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MILS NEWS 12/06/96Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <[email protected]>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 12 June 1996[01] MACEDONIAN INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMME SIGNEDForeign Affairs Minister of Macedonia Ljubomir Frchkovski is attending the ceremony in Brusseles today, on the occasion of signing the Individual Partnership Programme between Macedonia and NATO. Frchkovski yesterday met the European Commissioner Hans van den Broek concluding that Macedonian Government and the European Commission fully accept the results of the last negotiating round on the Agreement on Cooperation between Macedonia and the EU.Macedonian Television reported that it was said that the regional approach was going to be Union's policy in future, in order to have the relations between countries in the region normalized. Regarding Macedonia, that policy would be applied in a way it would not firmly condition the development of Macedonia's relations with Europe. About the evolution clause, it was said that basic aspiration of Macedonia was to sign an Agreement on Joint Membership with the Union. According to Macedonian Television, Minister Frchkovski will meet his French and British counterparts during the EU meeting for the weekend in Firenza discussing the obstacles France could make regarding the Union's regional approach to Macedonia. Frchkovski yesterday also met Foreign Affairs Minister of Belgium Eric Deraik, who expressed his full support to Macedonia in its coming closer to Europe, and readiness of Belgium to invest in Macedonia. [02] EU - REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR THE SAKE OF STABILITYFormer Yugoslav republics were informed that they would have to cooperate with each other if they were hoping for help from the EU. As Sitel Television reported, this was said by EU Chairmen Lamberto Dini and the European Commission President Jacques Santeur to the European Foreign Ministers yesterday. Their report reads that EU could not finance the countries which acting annuls all the efforts to normalize the situation in the region. It was stressed that Albania should also be included in the so-called regional approach, while Slovenia had been excluded by signing the Agreement on Joint Membership with the Union.EU Council of Ministers, according to Sitel Television, at its session yesterday, concluded that there were no possibilities to include the so-called evolution clause in the Agreement with Macedonia for the time being. It was, once again, stressed that the regional approach would not condition signing of Agreements with the EU, but that the Union was suggesting the countries to cooperate for the sake of stability in the region. [03] MACEDONIAN - GREEK TALKS ARE CONTINUINGAmbassadors Ivan Toshevski and Hristos Zaharakis are going to continue Macedonian-Greek talks on the name issue today. As Macedonian Radio reported the information of Greek media, the mediator Cyrus Vance had been pleased with the talks that began the day before yesterday in New York. Macedonian Ambassador also said for A-1 Television that the talks had been going on well, but had refused to give any more details, because he had agreed with Zaharakis to give information after the talks are finished.A-1 Television also reported the answer of the Greek Government Spokesman Dimitris Reppas to the question about the further steps of Athens regarding the name issue and the firm stand of Skopje. He replied that Athens was acting in accordance with the Interim Accord, adding that no progress had been made so far. Meanwhile, the Parliamentarian group of leading PASOK yesterday re-examined the 'national Greek problems' in the presence of Prime Minister Simitis and Internal Affairs Minister Tsohatzopoulos. Macedonian media reported that the discussion had been initiated by the Manifest of 21 MPs, members of PASOK, by which it was required a firmer course to be taken on issues of Turkey, Cyprus and Skopje. It was also reported that the Manifest might endanger the position of Simitis, if he continues to play flexible on the name issue. [04] 'PEACE CORPS' IN MACEDONIAGovernments of Macedonia and USA, yesterday in Skopje, signed an Agreement on Engaging the 'Peace Corps' Organisation in Macedonia. The document was signed by Chief of US Mission to Macedonia Victor Comras, Macedonian Minister of Education Sofia Todorova and Mr. Fred Oregan, Regional Director of 'Peace Corps'.Macedonian media reported that this Agreement would soon bring 7 volunteers of this Organisation to Macedonia, who would be engaged in modernizing the English language teaching at secondary schools, and another 15 next March to help in business development. 'Peace Corps', which was founded by US President John Kennedy, has existed for 35 years already and has about 7,000 volunteers helping in over 90 countries in the fields of agriculture, economics, education, etc. The current US Ambassador to Macedonia Christopher Hill used to be a member of this Organisation. [05] VERY SIMILAR STANDS OF MACEDONIA AND CROATIARepresentatives of Foreign Policy Committee of the Croatian Parliament, led by Parliament President Zarko Domijan had talks yesterday in Skopje with Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, with Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry Ognen Malevski and with Parliamentarian Economy Commission.At the end of the visit Mr. Domijan and Ilinka Mitreva, President of Macedonian Parliament Foreign Policy Commission, made statements for the press, emphasizing that they had agreed on all issues of mutual interest, and especially on the former SFRY succession issue and on the EU global regional approach to the countries in the region. It was said that Macedonia and Croatia's