MHR Review June 2014 Page

Issue # 19 June 2014 SSN 1839‐8639

MHR Review June 2014 page

Contents... MHR Review #19 published in June 2014. Designed by Johnny Tsiglev and Edited by George Vlahov

3 Nova Zora’s 4th Birthday Party – George Vlahov 6 An Interview with Dimitri Jovanov – David Vitkov 10 News in Brief – Mitch Belichovski 13 Funding for Macedonian Language Classes in Albania 15 MHRMI Condemns Harassment of Dimitras 16 To Reuters – Dr. Chris Popov 16 To New International – Dr. Chris Popov 17 Macedonians in Bulgaria – Dr. Stojko Stojkov 20 The Macedonian Elections – Dr. Chris Popov 26 Perfidious Plan – Dr. Dimitri Ljorovski Vamvakovski 29 Proposed Changes to the RDA – Dr. Chris Popov 31 The Works of Slavko Janevski – Dr. Michael Seraphinoff 34 An Interview with Alex Marcou – Johnny Tsiglev

MHR Review June 2014 page 2 Front and Back cover Art by Johnny Tsiglev

NOVA ZORA’s 4th Birthday Party OR HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE THE BOMB THAT WASN’T THERE...

By George Vlahov Prologue: A Dream with a ‘Borrowed’ Storyline It was late and after watching various bits of internet footage of Nova Zora’s birthday party, I drifted off to sleep. During my slumbers my mind’s eye began viewing a different ‘movie’ one that I initially thought to be quite original. Some dreams can leave one with a powerful impression, even though the details often quickly become difficult to recall. Trying to remember the details of a dream can be difficult because they are often disclosed in a manner similar to when one’s surroundings might be revealed in a thunderstorm at night – in brief startlingly clear bursts. The lightning flashes can be quite illuminating, but only for a few seconds at a time. Anyway, my dream had various characters. The ‘hero’ was a certain Mr. Jones who in various brief glimpses was revealed to be a man who had had to struggle much to maintain his dignity, it was very valuable to him. All the same he had a reflexive understanding mind, he was a decent bloke, as it were. Quite unlike the Mr. Jones in Bob Dylan’s Ballad of Thin Man who pos- sessed a rather limited and more or less intolerant per- rewarded at evening’s end, with a very valuable ception of the world. ‘present’ or prize. The villain in my dream was called Dr. Fischer. The ‘crowning’ party, which is called the bomb party Fischer was a financially well endowed older involved the opening of a number packages, with all ‘gentleman’ who enjoyed ‘experimenting’ on a group but one, containing a cheque for a large sum of of not as affluent toadies or sycophants. He would money. The other package supposedly contained a stage elaborate and infamous dinner parties at which bomb that would seriously harm the opener of the his ‘guests’ would need to sit through various hu- package…you get the idea. And the character named miliations designed to underline their failings and in- (Continued on page 4) securities. For surviving these ordeals they would be

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Mr. Jones, was not concerned about the apparent dan- gers in a situation where his dignity was being funda- mentally challenged – so he fearlessly opened the last package after swapping a cheque for it with another of Fischer’s ‘guests’….there was no bomb, but Jones could not have been certain of it, Fischer was sadistic enough to have honored his promise … Jones ruined his grand experiment and not long after, Fischer com- mitted suicide. During the course of the day following my dream, it dawned on me that there was nothing original about my dream – the whole story came from a Graham Greene novel, Dr. Fischer of Geneva. More than three decades have passed since I viewed a film version of that novel and I had forgotten ever seeing it. So it’s understandable that it took me a while to realize that my sub-conscious had made an interesting connection, to me at any rate, between the Graham Greene story and the Nova Zora event.

