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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-02-17Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 17th February 1997[01] A QUIET PROTEST AND A BOYCOTT OF MACEDONIAN STUDENTS FROM THE PEDAGOGICAL FACULTYThe students of the Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje who are attending lectures in Macedonian language starting from today until the 21st of this month will boycott and hold a quiet protest in front of the rector's office, the Education Ministry and the General Assembly building. As it was underlined at the press conference of the Student Union held at the Pedagogical Faculty last Friday the students have made this protest in order to express their revolt against the enforcement of the law for using the languages in which the lectures are held at the Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje.It has been told at the press conference that the students' demand repeal of the law and resignation of the minister of education and physical culture, Sofija Todorova. According to the president of the Student Union at the Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje, Mirjana Kitanovska, the student demands are based on the Macedonian Constitution which precisely states that the official language of the state is Macedonian. As it was stated by Kitanovska the Student Union of this faculty has initiated a gathering of signatures as support to their demands and they have collected about 2.900 signatures so far from Macedonian, Serbian, Turkish and Roma students from all faculties in Skopje. A demand letter of support was directed to the Student Union at the `Ss. Curil and Methotij'(SSUKM) University but there hasn't been answered yet. At the press conference of SSUKM, as reported by `Nova Makedonija', it was stated that the demand for support of the quiet protest of the Student Union of the Pedagogical Faculty had been practically rejected due to disagreement on `street democracy' as a method for expressing revolt. The SSUKM leadership states that this organization will stand for solution of the education problems through the institutional mechanisms, and in order to fasten the enforcement of a law for high education it will organize a seminar attended by competent experts and students. [02] PDP ALSO REMAINS IN THE GOVERNMENTThe Democrat Prosperity Party remains in the Government for now, this was decided at the Saturday 5 hour-lasting debate of this party's Central Presidency. The meeting was held behind closed doors in the party's seat in Tetovo. As the leader of the party, Abdurahman Aliti, stated, at the meeting the further political activity of PDP was re- examined, particularly the party's presence in the Government within the context of the question about the education of the Albanians in Macedonia at their mother tongue, the university education in Albanian language and the general usage of Albanian in the state. According to Abdurahman Aliti, the PDP presidency has mutually assessed that there should be additional talks with the coalition partners in near future, and depending on the results of the talks a decision on leaving the executive government will be activated and suspended.The meeting reports say that the Central Presidency will estimate whether it will activate the decision on leaving the executive government. They further cite that `the events in the political and state top which give frames to the future development of Macedonia are not concordant to the decisions for building democratic relations and to the equal citizens state'. It was also underlined that `in recent time the coalition partners have started not following the previously agreed principles for the executive government's way of functioning'. `The high education in Albanian language and the status of the Albanian language are at this moment the two most important questions for the Albanians which present a noncrossable red line', it is stated in the announcement of PDP. The Central Presidency , as it is further cited in the announcement, concluded that within a terminated time period there should take all necessary activities for bringing together the different attitudes with the other partners in the coalition ` in order to create a favorable climate for solution of these questions'. At the end it is stated that in the following period activities will be taken in order to check the readiness of the partners from the government coalition for `proportional representation of the Albanians in the state government and other public institutes'. Otherwise, as it is reported by the Macedonian media, these days in the PDP branches there has been a great debate on whether to stay in or leave the Government , and consecutively the Parliament as well. The media report that PDP expressed great dissatisfaction with the attitudes of the Macedonian Government regarding the key national demands of the Albanians. According to what was stated at Saturday's session of the PDP Central Leadership, the media asses that the main coalition