MONEY - Economy, Business, Finance & Market
The President informed the guests that the radicalization of the situation in the inter-ethnic relations is profoundly against the peace and stability in the country. He assessed that the escalation of the situation regarding the university in Albanian language is the result of political, and not educational forces, directed toward broader radicalization of the Albanian question in the region.
It was jointly assessed that the realization of the rights of the nationalities should be done in the framework of the legal institutions, with respect of the Constitution and laws. Those who use political methods and pressure, which lead to more wide-scale inter-ethnic conflicts, have nothing in common with the educational rights of the nationalities.
On this occasion, President Gligorov reiterated Macedonia's lasting commitment for harmonization of the inter- ethnic relations and adherence to the international standards in the realization of the civil rights and rights of the nationalities. Therefore, President Gligorov underlined, the instigation of inter-ethnic conflict and the use of violence can not be in the interest of any citizen of the RM, regardless of national affiliation.
Radio Tirana, which broadcast the news about the protest in the afternoon, did not specify the number of students that took part.
In regard to the communications with the authorities, Aliti emphasizes that "there are positive steps, including the withdrawal of the police. The talks have to continue because that is the only way of overcoming the problems." Aliti added that PDP's stance is "to adhere to the program orientations which include the high education of the Albanians in their mother tongue, but getting all that through the institutions of the systems, and legally."
Otherwise, the PDP is not announcing solidarity with NDP and the "Tachists," who have decided temporarily not to take part in the work of the Macedonian Parliament. In NDP, the secretary Bedredin Ibrahimi stated for "Vecer" that they still held the stance of freezing the parliamentary activities.
According to NDP, the release of the people arrested is a "prerequisite" for continuation of the dialogue.
Yesterday, the "Tachists" informed they were preparing an initiative to change the Constitution, demanding the changing of the status of the Albanians to a constitutional nation. They called Sulejmani's arrest an undemocratic act.
The Islamic religious community announced yesterday that "this vandal and uncivilized act deeply offends and revolts the citizens of the Albanian nationality in Kumanovo and broader." The Community expects the offenders to be discovered and properly punished. MONEY - Economy, Business, Finance & Market
He said that the inflation was lower than what was predicted, the foreign currency reserves were growing quickly, and the rate of the denar was also quickly stabilizing. Further on, he said that the lateness in the payments with the budget users had dropped, that the production was still dropping (7% from last year), but that, also, according to Thompsen, exceeded the expectations.
Mr. Thompsen added that in the sphere of structural changes, progress was relatively slow as the process of determination of basic laws and institutions still lasted, which was necessary for the reformation of the economy. He characterized the structural reforms as particularly important, adding that if they were not conducted, the acquisitions from the stabilization obtained thus far could not be maintained. As Mr. Thompsen added, that would not be possible without the financial rehabilitation of the banks and without the starting of the process of restructuring of the big "losers."
As for the negotiations, Mr. Thompsen stated that the economic policy for 1995 has been agreed with the Government, and if Parliament supports that program, as well as the IMF management, then he believes an agreement for a stand-by arrangement has been reached.
Mr. Thompsen mentioned two conditions which he regards as particularly important for the IMF: the structural reforms and the adequate financing of the program by the foreign creditors. As to the funds, the process of finding them started only a month or two ago, and is expected to last just as long.
In relation to concrete sums and the way of using the funds, Mr. Thompsen stated that fresh money, up to US$ 200-250 million is expected to come in 1995 and the first quarter of 1996, as well as the reprogramming of around US$ 200 million.
Around US$ 85 million are expected from the World Bank, US$ 50 million from the IMF, and the remaining US$ 60-80 million are expected to be obtained from other creditors with which negotiations are underway. The money is to be delivered in five installments.
The earnings would have probably been much greater had it not been for the blockades, in particular the port in Salonika, which the combine used. At present, the Combine's products are transported through the port in Burgas.
Every signee of the agreement will gain the right for the investor to provide him with a connecting link up to the location of the consumer, as well as a measuring station, over the course of the year.
This agreement binds the deliverer to continually deliver natural gas, with certain physical-chemical attributes, up to the year 2010.
As to the price, it will be coordinated with the price of the natural gas on the world market.