MAK-NEWS 08/11/95 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, NOVEMBER 8, 1995 (MIC)

[01] GREEK PARLIAMENT DIVIDED OVER RELATIONS WITH RM

The debate over the relations between Macedonia and Greece, which finished late last night in the Greek Parliament, has shown various approaches of the most influential Greek parties, in regard to the definite normalization of relations between the two countries, Makfaks reports.

The Prime Minister and leader of PASOK Andreas Papandreou, stated that his government and party regard the New York Accord as a good step toward the full normalization of the relations, and that the next phase is the "main question" - the name.

Papandreou stated that Parliament will have a chance to ratify the final agreement over the name, which will be reached at the negotiations which will start soon in New York.

The leader of New Democracy Miltijadis Evert, in criticizing the government over the Accord, i.e. the "inter- accord" which is how the Accord signed in New York on September 13 is called in Greece officially, stated that there was a realistic danger that the name issue might be resolved by the UN Security Council, which, leaving the word "Macedonia," might eventually add some epithet.

Evert made three proposals, for Parliament to ratify the New York Accord, for the Government to procure an agreement from the EU and the U.S.A. that they will not recognize Macedonia under any other name except the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, for at least as long as the negotiations last, and thirdly, that the negotiations over the name will be based on the agreement between the Greek political parties from 1992.

The leader of the radical party Political Spring Andonis Samaras came up with two proposals: for the Greek Government to take diplomatic action with the mediation of the U.S. and the EU in order to "put pressure to turn Skopje into a federation of cantons (Bulgarian, Albanian, Serbian and Skopian) in which every population group would live in its own region with loose inter-ethnic relations, as prescribed in the Constitution." According to the second proposal, "Skopje should become a part of new Yugoslavia, with which it will lose its international dimension and provide Greece's trade routes toward Central Europe, under Serb control."

Samaras concluded these proposals after previously giving a broad analysis according to which Macedonia, as a multinational community, will inevitably fall apart soon.

The leader of the Communist Party Aleka Papariga promoted the idea of realizing the New York Accord, with all its aspects, as soon as possible. Papariga assesses that the Greek side constantly raises the question of the name, in order to gain time, and said that her party does not believe that Macedonia presents a danger to Greece.

The main Greek newspapers assessed almost unanimously yesterday that the debate in Parliament not only failed to strengthen, but even weakened Greece's position before the negotiations over the name.

[02] PRESENTER VIVANKOS RESIGNS

Although it seemed as though the organizers of the International Film Festival in Thessaloniki successfully resolved the incident that took place on Monday over the use of the name Macedonia in presenting the Macedonian journalists from "Vecer" and "Puls," it became apparent yesterday that the case has a sequel. The presenter of the program Patris Vivankos (a Baskian with Greek citizenship) submitted his resignation from this function yesterday and left the festival with the explanation that he could not "bear nationalism of any kind."

Vivankos presented the Macedonian journalists, as it is known, as "guests from Macedonia and FYROM, whichever you prefer." The Greek film director Dimitros Kolatos reacted very strongly to the mentioning of the name. Kolatos is known in Greece as a bad film director and an unrealized nationalistic politician, who tried to deal physically with Vivankos. The representatives of the Greek Association of Film Directors officially disassociated themselves from Kolatos' outburst, while the organizers said they would not allow nationalistic outbursts to politicize this important cultural event. However, Vivankos submitted his resignation, nonetheless.

[03] MACEDONIAN GREEN CARDS VALID FOR EU COUNTRIES

The coordinated activities of the Macedonian Foreign Ministry, its foreign diplomatic missions, the diplomatic missions of Great Britain, France and Italy in Skopje, as well as the insurance company "Makedonija," have all contributed to the signing of the Unified agreement by all EU member-states on November 7. Over the past couple of days, this agreement was signed by France, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain and finally Portugal, which means that the green card issued by the National Bureau for Green Cards of the Republic of Macedonia will be recognized in all EU member-states.

The Interior Ministry announces that efforts are continuing to determine, as soon as possible, the date from which the validity of the green cards will start.

[04] START OF "GREEN RECIPROCITY"

All vehicles entering Macedonia through the border crossings Bogorodica and Dojran, on the Macedonian-Greek border, are charged border insurance since yesterday. This measure comes as a result of the failure of the Greek side to respect the document it signed on the official recognition of the Macedonian green card, following which reciprocity was simply a necessary step. Yesterday, some twenty Macedonian trucks entered Greece, and around fifteen Greek passenger cards arrived in Macedonia.

[05] REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH SWEDEN

Political consultations between the delegations of the Macedonian Foreign Ministry and the Kingdom of Sweden were held in Stockholm yesterday, which were led by Under Secretary Victor Gaber and Jan Elijason.

During the consultations, which were also attended by ambassador Tihomir Ilievski, the possibilities of promoting the bilateral relations for cooperation on an international plan, as well as certain regional questions, were elaborated.

The need for speedy regulation of mutual relations was emphasized, with an emphasis on the integration of RM in the European structures and Swedish support, in the process.

In this context, the question of Macedonia's place in the EU plan on economic reconstruction of the countries in the Balkan region, was reviewed separately.

The Macedonian delegation was also received by the Swedish Minister of Development and Cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries Pierre Suri, whereby the most important issues from the field of bilateral economic cooperation were reviewed, as well as the details regarding his upcoming visit to Macedonia, at the start of December, this year.

During the day, the Macedonian delegation met with officials from the Swedish Trade Council and representatives of a line of leading Swedish firms that cooperate with partners from Macedonia.

[06] HUNGARY INTERESTED IN A STABLE MACEDONIA

The President of the Republic of Hungary Arpad Genc sent greetings to President Gligorov through the accredited Hungarian ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia Istvan Sabo, wishing him a speedy recovery and returning to his duties. In the talks with Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov and Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, ambassador Sabo emphasized Hungary's interest in Macedonia's stability. He stressed that, as a friendly country, Hungary supports Macedonia in all international organizations. It was also emphasized that Macedonia could benefit from Hungary's experiences in the process of coordination of the country's legislation with the EU.

It was concluded that both countries should open up embassies as soon as possible and sign a Consular convention.

[07] PARLIAMENT ADOPTS LAW ON PUBLIC GATHERINGS

Yesterday, the Macedonian Parliament adopted the Law on public gatherings, as well as the changes to the Law on economic crimes, on companies and health protection. The Law on ratification of the Agreement for friendship between Macedonia and Turkey was also passed.

Ten amendments were submitted in the debate on the Law on public gatherings, whereby Interior Minister Frchkovski accepted the amendments of the Commission on Internal Politics and the Legislative Commission. However, he did not accept the amendment of Rami Tuda and Zekir Kadriu that "if the organizer asks for the police to handle the security measures of the gathering, the Interior Ministry will pay for the security costs." Frchkovski explained that such a proposal is unacceptable because is not regular police work, and therefore, the organizer should take care of the costs himself. Most of the MPs in the debate concluded that this practically disables the organization of gatherings, since they will cost too much, and the security costs will also be doubled.

[08] ADDITIONAL ELECTIONS IN SKOPJE

Additional elections for a member of Parliament are scheduled in the Skopje municipality Center on December 24. As it is known, the MP from this electoral unit, from the Alliance for Macedonia, Kiro Popovski, passed away recently. At the last parliamentary elections, 15 political parties and three independent candidates competed for a place in Parliament.

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