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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-08-14Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 14 August, 1997[01] `BLEAK PROSPECTS' FOR THESSALONIKI MERCHANTS...are being depicted by pro-governmental paper `Exousia' upon publishing an appeal of the commercial guild of Thessaloniki to Public Affairs Minister Yorgos Romeos. Local merchants urge the official to show `perceptiveness with regards to the image Greece is obtaining' due to deplorable conditions at the Greek-Macedonian border. To add insult to injury, this unfavourable image is also complemented by a considerable decline in sales profits throughout northern Greece (prices are reduced up to 50%). `Makfax' reports that such a situation is furthermore being ascribed to the tense psychological climate created by past years - as well as to the economic crises in Skopje and Belgrade, which decrease the buying power of consumers form these areas.[02] `LET THERE NOT BE IMPEDIMENTS TO TRUE LOVE.'This Shakespearean line seems to be the motto of most Macedonians travelling to Greece these days - in pursuit of the sun, the sea and that all too renowned Greek hospitality - in spite of having to wait up to 22 at the border to obtain country clearance. This is by no means surprising when considering that around 5 000 Macedonian vehicles are entering Greece these days, and the metal avalanche `starts building up each evening (at around 22 h), through the night and the next morning - while in the afternoon all is quiet.' says Gjorgji Ablakov, head of the `Bogorodica' border checkpoint. In his opinion traffic will double in August. This is being complicated by the failure to open a visa- service at Skopje, as well as recent incidents of car theft due to a high demand of `Lada' vehicles (possible markets: Russia, Bulgaria, etc.). Still the majority of Macedonians stick to their traditional vacation in Greece, saying that the people are as friendly and hospitable as ever, not too keen on regional politics.[03] `SCIENCE FOR PEACE'No - this is NOT a religious sect or another NGO. The local USIS office revealed that it's the latest NATO Programme to include Macedonia, among 22 other partner-states. Its objectives are to facilitate transition by rendering assistance in the sectors of industry, environmental protection and security.[04] (E)MISSIONS OUT OF THE MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT - PART DEUXYesterday `Vecher' managed to obtain the impressions of those three Commission members attending the interview of VOA correspondent Judith Latham with Sefeydin Haruni (PDPA), Chair of the Parliamentary Commission on Inter-Ethnic Relations. The latter stated that even he felt `duped' by the approach employed by the US journalist who was resolved to get her story by hook or by crook. This only augmented the confusion of the other three members present, as according to Dane Miloshevski (SDSM) `.Haruni quite obviously lobbied for the `University of Tetovo' and in spite of our evident disapproval Ms. Latham appeared quite content.not even bothering to listen to our objections as Haruni painted a dire picture of the position of the Turkish and Roma ethnicities in Macedonia - a picture which representatives of neither sides would have found authentic. She used the argument of there being not enough time, so that even our brief statements were not recorded, but Haruni had another 30 minutes to voice his opinion.'Nikolina Trajanovska (LDP) obtained similar impressions on the scarcity of time for this interview, as she was frequently interrupted by the journalist's concerned announcements of her having `3 more minutes' or `1 minute left.' Another key issue, in her opinion, was the fact that `Haruni neglected to mention that the 8% admission quota for Albanians had been fulfilled, while stating that over the past five decades only 430 of this ethnicity had obtained a university degree - or that no Albanians were integrated into state administration and Gvt. structures.' (One wonders what that makes of the ethnic affiliation of at least 4 ministers.) Ferid Musoski, the third in this club, at one point openly asked Ms. Latham whether she was send here to gather party views and lobby for the Albanian ethnicity in the education system. Her answer had been unmistakably affirmative and upon receiving the flawed data by Haruni she stated her content with the fact that the truth was at last out. As a researcher for the `Carnegie' Institute on Inter-Ethnic Relations in CEE countries, can one be content what has been said? What are Ms. Latham's responsibilities as a scientist and as a journalist? But what is even more important: what are the responsibilities of our politicians who sit on their hands while our frail rating as an emerging democracy is going down the drain? [05] WINNING A POPULARITY CONTEST...appears to be something highly unlikely for Arben Dzhaferi at present, as accusations on his speech on the `Macedonian mythological trait' keep pouring in from all sides. In this context it is doubtlessly refreshing to witness that somebody at least partly grasped the semantic load of the above mentioned statement. Thus DP leader Denko Skalovski agreed that `without a national strategy and agenda, Macedonianism will remain a mere myth' in a time when `Tirana is losing its status as center of Albanian secessionism to Prishtina and Tetovo.' At the same time he also commended the intention of Greece to list the Albanian ethnicity during the next census, hoping that this would also apply to all other minorities. The World Macedonian Congress, in contrast to this, has asked for legal measures against Dzhaferi and the exposing of all those responsible for the organized unrest at Gostivar.