Skopje, 14.09.2002 (RM) Reality Macedonia team members met with representatives of the election monitoring mission of the independent NGO British Helsinki Human Rights Group Saturday evening. They disclosed the results of monitoring polling station #1044, located at Hotel Kristal, Kumanovo, noting that they can not draw "general conclusions" regarding the whole elections, till after they complete their observation mission on Sunday.

 

Hotel Kristal has served as a sanctuary for ethnically cleansed Macedonian and Serb refugees from the NLA-occupied parts of Kumanovo region for more than a year. Majority of Internally Displaced Persons (euphemism for Refugees, forced to live in Hotel Kristal) come from once-multiethnic villages of Matejche and Opae. Even though their Albanian neighbors publicly express willingness to "accept" this indigenous population back into the village, the refugees (1) have nowhere to return to, since their houses have been burned and even bulldozed; (2) claim that in private the Albanians dissuade them from coming by making by serious threats and acts of physical intimidation. Any effective police protection for non-Albanians is pending until OSCE's confidence building process succeeds.

 

"That particular polling station should not be treated as valid election," BHHRG member and Oxford University Professor Mark Almond stated for Reality Macedonia. List of irregularities included: use of inaccurate lists of voters, not publicly displayed list, people voting with multiple passports, unauthorized persons present at the polls, problems with stuffing the ballots using the "pink envelope" system, and "blatant cheating," which prevented from voting a "significant number of people."

 

According to Ms. Christine Stone, the day started a little bit too quietly. OSCE monitors showed up at 9:00, but very few people came to vote during the morning. "Only eleven people voted in three hours," Ms. Stone confirmed.

 

But, around midday, OSCE team decided to give themselves a lunch break, so all three of them left the polling station. BHHRG's team members opined that OSCE people, being generously paid for their observing, could at least take turns in going to lunch, and leave one observer at the polling station. Unfortunately, their departure created "a window of opportunity," for misdeeds. By 1:30 there were "scores of people hanging around, including children." Apparently, hundreds of Albanians from Matejche, including NLA members who drove the refugees from their homes at gunpoint, poured into Hotel Kristal to vote with the IDP's.

 

This created "a pandemonium," with people hurling verbal abuse at each other, tons of unauthorized persons on board, including a conspicuous high percentage of young males. Coincidently, the Macedonian police did not enter the room to clear out the mess.

 

The end effect of 'flood of humanity' that poured over the room, including the desks of the election committee, was that there were "ordinary Macedonians, refugees, prevented from voting." Some elderly persons just could not endure the waiting for the scuffle to end and left, without having voted. Other refugees went to complain to some "VMRO" people, and came back with reinforcements, who literally set on the voting boxes. By 4:00 the situation was stalemated in a sort of informal siege around the ballots, and both Macedonians and Albanians could not exercise their basic civic rights.

 

British Helsinki Human Rights Group considers all these actions an example of "blatant cheating," judging that the voting in polling station #1044 has already proven irregular enough to be considered "invalid."

 

The Macedonian President said, "according to preliminary knowledge, the voters' response is great, which is a good sign that they want to contribute in the process of democracy strengthening".

 

He emphasised, "the voting is a democratic act that enables the citizens to choose for the political option that will lead the Republic of Macedonia in the following 4 years, and which will fulfill their requests and interests".

 

President Trajkovski called upon the Macedonian citizens "to bear the responsibility and elect their representatives".

 

"I call upon the citizens to participate in the election process, because they choose the politicians that will work for them and build the future of the country once in 4 years", Trajkovski underlined, adding, "fulfilling the priorities they talked about in the past few days, they will fulfill the citizens' expectations".

 

In that context, Trajkovski stated that he expected Macedonia "along with all those acquired prerogatives to find its equal spot in the family of the other European countries".

 

"I expect and strongly believe that we will have fair, peaceful and democratic elections", he underlined.

 

 

 

Mirjana Lazarova - Trajkovska, President of the State Election Commission (SEC), said that the fourth parliamentary elections in Macedonia were carried out in fair and democratic atmosphere.

 

"The polling stations are closed. Summarizing of the results is underway. SEC is in session. After midnight, SEC will announce the unofficial results. The initial results will be announced tomorrow at 19,00 hour," Lazarova-Trajkovska said.

 

According to SEC, today people of Macedonia have proved that fair and democratic elections may be held in the country. "We are pleased with citizens' response and course of the election process in Macedonia," spokesman of the State Election Commission Zoran Tanevski said after the closing of the polling stations.

