MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-11-06

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From: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>

CONTENTS

[01] 'CARNEGIE INSTITUTE' ON CONDITIONS IN THE BALKANS

[02] CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN GREEK-MACEDONIAN RELATIONS

[03] STRESSING OF MACEDONIAN CONTRIBUTION IN GREEK LIBERATION WAR

[04] VICE-PRESIDENT MILJOSKI DISCUSSES GERMAN INVESTMENTS IN MACEDONIA

[05] EBRD: INFLATION IN MACEDONIA AMONG THE LOWEST

[06] TOURIST VISAS FOR AUSTRALIA AVAILABLE AT 'QUANTAS' OFFICE IN SKOPJE

[07] DEFINITE DATA OF CENSUS '94

[08] TRADE UNION FEDERATION UNHAPPY WITH PRIVATIZATION PROCEDURES

[09] WELFARE FUNDS PROVIDED TILL CLOSE OF THIS YEAR

[10] MACEDONIAN AUTHORS CALLED 'SERB MACEDONIANS' IN ROME

[11] IMRO-DPMNE CANDIDATES REQUEST LEGAL PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] 'Doubting the Independence of Judges (Part II)

MILS NEWS

[01] 'CARNEGIE INSTITUTE' ON CONDITIONS IN THE BALKANS

In connection to security issues the 'Carnegie Institute' proposes the forming of a Balkan association within the PFP programme. Regional cooperation could also be strengthened by a free trade zone - which could subsequently be integrated into CEFTA.

According to A-1 TV these findings of the Institute have received favourable assessments and political support by the USA and Europe, and the report itself has also been discussed by EU Commissioner Hans Van Der Bruck and its authors in Brussels yesterday. Based on MTV reports the section on Macedonia has been compiled by a group of US and European past and incumbent officials, and it outlines the emergence of one of the most stable countries to rise out of the ashes of the old Yugoslavia. But it also warns that the nation's future will depend on the resolving of the Albanian issue, despite the fact that the position of Albanians in Macedonia is by far better than that of Albanians in Kosovo. The report also emphasises the importance of international support in order to encourage Albanians to remain within a unified state, besides suggestions made in this context to decentralize the government in Macedonia. As far as the 'Tetovo University' is concerned, it has been proposed to establish a Balkan, i.e. a SE University. The report's conclusions also recommend the further presence of UNPREDEP units, until the Kosovo issue has been resolved as it presents a potential threat to peace in the region.

MTV furthermore reports that with respect to Greece the 'Carnegie Institute' stressed the necessity of recognizing Macedonian and Turkish ethnicities in the country. The report reveals that Macedonians are neither being recognized as a minority nor are they entitled to study their own language in Greece. The recognition of ethnicities in the Balkans - the report states - and above all of the Macedonian one in the above named case, is one of the key prerequisites for the permanent pacification of the Balkans.

[02] CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN GREEK-MACEDONIAN RELATIONS

Van Der Bruck also expressed his hopes that during his next conference he could refer to the country by a name other than the rather artificial FYROM, a name that would hopefully be acceptable to both sides.

Greek government spokesperson Dimitris Repas claimed that his country's relations towards its neighbour were above all based on the Temporary Agreement signed in autumn '95.

He continued to quote President Gligorov that some concessions had been made by Greece in this accord, as well as that the leading role in maintaining peace and security in the Balkans were to be attributed to Greece.

This prominent position also belonged to the latter with regards to joint economic projects and ventures.

Concerning the scheduled visit of Greek PM Costas Simitis to Macedonia - Repas said that it would not take place in the near future, as well that it would be conditioned by the current situation in the region.

Negotiations on the name-issue are to be continued in New York today, and media in Athens - according to 'Makfax' - speculates that Cyrus Vance will most probably withdraw from his mandate as a mediator, due to the fact that Skopje does not exhibit any flexibility.

[03] STRESSING OF MACEDONIAN CONTRIBUTION IN GREEK LIBERATION WAR

[04] VICE-PRESIDENT MILJOSKI DISCUSSES GERMAN INVESTMENTS IN MACEDONIA

In this context it was also stressed the German 'Hermes' banking and insurance group still exhibited considerable reservedness in terms of covering warranties for German investors - in spite of the steadily increasing interest of companies in bilateral cooperation.

