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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-27Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 27 December, 1996[01] NEWSTAGE IN RELATIONS WITH RUSSIAYesterday Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov received the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Macedonia H.E.Amb. Piotr Dobroserdov who submitted his accreditation on this occasion. In his welcoming speech the Macedonian President emphasised that Macedonia is paying a considerable amount of attention to its relations with the Russian Federation on both a bilateral and an international level - as well as that the country highly appreciates the views and support of Russia on Macedonian integration into international organisations. `All this gives us the right to commit ourselves to Russian- Macedonian relations, i.e. to their permanent subsequent furthering from a political, economic and cultural aspect', stressed President Gligorov. As official records reveal the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador H.E. Amb. Dobroserdov emphasised that his appointment to this post confirms the intentions of the Russian leadership to develop intense political dialogue, establish and evolve mutually useful relations and cooperation in different domains of Russian-Macedonian relations. He furthermore indicated that Russian-Macedonian relations are deeply rooted in history, based on spiritual and cultural traits shared by both people. This, according to him, is also the reason why Russia cannot remain indifferent towards events occurring in the Balkans. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Macedonia, H.E. Amb. Piotr Dobroserdov, was also received by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski the same day. [02] US MILITARY EXPERTS DUE IN MACEDONIA NEXT MONTHEvaluating that this part of the world is of vital interest to the United States, the CINC of the US Army - Gen. Dennis Rymer - who is currently visiting US troops within UNPREDEP in Macedonia throughout these two days, underlined during yesterday's press conference that American-Macedonian cooperation in the Defense sector is prerequisite to regional stability. Upon assessing talks with the Macedonian Defense Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski and the CINC of ARM HQ Gen. Krstevski as useful, Gen.Rymer stated that several issues of common interest had been analysed. As regards military aid for Macedonia, Gen. Rymer announced that a team of military experts is to visit the country at the beginning of next year to study all issues concerning this subject- matter. During the press conference Gen. Krstevski stated that talks with the US General focused on collaboration between both armies, as well as on tasks and plans scheduled in these terms for next year. The joint assessment on talks in Skopje is that American-Macedonian cooperation in the Defense sector has registered an upward trend, generating numerous possibilities to intensify bilateral relations. [03] JUDICIARY AGREEMENTS DUE NEXT YEARThe meeting between Macedonian Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski and his Albanian counterpart Shaban Murati have resulted in the drafting of imminent activities to be undertaken by both ministries regarding the ratification of agreements on international legal aid in the judiciary sector, reported MTV. It has been revealed that the agreements should be implemented throughout the first quarter of next year.[04] FURTHERING COOPERATION WITH TURKEY REGARDING JUDICIARY AND CULTURE SECTORSA delegation of the Turkish Justice Dept. , headed by Under-Secretary Yildirim Turkmen, has arrived in Macedonia. During the scheduled meeting with the Macedonian side, talks on the furthering of legal aid - an issue of interest to citizens of both countries - are to continue. The corresponding agreement on this subject is to codify relations with regards to international legal aid, the recognizing and implementation of court rulings, the extradition of convicts, etc.Another delegation , this one of the Macedonian Ministry of Culture, headed by Ministerial Aide Vlatko Teodosievski, has been staying in Turkey these days in order to reach a consensus with their hosts on bilateral cooperation in cultural domains over the time span 1997- 1999. Yesterday the Macedonian delegation was received by Turkish Culture Minister Ismail Shakamay who - among other things - announced his visit to Macedonia in February next year. This imminent visit is to result in the signing of cooperation agreements (currently being outlined in Ankara) between both cultural sectors. [05] TRADITIONAL MEETING OF PRESIDENT GLIGOROV WITH BUSINESSMENThe traditional New Year's reception of businessmen at the Economy Chamber of Macedonia, given yesterday, was also attended by the Republic's President Kiro Gligorov, PM Branko Crvenkovski and other Government officials - according to media coverage. While paying a tribute to the businessmen, President Gligorov enumerated their engagement and skills implemented in resuscitating market economy during the blockade era which - as he said - had been of great benefit to progress. In the opinion of President Gligorov, there are numerous possibilities for a more open and consummate approach now that Macedonia is no longer hampered by the embargo and by sanctions within its surroundings.The Chairman of the Economy Chamber of Macedonia, Dushan Petrevski, expressed his gratitude to the Parliament and the Government - as well as to other