partner, SDSM, whose Central Committee held a session yesterday, will have to attend to PDP's attitude with great attention. According to the latest information the SDSM Central Committee session was held yesterday and main issue at the talks according to the statement given by the party's president Branko Crvenkovski was the report on the recent local elections and the relations with the coalition partners. [03] MACEDONIAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION - PDP EXTORTS THE STATE WITH ANTICONSTITUTIONAL DEMANDSThe extortion, threats and ultimatum anticonstitutional demands of the Party for Democrat Prosperity are extremely cynical, unbecoming, immoral and antidemocratic bearing of a coalition partner in the Government, assessed the presidency of the Republic Community of the Cultural- scientific manifestations of the Macedonian Muslims, reacting to the attitudes of the PDP Central Presidency .The latest threats of the PDP leader Abdurahman Aliti, according to the Association, are nothing less than `a planed plot of the separatist politics of the Albanian factor in Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia for erosion of the Macedonian state and its gradual albanisation under conditions when the state is struggling with economy and other problems'. [04] THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR SCHRAMAER - MACEDONIA HAS LARGE ADVANTAGES FOR THE GERMAN INVESTORS`Macedonia has big advantages for the German investors, and the political stability, the stable currency exchange rate of the denar, the low inflation, the good infrastructure, the qualified labor, the ore riches, all there go in favour of the attempts for German investments in the Republic of Macedonia'. This was a statement to the Macedonian radio given by the German ambassador in Macedonia, Klaus Schramaer last Saturday, and he stressed that the readiness of his country to help the founding of an agency for investments in the Macedonian economy.As it is reported by `Vecher', from March to June this year in the premises of the Center for foreign languages in Skopje a seminar for familiarizing Germany is scheduled each Wednesday organized by the Society for Macedonian- German friendship and the Institute for German-Macedonian relations in Skopje. At the seminar Germany will be presented from aspects of politics, history, law, economy, culture, art and similar. The meetings, as it is informed from the Society, will consist of short reports and presentations of written, audiolinuistic and audiovisual material. According to `Nova Makedonija' in the Medical Center in Kumanovo these days humanitarian shipment of medical equipment has been received from the donator Flora Kraut from Germany realized in cooperation with the Health Ministry of Macedonia. The shipment also contains medicaments and sanitary material for the medical centres in Strumica, Gevgelija and Skopje. [05] `AUDI' PROJECT - `A-3' POSTPONED FOR INDEFINITE TIMEThe board of the German concern `Volkswagen' which comprises the automobile factory `AUDI' last week in Skopje did not sign the contract with the Macedonian Government for the production of the automobile of the `AUDI' model `A3' in Macedonia. The negotiations for the realization of the long announced project `A3 - Macedonian national vehicle' failed because the Macedonian Government in last moment withdrew and asked for more time to reconsider the contract', reports `Dnevnik'. Further on the paper reports that the people from `Audi' claim that they have fulfilled all conditions of the pre-contract, and the same was done by `ASIBA-MG' which is now the distributor of the `Volkswagen' models in Macedonia. According to `Dnevnik' the representatives of the German concern came last month in Macedonia with intention to finalize the business but when they arrived the Government asked postponement of the realization of the project. Officials from `AUDI' stated for `Dnevnik' that on demand of the Macedonian government the project is postponed for indefinite time and its continuation will depend on the Government. `AUDI' representatives stated that the contract on the model `A3' production in Macedonia had come to a stop sign when it was realized that the Macedonian Government has not fulfilled its part of the deal and its duties. The future destiny of this project is uncertain but according to the `AUDI' representatives it is possible to be transferred in some other country from South-Eastern Europe which has many interested parties. (Croatia and others).