MAK-NEWS 13/10/95 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, OCTOBER 13, 1995 (MIC)

[01] GLIGOROV STABLE AND WELL

The President's health condition is stable and well. The local findings following the operation of the right eye are satisfactory.

The examination of the sight on the left eye has given normal results, which enables the President to read the daily press.

The verbal communications with the President are at a normal level.

However, a slight rise in his bodily temperature has been noticed.

The rehabilitation treatments are continuing.

The intensive treatment measures have been replaced with intensive care measures and observation.

[02] U.S. SUPPORTING MILITARY COOPERATION WITH MACEDONIA

"I'm glad to be again in the country in which our soldiers are so warmly welcomed," said Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army John Shalikashvilli, in his second visit to Skopje.

The Defence Minister Blagoy Handziski said that they had discussed the general situation in the region and the situation in Bosnia, following the latest events. Both countries expressed their mutual satisfaction with the developments in the military cooperation, through the program "Bridge to America" and other educational programs of Macedonian officers in the U.S..

The mutual conclusion is that the mission of UNPREDEP should remain as it is in Macedonia. No matter how the whole situation in the former Yugoslav region would be resolved, this mission should remain in Macedonia with this mandate and this composition for the Republic of Macedonia. "We discussed that it is high time for this mission to advance in total independence, as a special entity with a separate command policy, which received full support," the Macedonian Defence Minister said.

The Defence Minister Handziski also said that the normalization of relations between Greece and Macedonia could lead to military cooperation which will contribute to the building of confidence in the region.

"Macedonia's general policy is, first of all, confidence and cooperation with our neighbors," Handziski said.

General Shalikashvilli welcomed the possibility of imporoved and closer ties between the two countries.

Shalikashvilli added that the U.S. are supporting Macedonia and encouraging it to apply for the "Partnership for peace" program.

[03] GREEK-MACEDONIAN MEMORANDUM STILL UNSIGNED YESTERDAY

Although forecasts pin-pointed the finale of the Greek- Macedonian talks with the formal signing of the Memorandum, which was to be followed by a news conference of the heads of delegations, it did not take place.

The 30 days, up till when the measures for restoring normal relations between Macedonia and Greece were supposed to be specified, in line with the New York document from 13 September, expired at midnight yesterday. However, last night, until the closing of the Macedonian newspapers, the Memorandum which the two delegations spent three days coordinating in Skopje, was still not signed.

Faced with a shortage of information from the Macedonian side, the only source were the Greek journalists, who were regularly briefed by the head of the Greek delegation Dimitros Kipreos. The members of the Macedonian delegation, led by Assistant Foreign Minister Ljupcho Arsovski avoided the press all day yesterday.

Still, now it is quite clear that the talks did not go so smoothly, which can also be concluded by the fact that instead of two days, the talks went well into their third day yesterday, lasting until late in the night. Namely, the Greek delegation was supposed to leave yesterday afternoon. A special Greek plane, which was supposed to take them back to Athens arrived at the Skopje airport yesterday.

[04] LIFTING OF EMBARGO - PERHAPS TOMORROW?

It is quite possible that the Greek embargo will be lifted tomorrow. Until the opening of liaisons offices in Skopje and Athens, the visas will be issued directly at the border, and afterwards, in the liaisons offices. Apparently the Greek delegation has asked for the visas for Greek citizens to be issued at the Macedonian border, under the explanation that Athens is much too far for Greek citizens who want to travel to Macedonia, however, the Macedonian side insisted on reciprocity, and this was not accepted.

The Greek press informs that the form with which the Macedonian citizens will be travelling to Greece was discussed yesterday. It will have a photograph on it, without the graph for nationality. A dispute erupted over how to call the form. The Greeks suggested that it be "Visa-document for the citizens of FYROM," to which the Macedonian side objected.

Yesterday, some practical solutions were found to the problem with the car signs (MK) and the TIR carnettes. The goods crossing over to Greek territory will bear the inscription "Made in FYROM."

During the day, there were also speculations over the possibility that it might not come to the signing of the Memorandum in Skopje at all. Namely, the possibility was mentioned that it might be done by exchanging documents between Athens and Skopje, following the return of the Greek delegation.

