June 9th - McCain, Obama and Clinton on Macedonia

By David Edenden

Macedonians don't often get a chance to see people discussing the Macedonian "name issue". This is from last March.

I had not realized that McCain was so hot on Macedonia's entry into Nato. Obviously, I was not surprised by Obama's position.

I assumed McCain decided that it was not worth pandering to the Greek vote since the US has already recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name ... so the damage has already been done. On the other hand, this maybe an honorable decision based on McCain's appreciation of Macedonia's contribution to the war on terror in Afganistan and Iraq.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when Obama. and Rice discuss Macedonia and Greece. Would both of them be embarrassed or ashamed because ... you know ... Macedonians are the "Niggers of the Balkans".

Upon reflection, I don't think so. Obama and Susan Rice are like lawyers who defend Mafia bosses, without a second thought, because that is their designated role in the criminal justice system.

Racist appeasement of your friends (Greece) to gain votes is part of the political process as much as appeasement of your enemies.

Campaign 2008 Conversations: U.S. Foreign Policy
Council on Foreign Relations:
March 7, 2008

JIM HOAGLAND:

... And Susan, I'll start -- I'll give you the dubious honor of having the first question on this -- (scattered laughter) -- or the first crack at the question on the NATO summit that's coming up in Bucharest in April where one of the principle issues will be NATO expansion. ...

...Would your candidate use the full force of the presidency, if he were president, at that summit, to push for membership now for Croatia, Albania and Macedonia? ...

Susan E Rice (Obama adviser)

... Let me begin by making clear that Senator Obama's perspective is that NATO expansion has served our interests well, and that it is a process that ought to continue as countries come online that are ready and suited for NATO membership.

So with respect to the first three countries that are on deck, obviously, there are issues to be resolved within NATO, particularly with Greece with respect to Macedonia and its name.

And we would want to see that resolved cooperatively in a fashion that takes into account the sensitivities of our Greek allies.And yet the incorporation of those countries is ultimately in our interest and one that would strengthen Europe and, I think, enhance our ability to deal with some of the pressures that we're seeing arise from Russia vis-a-vis its neighbors. So yes, those three, we would like to find a way to move forward

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RANDY SCHEUNEMANN: (McCain Adviser)

... On Albania, Croatia and Macedonia, Senator McCain has been strongly outspoken in support for including them. They are ready. In the case of Macedonia, they've been a membership action plan for eight or nine cycles.

With respect to the Greek concerns, the United States recognizes Macedonia under its constitutional name.

And he certainly hopes that there's not going to be this throwback to the 19th century style of Balkan politics, and the Greeks throw a red card on the membership of Macedonia.

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MARA RUDMAN: (Clinton Adviser)

...And so where I get a little bit concerned, Randy, is when you sound like you're issuing ultimatums in a variety of fronts without finding ways to be able to talk and discuss and work through our issues as well.

And I get a little bit concerned when I hear you talking that way with respect to Greece and Macedonia as well. I think that requires some skilled diplomacy to work out.

We absolutely need to find ways to bring Macedonia in without question. But finding the way to do that is not just by issuing the ultimatum about what can and cannot be but also working through sometimes some difficult issues that we have.

I think we've had too many ultimatums over the last seven years that haven't necessarily served us well with the rest of the world. And we need to find ways to move forward that both achieve U.S. objectives with respect to a variety of issues but also find ways to bring our friends and allies with us....

Go Back to Bucharest!

By David Edenden

It is too bad that the Macedonia delegation walked out of the Nato summit to protest Greece's veto of Macedonia's Nato membership. We cannot pick up our marbles and go home, because we have no marbles to play with in the first place!

Today is the first day of the Macedonia's new lobbying effort and it was a prime opportunity for the Macedonian leadership to lobby the heads of state, especially those that, surprisingly, took a pro- Greek position.

All Macedonian political parties should come together, in an informal united front, with leaders of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and leading intellectuals to develop a longterm plan. Lets all agree that MANU take the lead to help develop a consensus.

Here are my ideas! (in no particular order)

1. Stay in Iraq and Afganistan.

Macedonia's contribution to the war on terror is a major element of the pro-Macedonian position that many Republicans, such as Bush, Rice, Powell, and Eagleburger, have taken. McCain's position is unknown, but I would suggest that he would be sympathetic, based on Macedonia's contribution to the US military effort on the war on terror. If the pro- Greek Obama wins the US presidency, then Macedonia can withdraw its troops. If McCain can make a campaign issue of Obama's support of Greek racism against its ethnic Macedonian minority, then we will be in a better position.

