FYROM Election Winner Pledges End to Name Dispute With Greece

[Nikos]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-06-voa26.cfm

The man who has won Macedonia's presidential elections has pledged to solve a dispute with Greece over his country's name, which has delayed its entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The opposition conceded defeat in Macedonia's presidential runoff election to Gjorgje Ivanov, the candidate of the ruling conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, after official results showed he received more than 60 percent of the vote.

The 49-year-old international law professor beat his opponent, former minister Ljubomir Frckovski of the main opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia.

Ivanov said Sunday's ballot would boost his country's attempts to join the European Union and NATO.

In a major turnaround, Ivanov also pledged that as president he would seek a solution to the 18-year dispute with neighbor Greece over his country's name.

He says with these elections Macedonians have paved the way for the country's European integration. Ivanov added, "I hope that together with all institutions we can realize three key goals - E.U. and NATO membership and solving the name issue" with Greece.

Well that's nice, we'll have to see if FYROM and Greece try to pursue it further. Do you think this could be a breakthrough?

[removeduser_487563287433]

As an outside observor it seems to me that it is the Government of Macedonia making all the effort to end the dispute.

[Homeros]

What name is he proposing?

[Nikos]

As an outside observor it seems to me that it is the Government of Macedonia making all the effort to end the dispute.

Actually, Greece has suggested many alternative names Like "New Macedonia","Upper Macedonia", "Paionia" and "Slavic Macedonia". In my opinion, Paionia is the most appropriate because as seen from this map, it encompasses the area of modern FYROM.

[Acco]

In my opinion, Paionia is the most appropriate because as seen from this map, it encompasses the area of modern FYROM.

Lake Prespa and Ohrid are nowhere near the red circle you claim is Macedonia, so I'd either question the accuracy of the map or whether or not Paeonia is an appropriate name for the country.

It's not just the name. FYROM claims Greek territory.

They do? Might need proof of this, I've never seen this.

[Nikos]

Lake Prespa and Ohrid are nowhere near the red circle you claim is Macedonia, so I'd either question the accuracy of the map or whether or not Paeonia is an appropriate name for the country.

that's because this map shows the ancient Heartland of the Kingdom of Macedon

They do? Might need proof of this, I've never seen this.

Really? Did you know the US house of representatives passed a resolution asking FYROM to stop it's "hostile activities or propaganda".
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...r356ih.txt.pdf

[Erik]

that's because this map shows the ancient Heartland of the Kingdom of Macedon

I think his point is: modern Macedonia isn't where you drew the red circle.

It's much larger, stretching much further to the South and West and indeed including parts of that "ancient Macedon heartland" on your map.

[removeduser_487563287433]

You see? It's not exactly a spirit of compramise that we can expect from our Greek member base.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Right, but that's not the Government of Greece doing anything, thats the Government of Greece demanding the Government of Macedonia do something. It's the diplomatic equivalent of "stop hitting yourself."

[gsoxx]

They can change their name back to Macedonia as soon as they are in the EU and NATO after all.

Anyone recalls that Simpson episode where the UN-name tag of Russia switches to Soviet Union per push of a button.

[Nikos]

Right, but that's not the Government of Greece doing anything, thats the Government of Greece demanding the Government of Macedonia do something. It's the diplomatic equivalent of "stop hitting yourself."

No, the Government of Greece proposed these solutions during negotiations to find a more acceptable name. They were rejected.

[Zephyrus]

Right, but that's not the Government of Greece doing anything, thats the Government of Greece demanding the Government of Macedonia do something. It's the diplomatic equivalent of "stop hitting yourself."

Wow, talk about beating a dead horse with a club here...

[Mithie]

Hold on... why should Macedonia change its name again?

[removeduser_487563287433]

Hold on... why should Macedonia change its name again?

Yeah this seems to have jumped a step.

[Erlinggra]

Yeah this seems to have jumped a step.

not really, calling the country Macedonia opens the door to claim half of Greece.

[removeduser_487563287433]

not really, calling the country Macedonia opens to door the claim half of Greece.

My arse.

[Justinian]

It's a name guys. Get the over it.

You don't see Georgia calling up the Governor of the US State of Georgia and demanding him to change the name to "New Georgia".

[Nikos]

It's a name guys. Get the over it.

You don't see Georgia calling up the Governor of the US State of Georgia and demanding him to change the name to "New Georgia".

It's not just the name. FYROM claims Greek territory.

[removeduser_487563287433]

It's not just the name. FYROM claims Greek territory.

No it doesn't, you know it doesn't. For the next three or so pages I will hound you on this, you will be unable to back this up, but you wont change your assumptions. Here we go, Balkanfest ahoy.

[Nikos]

No it doesn't, you know it doesn't. For the next three or so pages I will hound you on this, you will be unable to back this up, but you wont change your assumptions. Here we go, Balkanfest ahoy.

While you are correct Ferrets, the Government of FYROMacedonia does not claim Greek territory, there are radical elements within the country that do. In fact, the Slavic Macedonian PM laid a wreath before an image of "greater Macedonia". Until the UN forced it's removal, the government of FYROM DID claim Greek territory in it's constitution. The people of FYROM are indoctrinated to believe that parts of their country are being occupied and that Greeks are like Nazis.

I think his point is: modern Macedonia isn't where you drew the red circle.

It's much larger, stretching much further to the South and West and indeed including parts of that "ancient Macedon heartland" on your map.

But the Slavic Macedonians claim Ancient Macedonian identity. In spite of the fact their territory did not include it.

The Republic of Macedonia does contain a small part of the territory of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon, prior to the conquests of Phillip II. End of that discussion.

An extremely small part. Which had a Greek majority in ottoman times incidently.