Sunday, December 31, 2006

DPA Announces Its Priorities in 2007

Tetovo. The Democratic Party of Albanians’ (DPA) priorities in 2007 will be to completely overcome the consequences from the 2001 conflict and the realization of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, a member of Arben Xhaferi’s party said at a press conference Saturday in Tetovo, the Macedonian agency Makfax reported.
“DPA joined the government having three major goals – assessment of the security in the country after the government of the Democratic Union of Integration (DUI), a complete implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, fighting against corruption and organized crime and proposing solutions for overcoming the obstacles to the democratic development of the country,” the party’s spokesman said.

Macedonia to open Kuwaiti embassy

SKOPJI: Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said here yesterday his government hoped that a Kuwaiti embassy could be opened soon, and bilateral diplomatic representation would be upgraded up to the ambassadorial level.
The foreign minister said Kuwait is held in high esteem by all Macedonian political forces, both ruling and opposition ones, and that his country looks forward to developing relations with Kuwait at the political, trade, economic and cultural levels.
He added that he was monitoring the political, economic and social developments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries in general and Kuwait in particular, especially its democracy, which he lauded as a unique model in the Middle East region.
He pointed to a Macedonian move to promote relations with several Middle East nations, mainly Kuwait. The move involves the dispatching of parliamentary, governmental and union delegations to these countries to discuss ways and means of reinforcing economic, trade, cultural and investment ties with them, as well as economic conferences among Macedonian and Gulf, chiefly Kuwaiti, businessmen.
Macedonia hopes that it would bid for setting up infrastructure, road and harbor projects in the first three months of 2007, he added.
The Macedonian foreign minister welcomed any visit by Kuwaiti businessmen to Macedonia to see up close the business and investment opportunities available to them. -

Sanctions Against All Involved in Macedonian Arms Deal

Skopje. Macedonia's President Branko Crvenkovski and Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski have reached an agreement on imposing sanctions against all involved in the case with siezed dubious arms shipment.
Crvenkovski and Elenovski raised the issue for the responsibility of the General Staff in the arms deal and probably the Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Stojanovski could be replaced.
President Crvenkovski received part of the data from the investigation on the dubious shipment. After all the absence of Crvenkovski was the reason the session of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense not to take place, Utrinski Vesnik reports.
The session was rescheduled for Friday after the president of the committee Vlatko Gjorgjcev insisted on the presence of the Macedonian president Branko Crvenkovski at the session.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Macedonia’s President Wants State Summit Meeting Over Arms Shipment Affair

Skopje. Macedonia’s President Branko Crvenkovski wants to arrange a meeting with the heads of the key structures at the General Staff of the Macedonian Army and the Ministry of Defense. He also requires the attendance of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the Macedonian daily Utrinski vesnik
Crvenkovski has suggested the summit meeting takes place on January 3rd.
“The meeting could serve as a regular annual report, as well as for presenting information on the recent events”, President Crvenkovski has said.
reads.

Greece criticized Skopje’s decision

ATHENS -- Greek foreign affairs minister criticized Macedonian government for naming the airport in Skopje after Alexander the Great

Dora Bakoiani stated that Alexander the Great was widely recognized as a person who lead the Greek army and set the foundations of history by spreading the Greek civilization across the known world.

“Skopje once again seeks false anchorage in the past. History cannot be altered nor given up after 2000 years”, said the minister and added that such behavior of the Macedonian government is not consistent with the practice of maintaining good relations that stem from the agreement and obligations towards the European Union, and that the decision was not something that was anticipated from Skopje.

The agreement signed in 1995 between Greece and Macedonia established basic diplomatic relations between the two countries at the level of representative offices, and affirmed that they could be upgraded into full diplomatic relations upon settling the dispute over the name “Macedonia”, which Greece claims to have a right to.

International art festival "Attitude" opens in Bitola

The International festival of art videos, short, experimental films and photography will open late Thursday in Bitola, Makfax's correspondent reported.

The Center for Contemporary Arts "Elements" and Bitola Museum are organizers of this year's third edition of the festival, at which 93 artists from 23 countries will present their works.

A photography exhibition, featuring works of 17 artists from Macedonia, will be staged at the opening of the festival. The programme will continue with screening of video art and short films, created on the basis of the concept that the artist's attitude toward social occurrences stands as the most remarkable critical view on the society in general.

Screening of videos and films, which were selected by an international jury commission, will continue in the next two days.

Macedonia’s ESM-Distribution Fighting Electricity Thefts

Skopje. Macedonia’s electricity facility ESM – Distribution has started exercising stronger control on the measuring and accounting of consumed electricity throughout the country, the Macedonian daily Vecer informs.
The action aims at preventing electricity losses, no matter whether it refers to incorrect measuring or to electricity thefts by means of measuring devices manipulations.
ESM-Distribution also intend to undertake legal proceedings against everyone that causes damages or losses to the company, the newspaper points out.

Airport Renaming Angers Greeks

Macedonia's recent decision to rename its main airport after Alexander the Great has drawn the ire of Greek officials.

Macedonia, Greece's neighbor to the north, wants to change the name of Skopje International Airport to honor the historic warrior, the BBC reported Friday.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis accused the Macedonians of trying to rewrite history by trying to change the airport's name, the BBC reported. Other Greek officials also dispute the attempted name change, claiming Alexander the Great is part of their unique cultural heritage.

International air traffic officials must approve any name change before it will be recognized.

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki referred to the name change as a "goodwill gesture" of unity and told the BBC that the country had no intention to "monopolize the name."

Friday, December 29, 2006

Sekerinska: Euro-integration of Macedonia is not a success of one person, one government

Skopje, December 28 (MIA) - The period before 2006 registered feelings of great optimism and fear. Macedonia's intention to apply for the European Union membership was not welcomed by the country's partners in Europe, leader of the opposition SDSM Radmila Sekerinska says in an interview with Radio Deutsche Welle - Macedonian language program.

Some representatives of Germany, France and other influential EU countries considered that it was too early to speak about Macedonia's EU membership, candidate status, telling us that high ambitions could lead to disappointment, Sekerinska says.

However, in late 2005 Macedonia got the candidate status for EU membership, creating a positive climate that the country would be awarded if it acted appropriately.

It was not a result of one person, team or government, it was a successful project due to the enormous engagement of many people, Sekerinska says.

Nikola Ristanovski - Forum Plus weekly magazine Man of the Year

Skopje, December 29 (MIA) - Forum Plus weekly magazine has chosen the actor Nikola Ristanovski for the Man of the Year 2006. On this occasion the latest edition of Forum Plus reads that in the common political, social, scientific and cultural deficiency in persons that would mark 2006, according to the invested efforts, achieved results and general sympathies, Nikola Ristanovski imposed on as the only person that satisfies the requirements.

- Ristanovski has appeared in 115 theatre plays, 11 plays this year and 34 tours outside Macedonia, several film and TV engagements gives a pictures for his professional involvement, Forum Plus reads.

Weekly magazine also reads that jury's decision is based on other factors for the selection - the remarkable creative relation in regard to realisation of the roles in the plays, his dedication to theatre art which he has never betrayed, his mental and physical capacity that dominated at the stage, charm and suggestiveness addressing the audience and the modesty both in professional and private life.

Parliament adopts 2007 Macedonian Budget

Skopje, December 29 (MIA) - Parliament adopted Friday the 2007 Budget of the Republic of Macedonia with 60 votes in favour to 18 against and none with abstention.

The 2007 Budget of the Republic of Macedonia is in amount of 112 billion and 17 million denars, whereas 108 billion and 623 million denars are envisaged for income and 3 billion and 394 million denars are envisaged for the deficit i.e. 1% of the GDP.

Main feature of the budget policy for 2007 is rational expenditure of budget resources in order to achieve fiscal sustainability in a middle-term period.

Making Macedonia negotiate

It’s sad, but it was to be expected. The leadership of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is playing tricks on Greece.

