Greek press on the Macedonian issue (news in English)

[Tsontos]

From Kathimerini:

Name talks to continue tomorrow

There was a climate of cautious optimism in Athens and Skopje over the weekend ahead of fresh negotiations on the Macedonia name dispute in New York tomorrow.

In Athens, diplomats told Kathimerini that a compromise could be reached ahead of NATO’s summit on April 2-4, where the possible accession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is to be discussed. Officially Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was more reserved, saying, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, that she “felt neither optimistic nor pessimistic.”

Bakoyannis is to meet her FYROM counterpart Antonio Milososki on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Slovenia on Friday to discuss any headway made in New York by the two country’s representatives in United Nations-mediated talks.

On Saturday, FYROM’s president, Branko Crvenkovski, stressed the need for a “logical compromise” to the name dispute. FYROM’s envoy Nikola Dimitrov told reporters he had been given “precise instructions” but did not elaborate.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../03/2008_94713

[Tsontos]

From ERT:

Fresh Negotiations on FYROM

24 Mar 2008 14:53:00 (Last updated: 24 Mar 2008 21:57:21)



The UN-sponsored talks on FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue, scheduled to take place in New York on Tuesday have been described especially crucial. Athens expects FYROM to make specific steps at the negotiating table, as time is running out. FYROM President’s statement that his country should discuss an honest compromise has caused sensation. For the first time Mr Branko Crvenkovski has stated that his country should compromise on the name issue, so that his country’s course to NATO is not obstructed. In parallel, the President of the New Social-Democrat Party, which is participating in the coalition government, favours a compromising solution. However, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevsky disagrees, insisting on his intransigence.






Gruevsky’s office issued late on Monday an announcement reading, "The Prime Minister will not allow irresponsible politicians to harm the Republic of Macedonia with statements on its constitutional name." The announcement also read, "No one in the country, apart from its citizens, can decide on such an issue like the constitutional name."

"Branko Crvenkovski’s statement is not only a double game but also a major and irreversible damage to the country in these historic moments," continued the announcement.

"Prime Minister Mr Gruevsky will do anything in his power until the completion of the Bucharest Summit to abstain from public discussion, which can harm the country," concluded the announcement.

Crvenkovski had stressed the need for a "rational compromise," provided that it "would not threaten FYROM’s national identity."

http://news.ert.gr/en/c/3/31697.asp

[Tsontos]

From ANA-MPA:

FM on FYROM issue

25/3

Greece points to intransigent comments by FYROM PM amid NYC meeting



Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Monday evening pointed to what she called wholly unproductive comments hours earlier by the prime minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Nikola Gruevski, on the very day of a crucial UN-mediated meeting between Greek and FYROM negotiators in New York City.

"Mr. Gruevski’s statements, only hours before the start of this very crucial meeting under the United Nations’ auspices, do not help the overall effort by predicting a negative result,? Bakoyannis said from Athens, while adding: ?We believe in this process and do not subscribe to this reasoning.?

?The period until Bucharest (the upcoming NATO summit) is only marginally adequate for finding a consensual, practical and functional solution. Greece, with its well-known positions, moderation and sincerity, has proposed, for some time now, a mutually acceptable solution to this 17-year impasse. Our consistent position will be recorded during today’s (Monday) meeting in New York,? she added.

Finally, the Greek foreign minister emphasised, in a pointed message to the government in Skopje, that ?it is clear that relations between allies, relations of solidarity and stability, are not built on (top) of serious outstanding problems.?

Gruevski was earlier quoted in Skopje as more-or-less expressing his utter pessimism over the outcome of ongoing talks.

"I am not so optimistic, as much as I am a realist regarding the pending name issue. The situation is such that Greece has the intent of placing a veto in case we do not accept its blackmail. We cannot accept blackmail, in the manner that Athens wants. It is almost certain that in case Greece exercises a veto over the accession of 'Macedonia' to NATO, then talks with Greece over the name issue will find themselves in a deep crisis, and could possibly be suspended," the landlocked country's premier said on Monday afternoon following a meeting with his visiting Estonian counterpart Andrus Ansip.

