United Macedonia Diaspora - Page 571

UMDiaspora.org · 04-01-2011, 09:37 AM

Source: http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/554/1/

UMD Calls on Greek Orthodox Church to Condemn Priest’s Anti-Macedonian Statements

April 1, 2011 – Washington, D.C. – The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) calls on the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos II, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to condemn unequivocally the blatant anti-Macedonian statements of Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, one of the church’s highest officials.

“This rhetoric is unacceptable, counter-productive and injurious to the image of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Church. Instead of promoting Christian values of peace, tolerance and togetherness, Metropolitan Anthimos uses his position to speak in front of the Greek nation to incite hatred,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski.

The accusations made by Metropolitan Anthimos during a recent liturgy were false and vile. In the Metropolitan’s address, which was broadcast on national TV, he accused Macedonia of spreading “propaganda,” called the Macedonian language an “idiom” and stated that Macedonia was “a little state that had been invented recently.”

The Metropolitan’s incendiary accusation regarding the so-called “propaganda” is rooted in the innocuous fact that Macedonia’s recently built Holocaust museum displays a map in which the country is labeled by its own constitutional name, “Macedonia,” as opposed to the term that some – particularly in Greece – use pejoratively (i.e., “Skopia”). Through this statement, Metropolitan Anthimos made obvious his political views regarding the Greece-Macedonia name dispute, though his speech was supposedly meant to be of a religious nature.

“We expect the Greek government, which provides part of the salary for church officials, to finally denounce the persistently invective rhetoric of Metropolitan Anthimos,” Koloski added.

In the speech, the Metropolitan also talked about a recently leaked embassy cable in which former Greek Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos told former US Ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard that “Macedonians should be allowed to use whatever name they wish.” Anthimos argued that “no person in Greece believes in those words- not even Theodoros Pangalos himself”.

Members of the Greek Orthodox Church have a well-known track record of outrageous anti-Macedonian statements. A particularly galling example is the following from Metropolitan Anthimos: “Macedonians as an ethnic group do not exist” and “Macedonia is Greek . . . and parts of it that are missing should be returned.” A church leader calling for the expropriation of a portion of a sovereign country’s territory is beyond outrageous.

This bigotry and irredentism from church officials reflects the prevalent rhetoric in Greece. It is especially problematic since the Greek Orthodox Church is the official state religion of Greece.

The United Nations and the Helsinki Committee on Human Rights, as well as many other notable human rights organizations, have shown considerable concern over Greece’s mistreatment of its minority populations, including Greece’s unwillingness to even recognize the existence (much less accept the right to self-determination) of the hundreds of thousands of Greek citizens who have an ethnic Macedonian identity.

Makedonska_Kafana · 04-02-2011, 12:32 AM

Athens is a total waste of our time so go after (ATTACK) the racists & hypocrites in NATO, United Nations, EU and Washington DC ..

Brengelmann: NATO remains on its decision over Macedonia's membership, expects name settlement

Skopje, 1 April 2011 (MIA) - NATO remains on its decision regarding Macedonia's membership in the Alliance, after a settlement on the name issue with the government of one member-state - Greece - is reached, said NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Dirk Brengelmann after Friday's meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki.

"NATO remains on its decision and hopes the two governments will soon approximate their positions and reach a solution to the problem. However, it is important to stress that we will continue to cooperate within the Membership Action Plan (MAP) and I hope we will achieve further success in this regard", said Brengelmann.

Asked if the decision on Macedonia's membership could be reviewed, taking into consideration the process before the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy said he would not like to speculate if the Court's judgment would have an effect on Macedonia's application, since the Alliance is not part of the process.

FM Milososki reiterated Macedonia's position that NATO is not a party in the process, whereas the country remains committed to the name talks.

