Tribune Excerpts

Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the November 2007 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Macedonian leader ascends to UN presidency
By George Koroloff

Toronto -- John Bitove invited me to join a delegation witnessing the Sept. 18 opening of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The president of the 62nd Session is Dr. Srgjan Kerim, the first Macedonian to hold this prestigious position.

Accompanying Mr. Bitove were his wife Dotsa (Lazoff) Bitove, originally from Fort Wayne, son Jordan, daughter Vonna and Vonna’s daughter Jenna. The other invited guests who accompanied us from Toronto were George Markou, George Brown, Gus Philippov and Deyan Kostovski.

We were more than graciously received by Dr. Kerim. Only moments before chairing the first meeting of the new session, Dr. Kerim greeted us in the gallery and thanked us for being a part of this historic day. He was very proud to share this honor with his country and with his guests.

Members of the Bitove family who attended the Sept. 18 UN opening session were (from left) Jenna, her mother Vonna, her baba Dotsa, her uncle Jordan and her dedo John Bitove.

We were all very proud that a Macedonian was leading the way at the UN, and it was no coincidence that he adjourned the first meeting with blagodaram (thank you).

After the opening, we were invited to a dinner that was hosted by Dr. Kerim and his wife Snezana. Joining us at this celebratory event was the Macedonian Ambassador to the US Zoran Jolevski, Chris Temovsky, Professor Gorazd Rosoklija of Columbia University, Lou Vlasho, Naples, Fla., vice president of Rimaco Corp., Igor Lestar, CEO of Seavus Group, and Slavco Madzarov, president of Slavco Construction Inc.

I was very proud to witness this historic event on behalf of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization.