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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-04-02Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 02 April, 1997[01] NOVA MAKEDONIJA: `GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTION NEXT WEEK'PM Branko Crvenkovski intends to conduct Government reconstructions next week - today's edition of `Nova Makedonija' reports while quoting high- ranking SDSM sources. The latter - according to the daily - are announcing the suspension of five ministers, without however mentioning any names. It may be possible that this will happen during the session of the SDSM Presidium which had been scheduled for yesterday and was to focus on current conditions brought about by the `TAT' banking scandal. Based on the coverage of several media Minister Jorgo Shundovski is to submit his official resignation to this party body as an ethical act. Following the vote of confidence obtained by the Parliament, the PM deems a vote of support within the SDSM party leadership structures just as necessary - as he happens to be presiding over this party - and since launching an action to counter organised crime in the state is to encounter strong resistance within his own party. `Nova Makedonija' further informs that the reconstruction of the Government will most likely be conducted immediately prior to the departure of Crvenkovski for Bonn (FRG), for his scheduled visit on 9th April.[02] `TAT' BANKING SCANDAL: `NUMBER ONE OF DIRECTORATE FOR SECURITY AND COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE OF BITOLA SUSPENDED'Yesterday the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior revealed that a ministerial decision had been issued confirming the suspension of Ice Damchevski - Head of the Directorate for Security and Counter-Intelligence at Bitola. It is being reported that Damchevski succeeded in extorting 25 000 DM in interest rates on his own deposit immediately before the apprehension of `TAT' owner and Director Sonja Nikolovska. Based on police records the suspended law enforcement official has not been involved in investigations regarding the case up to this point.[03] `MONETARY MARKET' OWES BANK CLIENTS 1.5 BILLION DMThe Association of Bank Clients of Veles who have invested funds into the `Monetary Market and Stock Exchange' of Skopje have announced that this company had not been forwarding neither interest rate nor deposited capital payments to around 90 people for over a year, during a press conference held yesterday. MTV reports that the overall sum of deposited savings by these clients amounts to 1 650 000 DM. The Director of this Skopje-based firm Ilindenko Strovjanovski had promised clients to disburse them by the end of this September - but rumour has it that this will barely be feasible.[04] KATIMERINI: `GLIGOROV AN OPTIMIST'The Athenian paper `Katimerini' states in its comment on Gligorov's interview for `Le Monde' that the views of the Macedonian head of State as regards the possibilities to preserve peace in his country and in terms of relations with Greece are rather optimistic. According to `Makfax' the Athenian paper attributes this optimism of Gligorov to the maintaining of contacts as regards the Constitutional name, the recent visit by the Greek Head of Diplomacy Theodoros Pangallos to Skopje and on the possibility of an imminent journey to our country by PM Costas Simitis. The article published in `Katimerini' further reveals an information published by the `Macedonian News Agency' in Thessalonica with regards to the positive balance sheet Greece has in terms of trade with Macedonia last year.[05] GREEK PRESS ON THREATS EMBODIED THROUGH `NATIONALISMS AND RADICALISMS' IN MACEDONIA`Makfax' reports that in an article published in `Katimerini' by their Skopje correspondent the relations between Albanians and Macedonians are reported to have reached an all-time low. `The prevailing peacefulness is but superficial...' the paper states, while adding that emotions at Tetovo, Gostivar and other settlements with an ethnically compact population are rather high-strung and a mere `snowball would suffice to set an avalanche off'.According to `Katimerini' nationalism and racism has emerged in Macedonia due to the phobias spread by radical elements of both ethnicities. In this context it is being said that the epicenter of this crisis is to be found at the `Tetovo University' - i.e. in the issue concerning tertiary education in Albanian. The Athenian paper further claims that in addition to this ethnic tensions were gaining in complexity due to social hardship in Macedonia - caused by unemployment and overall economic conditions `Elephterotypia' is covering this subject by quoting an estimate printed in the `New York Times' according to which the `civilisational harmony among different ethnicties' in Macedonia vanished and that the rekindling of enmity in terms of political movements affecting minorities was being nourished by unemployment, economic problems and corruption in Government circles. [06] TALKS WITH THE `IMF' ON 80-MILLION-DOLLAR CREDITAs of yesterday an IMF mission has been staying in Skopje, on a three-day visit during which it is to discuss the negotiated three-year agreement with Macedonia (known as the `ESAF' arrangement), worth 80 million dollars.According to Macedonian media discussions are also to focus on current conditions in the country, following the pyramid saving banking scandals. Based on MTV coverage the mission has been received by Government Vice- President Ljube Trpevski yesterday, and been familiarised with the implementation of the already negotiated activities to fulfill outlined terms of the credit arrangement. Most of these refer to the transformation of the Skopje-based `Stopanska Banka'. According to Macedonian Government sources, which are being quoted by MTV, it is not being considered that the `TAT' and other banking scandals in the country are to affect the already negotiated arrangements with the IMF. On 11th April the Fund's Board should pass the final decision with regards to the announced `ESAF' arrangement. [07] FOREIGN INVESTORS AT `STOPANSKA