MAK-NEWS 27/09/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 27 September 1995

[01] ADDRESSING THE WORLD WILL GO ON WITH "REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA"

The Greek Government sent a memorandum two days ago to the UN mediator Syrus Vance, protesting because of the messages sent on the occasion of the signed accord in New York which the Greek Government sent to President Gligorov were signed with Republic of Macedonia. Also, the Greek Prime Minister Papandreou sent an appeal to the EU countries members not to rush the recognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name while the negotiations between Skopje and Athens continue.

"The Greek protest to UN because of the use of the name Republic of Macedonia is based on nothing, particularly not on the recent signed accord between the two countries," announces the cabinet of President Gligorov. "In this sense and in future addresses to the Macedonia President to all organizations as well as the communications in the world will be according to the Constitution - with the name Republic of Macedonia".

[02] POSSIBLE VOTING NON CONFIDENCE IN THE GREEK GOVERNMENT

The largest opposition party in Greece, Nea Democratia, will ask to vote non confidence in the Parliament to the PASOK Government, unless some of the EU states recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name. This party also demanded the Government signed accord in New York be put for a vote in the Parliament.

[03] CLOSING THE DOSSIER WITHOUT A DECISION?

Well informed sources form the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, as Macedonian Radio and TV informs, found out that in the case for the Greek embargo imposed on Macedonia, the judges who should have reached the final decision prefer this dossier to be closed without their decision, due to the overpolitization of the case. The mood in the European Commission is similar which unofficially considers that it would be best if Greece quickly lift the embargo on Macedonia. That would mean that the charge in Luxembourg be automatically withdrawn. In that way would be stopped one process which since its very begging undermines the "family spirit of the EU". On the other hand, the conclusion of the General Lawyer regarding this case in the Commission fear that it would not eliminate the possibility that the verdict would be in Greece's favor. To avoid all that, the Commissioner of the EU Foreign Policy Hans Van der Broek, asked from the Greek Government a guarantee that it will soon lift the embargo. The reply has not yet arrived. Such guarantee will be asked from the Council of Ministers scheduled in Luxembourg, October 2, where it is expected a discussion of the latest development of the relations between Macedonia and Greece and relations between Macedonia and the EU.

[04] AMENDMENT - ADMITTANCE UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL NAME

Today, during the fall session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, Macedonia is expected to be admitted. Five parliamentarians from Switzerland, Turkey, Great Britain and republic of Ireland submitted an amendment that the Republic of Macedonia be admitted under its constitutional name.

[05] NPD ASK FOR DELAY OF THE MACEDONIAN ADMITTANCE IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

People Democratic Party(NDP) from Tetovo, sent a letter yesterday to the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe, asking for a delay of the admittance of Macedonia. NDP ask the admittance to be conditioned with the resolution of the ethical relations, that is "to be legalized higher education in Albanian, to be established equality in languages, equality to all citizens in all spheres of life".

[06] KOSOVO ISSUE - PART OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE REGION

A1 TV reported, president of the EU Commissioner for Foreign Policy, Hans Van der Broek, stated that the solution of the Kosovo issue will be placed on the agenda in one of the next meetings of the Contact Group and that this problem will be solved along with the other problems in the region. Van Den Broek stressed that the solving of the Kosovo issue is one of the conditions for lifting the sanctions to FR Yugoslavia and the EU can not establish usual relations with Belgrade until the negotiations fro Kosovo are still on.

[07] MACEDONIA SIGNED MEMORANDUM WITH GREAT BRITAIN

Republic of Macedonia and Great Britain signed a Memorandum for Cooperation in the Defense, in London yesterday. The Memorandum is based on several principles which support the spirit of partnership between the two countries and accomplishes the stabilization of relations and safety in Europe. This document projects the creation of a two year concrete program for mutual cooperation. In this sense, Great Britain will provide to the Republic of Macedonia training for its military staff, technical aid and will put to use its military experts.

Meantime, a Macedonian military delegation is invited to participate in the seminar for military issues in England, in November, and an expert team from this country will visit Macedonia.

[08] MEETINGS OF CRVENKOVSKI IN NEW YORK

During participation at the 50th session of the UN General Assembly, Macedonian Foreign Minster Stevo Crvenkovski met with his Holland counterpart Van Mierlo.

