Campaign for Civic Petition to Protect the Skopje Old Fortress
The Coordination Body organized a series of public debates on the sale of approximately five hectares of land on the Fortress, to be used as construction site for the new American embassy in Skopje, and a number of prominent architects, archaeologists and academics presented their position in the media. The Body believes that the public is not well informed about the contents of the new Detailed Urban Plan of the Centar Municipality, including the segment of the plan referring to the “Tetovska Trosarina” location which includes the Fortress. This Detailed Plan was adopted by the Municipality of Centar in July 2004 and follows closely the General Urban Plan for the City of Skopje. According to the Plan, the location is dedicated to State and Local Administration buildings and not diplomatic representatives’ residences. The Body expects from the Constitutional Court to start the procedure on the initiative to review the constitutionality of the Government’s decision to sell the construction land on the Skopsko Kale without delay, and to proclaim temporary stop of all activities, until a final ruling is adopted. The Coordination holds the position that the statements about the Kale being the only secure location for the US Embassy are incorrect and cynical, while the insistence by Ambassador Butler on that particular location are seen as a personal whim and wish to demonstrate power. At the same time, the Body requests that a procedure is started for redefinition of the location in the General Urban Plan 2002-2020, as a protected cultural zone. |
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