Risto Stefov - Articles, Translations & Collaborations

[George S.]

Macedonia establishes diplomatic ties with Namibia under its constitutional name



New York, 21 December 2011 (MIA) - Macedonia has established Wednesday diplomatic ties with Namibia under its constitutional name. Namibia is the 133rd country to officially recognize the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.



This afternoon in New York Macedonia and Namibia have established diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level under the constitutional name of our country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.



The Ambassadors of both countries to the UN, Pajo Avirovic and Wilfried Emvula respectively, signed the joint communiqué, which according to the UN protocol will be distributed to all member states, the press release reads.



The relations between the two countries will develop in line with the principles of mutual respect, friendship, non-interference in internal affairs, as well as recognition of each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The establishing of diplomatic ties also offers great opportunities for bolstering the cooperation between Macedonia and Namibia in all spheres of mutual interest.

[George S.]

Greek Orthodox abbot goes to jail before trial over land scandal

By Reuters Staff

December 29, 2011

http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/12/29/greek-orthodox-abbot-goes-to-jail-before-trial-over-land-scandal/

The abbot of one of Greece’s richest and most powerful monasteries went to jail on Wednesday awaiting trial for hoodwinking the government in a high-profile land swap deal six years ago. Cypriot-born Efraim, 56, chief of the Vatopedi Monastery at the monastic community of Mount Athos, is accused of inciting officials to commit acts of fraud, perjury and money-laundering, a charge that can fetch him a jail term of several years.



The government is said to have lost tens of millions of euros in a series of land swaps with Vatopedi, a monastery with many prominent fans in Greece and abroad including Britain’s Prince Charles, who is a frequent visitor. Exposure of the scandal precipitated the fall of the country’s then conservative government in 2009.



Efraim, born Vassileios Koutsou, denies all charges. He was put behind bars at Greece’s biggest prison, Korydallos in Athens.



Greece has being plagued by chronic corruption, one reason for the weak state of its finances that led to its debt crisis. Several top politicians were said to have been involved in a string of scandals in the past. Greek lawmakers have investigated three former government ministers over Vatopedi. But the case against them was dropped because it fell under a statute of limitations. An investigation continued into monks and other public officials.



Efraim had been under house arrest at his monastic cell in Vatopedi since Saturday. He had returned from a relic-display fund-raising tour in Russia, where he met the country’s leader Vladimir Putin. His arrest caused an outcry among religious and conservative circles in Athens and Moscow.



“They rushed Efraim to jail on Christmas Eve while others who have embezzled Greek people’s money remain at large,” said George Karatzaferis, leader of the far-right LAOS party which is part of Greece’s coalition government.



– reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Harry Papachristou

–

[George S.]

Greek Orthodox abbot goes to jail before trial over land scandal

By Reuters Staff

December 29, 2011

http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2011/12/29/greek-orthodox-abbot-goes-to-jail-before-trial-over-land-scandal/

The abbot of one of Greece’s richest and most powerful monasteries went to jail on Wednesday awaiting trial for hoodwinking the government in a high-profile land swap deal six years ago. Cypriot-born Efraim, 56, chief of the Vatopedi Monastery at the monastic community of Mount Athos, is accused of inciting officials to commit acts of fraud, perjury and money-laundering, a charge that can fetch him a jail term of several years.



The government is said to have lost tens of millions of euros in a series of land swaps with Vatopedi, a monastery with many prominent fans in Greece and abroad including Britain’s Prince Charles, who is a frequent visitor. Exposure of the scandal precipitated the fall of the country’s then conservative government in 2009.



Efraim, born Vassileios Koutsou, denies all charges. He was put behind bars at Greece’s biggest prison, Korydallos in Athens.



Greece has being plagued by chronic corruption, one reason for the weak state of its finances that led to its debt crisis. Several top politicians were said to have been involved in a string of scandals in the past. Greek lawmakers have investigated three former government ministers over Vatopedi. But the case against them was dropped because it fell under a statute of limitations. An investigation continued into monks and other public officials.



Efraim had been under house arrest at his monastic cell in Vatopedi since Saturday. He had returned from a relic-display fund-raising tour in Russia, where he met the country’s leader Vladimir Putin. His arrest caused an outcry among religious and conservative circles in Athens and Moscow.



“They rushed Efraim to jail on Christmas Eve while others who have embezzled Greek people’s money remain at large,” said George Karatzaferis, leader of the far-right LAOS party which is part of Greece’s coalition government.



– reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Harry Papachristou

–

[George S.]

France to Sell Frigates to Greece in Controversial Deal


Berlin is unhappy about a weapons deal in which France plans to supply warships to highly indebted Greece free of charge for the first five years, and at a big discount when payment comes due. Firms and politicians in Germany say taxpayers may end up paying for part of the deal, and they want Chancellor Angela Merkel to intervene.

A huge arms deal is threatening to put French-German relations under strain. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, France wants to deliver two to four new frigates to the Greek navy and to allow the highly indebted nation to postpone payment of the €300 million ($412 million) purchase price per ship for the next five years.

Under the deal, Greece will have the option of paying up after five years, with a significant discount of €100 million, or returning them to the French navy. The "stealth" frigates are designed to avoid detection by enemy radar and are built by state-owned French defense company DCNS.

The deal is being criticized by German rivals that have been competing for the contract for years.

In a letter to the German government, an executive from the ThyssenKrupp group complained that the vessel purchase will in effect be co-financed by German taxpayers because Greece, reliant on aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, may have to restructure its debts.


'The Chancellor Must Stop Her Friend Sarkozy'


A Greek debt haircut is looking increasingly likely. If this happens and Greece is rescued again with funds from the European bailout mechanisms, Thyssen's scenario would come true. German taxpayers would shoulder part of Greece's government spending and thereby be forced to pay for a portion of the frigate purchase.

"While German naval shipyards aren't getting any orders, DCNS and Greek shipyards are being subsidized and kept alive, probably with German money in the end," the ThyssenKrupp executive said.

Uwe Beckmeyer, a member of parliament from the the center-left Social Democrats, says German jobs are at stake and called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to get French President Nicolas Sarkozy to abandon the ship sale. "The Chancellor must stop her friend Sarkozy," said Beckmeyer.

According to an internal Thyssen document, the deal may also breach EU rules on subsidies and public procurement. Thyssen has declined to make an official comment on the matter.

Members of Merkel's center-right coalition government -- comprised of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, it's Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union and the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) -- are also pressuring the chancellor to intervene.

"I expect the troika but also the German government to clarify this matter at the next EU summit," said Otto Fricke, a member of parliament for the FDP.

