MAK-NEWS 05/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS CEASED TO EXIST

According to yesterday's press release of USIS in Skopje, in the US view, the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has ceased to exist. None of the successors represents its continuation. The United Nations Security Council has stressed the need for the former Yugoslav republics to reach agreement among themselves on issues relating to SFRY assets and liabilities. In this context, the Security Council has also focused on the need to address claims in accordance with applicable law. We expect many SFRY assets frozen in the United States to be subject to a variety of claims. The US supports early mutual recognition among republics of former Yugoslavia and actively supports efforts toward that end.

[02] MACEDONIAN-GERMAN AGREEMENT FOR REPROGRAMMING OF DEBTS INITIALED

On December 1, 1995 in Skopje, the negotiations on the Macedonian-German Government agreement that regulates the Macedonian part of the encumber of former Yugoslavia, ended successfully.

According to the agreement Macedonia takes over 175 million DM of the total debt of former Yugoslavia The debt is due to financial credits and foreign export arrangement guaranteed by Hermes and foreign export deals of the former East Germany. Macedonia takes over credits directly used by Macedonian importers, and a part of the former Yugoslav debt which, according to the IMF quote, is 5,4%.

The agreement includes long-term repaying, 15 years for a part of the debt, especially the ones approved in 1995/96. The total is about 120 million DM. The reprogramming is based on the multilateral agreement with the Paris Club from 17 July 1995. The initialed bilateral agreement on reprogramming of debts is an important contribution of the German Federal Government for economic stabilization of Macedonia, and quicker transfer into market economy after the withdrawal of the embargo.

[03] THE DISCUSSION ON TRADE COOPERATION BETWEEN EU AND MACEDONIA POSTPONED

The EU Foreign Ministers Affair Council postponed the discussion on the beginning of negotiations for the Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Macedonia yesterday. Macedonian Radio reports, referring to information of the Spanish representatives in the Council, the reason for the delay are technical problems, however negotiations will start by the end of the year. The yesterday's session of the Council considered the financial arrangements for reconstruction of the former Yugoslavia. There were certain disagreements among representatives on the finances needed for reconstruction of the former Yugoslav republics, especially finances for Bosnia.

[04] YUGOSLAV DECISION INVIOLABLE FOR MACEDONIAN ECONOMY

The new import-export regime of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will negatively influence the Macedonian economy, according to Macedonian businessmen. According to 'Makfaks' Agency, the Government of Yugoslavia decided to demand special permits for import of fruit, vegetables and lamb as well as special permits for import of textile contingents. The list of free import of Yugoslavia includes 1200 products, while the list of free export includes 400 products.

[05] NEW SPECULATIONS ON THE NAME ISSUE

According to the Greek media, the negotiations on the name issue will start very soon. The Director of the Press Office of the Greek Mission in the UN, Dimitris Gemelos, is cited by A1 TV as saying that the negotiations will start in the next 15 days. According to the information, Macedonia will be represented by Ivan Tosevski, while the Greek side by the Greek Ambassador in the UN, Hristos Zaharakis. Gemelos says Greek UN Mission has been informed by Cyrus Vance that "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) does not have reasons to postpone negotiations since President Gligorov is feeling well and can fulfill his duties normally". A1 TV also reports that the date on the beginning of negotiations has not been precisely determined, referring to information from the UN. Macedonian Government Spokesman, Gjuner Ismail, stated that "Macedonia's position on the issue is well- known, however negotiations concerning the differences about issues that are disputable have never been refused by Macedonia".

Liaison Offices in Skopje and Athens will be opened by the middle of January next year, says the Athens News Agency. This was decided at the meeting of the Macedonian Foreign Minister, Stevo Crvenkovski and the high official in the Greek Foreign Ministry, Alexandros Mallias. Greek daily 'Ta Nea' cited by 'Makfaks' Agency, says 7.152 Macedonian citizens have visited Greece after the adoption of the Interim Accord, however 220 have not been allowed to enter Greece. Most of the citizens that were not allowed to pass the border-crossing did not possess green-cards, while 24 citizens were sent back because their birthplaces (in Greece) were written in "Slavonic".

[06] MACEDONIAN ROLE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE IS BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT

The chief of mission of UNPREDEP in Macedonia, Henryk Sokalski, and the commander of the military battalion, General Juha Engstorm held a press conference yesterday. They referred to the report of the UN General Secretary, Boutros Boutros Ghali on the situation in Macedonia in the last 8 months, and explained the decision on the resumed mandate of UNPREDEP.

The report emphasizes the growing role of Macedonia on the international scene and the internal political progress and the progress in the inter-ethnic relations. Henryk Sokalski also stated that UNPREDEP has intensified its relations with the neighboring countries.

General Engstorm emphasized the importance of the visit of the US Defense Secretary William Perry to Macedonia, which, he said, gave credits to the UNPREDEP mission and Macedonia as a central Balkan state. Asked about the speculations on the alleged military threats on Macedonia, Sokalski answered that there are no such threats at the time being, however he added that Macedonia has not been officially recognized by all its neighbors and that the situation in the north is not so stable.

General Engstorm, asked about the Russian influence about the resuming UNPREDEP's mandate in Macedonia, answered that there is no official statements about it, adding that it is usual to resume peace mandates in six months, not twelve. Concerning the replacement of the of the UNPREDEP's headquarters from Zagreb to Skopje, Sokalski said the mission should be independent, however it mostly depend of the finances approved for the mission in Macedonia which are presently 4% of the total finances for peace keeping missions in former Yugoslavia.

