Reaction regarding the incorrect information given by the Minister of Defence, Lazar Elenovski

The Ministry of Defence of Republic of Macedonia gives untrue and incorrect information regarding the usage of premises without fees by the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi and the Association of single parents “Skopje” from Skopje 

The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi finds that the Minister of defence Lazar Elenovski should take responsibility being the sponsor of the campaign “We are ready” with the slogan “Macedonia in NATO – We, the children, their gold”.
 
During the Day of ARM (Macedonian Army), the Minster as a sponsor of the event, roughly violated the Children’s Rights when he allowed the inclusion of children not older than 14, to lobby and perform a political and military campaign for Macedonia’s NATO admission.
 
The Children’s Embassy Megjashi filed a written appeal to Mr. Idget Memeti, the Ombudsman, who through the daily papers confirmed that this is a typical case of political abuse of children.

Our request is the Minister of defence to take responsibility as a sponsor of this event and to resign.

At the same time, we appeal to the Ministry of Defence to inform the public with accurate and correct information. It is true that the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi is using premises from the Ministry of Defence of Republic of Macedonia, but the Embassy Megjashi is using this space together with the Association of single parents “Skopje” from Skopje ( former Association of Single mothers „Dika„).

Also, this Ministry should emphasise that the premises were given in the year 2000 when Mr. Ljube Boshkovski was Minister, and the contract was renewed in 2006, when Jovo Manasievsnki was Minister.

We request and expect that the Ministry of defence gives accurate and complete information. Namely, in the contract dated 14.09.2000 legalized in Notary under No. 03-5470/2 it’s clearly visible that the holders (First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi and Association of single parents “Dika”) use a total of 533,86 square meters.

We request from the ministry of Defence to refute the information released in the public today, that the Children’s Embassy is using premises, that the premises were not given in 2006, and that there are no 1500 square meters as said in the statement from this Ministry in the printed media.

Also, we emphasise that it is not correct to defocus the public from the need the Minister to take responsibility for this unpleasant event.