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The anti-mafia police busted a clandestine synthetic narcotics manufacturing laboratory nearby the town of Kostinbrod. IM Chief Secretary Gen. Boyko Borissov said he hoped the detainees would be convicted as soon as possible. Photo Stoian Nenov
SITUATION IN CRISIS REGIONS.
MIA
It is relatively calm Tuesday morning in Tetovo area unlike the last night when shootings from several types of infantry weapons were heard from the city and the surrounding villages.
As MIA's correspondent reports, a flare was registered at 00.40h from the transmitter of the Macedonian Radio Television located on Sar Mount.
According to Tetovo police department, bursts of fire were registered from Kupenik, Gorna Carsija and Ciglana settlements, Tetovo Teke, "Blagoja Toska" boulevard, "Kuzman Josifovski Pitu" military barracks, textile school center "Goce Stojceski", elementary school "SS. Kiril and Metodi", SEE University, central city area and other districts.
The public peace and order was also violated Monday afternoon with the sound of horn beeping from the vehicles moving along the larger Tetovo boulevards, streets and the city square. Albanian flags were displayed from the cars.
Shootings were also registered from Odri, Dobroste, Palatica, Mala Recica, Selce, Sipkovecko Teke, Gajre, Lisec, Dolno Palciste, Strimnica and other Tetovo villages. The shots did not have defined targets.
No shootings were registered overnight in Kumanovo - Lipkovo region.
As MIA's correspondent reports, shots were registered Monday afternoon when the public peace and order was violated 22 times from Vaksince, Slupcane, Matejce, Ropaljce, Vistica, Opae villages and Rudnicka Kolonija locality.
However, the shootings were not targeted.
MACEDONIA AND GREECE SIGN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT.
MIA
Macedonian Economy Minister Besnik Fetai and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loveredos signed Tuesday a five-year development and cooperation agreement.
The program is part of the Greek plan for reconstruction and development of the Balkan countries. Greece intents to grant 550 million in the next five years to the Balkan countries. Macedonia is to receive 74,84 million.
"The agreement will allow economic, social and institutional reconstruction of the country," Fetai said.
He informed that 80% of the money support was to be used for financing public sector projects, while the other 20% were to go to small and middle companies.
By this agreement, Greece will also help Macedonia to attract foreign investments from international institutions.
"Together with Greece, these institutions are to invest in many projects.
Macedonia has already made contact with the World Bank, which will also invest in the country," Fetai said.
Loverdos considered that signing of the Agreement was a serious step forward in regard with the future bilateral cooperation and good-neighboring relations.
A stable politics would help in surpassing of the existing problems, he added.
Fetai and Loverdos agreed that the agreement had no provisons for special treatment of Greek investors.
Today, Loverdos was also received by Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski.
Georgievski welcomed the Greek Government initiative, saying it is a great step to developing of overall relations among the Balkan countries. It is particularly significant, considering that fact that the Stability Pact, also aimed at improving of the reginal relations, has not been effective so far.
Georgiveski said he expected that the amount of 75 million, aimed for Macedonia, would not be used only for reconstruction of several production facilities, but also for infrastructure projects, such as completion of the Corridor 10, as well as for ecological projects of mutual interest on the Vardar River and the Dojran Lake.
According to the Greek plan, funds will be allocated to all other Balkan countries - Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania and Bosnia. Yugoslavia is to receive the largest amount out of a total of 250 million, followed by Macedonia. The funds for Yugoslavia are mainly aimed for completion of the highway from Nis to the Macedonian border.
Georgievski said that this project, besides its economic significance, would contribute to strengthening of the regional peace and stability, the Prime Minister's Cabinet said in a press release.
REGULAR GOVERNMENT SESSION.
MIA
The Body for Structural Reforms is to decide on selling of the publishing house "Nova Makedonija", spokesman Gjorgi Trendafilov said Tuesday after the regular session of the Government.
Trendafilov said that the Government would cover the expenditures of the State Election Commission's work.
Today, the Government also discussed on shortage of funds for demarcation of the northern border. The Foreign and Interior Ministries should have additional consultations with the Ministry of Finance about this matter and improve their coordination, Trendafilov said.
In regard to the European Union's promise to grant financial assistance for the border demarcation, Trendafilov said that such assistance had not arrived yet.
The Sector for Euro-integration would be in charge of the funds, if they would be approved, he added.
