MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: `THE INDEPENDENCE OF MACEDONIA TERMINATES REASONS FOR CONFLICTS IN THE SOUTH OF THE BALKANS'

[02] BEGINNING `97 WITH A RESTRICTIVE BUDGET

[03] NDI - WASHINGTON: `LOCAL ELECTIONS TO ADD POSITIVE NUANCE TO POLITICAL RELATIONS'

[04] DP: `SDSM USES METHODS OF SPS SISTER-PARTY'

[05] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT VIOLATING CONSTITUTION

[06] INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION: `ONLY POLICE ARE TO BLAME FOR TRAFFIC DISASTER'

[07] PROTEST OF PUPILS OF SEVEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

[08] PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR EMPLOYEES ANNOUNCING GENERAL STRIKE

[09] ON PERSONAL INCOME IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

[10] `EVROPA' AND `REPLEK-MAKEDONIJA' AWARDED

[11] MASSIVE DYING OF FISH IN THE VARDAR RIVER NEAR VELES

[12] CHRISTMAS SERMON OF BISHOP JOAKIM HERBUT

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 25 December, 1996

[01] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: `THE INDEPENDENCE OF MACEDONIA TERMINATES REASONS FOR CONFLICTS IN THE SOUTH OF THE BALKANS'

`Throughout the past six years the Republic of Macedonia has strengthened its position within international institutions and organisations; it has laid the foundations of market economy and fastened economic reforms in a radical manner. It as also succeeded in establishing and fortifying the legal state and parliamentary democracy, and in proving to be a factor of peace and stability in the entire region. As a result of this, the political and security situation in Macedonia is increasingly gaining stability. The admission into the UN has fortified the ranking of Macedonia within the international community - and fastened its integration into international - particularly European - associations.

Throughout this period another important role in this country was being played by the UN Preventive Deployment, whose mandate has been extended up to May 1997. We have also favourably assessed the OSCE mission operating in Macedonia so far, and by having become a member of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe - our country will finally assume an equal position within Europe. The PFP Programme represents the moving of Macedonia towards the collective security mechanism of the North Atlantic alliance, and the subsequent step in this direction is acquiring NATO membership - a permanent political commitment of Macedonia', emphasized President Gligorov in his address.

Upon analysing relations in the Balkans, the Macedonian Head of State stressed Macedonia has pledged to constantly strive towards good relations with all its neighbours - as basic principles and objectives of its foreign policy.

While delving into relations with the former constituents of the Yugoslav Federation, with Albania and Bulgaria, President Gligorov advocated the Macedonian initiative on signing international agreements on friendly cooperation - as well as appropriate papers on free trade zones, which would considerably affect the furthering of bilateral relations in a positive manner - and be conducive to the notion of Balkan cooperation and understanding.'

President Gligorov also spoke highly of the policy of equi-distance, assessing that certain criticism and different interpretations both in the country and abroad addressed to this strategy have proven to be unrealistic.

On Greek-Macedonian relations the Macedonian Head of State commented: `We are definitely advocating the cease of irrational demands and pressuring from wherever, in order to ensure that the Macedonian people will not be obstructed from calling their own country by its only genuine and primordial name - the Republic of Macedonia - at home and abroad alike. We are appealing to the democratic forces throughout the world, and above all to those in Greece, to support us in this endeavour of ours.

This is not addressed against anybody - but in the interest of stability in this part of Europe.'

Another quite significant segment stressed by President Gligorov during his rapport at yesterday's parliamentary session was the establishment of diplomatic relations with over 85 countries of all continents, which represents a solid foundation for most extensive international cooperation of Macedonia.

The basic traits of internal policy throughout the past period were - according to President Gligorov - the introduction of market economy and the operating of a legal state, in addition to the implementation of parliamentary democracy. Concluding that Macedonia was one of the first countries undergoing transition to pass the Law on Privatisation, the Macedonian Head of State emphasized that up to the present more than 800 companies had been privatised so far, with more than 300 000 employees - which represents app. 90% of all enterprises.

