AGENDA - Part 07

The author alleges that, "One of the members of the winning group wrote quite an insulting letter in which, among other things, the group of Spiro Bassil was accused of embezzlement. This letter gave rise to new clashes between the two groups. A court case against the United Macedonians Organization began." This statement is so ambiguous that it's irresponsible and ludicrous. To which organization is Dr. Vrazhinovski referring when he says, 'United Macedonians Organization' and who is the 'winning group'? Who actually wrote this letter? Who were the plaintiffs and who were the defendants in this court case? What organization was cited as a respondent party in the court case? None!

Please see the specifics of the case below.

The plaintiffs were: Spiro Bassil (Vasilev), Paul Bassil, Bill Dundas, Peter Kondoff, John Givens, Bill Clechov, and John Tsarvenkov, all of whom were members of the United Macedonians of North America.

The defendants were: Teli Morihovitis, Anton Pavlov, Vlade Steriovski, Chris Dimoff and 15 others, all members of the United Macedonians of Canada, Toronto Branch.

Neither organization was cited in the court proceedings, so how can Vrazhinovski claim, "A court case has been opened against the United Macedonians Organization." Not only are his claims false, they are biased and designed to deceive the reader. It would seem that he wanted to shift the blame of the court case away from the members of the United Macedonians of Canada, Toronto Branch. In actuality it was them who wrote the accusatory letter. How else could copies of this letter find itself in their Ilinden invitation mailing? It is extremely important to understand that this damning and libelous letter was mailed to more than 4,000 families across Canada and the United States!

I was identified as part of Spiro Bassil's group and, along with many others, we were accused of more than one slander and embezzlement, though Dr. Vrazhinovski chose to mention only one (please refer to the embezzlement accusation). In my opinion, this accusation was the most vicious lie, leaving little room to defend ourselves. After a writ was issued against them, the defendants themselves signed an apology and retraction on April 25, 1974 regarding the untrue and false accusations. What adds insult to injury is that Dr. Vrazhinovski chose to write about the accusations but deliberately failed to mention that the guilty parties did retract their accusations. Did Anton Pavlov, who was one of the defendants, fail to mention this apology to Dr. Vrazhinovski, or did Dr.

Vrazhinovski purposely leave it out of his book?

What is ironic is the fact that Anton Pavlov sought help from lawyer Bill Andrews, telling Dr. Vrazhinovski the following: "I spoke to our lawyer who was defending us. He was the son of the late Kosta Andrews and he personally told me; Anton, it is best to find a solution to solve the problem and not to go to court. In court there will be no winner.

The only winners will be us, the lawyers."....and he continues with his lies. What I find ironic is the fact that:

One of the most vocal opponents, amongst others, against the church executive, back in 1964, 1965, which was led by Mr. Kosta Andrews, the father of Bill Andrews, was Louis Opashinov, including his younger brother, Anton Pavlov. Louis Opasinov was awarded by the membership the vice-presidency in September of 1965 for his opposition to Mr. Kosta Andrews.

Leading up to the convention we had a lucky draw for a car on September 5, 1970.

Let's review a part of one of the documents in the financial report of the convention of

1970.

Chairman, Anton Pavlov c/o Tickets.

Total Tickets Printed 5,000 x 2 each = $10,000.00 Less: Unsold Tickets 2,018 = $4,036.00 Total Cash Turned Over $5,964.00 Note:

2,018 Car Lucky Draw Tickets - Unaccounted for by Anton Pavlov- 2,018 x 2 =

$4,036.00 What happened to these unaccounted funds from the tickets? Why could Anton Pavlov not account for them when he was responsible for them and given that he was the chairman of the lucky draw? How ironic that this same man accuses others of embezzlement!

During the course of discussions to unite the two feuding groups, and there were many, several options surfaced where I was to take over as interim president of the Toronto Branch, in hopes of finding a compromise and bringing the two groups together.

This, however, never happened.

He further writes, “The wing of the nationalists (United Macedonians) agreed for John Givens to be president of the organization." That, however, does not mean that I was elected president of that organization. General Consul Simovski in a letter said, “For now they have placed John Givens as head…” This too does not mean that I took over the presidency of the 'United Macedonians of Canada'. The only valid statement that fits the truth is that I was elected president of the ‘Joint Executive Board (Central Committee) of the United Macedonians of North America’ by the organization’s first Congress/convention, held in 1970, in Toronto, which included all four branches of the organization and those were; Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor and Detroit.