Back to Nova Zora & Closer to Reality A contingent of the local police found it expedient to attend the Nova Zora celebration which was held in the town of Voden (Edessa in Greek). It is perhaps germane to say that these members of the Greek con- stabulary had armed themselves with more than mere guns; they were also well stocked or charged with twisted hopes and crooked dreams – potentially ‘explosive’ emotions. For upon their arrival they announced that they had received ‘intelligence’ which indicated that a bomb had been planted at the venue. The members and supporters of Nova Zora and Vinoz- hito responded by refusing to leave and carried on, virtually as if nothing had happened, somewhat un- dermining the wisdom of the aphorism that only the dead are without fear.

On YouTube, one can view the moment at which the and supporters of Nova Zora & Vinozhito? Well not bomb threat announcement was made via the speaker exactly what I expected, there were some wry smiles system in the hall. Ok, so everyone remained, but and an expression of impatience at the ‘unnecessary’ what were the immediate reactions of the members

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nouncement which heralded an unscheduled break in their performance; one of the group took the opportunity to light a cigarette, even the waiter moved about normally looking for some way to be useful to the clientele … it was not entirely blasé, but near enough, just like the reputedly unflappable discreet charm of some sophisticated, world weary cosmopolitans in- habiting modern cities, though not like in a Bunuel movie. The celebrating went on as if nothing had happened. I must say it became overwhelmingly obvious, that as a consequence of residing in Australia, I am not as used to receiving the direct attentions of the Greek state, or more precisely, its police force. If I had been present, I think I would have found such a disclosure at least a little disconcerting and that I would quite probably have managed to frown and or blink and may be even given my apologies while making for the exit … but not the good people of Nova Zora and Vi- nozhito…. So I do indeed ‘love the bomb’ that wasn’t there, precisely because it didn’t exist, unlike Stanley Ku- brick’s Dr. Strangelove who had been so disen- chanted with life that he was delighted by the news of an impending nuclear holocaust that would wipe out much of humanity, including himself. He had completely embraced the death drive which nature has imbued all of us with, at the expense of all the other desires nature supplies us. Though let’s be clear here, there is no equation of Mr. Jones or the people of Nova Zora/Vinozhito with Dr. Strangelove, the form- ers’ predominant motives and desires are generally quite inimical to the (self) destructive urges dominat- ing the character of Dr. Strangelove. Never-the-less there are, little doubt, bigots with nature’s vicious enough, to have made the presence of a bomb, very plausible. So I’m glad that our Mr. Jones’s in Voden, were in the end, not harmed. And who knows, with fortitude like that, the intolerance which they strive to debilitate, might, like Dr. Fischer, eventually take to removing itself from the realm of the actual. Whatever the future holds, I really do have a lot of respect for the people in Vinozhito – over the disruption to the music and dancing. The members of course of two decades, they have often conducted the musical group, Mladi Bilbili, casually slouched themselves without fear, envy or meanness. back while they awaited the completion of the an- George Vlahov

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An Interview with… Dimitri Jovanov (Ioannou), Editor in Chief of NOVA ZORA and Member of the Presidency of Vinozhito

votes. The intention is conscious and clear: to make it impossible for minorities to elect any representatives.

