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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-03-12Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 12 March, 1997[01] PROFOUND `EU' WORRY DUE TO INCREASED INTER-ETHNIC TENSIONS IN MACEDONIAPM Branko Crvenkovski has received the Ambassadors Tony Milson (Great Britain), Jacques Huntzinger (France) and Alexandros Mallias (Head of the Greek Liaison Office) - as representatives of the European Union - upon their request yesterday. The Macedonian Radio reported that the diplomatic representatives have forwarded a EU Declaration to the PM, which refers to current conditions in the Republic of Macedonia: `...The EU expresses its profound concern as regards the university and secondary school students manifestations in the Republic of Macedonia, which entailed the emerging of anti-ethnic slogans in the streets of Skopje and Tetovo. The EU is aware of the difficulties confronting the country undergoing a transformation towards market economy and a pluralistic multi-cultural society. The extent to which the EU is supporting this transition process in the Republic of Macedonia has been proven quite recently during the `G - 24' Consultative Meeting, held on 25th and 26th last month. A stable and prosperous state is not only in the interest of the population of the Republic of Macedonia, but also of vital significance to the regional stability in general. The EU endorses the appeal made by the Macedonian PM to the Macedonian public to persist working on the strengthening of mutual trust and respect. The EU invites all political factors in the Republic of Macedonia to work jointly on finding a non-violent and democratic way to address the still present problems.'In this declaration the EU is reminding of commitments made within the OSCE and the Council of Europe as regards the respecting of ethnic and national minorities, as it is the key prerequisite to national stability and the development of good neighbourliness. Towards the close of the document the EU once again confirms its support for the Republic of Macedonia with respect to preserving internal national and political stability throughout this difficult stage of transition towards a civic society and a market economy. At the meeting PM Branko Crvenkovski acquainted the EU representatives with the fact that a parliamentary session has already been scheduled, as well as that the session is to be attended by parties not represented in the Parliament, by representatives of the PF Student Body and of the hunger strike Organisation Board. [02] PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON INTER-ETHNIC RELATIONS DUE TODAYAs it is already known, Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski has scheduled the 63rd Parliamentary Session for today. The event is to focus on methods and forms to further inter-ethnic relations within the legal framework provided by the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, and within the institutions of the system. To this purpose the introductory address is to be delivered by a member of the Macedonian Government. The list of those invited to attend the session include the leaders of parties not represented in the Parliament of Macedonia (the IMRO-DPMNE and the DP) as well as representatives of the student protest Organisation Board and the participants of the hunger strike. Media report that the announced session may also focus on current events connected to the `TAT' savings house, or on the medicine procurement issue (as it has been exploited considerably by the press recently).According to `Vecher' it may well be that PM Branko Crvenkovski offers a reconstruction of the Government, i.e. the suspending of five SDSM ministers who are part of the `professorial block' (holders of a public office and university readers at the same time). For now it is certain that the Organisation Board of student protests and the hunger strike will attend today's Parliamentary session. Media report, however, that the largest opposition party in Macedonia - the IMRO-DPMNE - replied that it would not follow the invitation as it continues to consider this Parliament an illegitimate institution, constituted as a result of manipulated elections. The DP has not given any statement as regards this subject so far. The LP faction has addressed Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski yesterday, emphasising that his scheduling of the 63rd session is contrary to statutory procedures, as the Government has not submitted an agenda as the LP had requested. In this way, in the opinion of the LP, Petkovski adhered to the tradition to continuously besmear the reputation of the Parliament and subject it to the control of the Government. [03] MINISTER FRCHKOVSKI: `DELAY UNPREDEP WITHDRAWAL'It has already been reported that the Macedonian Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski has forwarded a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in which he asks Annan to inform the Security Council of Macedonia's urgent request to suspend the withdrawal of UNPREDEP troops. In this letter Minister Frchkovski expresses the concern of the Government with respect to the additional decreasing of the overall regional condition, stressing above all that