At today's session, chaired by Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, the Macedonian Government discussed on and adopted the National Strategy for Development of Small and Medium Companies, aimed to foster economic development by reduction of the unemployment rate and increase of the GDP.
For this purpose, Macedonia should create favorable economic climate by a long-term program for support of the private sector in the sphere of economy and entrepreneurship.
The strategy will obligatory include all relevant factors for development, as well as the governmental institutions, in order to promote long-term and consistent national development program, which will create appropriate conditions for faster development of private economic initiatives. In defining of such policy, Macedonia, considering the world's experiences, will have to set its own development strategy.
The Government discussed on and adopted a draft-law on cultural heritage.
The Government also decided to compensate the damage of individual grape producers, caused by extremely low temperatures in this period of the year.
For this purpose, the Government approved an amount of Denar 100 million from the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply and the Agriculture Fund.
The Government decided for domestic and foreign persons to posses up to 10,000 when they travel to or from Macedonia.
An information on enrollment of new students at the universities and high schools in the country for the school year 2002/2003, was also discussed at today's session. According to data, presented by the University "SS. Kiril & Metodij" from Skopje and "St. Kliment Ohridski" from Bitola, 5, 677 students have enrolled so far. A total of 378 students or 6,6% are members of the national minorities in the country.
Discussing the environmental problems in Veles, the Government underlined the necessity for adoption of a strategy for dealing with those problems. In this respect, the Government decided to establish a coordination body, comprised of representatives of the Ministries of Environment and Urban Planning, Health Care, Finance, Transport and Communications, Economy, Labor and Social Policy and Local Self-Government.
MINISTER NIKOLA GRUEVSKI ON FINANCE MINISTRY' ACTIVITIES.
MIA
"The fiscalization was carried out in every state apart from Albania and FR Yugoslavia. The process that has positive results everywhere must be implemented in Macedonia. The introduction of fiscal cash registries is an attempt to reduce the gray economy. It is hard to tackle this issue in its essence although it is easy to do it in a declarative way," Macedonian Finance Minister Nikola Gruevski says.
He reminded that the first strike on the gray economy was imposed with the introduction of the value added tax, which resulted into slight reduction of the gray economy.
The second strike was the reduction of the taxes. The Personal Income Tax was reduced to 15 percent, and considering the fact that the profit tax in Macedonia is among the lowest, 4,000 customs tariffs were reduced.
Underlining that with the decline of the taxes, the persons are less motivated to evade them, Minister Gruevski reminded on the other reforms in the tax system. Almost all laws in the tax area were revised in consultation with the world known experts from Europe and USA, including the experts from the IMF and the World Bank.
Fierce campaign against the tax evaders was launched, but with the beginning of the war the attention was focused on something else. However, that period has ended and the Finance Ministry is back on its primary goal. The lowered taxes improved the incomes, and many problems were resolved such as the problem with the eight percent owed to the pensioners and the increase of the salaries in the public administration.
"We are progressing step by step, and we cannot expect a turning point in the economy very fast. We cannot become a state with 5-10 percent of black economy overnight, if we are aware that we had 40-50 percent yesterday.
Lots of work, efforts and sometimes humiliations are necessary. Sometimes the people are in delusion that you want to harm them, and sometimes they are attracted by some political party or the tax evaders and they try to devaluate your personality. But you have to endure. That is the firmness of some politicians. I know that one day the people will understand and will realize that I was right. We do all this in order to have brighter future," Gruevski emphasized.
Reminding that both the salaries of the state administration and the pensions are increased, Gruevski underlined that the Bank for microcrediting would have been opened by now if the Parliament has adopted the law three months ago. That is one of the Ministry's most important projects.
Another significant project for the private sector is the establishing of the special financial institution similar to a credit agency. There are many companies in Macedonia, which products are in demand, but they do not have enough funds to buy raw materials and to produce. Therefore, the Agency's role will be to buy the raw materials for the producer. The agency will charge a commission, but most of the money will go in the producers' funds. After several cycles, the company would be able to obtain its own raw materials and will be able to function properly.
Another important project is the training of the Macedonian managers in the foreign countries. Around 400-500 managers will be sent on state-financed training courses in more advanced country and after two months they will return in Macedonia. Again after two months they will be sent into even more advanced country to get experience. The World Bank has already implemented this project in several countries in Central and East Europe and it has showed exceptional results. The project is very interesting and probably it will be implemented by the end of the year with the support of the World Bank.
