Macedonia celebrates Republic Day
Macedonia observes Thursday the 115th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising and the 74th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM).
President Gjorge Ivanov will lead a delegation at a ceremony marking the national day at the site Meckin Kamen, where he is expected to deliver an address.
The event will be also attended by a government delegation, including Deputy PM Koco Angjusev, Transport Minister Goran Sugareski, Minister of Information Society and Administration Damjan Mancevski, Minister of Local Self-Government Suhejl Fazliu and Health Minister Venko Filipce.
Observances at the ASNOM Memorial Center in Pelince will see the participation of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, who will be joined by Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, Minister of Justice Renata Deskoska and Minister of Culture Asaf Ademi. PM Zaev is also scheduled to address the event.
In the capital Skopje, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi will deliver an address in front of the monument of Metodija Andonov-Cento, first president of the ASNOM presidency.
Inspired by the Krusevo Manifest, this year’s slogan reads ‘Our Macedonia – regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex and conviction. Because we have forever lived as brothers and sisters in this country! For justice, freedom and human life!’
Later in the day, PM Zaev will mark the 115th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, alongside his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov.
The two premiers will lay wreaths on the monument of Goce Delcev in Macedonia square in the town of Blagoevgrad.
Today will mark the second joint celebration after the signing of the Macedonia-Bulgaria friendship treaty one year ago.
The start of the Ilinden uprising was announced by church bells in Krusevo on the eve of St. Elijah Day in 1903. Around 800 insurgents liberated the town. Two days later, Nikola Karev declared the Krusevo Republic and became its president. The free republic lasted ten days.
An 18-thousand Ottoman army headed towards Krusevo and regained control of Krusevo. The last shots fired there killed Pitu Guli, one of the most prominent fighters, and marked the end of the Krusevo Republic.
Forty-one years after the Ilinden Uprising, 115 delegates held the first session of the Antifascist Assembly of the Macedonia’s National Liberation (ASNOM), whereat the social and legal status of Macedonia was determined as a constituent country within the framework of the future Yugoslav federation. Members of the ASNOM presidency were elected with Metodija Andonov-Cento as its president.
The first ASNOM session saw the passage of several documents of constitutional importance, including resolution on the introduction of Macedonian language as the country’s official language and the Declaration of the Basic Rights of Men and Citizens of Democratic Macedonia.
Talat Xhaferi refused to bow to the monuments of ASNOM and Nikola Karev (PHOTO)
Why did Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi break the protocol refusing to bow to the monuments of ASNOM and Nikola Karev at Thusrsday’s Ilinden celebration in Skopje? Employees in the parliamentary services confirm that, according to protocol, Talat Xhaferi should have done this, and say they were surprised by his move.
The Parliament Speaker’s Office told Republika that everything was as usual, that the protocol was not broken.
We agreed with the vice-presidents, because Vesel Memed led the parliament delegation in Krusevo, Goran Misovski in Pelince, to allow Frosina Remeski, as the only female vice-president, to lead the parliament delegation in Skopje. So, the Speaker was in front of the Cento monument, while Remenski in front of the monuments of ASNOM and Nikola Karev outside the Parliament’s building, the Office of Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi told Republika.
The state protocol requires laying wreath in front of three monuments downtown Skopje, first in front of the monument of ASNOM in ‘Woman Fighter’ park, then in front of the monument of Nikola Karev outside the Parliament;s building and finally in front of the monument of Metodija Andonov Cento on the square.
Talat Xhaferi refused to bow and pay homage to the monuments of ASNOM and Karev, and he met the other delegations and guests in front of a restaurant on the square from where he headed to the monument to Cento.
Mickoski: Ilinden is the cry of the enslaved Macedonian, it is our duty to preserve this state!
Ilinden is the cry of the enslaved Macedonian, it is the thirst for freedom and human justice, the natural aspiration for a state of every Macedonian. This was stated by VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski at the celebration of the Ilinden Uprising in Tashmarunishte, Struga.
