MAK-NEWS 26/05/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" <dep@bu.edu>


CONTENTS

  • [01] GLIGOROV HOLDS PRESS-CONFERENCE IN ROME

  • [02] HOGG TO VISIT MACEDONIA

  • [03] POSITIVE REPORT ON MACEDONIA

  • [04] SOKALSKI APPOINTED NEW CHIEF OF MISSION OF UNPREDEP

  • [05] GREEK LEFT WING DEMANDS DIRECT DIALOGUE

  • [06] WORLD BANK EXECUTIVES MEET PRIME MINISTER

  • [07] POLITICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION DISCUSSED AT UNIVERSITY

  • [08] NDP TO HOLD FIRST CONGRESS

  • [09] ENTRY VISAS FOR AUSTRIA FREE OF CHARGE

  • [10] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: MACEDONIA AN INNOCENT VICTIM - PART I


  • MILS NEWS

    Skopje, 26 May 1995

    [01] GLIGOROV HOLDS PRESS-CONFERENCE IN ROME

    "Our visit to Italy is very important because we look upon this country as a friendly one," said President Kiro Gligorov at a press-conference in Rome yesterday. Along with Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, Gligorov answered questions from many reporters regarding Macedonian-Italian and Macedonian-Greek relations, as well as the situation in Macedonia and in the wider Balkan region. Gligorov stressed that Italy and Macedonia have traditionally had good relations, that Italy is a significant economic partner and that complementary relations between the two economies is a fundamental condition for the future development of mutual relations. The closeness of the relations, he said, is also manifested through cultural links such as the current celebrations honoring St. Cyril. Relations between Macedonia and the Vatican, Gligorov said, have also been good.

    Greek reporters were mainly interested in the dispute between Athens and Skopje. "The only way to resolve the dispute is through talks and understanding, and I hope long- term interests will win in the end." To negotiate under an embargo, he said, means to talk under pressure, but Macedonia will not obstruct the activities of the international mediators. "We have a common responsibility toward peace and stability in the region, particularly Greece, being an EU and NATO member." Gligorov said relations with Bulgaria and Albania are satisfactory and, once the war in Bosnia is ended, such relations may easily be developed with Yugoslavia as well. As for the rights of Albanians in the country, Gligorov said Macedonia is ready to implement the standards of any country in the world, if they prove better than those currently in effect in Macedonia.

    The foreign ministers of the two nations, Anjeli and Crvenkovski, met yesterday. The Italian foreign minister expressed readiness on part of the Italian government to support Macedonia's efforts to become included in European integration processes.

    [02] HOGG TO VISIT MACEDONIA

    Makfaks says Douglas Hogg, under-secretary in the British Foreign Office, is to visit Macedonia sometime next week.

    London sources inform that Hogg will pay separate visits to Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina between May 28 and June 2.

    [03] POSITIVE REPORT ON MACEDONIA

    Upon returning from a visit to Macedonia last week, European parliamentarians reported to Angel Martinez, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, on their impressions. In an exclusive interview with A1 Television, Martinez said the delegation spoke positively of the situation in Macedonia and, in his view, Macedonia has reached a final stage in the process of being admitted to the Council of Europe. He announced a visit to Macedonia - on June 6 or 7 - stating a hope that the Macedonian flag will be hoisted along with other member countries' flags by the end of his mandate in January 1996. Martinez said the name and national symbols of Macedonia ought to be registered under UN criteria.

    [04] SOKALSKI APPOINTED NEW CHIEF OF MISSION OF UNPREDEP

    UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has appointed Henrik Sokalski, the new Chief of Mission of UNPREDEP in the Republic of Macedonia, to replace Hugo Anson. Before leaving Macedonia, Anson stated that Minister of Defense Handziski had informed him that he had conveyed to the UN Secretary General a proposal from President Gligorov and the Macedonian Government that Anson should remain as the political head of UNPREDEP. He expressed deep appreciation of this confidence and of the support of all political leaders in Macedonia, ethnic Albanian and other communities, as well as by the press, radio and television given to him and his colleagues to help achieve their mission here. So far, he said, the preventive mission of UNPREDEP is widely acknowledged to have been a success. This is mostly due to the constant efforts and practical wisdom shown by President Gligorov and political leaders of all ethnic groups in the country. The United Nations, Anson added, with other organizations such as the OSCE, have done no more and no less than their job; to monitor events in and around Macedonia closely, and to lend a hand of assistance where it is useful and required.

