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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-11-19Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 19th November, 1996[01] MAJORITY VOTE FOR SDSMYesterday's local elections in Macedonia have been marked by a participation of 65% of the population entitled to vote, report Mac. media. The latter also reveal that throughout the first round the majority of votes went to SDSM candidates. Unofficial and provisional data aired by MTV support the fact that 13 of the SDSM nominees have been elected mayor, followed by 4 slots which went to the IMRO-DPMNE, 3 to the Socialist Party and 2 slots went to the DP and the PDP each. A-1 TV reports that 1 mayor post is being occupied by the Turkish DP, the Serb DP in Macedonia and the DP for the prosperity of the Rhoma.Both MTV and A-1 TV have broadcast information yesterday indicating that 225 638 people voted for SDSM mayor- candidates, 140 497 for IMRO-DPMNE candidates, 70 526 for LP nominees, 70 323 for DP candidates, 64 138 for those of the Socialist Party of Macedonia, 45 332 for PDP and app. 40 000 for PDPA candidates. The above mentioned TV stations also reported that with respect to elected counsellors the list was again headed by SDSM with 503 seats, followed by IMRO-DPMNE with 339, the SP with 147, the DP with 104, the LP with 102, the PDP with 92 and the PDPA with 80. The electorate in the capital Skopje (354 681 voters) gave most of its votes to the independent candidate Ljupcho Nikolovski - Fufo, according to MTV reports. A total of 32 321 voters had cast their vote in his favour. For the candidate of the `triumvirate' among IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP - Risto Penov - this number amounted to 32 151... followed by Jovica Ugrinovski (SDSM) with 28 544 votes and LP nominee Darko Markovikj with 16 880. Unofficial and provisional A-1 TV data reveal that round 2 of mayor elections will be commenced with SDSM candidates leading in 36 municipalities, the triple coalition (IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP) is following suit in 24, PDP in 6, the SP in 3 and the PDPA in 2 municipal units. All parties, however, presented their own data regarding their election triumphs throughout round 1 of these local elections, during a series of press conferences held yesterday. Most of them - according to `Sitel' TV coverage - dwelled on the number of elected candidates. For the SDSM this meant 13 elected mayors and 503 counsellors. The SP succeeded in obtaining 4 mayor slots (Kratovo, Demir Kapija, Zletovo and Samokov), and most of the counsellor seats in those very same regions. LP spokespeople announced that they had won between 15 and 20% of the votes for their mayor-nominees and from 15 to 17% for their municipal counsellors. Based on data issued by IMRO-DPMNE this party managed to win 9 mayor slots in round 1 - and with regards to having obtained the majority of counsellor seats it is heading the ranking in 35 municipalities. The PDP party announced that it had obtained 9 mayor posts. [02] NEC: PROGRESS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS IN GENERAL POSITIVEThe overall impression concerning the progressing of local elections in Macedonia is a favourable one, as it is deficient of major problems in terms of technical organization. Voting had been commenced without delay, and continued even after 19 h in some units - in order to ensure that citizens still present at polling stations could cast their vote. Media also cover the assessment regarding local elections issued by the NEC, which -in addition to the above - indicated that voting had to be suspended in two election units in Tetovo and Kratovo due to problems that had occurred. Data obtained from 53 municipalities reveals that the electorate's turn-out totals more than 65%, with the lowest rate (of 40%) being registered in Shuto Orizari, and the largest (83.39%) in Lozovo. The NEC also spoke of several complaints made by citizens as they had not been registered as voters, adding that (concordant to new legal provisions) only those registered had the right to vote, as well as that during the period when public access to the voters' register had been possible the majority did not take advantage of this right (and check up on their registration entry).Municipal Election Commissions are obliged to announce the official results by midnight tomorrow, whereas candidates have the right to appeal the outcome within the subsequent 72 hours, NEC officials announced yesterday. [03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE OBSERVERS: MOST PROBLEMS CONCERNING INCONSISTENT VOTER REGISTRATIONLocal elections in Macedonia have mainly been peaceful and orderly in most election units, it has been announced by Council of Europe observers during their press conference yesterday. The observation mission's reports are based on data gathered by 6 teams which covered 96 polling stations. Mission members indicated that the most frequent problems were to be attributed to the inconsistent registration of voters (i.e. the omission to do so) in around 13 election units in the Tetovo area and several other regions. Based on their estimates even up to 25% of the voters had not been registered in the newly-formed municipal units. The argument that citizens had been provided the opportunity to access the registers and ensure its timely correction, had been evaluated as rather formal by the European Council monitors.Some objections aired by the observers also dwelled on the breaching of voting confidentiality in certain instances, whereas the presence of party representatives in election commissions received favourable comments. [04] PARTIES