PM Gruevski: Crvenkovski included identity issue into talks with Greece

PM Gruevski: Crvenkovski included identity issue into talks with Greece

SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski's statement that he stands for a solution to the name issue, which will not threaten Macedonia's national identity is hypocritical, as he was the one who accepted such a proposal for settling the dispute, presented by (UN-mediator) Matthew Nimetz in 2005,Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Friday. He (Crvenkovski) also knows that Greece has for a long period of time set its positions meddling with the identity into concrete, the PM said. 

"In 2005 Crvenkovski accepted one of Matthew Nimetz's proposals, which presented a threat to our identity. I clearly stood against it then. There are records that only VMRO-DPMNE pointed out that the proposal was problematic for the Macedonian identity, language. But SDSM declared it as the best thus far and embraced it, while we were fiercely criticized for our objection. Now, as a leader of the opposition SDSM, he acts in rather hypocritical manner by giving such statements, when he personally six, seven years ago accepted something that was endangering our identity," Gruevski said. 

He pointed out that Greece's position on the matter was clear and set into concrete. 

There is no indications for any changes in this respect, as Greece is in a chaos over its financial crisis, Gruevski said. 

"They do not even consider to take different stance in the talks, which may be seen by the last stenogram of their leaders' meeting. So they sternly hold to their position, which doesn't refer only to altering the name of the country, but also of the nation and language," Gruevski said.

SDSM always ready to sell country

In 2005, SDSM officials agreed to a Nimetz proposal to change the name of the country to "Republika Makedonija", instead of "Republic of Macedonia". The nationality column was blank, while the langugae was called "makedk" or "macedc" instead of "Macedonian" which is already set in stone at the UN or at least until SDSM officials (Ilinka Mitrevska, Vlado Buckovski and Branko Crvenkovski) decide otherwise.

In 2005 SDSM agreed the nationality should state "Citizen of Republika Makedonija", instead of "Macedonian".

SDSM officials managed to somehow convince the smaller parties that "Republika Makedonija would be a temporary solutions, only for 30 days, after which the country would be known as Republic of Macedonia.

According to Branko Crvenkovski, Fyr Macedonia was also only a 30 day solution back in 1992, after he filled his coffers with cash from Athens.

VMRO DPMNE and Gruevski which were part of the opposition abruptly left the meeting organized by Crvenkovski and the SDSM back in 2005.  Not surprisingly, 2005 was the last year the SDSM was in power.

The ruling Government accused Crvenkovski and the SDSM that his party is responsible for inserting the 'language' and 'nationality' into the negotiations process.

On a lighter note, the documents shown here are marked as top secret, Crvenkovski showed them to the public believing this would earn him political points. Instead, Republika Makedonija, makedk... and the fact he took a top secret document to the public may earn him jail time.

Skopski Leguri will invest in manganese and nickel ore projects

Skopski Leguri is looking for investment opportunities in manganese and nickel ore projects, Igor Frunze, chairman of the company’s supervisory board told Metal Bulletin.

The manganese alloys producer, based in Macedonia, is considering both new and developed projects. It could use its existing cash to finance the deal or it could raise funds; that decision will be made once a project has been selected, according to Frunze. “We have been looking for manganese and nickel-ore mine deposits for quite a long time and we are considering different projects. It has to be good value for money,” Frunze told Metal Bulletin. “It can be an existing, developed mine, for example if the owner wants to sell, or it could be a project that is not developed at all,” he said. The company intends to send manganese ore mined at the project to its...

http://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/3037567/Ores-and-alloys/Skopski-Leguri-will-invest-in-manganese-and-nickel-ore-projects.html

Macedonian soldiers to remain in Afghanistan

After NATO chose not to extend membership to Macedonia, there are some calls for the government to withdraw troops from the mission in Afghanistan.

Macedonia's Scorpio unit has served in Afghanistan under NATO. [Reuters]

Macedonia's government said it is committed to keeping its troops as part of the NATO mission in Afghanistan, despite urging from some in the country to withdraw after the organisation again chose not to extend membership to Macedonia last week.

"Greece's policy is merciless towards Macedonia's soldiers, who risk their lives daily to bring freedom and security to Afghanistan. Irresponsible politicians and resulting policies do not contribute to the security and stability of our region," President Georgi Ivanov told SETimes.

