"We are prepared to discuss the symbol on the flag and find a solution. But, no one has the exclusive right to the historic heritage of Alexander the Great, and not even Greece," Macedonia's Defense Minister Blagoy Handziski stated at the press conference held at the International press-center in Washington.
As for the problem with the Constitution, "we are prepared to replace the controversial article 49 with the similar one from the Greek Constitution." "As to the name, we can not give it u, as it signifies our identity," said Handziski.
According to Handziski, the Macedonian-Greek problems can be resolved only through direct dialogue, but "only when we are certain it will give efficient solutions."
For Handziski, the to-date efforts of the UN and the U.S.A. in the settling of the Macedonian-Greek dispute are enough to settle the problem, therefore, he feels there is no need for multilateral help.
Macedonia's Defense Minister Blagoy Handziski has ended the official part of the visit to Washington, at the invitation of the U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry.
The talks at the State Department between minister Handziski and Mr. George Ward, acting Assistant Secretary of State, in charge of international organizations, focused on the security situation in the Republic of Macedonia as well as the models under which the mandate, composition and number of U.S. soldiers participating in the UN mission in Macedonia would eventually be changed.
With 53 votes from the SDAM and PDP, the Macedonian Parliament yesterday passed the Law for the establishment of a Center for the education of personnel for the field of security, which abolishes the Faculty of the secret service. The MPs from LP and SP voted with 12 against and 6 abstained.
This decision of the Parliament was preceded by a broad debate, in which there were opposing arguments to the need to abolish the Faculty of the secret service.
According to minister Frckovski "this faculty has no reason to exist for the needs of the Interior Ministry, with the personnel it is producing." He added that the law did not interfere with the autonomy of the University, as the University could form the same faculty in an appropriate way and procedure.
The speakers opposed to the abolishment of the faculty pointed out that it was necessary to uphold the opinion of the university, which is for the existence of the faculty.
The Liberal party recently accused the Minister of Finance Jane Miljovski of abusing his function and depositing 8,113,242 denars into his party's account, funds which the State Election Committee intended for the Liberal party following the elections in Macedonia.
The Liberal party said it would bring criminal charges against Miljovski, while in yesterday's press conference, Ace Kocevski said the party already had its legal representative who was seriously investigating the case. At yesterday's press conference, the Liberal party invited minister Miljovski to take part in a public TV duel.
Minister Miljovski has dismissed the allegations as completely unfounded, claiming that the money from the budget is distributed to the parties depending on how much money there is in the budget. According to Miljovski, there is no tendency not to give the LP the money for this purpose. He explained that this would not be logical, as the LP is a coalition partner of SDAM. Miljovski said that the Government had concluded that he, as a minister, had not abused his function and that he was now waiting to see how the Government was going to protect his integrity.
Today's "Nova Makedonija" brings a broad commentary on the visit of George Soros to Macedonia. The newspaper feels that one, in essence, exalted mission, had made the renown financial magnate ambitious enough to try his luck in politics, at Macedonia's disadvantage.
Among the rest, "Nova Makedonija" comments that in the session of the Council of the Soros Foundation in Macedonia, "it seems the main goal of Soros' visit to Skopje were the Macedonian-Greek relations and his ambition to mediate in their normalization. According to Soros' opinion, the world public expected Macedonia to make the first concession, and as a sign of good-will toward Greece, to give up, for example, the flag, in order to start negotiations. Mr. Soros is certain, as he anxiously explained to the top Macedonian officials the next day (who, in spite of everything, received him and talked with him) that he would manage to settle the Macedonian-Greek dispute.
And, who wouldn't in his place? After Macedonia changes its Constitution (for the love of the Albanians), gives up the flag (for the love of the Greeks) and becomes a citizens' state in which the Albanians will remain Albanians, and the Macedonians, who are "nationally disputable," will become "citizens," only the name will be left from the dispute with Greece. Soros also has a solution for that - "Slav Macedonians."
A certain supplement to the political activities of George Soros during last week's short, but very rich stay in Skopje, was also his participation in the round-table organized in the office of the president of the University "Cyril and Methodius," on the theme "Possible alternatives in the satisfaction of the educational needs of the Albanian nationality in Macedonia."
