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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-11-18Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 18th November, 1996[01] RESOLUTION ON PREVENTION AGAINST VIOLENT DISINTEGRATION OF STATES, PROPOSED BY MACEDONIA, ADOPTEDThe Political Committee of the 51st General Assembly of the UN has adopted the Macedonian Resolution on the Maintenance of International Security - the Prevention Against the Violent Disintegration of States, reports `Nova Makedonija'. This motion had been supported by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Hercegowina, Congo, Denmark, France, Germany, Grusia, Greece, Equador, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Moldovia, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Great Britain, the Ukraine, the USA and Zaire as co-authors.Concordant to the official release by the Foreign Office, the Resolution place quite a lot of emphasis on good neighbourliness and the respecting of territorial integrity of all states, as well as on the irrevocability of international borders. [02] MACEDONIAN CITIZENS ELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT YESTERDAYFor the first time since the founding of their country, the citizens of Macedonia cast their vote to determine local government structures. These first local elections are held in compliance to new legal provisions and a new territorial division. As it has been published many times, 1 498 653 registered voters are to elect 124 councils - and as many mayors - for 123 municipalities and the city of Skopje. Thus local governing is to be conducted by 1 906 city counsellors and 124 mayors, which are to be chosen out of the 13 500 candidates on 803 councellor nomination lists and 655 mayor nomination lists. The NEC reported the presence of 73 foreign observers belonging to 3 international organisations, in addition to that of 48 representatives of domestic human rights organisations.The former are comprised of 12 representatives of the Council of Europe, 54 of the OSCE and 7 of the NDI - Washington. Besides this accreditations were issued to 21 foreign papers, and to 21 reporters - and to 41 Macedonian media, 582 journalists and technical staff. On Saturday the NEC announced that initial results would have to be publicized within 24 hours after elections (Sunday, 19 h) according to new legal regulations, whereas official data was to be released within the next three days. Final results may not be announced prior to the expiry of the legal time frame provided for possible appeals by candidates. Council elections are conducted according to the percentage system, and they will not be continued in round 2, whereas mayors are to be elected on the basis of majority acquisition - so that the possible 2nd round is scheduled for two weeks from now on. [03] MOST COMPLAINTS BY CITIZENS ON NOT BEING REGISTEREDWhile covering yesterday's election procedures Mac. media were mainly concentrating on percentages denoting the turn-out of voters in each municipality, though they also drew attention to irregular voting procedures and incidents at polling stations. `Sitel' TV reported that most irregularities were connected to voter registration, i.e. the failure to do so. The example used to illustrate the proportions of this phenomenon had been noticed at Bogdanci, where even 400 of the 800 people entitled to vote had not been registered. This is followed by the village of Sovilje (municipality Bogomila) where 40 out of 80 had not been registered, and by Ohrid - which presented a quite similar sight. At the village of Kosel even a mayor-candidate had not been registered, as well as 24 of his closer and more distant relatives. In Bitola the pre- election moratorium had been breached by one of the mayor- candidates who gave an interview yesterday - presenting himself quite confidently as the next future mayor. At the Veles municipality - i.e. the village Kumarino, voters boycotted elections as the Committee consisted of only 5 and not 6 members. A shining example for procedural irregularity - according to `Sitel' TV - was to be found at the Skopje municipality Gjorche Petrov, since the voters' register lacked the name of mayor-candidate Velibor Dzharovski - Dzharo.A-1 TV claims that the turn-out in this municipality amounted to 22.6% by the time there were two more hours to go before polling stations closed (17h). For Karposh this figure totals 35.6%, for Kisela Voda: 45%, for Centar: 30.2%, for Shuto Orizari: 29.9%... This TV station also covered an incident which had occurred at the Alija Avdovich local community premises - where an Albanian flag had been removed by the police. At Kratovo a counsellor- candidate of IMRO-DPMNE smashed the ballot box, after which the polling station was closed. At Tetovo it even came to a fight since a polling station had supposedly been controlled by PDPA... the station was also shut down. MTV