BANKA' IN SKOPJEThe Washington-based World Bank has agreed to participate in the funding of the reconstruction project for the motorway Skopje-Tetovo (a 35 km section), `Vecher' reports. The credit granted to Macedonia to this purpose will amount to 65 million dollars. Of these the World Bank has consented to procure 60%, but other investors will nevertheless be necessary. Interested parties to provide the remaining means include the European Investment Bank from Luxembourg, whose delegation recently paid a visit to Macedonia. In addition to this the World Bank has announced its interest to finance the modernisation of the railway route Skopje-Tetovo with new signalling equipment.Should the credit arrangement be signed, the implementation would commence by the close of this year. This would be entailed by the actual conducting of construction procedures. [08] TEXTILE AGREEMENT WITH `EU' DUE END OF THIS MONTHThe agreement covering textile produce between the EU and Macedonia is expected to be signed by the end of April this year, A-1 TV reports. The agreement is to be comprised of separate lists classifying all products which are only to be exported via consignments - as well as those which may be exported unrestrictedly into EU countries. The agreement also makes provisions for a dual quality control of all textile products designated for export, and for the listing of the country of origin by Customs Services. The Dept. of the Textile Industry within the Chamber has assessed that in the future production facilities would have to focus on exporting final products into EU countries - rather than half-finished products requiring additional processing, which is currently the only profitable option for the Macedonian textile sector.According to different forecasts both this agreement and the general EU Cooperation Agreement with the EU are to be implemented as of the beginning of June. [09] GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL: `DUTY FREE SHOPS ONLY AT AIRPORTS'Media reveal that upon request by the Macedonian Government, the Parliament is to provide its views with regards to the proposed alterations to the Law on Customs Within International Trade. Should these proposals be adopted the only duty free shops in the country would be the ones at the Skopje and Ohrid airports, whereas those at the border crossings would be closed down. They would further veto all fiscal privileges as regards tobacco products, coffee and alcoholic beverages within consignment transactions and among all stakeholders engaging in the trade of these products in Macedonia. In the future importers of these goods would have to settle all charges at the very border, unlike the present situation when this only applies to transactions between the consignment suppliers and duty free-shop owners. The proposed alterations to the Law have been generated by the Constitutional Court ruling suspending the Government decision to close all consignment storage facilities, from which duty- free shops obtained their luxury goods (cigarettes, coffee and alcohol) that made up to 70% of their overall profit.[10] BLOOD UNIT CONTROL SCANDAL UPSETTING THE PUBLICThe Arbitrary Commission within the Macedonian Ministry of Health reveals in its press release that by closing a two- year contract with the Skopje- based `Pharm-Trade' company (distributor of the `Organon' blood control tests) the National Institute of Transfusiology has damaged the Health Insurance Fund by 3 066 293 denars. `Vecher' informs that the press release had been issued in view of the Commission's investigation of recent occurrences at Skopje clinics, where operations have been cancelled due to the lack of blood control tests. Following this investigation ordered by the Ministry of Health, Minister Ilija Filipche is reported to have publicised the abovementioned figure - due to the increased price rate for those tests, as well as the covering of expenses for the handling, transport and storing of these tests, while losing the already negotiated discount rate of 15%. The Fund is further already damaged (by 1 728 denars) by the delivering of a small quantity of these purchased tests.Bearing in mind that this contract with `Pharm-Trade' has been closed without the blessing of the Ministry of Health (which represents a violation of provisions on public fees) - the latter states that even the written reports of institutions were surgical interventions are being conducted reflect no chaos in terms of providing timely medical treatment. This means that there had been no delay of surgical operations or rendering urgent medical assistance, due to the lack of controlled blood or anesthetics. In response to this the National Institute of Transfusiology brought forward records justifying their mode of procuring blood tests. These arguments discard all accusations addressed to the Institute on the grounds that this was either an instance of total lack of information or a case of malicious mis-informing of the Minister of Health. It was further confirmed that all implemented blood tests are of uncontested quality, procured at the lowest cost possible. Besides this, the Director of the mentioned `Pharm-Trade' company discarded all rumours on possible manipulations - stressing that owing to the cooperation of the Netherlands and this country's proven support and aid of developing the Macedonian health sector it had become possible to procure these tests produced by `Organon Technics' at the lowest price. Representatives of this company further ascribed this intrigue to Skopje- based `Replek' which has been storing the tests rather inappropriately - and is subsequently no longer in the position to guarantee their quality. [11] VECHER: `INCREASED VARIETY OF DRUGS BEING OFFERED'During the law enforcement offensive against illegal drug trafficking and the countering of drug abuse, a total of over 200 drug-related crimes have been registered between 1994 and 1995 in Macedonia. This resulted in the apprehending of more than 30 groups of offenders - `Vecher' reports. Most of these had been detected by the police upon their attempt to smuggle