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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-06-09Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 09 June, 1997[01] GLIGOROV EMBARKED ON CHINA AND US VISITMacedonian media report that yesterday the Macedonian Head of State Kiro Gligorov embarked on his several-day visit to China and the US. In Beijing President Gligorov is to meet his Chinese counterpart Xhi Yang Che-Ming and other high- ranking Government officials. He is further to visit the Shang- Si province and the cities of Shiang and Shanghai. President Gligorov is accompanied by Vice-President Zlatka Popovska, Culture Minister Slobodan Unkovski, Deputy Foreign Secretary Ognen Malevski, Economic Chamber Chairman Dushan Petrevski and a group of Macedonian businessmen. MTV informed that the visit is expected to result in the issuing of a joint Chinese-Macedonian Communiqu‚, while Government representatives of both sides are likely to sign agreements on investment protection and investment encouragement, on the evading of double taxation as well as a programme on cultural cooperation. After his visit to PR China, the Macedonian Head of State is to travel to the US upon invitation of President Bill Clinton.[02] FOREIGN SECRETARY HANDZHISKI AT SE EUROPE CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKIAs of yesterday the Macedonian Foreign Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski has been staying in Thessaloniki where the Ministerial Meeting of SE European countries is to take place over the next two days. Macedonian media underline the fact that Handzhiski is the first Macedonian Foreign Secretary to visit Greece, which turns this into a historic event in terms of bilateral relations - as has been the case with the visit of Greek Foreign Secretary Theodoros Pangalos to Macedonia. The Ministerial Meeting in Thessaloniki is to concentrate on the advancing of good neighbourliness, stability, security and cooperation in the region - whereas towards the end of the event a declaration is expected to be ratified. Macedonian media have already broadcast that our country is to be represented by the flag and the name of the Foreign Secretary in Thessaloniki, order to avoid any inconvenience because of the name-issue.Several Macedonian media have also been speculating that a bilateral meeting between Greek Foreign Secretary Pangalos and his Macedonian counterpart Handzhiski is to take place during this event, which will focus on the above mentioned issue. [03] MACEDONIA AT THE `CEI' INITIATIVE MEETING IN SARAJEVOThe strengthening of cooperation among member-states, their participation within the process of European integration and the fortifying of economic transformation in countries undergoing transition were priority issues entered into the agenda of the two-day ministerial meeting of the CEI (Central European Initiative), which had been closed in Sarajevo yesterday. The representative of Macedonia, Foreign Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski, expressed support to all peace initiatives in the region while once again confirming Macedonia's commitment to the EU, NATO membership and a policy of equi-distance towards its neighbours. `Nova Makedonija' reported that the Macedonian delegation had conducted several bilateral meetings during its stay in Sarajevo - of which the mini-conference with the Albanian, Italian and Bulgarian delegations are being singled out as particularly important. Talks had mainly revolved around ongoing construction of the East-West Corridor in view of the imminent Ministerial Meeting on transportation issues in Helsinki. During the Sarajevo Meeting, Austrian Foreign Secretary Wolfgang Schissel announced the opening of an Austrian Embassy in Skopje throughout this month. Another important moment for Macedonia during this event in Sarajevo has been the signing of the document called `The CEI Instrument for the Protection of Minority Rights' by Albanian Foreign Secretary Pavli Ziberi, when bearing in mind the considerable Macedonian minority living in this country.[04] ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND MACEDONIALast Friday an Economic Cooperation Agreement has been signed between the Governments of the Republic of Austria and Macedonia. As `Vecher' reports the treaty refers to economic, industrial and technical cooperation between enterprises of both countries. Past Friday the Agreement has been signed by Johann Sachs of the Austrian Ministry of Economy and by Deputy Foreign Secretary Erol Hassan. This makes Austria the second EU member-state (after Italy) to sign such a treaty with Macedonia.So far trade between both countries has amounted to 56 million dollars, with an 18- million-dollar deficit burdening the Macedonian side. At the moment - concordant to `Vecher' coverage - there are around 100 Austrian companies registered in Macedonia. Of these the most important partner are: gypsum products manufacturer `Knauf', commercial company `EVT' and the `Giro Kredit