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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-26Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 26 July, 1997[01] BOTH CORRIDORS INTERSECTING IN MACEDONIA GIVEN PRIORITY STATUSThe North-South and East-West corridors intersecting in Macedonia have been granted priority status as regards the financing of Europe's future transport network. This decision - along with eight similar resolutions concerning other European transport links - is contained within the Declaration adopted towards the end of the third Pan-European Transport Conference in Helsinki. According to the Head of the Macedonian delegation attending this event, Tito Petkovski, Macedonia has got `a foot in the main entrance (i.e. door)' of Europe in terms of transport and communications. In his opinion corridor No. 10 (North-South) is of tremendous importance to Macedonia, as it connects Macedonia to developed European countries. This has been a strong incentive to Greece, Macedonia and other countries in the region while once again expressing his content which has been augmented by the fact that priority status had also been given to the route Veles - Prilep - Bitola - Greece.The Macedonian Radio reports that Petkovski denoted it a positive aspect for Macedonia that representatives of the European Parliament had commended Macedonian legislation as largely compatible to West European regulations. This was conducive to the soon addressing of all administrative obstacles and to the expediting of communications in this region in particular. This will be of particular importance to Macedonia, especially if real sources of funding are obtained to finance the approved priority corridors - stated Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski yesterday. [02] PM CRVENKOVSKI AT `CRAN MONTANA' FORUM, PETKOVSKI IN LITHUANIAPM Branko Crvenkovski is to attend the `Cran Montana `97' Forum in Switzerland between 26th and 29th June. During this event Crvenkovski is to familiarize participants with economic and political reforms in Macedonia, the potential the country offers to investors and `Security in the Balkans'. The latter will be speech delivered at the plenary session of Prime Ministers of the same title. This significant Forum is to be attended by the presidents, PMs and ministers of around 60 countries in the world. Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski has left for a visit to Lithuania following the closing of the Pan- European Transport Conference in Helsinki.[03] NEW SIX-MONTH MANDATE FOR `OSCE' IN MACEDONIAThe OSCE Spillover Mission is to remain in Macedonia over the next six months... This decision has been reached with the consent of the Macedonian Government these days, in spite of the fact that the latter had insisted for several months that the mission either grew into a regional centre or withdrew completely. `Nova Makedonija' is quoting OSCE sources upon reporting that during negotiations Macedonian representatives had justified their motion with the deteriorating of conditions in Albania. The above mentioned daily further discloses that the Government has requested the exclusion of Macedonia from the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur to the Human Rights Commission, Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, mainly because of public sensitivity as regards exterior advice on inter- ethnic relations.[04] ON `DELICATE FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES' AND BARRED DOORSThe second part of Monday's session of the Parliamentary Foreign Policy Commission - attended by the new Foreign Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski for the first time - was conducted behind closed doors, contrary to customary practice. Though the media had been properly invited to attend the session, Secretary Handzhiski put forward a motion requesting the app. 20 journalists to leave. this was subsequently adopted by most of the Commission members, as the issues to be debated included `sensitive questions' such as name-negotiations with Greece, negotiations with FR Yugoslavia as regards border demarcation, the President's visit to China and the US, etc. It remains uncertain for now whether this barring of the press will be of temporary or permanent character.Besides all this, the `open part' of the session was marked by the reassurance of the Commission by Blagoj Handzhiski that the new Cabinet of PM Crvenkovski would not abandon the foreign policy principles (e.g. the commitment to complete European integration, the admission into collective security systems, the policy of equi-distance towards neighbouring countries, the advancing of regional cooperation and the active participation in regional initiatives) employed so far. In the opinion of Handzhiski Macedonian diplomacy would commit itself to the closing of a package of treaties establishing and furthering economic cooperation with the global community. [05] SERBIAN-ALBANIAN DIALOGUE ON KOSOVO AT ULCINJSerb-Albanian dialogue on Kosovo has been initiated at Ulcinj (FR Yugoslavia), under the auspices of the US Inter-Ethnic Relations Council. The event is being attended by many representatives of international organisations, diplomatic missions in Belgrade, the Belgrade-based Helsinki Committee, Albanian political parties from Kosovo and liberal intellectuals. The Macedonian Radio reports that most Albanian politicians from Kosovo (Adem Demakji, Azem Vlasi and Marko Kraishnik) have stressed that the only solution to the Kosovo issue is the reinstating of the high level of autonomy - or the international recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. The majority of Serbian politicians made it clear that Kosovo is a constituent part of Serbian territory, and that it should be given back the status of an autonomous province.This dialogue session at Ulcinj is not being attended by representatives of the Serbian Government. The US Inter-Ethnic Relations Council has expressed its commitment to furthering Serbian- Albanian dialogue, while underlining the necessity of staging an international conference on Kosovo. In connection to this Serb President Slobodan Miloshevikj stated at a meeting in Prishtina that there was no force that could make Serbia surrender even an inch of Kosovo and that on this issue there neither have been nor will be any discussions. [06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: `REMOVE FLAGS