ALSO MOSTLY CRITICIZE VOTER REGISTRATIONDuring their press conference yesterday IMRO-DPMNE officials pointed out that voters' registers for these local elections were incomplete, which barred 25% of the electorate existing in this country from casting their vote. This figure contradicts the rate to 1 to 2% issued by the NEC. Party representatives also expressed their content that a large part of the Macedonian people had decided to vote in favour of the country's largest opposition party - in spite of all obstructions confronting them as the incumbent regime strived to create a state of `organised chaos', in order to deter as many as possible from exercising their right to vote.The LP announced that local elections have only confirmed their previously expressed - quite substantial - suspicion regarding the regularity of these elections, and that the currently ruling party is incapable of organising elections whose outcome would appear credible to citizens. Estimates regarding the number of unregistered voters also vary between 20 and 25% (of the `94 electorate), according to this party. It has furthermore been stated that the percentage of 10% invalid ballot forms is too high, as it would inevitably affect the balance among political parties quite significantly. The DP claimed that field data seriously compromised election regularity. This refers first and foremost to voter registration, which had also been confirmed by Council of Europe monitors. Another objection aired dwells on the lack of organization and expedience throughout data processing procedures. The SDSM claimed that initial election results bore evidence of the fact that the idea and option of a united political opposition had been defeated, as well as the prospect of irregular parliamentary elections in the Republic of Macedonia. This was accompanied by a message to the `political competition' that the reasons for their results should not be sought for within the existing legal provisions, election procedures or media coverage - but rather within their political agenda and human resources. The SP pointed out that there was a high rate of invalid ballot forms, which had mainly listed their party and another one. In several Mac. municipalities there had been more registered voters than actual inhabitants, and in others votes had been counted in the presence of only one party representatives. The PDP stated that both the electorate and the Mac. people had exhibited an extraordinary amount of matureness, a high sensitivity and political rationality throughout the 1st round of local elections in Macedonia. Even in spite of being content with the progression of round 1 and electoral support, PDP indicated many irregularities - particularly in West Macedonia where the rate of unregistered voters had been the highest, or many did nor know at which polling stations they had to vote. [05] FOREIGN MEDIA ON LOCAL ELECTIONS IN MACEDONIAAlbanian electronic media dedicated quite a lot of space to local elections in Macedonia, stressing that Albanian parties in the country objected to inconsistent voter registration, according to `Makfax'.The national Albanian `ATA' agency and Radio Tirana report huge electoral victories of the PDPA in Gostivar and Tetovo, as well as the statements issued by several Albanian party leaders on the fact that `this party will become the basis for Albanian determination in Macedonia'. Bulgarian media evaluated that the first round of local elections in Macedonia had been conducted peacefully. The opposition paper `Demokracija' states that elections in Macedonia were being monitored by a delegation of IMRO-SMD headed by the party-leader Krasimir Karakachanov. His assessment so far indicates that the Socio-Democrats are bound to lose elections in Macedonia, whereas the coalition among IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP was to emerge victorious. Greek media do not expect any major surprise being brought forth by local elections in Macedonia. `Elephterotypia' emphasizes the fact that no party had directed its criticism towards bilateral relations with Greece throughout pre-election campaigning, except for the already expected declination from this practice by IMRO- DPMNE. [06] GREEK-MACEDONIAN NEGOTIATIONS TO CONTINUE IN DECEMBERThe sequel of the Greek-Macedonian dialogue on reconciling opinions regarding the name-issue has been scheduled for the first week of December, at the UN seat in New York.According to `Makfax' Greek media have announced the arrival of resident UN representative H.E. Amb. Christos Zacharakis in Athens, as the latter is to meet the Government for consultations. [07] ALEXANDROS MALYAS: DOOR FOR BILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN GREECE AND MACEDONIA OPENAlexandros Malyas, Head of the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje, assessed that the door for bilateral cooperation between Greece and Macedonia was open - according to an interview published in `Escoussia' yesterday. `Makfax' reports that this interview also contained the announcement that five more groups of businessmen (bankers, energetics experts, experts on telecommunications and environmental protection) were to visit Skopje. Malyas said that part of them would meet the Macedonian PM Branko Crvenkovski, The Greek diplomat also revealed that trade between both countries throughout the first 7 months of this year had totalled the amount of app. 75 million dollars, stressing that the predicted sum to be achieved towards the close of `96 was to exceed 100 million.