"The ICJ process does not involve NATO in any way. We do not expect the court to assess NATO's conduct as an organization, but Greece's conduct and activities as a party in the Interim Accord, which represents the most significant bilateral document in Macedonia-Greece relations. Regardless of the international-legal dimension of this suit, there is political commitment for resumption of the Macedonia-Greece dialogue and we hope conditions will be created for approximation of positions in order to overcome this bilateral dispute", he stressed.

Brengelmann and Milososki also referred to Macedonia's achievements in the field of reforms, as well as their enhancement, aimed at sustainable compatibility of Macedonian institutions with NATO.

"NATO membership is our strategic goal. Republic of Macedonia belongs to NATO as much as NATO belongs to Macedonia, and this connection is very deep and strong", stated FM Milososki.

Brengelmann also thanked Macedonia for its contribution in the Alliance ISAF mission and its constructive role in the region, underlining that the country has transformed from importer to security exporter.

The meeting also tackled regional issues, as well as Libya developments. ik/fd/14:19

Soldier of Macedon · 04-02-2011, 02:37 AM

The same garbage one hears from people like Gruevski and co. is mirrored by that of Boris Tadic and co. in Serbia - both harp on about their so-called 'strategy' which considers NATO and EU admission as pivotal. National interests concerning sovereignty and integrity take a back seat.

Makedonska_Kafana · 04-02-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

National interests concerning sovereignty and integrity take a back seat.

Sadly, the UMD still don't understand the wishes of the large Macedonian diaspora and fail badly when it comes to press releases regarding these type of anti Macedonian statements ie. UN, NATO, EU, Washington DC

Don't hold your breath waiting on the UMD to change the Greek Orthodox Church!

George S. · 04-02-2011, 08:17 PM

Not only do we want the name negotitions to stop but to make it clear we don't want membership of these racist & nazi organizations.Both Nato & eu are a easted space the soonerthey collapse the better.I just heard today that the un has got a slush fund set up & allready australia has given more than half a billion.to the climate fund??.Apparently this money is destined to go to the third world countries to prop up some dictators.

George S. · 04-02-2011, 08:45 PM

Mk i don't think the greek church or anyone else is going to listen to the umd.Have you heard of tokenism or about claytons attempts.Well that just about sums it up.WE hear what they want us to hear.They would like to be seen as doing something regardless of the outcome.I would like to see the day when the macedonian govt listens to the diaspora let alone it's own citizens who are constantly ignored & their opinions are not even considered.
By dangling the golden carrot of entry to nato or eu the govt thinks it will be better off & has managed to hoodwink most of it's citizenry if not all.

Makedonska_Kafana · 04-02-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George S.

Mk i don't think the greek church or anyone else is going to listen to the umd.Have you heard of tokenism or about claytons attempts.Well that just about sums it up.WE hear what they want us to hear.They would like to be seen as doing something regardless of the outcome.I would like to see the day when the macedonian govt listens to the diaspora let alone it's own citizens who are constantly ignored & their opinions are not even considered.
By dangling the golden carrot of entry to nato or eu the govt thinks it will be better off & has managed to hoodwink most of it's citizenry if not all.

Like, I have stated numerous times they're in way over their heads (lack of knowledge) when it comes to these legal matters. When you exclude the annual conference and the odd press release it's pretty obvious they lack any results during the past 6 years - another social club.

Maybe we should ask Phil Reeker what to do about the Greek Orthodox Church?

YouTube - Tsarknias-Atheatos Kosmos-ALTER TV GR -17/09/02

Makedonska_Kafana · 04-03-2011, 01:11 PM

The UMD takes Canada for granted and one day when they wake up the support will be dead (average age of members) and the well will run dry. UMD, Australia was created not long ago yet they have a committee and their own link on the website. Not a big deal? NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WITH THEM, PLEASE SAY NO TO THE LIKES OF PHIL REEKER & HIS PALS IN WASHINGTON DC.!