The troika, made up of the EU, IMF and European Central Bank, organized the bailout of Greece and is monitoring the nation's adherence to budget and economic reforms required by the lenders in return for their aid.

10/17/2011

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...792189,00.html

[George S.]

France to Sell Frigates to Greece in Controversial Deal


Berlin is unhappy about a weapons deal in which France plans to supply warships to highly indebted Greece free of charge for the first five years, and at a big discount when payment comes due. Firms and politicians in Germany say taxpayers may end up paying for part of the deal, and they want Chancellor Angela Merkel to intervene.

A huge arms deal is threatening to put French-German relations under strain. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, France wants to deliver two to four new frigates to the Greek navy and to allow the highly indebted nation to postpone payment of the €300 million ($412 million) purchase price per ship for the next five years.

Under the deal, Greece will have the option of paying up after five years, with a significant discount of €100 million, or returning them to the French navy. The "stealth" frigates are designed to avoid detection by enemy radar and are built by state-owned French defense company DCNS.

The deal is being criticized by German rivals that have been competing for the contract for years.

In a letter to the German government, an executive from the ThyssenKrupp group complained that the vessel purchase will in effect be co-financed by German taxpayers because Greece, reliant on aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund, may have to restructure its debts.


'The Chancellor Must Stop Her Friend Sarkozy'


A Greek debt haircut is looking increasingly likely. If this happens and Greece is rescued again with funds from the European bailout mechanisms, Thyssen's scenario would come true. German taxpayers would shoulder part of Greece's government spending and thereby be forced to pay for a portion of the frigate purchase.

"While German naval shipyards aren't getting any orders, DCNS and Greek shipyards are being subsidized and kept alive, probably with German money in the end," the ThyssenKrupp executive said.

Uwe Beckmeyer, a member of parliament from the the center-left Social Democrats, says German jobs are at stake and called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to get French President Nicolas Sarkozy to abandon the ship sale. "The Chancellor must stop her friend Sarkozy," said Beckmeyer.

According to an internal Thyssen document, the deal may also breach EU rules on subsidies and public procurement. Thyssen has declined to make an official comment on the matter.

Members of Merkel's center-right coalition government -- comprised of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, it's Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union and the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) -- are also pressuring the chancellor to intervene.

"I expect the troika but also the German government to clarify this matter at the next EU summit," said Otto Fricke, a member of parliament for the FDP.

The troika, made up of the EU, IMF and European Central Bank, organized the bailout of Greece and is monitoring the nation's adherence to budget and economic reforms required by the lenders in return for their aid.

10/17/2011

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...792189,00.html

[George S.]

Less healthcare, but Greece is still buying guns


Greeks furious at 'intact' arms spending as eurozone leaders insist on cuts to their public services

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...internalSearch

http://www.happensingreece.com/?p=888#more-888

As Greece is forced by European leaders to abandon a referendum to allow the people the chance to vote on its latest bailout conditions, the country is preparing for yet another dose of austerity.

The conditions of the next €130bn rescue package will be severe, yet there is an elephant in the room: the extent to which the German but also the French military industries rely on Greece.

The small, crisis-hit nation, whose prime minister, George Papandreou, narrowly survived a vote of confidence on Friday, buys more German weapons than any other country. Some Greeks want to know why it is that France and Germany are demanding cuts in pensions, salaries and public services, but the buying of arms is allowed to continue unabated.

Yanis Varoufakis, professor of economics at Athens University, says: "When Greek hospitals are running out of bandages, the only bit of the budget not being attacked by the EU and IMF is military expenditure."

Greece is the highest military spender, in terms of percentage of GDP, in the EU. Professor Varoufakis adds: "Greece is a disproportionately crucial customer for the armaments industry. In comparison to Greece's size, it's preposterous."

Despite its dire financial straits, the country's military expenditure has risen during the global financial crisis. It spent €7.1bn in 2010, compared with €6.24bn in 2007.

Some 58 per cent of Greece's military expenditure in 2010 went to Germany, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

The US is the major beneficiary of Greek military expenditure, with the Americans supplying 42 per cent of its arms. In second and third place are Germany, with 22.7 per cent, and then France, with 12.5 per cent.

Professor Varoufakis believes: "The EU and IMF keep giving loans to Greece to stop it going bankrupt, but countries such as Germany need to justify this to voters, hence the demand for spending cuts. But with Greece being such a crucial arms customer, it only takes a phone call to the German government from an armaments manufacturer to ensure that Greece's military budget stays intact."

Greece's defense budget is historically high due to the perceived threat from neighbouring Turkey. Arms companies have benefited by playing the two sides off against each other. Professor Varoufakis says: "Typically, one side buys, say, a frigate, and then the other buys the same frigate – with the only difference being the colour of the paint."

However, critics in Greece argue that, as an EU member, Greece should be guaranteed protection from Turkey by its more powerful allies. Although the EU is not a military alliance, common sense suggests that Greece could reasonably expect support if it was attacked by Turkey.

Kostas Panagopoulos, co-head of the Greek polling agency Alco, says: "We have had a huge military spend for the 40 years since the junta, due to our issues with Turkey. But people are saying we must change our priorities. I believe Germany and France are pressuring Greece to keep spending. It is not clear if it is part of the bailout deal – it is a hidden issue."

Greece's importance for the military exports of both countries is clear from a closer look at data from Sipri. During the five years up to the end of 2010, Greece purchased more of Germany's arms exports than any other country, buying 15 per cent of its weapons. Over the same period, Greece was the third-largest customer for France's military exports, and its top buyer in Europe, with 12 per cent. In that time, only 1 per cent of UK arms sales went to Greece, all of which were in 2010.

As their government kept snapping up guns and ammo, ordinary Greeks suffered through the cuts. Yiorgos Droggitis, 30, has not been paid for almost two months. An administrator for one of Greece's debt-laden local authorities, Haidari, in north-east Athens, Droggitis says his finances are increasingly stretched: "One day, over the summer, I did not even have 80 cents to buy bread."

To top it all, Droggitis is only now able to open the windows of his apartment after several weeks during which the street where he lives was strewn with stinking rubbish due to refuse collectors being on strike.

He is among those angry that the EU is demanding cuts in Greece at that same time as selling the country billions of euros-worth of weapons. He says: "Germany and France are telling us to take these cuts to our health and education systems, but we keep buying their weapons."

Pavlos Spanakis, 67, a retired civil engineer in Athens, has seen his state pension cut a second time, bringing it to 80 per cent of what it was two years ago. He sighs: "The austerity measures have gone too far and we cannot afford more cuts. We must improve in other ways – and one would be for the EU to protect us from Turkey so our defense budget can be smaller."

