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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-05-19Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 19 May, 1997[01] `TAT' BANK: LIQUIDATION AFTER ALLThe Bitola-based `TAT' bank is to be subjected to liquidation, as the offer to determine a possible sanation team for the bank has not yielded any results. This decision has been passed by NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski last Friday. Within the given deadline for the submitting of a written proposal on sanation measures, the only option had been forwarded by `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska.But according to NBM Governor Stanoevski her programme yielded no grounds whatsoever to introduce sanation measures. The NBM release further states that losses remaining uncovered after the eventual acceptance and implementation proposed by this programme would still remain extremely high. This may be conducive to the generating of more losses and the impeding of the disbursement of clients and other creditors. This decision by Governor Stanoevski has been denoted by clients as the most unscrupulous legalization of plundering - `Nova Makedonija' reports. Such views and discontent were also expressed at the `ad hoc' protests staged on the Bitola city square on Saturday, according to this Macedonian daily. During this event accusations were made against the NBM Governor in person, for his direct involvement in the banking scandal and the huge material gain (app. 2 million DM) this affair entailed for him. Leading bank client representatives Mende Mladenovski and Ilija Nevenovski stated that this week bank clients would commence the gathering of ten thousand signatures and wide support for their restitution according to their proposal, which the Government rejected to submit to Parliamentary procedures quite recently. Those attending the Saturday protests were also addressed by `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska. She has been requested to publicize the names of those who had withdrawn around 30 million DM over two months preceding the collapse of the bank. In response to this Nikolovska stated that the list had been lodged with the Ministry of Interior and the Investigative Judge. Thus clients should raise these questions at these two authorities. While stressing that she did not accept the supervision findings, Nikolovska asked for the trust and patience of all bank clients until judiciary investigations were completed. Media report that the meeting at Bitola had been marked by considerable tension and open threats towards Nikolovska. Yet it had gone by without any incidents. [02] NO DECREASE OF ALBANIAN REFUGEE WAVEOver the past weekend Macedonian police and Armed Forces units have discovered several groups (of app. 50 people each) of Albanian nationals along the Macedonian-Albanian border, upon attempting to cross the border illegally. Most of these groups had been detected near Debar, whereas near Struga and Tetovo things had been more quiet. The combat readiness of the ARM along the Macedonian-Albanian border has been raised to a maximum level. Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski, however, stated in an interview for MTV that the situation along the border gained in complexity and that the number of Albanian refugees coming to Macedonia due to food shortage in their country, or in order to reach Greece via Macedonia. Minister Handzhiski also stressed that the Albanian side of the border was not secured at all - neither by police or army troops. Groups of Albanian nationals are most often led by armed guides who know the terrain and receive pay to lead these people across the border. On the Macedonian side Albanian refugees caught by troops of the army or police are being fined and extradited - with the prohibition to enter Macedonia over a certain time span. These days media also report that a considerable amount of fear and worry of more massive crossings has been expressed by the residents of the border region within the Debar municipality. This is being augmented by frequent burglaries and vandalism, resulting in the damaging of many homes, shops and other property on Macedonian territory.[03] CRVENKOVSKI-IVANOV MEETING: `GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTION DUE THIS WEEK'`The reconstruction of the Government should be expected throughout or towards the end of next week', stated PM Branko Crvenkovski after having met with SPM leader Ljubisav Ivanov (as part of the dialogue among political parties on the package of election laws in the country). Media report that the PM assessed the IMRO-DPMNE protest meeting as correct and well-organized, but also abundant in exaggerations by many speakers. In the opinion of Crvenkovski the mere fact that such an event took place in Skopje reflects the level of democracy and democratic processes in Macedonia. It has nevertheless been evaluated that democratic and social problems may not be resolved on the streets. Upon summarizing the meeting with the PM, SPM leader Ivanov stated that it had been agreed to enact all election laws prior to determining the date for early elections. Ivanov stressed that he placed considerable emphasis on declaring economic and development issues a priority issue in the country, during his talks with the PM. The latter also agreed that in the future the No. 1 spot would be given to the addressing of economic problems confronting the country.