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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-06-12Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 12 June, 1997[01] POLISH PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMAN IN MACEDONIAMacedonian media report that the Marshal (`chairman') of the Polish `Seym' (`parliament) Joczef Zych arrived in Macedonia yesterday afternoon. The high-ranking Polish official had afterwards been received by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski. Today Zych is to meet PM Crvenkovski, Foreign Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski, Minister of Economy Boris Rikalovski and with the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Ilinka Mitreva. In addition to this the Polish statesman is to meet the parliamentary faction coordinators.[02] GLIGOROV VISITS SHIAN-SHI PROVINCE IN CHINAYesterday the visit to the People's Republic of China of President Gligorov continued with his arrival at Shiang - the capital of the Shian-Shi province. Talks with the Governor of this province focused once again on economy, according to Macedonian media. Gligorov was also familiarized with the economic potential of this province renowned for its developed aircraft production industry.A-1 TV reports that the Chinese side exhibited interest in establishing cooperation with several Macedonian firms - `MZT Hepos' (Skopje) in particular. During talks with his hosts President Gligorov extended an invitation to them to visit Macedonia, stressing the role of China in Macedonia's international promotion. Gligorov expressed his content with the fact that Hong Kong is to be united with China as of next month - and that the same will be the case with Macao in two year's time. Later on the Macedonian delegation headed by President Kiro Gligorov departed for Shanghai where it is to be received by the city fathers and visit several industrial zones. [03] MACEDONIAN EMBASSY OPENED IN OTTAWA YESTERDAY`Vecher' reports that the Macedonian Embassy to Canada has commenced operations in Ottawa as of yesterday. Data released by the Macedonian Foreign Office indicate that this will increase the foundations for the development of bilateral relations on a political, economic and cultural level.[04] AS OF 18TH JUNE AT OHRID - A SEMINAR ON SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THE BALKANS`Vecher' reveals that a `Ross-Rot' seminar on `Security and Stability in the Balkans' is to be held at Ohrid from 18th to 21st June, under the auspices of the North Atlantic Council and the Parliament of Macedonia. The daily further states that the seminar is to be attended by political personalities from Macedonia, by representatives of `UNPREDEP' and the `OSCE' - as well as by several ambassadors and international experts.[05] JUSTICE SECRETARY GJORGJI SPASOV: `LAW TO DEFUSE THE SITUATION'The new draft-bill regulating the use of flags through which those affiliated to an ethnicity express their identity and national traits has been proposed by the coalition partners within the Government in order to defuse the rather tense situation prevailing at the moment and in order to `patch up' legal loopholes... stated the recently-appointed Secretary of Justice Gjorgji Spasov in an interview for A-1 TV. He further said that the Government would not act on the request of the Constitutional Court and remove the flags exhibited in front of the Gostivar Municipality building, as it strives to decrease the tension. `The order passed by the Court is temporary, there is no deadline with respect to its implementation by the Government. It is also very important to generate political willingness by regulating such issues legally. Should we be joined by our Albanian coalition partners - who have exhibited a great deal of understanding - in this endeavour of ours, we would succeed in proving that only a certain number of extremists attempt to bring about a state of affairs desired by no one through a series of provocations.' Spasov stated.In response to the question what would occur if the new governmental draft- bill should not be respected either - as has been the case with the order of the Constitutional Court - Justice Secretary Spasov stated that the state would have to adhere to binding legislation and its modes of implementation. One of the options offered by the law enables the Government to dissolve the Municipal Council which does aid the violation of legal provisions. Then criminal charges might be pressed against the Mayor to remind him of his obligation to uphold the law. [06] RUFI OSMANI: `DRAFT-BILL ON FLAG USE ANOTHER DEGRADATION OF THE LAW'`The new draft-bill proposed by the Government as regards the use of minority flags embodies another degradation of a right rooted within Article 48 of the Macedonian Constitution, as well as a violation of a principle dating back to legal acts passed in `73 but subsequently suspended in `89. The compromise achieved between the SDSM and the PDP is very damaging and unacceptable. The Government draft-bill actually prohibits the use of the flag of the Albanian and other ethnicities on a national level, where the national flag is being used.' Such an assessment of the state of affairs has been given by Gostivar Mayor Rufi Osmani for `SITEL'. Yesterday Rufi Osmani also commented on the proposal by the Macedonian Government on regulating the use of minority flags. In the opinion of Osmani the consensus between the SDSM and the PDP with respect to this draft-bill, has once again confirmed the PDP's continuous engagement in terms of undermining the interest of Albanians in Macedonia. `The people of this party do no longer have a right constitute the Government and represent the interest of Albanians', stated Osmani.