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Jul 11, 1999, 3:00:00 AM7/11/99

Skopje, July 09 1999

GLIGOROV AND MEJDANI WITH DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON KOSOVO
FUTURE
After his visit two weeks ago, Albanian President Rexhep
Mejdani came to Skopje again yesterday. He met with
President Kiro Gligorov, Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski
and Speaker of Parliament Savo Klimovski, as well as the
leaders of PDPA-NDP and PDP. Kosovo and its future were the
main topics of discussion, and different positions were
taken on that subject. President Gligorov said a political
solution with a broad autonomy and respect for the
territorial integrity of FRY was needed for Kosovo,
Macedonian Radio reports. President Mejdani said Kosovo and
Montenegro should be new individual units in the future
Europe without borders. According to Mejdani, this
difference should be no obstacle to the good relation
Albania and Macedonia have had so far. The Albanian
President said both countries were engaged in an
integrative process of states without borders. Both
Presidents said Macedonia and Albania maintain good
bilateral relations and move towards the same goal -
membership in the EU and NATO. As for the unsigned
agreements for good neighborly relations, free trade and
other matters, Mejdani said they have not been signed for
technical reasons, but his country is working on these open
issues. Mejdani also said the two pillars for stability in
the region are the Dayton Accord and the stability of
Macedonia.
The Ministers of Internal Affairs of Macedonia and Albania
also met in Skopje yesterday, announcing joint efforts in
the battle against organized crime, drugs and arms
smuggling. Strengthening border security in order to
prevent illegal crossings was particularly emphasized .

DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH MACEDONIA PRIORITY IN
ALBANIA'S FOREIGN POLICY

OSCE OBSERVATION MISSION ENDS

MACEDONIA AND BULGARIA TO REORGANIZE THEIR ARMIES TOGETHER

WILL THE FUNERAL OF THE HEAD OF MOC END IN SCANDAL?

SWISS DONATION WORTH FOUR MILLION FRANCS

SITUATION IN MACEDONIA IS CATASTROPHIC, NEW WORLD BANK
REPRESENTATIVE SAYS

1458 COMPANIES PRIVATIZED THUS FAR

SSM AGAINST STATE OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC CAPITAL

DEAL BETWEEN "RADE KONCHAR" OF SKOPJE AND "SCHNEIDER" OF
FRANCE

THREE POLISH CITIZENS ARRESTED FOR DISTRIBUTING COUNTERFEIT
DOLLARS

MILS SUPPLEMENT
WILL INTERPOL INVESTIGATE ORGANIZED CRIME AT MACEDONIAN
RADIO AND TELEVISION?
"Makedonija Denes" July 08 1999

MILS VESTI
Skopje, 09 juli 1999

GLIGOROV I MEJDANI SO RAZLICCEN STAV ZA IDNINATA NA KOSOVO
Po posetata od pred dve nedeli, pretseatelot na Republika
Albanija, Redzep Mejdani vccera povtorno dopatuva vo
Makedonija pri ssto se sretna so pretsedatelot Kiro
Gligorov, kako i so premierot Ljubcco Georgievski,
pretsedatelot na Sobranieto Savo Klimovski, kako i so
liderite na PDPA-NDP i PDP. Kosovo i negovata idnina bea
glanite temi vo razgovorite megju pretsedatelite Gligorov i
Mejdani, no tokmu tuka dojde i do iznesuvanje na razliccni
stavovi. Pretsedatelot Gligorov, kako ssto prenesuva
Makedonskoto Radio, ocenil deka za Kosovo e potrebno
politiccko ressenie i ssiroka avtonomija no so pocituvanje
na integritetot na SR Jugoslavija. Pretsedatelot Mejdani
pak istaknal deka vo idnina i Kosovo i Crna Gora treba da
bidat novi edinki vo Evropa bez granici. Sepak spored
Mejdani vakiot razliccen stav ne treba da bide preccka za
razvoj na dosega dobrite odnosi megju Makedonija i Albanija
i nivnoto unapreduvanje. Albanskiot pretsedatel pritoa
oceni i deka i dvete drzzavi se anagazzirani vo eden
integrativen proces na drzzavi bez granici.
Kako ssto ocenile dvajcata sogovornici Makedonija i
Albanija imaat dobri bilateralni odnosi i ista cel
zacclenuvanje vo EU i NATO. Ssto seodnesuva do dosega
nepotpissanite dogovori za dobrososedstvo, slobodna
trgovija i drugi, Mejdani istakna deka tie ne se potpissani
od tehniccki priccini, no deka negovata zemja i ponatamu
raboti na ressavanje na vakvite otvoreni prassanja. Mejdani
isto taka ocenil i dek dvata stolba za stabilnost vo
regionot se Dejtonskiot dogovor i stabilnosta na
Makedonija.
Vo Skopje vccera se sretnaa i ministrite za vnatressni
raboti na Makedonija i na Albanija pri ssto usste ednass e
najavena zaedniccka borba protiv organiziraniot kriminal,
ssercot so oruzzje i droga. Vo ovoj kontekst poseben akcen
e staven na zajaknuvanjeto na merkite za zasstita na
graniccnite podraccja vo funkcija na spreccuvanje na
ilegalnoto minuvanje na granicata

RAZVOJOT NA ODNOSITE SO MAKEDONIJA PRIORITET VO
NADVORESSNATA POLITIKA NA ALBANIJA
Razvojot na albansko-makedonskite odnosi pretstavuva
prioritet vo nadvoressnata politika na Albanija, a
vccerasnata poseta na pretsedatelot Redzep Mejdani na
Skopje e nov impuls vo unapreduvanjeto na i taka dobrite
odnosi megju dvete sosedni zemji. Ova glavno e ocenkata
ssto ja iznesuvaat albanskite drzzavni mediumi vo vrska so
vccerassnata poseta na Redzep Mejdani na Makedonija. Vo
izvesstaite poseben akcent se stava na opredelbata na dvete
zemji za nivna ssto pobrza integracija vo evro-atlantskite
strukturi, kako i zaednicckata ubedenost za mnogu potesna
zaedniccka sorabotka. Se ocenuva i deka posetata na Mejdani
ima poseben znaccaj bidejki doagja vednass po zarssuvanjeto
na kosovskiot konflikt i zapoccnuvanjeto na procesoit na
izgradbata na mirot vo regionot.

ZAVRSSI NABLJUDUVACCKATA MISIJA NA OBSE
Vo Makedonija nekolku dena prestojuvasse delegacija na OBSE
so glavna cel opservacija na voenite aktivnosti na NATO-
silite, kako i na makedonskite vooruzzeni sili. Ova
nabljuduvanje e opredvideno vo Vienskiot dokument od 1994
godina koje prediduva opservacija dokolku vo zemjata
domakjin ima nad 13.000 stranski vojnici. Iako vo
megjuvreme so mirovniot dogovor za Kosovo pogolem del od
NATO-silite stacionirani vo Makedonija zaminaa vo
pokraniata a vo drzzavava ostanaa okolu 7.000 stranski
vojnici, zaradi upatenata pokana do site zemji cclenki na
OBSE i na NATO, Makedonija odlucci da se sprovede vakvo
nabljuduvanje. Kako ssto prenesuva Makedonskata Televizija,
pretstavnikot na Velika Britanija kako vodeccka delegirana
zemja i koordinator na nabljuduvacckata misija oceni
vccera deka opservacijata gi dala occekuvanite rezultati

MAKEDONIJA-BUGARIJA - ZAEDNICCKI VO REORGANIZACIJATA NA
ARMIJATA
Vo Skopje vccera sredba imaa naccalnicite na
generalsstabovite na Makedonija i Bugarija, Trajcce
Krstevski i Miho Mihov pri ssto glavno stanalo zbor za
unapreduvanieto na sorabotkata na dvete armii, iskustatvata
na transformaciite na armiite i reorganizacijata na
komandite i edinicite.Vo izjavata po razgovorite generalot
Krstevski najavi deka po prvata pratka ssto pristigna vo
avgust do krajot na godinava treba da pristignat usste 63
tenka i 90 haubici so ssto kje se kompletira bugarskata
voena pomoss za Makedonija. Bugarskiot general pak vccera
iskazza voshitenost od aktivnostite i cvrstinata ssto vo
poslednite meseci ja pokazzal generalsstabot na ARM vo
spravuvanjeto so krizata vo regionot. Dvajcata sogovornici
ocenile deka e neophodna razmena na iskustva vo
reorganizacijata na armiite vo kontekst na zalozbite na
dvete zemji za integracija vo NATO.

DALI POGREBOT NA POGLAVAROT NA MPC KJE ZAVRSSI SO SKANDAL ?
Svetiot sinod na Makedonskata pravoslavna crkva na
zavccerassnata vonredna sednica odlucci teloto na
poccinatiot poglavar na MPC, arhiepiskopot g.g. Mihail da
bide pogrebano vo manastirskata crkva `Seti Naum Ohridski'
vo skopskoto selo Radissani. Kako ssto prenesuvaat
makedonskite mediumi vo semejstvoto na g.g. Mihail, no i vo
delot od javnosta ovaa odluka predizvika ccudenje, bidejkji
spored crkovnite kanoni poglavarot na Crkvata se pogrebuva
vo Soborniot hram, dokolku toj ne izrazil poinakva zzelba.
Vo konkretniot sluccaj takva zzelba od poccinatiot poglavar
na MPC nema, a odlukata na Svetiot sinod dossla bez
konsultacii so semejstoto na g.g. Mihail. Ocenuvajkji deka
odlukata na Svetiot sinod nema nikakvo opravduvanje,
semejstvoto na g.g. Mihail informirasse vccera deka nema da
dozvoli zakop na teloto vo crkva koja se usste e vo
izgradba, ne e osvetena, a se naogja i daleku od vernicite.
Svetiot sinod pak vccera ja odbil zzelbata na semejstvoto
na poccinatiot poglavar, g.g. Mihail da ne bide pogreban vo
crkata vo Radissani, ocenuvajki deka sepak toa e najdobra
opcija, bidejkji vo Soborniot hram nema uslovi za
pogrebuvanje (poplaveni prostorii nesoodvetni za veccno
poccivalisste na poglavarite). Svetiot sinod inaku go odbil
i predlogot na semssjtvoto na g.g. Mihail teloto da bide
pogrebano vo Crkvata `Sveti Dimitrij' vo Skopje kade ssto
poccivaat prethodnite poglavari na MPC, so odgovor deka e
podbro gorbot da se naogja vo crkva koja kje stane edna od
najgolemite vo skopskata mitropolija, odkolku vo crkva kade
ssto vernicite se sobiraat vo golem broj.
Kako ssto e poznato pogrebot na poglavarot na MPC e zakazan
za denes vo14 ccasot, a negovoto semejstvo se zakani deka
kje se obide so site sili da se sprecci toa da bide vo
crkvata vo Radissani.
Sspekulaciite vo javnosta okolu odlukata na Svetiot sinod,
spored A-1 Televizijata, se deka priccinata za
odaleccenosta na grobot na poccinatiot poglavar na MPC e da
se otstrani mozznosta, harizmata i poccitta ssto toj gi
uzzivasse megju vernicite da bide senka na sledniot
poglavar na MPC.

SSVAJCARSKA DONACIJA OD CCETIRI MILIONI FRANCI
Pretstavnikot na ssvjcarskata Vlada Piter Ssali i
makedonskiot minister za finansii, Borsi Stojmenov vccera
vo Skopje potpissaa dogovor so koj Ssvajcarija na
Makeodnija i dodeluva pomoss od ccetiri milioni franci.
Ovie sredstvata kako ssto besse informirano vccera, se
nameneti za deficitot vo Budzetot nastanat poradi
trossocite za obrazovanie i zdravstveni uslugi dadeni na
kosovskite begalci. Spored ministerot Stojmenov Ssvajcarija
e ssesta na rang listata na donatorite za Makedonija.

SPORED NOVIOT PRETSTAVNIK NA SVETSKATA BANKA VO MAKEDONIJA
- SITUACIJATA VO ZEMJAVA KATASTROFALNA
Spored ocenkata na noviot pretstavnik na Svetskata banka vo
Makedonija, Mari Helen Brikner, ekonomskata situacija vo
zemjaa e katastrofalna. Vo intervjuto za A-1 Televizijata
Briknel istaknala i deka zemjata i pokraj site tesskotii
mora da prodolzzi so strukturnite reformi koi kje bidat
podrzzani so noviot FESAL-aranzzman od Svetskata banka
najaven za neesen godinava. Briknel megju drugoto istaknala
i deka vo sproveduvanjeto na reformite mozze da se slucci
nekoj od 12-te zagubari da bide likvidiran, a za onie ssto
kje opstanat kje se izrabotat novi programi za
rehabilitacija. Analizirajkji go bankarskiot sistem vo
Makedonija, Briknel ocenila deka na zemjite kako ssto e
Makedonija im se potrebni okolu pet zdravi banki, a ne 22
kolku ssto ima vo Makedonija. Poradi ovaa taa preporacala
konsolidacija na bankite i sstedilnicite. Briknel isto taka
najavila i nova donatorska konferencija za Makedonija ssto
bi trebalo da se odrzzi naesen. Dotogass pak kako ssto
ocenila Vladata mora da ima jasna vizija za idnite
strukturni reformi za ccije sproveduvanje bi se pobarala
finansiska pomoss od donatorite.

DOSEGA PRIVATIZIRANI 1.458 PRETPRIJATIJA
Vo dosegasniot proces na privatizacijata na pretprijatijata
so opsstetsteven kapital vo Makedonija privatizirani se
1.458 pretprijatija, vo 177 priatizacijata e vo tek, dodeka
kaj 71 pretprijatie ovoj proces ne e poccnat. Spored
podatocite na Agencijata za privatizacija vkupnata vrednost
na kpaitalot ssto e predmet na transofrmacijata iznesuva
3,9 milijardi marki, od koi 1,4 milijarda marki e se usste
opsstestven kapital.
Vo industrijata inaku dosega se privatizirani 449
pretprijatija so povekje od 130.000 vraboteni, vo
zemjodelstvoto brojot na privatiziranite pretprijatija
iznesuva 331 (so vkupna vrednost od 265 milioni marki), a
treba da se privatiziraat usste 55 pretprijatija koi
vredat povekje od 100 milioni marki. Vo trgovijata pak se
prodadeni 322 firmi, so vrednost pogolema od 478 milioni
marki. Vo ovaa granka duri 39 firmi voopssto ne go poccnale
procesot na privatizacija, iako so zaknot se obvrzani so
toa.
Vo celosno privatiziranite pretprijatija rabotat povekje od
215.000 rabotnici, a 27.000 se vraboteni vo pretprijatijata
ssto ja poccnale privatizacijata i se vo nekoja napredna
faza, dodeka samo 13.000 rabotnici se vo firmite koi se so
nepoccnata privatizacija. Vkupno 952 ili 65 posto od
celosno privatiziranite firmi se mali, 280 ili 19 nasto se
sredni i 226 ili 16 nasto se golemi pretprijatija.

SSM PROTIV PODRZZUVAVUVANJETO NA OPSSTESTVENIOT KAPITAL
Dokolku vo najskoro vreme premierot Georgievski ne odrzzi
sredba so Sindikatot, togass granskite sindikati kje mora
da se mobiliziraat i da se podgotvuvaat za sstrajk, izjavi
vccera pretsedatelot na Sojuzot na sindikatite, Zzivko
Tolevski. Spored Sindikatot Tolevski upatil baranje do
Vladata za sredba na koja bi se razgovaralo za
neisplatenite plati i pridonesi za rabotnicite, za
otpusstanjata od rabota, kako i za najnovite izmeni vo
Zakonot za privatizacija. Isto taka SSM bara itni merki za
da se konsolidira stopanstvoto i ressat socijalno-
ekoomskite prassanja nastanati poradi sstetite ssto
makedonskoto stopansto gi pretrpe od vojnata vo SRJ.
Na vccerassnata sednica na Sovetot na SSM inaku povtorno
bil potenciran problemot na masovno podrzzuvauvanje na
opsstestveniot kapital, kako rezultat na najnovite izmeni
vo Zakonot za privatizacija. So najnoviyte izmeni vo
Zakonot Agencijata prevzela akcii od 84 firmi, a na
denessnata sednica na Agencijata za priatizacija se
occekuva drzzavata da stane sopstvenik na usste 100 firmi,
besse informirano na sednicata na SSM. Isto taka
potencirano e i deka Sindikatot podnel inicijativa pred
Ustavniot sud za ocenuvanje na ustavnosta na najnovite
izmeni vo Zakonot za privatizacija.

DOGOVOR ZA SORABOTKA MEGJU `RADE KONCCAR' I FRANCUSKIOT
`SSNAJADER'
Skopskata fabrika `Rade Konccar' i francuskiot `Ssnajder'
skluccile vccera dogovor za delovno-tehniccka sorabotka i
zaedniccki nastap na treti pazari, a kako ssto e najaveno
se occekuva naskoro odredeno proizvodstvo na `Ssnajder' da
bide preneseno vo Makedonija. Delovnata sotrabotka megju
ovie dve firmi, kako ssto prenesuva `Veccer' kje se nasocci
na prenosna i elektrodistributivna elektrooprema.

UAPSENI TROJCA POLJACI KOI RASTURALE FALSIFIKUVANI DOLARI
Makedonskata policija denovive uapsila trojca polski
drzzavjani koi rasturale falsifikuvani amerikanski dolari.
Vo akcijata policijata zaplenila okolu 30.000 falsifikuvani
dolari koi kako ssto e utvrdeno se nabaveni od dve lica od
strusskoto selo Velessta. Stranskite drzzavjani, kako ssto
prenesuva Makedonskoto Radio, se obidele da gi zamenat
falsifikuvanite pari (vo apoeni od 100 dolari) za denari,
zlato, ikoni ili antikviteti vo povekje gradovi vo zemjava,
no nabrgu bile fateni od policijata. Protiv rasturaccite na
lazznite banknoti se podneseni kriviccni prijavi, a kako
ssto e soopssteno kje sledat merki i protiv makedonskite
drzzavjani od Velessta od koi se nabaveni dolarite.
(kraj)
mils vesti 09 juli 99
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Main Office:
Mr. Lazar Fotev, director
Mr. Ratko Trajkov, editor
Mr. Ognen Zografski, translator
Skopje, Macedonia
tel/fax: +389 91 223 - 319
bank acc.: 70810 2-00049-4
Investbanka AD Skopje, s.w.i.f.t. code INSBMK22
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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 12:49:22 +0200
From: Makfax <mak...@UNET.COM.MK>
Subject: MAK-NEWS / 09/07/99 (MAKFAX) - 1

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makfaks news agency - skopje
tel. ++ (389 91) 11 01 25; fax 11 01 84; modem 11 00 81
mob.tel. 070 226078
Skopje - St. "11 Oktomvri" 36/3 P.O. Box738
e-mail: mak...@makfax.unet.com.mk
DAIMS /
M A K F A X - F R O N T P A G E S / 1 /

09.07.99.
Today's dailies report that the family of deceased
Head of Macedonian Orthodox Church disagree with the
Saint Synod's decision to bury Archbishop Mihail in
Radisani's church. Today's front pages also report on
different views expressed by President Gligorov and
Mejdani regarding Kosovo status. /end/

"DNEVNIK" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) - Under introduction
headline "Archbishop Mihail must not be buried in a non-
inaugurated church" , this daily reports on
misunderstandings between the family of the deceased
Archbishop and the Saint Synod. "It is a shame that my
father, who was the Head of Macedonian Orthodox Church,
to be buried in a non-inaugurated church", the
Archbishop Mihail's daughter Nada Gogova said.
The Supreme Court's decision on paying out "eight
percent to the pensioners" is the theme of the report
under headline "The experts have no dilemma - the
pensioners must get their money". The Pension Fund has
to comply with the Supreme Court's decision, otherwise,
it will have to pay court expenditures for as many as
220.000 court appeals, "Dnevnik" reports. The pensioners
are threatening: If the state does not pay out our eight
percent, we will protest.
Under headline "Following the statement of Finance
Minister Stojmenov, the "Tat" savers are shocked", this
daily reports that the robbed savers in Bitola's
savings-bank "Tat" are to organise protests. "We have
already seen SDSM, nevertheless, we have also seen those
from VMRO-DPMNE and DA", the savers representative said.
This daily runs no report on Albanian President
Rexhep Mejdani's visit to Skopje. /end/

"MAKEDONIJA DENES" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) - Under
headline "The family disagrees with the location of the
grave", this daily reports on the "Scandal regarding the
location of the grave of the deceased Head of Macedonian
Orthodox Church". The family of deceased Archbishop
Mihail prefers the "Saint Kliment Ohridski" instead of
the non-inaugurated church of "Saint Naum".
Under headline "Different views regarding Balkans
future" this daily reports on Thursday's visit of
Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani to Skopje. Macedonian
President Gligorov and his Albanian counterpart had
different views on changing the current frontiers in the
region: as far as President Gligorov - the changing of
the frontiers will be risky. President Mejdani said that
the frontiers are meaningless for Europe, new entities
will be created within five to ten years, these new
entities are Kosovo and Montenegro.
Under headline "KLA with arms against U.N.", this
daily reports that KLA does not recognise the U.N. civil
administration in Kosovo. KLA leaders had threatened
that they are to use again their arms if the U.N.
obstruct Kosovo independence. /end/

"VECER"(PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY) - Under headline
"Archbishop G.G. Mihail will be buried in non-
inaugurated church" this daily reports on controversy
regarding the funeral of the Head of Macedonian Orthodox
Church. "He had never left any message because he was
aware of the fact that An Archbishop should be buried in
an inaugurated church", his daughter Nada Gogova said.
"Gligorov 's view is opposite to the Mejdani's
one" is the headline of the report on Thursday's visit
of Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani to Macedonia. While
the Macedonian President had put an emphasise on
Yugoslav territorial integrity, his Albanian counterpart
Mejdani is already seeing two new independent states -
Montenegro and Kosovo.
Under headline "Ante Markovic in Skopje and
Rosoman" this daily reports on the visit of Former
Yugoslav Prime Minister Ante Markovic. Markovic "has
been hired" by Macedonian Prime Minister Georgievski to
establish the new foundation of Macedonia's macro-
economic policy. /end/

"NOVA MAKEDONIJA"(PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY) - Under
headline "Different views on Kosovo future", this daily
reports on Thursday's talks between Macedonian President
Kiro Gligorov and his Albanian counterpart Rexhep
Mejdani. When reaching the democratic solution to
Kosovo, the Yugoslav territorial integrity has to be
respected - Gligorov said, on the other hand, President
Mejdani sees Kosovo and Montenegro as new independent
states within a period from five to ten years.
Under headline "The domestic price is higher that
the export one", this daily reports on possible
correction of the cereals purchase price. The price
totalling 15 denars per kg would be twice higher as the
one in the cereals world market. This daily comments the
demands submitted by Bitola's agriculturists as
"unreal".
"Stabilisation and association" is the headline of
the report on the attempts of E.U. and NATO approve the
association of " the non-stable countries in South-
eastern Europe". "Whether the next enlargement of the
Alliance scheduled for the year 2002, should start from
the North or from the South?", this daily comments,
pledging for the second option. /end/

"UTRINSKI VESNIK" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) - Under
headline "Gligorov and Mejdani: Discrepancies regarding
the new frontiers in the Balkan" this daily reports on
the different views of Macedonian and Albanian
President. Under headline "A shadow of the Great-
Albanian dream" this daily comments the platform
presented by Albanian Academy of Sciences.
Under headline "The government attacks the
privatisation process", this daily reports on today's
session of Privatisation Agency Managerial Board, during
which, some of the shares of as many as 114 Macedonian
enterprises are to be taken away.
Under headline "Papua New Guinea makes it in
different way", this daily comments the resignation
lodged by Papua's Prime Minister Bill Skate who had
tries to establish diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Taiwanese well known cash compensation-tricks and lot of
promised money in return of instant-recognition of the
state, could not pass even in Papua New Guinea, this
daily comments.
We are not able to transmit the Albanian-language
press review due to the unexpected absence of our
Albanian-language translator. Please accept our apology.
/END/

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Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 15:18:55 +0200
From: Makfax <mak...@UNET.COM.MK>
Subject: MAK-NEWS / 09/07/99 (MAKFAX) - 2

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09.07.99. /end/

The funeral of the deceased Head of Macedonian
Orthodox Church - Archbishop Gospodin Gospodin Mihail
will take place today afternoon in "Saint Naum Ohridski
Church" in the village of Radisani, near Skopje. The
Metropolitan Kiril, who has been appointed by the Holly
Synod as a guardian of the throne, is due to deliver the
speech at the sacred ceremony.
Gospodin Gospodin Mihail was the Head of
Macedonian Orthodox Church and one of the initiators for
renewal of Macedonian Orthodox Church. /End/ /end/

