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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-07Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 07 January 1997[01] ORTHODOX WORSHIPPERS CELEBRATING `BOZHIKJ'Upon the `Badnik' holiday, i.e. the day preceding the great Orthodox Christian holiday marking the nativity of Christ `Bozhikj', the holy `Vassilieva' liturgy has been held throughout all Orthodox churches in Macedonia during the early morning hours yesterday. At the `St. Clement of Ohrid' Congregational Church mass has been held by the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, the Reverend Mihail. While blessing the `Badnik' tree (oak), the head of the OCM addressed worshippers through his Christmas Sermon as follows: `My dear spiritual children, I welcome you at these greatest holidays of ours - Badnik, Bozhikj, and all those which are to follow and mark the arrival of the New Orthodox Year (`Stara Nova Godina') on 14th January - and the Day of Epiphany (`Bogojavlenie') on 20th January. These days of celebration - the most important sacral holidays - have always been of extreme importance to our people in the past. They have warmed its soul amidst winter with a strong belief in God, a delicate hope in a brighter future and with the unfathomable love towards God, the Holy Mother Church and all brothers and sisters of our kind.The most important event in the world - my dear spiritual children - the event to rewrite the history of the world, is the nativity of the Son of our Lord, of Jesus Christ. His descent from the heavens to earth, his birth unto the world, into human mythology, in human shape, means that God came among us to tell us what man should be like, how he should live, how he should serve God, work and treat his next. Jesus Christ our Saviour has indeed rewritten the history of mankind, untravelled paths in man's life emerged, new creations of the human spirit. Man began to father forth new art, new architecture, new music, a new spiritual life, a new worshipping of God. May our holiday `Bozhikj', the remembrance of Christ's nativity, this year once again bestow bliss upon your soul. Let us wish for the newly-born divine infant to see the light of day in our spiritual abyss, in our soul, in order to enlighten, ennoble and guide it. May thus every single one of you be a worthy member of the Holy Mother Church and our sacral Macedonian community of people. I ask of you, my dear spiritual children, to not only observe these holidays at home. Celebrating at home is appropriate, but as is visiting our holy churches, attending holy mass and praying to God. Believe in the blessing of the Lord, and the bequeathal of happiness to your loved ones, success in your work and the prosperity of our country, of its people, of the Republic of Macedonia. May you be blessed. Christ is born, Christ is born, Christ is born.' Congratulations were also delivered by the new Mayor of Skopje Risto Penov, and the Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov likewise addressed words of well-wishing to the Head of the OCM, the Orthodox clergy and all worshippers. As did Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski, PM Branko Crvenkovski and the Head of the National Commission for Relations with Religious Communities Slave Nikolovski Katin. This great Orthodox Christian holiday was also marked by festivities organised by the `Badnikari' Society in front of the Congregational Church yesterday, with doling out `Badnik' tree branches, blessed bread and warm brandy to worshippers - apart from staging an abundant cultural- artistic programme. Celebrations continued into the afternoon hours with the holding of evening mass in all churches and the lighting of the `Badnik' tree, i.e. of the festive `Kolede' fires. According to yet another tradition in the early morning hours yesterday, the heralds of Christ's nativity - children (a.k.a. `koledari') were visiting the homes of worshippers singing `koledarski pesni' (`Kolede songs') and getting gifts in return for the joyous tidings, as well as bestowing and receiving blessings for good health and happiness. Media report the holding of similar festivities in all other religious communities in the Diaspora (overseas and in Europe), aided by numerous priests and archbishops dispatched on this occasion. [02] IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARD CUSTOMS AGREEMENT STARTEDMacedonian Radio reports the implementation of the Standard Customs Agreement adopted by Mac. Customs Services at the Greek-Macedonian border. This is conducive to the suspension of several documents up to now, to the simplification of procedures imposed on Customs officials, trucking and export enterprises. The paper, according to radio coverage, is comprised of all necessary data to ensure unobstructed customs procedures on any kind of transported goods. Based on forecasts aired so far, this document is to open doors for Macedonia to European Customs Associations as it outlines criteria identical to international regulations, and includes completely `computerized' working.[03] REDUCTION OF RAILWAY CARGO TRANSPORTATION COSTS BETWEEN GREECE AND MACEDONIARegarding international railway traffic between Greece and Macedonia, newly- introduced customs procedures reduced transportation costs. In addition to this the Bilateral Agreement on Reduced Transportation Costs is already being implemented, media report. This paper outlines reductions by 8% for transports up to 10 000 tons; if the cargo outweighs this limit the discounts amounts to 16%. Thus cargo transported through this corridor, is being forwarded at a price reduced by 150%. Otherwise only two cargo trains are crossing the Greek-Macedonian border at the moment, and this paper is to increase transport frequency. Export-orientated firms in Macedonia have assessed in this context that harbour charges at Thessalonica are the largest and main impediment to the complete use of railway transport between both countries.