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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-07-28

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>


CONTENTS

  • [01] ACCORDING TO GREEK MEDIA NAME RESOLUTION IN SEPTEMBER
  • [02] PARLIAMENT - POSTPONED DISCUSSION ON GOSTIVAR AND TETOVO EVENTS
  • [03] FRENCH `SISTRA' READY TO INVEST IN EAST-WEST CORRIDOR
  • [04] `OHIS' PART OF PHARMACEUTICAL `ICN'
  • [05] SIX FIRMS FROM OHRID WITH `ISO 9001' CERTIFICATE
  • [06] NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WORLD BANK ON EDUCATION REHABILITATION
  • [07] PETITION ON RETRIEVAL OF FOREIGN CURRENCY SAVINGS
  • [08] EMINA POLOZZANI, DEPUTY-JUSTICE SECRETARY SPOUSE, MAIN ACTOR IN `FOREIGN CURRENCY SCANDAL'
  • [09] PAN-MACEDONIAN BORDER GATHERING IN TRNOVO
  • [10] 34TH EMIGRANTS' MEETING IN PRESPA

    MILS SUPPLEMENT

  • [11] `A Dialogue - Most Acceptable Resolution' (`Nova Makedonija', 25 July, 1997)

  • MILS NEWS

    Skopje, 28 July, 1997

    [01] ACCORDING TO GREEK MEDIA NAME RESOLUTION IN SEPTEMBER

    The issue regarding name disagreement of the FYROM remains open, while the attitudes of Athens and Skopje are nor brought closer together, stated these days the spokesman of the Greek government, Dimitris Reppas.Repeating the Greece's attitudes of non- recognition neither of the name Macedonia, nor any of its derivatives, Reppas stressed that the negotiations between Skopje and Athens with the mediation of Curys Vance, can not last forever. `Makfaks' reports, it is left to Vance to take appropriate initiatives on resolving the name dispute.

    The Athens' `Escusia' these days, quoting its own sources, published that the Skopje issue will be resolved in September, i.e. that the Security Council will come to a solution for a triple name of the FYROM which will be Macedonian Republic - Skopje. `Escusia' also writes that the Chief of the Greek Relation Department in Skopje, Alexandros Mallias, these days was received by Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov and at the meeting they have examined the whole problem for the last time.

    According to `Elephteros Typos', the mediator in the talks about the differences regarding the name between Skopje and Athens, Curys Vance, will re-establish the mandate on recommendation of Simitis' Government which sees the last hopes for avoiding a diplomatic failure in the perspective for pressured christening of its northern neighbour performed by the Security Council. `Makfaks' reports, the opposition Greek paper `Elephteros Typos' in the comment underlines that Foreign Secretary, Theodoros Pangalos, has allowed to be realized that Greece wishes to release itself from the `Skopje issue' leaving the final decision to be made by the Security Council of the UN. According to `Elephteros Typos' two names are taken into consideration as a resolution: the Macedonian Republic - Skopje and New Macedonia.

    [02] PARLIAMENT - POSTPONED DISCUSSION ON GOSTIVAR AND TETOVO EVENTS

    Last Friday due to lack of quorum the Macedonian Parliament postponed the sequel of the 74th session which was supposed to cover discussion regarding the information of the Interior Ministry on Gostivar and Tetovo events. A new term for the sequel has not been scheduled yet, but it will most probably be in September, when the collective summer holiday of the parliamentary members is over. According to `Dnevnik' the representatives of the Party for Democratic Prosperity and the Democratic Party of the Albanians have stated that this is only a way of the Social Democratic Union to gain in time, i.e. that the parliamentary members of this party have intentionally postponed the discussion regarding the MI information. According to the PDP members, with this postponement the SDSM wants to avoid the facts and evidence for violation of the police authorizations, while according to the DPA reasons for the postponement lie in revealing additional information and accusations.

    [03] FRENCH `SISTRA' READY TO INVEST IN EAST-WEST CORRIDOR

    The French company `Sistra' which deals with investing into railway lines construction, after the talks conducted with the Macedonian Ministry for Traffic and Connections, the `Macedonian Railways' and PM Branko Crvenkovski, has expressed its readiness to invest in the construction of the unfinished sections of the railway tracks of the East-West corridor. This attitude of the French corporation, according to `Vecher', followed the detailed analysis done during the recent visit of its technical experts to Macedonia when they regarded the possibilities of financing this railway corridor.

    Branko Petkovski, Deputy Minister for Traffic and Connections, stated that besides `Sistra', financier of this corridor will also be several other firms from Italy, Spain, the USA and Germany. According Petkovski, a prerequisite for this investment is Macedonia to pass the Bill on railways and to previously divide the `Macedonian Railways' into 2 separate companies - one for infrastructure and another one for commercial activities. Until the paying off of the invested means in the railway tracks a special firm will be active and it will include the Public Firm for railway infrastructure and a part of `Sistra'. This proposal should be examined by Macedonia within the shortest possible time and after eventual comments the Government is expected to convey its attitude on it.

