Dini in Skopje: This country's name is Macedonia

Threaten anyone that supports Serbia. So thats the game we play. Isolate Greese the tourist hotspot of Europe. Please Italy mind your own bussines before the shoe is on the other foot, and you need other countries to support you.

Dini, who was investigated for his links with cosa nostra ,should not
get involved in a a dispute
that doesn't understand.Whow will he feel if FYROM was called the
republic of lombardy.

How does Dini not stand up for another EU member? Greece has the right to veto and for good reason. I dare Mr. Dini to visit the Greek province of Macedonia and makes the same comments as he did in Skopje.

Delije,

The Greeks need a reality check. Most major countries recognize Macedonia already for several years. Why do they play the bully? Greece is a small, relatively insignificant country. Do they feel important by bullying a smaller country? That area was always called Macedonia, even when it was part of Yougoslavia.
And what was the contribution of Greece to NATO in the last 25 years? If I remember correctly nothing. During the Bosnia and Kosovo crisis it was more sabotage than cooperation. Who needs a "reliable" NATO partner like that? Maybe Greece s/b replaced by Macedonia as a member.
And Greece as a tourist hotspot? Sure a tourist destination but far far behind France, Spain, Italy, Turkey.

It surprises me how some politicians get their positions when they lack even the most basic diplomacy and intelligence skills - such an outburst is likelt to have the opposite response from the Greeks and really do not aid resolution of a delicate nature at such a crucial time - but then seeing what is said by many about Serbia's Sovereignity it really does not surprise me.

I guess the Greeks can re-iterate to the Italians that it is their independent decision and their veto if they choose to do so its their choice.

Interesting article.
First off, Greece is afraid of its restless 1.2 million Macedonians based in the northern part of Greece aka Agean Macedonia, and since 1989 aka Macedonia.
The reason why Salonika and Athens can't stand each other isn't becase of football rivarly as the Greeks would have you believe, rather the large percent of Macedonians in Salonika.
I think Macedonia should lunch an appeal at the UN for Greece to call itself The People who immigrated from North Africa Republic.

Say my name - Republic of Macedonia...that is correct..
Billions of dollars of propaganda.. Russia, US & China.. that is 3 out 5 of the security council members...with exception of the French have recocnised this country

even your friends will be isolated.
(doni, 1 December 2007 22:35)

so far, it just looks like K-albanians will be those who will be isolated!

Serbia won´t be isolated, and the Greeks won´t either.
dream on, doni...

in a dispute between the FYRM and Greece, Italy should not try to make things more difficult with unappropriate statements...that was not really smart, anyway.

The attempted theft of
Greece's historical and
cultural heritage is the heart of the name dispute.
Scopje historically has never
been part of Macedonia.In the
ancient times it was part of
Dardania,under the Ottomans
it was capital of the vilahet
of kosovo and most recently
the administratine capital of
Vardar.Therefore there is
neither a historical or a
geographical connection with Macedonia.

This has nothing to do with 'isolating'Serbia. The other NATO members don't want Greece to make any more problems for Macedonia and for NATO. Greece needs to grow up and start respecting her neighbours.

Why didn't Greece put up a fuss during Titos time when its name was and is Macedonia. Now that they bigger and a bully they open their big mouths. Get real Greece!

Joe
The thing is this is a dispute about culture...The FYROM today is composed of Slavs, back in ancient Greece the time where Macedonia was actually forged was in Northern Greece, so no FYROM doesn't have any right to the term Macedonia, when it one of Greece's most important provinces, call it slavic macedonia, but don't confuse it with greek macedonia, where there were ancient macedonians, who raised Alexander the Great who conquered the known world promoting Greek ideals, with that they gave birth to the cradle of western civilization...and greece is not insignificant, unlike other power hungry countries, greece is damn proud of its 3000 year history and culture...so no were not bullying Macedonia, we are firm economic link with them, which is a hell of alot more than italy is doing i can gaurantee you that! We are mearly looking after our culture because by letting them use the term macedonia would be the same as us handing over our ancient history...so you and this dini need to investigate what this dispute is about before sounding off with worthless slander without knowing the first thing about both sides with what the dispute is about

To keep calling this just a 'name issue' is misleading and oversimplifies the situation. Irridentism and revisionism are the real problems that are behind the use of the name Macedonia by FYROM. That is the real destabilizing element in this dispute and a very dangerous position to be taking especially in the Balkans. I fault the Greeks for not dealing with this problem back in the 1990s when it appeared that the Skopjan government was willing to compromise then. But now that FYROM has gotten some international support, mostly to shore up their weak central government in light of their restive Albanian population (which in my opinion is FYROM's real problem), they are now more stubborn on the issue of the name. That still doesn't make it right to steal another country's culture and history. It's just too bad that the wool is being pulled over the eyes of so many on this one by FYROM.

