MAK-NEWS 07/11/95 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <mic@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, NOVEMBER 7, 1995 (MIC)

[01] MACEDONIA OFFICIALLY IN COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski will travel to Strasbourg today, to attend the formal act of admittance of the Republic of Macedonia as a member of this European political organization, and to take part, for the first time, in the work of the Ministers' Committee. The formal ceremony is scheduled for November 10, when the minister will sign the two basic documents of the Council, the Statute and the Human Rights Convention, which has been in force since 1953 and is binding for all members of the organization. As it is known, Macedonia's admittance to the Council of Europe was impeded by the Parliamentary Assembly during the last session held towards the end of September, while it was accepted by the Ministers' Committee in October, whereby Macedonia practically became the 38th member-state.

Otherwise, European security will be the main topic at this working meeting of European ministers, in addition to the expansion of the Council with new members (Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, which are still waiting to be accepted) and the request of the U.S. to gain observer status in view of the submitted request during September.

[02] SYSTEM IN RM FUNCTIONING WITHOUT DISTURBANCES

The Security Council of the Republic of Macedonia held a session yesterday which, in the absence of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, was chaired by Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov.

The current political and security situation in the country was reviewed at the session, and it was assessed that even in the complex circumstances following the attempted assassination of President Gligorov, the democratic development of the country has been maintained and the institutions of the system are functioning without any disturbances.

Furthermore, the continuation of the policy of development of equally good relations with the neighbors and the strengthening of Macedonia's international position was assessed positively. In this context, it was stated that the implementation of the interim accord between Macedonia and Greece was also going well. An emphasis was placed on the significance of finalizing the process of integration of the Republic of Macedonia in the international institutions and organizations - membership in the Council of Europe, membership in the OSCE, the start of the procedure for joining the "Partnership for peace" project, the start of the negotiations on association with the European Union and the negotiations for membership in the World Trade Association, the cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia announced.

[03] GREEK PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING THE NAME OF MACEDONIA

The meeting of the leaders of the political parties in Greece, which was due to be held late last night in the Greek Parliament, is expected to focus on the relations with Macedonia, and, according to the Greek newspapers, with the final goal of reaching an accord on the compromise name.

The pro-government "Ta Nea," the only newspaper not to announce last night's meeting on the front page out of all central Athens newspapers, assessed that "the debate is unnecessary and can have a negative effect on the negotiations which Greece is interested in continuing, and which can lead to a solution over the name as soon as possible."

The newspaper of the moderate left-wing "Elefterotipia" expects Prime Minister Papandreou to reiterate the firm stance that he is opposed to the name Macedonia being contained in the name of the northern neighbor, and that he will "not make any promises" in view of the final outcome of the negotiations.

Emphasizing that because of the "hypocrisy" of the political leaders, one will need "strong nerves" to follow the meeting, "Elefterotipia" points out that it does not know what Miltijadis Evert's stance will be, since he is constantly changing it, while it says about Mitsotakis that for three years already "he has lead us where he took us, and now he has turned into a judge and critic."

[04] BULGARIA WARNING BALKAN POLITICIANS

The publications in the Greek and Macedonian press directed against Bulgaria as a whole, and against the company "Multigroup," are obviously a "typical diversion" aimed at "destabilizing the relations" between Bulgaria and Macedonia and "poisoning the internal political and economic life between the two countries." This assessment was stated by the Sofia newspaper "Continent" in its Sunday issue, placing it in the context of the thesis that the assassination attempt on President Gligorov has a political background and that it can be expected for the organizers to continue with their plan and to take further measures.

"Identified and unidentified forces are working and will continue to work against the stabilization of the Balkans, for the expansion of the present or the instigation of new armed conflicts," "Continent" writes.

Reminding that throughout history, conspiracies against the peaceful relations between the Balkan and European states have often started with journalistic insinuations, "Continent" calls on the Balkan politicians to treat these "sensationalistic and agitating articles" published in the Macedonian and Greek press with the utmost seriousness.

