Tito's Granddaughter: "The name Macedonia cannot work"

[Niko777]

This article is for all those Macedonians who are Tito admirers.

It was written by Tito's granddaughter Svetlana Broz for the Greek newspaper Kathimerini

Although my grandfather, Josip Broz Tito, “gave” the name “Macedonia” to one of the six constituent republics of Yugoslavia, it is obvious that this act did not aim to create irredentist claims with its neighbors, with which Yugoslavia developed friendly relations and fruitful cooperation.

For many years Skopje’s authorities had been presenting maps of “Greater Macedonia,” extending “the geographical and ethnic border of Macedonia” into Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia and Greece. Is that the model of regional cooperation that our friends in Skopje preach to follow?

The European Union, the United Nations and the international community have invested considerable political and economic capital and deployed great efforts in terms of peacemaking and peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia and in humanitarian assistance to the Balkans. This was not in vain. It is obvious that the international community seeks a climate of stability, cooperation and consent in a region where the future is connected with development.

As it is well known, pursuant to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 817/1993, the country was admitted to membership in the United Nations, being provisionally referred to as “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” pending settlement of the difference over its name.

Furthermore, the Security Council, in Resolution 845/1993, urged “the parties [Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] to continue their efforts under the auspices of the Secretary-General to arrive at a speedy settlement of the remaining issues.” The negotiations on this settlement are still in progress, with the facilitation of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Matthew Nimetz.

Accepting admission to the United Nations under the provisional international name “Τhe former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” and at the same time accepting the procedure of the UN “to continue the efforts under the auspices of the Secretary-General to arrive at a speedy settlement” of the difference on the name issue and, nevertheless, continuing using the “constitutional” name “Macedonia” – which has not been accepted in the United Nations! – constitutes not only deception, and an insult to the United Nations, but also proof they consider themselves “clever” and all the others “idiots.”

I would like just to put forward a simple question: If you present somebody with a map which violates their territorial integrity, what would you expect them to do? Accept your proposals? Would it be possible?

Since the maps of “Greater Macedonia” and the related irredentist policy are based on and emanate from the name issue, that is “Macedonia,” it is obvious that this term cannot work.

In an interview two years ago, I underscored that “Tito’s policy for me is clear: He never ever would have entertained the idea of insisting on the name ‘Macedonia.’ I cannot understand why the politicians of Skopje were so stubborn within the United Nations or elsewhere, instead of finding a logical distinction from this part of Greece and their new state. Their policy was not wise because they made no effort to find a solution with Greece. No, my grandfather would never have insisted on that.”

Regardless of any consideration as to the historic roots or the historic arguments, in this case, we realize that we stand before negotiations since 1993 in the framework of the United Nations. With all respect and cordial friendship to our friends in Skopje, when we are in a negotiations framework, we cannot say, “We are sticking to the name Macedonia and we won’t discuss anything else.” Defining what we cannot accept in a negotiation gives an indication of our general objective. It excludes a certain area of discussion, but it leaves the remaining area free. Nevertheless, solely defining what we want, sticking to that, and not moving a millimeter to the right nor a millimeter to the left, this behavior is not the beginning of the negotiations, but their end.

The term “Macedonia” has always been used for a wider geographical area, approximately 51 percent of which is part of Greece, 38 percent of which is in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and 9 percent of which is in Bulgaria.

It would be absurd, therefore, on Skopje's part, to insist on using the term “Macedonia” on an exclusive basis. I would therefore like the leadership in Skopje to do their best to find a solution.

In ancient times, the inhabitants of the region of Macedonia worshipped the same gods as Greeks, spoke the Greek language, and participated in the Olympic Games, a privilege reserved only for Greeks. All the philosophers and writers from the Macedonia region, including Aristotle, wrote in Greek. Alexander the Great, Alexander Makedonski, or whatever we want to call him, spread not the “Macedonian” language but the Greek language and civilization.

If someone has a different view of history, this is an academic question, not a political one. Leave it to the academics.

In past decades, but recently too, we repeatedly heard about “Greater Macedonia,” “Greater Serbia,” “Greater Croatia,” “Greater Albania” and other nationalistic cries. Really, that's too many “Great” states in such a small area!

My dream is to see all the constituent republics of the former Yugoslavia progressing and developing, which would be undeniably corroborated by joining the European Union and NATO. I think, Matthew Nimetz was absolutely right when he stated, “It is high time a solution on the name issue was found.”

http://www.ekathimerini.com/224046/o...ia-cannot-work

[Risto the Great]

Reading from a Greek script and a kilo of free feta was delivered to her door.
I am waiting to hear a new album from one of Elvis Presely's grandchildren. Gotta love the offspring of famous people.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

Reading from a Greek script and a kilo of free feta was delivered to her door...

What better way to promote the 'Tito Myth' about Macedonia than to whore out his own flesh and blood...

It's interesting that she doesn't make any of the same demands on the 'greeks' to settle the issue...I guess you can't bite the hand that feeds.

[Liberator of Makedonija]

She does realise Tito actually WANTED to incorporate a United Macedonia into Yugoslavia? He did run into trouble with the Greeks over that, largely over his support of the Macedonian National Liberation Front in the civil war. She is clueless to believe her grandfather had good relations with Greece and had no irrdentist motives. She must of been paid off

[Stevce]

What an idiot. Tito wanted a United Macedonia as part of Yugoslavia. She should learn some family history first before talking. Funny I hear this all the time Geographic Macedonia. This term is used to deny the ethnic cleansing that occurred in the occupied parts of Macedonia.

[Stojacanec]

Wow, what a complete and utter tosser. Talk about offspring gone wrong. She is only inciting more disharmony and angst between two countries that she has nothing to do with.

She makes damning accusations of a country, gives a one sided version of history and yet then says leave it to the historians....

Yugoslavia only worked because America pored money into it. It was never going to last.

How did the breakup of Yugoslavia go Sveta, well? Any irredentist behaviour? Look at your own back yard first before you start bagging others!

She wouldn't need many hormone adjustments if she were to go through a sex change.