MAK-NEWS 17/04/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" <dep@bu.edu>

CONTENTS

  • [01] FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY WORLD BANK

  • [02] MACEDONIAN DEBT TO BE REPROGRAMMED

  • [03] DIPLOMATIC BRIEFS

  • [04] GOLHAN GIVES INTERVIEW FOR NOVA MAKEDONIJA

  • [05] ATTEMPT TO VIOLATE SANCTIONS

  • [06] INCIDENT ON THE MACEDONIAN-ALBANIAN BORDER

  • [07] BERISHA RECEIVES RUGOVA IN TIRANA

  • [08] WALKING OUT OF PARLIAMENT, A MORAL ACT

  • [09] ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY TO ADVISE PILGRIMS

  • [10] INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PRIVATIZATION IN SKOPJE

  • [11] JUBILEES

  • [12] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: CHIEF AMONG AMBASSADORS - PART II (Puls, 14 April, 1995)

    •

    M I L S N E W S

    Skopje, 17 April, 1995

    [01] FINANCIAL SUPPORT BY WORLD BANK

    At a press-conference in Skopje two days ago, Wilfred Tavic, Vice-President of the World Bank, said Macedonia will receive $350 to $400 million in support over the next 5 years. The funds will be used for concrete projects, unlike the present situation where the funds are used to support the country's balance of payments. Rachel Lomax, World Bank Director for Europe, confirmed that Macedonia meets all the conditions necessary for obtaining the first tranche of the FESAK credit ($85 million for economic reforms and $14 million for social projects), expected sometime towards the middle of May.

    [02] MACEDONIAN DEBT TO BE REPROGRAMMED

    Macedonian ambassador to Berlin, Srdjan Kerim, said on a press conference at the Macedonian Foreign Ministry, that Karl Dieter Springer, German Minister for International Economic Relations and Development, will visit Skopje on April 19. The visit is expected to result in concrete financial aid from Germany, rather than the technical and expert support previously provided. Germany is one of the largest creditors of Macedonia - its debt to Germany ($55 million) comprises 20 per cent of its total liabilities to the Paris Club.

    [03] DIPLOMATIC BRIEFS

    - In Paris last Friday, Ali Abdusalem Teki, Secretary of the People's Bureau of Libya in France, and Luan Starova, ambassador of Macedonia to France, signed a Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations. The ceremony took place at the Libyan embassy in Paris and during this the Republic of Macedonia was recognized under its constitutional name. - Macedonian President Gligorov received Horhe Fuentes, ambassador of Spain to Macedonia, who handed over his credentials. Also in attendance was Victor Gaber, undersecretary in the Foreign Ministry. Fuentes was also received by Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski. - Last week Macedonian ambassador in France, Luan Starova, was received by the president of the French Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces for talks on bilateral relations.

    [04] GOLHAN GIVES INTERVIEW FOR NOVA MAKEDONIJA

    In its issue last Saturday , the Skopje daily Nova Makedonija published its interview with Mehmed Golhan, Defense Minister of Turkey. Asked about Macedonian-Turkish cooperation in the field of defense, Golhan said, "Every country has something new to learn from another state, just like we have a great deal to learn from Macedonia and Macedonia from us. Therefore having in mind the mutual history, culture, traditions and customs it is obvious that Macedonia and Turkey can continue to cooperate as two countries with full mutual confidence. Even now cooperation exists in the field of education and training of military officers. But the potential is much greater. We have to explore all possibilities of joint military production to satisfy the defense needs of both countries. Furthermore, there is an interesting possibility of joint products sold to third markets." Speaking of the essence of the agreement signed on technical and industrial cooperation, Golhan said that every country has a right to posses modern military equipment, provided either through aid or concrete cooperation with other countries. The agreement includes legal plans for future cooperation between Macedonia and Turkey. As for the role of Turkey as a major Balkan power in the maintenance of peace in the Balkans, he said, "from the very beginning, the efforts of Turkey in the UN and NATO have focused on putting an end to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. There are 1,500 Turkish troops in the UN forces deployed in Bosnia, Turkish planes are stationed in Italy and a Turkish submarine is under UN command in the Adriatic. The efforts have also included numerous talks between Turkish leaders and the president of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and meetings of the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister with the Bosnian leaders." Asked whether there is a real possibility of a spill over of the Bosnian war to the south, he said he would not predict things but that all options have to be considered when military affairs are concerned. "All countries are indirectly affected by the war in Bosnia and Macedonia's concerns are fully understandable. Should the war spread south to Sandzak or Kosovo this will mean a global Balkan conflict. In such a case, not only Turkey, but also Western countries to the north, like Germany, France or England, would not be able to say 'We are far from this and can remain aside'. We would all be affected by such a war and that is why Turkey insists on an end to the Bosnian war." Golhan announced the possibility of joint military maneuvers by Macedonia and Turkey. Commenting on statements on Albania being the Balkan country most trusted by Turkey, he said that Albania is just as important for Turkey as Macedonia is, and Turkey's interest is in seeing these two countries build mutual relations in peace and to understand and overcome all problems through joint effort.

