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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-19Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 19 December, 1996[01] MAX VAN DER STUHL: 'ALL ETHNIC GROUPS INTERESTED IN STABILITY OF THE COUNTRY'The round table on 'Building Harmonious Inter-Ethnic Relations in Macedonia' taking place in Skopje behind closed doors throughout the past two days, under the auspices of the OSCE, caused a quite considerable reaction and puzzledness among the public. Within this context OSCE Minority Issues High Commissioner Max Van Der Stuhl issued this statement yesterday: 'The Round Table provided an impetus for interaction on a series of issues relevant to all different ethnic groups living in Macedonia, and not in order to make any concrete recommendations - or adopt any formal conclusions. It is my impression that all ethnic groups have an interest in maintaining stability in the country. This Round Table concentrated focused on the Albanian issue in Macedonia, particularly with respect to the education system. Those invited to attend included representatives of the Macedonian Parliament, the Government, Academic circles and the Opposition - and the meeting was closed to the public as I considered this practical and efficient.' During yesterday's press conference Van Der Stuhl also emphasized that parties not represented within the Macedonian Parliament had been invited, as well as that the Albanian parties PDPA and NDP - though invited - had not attended the meeting.Upon answering questions by the press, Van Der Stuhl expressed favourable opinions regarding the Gligorov initiative on a Comparative Study of the position of minorities in the Balkans while meeting the President, as well as that questionnaires for all OSCE countries are being compiled - especially on issues like language and education. In addition to this media report that the two-day Round table had been attended by Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski, Education and PE Minister Sofija Todorova, Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski, PDP Chairman Abduraham Aliti, Chair of the Albanian Writers' Association Ali Aliu, the Secretary of the Tetovo Municipal Council Vulnet Kaloshi as well as by the OSCE National Minorities High Commissioner Max Van Der Stuhl, the Political Director of the Council of Europe Fuller and the Deputy of Gerd Ahrens of the Conference on Former Yugoslavia Martin Lutz. [02] RADIO TIRANA: 'THE UNIVERSITY OF TETOVO' CENTRAL THEMATIC FOCUS OF THE SKOPJE ROUND TABLERadio Tirana broadcast its own information regarding the two-day Round Table of Skopje yesterday, according to which 'The University of Tetovo' was one of the main issues that had been discussed. A-1 TV quotes Radio Tirana on airing that during this event - chaired by OSCE Minority High Commissioner Max Van Der Stuhl - this issue had been analysed within the context of the overall position of Albanians in Macedonia, i.e. their rights in general.Radio Tirana furthermore informed of a festivity held to mark the 2nd Anniversary of the 'Tetovo University' held two days ago, attended by representatives of all Albanian parties in the country and the Albanian Ambassador to Macedonia. 'Dnevnik' reports that the Albanian radio underlined the unanimous attitude assumed by all Albanian parties in Macedonia regarding the 'Tetovo University', which 'the Government refuses to recognise due to possible misunderstandings with nationalist Macedonian parties'. [03] NAME NEGOTIATIONS STILL DEADLOCKEDBased on information released by 'Makpress' the Ambassadors of Greece and Macedonia - Christos Zacharakis and Ivan Toshevski - led the last round of negotiations on the name-issue under the auspices of Cyrus Vance at New York yesterday morning. By quoting Greek sources in New York the above named agency reported that both sides firmly adhered to their viewpoints, without discussing any alteration of the reference used within the UN for Macedonia. A-1 TV reveals that both sides had been cautious throughout negotiations due to the fact that with the ascension of the new UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan the mandate of mediator Cyrus Vance becomes rather indefinite - as he had been appointed by the previous UN Secretary-General Butros-Ghali. Due to this, 'Vecher' claims, it has been insisted on denoting yesterday's talks as an 'informal meeting'... This reference is to be used until the official appointment of the mediator. New York sources state that this should again be Cyrus Vance.[04] BULGARIAN SIDE LOOKS TO SETTLE LANGUAGE-ISSUE WITH MACEDONIAMTV reports that the improving of relations with Macedonia and the determining of an option conducive to the ratification of 12 bilateral cooperation agreements had been the main topics of discussion at the Session of the Bulgarian Consulting Council on National Security. The follow-up contained a recommendation to the Bulgarian Government to continue looking for a solution to the language-issue with respect to Macedonia. According to MTV the Deputy Foreign Secretary of Bulgaria Irina Bokova stated that a solution to the problem would have to suit both sides - adding that so far the Bulgarian viewpoint on this question had not changed in a substantial manner.Based on the Sofia newspaper 'Duma' this consultative meeting followed talks between Bulgarian Head of State Zhelju Zhelev and his Macedonian counterpart Kiro Gligorov during the Lisbon Summit. Another Sofia newspaper - 'Trud' claims that one of the five proposal- solutions to the language-issue with Skopje recommends the ratification of agreements in both official languages - concordant to Articles # 3 and 7 of the Constitutions of Bulgaria and Macedonia. The paper also lists another variant of signing the papers in English or any other international language, with corresponding translations into the official languages of both sides. 