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MILS NEWS 19/02/96From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@MILS.SPIC.ORG.MK>Macedonian Information Liaison Service DirectoryCONTENTS[01] MACEDONIA OFFICIALLY INCLUDED IN THE PHARE PROGRAM[02] GREEK MEDIA - NAME ISSUE WILL BE SOLVED AT THE END OF THE SUMMER[03] BULGARIAN POLICE DID NOT ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION[04] AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL INSURANCE WITH SLOVENIA[05] BOMB TERRORISTS IN KOSOVO KNOWN?[06] DPM - 'THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE SYSTEM DO NOT FUNCTION'[07] INTERNAL EQUI - DISTANCE OF GLIGOROV[08] MONOGRAPHY OF MACEDONIAN MONASTERIES PROMOTEDMILS SUPPLEMENT[09] Having Coffee with Neighbours ('Nova Makedonija', 17 February 1996)MILS NEWSSkopje, 19 February 1996[01] MACEDONIA OFFICIALLY INCLUDED IN THE PHARE PROGRAMOn its session held last Friday, the European Parliament decided to officially include Macedonia in the European Program for Assistance and Development of Central and Eastern European Countries, PHARE. Rapporteur Kidelman submitted his report on the situation in Macedonia for the third time, after which it was concluded that Macedonia urgently needs help of this Program, which would contribute to the stability of the country and of the whole region. It is planned that Macedonia is given 25 million ECU annually, intended for financing the projects for development of the economy, culture, health care, agriculture, education, infrastructure, etc. The first financial help will be used for modernizing the roads and the airports in Macedonia.PHARE Program was established in 1990 to strengthen the economies of the new democracies, formed after the fall of the communism. [02] GREEK MEDIA - NAME ISSUE WILL BE SOLVED AT THE END OF THE SUMMERAccording to 'Makpress' agency, rumours in Athens are that the name issue will not be solved on the next round of Macedonian-Greek discussions scheduled for 26 February 1996, but the solution will be postponed for the end of the forthcoming summer. The reasons, according to the Greek sources, are the internal political problems of both countries: In Greece - tensions with Turkey in the Aegean Sea, and in Macedonia - the reconstruction of the Government. Some Greek papers consider the next consultations in New York crucial for the new phase in the mutual relations, when the possible options for a final solution will be studied. Referring to the situation in Macedonia, it is said that 'the northern neighbour enters a period of an unstable Government, and the possibility for earlier elections is not excluded'. The need for finding an understanding for Belgrade, which insists on recognizing Macedonia under the constitutional name, is also emphasized.[03] BULGARIAN POLICE DID NOT ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTIONFollowing the forced interruption of the meeting of OMO 'Ilinden' from Bulgaria, and the expelling of the two representatives of the 'Rainbow' Party from Greece, by the Bulgarian police on 4 February this year, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights reacted by saing they were deeply worried about the actions of the Bulgarian police, which are contrary to the Bulgarian Constitution, as it guarantees the freedom of associating. Also, no official approval is needed for meetings held behind closed doors.That is why the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights require from the Bulgarian authorities to act in accordance with the Constitution, as well as with Article 11 of the European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms and paragraph 9.2 of the OSCE Document of Copenhagen, both signed by Bulgaria. [04] AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL INSURANCE WITH SLOVENIAMacedonia and Slovenia are close to sign a bylateral agreement on Social Insurance. The Agreement will include regulation of pensions (regular and disability ones); health care insurance, and the aid for children and unemployed.[05] BOMB TERRORISTS IN KOSOVO KNOWN?The secret organization of Albanians in Kosovo, 'Liberation Army of Kosovo', took over the responsibility for the bombs that exploded in several Serbian refugee camps in Kosovo, informed the daily 'Rilindja'. The announcement of this organization reads that these actions are warning to the Serbian Government to stop the colonization of Kosovo, the expelling of Albanians from there, as well as the Serbian terror against them.Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo, Hidaet Hissenni, stated for 'Beta' agency that his Party knows nothing about the existence of the 'Liberation Army of Kosovo', and that there is a possibility that 'the explosions were a deed of the Serbian Radical Party'. [06] DPM - 'THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE SYSTEM DO NOT FUNCTION''It is obvious that the institutions of the system do not function, which could have catastrophic consequences for the life in the country', was said in the announcement of the Democratic Party of Macedonia. It was also announced that the Party Central Committee, on its session, last Friday, discussed the political crisis in the country, the results of the elections in the electoral unit 114 in Skopje, and the activities of the Party Committees between the two sessions.[07] INTERNAL EQUI - DISTANCE OF GLIGOROVToday's daily 'Nova Makedonija' comments on the attitude of President Gligorov towards the conflict between Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia and the Liberal Party. The comment reads that 'he, after his dramatically announced concern about the breakdown of the Coalition, wants to put the things in their right place, and to prove that he had neither survived a 'second assassination attempt' (as the Democratic Party said), nor intends to open a discussion on changing the Constitution (required by the Labour Party), as both would jeopardize the lasting interests of the country.Last Friday, in the Macedonian Army Hall, the President was seated next to Branko Crvenkovski, and the very next day, in Mavrovo, he was with Stojan Andov. It seems he wants to prove that what happened took place between the two Parties, and that both the President of the Parliament and of the Government are still here, cooperate with him, and the country lives its life in the frames of the Constitution and the laws.' - reads the comment. [08] MONOGRAPHY OF MACEDONIAN MONASTERIES PROMOTEDThe monography 'Macedonian Monasteries' by d-r Dimitar Chornakov, published by 'Matica Makedonska', was officially promoted in