Canadian Greeks plan protest in Ottawa

[Greece2006]

Canadian Greeks plan protest in Ottawa
over FYROM naming conflict on October 27
Canada’s decision to accept ‘Macedonia’ was announced by the Balkan republic
By Martin C. Barry • TLN

Greeks across Canada are reacting with anger towards a decision by the Conservative government in Ottawa to use the name Republic of Macedonia in Canadian relations with the Balkan country generally referred to now as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The Canadian Hellenic Congress is organizing a demonstration in front of Parliament Hill on Oct. 27, a date almost coinciding with a Greek historical day, Oct. 28, when the Greeks stood down Italian armies that were marching into Greece.

Protesters going to Ottawa
"There'll be buses available both from Toronto and Montreal," says Dimitrius Manolakos, president of the congress. "A lot of these buses are being sponsored by Greek associations who are up in arms. Businessmen are sponsoring some buses. The last time we had a demonstration in Ottawa in 1992, when this subject first cropped up, there was over 20,000 people in mid- Feburary, below-zero temperatures, who descended on the capital. And this time it should be a lot easier." The naming dispute between Greece and FYROM, as the former Yugoslovian republic is generally referred to internationally, has escalated to its highest point of tension, involving attempts at a resolution through the United Nations.

Dispute not new
FYROM sits in the southern Balkans, north of Greece, west of Bulgaria, east of Albania and south of Serbia, and has a population of just over two million. It separated peacefully from the splintering Yugoslavia in 1991, but then was hit by a Greek trade embargo over its name. The embargo was lifted in 1995, but in 2001 an emergency broke out among its Albanian minority. That ended in an internationally-brokered peace establishing new rights for minorities. "Who are the Macedonian people?" asked Manolakos. "Nobody in Bulgaria or the Slavic countries ever used the name Macedonia before." He maintains that the name flies in the face of history and that it was invented by former Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito after the Second World War.

Canadian decision on web site
The new president of the United Nations General Assembly sparked a dispute with Greece last week when he referred to FYROM as Macedonia. Srgjan Kerim, who is himself from that republic, prompted a protest from the Greek ambassador in the chamber. The Canadian decision to accept the name Macedonia in bilateral relations was announced last month by the government of the Balkan republic. Although Canada's Foreign Affairs Department made no formal announcement, the change is reflected on its web site.

Congress strongly protests
In a statement issued last week, the Canadian Hellenic Congress said it "very strongly protests" Canada's decision to recognize FYROM under the name Republic of Macedonia, "a decision that is in direct violation of Reslolution 817 (1993) 2 of the United Nations' Security Council and calls the government to withdraw it." The congress said that the Canadian government's decision raises questions, as the governments of Greece and FYROM are engaged in diplomatic discussions towards a mutually agreeable permanent solution regarding the future name of FYROM and its entry in the European Union and NATO.

Challenges created
"Canadians are accustomed to foreign policy decisions that have won it its reputation and respect in the international community and all of its citizens from coast-to-coast," added Manolakos. "This is a definite shift. This decision creates additional challenges to a traditional long standing friend to Canada such as Greece, and also to FYROM in the wake of important decisions for its future." The congress said it was concerned that such actions "may further existing tensions between Greece and FYROM, as well as between fellow Canadians, and has encouraged this government in the past to maintain its traditional position."

[PhiliptheUniterchaeronea]

Can the communities invite academics to the protest? Maybe even sponsor them in case of economic concerns.

[BzNzSBoomN]

Online petition here .....
https://secure.tetnet.com/greekcommunity.org/signup/english/OXI.taf

[pankration]

Has anyone contacted politicians to get their public support? Greek MPs? MLAs? Celebrities?

[GreekSlav]

Why don't the Greeks in Ottawa use all this energy to help their community, instead of making such a big deal over nothing. Canada has no requirement to answer to these people that have nothing else to do. And guess what? Canada will not answer to them at all.

[Amarantos]

Why don't the Greeks in Ottawa use all this energy to help their community, instead of making such a big deal over nothing. Canada has no requirement to answer to these people that have nothing else to do. And guess what? Canada will not answer to them at all.