"I will definitely remember my beginnings in the Finance Ministry, when I went to Washington on March 15, 2000. The Americans were very crossed, probably because lots of things were promised in the past and nothing has been achieved. Then we presented our program and projects. Our performance was confident and convincing, but we had a great task ahead of us and we succeeded to realize it. It was a great turning point. In 2000 we did a lot and there was an atmosphere for doing such things. But, 2001 has destroyed us. The war has destroyed us, and the economy has regressed.
Now we are going forward, to realize new projects," Minister Gruevski says.
Speaking of the Finance Ministry's activities during the military crisis in Macedonia, when attempts have been made to prevent the disaster in the economy, Gruevski said that it was very risky.
Usually, economic disasters happen during wartime and that was a potential risk for Macedonia. Maximum efforts have been made to avoid high inflation and devaluation, because if that happened then we would have had the same situation from 1992-93 or at least we would have suffered ten times bigger losses than we had.
"I am very happy we succeeded in that. The year 2000 was very interesting for me. We worked a lot and I am happy because the results were satisfying. We also worked in 2001, but the things were falling down, as there was war. We worked to save something," Gruevski underlined.
LOAN AGREEMENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF OHRID AIRPORT SIGNED.
MIA
Macedonian Finance Minister Nikola Gruevski and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development representative to Macedonia, Zsuzsanna Hargitai signed Tuesday in Skopje a Loan Agreement for realization of the Project on promoting the Civil Aviation Authority's system and rehabilitation of Ohrid Airport worth 11,2 million.
Macedonian Minister of Transport and Communications Ljupco Balkoski and Director of the Civil Aviation Authority Mile Manolev attended the ceremony.
The project is aimed for procurement of navigation equipment, modernization of the runaway at Ohrid airport and institutional enhancement of the CAA.
The realization of the project will increase the safety of the air traffic in the country and will harmonize the air control systems with the European standards and the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The project should also enhance the security standards and increase the flow capacity of the air traffic in Macedonia.
According to Manolev, this was not the first credit, aimed for modernization of the system of airport's infrastructure facilities.
"This is the third credit line. The first two were used for modernization of the air traffic control system at Skopje Airport and for reconstruction of the runaways. The projects should be completed at the beginning of 2004, when we should start to reimburse the loan agreement signed today," Manolev said.
The deadline for reimbursement is 12 years, with three years of grace period, and the interest rate is 5,9 percent. The reconstruction of the Ohrid Airport should be completed by the end of 2005.
STATE ELECTION COMMISSION IN SESSION.
MIA
At a session Tuesday, the State Election Commission (SEC) adopted three manuals in accordance with the law on Election of Members of the Parliament.
The first manual, in compliance with the Article 37, paragraph 3, says that each sex should be represented in the list of candidates by at least 30%. Each list should have at least six candidates.
The second manual, in compliance with the Article 42, paragraph 1, says that the list of candidates is to be signed by an authorized representative of the list's submitter. A list of two or more political parties is to be signed by a person, authorized by those parties.
The third manual, in compliance with the Article 38, the Article 43, paragraph 2 and the Article 60, paragraph 1 of the Law, says that if the list of candidates is submitted by two or more parties, than those parties should open one bank deposit, titled "for election campaign".
SEC president Mirjana Lazarova-Trajkovska briefed the commission members about yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Education and Science, focused on SEC computer center and web-site.
She also said that today the Government would discuss on SEC's financial plan.
Today, SEC also had a meeting with the presidents and deputies of the district electoral commissions.
Yesterday, SEC appointed the presidents and deputies of 34 municipal electoral commissions (MEC).
Rina Andreevska-judge at the Skopje Appellate Court was released from her duty as deputy-president of the District Electoral Commission no. 6 - Tetovo, on her request. She is replaced by Shuretush Bislimoski, also judge at the Skopje Appellate Court.
Zlatko Linin and Aleksandar Mladenovski, judges at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Kisela Voda, Studenicani and Sopiste.
Hristo Jovanov, judge at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction 1, is appointed for president of MEC for the municipality Centar. Ljubomir Jovevski, judge at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction 2, is to be his deputy.
Antoaneta Dimovska and Risto Katavenovski, judges at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for president and deputy of MEC for the municipalities Karpos, Kondovo and Saraj.
