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Transport Minister Plamen Petrov (R) and Finance Director of 'Air Traffic Control' Georgy Gergishanov admire the new monitors for flight control. The office supplied with modern equipment will start operating at the beginning of 2004. Photo Stoyan Nenov Scores of anglers flocked to the beach in Varna to try their luck with the gray mullet school that entered the coastal waters of the bay of Bulgaria's sea capital. Pressphoto BTA Photo: Krassimir Krustev Displaced (Macedonian) Population Of Arachinovo Pleads For Help.
Reality Macedonia
We, the displaced Macedonian population from Aracinovo village, of the Orthodox Christian faith, would like to make an appeal to the reader, as represented by our Association "ZORA".
On July 6, 2001 we were violently expelled from our village, and today we still live in several collective boarding schools in the Macedonian capital of Skopje. For ten years we have been living under Albanian pressure, the culmination of which was our displacement from the village. During last June's bombing of Aracinovo, when most credible sources noted that several of the world's governing bodies were involved, we, the common people, lost our homes, household furniture, infrastructure, and our peace and dignity.
During the past 16 months, vandalism in the village has not stopped. In spite of police patrols jointly comprised of Macedonians and Albanians, Macedonian houses still are a permanent target of violence. Also, doors, windows, electrical cables and everything that was initially left in tact has been stolen from the houses.
Bombs were placed in Macedonian houses and, on February 10, 2002, one Macedonian from Aracinovo lost his life from a bomb placed in his brother's house. In the last few months, five Macedonian houses were burned down. Cows and agricultural tools were stolen from one of the few old men that decided to return in the village. One member of the police reserves has clearly stated that returning to Aracinovo for them is dangerous, as well as for anyone who would dare tell the truth of our struggle to the world.
Although we are not fully understood, partly because the Albanians have a very strong international lobby, ultimately the truth will be revealed by newspapers and the electronic media, and indications are that the international public will reserve final judgement regarding all the riots and battles in Kosovo and Macedonia. This means it will finally be proven that behind all of those Albanian claims for human rights lies something else - conquering of territories.
If the Albanians do not achieve territorial expansion by war, then they will do so with a demographic explosion. Every year in Aracinovo, there are 600 to 800 newborn infants, only 6 to 8 of which are Macedonian.
Resolving our status is the greatest problem facing us, the displaced Macedonians from Aracinovo and all other regions affected by last year's crisis. Even though we requested this new settlement (temporary housing project) be built for us until tensions were calmed, due to pressure from the international community permanent housing will not be built because it is thought to enable the ethnical cleansing of villages. So on one hand pressure to rebuild the houses is being provided from Greece as part of the "European Perspective", but on the other hand, our State does not guarantee our safety.
We admit that we are in a hopeless situation, and that at this time we are even misunderstood by those Macedonians not from the crisis region. Some of our fellow Macedonians expect we should go back to Aracinovo, where we will provide a shield (protection) for nearby Skopje. Considering the fact that a much larger area of Macedonia is still under military occupation by Albanian extremists, this region will prove unsafe for some time. However, knowing that the Olympic Games will take place two years from now in Athens, it is not surprising that Greece is not ready to finance the construction of our houses.
Macedonian children from Aracinovo have not been able to live free or enjoy police protection for many years, and now, after having survived the trauma and suffering from war, we the parents do not have any intention of returning our children to the village. We do not want them to go back particularly after the children saw the homes they grew up in being burnt to ashes. We parents also know that at least one armed Albanian came from each Albanian house in Aracinovo, in order to join the Kosovo terrorists during last year's conflict.
Very often young people think of leaving Macedonia, should the State not provide us housing outside of Aracinovo. We request that you help us with the financial and moral support necessary to get out of this crisis. We would deeply appreciate any kind of assistance and also your help in informing the world about the real truth, that it is we Macedonians who have been expelled, our houses destroyed, burned and robbed. And this is still occurring while false tales of tortured Albanians being deprived of their rights are spreading around the world.
Thanks to their demographic explosion and lies, Albanians have successfully created deceitful images of martyrdom.
Europe and the rest of the world is apparently placing Christians in the background, as an afterthought, and unconsciously helping Islam. We hope that we will finally be understood. We look forward to your help, and we would like to express our gratitude for giving us the opportunity to express ourselves.
Sincerely,
Displaced people from Aracinovo
> 16 meseci ziveeme nadvor od nasite domovi koi ni gi izrushija > Albanskite teroristi. Za 16 meseci imame pet mrtvi i deset > bebina, lugje operirani od karcinom, nervno rastroeni. Zatoa > ni e potrebna itna finansiska pomosh prvo za bolnite, a potoa > ni treba pravna pomosh. Vo Arachinovo nie sme ugnetenite, a ne > Albancite, a ne mozeme da ja dokazeme vistinata zatoa shto > Amerika i NATO stojat pozadi Albancite. > Za poveke informacii mozhete da ja posetite nashata internet > stranica www.zoramk.org
The fifth Economic Forum is being held within the Central European Initiative (CEI) Summit.
The panel discussion on "Regional Cooperation of Finance Sector in CEI Member Countries and Role of Governments and Central Banks" was held Thursday within the Forum.
Speaking of the globalization and regional integration processes, which reflect today's reality, Vice-Governor of the Macedonian National Bank Dusanka Hristova said that CEI assisted to the countries in the region in their efforts to follow the world economic trends and to enhance the regional cooperation.
"Economic cooperation is a base of the cooperation among CEI countries, primary through the free trade and free flow of production factors," Hristova said, adding that support was also necessary by the financial sector.
She underlined that the regional cooperation meant free flow of capital and increasing the competitiveness in the financial sectors in the region, thus contributing to reduced prices and increased quality and assortment of financial services.
