MAK-NEWS 18/04/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" <dep@bu.edu>

CONTENTS

  • [01] ALBANIA SENDS PROTEST NOTE TO MACEDONIA

  • [02] FRCKOVSKI GIVES INTERVIEW FOR PRISHTINA WEEKLY

  • [03] TENSE SITUATION IN KOSOVO

  • [04] PDP ASKS ESTREF ALIU TO RESIGN

  • [05] CRVENKOVSKI'S ACTIVITIES IN NEW YORK

  • [06] CONFERENCE ON NON-SPREADING OF NUCLEAR ARMS

  • [07] SPAIN INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN MACEDONIA

  • [08] THREE LARGE COMPANIES TO BE PRIVATIZED TOMORROW

  • [09] PARLIAMENTARIAN BRIEFS

  • [10] EMIGRANTS HOLD ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

  • [11] MACEDONIAN CULTURE INCIDENT IN TURKEY

  • [12] RUSSIAN OIL PIPELINE THROUGH MACEDONIA

  • [13] BOOK FAIR IN SKOPJE

  • [14] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: CHIEF AMONG AMBASSADORS - PART III (Puls, 14 April, 1995)

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    M I L S N E W S

    Skopje, 18 April 1995

    [01] ALBANIA SENDS PROTEST NOTE TO MACEDONIA

    An official of the Albanian Foreign Ministry yesterday handed over a note of protest to Nikola Todorcevski, the Macedonian ambassador to Tirana. The Albanian ministry is protesting against the April 14 killing of Bashkiim Tavciu, an Albanian citizen who attempted to illegally cross the Macedonian border. The note says Tavciu was killed near "Golem Debar" without giving the Macedonian police any cause to open fire. The ministry "protests against this inhumane act of the Macedonian police force." At the same time the authorities in Macedonia have been called upon to provide an explanation for the unwanted act, and to introduce measures to punish the guilty party in the hope of avoiding similar cases in future which could worsen the Macedonian-Albanian relations. Otherwise such irresponsible acts may unnecessarily create tension in the bilateral relations and would be in opposition to Macedonia's statements of its readiness to develop relations with Albania as much as possible. Meanwhile, Macedonian Radio cites Macedonian diplomatic sources as saying the Republic of Macedonia intends to reject the protest note with an explanation that border problems should be resolved in principle and not case by case. The general conclusion is that the problem of illegal attempts to cross the border by Albanian citizens has been successfully dealt with in the past two years. However there is much more to be done, particularly by the Albanian side, for the prevention of similar incidents in future. Unofficially, a joint Macedonian-Albanian commission is to meet again today in order to resolve details regarding the incident.

    [02] FRCKOVSKI GIVES INTERVIEW FOR PRISHTINA WEEKLY

    "The potential outbreak of a conflict in Kosovo does not mean that it will automatically spill over to Macedonia," said Ljubomir Frckovski, Macedonian Minister of the Interior, in an interview with the Prishtina weekly "Zeri". "This could affect the stability in Macedonia, but it does not present a greater danger," he said, adding that Kosovo is outside the borders of Macedonia, which as a state builds its stability upon interior factors. Furthermore, A1 Television reports that Frckovski spoke of problems regarding the organization of education in the Albanian language in Macedonia. In this context he said that Macedonia's Constitution leaves no room for the establishment of universities in the languages of the minorities. Even if it is a private university, he said, it would have to have either the Macedonian or a foreign language as the official one, but not a minority language. Frckovski reportedly added that all disputed issues must be resolved within the framework of the law. Speaking on security in Macedonia, Frckovski pointed out the main problem relating to this issue comes from Serbia, primarily because it refuses, due to its relations with Greece, to recognize Macedonia . Disputed issues with Greece, just like all other problems and including the one with the Macedonian-Yugoslav border, Frckovski concluded, will have solutions sought for them with the help of international institutions.

    [03] TENSE SITUATION IN KOSOVO

    Macedonian Radio cites a news item released by the Information Center of Kosovo describing large army and police forces deployed in the center of Klina, a municipality between Prishtina and Pec in Kosovo. The military and police troops have put up barricades and are in a state of readiness. The army troops have been reportedly joined by Serbs from nearby villages. Soldiers are said to be breaking into the homes of Albanian families and robbing shops owned by Albanians. Serbian authorities have not informed the public of any military maneuvers or of a special situation in Klina, the Information Center reports.

