Will it break a record?

The Economist recently has published a few articles in the past few months relating to Macedonia. What no one expected was the response. The latest article, about the cosmetic transformation of Macedonia's capital Skopje and the controversy arising from the use of ancient Macedonian figures such as a statue of Alexander the Great, has been groundbreaking. Not so much the article itself though. What has been significant is that it has been one of the most commented Economist articles ever - 1250+ comments so far! Most of which made up of multiple rants by myopic Greek nationalists. This leads to wonder... why are they wasting their time? I mean, what makes them think that it will suddenly dawn upon the Macedonians who even happen to read any the comments (very few) that they have lived their whole lives as a lie and realise, like an epiphany, that they are not Macedonian because of some comment they read on an Internet forum? Plus, the rest of the world don't bloody care, so who in their right mind would bother reading through this all unless they are truly mad. A complete waste of effort that could be better used in doing things that many Greeks otherwise don't seem to have time for, such as paying taxes or obeying anti-smoking laws.

In the end, the last time I checked, I still have a passport that says 'Macedonia' on it, and there is still a country called Macedonia full of Macedonians speaking Macedonian. Therefore all those comments on the Economist forum has led to nothing except wasting the Economist's Internet band length. This is the main reason why I don't get myself bogged down into these pitiful Internet forums. What also makes the whole Economist comments saga even more ludicruous and ironic is that the news magazine even documented about these ethnic conflicts waged on the Internet in an article titled 'You say Lwów, I say Lviv (and don't mention Lvov)' - A guide to Eastern Europe's most tedious arguments, complete with tortured facts, rage, arguments and syntax. The article finishes off with what has to be the best observation about these Internet-waged polemics:

Outside pressure has mostly calmed these arguments within formal politics. But on the internet the rows still rage, with tortured facts, arguments and syntax, all mixed with vituperative insults, phoney politeness and seemingly RANDOM Use Of Capital letters. There is a whiff of pyjamas-at-noon, and of people who check their emails in the small hours. Time to get a life?

Despite this description, the article still attracted 306 comments, many of which fitting the bill. You don't know whether to laugh or cry... or just scratch your head in dismay?

By the way, I am very much looking forward to seeing the Alexander the Great statue going up in the centre of Skopje. There has been one in the Macedonian city of Prilep now for about 15 years (pictured above), though as it is not a place known to nationalist Greeks, they haven't discovered it yet to make much fuss about it (yet). You'd think they could at least be consistent in their ire.

This also reminds me of the Macedonian town located near the Bulgarian border called Novo Selo (translated: New Village) that wanted to change its name as there are about a dozen places in Macedonia, let alone many more in Serbia and Bulgaria, with the same name. Novo Selo is quite the misnomer as it is hardly 'new', and with 3000 residents, no longer a 'village'. So a competition was launched in 2002 for a new name for the town. A local referendum was called for September 2003 and 90% of the residents voted the new name for the town to be... Aleksandrija (Alexandria), named after 'you know who'. After a year of going through slow bureaucratic channels, the decision to rechristen the town was put forward to the Macedonian Parliament for final ratification. However, while some ex-Communists who still see all Macedonians as pure Slavs (more in common with Russians and Poles) were not so keen about the name change, it was the ethnic Albanian politicians who were most vociferous against the proposal and promptly voted against. So thanks mainly to these Albanian politicians, against the wishes of its residents, the old town of 'New Village' remains to this day 'Novo Selo'. The irony is that no Albanians live in Novo Selo (pictured below).

OK, back to the pyjamas-at-noon for me :)

The 5 biggest lies about changing Macedonia's name

From taratur.com ('taratur' is better known as 'tzatziki' in English speaking countries)

The spin doctors operating in some of Macedonia's political parties and media, who tirelessly work for the Greek cause use a few tricks all with the purpose to convince the Macedonian public to change its own name and to accept the compromise proposal 'Republic of North Macedonia'. This time we will show that their 'arguments' have as much worth as Yugoslav dinars.