"The characteristic of the countries in the region, especially those which are going through the transition process are insufficiently developed financial system and domination of the banking sector. That is the case with Macedonia, where the banks are the most important financial institutions. The financial markets of the countries in transition are being developed, and therefore the regional cooperation should stimulate the free capital flow as well as to stimulate the alternative sources for financing the economic development," Hristova emphasized.
Speaking of the role of the Government and the Central Bank in enhancing the cooperation among the countries in the region, Hristova said that within the reforms in the Macedonian financial system also reforms of the foreign currency system were undertaken in order to liberalize the foreign currency operations.
She emphasized that the new Law on Foreign Currency Operations was focused on liberalization of the capital - financial transactions, which should create conditions for improving the situation of the payment balance.
According to Hristova, besides the liberalization of the goods and money transactions with the foreign countries, CEI governments should also develop strategy on promoting the national economies and production facilities in order to break through on the regional market and attract the foreign investments.
"In this context, the role of the Central Bank will be to supervise the banking system and to maintain the price stability. The Government and the Central Bank support the regional cooperation through the consistent macroeconomic and monetary policy, which leads to stability and economic development," Hristova emphasized.
During the panel discussion, Director of Bulgarian National Bank Zdravko Balozov presented the experiences of the reforms implemented in the Bulgarian banking system. Italian representative Mario Trapani, coordinator for international business development also delivered a speech.
A discussion on the topic "Investment Program and Business Climate in South East Europe" was held Thursday within the CEI Economic Forum.
Economy Ministry representative Maja Kurcieva presented the Macedonian activities on improving the investment climate and developing of the economic cooperation, as part of the investment program adopted in February 2000.
According to her, the Macedonian Government highly evaluates the role of foreign investments in upgrading of the production process, technological innovations and tax policy. The government adopted a law package, aimed at attracting foreign investments in the country.
"The country aims to establish an economic system that is stimulating to domestic and foreign investors," Kurcieva said.
The Macedonian Government adopted laws on fiscal policy, monetary system, banking and insurance in accordance with the EU and World Trade Organization principles, which present a foundation for development of modern market-oriented society.
So far, Macedonia has signed 27 agreements with countries that are its largest trade partners. Macedonia has also signed the Association and Stabilization Agreement with EU and is a member of the World Trade Organization.
Participants at the panel-discussion "Development of Pan-European Transport Corridors in CEI Member-Countries" that is held in the framework of CEI Economic Forum, presented the strategies of their countries for the future development of transport corridors.
Chief of department for international integration and investments in the Ministry of Transport and Communications Biljana Zdraveva referred to the prior projects in the framework of Corridor 8 and Corridor 10, which pass through Macedonia and are of great international significance.
"Part of the roads envisaged with these corridors have been built, but some of them are not finished. Their completion requires additional financial means", she stated, adding that donations and grants from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are expected.
"Signing of memorandums for understanding of Corridors 8 and 10 is of great importance, thus making Macedonia part of the pan-European maps", Zdraveva emphasized, adding that studies are being prepared at the moment, along with models and reviewal of all possibilities for continuation of the future financing of projects in the framework of the two corridors.
She informed that discussions with EIB representatives were ongoing, who showed interest for financing of the building of road Veles - Prilep, which is part of Corridor 10. Around Euro 90 million are necessary for completion of this road.
Addressing the possibilities for improvement of the Macedonian transport with financial assistance from international financial institutions, Zdraveva mentioned the additional building of railroad from Kumanovo to border crossing Deve Bair, which is part of Corridor 8.
"The prior discussions ended unsuccessfully, because the memorandum of understanding was not signed, but after its signing, we should put forth all efforts and agree on approval of financial means from EBRD and EIB", Zdraveva stated. According to her, the upcoming restructuring of public enterprise "Macedonian Railways" would contribute in the improvement of transport in the country.
Chief of program for infrastructure of the European Agency for Reconstruction Jean Valsesia spoke about the projects that are realized through this agency in Macedonia and FR Yugoslavia, emphasizing that the Agency has financed and carried out projects in amount of over Euro 210 million in road infrastructure.
"The priorities of the Agency in the sector of infrastructure in this region have constantly changed. The development of the private sector and support of institutions of the countries in the region is essential for the long-term development of economy", Valsesia said, adding that governments should finance the development of the infrastructure from their own budgets in the future.
Representatives from the Croatian Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Japanese International Agency for Cooperation and the vice-president of the European Investment Bank Ewald Nowotny also took part in the discussion.
A panel discussion on "International Media in Enlarged Europe" with concrete example of Radio France International (RFI) was held Thursday within CEI Economic Forum.
RFI Head of the Cultural Operations Service Antoine Yvernault spoke of the European aspects of reporting.
He emphasized that Radio France International broadcast program in 19 languages, aiming to promote the European interests by bringing closer the European nations.
"Cultural programs from different countries are being broadcast in order to promote different artists," Yvernault said, adding that journalists from several countries are being trained for that purpose.
According to him, the radio station will start broadcasting an hour-long cultural-musical program in Macedonian language from January 2003.
Deputy Director General of CEI Executive Secretariat Milan Predan emphasized that it was necessary to create joint European journalist network with EU enlargement.
Dominique Tieri from RFI said that the radio was committed to become local and international Franco-European medium.
Yesterday, Macedonian Economy and Finance Ministers Ilija Filipovski and Petar Gosev delivered speeches at the session "Focus on Macedonia".
The CEI Economic Forum was officially opened Wednesday with the message of Vincenzo Calogero, Head of the Secretariat for CEI Projects.
Macedonian Minister of Economy Filipovski addressed at the opening, pointing out that Macedonia as a host and co-organizer of the Forum would support all commitments and initiatives for regional economic connection and the open dialogue for resolving all common issues.
