MILS NEWS 19/03/96

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 19 March 1996

[01] ITALIAN SUPPORT FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH THE EU

She said the EU regional approach understands financing of former Yugoslav republics, including the countries which remained out of the war conflict, such as Albania and Macedonia. That approach also understands a peace process for the whole Balkan region.

During her talks with the Premier Branko Crvenkovski and the Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski, Agnelli expressed her satisfaction from the fact that Italy is the first trade partner of Macedonia and discussed the ways for further development of cooperation between the two countries.

[02] GLIGOROV - 'NEW YUGOSLAV ASSOCIATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE'

[03] INFORMING ON THE SITUATION OF ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA

Gunter Ferhoigen also talked with the leader of the parliamentary group of PDP, Ismet Ramadani, who informed the guest on the participation of the Albanians in the Macedonian government. Ramadani said there was a great suspicion between Macedonians and Albanians, and stressed the request for the 'Tetovo university' to be legalised.

According to him, Albanians can not pass the qualification exams at the present faculties because they were conducted in Macedonian language. He added, Albanians in Macedonia are in dissadvantage because they take lessons in Albanian language in the primary and secondary schools. Mr.

Ferhoigen said the situation had been similar to the one in South African Republic during the period of apartheid, when the black people had to learn three languages. It was also said that PDP sees the solution for the Kosovo issue, only by means of preventive diplomacy and dialogue with the Serbs.

[04] READINESS FOR A GREATER COOPERATION BETWEEN NORWAY AND MACEDONIA

The Norwegian delegation also met with the President of the Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Ilinka Mitreva.

Norwegian President of the Parliament Kolengrendl, after the meetings, said he was impressed by the fact that Macedonia had become independent thanks to the development of the democratic system in the country, a country in a very delicate and restless region. She also said Norway was ready to improve the cooperation with Macedonia in all fields.

[05] OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF MILOSHEVIC'S VISIT TO SKOPJE

According to Shiradovic, the meeting of the two Presidents, which would take place this week in Skopje, will be an impulse for raising the relations on a higher level.

FR Yugoslav Trade Minister also said there were no disputes between FRY and Macedonia.

The statement of Shiradovic was in fact, the first FRY official notification of Miloshevic's visit to Skopje.

[06] ATHENS WORRIED ABOUT THE MEETING GLIGOROV-MILOSHEVIC

The left wing daily 'Elefterotipia' did not exclude the possibility for Serbian President Miloshevic to declare the reaching of the agreement on mutual recognition, despite 'the claims of the Skopje media that he would come to discuss some differences regarding the Agreement'.

Athens media also informed yesterday that Macedonian Foreign Minster Frchkovski will go to Belgrade on Thursday to sign the Agreement.

There were also reactions regarding the accepting of the invitation of Pangalos by Frchkovski to visit Athens.

PASOK Secretary General Costas Candalidis said the meeting of the two Foreign Ministers would give new chances for a cooperation. The nationalistic leader Andonis Samaras, on the other hand, accused PASOK and the opposition party New Democracy of leading a secret diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the Greek daily 'Elefterotipia' issued the results from a public pooling amongst the most influential parties in Athens. 48% of those questioned said the best solution for the name issue would be a complex name with the word 'Macedonia' as an adjective or a geographical entry. 37% said the word 'Macedonia' should be excluded from the name, and 11% thought a double name would be the best solution.

[07] GREEK BUSINESSMEN IN MACEDONIA

Taking part in the delegation, which is headed by SEBE and Piraeus Port Authority President Apostolos Yenitsaris, are representatives of about 60 enterprises and cooperative unions, as well as representatives of the Professional Chamber of Greece, the federation of agricultural organisations of Greece PASEGES, the Ionian Bank and the SEBE administration.

During the visit, the members of the mission will meet with Macedonian businessmen and government officials with the aim of advancing cooperation.

The Greek businessmen will also be briefed on the economic framework in Macedonia and investment opportunities.

[08] WORLD BANK DELEGATION IN MACEDONIA

[09] US VISAS AVAILABLE IN MACEDONIA

The US Embassy in Skopje will be officially opened on March 23, and the celebration will be attended by the US representative in the UN, Ambassador Madleine Albright.