 

He pointed out that the bodies included in the realization of the elections, as before, fully respect the law, and recommended to the submitters of the candidates' lists to peacefully await for the official announcing of the results by the SEC.

 

According to the last information, the elections were cancelled in two polling stations, in the villages Lesok and Runica. On Saturday the voting process was cancelled at the polling station in the Kristal camp, where the internally displaced persons from the Kumanovo-Lipkovo area were supposed to realize their right to vote.

 

As Tanevski reported, by 16.00h over 50% of the voters realized their right to vote, while the precise response of the voters will be announced at the SEC press conference scheduled for 20.00h.

 

As Tanevski reported, the SEC so far did not receive any complaints about the voting procedure. The complaints, as he said, should be first submitted to the municipal election commissions, than to the regional election commission and at the end to the SEC.

 

The SEC is expected to announce the preliminary unofficial results around midnight.

 

 

By RM Team's media monitoring unit

 

One day before Macedonia's parliamentary elections, the BBC aired a last minute, 11th hour report, which basically amounted to a loaded endorsement.

 

The network, which had long been MIA in Macedonia, descended on the country, with full camera crew in tow.

 

The segment was only a few minutes long, but it followed a pattern which has been repeated by virtually the entire Western media in recent months. In other words, it began with several moments of praise for Ali Ahmeti, including a few words from the reformed rebel himself, and footage of his "ethnic toleration" type of rally. The BBC seemed to praise Ahmeti, and perhaps exaggerated his popularity, deeming him the most popular candidate in the country. This rather misleading statement becomes more intriguing, when we consider that no other candidates or parties (either Albanian or Macedonian) were even mentioned.

 

Instead, there was an interview with the bland, rather harmless President Trajkovski, who is not even a candidate. His office is assured until 2004.

 

Most interesting were the visuals. In addition to the footage of Tearce Albanians and Macedonians (who vouched for the ahem, renewed spirit of ethnic toleration and the good works of the Western intervention), the viewer was treated to long and lingering shots of SDSM coalition advertisements, both the "Reservoir Dogs" group shot and the colorful "ZA Makedonia" poster. Although no SDSM members were named, these visuals flashed across the scene just as the narrator mentioned "Macedonia's next ruling party."

 

In stark contrast, the footage ended with shots of an impassioned Brat Ljube, whipping up the crowd at VMRO's big rally. As, this visual flashed, the narrative ended by denouncing the scourge of "Balkan nationalism."

 

Well, since the BBC has said it officially, one can't help but to catch the "election fever."

 

Monday will surely mark a brand new day in the history of Macedonian politics.

 

 

Reality Macedonia
By Irina Gelevska

 

Vrtechica, near Skopje:

 

Four activists of Albanian nationalist DPA (Democratic Party of Albanians) attacked Sabit Zimeri, member of Albanian ultranationalist DUI (Democratic Union for Integrations) this morning. Zimeri was hit with the butt of an assault rifle in his head by the driver of the Major of the village Vrtechica. Both Zimeri and the attackers arrived from the near by villages Studenichane and Batinci.

 

The Election Commission in Batinci noticed that members of DPA are filling in the election boxes in this village with votes for their party.

 

Stajkovci, near Skopje:

The Local Election Commission discovered one person who tried to put a false election material in the election box. The election process continued after the incident. Some shots were heard during the incidents. Leshok, near Tetovo:

A group of armed men forced the members of the Local Election Commission in Leshok to leave the election poll and stole the whole election material. OSCE has been notified about the incident in Leshok.

 

Ohrid:

The reporter of the local TV in Ohrid, Jasminka Ivanovska, and the cameraman Sasho Cingulovski have been attacked by group of activists at the entrance of the election poll in Kosel, Ohrid. The Association of journalist of Macedonia condemned this act.

 

Evgeni Genov

 

62 percent of Bulgarians insist on reshuffles in the cabinet.

 

Minister of Education Vladimir Atanassov and Vice-PM Nikolay Vassilev are the most poor working ministers in the present cabinet, according to a survey carried out by the MBMD polling agency, voiced on Darik radio yesterday. Most of the pollees insist that the two of them should resign. Only 10 of the pollees insist on replacing Defense Minister Nikolay Svinarov and Farm Minister Mehmed Dikme. Foreign Minister Solomon Passy and Kostadin Paskalev are the straight A students of the cabinet having only 7 and 8 percent of negative credit rating. 62 percent of the pollees deem cabinet reshuffles necessary and 44 of them believe that it should take place before the Prague summit. 50 percent do not rule out hunger revolts in winter and 32 percent are willing to take part in the civil rallies. To 50 percent of the pollees, unemployment is the major problem in Bulgaria, poverty ranks second (21) and corruption third (14). To 66 of the pollees, Bulgaria's accession to NATO is not an essential issue. Only 17 percent are explicit that Bulgaria's joining NATO has no alternative. One third insist the number of MPs to be reduced and their immunity to be withdrawn.

