MAK-NEWS 26/09/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 26 September, 1995

[01] MACEDONIA PLACED ON AGENDA IN STRASBOURG

Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly started in Strasbourg yesterday its Fall session at which it will discuss the admittance of Republic of Macedonia as a full time member in the Council of Europe. The final decision will be reached tomorrow, when parliamentarians, with two thirds of majority, should vote "for" or "against". The Secretary General of this oldest institution, Daniel Tarshes, during a recent visit to Skopje emphasized that there are no significant obstacles to the admittance of Macedonia, stressing that the positive report of the Council's rapporteurs most accomlished for it.

A delegation of the Macedonian Parliament came in Strasbourg two days ago to participate in the work of the parliamentary commissions. On an invitation of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Miguel Anhel Martinez, President of the Macedonian Parliament Stojan Andov arrived in Strassbourg. He will have bilateral meetings and, after the admittance of Macedonia, he is expected to make a speech before the European parliamentarians.

[02] MACEDONIAN MILITARY DELEGATION IN LONDON

A delegation of the Macedonian Foreign Ministry led by the Minister Blagoj Handziski went to London yesterday. During a several day visit to Great Britain, the Minister will meet his English counterpart Michael Portilo. Before leaving Macedonia, at a press conference, Minister Handziski said that the delegation will visit several institutions for staff education, will have a meeting with high officials of the Foreign Office as well as several meetings and lectures in the Royal institutes for international relations and defense studies. The theme of the talks will be, said Handziski, bilateral relations which mark extremely successful development, particularly after the establishment of diplomatic relations from 1993. Great Britain, meantime, is the first country which named an military attachi in Republic of Macedonia, and so far two meetings on high experts level have been realized. It is expected during this meeting Macedonian delegation to sign Memorandum for Understanding, Defense Contacts and Cooperation. It will not be directed against any other third county and will be based on several principles, such as : encouragement of partnership and cooperation between the two countries; aid for processes of trust and stability in the new European defense structure; direct enforcement of the Macedonian defense structures and contacts for creating a two-year program for concrete cooperation activities between the Defense Ministers of Macedonia and Great Britain.

[03] MEETING KOMRAS - MITREVA

President of the Macedonian Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Policy Ilinka Mitreva met yesterday with the Chief-of-Staff of the US Embassy in Macedonia, Victor Comras. They discussed the political and security situation in the region, directing particular attention to the meaning of the Macedonian-Greek Interim Accord for normalization of relations between the two countries.

Both sides expressed readiness to promote the overall relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the US.

[04] POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR THE NAME?

In an interview with the pro- governmental magazine Ta Nea, Greek Prime Minister Andeas Papandreou stated that the signed agreement in New York between Macedonia and Greece is a good start for normalization of relations between the two countries. He pointed out that there are significant differences regarding the name issue, but voiced hope that a solution for this matter will be found. However, in further negotiations, Greece will retain its 1992 decision not to tolerate any name which includes the name Macedonia or any words derived from that word. Anyhow, Papandreou voices optimism that, with the lifting of the embargo, there will be new economic possibilities for Greece.

Meantime, Greece has sent a memorandum to UN special envoy Syrus Vance protesting against the use of the name "Macedonia" by Skopje, particularly in a series of letters from FYROM President Kiro Gligorov to Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

Press Undersecretary Nikos Athanassakis said that the government had set out Greece's positions to Vance, underlining that a name was being used by Skopje which Athens did not accept. Commenting on an appeal by Papanderou to European leaders not to undertake initiatives such as recognition of FYROM with the name "Macedonia" until the recently signed interim agreement between Greece and FYROM has entered force. Athanassakis said that the implementation of the accord "the handling id very delicate and must not be influenced by any decision of an EU member state".

[05] A PROCLAMATION FOR A MEETING

Makfaks from Athens reports, the so called All Greek Association of Northern Macedonia "Makedonomasi" appealed the citizens of Thessaloniki and Macedonia, and the associations of Macedonians living in Greece, to join the "third greatest meeting in preserving the holy rights".

The proclamation, published in the magazine Elefteros Thipos, calls to become associated against the "planned sale of Macedonia to Skopje's Slavs who came in this region 1000 years after Alexander the Great and Aristotle".

[06] GERMAN PROFESSORS AND JOURNALISTS IN MASA

Macedonian Academy of Science and Art (MASA) held a meeting yesterday with a German delegation including 25 universities professors and journalists. Their visit was organized by the Federal Center for Political Education in Koln. They talked about the economic development, law and democracy in Macedonia. The aim of the visit is to inform the guests with more complete information for Macedonia. They were particularly interested for unemployment, privatization, structural reforms, formation of new private enterprises as well as the gray economy problem.

