MILS NEWS 28/02/96

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 28 February 1996

[01] HIGH REWARD TO PRESIDENT GLIGOROV

The Council of the Kran Montana Forum yesterday informed Macedonian President, Kiro Gligorov, that he has been awarded with this year's prize of the Forum, for the development of the Republic of Macedonia and his contribution for the peace in the world. This Forum is held under patronage of the European Council, the European Commission, UNIDO and UNESCO.

President Gligorov will be given the prize on the next session of the Forum.

The reward had been so far given to Iasser Arafat, Icak Rabine, Shimon Perez, Vaclav Havell, Zelju Zelev and others.

[02] DOUBLE AND TRIPLE NAME VARIANTS REJECTED?

The third round of the Greek - Macedonian discussions about the differences regarding the name of Macedonia began yesterday in New York, as agreed by the Interim Accord. The discussions between the two Ambassadors, Hristos Zaharakis and Ivan Toshevski, mediated by Cyrus Vance, have entered a new phase, as the double and triple name variants were rejected. This was reported by A-1 Television, according to an information from a high Greek diplomat, which means that the suggestion for Macedonia to use one name within its borders and another outside has been rejected.

Greek diplomats said the atmosphere of the discussions was friendly and that there were positive signs from the Macedonian side.

[03] GREEK MEDIA - COMPLETELY INFLEXIBLE STAND OF FRCHKOVSKI

The statements of the new Macedonian Foreign Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, regarding the negotiations on the name issue, provoked many reactions in the Greek media.

The opposition daily 'Elefteros Tipos' wrote that Frchkovski openly rejected the possibility for the Constitutional name of Macedonia to be changed. The daily 'Nea Demokratia' wrote that the mentioning of the Macedonian minority in Greece by Frchkovski is a provocation. The left wing daily 'Elefterotipia' reported the statements of Frchkovski and concluded that the stand of Skopje about the name is firm. It was stressed that Frchkovski, besides presenting his completely inflexible stand on the name issue, even presented the Greek toponyms stated in Macedonian passports in the Slav version and the existence of the Macedonian minority in Greece as open issues between the two countries. The paper emphasized that Macedonian media lately extensively inform about the Macedonian minorities in the neighbouring countries.

Yesterday's Greek media also cited the congratulations of the Greek Foreign Minister, Pangalos, to his new Macedonian counterpart, Frchkovski, on his new position.

The message read that reaching of an agreement on the differences about the name of Macedonia will contribute to the development of the bilateral cooperation in all domains of mutual interest, as well as to the peace and stability in the Balkans.

[04] MILOSHEVIC IS 'BARGAINING' ON THE ACCOUNT OF MACEDONIA

According to the information A-1 Television has obtained from foreign diplomats in Skopje, tactics of the Serbian President Miloshevic is to increase the package Belgrade would be given as a reward for recognizing Macedonia under the Constitutional name. Miloshevic's intention is to gain membership for FRY not only in EU, but in other international and European institutions and associations, on the account of Macedonia.

Meanwhile, there were claims in Belgrade diplomatic circles that the mutual recognition of Macedonia and FRY is a matter of days. Yugoslav media, on the other hand, enlarge the number of the European countries that might recognize FRY without waiting for the condition set by the EU to be fulfilled. The countries mentioned in this context are: Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium.

[05] ARMS SUPPLY UNDER CONTROL

Foreign Ministers of the EU Member Countries, on yesterday's meeting in Brussels, concluded that the Union will respect the decision on arms embargo to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and FR Yugoslavia. The permissions for arms export to Macedonia and Slovenia will be discussed case by case, on the basis of joint criteria, adopted at the Luxembourg Council of Ministers in 1991 and at the one in Lisbon in 1992. The decision will come in effect on 13 March 1996.

EU Ministers also expressed their readiness for economy and political cooperation with former Yugoslav republics, after they mutually recognize each other and start to cooperate. 'Makpress' informed from Brussels that these countries must settle their relations with the neighbours and have efective arm control. Their economies must be based on free market principles and free trade mechanisms.

The results of this new attitude of the Union towards the former Yugoslav republics are planed to be discussed on the session in June 1996, in Rome.