The small nation lobbied for an invitation to be extended at the Chicago NATO summit, but the organisation took no action toward expansion. It’s the second disappointment for Macedonia, which also sought an invite in 2008, but both times were thwarted over a longstanding name dispute with neighbouring Greece.

"Macedonia should rethink whether it is ready to continue participating in Afghanistan and invest funds to be a part of the 'global partnership' when itself is faced with the consequences of the economic crisis. If asked, I would counsel to immediately withdraw our soldiers," Biljana Vankovska, professor at the Institute for Security, Defence and Peace Studies, told SETimes.

She argued that the demand stems from failing to give Macedonia equal treatment and as a result of the increased cost to the country of participation in NATO's missions. It is better to dedicate time and resources to securing the peace internally, she said.

Macedonia is the fifth-largest contributor of soldiers per capita since it began to participate in NATO's missions in 2002 in Iraq, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Afghanistan. There are more than 2,000 Macedonian soldiers in Afghanistan, as well as thousands of other Macedonian citizens in various support capacities. Macedonian soldiers are also included in training the Afghan security forces.

Macedonia's military leaders argue the country should continue the pro-NATO course despite the cost of 120m euros for the NATO missions.

"Withdrawing from the ISAF mission in Afghanistan will be a big political mistake. Problems are not solved by retribution; that way only friends and allies are lost. This, at a time when the Macedonian soldiers are receiving the highest decorations from NATO and the US," the former chief of staff, General Mistre Arosvski, told SETimes.

The government said it is not planning to increase the number of troops in NATO missions because that would drain the state budget. NATO membership enjoys over 90% support in Macedonia according to latest polls, and citizens are mostly sceptical about calls for troop withdrawal.

"Being revolted at the big powers' political games, double standards and unjust decisions outside accepted criteria is a human reaction. But long-term, we all believe Macedonia will one day be part of NATO and we should continue the presence of our military in Afghanistan," Skopje resident Todor Ristovski, 47, told SETimes.

Macedonia has been recognised by more than 100 nations, but is a member of the UN under a "temporary reference" of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greece objects because it sees a threat toward its own province with the same name. Macedonia says its name is a matter of national identity.

This content was commissioned for SETimes.com.

Pascali: Macedonia can do well without NATO

Macedonia can do very well without NATO, which is a reminder of the Cold War, says the Washington-based analyst Umberto Pascali in an interview with Macedonian television's show "Porta".

Commenting the PM Nikola Gruevski's criticism towards NATO members, Pascali says it is of essential importance to tell the truth. "Trust and respect was demonstrated by a political leader representing his own people. Too many leaders do the opposite. Something substantial is being changed in Macedonia," says the analyst.

The criticism of "arrogant NATO masters denouncing their hypocrisy and threat" comes after a recent visit of a Macedonian government delegation to China, where economic cooperation has been established with one of world's economic giants.

"China is part of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Half of world's population lives in BRICS countries. It is a huge functional, strategic, economic and financial power. It is seen as a true alternative for Wall Street, the system of wars, threats, blackmail and usury. This system is in the core of all crises ruining the world. Macedonia can become a center of China's economic activities in Europe. Pretty soon, we could see long-term investments in the real economy, such as construction of corridors that would remodel Macedonia forever, instead of destructive speculation," Pascali stresses.

Asked whether Macedonia is threatened by an "Arab Spring", Pascali says that "these phenomena are not real revolutions, they are a violent attack from foreign forces against a nation and state's institutions."

"I think that Macedonia cannot be destabilised from the inside. It would be another issue if inner forces are manipulated, abused from the outside" Pascali notes adding that "the role of the fifth column could be played by the opposition."

He deems that Macedonia, its institutions and people are strong enough to defeat such an attempt. "Understandably, the best guarantee against these surrogate forms of conflict is economic development and a possibility for a decent future," Umberto Pascali concludes. 

Macedonia and Austria sign Culture, Science and Education Protocol

Culture Ministry State Adviser, Darko Stefanovski, and Austrian Ambassador to Macedonia, Thomas Michael Baier signed Tuesday a bilateral cooperation protocol in the fields of culture, science and education.

Stefanovski said the protocol resulted from the work of a mixed committee, comprised of representatives from competent ministries of Macedonia and Austria.

"The protocol represents a step forwards in the enhancement of already excellent bilateral cooperation, creating an institutional framework for encouragement of direct activities of stakeholders in culture, science and education", he added.

The protocol follows the 2010 signing of a bilateral agreement in the fields of culture and science.

