
==============================================================

M I L S  N E W S

Skopje, 02 November 1995



QUICK INTEGRATION IN EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS

The Macedonian Prime Minister, Branko Crvenkovski, had a

meeting with the delegation of the EU Parliament led by

Doris Pack. They expressed their opinions on the situation

in Macedonia and the wider region. Crvenkovski stressed

Macedonian efforts to establish good relations with all

neighbors and emphasized the importance of the Interim

Accord between Greece and Macedonia. He added that Macedonia

is interested in quicker association in the European

institutions.

The EU delegation had a meeting yesterday with the Minister

of Economy, Risto Ivanov. He expressed pleasure on

Macedonia's admittance in the PHARE program and hoped that

diplomatic relations between EU and Macedonia will be

established soon. The delegation was informed about the

Macedonian legislature on foreign investments.

During the meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs,

Ljubomir Frckovski, the delegation was interested about

issues on terrorism, crime and the ethnic origin of the

employees in the state institutions. Frckovski pointed out

that the general situation in Macedonia is satisfying.

The delegation had separate meetings with representatives of

the Chamber of Commerce and the Trade Union of Macedonia. At

the meeting with officials from Tetovo local government

problems of the citizens in the multinational community were

discused. Albanians claimed that they were discriminated

while Macedonians expressed the opposite. The delegation was

introduced with the problem of the 'Tetovo university' and

agreed that three universities in a two-million state is too

much even for wealthier countries.

The EU delegation had a meeting with the opposition party

VMRO-DPMNE

and its Vice President, Dosta Dimovska. The party emphasized

the "forgery of the elections, changing the state symbols,

the status-quo on the issue of the temporal name and the

rights of Macedonians in Greece". Representatives from VMRO-

DPMNE stated that they support good relation with the

neighbors and the association of Macedonia in the European

institutions.



GREEK CITIZENS WILL NEED VISAS FOR MACEDONIA

As 'Makpres' reports, Macedonian authorities at the border

crossings introduced a visa document for the Greek citizens.

The citizens will have to fill in personal data in the form.

A1 TV reports that Greek authorities will recognize green

cards for insurance after other EU members recognize the

document.



 THE COOPERATION WITH UNDP HAS STARTED

Representatives of Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

had a meeting with representatives of the UN Development

Program (UNDP). They exchanged credentials which put into

effect the Accord signed on October 30 for cooperation

between Macedonia and UNDP. The UNDP office will be opened

next year. This Accord will provide wider usage of finances

of the organization.



THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT WAS AIMED

TO DESTABILIZE THE WHOLE REGION

"The assassination attempt on President Gligorov was aimed

against the interests of all Balkan people", stated Gjorgji

Spasov, Macedonian Ambassador in Bulgaria, for the magazine

'Novini Plus'. He added that the Interim Accord between

Greece and Macedonia fulfills the national interests of

Macedonia.

"No one can deny the fact that it is in Macedonian interest

to have recognized southern border and to have an open way

to Salonica port as an independent state. Macedonia can

defend its name as an equal member of many international

institutions and organizations', said Spasov for the

interview.



LEGALITY OF  PROPOSED ID DELAYED

The Constitutional Court of Macedonia delayed the decision

on legality of proposed Identification Card yesterday as

well as the proposed law on record book. The main issue is

the question whether names of nationalities should be

written in other languages except Macedonian. The decision

on who will be owner of the retirement facilities was also

delayed. At the session, the Court started procedure on the

legality of the Law for Accounting as it introduces two rule

books that regulate professional titles in the field. The

Constitutional Court confirmed the legality of the

subscription price of radio and TV. The Court also analyzed

the Law on gambling as there are certain irregularities.

Namely, according to the Constitution, violation in the

field of gambling should be under judicial jurisdiction not

under the state management as the Law proposes.



'THE LAW ALLOWS FURTHER ALBANIZATION'

The leader of the Democratic Party of Macedonia (DPM),

Tomislav Stojanovski, evaluated certain articles of the Law

on local management as possibility of further Albanization

of western Macedonia. As Stojanovski said, the Government

proposed the disputed articles immediately before the

adoption of the Law so that the deputies had no choice. He

added that the Law on territorial division needs to be

adopted soon, otherwise the Law on local management will be

inefficient.



MILS SUPPLEMENT:

BULGARIAN INTERNATIONAL OCTOPUS

(Nova Makedonija, 02 November 1995)

The biggest Bulgarian financial organization, 'Multigroup',

is the first foreign organization to be mentioned as an

organizer of the assassination attempt on President

Gligorov. According to the Greek newspaper 'Thessaloniki',

'Multigroup' is "an economic organization founded in

Bulgaria which has connection with the Mafia and gained

illegal profits through trade with Macedonia and Serbia. The

Greek newspaper also says that the organization has direct

connections with the former KGB and presents Russian

interests in Bulgaria. 'Multigroup' evaluated these claims

as provocation and announced it will take measures to defend

its reputation.

