MAK-NEWS 25/05/95 (M.I.L.S.)
CONTENTS
[01] GLIGOROV MEETS SCALFARO IN ROME
[02] ST. CYRIL DAY CELEBRATED IN SKOPJE
[03] WORLD BANK DELEGATION VISITING MACEDONIA
[04] PAPANDREOU LASHES GLIGOROV
[05] EUROPEAN COURT TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON JUNE 9?
[06] MACEDONIAN POLICE HANDICAPPED, INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS
[07] WORKS ON BITOLA-SKOPJE LONG-DISTANCE POWER LINE BEGUN
[08] RENEWED FRENCH FINANCES FOR "VARDAR VALLEY" PROJECT
[09] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HOLDS SESSION
[10] MACEDONIAN TEACHERS GATHER IN OHRID
[11] SDSM REFUTES ACCUSATIONS BY LIBERALS
[12] ALIMI SENTENCED TO 8 MONTHS
MILS NEWS
Skopje, 25 May 1995
[01] GLIGOROV MEETS SCALFARO IN ROME
Macedonian President Gligorov, currently leading a
delegation to the "Macedonian Honoring St. Cyril"
manifestation in Italy, met yesterday with his Italian
counterpart Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. They conferred on the
situation in the Balkans, agreeing on a need for an end to
the Bosnian crisis and mutual recognition of all former
Yugoslav republics. Scalfaro stated readiness on part of his
country to continue the cooperation with Macedonia,
primarily in the economy. Italy is the second largest and
most important economic partner of Macedonia in Europe, and
the economic exchange this year is expected to amount to one
billion dollars in both directions. Scalfaro said Italy will
also use its influence to help Macedonia become included in
international organizations and institutions. In general,
Macedonian Television reports, the meeting and talks are
seen as a new and favorable opportunity to intensify the
mutual cooperation. The Italian president was glad to accept
the invitation of Gligorov to visit Macedonia.
Macedonian Minister of Culture Eshtref Aliu yesterday made
the first contacts in the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Today, A1 television reports, he is to meet officials of the
Department of Cultural Affairs of the Italian Foreign
Ministry, to determine new possibilities of a cultural
cooperation between the two nations.
As part of a cultural program, the Macedonian string quartet
"Gajdov" performed for the Italian audience, and an
exhibition of icons from Macedonia is to be opened today.
President Gligorov, along with the Macedonian church
delegation, paid respects to the tomb of St. Cyril in Rome.
Then, Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church Father Mikhail,
accompanied by metropolitan Cyril and bishop Joakim Herbut,
held a sermon.
The Macedonian church delegation was received by the Pope
John Paul II in Vatican. The Pope inquired about the
spiritual, cultural and social situation in Macedonia and
activities of the Macedonian church in spreading the
Christian religion. Father Mikhail expressed satisfaction
with the meeting, inviting the Pope to pay a visit to
Macedonia.
[02] ST. CYRIL DAY CELEBRATED IN SKOPJE
The University "St. Cyril and Methodius" of Skopje yesterday
organized several manifestations celebrating the Day of the
Macedonian educators. As a recognition of their contribution
to the teaching and scientific process in Macedonia, 36
university pensioners were awarded tributes, along with the
best students in the school year of 1993-94. A delegation of
the university paid respect to the monument St. Cyril and
Methodius, and the Rector's Office organized a cocktail for
senior politicians, foreign diplomats, university professors
and students. A ceremonial academy took place at the Skopje
Army Center in the evening.
[03] WORLD BANK DELEGATION VISITING MACEDONIA
A delegation of World Bank executives arrived yesterday in a
several-day visit to Macedonia. They will meet Prime
Minister Branko Crvenkovski, several ministers and National
bank Governor Borko Stanoevski. They will also meet with
representatives of non-governmental organizations and some
companies. The aim of the visit is to explore possibilities
of an aid by the World Bank for the development of the
agriculture and renewal of the industrial production.
[04] PAPANDREOU LASHES GLIGOROV
Athens News Agency says Greek Prime Minister Andreas
Papandreou restated criticism against Kiro Gligorov,
President of the Former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia,
accusing him of continued intransigence.
"Mr. Gligorov continues to remain intransigent despite
efforts made for the commencement of negotiations (to
resolve a dispute between Greece and FYROM)," Papandreou
said.
He made the statement after being briefed by Foreign
Minister Karolos Papoulias on latest development in foreign
policy issues.
Greece has imposed a trade embargo against FYROM since
February 1994 in a bid to force it to change its flag and
constitution. Athens also wants the country to drop the name
"Macedonia", saying it implies territorial ambitions against
Greece's northern Macedonian region.
United Nations envoy and former US Secretary of State Cyrus
Vance is leading mediation efforts to resolve the pending
row between Athens and Skopje.
Athens blames Skopje for stalling the negotiations.
"Greece desires Mr. Gligorov to make the necessary steps
that will lead him to the table of negotiations," Papoulias
said.
[05] EUROPEAN COURT TO ANNOUNCE DECISION ON JUNE 9?
