MILS NEWS 02/02/96

From: "M.I.L.S." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 02 February 1996

[01] INDEPENDENT COMMAND OF BLUE HELMETS IN MACEDONIA

Command of the UN Peace Mission to Macedonia, UNPREDEP, was moved from Zagreb to New York yesterday. This was decided by the UN Security Council yesterday, accepting the suggestion of UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali. According to A-1 Television, the consultations on this issue, with special attention on the financing of the operation, will continue. There is a consensus on the independence of the UNPREDEP Command in Macedonia and on not changing the structure of the forces.

[02] PREVENTIVE DISPOSITION IS NOT ONLY A STATIC CONCEPT

UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros Ghali, in his report on the situation in Macedonia submitted to the Security Council, concludes that with the signing of Dayton Peace Accord on Bosnia, conditions were made for separate functioning of the UN Mission to Macedonia. Ghali pays attention to the request of Macedonian Government for extending the mandate of UNPREDEP in Macedonia after 30 May 1996, when the present mandate should end. Macedonian Government, stresses Ghali, expressed such a wish due to the fact that the reasons which brought to establishing the Mission in Macedonia are still present. By the opinion of Macedonian Government, the Mission should continue until mutual recognition, normalization of the relations and talks on de-marking the border with FR Yugoslavia take place, as well as till the Peace Accord on Bosnia is fully implemented. This includes the control of the armament, seting measures of mutual confidence and urging the capability for national defense.

In his report, Ghali also stresses the importance of President Gligorov's return to his duties for the political continuity and for the stability in the region.

It is believed that the return of Gligorov will stop the speculations and the tension which appeared after the assassination attempt on him. The report says there is still not enough improvement in many areas in Macedonia, and that there are internal difficulties and threats to the stability. The absence of an effective parliamentary opposition and lack of dialogue between the political forces on the future of the country contribute to the political controversies. The ethnic problems, specially between Macedonians and Albanians, increase the political insecurity and the social tension, and the requests and aspirations of the other minorities, such as Serbs, Turks and Vlachs, are also worrying. However, adds Ghali, the acceptance of Macedonia in the regional and international organizations, such as Council of Europe and OSCE, increases the hope that the interested parties will reach mutual agreement to create a stable and plural society.

Despite the great efforts of the Government and the obvious significant achievements, the Macedonian economy is still insecure. Statistics show that the sanctions on FR Yugoslavia and the economic embargo imposed by Greece cost Macedonia 4 billion $US dollars. That is the reason, according to Ghali, for countries donators and international institutions not to refuse to support Macedonia in its efforts to solve the problems in economy.

In the context of the neighbourly relations, Ghali says the signing of the Interim Accord with Greece is of great importance, which was proved during the last few months, when the process of the normalization of mutual relations was improved. The Interim Accord opened the doors to many European organizations for Macedonia, which should also contribute to the internal stability of the country. FRY is the only neighbour that has still not recognized Macedonia, but the latest development of the situation, stresses Ghali, give hope that all the countries in the region will mutually recognize each other as independent, equal and sovereign partners.

Ghali considers that, besides the war has stopped, there are small possibilities for a direct threat to Macedonia, as the permanent tensions are still present. That is why the efforts of UN to increase the stability in the Balkans are of a vital importance for Macedonia. The perspective of peace and stability will be a possibility for all social, ethnic and political groups in Macedonia to improve the process of constructing democratic society, capable of solving the disputes in a legal and peaceful way. In context of this, preventive disposition is not a static concept, which is most obvious from the UNPREDEP Mission, which proved it is able to act where there is political will and clear task and aim of all interested parties. UNPREDEP will now, as an independent operation, be confronted to two tasks: extending of the Mission and restructuring into an independent operation, basically with the same mandate and structure of forces. According to the program, the main priority will be given to the engineering operations, including construction and maintaining the roads, for which a unit of Indonesian Engineering Battalion will be sent in the region in March this year. The other advantage will be the communication infrastructure, which should be improved by establishing satellite connections, including a direct satellite connection with the UN Headquarters in New York, concludes the latest report of Boutros Boutros Ghali to the Security Council.