"The road of reforms, compromise and mutual tolerance is the road that will take us closer to our mutual aspiration - full integration in the European Union," Filipovski said.
Adolfo Urso, from the Italian Ministry of Production Activities, expressed his assurance that the Balkan countries would integrate in the European region very soon. He emphasized that the contacts, the exchange of experience and cooperation among the participants at the Economic Forum and CEI Summit would improve the peace on the Balkans and wider.
General Director of CEI Executive Secretariat Harald Kreid spoke of the significance of CEI Summits, emphasizing that today's Summit was an exceptional opportunity for exchange of experience and enhancing the cooperation.
Pointing out that Macedonia has gone through very difficult period, he said that the country was starting to move along a new road and needed the cooperation, investments and opening of its market more than ever.
Representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Henry Russell said that the events such as the Economic Forum contributed for the stability of the entire region, particularly through the contacts established during these events.
"CEI unites the governments, finances and businessmen and that contributes for the overall development," Russell said.
"What Macedonia needs at the moment is efficient functioning of the institutions of the system", director general of the Executive Secretariat of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Harald Kreid stated at Wednesday's press conference in the framework of the CEI Economic Forum in Skopje.
"Macedonia needs a better infrastructure, enhancement of education, efficient measures for combat against organized crime, as well as enhancement of minority rights", Kreid stated.
Presidents of the Central European Initiative (CEI) Chambers of Commerce adopted a final declaration at their fifth conference Wednesday, which will be presented at a meeting of CEI Heads of Government.
Representatives of the Commercial Chambers of Albania, Austria, Belorussia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldavia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia attended the conference.
They agreed that the governments paid insufficient attention to enforcing of the decisions, made at the former conferences.
Decisions adopted at this conference refer to intensifying of the regional cooperation, development of economic and trade relations among CEI member countries, realization of cooperation project with less developed CEI members, and launching of an information network that would link the CEI Chambers of Commerce.
Opening the conference, Dusan Petreski, Chairman of the Macedonian Economic Chamber, said that the volume of trade exchange with the CEI members was significant for Macedonia, but the results are not reflecting the real possibilities.
"The deficit in trade exchange may present an obstacle for intensifying of the economic and trade cooperation. Therefore, additional solutions are needed for improving of the situation that will bring benefit to all members," Petreski said.
He also underlined the necessity for liberalization of the trade exchange among all CEI members, pointing out CEFTA as an example, i.e. all its members have privileged status as a result of free trade agreements among its members.
Last year, the CEI member countries participated with 43,18% in the overall trade exchange with Macedonia, while 44,9% belong to the European Union. CEI members Yugoslavia, Italy, Slovenia and Bulgaria were the main partners of Macedonia.
"However, Macedonian marked a trade exchange deficit of US$ 229,5 million, which is rather unfavorable," Petreski said.
CEI's main goal is to assist to its members in strengthening cooperation, participation in the process of European integration and the transformation process in the transition countries, which will bring them closer to the EU and NATO.
One of the conference's conclusion is that the differences in economic development of the CEI member countries are a reality but also a challenge that should be appropriately and efficiently addressed by strengthening of the CEI economic dimension.
The declaration pays special attention to upgrading of the CEI role in the cooperation between the public and private sector, intensifying of the cooperation in transition processes, applying of strategies adopted by the CEI governments and development of projects that meet the needs of the Commercial Chambers.
So far, CEI has donated funds to Macedonia for establishing of the Center for Services and Business Advises at amount of Euro 600,000, which started to work on June 2002. In addition, CEI donated Euro 500,000 for implementation of the navigation project and Euro 200,000 for reconstruction of the Ohrid Airport.
The regional CEI organisation was established in 1989 as Quadrilateral cooperation - an association of four countries with different international and political orientation - Italy as the NATO member, Hungary as the Warsaw Pact member, the former Yugoslavia as an independent country and Austria as a neutral one.
The goal of its formation was providing regular communication of the countries from the region, which are members of different international political groups.
SKOPJE HOSTS CEI SUMMIT.
MIA
Political and economic situation in the region has been improved after the democratic elections held in several member countries of the Central European Initiative (CEI).
This is a conclusion of an informal meeting of the CEI Foreign Ministers, held Thursday in Skopje within the CEI Summit.
At a press conference, Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva referred to the latest CEI achievements, realized under the Macedonia's Chairmanship and congratulated to Harald Kreid, the CEI Executive Secretariat Director General, on the "enhanced CEI role."
"Many projects, particularly in the spheres of media and information, culture and agriculture have been completed with financial support by the Italian Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development," Mitreva said.
She also extended congratulations to CEI member countries that would be invited to join NATO at the Prague Summit and the European Union at the Copenhagen Summit. "I hope that their membership in these organization will strengthen the reginal cooperation. Solidarity and cohesion remain the CEI main principles," Mitreva said.
Andzej Birt, Deputy-Foreign Minister of Poland - next holder of the CEI Presidency - said that Poland would focus on strengthening of democracy in the region and developing of democracy and regional cooperation.
In the address at Thursday's meeting, Foreign Minister Mitreva announced that the new Government would have a new access in the solution of the problems in the state, based on peace and security at the entire territory, rule of law, implementation of the Framework Agreement, fierce combat against crime and corruption, enhanced economic reforms, as well as integration into NATO and EU.
"Macedonia strongly supports NATO's pledge to remain faithful to the 'open door' policy in the post-Prague period. Macedonia will fully implement the NATO standards and will be ready for membership in 2006", Mitreva stated.
Regarding the integration within EU, Mitreva said that Macedonia, being the first country in the region that signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the Union, has the intention to overtake, "a new access in the development of an agenda for defining of the future steps for membership".
She reiterated the position that membership of the countries in the Euro-Atlantic institutions should be realized on the basis of their individual achievements, but "the integration will be faster and easier if they are inter-linked through regional activities".