"We attach great importance to cooperation in the field of education. We are focusing on areas towards entrepreneurial enhancement, i.e. vocational schools. We will also continue to nurture Austrian culture and literature in Macedonia", said Ambassador Baier.

According to him, efforts would be invested towards implementation of numerous culture programs, including concerts, as well as architecture events. 

Bitola, Thessaloniki mayors sign declaration of cooperation

The mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki - Vladimir Talevski and Yiannis Boutaris - signed a declaration for cooperation and joint promotion before EU funds within the INTERREG and IPA programmes with a project "Cultural Industries", MIA reported from Thessaloniki.

Taleski and Boutaris at their joint meeting held yesterday in Thessaloniki discussed cooperation in the field of culture, tourism, new technologies and education.

"Our embraces are wide open. In order to cooperate in various spheres, a special protocol with clear cooperation strategy will be prepared soon. Despite the fact that the two countries have some political differences, the two friendly nations share a lot of ties that need to be developed," Boutaris said after the meeting.

In addition to Thessaloniki, Bitola has established cooperation with several Greek cities, including Florina, Edessa and Kastoria. Yesterday's talks were the first official meeting between mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki.

Taleski said the cooperation between the two cities was in the interest of Macedonian and Greek citizens. "We are convinced that the absurd issue will be settled and life on both sides of the border will be much better," mayor Talevski stated.

The "Cultural Industries" project is an introduction into a wider and bigger cooperation, Taleski and Boutaris concluded.

Macedonian delegation attends service of intercession on St. Cyril's tomb in Rome

A service of intercession was held Thursday on the tomb of St. Cyril in the church of St. Clement in Rome. The service was also attended by a state delegation, led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

PM Gruevski congratulated the Slavonic Enlighteners’ Day to the citizens of Macedonia from the sacred place where the remains of St. Cyril are laid to rest, MIA reports.

"This is a great day for Macedonia and that's why we are here in Rome on the tomb of St. Cyril to honor the enlighteners’ mission. We are pursuing the tradition established on this day. This year for the 44th time we have the chance to attend the service of intercession and together with many Macedonians living in Italy to mark the day,” Gruevski said.

The service on St. Cyril’s tomb in Rome is the main event marking the Day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. It was organised for the first time in 1969 to observe 1.100 years since the death of Saint Cyril and it is marked annually by a state and church delegation. As of 2007, the Slavonic Enlighteners’ Day is a national holiday in Macedonia.

Earlier, the PM meet with Pope Benedict XVI at an audience in Vatican for talks on various issues.

"I informed him about the situation in Macedonia, its church policy, about EU and NATO and our efforts in improving the economy. We also discussed other issues that connect us, first and foremost St. Cyril and Mother Teresa," Gruevski stated.

He told the Roman pontiff that in addition to the Mother Teresa Memorial House in Skopje, the clinics in the Macedonian capital would be renamed to bear her name in honor of her mission.

Gruevski also held a meeting with the State Secretary of His Holiness the Pope, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone for talks on topics of mutual interest.

The state delegation visiting Rome on the occasion of the manifestation "Macedonia in Honor of St. Cyril", includes Vice PM for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski, foreign and culture ministers, Nikola Poposki and Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, minister without portfolio Vele Samak, the director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Visar Vida and the director of the Commission for Relations between Religious Communities and Groups, Valentina Bozinovska. The church delegation is made up of Metropolitan Timotej of Debar and Kicevo, European Metropolitan Pimen and Skopje Bishop Kiro Stojanov.

FM Poposki is scheduled to meet with his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi to discuss the outcome of the recent NATO summit in Chicago, Macedonia's EU integration process, bilateral ties and cultural cooperation.

On Wednesday, Poposki met in Vatican with Dominique Mamberti, the Secretary for Relations with States in the Holy See. They upheld the favourable relations between Macedonia and the Holy See and discussed ways for further cooperation.

At a business forum in Milan on Wednesday, PM Gruevski and his economic team presented Macedonia's economic potentials before 80 representatives of Italian companies and attended a working dinner organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Italy.

In the frameworks of the cultural program in honor of St. Cyril, the Macedonian delegation will attend the opening of an exhibition titled "Ancient Terra-Cotta Figurines from Macedonia", organised by the Museum of Macedonia at the Montemartini Museum in Rome.

Nearly 200 terra-cotta figurines dating from the pre-Roman and Roman period will be displayed at the exhibition, which runs till May 30.

