United Macedonia Diaspora

[Makedonska_Kafana]

What radio? When? Who was he speaking on behalf of? What did he exactly say? Could you understand what he said - po nasi eli nesto drugo?

Tell us what you heard

Feel free to reply in Latin if it helps

[Makedonska_Kafana]

Ambassador Philip T. Reeker’s Remarks for the Panel Discussion on
“Macedonia’s Membership in NATO and the Lisbon Summit - Looking Ahead to the Future”
November 15, 2010
SEE University, Tetovo

--Thank you very much, Amb Reka. Before I begin, let me take this moment to congratulate SouthEast European University - its founders, its faculty, and its students - on their ninth anniversary. Next October will mark the first decade for SEEU - a major milestone for this university and opportunities in higher education for this country, and for the region. Let me also congratulate the new Rector, Zamir Dika, on his new position and applaud his vision for SEEU's future path. And of course, let us pay tribute to the accomplishments and leadership of Rector Emeritus, Alajdin Abazi. The transfer from the founding Rector to the new rector was a model of transparency and professionalism. We thank SEEU for hosting today - and wish this institution continued success.
--I am also very pleased to share the podium today with Andrej Lepavcov and Ali Ahmeti. Mr. Lepavcov is a friend of the United States, and of our Embassy, and we have been honored to work with him in his capacity as a government servant but also as a scholar and Honorary President of the Ohrid Institute, which the International Republican Institute had a major role in establishing. Ali Ahmeti is also indeed a good friend to the United States. In these complex times he has shown good judgment, strong leadership, and a strategic vision.
--Later this week, the eyes of the world will turn to Portugal. In Lisbon, heads of State or Government from NATO Allies will gather together, as will the leaders of all nations contributing to stabilization efforts in Afghanistan. I am proud that soldiers from Macedonia continue to serve side-by-side with us and our mutual allies there, and I am pleased that President Ivanov will participate in this summit of ISAF contributors. President Ivanov himself visited Afghanistan last week, to meet with General Petraeus and other leaders, and well as with the soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, of whom you should be very proud.
NATO will also hold a separate summit with Russian President Medvedev. Lisbon will also bring yet a fourth critical Summit, between the United States and the European Union, but I will focus more on Afghanistan, NATO’s future, and NATO’s relationship with Russia.
--The agenda for Lisbon is ambitious. Beyond Afghanistan, Allies will also agree on a new Strategic Concept for the Alliance, to replace the one adopted at the Washington Summit in 1999, reflecting the enormous changes in global security challenges since then, and the resulting refocus of U.S. and Allied priorities. Related to that, we hope along with Russia as our partner, Allies will agree on the way forward for territorial missile defense.
--First, Afghanistan: Allies will focus beyond the immediate security concerns and look to the future. We are now entering the tenth year since NATO invoked Article 5 of its founding treaty which states that an attack on one Ally is an attack on them all -- for the first and only time in its 61 year history, following the Sept 11 attacks. The planning and training for this attack took place in Afghanistan, and the Alliance remains firmly committed to completing its work and ensuring it is never again the source of an attack against the United States or our Allies.
--To do this, we must ensure that Afghanistan transitions to having the kind of government needed to provide basic services and security to its own people. NATO troops will leave Afghanistan, just as coalition troops left Iraq and ended combat operations there.
--But to do this, NATO – and all its Allies and partners – must provide institutional trainers – for Afghanistan security forces, both military and police. Trainers are the ticket to transition in Afghanistan.
--But beyond determining the numbers and types of trainers, police, and soldiers for this new phase, NATO and Afghanistan are working to forge a new, long-term partnership, even after Allied troops have departed. NATO wants to maintain a relationship with the Afghan government and people, to keep building institutions and to help ensure a safe and secure future for the Afghan people. This next phase will be a major part of the discussion at Lisbon.
--Second, the Strategic Concept: The Strategic Concept is formally defined as “the official document that outlines NATO’s enduring purpose and nature and its fundamental security tasks. It also identifies the central features of the new security environment, specifies the elements of the Alliance’s approach to security and provides guidelines for the further adaptation of its military forces.” In other words, the Strategic Concept is a roadmap, pointing the Allies toward the future as it deals with an ever-changing security and political environment.
