Tribune Excerpts
The following article appeared in the May 2008 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune
Greek veto to the Macedonian identity
By Ognen Vangelov
Editor’s Note: Pertinent footnoted explanations are in italics. Following are excerpts of a seven-page article:
Perhaps not many people in Hungary, or generally in Europe, are familiar with the seemingly unimportant, but serious dispute imposed on Macedonia by Greece that has been festering the last 17 years and poses a serious obstacle to stability and prosperity of war-torn Southeastern Europe.
Political attention in those years focused primarily on the tragedies of the wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. At the same time, one of Yugoslavia’s republics, Macedonia, managed to peacefully gain its independence (Sept. 8, 1991) without bloodshed or violence, adopting a liberal constitution (Nov. 17, 1991), meeting highest European standards on individual rights as well as on collective rights, protecting minorities and guaranteeing their well-being.
Macedonia’s independence from the very beginning encountered serious objections from its southern neighbor. Greece did not object to the new state’s right to independence, but demanded it must change its constitutional name if it wants to be recognized as an independent state. Greece demanded a name be chosen that did not contain the word Macedonia, as, according to its position, this name implied territorial claims on the region with the same name in northern Greece.
It is important to note that the Arbitration Commission of the European Community conference on Yugoslavia led by Robert Badinter, President of the French Constitutional Council ruled its final options on Jan. 14, 1992, that Macedonia had satisfied all conditions laid down by the Council of Ministers of the EC to be recognized as an independent state.
… the Badinter Committee, which was the only relevant international body in charge at that time to evaluate whether the former Yugoslav republics may be recognized as independent states, disregarded Greek objections and recommended that Macedonia be recognized as an independent state.
Despite the recommendations, the EC Council, heavily pressured and intimidated by Greece, disregarded the conclusions of the body it appointed, and adopted a declaration in Lisbon on June 27, 1992, expressing readiness to recognize the new state ‘under a name which does not include the term Macedonia’.
By that time other republics of the former Yugoslavia, had been recognized as independent states by countries of the EC, yet Macedonia’s recognition was pending due to the objections of only one country that had veto power within the EC.
… Macedonia found itself in limbo. … it turned to the UN asking to be admitted as a full and equal member. Greece persuaded its allies to support Macedonia … under a provisional reference, until the “name dispute” was resolved. Macedonia was admitted to the UN on April 8, 1993, as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. …
Macedonia also was prohibited from flying its flag in front of the UN Headquarters as Greece also objected to its flag. … Soon after, many bilateral recognitions followed … some countries established diplomatic relations using its historical and constitutional name. … Greece imposed a trade embargo on Macedonia in February 1994, hoping by using both diplomatic and economic measures, Macedonia would succumb to Greek demands and comply.
The embargo had disastrous effects on the Macedonian economy. To the north, Macedonia observed an UN-imposed embargo on Yugoslavia. Cut off from its traditional market, at the same time bilateral and transit trade was blocked from the south. Unemployment soared and the economy was crippled.
The embargo was lifted after the UN brokered Interim Accord was signed by Macedonia and Greece. … Macedonia was obliged to amend its constitution regarding its care of the Macedonians beyond its borders and to change its national symbol (the flag) … In the Accord, Greece was referred to as the First Part and Macedonia as the Second Part.
Article 6 of the Accord states, The Party of the Second Part hereby solemnly declares that nothing in its Constitution, and in particular in Article 49 as amended can or should be interpreted as constituting or will ever constitute the basis for the Party of the Second Part to interfere in the internal affairs of another state in order to protect the status and rights of any person in other states who are not citizens of the Party of the Second Part.
Article 7 states, Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the second Part shall cease to use in any way the symbol in all its forms displayed on its national flag prior to such entry into force. Article 11 of the Interim Accord reads: Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the First Part agrees not to object to the application by or the membership of the Party of the Second Part in international, multilateral and regional organizations and institutions of which the Party of the First part is a member.