Bank' which is involved in the privatization of `Stopanska Banka.' [05] FREE TRADE ZONE BETWEEN CROATIA AND MACEDONIA AS OF TODAYConcordant to a release issued by the Customs Services of Macedonia, the probational implementation of the Free Trade Zone Agreement between Croatia and Macedonia is to commence today.Thus industrial import products with certificates specifying their origin and covered by Customs tariff registers (Articles 25 and 97) will merely be charged with a duty of 1% of their value for their processing by customs. Agricultural produce is to be categorized according to rates outlined in the Customs Tariff Act, as well as to other rates and regulations codifying the import of agricultural products - with the exception of those products covered by quotas whose import requires a Foreign Office permit. In the future Macedonian goods will have to be specified with a EUR 1 origin form which is to be issued by Customs authorities - the Macedonian side revealed. [06] ONLY MAYOR OF SKOPJE RESPONDED TO INVITATION FROM BULGARIAAll major Bulgarian papers had run the story that Skopje Mayor Risto Penov had travelled to Sofia to meet Mayor Stephan Sofiyanski last Friday. `Makfax' reported that the Mayor of Skopje had been the only one to respond to the invitation extended to attend an international meeting by the title `Do Business With Bulgaria' in Sofia. The attendance of the Mayors of Belgrade, Bucharest, Athens, Thessaloniki and Istanbul had been announced as well initially, though they appear to have been prevented from making it to the meeting.[07] `STANDARD' REQUESTS PROHIBITION OF `OMO ILINDEN'`The Bulgarian Prosecution has to stop the activities of the illegal `OMO Ilinden' Association who is committed to bring about the recognition of a non-existent minority and its language by threatening to murder people...' Such evaluations - `Makfax' reports - have been published in the editorial of `Standard's' Friday edition. The comment had been triggered by the gathering of `OMO Ilinden' activists at Blagoevgrad where - according to this Sofia paper - more radical measures had been announced in order to achieve the recognition of the Macedonian minority and the Macedonian language in Bulgaria. This included the death threat against a Bulgarian MP.[08] `OCM' HEAD: `NATIONALIST ASSAULT AGAINST THE CHURCH'`Had the Holy Archiepiscopal Synod of the OCS indeed been sacred, it would not have committed the blunder of appointing Patriarch Pavle as the so- called administrator of three supposedly Serbian dioceses in Macedonia.' This - according to `Vecher' has been stated by OCM Head the Reverend Mihail in response to the most recent provocation launched by the OCS. While attending festivities at the `Ss. Peter and Paul' church at Kichevo in honour of the renewal of OCM Autocephaly, The Reverend Mihail stated that the OCS had once again attempted to strike out against the OCM. Upon underlining that Ohrid is the cradle of Slavic Christianity, literacy and culture, the Reverend Mihail expressed his conviction that there are people both within and outside the OCS which will impede such tendencies which do not correspond to this era. The Holy Archiepiscopal Synod of the OCM is respond to this most recent OCS attack in a dignified manner, as it is most likely that even the assailants will soon be embarrassed by this outburst of ultra-Serb nationalism which has very little in common with the teachings of Christ - stated OCM Head the Reverend Mihail.[09] ORTHODOX TOMBS AT GOSTIVAR DESECRATEDPast Friday the Orthodox cemetery at Gostivar had been subjected to an act of vandalism - `Vecher' reports. Several tombs had been desecrated as their tombstones have been damaged.Gostivar police authorities have immediately inspected the scene and launched an investigation. The above mentioned daily reveals that recently some ten Orthodox graves and busts of national Heroes had been desecrated recently, while the offenders had usually never been detected. [10] GOSTIVAR: `UNPREDICTABLE REACTIONS OF THE POPULATION DUE TOFLAG-ISSUE POSSIBLE'Several hundreds of ethnic Albanians of Gostivar gathered in front of the Municipality building on Friday, venting their discontent with the most recent public appearance of Constitutional Court Chairman Milan Netkov and the court order, as well as the involving of the Government in its execution (i.e. the removal of the flags). `Nova Makedonija' reports that the assembled dispersed after being addressed by Mayor Rufi Osmani who assured them that the Albanian flag would remain hoisted in spite of the court order. During the subsequent press conference Mayor Osmani stressed that this gathering of the public in front of the Municipality proves that the possible removal of the flags may entail unforeseen feedback - for which the incumbent Government will be held responsible.While adding that he was less and less able to control the public in spite of all efforts, Osmani emphasised that the court order will only widen the existing chasm in terms of inter-ethnic