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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-21Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 21 January, 1997[01] MACEDONIA OFFICIALLY ADMITTED TO `NATO' COMMITTEE ON MILITARY PLANNING AND ANALYSISMacedonia has been officially admitted to the NATO Committee on Military Planning and Analysis, which represents the subsequent level of cooperation with the North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation... stated Lt. Gen. Janakie Manasievski who had been heading the Macedonian delegation at the NATO meeting held at Obermeerhaus (FRG), between 15th and 18th this month. According to Manasievski the admission into this Committee represents a step of extraordinary significance, as of the total 28 `PFP' Programme countries Macedonia is one of 15 states included into the work of this body; it is one step forwards to full NATO membership.[02] SUPPORT OF MACRO-ECONOMIC STABILITYThe IMF and the World Bank have estimated that for 1997 Macedonia will be in need of 85 million dollars in international financial help to maintain the current dynamics of reforms, whereas this rate is to drop to between 40 and 50 million dollars `per annum' throughout the subsequent four to five years... media report that this has been revealed by World Bank representative Ellen Goldstein during her meeting with members of the Macedonian Parliament. Ms. Goldstein further informed the latter that the World Bank is about to finance 5 projects worth 110 million dollars over the next three years in Macedonia.These will cover reforms within the social sector, the improvement of irrigation systems, the refurbishing of educational facilities in rural areas, the modernization of electricity and water supply networks and the drainage system in the country. Cooperation between the World Bank and Macedonia up to the present has been outlined by Ms. Goldstein through the seven projects implemented so far, worth app. 270 million dollars (160 million in loans for payment balance, and 110 million in investment loans for the transportation, agriculture, health and private sectors). In this context the World Bank representative for Macedonia has concluded that the Bank's priorities will remain within the spheres of macro-economic stability, privatization, stabilizing the banking system and furthering the private sector. According to Ms. Goldstein's assessments the outcomes of collaboration between the World Bank and Macedonia can be seen in such initial achievements as the ending of GNP decrease, the moderate growth in production which is to amount to 5% for this year. Concerning the level of indebtedness of Macedonia and its capacity to return already used loans Ms. Goldstein stated that according to World Bank standards our country has not made into the `top debtors' charts yet as its dues total about 40% of the GNP, and the payment of interest rates etc. will amount to one third of overall exports. Compiled evaluations, Ms. Goldstein emphasized, indicated that the debt rate of Macedonia is to fall in the future. [03] GREEK-MACEDONIAN MEETING IN NEW YORK POSTPONEDThe first round of Greek-Macedonian negotiations on the name-issue for 1997, scheduled for yesterday in New York, has been postponed for today or tomorrow, the media report.This is due to the fact that the Macedonian team-leader Ivan Toshevski was obstructed from travelling to New York because of bad weather conditions (fog) in Skopje and Ljubljana. in the meantime Greek papers have assessed that no significant outcomes should be expected from this meeting in New York, for Skopje still refuses to abandon the position that there are no grounds for changing the country's Constitution. According to the Macedonian Radio Athenian sources expect Cyrus Vance to continue his mediating mission due to his very own personal choice - but also because new UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has not made any announcements regarding changes of official UN representatives. A-1 TV reports that the only novelty to Greek-Macedonian negotiations in New York is that the expert on Former Yugoslavia, Mr. Whitman, has been appointed Deputy to mediator Cyrus Vance. [04] ELEPHTEROTYPIA: `ATHENS SHOULD SUE SKOPJE IN THE HAGUE'The moderately left-wing daily `Elephterotypia' has reported yesterday that Athens should sue Skopje at the International Tribunal in the Hague, since the violation of international law by the latter has cultural, political and geographic dimensions. According to `Elephterotypia' the cultural dimensions consists of `Skopje's forging of history, and its stealing a segment of Greek civilization by claiming that ancient Macedonians are not Greek - and that they have blended with the Slav population in the midst of the Medieval Ages, creating thus a new Macedonian nation'. In the opinion of `Elephterotypia' the political component to the crime is comprised of `political deception by assuming the name Macedonia for the state created in 1944, in order to implement the decisions of the Communist International to establish a Balkan Federation'. The geographic aspect to the violation of international law - as the Greek paper claims - lies in the fact that Macedonia `which covers the present- day territories of Skopje, Bulgaria and a major portion of Greece embodies a part of one single Greek civilization... ergo the reference Macedonia cannot be monopolized by one state only'.