2. Work with the US and other Macedonian allies in Nato.

Get funding for "The Joint History Project" and other projects that focus the spotlight on the Macedonian minority in Greece. The British are funding Albanian language classes for the Muslim Goranci in Kosovo, a Macedonian speaking Slavic people. Get the UK or US to help fund Macedonian language classes for the ethnic Macedonian minority in Greece. Discuss this issue with Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister of France. When he rejects it , because of the pro-Greek Sarkozy, then publish it. Force these guys to take a public position on Greek racism.

Ask Bush to de-classify US government contacts with representatives of ethnic Macedonians in Greece. Get former US diplomats to write a history of these contacts.

3. De-fang the "nest of vampires"!

Ask Bush to have Radio Free Europe, The International Crisis Group, The National Democratic Institute and other groups that I have, in the past labeled "a nest of vampires" to put the spotlight the plight of ethnic Macedonians in Greece.

Work with the Bush administration to see if this issue should be taken to the UN with new terms of reference for the name issue to include the rights of ethnic Macedonians in Greece.

4. More effort should be place on working with the European Free Alliance to put the rights on Macedonians in Greece before the EU parliament.

5. Telling truth to Power

The main stream media are very powerful in shaping the discussion on the "name issue". Macedonian President Crvenkovski should spend most of his time, for the next year, traveling outside Macedonia spearheading the lobby.effort He should start with meetings with Reuters, AP, the BBC, New York Times, Washington Post etc to insist that whenever the Greek concerns about Macedonia are mention (as boilerplate) such as:

Mr. Bush, addressing his NATO colleagues, praised the decision to welcome Croatia and Albania as new members, but expressed regret that Macedonia was rebuffed. Other NATO members voted against Macedonia in sympathy with Greece’s objections over Macedonia’s name, which Greek leaders argue implies territorial ambitions on the northern part of their country, also called Macedonia. New York Times, April 4, 2008

Then Macedonian concerns about Greece should also be mentioned. this is a major failing of the Macedonian lobbying effort.

The Greek civil war saw subversive attacks launched from Macedonian soil, and ended with tens of thousands of ethnic Macedonians fleeing their homes. Those Macedonians who stayed behind, like other minorities in Greece, still lack fundamental rights. Property issues have never been fully resolved. Edward P. Joseph, International Herald Tribune March 31, 2008.

6. Get Richard Gere on our side!

This is just to get the ball rolling. Think about national unity. Don't play the blame game.Macedonia Walks Out Of NATO Summit
BalkanInsight.com -
03 April 2008 Bucharest
Macedonia boycotted further sessions of NATO’s Bucharest Summit, after Greece blocked its bid to join the alliance.
“We feel a need to be with our people out of which more than 90 % wanted and wants to be a part of NATO,” Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki told media, as he announced Macedonia was pulling out of the Summit.

“Macedonia was punished not for what we did but for who we are” he added.

“We are Macedonians and always will be Macedonians.”

“The risks of any future destabilisation of the region will be the direct responsibility of Greece,” Milososki said, however reassuring that Skopje will continue to do all it can to keep the peace in the region, especially regarding Kosovo and Serbia.

The move came after NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, announced Macedonia’s bid to receive an invitation to join the alliance was unsuccessful.

Croatia and Albania however got the green light.

Macedonia's bid stumbled because of Greece’s opposition to Skopje’s bid despite all the other 25 member countries agreeing Macedonia had met all of NATO’s requirements.

Greece had been threatening to veto the invitation if Skopje does not change its country’s name.

Athens opposes to Skopje’s constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia” arguing that it might lead Skopje to make territorial claims over its own northern province which is also called Macedonia.

Previously, in a sign of protest, Macedonian journalists walked out of a press conference with de Hoop Scheffer when they heard Skopje’s membership bid had been blocked.

He said that the country will get the invitation for joining as soon as the “name” row is resolved.

“These are difficult times for our small nation,” Milososki said, thanking United States President George Bush for his support and efforts to solve the question “up to the last minute.”

The long running “name” dispute talks under United Nations mediation intensified after it became clear that Greece was resolved to veto its smaller neighbour’s membership bid.

Previously, there were hopes among the Macedonian public that Bush would succeed in softening the Greek stance at the Summit.

Putin, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Note:Transferred from Old Blog from Friday, April 20, 2007

Dear President Putin

I understand that soon you will be looking for a new job. I have one suggestion that I hope you will seriously consider, but first, before you leave office, consider the following actions as part of your legacy for the Russian people.

At the UN, veto independence for Kosovo. Stand firm, stand tall. Ask Solzhenitsyn to visit Kosovo Pole next week as a gesture of solidarity with the Serbs, and then Ohrid as a gesture of solidarity with the Macedonians. Consider recognizing the Turkish Cyprus as punishment for Greece’s mistreatment of its ethnic Macedonian minority.

