MAK-NEWS 03/10/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 3 October 1995

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT

[01] ATTEMPT ON LIFE OF MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT

Skopje Radio this morning reports that an attempt was made on the life of Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov.

According to these sources, the President's motor vehicle was damaged by a car bomb activated in the vicinity of the Bristol Hotel as the vehicle was passing. Several citizens were injured and considerable damage was done to neighbouring houses. Police allegedly stopped a suspect vehicle, a Renault with Titov Veles registration, which left the area of the explosion at high speed. It is reported that the persons responsible may have been apprehended as a result. First reports indicate that the President's chauffeur was killed in the attack, while the President, apparently only lightly injured, was conveyed immediately to hospital, where he remains under doctor's supervision.

Frantic activity in Skopje this morning has led to widespread confusion in the city. The police have closed off the country's borders.

[02] GLIGOROV AND MILOSEVIC MEET IN BELGRADE

By invitation of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov yesterday visited Belgrade. The theme of the talks between the two centred on current issues concerning mutual relations, in addition to the general political situation in the region. The visit by President Gligorov is his first official trip to Serbia since Macedonian independence. According to Belgrade reports, Macedonian Radio informs that the meeting is being viewed in the context of the realization of the US peace mission for the resolution of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Upon his return, President Gligorov held a press conference where he informed journalists about the tenor of the talks with Milosevic. Gligorov claimed that he repeated the priority of Macedonia for development of good neighbourly relations. However before this it is necessary to proceed to mutual recognition and establishment of full diplomatic relations between FR Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia. They agreed that normalization of relations between the two countries is in the interests of the Balkan stability, particularly following the signing of the Greek-Macedonian Accord.

Regarding wider events in the region, President Gligorov repeated his support for the US peace initiative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The best option for the Balkan countries is orientation towards European integration.

Replying to several questions, Gligorov said that his visit to Belgrade is the logical result of events in the region.

Again, the need to resolve the problems between Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia is paramount, especially following the Accord. In this sense it is possible to achieve mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations in the first half of the next month. The talks did not include any other options for integrating Macedonia with Serbia. It, as Gligorov stated, was not raised at all during the talks.

Rather, what was regarded as a priority is the necessity for economic relations, which is also relevant in respect of our other neighbors.

[03] SUCCESSION IN EXCHANGE FOR 'NOVA MAKEDONIJA'?

According to western diplomatic sources, Nova Makedonija states that reports from Belgrade Radio "B 92", hold that yesterday's meeting between Gligorov and Milosevic is a continuation of a series of meetings between the two presidents held during the last three years. According to the same sources, mutual recognition is now necessary. With this event, Macedonia will resolve some economic matters related to the exchange of goods to and from Serbia. On the Yugoslav side, that would mean that at least one of the former republics will affirm the right of succession. In that case, Macedonia would then seek help and support from Yugoslavia in resolving the name issue with Greece. In other words, then Milosevic would influence Greece to accept as suitable the name "Nova Makedonija".

[04] 93 PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORT CHANGE OF THE FLAG

The Draft-Law for the new flag of the Republic of Macedonia has so far been signed by 93 Macedonian parliamentarians.

This law will be formally debated at the parliamentary session scheduled for October 5, and its adoption will require a two-thirds majority (80 votes).

[05] DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH MACEDONIA

Among the various Bulgarian institutions and political forces exists full agreement for the development of economic relations with the Republic of Macedonia. This was stated yesterday by the Bulgarian President Zelju Zelev after his talks with US Peace Mediator Richard Holbrooke. Zeljev evaluated that these relations are presently in a state of suspension, though Bulgaria is not to be blamed.

[06] INFORMAL TALKS ONLY ABOUT MACEDONIA

At the Council of Ministers meeting of the EU held yesterday in Luxembourg, one of the themes of the talks between the 15 Foreign Ministers was the cooperation of the Union with the Republic of Macedonia. Though the talks are informal, there will also be discussions about relations between Greece and Macedonia following the signing of the Accord in New York, the Greek embargo and the charges against it currently before the European Court in Luxembourg, and in general the situation in Macedonia. As such, Macedonia is included in the plan for reconstruction of the countries of former Yugoslavia. However, official diplomatic relations between the EU and Macedonia will not occur before October 30, when the next meeting of the Council of Ministers is scheduled. Thereafter, the lifting of the Greek embargo and the change in the Macedonian flag will be carried out.

As Skopje 'Vecer' reports, Ministers talked about the proposal of EU Mediator Karl Built - that the countries of former Yugoslavia, under EU patronage, sign an international agreement for trade and the use of railroads, highways, telecommunications, an energy-net and other infrastructure.

