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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-04-04Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 04 April, 1997[01] SUPPORT BY NORDIC COUNTRIES ON EXTENSION OF `UNPREDEP' MANDATEThe Defence Secretaries of the Nordic countries concluded during a meeting held yesterday that the mandate of the `UNPREDEP' mission in Macedonia should be extended. In this context MTV also stressed that the role of UNPREDEP is of immense significance with respect to the support of Macedonian efforts to increase stability - particularly in view of the Albanian crisis. This conclusion has been adopted by the Defence Secretaries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland - which (it is known) have their own troops deployed within the peace-keeping mission in Macedonia since its very initial stages. This support comes in response to the recent letter of Macedonian Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski, addressed to UN Secretary-General Annan, in which the extension of the UNPREDEP mandate (following its expiry on 31st May) is requested.Throughout its two-year mandate as a temporary member of the UN Security Council, Sweden has committed itself to the further perfecting of the concept of preventive diplomacy in crisis areas, on grounds of a study compiled by the Swedish Foreign Office on conflict resolution and humanitarian catastrophes. Thus Swedish Foreign Secretary Lena Hjelm-Wallen indicated the UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia as a successful example of positive effects entailed by preventive UN engagement in crisis areas. [02] `BLATO' BORDER CROSSING TO ALBANIA OPENEDAfter one month of closure due to current events in Albania, the `Blato' border crossing at the Macedonian- Albanian border has been reopened yesterday - the Macedonian Radio reports. Customs officials informed that the first freight vehicles (transporting fruit and vegetables from Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria into the border town of Peshkopeja) have already crossed the border. It has also been agreed to permit the entrance of several Albanian nationals who have obtained a multiple entry visa at the Macedonian Embassy in Tirana. The Macedonian Radio further reveals that Macedonian authorities have already returned to normal procedures on their side of the border. The overall impression along the entire Macedonian-Albanian border is that things have quieted down considerably, though occasionally gunshots may still be heard. So far there has been no increased amount of attempted illegal border crossing. The greatest section of the Macedonian side of the border though is still being secured by reinforced police and military patrols.[03] NEGOTIATIONS IN NEW YORK CONTINUE, DATE OF NEXT MEETING YET TO BE DETERMINEDDuring the latest round of talks on the name of Macedonia, Ambassadors Christos Zacharakis and Ivan Toshevski agreed to continue negotiations without determining the date for their next encounter - `Makfax' reports. So far neither side has more precise data on the sequel of these negotiations in New York.[04] `TAT' SCANDAL: COUNT-DOWN AS OF 15TH APRILBased on the final findings of the `TAT' inspection team, the dues of this bank do not exceed the amount of 110 million DM. Of these 62 million fall off to the main deposited capital, while the rest represents accrued interest rates. `Makpress' informs that this had been revealed by NBM Supervisor Gazmen Kadriu during a meeting with representatives of the `TAT' Bank Clients' Association headed by Mende Mladenovski. Kadriu had also stated that by the end of this week supervisors would examine the bank's liabilities, while the assets would be investigated until 15th April.According to Bank Clients' Association representatives this date would mark the commencement of the seven-day deadline, given by the Government in order to devise a concrete solution i.e. bill regulating the restitution of deceived bank clients. The legal counsellours of `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska - as MTV reports - have stated that upon bearing in mind the bank's assets and liabilities balance, restitution should be possible. This above all refers to the deposited capital - whereas with regards to the disbursement of interest rates the final say is to be had by the state. Meantime the presiding judge in Bitola is having intensive talks with Sonja Nikolovska which are reported to result in the revelation of new names involved in this scandal. The Investigative Court of Bitola has also been questioning former Civil Engineering, Urbanism and Ecology Minister Antonio Peshev and MP Branirod Mihajlovski as witnesses. With regards to Macedonian Members of Parliament it has been reported that two more of them (Marjan Kotlar/LP and independent candidate Lazar Dimov) had submitted statements denying any sort of involvement into the `TAT' banking scandal, or the ownership of any savings at this bank. Besides this, a reporter of `Vecher' has been physically assaulted by two unidentified perpetrators. This incident is being linked to the `TAT' banking scandal - though law