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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-06-11Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 11 June, 1997[01] CHINESE-MACEDONIAN TALKS: `PRIORITY ATTRIBUTED TO ECONOMIC COOPERATION'Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov has been received by Chinese PM Lee Peng, by Deputy PM and Foreign Secretary Chien Chi-Chen and by the Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the All-Chinese Congress Chiao Shi. A-1 TV reports that the general assessment of Chinese-Macedonian talks boiled down to the fact that bilateral relations have been traditionally solid with a trend of continuous improvement. It has nevertheless been stressed that the policies of both countries should advance economic cooperation factors, besides introducing certain incentives to facilitate economic partnership.The Chinese side has announced the possibility of Macedonia obtaining a privileged trade status. It has also been proposed to exchange expert groups which would be concerned with economic cooperation, the studying of economic reforms and the benefits of exchanging experience. The Macedonian side once again requested the support of Macedonia's candidacy for temporary UN Security Council membership. Besides this President Gligorov has addressed the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing yesterday and met representatives of leading Chinese media on several occasions. [02] THESSALONIKI MEETING CLOSED - DECLARATION ON GOOD NEIGHBOURLINESS ADOPTEDThis Tuesday the Foreign Secretaries of seven SE states closed the two-day- long Thessaloniki Meeting by adopting the Thessaloniki Declaration on Security, Stability, Relations of Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation. The document expresses the readiness of all Balkan states to work together in all fields as relations on the peninsula are entering a new stage: the need to `Europeanize' the region required a stage of implementing concrete programmes. It has been agreed to hold such meetings as this one on a regular basis, not only at a ministerial level but also in shape of an annual informal summit of all heads of state and governments. Next year's meeting is to be hosted by Turkey; the one in 1999 by Romania and the one in the year 2000 by Macedonia.The impressions of the Macedonian delegation - concordant to the statements given to MTV by Foreign Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski - confirm that the event has met the expectations and interest of Macedonia. Several proposals forwarded by our representatives have also been entered into the final version of the Thessaloniki Declaration. In addition to this Foreign Secretary Handzhiski has met `SECI' Initiative Coordinator and Senior Presidential Advisor Richard Shifter - as well as the Yugoslav Head of Diplomacy Milan Milutinovikj. Talks with the US diplomat focused on investing funds to equip Macedonian border checkpoints and thus increase their openness. Similar plans have been discussed with respect to ecological projects. The Yugoslav Foreign Secretary informed his Macedonian counterpart informed him that Belgrade advocated the expedient resolving of the joint border demarcation issue. [03] RUSSIAN-MACEDONIAN SUMMIT DUE SOONA Russian-Macedonian summit is to be held by the end of this year, while the Defence Secretaries of both countries are to sign a cooperation agreement in Moscow during the second half of this month... The Macedonian Radio reveals that this have been some of the conclusions of the talks between Handzhiski and Russian Deputy Foreign Secretary Nikolay Aphanasievski, held in Thessaloniki two days ago. In addition to this `Makfax' reports that Aphanasievski expressed the readiness of Moscow to vote in favour of one more UNPREDEP mandate extension at the UN Security Council, should this prove necessary.[04] FRAMEWORK TO RESOLVE CONTENTIOUS BULGARIAN-MACEDONIAN ISSUESDuring a meeting between Bulgarian Foreign Secretary Mihaylova and her Macedonian counterpart Handzhiski at the Thessaloniki Ministerial Meeting past Monday, the Bulgarian press has taken to comment on this meeting as A-1 TV reports. The most frequent statement with regards to this encounter were the words uttered by Nadezhda Mihaylova that talks had been conducted `in our language'... Besides this it is also being reported that both sides agreed to compile a framework within which Bulgaria and Macedonia would resolve all issues burdening bilateral relations. Foreign Secretary Handzhiski is said to have denoted these talks as sincere, stressing the endeavours made by both sides to find a satisfactory solution to the language-issue.[05] MINORITY FLAG BILL OUTLINED `ON THE DOUBLE'Concordant to implications originating from the Cabinet of PM Crvenkovski, who has been requested to implement the enactment of the temporary court order by the Constitutional Court with regards to the flags hoisted in front of the Gostivar Municipality building, the Government has discussed the passing of a draft-bill on the use of the national flag, the national anthem and the seal of the Republic of Macedonia - as well as the enacting of regulations on the use of minority flags - during yesterday's session. Records of the latter reveal that the basic principles rooted in this draft-bill advocate a uniform standard and the upholding of the law as regards the national insignia of the Republic of Macedonia, i.e. the preserving of its repute and dignity.The same Government session also resulted in the adopting of the proposal to enact legal provisions on the use of flags - concordant to which ethnicities in the Republic of Macedonia will not be allowed to exhibit any flags in front and inside premises of the Macedonian Parliament, the seat of the President of the Republic, the seat of the Government, all administrative government and judiciary facilities, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Constitutional