What kind of corporation is 'Multigroup'?

Its residence is placed at the entrance of Sofia. The media

pointed to this organization as an organizer of the attempt

after the announcement of Minister Frckovski at the press

conference that the attempt had been organized by a

multinational financial group based in a neighboring

country. Frckovski did not mention names of organizations or

corporations. After few reports of the media on Multigroup's

connection in the assassination attempt, its general

secretary, Boiko Draganov, stated that the organization will

sew those who published 'false' information. Sofia protests

on the statements in the Greek press as well as on a

statement in the Macedonian magazine 'Puls'.

The corporation is constantly being analyzed by the

Bulgarian press and also some foreign media is interested

about the organization. It is in the center of the attention

especially after the assassination of the Bulgarian

businessman, and the affairs in the international business

between Multigroup and the Russian-Bulgarian company 'Top

Energy'.

Many things about the organization are unclear in Bulgaria.

Yet, according to Bulgarian information, the organization

had been formed by high Bulgarian officials with assistance

of the Intelligence service at the end of the 80s. The

organization was owned by former spies, sons, sons in law

and other close people to the Bulgarian high officials until

the end of the communistic rule of Todor Zhivkov. The

organization was created to transform the political power of

the former Communist Party into economic which, later, would

transform into political party in the new political,

economic and social changes.

In 1988 a similar organization was formed under the name

'Multiart' which had been founded by the present leader of

Multigroup, Iliya Pavlov. Pavlov is former Bulgarian

wrestling champion. The prosperity of his organization is

due to his first marriage to Toni Chergelanova, the daughter

of Chergelanov who was the chief of the Bulgarian

Intelligence Service. Other founder of the organization was

Dimitar Ivanov, an official in the Department of the

National Security. He was Vice President of the corporation

until October 2 1995. He quit a day before the assassination

attempt on President Gligorov, however he remained to be a

chief of the department for regional development. Some Greek

and Bulgarian press inform that Ivanov was the one who had

made the explosive on September 28, aimed for the attempt.

Anyway, 'Multiart' gained profits from the metallurgy

industry 'Kremikovci'. Then, Pavlov formed a corporation in

Malta under the name 'INP Trading'. He worked with old

submarines and until 1993 he was the owner of the Bulgarian

gambling houses.

On June 25 1990, a corporation under the name 'Multi

international Holding' has been formed in Liechtenstein.

Regulations in Liechtenstein do not allow registering the

name of the owner. That's very important because we cannot

be certain who is the leader of 'Multigroup'. 'Multi

International holding' has also been registered in Dragomir,

Bulgaria. The organization is the owner of 'MI Engineering',

'Sofia inc.', 'Ares Delta', 'Intkom', 'Multiagro' and

others.

Concerning the founding of the organization, two Bulgarian

former high officials in the regime of Zhivkov are marked as

leaders of the corporation. The first, Ognjan Doinov, has

emigrated to Great Britain and, later, to Austria. The

second, Andrei Lukanov, became the first Bulgarian President

after the fall of communism. Some information say that

Lukanov and Doinov have opposite interests, however it is

not strange that the economic interests brought them to

cooperation. In that sense Robert Maxwell is mentioned and

his interests in investment in Bulgaria.

According to some information 'Multigroup' has 3.500

employees in Bulgaria. A year ago Pavlov in an interview

stated that there are 300 to 400 employees in Macedonia. The

corporation has organizations in Europe and the U.S.A. Its

present interest is to cooperate with the Russian-Bulgarian

company 'Top Energy'. In that sense, Pavlov has support of

the Russian Prime Minister, Chernomirdin and the chief of

the Russian corporation 'Gasprom', Rem Vyahirev. The

Bulgarian Prime Minister, Videnov, had severe disputes with

members of the Government as he has different views on the

issue of 'Multigroup'. The organization works in many fields

in Bulgaria such as trade, banking, insurance, tourism and

other areas.

(end)

mils news 02 November '95



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tel/fax: +389 91 223 - 319

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with Investbanka AD Skopje, Macedonia,

through Deutsche Bank AG Frankfurt

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          SKOPJE, NOVEMBER 3, 1995 (MIC)



          "MULTIGROUP"  STILL  IN  LIMELIGHT  OVER  ASSASSINATION

ATTEMPT ON GLIGOROV

          The  largest   and  most  influential  financial  group

"Multigroup" is  the first  foreign company to be fingered as one

of the  organizers of  the assassination attempt on the President

of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov, Makpress reports.

          Many things are unclear and unable to prove in relation

to  this  firm  in  Bulgaria,  however,  according  to  Bulgarian

sources, it  can be  said that the enterprise was formed by high-

ranking Bulgarian  politicians, with  the help  of the  Bulgarian

Secret Service,  towards the  end of the last decade. The firm is

owned by  former intelligence  service workers, sons, sons-in-law

and other people close to the Bulgarian political top towards the

end of the Zhivkov regime.

