| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: GEORGIA ECONOMOU |
| November
5, 2004—No.69 |
(202)
785-8430 |
CONGRESSMAN ROB ANDREWS (D-NJ) SENDS LETTER
TO SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL REGARDING FYROM RECOGNITION
WASHINGTON, DC—On November 4, 2004, the American Hellenic Institute
(AHI) contacted Congressman Rob Andrew’s office to discuss action
that could be initiated from the House of Representatives regarding
the recent decision by the State Department to recognize FYROM under
the name of "Republic of Macedonia."
AHI is pleased to report that today, November 5, 2005, Representative
Andrews sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell whereby
he expresses his "concern" and states that this action
is "insulting to the Greek American community."
Representative Andrews further asks the Secretary Powell
to "provide me with an articulation on the rationale behind
this policy decision."
"Mr. Andrews is a very strong supporter of the rule
of law and a friend of the Greek American community. He has time
and time again, in many legislative capacities, supported a name
for FYROM that does not incorporate the word "Macedonia." Mr.
Andrews understands that it is not in the U.S. interests to recognize
FYROM in this way because it has the potential to destabilize the
region which would adversely affect U.S. interests." Said AHI
Executive Director Nick Larigakis.
"We will continue to examine legislative initiatives
that we might be able to introduce so as to withdraw this recognition." Said
Larigakis.
Below is the full text of Congressman Andrews’ letter.
I write to express my concern regarding the recent announcement
that the United States will be referring to the Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia (FYROM) as "the Republic of Macedonia" from
this point forward. This reversal of US policy is detrimental to
the ongoing negotiations between Greece and FYROM, and will only
serve to create greater divisions between these two nations.
It is
my belief, and the belief of many Greek and Greek-American citizens,
that the name "Macedonia" properly belongs to
Greek culture. The US decision to refer to FYROM as the "Republic
of Macedonia" is insulting to the Greek community, and appears
to accomplish nothing aside from creating further divisiveness.
Language was included in the FY2004 omnibus appropriations bill
urging the State Department to use the proper name for this Balkan
nation, thereby allowing Greece and FYROM to reach their own agreement
on use of the Macedonian name. However, despite this urging, a
unilateral decision has now been made which gives the appearance
that the United States had sided against our Greek allies.
I thank you for taking the time to review this correspondence,
and ask that you please provide me with an articulation of the rationale
behind this policy decision.
Rob Andrews
###
For additional information, please contact Georgia
Economou at (202) 785-8430 or
at georgia@ahiworld.org.
For general information about the activities of AHI, please see
our Web site at http://www.ahiworld.org.
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