    [05] ATTEMPT TO VIOLATE SANCTIONS

    The Macedonian Foreign Ministry informed that the Customs Department has revealed an attempt to transit oil exploitation equipment parts through Macedonia to Serbia, despite the UN sanctions on Yugoslavia. On their way to Macedonia, the goods crossed several countries and many changes were made to the documents. The parts entered Macedonia through Bulgaria on trucks belonging to a neighboring country. The investigation showed that certain companies in Macedonia were also involved. The investigation continues and the final results will be reported to the international organizations in charge of surveillance over the implementation of the sanctions.

    [06] INCIDENT ON THE MACEDONIAN-ALBANIAN BORDER

    The Macedonian Ministry of the Interior reported an incident on the Macedonian-Albanian border, on April 14 , in which Bashkim Tavciu, an Albanian citizen, was killed while attempting to illegally cross the border with a group of other individuals. The group, while crossing the border near Debar and having entered 700 meters onto Macedonia territory, opened fire on the police patrol. The Albanian Interior Ministry issued a statement to "condemn this act of the Macedonian authorities" and saying that the killing was no accident and could irritate the people and open doors for larger-scale incidents.

    [07] BERISHA RECEIVES RUGOVA IN TIRANA

    In Tirana last Friday, Albanian President Sali Berisha received Ibrahim Rugova, leader of Kosovo Albanians, for talks on the problems in Kosovo and the global situation in general. They concluded that Kosovo is the main problem in the region and that the Balkan crisis cannot be fully resolved without a solution for Kosovo. According to them the problem ought to be resolved through dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade with mediation provided by a third country.

    [08] WALKING OUT OF PARLIAMENT, A MORAL ACT

    Iliaz Halimi, president of the NDP branch in Tetovo, said that ethnic Albanian parliamentarians have a moral obligation toward the Albanian people in Macedonia and should abandon the Macedonian parliament. The Albanian language, he said, should not only be spoken at parliament but in all state institutions as well.

    [09] ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY TO ADVISE PILGRIMS

    The Saudi Arabia Ministry on Pilgrimage and the Islamic Religious Community in Macedonia signed an agreement to authorize the latter as the sole organization to approve pilgrimage trips. The Macedonian Commission for Relations With Religious Communities informs all those interested in the trip to contact the Islamic Religious Community which will inform them of all details.

    [10] INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PRIVATIZATION IN SKOPJE

    Last Friday at the Skopje School of Law, the Association of European Student Structures began an international congress on the topic of "Privatization in Central and Eastern Europe, With a Special Review on Macedonia". The congress will last 4 days and be attended by students, university professors and experts from Turkey, Greece and Slovenia as well as eminent Macedonian professors and experts leading the current privatization process in the country.

    [11] JUBILEES

    - In Skopje yesterday, a ceremony took place to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first Macedonian Government. The ceremonial session was attended by all previous prime ministers (except for Lazar Kolishevski who was absent due to ill health) and cabinet members. - A ceremony was organized in the village of Sandevo to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the renewal of the Skopje Partisan platoon. - The Macedonian National Theater celebrated its 50th anniversary in Skopje.

    [12] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: CHIEF AMONG AMBASSADORS - PART II

    (Puls, 14 April, 1995)