[10] LAW ON CIVIL INITIATIVES

The Government also determined the draft Law on Transformation of the Social Capital in Agricultural Enterprises. The Law suggests large and medium enterprises to be transformed into shareholding companies, while small enterprises to be transformed into companies with limited responsibility.

The government also decided to prohibit the import of buses starting from April 1 this year, thus protecting the domestic production.

[11] LIBERALS REQUIRE RELEASING OF THE PARLIAMENT

According to the Constitution, at least 61 deputies should vote for in order to consider the decision accepted.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] Macedonians Should Not Be Frightened by The Albanian Requests

('Fokus', 15 March 1996; Interview with Ibrahim Rugova, leader of Albanians in Kosovo)

Speculations appeared recently that you have asked from him to mediate the negotiations you would have with official Belgrade. What, in fact, did you talk about?

That were regular contacts which had started in 1992. The last meeting with Mr. Gligorov was the first one after the assassination attempt on him, which he, fortunately, survived. I am especially glad that his condition is well now.

We thought Macedonia could play an important role in the international institutions for the issue of Kosovo, as it is already a member of many European and international organisations. We think we should maintain the good relations, despite the new border we have today. I hope the economy relations will be improved in future, but now it is very important that we have good political contacts.

Q: Does that mean that you did not discuss the mediating?

You know that Macedonia had expressed its worries about the situation in Kosovo, as we are regionally connected.

We must have a positive attitude towards problems that have appeared in this part of the Balkan and to contribute to its stability.

Q: The relations between Macedonia and Kosovo is mostly based on what is called 'Albanian issue on the Balkans', or, more precisely, the Macedonian-Albanian relations inside Macedonia. Former Internal Affairs Minister Frchkovski once said that Macedonia had helped a lot to some people from Kosovo who were not safe there: members of the Province Parliament, intellectuals, journalists.

... After that the relations had become colder, the previously accepted were expelled and questioned by the police. Are things improving after the last meeting?

Things have improved earlier than that. I had already expressed my gratitude for the understanding. Our relations are developing in the direction of new contacts and ways. They must not be ruined because of some things that might happen.

Q: How did you feel about the people who were expelled ...

Look, that's past now. I did react publicly at the time and I would not like to talk about it. It might not look logically to you, but we have to improve the things.

Q: What is your stand regarding the status of the Albanians in Macedonia?

The public is familiar with the stand of the Albanian Parties from Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and southern Serbia. We have a consensus on the independence of Kosovo, and I add - for neutral position of Kosovo between Albania and Serbia, with guaranteed safety of the Serbs in Kosovo.

For the Albanians in Macedonia we require to be given the status of a state forming nation, while for those in Montenegro to be given autonomy or self-governing. And we are working on that project. We did not go for the thesis 'all Albanians in one state'. We respected certain principles present in former Yugoslavia; we did not ask for borders to be changed, as Kosovo was then a part of the former federation, susceptible to the right of veto, as were Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia itself. But I see a progress in the status of Albanians in Macedonia.

They had never before had their own political structures, organisations. They have established their parties and associations since 1990, and time is needed to obtain a political culture. After everything that has happened in PDP I think things are improving. There is, of course, another combination - radicalisation of Albanians which could be a contribution for Serbia, which attitude is against improving the relations between the two big communities. I think the participation of Albanians in the Parliament and in the Government is a constructive move in that direction.

Q: In an interview for 'Flaka' you recommended to the Albanian structures in Macedonia to remain in the institutions of the system, despite the public statements of PDP, i.e. of Mr. Allitti, about leaving them?

It was happening before the New Year. I suggested that so that they see better what they can gain and what they can lose with such a decision.

Q: Mr. Arben Jafferri in his last interview for our paper said the Albanians have gone further than their determination for a state forming nation in Macedonia ...?

I do not think so, but I know the aim will be reached step by step. It is simply necessary to participate in the Parliament and in the Government, to be there and to work on it.

Q: Do you feel the official Macedonian structures would welcome that?

