CONTACT PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO URGE THEM TO WITHDRAW RECOGNITION OF FYROM AS "REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA"
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BACKGROUND:
On November 4, 2004 the State Department moved to officially recognize the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as the "Republic of Macedonia." The AHI considers this to be an act of disgraceful proportions as it relates to our staunch ally and supporter in the Balkans, Greece and that this act is harmful to U.S. interests in the Balkans.
We call on President Bush to immediately reconsider this misinformed and ill-advised policy and to tell the State Department to withdraw recognition of FYROM as Macedonia as in the best interests of the United States.
In a telephone conversation that I had yesterday with the State Department I was informed that this decision was made with the purpose of providing "stability" in "Macedonia," regarding the November 7, 2004 referendum in FYROM on the law giving the ethnic Albanian minority greater local autonomy. Government Spokesperson Richard Boucher in a lengthy exchange with reporters a yesterday's State Department briefing confirmed the reason for the decision. AHI disagrees strongly with State's position. On the contrary, recognition does not help to facilitate stability in the region.
Consideration needed to be given to the sensitivities by this decision and how it would potentially impact all of FYROM's neighbors, especially Greece.
Yet, State Department Spokesman, Richard Boucher, during his press briefing today stated that he wasn't aware of any consultations by the U.S. with FYROM's neighbors prior to recognition.
These kinds of comments are alarming and undermine the stability and credibility of all democratic nations in the region.
If the United States is interested in promoting peace, democracy, stability and economic progress in the Balkans, our main ally in the region in promoting these goals is and has been Greece. However, today's action will have a harmful impact on Greece and on our relations with Greece, our long-time loyal and NATO ally.
In announcing the recognition of FYROM as Macedonia, the State Department is thumbing its nose at Greece and the Greek American community. By it's actions, the Administration is in effect disregarding the approximately 1,500,000 Americans of Hellenic descent as a non-entity in the formulation of U.S. policy since we are not consulted on decisions that impact Greece.
This action sends the wrong message to Greece that could be construed as dismissive of her sensitivities and concerns in the region. It also serves to create a climate whereby those small and extreme elements of Greek society can use this to fan the flames of "anti-Americanism."
Further, regarding Mr. Boucher's comments, he attempts to justify that since the name "Macedonia" is the name "that the government and the people of Macedonia have chosen for their country, and that's the name we will recognize them under."
This premise is false. There is no unqualified universally accepted rule of international law that authorizes a state to name itself anything it wants. The Macedonia issue stems from the 1991 secessionist Skopje regime's naming itself in the most provocative way possible as the so called "Republic of Macedonia" and requesting world-wide recognition.
It is not proper for a country, which is part of a region to define itself in an official manner as representing the whole region. Macedonia, like the Americas, Europe, Scandinavia, and the Balkans, is a region. Just as no country in North and South America would call itself the "American Republic," and no European country would call itself the "Republic of Europe," FYROM in naming itself cannot assume the mantle of Macedonia.
Greece and FYROM had increased their dialogue recently on strengthening bilateral relations, including the name, and this unexpected and sharp shift in U.S. policy is counter-productive. For our Government to be a party to this only serves to create instability in a volatile area of the Balkans and thus threatens our interests there.
We find incomprehensible the advice from the State Department to President Bush, which, in effect, equates the FYROM, a nation of only 13 years, of little, if any, strategic, economic or political value to the United States, with Greece, a long-time important strategic, political and economic ally of the United States, who fought as allies with the U.S. in 4 wars in the 20th century, whose defeat of Mussolini's forces in 1940 was a turning point in World War II, who gave the communists their first defeat by arms (1946-49), who is an important partner in the war of terrorism, and who is the strategic key for the United States in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean.
In addition, we find it puzzling as to who reversed the State's Department's position. As late as today, November 5, 2004, I received a letter dated October 29, 2004 and date stamped November 3, 2004, from Mr. Scot Marciel, Director of Southern European Affairs that states:
"The United States formally recognizes the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by that name."
ACTION REQUESTED:
CALL, E-MAIL AND WRITE TO PRESIDENT BUSH, THE STATE DEPARTMENT, YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, AND YOUR SENATORS TO:
1. URGE THEM IN THE INTERESTS OF THE U.S. TO WITHDRAW RECOGNITION OF
FYROM AS " REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA."
2. CALL FOR A RENEWED DIPLOMATIC DIALOGUE UNDER UN AUSPICES ON THE
NAME ISSUE.
HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT, YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, AND SENATORS:
White House
The Honorable George W. Bush
President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Phone: 202-456-1111 (President's message line)
Fax: 202-456-0200
E-Mail: president@whitehouse.gov
2. U.S. Department of State
The Honorable Collin Powell
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520 E-mail:
Phone: 202-647-4000 (Main Switchboard)
Phone : 202-647-6113 (Greek Desk Office)
3. U.S. House of Representatives 4. U.S. Senate
The Honorable __________ The Honorable _________
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-3121 (general number) Phone: 202-224-3121
Please report any action taken at AHI by calling 202-785-8430 or reply here.
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