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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-03-10Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 10 March, 1997[01] SUPPORT OF REQUESTS, RESISTANCE TOWARDS HUNGER STRIKEThe hunger strike of app. 20 PF students of Macedonian ethnicity have continued at the `Zhena-borec' in Skopje throughout the weekend. As did the protests of university and secondary school students against the PF-Bill in the streets of Skopje.On Friday the participants of the hunger strike were visited by LP leader Stojan Andov, DP leader Petar Goshev and by the Mayor of Skopje Risto Penov. Upon expressing their worry as concerns the development of events and upon supporting the students' demands - they have advised students to resolve those issues within the institutions. In the afternoon that same day strikers and protest organisers staged another `open air' press conference, during which several statements of support have been read - including the one sent by the President of the Students' Association of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University, with the comment `better late than never'. It has once again been stressed that demonstrations would continue until all demands were met. This was followed by a march of university and secondary school students along the customary itinerary, complemented by a great deal of nervousness - and a state of chaos during rush hour in particular - as the roads leading to the front of the Parliament building had not been sealed. On Saturday, i.e. day five of the hunger strike, students were visited by Euro-MP Karl von Habsburg - accompanied by former Macedonian ministers Dimitar Dimitrov, Martin Trenevski and Gjorgji Naumov; by former MP (of the IMRO- DPMNE) Jordan Boshkov and by former presidential candidate, director Ljubisha Georgievski. Media report that von Habsburg stated that he understood the revolt students felt, and he also signed the petition in support of their requests which - according to the organisers - has been signed by app. 20 000 citizens. Strikers were further presented a book by von Habsburg, with the title `Macedonia - a Rich and Suffering Country' by authors Elke Lohrens and Andreas Rapp, who have also attended this meeting. The students conducting the hunger strike have also been visited by the mayors of the Chair and Gazi Baba municipalities, who have also stated their unreserved support of student demands. On Saturday, demonstrators have also staged a performance called `Oasis of Peace, Oasis of Silence' in addition tot he usual march. During it students represented themselves as `death, blind and dumb' with respect to what is going on, in an attempt to depict conditions in the country. [02] MAX VAN DER STUHL: `OBLIGATORY UPHOLDING OF CONSTITUTION AND LAWS'`The stability of the country may only be procured if all ethnic groups completely respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity , the Constitution and the laws of Macedonia. The Constitutional Court has to be given the room to decide on the constitutional compatibility of certain acts of law', stated the OSCE High Commissioner on Minority Issues Max Van Der Stuhl during his meeting with Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov in Skopje last Friday.The meeting had also been attended by OSCE Chief-of- Mission in Macedonia Christian Faber-Rod. Official records reveal that Van Der Stuhl expressed his worries with regards to the most recent manifestations of intolerance (especially in terms of certain paroles and slogans exhibited by students, but also by adults at the Tetovo gathering). He also aired his belief that continuous inter-ethnic dialogue is of key significance to the stability of the country. In this context he welcomed the permanent commitment of the Macedonian Government to completely fulfill obligations pledged to within the OSCE in terms of minority rights and inter-ethnic relations. With regards to the announced regionalisation of the Tetovo and Gostivar municipalities, Van Der Stuhl assessed that unless this is considered from the angle of the right to local self-government to open the doors for increased cooperation in the field of improving infrastructure - such a measure is not justifiable, as it embodies something beyond legal provisions with wider political implications. President Gligorov stressed that the radicalisation of inter-ethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia through most recent events (students protests and occurrences in Tetovo and Gostivar) may entail the political stabilisation, particularly through attempts of resolving these issues outside the institutions of the system, and endeavours to violate the Constitution undertaken by institutions of local self-government. He further emphasised that concordant to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia and the development policy on inter-ethnic relations, the country would continue to follow legally binding provisions and pursue their compatibility to international standards. `Solid inter- ethnic relations and upholding the rule of law are the main prerequisites to the stability and development of the Republic of Macedonia. Thus any sort of undermining and inciting of national hatred cannot benefit either the Macedonian people or the ethnicities resident in the Republic of Macedonia', Kiro Gligorov stated. During his one-day visit to Skopje, the OSCE High Commissioner on Minorities has also been received by PM Branko Crvenkovski and the Head of Macedonian Diplomacy Ljubomir Frchkovski. [03] ONE-SIDED COVERAGE ON MACEDONIAUpon invitation of the Pan-European Union of Macedonia and the IMRO-DPMNE, a delegation of the Pan-European Community - headed by Karl von Habsburg - has been staying in Macedonia for the past three days. According to von Habsburg the objective of the visit was the familiarisation with current conditions in Macedonia, as information made available by state media are most often insufficient and one-sided. While assessing the position of Macedonia in the Balkans as very important, von Habsburg stressed the relevance of including the region into the European integration procedures. In this context he indicated that the development of Macedonia had to go along this path only, but also that the right moment of time had to be awaited. During his visit to Macedonia von Habsburg also met with PDP representatives, an encounter which he assessed favourably.