enforcement authorities have no affirmative evidence of this yet. [05] LP & DP: `SDSM INTENDS TO EVADE LIABILITY'Both the Liberal and the Democrat Party have monitored the progression of the `TAT' investigation with a great deal of concern. Particularly after the releasing of the SDSM press statement two days ago. The above mentioned parties consider that the incumbent SDSM has already begun to lay the foundations for the obscuring of the main participants in this scandal, in order to escape their own liability.To this purpose unserious accusations regarding the involvement of individuals and parties in obstructing investigations are being made by the SDSM. This is being done in spite of the fact - as the LP & DP claim - that the entire public knows that only the SDSM Government generated organised crime, and that only this party has an interest in obscuring the truth due to its involvement as the incumbent political party. Due to this both parties demand from the SDSM Presidium to immediately reveal the names of `various individuals and political parties obstructing and diluting the examining of this case' and to list all corresponding authorities entrusted with the latter. Otherwise, according to the press statement, the public would merely once again be reassured of the threatening SDSM manipulations delivered to the public. In addition to this Macedonian media report that the former Government members of the LP have signed statements that they are in no way involved in the `TAT' banking scandal - or any other case of fraud and embezzlement of the population's savings. The Executive Council has expressed its readiness to forward these statements to the D.A., as well as the hope that it expects the former Ministers of other parties to follow suit. [06] `FITU' ANNOUNCING GENERAL STRIKE FOR 22ND APRILThe hunger strike of representatives of the FITU (Federation of Independent Trade Union Organisations) i.e. of technologically redundant, unemployed and laid-off workers and labour invalids, commenced around 20 days ago in front of the Parliament building, is to continue until all demands are met. A-1 TV informed that it had received this data by members of the Strike Board. These also announced that a `Trade Union Hour' was to be held in front of the strikers' tent, between 15 30 h and 16 30 h - while the general protest for socio-economic survival has been scheduled for 22nd April in Skopje and other Macedonian cities.[07] PHARMACY ASSOCIATION DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALSYesterday the Pharmacy Supplies Association of Macedonia forwarded a written notification to PM Crvenkovski. In it they indicate some of the irregularities in governmental institutions as regards the ordering procedures, i.e. the medicine tender - which has been enacted by the Government. The Association also requested the resignation of the Minister of Health and the Director of the Health Insurance Fund on grounds of the development of events.The notification further states that the Association possesses explicit evidence that even the above mentioned Government decision is being violated - as the imported contingencies of several foreign producers (`Krka', `Galenika', `Hemofarm', etc.) are considerably above the permitted limit and imported without submitting the statutory bid. In addition to this - the Association claims - the prices paid for these pharmaceuticals are far more higher than those on the Macedonian market, which is being dominated by huge suppliers like `Medifarm' (Tetovo) and `Replek' (Skopje). Therefore the Association has suggested to the Macedonian Government that the necessity and operating of the central storage facility should be examined - as it is also being abused as a tool to generate power and profit, without having proven to be more efficient or affordable. [08] `AUDI' NO LONGER WILLING TO COMPROMISEGerman car manufacturer `AUDI-AG' does no longer intend to abandon any of its posed demands regarding the implementation of the project on the production of the `A- 3' model of this company in Macedonia. A-1 TV informed that this had been the essence of yesterday's reply by the German side to the offer made by the Macedonian Government two days ago - which made provisions for two additional dates to conduct complementary negotiations. In the opinion of `AUDI' representatives there is no use of additional negotiations, should the Macedonian Government not give a favourable reply to the seven contentious points in the contract. They further stressed that the entire project is based on a predetermined economic foundation whose potential for possible alterations has been exhausted. The deadline within which the Government is required to response expires today.