SKOPJE, SEPTEMBER 14, 1995 (MIC)
On the occasion of the signing of the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece, and the establishment of diplomatic relations at embassy level between the U.S.A. and the Republic of Macedonia, President Kiro Gligorov gave the following statement: "Yesterday, we established full diplomatic relations with the U.S.A.. This act finally rounds off the cooperation between the RM and the U.S.A., which has great significance not only for our country, but for the wider stability in the south of the Balkans as well, the traditional relations between our two countries, the support the U.S.A. is giving to the independence of the RM, its accession to the UN, the participation of the U.S. forces in RM.
This act presents another strong confirmation of all that support. The perspective for the mutual cooperation was initiated back when the U.S.A. recognized Macedonia, and with this establishment of full diplomatic relations at embassy level, this cooperation is placed on truly strong foundations.
The establishment of diplomatic relations preceded the signing of an agreement between RM and Greece in New York today. The American initiative and the direct activities for the signing of this agreement are also a confirmation of the joint American- Macedonian interests for peace and stability in the south of the Balkans and the strengthening of Macedonia's international position. Precisely for that reason, I would like to state on this occasion that the Republic of Macedonia has achieved a huge success in its peace-loving policy, on the principle of political dialogue over the controversial issues with the neighbors, for the realization of human and minority rights, in accordance with the international standards and principles of Europeaization of the Balkans and protection of the personal interests and goals. In this context, we affirm our long-term orientation for the development of good-neighborly relations with all neighbors, on the principles of non-violability of the borders by means of force, for the free flow of ideas and goods, and the development of comprehensive cooperation in all fields. Despite the fact that over the past years have often been the victims of historical prejudice of some of the Balkan politics, we have proven that we are able to survive, both as a country and as a nation with an authentic national and cultural identity, with deep historical roots and contributions in the European civilization.
And that is a fact because of which our independence could not be jeopardized neither by the economic blockade, nor the attempt to ignore our state, or the attempt for re- actuelization of the anachronic activities in the Balkans from the beginning of this century. I can state with great satisfaction that sooner or later, that fact was concluded and accepted as a realistic need by our neighbors as well. That is a new historical fact. And precisely here, I particularly applaud the realistic attitude neighboring Greece has shown with the signing of the agreement. And, I would like to repeat that the Macedonian-Greek relations have a perspective, in the interest of the two nations and the peace and good-neighborly relations and cooperation of all Balkan nations. Now, it is especially important to show some good will, preparedness and fair play in the implementation of the signed agreement, in the interest of both sides. I am deeply convinced that time will show that this act can become a turning point for the future on the Balkans.
The foreign ministers of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece Stevo Crvenkovski and Karolos Papoulias signed the agreement for the creation of a basis for friendly relations between the two countries at UN headquarters in New York, yesterday.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the mediators in the dispute Cyrus Vance and Matthew Nimetz, as well as the UN Secretary-General Boutros Ghali. At the news conference held immediately after the signing of the agreement, UN mediator Cyrus Vance expressed particular satisfaction with this act, stating that it overcomes the outstanding differences between the two countries.
Greece's Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias characterized the agreement between Skopje and Athens as a very important document. In the statement for the Greek media, which assess the document as historic, Papoulias stressed that with the signing of the agreement, Greece has rid itself of a major problem in its foreign policy.
U.S. President Bill Clinton has applauded the signing of the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece, and emphasized it will contribute to the further stabilization of relations in the Balkans. Clinton underlined that the agreement is of joint interest for both countries and that it will help Washington's efforts to achieve peace in the region a great deal.
Reuters reports that Clinton announced he would be meeting with the negotiators from both countries some time today.
"Macedonia truly deserves for Europe and we, as Germany, to bilaterally help it when the announced easing of tension with Greece takes place," German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel stated in the debate in the Bundestag.
Expressing his conviction that it will come to an easing of the tension in the negotiations that are led with the mediation of Cyrus Vance, Kinkel said that in the talks with President Gligorov and the Greek side, he had personally contributed to the bridging of the dispute, and reminded of plan made up of six items, that he personally proposed.
Informing the Bundestag that President Gligorov had told him "progress had been made" in the dispute between Athens and Skopje, Kinkel said this pleased him very much, since the Macedonian question had constantly been left out when it came to former Yugoslavia.
Kinkel underlined that Macedonia was especially burdened with the Greek embargo and the sanctions against Belgrade, and therefore, deserved for Europe and Germany to help it.
AFP reports about the signing of the agreement on the future relations between Macedonia and Greece and brings excerpts from, as it is emphasizes, the "interim accord," signed in New York yesterday.