Macedonian President Crvenkovski and Russian President Putin

Nato is a stake aimed at the heart of Russia, put a stake in Nato’s heart … it’s a vampire. Like hockey, you only win by playing offense, not defense! Tell President Bush, his poodle Blair, and especially Senator McCain, that you will put a moratorium on further co-operation between Russia and the US/EU with regard to Iran, North Korea and further gas oil exports to the US and EU. Don’t wait until next month, do it now, you won’t get a better chance. 


The moratorium would be lifted when Nato is retired, as a cold war relic, and replaced by a reformed and revitalized OSCE where Russia can wield its deserved influence. The US can then withdraw its troops from Europe and send them to Iraq! Have specific detailed plans for this reform and publicize it widely to the US/EU public. For example, all members of the OSCE would be considered associate members of the EU if they so wish. All peoples of the OSCE can work in the EU with an easily obtained work visa.

In the Russian parliament, form a special committee called the “Un-Russian Activities Committee” which would monitor the activities of foreign NGOs in Russia. Put them under oath and jail the perjurers! All committee members should be fluent in English and be evenly split between Russian patriots and those who are pro-American. When interviewing NGOs, question them in English. 


The purpose of this committee is to expose anti-Russian activities of the NGOs to their pro-American followers (useful idiots), to the Russian people and to the American people. Average Americans really do not want their country to destabilize Russia for the sole purpose of having hegemony over the world. A litmus test for these NGOs is to ask them about their activities regarding human rights for the Macedonians of Greece and Kurds of Turkey (both Nato members … hint … there are none).

Register these NGOs along with foreign newspaper owners under the “Agents of a Foreign Power Act. Have them print it prominently on their publications.

And finally, form an organization called the “Russian Council” using the “British Council” as a model. When you retire as president of Russia, be its first president. The Russian Council would promote Russian interests around the world. Start with the Orthodox Balkans and help them to resolve the schisms of their respective churches (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro). Try to heal the split between the Orthodox and Catholic Slavs. Promote more unity between all the Slavic languages.

Don’t be like Gorbachev, playing with himself in retirement and selling his influence to the highest bidder. You still have the ability to do something good for Russia and all Slavic-speaking peoples. Do it now!

Putin, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Dear President Putin

Potential NRA recruit

I understand that soon you will be looking for a new job. I have one suggestion that I hope you will seriously consider, but first, before you leave office, consider the following actions as part of your legacy for the Russian people.

At the UN, veto independence for Kosovo. Stand firm, stand tall. Ask Solzhenitsyn to visit Kosovo Pole next week as a gesture of solidarity with the Serbs, and then Ohrid as a gesture of solidarity with the Macedonians. Consider recognizing the Turkish Cyprus as punishment for Greece’s mistreatment of its ethnic Macedonian minority.

Nato is a stake aimed at the heart of Russia, put a stake in Nato’s heart … it’s a vampire. Like hockey, you only win by playing offense, not defense! Tell President Bush, his poodle Blair, and especially Senator McCain, that you will put a moratorium on further co-operation between Russia and the US/EU with regard to Iran, North Korea and further gas oil exports to the US and EU. Don’t wait until next month, do it now, you won’t get a better chance. The moratorium would be lifted when Nato is retired, as a cold war relic, and replaced by a reformed and revitalized OSCE where Russia can wield its deserved influence. The US can then withdraw its troops from Europe and send them to Iraq! Have specific detailed plans for this reform and publicize it widely to the US/EU public. For example, all members of the OSCE would be considered associate members of the EU if they so wish. All peoples of the OSCE can work in the EU with an easily obtained work visa.

In the Russian parliament, form a special committee called the “Un-Russian Activities Committee” which would monitor the activities of foreign NGOs in Russia. Put them under oath and jail the perjurers! All committee members should be fluent in English and be evenly split between Russian patriots and those who are pro-American. When interviewing NGOs, question them in English. The purpose of this committee is to expose anti-Russian activities of the NGOs to their pro-American followers (useful idiots), to the Russian people and to the American people. Average Americans really do not want their country to destabilize Russia for the sole purpose of having hegemony over the world. A litmus test for these NGOs is to ask them about their activities regarding human rights for the Macedonians of Greece and Kurds of Turkey (both Nato members … hint … there are none).

Register these NGOs along with foreign newspaper owners under the “Agents of a Foreign Power Act. Have them print it prominently on their publications.

And finally, form an organization called the “Russian Council” using the “British Council” as a model. When you retire as president of Russia, be its first president. The Russian Council would promote Russian interests around the world. Start with the Orthodox Balkans and help them to resolve the schisms of their respective churches (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro). Try to heal the split between the Orthodox and Catholic Slavs. Promote more unity between all the Slavic languages.

Don’t be like Gorbachev, playing with himself in retirement and selling his influence to the highest bidder. You still have the ability to do something good for Russia and all Slavic-speaking peoples. Do it now!