2. Can you report on any irregularities or legally questionable actions during the lead up to and on the election day?

Well, it may be a little premature for me to comment in detail on this. I will put it this way; early reports do indicate that there were irregularities and legally questionable actions. In a number of places, the voting forms for Vi- nozhito did not appear and in others, the number of forms was be- low what is required. Other reports indicate, as in the past, that votes were stolen from Vinozhito. Dimitri Jovanov Moreover, wherever we placed posters, leaflets and alike, we By David Vitkov also taking into account that our found that within less than an numbers went up in nearly every hour, such materials had been re- 1. Dimitri, could you say a few region in Greece, we think our moved and destroyed. words about Vinozhito’s results result was reasonable. We were at the recent European elec- also happy with the increased par- The majority of television chan- tions? ticipation of younger Macedoni- nels did not air Vinozhito’s video ans in the party’s efforts. With advertisement and those that did In short, our result was better than very limited resources and in the air it, did so in the early hours. I we expected. face of various other problems, mean really, how many people Overall, we thought the ongoing we gained more than we expected. watch television at 4 in the morn- economic crisis in Greece would We knew that it was beyond our ing!? Also the SIRIZA party made negatively impact on our result. means to elect a representative to a great effort to target Macedoni- Macedonians in Greece, at the the parliament, even though we ans with their advertising, which moment, are concerned about ba- desire that very much. We simply unfortunately appears to have sic physical survival, more than wanted to demonstrate that they been quite successful. anything else. Some of our sup- haven’t succeeded in wiping us porters went as far as arguing out and that we have every inten- It needs to be mentioned here that ‘that it would be better for Vinoz- tion of continuing the struggle for the representative in Greece, of hito not to participate in the elec- our human rights. the United Macedonian Diaspora tions as the Neo-NAZI’s of organization, publicly called on Golden Dawn might take reprisals Greece, following a model also Macedonians not to vote for Vi- against Macedonians in Greece’ used in France, introduced a law nozhito, but rather to vote for the etc. which requires a party to win over Turkish party….can you believe 3% of the total vote in order to it??? The Greek authorities should Taking that into consideration and elect a candidate; that means it is (Continued on page 7) necessary to gain over 200,000

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give her/them an award. The Turks have schools in which attitudes, not to mention the mas- their language is taught and the sive amount of misinformation the Lastly, I will mention a key exam- students are given a more accurate Greek authorities have been ple of vote theft. In one particular version of their history than is spreading about Vinozhito for village, Vinozhito gained 80 votes offered in Greek schools. Sec- years – like that we are and came second to SIRIZA. The ondly the Turks have more access “separatists who desire war” etc number of votes we gained was to various forms of media etc. confirmed by a member of our (newspapers, radio and television party. Yet a few days later, on the programs) via which they can It also needs to be emphasized official site of the Ministry for more freely communicate with here that until the very last possi- Domestic Affairs of Greece, the each other. Thirdly, the vast ma- ble moment, we didn’t even know results show Vinozhito gaining jority of Turks live as a compact if we were going to be able to only 73 votes. It doesn’t take mass in a clearly delineated region participate in the elections, be- much imagination to conceive that and have comparatively few cause of our limited finances. As the same thing might have hap- doubts/fears about their Turkish we have previously explained, it pened in numerous others of the identity. They don’t need human costs around 30,000 Euros just to 23,000 voting booths in Greece. rights activists to convince them pay the state for the production of to ‘come out of the closet’. More- voting forms, which is a legally 3. What do you plan to do about over there are Turkish banks, compulsory expense. That is not these issues? businesses and a Turkish consul counting advertising expenses, located in their region. etc. Within our limits, we think We are still gathering up all the that we did reasonably well. Here evidence. Once that is done we On the other hand, Macedonians I would like to thank MHRMI in will inform all relevant interna- are scattered throughout Greece Canada and its president, Bill tional organizations and it is likely and Greek assimilatory measures Nicholov, for their crucial assis- that we will follow that up with have been and still are, much tance. legal action. There is no other way sterner in relation to Macedoni- to proceed. It gives you a very bad ans. It’s probably true to say that feeling inside, when you know most of the people from our part 5. Would you like to add some- these violations occurred, but your of Macedonia who possess a thing else about the activities of response is limited to tedious and strong Macedonian identity, no Vinozhito and Macedonians in long drawn out processes. longer live in Greece, but in coun- Greece? tries like Australia and Canada; 4. The Turkish party gained and in many cases, they reside At the moment, there is a very more than 40,000 votes in its there for the very reason that they positive atmosphere in the party. first election. Vinozhito has been possess a strong Macedonian Many things have been re- around for 20 years, why can’t identity. organized, a number of lapsed it achieve a similar result? members have returned and as I There are other factors too. For mentioned earlier, the younger That is a reasonable question, example, an individual from the generation is getting more in- though it ultimately involves com- Kostur (Kastoria in Greek) region, volved in the party’s activities. paring two very different social who possesses a strong Macedo- The latter, especially, encourages contexts. Greece has officially nian identity and is normally a a positive vision of the future. In recognized the existence of a supporter of Vinozhito, informed spite of the desires of various peo- Muslim minority since 1923, with me prior to the election that he ple and social structures, Vinoz- the Treaty of Lausanne. Macedo- would vote for SIRIZA on this hito will not fall apart; it will be- nians do not possess that sort of occasion, because he considered it come stronger and it will continue albeit ‘indirect’ recognition and more important to try to dislodge to struggle for the human rights of there are other differences as well. the New Democracy party. We Macedonians in Greece. regularly have to deal with such (Continued on page 8)

