MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] CRVENKOVSKI IN BELGRADE: `LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS COMPLETED'

[02] ELEPHTEROS TYPOS: `VANCE TO PROPOSE THE NAME - REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - SKOPJE'

[03] KONTINENT: `LANGUAGE-ISSUE WITH MACEDONIA OBSTRUCTING BULGARIAN ADMISSION INTO NATO'

[04] GLIGOROV SENDS `4TH JULY' CONGRATULATIONS TO BILL CLINTON

[05] `WORLD BANK' TO FINANCE PART OF EAST-WEST CORRIDOR

[06] RESOLVING THE PAYROLL CONTRIBUTION ISSUE

[07] DNEVNIK: `SECRET MEETING BETWEEN CRVENKOVSKI AND DZHAFERI TO DISCUSS FLAG-ISSUE'

[08] MAAK-CP: `FLAGS AT GOSTIVAR TO BE REMOVED NEXT FRIDAY'

[09] THE CITY OF SKOPJE SUES STATE FOR CITY SHOPPING CENTRE

[10] IMRO-DPMNE: `SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT AS REGARDS CONCESSIONS'

[11] PRESENTATION OF SPOKE'S CULTURAL TREASURES IN THESSALONIKI

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] `Time is Running Out' (`Vecher' - 3rd July 1997)

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 04 July, 1997

[01] CRVENKOVSKI IN BELGRADE: `LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS COMPLETED'

It has also been concluded during talks that economic relations were limping behind political ones - Crvenkovski stressed - while adding that those agreements being signed, as well as talks concerning the addressing of transportation and payment flow difficulties should contribute to their furthering.. The Macedonian Radio reveals that Yugoslav PM Radoje Kontikj pointed out that the visit of Crvenkovski to Belgrade and conducted talks indicated the will of both sides to improve overall bilateral cooperation.

According to Kontikj the signing of those four agreements, in addition to the treaty outlining sessions of the Joint Commissions on Trade Development and Border Demarcation and talks on regional cooperation are concrete topics of discussion which will undoubtedly contribute to the advancing of bilateral cooperation, this being one of the priority issues of Yugoslav Foreign Policy. Besides this PM Crvenkovski has also been received by the Yugoslav Parliament, i.e. by the Chairman of the Lower House (`Sobor and Gragjanite') Milomir Minich.

The Macedonian businessmen accompanying PM Crvenkovski to Belgrade - the Macedonian Radio reports - have very decisively stressed their discontent with the current level of economic cooperation, since it was contrary to what had been negotiated previously. It has been stressed during talks with their Yugoslav colleagues that trade quotas / contingencies were on the rise thus making the obtaining of transport permits a huge problem. This entails the impression that there was no established free trade regime between both countries.

It is another fact that the counterparts meeting the Macedonian delegation of businessmen in Belgrade were not even received by a competent figure, as the mandate of Yugoslav Trade Chamber Chairman Milivoje Milivojevikj was not extended about one hour prior to his meeting the Macedonian side. `Vecher' reports that general impressions indicated a favourable condition of overall bilateral relations, during this two-day visit of the Macedonian delegation to Belgrade. This has however been complemented by the persistence on discrete views in terms of several issues (e.g. border demarcation, succession, the church).

[02] ELEPHTEROS TYPOS: `VANCE TO PROPOSE THE NAME - REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - SKOPJE'

In addition to this it is being assessed that the proposal to adopt `Republic of Macedonia - Skopje' as the name for our country, would receive support within the UN Security Council. A high-ranking diplomat in New York stated that this would facilitate the position of PM Costas Simitis, as a UN Resolution would provide the Greek Government with a means to oppose domestic opposition.

