MILS NEWS - Skopje, 8th November 1999

At the press conference last Friday, VMRO-DPMNE Spokesman Ljuben Paunovski appealed to the citizens not to abstain in the second round of the elections, because, as he estimated, that will be in favour of the policy of total psychological repression - in favour of SDSM theory of alleged great international economic and other crisis in Macedonia.

Estimating that VMRO-DPMNE presidential candidate Boris Trajkovski preserved political culture in the campaign, Paunovski accused SDSM and its candidate Tito Petkovski of destructive, slanderous assaults. That is a policy, which according to him, the world has buried long time ago. According to Paunovski, it is a kind of cowardly policy of a group of "bystanders" of who only few appear at the Parliament and throw "political bombs" as well as use their free time to slander the Government and its moves. `SDSM showed itself to the international public, promoting national-socialism in its campaign and placing Macedonia to face the risk of the fifth Balkan war. This party deals with the problems Miloshevich's regime has, while Montenegro is politically more conscious than SDSM', Paunovski pointed out, calling SDSM members to declare themselves on which is their homeland.

According to Paunovski, the official negotiations regarding the support of VMRO-DPMNE candidate in the second round have not been made yet. As for SDSM concrete assertions that their program principles are the same as the one of DA, Paunovski publicly called the coalition partner to point out where it belongs i.e. "whose home it belongs to". Boris Trajkovski, in his interview for Orbis TV from Bitola, accused his countercandidate Tito Petkovski. Calling on Petkovski to apologize to his daughter as well as to all children in the state for scaring them with Albanophobia, Trajkovski emphasized that if Tito Petkovski incidentally wins the elections, he will bring Macedonia back to a very dark time. According to Trajkovski, Petkovski, SDSM and Ivanov's party SPM are proved nationalists and Albano-phobists with anti-NATO disposition. When the whole world fought against Miloshevich and his regime, SDSM and SPM devotees were on his side, burnt the American flag and attacked the Embassy of the USA in Skopje. `Ljubisav Ivanov Zingo, by paying pilgrimage to Miloshevich between the two electoral rounds had to tell these two parties what to do further on', VMRO- DPMNE presidential candidate Boris Trajkovski stated for Orbis TV.

TITO PETKOVSKI - A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEFENDING THE STATE INTERESTS AND THE NATIONAL-CHAUVINISM SHOULD BE MADE

The wish to keep Macedonia ours, won in the first round of the election, and if we miss this chance someone else might decide our future, said the candidate of SDSM Tito Petkovski on the stage in Veles. Petkovski depends on the votes of Stojan Andov and Vasil Tupurkovski, because their opinions regarding the fundamental issues, economy and development of the country are no different from the opinions of Petkovski.

Regarding VMRO-DPMNE and Boris Trajkovski’s accusations for expressing favoritism to the Albanians, Petkovski states that a difference between defending the state interests and the national-chauvinism should be made. The candidate of SDSM said that he respects the rights of the Albanians as equal citizens, but he would like to protect them from their irresponsible leaders who are pushing them into very bad situation. Petkovski in this context pointed that Arben Jaferi publicly said that the second round of the election is the problem of the Macedonian people. Petkovski stated that for him Jaferi does not have any emotions toward Macedonia as for his own country, neither the flag, nor the anthem, and that it’s nowhere to be seen that this man lives in Macedonia. There is room in Macedonia for the Albanians if they want to build Macedonia together with us, if they don’t want that than they should let us build our country, said Petkovski.

Petkovski directed reminder to VMRO-DPMNE of their wish for “Clean Macedonia” and “of the cutting the nails of the eagles”. Petkovski also stated that Trajkovski is Bulgarian oriented because he and his Bulgarian colleague were the first ones who stated that Macedonian and Bulgarian languages are the same.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 9th November 1999

The Institute for statistics reports that Macedonia’s trade exchange with the world in September this year got little bit bigger in comparison to August for 0,7%. The whole foreign exchange during September this year is $2,053 billion. The deficit is down in comparison to last year for about 11%, which is $338 billion. According to the Institute for statistics, the lowering of the deficit is a result of the Kosovo crises.