Dr. Vrazhinovski published a letter by the President of the House of Immigrants of Macedonia, Tome Bugleski, regarding the problems in the United Macedonians in 1971, which was addressed to Anton Pavlov. Tome Bugleski, as one of the people best informed of our problems in the United Macedonians, put his finger right on the nose when he wrote to Pavlov and said, "Leave personal ambitions and weaknesses aside." Pavlov, as I remember, was a very ambitious young man and for him everything was possible. He wanted to become an actor. He was given the chance to play a part in the film, "Krvava Svadba" but that was the first time and the last time in his career as an actor. It is one thing to desire to become an actor and another thing to have the abilities to succeed. It wasn't any different as a member of the United Macedonians. At the convention he was given the position of secretary, but his ego was much greater than his abilities. Soon he resigned from the position as secretary of the organization and together with Morihovitis, plotted the division of the Toronto Branch of United Macedonians of North America.

Dr. Vrazhinovski writes, "A group of Spiro Vasilev supporters withdrew the money they had given for the construction of the church when the foundations were already laid.

The actual reasons for such action of this group are unknown to us." We do know that those people were members in good standing of the United Macedonians Canadian Committee, if not the leading members of the organization during that time.

He further states, "The amount that they withdrew was quiet large for that time. The amount was approximately $60,000.00. With this act has been put in doubt the further construction of the church." The huge amount of money involved should have been a good indicator that the claim must have been nothing other than a big lie. If we take a look at the documents, we will see that the 19 largest donors for the construction of the church donated a total of $35,747.00, which means Vrazhinovski went too far and exaggerated the truth. In order for Spiro Vasilev's group to withdraw such a large amount, they had to have donated this amount of $60,000.00. The bigger the lie, the more believable it becomes. The truth about this accusation came down to a signature at the bank with which you guaranteed a certain amount of money for the church loan obtained from the bank. One of the guarantors from my village was Nicholas T. George, who originally signed a warranty at the bank for $25,000.00. The responsibility of the guarantor comes into play only when the church has failed and is unable to fulfill its duties towards the bank. The documents that we have do not support Vrazhinovski's assertion whatsoever, and, in fact, the contrary is true. Not only did they not withdraw their money, but they were some of the biggest donors.

These statements are absolutely false, let alone extremely insulting and offensive.

No donations to the construction of the church were ever withdrawn by anybody, at any time. I know this positively because I was a member of the executive board of the church since its inception in 1962 and a member of the Board of Directors during the construction of our church in 1964-1965. Furthermore, I was a member of the financial committee that oversaw most, if not all, transactions pertaining to the construction of the church. This is why I can confirm unequivocally that Dr. Vrazhinovski's statement is nothing more than nonsense. The actual minutes of the board of directors' meetings that I have in my possession, do not support any of Dr. Vrazhinovski's statements. In fact, the very people he accuses of withdrawing their donations were some of the most generous contributors to the church construction.

The minutes of the Annual and Special General Meeting of Members held on June 7th 1964 state, "The secretary presented to the meeting the resignation of Mr. Paul Bassil as the vice-president and a director of the Corporation dated May 25th 1964. Upon motion, duly seconded, the resignation of Mr. Bassil was unanimously accepted. "A letter signed by Michael Tallin, Nicholas T. George and Spiro Vasileff, dated May 25, 1964, was read to the meeting, together with a letter from the Assistant Manager of the Royal Bank of Canada, Yonge and Bloor streets branch, Toronto. Mr. Orum advised the church that Messrs. Paul Bassil, Nicholas T. George, Michael Tallin and Donald Pappas had withdrawn their guarantees of the bank loan". After the general membership meeting, the board asked the members to sign new guarantees for the bank loan which was done with no problems. I wonder where the $60,000.00 went that was withdrawn by the above mentioned people, which endangered the construction of the church?

I think Dr. Vrazhinovski should go back to his main source and ask Mr. Anton Pavlov to substantiate and prove his unfounded and reckless lies, which are many.

The continued construction of the church was therefore never in jeopardy as he had alleged. His statements/assertions are nothing more than vicious attacks against the good and patriotic Macedonians who are not deserving of such defacing of their character and integrity. I must add that these same people, along with many others, were always in the front lines, fighting the battle, before and after the consecration of St. Clement of Ohrid, in order to preserve the unity of the St. Clement of Ohrid Church in Toronto, with the Holy Synod and the Mother Macedonian Orthodox Church in Skopje.

