Macedonia.

[achilles]

And since Alexander the Great is going to be kind of a hot issue during the following weeks, i thought it would be interesting to post a couple of things about Macedonia. There are people that feel like calling 'Macedonians' whoever they like and of course other choose to call themselves 'Macedonians' but Macedonians were, are and will be Greeks irrespective of what a few Slavs might want to say. History is just history.

The Greek Tribes in Macedonia (http://www.cc.ece.ntua.gr/~conster/English/PageData/the_greek_tribes_in_m.htm)

And this is useful as a general guideline regarding Macedonia (http://www.macedonia.com/english/)

Of course later on non-Greek tribes settled in certain parts of what was called Macedonia during the Greek antiquity but that cannot change historical facts.
I was watching an interview the other day. An interview that actor Val Kilmer gave to a Greek journalist about Oliver Stone's forthcoming film. They guy is not a historian but he gave one of the best answers i have ever heard to the following question:
'Is Macedonia Greek?'
'Well...if you like...its more Greek than anything else'

It doesnt take too much knowledge and judgement to see that Macedonia is purely Greek. They were speaking Greek and they were living their lives as Greeks. Alexander's teacher was Aristotle...the symbol of our ancient culture and the thinker who said the bases of reasoning and more than a couple of sciences :D . I wouldnt tend to think that Aristotle would bother teaching the son of a king who was ruling a barbaric non-Greek tribe from nowhere ;) . Aristotle was Macedonian himself...from Stageira, Chalkidiki very close to what is called today Thessaloniki.
Fyrom's propaganda is based on the idea that the rest of the Greek tribes hated Macedonians and they fought ferociously among each other. True. Exactly as the Athenians fought the Spartans, and exactly as practically every Greek tribe back then fought with another one at some point in time.
Greece was forged through civil war i.e. clashes among tribes.

I wont mention other propagandistic claims cause that would simply underestimate the intelligence and judgement of any objective reader of history.

[shadower]

What they say FYRM Macedonians is that they were Greek speaking Macedonians but that they picked up Slav language from Serbians and Bulgarians.But from my point they don't have aniting to do with Helens,they called themselves Serbs until Tito gave them republic.To Serbs that was stiling of another peace of land as he did with Kosovo giving it to albanians and forbiding Serbs to come back after WW2 was ended and proclaiming muslims as nationality in Bosnia.Before WW2 there was only Serbs,Croats and Slovenians.

[Syncmaster]

stupid greek nationalists! :bash:

[achilles]

stupid greek nationalists! :bash:

Yeah...i know weed is kind of ****y in Slovenia this time of year huh? :D

[achilles]

What they say FYRM Macedonians is that they were Greek speaking Macedonians but that they picked up Slav language from Serbians and Bulgarians.But from my point they don't have aniting to do with Helens,they called themselves Serbs until Tito gave them republic.To Serbs that was stiling of another peace of land as he did with Kosovo giving it to albanians and forbiding Serbs to come back after WW2 was ended and proclaiming muslims as nationality in Bosnia.Before WW2 there was only Serbs,Croats and Slovenians.

Those guys who want to call themselves 'Macedonians' is one of the most confused ethnic groups regarding its very own ethnic origin. They want to be called macedonians because it seems that being a macedonian is cool (and being a macedonian myself i can verify that p-) ). Seriously though, we cannot exclude the possibility that a large chunk of the Skopians or FYROMians ( :lol: ) used to be northern Greeks who adopted this hybrid slavic language and were generally transformed into something else with the help of the Turks and the Bulgarians, of course.
In terms of territory, current Skopje used to be no more than 10% of the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Therefore, the fact that the geopolitical 'cut-and-paste' gave to a slavic country that land does not justify its claims on the name 'Macedonia'. Of course the issue of the name is over now, USA has recognized it, Russian has done so long time ago, Albania, anyone's puppet, as well and lets not forget that Javier Solana, clearly one of the American bitches, has called FYROM 'Macedonia' despite the fact that neither the UN nor the EU has done any official recognition.

[Coop]

Achiles,
it is undisputable that Macedonia (that is the name of the country usually designated FYROM - as recognized by the USA since this summer) is since years led by some very "specific" characters of extremely dubious backgrounds, behaviour and influence.

One cannot expect anything else from some of them but chauvinistic bragging at each and every opportunity. No dispute about this.

But, one could expect that the Greeks and Greece - which is an EU-member since the 1980s - would be at least a little bit more civilized but to respond in manners typical for the Balkans and babble around, complaining about the Macedonians.