After all, experience has shown that it can play games behind Greece’s back and go unpunished. Renaming Skopje airport “Alexander the Great” was a bid to reinforce Skopje’s fixation with creating a “Macedonian” identity. Even if Skopje backs down eventually, it will seek political rewards for doing so. The EU will go on to praise Skopje’s moderation while Costas Karamanlis’s administration will brag about having stopped its bid to usurp Greek history. Everyone will be happy – but, politically speaking, Skopje will be the real winners.

The root cause of the problem is that the name issue remains unresolved. FYROM has no reason to press for a solution. In fact, Athens should be the one pressing for a breakthrough. In 2005 Prime Minister Karamanlis warned Skopje that its NATO and EU ambitions hinged on a settlement. But Athens finally gave the green light to FYROM gaining EU candidate status without a solution to the name problem.

If the past is any prologue, FYROM will negotiate only if it is forced to. That is, it will negotiate only if it’s threatened with a block of its path to Europe and the transatlantic alliance – both of which are rightly seen as crucial to the survival of the state.

What would set a political precedent and change the terms of the problem is a referendum whose outcome would block FYROM’s path to NATO and the EU unless a commonly accepted solution were reached. That would force Skopje into serious negotiations and an honest compromise. Washington would also urge FYROM to do so.

A stir over name of Skopje’s airport

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) yesterday approved the renaming of the Skopje airport after Alexander the Great in a move Greece said will harm the country’s ties with its neighbors.

FYROM Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki confirmed the name change and pointed out that the historic military leader was an international figure and not the property of one country.

Milososki said the move is not a concealed attempt by FYROM to monopolize the name and Greece should not take it as a provocation.

But Athens responded by describing the name change as an attempt to use “spurious props from the past” to strengthen its position.

“The attitude shown by Skopje is not in line with its obligations for good-neighborly ties that result from its commitments to the European Union and are not in favor of its Euro-Atlantic ambitions,” said Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Diplomatic sources in Skopje said that the name “Alexander the Great” was chosen over the other option, “Alexander of Macedonia,” so the title would be closer to the English name for the 4th century BC hero.

FYROM also approved yesterday the renaming of its second international airport in Ohrid as “Saint Paul.”

Greece has quarreled with FYROM over its name since the former Yugoslav republic declared its independence in 1991.

Airport renaming angers Greeks

SKOPJE, Macedonia, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Macedonia's recent decision to rename its main airport after Alexander the Great has drawn the ire of Greek officials.

Macedonia, Greece's neighbor to the north, wants to change the name of Skopje International Airport to honor the historic warrior, the BBC reported Friday.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis accused the Macedonians of trying to rewrite history by trying to change the airport's name, the BBC reported. Other Greek officials also dispute the attempted name change, claiming Alexander the Great is part of their unique cultural heritage.

International air traffic officials must approve any name change before it will be recognized.

Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki referred to the name change as a "goodwill gesture" of unity and told the BBC that the country had no intention to "monopolize the name."

Dispute over 'Alexander airport'

Greece has reacted angrily to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's decision to rename its main airport after Alexander the Great.

Greece considers the famous warrior-king to be a central part of its own ancient heritage.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis protested at Macedonia's decision, saying: "History cannot change, or be falsified, 2,000 years on".

Greece and its neighbour are also in dispute over the name Macedonia.

Macedonia is the name of a region in northern Greece, and Athens has demanded that the country to the north be known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - the name under which it joined the United Nations after the break-up of Yugoslavia.

The government in Skopje wants the name Republic of Macedonia to be recognised internationally, but Greece has threatened to block its ambitions to join the European Union and Nato under that name.


Ms Bakoyannis appeared to be referring to that when she said Macedonia's latest decision "does not further its Euro-Atlantic aspirations".

Macedonian newspapers reported that the cabinet had decided to rename Skopje international airport "Alexander the Great".

The name change needs to be approved by international air traffic authorities before it can be enforced.

'Goodwill gesture'

Alexander is considered one of the most successful military commanders in history, conquering swathes of land to the east, as far as India, in the 4th Century BC.

"Alexander the Great is a leading figure of global appeal...(a) Greek conqueror who established himself in history by spreading Greek culture across the entire known world," Ms Bakoyannis said.

"With its announcement today, [Macedonia] once again seeks false supports in the past," she said.

However, Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said the decision was a "goodwill" gesture, "with which we wanted to pay our respects to this historic person who brings peoples and countries together".

"We didn't have any intention to monopolise the name," he added.

Macedonian Singer to Conquer the Opera World

After astounding audiences with his exhilarating voice earlier this year at the Melbourne Town Hall, rising opera star Sasha Novak will be singing tribute to the late Mario Lanza at Melba Hall in February of 2007.

ShowBiz Management promoter Jack Strom says that he is delighted with the presentation of the outstanding talent appearing in this fantastic concert: "I am thrilled that the public will once again have the opportunity to hear Sasha's magnificent and powerful voice."

A television producer with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, representing artists such as Vanessa Amorosi (whom he discovered), Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe Lattanzi, in addition to working with performers like Graham Kennedy and Ernie Sigley , Strom can recognize exceptional talent when he hears and sees it.

Sasha Novak received vocal coaching under the guidance of Dr Margaret Grace Bennett, whose vocal technique goes back to the legendary tenor, Jean de Reszke. Sasha completed the prestigious Graduate Diploma in Opera at the Victorian College of the Arts, during which the late distinguished conductor Robert Rosen described Sasha as having a "voice which can conquer the opera world." Sasha then lived and trained in Germany before returning to Australia to record his debut album Wagner's Heldentenor, stunning listeners in over 20 countries with his exceptional voice and interpretation, and praised by critics as "absolutely breathtaking."

Tribute to the Young Mario Lanza will focus on Lanza's early years, particularly the major influences and inspirations on his life and music. Born in 1921, the year that the great Enrico Caruso passed away, Mario Lanza became an international sensation during the early 1950s with his many successful recordings and Hollywood blockbuster films. The world was devastated by Lanza's untimely death at the young age of 38, with some people believing that the Mafia may have somehow been involved.

Former 20th Century Fox and United Pictures Motion Picture executive and AFI award winning film Distributor/Producer , Music Promoter Greg Lynch will be narrating the show. Narrating this tribute show holds a special place in Lynch̢蠪s heart, as he recalls the magnificent impact Lanza had on bringing opera to the masses, stating that Lanza was "a tenor without equal." In casting for the role of Lanza, Greg Lynch remarked on Sasha's "gifted operatic voice with all the drama and presence of a young Mario Lanza." On hearing Sasha's voice for the first time, Lynch comments that the listener is "aware that here is a gifted operatic voice that evokes strong memories and feelings of the Golden Era. Sasha is the Australian Caruso."

"I feel privileged to pay tribute to the great legend of Mario Lanza" says Sasha Novak. "He had a beautiful voice, wonderful stage presence and charisma, and was exceptional at conveying emotion through his music."

Tribute to the Young Mario Lanza will be performed on Saturday 24th February 2007. Tickets may be obtained through 1300 884 654 or by visiting www.3mbsboxoffice.com.

Daut Rexhepi-Leka Enters Macedonian Parliament to Everyone’s Surprise

Skopje. Daut Rexhepi-Leka entered the Macedonian parliament on December 27 for the first time since the Constituent Assembly was held five months ago, the Macedonian newspaper Utrinski vesnik writes. His appearance literally shocked everyone –MPs, journalists, parliamentary officials and the guards. Daut Rexhepi-Leka refused to talk with journalists. Beforehand, he appeared before the court in Skopje in connection to a case of the Hague Tribunal, in which he is suspected of involvement in war crimes. The search warrant against him was cancelled.

Greece accuses FYROM of 'falsifying' history in Alexander the Great row

ATHENS: Greece on Thursday reacted angrily to a decision by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to rename its capital's main airport after Alexander the Great, the famed warrior-king of antiquity that Greece considers an integral part of its own cultural heritage.

"History cannot change, or be falsified, 2,000 years on," Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said in a statement. Bakoyannis was responding to an announcement by her FYROM counterpart Antonio Milososki that the Skopje international airport is to be renamed 'Alexander of Macedon', the foreign ministry said.

