MAK-NEWS 30/10/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 30 October 1995

[01] ANDOV: NO SECRET TALKS

The Macedonian Parliament President, Stojan Andov, held a press conference on the occasion of his visit at the 50th anniversary of the UN. At the beginning, he mentioned the accord on the Corridor East-West which attracted the attention of the U.S. as well as other participants at the UN Assembly. During his stay, Andov had a meeting with President Clinton who stressed the U.S. support to the democratic policy of Macedonia. Andov also met with the Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, the European Commissioner, Hans van den Broek, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Klaus Kinkel, the Albanian President Sali Berisha, the Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman, the Czech President, Vaclav Havel and the Indonesian President Suharto. There was an important meeting with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Cornelio Samaruga, concerning the coming admittance of the Macedonian Red Cross in the International Red Cross.

Considering the private dinner of Andov and the mediator in the Macedonian-Greek negotiations, Cyrus Vance, Andov pointed out that there were no secret talks on the name issue.

[02] PROBLEMS ON THE MACEDONIAN-GREEK BORDER

The green cards for vehicle insurance were repeatedly not recognized by the Greek authorities during the past weekend, according to the information of the Macedonian television. The Greek officials started to again recognize the green cards yesterday, so that the fee of 160 DM for automobiles and 500DM for trucks has been withdrawn.

Concerning the railway traffic, Macedonians have to have 400DM in order to enter Greece. The transport of oil is less than planned. Instead of four shipments in 24 hours, only two have arrived. According to the unofficial information of the Macedonian TV, the main reason for the deficiency is the shortage of railway tanks of the Greek Railway and the Greek authorities do not accept Macedonian ones.

[03] VAN DER STOEL SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENT OF THE RELATIONS WITH THE ALBANIAN MINORITY

The High Commissioner for Minorities, Max van der Stoel in his speech at the meeting of the Committee of High Officials of OSCE in Prague, stated that Macedonia has been advised to improve its relations with the Albanian minority. As 'Makfaks' reports, he stressed that such an improvement may be achieved through the education system and larger presence of the Albanians in Macedonian state institutions. He also pointed out that his mission was most active in Macedonia unlike his other missions in former Yugoslavia which ended immediately after disputes broke out.

[04] FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH LITHUANIA

The Macedonian Ambassador in Stockholm, Tihomir Ilievski, presented his credentials to the President of Lithuania, Algiridas Brazauskas. During his stay in Lithuania, Ambassador Ilievski had meetings with the Lithuanian Prime Minister, Adolphos Slezevicus as well as with the Minister of Foreign affairs, Pavilas Gilis.

[05] REACTIONS ON THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF FRCKOVSKI

As 'Makfaks' reports, the Bulgarian daily '24 casa' says that "Skopje accuses its neighbors", while the socialist daily 'Duma' cites BBC which says that the attempt was done by KGB and Russian Mafia.

Greek conservative 'Katimerini' says on the front page that 'Skopje tempts the neighbors. The moderate 'Elephterotypia' implies that Frckovski pointed to Bulgaria. 'Ta Nea' says Frckovski resigned and speculated on the possible assassins.

All Serbian media report about the press conference, but only the independent daily 'Nasa Borba' reports the conference on the front page saying that the assassination had been organized by a corporation of a neighboring country.

Albanian media report about the press conference without comments. Only 'Koha' from Prishtina says that the "key of the Balkans has been accused".

[06] THE FUTURE WORLD WAR WILL START IN MACEDONIA, ZIRINOVSKI SAYS

Concerning the presence of U.S. soldiers in Macedonia in the framework of UNPREDEP, Russian nationalist Zirinovski in his interview with the Macedonian magazine 'Fokus' stated: "The presence of American soldiers in Macedonia is a problem that will occur in the future. Macedonia will be used as a polygon of the U.S. Army and the future conflict between East and West will start in Macedonia.

Unfortunately, Macedonians will be on the opposite side, but that's their problem".

Alexandar Lebed, a deputy in the Russian Duma, has also a negative attitude toward the American soldiers in Macedonia. Lebed is one of the potential candidates for president and one of the most charismatic persons in the Russian politics.

[07] SULEJMANI TALKS ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE 'TETOVO UNIVERSITY'

The so-called rector of the 'Tetovo University', Fadil Sulejmani, held a press conference last Saturday regarding the activities of this illegal institution. The PDP deputy, Sefedin Hajruni, Milijam Fejziu, Bozidar Goncev from Sofia and Ditler Stein from Germany were guests at the press conference.

Sulejmani said that the University has 6 Faculties, 1259 students, 17 halls, 3 laboratories, a library, offices etc. According to Sulejmani, the 'Tetovo university' was formed by three Communities and the political parties of Albanians in Macedonia, and functions according to the state system of Macedonia.

"Although many narrow-minded forces have tried to prevent and prohibit the work of the University and to keep Albanians' wish for education, the University continues its work. Lately, it becomes clear that the Macedonian Government started to create a moderate policy for realization of the cultural rights of all citizens. We are optimistic that the Government will change its Bolshevistic manners and will not discriminate against us", stated Sulejmani. He did not answer the question of how did he get an idea that the Government has a new moderate policy.

