MAK-NEWS 20/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 20 December 1995

[01] MACEDONIAN-GREEK MARKET INTERESTS

'Relations between Greece and Macedonia are becoming more and more intensive and lively' - said Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski after the meeting with his Greek counterpart Carlos Papulias in Bonn. Minister Crvenkovski, according to Macedonian television, explained that the process of cooperation will be from now on regulated by the market interests and that politics will not have a big influence on it. On the other hand, Minister Papulias said that Macedonia plays a positive role in the present situation on the Balkans, adding that Greek opinion about Macedonia approaching to Europe and generally, the existence of the Macedonian state, is positive. Greek agency ANA informed yesterday that Papulias estimated these discussions with Crvenkovski as constructive, adding that both countries are looking forward to a second more productive phase of discussions.

Meanwhile, in his interview for 'Deutsche Welle' radio, Minister Crvenkovski stated that there are no serious obstructions for the Macedonian - Yugoslav relations to be normalized. He emphasized that the period of livelier relations between the states on the Balkans after the Peace Agreement will inevitably result in normalization of the relations between Skopje and Belgrade. Crvenkovski also expressed his confidence that FRY does not have any reason to obstruct the expected diplomatic relations with Macedonia and the mutual recognition.

[02] NORMALIZATION OF THE CARGO TRANSPORT

On the recent conference of the Balkan states railways administrations in Belgrade, in which Macedonian representatives also participated, the new time-table for cargo transport for 1996/97 was agreed on. Macedonian railways will be used by two pairs of freight trains from Saporon (Austria) to Sallonika and the other way round, which would transport containers, cars, and food products.

It was also agreed that trains for Budapest and Sofia or Burgas will be formed on daily basis.

Six pairs of freight trains will travel from Macedonia to FRY daily, and to Greece the already agreed 11 trains.

[03] SATISFIED BY THE PROFESSIONALISM OF UNPREDEP

Macedonian Minister of Defense Blagoj Handziski visited yesterday the unit of UNPREDEP, located on the Macedonian- Yugoslav border, as well as the checkpoint Luke and several surrounding villages. On the meeting with the Commander of the American battalion in UNPREDEP lieutenant colonel Steven Layfield, Handziski expressed the satisfaction of the Macedonian Government from the professionalism of these forces and their effectiveness. The American commander informed that the situation on the Macedonian border with Yugoslavia is obviously better after the Paris Conference.

On the other hand American commander was informed about the damages on the property of the local inhabitants, made by the UNPREDEP constructing machines during marking out the routes through the woods and meadows.

Macedonian Defense Ministry paid about 40 thousand DM yesterday to the twelve families whose properties were damaged.

[04] ROBERT BADENTER A NEW PRESIDENT

French Senator Robert Badenter was appointed a new President of the Macedonian-French Friendship Group that played a significant role in the development of the mutual relations of these two countries in the French Senate. He was also a President of the EU Arbitrage Commission that approved the recognition of Macedonia. Badenter will replace Rolan Bernard who was appointed an honoured consul of France in Macedonia since 4 December 95.

[05] RELEASING BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE

On the session held the before yesterday, Macedonian Government discussed the realization of the Law for Transformation of the Socialy Owned Enterprises. and made significant personnel changes. The official report says that the Government, considering problems in the communication between the Agency and the Government Commission and different attitudes about issues of great importance for the country, and in order to intensify and make more effective the privatization process, released from duty the Director of the Agency Miroljub Shukarev. The member of the Administrative Board Sveto Janevski, General Manager of the Skopje Brewery, was also released from duty, as he can not be a member of this board due to different interests.

Estimating that members of the Agency Administrative Board can not be members of the Administrative Board for Restructuring the 25 Enterprises with greatest losses, the Government released Petar Georgiev and Vladimir Gelev.

Government appointed Verica Hadzivasileva Markovska for a Director of the Agency for Privatization, formerly an assistant director. Government recommended that public property should be protected, which the task of the Agency.

According to A-1 television, Agency Director Shukarev was released from duty on the request of the Economy Minister Risto Ivanov, who is a President of Privatization Commission. Information is that Minister Ivanov could not communicate with Shukarev and this was the main reason for his releasing from duty. All these changes, according to the sources of A-1 TV, are, in fact, part of the peace pact in the Coalition.

Government also discussed the suggestion for an immediate adopting of the Law for Changing the Payment Law in Macedonia. Considering the positive economical trends, especially the power inflation, Government announced payments will continue to be controlled during the next year.

Government also decided to obtain conditions for increasing the export of goods and other ways to obtain foreign currency income, also for payments to foreign creditors, for maintaining the exchange rate of the denar and for increasing the foreign currency reserves.

[06] ESHTREF ALIU: 'I CAN ATTEND WHATEVER I WANT'

Macedonian Minister of Culture Eshtref Aliu, on the occasion of his attending the Anniversary of the 'Tetovo University', said for 'Nova Makedonija' that 'as a professor, an Albanian and as a human being he can attend whatever he likes, even making a mistake'. On the question about his attitude about the 'University' as a Minister of Macedonian Government, Aliu answered: 'I do not feel the need to answer to this'.

In April this year, Aliu stated that this University should be organized and institutionalized in accordance with the laws, as the Albanians do not need a university which would organize the classes in private houses and basements.

[07] MACEDONIAN DIPLOMACY AS AN OBSERVER

VMRO - DPMNE Party yesterday greeted the signing of Dayton Peace Agreement, but also criticized the intentions of FRY in front of the international public to accept it as the only successor of the FSRY continuity.

