Despite Greek objections the U.S. is talking with Macedonia over NATO application

[HellenicPride]

2 February 2007 | 10:01 | Source: AP
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is talking with Macedonia over NATO application despite Greek objections over name.

It is only Greece that has a problem with calling Macedonia Macedonia, and the two southern Balkan neighbors need to work it out to get on with international business, a State Department spokesman said Thursday.

As for the United States, Sean McCormack said, it is willing to discuss NATO membership with Macedonia under that name and would like a resolution of the name dispute with Greece.

Greece is a member of both NATO and the European Union, to which Macedonia applied for membership in 2004. Greece has threatened to stand in the way of Macedonian membership under that name in both international organizations.

McCormack said the United States has no say in the EU situation, but "in the case of NATO, then we will talk to Macedonia about their aspirations.

"We have made it very clear that NATO should have a door open to consideration in expanding its membership, and we're going to continue to talk to Macedonia about what their aspirations are."

Athens refers to Macedonia by the acronym FYROM, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the name under which the country entered the United Nations in 1993. The Greek position is that the name Macedonia implies a claim by FYROM on the northern Greece province of Macedonia and could destabilize the region.

"I understand, in the case of Greece, that they need to come to some accommodation on this — for those two parties — difficult issue," McCormack said. "It's an emotional issue. But they should try to work through the issue.

"They, after all, live next door to one another. Neither of them are going to be able to move. So they should work to resolve the issue."

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-ar... &nav_id=39391

[HellenicPride]

I wonder what deal the US has struck with FYROM.

[Reaper]

Troops to Iraq, we back you over Greece.

[HellenicPride]

That definately does help FYROM. They have most likely sold their crap of a country to the United States in order to gain support from them.

[Reaper]

If I was incharge of Geece I would tell them that their base in Krete has just got a little more expensive, rent has gone up by $11 million for each day the US recognises Fyrom, if they leave, rent the base to China or Russia or better yet, make it Greek.

Infact while on the matter I would like to ask any member who knows:

How much does Greece rent out Souda in krete to the Americans for?
Why does the Greek Govt not use it as leverage in political matters with the US?

[akritas]

I wonder what deal the US has struck with FYROM.
US foreighn policy is focus to control nations-people-states via the blackmails.Wants "stock people".
Before 1967 the stock people were the Greek one.This policy had as a result to lost our democracy and dignity.
Before 90s in the Balkans the "stock people" was Turkey.Now Turkey face the dismemberment in her East borders.
Now is Albania and FYROM, and I have my suspisions as about Bulgaria.As about Bulgaria my doubts came from the domestic problems that has with the Turkish and FYROMacedonian minorities.

[HellenicPride]

That is a very good point Akritas. Americas does have a tendency to do that. Whatever the case America has always had plans for the Balkans but countries like Greece were very hard for the US to subdue which Im thankful for.

[Flipper]

A re na vgoune oi kritikoi kai na tous kleisoun mesa pali re gamwto. Ekei na sapisoun sthn vash tous.

[Istor]

The gift has been given back by FYROM already: SlavoSkopians are FOR an independant Kossovo!

Gligorof: we are just SlavoSkopians

[pankration]

On another forum I pointed out the mistake Greece would be making in backing or allying with Islamic countries. I said that in spite of the US's often dismal international record that Greece was better off siding with them than some maniacs in the Middle East.
But I made one major blunder! I put the onus on Greece to make friends with the US. I was too ignorant to add this: THE USA HAD ALSO BETTER LEARN WHO THEIR REAL FRIENDS ARE. FYROM IS A WASTE OF TIME. GREECE HAS BEEN THERE WHEN NEEDED, HAS A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE USA AND IS NOT LIKELY TO SCREW THEM OVER. SO TO MY AMERICAN FRIENDS--IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU LEARNED TO PICK YOUR FRIENDS BETTER.

[Istor]

I think that Greece is a "given" friend of USA, we shall say sometimes no to Americans.

But, we are a small nation, ONLY UNITED ans DECISIF could we defend GP's attackes.

USA is preparing next Greek traitors: Pangalos, Georgiadis, ...

[Elliniko DJ Nate]

If the US allow FYROM to join under their illegal name- no doubt sanctions will result from Greece, it's the only option left.

[akritas]

I think that Greece is a "given" friend of USA, we shall say sometimes no to Americans.

But, we are a small nation, ONLY UNITED ans DECISIF could we defend GP's attackes.

USA is preparing next Greek traitors: Pangalos, Georgiadis, ...
Something as about Pagalos.Yesterday this FAT(by political words) poltician in an interview regarding the Imia said...that the Greek military forces was not ready for war.Pagalos forget to mention who was the political head all the previous years in the Greek military forces and who is reponsible for its condition(if is it correct).

Also mention that they had not any informations as about if the Turkish special forces landed on the west islet. Pagalos FORGET to mention that the EYP Chairman knew and wait OUTSIDE form Greek PM office(all night) in order to inform them for the Turkish military aims.Pagalos at that night was busy in Greek TV!!!!

[Spartan]

What we have to do is wait out the present useless U.S regime and the removal of Bush and his cronies. The Republicans are going to lose the next presidential elections just like they lost the mid term elections for congress. The American people are fed up with war and the big international corporations making billions of dollars off the American people fue to Bush and his policies.

We just need to wait for less than 2 years and we should have more attentive ears in the U.S when the time comes.

When administrations change so does foreign policies!

We also need to get more of the Greek American politicians involved in the effort,. We have both Democrats and Republicans who are of Greek descent and they are in the House and Senate of the U.S as well as 1 or 2 governors.

Our time will come, just be patient. The Skops have only had their way due to their backing the U.S in the war in Iraq. There is absolutely no other reason why they should support them more than Greece EXCEPT that.

[ghost]

Not only do we need to get the Greek-American politicians more involved but perhaps, more importantly, the Greek-American citizens need to be more organized and be heard. Let's face it a politician has to be careful in these sort of situations where it MAY appear that he is stuck between two countries. As American politician one never wants to provide the other side with an attack that they have the best interests of Greece in mind over the US.

For American citizens it is different. We have many wealthy Greeks here who can make a difference for any cause, let alone this one. The only thing that is missing is the lack of organization. If we more of us get together and make ourselves heard through presence and $$$ politicians will react. Remember, that for them the most important thing is cash and votes and they will "whore" themselves out for any cause if they feel it will help them get re-elected.

[Melbourne Patriot]

The skopjeans will push hard for recognition as simply Macedonia before a new American President gets elected. We must hope for a Democratic win in the US and hopefully a change of policy. In the mean time, our government must stand firm against Skopje, give them nothing. Whilst some would disagree Athens has some aces up its sleeve as well, beyond truth and history being on the side of Greece, we can sanction skopje with Veto in the EU and NATO and we must do so.