[George S.]

Greece in crisis, and buy 60 aircraft for 4 billion?

http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1181394

Greece wants to buy 60 fighter jets "Yurofaytar" worth about 4 billion, reports the German newspaper "Tsayt", citing a senior ministry official.

According to a publication in the online edition of the transaction is a priority for the Greek Ministry of Defense. Other priorities include the purchase of French frigates, which are approximately the same amount as the purchase of patrol boats for the Coast Guard for 400 million.

Planned transactions take place after the March installment of Greece received a bailout.

Newspaper "Welt" even says that if Athens receives the next tranche of 80 billion euros, has a serious chance of being concluded and new arms deals. The German edition states that Greece and Portugal are the best buyers of German war production.

The program for stability and development of the Greek government provides arms squeeze costs by 0.2%, or 457 million euros, while social spending reduction is 1.8 billion.

As an explanation for the high cost weapons of Athens, "Welt," statement indicates a former Greek foreign minister, because of competition with Turkey, Greece is obliged to maintain a strong army, whether he wants.

The newspaper also alleged that there was no objection from the Greek citizens as military jobs.

[George S.]

BBC: The Greek parents too poor to care for their children



By Chloe Hadjimatheou BBC World Service, Athens



9 January 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16472310

Greece's financial crisis has made some families so desperate they are giving up the most precious thing of all - their children.



One morning a few weeks before Christmas a kindergarten teacher in Athens found a note about one of her four-year-old pupils.



"I will not be coming to pick up Anna today because I cannot afford to look after her," it read. "Please take good care of her. Sorry. Her mother."



In the last two months Father Antonios, a young Orthodox priest who runs a youth centre for the city's poor, has found four children on his doorstep - including a baby just days old.



Another charity was approached by a couple whose twin babies were in hospital being treated for malnutrition, because the mother herself was malnourished and unable to breastfeed.

Cases like this are shocking a country where family ties are strong, and failure to look after children is socially unacceptable - they feel to Greeks like stories from the Third World, rather than their own capital city.



One of the children cared for by Father Antonios is Natasha, a bright two-year-old brought to his centre by her mother a few weeks ago.



The woman said she was unemployed and homeless and needed help - but before staff could offer her support she had vanished, leaving her daughter behind.

"Over the last year we have hundreds of cases of parents who want to leave their children with us - they know us and trust us," Father Antonios says.



"They say they do not have any money or shelter or food for their kids, so they hope we might be able to provide them with what they need."



Requests of this kind were not unknown before the crisis - but Father Antonios has never until now come across children being simply abandoned.



Handouts



One woman driven by poverty to give up her child was Maria, a single mother who lost her job and was unemployed for more than a year.



"Every night I cry alone at home, but what can I do? It hurt my heart, but I didn't have a choice," she says.



She spent her days looking for work, sometimes well into the evening and that often meant leaving eight-year-old Anastasia alone for hours at a time. The two of them lived on food handouts from the church. Maria lost 25kg.



In the end she decided to put Anastasia into foster care with a charity called SOS Children's Villages.



"I can suffer through it but why should she have to?" she asks.

She now has a job in a cafe, but makes just 20 euros (£16) a day. She sees Anastasia about once a month, and hopes to take her back when her economic situation improves - but when that might be she has no idea.



SOS Children's Villages' director of social work, Stergios Sifnyos, says the charity is not accustomed to taking children from families for economic reasons and does not want to.



"The relationship between Maria and Anastasia is very close. You can say you cannot see any problem, [any reason] why this child has to be far away from her mother," he says.

"But it's very difficult for her to feel comfortable to take back the child when she is not sure she will [still] have a job the next days."



'Act of violence'



In the past when SOS Children's Villages took children into its care, the cause was mostly drug and alcohol addiction in the family. Now the main factor is poverty.



Another charity, The Smile of a Child, also focused in the past on cases involving child abuse and neglect. It too is now catering for the destitute of Athens.



Its chief psychologist Stefanos Alevizos, says that when a parent puts a child into care, the child feels its entire foundations have been shaken.



"They experience the separation as an act of violence because they cannot understand the reasons for it," he says.



But The Smile of a Child's Sofia Kouhi says the biggest tragedy, in her eyes, is that those parents who ask for their kids to be taken into care may be the ones who love their children the most.



"It is very sad to see the pain in their heart that they will leave their children, but they know it is for the best, at least for this period," she says.



Father Antonios disagrees.



He believes that no matter how poor parents may be, the child is always better off with its family.



"These families will be judged for abandoning their children," he says.



"We can provide a child with food and shelter, but the truth is that the biggest need any child has is to feel the love of its parents."



The names of children in this report have been changed to protect their identities.

[George S.]

Goodwill needed between Greece & Macedonia

National Post · Dec. 19, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com:80/todays-paper/Goodwill+needed+between+Greece+Macedonia/5880538/story.html

Re: The Greece/FYROM Dispute Goes Beyond What's In A Name, Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Dec. 12.



I was disappointed with the overall tone and allegations contained in the article as well as with many historical, factual and legal inaccuracies contained therein. This kind of article does not contribute to the proclaimed policy of Greece to develop good neighbourly relations nor contribute to the aim of finding mutually acceptable solution to the difference concerning the name between the two countries. Regretfully it only adds to widening of distrust between the two parties.



Throughout the past two decades, my country has actively pursued a policy of good-neighbourliness with its southern neighbour and has confirmed that policy in deeds, among other things by amending its constitution in order to approach Greek claims. Furthermore, Macedonia also undertook specific commitments in the Interim Accord of 1995 signed between the two countries aimed at normalizing Greek-Macedonian relations. Instead of upholding to the commitments Greece agreed to in the 1995 Interim Accord, we have witnessed a pattern of objections by Greece which prevented Macedonia to join NATO in 2008 and beyond in clear disrespect of its obligations under the 1995 Interim Accord, in violation of international law, which was now confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its judgment of Dec. 5.

Moreover, the court has pronounced itself on other issues that are of significant importance and affect mutual bilateral but also multilateral relations. It also rejects as unfounded Greece's claims on issues that were among others misrepresented in the mentioned article.



Let me repeat what my government has very clearly stated on the occasion of the ICJ ruling: "Although this case was not about the name issue, the Republic of Macedonia remains strongly committed to finding a lasting, mutually acceptable solution to the difference with Greece over the name. It will continue to participate in good faith in the name negotiations, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General, as it has always done, including over the course of the past three years, despite Greece's negative actions in blocking our NATO membership."



There is a great opportunity for Greece to finally show commitments to international law by following the decision of International Court of Justice and not to repeat such destructive policy and behaviour of blockages.



