MAK-NEWS #185.2 Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1992 22:29:47 +1100 ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================ Dnevni Vesti 9/12/92M ===================== ----------------------------------------------------------------- Makedonskite vesti bea iprateni vo MAK-NEWS #184 (M.I.L.S). ================================================================= MILS - NEWS Skopje, December 9, 1992 KIRO GLIGOROV PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA E X P O S E at the Fifty-second Session of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia In the course of this month there are two events of extreme importance for the completion of the international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia: the Summit of the European Community Heads of States and Governments in Edinburgh on December 11 and 12 and the start of the procedure for the admission of the Republic of Macedonia to the UN, during the second half of December. Those were events closely related to the intensive international activity of the Republic of Macedonia. The Platform and the principles of this activity has been persistently founded, during the entire period, on the stand points and documents established by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia and specially the Declaration which was adopted by this Assembly regarding the EC Lisbon Declaration. I. FIRST OF ALL, ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY During this period, our overall activity has been based on the following principles: 1. That the Republic of Macedonia is a sovereign and independent state, which gained its independence in a peaceful and legitimate manner and, within the frameworks of the international norms, has requested international recognition; 2. That the Republic of Macedonia has met all the conditions for international recognition, contained un the UN Charter, the Helsinki Declaration and the Charter of Paris, as well as the conditions set forth by the EC regarding the recognition of the republics of former Yugoslavia. It was also as you are well familiar, stated, by the EC Arbitration Commission on January 15, 1992. 3. That despite the international legal principles and norms and the practice in the international relations, the recognition of the Republic of Macedonia has been blocked within the EC. The main and only reason for this is the objection of the Republic of Greece and its request that in order to be recognized the Republic of Macedonia should change its name excluding from it the term Macedonia. The privileged position of Greece in the EC and the consensus principle of decision making in the EC were decisive for such a request to be included when the EC Lisbon Declaration was adopted. 4. That the Republic of Macedonia cannot accept change of its name, in which the term Macedonia will not be contained. First, such a request is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia and to the will of the citizens expressed at the Referendum of September 8, 1991. Second, such a request is a precedent in the international relationships: it directly threatens the rights of the peoples to self -determination, the freedom of choice of its name and national affiliation and the dignity of the citizens. Third, such a request may create serious severe consequences not only for the independence of the Macedonian state and the identity of the Macedonian people, but also for the peace and stability of the South of the Balkans. It would represent a potential threat in achieving the well-known aspirations of the neighbours against the Macedonian state and the Macedonian people. Aspirations which are not only a historical fact but also are of current importance in the present situation of the Balkans. 5. That the irrational request for change of the name, cannot be preferred, i.e. survival of the Government of one country on the expense of the survival of an entire people and state. 6. That the Republic of Macedonia is committed and leads a peaceful policy. It did not take part in the war in the region of former Yugoslavia and during the entire period supported the international peace forces, both within the EC and within the UN. 7. That the Republic of Macedonia is committed to lasting peace, equal cooperation and co-existence in the Balkan. It is for inalterability of the frontiers, for political dialogue and peaceful means in resolving disputes, for overall economic, political and cultural cooperation, for free movement of people, goods and ideas. A condition for maintaining peace in the ethnically diversive Balkans is respect of the rights of the nationalities and their implementation within the frameworks of the international documents and standards. II. ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES FROM EC DECISIONS 1. The delay of the international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia by the European Community created a wider blockade of the international recognition. Due to the mandate which the CSCE gave to the EC in resolving the problem of former SFRY, practically most of the countries in the world have decided, bilaterally and within the international institutions, to follow EC, with the stand point that it has the mandate and that it is an "European issue". Because of this, admission of the Republic of Macedonia in the CSCE has been stopped three times, although it also meets the CSCE criteria. 