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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-03-18Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 18 March, 1997[01] `TAT' BANKING SCANDAL WORTH 122.8 MILLION DM SO FAR, FATE OF 50 MILLION DM UNKNOWNAs of 1993 the `TAT' bank at Bitola has concluded a total of 24 912 deposit contracts (amounting to the sum of 122.8 million DM) - NBM investigations have revealed. Of these funds, the savings house placed about 50 million DM through 2 188 credits and several `black loans'. Thus the whereabouts of these means remains uncertain. Accrued obligations in interest rates to be paid total 35.7 million DM, of which 17.2 million have been paid so far.Overall real estate assets of the `TAT' bank tied up in mortgages have not been determined yet in terms of quantity. This information was provided by NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski yesterday - upon presenting the results achieved so throughout investigations conducted by authorities at the `TAT' bank of Bitola in front of the Parliamentary Commission for Financing and Budgeting. Governour Stanoevski emphasised that investigations into the work of the bank have been considerably obstructed as almost every document at the bank has been forged - so that the Commission will be forced to reconstruct all records at the bank. Positive assessments on `TAT' banking activities given by Central Bank supervisors on previous occasions, have been justified by Governour Stanoevski with the assumption that inspections had always been leaked by certain NBM employees in advance, i.e. that the bank owner Nikolovska had always been prepared to await inspectors. While expressing his deep disappointment by his deputy Nenovski, Governour Stanoevski informed the Commission of his possible resignation as an act of ethic responsibility. Upon submitting an oral report on conditions with respect to supervision and banking activities in Macedonian savings houses, NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski informed that for now there 24 savings houses with a working permit, and two of these (`TAT' of Bitola and `Uniprokom' of Skopje) are currently under investigation and affected by measures imposed by the NBM. Skopje-based `Uniprokom' is being subjected to investigation with respect to a contract with one of the bank founders as regards the disbursement of interests. Once all irregularities have been eliminated this savings house will become eligible for admission into the Savings Insurance Fund. Stanoevski further informed that as of `93 a total of 13 savings houses have been closed down due to irregular business practice. A-1 TV reports that the Parliamentary Commission had also been informed by Governour Stanoevski on the subject of the activities of the `Lavci' bank of Ohrid, another instance of irregular banking transactions. In this context it has been mentioned that provided all granted loans, mortgages and demands are cashed in - it would be possible to not only settle dues towards all clients, but the bank may even end up making a profit. In connection to the `ALFA-S' banking scandal Governour Stanoevski revealed that efforts are being made to sell an object in possession of the bank abroad (worth 1.5 million DM), in order to partially disburse clients. Finance Minister Taki Fiti submitted data on the transactions conducted by `Jugomarket' and `Makedonija Reklam', as a large number of clients of these firms also ended up deceived. With respect to the owner of `Jugomarket' Minister Fiti stressed that the Attorney General is to demand a review of the recently passed acquittal, while another NBM investigation (similar to the one conducted at `TAT') will be required to determine the state of affairs at `Makedonija Reklam'. [02] SIMULTANEOUS ACTION OF CLIENTS' BOARDSYesterday Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski received a delegation of the Board of the `TAT' Bank Client Association - headed by Mende Mladenovski. On this occasion he was familiarised with the request submitted for parliamentary debate of conditions at the bank.The same day a protest meeting was staged by the newly- established Clients' Board of the `TAT' bank in Bitola, which included the repeating of the demand for restitution immediately after NBM investigations have been brought to a close, as well as the demand for the resignation of the entire Government, the dissolving of the Parliament, the establishing of an administrative government which would announce early parliamentary elections and revoke the passports of all Government Ministers. The clients of this Board also announced the internationalisation of the `TAT' case. In addition to this an appeal has been made for mass attendance at protests in order to support the fulfillment of client demands. The Macedonian Radio reports that the 62nd parliamentary session has been scheduled for tomorrow, as well as the sequel of the 59th session which is to focus on measures and activities undertaken by the Government with respect to the deception and robbing of the public in shape of saving at banks. [03] HUNGER STRIKE ALSO COMMENCED BY PART OF UNEMPLOYED AND LAID-OFF WORKERSThe hunger strike by part of the student protest Organisation Board continued at the `Zhena-borec' park in Skopje yesterday. Media report the consistent deterioration of the strikers' health condition and that one more protester has been hospitalised.The customary march through the streets of Skopje did not take place yesterday. At the press conference representatives of the Organisation Board announced that striking would continue until all demands were fulfilled. The list of the latter now also requires the resignation of the entire Government. Media further reveal that another tent has been set up around 10 m of that belonging to the students on hunger strike - this time by representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Union Organisations, i.e. the unemployed, technologically redundant and laid-off workers. These groups have also forwarded a separate list of demands to the Head of state, consisting of seven items of social character (mainly revolving around the disbursement of redundancy pay totalling 60% of the average national income until employment of retirement, as well as around active involvement during enactment procedures of the law on social protection, on employment, and on labour invalids, around the reviewing of privatisation procedures conducted in each company generating laid-off employees, technologically redundant workers, etc.) [04] RELATIVELY QUIET ALONG MACEDONIAN-ALBANIAN BORDERFive days have passed since Albanian non-governmental forces have taken over settlements in the vicinity of Debar. Macedonian media report that the situation is relatively peaceful - though gunfire shots and detonations can still be heard from the nearest city Peshkopeja, but in a far lesser number. The border, i.e. access points to Macedonia remain closed for Albanian nationals. For now there is no information on a larger number of Albanian refugees attempting to enter Macedonia.