We should instead focus our energy to improving our bilateral relations. For that we need goodwill, a manifest of policy of understanding instead of policy of coercion, a policy aimed to resolve the outstanding issue and not a policy of unproductive blockages and destructive behaviour, a policy of respect of rule of international law instead of ignorance of facts and existence.



Dragan Gjurchevski, Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia, Toronto.









The Greece/FYROM dispute goes beyond what's in a name

National Post · Dec. 12, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Greece+FYROM+dispute+goes+beyond+what+name/5845376/story.html

The issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ("A country called Macedonia, Metodija A. Koloski and Mark Branov, Nov. 29) is not just a dispute over historical facts or symbols but the conduct of a UN member state, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in contravention of fundamental principles of international law and order; specifically, respect for good neighbourly relations, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The name issue is thus a problem with regional and international dimensions, consisting in the promotion of irredentist and territorial ambitions by the FYROM, mainly through the counterfeiting of history and usurpation of Greece's national and historical heritage.



The name issue arose in 1991, when FYROM seceded from Yugoslavia and declared its independence under the name "Republic of Macedonia." Historically, the term "Macedonia," a Greek word, refers to the Kingdom and culture of the ancient Macedonians, who belong to the Hellenic Nation and are unquestionably part of Greek historical and cultural heritage. The roots of the name issue go back to the mid1940s, when, in the aftermath of the Second World War, General Tito separated from Serbia the region that had been known until that time as Vardar Banovina (today's FYROM), giving it the status of a federal unit in Yugoslavia, while cultivating the idea of a separate and discrete "Macedonian nation."



FYROM declared its independence in 1991, basing its existence as an independent state on the artificial and spurious notion of the "Macedonian nation." Greece reacted strongly to the theft of its historical and cultural heritage and the treacherous territorial and irredentist intentions of the FYROM, and the issue came before the UN Security Council, which, in two resolutions recommended that a settlement be found quickly, for the sake of peaceful relations and good neighbourliness in the region.



In 1993, following a recommendation from the Security Council, FYROM was accepted, by decision of the General Assembly, into the UN under this provisional name, until such time as an agreed solution is reached. In 1995, Greece and the FYROM concluded an Interim Accord, based on which the two sides began negotiations under the auspices of the UN. These negotiations have continued to this day.



In sharp contrast to Greece's constructive efforts, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski persists with irredentist and nationalistic strategy of which the main elements include the continued use of "antiquization" tactics, the usurpation and distortion of history, the erection of grandiose statues, the renaming of airports, prominent landmarks and streets, the issuance of school books and maps depicting a so-called "Greater Macedonia" that includes large portions of northern Greece, to name but a few.



At the Bucharest NATO Summit in April 2008, the members of the Alliance decided in a collective and unanimous decision that an accession invitation will be extended to FYROM only if the name issue has been resolved in a mutually acceptable manner. Similarly, the EU decided at the June 2008 European Council, in a collective and unanimous decision, that the resolution of the name issue in a mutually acceptable manner is a fundamental necessity if further steps are to be taken on the FYROM's EU accession course.



The basic objective prerequisite for the continuation and completion of the European and Euroatlantic courses of every candidate country is the adoption of and respect, in practice, for the fundamental principles of the organization they want to join, and particularly the principle of good neighbourly relations, which is the basis for a partnership or alliance between states.



- Dimitris Azemopoulos is Consul General of Greece in Toronto.

[George S.]

Goodwill needed between Greece & Macedonia

National Post · Dec. 19, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com:80/todays-paper/Goodwill+needed+between+Greece+Macedonia/5880538/story.html

Re: The Greece/FYROM Dispute Goes Beyond What's In A Name, Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Dec. 12.



I was disappointed with the overall tone and allegations contained in the article as well as with many historical, factual and legal inaccuracies contained therein. This kind of article does not contribute to the proclaimed policy of Greece to develop good neighbourly relations nor contribute to the aim of finding mutually acceptable solution to the difference concerning the name between the two countries. Regretfully it only adds to widening of distrust between the two parties.



Throughout the past two decades, my country has actively pursued a policy of good-neighbourliness with its southern neighbour and has confirmed that policy in deeds, among other things by amending its constitution in order to approach Greek claims. Furthermore, Macedonia also undertook specific commitments in the Interim Accord of 1995 signed between the two countries aimed at normalizing Greek-Macedonian relations. Instead of upholding to the commitments Greece agreed to in the 1995 Interim Accord, we have witnessed a pattern of objections by Greece which prevented Macedonia to join NATO in 2008 and beyond in clear disrespect of its obligations under the 1995 Interim Accord, in violation of international law, which was now confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its judgment of Dec. 5.

Moreover, the court has pronounced itself on other issues that are of significant importance and affect mutual bilateral but also multilateral relations. It also rejects as unfounded Greece's claims on issues that were among others misrepresented in the mentioned article.



Let me repeat what my government has very clearly stated on the occasion of the ICJ ruling: "Although this case was not about the name issue, the Republic of Macedonia remains strongly committed to finding a lasting, mutually acceptable solution to the difference with Greece over the name. It will continue to participate in good faith in the name negotiations, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General, as it has always done, including over the course of the past three years, despite Greece's negative actions in blocking our NATO membership."



There is a great opportunity for Greece to finally show commitments to international law by following the decision of International Court of Justice and not to repeat such destructive policy and behaviour of blockages.



We should instead focus our energy to improving our bilateral relations. For that we need goodwill, a manifest of policy of understanding instead of policy of coercion, a policy aimed to resolve the outstanding issue and not a policy of unproductive blockages and destructive behaviour, a policy of respect of rule of international law instead of ignorance of facts and existence.



Dragan Gjurchevski, Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia, Toronto.









The Greece/FYROM dispute goes beyond what's in a name

National Post · Dec. 12, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Greece+FYROM+dispute+goes+beyond+what+name/5845376/story.html

The issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ("A country called Macedonia, Metodija A. Koloski and Mark Branov, Nov. 29) is not just a dispute over historical facts or symbols but the conduct of a UN member state, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in contravention of fundamental principles of international law and order; specifically, respect for good neighbourly relations, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The name issue is thus a problem with regional and international dimensions, consisting in the promotion of irredentist and territorial ambitions by the FYROM, mainly through the counterfeiting of history and usurpation of Greece's national and historical heritage.