They might be the most confused ethinc group on the whole World, and non-existent as a nation before 1945, and whatever else. Some of them might even have pretensions regarding specific parts of Greece. But, you guys should at least have so much in your heads not even to react to such nonsence.

So, before you do something of this type, or as laughable as declaring Solana for an "American bitch" (declare him an "incompetent opportunist" if you like; that would be right, just not an "American bitch"), please, do yourself and your nation a favour and think two times (at least).

[shadower]

Well my friend Slovenians are even biger nationalists than Serbians and Croatians,but I think you know that already.

[achilles]

Achiles,
it is undisputable that Macedonia (that is the name of the country usually designated FYROM - as recognized by the USA since this summer) is since years led by some very "specific" characters of extremely dubious backgrounds, behaviour and influence.

One cannot expect anything else from some of them but chauvinistic bragging at each and every opportunity. No dispute about this.

But, one could expect that the Greeks and Greece - which is an EU-member since the 1980s - would be at least a little bit more civilized but to respond in manners typical for the Balkans and babble around, complaining about the Macedonians.

They might be the most confused ethinc group on the whole World, and non-existent as a nation before 1945, and whatever else. Some of them might even have pretensions regarding specific parts of Greece. But, you guys should at least have so much in your heads not even to react to such nonsence.

So, before you do something of this type, or as laughable as declaring Solana for an "American bitch" (declare him an "incompetent opportunist" if you like; that would be right, just not an "American bitch"), please, do yourself and your nation a favour and think two times (at least).

What is actually laughable is 99% of your post for a number of clear reasons:
1)You fail to understand the importance and implications of the specific recognition, not only for Greece but for the entire region.
2)you fail to understand the depth of history and emotion the lies behind the name 'Macedonia'.
3) The fact that you referred to FYROM as 'Macedonia' while exchanging opinions with me, a Macedonian, and despite the fact that it is crystal clear the Macedonia is Greek, as can be readily seen by any decent googling...let alone opening up serious books.
4) An incompetent opportunist is worse than calling someone a bitch ;) . At least i believe that Solana is effective in being America's bitch (rude terminology but true). I called him good at something whereas you think of him as a mere 'zero'. But talking about Solana too much is simply a waste of time...

Of course there are quite a few 'whys' that arise from all the above. But i am not gonna do any answering for you. Refresh your history knowledge (enriching it would also be wise), try to see things from a Macedonian's point of view before lecturing me on what is civilized and what is not, and save that last suggestion on 'thinking twice' of yours for yourself....no double that ;) .

After you do all this we might be able to exchange our opinions based on facts and not ****.

[Coop]

Well, I guess that reply speaks for itself...

I almost forgot that the Balkans remains Balkans. rofl

[achilles]

Well, I guess that reply speaks for itself...

I almost forgot that the Balkans remains Balkans. rofl

Now you are talking... ;) ...at least you managed to articulate something correct about the Balcans although it is obvious that you dont know **** about it. :D

[Coop]

Sigh, of course, nobody knows anything about Balkans - but you, "Achilles". That much is sure... rofl

So, I guess you now have to go back to your trench? I've heard the Maceodnians plan an invasion on Greece later this night...

[Snake Eater Wannabe]

yo achilles your macedonian, are you greek? like is your familiy from greece or are you pure macedonian. if so I being a Greek(american) cant understand why you are bringing up this topic again. I and my father who is from athens both belive that this country that wants to call its self macedonia wont change the fact that alexander was greek. i agree with you but dude ya just need to let it go. I'm angry but there aint a thing i can do. But as for the whole alexander thing i do find that people dont think he was greek. for all of you i would like you to remember that all you know as greece today was once divided. but why are they considered greek today because of language and culture. macedonia also spoke greek and was of greek culture. so thats why alexander the great was greek. cause he spoke the language and was raised on the culture. there were no border lines back then folks. people think cleopatra was egyptian but she was greek too. we owned alot back then.

[achilles]

Sigh, of course, nobody knows anything about Balkans - but you, "Achilles". That much is sure... rofl

So, I guess you now have to go back to your trench? I've heard the Maceodnians plan an invasion on Greece later this night...

