NOTES - Part 02

The Thank you Canada Day Celebration was organized by the Macedonian Community of Canada’s executive committee consisting of Steve Saragil, Bill Pavlovski, Jim Sarkovski, Dragi Stojkovski and Nick Kuburovski. Peter Petkovski, Boris Stoikos, and Steve Stojanovski also contributed to the organization and execution of the event.

It was a crisp and sunny November Sunday morning when cars began to arrive presenting a parking challenge for the organizers but thanks to their perseverance parking spaces for thousands of cars were found.

By noon St. Clements’s great hall was filled to capacity as people waited to meet guests and listen to the speeches.

“Many things had to be done in a space of a couple of weeks but the community worked feverishly as a team and got things moving” says Nick Kuburovski. Much of the publicity was done through the local Macedonian media while the preparatory work was done by the four Greater Toronto Area Macedonian churches and other local organizations. The food and baked goods were prepared by the

Ladies Auxiliaries of the various Church organizations. “This was a total community event” says Nick Kuburovski. “Our first task was to get the community’s support. The four churches, organizations and Ladies Auxiliary Groups. Then we asked for volunteers to help out with food preparation and assistance during the event. We got all that and we are grateful to everyone who helped and made this event a success.”

At about half past noon the special guests began to arrive. They had to be escorted via the back stage doors because the great hall and hallways were jam packed with people waiting for their arrival.

Among the guests sitting at the head table included were the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington, Lazar Elenovski, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia, Sasko Nasev, Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in Canada, Metodij, Metropolitan North American Macedonian Orthodox Diocese, Dragi Stojkovski, President of the United Macedonian Organization of Canada, Sasho Popovski, President of St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral and Jovan Boseovski, Conservative Party Candidate for Willowdale, Macedonian liaison between the Conservative party and emcee for this event. Included among the special guests were other Conservative MP’s and future candidates.

After the introductions the first to speak was Metropolitan Metodij who among other things thanked the Canadian government and people for recognizing Macedonia by its constitutional name and for planting the seeds of good will and democracy.

The next to speak was Jovan Boseovski who delivered the following speech:

“This is a special occasion because this really marks the first time that the Government of Canada affirms and respects the identity of Macedonians, not only living in Canada but also our family members living back in the Republic of Macedonia. Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Party, has corrected a longstanding error of previous

governments. Canadians can now refer to our ancestral home by its rightful name; The Republic of Macedonia. By recognizing Macedonia by its constitutional name Canada joins over 120 countries such as the US, China and Russia in recognizing the injustice of a country being forced to accept the name it did not choose.

So on behalf of Canadians of Macedonian descent I would like to express our great appreciation in thanks for having the courage to do what’s right in correcting a politically motivated error of our past Canadian leadership. We will never forget this gesture towards the Macedonian people and the Republic of Macedonia.

We have fought for recognition since 1991 and in Stephan Dion’s Canada he would still refer to Macedonia as FYROM. We have the ability to make sure this never happens and as a community Macedonians must remember this for the next election.”

Jason Kenney Secretary of State (Multiculturalsim and Canadian Identity) was next who spoke and among other things, delivered the following:

“Ladies and gentlemen it is a distinct pleasure to be here on behalf of my boss The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, our Prime Minister; a man who has made us all proud to be Canadians.

For too long Canada was a country that followed and did not lead. For too long Canada was a country that didn’t live up to its potential or its highest and truest principles but we have in this Prime Minister a man who is once again asserting Canada in the world as a champion of principle, as a champion of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The decision he made in naming The Republic of Macedonia by the name that belongs to it was a reflection of that principal policy of the Prime Minister.

Let me tell you it wasn’t an easy decision because, for all the warm reception that you reflect here today, as you know there were others on Parliament Hill last week led by Member of Parliament Jim Karygiannis and others who were there to attack our government

and to promise if we lose the next election they will reverse this decision.

I’m here to tell you that we have no intention of losing that election. But I want to be clear to my friends in the Greek community and in the government of Greece that Canada is also a friend of Greece and the Greek community is a tremendous community much like the Macedonian community and has made great contributions to Canada and I think we should all recognize that as well.”

