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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-05-09Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 09 May, 1997[01] CROATIAN PM IN MACEDONIAAs of this Thursday the PM of Croatia, Zlatko Matesha, has been staying in Macedonia on an official two-day visit, upon invitation of his Macedonian counterpart Branko Crvenkovski. The Croatian statesman has been heading a delegation of high-ranking Croatian Government members, incl. Justice Secretary Miroslav Sheparovikj; Agriculture and Forestry Minister Zlatko Dominkovich; Navigation and Transportation Minister Zheljko Luzhavec and Labour and Social Services Minister Joso Shkara - as well as Economic Chamber Chairman Nadan Vidoshevikj. All of them have been received by Macedonian Government officials immediately upon their arrival. Talks focused on options and modes to further bilateral relations.According to official sources within the Prime Minister's Cabinet both statesmen expressed content with the positive trend in developing relations between both countries, as well as the need to intensify economic cooperation. In addition to this they focused on current conditions in the region and issues referring to the succession of the former Federation constituents. Today both PMs are expected to sign the Free Trade Zone Agreement, while the corresponding Ministers of both countries are to sign an Agreement on Social Security. So far Macedonia has signed Free Trade Zone Agreements with Slovenia, SR Yugoslavia and similar treaties with Albania and Bulgaria are being drafted. [02] `IMF' PRESIDENT ON PROTOCOL VISIT TO MACEDONIAAs of yesterday, the IMF President Michel Camdessus is staying in Macedonia.Macedonian media report that this visit is part of the protocol for his European tour. It is being assessed that the objective of the visit is the familiarization with already commenced economic reforms in Macedonia, which have been receiving financial support by the IMF. [03] PARLIAMENTARY CHAIRMAN OF AUSTRIA IN SKOPJE AS OF TODAYThe Parliamentary Chairman of Austria, Heinz Fischer, is embarking on a three- day official visit to Macedonia today - upon invitation of his Macedonian counterpart Tito Petkovski.[04] PROGRESS IN YUGOSLAV-MACEDONIAN NEGOTIATIONS ON BORDER DEMARCATIONThe Yugoslav-Macedonian group of experts, which has been concerned with the outlining of the border between both countries over the past three days in Belgrade, has succeeded in achieving certain progress according to `Makfax'. Though this has been the case, the Belgrade Agency `Fonet' states that this third round of negotiations is not likely to yield any concrete agreement.[05] NEW MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM - STEVO CRVENKOVSKIYesterday the Cabinet of President Kiro Gligorov revealed that the newly- appointed Ambassador of Macedonia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is Stevo Crvenkovski - otherwise known as the former Foreign Secretary and current Presidential Advisor.[06] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: `ADMISSION INTO NATO A PRIORITY'These days Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov has given an interview for Italian paper `La Republica', which has been published under the title `The Balkans Into NATO Or the Possibilities of New Conflicts' and the sub-heading `The West Needs to Consider the Threats Prevailing in This Region of Europe.'Based on MTV coverage, when asked which were the greatest difficulties confronting Macedonia Gligorov replied that these are mainly connected to the transition into a market economy. This process has been denoted by him as a `long and thorny road, although the climate for its implementation in Macedonia is favourable.' As regards conditions on Kosovo, Gligorov stressed that in spite of the repressive policy implemented by Miloshevikj and the insisting of Belgrade to settle accounts with extremist Albanian groups. Still on Kosovo the majority of political parties remain faithful to a more moderate course. As regards relations between the Macedonian majority and the Albanian minority in Macedonia, Gligorov evaluated them as positive as there is interaction and as Albanians are represented in political life - except for those from Kosovo and Albania who are assuming rather extreme positions. In response to the question how the situation in the country may be defused, Gligorov stressed the necessity of increasing regional stability and above all - achieve NATO membership for Macedonia. [07] PM CRVENKOVSKI: `PEOPLE IN FAVOUR OF CONSTITUTIONAL NAME'`Nobody in Macedonia is in the position to accept any other name for the country than the Constitutional one, as this option has already been favoured by the people of Macedonia', stated PM Branko Crvenkovski during his meeting with the Greek journalists on a four-day visit in Macedonia. MTV reports that the meeting mainly revolved around current political issues and economic conditions in Macedonia - as well as on divergent opinions surfacing during name- negotiations in New York.