[04] ELEPHTEROS TYPOS: `GREEK PM SIMITIS IN MACEDONIA SOON'Greek opposition paper `Elephteros Typos' informs that Greek PM Costas Simitis is to visit the Republic of Macedonia as part of his tour through Balkan countries (to commence towards the close of this month) - `Makfax' reports. The Greek paper further stresses that political circles in Athens are mentioning Macedonia for the first time as a component of the list of Balkan countries which might be visited by PM Simitis.[05] ATHENS DEMANDS SPEEDY RESOLVING OF NAME-ISSUE`Negotiations between Athens and Skopje as regards the name-issue may not last indeterminably', stated Greek Head of Diplomacy Pangallos during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York, at the same time appealing to the Macedonian Government to make the first step. The Greek Head of Diplomacy stressed that Athens endeavoured to promote a permanent solution that would avoid ambiguity with respect its northern province Macedonia. According to `Makfax' Pangallos estimated that name-issue negotiations are coming to an end, though this mainly depended on the volition and understanding of Skopje.Based on information released by the Greek `ABNA' agency Simitis further stressed the successful implementation of the Interim Agreement with its northern neighbour - adding that currently Greece is the second trade- partner of Macedonia, as well as that around 60 000 Macedonians visited his country last year. [06] `ZORBAS THE GREEK' IN SKOPJE`Dnevnik' reports in today's edition that in order to improve Greek- Macedonian relations the theater performance `Zorbas the Greek' is to open in Skopje throughout the first half of April. The piece will include the performance of renowned actors of the Greek National Theatre, while the musical score is to be played by the Macedonian Symphony - conducted by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. On this occasion another `joint venture' is to take place: the meeting of over 150 representatives of both countries. This event has been initiated by NGOs of both countries, and it may be attended by former Greek Foreign Secretary Michaly Papakonstantinou, by the renowned scholar Leonadis Kirkos, by 14 MPs of several factions and several mayors, businessmen, university readers, etc.[07] `TAT' BANK: FATE OF 100 MILLION DM REMAINS UNCERTAINFollowing the filing of criminal charges by the NBM, the owner of the largest privately-owned savings house in the country, Bitola-based `TAT', Sonja Nikolovska has been apprehended on Friday. Media report that charges against Nikolovska consisted of forgery of documents, tax evasion and the abuse of her office and authorisation. Another arrest affected Sonja Janchevska, a clerk of the Bitola Payment Flow Institute - whereas an investigation has been launched against the Director of this institution Julijana Atanasovska. This is being paralleled by the continuing massive and complex inspection operation by the Central Bank - headed by the Head of the Monitoring Dept. Gazmen Kadriu. The latter has been entrusted with the determining of the actual amount of collected savings deposits, their structure in terms of assets and calculated and disbursed interest rates and the size of granted credits. According to still unofficial data from the Central Bank of Macedonia - `Nova Makedonija' informs of the possibility that the `TAT' bank may have accumulated over 90 million DM in savings deposits, while the number of clients may amount to even 26 000. It has already been printed that in her last report submitted to the Central Bank Nikolovska had reported around 7 000 clients and app. 7.5 million DM in assets. One of the key dilemmas to be resolved throughout the subsequent three to four weeks, is the detecting of pyramid saving - i.e. the disbursement of old clients with recent deposits.It is interesting to remember that until the last NBM inspection, due to the latest enacted decisions of this body on banking and due to the establishing of the Fund for Savings Deposits Insurance, the `TAT' had always passed with flying colours. Thus its bonity, examined three times last year, had been given the mark 2 (1 standing for optimal credibility and 5 for the worst). According to `Nova Makedonija' this only rekindles the speculations that such marks have been in the interest of certain individuals who are members of the Central Bank establishment, and maybe even ministers of the incumbent Government. In this context it is repeatedly mentioned that Vice-Governor Tome Nenovski has been a `TAT' client, as well as that the NBM must have known of Nikolovska's previous involvement in a `credit scandal', while still a clerk at the `JIK' bank in Bitola (though she was acquitted due to lack of evidence). Yet she managed to obtain a permit to establish a bank, and become its director. Upon quoting well-informed circles, `Nova Makedonija' reveals that PM Crvenkovski has initiated the request to obtain a court order to obtain a list of all `TAT' clients, i.e. to determine whether there are any Government members, NBM employees of inspectors on this list - as criminal charges may have to be filed against them. This measure by PM Crvenkovski is attributed to the fact that the `TAT' case is most probably to have a political and social impact, for a huge part of Bitola's economy appears to depend on `TAT' transactions and credits - and consequences of a possible bankruptcy would send tremors through a large part of the community. `Nova Makedonija' further reports of rumours according to which Sonja Nikolovska is one of the main SDSM sponsors. This is being complemented by the fact that she has been on the SDSM city counsellour nominees' list. The party, however, denies this, by stating that she had not been included as a party member but as a personality of this municipality. The SDSM has, of course, also demanded that the counsellour position is taken away from Nikolovska. Meantime, contracts of `TAT' clients are being substituted with savings books, and the bank premises are constantly beleaguered by worried clients. The latter have already formed their Council which is to monitor the overall situation and undertake measures. The first of such is a written request to the NBM demanding the examining and addressing of conditions in this bank. The NBM informs that it will be impossible to expect any investigation outcomes before another ten days. [08] STEEL MILLS COMPLETELY PRIVATISEDThese days the Executive Council of the Skopje Steel Mill has decided to complete the transformation of this industrial giant which is one of the 25 largest loss- generating companies in Macedonia. The privatisation - media report - adhering to the model of converting demands into deposits, has transformed the `Skopje Mines and Steel mill' into a 100% private enterprise. By signing the contract, the new owners of this company are; `Fershped', `Tehnometal-Vardar' and `Makpetrol'. The completion of privatisation procedures of this company has been prerequisite to the renewal of the `SAL' arrangement with the World Bank.