The name issue arose in 1991, when FYROM seceded from Yugoslavia and declared its independence under the name "Republic of Macedonia." Historically, the term "Macedonia," a Greek word, refers to the Kingdom and culture of the ancient Macedonians, who belong to the Hellenic Nation and are unquestionably part of Greek historical and cultural heritage. The roots of the name issue go back to the mid1940s, when, in the aftermath of the Second World War, General Tito separated from Serbia the region that had been known until that time as Vardar Banovina (today's FYROM), giving it the status of a federal unit in Yugoslavia, while cultivating the idea of a separate and discrete "Macedonian nation."



FYROM declared its independence in 1991, basing its existence as an independent state on the artificial and spurious notion of the "Macedonian nation." Greece reacted strongly to the theft of its historical and cultural heritage and the treacherous territorial and irredentist intentions of the FYROM, and the issue came before the UN Security Council, which, in two resolutions recommended that a settlement be found quickly, for the sake of peaceful relations and good neighbourliness in the region.



In 1993, following a recommendation from the Security Council, FYROM was accepted, by decision of the General Assembly, into the UN under this provisional name, until such time as an agreed solution is reached. In 1995, Greece and the FYROM concluded an Interim Accord, based on which the two sides began negotiations under the auspices of the UN. These negotiations have continued to this day.



In sharp contrast to Greece's constructive efforts, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski persists with irredentist and nationalistic strategy of which the main elements include the continued use of "antiquization" tactics, the usurpation and distortion of history, the erection of grandiose statues, the renaming of airports, prominent landmarks and streets, the issuance of school books and maps depicting a so-called "Greater Macedonia" that includes large portions of northern Greece, to name but a few.



At the Bucharest NATO Summit in April 2008, the members of the Alliance decided in a collective and unanimous decision that an accession invitation will be extended to FYROM only if the name issue has been resolved in a mutually acceptable manner. Similarly, the EU decided at the June 2008 European Council, in a collective and unanimous decision, that the resolution of the name issue in a mutually acceptable manner is a fundamental necessity if further steps are to be taken on the FYROM's EU accession course.



The basic objective prerequisite for the continuation and completion of the European and Euroatlantic courses of every candidate country is the adoption of and respect, in practice, for the fundamental principles of the organization they want to join, and particularly the principle of good neighbourly relations, which is the basis for a partnership or alliance between states.



- Dimitris Azemopoulos is Consul General of Greece in Toronto.

[George S.]

Don't rewrite Balkan history

National Post · Dec. 23, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com:80/rewrite+Balkan+history/5902378/story.html

Last month, the National Post published an article entitled "A country called Macedonia" that contained scathing commentary about Greece - commencing with a reference to Greece's economic strife and segueing into a critique of Greece's opposition to the use of the name "Macedonia" by its northern neighbour. These accusations require a response.

Macedonia and the Macedonian identity have been integral parts of Greek history and culture since some of the first Hellenic tribes (known as Macedonians) settled northern Greek lands almost 4,000 years ago. Many renowned historians dispute the claims contained in the above-referenced article.



Apart from the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon - which existed almost entirely in what is now modern Greece - there had never been another "state" of Macedonia until communist Yugoslavia renamed its southern Vardarska Governorate region as the "People's Republic of Macedonia" in 1943. This was a plan to acquire Greek territory after the Second World War, harkening back to territorial aspirations that neighbouring states had on Greece's outlet to the Mediterranean. Greece objected, and the U.S. State Department noted this planned territorial grab with alarm in an official 1944 document.



In 1991, when the Slavic republic broke from Yugoslavia, declaring independence under the name "Republic of Macedonia," Greece reacted strongly again. This was not a reflection of some spurious Greek political whim: The issue came before the UN Security Council. In 1993, the UN recommended that this Slavic republic be provisionally accepted into the UN as "the FYROM" (an abbreviation of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) until a mutually agreed UN-brokered solution. The government of FYROM agreed to these terms; yet it and its Diaspora groups court foreign governments and media using all their power to promote it as the "Republic of Macedonia" - against UN wishes.





Greece did not invade any country named Macedonia, as is suggested in the aforementioned National Post article. In fact, in 1912, Greece liberated the area of the modern Greek province of Macedonia, where Greeks have lived since antiquity, from the Turks, leading to jubilation in the streets. The 1913 Treaty of Bucharest, which is referenced in the article in question, set the borders of a defeated Bulgaria vis-à-vis its neighbours after the Second Balkan War. Centuries old Ottoman censuses, as well as those of other Western powers, do not record any "Macedonian" ethnic group or nation; and allegations of killings of "Macedonians" do not reflect historical consensus on the matter. The fact is that there are 2.5 million Greeks in the Greek province of Macedonia, and one million Macedonian Greeks in the diaspora who have always called themselves "Macedonians."



Greece has never viewed the name "Macedonia" as taboo, as the National Post article claimed; and is as proud of its Macedonian heritage as it is of its Athenian and Spartan ones. In fact, Greece was the first modern state to officially revive the name "Macedonia" in 1914 after years of Ottoman rule and Bulgarian expansionism.



Despite increasing public discord over its own economy (including 30% unemployment), limited media freedom, a large Albanian minority that rejects this new "Macedonian" identity, and other issues, the FYROM has spent millions to reinforce "Macedonism" on its people. This includes the erection of colossal public statues, renaming landmarks and thoroughfares after ancient Greek personalities, and the proliferation of schoolbooks/maps showcasing a "Greater" (or "United") Macedonia - a geopolitical artifice containing Greek and Bulgarian territory. State media proselytizes "Macedonism" feverishly: A 2009 TV segment had "God" saying the country's inhabitants are "Macedonoids - progenitors of the white race" whereas others are "Negroids, Mongoloids, and Mullatoes." Three months ago, the main square in the capital of Skopje showcased a giant flag of a "United Macedonia," as part of the 20th celebrations of independence from Yugoslavia. As a result, Greece is not "paranoid about losing its northern territory" - without legitimate cause for concern for what may foment now and manifest itself in the future.



The recent International Court of Justice's judgment against Greece regarding the FYROM's 2008 NATO bid is not binding on the alliance. The court did not consider the fact that NATO allies decide by consensus, and this consensus was not there for the FYROM's bid. Furthermore, and notwithstanding the ruling of the ICJ, NATO maintains the position that the FYROM's accession to NATO is predicated on a resolution of the country-name issue with Greece.



The FYROM's irredentism isn't characteristic of a 21st-century country wishing good neighbourly relations. This is what Canadians should consider when they hear the complaints of the FYROM partisans, such as those who expressed themselves in your pages.



The authors are leaders of the Hellenic Congress of Quebec, PanMacedonian Association of Canada, Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, Macedonian Association "Philip-Alexander," Macedonian Association "Alexander the Great," Brotherhood Vogatsioton Kastorias "Ion Dragoumis," Society of Kastorians "Omonia," Pontian Association of Montreal "Efxinos Pontos," Greek Community of Toronto, and Hellenic Community of Vancouver. These groups represent more than 200,000 Canadians of Greek descent.

