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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-08-27

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] `THE WEST STILL UNDER THREAT OF SECESSION'
  • [02] `EXOUSIA' ON THE POSSIBLE ALBANIAN COALITION
  • [03] REHN ARRIVES IN MACEDONIA
  • [04] `YEAR ZERO' ENTERS IMPLEMENTATION STAGE
  • [05] THE SEA IS TO GET ROUGH...
  • [06] OWNERSHIP TRANSFORMATION REVERSED
  • [07] POSITIVE IMPACT OF DENAR-DEVALUATION
  • [08] FAIR CHATS
  • [09] MEETING `TRUCKIES' HALFWAY...
  • [10] MACEDONIAN HUMANITARIAN AID...

    MILS SUPPLEMENT

  • [11] `Show Me the Money!' (`Dnevnik' - 26th August 1997)
  • [12] `Small Businesses in Seven Municipalities' (`Vecher' - 26th August 1997)

  • MILS NEWS

    Skopje, 27 August, 1997

    [01] `THE WEST STILL UNDER THREAT OF SECESSION'

    In an interview for Belgrade-based `Ekonomska Politika' (`Economic Policy') President Kiro Gligorov stated that no party in Macedonia had enough voters to form a Govt, on its own after upcoming elections. Therefore should a party emerge as the leader - in the opinion of Gligorov - it would be necessary to procure seats for the leading Albanian parties in Macedonia. While advocating the compulsory representation of Albanians within the Macedonian Govt, the President nevertheless objected to the fact that Albanians still work towards the secession of the western part of Macedonia: `Albanians are demanding the enactment of a new Constitution - preceded by negotiations on what state is ideal for which side, with a dual concept (a federation or anything similar) in mind.'

    [02] `EXOUSIA' ON THE POSSIBLE ALBANIAN COALITION

    `It is most likely that a coalition among Albanian political parties in FYROM will emerge', states Athenian paper `Exousia' these days, upon quoting an anonymous top official within the PDP: `the party is increasingly feeling the pressure applied by extremists and voices in favour of a coalition have become more frequent.' `Makfax' reports that according to political circles in Skopje, as `Exousia' claims, `at present the expansion of cooperation of Albanian parties in FYROM is being hampered by the view of Albanian PM Fatosh Nano who is against a consolidation among hard-liner ranks which initially supported Sali Berisha.' The Skopje-based sources quoted by the Athenian paper do not discard the possibility that extreme Albanians may move towards more moderate currents should hard-liners continue to cause trouble. Towards the end of the article in `Exousia' it is being stated that the main goal of the Crvenkovski Cabinet was `finishing the race' within regular bounds as a plunge off the horse would catch the SDSM in a weakened position due to ongoing economic difficulties in the country.

    [03] REHN ARRIVES IN MACEDONIA

    The Special Rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Commission, Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, is to arrive in Macedonia today. Throughout her visit (until 29th August) Rehn will continue her fact-finding mission in order to complete her report on human rights conditions in Macedonia. The Special Rapporteur is also to be received by President Gligorov and several Govt. Ministers.

    [04] `YEAR ZERO' ENTERS IMPLEMENTATION STAGE

    These days the Macedonian Ministry of Education and Physical Education is being visited by a Delegation from the Netherlands, since this country is co-funding the implementation of `Year Zero' - a project concerned with the optimum preparation of Albanian secondary school pupils for admission into tertiary education structures in Macedonia. In an interview for Radio Macedonia Minister Sofija Todorova expressed her content with this project and its progress as it is to facilitate integration within the unified education system in the country. In addition to the Dutch Govt. and the `Inter-Ethnic Relations Fund' of the Hague, this project is also being backed by the OSCE High Commission for Ethnic Minorities (headed by Max Van Der Stoel) and the Macedonian Govt.

    [05] THE SEA IS TO GET ROUGH...

