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MILS NEWS 96-09-27Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 27 September, 1996[01] BILATERAL MEETINGS OF THE MACEDONIAN DELEGATION IN NEW YORKWithin the UN General Assembly 51st session framework, Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov yesterday continued the series of meetings with other officials and representatives of various institutions. According to Macedonian Television, yesterday he met with German Foreign Minister and a vice- chancellor Claus Kunkel, the EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek, President of Bosnia-Herzegovina Alia Izetbegovic, and with the delegation of the World Jewish Congress.During the meeting of Gligorov with the US Secretary of State Warren Christopher the day before yesterday, Christopher paid many compliments to the Macedonian policy and to President Gligorov. According to 'Vecer' daily, he also expressed his gratitude for the sincerely welcome of US soldiers within the UNPREDEP forces in Macedonia, and highly estimated the understanding between nations in the country. Macedonian Head of State talked to Malaysian Prime Minister Mohathir Mohammed yesterday, paying a special attention to the possibilities for the economic bilateral cooperation. Macedonian Television reported that after the meeting, the two officials had initiated signing of a basic agreement on cooperation in economy and banking, as well as a cooperation in the sphere of informing and education. Malaysian Prime Minister invited both President Gligorov and Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski to pay a visit to Malaysia soon, and supported the candidacy of Macedonia for a temporal membership in the Security Council. The national TV station also reported that Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frchkovski had had meetings yesterday with his Indonesian counterpart Ali Aladan and with the Head of the UN Peace Missions, Kofi Annand. [02] USA READY TO HELP ON THE MACEDONIAN ISSUE'USA are ready to assist in finding of the solution for the Macedonian issue, in case Greek Prime Minister Simitis and Macedonian President Gligorov accept that,' Athens radio 'Sky' had reported yesterday. According to A-1 Television, which cited the information, US State Department Spokesman Nicholas Barns had stated that the stands of Athens and Skopje contained certain flexibility, which had been realized by the US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, during the separate meetings with the two officials. Barns added that, despite 'that encouraging fact, the flexibility can not be easily turned into an agreement when such a sensitive and bitter subject is concerned'.[03] NEED FOR THE PROJECT ON ENERGY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BALKAN COUNTRIESGreek European Commission member Hristos Papucis in charge of energy sector, yesterday in Brussels had inaugurated a working group in charge of the project on energy connections between Balkan countries, which would be financed by the EU, 'Makfax' agency reported. The initiative was accepted in October 1995, when a Regional Energetic Centre was founded in Thessaloniki, but in which Macedonia was not included.However, yesterday Papucis said that Macedonia has to be included in the project. According to him, the project would strengthen the political and economic stability in the region and promote the peace and prosperity of Balkan countries. It was notified that Commissioner Papucis would pay visit to Skopje, Saraevo and Tirana at the beginning of November, where he would have discussions on the development of the energy field. The European Commission considers that Bosnia-Herzegovina and FR Yugoslavia should also be included in the project, but only after all political obstacles are removed. [04] TAKING OVER THE FLIGHT CONTROL WITHOUT PROBLEMSThe basic conclusion made by representatives of Flight Controls of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, FR Yugoslavia and Albania, at the meeting which had ended yesterday in Thessaloniki, was that there were no obstacles for the new system of flight control in the region to be applied from 8 November, which would provide services for the users of Macedonian air space. 'Vecer' daily read that this meeting had been the last in the series, organized following the initiative of the international air transport association - IKAO. All of them dealt with the coordination necessary for the Macedonian air space flight control to be taken over by the Flight Control Centre 'Skopje'.