The cultural program also includes a concert by opera singers Ana and Igor Durlovski, who will perform pieces by Verdi, Handel, Mozart and by several Macedonian composers.

Theatre: Telling Tales in Macedonia

STORYTELLING crosses all boundaries as Huddersfield based company TellingTales is well aware.

The company, resident at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, will represent England in a festival in Macedonia later this summer.

And it hopes to come home with a prize as the International Children's Theatre Festival has a competitive element.

The storytelling company will perform in August alongside other groups from Russia, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Turkey, Slovenia and Macedonia.

It will be taking a storytelling performance of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, adapted by Robin Simpson, which was first performed in Kirklees schools.

Susanna Meese, lead storyteller at TellingTales, said: “It is a privilege to be representing England at this festival, which is held at Babec Theatre in Bitola, a centre for European excellence in children's theatre.

“I can't wait to share our work and gain inspiration from other countries' productions.”

Macedonia is one of the oldest civilisations but one of the youngest countries, and, says Susanna, as a multiethnic society, it is promoting children's theatre as an equal part, not an add-on, to the upbringing and education of its young people.

It is something that she feels passionately about in her work promoting the art of storytelling.

“It can free the imagination and also help us to make sense of our world. It creates a bond between storyteller and listener and it helps us to empathise with people who are different.”

TellingTales will be performing the show again on home turf when it goes back out to schools this winter along with a new performance of Hansel and Gretel adapted from the Brothers Grimm.

The company is looking for sponsorship deals that will help pay for the flights to Macedonia.

Read More http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/arts-news/2012/05/18/theatre-telling-tales-in-macedonia-86081-30992731/#ixzz1vEkfg5zg

Two Macedonian films awarded in Monaco

Macedonian feature film "Punk's Not Dead" by Vladimir Blazevski has won an award for best movie script at the 7th charity film festival in Monaco, held between May 8-15, the Film Fund of Macedonia has said.

"Punk's Not Dead" has won 11 prizes at festivals worldwide thus far. Moreover, the short film "Unfinished Story" by Naum Mihajlovski has won a special award by festival's jury in competition with other short films.

The film, which is a Macedonian-Czech co-production, had its official premiere outside Macedonia at the festival.

The film festival in Monaco is an annual charity event dedicated to the Virlanie Foundation in the Philippines for the benefit of abused and abandoned children.

Macedonia among four countries with fastest development of broadband internet

Macedonia was selected among four countries in global terms with regards to development of broadband internet at the World Summit on the Information Society, held in Geneva earlier in the week, said Minister for Information Society and Administration Ivo Ivanovski in Thursday's address at the International Regulatory Conference, held in Ohrid.

"This is another great recognition for the country, since Macedonia was highlighted as a successful example in the sector of telecommunications and information society", stressed Ivanovski.

S&P affirms ratings on Macedonia at 'BB/B'; outlook stable

Overview:

-- In our view, the Republic of Macedonia has relatively low wealth levels, limited monetary flexibility, and weak external liquidity.

-- However, it has favorable fiscal and external debt stock positions and the prospect of eventual accession to the European Union acts as a policy anchor.

-- We are therefore affirming our 'BB/B' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Macedonia.

-- The stable outlook balances our view of Macedonia's structural rigidities and vulnerabilities to external shocks against its low levels of external and fiscal indebtedness.

Rating Action

On May 17, 2012, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BB/B' long- and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Macedonia. The outlook is stable. The recovery rating is '3'. Our transfer and convertibility assessment for Macedonia is 'BB+'.

Rationale

The ratings on Macedonia balance our view of its relatively low wealth levels, limited monetary flexibility, and weak external liquidity, against its low fiscal and external debt stock positions and the prospect of EU accession in the medium term.

Following real GDP growth of 3.0% during 2011, we expect expansion to slow to 1.5% in 2012 on a likely moderation in external and domestic demand. We expect, however, that continued investment will support growth. We anticipate real GDP growth to average just below 3.0% over 2012 to 2015 supported by increased public and private sector investment in enhancing capacity across sectors, which will in turn support private consumption and exports. At the end of the forecast period, we expect per capita GDP to reach $6,000, from $4,800 expected in 2012.