The meeting confirmed the high level of the relations and cooperation between the two countries and the support that Holland is giving to Macedonia in its development and democratic processes. Holland expressed readiness to support the efforts of Macedonia for economic stabilization and development of programs in the EU.

Minister Crvenkovski met with the Chief of Indian diplomacy. They talked about the safety situation in the region and the need of the UN countries to express a more active attitude for the compensation of the loses resulting from the sanctions imposed to FR Yugoslavia.

[09] MACEDONIA CHAIRMAN OF THE NICIANS UNION

A Macedonian delegation led by the Minister for Development Bekir Zuta, is participating in the work of the General Assembly of the World Organization for Intellectual Property, held in Geneva. At this conference Macedonia was elected chairman of the Nicins Union for classification of products and services referring to the registration of brands.

[10] ENOUGH WITH THE DIVISIONS TO MACEDONIANS, PIRINS, AEGEAN'S, MUSLIMS ...

"The only right that we are gong to protect is the right of education in the mother tongue, and this Ministry and state should afford to protect the children and their parents, to whom are made terrible threats to change the mother tongue", stated Macedonian Education Minister Emilija Simoska referring to the case in Zupa, at yesterday's press conference. The Ministry did not at all approve a permit for the legalization of the so far illegally conducted teaching in the illegally constructed buildings which were recently knocked down. Neither has it given a promise that the teaching can be attended in Turkish in other schools, said Simoska. To all Macedonian citizens, associations, and political parties really concerned for preservation of the identity of its own people, I could recommend to direct their attention to the factors which are leading to this: that this small nation to classify itself as Macedonians, Macedonian- Muslims, Aegean's, Vardarians or Pirineys, and each, easily breakable and small segment will be forced to ask for protection from other foreign nations and states. In redirecting this, maybe some other political context and some other political frames seem to them to be guilty in which not only Education Ministry can participate.

This is something that in a wider sense all should take the responsibility" said Education Ministry.

Regarding the teaching problems in the village of Ognjanci, Skopje area, the Minister said that "village boards, associations for protection of the citizens led by people who are not even citizens of this state, are not in the authority of the Education Ministry. Any attempt to prevent the teaching in any way will be sanctioned by the Interior Ministry". Regarding this case, Government Spokesman GjunerIsmail at yesterday's press conference said that the citizen Paunovic is not a Macedonian citizen and that he along with the group sharing the same opinions is launching a case where the state constitutional obligation is clear.

[11] AWARE TURKIZATION OF THE MACEDONIANS

State community of the cultural and scientific manifestations of Macedonians-Muslims, at yesterday's press conference, stressed that unless the Law for Local Self-Management is passed as the Government suggested, it will lead to the awareness of Turkization of the Macedonians since the census from 1993 allowed the mother tongue to be falsified and to be changed with Turkish. At the press conference was also revealed the fact there is terrible pressure to the Macedonian- Muslims, their children to learn in Turkish or Albanian.

This pressure is applied, by "parties mercenaries men" and Moslem priest which the religious affiliation made it equal with the national.

[12] GOVERNMENT BRIEFS

Macedonian Government discussed changes and supplementing of several laws for economy and tax policy on its session held at Monday. Minister Miljovski informed that in the talks with the IMF positive processes in the finance and economy sphere were confirmed and the IMF will continue its support to Macedonia. The rate of the inflation by the end of August 31 was 3,2%.

Answering journalist questions, Spokesman Gjuner Ismail stressed that accordingly with the Interim Accord Macedonia formed between-field minister groups. They realized a consensus regarding the base of the languages when signing the documents for cooperation between Greece and Macedonia.

[13] SIDEROPOULIOS TRIAL POSTPONED

According to a statement of Sideropoulis' lawyer, Joana Kurtovic, the trial scheduled for today in Florina, most probably will be postponed since " there is no good will by the court to put an end to one not based court process". For several years Sideropoulios has come before the bar of justice and this is his 11th time to come before the Greek judges, due to his standing for realization for the human rights of the Macedonians living in North Greece.

Meantime, in Florina passed away one of the most prominent activists in the fight for recognition of the rights of the Macedonians in Greece, Kosta Gockov. He was one of the founders of the Movement of Macedonians for the Balkan prosperity, member of the party "Rainbow". His funeral in village Ovcarani, attend a delegation of the Association of Macedonians form the Aegean Part of Macedonia, with its office in Bitola, led by the President Alexandar Popovski. The Greek authorities did not cause any problems to the delegation when crossing the borders.

