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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-02-26Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 26 February, 1997[01] SKOPJE PROTESTERS JOINED BY TETOVO STUDENTSCompared to previous demonstrations yesterday's protests of university and secondary school students in Skopje have been of far smaller dimensions as two days ago. According to the organizers, the PF Student Body, this is to be attributed to the schools' head teachers and the police who - it has been pointed out - had looked up the school entrances. Media report that the Ministry of Education informed that instruction had been conducted as usual at all secondary schools and that there had been no abandoning of lessons, except in case of the Electro- Educational Centre of Skopje where four classes had not attended instruction.The usual itinerary taken by the university and secondary school students was once again passed yesterday. The same applies to the familiar requests, aired in front of state institutions. Several hundreds of university and secondary school students who were the most persistent protesters in front of the Macedonian Parliament, were joined by a larger group of (app. 300) secondary school pupils who had walked to Skopje from Tetovo (accompanied by an impressive police escort) - in the afternoon. Prior to this a loudspeaker system had been installed in front of the Parliament, thus that it was possible for several speakers to appeal for patriotism and repeat the requests for the suspension of the PF-Bill, the suspension of the 10% admission quota for minorities on a tertiary education level and for the resignation of Education Minister Sofia Todorova. On this occasion the protest organizers have rejected the accusations of IMRO-DPMNE's links to student demands and the peaceful protests of students. It has also been revealed that protest organizers are to asks for meetings with foreign diplomatic officials in Skopje - whereas the US TV channel CNN has been asked to distrust `our communist sources' and to cover the events in Skopje `for at least seven seconds'. Those assembled yesterday were also addressed by author Radovan Pavlovski who expressed his heartfelt support. Statements of similar contents - sent by numerous institutions, including the MAAK-CP party - have also been read. Nationalist slogans did - again - not emerge yesterday, and new shellings of the Parliament building, the Ministry and the Government with different things did not occur either. Demonstrations in front of the Parliament in Skopje continued until the late afternoon hours, against the backdrop of patriotic songs and a rock concert. A short press conference has also been staged by representatives of the PF Student Body, who announced that protests would continue until their demands had been fulfilled. Media report that demonstrations by secondary school pupils have also been taking place at Tetovo, Gostivar, Ohrid, Strumica and Sveti Nikole yesterday - without the occurrence of any incidents. According to `Vecher' an incident nevertheless occurred near Skopje (at Saraj) when a group of app. 20 secondary school pupils who were on their way to Skopje, have been attacked at a filling station by a group of around Albanians who were exclaiming `Albania, Albania...' All this resulted in the injuring of a Macedonian girl, though the incident did not escalate fortunately. [02] SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS' REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED BY KIRO GLIGOROVA delegation of the Association of Secondary School Pupils and the Youth Council were received by President Kiro Gligorov yesterday afternoon. According to the statement given by the Head of the President's cabinet, the several- hour-long talks went by in an extremely open and constructive atmosphere, in which President Gligorov was familiarised with the views of the delegation on current social conditions surrounding the youth of Macedonia, as well as on current protests linked to the PF-Bill. The delegation of secondary school pupils have also expressed their worries with respect to unresolved social and economic issues affecting young people, the structuring of their spare time and problems connected to tertiary education (particularly as regards admission quotas for minorities into higher education institutions) - and the furthering of inter-ethnic relations in the Republic of Macedonia.According to official sources President Gligorov expressed his gratitude for the obtained detailed information and aired views, in addition to emphasising that the problems confronting young people - particularly in terms of education and the structuring of spare time - require a far more serious approach to be implemented in the country. It is further inevitable to increase the impact of young people upon society within their organisations and associations, especially on issues affecting them directly. Gligorov also underlined that such matters should be addressed through democratic means. The meeting of the pupils' association and Youth Council delegation with President Gligorov has also been assessed by the Chairman of the Association of Secondary School Pupils for MTV. He expressed the overall content of the delegation with the understanding exhibited by the President. The meeting also focused on the demands aired by university and secondary school students with respect to the PF-Bill regulating the use of languages during instruction and in connection