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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-04-24Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 24 April, 1997[01] RATIFICATION OF FREE TRADE ZONE AGREEMENT WITH CROATIAThis Wednesday the Free Trade Zone Agreement among the Republic of Croatia and Macedonia has been ratified in Zagreb yesterday - MTV reports. Thus the treaty only remains to be approved by both parliaments, in order to facilitate the suspending of customs duties on industrial products - and the subsequent decreasing of all duties. In the opinion of the Ministerial Aide to the Foreign Secretary Erol Hassan who has signed the treaty on behalf of the Macedonian side. The Agreement embodies the overall positive bilateral relations between Croatia and Macedonia, particularly in terms of their economies.Hassan stressed that the Agreement would not only increase options for more sophisticated forms of economic cooperation, as well as in terms of bilateral relations or the joint emerging on third markets. Economic trade between Croatia and Macedonia in 1996 amounted to app. 100 million dollars, while Macedonia had been affected by a 25 million dollar deficit. [02] THREE TREATIES TO FURTHER AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION WITH SR YUGOSLAVIAThe Macedonian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supplies Nikola Parakeov and his Yugoslav counterpart Nedeljko Shipovac have signed three treaties intensifying bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. The treaties refer to technical and administrative cooperation, crops protection and veterinary issues.According to the Macedonian Minister Parakeov, the signed protocols are conducive to a great number of opportunities for associating and acting in the spheres of science and education, as well as of forming joint ventures which would emerge on third markets. As Yugoslav Minister Shipovac stated, SR Yugoslavia is in possession of goods not available in Macedonia, such as wheat, flour, corn, oil, sugar, milk, dairy products, veal, pork, poultry, etc. While Macedonia could export its traditional products: vegetables, grapes, wine, mutton, lamb, rice, etc. While stressing that Macedonia is the only country to establish customs-free trade relations with SR Yugoslavia, Shipovac mentioned that future negotiations were to focus on a complete trade liberalization. [03] PETAR STOJANOV: `MACEDONIA THE MOST ROMANTIC PART OF BULGARIAN HISTORY'`The history of Macedonia is an integral part of Bulgarian history, most probably its most romantic part linked to the struggle for liberation. As regards the language issue, I am convinced that it can be resolved concordant to European standards, and I as the Bulgarian President am prepared and open to enter a dialogue', stated Bulgarian President Petar Stojanov during the Parliamentary session of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in response to the question on the language-issue posed by Macedonian representative Atanas Vangelov.A-1 TV reports that at the subsequent press conference Stojanov emphasised that he would gladly become the first Bulgarian President to visit Macedonia, should he ever be invited. In response to the question whether he would be willing to recognize the minority rights of Macedonians in Bulgaria, Stojanov stated that there was no Macedonian minority within the geographical boundaries of Bulgaria. In this context he also said that Bulgarian legislation had no use for the term national minority, as it upheld the concepts `individual rights' and `individual liberties of Bulgarian nationals affiliated to a different ethnic group.' In the end Stojanov stressed that Bulgaria and Macedonia should nurture friendly relations of neighbourliness and develop trade relations, economic projects and establish new cultural ties. [04] NEW UK AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT GLIGOROVYesterday Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Macedonia, H.E.Amb. Mark Dickinson, who forwarded his letters of accreditation. In his welcome speech President Gligorov said that the appointment of H.E.Amb. Dickinson reflects the close and friendly relations existing between both countries for a long time, especially on an economic level. Gligorov also stressed the impact the United Kingdom has on the economic prosperity of Macedonia, the positive role on regional stability (as it is of interest to the UK).Official records state that the UK Ambassador stressed his country would continue the direct support of Macedonia via the Technical Assistance Programme - and indirectly through international financial institutions, through opening EU markets for Macedonian exports. The UK would also lobby for the integration of Macedonia into new European security structures - stated Ambassador Dickinson. [05] TEXTILE PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO FALLThe constant downhill ride of the textile industry production over the past few years is continuing in 1997 as well. This has been stated during yesterday's meeting of the Textile Industry Association. The plunge within the sector of basic textile production amounts to 2.6%, while the final production has dropped by 12.5%. `Dnevnik' reports that during the meeting data of the 15 largest textile producers, employing 18 374 workers, had been analyzed. Debts generated by these companies amount to app. 369.8 million DM. Of these 217.7 million fall off to business banks, 44.7 million to the Agency for the Sanation of Banks, 78.3 million to suppliers and 25 million DM fall off to withheld pay, contributions and tax.