United Macedonia Diaspora

[makedonche]

Preliminary assesment - deflection of answering the core of the question in subject, reduced response time allocation after a longwinded attempt at explanations/justifications of actions, appearance of inadequate allowancwes for questions/answers/rebuttals, lack of appropriate order.

[blackcactus]

Thank you RTG for posting this, thank you for standing up and asking your questions which you did very well by the way

Sadly when the camera moved to Meto, the visual and audio quality was not quite good enough, which made it hard to read Meto, I'll have to see him in person when he comes to Perth

You mentioned his talk was generally well received, so I'll assume he is a competent speaker

Now my take on what I could make out from his answer to you

He is diplomatic in his language and tone (which wasn't all that clear due to the Audio quality), he said a lot to try and explain himself, which can mean he was on the defensive with you, or that he really wanted to be open as much as possible. Now his explanations could be interpreted in many ways depending on your view of the man himself, interpretation of words and events can be a real bitch, so I’m going to use the old wait and see approach

I think Meto is trying his best, but the community is not 100% behind him as we know

I believe he is a good man, but for many that may not be enough. Many people I know want someone who will say loud and clear that we do not want the name negotiations with Greece to continue, he at this time is not delivering this message as I understand it

I’m still open to UMD. I feel some adjustments need to be made in its policy, but I do think the vehicle or framework that is UMD is a good one. It has established itself a seemingly vast network of important contacts because of hard work done over many years, and this should not be wasted

The organization should always seek further input and development of it’s policies, you can always improve

[UMDiaspora.org]

Originally Posted by Vangelovski

In Meto’s original flyer outlining his tour of Australia (which has been replaced), he claimed that he had written an opinion piece in The Age, a Melbourne based newspaper. Can UMD provide a copy of this “opinion piece”?

Or was the article in question actually a paid advertisement authored primarily by Igor Aleksandrov (and primarily funded by the Macedonian Orthodox Community of Sydney with donations from other Australian Macedonian organisations and individuals) with input from myself in response to the Greek rally in Melbourne in November 2007?

If this is the case, can UMD explain why it attempted to mislead the public and credit the advertisement to Meto as an opinion piece, when in fact it was a paid advertisement that Meto Koloski and Aleksandar Mitrevski actually opposed because they felt it was “too nationalistic” to state the fact that Greece occupied southern Macedonia in 1913 and refused to put UMD’s name to the piece (a decision which I took the liberty to override) along with all the major Australian Macedonian sponsors?

Mr. Vangelovski, are you referring to The Australian advertisement? We suggest you get your facts straight before spreading outright lies and false allegations about UMD. UMD has never plagiarized anything, so your assertions are quite serious offenses and slander.

UMD, the Macedonian Orthodox Community of Sydney, the Macedonian Community of Adelaide and South Australia, and other organizations co-sponsored an advertisement in May 2007, not November. The advertisement was published in The Australian the same day of former Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis' visit to Australia, and not in response to some Melbourne Greek rally.

The advertisement was originally initiated by UMD, and primarily championed by Ljupco Stankovski of the Australian Macedonian Weekly, a very strong supporter and member of UMD. It was Mr. Stankovski that contacted the Macedonian Orthodox Community of Sydney to join UMD in this initiative, and MOCS paid half of the funds needed for the advertisement. Whereas, Mr. Stankovski raised the other half through the various other organizations who donated and some individuals including himself. UMD authored/drafted the original text, and the various organizations sponsoring the advertisement had additions, and the final text was composed, which was used for the advertisement (the drafting committee did an excellent job). It was agreed upon by all participating sponsoring organizations. UMD never refused to put its name on the advertisement and you make false claims.

Here is something that may peak your interest about the advertisement written by the Pan-Macedonian Federation of Australia against UMD:

http://modern-macedonian-history.blo...1_archive.html

On the same day of the advertisement, UMD issued a press release as well regarding the visit of Prime Minister Karamanalis, of which Mr. Vangelovski was the spokesperson for:

http://umdiaspora.org/content/view/210/1/

[Volk]

Shame that there was not more time allowed for Risto's questions/discussions... I am sure there will be plenty of opportunity in Melbourne and Sydney to put some things to rest.

Ask the hard questions, every doubt that people in the community have about UMD should be explored so everyone can base their opinions straight from the horses mouth.

[UMDiaspora.org]

Thank you Blackcactus and Risto the Great!

The forum in Adelaide was an excellent opportunity to engage on many topics. We have to stress though there definitely was no pointing of fingers at anyone, just to make that clear. Many individuals had the opportunity to ask questions and really have a dialogue. After the event, individuals were able to discuss with Meto Koloski further on the issues for about an hour after the event ended.

The community was able to learn about UMD, and equally important, the UMD was able to learn about the community of Adelaide and South Australia. The community, and particularly the youth, are hurting in this community. All are very dedicated, all are hard-working, all believe in the Macedonian cause. But they are villified on a regular basis by racist and absurd comments by the Premier of South Australia. This discrimination resignates not just on a political level, but even in education and healthcare, as one elderly lady mentioned at the forum.

The community in Adelaide and South Australia has a lot of potential, and we see a very bright future for the community, especially the young generation. UMD held a discussion with the youth today in Adelaide, and we discussed ways for the youth to get more involved in the community.

Stay tuned for more news on the situation with the Premier of South Australia. We are happy to learn that AMHRC are assisting the Macedonian Community of Adelaide and South Australia on this matter. UMD is here to assist as much as we can, and together, United, We Can and will succeed. Premier Rann must formally apologize to our community in South Australia.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Thanks Meto, I await Vangelovski's response.

Originally Posted by UMDiaspora.org

.........Ljupco Stankovski of the Australian Macedonian Weekly, a very strong supporter and member of UMD.

That's good to know. Equally good would be to know if the AMW would publish any articles that go contrary to UMD's assertions.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Risto the Great, thank you very much for arranging this and taking the time to have them put up on youtube. Also, thank you for your uncompromising and professional representation of the Macedonian Truth Organisation.

Here is what I have noticed so far:

- Between 1.05 and 1.25 RtG is told to basically hurry up and get to the question, by, none other than Steve Kostoff, the man who distinguishes himself from Greeks by declaring as a Slav Macedonian. This 'Slav' Kostoff saw it fit to make a mini-drama by speaking in a clearly defensive manner. Meto, did you come out all the way to Australia so that concerned Macedonians can be told to hurry up and get to the question? How pathetic.

- At 2.36 Meto says that the Macedonian government agreed to Macedonia-Skopje. What evidence is there to corroborate this, Meto?

- From about 3.30 onwards Meto goes on this rant about how he doesn't engage in public forums on the internet (when he clearly does here) and for the next minute, diverts the response to a defence of his position with the claim that people are twisting his words. Who is twisting your words when you said you find the 'democratic' prefix "acceptable" Meto? And then he asks RtG what he thinks of the suggested prefixes of 'democratic' and 'independent' (!?!?)

- From around 4.40 onwards, Meto clearly says the following: "I said that the Diaspora may take (?), may accept the name Democratic Republic of Macedonia, to end, the former yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which we all know is ridiculous. And 'democratic', in the end, probably is not so bad (?), but only and I stress this only for NATO, EU and United Nation........" - This statement seems to endorse what he said in the ZMR interview, but then, Meto goes on to say that he made this statement in the early days of activism at a time when the UMD weren't taken seriously! Then he goes back to endorsing the 'democratic' prefix (again) saying that, on the other hand, they will not accept geographic definers, then he goes on to say that "thanks to oganisations like the UMD" the USA recognizes Macedonia. I'm sorry, what exactly was UMD's role in the USA's recognition of Macedonia? The USA recognized Macedonia to silence Macedonian patriotism and put a halt to the referendum that was against territorial divisions taking place. Back to the 'democratic' prefix, at one point Meto even echoes his twin's (TajnataKniga) sentiment by stating that Macedonia is a democratic country afterall!!

Then Meto goes on to say how, with regard to the framewok agreement, he believes it is against Macedonia's constitution, which is where RtG begins to deliver an assertive and defining message, making it clear that, NO, the Macedonian Diaspora does not accept this agreement that UMD seemingly have in the past, and they do not accept being called 'democratic' Macedonians. And there is Kostoff cutting off RtG again. Pathetic.

RtG, you spoke well, concise and true, Meto, you seemed uneasy while answering the questions, and you took quite some time in doing so. I didn't see Kostoff rushing you to answer though.

-----------------------

My observation, simple. The UMD are prepared to accept a name other than (Republic of) Macedonia, in this case 'democratic', when we sit at the international table of nations. It simply appears that the 'democratic' prefix and the fact that we may have to change our name and lose our dignitiy to appease Greek racists are not 'as important' issues as entering the EU for them. Da vi e stram.

Meto's idea of a Diaspora organisation is to secure points with the Macedonian government, regardless of who is in power, as opposed to representing the Diaspora's view to the Macedonian government, even when they do not align.

[Prolet]

Is Steve Kostov related to Hari Kostov?? I didnt get the point why Risto was cut off he should have the time to give a proper statement and then ask the questions. I'll let Risto decide how he felt at the time.

Either way Spolaj Ti Risto for the footage.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Originally Posted by Prolet

I didnt get the point why Risto was cut off he should have the time to give a proper statement and then ask the questions

Shh, you never know who's watching Prolet....

[Prolet]

SOM, A sto misles Grcine sto pravat?? Identitetine kako na nashite chlenovi im gi objavuvaja?? Jas ne velam da se zatvorime samo da pazime sto zborvame tuka, oti drugite ne snimat mozi i asio gleda od kaj znajme?