[14] THE YOUTH OF SDSM PARTY ADMITTED IN IUSY

The youth of Social Democratic Party of Macedonia is admitted as a full time member in the World Association of the Socialist and Social-Democrats Youths - IUSY. This was said by the youth of the SDSM at the yesterday press conference. The admittance happened at the 21st Congress of this association, held in Italy, and was supported by all the members except the youth of PASOK and Cyprus.

MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT:

[15] INTERVIEW WITH KOLE MANGOV (Fokus, 22 September) (Part I)

Question : How do you explain the fact that "agreement" was the subject of comments in Macedonian medias without being seen by the ones that commented on it ?

Mangov : It seems to me that is a psychological problem, and I'm not a psychologist. Experience, on the other hand tell us that rarely anybody can speech of something that he did not see, did not meet or was introduced, and particularly when it is about a "document" as in this case with the "accord". I saw the TV broadcast of the round table on occasion of the ''accord'', and saw that even the professor for International law at the Law Faculty in Skopje, participant at the table, was not acquainted with the accord, which implies that even an expert in this area was not included in such an important matter, as the "accord" is. On the other hand, Macedonian Parliament, does not talk on the issue, and it should talk. The Macedonian Foreign Minister requested that our parliamentarians remain without any comment or discussion after his expose for the forthcoming signing of the agreement with the Greek Minister Papoulias. We know what are the authorities of the Parliament for the foreign policy, but regarding the historical meaning and possible consequences of the "agreement", the parliament should not have allowed it. Do you know one of the possible meanings of this act of the Parliament? That it is not a Parliament at all. In other words, we give to the European public another example for our political, democratic and institutional immaturity. Don't mention the incorrect relationship of the people representatives to those who elected them. People, its sovereignty, the right to discuss the most important matters transferees to them, and these, in the critical moment, when there is a possibility that someone will agree to change the national symbols and name, gave up of that right. The Parliament should have discussed for this initiative.

Question: As a man who originated from Aegean Macedonia, as a lawyer and participant in the creation of the new Macedonian Constitution, what are your estimations, evaluations and attitudes regarding the possibility for normalization of the relations between Greece and Macedonia?

Mangov: There are many historical facts which speak in favor of the need for particular precautions and thoughtful actions when taking any step in the direction of normalization of the relations between these two countries. Our experience proves that we can not forget the historical facts. We must never, and not especially now, forget what is happening these years to Bosnia, its separation, division by the neighboring sides. In the recent past, the same happened to the Macedonian people by its neighbors. Since the beginnings of the contemporary Greek state, that were the first twenty years of the XIX century, its strategic determination was to prevent the creation of Macedonian nation in the regions where it lived, and if possible in a way to conquer the Macedonian territories and people. For this purpose, during the last century Greece conducted intensive propaganda (educational, religious) often combined with military methods (engagement of armed "pressure groups", mainly consisting of Crete, against Macedonian settling), and in the second decade of this century occurs a military occupation of the Aegean part of Macedonia by Greece. That it was really an occupation is confirmed by the recognition of the occupier - Decree of the Greek King Georgios I, of October 31, 1912.

Namely, the decree does not speak for territories which the Greek army had liberated or regained, which implies that it considers them theirs, but clearly speaks for "Macedonian territories occupied by the Greek army". The Bucharest Peace Treaty has sanctioned the occupation, and then came what came - till the beginning of the World War Two, the contemporary Greek state, not older than one century, succeeded to "liberate" about 200.000 Macedonians living in the same territories it has occupied, and changed the toponyms from Macedonian into Greek. After the W.W.II "repressed" more 60-70 000 Macedonians, and those who remained (about 350.000) were forbidden to declare themselves as Macedonians, depriving them from the basic human rights. To those who left its native born places, the young Greek state, which consider itself as democratic, does not allow them under any case to step in Greek territory. On the other hand, to those who remained to live in it, and dare to speak in public for their national identity, this state immediately organizes persecutions and court processes. This is well known to the European public.

This is only part of the historical facts, and given in such a poor way, without getting into the human dramas of what Macedonian families experienced when Greek army attacked the "occupied territories in Macedonia" and dramas lived in the process of establishing the young Greek state.

