Solana and NATO Secretary General George Robertson had come to Macedonia to talk the government out of such an extreme move. A big move to defuse the conflict cannot come too soon. The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of Macedonia's large Albanian minority, who have complained of discrimination in jobs, education and language rights for years. They deny holding civilians hostage. According to the government, some 3,500 villagers are being prevented from escaping to safety.
International monitors say they have seen some indications of intimidation.
Robertson said NATO southern commander Admiral James Ellis would meet Macedonia's military chief of staff to discuss closer cooperation, in what he called a high-profile sign of support. Macedonian army spokesman Blagoja Markovski said 50 rebels were occupying the village of Lojane, directly on the Serbian border. Serbia denied gunmen were infiltrating over the border. Yugoslavia said on Monday it would collaborate with Macedonia to neutralize the rebels. NATO also said it had sent experts to neighboring Albania in response to Tirana's appeal for help and equipment to tighten security on its border with western Macedonia.