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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-20Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 20 January, 1997[01] NEW ROUND OF NAME NEGOTIATIONS TODAYThe new round of negotiations concerning divergent opinions on the name- issue between Athens and Greece are scheduled for today at the UN seat in New York - Greek media claim according to `Makfax'. In connection to this the Athenian daily `Elephterotypia' assessed that neither mediator Cyrus Vance nor the Security Council have imposed a deadline on negotiations. Quoting diplomatic circles, the paper states that both sides are exerting pressure to speed up talks. Difficulties are, however, expected should Macedonia persist that `it could not survive a change of the Constitution politically'. `Elephterotypia' further claims the same sources have revealed that the Security Council did not feel responsible to impose an international reference, and that the only thing it could do - should mediator Cyrus Vance report that negotiations are deadlocked - is to change the FYROM acronym with another reference for internal UN use only.[02] GERMAN AMBASSADOR SCHRAMAYER: `AN EXAMPLE FOR ADAPTATION'`With its capability to adapt itself fast to the newly- created situation Macedonia embodies the perfect example for changed conditions in the Balkans, and an indicator of regional stability', stated the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Macedonia H.E.AMb. Klaus Schramayer on Friday during his meeting with Macedonian minister Vladimir Naumovski. Official records reveal that the German Ambassador has received detailed information on commissions covering migration and religious issues which are the most delicate matters to be addressed due to their very nature - as well as to the implementation of rights of a multi-national population structure in the country.Talks also focused on views regarding `Gastarbeiter' in Germany, and the further regulating of the visa regime between both countries. [03] BILATERAL AGREEMENTS ON INCREASED ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH RUSSIALast year, by 31 October, trade worth 150 million US $ has been carried out between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Macedonia in both directions - which represents an increase by 44.2% in comparison to 1995.Throughout the same period of time Macedonian export into Russia has taken a dive by 54.8%. These data were publicized last Friday, during the meeting between Russian Ambassador Piotr Dobroserdov and Economy Chamber chairman Dushan Petrevski. In order to resuscitate bilateral trade - as talks indicated - it is prerequisite to ratify bilateral agreements regulating economic cooperation (e.g. on avoiding double taxing, investment protection, payment flow, etc.). It has also been pointed out that - in addition - to establishing trade among companies of both countries on a higher level. [04] UNIVERSITY SENATE SUPPORTS STUDENT DEMANDSThe Senate of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University in Skopje has opposed initiatives and proposals on partial legal regulations for tertiary education activities, i.e. a separate bill for the Pedagogical Faculty (PF) of Skopje. It has also asked the Parliament of Macedonia to withdraw the bill from parliamentary discussion. The Senate insists on immediately implementing constitutional provisions on passing a Law on Tertiary Education, and on active involvement of the Senate during its enactment.These - according to the media - are the decisions adopted on Friday, at the session of the Skopje University Senate which further dwelled on the draft-bill on the use of minority languages at the PF of Skopje. The session was also marked by the reading of a Proclamation of 400 university readers by the Senator of the Faculty of Mathematics and Pure Sciences. According to this Proclamation the enactment of the PF bill symbolizes the `introduction of bilingualism and the altering of the Constitution'. The Senate has not made any comment on this paper yet. Otherwise, the Senate decisions were enthusiastically welcomed by app. 200 Macedonian students who continued their protests against the PF bill, in front of the University Rectorate on Friday. Demonstrations ended upon the promise that representatives of the Students' Federation and the University Senate would be received by Parliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski and PM Branko Crvenkovski as early as today. The outcomes of these meetings are to affect the further continuing of protests and Federation activities. Media report the singing of Macedonian patriotic songs and the National Anthem during student protests on Friday, as well as the shouting of paroles against Federation President Toni Mirchevski (of whom it has been said that the had failed to organize students, and represent their demands), against `Dnevnik' and against the Soros Foundation. Besides this, students had expressed their discontent with certain media coverage on previous occasions. This particularly refers to `Dnevnik' whose