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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-04-28Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 28 April, 1997[01] OPTIMISTIC PROGNOSES ON MACEDONIAMacedonia - together with Poland, Slovakia and Croatia - is expected to achieve an economic growth rate between 5 and 6% per year among the countries in transition.According to `Makfax' this evaluation is part of the most recent IMF Economic Survey. Experts of this financial institution have aired less encouraging forecasts for Bulgaria and Romania where economic activities are to drop by 5%. The Fund has also assessed that most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have undergone successful stabilization - though it has been added that economic transition became increasingly difficult nowadays. [02] INTENSIFICATION OF TRADE WITH POLAND NECESSARYThe Macedonian Head of Diplomacy Ljubomir Frchkovski has been received by his Polish counterpart Dariusz Rossati in Warsaw last Friday. `Vecher' reports that the meeting revolved around the positive development of bilateral relations, though it has been stressed that trade between both countries did not reflect actual potential and needs.In order to intensify cooperation and complete the process of codifying bilateral relations, both ministers signed a Cooperation Agreement on a ministerial level. During his stay in Warsaw - conducted upon invitation of the Polish Foreign Secretary - Minister Frchkovski also met Polish Parliamentary President Marshall Juzeph Zich and his Deputy Zofija Kouratovska. [03] ALBANIA: `STOLEN ARMS EXPORTED'Stolen arms is being exported from Albania `en masse', the country's Defence Secretary Shakir Voukay stated quite recently, refraining from explicating the origin of these arms. `Makfax' reveals that in the opinion of foreign observers part of these stolen weapons are also being re- sold in Macedonia. Montenegrin Customs Services state that they had knowledge of attempted arms trafficking at their border to Albania. The Macedonian Ministry of the Interior, however, informed yesterday, that one Albanian national had been apprehended for attempted arms dealing - in addition to four Macedonian nationals of the Struga village Veleshta. Police has also confiscated several automatic rifles, pistols and ammunition during this coup.[04] DISCONTENT ABOUT BANK CLIENT RESTITUTION BILLThe separate set of legal provisions on the restitution of the `TAT', `ALFA- S' and `Lavci' banks - enacted by the Macedonian Government at its most recent session - has been generating a huge amount of discontent, particularly in case of the `TAT' clients, Macedonian media report. The governmental initiative for the gradual restitution of bank clients (through the disbursement of 3 000 DM to each affected household over the next six months) has been denoted a cruel manipulation of bank clients by the Government, as thousands of households would be maintained on a temporary basis which would eventually entail `their complete collapse which would no longer be of interest of anybody to solve.' The Chairpersons of the Bank Clients' Associations Mende Mladenovski and Ilija Nevenovski have repeatedly stressed after he presentation of the draft- bill that clients would not forfeit their right to complete restitution of their deposits, incl. interest rates regulated by the `TAT' interest rate policy and sanctioned by the NBM. This view was once again repeated at the Saturday meeting staged by bank clients at Bitola, and attended by app. 5 000 citizens. On this occasion it had been decidedly to decisively reject the Government's draft-bill, in order to prevent its submitting to Parliamentary processing. The same applied to the initiating of bankruptcy (litigation) procedures in case of the `TAT' bank. NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski has been asked to resign and face legal liability. The most recent conclusion at which bank clients had arrived - according to `Nova Makedonija' - was that should the draft-bill be approved by the Parliament, bank clients and their families would resort to civic resistance in domains that are yet to be determined. Further they have also set an ultimatum to the Macedonian Government, which is to respond to these demands within the next seven days.Should they not be fulfilled another meeting would be staged at Bitola as `the last warning shot' prior to further `less subtle' measures to be undertaken by clients. The Government proposal as regards the restitution of clients of the `TAT', `ALFA-S' and `Lavci' banks have also caused rancor with the deceived clients of the `Makedonija Reklam' trading company, who aired their discontent by protesting in front of the Ministry of Finance last Friday. `Vecher' reports that representatives of