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[Page: E2043]  GPO's PDF
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• Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, the issue of stability in southeastern Europe is once again high on the world's agenda. In December, issues concerning the status of Kosovo will again come to the fore. Regional stability is tied closely, but not inextricably, to these issues. As we approach the winter months, it is important that our southeastern European friends be strong internally so that they can be producers of stability and not consumers of it.

• Our friend, the Republic of Macedonia , is one such producer of stability. Time and again, it has proved itself a great friend and ally of the United States of America. Time and again, it has proven itself a friend to neighboring states. Time and again, it has stepped up to the plate and provided support to the United States in the War on Terrorism by providing soldiers to serve alongside our own troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Time and again, it has worked with and voted with the United States on important resolutions in the United Nations.

• Unfortunately, our friend Greece has not been so supportive of the Republic of Macedonia . In 1993 and again in 1995, Greece imposed economic sanctions on Macedonia because Greece claims, entirely and exclusively, the word ``Macedonia .'' Despite the fact

  [Page: E2044]  GPO's PDF

  that Macedonia changed its flag and constitution to allay Greece's fears, today the Hellenic Republic continues to object to countries and international institutions recognizing the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name.

• Without going into great detail on this subject, it is important to note that the Macedonians do not claim exclusivity over the word ``Macedonia'' and do not in fact object to Greece using it in any way it sees fit.

• There are now 118 countries around the world recognizing the Republic of Macedonia by its rightful and constitutional name, including Russia, China and, I am proud to say, the United States of America. Just last month, Canada became the latest country to recognize the Republic of Macedonia . We did the right thing when we recognized the Republic of Macedonia in November 2004, and I am grateful for the President's leadership in righting a historic wrong.

• This past summer, the now former Greek Ambassador to Macedonia was sacked by her own government for admitting that Greece should agree to a double-name formula, something the Macedonians have been arguing for since Greece first raised objections.

• The relationship between Macedonian and Greek citizens could not be stronger. Greek businessmen conduct a large amount of business in Macedonia and have no problem with the name. In September, the Republic of Macedonia waived the requirement for Greeks to bring their passports when they come to visit Macedonia . Today, Greeks simply need an identity card. Macedonians in turn spend much of their vacation time in Greece during the summer months. The two countries cooperate on many other issues and enjoy good relations.

• It is time for our Greek friends to allow the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia to enjoy their sovereign right to determine the name of their own country. It is time for Greece to drop its objections in the political arena, and to leave to the historians debates about Alexander the Great and the ancient Macedonians.

• We live in the here and the now, and it is time to move forward. Our Greek friends enjoy pointing out their contributions to modern-day democracy and for that we thank them. Let them now contribute in their longstanding tradition of supporting democratic values by allowing the people of the Republic of Macedonia to call themselves by what they have always called themselves and by dropping their objections to a country that only desires friendship and has proven itself as a great friend and ally.
  

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