If we take a look at the documents, we will see that the 19 largest donors for the construction of the church donated a total of $35,747.00, which means Dr. Vrazhinovski went too far and exaggerated the truth.

1) Kosta R. Andrews $5300.00 11) Van Petroff $1699.00

2) Paul Bassil $2000.00 12) Chris Paul $1400.00

3) Spiro Bassil $4000.00 13) Ladies' Section $7010.00

4) Ted Christi $668.00 14) Spiro Bozanin $520.00

5) John Tsarvengos $600.00 15) Valley View Dairy $500.00

6) George Loukras $600.00 16) United Maced. $600.00

7) Spiro Saunders $2250.00 17) H. A. Frederick $500.00

8) Michael Tallin $1100.00 18) Art Printing Co. $500.00

9) Primrose Bakery $1000.00 19) Kerry Bros. $500.00

10) Spiro Bassil - (Good Macedonian) $5000.00 Total: $35,747.00 A total of 431 individuals and companies donated in the amount of $107,998.00 with these donations ranging anywhere from $1.00 to $9,000.00.

The above list confirms that Dr. Vrazhinovski's alleged $60,000 withdrawal of donations by Spiro Bassil's supporters is nothing more than a lie. $35,747.00 is a far cry from $60,000.00!

During this time (1963-1964), personal loans from members of the Macedonian community were also being collected for the construction of the church. These five year loans were collected from 57 individual church members amounting to $89,100.00. It was at this time that Spiro Bassil made a second donation of $5,000.00 instead of just providing a loan. The record shows that this generous donation was made under the name, 'good Macedonian'. Suffice it to say, Mr. Bassil, the definition of a good Macedonian patriot, must have had very good reasons for doing so.

Furthermore, in order to secure the $100,000.00 loan from the bank, 55 church members gave their personal guarantees that amounted to $132,500.00, an amount that actually exceeded the value of the loan.

The financial statements completed by the church's chartered accountant, show the church's financial position as of December 31, 1965.

Payments Balance December 31, 1965 Church Mortgage $125,000.00 $844.36 $124,155.64 Bank Loan $100,000.00 $4,000.00 $96,000.00 Five Year Members' Loan $89,100.00 $89,100.00 Total Amount $309,255.64 The minutes of June 7th, 1964 state that a letter signed by Messrs. Paul Bassil, Nicholas T. George, Michael Tallin and Donald Pappas to the Royal Bank requesting to withdraw their signatures/guarantees to the bank loan, was read to the membership. The Royal Bank in turn, wrote a letter to the church board of directors asking for its authorization to do so. This matter was discussed by the board members and at the next meeting held on June 18, 1964, Mr. Kosta Andrews, the then president of the church, read a letter which was intended to be sent to the bank, authorizing the bank manager to release the signatures of Spiro Bassil, Nicholas T. George, Michael Tallin and Don Pappas.

Not only was it impossible to withdraw the money they had donated towards the building of the church, but it was impossible to withdraw their signatures from the bank without the express agreement of the board of directors. Therefore, the assertion that Spiro Bassil and the others had withdrawn their donations to the church was a big lie. The truth is that Spiro Bassil was the biggest donor for the construction of Saint Clement of Ohrid Church. I would like to think that I have given an adequate answer to the question of Mr. Vrazinovski, who says in his book United Macedonians: "This fact is all the more strange that it was done by the people who were the initiators of the establishment of the organization United Macedonians and the construction of the church." This was the main issue that forced me to answer some of the unfounded and vicious attacks against the people who do not deserve such defacing of their character and their integrity. I may add that these same people, who are viciously attacked, amongst others, were always in the front lines, fighting battles before and after the consecration of St.

Clement of Ohrid, in order to preserve the unity of St. Clement of Ohrid Church in Toronto, with the Holy Synod and the mother Macedonian Orthodox Church in Skopje.

Not only would it have been impossible to withdraw the money they had donated towards the building of the church, it was also impossible to withdraw their signatures/guarantees from the bank without the expressed agreement of the board of directors. Dr. Vrazhinovski's claim that Spiro Bassil and the others had withdrawn their donations to the church is totally false, grossly irresponsible and a shameful accusation.