The VMRO-DPMNE leader said that it would always be a dilemma that the uprising did not succeed, that the chances of final victory at that moment were equal to zero, but the uprising happened and it is a fact that will be engraved in the history books and in all Macedonians.
He also said that when talking about such an epic fight for freedom, and when taking into account the consequences that were later felt, the human sacrifices, blackmails, burnings, devastation, the basic message today is that we live an expensive freedom written with human sacrifices that we must preserve, and its preservation primarily dependents on ourselves.
Zaev in Pelince, Xhaferi in Skopje – both used Republic Day as referendum campaign
Patriotism is when you are paving the way for future generations establishing a country recognized internationally, proud and equal with others, a country the citizens are proud of. The courage of our fighters we are celebrating today is the motivation guiding us every day, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Thursday.
There is no better way to pay tributes than to continue to make courageous steps.
It is time that Macedonia made history accelerating its efforts on the road to a brighter future. Together we should respond to that chance, no one will make a decision for us, Zaev stated speaking in Pelince at a ceremony marking Macedonia’s Republic Day.
The PM called on the citizens to support the Sept. 30 referendum and vote Yes ‘for future generations and for the future of Macedonia.’ Zaev called the name deal with Greece ‘patriotic’ that preserved Macedonian identity, language and nationality.
The future, Zaev said, is the right choice and every one of us should take responsibility for their future, thus for the future of their own country.
“Go out and make a choice, let no one tell you otherwise. The democratic say of the citizens must be respected, their opinion is final,” he noted saying he was confident that the Macedonian people would make the right choice.
“No one can slow us down, we are determined to make Macedonia successful.
It’s time we put an end to captured state, crime, corruption in the judiciary, biased media, and political mafia.”
On September 30, PM Zaev said, we will defeat darkness, crime, uncertainty and isolation. “Vote Yes for stability and security through membership into NATO, for a recognized identity, language and culture,” he told attendees of the ceremony at the ASNOM Memorial Center in Pelince, north Macedonia.
Referring to the name agreement with Greece, Zaev said that the document ‘historically speaking’ was the best chance, a fair chance for the Macedonian citizens and an investment into the future blazing the trail for Macedonia to join NATO and start negotiations with the EU.
He also noted that the deal protected the Macedonian identity and guaranteed the right of the country’s citizens to determine themselves as Macedonians.
The official ceremony kicked off with the national anthem and wreaths being laid in the ASNOM Memorial Center, where PM Zaev is joined by a delegation, including Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski and Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov.
Ilinden (August 2) is one of the fundamental dates in the history of Macedonia and its citizens, who had one single goal – free and independent state where human rights and liberties are equally respected regardless of one’s ethnic, religious or any other characteristics, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said in his speech in front of Metodija Andonov-Cento’s monument in downtown Skopje marking Macedonia’s Republic Day.
“If we look at the Krusevo Manifest, if we look at the ASNOM documents, we will realize that human rights and liberties and the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character of the Macedonian society had been the fundamental backbone on which the leaders of both Ilindens laid the foundations of the state and the civil society,” said Xhaferi.
Speaking near the monument of Cento, the first ASNOM president and the first president of the National Assembly’s presidency since 1945, the Parliament’s Speaker said that in the past 27 years of Macedonia’s independence, the country had faced many ordeals and crises that had been overcome with unity.
He referred to the public overwhelming support for NATO and EU integration and called on the opposition and all citizens to endorse the process of implementing the name deal with Greece.
“We received an invitation for full-fledged membership into NATO and we got a concrete date to start accession negotiations with the EU,” Xhaferi said noting that it had been achieved with the support of friends and strategic partners from the international community.
Today, he added, Macedonia is faced with yet another major decision, perhaps a fateful one.
“Are we going to move on with our Euro-Atlantic integration bid or are we going to get stuck in the Balkan deadlock leading nowhere is our choice,” stressed Xhaferi.
According to him, the current administration and the parliamentary majority have demonstrated preparedness to take responsibility for the future of the country and of its citizens.