"With its announcement today, (FYROM) once again seeks false supports in the past," the Greek foreign minister said. "Alexander the Great is a leading figure of global appeal...(a) Greek conqueror who established himself in history by spreading Greek culture across the entire known world," Bakoyannis added.

Greece is also at loggerheads with its tiny northern neighbour over its name, blocking the former Yugoslav province's efforts to gain international recognition as "Macedonia" after breaking away from Belgrade in 1991. Skopje wants the name Republic of Macedonia, as laid down in its constitution, to be used globally.

But Macedonia is also the name of a northern Greek region which was the seat of power of Alexander the Great, remembered for his conquest of Asia as far as modern-day India in the fourth century BC.

Athens threatens to block FYROM's ambitions to join the European Union and NATO unless it agrees to a compromise in a dispute over its name. "This behaviour is incompatible with (FYROM's) obligations for good neighbourly relations..and its pledges to the EU, and does not further its Euro-Atlantic aspirations," Bakoyannis said on Thursday.

In 1994, Athens imposed an embargo over the issue that cost FYROM some 2.2 billion dollars, according to Skopje's estimates.

Macedonia’s President, Defense Minister to Discuss Seized Weapons Scandal

Skopje. A meeting between the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Branko Crvenkovski and the Defense Minister, Lazar Elenovski, has been scheduled for today, the Macedonian agency Makfax reports.
The Defense Minister said the meeting would focus on the situation in the armed forces in the wake of the scandal involving the seized weapons. He also denied at yesterday's press conference he intended to urge Crvenkovski to call into account ARM Chief of Staff, Gen. Miroslav Stojanovski, but suggested that reforms and refreshment in the General Staff's human resources are necessary.

Free Internet for New Year’s Holidays in Macedonia

On December 30-31, 2006 and January 1-2, 2007 the Macedonian citizens will be able to use free internet for the New Year’s holidays, announced Ivo Ivanovski, minister without portfolio in charge of information society.

“Each citizen will have free internet by entering username “vladanarm” (Government of RM) and password “ostvaruvame” (we realise),” said Ivanovski.

According to Ivanovski the free internet is part of the Macedonia on the Internet Program. Expenses will be covered by the Government.

BULGARIA TO KEEP RELATIONS WITH MACEDONIA UNCHANGED AFTER EU ENTRY- KALFIN

Anti-macedonian centiments were unexistent in Bulgaria, Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin said during a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki.

Bulgaria's upcoming EU entry was hardly going to change the relations between the two countries, said Kalfin as quoted by Focus news agency. After it became union member, Bulgaria was going to work for the development of the entire Balkan region, said he.

Relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia moved forward and were going to become even closer in the future, said Kalfin.

Kalfin attended the opening of a Bulgarian consulate in Macedonia's Bitola on December 27.

Milososki said that the consulate was going to aid co-operation between Bulgaria and Macedonia.

The new consulate was the eighth diplomatic office in Bitola, Milososki said.

Three Bulgarian diplomats will work in the consulate. People will be able to get information on documents needed for the issuing of visas there.

Police lays charges against two security guards of DTU

Tetovo Police laid charges today against two security guards of the State University of Tetovo (DTU) for assault and battery against a group of students.

Tetovo Police laid charges against F.A., 38 and E.J., 25, employed as security guards at the State University of Tetovo, both from the village of Neprosteno, an official announcement says.

The two security guards were involved in assault on a group of students committed on 20 December, 2006, at the celebration staged on the occasion of 12th anniversary of the University.

Previously, the Police laid charges for disturbing the public order against a group of students involved in the same incident.

A group of 100 students of DTU held protests today in Tetovo, under the motto "Let's bury the violence".

The protest was not supported by the Union of students of Albanian ethnic origin in Macedonia nor by the Union of DTU students. The latter condemned the incident and urged the political parties to refrain from meddling into students' affairs.

According to them, the protesters chose a wrong timing for holding protests amid the ongoing turmoil at this University.

"Swedmilk Makedonija" to purchase milk from 5.000 farmers

The foundation stone of the new dairy plant "Swedmilk Makedonija" was laid today.

The foundation stone of the new milk production facility located next to Belimbegovo farm was laid by the Director General of "Swedmilk Makedonija", Roger Oscarson and the Macedonian Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski.

According to the announcements, as much as 15 million euros will be invested in the first construction stage.

Upon completion of the object, about a hundred workers are planned to be employed. The management of Swedmilk Makedonija also unveiled plans for concluding agreements for milk purchase with as many as 5.000 local milk producers that will provide raw material for daily processing of 250 tons of milk.

Expressing gratitude to the Macedonian Government for the unselfish support, Oscarson stressed that Swedmilk Makedonija is not seeking for any privileges.

"Our ambition is to become a leading competitor at the dairy products market, and we will pursue that goal in line with the highest EU quality standards", Oscarson said.

"We are investing in Macedonia because we see clear business opportunities and strong potential for development of the milk industry", he added.

Extending wishes for successful operation, PM Gruevski said that such investments are always welcomed since they create new jobs and enable the local farmers to develop household business.

Vice-Prime Minister, Zoran Stavrevski, pointed out that putting into operation of the dairy plant will eliminate the danger of new milk crises in Macedonia.

Swedish Government holds 30% of the Swedmilk Macedonia's stake.

Macedonian military intelligence chief sacked over smuggled army weapons

SKOPJE, Macedonia: Macedonia's military intelligence chief has been sacked after police seized a consignment of army weapons allegedly being smuggled to Bulgaria, the country's defense minister said Wednesday.

Lazar Elenovski said military intelligence failed to prevent the new weapons from leaving army warehouses.

The defense minister said another two senior military intelligence officers were also removed. He did not name the three officials.

Macedonian police seized three trucks loaded with undocumented weapons two weeks ago and arrested four Bulgarian men on smuggling charges.

The suspects claimed the cargo, including 300 new German-made MG-3 machine guns, was decommissioned Macedonian army material headed for a Bulgarian scrap metal company. A preliminary investigation confirmed Bulgaria was the trucks' destination.

Elenovski said the arms delivery contract had not been certified by army officials.


Macedonia’s Defense Ministry to Announce Results of Internal Investigation into Arms Case

Skopje. Right after the internal investigation is over, the Macedonian Ministry of Defense will announce the results related to the weapons seized from three Bulgarian trucks in Skopje, Macedonia’s Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski said cited by the Macedonian newspaper Vecer. Answering the question what he thinks about the demands of the independent trade union of employees in the sector of defense, Elenovski said that the ministry also insisted on improving the standards. A better solution to the financial condition of the Macedonian troops taking part in foreign missions should be found, Elenovski added.

Laying of foundation stone for new dairy plant in Macedonia

The groundbreaking ceremony will mark the start of construction of the new facility for production of dairy products "Swedmilk Makedonija" on Wednesday, December 27.

Executive Manager of "Swedmilk Makedonija", Roger Oscarson, and Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski will attend the groundbreaking ceremony at the site located near the entrance of the "Belimbegovo" farm.

Representatives of the Macedonian Government and employees of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden are also due to be present at the event.

Macedonia Police Intercept Explosives

Macedonian police confiscated more than a pound of C-4 high explosives from a furloughed convict who was allegedly trying to take it into Greece.

Former policeman Dusko Lazarevic, on a weekend leave from a jail at Idrizovo, allegedly stashed some 17.7 ounces of the explosive in a spare tire of his Mercedes and set off for Greece, Serbia's RTS radio-television reported Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia said officers at the Bogorodica crossing point at Gevgelija were warned by informers of Lazarevic's alleged plans to cross into Greece with forged documents and hidden explosives, RTS said.

Skopje's Vreme daily quoted experts as saying the C-4 explosive, which is made in the United States, is not used by Macedonia's police or military.

Four buildings of former SFRY's assets allotted to Macedonia

Four objects have been allotted to Macedonia after allocation of the diplomatic and consulate buildings of the former SFRY across the world.

Macedonia got the Embassy in Canberra, a part of the Embassy in Athens including an object and a courtyard, the building of the Consulate in Zurich and residential quarters with area of 320 square meters in Rome, Macedonian Foreign Ministry announced.