[08] GREEK BUSINESSMEN INTERESTED IN INVESTMENTS INTO MACEDONIAN BANKSMacedonian PM Branko Crvenkovski received several Greek businessmen yesterday. Their group was headed by the Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Greece Nikolaous Karamouzis. MTV reports that talks were marked by the fact that the Greek businessmen expressed their readiness to invest into the Macedonian banking sector. Bearing in mind that bilateral cooperation is gaining momentum and pace, such investments have been denoted as extremely important to the future development of relations.In this context several meetings between Greek businessmen and manager teams of the `Komercijalna Banka' and `Stopanska Banka' have been arranged and implemented as of yesterday. [09] INSTEAD OF BANKRUPTCY, SANATION OF `TAT' BANK POSSIBLEAll prerequisites for the introduction of bankruptcy procedures at the Bitola `TAT' Bank have been created, experts of the NBM claim. Due to the size of the bank and the large number of bank clients, however, it has been considered to commence the sanation of this bank. In this sense a decision has been passed, concordant to which a sanation team has to be determined within five days, and tenders of these have to be sent to bank owner Sonja Nikolovska, to both Bank Clients' Associations, to representatives of the bank's key creditors and to representatives of the three largest Macedonian banks (`Stopanska', `Komercijalna' and `Makedonska Banka'). The NBM is also to place an advertised vacancy note for a `TAT' sanation team, which will be eligible for all interested. Potential candidates should submit a proposal outlining sanation procedures, supported by necessary documents. Should the bank not receive its sanation team within these five days, NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski stated yesterday, the NBM would determine the precise terms to initiate bankruptcy procedures. Governor Stanoevski justifies this decision with the objection aired by `TAT' owner Nikolovska - following the overruling of her contending the investigation findings - and the fact that thus the NBM investigation outcomes were considered final.[10] CLIENTS REQUEST OPPOSITION SUPPORTDuring yesterday's meeting with the press, the Chairman of the National `TAT' Bank Clients' Association Mende Mladenovski asked the opposition to back deceived bank clients - encouraging all opposition leaders to attend the meeting scheduled for tomorrow at Bitola. It is known that so far IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski has confirmed his attendance. Mladenovski further revealed that the clients intend to meet representatives of international financial institutions which have also requested the protecting of bank clients.The Chairman of the `TAT' Bank Clients' Association, Ilija Nevenovski, said yesterday that the state was to be held responsible for the plundering of the population, stressing that clients would do everything in their power to prevent the initiating of bankruptcy procedures in the case of `TAT'. He stated for the Macedonian Radio that if necessary clients would resort to violent means. [11] DNEVNIK: `IMRO-DPMNE MEETING TO BE HELD'During the meeting between PM Branko Crvenkovski and IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski two days ago, the former refused the request of the opposition to hold early parliamentary elections this autumn. Due to this, `Dnevnik' reports upon quoting party sources, the IMRO-DPMNE will stage the announced protest meeting on 15th May. It is common knowledge that an approximate date for early elections has been a key condition posed by IMRO- DPMNE in order to cancel the protest which is to take place under the motto `Stop the Economic, Social and National Decay of Macedonia'. Besides this, the IMRO-DPMNE has invited all deprived, fired and discontent citizens of Macedonia to attend the meeting. In the opinion of Georgievski their turn-out will also determine whether protests will last one day or continue until the fulfillment of all demands.[12] A-1 TV: `GOVERNMENT READY FOR NEW ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS ON AUDI- MACEDONIA PROJECT'A-1 TV reports that the Macedonian Government has notified `AUDI' that it is ready to continue negotiations in connection to the `AUDI-Macedonia' project, i.e. the production of the `A 3' model in Macedonia. This TV station reveals that the letter forwarded to the German car manufacturer by the Macedonian Ministry of Finances left a door open for `AUDI' to set the date for the sequel to these talks. A-1 TV is quoting reliable Government sources upon revealing that the Macedonian Government considered additional compromises which may be conducive to the signing of the contract. The same sources claim that in this possible new round of negotiations PM Crvenkovski should assume a far more active role.