[03] KONTINENT: `LANGUAGE-ISSUE WITH MACEDONIA OBSTRUCTING BULGARIAN ADMISSION INTO NATO'

[04] GLIGOROV SENDS `4TH JULY' CONGRATULATIONS TO BILL CLINTON

[05] `WORLD BANK' TO FINANCE PART OF EAST-WEST CORRIDOR

Yesterday Minister Bedzheti also met representatives of the EBRD who were interested in the level of privatization of the telecommunications sector. In this context several implementation options have been discussed, in addition experience acquired by the EBRD so far in this respect. This financial institution would function as the main carrier of activities, as it has been the case with Hungary. The WB Dept. for Reconstruction and Development - as `Nova Makedonija' reports - will send its representatives to Macedonia next week. These are to meet executives of `Elektrostopanstvo na Makedonija' (`Electricity Resource Management of Macedonia') and discuss the possibility of granting a credit for three energy development projects.

The credit would total 35 million dollars would be allocated to: the revitalization of hydro-electricity works in the country (22 million dollars), the revitalization of the distribution network (8 million dollars) and the completion of the Dispatch HQ in Skopje (5 million dollars). Concordant to estimates preliminary papers should be signed as early as September, while the implementation of the loan would commence in spring.

[06] RESOLVING THE PAYROLL CONTRIBUTION ISSUE

These new provisions are to ensure an improved level of financial discipline and facilitate the overcoming difficulties created by the withholding of payroll contributions by companies, ergo the lack of financial means within the Retirement Pension and Health Care Funds which are connected in a certain manner - stated Minister Fiti. While debating, members of the LDP faction proposed the withdrawing of these amendments and the compiling of an analysis on the current state of affairs (i.e. why businesses are refusing to forward payroll contributions) instead - in addition to the designing of a programme on the revitalization of economy.

LDP representatives stated that the effectuation of the proposed amendments would lead to the entire blocking and eventual ruin of companies, that this would represent a violation of the country's economic and legal system, etc. PDP representative Abduraham Prusi claims that the amendments contained more psychological over legal elements, while it legalizes anarchy at the same time. SDSM representatives have mainly supported the amendments. Besides this, the Parliament also adopted the proposed amendments to the Retirement Pension and Disabilities Act. This package of alterations regulates the two-stage procedure of utilizing the right to retirement pension and disabilities insurance, in addition to defining the basic tariff system on retirement pensions, the valorization of pay coefficients, etc.

The enactment of these provisions was followed by a debate on the draft-bill regulating the utilization of the national seal, the national flag and the national anthem of the Republic of Macedonia. This is to entail a discussion on the draft-bill on minority flags.

[07] DNEVNIK: `SECRET MEETING BETWEEN CRVENKOVSKI AND DZHAFERI TO DISCUSS FLAG-ISSUE'

[08] MAAK-CP: `FLAGS AT GOSTIVAR TO BE REMOVED NEXT FRIDAY'

[09] THE CITY OF SKOPJE SUES STATE FOR CITY SHOPPING CENTRE

Concordant to these the City Shopping Centre belongs to the City of Skopje and not to the State, and prior to any other measures this legal issue needs to be resolved. Upon revealing that court procedures begin today, Penov emphasised that this was above all to be contributed to the considerable profitability of the City Shopping Centre in times when the city needs all the funds it can get to resolve community issues. This ownership suit, Penov states, is complemented by the initiative requesting a temporary court order prohibiting the selling or expropriation of any segment of this complex. The tenants of the City Shopping Centre staged a protest yesterday (by closing their stores at 14 h) against the high auction rates and the lack of any privileges during the scheduled auctioning.

Media report a soon meeting with PM Crvenkovski to address this issue. Meantime - as `Nova Makedonija' reports - the shares of the City Shopping Centre have been withdrawn from the primary stock market since they failed to meet listing criteria. Thus stockholders will be able to offer their shares at the third unofficial stock market.

[10] IMRO-DPMNE: `SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT AS REGARDS CONCESSIONS'

Among other questions, Georgievski also stated that negotiations with the LDP were at the very beginning, with the initial consensus to coordinate initiatives on early parliamentary elections. As regards the current situation created by the minority flag issue, the IMRO- DPMNE leader made it clear that this was an internal SDSM issue which should not have the least effect on stability within the Republic of Macedonia. A-1 TV reports that in the end Georgievski welcomed the Socialist victory in Albania - denoting it `a victory over a corrupted government' which is to serve as an example to all Balkan countries.