“Hence, we call on the opposition to take over part of the responsibility for the future of the country and the citizens. I want to urge all the citizens of Macedonia, the leaders of the political parties and all MPs, ruling and opposition, to be genuinely responsible and visionaries and with the power of their vote to endorse the implementation of the Agreement, which will meet the ultimate strategic goal – EU and NATO membership,” Xhaferi said adding that it would fulfill the dreams and pledges of every past generation for a free, independent country in which the respect of human rights and liberties was essential.
Freaks, Traitors: Government delegation attacked in Krusevo with plastic bottles (VIDEO)
Upon completion of the event marking the 115th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising and the 74th anniversary of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) on the Meckin Kamen site on Thursday, a violent group went toward representatives of the Government, but police security prevented it from getting closer to them, eyewitnesses say.
Still, they threw plastic bottles and cans at the officials, while shouting swear words and insults such as freaks, traitors.
The event was attended by a government delegation, including Deputy PM Koco Angjusev, Transport Minister Goran Sugareski, Minister of Information Society and Administration Damjan Mancevski, Minister of Local Self-Government Suhejl Fazliu and Health Minister Venko Filipce.
Ivanov’s Office: The Government to ask itself why it was booed
The Office of President Gjorge Ivanov has said they are sorry about the Krusevo incident, but it was not provoked by the messages in the president’s speech.
“The President of the Republic of Macedonia has never supported incidents and hate speech. We are sorry that the government delegation elicited boos from the crowd at the celebration of the Ilinden holiday on Meckin Kamen in Krusevo, but we think that in no way was it caused by the messages sent by President Ivanov,” reads the statement of the President’s Office.
Therefore, they urge the government to ask itself why the Macedonian people react in this way to government officials and, as it was said in the statement, to take responsibility for why the people are divided and spread hate speech towards state institutions and opponents.
Zaev: My term as Prime Minister could end on 30 September if citizens vote against we will cancel the agreement with Greece
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev doesn’t wish to predict how the Parliament will vote if the referendum on name deal fails, namely if the voter turnout is not sufficient. However he is certain in the referendum’s success, as there is no alternative about the direction Macedonia is taking.
‘We have an extraordinary, unique opportunity we must seize.
We, the politicians, have done our job making decisions regardless of the consequences of this process.
My term as Prime Minister expires in December 2020, but it could end on 30 September (the referendum day) this year. However I am here to make decisions. I’ve done that and I am grateful that the government and the parliament support these decisions, being made to met the citizens’ expectations,’ Zaev told reporters on Wednesday.
All political stakeholders bear responsibility for Macedonia’s future, Zaev said, appealing to all political stakeholders to act responsibly and allow citizens to make decision on a matter of historic importance for the country.
The referendum is being scheduled for 30 September to enable citizens to freely voice their opinion on the (name) deal with Greece and Macedonia’s future within the EU and NATO.
Commenting the possible visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Macedonia, PM Zaev said he invited world leader to visit the country in support of its ongoing processes.
“I hope they will find time and come here to encourage citizens to come out and make a decision,’ Zaev said.
Zaev offered Mickoski to enter Government as long as he agrees to name change | MINA Report
SDS leader Zoran Zaev revealed in an interview tonight that he offered DPNE entry into the Government ,
as long as Mickoski supports the agreement with Greece. It has become apparent, the Deep State via Jess Baily at this point will do just about anything to change Macedonia’s name.
DPNE’s president Mickoski categorically refused Zaev’s offer.
– I offered to be a PM until 2020, but I am ready to share my mandate with VMRO-DPMNE, to go through and support the referendum, but they refused. I sent them an invitation to join the government until we become a full member of NATO, sometime by end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 when the negotiations with the EU begin.
But it’s done now, they have rejected the proposal, says Zaev.
On the offer, Mickoski stated that he did not intend to be part of a government that works strictly against the interests of the Republic of Macedonia, implementing a treasonous agreement.
In addition he considers the offer to enter Zaev’s Government as a simple bribe that he will never accept.