Besides all this, yesterday still saw the announcement of Pece Damevski - head of 'Asiba MG' the main dealer of the 'Volkswagen' group in Macedonia - concerning the construction of assembly facilities for the new 'A3' model by 'Audi', scheduled to commence its work in March next year. By 1999 the car should also be manufactured in Macedonia. An agreement between the Macedonian government and 'Audi' on this project is to be signed by the end of this month. As we have already reported several Macedonian companies are to be integrated into this venture - which will require 86 million DM in funding, of which 60% are to be provided by 'Audi'. It is the aim of Macedonia to acquire the production process of high quality parts which would eventually be used in production in Germany as well.

[05] EBRD: INFLATION IN MACEDONIA AMONG THE LOWEST

Forecasts for next year predict inflation rates of 3% in Macedonia, of 6% in Croatia and of 6.5% in Slovakia.

The EBRD study also reveals that a decrease of inflation had been noticed in almost every East European state, except for Bulgaria, Albania and Romania. It also registers the decrease of export trade rates since domestic demands and investments are increased - but export into EU states had taken a plunge.

[06] TOURIST VISAS FOR AUSTRALIA AVAILABLE AT 'QUANTAS' OFFICE IN SKOPJE

[07] DEFINITE DATA OF CENSUS '94

Data have been categorized on grounds of the territorial division of that time, whereas the new municipal division is to be implemented on them successively, in 12 subsequent editions.

According to reports of the Macedonian National Radio the overall population of Macedonia amounted to 1 045 932, of which 1 295 964 (66.6%) are ethnic Macedonians, 441 104 (22.8%) Albanians, 78 019 (4%) Turks, 43 707 (2.2%) Romani, 8 501 (0.14%) Vlachs, 40 228 (2.1%) Serbs and 36 427 (1.9%) others, in addition to 1 882 (0.1%) who did not wish to state any ethnic affiliation. This figure also includes people who list Macedonia as their official place of residence, regardless whether they were at their place of residence - or somewhere else in Macedonia - during the census; or people who are in Macedonia for more than one year t though they are citizens of another country; then people who were abroad at the time up to one year; employees of Macedonian diplomatic missions abroad or individuals engaged in international projects and organisations. According to the National Institute of Statistics all data are reliable, except for those obtained in Debar - which head to be expressed in percentages.

The institute's head assessed the census procedures and the presentation of data as consistent and objective - in spite of numerous attempts to add a political connotation to the entire matter. What was also stressed throughout yesterday's press conference was the support and assistance of the European Council and the EU in general - both in terms of logistics and concrete aid (worth 1 900 000 ECU). According to Werner Haug - head of the International Census Observation Mission which monitored the census in Macedonia - it has been a major achievement that for the first time in the history of international statistics all stages of a census had been analyzed by international experts, government experts and those of different ethnicities - particularly the Albanian one.

Haug also expressed his conviction that there is no basis whatsoever to discard data obtained throughout this census as unreliable by any of the stakeholders.

[08] TRADE UNION FEDERATION UNHAPPY WITH PRIVATIZATION PROCEDURES

Throughout this the most common MO was the purchase of social capital by employees, and the re-selling of the same to individuals who subsequently emerged as the new management. This - according to the media - had been part of the dominant topics discussed on yesterday's session of the Macedonian Trade Union Federation, apart form analyzing the results achieved due to the reached consensus between the former and the Macedonian government - with respect to the process of privatization. As it is known it had been the initial purpose of this consensus (reached one year ago) to create more favourable economic and social conditions, better working conditions and a speeding up of transition procedures.