UMD CANADA = A PLANNING COMMITTEE

YouTube - 'Who the Hell You Think You Are?' Nigel Farage throws egg in Eurocrat faces

NOTE

Once upon a time Ivan Lebamoff and family (MPO Grand Wizards - Masons) had a very similar plan - totally control Macedonians in diaspora with outright lies and broken promises.

Makedonska_Kafana · 04-10-2011, 10:33 PM

Not long ago our friends at NASA (UMD) were telling us how important it was to save BBC Macedonia and this is exactly why ..

Macedonia: Name row shows up on wine bottles

Inside the vast, stainless steel tanks of the Skovin winery, 17 million litres of smooth red and white wine slowly mature.

This winemaker is the unlikely victim of a dispute over names between Macedonia and Greece, a long-running disagreement that is currently being played out before the international judges.

Near the Macedonian capital, Skopje, Skovin is one of the country's largest producers. Once ready, the wine is sold with the simple labels Macedonian Red or Macedonian White.

But recently sales have plummeted to the largest European buyer, Germany.

Greece, which has a northern province called Macedonia, pressured German importers to stop taking the wine, maintaining it had copyrighted the term Macedonian in 1989.

"We feel very protective of the names Macedonian Red and Macedonian White," says Mile Kostov, Skovin's commercial director.

"We are proud of the name and that we are Macedonian. If we lose our German partners, it would be the death of the Macedonian wine business."

For the winery, it was the first taste of a dispute between Macedonia and Greece that has lasted for almost 20 years.

Ancient kingdom

When Yugoslavia began to collapse in 1991, its southernmost republic declared independence under the name Republic of Macedonia.

We will never accept that they use the name of Macedonia”

Greece objected because its northern province of Macedonia was once the centre of a vast and powerful ancient kingdom, and Greeks remain proud of the name.

Athens said that Republic of Macedonia implied territorial aspirations into northern Greece.

Both sides finally reached an agreement in 1995 under which international institutions would use the term Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

But much to Greece's anger, the country has retained its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia. Attempts to find a mutually acceptable denomination have failed.

At the Nato summit in 2008, the issue flared yet again.

Skopje expected to receive an invitation to join the alliance. But Nato member Greece blocked the move, demanding that its northern neighbour changes its name.

Nato decided the dispute must be settled before the small Balkan state can be welcomed.

Skopje was furious, arguing that Athens had violated the 1995 accord. It referred Greece to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The court is currently hearing arguments from both sides and will rule on the matter later this year.

Macedonia's hopes of joining the European Union are also on hold. Athens has vetoed the start of accession talks until the name issue is resolved.

"We don't want to have an imposed, Greek-designed solution to the name of our country," says Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki.

"We will have to live with that name and our citizens' dignity is at stake. The time has come for Greece to recognise that we exist, that we are Macedonians, that we have deep roots on this land and that Macedonians have no ill thoughts or hidden agendas against Greece."

What of Greece's argument that Macedonia has broader territorial aspirations?

"It could be the subject of a science-fiction book," he says. "The only occupation is by Macedonian tourists during the summer in Greek hotels on the beautiful Aegean coast."

But Athens maintains Skopje has breached the 1995 accord by encouraging UN members to recognise the name Republic of Macedonia and by appropriating Hellenic culture.

Skopje airport was recently renamed Alexander the Great and the city will soon have a huge statue of the ancient leader.

Rewriting history

Macedonia says it has a right to honour Alexander, since he was born in ancient Macedonia.

But Greece argues there is no ethnic continuity between their great leader and Macedonian Slavs, accusing Skopje of rewriting history.

What is Germany doing - why are they keeping their mouth shut?”

Lidija Dimova
Skopje-based commentator

"Skopje's policy with Alexander the Great has been used as a tool for nationalism and that is very dangerous," says the Greek foreign ministry's Gregory Delavekouras.

"For the past 18 years FYROM has not moved an inch. Greece is ready for a solution to this dispute so that Skopje can proceed with its EU accession process."

