MAK-NEWS 06/09/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 6 September 1995

[01] THERE ARE NO WINNERS OR LOSERS

At the 24th session of Macedonian Parliament held yesterday, Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski spoke before the parliamentarians about the latest phase in the relations between Macedonia and Greece, referring to the arrangement to continue the negotiations between the two countries in New York. He began his speech with a short summary of the disputed issues and stressed the efforts of the international community to find a solution to the situation in the Balkans and war in former Yugoslavia. These efforts, Crvenkovski said, mean defeat of great-state ideas, ideas for integral solutions of national questions, ideas for new re-integration in the Balkans, and change of current borders using force. Stressing that it is a dispute in which can and must not be a search for winners and losers, he added that "Greek embargo is defeated, not only because the international community disapproved it, nor for legal proceedings in the European Court of Justice, but due to the wrong evaluations of capability of Republic of Macedonia to exist as an independent and organized state". Further, he spoke about the standing of Macedonia on the issue, which is based on the standing that there can be no solution to the dispute if it endangers national identity of this country, otherwise if any of these countries are to be put in subordinate position. Crvenkovski ephasized that one can not impose a name for the country even if using any kind of threat. Macedonian policy is that the only thing that can lead to normalization of the relations is reaching a wider agreement in all aspects of the relations. Furthermore that a change of the constitutional articles can not be demanded only because misinterpretation of these articles, also that a right to veto can not be misused when it is about including Macedonian in the OSCE, in the program "Partnership for Peace", in NATO or cooperation with European Community. As conditions to normalize the relationships he numbered: guaranties for free border passing of people and goods, a necessity of agreement for total respect for human rights, cultural rights, the right for free expression of own identity guarantied by the international conventions, following all articles of the international law. Particularly the Convention for the mutual right of use of the sea and human environment concerns as well. After the information Minister Crvenkovski expressed the Government's attitude that parliamentarians should not discuss this.

[02] STATEMENTS EXPRESSING SUPPORT

-The US President Bill Clinton voiced support for yesterday agreement between Macedonia and Greece to have talks in New York and to put an end to four years of tension between the two countries. Clinton expressed his assurance that " this is a major step toward peace and stability in the Balkans" as well as a hope this will encourage the leaders of the warring parties in Bosnia to take further steps for establishing peace.

-German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel in an announcement yesterday greeted the decision of the Greek-Macedonian meeting, evaluating it as a further step for reaching peace in former Yugoslavia. Macedonia not only due to the Greek embargo but also because of the embargo to Belgrade, was in a difficult economic situation, and therefore it should be helped. At the forthcoming non-formal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of EC, which is to be held next week, Kinkel will make an effort to include Macedonia among the countries from Middle and Eastern Europe which receive aid from EC. The German minister also asked for bilateral help as a contribution for maintenance of peaceful life in Macedonia and peace wider in the region.

- Adviser to the Russian Federation Foreign Minister, Nikita Matkovski, interviewed on Macedonian Radio, stated that the Russian Federation voiced assurance that Greek-Macedonian dispute should be solved only by Macedonia and Greece through bilateral negotiations.

-Britain Foreign Office greets the forthcoming begining of new rounds of negotiations between Macedonia and Greece.

-Including Macedonia into the negotiation mission of Holbrook in Belgrade is interpreted as intentions of Washington for "entire resolving of Yugoslav question". The talks between the President Gligorov and Holbrook are not mentioned. Progovernemental press cites that Holbrook came to Athens with a prepared plan for solving the dispute between Greece and Macedonia.

-Albanians media evaluates the American initiative for direct negotiations between Skopje and Athens as a important factor for the stability in the region.

[03] REACTIONS IN GREECE

Regarding the American announcement for Minister's talks between Greece and Macedonia to be held next week in New York, official reactions are mainly positive and reserved.

Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias after the meeting opposition lleader Miltiades Evert, told Athens News Agency that Evert has reservations on the small package. Asked whether the government would accept a compaund name for FYROM, Papoulias said that the name to be decided will be the result or consequence of a paralel negotiations that will be instituted after the agreement to be signed in New York. He added that the Athens government was comencing the dialog with Skopje on the basis thet Greece does not accept the term Macedonia. Asked if the so co-called small package would include the minority issue put forward by Skopje, Papoulias replied: 'There are no minority issues'. President of Greece Republic, Kostas Stephanopoulios, as Macedonian radio reports, evaluated yesterday that ''this is a positive, interesting and expected event" , while Spokesman Evangelos Venizelos voiced satisfaction of the current development of the events and that President Gligorov made an international political responsible choice accepting to take part in consultation with Greece. He added that Greece will maintain its firm standing in New York regarding the embargo, which will be lifted when the other side offers firm evidences of good will regarding the changes of articles in the Constitution and state symbol. As for the name, Venizelos explained that it remains as a big unsolved question, even if it will be discussed in New York.

