Tribune Excerpts
The following article appeared in the January 2005 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune
Editorial Commentary: Greek Pride (or Arrogance) Produces Myth and Tragedy
Paul L. Simoff, Managing Editor
There is joy in the streets of Skopje and despair in the Plaka in Athens. President Bush's first decision following his reelection in November was to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutionally-determined name. Although the Bush State Department acknowledged later that Macedonian and Greek governments must still negotiate the final details of the issue under the auspices of the UN, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that Macedonia has been justly rewarded for its consistent - and on occasion, meandering-support for US foreign policy initiatives, going as far back as the war in Kosovo, and recently for its support in the war on terror in Iraq.
The Bush Administration made no attempt to disguise its motivations in its diplomatic initiatives. The State Department's announcement (see page 4 for the complete transcript of the State Department briefing) on Nov. 4 was timed to influence a referendum held three days later in the Republic in which a "yes" vote would have undermined a municipal reorganization law passed by the parliament last August. The vote failed when just a quarter of the electorate showed up at the polls (a turnout of at least 50 percent of all eligible voters was required in order to validate repeal of the law).
One cannot help but notice a bit of irony - even hypocrisy, in the Administration's overt attempt to influence a national referendum in a foreign state. Indeed, Europe's outspoken opposition to President Bush's reelection was not only unseemly, but may have created a voter backlash in crucial battleground states like Ohio. And by delaying the announcement until after the U.S. elections, Bush avoided ramping up powerful Greek lobbies whose considerable political and financial resources could have been difference-makers in key electoral districts.
For the Macedonians, resolution of the name issue represents the end of the beginning, rather than the converse. Whether or not Macedonians in the diaspora are convinced a peaceful, multi-ethnic society can emerge in the Republic, the world powers expect nothing less. It is time for Macedonia's citizens to demand more from their political class in the way of tangible economic, legal and social reforms.
Macedonia's future success should be tied to adopting an economic model closer to the free-market capitalism of the U.S. rather than the European socialism approach. Macedonians are a good, hardworking people. They possess an extraordinary character imbued by selflessness and patience. But to stem the "brain drain" and to preserve hope for a prosperous future for all Macedonians, they must be reasonably assured that their daily lives - and more importantly, the lives of their children-will improve commensurate with the pace of reforms.
Once and for all, corruption must be rooted out of political, economic and "legal institutions." The Republic must become more entrepreneurial and business friendly. That will entail further reform of restrictive laws governing foreign ownership of businesses, import-export tariff and tax relief, reform of local labor laws and modernizing infrastructure. Political corruption, characterized by bribery, intimidation of journalists and cronyism, must be quashed before it becomes further imbedded in the country's political morality as an accepted business and social practice. In addition, creation of an independent judiciary is crucial for sustaining business confidence and for reinforcing "fairness" among its citizenry.
A rising tide lifts all boats, including those in the Republic's ethnic Albanian community. Should the Albanians view the recently failed plebiscite as a strategic opportunity to advance a separatist agenda, the Balkan Peninsula could once again erupt in ethnic strife and violence, eventually dooming the aspirations - economic and otherwise - for all newly emergent states in the region.
Amidst all this is the protracted tribulation of dealing with the Greeks. They should have learned by now that irrational obstructionism eventually collapses from its own weight. Even the EU is tired of the Greek obstreperousness - which is saying something for the Europeans!
The proclivity for Greece to play the role of "Balkan busybody" obscures their fecklessness in getting their own house in order. Greece is the most socialist state in Europe. Nearly 70 percent of its economic activity is tied to direct government spending and transfer payments. As a percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), its debt is the highest in Europe. If the EU were to enforce its own membership guidelines - that are applied to member "wannabees" like Macedonia - Greece would be on the outside looking in, just like the Macedonian Republic.
Greece now has turned its attention to a more strategically vital diplomatic issue. Greek constituencies are attempting to sue movie producer Oliver Stone for his less than flattering-and, according to some, historically unauthentic-portrayal of Alexander the Great in the newly released flop of a flick by the same name.
Like the ancient ruins of the Acropolis, Greece's contemporary society is crumbling all around them, while they flail at their Macedonian neighbors over a disputed name and at Hollywood for a disputed ancient hero.
If the Greek pretense of leadership in the Balkans were not such a tragedy, it most certainly would be a myth.
