President Branko Crvenkovski in a note congratulated the National Day of the Republic - August 2 to the citizens of Macedonia.
Allow me on the occasion of the greatest holiday, August 2 - National Day of the Republic, to convey my most sincere wishes to all the citizens of Macedonia and around the world, reads the note.
I use this solemn occasion, it says, to pay my respects for everything that has been done thus far for the Republic of Macedonia, for everything that has been created by past generations and left behind to present and future generations to walk on the same path, the path towards justice and truth, which are enshrined by this great holiday, Ilinden.
Furthermore, the president adds that equality is the key towards achieving stability in the Republic of Macedonia and a guarantee for its European prosperity. Therefore, we are bound together to resume with the promotion of peace, tolerance and cooperation of all citizens.
Lastly, congratulating this great holiday to all Macedonians, I vow adequate observation and celebration that is worthy for Macedonia and for all of us, he notes.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
US diplomat prods FYROM
US Ambassador in Skopje Gillian Milovanovic yesterday called on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to “carefully study” proposals being put forward by a United Nations mediator in the Macedonia name dispute and “embrace a golden opportunity” for a settlement.
Milovanovic said Skopje should strive to reach an agreement with Athens before a European Union summit in December. She said the proposals of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz “safeguard the interests of (FYROM) and could form the basis for further negotiations with Greece.”
Milovanovic’s comments came a day after FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon broaching the issue of a supposed Macedonian minority in Greece. Gruevski’s letter, which followed two letters from Skopje to the European Commission on the same subject, was rebuffed by Greece’s alternate government spokesman. Evangelos Antonaros said it was “an unsuccessful attempt to distract the attention of the international community” from the name talks.
Milovanovic said Skopje should strive to reach an agreement with Athens before a European Union summit in December. She said the proposals of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz “safeguard the interests of (FYROM) and could form the basis for further negotiations with Greece.”
Milovanovic’s comments came a day after FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon broaching the issue of a supposed Macedonian minority in Greece. Gruevski’s letter, which followed two letters from Skopje to the European Commission on the same subject, was rebuffed by Greece’s alternate government spokesman. Evangelos Antonaros said it was “an unsuccessful attempt to distract the attention of the international community” from the name talks.
'SwedMilk Macedonia' gets EU export license
"Swedmilk Macedonia" can officially export milk at the European market as of Tuesday, after obtaining an export certificate.
"Through this decision, we will aim at completing agreements for export in France, Bulgaria etc. In the past six months, we have shown that the Macedonian product is competitive. Latest data shows that 35 percent of import has been replaced by the best Macedonian milk", said "Swedmilk Macedonia" general manager Roger Oscarson.
In the meantime, the factory has also completed the six-month test period for the HACCP certificate.
"We have already launched activities to acquire the BRC certificate, which is important for Nordic countries. We are doing everything so that the best Macedonian milk is competitive at the European market", added Oscarson.
Thus far, "Swedmilk Investment" investments amount to Euro 25 million. The dairy employs 120 people, whereas cooperation agreements with about 1,200 farmers have been signed.
"Through this decision, we will aim at completing agreements for export in France, Bulgaria etc. In the past six months, we have shown that the Macedonian product is competitive. Latest data shows that 35 percent of import has been replaced by the best Macedonian milk", said "Swedmilk Macedonia" general manager Roger Oscarson.
In the meantime, the factory has also completed the six-month test period for the HACCP certificate.
"We have already launched activities to acquire the BRC certificate, which is important for Nordic countries. We are doing everything so that the best Macedonian milk is competitive at the European market", added Oscarson.
Thus far, "Swedmilk Investment" investments amount to Euro 25 million. The dairy employs 120 people, whereas cooperation agreements with about 1,200 farmers have been signed.
Commentary Defines "Ideological" Nature of Macedonian-Greek Name Dispute
In order to determine the strategic and operative diplomatic and political directions to resolve some open issues, such as the name dispute with Greece, the character of the same should be known, my dear ones. This is significant not because of a scientific whim or seminar eloquence, but because it is the basis of how and with what measures the opening and closing of this issue will be approached and led to its outcome.
There is no need to mention that "our lot" does not have a clue about what they are arguing about and how they should be managing the process of this dispute. Namely, the nature of the dispute between Macedonia and Greece, or vice versa, is not really political, but symbolic. It is a conflict about controlling knowledge, that is, semantically and essentially a postmodern dispute. This does not make it easier or - God forbid - less bloody, but it is mostly of such nature. This means that it is not the strategic confrontation of economic and geopolitical interests (there may exist such interests, but they are not crucial for the dispute) between Macedonia and Greece that is contentious, but that of the interests of a cultural, symbolical, and identity nature. This is what the Greek politicians, who (after our lectures in Athens) have said here for the first time that this dispute is "ideological" (according to [Greek politician] Pangalos), are talking about.
The term "Macedonia/Macedonian" is a strong name and a powerful license, which, if distributed merely to Macedonia, will push the country like a typhoon towards the cultural mythological centres of importance in the globalist world. Greece knows this well from its own experience. It has become an EU and NATO member due to its attitude towards the Hellenic heritage and for meeting the membership criteria. This is why it has spread the denouncement that Macedonia is "stealing away its history." You cannot comprehend this side of the dispute unless you are aware of its nature.
The Greek emigrants have about 15 "attack-arguments," all of them along these lines. This means that the confrontation centre is here. This is the centre where the acupuncture needle should pierce to relax the dispute. This is the division of connotations and the attempt to divide the heritage and mark the pluralities that succeed history without resorting to the grotesque theories of ethno- genetic, direct origin from the ancient nation-making groups of whomever nowadays.
The second problem is the Greek policy of discrimination against and utter rejection of its Macedonian minority. Instead of applying polemics that will solidify its positions, Macedonia should try to "indirectly" help its people in Greece through every available line of struggle to make Greece recognize all minority groups on its territory, including the Macedonians.