[09] FIRST DRAFT OF MP ELECTION BILL DUE THIS JUNEVia the Dept. of Justice the Macedonian Government has initiated all measures necessary to compile the prerequisite bill on the electing of MPs - the media report. So far activities have been focused on data- gathering as regards practice and experience from other countries, and on the analysis of comparative election law. In this context the Justice Dept. addressed a written statement to all registered political parties in the country, encouraging them to forward their own views and suggestions as regards the compilation of this bill. In the opinion of Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski this bill should conform to the unanimous will of political subjects - and political parties should be involved in every stage of its compilation. Its contents / text is to be generated by team of university readers at the Faculty of Law and other experts, based on analyses of comparative law and the suggestions made by parties. According to Minister Popovski it is vital with respect to political parties to define an election model and several other important solutions. Therefore preparations are being made to organise a round table on these issues. The first draft of this bill on electing MPs is to be outlined by the end of this June, the Ministry stated.[10] 23 MILLION DM DEFICIT IN SKOPJE CITY BUDGET LAST YEARYesterday Risto Penov, the Mayor of Skopje, revealed that there had been a 23 million DM deficit in the Skopje city budget for 1996 alone - following the financial inspection carried out by `Coopers and Lybrandt'. According to Mayor Penov there are irregularities with respect to both ways of fund procurement for the city budget: regardless whether this is the charging for the use of construction real estate property, or for the setting up of temporary facilities. Less than 50% of the planned means had been gathered. Penov attributed this to the fact that there are no registers of all those required to pay, there is no control of the business practice of the nationally-owned facility handling business real estate, there is no delegation of responsibility between cities and municipalities, etc. Existing records reveal that the greatest debtors are companies which have commissioned the construction of objects or have already built them... and there are 295 companies which do not even emerge as users, and a huge number of individuals to which the same applies. The Mayor has announced the forming of a team of supervisors who will monitor things in the field.[11] PDPA: `PARTY ACTIVISTS HARASSED BY POLICE'These days the PDPA has addressed an open letter to PM Branko Crvenkovski, informing him that police has been engaged in the arresting and physical abuse of party activists. `Nova Makedonija' reports that the latter were forced to reveal details on the party leader and party members, that they had been offered bribes or threatened with the loss of their lives. According to one of the party leaders, Menduh Tachi, party members are being apprehended without a warrant, i.e. they are being `kidnapped in Latin American style' right of the street.This permanent surveillance and various threats directly undermine the democratic foundations of this state - Tachi emphasises - while adding that such violations of authority and abuse of power embody another `Grendel' this country has to face - in addition to the `Medusa' of pyramid investment schemes. MILS SUPPLEMENT[12] `Are Personnel Changes Due Within Law Enforcement?'(`Nova Makedonija' - 3rd April 1997)The most recent wave of personnel changes within the Ministry of the Interior, since the beginning of this year, has obtained an unpredictable momentum. Each such change contains the hint of a scandal. First it was almost spectacular to witness the suspension of the Under- Secretary of National Security and the Coordinator of the Intelligence Agency, Slobodan Bogoevski. This was followed by the removal of Slavcho Sazdov, the ministerial aide in charge of the finance sector at the Ministry of the Interior. The last of the top brass cleansing resulted in the suspension of the Head of the so-called Surveillance Dept. of the police, Mite Apostolski. This news was an exclusive story run by `Nova Makedonija' yesterday. On the subject of to these personnel changes / suspensions, sources of information are rather limited (a common occurrence as regards anything concerning the police). With respect to the latest `reassignment' some high-ranking police officials who wish to remain anonymous claim that there are some catches to the Apostolski case which have not been fully investigated yet. Thus, for example, these sources say that the Head of the so-called `Fifth HQ' (in charge of an extremely delicate subject- matter as regards police practice: electronic surveillance) had very often taken things into his own hands, instead of requesting the customary warrant. This claim appears to be countered by the fantastic statement that Apostolski did not only consider `public enemies and criminals' his police- work playing ground. He is reported to have spun his web far more extensively - including political figureheads and public personalities!? Even the mere thought of this all too familiar scenario from the past, causes unease sending shivers down one's spine. Therefore one should accept them with reserve - while authorities will be obliged to either disavow or confirm. It would certainly be a defeat to the state and democracy in general, should the latter be the case. Even to a small extent only. Another rumour surrounding Apostolski speaks of