NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Greeks and Their Sympathizers

Letter to the Editor

Comment on Response to "More Talks on Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Name Issue"

It is sad that Greeks and their sympathizers can not see past their own big noses on this issue. A couple of points that I must take issue with in this article.

First, 1912 saw the partitioning of Macedonia proper by Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia. That is the exact reason why current day Macedonia, as recognized by most of the world except for "Hellas," only occupies 40% of ancient Macedonia. That is what happens when land is stolen.

As far as the Slavs go and that part of the issue I have this to say. A group of nomads migrating into a new region are more likely to assimilate themselves into the existing culture of the area than impose a new one.

With that being understood, it is more plausible to believe that the Slavs who migrated took on the Macedonian culture that had already flourished in the area in the 6th and 7th centuries. The Greek point of view is similar to the one that the United States didn't kill any Native Americans in their conquests, just as the Greeks did not steal Macedonian land.

This tainted view of history is what drives Greek ignorance. Macedonia's saving grace is that there is no substitute for truth.

Billy Petkovski