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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-09Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 09 July, 1997[01] DENAR DEVALUATIONAccording to the report issued by the Macedonian Central Bank to the banks and exchange offices the denar in relation to the foreign currencies has dropped for over than 15%. According to the new exchange rate of the MNB, the DM in the Skopje exchange offices has reached the value of 31 denar, the dollar -54,5 denars, the Swiss frank - 37,2 denars. The prior exchange rate of the NBM was 26,6 denars per one DM, 46 pre one dollar and 32 per one Swiss frank.Yesterday the exchange rate was not defined in the private exchange offices and thus all buying and selling of foreign currencies had been stopped. The new exchange rate of the denar is brought in relation to the latest negotiations between the Macedonian Government and the IMF at which the inevitability of devaluation has been expressed. [02] BILL ON MINORITY FLAGS ADOPTEDYesterday the Macedonian Parliament adopted the Bill on minority flags with 63 votes in favour ( from the members of the SDSM, the PDP and the SP) and 23 against (the LDP, DPM and 4 members from the SDSM). Before the voting took place the members of the DRA left the assembly hall as a sign protest because their amendments hadn't been adopted. Otherwise, the sequel of discussions regarding the draft- bill started with 4 hours delay due to consultations within the SDSM party group. The parliamentary members of this group after the consultations still had divided opinions regarding the proposed bill.Nakje Stojanovski underlined that the necessity of a legal management in this sphere is not disputable, but he also regarded this proposal offers no solution to many disputable issues. Pointing out that he would not vote in favour of the bill if his amendment was not adopted, Stojanovski suggested the regulations from acts 3 and 5 in the Law to be enforced after the Macedonian General Assembly and the authorized body of the state whose flag is chosen as a nationality identification have ratified a treaty or an agreement based on reciprocity. This amendment has not been adopted, but the amendment of Marjan Nachevski from the SDSM has been and it suggests that the nationalities should have the right to use the minority flag only on occasions of celebrations or other cultural, sports events organized by the nationalities, but not in cases when organizers of such events are other bodies or subjects. From the larger number of submitted amendments the ministers have adopted the proposal that the bill should be enforced on the day when the Official Register of the Macedonian Republic is published. In the discussions among members of the Albanian Democratic Party dominated the attitude that the bill is restrictive and could only be enacted when their amendments have been adopted, amendments regarding the use of the Albanian flag. An attitude has been expressed that `no force in this world can hinder the Albanians from using their national flag'. There was the possibility that the DPA member, Sali Ramadani, caused an incident when in the pulpit he took out the Albanian flag and this was followed by stormy reactions of the parliament members. Ramadani left the pulpit after he had been warned by chairman Tito Petkovski. The PDP members also have assessed that the bill does not allow the necessary capacity of the use of flags, yet they have voted for the sake of pragmatism and relaxing the tensions in international relations. This party group has submitted more amendments none of which had been adopted. According to the Liberal-Democratic Party members this bill, after the Bill on the Pedagogical faculty and the `TAT' scandal, is used by the Government to create a new case of tension. The LDP members pointed out that the Law in Macedonia promotes a sovereignty of a foreign state, that this presents a precedent and a dangerous experiment. They consider the Constitution of the Macedonian Republic clear - it regulates a hymn, a coat of arms and a flag as exclusively state symbols and opens no other possible alternatives. The Socialist Party members have voted in favour of the bill and in the discussion expressed more personal attitudes. [03] MAAK - CP - LEGAL STATE PROTECTION BEING OBSTRUCTEDThe MAAK -Conservative Party in yesterday's report pointed out that it is more than clear that the problem regarding hoisting foreign flags on the territory of the Macedonian Republic ( in Gostivar and Tetovo) is under the jurisdiction of the Government which must comply with the Constitution and the laws and should realize the resolution of the highest body of the legal state. But under conditions of having the SDSM-PDP coalition obstructing the legal state and the sovereignty of the Macedonian Republic the citizens, as bearers of the election sovereignty, should take the obligation to protect it and remove the foreign state flags from the Macedonian territory.