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Mr. Voskopoulos called members of his political faction in Greece for an uprising
PAN MACEDONIAN STUDIES CENTER, INC.
ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΚΩΝ ΣΠΟΥΔΩΝ
A Non-profit 501(c)(3) Organization
149-14th Ave, Whitestone, NY 11357-1730, U.S.A., Tel. 718-747-0488 - Fax 718-747-0489
Press Release of the Macedonian Studies Center and the Pan-Macedonian Association of USA & Canada
Author: Dr. Christos Karatzios M.D.
Communication ГОМНОЈАДАЧКАТА: Nina Gatzoulis: ninagatz@comcast.net
New York-March 26, 2009
RE: Blatant propaganda in Greek TV
Encouraging message by P. Voskopoulos for “Macedonian” minority action in Greece
“Do not fear, lift your heads high, we can do this very well” is the message that the representative of the so-called “Macedonian” minority, Pavlos Voskopoulos, promoted in a fraudulent manner to the inconspicuous participants of the televised program “Atheatos Kosmos,” on March 10, 2009. During the program representatives of the political party “Rainbow,” Greek politicians, historians and journalists discussed the recent UN report by Gay MacDougall, on the minority issue in Greece.
In particular, towards the end of the broadcast, Mr. Voskopoulos, openly addressing the supposedly oppressed “Macedonian” minority, which he calls "Makedonski," said: "Dosta veќe da se plašete, gorno glavata, možno e, mnogu dobro." When asked to translate into Greek what he had said, falsely he replied "this is a matter of pride for us."
Mr. Voskopoulos virtually called members of his political faction in Greece for an uprising.
We welcome the initiative of Alter channel to address the critical Macedonian issue. However, expressing the historical concerns of the Diaspora, the Macedonian Studies Center and the Pan-Macedonian Associations of U.S. and Canada, we wish to inform the Greek public for certain inaccuracies during the broadcast.
First, the amiable journalist Mr. Hardavelas, referred to Nicodemus Tsarknias of the sectarian and self-called "Macedonian" Church in Aridaia, saying that the building is incomplete, "as like no one wants to see it." This statement was unfortunate. The Tsarknias building was not built back then because it lacked sufficient funds for its completion (and virtually no support from the alleged minority that allegedly was serving!). Mr. Tsarknias is the one who sent an inflammatory letter to the legitimate Bishops of Kastoria, Florina and Thessaloniki, demanding the keys of their building, because allegedly Greece occupied “Macedonia” since 1912! During the program it was said that people who make frequent visits are from the FYROM and its Diaspora (Toronto and Australia). Where are the “ethnic Macedonians” from Greece? Unfortunately there was no mention about it during the broadcast.
The “deported Aegean “Macedonians” declared to the young journalists, who were sent to FYROM to interview them that they have been grouped into an organization that lists 50,000 people! What kind of organization has 50,000 as members and why this organization is not known throughout the world? The repeated question of the journalists: "Do you feel Greek?" prompted them to declare: "No, I am Macedonian.” Then, they claimed that their ancestors were the owners of properties which were left behind when they fled Greece. They proclaim that the government does not permit them entry to Greece after the Civil War.
During the broadcast a member of the Communist Party during the 1940s and then a NOF fighter, who took arms against the Greek government during the Civil War, made certain statements. She concluded that the Greek authorities did not allow her to return to Greece! Her statement was interesting that her only wish is “to come back in Greece,” in order to see the grave of her mother. A few seconds later, negating her own words, she said that she has visited Edessa and Florina!