In conclusion, Silejmani stressed that the University is not meant to disturb the government. He demanded an apology from the Government on his imprisonment.

[08] VMRO- DP DEMANDS CLARIFICATION FROM FRCKOVSKI

"If the Government supports the statement of Minister Frckovski, then we demand from it confirmation if the mentioned multinational corporation had invested capital in Macedonia, which were the companies that had cooperation with the group and their political orientation", stated the President of VMRO-DP, Vladimir Golubovski, at the press conference.

[09] PRIZES FOR MOST SUCCESSFUL RADIO PROJECTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED

The annual 'Days of Macedonian radio' ended last Saturday.

About 100 projects competed for the prizes. Radio Gevgelija won the prize for the best daily-informative program while the prize for best journalist in the daily program was given to Todor Jovanovski, a journalist from Stip. Considering the documentary programs, the first prize was awarded to Kenan Memedinovski from Radio Debar.

The best contact program was awarded to Titov Veles Radio, and the prize on radio-interview was given to Risto Todorovski from Radio Struga. The first prize award for music program was given to Dimitar Uzunski from Radio Delcevo.

There were awards on Macedonian radio programs abroad. The best prize was awarded to the Macedonian program 'Urnebes' in Australia. The second place was awarded 'Macedonian voice' from Perth-Australia while the special prize 'Cresovo topce' was given to the program 'Voice of Macedonia' from Chicago, U.S.A.

A new prize, Grand-prix, has been introduced this year for the best radio program of the year. It was awarded to Kenen Memedinovski, a journalist in Debar Radio, on the documentary program 'Turkish reprimand for Macedonian word'

[10] GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY 'MACEDONIA'

The Insurance Company 'Macedonia' last Friday marked its 50th anniversary in the Macedonian National Theater. High officials of the Macedonian Government were present at the event as well as representatives of foreign insurance companies. The general director Petar Gancevski mentioned that the beginning of this company was in 1945. From 1991 this company has readjusted to the new surroundings and has 100 founders-stockholders. Many other subsidiary companies have been formed. In the framework of the celebration, the new book 'Insurance in Macedonia' has been promoted by Petar Gancevski.

[11] KIRO POPOVSKI PASSED AWAY

The Vice President of the Macedonian Parliament, Kiro Popovski, passed away yesterday. He was born in 1942 in Vratnica. He finished the Law Faculty in Skopje.

Popovski was member of the Union of Socialist Youth of Skopje, a member of the presidency and a secretor of the Assembly of SR Macedonia, a President of the state Conference of Socialist union of Macedonia and his last function was Vice President of the Macedonian Parliament after the first parliamentary elections.

On this occasion, the socialist party of Macedonia will hold a commemorative session. The Macedonian parliament will also hold a commemorative session.

[12] BUKYIM JAKA IS THE EUROPEAN CHAMPION IN WRESTLING

Last Saturday in Radovish, the wrestlers of the Macedonian championship in wrestling, Bukyim Jaka, beat the Turkish champion, Tedas, wining the title 'European Champion'. At the final match, the Macedonian wrestler defeated the Turkish champion with 19:17 points.

MILS SUPPLEMENT:

[13] LOCAL MANAGEMENT HAS EUROPEAN STANDARDS

(Nova Makedonija, 28 October 1995)

After many years of drafting, discussions and different views, the Law on self management has come to force. It actually means that the fourth level of division of power- the local government, has been introduced. The main idea of the new law is to have a local government, not two governments in a state. The importance of the Law is not just the subject it regulates - the right of local management, but It will be a factor of democracy.

The Law on local -management differs from previous concepts and has standards of those in the EU. However, this project cannot be introduced immediately as other important laws are to be introduced such as the law of territorial division, local elections and some others.

According to the officials, it all will be completed in not less than a year. It is expected that the Law on territorial division will be adopted next July, and after that, the Law on local elections. The elections themselves will start next fall.

The history of the law is the following: Its first version was written in 1991 after adopting the new Constitution of Macedonia. The genesis of the law may be divided in two parts: The proposed law of the former Minister in the government, Gordana Siljanovaska, and the draft of the Minister of Justice, Vlado Popovski. The first version had to be withdrawn as nationalities were not satisfied with the part dealing with language use while the opposition was generally against the proposed draft. It was clear that the law could not have been adopted as it needed at least 80 votes out of 120.

After less than a year and the new elections, the procedure on the law started from the beginning.

Parliament Commissions debates showed that the situation is calm and that proposed amendments will not change the basic concept of the Law. So, after a four-day long discussion in the Assembly, the law was finally adopted.

What does it bring?

First of all, present communities will change completely.

They will have City or Community Councils and a Mayor. The councils will have from 13 to 25 members which depends on the number of inhabitants and other criteria such as the development, etc. The Mayors will be elected by citizens so they will have much more responsibility than present ones. The Councils will provide quality, competence and professionalism which will guarantee efficient local management.

The new model is a better solution since the present City Assemblies have many deputies from different parties, are extremely inefficient and do not have defined sources of finances. It is well known that Presidents of City Assemblies misused their positions for private business and were not capable of dealing with local problems.

(to be continued)

(end)

mils news 30 October '95