The Macedonian denar is pegged against the euro, and a high percentage of loans and deposits are denominated in euros in the Macedonian banking system. These arrangements, though suitable for the nation, reduce monetary flexibility. In addition, two of the three systemically important banks have eurozone parents, which leaves the sector exposed to capital flight risk--Stopanska Banka AD's parent is Greece-based National Bank of Greece S.A. (CCC/Negative/C) and NLB Tutunska Banka AD's parent is Slovenia-based Nova Ljubljanska banka. However, the Macedonian regulatory and supervisory framework addresses the risk of capital withdrawal by parent banks. Moreover, the banking system is well-capitalized and largely funded by domestic deposits; we do not expect Macedonian banks to rely on parental support in the near term. In addition, we do not see imbalances in the domestic banking system. In 2011, the loan-to-deposit ratio was 90%; the overall stock of domestic credit to households and nonfinancial corporations was 46% of GDP and the capital adequacy ratio was 17%. We project that the Macedonian financial system will remain in a small net external creditor position in 2012.

In 2012, we expect Macedonia's gross external financing needs to exceed 120% of current account receipts (CARs) and usable reserves. Our forecasts include a 100% roll-over rate for Macedonia's $1.8 billion stock of short-term external debt and an expectation that Macedonia will be able to finance its 2012 current account deficit and the amortization of medium-term external debt through foreign direct investment (FDI), official government financing, and increased corporate borrowing. FDI will likely be supported by government efforts to improve transportation and energy infrastructure.

Offsetting these constraints, Macedonia's stock positions look favorable, according to our criteria, although we note the positions are worsening. During 2011, gross government debt increased to 28.6% of GDP and we expect moderate increases in public debt over the coming years as the government intends to run moderate deficits. We expect general government interest expenditure as a share of revenues to remain relatively low, reflecting the still-concessional terms on much of the government debt stock. At 2.6% of GDP, the general government deficit remained broadly unchanged in 2011. However, the change in general government debt to GDP was much higher at 5%. For 2012, the government plans to maintain its fiscal deficit at 2.5% of GDP.

We believe there may be shortfalls in general government revenues over the next two years as a result of weaker economic growth. If this happens, however, we believe the government would likely postpone some capital expenditures to compensate. On the external side, we expect Macedonia's external debt net of liquid assets to rise to 25% of CARs in 2012 from 21% in 2011, a level that is still favorable for the rating level.

Macedonia was granted EU candidate status in 2005 and in April 2009 the European Commission recommended opening accession negotiations and moving to the second phase of implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). The prospects of EU accession have acted as a policy anchor for political stability and for economic reforms. We see, however, Greece and Macedonia at an impasse over Macedonia's constitution, with a resolution unlikely any time soon. Nevertheless, we expect Macedonia will continue to make progress on the open EU accession chapters in the meantime.

Outlook

The stable outlook balances our view of Macedonia's structural rigidities and vulnerabilities to external shocks against its low levels of external and fiscal indebtedness. We could raise the rating if reforms lead to higher growth and thus greater convergence with wealth levels of higher-rated sovereigns. On the other hand, we could lower the rating if our expectations about the government's and private sector's access to international markets do not hold or if the fiscal stance weakens.

Related Criteria And Research

All articles listed below are available on RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal, unless otherwise stated.

-- Sovereign Government Rating Methodology And Assumptions, June 30, 2011

-- Criteria For Determining Transfer And Convertibility Assessments, May 18, 2009

-- Introduction Of Sovereign Recovery Ratings, June 14, 2007

Ratings List

Ratings Affirmed

Macedonia (Republic of)

Sovereign Credit Rating BB/Stable/B

Transfer & Convertibility Assessment BB+

Senior Unsecured

Local Currency BB

Senior Unsecured

Foreign Currency BB

Recovery Rating 3

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dm-Markt expandiert nach Mazedonien

Die Drogeriemarktkette dm, deren Zentrale für Österreich und Osteuropa in Wals bei Salzburg beheimatet ist, expandiert nach Mazedonien und eröffnet die ersten Filialen in der Hauptstadt Skopje, teilte dm Österreich mit. Man sei der erste westliche Drogeriefilialist, der sich in Mazedonien niederlässt. Der dm Gesamtkonzern - mit dm Deutschland - sei nun in zwölf europäischen Ländern vertreten.

Die Entscheidung zur Expansion nach Mazedonien sei ein logischer Schritt gewesen, so Manfred Kühner, Stellvertretender Vorsitzender der Geschäftsführung von dm Österreich. Sehe man vom Kosovo und Montenegro ab, sei Mazedonien es mit etwas über zwei Millionen Einwohnern die größte Teilrepublik des ehemaligen Jugoslawien, in der dm noch nicht vertreten war.

