My Dear Macedonian Friends (& others who have an interest in Macedonia)

I was extremely sadden to learn of the tragic accident that took the life of your President, Boris Trajkovski, President of The Republic of Macedonia.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, President Trajkovski's family, and the people of Macedonia. He was a Christian, Believer, Good Man, and a Friend.

President Boris and I were friends. When I was in Macedonia he always had time to visit with me. Many thoughts come to mind at this time, allow me to share a few with you.

I first met Boris on the night the unofficial results of his election as President of Macedonia were announced. It just so happened that I was in Macedonia and a chance meeting led to my being able to call him Friend. 

During our visits we would discuss the issues facing him and the people of Macedonia. Boris truly loved his country and the Macedonian people. He was always eager to hear about my last discussions with United States Senator George Voinovich, with whom he had a great relationship. Another we frequently spoke of was US Ambassador Butler another of his favorite people.

He spoke very fondly of President George W. Bush and of his admiration of him. Told me on occasion The President would call him at home at odd times to tell him he was thinking and praying for him as he faced the turmoil his country was going through. One time he was caught with his toothbrush in his mouth.

Boris loved Christian music. I would bring him American Christian CD's which he appreciated so much. He particularly liked Sandy Patti and William Smith. Boris said "You know these are my favorite gifts" and quite often would immediately put them on as background for our discussions. He told me once when he was under great pressure and the citizens were protesting outside his office, he put on Christian music to help him get through the time.

Our relationship was such, that when his niece was having a problem finding a suitable place to enhance her English education, he asked for my help and guidance, which I gladly gave.

The President was interested in the Mission visit of the Youth of Radovis to USA and Naples Florida. He shared my interest in expanding the Religious experiences of Macedonian young people. Boris particular appreciated the copy of the article which appeared in the Naples local paper on the "Kids" visit entitled "Hooked on God." He always asked me to give his regards to the youth when I next saw them and to wish them well.

We spoke on several occasions of the possibility of his visiting Naples on a future trip to the USA and delivering a sermon at North Naples United Methodist Church.

On one visit to his office he was excited to show me a video. He had difficulty finding the cassette and would not tell me what it was about while he looked for it. He finally found it and put it on. It was of the ceremony where he was awarded the World Methodist Peace Award. In his acceptance speech he said "Every nation strives for peace. But the only peace that lasts forever is found through a true and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ." He was so proud!! Quite an honor to be included with Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, Mikhail Gorbachov, and Nelson Mandela. The award was given to him but I believe it was also given to the people of Macedonia. Too bad the Macedonian people did not share in the joy of this recognition.

Last summer when fourteen Executive MBA Students and two Professors from Ohio University and I participated with twenty-five Macedonian Students and five Macedonian Professors in eight companies with the "Global Competitiveness, Joint Student Consulting, Real Problem Solving Education Project" President Boris was a strong supporter. He help us get the project approved and during the project invited the USA students to his office and spoke with each of them on a personal basis. This was the only time any project team had met with the President of the country in which they worked. He also surprised us by attending the closing banquet. As he made his way past me at the head table, he leaned over and whispered into my ear "I came for you." He was a real friend!

The last time I saw him was at the Consecration of the new church in Radovis. The magnificent St. Trinity build my good friend and business colleague, Risto Gusterov. There had been some misunderstanding on his invitation and although he did not feel particularly comfortable, he came at my urging since it was the right thing to do. Boris' presence added to a glorious weekend. The people of Radovis were so happy to see him, greet him and shake his hand.

I so wanted him to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington in early February since this might be the last NPB he could attend as President of Macedonia as his term in office was ending. Didn't anticipate it would be the last, period. He had planned to attend but his plans changed. He did call me several times to talk about the Greater Balkan Luncheon which Senator Voinovich had agreed to host. He was so pleased that representatives from these countries would gather together.

The last time I spoke with him was on the phone when he called me in Washington where I was attending the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb 5. He was very disturbed about signing the authorization for the University in Tetovo. The Parliament had approved it and he was receiving great pressure not to sign. He said I must sign it for I have worked for peace between all people of Macedonia. If I now submit to these pressure and change my position then I ask myself "Who is Boris Trajkovski." He signed the document on Feb 21.

My next conversation with Boris was to be a discuss on plans for the Balkan Prayer Breakfast to be held in Macedonia this spring. Now I suggest to those of you who are receiving this e-mail and are involved in the planing, that it be held in President Trajkovski's memory.

I am sadden that I have lost a friend and you have lost your President, but I rejoice knowing he is with The Father. It was my privilege to have know him and to be able to call him Friend.

Thank you for allowing me to ramble a bit. Far greater people are speaking and writing about President Trajkovski. These are my humble and personal thoughts, not as pretty as some but from the heart.

Wish I could be with you in Skopje.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Bless You
Lou Vlasho