MAK-NEWS 14/09/95

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 14 September 1995

[01] SIGNED MACEDONIAN - GREEK AGREEMENT

In New York, yesterday evening, the agreement was signed between Republic of Macedonia and Greece Macedonian TV informed that after the signing, UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali, gave a reception for the Foreign Ministers, Crvenkovski and Papoulias. On this occasion, the UN mediator in the negotiations, Syrus Vance, held a press conference where he stressed that : ' it is a historical arrangement with profound meaning in the quest for good neighboring relations and peace in the entire region'.

According to Vance the arrangement cited that each side will respect the territorial integrity of the other country (it is an oddity that the arrangement does not mention the name of both sides) and confirms that it will guarantee the security of the borders. This agreement means recognition of Macedonia by the Republic of Greece and establishes diplomatic relations, on the level of a liaison office. On the other hand the agreement obliges Macedonia to no longer use the symbol on its flag. It means conviction that the Macedonian Constitution is based upon the international principles and good neighboring relations between the countries. That implies free entrance of people, and goods across the borders, open cooperative economic relation and elimination of the measures imposed by Greece to Macedonia at February, 6, 1994. The agreement will come inforce within 30 days. This agreement does not contain the name issue, and the same is guaranteed all participants in the negotiations.

Meantime, Macedonian Government at the yesterday evening session approved the signing of the agreement.

According to Macedonian TV, at the press conference, Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, stated that: 'he is pleased and this is a good moment, but that regarding the name issue Greece will stand on its former position'.

Meantime, the Greek media informed that US President Bill Clinton sent a greeting telegram to the Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov and Greek Prime Minister, Andreas Papandreu, on the signing of the agreement. The agreement will provide improvement of the stability and peace in the Balkans.

[02] ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE USA

With an exchange of letters between the Presidents Bill Clinton and Kiro Gligorov, the USA and Republic of Macedonia established full diplomatic relations on a level of embassies. The letters express readiness, following the Vienna Convention of 1961, as soon as possible in Skopje and Washington to open embassies and appoint ambassadors.

Referring to the Greek media, Macedonian TV informed that the Macedonian Ambassador in the USA will be appointed the Ambassador in the Foreign Ministry of Macedonia, Ivan Tosevski. He is now a participant in the Greek-Macedonian negotiations.

For this event, Chief of the US Liaison Office in Skopje, Victor Comras, said that: " I hope that the establishment of total diplomatic relations between the USA and Macedonia will contribute for promotion of friendship and mutual relation between the two countries. It is my conviction that the opening of the American Embassy in Skopje, will contribute for the prosperity and stability of Macedonia and maintenance of the peace in the region. The American Embassy will make some new steps here. We expect to move into new offices where we would be able to offer our services contributing for closer cooperation between our countries."

[03] KINKEL STATEMENT

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, as Macedonian TV reported, at the debate in the Bundestag, stated that Macedonia really does deserve Europe and Germany will help bilaterally when the current situation with Greece relaxes.

Voicing conviction that in the negotiations, led by mediator Syrus Vance, relations will improve, Kinkel said that he himself had talks with President Gligorov and the Greek side and personally contributed to the resolution of the dispute.

[04] REACTIONS TO THE AGREEMENT

- The negotiations in New York between Greece and Macedonia were the main reason a delegation of the Organization United Macedonians and Macedonian Community of North America to came to Skopje. On behalf of the organization President Vlado Grozdanovski stated the positions. He expressed the anxieties of the Macedonians in this part of the world for the contents of the agreement which is to be signed between Greece and Macedonia. The position of this organization is that any kind of concessions is an act of defeat of the foreign policy. It is demanded the flag not to be changed, demand for change of the Constitution is treated as an unseen insult and interference in the internal affairs of Republic of Macedonia. Also, losing the right of the original state to care for the rights of Macedonians from the occupied parts of Macedonia, according to this organization would be equal to a national insult and unseen treachery of its own people. Parliamentarian President Stojan Adov was introduced with the positions of the Organization of United Macedonians. At the same time in New York, in front of the UN building , a small group of Macedonians of this organization held a peaceful protest waving the Macedonian flag.

-Regarding the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Macedonia, in several places in Australia protests have been held, Macedonian TV reports. In Sydney and Melbourne several resolutions and decisions have been made and it was also decided to send letters to the Macedonian Government, the UN, and the International Committee for Human Rights.

The are recommending to the current government not to make any concessions before holding a referendum. Otherwise, if an agreement with Greece will be reached, the visits of the Macedonian diplomats in Australia will not be welcomed and will be boycotted.

[05] AGREEMENT OF NATIONAL SHAME

At the yesterday press conference of the Democratic Party, its leader Petar Goshev warned the "illegitimate and illegal government" not to play with the national state interests of RM. "An Agreement with which the Greek authorities successfully postpones the explicable recognition of the Republic of Macedonia. Under its constitutional name, can not agree with the interests of Macedonian people". Signing of the agreement, according to Goshev will produce catastrophic consequences for the future of the state, it will be a total fiasco for the Macedonian diplomacy and is an agreement of a national shame. He stressed that the agreement denies the existence of the Aegean Macedonians.