Greece Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis is restrained. He evaluated that the latest development of the events is positive and its perspective are very good.

The leader of the Opposition Party Miltiadis Evert stands for simultaneous solving of the Yugoslav crisis and Macedonian issue. He confirmed that he will not cause any problems to his state about this matter.

Meantime in Athens, as Greek National TV reported, it is expected next week in new York for both sides to agree based on the change of the Macedonian flag with 16 sun branches and disputable articles of the Constitution, while Greece would lift the embargo and approve admittance of Macedonia in international organizations. If they reach an agreement, new rounds of bilateral talks are to be expected regarding economy cooperation.

Spokesman of the party Nea Democratia, Vasilis Manginas stated that one can see solution of the Bosnian crisis, which will lead to lift the embargo to Serbia. Such development of the events influences the current policy of Greece to Macedonia regarding the Skopje issue.

Leader of the party Political Spring, Andonis Samaras thinks that it is unforgivable that the Greek people should find out about this from the American embassy, because the Greek government have no courage to announce it.

Leader of the block left-wing and Party for progress, Nikos Konstantinpoulios blamed the Greek government for leading secret diplomacy, while the secretary of the Communist Party Akela Papariga, blamed it for being a messenger of the American policy in the Balkans.

Pro-governmental magazine Ta Nea, Makfax reports, writes that 30 days after signing the agreement , the Greek embargo will be lifted, and Skopje will redesign its flag and will give an explanation of its Constitution.

Conservative magazine Katimerini, emphasized that in the beginning of the direct negotiation was imposed by Washington, but at the same time it will mean elimination of one great impediment of Greece in carrying out of Balkans policy.

Oppositional press blames the Government for selling of the Skopje issue. As Macedonian TV informs, magazine Apogevtamini goes furthest in blaming Papandreu who gifted the name to Macedonia and with that paid out the pre- election to the Americans.

[04] WHAT WILL THE AGREEMENT CONTAIN?

Most probably Ministers Crvenkovski and Papoulias will sign an Agreement for establishing friendly relations between states of Macedonia and Greece on September 14, A1 TV reports. According to it both states agree not to violate territorial integrity and internationally ratified borders.

The Macedonian side will give an statement as a supplemental explanation of the disputable Constitutional articles. As for the state symbol - the sun of Vergina, according to this Agreement Macedonia is obliged to change it in other alternative which will not have any present variant. Greek side, on the other side is obliged to permit free passing to people and goods, and not to blockade in future the admittance of Macedonia in the international institutions. The name issue is not a subject of this agreement, and from sources close to the Macedonian Government direct negotiations between Greece and Macedonia are not scheduled. This was also confirmed by Spokesman of the Macedonian Government Djuner Ismail. He added that several hours after signing the agreement the Greek embargo will be lifted. Macedonia, on the other hand is obliged that within 30 days after signing the document they will start the procedure to change the flag, and will give an explanation to the Greek authorities for the disputable articles of the Constitution. The issue for free passing of people and goods will be regulated through arbitrage and guaranties of the US and EC, while visas-passport system will be regulated later. According to Vecer writing, the issue for visas-passport system was regulated before three months, with assistance of American experts and by Israel- Arabian model in a different variant. Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski in the interview given to Macedonian TV, stated that it is actually an agreement, and not a contract regarding a list of questions important for citizens of both countries. A1 TV informs that the issue of the name will be solved by each country and institution separately. Visas-passport system is one of the unresolved questions, but before signing the document all disputable points will be solved with mediator Cyrus Vance. Save- guards of Peace for this agreement will be the US, UN and EC. For the expressed cooperative Macedonia will be rewarded with great financial aid for thorough economic reconstruction in which a major contribution will be Germany. Cyrus Vance stated that Greece with signing this arrangement will lift the embargo, adding that this agreement will not immediately solve the name issue, but other issues.

According to findings of A1 TV , after signing the agreement a recognition of Macedonia will follow under its constitutional name by several countries. At the very moment when there will be enough states which approve this, a formal request by Macedonia to the UN for change of the temporary name FYRM, under which Macedonia is recognized in the UN.

[05] REACTIONS OF THE PARLIAMENT AND PARTIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PARLIAMENT

-Ljupco Popovski (SDSM) : according to what Minister Crvenkovski said can be concluded that already are creating positive conditions for resolving of this several year dispute imposed by Greece. These phases of the negotiations should confirm our determinations for maintenance of the national identity, sovereignty and independence of the state. Reality and pragmatism in the policy of both countries should win in the name of the future of both nations.