copies were burnt in front of the Government seat on Thursday. Friday was marked by slogans like `Don't sell what's not yours anyway - this is not Switzerland', `Changing Constitution and the Law at minimum cost (cheaply), Code: in the name of the people' or `I don't read DNEVNIK'... [05] PROTEST OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS AT MALA RECHICASeveral hundreds of Albanian students of the `Tetovo University' have staged protests against the Macedonian Government at the Tetovo suburb Mala Rechica last Friday.The Government has been asked to legalize the `university' and to release its Rector Fadilj Sulejmani... media report. It has been revealed that protests went by peacefully, and after 15 minutes students returned to their lectures. Slogans carried inscriptions like `The PF as a component of the University', `No peace and stability without Albanians', `Prison will not shut down University', `Our path is the right one'... This was followed by a press conference at the premises of the `Tetovo University' during which it has been stated that the protest had not been staged as a counter-demonstration to protests in Skopje, but as protests against the Government. Representatives of the Tetovo Students Organisation Board emphasized that they knew who stood behind the demonstrations of Macedonian students. In this context the Government was also asked to stop relying on scenarios directed against the majority of the Macedonian population, and to integrate Albanians and the `Tetovo University' into the educational system of Macedonia - based on the fact that there are already around 2 500 students at Mala Rechica who attend instruction at 11 faculties and 26 departments. [06] `OSCE' CHIEF-OF-MISSION ON PEDAGOGICAL FACULTY ISSUE`Albanians have to realize that they live in a country whose constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia, and Macedonians need to be aware of the fact that there is a huge group of Albanian citizens in their country who are quite discontent with their treatment', stated `OSCE' Chief-of-Mission Christian Faber-Rod in an interview for the Albanian- language paper `Flaka E Vlazerimit'. A-1 TV reports that upon addressing the PF issue Faber-Rod stressed that Macedonia was being confronted by a deficiency of flexibility exhibited by people who are to work towards the resolving of this problem. `Macedonia will continue to retain its extreme significance throughout the future, not only for the region but for Europe in general - as well as for the entire world. Thus it should not be surprising that this issue possesses such political significance, and that both European institutions and the UN would like to see it resolved', continued the `OSCE' Chief-of-Mission to Macedonia.In response to the question whether Macedonia has an optimistic future in terms of inter-ethnic relations when one group of youths is demonstrating against another one, Faber-Rod underlined the necessity of remaining optimistic and of monitoring what was going on throughout Macedonia. In this context it has also been stressed that Macedonia represents a `surprisingly peaceful and stable country in an unstable surrounding'. [07] HELSINKI COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS: `MANIPULATION OF STUDENTS'`The absence of student unrest on many other occasions and delicate situations in the country - and the fact that up to now protest by students have occurred only twice throughout the past five years - only indicates that the future Macedonian intelligentsia is being manipulated', stated the Helsinki Committee on Human Rights mission in Macedonia last Friday. The press release issued by this organisation also claims that these are politically- motivated protests which are the consequences of political manipulating and the lack of final definitions on the settling of educational issues on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. The Helsinki Committee has also requested from the Government to assume a definite position on this issue, as any partial solution is merely to encourage such behaviour of students from any ethnic affiliation.[08] REPEATED ELECTIONS AT TETOVO AREA POSTPONED DUE TO FIGHTS BETWEEN `PDP' AND `PDPA' MEMBERSThe autumn local elections in Macedonia have been brought to a close in all municipalities of Macedonia, with the exception of polling stations No. 60 and No. 2 (Mala Rechica) in Tetovo where repeated voting had been scheduled for the fourth time for yesterday. Round 1 of mayor and city counsellor elections, however, were postponed once again due to arguments and fights between PDP and PDPA members. On this subject MTV reported that heavy fighting broke out at polling station No. 60, which ended with the hospitalization of several PDPA members. It still remains unclear when elections will be staged again at those two polling stations in Tetovo, or when this `election marathon' will be over and the mayor and city counsellors elected.