[05] CREDIT FOR MODERNIZATION OF MACEDONIAN RAILWAYSBank 'Eurofima', seated in Basle, had approved a credit CHF 1,85 million worth, intended for rehabilitation of the rail transport capacities of Macedonia, A-1 Television reported. The means will be used for supply of reserve parts and equipment of the rolling stock. Macedonian Railways Director Stojan Naumov had stated that situation of the railways capacities had especially aggravated during the sanctions on FR Yugoslavia and the embargo that Greece had imposed on Macedonia.A-1 Television also reported that Macedonian Railways already owe CHF 27,3 million to 'Eurofima' Bank, but the debt had been recently reprogrammed in Skopje and its repayment would begin in the year of 2000. [06] 'NOVA MAKEDONIJA': TO THE BIRTH PLACE WITH NEW PASSPORTSToday's issue of 'Nova Makedonija' reads that Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs had reported recently about ten Macedonian citizens born in Greece, who had already visited this country with new passports in which their place of birth had been replaced with 'Republic of Greece'. Such passports are issued on request of citizens, and this new 'formula' for Macedonians from the Aegean part of Macedonia to be able to enter Greece had been applied without any problems and accepted by the Greek authorities. The new practice had been introduced following the insistence of the Macedonian state, and in accordance with the Interim Accord, 'Nova Makedonija' reports.[07] FOLLOWING THE UN PROGRAMME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSEA delegation of the UN Drugs Control Programme (UNDCP) has been paying a one week long visit to Macedonia since the day before yesterday, in order to have discussion with Macedonian authorities on the possibilities to develop legal and institutional systems for stopping and preventing the illegal trade with drugs and their abuse. According to the local media, subjects of discussion will be the organized crime, corruption, etc. In context of that, a part of customs officers would be involved in a police action for improving the security measures and control.[08] STATISTICS ON SALE OF STATE OWNED REAL ESTATESThe sale of state owned real estates in Macedonia, which has been going on since 1992, has brought an income of DM 76,231,000. Until now, 472 office premises have been sold of 33,405 square metres total space. According to yesterday's issue of 'Dnevnik' daily, these data were announced at Macedonian Public Enterprise for Real Estate Economy. It was also presented that since the end of 1992 till now, 437 state owned flats had been sold of 13,759 square metres total space, worth DM 10 million.[09] ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE PARLIAMENTARIAN DECISIONYesterday, at the Macedonian Constitutional Court, arguments for and against were presented regarding the decision of the Macedonian Parliament, by which MPs had declared themselves incompetent to decide on scheduling a referendum on early elections. Leader of VMRO-DPMNE Ljupcho Georgievski and of the Democratic Party Petar Goshev had denied the constitutionality of that decision. They found the Constitutional Court competent of deciding about it, and said the Parliament was obliged to schedule a referendum if 150,000 people had supported it with their signatures.According to Ljupcho Georgievski 'it would be most dangerous for Macedonia the Constitutional Court to declare itself incompetent of this issue'. Petar Goshev had said that the 150,000 signatures were anticipated as a correction to the impossibility for the Parliament to be dismissed, and that the number of 150,000 was established to avoid the possibility for smaller groups to demand scheduling of a referendum 'every day'. MA Gjorgji Naumov, a lawyer, had underlined that the decision of the Parliament was in fact a regulation, which makes it susceptible to a court evaluation. He had also accused the Parliament of deliberately not issuing the conclusions at the Macedonian Official Register, which is why they can not be submitted to a court procedure, Macedonian Television reported. Slavko Petrov, also a lawyer, had stated that the decision of the Parliament had violated the civil right of political actions, which the Constitutional Court had to protect. Representatives of the Macedonian Parliament and Government (including Justice Minister Vlado Popovski, MP Tushe Goshev, and others) presented their stands that the Parliament could dismiss itself in case 61 MPs voted for that, while the citizens could express their (dis)satisfaction each fourth year on regular elections. According to A-1 Television, the other law experts who were present at the session, Evgeni Dimitrov and Mirjana Najchevska, had presented similar arguments. The session of the Constitutional Court thus ended by a conclusion that the Court would examine the opinions presented, and than decide whether to proceed with establishing of the constitutionality of the Parliamentarian decision or not. [10] SEVERAL AGREEMENTS RATIFIEDThe 53rd session of the Parliament was yesterday postponed for two hours later, due to a lack of quorum. After it was continued, seven Agreements of the Macedonian Government with foreign countries and institutions were ratified. The Parliament also passed the first phases of the Law on Securities Issuing and Trading and agreed that the Law on Forests should be passed as soon as possible. The importance of the latter was supported by the fact that it would determine the owner of woods.