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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-23Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 23 December 1996[01] SKOPJE UNDER STRIKE - SIEGEThe strike of the `Mavrovo' Construction Contractor employees and their colleagues from `Pelagonija', `Ilinden' and ‘Tehnika’ reached its climax in the streets of Skopje on Friday, when they were joined by supporters of the Independent Trade Union Federation of Macedonia.Protest were also staged by unemployed, laid-off workers, people who had suffered accidents at work and remained impaired as a result - as well as by single mothers, truckers, taxi-drivers, pensioners, citizens without a place of residence or illegal tenants... Long lines of people, and taxi vehicles in particular, have completely sealed off the city on Friday - this went on till the late afternoon hours. The peaceful protest march which was supposed to last only four hours due to police intervention (prohibition for taxi-drivers and truckers to protest in front of the Parliament i.e. Government seat), continued for several more hours, which led to the blocking of several boulevards in Skopje. The impetus, i.e. reason, to vent the accumulated discontent on the status of each category of citizens - according to the statements and slogans of the strikers - was to be found in the gathered frustration about social and material hardship which very often falls below existential needs even. The majority of those marches ended up in front of the Government premises, and with the demand to meet PM Crvenkovski in order to submit requests summed up within over a dozen points. The more relevant demands request the revision of all privatisation procedures, the determining of minimal pay within a collective agreement, social support rates not below 60% of the average personal income within the country - which would be paid until employees are hired again, the equalization of status of the Independent Trade Union Federation with the Trade Union Federation of Macedonia, the passing of a Law on Associating within a Union, etc. As demanded meetings with the Prime Minister and appropriate Government representatives did not take place on Friday, most of the strikers announced to continue demonstrations today. Meantime - as media report - the payment of October salaries has begun (as promised) for the `Mavrovo' employees who have begun their strike app. 10 days ago, thus initiating this avalanche of protests; as well as the payment of the withheld denar payments of last year for those who have worked abroad. The strike, however, according to the Strike Board of the `Mavrovians' is to continue today well as - it has been stressed - their demands have not been met. `Vecher' reports that most of the requests of the `Sasa' miners at Makedonska Kamenica have been accepted though protests are continuing, as do negotiations between the mine's management and the employees. Another group `besieging' the Government since Thursday, are `illegal' tenants who have also started a hunger strike on Friday. Media report that this group is comprised of women with children who have spent the night between Thursday and Friday in front of the Government building. Several demonstrators have revealed that they request the cease of all eviction procedures, and the outlining of a legal basis which would allow them to buy the flats they are occupying. The `illegal' tenants have furthermore announced that their hunger strike is to last until they are received by PM Crvenkovski, and until their requests are fulfilled. The Independent Trade Union Federation of Macedonia has warned the Government yesterday that if reprisals are being staged against the Union for participating in demonstrations - actions would be taken to impose a blockade on the entire state. [02] STRIKE OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS OF THE PEDAGOGICAL FACULTY IN FRONT OF THE PARLIAMENTOn Friday students of Albanian nationality of the Pedagogical Faculty protested in front of the Parliament.They have been boycotting instructions since the beginning of the academic year, due to the fact that their demands for entire instruction in Albanian have not been met. According to student representatives demonstrations in front of the Parliament represent another attempt by the students to achieve the fulfillment of their demands as previous contacts with associations and institutions had not borne any results. During meetings with the Education Minister students were informed that the Government had come up with a solution to facilitate instruction in Albanian - which is not being respected by the Dean i.e. the faculty's management. On Friday the Albanian students were not received by the Parliamentary Chairman - as their request should have been submitted earlier according to procedures. Thus it has been announced to continue protests today, with a submitted request for a meeting. [03] TRADE UNION FEDERATION DISAGREES WITH