one should bear in mind the possible escalation of the crisis in neighbouring Albania. This option and the entailed flood of refugees could seriously endanger the security situation in the immediate neighbourhood. Ergo the recently commenced process of withdrawal of the UNPREDEP military component of several observation posts on the border appears to have taken place at the least favourable of moments - Minister Frchkovski stresses.According to the latter these latest events are complementing the still vulnerable security situation in the region, and it could very easily happen that all of them connect and transcend their present scope. [04] MINISTER HANDZHISKI: `ALBANIA MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DESTABILISE MACEDONIA'`Macedonia as a sovereign and independent state must not allow the unrest in Albania to have a negative impact upon peace and stability in the country and the entire region', stated Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski in an interview for Greek paper `Eskoussia'. `Makfax' reports that on this occasion Handzhiski stressed that his ministry did not possess data confirming that citizens of the Republic of Macedonia of Albanian ethnic affiliation took part in the unrests in South Albania, in spite of the fact that certain political parties do support President Berisha in order to stabilise the situation. During the interview Minister Handzhiski also expressed the wish of Macedonia to be included into a possible initiative of neighbouring countries to address current problems jointly.[05] HEALTH CONDITION OF HUNGER STRIKE PARTICIPANTS DETERIORATINGOn day 25 since the beginning of student protests - and day 8 of the hunger strike at the `Zhena-borec' park in Skopje - the health condition of around 20 students has begun to deteriorate gradually, and four of them have been asked to suspend the hunger strike in view of possible dangers. In this context media report students were visited by representatives of several parties, of the University and of UNPREDEP - who all asked them to stop the hunger strike.The procession of students, high school pupils and citizens took the usual itinerary yesterday - from the Government to the Parliament and back again. The participants of the hunger strike informed that so far the petition in support of their demands had been signed by over 40 000 citizens, as well as that representatives of the Organisation Board will attend today's Parliamentary Session, whereas two members would be present at today's debate of the PF-Bill at the Constitutional Court. [06] UNIVERSITY ASKS STUDENTS TO SUSPEND HUNGER STRIKEThe students taking part in the hunger strike at `Zhena- borec' park have been visited by two Pro-Rectors of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University yesterday, who have forwarded an appeal by the University to stop the hunger strike in order to preserve their lives and their health.At the same time it has once again been stressed that the University has once again aired its views and insisted on the speedy enactment of the Law on Tertiary Education - as it would provide a legal framework and the unobstructed functioning of the University, in addition to the integral solving of problems in the higher education sector. [07] IMRO-DPMNE LEADER: `TIME HAS MATURED FOR TALKS OF A DIFFERENT KIND WITH THE SDSM'The IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski - joined by Executive Committee members of the party and several mayors and city council members of this party - have expressed their support for the participants of the hunger strike during their visit paid to the latter yesterday, assessing that the past eight days (i.e. the duration of the hunger strike) have made it evident enough that they are determined not to give up their claims.`Their health should not be put at risk because the Government does not understand the language of their protest. Talks with this Government will obviously have to assume a different dimension, another linguistic register. I think that the time for this has matured in the Republic of Macedonia', stated IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski during his meeting the students. On this occasion Georgievski further underlined that mass demonstrations should be continued, while the hunger strike should be suspended - indicating that the IMRO- DPMNE seriously considered announcing a general strike due to the economic and social chaos caused by the SDSM Government. [08] `TAT' CLIENTS DEMAND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF `NBM' GOVERNOURFollowing the meeting of `TAT' bank clients of Bitola with NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski two days ago, the former have not only demanded his irrevocable resignation - but also his criminal prosecution. Media report that tensions had increased even further after the meeting, and that large groups of deceived clients have simply besieged the `TAT' premises. It has been warned several times that the case may get out of control and escalate into unpredictable proportions - particularly if the ultimate requests of clients are not addressed. This has been concluded one more time at the gathering of app. 2 000 clients at the sports hall in Bitola. MTV reports that this