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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-03-14Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <[email protected]>CONTENTS
MILS SUPPLEMENTMILS NEWSSkopje, 14 March, 1997[01] INCIDENT AT MACEDONIAN-ALBANIAN BORDER AT `KJAFASAN' CROSSINGYesterday the Macedonian MOD revealed that conditions had deteriorated along the SW section of the Macedonian- Albanian border, especially in the Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa area. Non-governmental forces of neighbouring Albania had - concordant to the MOD release - taken over the Albanian watch- towers `Sveti Naum', `Gorica 1', `Gorica 2' and `Kjafasan' - and seven members of the Albanian border units attempted to cross the border into the Republic of Macedonia with all their personal weaponry and equipment. While monitoring the development of events in this country, the troops of the Macedonian detachment at `Kjafasan' set up an ambush at the illegal transfer channel. The armed group of illegal trespassers from Albania opened fire upon the ambush which responded by firing into the air. After several minutes of gunfire battle - the MOD release informs - the Albanians left their arms and ran off towards Albanian territory. Thus the Macedonian border troops confiscated all weapons and equipment, an obstructed the illegal entering of the country without any casualties on both sides.* MTV also reported that the city of Podgradec (a few kilometers off the border) had fallen into the hands of non-governmental troops. Constant gunfire and artillery shelling was audible around the city, as well as near several settlements along the border yesterday, and armed civilians instead of servicemen were manning the watch- towers. The Macedonian-Albanian border is completely sealed off - and as media report only Macedonian nationals or foreigners are allowed to enter our country. Another thing registered is the increased number of military and police forces controlling the border on the Macedonian side. * The Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia to Albania is in touch with all Macedonian nationals known to be in Macedonia, and for now there are no information whether any of them have been wounded - A-1 TV reports. The Embassy further revealed that several Macedonians who had been working in Albania have already left the latter country and returned home. Yesterday the last group of Macedonian nationals, a group of `Granit' (a Skopje-based contractor) construction workers, was supposed to depart for Macedonia. * Due to the most recent occurrences in neighbouring Albania, the Macedonian Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski - joined by ARM HQ CINC Gen. Trajche Krstevski - conducted an inspection of troops along the Macedonian- Albanian border, and at Tetovo, Kichevo and Ohrid. During his visit of the garrison at Tetovo, Minister Handzhiski stressed that the combat readiness was being increased significantly and by implementing all means. The same applied to the preparing of all objects. Both components have the objective to facilitate the conducting of all functions by the ARM with respect to guarding the border, the country's territorial integrity and independence - as well as in connection to the mobilisation of all military formations to avert the first strike and to create elements for the defence of the country. Among other things Minister Handzhiski discussed the endeavours made by Macedonia throughout the past two years to be admitted into collective security and defence systems. * US Armed Forces Col. Charles Seland, who is the Chief- of-Staff of the UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia stated for `Makpress' yesterday that the combat readiness at the UNPREDEP observation posts No. 11 and 12 along the Macedonian-Albanian border has been raised to the lowest (third) level due to the gunshot fire heard in this area. According to Seland at the moment all UNPREDEP troops deployed along the border near Debar are armed and equipped with bullet-proof vests and helmets. [02] WAY TO DECREASE TENSIONPM Crvenkovski commenced his opening speech at yesterday's 63rd Parliamentary session with the assessment that the Republic of Macedonia has arrived at an extraordinary crossing from a political, social, economic and - without sounding bombastic - security aspect. In his opinion the Parliament is to concentrate on the most important segment of our community and life within it: on inter-ethnic relations i.e. current conditions caused by the enactment of the law regulating the use of minority languages. Over the past few years - PM Crvenkovski reminded - the Government has conducted a policy of coexistence and mutual tolerance by solving issues within state institutions (an approach exposed to severe criticism recently, labelled as common partisan bartering). The next logical question according to Crvenkovski is whether those in denial of the coexistence policy are aware of the fact that they advocate parallel systems, which is the shortest path to the country's disintegration.Upon referring to the PF-Bill, the PM stressed that the state is obliged to secure personnel to