Lie number 1
The name has already been changed and they're just waiting for a date for that to be announced

This is a line being put forward by Macedonian opposition parties and their media fellow travellers (columnists and 'experts'), all for the purpose of weaking the so-called 'hard core' who under no circumstances want to change the name; a reason why the current Macedonian government still polls very high. Their impetus can be witnessed in two segments - the first is clearly partisan, while the second is clearly in cooperation with Greek political elements that so far remain in the domain of speculation.

That is to say, partisan logic suggests that because the biggest reason for the high approval ratings for the current ruling nationalist party is their strong stance on the name issue, if they were to change the name, no doubt their high opinion polls would mindspinningly tumble, being that they will lose the largest part of the trust they had obtained. So here is the opposition's chance.

In other words, by witnessing the daily Macedonian political scene, you see politicians constantly describing their political opponents as false patriots misleading the public. If this were to be proven (i.e. if the ruling party changes the name), automatically the opposition will come to power claiming in part that it was right about the ruling party's treachery all the time, and that valuable time was just lost.

The second element can be found in the connections of prominent opposition party members, 'experts' etc. with Greek political elements, as evident even in the book written by independent Macedonia's first president Kiro Gligorov. It's not possible to go into detail now, however a large section of the Macedonian public believes that soon enough lists of Macedonian journalists, quasi-experts and the like who are on the Greek payroll will be released.

Why is this a lie?
1. Because if a Macedonian government at any time were to announce a name change, they would face losing government and would end up being on the backburner of history, just like their party predecessor who was held up as a 'legend' but finished up less than glorious. Furthermore, the chances of a popular uprising are very high, something that would have an uncertain end.
2. Because they have been saying this now for 4 years and may continue to do so for another 40, but the aim will be only to weaking the Macedonian resolve. In other words, this lie is as effective as a pogo stick in quicksand.
3. Because if this was true, then the current Macedonian government would not have launched legal proceedings against Greece at the International Court in The Hague, or make moves in an attempt to mimick Greek policy (statues of ancient heroes etc.), nor constantly insist that there would be a referendum on the name. If it were so, the government would simply wait for a lull before announcing capitulation.

Lie Number 2
Any other name is better than 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' (FYROM)

And this hypothesis comes from the same circles and has the same purpose as lie number 1 - to weaken Macedonia's positions in talks and to brainwash the Macedonian public. In other words, according to this hypothesis, FYROM is a 'necrophilic' name that is much worse than 'North' therefore the name should be changed immediately by accepting the Greek proposal.

Why is this a lie?
1. Because it is wrongly devised. Namely, FYROM is a 'reference' and not the legal 'name' by which Macedonia is represented at UN and other international organisations. So long as there is this 'reference' Macedonia can fight to receive international support through the recognition of its true name - Republic of Macedonia, which it has been doing these past 18 years, and has achieved from over 120 countries worldwide. If Macedonia were to accept a change in name, then it's the end to all this. Macedonia would have to accept the name Republic of North Macedonia and bye-bye to the Macedonian name.
2. Because noone so far (except Greek nationalists) have used terms such as Fyromian for the language or people of Macedonia. Macedonians are still referred to as Macedonians by an overwhelming majority of the world's population or, at the very least, citizens of FYR Macedonia by the bean counters in Brussels. If the name 'Republic of North Macedonia' were to be accepted, as much as they convince otherwise, Macedonians will become 'North Macedonians' just like how the citizens of North Korea are known as 'North Koreans' and the citizens of South Africa as 'South Africans', as the term 'Macedonian' will imply citizens of Greece with Greek ethnicity that live in the Greek region of Macedonia. That's how it says in Wikipedia, in the UN and all other powerful organisations. That is Greece's aim - so much so that their leaders don't even hide this fact.
3. Because in the name talks, the Greeks are also placing additional conditions which not only mean a change of Macedonia's name but also a change of identity and prefixes and such. With the current 'reference', the Macedonians are not obligated to use the term 'Fyromians' or 'Fyromese' etc.
4. Because to the rest of the unencumbered world, Macedonians are still Macedonians. If you were to go to ... say Jamaica, there the gracious hosts will greet you as 'Macedonians'. However if Macedonia was to capitulate, expect to be awaited as 'North Macedonians', not matter how much you were to protest, as a name change would imply acceptance of being called that.
5. Because the Greeks would not smear their reputation as a 'problematic' country in foreign policy terms if they were happy with FYROM. Greece knows that if Macedonia were to enter the EU and NATO even under the FYROM reference, Macedonia soon enough would be freed from this cumbersome reference and win the dispute fully. The Greeks are fully aware that this reference is just plain silly to other countries, so that's why they are in full force in trying to pressure Macedonia to sign capitulation. To get this to happen, they have engaged the services of a large number of Macedonian journalists and quasi-experts who cry like little babies when someone, or they themselves are called 'traitors'.