reported that in Struga and Ohrid about 50% had been to the polls by 18 h, in Shtip a bit more than 50% had done the same, followed by 70% in Makedonska Kamenica, 64% in Pehchevo, 58% in Berovo, 50% in Kochani, 52% in Gostivar and Veles, 40% in Kavadarci, 36% in Negotino, etc. It has further been revealed by election commission members that most of the problems concerning the non- registration of voters was to be attributed to the fact that citizens had not been too concerned to see whether they had been registered. Today's issue of `Dnevnik' reports that the people of Podino, Sveto Todori, Trnovci and Ivanjevci boycotted elections yesterday - thus airing their discontent with regards to their being assigned to the new Mogila municipality, and not Bitola. `Vecher' writes that elections had commenced with an incident in Tetovo, i.e. with the burning down of the Red Cross building at two o'clock after midnight. The building has served as a warehouse to the company owned by independent mayor-candidate Sami Ismaili. The causes for the fire are yet unknown, and damage has been estimated to total half a million DM. [04] PARTY FEEDBACK ON YESTERDAY'S ELECTIONMac. media report the holding of several press conferences, organized by parties to dwell on particularities of the local elections taking place in Macedonia yesterday - i.e. on certain irregularities within election procedures.LP: Risto Ivanov claimed that his party had received around 90 written and app. 100 oral complaints, which are to be forwarded to corresponding municipal authorities (commissions). Some of the most frequent objections concerned the fact that in many election councils there were no opposition representatives, or that in certain municipalities (Bitola) party representatives had not been permitted to witness the reception of votes. Then many who had voted during the `94 elections had not been registered for these elections, certain addresses (Gevgelija and Kisela Voda) i.e. entire streets were assigned to two election units... In Struga invitations to vote contained SDSM propaganda material, other streets have been omitted on purpose... Ivanov said that such a state of affairs proved that the incumbent party is not capable of organizing democratic elections which would yield results citizens could rely on. IMRO-DPMNE: Representatives of this party also indicated the large number of non-registered persons, as well as the incorrect assignment of houses and streets to election units, which is conducive to the government's intention to create a state of chaos - in order to (as IMRO-DPMNE claims) prevent as many people as possible from casting their vote. It is, however, also being reported that the turn-out will suffice to place such intentions `on the sidelines'. DP: DP spokesperson Jovan Manasievski stressed that even in spite of an electorate increase of 10%, many people had not been registered. According to him in some municipalities these case made up even 80% of those entitled to vote. In other places, voters had been given two voting forms, and in many cases those omitted from voters' registers are people who had signed the request for irregular parliamentary elections - or members of opposition parties. Manasievski also emphasized that `based on the traditional recipe of Tito Petkovski certain streets and buildings were re-assigned to different municipalities in order TO DEMOLISH the opposition and demotivate citizens.' In several instances (and locations) the SDSM also violated the pre-election moratorium by distributing campaigning material, or dispatching police forces to certain polling stations. All this - according to Manasievski - had been part of a SDSM strategy to discourage people from voting. SDSM: Based on statements of SDSM spokesperson Nakje Stojanovski there are basically no problems regarding the progression of local elections, by which it can be deduced that organisation is rather solid. The overall opinion of the SDSM is a positive one - in spite of objections regarding the unfair practice of certain parties who pressurize voters at polling stations by distributing propaganda material, by obstructing the work of the election commissions, etc. He also indicated that `Sitel' TV had repeatedly violated the pre-election moratorium by endorsing mayor-candidate Ljupcho Nikolovski - Fufo in a Children's broadcast. PDP: Abduraham Aliti claimed that except for the usual objections concerning voter registration, there had also been information that certain individuals caused unrest by pressuring voters at polling stations. PDPA: party-leader Arben Dzhaferi pointed out that most of the irregularities had been registered at Tetovo. One of the major deficiencies - according to him - lies in the fact that his party does not have a single representative in any election commission though it is part of the parliament. Then there are the incomplete electorate registers, the fact that procedure