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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-01-24Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 24 January, 1997[01] NEW ATTEMPT BY MEDIATOR WATTS TO RESOLVE SUCCESSION ISSUEYesterday the new round of succession negotiations (which had commenced two days ago) among delegations of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegowina, Yugoslavia and Macedonia, continued in Brussels.According to the Head of our delegation Tahir Kadriu, this session focused on defining state property of the Former Yugoslav Federation, as well as on the list of diplomatic missions and access to archives. It has been reported that after bitter and heated arguments between participants and the lack of concrete outcomes, mediator Sir Arthur Watts offered to compile a new text outlining the definition on state property by 31st March this year. This would be complemented by a round of bilateral negotiations with successor-states in order to facilitate arrangements for another multilateral meeting. The negotiation mediator Sir Arthur Watts is furthermore to submit a list of diplomatic missions to the former constituents, which is to be based on his notion on state property subject to succession. This, again, is to be discussed throughout a discrete plenary session. The next meeting of successor-states has been scheduled for mid-February, when access to archives of the Former Yugoslav Federation is once again representing one main thematic focus. [02] CONVENTION ON SOCIAL SECURITY BETWEEN TURKEY AND MACEDONIA DRAFTEDPreliminary talks between teams of the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Macedonian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, on the ratification of a Social Security Convention, were brought to close in Skopje yesterday - according to the Information Secretariat.Negotiations between both delegations underlined the importance of such a bilateral agreement, as it is to codify issues regarding retirement pension, health insurance, child care and unemployment benefits, etc. Bearing in mind the fact - it was said - that solid relations and cooperation in numerous fields was developing between both countries, such a convention will only be conducive to their furthering. [03] ALBANIAN RADIO: `SKOPJE AUTHORITIES TO BLAME FOR EVENTS IN TETOVO'Current problems connected to local elections in Tetovo have been induced by Skopje authorities, claims Radio Tirana according to `Makfax'. The Albanian National Radio estimated - in one of its broadcasts for the `pan- Albanian region' - that the omission to conduct local elections in Tetovo represents another method of the Macedonian Government to create tension among Albanians. Another raised issue - of several - is the handling of the `Tetovo University' matter, which only bears evidence in favour of this thesis. It was further reported that such an atmosphere would be permanently rekindled in order to ensure that local elections are not brought to a close at all.[04] DISPUTE ON USE OF MINORITY LANGUAGES IN PARLIAMENTUnless the new Code of Parliamentary Procedures does provide provisions for Albanians, i.e. ethnic minority representatives, to address this body in their native language - the Parliament will most likely have to `make do' without Albanian MPs. This - MTV reports - had been proposed by MPs Rami Tuda (PDPA) and Mevljam Tairi (PDP) during yesterday's session of the Parliamentary Committee on Mandate Immunity and Procedures, which had been concerned with studying the new Code of Parliamentary Procedures. Albanian MPs indicated that being able to address the Parliament in their native language embodies one of the fundamental rights of democracy. The remaining Committee members, however, did not assess this proposal too favourably which is why it was eventually rejected.This entailed the departure of MPs Tairi and Tuda. With respect to the using of Macedonian language in the Parliament, those other Committee members stressed that the former had been codified within the Constitution, and that Albanians were not discriminated as their native language may be used at the local government level. In addition to this, the members of the Macedonian Parliament have been discussing the new procedure code at several occasions - adhering to the old (federal) code over the past six years. The new Code is comprised of provisions outlining the decrease of reimbursement should irregular attendance of parliamentary members be registered, after having been forwarded three written notifications of such sanctions. It is assumed that this measure will contribute towards the partial alleviation of the latent lack of quorum and mass non-attendance of parliamentary sessions. [05] LIBERALS NOT TO COMMENT ON PEDAGOGICAL FACULTY LAWThe LP will not air its views on the law regulating the use of minority languages at the Pedagogical Faculty of Skopje, until it has been cleared that the Government has reached a consensus on its enactment - or whether this is merely an SDSM initiative. The parliamentary members of the latter party appear to have no doubts whatsoever in terms of supporting this law - according to `Dnevnik' - as it is to implement the fundamental constitutional provisions on native language education.[06] LAMB MOST LIKELY TO STAY IN MACEDONIAThe export of Macedonian lamb into EU countries, which had been prohibited due to the emergence of hoof-and-mouth disease, is not to recommence. Eventual changes are conditioned by the outcome of imminent analyses to be conducted by West Europeans veterinarians, and by the fulfillment of demands submitted to Macedonian authorities. The blockade is to remain in power until November this year, and its possible lifting depends mostly on whether Macedonian veterinarians will succeed in singling out all affected livestock and in conducting serologic analyses. As the export season for lamb is about to start, and funding to fulfill the above mentioned requirements is lacking, the lambs are most likely to remain in the country. This conclusion had been reached during yesterday's session of the Livestock Fund with the corresponding dept. of the Macedonian Economy Chamber. It has also been revealed that the export of veal into EU countries from Macedonia over the past few years has been suspended for these very same reasons - in spite of having had obtained the permit to export a contingent of 3 500 tons. This year's quota for lamb export into EU countries amounted to 1 750 tons, and its blocking by the EU will also endanger exports of certain quantities to Croatia and Slovenia. The possibility remains to export some of it to the market of some Arab countries. One has to, however, bear in mind that prices there are twice as low as on the EU market - which means that no sort of profit is likely to be generated. Assuming that the lamb meat is to stay in Macedonia, livestock representatives calculated that its consumer price will vary from 40 to 50 denars a kilo. This means an almost hopeless situation for Macedonian livestock breeders.