    [04] PDP ASKS ESTREF ALIU TO RESIGN

    The leadership of the Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP) requested of Estref Aliu, Macedonian Minister of Culture, to resign from his position. This was stated by PDP president Abdurahman Haliti who explained, in an interview with the daily Flaka e Vllazerimit, that this demand resulted from the party leadership's disagreement with Aliu's views on the university in Tetovo. In his recent interview with Rilindia, Aliu stated standpoints regarding the university contrary to those held by PDP. Haliti refuted news, broadcast by Albanian Television, on Aliu having already been removed from his position. The news, Haliti said, was released in an attempt to create splits within PDP.

    [05] CRVENKOVSKI'S ACTIVITIES IN NEW YORK

    Nova Makedonija writes that Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski met in New York two days ago with Cyrus Vance, the UN mediator in the Greek-Macedonian dispute. Yesterday, the paper says, Crvenkovski met Richard Holbrooke, US Assistant Secretary of State, and Kofi Anan, Under-secretary for UN peacekeeping operations in Macedonia. Meantime, sources in Athens claim the Crvenkovski-Vance meeting had not been planned and will not contribute to progress in the dispute and that Skopje remains firm on its position not to enter negotiations under the embargo.

    [06] CONFERENCE ON NON-SPREADING OF NUCLEAR ARMS

    A Conference on Non-spreading of Nuclear Arms started in New York yesterday and will last until 12 May. The conference is being attended by a Macedonian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski. Macedonia joined the agreement on nuclear disarmament on March 30, as the 176th member. The US, Russia, France, Great Britain and China - countries officially recognized as possessing nuclear arms - signed the agreement 25 years ago. Experts of 4 of these countries - excluding those from China - claim that the extension of the agreement would lessen potential chances for a total and local nuclear war. The disarmament would enable use of nuclear power for peace-time purposes which would include countries which do not possess such arms. China has still not stated its official viewpoint on the issue, while some of the non-aligned countries, such as Indonesia, Egypt and Iran, asked for guarantees, before they signed the agreement, that the 5 nuclear powers will not use such weapons against another country. India, Pakistan and Israel, countries currently developing nuclear industries of their own, refuse to sign the agreement, whereas Russia warns that it will not respect all items in the agreement until the conflicts in the southern Russian regions have been resolved.

    [07] SPAIN INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN MACEDONIA

    Macedonian Minister of City Planning, Traffic and Protection of the Environment, Jorgo Shundovski, yesterday received Horhe Fuentes, ambassador of Spain to Macedonia. They exchanged information on the development of infrastructure in Macedonia, particularly in urban projects in Ohrid and Skopje. Fuentes expressed readiness on the part of his Government to invest $35,000 in objects in the central city areas of Skopje and Bitola.

    [08] THREE LARGE COMPANIES TO BE PRIVATIZED TOMORROW

    A1 Television says agreements on privatization of the first 3 large companies in Macedonia are to be ceremonially signed at the premises of the Privatization Agency tomorrow. "Pivara", "Makedonija Turist" and "Fershped" - all of Skopje - are to be privatized through a purchase of 10 per cent of the value of the companies by a team of managers. They will then take over the management and will be obliged to buy out the remaining shares, over the next 5 years, until they reach 51 per cent ownership. According to a program from the Privatization Agency the number of employees is not to be reduced. The privatization of "Makedonija Turist", A1 Television says, will attract the greatest interest, probably due to the large estate owned by this company, i.e., the chain of hotels in Skopje - Grand, Turist and Bristol. Appraisals conducted by the Faculty of Economy say the company is worth about 20 million German marks. Unofficial sources say the management is to be taken over by a team of 8 managers, which still have to purchase another 3 per cent of the shares to reach the required initial 10 per cent. The value of "Fershped" has been appraised at 21 million German marks, but employees have already bought out 56 per cent of the company through internal share options. The Agency yesterday published the first bulletin titled "Facts on Privatization" which presents all relevant data on the progress of privatization in Macedonia so far.

    [09] PARLIAMENTARIAN BRIEFS

    Tomorrow the Macedonian Parliament will hold its 17th session to discuss several legal projects regarding trade regulations, hotel and tourist services, the rights of war veterans, and the rights of individuals prosecuted and oppressed for their ideas on the independence of Macedonia.