relations. In the opinion of Mayor Osmani the Justices of the Constitutional Court have biased i.e. coloured the contents of the imminent Act on this issue by passing a political decision, by declaring the Albanian flag a foreign national symbol. While commenting on the statement of Constitutional Court Chairman Milan Netkov, the Mayor of Gostivar stated that Macedonia was a country of three and more constitutive peoples which is why three flags would remain hoisted in Gostivar instead of one. In the end Osmani underlined that the Municipal Council's decision not to remove the flags is being supported by all Albanian parties - while the PDP even announced that the addressing of this issue would be prerequisite for its remaining in the Government. [11] `IMRO-DPMNE' AND `LDP' COORDINATE THEIR VIEWS PRIOR TO NEXTMEETING WITH PM CRVENKOVSKIThe leaders of the IMRO-DPMNE and LDP, Ljupcho Georgievski and Petar Goshev respectively, have coordinated their views prior to the next round of negotiations with PM Crvenkovski on election laws and the date of the next parliamentary elections - Macedonian media report. This has resulted in the consensus to insist on early elections this autumn, as well as on the compilation of new legal provisions on election procedures by the beginning of September this year.Besides this, however, discussions did not focus on a possible between these two parties but rather on the decision to insist on the enactment of legal provisions outlining the next elections even if the date should not be scheduled in the near future - Petar Goshev (LDP) stated, though both parties would not cease to insist on calling elections by the end of this year. Ljupcho Georgievski did nevertheless not rule out the possibility that a coalition may be debated in the future. Media report that both parties assessed the attempts by the PM to consult parties as not serious enough, as he still had not finished the first round of talks while the beginning of round two had been scheduled for 10 more days. [12] `TAT' BANKING SCANDAL: `ANOTHER CLIENT PROPOSAL ON RESTITUTION HAS BEEN CHUCKED'Last Saturday the deceived bank clients of `TAT' gathered for another protest meeting at the square in Bitola, under the auspices of the Bank Clients' Council. On this occasion most of the speakers stressed their continuing commitment to just client restitution through the institutions of the system, in spite of the fact that so far no concrete results had been achieved.Protests and other means of pressure would will continue to be implemented. Client representatives Mende Mladenovski and Ilija Nevenovski stressed that at the moment it would be most important to await the completion of judiciary investigations (announced to occur by the middle of this week) and the subsequent meeting with PM Crvenkovski - as well as a possible final decision on which mode of client restitution is to be implemented. `Nova Makedonija' reports that it was stressed once more during the meeting that clients were not in favour of the liquidation option, while remaining persistent to have their accrued interests restituted as well. As regards the most recent proposal forwarded by `TAT' owner Sonja Nikolovska through her legal counsellors - concordant to which the bank's sanation could become feasible if clients gave up 20% of their claims - it has been denoted as yet another perfidious game and thus discarded with indignation. [13] PENSION FUNDS TO LAST TILL SEPTEMBER`The Retirement Pension Fund of Macedonia is not `once again' being pruned by the IMF or the WB, i.e. no further cuts are to be introduced as the Government has already met the standards prerequisite to the implementation of the loans granted by these two financial institutions. The restructuring of the pension system has been planned so far, but it will be conducted in appropriate conditions', stated Labour and Social Policy Minister Naser Ziberi at a press conference of the Retirement Pension and Disability Fund. `Dnevnik' reports that Minister Ziberi further delved into the huge difficulties encountered by the Fund in terms of means influx as the economic sector widely failed to settle its obligations towards the state. This above all referred to the 4 billion denars which - according to Ziberi - need to be collected as soon as possible - as the present influx merely secured the disbursement of pensions till September. Possible solutions to this problem included the strengthening of control mechanisms the business sector, the allocating of the revenue of nationally-owned enterprises to the Fund and the same designating of part of tax paid on oil derivatives. All these proposals have been sent to the Government which is to examine them soon. As regards the Supreme Court ruling concordant to which pensioners have to be forwarded the withheld 8% of their pensions of 1994, Minister Ziberi stated that the case had been returned to the Court for a re-evaluation of the matter - and that presently an authentic interpretation of the affair is being awaited. Fund Director Despot Bucevski stated that not 8% but a total of 30.28% should be reimbursed, which means that the Fund owes a total of 500 million DM to pensioners.