Council of Europe (COE) Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg released his report on the status of human rights in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Friday, praising ongoing efforts by the FYROM government to improve human rights, but also highlighting shortfalls in the judiciary, law enforcement, and the penitentiary system. Hammarberg wrote:
The country’s judiciary was frequently described by both national and international stakeholders as weak and inefficient, with widespread perceptions of political influence and corruption...
A main problem remains the backlog of over one million cases. In 2007, the trend shifted. The improved implementation of the judicial reform strategy coupled with other measures tackling the inefficiency of the judiciary resulted in an increase of solved cases by 8% in the first half of 20079. The Minister of Justice informed the Commissioner that the backlog of cases has decreased. However, lengthy administrative and judicial proceedings remain a problem and constitute the bulk of cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Government is addressing this problem with a series of legislative and organisational measures, such as the adoption of the Law on Civil Proceedings limiting the courts’ ‘investigative role’ in civil proceedings and the parties’ possibilities to delay the procedures. A (domestic) legal remedy against lengthy proceedings has been introduced...
These reforms are important steps to diminish political influence in the appointment of judges and to ensure an independent and efficient judicial system. However, public confidence in the judiciary remains very low. Several international organisations and NGOs have reported on widespread and repetitive postponements of hearings, low quality of judicial decisions and poor standard of court facilities without separate waiting rooms for witnesses and victims, and sometimes even resulting in in camera hearings because of lack of space. The Commissioner is of the opinion that more efforts need to be invested to enable effective follow through of the judicial reform process and to consolidate the improvements provided for in reform legislation. Such measures should include continuing legal education for legal professionals including judges and other legal court staff, as well as training on improving case management and handling. More resources need to be invested in court buildings and equipment.
The Commissioner also found that "police violence remains a problem," and recommended the creation of a more representative police force which would include more women and minorities.
Hammarberg's report reiterated his concern for the rights and status of the Roma ethnic minority across Europe. In July, he urged Italy to change policies which he said marginalize the Roma, and he described seeing harsh conditions in Roma camps and hearing accounts of police mistreating the Roma people. He said that in addition to the harm caused by the policies themselves, openly anti-Roma governmental statements reinforced existing xenophobic sentiment.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
War Crimes Trials Undermine Macedonia Coalition
The main Albanian party in Macedonia's government voiced anger with the announced trial procedures of ethnic Albanians accused of war crimes.
The Democratic Union of Albanians, DUI, wants the cases dropped. "We believe the cases should subside under the amnesty law, so there would be be no court proceedings," a party source was quoted as telling the local Spic daily.
"But we still lack guaranties [of this] from our coalition partner", the source added, referring to the main party in government, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE.
The cases concern senior party officials, including the DUI president, Ali Ahmeti, charged with committing war crimes during the armed conflict in 2001, which pitted Albanian guerrillas from the now disbanded National Liberation Army, NLA, against Macedonia’s security forces. Ahmeti at the time headed the NLA.
The source also accused VMRO DPMNE's head, the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, of mounting a "policy of isolation" towards the EU and NATO. The source complained that Gruevski's tough rhetoric in the unresolved "name" row between Athens and Skopje was diminishing the chances of a solution.
A quick resolution of the dispute is needed if the country wishes enter NATO and subsequently the EU. In April, Greece blocked Macedonia’s NATO bid, arguing that the use of the name Macedonia implied a territorial claim to the Greek northern province of the same name.
"If the country stays out of NATO and EU for a longer period, this could shake the coalition," the DUI source warned.
The formation of a VMRO DPMNE-DUI coalition after June general elections was heralded as a political breakthrough, because in 2001 VMRO DPMNE headed a government at war with the NLA.
The cases of the four men have been returned from The Hague war crimes tribunal, ICTY, to Macedonia's courts, and one of the trials is set to start later this month.
The Democratic Union of Albanians, DUI, wants the cases dropped. "We believe the cases should subside under the amnesty law, so there would be be no court proceedings," a party source was quoted as telling the local Spic daily.
"But we still lack guaranties [of this] from our coalition partner", the source added, referring to the main party in government, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE.
The cases concern senior party officials, including the DUI president, Ali Ahmeti, charged with committing war crimes during the armed conflict in 2001, which pitted Albanian guerrillas from the now disbanded National Liberation Army, NLA, against Macedonia’s security forces. Ahmeti at the time headed the NLA.
The source also accused VMRO DPMNE's head, the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, of mounting a "policy of isolation" towards the EU and NATO. The source complained that Gruevski's tough rhetoric in the unresolved "name" row between Athens and Skopje was diminishing the chances of a solution.
A quick resolution of the dispute is needed if the country wishes enter NATO and subsequently the EU. In April, Greece blocked Macedonia’s NATO bid, arguing that the use of the name Macedonia implied a territorial claim to the Greek northern province of the same name.
"If the country stays out of NATO and EU for a longer period, this could shake the coalition," the DUI source warned.
The formation of a VMRO DPMNE-DUI coalition after June general elections was heralded as a political breakthrough, because in 2001 VMRO DPMNE headed a government at war with the NLA.