[05] MINISTER CHOKREVSKI: `ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES'`I am unfortunately not in the position to tell the public that we have made progress which would be conducive to the identification of the assassin. There are several leads, but enlightened by previous instances of investigating concrete individuals and groups which have not yielded palpable results i.e. facts I would not like to jump to any conclusions. It is very difficult to shed light on these matters.' ...This is part of the statement given by Minister of the Interior Tomislav Chokrevski during an interview for the Macedonian Radio, in response to the question how far investigations concerning the assassination attempt on Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov had advanced. In this context Minister Chokrevski stressed that investigations had not been suspended but maintained continuously, while certain organisational restructuring processes regarding the investigation had been conducted. Currently there is a task force (with its own CO), an operation team which is being restructured at the moment and coordinators of the former and the latter (ministerial Aides & the minister himself)... underlined Chokrevski.Upon discussing the criteria for the suspension of the Under-Secretary for National Security Slobodan Bogoevski, Minister Chokrevski stated that this measure was to be attributed to the fact that within valid legal provisions his office had been terminated. With respect to the operating and funding of the `Tetovo University' the Head of Macedonian Police Forces stated that the Ministry of the Interior was aware that certain modes of financing educational activities in Tetovo were not concordant to legal provisions. As, however, funding is procured in cash and therefore difficult to trace and monitor - Chokrevski stated that he was not sure whether police should intervene. `We must avoid all possible physical or other kinds of confrontations that could inflict damage to the political system of Macedonia', said the Minister Tomislav Chokrevski in his interview for the Macedonian Radio. [06] `PDP' AND `PDPA' BLAMING EACH OTHER FOR INCITING UNREST IN TETOVOYesterday the Macedonian Ministry of the interior has issued a release focusing on the fights which had broken out at Tetovo two days ago, during the repeated staging of local elections. The release indicates that the occurrence of physical violence involved 8 individuals of which 2 have been injured. The unrest had been preceded by a dispute among app. 20 people who insisted on entering the polling station at the same time, while law enforcement did not permit the same. The following brawl actively involved 5 citizens and 3 police officers, while both confronting parties used truncheons, metal bars, wooden bats, etc.Police have also found two guns with the rebel-rousers. Charges have been filed against all eight persons, the release informs further. Following this incident at polling station No. 60 at Tetovo the PDP stated yesterday that police intervention had been instigated by the arrogant behaviour of PDPA activists who demanded the conducting of election procedures outside legal provisions and according to their rules, before the actual voting had actually commenced. In this context it has been revealed that app. 40 PDPA activists - armed with guns and other weaponry - had surrounded polling stations and started provocations even before elections had been commenced. MTV reports that PDPA spokesman and mayor candidate of Tetovo Alaydin Demiri has stated that unrests had been premeditated, i.e. previously planned by the PDP. He emphasized that three PDPA activists had been brutally attacked by PDP activists. Resistance against the police by PDPA supporters had been ascribed to the fact that the former `helped a political elite'. Yesterday was also marked by the statement of Tetovo mayor candidate, representing the DP of Macedonia, Tomislav Stojanovski, calling upon all three contenders for the mayor position to meet and make an effort to bring local elections to a close. [07] DNEVNIK: `STATE OWES PENSIONERS 400 MILLION DEUTSCH MARKS'Based on a ruling of the Constitutional Court the state owes pensioners in Macedonia who retired before 1993 the total sum of 400 million DM, due to the restrictive Government policy implemented at that time. Within