IN FRONT OF GOSTIVAR MUNICIPALITY'Following the ruling requesting the removal of the flags in front of the Gostivar Municipality seat, the Constitutional Court of Macedonia has passed another temporary court order: this time prohibiting the exhibition of flags in the municipality of Tetovo. In addition to this the Court challenged the Constitutional compatibility of the decision on this subject-matter passed by the Tetovo Municipal Council on 20th March, at the same time enacting the effectuating of any provisions contained in this decision. The temporary court order of the Constitutional Court will have to be forwarded to the Municipal Council of Tetovo next Monday, and it will remain binding until the passing of a final legislative act.The Macedonian Radio reports that this motion of the Constitutional Court has been initiated by the Government and the DP of Macedonia. The contentious ruling affecting Tetovo prohibits the use of the Albanian national flag along to that of Macedonia and the hoisting of the former in front of local government structures - as it has been outlined within the municipal decision. The Constitutional Court bases its ruling on the fact that there is no legal framework authorizing the municipalities to regulate the utilization of flags, since the subject of state symbols is exclusively handled via legal provisions. An initiative on one more such decision outlining the use of flags - this one by passed by the municipality of Srbinovo - has already been launched. Its processing is expected to be completed soon. [07] `TAT' BANKING SCANDAL: `RESTITUTION VIA HARD CURRENCY BONDS EXCLUDING INTEREST RATES'Representatives of the `TAT' bank clients have met PM Crvenkovski and other Government members two days ago and agreed on the mode of restitution of their savings deposits - Macedonian media report. Concordant to this compromise, `TAT' clients will only receive their deposited means minus interest rates disbursed so far. The thus determined amount would be paid in 36 installments, via hard currency bonds which may be cashed in at banks each month. Considering that forensic investigations have estimated the value of all `TAT' assets (incl. mortgages) to amount to 37 million DM - along with the 16 million DM to be provided by the Government concordant to previous proposals - the overall `relief fund' for client restitution would amount to 53 million DM. Estimates indicate that clients would recover up to 60% of their funds. `Dnevnik' reports that client representatives have generally agreed with the proposed alternative, with the exception that they advocate restitution within 24 and not 36 months.The most recent proposal has been denoted more favourable in comparison to the previous offer (restitution of 3 000 in six monthly installments, with no secured sustainability of funds influx). At present deceived bank clients are casting their votes on this proposal. Should it be adopted, the Government and Parliament would have to enact a bill which would be effectuated as of August `97 on the double. `Dnevnik' reveals that this proposal did not please clients with smaller deposits, since the installments they would receive would be trifling. The following few days are to yield the accepting or discarding of this proposal by deceived bank clients. Besides this, the National Forensic Institute has completed its investigation on `TAT' - while all documents and a final report are to be forwarded to Investigative Judge Slobodanka Bakovska from Bitola today. According to unofficial information aired by MTV there are substantial differences with respect to the findings of forensic experts and those of the NBM. MTV has also reported that yesterday `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska has filed charges against former NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski at the Bitola DA's Office for abusing his office and fraud. [08] `ESAF' NEGOTIATIONS WITH `IMF' AND THE NEW PACKAGE OF ECONOMIC MEASURES OF THE GOVERNMENTIMF Head Rober Corker is currently paying a 10-day visit to Macedonia, in order to discuss the new `ESAF' Arrangement and the new package of economic measures compiled by the Government with Macedonian officials. During yesterday's meeting with Labour and Social Policy Minister Naser Ziberi, Corker expressed his content with the new Employment Act proposed by the Government. MTV reports that Robert Corker will also meet Finance Minister Taki Fiti for talks on the budgetary balance and NBM Governor Ljube Trpevski in order to debate monetary policy and the balance of payment.[09] PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE RE-PROGRAMMING OF DEBTS TOWARDS THE PARIS CLUB OF CREDITORSBilateral negotiations between the Paris Club of Creditors and the Republic of Macedonia on re-programming the debts of our country are being brought to their close - `Vecher' reports. Thus relations have been regulated with most creditor nations so far, except for Italy, Japan and the US. According to the Ministry of Finance the contract for re-programming the 4.5 million dollar debt to Japan has been forwarded to the Japanese Government to be signed; the proposal on re-programming the 93 million dollars in dues to the US is still being analyzed by the Macedonian Government, while in the case of Italy the total amount of debts is still being determined. Macedonian estimates place this sum at app. 24.4 million dollars.[10] MACEDONIAN STOCK EXCHANGE GENERATED THREE MILLION DENARS IN LOSS LAST YEARThroughout 1996 the Macedonian Stock Exchange - its management claims - has generated only modest results and an even more modest financial balance. Thus overall revenues amount to app. 35 million denars. These have been the outcome of around 500 transactions and the trading of 12 300 stocks. Data further indicate that the Stock Exchange has also generated 3 million denars in losses. Additional estimates imply the increase of trade and financial yields through effectuating the recently enacted Long-Term Stock Act.[11] SINS OF OUR PREVIOUS CITY FATHERS...The DA's Office of Skopje has requested access to the findings of the financial revision on City Council activities in 1996 (conducted by `Coopers & Lybrand') from the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior. `Vecher' reveals that this request contained additional queries as regards several dubious supply and compensation deals, which mainly involve the utilization of development property and ergo the nationally-owned facility handling residential and development property. In connection to this the Ministry of the Interior has publicized the discovery of irregularities as regards the work of the City Council during investigations conducted at request. This included the abuse of authority by certain individuals who are to be covered by a separate report to the DA's Office of Skopje.