Dragi Minoski and Bozin Avramoski, judges at the Kicevo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed fro president and deputy of MEC for the municipalities Makedonski Brod and Samokov.
Lenka Babanovska and Slavica Spasic, judges at the Kumanovo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC president and deputy for the municipalities Kumanovo, Staro Nagoricane and Lipkovo.
Ognen Stavrev and Jane Tapndzioski, judges at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for president and deputy of MEC for the municipalities Cair, Cucer Sandevo, Suto Orizari and Gjorce Petrov.
Verica Somovska and Jani Nica, judges at the Skopje Court of Original Jurisdiction 2, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Gazi Baba and Aracinovo.
Stojan Mihov and Lence Maneva, judges at the Stip Court of Original Jurisdiction. are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Stip and Karbinci.
Golubinka Kozovska and Jovan Cicakovski, judges at the Berovo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Berovo and Pehcevo.
Blagoj Cikarski and Metodi Ivanov, judges at the Vinica Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Vinica and Blatec.
Ljupco Stoimenov and Mitko Georgiev, judges at the Delcevo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for the municipalities Delcevo and Makedonska Kamenica.
Nikola Mihailov and Zoran Gligorov, judges at the Kocani Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president for Kocani, Orizari, Zrnovce, Oblesevo and Cesinovo.
Stojman Dimkovski and Mile Stoimenovski, judges at Kratovo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed for MEC's president and deputy for Kratovo, Klecovce and Orasec.
Ivan Stojcevski and Loza Ilievska, judges at the Kriva Palanka Court of Original Jurisdiction, are appointed as MEC's president and deputy for Kriva Palanka and Rakovce.
Aco Tasev and Milanco Rambabov, judges at the Stip Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Probistip and Zletovo.
Lidija Dimova and Nadica Andreeva, judges at the Veles Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Veles, Gradsko, Izvor, Bogomila, Caska, Zelenikovo, Petrovec and Ilinden.
Slobodan Arsovski and Todorce Milanov, judges at the Sveti Nikole Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Sveti Nikole and Lozovo.
Gjorgi Manevski and Nake Georgiev, judges at the Strumica Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Strumica, Vasilevo, Bosilovo, Novo Selo, Murtino and Kuklis.
Biljana Delova - Nikolova and Tomislav Simeonovski, judges at the Gevgelija Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Valandovo.
Gjorge Curlinov and Elena Makarovska, judges at the Gevgelija Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Gevgelija, Star Dojran, Bogdanci and Miravci.
Stojan Bojkov and Elizabeta Petkovska, judges at the Kavadarci Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Kavadarci, Rosoman and Konopiste.
Stalinka Cejkovska - Mitrova and Ratko Petrovski, judges at the Negotino Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Negotino and Demir Kapija.
Ljuben Binovski and Zoran Stevanovski, judges at the Prilep Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Pilep, Vitolista, Krivogastani, Topolcani, Mogila, Kukurecani, Novaci, Dobrusevo, Bac and Staravina.
Andon Atanasov and Slavco Milev, judges at the Radovis Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Radovis, Podares and Konce.
Petre Srbinovski and Todorka Siskovska, judges at the Bitola Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Bitola, Bistrica and Capari.
Lile Naumovska and Ljube Stojanovski, judges at the Bitola Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Demir Hisar and Sopotnica.
Mira Angeleska and Tance Sofronioski, judges at the Kicevo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Kicevo, Vranesnica, Drugovo and Plasnica.
Koco Ivanoski and Domnika Zerde-Kurete, judges at the Krusevo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Krusevo, Zitose and Dolneni.
Ljubin Aleksijeski and Trajce Skrceski, judges at the Ohrid Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Ohrid, Kosel, Meseista and Belcista.
Slobodanka Samarovska and Biljana Jonovska, judges at the Resen Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Resen.
Zejadin Islami and Goce Ibusevski, judges at the Struga Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Struga, Vevcani, Velesta, Labunista, Delgozde and Lukovo.
Nesat Selimi and Jordan Velkovski, judges at the Tetovo Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Tetovo, Zelino, Jegunovce, Tearce, Vratnica, Dzepciste, Sipkovica, Kamenjane, Bogovinje and Brvenica.