According to these excerpts, both countries should establish diplomatic relations as soon as possible, with the final objective - establishment of relations at embassy level. In the meantime, both countries should open liaisons offices in the capital cities. The two sides confirm that their present joint border is permanent and non-violable.
Furthermore, as AFP reports, our country states that nothing in the Constitution can be interpreted as a basis for aspirations for territories that are not inside its permanent borders, and that article 49 must not and should not be interpreted as a basis for interference in the internal affairs of the other country.
From the moment this agreement comes into force, our country will have to stop using the symbol on the flag, and both countries will have to refrain from making any kind of obstacles to the flow of persons and material wealth between their territories. Greece accepts not to obstruct the candidature or accession of Macedonia to international multilateral and regional organizations and institutions. This agreement comes into effect 30 days from the signing, and will remain in force until it is replaced with a final agreement.
Prior to the signing of the New York agreement, the Macedonian Government held an urgent session in Skopje yesterday.
As the announcement states, the session focused on the information about the course of negotiations in New York between the Macedonian and Greek negotiators.
The Macedonian Government concluded that a text of the agreement has been drawn up on the basis of the accepted platform and the talks led in New York. The Government also assessed that if the talks that are underway in New York finish successfully, the agreement will be able to be signed by the Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski.
The announced National convention of IMRO-DPMNU, MAAK - Conservative party, the Labour party, the World Macedonian Congress and other NGOs, in protest against the Macedonian-Greek agreement, was held last night on the plateau in front of the Universal hall in Skopje. In the presence of some 100 people, the leaders of these parties expressed their discontent with, as they put it, "the signing of the disgraceful document against the Macedonian national dignity, on which the opposition was not even consulted."
"Now, the flag will be changed, articles from the Constitution and the name FYROM will be frozen for seven years," Ljupcho Georgievski - leader of IMRO-DPMNU said. "I assure you the Greeks will start with blockades against Macedonia again, and our delegation doesn't even know what it's signing. What's happening is a shameful defeat of the Macedonian foreign policy," Georgievski stressed. A "Declaration of the Convention for Macedonia" was disclosed at the gathering, which strongly condemns the signing of the act and dismisses the formulation FYROM.
Furthermore, a peace protest in front of Parliament building was announced for the day of the ratification of the agreement, as well as dissatisfaction, as it was said, because the gathering was prevented from being held in the Universal hall.
The Macedonians in Australia received the news about the meeting between representatives of the Macedonian and Greek Government in New York with great indignation and revolt. As a sign of protest against the current Macedonian Government, they held protest meetings throughout Australia yesterday. In the main centers Sydney and Macedonia, where there is the largest concentration of Macedonians, resolutions and decisions were adopted, and they decided to send letters to the Macedonian Government, the UN and the International Human Rights Committee.
Over 300 Macedonian organizations, in conjunction with church organizations took part in these protest meetings throughout Australia. The decisions and resolutions from these protests are very important for the Macedonian population in Australia, in the struggle to keep their identity. They are unanimous in their demands for the Macedonian Government not to change the symbols of the Macedonian nation or to make any amendments or supplementations to article 49 from the Macedonian Constitution. They also energetically recommended our Government not to make any concessions without holding a Referendum in the Republic of Macedonia first, and let the whole Macedonian nation decide on the issue. Provided this is not done, and an agreement with Greece, to the disadvantage of the Macedonian people is reached nonetheless, the visits of Macedonian diplomats in Australia will be forever undesirable and boycotted by the Macedonian community in Australia.
The party "Vinozito" (trans. note "Rainbow"), as a political movement of the Macedonian ethnic community in Greece, assesses the commencing of the direct dialogue between Greece and Macedonia, within the UN, as positive. In accordance with the principles of this party, dialogue is the only means of resolving any dispute, is said in the letter the party sent to Papandreou, Gligorov, Vance, Van den Broek and the ambassadors of the EU in Greece. The basic prerequisite for the Macedonians in Greece to become the bridge of understanding and friendship between the two peoples is their participation in the dialogue on those issues that pertain to the inter-state relations and the rights of the ethnic communities, as foreseen and determined in international agreements.
"We feel that those conditions have become ripe with the commencement of the dialogue, so now the status of the Macedonian ethnic community will be able to be defined, with the Greek state giving political and national equality to the Macedonians in Greece."
* Note: The Macedonian Information Center has in its possession the complete document of the INTERIM ACCORD, signed by the Greek and Macedonian side and witnessed by Mr. Cyrus Vance, special envoy of the UN Secretary-General. The document is written both in English and Macedonian language. All our subscribers can receive a free copy of the document in either language in the MIC office in Skopje. Our subscribers abroad will only have to pay the postal costs. Otherwise, the document is 8 pages long, and we will publish excerpts from it in tomorrow's daily service.