This was agreed at the meeting of the Mixed committee for distribution of the diplomatic and consular property of the former SFRY, which took place in Zagreb on 21 December.

The members of the Committee adopted a resolution, including two annexes, on allocation of 44 out of a total of 67 diplomatic and consular objects located in Europe, North America and Australia, the announcement adds.

The negotiations on the remaining assets will continue at the next meeting of the Committee, scheduled for 15 January in Skopje.

According to previously released information of the Serbian Foreign Ministry, Serbia was allotted 21 objects, Croatia- 10, Bosnia-Herzegovina - 8, and Slovenia three objects.

Bulgarian Strippers in Great Demand in Macedonia

Strippers from Bulgaria are the most wanted in the country's neighbour Macedonia for the Christmas and New Year holidays, providers of the services say.

Around 30 Bulgarian strippers have been hired to dance in the nightclubs of Macedonia in the New Year's Eve, most of them surprisingly are male.

Experts in the area said this year the demand is great and Bulgarians have conquered the market, taking the first pale, that was traditionally occupied by Serbians.

Skopje's airport to be named "Alexander of Macedonia"

The two international airports in Macedonia, in Skopje and in Ohrid, are likely to be renamed soon into "Aleksandar Makedonski" (Alexander of Macedonia) and "Sveti Pavle" (St. Paul).

The procedure has already begun, Zoran Stavrevski, the head of airports administration, confirmed to the electronic media, explaining that they forwarded the proposal to the Justice Ministry.

The Ministry voiced positive opinion and as soon as the Government endorses the proposal, renaming will take place.

The current names of the airports in Macedonia are dating from the time when Republic of Macedonia was part of the former Yugoslavia.

Lengthy trials - main problem in Macedonia's judiciary

The main problem in Macedonia's judiciary is lengthy trials, said Slavica Cubrik, Evaluation of Court Efficacy in Criminal Proceedings project coordinator.

At Tuesday's presentation of the Legal Analysis for 2006, organized by NGO coalition "All for Fair Trials", the NGO said it had observed as many as 149 trials in all district courts across Macedonia in 2006.

The project on evaluation of court efficacy in criminal proceedings was funded by FIOOM, OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, and the Swedish Helsinki Committee on Human Rights.

According to Cubrik, the main reasons of protracted trials are the overdue subpoena of individuals due to show up in court, the absence of witnesses, frequent delays in court hearings etc.

In the course of the project, cases related to violent criminality were subject to monitoring. The aid of the project was to determine the factors that cause the delay in court trials, and to inform the public about the rights arising from the Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights as to the principle on reasonable deadline.

The coalition of NGOs is part of a larger trial observation network in the country. Through the monitoring of domestic trials, the coalition aims to restore public confidence in the legal system and help ensure the right to a fair trial.

Introduction of automatic toll booths in Macedonia

A system for automatic collection of tolls will be introduced in toll booths on the highways across Macedonia in 2007, the competent authorities said.

The automatic collection of tolls aims to step up the fight against corruption, said the director of Road Fund Natasha V'lkanovska and the Transport & Communications Minister Mile Janakievski.

The estimated value of the automatic toll booths project ranges 3-5 million euros. The project is supported by the World Bank and the USAID. The toll booths will operate with pay cards.

The authorities say the toll payment efficacy totals 65%, mainly because of misdoings by employees and unscrupulous drivers.

The authorities said some 25 employees in Roads Fund are under investigation into alleged wrongdoings.

The project will become fully operational in early 2008. The surplus of employees will be reassigned to others posts in the Roads Fund.

Meeting of Leaders Took Place in Skopje Without Opposition Representatives

Skopje. The Prime Minister and leader of the ruling in Macedonia VMRO-DPMNE party Nikola Gruevski organized working breakfast for the representatives of the main politicial parties from the ruling coalition and the opposition. Although they had been invited to the meeting the chairmen of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) Radmila Sekerinska and Ali Ahmeti failed to turn up. Only the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) Menduh Taci was present but the party is participating in the coalitional cabinet. Gruevski has expressed his regret for the absence of the leaders from the main oppositional parties. “The strategy to put the cabinet in a situation to be criticized is obvious. Then they want to accuse the cabinet that it doesn’t want dialogue or cannot realize it”, Gruevski stated. He pointed out that they had to discuss the change of the election law. Gruevski also announced that a new meeting of the leaders could be organized in future.

Unidentified male found dead in Bitola

The body of an unidentified male was found early on Monday in Dragor River in the town of Bitola.

There was no immediate word as to the cause of the death - murder, suicide or accident.

The nearby shop-keepers spotted the body and they reported the case to Bitola Police Department.

The body was removed from the river around 10 a.m. The investigative judge ordered autopsy to establish the cause of death.

Macedonia Will Get EUR 210.5 Million from EU in Next 3 Years

Skopje. The budget of the EU for the next 3 years suggests EUR 210.5 billion of Macedonia. The information has been confirmed in the sector for co-ordination of foreign relief at the cabinet, Spic newspaper announced. The institutions and the agrarians in the country should start preparation of good projects since the first financial agreement should be ratified in September 2007. The EU budget envisages EUR 58.5 million for Macedonia. According to Brussels the greatest efforts were necessary in finishing the reforms and the synchronization of the Macedonian laws with that of the community. The trans border and regional co-operation will be funded with 4.2 million EUR, the regional – with EUR 7.4 million.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Nationwide Wi-Fi a Success in Macedonia

What began as an attempt to get more computers (and Internet access) into schools in Macedonia, has become, through the unlikely pairing of American dollars and Chinese computers, a successful deployment of a nationwide broadband wireless network. The network is revolutionary, not simply because it is considered the largest hotspot in the world, but because of its impact on the economy and culture of the country it connects.

The project began three years ago, as part of USAID's e-Schools Project. Initially, 460 primary and secondary schools in the Republic of Macedonia were to receive a total of 5300 computers donated by the People's Republic of China. To accommodate the new computers, labs were built in each of the schools. Once the computers had arrived and the labs were built, however, the problem of getting online presented a daunting challenge.

Because of the mountainous terrain, the vast distances between schools, and the sky-high prices being charged by the existing broadband operator, a creative solution was in order. Glenn Strachan, Senior ICT Specialist in Broadband Wireless Technology for AED, was brought in to direct the project.

"I had just done wireless in Romania and Uganda," says Strachan, who has thirty years of IT experience under his belt. "When you looked at the schools on the map, you were really everywhere in the country. So, I suggested that we look at it as a nationwide connectivity project."

While the original goal was only to deliver Internet connectivity to the schools, Strachan says, "it would have been an abject failure" because of the monopoly held by one provider. Basic Internet service was costing subscribers 120 euro per month. The answer was to start, not by building towers, but by changing the laws that governed the telecom business in Macedonia.

"There was no competition to the incumbent," says Strachan. "It was predatory. It was putting out of business anyone who tried to compete against it. There were ISPs in business, but they were just barely in business. If we did a competitive selection of the five that existed, and we guaranteed them a funding base, achieved through the connectivity to 460 schools, that's 545 total sites -- a $2.5 million pool that we could use to help capitalize the selected ISP. This would give them enough income to build out the backbone of their network, and in exchange, we traded service provisioning for 24 months."

Before Strachan and AED arrived, a Macedonian entrepreneur had very few options for funding his or her potential WISP.

"They couldn't go to a bank with a business plan and get a loan," says Strachan. "In Macedonia, there is no concept of that. What loans you can get are at 40% or 50% interest. So the owner of an ISP couldn't say look, there's this new thing called wireless and we're gonna make a go of it. So, we helped fund that growth. We established a competitive process and designed an RFP where we outlined exactly what we wanted: the provisioning of services, the location of the schools. We didn't tell how much we'd pay, but said they had to be competitive and create a business plan that suggested sustainability. Our goal was to create competition and a sustainable solution."

Once the law was changed and competition became possible, four vendors offered proposals. The winning proposal came from On.net who announced plans to use equipment from Strix Systems for the deployment in December, 2005. Within four months the entire network was up and running. Since winning the contract, On.net has gone from 24 staff to 75.