to the enactment of the Law on Tertiary Education - the association's Chairman said, adding that they distanced themselves from offensive and nationalist slogans and signs common during the initial stages of the protests. It was also stressed that no political party had been standing behind the demonstrations staged by university and secondary school students. [03] IMRO-DPMNE: `USURPED GOVERNMENT POSITION SHAKEN'`The era when communist methods and manners of one's identification with power (i.e. the identification of the incumbent party with the state) prevailed, is not over yet. The students' endeavours, the peaceful and dignified manifestation of the discontent of the Macedonian youth, were subjected to the attempt to redirect their actual purpose - with the aid of pro-governmental media and the infiltration of groups an individuals acting as `provocateurs' - and present events as the destabilisation of the state and the rekindling of inter-ethnic tensions.This is merely one more proof of the usurped government position. ` This, among other things, is part of the press statement issued by the IMRO-DPMNE yesterday - upon the most recent speech addressed to the public by PM Branko Crvenkovski. In this statement the IMRO-DPMNE further condemns the openly expressed threats by Branko Crvenkovski to the organizers of these peaceful protests and various HQs, as scenarios and phases existent in his mind only - but concordant to the old verified method of communist ruling: the continuous conjecturing of public enemies.' The IMRO-DPMNE has once again most responsively stated that it has not participated in the organisation of student protests - though it is fully supporting the latter, and intends to closely monitor the attitude exhibited by the state and its structures towards the young, who are demonstrating against the policy of partially resolving all issues and against the violation of the Constitution - in a non-violent and dignified manner. [04] MAAK-CP: `PROTESTS AGAINST HOPELESSNESS'The MAAK-CP fully accepts the peaceful protests staged by university and secondary school students, in order to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, as a protest against hopelessness, against the imposed future of migrating to New Zealand or Australia and against the catastrophic condition the country is in. Due to this, the MAAK-CP press release states, the party is encouraging all university and secondary school students to completely boycott instruction. All parents have also been asked to join the protests, and the police has been requested to cease besieging secondary schools. The OCM has been asked to render its unconditional and complete support to the requests of the young, and the members of all opposition parties have been requested to join demonstrations as well.[05] OPTIMISTIC ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF BRUSSELS DONORS' CONFERENCEThe Donors' Conference for Macedonia, which has commenced in Brussels yesterday, has acquired promising dimensions i.e. the possibility of procuring 87 million dollars which would cover the country's deficit as regards the payment balance towards the international community - A-1 TV reported in their coverage from Belgium's capital. The first day of the three-day Conference at which Macedonia is being represented by Vice- President Jane Miljoski, has been marked by favourable views addressed to Macedonia (mainly by representatives of the 24 most developed countries), on the way reform difficulties have been handled in a particularly problematic period and geographic environment. According to representatives of the World Bank (one of the organizers of this Conference, with the European Commission) Macedonia has succeeded in transcending the decrease of economic activity, and throughout the subsequent years the country may expect a realistic growth of the GDP by 5% per annum.A-1 TV reports that at the first day of the Conference, the USA have announced their intention to support Macedonia by rendering their assistance - at the same time appealing to other countries to participate in this undertaking which is to be conducive to stability and overall perspectives in the entire region. In this context one should mention Japan's announcement to contribute 5 million dollars, the Netherlands' contribution of app. 2 million dollars - and the possible donations by Sweden and Great Britain. It is, however, also being reported that the majority of G-24 member-states refer to the package compiled by the EU Financial Council. The concrete height of contributions is to be discussed today, while Macedonian diplomatic circles estimate that these should total up to 70 million dollars. [06] ITALIAN PRESIDENT OSCAR LUIGI SCALFARO IN MACEDONIAToday the President of the Republic of Italy - Oscar Luigi Scalfaro - is arriving in Macedonia on a one-day official visit. During the latter he is to meet with his Macedonian counterpart Kiro Gligorov and to deliver a speech at the Macedonian Parliament. President Scalfaro is being accompanied by a delegation of 15 members, as a series of bilateral treaties are to be signed, such as: the agreement on investment protection, on suspending entrance visas for diplomatic and service passports, on the extradition of Macedonian nationals with unregulated citizenship status as well as on recognising Macedonian driver's licenses in Italy.