"Macedonia believes that the enlarged EU will direct its attention to other countries in the region. I expect support from the CEI member-countries, which are current or future EU members, in the creation and promotion of projects that will get the other countries of this initiative closer to European standards", Minister Mitreva emphasized.
Asked, "which are the Macedonia allies within CEI", Mitreva stated, "Macedonia has good relations will all neighbors, and a lot of energy will be invested in the strengthening of those relations".
Mitreva announced her meetings Friday with the Yugoslav and Bulgarian Foreign Ministers Goran Svilanovik and Solomon Pasi, which will focus on opening of the process for northern border delineation.
The informal meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Bulgaria - Solomon Pasi, Croatia - Tonino Picula, Romania - Mircea Geoana, Slovakia - Edward Kukan, Slovenia - Dimitrij Rupel, and FR Yugoslavia - Goran Svilanovic.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, the Czech Republic and Moldavia were represented by their deputy foreign ministers Milovan Blagoevic, Roberto Antonione, Rudolph Jindrak and Ion Kapatina. The meeting was also attended by Hungarian state secretary at the foreign ministry Andras Barsoni, Polish undersecretary at the foreign ministry Andzej Birt, Ukrainian deputy state secretary at the foreign ministry Volodimir Jelcenko, Austrian secretary general of foreign relations Johannes Kirle, CEI national coordinator of Belarus Viktor Sik and director of the Albanian directorate for regional initiatives at the foreign ministry Gergi Mura.
Earlier today, Mitreva had a meeting with her Croatian counterpart Tonino Picula.
Macedonia, Croatia and Albania could cooperate in order to realize their efforts for gaining NATO membership, Picula said after the meeting
"We suggested enhancing of the cooperation among Macedonia, Croatia and Albania in order to get closer to the Alliance," Picula said, adding that after the Prague Summit the three countries would have to work harder on meeting the requirements for NATO membership.
He announced that it was possible the foreign ministers of the three countries to meet in Prague. Other talks about the cooperation could be held again at the beginning of 2003, as the three countries have good experiences within Vilnius Group.
She also met with the deputy of the Stability Pact special coordinator for the Southeast Europe, John Ridle, and with the President of the Radio France International, Jean Paul Clusel.
Tomorrow's meeting of heads of government and delegations will be attended by Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berluskoni, Bosnian Prime Minister Dragan Mikerovic, Slovakian Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatolij Kinah. Albania, the Czech Republic, Moldavia and Poland will be represented by their vice prime ministers Ilir Meta, Petr Mares, Stefan Odagiu and Gregorz Kolodko, and Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia and FR Yugoslavia will be represented by their foreign ministers. The session will be also attended by Elemer Kis, minister in the Hungarian Government and by Viktor Gejsenak, representative of the Belarus foreign ministry.
Among the main topics at the Friday meeting will be the "CEI and the process of European integration."
Later today, the heads of government and delegation will pay a visit to the Economic Forum and will be also informed about the final declaration from the youth forum, which is traditionally taking place parallel with the CEI Summit.
LEMIERRE: EBRD TO INVEST ADDITIONAL EURO 25 MILLION IN MACEDONIA.
So far, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested Euro 275,7 million in Macedonia. An additional amount of Euro 25 million is to be invested in the country by the end of this year.
"EBRD will allocate over Euro 50 million for the next year projects in Macedonia," EBRD President Jean Lemierre said Thursday at a press conference, held within the CEI Summit.
No Government decisions are needed for allocation of the means for developing of the private business. However it has to decide on the construction of Skopje ring road, the pipeline Macedonia-Bulgaria and the energy sector modernization.
Decisions of the Macedonian Government, the Macedonian National Bank and EBRD will be also necessary for establishment of the Micro Financing Bank.
Lemierre, who is attending the CEI Summit in Skopje, said he had a meeting with Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, discussing an idea for establishing a special forum, aimed to work on attraction of foreign investors in Macedonia.
Crvenkovski underlined the Macedonian Government commitment to fight against corruption, in order to improve the economic situation in the country.
The EBRD President also informed about his contacts with the banking sector representatives. They discussed on cutting of the interest rate, and the extension of terms for repayment of the economic loans.
Foreign ministers, officials meet at regional summit in Macedonia.
By GARENTINA KRAJA, Associated Press Writer
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Senior ministers from 17 central European countries gathered Thursday for a two-day summit to assess regional security and bolster economies still feeble from years of communism and Balkan wars.
The summit, which includes separate sessions for foreign ministers, prime ministers and economic ministers, was organized by the so-called Central European Initiative, a forum for regional officials to meet and discuss their problems.
Several foreign ministers and senior officials began informal talks Thursday afternoon.
The talks took place amid tight security in Skopje, the capital of this Balkan country that is still recovering from last years and ethnic turmoil. About 5,000 local policemen secured the airport and two luxury hotels where the conference is being held.
Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, will chair the main session Friday. The meeting will include Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the prime ministers of Slovakia, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel was also scheduled to attend, but canceled at the last moment, organizers said.
The remaining countries will be represented by other government officials.
The summit brings together two members of the European Union, Italy and Austria, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Hungary.
Apart from evaluating of political situation in the region, the leaders are expected to focus on European Union enlargement and on seeking ways to help countries left out of expansion in 2004.
The leaders will discuss how to improve their economies and raise their chances for future integration.
NATO to take on Afghanistan role for first time, stay longer in Macedonia.
By PAUL AMES, Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Next week's NATO summit will give the western alliance a formal role in Afghanistan for the first time, providing backup for a multinational force keeping the peace in the capital Kabul.
Alliance diplomats also said Thursday NATO would extend its peacekeeping role in Macedonia for a further six months starting in December, following the European Union's failure to agree terms for it to take charge of the mission.