[07] MACEDONIA INCLUDED IN THE VISAS SYSTEM

Skopje Vecer, citing Router, informs that the European Union yesterday accepted the joined lists of countries, whose citizens will need visa to enter in some of the 15 countries-members of the EU. The lists includes Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

[08] A BIT LATE BUT FORCED STEP

''Readiness of Sofia to sign over 20 bilateral agreements with Skopje in Bulgarian and Macedonian language is a bit late, but forced step", evaluates Sofia magazine Kontinent. The Bulgarian diplomacy, emphasized the magazine, should have made the exception to Macedonia while the Greek embargo was imposed, because now the economy orientation of Skopje may turn in a direction against the Sofia interests. Evaluating as forced the right of Macedonia to determine in what language the bilateral documents be signed, Kontinent expects from Skopje, after the retreat before Athens, to show greater understanding for the Bulgarian standings, too.

[09] ALITI DISSATISFIED WITH THE POSITION OF ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA

A1 TV reported calling of Radio Tirana, that the President of the Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP),Abdurahman Aliti, evaluated the position of the Albanians in Macedonia as unsatisfactory. This was said at the electoral Assembly of the PDP branch in Hamburg, Germany. Aliti asked for greater joined political activity of the Albanian political parties and added that they will not give up the demand of granting the Albanians in Macedonia a status of a constituive people.

Meantime, the coordinator of the parliamentary group PDP, Ismet Ramadani, appealed for greater material and other kind of support for the Tetovo university.

[10] THE EXPORT WILL EXTINGUISH

A1 TV reports, recent poll conducted by the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce among export -import companies in the state, shows that so far realized export is not profitable and in short-term motivated from the wish not to lose the foreign business partner. Unless soon comes to a change of the current macroeconomics conditions, may be expected fast extinguishing of the export - stated Macedonian businessmen. Meantime, for the past eight months compared with the same period last year, the export decreased for 5,4%.

[11] EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS

About 200 children form Center Zupa, Debar, three years already are not included in the legal education system, due to that they have educated themselves in the primary school in Turkish language in illegaly build up buildings. Education Ministry reached a decision they should continue their education in Macedonian or Albanian in the Center Zupa school. But, this year they asked to continue their education in the central primary school in Gorna Zupa, where the teaching is only on Turkish language. With a decision of the School Board of Teachers and permission of the Education Ministry, they were allowed to enter the school. It caused severe reactions in Debar community, local communities of Dolna Zupa, Association for Survival of Macedonians, political parties included in the Alliance for Macedonia, and branch of VMRO-DPMNE. They sent a letter to the highest officials in the state and the Education Ministry which says that the citizens protest against the" most brutal assimilation of Macedonians in this region, which, now when entering 21 century, is conducted in front of us all". Makpress reports, that regarding the activities of the parliamentarian Gazmen Ajderaga, signers considers that he uses threat mechanisms, misusing his position, and used Macedonian children as a direct political instrument for realizing of one aim - losing of Macedonian identity. " At this moment, consider signers of the letter, about 200 children whose mother tongue is Macedonian , are forced to be taught in Turkish, and means for pressure are : threats, murder attempts, child kidnapping, house burning, political and family pressures and lead one into suicide deeds". The letter demands call off the decision of the Gorna Zupa school, conducting of the decision of enrolling all children in the school, and is also demanded a dismissal of the Undersecretary in the Education Ministry as the most responsible for the situation, as well as resignation of the Education Minister Emilija Simoska, unless she take certain steps for including the children in the teaching process in Macedonian language. Unless these demands are not fulfilled, the teaching will be boycotted.

Education Ministry schedule a press conference for today.

[12] SIGNED PROTOCOL BETWEEN MACEDONIAN AND ROMANIAN RED CROSS

Presidents of the Macedonian and Romanian Red Crosses signed yesterday a protocol for cooperation between the two organizations in Ohrid . The agreement will provide closer cooperation and establishment of cooperation between several communities in Macedonia and Romania.

Romanian Ambassador in Macedonia, attended the meeting, announced the possibility for opening an honorary consulate in Ohrid.

[13] TRIPLE MURDER IN COURTROOM

Yesterday, during a legal-property court procedure a triple murder was comitted in Vinica, Eastern Macedonia.