[04] IMRO-DPMNE: `DEMANDS JUSTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC'According to IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski the Thursday protests held in Skopje have been attended by over 60 000, thus granting popular legitimacy to the requests on early parliamentary elections aired by the party. During a press conference given last Saturday, Georgievski stated that throughout the following 7 days the SDSM was to consider the accepting of these demands, as this is to determine the duration of protests and the use of specific methods of exerting pressure to achieve their fulfillment. `We have shown a sufficient amount of patience. Now it is up to the SDSM to step down and call early elections', Georgievski stressed while adding that the IMRO-DPMNE had no intention to assault the institutions of the system violently, though it plans to continue protests and the implementation of specific methods until all demands were met.[05] SDSM: `IMRO-DPMNE POLICY DID NOT OBTAIN DESIRED SUPPORT'In spite of all pompous appeals for massive attendance and a huge public turn-out, the IMRO-DPMNE meeting has shown that the policy being promoted continually by this party does not encounter the desired support - according to a SDSM press release. The attitude exhibited by the public towards the meeting embodies a rejection and a clear answer to all unfounded and false accusations against the incumbent government, launched by the IMRO-DPMNE recently. The citizens have demonstrated resistance to embracing radicalism while addressing social issues - and their rejection of demagogic thought, extremism and haphazard politics... the release issued by the SDSM states.[06] LAW ENFORCEMENT: `NO SERIOUS INFRINGING ON PUBLIC ORDER AND PEACE'Concordant to a release by the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior, the IMRO-DPMNE protests in Skopje were attended by 8 000 people, of which app. 4 500 arrived in Skopje (in 64 buses, two mini-buses, 14 vans, 310 passenger vehicles and other means of transport) from other cities throughout the country. No gravitating instances of disturbing public order and peace have been registered during protests on the `Makedonija' square and in front of the Parliament - official sources claim. Yet there have been several case of upsetting the traffic flow in the central area of the city. Several individuals had also thrown stones at the Parliament building, breaking one window and lightly injuring two policemen. Law enforcement structures have instigated intensive measures to identify offenders and are about to initiate appropriate legal measures - the police press statement mentions.[07] DEBTS OF MACEDONIAN BUSINESS SECTOR - OVER 10 BILLION DMThe liquidity of most of the business enterprises in Macedonia deserves the attribute `critical'. This, `Nova Makedonija' reports, includes the mutual settling of dues which is being conducted with considerable delay and in very difficult conditions. In compliance to annual figures for 1996, the overall debts within the Macedonian business sector totals around 251.2 billion denars. Of these, the above mentioned daily informs while quoting data released at the last Government session, 23.7 billion denars fall off to long-term dues and 227.5 billion to short-term debts. These same information revealed that this means an increase by 27 billion denars (app. 1 billion DM) in comparison to the annual figures for 1995. `Nova Makedonija' further informed that this debt total of the Macedonian business sector up to the present equalled six annual budgets (over 10 billion DM), while the figures for this year alone exceeded 50% of the National Budget already. Data also reveal that most of the dues have been generated towards creditors (98.9 billion denars), while the greatest increase in debts falls off to withheld pay (50%). Dues towards suppliers are settled over an average time span of 270 days, i.e. nearly 9 months. Total dues of businesses towards banks (on grounds of the main capital and interest rates) amount to over 38 billion denars - of which it is estimated only app. 23 million denars (around 850 million DM) may be recovered. Due to such conditions in the Macedonian business sector, a group comprised of Finance Ministry, NBM, and Payment Flow Institute