Dhmhtrhs Paneras
Boston, MA
As to the speculations that Macedonia is allegedly buying arms from the U.S., the minister of defence stated: "We have still not defined our needs, which will be known after the completion of the restructuring, and therefore, there is no realistic basis for us to ask for an approval to buy arms or to receive help in material, technical and military means. That points to the fact that those are only speculations."
"Don't forget that the UN embargo is still in force, according to which the countries that were derived from former Yugoslavia are not allowed to buy and import weapons. Seeing this, we have not asked the U.S. for any credits or means to buy arms. Only when we adopt the standards will we try to get organized according to them," Blagoj Handziski told the newspaper "Vreme."
Polemizing with the thesis that the recognition of Macedonia would disrupt the relations with Athens, Djukich said that they should act "pragmatically," following the example of the Greeks.
"Greece voted on all resolutions 'for' and 'against' Yugoslavia, but it still remained our friend," said Djukich.
Assessing that Athens will continue to act the same way, Djukich said: "Greece will always be interested in the relations with Belgrade, as its path to the north, to the EU, leads through Macedonia and FRY."
Ilija Djukich was foreign minister in the government of Prime Minister Panich, and member of the delegation of the Serbian Democratic party, that stayed in Skopje recently. Following this visit, Djukich said "something is being done in Belgrade over the recognition of Skopje."
In the meeting, attention was also given to the issue of the political and security situation on the Balkans.
The Congress aims at determining the character of the movement, reorganizing it, preparing a Statute and program and electing a new leadership. The "proclamation" of "Rainbow," on the occasion of the Congress, writes that "every Macedonian and every Greek citizen who fights for essential democracy and social justice has the right to join 'Rainbow' and take part in the pre- congressional activities." Further on, this documents says that also those who are for a decentralized administration, for the respect of human rights and basic freedoms of the national ideological, language, cultural and religious minorities have the right to accession. The "proclamation" emphasizes that "Rainbow" has enough room for all native Macedonians who are fighting for participation in the public affairs, for eliminating the consequences from the unjust Greek policy toward the Macedonians in Greece, the right to visit and return of all Macedonian refugees..."
The place and date of the holding of the Congress will be announced on time.
Yesterday afternoon, the president of the Commission Blaze Stojanovski informed that a total of 17,775 voters were listed, unlike the previous time when there were only 15,033. 4,573 people took to the polls, or 25.72% of the voters. 123 invalid ballots were also registered. During the voting, the members of the Commission were informed of some irregularities, but when they visited the polling stations, they were not convinced in that.
Provided there are no changes on the basis of the announced complaints of the participants in the elections, the voting lists for the second round of additional elections will contain the following candidates: Branirod Mihajlovski (Alliance for Macedonia) with 1,373 received votes, Vladimir Golubovski - independent candidate (747 votes), Lazar Nikolovski, independent candidate (399), Panko Petkovski (IMRO - Macedonian National Democratic Front - 399), Ljupcho Sekulovski - Democratic party of Macedonia (384), and independent candidates Nikola Stoikov (345) and Pavle Georgievski (344).
The MPs will also discuss a couple of proposals for election and dismissal of bearers of public functions, which are from the competence of the Parliament
"Foremost, in the approach and preparation of the law for internal affairs, for example, the starting point was the practice so far and the position of the Interior Ministry i the former regulations of the former concept of perception of the internal matter, without analytically viewing the modern and far more efficient systems in which the dominant place is occupied by the initial approach in the defining of the subject, competence, position and structure of the police."
Dr. Batkovski's conclusion is also in that context, that the proposed text does not correspond with the changes in society, which are underway, and which are to follow. According to him, a solution to the previous, one-party system is proposed, that is, an inert apparatus with enormous concentration of power on one side, and necessary sluggishness which will come out of the nature of such an order."
The bus lines from Preshevo to Kumanovo have also been reduced, where instead of four, now only two busses are still driving, while the profitability of the busses of "Nish-express" for Skopje is being considered, which still travel six times in both directions.
This is a case of unblocking the crude oil, but what will happen with the remaining 19,500 tones crude oil and 52,000 of crude petrol still in the Salonika warehouses of "Jet oil" and "Mamidakis" is difficult to say.
The transport of the American corn is flowing normally through the Greek crossing Idomeni to Gevgelija, which is expected to be delivered completely in ten days.
The correction of the minimal export price followed as a result of the unfavorable results from last year's export, particularly with the neighboring countries. Namely, the exports in Bulgaria in 1994 are 2.5 times greater than in 1993, but the wine there, in comparison with the western European prices was sold 50% cheaper.
These new 150 telephone lines will firstly be used for terminal traffic with Germany, while the German "Telekom" is giving the equipment valued up to 400,000 DEM without compensation.
A new connection with Germany is expected already in April, through the ground satellite station in Drachevo, received from the American telecommunications company "AT & T."
Toward the middle of the year a telecommunications connection with Australia is expected to be carried out, in relation to which the procedure for receiving a location for accommodating the new satellite station behind the mountain Vodno, near Skopje, is underway.
The old packaging materials, which carry the old code from former Yugoslavia will be able to be used in future, however, the new code will be placed over them, but only till the end of the year.
An initiative has been started through the Institute for protection of industrial ownership and the Chamber of Commerce, for protection of the geographic origin, which will be applied in the world, in order to emphasize a certain region. This will apply to the Macedonian wine, the rice, tobacco and apple.
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