Silvio Berlusconi: Macedonia is a destination for Italian business
Macedonia has been a destination for Italian business, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in the frames of the traditional exhibition in Italian town of Bari at which Macedonia had been presented by Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Macedonian Kirilitsa newspaper reports. The most powerful business leaders from the European and Mediterranean region have attended the exhibition.
Macedonia President’s Popularity ‘Doubles’
The popularity of Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski has doubled in the past three months, an opinion poll by the local Institute for Democracy suggests.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Asked which politicians they trust the most, 9.5 percent of those polled chose Crvenkovski in August. This is double from June when he got less then 5 percent.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Macedonia should recognise same-sex couples says rights commissioner
The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has published a report into the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Macedonia.
Thomas Hammarberg said that the "atmosphere and attitude towards LGBT persons" in the former Yugoslav Republic has improved.
However, he concluded that certain persisting discriminatory attitudes exist at all levels, and legal safeguards are insufficient.
"Legal protections against discrimination remain particularly weak," he said.
"Currently, there are limited specific legal protection provisions available for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity.
"The Law on Military Service was amended and took out the prohibition for homosexuals to serve. Moreover, a recent amendment to the Law on Work Relations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a welcome positive legislative change albeit with a narrow scope of application."
Mr Hammarberg said that the lack of a law against homophobic and transphobic hate crimes should be considered, along with Constitutional protection on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"The Commissioner has been made aware of instances of apparent discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBT community by local authorities," the report stated.
"Education is the key to informing and developing a culture of tolerance and inclusiveness. Human rights education programmes should be developed and expanded for Governmental officials including police officers and judicial officials at all levels, and also for school-going students.
"There should be a possibility of legal recognition of same sex partnership."
Thomas Hammarberg was elected to the post of Commissioner for Human Rights in 2005 by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
The 47-member Council predates the European Union.
It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights.
Thomas Hammarberg said that the "atmosphere and attitude towards LGBT persons" in the former Yugoslav Republic has improved.
However, he concluded that certain persisting discriminatory attitudes exist at all levels, and legal safeguards are insufficient.
"Legal protections against discrimination remain particularly weak," he said.
"Currently, there are limited specific legal protection provisions available for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity.
"The Law on Military Service was amended and took out the prohibition for homosexuals to serve. Moreover, a recent amendment to the Law on Work Relations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a welcome positive legislative change albeit with a narrow scope of application."
Mr Hammarberg said that the lack of a law against homophobic and transphobic hate crimes should be considered, along with Constitutional protection on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"The Commissioner has been made aware of instances of apparent discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBT community by local authorities," the report stated.
"Education is the key to informing and developing a culture of tolerance and inclusiveness. Human rights education programmes should be developed and expanded for Governmental officials including police officers and judicial officials at all levels, and also for school-going students.
"There should be a possibility of legal recognition of same sex partnership."
Thomas Hammarberg was elected to the post of Commissioner for Human Rights in 2005 by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
The 47-member Council predates the European Union.
It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Skopje, Athens to hold fresh round of talks
UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will conduct a fresh round of talks with representatives of Macedonia and Greece about the name issue.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
Police set to remove beggars from Skopje streets
Police started an organized action for curbing down the begging on the streets of Skopje, Makfax informed.
Ministry of Interior announced today that the action codenamed "Begging" will be carried out in continuity, . The operation was prepared and will be realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare through the Public Facility Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs - Skopje.
According to the plan of the action, underage delinquency inspectors along with inspectors for property-related crime will patrol with an unmarked vehicle at crossroads, buildings, shopping malls, bridges, i.e. locations where this phenomenon is most commonly present.
As many as 23 spots in the city were encompassed in the course of Wednesday, the first day of the action, majority of which were under jurisdiction of the police precinct "Centre". In addition, the action was carried out on a number of locations on the territories of police precincts Bit Pazar, Aerodrom, Karpos and Gjorce Petrov.
The Police detained 11 adults and 13 minors, whose parents will receive warnings and reports in line with the Law on Public Order and Peace, and adequate measures for taking care of children-beggars will be taken in cooperation with the Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs.
Ministry of Interior announced today that the action codenamed "Begging" will be carried out in continuity, . The operation was prepared and will be realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare through the Public Facility Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs - Skopje.
According to the plan of the action, underage delinquency inspectors along with inspectors for property-related crime will patrol with an unmarked vehicle at crossroads, buildings, shopping malls, bridges, i.e. locations where this phenomenon is most commonly present.
As many as 23 spots in the city were encompassed in the course of Wednesday, the first day of the action, majority of which were under jurisdiction of the police precinct "Centre". In addition, the action was carried out on a number of locations on the territories of police precincts Bit Pazar, Aerodrom, Karpos and Gjorce Petrov.
The Police detained 11 adults and 13 minors, whose parents will receive warnings and reports in line with the Law on Public Order and Peace, and adequate measures for taking care of children-beggars will be taken in cooperation with the Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs.