the demonstrators had been received by Minister Taki Fiti, who has been asked to pass a bill on their restitution by 5th May, i.e. the next Government session. In the opinion of the Chairperson of the Clients' Association of this bank, Snezhana Matovikj, Minister Fiti (whose Dept. is seen as the main responsible factor for the state of affairs in the connection of the `Makedonija Reklam' bank) has promised to address the Government with a study regarding these requests at the next session, while advocating the restitution of these bank clients as well. [05] POLICE `MOVES' HUNGER STRIKERSAs part of its professional competencies the Ministry of the Interior has gone about the removal of the tent and the FITU (Federation of Independent Trade Unions) members participating in a hunger strike for over a month, last Friday. The same had been the case with members of the Association of Macedonian Citizens with an unresolved residential status, who had also set up their camp at the `Zhena-borec' park in Skopje - the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior informed, adding that this action had been based on provisions outlined in the Law on Protecting and Furthering the Human Habitat and the Environment.Concordant to these the setting up of tents at the `Zhena- borec' threatened its ecological cycle. The Spatial and Urban Planning Act also prohibited the setting up of temporary objects on community property with a specific purpose in the central area of the city. The `moving' of demonstrators had gone by without the use of force, and those without any abode have been accommodated at the Radusha refugee camp, while two FITU members encountered among this group have been extracted, police records reveal. [06] `FITU' FEEDBACKThe police intervention resulting in the removal of tents and demonstrators from the `Zhena-borec' park opposite the Macedonian Parliament building, entailed a press conference staged by FITU representatives. The latter revealed that everything - incl. personal ID documents of the present - had been destroyed during this razzia. MTV reports that FITU representatives have condemned this act and announced the continuing of protests in front of the Parliament via forms yet to be announced.[07] AVERAGE INCOME IN THE COUNTRY INCREASEDBased on most recent data released by the National Statistics Office of Macedonia, this February the average income per employee amounted to 9 066 denars - i.e. 0.2% than the previous month and by 5.8% in comparison to February 1996. In the economic sector this average totalled 8 901 denars, and the corresponding figure for the non-economic sector amounted to 9 441 denars. Thus in terms of the former an increase by 0.8% has been registered, while a plunge of 1.6% has hit the latter sector. In addition to this, 24.1% (almost every fourth employee ) of the labour force in the country has not received its pay this February. Of these 31.2% fall off to the economic and 3% to the non-economic sector.[08] `ALKALOID' OBTAINS `GO-AHEAD' TO ENTER GLOBAL MARKETThese days the cosmetics production series of `Alkaloid' has obtained the `ISO 9001' International Quality Certificate by the International Quality Standardization Organisation `ISO' based in Austria. `Vecher' reveals that so far no company within the chemical of cosmetics industry in Macedonia (or even former Yugoslavia) has ever been granted such a certificate. The latter permits the selling of `Alkaloid' cosmetic products all over the world, without any limitations. Thus it is of tremendous importance to the firm's future development, the company management stated.[09] LDP: `CRISIS GAINING MOMENTUM'The SDSM explicitly admits the existence of a serious crisis in the country, without however locating the responsibility for it... was one of views expressed at the LDP press conference as regards the most recent release issued by the SDSM Central Council.In the opinion of the LDP the true `pearl' of the SDSM press release consists of announced Government reconstructions, as the crisis will only gain momentum by such a move. `Over the past four years we have witnessed four reconstructions of the Government cabinet, and every one of them only made things worse', stated LDP Spokesperson Jovan Manasievski. `Nova Makedonija' reports that he further said that this measure only `reflects the complete lack of power and orientation of the SDSM, the Government and the PM who only a month ago subjected his Government to a Parliamentary vote of confidence.' In the opinion of the LDP the only way out of this crisis is the entering of a dialogue with relevant political factors, as well as the staging of early elections - following the establishment of an administrative Government. [10] EASTER CONGRATULATIONSMacedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov forwarded written congratulations to the OCM Head, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Holiness the Reverend Mihail, in light of the great Christian holiday `Veligden' (`Easter').