[13] DESTRUCTION OF SMUGGLING CHANNELS ISTANBUL-SOFIA-SKOPJEIlija Iljoski, Head of Macedonian Customs Services, departed for Turkey to enter negotiations with his Turkish counterpart, which should be conducive to the signing of the cooperation agreement between both customs services. According to the statement by Iljoski given for Macedonian media, particular attention is to be paid to regulating the dual issuing of invoices and certificates on the origin of goods, as these two areas offer the largest number of options to engage in smuggling. In the opinion of Iljoski these negotiations are a key step towards the destruction of the Istanbul-Sofia-Skopje triangle, via which the largest amount of consumer goods are being smuggled into Macedonia.[14] INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION SEEKS JUSTIFICATION FOR MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR SUPPLIESThe Investigative Commission entrusted with the inquiry into the supply regime of Government Ministries and the Government (for FY 1994, 1995 and the first quarter 1996) , has held its first session at the Macedonian Parliament yesterday. On this occasion the Commission unanimously requested of the Ministry of the Interior to answer seven concrete questions within the next 15 days: how many paintings have been bought between 1994 and 1996, how many horses have been purchased by the Ministry, how many APCs and vehicles, whether the dept. insignia has been obtained via tender, whether the same approach had been applied with respect to the compiling of ID documents (ID card, passport) and which firm conducted the refurbishment of the Ministry in Skopje. The session also resulted in the approving of the proposal to address the Finance Ministry to determine the scope of supervision and monitoring by the National Secretariat of Finances of supplies at the time. Commission Chairman Slobodan Najdovski (LDP) suggested once more to ask the Government for information on businesses and expenditures connected to the refurbishing of cabinets and ministries - as data had not been forwarded within set deadlines.[15] JOURNALISTS UNDER FIRE ONCE AGAINTwo days ago several individuals broke into the premises of A-1 TV, threatening employees (esp. the director and the owner of the station) present at the time with the use of violence should they not abstain from iffy comments on several personalities in this country. This assault had been preceded by a comment in the broadcast `Rumours' (`Shushkanja') in which several Government officials (whose names were not mentioned) were accused of suspicious behaviour and manipulations. In the aftermath of this raid, A-1 TV owner Velija Ramkovski condemned this act as an `attack on free journalism and democracy in general.'Macedonian media also reacted with similar vies on this matter. `The journalistic guild is raising its voice against the threatening of free journalism in Macedonia, and it expects the Government to stand up in defence of the integrity and safety of all citizens in our country.'... `A new assault on the freedom of media in Macedonia'... `Violent raid and threatening of journalists'... `Barbaric offensive against A-1 TV'... These are only a few headlines in yesterday's editions of `Dnevnik', the afternoon news broadcast on the Macedonian Radio, of `Makfax' and `Nova Makedonija'. Protest was also aired by the DPM, requesting the complete identification of the offenders and the launching of a corresponding investigation. Another comment was released by the Journalists' Association of Macedonia, which is to stage a panel with the title `Public Opinion in Macedonia - An Endangered Species'. This event is to attended by representatives of the law enforcement, the Justice Dept., the DA's Office, the judiciary, the Macedonian Academy of Science and Art, the University and many eminent Macedonian journalists. `Dnevnik' is reporting in today's edition that the individuals `storming' A-1 TV have been identified as the twins Dejan and Daniel Trajkovski. Petrit Ame and a person from Struga named Zhan. Police is pursuing this matter further, in spite of the fact that it has not issued any information so far. MILS SUPPLEMENT[16] `Settling Debts Over 15 Years, With a Fixed Interest Rate of 1.5%'(`Dnevnik' - 8th May 1997)Dues of the state towards bank clients in terms of frozen hard currency assets are to be returned via hard currency bonds over 15 years - i.e. via 30 semi- annual rates at an interest rate of 1.5% per annum. The first installment is due on 1st July 1998, concordant to the draft-bill on issuing bonds by the Republic of Macedonia on grounds of frozen hard currency deposits of its citizens. The main objective of this bill is to transform the debts of the Republic of Macedonia, generated by the freezing of hard currency assets / savings into the `public debt of the state'. This act of law obliges the banks to substitute hard currency savings for hard currency bonds, based on NBM exchange rates. This would apply to 1.5 billion dollars in dues towards bank clients. A small portion of this sum has already been disbursed to clients on various grounds. The