The Greek border lies two hours' drive south of Skopje. The sign on the border reads: "Welcome to Greece. Welcome to Macedonia."

Further into Greece, standing proud on the seafront in provincial capital Thessaloniki is a statue of one man: Alexander the Great.

"This is Macedonia," says local resident Pari, pointing to the ground.

"We will never accept that they use the name of Macedonia. It is our heritage, our ancestry, our history. They can't go into Nato and they can't go into the EU."

What's in a name?

But by holding up the EU integration of impoverished Macedonia, some believe that the dispute suits a European bloc suffering from enlargement fatigue.

"What is Germany doing - why are they keeping their mouth shut?" asks Lidija Dimova, a Skopje-based commentator.

"What is France doing? What is the UK doing? Maybe this is very convenient for the EU, because by having this stupid dispute we can postpone the question of enlargement. It's just a matter of time before people here lose trust in the EU."

So what's in a name? For these two countries, deeply attached to their identity and their history, it means rather a lot. The international community is urging a compromise. But finding a middle ground in one of Europe's most intractable conflicts will not be easy.

Whatever the country is called, the basis of this dispute has a name: national pride. And that is hard for either side to swallow.end

UMDiaspora.org · 04-11-2011, 08:49 PM

UMD to EU: Macedonians Speak “Macedonian”, Not “Official Language”

The United Macedonian Diaspora (“UMD”) expresses its strong outrage that the European Parliament has ceased referring – in official European Union (“EU”) documents -- to the Republic of Macedonia’s language as “Macedonian” and, instead, has begun using the mindless term “official language”. UMD, on behalf of its members and supporters in the EU, North America, Australia and elsewhere, calls on the EU to immediately end this highly offensive practice.

Read full press release by clicking here: http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/557/1/

View Poll Results: Do you consider the UMD as your representative for the Macedonian Diaspora?
Yes	2	4.35%
No	44	95.65%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

04-01-2011, 09:37 AM	#5701
UMDiaspora.org Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: United States, Australia, Canada Posts: 525	Source: http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/554/1/ UMD Calls on Greek Orthodox Church to Condemn Priest’s Anti-Macedonian Statements April 1, 2011 – Washington, D.C. – The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) calls on the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos II, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to condemn unequivocally the blatant anti-Macedonian statements of Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, one of the church’s highest officials. “This rhetoric is unacceptable, counter-productive and injurious to the image of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Church. Instead of promoting Christian values of peace, tolerance and togetherness, Metropolitan Anthimos uses his position to speak in front of the Greek nation to incite hatred,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski. The accusations made by Metropolitan Anthimos during a recent liturgy were false and vile. In the Metropolitan’s address, which was broadcast on national TV, he accused Macedonia of spreading “propaganda,” called the Macedonian language an “idiom” and stated that Macedonia was “a little state that had been invented recently.” The Metropolitan’s incendiary accusation regarding the so-called “propaganda” is rooted in the innocuous fact that Macedonia’s recently built Holocaust museum displays a map in which the country is labeled by its own constitutional name, “Macedonia,” as opposed to the term that some – particularly in Greece – use pejoratively (i.e., “Skopia”). Through this statement, Metropolitan Anthimos made obvious his political views regarding the Greece-Macedonia name dispute, though his speech was supposedly meant to be of a religious nature. “We expect the Greek government, which provides part of the salary for church officials, to finally denounce the persistently invective rhetoric of Metropolitan Anthimos,” Koloski added. In the speech, the Metropolitan also talked about a recently leaked embassy cable in which former Greek Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos told former US Ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard that “Macedonians should be allowed to use whatever name they wish.” Anthimos argued that “no person in Greece believes in those words- not even Theodoros Pangalos himself”. Members of the Greek Orthodox Church have a well-known track record of outrageous anti-Macedonian statements. A particularly galling example is the following from Metropolitan Anthimos: “Macedonians as an ethnic group do not exist” and “Macedonia is Greek . . . and parts of it that are missing should be returned.” A church leader calling for the expropriation of a portion of a sovereign country’s territory is beyond outrageous. This bigotry and irredentism from church officials reflects the prevalent rhetoric in Greece. It is especially problematic since the Greek Orthodox Church is the official state religion of Greece. The United Nations and the Helsinki Committee on Human Rights, as well as many other notable human rights organizations, have shown considerable concern over Greece’s mistreatment of its minority populations, including Greece’s unwillingness to even recognize the existence (much less accept the right to self-determination) of the hundreds of thousands of Greek citizens who have an ethnic Macedonian identity. __________________ For comments, questions, concerns, please contact us at: United Macedonian Diaspora http://www.umdiaspora.org 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States Phone: (202) 756-2244, Fax: (202) 756-7323, E-mail: [email protected] PO Box 2153, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia Phone: 0438 385 466, E-mail: [email protected] 3555 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M1K 1L6, Canada Phone: 416-209-0448, E-mail: [email protected]

