MAK-NEWS 24/05/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" <dep@bu.edu>


CONTENTS

  • [01] MACEDONIA HONORING ST. CYRIL

  • [02] UKRAINE ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH MACEDONIA

  • [03] MARTINEZ TO VISIT MACEDONIA

  • [04] RADIO FREE EUROPE COMMENT ON MACEDONIA

  • [05] WAYS MUST BE FOUND

  • [06] HEROIN PRODUCED IN MACEDONIA?

  • [07] NEW LICENSE PLATES A SIGN OF RETREAT

  • [08] 40,000 SOCIAL APARTMENTS ALREADY SOLD

  • [09] OVER 40 RADIO AND TV STATIONS IN MACEDONIA SHUT DOWN

  • [10] THE ESCALATION OF REPRESSION?

  • [11] THIS IS MACEDONIA AND NOT ALBANIA

  • [12] ARBEN RUSI SENTENCED TO 8 MONTHS

  • [13] FRIEDMAN AWARDED MANU MEMBERSHIP

  • [14] WORKSHOP FOR A BETTER UNIVERSITY

  • [15] "BEFORE THE RAIN" AWARDED ITALIAN OSCAR

  • [16] SPORTS

  • [17] CULTURE

  • [18] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: FOREIGN FLAGS DIVIDE SOVEREIGNTY (Nova Makedonija, 23 May 1995)


  • M I L S N E W S

    Skopje, 24 May 1995

    [01] MACEDONIA HONORING ST. CYRIL

    A delegation of senior Macedonian officials, led by President Kiro Gligorov, arrived yesterday for a 4 day official visit to Italy. At a same time a high church delegation is also in Rome, led by the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church Father Mikhail. Today, both delegations will attend the traditional ceremony "Macedonia Honoring St. Cyril".

    During the visit, Gligorov will meet the Italian president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and Pope John Paul II. Ministers Stevo Crvenkovski and Eshtref Aliu will also meet their Italian counterparts.

    The church delegation will give a solemn mass at the tomb of St. Cyril at the Rome church of St. Clemente, and Father Mikhail will hold a ceremonial sermon on the life of the educator.

    [02] UKRAINE ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH MACEDONIA

    The Macedonian Foreign Ministry yesterday received a note from the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs on official establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

    [03] MARTINEZ TO VISIT MACEDONIA

    Miguel Martinez, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is expected to arrive in a two-day visit to Macedonia on June 6, A1 Television reports. The visit is connected with the expected admission of Macedonia to the Council as recommended by the organization's working groups from the field, despite certain objections.

    [04] RADIO FREE EUROPE COMMENT ON MACEDONIA

    In its yesterday's comment, Radio Free Europe says the efforts of the international community and the US military presence in Macedonia are aimed at finding solutions to maintain peace and stability in the state. The radio emphasizes Macedonia's diplomatic moves toward the same goal. The recent visit of Macedonian Defense Minister Handziski to Washington was described as another attempt to contribute to the relaxation of the Balkan tensions.

    [05] WAYS MUST BE FOUND

    Athens News Agency quotes Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias as saying yesterday that ways must be found to resolve the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and that Skopje President Kiro Gligorov "must come to the negotiating table".

    Papoulias was replying to reporters' questions after a 30- minute meeting with main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert who briefed the foreign minister of his recent visit to the US.

    "Ways must be found to disentangle ourselves from a problem which has been plaguing Greek foreign policy for a number of years now, without of course betraying our fundamental principles," Papoulias said.

    Asked if he thought there would soon be development on the Skopje issue, Papoulias replied that "this does not depend on the Greek side which has clearly stated its positions. Kiro Gligorov must come to the negotiating table."

    Papoulias described Evert's US visit as "a good appearance as a supporter of our national issues", stressing that national issues were free of party labels.