Lie Number 3
The name must be changed (to solve the dispute) otherwise the Albanians will split

According to this construct, which also have the goal of scaring little children from their sleep, the Albanians are war-like people but also supposedly pro-European orientated, and who won't be waiting for the Macedonians to solve this 'irrational dispute' as the Albanians want express entry into the EU and NATO. That's why they'll go up in arms and will separate so as to join NATO and EU.

Why is this a lie?
1. Because this relies on many conditions and many shaky foundations. First of all, it is not for certain that without hesitation the EU would accept a supposedly war-like people facing huge problems with mafia and terrorist formations in all territories where they live (the Albanian mafia is seen to be one of the most problematic in the world), where weddings are characterised by the shooting of guns and armaments, and drug and prostitution trafficking has deeply entered into many facets of Albanian society. That's not to talk about the current anti-Muslim mood in a majority of European countries that are ever increasingly banning burqas, niqabs, minarets etc.
2. If the Albanians were to want to separate, it can be safe to assume that Macedonia will not allow that to happen in a peaceful way, which means that it would result in a military conflict, something noone wants - neither the citizens of Macedonia, nor neighbouring countries, let alone the EU and the USA. This means that if there were to be a new military conflict, the whole Balkans will remain, as now, stagnant for many more years. Therefore the Albanians would not get express entry into the EU or NATO. On the contrary, it would mean that Albania would remain outside the gates of Europe for many, many more years! This scenario was even warned by a group of Albanian intellectuals on TV in Albania's capital Tirana last year when they confronted the Albanian nationalist leader from Macedonia Menduh Thaqi, that his irredentist policies were working against the interests of all Albanians.
3. Let me pose to you a rhetorical question. If integration into the EU was more important for the Albanians than their national issues, then why did Kosovo then separate from Serbia? According to all indications, Serbia will integrate and join the EU much quicker than an independent Kosovo. Why then didn't they just simply remain as part of Serbia so they can enter the EU quicker, rather than form their own country, which for at least 10 years has no chance to even think about starting talks on EU membership? However, the fact is that when their national issues are at stake, they come first. Macedonia should be the same. Macedonia must keep its name and identity the same way how Macedonia understood Albanians' interest for Kosovo being independent, hence recognising it as an independent country.

Lie Number 4
Only in the EU and NATO can Macedonia survive

According to this construct, Macedonia cannot develop economically and politically by itself. On the contrary, Macedonia's survival is uncertain and that it's only a matter of time that the country will collapse, disappear or experience a cataclysm.

This lie has been told for more than 10 years and to be honest, its propensity gains strength only when the Macedonia's nationalist party is in power. This can be seen by going through Macedonian media archives and files on internet from the period when the ex-Communists were in power from 2002-2006, when none of the doomsdayers were emphasising this lie.

