MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TO DISCUSS DONATIONS FOR MACEDONIA TODAY

[02] AGRICULTURE LOAN OF 18 MILLION DM

[03] VISIT OF FRENCH MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN ISSUES DUE SOON

[04] EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONALISM WITHIN MACEDONIAN ARMED FORCES

[05] GLIGOROV CONGRATULATES ALBRIGHT

[06] READERS OF THE `SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS' UNIVERSITY DEMAND THE UPHOLDING OF THE CONSTITUTION

[07] PROTESTS OF `MAKEDONKA' AND `PELAGONIJA' EMPLOYEES, STRIKE OF RAILWAY WORKERS ON FRIDAY

[08] LAW ON THE SIDE OF DECEIVED BANK CUSTOMERS

[09] `SDSM' AT THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

[10] NOVA MAKEDONIJA: `DIFFERENCES DIVIDING GOVERNMENT COALITION'

[11] A-1 TV: `DEMOCRAT / LIBERAL COALITION POSSIBLE'

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] `Are We Becoming the Ragged Joker of the American Advance Eastwards?!' (`Fokus' - 24th January 1997)

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 27 January, 1997

[01] EU MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TO DISCUSS DONATIONS FOR MACEDONIA TODAY

These financial means, provided by the EU for Macedonia, would facilitate the settling of dues to the European Bank which our country inherited from the Former Yugoslav Federation. This - again - is a prerequisite criterion to be fulfilled prior to the signing of the already parafined Cooperation Agreement with the EU. News from Brussels reveal that the EU 15 are to discuss this issue based on existing standards for such financial arrangements with non-EU countries - with considerations paid to the geographical aspect to the country / region and the need for complementary EU action with international institutions. According to A-1 TV, Macedonia meets all these criteria and sources in Brussels state that Greece should not veto a possibly favorable EU decision.

Should the latter appear likely during today's meeting of the EU Finance Ministers, the corresponding EU Commission should compile the request for rendering macro-economic assistance to Macedonia as soon as possible. Its official approval should be entailed at the subsequent session of the Finance Ministers' Council scheduled for the end of February.

[02] AGRICULTURE LOAN OF 18 MILLION DM

The credit has been issued under the following terms: it is to be returned in 20 years, with a grace period of five years and an annual interest rate of 8%. Materials and funds will be available through five commercial banks: `Mak-banka', `Komercijalna Banka', `Tutunska Banka', `Stopanska Banka' and `Rado Banka'.

[03] VISIT OF FRENCH MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN ISSUES DUE SOON

H.E.Amb. Huntziger furthermore stressed that the completion of the third and final stage of the (joint French-Macedonian) Vardar valley project by this autumn, as well as the opening of the French Gymnasium in Negotino are indicative to the intensification of French-Macedonian bilateral relations. This is only augmented by the announced signing of agreements on investment protection and avoiding double taxation.

[04] EVALUATION OF PROFESSIONALISM WITHIN MACEDONIAN ARMED FORCES

This visit - according to Colonel Lawson - is to b entailed by the analysis of the US Defence Dept.

Assessment Team of further cooperation possibilities between the US and Macedonia in the defence sector.

[05] GLIGOROV CONGRATULATES ALBRIGHT

[06] READERS OF THE `SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS' UNIVERSITY DEMAND THE UPHOLDING OF THE CONSTITUTION

The enactment of a law referring to only one member of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University - the `St. Clement of Ohrid' Pedagogical Faculty of Skopje - which outlines the instruction of certain minority student factions in their native language is undermining constitutional values and the sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia. This embodies one step more towards the introduction of multi- lingualism in the Republic of Macedonia, the altering of its Constitution, the partition and federalisation of the country.

The readers and associates of this university are opposed to this attitude towards the sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia, and support the respecting of the Constitution which codifies the Macedonian language and Cyrillic script as official.' This - according to `Vecher' - is part of the letter of 460 university readers and associates forwarded to the President of Macedonia, the Parliamentary Chairman, the PM, the Rector and the Senate Chairman of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University. It is being reported that copies of this letter (without the petition) have been sent to the media, the diplomatic missions in Macedonia and to other international organisations.

[07] PROTESTS OF `MAKEDONKA' AND `PELAGONIJA' EMPLOYEES, STRIKE OF RAILWAY WORKERS ON FRIDAY

Upon doing so they were joined by employees of other firms with similar problems in this town, which resulted in around 500 000 people attending the central event on the square. `Makedonka' employees once again aired their demands, including the resignation of four managers and the forwarding of two pays (5 000 denars each).

Strike activities at the depts. of the `Pelagonija' construction contractor continue these days, in order to ensure the establishment of new management structures.