    ....during today's sequel of the 74th Parliamentary session, utterly unlike the smooth waves customary for the holiday destinations of most MPs. What is causing such tempestuous billows? The briefing on current conditions at Gostivar and Tetovo for one thing - as well as data on the removal of illegal flags in front of the municipality buildings at both cities by the police. Other storm fronts will be caused by debates on several draft-bills, such as the motion to withdraw the mandate of DPA representative Arben Dzhaferi who has not been attending parliamentary sessions for more than two years. Heated discussions are certainly to ensue all these issues...

    One only has to think of the LDP view according to which the Tetovo/Gostivar briefing is being `Directed by' the SDSM and the PDP in order to boost their rating. Ergo this party will most likely abstain from any debating on this matter. The PDP camp is not inclined to back the information to be offered at the briefing - whereas the resignation of Interior Minister Tomislav Chokrevski is on the top of their 1997 letter to Santa. The PDP will also request the forming of a survey commission within the Parliament which is to assess the liability of Minister Chokrevski.

    The SDSM is, of course, willing to accept the report - as well as the establishment of such a commission. This however does not apply to the request for the Minister's resignation signed by five DPA representatives. The latter party is resolved to discard all offered data and persist on Chokrevski's resignation. The DPA also conditions any further cooperation with the PDP and the remaining within the Parliament with the fulfillment of these terms.

    [06] OWNERSHIP TRANSFORMATION REVERSED

    Skopje Mayor Risto Penov appears to have contacted Macedonian MPs based in Skopje these days, with a request to change the proposed draft-version of the bill on public utility services. This text is to be discussed at today's Parliamentary session. In his letter Penov mentions that the purpose of the proposed amendments is to prevent the transformation of city property into state assets. In the past the city of Skopje has been the only one concerned with the construction of the water and sewage systems, the `Drizla' waste disposal facility and other infrastructure facilities.

    In concordance to the draft-bill these objects are to be transformed into regional enterprises governed by the state. This, according to Penov, would paralyze the normal functioning of the city and city authorities as proscribed by law / the Constitution, the City of Skopje Act and the Public Utilities Act. Amendments proposed by Mayor Penov demand additional changes to the draft-bill which refer to the basic competencies of the city towards public parking space and the obstruction of forming inter-municipal public utility facilities in the city of Skopje.

    [07] POSITIVE IMPACT OF DENAR-DEVALUATION

    The devaluation of the denar has been conducive to an increased influx of hard currency throughout July, to the normalization of monetary growth without and relevant disturbance of price stability - informed Govt. Spokesperson Zoran Ivanov upon addressing the conclusions of the latest Govt. session. While denoting the impact of the denar- devaluation as positive, the Govt. had concluded that a considerable amount of hard currency (25 million dollars) had been purchased between 10th July and 15th August) had been purchased shortly after the devaluation of the denar. This had been combined by the establishing of complete control over pay rate trends (affecting the competitiveness of Macedonian companies at an international level), the normalization of monetary growth (between 10th July and 15th August money worth 84 million denars has been issued to make up for the lack registered over the first half of the year).

    The influx of hard currency assets transcended all expectations which - in combination with the net-inflow in interest rates - contributed to the softening of the dive hard currency reserves (generated by settling of international dues amounting to 19.1 million dollars and by negative exchange rate differences totalling 3.6 million dollars) had taken to a considerable extent. According to Ivanov by the end of this year the Govt. expects the complete recovery from negative trends within the monetary sector - in addition to the achieving of the projected funds mass on an annual level. During this Monday's session the Macedonian Govt. also confirmed the opening of a resident mission of the Republic of Macedonia within NATO HQ in Brussels, which is to be headed by our current Ambassador to Belgium Jovan Tegovski.

    Besides this the Govt. has approved legal provisions on social security, copyrights on publishing, phonographic production and radio broadcasting. Other projects receiving their blessing concern the strengthening of drug control facilities and the establishing of an Agency to implement the international project on countering the illegal production, trade and abuse of narcotics.

    [08] FAIR CHATS

    Macedonian Minister of Economy Boris Rikalovski has met his Croatian counterpart Nenad Porgez and Italian International Trade Minister Augustino Fastozzi during yesterday's opening of the 66th International Fair in Izmir.