Internationale Gemeinschaft in Mazedonien gescheitert

Die Republik Mazedonien ist ein kleiner Binnenstaat im Zentrum der Balkanhalbinsel mit einer Fläche von fast 26.000 Quadratkilometern und ca. 2 Millionen Einwohnern. Die Bevölkerung Mazedoniens setzt sich gemäß Volkszählung 2002 aus rund 64% ethnischen Mazedoniern, 25 % Albanern (nicht unumstritten) und einem kleineren Anteil an Türken, Roma, Bosniern, Serben, Walachen und anderen Nationalitäten zusammen. Die Religionszugehörigkeit unterteilt sich in orthodoxe Christen (70 %), Muslime (29 %), Sonstige (1 %). Also ein multi-ethnischer Mix mit stark religiöser Komponente.

Kommentar von Harald W. Kotschy

Zufolge dieses ethnisch-religiösen bipolaren Bevölkerungsgemenges eskalierten bereits im Winter 2001 an der Grenze des westlichen zum islamischen Kulturkreis die latenten mazedonisch-albanischen, also christlich-muslimischen Animositäten zu einem Bruchlinienkonflikt ganz im Sinne des Huntingtonschen „Clash of Civilizations“. Samuel Huntingtons Definition zufolge sind Bruchlinienkonflikte „Konflikte zwischen Gemeinschaften, die Staaten oder Gruppen aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen angehören“. Unter der Vorspiegelung einer angeblichen Benachteiligung der albanischen Volksgruppe brachen - von der kosovarischen UCK initiierte - bewaffnete Auseinandersetzungen in Nordwestmazedonien aus. Diese wurden mit dem von NATO, EU, OSZE und USA den Mazedoniern aufoktroyierten „Ohrider Rahmenabkommen“ vom 13.8.2001 beendet. Die Republik Mazedonien wurde de facto zweistaatlich und zweisprachig, die Albaner wurden dadurch in der Praxis zum zweiten konstituierenden Staatsvolk, wenngleich dies in der Verfassung nicht so formuliert wurde. Ihnen wurde ein proportionaler Anteil an der Regierungsmacht und bei der Polizei gesetzlich eingeräumt. Die de facto ethnische Teilung wurde formalisiert und international garantiert, was zur Folge hatte, dass Mazedonien zum institutionell labilsten Staat der Region wurde. Mit ihrer Rolle beim Ohrider Abkommen ist die Republik Mazedonien faktisch zum Protektorat von NATO, EU, OSZE und USA geworden. Keine wesentliche staatliche Entscheidung erfolgte fortan ohne Billigung dieser „internationalen Gemeinschaft“.

Kein Miteinander von Mazedoniern und Albanern

Während staatsrechtlich die vorgespiegelten Benachteiligungen in der Folge in eine „umgekehrte Diskriminierung“ der albanischen Bevölkerungsgruppe mündeten, haben sich die Gegensätze in der Bevölkerung erst richtig etabliert. Hat es zuvor noch viele multiethnische Berührungspunkte gegeben leben seit 2001 Mazedonier und Albaner wirklich nebeneinander und nicht miteinander.

Seit Anfang 2012 glimmt wiederum die Lunte in diesem Land. Rapid angestiegen sind die Übergriffe von Albanern auf Mazedonier. Bei gewalttätigen Zwischenfällen - von Brandschatzungen in orthodoxen Kirchen über Überfälle von Passagieren in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln bis zu Straßenkämpfen - wurden in den ersten drei Monaten des Jahres 38 Personen zum Teil schwerst und mit Dauerfolgen verletzt.

Stillschweigen in den Medien über Albaner-Verbrechen

Die „internationale Gemeinschaft“, die sofort geharnischte Proteste deponiert, sobald ein mazedonisches Sicherheitsorgan einen albanischen Kriminellen einmal nicht mit den gebotenen Glacéhandschuhen anfasst, zeichnet sich hinsichtlich dieser Vorfälle durch Stillschweigen aus. Kein Wort des Bedauerns für die Opfer. Wer den Bankräuber nicht Bankräuber nennt, schlagt sich de facto auf seine Seite. Wie schon 2001.

