Groups Denounce Clinton’s Demands Macedonia Solve Name Dispute – OpEd

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Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) and the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) denounce US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement that, “The government in Skopje needs to know that it will not be able to move forward on its European integration until it does resolve this (issue). And, obviously, Greece has to be willing to accept how the name is resolved.”

In other words Clinton has told a sovereign nation – Macedonia – that it must surrender the most basic right possessed by any state – the right to self-identification; if it wants to become a part of Europe.

The US, ‘leader of the free world’, as on other occasions in relation to Macedonia, has shown itself to be unequal to the task of upholding the most basic tenants of liberty and indeed international law.

The United States recognized Macedonia in 2004, yet it calls for a name change. The hypocrisy is astounding.

Considering the apparent inability of the EU to manage its economic affairs properly, MHRMI and AMHRC are not at all convinced that Macedonia’s membership in such an institution is in its best interests.

However, the point is that we cannot abide by declarations which amount to the blackmail of ‘forgo your rights and change your name or else’.

We have written to the State Department demanding an explanation and immediate US condemnation of the name negotiations.

3 thoughts on “Groups Denounce Clinton’s Demands Macedonia Solve Name Dispute – OpEd

  • July 20, 2011 at 11:33 pm
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    This is a great response to Clinton’s statement. Every country has a right to self determination, and no one can take that away from them. The Macedonians have their homeland, and that homeland is known as Macedonia, a name chosen by the people.

    Reply
  • July 21, 2011 at 2:44 am
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    The Scopjans have no right to use a Greek name and identity to describe themselves, they are the ones in breach of human rights violations against the Greeks and the EU and NATO are correct to block their entry untill the stop this dubious act.

    Reply
  • July 24, 2011 at 3:47 pm
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    greek identity ?
    which one ?

    Do France deny to england to call itself Great- Btitain, (Britain was a french state)?

    you are so funny !
    Really

    Reply

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