his zeal in terms of modernising his dept. - which even after the enactment of the Law Enforcement Bill (in June 1995) had never been affiliated to any structure: neither the Directorate for Security and Counter-Intelligence nor the Intelligence Agency. It continued to function independently, outside all these bounds. The denotation `overzealous' was bestowed upon him after having worked up incredible bills, due to the procurement of state-of-art technology and equipment. Even sources extremely close to the Ministry will remember this one journey when around 100 thousand SFr. had been spent by this man for the abovementioned purpose. Let us remember that Apostolski had been appointed in this significant and delicate position three years ago, when law enforcement was still being handled by the incumbent Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski. This may also account for his reassignment to the Foreign Office. This correlates to rumours to rumours that `Mr. Surveillance' is very closely tied - and extremely loyal - to Frchkovski. The name of Minister Frchkovski is also brought into connection with the preceding suspension at the Ministry of the Interior - that of Ministerial Aide Slavcho Sazdov who controlled finances and supplies. During his suspension towards the middle of last month it was being rumoured that he was to join the `few good men' which the former Minister of the Interior has been taking under his wing at the Foreign Office. For now there are no official data on this subject-matter. It has most probably been concluded that Sazdov (who is - by the way - the cousin of Frchkovski) has been compromised considerably by the numerous affairs tied to his name since his arrival at the Ministry of the Interior. This has also been the subject- matter of articles published in `Nova Makedonija' several times. Thus we would only like to brush up your memory by mentioning the scandal caused by the dissolving of his entire executive staff - and its substitution with relatives and cronies (of who one even has his very own criminal file). Then the outrageous overpricing outlined in the contracts on manufacturing service ID papers by one of his relatives; or the deal with `Asiba' regulating the procuring of over 200 vehicles for the Ministry of the Interior. Or the one on the production of new Macedonian passports by the Bitola-based printing company `Kiro Dandaro' (this deal had been brokered by the Institute for the Promotion of Economics of Skopje, headed by his crony / Director Milan Hristovski - while the spouse of Slavcho Sazdov, Vinka, is heading the publishing dept. `ZUM Press' for the same Institute). This list is being complemented by the purchase of app. 10 APCs for the Ministry at double cost, or the acquisition of spare parts under similar terms, the manufacturing of new license plates, the buying of artifacts, ... According to available information the CV of high-ranking Ministry official Slobodan Bogoevski seems to be at least somewhat less blemished. This may account for the fact that PM Branko Crvenkovski appointed him as Head of the Government Commission for Administrative Matters of the Second Instance of the Interior, Defence, Judiciary and Administration sectors. Based on unofficial data however, the suspension of Bogoevski was still to be ascribed to something else: professional disagreement with some high- ranking colleagues at the Ministry. certain sources claim that Bogoevski had been in a deadlock with the incumbent Head of Directorate of Security and Counter-Intelligence Dobri Velichkovski, and with the Under-Secretary for Public Security Dime Gjurev. The key bone of contention referred to the investigation of the assassination attempt on President Kiro Gligorov - i.e. to the police action resulting in the arrest of four citizens of Albanian ethnic affiliation last year. It is also common knowledge that the four suspects were subsequently released due to lack of evidence. Further bearing in mind the suspension of three top executives (appointed by Bogoevski at the time) at the Directorate last November, his departure was merely a question of time... and the time came in the beginning of January. Thus many connoisseurs of the scene are prone to the view that his new Government post probably signalls the removal of Bogoevski from the Interior sector - but it certainly denotes the departure of the last of the `few good men'. The literal rippling among the Macedonian law enforcement - reflected by the recent reassignments and suspensions - are only gaining intensity. The public remains rightfully interested, but once again habitual police practice gains the upper hand: the practice of hushing up affairs and scandals among their own ranks. With regards to current conditions however, it becomes quite obvious that `the fat lady has a lot more singing to do'. Are we to be exposed to new tectonic shifts with the Macedonian law enforcement? Many are convinced that this is the case, while recent `personnel shuffling' merely embodies an indicator. (end)mils news 04 April 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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