MAK-NEWS 17/01/96 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, JANUARY 17, 1996 (MIC)

[01] LIAISONS OFFICES TO BE OPENED TODAY IN SKOPJE AND ATHENS

Today, at precisely 11 o'clock (according to Macedonian) and 12 o'clock (according to Greek time), the Macedonian and Greek liaisons offices will be opened simultaneously in Athens and Skopje.

The opening of the two liaisons offices will be marked with the simultaneous raising of the Macedonian flag in Athens and the Greek flag in Skopje, in accordance with the Memorandum on the mutual opening of liaisons offices, signed between the two countries in Athens, on October 20, last year.

The opening of the offices will provide direct links with the foreign ministries and other government organs, in the process of dealing with questions of mutual interest. Their work will contribute to the strengthening of the trust between the two countries.

[02] CONFIRMATION OF FRIENDSHIP WITH PORTUGAL

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov received the ambassador of Portugal to our country Hector Maija de Silva yesterday, who submitted his letter of credit. Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski also attended the ceremony organized in the President's Cabinet on this occasion.

"The establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries and your appointment to this responsible duty represents an expression and confirmation of the friendly links that exist between the Republic of Macedonia and Portugal," President Gligorov said, among the rest, expressing his conviction that there are great perspectives between the two countries for strengthening and enriching the relations and cooperation, on a bilateral and an international plan.

Expressing his respect towards the Republic of Macedonia, as a "country whose culture and tolerance, and contribution to the European civilization is extraordinary," and conveying the greetings from Portuguese President Mario Soares, ambassador Silva expressed the wish to strengthen the relations between the two countries, and to bring the two peoples closer together. "Portugal would like to see your country, as well as the other countries from former Yugoslavia, as part of the European Union," Silva added.

Yesterday, ambassador Silva met with Speaker of Parliament Stojan Andov and Prime Minister Crvenkovski.

[03] A VISA AND PHOTO FOR ENTRANCE IN GREECE

Starting from January 19, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece will have to show one photo upon entering the two countries, the Macedonian Foreign Ministry announced yesterday.

This is in line with the Memorandum on the temporary measures for the implementation of the Interim Accord from New York, signed in Skopje on October 13, 1995, which also includes the Protocol on visa regime and taxes. The Macedonian and Greek side agreed to include a photo as a necessary element in the issuing of visas, which practically implements section B, item A of the Memorandum.

However, the "Vecer" correspondent from Gevgelija reports that such a regime was already introduced on Monday. This caused revolt among the Macedonian citizens who were sent back from the border and forced to go to Gevgelija to have their photo taken, before continuing on their way.

[04] SUCCESSION ACCORDING TO BUDINTER

The President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan stated yesterday in the interview for "Nova Makedonija" and the MRTV: "There are no differences between Macedonia's and Slovenia's views on the question of succession, and we strongly support the stand of the Budinter Commission that Yugoslavia has fallen apart and all the countries that have been formed since its dissolution are equal successors. It's not the same whether we solve that question alone, meaning there should be contacts between the countries formed in this region, or otherwise, it will be the job of some international commission. However, in my opinion, and President Gligorov's, the first alternative is better."

Announcing the imminent visit of the Slovenian Prime Minister Drnovshek to Macedonia, Kucan said he expected the most sensitive issues in the relations between the two countries to be discussed at that time, namely, the trade surplus. "It's a fact that the taxes imposed by Slovenia on Macedonian goods will be abolished, and an agreement on free trade will be signed, which will balance out the exchange," Kucan stated.

[05] JANACIEVICH PREPARED FOR SKOPJE?

Official Belgrade has made its choice for head of office or ambassador to Macedonia, "Vecer" learns from unofficial sources. Namely, Zoran Janacievich, former chief of security of the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry is planned for this job. According to the personnel changes, Janacievich was supposed to take over the ambassadorial function from the present Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovich, in Athens.

According to sources at the Foreign Ministry, Janacievich's eventual departure for Skopje depends on the "process of normalization" of relations between the two countries.

Janacievich is often mentioned in the Belgrade well- informed circles as a likely chief of police, however, it is unclear whether this applies to the Federal or the much more important Republic police. We could not get an official confirmation of these speculations in the competent institutions in Belgrade.

[06] JAPANESE INTERESTED IN EAST-WEST CORRIDOR

The President of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov received representatives of the Japanese Parliament, Kiosi Mizuno and Hakuo Janagisawa, yesterday. The meeting was also attended by the honorary ambassador of Japan to Macedonia Akira Momijama and the honorary consul general of the Republic of Macedonia to Japan Kosta Balabamov.

