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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-02Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 02 December, 1996[01] MOST MAYORS AFFILIATED TO SDSM OR THE COALITIONAccording to unofficial and provisional data released by the Election HQs and Municipal Election Commissions, during round 2 of the mayor elections conducted yesterday, most of the posts seem to have gone to the SDSM (38), followed by the IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP coalition (22), the SP (4), the PDP (4), the PDP & NDP coalition (2), and the Democratic Progressive Parties of Rhomas (1), of the Serbs (1) and 1 independent candidate elected in one municipality. The `mayor of Skopje' race is currently being led by triple coalition candidate Risto Penov (61 835 votes), followed by independent candidate Ljupcho Nikolovski - Fufo (51 250), SDSM candidate Jovica Ugrinovski (45 513) and Darko Markovikj of the LP (16 607).Media report that the SDSM emerged victorious in Bitola, Veles, Kichevo, Kumanovo, Struga, Gevgelija and the Skopje municipal units Centar and Karposh - whereas the triple coalition won in Shtip, Strumica, Prilep, Kavadarci and the Skopje municipal units Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorche Petrov and Kisela Voda. The Socialists have won in Ohrid... The second round of local elections for the position of mayor was conducted in 79 municipalities and the city of Skopje throughout Macedonia yesterday, while in Makedonski Brod, Orizari, Kratovo, Krivogashtani, Lozovo and Sopishte round 1 was repeated. NEC data reveals that in round 2 the electorate turn-out in Macedonia amounted to 1 199 696, i.e. a little more than 50%. Throughout the election campaign 17 parties, 7 coalitions and 18 candidates by electorate groups (comprising a total of 25 candidates) have been wooing the votes of the above mentioned. Voting procedures were not monitored by foreign observers, as these claimed there was no need of their presence following the `generally orderly manner' elections had been conducted in throughout round 1. The evaluation announced by the NEC during a press conference given yesterday afternoon regarding the 2nd round, was predominantly a similar one with exception of: polling station No. 3 at the Vrutok municipality which remained closed, the polling station of Shuto Orizari (Skopje) where police had to break up a fight among voters, and at the Alija Avdovikj community where a balloting box had been forcefully opened. The NEC also revealed yesterday that the voting of all ARM servicemen had been completed successfully two days ago. The DP Election HQ announced that during the night prior to election day the pre-electoral moratorium had been violated once again by the SDSM at the Shuto Orizari municipal unit ... and propaganda activities and `bullying' by supporters of the same party had been registered at Kisela Voda. The IMRO-DPMNE Election HQ reveals that the NEC had refused to meet its party representatives, and that the moratorium had been violated by the SDSM at Kavadarci. SDSM `bullies' and the police are also reported to have clobbered four members of the IMRO-DPMNE at the entrance to Kochani. SDSM reports that its members had been attacked by IMRO- DPMNE members at Stajkovce. Official round 2 results - including the votes of all servicemen - are to be announced by Wednesday at midnight. [02] GLIGOROV: THE SECOND ROUND SHOULD VERIFY THE EXTENSION OF A DEMOCRATIC COURSE IN MACEDONIAMacedonian Head of state Kiro Gligorov stated - prior to his departure for the OSCE Summit in Lisbon - that round 1 of local elections in Macedonia went by successfully and calmly. He also expressed his hopes that round 2 would confirm the extension of a democratic course throughout Macedonia. Media report that Gligorov stressed his desire for the best to win, for those who would continue to work for the benefit of the people.[03] POLAND AND MACEDONIA TO APPOINT AMBASSADORS SOONThroughout the following two to three months the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Macedonia are to appoint Ambassadors, which will entail the upscaling of diplomatic relations between both states onto the highest level after five years. This was part of the statement given by Polish Foreign Secretary Dariush Rosati on Friday, i.e. towards the end of his first official visit to Macedonia spanning over two days. Concerning Macedonia's candidacy as a temporary UN Security Council member, Rosati assessed that Macedonia, Slovenia and Belorussia - as three SE countries nominated for this function - should commence negotiations conducive to the posing of a joint candidate.In addition to this the visit of the Polish Minister to Macedonia has also been marked by the signing of three economic cooperation agreements, and by his meetings with the Mac. counterpart Ljubomir Frchkovski, Mac. Head of state Kiro Gligorov, PM Branko Crvenkovski and Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski. Media report that during his talks with President Gligorov Secretary Rosati repeated the invitation to Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski to visit Macedonia next year. The President's Cabinet also announced Gligorov's instigating an initiative for both countries - i.e. their corresponding authorities to go about the compilation of a bilateral agreement on friendship and cooperation, which would be signed by both presidents. On the same occasion President Gligorov was also invited to visit Poland at a date yet to be determined. [04] PLEDGE TO OPEN MACEDONIAN EMBASSY IN CANBERRA`I hope that the Australian Government will bring about a positive decision regarding the opening of a Macedonian Embassy in Canberra, which should also be comprised of a special trade-economic dept. which were to further trade relations between Australia and Macedonia', said Bob Sarcombe, Head of the Australian Parliamentary Foreign Trade Committee for the radio-broadcast `Makedonski glas' in Perth. This statement by Sarcombe followed his recent visit to Macedonia - which had been denoted the beginning of the evolution of Australian-Macedonian relations. `Nova Makedonija' reports that Sarcombe assessed the current trade between both countries as totalling to a few million dollars, in comparison to the potential and possibilities existing within this field for significant improvement - especially as far as tourism is concerned. To this purpose he also welcomed the first visit of a group of Macedonian tourists to Australia, i.e. to Perth and Sidney last month.[05] HENRYK SOKALSKI: REDUCTION OF `UNPREDEP' MISSION - A COMPROMISE BETWEEN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS`The downsizing of the UNPREDEP force component is the result of a compromise between political and economic factors linked to the mission, whereas the imminent mandate is to be outlined by conditions relevant at that time', claimed Henryk Sokalski - Chief of the UNDREDEP mission in Macedonia during the recent press conference. On this occasion Sokalski also left open the answer to the question what kind of international presence would be required in Macedonia in the future - military, political or humanitarian. Regarding the current strength of the UNPREDEP mission Sokalski considers it to be sufficient, even in case of increased inter-ethnic tensions - which is an issue addressed discretely within the UN Resolution.Brigadier-General Bo Wranker said that the withdrawing of the 300 UNPREDEP troops would most likely commence at the beginning of March, whereas their structure would depend on a joint decision made by all states participating with troops in this mission. [06] `UN' ASKED FOR HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR FORMER-YUGOSLAV STATESThe `Reuters' Agency reports that the UN have asked for 544.7 million dollars for those countries established after the disintegration of the Yugoslav Federation, mainly in order to build dwellings and facilitate the repatriation of 2 million people still outside their country, even a year after the ratification of the Dayton Peace Accord. The Appeal has been made by 11 UN Agencies with regards to humanitarian activities to be conducted in Bosnia and Hercegowina, Croatia, SR Yugoslavia and Macedonia throughout 1997, as app. 2 million people in these states receive support.[07] ALBANIAN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES: THE USA TO AID WIDER NATIONAL RECOGNITION OF ALBANIANSThe USA are the closest strategic partner of Tirana, and this cooperation is to affect the wider national recognition of Albanians... claimed Albanian Deputy Foreign Secretary Arian Starova in an interview for the Albanian National Agency ATA. `Makfax' reports that on this occasion Starova repeated that the strategic objectives of Albanian Foreign Policy are the opening towards the west, the integration into NATO and the settling of the Kosovo issue. As it has been mentioned Starova only stressed - with regards to Albanian-Macedonian relations - that Albania was one of the first countries to recognise `FYROM'.[08] NEW CREDIT TRANCHE FOR SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSESEBRD representatives and representatives of `Stopanska Banka', Export-Import Banka' and the `Izvozno-Kreditna Banka' signed an agreement in London last Friday entailing the release of a new tranche of the credit line for small- and medium-sized businesses in Macedonia. This means the procurement of 10 million dollars of which half will be given to `Stopanska Banka' as the only institution which managed to implement all 10 million dollars of the first tranche. According to `Makfax' a total of 30 million dollars in funding of this first tranche, another 10 million dollars had been allocated to `Makedonska Banka', and 5 million to `Eksport-Import Banka' and `Almako-Banka' which have not managed to implement them yet.