instruct in the minority languages - as well as that the Constitutional Court would have the final say in this matter. In this context Crvenkovski considers that two extreme options have to be borne in mind, as both lead to confrontation and conflicts. He underlined that the first was being promoted by those who thought that no segment of higher education should be in Albanian, while the second advocated the entire process in Albanian. Crvenkovski states that the only thing both options could achieve is that the PF eventually ends up without Albanian students. While dwelling on the demonstrations organised by university and secondary school students, Crvenkovski emphasised that young people should undeniably express their views on issues of national significance - and that the Constitution could not be defended by extra- institutional and anti- constitutional methods. As regards meetings, slogans and expressed attitudes at Tetovo - Crvenkovski stated that the Government would persevere in implementing its policy of preserving the country's territorial unity. In the hope that the session will yield future directions to improve inter-ethnic relations and to decrease tensions, Crvenkovski stressed that the government is determined to continue the patient and persistent constructing of mutual trust, the furthering of inter-ethnic relations through the institutions of the system. `It is obvious that there will be different opinions on certain issues and that consensus will not always be reached - but in situations like these it is the only way to uphold an immanent democratic procedure within a parliamentary democracy', stated PM Crvenkovski. The entailing debate was marked by the repeated airing of student demands by Dime Velkovski, Chairman of the `Ss. Cyril and Methodius' University Students' Federation - concerning the expedient enactment of the Law on Tertiary Education, stressing at the same time that student protests are a mere reflection of overall conditions in the country. The almost one-hour-long verbal show-down between Foreign Secretary Ljubomir Frchkovski and LP leader Stojan Andov began upon the latter's insisting that his party demanded information to be delivered by the Government on the urgent Government session of 23rd February, when the `secret headquarters' had been discovered. While denoting this session as poorly organised, Andov stressed that in terms of inter-ethnic relations this Government implemented a policy abundant in forced measures and half- way solutions - under the constant threat of deterioration or digression. The remedying of overall conditions (student protests, the `TAT' banking scandal, social issues, ...) is only to be achieved through interaction of all political parties - Andov stressed. According to Minister Frchkovski the Government is left with the option to either create a civic society with equal opportunities for all, or what is being advocated by one political structure (the IMRO-DPMNE) - the state of one collective entity, whereas all others are to become second-class citizens. The second political option - as Frchkovski said - is being launched by the PDPA and revolves around the federalisation of Macedonia and the division of the country. In his opinion certain political leaders behaved like international monitors: fiercely attacking a policy they helped create actively over the past six years. Minister Frchkovski further evaluated the attempt to deprive the Government of the right to political competition as an unprecedented instance of amateur politics, while the draft-declaration (complied by a group of MPs) offered solutions which could be accepted. This would mean that problems would be solved halfway. Those attending the session were once again addressed by PM Crvenkovski, who indicated that it had not been coincidental that the EU had passed a Declaration on Conditions in Macedonia these days. The OSCE also has its own views regarding this subject-matter. Crvenkovski said that we would have to avoid the situation where both these institutions had better insight into the state of affairs in our country, while appealing to students to end the hunger strike. Dzheladin Murati (PDP) emphasised in his address that issues should be resolved via democratic dialogue, via instilling a sense of equality and compiling an agenda with measures to further inter-ethnic relations. According to Murati Albanians have been challenge to the marketing strategies of political parties, while the PF-Bill served as a motive for politically inspired protests. Assessing the thesis `coexistence with Albanians - yes... as long as they are illiterate' as unacceptable, PDP member Ismet Ramadani asked those participating in the hunger strike when they would leave the tent - as Albanian students were waiting to take their place - as in his opinion they had more reasons to do so. He also denoted the support rendered by opposition parties as motivated by bringing about early elections. Blagoja Filipovski of the SPM wanted to know why PDP representatives had not voted in favour of the PF-Bill as it would have given them what they wanted: studies in Albanian language. Yesterday's session was not attended by