[06] HELP FROM THE `KNOW HOW' FOND FOR PRIVATIZATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN MACEDONIAWithin the frames of the three-day visit of Great Britain the delegation of the Macedonian Ministry for Traffic and Connections lead by Minister Dimitar Buzlevski had intensive talks with many finance and consulting firms from this country about the possible ways to privatize the `Macedonian telecommunications', writes `Vecher'. The visit, as it is reported by the paper, was conducted in function of realizing the attitude of the Macedonian government, parallel to the division of PTT into two public firms, to start with the preparations for privatization of the telecommunications which should be the largest step taken by the state towards privatization of the social capital regarding the capital of this firm.In the talks with the largest finance and consulting firms from London experienced in privatization of telecommunications, Minister Buzlevski had meetings with the manager of `Know how', the fond of the British Foreign Office, and they agreed upon a help from the Fond for preparation of the necessary documentation for the procedures of privatizing the telecommunications in Macedonia. [07] AGREEMENT ON COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE NATIONAL LIBRARIES OF MACEDONIA AND SLOVENIAIn the national and University Library `St Climent Ohridski' in Skopje last Friday a agreement was signed for collaboration between this library and the National and University Library of Slovenia. The agreement is based on the Agreement for Collaboration in the sphere of education, culture and science between Macedonia and Slovenia, and according to the assessments the Slovenian National Library has one of the richest book fond in Europe and it keeps a large number of Macedonian manuscripts and books.[08] THE CHEATED CLIENTS DEMAND A LAW FOR COMPENSATIONHundred cheated clients of the saving banks "ALFA-S", `Jugomarket', Dzamadanche', `Makedonija reklam' and the Skopje branch office of `Karich banka' protested again in front of the Macedonian Government. They demanded an answer to their demand directed to Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski to enforce a law by which the all robbed clients in this country will be compensated. The long-hours lasting protest in front of the Government last Friday went with no incidents, and the cheated clients announced that they will continue with the protest today i.e. until they are given back their money.[09] `FENIMAK' FROM KAVADARCI CONTINUES TO WORK BESIDES THE BAN FROM THE MINISTRYAfter the written decision of the Ministry for urbanism, building construction and protection of the living environment on the production ending of the Metallurgy Plant `Fenimak' from Kavadarci issued on the 11-th this month the management of this plant says that they have not received no written statement for any ban and that the production has not been stopped. As it is reported by the media, there is no confirmation and no denial of such claims from the Ministry. In the Ministry, reports `Nova Makedonija' in any case there exists a decision for ban on the production of the rotating stove and the `lepok' grid in `Fenimak' because they throw out highly health hazard materials and pollute the environment but it is uncertain how it will act after the ban.[10] THE GOSTIVAR COUNSEL INITIATES LEGALIZATION OF THE ALBANIAN FLAGThe Counsel of Gostivar at the session held last Friday has brought an initiative for legalization of the usage of the Albanian flag in this municipality, reports `Dnevnik'. The councilors have used the Macedonian Constitution which says that members of the nationalities have the right to freely express, cherish and develop their national particularities.[11] A PAINTING OF DA VINCHI IN BITOLABlagoj Jankulovski from Bitola these days has brought to light the fact that his family owns a painting of the well known Italian painter Leonardo da Vinchi. `Dnevnik' reports, the work which is claimed to be da Vinchi's has the dimensions of 24 X 25 centimeters, it is made in ivory and it presents Jesus Christ, Mary, Joseph and the Holy Mother. according to Blagoja Jankulovski his family own this work since 1864 and has been kept secret until now. Now the family has decided to reveal the secret of the extremely valuable treasure it owns. There is a certificate written in Turkish which confirms the credibility of the work and there are slides of the painting which have been sent to several well known custodians. Blagoja Jankulovski informed that the work was given to his grandfather in 1864 after he had saved a drowning boy. The boy's parents expressing gratitude had given him the painting from this famous Italian artist. Jankulovski also stated that his family has no intention to sell the painting. They will continue to keep it as a relic to be inherited in the family from generations to generations.MILS SUPPLEMENT[12] `Rigorous Safety Measures'(`Vecher' - 13th February 1997)Following the numerous bank scandals over the past few years, and particularly over the past few days, in this country - the National Bank of Macedonia (NBM) has made its expected move to increase the safety standards in the working of these financial institution, thus protecting the interests of bank clients who have decided to deposit their financial means at these institutions. At the session of the NBM Council held two days ago it was decided to determine the scope and mode of operation of savings institutions, which entailed certain alterations and amendments with respect to business practice