this policy 8% of their monthly pensions had been withheld - `Dnevnik' reports in today's edition. It is also stated that the Fund for Pension and impairment Insurance does not possess enough funds to settle this due which surpasses even national hard currency reserves, whereas pensioners are willing to accept compensation in kind as well, in shape of shares or bonds.State experts claim that the return of such a debt would plunge the country into a financial collapse. In addition to this the Constitutional Court of Macedonia has passed a ruling in December 1994 which suspends the governmental decision to reduce pensions. This ruling is legally binding, although the Public Attorney ('Javen Pravobranitel') has requested the `upholding of legitimacy' and the withdrawal of this ruling by the Court. A revision of this ruling, as well as a final decision by the Supreme Court which commenced public debating yesterday, are expected soon. [08] DECEIVED BANK CLIENTS LOOK FOR JUSTICE IN COURTThe Board of (former) `Makedonija Reklam' clients has filed charges against Director Zoran Blazhevski yesterday, accusing him of embezzlement. Customers had been depositing their savings at the `Makedonija Reklam' bank over a longer period of time and received high interest rates in return.The latter had been withheld as of 1st January, and the payment of the main bulk of deposits has been put on hold till the close of this year. The main debt has been estimated to amount to 18 million DM. The NBM has disavowed itself from this case completely, whereas the Ministry of the Interior has failed to react in any way up to now. Another group of app. 50 bank clients in a similar situation (the `ALFA-S' bank case which owes its clients about 20 million DM) have staged a demonstration in front of NBM premises yesterday, demanding restitution. Representatives of their Customers' Board have been received by NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski and forwarder their requests. The latter also include the resignation of the Governour, the launching of an investigation against the bank owners and the submission of the entire case for parliamentary discussion. Media further report that the talks did not result in anything concrete and that bank clients were to resume protests today. In addition to this the NBM had also distanced itself of the `ALFA- S' debacle on a previous occasion, on the grounds that the Law on Banks did not codify the guaranteeing of saving deposits. Clients, however, claim that `ALFA-S' had continued to accept deposits even after the NBM blockade, and that NBM authorities had been aware of the fact. [09] GOVERNMENT OUTLINED NATIONAL AGENDA ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONDuring yesterday's session the Macedonian Government has outlined the National Agenda on Environmental Protection as a component of the Economic Development Strategy. This document codifies the integration of Macedonia into the Environmental Protection Agenda for East and Central Europe, which is being endorsed by the World Bank. The National Agenda embodies an ecological strategy outlining priority issues in terms of maintaining public health, and a sound environment. It also outlines the responsible using of national natural resources, their sustaining and developing.As the Government has concluded, the National Agenda for Macedonia is facilitating the generating of an efficient environment management system, adhering to EU standards. Priority issues within this domain for the subsequent five years include: improvement of air, water quality; regulating waste disposal; management of protected areas and sustaining forestry. The Government has also determined the participation platform for Macedonia at the regional `Group 24' meeting which focuses on transportation - scheduled for the 4th and 5th in Skopje next month. It has been stated that the purpose of this regional meeting is conducive to the actual `Group 24' summit planned for February, and to the successful presenting of Macedonia at the 3rd Pan-European Conference between the 23rd and 25th June in Helsinki this year. The Skopje meeting, as it is revealed in the Government release, will focus on the Balkan Transportation Study, within which Macedonia - as the host - is to present its transportation infrastructure and overall condition of traffic corridors. [10] AIR POLLUTION IN SKOPJE THREE TIMES ABOVE ACCEPTABLE LIMITSThe concentration of sulfur dioxide and smoke is three times beyond permitted values these days, according to today's edition of `Dnevnik'. In this context it is also being reported that the Hydro-Meterological Institute does not expect any improvement of conditions over the following days, i.e. the fog is likely to stay and be conducive to an increase in pollution. The Ecological Association `Opstanok' (`Survival') has launched an appeal to authorities to improve