[03] COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE BALKANS

Special Rapporteur of the UN Center for Human Rights in Geneva, Elisabeth Rehn, met yesterday with Macedonian President, Kiro Gligorov, and exchanged opinions on implementing the human rights in Macedonia, especially those of the minorities. President Gligorov suggested this Center to prepare a special comparative study on implementing the rights of minorities in the Balkan countries.

Ms. Rehn also met with the President of Macedonian Parliament, Stojan Andov, who paid special attention on the efforts of the Parliament to guarantee the basic human rights to the citizens, with the new democratic Constitution and the complete legal regulations.

Macedonian Prime Minister, Branko Crvenkovski, also had discussions with Elisabeth Rehn, when Macedonia was emphasized as a country with mixed ethnic and religious people, which has become an example of the way of living in a peaceful and tolerant atmosphere.

Yesterday had, Rehn had meetings with the Internal Affairs Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, Minister of Education, Emilija Simovska and Justice Minister, Vlado Popovski, and held a press conference.

Rehn informed that there are certain problems in Macedonia considering the human rights, mostly in the relations with the minorities, reffering to their education in their mother tongue. She also pointed out that some actiones of the Macedonian police are still not in accordance with the universal standards, mentioning arbitrary arrests of the citizens and keeping them in the police station for more than 24 hours as examples. Rehn said that Macedonian Government is familiar with these actions of the police and that there are efforts to eliminate them, but said it will be necessary some time to pass before the situation changes.

[04] FURTHER ALLEVIATION OF THE VISAS REGULATIONS WITH GREECE

Macedonian and Greek representatives had talks in Skopje yesterday on the implementation of the Interim Accord, the Memorandum on the Practical Measures and the additional protocols. The mutual readiness for further alleviation of the visas regulations was expressed, as well as the wish for increased circulation of citizens and goods between the two countries. Delegations exchanged opinions on the current situation in the region and wider, and today they are expected to discuss the mutual cooperation in the European integration, especially in the EU. Greek delegation, led by Alexandros Fillos, met yesterday with Macedonian Foreign Minister, Stevo Crvenkovski.

According to the latest data of the Macedonian Foreign Ministry, since the border with Greece was opened, over 20 000 Macedonian citizens have visited Greece, of whom 352 were not allowed to cross the border for different reasons. Till 29 January, 125 Macedonian citizens were returned from the border because they did not have the insurance card for their vehicles, 76 because they did not have enough money (500 DM), a certain number because they did not have a photo to submit, and 61 persons who originate from Aegean Macedonia were not given a visa to enter Greece. In context of the last cases, Greek media informed that Greek Government does not allow entry to persons in which passports the Greek toponyms are written in a 'Slav language'.

[05] CHRISTOPHER WILL REQUIRE MUTUAL RECOGNITION

'Makfax' agency, according to unofficial sources from Belgrade, informed that the decision of FR Yugoslav recognition of Macedonia is a question of days, maybe even hours, and that intensive diplomatic activities are taking place behind closed doors.

A-1 Television informed yesterday that, also according to unofficial sources from Belgrade, that the mutual recognition of Macedonia and FRY might eventually take place after the next weekend, when US Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, should pay a visit to Belgrade. The information further says that Christopher will require from the Serbian President Miloshevic to intensify the process of recognition of former Yugoslav republics, and especially of Macedonia. The unofficial sources of A-1 Television claim that FR Yugoslavia will recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name at mid February.

'Makfax' reported the statement of Vesna Peshic, President of the Citizens Association of Serbia, who required from the Federal Government to recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name and to take the advantage of the present willingness of many European countries to recognize FRY. Leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia, Voislav Koshtunica, insists on a 'modus vivendi' solution between Macedonia, Serbia and Greece, according to the information.