"Greece's (potential) veto will cause great disappointment amongst the citizens of 'Macedonia', with long-term negative repercussions for the two countries' relations. In such a case, our country will continue with reforms and continue implementing measures to improve citizens' lives. Maybe it (FYROM) will wait for another opportunity, in the coming years or even decades for its accession to NATO, but this period will pass. However, Greece will cause damage not only to us but to the entire region and NATO, as well as to itself," said Gruevski, who used the shortened version of the country's constitutional name throughout.

In repeating a quip mostly aired by the one-time Yugoslav republic's political hardliners, Gruevski said NATO and EU member Greece's potential veto would come ?against the alliance itself?.

Greece has been a member of NATO since 1952.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...168&service=10


Again from ANA-MPA:

Nimetz cites new proposal

26/3

A United Nations-mediated meeting between the negotiators of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) concluded here early Monday afternoon, with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz noting afterwards that he gave both sides a new and "specific proposal" revolving around a composite name with a geographical dimension.

He also referred to a fair compromise, while noting that he is not setting any deadlines.

Nimetz said the two negotiators, Greece's Adamantios Vassilakis and FYROM's Nikola Dimitrov, will return to their respective countries for consultations. The US diplomat added he will be available at any moment to continue the process and that he is not turning in his mandate to mediate in the dispute.

Moreover, he said that differences remain between the two neighbours, although stressing that both nations recognise that a solution to the long-standing problem will reinforce security in the region.

Finally, Nimetz said issues dealing with the implementation of a possible agreement were discussed, when asked about "guarantees".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...86&service=102

[Tsontos]

From ANA-MPA:

FM on FYROM issue

25/3

Greece points to intransigent comments by FYROM PM amid NYC meeting



Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Monday evening pointed to what she called wholly unproductive comments hours earlier by the prime minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Nikola Gruevski, on the very day of a crucial UN-mediated meeting between Greek and FYROM negotiators in New York City.

"Mr. Gruevski’s statements, only hours before the start of this very crucial meeting under the United Nations’ auspices, do not help the overall effort by predicting a negative result,? Bakoyannis said from Athens, while adding: ?We believe in this process and do not subscribe to this reasoning.?

?The period until Bucharest (the upcoming NATO summit) is only marginally adequate for finding a consensual, practical and functional solution. Greece, with its well-known positions, moderation and sincerity, has proposed, for some time now, a mutually acceptable solution to this 17-year impasse. Our consistent position will be recorded during today’s (Monday) meeting in New York,? she added.

Finally, the Greek foreign minister emphasised, in a pointed message to the government in Skopje, that ?it is clear that relations between allies, relations of solidarity and stability, are not built on (top) of serious outstanding problems.?

Gruevski was earlier quoted in Skopje as more-or-less expressing his utter pessimism over the outcome of ongoing talks.

"I am not so optimistic, as much as I am a realist regarding the pending name issue. The situation is such that Greece has the intent of placing a veto in case we do not accept its blackmail. We cannot accept blackmail, in the manner that Athens wants. It is almost certain that in case Greece exercises a veto over the accession of 'Macedonia' to NATO, then talks with Greece over the name issue will find themselves in a deep crisis, and could possibly be suspended," the landlocked country's premier said on Monday afternoon following a meeting with his visiting Estonian counterpart Andrus Ansip.

"Greece's (potential) veto will cause great disappointment amongst the citizens of 'Macedonia', with long-term negative repercussions for the two countries' relations. In such a case, our country will continue with reforms and continue implementing measures to improve citizens' lives. Maybe it (FYROM) will wait for another opportunity, in the coming years or even decades for its accession to NATO, but this period will pass. However, Greece will cause damage not only to us but to the entire region and NATO, as well as to itself," said Gruevski, who used the shortened version of the country's constitutional name throughout.

In repeating a quip mostly aired by the one-time Yugoslav republic's political hardliners, Gruevski said NATO and EU member Greece's potential veto would come ?against the alliance itself?.

Greece has been a member of NATO since 1952.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...168&service=10


Again from ANA-MPA:

Nimetz cites new proposal

26/3

A United Nations-mediated meeting between the negotiators of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) concluded here early Monday afternoon, with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz noting afterwards that he gave both sides a new and "specific proposal" revolving around a composite name with a geographical dimension.

He also referred to a fair compromise, while noting that he is not setting any deadlines.

