therefore, we will test their seriousness, whether the insurgents are willing to keep up to what they have agreed and to respect this agreement.

Question 4: These are obviously not the circumstances in which we would like to initiate this process when the Prime Minister of this country is voicing serious objections to the numbers. You said that the weapons collection process is important because once one third of the weapons is going to be collected, then the political process can move in parallel with the collection of weapons. But, if the Macedonian government does not accept the figures, will that have an impact on the parliament voting for political reforms?

Gen. Lange: My mission is very clear. I have said before that I am to collect the weapons that the rebels have stated that they are willing to hand over voluntarily. After I collect one third of the weapon then I will inform the parliament. This is my mission.