`In a year marking 30 years of Autocephaly (`Independence') of the OCM, allow me to sincerely wish You, Your clergy and all Orthodox worshippers of the Macedonian population, only the best on this great Christian holiday - while expressing my wishes for a long healthy life and festive holidays. I further wish You all the best in the continuing of Your fruitful spiritual work of bringing people closer together and increasing their understanding for each other; of creating a better future for them - thus contributing towards the further development of our country', the letter of congratulation states. Similar messages have also been forwarded by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski and by the Chair of the Commission on Relations with Religious Communities Slave Nikolovski - Katin. [11] RESURRECTION - THE CORNERSTONE OF CHRISTIAN BELIEF(`Nova Makedonija - 26th April 1997)Over centuries the Macedonian people has never stopped celebrating Easter as the greatest Christian holiday. Thus they will greet one another today, tomorrow, the day after right up to `Spasovden' (`Day of Deliverance') with the victorious exclamation: `Hristos Voskrese' (`Christ has Risen!'), Vistina Voskrese (`Truth Has Risen!')! The Church of the Macedonian people - established since the time of the Apostles - has always ensured that its followers celebrate Easter as a holiday of deliverance, of love, justice and human dignity - both in its hay-days and its hardest times. The same is the case nowadays, when the 30th Anniversary of the Resuscitation of OCM Autocephaly (`Independence') are being marked. His Holiness the Archbishop the Reverend Mihail has forwarded an Easter Epistle to the clergy, the brethren and sisters and worshippers of the OCM. During His 33 years of earthly life, God inspired love as the ultimate reflection of human dignity in His disciples and all people with everyone of his thoughts, of his deeds. As this feeling is eternal, such is the Easter greeting: `Hristos Voskrese! Vistina Voskrese!' `The Belief in Christ - the Most Substantial Spiritual Support' Mankind, particularly worshippers of the Christian Faith, are being enriched by celebrating Easter... indeed, should we not consider joy, love, justice, respect and everything most becoming to eternal life as vast riches we do - at least in the eyes of the Church - make ourselves guilty of closing our hearts to the sacred and divine deed of Christ's Resurrection, through which light conquered darkness, and life conquered death. According to many written records the event occurring at Golgotha, the small hill near Jerusalem, almost 2 000 years ago determined the course of the entire Occident. Thousands, and even more than thousands of paintings and sculptures have been created as a reflection of Christ's sufferings at the Cross. Scholars claim that a huge number of literary pieces have either been dedicated to this sacred deed, or inspired by it. The origins of this holiday date back to the era when Christ was offering His life for mankind towards the great Hebrew holiday `Passha' (`Passover') - when Jerusalem was bustling with people, many of them followers of his learning, who witnessed the fulfillment of his greatest prophesy - His Resurrection. An act which has been the foundation of Orthodox Christian Faith for nearly 2 000 years. The Macedonian people, as one segment of the above mentioned denomination with a strong belief in Christ and his learning, has generated an abundance of clerical tradition and customs - as well as popular art. Thus we even encounter folk songs celebrating `Veligden' and `Ristos' (`Jesus Christ') with lines dubbing `Each Sunday Easter...' (`Seka Nedela Veligden'), reflecting the immense faith of the people in God - as each Sunday the population would flow into the churches glorifying the name of the Lord and rejoicing its belief in Him. Legend has it that the Easter holidays have been held in highest reverence by our predominantly farming population as Christ suffered, passed away and rose again in spring - once he sacrificed Himself for the Good and Deliverance of all mankind. This sacred act is being symbolically connected to the conquering of `winter / death' (a.k.a. vegetation myth - note transl.) and the revival of spring i.e. the birth of new life in nature. This ensured fertility and wealth in the fields, among the herds and flocks, etc. Thus our ancestors linked the celebrating of Easter, of Christ's Resurrection to the Beginning of a new life cycle, while nurturing the symbols of nature's eternity, the miraculous life contained in a grain. Our people