Mike Wallace (MP Burlington) was next to speak and among other things he said:

“The real congratulations should go to your leadership. I think you should know that I attended a meeting with your community leaders [September 17, 2007], absolutely fantastic. I am new to this issue and in a short time your leaders made it perfectly clear and I understood the need and desire of you as a people to have your own country recognized as it should be as The Republic of Macedonia. So when you see those folks, your community leadership, make sure you thank them as well. It is because of them that this happened.” (Mike Wallace is referring here to a meeting that Jovan Boseovski organized between the Conservative Party and the Macedonian Community on September 17th, 2007 during which ideas were exchanged and the foundation for the recognition was laid. I was invited to that meeting but I regretfully was unable to make it on time).

The next to speak was Dragi Stojkovski who delivered the following:

“This is a festive occasion for all of us. This is the time when we can proudly say thank you Canada for recognizing the Republic of Macedonia by the constitutional and historical name The Republic of Macedonia. After 16 years of lobbying the Canadian governments and the politicians it finally came to this Canadian Government, to Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Party to finally recognize the Republic of Macedonia. The way we remember our ancestors from antiquity we will remember you (the Conservative Party) in the next election.

Traditionally Macedonia and Canada have been allies not just Canada and Macedonia but the Canadians and Macedonians as people. Canadian soldiers fought on the Macedonian front during the 1st World War. During the 2nd World War both Canada and Macedonia, the Canadians and Macedonians fought together on the same side and many Canadians of Macedonian origin joined the Canadian Armed Forces that fought in Europe. After Macedonia’s independence from the former Yugoslavia, Canadian soldiers or peace keepers were instrumental in keeping the peace in Macedonia and the Balkans for which we are always thankful. And now for the last, I think, 3 years Canadian and Macedonian soldiers fought alongside each other in Afghanistan. It is our hope that very soon Macedonia will also join NATO so we can be equal partners with Canada in NATO.”

Lazar Elenovski the Macedonian Defense Minister spoke next and among other things he delivered the following message:

“It is a great honour for me to salute you the Canadian-Macedonians. You are the bridge between our two great nations. You are the most important component in Macedonia’s friendship with Canada. We will never forget your contribution in the Canadian Government’s decision.

Minister Kenney I would also like to thank you, your government and the Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper for your decision in recognizing our state by its proper name.

Canada is a close partner and ally of ours in the building of democratic values throughout the world. I wish to underline that we greatly value our friendship and partnership.”

Lazar Elenovski also had some good news for Canadians wishing to travel to Macedonia. The Macedonian government is in the process of discussing ways to eliminate the need of visas for Canadian citizens who wish to travel to Macedonia.

Among the guests who attended the event were also three Macedonian army officers who are currently training at Base Borden.

After the speeches the celebration continued both inside and outside with much singing, dancing and flag waving.

The organizers would like to thank St. Clement of Ohrid for providing their facilities and venue, the Ladies Auxiliaries for preparing and serving the food, the parking attendants, the speakers and special guests, the media, the helpers, and most importantly all those people who attended the event and made it a smashing success.

19. It is time to End the Name Game

Now that the Republic of Macedonia has been recognized by its constitutional name by more than 120 countries including the USA, Russia and China, it is time for the Republic of Macedonia to explore all of its options.

With almost 2/3’s of the world nations on its side, Macedonia must end its fear of repercussions and start taking the offensive in settling the name dispute with Greece once and for all.

If I were to do this I would call on Greece for a face-to-face meeting PM to PM or FM to FM mediated by a number of human rights and other international organizations and point blank ask the Greek government: “What is it exactly that Macedonia has done to cause Greece to act this way towards it?” Pending this outcome from such a meeting, we will all know “exactly what Greece’s problem is with Macedonia”.

In the meantime, since more than 120 countries have recognized Macedonia, I would explore my options as to: “How many more countries will it take to recognize Macedonia before a vote can be taken at the UN to get rid of the so called “interim label” and to register Macedonia in the UN by its constitutional name?” If there is such an option then it is time the Republic of Macedonia exercises it and soon. If more countries are needed to recognize Macedonia in order to reach such a threshold then it’s time for the Macedonian Prime Minister or President to take a trip abroad, Asia, Africa or South America if need be and do some lobbying to get the numbers up.