I have not forgotten this four years ago, when Macedonia policy among other things should have made more profound estimations of the possible behavior of our neighbor regarding the separation of FR Yugoslavia, in fact since independence of Macedonia from Yugoslavia. In contrast to some others who expected Greek government to initiate a wise policy for setting and realization of the its own interests in the new Balkans, and in that sense expected that she will behave towards its politically and economically not so developed neighbor, as for instance Austria behaved toward Slovenia, I did not share the same illusions. I was aware that the Greek political leadership does not have that political methodology as its own style for acting. On the contrary, I was aware that it will go on in the style which it practiced for almost one and a half centuries in the past.

Unfortunately, it happened. Unfortunately for both nations - for Greek and for Macedonian. What happened and what is happening now is familiar to us. The Greek governmental structures took all the possible steps to prevent the process of enforcement of Republic of Macedonia as an independent and sovereign state of Macedonians. In fact in a ridiculous way - claiming that this little state, involved in its own transitional problems, and almost without any territorial power, reportedly had territorial claims to Greece, that it was a possible threat to Greece, and one can see all this in its Constitution, flag symbols and its name - Macedonia.

Really funny, almost childish. But the tragic thing here is that Greece succeeded to "persuade" and involve its alliances - members of the EU, in the rape of one small, independent and free oriented Balkan state, which besides itself, can harm nor endanger no other, and in spite of all this in violating its own political-legal and democratic principles. In this way Greece involved the EU in one more situation of demonstrating insufficiency on the plan of solving the European problems and its transferring to the UN, and finally to US. At the end, instead of Greece as a Balkan state to be framed in the European laws, Europe was forced to tolerate its "Balkan" member (partner). and with this to allow to be led by Greece's nationalistic passions and estimations of interest, far away on the level of the laws that it constantly insists.

But, I would like to be short. If we take into consideration only one already mentioned and bearing the fact all the accepts of the politics, then it is not easy at all to make an evaluation of the real situation of the relations interlaced in and regarding the "dispute" between Greece and Macedonia, and also an estimation for possible normalization the relations. The only thing that I can say with certainty at this moment is my wish for truly fast normalization of the relations, but regarding the real possibilities, I'm more a pessimist and skeptic.

Question: Where does this pessimism come from? Is it only because of the difficulties coming from Greece to change long-practiced style of political thinking and acting?

Mangov: That is the first and the basic matter. Secondly, the pessimism is due to the relationship of Europe to the Balkan problems. I refer here to its difficulties to change long-practiced style of political thinking and acting regarding the Balkans only as Balkans, and not only as something that belongs to it, which is a part of it. In this line of problems(sources of the pessimism) is also thereat speed of the changes happening in Europe, which are a result of the communism falling apart, of the blocks division, and establishment of new European structure, new safety system and spheres of interests.

The great speed often results in reaching "unfinished". inappropriate solutions to the problems. For instance, the problem of Bosnia - a combination of unitary, conferral and federal elements among three, actually several states!? Such a thing is not known in the history. The third source of the pessimism is in the domestic political situation of Republic of Macedonia. They and its reflection in leading the foreign policy, which means the policy of successful confrontation of all the denials of the existence of Macedonian nation, national state.

Part of my pessimism comes from the fact that in this crucial period Macedonian state, i.e. policy is a great deal handicapped. Namely, due to the results of the latest parliamentarian elections, it has been made poor in its political structure and it is the part and potential (and energy) of our political reality, represented by the opposition parties. Even more , that the country anyway has not developed mechanisms for absorbing and positive directioning and using of multitude civil initiatives which exist. I can give only one example, an example of my political activity. Our association "Dignity" two and a half years ago succeeded to place on the agenda of the Parliamentary session the Petition regarding the issues of the Greek violations of the individual rights of Macedonians, in context with the international recognition of Republic of Macedonia. But, it was a miracle, when the point came to the agenda, on proposition of a young parliamentarian, Nikola Popovski, the parliament gave up from discussing the material. I would like to say that Macedonian policy is deaf and blind, and therefore poor, for a great part of the Macedonian political energy, thoughts, arguments and persuasions which would be very welcomed in this phase in the negotiations with Greece. I think that they would help in a direction of successful defense of certain values and principles which are also European and to all democratic world, because before all they are citizen and civil.

(end)

mils news 27 September '95

An Apology to the MILS NEWS subscribers Due to a computer failure the edition of 14th September was transmitted without grammar corrections.