Why is this construct a lie?
1. Firstly, the creators of this lie never elaborate on their fatal scenario. Basically, what will happen with Macedonia and how will it 'no longer exist'. Will Macedonia be occupied by a neighbouring country; will it be bombed by a nuclear bomb; or will Macedonia be overcome by a serious plague? They just simply say that there won't be any more Macedonians, but how this will happen is not that clear. Honestly, I'm not planning of getting rid of myself anytime soon, nor do I think that at least another 2 million people, the population of Macedonia, are planning the same. That would mean someone would need to exterminate all 2 million of Macedonia's population. How this will happen? Please, could someone who says such constructs please explain?
2. Secondly, because in the course of history, this has proven to be a lie. It only serves to scare little children, while Macedonia still survives. It is not that Macedonians are satisifed being outside of the EU and NATIO and have little or no economic growth, but simply that the price to be paid for this, to self-renounce ourselves as a nation and people, is unacceptable.
3. Because the world's current power circles just would not allow Macedonia to collapse. The world's greater powers are fine with Macedonia and they are involved in the country with their economic and political structures, so they have no interest in making the fate of Macedonia's future uncertain.

Lie Number 5
By solving the name issue (by changing and selling the name Macedonia), it will all be milk and honey

This lie is the 'carrot', as opposed to the 'sticks' of the previous ones. Accordingly, when Macedonia changes its name, the hard transition period since the early 1990s will come to an immediate end, Macedonia will finally join the EU and NATO and all of its current economic, social and political problems will be solved. The Macedonians then will live happily ever after in Eldorado to the end of their lives. We just don't know who is the prince and who is the princess...

Why is this a lie?
1. Because every other 'carrot' so far have ended up as a lie. Macedonia changed its flag under pressure in 1995, accepted the reference FYROM under pressure, accepted more than 300,000 refugees fleeing Kosovo under pressure (despite Macedonia having no resources to look after such numbers), accepted a new Framework Agreement after a limited ethnic conflict in 2002 under pressure, and for all of the 'carrots' dangled in front of it for all this, it has come to nothing. Macedonia just desecrates itself, while Eldorado is looking much further away than the planet of Pluto.
2. Because if it were to change the name, Macedonia won't gain express entry to the EU. Instead talks will start which will drag out for 5-6 years minimum. That means that for Eldorado to arrive, Macedonians will need to wait at least that many years PLUS even more years on top for any possible economic effects (if any) from ever dwindling EU funds to achieve their minimum effect. That's notwithstanding all possible unpleasant future economic scenarios that are ever more present in recent times.
3. Because joining the EU and NATO has not solved Bulgaria's serious problems with corruption and poverty, while Greece is financially and socially bankrupt and will be in a terrible economic crisis for many years to come. Belgium is still threatened with a political split into Flanders and Walloonia entities, even though Brussels is the effective capital of the EU. If the above construct was true, then none of these countries would be facing these problems they have at present. Simply, the EU and NATO membership does not automatically mean all problems will be solved. Entry into these structures only means better political and economic conditions on certain terms and a possibility for greater prosperity, however not at the price of renouncing national identity.

In conclusion, the price to be paid in changing the name is just too much for what most likely will be too little. The rebuttal to Lie 5 say it best. The idea that EU membership will solve everything and that Macedonia overnight will become as prosperous and efficient as Germany is a delusion. Greece today, despite 30 years of billions of euros and the superficial application of EU standards, is still a corrupt, inefficient and essentially poor country no much different from Macedonia now (only with better roads). Some Macedonians consider the EU to be, either positively or negatively, as the new Tito Yugoslavia, when Macedonians lived like the Greeks of late - an artificially high standard of living funded by subsidies from northerly Germanic regions and credit, without any fundamental change to age-old traditions of corruption, nepotism and political patronage. Macedonia is still paying for that period, but a name change to only get the same will be even more devastating on identity and esteem. Fortunately most Macedonians are quite aware of this, that's why applying their first-hand experience with that other union of European nations - Yugoslavia, they see that multi-ethnic unions don't last. As what one Macedonian friend once told me: The EU is, like Yugoslavia was, just temporary; the name and national identity is forever, so why pay that price forever for something temporary.

Opposition protest in Macedonia. Numbers fly!