:lol: i have a very good cure for your pimples :lol: ....you joker ;)

[achilles]

yo achilles your macedonian, are you greek? like is your familiy from greece or are you pure macedonian. if so I being a Greek(american) cant understand why you are bringing up this topic again. I and my father who is from athens both belive that this country that wants to call its self macedonia wont change the fact that alexander was greek. i agree with you but dude ya just need to let it go. I'm angry but there aint a thing i can do. But as for the whole alexander thing i do find that people dont think he was greek. for all of you i would like you to remember that all you know as greece today was once divided. but why are they considered greek today because of language and culture. macedonia also spoke greek and was of greek culture. so thats why alexander the great was greek. cause he spoke the language and was raised on the culture. there were no border lines back then folks. people think cleopatra was egyptian but she was greek too. we owned alot back then.

Yes i am a Macedonian....dont get me wrong bud. The topic i first raised was in the general discussion forum about the US recognizing Skopje as Macedonia specifically. This time i am stressing out the history of Macedonia (it occured to me just before the anticipation of the movie and CAG147's thread on Amexander the Great). Of course i wrapped again modern issues regarding that matter.

We will all let go eventually mind you, simply cause there is nothing esle to do as far as the name is concerned. But such a recognition may have adverse effects for the long run stability of the region (Albania recognized also 'Macedonia' a few days ago ;) and there is still more to come). Quite a few kids and generally young people in Skopje think that the real borders of their countries end in Thessaloniki...or even more South than that, and all this based on tet-a-tet interviews taken by Greek journalists very recently. Its much more complicated than 'just a name'. Its the geopolitical issues i am worrying about and the potential role of Turkey in all this...those are things that noone should and i am pretty convinced that noone will 'let go'.

[achilles]

And as an extra note Snakeater...i dont know how often visist Greece, or if you ve ever done so actually, but watching things from the other side of the Atlantic can be illusive sometimes, in the sense that 'hey...so what?...get over it'. Distance plays a role...there are Peloponisians that i am sure dont give a **** about what happens with the Macedonian issue (i dont blame them, this is how Greeks are and you probably know it as well as i do ;) )...a Peloponisian....imagine a Greek-American :| ...simply telling Macedonians to get over it and all the rest does not resolve anything and of course is not realistic in terms of what the existence of a false 'Macedonia' might imply in the near or longer future.

One very encouraging fact is that FYROM's economy is almost entirely dependent on us...and this is up to us to exploit it the way it suits us...i think they got more than they deserve...

[Coop]

Hey, Achilles, no invasion - yet? Was there any kind of a postponnement?

Must be one of the two operational Mi-17s of the Macedonian Air Force had some kind of a technical breakdown.... or was it one of two UH-1s the Greeks supplied to them...? rofl


What I'm actually curious about is where are you getting this with Macedonians being as aggressive towards Greek-Macedonian culture and history?

Who knows: perhaps you manage to answer this with few facts and without any additional insults...

Namely, I've been to Macedonia (and Bulgaria and Albania) several times since the summer 2001, spending a total of approx four months there. I've witnessed the war in August 2001, I talked with plenty of people. I've noticed what some of their politicians say, but all the "everyday" people don't care very much about this, rather being busy with rampant corruption within authorities and their ethnic Albanians there (these were the reasons for the war in 2001).

Yes, surely, they all use the name "Makedonia". But, this is so because that's the way the country was called by everybody who lives there since 60 years than because they'd like to steal Greek heritage or anything else. Interestingly, even the Bulgarians - who have even more reasons to find the situation silly than Greeks - call (Slavic) Macedonians "Makedonci" and don't see any real problems with doing so. That's simply a designation for the country and its people used in general everywhere on the Balkans - except in Greece, of course. Not an attempt at "stealing" Alexander the Great/Macedonian from Greece.

Overall, my conclusion is - and you can continue wetting your paints until your PC melts down - that Greeks are really boiling here over a point that's not really existing.

[achilles]

Hey, Achilles, no invasion - yet? Was there any kind of a postponnement?

Must be one of the two operational Mi-17s of the Macedonian Air Force had some kind of a technical breakdown.... or was it one of two UH-1s the Greeks supplied to them...? rofl

Now look what you vedone :( ....you ruined a good joke by actually telling it twice.


Who knows: perhaps you manage to answer this with few facts and without any additional insults...

Before i answer let me remind you that the round of insults began when you started preaching me on what is 'civilized behaviour' and the rest of that seminal first post of yours :D .



What I'm actually curious about is where are you getting this with Macedonians being as aggressive towards Greek-Macedonian culture and history?