Nimetz said the two negotiators, Greece's Adamantios Vassilakis and FYROM's Nikola Dimitrov, will return to their respective countries for consultations. The US diplomat added he will be available at any moment to continue the process and that he is not turning in his mandate to mediate in the dispute.

Moreover, he said that differences remain between the two neighbours, although stressing that both nations recognise that a solution to the long-standing problem will reinforce security in the region.

Finally, Nimetz said issues dealing with the implementation of a possible agreement were discussed, when asked about "guarantees".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...86&service=102




From ERT on the new proposal:

Nimetz Unveils New Proposal

25 Mar 2008 20:55:00 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2008 00:53:06)

By Anna Kourti


UN envoy Matthew Nimetz submitted a new proposal including a composite name with a geographical dimension, following his two-hour meeting with negotiators Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece and Nikola Dimitrov of FYROM held at the UN headquarters in New York. Well-documented sources said the proposal speaks of one and only international name for FYROM. Exiting the meeting, Nimetz claimed that his proposal is “a fair compromise,” also noting that he is not setting any deadlines. Furthermore, the UN envoy touched on the drives mounted over the last 14 years with a view to reaching a breakthrough, admitting, however, that disputes remain between the two sides and that both countries are well aware of the fact that a solution to the long-standing problem will boost security in the region. Nimetz then went on to stress that he is willing to go on with the process. Asked whether guarantees issues were brought up, Nimetz underlined that they are included in the implementation of a possible agreement. In the meantime, the time given to the two sides to reach an agreement is running out, as the NATO Summit in Bucharest is only a week away.

In her statements, the Greek Foreign Minister noted that Nikola Gruevski’s statements just a few hours prior to the crucial meeting contributed little to the campaign. “We [Greece] will not follow this strategy. Greece has long before suggested a breakthrough to the 17-year-long deadlock, a solution on the basis of a composite name. This position will be recorded today, as well,” stressed Dora Bakoyannis, also adding that ally relations cannot be built upon pending issues.

On his part, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski underlined that he would not come to terms with any change to his country’s constitutional name, while he lashed out at the country’s President who spoke of a rational compromise on the name issue.

At the same time, in his interview with Associated Press, the FYROM Foreign Minister threatened to halt the talks if Greece vetoed FYROM’s NATO bid.

http://news.ert.gr/en/c/3/31714.asp

[Tsontos]

From ANA-MPA:

PM Karamanlis briefed on new Nimetz proposal

26/3

Prime minister Costas Karamanlis was briefed by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Wednesday on UN special mediator Matthew Nimetz's new proposal on the FYROM name issue unveiled to the Greek and FYROM negotiators during talks in New York the previous day.

Bakoyannis, who also briefed the Inner Cabinet on the proposal, said afterwards that the new proposal "is far from the goals sought by Greece".

She added that the negotiation would continue, and announced that in the next 48 hours she would brief President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and the leaders of the political parties on the new development.

Asked by reporters whether the prospect of Greece vetoing FYROM membership in NATO continued to stand, Bakoyannis replied: "Greece's position is clear, and I don't need to repeat it. However, I will say it again: If there is no mutually acceptable solution on the name, Greece cannot constent to allied relations with Skopje".

Asked whether Tuesday's proposal had been Nimetz's final proposal, Bakoyannis replied that "there are no final proposals in negotiations".

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will chair a meeting of his ruling New Democracy (ND) party's Central Committee on Thursday morning.

The agenda for the meeting is "the course of the changes and reforms in the new four-year term" in government, according to an ND announcement

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...0646&service=6


From Kathimerini:

Skopje ups the tension

FYROM premier accuses Greece of ‘blackmail’ before UN talks

Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were last night involved in yet another effort to solve their name dispute but only after the neighboring country’s prime minister had accused Athens of trying to “blackmail” Skopje over the issue.

The comment by Nikola Gruevski came only hours before representatives from both sides were due to meet with the United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz in New York for further discussions aimed at finding some compromise.

Nimetz was not due to make any public comments about the meetings until about midnight, Greek time, last night.

However, the statement by Gruevski earlier in the day appeared to heighten tension between the two sides ahead of yesterday’s talks.