Vipro to invest EUR 750 in a new plant
Food processing company Vipro, based in Gevgelija, will invest EUR 750,000 in expanding production capacities. Vipro will obtain this money as a loan from Greek EU pre-accession fund.
The company will build a new production facility with the floor space of 4,000 square meters and 50,000 square meters of surroundings.
This will provide for 10 million new production units, instead of the present 2 million, thus increasing the production capacity five-fold.
The company will build a new production facility with the floor space of 4,000 square meters and 50,000 square meters of surroundings.
This will provide for 10 million new production units, instead of the present 2 million, thus increasing the production capacity five-fold.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Esma Redzepova, Boulevard Nightclub, London
Macedonia's presence in Britain is nowhere near as large as Poland's, but this is their national day, and it looks as if every Macedonian in town has come to see their country's most famous singer, Esme Redzepova, aka Queen of the Gypsies, bring a spectacular and intimate night of showmanship and soul to this R&B, house and hip-hop nightclub. The bouncers have never seen anything like it.
Packed on the Ealing club's little stage behind microphones with more reverb than a haunted house, the band warm up an enthusiastic audience with a couple of wild dance tunes before Redzepova makes her entrance in cocek costume – her red headscarf covered in a black veil for the gypsy lament of "Zaidi Zaidi", along with a red handkerchief to wipe a symbolic tear from each eye at the end. It's hammy, theatrical, ritualistic, yet still raises the hairs on the back of the neck.
Redzepova's six-strong band is made up of children she and her late husband adopted from the streets of Skopje and Belgrade – 47 in all, all grown up now. The band is led by the burly figure of accordion player and arranger Simeon Atanasov, once a six-year-old street kid with pneumonia, bronchitis and a slim chance of survival. With him are a clarinet player and trumpeter, who exchange instruments, even mouthpieces, to tease out melodic torrents midway through a Roma wedding tune, and a double bassist and guitarist keeping different calendars of time behind the accordion and brass.
The trumpeter gets a whack from Redzepova for wheeling into her space; he shoots back a look of boyish reproach, then plays himself back into favour, blowing softly around her in tandem with the clarinettist, their playing rising and falling subtly to her own supremely accomplished, powerfully emotive vocals.
There's no other instrument like Redzepova's voice, and the Boulevard can't contain it – the PA's sound resembles that of her recordings in Fifties Budapest. But the inventiveness and elegance of the set is breathtaking, with snatches of Balkan cabaret and showboating carrying familiar tunes off into unexpected detours that take you as near as you'll get to the spirit of a Roma wedding.
Packed on the Ealing club's little stage behind microphones with more reverb than a haunted house, the band warm up an enthusiastic audience with a couple of wild dance tunes before Redzepova makes her entrance in cocek costume – her red headscarf covered in a black veil for the gypsy lament of "Zaidi Zaidi", along with a red handkerchief to wipe a symbolic tear from each eye at the end. It's hammy, theatrical, ritualistic, yet still raises the hairs on the back of the neck.
Redzepova's six-strong band is made up of children she and her late husband adopted from the streets of Skopje and Belgrade – 47 in all, all grown up now. The band is led by the burly figure of accordion player and arranger Simeon Atanasov, once a six-year-old street kid with pneumonia, bronchitis and a slim chance of survival. With him are a clarinet player and trumpeter, who exchange instruments, even mouthpieces, to tease out melodic torrents midway through a Roma wedding tune, and a double bassist and guitarist keeping different calendars of time behind the accordion and brass.
The trumpeter gets a whack from Redzepova for wheeling into her space; he shoots back a look of boyish reproach, then plays himself back into favour, blowing softly around her in tandem with the clarinettist, their playing rising and falling subtly to her own supremely accomplished, powerfully emotive vocals.
There's no other instrument like Redzepova's voice, and the Boulevard can't contain it – the PA's sound resembles that of her recordings in Fifties Budapest. But the inventiveness and elegance of the set is breathtaking, with snatches of Balkan cabaret and showboating carrying familiar tunes off into unexpected detours that take you as near as you'll get to the spirit of a Roma wedding.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Skopje will recognize Kosovo Sept 23, writes Pristina daily
Macedonia will recognize Kosovo on September 23rd. That’s according to the Serbian B92 radio station, which cites a Pristina daily – the Zeri.
Macedonia has bound the recognition with border demarcation issue, but the Zeri claims “this was settled in the recent days, mainly in the sensitive region of Debalde,” the radio says.
The daily writes also that “with a view to the internal political situation in Montenegro it is not quite certain whether Podgorica will immediately follow” Macedonia’s steps in recognizing Kosovo’s independence.
Macedonia has bound the recognition with border demarcation issue, but the Zeri claims “this was settled in the recent days, mainly in the sensitive region of Debalde,” the radio says.
The daily writes also that “with a view to the internal political situation in Montenegro it is not quite certain whether Podgorica will immediately follow” Macedonia’s steps in recognizing Kosovo’s independence.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Ohrid Lake, Pelister Eyes and Vrelo caves, world wonders candidates
Ohrid Lake, lakes at mountain Pelister called "Pelister Eyes", and caves "Vrelo" at Matka are the three natural beauties that citizens have selected to represent Macedonia at the global campaign on the new seven wonders of nature. These three natural beauties will be proposed by the Macedonian supporting committee, which is supported by the Ministry of Economy.
