MAK-NEWS 20/02/96 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, FEBRUARY 20, 1996 (MIC)

[01] NEW PROSPECTS FOR COOPERATION WITH GREECE

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Kiro Gligorov, received Aleksandar Maljas, head of the Greek Liaisons Office, yesterday. On this occasion, Mr. Maljas conveyed greetings to President Gligorov from the President of the Republic of Greece Kostas Stefanopoulos. President Gligorov positively assessed the strengthening of the relations between the two countries, following the signing of the Interim Accord, expressing confidence in the success of the future cooperation in all fields. It was jointly assessed that the two countries have an affirmed European orientation and belonging, and that this opens new prospects for mutual, and wider cooperation and security in the Balkans, the President's Cabinet says in its announcement.

[02] RM GENERAL CONSULATE OPENED IN NEW YORK

The General Consulate of the Republic of Macedonia was officially opened in New York yesterday. The opening of this diplomatic-consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia will provide consular-legal protection of the interests of the Macedonian citizens, as well as intensification of the contacts and cooperation with the numerous Macedonian diaspora in the U.S.A., the Macedonian Foreign Ministry announced.

The Macedonian Consul General will work on establishing closer economic, cultural-informational and scientific-technical cooperation between Macedonia and the U.S.A..

[03] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV CONGRATULATES RAMADAN BAIRAM TO MUSLIMS

On the occasion of the great religious holiday Ramadan Bairam, President Kiro Gligorov sent a telegram of congratulations to the president of the Islamic Religious Community of the Republic of Macedonia Hadzi-Suleiman efendi Redzepi and the president of the Muslim Religious Community of the Republic of Macedonia Hadzi-Yakup efendi Selimovski, as well as all citizens of Muslim confession in Macedonia.

In the telegram, President Gligorov expressed his conviction that the joint efforts to realize the goals for peace and prosperity, for mutual understanding and respect of all Macedonian citizens and its affirmation as a peace-loving country, will continue in the future.

[04] GOVERNMENT TO BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT TOMORROW

Starting at 10.00 h tomorrow, the Macedonian Parliament will hold its 39th session. The proposed daily agenda will contain a number of legal projects, including proposals for the laws on scientific research and MANU, as well as laws to regulate the rights of the participants in the People's Liberation War and the Spanish Revolution. The daily agenda is supplemented with a proposal for the election of a new Government composition and the appointment of deputy ministers in the Macedonian Government.

According to "Nova Makedonija," MPs from LP and SDAM, as they say, should hold final consultations on their appearances today. The Liberals are coordinating the arguments they are expected to present during the session, in regard to their stand with which they do not support the Prime Minister, in the name of the Alliance for Macedonia, to set up a new Government, as well as the claims that the new list of ministers and their deputies contains people who strongly oppose the Alliance's platform.

Something similar is happening with the Social- Democrats, who are getting ready to "strike back" at the Liberals, i.e. to "counter-attack." According to yesterday's disposition of these two parties, it seems that the force of the split-up will depend on the Liberals.

At the same time, it can be hear that the LP MPs have already been advised by the party's highest leadership to act calmly, and not to allow themselves to be provoked.

The SDAM, on the other hand, claims that if the Liberals don't act radically, neither will they, but that they will certainly reply with their own arguments. This explains the predictions that the session is unlikely to end the same day when it starts.

Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski is expected to address the MPs, to explain the changes in the new Government set up and the reasons that have led to this.

[05] LIBERALIZATION OF CARGO TRANSPORT WITH HUNGARY

The draft-agreement that was initially signed at the meeting between the delegations of the Macedonian and Hungarian transport ministries, which was held in Budapest last week, entirely regulates the relations in the field of road transportation between the two countries. According to the decrees of the Agreement, the overall cargo transport, meaning bilateral transport, transit and to and fro third countries, will be carried out on the principles of liberal transport, which means without permits, road tolls and other taxes. As to bus transportation, that on established routes will be carried out with permits, while the free (tourist) transportation, with certified passenger lists.

Hungary, with its location, is of exceptional importance to Macedonian transporters, as it is on the cross- roads toward Western and Central European countries, and largely toward Easter European countries, as well. Therefore, transportation without permits and road tolls enables free transportation of goods, and also makes it possible to develop bilateral relations between the two countries in all spheres.

The Agreement with Hungary is expected to be signed in two-three months.

[06] SKOPJE CAR SET ON FIRE IN THESSALONIKI

A car with Skopje licence plates has been set on fire in Thessaloniki. According to the Greek press, the car was set on fire at approximately 4.00 A.M. on Sunday, on the street Riga in the Thessaloniki suburb of Pileya. The unknown arsonists put a plastic oil can under the car and lit it. The fire also spread to the car parked next to it. Otherwise, the car belongs to the director of "Zletovo-Sasa" Ltd., Tito Trenevski, who is a businessman that often makes trips to Thessaloniki and other towns in Greece.

Makpress reports that the terrorist organization "Proletarian Uprising" has taken responsibility for this act, which is appearing in the public for the first time. According to the oppositional newspaper "Elefterostipos," an unknown man appeared at the editor's office of the Thessaloniki newspaper "Makedonija," saying that the car was set on fire by the organization "Proletarian Uprising." The same newspaper wrote yesterday, calling upon police sources, that the investigation does not rule out the possibility that the car could have been set on fire for other reasons, and not by the terrorist organization, which is going public for the first time. It is also claimed that this could be a case of false representation, since such an organization has never appeared in Greece before.

[07] INTERIOR MINISTRY SEIZES 13 KG OF COCAINE

In close cooperation with foreign police services, the Macedonian Interior Ministry has uncovered a case these days of illegal trafficking of 13 kg of cocaine, which was attempted to be smuggled into the country by two Yugoslav citizens.

It is characteristic that this is a first case of an organized channel for the trafficking of cocaine through Macedonia. The perpetrators will face criminal charges.

[08] DROP IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

The physical scope of the industrial production in December, last year, in comparison with the average monthly production in 1994, notes a 5.8% drop. In December, last year, compared to the same month in 1994, the industrial production recorded a 4.2% drop. The production of means of labour has also dropped, 36.9%, the production of consumer goods has dropped 5%, and the materials for reproduction have dropped 1.1%.

Estimates say that in November, 1995, the retail trade realized a turnover of 3.665 million denars, which is a nominal drop of 3.8% compared to the previous month. That same month, the wholesale trade realized a turnover of 4.164 million denars, or an 8.3% drop. The prices of the industrial products were 0.3% higher in December, 1995, compared to November, while the retail prices increased 0.5% in December. The living costs in December, last year, went up 1%, while a larger increase in living costs is noted with the food group - 2.2%.

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