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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-08Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 08 January, 1997[01] 1997 - THIRTY YEARS OF RENEWED AUTOCEPHALY OF THE `OCM'`The Macedonian people have been initiated into the Holy Church of Christ by the Apostle Paul, by the Holy brethren Cyril and Methodius and in particular by the miracle workers of Ohrid - St. Clement and St. Naum. The Orthodox Church of Macedonia is the successor of the Ohrid Archiepiscopality; the Holy Archiepiscopal Synod (`body of leading church officials') has declared 1997 a year of celebration, as it marks the 30th anniversary since the resuscitation of the OCM's autocephaly (`independence') - continuing thus the tradition of the Ohrid Archiepiscopality. In the spirit of this significant jubilee we are greeting all children of Macedonia - wherever they may be - and we ask you to accomplish deeds on a spiritual, religious and patriotic level worthy of respect this year; deeds which are to represent us as a nation adhering to the learnings of Christ, his disciples and those of St. Clement and his spirit.' ...This, among other things, was emphasized by OCM Head - the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia - the Reverend Mihail during his ceremonial blessing at the main festivity marking Orthodox `Bozhikj' at the Congregational `St. Clement of Ohrid' Church at Skopje. In his Christmas Sermon the OCM Head expressed the sincere hopes of the clergy of commencing to teach the Holy Script and the learnings of the Holy Church at schools, stressing that this was the will of the entire people wherefore the Government should respect its wishes... In the presence of many high-ranking church officials, worshippers, the Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov, Minister Vlado Naumovski, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Relations with Religious Communities Slave Nikolovski Katin, Skopje mayor Risto Penov and many others - the OCM Head held the ceremonial `Bozhestvena Zlatoustova' (`divinely mellifluous') liturgy with the traditional greeting `Hristos se rodi' (`Christ is Born').In addition to this the Day of Christ's Nativity (according to the Orthodox calendar) has been celebrated throughout all Orthodox shrines in Macedonia, as well as in Macedonian Orthodox churches abroad. [02] CELEBRATIONS IN MACEDONIAN COMMUNITIES IN CANADAMacedonian Radio reports that Orthodox `Bozhikj' celebrations had begun as early as Sunday in Canada, throughout Macedonian communities. Holy liturgies held in Macedonian churches all over this country enjoyed mass attendance by Macedonians, with most of them assembling at the `St. Clement of Ohrid' church of Toronto. It has also been mentioned that this year - as well as before - Canadian media, and radio and TV in particular, forwarded their best wishes upon occasion of this significant holiday to all Orthodox worshippers living in this country.[03] PROTESTS AGAINST ARCHBISHOP PETAR IN MELBOURNE`Dnevnik' is quoting the Australian National Radio `SBS' while reporting that Christmas celebrations for Macedonians in Australia commenced with demonstrations against Australian Metropolitan, the Reverend Petar. On the eve towards Bozhikj the Archbishop held evening mass at the `St. George and Holy Mary' church at Epping (Melbourne). Prior to his arrival a larger group of worshippers had staged a peaceful protest in front of the church. After some time these demonstrators were joined by worshippers of the St. Albans suburb. The discontent of those people - according to the Australian Radio - was to be attributed to the recent statement given by Metropolitan Petar that the `St. George...' - otherwise the first Macedonian church built abroad - is under Bulgarian jurisdiction.In other Macedonian churches in Australia Orthodox `Bozhikj' was festively marked, with church services held by priests arrived from Macedonia. Great celebrations (according to MTV) were also staged at the Macedonian Orthodox Church dedicated to `St. Nicholas' in Perth (W Australia) where the Christmas Sermon of the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, the Reverend Mihail has been read as well. At Macedonian Cultural Centers throughout W Australia presents were given to children, while special Christmas programmes were broadcast during Macedonian air time. [04] UNPREPARED TO COUNTER FLU EPIDEMICIn its statement released two days ago the Macedonian Ministry of Health approved the reinforcement of medical teams due to the large number of flu cases. As A-1 TV reports, however, the Skopje Medical Emergency Centre revealed that they were not capable of following the order issued by the Ministry. This is above all due to the fact that this is due to the lack of both vehicles and personnel, since their number does not even suffice to maintain normal operations. Based on information obtained by the medical centers, conditions have become worse as part of