"On.net had to hire 300 people to do the install," says Strachan. "It was pretty amazing."

Since the network went live, nationwide Internet use has risen dramatically.

"In May 2006, we did a survey and we found out that the Internet penetration rate went from 4% to 14% home use," says Strachan. "Not only did people start using wireless, but they started using all five ISPs because everyone had to reduce their pricing structure. On.net became the lowest cost provider, so the monopoly cut its prices by 90%. So now, we have a 10GB download account in Macedonia for 10 euro (about $12.20). We've gone from an outlandishly expensive network, to something that people can afford. Once they can afford it, they can use it."

Phase Two of the project focuses on training the teachers and students who will use the network in the schools, raising awareness within the general population, and adding 95 more sites including NGOs and hospitals across the country.

In Phase Three, AED will teach the schools how to afford to maintain the network and how to sell the services at night. The USAID-funded project, which covers 95% of the country, officially ends on September 30th, 2007.

"Our ultimate goal was to create a sustainable solution," says Strachan, whose work on the Macedonia project ended in October. "If we'd only focused on the schools, it would not have been sustainable. Now the schools can afford it, and they don't have to pay for it until October 2007."

Macedonia wants quick Kosovo solution

SKOPJE -- Macedonia favors Kosovo status problem to be resolved as soon as possible, according to reports.

"We want the solution on the final status to be reached as soon as possible. Quick solution does not necessarily mean a non-quality solution, however it would be good to bring the whole process to an end. We are not convinced that stalling would produce better conditions. One cannot expect a perfect solution", Macedonian foreign ministry sources said, Makfax reports.

According to the anonymous sources, Macedonia's position on the issue is “based on the state interest and the country will follow the examples of the EU member-states and of U.S.”

The same sources reportedly pointed out that Serbia did not raise objections regarding Macedonian and Kosovo's politicians’ visits and communication, which, Makfax reports, is in contrast to Belgrade's reaction to Kosovo PM Agim Ceku’s recent visit to Podgorica.

"President Crvenkovski keeps more regular contacts with Serbian authorities, while the foreign ministry is more active towards Kosovo. This is where the Macedonian balance regarding this issue is rooted", sources in the Macedonian foreign ministry said.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Weapon Imported from Macedonia is Still in Bulgaria

Skopje. The weapon, which was imported from Macedonia in Bulgaria by the Bulgarian company EMKO is still in Bulgarian storage facilities, and was not exported to third countries, the Macedonian daily Utrinski Vesnik reports, citing the National Service of Investigation and the Bulgarian ambassador to Macedonia Miho Mihov. The weapon is stored in accordance with the requirements of the Bulgarian law and of the company-importer. The Macedonian company-carrier has given its consent to the Bulgarian buyer to sell the weapons to a third country, which is a part of the contract, an announcement of the Bulgarian security service reads.

Nationwide Wi-Fi a Success in Macedonia

What began as an attempt to get more computers (and Internet access) into schools in Macedonia, has become, through the unlikely pairing of American dollars and Chinese computers, a successful deployment of a nationwide broadband wireless network. The network is revolutionary, not simply because it is considered the largest hotspot in the world, but because of its impact on the economy and culture of the country it connects.

The project began three years ago, as part of USAID's e-Schools Project. Initially, 460 primary and secondary schools in the Republic of Macedonia were to receive a total of 5300 computers donated by the People's Republic of China. To accommodate the new computers, labs were built in each of the schools. Once the computers had arrived and the labs were built, however, the problem of getting online presented a daunting challenge.

Because of the mountainous terrain, the vast distances between schools, and the sky-high prices being charged by the existing broadband operator, a creative solution was in order. Glenn Strachan, Senior ICT Specialist in Broadband Wireless Technology for AED, was brought in to direct the project.

"I had just done wireless in Romania and Uganda," says Strachan, who has thirty years of IT experience under his belt. "When you looked at the schools on the map, you were really everywhere in the country. So, I suggested that we look at it as a nationwide connectivity project."

While the original goal was only to deliver Internet connectivity to the schools, Strachan says, "it would have been an abject failure" because of the monopoly held by one provider. Basic Internet service was costing subscribers 120 euro per month. The answer was to start, not by building towers, but by changing the laws that governed the telecom business in Macedonia.

"There was no competition to the incumbent," says Strachan. "It was predatory. It was putting out of business anyone who tried to compete against it. There were ISPs in business, but they were just barely in business. If we did a competitive selection of the five that existed, and we guaranteed them a funding base, achieved through the connectivity to 460 schools, that's 545 total sites -- a $2.5 million pool that we could use to help capitalize the selected ISP. This would give them enough income to build out the backbone of their network, and in exchange, we traded service provisioning for 24 months."

Before Strachan and AED arrived, a Macedonian entrepreneur had very few options for funding his or her potential WISP.

"They couldn't go to a bank with a business plan and get a loan," says Strachan. "In Macedonia, there is no concept of that. What loans you can get are at 40% or 50% interest. So the owner of an ISP couldn't say look, there's this new thing called wireless and we're gonna make a go of it. So, we helped fund that growth. We established a competitive process and designed an RFP where we outlined exactly what we wanted: the provisioning of services, the location of the schools. We didn't tell how much we'd pay, but said they had to be competitive and create a business plan that suggested sustainability. Our goal was to create competition and a sustainable solution."

Once the law was changed and competition became possible, four vendors offered proposals. The winning proposal came from On.net who announced plans to use equipment from Strix Systems for the deployment in December, 2005. Within four months the entire network was up and running. Since winning the contract, On.net has gone from 24 staff to 75.

"On.net had to hire 300 people to do the install," says Strachan. "It was pretty amazing."

Since the network went live, nationwide Internet use has risen dramatically.

"In May 2006, we did a survey and we found out that the Internet penetration rate went from 4% to 14% home use," says Strachan. "Not only did people start using wireless, but they started using all five ISPs because everyone had to reduce their pricing structure. On.net became the lowest cost provider, so the monopoly cut its prices by 90%. So now, we have a 10GB download account in Macedonia for 10 euro (about $12.20). We've gone from an outlandishly expensive network, to something that people can afford. Once they can afford it, they can use it."

Phase Two of the project focuses on training the teachers and students who will use the network in the schools, raising awareness within the general population, and adding 95 more sites including NGOs and hospitals across the country.

In Phase Three, AED will teach the schools how to afford to maintain the network and how to sell the services at night. The USAID-funded project, which covers 95% of the country, officially ends on September 30th, 2007.

"Our ultimate goal was to create a sustainable solution," says Strachan, whose work on the Macedonia project ended in October. "If we'd only focused on the schools, it would not have been sustainable. Now the schools can afford it, and they don't have to pay for it until October 2007."

War Crimes Trials Pose Test for Macedonia

The return to Macedonia from the Hague of four war crimes cases against Albanian rebels is expected to raise ethnic tensions and pose a steep challenge for the judiciary.

The justice minister, Mihajlo Manevski, last week announced the cases will make their way back to local courts, starting in January.

The cases were launched by the local judiciary but were transferred to The Hague at the tribunal`s request.

But in April 2005, the Hague court resolved not to continue the cases and ordered that they be transferred back to the region.

Macedonia’s previous government agreed with the ruling, partly because the cases involved many ex-rebels who had since re-launched themselves as successful politicians in the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI. Moreover, the DUI was then part of the government coalition.

But the government has since changed and the DUI is now in the opposition. As a result, there are fears that the cases will be seen as an attack on the DUI in general and even stir up an Albanian revolt.

If the courts dismiss the indictments, on the other hand, this will anger ethnic Macedonians, and fuel their perceptions that justice is selective.

While ethnic Albanians argue that no trial can take place, referring to the an amnesty law from 2001, which exempts all involved in the ethnic conflict, Macedonians insist the legislation does not exculpate those suspected of war crimes.

All four cases refer to acts committed by members of the then ethnic Albanian National Liberation Army, NLA, which staged an uprising in 2001.