[05] TWO `NATO' DELEGATIONS IN MACEDONIAYesterday Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov received a delegation of the NATO Military Committee - headed by its Deputy-Chairman Lt. Gen. Nicholas Keeo. Official records released by the presidential cabinet reveal that talks had concentrated on the political / security conditions in the southern section of the Balkans. In this context concern was expressed as regards the latest development of events in Albania. It has also been concluded that any destabilisatory effects in the region are to be obstructed. The Lt. General gave a favourable assessment of Macedonia's cooperation with NATO, and with respect to its stabilising role in the Balkans.The high-ranking NATO official has also met Macedonian Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski and ARM HQ CINC Gen. Trajche Krstevski. On these occasions particular attention was being paid to the endeavours made by Macedonia to obtain full NATO membership. MTV reports that the NATO official stated after talks that the visit had had the purpose to update NATO member-states on activities undertaken by countries covered by the `PFP' Programme. Another NATO delegation has also been a guest of the Macedonian MOD - this one headed by the Head of the Planning Dept., Fred Bolland. [06] SIR ARTHUR WATTS: `CONCRETE OUTCOMES ON SUCCESSION DUE THIS YEAR'Yesterday Macedonian Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski led talks with the mediator in the succession issue of the Former Yugoslav Federation, Sir Arthur Watts in Skopje. In this context - and following the meeting with the Macedonian negotiation team - Sir Arthur Watts revealed that talks among all former constituents are in progression, and that their views were gradually reaching a level of compatibility. Thus certain concrete solutions could be expected throughout this year. Upon emphasising that this visit to Macedonia is in concordance with his bilateral encounters of representatives of all successor- states, Sir Arthur stated for MTV that all talks had been strictly confidential which, in his opinion, is the best guarantee for their successful completion.[07] MACEDONIAN LEGISLATION CONCORDANT TO EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONThroughout the past week a joint working group, consisting of Council of Europe and domestic experts, have studied the report of the Macedonian Inter-Ministerial Group on examining the compatibility of legislation in the Republic of Macedonia with standards set by the European Convention on Human Rights. To this purpose, the release issued by the Justice Dept. informs, the report provides an indeed convincing proof of the high level of compatibility of our legislation with the above mentioned EU Convention - thus embodying a solid foundation for the further implementation within the domestic legal (particularly judicial) system. This expert analysis upon the report is to be submitted to the Council of Europe as an ancillary paper of the ratification instruments of this Convention.[08] POSITIVE EVALUATION OF DECLARATION ON FURTHERING INTER- ETHNIC RELATIONSThis Monday the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has issued a positive evaluation of the Declaration on Furthering Inter-Ethnic Relations in the spirit of tolerance, dialogue, mutual respect and trust. The document had been compiled by a group of Parliamentary members.At yesterday's session the Government outlined the draft- bill on the Public Defence Office, which codifies subject- matter concerning the legal protection of property rights and interests of the Republic of Macedonia. With this act of law the above mentioned office becomes a Government institution. [09] THE FUND AGAIN ON WITHHELD PENSIONSFollowing the ruling of the Constitutional Court of Macedonia on suspending the withholding of 8% of all retirement pensions - according to which the state is obliged to pay Macedonian pensioners a total sum of app.140 million DM, on the bases of some estimates - the Executive Board of the Retirement and Impairment Insurance Fund has issued the following statement. Bearing in mind the fact that the Supreme Court of the Republic of Macedonia has not acted on a primary basis, but returned the case for repeated analysis and resolving to the Fund, the Executive Board of the latter assessed that there is a necessity to repeat procedures concerning the completion of this case from a formal legal aspect. Such a decision by this body does not have the objective to cause confusion among pension recipients; it should rather be seen as an endeavour to once again examine this complex and delicate issue. The Fund's press release states that the Executive Board considers the launching of an initiative on a parliamentary level prerequisite - in order to discuss the contested article and the assessment of the constitutional compatibility of Article No. 5 of the Law on the Disbursement of Personal Income and Pensions at the Republic of Macedonia. [10] LJUBCHO GEORGIEVSKI: `SDSM SEEKING SALVATION IN CHANGING THESES'In connection to his appearance on Bulgarian National TV and the response this entailed by the SDSM camp, IMRO- DPMNE leader Ljubcho Georgievski states (in a press release issued this Monday) that his party is hardly surprised that at a time when the pyramid saving affair at the `TAT' bank is at its climax, when medicine scandals and cigarette smuggling scandals are making headlines, the SDSM is seeking salvation in switching theses such as inter-ethnic tension or the `following of the Vrhovists' spirit (`Vrhovisti' - faction