Greece could have been a force of stability and growth in the Balkans, but instead, due to a guilty conscience, chose to follow policies of destabilization. Its a case of an arrogant wielder of raw power who is now beginning to feel the backlash.
Kudos to Italy for standing up to Greeks.

How would the Greeks like it if Macedonia insisted that they change their name against their will. Sorry, can't call yourselves Greeks anymore. Call yourselves A Former Turkish Republic or The Republic of Athens but not Greece and you no longer have any problems with any of your neighbours. As for Kosovo, it has always been Serb and always will remain so.

even your friends will be isolated.

Dini was ordered to transmit that message to the Greeks via Brussels. If you think EU nations transmit threats without a green light from Nato/EU HQs, then you have no serious understanding what is Serbia's position vi a vis Nato or the EU.

i'm with macedonia on this one. it's nonsensical to ask a country to change its name no matter what the reasons. they should compromise and greece should show its maturity on this one. if greece with thousands of years of history and being the oldest european democracy can't show maturity then the rest of us are doomed, what can you expect from us

To Lamberto Dini,
This warning sounds very similar to one given by your government to Greece many years ago. Do you remember the results? Please learn from your own history!

Bravo to Italy as they are well versed in the issue with Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.
Greece is not a worthy EU or NATO member and has not honored its agreements with the international community regarding its own Macedonian minority. This is the root of the guilt, cover up and now bullying of the Macedonian people. Wouldnt dare do this while Tito was around would they...

EDEN DEN the Macedonian people will be in the EU, free to live and prosper with one another...

It is about people, not land.

EDEN DEN

It is SO OBVIOUS that coutries around the worls ALREADY recokognize Macedonia, as MACEDONIA, as they refer to it when speaking of it. So does Greece for God Sakes! Greece, in my opinion is afraid that Macedonia will try to claim stake to land that was stolen from them - from GREECE! They have not to worry. Macedonia just wants to be called what it has been for 7000 years - MACEDONIA. Greece - give it a rest. You're name is not even that old! And what do you REALLY care anyway? You are already called Greece. I can understand if Macedonia wanted to call themselves "Greece", but they DON'T/ So - stop being such babies, and let then HAVE the NAME they DESERVE! AMCEDONIA. Wake up! It's already being recognised!

Threaten anyone that supports Serbia. So thats the game we play. Isolate Greese the tourist hotspot of Europe. Please Italy mind your own bussines before the shoe is on the other foot, and you need other countries to support you.

Dini, who was investigated for his links with cosa nostra ,should not
get involved in a a dispute
that doesn't understand.Whow will he feel if FYROM was called the
republic of lombardy.

Delije,

The Greeks need a reality check. Most major countries recognize Macedonia already for several years. Why do they play the bully? Greece is a small, relatively insignificant country. Do they feel important by bullying a smaller country? That area was always called Macedonia, even when it was part of Yougoslavia.
And what was the contribution of Greece to NATO in the last 25 years? If I remember correctly nothing. During the Bosnia and Kosovo crisis it was more sabotage than cooperation. Who needs a "reliable" NATO partner like that? Maybe Greece s/b replaced by Macedonia as a member.
And Greece as a tourist hotspot? Sure a tourist destination but far far behind France, Spain, Italy, Turkey.

How does Dini not stand up for another EU member? Greece has the right to veto and for good reason. I dare Mr. Dini to visit the Greek province of Macedonia and makes the same comments as he did in Skopje.

It surprises me how some politicians get their positions when they lack even the most basic diplomacy and intelligence skills - such an outburst is likelt to have the opposite response from the Greeks and really do not aid resolution of a delicate nature at such a crucial time - but then seeing what is said by many about Serbia's Sovereignity it really does not surprise me.

I guess the Greeks can re-iterate to the Italians that it is their independent decision and their veto if they choose to do so its their choice.

This has nothing to do with 'isolating'Serbia. The other NATO members don't want Greece to make any more problems for Macedonia and for NATO. Greece needs to grow up and start respecting her neighbours.

Why didn't Greece put up a fuss during Titos time when its name was and is Macedonia. Now that they bigger and a bully they open their big mouths. Get real Greece!