Its really surprising that you even ask this...especially since you spent sometime in the region. Speaking about aggressiveness...

distorted history of Macedonia (http://www.historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/GreekPropaganda.html)

another 'masterpiece' (http://www.makedonija.info/propaganda.html).

How more aggressive can it be? They even accuse us for slaughtering 'Macedonians' after the map was drawn post WWI! :D We might have doen a bit of murdering....but hell it was necessary...the region was fighting for its freedom for the first time after 1453 (according to a modest historical estimate ;) ). And if you think those websites are just exceptions...well think twice ;) .


Namely, I've been to Macedonia (and Bulgaria and Albania) several times since the summer 2001, spending a total of approx four months there. I've witnessed the war in August 2001, I talked with plenty of people. I've noticed what some of their politicians say, but all the "everyday" people don't care very much about this, rather being busy with rampant corruption within authorities and their ethnic Albanians there (these were the reasons for the war in 2001).

So what do you think you have demonstrated here? That those poor guys dont give a **** about how their country is named? Perhaps those 4 months you spent there were not enough to give you the real picture of how Skopians tend to think. And dont forget that your story goes back to 2001, when the issue was kind of 'snow-covered', and neither Greeks nor Skopians were worrying too much about it, although at the diplomatic level it was still going on. I was talking about current things...the report i mentioned in one of my previous posts, regarding Skopian kids thinking that their real borders expand down to Thessaloniki (at best! :lol: ), was based on interviews that were taken not before a month ago ;) ....shows the real climate NOW. What does that tell you? Something we all knew before (at least us Macedonians up here)....FYROM follows a very specific method in teaching its children history....yeah...like the one in the links i posted above.
Let me tell you a little story of mine. I was on the train coming back from Serbia and i fell asleep before we entered FYROM's border's. When i woke up i was wondering where were we so i got up and asked the ticket-guy..'We are close to Greece arent we?'. He got a bit pissed and answered: 'Greece?....no we are in Macedonia right now (skopje)...then Macedonia again (Greece) and then Greece (After Larissa if you know anyting about Greece). Quite ambitious wanst he? And trust me he is not the only one ;) ....aggressiveness?....you got it....apparently what he said pissed me off so i made an unfortunate attempt to make him understand that i didnt need his **** at the moment but a bunch of other Skopians saw what was going on and therefore i was contained in my cabin, until the train reached Thessaloniki. :D Best trip of my life...anyways that was just an example.


Not an attempt at "stealing" Alexander the Great/Macedonian from Greece.

This shows that you dont know things pretty well...Not only they have claimed a number of times that Alexander was
not a Greek but they also adopted Vergina's star (the symbol of ancient Macedonia) in their flag (!!!) back in the mid-nineties...Greece embargoed them for a little while and they dropped the star...having that star in your flag would officially mean that Macedonia, Philip, Alexander and whatever goes with it is yours ;) .


Overall, my conclusion is - and you can continue wetting your paints until your PC melts down - that Greeks are really boiling here over a point that's not really existing.

paints?....what paints? p-) ...i hope that you can understand that the whole issue is a bit more existent than you might think ;) ...dont think in terms of the name only.

[achilles]

therefore i was contained in my cabin, until the train reached Thessaloniki

just not to create any false impressions...i was 'contained' until the Greek-FYROM borders(where the presonel usually changes)...after that i was self-contained...too bad of a mood to enjoy the view :slap:

[Coop]

Heaven...

Look: the BS on the links you posted is less worth than similar BS the "Serbian Academy of Science" was spreading about Croats and Slovenians in the late 1980s and early 1990s (although: it is a matter of fact that Slavic Macedonians do not consider themselves for Greeks).

And, what happened in the end? Is anybody even recalling such nonsence today?

Nothing and nobody. That's how all such rubbish ends: as long as there are at least few people with any kind of knowledge about history nothing can happen to your Alexander.

And, regarding your complaints about my knoweldge about the situation: what you obviously can't do is thinking about what you read.

Namely, when I say that the "everyday" people do not think that way, then that also means that there are always few fools who dothink that way. I.e. every nation has its own chavinists, sometimes more and sometimess less of them (usually as many as it deserved).

I remain with my standpoint that simple Macedonians do not think that way, for a simple reason that otherwise I would lie about people I met.

Oh, and re. "civilized behaviour": well, I do not consider the Greek - including many of your - responses to stupidities of the few Macedonian demagogs for "civilized". Nobody demands from you to like or agree with me, but it is my opinion that the language used is simply not what is considered as "civilized". I guess I expect something more from people who are in the EU... Or at least I expect such nations to remain outside (which is why I'm against specific countries to join).