Zarif Zekiri and Ilmi Seferi, judges at the Gostivar Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Gostivar, Negotino, Polosko, Vrapciste, Cegrane, Vrutok, Mavrovi Anovi, Dolna Banica, Srbinovo, Oslomej, Zajas and Rostuse.
Petrit Duka and Sehat Marku, judges at the Debar Court of Original Jurisdiction, are MEC's president and deputy for Debar and Centar Zupa.
Last Friday, SEC appointed the presidents, deputies and members of the six district electoral committees.
Svetlana Trajkovska is president of the district electoral committee (DEC) for the election district no. 1- Kisela Voda, while Simeon Nikodinovski is appointed for a deputy. President of DEC for the election district no.2 - Kumanovo is Ismail Limani, and his deputy is Jovan Jovanovski.
DEC's president in the election district no. 3 - Stip - is Stojance Ribarev.
Angel Stojanov is appointed for his deputy. Svetolik Nikolovski and Kornelija Davceva are appointed for president and deputy of DEC in the election district no. 4 - Strumica. DEC's president and deputy in the election district no. 5 - Bitola - are Danica Risteva and Kice Juzevski.
Jusuf Rustemi is president of DEC in the election district no. 6 - Tetovo, while Rina Andreevska is appointed for his deputy.
The presidents and their deputies are judges at the Appellate Courts in Skopje, Stip and Bitola.
According to the State Election Commission (SEC) financial plan, expenditures for the election activities are to be at Denar 139,678 million, i.e. 30% less than the amount spent for the local elections in 2000.
For the elections, an amount of Denar 140 million is planned in the country's budget. SEC is to allocate about Denar 64 million for the election material, while an amount of Denar 68,3 million is necessary for salaries of members of the election bodies.
Ballot printing will take Denar 17 million, while an amount of Denar 45 million should be allocated for purchasing of means for voter identification.
The European Agency for Reconstruction will grant 266,000 to SEC, through the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) for unification of the election material and equipment, which is to be distributed at all 2,973 polling place, IFES Director Blessington said.
SEC and IFES are to sign a cooperation agreement next week. This document will present a continuation of their cooperation, which started in 2000 for the local elections.
At today's session, SEC made a decision for preparing of a draft-program for the police tasks during the lection process in compliance with the new Law on election of parliament members. The draft will be submitted to the Interior Ministry and to the lection bodies.
Political parties, which will take part in the parliamentary elections, will have to submit their lists of candidates till August 5, while the regional election commissions will determine the lists order on the ballot by drawing lots until August 9, and to submit it to SEC until August 10. SEC should present the lists order in media until August 16.
The pre-election campaign will be carried out from August 14 to September 14.
Domestic and foreign organizations, interested in monitoring of the elections, should submit their requests to SEC until September 5 at latest.
On September 15, the voting process will take place from 07.00 to 19.00 hours, and 24 hours after closure of the polling places, the first unofficial results will be presented. Soldiers, prisoners and displaced persons will vote on September 14.
Campaign dubbed "Greek Embassy, Shame on You"
Makfax - MIA - Reality Macedonia
Photo courtesy of Vest
Skopje, 30.07.2002. (Makfax) A group of Taiwanese journalists will collect signatures downtown Skopje within in the course of a campaign dubbed "Greek Embassy, Shame on You." This campaign aims to pile pressure on Greek Liaison Office in Skopje in the wake of uncivilized attitude towards the citizens of Macedonia who had applied for entry visa.
The organizers of campaign urge the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs to safeguard the dignity of the citizens of Macedonia standing in endless queues outside Greek Liaison Office in Skopje. The reason for this campaign is the inconvenience the Taiwanese correspondents had been facing in the Greek Liaison Office, including the ugly image outside the Office, where the people are waiting for days to get a visa.
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Kuey - Jue Jan. Photo courtesy of Dnevnik
Skopje, July 29 (MIA) - The campaign "Together - We Can Make It" against the brutal conduct of the Greek Embassy in Macedonia will begin on Tuesday with collecting signatures at Skopje's city square.
Campaign's initiator Kuey - Jue Jan editor in chief of "Taiwan News International" newsroom in Skopje emphasized that under the motto "Greek Embassy, Shame on You," a group would be established, which would observe the inhuman conduct of the Embassy towards the Macedonian citizens.
The main reason for her revolt, was the humiliating conduct of the Visa Department towards her cameraman - Macedonian citizen. Namely, the Taiwanese Agency was invited from the Greek Athletics Federation for Deaf Persons to cover the First international basketball championship in Athens, where Taiwan representatives also take part.