[06] AS OF TODAY: PERMITS FOR TEXTILE EXPORT INTO EUWell, the Gvt. has succeeded in fending of the German `Trojan Horse' known as the `Audi A3' project - only to crown this with another brilliant success: as of today Macedonia has `pro forma' joined Lohn-giants India, Pakistan and Indonesia as regards EU cooperation in the textile sector. Hooray.[07] GVT. STILL WOOEING OTHER SUITORS...as far as the privatization of Kavadarci-based `Fenimak' is concerned, in spite of the claim of South Korean `Samsung' that it was the exclusive partner and that currently preparations were being conducted to `doll up the bride for the wedding', as the Statement of Intent is to be followed a concept on commencing negotiations. So far three governance models have been proposed by `Samsung': leasing the company, purchasing it or (the most probable one) resorting to `trust management.' The latter approach does not require privatization, but merely the obtaining governance by the state under certain terms. Should the contract actually be sealed, `Samsung' would invest app. 40 million $ into `Fenimak' over the next 2 years; production would be increased from the present 5 200 t to 11 165 t by the year 2000, while production costs would be lowered by around 25%. The Korean partner would also purchase the produced nickel, and during the past 3 years 50% of it has been exported into Korea anyway. Difficulties may arise over the adaptation of local electricity rates (relevant for the production of this metal) and the price for nickel at the London Stock Exchange. And yet the Gvt. is on the look-out for other suitors, such as the German concern `Krupp.'[08] `SSM' UNEARTHING THE HATCHETTThe Federation of Trade Union Organisations of Macedonia (SSM) intends to lodge a complaint with the Constitutional Court of Macedonia as concerns the Constitutional compatibility of legal acts on employment and payroll contribution coverage in case of unemployment. According to the SSM these provisions embody a direct violation of three paragraphs of Article 32 of the Constitution.So far the SSM has already launched similar initiatives to re-examine the Income Act and the Act relating to financial transactions and book-keeping. In these cases the SSM did not only submit its objections but also alternative solutions. Besides this, SSM President Zhivko Tolevski once again stated in a letter to PM Crvenkovski that the employment relation cuts are unacceptable as the SSM and the Commercial Chamber have not been consulted, and that these should be subjected to discussion at the Socio-Economic Council as they are contrary to provisions effectuated by the ILO and the Constitution of Macedonia. [09] `TAT' TRIALS IN OCTOBERSo far of a total of 10 000 expected restitution applications, only less than 2 000 have been lodged at the Bitola Elementary Court, in spite of the possibility to submit them without settling the court fee immediately. The one-month deadline for this, however, does not expire for another eight days. The accused are not likely to have their `day in court' before 1st October, said Judge Aleksandar Filipov (presiding over this trial), as the charges against bank-owner Sonja Nikolovska, Mayor Siljan Micevski and his spouse Violeta, as well as against Julijana Atanasovska (of the Bitola Payment Flow Institute) and Boris Mijalchev (Public Utility Facility for handling development property) had not been examined and subsequently forwarded to their legal counsellors.[10] `FLAG-HERETICS' TO APPEAR IN COURT SOONToday the eight-day imprisonment of six individuals charged with `harming the repute of the Republic of Macedonia' at Krushevo on 2nd August has come to an end and all six offenders are to face trial soon. Jordan Madzhuranov, the Legal Counsellor of four of the accused, revealed that `though Deputy DA Vladimir Trajkovski from Krushevo assured me that all six would be released, so far this has applied to only one case. The entire trial is being founded on hear- say as there is no concrete evidence tying any of the suspects to the deed they have been charged with. Only one gentleman is shown on a photo as he packs up the flag, after having retrieved the same from an elderly lady who had ripped of their hands and screamed `Bulgarians' at them. The others had merely observed this incident. Thus the entire case of the prosecution is literally based on old-wives- tales, i.e. the testimony of two elderly ladies.