[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENTING ON THE ONGOING DISPUTE BETWEEN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC OF 
                  GREECE AND THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, in 1991, the former nation of 
Yugoslavia dissolved into a number of independent nation-states, 
including the Republic of Macedonia. However, international recognition 
of Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia was significantly delayed 
in large part by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it 
considered to be a Hellenic name and symbols.
  Greece even went so far as to impose a trade blockade against 
Macedonia, citing unfounded concerns of potential border 
destabilization within the region and fears of Macedonian territorial 
expansion. The Greek government even persuaded the United Nations 
Security Council to pass United Nations Security Council Resolution 845 
in 1993, which proclaimed that for all intents and purposes the 
Republic of Macedonia would be referred to as the ``the former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia,'' pending the outcome of negotiations between 
Greece and Macedonia on a permanent name.
  Greece finally lifted its trade blockade against Macedonia in 1995, 
and the two countries have since agreed to normalize relations. 
Although inexplicable, even after 12 long years of discussion and 
debate between the representatives of Greece and Macedonia, and a host 
of international mediators, differences over Macedonia's official name 
remain.
  Recently, last November, the United States joined 108 other nations 
in officially recognizing the constitutional name of the Republic of 
Macedonia. America's official recognition of the Republic of Macedonia 
should be seen as a clear message to both sides that this dispute over 
the name has simply gone on too long.
  A new, accelerated round of discussions between officials from Greece 
and Macedonia--mediated by United States diplomat and United Nations 
mediator Matthew Nimitz--is scheduled to start before the end of April. 
For the good of bilateral relations, as well as broader regional 
stability, I urge both sides, Greek and Macedonian, to work together in 
a spirit of friendship and open-mindedness with UN envoy Matthew 
Nimitz, and ultimately conclude this emotionally-embroiled dispute in a 
mutually acceptable, desirable, and expedient way.
  Mr. Speaker, Greece and Macedonia have more to gain by settling this 
dispute and working together to bring the people and governments of the 
region into the larger community of nations than they do by continuing 
this destabilizing dispute. I hope that both sides will seize this 
opportunity to do the right thing at the April talks and work together 
to bring this matter to a peaceful conclusion.

                          ____________________