    [04] `OHIS' PART OF PHARMACEUTICAL `ICN'

    The American company `ICN Pharmaceuticals' and the Skopje factory `OHIS' last Friday in Belgrade signed an agreement of formation of `ICN Macedonia' as part of the pharmaceutical group of the `ICN'. In the production of this new factory 22 million dollars will be urgently invested, 75% of which will present `ICN' capital and 25% capital from `OHIS'. `Vecher' reports, the factory in Skopje for starters will produce 13 medicaments, and future enrichment of the medicine assortment is planned such as production of veterinarian apparatuses. According to the plans, in the first year of production it is expected the `ICN Macedonia' to sell medicine worth 14 million dollars. The deal on formation of the `ICN Macedonia' in Belgrade was signed by the vice-president of the `ICN' for the SR Yugoslavia, Ljubisha Rakich and the general manager of OHIS, Jorgo Kjuka.

    [05] SIX FIRMS FROM OHRID WITH `ISO 9001' CERTIFICATE

    Six industrial capacities from Ohrid have won the prestige tribute `ISO 9001' certificate which is granted by the internationally recognized Austrian system for quality, reports' Dnevnik'. This certificate yesterday was handed to two firms from the former system `Zastava- Heroj Toza Dragovich' - the foundry and AGP `Zastava'. This `ISO 9001' certificate was also granted to the private firm `Elkom (the first one in Macedonian since September 1995) and the profitable associations of `EMO' - Transformers and Disassembling machines all from Ohrid.

    [06] NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WORLD BANK ON EDUCATION REHABILITATION

    The Macedonian Republic and the World Bank these days have ended the official negotiations regarding the project on education rehabilitation in the state, informed last Friday the Macedonian Education Minister, Sofija Todorova. According to Minister Todorova, this presents a project worth 12,6 million dollars and a final decision on whether these amount will be granted by the WB Board is expected in September. The means would be used for renewal of old schools in the poverty regions in the state. A smaller fund of the means will be supplied from other investors and will be used for improvement of the education quality, especially in the field of teacher training and improvement of the quality of the study books.

    [07] PETITION ON RETRIEVAL OF FOREIGN CURRENCY SAVINGS

    The Clients' Association `Old savings' from Bitola have filed a petition on retrieval of their old foreign currency savings signed by 1.330 people. The petition, according to `Dnevnik', claims immediate passing of a bill on retrieval of the captured money in the amount of 1,2 billion DM, in contrary, the Association announces to file a plead to the Court in the Hague. The petition includes Macedonian citizens and Macedonian workers in abroad who are visiting their birth places in the state this summer and whose money have been captured in the Macedonian banks for 6 now. Signatures are collected from Bitola, Prilep, Ohrid, Resen and Krushevo.

    On part of the Clients' Council of the `TAT' these days a special `clients' intelligence' was formed and it will have the task to follow and control the bankruptcy proceedings of the `TAT' belonging to Sonja Nikolovska. The Media report that in Bitola many `TAT' clients direct demands to leaders of the clients' boards to stop mutual divisions and disputes and for the good of the robbed citizens unite in one association.

    [08] EMINA POLOZZANI, DEPUTY-JUSTICE SECRETARY SPOUSE, MAIN ACTOR IN `FOREIGN CURRENCY SCANDAL'

    Emina Polozzani, spouse to the Deputy-Secretary for Justice in the Macedonian Government, Mesmir Polozzani, last Friday was detained on the grounds of a criminal act - fraud, report the Macedonian media. Emina Polozzane, owner of the travel agency `Anila marketing' in Struga, is in pre-trial confinement under the accusation of issuing false American and Canadian visas to 5 Albanian and one Macedonian citizen ( who are also arrested) for which she received 40.000 dollars. The 5 Albanian and 1 Macedonian citizens were discovered and detained when at the Skopje airport they were trying to leave for America and Canada with the false visas issued by Polozzani.

    Other official data regarding this scandal are not available by now, and as `Vecher' reports, this presents most probably a well organized chain which has been functioning for quite some time. `Vecher' quoting `well informed sources' reports that the scandal with forging American and Canadian visas is a consequence of what has been going on the state borders in many Western European states. According to this paper, groups of `tourists' from neighbouring Albania and part of the Macedonian citizens from Albanian nationality are being turned back from the borders because it is suspected that these sort of visas have been issues in Albanian for a longer period of time. It is also cited that these are very successful forgeries of visas exclusively for the EU member-states , the USA and Canada. `Vecher', in the context of this scandal discovered in Skopje , mentions that probably a travel agency from Sofia is also involved providing visas from the American and Canadian embassies in Bulgaria which issued false visas.

    [09] PAN-MACEDONIAN BORDER GATHERING IN TRNOVO

    In the Bitola village Trnovo, in the monastery `St. Bogorodica' last Sunday the 17th traditional boarder meeting took place organized by the Association of the Macedonians from the Aegean part of Macedonia with a seat in Bitola. The gathering encompassing some tens of thousand citizens, among which representatives from Macedonian societies and associations in the neighbouring states and the Diaspora was opened by the Association president, Aleksandar Popovski. He indicated that the gathering coincides with the light historical date for the Macedonian people and that the international association should more actively be included in the respect for human rights on the Balkans.