The Greek Embassy has told them that they could get the visas, but when the cameraman after three hours of regular waiting at the official entrance has entered the building, officer Dimitris Mihalopolus threw the documents on the ground along with the invitation from the organizer and shouted "take your documents and get out, there is no visa!"
Upon the intervention of the Greek Athletics Federation, the Embassy has called the newsroom to notify them that visas will be issued, but Jue Jan has refused them explaining that she expects official apology from the diplomatic office to her employee.
Within the campaign, aiming for an apology to the cameraman and a promise for civilized conduct by the Greek Embassy, the Macedonian daily papers will publish cases of improper conduct of the Visa Department towards the Macedonian citizens.
The Macedonians will be urged to restrain from traveling to Greece, and it will be requested from the Foreign Minister Slobodan Casule to undertake measures for changing this uncivilized conduct of the Embassy towards the citizens of the host-country.
The report on these developments will be submitted to EU monitoring mission, whose member is Greece.
SALZBURG-PRIME MINISTER-MEETING.
BTA
Southeast European Prime Ministers' Meeting Ends in Salzburg.
Salzburg, July 30 (BTA exclusive by National Television correspondent Svetla Tanova) - Tuesday saw the ending of a meeting here of the prime ministers of Southeast European countries. Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha attended the forum.
"The idea of the meeting was to exchange views on the future prospects of the region in an informal situation. We discussed a range of regional issues, including infrastructure projects and the creation of an international academy for administration," Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, who hosted the meeting, said after the event.
The other participants in the meeting were the government leaders Zoran Djindjic of Serbia, Adrian Nastase of Romania and Dragan Mikerevic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Stability Pact Coordinator Erhard Busek.
The forum was also attended by top officials of Siemens, Daimler Chrysler and Raiffeisenbank. The prime ministers of Macedonia, Albania and Croatia did not take part in the event due to domestic politics reasons.
The meeting in Salzburg coincided with the third anniversary of the official signing of the document for the Stability Pact.
Busek made a brief review of the Pact. As the most important results he outlined the fact that the Pact opened the region's European prospects, improved trans-border cooperation and led to the signing of free trade agreements. "However, the planned results in implementation of infrastructure projects and improvement of the region's investment climate are yet to be attained," Busek said. He said that the Stability Pact will study the legal framework in the countries of Southeast Europe so as to help them improve their business climate. An international academy for administration will be set up with the prestigious Vienna Diplomatic Academy, it emerged after the meeting.
Ferrero-Waldner said car industry officials were interested in making investments in an auto parts plant in the region. Emerging from the meeting, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha noted the importance of regional cooperation not only in the economy and politics but in the sphere of culture as well, and especially university cooperation within the so-called Graz process.
The prime ministers agreed to continue the discussion at a similar meeting here in a year's time.
MISSILES-ENVIROMENTAL ASSESSMENT.
BTA
Method of Experimental Missile Destruction to Be Known This Week.
Sofia, July 30 (BTA) - The method which will be used in the experimental destruction of missile systems will become known this week, BTA learned from Assoc. Prof. Tsveti Tsvetkov, member of the expert commission which is making an independent environmental impact assessment of the destruction of the SS-23, FROG and Scud missile systems.
Tsvetkov said that if a decision was made to conduct the experiment using any of the other three methods - controlled explosion, chemical conversion or the plasma method, instead of burning, which has been considered so far, the first stage of the expert environmental assessment would be repeated, only using a new technology.
"Should the government decide on the basis of our report to use the plasma method, the experts will monitor water as well," Tsvetkov said. The method consists in controlled burning at low temperatures and under a different pressure.
"We should negotiate with the US contractor, CDI, about providing us with dioxin monitoring equipment," said Nikolai Kenanov, Director of Coordination and Regional Environment and Water Inspectorates at the Environment and Waters Ministry. The experts have equipment which can measure the content of four types of dioxin only in solid substances, such as soil or sediments, he said.
The commission of 29 independent experts on the various components of the environment is involved in the first stage of the independent expert assessment.
It will end with monitoring, which will help draw up a scheme for monitoring the components of the environment during the second stage, when a real-life experiment will be performed.
