MILS NEWS, 96-10-25

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From: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>

CONTENTS

[01] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN DEBTS REDUCED TO 364 MILLION DOLLARS

[02] NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING NAME TO CONTINUE ON THE SIXTH NEXT MONTH

[03] CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 51ST UN ANNIVERSARY

[04] CARSTEN FOGT MEETS PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMAN TITO PETKOVSKI

[05] AMBASSADOR OF ICELAND SUBMITS ACCREDITIVES

[06] VIKTOR GABER APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT

[07] 'DNEVNIK' - MACEDONIAN ARMED FORCES TO BUY WEAPONS WORTH 200 MILLION DOLLARS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

[08] INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE FOR KOSOVO

[09] OIL PRICES TO REMAIN THE SAME, POSSIBLE DECREASE OF TAXES

[10] FUND RAISER FOR PROTECTION OF LAKE OHRID

[11] SDSM ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

[12] LJUBISHA IVANOV: ECONOMIC CHAOS IN THE COUNTRY HAS TO BE REMEDIED

[13] MENDUH TACHI ON PDPA'S TASK TO ENLIGHTEN PUBLIC

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[14] 'A Prestigious Hodgepodge' ('Vecher', 24th October 1996)

MILS NEWS

25th October, 1996

[01] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN DEBTS REDUCED TO 364 MILLION DOLLARS

This means that of the initial debt of 644 million dollars (as determined by the IMF) towards the London Club Macedonia has taken over 280 million dollars, i.e. 0.4% less. This percentage equals 364 million dollars. These data were presented to the media by Ljube Trpevski - Vice-Chair of the Macedonian Parliament - and Borko Stanoevski - Governour of The Macedonian National Bank after closing up negotiations with the London Club of Creditors in New York. Yesterday's press conference also revealed that another 711 million dollars of the former federation's dues remain to be accounted for - which leaves open the possibility for further decreases.

The debt of 280 million dollars towards commercial banks organised within the London Club of Creditors is to be returned within the time frame of 15 years, with a GRACE period of 4 years - whereas part of the interest will be paid back starting with 1998. Dues are to be settled in concordance to the interest rate formed at the London Stock Exchange plus another 0.8% (7% per year), and Macedonia is to issue appropriate bonds by 31st March next year which are to be available at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, as the agreement allows the purchase or trade of dues for stocks.

This New York Agreement - as well as the final outlining of relations between Macedonia and Foreign creditors - entails an opening up of the country towards private foreign investments. A group of negotiators of the world's largest banking houses have already announced their intention to visit Macedonia. In the meantime the Macedonian government plans to ask international institutes to assess the rating of the country, i.e. to evaluate the risk of investing into Macedonia. Trpevski and Stanoevski also explained that the current foreign dues of Macedonia amount to 1 billion and 70 million dollars - with the prospect of cutting it down to 1 billion.

[02] NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING NAME TO CONTINUE ON THE SIXTH NEXT MONTH

A-1 TV however reported the very same day that debates had been instigated by the use of Macedonia's constitutional name by mediator Cyrus Vance. With respect to this issue the Vice-Secretary of the Greek Foreign Office, Hristos Rosakis, stated (in response to a question by PASOK MP Stelios Papathemelis regarding Greek-Macedonian negotiations) that 'Vance is an objective mediator capable of maintaining a position of equi-distance, and the fact that he referred to our neighbouring state by the name Macedonia is nothing but a slip'. As the new Greek pro-government paper 'Esskoussia' reports Rozakis furthermore said that negotiations are currently going through an extremely sensitive stage, so that it is not possible to dwell on essential questions.

[03] CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 51ST UN ANNIVERSARY

A message of similar content was also forwarded to the UN Secretary-General by Macedonian Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski.

[04] CARSTEN FOGT MEETS PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMAN TITO PETKOVSKI

Official records reveal that both politicians assessed their mutual cooperation as positive, apart from discussing general matters concerning Europe and the Balkans. Tito Petkovski also expressed Macedonia's interest to achieve an intensification of collaboration and eventual affiliation towards Western European political, economic and military organisations and structures. The guest was also acquainted with the current situation in Macedonia, parliamentary activities and impending local elections.

[05] AMBASSADOR OF ICELAND SUBMITS ACCREDITIVES

The Iceland Ambassador said that both countries had much in common, though geographically remote - such as their strong commitment towards liberty and democracy. According to the Ambassador there is a possibility to strengthen the friendship and cooperation in all fields throughout the coming years.

H.E. Amb. Eydur Gunnatson was also received by PM Branko Crvenkovski and Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski.

[06] VIKTOR GABER APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT

[07] 'DNEVNIK' - MACEDONIAN ARMED FORCES TO BUY WEAPONS WORTH 200 MILLION DOLLARS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

This ratio is supposed to be maintained throughout the future. As the above named paper reports the MOD will not be obliged to buy Western arms - which parallels frequent discussions in top military circles that Russian weapons are often less expensive but equal in quality. Concerning speculations that Macedonia would receive part of the JNA equipment, 'Dnevnik' reminds readers that Defense Secretary Handzhiski denied such rumours energetically , saying that these issues had not been discussed in Nish.

Based on MOD data, Macedonia is to buy several tens of armoured transporters, anti-armour weapon systems and multiple rocket-launchers, an anti-aircraft system, 4 to 5 interception aircrafts and several combat and transport helicopters.