    "It has been a great honor and pleasure for me to assist the authorities and people in Macedonia over the past 12 months, as well as to serve the United Nations as Mr. Akashi's delegate," he concluded.

    [05] GREEK LEFT WING DEMANDS DIRECT DIALOGUE

    Nikos Kostandopoulos, leader of the Greek left-wing coalition Sinaspizmos, said in Athens yesterday that the Greek Government ought to initiate a direct dialogue with the government of Macedonia to resolve disputed issues.

    Macedonian Radio cites him as saying this would unblock Greece's foreign policy which is currently abused by some parties and politicians for inter-party and suspicious political goals.

    [06] WORLD BANK EXECUTIVES MEET PRIME MINISTER

    The World bank delegation, consisting of 6 executives currently visiting Macedonia, met yesterday with Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski and several ministers. A1 Television reports they discussed ways in which the $99 million World Bank credit is to be realized and concluded that future cooperation should include project loans for Macedonia with priorities determined by the Macedonian Government in association with the Bank.

    In an interview with A1 Television, the head of the delegation stated he was deeply impressed by the ways in which reforms in Macedonia are carried out, as well as by the trust in success with which the Government, managers and the people carry out their duties.

    The delegation later visited the companies "Metalski Zavod - Tito" and "Hemteks", as well as a cattle farm in the village of Mralino, for talks on the progress of reforms and problems met along the way.

    The World Bank delegates were received by Hari Kostov, Deputy Minister of Finance, who briefed them on the restructuring process of the 25 largest-loss producing companies in the country.

    [07] POLITICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION DISCUSSED AT UNIVERSITY

    A three-day workshop on the subject of "Politics in Higher Education and Reforms in Macedonia", organized by the university, Open Society Institute of Macedonia and the European Higher Education Center of UNESCO, is currently in progress. University rector Radmila Kiprijanova pointed out that a process of transformation of university education in Macedonia has started, but that the autonomy of the university must be born in mind . There is an urgent need for changes in the ways the university is financed, as well as for new standards and criteria in higher education to achieve a high level of education in accordance with European criteria. Professors Malcolm Frazer and Harold Thomas of Britain also took part in the debates.

    [08] NDP TO HOLD FIRST CONGRESS

    The People's Democratic Party (NDP) in Tetovo held a press- conference yesterday to inform of its first congress which will be held at the Army center in Tetovo tomorrow. The congress, it was said, will take place at a time when the status of Albanians in Macedonia has not yet been resolved.

    The Government continues with its anti-Albanian policy, creating conflict situations which lead to a de stabilization of Macedonia. The authorities clearly show their political course against Albanians by fabricating political processes linked to the university in Tetovo, by closing down an Albanian language high-school in the village of Radolishta near Struga, and by banning numerous private radio and television stations. The main activities of the party, after the congress, will be aimed at scheduling early parliamentary elections in cooperation with the Macedonian block of opposition partners. In the eyes of NDP it is the Government and Parliament which are the main generators of crisis in the country. The congress is expected to be attended by 233 delegates and guests from Macedonia and abroad. Representatives of political parties in Kosovo and Albania have also been invited. No Macedonian political party has received an invitation to take part. The work of the congress will be open to the public.

