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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-08-12Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>CONTENTS
MILS NEWSSkopje, 12 August, 1997[01] RECOGNITION OF MACEDONIANS IN BULGARIA - OR A NEW CENSUSThese days OMO `Ilinden' of the Bulgarian city of Goce Delchev addressed a Declaration to Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov, to the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the Embassies of Russia, the US, Germany, Macedonia as well as to the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the State Dept. In this document the above mentioned organization restates the case of the non-assimilated Macedonian ethnicity in Bulgaria - denoting the rejection of the Macedonian language and the Macedonian nation as a textbook example of national chauvinism. `Joining Europe will only be an option once the Framework Convention on the Protection of Minority Rights has been signed and implemented.' It has also been stressed that in spite of the official `non- existence' of a Macedonian minority in Bulgaria, this non- entity would press international institutions for a new census in which people could declare themselves as Macedonians.[02] SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.Following his return from his visit to the US, upon invitation of Congressmen Ben Gilmann (R) (who is also chairing the Human Rights Committee) and James Traffican (D), DPA leader Arben Dzhaferi stated for `Flaka e Vlazerimit' that events at Gostivar and Tetovo and police intervention, with all legal, political and security aspects to these most recent occurrences had been of considerable interest. Mr. Dzhaferi further said that Congressman Traffican directly addressed the US Congress with regards to events at Gostivar, claiming that it was `a disgrace for the US to support a country that is becoming increasingly despotic.'[03] A MYTHOLOGICAL BLUFF - OR ARBEN DZHAFERI PART DEUX`A great Albanian cause was born on 9th July at Gostivar in Macedonia. It has become clear that coexistence by all means is not possible within a system of a repressive nature.' stated DPA leader Arben Dhzaferi during a meeting with the party membership at Tetovo two days ago. Upon delving into Macedonia's international standing and its relation to neighbouring countries, the DPA head stated for `Flaka e Vlazerimit' that there was `no realistic Macedonianism' ascribing mythological traits to it as `it strives to evolve on grounds of a myth.'This myth - in the opinion of Arben Dzhaferi - has been created by Gligorov & friends upon the premise that Macedonia has always existed in this area, that ergo everything in this region is Macedonia. Thus `Macedonians have begun to usurp the cultural and historical heritage of other Balkan nations which have an ancient verified past - such as the Greeks, Bulgarians, etc.' In connection to the statement given by Albanian PM Fatos Nano this past weekend that `Albanians in Macedonia should support the parties within the system', Dzhaferi states that `the new Albanian leadership is undergoing its stage of adaptation' and that its coming of age is yet to be awaited. In his opinion, this period of puberty will entail a change of heart as regards the Albanian political subject in Macedonia. [04] GLIGOROV INTERVIEW FOR `TJEDNIK': `WE WILL SURVIVE AS A CIVIC SOCIETY'Zagreb-based weekly `Tjednik' published an interview with Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov in its latest issue. In it journalist Mladen Malocha characterized Gligorov as a statesman who has `survived among four fires. four historical pretenders to Macedonian territory. all the time successfully warming himself on all four fires but never scorching himself.' In spite of all recent difficulties, Mladocha continues, Gligorov remains committed to his policy of advocating cooperation over conflicts and division.Apart from asking the President to present the key points of his policy, on how the political and national integrity of Macedonian emigrants may be preserved or on what his views on the war in Bosnia are, Gligorov was also requested to delve into relations with neighbouring countries. In this context the President stated that every country had its own problems, interests and achievements - as well as that `only the national interest of the Macedonian people and the Macedonian state are to serve as the uniform standard for relations with neighbouring countries. divergent views may only be resolved via joint analyses and the comprehending of problems and solution-finding - regardless of all differences. This is to open the door to multilateral cooperation.' When asked about the notorious `napkin-mapping' of Yugoslavia between Miloshevikj and Tugjman, Gligorov stated that speculation was not sufficient to draw a sustainable conclusion though the discussing of the fate of Bosnia would not have been improbable at such a meeting at Karagjorgjevo. In addition to this President Gligorov commiserated with the plight of all families in Bosnia, describing their lot as a tragedy - struck by a conflict he thought `avoidable till the very last moment.' Gligorov also once again stressed the pro-European commitment as the `only option determined by evolutional and civilizational motives. the only collective security system which may guarantee safety to a country as small as Macedonia should it not be admitted into NATO.' In response to the question on how sustainable he thought peace in Bosnia, i.e. whether the latter was not merely a `time-out before the next half-time' Gligorov expressed the hope that the barbaric death of over 200 000 people were educative enough, not mentioning all the destruction, violence and hatred to go with it. Although the emergence of extremely nationalistic parties created breeding grounds for future conflicts. Gligorov therefore urged people to differentiate between love towards one's country and festering nationalism. In this context, also the statement that the wish of all Albanians to be united within one state - may cause injury to the very vital tissue of Macedonia leading to the least desirable. In order to avert this and in the spirit of the cooperation policy advocated by the Macedonian state, the Declaration of Cooperation had been drafted and adopted. [05] WANTED: INTERNATIONAL CAR MANUFACTURER.Upon confirming the rumour that the `Volkswagen' Group had suspended all negotiations on the `Audi a 3' project, Finance Minister Taki Fiti announced yesterday that at the time several other international car manufacturers had been interested