stand was that EU regional approach was acceptable as a way of cooperation between countries in the region, but without possibilities for any new associations being made. It was stressed that there was a wide area to improve the bilateral cooperation as there were no open issues between Macedonia and Croatia. [06] BOGH: 'ETHNIC RELATIONS IN MACEDONIA SATISFACTORILY SOLVED'Chief of OSCE Mission to Macedonia, Ambassador Tore Bogh was received by Macedonian Parliament President Tito Petkovski yesterday, before leaving to a new post. It was said that the issues of relations between nationalities in Macedonia was being solved satisfactorily, and that Macedonia had gone far ahead the neighbouring and some European countries in that aspect. Expressing his pleasure with the hospitality he received in Macedonia, Tore Bogh said he hoped that the country would continue its democratic processes that were quickly and well developing, as he said.[07] NEWS IN EDUCATION OF ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIAAlbanian pupils at primary schools in Macedonia will most probably have Macedonian language lessons twice a week from September on, instead of three, as it was till now, reads today's edition of 'Dnevnik' daily. They will start learning Macedonian language from the second semester of their second grade, and will begin to learn writing it in the third grade. This proposal will be defined and signed, as alleged, by Education Minister Sofia Todorova these days. 'Dnevnik' reads that Albanian officials had required even more reduced Macedonian classes for their elementary school pupils, which had been explained by new rationalized education plans.Meanwhile, Albanian teachers have promoted the idea for the Albanian history to be 50% of the total teaching programme of this subject. It has also been asked this subject to be made of three main components: World and Balkan history, history of Macedonia and national Albanian history. According to Albanian teachers, this had been suggested by former Education Minister Emilija Simovska, and had been justified by the fact that Albanian pupils in Macedonia used to learn more about the Serbian history than about the history of their own people. 'Dnevnik' also reported that Fadil Suleimani, 'Rector' of 'Tetovo University', presented data these days according to which Albanians in Macedonia need 3,000 teachers in the lowest primary education classes, 1,000 teachers in pre- elementary education, and 5,000 in higher elementary and in secondary schools. He also said there were about 300 Albanians in Macedonia with MA and Ph.D. degrees, which was, according to him, a great potential for 'Tetovo University'. According to 'Dnevnik', Suleimani also referred to recent statement of President Gligorov that 'Tetovo university' had been established by Albanian separatists. Namely, Suleimani stated that 'Gligorov was full of communism, separatism, nationalism and irredentism'. He added that whenever the Albanians had asked for some of their elementary rights, either Gligorov or 'his group' had accused them of wishing to separate. 'That is their way,' said Suleimani, 'to justify the violation of basic rights of Albanians before the world.' He concluded saying that 'the communists, led by Gligorov, and their racist and discriminatory attitudes, are more harmful for Macedonians than for Albanians. [08] ALBANIAN UNIVERSITIES WANT MORE STUDENTSMacedonian Television reported the decision of Albanian government to increase the number of places at Universities in Tirana, Scadre, Elbasan and Gjirocastro for 25% in the next academic year. The 10% quota for the students of 'all-Albanian territories in former Yugoslavia - Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro', was kept this year, as well.[09] LAW ON BROADCASTING NEEDS CORRECTIONSMacedonian Media Bulletin organized a round table discussion yesterday on the Law on Broadcasting, where most of the participants considered that the version offered needs to be corrected, as it would create a low quality broadcasting system. The remarks referred to the making of transmitters separate enterprises, to the small percent of money to be given to the local radio and TV stations, and against the possibility for Macedonian Radio and Television to advertise.They greeted the proposal to have a Council of Broadcasting formed, but disagreed with the proposal Personnel Parliamentarian Commission to decide about Council members. Minister of Transport Dimitar Buzlevski defended the proposed Law and numbered all the relevant home and foreign institutions that had been consulted for its creation. [10] INITIATIVE TODAY IN CONSTITUTIONAL COURTThe request to re-examine parliamentarian decision to reject the '150,000 signatures for a referendum' Initiative will today the latest be submitted in Macedonian Constitutional Court, reported Macedonian media. The text of the request of VMRO - DPMNE and DP was prepared by lawyers Gjorgji Naumov and Slavko Petrov.Meanwhile, today's 'Vecer' reads that such a request had already been submitted by Radoslav Dimitrovski from Prilep, who also considered this act not in accordance with the Constitution. [11] MEETING IN TRNOVO ON 28 JULYToday's 'Vecer' reports that Presidency of the Association of Macedonians from Aegean Part of Macedonia, seated in Bitola, decided these days to organize the traditional meeting in the village of Trnovo at the foothill of Pelister on 28 July this year.