President Gligorov expressed his thanks for the help and support Japan gave to Macedonia when it needed it the most, and hope that the cooperation and relations between the two countries will also advance in the future.

Emphasizing Japan's readiness to continue helping Macedonia in the future, the Japanese parliamentarians accented the need to keep the Japanese public and enterprises up to date with the situation and perspectives in Macedonia. They informed that the Japanese Government is prepared to support projects that are of importance for the region. The East-West corridor was mentioned in this context, as well as some projects in the health sphere.

The members of the Japanese Parliament were received separately by the Macedonian Speaker of Parliament Stojan Andov and Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski.

[07] ITALY SUPPORTS AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN RM

"Italy will support the agricultural projects in Macedonia," the State Secretary in the Italian Ministry for Food Industry and Forestry, Prof. Dr. Mario Prestaburgo stated, after his meeting in Rome with the Macedonian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply Ivan Angelov.

The Italian host underlined that Italy will do everything in its power to intensify this cooperation, not only within the frameworks of the EU, but the European initiative as well, which was founded by Italy, and Macedonia was one of its first members.

The meeting between the two ministers focused on the expansion of the list of agricultural products imported from Macedonia, especially vegetables.

It was suggested to examine all possibilities of cooperation and to sign a special agreement. Furthermore, the Italian side accepted the invitation for the Italian minister of agriculture to pay a visit to Macedonia, but only after the government crisis in Italy ends, and a new minister is appointed.

During his stay, minister Angelov will hold meetings at FAO, based in Rome, as well as the International Fund for Agricultural Development - IFAD.

[08] INSPECTOR ACCEPTS 40,000 DEM BRIBE

As part of its regular activities for the prevention of corruption, the Interior Ministry uncovered a case of bribery these days, linked with tax evasion.

The Municipal Public Prosecutor received charges against the inspector in the Public Income Department, who is suspected of demanding and receiving a bribe to the amount of 40,000 DEM from employees in "Balkanska Banka" - Skopje, for false presentation of the bank's tax basis.

The inspector will stay in custody for 30 days.

[09] NEW DENARS - IN SEPTEMBER

The new Macedonian banknotes will probably bear the issue date 8 September, 1996, as commemoration of the five year jubilee of the political decision to proclaim our state independent, the Governor of the People's Bank of Macedonia, Borko Stanoevski, announced. For this purpose, he will depart for Great Britain today, where the paper with the protective water seals is being prepared, and there the three banknotes with the largest nominal value will be printed.

The specimens of the new denars are expected to come out in a couple of months, while the banknotes will probably reach the safes of the central bank by June, which will enable the competent institution to start the process of replacing the banknotes during the last summer month this year.

The most valuable banknote will be with a nominal value of 5,000 denars, the Governor of the People's Bank of Macedonia say. As for the exchange rate of the German mark, it would be the equivalent of 185 DEM, which, according to the opinion of experts, will encourage people to save money, and ease payments for larger amounts.

MACEDONIAN PRESS REVIEW:

[10] "NOVA MAKEDONIJA": "IS MACEDONIA ENTERING A POLITICAL CRISIS?"

COALITION ROW CONTINUING

The central political theme these days is the escalation of the public inter-party bickering between the two partners in the ruling coalition - the Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia and the Liberal Party of Macedonia, and the announcements of reconstruction of the government cabinet.

The increasingly bitter conflicts between the coalition partners seem to be announcing that Macedonia is entering a serious political crisis, which is preceded, before all, by the government crisis.

Premier Branko Crvenkovski's definition of the state executive power as an "open room" was received by the Liberals with much support, which, it seems, was not the anticipated response. Interpreting the last events which were connected with the problems of the government, and as the SDSM secretary Ljubomir Popovski admitted, it was an expected scenario, his opinion is that the Liberals "did not go beyond the view that they held before the election of this government." But, the SDSM has not moved much as well, since it is waiting for the premier's analysis of the one-year work of the Government, which should also contain the personnel changes. The results of the analysis will decide the fate of the coalition Alliance for Macedonia. The stance of the third partner - the Socialist Party of Macedonia, is quite close to that of the SDSM. Blagoja Filipovski is recognizing the prime minister the right to make changes in the cabinet, however, he also wants matters cleared up as to who will bear responsibility for the situation in the country.

Of all the statements and talks we had with the representatives of the coalition partners, although there are attempts to clarify the situation, their awkward language tells us that they are not communicating between each other.

The fourth participant in the Government, PDP, according to the coordinator Ismet Ramadani, does not wish to assess the present state of relations between the coalition partners, before his party's central leadership gives its views. The opposition, however, judging by Petar Goshev's statement (DP), is not in surprised by this, and interprets it as "court games for personal domination."

(end)