[11] `HEPTANON' LONG-DRINKS..are not a big favourite with those 160 incl. In the so- called `Methadone' drug-rehab programme. But staff at the Rehab Center claim that mixing the drug with fruit juice is the only way of ensuring that it will not be sold on the black market, as `Heptanon' is currently even more expensive than heroin. The current shortage is to be neutralized by importing a three-month supply from the Netherlands next week.Such a crisis - incl. the lack of medicine for those with mental disorders at `Bardovci' - has been attributed to a production deficit by the Health Fund, but Primarius Dr. Ivan Duridanov adds another perspective to this by saying that `up to recently we were allowed to spend 75 cents a day per patient, since such was the total of means forwarded by the Health Fund for one month. We are comprised of 14 wards with patients requiring medicine (epileptics, schizophrenics, those with differing psychoses), while we are forced to combine medications as we haven't got the suitable ones. We also owe funds to our food suppliers, and the interest rates are eating us up alive.' This crisis has been evident since July, but the above mentioned conditions may have been conducive to nobody procuring the medicine. Nevertheless, the parents of juvenile drug addicts are forced to buy `Heptanon' at the price of 1 200 denars at the black market. This creates considerable revolt, and has led to their intent to associate themselves into an interest group. [12] ROAD `MAKE-OVER'Several of the most-frequented streets in Skopje are currently under construction and therefore closed or traffic is restricted to one lane only. Within this project initiated by city authorities a total of 50 streets and roads (app. 150 000 square km) in Skopje are to be completely or partly refurbished by the end of October, thus making it the largest venture of this kind to be conducted over the past 30 yrs. As funds are a scarcity in the city till, the city fathers agreed to procure 30% for this project, while the remaining 70% represent compensation by construction contractors owing money to the city.So far around 30 streets have been `made over' and in the near future the same lot awaits the following streets, roads and sections: the blvds. `Srbjia', Nikola Karev', Edvard Kardelj'; then `Dzhon Kenedi' St. and `Industriska' St. in addition to the section of `Partizanski Odredi' near the `Obedineti Nacii' (UN) bridge. Paver-elements are also to substitute the tarmac on all pavements in the center of the city; the twin-bridge across `Srbija' Blvd. is to be built at `Jane Sandanski' and the stability of six bridges spanning across the Vardar is also to be examined, incl. the reconstruction of the old iron bridge at Saraj. [13] INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PAYMENT BALANCE: THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR - PART 9..Half of the present contingent of unemployed people are educated and young, a force to be counted on in the future. The restructuring of the educational system will also secure the more adequate forming of education and expert profiles among the young labour force. In this context it is of particular importance to mold top specialists capable of acquiring state-of-the-art technologies and conducting a selective transfer of technical and governance know - how applied abroad. Production Development The resuscitating and mobilizing of the industrial sector will continue to represent the main carrier of economic growth and development. As such it will affect the rekindling of activity in other economic sectors and branches. This sector is also to develop through a new ownership structure and the radical adaptation of production to market signals.The transformation of ownership should be finished by the end of this century, while production will increasingly be dominated by export ~ oriented processing branches, complemented by the application of more efficient information and production technology with a particular emphasis on ` labour ~ intensive' sectors ( The following order on statistical classification, not on the importance of branches with regards to development.). 1) The Production of Basic Metals will be marked by the revitalization of existing mineral and metallurgy facilities; by the introduction of new technologies and process methods in order to improve the quality of existing ~ and master the technical procedures of producing new products; by the lowering of expenditures for material and energy; by a more successful management of labour processing as well as by securing a more acceptable regime of environmental protection. This will complemented by examining the need for the further production of several metals, from the aspect of available resources, the consumption of energy and that of other imported components, the pollution of our environment ant the payment balance effects entailed by export. Throughout the subsequent period it may be possible to create conditions to expand facilities by building smaller lead and copper smelting works; but above all this would have to be achieved through joint ventures with international partners, direct international investments of concessions. The construction of new small - scale smelting works is to be complemented by introducing new, ecologically safe technology. It has also been estimated that mineral facilities may be expanded to increase the exploitation of existing findings via concessions. 