The family of the deceased Archbishop Gospodin
Gospodin Mihail had announced that they will not accept
the decision taken by the Holly Archbishopric Synod of
Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC) to bury the Head of MPC
in non-inaugurated church, inaccessible for the
believers who wish to pay him a tribute.
The Sacred Synod did not accept the request lodged
by Archbishop Mihail's family. The Archbishop Mihail's
family said that their father wanted to be buried next
to the former Heads of Macedonian Orthodox Church -
Archbishops Dositej and Angelarij. The family of the
deceased Archbishop Mihail had been confused and
surprised by the Holly Synod's decision, nevertheless,
they still hope that Archbishop Mihail will be buried in
a holly place fitting with his great achievements. /End/
/end/

Tension will prevail in today's visit of Albanian
Foreign Minister Paskal Milo to Athens, the Greek pro-
government "Exsousia" newspaper claims today, adding
that official Tirana had planned to postpone this visit.
As "Makfax" transmits, the Greek newspaper estimates
that "the arrogance of Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli
Majko has been confirmed on several occasions", thus,
putting the good relations with Greece on second
position. Such estimations are explained by "blaze up of
Great Albania idea", induced by the "explosion in Kosovo
and NATO-led intervention".
Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and his
Greek counterpart George Papandreou are due to meet
today in Athens for talks on latest events unfolding in
the Balkan as well as on promoting the bilateral
relations. /End/ /end/

The banishing of Albanian emigrants from Greece is
going on under the increased intensity. Over 3.5000
Albanian citizens had been expelled so far, a
representative of Albanian Foreign Ministry said. He
denied the claims presented by the media that over 6.000
Albanians had been expelled from Greece.
The so-called "Operation - Broom" which is carried
out on periodically basis is explained by the intention
of the Greek authorities to put under control the
criminal unfolding in Greece. Some of Tirana's media
point out that the latest wave of mass banishing of
Albanian emigrants has been resulted by the anti-
Albanian mood in Greece, having in mind the Serbia-
oriented Greek position. /End/ /end/

The decision taken by the authorities in Skopje to
suspend the ban on Bulgarian books, had caused strong
protests in Macedonian opposition, Sofia's dailies
report today, referring to Western news agencies.
As "Makfax" transmits, Sofia's dailies quote the
opposition SDSM Spokesman as saying the ban on
Bulgarian-language books should not be repealed. "The
Bulgarization of Macedonian culture is the largest
problem unfolding in Macedonia, therefore, we demand
this issue to be put on the agenda in the Parliament
session", SDSM Spokesman said. /End/ /end/

Following the suspension the state of war, Serbia
and Macedonia will revive their economic co-operation on
the same bases as before the crisis outset, The Head of
Serb Chamber of Economy Momir Pavlicevic said over the
Thursday's talks in Skopje with his Macedonian
counterpart Dusan Petrevski. According to the
announcement released today in Skopje, Serbia had
extended the validity of the issued permissions on
certain goods entrance by the end of this year.
The air campaign had inflicted huge damages,
nevertheless, these damages will have no impact on the
Yugoslav gross production, Pavicevic underscored,
pledging fro renewal of the co-operation in the field
spanning electrical power industry and oil derivatives.
Dusan Petrevski had pointed out that Macedonia's economy
had experienced huge damages induced by the Kosovo
crisis, he also pledged for urgent regulation of debtor-
trustee relations. /end/ /end/

Two to three states could be associated with NATO
simultaneously. The readiness and the compliance with
NATO association requirements will be reviewed on
individual basis, NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana
said Thursday in Sofia.
As "Makfax" reports, this statement was released
by Javier Solana after he has been asked about the
chances of Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia for
association with NATO. Sofia's media report that Solana
held out the promise that Bulgaria will have the leading
role in the Stability Pact over Southeastern Europe.
/End/ /end/

Over 17.000 NATO soldiers had passed through
Thessaloniki port within last couple of months and
entered Macedonia, Greek media report, referring to
military sources.
According to the same sources, from February 10
till July 4, over 17.538 NATO soldiers had passed
through Greek port of Thessaloniki. Within the same
period, as many as 298 NATO planes, 91 ships and nine
trains had landed in Thessaloniki. As "Makfax"
transmits, apart from the soldiers, 214 tanks, 1.710
armoured personnel carriers (APC), 10.546 vehicles,
3.131 side-vehicles and 3.607 containers had arrived in
the Greek port of Thessaloniki. /End/ /end/

Several shots were heard during the "Alliance for
Changes"-led protests in Prokuplje Thursday. The
witnesses claim the shots came from the windows of a
building in which the Headquarters of the ruling
Socialist Party has been stationed. The shots were fired
by Ratko Zecevic - the leader of Socialist Party
fraction. Apart from the gun shots, several street
fights had been reported, there were no injured.
The leaders of the opposition had repeated their
demand on President Milosevic's resignation. The
counter-demonstration announced by the ruling Socialists
has been postponed. /End/ /end/

NATO wants to transform the Serbs into Kurds,
therefore, Serbia has to pursue adequate defense-related
tasks, the Spokesman of ruling Socialist Party Ivica
Dacic said, blaming the Western countries for expelling
the Serbs from Kosovo.
"Those who had accused us for alleged ethnic
cleansing of Kosovar Albanians , have an intention to
cleanse the Serbs from Kosovo, not complying with the
U.N. resolution", Dacic said at the press briefing. He
added that some 100 Socialist Party activists are
already in Kosovo in order to stabilise the situation.
/End/ /end/

More than 50 Kosovo Serbs had been killed, same is
the number of the ones who had been kidnapped as of June
15. The Rashko-Prizren Bishop Artemie had submitted a
list to the media containing the names of 56 murdered
Kosovo Serbs and another 50 kidnapped.
According to the non-completed list submitted to
"Fonet" news agency, a total of 14 Serbs had been
killed and 22 Serbs had been kidnapped in Pristina. A
total of seven Serbs had been killed in Obilic, four
Serbs killed and four kidnapped in Urosevac. Four Serbs
had been massacred in the village of Slivovo on June 21.
Two Serbs had been killed and 10 kidnapped in Orahovac
Two Serbs had been killed in Poduevo, 12 Serbs had been
killed in Pech, many Serb women had been raped. Two
persons had been killed and another two had been
imprisoned, two persons have been reported in Prizren as
missing. This list is non-completed because the data are
unavailable, names of another nine Serbs who had been
massacred in various places across Kosovo are also on
the list. /end/

Kosovo could not any longer coexist with Serbia -
KLA political director Hashim Thaqi said in the
interview run by French "Liberation" newspaper.
According to Thaqi, Belgrade's regime had completely
lost its credibility in Kosovo due to the atrocities
against ethnic Albanian population.
The self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Kosovo
interim government Hashim Thaqi claims that KLA is a
legal organisation, since it has been constituted
following the negotiations with all Albanian political
parties in Rabmouillet Chateau. The moderate leader of
Kosovo Albanians Ibrahim Rugova considers Thaqi's
government as illegal and refuses the invitations on
joining Hashim Thaqi's party. /END ALL/

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------------------------------

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 23:19:57 +0200
From: Slavko Mangovski <ma...@MAKEDONSKOSONCE.COM>
Subject: Makedonsko Sonce Media Monitor 9 July 1999

1.RFE/RL
2. FOCUS-Bulgaria strikes biggest ever sell-off=20

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RUGOVA PLEDGES TO RETURN. Kosovar Albanian political
leader Ibrahim Rugova told AP in Rome on 8 July that he
will return to Kosova as early as next week. Referring
to the Kosova Liberation Army, he said: "We can tolerate
working together." The moderate leader also noted: "I
want to start with the process of reconciliation [with
other ethnic groups]...because I would like a
multiethnic Kosova." Back in Kosova, provisional
government Prime Minister Hashim Thaci told RFE/RL's
South Slavic Service that "Rugova has a deadline until
the end of this week to take up his position [and fill
those reserved for other Democratic League of Kosova
representatives] in the government." FS

MACEDONIAN, ALBANIAN PRESIDENTS DISAGREE OVER KOSOVA
SOLUTION. Albanian President Rexhep Meidani told his
Macedonian counterpart Kiro Gligorov in Skopje on 8 July
that "in five to 10 years, we [will] see two new
entities, Kosova and Montenegro, as an integral part of
Europe," Reuters reported. Meidani acknowledged that
Gligorov does "not share the same opinion," but stressed
that both men "want to live in Europe, where borders are
irrelevant," Meidani told reporters. Gligorov argued
that "the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia should be
respected.... Changes of borders and the realization of
dreams of greater nations is dangerous not only for the
region, but for Europe itself." Meidani said he does not
see the disagreement between him and Gligorov as causing
tensions and stressed that "the integration of ethnic
Albanians in the [Macedonian] government and
institutions has helped Macedonia preserve its
stability." The two presidents also discussed bilateral
cooperation within the framework of the Balkan stability
pact, an RFE/RL South Slavic Service correspondent
reported. FS

GREECE DENIES THAT ALBANIAN EXPULSIONS ARE RACIALLY
MOTIVATED. Public Order Minister Mikhailis
Khrisokhoidhis on 8 July rejected claims that a series
of recent roundups and checks of Albanian immigrants
were racially motivated, Reuters reported (see "RFE/RL
Newsline," 8 July 1999). Albanian Foreign Minister
Paskal Milo is scheduled to visit Athens on 9 July to
discuss the increasing number of expulsions of Albanian
immigrants. A Foreign Ministry official in Tirana said
that Greek authorities have expelled about 3,500
Albanian immigrants since 1 July, while Greek police put
the number at about 1,000. The Albanian Foreign Ministry
also asked Greece to investigate claims that Albanian
deportees were being mistreated in Greece. FS

RUSSIAN UN AMBASSADOR COMPLAINS ABOUT SLOW UCK DISARMAMENT.
Sergei Lavrov told an open session of the UN Security Council
in New York on 8 July that the demilitarization of the Kosova
Liberation Army (UCK) is "insufficiently dynamic," ITAR-TASS
reported. He added that the Kosova peacekeeping force (KFOR)
"is clearly not doing everything in that direction." Lavrov
stressed that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 "clearly
and unambiguously envisages the demilitarization of the [UCK]
and other armed groups of [Kosova] Albanians..., a true
disarmament of the [UCK] militants with a complete
liquidation of all military structures of the organization
which cannot reappear in any form." FS

RUSSIAN KFOR COMMANDER SATISFIED WITH 'ATMOSPHERE OF
OPENNESS.' Major-General Valerii Yevtukhovich, who is the
commander of the Russian KFOR contingent, told ITAR-TASS on 9
July that cooperation with NATO KFOR units is proceeding
"effectively." He added that "it is this atmosphere of
openness that should be typical of peacekeeping operations of
this level." On 8 July, three Russian navy vessels, carrying
180 soldiers, 43 vehicles, and 100 tons of other supplies,
left the Black Sea port of Tuapse. They are expected to
arrive in Thessaloniki on 14 July, Interfax reported. FS

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

FOCUS-Bulgaria strikes biggest ever sell-off=20
02:28 p.m Jul 09, 1999 Eastern=20
By Elisaveta Konstantinova=20
SOFIA, July 9 (Reuters) - Bulgaria struck on Friday its largest cash =
privatisation deal ever, selling 51 percent of its BTC telecom monopoly =
to a consortium of Greek OTE (OTEr.AT) and Dutch KPN (KPN.AS) for $510 =
million.=20
The Bulgarian Telecommunications Company is one of Bulgaria's most =
lucrative assets as the sell-off includes not only the telecom =
infrastructure on its territory but also a second GSM licence.=20
The deal also includes an obligation of $200 million investment, $150 =
million of them in the BTC, and another $50 million into the GSM system. =

``The deal is a great success because two major European operators are =
coming into Bulgaria at a good price. This is a success for future =
privatisations,'' BTC Executive Director Antony Slaviniski told Reuters. =

``This should be an indication to other investors that Bulgaria has a =
good investment climate,'' he said, adding BTC shares would be =
eventually floated on stock exchange.=20
Deputy Prime Minister Evgeny Bakardjiev told a news conference that a =
formal signing of the contract would take place in two or three weeks =
after some details were cleared.=20
The successful sell-off is good news for Bulgaria, where market reforms =
started later than in most of the former communist states and which has =
been hard hit by the Kosovo war which disrupted most of its trade links =
with central and western Europe.=20
KPN Executive Vice President Marten Pieters said the deal proved ``that =
big international companies have a lot of trust'' in Bulgaria.=20
``We are quite sure this will act as an example and it will stimulate =
other foreign investment into Bulgaria,'' he said.=20
Experts also praised the deal.=20
``This is an excellent development. We estimate the asking price as 4.2 =
percent of GDP and it is also one of the largest investments in Eastern =
Europe, ING Barings Emerging Europe Economist Charles Robertson told =
Reuters.=20
``It is going to be very positive for the Brady bonds as it will ease =
concerns over the current account deficit. It should add to investment =
growth over the medium term.''=20
Anastas Petrov, Head of Trading at BRIBank, agreed:=20
``It will be a great support for the balance of payments and will =
guarantee the short-term service of the country's foreign debt. The =
inflow of fresh funds will also help Bulgaria to overcome the =
consequences of the Kosovo crisis.''=20
Within the consortium, KPN has a 60 percent share in the new GSM license =
while OTE has a similar share in the fixed network.=20
Their press release said they intended to buy out a 49 percent stake in =
the local mobile phone company, Mobikom, which is currently held by the =
Cable & Wireless (CWZ.L).=20
KPN is active in Hungary and the Czech Republic.=20
OTE, striving to become one of Europe's five biggest telecommunications =
operators, has bought a 35 percent of Romanian Romtelecom, a 20 percent =
stake in Serbia Telecom and expressed interest in one-third of =
Macedonia's state telecom organisation.=20
BTC's balance sheet for 1998 showed a profit of $41.9 million and put =
its assets at $239.5 million. It operates 2.7 million lines. There are =
120,000 GSM customers in Bulgaria

GS

unread,

Jul 12, 1999, 3:00:00 AM7/12/99

There is one message totalling 1908 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

1. Makedonsko Sonce Media Monitor, 10-11 July 1999

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 22:19:03 +0200
From: Slavko Mangovski <ma...@MAKEDONSKOSONCE.COM>
Subject: Makedonsko Sonce Media Monitor, 10-11 July 1999

1. PEACE IN KOSOVO REVEALS THE ABSENCE OF PEACE IN=20
ALBANIA
2. The Current Situation of Roma in Kosovo
3. The Phlegm and the Anima An Impressionistic Canvass By: Dr. Sam =
Vaknin
4. ARMENIA: Future of church in question=20
5. Kosovo Serbs Cut Ties With UN, KFOR And Albanians=20
6. American soldiers fired on in Kosovo, but no one is hurt=20
7. Slovenia and Romania urge enlargement of NATO, EU=20
8. Thaqi sees decision on Kosovo future in 3-5 years=20
9. Albania to Remain Stable after Kosovo Conflict: Premier
10. Kosovo War Over, Gypsies Are Left Amid Vengeful Neighbors

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*** PEACE IN KOSOVO REVEALS THE ABSENCE OF PEACE IN=20
ALBANIA

AIM TIRANA, July 9, 1999

It may well seem paradoxical that the Albanians of Kosovo, who
had for 51 long years dreamed of having open borders with Albania and
crossing them freely, and who achieved it with the establishment of
peace and the introduction of NATO troops in Kosovo, have now begun
to feel the need of police crossing points on precisely that border.
Not to protect them from the Serbs, but from robbers and criminals
coming from Albania. The return of hundreds of thousands of refugees
from Albania to Kosovo is being accompanied by a rising wave of crime,
as often happens in post-war confusion. The complete absence of any
police control or state structure in Kosovo, but also the lack of
state institutions in the northern part of Albania, has given rise to
a situation very favourable for the large-scale activities of
criminals based in Albania. According to some statistics, 80 percent
of the criminals and robbers arrested by KFOR forces over three
weeks since the entry of NATO forces in Kosovo are of Albanian
origin. As in the case of all war statistics, it cannot claim to be
complete, but still it throws some light on certain phenomena. Indeed,
as soon as they are arrested by KFOR forces, many criminals, who
have crossed the border from Albania, are all too ready to admit it,
in the hope of being sent back to Albania, where they can elude the
law more easily. After arresting about 60 criminals, most of them
declaring themselves Albanian citizens, the German KFOR forces found
that none of them possessed identification documents.
Slowly but surely crime is creating problems which can not fail
to have consequences for the relations between the Albanians of
Albania and those of Kosovo. Now in Kosovo the same charges are
being heard against the Albanians of Albania as in the beginning of
the nineties used to be levelled against those of Kosovo, when the
impoverished post-communist =BEmother=BE country was flooded by a
multitude of Kosovars. All varieties of criminal activity, ranging
from masked robbery, to car stealing, prostitution, drug traffic and
other illicit activities, are on the rise concomitantly with the return
of the refugees to their homes. As any other country, Kosovo
experienced those activities even before, but what is new now is that
criminals are coming from Albania. Gangs from North Albania have not
hesitated to attack and rob columns of refugees returning to their
homes as well as abandoned homes in the villages and towns across
the border. The UCK-appointed prefect of Prizren, Kadri Kryeziu,
declared for the Albanian press that =BEcrime coming from Albania is a
cause of great concern=BE and called on the Albanian police to take
measures to prevent =BEthe influx of crime to Kosovo=BE. Along with the
requests of KFOR forces, Kosovo officials are also demanding the
establishment of border crossing points.
The trail of crime towards Kosovo passes through North
Albania. The Majko Government, which in the course of the Kosovo
crisis gained much political capital among the Albanians of both
Albania and Kosovo, is helpless and unable to take any measure to
prevent the spillover of crime, for it is just as impotent within
Albania, especially in its northern part. According to the opposition
in Tirana, the crime situation in Albania is more alarming than in
Kosovo itself and that since the day the NATO troops entered Kosovo
there have been 50-60 percent more murders in Albania than in
Kosovo.
For more than two years now North Albania lies outside
government control, and any foreigner visiting Tropoja or Kukes can
easily see that there is no such thing as a state there. However,
Majko=BEs Left-wing coalition government is no less concerned about
the situation in the southern part of the country, where the
Socialist Party, which heads the coalition, is supposed to enjoy its
strongest political support. It is significant that on June 29 the
socialists celebrated the biennial of their electoral victory in
Vlora, which, as is known, is a town that belongs to the Albanian State
only officially, having been turned into a Kalashnikov-ruled mini-
state.
It is hard to find a single town in Albania of which one can
surely say that the police and the government have the situation
under control. Last week, four major incidents with spectacular
murders took place in four Albanian towns: Shkodra, Vlora, Tirana and
Durres, in broad daylight, which convinced the citizens, if need be,
that the State does not exist. The more so as the protagonists of
these crimes were members of notorious gangs the Tirana tribunal had
released =BEfor lack of evidence=BE only some weeks before. A national
conference on the struggle against organised crime, held in Tirana in
the beginning of July, revealed scandalous figures of crime
activities in various fields, ranging from 30,000 prostitutes and one
thousand disappeared children to three thousand barbarously
exploited teenagers, large-scale smuggling and corruption in customs
offices. The extension of criminal activities seems so large that it
has aroused even NATO=BEs concern, which, as Prime Minister Majko has
had to admit on 11 June this year, had informed him that Mafia
structures were active in Albanian customs offices.
The Tirana Government, which signed up for the Pact of Stability
and claimed to assume a primary role in the plans of the international
community for the reconstruction of South-eastern Europe, is now
understanding that the fight for the establishment of order may be
more difficult than the war in Kosovo. In his declaration of July 3rd,
Carlos Elbirt, chief of the World Bank Office in Albania, said that but
for lack of stability in Albania one billion dollars would have been
invested in various projects. The absence of order and stability
may cost Albania even more dearly now if the so-called Marshall Plan
for South-eastern Europe side-steps it. In many Albanian circles
precisely the lack of public order is being given as an explanation for
the Rio de Janeiro 29 June Summit of the European Union deciding that
the centre of the European Union for the co-ordination of work for
the re-construction of Kosovo in the context of the Pact of
Stability should be Thesaloniki of Greece, not Tirana. Two weeks
before this decision was taken the OSCE closed its office at Tropoja
after two of its officials were assassinated and others were robbed
or threatened.
The establishment of peace in Albania brought again to the fore
the absence of peace in Albania. After the solution of the Kosovo
crisis, in the course of which Prime Minister Majko enjoyed strong
support from internal opinion, the international factor and even the
opposition, the government must do something to solve the problem
of public order, which, unsolved, may force it to leave the political
scene. In two years of socialist leadership four ministers of
internal affairs have been successively replaced, without mentioning
the removal of hundreds of police commissaries. As the new
minister of public order, Spartak Poci, puts it, the police has done
nothing or very little against organised crime up to now. The police,
not only have not protected the citizens, but have not even been
able to defend themselves. In the course of the last two years 112
police were killed, and so far nobody was brought to justice for
these crimes.
The disillusioned Albanians are seeing that after peace in
Kosovo and the extraordinary sacrifices they made in sheltering
about half a million refugees, large international investments and
economic projects are not coming to their country. Even more
disquieteing for them is to hear from spokesmen of the NATO troops
in Albania that they may leave their country, because, among other
things, common people here see NATO also as a protection against
crime. And people now seem to be ready to accept any sort of
government provided it ensures them the lost order and peace.

#SHABAN MURATI (AIM)

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
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PRESS STATEMENT
9 JULY 1999

The Current Situation of Roma in Kosovo

The European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) conducted field research in =
Kosovo
during the period June 30-July 7, 1999, in the course of which the ERRC
documented numerous abuses, primarily by ethnic Albanians evidently =
intent
on purging Kosovo of Roma in the wake of the withdrawal of Yugoslav =
forces
from the region in early June 1999. Abuses documented include killings =
of
Roma by ethnic Albanians; abduction and illegal detention of Roma by =
ethnic
Albanians; torture, beatings and other physical abuse; rape; expulsions =
of
Roma from homes and communities; house burnings; forced labour; forced
entry into Romani houses; and confiscations of houses and other =
property,
all during the period June 16-July 7, 1999. ERRC interviews with local
ethnic Albanians elucidated a strong anti-Gypsy sentiment animating many
ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. The ERRC has gathered reports of violence =
and
threats of violence against Roma in Kosovo. Most of the Kosovo Roma are
presently displaced, both inside and outside Kosovo. Inside Kosovo they =
are
living either in improvised camps in unsanitary conditions or in small
enclaves, often together with Serbs, who are also targeted collectively =
by
members of the Albanian majority. In addition, Roma fleeing Kosovo to =
the
Serbian interior of Yugoslavia have been forcibly returned by Yugoslav
authorities, which in the circumstances amounts to the grave human =
rights
violation of refoulement. The current situation is one of ethnic =
cleansing
of Kosovo Roma and Serbs by ethnic Albanians; instances of pogroms have
occurred in some instances and a general threat of pogroms exists.
International authorities, and particularly the KFOR, have reacted
inadequately, especially to abuses of Roma, and to the evident urgent =
need
for international protection of the Roma in Kosovo.

Killings

A prominent member of the Egyptian community of Djakovica, Mr B.G.,
reported to the ERRC on July 6 that since the entry of KFOR troops in
Kosovo, he has heard reports of three people being abducted and killed =
by
ethnic Albanians in the communities in and around the town. These =
persons are:

1. Mr Rex Hahxi Shola
2. A man he could identify only as "Bajram"
3. A man he could identify only as "Rruli"

Forcibly displaced Roma interviewed on July 3 in the Serbian part of
Kosovska Mitrovica told the ERRC that they believe that Mr Aziz Azemi, =
an
elderly invalid, probably died in his house when ethnic Albanians burned
his house on Fabricka street in Kosovska Mitrovica on or around June 25.
The same sources said that they thought Mr Avdush Golubar (60) and his =
wife
Nevzija might also have burned in their house in the same quarter around
the same time.

Roma in Prizren reported to the ERRC that ethnic Albanians had killed =
"an
entire family" in recent weeks in the village of Landovica, north-west =
of
Prizren.

Abductions, Disappearances, Kidnap and Detention

The ERRC heard numerous reports of abductions by ethnic Albanians,
described either as "KLA" (in and out of uniform) or simply "Albanians";
these take place during the day or night, from houses or off the street.
Roma (and "Egyptians") as a group are accused of having looted buildings
while the KLA was abroad, or of having collaborated with the Yugoslav =
army.
The ERRC documented detentions in the Romani neighbourhoods of Orahovac;
the Terzi Mahala, Dusanova and Durmis Aslano quarters of Prizren, as =
well
as persons abducted from the street in Prizren; the Romani settlement in
the village of Velika Krusa; the Egyptian and Romani neighbourhoods of
Piskota, Mahala Cerim, Mahala Culit and Mahala Cefes in Djakovica, as =
well
as persons abducted from the street in that town. Roma in the Dusanova
settlement in Prizren told the ERRC that local ethnic Albanians now
regularly come to the settlement and take women for periods of several
hours to perform forced labour; allegations that Roma and Egyptians were
made to perform forced labour by Yugoslav police prior to the end of =
NATO
bombing were also heard in Orahovac and Prizren.=20

The whereabouts of the following persons were, as of July 6, not known =
to
family members or to the ERRC:

According to family members, 27-year-old Mr T.F. was seen by friends of =
his
being kidnapped by KLA members from a main street in Djakovica in broad
daylight as he went to work on June 27. He was reportedly seen by =
another
Egyptian man detained by the KLA two days later, apparently unharmed, in
detention in a KLA headquarters in the "Junik" building in the centre of
the town. On July 2, another Egyptian man detained by KLA and taken to =
the
"Junik" building in Djakovica reportedly saw Mr T.F., again apparently
unharmed. The family reported the case to KFOR, who have allegedly taken =
no
action in the case.

