'Fight to the Last Breath' for Macedonia's Constitutional Name
Skopje Makedonija Denes in Macedonian 19 Apr 05 p 2
Commentary by Keti Mickovska: "Constant Protection of Name
Nicholas Whyte, ICG [International Crisis Group] Europe program director, conveyed another clear message over the past weekend [16-17 April]; namely, the United States cannot alter its decision to recognize the Republic of Macedonia's constitutional name. As for the importance of the decision, Whyte stressed that it was crucial for the United States. In his view, the United States would not change its decision even if the Washington Administration were to change in the next election. In this way, he buried all the hopes of those who, for their own reasons, believe that the United States can say it has had "a change of heart." They may have been fooled and encouraged by the fact that the United States said it would leave the resolution to the name dispute to the two sides involved and the mediator.
Furthermore, Whyte once again pointed out to the Macedonian public the influential ICG group's analyses, which indicate that Macedonia and Greece are being pressured to resolve the name dispute. Whyte stated the European Union could exert pressure on the Macedonian Government if it assessed that Skopje was refusing to accept a reasonable solution. This last statement raises some dilemmas and thoughts, because of what the term "reasonable solution" actually means. Does this perhaps mean that Macedonia will be forced, pressured, or even conditioned prior to its acquiring the status of a EU-candidate state? It may be prompted against its will to make a concession and accept a coined name, such as the name that has been frequently mentioned since the name talks have intensified, that is, the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje.
It has already become banal, but it is obvious that until an end is put to the name dispute, which has lasted for more than a decade and which actually is not a dispute, one and the same thing will be repeated everywhere, on all occasions, and at all levels. This is that Macedonia does not want to negotiate about its constitutional name, because it is unchangeable! Actually, all the Macedonian state leadership has been making public statements with months, airing their unique and well-known stand on the name issue. Specifically, they say that the country's constitutional name in international communications is not a matter that should be discussed, but that they are negotiations about a mutually acceptable solution for bilateral communications with Greece. In other words, Macedonia has retained its view and has been constant in the protection of its name, that is, its constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia, whether or not someone likes this.
It is a completely different thing that various public rumors are being spread about the name and our attitude toward it. We cannot help this, because there have always been rumors and there will still be rumors about all sorts of thing. However, the facts are indisputable. The Macedonian Government has rejected the UN proposal to rename our country and call it the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje as a compromise in the 12-year-old name dispute with our southern neighbor, Greece. In this way the outcome will be further prolonged. However, should we panic and hurry? The answer is certainly not. We have persisted for 12 years, so we can survive a bit longer.
Athens politicians insist that the choice of the name of Macedonia is a reflection of our country's territorial aspirations toward Greece's namesake region. Some observers even warn that unless this problem is resolved, Greece may take specific measures to block Skopje's prospects for EU and NATO integration. An extreme measure, that is, Greece's veto of Macedonia's EU membership, is also regarded as a possibility in this game. We honestly doubt that Greece would actually decide to make this crucial step, which in political and diplomatic terms is risky for it and its democratic maturity. Nevertheless, if Greece cannot act at a higher level, it can do this at a lower level. Nothing at all prevents it from tricking us in various ways. With regard to developments concerning our name, it uses completely expected and predictable impediments. Greece is being stubborn in order to "show everyone" who is the "boss" and where our place is. One of the examples of this is the visa regime for entering and staying in Greece. Before the talks on the name were intensified, the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje announced that it would facilitate the issuing of visas through telephone appointments so as to avoid the "degrading crowds in front of its office." It was a "normal" thing for them that the Macedonian citizens were actually humiliated in such a way and that they did not always manage to receive the necessary visa, so this issue did not require a special comment. After it became clear that it must obey the progress of the name talks, the same office announced that 35 euros (non-refundable) should be paid for a visa application. The latest Greek "invention" regarding the visa regime is that the people who apply for visas in April and are allowed to receive visas can obtain their visas this fall. Well, now go on and apply for a visa!
Even if you are lucky enough to receive a visa, no one promises you that you will be welcomed in Greece, because we are a former, ex-, and nonexistent state for it. The FYROM coin has become a practice in our southern neighbor, so it sticks it on the names of all political parties, nongovernmental organizations, media houses, and state institutions. What are they defending in this way? How can we then wonder that 400 Greek and Macedonian emigrants and fans at a soccer match in Australia had a bloody fight because the Macedonian team won? How far has the artificially imposed hatred gone?
If it were not funny, it would be tragic.
The Republic of Macedonia's identity, culture, language, and essence, as well as the people in it, cannot be erased with an eraser. Its name will be protected and defended and it will fight to the last breath for it.