    Replying to another question on the handling of the Skopje issue, Papoulias said both he and Evert agreed that the problem between Athens and Skopje had to be resolved "so that Greece can fully exploit all the possibilities which it has not only in the Balkans but also in the greater region." Papoulias also expressed guarded optimism about a settlement of the Bosnian problem.

    "All the efforts being made by the Greek and other governments are aimed at finding a solution. We might be close," he said. "One must be cautious," he added, "because even the most optimistic forecasts on this major problem can be dashed at the last moment."

    Meanwhile, the Greek Government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said yesterday that the framework in which the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is being handled is that which has been set by the United Nations.

    Venizelos was replying to questions on statements by US Presidential envoy on Skopje Matthew Nimitz, who reportedly said that the Skopje issue was a Balkan problem.

    The spokesman said that he was unaware of the exact content of Nimitz's statements, adding that the Skopje issue was also a Balkan problem.

    [06] HEROIN PRODUCED IN MACEDONIA?

    Athens News Agency reports drug experts said Tuesday about a third of the heroin circulating in the country was produced in the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

    Experts at the Drug Identification center in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, made the announcement after a four-month research study.

    Researchers said their findings were based on the results of a new high-technology device capable of detecting the composition and origin of the drugs tested.

    [07] NEW LICENSE PLATES A SIGN OF RETREAT

    Speaking of the Macedonian government's decision to change the alphabet on license plates in the country to Cyrillic, Radio Thessalonika interprets this as a sign of retreat of the authorities in Skopje in response to the Greek demands, in order to reach a solution for the problem between the two countries.

    [08] 40,000 SOCIAL APARTMENTS ALREADY SOLD

    At a press-conference yesterday, the Macedonian Government said the sale of social apartments was carried out under difficult conditions. 61,830 social apartments were registered, while only 2,566 of them were sold under the old regulations; an additional 309 social apartments and 9,082 apartments owned by companies were sold upon an additional government decision, whereas another 19,292 social and 23,758 company apartments were sold following the changes in the Law. A total of 40,000 apartments have been sold, providing a sales revenue of some 286 million German marks, with another 291 million to come. Unlike the sale of apartments, social business space was not sold at the expected pace.

    [09] OVER 40 RADIO AND TV STATIONS IN MACEDONIA SHUT DOWN

    Government officials yesterday held a press-conference to tell reporters that the administration, in conjunction with its ongoing action of closing down private radio and TV stations in the country, is preparing conditions under which some of the closed stations will be allowed to broadcast again.

    Meanwhile, representatives of the Association of Private Radio and TV Stations met with Minister of Traffic and Communications Dimitar Buzlevski, to agree on issuing temporary licenses for work and frequencies as soon as possible. This, however, applies to only those radio and TV stations which meet the legal requirements on technical equipment. The Association's Initiative Committee disassociates itself from any political implications of their protest and continues with the campaign of gathering citizens' signatures and has announced a new meeting with Minister Buzlevski.

    According to "Flaka e Vellazerimit" newspaper, yesterday and today, many private television and radio stations in Tetovo and in the vicinities, were also been asked to close. The paper underlined that, so far, this action has been carried out in a selective way, especially, towards the means of information in the Albanian language. These means, yesterday were not in air TV Koha, TV Art, "Fama" Radio etc, but nothing has happened to KISS and MAK TV stations, wrote the newspaper.

    [10] THE ESCALATION OF REPRESSION?

    In a communique of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians (PDPA), published in todays edition of "Flaka e Vellazerimit" newspaper, it has been said that the leadership of PDPA together with the its deputies had a special meeting on May 22-nd, in which they analyzed the political situation in Macedonia and the tendencies of its developments, especially, after the sentences given to the rector of Tetovo University dr. Fadil Sulejmani, Milaim Fejziu and the chairman of DPP-PUP, Nevzat Halili.