Court. The same applies to the NBM, all institutions of local government, public services and facilities founded by the Republic - i.e. to all units of local government and other public facilities, enterprises, associations and organisations. A separate section in this bill would create the possibility for ethnicities to exhibit a flag expressing their identity and national origin in front of the Municipal building - besides the Macedonian national flag on state holidays - in local government units where these ethnicities represent the majority of the population. The contents of these legal acts outlined yesterday are to be forwarded to the Macedonian Parliament - with the recommendation that they be processed and passed as soon as possible, according to the release issued on yesterday's Government session. [06] STRIKE OF JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION HAS COMMENCEDAround 1 200 administrative employees in the Macedonian judiciary system have embarked on a strike yesterday, while demanding a retroactive 28% increase in pay (as of January this year) i.e. the respecting of provisions outlined in the Collective Agreement for this sector.According to the corresponding Trade Union, talks had been held with PM Crvenkovski on Monday. The Government, however, has not responded to posed requests which is why the strike may expand further on. The Macedonian Radio informs that administrative employees in the Macedonian judiciary did show up at their place of work yesterday - though they did refuse to deal with clients or process any other cases than the most urgent ones - as categorized within the Judiciary Act. The judges, who are not striking at the present, have nevertheless supported this measure in spite of the fact that their working has been rendered impossible. Concordant to Macedonian media coverage all judiciary institutions throughout the country have been striking yesterday - except for the court at Sveti Nikole which resumed its normal functioning due to unknown reasons. [07] MAYOR RISTO PENOV: `A STRANGE ACCIDENT'Upon his recent return from a business trip to Sofia, Skopje Mayor Risto Penov sustained minor injuries during an accident occurring at the motorway section between Kumanovo and Kriva Palanka. Penov denoted the entire accident as strange and unusual as the vehicle he had been travelling in (a `Mercedes') could not come to halt and started skidding. Police records state that the inspection of the site of the accident had revealed that the travelling speed inappropriate to weather and road conditions had been the reason for this incident. The Ministry of the Interior further concluded that the breaking and steering system of the vehicle had been in a good condition.[08] 1 BILLION DM TO BE GATHERED VIA NEW CONCESSION INVESTMENT PROJECTSA-1 TV reports that most of the future investment projects in Macedonia, which the Government plans to allocate via concessions. are expected to attract over one billion DM in international capital. Thus the hydro- electricity plant `Chebren' alone is to attract app. 400 million dollars. Another significant project is the 36- km-long motorway section between Tetovo and Skopje, which is expected to gather over 70 million dollars via granting a concession on the project. Other projects to result in international investments include the constructing of the motorway from Gradsko to Gevgelija.The probably most profitable venture is the privatizing of Macedonian `Telecom' which - concordant to several estimates - will attract up to 800 million DM. At present stakeholders are still attempting to determine the bank to head this privatization venture. The greatest chances however are being attributed to the bank employing Sir Michael Richardson, who has successfully conducted the privatization of British `Telecom.' [09] WANTED: `REMEDY FOR HUGE DOMESTIC DEBTS'According to A-1 TV the management of the Public Revenue Dept. and the Payment Flow Institute have started to outline a model addressing the domestic debts in the Macedonian business sector, together with Vice- President Dimitar Buzlevski, yesterday. Initial estimates determined that the overall debt of the business sector towards the state amounted to 8 billion denars not including accrued interest rates. Of these app. 4 billion denars fall off to payroll contributions for retirement pension and health insurance coverage - while 1 billion consists of unpaid tax. This is being complemented by the estimate that the state owes about 1 billion denars to the Macedonian economy.Besides this - A-1 TV states - the Government is to instigate the selling of state property worth app. 170 million DM via the Finance Ministry and the Privatization Agency by the end of the year. Most of these assets belong to the 25 largest loss-makers in the country. [10] `KOMERCIJALNA BANKA' TO GUARANTEE FOR FRENCH IMPORT INTO MACEDONIAThe French national insurance company COFACE has agreed to accept the securities provided by `Komercijalna Banka' for the import of French goods into Macedonia. `Vecher' reveals that a ventures have been termed with a 12- month deadline and the maximum limit of 5 million Francs per buyer. Thus all contracts on the import of French products into Macedonia need to contain an article naming `Komercijalna Banka' as the authority to issue a security/ guarantee, as a prerequisite to obtaining COFACE insurance.[11] LUXURY GOODS ONLY AT AIRPORT DUTY-FREE SHOPSTwo days ago the Macedonian Government outlined the new supply regime for duty-free shops which will only be allowed to work at the two airports in Macedonia. MTV reports that the Government Decision empowered the nationally-owned `Airport Services' facility to establish a central storage facility for luxury goods (e.g. cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, etc.). This facility will then cater to the duty-free shops and the aircraft of air lines. The possibility to purchase goods at the duty-free shops will be given to international-flight passengers and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, who will be issued permits by the Macedonian Foreign Office.