[07] RISE OF NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS IN MACEDONIA INCREASES CONCERN IN GREECEThe Greek member of the EU Parliament Nikitas Katlamanis recently stated that there was a great number of illegal laboratories for heroin production in Skopje, as well as that by the year 2000 app. 20 000 drug addicts would be registered in Macedonia. In this context Katlamanis expressed his fear that the `white powder wave' might flood over into neighbouring Greece. This concern, however, has been partially soothed by the statement given by EU Commissioner Hans Van Den Bruck that Macedonia was to be integrated into all ongoing PHARE Programmes in order to counter drug production and trafficking in Macedonia. To this purpose the Macedonian Government has also recently adopted a National Agenda, although Mac.Radio claims that so far this document has remained not implemented, on a `pro forma' level - even as far as partial preventive measures are concerned. While stressing the need for increased and efficient activity in the fight against drugs in Macedonia, the Macedonian Radio has listed several statistical data released by state authorities on the rise of crime related to drug production and trafficking. Based on this information 19 cases of illegal drug production and trafficking have been registered in Macedonia in 1990, which led to the apprehension of 39 offenders. 1995 was marked by a trend of rapid growth, i.e. 119 cases and 171 arrests. This tendency continued throughout 1996 with 80 registered cases and 120 arrests during the first 9 months of that year. Upon reporting of increased police efforts to fight drugs, it was said that the increased number of drug addicts in Macedonia had become obvious due to the quantity of drugs found at the borders during attempts to smuggle it. Based on most recent data released by the Ministry of the Interior 20 kg of heroin have been detected at the Deve Bair border checkpoint towards Bulgaria over the first 9 months in 1996 - making this route one of the main trafficking corridors. To this comes the discovery of 2 kg of unrefined opium and 120 kg marihuana at the same locality. One the one hand this reflects increased efficiency in police work, but on the other hand it also mirrors increased demand for drugs in Macedonia. [08] INVALID BANKNOTES IN CIRCULATION IN VELESMacedonian Radio reported the discovery of old 500 denar banknotes (declared invalid by the NBM) being used in Veles yesterday. As such these banknotes have been pierced in two places, but the offenders used scotch tape to restore them, which made it difficult to identify them. Up to now around 10 such banknotes have been discovered throughout shops in Veles and a police investigation has been launched. The definite number of such banknotes has not been determined yet.[09] CERTIFICATES FOR `INTERACTIVE TEACHING & LEARNING' PROJECT PARTICIPANTSYesterday over 167 teachers and advisors involved in the `Active Teaching - Active Learning' project, carried out by the Pedagogical Institute of Macedonia, the Ministry of Education, the Grossteste College in Lincoln (GB) and the Skopje UNICEF office - have received certificates for their engagement. This project covered 29 schools, 219 teachers, 29 head- teachers, around 60 pedagogues and psychologists, 15 advisors and 5 200 pupils over a period of 2 years, and through the organizing of 24 training seminars in Great Britain and Macedonia. This - as it has been stressed during the ceremony - resulted in the professional skills refinement of teachers, in developing the individual skills of pupils - and as such it has been making an impact on the new Law on Elementary Education.MILS SUPPLEMENT[10] `Greeks Bought the Head of Alexander the Great'(`Vecher' - 23rd January 1997)Bulgaria's most read periodical `24 Hours' has published an exclusive article by its Thessalonica correspondent Evelina Vuchkova, bearing the title `A Macedonian Carved Up Athens On a Square'. The report focuses on a recent auction at `Christie's' held in Vienna (Austria), at which a marble bust of Alexander the Great (a.k.a. Alexander of Macedonia) was offered to those present. This bust is one of three preserved for posterity, dating back to the third century BC Buyers included the Greek Ministry of Culture and an unknown `representative of Skopje'. The marble bust of Alexander the Great changed its owner for 300 000 US $ and - according to the author of the article - this staggering price has been achieved by the continuous outbidding of the Greek Government's fiercest opponent: the mysterious Macedonian `representing Skopje'. This marble bust of Alexander the Great has been immediately displayed at the Archeological Museum of Thessalonica. The article continues that due to the `defeat' suffered by those Macedonians attending the auction in Vienna, they started circulating the story that Alexander's tomb had been found in Macedonia, a `fairytale' which even made it into Greek TV! This exclusive report quite obviously generated a great deal of public interest, particularly after the revelation that the necropolis of Alexander the Great is being sought for in the Gevgelija area. Our southern neighbour received such tidings with a considerable quantum of unease. Solid connoisseurs stated that the price achieved at the Vienna auction for the marble bust of Alexander the Great is too high, but it has also been said that the Greeks - in order to prove that Alexander is `theirs' - would have paid gold to have this artifact in their hands. What is alarming to the Greek public - and rather puzzling to us - is the following question: why has this auction not been attended by representatives of our Ministry of Culture as well? Another remaining riddle is the identity of the `Skopje representative' attending the auction, and raising the bust's price merely by doing so. He kept `cutting in' until 300 000 $ were reached, then he stopped bidding. The marble bust of Alexander the Great, the manner of auctioning this time, and the participation of a Macedonian bear further evidence to the historic battle between both neighbouring countries concerning the origin of this great military leader. Such historic apparitions seem to be the basic reason for discord between Greece and Macedonia as regards the name. `To whom does Alexander the Great belong?'... This is a question which our neighbours like to answer by keeping `relics' of his on their soil - regardless to the price attached to this truth. (end)mils news 14 January 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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