`The Republic of Macedonia managed to master inflation, as well as to procure currency and market stability. It is quite relevant that the first stage of the perspective development of the Republic of Macedonia by the year 2 020 has already been compiled. What is necessary now, are measures attracting foreign capital and investments into the country.'

According to the words of Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov, nowadays Macedonian citizens are being confronted by two extremely sensitive issues: unemployment and more far-reaching social problems. In order to overcome this, there is need of a clear strategy on economic development - comprised of definite economic and social measures; as well as of new capital, investments, the restructuring of economy and the integrating of the latter into the world market. `In this context I would like to emphasize once again , and clearly indicate that the resolving of these enormous and difficult problems only becomes possible through a detailed strategy on the country's economic evolution, containing a precise economic policy and social measures.

Any sort of already familiar `deja vu' models of administrative solutions of these issues, cannot embody anything else but another repeated adventure. Though the latter may be part of a political and social demagogy recently offered within some political platforms throughout the country. I would like to repeat that this cannot be the solution to these problems.'

Upon inter-ethnic relations President Gligorov attributed a relative stability to them, in spite of numerous problems typical of multi-ethnic communities, in a specific period and surrounding and a particular social and economic position within society. `In my opinion it is most important to imprint a civic character upon our society, an undisputed position of the citizen as the carrier of the state's sovereignty. The most reliable guarantee for higher democratic standards and human rights, and the best method to democratically monitor the Government, is a judicial / legal state. Unfortunately, inter-ethnic relations have quite often proved to be the initial impetus for certain political speculations and influences due to their frailty, and particularly because of the fact that the Republic of Macedonia with its Constitution and legislation, with its current and long- term policy, has voted against collective awareness and the nationalist approach to solving such issues. These are foundations for a radical revision of all things achieved since the proclamation of independence, and for a radical restructuring of the bases of the state system. Thus they can be registered either within notions of ethnic universities, the federalisation of territory, the foundations for violating / denying minority rights or their restricting. I am deeply convinced that such concepts will not encounter the wider support among citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.'

This one-hour long rapport to the members of the Macedonian Parliament, to the members of the Government cabinet and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps - was rounded off by the Macedonian Head of State with the forecast of a `long and steep climb' particularly with respect to the social and economic sector. Future priorities pointed out by President Gligorov are the new investment cycle, the implementation of the `bold and courageous' programme proposed by the Government via the `97 Budget, and the measures this would entail. According to President Gligorov this embodies a guarantee for the preservation of economic stability - and for the fastening of those processes yielding outcomes after subsequent alterations implemented in succession.

[02] BEGINNING `97 WITH A RESTRICTIVE BUDGET

This is a Budget conducive to the achievement of such a main objective, together with the implementation of the macro-economic policy for 1997', stressed Minister Fiti - adding that this Budget is indeed more restrictive than the previous one, as it adds tension to certain sectors from the very beginning. This particularly applies to expenditures in the agriculture and transportation sectors, referring to the reduction in means allocated for farmers and for the construction of the railway to Bulgaria - which is to be financed by foreign loans. With respect to agriculture Minister Fiti indicated that customs alleviations would remain considerable, as would be the case with financial support from abroad. In this context he also revealed that, in contrast to this, more funds were allocated for social support (25% of the overall Budget expenditures) within the `97 Budget. A novelty to be introduced next year is the `tresor system' providing better insight into the spending of Budget beneficiaries. As far as basic parameters on which the macro-economic policy for `97 is founded are concerned, Minister Fiti announced that an inflation rate of 2% and a GNP growth by 5% were expected. Throughout parliamentary discussions on the Draft-Budget most of the objections aired were referring to its restrictive quality in terms of agriculture, as well as to the deficiency of time to adopt the Budget. It was indicated that the latter should be preceded by analysing the level of implementation of this year's Budget. Some MPs suggested that support of export should be increased, even by establishing a separate financial institution for this purpose.

The discussion of Amendments to the proposed `97 Budget is to continue today, in addition to studying the macro- economic policy for next year and the package of tax reforms.