'Trud' furthermore claims that two authors form Skopje 'tore down the Berlin Wall concerning this language-issue' by promoting their books at the National Library of Bulgaria. The paper reveals that the books in question are 'Heating Up Yesterday's Lunch' by Mile Nedelkovski and 'The Macedonian Faust' by Mladen Srbinovski, which have been published with the assistance of the 'Trud' Publishing Firm and the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. [05] ON TENSIONS BETWEEN THE SERBIAN AND MACEDONIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHESYesterday the Macedonian Ambassador at Ankara, H.E.Amb. Trajan Petrovski, has been received by the Patriarch of the 'Fener' Patriarchate of Istanbul, Bartholomew I.Discussions focused on current issues in the Balkans, and on questions linked to the activities of Orthodox churches and religious institutions. Patriarch Bartholomew I. - as MTV reports - has stressed among other things that it is of particular significance to further relations between Orthodox churches that tensions between the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox churches be resolved. [06] CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW 'UN' SECRETARY-GENERALMacedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov congratulated Kofi Annan upon his recent election for UN Secretary-General, wishing him success in carrying out this highly- responsible function. The congratulatory note mentions past meetings of Kofi Annan and Kiro Gligorov, as well as the visits of the former to the Republic of Macedonia. He also underlined Kofi Annan's commitment to peace and global cooperation, his highly-professional qualities and his friendly sentiments towards the Republic of Macedonia.In this context the Macedonian President also invited the new UN Secretary- General to an official visit of Macedonia. Congratulations have also been forwarded by the Macedonian Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski. [07] NO APPREHENSION WITHOUT COURT ORDERThe Law on Criminal Prosecution Procedures - submitted to parliamentary discussion as of yesterday - is to impede the forceful apprehension of citizens by the police. This was revealed yesterday by Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski in front of the assembled MPs, adding that such a legal provision is concordant to both the suggestions aired by the Council of Europe and the regulations codified by the Constitutional Court of Macedonia, stating that nobody is to be apprehended and taken to the police station without a court order. Minister Popovski also revealed that the much contested clause on apprehension during investigation, which had been part of the previous version of this act of law, has been omitted as it had been concluded that provisions on 90 days imprisonment would generate an negative impact on crime prevention. Therefore this issue is to resolved through enacting a Constitutional Amendment. Yesterday MPs completed the general debate, whereas the subsequent discussion on its amendments and the putting it to a vote had to be postponed as a 'quorum' could not be provided. The only address. within the debate stage had been delivered by PDP representative Mersim Biljali who stressed that the law offered significant positive changes in terms of human rights and liberties. One such alteration to the better is the provision granting the right to the accused to speak in his native language during criminal prosecution procedures.Yesterday the Parliament also voted in favour of the ratification of five international agreements, four of which are bilateral ones with SR Yugoslavia. With regards to the bilateral Agreement on International Traffic between both countries, MPs pointed out that Belgrade imposed too high pay toll and travel charges. Thus the Traffic Minister stated that the Macedonian Government had already requested a reducing of the same for Macedonian transports, in addition to an increasing of transport contingencies on permits. Media furthermore report that Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov is to address all MPs at the Session scheduled for 24th December, and to rapport on his work. The same Session will also be marked by discussions on the '97 Budget of Macedonia. [08] NEW PRICES OF OIL DERIVATIVES DO NOT GUARANTEE PROFITABILITY OF 'OKTA' REFINERYThe raising of oil prices by 14% will not entail economic profitability of the Skopje-based 'OKTA' refinery - stated its General Director Zhantevski yesterday. He revealed that the refinery, which had stopped its production several months ago, had demanded the increasing of oil derivative prices in correlation to world market rates - which is not being achieved by this