          Towards the  end of 1988, another corporation under the

name "Multiart"  was registered,  where  the  present  leader  of

"Multigroup" is  one of  the associates.  His contacts  and links

with the  secret services  of Bulgaria and contacts in high state

and political circles stem from here.

          The second  associate is Dimitar Ivanov, an official in

the first sector of the Sixth department of State Security. Until

October 2,  1995, he  was vice-president of "Multigroup." One day

before the attack on Gligorov, he was released from his duties as

vice-president, however,  remained  in  the  firm  as  chief  for

regional development.

          Ivanov's name  is mentioned in some Bulgarian and Greek

analyses of  the statement  made by  Frchkovski,  whereby  it  is

emphasized  that  he  was  the  man  that  visited  Macedonia  on

September 28,  1995, and  made the explosive that was used in the

attack on  Gligorov,  in  the  Skopje  area.  According  to  some

information, "Multigroup"  has 3,500 employees in Bulgaria alone.

In an interview last year, the president of "Multigroup," Pavlov,

stated that the firm also had 300 to 400 people working for it in

Macedonia. The firm has its organizations in Europe and the U.S..

The  latest  demonstration  of  the  international  ambitions  of

"Multigroup" is  its interest  to get  into the Russian-Bulgarian

company "Top Energy." In terms of this, Pavlov's firm has Russian

support, thanks  to Lukanov's  relations with  the Russian  Prime

Minister Cernomirdin,  as well  as the  head of  the Russian firm

"Gazprom."



          "MULTIGROUP": "WE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE ATTACK"

          "Those are  serious allegations. Something like that is

far away from our line of business," Ivo Janchev, director of the

representation office  of the  Bulgarian company  "Multigroup" in

Macedonia said  in relation  to accusations  that this company is

involved  in   the  assassination   attempt  on   the  Macedonian

President.

          In the  statement for  today's "Nova  Makedonija,"  Ivo

Janchev says  that the  problem lies in the fact that in the last

couple of  years, relations  between Macedonia  and Bulgaria have

improved immensely,  both on a political, diplomatic and business

plan. "This  development obviously doesn't suit someone. There is

some logics in all of that."

          "Incredible   things    are   being    written    about

'Multigroup'. As  a structure,  it has  a large number of offices

not only  in Macedonia,  but in at least 30 cities throughout the

world. That  is in  line with  our business  interests. We trade.

'Multigroup'  deals   exclusively  with  trade,  and  of  course,

financial-credit business  relations,  etc.  We  don't  have  any

connection with  any political  parties in  Macedonia,"  Makpress

reports Janchev's statement for "Nova Makedonija."

          Nikolaj Vulkanov,  vice-president of  "Multigroup" told

"Nova Makedonija" today, categorically dismissing all speculation

about the  corporation's involvement  in the  attack on Gligorov,

that "We  started working  with Macedonia  a long time ago and we

give out  credits to  Macedonian state  firms.  'Multigroup'  has

business partners,  it has mixed companies and business relations

with the  leading countries  in the  world and  in Macedonia,  as

well. Only  to mention  a few : "Gaspromet" from Russia, "Tisen,"

"Siemens," and  many other  organizations. 'Multigroup'  was  the

first to  start giving  out financial  and commodities credits to

'Fenimak'. At  that time,  government delegations of Bulgaria and

Macedonia discussed  opening  a  commodities  credit  line.  Even

though that  line was  not realized,  'Multigroup' reacted in its

own way.  In  1993  we  supplied  one  million  fresh  money  for

'Fenimak' and  commodities as  well. The  whole technology in the

mine, the machines and reserve parts, all came from Bulgaria, and

we took  them to  Macedonia,  to  the  mine  R'zhanovo.  All  the

materials were  delivered to  Macedonia, charging  only  for  the

transport costs. We haven't made any speculative deals. From 1993

to 1995,  'Multigroup' has  been approving  credits and providing

direct financing  of 'Fenimak' then, it founded "Balkan Bank," in

order to  help the  credit business connections between Macedonia

and Bulgaria,  etc. Meanwhile,  other 'Multigroup' structures are

formed in  the Republic  of Macedonia.  From this  year,  we  are

taking part  in another  object, the  railroad track  Skopje-Deve

Bair-Bulgaria. It will continue through Burgas to Istanbul, which

was confirmed  at the  presidential summit  in New  York. We  are

working together  with 'Pelagonija,"  the Macedonian construction

giant. We  also do  business with  'Makpetrol',  which  gives  us

guarantees for the import of petrol, as well as 'Makmetal'."



          PARLIAMENT ADOPTS BUDGET REBALANCE

          At yesterday's  session the  members of  the Macedonian

Parliament adopted the rebalance of the budget for 1995.

