MAK-NEWS 15/02/95 (M.I.L.S.) [**]

Ta nea ths hmeras, opws ta eide to MILS:

  1. . MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN IN SLOVENIA
  2. . MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN IN SERBIA
  3. * UNIVERSITY IN TETOVO OPENS TODAY
  4. * MACEDONIAN LEADERS MISINTERPRET LAWS, MAZIN SAYS
  5. * MAZOWIECKI'S REPORT ON FREEDOM OF PRESS IN MACEDONIA
  6. ** GREECE ACCUSED OF OBSTRUING BALKAN COOPERATION
  7. * ATHENS AND SKOPJE SHOULD RESOLVE DISPUTE ON THEIR OWN
  8. ** GOVERNMENT PRESS-CONFERENCE [Gia thn episkech Tserbenkofski stis HPA.]
  9. . RENEWED COURT REGISTRATION FOR ONLY 15 PARTIES
  10. . PTT INVESTS IN NEW EQUIPMENT
  11. . NORWEGIAN HOUSES FOR REFUGEES AND POOR CITIZENS
  12. . "BEFORE THE RAIN" NOMINATED FOR OSCAR
  13. . VARDAR ENDS SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR
  14. * MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: MACEDONIA HAS PEACE, BUT PROSPERITY PROVES ELUSIVE (Wall Street Journal, 4 February 1995) by Jamess Pettifer

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 15 February 1995

  1. MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN IN SLOVENIA
    In Ljubljana, yesterday, a delegation of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, led by vice-president Milan Hrovat, discussed Macedonian-Slovenian economic relations and problems with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. Talks included the hunger strike by the two Macedonian construction entrepreneurs from Vevcani. Slovenia's Chamber of Commerce president Dagmar Shuster believes the entire matter will be over in the next few days. The main focus of the talks was the large deficit of Macedonia in its trade with Slovenia in 1994, and preparations of the next meeting of the joint Macedonian-Slovenian chamber of commerce.

  2. MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN IN SERBIA
    A 15-member delegation of Macedonian businessmen, led by Chamber of Commerce president Dushan Petrevski, will have two-day discussions with officials of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, concerning ways to improve the reduced economic cooperation between Macedonia and Serbia. The Serbian side appears to be much interested in the meeting, not only because of possible new deals, but also because this is a realization of the Serbian Chamber's initiative to start trading with Macedonia upon open market principles. The visit is interpreted as a sign of warming up mutual relations and possible recognition. Even a meeting at higher levels are possible, as "there is a good political climate between Belgrade and Skopje."

  3. UNIVERSITY IN TETOVO OPENS TODAY
    A large number of domestic and foreign guests will attend today's ceremonial promotion of the 1994/95 school year at the university in Tetovo. This was stated by university rector Fadil Suleimani at a press-conference held within NDP offices in Tetovo. "America has open wide its doors for the university in Tetovo, being surprised at the same time with the Macedonian authorities' attempts to deprive Albanians from their right to education in their native language, even at this era of computers. We have received considerable material and moral support from the Americans," Suleimani said. He reported that, while in the U.S., he had met with the president of the Congress committee for international relations, Mr. Holbrooke of the State Department, and Mrs. Christoff, in charge of Balkan affairs. The university in Tetovo was the main topic discussed during all meetings, Suleimani stated. His visit also included a press-conference for the Washington Times, as well as talks with officials of the Helsinki Parliament in Washington. They are well informed about the university, he said, but taken back by the Macedonian authorities' attitude towards it. Along with the 600 enrolled students, Albanian ministers and parliament members, the opening will also be attended by a delegation of American scientists, led by U.S. ex-senator Joseph Diogardi, as a sign of support for the university. "The police may well do whatever they want, but we have so far equipped at least 15 classrooms," Suleimani concluded.

  4. MACEDONIAN LEADERS MISINTERPRET LAWS, MAZIN SAYS
    As cited by A1 Television, Radio Tirana reports Zef Mazin, Albania's representative to OSCE, spoke of the position of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia at the Vienna meeting of the organization's General Council. Emphasizing the university in Tetovo issue, Mazin said top officials in Skopje are against the university, claiming the initiative is contrary to the Constitution. Article 45 of the Constitution, however, clearly grants the right to all citizens to establish private educational institutions at all levels, Mazin said. Such statements of leaders in Macedonia are in discord with the Constitution, he concluded.