People can already vote for the Ohrid Lake at the new seven wonders website, whereas Pelister Eyes and Vrelo caves will soon be put on the list. Voting will last until December 31, with the top 77 entering the next selection round.
People can already vote for the Ohrid Lake at the new seven wonders website, whereas Pelister Eyes and Vrelo caves will soon be put on the list. Voting will last until December 31, with the top 77 entering the next selection round.
Nikola Gruevski: We showed that Macedonia can survive
All Macedonia’s governments over the last 17 years, including the present one, have done everything to build a hard, independent and free country, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said after his visit to the Millenary Cross at the Vodno Mountain in Skopje from where he had greeted Macedonian citizens on occasion of the Independence Day, FOCUS News Agency correspondent in Skopje informed.
“17 years ago Macedonian citizens voted for independence without any hesitation. They voted for the formation of a country, which will survive and develop. We have shown as a country and nation that we can survive as we had passed through hard moments,” he added.
“17 years ago Macedonian citizens voted for independence without any hesitation. They voted for the formation of a country, which will survive and develop. We have shown as a country and nation that we can survive as we had passed through hard moments,” he added.
Macedonia Celebrates Independence Day
Macedonia celebrates today 17 years since its independence from Yugoslavia, national media reported on Monday.
On September 8, 1991, 95 per cent of Macedonia’s citizens answered affirmatively to the referendum question, which endorsed independence from Yugoslavia, albeit legalising participation in a future union of the federation’s former states.
The main celebration of the anniversary will be held in one of the capital Skopje’s main squares, Makedonia. Festivities start at 8pm with a musical programme, the government announced, followed by a speech by the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and concluded by fireworks at midnight.
The government, according to media reports, has said it will organise free transportation to Macedonians from other towns who want to attend the festivities in the capital.
Meanwhile, as the Sitel television station reported, about 5,000 Macedonians decided to spend their national holiday in Greece.
It seems that despite the long-running political dispute between the two countries over Macedonia’s constitutional name, which reached new heights recently, regular Macedonian citizens don’t see anything wrong with spending their holidays in Greece.
A total of 10,000 Macedonian citizens have crossed the border between the two countries in September, seemingly undeterred by earlier reports of Macedonian border authorities’ singling out as and hassling “unpatriotic” Macedonian holidaymakers who chose to travel to Greece.
On September 8, 1991, 95 per cent of Macedonia’s citizens answered affirmatively to the referendum question, which endorsed independence from Yugoslavia, albeit legalising participation in a future union of the federation’s former states.
The main celebration of the anniversary will be held in one of the capital Skopje’s main squares, Makedonia. Festivities start at 8pm with a musical programme, the government announced, followed by a speech by the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and concluded by fireworks at midnight.
The government, according to media reports, has said it will organise free transportation to Macedonians from other towns who want to attend the festivities in the capital.
Meanwhile, as the Sitel television station reported, about 5,000 Macedonians decided to spend their national holiday in Greece.
It seems that despite the long-running political dispute between the two countries over Macedonia’s constitutional name, which reached new heights recently, regular Macedonian citizens don’t see anything wrong with spending their holidays in Greece.
A total of 10,000 Macedonian citizens have crossed the border between the two countries in September, seemingly undeterred by earlier reports of Macedonian border authorities’ singling out as and hassling “unpatriotic” Macedonian holidaymakers who chose to travel to Greece.
Scotland embarrassed by Macedonia
Macedonia 1 Scotland 0
Scotland suffered a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign when they slumped to defeat against Macedonia in their opening match.
The home side took the lead after just five minutes and Ilcho Naumoski’s strike proved to be decisive as Srecko Katanec’s men held on to claim all three points.
The searing temperatures in Skopje were always going to be an issue for the Scots and they lacked a cutting edge for the remainder of the game, failing to find the goal that would at least have allowed them to put an early point on the board.
George Burley had his preferred team in mind for several weeks ahead of this match and there were no real surprises when his starting XI was revealed.
Kenny Miller and James McFadden both started and were given the task of getting the goals despite a less than inspiring partnership in last month’s drab goalless friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden.
With West Brom’s James Morrison injured, Barry Robson was given the nod in midfield alongside Celtic team-mates Paul Hartley and Scott Brown, as well as Darren Fletcher.
As expected, stand-in skipper Stephen McManus was able to shake off a knock he picked up in last week’s Old Firm derby to take his place in the heart of defence with Gary Caldwell.
Hundreds of Scotland fans were locked out of the City Stadium before kick-off when the Macedonian Football Association refused to allow entry to those with tickets for the home end, fearing for the safety of fans.
The 1,000 travelling supporters who did manage to see the game witnessed the worst possible start when Scotland found themselves trailing with just five minutes on the clock.
The Macedonians earned a free-kick just outside the area when McManus was deemed to have fouled Goran Maznov and Goce Sedloski stepped up for the set-piece. His effort was touched on to the post by goalkeeper Craig Gordon but Naumoski pounced to rifle home the rebound from six yards.