The summit starting Wednesday in the Czech capital Prague is expected to authorize NATO to provide support for Germany and the Netherlands when they relieve Turkey in February as the lead nations of the 5,000-strong International Security Assistance Force that has patrolled Kabul since last year.
The alliance's military headquarters in southern Belgium will organize the formation of the Kabul force and help with planning, transport and intelligence, said senior NATO diplomats.
So far, the force has been led by NATO nations first Britain, then Turkey but without a role for the alliance as a whole.
Diplomats said there were no plans to extend the force's role beyond Kabul when the Germans and Dutch take over the lead role for six months from February.
Almost all the 19 NATO nations have also provided fighting troops in Afghanistan to help the U.S.-led war against the Taliban and al-Qaida.
However, the lack of an overall, collective role for the alliance has been highlighted by critics as a sign of the alliance's diminished relevance since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against New York and Washington.
The NATO leaders are also expected to endorse a radical overhaul of the alliance giving NATO the doctrine, command structure and military hardware to strike around the world against threats from terrorism or rogue states.
It will be one of the most drastic transformation in the history of the 53-year-old alliance that was created to neutralize Soviet expansionism and whose theater of operations has been limited to the European and North American continents.
In Macedonia, the alliance has recognized that the European Union is set to miss another deadline for launching its first ever military operation by taking over from NATO on Dec. 15.
The EU is hamstrung by a dispute with Turkey which refuses to give a European force access to NATO planning and logistics without guarantees the EU will not launch military operations running counter to Turkish interests.
Already in NATO, Turkey is pushing the EU to set a date to start EU membership negotiations at a Dec. 12-13 European summit. Diplomats think it's unlikely Ankara will make any concessions on the EU military force before it a starting date.
France had suggested the EU could takeover in Macedonia without NATO support. However, Britain and Germany refused that, fearing an expensive duplication of resources and confusion that would leave the force vulnerable.
NATO's Macedonia force now numbers some 700 soldiers who protect peace monitors in Macedonia. The force will be scaled back after December, but diplomats said it would remain at "several hundred."
NATO is pleased with political progress in Macedonia since last year when fighting between ethnic-Albanian rebels and Macedonian troops took the country to the brink of civil war, but it remains wary of generating instability by a sudden withdrawal of peacekeepers.
About 1,800 international troops are also stationed in Macedonia providing support to the much bigger NATO-led peacekeeping missions in neighboring Kosovo and nearby Bosnia.
NATO to Extend Macedonia Role as EU Force Unready.
Reuters
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) - NATO is set to extend its military presence in Macedonia for another six months because the European Union will not be ready to replace it, a senior NATO official said Thursday.
As recently as September, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had opposed extending the NATO mandate for Macedonia, but the NATO official said Washington signaled its agreement to the allies Wednesday.
He said the 19-nation U.S.-led alliance was poised to agree in the next couple of days to maintain a reduced force when the mandate of the 700-strong Task Force Fox expires Dec. 15.
NATO's Macedonia force, which does not include U.S. troops, was deployed in 2001 to protect international monitors observing the return of government forces and displaced people to areas controlled by ethnic Albanian rebels during a bitter insurgency.
The European Union had wanted to take over the mission as its first collective military operation under an embryonic Rapid Reaction Force due to become fully operational next year.
But Britain and some other EU countries insisted the Union must first reach an agreement with NATO on assuring access to the alliance's planning and assets to help the EU force's operations.
The EU-NATO agreement, known in jargon as "Berlin plus," has been held up for two years by a dispute between EU member Greece and Turkey, a member of NATO but only a candidate for EU accession.
The NATO decision would ease pressure on Turkey to agree to the arrangements by the end of this year and give the country's newly elected leadership time to consider its position.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was in Ankara on Thursday trying to persuade the leader of the party that won this month's Turkish general election, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to approve the EU-NATO deal.
"We are just on the verge of deciding that NATO should have a continued presence ... for about six months' duration," the senior NATO official said.
However, another NATO source said no duration for the new mandate had been agreed among the allies.
"It was very apparent to us that there is no consensus in the EU to put an ad hoc force in there, because Berlin plus has not been completed," the official said.
He insisted the move should not be seen as a setback for the Union because going ahead without an arrangement with NATO -- which France has been pressing as a possible option -- would be like building a house without foundations.
Macedonia: Greece will make Balkans high priority during EU presidency.
AP
ATHENS, Greece - Efforts to integrate Balkan economies and expand other regional links could receive a boost during the upcoming Greek presidency of the European Union, a Macedonian official said Thursday.
Rudmila Secerinska, Macedonia's deputy prime minister, said Balkan issues could become "one of the top priorities" of the EU during the first half of 2003.
Secerinska, who is in charge of European integration, said the six-month Greek presidency beginning Jan. 1 could also enhance relations between the two neighbors. Greece and Macedonia have quarreled for more than a decade over the name of the former Yugoslav republic.
Greece claims the name Macedonia is part of its ancient heritage and masks territorial ambitious toward northern Greece.
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said negotiations about the name continue "in a spirit of the best possible cooperation."
"Our idea is to increase and to improve our economic cooperation and, most of all, our idea is to really move the rest of the region ... closer to the EU," Secerinska said following talks with Papandreou.
Greece could be the "biggest friend and biggest ally" to Balkan countries, she said.
Greece is the only Balkan nation in the EU.
lo-bm
November 14 in History.
Standartnews
In 1837 the uprising in the region of Chiprovtsi breaks out.
In 1943 the first air raid over Sofia takes place. A total of 141 tons of bombs fell over the city.
In 1944 the Bulgarian Army liberates the town of Skopje during the World War II.
Patients: The Ambulances Never Come.