[07] FRCHKOVSKI VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN INCENTIVE TO ESPECIALLY FURTHER ECONOMIC RELATIONSThe Head of Macedonian diplomacy Ljubomir Frchkovski, who is currently on a two-day visit in Great Britain, has been received by his British counterpart Malcolm Rifkind yesterday. BBC informed (during its Macedonian- language broadcast) that talks focused on bilateral relations, on conditions in the region and on economic cooperation among Great Britain, the EU and Macedonia. The British Foreign Office has assessed the meeting as warm-hearted and constructive, whereas the Head of Macedonian diplomacy had left the impression of an extremely friendly person.Macedonia is maintaining excellent economic relations with several EU countries - which unfortunately did not apply in the case of cooperation with Great Britain... Minister Frchkovski is reported to have stressed, adding that it was high time to change this. According to BBC Minister Frchkovski has further pointed out that the visa regime between Great Britain and Macedonia should be regulated, an issue which is already being addressed as regards several other EU countries - as this should be a significant step forwards in developing business communications. Upon discussing the regional situation with his British counterpart, the latter emphasised that contrary to forecasts Macedonia had succeeded in weathering the past and present events occurring in the Balkans. He also committed himself to intensifying bilateral relations - especially with respect to the economic cooperation between both countries. [08] 167 MILLION DM GATHERED VIA PRIVATISATION SO FAR`Nova Makedonija' reports (upon quoting data released by the Privatisation Agency) that concordant to the enacted Law on Privatisation the overall amount of 167 million DM in revenues had been generated by the selling of companies in Macedonia so far. It is also being revealed that app.64% of these funds (i.e. 107 million DM) have been gathered throughout 1996 - upon the maturation of the first installments. Of this overall sum 78% represent funds obtained directly through the selling of companies, whereas 22% have been forwarded concordant to required charges (tax and charges on shares purchased according to the old federal legislation). Out of 167 million DM, 60.37% embody funds of the so-called `frozen assets' of hard currency deposits in banks - while 26.63% represent bonds issued concordant to the Amendments made to the Law on Sanation and Reconstruction, affecting a part of the banking system. `Nova Makedonija' states that so far only 13% (22 million DM) of all transactions within privatisation procedures have been conducted in cash. Thus the overall dues towards bank clients in possession of `frozen' hard currency assets have been reduced by 101 million DM. The same applies to obligations of the state towards banks (based on issued bonds) i.e. the National Budget, which have been decreased by 44.5 million DM. As far as international investments are concerned, which have been made during the privatisation process, they amount to 44 million DM so far. These funds have been invested into 12 Macedonian companies where the international partners have acquired the majority control (of 51%) in shares. All international investments so far have been exclusively concentrating on the economic sector; first and foremost on the textile, shoe manufacturing and tobacco industry, on gypsum production and transport and trade. The list of investors is so far being headed by the Austrian company `Knauf', which has invested 6.6 million DM into Debar- based `Radika'. [09] CRIMINAL AND TORT CHARGES FILED AGAINST `PELAGONIJA' TRESPASSERSIn response to the unfortunate events occurring at the premises of the `Pelagonija' construction contractor two days ago, the Head of the company Stockholders' Board has staged a press conference in order to inform the public of the fact that criminal charges are to be pressed against the group of trespassers. It has also been said that the majority of the new company management had attended informatory talks at the police, after which they had been at liberty to go home.In addition to this media report that all `Pelagonija' employees resumed work yesterday, while demolished premises were being refurbished. The new company management is also maintaining intense contacts with state authorities as regards the forwarding of withheld pay and social service charges, thus it is being expected to commence disbursement for December `96 today. The Macedonian Ministry of the Interior has informed yesterday that tort charges have been filed against 17 individuals involved in the fighting at `Pelagonija' premises two days ago. Additional data states that those apprehended then, have been released whereas their cases had been forwarded to the Magistrate's Court. The Skopje Trauma Centre informed that one of the four more seriously injured had been released home - whereas the remaining three (including former director Ivan Dichev) have been retained for treatment. [10] `ALFA-S' CLIENTS FILE COLLECTIVE SUIT AGAINST `NBM'The Council of deceived `ALFA-S' bank clients has filed charges against the NBM about ten days ago. It has also been decided to demand an explication by NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski on his work, according yesterday's press conference.Charges against the NBM have been filed by deceived clients as they have not been timely informed of the imposed sanction on banking activities (dating back to 7th December `96), or of the contested registration of the bank itself. Victims have also stressed that they would cease demonstrations in front of the Parliament as soon as restitution of their funds had been completed. [11] MINORITY PERCENTAGES, MUNICIPAL SEALS AND OFFICIAL LANGUAGESAt its most recent session the members of the Centar Zhupa Municipal Council have enacted their Statute and decided that municipal seals should be available in Turkish and in Macedonian - `Vecher' reports. This decision is being justified by the implementation of legal provisions on minority percentages.