From: aphrael@cats.ucsc.edu (Robert D West)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.greek,alt.news.macedonia
Subject: Re: Rob West + Steve Anderson
Date: 25 Jan 93 20:13:01 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: mingong-ws-1.ucsc.edu




The following was sent to me by Leo Irakliotis and his reposted
here at his request in response to a query from Stephen
Anderson:

Regarding the Greek initiative to guarantee the borders of FYRM,
you might of interest the following reference:

- Kevin Hope and Judy Dempsey: Balkan Pledge for Macedonia. Greek
Seeks To Allay Int'l Concerns About Its Itentions; Financial Times,
Nov 13, 1992.

Regarding the FYRM new Constitution here're what Greece consinders
unacceptable:

 From the "Introduction" to the Constitution:
   "The Republic of Macedonia [R of M from now on] is established as the
    state of the macedonian people [nation], granting complete political
    equality and permanent residency to the macedonian people, the
    albanians, turks, vlachs, gypsies and other nationalities that live
    in the R of M."

[Comment: Note the omission of the Serbs, Bulgarians and Greeks, and the
inclusion of Turks in the minorities. The exclusion of Serbs is
especially troubling. Either Skopians do not think they are different
than Serbs, or they are preparing for war by not recognizing them as
a minority.]

    Article 3:
   "The territory of the R of M is indivisible and unaltered. The existing
    borders of the R of M are inviolable. The borders of the R of M can
    change only according to the Constitution."

   Article 74:
   "The assembly decides for the change of the borders of the R of M with
    a 2/3 majority of the total number of representatives. The decision to
    change the borders of the R of m is adopted with a referendum if it is
    voted for by the majority of the voters."

[Comment: These two articles together show the expansionist nature of the
Skopjian constitution. If current borders are inviolable, then they can
only be expanded! Also, can you imagine people voting to shrink their
country? Naturally, the articles provide a "Democratic cover" to pursue
expansionist policies. Neighbors beware!!]

    Article 49:
    "The R of M cares for the status and rights of macedonian people in
     neighboring countries as well as immigrants from the R of M; helps
     their cultural progress and [develops] ties with them. The R of M
     cares for the cultural and economic rights of its citizens abroad."

[Comment: This article sets the groundwork for the expansionism of
articles 3 and 74. Note that the neighboring countries Greece, Bulgaria
(and perhaps Serbia?) refuse the existence of a "Macedonian" nationality.]

AND AFTER THE REVISION (FOLLOWING EC's DEMAND):

Article 3

     The territory of the Republic of Macedonia is indivisible and
inviolable.
     The existing borders of the Republic of Macedonia are
inviolable.
     The borders of the Republic of Macedonia can only be changed
in accordance with the Constitution, and based on the principle of
voluntariness and generally accepted international norms.
     The Republic of Macedonia has no territorial claims against
neighbouring states.

Article 49

     The Republic cares for the status and rights of those persons
belonging to the Macedonian people in neighboring countries, as
well as Macedonian ex-patriates, assists their cultural
development and promotes links with them.  The Republic shall not
interfere in the sovereign rights of other states and their
internal affairs.
     The Republic cares for the cultural, economic, and social
rights of the citizens of the Republic abroad.

--------

Greece still objects to the Intro and Article 49 which remained
unchanged --- thus not complying with EC's resolution.

Best regards,
Leo Irakliotis

-- 
"I don't know a soul who's not been battered	|	The American Dream?
I don't have a friend who feels at ease		|	The California Dream?
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered	|  In 1993, dreams these aren't.
Or driven to its knees.				|  Rather, they're nightmares.
But it's all right, it's all right"		|______________________________
	---Paul Simon, "American Tune" (1973)	|	aphrael@cats.ucsc.edu
________________________________________________|  1991-1995; Politics/History
Xref: sparky soc.culture.greek:12658 soc.culture.europe:11498 soc.history:11046