Standartnews
The doctors of the Emergency Ward are hard to reach, the first aid telephone number (150) is out of order, complained the citizens. Some of the city hospitals confirmed that many patients arrive in their personal cars. "Keep dialling (150) until we answer", advised Georgi Gelev, head of the "First Aid" unit.
No Coal Blocks for the Poor Before Christmas.
Standartnews Matei Bonev
Factories fail to produce the necessary amounts.
The larger part of poor households, who have the right for the so-called energy aids will not get the due coal blocks before the New Year time, reads the bulletin prepared by "Brickel", coal briquettes' producer. The factory located in the village of Galabovo had a record output in October - 104,000 tons. However, even if they work at maximum capacity and distributors sell briquettes to the poor only, many households will not be able to get their aid before Christmas or New Year.
BULGARIA-MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT-VISIT.
BTA
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski will pay Saturday an unofficial visit here, the Bulgarian President's press secretariat reported.
President Georgi Purvanov will welcome his Macedonian counterpart in front of the city hall of Melnik (Southwestern Bulgaria). The two will then lay wreaths at the monument of Yane Sandanski and will be shown around the town's museum and the Kordopoulou House.
In the afternoon Purvanov and Trajkovski will have a tete-a-tete talk in Bansko.
Saturday evening they will visit the museum of poet Nikola Vaptsarov who was shot during WWII, and will see an exhibition of icons.
BULGARIA - MACEDONIA.
BTA
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - Macedonian Defence Minister Vlado Buckovski is expected on a one-day working visit to Bulgaria on Friday, the Defence Ministry said in a press release.
Buckovski will confer with Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov.
The purpose of the visit is "to carry on the fruitful dialogue seeking further progress and deepening of bilateral military cooperation," according to the press release.
The two ministers will consider opportunities to coordinate the two countries' efforts towards stabilization of regional security, and expansion of integration processes with NATO and the EU. They will also discuss the more effective contribution of Bulgaria and Macedonia to the counter-terrorism efforts of the international community, the Defence Ministry Press Centre said.
MACEDONIA-BULGARIA-DIPLOMAS.
BTA
Skopje, November 14 (BTA) - The Macedonian Constitutional Court launched a procedure to establish the constitutionality of two laws: on the recognition of diplomas received in Macedonia, and in Bulgaria and Albania.
The procedure was launched on the initiative of the rector of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, who contests the constitutionality of the two laws concerning Macedonian-Bulgarian and Macedonian-Albanian agreements on mutual recognition of diplomas.
The Skopje University rector said the laws place Macedonians nationals that have attended universities in countries other than Bulgaria and Albania in an unequal position compared to holders of diplomas from universities in these two countries.
The Constitutional Court will analyze three articles of the higher education act that was adopted in 2000. These authorize the Education Ministry to take decisions on the recognition of diplomas that have been acquired abroad.
The analysis should say whether the articles contradict other articles of the Macedonian Constitution regarding the autonomy to the Bitola and Skopje universities.
UEFA Cup: Levski Sofia 1, Sturm Graz 0.
AP
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) 1 (Sasa Simonovic, 6), Sturm Graz (Austria) 0 in UEFA Cup second-round, second-leg match Thursday. Aggregate 1-1, Sturm advances 8-7 on penalties.
Possible illegal military exports to Iraq threaten Sofia's NATO bid.
AFP
A Bulgarian firm which illegally exported military spare parts, possibly to Iraq, has considerably weakened the country's chances of joining NATO, Foreign Minister Solomon Passi said Thursday.
"Bulgaria's chances have considerably weakened" of being invited to join NATO at its Prague summit on November 21, Passi said in an interview with national radio.
The director of Terem Targovichte, a military firm in north-eastern Bulgaria, and his deputies were arrested Tuesday after Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov reported that the firm had illegally exported spare parts which could be used in tanks.
Bulgarian media said the parts, officially meant for Syria, were in fact destined for Iraq.
Passi said Thursday he had information that the issue was being debated in Washington.
"Even if we manage to edge our way in, I can assure you that we will face enormous difficulties should it come to the ratification of our invitation to join NATO," he said.
Terem Targovichte signed a contract with a US firm to export parts to Syria which could be used for military ends without obtaining the necessary government authorisation.
"This was an extremely irresponsible act which threatens the future of our country and our children," said Passi.
BULGARIA-NATO-ARMS SCANDAL.
BTA
Foreign Minister Solomon Passy Says Terem Scandal Casts Doubt Over Bulgaria's Bid to Join NATO.
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - "It is no longer certain that Bulgaria will receive an invitation to join NATO at the Prague Summit, Foreign Minister Solomon Passy said before entering the Government's regular session on Thursday, referring to the Terem case - an attempt to export dual use goods in violation of embargo requirements intercepted by the Bulgarian authorities.
"The situation is by no means rosy. We are in trouble and I will personally insist that those responsible for this bear the brunt of the law in its full severity," Passy added. He described the incident as an expression of utter irresponsibility towards the efforts of two generations of Bulgarians placing at stake the future of the nation.
According to Passy, even if Bulgaria receives an invitation to join NATO its ratification by the US Senate will be very difficult. "Illegal trade in arms is the most terrible type of mass crime and such crimes are not tolerated by Bulgaria's allies," Passy said. According to him, if a war starts tomorrow Bulgarian soldiers will be killed with Bulgarian weapons. "I do not wish this to happen," Passy said.
The issue has been referred to US President George Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed his indignation over the fact that following the numerous positive signals from the US now the US administration has to deal with the deeds of a "handful of irresponsible persons".
In an interview for Bulgarian National Radio Passy said that responsibility for the Terem case should be sought from the lowest to the highest levels.
This deal is not the work of a single person, Passy said. "Such deals are usually the work of registered organizations, of people who are fully aware of what they are doing. These people place the future of their country at stake, the future of their nation and the future of our children," Passy said.