Second, instead of the empty "opening-closing" of issues, the Macedonian state should logistically help them to form teams of legal experts that will formulate the "Aegeans'" private complaints against Greece to its courts and Strasbourg, while waiting for the moment when it will be in a position to offer a bilateral agreement on resolving the remaining package of cases regarding Greece.
The third characteristic in this dispute is that it is UNBALANCED [capitalization as published]. Specifically, we are not having a bilateral debate with Greece, even though we do not want to admit this. It underestimates and avoids us, which is a typical Balkan syndrome of a state that thinks highly of itself. Yet, this is only for the time being. When they "polemize," they threaten us, but they actually do this every time the others are listening or in order to send out a message somewhere (to the United States, the EU states, its neighbours, and so forth). Let me give you this piece of advice: never insist on bilateral meetings because they are hardly attainable and futile. Always work in a "threesome" with a strong mediator. We are lucky that this has been the United States so far, given that it supports us. Only in this way - and never in a bilateral manner - can we come to a solution.
The fourth characteristic in this dispute is that it is a dispute of two radically opposite states and societies. The dispute has "a Laconic characteristic" [should read Lacan characteristic, after French psychoanalyst and philosopher Jacques Lacan] in these terms. Greece is an attempt to obtain a hysterical, ethnically clean, and homogenous culture and a political system within which the homogenizer in the face of religion and Hellenism will dominate. Macedonia is a "nightmare" for such systems because it is their essential opposite. If we succeed, then this will mean that they have made a mistake with the hysterical ethnic homogenization. Macedonia is a multicultural country with an inclusive policy, which it should interpret as an advantage or at least a thorough characteristic. It should not avoid it or imitate Greece in its nationalism, but should instead use its openness as an advantage for an offensive. The moral of this is that its openness and multiculturalism should be used as an advantage in achieving democratic standards, rather than the nation being used to pretend being hysterical, thus pushing it towards a loser's position.
There is no need to mention that "our lot" does not have a clue about what they are arguing about and how they should be managing the process of this dispute. Namely, the nature of the dispute between Macedonia and Greece, or vice versa, is not really political, but symbolic. It is a conflict about controlling knowledge, that is, semantically and essentially a postmodern dispute. This does not make it easier or - God forbid - less bloody, but it is mostly of such nature. This means that it is not the strategic confrontation of economic and geopolitical interests (there may exist such interests, but they are not crucial for the dispute) between Macedonia and Greece that is contentious, but that of the interests of a cultural, symbolical, and identity nature. This is what the Greek politicians, who (after our lectures in Athens) have said here for the first time that this dispute is "ideological" (according to [Greek politician] Pangalos), are talking about.
The term "Macedonia/Macedonian" is a strong name and a powerful license, which, if distributed merely to Macedonia, will push the country like a typhoon towards the cultural mythological centres of importance in the globalist world. Greece knows this well from its own experience. It has become an EU and NATO member due to its attitude towards the Hellenic heritage and for meeting the membership criteria. This is why it has spread the denouncement that Macedonia is "stealing away its history." You cannot comprehend this side of the dispute unless you are aware of its nature.
The Greek emigrants have about 15 "attack-arguments," all of them along these lines. This means that the confrontation centre is here. This is the centre where the acupuncture needle should pierce to relax the dispute. This is the division of connotations and the attempt to divide the heritage and mark the pluralities that succeed history without resorting to the grotesque theories of ethno- genetic, direct origin from the ancient nation-making groups of whomever nowadays.
The second problem is the Greek policy of discrimination against and utter rejection of its Macedonian minority. Instead of applying polemics that will solidify its positions, Macedonia should try to "indirectly" help its people in Greece through every available line of struggle to make Greece recognize all minority groups on its territory, including the Macedonians.
Second, instead of the empty "opening-closing" of issues, the Macedonian state should logistically help them to form teams of legal experts that will formulate the "Aegeans'" private complaints against Greece to its courts and Strasbourg, while waiting for the moment when it will be in a position to offer a bilateral agreement on resolving the remaining package of cases regarding Greece.
The third characteristic in this dispute is that it is UNBALANCED [capitalization as published]. Specifically, we are not having a bilateral debate with Greece, even though we do not want to admit this. It underestimates and avoids us, which is a typical Balkan syndrome of a state that thinks highly of itself. Yet, this is only for the time being. When they "polemize," they threaten us, but they actually do this every time the others are listening or in order to send out a message somewhere (to the United States, the EU states, its neighbours, and so forth). Let me give you this piece of advice: never insist on bilateral meetings because they are hardly attainable and futile. Always work in a "threesome" with a strong mediator. We are lucky that this has been the United States so far, given that it supports us. Only in this way - and never in a bilateral manner - can we come to a solution.
The fourth characteristic in this dispute is that it is a dispute of two radically opposite states and societies. The dispute has "a Laconic characteristic" [should read Lacan characteristic, after French psychoanalyst and philosopher Jacques Lacan] in these terms. Greece is an attempt to obtain a hysterical, ethnically clean, and homogenous culture and a political system within which the homogenizer in the face of religion and Hellenism will dominate. Macedonia is a "nightmare" for such systems because it is their essential opposite. If we succeed, then this will mean that they have made a mistake with the hysterical ethnic homogenization. Macedonia is a multicultural country with an inclusive policy, which it should interpret as an advantage or at least a thorough characteristic. It should not avoid it or imitate Greece in its nationalism, but should instead use its openness as an advantage for an offensive. The moral of this is that its openness and multiculturalism should be used as an advantage in achieving democratic standards, rather than the nation being used to pretend being hysterical, thus pushing it towards a loser's position.
Bey House in Macedonia’s Tetovo to be Restored
Skopje’s National Conservation Centre began the restoration of the nineteenth-century Bey House in Tetovo, north-western Macedonia, which is to eventually become an ethnographic museum, national media reported recently.
The project, worth around 100,000 euro, will be carried out in several stages, the senior conservationist Tsvetanka Hadzhi-Petsova told the Macedonian daily newspaper Vest.
Earlier media reports noted that restoration plans plan to return the house back to its original form, including the reinstallation of its authentic Turkish bricks and the removal of all the walls and structures that were subsequently added onto it.