So, if you like, continue running around and barking at all and insulting anybody who questions your reasoning: however, I apeal again on you to think well about the way you're doing this - then, in its current form, your barking is increasingly not interesting.

[Coop]

And, re that with places, nationalists and borders: get used to it.

It's happening on all kinds of borders remaining in the Europe every day to thousands of others - and for all possible reasons (including nationalism).

[achilles]

Heaven...

Indeed...


And, what happened in the end? Is anybody even recalling such nonsence today?

Ok i am not gonna be long on this one cause it seems that i cant get my points through...its sad to see that the fact that you stayed around here for a couple of months made you a balcan-study specialist. And you continue to be critical in a moronic way about what do i read and what do i understand...you just dont understand that behind the recognition of the name(lest forget the name for a while) lies a whole US-lead plan about keeping the region 'hot' for a little while for reasons i am currently working on...there lies a whole geopolitical game that apparently your theory of international relations cant grasp. You are so damn confident you are right, you actually provide no basis for conversation, man. I am Greek...i live here(most of the time)...i am reading about the whole issue...i have protested about it and i have been through **** about it. Perhaps you could ask or be open enough for both of us to exchange opinions...4 months are not enough to counter what i ve been watching for years and years ;)



Nothing and nobody. That's how all such rubbish ends: as long as there are at least few people with any kind of knowledge about history nothing can happen to your Alexander.

Another demo that you are missing the point. MY WORRIES ARE BACICALLY POLITICAL-GEOPOLITICAL....now dont make me suggest that you sould put down that crack pipe...forget history, emotion and Alexander for a sec...can you do that? Good...can you see any other complications AROUND the issue of name...can you imagine ways that the claim over this turf's name can take dangerous dimensions? Please dont answer but do yourself a favour and think about it... ;)


And, regarding your complaints about my knoweldge about the situation: what you obviously can't do is thinking about what you read.

I didnt know you are a mind-reader as well....that was indeed a pathetic comment but i ll forgive you on that one as well :hug: ...kidding ;)



I remain with my standpoint that simple Macedonians do not think that way, for a simple reason that otherwise I would lie about people I met.

You asked me for facts on their 'aggressiveness'...i gave you two links as a very small sample, i mentioned a very recent research on the area (too bad i cannot find that on print or on the web, but you can do a bit of research for yourself) and i gave you another very small sample of my personal experience....what are your facts that can support your claim? Proove that they are not, and they have not been aggressive. Proove that the whole issue is 'non-existent'...proove that its only a name and nothing more...provide sources, opinions or whatever you think could support your claim besides your self-righteousness...


Oh, and re. "civilized behaviour": well, I do not consider the Greek - including many of your - responses to stupidities of the few Macedonian demagogs for "civilized". Nobody demands from you to like or agree with me, but it is my opinion that the language used is simply not what is considered as "civilized". I guess I expect something more from people who are in the EU... Or at least I expect such nations to remain outside (which is why I'm against specific countries to join).

What you consider civilized and what not its none of my business...but save the preaching for yourself will you ;) ?


So, if you like, continue running around and barking at all and insulting anybody who questions your reasoning: however, I apeal again on you to think well about the way you're doing this - then, in its current form, your barking is increasingly not interesting.

I can very easily become insulting when i feel i am insulted. Your preaching and all that **** was kind of irritating so i fired back ;) ...i am sure you ll get over it. Dont take my tone presonally...we started pretty intensely but we can save it.....you know what? I might be wrong...it might proove that the whole issue was just a name and nothing more...but we have to wait and see about that huh ;) ? As opposed to your certainty about those nonsensical non-civilized Greek reactions :D ....

Until you SOLIDLY proove that there is no issue....until you SOLIDLY proove that the average Skopian doesnt think 'strangely' about Greece..........i will be barking....and you will still be remaining full of ****....

but we will love you anyways :hug:

[achilles]

Athens News Agency Bulletin,

Athens, 18/1/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou
said yesterday dialogue with Skopje might resume and prove useful,
only if the neighbouring state abandoned its aggressiveness.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with President Constantine
Karamanlis, Mr. Papandreou said Skopje aggressiveness was
blatantly manifested in certain sections of its Constitution
reflecting irredentist designs, its propaganda against Greece
and use of Greek symbols.