There is another option. The Republic of Macedonia can challenge the legality of the United Nations registering its name by a “label” which, according to Dr. Igor Janev, is not only unprecedented and wrong but illegal. From what I understand the UN defied its own laws when it accepted Macedonia’s entry by use of a “label” instead of its constitutional name.

If that were so, then Macedonia had better talk to the UN and have this matter sorted out or failing that, hire a team of good lawyers familiar with international law that can point at the UN’s mistake.

Based on the number of countries that have already recognized the Republic of Macedonia, the UN or any other international institution has no reason not to accept Macedonia by its constitutional name. You can’t have 2/3 of the membership recognizing Macedonia by its constitutional name while the organization itself does not recognize it. It defies logic.

However, nothing is going to happen unless the Republic of Macedonia makes its move.

20 Greece blocks Macedonia from entering NATO

It is not new news but here are my two cents worth! It should have become painfully obvious to everyone by now that Greece is interested in one and only one thing and that is to eliminate the Macedonian identity at any cost.

Macedonia can’t negotiate its name because it is tightly connected with its identity and Greece will not accept a name that ties Macedonia with its identity. Is there then any wonder why we have no progress on the name issue after 17 years of negotiations?

Macedonia cannot change its name because it would lose its identity and Greece will not accept the existence of a Macedonian identity because it will then be obliged to recognize the Macedonian minority living inside Greece.

So what are we to do? Well, for one we must stop negotiating something that should not be negotiated. By vetoing Macedonia’s entry into NATO last April, Greece has in effect violated the 1995 interim accord which releases Macedonia from its obligation of having to negotiate with Greece. Macedonia must now seize this opportunity and rid itself of these endless negotiations from which it cannot possibly benefit.

Knowing that neither side is going to move in the negotiations, Greece is secure in the belief that as long as these negotiations continue the issue of human rights for the Macedonians in Greece will remain dormant. So it is to the benefit of Greece to continue to negotiate indefinitely.

From what I understand so far, in view of what transpired in Bucharest, the United States has already offered Macedonia guarantees for its territorial integrity. Turkey and China have warmed up to the idea of offering economic ties so in fact if Macedonia plays its diplomatic cards wisely in the long term it will come up a winner.

I hate to believe that France and its followers risked offending the United States and its other NATO allies by supporting Greece in its

aims without a hidden agenda of its own. So I am inclined to believe that there are deeper issues within NATO, which I do not care to know. If that is the case then NATO may not last long enough for Macedonia to join it. Putting it another way, why risk anything to join a failing organization? If this is true and NATO will fail, (NATO functioned successfully in the same way since 1945), history will record Greece as the country that broke NATO.

By the way, if Greece blocks Macedonia from entering the European Union and the EU does nothing to stop it then joining that organization is also not worth it. If International organizations allow their member to place their personal interests ahead of their objectives then they are not worth joining.

21. How to End the “Name Game”

Almost two decades have passed and there is still no sign of a resolution being reached in the so-called “name negotiations” between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.

In this article I will attempt to define what Greece is asking for and the compromises that the Republic of Macedonia has already made.

Greece’s opposition to international recognition of the Republic of Macedonia is based on the following;

1. The name “Macedonia” is, was and will always be Greek.

2. The 16 ray sunburst, symbol of the Macedonian royal family, is also Greek on account of “Macedonia” being Greek.

3. Possessing the name “Macedonia” and the 16 ray sunburst constitutes reason that “Skopje” harbours irredentist claims on Greek territory. As evidence of this Greek governments have cited passages from the 1944 ASNOM resolution calling for the “unification of the entire Macedonian nation” which was to be achieved by “the liberation of Greek and Bulgarian occupied Macedonia”.

4. International recognition of the Republic of Macedonia would lead to destabilization of the Balkans.

5. Article 3 of the Macedonian constitution which stated “the borders of the Republic of Macedonia may be changed only in accordance with the constitution” Greece interprets as legitimizing efforts to “break off and annex Greek territories”.

6. Article 49 of the Macedonian constitution which stated that the Republic of Macedonia “cares for the status and rights of Macedonians living in neighbouring countries”, Greece interprets as legitimizing efforts to “liberate enslaved Macedonians living in Greece”.