Meanwhile, Macedonian EU Ambassador, Jovan Tegovski, yesterday handed the letters of accreditation to the President of the EU Council of Ministers, Suzanna Anielli.

[06] RUSSIAN MILITARY ATTACHE VISITED MINISTER HANJISKI

The first military attach, of the Russian Federation to Macedonia, Colonel Stanislav Gromov, yesterday paid a protocol visit to the Macedonian Defense Minister, Blagoj Hanjiski. On the meeting, also attended by the Russian acting Ambassador, Iurii Petrovic Trushin, the Russian representatives were informed on the activities of the Macedonian Defense Ministry, emphasizing the cooperation with the 'Partnership for Peace' Program. Also, representatives were informed on the defense system of Macedonia and on the determination of Macedonia for its complete membership in the collective systems of defense and security.

[07] COMMANDER OF THE FINNISH ARMY IN MACEDONIA

Commander in Chief of the Finnish Army, Gustav Haglund, will visit Macedonia today and will attend the ceremony of the replacement of the Finnish General Juha Engstrom by the Swedish General Bo Wranker, on the position of Force Commander of UNPREDEP. It is expected that General Haglund will visit the Nordic Battalion in Macedonia, and, during his visit, the details about the further cooperation between Macedonia and Finland in the area of defense should be precized.

[08] DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH GHANA ESTABLISHED

Macedonian Foreign Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, yesterday received the acting Ambassador of Ghana to Belgrade, Kobina Soki, who has been accredited to Macedonia. After the meeting, the Under-Secretary in the Macedonian Foreign Ministry, Victor Gaber, and Ambassador Seki signed the mutual announcement on the establishing of diplomatic relations between Macedonia and Ghana on the level of Ambassadors. The next steps for the development of the relations and of the cooperation between the two countries were also agreed.

[09] LEGISLATION OF A CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE FOR INFORMING

Secretary General of the European Broadcast Union, Jan Bernair Mins, visited Macedonian Radio and Television yesterday. This was the first visit of a high official of EBU since MRT had become its member.

Mr. Mins met with the General Manager of MRT, Melpomeni Kornetti, and they discussed the rights and obligations of MRT towards EBU, on the legislation referring to the broadcasting, as well as the possibilities for a consultative or other help in the process of transforming the Macedonian electronic media into a public information service. Mr. Mins stressed that many things regarding the informing would depend on the legislation, which he had previously discussed with the Macedonian Minister of Traffic and Connections, Dimitar Buzlevski.

[10] PRESENTATION OF THE PORT OF BAR

On yesterday' presentation of the port of Bar by the Montenegrin entrepreneurs, who were paying a visit to Macedonia, the advantages for Macedonia were mentioned.

Some of them were: the small distance of 442 km from Skopje, the good equipment and low prices, which are 30 to 40 percent lower than those of the port in Thessaloniki.

Macedonian entrepreneurs said the transport through this port was more expensive due to the high railway transport taxes in FRY, and had pointed out the port of Burgas in Bulgaria as the cheapest option.

[11] MEETING OF THE MACEDONIAN AND BULGARIAN ENTREPRENEURS

Representatives of the biggest Bulgarian enterprises discussed the improvement of the economy cooperation with Macedonia through direct contacts, at the meeting organized by the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce. Bulgarian enterprises mostly offer textile, foods and glass products. They are, on the other hand, interested in the Macedonian furniture, home appliances and electric products. Guests from Bulgaria will visit Ohrid today.

[12] 'EMO' PRODUCTS WITH THE TRADE MARK ISO 9001

Beginning from yesterday, the 'EMO' factory from Ohrid has started to mark its products with the European quality mark ISO 9001. It is the first Macedonian enterprise that has been given the right to use an international trade mark for its products. This widens the possibilities for the introduction of these products on the European and other markets. The biggest part of the products of this factory are intended to be exported.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[13] Theatre about the Recognition

('Nova Makedonija', 28 February 1996)

One more session of the EU Council of Ministers was held, and neither did the Union normalize its relations with FR Yugoslavia, nor did Belgrade find it necessary to fulfill the only condition for that - i.e. to normalize the relations with Skopje. The information from Belgrade are that the EU Ministers of the 15 Member Countries did not discuss the establishing of the diplomatic relations with Belgrade at all. Italian Minister and current President of the Council, Suzanna Anielli, once more clearly stated the reason: because Serbia did not fulfill the 'minimum' condition - the mutual recognition with Republic of Macedonia.