    These kind of sentences and the continuation of such other political processes against the public activists, like Arben Rusi, the branch chairman of PDPA and Prof. Musli Halimi, are escalations of repression that tense ethnic relations and aim to discipline the Albanian political subjects in order to make them and their associations accept the second cathegory population statues. At the same time, they aim to make the Albanian subjects retreat from the projects which promote Albanian prosperity in the new state, reads the comunique.

    The member of the leadership and the deputies of this party came to the conclusion that the motion of eight Albanian deputies to suspend their work in Parliament must be supported, because, non of the mentioned factors are not eliminated.

    Taking into consideration the escalation of violence, which forecast a continuation of a stubborn and anti Albanian policy, the leadership of ADPP is inviting the other Albanian deputies, as well, to support the motion, in order to create, a common front of violence refusal, a front against nationalist Macedonian xenophobia, which prohibits the establishment of democracy in these regions, the Informative Service of PDPA explains.

    [11] THIS IS MACEDONIA AND NOT ALBANIA

    The Skopje daily Vecher says that Macedonian Parliament President Stojan Andov visited Debar two days ago, for talks with township leaders. Andov is quoted as saying, "This is Macedonia [and not Albania, Flaka e Vellazerimit adds], and Macedonian laws are in effect here; no one has the right to play around with these laws." He reportedly advised the Debar township officials to carefully consider before reacting to events occasionally occurring in the region instead of simply to oppose what is law and order under the Macedonian constitution.

    [12] ARBEN RUSI SENTENCED TO 8 MONTHS

    Arben Rusi, president of the humanitarian organization El Hilal, was sentenced to 8 months in prison by the Tetovo Court yesterday. He was accused of participation in crowds and preventing police officers from exercising their duty during the events in the village of Poroy earlier this year.

    [13] FRIEDMAN AWARDED MANU MEMBERSHIP

    At a ceremony yesterday, the Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences (MANU) awarded Victor Friedman, an expert known world-wide for the Macedonian and Slav languages, an honorary membership. Professor Friedman gave a lecture on "Differentiation Between the Macedonian and Bulgarian Language in a Balkan Context". Friedman is known for his work in the field of codification of the Macedonian language and bitter debates against detractors of the Macedonian language.

    [14] WORKSHOP FOR A BETTER UNIVERSITY

    In association of the Open Society Institute of Macedonia and the European Center for Higher Education (CEBES-UNESCO), a seminar will take place on May 25-27 in Skopje, on the topic of "Policies on Higher Education and Changes in Macedonia." The seminar is to help find new methods in the operation and financing of and enrollment in higher- education institutions in accordance with European standards. The workshop is to be held twice a year and attended by outstanding foreign experts, as well.

    [15] "BEFORE THE RAIN" AWARDED ITALIAN OSCAR

    The Italian Film Academy awarded the motion picture "Before the Rain" by Milcho Manchevski its highest award, the tribute Premio Davide di Donatello. The award is equivalent to an Oscar and is issued traditionally for the best Italian and foreign films. So far, "Before the Rain" has earned over $2 million by showing in Italy alone.

    [16] SPORTS

    - The final match in the Macedonian Soccer Cup between Vardar of Skopje and Sileks of Kratovo is to be played at the city stadium in Skopje, tomorrow.

    - At the same stadium on Friday, the athletic club "Rabotnicki" of Skopje will celebrate its 50th anniversary by holding an international athletic meeting.

    [17] CULTURE

    - The theater play "Let's Chase the Cousin" will be performed by the French theater group consisted of Edith Scob and Martine Viard, at the Center hall of the Macedonian National Theater in Skopje, at 8 p.m. today.

    - An art gallery called "Bigorski" will be open on the Maksim Gorski street No 19, in Skopje, at 8.30 p.m. today .