IMRO-DPMNE and DP leaders Ljupcho Georgievski and Petar Goshev, though they had been invited. It was nevertheless attended by the Chairman of the Skopje University Student Body. In the late afternoon hours participants were joined by the organisers of the student protests and the hunger strike. The session has been adjourned for this morning, and debates are to focus on the adopting of a Declaration on Furthering Inter-Ethnic Relations in the country, which has been proposed by 38 (mainly SDSM) MPs. Several media report that there is a general consensus to accept the Declaration, even at the PDP camp - as this party has proposed two amendments to the document. [03] `OSCE' CONDEMNING ETHNIC INTOLERANCE`Dnevnik' reports that the draft-conclusion of the permanent OSCE Committee condemns the manifestations of ethnic intolerance which have occurred in Macedonia quite recently, appealing to all parties to abstain from whatever kind of irresponsible action - including such directed against the country's territorial integrity. The conclusion states that this appeal is also being supported by the Macedonian Government, in order to aid the fortification of inter-ethnic trust and respect. The permanent OSCE Committee is further indicating the necessity to find solutions on inter- ethnic issues through constructive dialogue based on all relevant principles of minority rights - concordant to the OSCE Copenhagen Treaty of 1990. In addition to this OSCE has requested the High- Commissioner on Minorities to continue his endeavours to facilitate the addressing of these issues in Macedonia.[04] PROTEST THROUGH HUNGER AND SILENCEThe organisers of student protests and the participants in the hunger strike were once again at their `camp' at the `Zhena-borec' park in Skopje yesterday, and in front of the Macedonian Parliament. In contrast to previous days, the number of demonstrators was considerably smaller and neither the latter nor the organisers were willing to make any statements or talk to the public. Another difference, i.e. thing lacking, was the regular `walk-about' from the Parliament to the Government to the Ministry of Education and back - as well as the interventions by medical teams.[05] NBM VICE-GOVERNOUR TOME NENOVSKI APPREHENDEDWith respect to the further investigating of conditions at the `TAT' Bank of Bitola, the Ministry of the Interior has apprehended NBM Vice-Governour Tome Nenovski yesterday.According to police records, another arrest has been conducted in the case of Olga Golubovska who has been an employee of the `TAT' Bank in Skopje and Pavlina Popovska - NBM Supervisor. [06] `TAT' BANKING SCANDAL NOT TO AFFECT `ESAF' ARRANGEMENTBased on data broadcast by A-1 TV the events occurring at the Bitola-based `TAT' Bank will not affect the adopting of the `ESAF' arrangement by the IMF Board. This arrangement between the IMF and Macedonia, as it has been stated, should be signed on 24th this month - provided the key prerequisite has been fulfilled by that time, i.e. the redundant staff issue at `Stopanska Banka' has been resolved.This TV station further reveals that NBM Governour Borko Stanoevski has attempted to attribute this kind of drama to the situation at the bank in Bitola, through his recent statements. [07] DISCRETE LAW ON SAVINGS HOUSES REGULATING DISBURSEMENT OF HARD CURRENCY DEPOSITSA-1 TV revealed yesterday that the `TAT' Client Board has held a meeting two days ago, during which it had been promised by the highest structures in the state that within 10 days after investigations have been completed, a discrete law on savings houses would be enacted - which would entail the disbursement of savings deposits.According to the most recent information from Bitola published by `Dnevnik' the `TAT' scandal had caused the damage of 250 million DM, of which the NBM supervisors managed to find only 68 tied up in real estate assets through a mortgage guarantee. A protest meeting of a group of `TAT' clients has been held at the city square of Bitola yesterday - under the auspices of the municipal IMRO-DPMNE Committee. In this context the Client Board has announced its intention to abstain from further mass gatherings and ask clients for patience and rationality, in view of tensed conditions which are to prevail until investigations have been completed. [08] LACK OF HARD CURRENCY AND GROWTH OF `DM' EXCHANGE RATEToday's edition of `Dnevnik' is quoting economic experts in Macedonia upon reporting that the increase of inflation may be possible, as a consequence of the fact that several banks in Macedonia have gone bankrupt. According to this daily the value of the DM has already jumped up to 29 denars (compared to the previous 27) at Bitola for one DM.The same trend has been observed in Skopje and other cities throughout Macedonia, due to the increased demand for hard currency. Due to these reasons bank owners are calculating and not selling any of the latter - so that the DM is particularly in demand. [09] LIBERALS COMMITTED TO STOP MANIPULATIONSYesterday the LP has requested the urgent scheduling of a parliamentary session which would inform MPs of initial outcomes of investigations conducted at Bitola-based `TAT' Bank. According to