--As Allies met in Washington in 1999 to devise a new Strategic Concept at that time, NATO’s attention, and indeed the world’s focus, was on the Balkans. I recall telling the late Macedonian President, Boris Trajkovski, when he was Deputy Foreign Minister in 1999, that the media attention and focus of world leaders was a unique moment for Macedonia, and that the spot light needed to be seized then, for the positive, before other events took over.
Leaders at that time could not have imagined the events of Sept 11, 2001 or many of the other new challenges facing not only the Euro-Atlantic community, but the world. As Secretary Clinton recently put it, “Relying on the strategies of the past simply will not suffice. NATO began as a regional alliance, but the threats we now face are global, and our perspective must therefore be global as well.”
--These threats include, but also go well beyond, the kinds of terrorism we all know too well. States and non-state actors are increasingly capable of carrying out cyber and other non-conventional attacks. Individual Allies, and NATO itself, must build ever more sophisticated and integrated capabilities to protect our systems against bad actors.
--Secretary Clinton also notes that “Today’s security challenges are not just military. Usually they are political, and always they are both. They call for the contributions of a wide range of people, from military strategists and weapons specialists to diplomats and development experts.” NATO recognizes this, and the new Strategic Concept will outline how the Alliance will work in a more integrated way with civilian actors to deal with crises or, preferably, head off crises using diplomacy and development before military force is required.
--Security is not just about what governments do, it is also about what citizens do. A strong civil society is itself a guarantor of security, helping to ensure that rights are protected and as a viable avenue for dissent and agents of change. Without civil society, even the strongest military and security efforts cannot produce stability and security. This is as true in the Balkans as it is in Afghanistan and Iraq.
--As part of the Strategic Concept, Allies will agree on a new command structure that will allow NATO not only to deploy quickly but also globally. Even as we expand our reach, we are moving from a heavy 20th century force to a more nimble 21st century structure, reducing NATO personnel from 13,000 people to 9,000 and the number of NATO agencies from 14 to three.
--In addition to the new command structure, and to focusing on new capabilities such as civil-military cooperation and cyber-security, the new Strategic Concept will also focus on a third new capability, missile defense. This will also, of course, be a large part of the discussion with President Medvedev at the NATO-Russia Summit.
--Currently, NATO Allies have the capability, using sensor and interceptor technology, to employ theatre missile defense -- that is, to defend against ballistic missile attacks against our soldiers in the field. We know, however, that the far greater threat is ballistic missiles being fired against our territory and civilian populations.
--NATO leaders will decide soon whether to spend about 200 million Euros over the next ten years to develop a system to protect our civilian populations and territory against a ballistic missile attack. And the Alliance wants to invite Russia to join in this effort as well. Moscow acknowledges that it faces a threat from ballistic missiles, and we want to create a territorial missile defense together with Russia.
--So as you can see, the agenda is ambitious. You will note that I did not much discuss the Balkans. I did point out that the last time NATO leaders met to adopt a Strategic Concept, in Washington in 1999, the Balkans were front and center of everyone’s concern. Given the enormous changes we have seen since then, you are behind the times if you look at NATO in terms of what it was in 1999. NATO recognizes that if a strategic concept remains based on historic ideas, or on priorities that are of little relevance in 2010, you are quickly left behind.
--That said, the United States and the Alliance recognize that this is still an important region, and one with unfinished business. To illustrate this point, let me note Secretary Clinton’s visit to the region one month ago. While the Secretary of State only had time for Sarajevo, Pristina, and Belgrade, her message for the entire region was loud and clear: Now is the time for the nations of the region to do the hard work and make tough decisions in building democratic institutions – including rule of law and, as I mentioned before, a functioning civil society.