Yesterday evening, the main opposition party in Macedonia, the ex-Communist Social Democratic Union of Macedonian (SDSM) organised a rally outside of parliament in Skopje calling for early elections. SDSM organisers claims that 50,000 people attended the protest, but as can be seen in this video, perhaps 10,000 at most were there.

SDSM party chief, Branko Crvenkovski, a former electrician, who has been either premier or president of Macedonia for most of the past 20 years of independence, addressed the crowd accussing the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party of leading Macedonia to economic brink and doing all it can to not achieve EU membership for the country. SDSM announced that this protest will be the start of a campaign to 'delegitimise' the government in an effort to place pressure for early elections, which are not scheduled until 2012. The government laughed off the protest calling it a 'fiasco' and are adament that in the interests of stability for the country, the government will do as mandated and serve its full term.

Why is the opposition so silly? Many reasons. First of all, SDSM is desperately trailing in the polls behind the government and has been for some time. SDSM has been in power for a majority of the time since independence in 1991, and the economic collapse they now accuse the government of creating has been a feature of the Macedonian economy for the whole independence era. With this in mind, many Macedonians see that it's highly hypocritical and short-sighted for SDSM to lay blame on all economic ills on the government when SDSM had been in power sufficiently enough to have done something - but didn't. The levels of corruption, nepotism and heavy handedness on the media that SDSM accuses the government of maintaining is actually lower than when SDSM were in power. What this all hides is that SDSM is still essentially made up of the same apparatchiks of the old Yugoslav-era League of Communists, whose political careers were built by corruption, nepotism and careerism which saw loyalty for Yugoslavia (and Serbia) above Macedonia. Under a VMRO-DPMNE government, this old-boy system is no more, so they are desperately wanting the power that they've had for an overwhelming part of the last 65 years back. SDSM also exploits the nostalgia many Macedonians have for the mythical 'good old days' of Titoist Yugoslavia. Unfortunately for these people, they have yet to realise that those good old days that only exist in their airbrushed memories are not going to come back just because the same (but rebranded) party that existed then is around. SDSM does have backing from some elements in the EU as they are seen as being more flexible in making a compromise on the name issue. However it is naive to think that with a change of the official name of the country that there wouldn't be a likewise accompanying change to the term 'Macedonian' for language and people. Many SDSM members have also been prominent in voicing their opinion against the current measures by the government to move away from the false notion promoted in Yugoslavia that modern Macedonians trace an unbroken and pure blood line with the Slavs who supposedly arrived into the Balkans in the 6th century. This theory then in turn fuels SDSM policy in supporting 'Slavic and Orthodox brother' Serbia, even though a quarter of Macedonia's population is Albanian, while Serbia hardly returns the favour when it refuses to recognise the Macedonian Orthodox Church and fully supports Greece on the name issue. The current government has come under increasing fire over its so-called 'antiquisation' programme, which has been promoting the fact that the modern day Macedonians are heterogenous and can trace bloodlines from the ancient Macedonians, the Slavs and all other invaders and migrations to Macedonia. This concept is far more in line with reality than the discredited pure-Slav notion promoted by SDSM, as evident when looking at the Macedonians - even in the same family you can see relatives ranging from Nordic-looking blondes with blue eyes right through to swarthy and indistinguishable from Roma. As it has been pointed out, the number of Serbian flags waving at the protest outnumbered the Macedonian ones.

SDSM had plenty of time in power to actually make a difference and set a path to economic recovery for Macedonia. However, it proved to be a corrupt and self-interest party that was, and still is, perfectly content in remaining in its Yugo-era created sloth bubble. It has yet to show any true vision for the future, and that is why so few people except the party faithful turned out to its protest. Instead of wallowing in self-delusion, SDSM needs to face facts and realise that they just can't gain support solely out of electorate dissatisfaction with the government. It needs to show that it has its interests in the people and not in themselves - credibility they lack. But, they won't. This is why SDSM won't get early elections or even win the next scheduled ones, and rightfully so.