First trade partner to Macedonia is Germany with exchange of $363 million, and second is Yugoslavia with $277 million. Macedonia with both of these countries has succeeded in creating sufficit in the exchange. Third trade partner to Macedonia is Greece, than USA, Slovenia, Italy and Bulgaria. First on the list of countries for biggest deficit brought to Macedonia is Slovenia with $84 million. Next is Russia with deficit of $62 million, and third is Ukraine. The biggest sufficit result is with USA, which is the result of the trade of the textile products. The most exported products from Macedonia are tobacco, textiles and metal products, cigarettes and the wine. On the list of products for most imported in Macedonia are automobiles, oil, medicine and meat.

DONATION AND CREDIT FOR MACEDONIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE FROM ITALY

Memorandum for understanding was signed between the governments of Macedonia and Italy for a donation for the Macedonian health service that donated 2,2 billion lira and credit of 5 billion liras. “Vecer” informs that the credit and the donation are appointed for modernization of the health service, program realization for rationalization of the administrative system and modernization of the biomedical technology.

MACEDONIAN CHURCH OPENED IN SWITZERLAND

On the gala opening of the Macedonian Church “Presveta Bogorodica” in Lokorno, Switzerland, among the many gusts present were the Macedonian delegation lead by the Minister for Immigration Martin Trenevski and the Mitropolit Gorazd. MIA informs that the Minister Trenevski gave two icons to the newly opened church, which were given to the delegation at the meeting with Macedonian immigrants from the region of Tichino, where the church is located.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 11th November 1999

In the interview for `Deutsch Welle' yesterday, the Prime Minister Georgievski stated that there will be a reconstruction of the Government. As for the calls for boycotting the second round of the elections, Macedonian Prime Minister stated that VMRO-DPMNE is against it. Maybe some of the candidates who have lost in the first round of the elections have the wish to boycott, but as Georgievski evaluated it is good that no open call for such a thing has occurred yet. Georgievski stated that the policy of his party is very clear, referring to the accusations for the presence of Bulgarian disposition among VMRO-DPMNE members. According to him, each and everyone who acts in this way gains short- term points and isolates Macedonia form the Balkans as well as internationally for a long-term period.

Regarding the demands for the University in Albanian language, changes in the Constitution and similar matters, Georgievski said that everyone can demand various matters. However, discussions as for one subject matter do not mean they will end up in the way and with the result demanded. I reckon that good processes are being performed by the Albanians at the moment, Georgievski emphasized in the interview.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 12th November 1999

Yesterday, Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov expressed his content as for the first round of the presidential elections. Foreign observes estimated it as few steps ahead in the performance of fair and democratic elections in Macedonia. In the second round, which is crucial, Macedonian citizens have to show that they know what it means to have a President as well as not to allow any boycott. At yesterday's meeting with the press Gligorov pointed out that the possible boycott of the second round of the elections would mean vacuum as well as a proof that the lesson, regarding citizens' obligation to vote for high officials on time in accord with the constitutional regulations, is still not mastered.

Gligorov, whose term of office expires on 19th this month, estimated that in Macedonia like in many democratic states the voting for the President of the state is a solemn act for the citizens. According to him, in the parliamentary democracies each one has to be ready to compete with his countercandidates in order to win. However, he also has to accept his defeat with dignity as well as continue parliamentary and party struggle, since electoral manipulations may occur. According to Gligorov, majority of the citizens have no right to neglect the elections and behave nonchalantly as for the importance of the elections because if the electoral procedure is repeated it will derange the reputation of the state. At the end, Gligorov expressed his hope that majority of the citizens will appear at the elections as well as that Macedonia will choose its new President of the state on Sunday.

DA IS FOR ABSTINENCE, CITIZENS LET TO DECIDE ON THEIR OWN

DA is for abstinence, but Vasil Tupurkovski believes that the voters can not be controlled or to be pushed into politics, they have to decide on their own if and for whom they would vote. This in short can be the resume from the two press conferences held by DA yesterday and the day before, where the subject was the voting in the second round of the presidential elections and the future relations in the Government coalition.

Yesterday, Tupurkovski pointed to the findings of the analytical center of DA. Those findings were that here were many irregularities in the first round of elections, which also, according to him can easily happen in the second round. According to Tupurkovski, the work of the government does not satisfy him, and in this context it was informed that the Executive office of this party came to a decision to propose to VMRO-DPMNE a coalition agreement as a base of consolidation.