Commentary by Keti Mickovska: "Constant Protection of Name
Nicholas Whyte, ICG [International Crisis Group] Europe program director, conveyed another clear message over the past weekend [16-17 April]; namely, the United States cannot alter its decision to recognize the Republic of Macedonia's constitutional name. As for the importance of the decision, Whyte stressed that it was crucial for the United States. In his view, the United States would not change its decision even if the Washington Administration were to change in the next election. In this way, he buried all the hopes of those who, for their own reasons, believe that the United States can say it has had "a change of heart." They may have been fooled and encouraged by the fact that the United States said it would leave the resolution to the name dispute to the two sides involved and the mediator.
Furthermore, Whyte once again pointed out to the Macedonian public the influential ICG group's analyses, which indicate that Macedonia and Greece are being pressured to resolve the name dispute. Whyte stated the European Union could exert pressure on the Macedonian Government if it assessed that Skopje was refusing to accept a reasonable solution. This last statement raises some dilemmas and thoughts, because of what the term "reasonable solution" actually means. Does this perhaps mean that Macedonia will be forced, pressured, or even conditioned prior to its acquiring the status of a EU-candidate state? It may be prompted against its will to make a concession and accept a coined name, such as the name that has been frequently mentioned since the name talks have intensified, that is, the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje.
It has already become banal, but it is obvious that until an end is put to the name dispute, which has lasted for more than a decade and which actually is not a dispute, one and the same thing will be repeated everywhere, on all occasions, and at all levels. This is that Macedonia does not want to negotiate about its constitutional name, because it is unchangeable! Actually, all the Macedonian state leadership has been making public statements with months, airing their unique and well-known stand on the name issue. Specifically, they say that the country's constitutional name in international communications is not a matter that should be discussed, but that they are negotiations about a mutually acceptable solution for bilateral communications with Greece. In other words, Macedonia has retained its view and has been constant in the protection of its name, that is, its constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia, whether or not someone likes this.
It is a completely different thing that various public rumors are being spread about the name and our attitude toward it. We cannot help this, because there have always been rumors and there will still be rumors about all sorts of thing. However, the facts are indisputable. The Macedonian Government has rejected the UN proposal to rename our country and call it the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje as a compromise in the 12-year-old name dispute with our southern neighbor, Greece. In this way the outcome will be further prolonged. However, should we panic and hurry? The answer is certainly not. We have persisted for 12 years, so we can survive a bit longer.
Athens politicians insist that the choice of the name of Macedonia is a reflection of our country's territorial aspirations toward Greece's namesake region. Some observers even warn that unless this problem is resolved, Greece may take specific measures to block Skopje's prospects for EU and NATO integration. An extreme measure, that is, Greece's veto of Macedonia's EU membership, is also regarded as a possibility in this game. We honestly doubt that Greece would actually decide to make this crucial step, which in political and diplomatic terms is risky for it and its democratic maturity. Nevertheless, if Greece cannot act at a higher level, it can do this at a lower level. Nothing at all prevents it from tricking us in various ways. With regard to developments concerning our name, it uses completely expected and predictable impediments. Greece is being stubborn in order to "show everyone" who is the "boss" and where our place is. One of the examples of this is the visa regime for entering and staying in Greece. Before the talks on the name were intensified, the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje announced that it would facilitate the issuing of visas through telephone appointments so as to avoid the "degrading crowds in front of its office." It was a "normal" thing for them that the Macedonian citizens were actually humiliated in such a way and that they did not always manage to receive the necessary visa, so this issue did not require a special comment. After it became clear that it must obey the progress of the name talks, the same office announced that 35 euros (non-refundable) should be paid for a visa application. The latest Greek "invention" regarding the visa regime is that the people who apply for visas in April and are allowed to receive visas can obtain their visas this fall. Well, now go on and apply for a visa!
Even if you are lucky enough to receive a visa, no one promises you that you will be welcomed in Greece, because we are a former, ex-, and nonexistent state for it. The FYROM coin has become a practice in our southern neighbor, so it sticks it on the names of all political parties, nongovernmental organizations, media houses, and state institutions. What are they defending in this way? How can we then wonder that 400 Greek and Macedonian emigrants and fans at a soccer match in Australia had a bloody fight because the Macedonian team won? How far has the artificially imposed hatred gone?
If it were not funny, it would be tragic.
The Republic of Macedonia's identity, culture, language, and essence, as well as the people in it, cannot be erased with an eraser. Its name will be protected and defended and it will fight to the last breath for it.