The vast majority of NOF “fighters” initially took the weapons against Greece in serving groups of Bulgarian partisans, under the command of the Bulgarian army officers, such as Anton Kaltsef. In the summer of 1944, when the Germans were preparing to retreat from Greece, they were transformed from Bulgarians to “Macedonian” and enlisted in SNOF (Slavomacedonian EAM), hoping to avoid the punishment of their treason. In October 1944, they broke away from ELAS, left the Greek territory and went to Yugoslavia, where they joined Titoʼs partisans, bearing the name “the Aegean Brigade.” In the summer of 1946 they returned to the mountains of Greece as NOF to fight alongside the “Democratic Army of Greece,” and to exploit the Greek divisions. In the summer of 1949, others before and others after the final defeat of “DSE,” again left the Greek territory and eventually settled in Skopje with Slavic names. Many-among them leaders of KKE - returned to Greece. Others did not return, or chose to return only on condition that Greece will accept their changed names, recognizing them as “Macedonians.” Others did not return, or chose to return only on condition that Greece will recognize them as the “fighters of the “Macedonian” Iliden.
We should all know about the 28,000 Greeks who were sent to Iron Curtain countries by the communists for further education, the majority of whom are now middle aged and have learned that they were expelled. Also, we must have in mind the numerous UN resolutions calling for the return of these children from the Communist countries, especially from former Yugoslavia (UN Resolutions 382 (1950), 517 (1952) and 618 (1952)).
Also, in another interview with a representative of "ethnic Macedonian ethnicity" from Meliti, there was again an unfortunate mention that “the only wish all these people have is work” and the father even claimed that he is “forced” to take care of his adult children (one of his children is 31 years old) because they can not find work in Greece, since they are “Macedonian!” In an era where many immigrants (legal and illegal) can find jobs and live in Greece, this claim is ludicrous.
It is crucial that Greek TV invites historians and politicians who are knowledgeable in this issue, so that they can rebut the historical inaccuracies and distortions. It is also important that individuals who know the FYROM language and the idiom of the language used in the border areas be present in such broadcasts, so that Greek television does not promote messages against our national interests.
We also understand the progressive and humanitarian ideas of some of the guests. In addition, the Macedonians of the Diaspora want friendly relations with Greeceʼs neighbor and wish for an equitable solution on the issue. But friendship and progressiveness cannot be promoted by ignorance and misrepresentation of historical facts, especially at a time when negotiations for the name are ongoing, while the intolerant and irredentist behavior of the neighbor against Greece is ever escalating.
PAN MACEDONIAN STUDIES CENTER, INC.
ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΚΩΝ ΣΠΟΥΔΩΝ
A Non-profit 501(c)(3) Organization
149-14th Ave, Whitestone, NY 11357-1730, U.S.A., Tel. 718-747-0488 - Fax 718-747-0489
Press Release of the Macedonian Studies Center and the Pan-Macedonian Association of USA & Canada
Author: Dr. Christos Karatzios M.D.
Communication ГОМНОЈАДАЧКАТА: Nina Gatzoulis: ninagatz@comcast.net
New York-March 26, 2009
RE: Blatant propaganda in Greek TV
Encouraging message by P. Voskopoulos for “Macedonian” minority action in Greece
“Do not fear, lift your heads high, we can do this very well” is the message that the representative of the so-called “Macedonian” minority, Pavlos Voskopoulos, promoted in a fraudulent manner to the inconspicuous participants of the televised program “Atheatos Kosmos,” on March 10, 2009. During the program representatives of the political party “Rainbow,” Greek politicians, historians and journalists discussed the recent UN report by Gay MacDougall, on the minority issue in Greece.
In particular, towards the end of the broadcast, Mr. Voskopoulos, openly addressing the supposedly oppressed “Macedonian” minority, which he calls "Makedonski," said: "Dosta veќe da se plašete, gorno glavata, možno e, mnogu dobro." When asked to translate into Greek what he had said, falsely he replied "this is a matter of pride for us."
Mr. Voskopoulos virtually called members of his political faction in Greece for an uprising.
We welcome the initiative of Alter channel to address the critical Macedonian issue. However, expressing the historical concerns of the Diaspora, the Macedonian Studies Center and the Pan-Macedonian Associations of U.S. and Canada, we wish to inform the Greek public for certain inaccuracies during the broadcast.