Moreover, sources also say this might not be the end of the talks at expert level. Namely, a new Macedonian delegation will be leaving for Athens on Monday.

[05] MORE AND MORE CANDIDATES FOR THE PHOTO-FIT

The list of people reported as fitting the description of the misterious buyer of the vehicle "Ami 8," in which the bomb used in the attempted assassination on President Kiro Gligorov was planted, is growing longer and longer.

Sources from the Interior Ministry say that the police stations in the country are receiving numerous reports from citizens about people who are suspected of looking like the photo-fit. The police are checking all reports, however, no one has been arrested yet.

The police have confirmed with certainty that the speculations about the existence of another vehicle which "assissted" the car bomb are true. Namely, the other car was a white "Zastava" vehicle (model "101" or "128"), which was parked in the morning in the same spot at which the "Ami" was parked later on. The intention was probably to keep the spot for the car bomb, the idea being that if the "Ami" stayed there for too long, it could have drawn unwanted attention. This rules out speculations that the "Ami" was parked in the street "Makedonija," accross the street from hotel "Bristol" for a long time before the assassination attempt. Now the police are searching for this vehicle and its owners.

Following up another part of the investigation - the origins of the amonium-nitrate explosive, over the past couple of days, the police have checked a number of organizations in the country that used this type of explosive. And, no thefts or forbidden use of such explosive was reported in any of the checked capacities, however, our sources at the Interior Ministry say that the conclusion is not final, since a couple more companies have still to be checked.

The foreign experts who helped the Macedonian crimi- technicians in gathering evidence on the spot and in processing the gathered evidence, have left, however, contacts with them are on-going. The Interior Ministry is optimistic that the center where the assassination was planned, will soon be located.

[06] OSCE - TORE BOGH: "MACEDONIA'S PATIENCE HAS BEEN AWARDED"

"It is with great satisfaction that I can today announce that Macedonia has been admitted as a fully participating member of the organization which I represent," the head of the OSCE mission in Skopje, Ambassador Tore Bogh stated yesterday.

"While Macedonia has already for some time had observer status in the organization, the formalization of membership is a sign that the situation in this part of the Balkans is becoming normalized.

The Government of Macedonia has shown much patience in this matter. I am confident that the international community will reward the country through increased efforts to assist in its development as a modern, democratic state.

I wish to add that the shock absorbing capacity which Macedonia has demonstrated after the unsuccessful attempt on the life of its Head of State has won the admiration of all neutral observers," Ambassador Bogh said in his statement following the admission of Macedonia as a full member of the OSCE.

Accompanied by General George Blaze, Tore Bogh was received by Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov yesterday.

Following the meeting, in expressing his thanks for the news about Macedonia's admittance to the OSCE, Andov pointed out that despite the shock after the assassination attempt on President Gligorov, the citizens demonstrated their maturity, and the government organs continued to function normally. Bogh was also received by Defence Minister Hanziski.

[07] STRENGTHENING THE LINKS WITH THE EU

The State Minister of the Foreign Office Sir Nicholas Bonsor paid a friendly visit to the Republic of Macedonia yesterday, following which he held a news conference with his host, Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, at which he stated: "I would like to express my grief and condolences in relation to assassination attempt that took place here, and at the same time, my respect and admiration of the way in which your government and you are continuing to carry out your duties, seeing such events can destabilize the state. I hope your President recovers soon and I will be able to meet with him," Sir Nicholas Bonsor said among the rest, adding that one of the aims of his visit was advancing bilateral trade between the two countries.

Asked whether the British Government believed the assassination attempt was aimed at preventing the normalization of relations with Greece and Serbia, Sir Bonsor said his Government did not have enough information to be able to say anything more specific. However, he added that if the intentions had been such, they did not succeed in them. In this context, he welcomed the normalization of relations between Macedonia and Greece.

In response to the question of a Greek journalist regarding the stance of the British Government in terms of the name "of this country" and his personal opinion on this problem, Sir Bonsor said: "The name is a problem you will have to solve yourselves, and the international community will accept the name you agree on. I personally feel that this country presents and will present Macedonia to me," he said.

Minister Crvenkovski stated that the negotiations between the expert teams of the two countries were still on and that he had no comments. He said: "I know that the discussions are being led in a friendly atmosphere and successfully," Crvenkovski said.

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