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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-06Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 06 January 1997[01] GLIGOROV: `UNITING WITHIN OUR OWN COUNTRY'`Now that we have gained a state of our own, we should all assemble and unite ourselves within it - regardless of the origin of each single citizen. Everybody should express her/his loyalty and nobody should forget one's roots, and what our country had to go through, as we - though last in the Balkans - formed our own independent state: the Republic of Macedonia.' These were the words of Macedonian Head of State, Kiro Gligorov, during the first minutes of the year 1997 at the Army Club, in an interview given for the Mac. Radio. The Mac. President also took particular pride - as he said - in the fact that Macedonia succeeded in building up its own Armed Forces over such a short period of time.In his New Year's address he stressed that the European option remains a definite course of Macedonia; an ultimate goal in which he sees the future of this country and its people - and not merely a strategy. Otherwise New Year's celebrations - as media report - have taken their traditional course at restaurants and homes; on squares throughout the country. The most festive atmosphere, nevertheless, prevailed in the capital where `merry-making' started in the afternoon hours of 31st December with a special show by Santa Claus doing the Macarena. This programme full of children's performances reached its climax in Santa's arrival in a helicopter. The `pre-midnight' hours were marked by the performance of several music and entertainment stars at the `Makedonija' square, with an audience of thousands who awaited the New Year together. [02] ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES STARTING TODAYAs of today the OCM and all Christian Orthodox worshippers commence celebrating one of the most relevant Christian holidays - the Birth of Christ: Bozhikj. The festivities, which are to last for several days in order to celebrate `peace and goodwill amongst people', is to start in a high fashion immediately during the first day - both at the houses of worship of the OCM and the homes of all Orthodox Christians. The OCM Head, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, the Reverend Mihail is expected to address worshippers at the `St. Clement of Ohrid' Congregational Church at Skopje today, with his Christmas Sermon. This is to be followed by the blessing of the `Badnik' (Christmas tree - usually oak). These festivities - which are to be attended by Mayor Risto Penov - continue by giving away `Badnik' branches, warm brandy and bread.[03] PRICE REDUCTIONS ONLY IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCEThe growth of retail prices has totalled 3% throughout 1996, compared to 1995, whereas living costs have increased by 2.3% - revealed the National Institute of Statistics. This growth in prices has varied with respect to different groups of products. Thus the greatest growth rate has been registered in terms of service charges (6.8%); followed by industrial food products (2.4%); other industrial products (1.8%) and beverages (1.1%). The only group which has been marked by price reductions in 1996 were agricultural products (by 8.2%). In addition to this the National Statistics Institute reported that retail prices had been decreased by 0.1% throughout December 1996 - in comparison to December `95.The overall index of increasing living costs (2.3%) for `96, is mainly being comprised by a rise in heating and lighting expenses (98.1%), housing expenditures (6.5%), followed by water, rent services by 5.9%; then expenses for culture and entertainment (5.6%), and transportation and postal services by 3.3%. Upon giving a survey of 1996, the Statistics Institute has also registered that living expenses had been highest in 1992 - as that year had been marked by a growth in retail prices by 1 690.7% with respect to 1991; and living expenses were higher by 1 511.3%. This `most expensive year' is followed by 1990 with a rise in retail prices by 608.4%, and that of living expenses by 596.6%. 1991 had been a considerably better year with a growth of retail prices by 114.9%, and one of living expenses by 110.8%. In 1993 the former amounted to 349.8% and the latter to 362%; in 1994 these figures were 121.8% as regards retail prices and 128.3% in terms of living expenses. 1995 was marked by a drastic reduction of those tow rates: the former then only totalled 15.9%, and the latter 15.7%. [04] 160 MILLION DM GATHERED VIA PRIVATIZATION SO FARAccording to data released by the Privatization Agency, a total of 160 112 436 DM have been obtained via privatization procedures up to the end of October `96. Of these 99.2 million DM have been generated last year alone.