The Trade Union Federation stressed that numerous problems had emerged which had a negative impact on the establishment of employee-ownership, as many employees are insufficiently informed on privatization procedures, or they are being pressured into selling their shares. This lack of protection of minor shareholders is conducive to the emergence of many conflicts. Thus the severe condemnation by the Trade Union Federation of such 'bully' methods where employees are being forced into selling their shares under their value, or into passing on their management rights. The Trade Union Federation also expressed its commitment to make sure that besides 30% in shares, employees would also receive controlling majority, that legal regulations were obeyed and that the level of feedback to employees_shareholders was improved drastically (through status reports, etc.). To this purpose the Trade Union Federation of Macedonia would also initiate the passing and enactment of corresponding legislative measures regarding employee-ownership. Unless the latter is not protected and respected by new managements it would demand the suspending of agreements.

[09] WELFARE FUNDS PROVIDED TILL CLOSE OF THIS YEAR

[10] MACEDONIAN AUTHORS CALLED 'SERB MACEDONIANS' IN ROME

[11] IMRO-DPMNE CANDIDATES REQUEST LEGAL PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS

Therefore it has been demanded by the court to assume legal actions, and to pass a ruling which would be broadcast in the media.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] 'Doubting the Independence of Judges

('Makedonsko Delo' - 30th October 1996, - PART II)

The Helsinki Human Rights Watch in the Republic of Macedonia feels that the basic impediment to the evolving of minority rights in Macedonia still lies in the lack of mutual trust and tolerance - first and foremost between the government and the political parties, in particular those representing the Albanian ethnicity in Macedonia.

In that sense there are fears that larger and more relevant concessions will be demanded by nationalities on a political and cultural level, which would ultimately be implemented to achieve certain political aspirations - which are not acceptable to either the Macedonian state or the majority of the Macedonian people.

In such conditions the Helsinki Committee insists upon the respecting and the implementing of criteria set by international human rights organisations. We therefore support Macedonia' adoption of the General Convention on the Rights of National Minorities - as well as that of the European Charter on Regional , i.e. Minority Languages.

Since being objective, these international standards would serve as a foundation for the subsequent construction of trust and tolerance, for the secure establishment of interaction and the evolving of understanding among ethnic and national communities within the country.

In recent times the Helsinki Human Rights Watch increasingly had to deal with the rights of the so-called 'refugee children' Macedonians born on Greek territory who left Greece during the Civil War in 1948, and are currently living in Canada, Australia, in several European countries and mostly in the Republic of Macedonia. These people are mainly confronted with two difficulties:

1. Greek authorities do not allow their entering the country, as - based on police reports - individuals represent 'personae non grata', or since their place of birth has not been denoted with the appropriate Greek toponym in their passports - which has become prerequisite after the territorial division of Macedonia following World War 1. Thus the old Macedonian term implies that the holder of the passport has been born in Lerin - and not in Florina; in Kostur - and not in Kastoria; in German - and not in Agios Germanos; in Solun - and not in Thessaloniki, etc.

There no exceptions being made whatsoever - even in cases of death of a relation. Thus we were forced to even personally approach Greek Foreign Secretary Pangalos in May this year. More and more cases of this kind are being forwarded to the Committee, not only from Macedonia - but also from Australia, Canada and other countries. We have found out that even the Polish Human Rights Watch had been approached with matters of this sort - besides the Helsinki Federation and the governments of the countries in which the plaintiffs live. The Helsinki Human Rights Watch in Macedonia has commenced the compiling of a complete documentation basis regarding this subject-matter, in order to instigate a more thorough investigation into the rights of Macedonian born in the Republic of Greece.

2. All these people are proprietors of real estate (arable land, houses, etc.), which they have been deprived of through a particular act of law passed by the Greek government. The real estate can be restituted if the owner signs a written document proclaiming her_him a Greek by birth. Up to now no such cases have been registered ... and nobody has given up the rights of ownership either.

With respect to the rights of Macedonians born in Greece - who fled the country during the Civil War - the Helsinki Human Rights Watch in Macedonia has succeeded in establishing a team of experts who is to compile concrete evidence which is to be subsequently forwarded to instances in charge of such matters. In this undertaking we have been aided by our Swedish counterpart to whom we express our gratitude.

We aplogize for our delay in transmission, which is due to problems with our INTERNET hook-up and fax-modem.

(end)

mils news 06 November, 1996

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