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(Continued from page 7) of Nova Zora and Vinozhito took the hall and that everyone would the opportunity to award long need to be evacuated while the time servants of the movement hall was searched. Yet they had We have already announced that with recognition for their efforts; no official documentation con- we will be holding a press confer- similar awards were given to a firming their claims, nor did they ence about the elections and the number of cultural associations have any special equipment or the current situation in Greece in gen- and non-Macedonians who have special dogs, which are normal for eral. That conference will be held contributed to the struggle for Ma- such searches. in Solun (Thessaloniki in Greek) cedonian human rights. and it will go ahead regardless of So we responded by saying that the intensive efforts that have The first event was held in Lerin- we will not evacuate the hall. We been made to block it. We will sko, the second and third in So- were aware that if we gave in to intensify the distribution of our rovichevsko, the fourth in Voden the demands of the secret police newspaper Nova Zora in combi- and may be the next one will be that our event would have been nation with more regular visits to held in Enidzhevardarsko or Sol- ruined. The policemen responded villages inhabited by Macedoni- unsko… we shall see. by demanding that we use the mi- ans in order to enlist new support- crophone in the hall to inform ers. Our aim will be to increase 7. We heard that an unusual or everyone present of the reported our domestic activity so that it ‘funny’ attempt was made to bomb threat. We did that and no becomes comparable to the suc- sabotage the event. Could you one showed any alarm. When we cess we have gained in obtaining tell us something about that? informed the police of the result international recognition. Though of the announcement they com- we appeal to Macedonians around Not ‘funny’ but ridiculous. Once plained that we had made them the world, who originally came upon a time, in the early 90’s, at objects of ridicule. We responded from Greece, to join us, to join the our first attempts to have songs by asserting that they had done struggle. One cannot dance if one publicly performed in Macedo- that to themselves. Our dance stands outside the circle. nian, the local authorities would arrive in the company of the po- 6. Recently Nova Zora held its lice and would use physical force 4th annual dinner dance. Tell us to try to break up the event. a something about the event. Slowly, that type of repression came to an end, and the authori- The event gets better every year. ties began using more sophisti- The 4th was especially successful cated methods. But at this year’s as a political meeting seeing as we Nova Zora event, we witnessed a had an attendance from more vil- return of the older methods. When lages all over Aegean Macedonia a country like Greece is experi- than on previous occasions. It was encing a serious socio-economic went on without further incident the first time we held the event in crisis, fascism rises fast and that and the police left after taking the town of Voden (Edessa in affects the operational manner of down the personal details of the Greek) and in a large hall de- both the police and other authori- organizers and the owner of the signed for bigger gatherings and ties. hall. Just prior to their departure musical performances. Perform- the policemen stated that within a ances were given by Tasho The dance was going great and few days, the organizers would be Jovanov (Tasos Ioannou) on the then I was called outside. I called in for questioning and that bagpipes; the five piece “Lerinski thought that there might have legal action might be taken Bilbili” and the vocalist, Vera been a violent incident of some against them. But nothing of the Miloshevska, from the group sort, but when I exited the hall, I sort ever occurred… “Ljubojna” based in the Republic saw members of our organizations of Macedonia. It was fantastic; a arguing with what appeared to be Interview conducted by David hall full with young, old and in seven civilians. Those seven Vitkov on 5/6/2014. Translated between; men and women danc- turned out to be members of the from Macedonian by George ing until 4.30 in the morning. secret police. They informed us Vlahov. that they had received a tip off The committees of management that a bomb had been planted in