--We need to remember that NATO is not only a military alliance: It is a political alliance based on shared values. Yes, to join the Alliance countries must reform their militaries and be prepared to participate in NATO operations. But the list of political and economic criteria is also extensive. These are still the kind of criteria Secretary Clinton was focusing on during her visit to the region, and they remain critical for every country in Europe, whether they are already NATO Allies or not: settling any international, ethnic or external territorial disputes by peaceful means; demonstrating a commitment to the rule of law and human rights; establishing democratic control of their armed forces; and promoting stability and well-being through economic liberty, social justice and environmental responsibility.
--We urge leaders in Macedonia to continue working toward these goals. Again, this work never stops, whether you are a NATO Ally or not. Europe is moving closer to being a continent whole, free, and at peace. Yet the Euro-Atlantic community – including Macedonia – also faces threats from well beyond its borders. That is the main focus at Lisbon. The NATO Alliance has proven to be resilient and adaptable, and I have every confidence that it will face the new challenges ahead. Thank you very much.
__________________________________________________ _________________________
Question: A key condition for NATO and EU membership is implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. With the tenth anniversary of the OFA almost upon us, where do you think we are in terms of its implementation?
Ambassador Reeker: It is indeed an anniversary year, next year in 2011. We discussed that in the remarks, indeed this institution, the South East European University will be looking at its tenth anniversary as you are celebrating your ninth this year. Of course, as you noted, next year will be the tenth anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, perhaps more significantly, the tenth anniversary of the conflict, which the Ohrid Framework Agreement ended successfully.
And that’s the first point that I think is important to remember about the Ohrid Framework Agreement – it stopped a conflict, a conflict that could have involved great loss of life and treasure, and it prevented this country and its citizens from going down the path that we have seen in so many other places before. It’s the wisdom of leaders like President Trajkovski and others who asked for the support of the international community. The United States was one of those who came here, engaged and helped the citizens and leaders of this country to put themselves on a better footing. The Ohrid Framework Agreement has led to a lot of positive developments in the past ten years. I have seen that since I myself have returned to Macedonia two years ago, and it’s something that has to continuously be worked on.
I have said so many times that in our own efforts in the United States to follow up what we set out to accomplish when our founding fathers wrote the United States Constitution in 1789. Two hundred and twenty years ago we said that we, the people, that is the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, do declare and set forth our constitution. And 220 years later we have never said that that perfect union has been accomplished. We use our constitution as a framework to continue to work towards the ideals that we set forth. That is something that must constantly be tended and constantly worked on. So 200 years later we are still hard at work on that with new legislation, like our Civil Rights Legislation, and that very much reflects, I think, the situation here: a young country with a constitution that has adopted the premises in the Ohrid Framework Agreement. You should be very pleased to have that – those are things to continuously work on and I think that’s what we see, it’s not just the role of the government, it’s the role of all citizens – to think about and understand the ideals that are set forth in your constitution, in your framework – and feel blessed that you have those (ideals) and that all together you can do that.
And you as students, as the potential leaders of the next generation need to very much focus on that, so we keep working in the right direction. We, the United States along with partners in the international community, the European Union, NATO, the OSCE, all work very closely together, in conjunction with the government, as well as civil society and political leaders from all communities to help and offer advice from our own experiences on how you can do just that – using the Ohrid Framework Agreement as a positive tool to continuously implement and continuously make all citizens feel more secure, more part of their civil society and, indeed, more prosperous.