[12] PRIVATIZATION OF CITY SHOPPING CENTRE THROUGH CLOSED BIDSBased on the most recent Government Decision, the privatization of the City Shopping Centre (`Gradski Trgovski Centar') is to be conducted via closed auctioning as of 25th June. Thus this burning issue is to be resolved by offering the possibility to present owners/tenants to achieve the current market price. MTV reports that the nationally-owned Dept. for Handling Business and Residential Real Estate has been given the task to determine the cost of one square meter until the start of the auction. So far it is known that premises larger than 50 square meters are to be leased over a period from two to five years, while discounts between 10 and 12% are to be granted for cash transactions. The estimating of asset value will also be conducted by the Forensic Investigation Institute and its expert.[13] ANNUAL INNOVATION AWARD GIVEN AWAYThe recipient of the 1997 `Patent of the Year' Award is engineer Stojche Smilevski for his inventing of a combined brake drum (regulator) used by vehicles running on railway tracks. The Award has been presented by PM Crvenkovski who stressed the necessity of stimulating i.e. increasing the innovative spirit in Macedonia. Award recipient Stojchevski stated that his invention had been the resulted of several years spent in research and monitoring the development of railway vehicles all over the world. This has been augmented by 40 years of professional experience and specialization at `MZT Hepos' (unit of `Metalski Zavod Tito') in Skopje.MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] `Opposition Preparing for Synchronized Leap'(`Vecher' - 10th June 1997)Inter-partisan contacts and talks of last week appear to indicate clearly that parties have already assumed the `ready-steady-go' position in terms of attacking the Government, in spite of the fact that the precise date for parliamentary elections has not been determined yet. This endeavour will most likely be fortified by a `joint offensive'. This has already been announced by minor opposition parties and indicated by major opposition factors. Even parties representing the Albanian ethnicity are not discarding this option. To be more precise, last week has been marked by the joint appearance of the DPM and MAAK - The Movement for All-Macedonian Action. They discussed a joint strategy which would be conducive to achieving their common goal: the staging of early elections. The same issues have been key points in talks between the leader of Macedonia's largest opposition party (the IMRO- DPMNE) Ljupcho Georgievski and LDP leader Petar Goshev. At the same time PDPA leader Arben Dzhaferi and NDP President Iliyaz Halili have confirmed rumours on a merging of their parties. All this only points to the fact that there is an ongoing process of unification and `snowballing' among the opposition which is to find its finale in the (pre-) electoral coalition-coining. During their meeting Georgievski and Goshev have agreed on what activities would be conducted to achieve the calling of early elections. At the same time both politicians concluded that it was necessary to enact all legal provisions outlining election procedures by the end of August - while early elections should be held this autumn. Bearing in mind the fact that the IMRO-DPMNE favours the majority approach and the LDP prefers the correlation election model, talks - both party leaders agreed, would have to continue until an acceptable solution had been found. Though it is being denied that a coalition between the IMRO-DPMNE and the LDP is what both sides have in mind - the fact alone that joint action is being discussed implies that a coalition may only be a matter of time. Otherwise, this will mostly depend on the election model to be applied, i.e. the majority approach is based on the classical coalition principle - as has been proven by the last local elections and the coalition among the IMRO- DPMNE, the DP and the MAAK-CP. The correlation model election model would include the forming of coalitions during the appointing of the Government. Therefore, at this point of time, it is much too early to determine whether coalitions will be the option of major opposition parties. Whatever may be the case, this `announced unification' is sufficient to indicate that parties will emerge together, as a joint opposition with respect to the Government. Experience gathered in our now pluralist society has shown that chances are increasing even for minor parties once they are united. This has been taken into account by the highest circles within the MAAK - The Movement for All-Macedonian Action, which has merged with the DPM headed by Tomislav Stojanovski, with the objective to engage the membership of both parties to the maximum in addition to that of the DPM. In addition to this they are endeavouring to achieve all their objectives through the outlined programme and enter parliamentary elections, i.e. the race for as many seats as possible in this legislative home. The unification initiative of the PDPA and NDP, according to leaders Dzhaferi and Halili respectively, has been instigated by the common ranks of both parties - particularly by their memberships at Kichevo and Struga. Following their Macedonian counterparts, Albanian parties seem to consider the united approach more efficient on a political level. Still this initiative will not be imposed on the electorate, i.e. large-scale debates are to follow the talks of both party leaderships. These will then have to yield the final decision. Besides this it has been discussed to postpone the latter until the next PDPA Congress, scheduled for the end of this month. (end)mils news 11 June 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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