Eagleburger Gets it

[Bill77]

Eagleburger: Patience, persistence are Macedonia's most powerful weapons in its fight for justice

Skopje, 1 June 2010 (MIA) - Macedonia's response to the absurd Greece's demands is understandable that each and every reasonable person will support Skopje's rejection to succumb to Athen's interference in its internal affairs, former US Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger says in an open letter to an interactive programme of Macedonia's National TV - MTV, he sent on the eve of EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sarajevo to all involved in, as he put it, 'the process for changing Macedonia's name'.

- Patience and persistance are Macedonia's most powerful weapons in its fight for justice, says Eagleburger, who is familiar with the Balkan developments.

I have lived in your country long enough to know that Macedonias are among the most powerful people in the world and will not change their position they consider as a right one, Eagleburger says.

Mentioning his long experience with foreign affairs, he says he has never heard of any country to present such demands to other one as the Greek ones.

Eagleburger says he regrets that the US State Department doesn't share his position.

I belive it is wrong to tell Macedonia that a compromise on the issue is possible, he says. Any of my attempts to find appropriate prefix or sufix to the name is a direct challenge to the basic principles Macedonia has been defending since the emerging of this dispute.

The other reason for Eagleburger's disagreement with his government are the strong feelings he has been nourishing for Macedonia righteous position.

Maybe it my be justified by my status of Skopje honoray citizen. As such I am entitled to an own position on this matter, Eagleburger says.

http://www.idividi.com.mk/English/Macedonia/604990/index.html

[Prolet]

Good post Bill

Lawrence Eagleburger indeed knows Macedonia very well, he was the American Ambassador to Yugoslavia in Belgrade when in 1963 the worst ever earthquake occurred in Macedonia. He was first on the scene to help out.

He knows Macedonia very well and i think he should be the bridge for our country in our relations between USA and Macedonia.

Patience, persistence are Macedonia's most powerful weapons in its fight for justice

This is what i've been saying for a long time now, i would also like to add the word Dignity too because we are not a country if we loose our dignity.

[Risto the Great]

This is what you hope an American Ambassador for Macedonia would say. But perhaps the current one is saying exactly what his bosses are telling him to. Further evidence of Macedonia's token friendship with the USA.

[Frank]

Further evidence of Macedonia's token friendship with the USA.

Yes token is a correct description.

[Bratot]

It is unnecessary and unfounded dispute over the name of Macedonia because it has been called the same in the former Yugoslavia and it didn't cause any problems, says former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger.

http://a1.com.mk/vesti/default.aspx?VestID=127768

[Prolet]

Wow what a fantastic article

Spolaj Ti Brate

[Prolet]

Here is the English version


Eagleburger: Greece has no historic right to dispute over Macedonia's name

Skopje, 23 September 2010 (MIA) - The name dispute is unnecessary and unfounded, since Macedonia was called the same in the time of former Yugoslavia and this did not cause any problems then, says former U.S. Secretary of State, Lawrence Eagleburger.

"The country that is now named Macedonia was called the same during its existence as a republic within the former Yugoslavia. Did this fact lead to serious problems between Greece and Yugoslavia or between Greece and the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? There were misunderstandings now and then, but they never reached a point when they would pose a threat to peace in the region. Is there anything more immature and more foolish than 'blackmailing' a nation by denying its membership in international organizations, which goal is to preserve the peace and protect their members from aggression of non-members", says Eagleburger in an interview with NTV station.

Pertaining to Greek accusations that Macedonia is creating 'antiquisation', Eagleburger stresses it has no right to make the antique Macedonian history its own.

"Greece claims that Macedon or Macedonia, as well as Alexander of Macedonia are its own. This is a false claim and it is time someone confirms this. The Antique Greeks considered Macedonia a half-civilized region, representing a source of raw materials and nothing more. Macedonia's rise in the time of Phillip and his son Alexander was greeted with opposition, resulting in a defeat of several cities. Phillip and Alexander were considered tyrants who destroy Greeks' freedom. The claims of modern Greeks that the antique kingdom of Macedon was their own ignores a historic fact", adds Eagleburger.

Due to these facts, he cannot accept the validity of Greece's request for ownership of name Macedonia.

"Antique Greeks had never been eager in claiming Macedonia was theirs and they never accepted either Phillip or Alexander as their own legitimate rulers. The Greek claim about Macedonia is based on historically incorrect information and are therefore not fact-based", says the former U.S. Secretary of State.

Eagleburger has sympathies for the Macedonian people, although he realizes it is not wise for a foreigner to interfere with internal affairs of two states.

"However, my excitement from the strength of character that the Macedonian people has demonstrated in the course of this debate justifies the fact of my taking sides", underlines Lawrence Eagleburger in the NTV interview.

http://www.mia.com.mk/default.aspx?vId=77157182&lId=2&pmId=501