MILS-NEWS 12/01/96

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 12 January 1996

[01] ALEKSANDROS MALIAS - OFFICIALLY CHIEF OF THE LIAISON OFFICE

Aleskandros Malias yesterday handed a letter from the Greek Chief of Diplomacy, Carolos Papoulias, to Macedonian Foreign Minister, Stevo Crvenkovski, by which Malias is officially appointed a Chief of the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje.

Crvenkovski and Malias stressed the importance of consistent realization of measures for implementing the Interim Accord by both parties, especially the role of Liaison Offices in intensifying the relations and cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Macedonian Liaison Office is expected to be opened in Athens during the following week.

Meanwhile, Macedonian-Greek negotiations on the name issue, due to the bad weather, have been postponed for today, which was confirmed for A-1 Television by the Cabinet of the mediator Cyrus Vance and Macedonian UN Mission in New York.

Greek UN Mission informed there will be no discussions on any suggested name of Macedonia on today's meeting, but on frames of future negotiations. According to A-1 Television, previous American mediator Matthew Nimmitz expressed his optimism considering further negotiations, and according to the Greek daily 'Katimerini', so did the American administration.

[02] INDEPENDENT UNPREDEP MISSION IN MACEDONIA

Under-Secretary General of the UN and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on yesterday's press conference in Skopje said that he had informed President Gligorov on the intention of UN Secretary-General to suggest to UN SEcurity Council future independent UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia. He emphasized that UN are determined to maintain the stability in Macedonia and the region. For this reason the extension of the mandate must not be excluded, and previous unanimous decision for the extension of the UNPREDEP mandate by the UN Security Council show that UN have confidence in Macedonian Government. Annan said he intends to intercede with donating countries and international institutions on behalf of Macedonia to be helped in improving the economy situation.

On the question how much will his visit and meetings he had influence the report of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali (due on January 31) for the UN Security Council, Annan said the influence will refer to the independence of the UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia, normalization of the relations with neighbouring and other countries, and mutual recognition of former Yugoslav republics.

[03] LEGAL CHARGES AGAINST FR YUGOSLAVIA

Former Yugoslav republics of Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, have agreed to raise legal charges in certain countries to prevent FR Yugoslavia from usurping the property of former SFRY. Agency 'Beta' informed that Croatian representative Bozo Marendich said such processes have already began in some countries, and pointed out France and Great Britain as the biggest problem, as the greatest part of the freezed finances of the former federation are in those states.

Marendich, in his statement for the Macedonian Television said that Croatia sticks to its attitude for all former Yugoslav republics to have equal rights in the succession.

[04] LAST HONOUR TO FRANSOA MITTERAN

Late French President Fransoa Mitteran was buried yesterday at Jernaque in Paris. A requiem mass was held yesterday in the Paris cathedral 'Notre Dome', attended by many officials from all over the world. Macedonian Premiere Branko Crvenkovski paid tribute to Mitteran on behalf of Macedonia.

President of the Macedonian Parliament, Stoyan Andov, expressed condolences at the French Embassy in Skopje, yesterday.

[05] PREOCCUPIED BY THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO

Albanian President Salli Berrisha, on the reception for the diplomatic corps in Tirana, said that Albania will send its soldiers to participate in the peace mission of NATO in Bosnia, adding that Albania is mostly preoccupied by the issue of Kosovo. In that context, Berrisha greeted the opening of an American Office in Pristine.

[06] HUNGER STRIKE ADJOURNED

Workers of the bankrupt factory 'Chik' in Kumanovo have adjourned their hunger striking till the promises given by the officials from the Government are fulfilled. According to the Macedonian Television, this was decided on their meeting with the Association of Workers of Bankrupt Enterprises from 10 towns in Macedonia, whic was closed for the press. It was concluded that only part of the requirements were accepted, as the destiny of 1000 other former workers of 'Chik' and more than 900 of the textile factory 'Kiro Fetak' is still uncertain. The Association, therefore, required from the Government and the Parliament to immediately decide on their status and social security until they are employed or retired. They threatened that, in case they are not taken seriously, a severe general strike in the whole republic will be organized. They asked to meet with President Gligorov, Premiere Crvenkovski and President of the Parliament, Andov. The Association expressed gratitude to Archbishop Mihail for his prayers for their health in the Christmas service.

[07] FRCHKOVSKI - WHY IS BREAKING UP OF THE COALITION NECESSARY?

In his article 'Liberals as a Phenomenon' in today's edition of 'Puls', Macedonian Internal Affairs Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, states reasons why the coalition between Socialdemocratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) and Liberal Party should be broken up. The first reason is, according to Frchkovski, affirmation and spreading the political 'moral' of Liberals, according to which one can govern and others will be responsible for that, which is highly undemocratic.

