About the situation in the Balkans and the issue of the FYROM name
Speaking to the press after the meeting Aleka Papariga she said:
“We called on the government to disengage itself from the erroneous decision of 1992, which we had not endorsed at the meeting of the council of Political Party Leaders. Of course, not endorsing the decision does not mean that we were not able to defend the territorial integrity and the sovereign rights of our country, nor that we did not oppose the nationalist and irredentist views of the leadership of FYROM and of the various nationalist and chauvinist circles. However, our opinion is that the Greek government should disengage itself from that resolution and focus on the following issues:
Firstly, whosoever may be the name FYROM, if it contains the term "Macedonia" this should be used in an exclusively geographical context. It is clear that Greece should be safeguarded from any irredentist intent or position. There is nothing in Greece that the neighbouring country can set claim to. The current borders should be respected.
Secondly, the year 2007 has many differences with respect to 1992. 1992 was the beginning of the drama in the Balkans. Today the EU –and especially its leading countries- and the US -that in 1992 was not “in the game”- have established themselves in the region. Additionally, today there is also Russia that intervenes with the pipelines. In this respect, even more acute antagonisms encompass the region today. The government must clarify its position and take a clear-cut stance against Kosovo independence. The foreign troops should withdraw from Kosovo and the region. An independent Kosovo, which will have unclear borders to FYROM as NATO does not allow borders to be clearly delineated, could lead not only to destabilisation but also to an eventual disintegration of FYROM. Greece should make efforts to avert the creation of two clearly US protectorates in the region, Kosovo and FYROM. Because in this case we will move towards a second Albanian state, and together with a NATO-dominated Albania things will become extremely difficult and complicated.
The entrepreneurs that invest in the neighbouring country do not constitute bridges of friendship, as it is said. The go there for their own profits and are indifferent whether may be a unified state or not. The bridge of friendship is the peoples.
We consider the Kosovo issue as critical also for Greek-FYROM relations. We see also a problem emerging with Bosnia, with violent developments there as well. We are worried about the possibility of a new round of wars.
Finally, we criticize the Greek government because it has not reacted and responded to dangerous statements as the one made by Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki who essentially said we should go into Skopje and take land. All views promoted by nationalist circles in Greece should be opposed.
KKE rejects the chauvinistic propaganda of LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally party). These views are not opposed by the cosmopolitan theories of SYRIZA.” Replying to press questions, about the prospects for a solution to the FYROM name issue, the KKE leader noted that the FYROM leadership demonstrates intransigence because “it has strong backing”. Info by the International Section of KKE
e-mail:cpg@int.kke.gr