MAK-NEWS 31/10/95 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, OCTOBER 31, 1995 (MIC)

[01] WIDE PERSPECTIVES FOR BUSINESSMEN

Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov received a delegation of businessmen from the Chamber of Commerce of Northern Greece, yesterday, led by Nikos Eftimijades.

In welcoming the guests from neighboring Greece, Andov emphasized that the visit of the businessmen is very important for the future development of relations between the two countries. "The questions that have obstructed the to-date development in the field of economic relations between the two neighbors can only be overcome through close and fruitful cooperation," Stojan Andov said.

Yesterday, the delegation had a joint meeting with the Minister of Economy Risto Ivanov and the minister in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia Sashe Stefkov. The guests were briefed on the current situation in the Macedonian economy, as well as the activities for the realization of the reform projects of the Macedonian Government, in the field of economy.

The Greek delegation was also received in the Foreign Ministry. In the discussion with Assistant Minister Ljupcho Arsovski, the Macedonian side emphasized our readiness to open up a separate Macedonian liaisons office in Salonika, as well as an office of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Macedonia in Salonika, which would provide assistance to citizens from northern Greece, as well as the overall movement of goods through the Salonika port. Furthermore, the readiness for further liberalization of the visa-passport regime between the two countries was accented in the talks.

[02] DISRESPECT OF NEW YORK ACCORD

During our visit yesterday to the border point Evzoni, on the Macedonian-Greek border, we observed that the recently signed Interim Accord is not being respected, "Vecer" reports. That means that the Greek games with our drivers, cars and cargo vehicles, are continuing. Over 40 heavy cargo vehicles of ZAS from Skopje were lined up at the border point Bogorodica from the early morning hours yesterday, waiting to load lead, alongside the "Mak-trans" trucks, also from Skopje, which were waiting to load furniture.

We were informed by the drivers that they are not allowed to enter the Greek side because the Macedonian green cards are not valid, and they are required to pay 500 DEM per truck in order to enter. Moreover, some passenger vehicles are also not allowed to pass, even though the drivers are prepared to pay the amount of 160 DEM. Also, "persona non grata" are also denied access.

[03] ACCESS DENIED TO MACEDONIAN RED CROSS DELEGATION

Yesterday, the Greek authorities did not even allow the visit of the delegation of the Macedonian Red Cross to Greece to be realized, which was invited by the Greek Red Cross, "Vecer" writes. Even though a representative of the Red Cross from Athens came to the border to welcome the Macedonian delegation, the Greek police officers did not issue visas to the head of the Macedonian delegation, the secretary-general of this organization Ivan Narashanov, and the other members of the delegation. Once again, this illustrates the discrimination against the Macedonian citizens, even when they are on official, i.e. humanitarian missions.

The delegation of the Macedonian Red Cross turned back and called the Greek Red Cross from Gevgelija to express regret for this unfortunate incident and to invite the leaderships of the two organizations to hold a meeting in Skopje.

[04] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS IN SKOPJE

A delegation of the European Parliament in Brussels arrived on a two day visit to the Republic of Macedonia yesterday, Makpress reports.

The delegation is led by the head of the Parliamentary group in charge of relations with Eastern European countries, Doris Pak, who will be received by Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov. The representatives of the European Parliament are also expected to meet with parliamentary groups, as well as the parties of the parliamentary opposition.

The visit is aimed at informing the European Parliament about the development of democratic processes in Macedonia, the economic situation and the position of the minorities.

[05] SECOND PART OF CREDIT APPROVED

The intensive contacts between representatives of the World Bank from Washington and Macedonian government representatives and businessmen is continuing in Skopje this week, Makpress reports.

The talks are aimed at analyzing the to-date degree of realization of the reforms, which, provided it is positive, will enable the second part of the $99 million credit from the World Bank for this year to be approved. The analysis will also include the possibility for privatization of Stopanska banka - Skopje, which will be specified in more detail after the talks scheduled for tomorrow with representatives of the two Austrian banks.

[06] IMPROVING TRANSPORT LINKS WITH BULGARIA

At the invitation of the Bulgarian Transport Minister Stamen Stamenov, a delegation of our Ministry of Transport and Connections, led by minister Dimitar Buzlevski, paid a two-day visit to Bulgaria last week. The two sides discussed in detail all the aspects surrounding the transport and connections between the two neighboring countries, as well as ways of eliminating certain weaknesses and omissions. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to hold separate expert meetings between representatives of the two ministries, for working out different transport segments.