  5. MAZOWIECKI'S REPORT ON FREEDOM OF PRESS IN MACEDONIA
    The latest report by UN Special Rapporteur Tadeusz Mazowiecki on the freedom of press in Macedonia says the national television and radio, A1 Television, and Radio NOMA are the most influential media in the country. The report points to Nova Makedonija and Vecher as the most influential daily newspapers in Macedonian, along with the Albanian- language Flaka e Vlazerimit and the Turkish Birlik. Mazowiecki stresses the absence of regulations to support article 16 of the Constitution which regulates freedom of press. He remarks a large number of laws issued before Macedonia gained independence are still in effect. It cannot be claimed that the media in the country increases ethnic and nationalist tension on purpose, but the ethnic origin is a factor in reporting. The report mentions 3 magazines published by Belgrade's Politika are banned in Macedonia by the Interior Ministry, without an explanation of the accusation of these papers being "tendentious". The conclusion of the report reads, "The situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is characterized by attempts of the political forces to impose influence over the media, so as to secure their political power. Thus, journalists in the country are facing the challenge of establishing professional and independent media through which democracy and human rights can actively be promoted."

  6. GREECE ACCUSED OF OBSTRUING BALKAN COOPERATION
    Greece's foreign policy is an obstacle to normal economic cooperation between Balkan countries, was the conclusion by participants in the conference on economic cooperation held in Salonika, Greece, Makfaks reports. U.S. ambassador Tomas Niles and British ambassador Oliver Niles warned the Greek trade embargo on Macedonia and crisis in Greece's relations with Albania and Turkey present obstacles to investment activities by their countries through Greece. They suggested that the problems be resolved as soon as possible. The pro- government paper Ta Nea says PASOK's parliament deputy Vaso Papandreou demanded that the Government reevaluates its foreign policy, recommending that Greece insists on forming a Council of the Balkan states, including Macedonia as well.

  7. ATHENS AND SKOPJE SHOULD RESOLVE DISPUTE ON THEIR OWN
    At a meeting with his Greek hosts in Athens, Radoman Bozhovic, president of the Citizens' Association of the Federal Parliament in Belgrade, said Greece and Macedonia ought to resolve their problems without internationalization of the issue.

  8. GOVERNMENT PRESS-CONFERENCE
    Macedonian Government spokesman Gjuner Ismail and Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski yesterday held a press-conference to inform of decisions at the government session of two days ago, discussing mainly negotiations with international financial institutions and transformation processes in the country. Ismail said the Government will order Parliament to call a session and discuss talks with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in the presence of President Gligorov and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Trade Union. The Government will also ask Parliament to urgently pass laws to facilitate economic reforms. Crvenkovski spoke of his recent visit to the U.S. and contacts with top officials, including U.S. State Department under-secretaries Richard Holbrooke and Lynn Davis, as well as Alexander Warshbow, President Bill Clinton's adviser. Talks, he said, included detailed analysis of the situation in Macedonia and its role in stability in the Balkans. The American side expressed great interest and support for Macedonia's policies, agreeing to a need for a more intensive economic cooperation. Negotiations with the IMF and World Bank were also discussed, and several large American firms were interested in investing in the East-West corridor. Crvenkovski briefly met with U.S. President Bill Clinton, vice-president Al Gore, and ex-secretaries of state James Baker and Lawrence Eagleberger, who have much influence over the U.S. foreign policy. Crvenkovski said UN mediator Syrus Vance stated firm resolution to continue his mission. Vance was informed of Macedonia's readiness to continue the dialogue with Greece and even start direct talks under the UN mediation. Yet, the meeting with Vance was "short and without concrete new ideas", Crvenkovski said. Meantime, the Macedonian economy has suffered a $720 million since Greece imposed the embargo, as calculated in accordance with UN methodology. Crvenkovski said the report by UN Special Rapporteur Tadeusz Mazowiecki is generally positive, despite consisting of certain mistaken information, mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the Macedonian legislature by reporters on human rights situated in Macedonia. Incorrect statements include false reporting on public gatherings, religious freedoms, alleged favoring of ethnic Albanians when granting citizenship and the recent census of population. At the end, reporters were told Skopje will be hosting the meeting of Central European Peace Initiative, to be held toward the end of the month.

