"New Macedonia name proposal prepared"

The UN mediator in the Macedonia-Greece name row is preparing a fresh proposal for a compromise name for Macedonia, Greek media report. The proposal will be presented in late June during Matthew Nimitz planned visit to both countries the Greek daily Elefteros Typos reported in its Saturday edition citing unnamed sources. "New Macedonia name proposal prepared" The newspaper comments that the United States' Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would press Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to a “here and now” compromise during their meeting in Berlin on June 24. If so, this would be the last attempt by the outgoing U.S. administration led by President George Bush to close the row that stalled Macedonia’s NATO accession in April due to a Greek veto. Greece says the name Macedonia implies Skopje's territorial claim on the northern Greek province of the same name. Meanwhile U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s apparent support for the Greek position in the dispute has stirred controversy in Skopje. In an interview with the Greek edition of Voice of America, Obama mentions the so-called resolution 300 which is backed by some pro-Greek U.S. senators that calls on Skopje to stop spreading “hostile behaviour, activity or propaganda” towards Athens. Obama has signed the resolution. Although Greeks welcomed Obama's remarks, they have raised fears in Skopje media about a possible change in U.S. policy if Obama wins the election. The U.S. recognized Macedonia’s name during the beginning of President George Bush's second term in office.

"New Macedonia name proposal prepared"

The newspaper comments that the United States' Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would press Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to a “here and now” compromise during their meeting in Berlin on June 24.

If so, this would be the last attempt by the outgoing U.S. administration led by President George Bush to close the row that stalled Macedonia’s NATO accession in April due to a Greek veto.

Greece says the name Macedonia implies Skopje's territorial claim on the northern Greek province of the same name.

Meanwhile U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s apparent support for the Greek position in the dispute has stirred controversy in Skopje.

In an interview with the Greek edition of Voice of America, Obama mentions the so-called resolution 300 which is backed by some pro-Greek U.S. senators that calls on Skopje to stop spreading “hostile behaviour, activity or propaganda” towards Athens.

Obama has signed the resolution.

Although Greeks welcomed Obama's remarks, they have raised fears in Skopje media about a possible change in U.S. policy if Obama wins the election.

The U.S. recognized Macedonia’s name during the beginning of President George Bush's second term in office.