MAK-NEWS 01/08/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: MILS - Skopje <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 1 August 1995

[01] NIMITZ OPTIMIST

US Special Envoy in the Greek-Macedonian dispute Matthew Nimitz yesterday arrived in a two-day visit to Skopje. Speaking to the press, he presented the goal of his visit. 'We will discuss our mission with the president, the foreign minister and other government officials, all in the light of our efforts to aid the negotiating process between your country and Greece, as the dispute deeply worries the US, the countries in the region and the people of both disputed countries. So far, the talks were not led directly but through the office of Mr. Syrus Vance, through the UN Secretary General's representative and through my office. We have talked with both sides and today's meetings are a continuation of those talks. Naturally, I would very much like to speed up the negotiations and I hope the two sides will come to an agreement with our help and reach a final solution to the problem. I may be a too large optimist, but I do hope this will happen.'

Nimitz also said he expects the talks to ensure exchange of ideas on possible solutions to the problem. Pointing to the fact that both sides are willing to make progress, he said this kind of negotiations are the only way towards a solution.

He denied rumors of his intention to visit Athens following his meetings in Macedonia, saying talks with the Greek side have been completed through diplomatic channels.

Yesterday evening, Nimitz met with Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski and is to be received by President Gligorov today.

Meantime, his visit to Macedonia aroused a great deal of interest of the Greek media. The Mega TV correspondent from Skopje reported that the talks between Nimitz and the Macedonian side are conducted in secrecy, assuring however that the so-called 'small package' will be in the focus. A1 Television says Mega TV commented that the talks are a preparation for the renewal of negotiations in New York, adding that President Gligorov now has no reason to rush things as the newest escalation of the Bosnian war strengthens his position in the relations with the US and Germany.

Citing anonymous American sources, the moderate left-wing paper Elefterothipia predicts that things will go smoothly with the 'small package' of solutions. Both sides, the paper comments, are making moves on 'the outskirts of the front', as each side wants to preserve the achieved position.

Macedonia, according to Elefterothipia, has already secured an entry into the Council of Europe under the name 'Republic of Macedonia' and an international recognition of the 'MK' car code, and the Shagen Treaty Commission has accepted Macedonian passports. Greece, on the other hand, has protected the Vergina Star sign and has for the first time introduced a hard policy towards followers of the 'Skopian irredentism' in Florina, northern Greece.

In an interview with today's Skopje daily Nova Makedonija, the Greek government's spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said Greece is sure to lift the embargo once the Macedonian flag and Constitution have been changed, leaving the name issue open. This would enable normal communication and relations, without Greece's having to recognize the 'Skopje state' under the name 'Macedonia'.

[02] GLIGOROV MEETS MACEDONIAN IMMIGRANTS

In Ohrid yesterday, Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov received representatives of Macedonian immigrants, currently taking part in the manifestations of the Ilinden holidays in the country. Gligorov spoke of the current economic and social situation in Macedonia and the country's international position. They exchanged ideas on the activities of the Macedonian immigrants aimed at the preservation of the national and cultural identity and stronger links with the home land.

[03] AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIANS DEMAND EMBASSY

Media in Macedonia inform that the Association for Friendship and Cooperation adopted a declaration at the Western Australian Parliament, signed by several MP's, to request a Macedonian embassy on the continent. The declaration, sent to Prime Minister Paul Keating, states that there are over 30,000 Australians of Macedonian origin, who are still deprived of the basic consular services.

'We have already recognized the nation, and it is time to establish full consular relations to meet the economic and cultural needs of the numerous Macedonian population in Australia,' the declaration says.

This move of the MP's from Western Australia raised numerous questions to the Federal Parliament, all inquiring the reasons for the so long a delay in opening a Macedonian diplomatic office in Australia.

[04] SEWALL VISITING SKOPJE

Mrs. Sarah Sewal, newly appointed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement Policy, arrived today in a one-day visit to Skopje. She will meet UNPREDEP officials, tour the US contingent in the country and will be received by Defense Minister Blagoj Handziski, the US Information Service informed.

[05] ILIEVSKI AT HELSINKI CELEBRATION OF OSCE JUBILEE

Macedonian ambassador to Stockholm Tihomir Ilievski will take part in a Helsinki symposium today, organized on the occasion of the 20th foundation anniversary of OSCE, entitled 'Stability and Changes'. The symposium is expected to be attended by renowned statesmen.

[06] WORKERS FROM INSOLVENT FIRMS HOLD PRESS-CONFERENCE

At a press-conference in Ohrid yesterday, officials of the Association of Workers From Insolvent Firms told reporters of their demand to competent ministries for an increase of the current compensation for workers formerly employed by now closed down companies. They will request a minimum old- age pension for those with 20 to 25 years of service.

Stating several examples of incorrect receivership proceedings, the Association criticized courts for 'appointing incompetent and incapable official receivers who are easily bribed.'

[07] PUBLIC ELECTRICITY COMPANY DEMANDS 50 PER CENT INCREASE

On grounds of losses due to unsettled electricity bills, the public electricity company of Macedonia has demanded a 50 per cent increase in the price of electricity, A1 Television reports. The total consumers' debt toward the company, as the latter claims, has reached $58 million, which is half of the amount needed to invest in the power plant 'Kozjak'.