[09] STRIKE AT `PELAGONIJA' GAINING MOMENTUM, WHEREAS AT `MAVROVO' IT HAS BEEN SUSPENDEDLast Friday strikers of the `Pelagonija' construction contractor have joined their fellow-employees of several depts. and sites throughout the country. Thus media estimate around 3 000 ( of a total 5 000) company employees are on strike at the moment. The Strike Board of this contractor has also been received by Construction and Urbanism Minister Jorgo Shundovski that same day. The outcomes of this meeting was that minister Shundovski should be supplied with documents reflecting the genuine state of affairs within the company by Tuesday. Regarding the legitimacy of the strike - which is being contested by General Director Dichev - the Labour Inspectorate has concluded that the strike had been organised concordant to legal provisions, thus discarding any suspicion concerning its legitimacy. The Strike Board has stated that in a legal vacuum - at a time where the restructuring of the company has not been brought to a close yet - this body has the right to suspend the General Director and his management team.The 35-day strike of `Mavrovo' employees has been suspended upon the suspension of the Director in Bitola Trajan Mirchevski, and following negotiations according to which the company is to be transformed based on employee shareholding - and withheld hard currency pay is to be forwarded by May this year. [10] ON THE ISSUE OF FROZEN HARD CURRENCY SAVINGSParliamentary Chairman Tito Petkovski received representatives of the National Association for the Protection of Bank Customers and for the Development of the Republic of Macedonia last Friday. Their requests - among other things - focused on possibilities to purchase shares of the Skopje City Shopping Centre, nationally- owned real estate and development sites, business premises and economic facilities - as well as on possibilities to receive interest rate payments for deposits over 50 000 DM, whereas 200 DM per month should be made available in case of smaller deposits. `Vecher' reports that it has been agreed to send notifications to the Government, the Ministry of Finance and to the corresponding Parliamentary Commission in order to upscale the priority of this issue.The Commission would then debate these demands during its session, in the presence of representatives of this Association. [11] FIGHT AMONG DECEIVED BANK CUSTOMERS OF `MAKEDONIJA REKLAM'Last Friday fights broke out at the premises of the `Makedonija Reklam' bank / company in Skopje, since deceived bank customers were not able to reach a consensus on who was to confiscate the `bank' van - media reported.The `siege' of company premises had been started by clients a few days ago, upon the announcement that all savings withdrawals (an est. 18 million DM) were to be suspended. The brawl did not result in any heavy injuries, or police intervention - but clients nevertheless continue to `besiege' the premises of `Makedonija Reklam'. Bank clients have stated that the bankruptcy had been brought about by bad investments made by the company owners, and that restitution was highly unlikely. This case occurs only a few months after the downfall of `ALFA - S' which bereft customers of app. 20 million DM. [12] NUMBER OF FLU CASES DECREASINGA gradual decrease in flu cases has been registered throughout the country - media report - in spite of the fact that 2 030 new cases had been registered by the National Health Care Institute last Friday, thus increasing the total of ill people up to 28 836. As far as Skopje is concerned 238 new cases were registered on Friday, which raises the overall number of flu cases to 6 643. Even in spite of all this data the number of new flu cases seems to decrease throughout the medical centers and the clinics in the country, which also decreases the pressure upon these public health facilities prevailing during the past days.[13] CELEBRATING THE BAPTISM OF CHRISTThe OCM and worshippers have celebrated the baptism of Christ, Holy Epiphany, known by the popular reference `Vodici' two days ago. Upon this occasion the Holy Archiepiscopal Liturgy was held at all churches of the OCM, and then - according to tradition - the Holy Rood was cast into lakes, rivers and pools. The central Epiphany ceremony was held near the Stone Bridge at the banks of the Vardar where - in the presence of app. 30 000 worshippers - the Cross was cast in to the river by OCM Head, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, the Reverend Mihail. Around 100 worshippers took a dive to catch the Holy Rood, and the most successful proved to be Mile Klimovski from Kosel (Ohrid).Similar festivities have been staged throughout other cities in the country, marked by the significantly improved attendance of worshippers this year. MILS SUPPLEMENT[14] `ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN MACEDONIA - Cases and Responses - Capital Punishment AD HOC'(`Helsinki Committee for Human Rights' - 10th issue, December 1996)REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS: Throughout the most recent years in Macedonia the number of drug addicts has risen considerably. Addicts usually originate from all national and social structures. What