MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] GLIGOROV: GHETTOIZATION OF BALKANS A THREAT TO EUROPE

[02] ANOTHER ROUND OF SFRY SUCCESSION NEGOTIATIONS

[03] USA: NEW YORK NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE CONTINUED

[04] MEETING BETWEEN GREEK AND MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN

[05] FREE TRADE ZONE WITH BULGARIA NEXT YEAR

[06] INCREASING OF MACEDONIAN EXPORT QUOTAS INTO SLOVENIA

[07] SPECIAL LICENSES FOR WINE PRODUCTION

[08] MENDUH TACHI: `PDPA' CLAIMS VICTORY OVER `PDP'

[09] SPECULATIONS ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MACEDONIAN AND YUGOSLAV LEFT ELEMENTS

[10] WARNING STRIKE OF HEALTH SECTOR EMPLOYEES TODAY

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[11] `Relevant Breakthrough of the Macedonian Ethnicum' (`Nova Makedonija', 02 December, 1996)

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 04 December, 1996

[01] GLIGOROV: GHETTOIZATION OF BALKANS A THREAT TO EUROPE

`The model of peace and cooperation in the Balkans should inevitably be based on principles impeding the rekindling of old passions conducive to conflicts, and respecting factual data', continued President Gligorov. Those facts, according to him, are a new political structure in the Balkans where the essential guarantee for peace lies in the respecting of the independence of newly-formed states, the developing of cooperation and equality among these countries including the respecting of minority rights. It cannot be denied that any model of forceful categorizing and isolated regionalization of these states may be conducive to new misunderstandings and conflicts. This are, at the same time, the fundamental axioms of Macedonian internal and foreign policy which adhere to the basic principles of the OSCE,' emphasized President Gligorov at the OSCE Summit, at which Macedonia presented itself as a fully-fledged member for the first time.

The Macedonian Head of state also pointed out that Macedonia has proven itself as a factor of peace in the region, confirming its commitment for complete integration within the EU and NATO. Within the context of Macedonia's active policy of good neighbourliness and peace in the Balkans, Gligorov mentioned several initiatives instigated by the Macedonian diplomacy, such as the Resolution on Good Neighbourliness in the Balkans adopted by the UN, the initiative of Macedonia to host the Forum on Europeanisation in the Balkans and the Promotion of Good Neighbourliness, as well as the compilation of a comparative study on the position of minorities in the Balkans. Within these initiatives the Macedonian President underlined the Macedonian candidacy for temporary membership within the UN Security Council for 1998_99, and the initiative to make Skopje the seat of an international institute or centre for preventive diplomacy.

Media report that President Gligorov had the opportunity to meet Greek PM Simitis in Lisbon yesterday. In addition to complimenting each other on their addresses both politicians agreed that they had compatible viewpoints with respect to many issues affecting the `picture' on the security model. `Vecher' reports that yesterday the Macedonian President also met the newly-elected Romanian President Emil Constaninescou and his Bulgarian counterpart Zhelju Zhelev. Both meetings delved into the ratification of bilateral cooperation agreements.

[02] ANOTHER ROUND OF SFRY SUCCESSION NEGOTIATIONS

According to members of the Macedonian negotiation team - headed by Pr. Todor Dzhunov - the start of this round has not generated any concrete results. At the moment SR Yugoslavia is being pressured into accepting the division proposed by the remaining former constituents - by the international community, which advocates the division of Federal property only and not assets obtained throughout the era of the Yugoslav Federation. Provided SR Yugoslavia eventually accepts some sort of compromise, it will become possible to commence the gradual division of gold reserves, real estate overseas and federal archives, according to A-1 TV.

In addition to this delegations of 56 countries and international organisations are to assemble in London today, as the further implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord throughout the next year has to be outlined. The Macedonian delegation attending the London Conference is to be headed by the Head of Macedonian diplomacy, Ljubomir Frchkovski.