The one case from the 2001 conflict that the Hague tribunal did take on board concerned ethnic Macedonians. This concerned former interior minister Ljube Boskovski and police officer Johan Tarculovski accused of killing Albanian civilians in Ljuboten on August 12, 2001.

“The return of the cases poses a huge challenge for the already politicised Macedonian judiciary,” said Nenad Markovic, of the Institute for Democracy in Skopje.

“The fact that for most citizens the judicial system in the country has no legitimacy because of its inefficiency, corruption and strong political influence will be used to show these cases are illegitimate,” he added.

At the same time, Markovic predicted an emotional reaction among Albanians, “The cases involve top politicians and may deconstruct some of the people presented as ‘heroes of 2001’ within the Albanian community.”

All but one suspect are leading members of the DUI, which grew out of the former NLA.

Analyst Iso Rusi agrees that the cases may cause a good deal of trouble, especially the fourth, concerning the entire rebel leadership.

“The case concerning the NLA leadership practically means that more than 90 per cent of the DUI membership could be arrested,” he said. “Do you think that this could take place peacefully and without any resistance?”

Gjorgji Marjanovic, a criminal law professor at the Skopje University, agreed. “There are bound to be tensions,” he said. “The return of the four cases terrifies the members of the DUI.”

But Petar Atanasov, of the Institute for Political, Legal and Sociological Relations, is less pessimistic.

“This is a sensitive issue but Macedonia has a stable political system and I don’t expect any return to the situation in 2001,” he said.

The six-month conflict between the NLA and the security forces ended with the signing of the Framework Agreement in Ohrid, obliging the government to concede a package of rights to the Albanian minority.

A key part of the peace agreement was the amnesty law, adopted in October 2001 after the NLA laid down its weapons. This offered freedom from prosecution for all NLA members but did not exempt those suspected of war crimes.

The four cases refer to the torture of five workers in the Mavrovo Construction Company, the sabotage of the water supply to the town of Kumanovo and the involvement of the NLA leadership in a series of violent incidents, as well as the kidnapping of Macedonians in the Tetovo area.

Balkan Insight has learned that the first case in January will be against Sajdula Duraku, former NLA commander and now a senior DUI official, accused of closing off the water supply to Kumanovo in the summer of 2001.

The next concerns Daut Rexhepi-Leka, suspected of involvement in Trebos, a site where murdered civilians were allegedly buried in a mass grave. He is now a deputy in parliament for the Democratic Party of the Albanians, DPA, which is part of the government.

The third case deals with NLA members who severely beat five workers of the Mavrovo construction company on the Skopje-Tetovo road.

The last, and most controversial, case is against the “NLA leadership”. This case accuses the ten leaders of the NLA, all today in the DUI, including its leader, Ali Ahmeti, of command responsibility for war crimes, such as a massacre of soldiers and police officers near Vejce.

Macedonia has already made preparations to accept the four cases. The ministry of justice says a law on cooperation with the Hague court has been prepared, and they are awaiting the opinion of the OSCE and Hague prosecutors.

Secondly, international training is ongoing for the judges selected to handle the cases. A courtroom is almost ready and the investigative prison in Shutka has been set up with video surveillance.

One of the main points of contention will be interpretations of the 2001 amnesty law, Article 1 of which says, “Amnesty does not refer to persons who have violated international humanitarian law”.

Stavre Dzikov, former public prosecutor at the time of the conflict, insists this means an amnesty does not cover the persons in the cases sent back from the tribunal.

“Why did the Hague prosecution take them on, if they were covered by the Law on Amnesty?” he asked.
The DUI disagrees, maintaining that those who want to continue the cases have a hidden agenda.

“I don’t believe these four cases will be reopened, as in that case we would be running in circles,” said Xhevad Ademi, a senior DUI official told Balkan Insight.

“What is the logic of opening a procedure when there was an amnesty for them?”

But Markovic says ethnic Macedonians will see the trials as a necessary payback for the Boskovski case.

“Having in mind that Boskovski and Tarculovski were swiftly sent to The Hague, ethnic Macedonians need to see these cases resolved to restore balance in the perception of what happened in 2001,” he said.

He admits this will have repercussions, however. “Some of the accused belong to the political establishment, so their humiliation in court proceedings will have a great symbolic meaning, negative for Albanians, positive for Macedonians,” he went on.

According to Rusi, the dilemma could be easily resolved in The Hague, as the future of the cases depends on the conditions under which they are returned.

Rusi points to the experience of courts in Croatia, which have obtained permission to try tribunal cases, but according to the Hague court’s rules.

In the meantime, the DUI’s criticisms have fueled suspicions that the Macedonian judiciary does not have the capacity to process the cases.

The DUI vice president and former NLA commander, Rafiz Aliti, remains highly critical of the quality of Macedonia’s judges.

“It is quite clear the judiciary in Macedonia is completely incapable and that we can’t have faith in it,” he said.

In that context, he returned to a notorious case concerning seven Pakistanis who were killed by the Macedonian police in 2002. The courts were widely criticised when they simply released four members of the police, accused of killings.

Apart from ordering international training for the judges, the Macedonian government has requested increased OSCE access and monitoring of the four Hague cases, in order to reduce doubts about the judges’ competence.

But the DUI sees these measures as additional proof of the weak capacity of the judiciary. “If the judiciary has to be monitored from abroad, then we must recognise it is not prepared for the cases,” said Rafiz Aliti.

But Nenad Markovic says the watchful eye of the international community ought to be seen as a guarantee of good conduct.

“The only way these cases will be justly solved is if we are under constant pressure from the international community,” he said.

“Our judiciary has shown repeatedly that it lacks capacity, especially when it comes to politically sensitive issues. The solution is in the watchful eye of Erwan Fuere [EU ambassador] and Gillian Milovanovic [US ambassador in Skopje].”

We Wanted to Remind Branko Crvenkovski he was not Elected Legitimately: Nikola Gruevski

Skopje. The ruling Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity used the annual address of the Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski to remind him he was not a legitimately elected head of state, the Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski said, cited by the online edition of the Macedonian government press office.
According to Gruevski this is the reason for him and some of the ministers not to be present at the annual President’s address in the parliament yesterday.
“This is the third year in row that IMRO-DPMNU is not present at the address. We wanted to remind President Crvenkovski that he won the elections through violence, arms and frauds,” Gruevski stated. In his words “absence is a good message that elections should not be won in this way”.

SOS Village Skopje recieves toys from US Marine Corps

Today members of the US Marine Corps will give a donation of gifts to about 80 children at the SOS Children’s Village Skopje. US Marine Corps serving at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Macedonia have coordinated a donation drive to benefit a local charity in Macedonia for the third year in a row,
a press statement says.
“We are pleased to participate here in Macedonia in this long standing tradition. Our goal is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate children that will help motivate them to grow into responsible citizens and community members”, Staff Sergeant Vicente Mendez, commander of the Marine detachment at the Embassy said in the statement.

Macedonian Defense Minister to Visit Montenegro


Skopje. Macedonia’s Minister of Defense Lazar Elenovski started on Wednesday a three-day tour of the region, MRT reported. The delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Macedonian Armed Forces, which is headed by Elenovski, visited Serbia on Wednesday, and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Today he will visit Montenegro. The visits are aimed at offering Macedonia's support to Euro-Atlantic integration processes of the three countries and assistance in defense reforms. Elenovski will meet with Montenegro's Defense Minister Boro Vuchinic.

MALEV INCREASES FLIGHTS TO SKOPJE

Mal̩v is upping the number of its flights to Skopje by two a week. Now, together with the new services Рflight number MA442/3 Рthe Hungarian national carrier flies to the Macedonian capital eight times a week.

Malév has witnessed increasing traffic levels on its Skopje route during 2006, with overall growth of more than 16% in the 11 months between January-November compared to the identical period in 2005. In order to meet the considerable rise in demand, the airline is increasing its flight frequency to the capital of Macedonia with a further two flights each week.

