MILS NEWS 25/03/96

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 25 March 1996

[01] US EMBASSY IN SKOPJE OPENED

The Embassy of the USA in Skopje was officially opened last Saturday. In this occasion, the US Ambassador to the UN, Madleine Albright, said:

'The basic difference between the countries is whether they want or not to be good citizens of the international system and whether or not they want to respect the international law and the rights of their citizens. In all aspects, FYROM belongs to the 'good guys' - always on the right side. You are dealing with the complex issue of minorities' aspirations in the context of the right and with reasonable talking, you have made strict economy reforms and turned to the world's markets, you are a respected member of the UN, OSCE and 'Partnership for Peace' and you have played your role in the prevention of the violence in the region by welcoming the UN Peace Mission. My Government hopes that our participation in the UN forces has contributed to your feeling of security and safety.'

Macedonian Premiere Branko Crvenkovski, in his greeting of the Embassy opening, said the USA had significantly supported Macedonia in strengthening its international position, motivated by the importance of its stability. He stressed that the opening of the Embassy was a completion of a successful and fruitful cooperation of USA and Macedonia and that it offered a perspective for a closer communication in economy, science, education and culture.

Current Chief of US Liaison Office in Macedonia, Victor Comras, said this was a period 'after the rain' for Macedonia, as the most difficult years had passed. 'I believe it is on the way to better times, regarding both its security and stability, as well as the democracy and the economy development. You have endured in peace and showed respect to the rights and dignity of everybody,' stressed Comras.

[02] MADLEINE ALBRIGHT ATTENDED A 'SUCCESS' IN MACEDONIA

During her visit to Skopje, the US Ambassador to UN, Madleine Albright met with Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov, Ministers Ljubomir Frchkovski and Blagoj Hanjiski, and with the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Macedonia Henryk Sokalski. In the talks with President Gligorov, they expressed the belief that the US support to the independent, democratic development of Macedonia and to its economy stabilization will continue. It was also said the bilateral cooperation in the including of Macedonia in the collective security system will continue. In context of that, Gligorov positively estimated the presence of the US contingent in UNPREDEP, and said their mandate should be extended.

At the meeting with Minister Frchkovski, Albright expressed her satisfaction with the efforts of Macedonia to create a democratic civil society, connected to the stability of the region. During the talks with Hanjiski, the bilateral relations in the field of defense and security were discussed, and were said to be successful and set on a permanent basis.

Madleine Albright paid a visit to the UNPREDEP Mission in Macedonia and talked to the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Macedonia Henryk Sokalski. Sokalski stressed the importance of this first visit paid to this preventive UN Mission by a standing representative of the UN Security Council.

Albright told the journalists that she had fulfilled her wish to attend a 'success', adding that everybody was pleased by the evolution of the democratization in Macedonia and the way the internal problems with minorities are dealt with.

[03] COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MINORITIES - SOON REALISED

UN Secretary General's Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Elizabeth Rehn promoted the initiative of the Macedonian President Gligorov to have UN making a comparative analysis of the minority rights in the Balkan countries. The promotion was made on the Conference on 'Balkans - Perspectives for Peace and Stability', held in Great Britain, last weekend. She added she would personally work on the realisation of the initiative. Ms. Rehn positively viewed the human rights situation in Macedonia, adding the institution of 'ombudsman' should be introduced as soon as possible.

[04] GREECE OFFICIALLY INVITED TO MANEUVERS IN MACEDONIA

Macedonian Defense Minister Blagoj Hanjiski, at the meeting with the Head of the Hellenic Liaison Office in Skopje, Alexandros Mallias, officially send an invitation to his Greek counterpart Gerasimos Arsenis, for including Greece in the maneuvers which will take place in Macedonia in October, as part of the 'Partnership for Peace' Programme. They discussed the possibilities for a cooperation between the two countries in the collective defense systems and expressed readiness for a new meeting, on which direct forms of a bilateral cooperation in the field of defense would be introduced.

[05] CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov congratulated 25 March, the National Holiday of Greece to the Greek President Costas Stefanopoulos, and wished prosperity to the Republic of Greece. Gligorov also expressed his belief that mutual efforts will be made to continue the building of the good and friendly relations between the two countries.

Satisfaction with the current implementation of the Agreements signed was also expressed, as well as the hope that the cooperation will continue, which would positively influence the stability in the region.

Macedonian Premiere Branko Crvenkovski and Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frchkovski also sent congratulations to their Greek counterparts.