Namely, what is now known is that Mickoski, although previously criticized for being too soft in his views, remained extremely vigilant and hard in his views to the very end, opting for a technical government before the elections, the SEC and a new law on party financing.
The stumbling block was the referendum issue which, according to VMRO-DPMNE, must be unequivocal and not correlated with EU or NATO integration, which is in itself another topic and a different process.
At the same time, for people who follow the internal situation and politics, Zaev’s offer is surprising, considering he claimed that over 70% support the agreement with Greece. The reality is very, very different.
Nutjob Zaev getting desperate: I’ll quit, just go and vote “No” in referendum | MINA Report
Zaev’s latest attempt at obtaining referendum attendance is allegedly throwing a bone to the people that he will quit if people vote “No”. This kindergarten attempt at a lie comes from Zaev’s already seen factory of lies. Fully aware of the public’s hatred towards him,
the SDS leader apparently tries to utilize that momentum to trick people into getting out to vote.
By the time we publish this column, Zaev will change his mind and will come up with something else.
However, the level of desperation for the Anglo-American fascists and Zaev’s handlers has already reached a boiling point.
As MINA has reported in the past, the foreign governor in Macedonia (
US Ambassador Jess Baily), desperately needs attendance in order to commit referendum fraud (stuff ballot boxes with “Yes” votes).
Judging by the public reaction to the Krushevo visit of US State Department shill Mathew Palmer and Government mafioso Kocho Angjushev, the writing is on the wall, the referendum will fail.
As a result, Zaev has tried from threatening people to go out and vote, if they don’t vote the referendum will somehow become valid, to lying he would quit if people boycott to now offering resignation of the Government if people vote “no”… imagine that. Whatever it takes to try and trick people into voting. This is from a man who swore on his children he would never try to change the Constitutional name!?
MINA finds, Jess Baily has asked of Zaev to get roughly 700,000 votes in attendance, the other 100-150,000 votes will be “provided” via ballot stuffing by Zaev’s criminal gangs, and all of this will be approved in the end by the Anglo-American fascists who call themselves “the international community”.
The Government in June and July conducted two polls which were never made public, because the poll results were disastrous for Zaev’s handlers.
Majority of the country > 74% will boycott the referendum, hence Zaev’s latest offers to allegedly quit, but only if people went out to vote “No”.
DUI’s Bujar Osmani tried to help Zaev..
Osmani continues to cruelly deprive a village somewhere of an idiot…
Desperate times…
Ivcheva: This joke of a referendum must be boycotted | MINA Report
Former deputy Minister of Interior Natalija Ivcheva had a debate on Alfa TV with a SDS analyst.
Ivcheva: Why go to a referendum that’s illegal in its content, the Government has stated if the results are negative it will ignore the results, but if they are positive to them then the result somehow become obligatory?! All of this is illegal. Essentially the Governnment says the Referendum is valid only if the results are good for the Government?! Of course this referendum must be boycotted… says Ivcheva.
Watch the debate.
“Mladi za Makedonija” launches campaign for referendum boycott (PHOTO)
“Today, 2 August, Ilinden, we symbolically and officially launch the “I Boycott” campaign. The homelnd is not loved with empty words and showing off, but with work and deeds. We do not celebrate Ilinden with food and entertainment, but with work. And so we will continue to the final defense of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as our identity and language.
We the young promise to be at the forefront in the battle against the referendum on “North” [Macedonia]. We will do everything we can to defend the name of our country, the Macedonian language and identity.
Also, we will start with the procedure to call on homeland referendum for the defense of the Macedonian red lines – our name, identity and language,” the Mladi za Makedonija organization wrote on its Facebook fan page.
Putin replaces Russian Ambassador to Macedonia | MINA Report
President Vladimir Putin has appointed Sergey Bazdnikin for a new Russia’s Ambassador to Macedonia, TASS reports.
Bazdnikin is to replace Oleg Scherbak, who has been serving as Russia’s Ambassador to Macedonia since 2010.
Bazdnikin is ex-Deputy Director of the Department for Foreign Policy Planning at the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
