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MILS: News from the FYROM, 96-12-30Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 30 December 1996[01] 60 MILLION DM FOR GAS PIPELINE TO SKOPJEThe EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and the public facility `GAMA' have signed papers for the implementation of stage two of the credit for the construction of the gas pipeline-network to Skopje, in Macedonia's capital on Saturday. According to terms outlined in the agreement the loan is total 60 million DM, and be returned within 15 years (including a grace period of five years and standard interest rate terms plus 1%). Another agreement signed - by Finance Minister Taki Fiti - on Saturday serves as a guarantee for the Gas Distribution Project. This document places the Republic of Macedonia in the position of a warrantor, pledging the normal functioning of `GAMA' in the future and the fulfillment of all terms. The latter further outline that `GAMA' is to be transformed into a shareholding company towards the end of January i.e. the beginning of February `97, which would be comprised of `Makpetrol - Skopje', the EBRD (with 7 million DM) and the Macedonian Government as major stockholders. `Nova Makedonija' reports that the Russian partner - who is to supply the gas - will also receive the offer to purchase shares. This is to be the first venture in the Balkans within which this sector is to embodied as a private company. Its transformation is to occur gradually, with a subsequent reduction of shares owned by the EBRD and the Government in order to arrive at final shape of the company by 2003.[02] `EU' TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT MOST LIKELY DUE IN MAYToday's edition of `Vecher' focuses on the fact that the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Macedonia has not been ratified this year, wherefore it is not to be enacted on 1st January `97. The daily reveals that the time schedule has been changed. postponing the enactment for the month of May. It has also been stated that motives for this are not to be sought in any new developments - or a change of EU relations towards Macedonia. in this context Macedonia is quoting Macedonian Vice-President Jane Miljoski according to whom the reason for this repeated delay is the unsettled Macedonian debt of app. 85 million dollars towards the European Investment Bank. This issue is to be resolved during the Donors' Conference scheduled for the close of February `97 in Brussels, under the auspices of the EU and the World Bank.[03] LEGAL FRAME FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND MACEDONIAThe ratification of the Agreement on International Legal Cooperation between Turkey and the Republic of Macedonia on Friday by delegations of both respective ministries in Skopje, has been assessed to codify the legal framework for cooperation, for enriching and intensifying relations in terms of international legal aid. It has been reported that provisions within this Agreement warrant legal security with respect to developing commercial relations, investments, economy and other kinds of collaboration. The document has been signed by Under-Secretary Yildirim Turkmen of the Turkish Justice Dept. and by Macedonian Justice Secretary Vlado Popovski.[04] 1996 - A YEAR WITH HIGHER `GNP' AND INCREASED PRICES AND LIVING EXPENSESThe GNP is expected to total 178 289 million dollars for this year - which is an increase by 4.3% compared to last year... stressed Institute of Statistics Director Svetlana Antonovska during a recent press conference. She furthermore stated that this growth is to mark the end of the several-year-long declining trend of the realistic GNP. Another huge GNP increase is expected with respect to transportation and communication (by 8.2%), forestry (7.2%) and mining & industry (6.6%).Data released by the Institute of Statistics reveal that throughout 1996 consumer prices have gone up by 3% compared to last year - whereas living costs have increased by 2.3%. Research has also indicated that during `96 the employment rate reached the total of 340 729, which represents a decrease by 4.5% in comparison to 1995. It is expected that employment rates are to take another dive: by 5.7% in the production sector, and by 0.3% within the service sector. In addition to this statistics implied that there has been a constant increase of employees who received pay with delay throughout the year. Thus their figure i.e. numerical average has grown to 73 678 (production sector: 70 178; service sector: 3 500). In terms of average pay, the total is to amount to 8 250 denars - an increase by 3.1% compared to last year. With respect to the same time span there also is to be a growth in the physical scope of production by 2.9%, with a plunge of 53.8 % hitting the construction sector. The dive affecting agriculture is expected to amount to 3.2% (national sector: 3.2%; individual production: 3.5%). A decrease has also been registered with regards to the cultivating of several grains by 24.1%. Information on international trade exchange reveal that Macedonia will be hit by a deficit of 660 million dollars, which represents 58% of import compared to our overall export. [05] FORECAST ON RETIREMENT PENSION AND IMPAIRMENT INSURANCE FUND FOR 1997The total amount of means available for the Retirement Pension and Impairment Insurance Fund for next year, is to total app. 20 billion denars. This is to ensure the payment of 12 regular monthly pensions, and the coverage of other expenditures - such as the payment of 60% of non- forwarded pensions, the neutralization of the deficit of app. 450 million denars by the close of the year. This has been concluded during Friday's session, while adopting the Fund Budget for 1997. It has furthermore been outlined that the Fund was to receive an additional 1.3 billion denars - besides regular National Budget means - to balance revenues and expenses for next year. Another estimate states that only app. 144 million denars more would be needed for `97 for a complete balancing of the Fund. These means