The Right Honourable Paul Martin, Q.C., P.C.

Prime Minister of Canada

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2

RE: Recognition by the United States of America of FYROM as Macedonia

Dear Prime Minister, 

I am writing to you in my capacity as President of the Canadian Hellenic Congress, the largest Canadian organization with the mandate of representing the social, economic and political interests of the over 400,000 Canadians of Hellenic heritage in Canada.

 I wish to note that content of this letter is endorsed and approved by every major Canadian Hellenic organization and community in Canada as evidenced by their signature hereto.

 Our concern and stated mandate is always with the best interests of Canada at the forefront both domestically as well as in a global setting given that first, foremost and always we are Canadians. In this spirit we have sought in the past to address Canada – Greece relations and facilitate understanding of issues of mutual concern to both countries. 

In this regard we wish to bring to your attention a matter of regretful significance - specifically the announcement on November 5, 2004 by the United States of America that it will recognize the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) under the name “Republic of Macedonia”. 

This is a unilateral action on the part of the United States without consultation and of great concern to Greece, the European Union, the United Nations, and those of Hellenic descent in this and other countries.

 In reviewing the transcript of the U.S. State Department briefing of November 5, 2004 when this announcement was made, it was clearly stated by the State Department official that the United States of America has its own agenda for making this unilateral decision.  These are noted during the briefing as the upcoming referendum in FYROM and the hope of influencing the result as well as a reward for the FYROM for sending 32 soldiers to participate in the war in Iraq.   

This is inappropriate and unacceptable and clearly an attempt to serve the foreign policy interests of the United States of America without consideration for international law, the impacted countries, and the United Nations and that organization’s decisions and resolutions.

 We wish to bring to your attention that use of the term “Republic of Macedonia” is of particular concern to all Canadians of Hellenic descent as represented by the undersigned organizations given that Macedonia is an area of northern Greece and not a separate state or nation. Some elements within and outside of the FYROM publish and issue maps indicating that “Macedonia” extends to areas that are clearly within the internationally recognized territorial jurisdiction of Greece.

 The use of the term “Republic of Macedonia” has not in the past been accepted by the Government of Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations as a proper name for FYROM.

 The Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia was admitted to the United Nations in 1993 pursuant to the UN Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2 which recommended such admission subject to two conditions. The first was that the country (FYROM) would agree to be referred to as the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia; and secondly, that it would negotiate with another country (namely Greece) over its name.

 The United Nations Security Council through Resolution 817 (1993) 2 clearly indicated that the use of the name “Macedonia” for a nation state was an issue to be resolved between FYROM and Greece. FYROM clearly understood the conditions to its admittance to the United Nations and has an obligation to respect that decision.  FYROM has since 1993 participated in the negotiations sponsored by the United Nations, which are ongoing.

 The Government of Canada has held to the policy of only recognizing the use of the name FYROM despite various attempts by the government of that country to use the term “Republic of Macedonia”.  We appreciate that Canada has in the past respected the specific wording and intent of United Nations Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2 in its policy on this issue and should continue to do so. 

We strongly believe that any attempt to use the term “Republic of Macedonia” is a direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2. 

The United Nations has the authority to recognize a nation only by a name that is not offensive or objectionable to other member states. Canada and many other nations have supported and recognized the Greek position that use of the term “Republic of Macedonia’ is unacceptable. In the circumstances the use of the term “Republic of Macedonia” is provocative given the issues relating to territorial claims made by some elements within and outside of the FYROM and the historic use of the name, which is clearly associated with Greece.

The acceptance of the name “Republic of Macedonia” by the United States of America is provocative, unwarranted, unnecessary, and creates a source of tension in the Balkans. This in light of the fact that the United Nations has constituted ongoing negotiations pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2 to address and resolve the issue. 

The unilateral decision by the United States of America to recognize FYROM under the name “Republic of Macedonia” shows complete disregard for the United Nations as an institution and specifically for United Nations Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2.  

The Federal Government of Canada, with its inherent responsibility for foreign policy on behalf of all Canadians, has decided to only recognize and accept the name “The Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia” (FYROM). This is a commitment to the authority and integrity of the United Nations of which Canada is a committed and leading participant at many levels and forums.  

We would strongly encourage that the Government of Canadian maintains this position and thus affirm its commitment to the United Nations as an institution as well as to the intent and spirit of United Nations Security Council Resolution 817 (1993) 2 and the ongoing negotiations to resolve this issue.

 Finally, we would ask that Canada make a demarche to the U.S. State Department expressing its concern over that country’s unilateral decision to recognize the FYROM under the name the “Republic of Macedonia” and the resulting implications of creating tensions in the Balkans, for the United Nation’s resolution on this issue, as well as the authority of the United Nations as an institution.

 We have enclosed for your reference a Press Release issued by my office today concerning this matter which together with this letter has been distributed to Canadian and international media.

 We would appreciate hearing from you concerning the position of your Government on this issue.

Yours truly,

Athanasios Foussias

President – Canadian Hellenic Congress

Costas Menegakis

President, Greek Community of Toronto 

John Theodosopoulos, President, Communauté Hellénique de Montréal

 Nick Anissimoff, President, La Communauté Grecque Orthodoxe de Laval

 Anastase Maragos, President, Hellenic Orthodox Community of Vancouver

 Antonis Tselalis, President, Hellenic Congress of Quebec

 Costas Pappas, President, Hellenic Canadian Federation of Ontario

 Dr. Pandelis Halamandaris, President, Canadian Hellenic Congress of Manitoba

 Harry Katevatis, President, Hellenic Canadian Congress of B.C.

 James Karas, President Pan-Macedonian Association of Ontario

cc.               The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, M.P.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs

125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

By fax: (613) 996-3443

The Honourable Aileen Carroll, M.P.

Minister of International Cooperation

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 953-8525

The Honourable Jacques Saada, M.P.

Minister Responsible for La Francophonie

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 992-7273

 The Honourable Dan McTeague, M.P.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

By fax: (613) 996-3443

The Honourable Marlene Jennings, M.P.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Canada-US)

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 996-1481

The Honourable Eleni Bakopanos, M.P.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Development

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 992-1932

The Honourable Jim Karygiannis, M.P.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport

Transport Canada – Minister’s Office

Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

By fax: (613) 995-0327

John Cannis, M.P.

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 943-1045

Stockwell Day, M.P.

Conservative Critic for Foreign Affairs

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 995-1154

Alexa McDonough, M.P.

NDP Critic for Foreign Affairs

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 992-8569

Francine Lalonde

Bloc Critic for Foreign Affairs

House of Commons

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

By fax: (613) 996-5173