          The MPs  adopted the  law on  the ratification  of  the

statute of  the Council  of Europe, which finalizes the procedure

for Macedonia's membership in this association.

          The  session   was  opened  by  Finance  Minister  Jane

Miljovski, who  emphasized that  it was  not unusual  to  discuss

rebalancing the budget in the last quarter of the year. Still, he

stressed that  this government  proposal  was  unusual,  because,

unlike previous  years, for  the first  time, it  is proposed  to

reduce the  budget. The  reason for  this is  that this year, the

inflation rate has been held at a far lower level than projected.

At the  end  of  September,  it  was  3.2%.  The  fact  that  the

structural changes  are carried  out with  the planned  dynamics,

that significant  results have been achieved, even in cases where

things did  not  get  off  to  such  a  good  start,  is  largely

responsible  for  this  low  inflation  rate.  However,  minister

Miljovski admitted  that the  rebalance was  such because the GDP

was still  dropping (by  the end  of the  year -  4%),  that  the

planned budgetary  revenues have not been realized because of the

low inflation  rate, and  because of  tax evasion. Therefore, the

rebalance of  the budget  will be 16.6% lower than planned, which

is, in terms of money, 8 billion denars.

          This rebalance  will imply  restrictions with all users

of budgetary  funds,  which,  the  Government  feels,  should  be

distributed equally  among  all  ministries.  Minister  Miljovski

emphasized that the first "cuts" will be made in the salaries and

compensations (K  15),  the  funds  for  the  agricultural  stock

exchange and  the program for commodities stocks, while, in terms

of money, the biggest restrictions will be made in the program of

the road  company (450 million denars), gasification (400 million

denars) and  the railroad  construction, where  there is a cut of

1,275 million denars.



          FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH LITHUANIA

          At  the   ceremony  in  Vilnus,  last  Friday,  Tihomir

Ilievski, ambassador  of the  Republic  of  Macedonia,  based  in

Stockholm, submitted  his credentials  to the  President  of  the

Republic of Lithuania Algiridas Brazauskas.

          In the  discussion with  the Lithuanian  President, the

two sides  exchanged opinions  on the  prospects and interests of

the two  countries to  strengthen bilateral  cooperation  in  all

fields. President  Brazauskas asked ambassador Ilievski to convey

his best wishes for President Gligorov's speedy recovery.

          Ambassador Ilievski  also  had  separate  meetings  and

talks with  the Lithuanian Prime Minister Adolfos Slezevicius, as

well as Foreign Minister Pavlios Gilis.







==========================================================

          SKOPJE, NOVEMBER 7, 1995 (MIC)



          SYSTEM IN RM FUNCTIONING WITHOUT DISTURBANCES

          The Security  Council of the Republic of Macedonia held

a session yesterday which, in the absence of the President of the

Republic of  Macedonia,  was  chaired  by  Parliamentary  Speaker

Stojan Andov.

          The current  political and  security situation  in  the

country was  reviewed at  the session,  and it  was assessed that

even  in   the  complex  circumstances  following  the  attempted

assassination of  President Gligorov,  the democratic development

of the  country has  been maintained  and the institutions of the

system are functioning without any disturbances.

          Furthermore,  the   continuation  of   the  policy   of

development of  equally good relations with the neighbors and the

strengthening of  Macedonia's international position was assessed

positively.  In   this  context,   it   was   stated   that   the

implementation of the interim accord between Macedonia and Greece

was also  going well.  An emphasis was placed on the significance

of finalizing  the process  of integration  of  the  Republic  of

Macedonia in  the international  institutions and organizations -

membership in  the Council of Europe, membership in the OSCE, the

start of  the procedure  for joining  the "Partnership for peace"

project, the  start of  the negotiations  on association with the

European Union  and the  negotiations for membership in the World

Trade Association,  the cabinet  of the President of the Republic

of Macedonia announced.



          GREEK PARLIAMENT DISCUSSING THE NAME OF MACEDONIA

          The meeting  of the leaders of the political parties in

Greece, which  was due  to be  held late  last night in the Greek

Parliament, is expected to focus on the relations with Macedonia,

and, according  to the  Greek newspapers,  with the final goal of

reaching an accord on the compromise name.

          The pro-government  "Ta Nea," the only newspaper not to

announce last  night's meeting  on the  front  page  out  of  all

central  Athens   newspapers,  assessed   that  "the   debate  is

unnecessary and  can have  a negative  effect on the negotiations

which Greece is interested in continuing, and which can lead to a

solution over the name as soon as possible."

          The newspaper of the moderate left-wing "Elefterotipia"

expects Prime  Minister Papandreou  to reiterate  the firm stance

that he  is opposed  to the name Macedonia being contained in the

name of  the northern  neighbor, and  that he  will "not make any

promises" in view of the final outcome of the negotiations.