is particularly worrisome is the fact that the majority of abusers (in percentages) is hooked on heroin - a drug which addicts very fast and makes rehabilitation extremely difficult. Institutions and structures dealing with drug addicts (police, prosecutors, courts, penitentiaries and public health facilities) have been totally unprepared to counter the drug epidemic. Many of the addicts also emerge as those committing felonies such as; thefts, murders and physical assaults. Throughout criminal investigations, two problems have manifested themselves in this context: first - courts addressing the felonies of healthy accused, and secondly cases where the charged individual is a drug addict. In the latter instance it quite often occurred that the condition of the accused had not been examined carefully enough. Such a state of affairs most often leads to efficient sentencing but no compulsory rehabilitation. In addition to this, a large percentage of investigations are conducted without regard / determining the accused's psychological condition. It is merely stated that rehabilitation is to be conducted in `certain conditions, at penitentiaries, hospitals or medical centers'. Those convicts failing to report their addiction during trial are sent to ordinary penitentiaries, where their treatment equals that of healthy inmates. They do not receive any sort of substitute medication to help them `get off' drugs, or through severe withdrawal crises which very often cause aggressive behaviour towards others, or the destruction of furniture. Convicted drug addicts admitted to rehabilitation facilities very often receive much smaller doses of necessary substitutes, or they are administered completely inappropriate medicine (e.g. for mental disorders) in order to tranquilize them, in order to ensure they will not cause any trouble in prison. A typical (and indeed illustrative) example of this is the case of Jusuf Iljaz from Skopje who has been addicted to drugs for a long time (app. 10 years). His daily needs amount to a few grams... Sentenced to imprisonment at the `Idrizovo' penitentiary without appropriate and at times even no treatment at all, the above mentioned set fire to a prison ward on 5th August 1996, after several instances of self-afflicted injuries. For this he was sentenced to 30 days solitary confinement according to regulation 03 - 16/151. Last information reveals that the convict has been submitted to solitary confinement... Another `famous' case is the one where a judge sentenced two drug addicts to imprisonment while they were receiving rehabilitation at the `Bardovci' hospital. After a considerable period of time, during an abstention crisis one of the confined addicts wounded himself severely with a razor blade he had stolen from the prison barber. The management of penitentiaries where drug addicts serve sentences up to a year - in conditions of insufficient rehabilitation possibilities - it has very often occurred that they have been subjected to solitary confinement up to 30 days at times. Isolated from other inmates those addicts have been `weaned off' drugs without any - or very little - medical treatment. Regardless of whether the sentence has been served in prison or in a correctional facility, almost all of them went straight back to drug consuming as soon as they were released. This indicates that nothing has been contributed to their curing and resocialization during imprisonment. Another alarming phenomena is the attitude assumed by hospitals and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities. There have been cases when addicts have been sentenced to `COMPULSORY REHABILITATION OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE IN MEDICAL FACILITIES'. Some of those in Skopje, however, have refused to admit addicts since they had not been health-insured. Recently the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has adopted the Programme on Countering Drug Abuse. In this sense a number of quite illegitimate and clumsy police actions made the headlines - particularly in Skopje and Kumanovo - which were targetted at drug addicts rather than dealers. This is absolutely unacceptable as the legislation of the Republic of Macedonia clearly only prohibits drug trafficking / dealing and the facilitating of drug abuse. The majority of drug abusers / felons place emphasis on the fact that police has acted contrary to the law by apprehending them. In order to extract a confession or trick the detained addict into identifying another criminal (or several of them) they are being confined in cellars of police stations for several hours, until they in most cases get convulsions. Once this has occurred they are very often forced to confess crimes they never even committed, or to identify other offenders. This is being done in spite of the fact that extracting confessions of a subpoenaed person is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia... To be continued... (end)mils news 20 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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