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MILS NEWS 10/04/96From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK>Macedonian Information Liaison Service DirectoryCONTENTS[01] GLIGOROV - 'MACEDONIA CAN NOT GIVE UP ITS CONSTITUTIONAL NAME'[02] SIMITIS - 'WIDER AGREEMENT WITH GREECE IN CASE THE NAME ISSUE IS SOLVED'[03] 'ELEFTEROS TIPOS' - ILLUSIONS OF SIMITIS'S GOVERNMENT BROKEN[04] NEW MOVE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS[05] NEW WAY FOR A 'NEW BYZANTIUM'[06] CONTRIBUTION TO THE STABILITY OF THE BALKANS[07] DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE SUCCESSION[08] OPEN ROAD FOR RECOGNITION OF THE MACEDONIAN CHURCH[09] LIBERALS DISSATISFIED WITH THE CHANGES IN THE ACCORD[10] DISCONTENT WITH THE SOLUTIONS FOR THE BORDER AND THE CONTINUITY[11] MACEDONIAN-CZECH DISCUSSIONS ON THE DEFENSE POLICY[12] US SENATE DELEGATION IN MACEDONIA[13] FRCHKOVSKI IN SCANDINAVIA[14] CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SOON IN SKOPJE[15] DISCUSSION ON REFORMING THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN MACEDONIAMILS SUPPLEMENT:[16] ACCORD on Regulating the Relations and Improving the Cooperation Between the Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of YugoslaviaMILS NEWSSkopje, 10 April 1996[01] GLIGOROV - 'MACEDONIA CAN NOT GIVE UP ITS CONSTITUTIONAL NAME''Macedonia can not give up its constitutional name, established in 1944 at the ASNOM Assembly', stated Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov in the interview for Radio Free Europe. As Macedonian media reported, Gligorov said it was impossible to wipe out 50 years of the existence of the country, as it would provoke severe consequences to the stability of Macedonia and the whole region.President Gligorov stressed that the name could not be changed, no matter who rule the country, and said the name dispute with Greece was without precedent in the international practice. Emphasizing that Macedonia was for cooperation with all Balkan countries, President Gligorov said the country was against any kind of Balkan association of political or economy character. 'The idea for Macedonia to be included in an association has no chance to be accepted,' stressed Gligorov in the interview. [02] SIMITIS - 'WIDER AGREEMENT WITH GREECE IN CASE THE NAME ISSUE IS SOLVED'Greek Premier Costas Simitis, at the press conference in the Greek National Club in Washington, stated that Greek- Macedonian relations were gradually improving, in accordance with the New York Interim Accord. The Accord might be replaced with a wider agreement, in case the name dispute is solved, added Simitis.The Greek Premier also interceded for a Conference of the Balkan countries, on which a regional agreement on protection of borders and protection of human rights would be signed. [03] 'ELEFTEROS TIPOS' - ILLUSIONS OF SIMITIS'S GOVERNMENT BROKENA-1 Television reported on the negative comments in yesterday's Greek papers, referring to the mutual recognition of Macedonia and FRY. Dominating titles were: 'Miloshevic Slammed Simitis', 'Hostile Act of Serbs', 'Belgrade Ungrateful to Greece', 'They Danced Us a Serbian 'Kolo', etc. Greek bitterness from the recognition of Macedonia under the constitutional name was mostly stressed in the articles.The press accused the Serbian President Miloshevic of easily forgetting the support he was given by Athens in 'the difficult times'. The comment of 'Elefterotipia' explained the discontent of Athens with the fact that the entity of the Macedonian state from 1945 is mentioned in the Accord. The same entries are there in the Macedonian Constitution Articles, which were disputable for Athens, reads 'Elefterotipia'. The opposition daily 'Elefteros Tipos' understood the move of Belgrade as a national defeat of Greece, by which the illusions of the Simitis's government that the northern neighbour would accept a complex name were broken. The paper stressed that Belgrade had recognized Skopje under direction of the US President Bill Clinton, which was a kind of a notification, before his meeting with Simitis, that he could not make Skopje accept a complex name. [04] NEW MOVE IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANSBelgrade media yesterday commented the normalisation of the relations between Macedonia and FRY, mostly concluding that the last condition for Yugoslavia to be recognized by the EU had been fulfilled, informed Macedonian Television. The Accord was welcomed as a new move in solving the remaining problems on the territory of former Yugoslavia and Balkan region in general. According to 'Tanjug' News Agency, the Yugoslav diplomacy continues to solve by agreements all the open issues with Balkan countries, and especially with those that had appeared 'after the violent secession of some former Yugoslav republics'. The model reached between Skopje and Belgrade was viewed as the best proof for that, says 'Tanjug'.[05] NEW WAY FOR A 'NEW BYZANTIUM'The Bulgarian daily 'Continent' comments that the Accord signed by Macedonia and FRY in Belgrade is a compromise, by which the problem of succession of former Yugoslavia is avoided. The paper estimates the Accord as a disappointment for those politicians who still though that Macedonia could have been included in a federation or a confederation with Serbia and Montenegro. Sofia daily '24 Casa' also sees the Accord as a compromise, i.e. that the using of the constitutional name of Macedonia was a repay of Belgrade to Skopje for its recognizing the continuity of SFRY to new Yugoslavia. The daily 'Trud' says the Accord is an end to the isolation of Belgrade and a new approach to the realisation of the ambitions for a Slav axis with Athens, called 'New Byzantium'. The paper concluded that Athens and Belgrade were dreaming of joining Skopje to the 'New Byzantium' through a trade and economy integration, since the previous attempts for dividing Macedonia had failed.