experts has offered the following measures: three rounds of compulsory multilateral compensation (26th June, 23rd September and 27th November) as well as the establishment of a data base containing a complete survey of overall indebtedness of each enterprise. In the opinion of Development Minister Adbulmenaf Bedzheti it is worrisome that short-term dues are on the rise (i.e. businesses seem to draw on short-term sources mostly, instead of long-term sources or company funds). In addition to this debts towards the state and vice versa (state towards business sector) became more substantial. The former variant consisted of tax, payroll contributions and other charges - while the latter is based on delivered supplies, executed construction, etc. Minister Bedhzeti stated for `Nova Makedonija' that multilateral compensation is to be declared compulsory for all businesses, as it is to provide a clear picture on domestic debts. Wrong data on this subject could affect future macro-economic projections.[08] WORLD BANK DELEGATION IN MACEDONIA AS OF TODAYA five-member delegation of the World Bank - headed by Brad Herbert (in charge of the restructuring project for the health sector) - is to stay in Macedonia between 19th and 23rd this month. During this visit to Macedonia, the World Bank is to meet officials of the Dept. of Health and the Health Insurance Fund. A-1 TV reports that the objective of this mission is to compile a survey on the advance of the implementation of the project concerned with the restructuring of the health sector in Macedonia, as well as the determining of the pace of activities to be executed over the next six months, particularly in terms of planned investments.[09] LORRY WITH TWO TONS OF MARIHUANA - PROPERTY OF `TRANS- VELES'The Macedonian lorry confiscated at the Hungarian border with a cargo of two tons of marihuana, is the property of `Trans-Veles'. The driver of this vehicle, Borche Tasevski, is also an employee of this Veles-based company. These information have been revealed by the Macedonian Customs Services HQ last Friday, upon having been contacted by their Hungarian colleagues. According to available data the lorry with its `two-tons-of-pot' cargo departed from Pireya (Greece) and drove through Bulgaria and Romania into Hungary, so that Macedonian customs officials never had the opportunity to inspect it. `Vecher' reports that the Customs Services HQ is to publicize more concrete information on this case today.[10] ACETYLENE-HYDRIDE / HEROIN PRODUCTION COMPONENT DESTINED FOR TURKEYJacob S. is the individual in whose possession 870 l of acetylene hydride have been discovered by the Macedonian police on 9th May. So far he is facing tort charges, and he has not been apprehended - `Vecher' reports. The toxic substances which have been detected had been destined for Turkey in laboratory conditions, in order to facilitate the production of heroin. Police sources state that one ton of this substance ensures the production of 7 to 10 kg of heroin.[11] KUMANOVO: `CAR BOMB DETONATED'Yesterday morning a car bomb exploded in front of the `Serava' Business Centre at Kumanovo. This resulted in the heavy injuring of one person, while another sustained lighter injuries. The bomb had been planted in a `Golf' with Tetovo license plates, driven by Romeo Zhivikj. His co-driver Dushan Gjurgjulov (a Yugoslav national) was the one coming out of this with lighter injuries, unlike Zhivikj. The explosion also resulted in the damaging of several other vehicles nearby - and windows of the buildings in the vicinity. The incident generated considerable unrest among the residents of Kumanovo. So far there have been no official comments on the ongoing police investigation. `Vecher' is however quoting unofficial sources, upon calling this an act of personal vendetta against Zhivikj as he has been known to be involved in racketeering, theft and physical assaults.[12] CELEBRATING OF 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF `OCM' AUTOCEPHALY IN PROGRESSYesterday the celebrations marking the 30th Anniversary of `OCM' Autocephaly (the revival of the Ohrid archiepiscopality) at the monastery `St. Atanasij' at the Tetovo village Leshok. Mass was held by the OCM Head the Reverend Mihail, and a sermon was delivered by the Metropolitan the Reverend Kiril. The Macedonian Radio reports that festivities were attended by Head of State Kiro Gligorov and many high-ranking guests, Ministers, MPs, diplomats and mission representatives. Festivities also consisted of the spiritual performance `Makedonski svetopis', and they are to continue at all OCM eparchies in the country and abroad.