[George S.]

What is OSCE still doing in Macedonia?

Thursday, 12 January 2012

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/20081/2/

OSCE's main job is to police a country, military reforms, combating terrorism, border protection, while its second "dimension" is controlling the economy of a country? Goes a bit far, wouldn't you say?


By the description of the organization, OSCE's only fitting location would be Somalia, perhaps Iraq...

Yet, the European Organization for Cooperation and Security OSCE instead of leaving Macedonia or keeping a very low profile, they have gotten increasingly louder and are ruining the country's image abroad.


Macedonian analysts and diplomats continue to be dismayed what is OSCE doing in a country which is a candidate for EU membership and enjoys the most stable Economy in Europe.

Macedonian diplomats have voiced their displeasure with OSCE which with its mere presence for 20 years has created a negative image for the country among foreign investors.

Political analysts and diplomats have stated for local media that OSCE has repeatedly violated their stay in Macedonia by getting involved in the internal affairs of the country, the administration, the Court system even the economy.

"OSCE tries to find 'things' to do, they simply would like to keep their salaries, so they went as far as trying to suggest some sort of economic plan for the country that they would control... Although they have no say in anything, the nonsense never stops" says Skopje daily Dnevnik.

Macedonian diplomats have noted OSCE's unprofessional behavior increased tremendously after Spaniard Jose Luis Herrero became its boss.

The Macedonian Government is already working on drastically reducing the number of OSCE personnel, who shouldn't be present in the country in the first place.


Political analysts in their statement for Dnevnik didn't hold back - "A single member of OSCE in the country is one too many".

OSCE has already been kicked out from several European countries, even from regions affected by war. In Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine... OSCE was accused of initiating unrests to justify its presence in these countries.

[George S.]

Kiro Gligorov, the first president of independent Macedonia, dies


Skopje, 2 January 2012 (MIA) - Kiro Gligorov, the first president of independent Macedonia, has died Sunday evening in Skopje. He was 94.



Born on 3 May 1917 in Stip, Gligorov served two presidential terms between 1991 and 1999. On 27 January 1991, he was elected president of the Republic of Macedonia by the Parliament. He secured his second mandate at presidential elections held in 1994. Gligorov was at the helm of the country until 1999.



After retiring, Kiro Gligorov was active as an author. He penned several books - "Macedonia Is All We Have" (2001), "Assassination - Day After" (2002), "Turbulent Times: The Republic of Macedonia a Reality in the Balkans" (2004) and "All Yugoslav (Economic) Reforms" (2006). He also founded the Kiro Gligorov Foundation.



Kiro Gligorov was the oldest Macedonian politician. Upon completing his second presidential term in 1999, he was 82. In 2000, he entered the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest head of state in the world.



In 1991, he was at the helm of the country as it was gaining independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in which Gligorov held high-ranking posts.



On 8 April 1993, Gligorov addressed the United Nations in Macedonian for the first time as the country become the 181st UN member.



On 3 October 1995, Gligorov survived an assassination attempt after a car-bomb exploded in Skopje's downtown. Neither its masterminds nor its perpetrators have been found yet.

He is the first recipient of The Order of the Republic of Macedonia in 2005.



The funeral of Macedonia's former president will take place on Tuesday in Skopje. It was his last wish the funeral to be attended by family members only.





Kiro Gligorov laid to rest



Skopje, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - Kiro Gligorov, the first president of independent Macedonia, was buried on Tuesday in the Arbored Walk of the Greats at Skopje's Butel Cemetery.



President Gjorge Ivanov, Chief of ARM General Staff, Goranco Koteski, representatives of the diplomatic corps, former and present high-ranking political officials and academicians paid their respect at the chapel in Butel Cemetery.



In accordance with his last wish, a civil funeral service was held without state and church honors. Family members, friends, associates, SDSM members led by its leader Branko Crvenkovski as well as officials of other political parties were part of the procession leading to his eternal resting place.



Earlier in the day, commemorative sessions were held in the Parliament and in the headquarters of SDSM.



A book of condolences has been opened at the presidential villa, which was signed by President Gjorge Ivanov, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski and Premier Nikola Gruevski.



The book of condolences is open for the citizens on Tuesday and Wednesday. Book of condolences have been also opened at the President's national offices in Skopje and Tetovo.

Telegrams of condolences have been sent by numerous statesmen, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.



Kiro Gligorov died on January 1 in Skopje. He was 94. Born on 3 May 1917 in Stip, Gligorov served two presidential terms between 1991 and 1999. On 27 January 1991, he was elected president of the Republic of Macedonia by the Parliament. He secured his second mandate at presidential elections held in 1994. Gligorov was at the helm of the country until 1999.



After retiring, Kiro Gligorov was active as an author. He penned several books - "Macedonia Is All We Have" (2001), "Assassination - Day After" (2002), "Turbulent Times: The Republic of Macedonia a Reality in the Balkans" (2004) and "All Yugoslav (Economic) Reforms" (2006). He also founded the Kiro Gligorov Foundation.



Kiro Gligorov was the oldest Macedonian politician. Upon completing his second presidential term in 1999, he was 82. In 2000, he entered the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest head of state in the world.



In 1991, he was at the helm of the country as it was gaining independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in which Gligorov held high-ranking posts. On 8 April 1993, Gligorov addressed the United Nations in Macedonian for the first time as the country became the 181st UN member.



On 3 October 1995, Gligorov survived an assassination attempt after a car-bomb exploded in Skopje's downtown. Neither its masterminds nor its perpetrators have been found yet.

He is the first recipient of The Order of the Republic of Macedonia in 2005.

[George S.]

UMD offers condolences over the death of Macedonia's first president


Washington, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - A telegram of condolences following the passing of Kiro Gligorov, the first president of the independent Republic of Macedonia, was sent Tuesday by the Washington-based United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD).



"President Gligorov's leadership set Macedonia on a course of freedom, for which Macedonia's citizens, and Macedonians around the world, will forever be indebted to him," said UMD Board Chairman Stojan Nikolov.



UMD President Metodija Koloski said that Macedonia mourned the loss of a great statesman, "a man who put the interests of Macedonia and the Macedonian people before everything else." He praised his role in securing peaceful secession from the former Yugoslav federation. "History will remember it as one of his greatest achievements," Koloski stated.