[04] SPOKESMAN ZORAN IVANOV - GOVERNMENT PRESENTED WITH NO ULTIMATUM FROM MAAK-CPThe Spokesman of the Macedonian Government, Zoran Ivanov, answering reporters' questions yesterday state that the Government has not been presented with an ultimatum from any party on taking down the flags in Gostivar, and thus can not comment on this issue. Regarding the minority flag problem Ivanov has assessed that the government has shown good will towards solving that problem but will not back away from its authority to enact the bills. A-1 TV reports, Ivanov underlined that being a spokesman of the Government he has not been informed regarding a private meeting between PM Crvenkovski and DPA leader, Arben Dzaferi, which has been speculated upon these days. If there has really been such a meeting Ivanov presumes it had been initiated by Arben Dzaferi. Regarding the formation of a party police announced by the DPA, Ivanov stressed that it would not be allowed by the Government and its instruments.[05] FIGHTERS WORRIED REGARDING FASCIST AND SEPARATIST DPA IDEASThe Presidency of the City Board of the Fighters Union in Skopje, yesterday had a special session and discussed the latest events in Tetovo, i.e. the unison congress of the former NDP and PDPA parties. At the session a serious concern has been aired due to the publicly proclaiming Fascist and separatist ideas which are not only against the Macedonian people and other nationalities living in Macedonia, but also against the Albanian ethnic. Reports convey that the Fighters Organization of Macedonia and all Skopje and Macedonian citizens will not allow any Fascist and separatist ideas to grow roots into the Macedonian soil under the form of democracy.[06] AUDI NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE TO BE UNCERTAINIn all marathon talks so far the Macedonian Government has expressed willingness that the `AUDI' project should be successful. The draft-treaty with the German company was prepared 10 days ago, yet there are problems regarding its adoption. The Government would undertake nothing that will leave long-lasting damage to the state and would regret if the German party makes them put an end to the negotiations, stated yesterday the spokesman Zoran Ivanov informing on the conclusions brought at the regular Government session held two days ago.Regarding the proposal of a restitution model submitted by the `TAT', `ALFA-S' and `Lavci' clients, the Government has decided to discuss this at the next session after having consulted appropriate field experts, informed Ivanov, stressing that in the following 5-6 weeks the MNB will conduct another supervision of `TAT' taking into consideration the unofficial results from the Institute for Court Expertise. Regarding the draft-bill on employment and insurance in cases of unemployment Ivanov reported that the Government has suggested an employment stimulation through exemption from payment of tax on personal income. Such a regulation would be in force for 3 years and a prerequisite is the employed to have been registered for at least one year in the Employment Institute. The bill implies in cases of job loss a monthly compensation amounting to 50% of an average salary. Going through the monthly report of the Agency for Bank Sanitation, the Government has come to the conclusion that it does not rigidly use the instruments for payment and is not initiator of no bankruptcy. In this the Government has had into consideration the social moment and the means of 16 billion denars in use of the Agency, informed the Government spokesman yesterday. [07] MACEDONIA JOINED ENERGY CHARTER AGREEMENTAt the 7th regular session of the Conference on energy charter in Brussels yesterday a decision was passed that Macedonia should join this agreement. This, reports the A-1 TV will present a legal framework for greater security in supply of electric power, increase in energy efficiency, as well as market development and investment in this sector. Macedonia by signing in becomes the 50th state joining this important document signed in Lisbon in December in 1994. At the work conference in Brussels active participation was taken by the Macedonian delegates - representatives from the Foreign and Economy ministries.