2) The Conglomerate of the Metal Processing Industry, in spite of its insignificant participation in the present industrial structure, will embody a dynamic development factor in this sector. The expansion of production may rely on the increased utilization of existing facilitates and on know - how; on a permanent process of reinventing and changing technology; on the introduction of new equipment and the increased drawing on the creativity of expert and executive personnel. The placing of these products is intended for both domestic and international markets. At the same time the modernizing of production, organisation and governance will multiply opportunities to further business relation and technical cooperation among enterprises in the country - an important factor in terms of more efficient functioning. The technical and technological development of this conglomerate would have to focus on mastering the operation of more complex implements and machinery, characterized by a high level of precision and multifarious options. This needs to be achieved through our own means and expertise, in addition to establishing contacts with renowned firms present on the world market. Modernizing the metal processing industry would lead to the adapting of existing and to the introducing of new equipment, with an increased rate of precision, productivity, flexibility and automatic operating. The process of updating and upgrading Machine Production should be direct towards perfecting and improving production equipment and processing machinery, in order to manufacture production equipment for renowned buyers ~ and in order to obtain cooperation and license contacts by international partners. Particular attention needs to be dedicated to developing the production of household appliances and electrical equipment in high numbers, based on licenses and the design and functionality of world ~ renowned companies. The electronic sector is another one to obtain priority after 2002. The development of this branch is to be achieved through the specializing of domestic businesses, establishing mutual partnership and cooperation with renowned international enterprises in order to ensure an increased participation of electronics within the production process, production lines and the functioning of entire objects. 3) The development of the Chemical Industry can be achieved through the implementing of existing facilities; through an improved cooperation with international partners and through the forming of small and medium size businesses. The development of alkali chemical industry should completely rely on the renewal of existing facilities. Their expansion is to raise import dependence and the negative impact upon payment balance. It will further lead to long ~ term structure divergence in this sector of chemical industry. After the year 2002 the latter is believed to facilitate the establishment of minor production facilities to meet the demands of existing processing entities with raw materials. It should also increase export and thus import the hard currency balance and cost efficiency within labour. This expanding of facilities may also be achieved by increasing the variety of cleaning products, means of - maintaining personal hygiene and cosmetics ~ as well as pharmaceutical supplies, plastic goods, etc. There are bases in the processing sector of chemical industry may facilitate the evolving of small and medium size businesses. This represents an option of consider able significance to this industrial branch, which would be based on the real possibilities and demands within the economic sector. At the same time it should be possible to create conditions to introduce new production technologies, new production programmes based on bio-technical processes ~ above all in order to meet the demands of food production and the pharmaceutical industry. Such an increased production may only be achieved in competitive market conditions and thorough better organized approaches to entrepreneurial initiatives of potential investors. 4) The development of the Industry Involving Non-Metals and Construction Materials would create favourable conditions to advance the exploitation and processing of non ~ metal raw materials and decorative stone, as the Republic of Macedonia is in a favourable position due to its abundance in resources and inexpensive labour. This would be achieved through the resuscitation and modernization of mining and processing capacities ~ as well as their expansion in order to secure a greater amount of final products and the generating of net hard currency revenues. This sector may benefit from more initiatives by small private business ~ particularly in terms of processing facilities. (to be continued...)mils news 14 August, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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