MACEDONIA OBTAINED THE MOST MODERN PRODUCTION LINE FOR ALUMINUM PROFILES

Yesterday “Skopska Zelezarnica” officially opened new department for pressing aluminum alloys, which is one of a kind and top of the modern technology. The line, which was started by the Macedonian premier, Ljupcho Georgievski, will work in the frames of the firm “Famord” and the whole project will be worth around $15 million. This technological invention which is realized by Sasho Nastovski, will be used for manufacturing aluminum profiles for the air industry mainly for the USA and European markets. The line as a technological invention is protected in Geneva, and the partner from USA “ETC” and the Government of Macedonia helped the whole project.

TIME - Skopje, November 15, 1999

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 15th November 1999

According to the first unofficial results, the winner in the second round of the presidential elections in Macedonia is Boris Trajkovski from VMRO-DPMNE who gained over 75 000 votes more than his SDSM countercandidate Tito Petkovski. As State Election Committee stated this morning, Boris Trajkovski gained around 590 000 votes, while Tito Petkovski gained around 514 000 votes. According to SEC, voters' response is over 69%, which is far beyond the needed maximum of 50% of the voting body that is necessary for the elections to be valid.

Opposition SDSM i.e. Tito Petkovski's electoral headquarters pointed out yesterday that a big electoral counterfeit was performed in the second round of the elections. It was directed by governing VMRO-DPMNE and PDPA-NDP in Western Macedonia, where almost 200 000 ballots were counterfeited. Because of this, a protest and appeal to the State Election Committee is announced by SDSM, which protest will deny the regularity of the elections. According to SDSM, two to three thousand PDPA-NDP activists inserting counterfeit ballots in the boxes, without the presence of SDSM observers who were forcefully dismissed, voted for the whole Albanian electorate. It actually happened in 17 polling stations where Albanian population lives predominantly, and especially in 12 polling stations where over 90% of the population is Albanians. According to SDSM, that is why Boris Trajkovski gained 225 000 votes in these polling stations, while Tito Petkovski gained 35 000 votes (the proportion is 187 000 votes for Boris Trajkovski and 14 000 votes for Tito Petkovski in these 12 polling stations). According to SDSM, the international monitoring concluded that the voting in these polling stations in Western Macedonia was carried out with no control. The only activists present there were the ones from PDPA-NDP, and the people voted without documents, IDs or one person filled the polling box with ballots. However, there are neither unofficial not official reactions from these stations for now.

Nikola Popovski, Chief of SDSM candidate Tito Petkovski's electoral headquarters, pointed out yesterday that the electoral counterfeit is obvious since Trajkovski has gained more votes than Albanian candidates Negipi and Halili had gained in the first round of the elections in these polling stations. According to Popovski, Trajkovski's victory is obtained in exactly these polling stations, because in the rest of the 68 stations where Macedonian population predominantly lives Petkovski gained 484 000 votes, while Trajkovski gained 346 000 votes (Petkovski won in 54 polling stations, while Trajkovski in only 14). This is actually the real proportion obtained in the first round of the voting.

At last night's press conference, Popovski suggested that Tito Petkovski's electoral headquarters will bring objection to SEC today as for the confirmed irregularities in all these polling stations (around 200). On the other hand, SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski, suggesting big protest in Skopje today, estimated that the greatest shame has happened in Macedonia since its independence. He also stated that the legal state, democracy, Constitution as well as citizens' dignity in Macedonia have been encroached. According to Crvenkovski, on the basis of the agreement between Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski and PDPA-NDP leader Arben Gaferi, 225 000 ballots were inserted in the polling boxes in order to counterfeit Trajkovski's victory. SDSM leader pointed out that all members of the electoral boards, controllers as well as observers of this party were removed forcefully from the 17 polling stations where the counterfeit was carried out. Thus, the voting was performed without any control. Yesterday, Crvenkovski suggested that all legal opportunities will be used in order to deny the regularity of the elections. A big protest meeting will be held today in Skopje at 6 p.m. in order to rebel against the electoral counterfeit as well as to stop the destruction of the state. Last night, SDSM candidate Tito Petkovski also confirmed the outcome as for the evident electoral counterfeit, estimating that he is the moral winner at the elections, since in the second round he gained over 170 000 votes more compared to the first round.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 17th November 1999

