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Wednesday, 14 August 2024
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MILS NEWS, 96-10-25Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWS25th October, 1996 [01] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN DEBTS REDUCED TO 364 MILLION DOLLARSAccording to the agreement signed in New York with the London Club of Creditors Macedonia has taken over 5.4% of the actual dues and 3.65% of interest rates of the former Yugoslav Federation which amounted to 5.6 billion 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 MONTHYesterday the Macedonian Foreign Office released the information that negotiations between Macedonia and Greece concerning divergent opinions on our country's name are to continue on 6th November in New York.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 ANNIVERSARYHead of state Kiro Gligorov Kiro Gligorov addressed a note of congratulation to UN Secretary-General Butros-Ghali on the 51st anniversary of the United Nations Organisation. In it Gligorov stresses the commitment of the Macedonian state to adhere to the basic principles of the UN Charter, and to continue doing so in the future - as well as the fact that we are ready to assume our share of responsibility as nation in order to maintain and strengthen international peace and stability.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 PETKOVSKIThe President of the North-Atlantic Council Carsten Fogt has commenced his several-day visit to Macedonia by meeting Macedonian Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski yesterday.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 ACCREDITIVESThe Ambassador to the Republic of Iceland to Macedonia H.E. Amb. Eydur Gunnatson forwarded his letters of accreditation to the Macedonian head of state, President Kiro Gligorov who stressed that relations between both countries were still in their infancy and yet to be developed, but that cooperation on a political and economic will pose a significant and fruitful challenge to both sides.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 EGYPTKiro Gligorov has appointed Victor Gaber as the extra- ordinal Ambassador of the Macedonian Republic to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Up to now H.E. Amb. occupied the equivalent post in Italy.[07] 'DNEVNIK' - MACEDONIAN ARMED FORCES TO BUY WEAPONS WORTH 200 MILLION DOLLARS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARSApproximately 200 million dollars are to be spent on the purchasing of arms by the Macedonian Armed Forces throughout the next five years - according to 'Dnevnik' which is quoting sources in the MOD. As the latter reveal the Armed Forces budget for 1996 totals 122 million, of which 30 million dollars are to be spent on the purchase of weapons.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 KOSOVOThe US Congress has adopted the Bill on Rendering Assistance to Other Countries on 22nd October, and on this occasion it was proposed that Kosovo be proclaimed an international protectorate - whereas sanctions towards Serbia and Montenegro should remain in force throughout 1997. According to 'Makpress' the corresponding section within this act of law clarifies that US sanctions towards the SR Yugoslavia are to remain intact until Congress receives a presidential order in writing concerning the resolving of the Kosovo issue.[09] OIL PRICES TO REMAIN THE SAME, POSSIBLE DECREASE OF TAXESThe 'Okta' refinery continues to retain the position that oil prices controlled by the Macedonian government have to be updated towards global rates. This would be conducive to the resuscitation of production, as A-1 TV reported. The Ministry of Economy however states that oil prices could be considered - but only if this upward price trend continues on an international level. In this case it would probably be considered to change the taxation rate, rather than increasing consumer prices of oil derivatives. In connection to this A-1 TV presented an analysis regarding the price formation of 1 litre super petrol of 98 octanes, which currently amounts to 36.5 denars.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 OHRIDAs MTV reports the first fund raiser for the protection of Lake Ohrid began in Ohrid yesterday. This event - in organisation of the Albanian and Macedonian governments - is to last two days and is attended by ten country representatives interested in joining the Lake Ohrid Protection Project, as well as by representatives of the European UN Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the 'GEF'. The objective of this fund raiser is to motivate possible donors to contribute towards the preservation of this biotope which had been initialized by 'GEF' programme. Based on MTV reports both governments have already distributed the three million dollars donated by 'GEF'. 55% of these funds went to Macedonia and 45 to Albania. According to the agenda representatives of the Swiss 'Ernest Basler Partners' will present concrete projects. This firm has also been compiling a feasibility study on this subject.[11] SDSM ON POLITICAL OPPONENTS IN LOCAL ELECTIONSYesterday the Socio-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia staged a press conference during which this party expressed its content regarding the commencement of its election campaign organised on two levels: the national and local one. With regard to the former SDSM is reminding the public of its achievements of the past 6 years, and on the latter they guarantee the resolving of problems if the trust of voters will be obtained during these elections - according to SDSM spokesperson Nakje Stojanovski. Throughout the press conference it was also mentioned that 'the IMRO-DPMNE party is consistent in its inconsistency', as it has become a trade mark of this party deny everything achieved throughout the past 6 years, i.e. the overall results on a political and national level. Stojanovski also stated that if IMRO- DPMNE gained power it would destroy everything achieved so far.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 REMEDIEDSocialist Party leader Ljubisha Ivanov - Singo states that all political parties have an equal share in what has been achieved in the country and on an international level so far, during a campaign rally in Kichevo. According to 'Dnevnik' Ivanov also stressed that this entailed the assuming of an equal portion of responsibility for large economic failures and the state of chaos and collapse. 'We have 220 thousand unemployed, over 150 000 laid off workers and more than 100 000 young people in our country. The percentage of brain drainage is incredible. This chaos has to be remedied - since it mostly affects workers, farmers and the intelligentsia while certain individuals made their fortune. This is why we have given our party a new profile - the profile of a party able to solve problems,' said Ivanov, and added that 'we want to assume power in order to lead us out of the economic crisis'.[13] MENDUH TACHI ON PDPA'S TASK TO ENLIGHTEN PUBLICPDAPA campaigning was started by yesterday's rally in Tetovo under the motto '...Albanian - Think Albanian, Speak Albanian, Write Albanian, Vote Albanian..." As 'Dnevnik' reports PDPA Vice-Chair Menduh Tachi has made it his mission to enlighten the public and the electorate with regards to reality; to the political, legal and economic context; to the failures and deficiencies of the incumbent government.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)Mils news, 25th October, 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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