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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-07Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 07 July, 1997[01] MACEDONIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM TO SIGN DEFENSE COLLABORATIONAfter the 2 memoranda for collaboration signed during the last 2 years, last Friday in the Defense Ministry of Macedonia a bilateral Treaty was signed in the field of defense between the Macedonian Republic and the UK and the Northern Ireland. According to Defense Secretary Lazar Kitanovski and UK ambassador Mark Dickinson who signed the document, the Treaty fortifies the foundations of collaboration in the military field as a supplement to the superb collaboration on the political field.As it has been emphasized, this Treaty outlines the legal framework for a total collaboration between the two ministries: opinion exchange on particular situations in the interest regions in both states, exchange of information regarding the systems of the two countries, practice of experiences, participation in joint training and similar. Ambassador Dickinson, as reports the Macedonian Television, stressed that in the last 3 months in Macedonia will come 3 military delegations from the UK which signifies the tempo in which future relations will develop between the two states in the sphere of military collaboration. [02] NICHOLAS BURNS DENIES LATEST NAME SPECULATIONSThe Representative of the American `State Department' Nicholas Burns, as reported by the Athens paper `Elephterotypia', has stated last Friday that the UN had not informed the USA regarding any suggestion of the name of Macedonia. Recently the Athens `Elephterotypia' wrote that Cyrus Vance will suggest to the UN Security Council a name such as the Republic of Macedonia - Skopje and that this name had been accepted by both Athens and Skopje.Regarding this Burns - as `Makfaks' reports `Elephterotypia's information - emphasized that the issue at stake is being regarded by Greece and FYROM under the UN protection. `Washington upholds the attempts of both parties to solve the mutual differences in a peaceful manner and also encouraged them to take part in future negotiations', states Burns. On the occasion of the quotes from `Elephterotypia' there has also been a reaction on part of the leader of the Greek Opposition Party `Politic Spring', Andonis Samaras, who accused the Government of Costas Simitis for `playing a shameful trick by which he wishes to avoid facing the Greek Parliament'. [03] `DNEVNIK' - HEAD OF SOC URGES IMMEDIATE MEETING WITH HEAD OF MOCThe Serbian patriarch Pavle, as reported by `Dnevnik', last week addressed a letter to the archbishop Mihail in which he demanded an urgent meeting in Macedonia so as to have talks regarding the status and possible recognition of the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. The Chief of MOC, reverend Michail, has accepted the meeting under the condition that it will take place in the premises of the disputed monastery `Prohor Pchinski'. This information has also been reported by many Serbian newspapers as well which had been at first affirmed only to be denied latter by the Serbian Orthodox Church.According to unofficial information from the MOC there are only spoken announcements regarding this meeting while the final agreement will be known these days after the following synod session. `Dnevnik' reminds that exactly in the year when the MOC celebrates the 30th anniversary of its autocephaly, SOC last month appointed the patriarch Pavle for a new administrator of the `three outcast eparchies in Macedonia'. The SOC in its announcement `justified' the appointment of patriarch Pavle through the fact that he is a considerate person who will easily deal with the problem. The former administrator of the SOC, Pahomie, has been regarded as a person lacking tact often acting too hastily. [04] LAW ON NATIONALITY FLAGS DIVIDES PARLIAMENT MEMBERSIn the sequel of the 71st session of the Macedonian Assembly held last Friday, the parliament members with no elaborate discussions have adopted the law on the use of the Macedonian coat of arms, the flags and the hymn. The debate on the use of the nationalities flags which has been for weeks now the number one subject for discussion in the state, revealed that the attitudes of the parliament members are divided between the parties as well as between the parliamentary groups. The attitude of most SDSM members was the one that the law should be upheld because thus the nationalities are given a possibility to freely express their national identity through the flags.Part of the SDSM members especially Ilinka Mitreva ( Head of the Commission for Foreign Policy) openly stood against the Government proposition elaborating that the enacting of