On the day of the elections many letters arrived to the Ministry for Internal Affairs, which were written reports from the electoral headquarters of SDSM for irregularities and threats with weapons in many electoral councills, but without pointing in which ones. The Minister for Internal affairs demanded measures to be taken for normal running of the elections, even though this quarters did not ask for police protection and intervention, was said in the announcement from the Ministry for Internal affairs yesterday. In this announcement on the day of the elections the election councills and commissions reported around 10 incidents to MIA, where 3 of those cases were intervened against persons who made the presence of the representatives of SDSM in the election councill impossible. Also, it intervened in two other cases where SDSM observers were physically attacked by activists of VMRO-DPMNE. There was another intervention by MIA because of agitation at the electoral places in three villages, also for fights that broke out between persons under the influence of alcohol. When all of the reported incidence were cleared, MIA will take legal measures, it was said in the announcement.

GLIGOROV RECEIVED GREETINGS FROM BILL CLINTON AND THE QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND

Yesterday the president of Macedonia, Kiro Gligorov received written messages from the American president Bill Clinton and from the British Queen Elizabeth the Second, in regards to him leaving office on the 19th this month.

“Before leaving office, I would like to express tribute to your efforts in the past historic decade for Southeast Europe. With your heroic leadership Macedonia became symbol for stability and peace in the region. We both know that the future development will never be easy, but you built a strong base for Macedonia to face this challenges”, it was said in the message from president Bill Clinton. By reminiscing about the nice memories from the last visit to Macedonia, the American president wished president Gligorov all the best in his endevours, with hope that there will be another meeting.

The British queen Elizabeth the Second in the message wished happy retirement to the president Gligorov, reminding him that Macedonia and the whole region have something to thank him for. Queen Elizabeth the Second expressed beliefs that his heirs will follow the road that he traced, with belief in a future successful cooperation between Macedonia and the United Kingdom.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 18 november 1999

Last week Germany decided to give financial help to Macedonia worth 15 million marks for realization of the project “Joined measures for opening new working posts by improving the communal infrastructure in Macedonia”. “Macedonian Radio” informs that the basic goals of the project is to reduce the level of unemployment and to improve the communal infrastructure, and with that improvement of the living surrounding, which goes together with the priorities of the Government of Macedonia. 10 counties will be part of the project, so that many workers will be involved in the realization of the communal infrastructure in four regions of the country-the suburbs of Skopje, the Bitola and Polosh region and the east part of Macedonia. The first phase of the project will begin to be realized January 1st, next year.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 19th November, 1999

Yesterday, the opposition gathered in the town square in Skopje to protest against the way the presidential elections of the Republic of Macedonia were held, against the electoral falsification and flagrant breaking of the democratic principe of the country.

The leaders of SDSM stated that only democratic means will be used to combat the irregularities. Mention was made of the statements made by DA leader - Vasil Tupurkovski, the leader of PDP - Abdurahman Ality, as well as the mayor of Skopje - Risto Penov, according to whom the elections were irregular.

TAIWANESE DONATION FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF MACEDONIAN RAILWAYS

The Republic of China-Taiwan will finance the electification of the railway Skopje-Solun, the section between Gevgelija-Idomeni, and will donate two sets of electromotor trains, which will commute between Skopje and Solun. This, as “Vecher” informs,was agreed between the representatives of the Taiwanese embassy in Skopje and the Macedonian Ministry for development and “Macedonian Railways”.