According to the testimony of his family members, 21-year-old Mr S.H.
disappeared from in front of his house in the Durmis Aslano street in
Prizren on or around June 18. His whereabouts as of July 6 were not =
known.

A Romani man from the town of Orahovac known by the nickname "Skelzen" =
was
reportedly last seen in custody and severely physically abused in a KLA
detention centre in a private house in the village of Drenovce on June =
30.

Mr H.C. (41), interviewed in his home in Orahovac, told the ERRC that =
on
June 21 uniformed KLA officers abducted five Romani men who are family
members of his from their homes in Orahovac. They are Q.C. (19), D.Y.
(26), S.R. (35), X.R. (38) and L.B. (48), all from Orahovac. Mr H.C. =
told
the ERRC that he had risked his own safety to go to the local =
headquarters
and inquire about the fate of his relatives. Local KLA officers =
reportedly
told him that they knew nothing about the whereabouts of the men. The =
ERRC
was also told of the abduction of Mr F.R. (19) on June 27 from Orahovac =
by
uniformed KLA. Again, local KLA have reportedly denied all knowledge of =
his
whereabouts.

It was reported to the ERRC that the following sites were, at the time =
of
ERRC field research in Kosovo, used by the KLA as detention centres:

--A school for the deaf and mute in Prizren; KFOR reportedly raided this
site on or around July 1 and confiscated weapons from the building;
according to testimony provided to the ERRC by Roma in Prizren, it is =
still
being used as a detention centre. A high-ranking KFOR official in the
military police in Prizren claimed no knowledge of the centre.

--The "Junik" building in Djakovica;

--A private L-shaped house in the village of Drenovce. There is =
reportedly
a KLA or red Albanian flag flying in front of this house, which is at =
the
back of a vineyard;

Roma state that in larger towns, KLA have established detention centres =
in
public buildings or other prominent cites, while in villages, Roma are
brought to private houses when kidnapped.

Torture and Physical Abuse

The number of instances of physical abuse documented by the ERRC are
numerous and only an incomplete list is provided here: the ERRC has
interviewed victims and eyewitnesses of physical abuse in Djakovica,
Gracanica, Kosovo Polje, Kosovska Mitrovica, Prizren, and Velika Krusa.
Reports include beatings with fists, iron bars and truncheons and =
kicking;
torture such as forcing individuals to place their feet on a stool while
persons identified as "KLA" sit on the legs and beat the soles of the =
feet;
in one instance, the ERRC was told that the victim was subsequently
required to stand on one foot at a time for periods of fifteen minutes. =
In
addition, ethnic Albanians have threatened to shoot Roma, to cut or stab
them with knives, as well as to kill and mutilate. Abuses take place =
both
day and night, in detention as well as in the houses of the victims.

Mr Z.P. (19), who was, at the time the ERRC interviewed him on July 2, a
displaced person in Kosovo Polje, told the ERRC that he was seized and
beaten by civilian Albanians in his home town of Pristina while checking
the damage to his aunt's house on June 21. They reportedly brought him =
to
the local KLA headquarters. In custody he was repeatedly beaten by
uniformed KLA soldiers and officers. He was threatened with a knife, a
pistol and a submachine gun; at one point he was brought to a table =
which
he described as being full of tools "ready for a [surgical] operation". =
The
KLA alleged that he had committed crimes against the Albanians and that =
he
should confess them. He was also shown photographs of approximately 200
persons and asked to identify any of them. He denied having committed =
any
crimes or knowing any of the persons shown in the photographs; he was =
then
beaten further, with blows to the head and kicks to the body. He was
released approximately seven hours after the abduction.

The ERRC documented the injuries of 65-year-old Mrs L.L. (65) and also =
of a
nine year old girl named J.Q. in the school Roma camp at Kosovska
Mitrovica. The woman and the parents of the child reported that the =
beating
had taken place at the time they were evicted from their homes in the
Fabricka street district in Kosovska Mitrovica. Family members of
23-year-old Ms O.N. told the ERRC that after she had been beaten by =
ethnic
Albanians on or around June 26 at the time of their expulsion from their
home in Kosovska Mitrovica, Ms O.N. had "stopped talking". The ERRC
observed that Ms O.N. appeared to be in apparently psychologically
traumatised state at the time of the interview.

On July 3, a 22-year-old Romani man named G.S. in the Dusanova =
settlement
in Prizren told the ERRC that in the first days of the KFOR presence in
Kosovo he had been detained by uniformed KLA officers while returning =
from
work and brought to a public building in the centre of Prizren where,
between the hours of six and ten in the evening, he was brutally beaten
with fists and truncheons by ten KLA officers. He states that there were
fifteen other Romani men in custody in the building. KLA officials =
accused
Mr G.S. of having stolen and looted during the Yugoslav military action =
in
Kosovo and demanded to know the whereabouts of Luan Koka, Romani leader
from Pristina who attended the negotiations in Rambouillet, France, on =
the
Serb side. Mr G.S. reported that he was "totally black" following the =
abuse
and could not walk. The ERRC noted that three weeks after the incident,
bruises were still visible on his arms and torso. He reported that he
continued to have pains in his legs and kidneys. He told the ERRC that =
he
knew of four other Romani men in his street alone who had been detained =
and
beaten by ethnic Albanians during the past three weeks.

On July 4, 40-year old Mrs M.L. in the Terzi Mahala neighbourhood of
Prizren reported that her son, 22-year-old T.L., had been kidnapped by
members of the KLA on June 30, and released following severe abuse. He =
was
reportedly severely injured and immobilised in his home in the village =
of
Velika Krusa. He had reportedly been warned that if he reported the =
abuse
to anyone, the KLA would kill him. Mr T.L. subsequently reported to the
ERRC that ethnic Albanians who were not in uniform had detained him, =
along
with his father and sister-in-law at approximately 4:30 in the afternoon =
on
July 2, taken him to a house in the village of Drenovce, where, over a
period of three or four hours, they had severely physically abused him. =
Mr
T.L. had visible bruises all over his body, reported pain in his legs,
shoulders, back and head, and was unable to walk when interviewed on =
July 5.

On July 5, 1999, Mr M.L., a Romani man from Terzi Mahala in Prizren told
the ERRC that three uniformed KLA officers had come to his home in the
afternoon of June 27 and told him to come with them to their =
headquarters
in a school for the deaf and mute in the centre of Prizren. While in
detention, fifteen uniformed KLA officers beat him with their fists, =
with
truncheons and with a wooden plank. They interrogated him as to the
whereabouts of Luan Koka and as to his own activities during the war. =
They
released him approximately four hours later and threatened him with =
further
abuse if he reported the incident. He reported the incident to KFOR, who
subsequently photographed his visible injuries, interviewed him and =
raided
the school, where, according to Mr M.L., they found and confiscated
weapons, but no persons in the building. Mr M.L. was confined to bed for
seven days and told the ERRC that he was still in pain as of July 5. Mr
M.L. told the ERRC that four other Roma in his street in Terzi Mahale =
had
been detained beaten in the past three weeks. Mr M.L.'s mother, Mrs. =
P.L.,
told the ERRC that KLA officers had again come to his house to look for =
him
and to order him to report again to the school building on four separate
occasions on July 1, but that they had not found him. Mr M.L. is =
presently
in hiding.

Rape

The ERRC interviewed 24-year-old Mr B.K. of the Piskota neighbourhood of
Djakovica. He provided the ERRC with eyewitness testimony documenting =
the
rape of his sister and his wife in his home by four armed KLA members in
uniform during the night of June 29. On the following morning, the =
entire
family fled to the Dusanova neighbourhood of Prizren, where the ERRC
interviewed him on July 3. His present whereabouts are not known, =
however,
since on July 6, a large number of the Roma remaining in the Dusanova
settlement fled under threat by Albanian neighbours in surrounding =
houses
that they would burn the settlement to the ground and kill persons
remaining in the houses. On July 6, the ERRC again visited the =
settlement
and documented that one house had been burned to the ground during the
previous night. When the ERRC visited the settlement again on July 7, it
was not possible to enter, since ethnic Albanians surrounded the members =
of
the ERRC, evidently intent on keeping the ERRC from speaking with the =
few
Roma remaining in the settlement. Senior KFOR officials in Prizren told =
the
ERRC that they were unable to protect the settlement, since on one =
occasion
they had been shot at from the windows of the surrounding buildings.

The ERRC interviewed Ms K.F. on July 3, in the improvised "Vuk Karadjic"
school refugee camp in Kosovska Mitrovica. She reported that her cousin,
30-year-old Mrs A.D., a mother of two, was raped at approximately 8:00 =
PM
on June 20 in her home in Fabricka street in Kosovska Mitrovica by six
uniformed KLA members. The ERRC photographed Mrs A.D. but did not =
attempt
an interview, as members of her family and other camp inmates said that =
she
"had stopped talking". She would also hardly move her eyes or body.

The ERRC also heard allegations of rapes of Egyptian women by ethnic
Albanians in the Mahala Lepraven near Djakovica.

Expulsions of Roma

Roma and "Egyptians" throughout Kosovo interviewed during ERRC field
research detailed expulsions from homes and communities by ethnic
Albanians. Mrs K.Z. (45), interviewed in a school in the village of
Gracanin where displaced Roma were staying at the time of the interview =
on
July 3, told the ERRC that she and her family were chased from their =
home
in Urosevac by uniformed and armed KLA men "led by an Albanian =
neighbour".
Mr R.N. (36), also displaced to the improvised camp in Kosovo Polje,
accompanied the ERRC to his native village of Crkvena Vodica on July 2.
There, the ERRC witnessed around thirty houses burnt or burning. Mr. =
R.N.
told the ERRC that he had fled together with his family on June 25, when
around 20 unknown civilians, armed with automatic weapons, rifles and
bombs, had come and warned the Roma "to be out by the next day."

Egyptians in the town of Djakovica detailed a pattern of abuse in which
ethnic Albanians raided the homes of Egyptian families, terrorized them =
and
then ordered them to leave by morning or be killed. Most of the =
Egyptians
harrassed or abused had indeed left Djakovica.

Burning of Romani Houses by Ethnic Albanians

The ERRC documented many cases in which ethnic Albanians set fire to the
houses of Roma. Most of these abuses had taken place after June 20; some
happened only several hours before the interviews.

Mr G.P. (33), who at the time the ERRC interviewed him on July 2 was a
displaced person in Kosovo Polje, brought the ERRC to his still burning
house in the Romani quarter of Lozionica in Kosovo Polje. Ethnic =
Albanians
had expelled him and set his house on fire in the morning of the same =
day.
Other Romani houses in that large Romani neighbourhood of around 1500
houses were also on fire at the time of the ERRC visit. KFOR officers =
were
visible on the main road, approximately 500 metres from the =
neighbourhood,
but they did not react .

Mr J.S. (36), a displaced Romani man interviewed on July 2 in an =
impromptu
refugee camp for Roma in Kosovo Polje, told the ERRC that ethnic =
Albanians
had set his house on fire in the village of Subotic in his presence, =
just
after they had expelled him and his family on or around June 26. "We
weren't ten steps from the door," he said.

The ERRC also witnessed the pillaging and burning of houses in the =
Romani
quarter of Pristina around Moravska street at around 2:00 PM on July 2.
There were at least fifteen teams of persons looting the buildings who
appeared to be ethnic Albanians and were also so described by a Romani =
man
from the area. The teams were repeatedly filling trailers pulled by
tractors or cars with goods from the abandoned houses. At least ten =
houses
were burning.

The ERRC witnessed one house burnt by ethnic Albanians in the Romani
neighbourhood of Dusanova in Prizren at around 11:00 PM on July 5, as =
well
as one house burnt by ethnic Albanians in the Piskota settlement in
Djakovica on the night of July 4 at approximately 10:30 PM. In the first
case, it was reported to the ERRC by eyewitnesses that three ethnic
Albanians dressed in civilian clothes and armed with pistols, entered =
the
house of Ms T.G. in Dusanova, forced a pistol into the mouth of =
72-year-old
Mr L.R., doused the house with gasoline and set it ablaze. Five Romani
persons were reportedly in the house at the time. Mr L.R. suffered a
bruised face in the attack. The house was rendered uninhabitable. At
approximately 9:30 AM on July 6, KFOR authorities told the ERRC that =
they
had documented the case and called the fire department, who had
extinguished the blaze. Roma in the Dusanova settlement subsequently =
told
the ERRC that they had put out the fire themselves and that neither KFOR
nor a fire brigade had been to the house. At approximately 11 AM on July =
6,
while the ERRC was interviewing witnesses to the attack, KFOR troops
arrived at the house in Dusanova and began what appeared to be a
preliminary investigation. The ERRC visited the house burnt in the =
Piskota
settlement on the night of July 4 in Djakovica and spoke with =
eyewitnesses,
but the inhabitants of the house had already fled the area.

Members of the UN's World Food Program told the ERRC that they had
witnessed houses of Roma burning on July 2 in the town of Suva Reka.
Eyewitnesses told the ERRC that on July 5, ethnic Albanians had burnt =
one
house in the Romani settlement of Berkoc, near Djakovica and that ethnic
Albanians had burned a further three houses in the same settlement on =
July
6. Roma from Velika Krusa told the ERRC that local ethnic Albanians had
burned an unspecified number of houses in that village. The ERRC noted =
that
burning houses were visible at any hour of the day from the main roads
linking Kosovo towns.

Forced Entry into Romani Houses

Roma and "Egyptians" in the Durmis Aslano, Dusanova and Terzi Mahala
quarters of Prizren and the Piskota settlement in Djakovica told the =
ERRC
that ethnic Albanians had broken into their home repeatedly during the
course of the previous three weeks, usually at night; threatened and
intimidated Romani and Egyptian inhabitants; and told them that they =
would
kill them if they remained in Kosovo.

Mr L.T., 36 years old, from the Piskota settlement of Djakovica told the
ERRC that during the night of July 4, four uniformed KLA officers armed
with automatic weapons, knives, iron bars and an axe entered Mr L.T.'s =
home
at around 2:00 AM while Mr L.T. and his family slept, woke him up, and
bound his hands. Although the KLA officials told him they had come "from
Albania and Pristina", Mr L.T. recognised them as locals. From
approximately 2:00 AM until approximately 4:30 AM, KLA officers
interrogated Mr L.T. concerning what he had been doing during the war. =
At
one point, KLA officers asked him whether two girls present in the =
house,
one of them fifteen- and the other sixteen-years-old, were married, and =
two
of them accompanied them upstairs, causing Mr L.T. to fear that they =
would
be sexually abused. Mr L.T. states that they were not sexually abused. =
Mr
L.T. told the ERRC that he fears that he will be killed or expelled, =
since
KLA officials have told other Egyptians in the Piskota quarter "You will =
be
killed" and "We will kill you". The ERRC interviewed victims of similar
incidents in the Durmis Aslano, Dusanova and Terzi Mahala quarters in
Prizren. Often such incidents are accompanied by physical abuse.

Confiscation of Houses and Other Property, Looting and Plundering

Egyptians in Djakovica told the ERRC that ethnic Albanians had =
confiscated
approximately fifty houses from local Egyptians and Roma in the town, as
well as 20-30 cars owned by Roma and Egyptians. According to local
Egyptians, ethnic Albanians in Djakovica presently take whatever they =
like
from Roma. Roma in Prizren reported that Albanians had confiscated two
houses in the Ortokol neighbourhood and one house in the Dusanova
settlement as of July 4. Mr K.C., interviewed in the Romani quarter of
Orahovac on July 2, told the ERRC that he had been stopped by six or =
seven
local ethnic Albanians on the street in broad daylight. They reportedly
beat him and stole his identity card. Mr K.C. told the ERRC that he
believes he would have been abducted, had a KFOR patrol not intervened. =
Mrs
J.K. (58), interviewed in a school in Kosovska Mitrovica inhabited at =
the
time of the interview by displaced Roma, that on June 20 while they were
expelling her family from their home, also in Kosovska Mitrovica, ethnic
Albanians confiscated a tractor, a car, and a wagon. Confiscations of
property such as televisions, stereos, video equipment, refrigerators =
and,
in the words of one Rom in Prizren "anything not nailed down", were
reported in many localities visited by the ERRC.

Inadequate Reaction by KFOR ; Lack of Adequate Protection of Roma

ERRC researchers in the British, French and Italian KFOR areas =
repeatedly
witnessed KFOR representatives not reacting in situations of mass or
individual looting, carried out openly and in broad daylight. The ERRC =
has
also documented cases of KFOR failing to adequately investigate cases of
abduction and the disappearance of persons allegedly arrested by the KLA
and to rescue the victims. ERRC researchers in the German and American =
KFOR
areas documented responses by KFOR which remain inadequate due to a lack =
of
troops assigned to civilian policing.

On July 2, at about 2:00 PM, the ERRC visited the Romani quarter of
Pristina known as Moravska street. The quarter was empty of its
inhabitants. Several houses were burning. There were people about, =
though,
whom a local Romani man identified as ethnic Albanians. These were in =
plain
clothes and unarmed; they seemed to be working in teams, a typical team
consisting of two adult men and one or two boys, aged approximately ten =
to
thirteen. The ERRC witnessed these groups bringing pieces of furniture =
out
of abandoned houses and loading it into trailers drawn by light tractors =
or
cars. Approximately fifty meters from this spot stood a British KFOR =
jeep
with four fully armed soldiers. These did not react to the tractors and
trailers that had trouble passing them on their way up, empty, or down,
full of loot. The ERRC is unaware of any pronouncements by KFOR =
authorities
to the effect that looting is banned.

The ERRC presented lists of neighbourhoods and streets in Prizren and
Djakovica inhabited by significant numbers of Roma and/or Egyptians and
therefore in need of special protection, to a senior officer of the KFOR
military police in Prizren, Lieutenant Grotzow. Lieutenant Grotzow =
stated
that he was aware of the situation of Roma, but that he did not have =
enough
men; he expected a reinforcement, but even that would not be enough.

Other KFOR officers told the ERRC unofficially that there had been over =
250
killings in the German sector alone since the entry of KFOR into Kosovo.
They additionally stated that on any given day, 30-150 persons were
detained in the military police prison for the crimes of murder, =
homicide
and rape. There is reportedly a "mobile court" established to try =
persons
detained and charged by the KFOR military police, but no KFOR official =
with
whom ERRC spoke was willing to comment on what sentences, if any, had =
been
handed down by the court.

Flight and Internal Displacement

Many Roma have fled Kosovo in recent days. Some of these have left =
Kosovo;
others are internally displaced. The international press has reported =
large
numbers of Roma fleeing Kosovo abroad, most notably the arrival of
approximately 700 Roma, most of them from Pec, in the Italian Adriatic =
port
town of Bari on July 6. Roma in Prizren told the ERRC that there are no
longer Romani communities in the towns of Pec, Gnjilane and Urosevac. =
Roma
were reportedly fleeing to Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. It was =
later
reported to the ERRC that there was at least one Rom left in Urosevac as =
of
July 6, and the ERRC has reason to believe that some Roma may still be
present in all three towns. Roma were fleeing into Prizren from =
Djakovica
and the villages around Prizren, since it was the only town in the =
German
and Italian areas which appears to have even a semblance of effective =
KFOR
military police presence. Roma in Prizren have fled the Dusanova =
settlement
for other parts of the city, however, since KFOR is evidently incapable =
of
protecting Roma in Dusanova. No Romani community which the ERRC visited =
had
more than half of its pre-war inhabitants. As of the evening of July 6, =
the
Roma from the settlement of Berkoc-- approximately 200 Roma-- were
reportedly sleeping in the open near a bridge over the Brekovac river,
several kilometres from Djakovica, and were under KFOR protection. At =
least
three persons from the Berkoc settlement had fled to Prizren as of the
evening of July 6. A large number of displaced persons from other parts =
of
Kosovo were, as of June 30, reportedly concentrated in Leposavic, a =
village
in northern Kosovo, near the Serbian border. There were reportedly =
around
2500 displaced persons there, roughly half of them Roma.

ERRC presented a list of areas populated by Roma in the towns of Prizren
and Djakovica and therefore in need of special security measures to =
United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Protection Officer =
Dietrun
Gunther on July 4, 1999. She stated that she was aware of the situation =
of
"minorities", but at the moment was preoccupied with UNHCR returns of
ethnic Albanians from Macedonia and Albania and "spontaneous returns" --
persons returning to Kosovo outside the framework of UNHCR-organized
returns -- of ethnic Albanians from those countries in large numbers. Ms
Gunther additionally stated that she would begin looking into the =
situation
of Roma on July 6 or July 7, following which she would make =
recommendations
to her superiors in Geneva. The international press reported that Ms =
Sadako
Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, had on July 7,
during a visit to Pristina, stated: "I think the protection of the Roma,
the Gypsies, is probably the most difficult and serious problem. The =
first
priority is to protect them where they are. But when we fail in that and
want to take them out of the country, we have to make sure that the
receiving country has at least some capacity of readiness to help. This =
has
not proven the case in some situations."

Forced Return of Roma to Kosovo by Yugoslav Authorities; Refusal of
Yugoslav Authorities to Allow Romani Refugees from Kosovo to Enter =
Serbia

The ERRC documented cases of the forced return by Serbian authorities of
Roma fleeing Kosovo into the Yugoslav interior. As they are fleeing a =
place
where they have reasonable cause to fear for their lives, such returns
amount to refoulement, a grave violation of international law. In other
instances, Yugoslav authorities have barred entry to Roma attempting to
flee to the Yugoslav interior, leaving them stranded on either side of =
the
Serbian border with Kosovo.

Mrs O.V. (41), interviewed by the ERRC on July 2 in the improvised =
refugee
camp for Roma in Kosovo Polje, told the ERRC that on or around June 22
Yugoslav authorities forcibly returned her and her family of eight to
Kosovo from Serbia. The family had taken three days to move from their
native village of Crkvena Vodica to Nis. At first they went on foot or
traveled in horse-drawn wagons the 110 kilometers distance to Prokuplje =
in
Serbia; there they took a bus to Nis, 25 kilometers further on. They =
were
part of a convoy of seven buses of Serbs and Roma fleeing Kosovo. In =
Nis,
upon arrival, they were met by local authorities who ordered that the =
buses
return to Kosovo. They were then driven to the village of Kosovo Polje,
just outside of Pristina. The incident was reported in the British daily
The Guardian on June 23. They remained displaced in Kosovo Polje at the
time the ERRC interviewed them.

Other Roma reported that Serbian authorities have prevented them from
entering Serbia. Mr A.U. (25) told the ERRC that on July 1, the same day =
he
was interviewed by the ERRC in Kosovo Polje, authorities had expelled =
him
and his family of thirteen from the village of Lesak in northern Kosovo
about 85 kilometers northwest of Pristina, from where they had wanted to
proceed to Serbia. He stated that about 1000 people were assembled at
Lesak, trying to go further on, but were, at the time he was expelled =
from
Lesak, being prevented by Serbian authorities. In Bujanovac, a village =
in
Serbia on the border with Kosovo about 80 kilometers southeast of =
Pristina,
Serbian authorities are reportedly refusing to allow around 3500 Roma
refugees from Kosovo from proceeding further into Serbia.

Conclusions

Roma in Kosovo are in immediate physical danger of attack and pogrom by
ethnic Albanians. Abuses of Roma in Kosovo are presently occurring at an
alarming rate. The abuses detailed above have taken place and continue =
to
take place in the context of an effective international protectorate =
over
Kosovo and therefore cannot be regarded as the unfortunate events of
wartime; they are the failure of legitimate authorities to protect =
against
abuses and to provide remedy when they occur. Measures by KFOR to =
provide
for the protection of Roma have to date proved inadequate, as have =
measures
by the international community to apply available mechanisms of
international protection. Indeed, Yugoslav authorities have returned
fleeing Roma to the region. Almost all of the Roma with whom the ERRC =
spoke
stated that they wish to leave Kosovo as soon as possible because they =
fear
for their safety. The ERRC therefore calls upon the international =
community
to act swiftly and effectively and adopt the following recommendations:

Recommendations

The ERRC urges KFOR to provide immediate effective protection of the =
human
rights of all inhabitants of Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity. The
ERRC urges that KFOR pay particular attention to the Romani communities =
in
Kosovo and see to it that individual Roma are provided with adequate
protection where they live or in the places to which they have fled. The
international community must ensure that during the crisis in Kosovo, =
KFOR
is provided with the means and mandate to conduct adequate policing
throughout the region. The ERRC urges the international community to
provide adequate oversight to ensure that KFOR military police are
providing protection to Roma in all KFOR sectors. Allegations of KLA
detention centres, killings, rape, torture and other physical abuse, =
arson,
expulsion, looting, theft and other abuses of the rights of Roma should =
be
swiftly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. Roma wishing =
to
leave Kosovo should be protected on their way through Kosovo. They =
should
also be assisted in finding a safe haven outside Yugoslavia. Roma
currently outside Kosovo should not be pressured to return to their =
homes
in Kosovo by any authority, since the security situation is hazardous.