in closing a similar deal with Macedonia at the time. This was due to the favourable position of the country (no other producing countries in the region make for a potential market of 200 million), free trade agreements with most of the countries in the region, involvement within the SECI initiative and a vast number of production facilities.To this purpose the Government is also to compile a national strategy for attracting international investments, as entering the car manufacturing industry is certainly one of the priorities of this country - though as Minister Fiti says under more restrictive conditions than in the case of `Audi', in concordance to international trade regulations. Besides this, the private Macedonian partner `Asiba MG' is to stage a press conference at the company premises today, at 16 h. At this occasion, CEO Pece Dameski will give a more in-dept analysis on the state of affairs, upon request of the press. [06] READY. STEADY. NO.1st July has been the initial date when banks were supposed to start playing a key role in handling the country's major financial transactions. Additional prerequisites then postponed this deadline for three months, reforms within the payment flow system have been going on for several years since - experts say - the sensitive nature of this sector imposes a very gradual approach. The ultimate objective would be to reach the international model where payment flow transactions are exclusively handled by banks - while the Payment Flow Institute may be transformed into a Clearing House.The NBM though states that banks in Macedonia are not ready for a such a step yet, adding that reforms should include all bank offices and the Payment Flow Institute. This applies to both major banking houses and those of a smaller size covering a small area. The Payment Flow Institute has compiled a thorough study on the possible transformation of the payment flow system in Macedonia last year, warning that the inappropriate and speedy copying of measures may not only lead to a collapse of the financial system but block the economic development of the country. [07] SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL.The Federation of Trade Union Organizations (SSM) and the Chamber of Commerce of Macedonia have denied any involvement in the compiling of the Employment Relation Law. According to them negotiations took place between the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the World Bank and the IMF. Some objections of the above mentioned bodies had been discussed at the last session of the Socio-Economic Council of the Government, but none of them incl. In the actual law.SSM Chairman Aide Tome Georgievski does not deny meeting WB expert Steven Schwab, but discussions had mainly focused on employee rights, the Employment Act and our objections to it. `Upon his mentioning annual vacations we protested explicitly that any changes would be a violation of norms outlined by the ILO (International Labour Organization) Convention and the Collective Agreements. Schwab was by no means familiar with conditions in Macedonia: that pay is being withheld for months, that payroll contributions aren't being forwarded for up to 54 months and that no benefits are available to other than redundant laid-off workers. The WB Endemoire, of which we have not received a copy yet, does not consider socio-economic conditions and the Government should react on this. The curtailing of employee rights will decrease neither unemployment nor enrich employers. To this purpose one would have to lower payroll contributions and tax.' The Chamber of Commerce has made a similar statement: that it has not been informed of these interventions, or asked for their input - contrary to the statement of Assistant Minister Vera Nikoloska who stated that `both sides had given their consent.' Besides this, so far the LDP has denoted these measures an `inhumane and anti-Constitutional step of the Depts. of Health and Labour & Social Policy. imposed by global and European financial institutions. This was utterly discreditive and superficial by these Depts.' adding that these restrictions merely were to hide the Government's incompetence. [08] ...DO NO EVILI.e. `the Criminal Procedures Act has been regulating all our activity, our competencies and obligations. ergo I most responsibly claim that the police has not violated any provisions in any way', stated Dime Gjurev, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior in response to objections forwarded to the law enforcement preserving objectivity in terms of the party affiliation of those arrested in connection to the `Mechkin Kamen' incident. The IMRO-DPMNE labeled the police as the `private SDSM security service' while Gjurev said that `the police is entitled and obliged to summon all involved to a conversation. Those invited kindly attended and stated their party affiliation out of their own will, by procuring their membership cards.'[09] `WE'RE BACK.'This would certainly have to apply to a Government Cabinet assembled after their summer holidays. Yesterday's regular session (headed by PM Crvenkovski) was marked by most recent developments as regards the `Audi A 3' project, the Textile Export Agreement with the EU, the draft-bill on pasture grounds, on health and safety at work and several draft-bill referring to the ratification of international cooperation treaties. The Government also analyzed several reports and data on the attending of several important international events by Government delegations.[10] TRUCK DRIVERS STRIKE A DEALAt yesterday's meeting between representatives of the Independent Trade Union Organisation of Truck Drivers of Macedonia (MAKAM-TRANS) and ADOR `Makedonija' an agreement was reached as regards the terms of insuring users of the TIR categorization and a warranty to this procedure. Union representative Strasho Jovanovski said that one TIR label at the cost of 135 DM would also include the price of 50 Swiss Francs for the warranty. Applicants will be required to submit a blanco escrow, procure proof of their assets and CMR insurance (80 DM premium of each cargo). Jovanovski said that the Union would endeavour to decrease the insurance rate to 50 - 60 DM. Further negotiations with ADOR `Makedonija' will focus on the KASSKO insurance rate, as 180 DM are too much to be paid by Macedonian transporters. The views of the Transportation Ministry on these issues are not yet known.