          Emphasizing that  because of  the  "hypocrisy"  of  the

political leaders,  one will  need "strong  nerves" to follow the

meeting, "Elefterotipia"  points out  that it  does not know what

Miltijadis  Evert's  stance  will  be,  since  he  is  constantly

changing it,  while it says about Mitsotakis that for three years

already "he  has lead  us where he took us, and now he has turned

into a judge and critic."



          FRY TO RECOGNIZE MACEDONIA SOON

          In yesterday's  issue of  "Pobjeda" from Podgorica, the

President of  FRY Zoran Lilich reiterated his country's readiness

to restore  normal relations  with RM  as soon  as possible. "The

normalization of  the Greek-Macedonian  relations presents  a new

important moment that is having a positive effect on developments

in the  region. Therefore, I feel that there are conditions for a

normalization of  the Yugoslav-Macedonian  relations, and outside

the packet," he said.

          "We  sincerely  regret  the  assassination  attempt  on

President Gligorov  and that it has deterred him from his efforts

to continue with the talks on normalization of the relations with

FRY."



          GOVERNMENT PROJECTING DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

          The Macedonian Government, led by Prime Minister Branko

Crvenkovski reviewed  the draft-law  on  road  transport  at  its

session yesterday.  The law  is aimed  at overcoming the negative

situation  in   the  field  of  road  transportation,  which  was

regulated so  far by  a line  of inappropriate  legal  provisions

which  have   led  to   conflict  situations   in  its  practical

application. Furthermore,  this law,  which will  be  coordinated

with the  Constitution, will also have its provisions coordinated

with the international conventions.

          At its  session yesterday, the Government also reviewed

the information  in relation  to the  preparation of the Project-

strategy for  the development  of the Republic of Macedonia, with

draft-conclusions which  will  be  of  priority  for  Macedonia's

development strategy  by the year 2020, which will be encompassed

with global frames.



          NEW JUDGES IN SUPREME COURT

          Vladimir  Babunski  and  Ziran  Limani,  Supreme  Court

judges, who  were elected at the 29th session of Parliament, gave

their  solemn   oaths  in   Parliament  yesterday,  in  front  of

Parliamentary Speaker  Stojan Andov.  On this occasion, President

Andov said that this has finalized the composition of the Supreme

Court of  Macedonia. This  way, the  citizens of  the Republic of

Macedonia will  be able to realize their constitutional and legal

rights, and  that the processes of democratization are continuing

in the judicature.



          OIL DERIVATIVES FOR "MAKPETROL"

          The first  contingent of  20 "Mlaz" cisterns, i.e 1,000

tones  of   oil  derivatives  for  "Makpetrol,"  arrived  at  the

storehouse "Mamidakis" in the Thessaloniki port yesterday. In the

next couple  of days,  "Mlaz" vehicles will also transport larger

quantities of  crude oil,  petrol, normal  and  super  fuel.  The

convoy will consist of 25 to 30 vehicles.





==============================================================

M I L S  N E W S

Skopje, 08 November 1995



EU MEMBERS ARE OBLIGED TO PAY INSURANCE TAXES AT THE

MACEDONIAN BORDER CROSSINGS

As Macedonian Radio reports, Macedonian authorities have

adopted reciprocal measures against the countries of the EU

on the issue of the green card for vehicle insurance. The

member states will have to pay 120DM for automobile

insurance and 520DM for transport vehicles. Vehicles that

come from countries that have recognized Macedonian green

card (Slovenia, Croatia, and other neighboring countries)

will not have to pay special insurance taxes at the

Macedonian border crossings.

In the mean time, according to information from Macedonian

Radio, several vehicles passed the Macedonian-Greek border

in both ways and paid taxes on vehicle insurance.



MACEDONIA ATTEMPTS TO HAVE A SPECIAL STATUS IN THE TURKISH

ECONOMY

Yesterday the Macedonian delegation, which is in a five-day

visit of Turkey, had many bilateral meetings with Turkish

representatives, and few concrete agreements have been

arranged in the field of food, chemical, tobacco,

metallurgy, and other industries.

'Jugohrom' from Jegunovce, which cooperates with Turkish

companies more than 20 years has arranged to import 1.000

tons of phero-alloys and to export medical plastic for the

Turkish market.

As Macedonian Radio reports, the Macedonian delegation

insisted on having a special status in the Turkish economy.

In that respect, Macedonia will open an office of its

Chamber of Commerce in Istanbul.



FIVE LAWS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED

Yesterday, at the 29th session of the Macedonian Parliament

five laws were adopted. The debate on the Law on

denationalization will continue today.

The Law on public meetings was adopted with 73 votes. It

regulates the constitutional right of public meetings as

well as cases when such meetings are prohibited. The Law on

economy violation will provide two Law principles concerning

the penalties. According to the first the sentences may be

reduced, and according to the second the sentences may be

suspended.