`Makpress' informs that the Municipal Council of Debar has decided (at its latest session) that as of now only two languages will have the status of official administrative languages (compared to the three in use so far). Based on the above mentioned provisions these will be Albanian and Macedonian - whereas the use of Turkish is to be abandoned on this level as the percentage of this ethnicity at the Debar municipality has dropped below 20%. MILS SUPPLEMENT[12] `A Measure to Be Followed Closely'(`Vecher' - 25th February 1997)The Democratic Party of Turks has decided during its last party congress to design a flag for the Turkish minority in Macedonia. The commission which is to be concerned with this issue has been established, and soon there is to be an open competition for concepts of the flag. The entire procedure is to be completed by the end of this year. This decision, passed in October, became a burning issue these days once DPT counsellors reacted to the decision of the Gostivar Municipal Council to exhibit the Albanian and Turkish flag - next to the Macedonian one - in front of the municipality building. The Turkish ethnicity does not agree with the exhibiting of the Turkish flag, which has been confirmed by the voting of DPT counsellors. This issues is being handled in this manner as there are no legal provisions to serve as a guideline (unlike Turkey where the use of the national flag is strictly determined), and the Gostivar Municipal Council does not fit any existing pattern. Concordant to Turkish legislation on the use of the national flag, the latter may be used abroad only in front of a diplomatic mission - or to mark the participation of Turkish representatives at international sports competitions or cultural manifestations. DPT Chairman Erdogan Sarach explained that Turkish legislation is so precise and thorough, that it even codifies of what fabric the national flag is to be made. `Exactly due to this reason, the diplomatic representatives of Turkey - in fear of abuse of degradation of their national symbol - have made us aware of possible consequences entailed by the decision of the Gostivar Municipal Council. As regards our own flag, we have already submitted our proposals which, I believe, will be accepted once all members of the Turkish ethnicity in the country have aired their views on this subject- matter. I can only say that the flag will not differ too greatly from the national flag of Turkey, i.e. the star will be altered by elements typical of the Macedonian region', Sarach stated. What is being said by this, in any case, constructive initiative by other political parties? Particularly at this moment of time, when there is no sufficient legislation, there are many instance where flags are inappropriately used: flags of other states are being used as symbols of certain ethnicities, the Macedonian national flag is not being used when it should - or if it is used, it is quite often smaller than those denoting the ethnicities i.e. other states. LP Secretary Aco Kocevski does not think that it would be a problem for ethnicities to possess their own flags - but that it should however by strictly regulated by a qualitatively new act of law. Especially after having witnessed a series of cases where the national flag had been abused and the anthems of certain parliament factions have been played - as the latter consider the Albanian national flag and anthem not only as symbols of the Republic of Albania but of all Albanians. This results in the coarse violation of certain legal provisions. `Therefore I advocate the view that we are yet to establish a cult towards the national flag, the national seal and the national anthem - in order to commence feeling like Macedonian nationals, first and foremost, and then like Macedonians, Albanians, Turks', Kocevski stated. The Turkish initiative is also being welcomed by DPM leader Tomislav Stojanovski - Bombay who mentioned that decisions of this character should not be brought on too hastily, or be biased by emotions and pressure... and most importantly they should be codified by law. `I am in favour of a long-term solution which will not depend on the wishes of local decision-makers or the strength of political parties at the local government level - as has been the case at Gostivar. What has been going on there is an evident political provocation in my opinion, abundant in negative implications'. According to the Social-Democrats this endeavour by the DPT is a good example of how members of different ethnicities should think prior to exhibiting such symbols. In the opinion of SDSM Secretary Ljubomir Popovski it is most important that the entire subject-matter is codified within a law on the use of national flags in Macedonia. `The DPT initiative may be assessed positively as it embodies a giant step forwards with respect to what is currently going on in terms of exhibiting foreign national flags', Popovski said. (end)mils news 26 February 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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