[06] `SDSM' ON CURRENT CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRYThe SDSM Central Council held a meeting this Tuesday, which had been attended members of the Parliamentary faction, by Ministers and ministerial deputies of this party. Discussions had focused on current political and economic conditions in the country. Assessments on this subject-matter were far from favourable, burdened by the complexity of issues and the huge `TAT' banking scandal, and several others of this kind. The SDSM Central Council also underlined the necessity of eliminating the consequences incurred by these problems, of a ruthless battle against crime and other types of legal violations.In this context it was also stressed that carriers of such negative phenomena may not use a certain party affiliation as an alibi. To the purpose of achieving an overall improvement of conditions in the country , and ensuring its imminent stable democratic prosperity, a reconstruction of the Macedonian Government should be conducted in the near future. The SDSM Central Council wants to base this reconstruction on principles and criteria conducive to the complementing of an expert, competent and confident executive government - capable of handling problems in the country successfully and correctly. The SDSM Central Council has also supported the pledge to enter a dialogue with political parties in Macedonia on the package of election laws as soon as possible. [07] GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE TODAY ON BANK CLIENT RESTITUTIONMacedonian media report that the Government had been discussing the NBM investigation report on the `TAT' bank till late last night. The same had been the case with the draft-bill on client restitution and the modes and forms to achieve this in cases of embezzlement or incorrect business practice. According to announcements the Government should hold a press conference during which Government and NBM representatives will brief in the public.[08] DILEMMAS REGARDING RADIO-BROADCASTING BILLThis Wednesday the Macedonian Parliament commenced the debate on the Radio- Broadcasting Bill with in introductory address by Transportation and Communications Minister Dimitar Buzleski. It is the objective of this law to codify a pluralistic system in this domain, to recognize the need for competition as a manifestation of the freedom of thought, speech and information transfer... Buzleski stated. He further added that the bill would provide legal premises to advocate principles of profitability in the business practice of radio broadcasting enterprises; the stimulating of quality and the creating of appropriate control mechanisms to limit profiteering - which is being imposed due to the sensitivity and significance of this sector where material gain may not become the prevailing `spiritus movens'. Most of the objections revolved around three sections of the bill: the status of local radio and TV stations, the funding of broadcasting and the position of the Radio- Broadcasting Council.In the opinion of Ljubisav Ivanov the bill does not make any provisions for the regional expanding of radio and TV stations, the charge for radio and TV programme reception should amount to 1.5% of the average income (and not to 3% as it had been suggested), the terms for frequency concessions should be clarified more precisely and the position of the Radio-Broadcasting Council is rather indefinite. Jovan Lazarov has stated that more attention should be paid to local radio stations as many issues had not been regulated and left within Government jurisdiction. Ace Kocevski pointed out that it would be more efficient to enact a package of bills covering this sector, while adding that the Council should be granted a position of increased independence. In his opinion it is not acceptable for the Council to be restricted to proposals only - while the actual decisions are being passed by the Government. Pancho Minov had objections to the actual value of the broadcasting charge, suggesting that it should total 1% of the net income. Parliamentary discussions on this bill are to continue by delving into the amendments on this bill. [09] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: `PARTICIPATION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE STUDENTS'The option for citizens to embark on university studies with or without participation (`partial covering of study fees') has recently been contended at the Constitutional Court of Macedonia, on grounds that this is contrary to the principle on accessibility of education to each citizen under equal terms. The Court decided yesterday not to abstain from initiating any legal procedures, based on Constitutional provisions outlining that only elementary education is free of charge; that there is the possibility to open private educational institutions and that the University represents an autonomous institution. The Constitutional Court considers that the student- institution relation can be regulated directly within tertiary education institutions as regards the right to education. MTV reports that certain interesting dilemmas requiring further discussion had emerged while analyzing this issue. One of them revolved around whether the concept of University autonomy covered funding, or whether this should be regulated within an act of law the University would be obliged to implement. Another open question was whether the funding of a public institution, such as the University, could be exclusively private - or whether all expenses should be covered through the Budget, i.e. can private universities train students without any budgetary reimbursement for providing this service.