That is, in case you didn't know, "Nova Makedonija" writes, that idea about introducing bilingual, i.e. trilingual classes at some faculties, which, insufficiently sustained with a true need for requesting "alternative" educational solutions, instead of the existing system, seems a bit like introducing through a small door - a second official language, beside the Macedonian. At the request of George Soros, which was satisfied by the organizer - the Center for ethnic studies, two "vice- presidents" from Tetovo, of the nonexistent university in Albanian language were also invited to participate.
So, shoulder to shoulder with ministers in the Government, with the president of the University and Soros, two self-proclaimed vice-presidents of an illegal and nonexistent institution also found themselves at the round table, to "legally" discuss the changing of the educational system in the country.
The end of the text in "Nova Makedonija" deals with the meetings Soros had with the Macedonian opposition (IMRO-DPMMU and DP), which, according to Soros, agreed to the changing of the Macedonian flag, for the sake of resuming negotiations with Greece, as well as the meager announcement about the meeting between Soros and President Gligorov, which said there were "differences" on certain issues.
"Nova Makedonija" writes that the Soros Foundation "Open Society" in Macedonia is not registered with the competent ministries and the Commercial court. The only document about the presence of Soros in Macedonia is the Law for encumbering Macedonia with debts to other countries, adopted by the previous Parliament, in order to enable the use of the US$ 25 million credit which Soros gave for buying petrol.
"In other words, the activities of his Foundation are not registered anywhere, yet the private person Soros is in a way 'legalized' in Macedonia," "Nova Makedonija" says at the end.
The Managing board of "Makedonija sport" has given consent to the Frankfurt firm "Westa trade" to purchase this textile factory by making additional investments in its development. The factory was in a state of liquidation and its capital is regarded as 100% state-owned, and estimated at 2.84 million DEM.
The controlling package of 51% should reach 1.66 million DEM, in order to provide revitalization of the production, greater efficiency and new markets.
"Westa trade" is under the obligation to buy this package from the state within 5 years, whereby the funds for additional investments, of at least 15% of the estimated value have to be deposited in the company's account immediately.
As it is known, the private company "Orka sport" from Skopje also applied for the purchase of "Makedonija sport," through additional investments, which is otherwise the ownership of Ordan Kamchev, former director of "Makedonija sport."
Yesterday, the Managing board of the Skopje fair opened the offer of the third candidate for participation in the public call for privatization of this company. The private company "Kanet" from Skopje appeared as the submitter of the offer, however, as the owner of this company Adem Kochan said, the company represents a consortium made up of 5 companies, which are anonymous at the moment.
This offer states that the consortium is prepared to immediately purchase the remainder of 5.73 million DEM and to invest another 8 million in the fair over the next three years - 5 million DEM the first year and 1.5 million DEM each, the second and third year.
According to the project, the fair should grow into a center, which will open the jobs for approximately 100 more workers.
The National Bank of Macedonia has 2 months to make a decision related to the foundation of "Business Bank International" (BBI), according to the request submitted by the firms "Makpetrol," "Metal sives," "Skopje brewery," "Fershped," "Replek," "Hertz" and "Ohis," in the form of a 300 page essay.
According to the founders, the bank would be formed by these 7 Macedonian firms. The idea dates from August, last year, when "Stopanska banka" encountered many problems and its account was blocked. These firms feel that their capital would be secure if they form their own bank. The BBI will not work with citizens, its clients would only be companies, whereby it would immediately join in the payment operations in the country and abroad.
Some of these companies are also founders of "Stopanska banka" and intend to remain so in the future. However, the new bank would employ some 30 bank clerks, which would be taken over from "Stopanska banka," namely, from the bank's surplus employees.
Yesterday, the Public company for managing the business areas placed a new add for the sale of business buildings and business areas. 245 business units covering an area of 18,779 m2 will be sold in 14 municipalities throughout the Republic. Most of the shops on offer are located in Skopje and Bitola.
The public auction is scheduled to start on June 19 at 10.00 hours, and all those interested has to deposit funds of up to 10% of the value, as guarantee, at least 2 days before the start of the auction.