Thus protest meetings were staged in all depts. of `Pelagonija' last Friday to obstruct the management and the passing of the decision to dissolve the shareholders' board - which would entail the establishment of a new shareholders' and executive board. On Friday employees were forwarded the withheld October pay. Strikes are to continue until the suspending of Director General Ivan Dichev. Based on most recent data published in `Dnevnik' this has been done - in addition to dissolving the executive board - by the general shareholders' board. The new Charge D'Affairs is Stojo Milkovski, who has been the Head Engineer at `Pelagonija' so far.

The General Strike of railway employees - announced by the Trade Union Organisation of Railway Workers and the corresponding Independent Union of Transportation Personnel of Macedonia for 31st January - but according to a release issued yesterday by the Independent Union it will nevertheless be staged. The Union has also demanded the urgent enactment of laws on railway traffic, and on the procuring of national funding for the maintenance of the railway infrastructure within the country.

[08] LAW ON THE SIDE OF DECEIVED BANK CUSTOMERS

As this Macedonian daily reveals the `Jugomarket' case has bereft app. 430 clients of their savings (1 800 000 DM), the `ALFA-S' affair has resulted in the (almost definite) loss of around 10 million DM according to most recent information. In the latest case involving `Makedonija Reklam' the loss amounts to 15 million DM in savings which have to be returned to customers. In all these cases clients were `lured' into depositing their savings at these banks by high interest rates (6% per month in case of `Makedonija Reklam'). After some time, however, these banks closed down and their owners are either hiding abroad or merely do not appear at court. Customers are protesting in front of these banks, they are establishing their interest groups, pressing charges at court and talking to authorities (e.g. the NBM Governour, etc.) - without achieving concrete results it seems. So far the NBM has also filed charges against the main shareholders, i.e. proprietors of the `Jugomarket' and `ALFA-S' banks.

Matters have, nevertheless `not even moved for an inch' over the past three i.e. one and a half years. While it is known that one of the three `ALFA-S' owners is in the Czech Republic, the owner of `Jugomarket' has not appeared at court - thus `clearly indicating to the court that he has no intention to enter any sort of disputes'... `Nova Makedonija' reports. The latter further states that legal provisions (Criminal Law - Embezzlement, Article 247) are quite definite as regards such cases - proscribing between 1 and 10 years imprisonment. Upon reminding of extradition regulations in such cases and police escort to ensure the appearance of offenders at court, the daily finishes its comment by wondering whether this passiveness is to be maintained by the Government, i.e. repeated in the most recent `Makedonija Reklam' case - and whether this legal `black hole' will not be (ab)used by another `bank' in the meantime.

[09] `SDSM' AT THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

[10] NOVA MAKEDONIJA: `DIFFERENCES DIVIDING GOVERNMENT COALITION'

According to the latter the SDSM has recently addressed a letter to the SPM, demanding a definite view on issues likely to generate divergent opinions between both parties. These would above all concern reforms - particularly with respect to macro-economic policy, the economic and social sphere, domestic currency stability and inflation, inter-ethnic relations and the principle of equi-distance. The letter states that according to the SDSM the addressing of this issues is prerequisite to establish successful cooperation within the Government and the Parliamentary coalition.

In response to the SDSM letter, the Socialists are reported to have accused their coalition partner of interfering with the internal issues of another party, of a partisan biased staff policy - at the same time stressing the different perspectives entertained by both parties. The letter states that according to the SPM privatization has been dragged on forever, the legal system is not functioning, economy has taken a plunge whereas `gray-zone' business seems to be flourishing in Macedonia. SPM has also objected that their initiative on market preservation had not been accepted by the SDSM, as well as that initiatives on economic cooperation had been distorted and toyed around with too much. `Nova Makedonija' assesses that based on these mutual accusations, it remains uncertain whether differences are likely to be settled - or increased.

[11] A-1 TV: `DEMOCRAT / LIBERAL COALITION POSSIBLE'

Yesterday A-1 TV reported that the DP leadership has forwarded the unofficial information that the party presidium decided to attend the concept of a possible coalition with the LP.

Upon broadcasting this unofficial information A-1 TV stated that according to its sources such a coalition - should be formed - would be headed by DP leader Petar Goshev as Stojan Andov has already declared that he is not interested in leading the liberal / democrat coalition.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] `Are We Becoming the Ragged Joker of the American Advance Eastwards?!'

(`Fokus' - 24th January 1997)

... Europe has come to the conclusion that `some sort of economic standards' can be established in the Balkans - as well as cooperation and peace - but only if the key Balkan states (created above all by the disintegration of the Former Yugoslav Federation) form some kind of alliance.

Such a notion, at least publicly and formally, has been brought forth by several Italian intellectuals and institutions. Eventually then, in 1995, it surfaced officially on the agendas of various European Union Commissions. The copyrights on the official promotion of the European variant of the Balkan Federation are being attributed to the German diplomats. This official promotion has taken place within the outlining of the key EU principles on the former constituents of the Yugoslav Federation and countries of that region in September 1996.