The Scots could have hit back through a free-kick of their own when Graham Alexander was fouled by Robert Petrov but Robson’s curling shot was weak and easily smothered by goalkeeper Petar Milosevski.
Macedonia threatened again when Petrov provided a cross from the left for Goran Pandev but his ferocious volley cannoned off the body of Caldwell, denying the home side’s star man the chance to add to their tally.
Scotland then had a decent chance of their own when Fletcher set up McFadden and he embarked on a run which took him past several red jerseys only for his shot to be blocked by the body of Igor Mitreski, before the Birmingham striker nodded the rebound wide.
At the other end, the home fans screamed for a penalty when Maznov went to ground under pressure from Gordon but the Macedonia man appeared to make the most of it and the pleas were ignored by referee Pavel Kralovec.
Veliche Shumolikoski then released Maznov on a surging run which was halted by Caldwell. The ball broke to Pandev but he fired straight at Gordon in what proved to be the last real chance of the first half.
Scotland tried to force their way back into the game after the break and Scott Brown drew a decent save from Milosevski with a well-struck shot from distance, before the heroics of Gordon prevented the visitors from falling further behind.
A Pandev corner was cleared as far as Shumolikoski who unleashed a thunderous long range effort that the Scots keeper just managed to tip over the crossbar with one hand.
Gordon then punched to safety a dangerous cross into the box from Pandev before Maznov could connect with a header at his right post.
Scotland made their first change when Kris Commons replaced Hartley, before Gordon was again called into action to block a point-blank effort from Naumoski.
Burley’s men failed with their own claim for a penalty when Miller played through McFadden and he went to ground as the goalkeeper dived to claim the ball.
No spot-kick was forthcoming and all McFadden earned for his protests was a yellow card from the Czech official.
Miller was withdrawn for Rangers team-mate Kris Boyd with ten minutes to go as the Scots had one last throw of the dice but Macedonia held on for maximum points with Burley still seeking his first win as Scotland manager.
Macedonia: Milosevski, Noveski, Petrov, Sedloski, Mitreski, Lazarevski, Georgievski, Shumulikoski, Maznov, Pandev, Naumoski. Replacements: Pacovski, Polozani, Tasevski, Demiri, Trajanov, Grncarov, Ristic.
Scotland: Gordon, Alexander, Naysmith, McManus, Caldwell, Hartley, Fletcher, Brown, Miller, McFadden, Robson. Replacements: McGregor, Boyd, Broadfoot, Maloney, Commons, Stewart, Berra.
Referee: Pavel Kralovec (Czech Republic)
Player ratings:
CRAIG GORDON: The only player to enhance his reputation. Deserved better for the goal after a brilliant save onto the post, and followed that up with another stunning stop – 7/10.
GRAHAM ALEXANDER: Solid enough defensively but simply did not get forward enough from right-back, especially in the first half – 4.
STEPHEN McMANUS: Appeared unlucky to concede the free-kick which led to the goal. Looked uncomfortable in the first half but improved, holding a higher line after the break – 5.
GARY CALDWELL: Magnificent tackle to prevent Goran Maznov making it 2-0. Made a couple of other vital interventions as well – 6.
GARY NAYSMITH: Much more of a threat than Alexander, the left-back delivered one superb cross after the break – 5.
SCOTT BROWN: Repeatedly gave the ball away in the first half and faded badly in the second – 4.
PAUL HARTLEY: Struggled to nullify the threat of the deep-lying Goran Pandev and failed to set the right tempo from his deep-lying midfield position – 4.
DARREN FLETCHER: Failed to make any significant impact on the game – 4.
BARRY ROBSON: Looked the most likely midfielder to cause Macedonia problems, with some good runs and testing deliveries from set-pieces – 5.
JAMES McFADDEN: The one outfield player who looked a genuine threat, he was often a one-man attack and was unlucky to be denied a second-half penalty – 6.
KENNY MILLER: Cut a lonely figure in front of a midfield which failed to provide adequate support or service. Also had a good penalty shout – 4.
Substitutes
KRIS BOYD (for Miller, 80): No time to make a significant impact – 4.
SHAUN MALONEY (for Robson, 76): Looked lively but introduced too late – 5.
KRIS COMMONS (for Hartley, 65): One very dangerous cross but otherwise largely ineffective – 5.
Burley disappointed at defeat
George Burley insisted Scotland did enough for a draw as their World Cup qualifying campaign got off to the worst possible start in Macedonia.
In his first competitive game in charge, Burley watched his side concede just five minutes into the game in a wretched first-half display in Skopje.
But Burley, still without a win four games after taking over, insists his side’s improved second-half display deserved more.
"Disappointed to lose but all of the second half I thought we dominated the game," he told Setanta Sports 1.
"We kept battling away until the end and I thought they deserved something out of it."
Scotland were denied what appeared two good penalty shouts in the same attack when Kenny Miller and James McFadden were brought down in the box.
