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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-04-11Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 11 April, 1997[01] REDUCTION OF `UNPREDEP' TROOPS POSTPONEDMacedonian media report that yesterday the UN Security Council postponed the planned reduction of UNPREDEP troops in Macedonia, due to the ongoing crisis in Albania. The decision, concordant to which the announced withdrawal of 300 troops (of the total 1 050) was discarded, had been adopted unanimously.This move may be attributed to a request submitted by the Macedonian Government and to the recommendation made by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Security Council has nevertheless asked the latter to submit a report on conditions in Macedonia by 15th May, in addition to recommendations in terms of mission sustainability - as its mandate expires on 31st May. [02] HISTORICAL MEETING BETWEEN GERMAN CHANCELLOR KOHL AND PM CRVENKOVSKIThis Thursday Macedonian PM Branko Crvenkovski has been received by German Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn. The meeting had concentrated on regional conditions, bilateral relations and the integration of Macedonia into European institutions and NATO. Macedonian media denoted this encounter as historical, as Crvenkovski is the first Prime Minister of a SE European country to be invited to talks in Bonn by Chancellor Kohl. MTV reports that the meeting had gone by in an extremely friendly atmosphere; that Germany had explicitly expressed its support for Macedonia - as the key to regional peace and stability. This German support, Chancellor Kohl stated, predominantly revolves around reforms conducted by the Macedonian Government, as well as the country's efforts to achieve integration within the EU and NATO. In this context Chancellor Kohl said that should Macedonia adhere to the outlined political course and timely integrate international normatives and standards, the chances for its admission would be increased considerably.The German support rendered to this policy implemented by the Macedonian Government - MTV informs - was also aired by Bundestag (`German Parliament') Chairperson Rita Suessmuth, during her meeting with PM Crvenkovski. She further claimed that `both Slovenia and Macedonia were a synonym for regional stability, which is why it is so important to continue along this path.' The Economic perspective on bilateral relations was prevailing throughout talks with the German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Carl- Dieter Spranger. This meeting also resulted in the decision by the German Government to forward 30 million DM in financial assistance to Macedonia. These funds have been allocated to construct the railway section Kumanovo - Bulgarian border, to provide environmental protection for Lake Ohrid, to encourage small and medium- sized businesses and to facilitate the construction of the water supply systems `Zletovica', `Lisiche' and `Studenchica'. The German `Krupp' concern exhibited interest in investing into Kavadarci- based `Fenimak', in aiding the project of constructing a railway link to Bulgaria and in investing in the selecting and packaging equipment production for agricultural produce - during their meeting with PM Crvenkovski and Development Minister Abdulmenaf Bedzheti. Top executives of this concern have also announced to visit Macedonia soon - as a follow-up to conducted talks. [03] `NATO' MEMBERSHIP REQUESTED ONCE MOREFollowing his visit to France, the Macedonian Head of Diplomacy Ljubomir Frchkovski had continued his journey to the NATO ambassadorial meeting in Brussels. There he once again advocated the admission of Macedonia into NATO, A-1 TV reports. The request made by Frchkovski has been justified by the argument that the admission of Macedonia into NATO would have a positive impact in terms of stabilising the region. The above mentioned TV station further reveals that all NATO member-states have expressed a favourable opinion via their representatives as regards Macedonia's role of a stabilising factor in the rather restless Balkans. They, however, also discarded the possibility of Macedonia becoming a NATO member within the first group of new entries as highly unlikely. It was further stressed that the Treaty Organisation remained open to the admission of new members after the Madrid Summit, when all countries invited to join NATO will be announced.Minister Frchkovski, meantime, has met Euro-Commissioner Hans Van Der Bruck in Brussels as well and 29th April was confirmed as the date when the EU Cooperation Agreement is to be signed. Minister Frchkovski also requested the admitting of Macedonia into the permanent Conference on EU Expansion, but the reply was that in this matter the Macedonian Diplomacy would have to address France - the instigator of this initiative / conference. In this sense A-1 TV reminded that the EU Expansion Conference has been conceptualised as a transitional institution for CEE countries who are to be integrated into the EU, whereas Macedonia does not even appear in the preliminary documents of this Conference. [04] HUMAN RIGHTS AND MINORITY PROTECTION CONVENTIONS RATIFIEDYesterday the Council of Europe ratified the Human Rights Convention with all ancillary protocols, as well as the Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. The Macedonian Radio reports that the Head of the Macedonian mission within the Council Jon Ivanovski forwarded the decision according to which the Macedonian Parliament ratifies both Conventions to the Head of the Council of Europe Daniel Tarchise.The Human Rights Convention includes the protection of individual rights and liberties, by implementing the international judiciary system to protect them. The Convention on the Protection of National Minorities codifies the countering of discrimination while promoting complete equality, the procuring of conditions prerequisite to the preservation and development of culture and the identity of national minorities. It also contains provisions on the right to the