institutions - for their cooperation, continuing by airing his hopes for creating greater financial stability and solid material balances next year. [06] `EBRD' THE SECOND-LARGEST SHAREHOLDER OF ‘KOMERCIJALNA BANKA'This month, on 30th December, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to forward 4 million DM to `Komercijalna Banka' in Skopje for the corresponding amount in shares - acquired from major shareholders of this banking house - revealed General- Director Hari Kostov yesterday. As the Macedonian Radio reports the EBRD intends to place app. 11 million DM in loans during 1997 via `Komercijalna Banka'. Should these funds remained unused in their entirety, they are to remain with the Macedonian bank as an additional founder's deposit of the EBRD. The latter has also nominated Timothy O' Neal (so far its representative in Bulgaria) for its member for the `Komercijalna Banka' Executive Board.Recent contacts between both banks focused on the extending the guarantee for foreign deposits throughout 1998, which would also include the novelty of a reduction of the EBRD fee by 0.25% (from 2 to 1.75%). According to the General-Director of `Komercijalna Banka' Hari Kostov, the bank's revenue balance for this year is to look better than last year's, which is being ascribed to lower interest rates compared to other Macedonian banks. It has furthermore been announced that as of yesterday `Komercijalna Banka' has commenced the selling of hard currency at the rate of 27.4 denars per DM, which is more favourable by 0.2 denars with respect to the current exchange rate of private exchange offices. [07] HAS THE STATE GIVEN UP DUTY-FREE SHOPS?The owners of Duty-free shops, located along the Macedonian border checkpoints, requested of the Government yesterday to find an option for the procurement of luxury goods for such objects - as otherwise they would have to close them. This demand has been forwarded several months since the enactment of the Government Regulation suspending the sale of consignments of luxury goods (cigars, alcohol, cosmetics). This time span has been marked by a plunge in sales at duty-free shops by 5 to 6 times, whereas - according to the shop-owners - those means are being spent in stores of this kind on the territory of neighbouring states. The proprietors of duty- free shops in Macedonia furthermore indicated that if the state chooses for squander revenues it could obtain the sale of luxury goods - its `till' is to be emptier by 15 million DM a year.[08] `MAKPETROL' THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE OF MACEDONIADuring the 21st International `Trade Club' Award Ceremony in Madrid, the `Makpetrol' company of Skopje has received the title `Best Commercial Name of Macedonia', based on data concerning the company obtained via diplomatic channels. This award has been given to 160 other firms from all over the world, after the Clubs 11 000 members had cast their votes.[09] GOVERNMENT TO FURTHER TELE-COMMUNICATIONSThe last Government session scheduled for this year is most likely to focus discussions on the tariff-list submitted by Postal Services, which could allow the reduction in charges for new telephone lines in order to encourage their increase from 1 000 to 500 DM. A-1 TV claims that the compulsory monthly charge is to increase from 35 to 200 denars, while 150 low-rate impulses would be gained per user in return.The Government is also to debate the proposal for the transformation of Postal Services into two separate enterprises: one for postal services, and one for tele- communications. [10] NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION OF RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVES GIVEN BY PRIME MINISTER CRVENKOVSKIThe traditional New Year's reception given by PM Branko Crvenkovski yesterday was attended by representatives of all denominations and churches in Macedonia.The Head of the OCM, the Reverend Mihail indicated among other things that the commitment to democracy would also be reflected within the law regulating the legal position of denominations. The Islamic denomination expressed its gratitude through its representative Effendi Suleyman Redzhepi who - as media report - stressed that Macedonia has chosen the right path, the path of progress, and that worshippers would follow this path. The Catholic community was represented by Bishop Joakim Herbut of the Skopje-Prizren Episcopality, who wished all those present a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In addition to this, the reception had been attended by representatives of the Evangelist / Methodist, the Baptist and the Jewish communities in Macedonia. [11] INSTRUCTION IN TURKISH ON ELEMENTARY LEVEL DEMANDEDA group of parents and pupils of the primary schools at Debarska Zhupa approached the Macedonian Government with their request for elementary education instruction in Turkish yesterday - as MTV reports. The group has been offered to meet Education Minister Sofija Todorova - which has been refused as the group insisted to be received by PM Branko Crvenkovski.