gathering had gone by in an extremely tensed atmosphere. Clients have also requested that `TAT' bank owner Sonja Nikolovska (in police custody at the moment) be allowed to participate in the inspection of her bank, in order to complete the investigation faster. `Nova Makedonija' reports in today's edition that the bank owner and director Sonja Nikolovska forged papers (i.e. the section denying criminal charges) which enabled her to become a bank director - in spite of the fact that she has been convicted of embezzlement as a teller at the `JIK' Bank in Bitola, but acquitted due to pregnancy.Based on a statement given by NBM Vice-Governour Tome Nenovski (of whom it was said that he submitted his resignation) for today's edition of `Nova Makedonija', he is still fulfilling his duties at the NBM - though he intends to submit his resignation soon as he considers that the entire affair cannot be handled without him assuming personal responsibility. [09] `NBM' COUNCIL: OTHER BANKS STABLEThe Macedonian Radio reports that it had been revealed during yesterday's session of the NBM Council that most recent investigations and inspections have revealed that all savings houses in the Republic of Macedonia not placed under NBM restrictions (with exception of the `TAT' bank in Bitola) have not shown any divergence in terms of overall savings deposits and the number of clients. In concordance to this all banking houses have been assessed as stable, which entitles them to become members of the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund which is to commence operations on 15th this month.As regards the activity of the `TAT' bank, considerable differences have been registered with respect to presented and factual conditions in terms of the above mentioned reference points - which again indicates the existence of rather substantial criminal offences, conducted by the bank management and key stockholders. The NBM statement further informs that measures have been undertaken to protect bank assets and the interest of the bank's clients - as well as that NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski is authorised to implement all means to determine the state of affairs at the `TAT' bank as soon as possible. This includes the coordination with the Dept. of Public Revenues, the Ministry of Finance, police, investigation structures and the Clients' Board. In this sense the NBM Council is appealing to `TAT' clients to retain their patience in order to facilitate the unobstructed conducting and speedy completion of the investigation launched against the bank, and to appoint two clients who are to be actively involved into the latter. The NBM Council has further concluded that all its members, superiors and those responsible for monitoring within the NBM should give written statements revealing - in view of criminal and material liability - whether they have deposited any funds at the `TAT' bank, or ever used a loan by this bank. [10] DP: `DESTABILIZING OF THE STATE AND DISCREDITING OF THE MONETARY AND BANKING SYSTEM'Most recent events linked to the Bitola-based `TAT' bank and the previous instances of banking scandals, embodies a process endangering the state and discrediting the entire monetary i.e. banking system, according to the DP. Its leader Petar Goshev states that clients have been `torpedoed' once again, which is to inflict permanent damage to the state as the recovery of economy is not feasible without domestic savings. A-1 TV reports that during yesterday's press conference Petar Goshev stressed that it was `definitely clear how crime had permeated the very top of the state government, thus that a TAT affair was definitely on the horizon - as it represents a result of the mode of operation of the monetary system up to the present.' In the opinion of Goshev both subjective and objective responsibility is to be attributed to NBM officials, though the main share of blame falls off to the Government. The DP leader - who is also a member of the NBM Council - evaluated that there are many indicators of a link between the `TAT' bank and the pyramid-saving in Albania. He also warned that it was possible to disburse clients by a primary NBM emission of funds - which will entail an inflation boom. This would mean that the entire population of the Republic of Macedonia would pay the money out of their pockets.MILS SUPPLEMENT[11] `Illegal Dealings in Pharmacy'(`Nova Makedonija' - 8th March 1997)Yesterday a considerable number of readers called our editors' room in order to express their approval of our coverage on the procurement, the distribution and the control of medicines. They also spoke of their own experience with respect to this subject, pointed out many irregularities in the pharmacy sector - as well as numerous instances of obscure and illegal dealings. Almost every caller stressed that (s)he is connected to the pharmacy business - though the majority avoided to reveal their identity. Those who did insisted on remaining anonymous in our paper. Here is what our readers discussed. One of them introduced himself as the director of a large chemists' store, while confirming our data on the close ties between Health Minister Dr. Ilija Filipche and the owner of the Tetovo-based chemists' `Medifarm' - Dr. Sadi