The second reason is that this attitude infects a small number of members of SDSM, close to the Liberals by their character and politics. LP permanently tries to calculate (unsuccessfully, according to Frchkovski) with these members with a 'cunning politics of small gains'. The political position of the Liberals in the relations between the nationalities is listed as the fourth reason, and Frchkovski presents it as a lack of an attitude and acting the 'tough VMRO-ish' role, as VMRO is not represented in the Parliament. 'This is the way to avoid the initiative and participation in the realization of the constitutional rights of the minorities, waiting for somebody else to do it.' - says he. His opinion is that Liberals are weak in 'building up their political attitudes, which would be a reference for their base and lobbies, whose interests they represent.' Minister Frchkovski identifies the base of LP with the one of Vasil Tupurkovski, and stresses that there is a 'serious danger to identify a constant of lobbing with the northern neighbour'. According to Frchkovski, it is necessary to break up the coalition between SDSM and Liberals because of the elementary honesty and democratic procedure, as a party that does not vote for a confidence to the government, where it has its own ministers, should leave that government.

[08] MANY REQUESTS FOR TOWNSHIPS

Macedonian Ministry of Law has received 70 applications of Local Communities to form townships, in accordance with the new Law on Local Self-government, which gives the right to the Local Communities for that if they fulfill the legal conditions. The deadline for these applications is 31 January 1996.

[09] MORE TV PROGRAMS FOR THE MINORITIES

Macedonian Television yesterday formally opened the new studio and equipment intended for realization and broadcasting programs in the minorities languages. Financial help for this was given by the Governments of Switzerland, Denmark and Macedonia. The celebration was attended by the Head of the Working Group for Ethnic and National Associations and Minorities of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia, Ambassador Gert Arens, Macedonian Government officials, members of the Parliament, and representatives of many political parties and associations from Macedonia. The new scheme will broadcast a 3 hours program daily in Albanian, an hour and a half program daily in Turkish and 30 minutes program twice a week in the languages of Vlachs, Romas and Serbs.

[10] MOST SUCCESSFUL BOXERS IN 1995 PROCLAIMED

Muhamed Alliu was proclaimed the most successful senior boxer of Macedonia in 1995, while Trajan Kocev of 'Bargala' from Shtip was most successful amongst the upper juniors.

Primislav Dimovski, winner of the bronze medal of the European Championship in Turkey was the most successful lower junior of Macedonia. This was announced by the Executive Board of the Boxing Alliance of Macedonia on its session yesterday, and was announced that before they participate in the forthcoming European Championship in Denmark, best Macedonian boxers will participate in the international tournaments 'The Winner of Belgrade ' in FRY and 'Tranjata Cup' in Bulgaria.

MILS SUPPLEMENT:

[11] NEW SATELLITE STATION IN 2000 ('Vecer', 11 January 1996)

Till 1992 the international telecommunications were of a small range and were performed through Belgrade and Turkey.

When the satellite station 'Drachevo', that works through one of orbital satellites of INTELSAT, was installed that year, direct telephone connections with USA (and consequently with many other countries) were established, initially through the greatest international operator AT&T.

The station had the capacity of 60 telephone channels then, a number which was gradually enlarged. 30 telephone lines through the US company MCI were added, and last year a direct satellite connection with Canada of 15 telephone lines was activated.

Macedonia is now, through the two satellite stations ('Drachevo' and the mobile one which works through EUTELSAT - Switzerland), directly connected with USA through AT&T and MCI, with Canada through 'Teleglobe', as well as with Germany and Switzerland, and transitory with about hundred other countries. This kind of communication, through small stations, is rather expensive, which was the reason for the Post, Telegraph & Telephone (PTT) of Macedonia to plan investments till the year of 2000, which include building of a new satellite station.

Macedonian Radio and Television was also interested to connect with TV stations all around the world, and to be in a position to broadcast information from the country and programs intended for Macedonian emigrants (especially in USA, Canada and Australia). The result was a new concept for the new satellite station to be an integral telecommunication and television centre.

According to Lazo Joveski, Chief of the Administration for Telegraph and Telephone Connections in PTT of Macedonia, they will submit an application to the Ministry of Civil Engineering for changing the initial purpose of the new station on the location near the village Nova Breznica.

Certain steps are already taken, while others should follow.

The next phase will be to obtain the equipment needed. It is planned for the complete investment to cost about 5 to 6 million US dollars.

When this new station is opened, the currently active stations will serve as reserves, and part of 'Drachevo' will be used for other activities (data transfer, Internet service, etc.).

(end)

mils news 12 January 1996