Crvenkovski says 2007 crucial for Macedonia's EU integration


The first half of 2007 is crucial for Macedonia's ambitions to join the EU, President Branko Crvenkovski said while making his annual address to the nation. The year 2007 holds a key to Macedonia's road to the EU, i.e. whether the country will catch up with Croatia or it will remain in the group of other Western Balkan countries, President Crvenkovski said. Neither MPs of the ruling coalition VMRO-DPMNE/DPA nor government officials attended the address by the head of state at parliament's chamber. "The first six months of the next year are key period. The pace of country's integration into the EU will greatly depend on what will be accomplished in the forthcoming months," he added. According to President Crvenkovski, Macedonia could either catch up with Croatia or next to Croatia, or it will remain in the group of other countries in the Western Balkan region with great uncertainty over the next chance. He stressed that Macedonia should do its outmost to ensure that it receives the start-date for EU accession talks by the end of 2007.

Skopje Lajm Newspaper Accused Emko That it Had Meeting with Albanian Paramilitary Formation ANO

Skopje The Skopje Lajm newspaper accused the Emko firm that it used to meet Albanian paramilitary formation ANO 7 years ago, FOCUS Agency correspondent reports from the capital city. Lajm claims that the contact of the Bulgarian Emko Company with the Albanian leaders for National Liberation (ANO) dated way back in 1999.
Without mentioning its sources they defined them as former figures of the paramilitary Albanian structure and that the first meeting between Emko representatives and leaders of the Albanian rebels was in 1999 in Kyustendil. The rest of the meetings took place in Sofia, Kumanovo and Tetovo immediately before the military conflict in Macedonia in February 2001. Lajm claims that talks were lead for buying of arms at the meetings.

"Lajm": Bulgarian company Emko had contacts with NLA

The Bulgarian company Emko held a couple of meetings seven years ago with representatives of the Albanian paramilitary organization NLA to negotiate an arms sale deal, Skopje-based Albanian-language daily reported in today's edition.

According to the paper, the contacts of the Bulgarian company Emko with the leaders of the then Albanian National Liberation Army dated from 1999, when their first meeting took place in the Bulgarian town of Kjustendil.

The following meetings, according to Lajm, were held in Sofia, Kumanovo and Tetovo, shortly before outbreak of the armed conflict in Macedonia in 2001.

The newspaper sources claimed that negotiations for sale of arms were conducted, but said they had no information about eventual conclusion of agreements.

The former Chief of Staff of NLA and incumbent deputy in the Macedonian Parliament, Gzim Ostreni, told "Lajm" he was not aware of such meetings and qualified the claiming as speculations.

According to him, certain factors in Macedonia are trying to impute all kinds of wrongdoings to NLA with an aim to instigate a rift among the former Albanian guerilla fighters.

First Brazilian player in Macedonia dies of heart attack

SKOPJE, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Ricardo da Costa Oliveira, the first Brazilian-born player to play in the Macedonian League, has died of a heart attack at the age of 30, his club Skendija Tetovo said on Thursday.

He was found unconscious and taken to hospital by a Brazilian friend, Aginaldo de Jesus Braga, who plays for Vardar Skopye.

"I found Oliveira unconscious in the bathroom and I immediately brought him to hospital," said Braga. "But it was too late."

Oliveira, who recently obtained Macedonian citizenship, scored 77 goals in the domestic championship but had not played this season because of a knee injury.

"I'm shocked," said former Macedonia coach Gyoko Hadzievski. "He was a very good footballer -- it was a pleasure to watch him play."

Oliveira moved to Macedonia in 1997 with Pobeda Prilep and also played for Rabotnichki Skopye and Vardar Skopye. He spent six months on loan with Antwerp in Belgium before settling in the Balkan country.

Editor-in-Chief of Lajm Newspaper: Information for Emko Contacts is from ANO Former Members

Pristina. “The information that Lajm newspaper published for the meetings of representatives of the Bulgarian arms firm with members of National Liberation Army (ANO) is from former activists of the Albanian movement”, the Editor-in-Chief of Lajm Newspaper Nebi Murseli announced for FOCUS Agency from Pristina.
“The ex chief of the General Staff of ANO Gazim Ostreni has no information for the meetings held in Kyustendil, Sofia, Kumanovo amd Tetovo because he didn’t take part in them. However other Albanian leaders took part in the meetings”, Murseli pointed out.
According to him the meetings took place in 1999 and in the end of 2000 immediately before the military actions in the region of Tanusevci on the border between Macedonia and Kosovo.

Again Bulgarians under Skopje Arrest

Four Bulgarians are under a 30-day arrest in Skopje because of confusion between the Macedonian Armed Forces and Police. The court in Skopje imposed a 30-day arrest on the Bulgarian truck drivers and the firm’s owner after the police found a lot of arms in the trucks.
The Interior Ministry and the Armed Forces still have different stands and contradict each other over the weapons.
“The arrest of the Bulgarian drivers in Skopje has nothing to do with arms smuggling”, spokesman of the General Staff of Macedonia’s Armed Forced Mirce Gjorgovski stated.

Weapons Seized in Skopje are KFOR Arms

Skopje. The weapons transported by Bulgarian trucks were KFOR arms, the correspondent of Focus Agency in Skopje reports.
The weapons are 300 machine-guns, 300 machine-gun tripods, and 33 120mm caliber mine-throwers. They are new, made in Germany and sealed with NATO symbols. This is the third consignment. The transportation procedure is routine and in this way the Bulgarian and Macedonian armies fulfil their commitments to KFOR – the multinational NATO forces deployed in Kosovo.
According to the Macedonian Defense Ministry the single violation is that the weapons traveled without an escort and the necessary documents. The Director of the Macedonian National Bureau for Public Security Ljupco Todorovski said Saturday that the initial information stated the weapons were new and probably a NATO donation.
The Macedonian Defense Ministry first announced that the police detained a legal weapon consignment, which was part of the compensation between the Macedonian and Bulgarian armies. Later it became clear the weapons were transported under a contract signed between the Defense Ministry and the metal processing plant Tito. Todorovski added that the inquest should point to the transportation lapses, and explained he would demand liability from the people responsible for the transportation.
Nine employees in the Macedonian Armed Forces’ General Staff and the metal processing plant Tito are also arrested. Four Bulgarians – the truck drivers, will also remain arrested for 30 days. Macedonian Defense and Interior Ministries released different information about the place where the trucks were detained.

Elenovski, Stankovic: no unresolved issue between Skopje and Belgrade

Macedonia and Serbia have no unresolved issues, including their borderline.

Macedonian and Serbian Defense Ministers, Lazar Elenovski and Zoran Stankovic, shared this stance at today's meeting in Belgrade, Serbian media reported.

The highlights of the talks included demarcation of the border, Kosovo's status and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the two countries.

The Macedonian Defense Minister and I have reached an agreement on all issues and I thanked him for the Macedonian support to Serbia in the process of inclusion of our country in the Partnership for Peace Programme, Stankovic said at the joint press conference.

He added that Belgrade considers the border demarcation to be a technical issue, noting that as of January 2007, the Serbian Police will take over the control of the border with Macedonia from the Army.

No Accusation is Brought against Bulgarian Drivers in Skopje

Skopje. No accusation is brought against the four Bulgarian drivers detained in Skopje. The Macedonian authorities in charge are inquiring the three Bulgarian trucks detained while transporting weapons without an escort and the necessary documents. Since the drivers are foreign citizens they should remain at the inquiry bodies’ disposal. Probably tomorrow it will be clear whether any accusations will be leveled against the Bulgarians.
At Saturday’s court sitting in Skopje the Bulgarians were defended by official solicitors. The Bulgarian consul Ventsislav Tsvetanov was also present. The Bulgarian embassy assists the detainee and if the drivers want, other lawyers could be appointed, the Bulgarian embassy told Focus Agency.
The embassy added that this is a routine procedure – the Macedonian bodies are inquiring because they doubted the legal nature of the deal. The Bulgarian drivers assured they had stuck to their duties and had the necessary documents stating the destination of the trucks. The drivers are not participants in arms smuggling or traffic.
The Macedonian police work on some stories and will not give information until the inquest is not over.
Currently nobody can tell when the drivers are to be released. The Macedonian authorities in charge should end their proceedings, the Bulgarian embassy keeps in touch with them and will not abandon the Bulgarians, the embassy stated.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has the entire information on the case.