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News in Brief

Vladimir Putin and the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Mitch Belichovski Berisha as well as scribbles, offensive messages and song lyrics were all counted as invalid. It is well April 14 it was reported by BIRN that an EU known that citizens voice their discontent in every Diplomat is calling for the investigation of the US election with regards to political affairs. Ambassador responsible for the controversial “Patriotic Highway” project in Kosovo. The former April 17 it was reported by Dnevnik that Ambassador has recently taken a post with the Macedonians in the vicinity of Korcha in Albania American firm that secured the project deal in have raised a complaint that they were dismissed from Kosovo. Bechtel Corporation, the same American their place of work on a discriminatory ethnic basis. construction giant has since secured another deal to A representative of the Albanian government declared build a road from Kosovo to neighbouring that the matter will be investigated. Macedonia. April 22 Independent MK reported that the Macedo- April 15 Independent MK reported that a new EU nian movie “The Third Half” directed by Darko Mi- funded project was launched in Macedonia aimed at trevski won an award at the Atlanta Film Festival. promoting and encouraging anti-corruption. The pro- The premier of The Third Half was held in Bitola in ject is facilitated by the Centre for Research and Pol- 2012 and has participated in festivals across the icy Making (CRPM) and also aims to provide sustain- world. The movie, which was also Macedonia’s able conditions for social, economic and environ- Oscar candidate for best foreign movie in 2013, is mental growth. The research spans across 43 munici- soon to be released on DVD in Australia. palities in the eight planning regions of Macedonia. April 22 Independent MK confirmed that a platform April 15 Independent MK reported that the EU an- called “Green Macedonia” was signed by Non nounced a tender for the reconstruction of the Bitola- Government Organisations and political parties to Kremencia railroad. The 20 million EUR investment tackle the “eco hotspots” and the “numerous will entail a 17km-long railroad to Greece as well as a environmental problems” in Macedonia. smaller offset to Zabeni, a local industrial zone of Bi- Environmental organisations consider that steps need tola. Tenders applications closed on May 27. to be taken to address issues such as the Veles pollution, the protection of the National Park April 15 Independent MK reported that Harma Fruit Mavrovo and the reduction of forest logging. is to invest EUR 6 million into Macedonia. The Greek company will establish a centre for purchase April 23 Independent MK reported that in an attempt and packaging as well as a cooler in the southern to stamp out fraudulent ballots, Macedonian voters town of Gevgelija. The owner of Harma Fruit, who’s would be marked with election ink on their left hand products are well placed on European and Middle thumbs. The Electoral Commission developed a man- Eastern markets, noted “the climate and the high qual- ual which had been forwarded to all municipal elec- ity of agricultural products” as reasons for the invest- toral committees across Macedonia. ment in Macedonia. April 28 BIRN reported that Macedonia’s VMRO April 16 Independent MK reported that the State DPMNE comfortably won a fourth term in office. Election Commission declared 23,428 ballots null and The State Electoral Commission declared that Nikola void following the first Presidential round in Mace- Gruevski won by the largest margin since the party donia. Over 70% of the invalid ballots were due to came into power in 2006. It was confirmed that the over voting. While other votes for Russian President

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turnout for the early general election was 64 per cent ment. As per previous claims the members of the op- while the presidential vote was 54.33 per cent. posing parties attribute the victory of Nikola Gruevski’s VMRO DPMNE party to fraud. Despite April 28 the Organization for Security and Co- the boycott and resignations it will not greatly affect operation in Europe reported that “election day went the new parliament, as 89 of the 123 seats remain smoothly” and that the overall assessment of polling filled. station openings, voting as well as the counting and tabulation of votes was positive. However, it was noted that in the lead up to the election there were Chatzimarkakis: A credible allegations of voter intimidation particularly by one party on ethnic Albanian voters to boycott the mindless Request presidential ballot. Media monitoring also observed a The political elections in Macedonia resulted in quite bias in the favour of the ruling party and its presiden- some controversy. However, before the dust settled, tial candidate. an ethnic Greek member of the European parliament

