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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-17Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 17 July, 1997[01] EU APPROVES BULGARIA FREE TRADING WITH MACEDONIAThe European Union has approved Bulgaria to sign a deal on free trading with Macedonia, yesterday informed the Deputy Trade and Tourism Minister in the Bulgarian Government, Hristo Mihajlovski. The Macedonian Radio reports, he has stated that the Union motives most probably lie in the fact that Bulgarian trading with Macedonian will not largely influence the overall trading in the EU. At a press conference in Sofia Mihajlovski informed that Macedonia and Bulgaria are planning to sign deals on avoiding agreements on double taxation and a deal on mutual investment protection all which have been postponed on indefinite time until the language dispute is resolved. Taxes on products from the small border flow between the two states are paid with 1% trading customs rates this has been agreed upon in a recent meeting between the customs offices of Macedonia and Bulgaria.[02] ACCREDITED AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR IN MACEDONIA HAROLD VOLFGANG KOCHIMacedonian Head of State, Kiro Gligorov, yesterday received the President of the Austrian Republic in Macedonia, Harold Volfgang Kocci, and handed over to him the accreditive letters. At the ceremony in presence of the Foreign Secretary of Macedonia, Blagoj Handziski, president Gligorov, among other, expressed his pleasure regarding the support that Australia has given to Macedonia on both bilateral and multilateral plan in the process of becoming independent, to its recognition and overall affirmation. According to the official report, the Austrian ambassador stated that Austria is aware of the geopolitical importance of Macedonia and has interest to strengthen the relations with this region.[03] PARLIAMENT- BILL ON RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS ADOPTEDThe Macedonian Parliament yesterday adopted the Bill on religious communities and religious groups. According to the adopted text the religious rites and religious matters in Macedonia may be performed only in registered religious communities i.e. religious groups. The bill prohibits people to be forced or hindered in becoming members of religious groups or communities and take part in religious rites and other forms of religious expression. The religious synods, rituals, papers and education, religious schools and other sorts of religious expression may not be used to induce any religious, national of other intolerance nor for any political objectives. Religious groups and communities may found religious schools, social and charity institutions, it is cited in the Bill text.The ministers yesterday did not adopt the amendment submitted by the members of the Liberal-Democratic Party on denominating the Bill as a Bill on the Macedonian Orthodox church and other religious groups and communities. The amendment on expressing religion in correction institutions was also rejected. Otherwise, the MOC spokesman, metropolitan Stefan, at yesterday's press conference stated that the remarks regarding the draft-bill on religious groups and communities made by the MOC are not included in the Bill and this is not concordant to act 19 from the Constitution of the Macedonian Republic. According to yesterday's adopted supplements on the bills on primary and secondary education the schools become legal subjects and will be recorded in a court register, and the education books may be published by more publishers instead of one as was the case so far ('Prosvetno Delo' from Skopje). Assembly yesterday also elected the members for the Council on broadcasting. These members are: Cvetan Stanoevski, Jasna Shopar, Jovan Strezovski, Kemal Huseinovski, Mario Markaduli, Ljubomir Jakimovski (president), Metodija Petkovski, Milaim Fetahu and Tasko Georgievski. Regarding two members of the Council on broadcasting which will control the broadcasting sphere in the state (Metodija Petrovski and Ljubomir Jakimovski) the LDP members have expressed reservation assessing that they do not fulfill the conditions because one of them works in `Sileks' the founder of SITEL TV and the other ii employed in the Government. The ministers have also adopted the bills on labor inspection and market inspection and the Bill which proclaims the `Tikvesh' locality in the gorge on Crna Reka as a natural reservation. The Assembly yesterday also adopted the Bill on ratification of the Vienna convention for succession of the states in relation to state property, archives and debts. The Assembly yesterday denominated Gligor Bishev Governor Deputy of the Macedonian National Bank. The Assembly is to discuss the government proposal on restitution of the `TAT', `Lavci' and `ALFA-S' clients at today's sequel of the 68th session. [04] SYNDICATE - RESERVES TOWARDS GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC MEASURESThe Syndicate Union of Macedonia at yesterday's press conference informed about the Syndicate's attitude regarding the new package of Government economic measures - on implementation of the Bill on Finance activities, the Bill on salaries and the consequences