7. Greek governments deny the existence of Macedonians living in Greece.

8. Using the name “Macedonia” by the Republic of Macedonia may cause confusion internationally because Greece’s “northern province” is also called “Macedonia”, therefore the Republic of Macedonia cannot use the name “Macedonia”.

Now let us have a look at what the Republic of Macedonia has done to alleviate Greek concerns;

a. In response to a European Commission request made on December 16, 1991 by the Council of EC Ministers, the Macedonian parliament, on January 6, 1992, adopted two amendments to the Macedonian constitution. Amendment 1 stated that the Republic of Macedonia had no territorial claims against its neighbouring state and that the boundaries of the Republic of Macedonia could be changed only in accordance with “generally accepted international norms”. Amendment 2 stated that the Republic of Macedonia would not interfere in the internal affairs of other states.

b. The Republic of Macedonia, on many occasions, offered to sign a bilateral agreement with Greece affirming the permanence of the borders between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.

c. The Republic of Macedonia changed its flag and removed the 16 ray sunburst from circulation.

d. An EC arbitration commission, after its investigation, ruled that the use of the name “Macedonia” did not imply territorial claims towards any of the Republic of Macedonia’s neighbouring states.

At this point the Republic of Macedonia made it clear that bargaining over the name of a state as a condition of its recognition was contrary to the principles of international law, citing that such precedence does not exist.

Now let us review what has been done and what, if any, remains to be done to address Greek concerns.

Item 1 of the so-called “Greek concerns” can be removed from the list because (1) Modern Greece has nothing to do with Ancient Macedonia, its territory, or symbols and (2) the Republic of Macedonia, being located inside geographic and historic Macedonian territory, has the right to that name and the territory it currently occupies.

Item 2 is no longer a concern for Greece since the Republic of Macedonia abandoned that symbol when it changed its flag as per item “c” above.

Item 3 is no longer a concern because the Republic of Macedonia amended its constitution as shown in parts “a” and “b” above. Also as stated in “d” above, the EC arbitration commission, after its investigation, ruled that the use of the name “Macedonia” did not imply territorial claims towards Greece.

Item 4 above should not be a concern for Greece because the Republic of Macedonia has over the years (1) proven to be a peaceful state and (2) does not have the economic or military resources to be a threat to any of its more powerful neighbours.

Items 5 and 6 above have been taken care of with the Republic of Macedonia’s constitutional amendments mentioned in item “a” above and should not be of concern to Greece.

Item 7 above is an internal Greek problem which Greece has to deal with on its own. It has nothing to do with the Republic of Macedonia. This item is also covered by the second constitutional amendment in part (a) above; Amendment 2 stated that the Republic of Macedonia would not interfere in the internal affairs of other states. This includes Greece.

Item 8 above can be addressed by Greece using the name “Province of Macedonia” for its northern province while the Republic of Macedonia uses “Republic of Macedonia” to denote the Macedonian state. A state always takes precedence over a province or territory. Clearly, anyone can tell the difference between “Province of Macedonia” and “Republic of Macedonia”. Even if they can’t, what harm will it do?

In reality all of Greece’s concerns, as stated up to this point, have been addressed by the Republic of Macedonia.

Since the Republic of Macedonia has made no demands of its own from Greece, the so-called “name negotiations” are now and have been for the last decade a non-issue.

If Greece, however, continues to make further demands of the Republic of Macedonia to “change” its name without producing “legitimate” reasons as to why, then either Greece has not made it “perfectly clear” as to what it wants from the Republic of Macedonia, or Greece has secretly widened its original scope.

If that is the case then this opens the door for the Republic of Macedonia to (1) withdraw the compromises it has already made, (2) walk away from the talks, and (3) make demands of its own. For example, the Republic of Macedonia can make a case for examining history and determining the legitimacy of Greece’s historic claims to Macedonian territories. The Republic of Macedonia can also sue Greece for compensation for the damages that the unfair February 1994 Greek imposed embargo caused to the Republic of Macedonia’s economy.

It is now time for Greece to come to its senses and recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name. I believe this is Greece’s last chance where conditions are most favourable for Greece to end the “name negotiations” and Recognize the Republic of Macedonia. This is the time where Greece has most to gain by exiting the negotiations. Putting more demands, using blackmail and delay tactics clearly show that Greece is not interested in a “fair resolution” and therefore is working under a hidden agenda, which in time will become obvious to everyone who will then side with the Republic of Macedonia.