their staff has been affected by the flu as well. `Nova Makedonija' reports the continuous spreading of the epidemic, mostly in Skopje - and then partially in Kumanovo, Veles and Shtip.Media inform that so far app. 600 cases have been registered officially - though according to speculations the actual number of ill people is believed to exceed the given figure by far. Up to now the Ministry has not proclaimed an epidemic state, and according to different estimates it has neglected to react on the spreading of the flu for around 2 weeks too late. [05] CIGARETTES CHEAPER AS OF NEXT MONTHThe amendments to the tax rates on deficit goods have become legally binding on 1st January this year, which entails new consumer prices as of the beginning of next month, `Dnevnik' reports. The price of cigarettes is to be reduced once old stocks (which have been taxed already, and therefore have their control labels) have been used up. Thus it is expected to commence the implementation of the measure introduced by the Macedonian Government to reduce tax rates on cigarettes - and ergo decrease the sales price in order to discourage smuggling and `black marketeering', and in order to increase tax revenues.In this sense from 1st January onwards the tax on domestic cigarette brands and those produced via `license' will amount to 35%, whereas imported cigarettes will cost 1 250 denars per kilo, i.e. 25 denars per pack. MILS SUPPLEMENT[06] `Credit Cards Emerge on the Scene Again'(`Nova Makedonija' - 5th January 1997)The `Euro-Master' credit card can be obtained at `Komercijalna Banka', and it facilitates the purchase of goods and services abroad. The card also enables you to withdraw up to 10 000 denars per day, at one of the five `bankomats' here. Non-cash payment is a quite common occurrence in any country of the all too often mentioned west - which, according to an unwritten rule, has always served as an example to follow. However unusual it may be in our part of world, abroad almost everything is paid with credit cards. At shopping centers, hotels, restaurants or travel agencies it is enough to show one such credit card to pay for your purchased goods or services. From that point onwards it is the task of the employee to run a check on the card, i.e. your account balance, aided by appropriate automatic equipment. This why cash payment has become almost extinct. In these countries there simply is a tradition to put one's money on an account, and pay by card. This way of payment has undergone a particular kind of boom in `western' countries towards the close of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s. In our country, however, the most efficient mode of payment remains cash. Cash is buying everything in Macedonia, starting with chewing gum and sweets up to luxury cars and flats. It very often is the case that even companies cooperate on a cash basis. Credit cards in use at the time, such as: Visa, Eurocard, Diners, American Express, etc. have simply vanished for the already well-known reasons. Nevertheless, recently the `non-cash' mode of payment appears to have `broken the ice' in this region, and radical measures are being introduced to ensure the return of the credit card upon the scene. In this context `Komercijalna Banka' has already succeeded in achieving specific results. By obtaining the license of `Europe International' - a Brussels-based banking association - this bank has managed to issue over 800 credit cards bearing the `Euro' and `Master' logo during one year. In practice, this meant the first time a Macedonian bank had been given the opportunity to issue this kind of cards in the country - says Rubin Lokvenec, in charge of the Credit Card Dept. of `Komercijalna Banka'. In order to obtain this card it is prerequisite to fill in an appropriate form, whereas the bank retains the exclusive right to either accept or reject the request for a credit card. `The card may be obtained by everybody, regardless of their being a client of `Komercijalna Banka' or not', explains Lokvenec. In order to be issued a Euro-Master credit card one has to open an account, deposit 1 000 DM and pay an annual fee of 55 DM. The deposited money yields an annual interest rate of 6%, according to Lokvenec. Currently `Komercijalna Banka' issues only international credit cards. This means the covering of goods and services purchased abroad and not exceeding the limit, but not in- country. `Yet the card facilitates the withdrawing of money at the five `bankomats' at the three offices of `Komercijalna Banka', at the `Skopje' Airport and from the one located at Ohrid', says Lokvenec. `The automates work non-stop, and holders of the Euro-Master credit card can withdraw a daily maximum of 10 000 denars. This limit also applies to withdrawals made abroad, in the appropriate hard currency.' Bank employees further explain that any sort of abuse is impossible as all transactions - whether these be the purchasing of goods and services abroad, or cash withdrawals