MAK-NEWS 04/01/96 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 4 January 1996

[01] PRESENT MACEDONIAN COURSE CONTINUES

Democratic processes, as well as everything else that presents Macedonia as a legal state and a democratic society, continued in 1995. Here I include the positive processes in international relations with our constant insisting on solving the national disputes inside the institutions, in the frames of our Constitution and laws, which would create an atmosphere of confidence, mutual understanding and good relations between the nationalities.

All these results summed up, we may conclude 1995 was a year which brought to a bigger presence of Macedonia on an international level, to a strengthened safety and to recognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name by many countries.

Economy difficulties and social tensions were also characteristic for 1995. Due to the war in Bosnia, closed borders and much more difficult communications than in the previous years, a feeling was created that years are passing, and we are still having significant economical difficulties, especially considering production, export and balance of payments. The Greek embargo and the disconnected previous trade relations of Macedonia with other countries also impeded the life of our citizens.

The main tasks in 1996, therefore, will be to pay more attention to the internal problems, to the economy, to the social situation, to the development of the country as a legal state and to the more intensive participation of the citizens in all political and other processes, crucial for the future of our country.

Our international relations will continue to develop in the same direction we have kept for the last five years, which made Macedonia a well-known country all over the world, and a very important country for the peace and stability in the region. The efforts for agreements to be signed with the EU, with the West European Union, especially concerning military cooperation, as well as with other organizations, will continue. Membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be of the greatest importance, as it will include Macedonia in the international economy processes, i.e. it will no longer be discriminated, but will obtain equal conditions for trade and cooperation in other areas.

This might be the most difficult part in the development of our country, as we first had to take care of our international status, and than to start the internal development of a modern, legal and economically potential country. This will ask for an engagement of all our citizens, no matter their nationality or religion. I consider the situation inside the country of a great interest for any citizen, as everybody hope to feel good in their own country and to be responsible for its future.

At the end, I would like to send my greetings for the forthcoming Christmas to all people of the Orthodox religion and to wish a happy New Year to everybody, with an appeal to preserve the good relations between the nationalities, to preserve the peace inside Macedonia, despite situations such was the unsuccessful attempt to take away my life. I can promise that Macedonia will keep the same course, which has proved itself as a promising enough and acceptable enough for Europe and the World.

This is the only course that can bring peace, prosperity and better future to Macedonia.' - concluded Gligorov.

[02] THE MOST DIFFICULT PERIOD IS BEHIND US

Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, in his interview for 'Vecer', on the occasion of the New Year holidays, said: '1995 was a difficult year in all areas, but also a year of many successes, both on the international plan and considering the political and economy reforms inside the country. The recent happenings in the region - recovery of our relations with Greece, abolishing of the sanctions, established peace, the already achieved balance in the macro economy - show the most difficult period is now behind us. A period of new perspectives is coming, which does not mean the situation will change radically over night, but we will use the offered chance in the best possible way. Taking into account we endured the most difficult period, we have the right to hope to succeed, as now many things depend on ourselves.'

[03] DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH OMAN

Republic of Macedonia and Sultanate Oman agreed on mutual diplomatic relations in the UN last Friday. The note was signed by the Macedonian UN Ambassador, Denko Maleski, and the Ambassador of Oman, Salim Bin Mohamed Al Kusaibi. Oman is a member of the UN Security Council, and was its president during the last month.

[04] MACEDONIA WILL REMAIN AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY

Bulgarian daily 'Continent' has published the results of a sociological study, performed by the agency 'Agora', concerning many aspects of the relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria, and other issues concerning Macedonia.

Precisely 48.3 percent of the Bulgarian citizens polled think Macedonia will remain an independent country, 36.5 percent did not answer the question, and 'only' 9 percent think Macedonia should be a part of another country, 2 percent of them pointing out Bulgaria as the 'another country'. The opinion of 6 percent of the citizens is that Macedonia will be divided between the neighbouring countries.

The sub-issue of the study was whether there is or not a possobility for a conflict to arise between the countries on the Balkans because of Macedonia. Almost two thirds of the polled citizens answered either negatively on this question or said the possibilities for such a conflict are very small, while 13 percent said the danger of a conflict is still great.

Concerning the territorial pretensions between Macedonia and Bulgaria, one third of those polled were not sure about the answer, and 35 percent said there are no such pretensions. This is a 'hot' issue only for 32 percent, and 16 percent of them think Macedonia has such aspirations towards Bulgaria, while 13 percent think the situation is the other way round.

The study included the question how much do Bulgarians buy Macedonian products, and the result was that only 10 percent of those polled have bought some Macedonian products so far. The daily, however, estimates the perspectives for economy relations as very good.

[05] ONLY THE PRICES OF AGRI PRODUCTS REDUCED

According to the data published by the Macedonian Statistics Institute, the costs of living of Macedonian citizens during the last year have increased for 15.7 percent compared to the 1994 average. The public services prices have increased mostly - for 92.9 percent. Other services have increased for 38.2 percent, food products for 10.9, other products for 8.1 and drinks for 3.9 percent. The only decrease noticed in 1995, of 6 percent, concerns the agricultural products.

[06] CHEERFUL ON THE SQUARES

The New Year was celebrated on the main squares of many towns in Macedonia, including the 'Macedonia' square in Skopje, where thousands of citizens of Skopje attended the program and the fireworks. On the New Year dance, organized for children on 31 December in the morning, 'Santa Clause' arrived with a chopper. The most popular entertainers of Macedonia participated in the program held during the night.

Guests from Greece attended the celebration on the town square in Kavadarci, and it was also very cheerful in Bitola, Prilep, Shtip, Radovish and Titov Veles. Guests from Albania, Bulgaria and FR Yugoslavia came in Ohrid to participate in the traditional celebrating in the hotels.

Ski centers Mavrovo, Popova Shapka and Krushevo were most popular during these days.

[07] FLOODS, ROCKSLIDES AND DAMAGES

The fast melting of the snow and heavy rains in Macedonia these days, resulted in the unusually high water level of the rivers and lakes, which provoked floods, rockslides and damages on the roads and in the fields in many parts of the country. The river Vardar in Titov Veles reached the level of 3.10 meters, which is for 2.60 meters higher than the average, and flooded many gardens and houses.

Measures were taken to prevent further flooding of the river and to protect the objects. The water level of the Debar Lake increased for 6 meters and began to flood yesterday, which has never happened before in this time of the year. The traffic on the road Kochani - Zrnovci was stopped, and many rockslides and damages on other roads were noticed. The Kumanovo River has flooded for the second time during the last month and damaged around 100 houses. On the mountains, after the snow melted for several days, new snow fell during the New Year holidays, but the traffic was not disturbed.

(end)

mils news 4 January 1996