"I believe the laws should be applied in its full severity against such people," Passy said. According to him, the deal was arranged by persons guided entirely by their narrow economic interests.
Moreover a deal for 2 million US dollars is a minor deal according to arms trade standards, Passy said. People capable for placing the future of their country at risk for such a small sum deserve no tolerance whatsoever, Passy concluded.
PRESIDENT-NATO-TEREM-COMMENT.
BTA
Decision in Prague Will Be Positive for Bulgaria, President Purvanov Says.
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - According to President Georgi Purvanov, despite some concerns, the decision in Prague will be positive for Bulgaria. Bulgaria has earned its invitation to join the Alliance, the President said.
Bulgaria has made considerable progress in the course of its military reform. It has proved in deed that it is a reliable partner and de facto ally of the NATO countries and in the international anti-terror coalition and an important security factor in Southeastern Europe, Purvanov said. The President said this when asked to comment on the Terem case - an attempt to export potential dual use goods in violation of embargo requirements intercepted by the Bulgarian authorities.
According to the President, the Terem case casts a shadow over Bulgaria. "But it is a criminal act and the Government acted promptly and resolutely which proves our capability of being a good and honest ally," Purvanov said.
"I cannot but congratulate almost all services, competent authorities and the Government on their prompt, timely and appropriate reaction to the situation," Purvanov said in response to a question whether the National Intelligence Service did its job in uncovering the deal.
Asked when he had learnt about the scandal, the President said: "I was duly informed, unlike some services which learnt from the President's administration."
FRANCE-PM-VISIT.
BTA
PM Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Expects NATO Membership Invitation Despite Terem Case.
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said he expects Bulgaria will be extended an invitation to join NATO despite the scandalous case of illegal export of Terem-made possible dual-use goods. "I expect that we will be invited," the prime minister said upon his departure for Paris.
Responding to a question if Bulgaria has lost its chances for invitation at the Prague Summit, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha warned against "taking things out of their context", "raising the alarm" and "speculating". "We are all worried, the public included," the prime minister said.
Saxe Coburg-Gotha said it is unlikely that the case was inspired from abroad. Asked if it was a "political attack" he said, "We will see. We should stick to reality."
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha described his visit to France, till October 16, as very important, adding that the issues that will be discussed are "of great interest for Bulgaria". The Bulgarian prime minister is scheduled to meet with his French counterpart President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the President of the Convention for the Future of Europe Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Senate President Christian Poncelet, the Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Edouard Balladur, French Central Bank Governor Jean-Claude Trichet, and head of the French employers association Ernest-Antoine Seilliere.
ARMS TRADE - GOVERNMENT - RULES.
BTA
Government Approves New Regulations for Application of Arms Trade Law.
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - The Government Thursday adopted new Regulations for Application of the Foreign Trade in Arms and in Potential "Dual-Use" Goods and Technologies Control Act.
Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Nikolay Vassilev told the press that the Regulations were approved urgently in view of the forthcoming Prague Summit, which is expected to invite Bulgaria to NATO membership, and because of the Terem case involving export of potential "dual-use" parts.
Under the new Regulations, a consensus vote is required for all decisions of the Interdepartmental Commission for Control and Licensing of Foreign-Trade Transactions in Arms and in potential "Dual-Use" Goods and Technologies. Vassilev chairs the Commission. All intermediaries, Bulgarian or foreign, involved in foreign trade in arms must be licensed. According to Vassilev, Western legislation does not set such a requirement and Bulgaria is one of the first countries to introduce it.
Financial stability requirements are introduced for companies engaging in trade and export of arms, "special-purpose" products and goods of potential "dual use."
Owners of companies which have violated the law will not be allowed to establish new companies and to have them registered and licensed. Such persons will be barred from foreign trade in arms and "special-purpose" supplies.
In connection with the Terem case, Vassilev said that neither the Interdepartmental Commission nor the Interdepartmental Council had been notified by the plant management about the implementation of such a contract. The plant declared that it was carrying out export of civilian-use goods. "If the Commission had known about the contract, it would never have approved the deal," he said.
BG Computer Virus Ferrets out Company Secrets.
Standartnews Milko Hristov
Bulgarian scientists designed a new computer virus that can break through into companies' secret files. Last week 2,000 complaints were submitted to the National Computer Virology Laboratory (NCVL) with the Bulgarian Academy of Science. The claims are about damages caused by virus RORO in its six modifications as well as virus Montana, NCVL director Evgeni Nikolov said yesterday. The main purpose of the new virus is to collect information and only 5 percent of its functions are aimed at the information destroyal. Certain anti-virus programs help against RORO, but only if it has been developed after November 6.
BALKAN MAYORS-MEETING.
BTA
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - Mayors of Balkan cities will discuss joint economic projects on December 2 and 3 in Sofia. This was agreed upon at a meeting Thursday between mayors Stefan Sofiyanski of Sofia, Vassilis Georgopoulos of Thessaloniki and Risto Penov of Skopje. A group of Sofianites chanted "Resign!" during the meeting protesting against Sofia Mayor Sofiyanski's plans for decreasing the population of stray dogs in Sofia.
The mayors of Balkan cities will come out with a joint declaration. The meeting will discuss the financial decentralization of the municipalities.
The first two meetings of Balkan mayors were in Thessaloniki. The meeting after the one in Sofia will be held in Skopje.
FOREIGN MINISTRY-IRAQ.
BTA
Foreign Ministry: Security Council Resolution 1441 on Iraq Gives Peace a Chance.
Sofia, November 14 (BTA) - "We note Iraq's consent to admit UN inspectors. We hope that the authorities in Baghdad will meet fully and in time all their obligations in compliance with Resolution 1441 of the UN Security Council, and that they will provide full assistance to the inspectors from the UN Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency in fulfilling their duties," reads a statement by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry in connection with a November 13 letter from Iraq's foreign minister to the UN Secretary General. The statement was circulated Thursday by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry's information directorate.