    Question: Not only with the Pentagon's view on Macedonia in mind, but also on several other occasions, the US has stressed its interest in maintaining peace and stability in Macedonia. Do American officials have a clear picture of this, i.e., are they supporting "the integrity of the Republic of Macedonia" or just "territorial integrity"? Answer: I do not see how these two could be divided. We insist on a stable development of Macedonia within its boundaries and development of a multiethnic democratic society. I think this is the exact image your Government wishes to develop for itself - they want to develop this model and become a full member of Western democratic institutions. The model is important for us. It is important in the sense that it is necessary for us to help you achieve this. Question: I asked you this having in mind speculations with possible confederations and federations in Macedonia or even non-existence of this state. Is your Government's position to support the security of the state or of the territory? Answer: Again, I would not divide those two. It is our view that the Macedonian citizens are the ones to decide on their own future and on how they would like to see themselves and their relations with other states. Our orientation is to support the territorial integrity of this state and its growth as a multiethnic and open-market democracy. If I am to sum up our policy here, I believe this is it in one sentence. Question: A certain part of the Macedonian population seems to question the US support. There were articles in the press, backed with figures and dollars, suggesting that the current economic cooperation of Macedonia with the Russian Federation and the aid sent in by Russia should make the leaders consider turning to Moscow. The articles seemed to have forgotten the US support at the Paris Club, the World Bank, IMF and other institutions. Can you tell us just how large the Macedonian-US economic cooperation and the US aid have been so far? Answer: First of all, let me say that the days are now gone when we used to think in terms of the cold war and the contest to win the hearts and thoughts of other nations, as well as the competition of who will win more interest spheres between the former Soviet Union and the US. The US would be very pleased to see any other country help Macedonia in both economic and political ways. There are, of course, still some areas arousing our concern, but those are not generated by the cold war. The degree of the engagement of Russia and other countries here is a positive trend. On our part, we still would not like to discuss our engagement here, as this is in our mutual interest. We have a program for considerable economic aid for Macedonia. According to some statistics that I have read, this is the largest program per capita in the region. All together the sum amounts to some $30 million a year in direct aid programs, with $13 million coming from USAID against the $8 million in 1994. Last year we had $7.5 million from the Public Act on Aid in Food and Agricultural Products. This year we will provide an additional $5 million under this program. We also have a growing program for aid in military cooperation; we are included in health aid programs and scientific cooperation. The latest thing here is what is called the "Southern-Balkan Initiative". The plan is currently being discussed by the US Congress and I believe it will meet with considerable support and will provide $30 million for development of infrastructure in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania. We will be working with these countries on the best ways to use the funds and to increase them through international financial institutions like the World Bank or EBRD, for the purpose of developing the infrastructure in the region. I myself, let me tell you, have been a strong supporter of the development of the infrastructure even before I came here and even before I knew I would come. It became clear to me that it is neither in your nor our interest to allow Serbia to have a monopoly over the road and railroad traffic in the Balkans. In order to develop the entire region alternative routes are highly needed. A part of our sanctions policy was to develop the infrastructure in Macedonia and enable transportation of products around Serbia. When we started with what was then available we soon realized how hard it is to go around Serbia via Albania or Bulgaria. It became especially clear to us, while engaged in control over the sanctions, that something must be done in the field of infrastructure. So we started working out plans and pushing them through Washington. We even have a name for this; it is called the "belt road". Thus we came up with something we referred to as our "Balkan belt road", a system of development of the infrastructure and alternative routes. Its implementation is not as we would like it to be, but we hope that this year it will be better. The creation was called a "green corridor", that is a road for transportation of products, especially agricultural, via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to Western European markets. At the same time, this also meant coordinating activity to enable quick transportation of goods across borders. This led to a need for improvement of the existing border-crossings. Sometimes it takes a long time between working out a plan and its realization, but it is coming. We worked on the Deve Bair- Ghueshevo border-crossing. Now we have funds and will be working on the Novo Selo border-crossing, as well as on the improvement of border-crossings with Albania. We did the same on the Romanian-Bulgarian border and on the border between Romania and Hungary. All this is helping Macedonia since this means that products can be quickly moved upwards and out to the markets in Western Europe. We have the OSCE blessing for the program. There was even a special OSCE meeting on the issue on 31 January and 1 February 1994, immediately before I came here. Question: Let me go back a little to the beginning of your answer. Speaking of Russia, you mentioned economic and political support. Accidentally or on purpose, you forgot to mention the military cooperation, which is perhaps similar to the one Macedonia currently has with the US. I ask this because we are witnessing an offensive policy from Russia toward the Balkans in this field - let me remind you of the agreements with Bosnian Serbs, with Bulgaria... Answer: I will be speaking from our point of view. We no longer feel that we are engaged in a competition. What we are interested in is to advance in establishing as good relations with Macedonia as possible. We have brought a so- called Contact Group from the US Defense Secretariat to develop a program quite consistent and parallel with the Partnership for Peace program existing in the other countries in the region. We strongly support the inclusion of Macedonia into the Partnership for Peace program as soon as possible. As you know this requires a consensus in NATO, and we all know the political reasons for the fact that this has not yet been done. But we are behind this and are constantly pushing Macedonia's admission into the Partnership for Peace. I am for development of our relations in parallel, so that when the day comes for Macedonia to be included into the Partnership it will be quite able to join the program with the experience acquired during current mutual military cooperation. This is also in accordance with your Government's decision to modernize the army upon the NATO model. We believe this is a good way to remain. We, on our part, will support this as much as we can and we are pleased that you have chosen to be shaped in accordance with these institutions. This does not mean that other models or other parties interested in helping you should be deterred. We do not insist on your doing this, but are pleased to see you accepting our model. to be continued

    (end)

    mils-news 17 April '95

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