Almost two decades have passed and there is still no sign of a resolution being reached in the so-called “name negotiations” between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia. In this article I will attempt to define what Greece is asking for and the compromises that the Republic of Macedonia has already made.

22. Is Greece planning to annex all of Macedonia sometime in the future?

The “Megali idea” died with Greece’s failure to annex Turkish territories in the 1920’s but did it really die or did it just go into hibernation waiting for the right time to come about?

Since 1991 when the Republic of Macedonia declared its independence from Yugoslavia Greece has been acting kind of strange. For example it has been saying Macedonians don’t exist, Macedonia is Greek, Skopjans have territorial pretensions on the so-called “Greek-Macedonia”, Skopjans are trying to steal Greek history and so on. We all know that most of what the Greeks are saying is not possible but none the less Greeks are still saying them but are we interpreting them correctly?

When the Greeks say “Macedonians do not exist” what do they really mean?

If Macedonians don’t exist then what are the majority of people who live in the Republic of Macedonia? We have been thinking that the reason Greece says Macedonians don’t exist is to cover up the fact that Greece does not want the world to know that Macedonians live in Greece. But what if that is not all the Greeks are saying?

When the Greeks say “Macedonia is Greek” what do they really mean?

We all know 51% of geographical and historic Macedonia was annexed by Greece in 1913 and no one has any doubt that Greece has a pretty strong grasp on it today. So when Greeks say Macedonia is Greek do they really mean the part of Macedonia they already have is Greek or 49% of the part they don’t have is Greek? When the Greeks say Macedonia is Greek we think they mean the part they already have but what if we are wrong and the Greeks really mean the part that they don’t have, especially the Republic of Macedonia? Besides why would they say anything about a part that is already Greek?

When the Greeks say “Skopjans have territorial pretensions on the so-called Greek-Macedonia what do they really mean?

As JS Gandeto puts it in his article “Anatomy of a bankrupt ideology” published in the American Chronicle on November 11th, 2008 at this link; http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/81091 “For example they [Greeks] claim that Republic of Macedonia, with 7,000 lightly armed soldiers, has territorial aspirations towards Greece with more then 250,000 soldiers armed with the latest military hardware, purchased from Russia and France with European dollars, when in fact it was the Greek army displaying her military might by holding military exercise in Northern Greece where the predominant population of the region is ethnic Macedonians”. We say that’s impossible! But what if the Greeks really want to annex the Republic of Macedonia and are using this as an excuse, a pretext if you like to strike at Macedonia first presumably before Macedonia becomes powerful and strikes at Greece first?

The above mentioned Greek claims may not mean much separately and one by one but when you put them together then a pattern begins to emerge.

“There are no Macedonians therefore the Skopjans are not Macedonian and if the Skopjans are not Macedonian they cannot lay claim to Macedonian lands.”

“Macedonia is Greek therefore the only Macedonians that exist are Greeks and since part of Macedonia is Greek then it only makes sense that all of Macedonia is Greek and should be annexed by Greece.”

If I were selfish and well versed in “Greek logic” I too would not be beyond in thinking along these lines.

So what does this really mean?

The way I see it today Greece is at the crossroads of its existence. The rebirth of a Macedonian state has placed it in an awkward position. It’s only a matter of time before the world finds out that the creation of the Modern Greek state was based on a myth and at the

expense of other ethnic groups; one being the Macedonians. If Greece recognizes the existence of a Macedonian ethnic state and a Macedonian ethnic identity its own fabricated identity will unravel. So Greece has two choices; (1) allow itself to fall apart, which I am sure is unacceptable to Greece or (2) take measures to prevent its secret from being discovered. Time will tell which way this will go but we cannot preclude the possibility that Greece will not give up without a fight. My guess is Greece will attempt to save itself by endeavoring to silence the Macedonian people.

Its first attempt at silencing the Macedonian people, which is currently ongoing, is to prohibit them from naming their state Macedonia. Greek logic dictates that if there is no Macedonia there can be no Macedonian ethnic identity! Thus the reason for the so-called “name dispute”.