Meanwhile, the acting French Ambassador in Belgrade stated for Serbian Television that France agrees with its European colleagues that for the crisis to be solved it is necessary that FRY normalizes the relations with its neighbours, and to recognize all former Yugoslav republics, including Macedonia. He stressed that the stabilization of the whole region is necessary, and one of the priorities is that of equal succession of the former federation

[06] KOSOVO WILL REMAIN A PROVINCE

BBC reports that Yugoslav Government is ready to offer a limited autonomy to the Albanians in Kosovo. This offer is a part of the political engagement, according to which Kosovo must remain in the frames of FRY, which is in accordance with the policy of Washington not to have changes of the borders in Balkans and to insure respect for the human rights in Kosovo.

Meanwhile, Montenegrin independent weekly 'Monitor', writes that preparations for dividing Yugoslavia into four provinces and one autonomous region are already taking place. Serbia, Montenegro, Vojvodina and Kosovo would be the four provinces, while Sanjak would be given the status of an autonomous region. Vice President of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo, Fehmi Agami, stated for 'Deutsche Welle' said such rumours are not without any basis, as, according to him, Serb President Miloshevic is preparing to take over the federal functions and to do what is now practically taking place - a unitary Yugoslavia, instead of a Federation.

[07] UNUSUAL AGREEMENT OF EU WITH ALBANIA

EU Council of Ministers decided yesterday to improve the relations with Albania, from the level of an Agreement on Cooperation and Trade, from 1992, to an agreement unknown so far, which is more than the Agreement mentioned, and less than a joined membership in the EU. As Macedonian Television reported, EU Ministers decided on this due to the internal situation of Albania, that does not allow the functioning of the joined membership in EU, which could possibly bring more difficulties to the country.

Unofficially, Macedonian Television informed that this act has been provoked by the forthcoming elections in Albania.

[08] ABDURAHMAN ALLITTI - 'IT IS NECESSARY TO FORM A POLITICAL GOVERNMENT'

After the meeting with the Macedonian Prime Minister, Branko Crvenkovski, President of PDP, Abdurahman Allitti, in a statement for the daily 'Vecer' said that there is a possibility for the Coalition between SDSM and Liberal Party to be broken up, but his opinion is that it would be better if this does not happen. The leaving of the Liberals will inevitably open many questions referring to the idea, program and existence of the electoral Coalition, Alliance for Macedonia. Allitti stressed it is necessary that Democrats and Liberals clear up their relationship, so that the Premiere is given the possibility to form a political government, behind which the parliamentary majority of all the parties that will participate in the governmental committee will be.

[09] SPECIAL ACT ON OPENING OF THE DOSSIERS

Macedonian Parliament accepted the initiative of the Government to give the archive documentation with files of more than 14 000 persons to the disposal of the competent institutions. The files were till now a property of the State Security Service of Internal Affairs Ministry. The procedure should be regulated by a special act, prepared by the Government, a deputy or a group of deputies. This was decided on the yesterday's session of the Macedonian Parliament, and the initiative was estimated to be in accordance with the democratic processes in the country, which should contribute to the protection of the ethic picture of the citizens. Materials must not be destroyed, as they are historical documents of the Macedonian nation, and the repressed persons should be given a moral satisfaction, was concluded in the discussion.

Internal Affairs Minister, Ljubomir Frchkovski, said that in case the State Security Service, that have made the files, decides how will they be treated, the public will be suspicious. That is why a special commission should be formed or a special act to be created on this issue.

[10] DRVOSHANOV'S OBJECTION AGAIN REFUSED

Electoral Commission for the Electoral Unit 114 in Skopje, in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court of Macedonia to reexamine the objection of the candidate for a member of the Parliament, Vasil Drvoshanov, once again refused the objection as unfounded. The Electoral Commission explained it is not able to investigate the reasons stated in the objection. Commission said it is not allowed to do this by the Law on the Election, and that investigating actions would be a violation of the Law.

Vasil Drvoshanov has the right to submit a complaint in 48 hours, which he announced he will do.

(end)

mils news 02 February 1996