peaceful associating of minority members, the right to stage gatherings, the freedom of expression, of religious worship, etc. This further includes the right to use minority languages in private and public domains of life, in interaction with the local government, as well as the right to use one's name in minority languages. The Convention also outlines the establishing of a monitoring system which is to follow up on the implementation of given standards. All signatories of the Convention oblige themselves to submit a report containing all enacted legal and other measures to fulfill criteria codified in this Convention by the close of one year since its enactment. [05] NEW CRIMINAL PROCEDURES LAW ENACTED TODAY`Dnevnik' informs that as of today the new Law on Criminal Procedures becomes legally binding. This act of law has, generally speaking, received favourable assessments. It contains several substantial novelties, such as compulsory legal counselling during police investigation procedures (the right to a lawyer while placed in investigative custody), the suspect also has the right to be informed of the charges - in a language (s)he understands. Evidence obtained incorrectly - or through the violating of Constitutional rights and liberties, or provisions outlined in ratified international treaties - may not be used in court or serve as a basis for a court ruling. Another change is the suspending of the article authorising law enforcement to forcefully conduct people who have ignored the invitation to informative talks, and the equalling of partnerships without a marriage certificate to marital partnerships, or the fining of lawyers who purposely delay legal procedures by sentencing them to cover all expenses. `Dnevnik' reports that overall assessments of the new Law on Criminal Procedures were positive, in spite of a couple objections brought forth by Council of Europe experts. In their opinion `the Law meets all criteria and complies to the objectives of justice, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.'[06] DAUGHTER OF MINISTER TODOROVA AMONG `TAT' CLIENTSBased on the report of the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior, forwarded to the Attorney-General of Macedonia, the list of `TAT' bank clients includes the name of Ana Todorova - the daughter of incumbent Education and PE Minister Sofija Todorova. It was revealed that Ana Todorova deposited 23 000 DM at this bank last January, for the time span of three months with an interest rate of 3%, after which the deposit had been withdrawn.The same list also confirms that the spouse of former Civil Engineering Minister Jorgo Shundovski - Nada Shundovska - had four deposits at this bank. Of these the first three had been small (and with interest rates between 6 and 10%) - while the fourth deposit of 100 000 DM would have been matured after one year, with the interest rate of 5%. This deposit has not been withdrawn however. Upon releasing this date Attorney-General Stevan Pavlevski added that additional investigation had yielded the names of people who coincided with those of Macedonian politicians and public personalities - ID controls however revealed that these were merely namesakes. The report does not list any other members of the Macedonian Government as `TAT' bank clients. The Attorney-General does nevertheless not consider these findings to be final, as names may be revealed during suspect and witness interrogation. A-1 TV reports that NBM Governour Stanoevski announced another prolonging of the deadline by which investigations have to be completed. Thus they should be completed by the middle of next week, and not by the end of this week as it had been said initially. [07] PETITION TO PM CRVENKOVSKI TO MAKE A `CLEAN SWEEP' IN THE HEALTH SECTORDue to wide-spread discontent with the state of affairs in the health sector - especially with respect to the most recent decisions passed by Minister Filipche to suspend several high-ranking officials and the Director of the Clinic Centre Miodrag Vrchakovski - a group of around 70 professors and doctors of this institution signed a petition which is to be forwarded to PM Crvenkovski today. Media report that the document demands the addressing of the current state of affairs in this sector, and the suspension of Health Minister Ilija Filipche.The members of the Expert Collegium of the Skopje Public Health Centre have also launched a petition (addressed to the PM), following the suspension of their Director Petko Chadikovski. This paper requests the reviewing of the appointment of the new Charge D'Affairs, as it is being indicated that it violates binding legal provisions. [08] ON THE BUSINESS PRACTICE OF `KOMERCIJALNA BANKA'Last year the Skopje-based `Komercijalna Banka' generated around 10 million DM in gross revenues, stated bank Director Hari Kostov at yesterday's annual stockholders' meeting. He further added that of the overall potential of the bank (amounting to app. 350 million DM in 1996), around 96% fell off to primary sources.Bank funds and reserves had increased by 29% last year, and about 13 million DM in long-term loans had been granted to clients. Liabilities had grown by app. 1.1 million DM, Kostov informed. 73% of the bank's assets had been tied up in short- term placements, and a total 221 real estate and communal loans had been granted to the individual sector. [09] THE RENAISSANCE OF `FAS 11TI OKTOMVRI'A-1 TV reports that these days the Skopje-based `FAS 11ti Oktomvri' company (bus manufacturer) has requested help by the Macedonian Government for the providing of bank warranties. This would implement the export of around 500 vehicles into the former Yugoslav republics and the former Soviet Union constituents. The Macedonian Government responded favourably, as this deal could greatly contribute towards the revival of this business giant in a short term.Another business deal concerns the production of 60 more buses for Skopje's public transport. [10] `AVIOIMPEKS' RESPONDS TO `BILD BLACK LIST'These days Macedonian air line `Avioimpeks' has substantially challenged the credibility of the list published in `Bild', which had been based on research on flight security conducted by German Civil Aviation authorities. The Macedonian Radio informs that `Avioimpeks' justified its view by its correspondence with the German Bureau of Civil Aviation, which denies the existence of such a `black list', while conducted research was by no means indicative of safety and quality standards upheld by air lines. It has been confirmed that such research is used for internal purposes only, i.e. for the updating of different Bureau depts.