Many of these good and generous Macedonian patriots are no longer with us and to have their names dragged in mud in this fashion is disgraceful and Dr. Vrazhinovski should be ashamed of himself, as should his cited source, Anton Pavlov.

In summary, it is important to understand that since the loan from the bank had already been secured, the withdrawal of the four guarantees had no impact on the construction of the church. It took only a short time for their guarantees to be replaced by other members resulting in zero consequences. It was this libelous falsehood that I was compelled to refute decisively. Dr. Vrazhinovski's unfounded and vicious attacks against these people could not go unanswered.

I believe that I have answered the question posed by Dr. Vrazhinovski. "This fact is all the more strange that it was done by those people who were actually the initiators in establishing the organization United Macedonians and the building of the church." In essence, this was the question that forced me to answer to the unsubstantiated and untrue allegations against the people who did not deserve to be degraded and denigrated of their personalities, especially people who are no longer with us.

In addition, I would like to explain and be clear about whether or not anyone succeeded in prematurely withdrawing their gifts for the construction of the church. Here, I am not talking about the fictitious $60,000.00. We can find the answer to this question in the June 18, 1964 minutes of the financial committee of the church. Again, to be clear, not only was I present at this meeting, but the minutes confirm that I was elected chairman of the meeting. The minutes state, "A letter from Michael Tallin's lawyer was read. The content of the letter was a demand by Mr. Tallin for repayment of the loan that he had made to the church. A copy of one of the loan certificates was read by Van Petroff. The loan certificates state that until January 1st, 1970 only interest is to be paid on the loan. The committee decided to ignore Mr. Tallin's demand." Given that the financial committee refused even to discuss Mr. Tallin's request, how could those accused in your book Dr. Vrazhinovski have possibly jeopardized the further construction of our church? Michael Tallin did not succeed in getting back his loan of $7,000.00 and a gift of $1,100.00 that he donated for the construction of St. Clement of Ohrid Church. How much did Anton Pavlov and his family actually donate? The records that I have in my possession show that Paul Opasini, father of Anton Pavlov, donated $50.00 towards the building of the church. Was Michael Tallin not the first to go to Macedonia to talk to the church authorities about the building of a Macedonian Church in Toronto? Why would Anton Pavlov attempt to slander Michael Tallin? How many members had given as much as Michael Tallin did towards the construction of the church? Not many. He was a great Macedonian patriot, a very quiet man. However, many members of the administration were behaving dictatorially towards those who were pointing out their mistakes. The then acting president, Kosta Andrews, and his friends on the board of directors, were not interested in anybody else's concerns regarding some of their ill thought out actions and decisions regarding the construction of the church;

especially regarding their choice of contractor. Kosta Andrews, having had enough support from his people on the committee, found it easy to ignore and disregard the opinions of others. These were simply dismissed with no consideration of their validity. It was out of sheer frustration and disappointment that Mr. Tallin request the return of his loan.

At the regular executive meeting held on June 11, 1964, the letter of resignation from Don Pappas was read and discussed. 1 must remind the reader that Don Pappas was the first secretary of the church congregation of St. Clement of Ohrid, since its inception in 1962 until his resignation. The minutes read; "In the opinion of the committee, the letter did not state one valid reason for Mr. Pappas' resignation. Mr. W. Andrews was requested to write a letter accepting Mr. Pappas' resignation. Mr. Andrews is also to write a letter to Mr. Pappas authorizing him (Mr. Pappas) to release the minute book, and other papers belonging to the church, to the following delegates: Chris Neshkov, George Dronoff and the Very Reverend Kiril Stoyanovski." At this time I would like to talk about the Bassil families (Vasilevi) who were also falsely accused in Dr. Vrazhinovski's book, of having sabotaged the building of the church and other ridiculous accusations. The truth is that their contributions to the Macedonian community and the construction of the church were immeasurable and invaluable. Their restaurants, Paul's Ranch House and the Old Spain Restaurant, were always open for the Executive Board and the Board of Directors’ meetings. They were the centre, the hub, the 'think tank' where all of the organizational, logistical and planning took place for the building of the church. Paul and Zorka Bassil made a donation in the amount of $2,000.00 towards the construction of the church and Spiro Bassil's donation was $9,000.00. There is absolutely no evidence to support the accusation in the book that they requested their donations/gifts be returned to them. Nor 15 there evidence about any other person accused of the same actions. How could they have possibly jeopardized the building of the church? This status quo was in effect until the membership election meeting held in September, 1965, when the old administration was removed with one exception. That exception was my re-election on the board of directors for secretary- treasurer, for the period of September 1965-1966. Also at this time, the Bazelovci were active, once again, in our church.