[06] CREDIT TO MACEDONIA CONDITIONED

Giving the second installment of FESAK credit of the World Bank of $42.5 million, is result of the agreed and accompished results in the transformation of the Macedonian economy. A small part of the programme remains to be realised: the Law on Denationalisation and the Law on Trade Associations to be passed, as well as the Central Shopping Centre of Skopje to be put on sale by issuing stock shares. As Minister Ljupcho Trpevski said at the press conference after the visit of the World Bank mission to Macedonia, the above mentioned should be completed till the end of May, which will open the gate for the second installment of FESAK to be realised till the end of June. According to Alberto Eguren, Chief of the World Bank representative office in Macedonia, the successful realisation of the credit will encourage support in the realization of projects in waterpower engineering, health care and welfare.

Another delegation of the World Bank is expected to come to Macedonia this week to inspect the energy sector.

[07] SECOND DAYTON ON THE ALBANIAN ISSUE

Albania asked Greece to mediate in the solving of the Kosovo issue between Pristine and Belgrade, as it is the only Balkan country - member of the EU and NATO and has specific relations with Serbia. As 'Makpress' reported, this was informed by Radio Tirana last Friday, following the visit of the Greek President Stefanopoulos to Albania and the meetings of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Serechi and Pangalos. Radio Tirana also informed that Presidents Stefanopoulos and Berisha had signed an Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Albania and Greece.

Meanwhile, the Greek media reported that the issues of the Greek minority in Albania and the legalization of the Albanian emigrants in Greece had been the top ones.

Albanian Premiere Alexandar Meksi, in his interview for the paper 'Ora', said a new 'Dayton' and a new negotiating table are needed for Kosovo issue to be solved. His opinion is that this can not be done without participation of USA, NATO and Europe, as the second party - Serbia, is not interested in it. Meksi added that the Albanian issue refers not only to Albanians in Kosovo, but also to those in Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece.

[08] MACEDONIAN CITIZENS IN THE EU QUESTIONNAIRE

The Institute of Sociology, Political and Legal Research in Skopje, pooled 1 000 citizens in 90 local communities of Macedonia on their opinions about the economy and democratic reforms, with special attention to the foreign policy of the Republic of Macedonia. The research was made on the request of 'Eurobarometre' from Brussels, and was made in accordance with its methodology.

The results were: 48% find the situation in Macedonia is developing satisfactorily, while 39% think the opposite; 49% said the financial situation had worsened in comparison with the previous months (the research was made in November 1995), 12% said it has improved, and 35% that it had not changed; 37% of the questioned were satisfied by the development of the democracy, while 55% answered negatively; 54% said the human rights in Macedonia were respected, and 40% thought the opposite; 39% said the market economy, as a part of the economy transition, was a right thing, and 36% that it was a wrong one; the future of the country was seen by 39% of the citizens, relying on the USA, and by 34% relying on the European Union.

Such researches were made in 19 East European countries, and the results are planned to be compared in two months, after which general conclusions will be made.

[09] CRVENKOVSKI - 'THE SITUATION IN MACEDONIA IS NOT FAVOURABLE FOR EARLY ELECTIONS'

Macedonian Premiere Branko Crvenkovski, in his interview for the daily 'Nova Makedonija', said that early elections are scheduled when the government is blocked and when the system does not function, which is not the case with Macedonia at present. It was his explanation of the stand of SDSM regarding the start of the collecting 150 000 signatures for early elections.

He said the transition of the Liberals to an opposition parliamentary group was neither a heroic nor a radical move, but is of principle and in accordance with the unwritten rules of the parliamentary democracy. According to Crvenkovski, the thesis that the Government without Liberals will lead to a slowdown of the democracy or to a political unstability could not be understood and was a 'political bluff of the opposition'.

Regarding the recent requests for increasing the competence of the President of the Republic, the Premiere said the positions of the institutions in the system were clearly defined and located by the Constitution. That is why no positions can be changed, either the one of the President, or of the Government, said Crvenkovski.

'The fact that Macedonia is an independent and internationally recognised country, an example of reaching the goals of democracy, political and economy reforms, an example of tolerance of nations, we owe a great deal to President Gligorov, to his ability to balance the visionary and the realistic points of view. I am convinced this period will be considered one of the greatest in the history of the Macedonian people, and it will be sealed by President Gligorov,' said Branko Crvenkovski in the interview.