    [09] ENTRY VISAS FOR AUSTRIA FREE OF CHARGE

    The Macedonian Foreign Ministry stated that the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not charge for entry visas issued to Macedonian citizens, as Macedonia has not introduced visas for Austrians. Applications for visas may be submitted at all consular and diplomatic offices of Austria, particularly in Belgrade, Sofia, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Budapest or Tirana. Documents required for obtaining a visa are: a photograph and a form, a statement on the financial situation, proof of possession of sufficient finances (about 100 German marks for each day of the visit), a guarantee letter of invitation (in the case of private visits) or an invitation by a company in Austria, both registered with court, and a health card as a proof the applicant is socially secured. Owners of diplomatic passports need no entry visas.

    [10] MILS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT: MACEDONIA AN INNOCENT VICTIM - PART I

    The following is an interview of Joseph Cruesel, Assistant Secretary of Defense of the United States, with the Macedonian independent weekly Puls.

    Question: To start with let me thank you for your readiness to come to this interview and to express hope that the Macedonian public will appreciate the opportunity to hear your initial comments on the recent US visit of Defense Minister Handziski and his talks there.

    Answer: The talks were successful. This was a first-ever meeting between our bilateral working groups since the formal signing of the Agreement between the two countries. Yet much more important is the fact that this was a first- ever official visit of a representative of the Macedonian Government to the United States. I think you and your fellow compatriots were able to see the wonderful ceremony and honor presented as a custom for all politicians coming to meet Secretary Perry. This was a way for him to underline the importance of our relations with the Government of Macedonia and to point out just how essential security in Macedonia is, not only for your country but for the entire Balkan region as well. We discussed a great number of ways in which we could support the establishment of a defense system in Macedonia. We expect Macedonian students to be educated at American military institutions and we hope that, in the near future, Macedonia will be able to join the Partnership for Peace program and become included in multinational military exercises, thus enabling your military forces to contact not only NATO member countries, but also those already included in the Partnership for Peace initiative.

    Question: Speaking of the Partnership for Peace initiative, I am sure you are well aware of the exact formal obstacle for Macedonia to become included in the initiative and the North Atlantic Treaty. Would you say this is a problem in the bilateral military relations between Macedonia and the US, as well as for stability in the region?

    Answer: A larger problem at the present moment is the embargo on arms against Macedonia, a country which is, unfortunately, an innocent victim of sanctions aimed at limiting violence in Bosnia and surrounding states. The international sanctions were not supposed to affect Macedonia, which is a completely new state, in such a way.

    But, unluckily, it does have an impact. What we can do is provide significant aid in military training, which at this present moment enables the US to become engaged in joint military exercises with Macedonia and provide aid in the form of military equipment. If such an opportunity existed in the future for us, we would be ready to go even further in this cooperation. In the meantime, we will be doing all we can within the framework of the legal limitations.

    Question: My question referred more to the possible impact of Macedonia not being a NATO member on stability in the region.

    Answer: We support Macedonia's desire to be included in the Partnership for Peace initiative, but this requires unanimous support by all NATO member countries.

    Question: Which is impossible for the time being? Answer: It is unreal at the moment, but we hope that, should Greece and Macedonia overcome their differences despite the problem with the embargo, we will be able to move pretty fast.

    Question: What if such steps fail to be undertaken? We know the latest development of the situation and I will recall Secretary Perry's statement, who said "should the situation worsen, an additional number of US troops will be sent to Macedonia." How do you intend to solve this problem, having in mind the fact that Macedonia is not a NATO member? Answer: The secretary was speaking hypothetically. We have no present plans to increase the number of our troops in Macedonia. But, as responsible military planners, we are considering all future possibilities. Should the situation worsen, one of the possibilities would be to increase the number of troops under different rules and new kind of engagement, maybe even under another flag. The NATO flag is only one of the possibilities. Nevertheless, this will not be prevented by the fact that Macedonia is not a member of the Partnership... initiative. There is no significant link between these two things.

    Question: Yet, there might be a link, since such an agreement would have to be passed by the Macedonian Parliament.

    Answer: Of course, any change in the deployment of UN forces in your country will be subjected to an agreement with your Government. We would not like to impose anything on President Gligorov, but I hope we will come to a common appreciation of a need for changes in the number and deployment of troops.

    (to be continued)

    (end)

    mils-news 26 May '95


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