[08] CREDIT NEGOTIATIONS OF 35 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ELECTRICAL INDUSTRYMission of the World Bank in Washington starting from yesterday is in a visiting stay in Skopje regarding the defining of the treaty on granting a credit amounting up to 35 million dollars for realization of 3 electric power developing projects in Macedonia. If an agreement is reached regarding 22 million dollars they will be used in revitalization of the complete equipment of the hydro power stations in Mavrovo, Shpilje, Globochica and Tikvesh.Around 8 million will be purposed for the first revitalization phase of the electricity-distribution net in 27 municipalities in the state. Most of the means from this project will be used on transformers, on improvement of the distributed electric power and decrease of system losses. The remaining 5 million will be used on competing the main electricity dispatching centre in Skopje with all predicted functions for controlling and managing the system. `Dnevnik' reports, after having finished the agreements by the end of September or the beginning of October a new credit demand is expected to be signed and the credit money would be disbursed in installments starting next year. [09] SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF `OVCHE POLE' DEBT DEBATE BY GOVERNMENT AND MIGAYesterday the governor of the MNB had talks with Loren Weinsenfeld, chief counselor at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency - MIGA which presents a branch of the World Bank. `Nova Makedonija' reports, at the meeting Weinsenfeld conveyed his pleasure regarding the solution of the problem of demand disbursement from the Italian enterprise `FTP- Italian SPA' towards the Macedonian firm `Ovche Pole' and the readiness of the Macedonian Government to pay back the debt of `Ovche Pole'. The successful resolving of this problem has encouraged the Italian enterprise to invest in new projects in the Macedonian Republic.The meeting also resulted in talks regarding the possibility Macedonian firms collaborating with foreign investor from the MIGA member-states to be protected in their demands and investments. In that direction, an MIGA engagement in resolving the demands of certain Macedonian firms from Albania and Syria has been arranged. Otherwise, MIGA is a branch of the WB comprising 142 member-states. The main objective of this international organization is providing investments member-states firms. [10] `DRESDEN BANK' IN MACEDONIAN BANKING SYSTEMMacedonian Finance Secretary, Taki Fiti, yesterday received Henckel Von Donersmant, manager of the Department for Foreign Relations in the `Dresden Bank' seated in Frankfurt and they had talks regarding opening a branch office of this bank in Skopje. The Macedonian Radio reports, minister Fiti has greeted the initiative of the German bank to join the banking system in Macedonia. He also informed his guest on the realized reforms in that sphere in Macedonia.[11] BRANCH SYNDICATE WARNINGThe Chairperson of the Macedonian General Assembly, Tito Petkovski, yesterday at their own initiative received the manager of more syndicates from the economy businesses headed by the president of the Macedonian Syndicate Union, Zzivko Tolevski. The Macedonian Television reports, Mr. Petkovski has been aquatinted with the serious problems burdening many firms from the economy businesses and due to this a detailed debate in the Government and the Assembly has been suggested. They have come to a decision that through the Macedonian Syndicate Union the branch syndicates should launch change initiatives and supplementation of certain bills or enacting new ones which will create better conditions for economy activities and production quickening.[12] MINISTRY AND POLICE SYNDICATE DIRECTOR EXCHANGE CRIMINAL CHARGESThe Ministry of the Interior yesterday informed that there have been criminal charges pressed against the president of the Macedonian Police Syndicate, Stojan Manchev, due to covering up taxes. The Ministry report cites, Manchev functioning as the president of the Independent Police Syndicate since 1996 has been avoiding payment of personal tax amounting up to 61.000 DM in paying the duties towards the Foreign Partner Syndicate. `Vecher' reports, Manchev has been accused for an economy criminal offense by the Public Income Administration.The Macedonian Police Syndicate has suspended all negotiations with the Ministry of the Interior regarding balancing the disputable issues from the Collective Treaty, because during disbursement of the June Syndicate members salaries the syndicate membership fee has not been stopped. According to the president of the MPS, Stojan Manchev, it is more than obvious that someone does not approve of the existence of the Syndicate. The person issuing the order for membership fee suspense will be prosecuted as well as all officials of the MI who by pressured the employees to give up a strike are breaking the syndicate rights and freedom, informed the president of the MPS at yesterday's press conference. [13] EXTRADITION OF ZORE BLAZZEVSKI WHO `WEDGED' CLIENTS FOR 18 MILLION DMAfter a period of more months of temporary arrest in Slovenia, the owner of `Makedonija Reklam' (a firm that has damaged the clients for 18 million DM), Zore Blazzevski was extradited yesterday to Macedonia. From yesterday Blazzevski lies in the prison in Skopje. The Public Prosecutor's Office has pressed charges on the grounds of covering up taxes and 123 criminal acts. Blazzevski after the bankruptcy of his firm had fled to Slovenia where in March this year he has been held in prison until being extradited yesterday on demand of the Macedonian Justice Ministry. Blazzevski's firm `Makedonija Reklam' had been disbursing the clients with a monthly interest of 4-7% after which the firm experienced a financial fall down.