The Law on companies was adopted with 53 votes, and it will

lower the number of companies that do not have at least one

registered employee.

The deputies also adopted the Law on health prevention which

will provide a rational functioning of health insurance

companies and improving their financial position. The Law

will also provide for choice of medical staff by patients.

The Macedonian Assembly also ratified the Friendship and

Cooperation Agreement between Macedonia and Turkey.



STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MACEDONIA BY 2020

At the press conference of the Macedonian Government

yesterday, Spokesman Gjuner Ismail stated that Macedonia

accepted the plan for its development by the year 2020

prepared by the UN Agency for Development. President of the

Coordination Council is Minister Bekir Zhuta and the

President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Art,

Ksente Bogoev, will be his deputy.

The Government adopted the final version of the Law on

transport at the session the day before yesterday. The Law

on sports is already in the Parliament procedure. The

Government also reviewed the recommendation for realization

of the privatization and after some comments on the text, it

returned it to the Agency for Privatization.

During the Government session on public companies last

Thursday it decided to appoint Alexandar Gestakovski as a

new director of the 'PTT Macedonia'. Acting Director of

Macedonian Railways will be Stojan Naumov, while Pande

Lazarov will be Acting Director of the Macedonian Electric

Company. New director of the Administration for Public

Revenues will be Bosko Stefanovski.

Spokesman Ismail added that the Government was not involved

in the affair concerning 'Multigroup'.



MILS SUPPLEMENT:

All assassination attempts on President Gligorov

("Vecer" 08 November, 1995)

'Vecer' finds out about many assassination attempts on

President Gligorov that were revealed and unsuccessful.

Everywhere this kind of information is a top secret, however

we have managed to get some information which is exclusively

presented in today's edition of the newspaper.

It seems like there were several assassination attempts on

President Gligorov in the past few years.

Two years ago, during an international meeting in Vienna

there was an attempt on President's life.

When, how, and who prepared the attempt?

According to information sources close to the President, the

first assassination attempt had been organized in January

1993. Everything was set up! The attempt should have been

done at the time of the President's stay in Vienna when he

participated at the Conference on Human Rights.

Immediately before the attempt, the executors had been

revealed and enabled to get close to the President when he

was leaving the hotel.

Who were the assassins?

Information from the police department for terrorism say

that the executors were members of a terrorist organization

established in Western Europe. The organization is known as

"Macedonian Shadows" or "Macedonian Lions", "Macedonian

Patriots", etc.

The same 1993, when President Gligorov had many trips abroad

concerning the international recognition of Macedonia, there

was an verbal threat on President's life. The threat came

from the non-existing terrorist organization "Macedonian

Nationalistic Committee-Department for Victoria" which

pressured the President to give up the policy on equi-

distance.

Last year there was a new assassination attempt on President

Gligorov. It happened in Tetovo during the President's

campaign. Information say that the attempt was prepared to

be done with a mashinegun. One of the President's bodyguards

noticed the assassin, however he managed to disappear in the

large group of people.

In May this year, during President's visit to Rome in the

honor of the All-Slav educators, Cyril and Methodius, a man

that was identified as blond tried to get close to the

President. He carried a briefcase with installed explosive

and planned to approach the President and to assassinate

him. He was eliminated without any incident. We have no

further information about what had happened to the "blond

person' afterwards.

There are certain information about several other attempts

on President's life in Strumica, Prilep, Kicevo, and Ohrid.

Other information say there were about 20 anonymous letters

with threats on President's life, as well as threateninig

letters to President's wife, son and his two daughters.

(end)

mils news 08 November '95





===========================================================

M I L S  N E W S

Skopje, 13 November 1995



MACEDONIA ACCEPTED IN 'PARTNERSHIP FO PEACE'

Since none of the 16 member countries of NATO have objected

on the proposal of the Committee on Macedonia's acceptance

in 'Partnership for Peace' it is expected that an agreement

between Macedonia and NATO will be signed soon.

The accord that is to be signed in Brussels consists of 8

articles referring to the conditions for the membership. The

organization guarantees active aid to member countries being

attacked or having their sovereignty, independence and the

territorial integrity threatened. It is expected that

relations with NATO will be defined with the so-called

'individual program' which will be created by Macedonian and

NATO team of experts. This program will eventually lead to a

full membership of NATO and 15 out of 26 members of

'Partnership for Peace' have signed such a program.

Macedonian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense gave

statements for the press considering the admittance saying

that NATO member states have decided that Macedonia fulfills

conditions needed for a membership such as development of

democratic processes in the society, ability of the armed

forces to prevent foreign aggression and is a member of

other European integration organizations. The 'individual

program' for Macedonia will add to possibilities of

fulfilling the two additional conditions for a full

membership of NATO. Those important conditions are

reconciliation of procedure of the armed forces command and

making communication systems compatible to those of NATO

standards. These conditions will be fulfilled through joint

maneuvers with member states.



