MAK-NEWS 23/10/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje 23 October 1995

[01] THE NEW MACEDONIAN FLAG IN FRONT OF THE UN BUILDING

On Saturday the new Macedonian flag has been hung up in front of the UN building in New York. The Macedonian delegation led by the Macedonian Parliament President, Stojan Andov, was present at the ceremony. Other guests at the ceremony were the Macedonian Ambassador in the UN, Denko Maleski, and the members of the Macedonian mission as well as Secretary-General Boutros Ghali, the UN mediator in the Macedonian-Greek negotiations, Cyrus Vance, and the envoy of President Clinton, Matthew Nimitz.

The ceremony was opened by the Secretary -General who stressed:" There are not so many images that express such a collective strength as the flags near the UN building. We are proud today that the flag of FYROM is joining them. It completes the membership beginning in April, 1993 when this new country joined the UN. On this occasion we would like to stress that under the sponsorship of the UN, the Interim accord had been signed. It is an important step toward peaceful solution of all unsolved questions in the region.

The act of hanging up the Macedonian flag symbolizes the truth and understanding, the friendship in the region and in the international community because its colors are among those of other flags." In conclusion , Boutros Ghali wished to Macedonia "to live in peace as a full member of the family of nations. "

The Macedonian Parliament President, Stojan Andov, ended the ceremony wishing best regards to all the citizens of Macedonia. In that manner, he stressed that the moment of introducing the Macedonian flag to UN expressed the pride of Macedonians. " I would like to stress again that Macedonia is a responsible member of the UN, and it will make efforts to promote peace. We are grateful to the officials of the UN who helped in this event", President Andov said. The Macedonian delegation will participate at the ceremonial session of the UN General Assembly on the occasion of the 50th jubilee.

[02] ANDOV ADDRESSES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

President Andov spoke yesterday in the General Assembly. In the beginning he stated that President Gligorov should have talked in the Assembly. "His presence is prevented because of the terrorist attempt on his life. The UN with a special statement of the Security Council President, the General Secretary as well as statements of many world leaders condemned the terrorist act against the leading person of the modern Macedonian state, the peace-keeper in the Balkans and a person who opened a new history page of the Balkans.

Fortunately, he survived the assassination and his condition is good. We expect that he will return to his duties. The assassination attempt fulfilled neither the political de stabilization, nor did it change the democratic course and its role of playing the main factor of stability in the Balkans". President Andov also talked about the need for reforms in the UN. As he said, that means increasing the efficiency i.e. strengthening its role in preserving the world peace, developing collective security, harmonizing the global economical development and political cooperation.

During his talk, Andov mentioned that Macedonia is a founding member as a part of the former Yugoslav Federation.

He stressed the peaceful and legitimate way of establishing the Macedonian Independence. He added that the UN help is appreciated as it helped to preserve the peace and the normalization of the relations with Greece.

In conclusion, Andov expressed the hope that according to the UN Charter, Macedonia will gain its right to be called its constitutional name.

[03] LETTER OF PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ANDOV

The USA President, Bill Clinton, addressed last Friday the Macedonian Parliament President, Stojan Andov, saying: 'I appreciate your letter of October 6, and I am very glad that our medical assistance was helpful after the assassination attempt on President Gligorov. Please, inform President Gligorov of my best wishes for a full recovery. You are right when you evaluate the assassination as a brutal terrorist act. I hope that the US help in the investigation will help your country to find the assassins and get them to court. The belief of your people in the constitution after this criminal event proves that your country greatly contributes to achieving stability and progress in the Balkans. You showed other Balkan states how to solve conflicts. Also I would like to thank your government and your people for not letting this criminal event influence the peaceful solution of the problems with your neighbors. I am happy to have a chance to cooperate with you during the recovery of President Gligorov.'

[04] THE TALKS IN ATHENS - SUCCESSFUL

The announcement of the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the talks in Athens ended with signing the protocols for the Liaison Offices in Athens and Skopje, the protocols for visa policy as well as protocols for railway and aviation traffic, the mail and telecommunications, and the custom and green-card issues.

According to the Macedonian TV, the Macedonian Assistant- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ljupco Arsovski,stated that the finalizing of the protocols means a very successful beginning. He stressed that there is much more work to be done in other fields such as justice, science, health, etc.

According to the memorandum in Athens, the Liaison Offices are to be opened at the end of this year.

