United Macedonia Diaspora

[blackcactus]

Yeah that doesn't look so good, it's obvious that the use of the term 'immigrants' was to avoid the use of the word 'diaspora'

I'm disappointed by this approach, it could show a lack of true support for the initiative, or an unhappiness in seeing other Macedonian diaspora organizations take the media spot light

Either way it's disappointing and worrying

[Soldier of Macedon]

He used "immigrants" because he was trying to suck up to those negative Macedonians in the republic who consider the Diaspora Macedonians as 'less' Macedonian, like we have no right to a say where it concerns our identity. It was a shallow and pathetic move. It also sounds like the same garbage comments that were made by some idiots from the republic when the AMHRC/MHMRI initiated their campaign.

The irony in all of this? Meto Koloski is also a diaspora Macedonian, or "immigrant" as he likes to call it now. Perhaps he should change the name of his organisation to United Macedonian Immigrants.

[fyrOM]

It very much looks like it SoM. Someone in Metos position should be well aware the emotive side of words and how better to phrase his comments. Same old same old Macos against each other. Hopefully the Diaspora world wide will take note.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Meto is already aware of the effect of his words, he should have learned his lessons regarding correct terminology years ago when he suggested that Macedonia add a 'democratic' prefix to her name in the international arena. This was a deliberate statement, no doubt about it. I have never seen the AMHRC bad-mouth the UMD in any official capacity, credit to their professionalism, an attribute the UMD knows nothing about.

The UMD are Washington's 'Trojan Horse' in the Macedonian community.

[Bratot]

Sramota, vakvi infantilni komentari i ego tripovi ne smee da se dozvolat pomegju pretstavnicite na makedonskite organizacii.

I see a lot of despise in those words.

[julie]

shameful. How can anyone show a lack of integrity and professionalism toward such hardworking organisations like the AMHRC and MHRMI ?
and agreed with the comments here, :immigrants: being the diaspora who are fighting for the basic human rights for our Macedonian blood, it does nothing but discredit these wonderful organisations who have no ego and work without payment on a voluntary basis.
Its interesting how this delegation from the US has been sponsored by Turkey who contribute to the UMD travelling fund.
Way to go, not very endearing to ANYONE in the diaspora UMD

[Phoenix]

It very much looks like it SoM. Someone in Metos position should be well aware the emotive side of words and how better to phrase his comments. Same old same old Macos against each other. Hopefully the Diaspora world wide will take note.

I think UMD are largely irrelevent in terms of wider support within the diaspora community, to suggest its a case of "same old, same old... Macos against each other" would wrongly imply that UMD have a large supporter base.

Clearly UMD have no connection to the wider diaspora community and they're certainly not accountable to any section of the wider community except one or two 'powerbrokers', either foreign 'players' or those with a self serving interest.

Sadly UMD continues to run its own agenda, one that is based around the ambitions of the egomaniac at its head and those that pull his strings...

[UMDiaspora.org]

Greetings!

Thanks for the link Prolet, it opens up even more questions.

Meto, in the link above you state:

Сакаме да му порачаме на Конгресот дека е потребен балансиран дијалог, а не автоматски заземање на ставот на едната група, односно да бидат слушнати сите групи и да не ја толкуваат историјата од аспект само на една група.

1. What do you mean by a "balanced dialogue"?

2. Who is this "dialogue" between?

3. What does the US Congress have to do with anything?

Greetings from Turkey - we left Macedonia on Tuesday with the delegation. I saw so much Macedonia-related history items in Istanbul and Ankara so far.

The delegation to Macedonia was a huge success! More to follow.

As you can imagine, I am very busy, but will answer your questions.

1. and 2. Balanced dialogue, meaning when members of Congress hear one side, they should hear the other side. If you read the second part it explains it, meaning some members of Congress take the side of Greece without hearing out the Macedonian side.

3. The U.S. Congress appropriates the budget. Thanks to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. has given Macedonia over $1 billion in foreign assistance since 1994 through SEED and USAID, and Military Assistance. Thanks to the $93 million total contribution of the U.S. to Macedonia's army, Macedonia's army now is an exporter of security and peace in Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon, Darfur, Afghanistan, and previously Iraq (regardless whether one agrees whether Macedonia should have gotten involved).

Regards from Turkey.

Best, Meto

[UMDiaspora.org]

Misquote

According to Kanal 5, the Turkish American Group payed these sovetnici $100,000 US for them to visit Macedonia and Turkey.

http://www.kanal5.com.mk/default.asp...&eventId=63834

This is a misquote. Nobody paid these staffers. Congressional Ethics Committee would not allow this and they would have never been able to visit Macedonia if this was the case. TCA sponsored the trip of 34 individuals to visit Macedonia, of which 18 were Congressional senior staffers, and the travel to Turkey of the 18 staffers.

What an amazing trip this has been so far! Macedonian-Americans are truly privileged to have a great friend like Turkish-Americans, which certainly improves the relations between Macedonia and Turkey.

[Vangelovski]

Greetings from Turkey - we left Macedonia on Tuesday with the delegation. I saw so much Macedonia-related history items in Istanbul and Ankara so far.

The delegation to Macedonia was a huge success! More to follow.

As you can imagine, I am very busy, but will answer your questions.

1. and 2. Balanced dialogue, meaning when members of Congress hear one side, they should hear the other side. If you read the second part it explains it, meaning some members of Congress take the side of Greece without hearing out the Macedonian side.

3. The U.S. Congress appropriates the budget. Thanks to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. has given Macedonia over $1 billion in foreign assistance since 1994 through SEED and USAID, and Military Assistance. Thanks to the $93 million total contribution of the U.S. to Macedonia's army, Macedonia's army now is an exporter of security and peace in Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon, Darfur, Afghanistan, and previously Iraq (regardless whether one agrees whether Macedonia should have gotten involved).

Regards from Turkey.

Best, Meto

Meto,

Lets leave your BS propaganda aside for a minute, and explain to us what the US has to do with Macedonian history - that was what you were refering to in your sentence - and Macedonia's name, which the article was in relation to.

[Bill77]

Buktop......where are you dude?

Meto needs you to try and get him out of another pickle.

[Pelister]

It really pisses me off.

Take a look at the definition of 'refugee' in any dictionary.

Most Macedonians under hostile rulers, hostile administrations were ruthlessly suppressed in all areas of life - they left because of the politics. I think the use of the term 'immigrants' by Meto is once again just another UMD slight on our history, and its complete disregard for the poper historical context of things.

[Soldier of Macedon]

The UMD wouldn't exist if the USA didn't see any purpose in it as a tool to further their own interests.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Buktop......where are you dude?

Meto needs you to try and get him out of another pickle.

Haha, was thinking the same.

[Risto the Great]

He used "immigrants" because he was trying to suck up to those negative Macedonians in the republic who consider the Diaspora Macedonians as 'less' Macedonian, like we have no right to a say where it concerns our identity. It was a shallow and pathetic move. It also sounds like the same garbage comments that were made by some idiots from the republic when the AMHRC/MHMRI initiated their campaign.

The irony in all of this? Meto Koloski is also a diaspora Macedonian, or "immigrant" as he likes to call it now. Perhaps he should change the name of his organisation to United Macedonian Immigrants.

If this is indeed the case, I share your thoughts entirely.
But I genuinely think he is not that silly.