[06] PROTEST CONVENTION

At the Universal Hall in Skopje, yesterday, in organization of VMRO-DPMNE, World Macedonian Congress, MAAK-Conservative, the Association "Dignity", Labor Party and the Union of Independent Syndicates was held a Convention with the purpose to express protest and disagreement coming from the signing of the agreement between Greece and Macedonia for stabilization of the relations. At the Convention a Declaration was read in which the current government is most severely blamed because has completely excluded the Macedonian public from the negotiations. It is evaluated that the signing and ratification of the agreement has far more consequences for the souveregnity, integrity and dignity of the Macedonian people and RM. The Declaration points the concern for the Macedonians in the neighboring countries and Diaspora and is demanded not to be accepted any other r name except what is in the constitution. At the end of this document, which will be sent to the international institutions, is said that no one in the name of RM. has the mandate to agrees to an international act which is contrary to the state interests.

The Convention announced major protest in front of the Macedonian Parliament the very day when the Parliament will approach to ratification the document.

[07] ATTEMPT FOR PARTY'S MANIPULATION WITH THE STUDENTS

The Students Union of the University "Cyril and Methodius" from Skopje informs the students that in regard to the Macedonian-Greek negotiations these days certain parties have made attempts for organizing and involving the students in the parties initiatives and activities. They address the membership and all students not to accept such initiatives. It is , as said in the announcement, an attempt for political manipulation of the students and their use for party purposes.

[08] FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY OF MACEDONIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

At Skopje yesterday was held a Foundation Assembly of the Macedonian Stock Exchange for Securities. Ljubomir Popovski was elected the President. He is the current Director General of the Stopanska Bank. The deputy director will be Naim Hadzi-Lega, who is from the Macedonian Insurance Company "Macedonia". The Board Committee is constituted of one representative from the 17-founders of the stock exchange. In further activities, already in progress, professional and technical help of the British experts led by Mr. Endy Willson will be used. Mr. Willson announced the model simulation of work of the stock exchange at the end of December.

[09] DIPLOMATIC BRIEFS

-Macedonian Government President, Branko Crvenkovski, yesterday received the Bulgarian Interior Minister, Ljubomir Nacov. The meeting was attended by Macedonian Interior Minister Ljubomir Frckovski. The Prime Minister was introduced with the possible cooperation between the two countries.

[10] SIGNED AGREEMENT WITH ROMANIAN ARCHIVES

At Bucharest, Romania, yesterday, an agreement was signed for cooperation between the General Office of Archives of this country and the Archive of Macedonia for the coming period of two years. The signing of the agreement is developing the cooperation between these two institutions regarding the publishing, exchange of experiences and findings etc.

[11] PARLIAMENTARY BRIEFS

At the prolonged 25th parliamentary session, Macedonian Parliaments adopted two significant laws for education. They are a Law for Primary and a Law for Secondary education. The first offers possibilities for student- elective subjects, numerical evaluation for all teaching subjects, a possibility for faster finishing of the primary school if the pupil is achieving remarkable results. The introduction of a one year training period for the teachers on-the-job, passing a special exam and checking on the quality of the teachers work. The second one, on the other hand provides a possibility for private schools, as well as the possibility one school to found an unit of local self- government, and will include the same training for the teachers as in the public schools and will introduce final examinations.

[12] CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE OF THE UN

At Skopje, yesterday was held a session of the Board for celebration of 50 year anniversary of founding the UN. At October, 17 , in Macedonian Public Theater will be held a Formal Academy where the Macedonian President and also President for the celebration of the Jubilee will give a speech. At foundation day of UN - October 24, Macedonian Parliament will hold a formal session, and this day will be celebrated with many other manifestations.

[13] INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CITIES TO BE HELD IN THE HAGUE

September, 5-7, in the Hague was held 32 international Congress of the local authorities in the world. Among the representatives of about hundred countries was a delegation from Skopje led by Major Jove Kekenovski.

The visit and participation at this congress, at the yesterday press conference was evaluated as very useful, particularly from the aspect of bilateral meetings. The Macedonian delegation still is not a full time member of this association, but it took part in two working groups.

The delegation used this opportunity to submit an application for membership of the Organization of the Cities and Communities in Macedonia in this world organization.

[14] RAINBOW SENT A LETTER OF PROTEST

Organization Rainbow sent a letter of protest to the Greek and international public and International Human Rights Organization in which is said as follows:

Yesterday at 3.30 p.m. in the local office of the "OURANIO TOKSO"- ''RAINBOW'' party which represents the Macedonian Ethnic community in Greece, in the city of Lerin - Florina, policeman from the local police station headed by Mr. Dimanopulos, the chief of the department, brought down the sign of the party which was put up in both the Macedonian and Greek language.

During the episode policemen using force against the member of the party Petse Benishev (Petros Vasilliadis), refused to give any written order or explanations for their actions.

"Rainbow" party which represents the Macedonian ethnic community in Greece protests against these actions which violate basic human rights of the Ethnic Macedonians in Greece and the concept of democracy.

It is sad that in the country in which democracy originated the right for free expression to be deprived from its citizens, fact that one could expect to be happening only in authoritarian and undemocratic communities.

We ask from Greek government and all the Greek parties to protect the right for free expression which is supposedly granted by the Greek Constitution.

"RAINBOW' party will continue the struggle for human rights and national equality for the Etnic Macedonians - citizens of Greece - calling for support from all people who are interested in the right cause of our party.

(end)

mils news 14 September '95