The arc of territory it now controls means the rebels could probably continue waging war even if Nato's peacekeeping force, K-For, managed to seal off the border with Kosovo, from where men and weapons are funnelled. The guerrillas enjoy widespread support among Macedonia's ethnic Albanians, who form about a quarter of the former Yugoslav republic's 2m strong population. Many say they have been treated as second-class citizens by the Macedonian majority, which is of Slav derivation, and that equality can be achieved only through violence. Macedonia, which has one of the Balkans' best human rights records, says ultra-nationalist Albanians are stirring ethnic hatred. Rebels interviewed near their temporary base in the village of Selce at the weekend said they intended to take over western Macedonia to form a federation within the country.
Sceptics say the real objective is joining an enlarged, independent Kosovo.
Leaflets have been delivered to districts in the southern city of Struga demanding the enlistment of Albanian men. Political analysts say support for the Democratic party of the Albanians, a moderate group which has five ministers in the government, appears to be falling. Since police in Tetovo were first fired on last Wednesday relations between Albanian and Macedonian neighbours have deteriorated sharply. Macedonians, who make up around a fifth of the city's 200,000 inhabitants, feel vulnerable and are furious that many Albanians cheer the attackers. Several hundred families have fled.