The FYROM prime minister accused Greece of trying to get the result it wants from the negotiations by threatening to block Skopje’s bid to join NATO at a summit that begins in Bucharest on April 2.

“The situation now is that Greece intends to use its veto if we do not accept its blackmail,” said Gruevski. “We cannot accept blackmail.”

He added that FYROM could break off talks with Greece if Athens decides to use its veto.

“From what I can see now, I cannot be much of an optimist. In case of a veto from Greece, the negotiations will enter such deep crisis that perhaps they will be stopped.”

The response from Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was immediate.

“Mr Gruevski’s comments, just a few hours before today’s crucial meeting within the UN framework, do not help the whole effort as they predict a negative outcome.

“We believe in this process and will not follow this line of thinking.”

Bakoyannis indicated that time was running out for finding a solution to the dispute before the NATO summit but that a “consensual, practical and enforceable” compromise could be reached.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../03/2008_94760

[Truth Bearer]

FM to FYROM people

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, on Friday addressed a message to the people of FYROM stressing that a solution acceptable by the two countries will allow relations of good neighbourliness.



"I wish to send again, and from the Parliament podium, a clear message to the Skopjan people and tell them that Greece is a good, very good neighbour who desires the stability and the development of their country, because this is in the interests of both the Greek people and the Skopjan people," she said.

Bakoyannis further said that Greece really desires the finding of a solution acceptable by the two countries that will allow good neighbourliness relations that "constitute the basis for allied and partnership relations."

The foreign minister also said that "I call on the leadership of Skopje again today to respond to this invitation. What we are doing today is not extortion, but a sincere effort for us to find a solution, as soon as possible, for the stability of the entire region."

After pointing out that this issue is extremely sensitive and touches the hearts of the Greeks, she assured the House that negotiatig "is taking place with the best of conditions and that the government is determined to do its duty in full."

Lastly, Bakoyannis said that she believes that when the result of negotiations will be presented in the Greek Parliament, all "with your hand on your hearts will be able to agree and to vote for it."


http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showpl...967&service=10

[Truth Bearer]

PM raps ‘falsity’ of name proposal
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said yesterday that the latest United Nations proposal for a solution to the Macedonia name dispute did not satisfy Greece and stressed that Athens would veto Skopje’s bid to join NATO unless an acceptable compromise is reached.

“A solution based on falsity is not a solution,” Karamanlis told the ruling party’s central committee, referring to the latest proposal by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to adopt the name “Republic of Macedonia (Skopje).”

Karamanlis said Athens would not accept “a solution that is a vehicle for irredentist tactics.” Nevertheless the premier said that “efforts would continue” to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed that it was not absolutely vital for a settlement to be reached ahead of a NATO summit at the end of next week, where FYROM’S accession prospects will be discussed, despite US pressure for the issue to be resolved by then.

Bakoyannis said that Athens had informed Nimetz of its objections to the latest proposal, which the envoy has described as a “reasonable compromise... with a geographic dimension.”

FYROM’s Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski had not made any public comments in response to Nimetz’s proposal by late yesterday. But some local newspapers said that he was also unhappy with the name.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../03/2008_94849

[Tsontos]

From Kathimerini:

Athens has few options left on name

Skopje mulling UN proposal

Athens saw its diplomatic options dwindle last night as Skopje indicated that it may accept the latest United Nations proposal for a solution to the Macedonia name dispute – which Greece has rebuffed – and Washington pushed for a settlement before a NATO summit starting next Wednesday.

The foreign minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Antonio Milososki, declined to confirm that his government had accepted the latest name proposed by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, saying that Skopje’s parliament would discuss the proposal on Monday. But he indicated a willingness to accept the new name: Republic of Macedonia (Skopje). “After 15 years of talks, we think that this proposal is final in this process,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources told Kathimerini that Nimetz may make yet another proposal, more closely tailored to Greece’s preference for a name, such as Upper or New Macedonia.

Greece’s Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is due to meet with Milososki on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Slovenia today, did not comment publicly on the shift in Skopje’s stance. But diplomatic sources said the ministry has been riled by comments made by Milososki in an interview with US magazine Newsweek in which he criticizes Greece for neglecting the rights of its “Macedonian minority.”