[08] FIRST INTERNATIONAL SESSION OF FOREIGN INVESTORSYesterday the first meeting with foreign investors has taken place at government premises. This has been attended by representatives of the US, the British, the German, the French and the Italian Embassies as well - in addition to representatives of: the World Bank, the USAID, the UNIDO, the `Know-How' Fund, the German `Ausgleich Bank' and the PHARE programme. The session was chaired by Vice-President and National Foreign Investment Coordinator Jane Miljoski.Other Mac. participants include.: Macedonian Development Secretary Abdulmenaf Bedzeti, representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Finance and the Foreign Office, as well as Privatization Agency officials. MTV reports that the main subject of study had been this year's National Operative Programme which places considerable stress on developing small- and medium-sized businesses, an undertaking requiring the sum of 4 million ECU. Foreign investors also had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the measures each of them had taken to facilitate the achievement of this objective, and to exchange information on the future development strategy for Macedonia in this sector. [09] ITALIAN DONATION OF 30 MILLION DM FOR MACEDONIAN HEALTH SERVICESItaly has procured the sum of 30 million DM for the restructuring of health services in Macedonia, according to `Dnevnik' which also announces the arrival of Deputy Foreign Secretary Pierro Fassino at Macedonia tomorrow.Another thematic focus during meetings with Mac. government officials will be the role of Italy and the International Community in eliminating economic consequences suffered by Macedonia due to the imposing of sanctions towards SR Yugoslavia. To that purpose it has also been planned to discuss the `Corridor 8' projects, for which Italy is prepared to aide the procurement of funding from international financial institutions, in addition to making final corrections prior to the ratification of the Agreement on Avoiding Double Taxation - reports `Dnevnik'. MTV reveals that Pierro Fassino is to meet President Kiro Gligorov, PM Branko Crvenkovski and Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski. [10] PRESENTATION OF MACEDONIAN BUSINESS POTENTIAL IN BRITAINAccording to `Vecher' a Seminar on `Business Potential in Macedonia' has been held in Bradford, under the auspices of the Bradford City Council and the Bradford Business Centre - in cooperation with the Mac. Embassy in London.The seminar has been attended by representatives of more than 30 companies of the region, and some of the speakers included H.E. Amb. Risto Nikovski, David Webb - in charge of Macedonia at the British Trade Dept. and Bradford Business Centre representative Jenny Lawson. [11] DECREASE IN TRADE WITH SLOVENIASince yesterday a delegation of the Mac. Chamber of Economy has been staying in Slovenia, joined by 25 businessmen who are to establish direct contacts with their Slovenian counterparts. Macedonian Radio reports that a session of the joint Slovenian-Macedonian Economic chamber had also taken place in Ljubljana yesterday, during which it had been registered that trade between both countries had been decreased this year. Throughout the first 9 months Macedonia had exported goods worth 22 million dollars, whereas Slovenia had done the same on the scale of 66 million dollars. Such a trend - according to both sides - did not mirror the interest of either economies or states, when considering that a Free Trade Zone Agreement had been enacted since this September.[12] CONTRACT FOR MACEDONIAN CONSTRUCTORS WITH RUSSIA WORTH 15 MILLION DOLLARSSkopje construction company `Grading' has signed a deal worth 15 million dollars, within its activities on the markets of the Russian Federation, according to `Vecher'.The contract outlines the reassembling and adaptation of indoor sports facilities in Krasnoyarsk and Siberia. [13] COUNCIL OF EUROPE OBJECTS TO 35 ARTICLES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES LAWThough the overall analysis of the future Law on Criminal Procedures has been officially assessed as positive, it contains 35 comments on articles of the draft-bill.`Dnevnik' reports that most objections referred to sentence execution, and the overstepping of competencies by law enforcement elements... Thus the European Council experts object that the draft does not contain provisions guaranteeing separate cells for those held apprehended while under investigation, or uncensored correspondence. Minorities are not granted the right to undergo legal procedures in their own language, and many investigative measures are conducive to the breach of personal rights, which is only possible under appropriate judicial surveillance. [14] ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF PREVENTIVE POLIO INOCULATIONResults obtained by the irregular polio inoculation throughout the country - instigated by the Dept. of Health as a preventive measure - are more than encouraging. In a time when the virus is present in all three neighbouring countries this proved to be more than `the right decision at the right time'. This was the conclusion of WHO epidemic expert Roland Sataire, who has been staying in Macedonia for more than a month - upon invitation of the Macedonian Health Dept. His estimate of the situation - according to `Vecher' - also stresses the necessity for Macedonia to construct a powerful control system which will not only detect polio cases - but rather the presence of the polio-virus itself. The Macedonian Health Dept. intends to incorporate a Programme on the eradication of this disease within its agenda, which would include the introduction of National Polio Vaccination Days.(end)Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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