[11] PRESENTATION OF SPOKE'S CULTURAL TREASURES IN THESSALONIKI

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] `Time is Running Out'

(`Vecher' - 3rd July 1997)

The dilemma between early parliamentary elections (this autumn or spring `98), or their regular staging in autumn 1998 has found itself in the spotlight on our political stage for almost half a year. One month ago this burning issue involved literally all political parties. As could undoubtedly be said about SDSM Chairman Branko Crvenkovski who entered a series of consultations. This key issue was then shoved out through the back door by the whole m... concerning the displaying of minority flags. This does not mean, however, that initiatives on calling early elections are off the agenda. Quite the opposite appears to be the case: although the summer heat may have driven all initiators (especially among the opposition) into the shade, elections this autumn are still very much the `plat du jour'.

The opposition does not intend to cease this quest, but rather strives to finish what it has started. The talks led by PM Crvenkovski with the five major opposition - and subsequently with all registered political parties in Macedonia as regards the election model have not resulted in any concrete outcomes so far. To be more precise, in spite of the fact that by the beginning of this summer many optimists expected the `No.1 of the Macedonian Government' (to phrase matters in `Trekkie' terminology) to `beam down' with substantiated data on possible solutions with respect to the commenced enterprise - this was not the case! There are no concrete alternatives offered so far as regards the election model, let alone the date! Though it must be mentioned that during the last consultation with political parties it has been revealed that all political subjects and the public `were to be briefed in sooner rather than later.'

Ergo the LDP continues to fire its barrage at the Government these days, especially with respect to its package of enacted measures. The IMRO-DPMNE has remained hidden in the trenches after the most recent series of protests and meetings. Unofficial sources attribute this to divided views within the party as regards a recent proposal forwarded by the SDSM. It is being rumoured that the latter offered the IMRO-DPMNE early elections the following spring. The proverbial `quid pro quo' being the timely and `unobstructed' enacting of an election law package (with all ancillary provisions) by the Parliament - a courtesy provided by `yours truly, the incumbent party.' Unofficial sources further claim that the largest opposition party was thus forced to `weigh and measure' its losses against its gains by an eventual accepting of this proposal (elections in spring time...).

Insiders claim that the bill looked as follows: should elections in spring be accepted it may happen that these will be staged on grounds of a leak-proof legislative basis. But in return the IMRO-DPMNE would lose the trust of the electorate, as cooperation with yesterday's arch-enemy would appear more than transparent. In this case the IMRO-DPMNE would have to forsake all protests, meetings and public bashes directed against the Government scheduled for this autumn since in case of a deal all these would become redundant. Another `contra' lies in the fact should the SDSM be given the time until spring it could consolidate its position and have another go at the government. If one bears in mind all these arguments - our sources state - it becomes more than obvious that the IMRO-DPMNE will still insist on elections by the end of this year.

As of September, concordant to official data released by the party's top ranks, a new series of protests will be launched in order to achieve the staging of early elections by the close of 1997. Such a time schedule does undoubtedly suit the LDP as well, since they are to be ready from an organizational aspect by that time. In contrast to the wishes of one party or another - the decisive factor with respect to calling early elections is the timely effectuation of election laws compliant to European standards, with all their ancillary provisions. It should be borne in mind that part of these laws have already been passed, though they will require adaptation to the new regime of local self-government.

Ergo time will have the final say and as election laws can hardly be compiled within a month or two it appears that time is running out. Therefore it may be possible that early elections staged this autumn could be forced to adhere to old legislation. Otherwise the entire matter would require a compromise solution, i.e. elections in spring, a time which is being mentioned more and more within circles close to the SDSM as a more certain time slot for early parliamentary elections.

(end)

mils news 04 July, 1997

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