    [18] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: FOREIGN FLAGS DIVIDE SOVEREIGNTY

    (Nova Makedonija, 23 May 1995)

    Those hoisting a flag, coat-of-arms or other national symbol of another state without approval or a general appeal, shall be punished... This is part of article 25 of the Law on Violation of Peace and Order of 1984, which is still in effect. This provision became quite "popular" after the Tetovo events when flags of the Albanian state were hoisted all around the town. As a number of ethnic Albanians were prosecuted on grounds of this article, PDP parliament deputy Gazmend Ajderaga submitted a proposal with the Constitutional Court, claiming the said article is in discord with the Constitution (article 48, item 1), and prevents the Albanians in Macedonia from freely expressing and fostering their identity and national symbols. This raised a question which is no doubt of great importance for the present and future life in these parts. Does the ban on hoisting a flag or other national symbol of another state without an approval really present a violation of the right of minorities to a free expression of their national feelings?

    The point to start from in answering this is most certainly the Constitution itself. It says that issues regarding the flag are to be regulated by a law voted out by a two-third majority, which means this is a system law. The Law on Flag of the Republic of Macedonia was passed in 1992.

    Nevertheless, it fails to set ways and conditions for the use of a flag. This imposes a need to go back to older laws regulating the issue (the Law for Use of a Flag of 1973). A provision in this law says that national minorities are allowed to hoist their national flag in all cases when the official flag of the Republic of Macedonia is to be raised (such as various celebrations, political gatherings, massive cultural, sports and other events, as well as during private celebrations of citizens). The use of a national minority's flag, however, is preconditioned by a simultaneous use of the Macedonian official flag.

    Since no other law to regulate this area has been passed, despite the fact that the national flag was changed in the meantime, the 1973 Law on Use of Flag is still in effect.

    On the other hand, it must be born in mind that a flag is a symbol of a state, symbolizing its sovereignty and individuality in international relations.

    When all this is presented in such a way, it is a logical and justified step by the state to introduce a law and qualifications for the use of a flag by previous approval.

    Therefore, just as logical is the decision of the Constitutional Court to turn down the initiative for re- evaluation of the questioned article, considering that citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, regardless of their national affiliation, cannot be freed of the responsibility to respect the law. The said article, the Court also said, by no means presents a violation of any of the basic rights of the minorities.

    Although the origin of the problem was explained in the above text, such a decision of the Constitutional Court does not seem quite clear at first sight. Many may just have failed to grasp the message sent by the Court through this decision. At a time when it became almost normal to see the entire western Macedonia decorated by flags of a foreign state, such a decision would mean an intention to introduce a radical change in the treatment of this issue. That is exactly why there is a need for an explicit explanation of the arguments which led the Constitutional Court to such a decision. If one accepts what is known in theory, that visual symbols are signs of sovereignty, it becomes clear that hoisting a flag of a state on a territory of another state indicates a privilege of ex-territoriality. This is the exact reason why a foreign flag is hoisted in Macedonia during visits of those countries' officials and flown on their consular offices and embassies. In short, this is no longer a Macedonian territory. But, as judge Milan Nedkov put it nicely, this is only the first part of the question. The second part is the use of a flag as determined by the old regulations. It is very important to point out here that this law also speaks of "flags of national minorities", and not their states of origin. This may seem like sheer finesse, but it is of an extraordinary importance that all entities, social, civilian and other organizations and associations, even ethnic entities, may have their own flag, but it must not be identical with the one of the home state. BY the way, the flag of the Republic of Macedonia is not only a flag of the Macedonians, but of all citizens living here. If the Macedonian state allows foreign flags to be hoisted all over its territory, this would mean that its sovereignty is divided and shared with others.

    Still, there is one more occasion when flags are freely hoisted, during wedding ceremonies, but the law must also state precise conditions for the use on such occasions. This legal loop-hole must be filled; in the meantime, it would be of great help to have competent experts and institutions interpret the law, so that the current confusion surrounding the issue can be overcome.

    (end)

    mils-news 24 May '95


    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute
    news2html v2.09c run on Wednesday, 24 May 1995 - 09:46:54