2. The delay of the international recognition has prevented the Republic of Macedonia to become a member of international financial institutions and organizations. 3. The delay of the international recognition has created conditions for aggravation of the economic situation of the Republic of Macedonia, resulting from the direct and indirect damages that the republic is suffering from the war in the region of the former SFRY, the UN sanctions against F.R. of Yugoslavia and from the blockade, the oil embargo and other economy pressures imposed on Macedonia by neighbouring Greece. The conditions for normal leaving and business operations have been extremely affected and , as a result of this the social and political tensions have increased. It could represent a threat to democracy and peace in the Republic. 4. All this is occurring in a situation of increased instability in the Balkan region. The severe war in Bosnia-Herzegovina is still going on. The unsolved problem of Kosovo and the uncertain outcome of the internal situation in F.R. of Yugoslavia, represent a serious threat for the war to escalate to the South of the Balkans. The Republic of Greece is continuing with the economic pressures and blockades, refuses to compromise in reaching a solution for the recognition of the Republic of Macedonia and is leading an unprecedented anti Macedonia campaign throughout the world. During the past several months, the increased tensions in the region, and especially the threat that the war might escalate in Kosovo, caused certain political movements and initiatives in the Balkans, to emerge, between different countries or joint initiatives. Most of them relied also on the fact of non- recognition of the Republic of Macedonia, as was the initiative of Greece for giving a guarantee for the borders of the republic by its neighbours. It was a purely political manoeuvre to prove that Macedonia is not endangered in any way and its recognition should not be urged until the conditions are met, and, in the meantime the economic collapse and social tensions force us to accept the conditions are to be a subject of intervention for the sake of peace in the Balkans. 5. A direct consequence of the Lisbon decision is the fact that the EC was place in a situation not to be in a position to implement it. III. ABOUT THE UNDERTAKEN STEPS IN ACHIEVING THE POSITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 1. The main activity was concentrated towards the realization of the position that the Lisbon Declaration is unacceptable for the Republic of Macedonia and that the EC must find the way out with a solution acceptable also for the Republic of Macedonia. And consequently, the EC appointed a special mission, headed by Ambassador O`Neill, in order to find a solution for the problem. Intensive and continuous contacts with the EC, especially with Great Britain as the Presidency state, have been established, as well as numerous contacts and meetings with the neighbouring countries, other Europeans countries and regions. 2. Securing presence of competent international organizations in the process of protecting the stability in the region, under conditions of blocked international recognition. To this end, there was a special activity to engage the CSCE and UN, and as a result the CSCE sent a monitoring mission to the Republic of Macedonia, while the UN Secretary General adopted a decision and sent a mission to assess the need of deployment of peace-keeping forces in the Republic of Macedonia to control the borders with Serbia and Albania. More over, overall cooperation has been established with the Geneva Peace Conference. 3. Proceeding with previous activities for UN membership. The request for UN membership of the Republic has been submitted. According to the procedure, it is expected that the debate will start at the Security Council session, in the second half of this month. The Republic of Macedonia meets all the UN Charter conditions for membership. Regarding the UN membership numerous contacts have been established; several times with the UN Secretary General and the Security Council member states. Two EC member states are permanent members of the Security Council: Great Britain and France. During the decision making in the Security Council the right of veto might be used. The UN membership of the Republic of Macedonia in respect of the procedural and legal aspect, is a clear issue. But, a political reality is that some EC members are ready to vote in favour, some to abstain or a member, which is entitled, to put a veto in the Security Council. 4. Intensive activities and contacts in the IMF, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, during the preparation activities for membership. 5. Numerous and intensive activities connected with overcoming the damages and consequences resulting from: - the UN sanctions against F.R. of Yugoslavia for which formally compensation of the damages by the UN have been requested; - the oil embargo and blockade by neighbouring Greece for which the EC, the European Commission and the wider international public have been continuously informed. 