The dragging out of Belgrade is unclear from many reasons.

Of all the conditions stated in the Dayton Accord, for its 'returning in the international community, (recognition of all newly formed countries from the former Yugoslav republics and normalization of the relations with them, beginning of serious democratic internal changes, respecting the human and minorities' rights, cooperation with the Hague Court for War Crimes, etc.), the mutual recognition with Macedonia is the easiest to achieve.

There no serious problems between the two countries, the document on the normalization of the relations has been prepared (unofficially, it has been definitely agreed on two weeks ago) and is waiting to be officially signed.

To be more precise, it is waiting for Belgrade to show interest in signing, because Skopje does not hide its interest. With this formal act, which would cost him nothing, Serbian President Slobodan Miloshevic would achieve at least three aims: he would confirm his proclaimed stand for peace in the Balkans; he would fulfill the 'minimum condition' for normalization of the relations with the European Union, which would, consequently, open the road for his country to return to all international and financial institutions.

'We see no obstacles for the mutual recognition and normalization of the relations with FRY to take place any time now.' - are saying Macedonian officials. Almost identical statements were given by Belgrade representatives. Therefore, if there are no obstacles, it becomes obvious there are calculations. At the end of the last and this month (when the Council of Ministers had its sessions), Belgrade tried to involve the Union in those calculations, and, by the way, to deceive Macedonia.

Namely, the morning when the previous session of the Council was to begin, Belgrade announced its approval of the draft Agreement on the normalization of the relations with Macedonia through its agency 'Tanjug'. The message for Brussels was: ' there, we have fulfilled what you have required, the signing is only a formal act.' EU did not accept that. Before the last session of the EU Council, Belgrade gave one more similar try. They used the visit of the delegation of the Macedonian Socialists by giving it a great publicity, and by trying to present the situation as if the relations between the two countries are almost normal. The leader of the delegation, after the returning to Skopje, euphorically told us about his meeting with Miloshevic, claiming that the recognition was to happen any day, and, what's more, that FRY will recognize Macedonia under its Constitutional name. One might think that the name was a problem, solved thanks to the Socialist Party Macedonia and their good relations with Miloshevic. The peak of this, from Macedonian point of view, 'good neighbourly' game, and from EU point of view, not very honest diplomatic one, was the false information of the Belgrade agency 'Beta' from last Friday: that FR Yugoslav Foreign Minister, Milutinovic, was paying a visit to Macedonia due to the signing of the Agreement (which stirred many Macedonian media). And why would Macedonian leadership keep that a secret from its own people? The Union, however, again did not 'take the bait'. The situation in the meantime has, however, changed very much.

Namely, France meanwhile normalized the relations with FRY, despite the fact that the latter has not fulfilled even the minimum condition of the Union. Belgrade now, obviously, hopes that all the EU Member Countries will independently do the same, without insisting on the fulfilling of any condition. Unofficially, diplomatic sources from Brussels said that Serbian diplomats had explained the postponing of the recognition with the 'problems' Macedonia had about the reconstruction of the Government!

This theatre in the eyes of the World looks like being instructed by somebody (from Europe), with the probable idea 'do not rush about Macedonia'. Miloshevic is aware how many any how difficult agreements are expecting him on the road of his country's returning to the international community. That is probably why he is trying to keep some 'ace in the sleeve'. Macedonia is not a kind of an 'ace' for the status of the Serbs in Bosnia, or for the status of eastern Slavonia. But it is one which could be used in the forthcoming negotiations (and expected pressure from foreign countries) about Kosovo and about the rights of the Albanian minority there. Miloshevic was the one who abolished the autonomy of Kosovo and he would probably not be in a good mood to go back to the SFRY Constitution from 1974. He will fight a lot before making any withdrawing.

Whatever, it would be good both for Macedonia and for the peace in the southern Balkans if Belgrade denies all these guesses by signing the Agreement on the normalization of the relations with Macedonia as soon as possible.

(end)

mils news 28 February 1996