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Date:         Mon, 6 Apr 1992 08:47:44 +0200
Reply-To:     "(Serafim Efstratiadis)" <efstse@LTSSUN3.EPFL.CH>
From:         "(Serafim Efstratiadis)" <efstse@LTSSUN3.EPFL.CH>
Subject:      Editorial NYT/gramma diamarturias
Comments: To: "(HELLAS)" <hellas@uga.cc.uga.edu>

Akolouqouv eva arqro pou emfavnctnke tn peracmevn Kuriakn ctous NYT kai
eva gramma pros tov editor pou to eggraye o Mavwlns Petrakns ki egw.

Opoios allos qelei as to allajei ligo kai va to cteilei cav diamarturia.

Serafeim.

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Editorial Article, New York Times, Sunday, April 5, 1992

The Two Macedonias

Greece, the country that introduced Europe to comedy and tragedy, now leads
its European Community partners into a shameful diplomatic farce. It's all
in the name of the name of Macedonia.  Or rather, of two Macedonias.

One Macedonia is a tiny, democratic and unthreatening former Yugoslav republic
wedged between Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia.  It has no army and
desperately seeks to distance itself from a widening Balkan war. It proclaimed
itself independent last November. But its hopes for recognition have been
frustrated by Athens.

Greece's objection?  That only the other Macedonia, a region of northern
Greece, is entitled to use the name.

Greek Macedonia is famous as the birthplace of Alexander the Great, one of
ancient history's most successful expansionists.  Alexander had very different
ideas about name proliferation, leaving behind no less than 10 Alexandrias in
various parts of the ancient world to commemorate his Greatness.  The more
Macedonias the better, one might imagine him saying.

But Greece's modern-day leader, Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, says
only no, no, no.  For the former Yugoslav territory to use the name Macedonia,
his Government asserts, constitutes an implicit claim to Greek territory.

Does Prime Minister Mitsotakis seriously argue that Greece, a NATO member and
a steady recipient of U.S. military aid, would be threatened if the world let
this Slavic mini-state with no army keep calling itself Macedonia?

Perhaps the real issue is not security but pride.  That's suggested by the way
a Greek diplomat explained the problem to The Times's John F. Burns: "This
pseudo little republic," he said, "must stop irritating us."

Early in the last century, friends of freedom everywhere supported Greece's
heroic struggle to liberate itself from the Ottoman Turks.  Today, Greece
thwarts the dreams of another Balkan people seeking freedom and peace.

Washington has given its ally's temper tantrum more deference that it deserves.
It ought to recognize independent Macedonia without further delay.
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===============================================================================

							April 5, 1992

Mr. Jack Rosenthal
Editorial Page Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43d Street
New York, NY 10036


Dear Sir:

Your editorial "the Two Macedonias" that appeared in the New York Times
Sunday, April 5, 1992 is in sharp contrast to information presented in
previous articles of the New York Times. Moreover, it fails to address
the real issue which is not pride, but the long-term security of northern
Greece, that rightfully bears the name Macedonia for more than 3,000 years
based on historical and archeological evidence.

The Greek government has been repeatedly on record that it will support
and provide assistance to this new republic as long as it changes its name
and constitution which presently states that the borders of that republic
can change if the majority of its parliament votes to do so. The danger to
Greece, a member of NATO and the EC and a "steady recipient of U.S. military
aid" may not be existent in the short run.  The danger is long term, and it
is the fear of all Greeks that the name "Macedonia" will give legitimacy to
the Yugoslav's republic quest for access to the Aegean sea by outrageously
claiming that Macedonia, Greece, is a part of their land that is now
"occupied". The Yugoslav republic has done nothing to alleviate this fear,
according the New York Times, and has escalated its confrontation with Greece
by issuing currency depicting the White Tower of Thessaloniki and the use of
Alexander the Great's emblem as their national symbol. In addition, it has
embarked on a worldwide propaganda falsely claiming that Alexander was not
Greek and that the people in that republic are his true descendants.

By continuously falsifying history for years in its quest for territorial
expansion, this Yugoslav republic has been destabilizing the Balkan region.
The only way that this republic can become an agent for stability, would be
to change its name and constitution, demonstrate respect for the rights of
its minorities and establish friendly relationships with its neighbors.


							Sincerely



							Emmanuel Petrakis
							Professor
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