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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-10Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 10 January, 1997[01] US AIR FORCE EXPERTS IN MACEDONIAAs of yesterday an expert team on civil and military aviation from the USA has arrived on a three-day visit to Macedonia. Together with their Macedonian counterparts they are to draft an analysis of a system for Macedonia which would be compatible to the one employed by NATO for flight control and the protection of our country's air space. MTV reports that the US experts have been received by Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski, by Transportation and Communications Secretary Dimitar Buzleski and by the CINC of ARM HQ General Trajche Krstevski.[02] EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR ACCREDITED IN MACEDONIAMacedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov received the newly- appointed Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Macedonia, H.E.Amb. Nehad Ibrahim Abdel Latif, who on this occasion forwarded his letters of accreditation to the President. The latter stressed throughout his welcoming speech that the appointment of such a high-ranking diplomatic official bears evidence to traditionally friendly relations between the Egyptian and the Macedonian people, as well as to the versatile evolution of bilateral relations. Official records of the meeting state that President Gligorov furthermore underlined the importance of having Egypt as a friend, not only for our country as an active agent in the region - but also in support of progressive and positive trends to which Macedonia has committed itself to. In response to this H.E.Amb. Latif emphasized that the Egyptian nation has the strong desire to strengthen existing relations of friendship between both countries.In addition to this the newly-appointed, fully-accredited Ambassador of Egypt to Macedonia has also been received by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski who particularly delved into the cooperation on a parliamentary level within the Inter-Parliamentary Union. [03] INVESTING INTO 43 PROJECTSYesterday the Macedonian Government has completed drafting the Investment Programme for the Public Sector in Macedonia over the time span 1997 - 1999. This document lists 43 projects, of which 25 are new ones and 75% fall off to the economic sector.Official records of the session revealed that this strategy of investments into the public sector throughout the future will predominantly be affected by the already established macro-economic stability, by the completing of the economy infrastructure system and by creating a new ambient for the operating of economic subjects in different conditions - by furthering initiative on the market and entrepreneurship. Upon selecting projects eligible for funding via foreign investments, preference will be given to direct investments of foreign partners and concessions. To this purpose it is prerequisite to meet certain criteria: the level to which the facility is constructed already, the possibility of procuring domestic funds, the potential to settle already existing dues to foreign partners, the contribution towards production development; increasing export, employment, import substitution, etc. The programme, among other things, includes large-scale projects which have already been commenced but not yet completely implemented: such as the `Kozjak' hydroelectric plant, the reconstruction and revitalization of such facilities, the construction of the Kumanovo - Beljakovce railway towards the Bulgarian border, the construction of the gas pipeline and several health care projects - or those affecting science or education. The Government also adopted the decision on using funds of the Federal Republic of Germany worth 5 657 600 DM allocated to Macedonia. These funds are not to be restituted, and they are to provide technical support for water supplies, irrigational projects, damage control after floods or dam reconstructions. [04] INTEREST RATES TO BE DETERMINED ACCORDING TO MARKET TRENDS IN THE FUTUREIn the future interest rates are to be determined with respect to market conditions in the Republic of Macedonia, i.e. with respect to the interrelatedness between demand and offer of funds... stated NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski yesterday. The press release further indicates that the achieved macro-economic stability and conducted institutional restructuring - as well as imminent changes within the financial / banking sphere, reflected in the establishment of the Monetary Exchange, the enactment of improved loan protection, gradual changes of the payment flow system and the increased competitiveness among banks have created the basic prerequisites for the definite determining of interest rates by banks. Their value is to be outlined on the basis of the correlation between offer and demand for money. This neutralizes the necessity to determine the height of interest rates by consensus. The NBM revealed that it would not endorse possible agreements between banking houses to that purpose, but that it would rather indirectly affect the height of interest rates by controlling the escount rate via regulating liquidity on an inter- institutional level (between banks) - as well as via the strict implementation of supervision standards regarding the functioning of the banking system in Macedonia... informs the release containing the statement of NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski.[05] VECHER: `THE MACEDONIAN HOUSE WILL HAVE TO WAIT'In reply to the information that Greek authorities approved the opening of a `Macedonian Culture Centre' in Lerin, which had been forwarded to Australian TV by Vassiliadis Petros these days, `Vecher' reported the statement given by `Vinozhito' presidency member Trajko Pasois yesterday. According to Pasois Petros most probably conveyed this piece of information incorrectly, adding that if such a project were to be implemented, his organisation (active among Macedonians in Northern Greece) would have been among the first to know, which has not been the case. Pasois further stated that the possible opening of such a `Macedonian House' in Lerin would have to be addressed by the European Court - as inquiries dating back to the second half of December `96 have shown.[06] OFF THE RECORD: THREE MACEDONIAN CANDIDATES FOR THE EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS TRIBUNALThe Republic of Macedonia is soon to recommend three candidates for the European Human Rights Tribunal of the Council of Europe. `Makfax' reports that names in contention - off the record - are: Justice Secretary Aide Cvetko Cvetkovski, and readers of the Faculty of Law Gjorgji Marjanovikj and Vlado Kambovski. Currently the mandate of a European Court Justice amounts to 9 years, and officials are usually appointed by the Government - whereas they are suspended by the Parliamentary Assembly.Besides this, MTV reported yesterday that the UN Special Envoy on Human Rights, Ms. Elizabeth Wren, is expected to visit Skopje this month - prior to departing for Prishtina and Belgrade. [07] HUNGER-STRIKE OF `VELES-PROM' EMPLOYEESEmployees of `Veles-Prom' have been on strike for the past 9 days, and as of yesterday the strikers of this commercial company have extended this measure into a hunger-strike. Media coverage states that this is due to the Elementary Court ruling in Veles to suspend the current temporary Director, to appoint a new one and to place the company under litigation again. The Strike Board revealed that while the company had been placed under `imposed management' prior to the current one, about 2 years go, the company's balance had been harmed by a series of irregular business transactions - such as the selling of 8 000 square meters of commercial premises by the Director at that time which belong to the company, without consulting the trustees...Because of the recent court ruling employees have commenced this hunger- strike, and they are committed to thus deny access to the facilities to the manager. In their opinion problems can only be resolved by consulting all stakeholders, including employees and legal structures within the Veles Elementary Court. [08] IMRO-DPMNE: VRANESHTICA HOMICIDE - A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF `ORGANISED CHAOS'During yesterday's press conference IMRO-DPMNE stated that the murdering of their supporter Metodija Mickovski at the Vraneshtica village (Kichevo) embodies a direct consequence of the state of `organised chaos' created by the incumbent throughout local elections. IMRO-DPMNE spokesperson Dragi Ivanovski denoted the Vraneshtica homicide as a `political murder', adding that both political and economic abuse were being committed in Macedonia. Upon emphasizing that the IMRO-DPMNE endorses the normalization of conditions in the country, the party spokesperson once again publicly invited PM Branko Crvenkovski to establish a dialogue on early parliamentary elections.[09] SDSM (KICHEVO): `POLITICAL PROFITEERING THROUGH AN UNFORTUNATE OCCURRENCE'In its public address - in response to the release of the IMRO-DPMNE Municipal Committee upon the tragedy of Vraneshtica - the Municipal Unit of the SDSM Kichevo has assessed the previously mentioned release as unfounded and extremely inflammatory `in the context of a long-term strategy which is highly dangerous, but which is nevertheless being headed by this party'. Therefore, the address continues, it suffices to register that this party has created its own interpretation and scope of this case - without bothering to obtain the input of those entrusted with the investigation. The Municipal Unit of the SDSM Kichevo distances itself from this absurd incident, entailing the loss of an innocent life, but it also condemns the attempted `political profiteering' which is being promoted unscrupulously in connection to this despicable deed. Thus the SDSM Municipal Unit of Kichevo is appealing to all inhabitants of Vraneshtica to resist political speculations and provocations - as the deed committed on 6th January is a crime, without any political background.