These very same principles have been adopted in shape of an official document at the EU Ministerial Meeting held in Luxembourg on 28th September 1996.

This European proposal differs significantly from the US option in terms of both form and contents.

The former namely intends the economic unification of the Former Yugoslav Republics, with the exception of Slovenia which would be substituted by Albania. Subsequently these states would be joined by Bulgaria and Romania. Ergo this Balkan Union / Alliance / Federation would be initially comprised of 6 - and then of 8 countries. The advocates of this concept have furthermore enumerated the following advantages: a relatively large joint market, the resolving of the Macedonian, Serbian and Albanian national issue and the possibility to eventually enter into the future, expanded European Union of countries and into the European security system - which is not to remain on the level of a Security Council, but also develop its own European force component and joint command structures. Such a force component would certainly not equal NATO, which undoubtedly not in the interest of the US anyway - as they are endeavouring to obstruct any sort of unification among European countries only through NATO.

So what is happening? President Gligorov - who is quite fond of the phrase that the aim of Macedonian foreign policy lies in integration into Europe and the European security system - has unexpectedly lively rejected even the mere thought of such a Balkan Union, as early as March last year i.e. prior to the official promotion of the idea on an alliance including the Former Yugoslav Republics (without Slovenia), Albania, Bulgaria and Romania. In terms of rejecting this European initiative without exposing its exact contents to the public, particular credit will also have to be given to Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski. PM Branko Crvenkovski, however, has surprised by abstaining from public objections to the Balkan Union initiative. Among the opposition parties only IMRO-DPMNE exhibited considerable resistance while others remained rather passive.

With the exception of Macedonia, of the 8 proposed countries for this Balkan Union only Croatia continues to resist. In order to compile a joint approach of both country, meetings on a diplomatic level and jointly coordinated statements are being prepared in which the proposed integration of the mentioned states has been denoted as `Yugo-nostalgia' which is being energetically opposed by Croatia and Macedonia! Slovenia as one of the prime candidates for EU membership, together with the Czech Republic and Hungary, has not made any comment yet.

This is an era when our diplomacy is going through its `arrogant stage', i.e. in a huge crisis marked by extremely tensed diplomatic relations with all four neighbouring countries.

The European states which have launched this initiative, are airing unusually tactless conditions that the latter must be accepted - in order for the proposed countries to be eligible for European investments, economic assistance and facilitated trade with the EU. As, however, a solid implementation approach appears to be lacking - the initiative has not fallen upon fertile ground, in spite of the fact that (according to any political and economic logic) it embodies their definite future destiny.

To cut a long story short: the European unification initiative - which is to include all five Former Yugoslav Republics, plus Albania, Bulgaria and Romania - is not coming to fruition.

US media - at least those more influential ones - do not dedicate a considerable amount of attention to the above mentioned European initiative on Balkan integration of the listed 6 (8) countries of this region. It could be said that any US support of this initiative seems to be lacking - at least in the initial stages and the expected range.

The US Strategic Studies Institute has been the first institution to propose the unification of Balkan states.

This has been followed by similar statements given by several leading former diplomats and intellectuals, such as Henry Kissinger, Zbygnjew Bzhezhinsky, etc. Contrary to this certain domestic media inclined towards the SDSM have reported that the author of the US variant of the Balkan unification concept is Senior Presidential Advisor Richard Shifter. This information may have been concocted since it is definitely of advantage to the US President to have the mastermind of such an important initiative in his government - in opposition to having the honours going to some other foreign politicians.

Regardless of all this, the US variant of the Balkan unification concept - as notion fathered forth by experts of the already mentioned institute in the beginning of 1995 - has been presented in public a year and a half later at the Geneva session on 6th December 1996. This two-day meeting had been attended by representatives of 12 countries i.e. the future members of the (US) Balkan Union. The main difference between this and the European concept lies thus in the number of countries which are to constitute the Balkan Union, as Europe proposes 6 (later 8) countries and the US - 12. The latter side also thinks that all Former Yugoslav Republics (incl. Slovenia) should become members of the Union; followed by Albania, Bulgaria and Romania `as in the European variant' and the `new entries' Hungary, Turkey, Moldova and - alas how surprising - Greece! `Surprising' seems the appropriate term as Greece is already a member of the EU, this economically solid and prestigious assembly of nations.

Thus it appears superficially inexplicable that and `wherefore' Greece would become a member of a poor and unstable Balkan alliance. Somebody might say that Greece could function as a double, common and integrational link - but once the character of the planned Balkan Union manifests itself it is more than obvious that Greece's simultaneous membership in both unions (the Balkan and the European one) is practically impossible. Could it be that - as certain German political analysts claim - Greece is the weakest link, the link which is to entail the downfall of the US variant?!

The US has also proposed a superficially banal unification - one covering economy and ecology only... at least according to what Macedonian media keep reporting...

To be continued...

(end)

mils news 27 January 1997

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