records (minutes) are not being forwarded to party representatives... Dzhaferi states that the electorate becomes increasingly discontent and frustrated with the incumbent government, which could eventually result in some sort of conflict. [05] PM CRVENKOVSKI: INVESTMENTS INTO AGRICULTURE PREREQUISITEDuring the FAO Summit in Rome Mac. PM Crvenkovski indicated in his speech that Macedonia is meeting its demands through domestic production - and that part of it is also being exported. As `Nova Makedonija' reports PM Crvenkovski, however, pointed out that a shortage of funding did not allow the complete use of Macedonia's comparative advantages as a region, and that - in that sense - any sort of support by international financial institutions and the FAO (which has already started to arrive) is more than welcome. This - as well as facilitated international trade and the removal of trade barriers - would be conducive to enabling Macedonia to make substantial contributions towards the achievement of the common goals set by the World Food Summit.`Dnevnik' reports that the FAO intends to participate in to hydro-system reconstruction projects in Macedonia. To this purpose one agreement had already been signed in Rome during the Summit, and the other one is to be ratified during the visit of FAO Director-General to Macedonia. According to `Dnevnik' this 2nd project will also be funded by the World Bank. [06] DEFENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRANCE AND MACEDONIA TO BE SIGNED SOONAn Defense Cooperation Agreement between the MODs of France and Macedonia could be signed during the imminent visit of French Defense Secretary Charles Dion to Macedonia. This - as Mac. media report - has been one of the things discussed by CINC of the French Armed Forces Command, Gen. Jean-Phillipe Douan and Mac. Defense Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski during their recent meeting.Official sources state that the French visitor was acquainted with the basic features of the Mac. defense system, and with the measures the country has introduced to fulfill NATO-membership prerequisites, as well as with the necessity of strengthening the southern wing of the Treaty Organisation. Other dominant issues incl. regional security and political stability, which were characterized by complete compatibility of viewpoints in several cases. [07] `ESCOUSSIA': ECONOMIC RAT RACE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY REGARDING COOPERATION WITH MACEDONIA`Greek diplomacy needs to activate and pursue economic cooperation with Macedonia rather quickly, as there is the possibility of being overtaken by Turkish diplomats and businessmen who have already proved to be efficient and flexible'... according to `Makfax' this is part of an article published by the Greek pro-governmental daily `Escoussia'. It furthermore gives a favourable assessment of recent talks between Greek and Macedonian construction contractors, emphasizing that the present visit of representatives of 24 North-Greek companies to Macedonia indicates the existence of favourable conditions for collaboration within the textile industry. The article also welcomed other initiatives to strengthen economic cooperation between both countries adding, however, that there was room for improvement.[08] `DNEVNIK': AUSTRALIA ACCEPTS MACEDONIAN LANGUAGEThe language of Macedonia has been internationally recognized - which is why the Australian Government chooses to do the same without any additional prerequisites, announced Phillip Ruddock, Secretary of the Dept. of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs of Australia, for the broadcast `Makedonski Glas' in Perth.Ruddock confirmed that up to the present the Australian Embassy in Belgrade had handled its correspondence with Mac. citizens in Serbian, as `all Macedonians are familiar with the Serbian language'. During a meeting with the Macedonian community in Australia last week, Ruddock had also stressed that `Australian Embassy Officials coming to Macedonia will require the services of Albanian interpreters when dealing with Albanians, as they have no command of the Serbian language'. Such measures are a result of the community's requests to use Macedonian in Embassy correspondence addressed to Mac. citizens. `Dnevnik' also reports that Australian opposition leader Kim Beasely is to raise the Macedonian issue during talks with US President Bill Clinton who is to visit Australia this week. In this context a high-ranking member of Beasely's cabinet announced that it would be discussed how the USA could implement its huge influence over Greece and Macedonia to resolve this issue as soon as possible. [09] ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR MACEDONIAN TRUCKERS IN SRY`Dnevnik' reports that five days ago authorities in SR Yugoslavia have introduced a new charging and taxation system for Mac. truckers. The paper is quoting sources in the