From: jtsilla@damon.ccs.northeastern.edu (James Tsillas)
Subject: Macedonia is a historic region - not a Republic.
Organization: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Distribution: alt
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 15:30:24 GMT


   Posted-Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 12:26:14 -0500
   Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 12:26:14 -0500
   From: guttman@linus.mitre.org
   X-Postal-Address: MITRE, Mail Stop A156 \\ 202 Burlington Rd. \\ Bedford, MA 01730

   Jim--

   Be patient with me if I ask why the name "Macedonia" has acquired so strong a
   political and emotional charge.  I imagine that there are many cases in which
   the same name is used for two geographical or political units (e.g. the city
   and state of Washington), without this necessarily being a reason for conflict.

I think the problem is in the way Skopje came to its decision and in the
history of territorial conflicts between Greece and Skopje. Let give a
hypothetical example:

	Country A and country B have a long history of border disputes.
	These disputes are finally settled for a period of about 30
	years, during which A is under the control of a Confederation.
	Suddenly the confederation crumbles leaving country A in an
	unstable state. Nationalists in country A attempt to unite the
	country (under their control) by evoking the pent up sentiments
	from the history of conflict with country B.

This is the pattern followed by each of the republics in the region and
Greece is justified in being concerned. So when Skopje picks Macedonia
as the name for their Republic, Greeks are really worried. Greece is a
democracy and relies on tourism for 50% of its GNP. A war will devastate
the country's economy.

   I know that the Greek civil war, and a history of conflict with Tito's
   Yugoslavia, have raised the level of passion concerning "Macedonia".  But how
   can that diminish the Greek character of what you refer to as the "Greek
   province of Macedonia"?  We all know that the birthplace of Aristotle and
   Alexander is an intrinsic part of Greece's cultural world.  Please tell me why
   you think that the issue runs so deep that it should prevent the EC and US from
   recognizing what is (and has been for months) an otherwise perfectly legitimate
   state?  

I think Greece will be glad to recognize Skopje once it has defined its
borders and constitution. The issue on the name is the most visible of a
number of sticking points. What Greece and Skopje really need is a
treaty to establish borders, etc. There is also the problem of Serbia.
Greece needs the land routes through Serbia for commerce so they are
hesitant to enter into a dispute over Skopje's recognition. Greece is
also worried about radical nationalism in Skopje which in control of the
country which brings back the issue of the Macedonian name. Certainly it
is easier to make territorial claims on a region if your republic has is
named after that region. Historically, Macedonia extended about a quarter
of the way into Skopje (and did not include the city) and into
partially into neighbouring Bulgaria. It is absurd for them to call
their entire country Macedonia. It would be equally absurd for Greece to
call itself Macedonia. I think the best solution would be for them to
call their historical region Macedonia (as a province) and to decide on a
less threatening name for their republic.

--
	***  James Tsillas  jtsilla@damon.ccs.northeastern.edu   ***
	***      Work: (508)898-2800, Home: (617)641-0513        ***
	***        "He is after me. Jim is after him."           ***
	***            - Hop on Pop, Dr. Seuss                   ***
Newsgroups: alt.news.macedonia