20th NATO summit in Bucharest

[Makedonia25]

NATO will be launching a new TV channel running from 2nd - 4th April for the NATO summit.. Perfect way to see that VETO happen live, instead of being delayed

http://www.natochannel.tv/

[Promethean Fire]

Diplomatic Thriller 01 Apr 2008 09:03:00

By Vivian Papastefanou
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The Inner Cabinet is holding a meeting at 11:00 this morning, just 24-hours prior to the crucial NATO Summit meeting in Bucharest. The Prime-minister met at 09:30 with George Papandreou at the initiative of the PASOK president. After the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated "Greece is facing crucial deliberations. Even partners and allies are exercising pressure on Greece. Greece is receiving unfair treatment, adding that it is not time for criticism but time to strengthen Greece’s voice in these crucial deliberations. The opposition leader told the Prime-minister that he was willing to fly to Skopje to further strengthen the country’s position as well as to indicate the common stand of the country. Mr. Papandreou also repeated that solution to the name issue is a compound name, including geographical term for all uses. In reference to Skopje’s provocations, he condemned "any acts of extreme symbolism which offend our country and our national symbols", he added, however, that these acts do not express the majority of the neigbouring country’s people. In an interview with MEGA television channel last night, Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni underlined that exercising veto right is a "big and difficult decision, but necessary". As she said "NATO’s door is open and Greece supports Skopje’s Euro-Atlantic prospect but there must be a solution. A mutually acceptable name, including a geographical term for all uses". Mrs. Bakoyianni will meet with the President of the German Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee at 10:15 to discuss NATO Summit meeting with focus on its enlargement.





Skopje New Provocation


In the meantime, after an offensive alteration of the Greek flag a wide circulation Skopjan magazine has a picture of Prime-minister, Kostas Karamnlis in nazi uniform. The Foreign Minister described as unacceptable the new provocative act while FYROM Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki condemned the offensive depiction of the Greek flag. US ambassador to Athens also spoke of an offensive move. In the meantime, several Washington scenarios, aimed to admit the neighbouring country into the NATO alliance, have come to light. In a telephone contact with the American ambassador to Athens, PASOK President, George Papandreou expressed both his and in general the country’s strong resentment, stemming from Washington’s stand on Skopke name issue. "Decisions for a country’s admission to NATO are based on the grounds on whether they meet terms and credentials set by the alliance" said the State Department. NATO alliance general secretary described as unforeseeable the outcome of the NATO Summit meeting regarding both prospect of Skopje’s admission as well as future prospect for Ukraine and Georgia’s admission to the Euro-Atlantic alliance.

I dont know how truthful Papandreo's voice is, but im impressed.

[Truth Bearer]

We MUST stand UNITED all for one and one for all....No more petty political bickering.
ZHTO H HELLAS!!!

[Promethean Fire]

Its an inspiring move by PASOK no? United Greeks....history shows what happens when we are united

[Morpheus]

Who is Panayotis Dimitras, or something? Stated that Greece should accept the existance of the Republic of Macedonia...

[Promethean Fire]

FYROM veto seems likely
Athens defiant in face of growing US pressure for Skopje’s NATO accession

Athens yesterday dug its heels in further on the Macedonia name dispute, saying it would veto Skopje's bid to join NATO at an alliance summit this week unless a compromise is reached on the Balkan country's name.

«We have stated our position repeatedly - I will say it again: No solution means no invitation,» Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said yesterday in the face of growing pressure from Washington for a last-ditch settlement.

In a commentary published in today's International Herald Tribune, Bakoyannis says: «Greece has gone more than halfway on the issue, closer to two-thirds of the way... We cannot go any further.»

According to sources, Greek diplomats told Washington that the NATO accession of candidates Croatia and Albania should be approved at the summit but that the bid of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should be shelved until the name issue is satisfactorily resolved. Washington reportedly rejected this scenario and made a counterproposal: that FYROM enter NATO under the «temporary» name accorded to it 17 years ago, which Athens finds totally unacceptable.

Meanwhile US President George W. Bush

reiterated his support for FYROM's NATO bid, telling Germany's Die Welt that the name dispute «is an issue that can be resolved and definitely will be resolved.»

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who will attend tomorrow's summit, is due to have talks with PASOK leader George Papandreou for a briefing on the main opposition party's stance. Earlier yesterday, Papandreou phoned US Ambassador Daniel Speckhardt to complain about the US position which «ignores Greece's stance and does not boost regional stability.»

Meanwhile in Skopje, parliament canceled a debate on the latest proposal by United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz, who had been entrusted with resolving the dispute but has taken a back seat over the past few days.

http://ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_art.../04/2008_94989

WOW ...ist getting intense

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

Who is Panayotis Dimitras, or something? Stated that Greece should accept the existance of the Republic of Macedonia...

Anyone? Who is this guy?

[Truth Bearer]

Who cares VETO!!!!!!!!!!

[Ehetlaios]

Dimitras is a good ol' traitor.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by Truth Bearer

Who cares VETO!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think so, really. It would isolate Greece, and too much preasure will be aplied. USA, China, Russia, majority of the EU are on Macedonia side. I think that Greece's threats are just a blaf, but if they aren't, then you relly have biger balls then brains.