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MILS: News from the FYROM, 97-05-19
From: "Macedonian Information Liaison Service" <mils@mils.spic.org.mk>
CONTENTS
[01] `TAT' BANK: LIQUIDATION AFTER ALL
[02] NO DECREASE OF ALBANIAN REFUGEE WAVE
[03] CRVENKOVSKI-IVANOV MEETING: `GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTION DUE THIS WEEK'
[04] IMRO-DPMNE: `DEMANDS JUSTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC'
[05] SDSM: `IMRO-DPMNE POLICY DID NOT OBTAIN DESIRED SUPPORT'
[06] LAW ENFORCEMENT: `NO SERIOUS INFRINGING ON PUBLIC ORDER AND PEACE'
[07] DEBTS OF MACEDONIAN BUSINESS SECTOR - OVER 10 BILLION DM
[08] WORLD BANK DELEGATION IN MACEDONIA AS OF TODAY
[09] LORRY WITH TWO TONS OF MARIHUANA - PROPERTY OF `TRANS- VELES'
[10] ACETYLENE-HYDRIDE / HEROIN PRODUCTION COMPONENT DESTINED FOR TURKEY
[11] KUMANOVO: `CAR BOMB DETONATED'
[12] CELEBRATING OF 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF `OCM' AUTOCEPHALY IN PROGRESS
[13] DNEVNIK: `BISHOP PETAR LOSING MUNICIPALITIES IN AUSTRALIA
[14] `Hospitable Clansmen' (`Vecher' - 16th May 1997)
MILS NEWS
Skopje, 19 May, 1997
[01] `TAT' BANK: LIQUIDATION AFTER ALL
The Bitola-based `TAT' bank is to be subjected to liquidation, as the offer
to determine a possible sanation team for the bank has not yielded any
results. This decision has been passed by NBM Governor Borko Stanoevski
last Friday. Within the given deadline for the submitting of a written
proposal on sanation measures, the only option had been forwarded by `TAT'
owner Sonja Nikolovska.
But according to NBM Governor Stanoevski her programme yielded no grounds
whatsoever to introduce sanation measures. The NBM release further states
that losses remaining uncovered after the eventual acceptance and
implementation proposed by this programme would still remain extremely
high. This may be conducive to the generating of more losses and the
impeding of the disbursement of clients and other creditors.
This decision by Governor Stanoevski has been denoted by clients as the
most unscrupulous legalization of plundering - `Nova Makedonija' reports.
Such views and discontent were also expressed at the `ad hoc' protests
staged on the Bitola city square on Saturday, according to this Macedonian
daily. During this event accusations were made against the NBM Governor in
person, for his direct involvement in the banking scandal and the huge
material gain (app. 2 million DM) this affair entailed for him.
Leading bank client representatives Mende Mladenovski and Ilija Nevenovski
stated that this week bank clients would commence the gathering of ten
thousand signatures and wide support for their restitution according to
their proposal, which the Government rejected to submit to Parliamentary
procedures quite recently.
Those attending the Saturday protests were also addressed by `TAT' owner
Sonja Nikolovska. She has been requested to publicize the names of those
who had withdrawn around 30 million DM over two months preceding the
collapse of the bank. In response to this Nikolovska stated that the list
had been lodged with the Ministry of Interior and the Investigative Judge.
Thus clients should raise these questions at these two authorities. While
stressing that she did not accept the supervision findings, Nikolovska
asked for the trust and patience of all bank clients until judiciary
investigations were completed. Media report that the meeting at Bitola had
been marked by considerable tension and open threats towards Nikolovska.
Yet it had gone by without any incidents.
[02] NO DECREASE OF ALBANIAN REFUGEE WAVE
Over the past weekend Macedonian police and Armed Forces units have
discovered several groups (of app. 50 people each) of Albanian nationals
along the Macedonian-Albanian border, upon attempting to cross the border
illegally. Most of these groups had been detected near Debar, whereas near
Struga and Tetovo things had been more quiet. The combat readiness of the
ARM along the Macedonian-Albanian border has been raised to a maximum
level. Defence Secretary Blagoj Handzhiski, however, stated in an interview
for MTV that the situation along the border gained in complexity and that
the number of Albanian refugees coming to Macedonia due to food shortage in
their country, or in order to reach Greece via Macedonia. Minister
Handzhiski also stressed that the Albanian side of the border was not
secured at all - neither by police or army troops. Groups of Albanian
nationals are most often led by armed guides who know the terrain and
receive pay to lead these people across the border. On the Macedonian side
Albanian refugees caught by troops of the army or police are being fined
and extradited - with the prohibition to enter Macedonia over a certain
time span. These days media also report that a considerable amount of fear
and worry of more massive crossings has been expressed by the residents of
the border region within the Debar municipality. This is being augmented by
frequent burglaries and vandalism, resulting in the damaging of many homes,
shops and other property on Macedonian territory.