GOVERNMENT MEASURES`Is there a greater indicator of political ignorance than hitting an area when there is no spot to be hit?' asked Trade Union Federation President Zhivko Tolevski during the session held last Friday, alluding to the latest changes bound to affect the retirement pensioner sector and about which the Federation is not being updated on a regular basis. `Dnevnik' reports that the session also dwelled on solutions proposed within the new Budget for next year, as faults were found with the latter with regards to the above mentioned sector, the public health care sector, pay and reimbursement. The divergent opinion of the Trade Union Federation refers to the option being granted to women on whether they will retire after 35 or 40 years of work, i.e. it does not favour the reduction of the basic rate which serves to determine the height of retirement pensions or the decrease of the maximum / minimum pension.The Trade Union Federation of Macedonia also dealt with current issues regarding the social and economic position of employees during the session, apart from assessing that conditions were becoming increasingly harsh in Macedonia - thus facilitating outbursts of discontent by employees. It has also been emphasized that this wave of violations of their rights, and that of pensioners, would have to be stopped. `Nova Makedonija' reveals that the Trade Union Federation President and PM Crvenkovski had agreed to sign an Agreement on the Establishing of a Social- Economic Council of Macedonia, on Friday, 27th December. The formation of this body - which is to resolve social & economic issues and assess laws affecting this area with the Government, the Trade Union Federation and the Economy Chamber as partners - has been delayed for over 6 months based on the argument that all three sides could not reach a consensus on the exact date of ratification. [04] MINISTER ZIBERI NOT DENYING SPECULATIONS ON CHANGES OF LEGAL PROVISIONS ON RETIREMENT AND IMPAIRMENT SUPPORTUpon explicating provisions of the Draft-Law on Retirement and Impairment Care to the Parliamentary Commission of Labour and Social Policy, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Naser Ziberi stressed that the new act of law would by no means curtail existing rights or the status of pensioners, and thus no retroactive effect is to be expected. Minister Ziberi has also denied the reduction of the basic rate form 80 to 60%, or the raising of the age limit for retirement through the new law.[05] DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH FRANCE SIGNEDYesterday the French-Macedonian Bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement had been signed in Ohrid, according to media coverage. The Agreement has been ratified by French Secretary of Defense Charles Millon, during his official visit to our country, and his Macedonian counterpart Blagoj Handzhiski. In the presence of the French Ambassador to Macedonia H.E. Amb. Jacques Huntziger Gen. Trajche Krstevski - Commander of the ARM HQ - both Defense Secretaries discussed several issues regarding bilateral cooperation, and the political and security conditions of the region. The French Secretary of Defense, Charles Millon, has also been received by PM Branko Crvenkovski to whom he forwarded a written message by French Head of State Jacques Chiraque addressed to his Macedonian counterpart Kiro Gligorov.[06] AGREEMENT ON EXEMPTION FROM DOUBLE TAXATION SIGNED WITH ITALYThe Under-Secretary of the Italian Foreign Office Pierro Fassino and the Macedonian Ambassador to Italy H.E.Amb.Victor Gaber have signed an Agreement on the Avoiding of Double Taxation with regards to income tax and capital tax between both countries, in Rome on Friday. The ratification of this agreement represents the beginning of regulating regulations (via binding agreements) between both states - reveals the release of the Macedonian Foreign Office. In addition to this it is expected to follow up on this in the near future by ratifications of the agreements on mutual investment protection and furthering of the same, on the regulation of air traffic, on the settling of previous dues, etc. [07] INTENSIFICATION OF POLISH-MACEDONIAN ECONOMIC COOPERATIONThe economies of Poland and Macedonia offer a wide range of possibilities for cooperation by transcending the current scope of goods trade - which has plunged down to only 12 million dollars per annum throughout this period of transition. Analyses reveal that back in 1989 this same figure totalled 70 million dollars a year - an objective worth reaching throughout the few following years, and even worth transcending up to the magical 100 million.This - among other things - has been stressed during the recent two-day visit of Polish Finance Minister Gzegosz Kolodko to Macedonia. The Polish official had been received by several Macedonian Government officials on this occasion, including President Kiro Gligorov, Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski, PM Branko Crvenkovski, Finance