The daily magazine 'Nova Makedonija', according to a statement by Lupco Arsovski, says that the disputed issue about the name in front of the Macedonian Liaison office in Athens has been solved. The Greek authorities will place near the Office a sign with the reference FYROM. On the fence there will be a sign saying 'Liaison Office' and the main door or the entrance will be designated with the constitutional name Republic of Macedonia.

[05] TWO MACEDONIAN CITIZENS HAVE BEEN SENT BACK

In the past few days, two Macedonian citizens have been sent back by the Greek authorities on the border crossing near Bogorodica. The citizens' origin is from the Aegean part of Macedonia. As Macedonian TV reports, the citizens are sent back after the computer identification which is done to all the citizens from Macedonia that enter Greece.

[06] "THE EU RELATION TOWARD MACEDONIA WAS SHAMEFUL"

As the 'Makpres' Agency reports, the former mediator of the EU in former Yugoslavia, Lord Peter Carington, stated for the Serbian magazine "NIN" the following: " The European Union made great errors in Former Yugoslavia.

The Badinter Commission ( in January 1992) under the sponsorship of the Union itself, proposed several conditions for recognition of the former Yugoslav Republics. The only Republic that fulfilled those conditions was the Republic of Macedonia, yet it was not recognized for a long time. It was done with reservations because of the Greek opposition. The EU politics in that way was shameful".

[07] A GREAT NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS

The deputies of the Macedonian Parliament had a continuance of the 26th Session regarding the text of the proposed Law on local self-management. During the session as many as 130 amendments were proposed. Only 51 amendment have been reviewed on 98 articles . Five amendments were taken into consideration. The adopted amendments mainly refer to the jurisdiction in the local management units and the number of the Councils' members. The Government accepted the PDP amendment by its four deputies which gives rights to units of the local management to participate in international organizations of local management. Also, the amendment of NDP was accepted which says that the 11th article is to be erased. The article says that the units are not allowed to form regional management units. Other amendments on the jurisdiction in the local units were adopted considering the program of urban areas of the Local councils without a permit from the state authorities. The amendment on forming public media in the units was also accepted (SDSM).

The session will continue on October 24, and the deputies will review another 80 amendments.

[08] SEVERE CRITICISM ON THE LAW ON DENATIONALIZATION

The Association for protecting the rights of the nationalized property owners evaluated the proposed Law for denationalization as too restrictive. Its articles, as it reported, refer to not returning the once nationalized properties.

The Association says that the issue of confiscation is not solved well and supports the position of those who intend to legally return the confiscated properties. Also, it was said that there is a discrimination of the former owners, and the Law does not allow the return of the nationalized land, buildings and apartments. The Law only allows the return of nationalized urban land.

The rights of the former owners, as it was said, are less than symbolic. In that sense, 'Prilepska Pivara' was mentioned as an example. Namely, the former owners were given only 400,000 DM. The Association has not been supported, especially by the Government and the Minister Jane Miljovski. As a result, it will demand respect for its rights from the Government and it will contact financial institutions in the world.

[09] THE STATEMENT OF BASHKIM BERISHA IS NOT SERIOUS

The Association of Ethnologists in Macedonia and the Organization of Macedonians-Moslems evaluated the statement of Berisha, a director in the sector for elementary schools in the Ministry of Education in Albania, as not serious.

Namely, the director has stated that there are around 5 000 ethnic Macedonians in Albania.

There are three Macedonian political organizations in Albania such as: 'Bratstvo', 'Mir', and 'Prespa'. According to their evidence there are at least 120,000 Macedonians that speak their mother tongue. The Macedonian population lives in the area of Korcha and Devol (Mala Prespa) and there is a great number of Macedonians in the area of Golo Brdo with around 20 inhabited places. Since 1913 the Albanian language has been introduced in that area and yet, the population speaks in Macedonian. Mister Berisha purposely misled the public when he presented the ethnic structure of Macedonians according to their religion.

[10] MACEDONIAN-CHINESE COOPERATION IN TRADE UNIONS

The Chinese Trade Union Organization is on a three-day visit to Macedonia. The representatives of the Chinese Trade Union were received by the Macedonian Trade Union President, Zivko Tolevski. They were also received by the Macedonian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. They had talks about organizational issues and the problems of the two unions, and agreed on a future close cooperation.

[11] COOPERATION BETWEEN MACEDONIAN AND TURKISH ARCHIVES

Representatives from the Macedonian Archive and the officials from the State Archives in Turkey have signed a Protocol for cooperation last Saturday. The agreement allows that there will be an exchange of archive documents and specialists, publication of documents and realization of mutual programs between the two institutions during the next few years.