[11] `UFOS' AND `E.T. VISITORS' - VISUAL PHENOMENAOnce again the population of Sveti Nikole, Shtip and several other Macedonian cities registered strange phenomena in the sky, which caused a considerable amount of excitement and numerous calls to corresponding (information and warning) authorities. Speculations on visits by UFOs and extra-terrestrial life forms, have been explained away by astronomers who informed that these were solar clouds caused by eruptions on the surface of this celestial body. The emerging visual phenomena (strong light) may be ascribed to the difference in temperatures between the Sun and the Earth. MTV broadcasts showed these white concentric circles, which were clearly visible, generated by this temperature difference.[12] MIKIS THEODORAKIS AND `ZORBAS THE GREEK' AT THE `MNT' TOMORROWThe renowned Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis has been staying in Macedonia for several days, as tomorrow his concert piece `Zorbas the Greek' is to be staged at the MNT (`Macedonian National Theatre'), with him in the role of the conductor of musicians from Greece and Macedonia. The concert is to be attended by around 200 guests from Greece (MPs, representatives of political parties, academicians and public personalities), in addition to the Macedonian audience. During a press conference Theodorakis stated that the purpose of his visit was not to resolve political issues - but the creating of a positive atmosphere for negotiations and cooperation between both countries. ` Peace and cooperation on all levels is the only solution... and I believe that this production will be conducive to this option. I do not deny my involvement in the name-issue. But as this is a futile issue, I do not see why bilateral contacts should be suspended', stated Theodorakis at yesterday's press conference.MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `230 Million Dollars Missing'(`Vecher' - 8th April 1997)With only 400 million denars allocated within this year's National Budget, the construction of the railway section to Bulgaria has literally come to a halt over the past two years. This minimum of funds (compared to the 80 million dollars allocated previously) allows the sustaining of but a few activities. Thus the only option to ensure the survival of this project and its completion is the obtaining of a new loan to mend all budget holes. This has also been mentioned in the corresponding legal act adopted by the Parliament, as the bill only makes provisions for 80 million dollars in Budget funds - whereas the remainder is to be obtained via loans in cash or in kind. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that to this purpose it would soon engage in negotiations with certain financial institutions, the EBRD and European Investment Bank from Luxembourg above all. Further assistance has also been promised by the German Government, which has already been rendering considerable support to Macedonia in terms of overall project implementation. In this sense Germany has compiled a feasibility study, established a team of managers which monitors the project - and help has even been extended throughout the compiling of a loan application form which is to serve as a platform for imminent negotiations with European banks. At the same time there have been announcements of a credit worth 30 million DM which would be rendered concordant to IDA criteria (payment over 40 years, a grace period of 10 years and minimum rates). But only provided the entire Budget is leak- proof. In this case support will also be given during negotiations. In addition to all activities conducted on a national level - starting with the initial contracts among Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia, then the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum which also included Turkey and Italy, the entering of the project into the East-West corridor as route No. 8 on the European transportation map, the New York Declaration signed by the Presidents of Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Macedonia (this document also consists of the feasibility study and the final report of the managers' team). The feasibility study mentions that the constructing of this railway section is a profitable venture, as potential annual revenues for Macedonia's economy would amount to 150 million dollars. Thus invested funds would be restituted within two to three years. According to the findings of the managers' team the complete construction (including electric installations) would require 337 million dollars. Of these 80 million dollars have already been allocated and spent (for the completion of 25% of all the work); 20 more million dollars have been promised by the German Government and 7 million by PHARE. Thus another 230 million dollars will be needed to complete the project. Negotiations with banking houses are expected `to bear fruit', especially since this section has been proclaimed a transportation priority project within Europe due to its extraordinary importance. This again is based on the fact that the railway section is to establish a link between West Europe (via the Mediterranean) with the Near East and Eastern Europe. At the same time this project has been entered into the Public Sector Investment Programme (until 1999) in our country - as the most important project in the transportation sector. (end)mils news 11 April 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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