[11] COURTS ARE GETTING THEIR `QADIS'The National Judiciary Council has submitted its final version of the nominees' list for the post of a judge at the Elementary Courts throughout the country to the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia. The list contains 34 names of people who are to complete this segment of our country's judiciary system.[12] TWO MACEDONIAN NATIONALS ARRESTEDAt Kukush the Greek police arrested two Macedonian nationals yesterday. Dimitar Mitrevski and Iliya Sumarov from Strumica - according to police records - had been apprehended upon attempting to smuggle nine young Bulgarian females across the border, as the nine Bulgarian nationals did not have proper country clearances. Sumarov and Mitrevski have been immediately handed over to the judiciary system and could face a prison sentence in Greece. This kind of `human slavery' has been plaguing Greece over a longer period of time - particularly due to the involvement of the Russian and Bulgarian Mafia which is making piles of money by committing East European girls to prostitution. Besides several attempts to transfer illegal immigrants from Albania and Bulgaria into Greece via Macedonia, this is actually the first time Macedonian nationals have been involved in a crime of this nature.[13] INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND PAYMENT BALANCE: THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR - PART 7..The chemical industry includes several facilities. The produce of this branch is conducive to the development of several economic sectors ( e.g. agriculture, civil engineering, textile, timber etc.), though - unfortunately - matters again depend on the import of raw materials and reproduction materials. Thus intermediary and final raw materials are almost exclusively imported to maintain the production of synthetic fibers, artificial substances, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. This particularly applies to the import of actylonitri/e, dimethyl terephtalein, ethylene-glycol and aceto-vinyl. Production within the chemicals industry resulting in reproduction materials is conducted only partly in Macedonia. Most of the products are being exported, particularly to Former Yugoslav constituents.The textile industry as a predominant component of the industrial infrastructure as characterized by numerous facilities relying on imported raw materials ( cotton, wool), or on the providing of services to international partners ( Lohn work). Enterprises within the shoe manufacturing and timber industry is also heavily dependent on imported raw materials. A law level of profitability is a further trait of these three branches. This kind of economic structure, complemented by unfavourable material i. e. financial conditions and restrictions imposed by the exterior surroundings, have entailed a drastic decrease of industrial production by more than 50% in comparison to 1989. Over the time span from 1991 to 1995 deterioration of production adhered to the average real rate of 13%. For the Republic of Macedonia: The National Statistics Office of the Republic of Macedonia (national product of 1972 tariffs). During this period of time it occurred that the number of employees in the industrial sector decreased at an average rate of 8%, particularly due to the restructuring of production and the transformation of ownership. Investments into basic funds have also taken a dive by real annual average of 5%. The industrial sector has also been suffering of a deficiency of investments over a longer time span. Sanctions imposed on FR Yugoslavia by the UN and the embargo of the Republic of Greece have been suspended towards the close of 1995. This entailed the ratification of cooperation treaties with certain international economic organisations, as well as the signing of bilateral agreements with several countries throughout the world. This creates opportunities to increase export and trade; to obtain loans and expand other forms of cooperation with international partners. After several years of deterioration, industrial production has been increased by a real rate of 3.1% in 1996 ~ compared to the previous year. Basic Trends and Development Premises The basic development trend in the industrial sector represents an endeavour to put a halt to downward tendencies with regards to production; the revival of the latter and its further steady growth. This would primarily be achieved by increasing economic efficiency, by updating technology and improving governance. The new economic system needs to create opportunities to introduce different forms of organizing production in the industrial sector; it should conducive to a market orientated evaluation of capital, labour, know how, innovation, management skills and entrepreneurship. In stage one, lasting until the year 2002, efforts will be made to increase production by resuscitating and restructuring existing facilities, augmented by modernizing and developing small and medium size businesses. This will have to be paralleled by a stronger export orientation; the increasing of international trade; the improving of cooperation with credit & financial institutions and international partners; the introduction of technical innovations; the increasing of investments and efficiency in the economic sector. The expected production increase will be a result of engaging creative entrepreneurship; of operations conducted by expert executives in the management, marketing and technological development sectors in addition to discipline and productivity among the labour force engaged in the production process. It has been estimated that the exterior surrounding affecting the country will be more favourable. The signed Cooperation Agreement with the European Union creates room and conditions to increase trade and other forms of cooperation with EU member states. The imminent admission into the World Trade Organisation ( WTO) will entail the furthering of trade and cooperation on a basis of equality with several countries in the world, as well as the intensification of both with our neighbouring states. The outlined conditions and premises for this sort of development, however, well be constantly burdened by the following problems: 1) an unfavourable production structure; 2) outdated equipment; 3) redundancy in the economic sector ; 4) insufficient orientation towards export; 5) low productivity and profitability with a considerable number of enterprises, etc. These and other factors complicate development conditions and are likely to limit possible outcomes, particularly during this first stage till 2002. (to be continued...)mils news 12 August, 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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