MILS NEWS 27/02/96

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

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 27 February 1996

[01] UNCERTAINTY ON THE NAME ISSUE

Ambassador Ivan Toshevski, the Macedonian representative in the negotiations with Greece on the name issue, is in New York from yesterday, where he should meet with the Greek UN Ambassador, Hristos Zaharakis. Athens papers speculate with possible solutions on the issue, claiming it will be decided on soon.

Daily 'Elefterotipia', wrote that Ambassador Zaharakis will, in today's negotiations, speed up the finding of a solution. Conservative'Katimerini', unofficialy informs that some prefix (geographic, ethnic, etc.) to the name of Macedonia will be agreed on. According to this paper, there is a possibility for a concrete proposal to be discussed in the next round of discussions, on which a final agreement would be reached.

These information were denied by the competent diplomatic circles of both countries, reported A-1 Television. The new Macedonian Foreign Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, gave a statement on this issue for the Macedonian Radio. He said that Macedonia is obliged by the UN Security Council Resolutions to discuss the differences in the name issue with Greece, but it is not obliged to discuss about changing the name. 'Macedonian option is to keep the Constitutional name of the country', said Frchkovski.

[02] REGIONAL AGREEMENTS OF EU

As 'Makpress' informed, on yesterday's meeting of the EU Ministers, their stand, that Belgrade will have to recognize Macedonia in order to normalize the relations with the Union, was again reinforced. Although the recognition of FR Yugoslavia is not on the Agenda, it was said that in case Belgrade announces recognition of Skopje, the Agenda might be changed and the relations between the EU and Belgrade might be normalized.

According to 'Nova Makedonija', FR Yugoslavia is waiting to see if any other country would follow the example of France, and recognize FRY without waiting for the conditions set by the EU to be fulfilled. The paper continues that there are some notifications in Belgrade for such steps to be made by Spain and Italy, and maybe Great Britain. The possibility for unilateral German recognition of FRY to take place is also mentioned, for which the German Foreign Minister, Claus Kinkel might soon pay a visit to Belgrade.

EU Ministers yesterday reached an agreement on the so- called global approach of the Union about the development of the relations with the Balkan countries. The Union is ready to make global regional agreements with the newly formed countries of former Yugoslav republics, and with Albania. The agreement must not jeopardize a third country and must provide renewal and normalization of the economy and political relations between the countries in the region, without any intentions for re-establishing the former Yugoslav federation.

The signing of the agreements will depend on the good will of the countries to participate in the renewal of the stability in the region and of the level of respecting the human rights, as well as the rights of the minorities.

European Commissar Hans van den Broek, in this context, said that the bilateral relations between the Balkan countries and Europe are not sufficient, as all these countries, including Macedonia, need a development of a regional economy cooperation.

[03] ARENS - 'WE CONCENTRATED ON ALBANIANS'

Ambassador Gerd Arens, who is paying a farewell visit to Macedonia, gave a statement for the Macedonian Radio and Television referring to his activities in Macedonia, saying:

'We had contacts with all the national groups in this country. We concentrated on the most important problem regarding Albanians, but also had talks with Serbs, Turks, Vlachs, Romans and the other groups. I had meeting with representatives of their Parties yesterday, and I think they all respect the activities carried out. It is not easy to try to mediate in a foreign country and under very complicated conditions, and I hope we did not hurt any group's feelings during our work. We avoided to criticize any problems that we tried to solve.'

[04] DIPLOMATIC BRIEFS

- New Macedonian Foreign Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, had a meeting yesterday with the Ambassador of Great Britain, Tony Millson, of Italy, Augustino Troni, of France, Patrick Chrismant and the first Secretary of the German Embassy, Dietrich Pole. The diplomats congratulated Minister Frchkovski on his new position, and discussed the situation in the region, as well as the bilateral cooperation of their countries with Macedonia.

Minister Frchkovski also met with the Head of the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic, Alexandros Mallias, who handed him a written message from the Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, with his congratulations for the new ministerial position.

- Macedonian Minister of Defense, Blagoj Hanjiski, met yesterday with the German Ambassador to Macedonia, Claus Schramaer, and positively evaluated the current cooperation of the two countries in the field of defense.

The readiness to institutionalize the future cooperation by signing certain agreements was also expressed, as well as the significance of the cooperation within the global collective security and defense systems.