of denar devaluation. As it has been pointed out, the Syndicate expresses reserves towards the Government measures, but it will support them only if particular parts and the manner of their implementation are altered. Regarding the changes in the Bill on Finance activities, i.e. on the manner of pay-off of the remnant fees that the firms owe to the funds, the Syndicate assesses that, on one hand, they present a good opportunity for the firms to resolve this problem through discount and grace period.On the other hand, according to the Syndicate, the proposed measures open possibility the salaries to gain secondary treatment. Due to this the Syndicate recommends the firms to be careful not to create variance between the salary disbursement term and other obligations entailing them. The Macedonian radio reports, the Syndicate president yesterday assessed that the Bill on salaries is redundant and unnecessary because the workers in Macedonia until now have been having frozen salaries as well. A disputed issue presents the part in the Bill denoting that it does not refer to firms that are 100% private. Such firms, according to Syndicate president, Zzivko Tolevski, are in the number of 428 with 28.000 employees which means that the Bill refers to all firms registered in the Court register. The Syndicate also reacts to the high rate of denar devaluation, form the aspect of enormous price rises of products which only diminishes the purchase power of the workers. At it was announced at yesterday's press conference, in talks with the Government the Syndicate will advocate taking considerations not to increase the prices of products that are of a vital interest, particularly the electricity. Pointing out that the devaluation is deadening for the workers and that social reactions and protests are soon to be expected, the Syndicate president, estimated that the Government measures should be a subject for discussion at the Social-Economy Council. [05] NATIONAL BANK - INCREASE OF DENAR INVESTMENTS IN JULY AND AUGUSTThe MNB Council at yesterday's session, concordant to the monetary policy, has come to a conclusion that the banks and the savings banks may increase their denar investments granted by legal subjects in national, private and joint ownership and citizens for 604 million denars for this year's period in July and August. In August the increase may amount up to 204 million denars at most which will present a growth of 4,5% in comparison to the investments from 30 June this year. So as to eliminate unused credit limits from particular banks it is predicted use of the opportunity to exchange the unused part between the banks. If still a larger part of the allowed limits of denar investments increase remains unused the Central bank will execute distribution of the unused part of the right.The MNB Council has brought a decision on altering the savings banks activities which implies public exhibition of the deposit list by the end of the 5th this month including data from the previous month. The overall credit debts of the savings banks towards the working banks from now on is allowed to amount 30% of the guarantee capital of the savings bank, replacing the prior maximum of 10%.The MNB Council has passed a decision which allows advance payment for imported goods, i.e. of the reproduction material from a known producer. [06] 22 MILLION DOLLARS CREDIT FOR SKOPJE-TETOVO HIGHWAYThe International Bank from Washington whose mission is staying in Macedonia is willing to grant a 22 million dollar credit for modernization of the motor-way Tetovo - Grupchin (17km) which is part of the Skopje -Tetovo direction soon to be turned into a highway. `Nova Makedonija' reports, with these means the Bank from Washington would supply 60% of the needed investment, while the remaining 40% should be supplied by the Macedonian Government. Regarding the second part of the Skopje-Tetovo direction it is possible that the European International bank from Luxembourg will be the investor and thus close the construction of this enterprise. From the Macedonian Fund for roads it is said that they are working on agreeing with the Government a possible concession on this travel direction, yet it is not certain which solution will be accepted. However, the finance construction is due by the end of this year and in spring the construction is expected to begin.[07] ANOTHER SUPPORT ON INVESTMENTS OF GREEK `JONIAN' BANK IN MACEDONIAThe vice-president of the Macedonian Government, Zlatka Petkovska, yesterday realized a meeting with Haris Stamatopulos, president and director of the `Jonian' Bank from Greece and had talks in respect of opening a joint or a privately owned Greek bank in Skopje. in the talks, according to the Macedonian Television, particular accent was placed on the interest for credit support to Macedonian enterprises in the production field, above all in the tobacco industry and metallurgy, in the small firms, as well as support to expert advancement of staff in Macedonia in the Bank Institute in Thessaloniki. Vise- President Popovska at the meeting underlined that the presence of a Greek banking capital will be of great importance regarding intensification of economic collaboration and added that the Macedonian Government upholds all initiatives on receiving foreign capital.