In 2011, president Gligorov received the UMD Lifetime Achievement Award. "During those first and most difficult years since the independence of Macedonia, I received inspiration from the wisdom of the Macedonian people, who opted for a peaceful, democratic, and humane road towards fulfilling our century-old quest for our own state. Macedonia is all we have. We have struggled to keep it, and we will keep it forever, according to the vows left to us by our forefathers, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the prospect of an independent Macedonian state," Gligorov has said in a letter expressing his gratitude for being presented with this recognition.



Offering condolences, Macedonia's first ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ljubica Acevska said that "President Gligorov answered his nation's call with clear vision and profound wisdom. He leaves us with the promise for a better future. It is our challenge to live up to it."

Former Macedonian Minister for Foreign Investment from 2006-2008 Gligor Taskovich remembered a 1992 peace conference he attended, where he prepared an English-language cover sheet for journalists, on behalf of the president. "'Gligor,' the president said, 'I want people to know that we are part of Europe. Please put Europe here, under the country's name, in capital letters, so that there is no mistake.'"



US Secretary of State Clinton offers condolences for Kiro Gligorov's death


Washington, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered her condolences for the death of Macedonia's first president Kiro Gligorov.



- I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kiro Gligorov, the first president of the independent Republic of Macedonia. He was a patriot and true statesman. His commitment to Macedonia's independence led to a peaceful transition in 1990-1991, and his steady leadership provided inspiration while Macedonia overcame enormous hardships. President Gligorov was a friend to the United States and a leader who had a vision for his country that still serves as an example for Macedonia and the region. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all the citizens of Macedonia, reads the letter of condolence.





EU's Ashton and Fule express condolences on Gligorov's passing (RPT)


Brussels, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Enlargement Commissioner, Catherine Ashton and Stefan Fule respectively, expressed Tuesday condolences to the family and to the citizens of Macedonia following the passing of Macedonia's first president, Kiro Gligorov.



"As president from 1991 until 1999, Mr Gligorov guided his country through critical transitions, including the peacefully achieved independence from the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia. Taking the country forward on that new path, he made important decisions to the benefit of his people based on his long experience and knowledge of his country. May he rest in peace", Ashton and Fule say in a joint statement.



British Foreign Office Minister Brown 'saddened' by Gligorov's death


London, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - I was saddened to hear of the death of former President Kiro Gligorov, British Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne says in his statement on the passing of the first President of independent Macedonia.



"He will be remembered with admiration for leading his country to independence without conflict. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this difficult time," the statement reads.





Albanian President extends condolences to Kiro Gligorov's family


Tirana, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - Albania's President Bamir Topi has sent a telegram of condolences following the death of Kiro Gligorov - the first democratically elected president in Macedonia.



"I heard the news of the passing of former president Kiro Gligorov with great sadness. On behalf of the Albanian people and on my personal behalf, I offer sincere condolences over the great loss to his family and to the Macedonian people. I take this opportunity to express my respect for Gligorov's significant role and contribution to the political and social life in Macedonia as the first president of the country after the break-up of former Yugoslavia," Topi's telegram reads.





Croatia's leaders extend condolences to Macedonia on Gligorov's death


Zagreb, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and Parliament Speaker Boris Sprem extended their condolences on the death of former Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov, Hina news agency reported.



In his note to Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Josipovic said he was saddened by Gligorov's death, adding that "the first president of the independent Republic of Macedonia will be remembered for his persistent fight for the rights of man, freedom and democracy. President Gligorov's outstanding contribution in all areas of his political activity, notably in democratic changes and the peaceful transformation of Macedonian society, leaves a deep and indelible mark in recent Macedonian history."



Josipovic said "the passing of this prominent statesman and big friend" of Croatia was a huge loss for Macedonia, the region and the entire Europe.



In his note to Sobranje Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, Sprem said that with "his participation in the anti-fascist National Liberation Movement and his brave and tireless work in the fight for Macedonia's independence and the freedom of the Macedonian people, (Gligorov) inspired many generations. This makes him one of the most prominent Macedonian politicians who deserves our deep respect and to be remembered forever."



Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic sent a letter of condolence to his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski.



Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic also extended his condolences to Ivanov.





Kosovo PM offers condolences over Gligorov's death


Pristina, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci has sent a telegram of condolences to his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski and to the family of Kiro Gligorov, the first president of the Republic of Macedonia.



"The passing of former president Gligorov, an important figure since the early days of Macedonia's democratic transition, is a great loss for the citizens and institutions in Macedonia," reads the telegram by the Kosovo PM.



Earlier, a telegram of condolences to President Gjorge Ivanov was sent by his Kosovo counterpart, Atifete Yahyaga.





US, British Ambassadors to Macedonia extend condolences on Gligorov's death


Skopje, 3 January 2012 (MIA) - The US and British Ambassadors to Macedonia, Paul Wohlers and Christopher Yvon respectively, signed Tuesday the book of condolences following the death of Kiro Gligorov, the first President of independent Macedonia.



Gligorov is a role model for leadership, pragmatism and commitment to solving the problems for achieving a higher goal, Wohlers told reporters after signing the book.



"His style of efficient, pragmatic leadership should serve as an example to many leaders in the region. He was a man who knew the art of politics and compromise. Sometimes it is better to realize something of what you want than to insist on everything and end up with nothing.

Holding to this technique he brought Macedonia into the United Nations," Wohlers said.



Yvon is certain that most of the citizens of Macedonia will nourish warm memories for former President Gligorov and respect his legacy - Macedonia's peaceful transition into an independent state, which has already celebrated its 20th anniversary.



"Our thoughts are with the people of Macedonia," Yvon said.

[George S.]

Macedonians in Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

http://www.mn.mk/komentari/5472-Make...od-1906-godina

Google translator -

Macedonians and Jews throughout the centuries ostvaruvale numerous contacts, although the whereabouts of these two peoples was very distant. However, it may seem strange, the relationship of these two cultures, their meetings are recorded in Scripture. And not only in the Bible, talk about the Macedonians in the Jewish Encyclopedia published in the early XX century. In this dvanaesettomnoto izdadnie Encyclopaedia published between 1901 to 1906, the authors Gotheil Richard (Richard Gottheil) and Samuel Krauss (Samuel Krauss) there is a separate chapter on Macedonia.

At the outset the authors distinguished Macedonia as a separate entity in southeastern Europe, which at that time was located within the Turkish Empire. For Jews it is the homeland of Alexander the Great, why would the rabbis called "Alexander the Macedonian." The source of these truths will bring and the origin of the Macedonians, direct descendants of Kitty, son of Javan, and that rabbis identified with the Jewish Macedonian word "Javan." In the Bible Kitimska sister called Jerusalem, which would mean that according to biblical genealogy Macedonia Iztael are sister and brother. Among other things, the Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906, the text that refers to Macedonia states:

"Macedonia - Country in southeast Europe, today part of the Turkish Empire. It is the homeland of Alexander the Great, who because of the writings of the rabbis called "Alexander the Macedonian." In the book of Daniel XI. 30 Macedonians are mentioned as "Kittim" (RV) and Euzebius and Jew or Jozefus Gorionides (Knobel, "Völkertafel," p. 103) use the same tag.

