MAK-NEWS 22/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 22 December 1995

[01] KIRO GLIGOROV - 'MACEDONIA IS NEITHER A MONARCHY NOR A DICTATORSHIP'

'I will return to my presidential duties at the beginning of the next year.' - stated Macedonian president Kiro Gligorov for 'Nova Makedonija', in his first interview after the assassination attempt on 3 October, 1995.

President Gligorov estimated Peace Agreements from Dayton and Paris a formal end of a cruel and tragic war, but also an act that determines the position of Macedonia. 'Dayton and Paris Agreement confirmed the already established position of Macedonia as an independent and sovereign country, oriented towards integration in Europe and based on the principles of equi-distance. Macedonia is determined to completely cooperate with all its neighbours, and to remain at its position of one of the six equal successors of former SFRY. I hope it will not become a reason for its stability to be disturbed, as it would inevitably bring to a new conflict on the Balkans.'

President Gligorov emphasized that ratification of the Interim Accord with Greece was an extraordinary important step for both countries, as well as for the stability in the region, adding that Macedonia was always ready to discuss the normalization of the relations with Greece. 'Interim Accord anticipates discussions on the name, to which we do not oppose and are ready to present our arguments. Our name is definitely Republic of Macedonia and it neither is nor can be a reason for disturbed relations with Greece, and least of all it can be a territorial threat towards this country. We are certain that there are no bases in the International Law or documents that would endanger any people's right for a self-determination, i.e. for expressing its national identity, including its name.'

Referring to the relations of Macedonia with other neighbouring countries, President Gligorov expressed his satisfaction from the good development of the relations with Bulgaria, as well as from the positive development of the relations with Albania, the latter being of greatest importance for the peace in the region. 'I find the historical tradition of good relations between Macedonians and Albanians especially important, including the rights of Albanians in Macedonia realized in Constitutional frames and international standards.'

As for the mutual recognition of Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia, President Gligorov stated there is no reason for this act to be further postponed, emphasizing that after dissolution of SFRY there were not any hostilities or disputes, including territorial matters between Skopje and Belgrade. Macedonia did not participate in the war, and former Yugoslav Army left Macedonia in peace.

'Macedonian policy of equi-distance resulted with a peace and stability inside Republic of Macedonia, strengthened its independence and opened a new era of good neighbourly relations at the south of the Balkans.' - stated Gligorov, adding that there is some skepticism about this policy, which would not be a problem in case a more effective alternative is offered, but this has still not happened.

About different estimations of the development of democracy in Macedonia, President said: 'We can not claim that full democratic relations are established, but their complete negation is also unacceptable, because it is simply not true. These are not revolutionary changes that can be performed over night, and the fact that we did not choose such an adventurism in the last five years is a positive thing. In connection with this, I find the way of development of the media in Macedonia, especially the criticising spirit in part of the intellectual circles, very encouraging.'

About the speculations considering his possible successor that appeared immediately after the assassination attempt, Gligorov said there were such speculations before the assassination attempt, and estimated them as a normal reaction or maybe even announcements for the next elections.

'I think the assassination attempt calculated with such a chance and it would not be right if I comment on that from ethical point of view, but politically speaking, there will be no elections for a successor as we are neither monarchy nor dictatorship. I am convinced that Macedonian citizens will choose their President on the next regular elections in accordance with the Constitution and the Laws.'

[02] REGIONAL COOPERATION IN RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA

There is a possibility for the countries which economies were damaged due to the sanctions on FR Yugoslavia to be given a part of the amount of 500 million dollars, intended for reconstruction of Bosnia in the first three months. 'We are discussing the possibilities to include Macedonia and other countries in the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would also initiate and re-establish the regional cooperation', stated the European Commissioner Hans van den Broek for the Macedonian Radio at the Conference of Donators for Reconstruction of Bosnia in Brussels. Macedonian Ambassador, Jovan Tegovski, emphasized the importance of the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Bosnia, adding that Macedonia is prepared to participate in the reconstruction of this country, but in a different way than the countries donators. Macedonian civil engineering enterprises can be immediately included in the reconstruction process, emphasizing their ability to realize the infrastructure projects and residential areas, which were estimated of highest priority by Bosnian Finance Minister.