Mehmed Paloshi’s Bey House, built during the first half of the nineteenth century, dates from the final period of Ottoman rule of the region, which began around the fourteenth to the fifteenth centuries.
According to Vest, the building, which has been protected as a cultural monument since 1950, has an area of 400 square metres. The ground level’s massive stone walls hold up a another floor, whose architectural and stylistic characteristics make it one of the most representative examples of the Ottoman secular architecture of the time not only in Tetovo, but in all of Macedonia.
After the restoration and conservation activities on the house are completed, which according to Hadzhi-Petsova is expected to happen in the next several years, the house will be turned into an ethnographic museum.
The project, worth around 100,000 euro, will be carried out in several stages, the senior conservationist Tsvetanka Hadzhi-Petsova told the Macedonian daily newspaper Vest.
Earlier media reports noted that restoration plans plan to return the house back to its original form, including the reinstallation of its authentic Turkish bricks and the removal of all the walls and structures that were subsequently added onto it.
Mehmed Paloshi’s Bey House, built during the first half of the nineteenth century, dates from the final period of Ottoman rule of the region, which began around the fourteenth to the fifteenth centuries.
According to Vest, the building, which has been protected as a cultural monument since 1950, has an area of 400 square metres. The ground level’s massive stone walls hold up a another floor, whose architectural and stylistic characteristics make it one of the most representative examples of the Ottoman secular architecture of the time not only in Tetovo, but in all of Macedonia.
After the restoration and conservation activities on the house are completed, which according to Hadzhi-Petsova is expected to happen in the next several years, the house will be turned into an ethnographic museum.
New Macedonian government stirs tensions with Greece
The new Conservative government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who has pledged to make accession to EU and NATO his top priority, was approved by the parliament in Skopje on Saturday (26 July). But an ongoing row with Greece looks to remain a key obstacle to the country's EU aspirations.
MPs approved the new coalition headed by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, consisting of his centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party - which had won 63 seats in the snap polls on 1 June - and the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) - one of the two main parties representing the country's ethnic Albanians. Together, the parties hold a comfortable 78-vote majority in the 120-member Macedonian parliament.
There was no vote against the new coalition as the main opposition parties collectively boycotted the session. The Social Democrats did so to protest against the arrest of their Vice President Zoran Zaev, which they considered "politically motivated", while the Democratic Party for Albanians (DPA), the other main Albanian party, abstained saying they would not to return to Parliament before their community rights were better addressed.
The new government has pledged to make improved inter-ethnic relations and the fight against corruption and organised crime a top priority, also in view of the country's EU ambitions.
"We will work day and night to become a member of the European Union and NATO," Gruevski, who also headed the previous government, told deputies when presenting his new cabinet.
New tensions with Greece
But the Gruevski camp has created fresh tensions with Greece by turning to the Commission for support in its strive for better protection and promotion of the rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece.
A letter by foreign minister Antonio Milososki to Multilingualism Commissioner Leonard Orban, requesting support for recognition of Macedonian as a minority language in Greece, was followed by a letter from Gruevski to Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
He asked Barroso "to personally engage for Greece's strict obeying of the obligations stemming from international instruments regarding human rights, with special emphasis on free expression of ethnic identity and all rights stemming from that."
However, Barroso replied on Friday (25 July) that the Commission had "no general competence" to deal with such issues, which are the responsibility of the EU member states. He also stressed that Macedonia had to solve its problems with Greece before making progress on the EU path.
MPs approved the new coalition headed by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, consisting of his centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party - which had won 63 seats in the snap polls on 1 June - and the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) - one of the two main parties representing the country's ethnic Albanians. Together, the parties hold a comfortable 78-vote majority in the 120-member Macedonian parliament.
There was no vote against the new coalition as the main opposition parties collectively boycotted the session. The Social Democrats did so to protest against the arrest of their Vice President Zoran Zaev, which they considered "politically motivated", while the Democratic Party for Albanians (DPA), the other main Albanian party, abstained saying they would not to return to Parliament before their community rights were better addressed.
The new government has pledged to make improved inter-ethnic relations and the fight against corruption and organised crime a top priority, also in view of the country's EU ambitions.
"We will work day and night to become a member of the European Union and NATO," Gruevski, who also headed the previous government, told deputies when presenting his new cabinet.
New tensions with Greece
But the Gruevski camp has created fresh tensions with Greece by turning to the Commission for support in its strive for better protection and promotion of the rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece.
A letter by foreign minister Antonio Milososki to Multilingualism Commissioner Leonard Orban, requesting support for recognition of Macedonian as a minority language in Greece, was followed by a letter from Gruevski to Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
He asked Barroso "to personally engage for Greece's strict obeying of the obligations stemming from international instruments regarding human rights, with special emphasis on free expression of ethnic identity and all rights stemming from that."
However, Barroso replied on Friday (25 July) that the Commission had "no general competence" to deal with such issues, which are the responsibility of the EU member states. He also stressed that Macedonia had to solve its problems with Greece before making progress on the EU path.
Milovanovic: Agreement with Greece by December
U.S, Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic said Macedonia should take the proposals put forward by mediator Matthew Nimetz into consideration and embrace the chance to reach an agreement with Greece on the name issue ahead of NATO summit in December.
In an interview for Skopje-based Alfa TV, Ambassador Milovanovic said Macedonia should keep its interests in mind and moves towards a negotiated settlement of the name issue in the coming months.
Ambassador Milovanovic said there are proposals that Macedonia needs to address alongside Nimetz. These proposals will protect Macedonian interests and there will be some details subject to further talks with Greece, she said.
"It's a golden chance for Macedonia," Ambassador Milovanovic told Alfa TV.
In an interview for Skopje-based Alfa TV, Ambassador Milovanovic said Macedonia should keep its interests in mind and moves towards a negotiated settlement of the name issue in the coming months.
Ambassador Milovanovic said there are proposals that Macedonia needs to address alongside Nimetz. These proposals will protect Macedonian interests and there will be some details subject to further talks with Greece, she said.