[14] CONSTANTLY INCREASING PLAGUE OF MOROCCAN GRASSHOPPERS AT MARIOVO REGIONMoroccan grasshoppers have been sighted at the Mariovo region (near Prilep) one month ago. Since then they have been `conquering' vaster and vaster areas, threatening to inflict serious damages on the agricultural sector - `Dnevnik' reports. It has further been said that counter- measures had been taken immediately upon their sighting, though no results had been achieved yet. In the beginning the territory `occupied' by grasshoppers totalled 50 hectares. Meantime approximately 250 hectares have been affected. Livestock breeders in the area fear the use of insecticides as the grazing ground for their cattle and sheep may be contaminated.[15] MOBILE TELEPHONE RATES DOWNLast Friday the Executive Board of `PTT Makedonija' announced a reduction of mobile telephone service rates.Thus, `Dnevnik' reports, the initial charge for a `Mobimak' hook-up has been lowered from 800 to 500 DM, while the monthly subscription rate has been decreased from 50 to 30 DM. The tariff per minute of conversation has fallen from 22 to 18 denars, while reduced tariffs amount to 9 instead of 11 denars. These new price rates are to be implemented as of today, while subscription rates are not to become binding prior to 1st July 1997. MILS SUPPLEMENT[16] `Interventions to Heal the Economy'(`Vecher' - 6th June 1997)The insolvency of enterprises, the huge amount of domestic debts and the decrease of export require the scrutinizing of our macro-economy... In the opinion of the Macedonian Chamber of Economy there are priority measures which would endorse net export, or lead to the reduction of interest rates and the securing of solvent funds. The registered economic situation over the first quarter of the year appears - and especially the increasing number of financial problems - impose the necessity to review of the macro- economic policy of our country. This has been a conclusion shared by all entrepreneurs during the most recent session of the Council of the Macedonian Chamber of Economy, which focused on achievements in the production sector. Such an unfavourable economic situation - businessmen say - is reflected by several economic indicators. The real scope of industrial production over the first 4 months of 1997 has increased by 2.9% compared to the same time span last year. But when contrasted to the average quota of industrial production in 1996, a dive of 4.2% becomes apparent. This implicated that last year's production dynamics has been hampered. Insolvency in the business sector is gaining momentum, and internal debts have reached worrisome proportions. By the end of March 1997 the latter amounted to 11.3 million denars, i.e. 5.5% more than the total for December 1996. Due to such a general state of affairs, an overall 4 382 bankruptcies have been announced in the first quarter of 1997, by 2 819 legal entities employing the total of 28 889. Based on research data compiled by the Chamber of Economy export trends are also continuing to adhere to their declining course. The overall decrease of export totals 4.8% - while official statistic data registered an increase in import by 11.4%. Such conditions in the domain of international trade - some entrepreneurs state - is to be attributed to the dive of the denar. In order to overcome these problems in the business sector the chamber has proposed several measures to encourage the growth of industrial production. These steps would consist of the securing of permanent solvent funds; the re- programming of matured credits and accrued interest rates towards banks in the case of long-term loans. Particular priority should be given to re-examining the interest rate policy and to the creating of conditions leading to the reduction of interest rates by banks to a minimum, realistic and positive level. For the sake of encouraging export the Economic Chamber advocates the determining of all major export enterprises which would then receive financial assistance through funds supplied by permanent corresponding sources. The Chamber further proposes the systematic compensation for the exchange rate gap for the net export economy sector which is affecting the price policy - as well as the more consistent enactment of measures passed to protect domestic production and the Macedonian market. This can be achieved by the introduction of high quality standards for imported goods. In terms of improving the support of economic activity via credits, the Economic Chamber proposes the reviewing of certain decisions within the monetary and loan policy - i.e. its loosening up - particularly with respect to the specified designation of budgetary deposits within the NBM to the benefit of the economic sector. (end)mils news 09 June 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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