MILS NEWS 09/04/96

From: "M.I.L.S." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 9 April 1996

[01] MUTUAL RECOGNITION THROUGH A COMPROMISE

As Macedonian media reports the FR Yugoslavia has recognized the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name, and the issue of the continuity of the state is expressed in the article 4 which says:

"The Republic of Macedonia respects the state continuity of the FR Yugoslavia having in mind that Serbia and Montenegro had existed as states before the creation of the former Yugoslavia which continued the legal subjectivity of the two states. The Macedonian people during the WW II and the ASNOM session decided to organize the Republic of Macedonia as a state and to join the Yugoslav federation. Concerning the fact that Macedonian people decided to organize the Republic of Macedonia as an independent state on the Referendum in 1991, the FR Yugoslavia respects the state continuity of the Republic of Macedonia." The disputable issue of the succession of the former federation, according to the Accord, will be considered with a separate agreements by the two parties.

As Macedonian Radio reports from Belgrade, the regulation of mutual relations between Macedonia and Yugoslavia will be based upon the principles of equality, non-interference in the internal affairs, and respect of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity according to the principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE documents. The two parties have agreed to immediately start negotiations on economic cooperation and trade, as well as to resolve the issues of the property of the legal subjects of the two states. The Accord also includes formation of a mutual expert commission which will prepare a proposal for an international document on mutual border line, in not more than 30 days from signing the Accord. The document also includes the protection of national rights of Macedonians in Yugoslavia as well as the rights of the Serbs and Montenegrins in Macedonia. Also the two parties reached an agreement on the development of communications between both states as well as to provide free flow of people and goods. Both countries agreed that the Accord will more dynamically develop the relations and cooperation according to the traditional friendship and mutual interest.

Macedonian foreign Minister, Ljubomir Frckovski, stated for the Macedonian Radio that the act of recognition means a definite pacification of the South Balkans, and a new page in the history of the two countries which will contribute to the stabilization of the whole region.

However, there are many bilateral agreement to be arranged, stated Frckovski, referring to the economy, the cooperation in the international politics, the culture, the transport, etc.

According to the statement of the Yugoslav Foreign Minister, Milan Milutinovic, the Accord formally normalizes the relations between the two countries which have been de facto normal from the beginning of the Yugoslav crisis, and now they are de jure confirmed. The normalization of relations will contribute for the strengthening of the peace process in the area as well as the stability, good relations in the Balkans and Europe, stated Milutinovic.

The Macedonian delegation led by Minister Frckovski was also received by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic as well as by the Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic.

[02] ESTABLISHING RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS-COMPLETED

This was concluded, as the official statement says, at the yesterday's session of the Macedonian government, after the information of Minister Frckovski on the reached agreement in Belgrade.

Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski stated for the media that the Accord in Belgrade have a great importance and a historical dimension. He said that the recognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name is of great importance. Crvenkovski also emphasized the importance of the facts that the mutual border is formally announced as international, and the issue of the state legal continuity of Macedonian from the session of ASNOM in 1944.

The normalization between relations between both countries, according to Crvenkovski, means that the first phase of developing relations with the neighbors has finished. Macedonia now has diplomatic relations with all its four neighbors, and all the neighbors recognize the territorial integrity of the Republic which is of great importance for the stabilization of the relations in the region, added Crvenkovski. The Prime Minister in conclusion stated that the agreement confirms the principal policy of the Republic of Macedonia toward its neighbors, which will continue to be based on the policy of equi-distance.

[03] I WELCOME THE AGREEMENT AS AN ACT OF HISTORICAL JUSTICE, SOKALSKI SAYS

This major event concludes the process of this country's recognition by all its neighbors. I cannot but congratulate their respective leaders on their sense of realism and timely commitment to joining the structure of a United Europe. Europe needs a peaceful Balkans as much as the Balkans need the European edifice of security and cooperation. I salute in particular the patience and perseverance of the Macedonian leadership under the outstanding statesmanship of President Kiro Gligorov.

Joint efforts, including those by the Secretary-General and his Special Representatives for the former Yugoslavia, have now made it possible to ensure this country's territorial integrity from all directions, North to South and East to West. We all welcome the prospect of the forthcoming discussions between the FRY and Macedonian Governments on the final demarcation of the border between them'.