"The Resolution gives a chance to finding a peaceful solution to the problem and we hope for cooperation among all parties involved," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry says.
Iraq's Ambassador to the UN, Mohammed al-Douri, said Thursday that his country accepts the Security Council's Resolution 1441, which envisages that UN inspectors return to Iraq and resume their work.
If We Stumble on the Way to NATO, Resignations Will Follow.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Irina Bokova Milena Nikolova
Ministers were apprehensive of an arms scandal before Prague summit. The government must speak up not sweep problems under the carpet, says Irina Bokova, member of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy, defense and security.
- Mrs. Bokova, how would you explain the refusal of the ruling majority to hold an ad hoc cabinet sitting to discuss the Terem scandal?
- I can only say that this is a regrettable decision.
- Why the politicians prefer to avoid an open discussion?
- Sweeping problems under the carpet will by no means help the government. Such reaction betrays guilt, which to me seems embarrassing.
- Is there a risk that this gaffe could deprive us of an invitation to NATO?
- The developments are not favorable at all. The ministers of defense and foreign affairs have only recently said that if anything untoward could happen it would be exactly such kind of illicit arms deal. Unfortunately that is what has happened.
- If Bulgaria doesn't receive an invitation for NATO membership will resignations follow?
- I wouldn't go that far with the prognoses. The easiest way is to seek political responsibility and demand resignations. I can imagine what will happen now. I Know Everything, But Keep Silent.
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Georgi Petkanov Georgi Petkanov, Minister of Interior.
Elena Yaneva
- Mr. Petkanov, is there anything in common between the offshore company Terem registered in the Antilles and the state-run association Terem?
- The BG company Terem to the Ministry of Defense has nothing to do with the company in question. Our branch in Targovishte is actually the exporter of the spare parts, while the contract on export was concluded by Rodeos Investment, a company registered in Washington. Their representative in Bulgaria signed it.
- Chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign policy Stanimir Iltchev said in parliament that the scandalous deal was sealed by a group which is only a link in the long chain. In fact they aim to destabilize the country. How would you comment on it?
- Why don't you address Stanimir Iltchev in person. I don't know what he had said and cannot offer comments.
- Do you insist that Terem is a criminal case?
- Don't dig for contradictions or scandalous facts in the statements by Defense Minister Svinarov or those by Stanimir Iltchev. I know everything, but this is all I can say about the case at the moment.
The changing face of the EU.
By Chris Morris BBC Europe correspondent in Brussels
Turkey's inclusion could shift EU power eastwards.
Where do the limits of Europe lie? How does the European Union decide where and when it will say enough is enough - no more enlargement?
As the EU prepares to invite 10 new countries to join the club, it is having to wrestle with these questions.
Why? Because it is also dealing with another applicant, a bigger and more complicated one: Turkey.
The Turks will not be joining the EU any time soon, but they are pressing for a date to begin membership negotiations and the demand from Ankara is splitting the EU down the middle. A recent report said Turkey still does not meet EU criteria.
Greeks bearing gifts.
Countries such as Britain, Germany and Italy want to give the Turks some encouragement.
"We must strengthen the pro-Western forces in Turkey", stresses the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. "And that can only happen if they are being given a perspective. That perspective is called Europe."
Also among Turkey's supporters within the EU is Greece, its long time adversary in the Aegean and in Cyprus.
A big surprise? Not really.
The Greek Government has taken a long hard look at the choice it faces.
An angry, disillusioned Turkey shut out of Europe would pose a much greater threat than a country heading towards EU membership, carrying out further reforms in all walks of life.
But there are also those in Europe who believe Turkey has no place in the EU.
When the head of Europe's constitutional convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, argues that Turkish membership would mean "the end of the European Union", he is merely saying out loud what others whisper behind the scenes.
Some hope Turkey will provide a bridge to other Muslim nations.
Culture clash.
Turkey's opponents say it is too big and too "culturally different". The idea of a large Muslim country joining the EU fills them with profound unease. If the Turks were to join, they would - within a few years - have the largest population in the Union.
That would give them the largest delegation in the European Parliament and the biggest number of votes in ministerial councils.
The centre of gravity within the EU would swing decisively eastwards. The French, among others, do not like the sound of that.
And then there is the cultural question. The Pope, for example, wants any future EU constitution to mention "the decisive contribution of Christianity and Christian vision to the history and culture" of Europe.
Can it do that, and accommodate an overwhelmingly Muslim country like Turkey at the same time? The EU has to decide where its priorities lie.
The Pope is calling for a recognition of Christian influence on Europe.
Nato issue.
Next month, when EU leaders meet in Denmark, the Turks are expecting some kind of answer.
The man who won this month's Turkish general election, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says that "if a date (for negotiations) is not set in Copenhagen, the trust of our people in Europe would be devastated".
It is likely to come down to the wire, and it depends on many things. How much flexibility will Turkey show in negotiations on the United Nations plan to reunify Cyprus? How much further, and how much faster, will it push political reforms?
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen, has already called for action from the incoming government: an explicit public declaration of "zero tolerance" for torture, and the release of political prisoners such as the Kurdish activist Leyla Zana.
Mr Erdogan is already taking steps to comply with Mr Verheugen's suggestions, but a recent Commission report says Turkey still does not meet the criteria for starting membership talks.
But there are broader forces at work as well. Turkey is the only Muslim member of Nato, and it has a border with Iraq.
The United States is pushing its European allies to keep the Turks happy. Washington hopes it could be the place which proves that Islam and Western democracy can co-exist.
But Europe still has not made up its mind. There is a possibility that Turkey could do everything the EU asks of it, and still feel rejected. And then there could be trouble.
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