Greek diplomats have also been irked by growing pressure from Washington for a swift solution to the name dispute. US President George W. Bush yesterday reiterated his support for FYROM’s NATO accession. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said “the entry of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia into NATO would be a stabilizing factor in the Balkans,” adding that “it would be a pity if something that has to do with antiquity were to get in the way of... a very important step for Macedonia and for NATO.”

Greek diplomats say it would be preferable if name negotiations do not continue during NATO’s summit in Bucharest next week. But if a solution is not found by Tuesday, it is thought that Greek diplomats will face last-minute pressure over dinner with NATO leaders on Wednesday night.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../03/2008_94894


From ANA-MPA:

Athens furious over Skopje insult



Greece angrily condemns insult to nat'l symbol on Skopje billboards

Greece reacted angrily on Sunday to an unprecedented provocation in the neighbouring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as several outdoor billboards in the capital of Skopje depicted an adulterated Greek flag, with the blue Cross morphed into a Swastika.

"This unacceptable poster, which was circulated via a private initiative and raised on Skopje's streets, directly insults our country's national symbol and our struggle against fascism and Nazism," a foreign ministry spokesman tersely said on Sunday afternoon in response to a press question.

"This incident demonstrates the huge mistake made by those that invest in chauvinism and bigotry. It also confirms, yet again, the correctness of Greece's position, namely, that a necessary condition for the establishment of relations of solidarity and relations amongst allies is, in practice, respect of good-neighbourly relations between countries and peoples," spokesman George Koumoutsakos emphasised, speaking days before a NATO summit will consider admission for landlocked FYROM.

The spokesman also announced that Greece's diplomatic representative in the neighbouring one-time Yugoslav state has been instructed to table Athens' severe protest over the provocation to FYROM's foreign ministry as well as to demand the immediate removal of the offensive billboard.

The Swastika imagery on the Greek flag -- in place of the Cross -- was the first item covered by most television news programmes in Greece on Sunday evening, touching on a particularly sensitive nerve, given that the east Mediterranean country sustained monumental damages and loss of life during World War II during successive Italian and German invasions, followed by a triple occupation (1941-1944) by Nazi German, Italian fascist and Bulgarian troops.

According to an ANA-MPA dispatch from Skopje, the controversial billboard ads ostensibly promote a photographic exhibition in the city's cultural centre from April 3 to May 3.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...27&service=102


From ANA-MPA again:

FM: Athens won't bow to pressure

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis was quoted here on Sunday as reiterating that Athens will not be influenced by the short time remaining until this week's NATO summit in Bucharest in its positions regarding a mutually acceptable solution to the nagging "name issue" involving the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

"Pressure due to time constraints will not force us to accept proposals under the veil of ultimatums," Bakoyannis was quoted as saying in an article published by the "Ethnos" newspaper on Sunday.

"We are in the middle of negotiations, which undoubtedly have watersheds. One such defining moment in negotiations is the Bucharest summit ? Greece does not, however, waver and does not exercise its foreign policy under deadlines placed by others," she added.

The Greek FM also said that she believes UN mediator Matthew Nimetz may table a new proposal for a mutually acceptable solution, without however, ruling out the possibility of an intervention by the US president to achieve a breakthrough.

Moreover, in answer to a press question, Bakoyannis reminded that Greece is a country "that does not accept orders or follows orders by anyone".

In statements on the same issue but in a different Athens daily, Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis offered his view that there is enough time after the NATO summit to achieve a solution with the neighbouring, landlocked state.

"(Prime Minister) Costas Karamanlis has emphasised that phony solutions will not be accepted," Meimarakis was quoted as saying in the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia".

"No solution to the 'name issue' means no invitation, as far as Greece is concerned," Meimarakis said, echoing repeated statements by Greek leadership over the recent period.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...312&service=96

[Tsontos]

From Kathimerini:

US ups pressure before NATO summit

The government yesterday insisted that it would not be pushed into accepting a compromise on the Macedonia name dispute before Wednesday's NATO summit, as Western pressure for an immediate solution intensified.

«No solution means no invitation (for Skopje to join NATO),» Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told Parliament on Saturday, stressing «only a mutually acceptable solution... can form the basis for constructive relations within the alliance.»