04-02-2011, 12:32 AM	#5702
Makedonska_Kafana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 2,642	Athens is a total waste of our time so go after (ATTACK) the racists & hypocrites in NATO, United Nations, EU and Washington DC .. Brengelmann: NATO remains on its decision over Macedonia's membership, expects* name settlement* Skopje, 1 April 2011 (MIA) - NATO remains on its decision regarding Macedonia's membership in the Alliance, after a settlement on the name issue with the government of one member-state - Greece - is reached, said NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Dirk Brengelmann after Friday's meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. "NATO remains on its decision and hopes the two governments will soon approximate their positions and reach a solution to the problem. However, it is important to stress that we will continue to cooperate within the Membership Action Plan (MAP) and I hope we will achieve further success in this regard", said Brengelmann. Asked if the decision on Macedonia's membership could be reviewed, taking into consideration the process before the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy said he would not like to speculate if the Court's judgment would have an effect on Macedonia's application, since the Alliance is not part of the process. FM Milososki reiterated Macedonia's position that NATO is not a party in the process, whereas the country remains committed to the name talks. "The ICJ process does not involve NATO in any way. We do not expect the court to assess NATO's conduct as an organization, but Greece's conduct and activities as a party in the Interim Accord, which represents the most significant bilateral document in Macedonia-Greece relations. Regardless of the international-legal dimension of this suit, there is political commitment for resumption of the Macedonia-Greece dialogue and we hope conditions will be created for approximation of positions in order to overcome this bilateral dispute", he stressed. Brengelmann and Milososki also referred to Macedonia's achievements in the field of reforms, as well as their enhancement, aimed at sustainable compatibility of Macedonian institutions with NATO. "NATO membership is our strategic goal. Republic of Macedonia belongs to NATO as much as NATO belongs to Macedonia, and this connection is very deep and strong", stated FM Milososki. Brengelmann also thanked Macedonia for its contribution in the Alliance ISAF mission and its constructive role in the region, underlining that the country has transformed from importer to security exporter. The meeting also tackled regional issues, as well as Libya developments. ik/fd/14:19 __________________ http://www.makedonskakafana.com Macedonia for the Macedonians Last edited by Makedonska_Kafana; 04-02-2011 at 12:39 AM.

04-02-2011, 02:37 AM	#5703
Soldier of Macedon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Macedonian Outpost Posts: 13,660	The same garbage one hears from people like Gruevski and co. is mirrored by that of Boris Tadic and co. in Serbia - both harp on about their so-called 'strategy' which considers NATO and EU admission as pivotal. National interests concerning sovereignty and integrity take a back seat. __________________ In the name of the blood and the sun, the dagger and the gun, Christ protect this soldier, a lion and a Macedonian.