[10] `OCM' HEAD DELIVERING HIS EASTER SPEECHWhile stressing the necessity of a continuous adhering to the true faith in Christ and his learning, OCM Head the Reverend Mihail said during his traditional Easter speech yesterday that `this celebrating of Christ's Resurrection is one more blessing for the Orthodox Macedonian population, one more guarantee for a prosperous present and an even more fortunate future.Christ died and rose from the dead, and both his death and resurrection are a pledge to immortality of every Christian soul. May this revive the kindness of your soul, your faith and your strength to successfully counter evil, darkness , sin and disorder.' In order to mark `the week of suffering' (`stradalna sedmica') the Vasillyi Liturgy is to be served in all OCM churches, which is to be followed by the `Eleosveshtenie' (`Glorifying Mass') and the reading of the 12 gospels with a particular stress on the sufferings of the Son of the Lord. The OCM Head the Reverend Mihail is to serve mass at the `St. Clement of Ohrid' Congregational Church in Skopje. MILS SUPPLEMENT[11] `Para-Rectorial Fairytales'(`Vecher' - 23rd April 1997)Who are the self-proclaimed Rector of the para-university of Mala Rechica Fadilj Souleymani and the self-proclaimed para-university Chairman Miljaim Feyziou lying to - and why? To their disciples - the members of the Albanian ethnicity in Macedonia , to the entire domestic and (more generally speaking) international public or to themselves? The answer to these question has become increasingly important these days, following the recent visit of a delegation of the International Helsinki Committee on Human Rights on 13th April to the University of Mala Rechica. Concordant to common practice a press release on the talks led between Dr. Aaron Rhodes (Executive Director of the Vienna HQ), Christina Raucher, Panayotis Dimitras and the Head of Macedonian Committee Meto Jovanovski on one side - and their hosts on the other, has been published by the Press Office of the para-university. This release was taken over by most of the Albanian-language media the next day. Among other things, the press release stated that talks had been `rather dynamic, but constructive in terms of legalizing the University of Tetovo and the diplomas granted by it.' The release further quotes Fadilj Souleymani: ` As a University we have never faced any sort of difficulty in terms of international cooperation, communication or the recognition of our documents so far. It is beyond any doubt that those recognizing our documents today will do the same with our diplomas tomorrow. This is of particular importance to us, though Skopje remains the last one in the line.' The self- proclaimed Rector concludes his remarks with a numerical pun: `Nowadays there are 140 000 Albanian pupils in Macedonia awaiting their instructors. The latter should total the number 6 000, in addition to several more thousands in research, economic, legal and other experts to meet existing demands...' The release also states that `all questions posed by the visitors have been addressed with extensive replies, in order to make them realize the importance and seriousness of this work for an entire population in Macedonia - as in the case of the Albanian one...' The final conclusions state that `the guests have left the University of Tetovo without any bias, and content with their findings.' The President of the Macedonian Helsinki Human Rights Watch, Meto Jovanovski, familiarized all delegation members with the contents of the press release. These days an open written response to the letter - signed Dr. Rhodes - has arrived in Macedonia. `We are convinced', the response states among other things `that the improving of human rights and of inter-ethnic conditions in Macedonia depends on positive measures introduced by the Government to address the tertiary education issue, as well as on increased endeavours of the Albanian community (i.e. each individual) in terms of exhibiting and confirming a commitment to building a unified, multi-ethnic social and political system. The press release issued by the University of Tetovo is unfortunately misguiding with respect to indicating some sort of approval of this unusual educational undertaking by our delegation members. This would embody the approval of the Helsinki Committee International, which represents a human rights organisation without any authority as regards the assessing of quality standards within a university. At the same time - as former university readers and administrators - Mr. Panayotis Dimitras and I have been surprised by the fact that the two leading officials of this institution did not have any documents at hand to explicate the qualification of staff, the academic standards, the programmes and courses offered - and the intellectual criterion for student selection. In opposition to what has been said in the release, I have not been given detailed responses to all our questions. Thus we are still waiting to receive additional written data.' `What is more important', the letter states `is that we have been quite definite about the fact that their intention to force Macedonian authorities into hiring graduates of the Tetovo University, in spite of the fact that this institution does not possess the necessary accreditation, is inevitably leading to a destructive political confrontation. Whether this will benefit the education of minority youths in their mother tongue or not remains questionable. We have made it clear that such an intention cannot be of any practical purpose, as it is merely to create a surplus of young educated people who will not have any legal grounds to seek employment, but have every prospect of becoming potential victims of a political manipulation. It should also be noted that the estimate on 140 000 Albanian students is not in compliance with data forwarded to us by Albanian MPs, who set the number at a little over 70 000. A more detailed analysis of the situation will be compiled in form of a mission report containing our findings', the letter states. The differences between the press release and the open letter with respect to certain discussed issues are indeed more than obvious and any comment would appear superfluous. The question who the first people of the Tetovo para-university are trying to befool and why - nevertheless deserve a reply. (end)mils news 24 April 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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