    In that direction, as `Nova Makedonija' reports, he addressed the entire peace loving world democratic public to direct an ultimatum to the Greek Government for realization of the human rights and the signed treaties in that respect. On this gathering also spoke the head of the MOC, reverend Mihail, who pointed out that if the Balkans enters and integrates into Europe, then the living on it will be European, i.e. with no borders and human barriers. The public was also addressed by Vasil Tupurkovski, (former high official of Macedonia within the SFRJ, and now president of the Olympic Committee of Macedonia) who according to `Dnevnik' announced his come back to the political scene.

    [10] 34TH EMIGRANTS' MEETING IN PRESPA

    Under the sponsorship of the Home of the Emigrants from Resen yesterday in Prespa the 34th manifestation `Prespa Emigrants Meeting 97'' took place. In the presence of a larger number of emigrants from the European and over seas states and the Prespa citizens with a rich programme were presented the cultural associations - `Biser' from Dzilong and `Jane Sandanski' from Melbourne, Australia, including KUD `Goce Delchev' from New Jersey, the USA. The present audience was addressed by Samoil Lavevski, president of the Home Association from Resen, the Resen mayor, Arse Gosharovski. `Nova Makedonija' reports, the speeches pointed out that the ideals of Ilinden - the most sublime crown of a century-long pan-Macedonian and all peoples' fight for national, social and spiritual freedom, have been aspirations of many generations and these are the ideals on which today's generation is building the Macedonian state and society.

    MILS SUPPLEMENT

    [11] `A Dialogue - Most Acceptable Resolution'

    (`Nova Makedonija', 25 July, 1997)

    After the publishing of the European Union statement that regards the Gostivar and Tetovo events which was handed to Interior Minister Blagoj Handziski by the British ambassador in Skopje Charles Dickinson in the name of all 15 member- states, we have asked for opinions from the larger political parties in the state. According to the words of the SDSM president, Ljubomir Popovski, his party principally holds the same attitude with the European Union which is acceptance of a dialogue as the best manner to overcome all misunderstandings. As he said, he would be very pleased if the reprimands of the EU directed to representatives from the Government and the Albanian political parties in the state should be respected.

    Commenting on the demand for Government control of the police forces, Popovski stated, that control may be conducted only within the frames of a legal procedure - when the examination of the MI information on the Gostivar and Tetovo events will be completed, a poll commission might be constituted which will establish the responsibility of those who breech the legal norms. In relation to the EU declaration we had a talk with Mr. Dickinson who represent all 15 EU member-states. After its issuing, we as a parliamentary group once more examined the declaration , stated the coordinator of the PDP party group, Ismet Ramadani. We have come to a conclusion that the PDP has so far acted within the institution frames. We consider the EU messages appropriate particularly in a situation like this - a situation of increased tension in the international relations. As Ramadani said, a special impression leaves the demand that the Government should have a greater control over police actions. According to him the appeals to the leaders of the Albanian parties in Macedonia are good, although the PDP already behaves within those frameworks.

    According to Ramadani, the Government has no control over the police, and it seems as if the minister himself has no control over him either. -The EU statement comes as no surprise to us, it has been expected and reveals that the Parliament, the Government and the state's President lead proper and tolerant politics, this is the attitude of the Socialists party as conveyed by Jovan Lazarev, member of the Party's Executive Board. The laws must be adhered, if not, anarchy will govern. If the laws are not adhered, it is right to have police interventions, adds Lazarev. According to him, the police acts under Government instructions, i.e. PM's instructions. It should be examined what were the exceeded actions of the police in Gostivar, if there had been any at all.

    For the leader of the LDP, Petar Goshev, the EU statement means rightful return of the watchful eye of Europe over events happening in Macedonia, although he personally doesn't like this. It is obvious, says Goshev, that now we have changed our statements which regardless of however well they are balanced speak of the political problems in Macedonia. The attempt to find a balance between the statements given by the Albanian political group and the Government's claims is not necessarily the right solution. Goshev considers that with this statement the EU shows that the police authorisation has been exceeded which entices some other actions in the state. Yet, this case of exceeded police authorisation has to be affirmed before giving such a statement on it.

    The spokesman of the VMRO-DPMNE, Dragi Ivanovski, said that the EU statement present a superficial analysis and advice giving on a situation resulting of one longer lasting politics lead by President Kiro Gligorov and the governing party SDSM expressed through postponement of vital issues which might cause conflicting situations especially in the inter-ethnic relations. According to Ivanovski, the estimations of the police intervention and the demand to re-examine the action are not considered more deeply because they presented an armed rebellion in which the Albanian demonstrators were the first to use fire arms. On the other hand, we greet the demand on settling down the passion and acting in the state institutions, but we are under the impression that the EU wouldn't like to bear a grudge against the current leadership and even less against the Albanian minority and their political representatives, adds Ivanovski. The DPA attitude, as stated by the spokesman of the party, Ernad Fejzulahu, regarding the EU statement has yet not been defined.

    (end)

    mils news 28 July, 1997


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