[08] MACEDONIAN DOCUMENTARY AWARDED IN EGYPT

The short documentary entitled 'Bountiful Harvest', produced by 'Vardar Film' of Skopje and directed by Mitko Panov was awarded a golden statue of the ancient Egyptian god Amon Ra, the highest prize of the international festival of short documentaries, held in Ismalliyah, Egypt, July 4-30. The award was won in a competition against 42 documentaries from 25 countries.

MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT:

[09] WHAT CAN TURKEY DO IN A WORLD WITHOUT ORDER? - PART II

by Dr. Cuneyt Ulsever

(Turkish Daily News, 21 July 1995)

The West is confused about the new global disorder. We Turks are even more confused. It was the West itself that forced 'Morrison Suleiman' to say: 'The West wants you.' It is also the West that fears the rise of Islam but that also makes secret plans to make use of the idea of 'New Islam'. It is the same West that shows more desire than we do to see us in the Customs Union but has no wish to see us in the European Union. It is the public opinion, and not the policies, in the West that makes the criticism of our democracy. It is the same West that accuses us of putting pressure on the Kurds while not even uttering a word about the Serbs.

What I have written so far revolves around a single thesis. There is no New World Order. What I mean is, the West has no proposal for solving the confusions that have appeared in the post-communist period. Even if there are some proposals, there is no consensus over them. Of course Turkey is also affected by these confusions, which the West was unable to predict.

As we have seen, the Kurdish problem, the demands for democratization and the rise of the Welfare Party have put the West and its historical allies in Turkey on opposite sides for the first time. The interests of the bureaucracy, the state and certain entrepreneurs - previously firm allies of the West - now conflict with the interests of the West. Certain Turkish circles are aware that the cost of more democratization will be the destruction of their influence and that the state's decision not to interfere in the economy will result in their own demise. What's more they have to fight against the PKK terrorists. In the present dramatic situation they do not face the communists but the religious groups. The Welfare Party becomes the only alternative.

Then what should Turkey do? Our first advice is that Turkey should take notice of one point: in the past, solutions would be offered to us and the only thing we had to do was to accept or refuse. Our habitual role in the international arena was that of passive reaction. It was impossible for us to direct the international system solely by our own will. The new world order presents us with a historic opportunity. If we can play an active role in this confusion we could try to influence the flow of events. We are no longer faced with two dead-end streets leading to the role of playing guard against communism or joining the communist bloc. According to my personal view, just the fact of taking notice of this, digesting it, and being aware of playing an active role is revolutionary for Turkey.

So what is this active role? Leaving the details to the experts, it is roughly: 1) emphasizing the magnitude of our economic market; 2) economic and political mediation between the Middle East and the West; 3) directing the reorganization of the Turkic Republic.

Because of our ill-considered agendas and our belief that 'the West knows best', we tend to forget that these realities are trump cards in Turkey's hands and that we could easily negotiate with them.

If we ourselves do not understand how important a Muslim yet a secular Turkey will be for the West against the rising tides of the Islamic antithesis, how can we explain it to them? Are we aware of the advantages we would obtain if we taught the Turkic Republic the know-how of Western institutions and norms? If we advocate democracy to those Middle Eastern countries which are trying to turn us into an Islamic state, would we take just the West on our side, or would Israel come along as well? Most importantly, are we aware of how important a market we are with our yearly economic growth rate of 6-7 per cent, with our population of 60 million - half of which is under 24 - and with our human resources which have developed immensely in the past ten years?

We cannot simply crack open the doors of active politics. We cannot, because Turkish bureaucracy and politicians, who act like tigers on their own people and kittens in front of the West, do not even know what active politics is. They have never experienced it. Moreover, the ruling section of society do not wish to lose their comparative advantage by throwing off the extra load on their backs. They are just surprised at the West's demands.

Turkey must join the customs union if it wants to use its advantages in the new world. Turkey must fulfill its obligations in order to achieve this. These obligations must be fulfilled for Turkey's own sake anyway, regardless of the West's wishes. A Turkey which has not accomplished any democratization whatsoever or limits the free expression of its various cultural groups will take a back seat in the new world order.

However, quite apart from our enemies, some Turks themselves do not want a proud Turkey, a Turkey with negotiating power. Who are these Turks? They belong to various political parties, professions, and cultures. But they do have common denominators. Their common characteristics are a lack of talent and vision. They know very well that in the Turkey described above, they would never be able to keep their position and riches. Moreover, they do not have the courage to say openly that they want Turkey to stay the same. So they evade the subject. They think of making Friday a holiday, starting Parliament sessions with prayers. They remember the treaty of Sevres, they ask for referenda. They forget that their parties were once the ones advocating the customs union in their enmity against 'that woman'.

We have a hot summer ahead of us. A summer like litmus paper. We must determine who is opposing the passing of laws through Parliament. They are actually trying to impede Turkey's membership in the customs union. The rest is just an excuse. For they know that if Turkey takes the place it deserves in the new world order, Turkey will not have a place for them.

(end)

mils-news 1 August '95

DUE TO THE ILINDEN HOILIDAYS, MILS-NEWS SERVICE WILL CONTINUE ON AUGUST 3