the press release issued by this party, there seems to be concern due to the fact that certain NBM documents have been confiscated by the Ministry of the Interior - so that crude forgery might take place in order to protect influential personalities and obscure authentic conditions. Therefore the LP demands access to these documents for other stakeholders, such as the Attorney General, the judge in charge of the investigation and NBM inspectors. The Government has also been requested to suspend Bitola mayor Siljan Micevski - should be prove to be a client or fund beneficiary of the `TAT' Bank, in order to ensure that he will not obstruct or influence investigations at Bitola.MILS SUPPLEMENT[10] `Experiment With a Huge Future'(`Vecher' - 12th March 1997)The implementation of the Incubator-Programme for Establishing Small Family Businesses is a first for our country, i.e. its capital. It allows families with no income to work and make a living on their own. This pilot- project is being conducted with the overall funds of 50 000 US dollars donated by the UN Charity Fund, on occasion of the International Year of the Family, under the auspices of `UNPREDEP' and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy - in cooperation with the National Employment Agency, i.e. its regional office in Skopje, and the Social Work Centre of Skopje. This resulted in yesterday's signing of the contracts with nine inhabitants of Skopje - current users of financial loans for the above mentioned purpose - at the National Employment Agency. This event was attended by the Head of the `UNPREDEP' mission in Macedonia, Henryk Sokalski, by Labour and Social Policy Minister Naser Ziberi, by the Employment Agency Director Nikolina Cvetkovska and many other representatives of the aforesaid institutions. In her welcoming speech, Ms. Cvetkovska expressed her gratitude to all those contribtuing towards the implementation of this project, particularly to Mr. Sokalski and Ms. Vera Mehta (subject assistant of the former), while at the same time airing the hope that these kind of activities will gain momentum in the future. This would facilitate the creating of a foundation which were to stimulate the establishment of such small businesses on a mass basis. Minister Ziberi explained the Incubator-Programme in greater details, delving into criteria and procedures linked to loan eligibility to start up a small business. These funds are granted under extremely favourable terms, though they are to be returned in order to be used for the same purpose again. According to the `UNPREDEP' Chief-of- Mission this pilot-project, i.e. the concept of aiding the development of small businesses, embodies a contribution to the resolving of the giant problem called `unemployment'. This `kickstarting' of small family businesses will eliminate unemployment, but it represents an illustration of what can be done in this respect. It is our task to show that certain steps can be taken based on international experience - in the hope that this will encourage potential and perspective donors to undertake something in order create employment opportunities. `This is a very significant experiment with a huge future', states Mr. Sokalski, `highlighting the humanitarian dimension of the UNPREDEP mission in Macedonia, and directed towards preserving social peace in the country. [11] `Unemployment Rate Growing'(`Vecher' - 11th March 1997)By 31st January this year, a total of 68 862 have been registered as unemployed with the Skopje Employment Agency. Of these 45 774 have no accrued years of employment whatsoever. The number of university-educated unemployed people amounts to 3 129; 1 100 have completed vocational tertiary training and 16 564 are secondary school graduates. The Agency has classified 18 511 of these as highly-skilled and skilled workers - whereas their opposites appear to the most numerous, with a total of 29 537. The majority merely registers in order to obtain health insurance. Concordant to the explanation provided by Jordan Kuzmanov, in charge of the operation of the Employment Agency in Skopje, a total 10 576 are receiving unemployment benefits. Of these 3 633 are redundant employees of the loss-generating industrial giants in Skopje, 1 859 have been laid-off after the enactment of the Law on Employment Relations and 5 084 had been employees of businesses which have gone bankrupt. 424 cases are being disbursed by the companies which had emploued them - in compliance to the redundancy pay system. In addition to this 322 more receive unemployment benefits, on grounds of past temporary employment. Throughout January there have been 1 995 job offers, and a toatl of 1 414 have resulted in a positive outcome. Of these 790 had been registered with the Agency as unemployed, whereas the rest has been re-employed due to labour fluctuation, or they have never been registered as unemployed at all. A certain number of these cases is still being handled. In comparison to January 1996, the unemployment rate for the same month this year has risen by 1 300. (end)mils news 14 March 1997Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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