"I spoke to the boys and they thought it was a stonewall penalty," said Burley, who refused to criticise a referee he had expressed concern about in the build-up to the match.
"Overall, the referee had a good game. Maybe that decision he got wrong."
Burley refused to use the heat as an excuse for his side's slow start and revealed how his half-time team-talk led to an improved second-half showing.
"I said ’I want you to step on a bit more, not back off them, put them under pressure’," he said.
"And, second half, I thought we were outstanding. We played some good football, passed it well, but their keeper’s made a few good saves."
He added: "You don’t always get what you deserve."
Burley set a target of 17 points out of 24 from Scotland’s Group 9 campaign but he does not believe Wednesday’s match in Iceland has now become a must-win game.
But he said: "You’re always looking to pick points up."
Fans locked out
The misery of hundreds of Scotland fans at today’s World Cup qualifying defeat in Macedonia was compounded after they were refused entry to the ground.
Up to 1,000 supporters were locked out of the stadium in Skopje before kick-off after being told they had bought tickets for the home end and would not be allowed in on safety grounds.
Riot police were called in to ensure order was maintained, forcing supporters to return to town if they wanted to watch the game on television.
Scottish Football Association security advisor Derek Kirkwood said travel club members had been allowed entry with no problems.
But he added: "There’s probably about another thousand who have come over to Macedonia in the hope of maybe getting tickets for the match and they’ve been buying them off people in the street.
"Unfortunately, they’re for the Macedonian section of the stadium and the police commander in charge of the event is not allowing these people in."
The Macedonian FA had repeatedly warned in the build-up to the game that if they suspected spectators entering the home section to be Scottish then they would not be admitted.
Kirkwood insisted the SFA had made representations before the game to let these fans in but the efforts were refused, even though the stadium was not full as he had been told it would be.
He told BBC Scotland: "We’ve done absolutely everything we can in our power to say to them (the police), ’Look, these guys are known as the greatest fans in the world, won’t you please just let them in. I know they shouldn’t be buying tickets in the street but there’s room in this stadium. We can assure you they’ll go in there and not cause any bother’.
"But the police chief has just said, ’Absolutely not’."
Kirkwood admitted today’s scenes could be repeated in Wednesday’s qualifier in Iceland.
"We’ve only got 1,000 tickets for the stadium up in Reykjavik and again the Tartan Army want to see the game," he said.
Macedonia warns of Georgia fallout from blocked bids
Macedonia's deputy prime minister warned on Friday that Russian military intervention in Georgia could encourage fringe elements in his country if its bids to join the EU and NATO were not unblocked quickly.
Ivica Bocevski said there were two possible spinoffs in the Western Balkans from the Georgian crisis -- a spread of pro-European ideas or a spread of uncertainty.
He warned that further delay to efforts by the former Yugoslav republic to join the European and NATO could encourage 'marginal forces'.
'We need the opening of the negotiations, we need to see this process started and we need to see this process moving,' he told a seminar in Brussels. 'If the EU and NATO perspective is prolonged, cynicism can easily kick in.''We can imagine the whole European periphery as a great chessboard...if this chessboard is not filled by our figures, then the one playing against us can easily fill their place.'
Bocevski criticised Greece for using a dispute over the name of Macedonia to block his country's progress and added: 'We would like to urge the European Commission not to regard the name issue as an obstacle to our accession progress.''The momentum for permanently solving this potentially dangerous issue
is now,' he said. 'The EU's mission is to secure peace, prosperity and stability
to the whole European region; it can only be achieved by bringing Macedonia from
the periphery to the core of the European Union.'
Macedonia won EU candidate status in 2005, but the name row with Greece has delayed the setting of a date for the start of EU membership talks as well as its NATO bid.
Greece objects to the use of the name Macedonia, which is also the name of its own northern province, birthplace of national hero Alexander the Great. It says use of the name by its neighbour implies territorial ambitions.
The tiny Balkan state is known at the United Nations and other international bodies as the 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia', pending a settlement of U.N.-led talks with Greece.
On Thursday the European Commission -- the EU executive -- said Macedonia also needed to clean up its internal politics, including the way elections are conducted, to secure the start of membership talks.
Macedonia's general election in June was marred by violence and intimidation in mainly ethnic Albanian areas, posing a question mark over its ability to meet criteria to join the EU such as the rule of law and respect for minorities.
Ivica Bocevski said there were two possible spinoffs in the Western Balkans from the Georgian crisis -- a spread of pro-European ideas or a spread of uncertainty.
He warned that further delay to efforts by the former Yugoslav republic to join the European and NATO could encourage 'marginal forces'.
'We need the opening of the negotiations, we need to see this process started and we need to see this process moving,' he told a seminar in Brussels. 'If the EU and NATO perspective is prolonged, cynicism can easily kick in.''We can imagine the whole European periphery as a great chessboard...if this chessboard is not filled by our figures, then the one playing against us can easily fill their place.'