latest measure. It was also mentioned that due to this disparity of prices the refinery had lost 14 million dollars in profit last year.For A-1 TV Zhantevski revealed that 'OKTA' will maintain its production until the middle of next month. According to Finance Minister Taki Fiti this raising of oil derivative prices is to affect inflation by app. 0.5% which is not to upset the global macro-economic frame work. For MTV Fiti stated that this increase of prices has been matched by a certain reduction of tax - in order to control the height of the prices of final products. [09] MACEDONIAN ECONOMY REQUIRES FRESH CAPITAL AND SECURE MATERIAL BALANCESMacedonian businessmen have no divergent strategies from those of the Government concerning economic policy.However, they think that our economy needs fresh capital and secure material balances. Achieving stability is a fundamental prerequisite to reach expected results regarding all procedures of subvencive production. This has been stressed during yesterday's Session of the Economy Chamber of Macedonia. Businessmen assessed unanimously that Macedonia requires an open economy concordant to European standards and quality, to be developed through loyal competition. It has also been registered that the overall export by Macedonian firms has suffered a plunge by 30% throughout the first 8 months this year, compared to last year. Import has been reduced by 3.5%. The only positive export trend registered (by app. 17%) referred to export into the former constituents of the Yugoslav Federation. As Development Minister Abdulmenaf Bedzheti pointed out the draft-budget for '97 allocates 60 million dollars to the support of economic projects with an export-orientation. In order to achieve an increase of the GNP by 5% - as prescribed within the macro-economic policy of '97 - and to avoid an inflation rate between 10 and 15% it will become prerequisite to conduct a more relaxed credit, monetary, customs duty and interest rate policy throughout the following year... several businessmen concluded yesterday. [10] RESEARCH OF NATIONAL STATISTICS INSTITUTE ON (UN)EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRYIn April '96 the labour force in the Republic of Macedonia amounted to 780 419, of which 533 441 are employed, and 246 978 are not. These data were revealed by the National Institute of Statistics yesterday, based upon its recently conducted study on this issue in Macedonia. Research has also shown that most of the employed (14.93%) are aged between 35 and 39 years, whereas the majority of unemployed people belongs to the age group from 20 to 24.According to this study most of the former category possess a degree on completed secondary education (36.6%) and elementary education (qualified & unqualified workers) amounted to 44.6%. The latter category is comprised of 10.3% with a tertiary education diploma; and 45% of this total have been unemployed for 4 years and more. The majority of such cases varies between the age of 25 and 34. Data also indicates that employment rates covering the taken time frame have suffered by 4% compared to last year, whereas the number of people working abroad has increased by 13.6%. In April this year 32.46% received a net-income between 5 000 and 8 000 denars, 19.5% between 8 000 and 12 000 denars and only 0.43% an average of 40 000 denars or more. [11] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT: 'PARLIAMENTARY DECISION NOT INFRINGING UPON HUMAN RIGHTS'The Parliamentary Decision passed on 4th June against the civic initiative for early parliamentary elections in Macedonia does not represent any sort of limitation of human rights... this ruling has been brought on by the Constitutional Court of Macedonia yesterday, overruling the initiative of former mayor of Skopje Jove Kekenovski who claims that this decision violated the right on political association and action by Macedonian citizens.[12] IMRO-DPMNE: 'SDSM' ATTEMPTING TO EXHAUST VOTERSIt is the objective of the SDSM and government structures to permanently repeat voting at municipalities where the opposition is in the lead. This is being supported by the fact that objections had been submitted by the SDSM at units where the opposition candidate has a minimum lead...This has been said by IMRO-DPMNE spokesperson Dragi Ivanovski at yesterday's press conference, who added that the annulment of elections in East Macedonia, i.e. a region where outcomes favour the opposition, is being conducted in order to wear down the electorate. IMRO-DPMNE representatives have also emphasized that they had received numerous complaints by municipal party committees, especially with respect to the annulment proclaimed by the Courts of Appeals in Shtip and Skopje. 'Those judges who are active members or affiliates - i.e. disciples - of the SDSM supervise elections within commissions at several municipalities', the IMRO-DPMNE pointed out yesterday. Examples to support this were elections at Bogdanci, Probishtip and Radovish. MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] 'Contingents goodbye!'