[12] VOTING ON POLICE STRIKE TO LAST TILL SATURDAYThe opinion poll announced by the Police Trade Union, in order to determine whether its membership is in favour or against striking, has been commenced yesterday. Concrete outcomes, however, are still not available to the Police Trade Union. The latter revealed that the turn-out amounted to 3 766. Of these 3 697 had been in favour of striking. Bearing in mind that the total membership of this Trade Union is 8 200, the decision on the introduction of such a measure may not be passed yet. MTV reports that Union leaders have denoted the opinion poll among its membership as successful, while the weak turn- out is being attributed to the fact that entire stations - especially those concerned with providing administrative services to the city of Skopje - have not been able to cast their vote. Therefore the Police Trade Union has decided to prolong this stage until Saturday.MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `Goshev: Trading National Symbols Without Asking the People'(`Dnevnik' - 24th June 1997)The withholding of information and `behind-the-scene' deals, regardless whether it violates the Constitution or not, are scandalous ... this is part of the LDP view on Kiro Gligorov's statement on the Greek-Macedonian name- issue, given two days ago. The SP considers the proposed alternative acceptable if it restricts itself to oral communication with Greece, excluding official acts and documents which are to travel back and forth between both countries. The DPA hopes that a consensus on the name- issue will be reached, though they deem it more important that the rights of all minorities are represented within the state. After returning from his visit to the States, President Kiro Gligorov stated that Macedonia has submitted a written proposal to Greece, suggesting the use of `the Republic of Macedonia' on an international level and in bilateral communication with any other country. Gligorov however said: `We have made a compromise. This was not an easy thing to do, and it is bound to encounter all sorts of different reactions. I still think that it was in the best interest of Macedonia, since we cannot force any country into calling us what WE want - be it for linguistic, historical and other reasons.' To the LDP this is nothing but `backyard politics.' `Kiro Gligorov promised all sorts of things on this tour; he gave, conceded, sold... He offered Krivolak, asked for SFOR troops, he admitted writing a letter offering a compromise as regards the name of our country. All this without ever consulting even one of the authorities', states Petar Goshev, head of the LDP. In the opinion of Goshev this embodies the trading of national symbols, national issues, the name of the nation - for the sake of this very same nation, but without consulting it, or even considering whether it violates the Constitution or not. `Working behind the back of the population and withholding information is scandalous - and certainly not becoming of the Government', states Goshev. In his opinion there is no `only this wee bit' in politics, everything has a purpose. `If Greece is allowed to use a different name, why should the same right not be granted to any other state', he says. To the SP Gligorov's proposal appears acceptable as long as it only applies to Greece. `The proposal is acceptable should Greece accept our admission into international institutions as the Republic of Macedonia, while another reference would be used as long as it does not refer to written documents', says Jovan Lazarov of the SP. According to the latter, the name to be chosen by Greece should be used on referring to the country, as well as in Greek public life while bilateral documents would still contain the Constitutional name of our country. [14] `There Are Improvements - But There Is Also Room For Improvement'(`Nova Makedonija' - 24th June 1997)There is concern with respect to the position of national minorities. The main impediment to further minority rights is the lack of trust and tolerance. The International Helsinki Federation (IHF) for Human Rights has issued its 1997 Human Rights Report some time ago. In it, i.e. in the section on Human Rights in Macedonia, the IHF mentions rightaway that Macedonia has developed multifarious democratic structures over the past few years, since gaining its independence without any bloodshed. Thus the country is governed via a multi- party political system; reforms have been conducted within legislation and the emergence of a large number of dailies, TV and radio stations has been registered as well. Yet the Report also states that in many other areas change has been occurring rather slowly. This may be partially ascribed to huge economic difficulties confronting the country - the Report mentions. In 1996 the key issue in terms of Human Rights has been connected to the position of ethnic minorities, the lack of pluralism in the media sector and police harassment. The Report also assesses the local elections held towards the end of 1996 as a challenge to the Macedonian Government to provide free and fair elections. The Report points out that main (both print and electronic) media sources are financed by the state, which is accounting for their partiality towards the Government. The Helsinki Committee of Macedonia has registered a certain number of basic Human Rights violations by law enforcement structures. Further objections address the lack of transparency with regards to police work and the need of civilian monitoring of the latter, as public trust in the police is not exactly at its peak. According to the Macedonian Helsinki Committee the main obstacle to furthering minority rights in the country is the absence of trust and tolerance among the parties of ethnic minorities and the Government. In the section on higher education in Albanian, the Report stresses the urgent need of enacting tertiary education laws. (end)mils news 26 July, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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