[07] SWISS ASSOCIATION HELPS MACEDONIA

Macedonian Government delegation led by Labor and Social Policy Minister, Iliaz Sabriu, and representatives of Macedonian Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, visited the museum of the International Red Cross in Geneva yesterday. The delegations handed the symbol of the Macedonian humanitarian organization and the Macedonian translation of the Geneva Conventions. The delegations had meetings with representatives of national association of Red Cross. Macedonian Radio reports that as a result of the initiative of the famous Macedonian businessman in Switzerland, Vladimir Ralev, Macedonians in Switzerland will soon have an association for realization of the Swiss aid for Macedonia.

[08] MACEDONIAN DELEGATION ATTENDS THE SESSION OF THE WEST-EUROPEAN UNION

A delegation of the Macedonian Parliament will led by PDs Nano Ruzhin and Zoran Sapuric will attend the Assembly of the West-European Union, which is liable for the defense and foreign policies of West European countries. Delegations at the Assembly will have a debate on the issues of positions of national parliaments from the aspect of the European security and defense as well as the inter- parliamentarian cooperation in the Mediterranean region.

[09] A MODEL FOR THE REGION

The President of the National assembly of the French Republic, Filippe Seguen, received yesterday the Macedonian Ambassador, Luan Starova. Both officials expressed satisfaction on the cooperation of the two countries. Seguen stated that "Macedonia reached its independence peacefully and democratically, and it is a model which should be defended".

[10] MACEDONIAN-CROATIAN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION

Macedonian Culture Minister Eshref Aliu received yesterday the delegation of the Croatian Culture Ministry led by Minister Bozo Biskupic. Officials referred to the ongoing cooperation and the traditionally good relations in culture and possibilities for their improvement. Both Ministers signed an agreement on cultural and educational cooperation between Governments of the two countries.

[11] A CONFERENCE OF BRITISH STUDIES IN OHRID

The Births Council from Belgrade and the Department of English studies of the University St. Cyril and Methodius organized a four-day conference about British studies. About 60 lectors and professors from Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary and Poland are in attendance and will exchange opinions with British professors. This conference is aimed to realize the founding of British studies in Macedonia. The British Information Center will contribute to the founding which will be on February 16 next year.

[12] 'BEFORE THE RAIN' WILL BE PRESENTED IN GREECE

The most successful Macedonian film 'Before the rain' directed by Milco Mancevski will be soon presented in Greece by the distributor 'Ama Films' from Athens. The film will be presented beginning from March next year. Milco Mancevski and representatives of 'Vardar Film' are invited to attend the premiere which will be held in Athens.

[13] MILS SUPPLEMENT: Good and Bad News

('Nova Makedonija' 02 December 1995)

It is starting to become clear of what is expecting Macedonia after the initiation of the Dayton mega-agreement and the compromise behind closed doors in the Air-Force Base Dayton which was not known until the negotiations started. This agreement announced the end of the war in Bosnia - Herzegovina, however it brings good and bad news for Macedonia. Let's first talk about the good ones. If the peace in Bosnia is finally reached that will add to stable prosperity of Macedonia without constant threats of the possible spreading of the war. The corridor North-South will start to function again and the northern border will be de blocked. So, it is obvious that there will be positive effects of the agreement. Yet, it is not as simple. During the last several years we have learnt to live and work in half-war conditions, as a region which is close to the war areas and as a part of the zone with high risks for the possible spreading of the war. The US weekly "Time" in the last two editions says US troops may be deployed in Macedonia after Bosnia. So, Macedonia is on the first place of the possible countries where US troops may be deployed. After Macedonia are Cuba, Taiwan, Kurdistan, etc. "Time" says reaching peace in Bosnia does not guarantee the peace in Macedonia and Kosovo. Serbs may again start the ethnic cleansing and initiate a new crisis, concluded "Time". Now, after Dayton, Pandora's Box is again opened for Macedonia, and problems, one by one will start to appear. The withdrawal of sanctions surprised the illegal economy, Serbia introduced custom taxes to Macedonia, Croatia recognized the legal continuity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over the former federation. The issue of the succession is becoming more actual and successors of the federation have a legitimate right to inherit properties of the former state. The one who has got the 'key' will try to inherit all the property. All of that mentioned above is the bad news for Macedonia. Analysts knew that such news will be announced soon after the peace agreement on Bosnia is reached.

What does small Macedonia get? Will Croatia and Serbia determine the destiny of the smaller 'Balkan tribes'? What has been promised Milosevic to sign the agreement? Does our Government know about it? Has Macedonia been promised some finances to remain silent on the succession issue? Should we expect Tudjman to have sense of the Macedonian needs? Everyone knows that he would do anything to get East Slavonia, and he certainly does not care about the Macedonian right for succession over part of the property of the former state. Is the 'market' of Milosevic and Tudjman in Dayton sponsored by the United States really important to Macedonia? It is yet to be found out what does all have to do with the succession of assets. If all newly formed states recognize themselves after the agreement is signed in Paris, it will indicate that the succession issue will be left for future agreements and negotiations, or even international arbitration. Macedonian position concerning the issue, the official one, is that " Macedonia as a legal successor of former Yugoslavia takes over privileges and liabilities equally with the other former Yugoslav republics"., and that, concerning the succession, "rights and liabilities will be resolved in accordance of the agreement with the other Yugoslav republics". It is important to know whether Macedonia is a part of the Dayton or the post-Dayton package, yet there are no indications that there has been any agreements concerning Macedonia.

The comparison of Macedonia with the Pandora's Box is not suitable since after all evil, the only thing that remained in the box was the hope. Macedonia does not have vain hopes...

(end)