are to be procured by additional Budget funds reallocations. The majority of these means (87%) are to be implemented to provide corespondent insurance, 11.4% for health care contributions of the retired and a mere 1.5% for its implementation.In order to improve conditions regarding the collecting of retirement pension contributions, the Executive Board has agreed to take a series of measures entailing regular payment and increased efficiency of inspection authorities, legal steps and a more successful functioning of this particularly important task of the Fund [06] KIRO GLIGOROV: `MACEDONIA HAS TO PROVE ITSELF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY, A EUROPEAN PEOPLE'`We have to invest considerable effort to preserve internal stability on one hand, and on the other hand on an international level we have to ensure that as much as possible is heard about ourselves as a people, about our past, our history, our culture - which has always occupied its distinct rank within the constellation of European culture. These are worthy tasks, and both the present and future generations will dedicate their brightest minds to the gradual achievement of these objectives as speedily as possible - as these outlined aims are what our country must fight for. It has to prove itself a European country, a European nation'... This was one of numerous issues addressed by the Macedonian Head of State during the reception given on Friday for members of the Macedonian Parliament, Government officials, distinguished personalities of Macedonian public, cultural and economic domains, and the newly-elected mayors of Macedonia. Upon denoting this year as a dynamic and complex period, President Gligorov expressed his hopes for 1997 to become a year of the all- inclusive engagement of all citizens to create a better and richer life.Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski also hosted a reception; this one for journalist accredited to cover the Macedonian Parliament. He stressed that in a society with many different interests (as the Macedonian one) both those parties represented within the Parliament and those not pursue one common goal: to familiarize the public with their political views, as it has to choose within the political market. `61 papers and 210 local TV and Radio stations are registered in Macedonia; this represents a vast opportunity to articulate different political programmes', stated Petkovski - adding that he was pleased with the cooperation of the accredited press, and with the mode in which they covered parliamentary activity. [07] STRIKES AND PROTESTS DUE TO CONTINUE NEXT YEARThe Strike Board of the `Mavrovo' construction contractor's independent Trade Union has suspended current striking up to 13th January 1997, according to released information of the Executive Council. Employees - i.e. members of the Independent Trade Union - have been invited to continue striking in front of the company HQ, as of 8 o'clock in the morning on 13th January, with an extended list of demands.App. 300 workers of the `Pelagonija' construction contractor continued their strike - commenced on 16th December - last Friday. Strikers revealed that so far they had only received health insurance cards and travel reimbursement for last month, whereas their demands for the pay of withheld salaries and revenues of foreign projects carried out in `93, `95 and `96, the regulation of retirement and impairment contributions for the past 4 years and vacation pay for this year have not been fulfilled yet. It remains uncertain whether / when strikers are to meet the `Pelagonija' General Director. Employees of the Shtip textile factory `Makedonka' have also started striking on Friday due to the fact that pay had been withheld for the past few months, as well as because of announced mass `lay-offs'. Strikers requested the transfer of pay and information on the progress of privatization procedures. They have also publicized their intention to demand the resignation of present executives unless their demands are fulfilled soon. The `illegal' tenants who have been picketing the Government seat for the past 10 days - demanding to meet the PM - were forced to suspend striking due to harsh weather conditions. According to `Dnevnik' striker representatives have announced its continuation after New Year's Eve, until all demands are met - most of which are focusing on possibilities to purchase nationally-owned flats `illegally occupied' by these people. The inhabitants of the Centar Zhupa municipality - upon requesting information on the police blockade of the village of Kodzhadzhik at the Gorna Zhupa region, and the fulfillment of their children's (pupils of the `Nedzhati Zekirija' Elementary School) demands for instruction in Turkish - have also continued to protest in front of the Macedonian Government. Most recent information reveal that they still have not been received by PM Crvenkovski. [08] RESPONSE OF THE PEDAGOGICAL FACULTYConcerning the latest development of events at the `St. Clement of Ohrid' Faculty of Pedagogy in Skopje, i.e. the further boycotting of lectures by Albanian students and their assembling in front of different state institutions in order to achieve their goal (instruction in Albanian), the management of the faculty has issued the following response.The faculty management considers that the language-issue cannot be a daily political question, as it prevailingly embodies a legal, an educational and an expert issue which is most competently to be discerned by the Universities `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' in Skopje and `St. Clement of Ohrid' in Bitola. In its statement the management has discarded the students' demand to postpone the examination in hygiene (first year of studies) to the second year of the study course as unfounded, since it is contrary to legal provisions, as well as the request to suspend payment of study fees. The demand to suspend the faculty's Dean and Secretary has been rejected as well, on grounds that both officials have been elected legally - via a public vacancy