Australian War Memorial Disappoints 'Greeks' over Macedonia
The Remembrance Day ceremony and parade this year was as usual accompanied by a wreath laying for Australia's fallen soldiers, and was attended by many top dignitaries, international diplomats, and students, Neokosmos reports.
But unfortunately, during the wreath laying, the announced made a mistake that arose an issue of protocol. The Republic of Macedonia whose temporary reference is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was announced as "Macedonia" over the loudspeaker to lay a wreath.
The incident gravely disappointed the Greek community in Australia, as the name row has presented an ongoing bilateral and international relations issue. Fyr Macedonia is still the official name used by both the UN and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neokosmos reads.
Given there has been no resolution to the dispute, and with lack of geographical and historical qualifiers, Macedonia continues to appropriate ancient [sic] Greek Macedonian historical symbols and figures, therefore calling the specific diplomatic delegate to represent "Macedonia" was interpreted as an insult.
The Greek Ambassador to Australia, Haris Dafaranos, sent a letter to the director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr. Brendan Nelson, pinpointing the national importance of the formal term used in line with UN and DFAT.
Hopefully the 'Greeks' are able to overcome this tragedy and continue their lifes uninterrupted, even though we know this is a tall order.
Macedonians in Australia are negating the entire write up in Neo Kosmos, claiming there is no such letter.
"The information in the Greek paper is pure fabrication. There was no apology, no letter to the newspaper, the paper would have published it. The Greeks do this every year, try to make something out of nothing, without much success for them. The holiday marked the remembrance of all Austrlians who have given their lifes for the country - says Ico Najdovski, Macedonian activist.