Die Protektoren scheinen auch alles zu unternehmen, um die Verbreitung von Informationen über diese neuen ethnischen Konflikte insbesondere in den internationalen Medien zu unterbinden. Und sie scheinen recht erfolgreich zu sein. Von wenigen Ausnahmen abgesehen (etwa in Schweizer Tageszeitungen), finden die albanischen Übergriffe und nicht einmalEreignisse wie eine politisch-religiös motivierte Hinrichtung von fünf Menschen nur 1000 Kilometer von Wien entfernt Eingang in die Medien. Fast könnte man an die Lenkfähigkeit der Nachrichtenagenturen, Rundfunkanstalten und Zeitungsredaktionen denken. 

Internationale Gemeinschaft steht vor Scherbenhaufen

Die Geheimhaltung ist nur allzu verständlich. NATO Das ist nur allzu verständlich. NATO, EU, OSZE und USA müssten sich eingestehen, dass sie vor dem Scherbenhaufen ihres hochgelobten Ohrid-Abkommens stehen und dass sich ethnisch-religiöse Bruchlinienkonflikte nicht durch politisch korrekte „umgekehrte Diskriminierung“ mittels Bevorzugung des Aggressors, eindämmen lassen.

Dr. Harald W. Kotschy war von 1997 bis 2002 Botschafter in der Republik Mazedonien und seither dort regelmäßig als OSZE-Wahlbeobachter tätig. Der promovierte Jurist war danach bis 2011 Referatsleiter im Außenministerium für Europarat und OSZE. Kotschy gilt auf Grund seiner diplomatischen Karriere als ausgewiesener Balkan-Experte. Unter anderem war er Österreich Geschäftsträger zur Zeit des Ende des Kommunismus in Jugoslawien 1992 sowie Leiter der "KSZE-Langzeit-Beobachtermission in Kosovo, Sandschak und Vojvodina“.

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Islamisten in Mazedonien: „Tod den Christen!“

Albanische Flaggen gehören auch in Mazedonien zum Alltag. Der Konflikt zwischen den Volksgruppen hat eine starke religiöse Komponente.

Wie schon eine Woche zuvor haben sich auch am 11. Mai 2012 in Skopje, der Hauptstadt der Balkanrepublik Mazedonien, einige tausend Islamisten, fast ausschließlich Albaner, nach dem traditionellen Freitagsgebet vor der Jaja-Pascha-Moschee zu einem Demonstrationszug versammelt. Soweit bekannt, wird diese Moschee in der (ehemals türkischen) Altstadt von Islamisten kontrolliert. Und zwar durch Wahhabiten, die den Angaben der gemäßigten islamischen Gemeinde in Mazedonien zufolge intensiv versuchten, in Moscheen an Einfluss zu gewinnen.

Auf ihrem Weg ins Stadtzentrum im modernen Teil der Stadt skandierten sie Slogans wie „Allahu akbar“, „Tod den Christen“, und „Jihad“. Im Zentrum ihrer Hassausbrüche standen aber auch die Polizei, die Innenministerin Gordana Jankuloska, die als „extreme Christin“ gebrandmarkt wurde, sowie die Regierung samt Ministerpräsident Nikola Gruevski. Aber den Demos fehlt auch nicht eine gewisse politische Komponente. Bereits am 4. Mai wurden Aktivisten der inneralbanischen Oppositionspartei DPA in der Menge gesichtet und am vergangenen Freitag richteten sich bereits Sprechchöre gegen die albanische Regierungspartei DUI samt ihrem Vorsitzenden Ali Ahmeti, denn diese hätten die albanische Sache verraten.

Die eigentliche Forderung der Demonstranten betrifft jedoch die Freilassung von 20 Muslimen, zumeist aus der albanischen Volksgruppe, die am 2. Mai dieses Jahres von der mazedonischen Polizei nach dreiwöchiger Fahndung im Zusammenhang mit der Ermordung von fünf ethnischen Mazedoniern verhaftet wurden. Nach Angaben des mazedonischen Innenministeriums seien die Beweise für eine direkte Täterschaft von drei der Verhafteten, alle ehemalige Afghanistan-Kämpfer, erdrückend. Bei den Verdächtigen wurden zahlreiche automatische Waffen sowie islamistisches Propagandamaterial sichergestellt.