such a law is not necessary since it is non existent in the international legislation and certain resolutions in it may put at stake the sovereignty of the Macedonian republic. On part of the PDP members it has been assessed that the law will legislate a practiced right, i.e. it is a result of a political compromise. Yet the PDP members have suggested a larger number of amendment interventions. The LDP members have assessed in the debate that the law is `an exceptionally bad decision and its enforcement will bring heavy consequences for the state'. They have accented that the law is a precedent with no ground in the international standards and that it will present nothing less than widening the sovereignty of another state in Macedonia and it will as well cross the red line which will endanger the Macedonian Republic. Discontent with the suggested law has also been aired by the members of the newly formed party the DPA (fusion of the PDPA and NDP) who have noted that the law is too restrictive for the Albanians and they have no mandate to accept the offered decisions. In the debate there have also been suggested a larger number of amendments while the sequel of the session is scheduled for tomorrow. [05] MAAK-CP- ULTIMATUM TO THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE DOWN FLAGSMAAK- Conservative Party at last Friday's press conference has placed an ultimatum to the Government - to implement the decision of the Constitutional Court by Thursday (10th July) and to take down the foreign flags exhibited in Gostivar. If not on 11th July at 19 hours MAAK-CP will organize a rally in Gostivar after which at 20 hours the illegally exhibited flags will be taken down. According to the leader of this party, Strasho Angelovski; MAAK-CP as a conservative party demands cleansing of the Macedonian Constitution and has decided to make this move since the Government had not found any time to take down the flags. Angelovski, reports `Vecher' stated that the MAAK-CP takes the whole responsibility and fears no incidents.[06] APPEAL TO PARLIAMENT MEMBERS NOT TO VOTE FOR FLAG BILLThe Association of Macedonian from the Aegean part of Macedonia yesterday appealed to the Macedonian parliamentary members to show high Macedonian national pride and to anonymously throw away the suggested legal project on the nationality flags. It about time the Government to show respect for the decision implementation of the Constitutional Court ant to fortify the Macedonian sovereignty in the state. There is no place for trading in no national minority in Macedonia, it is stated in the Association announcement.[07] PDPA AND NDR UNITED IN A DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE ALBANIANSBy the unison of the PDPA and the NDP in Tetovo last Saturday a new Democratic Party of the Albanians was formed the president of which is Arben Dzaferi. `Vecher' reports, at the unison congress which took place in the well known iconography ( the Albanian hymn and the flag) it has been stated that the new party will be a promoter of the Albanian cause in Macedonia.Through the discussions and the accompanying documents there has been a demand to change the Constitution of the Macedonian Republic, i.e. to define it as a state of the Macedonian and the Albanian people with an official use of the Macedonian and the Albanian language, constitution of two Houses in the Parliament in which resolution will be made with a consensus by giving priority to the decisions of the nations and nationalities. According to `Vecher', there have been many guests coming from Kosovo and a telegram of regards has been send by the heir Leka from Albania and the `Bali Kombatar' organization. Regarding the relations with Albania it has been assessed on the Congress that they are `disappointing' but it has been suggested ` to continue dealing with the matters as they should be dealt with'. [08] DPM - DPA UNISON CONGRESS PROMOTES PARTY POLICEThe unison Congress and the promotion of the new police party of the Albanians in the Macedonian Republic - DRA will be better remembered with its first public promotion of a party police in the Macedonian Republic, it was stated in yesterday's announcement of the Democratic Party. `Many informed members of the DRA from many towns in the state marching though the streets in Tetovo in black shirts, trousers and berets with vividly indicated symbols remind us of such similar procession from the 40ties causing negative feelings within people with good intentions in Tetovo. The manner in which these people have marched and behaved made them look like a paramilitary formation which lacked only arms, and even more so the official leaders of the DRA have stated that they expected no provocation and incidents.Obviously the reasons for this provocation is to be looked