[03] USA: NEW YORK NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE CONTINUED

[04] MEETING BETWEEN GREEK AND MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN

[05] FREE TRADE ZONE WITH BULGARIA NEXT YEAR

A-1 TV reports that Kerchinkov stressed on this occasion that Macedonia should consent to sign the package of economic agreements with Bulgaria - which have been shelved for several years - in English.

[06] INCREASING OF MACEDONIAN EXPORT QUOTAS INTO SLOVENIA

According to information released by the Macedonian delegation these agreements contain an increase of quotas for the export of fresh and preserved vegetables, and that of bakery products, from Macedonia into Slovenia. The Slovenian side has also accepted the customs import quota of 220 000 hectoliters of Macedonian wine per annum, with the provision that both expert teams are to reassess this issue again during the second half of the year.

[07] SPECIAL LICENSES FOR WINE PRODUCTION

The lack of professionalism of producers and dealers alike, as well as the danger of being denied access to European markets (esp. due to the fact that a particular agreement with the EU codifies this issue), forced the Association of Agricultural and Food Products within the Macedonian Chamber of Economy to implement specific measures. According to MTV this Association is to require information of wine producers on the wine's origin, prior to issuing export documents. Additional permits - allowing the selling of produce outside registered quantities - will no longer be issued.

[08] MENDUH TACHI: `PDPA' CLAIMS VICTORY OVER `PDP'

Regarding Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski, Demiri said that he had altered the OSCE Report according to which 25% of the electorate in NW Macedonia was not registered into 25% of the entire electorate in Macedonia - which is not identical to OSCE findings as this figure refers to Albanians in NW Macedonia.

[09] SPECULATIONS ON CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MACEDONIAN AND YUGOSLAV LEFT ELEMENTS

The denial of Panchevski also focuses on the spreading of such `tailor-made' texts has been timed to coincide with the peak of elections - i.e. the public announcement of election results - during which left parties and the SPM in particular had won considerable ground, are increasing their membership and assuming their true position in Macedonia.

[10] WARNING STRIKE OF HEALTH SECTOR EMPLOYEES TODAY

`Vecher' reports that an Agreement on Technical Cooperation has already been signed between the Virginia-based `From People to People' Foundation and Macedonia in order to develop and improve the expertise of human resources, educational curricula in the health sector, the maintaining of medical equipment, the procurement of medicines and medical material in the country, the training of staff, etc.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[11] `Relevant Breakthrough of the Macedonian Ethnicum'

(`Nova Makedonija', 02 December, 1996)

Macedonian Orthodox religious communities are quite appreciated throughout the world due to the outstanding achievements of Macedonians on a professional level - as well as within the spiritual, national, cultural, educational and many other domains of life. It is marked by a definite distinctness, the non-alignment towards any sacral jurisdiction than that of the OCM and its abundant promoting of social events.

Macedonian religious facilities overseas, in the USA, Canada and Australia, as well as in some West European countries embody spiritual, national, social, humanitarian, cultural- educational and sports institutions - which has greatly contributed towards the promoting of the national identity of Macedonian immigrants in their new environments, regardless to the exact region of Macedonia they originate from - or regardless to whether they have decided to make their stay in the US, in Canada, Australia, West Europe or any other place a temporary or a permanent one. The proclamation of independence by the OCM - an event of fundamental proportions for the immigrants as well - has been paralleled by generating authentically Mac. organisations, religious communities, cultural-historical, literary, recreational, athletic and other associations and facilities, in addition to the emergence of numerous papers, magazines and gazettes being published for immigrants - or the many radio and TV stations set up recently to cater for this target group.

Macedonian Orthodox Churches and religious communities have also enjoyed high esteem among the environments hosting the same due to the professionalism and loyalty towards the adopted countries promoted by these associations. Thus they represent the most relevant and inclusive reference points for immigrants from all over Macedonia.

In the past many of these Macedonian immigrants were forced to regulate their religious, marital, family, cultural and other issues within other Orthodox, or even Catholic (English) churches. Between both World Wars authorities did not register houses of worship as Macedonian institutions as the church did not represent a distinct denomination, and their ID papers did not list them as Macedonians either - which deprived them of their national identity.