Mr. Papandreou added dialogue would include the issue of the
neighbouring state's name, and not imply recognition under the
name 'Macedonia' or any derivative. "This does not mean we have
changed our position", Mr. Papandreou said, "since we remain
firm in the attitude of not accepting 'Macedonia' or any
derivative as the neighbouring state's name. We hope, however,
we will convince them that it is in their own interest to use
another name". The prime minister reiterated Greece had no
territorial claims against Skopje and its economic viability
depended on Greece. Mr. Papandreou said he was handling the
Skopje issue personally in co-operation with Foreign Minister
Karolos Papoulias.

an old story....but quite up to date ;) .

link (http://www.hri.org/news/greek/ana/1994/94-01-18.ana.txt)

[achilles]

Recognition of 'Macedonia': What Does it Mean for Cyprus?


THERE was a mixed reaction yesterday from Greek Cypriot politicians about the implications for Cyprus of America’s recognition of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) under the name ‘Republic of Macedonia’.

Although President Tassos Papadopoulos said on Friday on his return to the island from Brussels that there was no similarity between the two situations, opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades warned that nothing should be taken for granted.

“The USA do not appear to have any scruples when it comes to applying what they believe,” said Anastassiades after a party meeting yesterday. “They are a superpower, they decide and they execute, and are indifferent even to their friends such as Greece.”
The DISY leader said the US attitude was “a powerful message that strengthens the view that we should find ways to unite Cyprus as soon as possible”.



“What we need to evaluate is the new four-year term of President George Bush and its implications for Europe,” he said.

“It is also a message to Europe that is the second superpower and will need to acquire a common foreign and defence policy and it is also a powerful message that should be taken up by the small and weak countries.”

Responding to growing speculation that the US was actively trying to promote the recognition of the ‘TRNC’ and increasing reports that it plans at least to fly an aircraft ‘symbolically’ into Tymbou in the north, Anastassiades said he believed that for now the US would limit itself to the latter.

“But if the Cyprus question is left unsolved, the recognition of the pseudostate cannot be excluded,” he warned.

Papadapoulos said late on Friday there was no similarity between the two situations. He said there were clear statements on the part of the US and the EU that the ‘TRNC’ would never be recognised.

“'None of the EU member states can recognise the illegal regime since we have signed the Accession Treaty with each one of them, according to which the whole of Cyprus became a member of the EU but the implementation of the acquis has been suspended in the areas occupied by Turkish troops,” Papadopoulos said.

Socialist EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou also said there was no connection between the two as Cyprus was protected by UN resolutions and international law, which would not be ignored by the US.

“Such a connection cannot exist because the case of Cyprus is the product of illegality based on international law,” said Omirou. “I would consider it unthinkable for the USA to undermine the international legal order.”

Omirou also excluded the possibility of direct flights to the north, and not only for political reasons.

“It is unthinkable for clearly practical reasons to have direct flights between the US and the psedutostate based on the geographic location,” he said.

“Here for so many years the USA did not have any air connections with the Cyprus Republic for the same reasons.”



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2004

link (http://news.pseka.net/index.php?module=article&id=5211)

[achilles]

What's In A Name?



For years, the United States and other countries have agonized over names.


Since 1972, the U.S. has maintained a "one China" policy which recognizes the Beijing government as the sole ruler of China as well as Taiwan, which became the last base for Chinese nationalist forces that fled the mainland during the 1949 civil war. Prior to 1972, the U.S. recognized the island of Taiwan as the Republic of China.


The "one China" policy upheld by the Nixon, Carter and Reagan administrations has been the linchpin of normalized relations between Washington and Beijing for over 30 years.


Similarly, the U.S. has walked on eggshells over the name of the territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Six Day war. There are significant implications over whether the lands are referred to as the occupied territories, as lands of Israel or as Palestine.


Earlier this month, the U.S. created concern in the Greek capital of Athens over its decision to recognize a former Yugoslav republic along its northern border. The U.S. announced it would recognize the Republic of Macedonia. The Greek government has insisted the international community recognize the state as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" after it gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.


Greece is concerned that recognition of the "Republic of Macedonia" implies territorial ambitions regarding its own northern province, which is also named "Macedonia."


Such distinctions may seem trivial to most Americans, but to peoples and lands that have centuries of tortured history it makes all the difference in the world. In this case, U.S. recognition of Macedonia appears to be thanks for Macedonia's participation in the coalition in Iraq.


And that's the Point.

link (http://www.newscentral.tv/uploads/franchise/point/point-20041117.shtml)