In an amazing eleven-year journey of conquest, young Alexander of Macedonia conquered all the way from Egypt to India. Behind him came Greek institutions and the Greek language, which became the standard of the ancient world.
On the day that Alexander was born, the temple of Diana at Ephesus burned down, an omen which the fortune-tellers of the East interpreted as a sign that on that day, the force that would destroy Asia had entered the world.
On the day that Alexander was born, the temple of Diana at Ephesus burned down, an omen which the fortune-tellers of the East interpreted as a sign that on that day, the force that would destroy Asia had entered the world.
(Plutarch, Life of Alexander the Great)
Call me old fashioned and romantic, but certain things I fail to understand. Or rather I do understand them, but I revolt because they go against the code of values I have grown up with. On this occasion I do not understand why the US are not supporting Greece's position on the name issue with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Call me old fashioned and romantic, but certain things I fail to understand. Or rather I do understand them, but I revolt because they go against the code of values I have grown up with. On this occasion I do not understand why the US are not supporting Greece's position on the name issue with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
FYROM was a tiny province of former Yugoslavia, situated in a mountainous region that hosts the sources of river Axios or Vardar. Demographically, it was made up of a strange mix of linguistically diverse groups: Albanians, Southern Slavs, Bulgarians, Turks and Gypsies, and in the Southernmost part, Greeks, in the area of Monastiri (Monastry). These peoples are in constant conflict with each other, especially the first two and most populous groups.
Yet FYROM, in 1991, dared to claim as its own not only the name, but also the glories of Hellenic Macedonia, its great kings, Philip and Alexander, and their national symbols.
Yet FYROM, in 1991, dared to claim as its own not only the name, but also the glories of Hellenic Macedonia, its great kings, Philip and Alexander, and their national symbols.
It arbitrarily chose for itself this name, in spite of Greece's vehement objection to such abuse of the historic name, by which most of Northern Greece is known to the world, since the time of Philip and Alexander the Great. The unexpected recognition of the so-called "Republic of Macedonia," by the newly re-elected Bush Administration, with this illicit name in 2004, took the Greek Government in Athens by surprise.
FYROM got its "Macedonian" name after WWII, under the rule of dictator Tito. It was previously called Vardarska. Greece at the time was wounded by the fierce war fought on the side of the Allies, followed by the civil war between the national army and the communists backed by their Bulgarian and Yugoslavian counterparts. When they saw they were losing the war they concentrated on splitting the war torn North of Greece and turning it into an independent state. I know all this not only from history books but because my father in law fought and was wounded defending the city of Naoussa that eventually the Reds burned down.
It is therefore wierd that the US that so many Greeks have loved and called home, chooses to back the so-called "Macedonian" state, infuriating or disgusting even its most loyal and sincere friends. I feel so sorry when I hear people say "The Americans are behind all this". Things have changed so much. To our parents generation the US was the champion of Greece against communism, the "threat from the North". In our generation it is the super power that is dictating that we can no longer use the word Macedonia to define the Northern part of our country, because they want to turn a yugoslavian province, rich in minerals, into a shadow state.
FYROM got its "Macedonian" name after WWII, under the rule of dictator Tito. It was previously called Vardarska. Greece at the time was wounded by the fierce war fought on the side of the Allies, followed by the civil war between the national army and the communists backed by their Bulgarian and Yugoslavian counterparts. When they saw they were losing the war they concentrated on splitting the war torn North of Greece and turning it into an independent state. I know all this not only from history books but because my father in law fought and was wounded defending the city of Naoussa that eventually the Reds burned down.
It is therefore wierd that the US that so many Greeks have loved and called home, chooses to back the so-called "Macedonian" state, infuriating or disgusting even its most loyal and sincere friends. I feel so sorry when I hear people say "The Americans are behind all this". Things have changed so much. To our parents generation the US was the champion of Greece against communism, the "threat from the North". In our generation it is the super power that is dictating that we can no longer use the word Macedonia to define the Northern part of our country, because they want to turn a yugoslavian province, rich in minerals, into a shadow state.
Indeed, it was sad to see once more American flags burning today in front of the US embassy in Athens. But you know what? How can I blame them, when US envoy Mr. Mathew Nimitz has the nerve to say that we shouldn't be fighting over a mass slaughterer? That is supposed to be Alexander the Great! Come on, sir! Take some history lessons before you come to this old part of the world!
Of course the Americans are not the only ones to blame. Greek politicians are to blame too, for stepping back all the time, thinking that they will earn the favor of the US. Guess what? They did not. I understand that the US has its interests in the area, but I fail to understand why its foreign policy must displease the Greeks so much as to justify the extremist reactions and fire up passions once again in the Balkans, as the one sided recognition of Kossovo's independence from Serbia is already doing.
I do not usually talk politics or Greek issues from my blog, but I really feel that on this occasion the world should know, at least those stopping by my place should know that an act of injustice is being perpetuated despite of the UN and Congress resolutions, backed by both Republicans and Democrats.
If you want to learn more, please follow this link about Macedonia, and this one about Alexander the Great. A biblical mention of Alexander as "the king of Greece" can be found in Daniel 8. The History of Macedonia weblog has great info on the issue.