Most importantly, we need to ask, what was their attitude towards the church? In the minutes of the board of directors meeting, held on November 27, 1964, the minutes state;

"Just for your information, Mr. Paul Bassil gave instruction to all the members of the executive board that, ‘If the Royal Bank of Canada or any other mortgage company called them and they are asking for information about the church, we should all answer that we are 100 per cent behind the church’…” Dr. Vrazhinovski writes, 'A large number of the members of the organization United Macedonians and other immigrants have shown their national dignity and maturity.' To whom is he referring, I wonder? I believe that I am one of those who has shown their national dignity and maturity. I was an active member of the church community from the very beginning. My father, Mike Givens, was the first person to pay membership dues early in 1963 and I was the one and only member to pay dues for the previous year, 1962.

This makes me officially the oldest member of the church congregation. I was a member of the board of directors from 1964-1965 during the construction of the church. I was the only one re-elected in September of 1965, as secretary-treasurer of the church from September of 1965 through to1966. I was a member of many boards with a small break in my service to the church and in 1981-1982 I was president of St. Clement of Ohrid Church. As vice-president in 1983, I was elected vice-president of our North American diocese for 1984-1985. I donated $500.00 in 1963 for the building of our church and gave a $500.00 loan to the church, which later was also donated. I also signed a bank guarantee for $2000.00. I'm certainly entitled to ask you, Anton Pavlov, were you one of those who displayed their national dignity and maturity? Begging your pardon, but when the church was being built, you were only a school boy.

It is both unfortunate and irresponsible that Dr.Vazhinovski's book, United Macedonians, published in the Republic of Macedonia in 1998, contains so many contradictions, misrepresentations and inaccuracies. This is not surprising, however, given that his primary source of information was none other than, Anton Pavlov. I believe Dr. Vrazhinovski should also share some responsibility for what he said in his book about us, tarnishing our good names, our dignity, and our reputation in the Macedonian community and trying to ruin everything we had worked for, in support of the Macedonian cause here in Toronto, and the wider region. What was worst is that he never gave us a chance to tell our side of the story before publishing his book.

Осврт на Македонската заедница во Канада и нејзиниот развој во Канада во книгата "Обединети Македонци" на д-р Атанас Вражиновски Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци беше првата вистинска етничка македонска организација во Канада. Исто така, Комитетот беше иницијатор за изградба на нашата прва Mакедонска црква во Канада, Свети Климент Охридски во Торонто. Поголем дел од иницијаторите на организацијата беа активни членови во нивните селски добротворни здруженија, а некои од нив беа политички определени во Канада. Голема благодарност на сите оние луѓе, визионери во тоа време, кои доведоа до будење на нашата Македонска етничка свест, на нашата заедница и нејзинoто наследство што ни овозможи денес да имаме силна македонска заедница.

Имајте во предвид дека поголемиот дел Македонци во Канада беа од грчкиот окупиран дел на Македонија и немаа никаква врска со Југославија. Затоа, нивната лојалност беше строго поврзана само со Македонија, првенствено, Егејска Македонија. Голем број Македонци во денешно време се обидуваат да ги идентификуваат и оценуваат нивните активности од пред 55 години, со примена на стандардите кои владеат во денешно време. Факт е дека Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци постигна повеќе во првите 10 години во споредба со следните 46 години од своето постоење. Тоj факт не може да се негира. Голема благодарност на сите оние луѓе, кои беа дел од раководоството на организацијата во тоа време и сите Македонски патриоти од Mакедонската заедница кои успeaa и постигнаа многу.

Признавам дека имаше неколку лоши јаболка во организацијата. Јас би сакал да се спротивставам на нив во одбрана на сите оние патриоти Македонци од минатото, на кои им ја искажувам мојата благодарност за тоа што го направиле за нашата заедница во Канада. Мораме да истакнеме дека во тоа време нашите односи и помошта што ја имавме од Македонија беше една од најважните мотивации во нашата работа овде во нашата заедница. Македонија ни даде морален поттик и не охрабруваше во нашата работа, да се чуствуваме горди Македонски патриоти. Ова е и причината зошто ние бевме и останавме лојални на Македонија како што сме и денес.