the National Library 'St. Clement of Ohrid' in Skopje. The monography informs about the most outstanding Macedonian monasteries built in the Middle Ages, as well as about the newest discoveries in this field of cultural heritage. On this occasion the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Mihail, described the monasteries as 'fortresses of the Macedonian spirit'.MILS SUPPLEMENT[09] Having Coffee with Neighbours('Nova Makedonija', 17 February 1996)'I suddenly need a photo to cross the border. I do not understand why, since I am well known on both sides. I have crossed the border thousands of times. It would be best if there are no visas at all. And I could come to have coffee with you whenever I like... As it used to be.' We were told this by an old fisherman named Stavre, more popular by his nickname Trupo, from Doirani in Greece. Doirani is a small settlement of about 40 houses with mostly old people. And they all wish visas are abolished, so that they could go to Doiran in Macedonia without a passport or a photo. The situation concerning the gamblers is different: they cross the border every evening, mostly during the weekends, but it is easy for them to pay for the visa, as they look for pleasure. 'For us', say people in Doirani, 'crossing the border is a need...' People not only from Doirani, but from other settlements around Doiran Lake, greet the five times reduced prices for the visas. Ordinary people from the places near the border in Greece, had to pay a significant amount of money to come to Macedonia: they had to pay 33 DM for the visa plus almost 80 DM (12 000 drachmas) for car insurance, the latter valid only for a month. That is why most of them crossed the border on foot. The new visa price list was accepted with pleasure and considered a further confirmation of the 'warming' of the relations between the two countries, as well as a sign of future alleviation of the regulations referring to the crossing of the Greek - Macedonian border. The team of the popular TV station 'Antena' convinced us that the visas will be issued at the border, after the Liaison Offices in Skopje and Athens were opened. People from Doirani wish for the visas to be completely abolished, so that they could go to have coffee with their neighbours whenever they like. After all, last houses of Doirani are next to the Greek border ramp. 'We go to Doiran in Macedonia from various reasons, but mostly for business, as we cooperate with the firm 'Doiran Lake' from New Doiran. Sometimes we go only for a visit, or to have a talk and agree on something. I would like to send oranges to the fishermen in Doiran again. When we have no fish, oranges are also good.' - said the General Manager of the Fishermen Cooperative, Niko Denta, who sent a truck with oranges to the fishermen in Doiran a few months ago, when the embargo was still in effect. Older inhabitants of the places near the border remember the times when they used to cross the border only with a border card. People from Gevgelia (Macedonia) used to go to the village of Seovo in Greece for shopping, mostly for luxurious goods from Thessaloniki, goods that were missing on then poor home market. Tradesmen from Thessaloniki quickly adjusted to that situation by opening provisional shops by the road and in the village of Seovo. Greek citizens, on the other hand, used to go to Gevgelia. The situation lasted for more than three decades, in accordance with the agreements between Greece and former SFRY. Citizens who lived within 15 kilometres from the border then crossed it with a border card, and could use it 12 times in a year. The stay was limited to 24 hours and to the border area. This made the Macedonian - Greek border very lively, which initiated opening of two additional border crossings, besides Bogorodica - Evzoni: one near the village of Seovo, and the other near the village of Uma. The situation changed in 1963, when the military junta came to power in Greece. Greece abolished the easy ways of crossing the border: the new crossings were closed, and the citizens could no longer travel with the border card. Thessaloniki tradesmen left Seovo, and also did its inhabitants. The regulations imposed by the military junta remained in effect after its falling from power. In recent times, after the embargo was lifted, the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Florina (Lerin) required from the Greek Government to alleviate the regulations, which would increase the local border traffic. The President of this Chamber, Nikos Fanuriakis, stressed the requiring for introducing a cheap one-day license for the traffic between Florina and Bitola, as well as for allowing a one-day visit without a visa. The Mayor of Florinas also stressed the need for abolishing the visas, and the opening of the Chamber Offices in Bitola. The President of the Local Community of Pataros, which includes Doirani, Mr. Teophilos Percidinis, considers that the normalization of the relations and of the border traffic offer possibilities for closer cooperation between the neighbouring Local Communities. He also finds it necessary that the visa regulations are further alleviated, especially for the citizens of the border places. 'People from Doiran could come to Pataros daily, folklore groups could participate in our festival, fishermen could cooperate, and athletes could compete' - said Percinidis. The need for intensified contacts and for realization of projects of mutual interests was confirmed also by the Mayor of Kilkis (Kukus), Iorgos Floridis. He pointed out that the local border traffic must be improved, and that the visas regulations must not be an obstacle for it. Whether all this will come true, remains to be seen. The next move should be made by the Greek authorities, who abolished the privileges in crossing of the border, despite the interest of their own citizens for their re-establishing. The recent Agreement signed by the Foreign Ministries representatives of Macedonia and Greece, included the revision of the once signed Agreements between Greece and SFRY, referring to our country. The revision inevitably includes the local border traffic, more precisely the possibility for the citizens to cross the border only with a card. If the above cited requirements from the Greek officials are taken into account, it seems that the local border crossing as a form of cooperation is being considered in Athens, as well. It means that the voice from the border places has reached the top of the state. (end)mils news 19 February 1996 |
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