heroin into Italy, other West European countries or Macedonia from Turkey via Bulgaria, Albania or our country. As of last year there has also been a rise in cocaine smuggling from Venezuela to SR Yugoslavia and Greece. Drug trafficking conducted via Macedonia is further being marked by the involvement of dealers from almost every Balkan country. `Vecher' also reports that over the past three years police has confiscated 244 kilos of heroin, 33 kilos of crude opium, 160 kilos of marihuana and 14 kilos of cocaine upon the arresting of organised groups or individuals.During yesterday's sequel of the International Conference on Minimising Harmful Consequences of Drug Abuse - held in Skopje these days - it has been stressed by Dr. Jean-Paul Groun (of the New-York-based Lindesmith Centre; he is also in charge of the international programme on alleviating drug-related damage) that he was not in favour of treating drug-addicts in Macedonia with methadone, as well as that in his opinion Macedonia would be able to contain the drug epidemic and thus become a role-model for East European countries. [12] NINTH INTERNATIONAL BOOK AND LIBROGRAPHICS FAIR OPENEDYesterday the 9th International Book and Librographics Fair has been opened in Skopje. This event is being traditionally organised by the Association of Macedonian Publishers and Booksellers, and this year it will exhibit the publications of 40 local and 25 international firms.The Librographics dept. is to be comprised by 30 participants, of which 10 are foreign ones. The Fair is to last until 5th April, characterised by an abundance of promotions, book readings, etc. The opening conducted by academician Gjorgji Stardelov went by in the presence of President Kiro Gligorov, several ministers and other public personalities. MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `A Motley Budget Scene'(`Vecher' - 31st March 1997)The Budget of the Republic of Macedonia has received 2 870 billion denars in funds this January, whereas the same figure for February amounts to 3 267 billion denars. The total of funds falling off to charging of personal income tax over the first two months this year make up the sum of 1 315 billion denars. Of these 594 million denars have been collected in January, and 721 million in February. During the same period of time the overall sum of 274 million denars had been gathered via VAT (122 million in January) - in comparison to the overall sum of last year (1 413 billion denars vs. 482 million denars collected in January `96). The taxing of luxury goods has yielded 1 863 billion denars in revenues in January and February for the National Budget. The total in customs fees amounts to 801 000 denars - of which 387 000 have been collected this January. By 25th March 22% of the forecast annual amount of tax on luxury goods had been gathered. A similar achieved percentage is to be observed in terms of VAT and revenue tax. As regards personal income tax - the Ministry of Finance explicates - there has been a relative delay, but the achievement of the planned 22% in revenues over the first three months of this year was to be expected, nevertheless. The same favourable outlook is to be applied to non-tax revenues over the identical period of time, as 471 000 denars have been collected. The lowest influx of revenues has been registered within customs services, since only 15% of the planned funds have been obtained. The decrease in customs fee charging - as Customs Services HQ Director Ilija Iloski explained quite recently - is to be mainly ascribed to the implementation of the new customs tariff, i.e. to the suspending of two additional customs charges worth 7.5% each, and two the functioning of bilateral agreements with our largest trade partners SR Yugoslavia and Slovenia - as most of the goods destined for these two countries are not being subjected to the charging of customs fees. `The general opinion is that the implementation of the National Budget over the first two months of this year, is progressing solidly. There is a small underachievement in January, which has been already neutralised by February outcomes. It should be stressed that a monthly income rate below 3 billions is insufficient for the regular maintenance of Budget expenditures. Thus the January low has already reflected itself upon the settling of certain Budget obligations, in particular with respect to the disbursement of laid- off employees. This delay was further induced by the impact of external factors - thus that priority was given to meeting the material necessities of the Armed Forces of Macedonia (`ARM') and the Ministry of the Interior ('MVR')', stated Ljiljana Doneva - Under- Secretary at the Ministry of Finance. The latter Ministry also claims that larger expenditures, such as the allocating of funds to the Retirement Pension Fund (to which 1 355 billion denars have been forwarded in January, February and March this year). This constitutes around one third of the overall dues (of 4.3 billion denars) towards pensioners in Macedonia. It is, however, being expected that the pace of disbursement is to `slow down' - as forwarded means include the `one twelfth' paid to pensioners on a monthly basis. This additional sum is to be forwarded in May, once all withheld pensions have been paid. `Efforts to settle dues towards social services recipients and laid-off workers on a regular basis, are being undertaken as well. These are predetermined obligations set down by the IMF, including the disbursement of the NBM deposit worth 2.4 billion denars (for the entire FY), then means for the sanation of the banking system, the payment of interest rates on old hard currency deposits and the support for `old' hard currency depositors in order to aid their meeting of existential necessities. These are binding terms contained within the ESAF Arrangement. Other categories within the Budget (as regards material expenses) may tolerate certain delays or postponements in terms of disbursement', Doneva explicates. (end)mils news 02 April 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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