[14] FOSSILS OLD 10 MILLION YEARS FOUND NEAR VELESIn the surrounding of Veles where the Ceramic Industry `Kiro Chuchuk' digs for clay, yesterday according to `Nova Makedonija', 10 million old fossils of an elephant, hyena and a horse 10 were found. Besides this, cites the paper, at the place where clay is being dug out other animal body parts have been found. According to authorities from the Ceramic Industry and experts from the Skopje University this region has been for 5-6 years now a place harboring fossils similar to these.MILS SUPPLEMENT[15] `Shorter Maternity Leave?'(`Vecher', 8th July, 1997)Rumours and doubts regarding a possible shortening of the maternity leave circling among the public are undoubtedly more than real. Although, it still keeps the form of an initiative, this maternity leave reduction presents a part of our state's reform projects meaning that its realisation is not disputable. This cut of the maternity leave, as we have been informed, is insisted upon by the World Bank which is `pushing' towards us the package of health and social reforms. This reduction, which will most probably be introduced in almost all other health and social services, is to be done with the aim to lower the general consumption and that is one of the prerequisites set down by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for further financial help for our state. Those who are well aquatinted with this case point out that if this demand is to be adopted certain changes will be done on the Bill on Employment which fortifies the 270 days of guaranteed maternity leave and there will also be changes in the Bill on Health Protection because disbursement of this kind of leave is being done through the box office of the Fund for Health Insurance. According to some estimations, if the maternity leave is to be cut down on half, the overall costs for compensation of the Health Fund would be reduced for almost one third. This would unburden the functions of the Fund the current finance situation of which is disastrous and this is affirmed by the fact that disbursement of maternity leaves is delayed for 2 or more months. However, one initiative in order to turn into practice needs to go through a series of filters. In this case, the well aquatinted with this case say, that what has already been done for maternity leave reduction presents a huge step. Namely, with a letter addressed to the World Bank seat signed by two ministers from our Government the proposals on reforms in the health and social areas are accepted including also the proposal on leave reduction. This tells that whether we like it or not the maternity leave is to undergo a cut, but it remains an enigma so far how deep it will be. Labour and Social Policy Secretary, Naser Ziberi, denies that it will be reduced down to 3-5 months, though he hasn't confirmed the 6 month duration of the `leave'. On the other hand, Health Secretary, Petar Ilievski, expresses his views on the maternity leave duration from the point of view of a doctor, explaining that it should last no less than 6 months which is concordant to recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the UNICEF on the duration of baby breast feeding. Regardless of what has been done so far in the procedure of making such a huge step which will directly effect the national birth-rate, when the parliament members are to cast their votes for changes in the `social' and `health' bill the filter of experts and the public will be inevitable. Health workers are in the majority against such a reduction especially if it is to be cut down to 3 months. Among them most agitated are the paediatricians. They are right in reacting thus because, as they say, reduction of the maternity leave does not comply to the WHO recommendations on at least 6 months duration of baby breast feeding. Suspension of breast feeding does not only mean break of emotional relation with the mother which might leave negative psychological consequences on the child, but it also means bad influence on its development. This will be expressed even more with the fact that our nurseries do not offer the necessary conditions for nursing babies. The mini-sondage of the public opinion has shown that women would either give up child birth or would take sick leave, besides the maternity one, for their children because at that age children have the most fragile health, and those sick leaves again burden the Health Fund. Experts send warnings that maternity leave reduction will have disastrous effects on the current low birth-rate under conditions when the biological population reproduction is hardly being preserved. Well, is this not strong enough argument to make the creators of the demographic policy think? (end)mils news 09 July, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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