[09] NO SUBSIDIES FOR AGRICULTURE SECTORAgriculture reforms in Macedonia are to benefit from positive results and experience obtained throughout the reforming of this sector in New Zealand, towards the first half of the 80s... This has been stated by Agriculture Minister Nikola Parakeov, during a recent visit of his and a Macedonian delegation to New Zealand in order to study the agriculture reforms conducted in this country - as the World Bank had assessed these as extremely positive. In the opinion of Minister Parakeov this above all entails the suspending of subsidies and the unburdening of the National Budget through different excessive fees and charges. The example set by New Zealand, and by Macedonia, proves that subsidies to stimulate a certain production - but on account on branches which are less promoted.Minister Parakeov indicates that Macedonia will adhere to the encouraging of individual production and farming through measures which are to entail increased creativity and the stimulating of inventive activity by food producers - in terms of profitability and secure placement in the country and abroad. [10] INTERNATIONAL LINK-UP OF MACEDONIAN MOBILE TELEPHONE NETWORK DUE SOONThe nationally-owned `PTT Makedonija' and Swiss `Telecom' have signed a contract these days, according to which as of 2nd April this year both countries are to link up their mobile telephone networks. At the same time - `Nova Makedonija' reports - our country will be in the position to establish direct digital telecommunications links with other mobile tele- operators throughout Europe. This above all refers to the Nordic countries with which Switzerland has entered a certain kind of association. This, according to Macedonian postal services, is to mark the beginning of establishing cooperation with ten other European countries (particularly neighbouring states) in this field.On Friday we covered the introduction of the Macedonian Economy Chamber Website. Here is the address: www.MCHAMBER.org.mk MILS SUPPLEMENT[11] `Party Leaderships Accused of Terrorism and Extremism'(`Nova Makedonija' - 6th March 1997)`Departing on the grounds of all legal authorisations, the Directorate of Security and Counter-Intelligence has undertaken measures and activities concerning the timely determining, surveying, documenting and countering of terrorist actions - or any other sort of extremist activities headed, organised and executed by sections of party leadership structures, of civic associations, individuals and illegal organisations integrated into / coordinating with extreme circles in neighbouring, West European and Near East countries.' This quote is part of the Report on the Monitoring of the National Intelligence Agency Between February 1995 and April 1996, which has been subject to examination at the parliamentary session held to days ago - and also the cause of heated discussions among MPs. The same section of the Report which lists part of the survey of the Directorate of Security and Counter-Intelligence abounds in - one would have to at least say - provocative views. Such as, for example, the statement during the above mentioned period of time the Directorate has launched a series of measures and activities with respect to countering the increased presence and activity of intelligence services which - among other things - have incited extremist activities by Albanian, Serbian and Vlach nationalist and chauvinist circles, or expanded their net of operatives. Another statement reveals that the same Directorate within the Ministry of the Interior has implemented intensive and premeditated measures to counter the more gravitating forms of organised crime. The interest in this issue exhibited by MPs had certainly been expected - as the subject-matter (security and counter-intelligence) is not only sensitive, but also since this is the first report of the NIA Monitoring Commission, since the inauguration of this Parliament in 1994. The Report itself is characterised by several rather important elements. This is, above all, to be ascribed to the fact that the document has been compiled by a Commission whose name alone indicates a certain kind of anarchy, i.e. the mere enactment of the Law on Interior Affairs and Intelligence Agencies two years ago, entailed the factual legal dissolving of the Service on State Security. It is common knowledge that part of its tasks have been taken over by the Ministry of the Interior (i.e. the Directorate of Security and Counter-Intelligence), whereas the remainder (outside the competencies of the Government, but directly subordinated to the President) have been transferred on to the Intelligence Agency. This also provides the framework (concordant to the Law on Interior Affairs) for the provision obliging the Commission to submit this Report to the Government (to ensure the confidentiality of part of its contents), which had been done as early as May 1996. It has taken the Macedonian Government seven whole months (!) to provide its views on the Report. This particularly irritated the MPs at the most recent session. The most intriguing part of the Report are, nevertheless, those previously mentioned quotations in which (without any additional data) a segment of certain party leaderships or civic associations are accused of terrorism or `another kind of extreme activity...' To be continued... (end)mils news 10 March 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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