"It's a golden chance for Macedonia," Ambassador Milovanovic told Alfa TV.
Macedonian government to increase pensions
Macedonian government will push pensions up by 5-8%, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski announced at a press conference on Tuesday, cited by Focus News Agency’s correspondent in Skopje.
The decision was made at the new government’s first sitting on Tuesday morning.
The PM has added the increase is larger than the one envisaged by the law because the government wants to improve pensioners’ living standard.
The decision was made at the new government’s first sitting on Tuesday morning.
The PM has added the increase is larger than the one envisaged by the law because the government wants to improve pensioners’ living standard.
Macedonia's PM visits Johan Tarculovski at the Hague
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski yesterday met with Johan Tarculovski in the Scheveningen detention unit within the Hague Criminal Tribunal.
Over the course of the meeting, the PM reiterated the Government's support, expressing assurance that the Government will do everything in its power to help the defence of Johan Tarculovski.
Furthermore, they discussed steps, which are due to be taken by Gruevski personally and by the Government, in order to help Tarculovski and his defence to prove the truth during the appeal procedure, Government's press service said in a statement.Greece blames Macedonia for sabotaging talks with minority issue
Athens made it clear that it won't discuss the Macedonian minority issue, noting that Skopje is trying to sabotage the ongoing talks on the name by raising the minority issue.
Government's spokesman Evangelos Andonaros rebuffed to comment the Macedonian government's request for recognition of Macedonian minority in Greece, noting that Athens' position on the matter is clear.
"Greece, through its prime minister, announced its position absolutely clear. I have nothing to add regarding the futile attempts by other side, which obviously aims to sabotage the efforts to find a solution to the name issue," Andonaros told reporters.
Government's spokesman Evangelos Andonaros rebuffed to comment the Macedonian government's request for recognition of Macedonian minority in Greece, noting that Athens' position on the matter is clear.
"Greece, through its prime minister, announced its position absolutely clear. I have nothing to add regarding the futile attempts by other side, which obviously aims to sabotage the efforts to find a solution to the name issue," Andonaros told reporters.
Macedonia to become a one-currency state
Amendements to the law accepted earlier this week by the Macedonian parliament make payments in currencies other than the official Macedonian denar punishable with a fine equivalent to up to 7000 euro and between six months to five years of imprisonment, Bulgarian National Television said.
The new amendments ended an era in which euro, dollars and German marks were accepted in financial traffic, a practice that started in the former Yugoslav republic and continued after Macedonia's independence until the present day.
The problem is compounded each year when Macedonians from abroad, as well as tourists, visit the country and prefer to pay in euro or dollars, in spite of exchange rates in the street being lower than the official rate.
Finance minister Trajko Slavevski was quoted by Bulgarian National Television as saying that payments of goods or services in currencies other than the denar were a criminal offence, punishable by fines and imprisonment.
Exchange bureaux were expected to see an increase in turnover and profit following the amendments of the law.
The new amendments ended an era in which euro, dollars and German marks were accepted in financial traffic, a practice that started in the former Yugoslav republic and continued after Macedonia's independence until the present day.
The problem is compounded each year when Macedonians from abroad, as well as tourists, visit the country and prefer to pay in euro or dollars, in spite of exchange rates in the street being lower than the official rate.
Finance minister Trajko Slavevski was quoted by Bulgarian National Television as saying that payments of goods or services in currencies other than the denar were a criminal offence, punishable by fines and imprisonment.
Exchange bureaux were expected to see an increase in turnover and profit following the amendments of the law.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Macedonia Opposition Figure in Police Custody
Zoran Zaev, Strumica mayor and vice president of the main opposition Social Democrats, who has been accused of abuse of abuse has been taken to a detention facility.
The Skopje District Court ruled that Zaev is to remain in police custody for the next 30 days. The Court overturned an earlier decision by an investigative judge that Zaev should not be detained.
The Trial Chamber of the Court changed its decision after a second appeal from public prosecutors, who insisted that Zaev alongside five aides should be in police custody as they could influence witnesses in the case.
A large number of Strumica residents gathered late Sunday outside the City Hall to voice support for their mayor and to express outrage at court's decision to arrest him.
“Unfortunately from day to day we become a state of precedents. Macedonia is the only country in the world where despite two decisions of the investigative judge not to order detention, the trial chamber changed that decision,” said Social Democrats' leader Radmila Sekerinska.
“This kind of thing happens only to members of the opposition and those that are successful but do not think the same as the ones in power,” she added.
Zaev and his aides were arrested on 17 July and they were brought to Skopje Court . The court initially decided not to detain Zaev while the Social Democrats claimed that the whole case was a provocation by the parties in power. Zaev was mentioned as one of the possible successor's to Sekerinska after she announced she was stepping down over the party’s crushing defeat at the June 1 general elections.
The only electoral district in which the opposition did not suffer a strong defeat at the polls was the one in which Zaev led the party candidates’ list.
Zaev along with four others is accused of abuse of office over a tender for a local shopping mall in the south-eastern town of Strumica where he is mayor.
In protest over his arrest the Social Democrats launched a boycott of parliament. If they keep up their action, the parliament will practically be left without any opposition lawmakers as last week, the main ethnic Albanian opposition, the Democratic Party of Albanians also left the assembly arguing they will return when the issues concerning greater rights for their community are addressed properly.
In June the ruling centre right VMRO DPMNE-led coalition beat the Social Democrats by winning 63 deputy seats while the Social Democrats alliance secured only 27 out of the 120 parliament seats.
The new government was voted in parliament during the weekend.
The Skopje District Court ruled that Zaev is to remain in police custody for the next 30 days. The Court overturned an earlier decision by an investigative judge that Zaev should not be detained.
The Trial Chamber of the Court changed its decision after a second appeal from public prosecutors, who insisted that Zaev alongside five aides should be in police custody as they could influence witnesses in the case.
A large number of Strumica residents gathered late Sunday outside the City Hall to voice support for their mayor and to express outrage at court's decision to arrest him.