[08] EQUIPMENT FOR `KOZJAK' ACCUMULATION WORTH 33,5 MILLION DOLLARS MOST PROBABLY FROM A CHINESE FIRMThe electro-machinery equipment for the `Kozjak' accumulation worth around 33,5 million dollars will not be supplied by the Greek-Russian firm `East Power Corporation' unless an international deal is signed between Macedonia and Greece on the regime of water use of the Vardar river. `Dnevnik' reports, the Greek-Russian firm gained from the Greek Government only a visa on the damp construction, but not a complete deal on the regime of use of the waters of Vardar. The `Electrical Industry' of Macedonia claims that without that deal the enterprise will be turned over to the Chinese corporation `Hajnan Kompani' the offer of which is lower for 6 million dollars from all the rest. The construction of the whole project of the water power station `Kozjak' is to become the largest in the Balkans and is estimated to be worth about 150 million dollars and until now the only investor is the `Electrical Industry' of Macedonia with 30 million dollars.Negotiations with Greece regarding the water regime deal are in process starting from 1967 but the southern neighbour is not willing to sign the deal considering it disastrous for the watering of the Thessaloniki field. [09] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT - ABOLISHED DECISION ON FLAGS OF TETOVO TOWNSHIP COUNCILOn the occasion of the initiative launched by the Macedonian Government and the Macedonian Democrat Party, the Constitutional Court at yesterday's session abolished the decision of the Tetovo township council dating from 23rd March this year on use of the flags in the Tetovo municipality. The Constitutional Court also abolished the resolution on stopping execution of separate acts and actions undertaken on the basis of the rejected decision.[10] SDSM - MI ACTION IN GOSTIVAR AND TETOVO WELL CONDUCTED AND WITH A GOOD TIMINGThe action of removing the flags in Gostivar and Tetovo is assessed by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia as being well conducted and with a good timing respecting the principles of a legal state and directed towards protection of the Constitution and the citizens' property. According the SDSM spokeswoman, Radmila Shekerinska, the police action enabled completion of the Bill on minorities flags which was lacking. Shekerinska also pointed out that the assumptions for a coalition crisis between the SDSM and the PDP are unrealistic, underlining that the PDP members are absent from the Parliament expecting the demanded information from the Ministry for the Interior, while their ministers do not take part in the Government functions due to party activities.According to Shekerinska the SDSM considers the devaluation to be in function of payment deficit reduction, stimulation of domestic production and improvement of economy climate. Replying to the report's questions Shekerinska stated that the denar devaluation which has been announced for a longer period of time in not connected to any scandal of the bankrupted `TAT' bank. [11] ALBANIAN PAPERS ON ALITI AND DZAFERI VISIT TO TIRANAThe visit of the leader of the Party for Democratic Prosperity of the Albanians, Abdurahman Aliti and the leader of the Albanian Democratic Party, Arben Dzaferi have been largely publicized in Albanian papers, reports `Makfaks' agency. According to this agency, an accent was placed on the meetings between the PDP leader and Albanian MP, Bashkim Fino, the Socialists' leader, Fatos Nano, and the General Secretary of the Democratic Party, Genc Polo. According to Radio Tirana PM Fino at the meeting with Aliti pointed out that a dialogue and tolerance are the manner of understanding and cohabitation in a state such as Macedonia.Socialist leader, Fatos Nano, underlined that the meeting between the PDP and the Albanian socialists is very important because this collaboration will influence future development of the Albanian issue. The Secretary General of the DP of Sali Berisha, Genc Polo, at the meeting with Aliti condemned the police intervention in Gostivar, while a high official from this party supported the demands of the Albanians in Macedonia and called on them not to reconcile with the discriminating politics of the Macedonian authorities. MILS SUPPLEMENT[12] `The Use of Force in Gostivar Arranged in Belgrade'(`Dnevnik', 16 July, 1997)Arben Dzaferi, leader of the DPA stands for an autonomy of the Albanians in Macedonia, while Abdurahman Aliti, leader of the PDP considers the Gostivar events an unnecessary force demonstration and intimidation of the people, `Makfaks' reports. This title was among the statements given by Aliti and Dzaferi late the night before yesterday in a talk on an Albanian Television satellite programme dedicated to the recent events in Western Macedonia caused by the flag removal in front of the township buildings in Tetovo and Gostivar. According to Aliti, the PDP looks at the situation realistically and that's why it is in coalition with the Macedonian parties. However, he underlines, an agreement between the Macedonian and the Albanian blocks is necessary although it is not approved by the Macedonian party. Aliti added that the