Sent February 20, 2003.
Dear Rep. Bonnen,
I enjoyed reading the article in your local paper "The Facts" by Mike Wright.
I challenge you, your intern, and the Pan-Macedonian alliance to provide documentation that the Republic of Macedonia wants to annex northern Greece.
My wife is from Macedonia, and I personally have spent one year's time living in Macedonia. There is no one there who expresses the desire to attack Greece and annex Northern Greece. (All one needs to do is look at the Macedonian Army & Population versus that of Greece.)
I do admit that the territory of Macedonia is in not only these two countries, but also part of Bulgaria. (Source: Ottoman Records & Maps)
I also understand that Alexander and Phillip of Macedon are considered Greek, but the fact remains that over the centuries, part of Macedonia was settled by a majority slav population that now calls themselves Macedonians. They have not threatened Greece, and they do not discriminate. (Several medium sized businesses are owned by Greek companies.)
While I understand your desire to "please your mother," I ask you to look for another way - perhaps flowers?
If you move to get this bill passed, then I would like you to also introduce a bill that prevents the European Union from even considering renaming itself to "The United States of Europe." After all, they may have a desire to reclaim their colonial lands, so we should force them to recognize that we came up with the idea of "United States" first.
Thank you. Will you please work on more important legislation now?
Respectfully,
Erik Aasterud