-Ace Kocevski(Liberal Party) : it is about one very significant event in the development of the relations with Greece, normalization of trade cooperation, access to the Thesaloniki port, regulation of the borders etc. The event is also important because it gives a possibility to Macedonia to admit all international organizations, so far prevented by a veto from Greek side.

-Ismet Raamdani(PDP) : the problem should be solved through negotiations.

-Petar Goshev(Democratic Party) : " We expected to hear something more at the session of the illegel Macedonian Parliament, but unfortunately we remained disappointed". It is about one more cover up, for which certainly there is already an agreement or it should follow, said Goshev. It is obvious that the Government is not sure whether to accept what is prepared or even if it has already accepted it , would it be accepted by the citizens. It is about acceptance of a "small package" without name solution. DP standing regarding the change of the flag remains the same, and it is up to the Macedonian Parliament to take the responsibility regarding these issues. He added that opposition was not at all informed about this matter nor an elementary consensus was demanded.

-VMRO-DPMNE : the yesterday announcement to the public they most severely protest the scandalous non-informing of the Macedonian public for the continence of the agreement that should be ratified between Macedonia and Greece, and totally irresponsible behavior of the self-declared Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski. He, according to this party, has tried the failure of the Macedonian foreign policy to present as a success, that is defeat of the embargo. "The acceptance of a small package by Alliance of Macedonia led by Gligorov, is unacceptable simply because this unapproval was the reason for imposing of the embargo a year an half ago." VMRO-DPMNE points out that the current government in Macedonia was elected in an illegal way with falsification of the elections, so that the decisions that it will reach, which will endanger the national interest of this country, will consider them as non-valid and illegal.

-VMRO-Democratic Party : they support the rational standing of Macedonian foreign policy regarding the dispute with Greece.

-World Macedonia Congress : no one has right to play out with Macedonian identity and continuity. In that sense most severe are blamed all the trades of the historic and cultural and heritage of the Macedonia people. SMK thinks that the acceptance of the flag change, change of some articles of the Constitution and further use of the name FYROM is a national treason and calls openly all Macedonians living in Macedonia and elsewhere to express their disapproval and resistance towards the policy of the current regime with peaceful protests and petitions.

[06] FULL-TIME MEMBERSHIP ON 27 SEPTEMBER

The Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe on 27 September will decide about the admittance of Macedonia as a full-time member in this oldest European institution. This was decided at the Board of Parliamentarian Assembly meeting yesterday.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minster Jorgos Aleksandros Mangakis stated yesterday that Greece will not oppose the admittance of Macedonia in the Council of Europe.

MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT:

[07] MEET THE AUSTRALIAN - MACEDONIAN INTELLECTUALS : MICHAEL RADIN (Part III)

(Previously featured in "Today-Denes" Melbourne, Australia)

Question : In your opinion, has the successful visit of Bishop Petar to Australia recently now reconciled the competing factions in the Australian Diocese, and restored a sense of unity and understanding amongst Australian- Macedonian worshippers?

Answer : I do not believe so. I for me was very disappointed with the approach taken by Bishop Petar and Secretary of the Holy Synod Grozdanovski in particular. It is with a sense of great foreboding that I have analyzed trends in the Macedonian Orthodox Church since independence. It is not uncommon for the Church in the societies like Macedonia to take on the role of the bastion of nationalism, particularly when such passions are released in the wake of the collapse of authoritarianism. Certainly the history of Macedonia has been characterized by the negative effects of dominant influences of the Balkan and other churches, but particularly the Eastern Orthodox. At the present time, the Macedonian Church appears ready to assume such a mantle, as "defender of the faith", in this case, the nationalist ideals of the new Macedonian state. It's influence is exaggerated and very charismatic, particularly as far as the rural and urban working classes are concerned. This is a historical phenomenon - for centuries, the most learned and politically conscious element amongst the rural peasant population the village priest and the church hierarchy in general. Their presence and role inspired not only respect, but also fear and apprehension. Thus it is easy to see what affect the clergy have on first generation Macedonians in the Diaspora, who for the most part have humble village origins. The clergy continue to occupy a place in this scenario of profound importance, but it is one that sots uncomfortably with the values of (particularly) young people in a modern liberal democracy.