MACEDONIA IS A GERMAN PRIORITY IN THE REGION

A delegation of the Macedonian Parliament Commission of

Foreign Affairs led by its President Ilinka Mitreva had

talks with German Foreign and Defense Ministries officials.

Both delegations agreed that bilateral relations between the

two countries are good and expressed satisfaction on the

high level of political and economic cooperation. The Acting

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Claus Neubert, and

the section chief of the Administration for Southeast

Europe, Hass, stated that the Republic of Macedonia is a

priority of German foreign policy in the region. It was also

said that Germany will continue and intensify the political

and economic support to Macedonia. German officials also

expressed readiness to support Macedonian membership in the

collective security systems.

Meanwhile, the German Embassy in Skopje informed the press

about the forthcoming visit of the Chairman of the Foreign

Policy Committee of the German federal Bundestag, Prof. Dr.

Karl-Heinz Hornhues, MP, to Macedonia. From November 16th

through November 17th, 1995, Prof. Dr. Hornhues will be

guest of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Macedonian

Parliament. Prof. Dr. Hornhues will also meet with the

President of the Parliament Stojan Andov, Prime Minister

Branko Crvenkovski, Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski and

the Minister of Defense Dr., Blagoj Handziski.



THE NAME PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED

BY THE END OF THE YEAR

Greek press, referring to information from the UN, reported

that the Greek representative in UN, Hristos Zaharakis, met

last weekend with the mediator in Macedonian-Greek

negotiations, Cyrus Vance. They had talks on the

possibilities of resuming Macedonian-Greek talks on the name

issue. At the meeting, according to confidential information

that Greek press refers to, Cyrus Vance proposed three names

of which the most frequent is 'Nova Makedonija'. Greek press

also states that Cyrus Vance will soon meet Macedonian

representatives and it is expected that an agreement may be

reached by the end of the month. Athens press concludes that

Mediator Vance is ready to organize an official meeting

between the two sides and resolve the name issue by the end

of the year.

Athens daily 'To Vima' states that the problem may only be

resolved by a composite name and "Skopje" will be disabled

to monopolize it. As 'Makpres' reports, the Greek daily says

that the new state has adopted the name paying no attention

to the fact that it has only a part of the geographical

territory called 'Macedonia'. The daily mentioned the

division of Macedonia in 1912/13 when 51% went to Greece,

39% to "Skopje" and 10% to Bulgaria. According to that, the

daily says, Skopje does not make a difference between the

geographical and the ethnic Macedonia which will eventually

lead to attempts on including the other parts that are

purposely named by Skopje as Aegean and Pirin Macedonia.

The daily in conclusion adds that "all peoples have a right

to choose their name and the fact that Macedonians have

adopted the name a century ago cannot be ignored."

'Nova Makedonija' in today's addition reports  that the

former minister for North Greece, Nikolas Martis stated that

if "Skopjans" preserve the name 'Macedonians' the whole

Greek history will be abolished. Namely, the theory that

says Macedonians are not Greeks abolishes the continuity of

the Greek nation. He added that the worst thing is that all

foreign encyclopedias have accepted the theory.



ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND MACEDONIA SHOULD BE

INTENSIFIED

During the weekend Macedonian Foreign Ministry officials

received the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Nikolai Nikolaevich Afanasievski. They had talks on the

further expansion of economic and political relations

between the two countries. In that respect they agreed that

contacts between both countries should raise on a higher

level as an inevitable step for a new quality in mutual

relations.

The delegations reviewed regional issues and agreed about

the need of strong support to peace initiatives.

Delegations paid great attention to resolving problems in

economy relations between the two countries such as the

rapid fall of the goods exchange. They emphasized the need

of regulation of mutual relations and support to concrete

projects.

Afanasievski was also received by Macedonian Parliament

President, Stojan Andov, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski,

and Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski. He expressed  wishes

for a full recovery of President Gligorov evaluating his

peace policy as a great contribution to peace and good

relations between the countries in the region. Considering

economic relations, Afanasievski stated that the ongoing

construction of the gas line is an example of successful

cooperation.





=====================================================

M I L S  N E W S

Skopje, 14 November 1995



MACEDONIA IN 'PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE' TOMORROW

Macedonia will be officially admitted in 'Partnership for

Peace' tomorrow. According to information from NATO, the

ceremony will be held tomorrow morning in Brussels in the

presence of the Macedonian Prime Minister Branko

Crvenkovski and the Acting Secretary General of NATO

Sergio Balansino.

Representatives from all 16 countries members will also be

present at the ceremony.

