MAK-NEWS 10/10/95 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <mic@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, OCTOBER 10, 1995 (MIC)

[01] GREEK-MACEDONIAN ACCORD RATIFIED

With 102 votes "for," 1 "against" and 2 abstained votes, the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia adopted the Law on the ratification of the Accord between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece yesterday.

The adoption of the law was followed with applause, and Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov, in recalling the act of voting and the discussions on this law, in general, said it presented a great accomplishment of the Macedonian people and the beginning of the 21st century in the Balkans.

Furthermore, this act pays respects to the politics of the Republic of Macedonia, led by President Gligorov. The MPs expressed wishes for his speedy recovery and return to this duties.

In his address, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski emphasized that with the Accord, the Republic of Greece recognizes the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia. The contents of the Accord are the best way to deny speculations that this Accord changes the constitutional name of Macedonia, and it becomes apparent that it never presented a topic of discussion.

Crvenkovski assessed the adoption of the Law on the flag as the expression of an honest desire on the behalf of our side to implement the Accord, and to restore normal neighborly relations.

According to Crvenkovski's opinion, the document paves the way to a full normalization of relations with Serbia.

[02] STEVO CRVENKOVSKI: "THE EQUIDISTANCE HAS BEEN FRUITFUL"

The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia Stevo Crvenkovski emphasized at yesterday's parliamentary session that the basis for this Accord is actually the policy of equidistance with the neighbors. Crvenkovski paid more attention to explaining this policy. Precisely this principle of equidistance came under strongest attack from the opposition, he explained.

The second principle is the Macedonian European orientation, which also came under attack, and the third starting position of Macedonia's foreign policy is the Atlantic orientation and the connection with the security systems. This policy of openness and full cooperation with the world institutions, Crvenkovski said, has given results.

Crvenkovski also emphasized that the alternative to this policy, which has managed to peacefully pull Macedonia out of the crisis and is winning the battle for the Macedonian name after the Lisbon declaration, is only war, blood and going back to the ghosts from the past.

[03] PRESIDENT IN A STABLE CONDITION

The bulletins on the health of President Gligorov are optimistic these last two days, and indicate an improvement and stabilization of his condition.

As part of efforts to improve the intensive care conditions, a special bed equipped with a computer has been provided for the Surgical clinics, which enables a continued monitoring of all parameters connected with the patient's vital functions.

The special apparatus necessary for the further treatment of the President was delivered yesterday evening at the Skopje airport Petrovec, in a German plane. The apparatus is a computerized tomographiam, a latest SIEMENS model, which will be installed in the surgical block with the Medical faculty. Thereby, there will be no more need to keep taking the President to the Institute of Radiology for additional X-rays.

[04] GREEK DELEGATION IN SKOPJE

The talks between the delegations of the Greek and Macedonian foreign ministries on the practical measures for application of the Interim Accord signed on September 13 in New York, will continue at the Macedonian Foreign Ministry today and tomorrow. The delegations are led by Assistant Minister Ljupcho Arsovski, from the Macedonian side, and Ambassador Dimitreos Kipreos, Director of the Department on the Balkans, from the Greek side.

Yesterday evening, after landing at the Skopje airport, the head of the Greek delegation Ambassador Kipreos stated that he hoped "the same spirit of good will and constructiveness which was shown in Athens, will prevail here as well."

In the brief meeting with the press, Ambassador Kipreos reiterated his condemnation of the terrorist act on President Gligorov, which was also expressed in the messages from the president and prime minister of the Greek Republic.

A number of questions and measures for opening liaisons offices of the two countries are expected to be worked out at the two-day talks, as well as for enabling the unobstructed movement of citizens and goods, the Macedonian Foreign Ministry announced yesterday.

[05] POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF ORGANIZED CRIME

The Reuters agency from Skopje reports from reliable police sources that the inspectors in the investigation do not rule out the possibility that international organized crime might be behind the attempted assassination on the President.

Reuters says Macedonia presents an important link in the European chain of drugs trafficking and money laundering, quoting sources which feel the would-be assassins' intention was to stop President Gligorov's campaign to stamp out crime.

It is believed that Macedonia's acceptance to the Council of Europe and the pressure from the IMF will result with tighter legislation against crime.

The modernization of out-dated laws will close the loopholes in the law, which have made various illegal dealings possible.

However, western diplomats in Skopje are skeptical about this link, saying that extremist nationalists are opposed to Macedonia's rapprochement with Greece and Serbia, and that they are still the most obvious candidates.

The Government launched an attack against corruption and organized crime before the summer, sacking a number of officials in a couple of ministries - internal affairs, finance, transport and economy. However, this has given negligible effects so far.

MACEDONIAN PRESS REVIEW:

[06] MACEDONIAN TELEVISION: "SOWING CONFUSION"

The unsuccessful assassination of our President, regardless of the goal and character, is causing numerous political, diplomatic and journalistic, professional, but also amateur stories, commentaries and analyses. And, especially abroad, which is or isn't acceptable to us. Good-natured, speculative, manipulative. To those who carry within them concern for Macedonia's stability, and the stability of the whole region - gratitude from the bottom of the heart. To those, on the other hand, who tendentiously and dilettantishly want to deal with our fate more than us, a message: that they are not convincing, even as fog spreaders. Because, they identify themselves or speak in or on behalf of the name of the read out conspirators of destabilization, chaos and regression back to the Balkans. In this case, with the wished for, but unrealized start from Macedonia.

In the last two, three days, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister, the Sofia newspapers "Standard" and "Kontinent," the Athens "To Vima," the anonymous author in the "New York Times," who called on some kind of anonymous sources from Macedonia, the radio "France International," some anonymous graffiti writers in Macedonia, etc, "stood out" or, if it suits them more, "became famous."

There's no problem that they include speculations, manipulations, half-truths. Because, contrary to their malicious goals, right, we can't force them to look on things the way we do. But...

For instance, the President's health. If they don't use them, at least they should take into consideration, foremost, the expert bulletins of the medical team, which is unselfishly helped by ten world-renown medical names. Or, for example, the basic postulates of our state order, which is based on the Constitution. Or the political-security situation in the country, which the enemies are trying, unsuccessfully, to present as unstable.

Yet, even with a living President - in relation to whose future there were a lot of concoctions even before the assassination attempt, namely, the speculations regarding a possible presidential successor, we would like to say: The Republic of Macedonia is not a monarchy. It is a democratic state. And, when the need comes up, its head will be elected at general and direct elections, with secret ballot. So goes article 80.

And, when the astonishment of "New York Times" is in question, with, as the newspaper puts it, calm atmosphere in the country, these days, following the assassination attempt or the comment of radio "France International" that "it's always dangerous when too many important things depend only on one man." Let us underline a part of what could be heard today from the stand in the Macedonian Parliament. The Republic of Macedonia is continuing to realize its national and state interests. The state - in the key points - is functioning on the basis of a healthy, thorough and clear course. With the will and capability of the authorities, the collective consciousness and maturity, which is expressed today by the citizens of our state, independently from their nationality or party affiliation.

In the imperative peace necessary to shed light on the background and to discover the executors of the assassination attempt. And, let us be aware: that might not go so fast as we all want it to. But, the culprits, sooner or later, will be caught. In their own trap.

(end)