6. Provision of economic, technical and humanitarian assistance (primarily from the EC and USA). IV. CURRENT CONTENTS AND ELEMENTS FOR RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF RECOGNITION IN THE EC First, the fact that the EC has been given the mandate by the CSCE to decide for the international recognition of the Republic of Former SFRY is essential and relevant. It would be best that it is done by the consent of the European Community, because of our future relations with it, which for Macedonia as an European country are of extreme importance, or at least by the consent of the majority of the EC members. Second, a limiting factor for the EC positive decision is the principal of consensus for decision making within the EC. Although, as Mr Douglas Hurd stated the day before yesterday, if there is no consensus formally each member could act according to its will. Third, at the Edinburgh summit the EC will debate on the basis of the Ambassador O`Neill`s Report and the proposal of Great Britain as Presidency in order to find a way out from the inapplicability of the Lisbon Declaration, i.e. to reach a solution acceptable for all parties. Regarding the activities of the EC Presidency during the recent months and based on the recent talks with the British Prime Minister John Major, the following views have been presented: 1. Among a certain number of EC members there is readiness and goodwill to resolve the international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia at the Edinburgh summit. The economy consequences of the Republic of Macedonia resulting from the delay of its recognition, are well known and appalling. There is a great concern that further delay of the recognition represents a factor of instability in the region and a threat for the internal stability of the Republic. 2. Despite the fact that the Republic of Macedonia meets the conditions set forth by the EC for recognition, a political problem in the Community is created because of the Greek request for the change of the name. Within the EC the principle of consensus and solidarity is operational. Due to this, according to their opinion it is necessary to have a compromise between the position of the Republic of Macedonia and the republic of Greece in order to resolve the issue. 3. The Republic of Greece remains on the position that it has an inviolable historical right to the name Macedonia. Accordingly, the only compromise would be that the Republic of Macedonia accepts the formula of dual name: for internal and external use. The name for external use should not contain the term Macedonia. the use of the term Macedonia for Greece allegedly means an expression of territorial aspirations and threat of its national security. 4. The position of the Republic of Macedonia for the urgent need of international recognition have been entirely accepted. Thee activities off the Republic of Macedonia so far for reaching a compromise approach: namely the changes in the Constitution, the initiatives for signing bilateral agreements for the borders and friendship and cooperation etc. have been considered as an expression of goodwill and respect of the European principles of behaviour. They understand the reasons because of which the Republic can not give up its name; the protection of the national identity and prevention of the aspirations of the neighbours. But, the Greek position is a reality and it is of interest for the Republic of Macedonia that the EC adopts a decision with the consent of Greece too. Any other different solution, according to their opinion, would create additional and long-term problems. 5. In the event a compromise is reached and the EC recognizes the Republic of Macedonia, an extensive project for international recognition, for UN membership, membership in the international financial organizations and institutions and for extensive economic assistance for Macedonia will begin. 6. In the event a decision is not reached and the recognition is again is postponed in Edinburgh, the activities in the UN would develop with greater difficulties. In such a case the economic assistance would be also limited. 7. Due to all this, it would be best again, according to their opinion, that the Republic of Macedonia, prior to the Edinburgh summit, expresses readiness for a certain modification, i.e. to add to the name a word for external use. Due to the fact that the Republic of Macedonia completely refuses the possibility to change its name, then as an act of good will it could express its readiness to introduce a word to its present name only for external use. Such a readiness would serve for the benefit of the activities of the countries friends of the Republic of Macedonia in their efforts for international recognition and would exert strong pressure during the decision making in Edinburgh and within the UN frameworks. It is not requested the Republic of Macedonia adopts such a decision now, but after the Edinburgh summit, depending of its outcome. Those were the proposals presented by Great Britain, respectively the EC. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. We are facing the following objectives: - the EC decision is relevant for the problem of international recognition as a whole, - there is no certainty that the EC countries members of the Security Council would not block the UN decision, - the extended delay of recognition creates an impossible economic situation, the consequences of which represent a real threat for the social peace, democracy and inter-ethnic relations, - the extended delay makes our position in the region unstable. 