* * * * * *

The European Roma Rights Center is an international public interest law
organisation which monitors the situation of Roma in Europe and provides
legal defence in cases of human rights abuse. ERRC reports and other
information concerning the organisation's activities are available on
Internet at errc.org

Notes

1. "Egyptians" in Kosovo are a group of people who call themselves so; =
by
most people outside of that group they are usually referred to as
"Gypsies". Especially members of the ethnic Albanian majority, who tend =
to
accuse "Gypsies" in general of various crimes, do not differentiate
between them and the "Egyptians".
2. The identity of the sources and victims mentioned is known to the =
ERRC.
They are withheld here for their protection.
3. See Article 33, the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of =
Refugees:
"Prohibition of expulsion or return (refoulement)". SFRY to which the =
FRY
is the legal heir signed the convention in 1951 and ratified it in 1959. =

4. It has been suggested that some war criminals might still be hiding
among the innocent. That suggestion, highly improbable at this late =
stage,
is balanced by the well-founded contention that nobody accused by the
Kosovo Albanians has at present the chance of a fair trial in Kosovo. As =
to
the dangers of improvised camps outside of Kosovo, such dangers are
negligible in comparison to the dangers of the existing improvised camps =
in
Kosovo, coupled with the current probability of pogroms.

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article will be published on 19/7 in "Central Europe Review"
(http://www.ce-review.org )

Visit my site for other articles:
http://economics.cjb.net

The Phlegm and the Anima
An Impressionistic Canvass
By: Dr. Sam Vaknin

DISCLAIMER
The views presented in this article represent only the personal opinions =
and
judgements of the author

THE CALAMITY

It often rains in Skopje nowadays. Sudden, thunderous outpourings of
acidulous and gluey fluid. People say it is the pollution from 12,000 =
tonnes
of bombs dropped 20 km from here.
The unions warn of a hot autumn. The omens are ominous.
It looks like an economic crash rather than a soft landing. Tony Blair =
was
here a while ago. He photo opportunities with photogenic refugees and
promised the soft spoken and dreamy eyed Prime Minister of Macedonia 20
million British Pounds. The moneynever came. Blair's promise went the =
way of
thousands of other promises made by the good and the mighty throughout =
the
history of this melancholy part of the globe. Emir Kusturice compared =
the
Balkans to an island, drifting listlessly, receding wedding music in the
background.
It is heart rending and often provokes in me a tsunamic pity, an =
earthquake
of goodwill. The locals are adept at using this resonance, at taking
advantageof foreigners vulnerable to their music, to their costumes, to
their rustic shrewdness. In 1963, upon the occasion of a particularly
malicious earthquake which levelled Skopje - they rebuilt it from =
generous
foreign donations.
The message sank in: foreigners love disasters, natural and manmade.
Foreigners are willing to shell hard currency for this indulgence. The
harder the catastrophe - the harder the currency.
Thus, calamities became an export industry, a major earner of foreign
exchange, the opportunity of a
lifetime for a few in exchange for the misery of the many.

THE AFTERMATH

Music drifts in with the fragrances of decaying blossoms and with =
corpulent
mosquitoes. The fragmented echoes of animated discussions. People here =
talk
with their whole bodies.
They lean forward and touch their conversants. When they meet or depart =
they
kiss each other on the
cheeks and hug passionately. It was, therefore strange to see the body
language of the octogenarian
president of Macedonia with his much younger Albanian counterpart. They
stood apart and made diametrically
opposed declarations about the future of Kosovo. Watching the old =
communist
apparatchik Gligorov, I was
reminded or Milosevic when he announced the Serb victory in operation =
Allied
Force. He stood so rigid,
as though about to break and leaned towards the camera, creating an =
eerie
fish lens effect. Balkanians
are not proud people, they are adaptable. But, in an effort to =
compensate
for a deep set inferiority
complex, they react with vanity and narcissism. Co-existence here has =
never
been an easy proposition and the
Americans forced strange bedfellows upon each other. Accustomed to the
imposing ways of superpowers,
the Balkan bowed its head. But it is a contemptuous gesture. Balkanians =
aim
to win through their
surrender. They always harbour hidden agendas. Knowing this, they are =
also
paranoid but, as
distinct from the classic pathology, they do have enemies. The Balkan =
will
wait until America joins Rome and
Turkey. The only commodity it has aplenty is time. So now Gligorov and
Mejdani shake hands but they
both know the long knives are drawn. They both will wait for the =
intruders
to depart, which will them go
on with that traditional pastime of Balkan rulers: slaughtering each =
other.

THE WAR CHESTS

Thaci found himself with plenty of returning refugees, meddlesome
peacekeepers and houses burned to
their basements. He also found himself with very little money. Rugova =
and
Bukoshi, on the other hand,
have access to funds but very few adherents. Rugova's decline did not =
start
in March 1999. It started long
ago when he objected even to peaceful student demonstrations (which the
Serbs found tolerable). It was
then clear that if there ever was any distinction between his pacifism =
and
traitorous, collaborationist
cowardice - it has long vanished. People deserted him in droves and in
Rambouillet, it was Thaci who
headed the Kosovar delegation, not his elder rival.
So now Thaci needs money. One way is to collect taxes, as Rugova did.
Another is to monopolize the business interests of Kosovo. He set =
himself
upon this task no less
ferociously than he did fighting the Serbs. In collaboration with =
Albanian
politicians (government supporters)
and with Macedonian politicians of Albanian descent, he began to take =
over
lucrative trades and economic
activities both in Kosovo and in its neighbours. The Berisha (Albanian
opposition) crowd regard him as an
imminent danger. They believe his aim is to become the President of a
Greater Albania comprising Albania
and Kosovo (though not Macedonia, a new found and perhaps short lived =
ally).
This is a recipe for a
civil war, the second one within two years in Albania. The first one =
erupted
after the life savings of
one third of the population were squandered by a cronyist group of
investment houses in pyramid schemes.

THE SPOILS

The Greeks are grabbing Macedonian property: real estate, banks, =
factories,
a refinery, perhaps the
Macedonian Telecom. They pay outlandishly cheap prices. The Macedonians =
are
on their knees, reduced
by the war to a loosely connected network of bartering businesses. While
plundering, the Greeks do not
refrain from political arm twisting. They vetoed Macedonia's application =
to
become the centre of the
reconstruction of Kosovo and then proceeded to propose Thessalonika
(Saloniki) - a proposal adopted by
the EU. They also refuse to call Macedonia by its constitutional name,
forcing the impossible acronym
FYROM on the international community. The next logical target is Serbia. =
To
the Greek businessmen,
Kosovo is lost due to the brutal treatment of Albanian refugees in =
Greece
and the expressed pro-Serb
sympathies of the Greek main street.
Thus, strange, chimeral alliances emerge. They are likely to prove as
ephemeral as their predecessors, to
melt away in the searing heat of the Balkanian summer. But while they =
last
they give one pause. The
Russians and two NATO members, Greece and Italy, are likely to defy =
America
and enthusiastically
embark upon the lucrative reconstruction of devastated Serbia. Financed =
by
German money through the
inefficient and corrupt money transfer mechanism known as the EU, German
businesses are not likely to
tolerate this Christian Orthodox monopoly. They will join the fray, to
America's increasing dismay and
chagrin. American firms, on the other hand, will probably not be allowed =
to
undo the damage their
government wrought. Left out of the game, America will try to spoil it. =
It
might well succeed, for it
controls the strings of the American purses known as IMF and World Bank.
Americans never hesitate to bully and to blackmail where money is =
involved.
The Russians are preparing to supply Serbia with new military technology =
as
do other rogue states.
Greece is secretly negotiating with Iran. Serb leaders visit Iraq. =
Russians
are meeting North Koreans. So
do the Chinese. Russian aircraft breach NATO's airspace. The Europeans =
are
hastily forming their own
defence alliance and finally appointed Mr. PESC, the long awaited EU =
foreign
policy supremo. The
ramblings of a new cold war (the world against the USA) are clearly =
audible
to the attentive ear. In the
margins more minor players such as Israel position themselves to counter
what they regard as dangerous
liaisons between Pakistani, Afghani and Albanian Islamic fundamentalist,
terrorist cum drug concerns
(sometimes in the guise of aid organizations). Bin Laden is in the area.
Every secret service, every crime organization, every terrorist group, =
every
liberation movement, every
weapons dealer, every drug pusher are here, eager not to miss the =
unfolding
action.
These wrangles will surely depress investors appetites. They will not
increase the pledges in bow tied
donor conferences either. Good money (investments and international aid)
rarely follows bad one (crime
and weapons trading, for example).
The Balkan countries stand to get a small fraction of the magnificent =
and
magnanimous and generous
promises made to them in the heat of the battle. The Balkan will be
forgotten because it refuses to
reform, because it is obstreperous. The number of officials visiting =
will
decline. The journalists will beat a
path to other blazes. The local politicians, pampered by the likes of
Clinton and the CNN will revert
unwillingly to their petty squabbles and ragged local papers. In a few
months, it is will all seem like a
mirage. It will all sink into the fertile soil of this luscious region,
fertilized by countless bodies and bloody
rivulets. The great togetherness will evaporate leaving behind the =
putrid
fumes of re-emerging,
centuries-old, grudges and suspicions. The people will complain. The =
leaders
will thieve and collaborate
with organized crime. The criminals will prosper. The farmers will toil
their land and intellectuals will
conspire. It is the Balkans where nothing changes.
And nothing ever will.

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ARMENIA: Future of church in question=20
By Jeanne Whalen in Yerevan, FT

Bishops in black hoods and metropolitans in brilliant vestments gathered =
in a 4th century church outside Yerevan, the Armenian capital, yesterday =
to pay their respects to Karekin I, the late patriarch of one of the =
world's oldest Christian sects, who died on Monday.

The funeral brought spiritual leaders from around the globe to the =
gardens and cathedral of Etchmiadzin, holy see of the Armenian Apostolic =
Church, where they wondered privately who would be chosen to head the =
church next and in what direction he would take it.

Armenia's church has not been able to escape the east-west rivalry that =
has de-stabilised the Caucasus region for centuries. The church's 40 =
dioceses, only 10 of which are located in Armenia, are divided between =
those who wish to build ties to the west and the Vatican, and those =
aligned with eastern orthodoxy and Russia. Fear of the west is strong =
today in the wake of the Kosovo crisis. Most Armenians sided with Russia =
and Serbia during the conflict and fear the alliance the US is building =
with Turkey and Azerbaijan, both Moslem nations and enemies of Armenia, =
to develop energy resources in the Caspian Sea area.

Attending Karekin's funeral, Ezras Nersissyan, bishop of the Armenian =
church in north-west Russia, insisted the new Catholicos would be chosen =
for his spiritual rather than political qualities.

But other guests said they believed an Armenian-born pastor with strong =
ties to Russia should be chosen to head Armenia's most influential =
institution.

"Everybody knows our own natural ally is Russia," said one Armenian =
journalist, as crowned bishops shook incense over the crowd. "If we are =
not united from the inside we will see new genocide in the region."

The tensions dividing the Armenian church reach back almost to the =
beginnings of Christianity. Armenia became the first nation to convert =
to the new faith in 301 AD but theological differences split orthodox =
Christianity soon afterwards, in 451 AD. On one side stood the Greeks =
(joined later by the Russians), and on the other the Armenian, Syrian, =
Egyptian and Indian Orthodox churches.

More recently, during the cold war, the emigration of large numbers of =
Armenians to the west has added fresh sources of friction. Armenians =
living in Armenia were led by the Catholicos of Etchmiadzin, which was =
controlled by the Soviet regime in Moscow. Many of the diaspora =
Armenians, however, followed the more pro-western Catholicos of Cilicia =
in Lebanon.

The newly independent Armenian government in 1995 tried to unite the =
church by promoting the appointment of Karekin I, former Catholicos of =
Cilicia, to run Etchmiadzin. But some Russians and Armenians saw =
Karekin, born in Syria and educated at Oxford, as an outsider, resenting =
in particular his friendly overtures to the Vatican.
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Kosovo Serbs Cut Ties With UN, KFOR And Albanians=20
02:35 p.m Jul 11, 1999 Eastern=20
By Andrew Gray=20

PRISTINA, Serbia (Reuters) - Kosovo Serb leaders said Sunday they would =
no longer cooperate with international organizations and Albanians in =
the province because of continuing attacks on members of their minority =
community.=20

The leaders said they did not want to take part in a special =
transitional council, planned as the highest body advising the United =
Nations' special representative in Kosovo.=20

The U.N. is charged with running the civilian administration in the =
province, after NATO bombing forced the pullout of all Yugoslav forces =
from Kosovo last month.=20

A U.N. spokesman said its mission in Kosovo had received informal =
notification of the Serbs' decision, which had taken Special =
Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello by surprise.=20

``He had a meeting with them Friday which seemed to have gone quite =
well,'' mission spokesman Kevin Kennedy said.=20

``The U.N. is not going to give up trying to put something together that =
will bring the communities together,'' he added.=20

In a statement, Orthodox Bishop Artemije and Momcilo Trajkovic, leader =
of the Serbian Resistance Movement, condemned violence against Serbs =
committed since the international community moved into Kosovo.=20

The Serb leaders said the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force and the U.N. =
had not been able to stop attacks by ethnic Albanians, including members =
of the Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla force, seeking revenge for Serb =
oppression.=20

``There has been ceaseless and systematic violence against Kosovo Serbs =
inflicted by Albanian terrorists and members of the so-called KLA geared =
at creating an ethnically-clean Kosovo and Metohija while KFOR and the =
U.N. mission are present,'' said the statement, quoted by Serbia's Beta =
news agency.=20

Kennedy said de Mello, a Brazilian who hands over to Bernard Kouchner of =
France later this week, had made every effort to respond to the Serbs' =
concerns.=20

``There's no question that the level of violence is too high,'' Kennedy =
said. But he added that refusing to take part in a body which would =
address security, among other issues, ''doesn't seem to be a recipe for =
trying to improve the situation.''=20

An estimated 100,000 Serbs have fled Kosovo since Yugoslav forces =
withdrew and the ethnic Albanian refugees they pushed out began to =
return.=20

Looting and arson attacks targeting the homes of Serbs and Gypsies -- =
who the Albanians accuse of siding with the Serbs -- have become =
commonplace.=20

Beta said the Kosovo Serb leaders had decided they would not cooperate =
with the international community as long as violence against Kosovo =
Serbs continued and until conditions were established for the return of =
those who have fled the province.=20

They also asked President Clinton to meet a delegation which would =
demand a stop to Kosovo Serbs' suffering.=20

The bishop and Trajkovic, opponents of Yugoslav President Slobodan =
Milosevic, came under heavy fire from the Serb government and state =
media last week for issuing a statement with ethnic Albanian leaders =
condemning violence in Kosovo.=20

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Macedonian Moslems fear for Kosovo mountain kin=20
04:47 a.m. Jul 11, 1999 Eastern=20
By Dina Kyriakidou=20

JELOVJANE, Macedonia, July 11 (Reuters) - Macedonia's Moslems say their =
kin in Kosovo are helplessly trapped between two worlds and suffering =
the consequences.=20

``We are worried about our relatives. Groups of Albanian youths are =
terrorising them and they have little food,'' said Jese Misin, 45, at =
the northwestern Macedonian village of Jelovjane.=20

Believed to have converted to Islam during the centuries of Ottoman rule =
in the Balkans, these Macedonians share religion with the ethnic =
Albanian minority but language and customs with their Slav kin, who are =
Orthodox Christians.=20

Named after the mountainous Gora region that straddles Macedonia and the =
Serb province of Kosovo, the 120,000 Goran are dubbed the ``pearl of the =
nation'' for their devotion to Macedonian tradition and language.=20

This, the Goran say, is the problem.=20

``Nobody can tell me I'm an Albanian, I speak Macedonian and I am =
Macedonian,'' said Alija Fejzolovski, 31, slamming his ID on the table =
of the village coffee shop. ``The Albanians are against the Goran =
because they think they side with the Serbs.''=20

Perched on a cloud-covered peak of the Shar Planina mountain range, the =
village founded by shepherds 500 years ago is seven km (five miles) of =
hairpin turns above Macedonia's largely ethnic Albanian Tetovo region.=20

An asphalt road built last year to link it with civilisation did not =
appear to affect its customs -- women dressed in traditional costumes, =
covered from chin to toe with thick black wool capes, walked three paces =
behind their men.=20

``I have to cover my face and wear this outside but I take it off when =
I'm home,'' one young woman said, opening her heavy coat to reveal =
brightly coloured pantaloons and layers of vests.=20

The Macedonian World Congress has raised the alarm over the fate of the =
40,000 Goran in Kosovo, appealing to Albanians to refrain from abusing =
this unique group and to the world community to rush food and medicine =
there.=20

``(We) ask that a new humanitarian disaster is stopped,'' the Macedonian =
diaspora organisation said in a protest letter.=20

Ethnic Albanians returning to Kosovo to find death and destruction have =
lashed out against Serbs and Gypsies. There was no independent =
confirmation the same was true for the Goran.=20

German KFOR Kosovo peacekeepers in charge of the area said their =
villages were just too remote and had not been reached.=20

Many among Jelovjane's 600 villagers said they had family across the =
mountain in Kosovo -- the border dividing them was drawn just eight =
years ago, when Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia.=20

War-shattered telecommunications prevented direct contact but shepherds =
who made a centuries-old trek over the mountains brought them =
discouraging news.=20

``Shepherds come to sell their cheese here because they are afraid to go =
to the market there. They tell us our families are harassed by =
Albanians, Misin said.=20

Ten of his relatives who took refuge in Jelovjane during the NATO =
bombing of Yugoslavia, returned to their village of Restelica last week =
after hearing their homes were being looted.=20

Some pinned their hopes on the recent arrival of Turkish KFOR troops in =
the Gora town of Dragash.=20

``I am sure that the Goran in Kosovo will feel much better because the =
Turkish army will be protecting them,'' said Abdi Murat, 61, the head =
municipal official.=20

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American soldiers fired on in Kosovo, but no one is hurt=20
By Jim Heintz, Associated Press, 07/11/99 06:45=20
PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (AP) American troops of the Kosovo international =
peacekeeping force were fired on in three separate incidents but no U.S. =
soldiers were hurt, a military spokesman said Sunday.=20

Capt. Martin Downie, a public information officer at Camp Bondsteel in =
Gnjilane spoke of ''a busy night'' for the Americans on Saturday in the =
battered southern Serbian province.=20

In Pristina, peacekeepers spokesman Maj. Jan Joosten said that shots =
also were fired Saturday in the Italian sector at a bus loaded with =
returning ethnic Albanian refugees on the road to Klina in central =
Kosovo. No one was injured and no arrests were made.=20

The shooting incidents bore witness to continuing violence and ethnic =
tensions one month after KFOR, the international peacekeeping force, =
moved into Kosovo under an agreement ridding the province of 40,000 =
Yugoslav military and Serbian police forces.=20

After U.S. military police secured an area around a building near their =
headquarters following an explosion, shots were fired within 30 yards =
from where the Americans were positioned. Several minutes later, a few =
more rounds went off and two grenades exploded.=20

''They (the U.S. troops) were not able to identify who was shooting at =
them, there was a lot of moving around,'' Downie said, adding that the =
information was still preliminary and the incident was under =
investigation.=20

An infantry squad and two Bradley Fighting Vehicles rushed to the area =
to help the military police. ''When they got to the location they found =
one dead male civilian ... (and) one Albanian shot in the leg outside =
that structure,'' he said.=20

After the building was ringed by U.S. troops around 6:20 p.m., five =
people in possession of an array of weapons were detained, Downie said. =
He said he did not know whether they were Serbs or ethnic Albanians.=20

All weapons were to have been handed to peacekeepers several weeks ago =
as part of a demilitarization procedure providing above all for the =
disarming of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army.=20

In a separate incident around that time, also in Gnjilane, a U.S. sniper =
team was fired upon from a vehicle. The team returned fire but it was =
not known if any of the attackers was hurt, Downie said.=20

''Half an hour later, we had (U.S.) snipers fired on again northwest of =
Military Police headquarters, but the snipers did not return fire ... =
and no one was hurt or killed,'' Downie said.=20

Meanwhile more Russian troops were flown to Kosovo to beef up Moscow's =
peacekeeping contingent that is to comprise 3,600 men by the end of the =
month.=20
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OSCE pledges to help rebuild war-torn Kosovo=20
12:27 p.m. Jul 10, 1999 Eastern=20
By Konstantin Trifonov=20

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, July 10 (Reuters) - The Organisation for Security =
and Cooperation in Europe pledged on Saturday to help rebuild democracy =
in war-torn Yugoslavia, saying it had learned important lessons from the =
Kosovo crisis.=20

``We hope to encourage democratic forces in Belgrade and in Yugoslavia. =
We have to identify with whom we can work out a democratic =
transformation, to establish and secure a workable democratic =
structure,'' Helle Degn, president of the OSCE's parliamentary assembly, =
told a news conference.=20

``I think it is very clear to members of the parliamentary assembly that =
we have all learned a lesson from the conflict and crisis in Kosovo,'' =
Degn said, after the body's eighth annual session in the Russian city of =
St Petersburg.=20

Vienna-based OSCE, which groups the United States, Canada and all =
European states except Yugoslavia, which has been suspended, has a =
mandate to safeguard human and minority rights while working to reduce =
tensions and resolve conflicts.=20

Country-representatives agreed on a resolution for Kosovo, which =
includes sending 700 representatives to the southern Serbian province to =
help boost democracy and support the work of aid organisations.=20

But in a reminder of Moscow's fierce opposition of NATO's 11-week =
bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, Russian officials abstained from a =
vote calling for those indicted on war crimes charges to be handed to =
the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague.=20

Gennady Seleznyov, the communist speaker of Russia's lower house of =
parliament, was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying the Russian =
delegation had abstained over the clause. It said countries should =
promptly surrender indicted criminals.=20

Seleznyov also said ``the chief hand behind NATO aggression'' -- NATO =
Secretary-General Javier Solana -- should also be suspected of war =
crimes.=20

NATO's air strike campaign had plunged relations between Russia and the =
West to their lowest ebb since the Cold War.=20

The OSCE said Kosovo would bring the world together and the resolution =
agreed that a maximum number of OSCE member states should be represented =
in the delegation to be sent there.=20

Kosovo is in chaos after a rampage by Serb forces that drove out =
hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanians, 11 weeks of NATO bombing that =
devastated infrastructure, and a mass return of the refugees after =
Yugoslav troops and police withdrew last month.=20

The resolution said major tasks in Kosovo included meeting community =
leaders, political parties and authorities.=20

OSCE representatives would also train a new police service, judicial and =
administrative officials, and prepare and supervise elections.=20

``We are prepared to work to give humanitarian support,'' Degn said. =
``This is very much needed.''=20

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Slovenia and Romania urge enlargement of NATO, EU=20
11:52 a.m. Jul 09, 1999 Eastern=20
LJUBLJANA, July 9 (Reuters) - The prime ministers of Slovenia and =
Romania on Friday urged NATO to enrol new member states in southeast =
Europe as soon as possible to ensure security in the troubled region. =
``I think NATO has now seen that it has to accept Romania, Slovenia and =
Bulgaria as new members as soon as possible,'' Romanian premier Radu =
Vasile told a news conference during a three-day visit. The three =
countries were left out of the first wave of NATO enlargement, which =
took place in March and comprised the Czech Republic, Poland and =
Hungary.=20

All three opened its air space to NATO during the 11-week air campaign =
against Yugoslavia.=20

``There are several justified candidates, among them the Baltic states, =
but there is also a group of states of southeastern Europe,'' said =
Slovenian premier Janez Drnovsek.=20

``It has been proven that this part of Europe is the most important, the =
most sensitive for security of Europe and the world,'' he said.=20

The two leaders also said the European Union should include all EU =
membership candidates in membership negotiations. At present only =
Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Hungary and Cyprus are in =
such talks.=20

But Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta are also =
knocking on the EU door.=20

``It is in the interest of long-term stability in southeastern Europe to =
accelerate enlargement of the EU,'' Drnovsek said
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Thaqi sees decision on Kosovo future in 3-5 years=20
05:20 a.m. Jul 09, 1999 Eastern=20
PARIS, July 9 (Reuters) - Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leader Hashim =
Thaqi said in an interview published on Friday that Serbia's sovereignty =
over the ethnic Albanian province was an open issue to be decided in the =
next three to five years.=20

Thaqi told the Paris daily Liberation that Kosovo's current status as a =
part of Serbia, controlled by the United Nations and NATO's Kosovo Force =
(KFOR), could not last.=20

Kosovo Albanian leaders failed at the Rambouillet peace talks earlier =
this year to get Western states to support a referendum on independence, =
leaving the status of the province unclear after Serbian forces withdrew =
last month.=20

``The United Nations resolution (on Kosovo) is not definitive,'' =
Liberation quoted him as saying. ``Kosovo's status is intermediate and =
there will be an international conference in three to five years to =
decide its future.''=20

Although he did not call for it, Thaqi made clear he still saw a =
referendum on independence as an option.=20

``Every people should express its will,'' he said. ``In any case, living =
together with Serbia is unacceptable for the overwhelming majority of =
the people of Kosovo.=20

``Terrible things have occurred that cannot be forgotten. These =
atrocities robbed Belgrade's domination over Kosovo of all legitimacy.'' =

But Thaqi said he wanted Kosovo Serbs to stay in the province to assure =
a multi-ethnic future for the region.=20

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Albania to Remain Stable after Kosovo Conflict: Premier

Xinhua
09-JUL-99

TIRANA (July 9) XINHUA - Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko said here =
Friday that Albania is destined to be stable after the Kosovo conflict =
and that it is mapping out strategies of development for the coming =
century.=20

Majko made this statement at a general leading committee meeting of =
Albania's ruling Socialist Party.=20

The prime minister mentioned "the steps taken by the Albanian government =
to expand and consolidate its relations with Macedonia" and what he =
called "the positive, mutual and normal influence Tirana is exerting on =
Kosovo."=20

Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani Thursday also stressed during his =
one-day visit to Macedonia that stability is the key to development in =
the whole Balkan region.=20
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A Touch of Nostalgia as Refugee Camp Closes
Aid Workers Dismantle Stenkovic I, Former Haven for 30,000 Kosovo =
Albanians
By Karl Vick
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, July 11, 1999; Page A25=20

BLACE, Macedonia, July 10-Of all the emotions that have swept across the =
muddy plain of the refugee camps here since the first ethnic Albanians =
trudged through the mountain passes in March, the unlikeliest may be the =
hollow feeling that blew in on a chill wind today as the camp known as =
Stenkovic I officially closed.