[10] NUMBER OF REGISTERED FLU CASES ALMOST TWICE AS LARGEBased on data released yesterday by the city's Health Care Institute, the number of those suffering from the flu amounts to 2 415 - contrary to the previously announced official figure of 1 178, given two days ago. Media nevertheless claim that even this is not an adequate estimate, whereas the Epidemic Dept. still considers even these numbers less than worrisome with regards to the size of the city of Skopje. According to the Health Dept. the number of medical intervention teams in all medical facilities has been increased, particularly during afternoon and night shifts, and supplies of medicines at chemists are satisfactory. The prohibition to visit hospitalized cases remains intact, as does the recommendation to avoid mass gatherings... yet authorities do not think it necessary to proclaim a state of flu epidemic.[11] SVETI NIKOLE RESIDENTS DEMAND RESTITUTION AT COURT FOR DAMAGED VEHICLESThe reactions of over 250 residents of Sveti Nikole, in the aftermath of the problems caused by the petrol purchased at the `Makpetrol' filling- station during the holiday season, are reflected through numerous complaints and charges submitted at the appropriate Municipal Court - demanding the launching of an investigation into the matter which would determine its causes. The Macedonian Radio reports that those inhabitants of Sveti Nikole were forced to substitute damaged engine parts, pay for oil changes and for the emptying of their petrol tanks.Legal authorities have not been able to obtain petrol samples at the `Makpetrol' filling-station yesterday, as the facility at Sveti Nikole is closed at the moment. Thus samples have been taken from several vehicles at the mechanic's. In addition to this, investigations are being aided by correspondent municipal and national inspection services. It has been revealed that the cost of all necessary repairs (new parts and service charges) amounts to app. 2 000 denars per vehicle. More details on damages and consequences, as well as on financial liability, are yet to be forwarded to the public in the near future, along with the release of the official investigation outcomes. [12] MESSAGE TO MOSLEM WORSHIPPERS UPON THE `RAMAZAN' MONTH OF FASTINGToday worshippers of the Moslem denomination commence their month of fasting `Ramazan'. On this occasion Mr. Reiz Uleman Hadzhi-Sulejman Redzhepi - Head of the Islamic Religious Community in Macedonia - forwarded the following address: `Honourable worshippers, we are entering the month of fasting, the month in which our brows are lit up by `nour', and its wisdom soothes our spirit. Fasting is known to all people, yet only we Moslems see it as a means to obtain piousness, in the name of Allah the Almighty.Dear worshippers, wage war on the Satanic evil by fasting - narrow the path of evil and prepare for the blessings of Allah the Almighty... for it is him who commands that `fasting is mine only, and only I shall reward you for it. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept this fasting of ours as a prayer for peace, love and a joint life.' MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `It is Easier to Track Down a Stolen Ford Cortina Than a Missing Child...'(`Dnevnik', `FCEW', `Nova Makedonija', `Vecher' - 16th to 19th December 1996)...This - according to Ms. Helena Karlen, Vice-President of ECPAT International and President of ECPAT-Sweden, is part of a statement of the current Chairwoman (also Chief of Norwegian Police) of the INTERPOL Standing Working Group On Sexual Abuse of Minors. This international police task force concerned with the countering of commercial sexual exploitation of children has been established only three years ago - an astounding fact upon bearing in mind that over 1 000 000 children are being trapped into the `sex industry' worldwide (unofficial estimate by Norwegian gvt.), an `industry' which has been flourishing for decades in Asian, African and Latin American countries. The `developed' countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Holland, etc. have not been spared either... One of the reasons why ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is obtaining a GLOBAL mandate as of 1st January '97, rather than just focusing on Asia (End Child Prostitution in Asia Tourism). Both Ms. Karlen Mr. Johann Norrby - a member of Swedish ECPAT who was concerned with the work of the children delegates at the First World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held under the auspices of ECPAT and the Government of Sweden in Stockholm this August (27th-31st) - considered this a step in the right direction towards implementing the Agenda for Action adopted by all participants at this Congress. In this context they also welcomed the Seminar on `Sexual Abuse of Children in Macedonia - Conditions, Education and