[04] FLU SPREADING BUT NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF EPIDEMICThese days, throughout the Christmas and New Year's holidays, a vast amount of influenza cases and similar diseases have been registered all over the country. Media report that public health facilities are dealing with huge numbers of citizens asking for medical treatment, as well as that their number keeps growing permanently though no official announcement of an epidemic has been made...According to the city's Health Care Institute app. 500 cases had been registered in Skopje by 5th January, which is not enough to proclaim an epidemic. Yet the terrain `scanning' of epidemic experts in the field reveals that this illness transmitted by virus has acquired epidemic proportions. The Ministry of Health has also issued a release yesterday according to which all emergency services, medical centers and home call services are to operate with an increased number of staff - in order to provide care for the increased number of patients. Considering the current epidemic state the Ministry has prohibited the visiting of those already hospitalized, and it has recommended to avoid mass gatherings. Citizens have also been discouraged to resort to self-treatment, i.e. the uncontrolled consuming of antibiotics and other medications. [05] UNOFFICIALLY AFTER REPEATED VOTING AT THE VILLAGE VRANESHTICA: JOVAN NESTOROVSKI (SDSM) - MAYORThis Sunday votings of round 2 have been repeated for the third time at polling station No. 3 of the village Vraneshtica (Kichevo region). According to unofficial data released by the Election Commission, the new mayor of the Vraneshtica municipality is SDSM candidate Jovan Nestorovski with a total of 565 votes in his favour, followed by Cvetan Spasievski of the triple coalition (IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK- CP) with 545 votes, whereas only 2 voted for LP candidate Bozhin Mateski. In the opinion of the Election Commission voting procedures were conducted in an orderly manner, without larger difficulties.[06] AT THE VILLAGE OF VRANESHTICA - A HOMICIDE WITH POLITICAL MOTIVE?Yesterday in the evening hours Metodija Mickovski, Master Sergeant of the `Goce Delchev' garrison at Skopje, at that time on leave to celebrate New Year's Eve at home - has been killed with a hunting rifle at Vraneshtica (Kichevo). The Ministry of the Interior revealed that the identity of the murderer had been determined, and that the latter had been apprehended. Based on their release, the homicide has been committed by a pensioner of Vraneshtica who - revolted by the offenses and threats addressed to him by a group of citizens passing next to his house - fired his hunting rifle once, thus killing Mickovski who had been among this group.According to `Nova Makedonija' coverage of the testimonies of several residents of Vraneshtica, this homicide is a consequence of the atmosphere prevailing in the newly- established municipality after three repetitions of the second round of elections. There had also been incidents during the second repetition, as members of the Election Commission had been attacked and election material had been stolen. After Sunday's repeated voting - based on `Nova Makedonija' reports - around 150 people assembled to `stone' the vehicle transporting the Election Commission of the municipality and the Election Council, after which they `shelled' the SDSM Election HQ as well. According to various assessments the status of the new municipality appears to have divided its residents completely, whereas key significance is being attributed to the overwhelming `local patriotism', i.e. the insisting that the new mayor had to be a resident of the village. As it is known the SDSM promoted Jovan Nestorovski of the Staorec village, while the triple coalition i.e. the DP nominated local resident Cvetan Stanoevski. [07] IMRO-DPMNE OF VRANESHTICA HOMICIDE: TERRORIST METHODS IN POLITICAL SHOW-DOWNIn connection to the tragic event occurring at Vraneshtica, the municipal committee of the IMRO-DPMNE at Kichevo held an emergency session which resulted in the release of the following statement (covered in today's edition of `Nova Makedonija'): `...On 5th January 1997, following conducted mayor elections at the newly-established municipality Vraneshtica, the SDSM activist Simo Simunovski - accompanied by Mane Simunovski (SDSM, Head of the Election Council, on parole at the moment) and Zoran Miloski - fired his weapon (a hunting rifle) into a group of young people - supporters of the IMRO-DPMNE - for no obvious reason while they were on their way to the traditional Badnik festivities. This resulted in the death of Metodija Mickoski - an active officer of the Macedonian Armed Forces - who was in this group, among his fellow-citizens.This tragic event upsetting the Vraneshtica municipality, is merely a sequel to the third staging of mayor elections on 3rd December 1996, when members and hooligans of the SDSM - led by registrar Vlado Aleksovski, the son of the Veterans' Association Chairman - fired into the crowd of people assembled in the centre of the village. This incident was not followed up by any investigation or legal steps by either the police or the judiciary. It is quite obvious that the incumbent party, the SDSM, and its members - in their unrestrained arrogance and recklessness - have resorted to `from behind the back' killings, in addition to