Boy! Are you Tiresias maybe and you can predict the future or what. I suppose you know the whole story. You skopjans are quite fond of greek history and mythology, no? You sound like your foreign minister. He was giving the same advices as you do some time ago, but unfortunately he demostrated to be very bad prepared on mythology :thumbdown

[GreekSlav]

Boy! Are you Tiresias maybe and you can predict the future or what. I suppose you know the whole story. You skopjans are quite fond of greek history and mythology, no? You sound like your foreign minister. He was giving the same advices as you do some time ago, but unfortunately he demostrated to be very bad prepared on mythology :thumbdown

For once I would really like some of you to listen. I am not a Macedonian from within the borders of the Republic of Macedonia. My people (Macedonian of the Slav kind) are from the province of Macedonia (prior to 1913) and then Greece.

So make sure you tack that info to your memory chips and stop assuming that they are my people. They are not. :rolleyes: Cheap tactics again, aye?? Good job. :clapping: You're an old pro.

[Amarantos]

For once I would really like some of you to listen. I am not a Macedonian from within the borders of the Republic of Macedonia. My people (Macedonian of the Slav kind) are from the province of Macedonia (prior to 1913) and then Greece.

So make sure you tack that info to your memory chips and stop assuming that they are my people. They are not. :rolleyes: Cheap tactics again, aye?? Good job. :clapping: You're an old pro.


:laugh::laugh::laugh:
When someone responds to your claims, you change argument and talk about a different issue. That's what i call cheap tactics.;)
I don't keep records on the background of the members of the forum. You 're not that important or precious dude! So that i 'll "tack that info to my memory" :laugh:
How could i know your family history. From the info you provide though, with the due respect, you do not make your point clear on what you represent. And believe me as far as i am concearned....you re not so important as i already told you. I object ,or hopefully i'll agree, with your thesis.That's all.

[Istor]

Canada will not answer to them at all

Why? Does Canada respect its peoples' thoughts?
Greeks have our energy for Macedonia and all other Greek regions and peoples.


They are not.

Stop acting as a pussy. You have identified with them.

[Spartan]

Why don't the Greeks in Ottawa use all this energy to help their community, instead of making such a big deal over nothing. Canada has no requirement to answer to these people that have nothing else to do. And guess what? Canada will not answer to them at all.

GreekSlav,

it is nothing according to you! But you are not the type of person that defends history and heritage. You like to look at things in positive light and bringing everyone together wether it is through lies or trickery. We all want to get along but at the same time we should not lie and step on our neighbors toes. This is the same when England made the compromise with France of the use of the term "Britain"! So was it nothing to the French and were they acting uncivilized? I don't think so because they had an legitimate argument with England. But now when it is a "Less important" country as Greece then its ridiculous and no big deal.

[GreekSlav]

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
When someone responds to your claims, you change argument and talk about a different issue. That's what i call cheap tactics.;)
I don't keep records on the background of the members of the forum. You 're not that important or precious dude! So that i 'll "tack that info to my memory" :laugh:
How could i know your family history. From the info you provide though, with the due respect, you do not make your point clear on what you represent. And believe me as far as i am concearned....you re not so important as i already told you. I object ,or hopefully i'll agree, with your thesis.That's all.

Amarantos, when someone continues to makes claims that they do know my family history, they get it wrong everytime they refer to the Macedonians within the borders of ROM as "my" people.

How much clearer can I make it for you? If you do not understand that my Macedonian Slav part of my heritage was from the province of Macedonia before 1913, and Greece after, what part of the province do you think they are from? Surely not the part that used to be in Yugoslavia.

It is you that does not think clearly. I make it a plain as can be for everyone to understand. You, maybe, play stupid for games sake? I am sorry but that is as plain as I can put it.

[GreekSlav]

GreekSlav,

it is nothing according to you! But you are not the type of person that defends history and heritage. You like to look at things in positive light and bringing everyone together wether it is through lies or trickery. We all want to get along but at the same time we should not lie and step on our neighbors toes. This is the same when England made the compromise with France of the use of the term "Britain"! So was it nothing to the French and were they acting uncivilized? I don't think so because they had an legitimate argument with England. But now when it is a "Less important" country as Greece then its ridiculous and no big deal.


