Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the April 2008 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Greece bucks US, vetoes Macedonia’s NATO bid
Decision viewed as setback, not a defeat

Bucharest, April 2 – NATO’s much anticipated Bucharest Summit ended in negation of Macedonia’s aspirations to be counted as an equal among democratic countries of the world. Croatia and Albania received invitations for membership.

Greece vetoed Macedonia’s entry and refused to accept a compromise name proposed the week before by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. “Republic of Macedonia – Skopje” is not a name,” Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bokayannis said. Greece continues to insist that Macedonia must change its name and cannot join NATO or the EU without a name change.

The veto crushed the hopes of dreams of Macedonians worldwide. Yet Macedonia’s leaders reiterated the country’s strength and intent to remain on a course toward Euro-Atlantic integration for which membership in NATO and EU are crucial.

“The decision not to extend an invitation for NATO membership to Macedonia represents a defeat of the Alliance principles and a very difficult moment for a small country as ours,” Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said at a press conference following the Greek veto.

“It is not a problem for NATO principles when Macedonian soldiers risk their lives on the ground in their uniforms bearing the name Macedonia, but it becomes a problem here at the table in Bucharest.

“It is hard for us to understand and explain how one peaceful country, such as Macedonia, with aspirations to join the family of free democracies, is under pressure to give up its fundamental rights.

“NATO failure to extend membership invitation to Macedonia, based not on what the country has done, but due to what we are – and we are Macedonians and our country is the Republic of Macedonia, which will be our name for good -- is regrettable for the principles of democracy.

“Today, Macedonia is also disappointed at the long-term vision for the region’s stability. Due to the Greek veto, the region after the Bucharest Summit will be less secure than before.

“Most of the countries of the region are on the road to the EU and NATO. Those who have not forgotten yesterday’s Balkans should remember the existing risks. For the sake of Greek irrelevant arguments, the region’s stability has been put at stake. The full responsibility for the possible destabilization of the region falls on Greece.

“However Macedonia will continue to be a stabilizing force in the region in these crucial moments for Serbia and Kosovo and will keep working in the best possible manner, cooperating with all partners and neighbors, for a brighter future,” Milososki assured.

He added that Macedonia views the Nimetz proposal as the final one, which means that there was no justification for the Greek veto. Translated it means that Greece has broken the Macedonia - Greece Interim Agreement signed by Macedonia and Greece in 1995 and that Macedonia will decide on the document’s future.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, emphasized, “We have been through much more difficult situations. We shall deal with this one and come out stronger. For 17 years, we have lived as a NATO nonmember. We shall hold out and be more committed to the country’s development, improving the quality of life for our citizens.

“Today, as never before, all NATO member countries supported Macedonia, except one – the Republic of Greece,” he said pointing out that throughout history, Macedonia has never had so many supporters, nor a state that so steadfastly opposes it. He further noted that Greece used a “trump card that rarely has been used” thus “breaking the 1995 agreement, putting itself, the region and us in a very unpleasant situation.”

“Anybody who believes this move will force Macedonia to accept something against its will is making a great mistake. The country … is strong because it has strong citizens. Macedonia will keep surviving and developing at a dynamic pace. I extend my gratitude to the strong support and historic commitment American gave to help our country,” he said, mentioning the names of several other countries that did so at risk.

Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski added that some elements of the country’s strategy would be redefined without shifting the strategic goals and commitments. “We are looking at a new reality after this summit,” he said. He pointed out that “the only reason for failure to invite Macedonia to join NATO is the frustrations of our southern neighbor Greece. Greece raised its irrational position to a level of misusing the right of veto as a member of the Alliance. The Republic of Macedonia will get over this, our people will endure, we will continue on the path we have chosen for ourselves,” said the head of state.

After the veto and after a meeting with President George W. Bush, Macedonia’s delegation left the Bucharest Summit to be with “our people at this time.” In related matters, the Italian Embassy in Skopje denied Greek claims that Italy supported the Greek veto.

Sources: Macedonian Information Agency, maxfaxonline, TheEarthTimes, Southeast European Times, BBC, Reuters, New York Times