April 29 it was reported by the Canberra Times that Queanbeyan is eager to establish a sister-city relationship with Ohrid, Macedonia. While Queanbeyan already has a sister-city arrangement with Minami Alps in Japan, the city’s councilor stated that the large local Macedonian population are “from the Ohrid region, if not Ohrid itself.” Pending Council sign off, two councilors will formally sign the agreement in Macedonia this July.

April 29 Independent MK reported on the views of Takis Michas, a Greek journalist who recently published an analysis named “Macedonia and East Ger- many.” Michas proclaims that Greece should recog- nise the constitutional name of the Republic of Mace- donia. He draws on similarities between East Ger- many being recognised by its constitutional name in the early 1970’s and that the same should apply to Macedonia today, which is a “country which holds sovereign rights, including the right to name itself.” April 30 Independent MK revealed that a committee report from the Greek member of the European Par- liament requested the revocation of Macedonia’s EU membership. The report comes as no surprise following Prime Minister Gruevski’s reelection. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis claimed a nonexistence of freedom of speech in Macedonia and “insults on cultural legacy.” Jorgo Chatzimarkakis May 15 BIRN reported that Macedonia’s opposition MP’s, which together won 34 seats in the recent gen- wanted to have his say and like many Greeks before eral elections, were not present at a constituent ses- him, began a tirade against Macedonia, which in- sion of the new parliament. The boycott follows a cluded overblown attacks against the “Skopje 2014” string of allegations from the opposition protesting project in a report presented to the European Parlia- that Nikola Gruevski’s VMRO DPMNE won both the ment President, Martin Schulz. If such rants are to be April general and presidential elections by fraud. The taken seriously, it is Greece, much more than Mace- ruling party has rejected the allegations and speaker donia, which needs to answer questions about of the parliament Trajko Veljanoksi noted that he “antiquisation”. The report’s motive: suspend Mace- “sincerely wished opposition MP’s would now donia’s candidate status for EU membership. change their minds and take up their seats. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis’s ignorant claims included the May 28 BIRN reported that all opposition MP’s ex- cluding one, handed in written resignations to parlia- (Continued on page 12)

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(Continued from page 11) Chatzimarkakis accuses Macedonia of insulting the assertion that there is “no freedom of speech” in Ma- cultural legacy of neighboring countries, but it is cedonia, to which we can be sure, the citizens of the Greece and not the Republic of Macedonia which is Republic of Macedonia would have a strong message well known around the world for the last two decades, in retort – “We are Macedonians and as citizens of an as desiring to take away the sovereign right of Mace- independent country with its own identity have every donians to name their own country. A wise man once right to join the incorporation which we know as the said if the pot calls the kettle black we must first have European Union.” our own conscience clear of any hypocrisy. It is Greece which claims a totally homogenous ethnic Nikola Gruevski and his Macedonian political party Greek population, while systematically avoiding the VMRO-DPMNE won the Macedonian general and accurate collation of data on ethnicity and it is Mace- presidential elections quite comfortably and although donia which officially respects the existence of its the otherwise “well conducted” polls were shrouded ethnic minorities. Such facts make it clear who is in controversy following allegations of serious media more respectful of cultural legacy. bias. Such is little different to what follows an election result in many countries around the world, in- Whether or not the EU is a body which the Republic cluding the last federal election in Australia. Thus of Macedonia should be seeking membership of, is Chatzimarkakis’s attacks and demands for a stricter debatable, but the claims made by Chatzimarkakis are stance from the European Union are out of place. At exaggerations and his recommendations are unwar- any rate Chatzimarkakis would have more credibility ranted. if he were willing to openly talk about and criticize the questionable practices of Greek governments Mitch Belichovski which have led the way in contributing to a catastro- phic financial crisis throughout Europe.