[08] INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE FOR KOSOVO

[09] OIL PRICES TO REMAIN THE SAME, POSSIBLE DECREASE OF TAXES

The procurement price makes up 25.8% or 9.42 denars; transportation costs amount to 0.7% i.e. 0.25 denars, whereas revenue totals 3.58% or 1.31 denars. The percentage falling off to taxes is the largest with 69.92% or 25.52 denars.

[10] FUND RAISER FOR PROTECTION OF LAKE OHRID

[11] SDSM ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

The Liberal Party is being assessed based on its campaign motto 'Liberals know', since in SDSM circles there is a wide-spread belief that 'they don't know'. This is partly based on the fact that the motto contains a grammatical error (what would be standard is the definite form of the word 'Liberals') - as Stojanovski said. He furthermore mentioned that 'had they known' they would not have found themselves in the situation they are in at the moment.

In connection to the nominees of the Socialist Party the SDSM spokesperson raised the question whether this was a 'one-man-party', a private political venture.

As far as the Democrat Party is concerned the SDSM does not have a viewpoint on their campaigning activities since their have not been any.

[12] LJUBISHA IVANOV: ECONOMIC CHAOS IN THE COUNTRY HAS TO BE REMEDIED

[13] MENDUH TACHI ON PDPA'S TASK TO ENLIGHTEN PUBLIC

Based on Tachi's words it is the task of PDPA to objectify election promises, to establish a critical assessment position since those used to illegal gain will offer the same sort of benefits to their voters... 'Those compromised by corruption and different scandals and affairs are of course bound to keep up their dirty business'.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[14] 'A Prestigious Hodgepodge'

('Vecher', 24th October 1996)

The Skopje Jazz Festival has gained the reputation of a prestigious hodgepodge - a variety of names representing avant-garde, alternative and classical jazz with hues of ethno-jazz and Latin-American tunes.

For six weeks the Skopje audience has been flowing into the Universal Hall to attend the concerts of more or less famous jazz musicians from all over the world. They would appear with the unhidden desire to become part of a musical happening which - for 15 years already - has been as punctual as October bad-weather clouds, and its impressions (often shared by some of the critics) have been eulogistic throughout the last few years. This is ascribed to the fact this manifestation traditionally offers a most exclusive programme which - of course - adheres to the creed 'You get what You paid for'. But regardless to the whole mess concerning entrance fees and the fact that the festival has become a 'vanity fair' we will dwell on a few of the more relevant aspects of this 'celebration': the music.

The festival's agenda once again reflected the viewpoint of the main 'offender' - promoter Oliver Belopeta - by providing a variety of names whose artistic output includes the avant-garde as well as the alternative, the classical as well as the ethno-inspired in Jazz, the sounds of Africa and Latin America. The appearance of Ray Charles - above all and in spite of his legendary status - is merely a smart marketing move by the promoter; and unfortunately no 'original heresy' at all since the same has been and is being done by other organizers of such events. The 'festival-masters' have to dig up a new 'mascot' or a 'popular face'. Thus the more famous and deserving this personality proves to be, the better for the festival's rating.

The festival was opened by Howard Johnson and his 'Gravity' band whose unique tonal id card draws on its six tubas - a story in their own right. While they were playing the audience slowly but steadily filled the hall. The alternative jazz trio 'Medeski, Martin and Wood' from New York left a very strong impression indeed due to the virtuoso- pianist and organ-player John Medeski, rather than due to the symbiosis of forms. The performances of Ray Anderson and Roy Campbell riveted jazz lovers who are interested in technical innovations to their chairs i.e. seats. Anderson amazed them with his innovative style of playing his trombone, whereas Campbell's (and that of his band) main feature is an extremely lively and dissonant style. Thus the statement that avant-garde jazz music seems to have less and less disciples in Skopje, has to be considered skeptically.

If one had to present the laurel wreath to a festival- champion known for its balancing of old and new styles, then it certainly had to go to Roy Hargrove for the inspiring performance with his trumpet. The Skopje audience does not get the opportunity to hear a virtuoso of his caliber too often. As far as the concert of Benny Golson and the vocalist Hendrix is concerned, it is more than complementary to the list of artists, since both of them represent living jazz legends - and their music certainly deserves the respect people are paying it.

The public's interest - at least judging it based on the turn-out - increased considerably for the 'ethno-evening'.

The latter began with the oriental sounds of Abou-Khalil, who blends the traditional music of his people with contemporary jazz in order to reach a wider audience, as a warm-up and continued with the Afro-Asian musical hurricane of Joe Zawinul who - inspite of previous statements - has not changed his repertoire to such an extent that one could say he is playing 'new music'... and yet his popularity in Skopje matches that of the 'Stones' (!) which may above all be ascribed to the great scope of generations he had reached with his music in the past with 'Weather Report'.

The evening with the Cuban duo 'Gemma and Pavel' proved to be a similar event, with the artists reaffirming their quality as club musicians.

Mambo-king Tito Puente immediately succeeded in turning the Universal Hall into a Dance Hall i.e. Temple in which the main priests besides Puente were to be found in vocalist Jolanda Douque who personified the archetypal Latin Venus on a South American carnival. To cut a long story short: this year's jazz festival was well within the qualitative boundaries of the previous ones.

(The End)

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