"Lonely," said Papa Diop, a project manager for Catholic Relief =
Services, the aid agency that ran the camp for the United Nations, back =
when 30,000 people called it home. "We've been here three or four weeks =
and it's still very lonely."

"They started leaving when we arrived," said assistant camp manager =
Oliver Jakuloski, another relative newcomer.

"We didn't take it personally," Diop said, and smiled.

When Stenkovic was steadily swelling with bereft families arriving on =
swollen feet or overcrowded farm wagons, it grew into a signature image =
of the Kosovo crisis. Albania had more refugees, but ethnic Albanians =
were welcome in their homeland.

In Macedonia, a new country balancing a mix of nationalities, the tens =
of thousands of Kosovo refugees were not allowed to disperse. They were =
herded first onto this airfield beside the main road. Police posted =
guards. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees pitched tents. And when =
the plain filled, a second camp was set up a few hundred yards away, a =
camp that crept up the foothills toward the border: Stenkovic II.

But I remained the main event.=20

"It was . . . not theater, but an enormous performance of media," said =
Carmen Reinholz of the German Red Cross, which was boxing up the last of =
its medical gear this morning. Forklifts hoisted strong black boxes =
trimmed in steel. Nurses swept off stretchers beside a set of shelves, =
hand-lettered in red, "Vein Catheter" and "Chest Drainage."=20

"The whole hospital is in there [in the black boxes] for the next =
disaster, somewhere in the world," Reinholz said. But there may never be =
another disaster that gets as much attention as this one.

"It had never happened before," she said. "All forms of celebrity came =
to this camp: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Kofi Annan," the U.N. =
secretary general. Reinholz pointed to a field of heavy gravel 100 yards =
away, the helipad where British Prime Minister Tony Blair set down.

She said, "They would certainly not show up in Sierra Leone," where a =
peace accord was signed this week ending a brutal eight-year war.

The last of the refugees were moved out a week ago, bused either to =
smaller camps in Macedonia or back to Kosovo. Some carried along the =
gray tents to serve as their homes while they rebuild houses shelled or =
burned by the Serbian forces that forced them out.

In their wake, the field that once held a small, teeming city -- divided =
by streets and drainage gutters, the tents numbered like real houses -- =
looked like the National Mall on the morning of July 5.=20

On the near side of a barbed wire fence, a bulldozer stirred up old, =
heavy smells. Beyond it lay a Balkan meadow as it should be in high =
summer: thistles, wildflowers and freshly baled hay. Beyond that were =
the last neat lines of refugee tents.

Stenkovic II, pop. 3,800 and fading fast.

By midweek, the last of the refugees will be gone, said Robert Allen, =
who runs the camp for CARE. Stenkovic II will then be renovated. =
"Upgrade is the word," he said. "Go from a four-star to a five-star." =
Tents will be spread out and space added to ensure the next wave of =
refugees the 4.2 square yards of space per refugee preferred by the U.N. =
refugee agency, rather than the 1.2 square yards the ethnic Albanians =
made do with.

The new arrivals "most likely will be of a different ethnic group than =
the refugees already here," Allen said, putting it diplomatically. =
Gypsies are the U.N. agency's latest problem population, left behind by =
the Serbs who deserted Kosovo and despised by ethnic Albanians who say =
they helped Serbs burn and loot their homes.

"It's the ending of all this," said Skender Krasniqi, an ethnic Albanian =
waiting out the drizzle under a plastic awning. "We have two ways now, =
either go to America or they will make us go back."

To Kosovo, he means. Most of those remaining have been back, seen their =
houses in ashes, and returned. They idle in their tents or mill in =
common areas and talk about the good old days of the Stenkovic camps.

There is real nostalgia for the days when their camp was crowded with =
23,000 people, down the road from a camp with 30,000.

New arrivals showed up every day with news from Kosovo, or with =
relatives feared dead. In the mud streets, the sound of children playing =
was so loud you sometimes had to shout.

"It was good," Krasniqi said. "They took very good care of us."
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July 11, 1999, The New York Times

Kosovo War Over, Gypsies Are Left Amid Vengeful Neighbors

By CARLOTTA GALL

KOSOVO POLJE, Yugoslavia -- Crammed into a schoolhouse, 30 to a room, or =
living in pitched tents in the school grounds, their horses tethered =
nearby, the Gypsies of Kosovo are living in a precarious state. Always =
at the bottom of the social pile in this sectarian society, they have =
now hit their nadir.=20

Nearly 5,000 people have sought shelter in this compound, fleeing the =
vengeance of returning Albanians who accuse them of collaboration with =
the Serbs in the last months of violence and ethnic purges. They are =
frightened and angry and now homeless, many of them burned out of their =
homes, as the Albanians were just three months ago.=20

Black-haired and dark-skinned, the Gypsies -- or Roma, as they are also =
known -- live all over Serbia and Kosovo. As elsewhere in Europe, they =
are the most discriminated against of all ethnic minorities. They live =
in districts are close to slums, or drift with their horses and caravans =
in a seminomadic existence of joblessness and poverty.=20

The Selimi family is now living in a tent in the school grounds. It is =
well constructed -- a blue tarp, with the initials for the United =
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees printed on it, drawn over wooden =
supports cut from saplings. Naked babies scramble on the blanketed =
floor. Bejaze Selimi sits cross-legged, slapping them hard when they get =
too boisterous. She wears a flouncy lacy skirt and skimpy top. Her bare =
arms are tattooed with delicate, dark blue decoration.=20

"They hate us because we voted for Slobodan Milosevic; that's why they =
hate us. And yes, it's true. We all voted for Milosevic," she said, =
cutting through the complaints of the men in her family, who lie or sit =
around, all naked to the waist in the heat. She is direct, and her eyes =
show a sharp intelligence.=20

"We thought in the beginning he was good," she said. "We did not know =
that he would set a trap for us."=20

A 1991 Yugoslav census found between 30,000 and 40,000 Roma living in =
Kosovo. Today there are probably only 6,000 or 7,000, gathered together =
in small refuges for security. Most of them fled to Serbia, but the last =
to leave were turned back by Serbian officials and are now stuck.=20

They say they want to go elsewhere, to the United States, Britain, =
France or Germany, said Paula Ghedini, a project officer for the United =
Nations refugee agency. "Some few cases might be eligible, but no way =
can we resettle them," she said. "It's not going to happen."=20

Yet there is so much bad blood, the Roma are adamant that they can no =
longer live in Kosovo. The Albanians seem to be making their return home =
difficult.=20

The Gypsy quarter of Pristina, Kosovo's capital, presents perhaps the =
worst scene of destruction in the city. An area of steep winding cobbled =
streets and small old plaster houses, much of it is now charred rubble. =
Clothes and belongings are strewn in courtyards and back alleys and the =
pungent smell of burning hangs heavy. The Gypsies have gone.=20

The wanton destruction shocks, but even more shocking is that the houses =
are still smoldering, and every night more fires light up the sky. The =
burning started after NATO troops arrived in Kosovo, and is being done =
by Albanians bent on revenge. On a recent evening, as NATO troops and =
firefighters moved through the area, spotting and wetting down fires, =
another fire broke out every 20 minutes.=20

Albanians -- youths and older men -- appeared out of the darkness, =
slipping through the narrow spaces between houses, shrugging their =
shoulders when asked who was setting the houses alight. "The kids are =
doing it," said one man. "Albanians, men from outside," the youths said. =

The anger Albanians feel against the Gypsies is sharp and nasty. It =
stems mostly from the accusation of collaboration and a sense of =
betrayal, that a people who were also treated badly by the Serbs should =
turn so readily against their neighbors and kick the Albanians when they =
were down.=20

"The Albanians feel much more betrayed by the Roma than by the Serbs, =
who were always against them -- it is much more emotionally charged," =
Ms. Ghedini said. "Gypsies lived predominantly with the Albanians and =
went to Albanian schools, but they always voted with the Serbs."=20

That the Roma collaborated is widely known. They did not hide it, even =
organizing a parade of their own police unit in Pristina during the =
worst purges of Kosovo Albanians.=20

Ibrahim Makolli, of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and =
Freedoms in Pristina, said he ran into a checkpoint, run by Roma, during =
the first weeks of the NATO bombardment. "They aimed their weapons at =
me," he said. "I knew almost all of them, after living 30 years in this =
city."=20

Makolli concedes that many Roma were drafted and maybe even coerced to =
act as they did. Often they were enlisted to do the worst jobs, =
including picking up and burying bodies. He also believes that the Roma =
were manipulated by the Serbian Government over the years specifically =
to stir up ethnic tension in Kosovo.=20

Yet many Kosovo Albanians, like Makolli, find it hard to forgive the =
apparent alacrity with which many Roma looted, burned and wielded =
weapons in the last months. His group has recorded testimony that points =
to the involvement of some Roma in massacres, too.=20

"It is really bad to hate an ethnic race, but this hatred is based =
directly on what they did," Makolli said. "Roma took people from refugee =
columns, they demanded identification papers, they took action in the =
same way that the Serbian forces did."=20

"Every Albanian expected it from the Serbs, but from the Roma, they did =
not expect this," he concluded.=20

Zenel Sopjani, 45, an Albanian cook, stayed in his house in the Gypsy =
quarter throughout the war. He was helped by a Gypsy neighbor, who now =
has had to flee, and he feels bad about that. Yet he says most of his =
Gypsy neighbors acted badly toward him. "When the bombing started their =
attitude changed," he said. "They saw they had power and weapons."=20

The Roma now taking refuge in the school say they did nothing wrong, =
even if others did. They say they guarded houses and goods for Albanian =
neighbors. Most of them are manual workers, but some are educated, =
engineers and traders.=20

They had benefited over the last decade from Milosevic's suppression of =
the Albanians, often picking up the vacant jobs and getting an =
education. Yet always marginalized, the Roma opted for power. "At times =
they have chosen certain options they thought would benefit themselves," =
said Ms. Ghedini. "This time they jumped the wrong way."=20

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=20

------------------------------

End of MAKNWS-L Digest - 9 Jul 1999 to 11 Jul 1999 (#1999-153)
**************************************************************

GS

unread,

Jul 15, 1999, 3:00:00 AM7/15/99

MILS NEWS Skopje, July 14 1999

NO LONG-TERM NATO PRESENCE IN MACEDONIA CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME I don't
believe a long-term agreement for NATO presence in Macedonia would be
signed, although this country is at the very heart of the alliance in terms
of its geo-strategic position and desire for full membership in NATO.
Macedonian Radio reported this statement by General Pierre Giuseppe
Giovanetti, Deputy Commander of the KFOR forces. Giovanetti said long-term
NATO presence in Macedonia is not considered at this time, but cooperation
with the Government on that issue has been good so far. Giovanetti said a
regular KFOR press service was established in Macedonia yesterday. He also
said the activities of NATO troops stationed in Macedonia would mostly focus
on logistic support of KFOR in Kosovo. Of the 10,000 NATO troops now present
in Macedonia, about 5000 troops from 12 countries would remain. Giovanetti
said NATO is conducting extensive discussions with Macedonian authorities
about compensation of damages in this country, such as road damage (it was
calculated that about 750 kilometers of road surface has been damaged),
infrastructure etc. So far, 572 NATO convoys have arrived in Macedonia.
About 300 claims of damages have arrived at NATO, 176 of these have been
reviewed. According to Giovanetti, NATO spends about a million DEM per day
in this country and also contributes to the economy of this country by doing
business with Macedonian companies.

ZASEGA NE STANUVA ZBOR ZA DOLGOROCCNO PRISUSTVO NA NATO VO MAKEDONIJA Ne
vervuam deka kje bide potpissan nekakov dolgoroccen dogoor za prisustvo na
NATO vo Makeodnija, iako zemjava spored geostrategiskoto znaccenje i
zzelbata za polnopravno cclnestvo vo NATO se naogja vo samoto srce na
Alijansata. Ova, kako ssto prenesuva Makedonskoto Radio na vccerasnata pres
konferencija vo Skopje go izjavil generalot Pjer Djuzepe Djovaneti, zamenik
na komandandot na silite na KFOR. Spored Djovanjeti za nekoje dolgoroccno
prissutvo na NATO vo Makedonija zasega ne stanuva zbor, no sorabotkata so
Vladata vo toj pravec dosega e dobra. Informirajkji deka od vccera e
vospostavena redovna pres sluzzba na KFOR vo Makedonija, Dgovaneti potencira
deka aktivnostite na NATO-silite stacionirani vo Makedonija vo idnina kje se
sostojat pred se vo logisticckata podrsska na silite na KFOR na Kosovo.
Pritoa od segassnite okolu 10.000 vojnici na NATO vo Makedonija, kje ostanat
okolu 5.000 vojnici od 12 zemji. Spored Djovaneti, NATO intenzivno vodi
razgovori so makedonskite vlasti za nadomestuvanje na sstetite ssto se
napraveni vo zemjava, kako ssto se defektite na patisstata (presmetano deka
se ossteteni okolu 750 kilometri patrissta), infrastrukturata i sliccno. Vo
Makeodnija dosega pristignale 572 konvoi na NATO. Vo vrska so priccinetite
ssteti dosega do NATO stignale okolu 300 baranja za odssteti, od koi 176 se
razgledani Spored Gjovaneti NATO trossi okolu milion marki dnevno vo
zemjava, a so dogovorite so za sorabotka so makedonskite firmi isto taka se
dava pridones za ekonomijata vo zemjata.

KOSOVO ROMA WILL PROBABLY BE TEMPORARILY ACCOMMODATED IN MACEDONIA

THERE ARE NO WAR CRIMINALS SOUGHT BY THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL IN MACEDONIA

VERDICTS AGAINST THE NINE BOMBERS VOIDED

JOINT MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF MACEDONIA, GREECE AND ALBANIA

MACEDONIAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS IMPROVING

THE IDEA TO RETURN SONJA NIKOLOVSKA TO THE TOP POSITION AT "TAT" IS A
DEMOLITION OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM

LABOR UNIONS WILL PROTEST AGAINST STATE RE-ACQUISITION OF COMPANIES

GOVERNMENT WILL PAY A LOAN INSTALLMENT OWED BY ALMAKO BANK TO EBRD

MILS SUPPLEMENT GOVERNMENT ARRESTING THE OPPOSITION "Start" (weekly) June 09
1999

MILS VESTI Skopje, 14 juli 1999

ROMITE OD KOSOVO NAJVEROJATNO PRIVREMENO KJE SE SMESTAT VO MAKEDONIJA Kon
Makedonija naskoro bi mozzele da se upatat okolu 18.000 Romi od Kosovo,
poradi opasnosta da bide narussena nivnata bezbednost vo pokrainata. Ova,
kako ssto pisuva `Dnevnik' go tvrdat pretstanicite na UNHCR, spored koi
Albancite na Kosovo se povekje atakuvaat na kosovskite Romi obvinuvaji gi
deka za vreme na vojnata sorabotuvale so sprskite sili. Zasega nema toccni
podatoci kolku od kosovskite Romi i Srbi ima vo Makedonija, no tie od
bezbednosni priccini zasega kje ostanat vo Makedonija. UNHCR vo vrska so ova
vccera soopssti deka del od begalcite od Kosovo kje mora da prezimat vo
Makedonija i poradi faktot ssto nivnite domovi na Kosovo se unissteni i nema
uslovi za nivnoto vrakjanje vo pokrainata. Kako ssto e soopssteno UNHCR
denovive otovril i kancelarija vo Mala Reccica kaj Tetovo, od kade kje se
usoglasuvaat aktivnostite okolu vrakjanjeto, no i smestuvanjeto na onie
begalci koi dosega ostanale vo Makedonija, a koi vogolema merka se
stacionirani vo toj region. Vo zemjava inaku momentalno ima nessto nad
30.000 begalci od Kosovo, od koi spored podatocite na makedonskoto
Ministerstvo za vnatressni raboti vo kampovite se naogjaat okolu 9.000 lica,
a vo semejstvata se smesteni nad 20.000 lica. Pritoa prodolzzuva
zaminuvanjeto na Kosovo i toa najpovekje samoinicijativno. Vo isto vreme
golem e brojot na onie koi od Kosovo vleguvaat vo Makedonija, no tie
najccesto doagjaat po svoite semejstva ili pak da nabavat nekoi neophodni
proizvodi koi sega gi nema na Kosovo. So posredstvo na UNHCR, odnosno po pat
na organizirano vrakjanje na Kosovo se vratile okolu 3.500 begalci, a dosega
preku Skopskiot aerodrom vo pokrainata pristignale okolu 2.200 lica. Kako
ssto e najaveno do krajot na mesecov makedonskata Vlada treba da potpisse
dogovor so UNHCR i Megjunarodnata organizacija za migracii so koj kje se
pokrijat trossocite za angazziranje na sluzzbite vo Makedonija okolu
repartijacijata na okolu 90.000 kosovski begalci od zapadnite zemji preku
Skopskiot aerodrom na Kosovo. Spored `Dnevnik' UNHCR i MIOM izvrsile
pritisok vrz makedonskata Vlada da go koregira stavot i preku makedonska
teritorija na Kosovo da bidat vrateni i begalcite ssto vo drugi zemji ne
zaminale preku vozdussniot most od Makedonija.

VO MAKEDONIJA NEMA VOENI ZLOSTORNICI PO KOI TRAGA HASSKIOT TRIBUNAL Srpskiot
general Ratko Mladicc ne pobaral politiccki azil od makedonskite vlasti,
kako ssto se sspekuluira vo nekoi mediumi, izjavi vccera makedonskiot
minister za pravda, Vlado Kambovski, po razgovorite so glavniot obvinitel na
Hasskiot tirbunal, Luis Arbur. Spored Kambovski ne se toccni informaciite
deka Mladicc se naogja vo Makedonija, kako i deka pobaral azil od
makedonskite vlasti pod obrazlozzenie deka negovata zzena e Makedonka.
Kambovski megju drugoto potenciral i deka na teritorijata na Makedonija nema
voeni zlostornici po koi traga Hasskiot tirbunal, no i deka makedonskite
vlasti maksimalno sorabotuvaat so Tribunalot. Isto taka Kambovski ocenil
deka makedonskata policija uspessno gi ccuva granicite i spreccuva sekakov
obid za ilegaqlno vleguanje na makedonska teritorija. Kambovski, spored A-1
Televizijata, istaknal i deka na vccerassnite razgovori so Arbur voopssto ne
stanalo zbor za nekakvo posebno baranje na Tribunalot do makedonskata vlada
za nezavisna istraga na teritorijata na Makedonija. Sepak toj informiral i
deka privremenata kancelarija na Hasskiot tirbunal vo Makedonija kje
funkcionira usste izvesno reme, do vospostavuvanjeto uslovi taa da se
prefrli na Kosovo.

UKINATI PRESUDITE PROTV DEVETMINATA `BOMBASSI' Apelacioniot sud vo Bitola,
odnesuvajkji ja po zzalbata na advokatite na devetminata osudeni za uccestvo
i podgotvuvanje na povekje bombasski napadi vo nekolku makedonski gradovi od
dekemvri 1997 do juli minatta godina, denovive ja ukinal presudata
(povekjegodissni zatvorski kazni) i go vratil predmetot vo Osnovniot sud vo
Kiccevo. Kako obrazlozzenie za vakvata odluka Apelacioniot sud navel deka se
raboti za susstinski povredi na postapkata. Kako ssto potsetuva `Dnevnik i
na februarskoto sudenje vo kiccevskiot sud branitelite na obviniteti iznele
mnogubrojni zzalbi, no nitu edna od niv ne bila uslissena. Bombasskata grupa
inaku besse uapsena vo juli minatata godina koga policijata pritvori
triesetina lica od Skopje, Kumanovo Kiccevo i Struga, obvinuvajkji gi za
bombasskite napadi. Vo megjureme kaj del od ovie lica bea zapleneti golemi
koliccesta oruzzje i municija. Po nekolku meseci brojot na obvinetite se
namali na devet lica, dodeka za osumina se tvrdesse deka se vo begstvo.

DENES ZAEDNICCKA SREDBA NA MINISTRITE ZA NADVORESSNI RABOTI NA MAKEDONIJA,
GRCIJA I ALBANIJA Denes na ostrovot Ajos Ahilios vo Mala Prespa vo grcija na
zaedniccka inicjativa treba da se sretnat ministrite za nadvoressni raboti
na Makedonija, Grcija i na Albanija. Na sredbata se occekuva ministrite da
razmenat mislenja za aktuelnata sostojba vo regionot, megjusevnata
sorabotka, za implementacijata na `Paktot za stabilnost' za Jugoistoccna
Evropa, kako i za mozznosta za identifikacija i promocija na proekti od
zaedniccki interes.

MAKEDONSKO-BUGARSKITE ODNOSI PO NAGORNA LINIJA Makedonskot pretserdatel Kiro
Gligorov, vccera vo Ohrid go primi potpretsedatelot na Republika Bugarija,
Todor Kavaldziev, koj vo Makedonijua prestojuva vo privatna tridnevna
poseta. Kako ssto se naveduva vo oficijalnoto soopsstenie od sredbata, vo
razgoorot bilo izrazeno obostrano zadobolstvo od sorabotkata megju dvete
zemji i dvata naroda. Isto taka zaedniccki bilo konstatirano deka
promoviraiot `Pakt za stabilnost' pretstavuva povolna mozznost za otvoranje
na stabilni razvojni perspektivi za zemjite od regionot i za nivno
vkluccuvanje vo sovremenite evropski integrativni procesi. Makedonija i
Bugarija treba aktivno da sorabotuvaat vo izgotvuvanjeto i ostvaruvanjeto na
zaednicckite regionalni proekti vo ramkite na ovaa programa, besse oceneto
na sredbata. Deka sorabotkata megju Makedonija i Bugarija se odvia po
nagorna linija bilo zakluceno i na sredbata megju pretsedatelot na
makedonskiot Parlament, Savo Klimovski i potpretsedatelot na bugarskiot
Parlament, Ivan Kurtev. I dajcata sogovornici ukazzale na potrebata od
zaemno zalaganje na zemjite od regionot za zaccuuvanje na mirot i
bezbednosta i za poccituvanje na integirtetot i samostojnosta na drzzavite
kako osnova vrz koja treba da se temelat zaednicckite akcii za proekti za
ekonomska i druga sorabotka.

IDEJATA SONJA NIKOLOVSKA DA SE VRATI NA CCELO NA `TAT' URIVANJE NA PRAVNIOT
SISTEM Izjavata na premierot Ljubcco Georgievski deka najdobroto ressenie za
obesstetuvanje na sstedaccite e povtorno na ccelo na `TAT' da zastane
poranesnata duirektorka i sopstveniccka Sonja Nikolovska, ne e nissto drugo
osven urivanje na sudskiot sistem, odnosno negovata negacija zatoa ssto e
proizvolno dadena i pravno neizdrzzana, istaknale vccera spored `Makedonija
Denes' vo Republicckiot sudski sovet na Makedonija. Spored ovoj vesnik
sliccno mislenje imaat i vo Apelacioniot sud vo Skopje, kako i povekje
skopski advokati. Tie imeno ocenuvaat deka so samiot fakt ssto vo momentov
vo aferata `TAT' povtorno kje ima sudenje po ukinuvanjeto na prviccnata
presuda, kako i toa ssto protiv Nikoloska se vodi postapka ne dozvoluva taa
da go zavzeme rakovodnoto mesto - prv ccovek na sstedilnicata. Pokraj
drugite uslovi Nikoloska ne mozze ni da go dobie uverenjeto za
neosuduvanost, so ssto ne mozze da stane potpisnik na zziro smetkata. Isto
taka se ocenuva deka golema preccka e i ssto vo sluccajot `TAT' se vodi
steccajna postapka i so aktivata i pasivata mozze edinstveno da uprauva
steccaen upravnik. Spored pravnicite steccejniot upravnik go imenuva
Steccajnjot sovet i aposlutno e neodrzziva tezata na premierot Georgievski
deka Nikolovska otkato kje se vrati ne cceloto na `TAT' sama kje go odbere
upravnikot.