Bocevski criticised Greece for using a dispute over the name of Macedonia to block his country's progress and added: 'We would like to urge the European Commission not to regard the name issue as an obstacle to our accession progress.''The momentum for permanently solving this potentially dangerous issue
is now,' he said. 'The EU's mission is to secure peace, prosperity and stability
to the whole European region; it can only be achieved by bringing Macedonia from
the periphery to the core of the European Union.'
Macedonia won EU candidate status in 2005, but the name row with Greece has delayed the setting of a date for the start of EU membership talks as well as its NATO bid.
Greece objects to the use of the name Macedonia, which is also the name of its own northern province, birthplace of national hero Alexander the Great. It says use of the name by its neighbour implies territorial ambitions.
The tiny Balkan state is known at the United Nations and other international bodies as the 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia', pending a settlement of U.N.-led talks with Greece.
On Thursday the European Commission -- the EU executive -- said Macedonia also needed to clean up its internal politics, including the way elections are conducted, to secure the start of membership talks.
Macedonia's general election in June was marred by violence and intimidation in mainly ethnic Albanian areas, posing a question mark over its ability to meet criteria to join the EU such as the rule of law and respect for minorities.
Branko Crvenovski doubts Macedonia to get a date for the negotiations with EU
If Macedonia doesn’t get e recommendation for a date to start the negotiations with EU in the EC audit report we can’t think that the report is positive, Macedonian President Branko Crvenovski said, Macedonian A1 television reports. “It is important for us that Macedonia will get a date for the negotiations, otherwise we can say that this had been an unsuccessful year, he pointed.
He doubted that there would be such recommendation.
He doubted that there would be such recommendation.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Macedonia to help "Aegeans"
Macedonia's parliament in Skopje has passed a resolution instructing the government to help refugees from Greece.
The refugees, mostly ethnic Macedonians, are also known as Aegeans.
They need assistance in court processes aimed at regaining their property in Greece, confiscated during a civil war in that country, and during the Second World War.
MPs unanimously voted in favor of the resolution tabled by the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and the Democratic Union for Integration, as well as the opposition Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia.
Some 60,000 refugees left their homes in the so-called Aegean Macedonia. The Greek authorities are preventing them and the members of their families from returning to that country and from using their property.
Macedonian Premier Nikola Gruevski recently asked his Greek counterpart Kostas Karamanlis to solve this issue, and has also proposed that it be considered as part of the ongoing name dispute negotiations.
The refugees, mostly ethnic Macedonians, are also known as Aegeans.
They need assistance in court processes aimed at regaining their property in Greece, confiscated during a civil war in that country, and during the Second World War.
MPs unanimously voted in favor of the resolution tabled by the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and the Democratic Union for Integration, as well as the opposition Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia.
Some 60,000 refugees left their homes in the so-called Aegean Macedonia. The Greek authorities are preventing them and the members of their families from returning to that country and from using their property.
Macedonian Premier Nikola Gruevski recently asked his Greek counterpart Kostas Karamanlis to solve this issue, and has also proposed that it be considered as part of the ongoing name dispute negotiations.
Secret deal between US and Greece?
According to Sam Vaknin in a text published by the Los Angeles Chronicle the US State Department has already made an agreement with the Greek Foreign Ministry for an ‘acceptable name’ in regards to Macedonia, citing DC sources.
Mr. Vaknin says, the deal was struck in a series of secret meeting between the US and Greek side in Washington DC in mid June.
The solution may be “Northern Macedonia”, the name Greek Lobbyist and UN Mediator Matthew Nimetz has proposed in the past two years.
Sam Vaknin states the Macedonian Government isn’t aware of the existence of this “Greco-American” plan which was coined so Macedonia becomes a member of NATO and would suit American interests in the region, explaining that Serbia is a Russian agent, while Greece is an Anti-American entity and a member of the NATO Alliance, hence Macedonia would cut off the connection between the two countries.
Though Mr. Sam Vaknin, an Israeli (obsessed with Macedonia and former employee of the Macedonian Government), is famous for his anti Macedonian writings in obscure news sites ever since his contract in Skopje was ‘cut short‘, his explanation may have some merit.
I say may have some merit as this morning the US Ambassador in Skopje, Milovanovic issued a fairly unfortunate statement: “Macedonia has no future if it’s not a NATO member”.
One must admit, NATO has exceeded the “Jesus Levels”. If you are not in NATO, you can pretty much commit suicide. With all do respect, Zambia and Zimbabwe and 130 other countries are not in NATO, and guess what, there they are, existing.
I am not angry with the US Ambassador, slip ups do occur, and getting angry with her would be like getting angry with my grand mother. Which is something I refuse to do.
The only thing Macedonia would gain from NATO membership is being targeted by Russia and needlessly spend millions of dollars in “membership fees“ for an organization that has nothing to do with defense, and a lot to do with offense. Should I add that NATO’s status as a military (occupational) organization has spurred the creation of more military organizations to defend themselves. NATO a stabilizing force? Think again.
Back to the name. Sam Vaknin theory, will quickly prove to be true or false at the UN meeting on September 23rd, when US Secretary of State Condi Rice will present the “take it or leave it” solution to both sides, or maybe to just one side if the other is already informed.