[12] IMPORTANT FAIRThe 46th International Fair of Consumer Goods, reproduction materials and equipment was opened yesterday in Skopje. About 200 exhibitors will present their products till 14 June.MILS SUPPLEMENT[13] 'At The First Seat of The Macedonian History'(Interview with Victor Comras; 'Nova Makedonija', 12 June 1996)Chief of the American Embassy in Skopje Victor Comras is leaving Macedonia on Friday, after being two years in the Republic. He was one of the diplomats who survived the dramatic moments of Macedonia's becoming independent and the efforts it made to avoid the war euphoria in the neighbourhood. It was, therefore, interesting to hear his current views on the situation inside and around Macedonia, on the American - Macedonian relations and on the perspectives of Macedonia in general. We began from his expectations at the time of his arrival and its development to date: 'I was very worried about Macedonia when I arrived here two years ago, as there were many problems to be solved at that time. I was reserved and suspicious about the results. The situation now is, however, rather changed and optimistic. During the last two years, your country became a member of the European family, went through the transition process successfully, developed friendly relations with the neighbours and created stable surroundings in the region. There is still something missing to make us sure, but we should be optimistic about the future and stability of Macedonia. I am living this country with an opinion that it is very attractive for investments and other kind of closer connecting with USA in many areas, including the military one. The things were developing very successfully during the last two years and all the suspicions I used to have are eliminated now,' told us Mr. Comras. Q: 'You are going to continue the carrier of a professor of politics at one of the American universities. What will be your political 'wealth' gained in Macedonia which you will present to the students and use in your future diplomatic service?' 'I think that I was at the very first 'seat' of the historic events here, in Macedonia, and I will be pleased to share my experience with others. I am going to be included in a very interesting diplomatic programme of the State Department. I will also teach, with seven other diplomats, at different universities for a year and will be guests to many forums in order to stimulate the American interest in foreign policy.' Q: 'The USA, as a super power, has always been a fascinating country for Macedonians. The interest of America to develop a close relationship with a super small country like Macedonia has, on the other hand, always been an enigma for the local citizens. Where are you locating that American interest in cooperation?' 'There are three specific areas where I see that interest. The first one is that Macedonia is a crucial country for the stability of southern Balkans and Aegean region. I find it very important for this country to be stable, and consequently prosperous, democratic one, which would 'produce' security. The other reason is the respect of your country's goals. You are developing a democratic state that shares the principles of Western Europe and North Atlantic Alliance, i.e. a state that we find very compatible regarding the current issues of this era. There are other countries with an important strategic location, such as Iraq and Iran, but which are not responsible members of the world community, and their policy prevents us from developing close and friendly relations. Every visitor is leaving Macedonia with a strong feeling of friendship, with a wish to cooperate closer with the people and government here, and that is a great help in the development of any kind of relations. Q: 'Opinions in general here are that the US Embassy is the most active one in Skopje. There is even some envying among other ambassadors for the way Macedonian officials are treating your mission, in comparison with the others.' 'I do not think there is any envy or competition among ambassadors, especially not among countries that have the same interests. All of us, as a part of the diplomatic family, would like to see Macedonia continuing in the direction already taken. We are all enjoying the great hospitality of your people and the good cooperation with your government. That is why I can not agree that there is some envy. I think the diplomatic community here is compatible, which helps us all to have good relations with your country and to aim to the same goals.' Q: 'USA and Macedonia signed a very important Agreement these days that regulates deployment of US troops on the territory of Macedonia. It was the first such Agreement that Macedonia had signed with a foreign country. My question is: Is this Agreement a visa for the US soldiers to replace those of UNPREDEP and does it include the possibility for an American intervention, if the Macedonian government requires that because of some internal problems?' 'I think this should be better explained. The Agreement is one within the framework of NATO and the 'Partnership for Peace' Programme, and everybody are invited to sign it. It covers the status of the forces of NATO and 'Partnership for Peace' members, the participation of Macedonian military forces outside the country, within the Initiative or in bilateral maneuvers. The Agreement neither determines the kind and the number of soldiers, nor their participation. It just regulates their status if they do participate in future. We are expecting a very active programme with Macedonia within the 'Partnership for Peace' and in bilateral maneuvers. Signing of this Agreement, which will come in effect in 30 days, was an urgent need for us, because there are already American soldiers here outside the UN Peace Mission, who are cooperating with the Defense Ministry. It was important for us that they are regular ones, and this was the best way to fix that. Q: 'What about the second part of my question?' 'Our policy is not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. (to be continued)mils news 12 June, 1996Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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