[06] CONTRIBUTION TO THE STABILITY OF THE BALKANSThe establishing of the diplomatic relations between Macedonia and FRY was greeted by Great Britain. A Foreign Office representative said it would be certainly greeted by the EU member countries, adding that it was still uncertain when would the EU-FRY relations be fully normalized, reported 'Beta' agency.The Macedonia-FRY normalisation of the relations was also greeted by yesterday's French press, and Paris daily 'Liberation' stressed that 'Belgrade had left its Greek friend by recognizing Macedonia under the constitutional name'. In return, continued 'Liberation', FRY won a recognition of its political continuity from the former federation, and the succession was left for future. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the Accord was a contribution to the strengthening of the stability of the Balkan and of Europe, adding that Russia supports the normalisation of the relations between the newly formed countries on the territory of former SFRY. The Spokesman of the Chinese government also greeted the recognition between Macedonia and FRY, as they were both friends to China. He also said that the stand of Peking is that all former Yugoslav republics should recognize each other. [07] DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE SUCCESSIONToday's daily 'Dnevnik' informs that the succession part of the Accord was disputable for Belgrade. Namely, Belgrade asked for the formulation ' succession will be resolved by mutual agreement and bilaterally' to be put, but this was rejected by the Macedonian party. 'Dnevnik' says that, according to international law experts, the difference is essential, i.e. succession issues are solved by multi- lateral negotiations when a federation had dissolved, while they are solved by bilateral negotiations in case of secession. The different stands show, according to the daily, the different stands of Skopje and Belgrade on what had happened in former Yugoslavia.[08] OPEN ROAD FOR RECOGNITION OF THE MACEDONIAN CHURCHMetropolitan Petar of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, who is in charge of the negotiations with the Serbian Orthodox Church on mutual recognition issue, stated that with the Accord being signed a step forward had been made in the recognition of the autocephaly of the Macedonian Church.Metropolitan Petar reminded of the statement of the Serbian Patriarch German, that Macedonian Church could be recognized only when Macedonia becomes a sovereign country. [09] LIBERALS DISSATISFIED WITH THE CHANGES IN THE ACCORDRisto Ivanov from the Liberal Party and a former Minister of Economy, informed the public yesterday that the text of the Accord had been prepared in January this year, adding that it was done with a great help and support of many countries and eminent politicians from all over the world.The changes that had been made in the text could, according to Ivanov, only worsen the situation in the Republic and its position in the process of solving the succession issues. [10] DISCONTENT WITH THE SOLUTIONS FOR THE BORDER AND THE CONTINUITYPresident of the Democratic Party Petar Goshev, in his yesterday's statement for the Macedonian media, expressed his discontent with that Article of the Accord by which the issue of the border was left open. He also said the way the continuity issue was formulated left enough room for 'endless quarrels about what belongs to whom, and for it to go on forever'.[11] MACEDONIAN-CZECH DISCUSSIONS ON THE DEFENSE POLICYMacedonian Defense Minister Blagoj Hanjiski after meeting with his Czech counterpart Vilem Hollain, for the Macedonian Radio said that they have discussed the bilateral cooperation in the frames of the 'Partnership for Peace' Programme. The study of NATO on admitting some members of the Programme to the North-Atlantic Alliance was also a subject of discussion. Two Ministers had agreed to meet again on 14 June, during the meeting of NATO and 'Partnership for Peace' members.[12] US SENATE DELEGATION IN MACEDONIAA delegation of the US Senate, led by Senator Thomas Deshli, the leader of the Parliamentary group of Democrats, yesterday was received by the Macedonian Parliament President Tito Petkovski, who informed them about the democratization process in Macedonia, the aspects of the relations with the neighbours and the political situation in the region.The US Senators had visited Tirana previously, when the Albanian President ask from them to increase the pressure on Belgrade in order to start a dialogue with Pristine, as the non-defined status of Kosovo jeopardises the stability and peace in the region. [13] FRCHKOVSKI IN SCANDINAVIAA delegation of the Macedonian Foreign Affairs Ministry, led by Minister Frchkovski, yesterday left for Scandinavia.Officially, the visit aims towards the improvement of the cooperation between Macedonia and Sweden, Denmark and Finland, and to ensure their support for the Macedonian integration in the EU. The future of the UNPREDEP forces in Macedonia will also be discussed. [14] CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SOON IN SKOPJEChinese Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Chien Chi Chen had accepted the invitation of the Macedonia Premier Branko Crvenkovski and will visit Macedonia from 13 to 15 April.