    The meeting with Nenad Porgez (Croatia), according to the Information Secretariat, delved into the trade rate against the backdrop of the recently-signed Free Trade Agreement between Macedonia and Croatia. Joint conclusions confirmed that treaties affecting other sectors should be signed ASAP - particularly those regulating ownership rights; several cooperation possibilities have also been discussed (esp. the inclusion of Macedonian construction contractors in Croatia or joint emergence on third markets; then the involvement in construction procedures on Corridor No. 10).

    Talks with Italian Minister Fastozzi had placed emphasis on Italy's willingness to support small and medium-sized businesses in Macedonia, as well as on the necessity of mutual updating and direct contacts between stakeholders. On this occasion Minister Rikalovski advocated the implementation of the already approved Italian loan for Macedonia.

    The negligence exhibited by Slovenia in determining its import quotas on Macedonian agricultural produce (without customs duty and tax payments) has led to the further increase of Macedonia's trade deficit, stated Macedonian Agriculture Minister Kiril Dokuzovski during a meeting with his Slovene counterpart at the `CEFTA' Ministerial Meeting on agriculture held in Maribor last week. In connection to this Dokuzovski revealed yesterday that the Slovene side had been made aware of the fact that the Macedonian Govt. would be forced to introduce reciprocal measures should the entrance of Macedonian produce into Slovenia remain obstructed. This would particularly affect Slovenia's export of chicken, milk and preserved goods into our country. In addition to this, Minister Dokuzovski also pointed out irregularities surfacing during the import of Macedonian wines - such as the coercing of Macedonian producers to declare their wine of belonging to an inferior quality category.

    [09] MEETING `TRUCKIES' HALFWAY...

    ....but not with police road blocks. To this purpose the Macedonian Transport and Communications Ministry, the `Makedonija' Insurance Company and the `Makedonija- Soobrakjaj' Public Enterprise have agreed to charge a maximum of 140 DM for TIR labels for international transports. Drivers are also being given the option to obtain an alternate guarantee in addition to those issued by banks. These measures have been the result of requests forwarded by the Independent Trade Union Organisation of Macedonian Truck Drivers, after their membership attended to block the `Medzhitlija' border checkpoint yesterday.

    Issues concerning the lowering of paytoll tariffs and the issuing of a green card (at the maximum price of 500 DM) by the Macedonian Transport Ministry have been discarded as non- justified requests. As is the case with issuing transport permits at the border until a liberal goods export-import regimen has been established. Besides this the attempted siege of `Medzhitlija' has been assessed as a measure outside the bounds of standard behaviour by the Macedonian Govt. and the latter is prepared to undertake all necessary steps against those violating the law of Macedonia.

    [10] MACEDONIAN HUMANITARIAN AID...

    ....this time, has been deployed to the Mala Prespa region in Albania by representatives of the Macedonian Foreign Office. The shipment consists of 60 t of flour, salt and rice. It was received by the Head of the Prespa community at the village of Dolna Gorica, Nikola Tanev, during a presentation attended by H.E. Amb. Nikola Todorchevski and the MP for this constituency in the Albanian Parliament, Banush Gozhdari.

    MILS SUPPLEMENT

    [11] `Show Me the Money!'

    (`Dnevnik' - 26th August 1997)

    Those few with in-depth knowledge on economic conditions in the country claim that so far outcomes of the transformation of national capital have been derogatory. To add insult to injury the privatization process conducted in Macedonia has been dubbed `commercial', i.e. one covering its own expenses. Even the Head of State referred to this `commercial privatization' as successful venture, during his recent speech made at Mechkin Kamen. Unofficial data from the Privatization Agency confirm that so far only 25 million DM have been gathered throughout the privatization process `in cash' - while the overall value of privatized assets amounts to 3.299 billion DM. Nobody within the Agency expects these conditions to improve. What, however, few or no people have been made aware of is the fact that even this `wee bit of money' must be accounted for by the Privatization Agency.