[07] `PDPA' AND `NDP' UNIFICATIONYesterday the PDPA (`the Party for the Democratic Prosperity of Albanians') and the NDP (the `National Democratic Party') have joined their forces by ratifying their unification at Gostivar yesterday. During the formative meeting of this new political entity the Chairmen of both constituent parties: the PDPA and the NDP, Arben Dzhaferi and Iliyaz Halimi respectively, signed the document confirming the unification of both parties into the `Democratic Party of Albanians' which is to set up its camp at Tetovo.This move is being justified by the `unbearable and dangerous obstructing of Albanian interests in Macedonia; the urgent need to elevate the level of these interests; the quality of their representation and the undeniable request for unity in order to improve a climate of solid understanding, cooperation and joint national activity.' In order to escape inadequate alternative, the unification of both parties imposes itself from the perspective of a stable, consequent national position assumed by a determined subject concerned with the solving of all these issues - the Unification Declaration states. MTV reports that during the formative meeting at Gostivar it has been stressed that DPA activity is to adhere to the agenda of the NDP, while the new party is to be headed by the former PDPA leader. The subsequent press conference revealed that the unification of the PDPA and NDP had not been conducted to withdraw the PDP from the political scene... Arben Dzhaferi states that `this is to be conducive to destroying those structures and strongholds of anti- Albanian sentiment active in this region over the past 45 years.' In the opinion of Dzhaferi it is the objective of this new party to create a link which would organize Albanians in all segments of political engagement. In this sense they would also count on assistance by the PDP. With respect to the Government draft-bill on the use of minority flags Dzhaferi stressed that this was merely a half-hearted attempt to reach a compromise, on account of the Albanians as usual, as now a private dimension is being attributed to the use of the flag... `We will continue to expand the mode and quality of using the national flag - including the request that it be used within central Government structures', said Dzhaferi to the media. [08] DEBATES ON URBAN PLANNINGYesterday, during the 70th session of the Macedonian Parliament, the members of this body decided to adopt both bills prerequisite to the implementation of the first tranche of the `SAL' loan (worth 60 million dollars), granted by the WB and the International Association for Reconstruction and Development. `Nova Makedonija' reported that thus the bill on re-programming the debt towards the Paris Club of creditors (amounting to app. 51 million DM) has been adopted during this session as well. The main dues and accrued interest rates have been re- programmed over a period of 15 years with a grace period of 4 years.In addition to this, the Members of the Macedonian Parliament have approved the bill on spatial and urban planning - in spite of the fact that numerous objections were expressed with regards to the rights of local government units and their freedom in terms of allocating funds obtained by charging the use of development property into the budget, or their use for other purposes. The LDP faction indicated that amendments to current legal provisions will inevitably lead to a conflict of interests between the state and local government - particularly in terms of legalizing around 100 000 illegal constructed objects in the country and the Government's intolerance exhibited in this matter. A group of MPs pointed out that this bill was on a collision course with the delayed denationalization process. Other criticism was directed to the restriction of rights of international investors to purchase development property. [09] NO PAY RISE FOR JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATIONThe Government understands the situation of judiciary administration employees, whose pay is indeed low, but at a time when the Budget is hopelessly overburdened it is impossible to increase their pay... This, Macedonian media report, has been stated by Justice Secretary Gjorgji Spasov in response to their views on the demands posed by Trade Union representatives.The latter have assessed the strike turn-out as satisfactory on its second day. Although there is a subtle form of pressure being exerted to stop this strike, the Trade Union continues to insist on the fulfillment of these requests. This is being confirmed by Trade Union Chairman Vancho Muratovski. Concordant to most recent information all courts have been blocked due to this strike, and only the most urgent cases are being processed while the strike is not being conducted at Kumanovo and Sveti Nikole. According to the Collective Agreement, during a strike 60% of the pay in this sector is being procured by the state and 40 by the Trade Union. The latter revealed however that those without membership are likely not to receive any reimbursement. The average pay in the judiciary administration varies between 3 800 and 6 000 denars. Strikers have requested a retroactive rise of 28% as of January this year, the disbursement of this increase according to its real value and the unification of pay tariffs throughout the country. [10] HOLDERS OF HARD CURRENCY DEPOSITS SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONSThese days representatives of the Association of Hard Currency Deposit Holders have been received by the IMF Resident Representative to Macedonia in order to acquaint international institutions with their situation. `Vecher' reported that the IMF office agreed to provide an official view on how this matter could be addressed, should the Government require this.The representatives of the above mentioned association have been told during these recent talks that the Government has compiled a study on possible solutions and forwarded the latter to international financial institutions. Besides this, a meeting of bank clients from Skopje, Bitola, Shtip and Ohrid has been scheduled at Bitola for today. The meeting is to dwell on proposed alternatives regarding the restitution of hard currency assets. The representatives will also be received by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski today. [11] ARMED ALBANIANS RAVAGING THE WATERS OF LAKE OHRIDPast Monday, at midnight, four armed Albanians who had crossed the border illegally by entering the Macedonian side of Lake Ohrid near the village of Livadishte, kidnapped Metodija Tanaskovski from Kalishta - `Dnevnik' reports. Tanaskovski had gone out on the lake to catch fish in the evening, when the Albanians came across him in their stolen motor-boat. They then took to robbing and beating him. The only thing saving his life was the fact that one of the Albanians had been from Macedonian descent. The next morning Tanaskovski was found on the shores of Lake Ohrid. He is currently being detained at the Struga hospital for medical treatment, though there appears to be no life-threatening condition.