“Unfortunately from day to day we become a state of precedents. Macedonia is the only country in the world where despite two decisions of the investigative judge not to order detention, the trial chamber changed that decision,” said Social Democrats' leader Radmila Sekerinska.
“This kind of thing happens only to members of the opposition and those that are successful but do not think the same as the ones in power,” she added.
Zaev and his aides were arrested on 17 July and they were brought to Skopje Court . The court initially decided not to detain Zaev while the Social Democrats claimed that the whole case was a provocation by the parties in power. Zaev was mentioned as one of the possible successor's to Sekerinska after she announced she was stepping down over the party’s crushing defeat at the June 1 general elections.
The only electoral district in which the opposition did not suffer a strong defeat at the polls was the one in which Zaev led the party candidates’ list.
Zaev along with four others is accused of abuse of office over a tender for a local shopping mall in the south-eastern town of Strumica where he is mayor.
In protest over his arrest the Social Democrats launched a boycott of parliament. If they keep up their action, the parliament will practically be left without any opposition lawmakers as last week, the main ethnic Albanian opposition, the Democratic Party of Albanians also left the assembly arguing they will return when the issues concerning greater rights for their community are addressed properly.
In June the ruling centre right VMRO DPMNE-led coalition beat the Social Democrats by winning 63 deputy seats while the Social Democrats alliance secured only 27 out of the 120 parliament seats.
The new government was voted in parliament during the weekend.
SDSM Vice President heading to prison
Unofficially, the Prosecution Body for Fight Against Organized Crime has reached a decision to imprison Strumica's mayor for 30 days, while the case against him is being prepared.
The decision was made earlier today by Skopje Court 1, though it hasn't made it public yet. Mina believes this will be made official shortly. Several hundred Strumica residents have already started gathering around the Local Administrative Building to show their support for the mayor.
According to our source, the decision of Skopje Court 1 is final, and don't intend to review or change it. The reason for the 30 days detention, according to our source, is to stop Zaev and his associates from pressuring and bribing three Strumica famillies into agreeing the land where the "Globe" Shopping Center is built didn't belong to them.
Zaev is expected to arrive at the Suto Orizari County jail this evening. Strumica residents have vowed to gather around the prison to voice their displeasure.
The decision was made earlier today by Skopje Court 1, though it hasn't made it public yet. Mina believes this will be made official shortly. Several hundred Strumica residents have already started gathering around the Local Administrative Building to show their support for the mayor.
According to our source, the decision of Skopje Court 1 is final, and don't intend to review or change it. The reason for the 30 days detention, according to our source, is to stop Zaev and his associates from pressuring and bribing three Strumica famillies into agreeing the land where the "Globe" Shopping Center is built didn't belong to them.
Zaev is expected to arrive at the Suto Orizari County jail this evening. Strumica residents have vowed to gather around the prison to voice their displeasure.
Zaev transferred to detention facility
Strumica mayor and SDSM's deputy head Zoran Zaev, accused of misusing his post as mayor, has been transferred to detention facility late on Sunday.
The Trial Chamber of Skopje District Court 1 ruled that Zaev is to remain in police custody in the next 30 days. The Chamber upheld the second appeal from public prosecutors, who insisted that Zaev alongside five aides be kept in police custody.
Large number of Strumica residents massed late Sunday outside the City Hall to voice support for their mayor and to express outrage at court's decision to arrest him. The locals tried to stop their mayor to surrender himself.
Zaev and his aides were arrested on 17 July and they were brought to Skopje District Court 1. After 12-hour interrogation, they were released on bail and their passports were seized.
Mayor Zaev and five of his associates are accused of wrongdoing in relation to the construction of Global shopping mall in Strumica.
The Trial Chamber of Skopje District Court 1 ruled that Zaev is to remain in police custody in the next 30 days. The Chamber upheld the second appeal from public prosecutors, who insisted that Zaev alongside five aides be kept in police custody.
Large number of Strumica residents massed late Sunday outside the City Hall to voice support for their mayor and to express outrage at court's decision to arrest him. The locals tried to stop their mayor to surrender himself.
Zaev and his aides were arrested on 17 July and they were brought to Skopje District Court 1. After 12-hour interrogation, they were released on bail and their passports were seized.
Mayor Zaev and five of his associates are accused of wrongdoing in relation to the construction of Global shopping mall in Strumica.
Senior Macedonian opposition official re-arrested on corruption charges
Macedonian authorities have taken a key opposition figure back into custody on corruption charges after the prosecution appealed against his release on bail 10 days ago.
Zoran Zaev, the deputy leader of Macedonia's opposition party, and four aides were arrested July 17 on suspicion of embezzling €7.8 million (US$12.4 million) in public funds during the construction of a shopping mall in the southern town of Strumica.
Zaev was charged with abuse of authority.
The Skopje District Court canceled his release and late Sunday ordered Zaev and his aides held in custody for 30 days on the grounds they might influence witnesses if free.
No trial date has been set.
Opposition Daily Criticizes Macedonian Premier's Foreign Policy Tactics
I suggest that a special department be established, which would be in charge of writing letters to politicians and statesmen in neighbouring countries and worldwide, so that the world can learn about the Macedonians' suffering and the injustice done to Macedonia over the centuries. Encouraged by the great results and impact of the letters to Karamanlis (and his response) and to the European Union, Gruevski should write more similar letters to many leaders in the neighbourhood and further abroad.
A series of letters should urgently be sent to Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov. Equally fervent letters should be sent to the Serbian leadership, to President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. Just in case, a firm letter should be sent to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Turkish Prime Minister Tayip [Tayyip] Erdogan each. We could also teach a historic lesson to French President Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Brown, Chancellor Merckel [Merkel], and finally, of course, to George W. Bush and to Putin and Medvedev. All the issues concerning Macedonia should be raised at once - let us make the world know about the continuing global conspiracy against us.
