Okay, I know I may catch some heat from some of my more "nationalist" friends and family over this, but I can’t resist sharing a few comments on this story:
From Kathimerini (English):
PM on foreign offensive
(posted November 1, 2005)A domestic squabble in Parliament last night over the government’s foreign policy was seized upon by the prime minister as a perfect opportunity to send out strong messages to neighboring states with which Greece has differences.
"I want to be absolutely clear," said Costas Karamanlis as he tackled the issue of the name disagreement with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) during yesterday’s foreign policy debate. "An accession process to join the EU can only exist under two circumstances; either after a mutually acceptable solution or under the FYROM name." (full article)
In a related story, the city of Athens, Ohio has demanded that the city of Macedonia, Ohio change its name to "Macedonia of Northeast Ohio, Near Akron" (or "MONONA") for short. Additionally, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has filed a formal complaint against both Ohio cities in an EU court, claiming the rights to both city names on behalf of Greece. Karamanlis cited the recent feta cheese decision as precedent to his claim.
Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (better known as "FYROS," "FYROC," and "FYROBH," respectively) have declined comment on the matter. And finally, Kazakhstan has now offered to change its name to "FUSSRROK" (Former USSR Republic of Kazakhstan) in a bid for EU membership.
Seriously.
Further Reading:
Republic of Macedonia (Wikipedia article)
Contending Nationalisms in the Macedonian Controversy by Anastasia Karakasidou