Your statement should read:

"it is nothing according to you! But you are not the type of person that defends history and heritage because it is the past and to move on, one must think of the future.. You like to look at things in positive light and bringing everyone together wether it is through peace and peaceful coexistence.. We all want to get along but at the same time we should not point fingers and whine about everything our neighbor does, especially when they make claims to others history. The other party should know positively whom that history belongs to and never put life into that argument.

Again, you, like all the others, have no clue as to what I wish. And please do not instill your shortcomings on the issues on me. I do not complicate my life with all the irrelevant rantings about nothing.

[Amarantos]

Amarantos, when someone continues to makes claims that they do know my family history, they get it wrong everytime they refer to the Macedonians within the borders of ROM as "my" people.

How much clearer can I make it for you? If you do not understand that my Macedonian Slav part of my heritage was from the province of Macedonia before 1913, and Greece after, what part of the province do you think they are from? Surely not the part that used to be in Yugoslavia.

It is you that does not think clearly. I make it a plain as can be for everyone to understand. You, maybe, play stupid for games sake? I am sorry but that is as plain as I can put it.

I do not give a damn about your family history! γκε γκε ? No need to be sorry. I haven't followed all your valuable contributions since day 1 and Ι already told you that what you say on your late posts, is frustrated. And it's this that one comments. What you write about your family's past does not make you better, or an expert, than any other member here. Have you ever placed your foot in Greece or fyrom? I scorn "superiority" attitudes such as those you transmit and i do not see a sense on going round in circles. It's not 1913 today, this is 2007 and for all "people the day comes when they have to declare the great Yes or the great No". You 're the smart arse here, so there's no need to say more.

[Spartan]

Your statement should read:

"it is nothing according to you! But you are not the type of person that defends history and heritage because it is the past and to move on, one must think of the future.. You like to look at things in positive light and bringing everyone together wether it is through peace and peaceful coexistence.. We all want to get along but at the same time we should not point fingers and whine about everything our neighbor does, especially when they make claims to others history. The other party should know positively whom that history belongs to and never put life into that argument.

Again, you, like all the others, have no clue as to what I wish. And please do not instill your shortcomings on the issues on me. I do not complicate my life with all the irrelevant rantings about nothing.

No my version remains!

So you believe in peacefull coexistence even though Greeces northern neighbor steps on Greece's toes continuously? Peace and respect is a TWO WAY street not just a recieving action! Greece knows its history and doesn't need anyone to tell them. On the otherhand when a small country such as FYROM continues for the past 16 years to make claims on Greece's history and heritage then the Greeks will react. Now if Greece sits back and does nothing then the propaganda that the FYROM's and their diaspora have spread all over the internet and into official government policies will be taken as truth and Greece's loses a long important part of it's history and heritage!

Who's ranting? None of us have ranted, we have just presented our views using many methods.

One question. Do you ever take a stand for something you believe in strongly besides turning thy other cheek and allow falsehoods to be spread?

[GreekSlav]

I do not give a damn about your family history! γκε γκε ? No need to be sorry. I haven't followed all your valuable contributions since day 1 and Ι already told you that what you say on your late posts, is frustrated. And it's this that one comments. What you write about your family's past does not make you better, or an expert, than any other member here. Have you ever placed your foot in Greece or fyrom? I scorn "superiority" attitudes such as those you transmit and i do not see a sense on going round in circles. It's not 1913 today, this is 2007 and for all "people the day comes when they have to declare the great Yes or the great No". You 're the smart arse here, so there's no need to say more.

I have traveled to Greece extensively, but only once in Macedonia back in the early 90's when the Serbs were trying to take it back.

Just because I am half Macedonian does not mean that the people within ROM's borders are MY people. And you are right, you have not followed my contributions about my family history. You did not know. I am also glad that you really do not give a shit about my family history. I wish everyone here had that atitude. I get too many questions about it.

[Victor]

I have traveled to Greece extensively, but only once in Macedonia back in the early 90's when the Serbs were trying to take it back.