for in the intimidation of the political opponents, it is reported in the DPM announcement. After these serious threats, as it is cited in the party's announcement, the DPM expects the Parliament to reject the suggested bill on minority flags exhibition otherwise it will directly participate in division of the Macedonian Republic and legalization of anti-state and anti-constitutional legal projects. [09] PERSONNEL RENEWAL IN SDSMThe Central Committee of the Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia at its regular session which took place yesterday chose 27 new members. At the press conference the SDSM spokesmen, Radmila Shekjerinska, stated that objective of this expansion is to promote new names in the party and thus charge it with new energy. According to Shekerinska this year's conference presents a preparation for the next year when parliamentary elections are to take place, a time when the popularity of the SDSM will be reexamined.New members of the party became Gjorgji Spasov, the current Justice Secretary, Trajche Mukaetov, managing director of `Alkaloid', Risto Mickov, director of JP'Makedonski Telekomunikacii', Kostadin Barzov, director of the Shtip shoe factory `Bargala', Vangel Gagachev, director of ZIK'Pelagonija' from Bitola, Pande Lazarov, managing director of the Electrical Industry of Macedonia, Vera Veskovich Vangeli, science advisor in the Institute for National History and others. The parliament member Aleksandar Geshtakovski has been appointed as the third vice-president of the SDSM Central Committee. At yesterday's press conference the SDSM spokeswoman, Shekjerinska denied all speculations that the minority flags bill may be revoked due to division within the SDSM regarding this issue. Regarding the issue with the City Trade Centre in Skopje at the press conference of Skopje's Mayor, Risto Penov, Shekjerinska has stated that it presents an abuse of the official post because Penov owns a office space in the CTC and it is unclear whether he acted as a mayor or a lessee of that space. [10] `TAT' CLIENTS TO SUE MACEDONIAThe `TAT' Clients Council last Friday have announced that this association is preparing a report with proof materials on the grounds of which they will bring charges against the republic of Macedonia before the International Court, the European Council and other international associations. The preparation of this report will engage lawyers from the Great Britain and the Netherlands, and the charges will be pressed against the `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska. The Clients Council also prepares a new proposal-solution on restitution which will be handed to the PM.`Nova Makedonija' reports, the Association and the `TAT' Clients Board with the support of part of the Clients Council have prepared material with proposal-solution on restitution amounting up to 75% of the clients' savings money which is to be handed to PM Crvenkovski tomorrow. The proposal which remained unsigned by the leading people of the Clients Council (Kire Kovachev, Zoran Nonchevski, Aleksandar Ilievski were absent) results from the talks and the suggested solutions in the latest meeting of the clients' representatives with PM Crvenkovski. These solutions from the latest meeting of the association clients' representatives have been assessed as the only possible ones, because a 100% restitution is fiction due to the 58,8 million DM negative balance of `TAT'. [11] FOR LESS THAT 15 DAYS 3 `TAT' CLIENTS HAVE DISAPPEAREDThe 60 year old Polja Prchkova who has been searched for 10 days now is most probably the 7th victim resulting the `TAT' debacle, reports `Dnevnik'. Prchkovska disappeared form her home in Bitola 10 days ago and hasn't been seen ever since. It is supposed that the reason for her disappearance are the 300.000 DM stuck in the bank. According to `Dnevnik' 3 `TAT' clients have disappeared only in the past 15 days.[12] STATISTICS - RETAIL PRICES IN JUNE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS MONTHThe retail prices last month were on the same level compared to the previous month, reports the Statistics Institute of Macedonia. A small decrease has been noticed in June compared to May with the food industry products, while an increase of 0,3% has been noticed with the alcoholic drinks. According to the statistics the living costs in June compared to the same month last year have risen for 1,6%, while compared to December they are lower for 1,2%. In the January-June period the living costs are higher for 3% compared to the average in 1996 and 1,5% compared to last year's period.