[15] DISCUSSION ON REFORMING THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN MACEDONIAMany Macedonian politicians, professors and experts, at the Faculty of Law in Skopje yesterday, discussed the elections models, trying to solve the dilemmas - whether a majority or proportional model would be more acceptable for Macedonia.The opinions were divided almost equally, but everybody agreed that the electoral system of Macedonia needed a basic reforming. The mediator Svetomir Shkaric said the Faculty of Law was ready to propose the necessary regulations. He also informed the participants on the initiative of the Faculty to form a University non- governmental boady for honest, free and democratic elections. Its members would be the professors at the Universities in Skopje and in Bitola. It was also concluded that a government is legitimate if it resulted from legal elections, but it could lose is legitimacy if it did not react effectively to the citizens' requests.The discussion, titled 'Comparative electoral systems', will continue on April 22, in the organization of the OSCE Mission to Macedonia. MILS SUPPLEMENT:[16] ACCORD on Regulating the Relations and Improving the Cooperation Between the Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(translation by MILS)Republic of Macedonia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia('Parties'), Aware of their responsibility for establishing and maintaining the peace and security in the region, Guided by the principles of the UN Charter, the Final Helsinki Act and the Paris Charter, With a desire to promote the good relations between their citizens and nations, With a desire to contribute to the regulation of the mutual relations, Have agreed on the following: Article 1The parties respect themselves as independent countries in the frames of their international borders.Article 2Each party will respect the sovereignty, the territorial integrity and political independence of the other party. The parties confirm that they will solve all the disputes peacefully and will restrain from threats or using force, according to the UN Charter. The parties will make efforts to strengthen the mutual confidence, good will and tolerance, and will cooperate in promoting the peace, good neighbourly relations and stability in the region.The parties will form a mutual diplomatic-expert commission within 30 days from the signing of the Accord. The commission will prepare a draft international agreement, in which the mutual border line will be described textual and marked in the geographic maps, which will be a part of the document. The two parties will after that sign the draft international agreement. Article 3With signing this Accord, the parties are establishing full diplomatic relations on the level of ambassadors.Article 4Having in mind the fact that Serbia and Montenegro had existed as independent states before the new Yugoslavia was formed, and taking into account the fact that Yugoslavia had continued the international-legal subjectivity of these countries, Republic of Macedonia respects the state continuity of FR Yugoslavia.Having in mind the fact that Macedonian people, during the National Liberation War and at the Session of the Anti- Fascist Assembly of the National Liberation War of Macedonia, had decided to organize the Republic of Macedonia as a state and to remain in the frames of the Yugoslav federation; taking into account that Macedonian people, at the referendum in 1991 had decided to organize the Republic of Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state, and respecting the fact that it was done peacefully, FR Yugoslavia respects the state continuity of the Republic of Macedonia. The parties agree to solve their claims regarding the succession of former SFRY by agreement. Article 5The parties will fully protect the rights of the national minorities within their borders, and in accordance with the highest international standards.Article 6The parties will work on the improvement of the road, railways and air transport, as well as of the postal, telephone, telex and other telecommunication connections.The parties will restrain from imposing any kind of people or goods transit bariers between their territories or through the territory of one party to the other. The parties will cooperate in this in accordance with the international law. Article 7In order to strengthen and intensify the economic and trade relations in all fields, including the industry cooperation, the parties will immediately start the negotiations on an accord on economy cooperation and trade, aiming in the developing of the mutually useful economy and trade relations. The parties will solve the properties issue of legal and physical subjects with an agreement on a reciprocal base.Article 8The parties will cooperate in the preserving and protecting the environment and especially in the eliminating of all kinds of pollution across the border. The parties will make efforts to develop and coordinate strategies and programmes in the field of the environment protection. Confirming the importance of these goals, the Parties will immediately start the negotiations on agreement on the cooperation in the field of ecology.The parties will develop and improve the cooperation in the field of health care, and in the prevention of diseases of animals and plants. Article 9The parties will cooperate in the preserving and protecting the objects of cultural heritage, on the basis of the international law principles. The parties will improve the cultural relations, will stimulate and help each other in all kinds of cultural exchange. The parties will immediately start negotiations on an accord on cultural cooperation.The parties will develop and improve the cooperation in the field of sports. Article 10The parties will develop and improve the scientific- technical cooperation, will make the exchange of information for the scientific and technical documentation possible, and will work on the improvement of the mutual access to the scientific and research institutions, archives, libraries and other similar institutions. The parties will, therefore, immediately start negotiations on an accord on a scientific- technical cooperation.Article 11This Accord is printed in 2 (two) original samples, in Macedonian and in Serbian language, both of them equally valid.This Accord is applicable from the day of its signing, and comes into effect immediately after both parties inform each other that it was accepted by their competent bodies through their diplomatic channels. Signed on 8 April 1996, in Belgrade. for Republic of Macedonia for Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Ljubomir Frchkovski Milan Milutinovic (end)mils news 10 april '96 |
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