    [10] EMIGRANTS HOLD ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

    The Macedonian Organization of Emigrants held its annual assembly in the presence of several eminent guests including the priest Nicodimos Tsarknias, the bishop of Polog and Kumanovo Kiril, former members of the organization, and representatives of the organization's local units throughout Macedonia. The organization accepted reports on the work carried out in 1994 and adopted a program for 1995. The basic activities of the organization will remain as the maintenance and development of contacts with Macedonian emigrants, especially in the fields of education. They will also focus on finding new models for organizing Macedonians throughout the world into various forms of associations.

    [11] MACEDONIAN CULTURE INCIDENT IN TURKEY

    Macedonian delegates at the ongoing Days of Macedonian Culture in Turkey were embittered by an event of two days ago. During the Macedonian Poetry Evening the Turkish writer Fahri Kaya, speaking about the book "Anthology of Macedonian Poetry", addressed the audience in Turkish only which resulted in the Macedonians not understanding his speech. Furthermore, Refu Shabani, a member of the Macedonian delegation and a writer and editor for the daily Flaka e Vllazerimit, addressed the audience, contrary to the established protocol, in Albanian but did not provide a translation. This caused bitter reactions among the Macedonian delegation and with the Macedonian ambassador to Turkey.

    [12] RUSSIAN OIL PIPELINE THROUGH MACEDONIA

    Vuko Taskovic, president of the Macedonian-Bulgarian- Albanian corporation AMBO, announced the possibility of building an oil pipeline to start in Russia and end in Albania via Bulgaria and Macedonia. The pipeline would be about 800 kilometers long and would transport nearly 800,000 barrels of oil per day. The finances, estimated at $575 million, would be provided by the Bank of Europe for Reconstruction and Development, the US corporation for overseas investment OPIC, and the First Bank of Boston.

    [13] BOOK FAIR IN SKOPJE

    The Seventh International Fair of Books starts in Skopje today. 67 publishing houses from Macedonia will present nearly 6,000 books, 500 of which were published between the two latest fairs. Books will be sold at a 50 per cent discount. In addition to the Macedonian publishers there will be 24 foreign publishers from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Albania, Austria and Yugoslavia which will present books at the fair. Also included will be a presentation of graphic industry equipment and a program of feature films to mark the 100th anniversary of the art of moving pictures. The fair will be open by the Macedonian Minister of Culture Estref Aliu.

    [14] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: CHIEF AMONG AMBASSADORS - PART III

    (Puls, 14 April, 1995)

