MAK-NEWS 09/01/96 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <mic@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, JANUARY 9, 1995 (MIC)

[01] CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

Gligorov's presence, since recovering from his injuries, could not pass unmentioned in Archbishop Mihail's address: "God performs miracles and God saved the life of the head of our state. We thank God for that. Our God is living and listening to our prayers. He heard them and performed a miracle by saving our President's life in the nick of time. Let us thank God also for preventing bloodshed in these turbulent Balkan regions. If we have trust in Christ, we will endure all the coming hardship."

[02] GLIGOROV SENDS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO MR. MIHAIL

"I wish You, the whole Orthodox clergy of the Macedonian people, and all the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia of Orthodox religion, a very merry Christmas, good health, joyous Christmas spirit, happiness and successful and fruitful work.

On the occasion of this great Christian holiday, I would like to express my strong conviction as to further successes in the joint efforts to create conditions to realize the aspirations of our people for peace and prosperity in the country, for mutual understanding and respect of all the citizens in the Republic of Macedonia, the fortification of its reputation in the world as a peace-loving and democratic country," Gligorov says in his Christmas card.

[03] ALLIANCE FOR MACEDONIA LEADING IN 114

A total of 1,800 citizens voted for Drvosanov, who is followed by Amdi Bajram with 1,744 votes, Dzemail Baftii from PDPA with 1,307 votes, Todor Petrov, independent candidate, with 693 votes, Vladimir Golubovski from IMRO-DP with 373 votes and Krste Jankovski from the coalition RP, MNP and IMRO-MNDS.

A total of 6,363 voters out of 13,540 listed turned up at the elections, which, in terms of percentages, is 46.9%.

[04] RM MILITARY DELEGATION IN U.S.

The visit is realized at the invitation of the White House and the U.S. Defence Department, on the occasion of the commemoration of 50-year anniversary of the Marshall declaration and two years of the NATO initiative "Partnership for peace." The celebration of these two important dates will be marked with five-day panel discussions, which will include a number of national leaders from the EU, the NATO member-states and "Partnership for peace."

As part of these activities, during its stay in the U.S., the Macedonian delegation will hold meetings with a delegation from the sister State of Vermont, led by political and military representatives. Minister Handziski will also meet with Secretary Perry and other officials from the U.S. administration.

[05] AGREEMENT ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH SWITERLAND

Mr. Blankart described this Agreement as an important step towards the establishment of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. He reminded that two agreements have already been signed with Macedonia, one to the amount of 8 million Swiss francs, on investments in the field of energy and protection of the living environment, and the other, on financial assistant, to the amount of 7 million Swiss francs. He said that agreements on the protection of investments, as well as evasion of double taxation are to be signed soon, and that negotiations between Macedonia and EFTA are due to start shortly. Following yesterday's formal signing, Blankart stated that this was a political signal to Switzerland for providing assistance to Macedonia in its transition towards democracy and market economy.

Minister Stevo Crvenkovski said the Agreement represents a legal basis for closer and more fruitful cooperation with Switzerland, a framework that will bolster Swiss investments in Macedonia. The Agreement on the reprogramming of Macedonia's debt to the Paris Club is expected to be signed today as well. On behalf of Macedonia, the Agreement will be signed by Finance Minister Jane Miljoski.

[06] "NEW MACEDONIA" INSTEAD OF FYROM?

Makpress reports that such assessments have appeared in the Greek media, directly before the meeting Zaharakis-Toshevski, scheduled for this Thursday, in New York, underlining the name "Nova Makedonija" as the "compromise solution."

The decision to announce this name, according to "To Vima" and "Elefterotipia," will be left to the UN Security Council, as a final name for internal use in the UN.

"Such an outcome," "Elefterotipia" writes, "would follow because the political circumstances in the two countries would not permit ratification in the national parliaments." "To Vima," on the other hand, point out that in the whole affair of finding a solution, the American side has been very restrained. According to the newspaper, Washington's stance at this moment is that there is no need to hurry with the resolution of the name problem, since the relations Athens-Skopje are relatively normalized.

[07] GREEK LIAISONS OFFICE TO BE OPENED

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