Greece not happy with canada over Macedonia name issue

[Greece2006]

Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 12:48
Subject: /Greece-Diplomacy/Canada/Macedonia/

Greece "not happy" with Canada over Macedonia name issue

Athens (dpa) - Greece expressed its displeasure on Thursday with Canada's decision to recognise the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia as Macedonia, the name rejected by Athens for nearly two decades.

"The decision by Canada and other countries to recognise the former Yogoslav Republic of Macedonia as Macedonia for bilateral purposes, knowing negotiations are still ongoing on an international level, - does not make us happy," said Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Giorgos Koumoutsakos during a press briefing.

"Canada's announcement certainly does not make the thousands of Greek-Canadians living in Canada happy," Koumoutsakos added.

Athens refers to the nation of Macedonia by the acronym FYROM - Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - under which it entered the United Nations in 1993.

Athens says that the name Macedonia implies a claim by FYROM on the northern Greek province of Macedonia, the historic home of Alexander the Great, which could destabilize the region.

The spokesperson said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni will contact her Canadian counterpart later in the day to express Greece's position.

The name dispute between Greece and its neighbour is among the top foreign policy issues which Athens plans to tackle under the newly re-elected conservative government.

Athens has opposed the name "Macedonia" since the neighbouring republic broke away from socialist Yugoslavia in 1991. Since then both countries have been involved in UN-led negotiations in order to find a name acceptable between both sides but with little progress.

Canada is among the list of other countries, namely the United States, Russia and China which now use the name "Macedonia" in their bilateral relations. But NATO, the European Union and the United Nations still use the term Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In his pre-election campaign, newly re-elected Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said Greece would block its neighbour's bid to join NATO and the EU if it tries to join under the disputed name.

[achilles]

From what i heard, Canada did that in order to put pressure to Greece towards a final resolution of the dispute. Of course, upon negotiations with the US.

The battle of the name has been lost. Irrespective of the final resolution of the dispute, FYROM will be always referred to by most countries as...Macedonia.

[pankration]

Greece doesn't give a crap about what Canada thinks. If Canadian politicians think that their recognition of FYROM will pressure the Greeks, then they are bigger morons than the electorate already think they are.

[Makedonia25]

Originally Posted by pankration

Greece doesn't give a crap about what Canada thinks. If Canadian politicians think that their recognition of FYROM will pressure the Greeks, then they are bigger morons than the electorate already think they are.

+1!

[GreekSlav]

Originally Posted by Makedonia25

+1!

Well, you are too late. There are already many Greeks that have been moved by this news from Canada. I guess it bothers many Greeks afterall. It's too bad that these Greeks have nothing else to worry about.

It's funny how Greece must officially respond to such news. Why don't they realize that not responding at all makes for a better effect on this issue?

[Euklid]

Originally Posted by GreekSlav

Well, you are too late. There are already many Greeks that have been moved by this news from Canada. I guess it bothers many Greeks afterall. It's too bad that these Greeks have nothing else to worry about.

It's funny how Greece must officially respond to such news. Why don't they realize that not responding at all makes for a better effect on this issue?

From what you can tell from this thread alone, Greeks are not touched by these news, after all we are all aware that international recognition will not legitimize their nationalistic propaganda, and thats just it, however it does provide a fertile ground for the continuation of the propaganda.

[PhiliptheUniterchaeronea]

Originally Posted by GreekSlav

Well, you are too late. There are already many Greeks that have been moved by this news from Canada. I guess it bothers many Greeks afterall. It's too bad that these Greeks have nothing else to worry about.

It's funny how Greece must officially respond to such news. Why don't they realize that not responding at all makes for a better effect on this issue?

Please explain Slav. I do not understand what you mean. I do understand you are trying to provoke, but I still do not understand some of your points.

As for being Greek, lets drop the pretense, it may not be as embarrassing as the front your people show, but lets be gentlemen and debate as such. I would prefer to learn from you as opposed to name calling in the sandbox.

[Spartan]

No one really gives a cr*p what Canada does because it has absolutely no international pull or authority.

GreekSlav, the repercussions for the present ruling party in Canada will be severe! The Greeks have huge numbers in Canada and can cause havoc and destruction for anyone who disrespects them.

[Spartan]

No one really gives a cr*p what Canada does because it has absolutely no international pull or authority.

GreekSlav, the repercussions for the present ruling party in Canada will be severe! The Greeks have huge numbers in Canada and can cause havoc and destruction for anyone who disrespects them.

[GreekSlav]

Originally Posted by Euklid

From what you can tell from this thread alone, Greeks are not touched by these news, after all we are all aware that international recognition will not legitimize their nationalistic propaganda, and thats just it, however it does provide a fertile ground for the continuation of the propaganda.

Of course Greeks are touched by this Canadien issue. Some are upset and some say so what! Just look at the subject of this thread and you immediately know some Greeks are affected. And you are right, international recognition will not legitimize the propaganda coming from ROM. It's all hogwash. But recognizing them under their constitutional name has nothing to do with legitimizing or continuing their propaganda.

Once others stop responding to this propaganda, the faster issues can be resolved. Afterall, we all know who ancient Greek history belongs to. Or does some Greeks (those that respond to their propaganda) have doubts????