From: miketsa@microsoft.com (Michail Tsalidis)
Subject: Re: Re (Europe and the "Macedonian Question")
Date: 14 Apr 92 00:28:29 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corp.

The French weekly magazine Le Point, in the 21-27 March issue, has an article 
on Macedonia. Le Point is one of the more credible French weekly magazines 
and I believe that you will find this article quite informative - especially 
those who are still confused on the history of this ex-Yugoslav "Republic".

(Translated in English for the benefit of the majority of the readers )

Le Point No 1018 21-27 Mars 1992 - Page 29

MACEDONIA: THE GREEK FEARS
and if the Independent ex-Yugoslav Republic Nourishes Intentions of 
Expansion in Greece?

Those who know the Greeks, know how great their passion for politics is.  
And justifiably so!  Descendants of the inventors of democracy, having gone 
through a not too favorable history, they expect to honor their heritage.

Nevertheless, not even in these last years of alternating difficulties, has 
the political debate attracted a following as large as the one that was 
united the 14th of February, in Thessaloniki, capital of North Greece.  They 
were between 700,000 and 1 million, all the political colors united, and, for 
the first time since quite a while, it was their "fears" that united them.  
Fears which have for a name "the Republic of ex-yugoslav Macedonia".

Populated in its beginning by the Dorians, Macedonia became one of the 
kingdoms which formed the Hellenic world of ancient times.  And it was in 
this fashion that she contributed in a very significant way to the 
propagation of the Hellenic culture far beyond her borders with the conquests 
of Alexander the Great.  Occupied by the Romans, the colonists of which she 
hellinized, she became later a province of the Byzantine Empire, before it 
was conquered by the Slavs in the 7th century.  In the 10th century Macedonia 
became for a few decades a part of the Bulgarian Empire, she was then rejoined 
with the Byzantium before she was included, in the 14th century, by the 
Serbian state.  But the costal part of Macedonia, including the city of 
Thessaloniki, were never occupied.  Except for the 15th century  when the 
entire region was seized by the Ottomans, causing this time the Greek 
population to lose  its numerical dominance.

Liberated of the Turkish domination with the two Balkan Wars, Macedonia was 
divided with the Peace of Bucharest (1913).   Greece obtained 51.7% of the 
territory, which represents almost the entire historic Macedonia, which due 
to a population exchange, would no longer host any Bulgarians.   Serbia kept 
38.32% and Bulgaria 10.11% of the province.

**************************
It was only after the Second World War  that marshal Tito gave a statehood 
value to the Macedonia of the region of Skopja, in the south of Yugoslavia.   
Built in this fashion, equally artificial both from a historical, and an 
ethnic point of view,  the Republic was intended, with the simultaneous 
creation of a nationality and also a language, to appease problems with 
neighboring Bulgaria and to end its [Bulgarian] territorial temptations.
**************************

This Republic of Macedonia, after having chosen, the 8th of September 1991, 
its independence from Yugoslavia, demands its international recognition, which 
caused the fears of Greece and the indecisiveness of its allies.  
Indecisiveness which comes notably from that three of the pre-conditions for 
recognition posed by the foreign ministers of the EC, the 16th of last 
December, are not completely met.

They concern, first, the granting of a formal guarantee regarding the respect 
of the rights of minorities.   Precisely  because the ex-Yugoslav Macedonia 
is inhabited by a mixture of nationalities where it is difficult to establish 
which population is in majority.  They also concern the provision of a firm 
assurance that the actual borders of the republic will not be re-questioned.  
But, by the very usage of the word "Macedonia", Greece can fear future 
intentions of expansion to the south.  It is exactly this risk that the 
Community wants to avoid by recommending to "utilize a name which does not 
implicate a territorial claim to a neighboring state".

Greece, asserts, that it has no intention to oppose the recognition of such 
a republic.  But as  Michel Sakelariou, president of the Greek Academy, said 
in a recent communique, "the usage of the false name of Macedonia is not 
without bearing future-thoughts.  In effect they visualize claiming the 
authentic Macedonia, which is part of Greece, and is inhabited by Greeks".

It is in this sense that Athens demands the display of solidarity of her 
partners of the EC, which came to join the United States, in a prudent 
request for guarantees.

Because, with respect to the border questions, the risk that this republic 
poses is not  negligible.  In spite of, actually, especially because of, its 
small size.  In a Balkan region, which, since a year ago found itself in the 
verge of a general explosion,  Macedonia risks arousing the animosity of 
more than one of its neighbors.  Neighbors that already, among themselves, do 
not enjoy the most cordial relations.

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Michalis Tsalidis
miketsa@microsoft.com
Sydney, Australia