[12] SKOPJE RED CROSS CELEBRATES ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY

On the occurrence of the five decades of work of the Skopje Red Cross, there was a ceremonial Academy in the Army residence last Saturday. Several delegations of humanitarian organizations were present at the Academy such as Red Cross representatives from Nuremberg, Bucharest, Athens, Sofia, Tirana, Ankara, Belgrade, Ljubljana, Podgorica and others.

The delegations were received by the State Red Cross and the City Assembly.

[MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT:

[13] UN AT FIFTY, HENRYK SOKALSKI, ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL CHIEF OF MISSION, UNPREDEP

October 1995 is a special time for the international community for it crowns the global observances of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. The founding of the World Organization five decades ago was the most genuine and spontaneous effort on behalf of the cause of peace and international cooperation. Peace has remained the life blood of the United Nations, and the desire for peace is the heart and core of what it does.

The United Nations was established in the aftermath of a devastating World War II to help stabilize international relations and give peace a more secure foundation. The elated hopes it had symbolized were perhaps as high as some of the frustrations it has confronted throughout his existence. The image of the UN has thus been changing with the passage of time: some have hoped for too much, while others have expected too little of the Organization. In any case, none of those original visionaries, representing hardly 51 States, could have anticipated the kinds of developments which have since unfolded. Even the builders of the UN Headquarters in New York City planned that one time, in a distant future, the building would not be used by more than 80 States; today the membership has reached as many as 185.

In order to avoid both disappointments and unfounded exultations about the UN, two basic factors have to be adequately understood. One , it has been established and continues to be a political Organization. Two, it does not function in a vacuum. On the contrary, it is a faithful reflection of the world realities and the anxieties of humanity, where national interests come to the fore and criss-cross like anywhere else, where all people rightly cherish their self-esteem and each takes legitimate pride in its tradition.

Fifty years ago, the thinking of the founders of the UN was regarded as utopian. If so, how are we to call the present- day developments in the world? The rate and breadth of global change staggers our imagination and only too often taxes our ability to adapt to the world around us. Although wars still plague different parts of the globe and tragedy and human suffering have by no means disappeared, all of a sudden we seem to be thinking more of peace and the dividends it may offer.

In this part of Europe, in view of the futile and tragic war still going on in one part of the Balkans, it is not easy to talk of peace dividends. Yet, if the international community is to continue on its coarse towards a better world, it has to ensure that all the components of the notion of peace be duly accounted for. First and foremost, peace is a major prerequisite for development, and development fortifies peace. In many countries, national security is jeopardized more from the inside and due to underdevelopment that on account of traditional external threats. Poverty is not just a mere spectrum haunting the globe. It is a real threat, a sword of Damocles, suspended not only over poorer countries, but also affecting gravely different population groups in the developed world. Poverty, therefore, is inimical to peace; it destroys the social fabric and de stabilizes societies.

The war on war shall not be won unless and until we prove able to come to grips with some basic non -military paradigms of peace: democracy and the rule of law: respect for human rights; economic progress; social justice; protection of the natural environment; and, last bur not least, constant investment in developing human resources.

With a varying degree of success, the UN has been tackling all those and many other issues. In 1988, the peace-keeping forces have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor that obliges greatly.

Since the mid fourties, the UN has deployed 35 peace-keeping forces and observer missions; it has been credited with negotiating 172 peaceful settlements that have ended regional conflicts; it used quiet diplomacy to avert imminent wars; it has enabled people in 45 countries to participate in free and fair elections. There are presently 16 active peace-keeping forces in operation.

One of them is the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP). The World Organization, the child of the world's sad experiences with the Second World War, having deployed its authority in support of this country's young independence, is thus paying back the share of debt it had owed the Macedonian people for their gallant struggle against fascism, in the 1940s. Ours is also unique operation in terms of its preventive character, based on UN Secretary- General's "An Agenda for Peace". Representatives of more than 20 nations, including troop-contributing countries, military observers, civilian police and international staff serve the cause of peace and stability in our host country.

The offer of good offices extends far beyond UNPREDEP itself. Its latest and welcome manifestation has been the Interim Accord between Greece And this country, signed under the auspices of the Secretary-General, on 13 September, in New York. This important milestone in Balkan relations is indeed a major contribution to our Anniversary, in 1995- which has also been proclaimed the UN Year for Tolerance.

(end)

mils news 23 October 1995