SINDIKATOT PROTESTIRA PROTIV PODRZZAVUVANJETO NA PRETPRIJATIJATA Aprilskite
izmeni vo Zakonot za transformacija na pretprijatijata so opsstestven
kapital dovedoa do situacija povekje od stotina pretprijatija, namesto da go
prodolzzat sopstveniot odbran naccin na privatizacija, da padnat pod
drzzavna kapa, pissuva `Nova Makedonija'. Taka od vkupno 195 pretprijatija
koi se usste go nemaat zavrsseno procesot na transformacijata duri 114 vekje
delumno ili celosno gi prezela Agencijata za privatizacija, a toa e storeno
kaj onie pretprijatija koi povekje od 30 dena ne gi uplakjale parite za
otkup na zapissanite akcii. Po ova vo zavisnost od toa kolkav del od
vkupniot kapital koj e ostanat da se privatizira zavisi i stepenot na
vlijanieto na Agencijata vo ponatamossnoto transformiranje na
pretprijatijata, a isto taka vo racete vo Agencijata vleguva i ressavanjeto
za nekolkute modeli za krajnoto dovrssuvanje na nivnata priatizacija. Na
podrzzuvuvanjeto na kapitalot najenergiccno se sprotistavuvaat sindikalcite
koi poradi toa povedoa i inicijativa pred Ustavniot sud koi baraat
ukinuvanje na nekoi cclenovi od Zakonot za trgovski drusstva koi go
reguliraat pravniot status na pretprijatijata. Momentalno spored
sindikalcite duri 250.000 rabotnici vo drzzavata ne primaat redovno plati pa
ottamu ne mozzat ni redovno da gi plakjaat akciite. Spored sindikatot so
podrzzuvavuvanjeto na pretprijatijata vo voda pagjaat site dosegassni napori
na vrabotenite za odbiranje na modelot na privatizacijata, a se brise i
pravoto na rabotnicite za steknuvanje na site zapissani akcii, koe pak besse
osnovnot princip za koj besse donesen Zakonot za privatizacija usste 1993
godina.

VLADATA KJE JA PLATI RATATA NA ALMAKO BANKATA KON EBRD Dolgot na `ALMAKO
bankata od 900.000 kon Evropskata banka za obnova i razzvoj, odnosno prvata
dostasana rata od kreditnata linija za mali i sredni pretprijatija kje go
plati makedonskata Vlada, doznava A-1 Televizijata. Kako ssto vekje e
informirano pet makedonski banki megju koi i `ALMAKO' preku koi se
realizirala kreditnata linija na EBRD na treti juni trebale da ja platat
prata rata za godinava vo rednost od 5,9 milioni marki. Bidejkji do rokot za
plakjanje na juniskata rata makedonskite firmi korisnici na kreditite
vratile samo 1,4 milioni marki, ccetiri banki - Stopanska, Makedonska,
Eksport-Import i Izvnozno-kreditna banka za da go soccuvaat rejtingot pred
EBRD od svoi sredsta ja platitel razlikata od okolu 4 milioni marki. ALMAKO
bankata ne samo ssto ne ja platila razlikata od neplatenite krediti kako
ssto toa go napravile drugite ccetiri banki, tuku ne gi platila ni onie
sredstva koi ekje gi napltile od firmite i toa vo vrednost od 228.000 marki.
Vo vrska so neplataneta rata na ALMAKO se raspravalo na minatonedelnata
sednica na Vladata koga bilo konstatirano deka drzzavata kako garant na
kreditot od EBRD e prinudena da go plati dolgot na ALMAKO ccija smetka e
blokirana so odluka na Narodnata banka. Ovaa odluka na Vladata inaku e
bjasneta so faktot deka dokolku ratata na ALMAKO ne se plati vo nekoj
razumen rok EBRD kje moze da ja aktivira garancijata na drzzaata, ssto samo
po sebe kje go vlossi kreditniot rejting na Makedonija. Kako ssto e poznato
eden od kosopstvenicite na ALMAKO e poranessniot minister za stopanstvo,
Zzanko Ccado. Vo javnosta se sspekulirasse deka ostavkata na Cado koja dojde
pred okolu dva- tri meseca usledila odkako ALMAKO zapadnala vo finansiski
tesskotii, ne mozzejkji da gi namiri dolgovite od okolu 12 milioni marki..
Togass navodno bil postignat `pazar' Vladata da namiri del od dolgovite na
ALMAKO, odnosno da vleze kako akcioner vo bankata, a za usstrb na toa
ministerot Ccado da podnese ostavka na svojata funkcija. (kraj) mils vesti
14 juli 99 ----------------------------------------------------------- ----

MILS
Macedonia: ----------------------------------------------------------- ----
Main Office: Mr. Lazar Fotev, director Mr. Ratko Trajkov, editor Mr. Ognen
Zografski, translator Skopje, Macedonia tel/fax: +389 91 223 - 319 bank
acc.: 70810 2-00049-4 Investbanka AD Skopje, s.w.i.f.t. code INSBMK22
ACCOUNT
CORESPONDENTS ----------------------------------------------------------- --
- MILS
International: ----------------------------------------------------------- -

-- Representative Offices: Europe: London tel/fax: + 44 181-760 5037 North

America: Toronto tel/fax: +1 416 - 291 6424 Australia: Adelaide tel/fax: +61
8 -8234 0954 +61 8 -8336 5326

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 13:30:34 +0200 From: Makfax <makfax UNET.COM.MK>
Subject: MAK-NEWS / 14/07/99 (MAKFAX) - 1

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makfaks news agency - skopje tel. ++ (389 91) 11 01 25; fax 11 01 84; modem
11 00 81 mob.tel. 070 226078 Skopje - St. "11 Oktomvri" 36/3 P.O. Box738

e-mail: makfax makfax.unet.com.mk DAIMS / M A K F A X - F R O N T P A G E S
/ 1 /

14.07.99. "UTRINSKI VESNIK" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) - Under introduction
headline "A policy against the summer" this daily reports on opening the
Ohrid Summer Festival, estimating that the opening ceremony was at the
lowest possible level. After 39-year existence of this culture
manifestation, a foreign political delegation was of a higher level than the
Macedonian one, this daily comments, having in mind the presence of high
Bulgarian politician and the absence of Macedonian top official guests. The
front page estimates the authorities as "strict and dangerous", "with no
intention to forgive". Referring to the ruling VMRO-DPMNE as "anti-national
party", this daily comments that this party has practically none influence
on taking the decisions in the country. Under headline "The moderate policy
is making allowances to radicalism", this daily reports on the request
submitted by Arben Xhaferi and DPA on instituting the Vice Presidential
function in this country. This position should be taken up by an ethnic
Albanian. This daily comments that "Kosovo solution had blazed up the
Albanian radicals expectations". Under headline "Tupurkovski is returning in
Saraj" this daily reports that the leader of DA "has been removed from the
front pages into the sport pages". "This happens all the time when
Tupurkovski has to clear himself on the key state and national interests,
this daily reports, adding that in crucial moments, Tupurkovski is
travelling abroad or appoints a session of the Macedonian Olympic Committee
for debating the revitalisation of "Saraj" Sport Centre. /end/

"MAKEDONIJA DENES" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) -Under headline "PDP fraction will
join the government", this daily reports that a group of PDP Parliament
members have been negotiating with the ruling coalition on different
cooperation that the one before. According to Mevljan Tairi, this might not
mean a party transfer, this group is very likely to remain in PDP. Under
headline "It is not an action, it is a fight against the criminal" this
daily transmits the statement released by Interior Minister Pavle Trajanov,
when commenting the "chase after directors" unfolding in Macedonia. "This is
not an action on apprehending the executive directors, these are regular
activities carried out by the Interior Ministry if there is a ground
suspicion on committed criminal act. Under headline "NATO spends DEM 1
million per day in Macedonia" this daily quotes General Guiseppe Govanotti.
As far as Macedonis's request on compensating the damages inflicted to the
roads by Alliances convoys, General Govanotti had estimated is as too high
and had suggested that NATO will repair the damages. Under headline "A
political trick on deceiving Europe" this daily reports on "Bulgarian
formula on ethnic tolerance". Declared inter-ethnic standards are maybe high
for the Turkish ethnic minorities, participating in the ruling coalition,
nevertheless, as far as the other ethnic groups who live in Bulgaria, they
are not even mentioned. /end/

"NOVA MAKEDONIJA"(PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY) - Under headline "Trifun Kostovski -
the VMRO-DPMNE candidate for President!?", this daily reports o the
"oscillations" of the "Cometal" owner regarding the candidacy for President.
His name was first connected with the opposition SDSM, and, according to
unofficial sources, now is has been connected with VMRO-DPMNE. "The discord
between Kostovski and SDSM resulted by the recent financial haggling is the
main cause for this unexpected breakthrough. Under headline "The criminal is
undermining the economic development" this daily transmits the statement of
Interior Minister Pavle Trajanov in respect of "directors' affair". There is
no action on arresting directors, the Interior Ministry act against those
suspected for committing criminal acts. Under headline "The fears over
security were ungrounded" this daily reports on the session held by
Macedonian Security Council. The state leadership had concluded that the
fears regarding the security while the Kosovo war was underway, proved to be
ungrounded. They had been motivated by the opposition, this daily comments,
adding that the Head of Macedonian state had also confirmed the validity of
these estimations. Under headline "NATO is not forgetting Macedonia" this
daily transmits the statement released by General Guiseppe Govanotti during
the press briefing in Skopje. There is no long-standing agreement on the
presence of Alliance soldiers in Macedonia, nevertheless, NATO soldiers
spend DEM 1 million per day. As far as the damaged roads, the alliance is
ready to repair the damages and not to build new roads. /end/

"DNEVNIK" (INDEPENDENT DAILY) - Under headline "The not-making profit
companies will be closed, as many as 20.000 workers will lose their jobs?",
this daily reports that those not-making profit companies which will fail to
provide a strategical partner will go bankrupt. The government can no longer
tolerate the not- making profit companies, Finance Minister Boris Stojmenov
said. Under headline "SDSM had commenced the candidate choosing, DA is
preparing for the Presidential campaign", this daily reports on the
guidelines over candidacy procedure, adopted by SDSM leadership. The
possible SDSM candidates are: Tito Petkovski and the Crvenkovski's
"surprise". Under headline "PDP fraction wants to join DPA" this daily
reports on the alleged announcements of group of PDP Parliament members on
joining DPA. PDP Spokesman said these rumours have been spread by those who
intend to create a discord among PDP membership. Under headline "NATO is not
going to give money, it will repair the roads" this daily transmits the
statement released by General Guiseppe Govanotti at the press briefing in
Skopje. The citizens of Macedonia have submitted 300 claims so far, only 176
had been reviewed so far, and only few had been resolved. /end/

"VECER"(PRO-GOVERNMENT DAILY) - Under headline "Ohrid Summer Festival with a
new audience" this daily reports on opening ceremony of the famous cultural
manifestation in Ohrid. The former patron - President Kiro Gligorov did not
attend the opening ceremony, furthermore, Macedonian political leaders were
also absent, this daily reports, adding that the ceremony was attended by
the full Bulgarian parliamentary delegation. Under headline "Pavle Trajanov:
There will be more criminal charges" this daily quotes Interior Minister
Pavle Trajanov as saying "no Company is fully clean". "I do not see any
spectacular apprehensions", Trajanov said, adding that "there is no action
on arresting Directors". Under headline "The court trial against Sonja
Nikolovska could be suspended!?", this daily raises the question on how the
Sonja Nikolovska's "come back operation" will be carried out. Ohrid Public
Prosecution Office said that they could drop the charges against Sonja
Nikolovska if there are no elements on running a court procedure. /end/

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Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 15:17:48 +0200 From: Makfax <makfax UNET.COM.MK>
Subject: MAK-NEWS / 14/07/99 (MAKFAX) - 2

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makfaks news agency - skopje tel. ++ (389 91) 11 01 25; fax 11 01 84; modem
11 00 81 mob.tel. 070 226078 Skopje - St. "11 Oktomvri" 36/3 P.O. Box738

e-mail: makfax makfax.unet.com.mk DAIMS /diplomatic and international
mission service/ 1

14.07.99. /end/

Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov held talks with the co-ordinator of
Stability Pact over South-eastern Europe Bodo Hombach. The talks took place
today in Macedonian city of Ohrid. President Gligorov had underscored that
Macedonia has great expectations in respect of this project, hoping that it
will help in overcoming the economic turmoil induced by the crisis unfolding
in the region. Macedonia should find its place in Europe. According to the
announcement released by President Gligorov's Cabinet, Gligorov disagreed
with the decision on putting Macedonia in the list of sub-regional group of
countries which have not yet commenced the negotiations with the European
Union. Gligorov had proposed that the Stability Pact projects should be
financed also by the E.U. budget funds and not only by donor conferences.
The Stability Pact Co-ordinator Bodo Hombach had announced that apart from
dealing with reconstruction of Kosovo, the Stability Pact will cover the
entire region in order to enable the increase of its economic dynamics. Bodo
Hombach had estimated that Republic of Macedonia is closest to meeting the
European Standards and its is very important to co-operate with a country
having a high level of democracy and stability. On Tuesday, Bodo Hombach
held talks with Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski. Macedonian
Prime Minister had presented the projects which are to be realised within
the frames of this stability pact. Macedonian government had adopted Tuesday
as many s 36 priority projects. /End/ /end/

Macedonian Parliament is to hold its 23rd session. On the agenda is the
draft law on value added tax (VAT). Based on the government proposal, it
should totals 19 percent, particular exemption will be granted ranging 5
percent. Macedonian Parliament will also debate the draft law on indebting
Macedonia in Taiwanese International Co-operation and Development Fund as
well as the financial situation in Macedonian state television. /End/ /end/

Macedonian Foreign Minister Aleksandar Dimtrov, Greek Foreign Minister
George Papandreou, and Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo are due to meet
today in Greece for talks over current situation in the region as well as
over the issues. The interlocutors will focus on promoting the mutual
co-operation on bilateral and multilateral basis. Macedonian Information
Ministry had announced that this meeting will take place today at Greek
island of Agios Aghillos. Particular attention will be put on implementation
of the Stability Pact over South-eastern Europe as well as on the
possibility on defining and promotion of projects being of mutual interest.
/End/ /end/

The OSCE's High Commissioner for National Minorities Max. Van Der Stoel
today is to commence his three-day visit to Macedonia. Max Van Der Stoel
will be hosted by Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and Foreign
Minister Aleksandar Dimitrov. OSCE High Commissioner will be also holding
talks with the representatives of Macedonian political parties. /End/ /end/

Macedonian government had adopted the proposal on changing the law on
Presidential elections, according to which, the overall period including the
pre-defined date on starting the elections procedure until holding the
elections, should not exceed 90 days, and, it should not be shorter than 70
days. This document stipulates a 15- day deadline on collecting the
signatures on proposing the candidate. Macedonian Information Ministry had
announced that the government had adopted the draft law on free trade zones
and proposed the Parliament to pass this law upon urgent procedure. The
government had also reviewed the information on 36 priority projects which
are to be put forward for realisation within the frames of Stability Pact
implementation. /End/ /end/

The railway to Bulgaria could be constructed within a year, Macedonian
Urbanism and Construction Minister Dusan Kadievski said following the talks
with Bulgarian Vice Premier Evgenij Bakargjiev. Sofia's daily "24 Casa"
quotes Kadievski as saying the construction of the railway will total $120
million. Half of this amount could be obtained by Fare program, whilst, the
rest could be provided by the World Bank loans. Bulgarian Vice Premier
Bakargjiev presumes there is possibility the railway to be under foreign
partners concession. /End/ /end/

The beginning of Kosovar refugee repatriation from the U.S. had been
scheduled for then end of this week, the U.S. Department had announced. The
flights will be carried out on New York - Skopje route. The U.S. Governments
hopes that most of the refugees will accept the offer on free return to
Kosovo. The Kosovar refugees might stay in the U.S. on permanent-basis,
nevertheless, there are signs that they prefer to return into their homes,
similar to those who had been accommodated in Albania and Macedonia, The
State Department Spokesman James Folly said, adding that those who will
return to Kosovo will retain the refugee status in America, meaning that
they could come back to the U.S. should they change their decision. /End/
/end/

The talks over re-defining the relations between Serbia and Montenegro with
Yugoslav Federation are due to commence today in Belgrade. The talks will be
hold in the Federal Parliament building. Montenegrin Socialist Democratic
Party delegation will be holding talks with the leadership of the ruling
Serb Socialist Party. Talks had been scheduled for today and tomorrow with
the representatives of all nine Parliamentary groups in the Federal
Assembly. If any agreement is reached, the next session will take place in
Podgorica. /End/ /end/

Montenegrin President Milo Gjukanovic today is to commence his tour across
Nordic countries. He is due to visit Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
According to the announcements, President Gjukanovic will be holding talks
with the Finnish President Martii Ahtisaari. /end/ /end/

Polish Foreign Minister Bronislav Geremek had requested the Western
countries to provide security guarantees for Montenegro, adding that clashes
could start very easily. "It should be said clearly: Montenegro should be
defended", Geremek said for German newspaper "Frankfurter Rundschau".
Geremek, who was the former OSCE Chairman, had announced that there are over
40.000 Serb soldiers already stationed in the minor Yugoslav Republic versus
15.000 Montenegrin policemen. /end/ /end/

The relations between Montenegro and Serbia are possible on confederation
basis, the President of Montenegrin Constitutional Court Blagota Mitric
said. According to Mitric, as "Montena Fax" transmits, a political ground
for a confederation will be a referendum of the citizens of both states,
whilst, the legal ground will be the decision taken by the highest state
bodies and an inter-state agreement. This agreement will regulate all issues
regarding the confederation order, first of all, the issues on customs-free
regime and permanent abolishing of visas. /End/ /end/

The claims that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic had requested to visit
Greece are with no grounds, the Greek government Spokesman Dimitris Repas
said. As "Makfax' reports, a representative of Greek government had refused
to comment the claim that Milosevic's son - Marko Milosevic had also
requested an entry permission, and Greece had allegedly gave entry permits.
Western media spread the speculations that the family of President Slobodan
Milosevic possess real estates in Greece under other name. /End/ /end/

Serb opposition Democratic Party (DS) had submitted a request to the
Yugoslav Constitutional Court to take a decision on recalling President
Slobodan Milosevic, since "he is not able to fulfil his constitutional
authorisations". "Due to the international isolation, President Milosevic is
no longer capable to represent our country neither in the world, nor in the
Yugoslav territory", Democratic party estimates. Democratic Party, leaded by
Zoran Gjingjic, had also estimated that this is a severe violation of the
constitution and as long as Milosevic is in power, the vital interests of
all Yugoslav nations are endangered. /End/ /end/

The leader of Serb Democratic Party Zoran Gjingjic made an appeal to the
citizens of Jagodina as well as to the citizens of other Serb cities to
"start marching towards Belgrade". Some 3.000 protesters had joined the
anti- Milosevic protests in Jagodina, organise by Serb opposition. Zoran
Gjingjic said "Serbia or Slobodan Milosevic". The leader of Social-Democrats
Vuk Obradovic had condemned the ruling Socialists, adding that the request
for Milosevic's resignation is a democratic right of the citizens. The
leaders of Serb Demo- Christian Party, the Citizens Alliance and other minor
opposition groups had also addressed the protesters. /end/ /end/

Serb Orthodox Church had warned on the frequent atrocities and killings on
the Serbs in Kosovo as well as the taking over the Serb flats in Pristina
and in other cities throughout the province. The Church leadership had
announced that the number of Serb population in Pristina is ten times lower
than before and many threats had been lodged against the Serb priests who
live in Kosovo. Serb citizens are being arrested each day under false
accusations for murders. Serbs are afraid to go out of their houses and they
have been living in their homes closed for over 20 days, spending the last
quantities of food. /End/ /end/

The International Organization "Physicians without Frontiers" had warned on
the problem related with expelling the non-Albanian population from Kosovo
and the problems they have been encountering when seeking for medical help.
"At this moment, over 150.000 Serbs and Romi people have no access to the
Health Care institutions", the head of "Physicians without frontiers" Bernd
Mayer said in Vienna. He underscored that KFOR took over five hospitals in
Kosovo and the same are now under military control because the civil
administration is not able to control the situation. According to Mayer, KLA
works on formation of its own Health Ministry and Health Care Department
which will be available for ethnic Albanians only. /END ALL/

------ _NextPart_000_002D_01BECE0C.139342E0--

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 23:09:09 +0200 From: Slavko Mangovski <mango
MAKEDONSKOSONCE.COM> Subject: MAKEDONSKO SONCE Media Monitor, 14 July 1999

1. RFE/RL 2. MACEDONIA WAITING FOR A MIRACLE 3. ANA 4. FOCUS-Greece,
Albania, Macedonia agree closer ties 5. West wonders where to start in
rebuilding Kosovo 6. Macedonia's Albanians want own vice-president 7.
FACTBOX-Who is suffering from the Kosovo war 8. Kosovo's absent 'president'
frustrates supporters and detractors 9. Serbian Town Bombed by NATO Fears
Effects of Toxic Chemicals 10. U.S. Asking Taiwan to Explain Its Policy
After Uproar 11. Kosovo Damage Seems Less Than Feared