Question: It is clearly difficult for Macedonia to make a compromise on the name issue, yet Macedonia’s NATO integration is in the interest of the alliance and in the interest of regional stability. What happens with Macedonia after Lisbon?
Ambassador Reeker: Indeed, these are difficult issues, difficult and emotional issues, but what happens to Macedonia after Lisbon, after next week is really up to you. It’s up to Macedonia, its leadership and its people, its citizens. We in the United States continue to support, as you know, Macedonia’s membership in NATO. We’d like to see that happen as soon as possible, continuing on the path to full integration into the European Union as well. That’s been our policy, and our government and our Embassy work very closely with Macedonia, both the government and society, to help achieve it.
So, I would say – next week just as this week – continue on the reform agenda, continue focusing on building civil society, continue engagement with NATO both in the challenge we all face together in Afghanistan and other areas. And of course the United States continues to urge both Greece and Macedonia to work together and find a solution. I’ll say what I have said before: “Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. Don’t introduce elements that are not necessary or dwell on outdated concepts or concerns.” As we’ve often said: Respecting the different points of view at home and relationships with neighbors is important and that really is fundamentally what NATO is all about.

Q. UMD PRESS RELEASE? ANTI MACEDONIAN, PRO AMERICAN - AGAIN

[fyrOM]

Actually, YOU are WRONG - MFA (and others in the "Macedonian" Gov.) has said exactly that! THUS "UMD" is in FULL SYNCH with the "Macedonian" Government and other VASSAL politicians and their puppet masters in Washington DC.

Indigen kolku radosen mi se slusas so YOU are WRONG but do you have one example where the government said they would enter the eu and nato as FYROM with specifically an agreement to a prefix PRIOR to entry but to be announced after entry…ie NOT lets get in as FYROM and we will keep negotiation for a suitable name but ACTUALY said they will sign an agreement that a prefix will be found after entry as a precondition to entry which is what the article Meto found to be a good article was saying to do and hence why he and the umd by their silence are agreeing to.

[Risto the Great]

OM, the Macedonian Government has been implicated not only by its silence, but also by signing the interim accord and now trying to enforce it.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Most of you do not want to lose face in front of the Greeks,that is the main reason you adhere to these silly agendas.

Adding a prefix/suffix to the name of the country will do nothing to damage the integrity of the Macedonian identity.

Most of you carry a grudge because you have had to put up with Greeks in the diaspora and you do not want to lose face.

Fancy that, a racist Greek is supportive of the UMD, must be another one of Meto's facebook friends.

And Shame on you RTG. You automatically assume I am Greek because I do not fit into your extreme nationalist mold and i do not aspire to the same political agenda that you do.

You are a Greek, and a racist moron acting out a tired old scene of idiocy that has been seen enough times by self-respecting Macedonians.

[Phoenix]

The MTO today stands as a beacon or bright light in the night sky, attracting many passionate and intelligent Macedonian patriots, it has provided valuable information to the internet community and fostered the exchange of ideas between Macedonians and others from all corners of the globe.

A light providing this level of illumination has also attracted its fair share of moths, the senseless flapping of wings and erratic flight paths of creatures diverted from their usual uneventful nocturnal journey, flying by the cover of night and seeking refuge by day on anything that will camouflage this pest.

The latest to be seduced by the bright light is some 'greek' called 'Strive', feeding on the foul nectar of turds, this maggot will readily add prefixes and suffixes to something that doesn't belong to him, our cherished Macedonian identity.

'Strive', you pathetic, shameless fuckin' idiot, there's no shame in 'Risto the Great' defending his identity, there's no shame in 'True Macedonian' exposing the shameless 'greek' and albanian racists, those that openly plot against the Macedonians and the masses that remain mute to the plight of our people.

Shame on you 'Strive', you fuckin' piece of gutless, spineless shit, you sellout, you sad, pathetic apologist.

[Big Bad Sven]

Just read the recent posts on this topic, wow that strive fellow has some real nerve.

Only a person with evil intentions would come here and play the "blame" game and make the macedonians as some sort of "bad guy".

I will guarantee that it will take any normal observer to spend less then a minute in one of the many fascist albanian, grk, serb or bulgarian slav forums that pollutes the internet to be shocked and appauled at the constant racism and discrimination aimed towards macedonians. The natural observer will see that these people dont want peace, but the total destruction of the macedonian republic and disappearance of macedonian people and culture.

We macedonians on the other hand are fighting for our survival and self respect and basic human dignity, its as simple as that.

[Big Bad Sven]

I would love to know, why would a Greek (strive) defend Meto so vigorously?

Do the Greek lobbyists find UMD org weak, corrupt, and to have Greek favorable policies?

hmmmmmmm.

heh, the fact that a grk/grkoman/macedonian sell out is 100% behind the UMD says a lot my friend

[Phoenix]

Just read the recent posts on this topic, wow that strive fellow has some real nerve.

Only a person with evil intentions would come here and play the "blame" game and make the macedonians as some sort of "bad guy".