monitoring and analyze samples of fuels used for heating throughout the city, as well as to reduce traffic frequency.MILS SUPPLEMENT[11] `ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN MACEDONIA - Cases and Responses - Capital Punishment AD HOC'(`Helsinki Committee for Human Rights' - 10th issue, December 1996)STATE DISCRIMINATES CITIZENS: The Macedonian Helsinki Committee Human Rights Watch has knowledge of several instances where citizens have been denied the right to change their (sur-)name. A typical example of this is the one of the couple Mitko and Marina Kostovi. They have submitted a correct request to the Ministry of the Interior HQ to have their name changed into Papouli from Kostova / Kostov. Once rejected, they have lodged a complaint with the Administration Commission within the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. This second instance merely confirmed the initial ruling and passes a decision (on 28th February 1995) overruling the couple's appeal, on grounds that the alteration of their name will be conducive to `a change of personal identity' and `obstruct legal procedures' - according to the views of (then) Commission Chairperson Lenche Sofronievska, who also signed the ruling. Thus - in the opinion of the Helsinki Committee - one of the fundamental civic human rights is being challenged, though it is codified (ergo guaranteed) within the Constitution and existing legal provisions. What is even more surprising is the fact that authorities are basing this decision on some sort of discretional right of the state with respect to its citizens. This is only augmented by (as certain media report) the sustaining of this ruling by the Supreme Court of Macedonia. The downright bizarre conclusion that could be drawn from these phenomena is that the civic rights guaranteed through the Constitution and corresponding legal provisions are being eroded i.e. destroyed thanks to the unprecedented autocracy, which are obviously characterizing this State. Dionisije S. Papaphatsa has the status of a Greek refugee, who is a permanent resident (pensioner) of the Republic of Macedonia since 1946. On 13th April 1995 he asked for a passport, founding his request on the UN Convention signed on 28th September 1954. At that time he received the oral notification by what was then known as the Secretariat of the Interior that he could not be issued a passport as they did not have enough application forms!? January this year his son - who has the same status - has also been denied a new passport, i.e. the renewal of the old one issued by Federal Yugoslav authorities. Not only did the same Secretariat refuse to renew his passport, but it wanted to withdraw the one in his possession. Papaphatsa Jr. had been told the same story about application forms, in addition to the fact that he could not be issued a passport - in spite of the above mentioned convention. The latter only guaranteed that his passport may not be taken away, but only substituted. Mr. Papaphatsa was once again told by the Secretariat that `such identification documents were not issued' and that application forms were `not available'. He was offered a `travelling form for foreigners', which is not concordant to international criteria and thus cannot serve as an equivalent to a passport. Refugees with a permanent place of residence - according to the UN Convention on Refugees of 28th July 1951 - may be issued passports provided: a) it is in concordance to the UN Convention of 28th July 1951 The Helsinki Committee on Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia is openly wondering whether this again is not due to the notorious `discretional right' so often (ab-) used by the administration of this country. WHAT CAN BE DONE by the Helsinki Committee on Human Rights in the Republic of Macedonia: The Helsinki Committee on Human Rights in the Republic of Macedonia is an NGO which can neither enact nor alter any governmental ruling, nor is it in the position of directly punishing the violation of a human right. The Helsinki Committee on Human Rights in this country may nevertheless do the following: 1. Document all reported cases on violations of human rights, and inform both the domestic and the foreign public on the same. 2. React publicly by issueing releases 3. Contact authorities and mediate, and if necessary 4. Provide legal assistance By reporting your case to the Helsinki Human Rights Committee you are implementing on of your civic rights. You are not only helping yourself, but also your fellow-citizens who may have filed a report prior to you in a similar matter, or will be encouraged to do so afterwards. The more cases we register and report on, the more substantial our endeavour becomes to represent your rights, and your public voice! (end)mils news 21 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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