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Letters and leases Press Re

MHRMI and AMHRC Increase Funding for

Macedonian Language Classes in Albania

Toronto and Melbourne (May 8, 2014) – Macedonian Human Rights Movement International and the Aus- tralian Macedonian Human Rights Committee have increased funding for the MHRMI/AMHRC sponsored Macedonian-language schools throughout Albania and the Macedonian-language TV station in Korca, Alba- nia.

Previously, Albanian government officials and secret service agents issued death threats to the Macedonian teachers, beat and tried to intimidate the students, but the private Macedonian-language classes have continued to thrive. (www.mhrmi.org/news/2010/december10_e.asp and www.mhrmi.org/news/2010/ february14_e.asp)

The Albanian government’s latest move in trying to suppress the Macedonian language is a reorganization of Macedonian-populated municipalities and amalgamating them into Albanian-populated ones. This would reduce the percentage of Macedonians in each district and give Albania an excuse to stop providing public education in Macedonian.

This directly affects the community of Pustec in the region of Mala Prespa, the communities of Ostreni, Ste- blevo and Trebishte in the region of Golo Brdo and the communities Zapot and Shishtavec in the region of Gora. During a meeting with local Macedonians, the Minister of Local Self-Governance, Blendi Chu- chi, offered a “guarantee” that the community of Pustec would not be dissolved. However, no guarantees were received for the other communities as the Albanian state does not recognize the existence of Macedoni- ans anywhere other than in Pustec, and does not provide them with any public education.

“The Albanian Parliament will vote on this proposed law at the end of July. Until then, we demand from the Albanian authorities and international representatives, that the communities where Macedonians live not be dissolved. Albania’s attempts to deny us our right to education in our mother-tongue must end”, said Ed- mond Osmani, President of the Golo Brdo local committee of the Macedonian Alliance for European

Integration.

Macedonian organizations have repeatedly started petition drives and delivered (Continued on page 14)

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(Continued from page 13)

demands to the Albanian Ministry of Education and other educational institutions to allow the instruction of the Macedonian language, only to be denied or ignored.

“Thankfully, MHRMI and AMHRC have stepped in and funded several private Macedonian-language schools and kindergartens, and continue to open more throughout the areas where Macedonians live, including the regions of Gora and Golo Brdo and the cities of Korca, Pogradec, Bilishta and Vrbnik”, added Edmond Os- mani.

The need for a private Macedonian-language TV station arose from the lack of Macedonian content on Alba- nian television and the denial of access to Macedonian candidates running in local elections.

Ironically, Albanians complain of discrimination in the Republic of Macedonia, despite being taught in Alba- nian at the university level, but are taking every measure possible to limit the amount of Macedonian being taught in Albania.

MHRMI and AMHRC condemn Albania’s continued state-sponsored discrimination against its Macedonian minority and demand that the international community finally hold it accountable. This includes the recent Council of Europe resolution which requires that Albania ensures education in all of its minority languages.

MHRMI and AMHRC will continue to increase Macedonian language classes throughout Albania. To help ensure the survival, and growth, of the Macedonian language in Albania, please contribute to the MHRMI Human Rights Fund or AMHRC Macedonian Minorities Support Fund.

###

Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information: www.mhrmi.org, www.twitter.com/mhrmi, www.facebook.com/mhrmi, [email protected], +1 416-850-7125.

Established in 1984, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is a non-governmental organisation that informs and advocates before international institutions, governments and broader communities about combating racism and promoting human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups throughout the world, are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, email [email protected] or via +61 3 9329 8960.