Such agreement should not be rejected by any former Yugoslav republic, because that would have unfortunate consequences in relations with the EU. As a typical example of this scenario Macedonia was cited, which, without regional cooperation, would be left in isolation.

[07] CREDIT FOR MACEDONIA ARRANGED

BERD has come to terms for financing the Skopje airport. In this respect, during the last week a delegation of the Macedonian Finance Ministry came to specific terms with the Bank, which is a pre-condition for receiving credits of about DM 17,2 million. According to the agreement, Macedonia will provide an amount of $ 4,4 million of the total sum.

The money will be used for reconstruction and extending the airport's runway, as well as the reconstruction of a light- signalling system. The operation is planned for finalization by the end of 1996.

[08] THE NAME ISSUE - THE ONLY ISSUE IN DISPUTE

"The name is the only issue in dispute in respect of relations between Athens and Skopje", stated two days ago Greek Foreign Minister, Karolos Papoulias. He voiced conviction that the New York Accord will facilitate the resolution of differences regarding the name.

[09] GLIGOROV AND PAPANDREOU TO MEET IN MALTA?

Makfaks reports that Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov and Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papanderou will meet in Malta at the end of this month. As previously announced, the heads of seven Balkan states will meet in Malta to discuss peace issues in the region.

[10] CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION WITH ITALY

A senior delegation of the Department for Cultural Relations of the Italian Foreign Ministry arrived on a visit to Macedonia. It met today with a Macedonian delegation, which comprised of senior officers of several ministries, and together they confirmed the text for a program of cultural and scientific cooperation between the Governments of Macedonia and Italy. The program, which will cover the period to 1998, is expected to be signed today.

[11] FILM FESTIVAL "MANAKI BROTHERS"

During the period October 4-8, Bitola will host the 16th staging of the International Film Festival "Manaki Brothers ". Some 13 films will be presented at the festival.

MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT :

[12] ROMANIAN (VLACH) STORY (Puls, 29 September,1995)

Romanian parliamentarians Mociy, Gabrielesky, Rudulesky and Botica moved an amendment to the document for admittance of Macedonian into the Council of Europe.

"To prevent the extinction of the Vlach(Aromanian) language, suppressed since 1913, and to put an end to policies of forced assimilation, the Macedonian Government has enabled the Vlachs to freely use their language in their community and publicly will also return school buildings which belong to them.

As a autochthonous nation of Macedonia, the Vlachs(Aromanian), Macedo-Romanians or Greek Vlachophones, as they are also called, should be given back their properties in Jelovishte and Gopesh from where they were expelled during the communist regime. Freedom of religious worship should be given back to them, as well as their confiscated or ruined churches, as well as their graveyards, whihc should be returned to the minorities that own them.

Vlachs should be allowed to revert to their original personal names, consistent with their own original alphabet".

This amendment was moved by Mr. Mociy at the session of the Council before consideration of the admission of Macedonia.

The representative of the Political Committee, Mrs. Kornet, explained that the position of the Vlachs in Macedonia is somewhat different to that described, as they do have rights, in a like manner to other minorities in Macedonia, although they are in smaller numbers. However, the mover of the amendment, in addition to several other Rumanian representatives voted in it's favour.

It goes without saying, that in the democratic atmosphere of the Council of Europe, there is an unfettered freedom to place on the agenda many and various problems. However, two days ago five representatives of the International Association of Vlachs were received by Nikola Popovski. They were led by Professor Barba from Freiburg and a certain Samara, a Vlach from Romania. They highlighted the same problems which were the basis of the amendment before the Council. The key point was their insistence on the provision of greater rights for the Vlachs, because according to their view, they did not have the opportunity in Macedonia to freely declare their identity, and therefore their numbers for example, in the census, are incorrect. In any event, their manner was very radical and even aggressive, notwithstanding the explanations and comments offered by Popovski. However, the exposition of the problems of the Vlachs living in Macedonia in the Council, passed almost unnoticed in the Council. Yet notwithstanding this, there was surprise as to why exactly Romania and its representatives are highlighting these problem. Most probably, the Vlachs living in Macedonia have some responsibility for this. In this way Romania may well be promoting itself as the "protector" of the Vlachs.

(end)

mils-news 3 October'95

NOTE: apology by MILS In yesterday's MILS NEWS (2.10.95) the US city of Tempe, Arisona, was incorrectly described as Tampa.

INVITATION

On the occasion of it's third anniversary of operation the Macedonian Information & Liaison service (M.I.L.S) is pleased to invite you to a celebratory cocktail party on 4 October 1995 (Wednesday) at 5 p. m. , which will be held at the premises of MILS, UL. "8 ma Udarna Brigada" br.20b, Skopje.

Guests will be addressed by Mr. Michael Radin, Chairperson of the Australian - Macedonian Society, and Director of the Ilinden Foundation.