draft-bill on issuing bonds by the Republic of Macedonia on grounds of frozen hard currency deposits is to be submitted to parliamentary processing after app. 15 days. Bonds to be emitted by the state as restitution for frozen hard currency deposits are to be available for 10, 50, 100 and 1 000 DM, whereas the annuity coupon to be forwarded twice a year (1st January and 1st July) will list the 1.5% in interest separately. This means that the interest rate on these deposits is to remain fixed (at 1.5%) over the following 15 years. Citizens will be able to use their bonds before the maturation in the following cases: to pay VAT on real estate property and options; merchants will be in the position to pay customs and other charges on imported goods; to settle dues outlined within the Law on the Transformation of Enterprises with Social Capital; as well as in order to change internal stocks for common ones. These bonds will also allow citizens to buy shares and portions of enterprises subjected to transformation; real estate owned nationally - i.e. they will be in the position to buy business premises and property in state possession, as well as other state capital. The bonds can also be sold on the Macedonian Long-Term Stock Exchange, where their price is to be determined by the market - depending on demand and offer. `Denationalization Law Once Again Essential' The first tranche of 30 million dollars of the recently granted `SAL' Arrangement of the World Bank for Macedonia is to arrive these days. The second tranche of 30 more million dollars will be available by 31st March 1998, but only if all prerequisites imposed by the World Bank in Washington have been fulfilled. This includes the enacting of the Law on Denationalization. As one of the first conditions posed by the WB upon approval of the `FESAK' arrangement (of which our country is no longer a beneficiary), the Government asked the WB to reallocate it as a prerequisite for the `SAL' Arrangement since there was no possibility of compiling this law in time. Thus it has now become prerequisite to the releasing of the second tranche of the `SAL' loan. In practice this means that the enactment of the Law on Denationalization may be postponed until the close of this year. Prior to implementing the second tranche, i.e. before 31st March 1998, the Government will not only be obliged to ratify this act of law, but also another one on bankruptcy procedures and litigation (a WB paper confirms that this institution has already approved its draft version). Should the Government want to benefit from these funds, it will also have to suspend subsidizing the growing of turnips, milk, sunflowers and other products used for the producing of oil. The Government has also been given the deadline until the end of March to privatize 70% of all agricultural cooperatives and enterprises. According to the `propositions' of the World Bank three of the privatized cooperatives need to have over 1 000 employees and at least 17 of them need to employ at least 200. The Macedonian Government will be obliged to privatize a minimum of 110 of the newly-created 123 enterprises, which are a result of the restructuring of 23 loss-generating companies. A subsequent condition is that 9 of the ten largest loss-makers need to be privatized. Another conditions prerequisite to the obtaining of the second 30-million-dollar tranche (of the 60-million-dollar loan approved by the WB two days ago), is the liberalization of the customs policy - something our trade sector has been wanting to achieve for over a year. This above all applies to customs duty and additional fees for goods being regulated by quotas and separate taxing. The Government will further have to devise a formula ensuring a basic price for grains and tobacco, and these rates will have to be linked to global prices for these products. In other words, the price may not exceed the overall global cost for these goods for 1997, and it will have to remain below 70% of it over the following years. The guaranteed minimum prices for turnips and sunflower seeds will have to be suspended as well. In the end the WB has requested the establishing of a separate dept. on trade policy within the Macedonian Ministry of Economy by the end of March next year. An international expert stated that in spite of the fact that the WB considered Macedonia a positive example as regards overall reforms, the most recent political turmoil may slow down the implementation of the most recent arrangement , particularly the releasing of the second tranche. Should early elections be held in Macedonia, this expert claims, it may possible that the new Government requests a new deadline (after 31st March 1998) to meet all WB demands. Connoisseurs say that even the change of one minister entails a `vacuum' between three and six months as regards negotiations with international financial institutions. (end)mils news 09 may 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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