MAK-NEWS 21/02/96 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, FEBRUARY 21, 1996 (MIC)

[01] BRANKO CRVENKOVSKI: "GOVERNMENT IS NOT A DEBATING CLUB"

At today's parliamentary session, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski explained the reasons that have led to the reconstruction of the Government in his address, saying, among the rest, that the Government is not a debating club, and that it is expected to function efficiently. Crvenkovski underlined that with this proposal, the Republic of Macedonia would receive a Government with clearly located political responsibility, concluding that despite all the results that have been achieved after the parliamentary elections, it has not functioned entirely as a political government so far.

"There can be no lasting political partnership if one of the partner intends to take part only the fame and success, but does not intend to bear responsibility when problems and difficulties arise," Crvenkovski said, explaining the reason why the new Government will not have the to-date coalition partner, the Liberal Party, any longer.

In his longer address, Crvenkovski stated that the new Government will continue to realize the election platform of the Alliance for Macedonia, and that these program goals should not be monopolized by the three political parties, participants in the election coalition Alliance for Macedonia. "The program goals should be promoted more extensively, to become a subject of broader national, political and social consensus."

In regard to the "tense atmosphere surrounding the attitude of certain political subjects toward the President of the Republic Kiro Gligorov," Crvenkovski said that some political parties, which have self-proclaimed themselves as protectors of the President, have made a big mistake. The first reason is that the President enjoys such high personal respect and trust, both in the country and abroad, that he has no need for defenders. In this context, Crvenkovski asked them "not to protect Gligorov from SDAM. Don't defend him from the party with which he had the closest cooperation and respect in the past period, which was one of the rare, if not the only party which, after the event of October 3rd, did not make or even think of making any calculations about possible candidates at the presidential elections."

The Prime Minister was confident that this cooperation will continue in order to coordinate the political thoughts over a long range period.

The new Government of the Republic of Macedonia will carry on with an equally expressed will for cooperation with all neighbors, Crvenkovski explained, showing an interest for a full normalization of the relations with the only neighbor - FRY, which Macedonia has still not established diplomatic relations. He reminded that Macedonia is on the verge of regulating its relations with the European Union, which will require a total coordination of a number of departments in the Macedonian Government.

Furthermore, following its accession to "Partnership for Peace," Macedonia will make efforts to improve its cooperation with NATO, so that it itself can become a part of this collective security system. Crvenkovski dismissed criticism that the to-date Macedonian policy was too pro-American and pro- Western, saying that Macedonia can only benefit from its similar views with the U.S..

The economic reforms and structural changes will continue in Macedonia. The process of privatization should be finalized, to encompass all sectors. Namely, the agricultural combines, cooperatives and parts of the public sector. Immediately after the realization of the STAND-BY arrangement, negotiations will start with the IMF for signing the three-year ISAF arrangement.

Crvenkovski admitted that the primary problem in Macedonia is the shortage of working capital for financing the production and re-starting the shut down capacities. "Therefore, we will have to make a maximum concentration of all foreign credit lines, i.e. the entire domestic financial potential."

In the sphere of the political system, the Criminal Law is presently in government procedure, Crvenkovski said. He added that a Law on territorial division of the Republic of Macedonia should be brought this spring, as well as the Law on local elections, so as to be able to organize local elections by the end of the year, and to constitute new municipalities, in accordance with the Law on local self-management.

Crvenkovski announced a new intensity in the fight against crime, corruption and bribes.

[02] NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH GREECE ON FEBRUARY 27

The next round of Macedonian-Greek negotiations in New York, with the mediation of Cyrus Vance, is scheduled for the 27th of this month, ambassador Ivan Toshevski, who is included in these negotiations, confirmed.

Ambassador Toshevski will continue talks on the name differences with the Greek negotiator, the permanent Greek representative to the UN, ambassador Hristos Zaharakis.

With article 5 of the Interim Accord, which was signed on September 13th in New York, the two countries are bound to continue the negotiations, with the mediation of the UN, for overcoming the remaining differences.

[03] FAIR OF GREEK PRODUCTS

The first exhibition of Greek products was announced at yesterday's news conference at the "Skopje Fair," which will be held from February 24 to 26, at the Skopje Fair. The head of the Greek Liaisons Office Aleksandros Maljas emphasized yesterday that this event will mark the start of economic ties between the two countries.

Some 100 Greek enterprises are expected to present wide consumption and textile products at this exhibition.

[04] CONTINUITY OF COOPERATION WITH UNPREDEP

Macedonia's Defence Minister Blagoy Handziski received the new Force Commander of UNPREDEP to Macedonia, Brigadier- General Bo Wranker of Sweden yesterday. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Macedonian Army General- Colonel Trajche Krstevski, as well as the to-date UNPREDEP Force Commander Brigadier-General Juha Engstrom. It has been concluded that the cooperation between UNPREDEP and the Macedonian authorities is at a very satisfactory level, and that it will continue in future.

[05] MACEDONIAN COMPOSER CLAIMS GABRIEL'S HIT

A little-known Macedonian composer claims to be the author of rock star Peter Gabriel's latest hit "When the Earth Sleeps," and says he will sue unless Gabriel recognizes the copyright.

Risto Pulevski, 62, told Reuters he recognized his song "Dali znaes mila majko" ("Do you know dear mother") when he heard Gabriel's latest release, currently high on world music charts.

"I felt insulted when I heard that Peter Gabriel's hit was described as an adaptation of a Bulgarian folksong. It is neither Bulgarian nor a folksong. I composed it and wrote the words in 1960," he added.

"Dali znaes mila majko" has been popular in Macedonia since it was recorded in 1962 by a well-known music duo, Cveta and Petar Pavlovski.

"When the Earth Sleeps" is currently being widely aired by Macedonian radio stations. Pulevski, a retired kindergarten worker, said much of its popularity was due to one verse being sung in Macedonian.

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