Meanwhile US officials cranked up the pressure on Athens to agree to a settlement so that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) can join NATO. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Greece's Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Friday night to stress Washington's resolve. And, sources told Kathimerini, US President George W. Bush is considering inviting Karamanlis and FYROM's Premier Nikola Gruevski for talks on the matter before the NATO summit gets under way.

Bakoyannis has stuck to her guns, dismissing Rice's description of the name spat as «something that has to do with antiquity» and stressing, in an interview published in yesterday's Ethnos, that «we are not a country that takes orders from anyone.» Bakoyannis added that «the pressure of time will not lead us to accept proposals in the form of an ultimatum.»

The Greek FM said she believed United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz might make a fresh proposal before Wednesday but said, «It will be difficult to reach a solution before the summit.»

But her FYROM counterpart Antonio Milososki said he thought a deal could be struck by then. «We are running out of time but I think the possibility (of an agreement) still exists,» he told reporters on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Slovenia on Saturday. He said FYROM's parliament will today discuss Nimetz's latest proposal for a solution to the name dispute - Republic of Macedonia (Skopje) - which is said to have appealed to FYROM.

Milososki and Bakoyannis had been due to hold talks in Slovenia at the weekend but the Greek side canceled the meeting after US pressure intensified.

Most European foreign ministers at the Slovenia summit avoided taking a stance on the FYROM accession issue. But Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of the regional repercussions of blocking Skopje's bid to join NATO. «This summit does not have the right to fail and must not replace more stability for less stability,» he said.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w.../03/2008_94931


From ANA-MPA:

Demarche over flag insult

Greece's ambassador to the FYROM, as expected formally lodged a demarche with the government here on Sunday evening in protest of several billboard ads appearing on Skopje's streets that insulted the Greek national symbol

Amb. Alexandra Papadopoulou also demanded that the ads be immediately removed, following instructions by the Greek foreign ministry earlier on Sunday.

The demarche emphasised that Greece's struggle against fascism and Nazism during WWII was not disputed by anyone, warning that such actions posed an obstacle to the advancement and development of good-neighbour relations in the region.

There has been no reaction over the billboard ads by the FYROM government, which depicted the blue Cross morphed into a Swastika.

"This unacceptable poster, which was circulated via a private initiative and put up on Skopje's streets, directly insults our country's national symbol and our struggle against fascism and Nazism," a foreign ministry spokesman tersely said on Sunday afternoon in response to a press question.

The posters ostensibly promoted a photography and graphic arts exhibition set to open at the Skopje cultural and informational centre, which is under the aegis of the municipality of Skopje.

The ads were also condemned by the FYROM pro-government newspaper "Vecer", which printed the desecrated Greek flag on its front page under the banner headline "Shame", warning that the posters had exceeded all moral boundaries and incited ethnic and religious hatred.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...27&service=102

[Tsontos]

Athens Newspaper Headlines

The Monday [March / 31 / 2008] edition of Athens' dailies at a glance:


The FYROM name issue and Greece's position ahead of the NATO Summit in Bucharest beginning on Wednesday dominated the headlines on Monday in Athens' newspapers.



ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Veto on the horizon - FYROM issue: Clash with US is inevitable"

APOGEVMATINI: "Open letter by Apogevmatini to US President George Bush:Why Greece says 'no' to FYROM accession to NATO".

AVRIANI: "Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' social package - Incentives for mothers and generous measures for young people and unemployed"

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki condemns the co-habitation agreement for homosexuals because it equalises humans with animals".

ELEFTHEROS: "FYROM humiliated the Greek flag - They filled up their streets with Greek flags, replacing the cross with a swastika".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Difficult period for Karamanlis - Greece poised for veto, in absence of Nimetz - The 48 hours of relentless 'behind the scenes' before the meeting with NATO's leaders".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "US 'ruse' to freeze the veto - Accession after NATO's summit through a scheduled ultimatum".

ESTIA: "Crucial hours for FYROM issue - Veto on Wednesday in Bucharest".

ETHNOS: "Salary raises in public sector in two installments - Up to 547 euros the loss in incomes".

TA NEA: "Bush's extortion over FYROM issue just hours before NATO's Summit - Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice makes 'coldwar' call to Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis".

VRADYNI: "Unbearable pressures, Greek resistance - US clearly favours FYROM, putting appearances aside".

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...218&service=98