MAK NEWS 14/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 14 December 1995

[01] MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF MACEDONIA AND FRY STILL UNCERTAIN

'We are still working on the mutual recognition of Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia and I expect it to happen during this or the next day. The most important thing at this moment is to preserve the peace' - stated French Foreign Affairs Minister Herv, de Charette on the press conference held after the first part of Paris Peace Conference. This was reported by A-1 television adding that according to diplomatic circles in Paris, chances for mutual recognition at the Conference are estimated at fifty-fifty.

Macedonian delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Stevo Crvenkovski participated on the Ministerial meeting on stability and good neighbourly relations in Southeastern Europe, where a declaration was adopted. The declaration emphasizes that with the peace agreement being signed and the new perspectives being opened with the mutual recognition of the ex-Yugoslav republics, possibilities to develop stability and good neighbourly relations in Southeastern Europe and wider in the region will be improved.

It was planned for Macedonian Premiere Branko Crvenkovski to take part in today's celebration ceremony of signing Dayton Agreement, now called 'Paris Agreement', but until late last night he has not arrived in Paris.

[02] SURPRISED BY THE SILENCE OF MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT

'Democratic Party is seriously worried about the information on the Paris Peace Agreement Annex that gives the exclusive right for state and legal continuity from 1919 to the Serbia - Montenegro Federation. The Versailles Threaty from 1919, confirmed the separation of Macedonia and made a part of the present Republic of Macedonia a part of Serbia in the frames of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians. In case this happens, it will mean that somebody has agreed with the enemy propaganda that Macedonia and Macedonian nation has the right for state and legal continuity beginning from 8 September 1991. This situation is very dangerous for Macedonian national and state interests. All six former Yugoslav republics have equal right to inherit the state and legal continuity of ex Yugoslavia.'

This was emphasized in yesterday's statement of the Democratic Party and was added that Macedonian Government officials have not given a single official statement about what they are going to represent on 14 December in Paris and whether they will sign or not anything for Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the final signing of Dayton Agreement. For all these reasons the Democratic Party expressed its surprise about the silence of Macedonian Government considering possible consequences for the country from Paris Conference decisions. Democratic Party also warned Macedonian representatives to be careful about what they would agree with or sign for Macedonia.

[03] THE PROBLEM OF KOSOVO IS NEXT

On the occasion of the Fifth anniversary of the Albanian Democratic Party, Albanian President Sali Berisha said the Republic of Albania will continue its efforts to solve the national problem of the Albanians outside the country. He also said that the period after Dayton will be convenient to solve the problem of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, the German Foreign Affairs Minister Klaus Kinkel, after his meeting with the leader of the Albanian minority Ibrahim Rugova in Bonn, stated that the interest of the international public should be directed toward Kosovo and that actions should be taken to help its citizens.

[04] THE UNION DEVIDED ABOUT THE AGREEMENT WITH MACEDONIA

Macedonian Television reported yesterday that the Cooperation and Trade Agreement between the European Union and Macedonia was postponed due to differences in the Union about the foreign affairs issues. The European Commission plans to introduce 'evolutionary steps', in defining future relations with Macedonia. In other words the next step would be signing an Agreement for Asociate Membership, which is the last phase before integration in the Union. This is, however, acceptable only for Greece, Spain and Germany, according to the Macedonian Television, while the countries that accept the so-called 'Bilt's regional approach' oppose.

According to Carl Bilt, relations between former Yu- republics should be resolved before considering future relations of the EU and Macedonia. The attitude of the most EU members is to take a unified European stand about the relations with all of these countries.

Greece insists that the Agreement text should guarantee Macedonia will maintain good neighbourly relations.This is acceptable for the European Commission and will be included in the preamble of the Agreement.

[05] MACEDONIAN MILITARY TRAINING IN VERMONT

American Assistant Defense Secretary Joel Resnik and General-Mayor Donald Edwards, Commander of Vermont's National Guard, on the meetings with Macedonian Defense Minister Blagoj Handziski and General Colonel Bocinov, discussed the possibilities of military, economical and cultural cooperation between Macedonia and the State of Vermont.

[06] MACEDONIAN-GREEK DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RAILWAY TRAFFIC

Several questions considering taxation and finance, as well as railway border traffic, are being discussed on a bilateral meeting of Macedonian and Greek Railways representatives, held in Skopje. According to the Macedonian Radio, special attention is being paid to the oil transportation from the Sallonika port, as well as to the transportation of goods from Macedonia to Greece.

Discussions about regulating the commercial services of both countries should be finalized by signing a protocol today. A special group works on the text of Railway Border Traffic Agreement. A Yugoslav Railways delegation is expected to participate in the discussions about transit services.

[07] MONEY CIRCULATION INCREASED FOR 23 PERCENT

The Executive Board of the Banking and Insurance Association of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce supported the changes of the Decision on this year's program of the monetary and credit politics. Due to the changes money circulation will be increased for 23 percent. Banks deposits will also increase for 380 million denars in the last quarter of this year. 'This relaxation of the monetary politics' is a consequence of the production increase during the last four months, and of the greater orientation of the economy subjects towards the denar, was emphasized on the meeting.

On the meeting with the Executive Board yesterday, Macedonian National Bank Vice-Governor Gligor Bishev presented the next year's monetary and credit politics directions. He emphasized that the planned inflation rate is 6 percent. The GNP will increase for 1.5 percent, the money circulation to the annual level of 12,5 percent, and denar investment of the banks will increase to 4-5 percent. The exchange rate of the denar will remain the main indicator of the restrains in the monetary politics, and interest rates are expected to decrease gradually.

[08] FIRST MEMORIAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT

On 16 December, at the bowling club 'Musandra' in Skopje, the first memorial bowling tournament 'Gavril Gavrilski' will take place, in memory of the late General Manager of 'Makpetrol, who initiated the building of the first bowling club in Macedonia and formed the first bowling club 'Makpetrol'. Twenty bowlers from different bowling clubs from Macedonia, including the national champion Todor Manev, will participate in the tournament.

(end)

mils news 14 December 1995