[13] NEW PLANE IN `AVIOIMPEKS' REGISTER`Avioimpeks' Air Transportation Company from Skopje last Friday received a new plane MD-81 with 164 seats supplied form the `MacDonald Douglas' company and its worth 14 million dollars. It has been paid with 1,5 million dollars participation while the rest will be paid in the following 7 years. Presumably this plane will fly on all European destinations and it will land on airports that have strict regulations regarding noise. According to the `Avioimpeks' management plans to supply two more plains one of which will be the latest type of `MacDonald Douglas' -MD-95.[14] AT THE BALKANS OLYMPIC DAYS IN SOFIA MACEDONIA WITH 45 MEDALSThe Macedonian athletes at the first Balkans days which ended yesterday in Sofia have won 45 medals - 13 gold ones, 8 - silver and 24 - bronze. The Macedonian media report that most medals have been won by the swimmers (24) out of which Aleksandar Malenko won 3 gold and one silver medal, Malenko has been declared the best athlete in the games.MILS SUPPLEMENT[15] `Loads of Work To Be Done'(`Nova Makedonija' - 4th July 1997)The Chief National Administrative Inspector Branko Naumovski has been appointed Ombudsman of Macedonia at yesterday's 71st Parliamentary session. He is the first to hold this office in our country, over a mandate of eight years, and entrusted with the protection of the Constitutional and legal rights of the citizens should the same be violated by state administration structures and other organisations and bodies with public competencies. A short CV of his would begin with his birth at the village of Bukojchani (Kichevo) in 1951; then include major points in his life such as the graduation of the Skopje School of Law in 1975; a career as an expert associate at the municipal DA's Office, the promotion into Deputy DA, Aide to the Secretary of Justice and the Chief National Administrative Inspector since 1995. Immediately after his appointment as Ombudsman we were given a brief interview by Naumovski at the Macedonian Parliament. Mr. Naumovski, what sort of obligation does being the first Ombudsman of Macedonia represent to You? An indeed great one. What I am confronted with is the organizing of this office since it is barely introduced into our legal system. It will require time until the notion has matured that there is an Ombudsman whose task it is to protect the public from any autocracy of the state administration. So far I had a similar function within the system at my old post, though on a smaller scale. Thus I have been working with clients / citizens who had complaints and requirements with respect to public administration structures and valid procedures within this sector. Will given legal provisions leave You enough leeway to act as an Ombudsman? I think that the provided legal framework, contained within the Ombudsman Act, do secure space for unobstructed maneuvering in spite of their needing to be interpreted in greater detail through ancillary acts which are yet to be enacted. Thus it will become more apparent what authority an Ombudsman exactly has with respect to other structures and institutions. What is Your opinion as regards the potential work load You and Your Deputies will be confronted with? As I am aware how impatiently the establishment of this institution has been awaited, I can only say that there is a tremendous amount of significant work to be done. The people needs a person to turn to when it is troubled and burdened by problems. Therefore I presume that there will be a large number of citizens counting on the fact that the Ombudsman will be able to help them with resolving their problems. But our duty will also be comprised of assessing the justifiability of their requests, as the Ombudsman is by no means allowed to engage in illegal practice just for the sake of defending the interests of the people. Bearing in mind the fact that this country never had an Ombudsman before, to which extent are You willing to rely on international experience? The latter are bound to be of great use to me since the institution of the Ombudsman is marked by a great amount of tradition in West Europe and particularly in Sweden from where it originated. We will also analyze experience gathered in Slovenia where the first Ombudsman was appointed on the territory of the Former Yugoslav Federation. The LDP parliamentary faction expressed some reserve as regards Your appointment, abstaining from the actual voting process. What is Your comment on their objections? How justified are they? It is their right to voice their views and I have no comments to make in this respect. Still, I would not agree with their statement that my present position will force me to review decisions passed by me at an earlier stage of my career. I do not think that there is anything to review since I have served the public so far, just as I intend to do in the future. (end)mils news 07 July, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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