I personally believe Sam Vaknin to be one angry man, again, because he was let go from his ‘advisory’ post, and just can’t agree with the ’deal’ he claims was made. I don’t deny there may be a deal made, it wouldn’t surprise me, though not to the severity of Vaknin’s claims.
Northern Macedonia for all use will just not work because that is far from a compromise, and I don’t see the Macedonian Government accepting something they have refused several times, or changing the constitutional name, which is what essentially Greece had been trying to do all along.
I for one wont allow change on my passport, and yes, I'll fight you for it, there can only be Macedonia.
Are Greece jealous because we have only one name, and they have three?
Mr. Vaknin says, the deal was struck in a series of secret meeting between the US and Greek side in Washington DC in mid June.
The solution may be “Northern Macedonia”, the name Greek Lobbyist and UN Mediator Matthew Nimetz has proposed in the past two years.
Sam Vaknin states the Macedonian Government isn’t aware of the existence of this “Greco-American” plan which was coined so Macedonia becomes a member of NATO and would suit American interests in the region, explaining that Serbia is a Russian agent, while Greece is an Anti-American entity and a member of the NATO Alliance, hence Macedonia would cut off the connection between the two countries.
Though Mr. Sam Vaknin, an Israeli (obsessed with Macedonia and former employee of the Macedonian Government), is famous for his anti Macedonian writings in obscure news sites ever since his contract in Skopje was ‘cut short‘, his explanation may have some merit.
I say may have some merit as this morning the US Ambassador in Skopje, Milovanovic issued a fairly unfortunate statement: “Macedonia has no future if it’s not a NATO member”.
One must admit, NATO has exceeded the “Jesus Levels”. If you are not in NATO, you can pretty much commit suicide. With all do respect, Zambia and Zimbabwe and 130 other countries are not in NATO, and guess what, there they are, existing.
I am not angry with the US Ambassador, slip ups do occur, and getting angry with her would be like getting angry with my grand mother. Which is something I refuse to do.
The only thing Macedonia would gain from NATO membership is being targeted by Russia and needlessly spend millions of dollars in “membership fees“ for an organization that has nothing to do with defense, and a lot to do with offense. Should I add that NATO’s status as a military (occupational) organization has spurred the creation of more military organizations to defend themselves. NATO a stabilizing force? Think again.
Back to the name. Sam Vaknin theory, will quickly prove to be true or false at the UN meeting on September 23rd, when US Secretary of State Condi Rice will present the “take it or leave it” solution to both sides, or maybe to just one side if the other is already informed.
I personally believe Sam Vaknin to be one angry man, again, because he was let go from his ‘advisory’ post, and just can’t agree with the ’deal’ he claims was made. I don’t deny there may be a deal made, it wouldn’t surprise me, though not to the severity of Vaknin’s claims.
Northern Macedonia for all use will just not work because that is far from a compromise, and I don’t see the Macedonian Government accepting something they have refused several times, or changing the constitutional name, which is what essentially Greece had been trying to do all along.
I for one wont allow change on my passport, and yes, I'll fight you for it, there can only be Macedonia.
Are Greece jealous because we have only one name, and they have three?
Yazicioglu: Turkey Will Always Support Macedonia
Turkish State Minister Said Yazicioglu attended the opening of the new headquarters of Turkish Democracy Party in Macedonia on Friday.
Yazicioglu said that Republic of Turkey would continue to extend support to Macedonia.
The building of Turkish Democracy Party was constructed with the support of Turkish International Cooperation & Development Agency (TIKA).
Turkish State Minister Nazim Ekren, Turkish Ambassador in Skopje Arslan Hakan Okcal, TIKA Chairman Musa Kulakkaya and Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Yankulovska attended the ceremony.
Yazicioglu said that Republic of Turkey would continue to extend support to Macedonia.
The building of Turkish Democracy Party was constructed with the support of Turkish International Cooperation & Development Agency (TIKA).
Turkish State Minister Nazim Ekren, Turkish Ambassador in Skopje Arslan Hakan Okcal, TIKA Chairman Musa Kulakkaya and Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Yankulovska attended the ceremony.
Bakoyannis: Greece to block Macedonia's EU entry talks
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis made it clear that Greece would definitely block the opening of EU accession talks with Macedonia.
"We made clear and they are aware that there can be no Euro-Atlantic prospects unless the name dispute is resolved, because it's a foundation for good neighborly relations," Bakoyannis told Greek media.
She added that Greece would not allow Macedonization of its foreign policy given that there are much important issues.
"Such an attitude cannot produce a solution. Nikola Gruevski carries the sole responsibility for hindering the Euro-Atlantic prospects of Skopje," Bakoyannis said. /
"We made clear and they are aware that there can be no Euro-Atlantic prospects unless the name dispute is resolved, because it's a foundation for good neighborly relations," Bakoyannis told Greek media.
She added that Greece would not allow Macedonization of its foreign policy given that there are much important issues.
"Such an attitude cannot produce a solution. Nikola Gruevski carries the sole responsibility for hindering the Euro-Atlantic prospects of Skopje," Bakoyannis said. /
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