04-02-2011, 08:17 PM	#5705
George S. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10,116	Not only do we want the name negotitions to stop but to make it clear we don't want membership of these racist & nazi organizations.Both Nato & eu are a easted space the soonerthey collapse the better.I just heard today that the un has got a slush fund set up & allready australia has given more than half a billion.to the climate fund??.Apparently this money is destined to go to the third world countries to prop up some dictators. Last edited by George S.; 04-02-2011 at 08:18 PM. Reason: edit

04-02-2011, 08:45 PM	#5706
George S. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10,116	Mk i don't think the greek church or anyone else is going to listen to the umd.Have you heard of tokenism or about claytons attempts.Well that just about sums it up.WE hear what they want us to hear.They would like to be seen as doing something regardless of the outcome.I would like to see the day when the macedonian govt listens to the diaspora let alone it's own citizens who are constantly ignored & their opinions are not even considered. By dangling the golden carrot of entry to nato or eu the govt thinks it will be better off & has managed to hoodwink most of it's citizenry if not all.

04-03-2011, 01:11 PM	#5708
Makedonska_Kafana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 2,642	The UMD takes Canada for granted and one day when they wake up the support will be dead (average age of members) and the well will run dry. UMD, Australia was created not long ago yet they have a committee and their own link on the website. Not a big deal? NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WITH THEM, PLEASE SAY NO TO THE LIKES OF PHIL REEKER & HIS PALS IN WASHINGTON DC.! UMD CANADA = A PLANNING COMMITTEE YouTube - 'Who the Hell You Think You Are?' Nigel Farage throws egg in Eurocrat faces NOTE Once upon a time Ivan Lebamoff and family (MPO Grand Wizards - Masons) had a very similar plan - totally control Macedonians in diaspora with outright lies and broken promises. __________________ http://www.makedonskakafana.com Macedonia for the Macedonians Last edited by Makedonska_Kafana; 04-03-2011 at 03:01 PM.