`Nova Makedonija' registers that unrest in Albania has entailed the illegal crossing of Albanians into Macedonian territorial waters. As is the case with theft, the stealing of fishing equipment and other property of the population of the border region. Due to this police patrols have been increased along the border dividing the lake. Still, incidents continue to occur... [12] ALBANIANS DESTROYING OHRID TROUTYesterday Bulgarian paper `24 Chasa' ('24 Hours') quoted Italian paper `La Stampa' upon reporting that over the past five years the Ohrid trout had become extinct on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid. `Makfax' reveals that according to this article trout had been caught to the extent that the very survival of this endemic species is being threatened.MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `More Than 1 000 Credit Cards Issued'(`Vecher' - 11th June 1997)The world-renowned `Euro' and `Master' cards - which are being issued by `Komercijalna Banka' in Macedonia - are becoming increasingly popular among the population. The above mentioned banking house has already issued more than 1 000 credit cards over a relatively short time span. As Rubin Lokvenec of the Credit Card Dept. at `Komercijalna Banka' told us, the prerequisites for obtaining a credit card are almost identical to those imposed by other banks. Thus interested sides should possess the minimum of 1 000 DM on a hard currency account at this bank, deposited there for at least one year. The potential credit card holder will also be required to forward data on her/his employment (i.e. the place of employment) as the bank needs to assess the financial credibility of each holder. The annual fee for issuing a credit card, charged by the bank, amounts to 55 DM. So far `Komercijalna Banka' is the only bank to set up ATMs throughout the country which operate on credit cards. Of the five ATMs installed up to present, three are located in the country's capital while the sites of remaining two are the International Airports Petrovec (Skopje) and Ohrid respectively. The ATM are working around the clock, thus granting access to cash at any time. This is being complemented by a large commercial and service network accepting these credit cards. The further expansion of this network has been initiated one month ago, which means that the number of places and facilities accepting cards will be on the rise in the future. All throughout the world there are at least 10 million stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. where this is already the case (usually indicated by the exhibited logo of these credit card companies). Besides this, it is common practice to notify users of their account balance on a monthly basis. The deadline for the covering of any outstanding dues amounts to 30 days after their generating i.e. since the limit of the credit-card has been overstepped. `The Theatre of Movement and the Cabaret' This evening will be in the sign of the `Young Open Theatre' (`Mlad Otvoren Teatar'), a by now traditional Festival which has retained last year's motto: `The Theatre at Its Crossroads - Towards the Year 2000'. The opening ceremony will be held at the `Centar' Theatre, in shape of the piece `Window Dressers' by the Malashock Company from the US. This performance will be complemented by the staging of the joint project of choreographer Yashiko Chouma (Japan) and the MNT at the Dance Hall of the Youth Cultural Centre (`Mladinski Kulturen Centar'). This project is not a final production, but rather a reflection of ongoing work. This year's `Young Open Theatre' Festival is to last until 20th June, while its programme abounds in 25 performances by companies and artists from Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland and the US. The main stress throughout the 1997 `YOT' has been placed on the Theatre of Motion and a novelty in its programme - the cabaret. Performances to be singled out as samples of `Must See Drama' include the Slovenian production `Miss Julia' (staged by the Young Slovenian Theatre), the performances of the Malashock Company from the US, the piece `B.E.N.E. GoodN.E.S.S.' by Italian Participant `Orchestra Stolpnik' and the Greek contribution `Quartet'. As of this year the `YOT' will also be comprised of a Fringe Festival, consisting of such events as an exhibition of theatre posters by Biljana Unkovska; an exhibition of posters of theatre festivals held throughout Europe and the world bearing the title `Festival Posters in Transition'; a round table on `Theatre in Countries With a Restricted Linguistic Diffusion' (to be attended by coordinators of European theatre festivals and editors of theatre periodicals) and many other events. `The Young Open Theatre Festival has once again reached the crossroads from whence it needs to map its genuine course on the globe of theatric art. With this year's programme, which will hopefully be implemented completely, we are endeavouring to uphold the tradition of this festival to present the state-of-the art developments as regards theatre from all over the world.' stated Creative Director of the YOT Ljubisha Nikodinovski - Bish at yesterday's press conference. (end)mils news 12 June 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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