[12] LJUPCHO GEORGIEVSKI: `LOCAL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN WON BY COALITION'The coalition has emerged victorious throughout local elections in Macedonia, in spite of the media's reluctance to present this to the public, said IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski during yesterday's press conference - upon summarising impressions and outcomes in the aftermath of elections. In this context Georgievski stressed that his party's objections referred to national media which `harmed the party's image by presenting statements outside their given context'.Yet the party assessment of local elections in Macedonia has denoted the latter as a step forward towards democracy. In the opinion of IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski election deficiencies concerned incomplete electorate registers, the presence of hired `bullies' at polling stations and the unjustified annulment of results at some of them. While relying upon results of the petition / initiative (220 000 obtained signatures), election outcomes and the `catastrophic economic situation' the Head of the IMRO- DPMNE encouraged Branko Crvenkovski to talks on setting a date for early parliamentary elections. MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] `Criticism of Constitutional Court Ruling'(`Nova Makedonija' - 26th December 1996)According to Shkarikj citizens do possess Constitutional rights to initiate a referendum on early elections, and the Government is not entitled to deny them the right to resolve any political issue. On Tuesday evening a panel on `The Constitutional Quality of the 220 000 Signature Petition to Stage a Referendum on Early Elections' was held under the auspices of the IMRO- DPMNE at the Conference Hall of the Skopje City Council premises. The majority of those invited did not attend this event (e.g. Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski, the academician Evgenij Dimitrov, Dr. Gjorgji Caca, Dr. Savo Klimovski, the Chairman of the National Judiciary Council, and both the Chair and members of the Constitutional Court), which is why a polemic tone and discussion remained absent as well. Thus expressed views on the Constitutional Court's ruling on the civic initiative to stage a referendum on early parliamentary elections were particularly critical and unidirectional. Thus Dr. Svetomir Shkarikj - a reader at the Faculty of Law - for example stressed the importance of this initiative, as it brought forth the citizen as a political decision-maker for the first time. In addition to this Dr. Shkarikj indicated that the outcome of this initiative would have differed, had the core question concerning the referendum been re-phrased into: `Are you in favour of dissolving the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia?' as there is no explicit provision within the Constitution empowering the Parliament to hold early elections. According to Shkarikj citizens do possess the right to initiate early parliamentary elections, i.e. a referendum on this very issue, since no authority may revoke this right to solve any political issue from a citizen. This was followed by an elaborate comment on the view exhibited by the Constitutional Court, concordant to which the latter is not competent to rule on individual acts of law - such as the Parliamentary ruling on not being empowered to stage a referendum on early elections. By refusing to comment upon the Parliament's decision the Constitutional Court has virtually refused to uphold the Constitution, claims Svetomir Shkarikj. This is not the first instance of the Constitutional Court's meddling with politics, said Gjorgji Naumov (M.A.) - former Secretary of Justice and current member of the IMRO-DPMNE leadership. The most blatant example to support the claim aired by this speaker was the Constitutional Court ruling suspending the Census Law proscribing the use of 6 languages - which had been passed after the census in Macedonia had already been brought to a close. In Naumov's opinion the public has no other alternative but to address the Supreme Court for the protection of their right to be politically active. In reply to the question whether the Constitutional Court was forced to deal with a general or a concrete act of law, barrister Rafail Cherepnalkovski revealed that to his knowledge the Court had discussed many concrete acts of law (determining sites for the constructing of filling stations, or for stables to house cows, etc.) throughout the past and the ongoing year. Therefore, Cherepnalkovski stressed, it is absolutely unclear how an initiative supported by over 200 000 citizens cannot be suitable for processing by the Constitutional Court. The latter, he continues, has been unnecessarily concerned with the formal aspects of the Parliament's decision - while neglecting the actual contents of this initiative. With this ruling the Constitutional Court has practically succeeded in denying its own existence within the state - emphasised DP leader Petar Goshev - as it proclaimed itself incompetent on assessing an initiative launched by more than 200 000 citizens. By doing so, claims Goshev, it has labelled itself a prolonged arm of the incumbent party. According to IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski local elections in the country have proven that this is the time to develop democracy within the state. He expressed his personal commitment to continue negotiations with the Government in order to find a solution for the situation Macedonia has found itself in - which boils down to the totalitarian rule of one party. Towards the end of this panel the majority of those attending asked questions, and wanted to know about different angles and possible reprisals - now that this ruling of the Constitutional Court has rejected the initiative on launching a referendum on early parliamentary elections. (end)mils news 27 December 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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