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

U.S., EU UNWILLING TO SUPPORT VOJVODINA AUTONOMY. A senior U.S. official,
speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Washington is "certainly not
keen" to have Defense Secretary William Cohen's recent talks in Budapest
expanded to include the issue of Vojvodina's autonomy, "Nepszabadsag"
reported on 14 July, citing an AP report. "The last thing that the U.S.
needs is yet another attempt at autonomy," he said. The daily also quotes a
European Foreign Ministry official as saying "the Vojvodina issue will be
at the bottom of the list of priorities" in talks aimed at achieving
regional stability. MS TALKS ON FUTURE OF YUGOSLAVIA BEGIN.
Representatives of the Montenegrin government and leading Serbian political
parties began discussions in Belgrade on 14 July that are to focus on
Montenegrin proposals to turn the federation into a loose confederation of
two equal members. Zeljko Sturanovic, who heads the Montenegrin team, told
AP that "we came here to feel the pulse of the Serbian parties." The
previous day, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dragisa Burzan warned his
coalition partners that his Social Democratic Party will leave the cabinet
unless the government reformulates its proposals to the Serbs in what he
called a less ambiguous fashion. Burzan's party favors independence.
Observers suggest that most Serbian parties will be unwilling to recognize
Montenegro as an equal, if only because it has less than one-tenth of
Serbia's population. Montenegrin officials have suggested that they will
call a referendum on independence if Belgrade does not meet their demands.
PM DJUKANOVIC EXCLUDES ARMY FROM CEREMONY. Montenegrin President Milo
Djukanovic did not invite representatives of the Yugoslav army to
ceremonies near Podgorica on 13 July to mark the anniversary of the
Montenegrin uprising against the Italian and German occupation forces in
World War II. The army held its own ceremony one hour prior to
Djukanovic's. AP reported that this was the first time since the end of
World War II that the civilian authorities did not invite the army to
participate in the annual ceremony. PM G-7 FINANCE MINISTERS LAUNCH
BALKAN DONORS' CONFERENCE... The finance ministers of the G-7
countries--together with several representatives from the EU, the World
Bank, the IMF, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development--agreed on 13 July in Brussels to organize
an international donors' conference in the Belgian capital on 28 July. The
EU earlier announced that it will invest $500 million for the
reconstruction of the Balkans. The World Bank pledged an initial
contribution of $60 million, an RFE/RL South Slavic Service correspondent
reported. The conference will take place at the same time as a Sarajevo
summit of governments participating in the Balkan stability pact. FS
...REJECT RECONSTRUCTION AID FOR SERBIA. The participants at the Brussels
meeting agreed that they will not grant any reconstruction and development
aid to Serbia as long as Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and other
indicted war criminals are in power. World Bank Director James Wolfensohn
said Serbia will receive support only once it has a democratic government
that "respects the international norms and standards," an RFE/RL South
Slavic Service correspondent reported from the Belgian capital. Wolfensohn
made clear, however, that Montenegro is eligible for international aid. He
added that experts are examining the details of how to make aid available
to Podgorica. The participants agreed, moreover, that humanitarian aid can
be given to Serbia. Wolfensohn stressed that rebuilding Kosova must not be
funded at the expense of humanitarian and development aid programs in Asia,
Africa, the Caucasus, and elsewhere, AP reported. FS DJINDJIC CALLS FOR
'MARCH ON BELGRADE.' Democratic Party leader Zoran Djindjic said on 13 July
in Jagodina, south of Belgrade, that "in 10 to 15 days, when the first
round of rallies [in various Serbian towns] ends, we will embark on the
biggest march in the history of the world. Some 1,000 people will start out
for Belgrade from each of about 20 cities in Serbia. Each column will be
headed by one opposition leader. We will give Milosevic five days until we
reach Belgrade. We will tell him: Don't wait for us in Belgrade," Reuters
quoted Djindjic as saying. He also told the crowd of some 4,000 people:
"Get your shoes ready! See you on the squares of Belgrade." Police had
tried to disrupt the rally by cutting off mobile phone links and diverting
traffic through the center of town, where the protesters planned to
congregate. Demonstrators responded by blocking traffic, and the rally went
ahead. PM PROTESTS CONTINUE IN LESKOVAC. Zoran Zivkovic, who is a
Democratic Party leader and mayor of Nis, led a march of about 1,000
through Leskovac to the jail where police are holding television
broadcaster Ivan Novkovic (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 8 July 1999). The
good-natured crowd chanted "We're going to jail" and "We're going to visit
our friend in prison," Reuters reported. Police finally stopped the
protesters near the prison. In Vranje, some 300 reservists continued their
demonstrations to demand back pay. General Nebojsa Pavkovic, who commands
troops in southern Serbia, visited the town but did not meet with
representatives of the reservists, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported.
PM UNIONS SEEK MILOSEVIC'S OUSTER. The Association of Free and
Independent Trade Unions issued a statement to all other Serbian unions on
13 July calling on them to join in launching a general strike to force
Milosevic to resign, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported from Belgrade.
The private Beta news agency quoted representatives of farmers' unions as
saying they will begin blocking roads and bridges in Vojvodina next week
and continue their protest until Milosevic stands down. PM DID ARKAN TRY
TO SURRENDER TO BELGIAN POLICE? The VOA on 14 July quoted an NBC television
broadcast as saying that a lawyer for indicted Serbian war criminal Zeljko
Raznatovic "Arkan" contacted Belgian police on 25 June with the message
that his client wanted to turn himself in. Belgian police could not,
however, find Interpol's warrant for Arkan's arrest. Police contacted the
Hague- based war crimes tribunal only to find that top officials there had
already left town for the weekend. The court's 1997 warrant for Arkan's
arrest was issued for Yugoslavia, not for Belgium. Its text is in English,
which is not valid under Belgian law. A court spokesman refused to comment
on the story, adding that the court does not make statements about
"rumors." PM ANNAN OUTLINES PLAN FOR KOSOVA. UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan presented a five-point plan to the Security Council in New York on 13
July. According to his proposal, the world body will soon take over "full
authority" in Kosova and later devolve power to a local civilian
administration, AP reported. He stressed that a crucial moment will come
later this year, when a UN police force is slated to take over police
functions from KFOR. Annan also pointed out the importance of setting up a
new and impartial judiciary. Observers note that a major weakness of the
Bosnian peace settlement was that it left police and judicial functions in
the hands of the three leading nationalist parties. PM DISPUTE OVER
RADIO PRISHTINA. UN spokesman Kevin Kennedy on 12 July said that the UN
will not allow Radio Prishtina to resume full operations unless Serbian
and Albanian journalists there agree to create "a mixed work environment,"
AFP reported. He said that Albanians returning to the station's building
and Serbs already working there failed to agree on a "common platform" for
broadcasting. He added that the station will resume work only after the UN
has established a "media board" following consultations with the OSCE.
Kennedy added that until then, the UN staff will start to prepare "some
very, very limited programming, which should not be confused with bringing
Radio Prishtina back on the air." Kennedy argued that "if we rushed too
quickly to fill this vacuum, we may in fact be creating bigger problems
down the road." Only private radio stations have so far resumed
broadcasting in Prishtina, some of those with international assistance. FS
ROW OVER PREVLAKA AT UN. Vladislav Jovanovic, who heads the Yugoslav
delegation at the UN, presented a letter to the Security Council on 13 July
arguing that Croatia's Prevlaka Peninsula is an integral part of
Montenegro's Kotor Bay area and hence Yugoslav territory. Ivan Simonovic,
who is Croatia's ambassador to the UN, responded that Jovanovic's letter
constitutes an attempt at changing internationally recognized frontiers,
RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported. Prevlaka has been under UN
administration for seven years. Annan recently recommended that the UN
mandate be extended for another six months. At that time, Simonovic called
Annan's proposal "nothing new" and stressed that Prevlaka must return to
Croatian control. PM SLOVENIA TO INTRODUCE SCHENGEN CONTROLS. Foreign
Minister Boris Frlec said in Ljubljana on 13 July that his government will
soon require visas for citizens of countries who currently need such
documents to enter EU- member states. The measure will take effect on 1
January 2000 and will affect citizens of Macedonia, Turkey, Russia,
Romania, and Bulgaria, among others. PM CONSTANTINESCU ACCUSES WEST OF
UNFAIR TREATMENT. President Emil Constantinescu told a 13 July meeting of
the U.S.-Romania Action Committee that the West is treating his country
unfairly, despite Romania's support for NATO during the Kosova crisis.
"Every day an individual from NATO or the EU comes to Bucharest to
congratulate us for the way we acted...but we have neither the security nor
the advantages of NATO countries." The reward for such support, he said, is
that Romania is suffering the consequences of the ongoing embargo on oil
exports to Yugoslavia. In related news, U.S. Defense Secretary William
Cohen, in an interview with the Hungarian daily "Nepszabadsag" on 13 July,
said the process of NATO expansion "will not be accelerated," despite the
help extended to the organization by Romania and Bulgaria during the Kosova
crisis. MS/MSZ FORMER ROMANIAN PRESIDENT WANTS 'NEW DEAL'... Ion Iliescu
told Reuters on 13 July that his country needs a "New Deal," like that
launched by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to overcome the Great
Depression of the 1930s. He pledged to launch a "social market" of the
kind the Germans had in the late 1950s and early 1960s if his Party of
Social Democracy in Romania (PDSR) returns to power. At the same time, he
said he has not yet decided whether to run for another presidential term.
MS ROMANIAN OPPOSITION LEADER WARNS AGAINST HUNGARIAN 'REVISIONISM'...
PDSR first deputy chairman Adrian Nastase on 13 July told journalists in
Cluj that an "explosive situation" might develop in Transylvania in the
fall against the background of the country's "increasing economic,
political, and social vulnerability." Nastase said he has "information" on
the "strategy" planned by "Magyar revisionists" to create such a situation,
but he declined to elaborate, Mediafax reported. MS

SLOVAK AUTHORITIES SUSPECT 'PLOT' BEHIND ROMANY EXODUS TO FINLAND by
Jolyon Naegele Last week, Finland began requiring all visitors from
Slovakia to have visas. The move came in response to the growing number of
Roma asylum seekers from Slovakia who have been arriving in Finland since
March, particularly over the past several weeks. They now number more than
1,100. Slovak President Rudolf Schuster has welcomed the Finnish move. He
said in Prague on 7 July that he has suggested to Czech President Vaclav
Havel "a common conceptual proposal for resolving the Roma question in the
Czech and Slovak Republics". Schuster said that despite a visit by Slovak
Foreign Ministry State Secretary Jan Figel to Helsinki in a bid to stave
off the imposition of visa restrictions on Slovakia, the Finns "did not
wait for days but rather just hours" before deciding to impose visas. He
added that Helsinki made the right decision, noting that "time will confirm
how these Roma were organized, in what manner, and why they were chosen."
On returning to Bratislava, Figel said that the Finnish move is temporary
and that other signatory states to the Schengen Agreement are not
considering requiring Slovak citizens to have visas. He said the exodus
was "organized and had a speculative background". Schuster has also said he
does not believe that the sudden exodus was spontaneous. Similarly, Bela
Bugar, the deputy speaker of the Slovak parliament and head of the ethnic
Hungarians in the ruling coalition, says he suspects "anti-state
activities" are behind the Roma exodus in a bid to harm Slovakia's chances
of being belatedly invited to open membership talks with the EU. Moreover,
he said the exodus is "an example of the total failure" of the Slovak
Intelligence Service (SIS). The deputy chairwoman of former Prime Minister
Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), Olga
Keltosova, said the SIS failed because it was too busy "constructing
accusations against representatives of the previous government." She
remarked that she fully expects the government to claim that "dark forces
of the former coalition and the former secret police leadership are behind
the Roma exodus." The Slovak government's designated official for
resolving the problems of the Roma minority, Vincent Danihel, visited
Slovak Roma asylum seekers in Finland last week. He said their uniform
explanations for why they left bore striking similarities to comments by
two deputies from Meciar's HZDS during a 6 July parliamentary debate on
the Roma exodus. According to Danihel, "it is not possible that this
occurred by chance." The independent Bratislava daily "Sme" quotes the
head of passport control at Helsinki airport, Olli Kunnala, as saying many
of the recent arrivals had previously unused passports issued six months
ago with very similar identification numbers. He says the last batch of
Slovak Roma to arrive was a group of 63 asylum seekers who flew in from
Budapest on 6 July, seven hours before the visa requirement took effect.
Deputy Prime Minister for Minorities Pal Csaky also suspects a plot. He
noted that the cabinet last week discussed materials provided by the
Interior Ministry concerning specific individuals and two Kosice travel
agencies that helped arrange the departure of the Roma. He rejected the
possibility of an economic motive for the Roma's decision to go to Finland.
After the first meeting in Bratislava of the Coordination Committee for
Resolving the Departure of Roma Abroad, Csaky announced last week that a
group of Slovak civil servants will travel to Finland to meet with the
asylum seekers. The deputy premier said the Slovak government is willing to
provide them with new passports and charter flights home. Csaky added that
the Interior Ministry is investigating the Roma Intelligentsia for Common
Identity group, which appears to be behind the exodus and has defended it
publicly. He accuses the group's chairman, Alexander Patkolo, of deceiving
the news media and the public. Patkolo told reporters last week that Roma
are leaving Slovakia owing to what he alleged is the country's poor
economic and political situation, which, he argued, does not offer equal
opportunities to all its citizens. He accused the government of Prime
Minister Mikulas Dzurinda of failing to resolve the build-up of problems
involving the Roma community. Csaky denies Patkolo's claims, saying that
never has so much attention been devoted to the Roma question as over the
last eight months. "I approached Roma leaders, held round-table meetings,"
he said. "We are implementing a pilot program in the Spis region, we have
put into effect a project costing 1.8 million euros." This is by no means
the first outflow of Slovak Roma in the post-communist era. Two years ago,
more than 1,000 Slovak and Czech Roma applied for asylum in Canada before
that country reimposed visas. In the fall of 1997, Slovak and Czech Roma
began applying for asylum in Great Britain, which responded by imposing
visas for Slovak citizens. In March of last year, members of the Czech
Roma Civic Initiative from Ostrava requested collective asylum in the U.S.
for all Czech Roma. The U.S. State Department turned down their request.
In the nearly 10 years since the collapse of Communist rule, numerous Roma
organizations have sprouted at the local and national level. But Roma have
become the frequent targets of wanton acts of violence and even murder,
largely by skinheads. Observers of the Czech Republic and Slovakia often
argue that many Czechs and Slovaks are racist in their attitude toward
Roma, convinced that virtually all members of the Roma community are
criminally inclined and mentally impaired.

** MACEDONIA WAITING FOR A MIRACLE

AIM Skopje, July 2, 1999

As of late, at all their meetings with representatives of the international
community the Macedonian officials point out the fact that this country was
hit by the Kosovo crisis almost equally as Kosovo itself. Understandably,
the losses are indirect, but at least according to the same sources they
amount to several hundred million USD. According to the local media, the
Kosovo conflicts are second in a row as a result of which Macedonia suffered
damages through no fault of hers.

The country was first brought on the verge of economic collapse in
1992-1995 period, at the time when the international community imposed
economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. At the same
time, Athens introduced economic blockade of the Southern border in an
attempt to resolve the dispute with Skoplje regarding its name - Macedonia.
What is worse, the Greek Government did everything to prevent this Northern
independent state, whose name it disputed, from joining European and
North-Atlantic integrations. Consequently, Macedonia was the last state to
start the negotiating process with the European Union only after assisted by
diplomatic efforts of Richard Holbrooke, it signed the so called "Interim
Agreement" with Athens in October 1995. The "Case Athens" was Holbrooke's
first major diplomatic score which was later overshadowed by his role in the
Dayton negotiations on Bosnia.

In the years that followed the-then authorities, headed by the
Social-Democratic Alliance, made efforts to bring the country closer to
Europe, but the lack of confidence of foreign investors in the Macedonian
economy was of decisive importance. Reasons for this were many: unstable
environment, undeveloped legal regulations, sluggish administration,
insufficiently developed infrastructure. Foreign partners brought all this
to the attention of Macedonian representatives.

At the beginning of the Kosovo crisis the Macedonian debt to foreign
creditors amounted to USD 1.2 billion which placed Macedonia among the
medium-developed countries with very good prospects of joining the group of
most indebted countries on the planet. Then followed a hurricane of almost
300 thousand Kosovo exiles and refugees who found shelter in Macedonia, a
country which was geographically closest to them and where they had numerous
relatives. With the start of NATO air strikes its national economy highly
dependent on the Yugoslav market found itself in a hopeless situation.

At that time experts of the Chamber of Commerce estimated that the losses
country had suffered would amount to USD 1.6 billion by the end of the year.
International emissaries who in large numbers visited Skoplje and refugee
camps during the conflict announced generous assistance for the entire
region once the crisis was over. The Prime Minister Georgievski and his
Ministers welcomed with much optimism the Stability Pact which the German
Foreign Minister Joska Fisher as Chairman of the European Union and his
country promoted in Skoplje and other regional capitals. That was the first
international project whose author, address and contents were known: the
reconstruction of the entire region without which there could be no
stability on the continent, as it was claimed.

And the losses grew from day to day. The return of refugees was organized,
the war was over for all as well as for the Macedonian businessmen and
Government. It was time to turn to future. The awakening from a nightmare
called the "Kosovo crisis" was very painful as it turned out that the losses
that the country had suffered were much greater than Macedonians had hoped.
The NATO convoys thundered through Macedonia on their way to Kosovo, the
country allocated USD 510 million from its budget for refugees, some 35
thousand workers were out of work for shorter or longer term...

According to the latest data as much as 80 percent of enterprises in the
neighbouring Yugoslavia suffered direct damages in the amount of DM 130.8
million. It is now estimated that the losses will reach DM 1.9 billion by
the end of the year. Exports have decreased by 80 percent. Analyses confirm
that the value of Macedonian goods ready for or awaiting export in
Yugoslavia amounts to DM 128.7 million while additional transportation costs
will reach another DM 59 million as detours will have to be used.
Enterprises in the field of metallurgy and electrical industry, textile and
leather industry, as well as chemical, food and other industrial sectors are
hit the hardest. Transportation losses in the course of the last three
months are estimated at USD 30 million.

Air-traffic has recorded losses in the amount of DM 2.5 million due to
cancelled flights for which two Macedonian airports demanded compensation. A
particular obstacle was the closing of air space as a result of which the
flight control services lost USD 600 thousand a month. For the use of
Skoplje airport runways alone the state has billed NATO and international
organisations for over DM 1 million. Two air companies have suffered
considerable losses as each commercial flight was by 1,5 hours longer and
the rates remained unchanged except for the costs of war insurance.
Refugee-related health costs reached the average amount of DM 4 million a
month in the previous quarter so that the final balance now totals DM 11
million. This widened even further the gap which has characterized the low
health budget for years. The European Union and international financial
organisations asked the Government to draw up a list of all the damages the
country has suffered in the last quarter. Eager officials have already
prepared such an "inventory" together with extensive supporting
documentation. All this was forwarded to the EU. Now the only thing to do is
to get as much as possible primarily by diplomatic means. Recommendations
of European officials that countries of the region will be compensated for
their damages through the Stability Pact or at Donors Conferences sound
discouraging. Both solutions are acceptable for Macedonia as a long-term
solution. But, the money is needed right now!

At the Donor Conference held in Paris on May 5, Macedonia managed to squeeze
out USD 252 million. The World Bank, the European Commission and a
high-level Macedonian delegation assessed that the Paris Conference was a
success. Funds will be allocated for covering the negative effects the
Kosovo crisis had on Macedonia. Originally the Macedonian delegation had
requested USD 450 million from 24 representatives of the most developed
countries of the world. This means that only 56 percent of the required
amount was approved. Only some 10 percent of the donated sum has reached
Skoplje till now, and there are indications that donors are in no hurry.
This is why such donor conferences should not be counted on. On the other
hand, the implementation of the Stability Pact will probably not start until
autumn.

The Government placed high hopes on the possibility that the capital of
Macedonia could become the host of the International Agency for the
Reconstruction of Kosovo or the Regional Centre for the Reconstruction of
South-Eastern Europe. However, in both instances the international community
decided differently: the Centre for Kosovo Reconstruction was located in
Pristina (which even the Macedonian officials found logical); and
Thessaloniki was chosen as the Center for the Reconstruction of the Region.
Now Macedonia's last chance is to hope that the Secretariat of the Stability
Pact might be located in Skoplje. In all three instances the Macedonian
capital had its advantages: geographical proximity and communication links
with all parts of the region to be reconstructed, skilled professional
personnel for administrative and technical tasks, logistics, etc. Still, its
trump card was the conviction that of all European Union and NATO partners
Macedonia gave the most - showed greatest cooperativeness in the
implementation of operations in FR Yugoslavia. In other words, that it
should be rewarded for such a contribution.

Representatives of the European Union as the main architects of the
reconstruction of Kosovo in the first place, are now calculating the costs
of the overall reconstruction. Macedonia and other countries affected by the
crisis are postponed for some future date, probably in a year or so, which
is still rather questionable. Government Ministers are trying to save what
can be saved reminding various international institutions that hospitality
has to be paid for; the first victim of Government's belated zeal is NATO
whom the Government is threatening to charge for the use of barracks,
road-toll for the transport of numerous convoys with manpower and materiel
for the Kosovo operation. However, experts have calculated that this will be
of little use and that it could easily disgrace Macedonia as NATO only
observed the Agreement it had signed with Macedonia; it's quite another
matter why didn't the hosts think what they were signing!

What is Macedonia actually expecting from the renewal of the region? In the
first place, the reconstruction of infrastructure - road network. Government
planners are particularly interested in the development of the so called
"Corridor 8" which should link the Adriatic Sea and Black Sea in a
foreseeable future, naturally over the Macedonian territory. Namely,
international sanctions in the first half of the decade and the Kosovo
crisis this spring have shown that apart from the traditional North-South
transversal the country should secure an alternative East-West route.
Government officials have been trying for years to convince international
financial institutions in the justifiability of such an investment, but all
they got was initial enthusiasm. It is clear that the reconstruction should
also bring modernization of routes which lead from the Yugoslav border
towards Greece and only if there is enough money, which is highly unlikely.
These are mostly visions. And specifically, the country would like to employ
its army of unemployed manpower, find a market for its produce, engage
building industry, sell its food surpluses. In case it fails, trade unions
and numerous economists warn of a possible social explosion which will be
impossible to avoid. Either this or the next autumn.

AIM Skopje

#ZELJKO BAJIC

ANA

[03] Greek, Albanian and FYROM FMs to meet today Athens, 14/07/1999 (ANA)
Foreign Minister George Papandreou will leave for the Prespes lake
district today to confer with his counterparts from Albania and the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Paskal Milo and Aleksander
Dimitrov, respectively, within the framework of a relevant initiative by
Athens. Talks between the three ministers will focus on issues of mutual
interest as well as developments in the Balkans.

According to reports, the Greek side wants these tripartite meetings to
take place every six months

FOCUS-Greece, Albania, Macedonia agree closer ties 10:27 a.m. Jul 14, 1999
Eastern By Dina Kyriakidou

LAKE PRESPA, Greece, July 14 (Reuters) - Greece, Albania and Macedonia
agreed on Wednesday to forge closer political and economic cooperation
following the Kosovo crisis.

``We left behind a difficult era. A new era of cooperation, understanding
and common vision begins,'' Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou told
reporters after talks with his Albanian and Macedonian counterparts.

The meeting on a tiny island in Lake Prespa, which borders all three
countries, was the first in what the ministers agreed would be
twice-yearly talks.

``We will also propose to our prime ministers that every year there should
be a summit,'' Papandreou said.

Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said the three had decided to
promote energy, road and rail projects in the Balkans at an international
meeting in Sarajevo to discuss Balkan reconstruction after the Kosovo
crisis.

``We want the Stability Pact to support the two countries most affected by
the crisis, Albania and Macedonia,'' Milo told a news conference in front
of the ruins of a 10th-century basilica on the picturesque islet of St.
Achillius.

Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo ethnic Albanians sought refuge in
Macedonia and Albania during the 11 weeks of NATO air raids on Yugoslavia,
further damaging their impoverished economies.

Greece, the only NATO and European Union member of the group, said it
would support their European orientation and seek EU funds for
telecommunications, transport and energy projects in the region.

``Reconstruction should have a Balkan dimension, not just include
Kosovo,'' Papandreou said. ``We believe priority should be given to the
two countries which suffered the most.''

Among the projects discussed were the Dalmatian road expected to link the
western Greek port of Igoumenitsa with the Italian port of Trieste and a
pipeline bringing gas from Algeria through Italy and Albania to Greece.

The ministers also agreed on new power lines, improving the rail network
and building a hydroelectric power plant in northern Albania, they said.

``It would be a great shame in our history if we did not promote this
cooperation,'' Macedonian Foreign Minister Aleksandar Dimitrov told the
news conference.

His country, where unemployment recently reached 40 percent, especially
welcomed the decision to seek funds for small and medium sized businesses,
he added.

Bilateral disputes were not on the table, but the ministers said focusing
on cooperation was bound to affect them positively.

A large Greek minority in southern Albania and hundreds of thousands of
Albanian immigrant workers in Greece have caused tension between the two
neighbours.

Greece also has a long-running dispute with Macedonia, which it believes
harbours expansionist aspirations. The two countries have reached an
interim agreement pending final settlement of the dispute over Macedonia's
name.

Macedonia, with a large ethnic Albanian minority, does not see eye to eye
with Albania on the future of Kosovo, saying that the southern Serbian
province should remain within the borders of Yugoslavia as an autonomous
region.

Despite these differences, the ministers agreed to increase cooperation to
fight illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other crime.

Papandreou also announced creation of a 20-km (12-mile) border zone of
easier access for local residents so that eco-tourism and other regional
projects could be developed.

The next meeting will take place in Macedonia's Lake Ohrid in six months,
he said.

West wonders where to start in rebuilding Kosovo 10:52 a.m. Jul 14, 1999
Eastern By Alan Wheatley, European Economics Correspondent

LONDON, July 14 (Reuters) - Can a country be built more or less from
scratch? Kosovo will answer that question.

Although they have been heartened by evidence that physical destruction
inside Kosovo is less severe than first feared, officials know they face a
daunting task in helping to put the war-blasted province back on its feet.

The World Bank has vast experience, most recently in Bosnia, of reviving
poor countries ravaged by conflict or natural disaster. But Rory
O'Sullivan, the bank's point man for southeast Europe, said Kosovo was
different.

``The problem in Kosovo is that there's nothing there.''

By the end of Bosnia's 1992-95 war among feuding Serbs, Muslims and
Croats, income per capita had fallen 80 percent to less than $500 a year.

But at least Bosnia's administrative structures remained intact and could
be harnessed by the international community for its $5.1 billion five-year
rebuilding plan.

Kosovo, by contrast, has no local administration to speak of, O'Sullivan
said: ``There is no education service, there is no health service. There
is no budget. There is no tax collection.''

Now imagine, he added, the difficulty of setting up a totally new
administration in a country where electric power is sporadic and there's
very little water in the afternoon.

``It's extremely hot. Communications are very very difficult. There are
mines all over the place. When you travel from Skopje to Pristina you
don't know if it's going to take three hours or 1-1/2 hours, so it's
difficult to make appointments,'' he said.

The emphasis on administration rather than reconstruction might seem
misplaced. But Sir Brian Unwin, the head of the European Investment Bank,
said the EIB's experiences in the West Bank and Gaza highlighted the
problems potential lenders faced when there was no viable state.

``You have to have somebody we can lend to,'' Unwin said. ``You have to
have somebody who can raise taxation, who can operate customs and so on.
All that is lacking at the moment in Kosovo.''

Setting up a payments system will also be a priority. Kosovo's has
collapsed.

``So how do you transfer money from point A to point B?'' O'Sullivan
asked. ``You transfer it in cash in a safe. And that safe might be
hijacked and you might lose $50,000 or $100,000 or whatever.''

Even before the destruction wrought during NATO's 11-week war, Kosovo's
socialist economy had fallen into ruin due to neglect from Belgrade and
international sanctions.

Income per capita in 1995 was estimated by the World Bank at $350, lower
than Albania, Europe's poorest country.

Still, Western governments hope that once the international community has
done the heavy lifting, small businesses will flourish and foreign
investors, lured by subsidies and investment guarantees, will step into
the breach.