The value of the project for electrification of the section Gevgelija-Idomeni is $500.000, and the two electromotor trains which will be used for inter-city connection of Skopje and Solun around $3 million. These present which is given by Taiwan, as it was said at the meeting, is presented in the frames of the signed agreement for infrastructure help between Macedonia and Taiwan.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 23rd November 1999

Yesterday, the State Electoral Commission after four-day examination of the complaints mainly from SDSM in regards to the voting gave this respond: 316 complaints were received, 34 were accepted as valid, 277 are refused for not having valid bases, and 5 complaints were rejected. That means that the second round of presidential elections will be held in 34 election stations, which are 25.000 voters. According to the Commission (DIK) new voting will be held in the election unit 42 (11electoral stations) which is one region in Kichevo, then Lipkovo 7 electoral stations, in Studenichani 4 electoral stations… From the positively answered complaints 30 are reported from the electoral quarter of the candidate of SDSM Tito Petkovski, while the rest are from group of citizens. From the quarter of SDSM complaints have been announced to the High court for the refused objections. As it is known SDSM asked for fully erasing the voting in 17 electoral units.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 25th November 1999

Yesterday, SDSM demanded for the voting in the polling unit in Lipkovo to be abolished, since the respond in this unit was 112.8%. Although it was proved that the people who voted were not issued polling identity cards or were abroad, they were circled as they had allegedly voted. SDSM also submitted to the Public Prosecution four criminal charges for violence and threats in the second round of the elections. According to SDSM Spokesman Vlado Buchkovski, this is the first of the 250 complaints that SDSM will submit to the Supreme Court. However, the last term for the complaints to be submitted to the Supreme Court expires today, and the Court should respond after 48 hours. The criminal charges SDSM submitted to the Public Prosecution refer to the four anonymous persons, who, as it was alleged, acted violently and threatened the members of the electoral boards and SDSM observers. Criminal charges do not affect the electoral procedure and they should not wait for their result in order to regard the elections as finished.

SEVEN CONTRACTS FOR COOPERATION SIGNED WITH EGYPT

The Macedonian chief of Diplomacy, Aleksandar Dimitrov was in Egypt where on the meetings with the premier Atif Abeid, the president of the People’s assembly Ahmet Fati Sorur and the minister for Foreign affairs Amr Musa talked about the improvement of relations between Macedonia and this country, especially in the economical sphere. “Nova Makedonija” is informing us that in this visit seven contracts were signed for cooperation-for avoiding double taxation, for protection of the fiscal evasion regarding income tax and the tax of the capital, for protection of investments, for cooperation in the fight against crime and cooperation in the region of culture. With these agreements the base was created for more intensive communication between the two countries, so within this context activities will begin for opening embassies in Skopje and Cairo.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED FOR 6.2% IN OCTOBER

The industrial production in October this year as compared with last month is increased by 6.2%, announced the Ministry for development. The production is increased in 13 industrial branches, which some are manufacturing colored metals, manufacturing transport means, leather shoes and gallantry, beverages and other, said the Ministry.

MILS NEWS - Skopje, 29th November 1999

Around 160 000 voters will have the right to repeat the voting on 5th December this year. As State Election Committee stated at yesterday's press conference, voting in the second round of the presidential elections in Macedonia will be repeated in 23 polling units or 230 polling stations. It was concluded at the session that the Supreme Court of Macedonia rejected 199 decisions made by SEC i.e. accepted the same number of complaints SDSM has submitted as for the decision of the Committee. Thus, there will be re-voting in 230 polling stations together with the ones accepted by SEC (31). In the second round of the elections in these polling stations Trajkovski gained around 145 000 votes, while Petkovski gained around 5 000. As it is learnt, Trajkovski's lead over Petkovski after the second round of the elections was over 70 000 votes.

According to the Supreme Court, the biggest violation of the norms during the voting happened in Western Macedonia. The most dramatic violation happened in polling unit 21 in Lipkovo, where the voting will be repeated in 28 out of 31 polling stations as well as in polling unit 24 in Strushko, where it will be repeated in 24 out of 26 polling stations. SDSM and DA members in SEC demanded for the re-voting not to be held next week, but after the matters about the electoral commission and electoral boards, where the biggest irregularities had been registered, are solved. However, this demand was not accepted by the majority of SEC members. According to SEC President Josif Lukovski, OSCE monitoring mission will not be present on Sunday's re- voting. Still, several ambassadors of the Western countries in cooperation with the OSCE Administrator in Macedonia will make a report as for the process of re-voting. Asked how it is possible for the Supreme Court to conclude so many irregularities in the elections compared to SEC, the President of the Committee Josif Lukovski stated that it is obvious that new evidence had been submitted to the Supreme Court on the basis of which he had already expressed himself.