Skopje rebuffs proposal

Skopje rebuffs proposal
Greece reassessing stance after FYROM president appears to reject Nimetz idea
Diplomats in Athens were reassessing the state of play yesterday after the president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Branko Crvenkovski appeared to reject a new proposal by the United Nations mediator in the Macedonia name dispute.

“The initial conclusion is that without serious changes, this set of ideas could not serve as a basis for further negotiations and resolution of the dispute,” Crvenkovski said.

The suggestion by UN envoy Matthew Nimetz that FYROM henceforth be known as the Republic of Northern Macedonia had been cautiously welcomed by Athens earlier this week as “a very good basis for negotiations” although it “needed improvements in certain areas.”

FYROM envoys attending UN-mediated talks in New York had also seemed upbeat, saying the proposal was “improved” and “more specific than ever.”

But the critical assessment delivered yesterday by Crvenkovski disappointed diplomats in Greece, not least because the president has had a relatively moderate stance compared to FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

According to sources, Greek government officials are debating their strategy but will await further comments expected to be made by political leaders in FYROM over the next few days.

Top diplomats in Athens put on a brave face. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis briefed all opposition party leaders on developments in the name talks yesterday, stressing the need for “a united national front” on the name dispute.Communist Party (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga said that Nimetz’s proposal could lead to a compromise, provided that the still hazy issue of ethnic identity is cleared up. Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras said the proposal was “a step toward a solution.” The strongest criticism came from the main opposition PASOK. It rejected the proposal, noting that the government’s slim parliamentary majority does not allow it to take a bold approach in name talks.
kathimerini.com

Crvenkovski rejects name proposal
11 October 2008 | 11:15 | Source: Tanjug
SKOPJE -- FYROMacedonian President Branko Crvenkovski has rejected UN mediator Mathew Nimetz’s proposal for the country’s constitutional name.

After a meeting with FYROMacedonian negotiator Nikola Dimitrov, Crvenkovski’s cabinet released a statement, according to which, “without serious changes, this set of ideas cannot be a basis for further talks and a definitive solution to the dispute.“

The president said that he would call a meeting of the state leadership next week to adopt a common, coordinated position on the matter.

The dispute between Skopje and Athens over FYROMacedonia’s constitutional name has been ongoing since the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991.

Athens opposes the use of the country’s existing constitutional name, claiming that it implies territorial claims on Greece’s northern province of Macedonia.

On Thursday, Nimetz proposed the name of “The Republic of Northern Macedonia“ or “Northern Macedonia“ for short, for international use.

Greece, however, insists on one name for universal use.

The U.S. diplomat believes that these ideas are a fair and valid proposal for a solution, which can be worked on, and both sides should consider them on the basis of national interests and their policy, and establish what is good for them.

He also dismissed speculation that has appeared in recent days that the proposal is a case of “take it or leave it“.

Last month, Crvenkovski said that if no compromise was reached in the coming weeks, talks between FYROMacedonia and Greece would be frozen for a year.
phantis.com

Well if talks are now frozen that would mean..VETO VETO VETO

I think there is no need for so much talks at all simple enough forget about Macedonia.................if they are out from NATO and EU its entirely their problem...................

veto and veto and veto.......