[13] DNEVNIK: `BISHOP PETAR LOSING MUNICIPALITIES IN AUSTRALIA16 of the overall 21 church communities of the OCM in Australia have denied any obedience and trust towards Bishop Petar, in charge of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand. The latter has requested his withdrawal by the OCM, `Dnevnik' reports. During the recently-held Convention of Macedonian Church Communities at Newcastle (attended by 14 communities), two communities came forward with written statements - rejecting the decisions of all three most recent sessions, held since Bishop Petar had been appointed to head the diocese. The paper also reports that Bishop Petar was the one most frequently blamed for current conditions as he is not familiar with Australian law, and responsible for generating a lot of stress and discord among worshippers with his intolerant behaviour. Due to these reasons the church communities in Australia rejected the attempts by the Holy OCM Synod to regulate the spiritual life of Macedonian worshippers in Australia without any prior consultation and consensus. It has also been concluded by the Convention that a Commission should be formed in order to compile the draft-statute for these communities concordant to Australian law, while paying maximum attention of the right of self-determination of each community. Should the Holy OCM Synod not accept their demands, it may well be the case that the working-permit of Bishop Petar for Australia be revoked - stated Risto Altin, the Head of the `St. Clement of Ohrid' monastery in Melbourne. `Dnevnik' reports that Bishop Petar attributed all problems in the diocese to `people without a sense of belief, with a greater interest in material gain and acquired positions than concern for the OCM.' According to Bishop Petar the only obligation imposed on all communities prior to the registration of the diocese with Australian authorities is the re-registration concordant to new unified standards. Bishop Petar further stated that priests need to be acquainted with activities in all communities, and should the `loyal communities' continue to challenge this, it may occur that all clergy is withdrawn.MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] `Hospitable Clansmen'(`Vecher' - 16th May 1997)Local Albanians are hiding `illegal' immigrants from Albania proper as free labour, while the number of criminal offenders is on the rise. Attempts of illegal entering of our country have reached alarming proportions. According to data available to the Ministry of the Interior 574 such cases have been registered in 1995 along a 45-km long section of the border in the Gostivar area. In 1996 this number had already risen to 1 335 and over the first four months of 1997 alone this figure amounts to 875 illegal attempts. Bearing in mind the economic hardship prevailing in Albania, particularly in the region close to our country, this number of Albanian nationals trying to enter Macedonia `by hook of by crook' (but always illegally) is expected to rise in the future. What makes these prognoses even more worrisome, are official data on this issue. Even the police itself confirms that official figures are not even close to depicting reality as far as illegal immigration is concerned. In contrast to those immigrants encountering little of the proverbial Greek hospitality as they move southwards, Albanian nationals escaping to Macedonia (without having been caught) are welcomed by their local `clansmen' as a cheap, or even free, work force for hard physical labour. Females from Albania very often arrive at Tetovo and Gostivar to wed local Albanians. Should they not succeed, `plan B' boils down to working as waitresses, cooks, singers or representatives of `the world's oldest craft'... This kind of engagement by local Albanians only complicates the work of our law enforcement and other state authorities as regards persons without a regulated status of residence in our country. In contrast to this, police indicates, such `visitors' from Albania are very often involved in criminal activities - thus contributing to an overall increase of the crime rate in Macedonia. Throughout 1996 and the first months of 1997, criminal charges against illegal Albanian immigrants for burglaries, robberies, etc. have been filed in 78 cases. `According to our estimates this number of crimes is even higher, but not all of them are being reported', state police representatives. In this context the latter also delved into the illegal immigration of Albanian children who are sent to beg around through surrounding villages in the Tetovo and Gostivar area by their `clansmen.' `Should the state fail to introduce stricter measures we will have to prepare for a huge wave of Albanian refugees', the Ministry of the Interior warns, while adding that their ambushes set up to detect such illegal immigrants are becoming less and less effective. This is to be attributed to the specific configuration of the terrain along the border towards our neighbouring country. (end)mils news 20 May 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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