As A1 TV reports, the Italian News Agency 'Ansa' informed

about the event and stated that Macedonia and the US have

already made a bilateral defense agreement in 1994. In

conclusion 'Ansa' stressed that Macedonian and US Armies

had maneuvers on Macedonian territory for the first time

and added that the activity is an introduction of the

future US-Macedonian maneuvers in March next year.



MACEDONIA AND THE EU WILL SOON SIGN A TRADE ACCORD

Macedonian Radio reports that the EU Commissioner, Hans

van den Broek, at today's session of the EU Commission in

Strasbourg, will demand a mandate for preparing the trade

and cooperation Accord between the EU and Macedonia.

According to diplomatic information, the Commissioner's

request will be probably approved. The Accord will

intensify the trade cooperation between Macedonia and the

EU. The second phase of cooperation will be an accord for

Macedonian association in the EU.



MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT MET TO DISCUSS ON THE LAW ON

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

At the 49th session yesterday, the Government adopted the

proposed Law on Telecommunications. The  Law will regulate

the construction and the use of the PTT links. The new Law

provides PTT services by concessions, using of radio

frequencies, protection measures, providing international

services, etc.

The Government also had a debate on the Law on Highways

and decided to support the project which will completely

regulate the issue in the framework of the system laws for

public corporations and the local management.

Also the Government reviewed  bilateral negotiations with

the Trade Union. It decided to allow legal entities that

have not paid salaries and personal taxes to do it by

rates.



MACEDONIA SUPPORTS THE AGREEMENT ON EAST SLAVONIA

Macedonian Foreign Ministry expressed support on the

signed agreement for peaceful integration of East

Slavonia, Baranja and West Srem in Croatia, stressing that

it is an important step for a permanent stabilization of

the region and a proof that problems may be resolved

through negotiations with a respect of the international

principles.



SKOPJE OIL REFINERY STARTED TO WORK

After 11 months of abstention, the Skopje Oil Refinery

started to work and it disposed first oil derivative

products for the market. The work of the refinery is

secured for the next month and a half since more that

125.000 tons of oil have been transported to Macedonia

from the Salonica port.

According to information from the refinery, there are

ongoing negotiations for a new shipment from the Salonica

port which will provide a continual work of the refinery.



MILS SUPPLEMENT:

"Clashes" between Albanian right oriented parties

('PULS' 10 November '95)

The process of formation of forces of the so called

Albanian Political Front comes to its end. Last week PDPA

and NDP formed a coalition in Macedonian Parliament. In

that occasion the parties gave announcement for the press

saying that the newly formed coalition and parliamentary

group is a result of the coordination of their activities.

Leader of the coalition is Rami Tuda from the NDP and his

deputy is Sali Ramadani from the PDP.

The NDP during the previous mandate in the Parliament had

a coalition with the PDP but it did not participate in the

Government since it had only three representatives and its

policy was too radical. During the second elections the

NDP competed alone and gained four parliamentary seats.

But, immediately after the elections, it got too close to

the extremist group of Tachi. All Albanian protests were

led by those of Tachi and the NDP. Actually, the NDP has

never expressed its own view but it was a subject of

manipulation. The role of Iliaz Halimi, President, and

Bedredin Ibraimi, Secretary, is doing nothing or singing

songs with masses at the protests.

The worst thing to happen to this party was the

resignation of its two founders and announcing their

independent deputy status. The reason, as they announced,

was the extremist position of the party leaders, mainly

its chief Halimi.

The newly formed parliamentary group by the Tachists and

NDP practically means strengthening the position of

Dzaferi. This group is also joined by the aforementioned

Rami Tuda, a deputy fro Radolishta, and Zekir Kadriu from

Tetovo who were previously in the NDP. The group may also

rely on the former Vice President of the PDP, Sali

Ibraimi, who left the party explaining that he was not

satisfied of the party's policy regarding "the rights of

the Albanian people in Macedonia".

The new parliament group has now 8 deputies, almost the

same number as the PDP. However, PDP expects that Biliali

and Veiseli will soon join it since their political option

is close to that of PDP. That will prove that the base of

the PDP is not only the capital Skopje but also Gostivar

and Tetovo. PDP can also count on support from Hisen

Ramadani from the Albanian Liberal Union.

This new coalition between the right oriented parties of

Albanians will intensify the campaign on "ending

discrimination of Albanians in Macedonia" which will

certainly put PDP on test. PDP will probably lose its

status of being the representative of all Albanians in

Macedonia. It is now clear that there is no single policy

of Albanians. Although there is a consensus on some

"strategic" issues, such as achieving a nation status of

the Albanians and the equal use of the Albanian language,

the position of political parties of Albanians differs in

realization of aims. It is uncertain whether this new

coalition of the right oriented parties will make PDP more

civil oriented with constructive policies or it will join

the radicalism of the opposition parties of the Albanians.

If PDP chooses the second option it will definitely play

the role of a satellite since it cannot compete with the

radicalism of the Tachists.

(end)

mils news 13 November '95





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