Yes, I think they would. It would, certainly, happen simultaneously with the work on the realisation of the governmental structures and with the realisation of certain requests. An active attitude for this issue is necessary.

Q: On which concrete moves of the Macedonian government are these stands of yours based?

That is my optimism based on the joint participation in the Parliament and in the Government, as well as on the positive pressure of Albanian parties in that direction.

Q: You are still an optimist after Radolishta, Bit Pazar, Mala Rechica?

Well, I hope such things will not happen again and that the relations in future will be different. I do not, of course, close the way for the criticism, not only to Mr. Jafferri, but to other parties also, who claim that nothing is being done in Kosovo. I consider that is a normal democratic practice. But, I have to add, it is one thing to criticise, and another to create, to work, to organise.

Q: Did you and President Gligorov discuss the relations inside Macedonia?

We paid more attention to the relations between Macedonia and Kosovo. The issue of Kosovo is now very important, not only for our bilateral relations, but for the Balkans in general.

Q: There were some speculations that it was asked from you to calm the Albanian political parties and to convince them to remain in the Government, and to make pressure to the others not to radicalise the situation?

That was not required, but we have to develop those relations. There is an endless number of such stories about making a pressure, including the Albanians in Macedonia, but I find it normal in the politics.

Q: There is an impression that the Coordination Committee functioned better at the time of former Yugoslavia; the contacts were more regular, agreements were made about certain principles, a general political strategy was created?

I think the document created in 1991 was of greatest importance: it was about the three options, one of them being the most realistic one - an independent Kosovo. It is important because the peace in Kosovo will bring a peace to the whole region and thing will improve. The situation in Macedonia, Montenegro and southern Serbia requires constant meetings of all Albanian political parties, and exchanging information ... We have to get used to the new democratic methods.

Q: The three most numerous Albanian parties in Macedonia had sent a letter to Mr. Clinton, in which they asked for a global solution for the Albanian issue, i.e. not only in Kosovo. Was that a result of a mutual coordination?

Yes, it was. But it was also a result of some documents we created together. So, generally speaking, it makes sense.

To solve the Kosovo issue and that of Albanians in Macedonia ... I repeat, it does not mean to join all the Albanians in one country, as it is often interpreted. It is a remaining of the old accusations that we had cooperated after the First and Second World War to establish a national centre.

Q: Estimations that Macedonia is 'Kosovising' appear often. A patron in Pristine or in Tirana is needed for all requirements of the Macedonian Albanians. What do you think about that?

I disagree with that attitude which is present in the press. People's struggle to obtain their rights and to be present in the political life and in the institutions is not a 'Kosovisation'.

Q: What has changed in Kosovo after the Dayton Accord?

I find it positive that Kosovo is becoming one of the main issues the US and the European political institutions are dealing with. The opening of the US Centre in Pristine is a concrete move, such as the notified presence of the EU and of other European countries, which is of great importance for the presence of the international community, which would help for the issue to be solved.

That is necessary to realise the concrete situation in Kosovo, as foreigners were not present there since 1993.

There were no diplomats, no journalists, no information.

The US attitude is that Kosovo is the next big issue after Dayton.

Q: Do you think Kosovo is closer to its independence? And what is your understanding of the statement of Mr. Berisha that the crisis in Kosovo should be solved within its borders?

It is definitely closer. Six or seven years ago we had to explain where Kosovo was. Than the tragic happenings in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia followed. Now everybody knows about Kosovo and about its problem; the political will of the Albanian people is being taken into account. After five years of violence and occupation, the new reality of Kosovo shows that people there have an independent economy and education life. Albanians are united in every aspect.

Kosovo is now considered a significant factor for the stability, which is our contribution. We have proved the people in Kosovo, the Albanians, are not a de-stabilizing factor in the Balkans. That is highly appreciated, as well as the new philosophy which was difficult to be established in this region where everybody lives in the past. People in Kosovo certainly find it difficult to live with that insecurity. Six years ago we were left on the street, both economically and professionally. It can still happen. It is not something I am afraid of, I just have to anticipate that as a President of Kosovo, to keep it in mind, although, generally speaking, I think the situation is much better now.

(to be continued)

mils news 19 March 1996