Failing that Greece will attempt to annex the Republic of Macedonia (Mitsotakis almost did it if only Milosovich agreed) and do to the Macedonian people there as it did to the Macedonian people inside Greece by first prohibiting them to speak their Macedonian language and then by renaming every Macedonian person’s name and every place-name with Greek names. Several generations later the Republic of Macedonia will be Greece and inhabited by pure Greeks, descendents of the Ancient Greeks. Greece is an expert on doing this. It has done it before and it will do it again. Those who don’t agree with Greece’s policy can leave and go to Canada, the USA and Australia. But before Greece attempts to exercise this option I hope it will remember the outcome of its first attempt at the “Megali idea”. Then it lost the war and the lands it never had but this time it may lose more.

Desperate people will do desperate things at desperate times and some Greeks are not beyond that! So what are we to do?

One thing we can do is be very vigilant and never take things for granted, even when they sound ridiculous.

23. Letter to Nimits from – OMO ‘Ilinden’ - PIRIN

Blagoevgrad 29.02.2008, Bulgaria

To Me Matthew Nimitz, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN United Nations, New York

Dear Mr Nimitz,

OMO ‘Ilinden’ – PIRIN is a party one of which main goals is to protect the rights and identity of the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria . Therefore we always follow with great interest the so called ‘dispute for the name’ of Republic of Macedonia started years ago by Republic of Greece .

Let us briefly to share our position on that matter which was again actualized after your latest proposal.

1. The dispute was initiated by The Republic of Greece in its intentions to establish exclusive right upon the name ‘Macedonia’ and all its derivatives. These intentions are obvious even by the simple fact that while Greece itself named three of its regions Macedonia as well one of its ministries, is disputing the same right to the R Macedonia. The latter insists on disputing the change of the name of Republic of Macedonia but not on the names of its own regions.

2. Considering that only part of historical Macedonia is located in Greece and the ‘rights’ of Republic of Greece on the Macedonian heritage are at least disputable from scientific point of view and non-existent according to the international law and politics, we think that the engagement of UN with this dispute is alarming. With allowing this dispute to engage its institutions UN actually institutionalizes the ambitions of the nationalistic mythology and enhances the arguments of the ethnic nationalism on international level.

3. We believe that the dispute was not initialised by any practical and real need of Republic of Greece but to use the ethnic nationalism for certain, daily inner political goals. This has been proven by the fact that the Macedonian state existed for 47 years in the Yugoslavian federation under the name ‘Macedonia’ and that never caused any complaints or has been disputed by Republic of Greece (talking about that it must be said that the Republic of Macedonia uses the name ’Macedonia’ way too longer than the Republic of Greece in its administration!)

4. We think that the dispute which the Republic of Greece leads does not consider just the right on the name, besides the official declarations of the Greek Government. The fact that Republic of Greece does not object any use of the names ‘Macedonia’ and ‘Macedonian’ (including that of Alexander the Great and Philip of Macedon) by third parties or other countries speaks for itself. Such example is Republic of Bulgaria where the names ‘Macedonia’ and ‘ Macedonian’ are very common and widespread because of hundred of thousands refugees and their relatives who live in Bulgaria and were driven away from their homes in nowadays Northern Greece by the Greek Governments during 1912-1913 ,1922-1930,1940-1946 in 20th century. Thousands of streets, squares and other public places are named ‘Macedonia’ or bear the adjective ‘Macedonian’ or are named after kings, heroes or places from ancient kingdom of Macedonia. There are hundreds of cultural and political organizations which name consists the word ‘Macedonian’, there is even a party represented in the Bulgarian parliament - Inner Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-BND. We have to conclude that the real reason for the undertaken activities of the Greek Government against the name of Republic of Macedonia is to dispute and undermine the Macedonian national and ethnic identity. There are the following proves for this:

- The denial of Greece of the existence of the numerous Macedonian minority on its territory;

- The dispute of the right of using the name Macedonia and its derivatives, as well persons from the past who are part of the cultural and historical heritage of Macedonia, only to Republic of Macedonia – the state founded by the Macedonian nation and not to any other country.

Therefore we think that for Republic of Macedonia is much more important to preserve its name rather than it is for Republic of Greece to change it, because the change intimidates the core of the Macedonian identity but not the Greek one.