Joe
The thing is this is a dispute about culture...The FYROM today is composed of Slavs, back in ancient Greece the time where Macedonia was actually forged was in Northern Greece, so no FYROM doesn't have any right to the term Macedonia, when it one of Greece's most important provinces, call it slavic macedonia, but don't confuse it with greek macedonia, where there were ancient macedonians, who raised Alexander the Great who conquered the known world promoting Greek ideals, with that they gave birth to the cradle of western civilization...and greece is not insignificant, unlike other power hungry countries, greece is damn proud of its 3000 year history and culture...so no were not bullying Macedonia, we are firm economic link with them, which is a hell of alot more than italy is doing i can gaurantee you that! We are mearly looking after our culture because by letting them use the term macedonia would be the same as us handing over our ancient history...so you and this dini need to investigate what this dispute is about before sounding off with worthless slander without knowing the first thing about both sides with what the dispute is about

i'm with macedonia on this one. it's nonsensical to ask a country to change its name no matter what the reasons. they should compromise and greece should show its maturity on this one. if greece with thousands of years of history and being the oldest european democracy can't show maturity then the rest of us are doomed, what can you expect from us

Greece could have been a force of stability and growth in the Balkans, but instead, due to a guilty conscience, chose to follow policies of destabilization. Its a case of an arrogant wielder of raw power who is now beginning to feel the backlash.
Kudos to Italy for standing up to Greeks.

Bravo to Italy as they are well versed in the issue with Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.
Greece is not a worthy EU or NATO member and has not honored its agreements with the international community regarding its own Macedonian minority. This is the root of the guilt, cover up and now bullying of the Macedonian people. Wouldnt dare do this while Tito was around would they...

EDEN DEN the Macedonian people will be in the EU, free to live and prosper with one another...

It is about people, not land.

EDEN DEN

Interesting article.
First off, Greece is afraid of its restless 1.2 million Macedonians based in the northern part of Greece aka Agean Macedonia, and since 1989 aka Macedonia.
The reason why Salonika and Athens can't stand each other isn't becase of football rivarly as the Greeks would have you believe, rather the large percent of Macedonians in Salonika.
I think Macedonia should lunch an appeal at the UN for Greece to call itself The People who immigrated from North Africa Republic.

even your friends will be isolated.

Say my name - Republic of Macedonia...that is correct..
Billions of dollars of propaganda.. Russia, US & China.. that is 3 out 5 of the security council members...with exception of the French have recocnised this country

Dini was ordered to transmit that message to the Greeks via Brussels. If you think EU nations transmit threats without a green light from Nato/EU HQs, then you have no serious understanding what is Serbia's position vi a vis Nato or the EU.

even your friends will be isolated.
(doni, 1 December 2007 22:35)

so far, it just looks like K-albanians will be those who will be isolated!

Serbia won´t be isolated, and the Greeks won´t either.
dream on, doni...

in a dispute between the FYRM and Greece, Italy should not try to make things more difficult with unappropriate statements...that was not really smart, anyway.

To keep calling this just a 'name issue' is misleading and oversimplifies the situation. Irridentism and revisionism are the real problems that are behind the use of the name Macedonia by FYROM. That is the real destabilizing element in this dispute and a very dangerous position to be taking especially in the Balkans. I fault the Greeks for not dealing with this problem back in the 1990s when it appeared that the Skopjan government was willing to compromise then. But now that FYROM has gotten some international support, mostly to shore up their weak central government in light of their restive Albanian population (which in my opinion is FYROM's real problem), they are now more stubborn on the issue of the name. That still doesn't make it right to steal another country's culture and history. It's just too bad that the wool is being pulled over the eyes of so many on this one by FYROM.

To Lamberto Dini,
This warning sounds very similar to one given by your government to Greece many years ago. Do you remember the results? Please learn from your own history!

The attempted theft of
Greece's historical and
cultural heritage is the heart of the name dispute.
Scopje historically has never
been part of Macedonia.In the
ancient times it was part of
Dardania,under the Ottomans
it was capital of the vilahet
of kosovo and most recently
the administratine capital of
Vardar.Therefore there is
neither a historical or a
geographical connection with Macedonia.

It is SO OBVIOUS that coutries around the worls ALREADY recokognize Macedonia, as MACEDONIA, as they refer to it when speaking of it. So does Greece for God Sakes! Greece, in my opinion is afraid that Macedonia will try to claim stake to land that was stolen from them - from GREECE! They have not to worry. Macedonia just wants to be called what it has been for 7000 years - MACEDONIA. Greece - give it a rest. You're name is not even that old! And what do you REALLY care anyway? You are already called Greece. I can understand if Macedonia wanted to call themselves "Greece", but they DON'T/ So - stop being such babies, and let then HAVE the NAME they DESERVE! AMCEDONIA. Wake up! It's already being recognised!

How would the Greeks like it if Macedonia insisted that they change their name against their will. Sorry, can't call yourselves Greeks anymore. Call yourselves A Former Turkish Republic or The Republic of Athens but not Greece and you no longer have any problems with any of your neighbours. As for Kosovo, it has always been Serb and always will remain so.