`Vecher', upon reporting Agency information, claims that this sum is mainly comprised of payments in frozen hard currency assets (total: 97 million DM), followed by payments in bonds (last year's total: 44.3 million DM) and then by `cash' payments on the last position (21.1 million DM). The Agency reports that only 1.8 million DM of these means had `snuggled up' at the revenue account of the Agency by the close of October `96. In opposition to this, however, dues to hard currency depositors had been decreased by 97 million DM. [05] ON LAST YEAR'S TRADEConcerning the above mentioned subject the Economy Chamber of Macedonia has publicized data, according to which the greatest problem of commercial enterprises in Macedonia were connected to insufficient liquidity - growing to record proportions and equally affecting both national and private firms. Though the former have a larger number of employees , ergo a heavier burden of responsibilities, more obligations, stricter control but less liquid funds.Compared to other elements of financial working of the non-production sector, trade has been affected by a growth of loss by 33.1% - states the Economy Chamber of Macedonia, i.e. 1 390 million denars. The rate of permanently insolvent legal entities over a period of 60 days - or 60 days with short intermissions, amounts to 1 187 with 3 606 employees, during the last 75 days. Throughout this period a total of 1 009 million denars in unsettled dues had been generated. Based on data released by the Economy Chamber last year has also been marked by the tendency to establish `commercial' firms `peddling all sorts of things'. Thus their number totalled 55 246 in 1996. 96% of these firms are private. Due to increased competition and difficulties in circulating means and goods, losses have been most severely affecting companies dealing with textile, household appliances and furniture - according to this report. Whereas those most successful appear to be firms dealing with food produce, i.e. shops and stores. Tax Inspection reports reveal that a total of 11 720 controls have been conducted in commercial firms throughout the first 10 months. Of these 6 048 have affected legal entities, and 5 672 shop-owners. During these inspections, `Nova Makedonija' states, the majority of the examined enterprises - i.e. 52% - had not been operating correctly. [06] SURVEY OF `DATA PRESS': GLIGOROV THE MOST POPULAR POLITICIAN IN MACEDONIAThe latest opinion poll conducted by the `Data Press' agency revealed the President Kiro Gligorov is the most popular politician in Macedonia. as he managed to obtain 73.33% in his favour - out of 1 050 questioned citizens.12.38% aired a negative opinion, whereas 14.29% did not have a particular favourite. PM Branko Crvenkovski obtained 39.4% of the votes in his favour, in addition to 36.76% negative ones. Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski possesses a balance of 43.43% in favour and 37.71 against his policy; followed by Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski with 39.43% saying `aye' and 37.53% `nay'. This list is augmented by Vice- President Jane Miljoski with 51. 43% of the votes against his policy, and 16.95% in his favour; then Bekir Zhuta with a negative balance of 41.71% and 30.29% of positive votes; Ljube Trpevski with 36.49% of negative votes and 23.43% positive ones and Tomislav Chokrevski with a negative total of 38.10% and 31.24 of the votes in his favour. Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski - according to this result - has acquired a total of 42.10% in negative votes and 32.38 of positive ones - whereas his predecessor Stojan Andov has to `settle for' 32.19% of positive votes, while his negative `suite' is just as huge as that of Petkovski. According to `Data Press' the entire opposition is `in the red / negative': thus Petar Goshev has obtained 40.76% (30.05% positive ones); followed by Ljupcho Georgievski with 42.10% vs. 36.38%; Ljubisav Ivanov with 39.24% vs. 30.29%; Tomislav Stojanovski with 36.12 % vs. 29.90%; Faik Abdi with 47.43% vs. 19.24%; Erdogan Sarach with 44% vs. 11.62%; Abduraham Aliti with 52.38% vs. 20.19%; Arben Dzhaferi with 55.62 vs. 19.62%, etc. [07] INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON COPYRIGHTS AND SIMILAR SUBJECTS RATIFIEDA Diplomatic Conference in Geneva on Copyrights and similar subject-matters has been brought to a close by generating two important international agreements on this thematic focus - and the same have been ratified by Macedonia. Based on information released by the Information Secretariat both papers are acceptable to the Republic of Macedonia, as most of the solutions outlined in these agreements have already been integrated into to new Mac. legislation on copyrights and similar rights - and they also happen to correspond to prevailing socio- economic and traditional relations within the country. The Conference's Agenda furthermore included an agreement on data bases, though its ratification has been postponed for the first half of this year.