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/greekcommu...nglish/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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[GreekSlav]

Originally Posted by Amarantos

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

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. Cheap tactics again, aye?? Good job. You're an old pro.

[Amarantos]

Originally Posted by GreekSlav

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. Cheap tactics again, aye?? Good job. You're an old pro.

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"
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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.