According to Boris Chaushevski, Under Secretary in the Macedonian Transport Ministry, who took part in the meeting, the two sides exchanged information on the activities in relation to the railway connection between the two countries, and it has been agreed, within a month, for our side to deliver the Bulgarians a plan of our activities regarding the construction of the railroad, so that it can be coordinated.

With a view to eliminating the weaknesses in the passenger transport on the border points, it has been agreed to hold a meeting within a month, between the experts from the competent ministries of interior affairs and transport, and the Customs authorities.

[07] SPEEDING UP ADAPTATION OF BORDER POINTS TOWARD BULGARIA

Bulgaria has taken on the obligation to speed up activities surrounding the adaptation of the existing border points Gjueshevo, Stanki Lisickovo and Zlatarevo. The Macedonian side emphasized the need to speed up activities for opening up new border points - Berovo-Sandanski, Pehchevo-Simitli and Crna Skala-Crevarica, for which Bulgaria is not ready at the moment. It was proposed for the object on Macedonian territory at the crossing Berovo-Sandanski to be used by both sides. In regard to the problem of charging money for Macedonian vehicles entering Bulgaria, at some border points, which is contrary to the protocol for road transport between the two countries, the obligation has been taken to eliminate these measures.

Another matter that was discussed was the possibility of renting out one dock to Macedonia in the Burgas port, as a free zone, which will be reviewed additionally.

At the meeting, it was agreed to organize meetings of the Department for civil air traffic, whereby the text of the Agreement on air traffic between the two countries has to be coordinated. The increase in the number of flights between Skopje and Sofia will be discussed, as well as the possibility of transit of Macedonian passengers through the Sofia airport, for intercontinental flights.

MACEDONIAN PRESS REVIEW:

[08] "NOVA MAKEDONIJA": SEMI-LIFTED BOUNDARY

Our southern neighbor, it seems, has finally lifted the embargo against the Republic of Macedonia, after passing through difficult moments that comply with the "wise" Greek diplomacy, or is it not so? It seems that it is. Normally, in this complex of controversial questions and conclusions, both variances are possible -- yes and no. In the forthcoming weeks, the experienced Greek diplomacy, which involved great rhetoric efforts to normalize relations with Macedonia, will probably offer something else, a new element that will add to the total confusion in relation to the question whether the Greek boundary toward our state is lifted or not. However, even without this, and knowing the events that took place in the last few days, the picture of a "principled attitude" and "good intentions" of the Greek policy has finally been shaped.

The above text is probably motivated by what has been happening on Evzoni border crossing in the last few days, where the boundary, depending on the mood of the Greek border officers and of those sitting in our neighbor's Capital, is sometimes lifted, other times it is not, and only selected ones can cross the border... It is known that Greece signed the Protocol on auto-responsibility of the vehicles and on its practical application, which implies recognition of our green security cards.

The Greek successive "normalization" of relations started with a delay due to border security non-payment. The next day the traffic became normal, and the green security card for travelling to Greece became a relevant document for entering this neighborly country. Saturday was the climax of Greek hypocrisy -- the green card is something the "well-intentioned" neighbors have never heard of, and therefore it is not acceptable for them. As a result, 30 vehicles had to return from the Evzoni crossing. Actually, they could have entered the country if they had respected a "banality" and paid 160 German marks which is, for the Greeks, a vehicle security while it is for the rest of the world a blackmail. As for the railroad transport, the situation is not better at all. The concerned Greeks, who do not oppose to being visited by our citizens, kindly suggested the passengers to leave their vehicles on the border and to travel to Thessaloniki by public transportation. Normally, they forgot to mention a "trivial thing" -- there is no bus going from the border to Thessaloniki, nor is there a taxi. Finally, on Sunday the complete Greek "wisdom" came to light with their consistency and clear visions of how relations with the neighbor are to be promoted and, according to personal liking, some Macedonian citizens could cross the border only with the green card while others had to pay German marks.

The whole situation of lifting -- non-lifting the boundary raises the following question: Is it possible that the Greek border authority are not obeying the instructions of their administration? Have they not heard of the Protocol, or have they been ordered by the "peak" to normalize relations with their recent enemy in the warm-cold style and therefore maltreat the Macedonian citizens? If the first reason is the right one, then there is no doubt that a reconstruction within the ranks of the border authority is needed, but if the second reason is the one (if the government in Athens has inspired this attitude) there is the impression that our southern neighbor does not actually have good intentions toward us (regardless of what they declared), that it cannot be liberated from the burdening intolerance toward the Republic of Macedonia and that it needs a lot more time to understand what good neighborly relations really are. Finally, it is absolutely tragic for a country with long history to act in an irresponsible way and create the feeling that it is, practically, not an international subject of credibility -- that is, a real state.

(END)