customary so far. This encountered different reactions among bank owners. Concordant to this decision banks will be required to abstain from accepting new deposits once the overall sum of means they exceeds their founding capital. The latter may not be less than 300 000 DM in national currency, in compliance to the latest amendments to the Bank and Savings Houses Act enacted in April last year. Initially i.e. during the ratification of the already mentioned act of law (May 1993) the prerequisite founding capital amounted to 150 000 DM. At that time, NBM representatives say, there were a number of credit / savings institutions in the country which were required to adapt their operations in compliance to this Act by November 1993 - or to stop working. The increased limit of 300 000 DM imposed on banks which remained in business, will have to meet all criteria completely by the year 2001 by undergoing several stages: by 30th April 1997 the founding capital of each bank is to total at least 180 000 DM; after one year the required sum will amount to 210 000 DM; by April 1999 - 240 000 DM and eventually in April 1999 - 240 000 DM, whereas the final quota of 300 000 DM will have to be reached by the year 2001. According to the most recent NBM decision those savings houses whose deposits exceed their founding capital, are required to cover this deficit within the time span of 12 months, i.e. by February 1998 following the dynamics of at least 10%. Thus the bank will be forced to increase its founding capital or return surplus savings deposits which it has at its disposal. To provide greater security in the bank workings as well as to decrease the risk with this decision the total amount of all credits approved to one loan-borrower should not exceed 10% (until now it was 30) from the guarantee bank capital. Those banks which by now have approved total credits to one loan-borrower more than this percentage will have to eliminate the disparity in time term of 6 months. Besides these limitations in the working of the banks the decision also predicts that in the future at their pay-in and pay-out locations the banks will have to place a list of collected deposits for the amount of interest rate, as well as issuing bankbooks... After this decision, as it was expected, there came the reactions of the saving banks. There are 27 of them and they have a total of deposits amounting 898 million denars 9 around 36 million DM), and only one of them - `Makedonska shtedilnica' is formed with the new limitation of 300 000 DM founding capital. According to the opinion of Irena Koneska, manager of the bank `Interfalko', the latest decision of the NBM was expected, but is too strict. Koneska says, it presents the first step towards elimination of the banks that are not able to operate concordant to the law. With this decision, Koneska regards, a pressure will be put on the legal and physical persons to return the credits before the agreed terms ( if the credit was given to be paid back after 6 months up to a year) or the bank will have to increase the founding capital to achieve the legal 10%. The intensification of the credit payment, according to Koneska, should be resolved in the relation NBM - legal courts, because there is no credit that can not be paid. The only problem is the inefficiency of the courts which means that the banks are not to be blamed but the courts which couldn't realize the payment. The issuing of bankbooks, according to Koneska, will be an additional expense for the banks because the bankbooks is no security for payment. A part of the savings bank owners think that it is illogical that the new decision of the NBM also should limit the collecting of deposits exceeding the founding capital when the deposits are insured as well as limit the 10% crediting. Unlike these initial opinions of particular banks, according to the assessment of Marjan Bojadziev, president of the association of savings banks and manager of `Makedonska shtedilnica', the decision of the NBM is correct and should have been made much earlier which would have decreased the operation risks now present in the bank. But, says Bojadziev, will this decision of the NBM be completely accepted by the banks in the state or will there be need for certain changes is left to be seen at the meeting of the banks which is held due to the numerous cheating that take places in them and the meeting will take place by the middle of next week. Then, adds Bojadziev, we will all have the decision ( it did not reach all banks during yesterday) and we will be able to express ourselves about it. I think that the decision will cause problems with only a few large banks where the relation between the active and the guarantee capital exceeds the proportion regulated by the decision. Those banks shall have during the following year to decrease the deposits, i.e. to return the money to the clients or to increase the founding capital. (end)mils news 17 Februari, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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