  9. RENEWED COURT REGISTRATION FOR ONLY 15 PARTIES
    A1 Television says only 15 out of 73 political parties in Macedonia have been registered with court again this year: PDP, Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia, Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia, VMRO-DPMNE, Party for Complete Emancipation of Romas, Socialist Party, Liberal Party, VMRO- Democratic Party, Party for Democratic Action - Islamic Road, Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia, Democratic Party of Macedonia, Albanian Democratic Alliance - Liberal Party, Macedonian National Front, Democratic Party and VMRO- Macedonian National Democratic Alliance.

  10. PTT INVESTS IN NEW EQUIPMENT
    The public post, telephone, and telegraph company PTT yesterday met with 35 representatives of 14 countries that produce telecommunication equipment. The equipment is only a part of PTT's investment plans, worth a total of $80 million, $42.5 million of which foreign credits.

  11. NORWEGIAN HOUSES FOR REFUGEES AND POOR CITIZENS
    A project titled "Norwegian Aid for Poor Citizens in Macedonia" was presented at the Macedonian Red Cross yesterday. The project will include building of houses in Macedonia to accommodate the poor and the refugees. Funds will be provided through credits by European banks, possibly supported by certain humanitarian organizations, and in an association with Macedonian construction firms.

  12. "BEFORE THE RAIN" NOMINATED FOR OSCAR
    The movie "Before the Rain", directed by Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski, has been nominated for Oscar, in the category of foreign films.

  13. VARDAR ENDS SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR
    The Macedonian soccer champion team Vardar lost to the Uruguay team Peniarol by 3:1, thus ending its South American tour with 3 victories and 2 defeats. Next Friday, Vardar will go to Slovenia.