Minister Taki Fiti, Vice- President of the Government Ljube Trpevski and Urbanism and Civil Engineering Minister Jorgo Shundovski. It had been revealed during the press conference of both Finance Ministers that bilateral agreements on avoiding double taxation, on mutual investment protection and economic / commercial cooperation have been signed - whereas a series of other agreements is being drafted, and activities of transactions within international financial institutions are being coordinated. The Polish side proposed the formation of a Polish-Macedonian Dept. within the Economy Chamber of Poland, as it already integrates a Balkan Dept. Concrete interest in cooperation - it was revealed during the press conference - had already been exhibited by Macedonian firms HEPOS, `FAS 11 Oktomvri', `Sileks’, Tikvesh’, the ‘Beton’ Construction Company, `Interimpeks', ... [08] GERMAN COMPANY `KNAUFF' TO INVEST IN DEBAR GYPSUM PRODUCTION FACILITYNext month the German `Knauff' Company and the Gypsum Production Facility `Radika' of Debar are to sign a Cooperation Agreement; whereas the investments to be made by the German partner will be among the highest ever made by a foreign company in Macedonia. `Dnevnik' reports that the market price of the gypsum production facility totals 8 million DM. So far the firm has been privatised by 75.26%.[09] FIRST RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR HAS ARRIVED`Makpress' reported the arrival of the first Russian Ambassador, H.E.Amb. Petar Timofeevych Dobroserdov, to Macedonia. Ambassador Doborserdov's previous post was that of a Deputy-Chief of the Third European Dept. within the Russian Foreign Office, and tours of duty prior to this assignment include posts in diplomatic missions throughout the Former Soviet Republics, and in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus.[10] MAKFAX: SR YUGOSLAVIA READY TO DIVIDE FORMER FEDERAL RESERVES IN GOLD`Makfax' reports the readiness of SR Yugoslavia to divide the reserves in gold of the Former Yugoslav Federation among all successor-states, even prior to the end of succession negotiations, according to unofficial sources in Belgrade. The agency attributes this sort of opinion to the visit Yugoslav Finance Minister has paid to the Bank of International Balancing in Basel. This bank in Basel treasures the gold, hard currency deposits and shares of the Former Yugoslav Federation - and two months ago the bank's management proposed a method of division of those reserves among all successor-states. Belgrade, however, had refused this option - asking to delay this issue until negotiations had been drawn to a close. `Makfax' furthermore reveals that sources close to the Yugoslav Government refused to confirm the alleged willingness of Belgrade to divide former Federal gold reserves.[11] `OSCE' TO RETURN TO KOSOVO, SANDZHAK AND VOJVODINAThe Vice-President of the Government and Foreign Secretary of Albania, Tritan Shehu, requested the urgent and unconditional re-establishment of OSCE missions on Kosovo, Sandzhak and Vojvodina. `Dnevnik' reports that in his letter to OSCE Chairman Flavio Cotti, Shehu emphasized that Belgrade had to asked to fulfill its obligations - as otherwise the OSCE would suffer a loss of credibility. The Albanian minister also stressed that `repressions on Kosovo have to be stopped, and a dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina - under the auspices of a third party - would have to be established'.[12] ROUND TWO OF MAYOR ELECTIONS REPEATED AT SIX MUNICIPAL UNITSThe second round of mayor elections have been repeated at six municipalities throughout Macedonia yesterday.According to NEC data this was the case at 5 polling stations of Radovish, at 4 polling stations of Sopishte and Probishtip respectively, at 2 polling stations of Zhelino and 1 polling station of Murtino and Valandovo each. [13] SKOPJE CITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN - JOVE KEKENOVSKI (IMRO- DPMNE)Media report the constituting of the Skopje City Council on Friday, including the verification of the 25 directly elected counsellours and the election of IMRO-DPMNE representative Jove Kekenovski for the Council's Chairman.The post of Deputy-Chairman will be occupied by DP representative Andrej Zhernovski, whereas LP representative Vlado Popovski has been elected Secretary of the Council. Their election was carried out by 13 IMRO- DPMNE, DP, LP & PDPA counsellours - whereas it had been opposed by 12 Council members of the SDSM, SP, PDP / NDP & IMRO-DP. According to `Vecher' the entire session has passed in a rather tempestuous atmosphere - with the clear manifestation of two opponent blocks at the very beginning, thus leading to the narrow majority of 13 : 12 in favour of the IMRO-DPMNE, DP, LP & PDPA coalition throughout voting. After confirming the mandates of all counsellours the SDSM, SP, PDP/NDP & IMRO-DP faction refused to participate in the work of the Nomination Commission, and opposed all further proposals subjected