04-10-2011, 10:33 PM	#5709
Makedonska_Kafana Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 2,642	Not long ago our friends at NASA (UMD) were telling us how important it was to save BBC Macedonia and this is exactly why .. Macedonia: Name row shows up on wine bottles Inside the vast, stainless steel tanks of the Skovin winery, 17 million litres of smooth red and white wine slowly mature. This winemaker is the unlikely victim of a dispute over names between Macedonia and Greece, a long-running disagreement that is currently being played out before the international judges. Near the Macedonian capital, Skopje, Skovin is one of the country's largest producers. Once ready, the wine is sold with the simple labels Macedonian Red or Macedonian White. But recently sales have plummeted to the largest European buyer, Germany. Greece, which has a northern province called Macedonia, pressured German importers to stop taking the wine, maintaining it had copyrighted the term Macedonian in 1989. "We feel very protective of the names Macedonian Red and Macedonian White," says Mile Kostov, Skovin's commercial director. "We are proud of the name and that we are Macedonian. If we lose our German partners, it would be the death of the Macedonian wine business." For the winery, it was the first taste of a dispute between Macedonia and Greece that has lasted for almost 20 years. Ancient kingdom When Yugoslavia began to collapse in 1991, its southernmost republic declared independence under the name Republic of Macedonia. We will never accept that they use the name of Macedonia” Greece objected because its northern province of Macedonia was once the centre of a vast and powerful ancient kingdom, and Greeks remain proud of the name. Athens said that Republic of Macedonia implied territorial aspirations into northern Greece. Both sides finally reached an agreement in 1995 under which international institutions would use the term Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). But much to Greece's anger, the country has retained its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia. Attempts to find a mutually acceptable denomination have failed. At the Nato summit in 2008, the issue flared yet again. Skopje expected to receive an invitation to join the alliance. But Nato member Greece blocked the move, demanding that its northern neighbour changes its name. Nato decided the dispute must be settled before the small Balkan state can be welcomed. Skopje was furious, arguing that Athens had violated the 1995 accord. It referred Greece to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The court is currently hearing arguments from both sides and will rule on the matter later this year. Macedonia's hopes of joining the European Union are also on hold. Athens has vetoed the start of accession talks until the name issue is resolved. "We don't want to have an imposed, Greek-designed solution to the name of our country," says Macedonia's Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. "We will have to live with that name and our citizens' dignity is at stake. The time has come for Greece to recognise that we exist, that we are Macedonians, that we have deep roots on this land and that Macedonians have no ill thoughts or hidden agendas against Greece." What of Greece's argument that Macedonia has broader territorial aspirations? "It could be the subject of a science-fiction book," he says. "The only occupation is by Macedonian tourists during the summer in Greek hotels on the beautiful Aegean coast." But Athens maintains Skopje has breached the 1995 accord by encouraging UN members to recognise the name Republic of Macedonia and by appropriating Hellenic culture. Skopje airport was recently renamed Alexander the Great and the city will soon have a huge statue of the ancient leader. Rewriting history Macedonia says it has a right to honour Alexander, since he was born in ancient Macedonia. But Greece argues there is no ethnic continuity between their great leader and Macedonian Slavs, accusing Skopje of rewriting history. What is Germany doing - why are they keeping their mouth shut?” Lidija Dimova Skopje-based commentator "Skopje's policy with Alexander the Great has been used as a tool for nationalism and that is very dangerous," says the Greek foreign ministry's Gregory Delavekouras. "For the past 18 years FYROM has not moved an inch. Greece is ready for a solution to this dispute so that Skopje can proceed with its EU accession process." The Greek border lies two hours' drive south of Skopje. The sign on the border reads: "Welcome to Greece. Welcome to Macedonia." Further into Greece, standing proud on the seafront in provincial capital Thessaloniki is a statue of one man: Alexander the Great. "This is Macedonia," says local resident Pari, pointing to the ground. "We will never accept that they use the name of Macedonia. It is our heritage, our ancestry, our history. They can't go into Nato and they can't go into the EU." What's in a name? But by holding up the EU integration of impoverished Macedonia, some believe that the dispute suits a European bloc suffering from enlargement fatigue. "What is Germany doing - why are they keeping their mouth shut?" asks Lidija Dimova, a Skopje-based commentator. "What is France doing? What is the UK doing? Maybe this is very convenient for the EU, because by having this stupid dispute we can postpone the question of enlargement. It's just a matter of time before people here lose trust in the EU." So what's in a name? For these two countries, deeply attached to their identity and their history, it means rather a lot. The international community is urging a compromise. But finding a middle ground in one of Europe's most intractable conflicts will not be easy. Whatever the country is called, the basis of this dispute has a name: national pride. And that is hard for either side to swallow.end __________________ http://www.makedonskakafana.com Macedonia for the Macedonians Last edited by Makedonska_Kafana; 04-10-2011 at 10:38 PM.

04-11-2011, 08:49 PM	#5710
UMDiaspora.org Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: United States, Australia, Canada Posts: 525	UMD to EU: Macedonians Speak “Macedonian”, Not “Official Language” The United Macedonian Diaspora (“UMD”) expresses its strong outrage that the European Parliament has ceased referring – in official European Union (“EU”) documents -- to the Republic of Macedonia’s language as “Macedonian” and, instead, has begun using the mindless term “official language”. UMD, on behalf of its members and supporters in the EU, North America, Australia and elsewhere, calls on the EU to immediately end this highly offensive practice. Read full press release by clicking here: http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/557/1/ __________________ For comments, questions, concerns, please contact us at: United Macedonian Diaspora http://www.umdiaspora.org 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20004, United States Phone: (202) 756-2244, Fax: (202) 756-7323, E-mail: [email protected] PO Box 2153, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia Phone: 0438 385 466, E-mail: [email protected] 3555 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M1K 1L6, Canada Phone: 416-209-0448, E-mail: [email protected]

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