intensive talks with Dzaferi following the events in Gostivar have yielded results and that at the day before yesterday at the session of the Macedonian Government the Albanian ministers have not appeared in a sign of revolt. The DPA leader, Dzaferi, criticised the Government for receiving permission from Belgrade to use force saying that this had been arranged on the meeting between Macedonian PM, Branko Crvenkovski, and Serbian President, Slobodan Miloshevich. He added that in the Tetovo garrison vehicles with licence registrations from Prishtina have been noticed and also that some of the police officers talked with a Serbian accent. `This was the final indulgence in Gostivar', stated Dzaferi. `The Albanian parties should be united and then other steps of action will be taken', stressed the DPA leader. Dzaferi also stated that after the SFRY had fallen apart the Albanian political parties arranged to turn Kosovo into a republic and to create an autonomy in Macedonia which has already been voted in favour of. Kastriot Robo, president of the Albanian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, who also was a guest in the TV programme, stated that official Tirana places the `Albanian issue' in the foreground. Abdi Baleta, who was presented as a scholarly worker, considers that all `Albanian towns' in Western Macedonia are Albanian and belong to `Eastern Albania'. He also criticised the DPA and the PDP on making a mistake in talking with Max Van Der Stoel, since he is a High Commissioner for minorities by the OSCE, and the Albanians in Macedonia are a nation. `Arms from Albanian Uncontrollably Coming into Macedonia' DPM president, Tomilsav Stojanovski, claims that an enormous amount of arms are being brought into Macedonia from Albania as a prove there is the large offers on the black market in Tetovo, Gostivar and surrounding villages. He also says that the Government shuts its eyes in front of the facts and pretends not to see the border control non-functioning. `Pistols, automatic guns, bombs and other explosives are among the offers on the black market in Tetovo, Gostivar and the surrounding villages. The prices are provocative and moves between 100 to 300 DM', says Tomislav Stojanovski. He considers that the largest part of it comes from neighbouring Albania. The everyday shipments of fire arms and people from Albania, according to Stojanovski, is a certain proof showing that the control on the border with Albania does not function at all. Thus he had demanded from the Government to issue information on the import of arms and dangerous materials, as well as on the situation on the Macedonian-Albanian border. The Government issued information regarding the border, but Stojanovski has still not received a reply on the illegal arms supply. `The border information was issued by the Government and handed among the ministers, but was not put in the agenda of the assembly session. It should be used as grounds for discussion and should inform the public about all illegal arms trafficking in the state including the situation on the Albanian border. Thus, the Government avoids the discussion and tries to minimise the arms trafficking problem, Stjanovski claims. The DPM leader and minister in the parliament adds that the Government has issued unrealistic figures and superficial information on the illegal crossing of the border, i.e. retold all that has already been known. Stojanovski also says that the information on the arms will most probably be handed only to him and it will not be discussed in front of the Parliament. In this manner the Government will again attempt to escape responsibility and hide from the public the illegal arms trafficking problem in the state, says Stojanovski. Otherwise, in the Government information it is stated that with the riots commencement in neighbouring Albania the large number of incidents caused by civilian and military subjects from Albania have become even more frequent. Out of 53 registered incidents from March till the beginning of June, 30 cases cover Albanian civilian or military subjects' shooting at our border bodies, in 17 cases larger groups of Albanian citizens illegally crossed our border, in 4 cases our territory waters have been violated and in one case our air space has been violated by a civilian helicopter and our border bodies have been challenged by a group of Albanian citizens and is this situation may further escalate. In this period 3.398 illegal crossing of the Albanian- Macedonian border have been registered mainly done by armed Albanian citizens. Reasons for their illegal border crossing are smuggling and trafficking with arms, robbery, search for illegal jobs and attempts to enter Greece. On 13 May 2 larger incidents occurred caused by such illegal crossings. At the place called Strezimir near Gostivar one Albanian citizen heavily wounded 2 soldiers of a MI military patrol. In another case, in the region of the Gostivar village Orkjushe, in a shoot-out between a police patrol and a larger group of Albanian citizens one Albanian had been heavily wounded and died on the way to the hospital. (end)mils news 17 July, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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