In apocalyptic literature, this kingdom is known as the "fourth beast" (Daniel. 7.7). Makabiite first book, originally written in Hebrew, also uses the word "Kittim" for the Macedonians, and mentions Philip and Alexander (1.1) and Philip III and his illegitimate son Perseus (8.5), as king of the Macedonians . Since the Syrian Greeks named themselves as "descendants of Alexander", the Syrians were also called Macedonians (II Macc. 8th 20).

Rabbis, whose knowledge of Greek life occurred during the Macedonian era, Macedonia identified with the Jewish word "Javan" for them and for Daniel, Macedonia was an eschatological kingdom. For them the term was interchangeable Javan for Macedonia. They mention, certainly in the figurative sense, the word "sun" from Macedonia about the gold of that land.

Many Macedonian idioms claim to be found in Jewish-Hellenistic language, particularly since they appear in the Septuagint (Swete, "Introduction to OT in Greek", pg. 291, Cambridge, 1900). Cities that have Macedonian names were established on Palestinian land, such as Berea (Berea), Dion, Pella. Some of the weapons mentioned by Macedonians Jozefus ("BJ" Tues 11 § 3).

Many Jews probably lived in Macedonia since Christian doctrines there encountered readiness and early acceptance. The Apostle Paul visited the region of Macedonia in his second missionary journey; his associates Silas and Timothy worked there. The Apostle Paul visited again on his third trip, stopping in the towns Philippi, Thessalonica and Berija (Ber). Jewish inscriptions found in Thessaloniki ("REJ" X. 78), the presence of Jews in Macedonia is demonstrated by the letter Agrippa to Caligula (Philo, "Legatio ad Caium," § 36 [ed. Mangey, II. 587])

The oldest biblical manuscripts and Jewish history confirms the truth about Macedonia and Macedonians, as well as centuries-old ties with the Jewish people.

The Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906, a special chapter on Greece in this chapter has no place either for Macedonia or Alexander of Macedon. Simply Jews know very well the differences between the two peoples and the limits within which they live.



Македонците во Еврејската енциклопедија од 1906 година



Македонците и Евреите низ вековите остварувале бројни контакти, иако местото на живеење на овие два народи било доста одалечено. Меѓутоа, колку и да изгледа чудно, за врските на овие две култури, нивните средби запишани се во Светото писмо. И не само во Библијата, за Македонците се зборува и во Еврејската Енциклопедија објавена на почетокот на XX век. Во дванаесеттомното издадние на оваа Енциклопедија публикувано во периодот од 1901 до 1906 година, од авторите Ричард Готхеил (Richard Gottheil) и Самоил Краус (Samuel Krauss) постои посебно поглавје за Македонија.

На самиот почеток авторите ја издвојуваат Македонија како посебна целина во југоисточниот дел на Европа, која во тоа време се наоѓа во состав на Турската империја. За Евреите тоа е татковината на Александар Велики, поради која рабините ќе го наречат „Александар Македонски“. Изворот на овие вистини ќе го изнесе и потеклото на Македонците, како директни потомци на Китим, син на Јаван. а токму рабините ја идентификувале Македонија со еврејскиот збор “јаван”. Во Библијата земјата Китимска се нарекува сестра Ерусалимска, што би значело според библиското родословие дека Македонија и Изтаел се сестра и брат. Меѓудругото, во Еврејската Енциклопедија од 1906 година, во текстот кој се однесува на Македонија стои:

„Македонија - Земја во југоисточна Европа, денес дел од Турската империја. Таа е татковина на Александар Велики, кој заради тоа во записите на рабините го викаат “Александар Македонски”. Во книгата на Даниел XI. 30 Македонците се споменати под името “Китим” (R.V.) и Еузебиус и евреинот Јозефус или Горионидес (Knobel, “Völkertafel, " p. 103) ја користат истата ознака.

Во апокалиптичната литература, ова кралство е познато како “четвртиот ѕвер” (Даниел. 7.7). Првата книга од Макабиите, која оригинално била напишана на хебрејски, исто така го користи зборот “Китим” за Македонците, и ги споменува Филип и Александар (1.1), како и Филип III и неговиот незаконит син Персеј (8.5), како кралеви на Македонците. Бидејќи грчките Сиријци се именувале себеси како “наследници на Александар”, овие Сиријци исто така биле нарекувани Македонци (II Macc. 8. 20).

Рабините, чие познавање со грчкиот живот се случил за време на Македонската ера, ја идентификувале Македонија со еврејскиот збор “Јаван” и за нив како и за Даниел, Македонија го претставувала есхатолошкото кралство. За нив изразот Јаван бил заменлив за Македонија. Тие го споменувале, секако во фигуративна смисла, зборот “сонцето” од Македонија, за златото од таа земја.

Многу македонски идиоми, се тврди дека се најдени во еврејско-хеленскиот јазик, особено поради тоа што се појавуваат во Септуагинта (Swete, "Вовед во O.T. на грчки", стр. 291, Кембриџ, 1900). Градови кои имале македонски имиња биле основани на палестинска земја, како што се Верија (Бер), Дион, Пела. Одредени оружја на Македонците се спомнати од Јозефус ("BJ" в. 11 § 3).

Многу Евреи најверојатно живееле во Македонија, бидејќи христијанските доктрини таму наишле на подготвеност и рано прифаќање. Апостол Павле ги посетил македонските области при своето второ мисионерско патување; неговите соработници Сила и Тимотеј работеле таму. Апостол Павле ги посетил повторно на своето трето патување, задржувајќи се во градовите Филипи, Солун и Bерија (Бер). Еврејски натписи се пронајдени во Солун ("R. E. J." X. 78), а присуството на Евреите во Македонија е докажано со писмото Агрипа до Калигула (Филон, " Legatio ad Caium," § 36 [ед. Mangey, II. 587 ])

Најстарите библиски и еврејски ракописи ги потврдува историските вистини за Македонија и Македонците, како и вековните врски со еврејскиот народ.

Во Еврејската енциклопедија од 1906 година, постои посебно поглавје за Грција, Во ова поглавје нема место ниту за Македонија ниту Александар Македонски. Едноставно Евреите многу добро знаат за разликите меѓу двата народа и границите во кои живеат.