    Economic Chamber Chairman Dushan Petrevski stated that he had no knowledge on the further implementation of those funds, since the Chamber had not received any sort of report on this subject. He also stressed the necessity of changing this practice. `In Slovenia, for example, 50 million dollars of such funds have been reallocated to export-orientated businesses - as a kind of stimulus. Where are our privatization yields?' wonders Petrevski.

    Vladimir Shahov, the Deputy Director of the Privatization Agency, claims that criticism is `hitting the saddle and not the mule.' While not denying that initially funds are being forwarded to the Agency, `the Privatization Act allows us to keep them 30 days; then they are forwarded to an ancillary account of the national budget. Thus, quite normally, the Govt. decides where the money ends up eventually.' According to Shahov the Agency merely functions as the `till.'

    In concordance to the above mentioned Privatization Act, funds accumulated throughout the privatization process may be used by the state for development projects and social purposes, e.g. covering expenditures for procuring re- employment for laid-off workers or new investments. As regards the 25 million DM and their whereabouts, so far the only known fact (disclosed by a high-ranking Govt. official) is that they have been spent on `trouble-shooting' in the social sector. He also called the Economic Chamber's interest in these funds `strange...' `I do not agree with those denoting the privatization process completed, and that the Agency has done its job. Now is the time when this institution should become active in terms of commercial and investment promotion. If the Agency thinks that this was all it has been established for - I am bound to be not too far off the mark by saying that in this case we might just as well have set them up in a wigwam - without ever bothering to procure premises and myriads of employees. We could have saved the money, assembled staff on a freelance basis and get the job done', stated Petrevski for the `Economic Magazine' (`Ekonomski Magazin') recently. `It is not true that Petrevski does not receive a financial report on the Agency's performance. How could this be the case, when prior to its publication the report has to be signed by the Secretary of the Economic Chamber who is also a member of our Executive Board.'

    [12] `Small Businesses in Seven Municipalities'

    (`Vecher' - 26th August 1997)

    The Coordination Council for the implementation of the project concerned with sustaining reforms and rendering technical assistance - which has been set up within the Privatization Agency and the credit support of the WB over the past two years - has approved seven projects furthering local economy. This has been done kickstart the business sector in some municipalities throughout the country by providing financial assistance in the beginning. Thus programmes which are to show relatively short-term outcomes are to be financed over the next three years, the objective being the structural resuscitation of local economy via small businesses - rather than sustaining long-term programmes which end up being `dust-catchers' in somebody's drawer.

    In the opinion of the Privatization Agency's re-employment coordinator Vladimir Sarach the first development programme whose implementation has already begun arrived from Makedonska Kamenica. The programme for the development of the local economy in this municipality has been compiled by the Skopje Faculty of Economics. It concentrates on the speedy and efficient transcending of the mining-region image attached to this area via the introducing of new small businesses. At present this is being achieved by sustaining production in the private sector (e.g. custom-made carpets, bakery products or ancillary facilities to the `Sasa' mining complex).

    Interest in this project has been exhibited by 35 municipalities so far, but as it can only cover 10 such development ventures in general, the Agency has decided to sustain programmes involving several municipalities. Thus the project involving Prilep and four minor municipalities is currently in its preparatory stage (a consulting service is being sought). A similar concept and approach is to be observed in case of the Shtip project (also covering several municipalities in the region).

    The Agency's standpoint towards the Ohrid project is a bit more specific as the project places emphasis on components compatible to the natural resources of this area, i.e. the development of tourism and organic food production in this area. The Agency further expects project-proposals from Kriva Palanka and the surrounding recently-formed municipal units, from Kratovo and Makedonski Brod since their preliminary versions have been approved during a previous presentation. By the end of this year three more projects will be given the `thumbs-up' while project funding is being conditioned by the extent to which the main objective is being achieved: the high-standard and efficient boosting of local economy. This is where the World Bank enters the stage: throughout the monitoring and assessment component of each project.

    (end.)

    mils news 27 August, 1997


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