Prevention' organized by the First Children's Embassy in the World `Medjashi' between 16th and 19th December in Skopje, as it represented the first follow-up event organized by an NGO to entail the World Congress... `Although this evil has not reached the proportions in our country equalling those in Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Philippines or Thailand', said Education Minister Sofija Todorova upon opening the Seminar, `it is prerequisite to unite all stakeholders in order to counter this epidemic affecting those we love most...' This only seemed to be confirmed by the fact that up so far there is no joint data base on this sort of crime in Macedonia - though research by the `Idrizovo' Penitentiary has revealed that between 1 and 1.5% of all convicts are serving a sentence connected to the sexual abuse of children, those being the ones who actually were apprehended and sentenced before parents withdrew charges or refused to press them at all - in order to avoid embarrassment and shame. Most of them are serving ridiculously low sentences; investigation procedures involving the victim prove to be inadequate - thus many times even so-called experts feel helpless. Rehabilitation for both the victims and the perpetrators are extremely insufficient; which is only augmented by the total lack of coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and the neglect to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Children - the omission to acquaint children and parents alike with its contents. An initiative to do so - by a primary school teacher of the `Kole Nedelokvski' Elementary School - resulted in the horrendous revelation: a group of app. ten second- and third-graders were being repeatedly sexually abused by their music instructor Milivoje Ristikj. The latter has been known to have `certain affinities' and even the school's head teacher Ms. Shukovikj knew about his medical record (i.e. psychiatric treatment) - but instead of suspending such an individual he merely got reassigned to another post... The epilogue to this tale: dozens of confused and panic-stricken parents of current and past classes - for there is no way of determining the actual number of abused children; the suspension of the head teacher and 3 years of imprisonment and the prohibition to work as a teacher over this period of time for the perpetrator (sentence announced on 7th May `96)...Children used to listen to adults had not been made aware of the fact that they have right to say `No' to people harming them in any way (Article 34 of the UN Convention)... This, in addition to the fact that more than 150 calls (provisional police data state that compared to last year's 49 reported cases of sexual child abuse, so far the total for `96 amounted to 31) of the overall 9 370 registered at the SOS Hotline for Young People (36 54 60), run by the First Children's Embassy over 3 years by now, involved sexual or severe physical abuse - served as the main incentive for the FCEW to go about organizing this Seminar. It was to provide global and domestic perspectives on this issue, i.e. : prerequisite steps to create better legislation, improve law enforcement, prevention through education, increase coordination and rehabilitation possibilities. This also included the establishing of the institution of a Human Rights or Children's Ombudsman (so far existing in Sweden, Norway, Austria, Venezuela and New Zealand), the forming of a National Council to coordinate efforts of countering the commercial sexual abuse of children, the establishing of a police task force and improved legislation and judiciary, and all-inclusive prevention i.e. public awareness raising by establishing fruitful cooperation with the media (which proved to be committed to collaborate extensively) and the involvement of children themselves, by educating them on their rights and including in these efforts. This - of course - is to be aided by networking with appropriate international institutions and organisations (INTERPOL, ECPAT, UNICEF, the Special UN Rapporteur, etc.) and the implementation of the Seminar's adopted conclusions: 1. Establishing the Institution CHILDREN'S OMBUDSMAN, i.e. a Deputy People's Defender for the Protection of Children's Rights; and the precise outlining of his liability 2. Enacting a Discrete Law on Legal Procedures Involving Minors and the Establishing of Juvenile Courts, as part of our endeavour to adhere to international standards and criteria 3. Establishing a Council to Counter the Sexual Abuse of Children, as a National body to provide coordination, cooperation and maximum effect of each initiative In the end, it appears appropriate to quote Health Ministry representative Levenski who states that `the sexual abuse of children is a problem of adults, an issue we adults have to deal with - and as adults we all bear an equal amount of responsibility.' (end)mils news 10 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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