Читајќи ја книгата на д-р. Атанас Вражиновски, бев инспириран да обезбедам детален и фактички осврт на мојата долгогодишна активност во организацијата Обединети Македонци и нашата црковна заедница, Свети Климент Охридски во Торонто. Што е најважно, почувствував потреба точно да ги претставам историските настани што се случуваа за време на моето долгогодишно учество кое се заснова на информации и факти земени од примарни извори како мене, заедно со копии од состаноци, записници и други документи кои ми беа достапни. Книги напишани само врз основа на информации од втора рака и прераскажувања не можат да дадат точен опис на историјата.

Во книгата, д-р Вражиновски пишува дека Македонските власти се плашеле од зајакнување на националната линија / платформа на ООМ и со тоа да ја загубат кревко воспоставената контрола врз некои членови од раководството. Јас не се согласувам со изјавата на авторот. Пред основањето на Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци во 1959 година, контакти со властите во Македонија имало многу малку, ако воопшто и ги имало. Всушност, Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци беше формиран за да одговори на потребите на нашата македонска етничка заедница овде во Канада во тоа време. Мора да им биде јасно на сите дека Комитетот не беше политички мотивирана организација во тоа времe.

Основачите на Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци беа свесни дека воведувањето на политика во организацијата ќе значи нејзино уништување. Целта на организацијата беше секогаш единството на целиот Македонски народ во Северна Америка, без разлика на нивната политичка припадност. Сите ние бевме длабоко посветени на Република Македонија. Не беше возможно некој да биде анти-југословен во тоа време кога Македонија беше дел на Југославија и ја градеше својата иднина во рамките на таа федерација. Иако сè не беше идеално, беше важна отскочна даска која овозможи постоење на нашата сопствена независна Македонска држава, од која сите Македонци сме горди. Јас сум среќен и горд што сум граѓанин на Македонија.

Сепак, подеднакво важно е да се разбере дека Македонија имаше непријатели овде во Канада и затоа беше неопходна потребата за една организација како нашата во педесеттите и шеесеттите години. Моравме да ја поттикнеме и разбудиме националната гордост на нашите иселеници кои главно доаѓаа од грчкиот окупиран дел на Македонија. Македонската власт со која ние соработувавме беше Матицата на Иселениците од Македонија која имаше јасно разбирање за нашиот мандат во

1959 година.

Некои современи интерпретатори тврдат дека во текот на тој временски период, да се биде добар Македонец значеше дека мораш да бидеш анти-југословен. Ова тврдење е целосно неточно. Во ниту еден момент Обединети Медонци не се произнесоа дека се про или анти-југословени. Но, со сигруност може да се тврди дека беа про-македонски. Обединети Македонци никогаш не беше политичка организација. Тaa беше и остана национална Македонска културна организација.

Да, времињата се сменија како што и светот се промени. Затоа ние инсистираме на тоа времето и настаните да одиграат вистински дел во раскажувањето на активностите на организацијата и работењето на членовите активисти.

Останува фактот дека т.н. "федералисти" во вашата книга, беа основачите на Канадскиот Комитет на Обединети Македонци, а подоцна, на Македонската православна црква Свети Климент Охридски во Торонто.

Затоа, Г-дин. Вражиновски во ова време, е тешко да се наречат "федералисти".

Пред да станат федералисти, како што вашиот соработник ги нарекува, тие мораше да бидат вистински патриоти. Јас го кажувам ова не затоа што сакам да бидам познат како националист ниту пак да бидам познат како федералист туку едноставно како добар Македонски патриот, а ако тоа е премногу големо барање, тогаш само добар и чесен Македонец. Јас го кажувам ова од името на сите мои претходници и соработници кои работеле напорно за да се промовира Македонската кауза во Канада и Соединетите Американски Држави. Како такви заслужуваме поголемо признание и почит отколку што ни е дадена во книгата на Вражиновски. Исто така, верувам дека на крајот на конечната пресуда, човекот ќе биде суден врз основа на своите дела и наследството кое го остава зад себе.

Проблемот е дека авторот на книгата Обединети Македонци, слепо верувал во лагите на неговиот соработник.