Just because I am half Macedonian does not mean that the people within ROM's borders are MY people. And you are right, you have not followed my contributions about my family history. You did not know. I am also glad that you really do not give a shit about my family history. I wish everyone here had that atitude. I get too many questions about it.
WHats your family history?

[akritas]

«ΣΥΜΦΕΡΟΝΤΑ ΙΔΙΩΝ, ΕΤΑΙΡΩΝ Η ΑΜΦΟΤΕΡΩΝ;» Ο ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΝΑΔΑ ΛΕΕΙ ΟΧΙ!

Εντατικά συνεχίζονται οι προετοιμασίες του Ελληνισμού για το μαζικό συλλαλητήριο διαμαρτυρίας μπροστά στο Κοινοβούλιο στην Οτάβα στις 27 Οκτωβρίου 2007, που διοργανώνει το Ελληνο¬Καναδικό Κογκρέσο σε συνεργασία με τους συλλόγους και τις ελληνικές κοινότητες σε όλο τον Καναδά .

Ποτέ δεν είδε το άπλετο φως του Κοινοβουλίου το σχέδιο νόμου που κατατέθηκε από βουλευτή σκοπιανής καταγωγής, για να αναγνωρίσει ο Καναδάς την ΠΓΔΜ σαν «Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας». Η Συντηρητική Κυβέρνηση του κ. Χαρπερ παρέκαμψε την κοινοβουλευτική διαδικασία και αποφάσισε δια νυχτός την αλλαγή ονομασίας. Η προκλητική και προσβλητική αυτή στάση απέναντι σε εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες Καναδούς ελληνικής καταγωγής είναι ανεπανάληπτη και απαράδεκτη.
Η απόφαση αυτή δημιούργησε έξαρση σε γνωστούς κύκλους υποστηρικτών των θέσεων της ΠΓΔΜ στον Καναδά, όπως ήδη είχε προειδοποιήσει τον πρωθυπουργό το Ελληνο¬Καναδικό Κογκρέσο, και οι οποίοι προκλητικά πλέον συνέχισαν να προβάλλουν τις γνωστές και επικίνδυνες θέσεις τους για επεκτατισμό & με την καπηλεία και παραχάραξη της ελληνικής ιστορίας και του πολιτισμού.

Η απόφαση διέγειρε και τον συγγραφικό οίστρο τέως δημοσίου υπαλλήλου του Καναδικού Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών που διετέλεσε πρέσβης στα Βαλκάνια, αλλά νυν μέλους του διοικητικού συμβουλίου καναδικής εταιρείας & επενδυτικά ενδιαφέροντα (χρυσωρυχεία) στην ίδια περιοχή, και σε γνωστές θέσεις υπέρ των Σκοπίων, επαίνεσε την κυβέρνηση των συντηρητικών του κ. Χάρπερ η οποία προτίμησε την σιωπή.

Η απόφαση αυτή δημιούργησε έξαρση επίσης και σε στελέχη των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, με αποτέλεσμα ο πρόεδρος του Συμβουλίου Ασφαλείας και ο ειδικός μεσολαβητής του ΟΗΕ στην υπόθεση ονομασίας της ΠΓΔΜ, να ξεπεράσουν τον εαυτό τους με σχόλια που δεν αρμόζουν της θέσης και της ευθύνης που έχουν αναλάβει εκ µέρους της διεθνής κοινότητας.

Ο Ελληνισμός του Καναδά:

Καταγγέλλει την εξωτερική πολιτική της κυβέρνησης των συντηρητικών του κ. Χάρπερ που εμπορεύεται τις αξίες και τις αρχές πάνω στις οποίες είναι χτισμένη η καναδική κοινωνία προς διευκόλυνση πολιτικών και οικονομικών συμφερόντων ιδίων και εταίρων.
Γιατί το όνομα του Καναδά να συνδέεται με όλα αυτά και να διασύρεται;


ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ ΤΥΠΟΥ Μόντρεαλ, 15 Οκτωβρίου 2007 ΕΛΛΗΝΟ¬ΚΑΝΑΔΙΚΟ ΚΟΓΚΡΕΣΟ CANADIAN HELLENIC CONGRESS CONGRΕS HELLΕNIQUE CANADIEN

Καταγγέλλει την απόφαση που υποθάλπει την αδιαλλαξία και την αποσταθεροποίηση στα Βαλκάνια και ωθεί την πορεία των διαπραγματεύσεων μεταξύ Αθήνας και Σκοπίων σε αδιέξοδο τη στιγμή που τα Σκόπια και η Αθήνα διαπραγματεύονται την εύρεση μιας αμοιβαία αποδεκτής λύσης .