to voting throughout the session. MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] `The Para- University - One of the Topics'(`Nova Makedonija' - 20th December 1996)The two-day Round Table on National Minorities, held at the `Continental' this Tuesday and Wednesday, has beyond any doubt drawn considerable public attention upon itself. The curiosity of the latter must have been even augmented by the fact that the event was organised under the auspices of OSCE National Minorities High Commissioner Max Van Der Stuhl, whereas participants included representatives of the Council of Europe and the Conference on Former Yugoslavia, as well as Macedonian Ministers and party leaders (headed by PDP top officials). All this obscured from the public's view. Or as the High Commissioner phrased it ` all this amounted to an ordinary private get-together'. What had actually been discussed at the `Continental' throughout these two days? Did we `witness' talks or negotiations between (based on public speculation) the Government and the Albanian minority? Was the so-called Albanian language `University of Tetovo' the main issue of discussion, as the National Radio in Tirana claims? Did views on this matter become more compatible? What lies ahead? PDP representatives, who participated actively and were the most numerous faction at this panel, will undoubtedly assess this gathering favourably. `It is correct that the University of Tetovo was one thematic focus of the Round Table. The latter also delved into inter-ethnic relations and, above all, into educational issues affecting minorities. I think that discussions were encouraging, a solid interaction among participants was established', said Ismet Ramadani, the Coordinator of the PDP faction within the Macedonian Parliament. In this context, he nevertheless stressed that the greatest advantage had been the analysing of current education issues - a priority subject throughout further inter-ethnic dialogue. According to Ramadani the reason for insisting upon the secrecy regarding the Round Table had been requested by organizer Max Van Der Stuhl, due to his habit to keep these events closed to the public. He added that discussions had been spontaneous and open, one more step towards increasing compatibility of views on certain inter-ethnic issues. Within this framework his party had mainly concentrated on the so-called `University of Tetovo'. That there had been nothing `mysterious' during this Round Table, i.e. that dialogue between Albanians and Macedonians had prevailed over negotiations, has also been confirmed by other unofficial sources. It was furthermore reported that a statement made by PDP leader Abduraham Aliti had caused the greatest amount of bitterness, as it accused the Government of intentionally staging unrest at Bit Pazar, concerning the paramilitary troops and the Para-University at Mala Rechica in order to harm the Albanians. Or his claim that Albanians are second-class citizens in Macedonia, followed by the conclusion that in spite of numerous promises and announcements there is no dialogue existing in reality between the Government and the political representatives of Albanians regarding the burning issues. All in all, the talks have been assessed favourably and as useful even by these participants, as problems dominating even the international scene `cannot be hidden under the carpet'. This verdict is further to be ascribed to the fact that it has not been the main objective of the Round Table to arrive at definite concessions or agreements, but merely to hear different opinions of decision-makers within the Government and the Parliament - and to find common ground. There are, however, utterly contrarian comments on this gathering to be heard by Helsinki Human Rights Watch Chairman of the Macedonian office Meto Jovanovski. According to him this two-day Round Table has been completely unsuccessful, since the choice of participants had been highly inadequate and unfortunate - i.e. the roaster included representatives of all Albanian political parties in our country, whereas the Macedonian was only being represented by the SDSM and the LP. `This structure of both sides has not been conducive to dialogue, for they both attempted to impose their maximalistic positions. The Round Table was predominantly concordant to the Hague Recommendations which are well- intended but not binding for anybody', stressed Jovanovski, adding that the content of the majority had been induced by the possibility to freely `yell at each other' without being held responsible. Based on his opinion speculations that these were some sort of negotiations between the Albanians and the Government are unsustainable - as well as this secrecy indicated certain things, since it is common practice that the organizer of such events has the option to admit the public, or exclude it. (end)mils news 23 December 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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