[08] GREEK GVT. PERMITS OPENING OF `MACEDONIAN HOUSE' IN LERINThese days `Nova Makedonija' reports that the Greek Government has permitted the opening of a `Macedonian House' in the Lerin region, which is to promote Mac. culture in Greece. In this context the daily is quoting a statement given by Peco Vasilidis, Executive Board member of the `Vinozhito' Organisation of Macedonians in Greece, for Australian National TV. According to this, Greece is being severely pressured by the EU and the US to recognize the existence of a Mac. minority resident in North Greece.Vasilidis furthermore stressed that `Vinozhito' has become increasingly active among the Mac. population at Lerin, Kostur, Voden, Drama and in the Thessalonica region. [09] MISTREATED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS, THEN CHARGED IN COURTCourt authorities at Lerin have brought on charges against Trajanos Pasois of the Sopot area (Kumanovo) instead of doing so with their customs officials for abusing the above mentioned at the border. The officers took away two clocks the accused had received of the Bitola Association of Children Refugees from the Aegean Part of Macedonia - according to `Makpress'. The latter also reports that Pasois had pressed charges against these two officers, as the clocks had been a present for the `Vinozhito' Organisation from their Bitola counterpart. Pasois attributes the abuse and the taking of those clocks to the fact that they depicted several localities in Cyrillic script, and with Mac. toponyms. At the trial on 16th December both Greek officers justified their action as concordant to orders issued by the appropriate Ministry.They claimed that crossing the border is not prohibited, unlike the import of any sort of `propaganda material' - as this may be conducive to the worsening of bilateral relations. The court's sentence, acquitting both officers from all charges and instigating legal procedures against Pasois, has been forwarded to all parties, international organisations and the Helsinki Human Rights Watch in Greece. [10] TWO MACEDONIAN CITIZENS ABDUCTED IN BULGARIA AND RELEASED SOON AFTERWARDSOn 23rd December 1996, two Mac. citizens from Prilep were abducted by seven Bulgarians at the market in Sofia. The kidnappers had requested a ransom of 40 000 DM... This has been revealed by the Ministry of Interior Affairs these days. The Mac. citizens had been kept hostage for two days, and severely abused during that time - with repeated threats that they would be terminated. Following the contacting of both corresponding ministries and a successful police operation on 25th December both Macedonians had been freed and returned to their country.[11] SOLUTION FOR SKOPJE `TRASH' PROBLEMAs of the 2nd January, the `Komunalna Higiena' Public Facility has commenced waste disposal at the `Drisla' facility, which finally puts an end to this issue, according to `Vecher'. The paper reports that this buries the hatchet brandished by city, national authorities and `Komunalna Higiena' leaders for quite some time, especially after Minister Jorgo Shundovski prohibited the use of the `Vardarishte' facility - and the enactment of the Law on Environment Protection last Thursday.[12] THEFT OF LUMBER EXCLUDED FROM CRIMINAL LAWUp to quite recently the Forestry Law prescribed certain legal sanctions for the theft of lumber in Macedonia (criminal charges were pressed for 1 to 2 cubic meters).As did the Criminal Law of the country for more gravitating offences. Its new version, however, according to `Nova Makedonija' has completely ignored this issue - and as the new Forestry Law has not been passed yet event the biggest offenders can only be held responsible through fines. This treatment of such a subject, according to the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Forestry and the Lumber Industry only stimulates criminals even more to commit this crime - whether it be to procure a living or profit. According to their estimate, forestry is finally losing its rating in Macedonia - unlike in other countries throughout Europe and the world. (end)mils news 06 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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