As for the future work of the government, he said he expects diplomatic relations to be established with FRY, the policy of good neighbourly relations to continue, and the strategic aims of European integration and active participation in the 'Partnership for Peace' Programme to be realised.

The government will also be engaged in the new territorial dividing of the country, in the local elections and in the reforms of the legislation and administration. In the field of economy, greatest attention will be paid to the preserving of the national currency stability, to the growth of the industry production and to the GNP.

[10] SIGNATURES COLLECTING HAD BEGAN

Collecting of 150 000 signatures of Macedonian citizens began yesterday (24 March). The aim planned to be achieved is scheduling a referendum for early parliamentary elections in Macedonia. The action has started yesterday morning at the City Square of Skopje and in other towns in the Republic. Leaders and officials of the opposition parties (no Liberal PMs) were seen on the spot.

The start of this action was announced at the press conference of the Democratic Party the day before yesterday.

As it was said, Democratic Party and VMRO - DPMNE were the greatest supporters of this initiative of the citizens.

Signatures will be collected during the next twenty days in all public places and in the homes of the citizens, and the forms will be data processed. Citizens will be signing three copies of the form - the first one will remain in the documentation of the DP and VMRO - DPMNE, the second will be submitted to the Parliament, and the third is intended for the Council of Europe.

Petar Goshev, leader of the Democratic Party, said this initiative was based on the Constitution, and that it allows the possibility for the signatures to be collected in public places and in the houses.

VMRO - DPMNE also held a press conference last Saturday, informing about the start of the realisation of the initiative. President of this Party Ljupcho Gjorgjievski said that a coordinated action of VMRO - DPMNE and DP would begin in all bigger towns and villages in the country.

[11] VMRO - MNDS - 'SIGNATURES SHOULD BE BACKED BY A MACEDONIAN ALLIANCE'

The Party VMRO - MNDS considers that nobody has an exclusive right to the initiative for collecting signatures for early election as their own. On the press conference, held last Friday, they said early elections are an aim of every opposition Party, and the current initiative should be backed by a Macedonian Alliance. VMRO - MNDS said that regulations must always be respected and signatures should be witnessed by competent commissions, consisted of representatives of all parties.

They also asked how much do some opposition parties, that are now supporting the initiative for early elections, have the moral right to it, as they 'have deserted the last elections'.

[12] CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION DOES NOT SATISFY THE REQUESTS OF THE ALBANIANS

PDP - Party for Democratic Unity in Macedonia has its determinations and programs, based exclusively on democratic aims, and welcomes all Macedonian citizens, no matter their nationality, religion or profession. This was said by the President of this Party Nevzat Halili on the press conference held for the promotion of its new headquarters in Skopje. He informed that the proposal for the name of the Party to be changed to 'Republican Party for National Unity in Macedonia' had been adopted on the session held on October 1, 1995. It will fight for the respect of the human rights, guaranteed by the international organisations, of which Macedonia is a member. 'Macedonia has the right and is obliged to intercede for the rights of all citizens who live on its territory, but also of those who live outside the country. Therefore, Albania is obliged to be interested in the countries where Albanians live,' emphasised Halili.

He said the Constitutional position of the Albanians in Macedonia does not satisfy their requests, although Albanians have contributed a great deal to the independence of Macedonia. According to Halili, the Albanians are not present enough in the Macedonian government, and the four ministerial and four assistant-ministerial positions they have in the Government are only a small step forward.

[13] POLITICAL CRISIS IN MACEDONIA?

Macedonian is threatened by a political crisis and de- stabilization, unless Albanians are proclaimed a constitutional nation and are allowed to freely use their mother tongue. This was stated by the leadership of PDPA at the meetings they had with citizens of the local communities of Tetovo. Arben Jafferi, according to 'Dnevnik', stressed the request for early parliamentary elections, with applying the proportional model.

'Fokus' reports about an article in 'Fljaka', saying that the Rapporteur of the Committee of Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Peter Fray, had given the end of this year as the dead line for Macedonia to legalize the 'Tetovo university'. As alleged, he criticized the fact that the promises given to the Albanians were not fulfilled, and disagreed with the attitude of the Macedonian Ministry of Education that the country might be endangered by multi- lingual high education. Miljaim Tahiri, the Macedonia Parliament deputy of PDPA, also participated in the discussion asking for a mediation of the Council of Europe in solving of the 'Tetovo university' issue.

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mils news 25 March 1996