The Defence Ministry pledged last week that a final decision on the method of destruction would be made after the tests. A memorandum signed by Bulgaria and the US and ratified by the National Assembly allows for changing the method in line with Bulgaria's requirements.
A report on the measurements which are being taken by Environment Ministry experts in the 15 villages near Zmeyovo Test Range is expected to be ready on Wednesday. The test range in the Stara Zagora region (Southern Bulgaria) is the place chosen for the destruction of the missile systems.
"The Government has no intention to take any actions if it is not absolutely convinced in the safety of those actions," Foreign Minister Solomon Passy told journalists Tuesday, taking a question about the demilition of the missile systems. "We will have enough time to convince people that the measures related to the destruction of the missiles are safe," he said. According to him, the researches made show that even if the missile systems stay in one place, they will deteriorate and may lead to an environment catastrophe.
"The SS-23 missiles are weapons of attack that has been destroyed in all countries applying for NATO membership, and there is no room for them in Bulgaria," Passy said. "Bulgaria has no intention to attack any neighbouring country, therefore retaining such attack weapons may only lead to instability."
The right-wing opposition Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) has not changed its position in favour of experimental destruction and environmental impact assessment of the destruction of the SS-23 missiles, the party's Spokesman Nikolai Mladenov said after Tuesday's meeting of the UDF National Executive Board.
The UDF insists that the government should meet its commitments in a way that would help Bulgaria get invited to join NATO in November, and that the government should see to it that missile destruction would not lead to anti-NATO attitudes in Bulgaria, Mladenov said.
More than 200 people protested against the destruction of the SS-23, FROG and Scud missile systems at a rally in the village of Pustrovo in the Stara Zagora region on Tuesday morning. The rally was organized by a steering committee from the Bratya Daskalovi municipality.
The steering committee said people in the municipality had collected nearly 11,000 signatures in support of a declaration to the National Assembly and the President, pressing for the truth about the environmental consequences of the forthcoming destruction of the missile systems.
The Bulgarian Workers' Socialist Party declared itself against missile destruction at a news conference in Sofia on Tuesday.
BULGARIA - AFGHANISTAN.
BTA
Bulgaria Grants Afghanistan Weapons, Ammo, Walkie-talkies.
Sofia, July 30 (BTA) - Defence Minister Nikolai Svinarov and Afghan Charge D'Affairs to Sofia Mohammed Fazel Saifi signed on Tuesday an agreement on Bulgarian grant-aid to Afghanistan of weapons, ammo and walkie-talkies, the press office of the Defence Ministry said.
Afghanistan's interim government will receive from Bulgaria 400 automatic rifles, eight mortars, 27 anti-tank devices, eight machine guns and ammunition for them and 30 walkie-talkies.
Svinarov said quoted in the press release this is the next but not last aid Bulgaria provides to Afghanistan.
Simeon Looking for Money in Arabia.
Standartnews
Evgeni Genov
The Premier is leaving for Lebanon and Jordan next week.
Premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg is leaving for Lebanon and Jordan next week, it became known yesterday. The key objective of his visit is to negotiate fresh investments. Minister of transport Plamen Petrov and deputy ministers of foreign affairs and economy, Ivan Petkov and Milen Keremedchiev, will accompany the PM. Chef de Cabinet Radi Naidenov will also join the delegation. Simeon will be in Lebanon from 5 to 7 August. On August 7-9 he will visit Jordan, where he is expected to sign a bilateral agreement on encouragement and protection of investments. It is also expected that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will meet King of Jordan Abdullah II. The BG delegation will fly to Middle East with the VIP "Falcon". Tonight the Premier and his wife Margarita return to Sofia after a one-week visit to Germany and Austria. Yesterday Simeon took part in the sitting of the Stability Pact after which there was a formal reception hosted by Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Siemens General Manager for Austria and Southeastern Europe Albert Hochleiter. Earlier Simeon met in Germany insurers from Huck as well as merchants interested in Bulgarian wines.
Dam Cracked, They Caught Carps in the Streets in Pravoslaven.
Standartnews
Sofia Popova
After the hail ruined the crops on Sunday, pouring rains flooded the country.
Old landslides were activated and huge potholes gaped on the roads. For three days already two villages in Devin region have been cut off from the rest of the world. In Dimitrovgrad eleven houses were flooded. Water filled subways, cellars and ground floors in many places in the country. Torrential rains fell in the region of Haskovo - 120 liters per square meter and in the region of Krumovgrad - 102 liters per square meter. After the nearby dam cracked on Sunday, 17 houses were flooded in the village of Pravoslaven. Yesterday the locals had a rare chance - they caught huge carps in their gardens and in the streets.
