MAK-NEWS 01/03/96 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, MARCH 1, 1996 (MIC)

[01] CONTINUITY IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE

Following the formal inspection of the peacekeeping troops, after one year of occupying this position, the to-date UNPREDEP Force Commander Brigadier-General Juha Engstrom formally handed over his post to the new Force Commander of UNPREDEP to Macedonia, Brigadier-General Bo Wranker of Sweden. On this occasion, the head of the UNPREDEP mission, Assistant Secretary General Henrik Sokalski thanked General Engstrom for his efforts, successful work and particular interest in consolidating the close partnership between the military and civil components on UNPREDEP, with the words: "Don't be ashamed to shed a tear for Sorrow for the South when you leave this small, yet big and proud country."

Beside Mr. Sokalski, the new Force Commander of UNPREDEP was also welcomed by President Gligorov. "On this occasion, unfortunately, we can not assess that all the reasons that have led to the stationing and formation of UNPREDEP in Macedonia are eliminated. Its further presence for a certain period of time is in the interest of the peace and stability in the region, and of course, of Macedonia, but of course, the Security Council should make a decision about that," President Kiro Gligorov said, whom General Engstrom called the "father of UNPREDEP" in his farewell speech.

Expressing gratitude for the trust vested in him, Mr. Bo Wranker addressed the gathering, saying that he is aware of the responsibility and importance of the tasks that lay ahead.

"The successful execution of the UNPREDEP mission in the last three years has been made possible by more than five thousand peacekeepers, mainly from the Nordic countries, Indonesia and the U.S. he said, but the situation is such that we should not believe that the final aim of the mission has been fulfilled," Mr. Bo Wranker said.

After taking over his new post, Commander Wranker held a short news conference, emphasizing that there are still many important political questions waiting to be appropriately solve. An accent was placed on the upcoming recognition of the border with FRY, where there is still a risk of border incidents that can aggravate the situation.

[02] CIGARETTE SMUGGLING - 30 MILLION DEM LESS IN BUDGET

Up to 80 percent of the goods seized in various raids are cigarettes. The investigation conducted by NOVA MAKEDONIJA and TUTUN, the two houses recording the highest sale of cigarettes in the country, shows that the legal sale of the cigarettes of the brand LORD and MARLBORO has dropped a staggering 80 percent. In 1990/91, between 13 and 15 tones of LORD cigarettes were sold in Skopje alone, and now, on account of smuggling, the legal sale has plunged to less than half a ton.

In July, 1994, over 85 million denars were added to the budget, on account of excise duty on tobacco, and in the same month last year, somewhat more than 65 million.

In October, 1995, over 34 million denars were added to the budget on the same basis, while in the same period in 1994, this sum totalled 58 million denars.

[03] NEW CUSTOMS TERMINAL NEAR GEVGELIJA

According to the changes and supplements to the Detailed urban plan, conducted by the Gevgelija local assembly, beside the construction of the customs terminal, it is also foreseen to build other service facilities, forwarding firms, banks, motels for accommodating the drivers, as well as a zone for a duty-free shop.

Following the five-fold reduction of the visa-price, the Macedonian-Greek border is crossed at Bogorodica by some 100 trucks every day, which is a result of the increased Macedonian- Greek trade exchange.

[04] BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIDENOV INITIATES MEETING OF BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

At this meeting, minister Frckovski reminded of the appropriate resolution for the development of good neighborly relations between the Balkan states, which has been adopted by the UN, at the initiative of the Republic of Macedonia.

[05] CENTRAL CUSTOMS LABORATORY TO BE BUILT SOON

[06] RECONSTRUCTION OF SKOPJE AIRPORT

During the work on the runway, the Skopje airport will be closed from September 1 to November 15, and the Ohrid airport will be used for traffic during that period.

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