For now, Prime Minister Gruevski's letters are only met with support in Macedonia and in the Macedonian media. Naturally, only negative comments and reactions to the letters have come from the European Union and Greece. We have had bad responses from some countries where we have not sent letters at all, such as the United States, France, and Germany. How do they dare respond negatively to us, when we haven't even written to them? Ever since the Bucharest summit, Macedonia has been losing the race with Greece for international support quickly and dramatically. Our positions after Bucharest have worsened badly. But, we are excelling on the home front.
We wrecked the Greeks by telling them that we were extremely concerned about the rights of the Macedonian minority and the property of those expelled during the civil war. This resulted in a storm of negative reactions in Greece, which was of course, met with exaltation in Macedonia. When the rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece will indeed improve and when, if at all, the property will be returned are less important details in Macedonia's policy. I suggest that Gruevski should remove Sergey Stanishev and Georgi Purvanov's masks, writing to tell them about their duplicity and Byzantine politics, because on one hand, they pretend to be our friends, while on the other, they have put major obstacles for us in Brussels.
Gruevski should openly tell Stanishev that the minority rights of the Macedonians living in Bulgaria should be recognized. We should openly tell Bulgaria that it has cunningly raised the language issue and that it continues to adopt our history. Gruevski should bravely ask the Bulgarians to pay damages for their crimes against Macedonians during World War II. This will be a great shock for Bulgaria, an even greater shock than the one we prompted in Greece.
As for the Serbian leaders, Tadic and Cvetkovic, we should fiercely raise the issues concerning the recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Prohor Pcinjski monastery, as well as other territorial issues. We should point out to Sali Berisha that he should recognize the rights of the Macedonians in Albania and curb his paternalism. Kosovo's Hashim Thaci should be told that there will be no recognition before the border has been delineated. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan should be told that our expectations from Turkey were higher, whereby Gruevski will skilfully explain to the latter that our claim over our property in Greece and our refusal to grant the same rights to the Turks and other people who used to live in Macedonia (whose property was seized under the agricultural reform and nationalization) are two different issues. We should write to German Chancellor Merckel to tell her in no uncertain terms that Germany too has failed us by taking Greece and Bulgaria's side. British Prime Minister Gordon also ought to know that we are not pleased; we will tell him off for not being interested in Macedonia in the least. As for Carla Bruni, we will tell her that her beloved husband Sarkozy is a hated figure here for having brazenly taken the Greeks' side because his grandfather was from Thessaloniki. We could write to Bush, telling him that we suspect that he has started to skive off and is no longer firmly backing Macedonia. He is more concerned about his departure than about Macedonia. As for Putin and Medvedev, Gruevski should be firm in telling them not to overwhelm us with their brotherly love and pan-Slavic messages, because we are less Slavs and more antic Macedonians. This will touch a raw nerve. We prefer to be close with the Hunza, than with the Russians, Polish, Ukranians, Czechs, Slovenes, Slovaks, Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins, and Bulgarians. The latter are barbarians - we are living ancients. After we have published all these letters at home, we will be proud and feel like a weight off our chest has been lifted.
Nobody in Macedonia is interested in the final outcome of the prime minister's correspondence. Who gives a damn that only quiet and persistent diplomacy, which envisages numerous meetings, compromises, tolerance, wisdom, knowledge, mediators, negotiations that take long before they get to be made public, and agreements, tends to yield results towards resolving major inter-state problems?
I do not know whether the alarm has been raised in the Foreign Ministry, but it is really time for it if it is true that Panama is the first country to have changed its mind regarding our constitutional name's recognition. If the greatest achievement in the battle for our name so far, namely, the fact that 120 countries have recognized us under this name, starts to wane, then this will spell the incumbent government's greatest defeat in the realm of global bilateral relations. The recognition by 120 countries has been our greatest diplomatic success, the credit for which goes to several Macedonian governments and prominent people from Macedonia and the world over. What do you think, is Panama to blame for this or we? Perhaps Gruevski will send a ferocious letter to its President Martin Torijos. He will be punished for this.
The theory that some people close to the ruling structure have been promoting lately, namely, that we should not rush Euro- Atlantic integration, is very wrong. Their logic is that we have been lagging behind for years and that there is no reason why we should hurry now and make unnecessary compromises. The fact that the race with Serbia for joining the European Union is exceptionally important both for Macedonia and for Croatia is not mentioned. If Macedonia joins the EU before Serbia, it will be able to solve one of its greatest problems, the recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. With this, the problem that will emerge between Macedonia and Serbia over the former's possible recognition of Kosovo soon will also be ticked off the agenda. Serbia can only become a full- fledged EU member if it resolves all the open issues with its neighbours, including Macedonia. If Serbia and Albania join the EU before us, we will be forced to make compromises that will be to our detriment. Alternatively, we will have to bid farewell to our Euro- Atlantic integration.
Karadzic's arrest and his quick "packing up" for the Hague have heralded Serbia's candidacy status, which the latter should receive by the end of the year. By handing over Karadzic, followed by Mladic and Hadzic, to the Hague Tribunal, Serbia will secure a start date for negotiations. What are we going to do though?
We will continue writing letters.
P.S. I say to myself that it is a pity the Macedonian Interior Ministry was not the one arresting Karadzic. That would have been a thriller and spectacle that even Hollywood would envy. This way, we did not see a single video of Karadzic's arrest. But we have had the chance to see countless videos of Zaev's arrest. It is the Strumica mayor's tough luck that he was not a convicted war criminal.
A series of letters should urgently be sent to Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov. Equally fervent letters should be sent to the Serbian leadership, to President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. Just in case, a firm letter should be sent to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Turkish Prime Minister Tayip [Tayyip] Erdogan each. We could also teach a historic lesson to French President Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Brown, Chancellor Merckel [Merkel], and finally, of course, to George W. Bush and to Putin and Medvedev. All the issues concerning Macedonia should be raised at once - let us make the world know about the continuing global conspiracy against us.