- Tihomir Ilievski, Macedonian Ambassador to Sweden, paid a visit to Estonia during the weekend and met with the Estonian President, Lenard Meri. Mutual interest in development of the mutual relations and cooperation was expressed. President Meri accepted the invitation to visit Macedonia.

Ambassador Ilievski also met with the Estonian Foreign Minister, Siim Kalas.

[05] CAR - BOMB IN THE CENTRE OF TIRANA

Yesterday morning, in the centre of Tirana, a car-bomb exploded in front of a supermarket killing four and injuring twenty people. 'France Press' agency informed that Albanian President, Sali Berisha, accused the former secret service 'Sigurimi' (that worked during the period of Ramiz Alia and Enver Hoja) for the explosion. Berisha also said that such terrorist attacks were previously announced. Albanian police still does not have any information about the possible terorists.

[06] AGREEMENT WITH MONTENEGRO ON ECONOMY COOPERATION

Macedonian and Montenegrin entrepreneurs yesterday in Skopje signed an Agreement on mutual cooperation.

President of the Montenegro Chamber of Commerce, Voin Gjukanovic, said there is a perspective for this region to establish a customs union, similar to that of Western Europe, as Macedonian and Montenegrin economy depend on each other. The mutual interest in the Mutual recognition between Macedonia and FRY was stressed as urgent priority, as a precondition for wider cooperation in the industry, agriculture, tourism, etc.

President of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Dushan Petreski, said that the custom duties introduced by FRY lessened the chances for increasing the current exchange, which used to be more than $ 160 million US per year.

Petreski stressed the problems Macedonian firms have with Montenegrin ones, referring to certain legislation and payments barriers. He said they could be solved by joint ventures of the firms, cooperation between the banks and by reducing the costs.

Montenegrin entrepreneurs will today have a presentation of the Port of Bar and the enterprise 'Radoe Dakic'.

[07] SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION OF THE GREEK ECONOMY

Nikos Constatimidis, the General Manager of the Greek marketing company 'ABC Group', that organized the exhibition of the Greek products in Skopje, said that a great success was achieved and that there was an unexpected high interest for the Greek products. The aim of the fair, according to Constatimidis, was many business contacts to be made, which was completely realized.

Expectations are that the presentation will be a basis for further wider cooperation. It was mentioned that the greatest attraction was the office equipment and general consumer goods.

[08] FIRST SESSION OF THE NEW MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT

On the first session of the new Macedonian Government held yesterday, Premiere Branko Crvenkovski appointed d-r Jane Miljoski, d-r Ljube Trpevski and d-r Bekjir Zutta Vice Presidents. They will coordinate the activities referring to the negotiations with the international finance institutions and with the EU on trade and economy cooperation. It was announced that the Government appointed the Presidents and members of 12 Governmental Commissions.

[09] SIGNATURES FOR EARLY ELECTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR

VMRO - DPMNE announced their decision to collect 150 000 signatures for a referendum on early parliamentary elections. As it was said on yesterday's press conference, this action will take place during the first half of this year. VMRO-DPMNE welcomes all other Parties in Macedonia to join the campaign.

The Party also informed that its leader, Ljupcho Georgievski, is currently in the USA, meeting important politicians of that country. They stressed that Georgievski will ask from them to show understanding for the request of his Party for early elections in Macedonia.

[10] DEMOCRATS WANT PROPORTIONAL ELECTIONS

Democratic Party also interceded for earlier elections, yesterday, but based on proportional principle. The Spokesman of the Party, Jovan Manasievski, supported this request with the fact that Macedonia is the only post- communist country which has a pure majority model. He said such a model is acceptable for big countries or for those with proved democracy. The proportional model ensures, the Democrats claim, permanent presence of the opposition in the Parliament. The other advantages are the economical and less complicated elections, as well as the less possibility for manipulation. 'This is an offer Macedonian Government can simply not refuse, because in case they do, they will prove their fear from democratic elections.' - said Manasievski.

The proposal for changing the principle of the elections have been sent to the Macedonian Government, to the electoral bodies and all competent international institutions. The opposition parties were also informed about it, and they, according to Mansievski, show a great enthusiasm.

[11] MACEDONIAN PUBLISHERS ON A FAIR IN CAIRO

More than 500 titles of about 20 publishers from Macedonia are exhibited at the 8th International Book Fair in Cairo.

Petre Bakevski of 'Detska Radost' and Vancho Spasovski of 'Misla' presented the Macedonian works during yesterday's promotion of the Macedonian publishers.

(end)

mils news 27 February 1996