Mazedonier vor Karfreitag hingerichtet

Am 12. April, dem Vorabend des höchsten orthodoxen Feiertages, des Karfreitags, wurden an einem Teich in einem Vorort im Nordosten von Skopje die Leichen von fünf ethnischen Mazedoniern aufgefunden. Die Körper von vier Männern im Alter von etwa 20 Jahren lagen fein säuberlich nebeneinandergereiht und wiesen Einschüsse vorne und hinten auf - ein nicht zu übersehendes Anzeichen für eine organisierte Hinrichtung. Das fünfte Opfer, ein etwa 45-jähriger Mann, der offenbar Zeuge des Vorfalls war, lag in einigem Abstand daneben.

Trotz Dementis seitens der Behörden und ausländischer Vertreter erkannte die mazedonische Bevölkerung sofort die Handschrift von muslimisch-albanischen Extremisten. Ein tiefer Schock und eine tiefe Furcht überzog die gesamte christliche Bevölkerung des Landes an diesem Oster-Wochenende, begannen doch die ethnisch-religiösen Auseinandersetzungen im Jahre 2001 mit der Ermordung eines alten, in der Einschicht um Skopje lebenden Ehepaares. In einer ersten, allerdings schnell wieder abgewürgten Reaktion kam es zu Demonstrationen von ethnischen Mazedoniern, ein Sturm der nördlich des Vardar-Flusses gelegenen albanischen Stadtteile wurde durch massiven Polizeieinsatz verhindert.

QUELLE

Crvenkovski announces Protests

Macedonian bus drivers applauded the announcement of SDSM's leader Branko Crvenkovski in which the opposition leader promised to organize numerous protests against the Government led by Gruevski, stated Crvenkovski in a press conference earlier today.

The first protest is to be held on June 3rd in Strumica. The second protest is to take place on June 10th in Veles and the third in Kumanovo on June 24th.

After a deserved vacation time, the last protest is in Skopje, on September 2nd, as everyone is expected to be back from their vacations.

This a second attempt by the SDSM to organize protests in Skopje. The previous protests were unsucessful despite hiring 30 buses to bring protesters from other cities to the capital. Similar operational plan is expected this time around as well.

The Mayor of Strumica and SDSM's VP has already been making threats to his administration that everyone including their family members must board buses headed to protest sites if they'd like to keep their jobs. Why go on vacation when the SDSM promises to take you to Strumica, Veles, Kumanovo, Skopje for freee? 

Currently Macedonia has no opposition. The communist elite from the 1970's continues to run the SDSM, organize meaningless press conferences in which they are against new investments, schools, new hospitals, roads, promise to crush the Alexander the Great monument, rename the Airport... only to schedule new press conferences the following day in which they claim they got carried away in their statements.

This is Macedonia's opposition? 

Humor:

Greece to be kicked out of NATO for its behavior towards Macedonia: survey

Greece is the NATO member-state most likely to be kicked out of the Alliance because of its behaviour towards Macedonia and Turkey, shows a survey of the Atlantic Council and Foreign Policy magazine.

The two renowned institutions polled about 60 renowned heads of state, ministers of defense and foreign affairs, intelligence officers, and current and former members of Congress.

When asked which country they would kick out of NATO, Greece won comfortably with 18 votes, followed by Hungary (5), Turkey (4), Iceland (3), whereas 22 respondents said all member-states should remain in the Alliance.

Respondents said the reasons for Greece's NATO expelling were the its behavior towards Macedonia and Greece, as well as "its boundlessly selfish egotism and disruptive tactics".

On the other hand, when asked which country should join NATO, Macedonia was second with six votes, behind Sweden (13), but ahead of Australia, Georgia and the Ukraine with five each.

In the survey, (http://www.acus.org/event/atlantic-councilforeign-policy-survey-future-nato), respondents said the economic crisis is the biggest challenge for the transatlantic alliance, followed by nationalism and internal divisions. All respondents said NATO should continue to exist and the United States should remain in the Alliance. Only ten supported the idea of Russia joining NATO, whereas 19 left this option open for the future.

Interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo have been assessed as most successful, whereas the war in Afghanistan as the least successful undertaken by NATO.

When asked if NATO's European members could have conducted the operation in Libya without U.S. assistance, 48 respondents said "No".

Respondents included Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Lithuanian Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, former Congressmen Jim Kolbe, former Bulgarian Defense Minister Boyko Noev, Members of European Parliament Ioan Mircea Pascu and Ana Maria Gomes, analysts Daniel Serwer and Sally McNamara etc.