Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the November 2005 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Canadian Voice: Macedonian President Visits Toronto
By George Koroloff

On Sept. 19 and 20, Macedonian President Branko Cervenkovski visited Toronto. John Bitove and his family hosted a banquet in his honor at the Granite Club.

The event was by invitation only to prominent Macedonian patriots and supporters, including businessmen and professionals. In attendance from the MPO were myself and Dr. Julian Tsafaroff.

President Cervenkovski was bright, articulate, and inquisitive. He asked about my family's background, and when I informed him that my great-grandfather came to Canada from Drenoveni, Aegean Macedonia, in 1896, he was impressed that we still maintain our Macedonian heritage.

The Bitove family, including John and Dotsa and their children, Vonna, Tom, John Jr., and Jordan were very gracious and generous at this outstanding event.

Other notable guests from the Republic of Macedonia who accompanied President Cervenkovski were Goran Tozija, State Counsellor for Internal Policy in the president's cabinet and Natasha Savova, Secretary General of the cabinet and Macedonian Ambassador to Canada Sashko Nasev.

Canadian politicians in attendance were the Honorable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Tony Valeri, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

Also in attendance were Korum and Eva Pindoff who were acknowledged for their donation of $100,000 in support of Macedonia and ethnic Macedonians.

It was an outstanding evening honoring President Cervenkovski.