 

 

 

Foreign Minister Passy Meets in New York Libyan Counterpart Shalgam.

 

New York, September 15 (BTA spec. corr. Dimiter Anestev) Foreign Minister Solomon Passy met Sunday in UN's HQ with Abd Al-Rahman Shalgam, Libyan Secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation. Libya's chief diplomat reiterated his position of his August visit to Sofia that the outcome of the trial against the Bulgarian medics will be 100 per cent fair, Passy told Bulgarian reporters after the meeting. The Bulgarian foreign minister said he had voiced his concern over the medics' health.

 

For over three years six Bulgarian medics - a doctor and five nurses - remain detained on charges of having infected 393 Libyan children with the HIV-virus.

 

"I was reassured that the Libyan side is not retreating from its commitment for a fair and just trial," said Passy.

 

During the meeting the two ministers talked about bilateral contacts and the restoration of the Sofia-Tripoli ir line. "We noted that this is the first real economic result of the restored relations between the two countries," Passy concluded.

 

Saturday's meeting between US State Secretary Colin Powell and the foreign ministers of the ten nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council stressed the need to set specific deadlines before Iraq. "Obviously, a future UN resolution cannot be open-ended. It must set specific deadlines for meeting the demands it puts forth," Passy commented. In his words, the international community's patience is wearing thin. However, hasty actions should be avoided and another chance should be given to finding a peaceful solution to the problem, said Passy.

 

Efforts at this stage are directed towards avoiding military strikes, Passy explained. Before the U.S. launches any operations, the respective Security Council resolutions should be adopted, Passy told reporters.

 

Passy is in the U.S. in connection with Bulgaria's presidency of the UN Security Council in September. He attends the 57th session of the UN General Assembly.

 

 

 

Passy Meets Greek, Egyptian and Portuguese Counterparts.

 

New York, September 15 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Solomon Passy met in New York with the foreign ministers of Greece, Egypt and Portugal, the Foreign Ministry's Information and PR Directorate told BTA.

 

Bilateral cooperation, EU and NATO's enlargement, the International Criminal Court, and the role of the UN and the Security Council in finding a solution to the Iraq crisis featured high on the agenda of the talks between Passy and his Greek counterpart Yeoryios Papandreou.

 

The Greek diplomat assured Passy that Bulgaria will have Greece's full support for its EU and NATO membership bid.

 

The two ministers voiced hope that a positive solution on the International Criminal Court will be reached soon. Papandreou stressed that he is optimistic about the chances for a compromise between the U.S. and the EU.

 

Commenting on the Iraq crisis, the two ministers agreed that peace should be given another chance and voiced their satisfaction with the approximation of EU and US positions lately. Passy noted that there is general satisfaction among all the Security Council's nonpermanent members with US President George Bush's speech. Bulgaria believes the Security Council will come up shortly with a resolution on Iraq.

 

The two foreign ministers discussed the forthcoming visit by the Bulgarian prime minister to Greece, the opportunities to open more border checkpoints along the countries' common border and the construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

 

Passy had his first meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Maher.

 

The two reviewed the state of bilateral relations and stressed the need to promote business contacts. They discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Iraq crisis, and President Bush's speech before the UN General Assembly.

 

Passy invited Maher to visit.

 

Later Passy conferred with Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz.

 

The two talked about a wide range of problems, including bilateral cooperation, the prospects for EU and NATO enlargement, the Security Council's role in solving the Iraq crisis, the International Criminal Court, and the situation in Africa.

 

The Bulgarian-Portuguese agreement on the exchange of workers and the forthcoming visit of the Portuguese president to Sofia were also in the highlights of the talks Passy and Martins da Cruz agreed that each EU applicant should be assessed according to its individual achievements in the negotiations. The Portuguese foreign minister voiced his firm support for Bulgaria's efforts for full EU and NATO membership.

 

The two diplomats assessed positively President Bush's speech and stressed the exceptional role which the Security Council should play in ensuring that Iraq observes strictly the respective resolutions.