    Question: On several occasions when I have heard you or had an opportunity to talk to you I get the feeling you have a custom of looking at things in a simplified and pragmatic manner, in a somewhat untypical, maybe even funny way, when a complex region such as the Balkans is concerned. Answer: I hope that I am able to be a fair observer of the situation here in Macedonia. I know I am contributing to the situation with certain simplicity. I am a foreign observer who has come to your country and learns more about it every day and my information basis and ability to analyze issues relevant for Macedonia grows every day. I really cannot tell what some think of this simplicity and whether they regard it to be a lack of knowledge. I hope this is not a big obstacle. I believe I have been able to use this in a positive sense. This means I have tried to introduce certain objectivity in my vision of what is going on here, using the experience and standards I have gained during my 28 years of service under the US foreign policy department. I have visited and lived in many different parts which were indeed very different. I had to learn quickly so that I could understand matters and report on them. In certain cases my reports have had impact on the development of events in those parts. I think it is important for both Macedonia and the US that I understand as much as possible and as quickly as possible about what is going on in the region and in the country. Let me explain in this way; the US knows about countries like France, Canada or Germany, so much and through so many sources that the State Department or the US embassies in these countries have a minor role in defining the complete relations there. But, as our relations are still new and developing, this institution, this Liaison Office, has a great role and responsibility in the US efforts to understand the situation and problems here, helping at the same time the Macedonian people to understand the American views on your perspectives and ideas and ways to support Macedonia in its development. Question: Speaking of this mutual process of learning about each other, I have heard some colleagues of yours, some Western ambassadors in Skopje, as saying that you have greatly changed your views on the situation in Macedonia since you came here for the first time. Answer: I would not say that "change" is the right word. I think my understanding and ability to analyze the situation grows by the day. This is like if you had a very large draft of a country. This large draft is, of course, still valid. But what I have succeeded in doing is to get myself into the draft with many details, although there are many areas yet to be defined. I hope the work will continue as the mission continues to work. Question: Would you say the picture Macedonia and the Macedonians have of Victor Comras is also changing? Answer: I hope that people, the more they know me and the more they learn about our mission, will feel all the more comfortable with us. We are trying to make as many friends as possible and hope to be well received by the Macedonians. Question: Let me go back to US policy and ask you about the regular annual report of the State Department on the human rights situation throughout the world. This year Macedonia was also included in the report, but this caused bitter reactions among members of the Macedonian administration against certain remarks in it. The impression was that the report even questions last year's census of population in Macedonia conducted under international surveillance. What was the role of the Liaison Office and all others who participated in making out the report? Answer: Different people gather information to be included in the report, which is put together by the State Department on a request from the US Congress. The report is aimed at providing the clearest possible picture on the human rights situation, admitting that there are human rights problems everywhere in the world, including the US. There is a large number of sources and institutions regularly reporting on potential or current problems. If you compare the report on Macedonia with reports on other countries in the region, Macedonia can be very proud with the results submitted to Congress. A great number of questions remain open. Some of them were pointed to by the report. You mentioned the census issue. You are very well aware of the fact that the census was conducted for a second time and under international monitoring. According to these observers, the census was a valid operation and we share their opinion. But there were certain problems and I believe we all share this view. We would not grade you with the highest possible grade on the census. I think this is what the report meant to say. But, if you look at the report, despite the questions raised, you will see that Macedonia has shown a credible human rights situation. You probably remember that all of your neighbors, and this happens every year, complain against certain parts of the report. This is probably understandable as no country likes to have its problems portrayed by someone else. We do this because we are asked to do it. The fact that you take the report seriously is a positive point for you. We all have to follow the human rights situation in our countries and try to improve it constantly. You are probably aware that there are questions asked in the US as well, regarding issues like ethnic relations, prejudices, integration and education. All these are signs which only contribute to the strengthening of democracy. Question: Speaking of the report, could you explain how it happened that the Macedonians in Albania were referred to as "ethnic Macedonians" while those in Greece as "Slav- Macedonians"? Answer: The report is completed by various authors from various parts. I really could not add anything to this. What is more, different offices in the State Department write different parts of the report. They are joined together by a third office and no one reads the report for language consistency. Question: The US are interested in a solution for the Greek- Macedonian dispute. Even the two mediators, Vance and Nimitz, are Americans, although the former represents the UN Secretary General. Recently US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Holbrooke, has also been engaged in this issue. They keep sending messages to Skopje and Athens to work out a solution acceptable for both sides. Where does Washington see a compromise? Answer: I believe we do not even have any concrete ideas about a possible solution; we just insist on a solution which would be acceptable for both sides. We want to play a mediating role. This means working with the positions of both sides and trying to make one side realize the position of the other and to help make progress in questions which can be solved. This is our position. We believe it is time to make progress in the talks. This costs Macedonia dearly, but it also costs Greece a great deal. The question, in our view, is now ripe and should be resolved. It is also on your agenda to make progress in this direction as soon as possible, so that you can be integrated into the international community, enable your economy to grow and stop being concerned about the situation to the north of Macedonia. I believe this is a great opportunity and a favorable period for investments in Macedonia, not only in the form of aid programs, but also for large international investments. All of these issues are held back because of the dispute. According to my views, and the views of my colleagues in Athens, both you and Greece gain very little by being in a dispute. It is time to move forward. Once the issue is settled, I am sure you will be able to achieve agreements in many fields, to move forward and this should be done only for the benefit of all. This is the view of my Government, which wants to be a mediator and say, "Come on, guys, let us get on with this." Question: And a final question - will we possibly interview you as an ambassador of the US to Macedonia the next time we meet? Answer: I must say I would like to see the day when the US establishes full diplomatic ties with Macedonia. I am an optimist. I believe this will happen in the near future. I also hope to be promoted and would continue to serve in such a position with a great deal of pleasure. But, of course, this will depend on President Clinton and the context in which he wants the US to be represented here.

    (end)

    mils-news 18 April '95

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