For now, Prime Minister Gruevski's letters are only met with support in Macedonia and in the Macedonian media. Naturally, only negative comments and reactions to the letters have come from the European Union and Greece. We have had bad responses from some countries where we have not sent letters at all, such as the United States, France, and Germany. How do they dare respond negatively to us, when we haven't even written to them? Ever since the Bucharest summit, Macedonia has been losing the race with Greece for international support quickly and dramatically. Our positions after Bucharest have worsened badly. But, we are excelling on the home front.
We wrecked the Greeks by telling them that we were extremely concerned about the rights of the Macedonian minority and the property of those expelled during the civil war. This resulted in a storm of negative reactions in Greece, which was of course, met with exaltation in Macedonia. When the rights of the Macedonian minority in Greece will indeed improve and when, if at all, the property will be returned are less important details in Macedonia's policy. I suggest that Gruevski should remove Sergey Stanishev and Georgi Purvanov's masks, writing to tell them about their duplicity and Byzantine politics, because on one hand, they pretend to be our friends, while on the other, they have put major obstacles for us in Brussels.
Gruevski should openly tell Stanishev that the minority rights of the Macedonians living in Bulgaria should be recognized. We should openly tell Bulgaria that it has cunningly raised the language issue and that it continues to adopt our history. Gruevski should bravely ask the Bulgarians to pay damages for their crimes against Macedonians during World War II. This will be a great shock for Bulgaria, an even greater shock than the one we prompted in Greece.
As for the Serbian leaders, Tadic and Cvetkovic, we should fiercely raise the issues concerning the recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Prohor Pcinjski monastery, as well as other territorial issues. We should point out to Sali Berisha that he should recognize the rights of the Macedonians in Albania and curb his paternalism. Kosovo's Hashim Thaci should be told that there will be no recognition before the border has been delineated. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan should be told that our expectations from Turkey were higher, whereby Gruevski will skilfully explain to the latter that our claim over our property in Greece and our refusal to grant the same rights to the Turks and other people who used to live in Macedonia (whose property was seized under the agricultural reform and nationalization) are two different issues. We should write to German Chancellor Merckel to tell her in no uncertain terms that Germany too has failed us by taking Greece and Bulgaria's side. British Prime Minister Gordon also ought to know that we are not pleased; we will tell him off for not being interested in Macedonia in the least. As for Carla Bruni, we will tell her that her beloved husband Sarkozy is a hated figure here for having brazenly taken the Greeks' side because his grandfather was from Thessaloniki. We could write to Bush, telling him that we suspect that he has started to skive off and is no longer firmly backing Macedonia. He is more concerned about his departure than about Macedonia. As for Putin and Medvedev, Gruevski should be firm in telling them not to overwhelm us with their brotherly love and pan-Slavic messages, because we are less Slavs and more antic Macedonians. This will touch a raw nerve. We prefer to be close with the Hunza, than with the Russians, Polish, Ukranians, Czechs, Slovenes, Slovaks, Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins, and Bulgarians. The latter are barbarians - we are living ancients. After we have published all these letters at home, we will be proud and feel like a weight off our chest has been lifted.
Nobody in Macedonia is interested in the final outcome of the prime minister's correspondence. Who gives a damn that only quiet and persistent diplomacy, which envisages numerous meetings, compromises, tolerance, wisdom, knowledge, mediators, negotiations that take long before they get to be made public, and agreements, tends to yield results towards resolving major inter-state problems?
I do not know whether the alarm has been raised in the Foreign Ministry, but it is really time for it if it is true that Panama is the first country to have changed its mind regarding our constitutional name's recognition. If the greatest achievement in the battle for our name so far, namely, the fact that 120 countries have recognized us under this name, starts to wane, then this will spell the incumbent government's greatest defeat in the realm of global bilateral relations. The recognition by 120 countries has been our greatest diplomatic success, the credit for which goes to several Macedonian governments and prominent people from Macedonia and the world over. What do you think, is Panama to blame for this or we? Perhaps Gruevski will send a ferocious letter to its President Martin Torijos. He will be punished for this.
The theory that some people close to the ruling structure have been promoting lately, namely, that we should not rush Euro- Atlantic integration, is very wrong. Their logic is that we have been lagging behind for years and that there is no reason why we should hurry now and make unnecessary compromises. The fact that the race with Serbia for joining the European Union is exceptionally important both for Macedonia and for Croatia is not mentioned. If Macedonia joins the EU before Serbia, it will be able to solve one of its greatest problems, the recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. With this, the problem that will emerge between Macedonia and Serbia over the former's possible recognition of Kosovo soon will also be ticked off the agenda. Serbia can only become a full- fledged EU member if it resolves all the open issues with its neighbours, including Macedonia. If Serbia and Albania join the EU before us, we will be forced to make compromises that will be to our detriment. Alternatively, we will have to bid farewell to our Euro- Atlantic integration.
Karadzic's arrest and his quick "packing up" for the Hague have heralded Serbia's candidacy status, which the latter should receive by the end of the year. By handing over Karadzic, followed by Mladic and Hadzic, to the Hague Tribunal, Serbia will secure a start date for negotiations. What are we going to do though?
We will continue writing letters.
P.S. I say to myself that it is a pity the Macedonian Interior Ministry was not the one arresting Karadzic. That would have been a thriller and spectacle that even Hollywood would envy. This way, we did not see a single video of Karadzic's arrest. But we have had the chance to see countless videos of Zaev's arrest. It is the Strumica mayor's tough luck that he was not a convicted war criminal.
Father, son die in car crash in Tetovo area
A father and his child were killed in car crash on Tetovo-Jazince road early on Monday, Makfax correspondent said.
Bozin Krsteski, 43, and his five-year-old son Filip where killed when two cars - Renault Clio and BMW - collided on the road. Bozin's wife sustained severe injuries.
The two men aboard BMW also sustained severe injuries.
Kostovski family was en-route from Tetovo to their home village of Staro Selo.
The two cars, running in opposite direction, collided off a bend near the village of Beloviste.
Silence and grief enveloped the village of Staro Selo on Monday. One year ago, four youths had been killed in car crash, two of them were born in this village.
Bozin Krsteski, 43, and his five-year-old son Filip where killed when two cars - Renault Clio and BMW - collided on the road. Bozin's wife sustained severe injuries.