Mac. Economy Chamber which revealed that in order to transit Yugoslavia Macedonian truckers are required to pay an additional 100 DM, in addition to 200 DM warranty that transported goods will not be unloaded in this country.Representatives of the Independent Truckers' Trade Union of Macedonia claim that these rates are even higher, i.e. that the former amounts to 200 DM and the latter to 500 DM. Upon contacting the Yugoslav Chamber of Economy Mac. truckers received the reply that they had no knowledge whatsoever of such a government decision, and that this most likely represents a self-initiative of Yugoslav customs services. The paper also reports that the Mac. Chamber of Economy and the Mac. Transportation Secretary already announced reactions and interventions to be lodged at Yugoslav authorities in order to obtain information on why such measures have been introduced in a period when their reduction is being negotiated. [10] `SEGA': SERB RADICAL LEADER CARVING UP MACEDONIASerb radical leader, ultra-nationalist Voislav Sheshelj - according to `Makfax' - has offered two variants for the division of Macedonia during an interview for Bulgarian paper `Sega'. According to the `band-leader of Serb radicalists' the first option would be to integrate Macedonia into SR Yugoslavia as a federal unit, whereas the second advocates the partition of Macedonia between Bulgaria and Serbia.`The Skopska Crna Gora and Kumanovo region are typically Serbian areas, whereas the South of Macedonia is mainly inhabited by the Cincar ethnicity of Greek origin, and the East is dominated by Bulgarian population', Sheshelj stated, continuing that Bulgaria and Serbia should take what is theirs anyway. He furthermore claimed that it is of extreme relevance to Serbia to control the Vardar valley in order to establish a direct corridor towards Greece. In the end Sheshelj stated that census data in Macedonia had been forged, and that within the next 30 - 40 years Macedonia would become another Albania unless some steps are taken to resolve the Albanian issue quite soon, which would `not be in the interest of Bulgaria and Serbia'. [11] SERB-ALBANIAN SUMMIT ON KOSOVO STARTS IN NEW YORKThe Serb-Albanian Summit - which is to last till 20th November - is to commence in New York today, according to the Belgrade daily `Blic'. The latter continues that this meeting could be of `decisive importance in resolving the Kosovo issue'. `Makfax' also reports that the Yugoslav delegation in New York is to be headed by Yugoslav Foreign Secretary Milan Milutinovikj. He will be accompanied by New Democracy leader Dushan Mihajlovikj and by Vuk Drashkovikj, leader of the Serb Renewal Movement. `Blic' reports that the delegation of Kosovo-Albanians is to be led by Ibrahim Rugova - who will be accompanied by Mahmut Bakali, Veton Suroi and Azem Vlasi.[12] `NOVA MAKEDONIJA': MACEDONIA NEEDS 700 MILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENTS A YEAR?With investments varying between 600 and 700 million dollars a year, and an increase in savings, Macedonia could expect a 3% larger GNP. According to initial analyses infrastructure investments will have to be raised to 6% of the GNP (or 25% of overall investments), investments in housing construction by 4%, in economy by 11% and public services by 2% of the GNP. This has been revealed by Pr. Metodija Nestorovski during the Ohrid Conference on the National Development Strategy of Macedonia, held under the auspices of MANU. This economic projection triggered a reaction from the Slovenian economist Senjur who commented that the predicted increase of 3% is more than modest considering the huge sum of investments required - which could indicate inefficient investing. Foreign experts have also pointed out the fact that means in circulation were amazingly insufficient, as the Czech Rep. for example had 6 times more money in circulation, Slovenia outgrew the Mac. total by 42%, China by 100%, etc. Representatives of the Mac. National Bank counter-argumentated that money-injections would entail inflation.[13] WHO REPORT ON `POISONING' DUE THIS WEEKWHO experts (residing in Macedonia over a month) concerned with the investigation of the `mass poisoning' of Albanian pupils in Tetovo schools, are to publicize their findings this week. `Dnevnik' reports that WHO team-member Antonio Douran-Moreno revealed that apart from toxicological tests, epidemiological, psychiatric, psychological , sociological and other testing methods had been used, in order to parallel other investigations of this sort conducted throughout the world. Moreno stated that all results should be formed into a 150-page-long paper.As it has been known the WHO expert team came to Macedonia upon request of the Mac. Ministry of Health, as well as that it had been subsequently joined by a US epidemic specialist. (end)Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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