Lower Prices at Seaside.
Standartnews
Hotels in Zlatni Pyasatsi and Albena by 10 % cheaper.
The prices in seaside resorts are getting lower at the height of the season. A hotel room in the best BG resorts - Zlatni Pysatsi, Albena, St. Constanitine and St. Elena - is 3 to 15 dollars cheaper than usual. The new prices will be valid till end-August, then a new decrease is expected. The reason is that most hotels remain half-empty, said members of the Tourist Chamber in Varna. In the sanitariums of the National Insurance Institute (NII) lodging is available for 4 levs only. Anyone who has a labor contract and pays social insurance can buy a vacation there, said representatives of NII yesterday.
Government Pass Muster with "C"
INTERVIEW Standartnews: Kemal Eyup
We are looking for alternative manufactures in tobacco-growing regions, says MRF MP Kemal Eyup.
Kemal Eyup Adil is an MP of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. He was born in 1952. By profession Mr. Eyup is a computer programmer. He has been the MRF deputy for three terms running. Currently he is the deputy chairman in the parliamentary commission for EU integration and member of commissions for mass media and foreign policy. In the MRF he is a member of the Central Operative Bureau of the party.
- Mr. Eyup, what grade would you give to the government for the one year of their rule?
- We would give them a good mark and we hope that soon they will deserve an "A". To us, there can be no better coalition partner in the National Assembly than the NMS.
- On Sunday Mr. Dogan said without MRF Bulgartabak cannot be privatized. What stand has your party taken as regards holding's privatization?
- When Bulgaria becomes a full-fledged EU member tobacco production won't be such an important sector of economy. Having in mind the health-care policy in the USA and Europe this trend is irreversible. We are seeking alternatives to tobacco growing in regions where it is the main livelihood.
- Have you discussed the possibility of appointing a vice-premier from MRF?
- The question has been raised but we haven't debated it yet. Most deputies think that the proposal for it should come from our coalition partners. American Jewish Committee Urges NATO Expansion.
U.S. Newswire
WASHINGTON, July 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee today urged NATO to extend formal invitations for full membership to Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia when the alliance's 19 member countries gather in Prague in November.
"Their succession to NATO will serve the national security interest of the United States," David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, told a news conference at the National Press Club today.
"By announcing early and loudly our support for NATO expansion we are sending a very strong message," said Harris. "This is a definitional moment in history and we don't want to be on the sidelines.
"An expanded NATO means greater stability for Central Europe, a region that was the cockpit for the two world wars that brought such horror to the twentieth century," said Harris. The full text of Harris's remarks is available at www.ajc.org.
Harris pointed out that, despite the warnings of some commentators five years ago, the first round of NATO enlargement to the east has been a success.
"NATO strength has not been diluted by the addition of its three newest members, but rather enhanced by the laudable efforts of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to contribute to the alliance by providing additional security for the collective defense of the member nations," Harris said.
Just after September 11, 2001, "America's ability to respond to the menace of international terrorism was actually helped by an enlarged NATO," he said.
The U.S. Committee on NATO applauded the American Jewish Committee initiative.
"We agree with the American Jewish Committee that progress towards coming to terms with history and in building a robust civic society has reached such a point that the United States should reasonably regard the progress of these seven countries as irreversible," said Bruce Jackson, President of the U.S. Committee on NATO, who also addressed the news conference.
Bruce Jackson praised the American Jewish Committee for "its work throughout Central and Eastern Europe, which has set a new standard of patience, fairness, and political wisdom in a region that has seen precious little of these qualities in the 20th century."
Harris also called upon the seven aspirant countries to "redouble their efforts in the months ahead to complete the still open process of restituting Jewish communal property and preserving Holocaust memory and its integrity."
In March AJC hosted a conference in Bucharest in March that brought together Jewish community leaders from Central and Eastern European nations seeking to join NATO, and presented its status report, Anti-Semitism, Property Restitutions and Related Issues Confronting the Jewish Communities of Central and Eastern Europe, to NATO. The full report is available at www.ajc.org
Contact: Kenneth Bandler of the American Jewish Committee,
212-751-4000
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