[03] CRVENKOVSKI-IVANOV MEETING: `GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTION DUE THIS WEEK'
`The reconstruction of the Government should be expected throughout or
towards the end of next week', stated PM Branko Crvenkovski after having
met with SPM leader Ljubisav Ivanov (as part of the dialogue among
political parties on the package of election laws in the country). Media
report that the PM assessed the IMRO-DPMNE protest meeting as correct and
well-organized, but also abundant in exaggerations by many speakers. In the
opinion of Crvenkovski the mere fact that such an event took place in
Skopje reflects the level of democracy and democratic processes in
Macedonia. It has nevertheless been evaluated that democratic and social
problems may not be resolved on the streets. Upon summarizing the meeting
with the PM, SPM leader Ivanov stated that it had been agreed to enact all
election laws prior to determining the date for early elections. Ivanov
stressed that he placed considerable emphasis on declaring economic and
development issues a priority issue in the country, during his talks with
the PM. The latter also agreed that in the future the No. 1 spot would be
given to the addressing of economic problems confronting the country.
[04] IMRO-DPMNE: `DEMANDS JUSTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC'
According to IMRO-DPMNE leader Ljupcho Georgievski the Thursday protests
held in Skopje have been attended by over 60 000, thus granting popular
legitimacy to the requests on early parliamentary elections aired by the
party. During a press conference given last Saturday, Georgievski stated
that throughout the following 7 days the SDSM was to consider the accepting
of these demands, as this is to determine the duration of protests and the
use of specific methods of exerting pressure to achieve their fulfillment.
`We have shown a sufficient amount of patience. Now it is up to the SDSM to
step down and call early elections', Georgievski stressed while adding that
the IMRO-DPMNE had no intention to assault the institutions of the system
violently, though it plans to continue protests and the implementation of
specific methods until all demands were met.
[05] SDSM: `IMRO-DPMNE POLICY DID NOT OBTAIN DESIRED SUPPORT'
In spite of all pompous appeals for massive attendance and a huge public
turn-out, the IMRO-DPMNE meeting has shown that the policy being promoted
continually by this party does not encounter the desired support -
according to a SDSM press release. The attitude exhibited by the public
towards the meeting embodies a rejection and a clear answer to all
unfounded and false accusations against the incumbent government, launched
by the IMRO-DPMNE recently. The citizens have demonstrated resistance to
embracing radicalism while addressing social issues - and their rejection
of demagogic thought, extremism and haphazard politics... the release
issued by the SDSM states.
[06] LAW ENFORCEMENT: `NO SERIOUS INFRINGING ON PUBLIC ORDER AND PEACE'
Concordant to a release by the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior, the
IMRO-DPMNE protests in Skopje were attended by 8 000 people, of which
app. 4 500 arrived in Skopje (in 64 buses, two mini-buses, 14 vans, 310
passenger vehicles and other means of transport) from other cities
throughout the country. No gravitating instances of disturbing public order
and peace have been registered during protests on the `Makedonija' square
and in front of the Parliament - official sources claim. Yet there have
been several case of upsetting the traffic flow in the central area of the
city. Several individuals had also thrown stones at the Parliament
building, breaking one window and lightly injuring two policemen. Law
enforcement structures have instigated intensive measures to identify
offenders and are about to initiate appropriate legal measures - the police
press statement mentions.