2. What are our possible steps: - We do not give up our name Macedonia. No one, neither the President of the Republic, nor the Government or the Parliament, has the right to give up the name Macedonia. For this there is neither a constitutional basis, nor a political or moral right. The consequences of such a decision would be a threat to the identity of the Macedonian people, to the stability of the state and its survival within the surrounding. - The arguments of the Republic off Greece that the name Macedonia implicates a territorial aspirations are absolutely unfounded. The Republic of Macedonia is a sovereign and independent state with constitutionally established borders. We are ready to sign bilateral agreements with Greece for inviolability of the frontiers and for friendship and cooperation. More precisely regarding the implications arising from the name: definition of the Republic defines and locates the Republic of Macedonia as a state-legal personality and not identification with the entire geographic region. As an additional step towards compromise and as an expression of goodwill, we could show readiness for adding to the name a word for external use, a term which more precisely locates the state territory, although it is not necessary, the name of the capital city in brackets. The decision about this would depend on the outcome of the Edinburgh summit. This would not require a change in the Constitution of the Republic. - The activities for UN membership of the Republic of Macedonia to continue and new contacts to be established, depending of the outcome of the Edinburgh summit. 3. The possible outcomes of Edinburgh and our future activities: a) The EC to recognize the Republic of Macedonia with the proposed compromised name for external use by adding the word Skopje in brackets. - Under such circumstances the Assembly would adopt a decision for adding a word to the name of the Republic of Macedonia for external use. Immediate activities would be initiated in the UN and the membership in the international political and financial organizations. b) The EC would again postpone the recognition off the Republic of Macedonia with a position that no acceptable solution for all parties has been reached yet. - In such a case, we would immediately begin our activities in the UN for recognition under our name. c) The EC to conclude that no consent has been reached for the recognition of the Republic of Macedonia, but each EC member could individually resolve this issue. - Under such circumstances, the Assembly is not obliged to adopt any decision for adding a word to the name. Immediately activities would be initiated for membership in the UN and other international institutions and organizations. CONCLUSION: What has been achieved so far: First, these negotiations have definitely shown that the Lisbon Declaration, requesting that the term Macedonia is erased from the name of the state, is inapplicable and is out of the question. Our arguments have been respected. Second, in any solution the name of the Republic of Macedonia remains. The Constitution shall not be changed. In the event Community recognizes us, which means that this recognition would be by the 12 members, in such case and only for external use after the name of the Republic of Macedonia (Skopje) would follow. This is the exception which, in that case, could be made in order to resolve not only the problem of immediate and direct recognition of our state, but also for lasting good neighbourly relations and cooperation with the Republic of Greece. Third, by this we would once again demonstrate our goodwill, and in case our souther neighbour fails to do so, the European Community and the entire international community would once again be convinced who is preventing the settlement of the situations in the Balkans and peaceful co-egsistance of the Balkan peoples. Accordingly, we have and we shall continue to defend in future the name of the Republic of Macedonia, our national identity and dignity, convinced that it is what we owe to the present and future generations. >From all what has been said, it is evident that it is not necessary to adopt any formal decision today. In the meantime we will do our best, until Edinburgh, to convince all the members that it is the right time for Macedonia to be recognize by the entire European Community. After the decision of the Edinburgh summit, we will have our final say- whether the conditions for a formal decision have bee met. Immediately after the Edinburgh summit, the procedure for membership of the Republic of Macedonia in the UN shall follow. -------------------------------------------------------------- The MILS News daily report is produced by M.I.L.S. (Macedonian Information and Liaison Service) and is available by electronic mail via listserver (mak-news@uts.edu.au), by fax, and by postal mail. Requests for permission to reprint or retransmit this material should be addressed to amils@nyx.cs.du.edu or sk@sunbim.be. Such requests will generally be granted on the condition that the material is clearly attributed to the MILS. 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