Radio Thessaloniki says the final decision of the European
Court of Justice in the case of the Greek-imposed embargo on
Macedonia, will be announced on June 9. The press in Greece,
however, writes that the decision will probably be made
public sometime in Fall.
Meantime, Greek Foreign Minister Papoulias rejected a
proposal by former Prime Minister Mitsotakis to have
negotiations with Macedonia based on a so-called "larger
package" to include the name issue. Following a meeting with
opposition leader Miltiades Evert, Papoulias said there were
other ways to resolve the dispute without giving up Greek
basic demands.
[06] MACEDONIAN POLICE HANDICAPPED, INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS
Speaking of the recent robbery of 1.285,000 German marks
from the Stopanska Banka branch at the border-crossing of
Bogorodica, Macedonian Minister of the Interior Ljubomir
Frckovski said the main problem is to catch the robbers.
This, however, he said, is very difficult to do, as the use
of certain operational means is limited "by an unfortunate
constitutional provision", which is "strictly and literally
interpreted by the Constitutional Court". He was referring
to the police methods of tabbing telephones and providing
secret photographs necessary for the investigation, which is
allowed only upon a court approval. Such means, Frckovski
said, are used by and large in western countries in
resolving crimes including drugs, terrorism, serial
killings, arms smuggling and serious robberies. As this is
not the case in Macedonia, he said, the police here is
considerably handicapped in its work.
Meantime, the police brought charges against an employee of
the robbed bank branch, on grounds of irresponsible working.
What this means, Macedonian Radio comments, is that the
police knows neither who the robbers are nor where the
stolen money is. Circles close to the police say chances are
the money will hardly be found, as too long a period of time
passed and the money are probably already deposited in a
foreign bank.
[07] WORKS ON BITOLA-SKOPJE LONG-DISTANCE POWER LINE BEGUN
The corner-stone of a 400 kW long-distance power line
between Bitola and Skopje was laid down yesterday. 85 per
cent ($22 million) of the finances needed for the project
have been provided by the bank of Europe for Reconstruction
and Development. The project is aimed at making the
Macedonian energy system more independent, as well as to
increase the efficiency of the 3 power plants in Bitola.
The largest part of the equipment to be built in is of
domestic production, and the entire project is to be
completed in 18 months.
[08] RENEWED FRENCH FINANCES FOR "VARDAR VALLEY" PROJECT
Last week, the Government of France approved of an
additional half a million of francs to support a feasibility
study for protection of the river Vardar, A1 Television
reports. The study is only an initial stage in the
preparation of a national ecology program for environmental
protection. The program will enable Macedonia to become
included into the international program for protection of
the Mediterranean Sea.
[09] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT HOLDS SESSION
At a session yesterday, the Constitutional Court of the
Republic of Macedonia considered an initiative for re-
examination of the constitutionality of the Law on
Restructuring Loss-Producing Companies in the country. In
the opinion of the Court, the Law does not limit or take
away ownership rights, but temporarily puts these rights in
a state of rest, in order to protect the possessions of
companies in debt and enable creditors to turn their claims
into founding assets.
[10] MACEDONIAN TEACHERS GATHER IN OHRID
The 23rd gathering of teachers in Macedonia began in Ohrid
yesterday. Aco Jankulovski, chairman of the Council of the
summit said the education system in the country may become
included in European and world educational systems only by
an intensified development, but this calls for reforms.
Parliament vice-president Tito Petkovski said the dream of
many generations of Macedonian for their own state has been
accomplished. At this moment, he said, Macedonia has
diplomatic ties with 80 countries, 26 of which have
recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name.
Macedonia will continue with its policy of equidistance, but
Greece's unprecedented behavior - unpunished by the
international community - is worrying. As for relations with
the US, there is a big discrepancy between the military and
the cooperation in the fields of economy and politics.
At the end, he said Macedonia will not accept to have
Albania interfere in its internal affairs, and all
educational demands of Albanians in Macedonia can be
resolved only within the legal framework.
[11] SDSM REFUTES ACCUSATIONS BY LIBERALS
The Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia (SDSM) issued a
public statement yesterday to refute accusations by the
Liberal Party of illegal obtaining finances set aside for
covering election campaign expenses of political parties.
The event, SDSM says, justifiably raises suspicion in the
publicly stated readiness of the Liberals to participate in
preparing a common platform for future activities of the
government and parliamentary coalition.
[12] ALIMI SENTENCED TO 8 MONTHS
The Tetovo District Court sentenced Musli Alimi, former
professor at the Prishtina university, to 8 months in
prison, on grounds of participation in crowds and preventing
police officers from exercising their duty during the
February events in Mala Recica.
Meantime, the defender of Fadil Suleimani said the required
bail of 200,000 German marks is too high and would suit
murderers and drug-traffickers, and not a man who is
struggling for science with legal means. In a statement for
Voice of America, he said the amount was determined as it
was so that Suleimani is kept in jail. Nevertheless, he
said, we will do everything in our power to enable Suleimani
to defend himself from freedom.
(end)
mils-news 25 may '95
HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute
news2html v2.09c run on Thursday, 25 May 1995 - 08:30:27