[07] DEBTS OF MACEDONIAN BUSINESS SECTOR - OVER 10 BILLION DM
The liquidity of most of the business enterprises in Macedonia deserves the
attribute `critical'. This, `Nova Makedonija' reports, includes the mutual
settling of dues which is being conducted with considerable delay and in
very difficult conditions. In compliance to annual figures for 1996, the
overall debts within the Macedonian business sector totals around 251.2
billion denars. Of these, the above mentioned daily informs while quoting
data released at the last Government session, 23.7 billion denars fall off
to long-term dues and 227.5 billion to short-term debts. These same
information revealed that this means an increase by 27 billion denars
(app. 1 billion DM) in comparison to the annual figures for 1995. `Nova
Makedonija' further informed that this debt total of the Macedonian
business sector up to the present equalled six annual budgets (over 10
billion DM), while the figures for this year alone exceeded 50% of the
National Budget already. Data also reveal that most of the dues have been
generated towards creditors (98.9 billion denars), while the greatest
increase in debts falls off to withheld pay (50%). Dues towards suppliers
are settled over an average time span of 270 days, i.e. nearly 9
months. Total dues of businesses towards banks (on grounds of the main
capital and interest rates) amount to over 38 billion denars - of which it
is estimated only app. 23 million denars (around 850 million DM) may be
recovered. Due to such conditions in the Macedonian business sector, a
group comprised of Finance Ministry, NBM, and Payment Flow Institute
experts has offered the following measures: three rounds of compulsory
multilateral compensation (26th June, 23rd September and 27th November) as
well as the establishment of a data base containing a complete survey of
overall indebtedness of each enterprise. In the opinion of Development
Minister Adbulmenaf Bedzheti it is worrisome that short-term dues are on
the rise (i.e. businesses seem to draw on short-term sources mostly,
instead of long-term sources or company funds). In addition to this debts
towards the state and vice versa (state towards business sector) became
more substantial. The former variant consisted of tax, payroll
contributions and other charges - while the latter is based on delivered
supplies, executed construction, etc. Minister Bedhzeti stated for `Nova
Makedonija' that multilateral compensation is to be declared compulsory for
all businesses, as it is to provide a clear picture on domestic
debts. Wrong data on this subject could affect future macro-economic
projections.
[08] WORLD BANK DELEGATION IN MACEDONIA AS OF TODAY
A five-member delegation of the World Bank - headed by Brad Herbert (in
charge of the restructuring project for the health sector) - is to stay in
Macedonia between 19th and 23rd this month. During this visit to Macedonia,
the World Bank is to meet officials of the Dept. of Health and
the Health Insurance Fund. A-1 TV reports that the objective of this
mission is to compile a survey on the advance of the implementation of the
project concerned with the restructuring of the health sector in Macedonia,
as well as the determining of the pace of activities to be executed over
the next six months, particularly in terms of planned investments.
[09] LORRY WITH TWO TONS OF MARIHUANA - PROPERTY OF `TRANS- VELES'
The Macedonian lorry confiscated at the Hungarian border with a cargo of
two tons of marihuana, is the property of `Trans-Veles'. The driver of this
vehicle, Borche Tasevski, is also an employee of this Veles-based
company. These information have been revealed by the Macedonian Customs
Services HQ last Friday, upon having been contacted by their Hungarian
colleagues. According to available data the lorry with its
`two-tons-of-pot' cargo departed from Pireya (Greece) and drove through
Bulgaria and Romania into Hungary, so that Macedonian customs officials
never had the opportunity to inspect it. `Vecher' reports that the Customs
Services HQ is to publicize more concrete information on this case today.
[10] ACETYLENE-HYDRIDE / HEROIN PRODUCTION COMPONENT DESTINED FOR TURKEY
Jacob S. is the individual in whose possession 870 l of acetylene hydride
have been discovered by the Macedonian police on 9th May. So far he is
facing tort charges, and he has not been apprehended - `Vecher' reports.
The toxic substances which have been detected had been destined for Turkey
in laboratory conditions, in order to facilitate the production of heroin.
Police sources state that one ton of this substance ensures the production
of 7 to 10 kg of heroin.
[11] KUMANOVO: `CAR BOMB DETONATED'
Yesterday morning a car bomb exploded in front of the `Serava' Business
Centre at Kumanovo. This resulted in the heavy injuring of one person,
while another sustained lighter injuries. The bomb had been planted in a
`Golf' with Tetovo license plates, driven by Romeo Zhivikj. His co-driver
Dushan Gjurgjulov (a Yugoslav national) was the one coming out of this with
lighter injuries, unlike Zhivikj. The explosion also resulted in the
damaging of several other vehicles nearby - and windows of the buildings in
the vicinity. The incident generated considerable unrest among the
residents of Kumanovo. So far there have been no official comments on the
ongoing police investigation. `Vecher' is however quoting unofficial
sources, upon calling this an act of personal vendetta against Zhivikj as
he has been known to be involved in racketeering, theft and physical
assaults.
[12] CELEBRATING OF 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF `OCM' AUTOCEPHALY IN PROGRESS
Yesterday the celebrations marking the 30th Anniversary of `OCM'
Autocephaly (the revival of the Ohrid archiepiscopality) at the monastery
`St. Atanasij' at the Tetovo village Leshok. Mass was held by the OCM Head
the Reverend Mihail, and a sermon was delivered by the Metropolitan the
Reverend Kiril. The Macedonian Radio reports that festivities were attended
by Head of State Kiro Gligorov and many high-ranking guests, Ministers,
MPs, diplomats and mission representatives. Festivities also consisted of
the spiritual performance `Makedonski svetopis', and they are to continue
at all OCM eparchies in the country and abroad.
[13] DNEVNIK: `BISHOP PETAR LOSING MUNICIPALITIES IN AUSTRALIA
16 of the overall 21 church communities of the OCM in Australia have denied
any obedience and trust towards Bishop Petar, in charge of the Diocese of
Australia and New Zealand. The latter has requested his withdrawal by the
OCM, `Dnevnik' reports. During the recently-held Convention of Macedonian
Church Communities at Newcastle (attended by 14 communities), two
communities came forward with written statements - rejecting the decisions
of all three most recent sessions, held since Bishop Petar had been
appointed to head the diocese. The paper also reports that Bishop Petar was
the one most frequently blamed for current conditions as he is not familiar
with Australian law, and responsible for generating a lot of stress and
discord among worshippers with his intolerant behaviour. Due to these
reasons the church communities in Australia rejected the attempts by the
Holy OCM Synod to regulate the spiritual life of Macedonian worshippers in
Australia without any prior consultation and consensus. It has also been
concluded by the Convention that a Commission should be formed in order to
compile the draft-statute for these communities concordant to Australian
law, while paying maximum attention of the right of self-determination of
each community. Should the Holy OCM Synod not accept their demands, it may
well be the case that the working-permit of Bishop Petar for Australia be
revoked - stated Risto Altin, the Head of the `St. Clement of Ohrid'
monastery in Melbourne. `Dnevnik' reports that Bishop Petar attributed all
problems in the diocese to `people without a sense of belief, with a
greater interest in material gain and acquired positions than concern for
the OCM.' According to Bishop Petar the only obligation imposed on all
communities prior to the registration of the diocese with Australian
authorities is the re-registration concordant to new unified
standards. Bishop Petar further stated that priests need to be acquainted
with activities in all communities, and should the `loyal communities'
continue to challenge this, it may occur that all clergy is withdrawn.
[14] `Hospitable Clansmen'
(`Vecher' - 16th May 1997)
Local Albanians are hiding `illegal' immigrants from Albania proper as free
labour, while the number of criminal offenders is on the rise. Attempts of
illegal entering of our country have reached alarming proportions.
According to data available to the Ministry of the Interior 574 such cases
have been registered in 1995 along a 45-km long section of the border in
the Gostivar area. In 1996 this number had already risen to 1 335 and over
the first four months of 1997 alone this figure amounts to 875 illegal
attempts. Bearing in mind the economic hardship prevailing in Albania,
particularly in the region close to our country, this number of Albanian
nationals trying to enter Macedonia `by hook of by crook' (but always
illegally) is expected to rise in the future. What makes these prognoses
even more worrisome, are official data on this issue. Even the police
itself confirms that official figures are not even close to depicting
reality as far as illegal immigration is concerned. In contrast to those
immigrants encountering little of the proverbial Greek hospitality as they
move southwards, Albanian nationals escaping to Macedonia (without having
been caught) are welcomed by their local `clansmen' as a cheap, or even
free, work force for hard physical labour. Females from Albania very often
arrive at Tetovo and Gostivar to wed local Albanians. Should they not
succeed, `plan B' boils down to working as waitresses, cooks, singers or
representatives of `the world's oldest craft'... This kind of engagement
by local Albanians only complicates the work of our law enforcement and
other state authorities as regards persons without a regulated status of
residence in our country. In contrast to this, police indicates, such
`visitors' from Albania are very often involved in criminal activities -
thus contributing to an overall increase of the crime rate in Macedonia.
Throughout 1996 and the first months of 1997, criminal charges against
illegal Albanian immigrants for burglaries, robberies, etc. have been
filed in 78 cases. `According to our estimates this number of crimes is
even higher, but not all of them are being reported', state police
representatives. In this context the latter also delved into the illegal
immigration of Albanian children who are sent to beg around through
surrounding villages in the Tetovo and Gostivar area by their `clansmen.'
`Should the state fail to introduce stricter measures we will have to
prepare for a huge wave of Albanian refugees', the Ministry of the Interior
warns, while adding that their ambushes set up to detect such illegal
immigrants are becoming less and less effective. This is to be attributed
to the specific configuration of the terrain along the border towards our
neighbouring country.
(end)
mils news 20 May 1997
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