[03] NDI - WASHINGTON: `LOCAL ELECTIONS TO ADD POSITIVE NUANCE TO POLITICAL RELATIONS'

[04] DP: `SDSM USES METHODS OF SPS SISTER-PARTY'

According to him the SDSM should reconsider its modus operandi ` as it has resorted to using the verified methods of its sister-party SPS during repeated elections at Bashiboz, and during counting the votes at polling station # 20'.

Police presence at and around the polling station, repeated voting of one and the same people, as well as the voting of 30 people without citizenship (imported from Istanbul for this purpose)... are only part of the Riot Act, according to the DP spokesperson.

[05] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT VIOLATING CONSTITUTION

`Provided the act is directly linked to the Constitution - which is beyond any doubt the case with this initiative - woe to him who claims the ruling to be a concrete act. He may claim so, but has no arguments to support this claim', assessed Shkarikj, upon indicating that the ruling - in his opinion - corresponds to Constitutional legal provisions. Among other things he also emphasized that the initiative would have succeeded had the sense of justice, the sense of responsible governing and a responsible Government been a bit more prevailing. The panel lasted until late into the night yesterday, including speeches by Ljupcho Georgievski (IMRO-DPMNE) and Petar Goshev (DP) - as well as by legal experts Gjorgji Naumovski and Rafail Cherepnalkovski.

[06] INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION: `ONLY POLICE ARE TO BLAME FOR TRAFFIC DISASTER'

Employees of the `Mavrovo' Construction Contractor revealed yesterday that police had forcefully entered the company HQ, whereas only a small number of employees had resumed work. It was also said, that unless forwarded demands were fulfilled and issues of this sector were addressed - the workers would picket the HQ right through New Year's Eve.

[07] PROTEST OF PUPILS OF SEVEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Upon the meeting the ministerial Under-Secretary Fanica Hristova pupils were promised the fulfillment of some of their demands - which left most of them discontent. Thus they announced to continue demonstrations until all their requests were granted.

[08] PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR EMPLOYEES ANNOUNCING GENERAL STRIKE

According to the head of this Trade Union Goce Chakarovski, the warning strike held on 4th December has not generated larger effects - but served as a means to draw public attention to problems in these sectors.

Information reveals that the warning strike did not cover Medical Centers at Tetovo, Ohrid and at Depts. of the Clinic Centre in Skopje. 20 days after this strike the Labour and Social Policy Minister has still not received Union representatives - nor has he commented on the submitted requests. It has been implied that the Health Minister had no data on how much the pay of employees within the health sector is. The demand of the latter to codify a minimum income limit has not been fulfilled yet.

As is the case with the implementation of the Collective Agreement, or a rise in pay. These will be key points on the agenda of the general strike - a measure to be adopted by 25th January by Municipal Trade Union Oragnisations.

[09] ON PERSONAL INCOME IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER

In comparison to September 1996, the realistic average net-income for October this year has suffered a reduction by 1.4% (production: 0.9%; service: 2.9%), informed the National Statistic Institute.

[10] `EVROPA' AND `REPLEK-MAKEDONIJA' AWARDED

In the future these awarded companies may expect closer cooperation with EU member-states, as well as the liberty to capitalize this achievement by listing it on the packaging of their produce.

[11] MASSIVE DYING OF FISH IN THE VARDAR RIVER NEAR VELES

[12] CHRISTMAS SERMON OF BISHOP JOAKIM HERBUT

`The night Christ was born at Bethlehem, an angelic choir heralded His purpose - the celebration of God high up in the Heavens, and peace and benevolence among mankind on Earth. Thus blending the glory of God with peace of humanity - which is not merely absence of war, but the fulfillment of our life with joy, happiness and mutual love. Such contents and happiness I wish to all of you, and to all those celebrating this huge Christian holiday 13 days later', spoke Bishop Joakim Herbut.

Upon this great Christian holiday congratulatory telegrammes have been forwarded to the Bishop, to all the clergy and the entire Roman - Catholic congregation by President Kiro Gligorov, Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski and PM Branko Crvenkovski.

(end)

mils news 25 December 1996

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