blackmailing, threatening and terrorizing people - in order to settle accounts with their political opponents. A method worthy of terrorist organisations, of the fascist kind.' MILS SUPPLEMENT[08] `123 Mayors Elected'(`Nova Makedonija' - 4th January 1997)Only in Tetovo elections are still being conducted, and bearing in mind the train of events surrounding they are most likely NOT to be brought to a close by the end of February. Unofficially the SDSM succeeded in obtaining most of the mayor positions, i.e. a total of 55. This is followed by the 30 slots of the IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP coalition, the SP with 10 mayors, the PDP with 14, the PDPA with 5, the PDPA-NDP with 3, the DPTM with 2 and the PDP-NDP, DPSM and DPPR with 1 mayor each. In addition to this, one independent candidate has also been elected mayor. After repeated voting of round 2 of mayor elections at Bogdanci last Sunday, and the victory of the SDSM candidate, the rat race a.k.a. `local elections' is entering the finishing stage as the names 123 mayors have already been determined. Following the election of social-democrat Gjorgji Petrushev for mayor of Bogdanci (runners-up were the nominees of the IMRO-DPMNE coalition and the LP), the only pieces missing to the puzzle are election results from Tetovo. As things appear, however, conditions in Tetovo are extremely complex; not only because it is the only municipality without a mayor - but rather due to the fact that no epilogue to these autumnal local elections is becoming visible on the horizon, as is the case with the duration and the termination of voting and campaigning of the main candidates: Alajdin Demiri (PDPA), Adbuljnadi Vejseli (PDP) and Tomislav Stojanovski - Bombaj (DPM). Thus considering the entire `fringe festival' enriching elections and voting procedures, one cannot exclude the possibility that the prophecies of some Albanian party leaders are to become reality. Those forecasts have been predicting that Tetovo is not likely to obtain a new mayor before the end of February - and even more pessimistic ones extend this deadline on to March. This seems particularly logical when considering speculations that PDPA would stall elections awaiting the return of Albanian `Gastarbeiter' for their vacation from West European countries. One only has to remember that so far elections have been annulled three times, whereas the fourth delay has been entailed by the annulment of repeated voting (round 1) in this municipality. The first time the Municipal Election Commission had rescheduled for 28th December, then 5th January (this slot - it is rumoured throughout Tetovo - is not suitable as it parallels the holiday season)... thus that for now no definite date has been set; and speculations that - as even the first round of mayor elections has not been conducted yet - voting in this municipality and the country in general may well go on beyond the end of February - seem to gain credibility. The most recent unofficial results on the outcomes of mayor elections at Bogdanci, though, has not generated any changes in the `score list' of parties, based on how many mayor positions they `can call their own'. Therefore, the list is being headed by the SDSM (55 mayors, of which 14 were elected in round 1 and 41 in round 2); they have obtained mayor slots at Pehchevo, Star Dojran, Resen, Plastnica, Belchishta, Staro Nagorichani, Delchevo, Miravci, Demir Hisar, Sopotnica, Rankovce, Karbinci, Vratnica and Makedonski Brod in round 1. During the second round they emerged victorious at Berovo, Bitola, Novaci, Kukurecheni, Capari, Valandovo, Blatec, Gevgelija, Rostushe, Mavrovi Anovi, Konopishte, Kichevo, Vraneshtica, Kochani, Cheshinovo, Zrnovce, Kumanovo, Orashec, Krushevo, Negotino, Kosel, Mesheishta, Dolneni, Topolchani, Vitolishte, Radovish, Konche, Vasilevo, Struga, Lukovo, Brvenica, Jegunovce, Veles, Bogomila, Gradsko, Petrovec, Karposh, Centar, Bistrica, Krivogashtani and Bogdanci. The coalition - i.e. `extra-parliamentary' opposition - among IMRO-DPMNE, DP & MAAK-CP has succeeded in gaining 7 mayor slots in round 1 (Kuklish, Kriva Palanka, Bosilevo, Makedonska Kamenica, Dobrushevo, Orizari and Podaresh), and 23 during the second round at: Bach, Mogila, Vinica, Kavadarci, Drugovo, Obleshevo, Prilep, Probishtip, Sveti Nikole, Strumica, Novo Selo, Murtino, Vevchani, Chashka, Izvor, Shtip, Zelenikovo, Ilinden, Gazi Baba, Gjorche Petrov, Kisela Voda Chair and in Skopje. The SP emerged victorious at 10 municipalities, of which it had been a `one set' match in 4 (Samokov, Demir Kapija, Zletovo and Kratovo) - whereas `two sets' had to be played at Staravina, Rosoman, Klechovce, Ohrid, Lozovo and Sopishte. According to unofficial data the PDP has 14 mayors so far, of which 8 had been elected during round 1 and 6 throughout round 2 (Labunishta, Delogozhde, Arachinovo, Saraj, Studenichani, Kondovo, Zhitoshe, Dzhepchishte, Vrapchishte, Chegrane, Bogovinje, Zhelino, Lipkovo and Kamenjane. Five nominees of the PDPA were elected mayors: at Srbinovo during round 1, and at Gostivar, Negotino-Poloshko, Tearce and Vrutok throughout round 2. In coalition with the NDP this party has managed to push through three more of its candidates: one during round 1 at Oslomej, and two at Zajas and Veleshta in round 2. The DPTM acquired two mayor positions (one in each round): at Dolna Banjica and Centar Zhupa. One mayor each also is a representative of the PDP / NDP coalition (Debar), of the DPSM (Chucher-Sandevo) and of the DPPR (Shuto Orizari). The only independent candidate to win elections is now mayor of Shipkovica. (end)mils news 07 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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