Macedonia Dispute Goes to the House - Embassy - Newspaper Online.

Macedonia Dispute Goes to the House - Embassy - Newspaper Online.: "Embassy, May 23rd, 2007
NEWS STORY
Macedonia Dispute Goes to the House
A Liberal MP puts forth a motion to recognize the Republic of Macedonia which stirs ire within the Liberal caucus and the Greek community.
By Lee Berthiaume
A private member's bill calling on the Canadian government to officially recognize the Republic of Macedonia was tabled in the House of Commons last week.

Lui Temelkovski, a Toronto-area parliamentarian who was born in what is now known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), introduced the bill in the House of Commons last Wednesday.

The naming dispute carries significant historical baggage that dates back centuries, but re-emerged as a current issue following the break up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s when several independent states emerged. One of those wanted to call itself the Republic of Macedonia. But Greece has vehemently opposed the idea, saying it implies ownership of a Greek province of the same name.

In introducing his bill, Mr. Temelkovski noted that numerous countries, including the United States, China and Russia, have recognized the state as the Republic of Macedonia.

Speaking to Embassy last Thursday, Mr. Temelkovski said his bill was prompted by lobbying on the part of the Macedonian community, which includes about 1"