5. We believe that the dispute conducted by the Republic of Greece directly affects the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria and its national and ethnic identity and the fundamental right of self determination.

6. We believe that the tolerating from UN of the absolutely groundless claims of Republic of Greece causes more intolerance, encourages the ethnic nationalism on the Balkans and also those who deny the Macedonian identity in this number – the government’s politics of denial of the Macedonian minority led by the Republic of Bulgaria.

7. We believe that the dispute from the beginning is placed incorrectly – it has always been focused on the claims of Republic of Greece towards the Republic of Macedonia and all the proposals including your last one discuss what Republic of Macedonia must change but not even slightly consider what Greece should do to stop the suspicions from itself for the claims towards Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian nation. We assume that it is absolutely necessary in these negotiations Republic of Greece to be asked the followings:

- The Greek government to declare officially that it recognizes and does not dispute the existence of Macedonian nation, language and identity;

- The Macedonian minority in Greece to be recognized;

- To allow the Macedonian refugees from the civil war to go back or visit their home places in Greece;

- To resolve the question about the confiscated property of the Macedonian refugees;

- Greece to regulate the names of its regions so not to cause a suspicion for claims towards neighbouring countries in which there are also parts of Macedonia .

8. The claim that Republic of Greece is threaten by territorial aspirations from its Macedonian neighbour is absolutely groundless nonetheless because the military and economically power of the latter is far less beyond the capacity of the Greek Army and economy. But the entire nonsense of that claim is becoming obvious through the obstacles which the Greek Government puts on the way of the integration of Republic of Macedonia in NATO and EU, beside the fact that only full integration could erase any fear or danger of future irredentism.

9. The lack of respect from Republic of Greece to the international law was already seen by the single fact that this country uses all its influence to establish double standards in UN in the accession of new members and mostly in the two year economical blockade which it imposed on its northern neighbour in order to make it give up its name. Now we are alarmed by the threads coming from Republic Greece that it will impose a veto on the accession of Republic of Macedonian in NATO. This will not only prevent the whole integration of the Balkan Peninsula in NATO but also creates a risk for the peace in the region in such a sensitive moment of declaring the independence of Kosovo.

10. The lack of respect for the standards of the international law and also towards the interests of the neighbouring countries in the region, using power for imposing nationalistic points of views from Republic of Greece should not be encouraged by UN and any other international institution.

11. We believe that it is undesirable, not useful, neither rightful to be imposed any change in the name of Republic of Macedonia what so ever, which was democratically chosen by its own citizens, neither to be implemented limitations or to be given exclusive rights for the use of the name ‘Macedonia’ to any one.

Giving briefly light to our point of view on this dispute we kindly ask you to keep in mind in its resolution as well the interests of the Macedonian minority in Republic of Bulgaria.

With respect,

Stoyko Stoykov Botyo Vangelov Copresidents of OMO “Ilinden”-PIRIN

24. Letter to Nimits from Risto Stefov

February 17, 2008

To: Ambassador Mathew Nimitz From: Risto Stefov

Dear Ambassador Nimitz,

I have been following your progress as mediator of the name dispute between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece for several years now and I have some questions for you.

If it is truly a compromise that you are seeking from these states then why not demand that Greece give up something in exchange for what Macedonia has already given up? Why not ask Greece to recognize the Macedonian minority in Greece as a good will gesture for Macedonia’s relinquishment of its national flag and addition of items to its constitution? In other words why are you proposing alternatives that suit Greece but ask for nothing in return from Greece?

Greece is already a well established State with a name that defines its historical place in this world. You know that Greek claims on the Macedonian heritage are dubious at best since they are based on historical assertions and you know that historically Macedonia never belonged to Greece until as recently as 1913 when 51% of its geographical territory was awarded to it by the 1913 Treaty of Bucharest.

The Republic of Macedonia on the other hand, all of which by the way is inside geographical Macedonia, is struggling to establish itself under a name which clearly and appropriately defines its people and their place on the map.

Clearly Mr. Nimitz you cannot possibly see Greece’s assertions as more valid than those of Macedonia. Yet based on your effort I cannot help but feel that your proposals are one sided. You must understand that the Macedonian people are fighting for their identity which is of paramount importance to them yet you continue to support the “dubious” Greek position.