[05] FRY TO RECOGNIZE MACEDONIA SOON

In yesterday's issue of "Pobjeda" from Podgorica, the President of FRY Zoran Lilich reiterated his country's readiness to restore normal relations with RM as soon as possible. "The normalization of the Greek-Macedonian relations presents a new important moment that is having a positive effect on developments in the region. Therefore, I feel that there are conditions for a normalization of the Yugoslav-Macedonian relations, and outside the packet," he said.

"We sincerely regret the assassination attempt on President Gligorov and that it has deterred him from his efforts to continue with the talks on normalization of the relations with FRY."

[06] INCIDENT AT FILM FESTIVAL IN THESSALONIKI

An unusual incident connected with the name "Macedonia" occurred at the film festival in Thessaloniki yesterday. Namely, at the luncheon organized by the European Federation of Associations of Film Directors and the Greek Association of film directors, journalists and film makers, which are presented in the program Balkan Forum, the presenter of this festival selection Patris Vivankos presented the two Macedonian guests, the reporters of "Vecer" and "Puls" as guests from Macedonia or FYROM, "as you like." At that moment, completely inappropriate for this occasion, the Greek film director Dimitris Kolatos strongly reacted against the use of the name Macedonia and demonstratively left the festival.

The guests reacted with loud dissatisfaction and disapproval to this gesture. Following this, the representatives of the Greek Association of Film Directors officially dissociated itself from their colleague's outburst and, apologizing for the incident, emphasized that they would not permit politization of their art and that the goal of all film makers is the same as that of their colleagues from the Balkan countries, to find a way for mutual cooperation. Otherwise, the luncheon presented an "overture" to the round table of film directors taking part in the festival council for Balkan films, on the topic "Cooperation between the Balkan countries" in the field of film production.

However, in the meantime, after the film director Kolatos realized that no one was paying any attention to him, he tried to deal physically with the presenter Vivankos, after which he finally left. Afterwards, he tried to dramatize the whole incident for the TV with dramatic statements, which caused a small crisis at the festival, since Vivankos offered to resign his function. Apart from this, Kolatos is known as quite a bad film director in Greece, as well as an unrealized nationalist politician, who had made several unsuccessful attempts to be elected to Parliament, and who uses every occasion for his own political promotion. At the end, the whole matter was resolved by the people from the festival organization, who categorically stated that they would not permit nationalistic outbursts intended to politicize this important cultural event.

[07] GOVERNMENT PROJECTING DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The Macedonian Government, led by Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski reviewed the draft-law on road transport at its session yesterday. The law is aimed at overcoming the negative situation in the field of road transportation, which was regulated so far by a line of inappropriate legal provisions which have led to conflict situations in its practical application. Furthermore, this law, which will be coordinated with the Constitution, will also have its provisions coordinated with the international conventions.

At its session yesterday, the Government also reviewed the information in relation to the preparation of the Project- strategy for the development of the Republic of Macedonia, with draft-conclusions which will be of priority for Macedonia's development strategy by the year 2020, which will be encompassed with global frames.

[08] NEW JUDGES IN SUPREME COURT

Vladimir Babunski and Ziran Limani, Supreme Court judges, who were elected at the 29th session of Parliament, gave their solemn oaths in Parliament yesterday, in front of Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov. On this occasion, President Andov said that this has finalized the composition of the Supreme Court of Macedonia. This way, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia will be able to realize their constitutional and legal rights, and that the processes of democratization are continuing in the judicature.

[09] OIL DERIVATIVES FOR "MAKPETROL"

The first contingent of 20 "Mlaz" cisterns, i.e 1,000 tones of oil derivatives for "Makpetrol," arrived at the storehouse "Mamidakis" in the Thessaloniki port yesterday. In the next couple of days, "Mlaz" vehicles will also transport larger quantities of crude oil, petrol, normal and super fuel. The convoy will consist of 25 to 30 vehicles.

[10] PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING DENATIONALIZATION

Today, the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia will discuss the Draft-law on denationalization, the Draft-law on public gatherings and the changes and supplements to the laws on economic violations, on companies and health protection, among other issues.

(end)