I will guarantee that it will take any normal observer to spend less then a minute in one of the many fascist albanian, grk, serb or bulgarian slav forums that pollutes the internet to be shocked and appauled at the constant racism and discrimination aimed towards macedonians. The natural observer will see that these people dont want peace, but the total destruction of the macedonian republic and disappearance of macedonian people and culture.

We macedonians on the other hand are fighting for our survival and self respect and basic human dignity, its as simple as that.

This has got UMD's filthy hands all over it...

As UMD continues to lose credibility its board resorts to all manner of dirty tricks in a futile attempt to remain 'relevent'.

The process is all too familiar...Meto begins by spamming forums with bullshit and meaningless announcements, often months old...

Then Meto and his board, assume a variety of internet personas pretending that they're UMD 'supporters', trying to convey a false image that UMD has wider support.

The allegations are always the same, that UMD's critics are extremists and that 'other' diaspora organizations are "jealous" of UMD's "success"

...deluded fuckin' idiots.

[indigen]

[.....]

Originally Posted by indigen
Actually, YOU are WRONG - MFA (and others in the "Macedonian" Gov.) has said exactly that! THUS "UMD" is in FULL SYNCH with the "Macedonian" Government and other VASSAL politicians and their puppet masters in Washington DC.

Indigen kolku radosen mi se slusas so YOU are WRONG but do you have one example where the government said they would enter the eu and nato as FYROM with specifically an agreement to a prefix PRIOR to entry but to be announced after entry…ie NOT lets get in as FYROM and we will keep negotiation for a suitable name but ACTUALY said they will sign an agreement that a prefix will be found after entry as a precondition to entry which is what the article Meto found to be a good article was saying to do and hence why he and the umd by their silence are agreeing to.

Нема за што јас да сум „радосен“, тоа си е чистата вистина.

Читај ТУКА: www.mfa.gov.mk

[B]
Скопје, 8 Октомври 2010 година

Интервју на Министерот за надворешни работи, Антонио Милошоски, за германскиот дневен весник, “Suddeutsche Zeitung”

[.....]

Значи изнаоѓањето на решение ќе биде многу тешко.

- Но, не и невозможно, кога политичките елити, владата и опозицијата ќе бидат во таквото решение убедени. Ние ги плаќаме трошоците околу спорот и ние сакаме истиот да се надмине.

Од НАТО Самитот во ноември не очекувате некаков сигнал?

- Не, но имаме еден предлог. Кога ние би направиле голема национална отстапка со цел да ги отпочнеме преговорите со ЕУ, мораме да бидеме сигурни дека Грција нема повторно да не блокира по четвртото или десеттото поглавје. Затоа, треба двата процеси паралелно да се одвиваат, така што дури по официјалниот прием на РМ во ЕУ би важело новото име. На тој начин, можеме да ја надминеме недовербата во целиот случај.

[.....]

[Rogi]

Indigen, I hadn't read that, but it's not really a surprise.

I hope everyone reads that (in fact, it deserves it's own thread). It should wake everyone that's still daydreaming about some 'great tactical strategy'.

They have sold the name, now they're just negotiating on the price.

[Prolet]

They have sold the name, now they're just negotiating on the price.

How can you be so sure? There is going to be another Greek Veto this is why only Ivanov is in Lisbon and SDSM is going to use that veto to call for an early election as they already stated but this of course is not going to happen.

[fyrOM]

Indigen I hadn’t read that and it is what looks like the first deviation from the governments standard line. One could try to excuse it in two ways but not worth the effort with such limited data. It is a definite blimp on the radar.

Its not like 1 bad news and 3 good news which would be cause for a serious alert but more like 2 years of consistent saying and acting in one direction and one bad news but because of its serious nature says watch them more seriously than you ever have. It is a surprising comment.

This is one of the good things about a forum that if something is missed by one hopefully it is picked up by the rest.

[Makedonska_Kafana]

must be another one of Meto's facebook friends.

he spent countless hour's requesting friends then when he reach 5,000 he used that number as UMD members ..

LMFAO

[UMDiaspora.org]

TCA Supports Macedonia’s Bid to Join NATO

http://tc-america.org/TCA_Supports_Macedonias_Bid_to_Join_NATO.html