First, the amiable journalist Mr. Hardavelas, referred to Nicodemus Tsarknias of the sectarian and self-called "Macedonian" Church in Aridaia, saying that the building is incomplete, "as like no one wants to see it." This statement was unfortunate. The Tsarknias building was not built back then because it lacked sufficient funds for its completion (and virtually no support from the alleged minority that allegedly was serving!). Mr. Tsarknias is the one who sent an inflammatory letter to the legitimate Bishops of Kastoria, Florina and Thessaloniki, demanding the keys of their building, because allegedly Greece occupied “Macedonia” since 1912! During the program it was said that people who make frequent visits are from the FYROM and its Diaspora (Toronto and Australia). Where are the “ethnic Macedonians” from Greece? Unfortunately there was no mention about it during the broadcast.
The “deported Aegean “Macedonians” declared to the young journalists, who were sent to FYROM to interview them that they have been grouped into an organization that lists 50,000 people! What kind of organization has 50,000 as members and why this organization is not known throughout the world? The repeated question of the journalists: "Do you feel Greek?" prompted them to declare: "No, I am Macedonian.” Then, they claimed that their ancestors were the owners of properties which were left behind when they fled Greece. They proclaim that the government does not permit them entry to Greece after the Civil War.
During the broadcast a member of the Communist Party during the 1940s and then a NOF fighter, who took arms against the Greek government during the Civil War, made certain statements. She concluded that the Greek authorities did not allow her to return to Greece! Her statement was interesting that her only wish is “to come back in Greece,” in order to see the grave of her mother. A few seconds later, negating her own words, she said that she has visited Edessa and Florina!
The vast majority of NOF “fighters” initially took the weapons against Greece in serving groups of Bulgarian partisans, under the command of the Bulgarian army officers, such as Anton Kaltsef. In the summer of 1944, when the Germans were preparing to retreat from Greece, they were transformed from Bulgarians to “Macedonian” and enlisted in SNOF (Slavomacedonian EAM), hoping to avoid the punishment of their treason. In October 1944, they broke away from ELAS, left the Greek territory and went to Yugoslavia, where they joined Titoʼs partisans, bearing the name “the Aegean Brigade.” In the summer of 1946 they returned to the mountains of Greece as NOF to fight alongside the “Democratic Army of Greece,” and to exploit the Greek divisions. In the summer of 1949, others before and others after the final defeat of “DSE,” again left the Greek territory and eventually settled in Skopje with Slavic names. Many-among them leaders of KKE - returned to Greece. Others did not return, or chose to return only on condition that Greece will accept their changed names, recognizing them as “Macedonians.” Others did not return, or chose to return only on condition that Greece will recognize them as the “fighters of the “Macedonian” Iliden.
We should all know about the 28,000 Greeks who were sent to Iron Curtain countries by the communists for further education, the majority of whom are now middle aged and have learned that they were expelled. Also, we must have in mind the numerous UN resolutions calling for the return of these children from the Communist countries, especially from former Yugoslavia (UN Resolutions 382 (1950), 517 (1952) and 618 (1952)).
Also, in another interview with a representative of "ethnic Macedonian ethnicity" from Meliti, there was again an unfortunate mention that “the only wish all these people have is work” and the father even claimed that he is “forced” to take care of his adult children (one of his children is 31 years old) because they can not find work in Greece, since they are “Macedonian!” In an era where many immigrants (legal and illegal) can find jobs and live in Greece, this claim is ludicrous.
It is crucial that Greek TV invites historians and politicians who are knowledgeable in this issue, so that they can rebut the historical inaccuracies and distortions. It is also important that individuals who know the FYROM language and the idiom of the language used in the border areas be present in such broadcasts, so that Greek television does not promote messages against our national interests.
We also understand the progressive and humanitarian ideas of some of the guests. In addition, the Macedonians of the Diaspora want friendly relations with Greeceʼs neighbor and wish for an equitable solution on the issue. But friendship and progressiveness cannot be promoted by ignorance and misrepresentation of historical facts, especially at a time when negotiations for the name are ongoing, while the intolerant and irredentist behavior of the neighbor against Greece is ever escalating.