from `bankomats' in the country - are conducted via computer. `Komercijalna Banka' has also announced that commencing next year it will issue a domestic `Euro-Master' credit card, which is to serve as a means of payment with several commercial facilities and gastronomic and tourist facilities throughout the country. In the long run, spreading the use of credit cards in the country is to benefit the country as revenues will be reported in a legal manner, i.e. possible tax embezzlements will be avoided and cash flow will be reduced to a minimum... representatives of `Komercijalna Banka' emphasized. [07] MORE LAND FOR FARMERS15% of the nationally-owned arable land is to be taken from its current users. According to official assessments this measure is to facilitate the more efficient use of arable land, whereas the Agriculture Dept. within the Economy Chamber advocates the viewpoint that this will only contribute to the further division of land which will have a negative impact on production.In expectancy of the announced SAL loan by the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken all necessary steps outlined through Constitutional provisions - requiring that 15 % of the nationally-owned arable land be taken from its current users and given to interested private farmers via auctioning. Instructions issued by the Ministry of Agriculture state that the land is to be taken of those grounds granted for use to the agricultural associations and unions. If possible, the land should be of better quality (class 1 to 3), patches should not be under 2 hectares large and be conducive to normal movement across it and usage with common ancillary equipment. It should furthermore be not too remote from settlements, border privately-owned land, be near transportation routes and access roads, possess irrigative systems (either natural or artificial, e.g. rivers, lakes), etc. There are 1 297 838 hectares of arable land in Macedonia, of which 608.7 thousand hectares are nationally-owned whereas 543.9 thousand hectares fall off to the private sector. Out of this total 660.8 thousand hectares can be cultivated currently; the major share of this land (460.7 thousand hectares) belongs to individual farmers. The above mentioned 15% of land are mainly to be procured from land used by state companies - predominantly large agriculture associations. Based on the justification provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, international financial institutions, which have been studying the situation in the country for the past three years, had arrived at the conclusion that the land was not being used to its optimum. This in particular applied to agricultural associations and unions which, due to deficiency of means, were unable to make the best use of all the land at their disposal. Possible beneficiaries of this measure are legal entities and concrete individuals (preference is given to individual farmers) who have submitted projects outlining the use of the land over a set period of time. In addition to this they need to prove that all dues (tax, contributions, etc.) have been settled on a regular basis throughout the past two years, by obtaining a written certificate. In case of an individual farmer, it is also prerequisite to submit final balances confirming a positive financial status over a period of two years preceding the auction. Official data indicates that the fulfillment of this condition set by the World Bank will entail the more efficient use of arable land, in addition to increased production profitability. The Agriculture Dept. within the Economy Chamber of Macedonia, however, provides a completely different interpretation of this matter as it claims that the anyway `scattered' arable grounds will be carved up even further - which can only have an unfavourable impact on production. [08] `BADNIK' AND `BOZHIKJ' ACCORDING TO ORTHODOX TRADITIONAccording to Orthodox tradition `Bozhikj'(7th January) represents above all a family holiday, a celebration of peace and love, to the honour and glory of the birth of the Lord's Son who by assuming human shape and descending to earth attempts to save mankind of its sins.`Badnik' (6th January) as regards religious mythology, represents the day preceding Christ's nativity. The burning branch of the `Badnik' tree (usually oak), i.e. its flame symbolizes the fire lit by the shepherds near the barn where Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus, in this cold winter night at Bethlehem. It also embodies the survival and spreading of Christian faith throughout the ages, a symbol uniting the importance of birth, of new life and the belief into the foundations of civilization. Both the `Badnik' holiday and the `Badnik' flame have been a prominent feature of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, with all its traditions and recognizable rites. (end)mils news 08 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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