UMD: Fyromian diaspora not lagging behind Greek lobbyists

[Truth Bearer]

UMD: Fyromian diaspora not lagging behind Greek lobbyists

Source:MIA

Fyromian diaspora does not lag behind Greek lobby groups in Australia and USA in the efforts regarding Macedonia's constitutional name and Macedonian national interests. On the contrary, it sets the pace, whereas time is near when the truth about Macedonia will come to surface, said members of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) at Tuesday's press conference.

"We spread truth, they spread lies. Their days are numbered, we only ask people in Macedonia to unite, because victory is ours. The name is our right and nobody can change it", said Lidija Pavleska-Neskovska from Melbourne.

Metodija Kolovski of New Jersey, who is the UMD President, stressed that despite the financial and population supremacy of the Greek lobby community in Washington and Brussels, UMD has been a "thorn in their side".

According to him, although Macedonian communities in USA and Canada have significantly less funds, these two countries have recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name.

"Greece's goal is not change of our name, but our identity", said Kolovski, adding the longer the name row goes on, the more countries would learn about Macedonia's truth, resulting in their support.

Pertaining to UMD, Kolovski stated the organization established in 2004 aims at uniting the Macedonian diaspora worldwide. It is financed by sponsors, whereas projects focus on lobbying for preservation of the constitutional name, EU and NATO membership, charity, and support to country's economic development.

In regard to prior activities, Kolovski emphasized that UMD members paid a visit to 150 congressmen and senators' offices in Washington in the past three days, presenting them with a package of materials on Macedonia's truth.

According to the latest U.S. Census in 2000, the number of Macedonians amounts to 34,000, although UMD estimates show there are about 500,000-800,000, including Macedonians of third, fourth, and fifth generations.

Besides working on recognition of the constitutional name by the Australian Government, a priority for emigrants in Australia is also determination of the exact number of Macedonians in this country.

According to Zoran Zack Milenkovski, despite the 80,000 registered in the 2006 Census, they assess the realistic number at 300,000.

Pavleska-Neskovska stressed the necessity for completion of judicial reforms in Macedonia, which are seen as the main obstacle for entry of capital by Macedonians from the diaspora.

Moreover, the Macedonian diaspora is interested in voting at the presidential elections, but also asked for four guarantied MP seats. They tackled the issue at the meeting with President Branko Crvenkovski, and will also inform PM Nikola Gruevski on their stance. ik/fd/9:01

July 23, 2008

 
http://www.mia.com.mk/portal/page?_pageid=113,166290&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&VestID=53130609&prikaz=3

Copyright © 2005 Journal of Turkish Weekly http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=57768

[Truth Bearer]

What a load of baloney??!! 500,000 Fyromians in USA??!!!
300,000 in Australia??Where does he pluck those figures from??These people have no sense of honesty nor sense of pride......Does this Metoja Kolovski guy really think the Yanks believe 500,000 fyromians is the States??And that they are "WINNING"???????

[kostas68]

Originally Posted by Truth Bearer

What a load of baloney??!! 500,000 Fyromians in USA??!!!
300,000 in Australia??Where does he pluck those figures from??These people have no sense of honesty nor sense of pride......Does this Metoja Kolovski guy really think the Yanks believe 500,000 fyromians is the States??And that they are "WINNING"???????

Scopians always had serious problems with mathematics,especially when they estimate the number of their alleged <minority> in Greece.There are no more than 10.000-15.000 Slavophones in Greece who identifies themselves as ethnic <Macedonians>,but Scopians talk about 200.000 (the most moderate)-1.000.000 (the most fanaticals).Such numbers exist only in their dreams:

[Ariadni_Nefeli]

Turks + Fyromians = LOVE FOR EVER!

Both Nazi collaborators after all, both supressors and both whores who are sold to the highest bidder...

[gmellos]

this is almost funny!!! almost!!

[Theofilos]

Stopped reading at "Turkish Weekly".

[Melbourne]

Why give it any credibility, for God's sake, they claim 800,000 ethnic "Macedonians" in the United States against the official figure of 34,000. This statement in itself speaks volumes about how delusional they are!

In the USA and Australia, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation are ALL counted, and there are questions on ancestry as well...simply put 34,000 is the absolute maximum and this includes ALL generations

[Truth Bearer]

Even 34,000 is questionable as 3/4 of them don't give a hoot about fyrom etc......

[Truth Bearer]

On top of that the fyromians have never mustered any form of protest in bug numbers in the USA.......