 

Passy and Martins da Cruz exchanged views on the situation in Angola, south of Sahara, and in other hotbeds of tension such as Eastern Timor.

 

 

 

Passy: Security Council Would Wait for Iraq to Meet International Community's Demands for Another 12 Days or Weeks but Not Years.

 

New York, September 15 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy told CNN Sunday that the Security Council would wait for Iraq to meet the international community's demands for 12 days or weeks but not for another 12 years.

 

Asked about the deadlines which the Security Council would set before Iraq in a possible resolution, the foreign minister said that the Council has waited for 12 years for Saddam Hussein to meet the 16 resolutions it has adopted so far.

 

"That is why we should give peace one more chance at least. That is why we can wait for another 12 days or 12 weeks, but not for 12 years," Passy stressed.

 

Asked about the possible consequences for Iraq if it does not admit arms inspectors into the country, Passy said that the Security Council has still not decided whether to adopt one or two resolutions on the problem. However, the first resolution will set very clear deadlines within which Iraq should observe the demands it puts forth, he said.

 

Passy pointed out that this will be a chance for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. However, if the international community has no alternative, it will resort to other, non-peaceful mean, said Passy, adding that he hopes this won't happen. He confirmed that this possibility has been mentioned by both leaders of EU countries and by the U.S.

 

Responding to a question about Bulgaria's stand if the Security Council does not grant the U.S. permission for military operations against Iraq, Passy said that Bulgaria's vote in the Council and in the UN General Assembly will be governed by a wish to strengthen Euro-Atlantic consensus. "We have two families - NATO and the EU," Passy explained. In his words, Bulgaria's role as president of the Security Council in September and during its two-year term as Council member is to unify the positions of the EU and the U.S.

 

The TV anchor recalled that Bulgaria is a small country aspiring for NATO membership. There is always a risk for the smaller countries, but this is a matter of clever diplomacy, the Bulgarian foreign minister said, adding that he hopes Bulgaria will cope.

 

 

 

Computer Inventor John Atanasoff's Centenary to Be Marked in October 2003 under President Purvanov's Auspices.

 

New York, September 15 (BTA special correspondent Dimiter Anestev) - At the end of his visit to New York for the 57th session of the UN General Assembly and a Security Council meeting, President Georgi Purvanov met on Sunday with John Atanasoff Jr., the son of computer inventor John Atanasoff, who is of Bulgarian descent.

 

John Atanasoff's centenary will be marked in Bulgaria in October 2003 under Purvanov's auspices, the President's Press Secretary Boika Bashlieva said.

 

Blagovest Sendov is chairman of the organizing committee, with Atanasoff Jr. as co-chairman.

 

The anniversary will be marked in the US as well, with Iowa University as the organizer. It invested 450,000 dollars recently in the creation of a replica of the ABC computer invented by Atanasoff.

 

Purvanov is leaving New York for Salzburg late on Sunday, to attend the European Economic Forum organized under the aegis of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He will participate in a discussion on EU enlargement at the forum. In Salzburg, Purvanov will meet with European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, who is responsible for enlargement. The Bulgarian President will talk with him about the decommissioning of Units Three and Four of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant. He will also present arguments for the Bulgarian position on the need for a new roadmap for Bulgaria with a set accession date.

 

While in Salzburg, Purvanov will talk with Stability Pact Special Coordinator Erhard Busek. The two will discuss the implementation of various Stability Pact projects. Purvanov is scheduled to meet with the presidents of Austria, Finland and Estonia.

 

 

Lyudmila Parvanova

He still keeps the impeller from the crashed plane of his father Kliment who was a fighter-pilot.

 

The composer keeps the relic in the sitting room of his flat. It reminds him of his adventurous childhood, spent in garrisons all over Bulgaria. 'My father's family comes from Ohrid, and my mother's - from the Pirin region. And I think myself a Bulgarian,' the author of one of the Bulgarian most popular hits says.

 

Dimitar Karadimchev, his grandfather on father's side, was mayor of Ohrid in the period 1912-13. Boris Karadimchev is the author of the song 'White Silence'. The song performed by Georgy Minchev brought him the 'Golden Orpheus' award in 1967. Among Karadimchev's most famous songs are 'The Green-Eyed Girl' performed by Boyan Ivanov and the song from the film 'Boy Turns Man' sang by Mimi Ivanova and Boris Godzhunov in duet. For 2 decades already he teaches music at the cinema department with the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIZ).