Macedonia and the European Union

[Carlin]

Catalonia ‘separatists’ bad, HK ‘pro-democracy protesters’ good: Orwell’s 1984 becomes user’s manual for Western ‘free media’

George Galloway

15 Oct, 2019

URL:
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/470992-cata...-media-orwell/

When supporters of Catalan leaders jailed for organizing a democratic vote advance on Barcelona airport, media make a fuss over ‘separatists’ causing chaos. When the same tactic’s used in Hong Kong, it’s a ‘pro-democracy’ protest.

In George Orwell’s 1984, The War Ministry was renamed the Ministry of Peace. Truth was Lies, Hate was Love. But author Lewis Carroll got there first.

In ‘Through the Looking Glass,’ first published in 1871, Humpty Dumpty tells Alice, and in rather a scornful manner, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”

“The question is,” said Alice “whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.”

“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master – that's all.”

Humpty Dumpty has indeed been put back together again, in our newsrooms and in the mouths of our politicians. As so often happens, it finds its apogee in Syria.

One man’s ‘terrorist’ is, of course, another man’s “freedom-fighter” – but now it’s becoming ridiculous. The so-called ‘Free’ so-called ‘Syrian’ so-called ‘Army’ –the FSA– are now being denounced all over the world for the savagery of their conduct in the Turkish incursions in north-east Syria.

The problem is that the Humpty Dumpties fulminating into their fountain-pens against it are the very same Humpties who told us for years that these were ‘moderate-rebels,’ ‘secular’ soldiers fighting for ‘democracy’ against ‘dictatorship’ in Syria. So much so, we had to give them the guns with which they are now reportedly gunning down Kurdish civilians, and over which we are now oh so appalled…

Those of us who drew attention to the fact that one of the FSA commanders had, in a former role, cut out a prisoner’s heart and eaten it on YouTube, were banned from social media-platforms, branded “Assad-apologists” or “Putin-apologists” or, in my case, both. That the so-called ‘democratic’ opposition was merely an alphabet-soup of Islamist fanatic forces in white-helmets wearing Mrs Clinton’s lipstick was a truth which simply could not be uttered.

This tragic farce is, in fact, ending as it began, when Hillary Humpty Dumpty Clinton's launch of the Coalition for a Democratic Syria literally died on her lips when it was pointed out that many of the countries in the coalition were the unfree-est, most anti-democratic countries on earth!

The name changed but the flow of guns, money, political and propaganda support never did.

Space and ennui precludes my adumbrating the full set of the false-teeth in the Syria story, so let me pay homage to Catalonia.

The democratic government of Spain in the democratic European Union has just handed out a hundred years of prison sentences on democratic Catalan politicians for organising a democratic vote in Catalonia. Worse, a “mob” of their supporters have advanced on...the airport in Barcelona! Commerce, holidays, trade are being WRECKED, wrecked I tell you, by this undemocratic form of protest.

But, when the exact same tactic is used in Hong-Kong, the demonstrators are NOT a mob, they are not wreckers, they are ‘democracy-protesters.’

When the Hong-Kong protesters confront the Chinese police with Molotovs, knives, even guns, it is the policeman stabbed in the neck who is the villain. When the French police literally disarm Yellow-Vest protesters –that is, to blow their hands off– even Humpty Dumpty runs out of words, so a complete media veil of secrecy is thrown over the removal of eyeballs, hands and even lives by the gendarmes.

George Orwell’s novel 1984 was supposed to be a dystopian work of fiction, a warning of the perversions of truth which would be required to sustain totalitarianism if we were not careful.

In 2019, it has become a User’s Manual, a play-book, and some of the worst hypocrites in the world – otherwise known as the free-media in free-countries – deploy it to the nodding approbation of the political-classes they serve.

As Humpty Dumpty said, “The question is, which is to be master – that’s all.”

[Gocka]

There are obvious double standards. I wouldn't call it an Orwellian conspiracy but simple human bias.

I think it come down to perception. I people look at how stable and affluent the country is and assume that countries like France and Spain or stable democratic and prosperous and therefor anyone who stands up to those establishments must be a trouble maker. They look at China, Syria, and others as undemocratic and unstable places and therefor anyone who stands up to those establishments is obviously just seeking democracy.

Bias due to political orientation is also a factor.

You also have to take into consideration where and who the media gets its information from. Investigative journalism isn't what it used to be. Very few outlets send anyone out into the field to actual investigate. They rely on 2nd and 3rd hand sources. Most of the time the only people on the ground are government affiliated or employed and control the narrative. That is also not to say its some coordinated conspiracy to mislead. If you are a government employee working in an intelligence service, your job is to further the interests of your country, you are going to have a clear bias on any given situation depending on how that situation relates to your national interests.

If anyone is to blame for this its media companies who have basically abandoned journalism for sensationalist talk shows, because talk shows are cheaper to produce and bring in much more viewership. Society is also to blame, because we prefer to watch biased talk shows because actual journalism is sometimes dry. Then we get upset when we discover we have been mislead. We encourage and reward the media for acting in this manner.

Don't watch Rachel Maddow, and Sean Hanity and demand that news outlets go back to actually having boots on the ground.

[Carlin]

Is Zaev planning to resign as a result of the EU veto??

https://www.magazin.mk/%d0%b7%d0%b0%...1%d0%bb%d0%b5/

[Carlin]

North Macedonia PM Zaev calls for early election, blasts EU

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sat., Oct. 19, 2019

SKOPJE, Macedonia - A “disappointed and outraged” North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev says he will propose an early election in the face of the European Union’s decision not to start membership talks with his country.

Zaev said at a news conference Saturday that the date for the snap election will be discussed and, hopefully, agreed at a Sunday meeting with the country’s president, his coalition partners and the opposition leader.

“Europe has not delivered what it has promised. A huge injustice has been done to us. ... I am disappointed and outraged,” Zaev told reporters in Skopje.

EU leaders failed to reach a consensus Friday on whether to open membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia, amid stiff opposition to the move from France.

https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/wor...blasts-eu.html

[Gocka]

The naivety of it all is infuriating. All the focus was put on the name and Greece, for 25 years that's all anyone paid attention to. Even Bulgaria didn't get the chance to block Macedonia (I'm certain they would have). Despite the obvious hurdles of Greece and Bulgaria, does anyone really believe Macedonia is anywhere near EU standards anyway. Are these people that delusional that they thought it was purely the name holding them back? If Macedonia was such a shoe in for EU entry, the EU would have put pressure on Greece to back off and allow Macedonia entry.

I've been saying for years that the EU was always using the likes of Bulgaria and Greece as an excuse to not admit Macedonia, I never believed they actually wanted that to happen. I'm convinced they never thought we would be stupid enough to change our name.

Why would the EU want the likes of Macedonia and Albania in the EU? So western Europe can further drive down the value of their local labor markets. Or so they can admit a couple million welfare cases. Or so the Albanian mafia can more easily smuggle drugs, weapons, and organs. Neither country has anything to offer, and they would both require huge amounts of EU funds to bring them anywhere near EU standards. Then there is their shit judicial, and political systems.

Again, how can anyone be so delusional and naive that they could believe that the door was closed for 25 years purely because of a depute over the word North.

We have to be the most short sighted people on the planet.

[Carlin]

Originally Posted by Gocka

The naivety of it all is infuriating. All the focus was put on the name and Greece, for 25 years that's all anyone paid attention to. Even Bulgaria didn't get the chance to block Macedonia (I'm certain they would have). Despite the obvious hurdles of Greece and Bulgaria, does anyone really believe Macedonia is anywhere near EU standards anyway. Are these people that delusional that they thought it was purely the name holding them back? If Macedonia was such a shoe in for EU entry, the EU would have put pressure on Greece to back off and allow Macedonia entry.

I've been saying for years that the EU was always using the likes of Bulgaria and Greece as an excuse to not admit Macedonia, I never believed they actually wanted that to happen. I'm convinced they never thought we would be stupid enough to change our name.

Why would the EU want the likes of Macedonia and Albania in the EU? So western Europe can further drive down the value of their local labor markets. Or so they can admit a couple million welfare cases. Or so the Albanian mafia can more easily smuggle drugs, weapons, and organs. Neither country has anything to offer, and they would both require huge amounts of EU funds to bring them anywhere near EU standards. Then there is their shit judicial, and political systems.

Again, how can anyone be so delusional and naive that they could believe that the door was closed for 25 years purely because of a depute over the word North.

We have to be the most short sighted people on the planet.

I do agree with you - but this is also a blatant case of EU/France "betrayal" as they did not keep their promises to Macedonia. Recall Macron's "timely" address to the Macedonians in the lead up to the referendum vote (or numerous EU politicians paying a visit, also just before the referendum). Whether or not Macedonia has anything to offer, the state of the judicial and political systems - the EU leaders dangled the "carrot" of membership as an incentive for Macedonia to resolve the name dispute.

It looks like there will be elections in April of 2020 (interestingly the Census was to take place next April as well - it will likely be cancelled as a result).

North Macedonia to hold snap polls in April

URL:
https://www.france24.com/en/20191020...polls-in-april

North Macedonia's political leaders agreed on Sunday to hold early elections in April, after the EU blocked the start of membership talks.

"We have reached a consensus for the elections to be held on April 12, 2020," Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said after the meeting of main political leaders with President Stevo Pendarovski.

European Union leaders on Friday failed to agree on opening Skopje's accession negotiations, mostly because of opposition from France.

The issue is now on hold until next spring.

Zaev on Saturday proposed a snap election as the EU decision, which he called a "historic mistake", scrambled what had been the key policy goal of his cabinet.

Zaev will resign on January 3 and a technical government will be appointed, political leaders decided.

Under the law, the prime minister must resign 100 days ahead of the polls, and a technical government that will include both the ruling coalition and the opposition is to be voted in by the parliament.

However, "the unanimous view of all parties is that Euro-Atlantic integration is our goal... and these aspirations of the country will remain," Zaev told reporters after the meeting.

Friday's move by the EU triggered a wave of anger and disappointment, not just in North Macedonia and Albania -- whose membership bid was also put on hold -- but among EU officials and leaders who had lobbied hard to open the talks.

Zaev and his Social Democrats came to power in 2017, ousting the right-wing party of former strongman Nikola Gruevski, who had dominated the country for a decade.

Since then, his government has poured all of its political capital into putting North Macedonia on a path to NATO and EU membership.

[Risto the Great]

I have no idea why Zaev would want to call the snap elections. I suspect he is already bent over a wok and taking it from a barrage of pandas right now. The EU was not the money scam he hoped it would be so China would be looking very attractive right now.

It is hilarious that it didn't even get to Bulgaria and Greece denying entry to Macedonia (which was and is inevitable).

Zaev resigning is a noble yet curious thing to do and he should have done it years ago. Given the suggestion of nobility, I can only assume he already has what he (criminally) needs and will slip away quietly before the truth comes out.

Northadonia continues to amaze me with the rewards it accumulates for its utter capitulation at every challenge. I am not sure it can go any lower but feel more is yet to come.

And wait until this generation of (Y) Insta Twits and Snaps and Tik Toks start taking the reigns. They will make Zaev look like a grand statesman.

[Gocka]

Originally Posted by Carlin15

I do agree with you - but this is also a blatant case of EU/France "betrayal" as they did not keep their promises to Macedonia.

It certainly looks like a betrayal, but I would also contend that we don't know for sure what was or wasn't promised before and after the name change. We know of the public facing statements but nothing of the backroom discussions. For all we know this may have been the plan all along.

I for one never believed EU entry was on the cards only because it made no sense for the EU.

Maybe Zaev has already benefited financially whether directly from the likes of Greece or even the EU itself, or indirectly by helping out his own business interests while he had power and access.

Also being that most of the EU talks were held with a handle full of EU officials, I don't see how Zaev could have been promised or felt assured that EU entry was a done deal post name change. Its not like he had gotten assurances form every party in Europe.

In the end I can only classify it all as treachery, or naivety. Either they new exactly what they are doing it and had been personally rewarded for playing along, or they were incredibly naive to think that an organization that forced you to violate your own human rights could be fully trusted to be an honest and moral partner. If the EU had any integrity it would have never encouraged Macedonians to pick between isolation or cultural suicide.

We got exactly what we deserved. We entered into this situation 25 years ago without a shred of dignity and that is exactly where we find ourselves today. No dignity and nothing to show for it.

I just hope Macedonians for once can open their eyes and realize that until you respect yourself, no one else will.

[Carlin]

France is pushing the E.U. toward strategic disaster

URL:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...egic-disaster/

By Carl Bildt
Oct. 25, 2019

There is little doubt that Brexit is a strategic disaster for the European Union. But too few seem to understand that the E.U. is heading toward another strategic disaster — this time in the Balkans.

Last week, France intervened to veto the opening of E.U. accession negotiations with North Macedonia, against the repeated recommendation of the European Commission and the will of other member states. In doing so, it might have brought the E.U.’s decade-long strategic approach toward the Balkans crashing down.

Since the end of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, an E.U. priority has been to bring long-term stability to this troubled part of the continent. To end wars is one thing, but to build genuine peace requires long-term effort, particularly around peaceful integration.

In 2003, as part of the Thessaloniki summit, E.U. leaders formally committed their countries to opening the E.U. for membership to all the countries in the Western Balkans. Ever since, this has been the lighthouse that has inspired and guided the policies pursued in the region seeking to reform economies and societies, overcome the divisions of the past and prepare for the European future of tomorrow.

It certainly hasn’t been easy, and progress has been slow in a number of areas. But in a region always torn between the forces of disintegration and integration, the balance has clearly shifted from the former to the latter, largely thanks to the European perspective.

That project has been put in jeopardy by France’s decision on North Macedonia. No one was under the impression that membership in the E.U. for North Macedonia was in any way imminent. It was a question of starting a decade-long process of negotiations and reforms inspired by that prospect.

In fact, the 2018 Prespa Agreement between North Macedonia and Greece that solved the countries’ long-standing name dispute was supposed to be a de facto precondition for starting on the E.U. path. Now the word from Paris is that this will have to wait until there are some unspecified reforms to the E.U. in the years and perhaps decades ahead.

That’s bad in itself, but the implications of the decision go much further. The French veto was not just a veto against North Macedonia and Albania, but also against the entire enlargement process in the Western Balkans, effectively sinking the entire policy. This might not have been spelled out explicitly but, implicitly, it was also a veto against Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia.

This will inevitably have implications for other outstanding issues in the region. With the opportunity to integrate, Serbia was supposed to choose between its future with Europe and its past with Kosovo, thereby normalizing relations between the two. If Europe closes the door, this becomes immeasurably more difficult. And with all of its tensions, the future of Bosnia would of course be much more stable if the country was embedded in the structures of Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in eloquent terms about the responsibilities of Europe and wants to position himself as the figure launching the E.U. on a new trajectory of global relevance. That is all fine and good — and urgently needed — but hardly compatible with shooting down the credibility of the E.U. in Europe itself.

It should be remembered that the last time a more substantial overhaul of the E.U. was attempted, with the so-called Constitutional Treaty, it was brought down by a referendum in France in 2005. No one has since dared to revive those efforts. And whether Paris is sincere about its willingness to open up to new members in the future is open to doubt. Few, I fear, will be ready to count on it.

France may never have been an enthusiastic supporter of the enlargement of the E.U., but it has generally accepted the process and lived happily with the result. Yet France did what it could to block the prospects of Turkey acceding during its years of promising democratic reforms and European aspirations. Although other factors were certainly at work, this played a role in propelling Turkey in a distinctly different direction. While Turkey in the past was a strategic opportunity for Europe, it has now turned into a strategic danger for the West.

Looking ahead, the risk is that the same might happen in the Balkans. And while its countries will remain economically dependent on the E.U., the inevitable slowing of needed reforms and integration will likely force even more young people from the Balkans to seek their future in the E.U. Those that remain might well be more allured by the dangerous policies of nationalism and nostalgia. Deprived of a future, they might seek a return to the past.

After all, it’s the Balkans. We have seen this happen before.

Carl Bildt is a former prime minister of Sweden and a contributing columnist for The Post.

[Karposh]

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

Because Bulgaria and Greece in the EU are forging ahead and living large now? What on Earth will improve for them in the EU? Maybe they can work elsewhere I guess. But the Macedonian whores are already doing that without the EU. It's a nation of whores, perhaps more energy can be devoted to that!

That seems to be the main objective as far as I can see (especially among the young). As a matter of fact, I just learnt (to my horror) that my younger cousin in Bitola just took out a Bulgarian passport. His mum defended the move as the only hope for him to have any kind of future by using his recently acquired Bulgarian passport as a ticket to escape the misery and make a life for himself abroad. I spared her from any self-righteous condemnation coming from my part but my disappointment was, and still is, palpable. As far as I'm concerned, renouncing your Macedonian identity (even if it is for economic gain and you don't really mean it) and swearing allegiance to Bulgaria with a pledge of becoming a loyal Bulgarian is no different than when many Christian Macedonian made the same pledge to renounce their faith and become Muslims about a century and a half ago. There's just no coming back from that...even if it was just a token gesture. You are permanently and dishonourably tainted. Some will argue that the hardships were so difficult that their conversion is completely understandable and even excusable. I'm not one of those people. The fact is, it was easier to become a Muslim than enduring the sufferings of a Christian enslaved by an Islamic overlord. Well, as most Christians know and will readily tell you, to be a Christian is to embrace the suffering. It's about enduring whatever life throws at you and never losing your faith or turning away from it. Unfortunately, the same is true of being Macedonian. It's not easy being Macedonian but that's no excuse for betrayal. I know that may sound easy for me to say from the comforts of my Sydney home but I'm trying very hard to empathise with those people and put myself in their shoes. Would I take that same Bulgarian road if I were in their situation? I honestly don't think I would.