Hiding the facts from the Macedonian public by the Government in this period of definite decisions about the future on Balkans was also criticized. Macedonian diplomacy, the announcement says, puts itself in a role of an observer, without a stand and vision about the future of Macedonia.

[08] DISCONTENT FROM THE ATTITUDE OF 'ALLIANCE FOR MACEDONIA'

On the occasion of the elections in the electoral unit 114, which will take place on 24 December, VMRO - MNDS, National Party and Labour Party had a press conference yesterday.

They informed about their problems considering the campaign for their mutual candidate Krste Jankovski. They estimate the attitude of 'Alliance for Macedonia' a very aggressive and undemocratic one, as they usurp the premises of local communities, destroying their posters etc. The representatives expressed their discontent about the unequal treatment of candidate by the Macedonian media, especially in comparison with the candidate of the 'Alliance for Macedonia'. President of the Macedonian National Party Blagoja Stefanovski estimated the term 'Alliance for Macedonia' an illegal one, since the three parties in it are registered with different names and announced that, for this reason, their Coalition will be called 'Macedonian Alliance'.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[09] Interview with Abdurahman Aliti, President of the Party of Democratic Prosperity (PDP)

LEAVING THE INSTITUTIONS POSSIBLE

('Vecer', 20 December 1995)

After Paris Peace Agreement of former Yugoslavia, which does not treat the Albanian issue on the Balkans, there was an information from Tirana that Albanian political parties in Macedonia will leave the Government and the Parliament.

I must confirm that not everybody were satisfied by this issue not being paid attention to in Paris. This is not, however, the only reason for the Albanian political parties here, in Macedonia, to react - says the leader of PDP Abdurahman Aliti. This is our repeated attitude that we are not satisfied with particular processes in Republic of Macedonia, especially with inter - ethical relations. This might result in our leaving the institutions of the system.

Is this an announcement that PDP has decided to leave the institutions?

The situation is: if our personal determinations or determinations of our parties and programs are not respected, we can not maintain our dignity. Especially considering the fact that our attitudes are definite and that we respect the interests of the others.

Part of the political public suspects that there is some secret Paris plan that could refer to the destiny of Macedonia. Are the Albanians also afraid of this?

I do not believe that such a plan exists. But I must emphasize that stability and peace in this part of Europe depend from the situation in Macedonia. I hope that European countries and North Atlantic Alliance intend to keep the stability and peace in the region of former Yugoslavia and the Balkans, which is why I do not believe in the existence of a plan which could bring to destabilized relations in the area.

Another thesis is that part of the concessions for Miloshevich would be a kind of Serbian influence in Macedonia and 'freezing' the issue of Kosovo.

On the contrary, I am certain the issue of Kosovo can not be 'freezed'. It is obviously postponed, but not taken off the agenda, and I expect it to become a 'hot' one very soon. I agree with you that pressure on Serbian President will be very dozed now. There are probably somebody's promises or wishes about a kind of union with FR Yugoslavia, but I am sure Macedonian interests are different and most of the citizens would not accept it.

Will the Albanian political factor in Macedonia change its strategy in this new situation?

Since the very beginning, we were determined to ask for and realize the rights of the Albanians within the official institutions. The results from the elections showed that Albanians are determined to require equality. We said we will cooperate with those Macedonian political parties which strategy attitudes would coincide with ours, whose political activities are directed towards maintaining the peace and stability in the country. Our course has not been changed.

We are now realizing that, because of the constant obstructions from Macedonian political factors considering concrete issues, the cooperation does not depend only on us.

I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised by the Premier's notification that the doors of the Government are opened and anyone who wants may leave.

There are some estimations that democratic relations in Macedonia are in a slowdown. There is also a thesis this slowdown is the reason for a situation that does not satisfy you. What is your opinion about this?

I think that anyone can notice that member of Parliament from the Alliance for Macedonia act loosely, protected from any kind of negative surprises. They have confidence in their representatives in the Government, who take care of their global and strategy directions and do not think there is a need for any debates or discussions. That opposition is missing is obvious. We try to express some opposite opinions, which are most often ignored. General attitude is: O.K., we will let them talk, we will be patient for an hour or two, and than we will vote. This is bad for democracy. My opinion is not much different from those saying that this is a serious handicap for the development of the democratic processes in Macedonia.

How do you think this situation may be changed?

In the present situation, I do not think anything could be done. The best way would be to achieve a consensus and to organize new elections, in which all political groups would participate.

How much do you think other Albanian parties, especially you rival PDPA, support your intention to leave the Parliament?

Our political attitudes are based on our own analyses. We are not led by others' criteria. We realized that we can not convince either our voters or ourselves that we can coordinate our attitudes through a dialog. We were and still are aware that we can not agree with other partners of the Coalition. That is why we decided to solve the problems and issues we agree about at the moment, to leave the ones about which we could agree in future open, and to postpone the ones about which we can obviously not agree in near future.

And what happened?

It came out that there is no political will to solve even those issues about which we agreed.

What will happen if you definitely decide to change your course, if you leave the Coalition and the Parliament?

To be honest, we do not have a definite vision about that.

There are, of course, different opinions, ideas and combinations, about which I can not give my definite answer, as there is not a definite opinion. In case such a situation comes, everybody should accept it as a result from a attitude of those with whom we were supposed to cooperate with, not of our wish. I could never accept that we have contributed in that. Let us open the cards and find out where the guilt lies.

(mils news 20 December, 1995)

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