The idea to found such religious communities overseas first emerged in Melbourne (Australia) where the first Macedonian Orthodox church dedicated to `St. George' was constructed. This had been preceded by the establishing of an Initiative Council to build a Macedonian church in 1956. The publication of this Council (`The Macedonian Church Gazette')announced the following that year:

`The Macedonian immigrants of Melbourne - guided by the ideals of the glorious Ilinden fighters to promote national and religious liberation, and enjoying the right in democratic Australia to freely express our national affiliation - have assembled on 14th May 1956 and decided to build our own religious centre during this huge gathering... We have been encountering many difficulties in other churches: not understanding the foreign language, the impossibility of conveying our problems and needs, as well as the fact that foreign clerical persons are not familiar with our religious customs. If, however, they do - most of them attempt to adapt them to their own for particular reasons and intentions...'

This was the first Macedonian house of God on the Australian continent, and the Diaspora in general, blessed by the Macedonian Head of Church. This act has been of specific relevance to all Macedonians in Melbourne, as it represents the cornerstone of the OCM overseas. In 1962 the foundations for another church, this one dedicated to `Ss. Peter and Paul', were laid in Gary (USA); and in 1964 the construction of the `St. Clement of Ohrid' church begun in Toronto, Canada. This number continued to grow permanently, and presently over 50 religious communities and monasteries within 3 eparchies (the American-Canadian Eparchy, the Australian and the European ones) of the OCM are actively working, coordinating their activities and organizing annual eparchy gatherings.

In Australia, and especially in the USA and Canada, the American-Canadian Eparchy of the OCM succeeded in creating conditions to increase the promotion of the entire national and cultural heritage, by fostering the prosperity of a contemporary Macedonian church and its Congregation as a whole. Through their work these eparchies embody an organic link of friendship between Macedonia and the countries providing a second home to Macedonian immigrants. Another thing of immense significance is the positive role and attitude of Macedonian churchgoers and clerical staff within these religious institutions.

Initial steps made towards the establishing of Macedonian religious communities on the North American continent (the USA and Canada) were taken as a result of strong national sentiments and the awareness of Macedonian immigrants at Columbus (Ohio) in 1958; which was followed by the setting of foundations for the church on 14th October 1962 - and the blessing of this sacral object dedicated to `Ss. Peter and Paul' at Gary in June one year later. On 5th April 1964, at Toronto, the cornerstones for the `St. Clement of Ohrid' church were laid; which was followed by the blessing of the church one year later. This house of God represents one of the largest and most impressive churches of the Macedonian people in the Diaspora.

The Macedonian language is heard and nurtured with love in those Macedonian religious communities which simultaneously function as cultural, educational, literary, folklore and sports centres. They are comprised of many folk dance groups and clubs which represent genuine ambassadors of the abundant Macedonian folk tradition, and at the same time they offer opportunities for young people of Macedonian origin to socialize and make friends. These Macedonian centres also house schools where Macedonian language, national history, geography - and many times even the Holy Script - are being taught. These organisations also develop a huge network of activities through women's, literary, sports and other clubs; or through the publication of newspapers, magazines, gazettes and other publications - and the airing of radio and TV broadcasts in Macedonian. All this has an invaluable role in the enriching of the everyday lives of Macedonian immigrants, and it embodies an inherent segment of a rich heritage from home, a home they are forever and constantly linked with.

Therefore, nowadays Macedonians abroad are proud of their national origin throughout the world. This is only augmented by the fact that countries like Australia and Canada implement a multicultural policy , thanks to which Macedonian immigrants are able to retain their traditions with a great deal of love and enthusiasm, and to present their abundant folklore. Thus they contribute towards the affirmation of the Macedonian name, our historical past and present in these adopted countries.

Through educational, cultural, religious and national modes of associating in Macedonian Orthodox churches, Macedonians have transcended constraints and asserted themselves as a relevant ethnicity in new environments - where they have created a rich communal life, and continue to exhibit a significant amount of faith and love towards their church and their home country.

(end)

mils news 04 December, 1996

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