[09] GERMAN-MACEDONIAN COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND SOCIAL SECURITYWithin a recent two-day visit by German agriculture representatives to the Economic Chamber of Macedonia several concrete agreements have been signed, according to `Vecher'.It has been agreed to soon commence the delivery of German equipment for Macedonian mills and bakery facilities, dairy facilities, mini-farms and meat processing plants. Macedonia is to export wine, fruit extracts, non-alcoholic beverages and other goods. Concerning German-Macedonian cooperation in the health sector, the weekly `Delo' reports that German citizens visiting Macedonia are entitled to hospital treatment upon producing a form issued by the German Social Security Dept. While welcoming this progress, `Delo' nevertheless mentions that the form used by German citizens is printed in German and Serbian - as well as that it refers to the German- Yugoslav Agreement on Social Security. [10] FRENCH-MACEDONIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY FORMEDThe French-Macedonian Chamber of Economy has been formed in Skopje last Thursday, and Jazbeg Antoni has been elected its Chairman. `Dnevnik' reports that the Chamber is to aid French and Mac. companies in facilitating trade, i.e. through it Mac. goods (esp. agricultural produce) are to be placed on the French market easier; this should also serve as a stimulator for future French investments in Macedonia.The Chamber will also possess its own data base which will serve interested businessmen of both countries with information concerning the market of both states. The signing ceremony has also been attended by; the Mac. Finance Minister Taki Fiti, French Ambassador Jacques Huntzinger and `Alca-Tel' (soon to open a huge office in Macedonia) Director Julien Bertin. [11] ALBANIAN-MACEDONIAN AGREEMENT ON PROTECTION OF LAKE OHRIDOn Friday a Memorandum of Consent between Albania and Macedonia on a Project for the Protection of Lake Ohrid has been signed in Tirana. Concordant to this paper both countries pledge the conducting of appropriate legislative and legal, institutional and financial-technical measures conducive to the protection of the lake, and the use of its water and the fishing trade. `Makfax' reports that the overall cost for this project amounts to 200 million dollars - of which 120 million are to be procured by the Albanian and 80 million by the Mac. side.[12] `DNEVNIK': ECO-BOMB TICKING 30 KM FROM SKOPJE500 metal barrels of extremely toxic and cancerogeneous Arsen and Antimony, capable of destroying everything touching them, have stored out in the open for over 18 years next to an empty factory, in the immediate vicinity of the Tabanovce village (30 km to the NE of Skopje) in the Kumanovo area. Throughout the past years those lethal chemical substances gnawed though the corroded barrels and contaminated an area of over 200 square km. Thus their impact has been felt by the populations of the Kumanovo villages: Slanishte, Tabanovce, Lojane, Vaksince... This is being revealed in the weekend-edition of `Dnevnik', whose reporters claim that contaminated areas resemble `scenery on another planet', and that cattle grazing on them - according to the peasants - die instantly.The paper reports that things are made `even worse' by the fact that the people of Tabanovce built a dirt road to their village using contaminated soil, and 5 years ago the `Mavrovo' construction company built a water supply system within only 50 m of the toxic waste dump's `epicenter', which supplies the border checkpoint and the train station at Tabanovce. According to `Dnevnik' experts of the Geological Institute of Skopje estimate that secondary damage (contamination) is to be even larger. Peasants living in these `contaminated' villages do no longer let their cattle and pets near the `black points' on which `trees appear to be made out of concrete, while birds, insects, etc. die as soon as they touch down on them...' Veterinary authorities in Kumanovo claim that they have no knowledge of this whatsoever, as no cases of poisoned cattle has been registered by them. Concerning the hist. genesis `Dnevnik' reveals that Chrome, Arsen and Antimony have been exploited strategically as early as during WW 2 within the `Lojane massif', as well as that mining at Lojane has been going on (interruptedly) until 1978. Following the independence of Macedonia the constructed facilities of the mine had been purchased by Ex- Minister of Culture Eshtref Aliju who decided to demolish them in order `to recycle the bricks'. Up so far the daily reports that the identity of the proprietor of this toxic waste dump, where some of the poisons are stored in barrels and others are contained in heaps of toxic sand, remains unknown. `Dnevnik' ends its report with the fact that the Geological Institute of Skopje had become aware of the problem and designed a project on ecological-geochemical and hydro- geochemical analyses of the Lojane-Tabanovce area one year ago. Estimates listed that around 70 000 DM would have been needed for initial studies. These days - after a long time - the Ministry of Science announced that it would procure funding to implement the project, i.e. the ecological study on the level of contamination, the disposing of the toxic waste and the decontamination of the area. (end)mils news 02, december 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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