MAK-NEWS 07/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 07 December 1995

[01] TALKS ON THE DIFFERENCES ON THE NAME ISSUE

Macedonian Radio reported yesterday that Macedonian Foreign Ministry has not announced the exact beginning of the talks on the name issue. Namely, there were some information from New York that the negotiations between Macedonia and Greece will soon start with mediation of Cyrus Vance. However, Macedonian Radio, referring to diplomatic sources, says negotiations will start since the Interim Accord has a stipulation which says the negotiations between the two Parties concerning the differences on the name issue will resume.

'Vecer' citing 'Makfaks' stated the negotiations will probably resume next week according to the statement of the UN Spokesman Rolando Gomez.

'Makfaks' Agency citing the Greek daily 'Elephterotypia' stated Greek UN Ambassador Hristos Zaharakis protested to Boutros Ghali concerning the use of the name Macedonia by the Macedonian UN Ambassador Denko Malevski. According to Zaharakis, Ambassador Maleski does not stick to the 5th article of the Interim Accord. Meantime, Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papullias expressed hope the negotiations will end successfully.

[02] DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS FOR BOSNIA THROUGH MACEDONIA

Macedonian delegation led by Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski attended the session of the North-Atlantic Committee for relations between NATO and members of the 'Partnership for Peace' initiative. Minister Crvenkovski, addressing to the participants, emphasized the importance of the action for reconstruction of Bosnia and the need of just solution of the succession of former Yugoslavia. He also said that it is necessary that Macedonia be financially compensated since it suffered major losses as a result of the double embargo, and greeted the arms embargo lifting saying that it will add to active participation of Macedonia into 'Partnership for Peace'.

The Macedonian delegation expressed its full support to the Dayton agreement implementation, expressing readiness to participate in the civil action in the framework of OSCE which will organize the monitoring mission for free and democratic elections in Bosnia. According to the statement of high official of the Alliance, as Macedonian Radio reports, commander Julivan has included Macedonia ( together with Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Albania) in the plan for the transit of NATO troops to Bosnia, and this plan will be arranged by separate agreements with the countries. Crvenkovski had a meeting with the US Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, as well as with representatives of the Slovene and Swedish delegations. Afterwards, Minister Crvenkovski departed to Budapest to attend the meeting of foreign Ministers of OSCE.

[03] REGARDS ON THE OCCASION OF THE FINNISH NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov sent regards to the Finnish President Marti Ahtisari on the occasion of the Finnish national holiday, 6 December. President Gligorov expressed satisfaction on the development of relations between the two countries adding that relations should further develop.

Yesterday, on the occasion of the holiday there was a ceremony at the command of the Finnish brigade in the framework of UNPREDEP. Many high military and civilian officials, Embassies' and international organizations representatives, as well as the chief of mission of UNPREDEP, Henryk Sokalski, were in attendance. During the ceremony, Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian peace keepers were awarded UN medals, the whole Nordic battalion performed ceremonial parade in the streets of Tetovo.

[04] NO NEED OF PEACE KEEPERS IN MACEDONIA

'Makfaks' Agency reports that Mikhail Demurin, a deputy director in Information Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, concerning the resuming of UNPREDEP's mandate in Macedonia, stated that the present situation in Macedonia is not a threat to the international peace and security, and added there was no danger to its independence and territorial integrity. "We believe that after the initializing the Dayton agreement, there are perspectives for permanent and just peace in the Balkans", stressed Demurin.

[05] MACEDONIAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE RESTORATION OF BOSNIA

Macedonian delegation led by Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, and Ecology Minister, Jorgo Shundovski will visit Slovenia and Croatia and meet with Ministers of ecology, representatives of Commerce Chambers and businessmen of the two countries. Macedonian delegation and their Croatian and Slovene counterparts will arrange the participation of Macedonian building companies in the restoration of Bosnia through joint projects.

[06] GREAT POLLUTION IN TITOV VELES

Macedonia MPs completed the 30th session yesterday and passed resolutions concerning the pollution in Titov Veles, caused mostly by lead and zinc production in smeltery Zletovo'.

MP's did not come out for the resolution concerning the information on the citizenship status and demanded a new information with additional data from the Government. MPs referring to the pollution in Titov Veles stressed the data on the concentration of heavy metals in the air, water and soil are considerably higher of the maximum defined levels of concentration, and cause diseases of the population. Deputies proposed and passed resolutions on the monitoring of health condition of the population as well as preparation of research projects on the influence of toxic materials, planting of unforrested places, and giving priorities to the construction of the waterpower plant 'Lisice'. The deputies stressed that Veles Smeltery should reduce toxic materials to minimum.

[07] EXPROPRIATED FACILITIES MUST NOT BE ADDED ONTO

The Constitutional Court of Macedonia adopted temporary measures on ceasing activities introduced by the 46th article of the Law on expropriation. It practically means that expropriated objects that were granted by the state are prohibited to be added onto. These facilities have been subtracted by expropriation from the former owners. The Court also decided not to proceed against 203 article of the Law on old -age pension and disability insurance since it had assumed that the separate rights of individual agriculture workers are a result of the different legal status in relation with other insured.

The Court decided to raise proceedings against the Government decision to define high prices of flour and bread. It stated the decision is not in correspondence with the aim to stop the monopoly attitude, but to secure finances for the purchase of this year's wheat harvest.