[03] POSITIVE ROLE FOR THE SITUATION ON MACEDONIAN BORDERS

Macedonian Defense Minister Blagoj Handziski, on the Christmas reception of military and diplomatic officials of UNPREDEP and OSCE, estimated the mission of UNPREDEP as one of the most successful missions of UN and emphasized its positive role in the stabilization of the situation on Macedonian borders. He reported the view of the Government that the mandate of UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia should be extended to the complete implementation of the Dayton Agreement, till other regional issues are solved. Minister Handziski announced that military attach,s of Russian Federation, Slovenia, Czechia and Slovakia will soon be appointed in Macedonia. Meanwhile, Macedonia will send its military and diplomatic officials in USA, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region.

[04] DECLARATIONS ON GOOD NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS AND AGAINST POLITICAL TERRORISM

Macedonian Veterans Federation representatives, led by their President Borko Temelkovski, informed the Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski on their participation in the UN General Council of Military Veterans, recently held in Marakesh, Marocco. Declarations on good neighbourly relations in the Balkans and against political terrorism, proposed by the Macedonian delegation, were adopted. Macedonian representatives gladly accepted the suggestion to host one session of the Executive Board next year.

[05] DEMOCRATIC AND MODERN SOLUTIONS

Macedonian Minister of Transport Dimitar Buzlevski, commenting on Broadcasting Law, stated that an again unknown number of TV and radio stations broadcast their programs in Macedonia.The Minister was asked questions on: why the transmitters system was not established as a public enterprise, as it was built with public money; the limitation of the domestic subjects to own 25 percent of the stocks, while any foreigner has the right to own 49 percent; whether the ban for political and religious propaganda includes the bans for the election campaigns?

[06] THE NAME OF TITOV VELES WILL NOT BE CHANGED

Macedonian Parliament continued its 32nd session with the discussion about the changes in the Customs Tax Law, and decided to give concessions for 'free shops'. The amendment referring to duties for reproduction materials not to be paid one year, instead of six months, was also adopted. It was decided that the name of Titov Veles will keep the prefix 'Titov' given in 1946. Draft Law for public roads and several other decisions were also adopted.

Meanwhile, the members of Parliament Mersen Biljali and Abduljati Vejseli left the National Democratic Party (NDP) and became official members of the Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP).

[07] ELECTIONS WITHOUT PROBLEMS

'There are no objections on the candidates list, nor on the procedure.' This was said on the session of the State Electoral Commission about the forthcoming elections in the electoral unit 114 in Skopje. Only 60 citizens reported they were not on the list of voters, and all of them, except two who did not have citizenship certificates, were immediately included. Voting leaflets are being regularly sent, and the Commission estimated there will be no problems as there were on the last elections.

13.540 voters, ten less than in 1994, will participate in the elections in this unit. The Commission had meetings with the members of the 17 Electoral Boards yesterday and informed on the positive reply from the US National Democratic Institute to participate in monitoring the elections.

[08] THE ESTABLISHED POLICY OF SDSM WILL BE CONTINUED

Alliance for Macedonia had a pre-electoral meeting yesterday, when their candidate Vasil Drvoshanov addressed the voters, saying that he will keep the political course of the Alliance for Macedonia. Macedonian Premiere and a President of the Socialistic Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) Branko Crvenkovski, and Vice-President of the Socialist Party Blagoja Filipovski, also addressed the citizens.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Macedonia also promoted its candidate Nikola Lazarevski, emphasising his abilities to contribute in solving the problems in the electoral unit 114.

[09] 2.000 'PHANTOM VOTES' IN THE ELECTORAL LISTS

'When we realized that only the candidates of the Government coalition parties and of the false opposition parties were registered for the elections in the unit 114, we decided to register our candidate Cvetan Trifunovski.', was emphasized on yesterday's conference of MAAK - Conservative Party. Its President Strasho Angelovski added 'in case we win the elections, we will try to reveal all the irregularities to the public, by reminding the Parliament that it is not a legitimate representative of the people.' Angelovski again raised the issue of the electoral lists, about the 'carefully added 2.000 phantom votes'. He asked whether, with such actions, the State Electoral Commission intends to prove the falsification of the last elections or to announce the falsification of the next ones.

[10] THERE ARE NO CONDITIONS FOR DEMOCRATIC AND FAIR ELECTIONS

VMRO - DPMNE asked its members and sympathizers to boycott the forthcoming additional elections for a member of the Parliament in the electoral unit 114, reported the Information Department of the Party, adding that this Party did not suggest a candidate for these elections, because they estimate there are no conditions for democratic and fair elections. They reminded that they consider this Parliament not legitimate, as its members were chosen through false elections.

(end)

mils news 22 December 1995

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