of the original IMRO / United that split off under the leadership of Vancho Mihajlov in the 20s of this century, to advocate unison with Bulgaria; note transl.).In this sense Georgievski states that he had made his case clear quite decisively, and that both sides were responsible for cold bilateral relations - as well as that he is using the opportunity to publicly criticise Bulgarian Attorney General Tatarchev and the policy conducted by the IMRO-SMD. The IMRO-DPMNE press release further states that instead of devising internal enemies the SDSM should attempt to track down the money which had disappeared in various savings houses. [11] 69 ARRESTS DURING POLICE INTERVENTIONS TWO DAYS AGOPublic peace and order had been severely disturbed during the incidents following the `Vardar - Sileks' football match, in front of the city stadium and in the centre of the city. This resulted in the damaging of several objects and vehicles (incl. a few belonging to the police). The police attempted to prevent a possible escalation of disorder of larger dimensions, and during this effort 69 individuals have been arrested. Of these 8 are facing criminal charges, and the Ministry of the Interior continues to investigate the liability of the remaining apprehended people.Yesterday the Ministry of Education and Physical Culture condemned the lack of sportsmanship and hooligan behaviour exhibited by supporters - attributing the main share of responsibility to National Athletic Associations, which are entrusted with the organisation of sports competitions. Thus they have been asked to speedily enact measures conducive to the secure staging of such events. The Play Commissioner within the Macedonian Football Association - the Macedonian Radio reveals - has decided to register the outcome of the match with 3 : 0 in favour of `Sileks' on Monday. The city stadium has been barred as venue, while the `Vardar' football club will be forced to play its matches at least 100 km away from Skopje. The club is also facing disciplinary measures, including three of its players and the team coach. Procedures have further been initiated against one player of the `Sileks' team. [12] SPORTS AND INTER-ETHNIC RELATIONSYesterday the Macedonian Radio reported that open violence had erupted after the second-division match `Skopje - Shkendija' outside the stadium on Saturday, as supporters could not stage a show-down during the match itself. This mass fight among supporters of different ethnic affiliation (Albanian and Macedonian) resulted in several wounded cases, including two police officers.[13] MACEDONIAN FEMALE HANDBALL-PLAYERS QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GERMANYThe women's handball team of Macedonia won against Spain with the result 26 : 20 in Madrid on Sunday. Thus our team has qualified itself for the World Championships, due to be held in Germany in December. So far this has been the most significant achievement of a Macedonian National Team.MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] `The Easiest and Most Risky Option is Printing Money'(`Dnevnik' - 14th March 1997)Throughout the past days the value of the DM has risen to 29 denars for one DM. The DM also `jumped up' in Skopje, and throughout the exchange offices it is being said that this upward trend is due to the increased demand for hard currencies, as the public fears inflation. Because of the same reasons owners of exchange offices are adhering to their calculations and not selling any hard currency. Economic experts have discarded inflation as a possible course for events in Macedonia to take. The Faculty of Economy claims that should investigation outcomes nevertheless reveal that clients have been robbed - their restitution could possibly be conducted in the following three ways only: One could first increase the primary emission of money, i.e. of the increasing of funds in circulation. Such a mechanism, however, creates a rather serious problem. Should the NBM opt for the disbursement of damaged clients by printing money, it will risk raising inflation which has grown slightly this month anyway. An inflation, which could very soon develop into hyperinflation, would entail the overall rise of consumer prices - and the denar funds restituted to victims would not be worth a penny as our currency would devaluate continuously. This would inflict a serious strike upon the Macedonian hard currency market. The DM would `streak through the roof' and short bring about the total destabilisation of the Macedonian monetary system. A second source of restitution could be seen in the Budget which has already been projected for this year - quite normally without containing provisions for this catastrophe within the Macedonian banking system. Eventually, the implementation of this instrument would have the same impact as the first approach - experts predict. The third alternative is the selling of state capital and assets tied up in real estate, in this case those belonging to the `TAT' bank. Based on the most recent information Sonja Nikolovska possesses around 400 flats and other real estate items. It also remains questionable whether this method may be implemented in practice, due to two significant issues: the first one being the decreased buying capacity of people - and the second has been entailed by the fact that the increase in state and `TAT' capital - as well as that of other savings houses - will lead to a larger offer of real estate assets, i.e. the logical dropping of their cost. `The Government will not initiate any additional measures until the expert teams of the NBM and the Ministry of Finance reveal data on how much money disappeared out of the `TAT' bank', stated Finance Minister Taki Fiti for `Dnevnik'. According to Minister Jane Miljoski the unconsidered enactment of a law on the restitution of deceived bank clients of the `TAT' bank may result in a chain reaction of all other robbed and deceived bank clients in the country - including those whose hard currency assets have been `frozen' in the Former Yugoslavia. Miljoski nevertheless stresses that once actual conditions at the `TAT' bank have been determined, the Government would think about how to disburse bank clients. (end)mils news 18 March 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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