[11] CANDIDACY OF MINISTER UNKOVSKI FOR A MAYOR DENIEDMacedonian Culture Minister Slobodan Unkovski yesterday personally denied the speculations about his candidacy for the position of a mayor of the City of Skopje. In the statement he made for the press, he said such a thing had never been mentioned to him, adding that he intended to remain in the field of culture, since he considered himself able to contribute more in it.[12] RADMILA KIPRIJANOVA RE-ELECTED FOR A RECTORProf. d-r Radmila Kiprijanova was yesterday re-elected for a rector of the University 'St. Cyril and Methodius' and will be its head for the next two years, Macedonian media reported. 44 of the total number of 76 University Senators yesterday voted for Kiprijanova, 29 voted for the other candidate Prof. d-r Metodi Simonovski, while three ballots were declared invalid.The University Senate yesterday decided, with an acclamation, to grant Mr. Robert Badenteur with the title of an honourable Doctor of Law. The reason stated was that Badenteur was granted with this title because of his great contribution in the field of law and the constitutional and political system, as well as because of his significant public engagements. The title would be officially handed to him in Skopje on 7 October. [13] REACTIONS OF THE ITALIAN EMBASSY FOR THE ECOLOGY PROTECTION IN SKOPJE'Vecer' daily read that the authorities of the Italian Embassy in Skopje had recently protested against the cutting of the old maple tree in the vicinity of the Embassy. The Italian diplomats had described the tree, which was several decades old, as 'a small oxygen factory' in the over- polluted centre of Skopje, but also as a decoration and a historical value for which both the citizens and the competent authorities should care for. 'In case a new tree is planted at the same location, at least ten years will be necessary for it to be able to contribute to the environment, which has been a matter much discussed lately,' they underlined. The old maple tree had been cut off on request of the 'Almako' company, which will build its object there, while the remainings of the tree had been collected by the company 'Parks and Greenery'.MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] 'Flirt Made in USA'('Koha Jone' - quoted by 'Fokus', 27 September, 1996)Skopje and Tirana have crossed their swords seriously for the first time since the beginning of their mutual relations. Both countries' Foreign Affairs Ministries exchanged statements that, besides the stereotype phrases, contained a doze of a non-overcame nervousness. Macedonia showed its teeth by reminding official Tirana of the 26 May elections and stolen votes. Albania engaged its Parliament to pass a Resolution in order to remind its neighbouring country that about 40% of the Albanian population in Macedonia can not be left unprotected. No matter the conditions under which the Republic of Macedonia was established and the disputes it created in the Balkans, and despite the fact that a great part of its population are Albanians, Skopje and Tirana had not argued in the past. Albania had recognized the new problematic Republic without setting almost any conditions. It only underlined that it would use its veto in OSCE in case Skopje did not respect the rights of the Albanians in Macedonia. After Greece imposed its embargo on Macedonia, Albania offered its harbours and roads to the new Republic. It also helped in the armament of the Macedonian Army, and Berisha and Gligorov had several friendly meetings. However, Skopje and Tirana suddenly 'exploded', making an impression that their five years long flirt and friendship had been a deed of a third party. What was the reason for the 'explosion' and what will be the consequences from it? In case Skopje continues to remind Tirana of the stolen votes, it is quite possible that Tirana will keep reminding Skopje of the Albanians in Macedonia and of their rights. The doubt increases when one remembers the new situation in the relations between Albania and USA. Tirana wants to remind Washington that the eventual break up of their mutual agreement would mean an abolishing of the Macedonian one. After that, USA would have two alternatives: either to wait for riots to take place within the borders of their Balkan favorite or to correct something in regard to Tirana. A different development might bring to serious problems which might disturb the routine peace in the central Balkans. (end)mils news 27 September, 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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