Καταγγέλλει την απόφαση που προκαλεί περαιτέρω ένταση στα Βαλκάνια με επικίνδυνα επακόλουθα για την ασφάλεια και εδαφική ακεραιότητα της Ελλάδας και των άλλων Βαλκανικών κρατών.

Καταγγέλλει την πρωτόγνωρη αυτή πολιτική της συντηρητικής κυβέρνησης του κ. Χάρπερ που με την απόφαση αυτή εµπνέει την αλαζονεία, χωρίζει τους πολίτες σε κατηγορίες και δημιουργεί εντάσεις και πάθη αναμεσα στις κοινότητες που αντιπροσωπεύει.
Παίρνει λάθος συμβουλές ο πρωθυπουργός.

Καταγγέλλει την απαράδεκτη και προσβλητική στάση της κυβέρνησης του κ. Χάρπερ που επέλεξε να αγνοήσει τις εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες Καναδών ελληνικής καταγωγής και έγινε συνεργός της παραχάραξης της ελληνικής ιστορίας και πολιτισµού. Η ιστορία δεν ξαναγράφεται, ούτε και από τους αυτο-αποκαλούµενους νικητές. Η κυβέρνηση να ανακαλέσει την απόφαση και να αναλάβει τις ευθύνες της.

Το Ελληνο¬Καναδικό Κογκρέσο καλει όλον Ελληνισμό του Καναδά στις 27 Οκτωβρίου 2007 µπροστά στο κοινοβουλιο στην Οτάβα, σε συλλαλήτηριο διαμαρτυρίας ενάντια στην προσβλητική στάση της συντηρητικής κυβέρνησης του κ. Χαρπερ απένταντι στον Ελληνισμό, και στην απόφαση του να αναγνωρίσει την ΠΓΔΜ σαν «Δημοκρατία της Μακεδονίας».

Στις επόµενες εκλογές 400,000 Καναδοί ελληνικής καταγωγής θα πούνε «ΟΧΙ!» σε όλους τους πολιτικούς που υποθάλπουν την διατάραξη της ειρήνης στα Βαλκάνια, φέρνουν κοινότητες σε αντιπαράθεση, και γίνονται συνεργοί στην παραχάραξη της ελληνικής ιστορίας επιμένοντας να αγνοούν τις ανάγκες και τα δίκαια αιτήματα αυτών που αντιπροσωπεύουν. ΓΙΑΤΙ Η ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΑ ΗΤΑΝΕ, ΕΙΝΑΙ, ΚΑΙ ΘΑ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΙΝΕΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ.

Από το Ελληνο-Καναδικό Κογκρέσο.
Επικοινωνία:
τηλ.: 1-888-ellines (1-888-355-4637),
εκτός Καναδά: τηλ /φαξ +1 (514) 482-5858
info@canadianhelleniccongress.com (info@canadianhelleniccongress.com)

[nsminc]

I'll be there.

Just like 1992.

[nsminc]

Scanned these pics from a local Greek paper today:
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4500/ott1rs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3835/ott2qt6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7629/ott3zr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Of course we can always rely on the Maniates:
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1166/ott4ti3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[nsminc]

Just scanned this:
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/307/art1zz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[nsminc]

OK paidia I'm off to Ottawa tomorrow morning.Even though they called for rain in the morning it should calm down by 1pm.I hope.

[Melbourne]

What are the expectations numbers wise?

[nsminc]

10k-20k abouts.

[nsminc]

http://www.greekcommunity.org/Events/PressReleases/GCT20071027FYROM.pdf

[Makedonia is Greek]

Bravo my greek brothers, keep fighting!!
Sign the petition for the revocation of the canadian recognition...

petitiononline.com