Return-Path: phssvb@unix.cc.emory.edu
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.hellas
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 14:24:22 -0800
Reply-To:     phssvb@UNIX.CC.EMORY.EDU
From:         phssvb@UNIX.CC.EMORY.EDU
Subject:      GRAMMA PROS TO TIME
Comments: To: hellas@brownvm.brown.edu, nea@ATHENA.MIT.EDU

To parakatw gramma suntaxthike apo ta meln tns listas Macedonia
gia to epimaxo arthro tou TALBOT sto TIME.
Opoios nomizei oti sumfwnei me to periexomeno as steilei ena antigrafo
me tin upografn tou.
================================================

            	October 10/07/92
TIME Magazine,
Attn: Winston Hunter, Editorial Offices,
Time & Life Building,
Rockefeller Center,
New York, NY 10020.
FAX#: 1-212-522-0601

	Dear Sir/Madam,

	In a recent issue of TIME Strobe Talbott embarks on a new
 offensive and speculative approach to the problems of the
 Balkans. It is particularly irritating that he is hiding vital
information so that his points will be more persuasive.
Specifically, he fails to report that the "constitution" of the
 Skopjan Republic (article 74) states that a change in the
borders of this Republic is possible if ratified by a 2/3
majority of  supporting votes.
        	He also fails to mention that there has never been
such a thing as a "Macedonian nationality"; this was a clear
fabrication of the Communist International and Tito's
communist regime in the post-WWII era, with sole purpose
to lay claims on the Macedonian territories of Greece, the
only democratic state and western ally in the Balkans. In fact,
 the Ex-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a multi-ethnic state
 comprising of various ethnic groups (Bulgarians, Albanians,
Hellenes, Serbians, and Gypsies).
        	Skopje's regime has not denounced the expansionist,
destabilizing propaganda of the founders of their state. On the
contrary, it continues promoting its false claims. During the 45
 years of the Cold War, Hellenes have experienced the open
threats from the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which sought to
 "liberate" Hellenic Macedonia and "reunite" it with the state
 of Skopje. Now, Skopje's constitution promises to protect
 the "Macedonian" ethnic minorities living outside the ex-Yugoslav
 Republic of Macedonia.
	       For 45 years, Hellenes have been following the efforts
 of Skopje's communist propaganda to rewrite even the
Ancient History, to doubt the Hellenicity of the Ancient Macedons,
 and prove that the Slavs of Skopje are descendants of Alexander
 the Great! Now, Skopje chooses to use as its national emblem
and flag, the star of the Hellenic-Macedonian Dynasty, which
was recovered a few years ago during excavations in the territory
 of Hellenic Macedonia!
	       Furthermore, Mr. Talbott  fails to realise that the immature
 recognition of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina without any
provision for the protection of the rights of their ethnic groups
 was the main  reason for the escalation of civil war in Ygoslavia.
	As far as the Greek "embargo" is concerned, he fails to report
 that this is in line with EC's directive #2725. Skopje's officials
 have to  accept and use the title "Territory of Ex-Ygoslavian
Republic of Macedonia'' in customs paperwork and not the term
 "Republic of Macedonia'' which is not recognized by Hellenic
 and EC authorities alike. Skopje's bureaucrats have to abide
by the Lisbon EC meeting decision to choose any other name
except Macedonia, in order to prove that their state does not lay
irredentist claims on Hellenic Macedonia, does not pause a threat
 to the security of Greece and the long-term stability in the Balkans,
 and to achieve its recognition and support by the EC countries.
	       Following that, he is highly speculative about Turkey
 demanding a role in any possible military development in the Balkans,
thus  promoting destabilising scenarios. It seems that Mr. Talbott
has launched psychological warfare against the Greek Foreign
Policy officials in order to alter their determination on the issue
which is  supported by all the Greek citizens and all the Greeks in
 diaspora. I suspect, that Mr. Talbott is more frustrated with the
 Pentagon decision not to intervene in the Balkans, a position
shared by the  Greek government. He is also bothered by the
opinion of lawmakers  in US Congress, who have urged Skopje
 officials to change their  name and get into business with Greece.
        	Last but not least, I take it to a great offense that he
ironically
accuses  the Greek people of being short-sighted and hysteric on the
 issue of  the Republic of Skopje. He may think that Greeks are
unjustifiably proud of their history, but he is naive to believe that
 history may be rewritten by misinformed (and misinforming)
 journalists. Mr. Talbott has either to check his sources more
 carefully next time or his intentions are not to report the truth.
I think that this is very unfortunate both for him and the TIME
magazine.
	Thank you for your attention.
								Sincerely yours