Things in the church hierarchy in Skopje have been since independence, perhaps a justifiable phenomenon. Certainly, it has not led by example, and the divisions in the Holy Synod amongst the bishopry have in turn had undesirable and unsettling consequences abroad. Problems in the Australian and North American Diocese have addressed by the Synod literally before its own affairs have substantially been put in order. One can see on this basis that the strategies of ''reconciliation'' effected by the Synod have been transient and by and large illusory. Into this vacuum have stepped political conspirators who have manipulated the situation in a manner conductive to their own interests. Of course, given the church's natural inclination towards nationalists, conservative ideologies (as explained above), it has become fertile ground for the machinations of the opposition parties and their supporters in the Diaspora, who are more effectively organized and resourced than any other political movements there. As a consequence, it is my view that the Synod has decided to reconcile current divisions in the Diaspora parishes by appeasing the vocal and well - organized pro - opposition (right - wing nationalist) groups. I believe that the Synod has seriously miscalculated the situation in this respect however; the supporters of Gorgievski and Petrov are very much minority elements in the communities here, although they are aggressively vocal, organized and certainly passionately nationalistic, effectively evoking "patriotic passions" amongst the Macedonian population. Notwithstanding this, they do not have majority support, relying instead upon the newly - entrenched elites in several of the church and other organizations.

Consequently, Bishop Petar's mission here was a relatively simple one - to organize the churches hitherto involved in the "alternative" or "registered" diocese, based in Sydney (and whose managers had pro - opposition sympathies), into a more coherent political force which would assume power in the Diocese at the recent general meeting held in Melbourne.

In this mission at least he proved quite successful, at the expense of the traditional "vanguard" of the Diocese, which comprised of a smaller, non-politically inclined group of organizations where the Aegean Macedonian element was quite significant. Bishop Petar has claimed, in recent interviews that I have seen, that the conflicts have been reconciled as a consequence of the general meeting. In reality, such statements have no basis in fact, and are aimed in my view at shoring up his own political aspirations, given the fact that since that time he has been actively lobbying for support amongst church organizations for his appointment as the next Metropolitan of Australia. The reality is that a significant number of church organizations have now been deliberately disenfranchised. While they remain in the Diocese, they nonetheless have been effectively excluded from sharing power. Thus the perennial problems will remain, and probably intensify. As I speak, three is a strong movement evolving which aims at restoring the integrity and non - political character of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, which is drawing support from some of the strongest and wealthier community organizations in the country. Again, it appears that the Synod has failed miserably in terms of leadership, and it's efforts have been fumbling to say the least. I have great respect for Archbishop Mikhail, as do most Australian - Macedonians, who is a wonderfully authoritative historical and spiritual figure, but I don't know whether he is being manipulated by others or simply failing due to advanced age, but the leadership of the church in recent times has been incompetent and inconsistent, both in a policy and administrative sense.

Bishop Petar's lack of tact in Australia was at times almost appalling. He often deployed inflammatory rhetoric in exploiting the misguided passions of the ignorant, occasionally spicing his deliveries with the sort of anti - government comments that we have become accustomed to from the likes of Gorgievski and Petrov. I found remarkable his brand of almost medieval Orthodox fundamentalism, imploring parents for example, not to permit their children to marry outside of the Orthodox faith! These portents are as remote from modern values in a contemporary Australian setting as Mars is from Earth! In a country where less than 10 % of the total population regularly attend church (and obviously far less than amongst the young), such pronouncements can only result in further alienation amongst that sector of the population, which continually strives to find some relevance in its modern - form heritage. In my opinion, the views of Bishop Petar and others like him beget intolerance and religious/cultural chauvinism, which is the nemesis of the new type of democratic, multicultural order that the Republic is attempting to establish. I believe that there is no reason why religious pluralism for example, should not be encouraged in the Republic; indeed it is vital that it is supported, for the sake of peace and good order; indeed when I say "pluralism", I extend this beyond minorities to include Macedonians as well, for I am aware that there exist in the Balkans and elsewhere groups of our own people of the Islamic, Protestant, Catholic and other faiths and indeed "sects". Again, freedom of religious worship is an established human right, and the Orthodox Church must pay more than mere lip service to this fact.

If there is a lesson to be learned from this episode, it is that church and other emissaries from the republic must dispense with the sort of arrogance that often characterizes such visits. Not all Macedonians in the west are, in the customary view, ''simple peasants'' ripe for manipulation and exploitation! This is indeed a sweet irony these days when one considers the type of bankruptcy and disorder that is characteristic of some of the institutions that these emissaries represent! The visit has also left me with an uneasy feeling about church attitudes towards Macedonians from the Aegean part of our country. Two factors lead me to this view - firstly, Bishop Petar's refusal to acknowledge Arcimandrite Tsarknias' status and role during his own and contemporaneous Australian visit; secondly, the alienation of major organizations where the Aegean element is predominant. Although the Bishop was quick to point out his own Aegean "sympathies" (membership of a Society in Bitola), our comrades there are evidently unaware of the peculiarities of his approach to "problem - solving" in the Australian Diocese!

(end)

mils news 6 September '95

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