[08] ATTEMPTS FOR DISHONEST EARNING AND SPECULATIONS

The big oscillations of the value of the Deutch Mark compared to the Denar that have been taking place these days in the private exchange offices and the speculations that until the end of the year DM will reach the value of 33 denars, were commented yesterday by the Macedonian Minister of Finances, Jane Miljoski for A1 TV. According to his words, it is a matter of inaccurate speculations and attempts for dishonest earnings, but the exchange rate of the DM, according to the predictions of Minister Miljoski even on the 1 January 1997 will be 27 Denars per DM, as it has been already for a longer period. The stable exchange rate of the Denar compared to the DM at the above level, is one of the principal elements of the Macedonian contract with the IMF, which means that if a disbalance of the exchange rate is to take place would simply mean that the arrangement would be off, Minister Miljoski stated. The government has a strong will to remain firm at the scheduled program and in the complete framework also with the exchange rate, said Miljoski, confirming that the National Bank of Macedonia has not intervened with the financial resources of the foreign currency reserves, because there was not such a need. Answering to the question whether the new conditions in the exchange with Serbia might have caused the raise of the value of the DM, Minister Miljoski stated that this could not be the cause as the illegal exchanges in the period to date are now transformed into legal ones which actually has many more advantages. As to the efforts of the exporters from Macedonia that have been voiced for a certain time concerning the elevation of the exchange rate of the DM or the depreciation of the Denar, Minister Miljoski stated that they are unwanted and would have only a short term effect.

[09] A CHANGE IN THE CHAIR OF THE TOBACCO PLANT IN PRILEP

On yesterday's board meeting of 'Tutunski kombinat Prilep' Inc.(a shareholder's company), a new management board has been elected. The new Director General of the Plant is Dimitar Dinevski, and the President of the Board, Borce Ivanovski. The change in the management of 'Tutunski Kombinat Prilep' has been as a result of the issuing of a criminal charges against three managers in the Plant, that have been filed because of unpaid taxes at a value of more that 90 million denars. These charges resulted in resignation of the General Director of the Plant, Nikola Todorovski.

[10] BEST RESULTS IN THE HISTORY OF MACEDONIAN SWIMMING

Macedonian swimmers unexpectedly placed in one A and four B finals at the World Swimming Championship in Rio de Janeiro. This was announced on yesterday's press conference of the Macedonian swimming representatives upon arrival in Skopje, where it was also stated that the results achieved by Aleksandar Malenko, Natasha Meshkovska and Kire Filipovski are surely the best results in the history of Macedonian swimming. The 6th position of Aleksandar Malenko was achieved in the 200 metres dolphin discipline. As from today the best Macedonian swimmers are to start their preparations for the Atlanta Olympics, where it is expected that these results wil imrove.

[11] MILS SUPPLEMENT: Report of the Secretary General Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 981 (1995), 982 (1995), and 983 (1995)

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

20. The attempt on the life of President Kiro Gligorov of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been the most significant single event during the mandate period. This terrorist act, which was unanimously condemned by all major political forces in the country, has fortunately neither destabilized national life nor slowed down the processes of internal reforms and foreign policy initiatives.

21. The country's growing role in the international arena has contributed considerably to maintaining internal peace and security. Although opposition parties continue to challenge the outcome of last year's parliamentary elections, the ruling coalition's majority in the legislature has made it possible to pass several important laws in the areas of democratization, privatization, formation of political parties, local self-government and education. However, internal differences remain, and internal threats to the country's stability have not ceased. Dissatisfaction continues to be strongest among the ethnic Albanian minority. The Government, on the other hand, believes that inter-ethnic relations unnecessarily 'internationalize' domestic issues and that this can work against the interest of the country. In the past eight months, however, the Government has taken steps to meet some of the concerns of the ethnic Albanian community. All persons serving prison terms related to the arms affair and the disturbances at Tetovo last February have been released. A special four-year course for teachers in the Albanian language has been offered at the Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje. A 10-per cent quota has been reserved at institutions of higher learning for students representing ethnic minorities, and the first ethnic Albanian general in the army has been appointed. The new laws on education and local government now contain a number of provisions relating to the needs and rights of ethnic minorities. Significantly, ethnic Albanian members of Parliament have ceased boycotting parliamentary sessions and have resumed active participation in the work of the National Assembly.

22. Externally, there is little evidence to indicate any imminent military threat to the country's territorial integrity. Three of the four neighboring countries have given their official recognition to the state of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Recognition by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbia and Montenegro) remains pending.

23. The interim accord between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (S/1995/794, annex), signed on 13 September 1995, has been a milestone in relations between the two countries, and will have far-reaching implications for the region as a whole. I wish to express my warm appreciation to the two Governments for their constructive approaches, which helped me and my special Envoy, Mr. Cyrus Vance, to respond effectively to the Council's request contained in resolution S45 (1993). I am continuing the efforts to find solutions to the remaining differences between the two countries. The accord which strengthened the Republic's international standing, was immediately followed by the establishment of full diplomatic relations with several other States, the country's admission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, participation in the "Partnership for Peace" initiative and a number of other international and regional arrangements.

24. Economically, the country has for too long been exposed to the double effects of the embargo from the south and the consequences of international sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). One consequence has been frequent sanctions violations. However, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and a number of friendly countries, the Government has been taking various measures to stabilize the economy. Their success has been only partial. Whereas the inflation rate has been reduced and the pace of privatization and banking reforms has continued, industrial production has considerably declined and unemployment has increased to 50 per cent of the workforce.

25. The effective role of UNPREDEP has been of major importance to the highest authorities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. UNPREDEP's regular maintenance of working contacts with a number of government ministries has allowed for the development of exemplary cooperation and partnerships at different levels of Government. Contacts with all political forces in the country, including opposition and those representing ethnic minorities, have been of special value to the functioning of the mission and the implementation of its mandate. Mutually beneficial contacts have also been initiated by the UNPREDEP commander with the military authorities of Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). There is consent on both sides that more tolerance should be displayed during border encounters and that potentially explosive but minor border crossings will be considered as "honest mistakes". Consequently, the number of border incidents between patrols of the two sides has significantly decreased.

(end)

mils-news 07 December '95