[04] CALMING THE PASSIONS IN THE BALKANS

The Vice-President of VMRO-DPMNE, Dosta Dimovska stated that the recognition of Macedonia by FRY under its constitutional name means a basis for good relations with the northern neighbor and a contribution to the peace in the south of Europe. Dimovska however criticized the Macedonian Foreign Ministry of not informing the Macedonian public for such events, and the Macedonian people and political subjects are informed for international agreements 'post-festum'. Dimovska also stated that it was unclear to which state Minister Frckovski recognized the legal continuity and from which date? She therefore stated that the issue on regulation of the border will remain opened since the Accord does not precisely determine the issue which will be regulated by an international commission.

Dragisha Miletic, the President of the Democratic Party of the Serbs in Macedonia, as daily Dnevnik reports, said that the Accord on mutual recognition will improve the position of the Serbs in Macedonia. He also said he hoped the act of recognition will force Macedonian Government to resolve the constitutional position of the Serbs in the country.

[05] THERE ARE NOT ANY REASONS YUGOSLAVIA TO BE KEPT FROM RECOGNITION OF THE EU

The leader of the opposition SPO, Vuk Draskovic stated normalization between both countries should have be done much earlier, and the consequences for such a late normalization should be taken by those who planned a division of Macedonia with another country and those who offered confederation to Greece. According to Draskovic, after the fall of the regime of Milosevic, Macedonia may become a bridge between Serbia and Greece. As A1 TV reports, the Democratic Party of Serbia and the Civil Union of Serbia expressed a similar attitude.

[06] THE AGREEMENT IS A HOSTILE ACT TOWARD GREECE, ATHENS SAYS

Greek media stated the Accord in Belgrade comes in a moment which is inviolable for Athens. It emphasizes that Belgrade is obliged to normalize relations with Macedonia by the Dayton Agreement. Concerning the recognition under the constitutional name, it is stated that Belgrade preserved its right to accept the name that will come out of the negotiations going on between Greece and Macedonia.

The Greek National TV says the Accord regulates the rights of the Serbs in Macedonia and Macedonians in Serbia, however the term 'minority' has not been mentioned. The Greek TV 'Mega' evaluated the agreement as a hostile act of President Milosevic and an agreed diplomatic act between Skopje and Belgrade in order to politically strike Greece. Namely, Belgrade knows that Prime Minister Simithis is presently visiting Washington and have talks with President Clinton on the Balkan issues, states 'Mega', emphasizing the question "Why does Belgrade accepted the agreement when the normalization of relation with the EU is planned in May?" In conclusion 'Mega' says that the Yugoslav message to Athens is clear- the role that Greece wants to have in the Balkans irritates President Slobodan Milosevic who sees Serbia as a main force in the region.

[07] A WAY FOR INTEGRATION IN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, KINKEL SAYS

Positive comments on the Accord on normalization was also expressed by official Sofia. The Spokesman of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pantelej Karasimeonov, saying that Bulgaria was one of the states that first recognized Macedonia, stated that the act of normalization of relations between Macedonia and Yugoslavia will contribute to the positive outcome of the stability in the Balkans.

The Albanian media reported on the Accord in Belgrade, saying that, above all, it happened under the great pressure of the international community toward Belgrade.

Radio Tirana commented that the Accord will contribute to the integration of Belgrade in the international community. Official Tirana, as Macedonian TV reports, does not have official comments.

[08] MACEDONIA PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR THE STABILITY IN THE REGION

[09] DELEGATION OF THE US SENATE VISITS MACEDONIA

[10] READINESS FOR A WIDER INTER PARLIAMENTARIAN COOPERATION

[11] TWO CANDIDATES REMAIN FOR THE SECOND ROUND IN THE UNIT 102

According to the voting, two candidates remain for the second round- Sabahudin Mahmuti from the coalition PDPA- NDP with 5. 077 votes and Rizvan Sulejmani from PDP 4.870 votes. According to the announcement of the State Electoral Commission, 83% of the voters came out to vote, and the there were not any complaints about the procedure.

The second round will be held on April 21.

[12] LIBERALS WILL AGAIN IMPOSE THE PROPOSAL ON THE SURVEY COMMISSION

During the last Parliament session, the Liberals withdrew their proposal since, as they stated, it had not been accepted as a well-intentioned proposal.. During the last session the Liberals accused the former Internal minister, the Prime Minister and the deputies of the Parliamentarian group of the SDSM that they did not want to discuss the issue in order to hide some facts. It is of great importance to Macedonia to have knowledge for the assassins and inspirers, stated the President of the Liberal Party, Stojan Andov. He added that the uncertainty concerning the assassination attempt on Gligorov influences he instability of the security state in the country.

(end)

Mils News 09 April 1996