Ако сериозно ги прифатиме повеќето од изјавите на д-р Вражиновски, тоа би значело дека сите наши достигнувања во Канада се направени во име и во полза на југославизмот, само затоа што некој не нарекол нас основоположниците на Обединети Македонци "федералисти". Натамошната импликација би била дека тие таканаречени федералисти биле анти-македонци. Ова е едноставно обид на некои луѓе да покажат дека тие беа добрите Македонци декларирајќи се како "големите националисти" во Канада.

Празните пароли на Антон Павлов беа повторени од страна на д-р Атанас Вражиновски во неговата книга, "Обединети Македонци", објавена во 1998 година во Македонија, каде што примарниот извор на информации беше никој друг туку Антон Павлов. За жал, невозможно е да ги спомнеме сите противречности и лаги што се најдоа во неговата книга, "Обединети Македонци".

Еве што пишува авторот на книгата "Обединети Македонци" за Антон Павлов:"Посебна благодарност му изразувам на Антон Павлов и на неговата сопруга Росица Павлова кои несебично ми помогнаа во расветлувањето на некои моменти од дејноста на ООМ, кои не ми беа доволно расчистени и јасни, и ми дадоа на располагање документи од активностите на организацијата." Покрај неточностите и грешките во книгата, авторот се фокусира премногу на наводниот проблем на југославизмот во редовите на раководството на организацијата во текот на шеесеттите и седумдесеттите години. Оние од нас, кои всушност бевме присутни знаат дека тоа не беше така до 1975 година и понатаму.

Неодговорно е денес сите да не обои со истата "федералистичка”. Др. Вражиновски овде најверојатно ги изразува сопствените ставови, а не реалноста на времето и што се случило.

Понатаму, Др. Вражиновски не успева да ја види разликата помеѓу Канадскиот Комитет Обединети Македонци и неговиот наследник, Обединети Македонци од Северна Америка и отцепничката група, Обединети Македонци од Канада -огранокот Торонто. Да ги групира заедно во ист кош е целосно неточно и неодговорно.

Јас би сакал да се заблагодарам на Др. Атанас Вражиновски за неговиот труд и придонес во обидот да ја раскаже приказната на организацијата Обединети Македонци. Сепак, принуден сум да кажам дека неговиот деклариран извор на информации, Антон Павлов, не успеал да ја каже вистинската приказна во целост, дури и ако тој имал можност да го стори тоа.

Канадскиот Комитет Обединети Македонци, од своето основање па се до Конгресот во 1970 година, беше обединета организација која се стремеше за уште поголеми успеси со вклучување на нови гранки. Откако организацијата се прошири со нови гранки во Хамилтон и Виндзор, организацијата беше наречена Обединети Македонци од Канада. Со формирањето на нова гранка во Детроит, организацијата почна да се нарекува, Обединети Македонци од Северна Америка. На конгресот во септември 1970 година, официјално беше усвоено името, Обединети Македонци од Северна Америка, со четири свои гранки во Торонто, Виндзор, Хамилтон и Детроит. Очигледно, она што го правеше оваа организација не беше во интерес на нашите непријатели, кои работеа без прекин да најдат начин да го уништат и да го запрат напредокот во обединувањето на етничките Македонски иселеници во Канада и Соединетите Американски Држави. По поделбата на организацијата и одржувањето на два Илинденски пикници, многу беше изразен притисикот кој доаѓаше од властите во Македонија да се одржи еден пикник и да се зачува единството на нашата заедница. И покрај нашите настојувања и напори, не успеавме да постигнеме договор да се одржи еден пикник, поради противењето на расцепничката група предводена од Мориховитис и неговите т.н. "националисти".

На наредното членско собрание на Обединети Македонци од Северна Америка, огранокот Торонто, беше одлучено во името на единството на нашата заедница, да не се одржуваат пикници во иднина и постепено да се намалуваат активностите на организацијата.

Бидејќи останав претседател на Обединети Македонци од Северна Америка, која сега беше неактивна корпорација, во 1999 година ја откажав корпоративната повелба. Организација со четири гранки низ Канада и Соединетите Американски Држави сега стана непостоечка. Нашите непријатели, внатрешни и надворешни, ја предизвикаа смртта на организацијата со помош на т.н. националисти на Обединети Македонци од Канада, огранокот Торонто. Се поставува прашањето, кој беше победник во сето ова? Мојот одговор е непријателите на Македонското движење за поголемо единство на нашиот Македонски народ во Канада и САД.

Најплодните години на организацијата беа во текот на шеесеттите години.