('Vecher', 17th December 1996)These days the Macedonian Government has approved 'Makpetrol' the import of a certain amount of oil derivatives. This import will be realised by the end of 31st December and according to the predications it should satisfy all the customer needs in the country until 15-th January next year. This refers to the import of 26.000 tons of petrol-98, 2.800 tons of petrol-96, 2.000 tons of petrol without lead, 11.000 tons diesel -2, 10.000 tons of extra light petroleum, 2.000 tons kerosene, 2.500 tons butane - propane and 30.000 tons of petroleum jelly. This amount of oil derivatives will be imported by 'Makpetrol' with appliance of the import regime through 'contingents' which are approved by the Foreign Affairs Ministry because on 1st January the new regime is put into effect which understands giving 'consent' from the Economy Ministry. In fact, this refers to realisation of the Government Provision for Liberalisation of the Foreign Trade by which a special attention is placed on the oil derivatives import and export. The expectations from the new export-import regime are great, taking into consideration the difficulties our country had in the derivatives trading for the last few months which were resulting from several factors. Firstly, starting from the time when the 'contingents' were introduced, the Government commanded a payment of custom duty for the imported derivatives amounting from 20 to 25% depending on the type of derivative while for the unrefined petrolum continued the regime of free import with only 1% duty payment. According to the manager of the Head Office for petroleum and petroleum derivatives within 'Makpetrol' Milan Sotirovski with this situation in the country an unbalance appeared in the derivatives with petrol deficit and diesel sufficit. That's why 'Makpetrol' and the OKTA Refinery reacted before the Government wishing to amortise the unbalance. Officials from these two firms stand behind the attitude that with derivative import the disparity will be overcome but also that the import should be realised under the same terms as the unrefined petroleum import. Taking into consideration that 40% of the OKTA production goes on the petroleum jelly due to the unbalance it turned out that the high price of the petroleum at the world market is just a portion of the problem that our oil-men faced. The Government met the demands of 'Makpetrol' and OKTA and approved import but not of the amounts they demanded, most probably believing that the world price of the petroleum will be stabilised. Regarding this, as things are going at the moment, it seems that nothing is changing. Namely, the day before yesterday the petroleum cost over 23 dollars per barrel at the world market which is considerably more than the 17 dollars on which the OKTA production is 'tuned in'. This time the petroleum price is approaching the roof, above all, due to the Iraqi inclusion into the world trade with petroleum and due to the recent creation of large companies. - 'We are heavily burdened by the transport price because we are a continental country. At the moment we are making maximal efforts to continue providing the economy with the necessary fuels being aware that any possible rise in the prices will be a blow to the economy because it has already found itself in a very bad situation. However, it is uncertain how long we will last with these prices' , says Sotirovski. Regarding the bank deposit of 3 million DM - which in accordance with the Liberalisation Provision shall have to deposit every importer - it is introduced in order to give guarantee that the import will really be realised and besides this it partly presents a guarantee that the taxes will be paid. The fact that the cited amount is quite high in fact brings in surety that the future import will no longer be provisional i.e. it will stop the illegal trade. With the current intensity of import 'Makpetrol' can always count on one week's accumulation which is enough for a normal suppliant of the market and there is also the possibility of using the storage premises of the foreign countries that are at our disposal. -Possibly, says Sotirovski, problems may arise from the strike of the Greek custom officers who announced to join the already striking farmers. In that case we could find ourselves in a situation of not being able to import the complete contingent of fuels which had been granted to us by the Government with the time limit being the 31st of this December. But this should not present any impeding problem in the impor. In that case we expect the Government to prolong our decisions. Regarding certain information according to which there are possibilities to see the world-wide known 'Shell' in our region 'Makpetrol' has the following attitude: if 'Shell' comes into our republic the petroleum derivatives market in the country will become even more stable and the rivalry will make 'Makpetrol' work with a better quality. Otherwise, 'Makpetrol' has already made contacts with many oil companies all around the world for possible mutual investments. The only problem will present procuring security of the capitals invested - a prerequisite required by the foreign governments. In any case, the foreign firms are mainly interested in investing into the more frequent town gas stations. If the legal regulation procures guarantee for the invested capital the foreign presence will be welcome anyway. (the end)mils news 19 December, 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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