  14. MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: MACEDONIA HAS PEACE, BUT PROSPERITY PROVES ELUSIVE
    (Wall Street Journal, 4 February 1995) by Jamess Pettifer The European Court of Justice begins hearings today on Greece's year-long trade blockade of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia. The Greek government has said that regardless of how the court rules it will not alter its position until Macedonia shows some flexibility over issues such as the name of the country. Such flexibility seems unlikely, however, as the Macedonians have bigger problems right now than the Greek blockade. The average annual income in Macedonia has fallen to $700, from about $2,000 a year in the 1980's. This makes Macedonia the second poorest country in Europe, after Albania. Hundreds of thousands of workers and pensioners have not been paid for up to six months. Unemployment is running at about 25% of the adult work force. On the bright side, Macedonia has avoided involvement in the war in Bosnia and enjoys the protection of a United Nations force made up of several hundred (mainly American) troops. But peace is about all Macedonia has achieved. Since declaring independence in September 1991, Macedonia has bee recognized by most European Union countries. Greece, on the other hand, claims that the country's name and flag imply a territorial claim on a northern region of Greece also known as Macedonia. This was the justification of the imposition of the trade blockade last February. In response to Greek concerns, the United States and several other key international players have still withheld recognition of Macedonia. As a result, the country has been deprived of much foreign aid. More significant, however, has been the effect of keeping U.N. sanctions going against neighboring Serbia. In the old Yugoslavia, Macedonia was always at the bottom of the heap whether measured by economic, educational or any other criteria. Money from Belgrade was sometimes earmarked for investment in Macedonia but often never reached the southernmost republic. Nonetheless, the two economies were heavily integrated. Between 60% and 70% of Macedonia's trade used to be with Serbia. This trade officially ended following the imposition of U.N. sanctions against Belgrade, and the effect has been crippling for Macedonia. Greece's blockade clearly hasn't helped the situation, but it's the sanctions on Serbia that have had the biggest impact on the Macedonian economy. There were great hopes in Skopje's diplomatic community that Macedonia's elections in October and November would mean a path toward peace and stability. The well-leaked plan of the EU's ambassadors was for a decent, clean election, a deal with Greece to lift the blockade (involving a compromise over the contentious name issue) and a normalization of foreign relationships, with the country being admitted as a full member to the U.N. and other international organizations. With Macedonia at the heart of the Balkans, none of these things have happened as planned. The elections were rubber- stamped by international observers but produced howls of protest from important leaders of the numerous minority groups and from the main Slav-Macedonian opposition party, whose members say they were gerrymandered out of parliament. Similarly, the elections yielded no progress in negotiations with Greece and Macedonia has yet to be admitted to vital international institutions as a full member. What the elections did produce was a de facto one-party state, with no significant parliamentary opposition (84% of parliamentarians are counted as supporters of the president, Kiro Gligorov). Ethnic Albanians, who make up just under 25% of the total population of Macedonia, claim large numbers of Gypsies were moved into their constituency and paid by government's agents to vote against the radical Albanian leader, Menduh Thaci. On the Slav-speaking side, the opposition VMRO-DPMNE, the largest party in the last parliament, boycotted the last round of the election to protest irregularities in the first two rounds of the elections (they underpolled by as much as 50% in traditional strongholds such as Veles and Ohrid). The VMRO leader, Ljupco Georgievski, claimed recently that Mr. Gligorov has "hoodwinked international observers and managed an electoral coup." The elections have affirmed Mr. Gligorov's hold on power. He has shown no willingness to compromise with Greece over the name issue, and November talks with the U.N.'s Boutros Boutros-Ghali broke down immediately. The U.S. seems no closer to recognition of Macedonia than earlier in 1994, and without massive new aid from either the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank, bankruptcy looms. But economic dependence on the West has less and less to do with political realities. The electoral result clearly points to a much closer relationship between Macedonia and Serbia. The bureaucracy in Skopje is one of the most unreconstructed in the ex- communist states, and many top officials who were alleged to be involved in the election manipulation have close links to Belgrade. Whatever the truth of the allegations, it is indisputable that Skopje officials have been deeply implicated in sanctions busting. Indeed, one of the most visible effects of Macedonia's isolation (brought on by the sanctions against Serbia and Greece's trade blockade) has been a strengthening in the Skopje-Belgrade axis: the two governments are cooperating to support themselves economically. This cooperation has meant increased Serb influence in Macedonia's Interior Ministry, headed by hard- liner Ljubomir Frchkovski (who is often tipped as a likely successor to aging president Gligorov) and in the police and paramilitary forces. The sanctions have also boosted the rule of organized crime, which plays a large role in shuttling goods between the two countries in violation of the U.N. mandate. But while international attention has been focused on the disasters in Bosnia, Serbian leader Slobodan Miloshevic has been quietly securing his southern flank. The political expression of this has been Mr. Miloshevic's initiative toward Greece. In December he proposed a political confederation between Greece and Serbia that would give external expression to the increasingly strong and effective practical axis the two orthodox countries have over the southern Balkans. Not far from clear where this would leave the fledgling "Macedonian" state, or what the reaction of the neighbors would be. Albania is probably too weak militarily and too much a client state of the U.S. to take any independent initiatives, but to the east Bulgaria's position is far stronger. The VMRO opposition in Skopje has strong Bulgarian links, and hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians are of Macedonian origin. It remains to be seen whether Sofia would be prepared to accept a practical annexation of the former Yugoslav republic by Serbia and Greece, which would result in an even deeper isolation of Bulgaria from Western Europe. What is clear, however, is that there will be an increasingly isolated and artificial government in Skopje, kept afloat by aid from the World Bank, while the country fragments. A descent into a Bosnian-type war is unlikely, thanks to the absence of the Yugoslav army from Macedonian territory but any stable, long-term future is difficult to foresee - with or without Greece's blockade. President Gligorov may play his role as last heir of Tito, presiding over a mini-Yugoslavia fro a while yet, but that is about all the international community can hope for.