The two men aboard BMW also sustained severe injuries.
Kostovski family was en-route from Tetovo to their home village of Staro Selo.
The two cars, running in opposite direction, collided off a bend near the village of Beloviste.
Silence and grief enveloped the village of Staro Selo on Monday. One year ago, four youths had been killed in car crash, two of them were born in this village.
Women Handball: Brazil 27-25 Macedonia
In the decisive match at the Women's Youth Handball Championship, Macedonia lost to Brazil 27-25 (11-13). It became evident in the loss against Croatia that the Macedonian handball team performs poorly under pressure.
The mistakes the team made against Croatia were mistakes that really no one should make. The coach admitted the pressure got to them, but even he was shocked at the number of errors the team committed.
Same story against Brazil. Macedonia started the match well, lead through most of it, only at the end the pressure to get to them once more, loosing the lead and the match all together. Talent wise Macedonia has good players, though the inexperience in playing big matches and the pressure put on them by the RFM proved fatal at the end.
With a victory over Brazil, Macedonia would be on the train to place between 1 to 12th place, now is on the train between 12 and 24th place. The pressure is now gone, and I wouldn't be surprised if Macedonia wins their remaining matches.
Pero Stamatovski
The mistakes the team made against Croatia were mistakes that really no one should make. The coach admitted the pressure got to them, but even he was shocked at the number of errors the team committed.
Same story against Brazil. Macedonia started the match well, lead through most of it, only at the end the pressure to get to them once more, loosing the lead and the match all together. Talent wise Macedonia has good players, though the inexperience in playing big matches and the pressure put on them by the RFM proved fatal at the end.
With a victory over Brazil, Macedonia would be on the train to place between 1 to 12th place, now is on the train between 12 and 24th place. The pressure is now gone, and I wouldn't be surprised if Macedonia wins their remaining matches.
Pero Stamatovski
Macedonian Premier Pledges New Government to Carry Out Reforms
The new government will fulfil everything within the programme and realization of all envisaged reforms, aimed at raising the living quality of Macedonia's citizens", said late Saturday [26 July] Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
"In the next four years, Republic of Macedonia will have political stability, economic development, progress in EU and NATO integration, investments in education, agriculture, but also other sectors", stated Gruevski after the new government was sworn in.
Pertaining to the opposition's absence from the Parliament session, he said this was their choice, which he believes is wrong.
"I think they were wrong. The reason they chose not to attend the session and abstain from the Parliament's work in general is rather unpopular, when you try to oppose the fight against crime and corruption with blackmails in the Parliament. It is not a good choice to boycott the government election. I think that in a year or two they will realize their mistake of leaving the Parliament", underlined PM Gruevski.
"In the next four years, Republic of Macedonia will have political stability, economic development, progress in EU and NATO integration, investments in education, agriculture, but also other sectors", stated Gruevski after the new government was sworn in.
Pertaining to the opposition's absence from the Parliament session, he said this was their choice, which he believes is wrong.
"I think they were wrong. The reason they chose not to attend the session and abstain from the Parliament's work in general is rather unpopular, when you try to oppose the fight against crime and corruption with blackmails in the Parliament. It is not a good choice to boycott the government election. I think that in a year or two they will realize their mistake of leaving the Parliament", underlined PM Gruevski.
Macedonia's Milososki Outlines Foreign Policy Priorities
Foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Macedonia remain the same, determined through a national and political consensus. These are the Euro-Atlantic integrations. The Balkan region, which coped with misunderstandings, conflicts and wars 15 years ago, has since enjoyed years of cooperation, peace, stability and joint investments, so that all countries, including Macedonia, become part of the European family", said Antonio Milososki, who remains in office as foreign minister.
According to him, Macedonia can do this through quality reforms and good representation of the country before the international community, especially with the support of friends from Europe, USA, and other countries Macedonia has good relations with.
Regarding the dispute imposed by Greece, FM Milososki stated that Macedonia remains in the framework of prior talks, mediated by the United Nations.
"Talks can be fruitful only if there is respect from each side, and if there are debates through arguments and on an equal basis. Any threats, pressure and blackmail will not bear fruits. Athens should demonstrate greater understanding on the ways to a reasonable solution, which would enable good neighbourly relations and stability within the already well-developed friendly ties in the economic sector", said Milososki.
Pertaining to aspirations for EU membership, he stated that Macedonia should meet European Commission benchmarks in order to obtain the accession talks date, but also did not exclude Athens blocking that process.
"We remain on the position that Macedonia should everything in its power to meet the EC benchmarks, in order to acquire the recommendation for beginning of EU accession talks. However, I would also say that we should not be surprised if Athens decides to continue with the blocking policy, before all caused by its own internal political developments. In any case, such a stance is unsustainable on the long run, since the policy of EU and NATO integration has a larger capacity", underlined FM Milososki.
According to him, Macedonia can do this through quality reforms and good representation of the country before the international community, especially with the support of friends from Europe, USA, and other countries Macedonia has good relations with.
Regarding the dispute imposed by Greece, FM Milososki stated that Macedonia remains in the framework of prior talks, mediated by the United Nations.
"Talks can be fruitful only if there is respect from each side, and if there are debates through arguments and on an equal basis. Any threats, pressure and blackmail will not bear fruits. Athens should demonstrate greater understanding on the ways to a reasonable solution, which would enable good neighbourly relations and stability within the already well-developed friendly ties in the economic sector", said Milososki.
Pertaining to aspirations for EU membership, he stated that Macedonia should meet European Commission benchmarks in order to obtain the accession talks date, but also did not exclude Athens blocking that process.
"We remain on the position that Macedonia should everything in its power to meet the EC benchmarks, in order to acquire the recommendation for beginning of EU accession talks. However, I would also say that we should not be surprised if Athens decides to continue with the blocking policy, before all caused by its own internal political developments. In any case, such a stance is unsustainable on the long run, since the policy of EU and NATO integration has a larger capacity", underlined FM Milososki.
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