But even the World Bank admits there are serious doubts about Kosovo's
viability as long as it is sundered from the rest of Yugoslavia, which the
West is isolating in an attempt to force President Slobodan Milosevic from
power.

``The exclusion of Serbia from reconstruction poses a serious threat to
the security of the entire Balkans in the near future and might thus
create a climate that could prevent private direct investment and hamper
economic progress of other countries in that region as well,'' said
Jens-Uwe Waechter of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt.

Leaders from the Group of Seven wealthy nations are due to meet in
Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, on July 30 to underline their commitment to
the Balkans and to Kosovo in particular.

To get a measure of the mountain they have to climb, they need look no
further than one indicator of the pace of rehabilitation in Bosnia.

Some half a million mines were laid in more than 17,000 minefields during
the war. Four years on, the World Bank estimates only five percent of the
mined areas has been cleared.

Macedonia's Albanians want own vice-president 05:46 a.m. Jul 14, 1999
Eastern By Dina Kyriakidou

TETOVO, Macedonia, July 14 (Reuters) - Macedonia's restive ethnic Albanian
minority, praised by the West for its reserve during the Kosovo crisis,
now wants to elect its own vice president in the tiny Balkan country.

``We don't propose autonomy or some kind of division. We propose a vice
president to make sure there is equality,'' Arben Xhaferi, president of
the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), told Reuters.

He said DPA's participation in the coalition government elected last year
had yielded many benefits for the Albanians, who officially total about 22
percent of the country's two-million population but are estimated by
Xhaferi at closer to 30 percent.

``We want equality in employment, administration, culture, education and
institutions,'' Xhaferi said.

The largely ethnic Albanian Tetovo region in northwestern Macedonia has
defied fears that it would explode violently like neighbouring Kosovo.

DPA's presence in the government secured the local government and police
chief positions for ethnic Albanians in Tetovo, a largely ethnic Albanian
region in northwestern Macedonia, but this did not guarantee the rights of
all ethnic Albanians, Xhaferi said.

Creating institutions such as a vice president elected by Albanians would,
he stressed.

Xhaferi said his proposal, which has yet to be made officially, got a cold
reception from some political parties which accused the DPA of trying to
federalise Macedonia.

It was unlikely that parliament would rush through a law to create the
post in time for presidential elections in October because the political
will was not there, he said.

Instead, the DPA will present an ethnic Albanian candidate in the
presidential election along with other Albanian parties.

The West feared for Macedonia's stability during the Kosovo crisis, when
hundreds of thousands of Kosovo refugees poured across its borders
threatening its delicate ethnic balance.

Visiting leaders and Western diplomats urged the DPA to refrain from
raising problems, especially over the treatment of the Albanian refugees
by Macedonian authorities which aid agencies often criticised as harsh.

With most of the refugees now returning home, it appears that ethnic
Albanians are no longer bound to silence.

``You cannot create an ethnic state in a multi-ethnic space, which is the
case of Macedonia,'' Xhaferi said.

The domination of the ethnic majority over the ethnic minority by the
force of numbers alone would no longer be acceptable to ethnic Albanians.

``Our main demand in Macedonia is to have a 'consensual democracy','' he
said. ``We must have a decision-making mechanism that quarantees ethnic
rights...the vice president is part of this.''

FACTBOX-Who is suffering from the Kosovo war 11:12 a.m. Jul 13, 1999
Eastern BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - Following are extracts from a
European Commission summary of the economic effects of the Kosovo crisis
on neighbouring countries.

It was one of several background papers prepared for Tuesday's meeting of
finance ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy nations to map out a
strategy for Balkan reconstruction.

ALBANIA

The influx of 444,000 Kosovo refugees put a ``tremendous strain'' on
Albania. The crisis has posed a real challenge to economic stability and
brought into sharp relief Albania's reliance on external aid, the
Commission said.

Refugee-related spending is estimated at $145 million and tax losses at
$10 million. The current account deficit is expected to double to 12
percent of GDP this year.

The trade impact of the war is not significant, however, as Albania trades
mainly with the EU. It has been given a moratorium on $13 million of
foreign debt payments.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The impact on the Moslem-Croat federation has been limited, but the Serb
entity's very close trade ties with Yugoslavia have been severely
disrupted. This is eroding badly needed customs revenues, leading to a
build-up of government arrears.

Because the Yugoslav dinar is bound to depreciate due to inflationary
pressure in Serbia, the use of Bosnia's convertible mark will become more
attractive in the Republika Srpska.

The rapid growth Bosnia has witnessed since the end of its 1992-95 civil
war will slow. GDP growth will decelerate to 12 percent this year from a
pre-crisis projection of 16 percent.

Unemployment is 30-35 percent and the current account deficit will reach
29 percent of GDP this year. As it relies on aid, not direct investment or
foreign borrowing, to plug this deficit, Bosnia is less vulnerable to the
Kosovo crisis.

``The economic repercussions may, however, put Bosnia and Herzegovina's
newly created and already fragile institutions under strain, causing
governance problems,'' the Commission said. BULGARIA

The closure of the border with Serbia has hit trade hard, raising
transport costs by 30 percent. Tourism has been affected, critical foreign
investment discouraged and a eurobond issue has had to be postponed.

The IMF estimates GDP will fall by 1.5 percentage points and the current
account deficit will rise by 0.6 percentage point, with the 1999 balance
of payments gap rising by $210 million.

``Bulgaria's inability to attract sufficient external financing to cover
this gap would put increased pressures on the budget and jeopardise the
continuation of the reform process.''

On the bright side, Bulgaria should see positive spillover effects from
reconstruction activity in Kosovo.

CROATIA

Tourism is badly affected. About 75 percent of hotel bookings for this
summer are reported to have been cancelled. GDP growth will decline by at
least one percent this year.

Due to increased political risk in the Balkans, privatisation-related
capital inflows could be deterred, thus increasing the risk of a balance
of payments crisis.

If Croatia cannot finance this year's current account deficit of more than
seven percent of GDP, reserves will be run down and the kuna might come
under pressure.

MACEDONIA (FYROM)

Macedonia's economy is the worst affected in the region. The deterioration
in imports and exports due to the Kosovo crisis represents a major threat
to economic stability.

In 1998, trade with Yugoslavia represented 18 percent of exports and 13
percent of imports. Together with transit trade, some 70 percent of
Macedonian exports have been affected.

The crisis will have significant effects on economic growth, employment,
on the budget and external budget, which will deteriorate dramatically in
1999.

One in three of the country's active population is unemployed and coping
with large numbers of refugees is placing an extra burden on the country's
social services and budget.

Large numbers of refugees remain in FYROM despite the fact that most of
the 248,000 ethnic Albanians who took shelter there during the conflict
have returned.

ROMANIA

Kosovo impact smaller than in neighbouring countries.

The IMF estimated that the crisis, if quickly resolved, would knock 0.4
percent off GDP, the current account deficit would rise by 0.5 percentage
point to 7.4 percent of GDP and the balance of payments financing gap by
$176 million, most of which remains unfilled. The budget gap would widen
by only 0.1 percentage point.

While the crisis has hit trade links with the outside world, notably the
Danube river route, Romania could benefit indirectly from larger transit
flows from countries that also previously relied on the river.

Long-term impacts on foreign direct investment will probably be limited,
but the government's hope to have $1.6 billion of an estimated $2.1
billion current account deficit in 1999 filled by FDI and portfolio flows
will have to be reviewed.

Kosovo's absent 'president' frustrates supporters and detractors By Jim
Heintz, Associated Press, 07/14/99 10:22 PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (AP) With the
fighting over for more than a month, hundreds of thousands of Kosovo
refugees have streamed back but the most famous refugee is still far from
home.

Ibrahim Rugova's absence worries his supporters and even some of his
detractors.

Rugova's gaunt face, wild hair and professorial scarf made him an
instantly recognizable figure, the public face of the growing troubles in
a remote part of the world.

Twice elected ''president'' of an unrecognized republic of Kosovo, he
attracted worldwide admiration both for his temerity in standing up to
Belgrade's repression of ethnic Albanians and for his insistence on
nonviolence as the only way to solve the escalating crisis.

Although his policies failed and Kosovo plunged into bloodshed and flames,
the NATO-wrought departure of Serb forces from the province would seem to
have made the time right for Rugova's return as a moral eminence, if not
as a conquering hero.

Despite promises to come home as soon as this week, Rugova has remained in
seclusion in Italy. Rumors of his homecoming run through Kosovo's capital
every day, but by nightfall he has not returned.

Today, Milazim Krasniqi, a spokesman for Rugova's League for a Democratic
Kosovo, said, ''President Rugova is coming tomorrow.''

''This is correct and true information,'' Krasniqi said. ''Our party
members are in a very good mood.''

In his absence, the profile of Rugova's party has dropped dramatically;
the party's main office in Pristina has only a small sign on the door and
a branch office is unmarked.

The rebel Kosovo Liberation Army fills the vacuum. KLA leader Hashim
Thaci, elected ''prime minister'' by a rebel-dominated political coalition
in a rival government to Rugova, is considered the principal contender
when internationally supervised elections for the post are held, probably
next year.

Even avid KLA adherents don't necessarily like the imbalance.

''Kosovo does not belong only to us. It belongs to him, too,'' said Thaci
supporter Zahide Zeqiri. She believes Rugova should return so his party
and the KLA could compete in democratic elections.

''Now he is president only in his own mind,'' she said. ''We should have
normal elections.''

Meanwhile, Rugova's supporters are unsettled.

''He ought to come back. We would like him to make a statement about his
ideas and plans,'' said Gani Berisha, who was passing the time with
friends on the sidewalk near party headquarters.

''And we want him to tell us what happened to him,'' Berisha said.

He was referring to Rugova's last days in Kosovo after the NATO bombing
campaign started. After many days out of touch, Rugova surfaced in a
photograph shaking hands with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

Last week, Rugova told Associated Press Television News that he was a
hostage of Serb security forces at the time, adding ''I met him, and
nothing else.''

Albanians widely believe the photo was staged and don't hold it against
him. ''Of course, he suffered. There's no doubt,'' said Zeqiri, the KLA
supporter.

What some do resent is that after he was able to leave Kosovo, he went to
Italy.

''He should have gone to Albania, to be with his people,'' Zeqiri said.

He is still not with his people and his party is nervous.

''The delay might be a consequence of the trauma that he and his family
went through,'' Krasniqi said. ''The delay is filled with worries.''

July 14, 1999

Serbian Town Bombed by NATO Fears Effects of Toxic Chemicals

By CHRIS HEDGES

PANCEVO, Yugoslavia -- On the edge of town, in a sprawling industrial park
that held an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant and a fertilizer factory,
lie the twisted pipes, scorched storage tanks, crumbled roofs and jagged
detritus left by NATO bombs. Yet it is not these ruined factories that are
the worst scourges of war in this river town, many people here believe,
but the tons of toxic material that poured out of them.

Farm workers, plunging their fingers into the earth, say they come away
with rashes that burn and blister. Those who eat the river fish and
vegetables or drink the tap water, which trickles out of faucets because
of the damage to the purification plant, come down with diarrhea, vomiting
and stomach cramps.

Children, many of whom were sent away to Slovakia by local Red Cross
officials for several weeks to escape the clouds of noxious gasses that
hovered for days over Pancevo, still suffer headaches and dizziness. The
war's lingering, ghoulish touch could be affecting even the unborn. There
are twice as many miscarriages as during this period last year, doctors
here said.

There is no independent assessment of the medical effects of the exposure
to chemicals the bombing caused. The scientific studies conducted by the
Yugoslavs in Pancevo, by their own admission, have been carried out with
outdated methods and inferior, antiquated equipment. The results of such
testing, said Dr. Predrag Polic, the chemist who conducted many of the
tests, are three or four weeks away.

The U.N. Environment Program has formed a Balkans Task Force, headed by
Pakka Haavisto, who was environment minister in Finland. It will send a
team of international experts to Pancevo, and about half a dozen other
damaged industrial sites, next Tuesday to take air, water and soil samples
for three or four weeks. It expects to publish its findings and make
recommendations in September.

"The most dangerous moment probably occurred during the fires when the
smoke was in the air," said Haavisto, who briefly visited Pancevo two
weeks ago and was reached by phone in Geneva.

"A large amount of chemicals burned during this time. It remains unclear
how much is in the soil, but when you walk in Pancevo you can smell
chemical substances. The biggest danger now is that the ground water and
the Danube have been directly polluted, something that will affect the
drinking water. There are towns in Romania and Bulgaria that use the
Danube for drinking water. In my estimation the most damaged sites will
need a cleaning process, as in places where the soil and water have been
contaminated with toxic materials, before we can talk about rebuilding."

Government officials, doctors and residents in the town report a surge of
unexplained symptoms.

"The effects of the bombing on these industrial sites have been enormous,"
said Simon Bancov, the government health inspector for the region. "More
than 100,000 tons of carcinogens were unleashed into the air, the water
and the soil. The produce is not safe to eat. The long-term damage to the
water table and riverbeds is severe. People complain constantly of stomach
pain but have no viral or bacterial symptoms. We have all been poisoned."

The repeated airstrikes on the industrial complex, which covers several
acres, culminated in three huge hits at 1 a.m. on April 18. The bombs sent
fireballs into the air and enveloped Pancevo in clouds of black smoke and
milky white gasses. Flames leapt from the facilities for 10 days.

The airstrikes, part of the 78-day effort to destroy Serbia's
infrastructure in the war over Kosovo, unleashed tons of chemicals into
the air and water. An estimated 1,500 tons of vinyl chloride, the building
block of a type of plastic, 3,000 times higher than permitted levels,
burned into the air or poured into the soil and river, according to
municipal officials in Pancevo, which is controlled by opposition parties
hostile to President Slobodan Milosevic.

The chemical substance, which has left the banks of the river edged with
white foam, still clogs the canals around the town. Huge quantities of
other noxious chemicals burned or gushed out of storage facilities,
according to town officials and Yugoslav scientists. These chemicals
included an estimated 15,000 tons of ammonia, used to make fertilizer, 800
tons of hydrochloric acid and 250 tons of liquid chlorine (used for
several industrial products), vast quantities of dioxin (a component of
Agent Orange and other defoliants), and 100 tons of mercury, the officials
said.

By dawn of the night of the attack, dozens of people were hospitalized
gasping for air, struggling to see and unable to digest food, witnesses
said.

The sun was blotted out for nearly a day as people moved with rags over
their noses and mouths through the fog.

NATO officials, reached by phone in Mons, Belgium, said the industrial
site was a key target in the drive to deny fuel and other resources to the
Yugoslav army.

"NATO had two types of targets," said a NATO spokesperson, who asked not
to be named. "There were tactical and strategic targets. The oil refinery
in Pancevo was considered a strategic target. It was a key installation
that provided petrol and other elements to support the Yugoslav army. By
cutting off these supplies we denied crucial material to the Serbian
forces fighting in Kosovo."

This official said that the environmental damage caused by the attack was
taken into consideration.

"When targeting is done we take into account all possible collateral
damage," she said, "be it environmental, human or to the civilian
infrastructure. Pancevo was considered to me a very, very important
refinery and strategic target, as important as tactical targets inside
Kosovo."

Three months later, anxious families are coping with illnesses no one
seems able to explain. Mothers, clutching the hands of small children,
along with people whose bodies are covered in rashes, clog the small
waiting rooms of local doctors hoping for explanations and treatment.
There is little, the doctors say, they can do, but wait to see if the
exposure leads to cancer, blood contamination and serious respiratory
ailments.

Chemical exposure can produce immediate and longer-term effects, causing
different kinds of damage to the body, experts say. Some may be clear to
the eye and painful; other effects could be silent and only show up years
later. It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of the symptoms people in
Pancevo report without scientific tests. Neither Polic, nor UNEP
officials, said they were ready to speculate on the possible health risks.

"What can we tell people?" said Dr. Dobrosav Pavlovic, a gynecologist. "We
have not advised expectant mothers to have abortions, but we are seeing
more and more miscarriages. I can't say how much the bombing has
contributed to this increase. I can't say what the results of the bombing
will be over the long term. It will be over a year, when we can begin to
look for birth defects and can detect serious illnesses, that we will
start to understand what has happened."

The bombing left most of the 8,761 people who worked in the plants, 10
miles northwest of Belgrade, out of work. The government, which was months
late with salaries before the bombing, has reduced incomes from $100 to
$15 a month until the factories are repaired, something workers say will
never happen without foreign investment. The damage is estimated in the
hundreds of millions of dollars.

Three U.S. companies and a German firm built the petrochemical plant, used
to make plastics, in 1978. Two U.S. corporations and a French concern
constructed the oil refinery in 1969. The fertilizer plant, which began
operation in 1958, was a joint venture by companies from the United
States, Spain and the Netherlands.

The loss of income in the town has made it difficult for those whom would
like to move or take precautions against the pollutants. There is now 70
percent unemployment.

"My son and I have constant headaches," said Radmila Vukelic, 52.

"We feel dizzy, as if we were going to faint. No one has told us anything.
We have no information about what has happened or what we should do. I do
not eat the fish from the river. I am afraid. We would like to eat frozen
or canned vegetables, but we do not have this kind of money. We must eat
what is in the markets."

Pancevo Mayor Srdjan Mikovic, 38, said he is bewildered by the extent of
the airstrikes, especially since his town of 130,000, with a mix of ethnic
Hungarians and ethnic Croats, has long been one of the centers of the
opposition.

It is one of the few places in Serbia where the radio and television
stations are free from party control, either by Milosevic's ruling
Socialists, or the parties that oppose him.

"We have heard nothing from the government," the mayor said. "We have
never supported the regime and for this reason I fear we will be
sacrificed. NATO had to understand what they were doing to us because
these factories were built by American and European firms. They could not
have been ignorant of the environmental damage. I have given up. I eat the
fish. How much more can I be poisoned after living in clouds of this
stuff?"

Pancevo was once a frontier town, manned by Hungarian, Serbian and
Austrian soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian empire. The pink facade of the
former imperial army barracks lies in the center of Pancevo. It was from
here that the European troops faced the Ottoman Turks across the river
from 1716, when Vienna captured Pancevo, until the end of World War I. The
buildings, although in bad repair, look as if they were lifted from
Austria, with stuccoed block exteriors, onion domed towers, arched windows
and delicate, wrought iron staircases.

On the front of the old town hall, built by German-speaking settlers in
1833 and now a museum, is a Latin inscription reading: "Justice is the
Basis for Any State." Outside is a thick iron cylinder with a hollowed
bore in the center. It was once lit with an explosive charge to announce
the arrival of riverboats. The ethnic Germans, who left behind their
churches, tombstones and architecture, were driven out at the end of World
War II after the communist state was established in Yugoslavia.

But this part of Serbia has never embraced Milosevic's nationalist
movement.

Pancevo hosted a woman's water polo tournament last year, and the American
swimmers won. The spectators cheered the athletes as the American anthem
was played during the awards ceremony. "The bombing has changed how we
feel about the outside world," said Mikovic. "People have lost their
desire to fight, to reach out. They only want to survive. The Americans
can come back, but they will not have any applause from us."

July 14, 1999

U.S. Asking Taiwan to Explain Its Policy After Uproar By JANE PERLEZ

wASHINGTON -- Startled by the sudden declaration by Taiwan that it no
longer stood by the "one China" policy that has been the pillar of
stability between China and Taiwan, the Clinton administration said
Tuesday that it was urgently seeking an explanation from the Taiwanese
leadership.

The senior American official in Taiwan, Darryl Johnson, is scheduled to
meet on Wednesday with President Lee Teng-hui, who outlined the switch in
policy over the weekend.

A State Department official said that Johnson planned to stress in the
meeting that the United States considered Lee's move away from the
one-China policy "unhelpful" and that he would ask for specific
clarifications.

Lee stopped short of making a declaration of independence for Taiwan, but
said from now on Taiwan would treat contacts with China as
"state-to-state" relations.

"Under such special nation-to-nation relations," he said, "there is no
longer any need to declare Taiwanese independence."

Lee's statement could be interpreted in one of two ways, the State
Department official said. Either Lee, the first Taiwanese-born president
of Taiwan, was stating a "new reality" or he was repeating a version of
what he had said before.

At the very least, the State Department believed that Lee still favored
the eventual reunification of Taiwan and the mainland, but that Taiwan
also wanted to be treated as a "sovereign state," and not a renegade
province, the official said.

Although the terms used in describing the "one-China" policy often seem a
matter of semantics to outsiders, the words mean everything in China and
Taiwan and for U.S. policy-makers.

The policy has been at the heart of the U.S. posture toward mainland China
since 1972. Taiwan's shift from that long-held position occurs at a low
point in Washington-Beijing relations and threatens to sour the atmosphere
further.

Washington is at odds with Beijing on a number of issues, including
negotiations over China's desire to join the World Trade Organization, a
subject that remains at an impasse, and the NATO bombing of the Chinese
Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in the Kosovo conflict.

American officials noted Tuesday that both issues touched the question of
sovereignty, which is at the center of the differences between Taiwan and
Beijing.

Thus, a major dispute over the sovereignty of Taiwan was bound to irritate
further Beijing's attitude to the stalled talks over its admission to the
trade organization, which regulates global commerce.

"This is going to increase the pressure on the United States to try and
smooth the way for getting China into the trade group," said Robert
Suettinger, a China specialist who was on the National Security Council
under Clinton and is a senior analyst at the Brookings Institution.

The NATO intervention in Kosovo was bitterly opposed by the Beijing
government on the grounds that it represented interference in a sovereign
country. The accidental embassy bombing served only to worsen Beijing's
feelings.

With the administration's relations with Beijing at a near nadir, the
statement by Lee was highly likely to encourage Taiwan's allies in
Congress to push legislation to authorize the sale of more sophisticated
weapons to Taiwan.

Hearings on the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, sponsored by Sens. Jesse
Helms, R-N.C., and Robert Toricelli, D-N.J., are scheduled for early next
month, and the legislation may well be pushed along if relations with
Beijing continue to plummet, officials said.

In 1979, Washington dropped its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan and
opened an embassy in Beijing. The "one-China" policy, supported by the
United States and reiterated by Clinton on his trip to mainland China last
summer, allows Washington to support Taiwan but recognize Beijing as the
capital of China.

In reiterating the policy, Clinton said it was up to the people on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait to resolve the relationship between China and
Taiwan.

The administration has encouraged talks between Beijing and Taipei. But
officials said Taiwan's new pronouncements might dash hopes for talks that
had appeared likely toward the end of the year.

For its part, the Communist government of mainland China regards Taiwan as
a renegade province that broke away when the Chinese National Party and
its supporters fled to the island after their defeat by the Communists 50
years ago.

What makes the mainland China-Taiwan friction so volatile is the refusal
by Beijing to rule out the use of force if Taiwan insists on independence.
The last time that Lee used new definitions with China, in 1996, Beijing
showed its anger by testing missiles and holding war games in the Taiwan
Strait.

July 14, 1999

Kosovo Damage Seems Less Than Feared

By EDMUND L. ANDREWS

RUSSELS, Belgium -- European and U.S. officials said Tuesday that Kosovo
appeared to be less damaged by war than they had feared. But they refused
to predict the amount of the final repair bill or to spell out how it
would be divided.

"The real standard of living is higher than the statistics would
indicate," Yves-Thibault de Silguy, the European Commission's head of
financial and monetary affairs, said. "The damage to infrastructure is
less than expected."

That optimism was cautiously supported by the new U.S. treasury secretary,
Lawrence Summers, and James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank. The
officials spoke as a new steering group assembled to address the issue.

European nations are generally expected to take over the biggest costs of
rebuilding Kosovo and helping neighbors like Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Montenegro and Romania recover from the Kosovo conflict. Finance Minister
Hans Eichel of Germany said on Monday that the European nations
anticipated spending no more than $500 million this year on Kosovo aid. A
donors' conference is set for July 28 in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

European leaders have said they do not want to increase their total
foreign aid budgets, prompting World Bank officials to worry that other
countries in dire straits would be shortchanged.

The meeting Tuesday was the first formal attempt by Western countries and
international institutions to plan for Balkan reconstruction. The steering
group includes the finance ministers from the seven major industrialized
countries, as well as officials from the World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development.

Since the war ended four weeks ago, U.S. officials have said that European
nations should take the main responsibility for reconstruction because
American planes provided most of the NATO firepower in the bombing.

European leaders have agreed with that in principle. But Silguy said
Tuesday that reliable assessments might take months to complete.

Officials here said cities like Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, were in
considerably better shape than they had expected. Nevertheless, tens of
thousands of houses have been destroyed, most of them owned by Kosovo
Albanians and demolished by Serbian troops.

The president of the European Investment Bank, Brian Unwin, said the
infrastructure remained in surprisingly good shape, adding, "I don't think
the basic infrastructure damage in Kosovo itself is excessive."

Summers said the fact that the war ended when it did might have helped.

The list of needs is formidable: a reliable banking and payment system;
laws to enforce contracts; a prerequisite for building confidence among
foreign investors, and a "currency arrangement" independent from the
Yugoslav dinar.

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