Macedonian Defense Minister to Visit Serbia, BiH and Montenegro

Skopje. Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski will pay visits to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro within his three-day tour of the region, the Macedonian agency Makfax reported. The visits are aimed at offering Macedonia's support to Euro-Atlantic integration processes of the three countries and assistance in defense reforms, an official announcement says.
Elenovski's first stop is Belgrade, where he is due to meet today with his Serbian counterpart Zoran Stankovic.
On Thursday and Wednesday, Elenovski will meet with BiH's Defense Minister Nikola Radovanovic and Montenegro's Defense Minister Boro Vuchinic.
NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme admitted Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro couple of days ago, while Macedonia joined the Programme in 1995.
ARM Chief of Staff, General Miroslav Stojanovski, will accompany Minister Elenovski in his visits.

Italian Under-Secretary for Justice visits Macedonia

Italian Under-Secretary for Justice, Alberto Maritati, is due to arrive in Macedonia for an one-day official visit. Macedonian Justice Minister Mihajlo Manevski will host a meeting with Maritati on Wednesday, government's press release says.
The meeting will focus on the cooperation between Macedonia and Italy in the area of civil and criminal law.

Economic and social indicators on Macedonia

A brochure on the economic-social situation in Macedonia will be presented Wednesday in Skopje.

The survey on Macedonia's economic and social profile was conducted by the Confederation of Employers of the Republic of Macedonia (CERM).

Among those expected to attend today's promotion of the booklet will be representatives of the CERM, the Serbian Union of Employers, and foreign experts.

Three Arms Shipments Imported from Macedonia are in Store in Bulgaria

Sofia. The three arms shipments imported from Macedonia up to now are kept in a store of the importing firm EMKO, as the law requires. The weapons are in Bulgaria and have not been exported abroad, the Interior Ministry told Focus Agency after the check of the Bulgarian authorities in charge, regarding the Macedonian media publications on a possible resale or diversion of the weapons from Bulgaria.
The first arms shipment arrived on May 18th 2006, the second and the third ones arrived on July 10th 2006 and July 30th 2006 respectively. The shipment detained on December 14th is the fourth one. A reexport of some of the shipments was neither required, nor fulfilled. The first three arms shipment from the Macedonian Defense Ministry to Bulgaria were fulfilled according to an import permit issued in June 2006 by the Interdepartmental Commission for Export Control and Non-proliferation, and permits issued by the National Police Service-Ministry of Interior regarding the transportation of the weapons to stores of the Bulgarian importing company.
Earlier the National Investigation Service announced the result of its check – the detained goods were intended for Bulgaria under an official import permit issued in June 2006 by the Bulgarian authorities in charge. In regard to the deal the Macedonian Defense Ministry issued an export permit in April 2006.
According to the contract on the deal the Macedonian company selling the weapons should have provided the security guard of the goods on Macedonian territory. The contract also sets out that the Bulgarian buyer is allowed to sell the weapons to third parties.

Weapons purchased from Macedonia are properly stored

Weapons from Macedonia are stored in compliance with the requierements of Bulgarian laws and the importing company, while the Macedonian selling firm gave consent to the Bulgarian buyer to produce or sell the concerned goods to third parties, reads the report of national Bulgarian security service Bezbednost. The three prior deliveries of weapons from the Macedonian Defense Ministry to Bulgaria were conducted in compliance with the import decision of June 2005 by the inter-sectorial committee on export control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the decision of the Macedonian police for transport of the goods to the warehouses of the Bulgarian purchasing company. Moreover, the Macedonian firm was obliged to escort the load until it leaves the country's territory, reads the report.
The police seized past Thursday weapons during a routine control of three trucks with Bulgarian register plates. The firearms included 300 pieces of machine guns caliber 7,62mm with 300 stands, and 33 mortars caliber 120mm. The truck drivers have been detained.

EMKO Refuses to Comment on Weapon Scandal in Skopje

Sofia. The Bulgarian company EMKO has refused to comment on the so-called weapon scandal in Skopje. A female employee of the firm told FOCUS News on behalf of the owner of the company Emilian Gebrev that all questions concerning the topic should be addressed to the corresponding agency in the Ministry of the Economy and Energy – the Commission for Export Control and Non-proliferation.

Western European Union Assembly to hold session

The Assembly of the Western European Union (WEU) will hold the 52nd plenary session in Paris.

The highlights of the plenary session of the Antiparliamentary European Security and Defense Assembly will include NATO transformation and strategic partnership with the EU, European land forces in external operations

Macedonian Parliament member Rafiz Aliti will take part in the session. On the sidelines of the session, Aliti will be holding talks with parliamentarians of the Western European Union countries.

The three-day session of the WEU will include debates on the EU operations in Congo, changing perception of terrorism in public opinion and the media, the draft revised budget of the Assembly for the 2007and other themes.

Two blasts reported in Skopje last night

Two explosions occurred in Skopje's district Taftalidze late on Monday, causing material damage.

The blasts occurred around 22:40 hrs on Prashka Street in the premises of Mashinopromet Company, Interior Ministry's spokesman Borce Peshevski told Makfax news agency.

The blasts at the roof of the warehouse had reportedly broken the windows of Koni-kom Company office.

The police have launched an investigation at the blast site.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Bomb blasts damage machine parts company in Macedonia

SKOPJE, Macedonia: Two explosions damaged a warehouse used to store machine parts and nearby offices near downtown Skopje, authorities said Tuesday.

No one was hurt in the bomb blasts late Monday in the capital's Taftalidze district at the Mashinopromet parts company. Interior Ministry's spokesman Borce Pesevski said the explosions in the roof of the warehouse shattered windows at three company offices.

"Police are investigating the blast site. We still have no details about the explosive device or the possible motive for the attack." he said.

Macedonia, Serbia set to discuss defense cooperation

Macedonian and Serbian officials will meet on Wednesday in Belgrade to discuss defense cooperation.

Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski will lead a Defense Ministry delegation due to arrive in Belgrade on Wednesday. Elenovski will be holding talks with his Serbian counterpart Zoran Stankovic.

The aim of the visit is to provide a support to Serbia after its accession into the NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) Programme given the Macedonia's 11-year-long experience in PfP membership. Macedonia had joined the PfP in 1995.

Macedonian delegation will also include the Army Chief of Staff, Major General Miroslav Stojanovski and the State Advisor on International Cooperation Jordan Stojanov.

Bulgarian Company EMKO Is Buyer of Macedonian Weapon

Skopje. The Bulgarian company EMKO is the buyer, which received the unused machine guns from the military storerooms in the Gotse Delchev barracks and the mine throwers, used by the Macedonian army, the correspondent of FOCUS News Agency informed from the capital of the former Yugoslavian republic.
The Bulgarian company hired to transport the weapons is ‘Miroslava-Svetoslav Gotsov’. They provided the three freight trucks, which were supposed to transport the fourth shipment of the weapons to Bulgaria.
The shipment itself was negotiated with the mediation of Metalski Zavodi Tito, which received the weapon as a compensation for performed services.
In the beginning of 2005 the leadership of the General Staff of the Macedonian army decided to release the surplus of old weapons. According to the evaluation of experts, who were later interrogated, 300 machine guns were evaluated to USD 90,000 and the total amount that EMKO was supposed to pay for the weapons was slightly under USD 200,000.
Metalski Zavodi Tito was supposed to supply machines and gas masks to the army amounting to USD 200,000. This was a contract, which was annulled by the Macedonian Minister of Defense Lazar Elenovski.
The contract with EMKO was signed by the former Minister of Defense in the Ministry of SDSM Jovan Manasievski. The merchandise was shipped to Bulgaria.
Minister Elenovski told Macedonian media that Macedonia didn’t know where the weapon was shipped as an end destination. Manasievski on his part, said that the government of the country, which had licensed the company, in this case this is Bulgaria, had guaranteed that the weapons would not be sold in regions, which are under the embargo of the UN.