believes in Christ as the continuation of life, offered in order to commence again. Such faith has been one of the most substantial spiritual props to our people in the hardest of times, countering the cruelest sufferings life could inflict. `The Easter Egg' The most common Easter tradition, the colouring of eggs, is the subject of several legends. One of them states that this custom had been introduced by St. Mary Magdalen who gave a red egg to Emperor Tiberius with the words `Christ has risen!' in Rome, where she had gone to speak of the learning of Christ. Once worshippers heard of this they began colouring eggs and giving them to each other with the same words. It is customary in Macedonia to colour three eggs on Good Thursday, before sunrise. One of the eggs is dedicated to God, the second to the house and the third to the family. As soon as the children are awake, the eggs are brought close to their face and body to ensure health and joy. The remaining eggs are coloured during the Easter holidays, again early in the morning. The egg also symbolizes the grave of Christ and of all Christian believers. As Christ's grave had been sealed and He nevertheless rose from the dead, the egg embodies superficially inanimate matter - embraced by a shell - which contains life. MILS SUPPLEMENT[12] `PM Already Made Up His Mind About Some Ministers'(`Nova Makedonija' - 25th April 1997)Well-informed sources claim that the names of Jane Miljoski, Bekjir Zhuta, Sofija Todorova, Ljube Trpevski and Ljubomir Frchkovski are in the `Doomsday Book' of PM Branko Crvenkovski. The latter is reported to have `turned Abduraham Aliti loose' as regards the suggesting who of the five PDP ministers is to join the above mentioned. The most recent SDSM party meeting last Tuesday was only one more confirmation of the fact that the PM is seriously analyzing the performance of his cabinet members. Government reconstructions are not expected earlier than the beginning of May (first decade of the month), at least if one is to heed the statement given by the PM himself. So far three ministers have `called it a day' at the Crvenkovski cabinet. First Jorgo Shundovski resigned as the Minister of Civil Engineering, Urbanism and Ecology. This was followed by the departure of Ilija Filipche from the post Minister of Health last week... and yesterday President Kiro Gligorov appointed incumbent Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski as Director of the Macedonian Intelligence Agency. This means that he is soon to leave his current office. This practically fulfills the wish Popovski had forwarded to PM Crvenkovski repeatedly. So far the most varying versions on possible personnel changes are making the rounds through Government and Parliament lounges, though most of them mention the names of Jane Miljoski, Bekjir Zhuta, Sofija Todorova, Ljube Trpevski, Ljubomir Frchkovski and others. According to one `popular ballad' Ljube Trpevski is to trade in his office for the post of NBM Governor, instead of Borko Stanoevski - while Bekir Zhuta is to use his present portfolio and become a Vice-President. Education and PE Minister Sofija Todorova is to leave the Government for good, due to the mentioning of her daughter's name in connection with the `TAT' banking scandal. Sources also claim that Jane Miljoski will not be offered another Government post. This means that both Sofija Todorova and he are to be `reconstructed'. With regards to Foreign Secretary Frchkovski a final decision has not been made, in spite of the fact that he is a `prime candidate' for the impending Government reconstructions. The Albanian-language paper `Fljaka' reports that sources close to the PDP (the SDSM coalition partner) claim that party President Abduraham Aliti would be given total freedom by PM Crvenkovski should he feel it necessary to suspend one of the five PDP ministers. In this context it is also being speculated that this may affect Bekir Zhuta and Dzemail Haydari (no portfolio), whereas the former may be substituted by the incumbent Labour and Social Policy Minister Naser Ziberi (also PDP Secretary) - as this may be proposed to Branko Crvenkovski. `Fljaka' further reports that so far the PDP has never discussed the possibility of Government reconstruction, though this may prove a good opportunity to fortify its position within the Crvenkovski cabinet. Should this be the case, PDP would answer the question whether it is to remain within the Government coalition; an issue which has been debated quite recently by the Central Council and the Presidium of this party and resulted in a suspension of all procedures - i.e. the indefinite remaining within the executive Government. (end)mils news 28 April 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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