note. `Dnevnik' reports that legal provisions affecting the state of affairs at the Pedagogical Faculty are to be subjected to governmental debate today. This is to be followed by urgent ratification procedures, as they are to regulate rights on instructing in minority languages. [09] MACEDONIAN RADIO: `SHOTS FIRED AT THE HOUSE OF METROPOLITAN NAUMMacedonian Radio reports the firing of automatic gunshot rounds (by unidentified individuals) at the home of Metropolitan Naum in Skopje around midnight past Thursday.Prior to this the Clerical official and the clergy of the `Vodocha' monastery (Strumica) had received threat calls by parents whose children wanted to take the orders at this monastery - according to `Dnevnik'. It has been reported that some parents wanted to withdraw their children from the monastery, as these had been `recruited' without their consent and denied any contact. The paper reports that Metropolitan Naum is currently residing at `Vodocha', under police protection, whereas official data on this incident are still lacking. MILS SUPPLEMENT[10] `Ministerial Filling for the Eco-Bomb'(`Vecher' - 27th December 1996)The decision to prohibit the further use of the `Vardarishte' waste disposal facility, from 2nd January `97 onwards i.e. simultaneously to the enactment of the Law on Protection and Improvement of Human Habitat and Environment, is a Christmas present the whole city of Skopje could only have hoped for. This decision of the Ministry of Urbanism, Civil Engineering and Environmental Protection is `to put a DEFINITE end' to the ticking of this `eco-bomb' known by the name `Vardarishte' - as it is to create conditions for its complete defusing, and for the resuscitation of the area. This issued `license to kill off the bomb' represents a step in the right direction by the responsible ministry, as the latter has abandoned the role of a helpless `mediator' and finally taken grabbed the bull by the horns. Unlike throughout the past two years when the ministry was carrying around olive branches, settling disputes and burying the hatchet so often brandished by the two nationally-owned community hygiene companies: `Komunalna Higiena' and `Drisla'. The only (d)effect, however, of these barren negotiations was the non- operational status of the new facility and the continued use of the old one (`Vardarishte') - which had been objected to by water supply authorities and sanitary inspection services as far back as October 1991. According to Mihail Dimovski, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Urbanism... , the decision outlining the closing of `Vardarishte' had been issued concordant to the new authorizations bestowed upon the minister via the new Law on Protecting and Improving Human Habitat and Environment. Therefore this is virtually the first act facilitating the implementation of the provisions of this `Eco-Constitution' in order to ensure the protection of our habitat and the environment, of the health and life of all citizens. Up to now the ministry did not possess a legal instrument to breathe life into such commitments. This ministerial `filling' for `Vardarishte' generated a variety of reactions by those involved in the `Skopje trash' case during the past two years. The prohibition to use the waste disposal facility - according to `Drisla' Deputy-Director Vera Ilievska - is to be welcomed as it finally enables the complete opening of this new facility. Similar thoughts have been entertained by Mayor Risto Penov who `inherited' this `Pandora's box of hygiene'. `The decision brought on by the appropriate ministry parallels my commitment to close Vardarishte and open Drisla. Even prior to its enactment I had established contact with the management of both `Komunalna Higiena' and `Drisla' in order to find common grounds. I think we are on a good way to reach a consensus concerning the correction of a few minor shortcomings plaguing the Drisla facility, and both companies will hopefully make use of the time left to the enactment of the prohibition to make arrangements for the disposal of waste at the new facility in the future', says Penov. Personnel at `Komunalna Higiena' is not drowning in enthusiasm on this ruling by the Ministry of Urbanism: `I consider the decision to close Vardarishte a partial solution to the problem, as no alternative option i.e. location is being given. Throughout the past two years, including the latest inspection, several faults have been detected at the new facility - and if the Ministry thinks that waste should be disposed of at Drisla then it should also assume full responsibility for this kind of measure. We, whatever the odds are, are resolved to not let the city go under in garbage - though we need to know where to dump the latter', claims `Komunalna Higiena' Director Sejdo Teofilovksi. Upon our remark that there is a previous decision by the former City Council of Skopje, `loudly and clearly' favouring the opening of `Drisla', Director Teofilovski replied that in such a case this should be confirmed `by those who passed the prohibition to use Vardarishte'. In spite of objecting to this prohibition Teofilovski nevertheless thinks that the deadlock between city authorities and the `Drisla' management may have been broken. `Yesterday we have been received by the new Mayor of Skopje, Mr. Risto Penov. In my opinion our shared wish to definitely close up the case are to result in visible progress soon. We have both concluded that the deficiencies of `Drisla' - particularly the determining of a safer site for the dump itself - have to be addressed ASAP. This includes: the renovating of the access route, the increase of the actual facility grounds, the neutralization of wells on the same grounds, etc. To this purpose, we (city and `Komunalna Higiena') have generally agreed to share expenses (50:50) generated by the aforesaid. Biddings to commence corrections will be assembled and processed these days', concluded Teofilovski. (end)mils news 30 December 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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