Bedzheti. This reader of ours claimed that the `Galenika' product `Oligovit' (for which `Medifarm' is the national distributor) is being purchased at the price of 65 denars per item. To this sum 15% of revenue for us is added - and `Medifarm' is selling this product at chemists' throughout the country for 140 denars per item. Thus, though we could offer this product at a far more accessible price, he has the authorisation to procure the country with this medicine - which is why the Fund is paying a mind-boggling 140 denars per item. In addition to this the same person indicated that another `Galenika' product (also procured by `Medifarm') is being distributed to chemists' - though its date of expiry is long overdue: the product is a cream called `Synalar N'. This director (as he introduced himself) further emphasised that all illegal dealings in the pharmacy sector had begun with `Zegin' which - in his opinion - has enjoyed priority status for a very long time until quite recently, whereas now this company is openly discussing all problems only because of its discontent with the new leadership of the Health Insurance Fund. In this context (of illegal business practice) he mentioned the Deputy-Minister of Pharmacy Nenad Popovski, whom he considers as the one mainly responsible for the using of low-quality IV solutions imported from Bulgaria). The same was addressed by another reader, who claims that the Deputy-Minister has his own chemists' stores at Debar, as well as a large scale health product store, though his name is nowhere to be found on all business records. This person also demanded the examination of all IV solutions. Another thing brought to our attention was that 4% charged by `Replek' for provided services connected to the central storage facility - amounts to a considerable pile. The caller claimed that he alone had generated 3.95% of the overall funds through his work to cover expenses. He himself and his staff have been living of retail revenues for an entire year. Compare this to 4% of the profit made by the central storage facility - this reader claims. One other reader reminded us of the fact that around three years ago, when Tetovo was plagued by a series of poisonings of patients who had been administered `Aminopyrin' (a product to lower high temperatures), produced by `Hemofarm, it had been discovered that the medicine had been procured by `Medifarm' and distributed to the chemists' store at Tetovo. Calls included one made by a group of medical nurses of the `Skopje' public health facility. In their opinion the news on connections between the Health Minister and Dr. Bedzheti was `cold coffee', i.e. yesterday's news. Another one linked to these two was the Director of their facility, Petko Chadikovski, whose cooperation with `Medifarm' dates back to 1989. Usually all items on the medicine supplies lists contain only products imported into Macedonia by `Medifarm'. Should they indicate that other medicines are needed, they are not allowed to obtain them as they are not being distributed by `Medifarm'. He is also the first to receive disbursement first, thus that we cannot receive our pay as long as `Medifarm' has not been paid. This - in their opinion - can easily be confirmed by checking the records of this institution. The medical nurses also claimed that they had very often received medications which were expired, or that they had very often encountered allergic reactions to medicines with patients. Last year, they claimed, that a woman passed away due to such a penicillin-shock at the `Idadija' polyclinic, as the medicine had been with an overdue date of expiry. Another reader also verified the information that Dr. Sadi Bedzheti is practically in charge of `the personnel dept.' of the Health Minister, as he has the power to appoint or change directors. This was illustrated by the example that the heads of the medical centres of Kichevo, Tetovo and Gostivar were suspended shortly after the appointment of Dr. Filipche as Health Minister - upon request of Dr. Bedzheti. One reader also indicated the connection between `Krka Farma', `Medifarm' and the Ministry of Health. [12] `Macedonia - A Dump for Slovenian Toxic Medicines'(`Mak News' / `Politika' - 10th March 1997)Experts of the Skopje-based `Alkaloid' pharmaceutical company have publicly accused state institutions and ministries that health-damaging Slovenian medicines are being freely sold in Macedonia, with the blessing of the former. Thus the Macedonian market has become a true `dump' for harmful and low-quality medicines produced in Slovenia and imported without any supervision - experts state. Judging by these accusations and statements made by owners of private chemists' stores in the Macedonian capital, Slovenian pharmaceutical `wholesalers' are being `tolerated' on the Macedonian market. The Director of the SE Europe Sales Dept. for Slovenian pharmaceuticals, Mr. Bojan Schukovt, reacted immediately and in an unusual way. Rejecting the validity of analyses at the very beginning, he warned the Macedonian public that these are `dangerous insinuations' against friendly Slovenia with `political connotations.' (end)mils news 12 March 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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