Mr. Nimitz have you ever asked yourself this question: “What will Greece lose if it accepts Macedonia by its rightful name?” Have you asked yourself: “What will Macedonia lose if it is robbed of its identity?” As a mediator you are expected to be fair and impartial. Do you believe Mr. Nimitz your proposals are fair and impartial? How can you ask the Macedonian people to give up their identity and lose their existence and ask nothing from Greece?

So, Mr. Nimitz while you are asking me and my people to give up our identity and vanish from the face of the earth what could you possibly offer us in exchange?

Thank you for your consideration. I anxiously await your response.

Best Regards, Risto Stefov rstefov@hotmail.com

No response was ever received…

25. Macedonian is not Greece’s business

By J.S.G. Gandeto

Once again, the forefront for dissemination of the Greek version of history in Australia, the so-called Advisory Council, who are neither Macedonians nor have any clue about advising, have managed to show their ugly head by attacking Victor Friedman, a prominent and well respected academic scholar from University of Chicago, for speaking the truth about the Macedonian language.

Their attempt to denigrate and insult anyone who disagrees with their artificially created and hysterically defended mythological nation is nothing new; Greeks have a long list of "national enemies" whose views are regarded as "dangerous" to the Hellenic Republic and must, at all cost, be suppressed or eliminated. Here, without much consternation, the names of Anastasia Karakasidou who wrote/admitted that "ethnic Macedonians exist in Greece", Ernst Badian who stated that "Ancient Macedonians neither viewed themselves as Greeks nor were they viewed by the ancient Greeks as such", Eugene Borza's statement that "Ancient Macedonians were a distinct and separate people from the ancient Greeks", their own son Caragatsis who stated that "it is an illusion to think that Ancient Macedonians were Greeks" and professor Friedman's views on the Macedonian language as separate and a uniquely different than either Serbian or Bulgarian language and many more, can be mentioned as such examples.

Their xenophobic attitude towards scholars, whose knowledge and analysis of history markedly differs from their own, stems from the fact that some Greeks in general and ultra nationalist Greeks in particular, have a distorted perception of "selves". Any uncovered truths about their highly checkered past, for which they have failed to adequately "create" a timely saleable version of the historical events, presents an unbridgeable gap and is perceived as dangerously calamitous for the well-being of their nation. Perhaps, their knee- jerk reaction to anything that runs contrary to their own school-imbued and preachers-enforced education is a result of their insecurities about their own nation-building process.

When one is constantly reminded about its own nationality, when one is being measured on the values of Greekness and is being graded on perceived adherence to these nationally prescribed norms, then one is being weighed and evaluated on the retention of those "learned" parameters. Thus, the perceived or imagined erosion in the strengths of these national "pillars" triggers periodically enforced teachings and timely disciplined reminders. This, in the final analysis, reminds one of the weaknesses and the porosity of the Greek position: They have to invent national enemies in order to maintain structural cohesiveness in their artificially created state. Without such national enemies the apparent Greek unity will easily dissolve. Their historiography resembles a chameleon; it changes colors with the political winds of the time. The lies propagated for so long have finally reached the crashing end; the new lies that need to replace the original ones (whose usefulness the Greek state fully exploited for many years), need to be much more sophisticated, highly polished, firmly planted and more encompassing in order to be able to withstand much more vigorous scrutiny and do their intended job. However, creating bigger lies entails rewriting history and any attempt to redefine historical events and finagle empirical data is a treacherous business wroth with danger.

There is too much literary evidence available to be successfully manipulated and an overwhelming body of incontrovertible knowledge at public disposal that can- not possibly be overlooked. The task is monumental even for such skillful fabricators as the Greeks them- selves. The end is fast approaching and with it comes unforeseen consequences. Certainly, the rules under which the Greeks operated in the past have changed, so have the players. The truth, as a useful currency, has been devaluated to such an extent that the Greek government must now create a new divergent counterfeit currency in order to successfully steer public opinion in a new direction. Greece sees Macedonia as such a ploy where Greek passion for the "motherland", cultivated and nurtured for decades, can once more be played out and used as a political catalytic converter.

But even Macedonia is not such a sure bet anymore; there are numerous dissenting opinions within Greece itself; the ethnic Macedonians whose existence Greece openly denies, are becoming