The murder was Mone Andonovski, who after killing the lawyer of the opposite side and both participants in the process, turn to escape. Besides these two, Andovski wounded two more persons, who are not injured critically.

MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT:

[14] INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW NIMITZ (Puls, 22 September) (Part III)

Greek press: You did not answer my question. Let us suppose that Greece and the other side will agree to some name. What will happen after UN accept that. Will other side have a right again to change its name and let's say they call themselves again Macedonia?

Nimitz: I understood international law very well and therefore I was included as a mediator and envoy. Each country can change its name whenever it wants.

Greek press: Does that implies that the negotiations are meaningless?

Nimitz: If Greece wants, it can change its name to US, and we will not say a word about it. Mexico can change its name in Texas or the US can change its name in Canada. The Americans should not be worried because of that and I think that neither you. I think that both countries are trying to solve this question and if they don't, then at least talk about it. We shouldn't worry now what will happen if they reach agreement, and then decide to change it. I think that it is premature to talk about that. There are enough problems we should take care of, and not to worry about something that even does not exist. At least it is my opinion, and such is the American pragmatism.

ET 3 (Greece) : Will the US be diplomatically included in the future phase as well as in negotiations about the name issue?

Nimitz : I don't know the answer to this issue. However, I think that what we did and is our interest is to introduce good relations throughout the Balkans. We have interest in Bosnia, we have long-term interest in Greece, having with it excellent friendship. But, will we be included in the future negotiations, I don't know, not it is up to me to decide.

Puls: I would like to ask you one practical question. All the time there is a talk about the name of the state.

But, what about the name of the nation? Will the Greek side have any objections about that? I ask this from simple reason-if eventually we are allowed to cross the Greek borders will we be forced to fill in some form in which we would have to declare our nationality differently otherwise then Macedonians?

Nimitz : I will read what the agreement says for this and I think it is a good answer : The sides will take certain practical steps, including and regarding the issue of the documents due to normal exchange and trade between them consistent with their proper positions regarding the name of the second side. This does not mean in diplomatic way to say that there are disagreements about the name, but sides will be practical and will try to provide undisturbed moving. I am going to tell you two things.

The first one is referring to the people in " former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia", its name as far as they are concerned is Republic of Macedonia. They determine themselves as Macedonians, this is their position. The Greek position is that the Greek side will not accept the name it contains the word Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia. What is here practical? The practical thing is to settle the matters in such a way, that they will not to be confronted about this issue in their everyday life.

If you want to be instigator or provocative to your neighbor, you will not be successful in realizing the practical relations. Both sides have agreed that they will set up mechanisms to provide traveling, but in a way that it will not be asked Greece to accept the name Macedonia, and on the other hand it will not be asked from the people of that country to do something wrong.

There are examples like this. You know that both Germany were separated. Such problem existed between Israel and its neighbor, and Israelis could not go to Arabian countries before reaching some progression in which they were also included. This is practically solving of the problem. If you like to go to Greece, certainly there is a way to realize that. It is important that people of both sides want to travel, to exchange goods, to work together and they will find practical way to realize that.

Question of a Greek journalist: How great was the role of Mr. Richard Holbrooke in the final realization of the agreement in beginning of September?

Nimitz : I think the Richard helped a lot in making both countries to speed up the process and reach certain conclusions for which it was a high time to get them. I think that it was the base to reach the agreement.

Question : What was the element the Holbrooke helped for?

Nimitz : There are so many elements in this agreement.

If I point out only one element from the agreement it would be unfair and will lead in wrong direction. I think that he played extremely important role speeding up the process, providing it actually, helping to the people to understand, to come to New York where we could have reach the agreement.

Mega TV (Greece) : The agreement does not mentions the names of the both states. However, in the letters FYROM has used the name Republic of Macedonia, while Greece did not use its. Does that implies that the UN recognize the name Republic of Macedonia?

Nimitz : I'm not quite sure that I know what letter you are referring to, but let me explain how I understood that. The UN are addressing to this country as "former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia", but the people of that country while communicating with UN use its constitutional name. That does not implies that the UN recognize their name.

Puls: Very soon we are going to realize with situation where so called Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will apply for a membership in the UN. How in such conditions will be possible situation where at the same time will have state-member which would be former Yugoslav republic?

Nimitz: For instance in UN we have two Congo's.

Puls: Yes, but it is not such case.

Nimitz : You have a reference in the UN but, it is not up to me to comment that, if it function it will function, if not, it will not.

(end)

mils news 26 September '95