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MHRMI Condemns Greece’s Harassment of Human Rights Defender Panayote Dimitras Toronto - January 31, 2014 In response to the International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture request for urgent intervention (www.omct.org), Macedonian Human Rights Movement International condemns the ongoing judicial harassment of human rights defender and Greek Helsinki Monitor Spokesperson, Panayote Dimitras.

Mr. Dimitras was indicted on charges of perjury and defamation of Konstantinos Plevris, a member lawyer of the Ath- ens Bar Association and author of the anti-Semitic book “The Jews: The Whole Truth”, which glorifies Hitler and calls for the extermination of Jews. In 2009, Dimitras was a witness in a trial in which Plevris originally received a sus- pended sentence of 14 months for “incitation to racial violence and hatred and for racial insults”. The other three defendants were acquitted of the same charges. Mr. Plevris appealed the sentence and was later acquitted.

In his defence deposition before the trial, Plevris accused Dimitras of being “a wretched traitor of Greece, actively and publicly supporting the existence of a Macedonian minority in this country”, and being “the object of a complaint for treason against the Fatherland”. Plevris also claimed that Andrea Gilbert, GHM specialist on anti-Semitism, was “a Jewish-American who boasts of representing homosexual women, meaning that she is a psychologically defective, sexually perverted person who, as she does not respect her female nature, does not respect the truth either”.

Instead of prosecuting openly racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic lawyers, politicians, religious leaders and others, Greece chooses to target minorities and minority rights advocates.

Rather than appealing to Greek authorities, who conduct this state-sponsored persecution, MHRMI calls on the international community to condemn Greece’s practice of harassing minorities and human rights defenders and to force Greece to conform to the various human rights treaties to which it is a signatory.

Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information: www.mhrmi.org, www.twitter.com/mhrmi, www.facebook.com/mhrmi, [email protected], +1 416-850-7125.

Dear Mr Casule, Mr Radosavljevic and Ms Billingham, 14/4/2014

I read with interest your article entitled "Macedonia to hold presidential runoff vote April 27” of 13 April 2014 which appeared on your web site (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/13/us-macedonia-election -votes-idUSBREA3C0O520140413). However, I must take issue with your use of the term "ethnic Slavs”. There is simply no such thing in existence, anywhere. You are obviously unaware that ethnicity, is a matter of subjective choice. In other words ethnicity refers to how a group self identifies. Note well the difference with nationality, which refers to a person’s legal citizenship status, irrespective of their ethnic identity choice. Thus all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia are Macedonian nationals, but not all of them choose to identify as ethnic Macedonians, though it needs to be underlined that 64.2% do indeed identify their ethnic identity as Macedonian. Thus if you examine the census results in the Republic of Macedonia, you will not find any ethnic groups identifying as “Slav”; rather you will find groups identifying as Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish and etc. Moreover, in your article you state that “Ethnic Albanians represent a third ofMacedonia's 2 million population”. That statement is mere speculation. At the last census conducted in 2002, ethnic Albanians in Macedonia numbered 25.2 % of the population (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mk.html). It is most unlikely that the population of Albanians has increased to over 33% in the last eight years when the total population of the country has barely in- (Continued on page 16)

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(Continued from page 15 creased in the past 12 years and also given the significant number of people, from all ethnic groups, who have emi- grated from the country. I therefore ask, that in future, when writing about the Republic of Macedonia, you describe the ethnic groups in a manner which is accurate and is based on reliable data, like the available census results. Anything short of that is frankly insulting and demeaning, seeing as it is an act which disrespects the actual identity choice of the ethnic group in question. I hope to receive a prompt reply to the issues I have raised, as they relate to matters of fact and it will not do for a respected agency like Reuters to disseminate such inaccurate information. Yours sincerely Dr Chris Popov Executive Member Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee Suite 106, Level 1 55 Flemington Rd North Melbourne VIC 3051 Tel/Fax: +61 3 9329 8960 www.macedonianhr.org.au [email protected]

To whom it concerns, 6/6/2014

In the New Internationalist magazine no.473, Jo Lateu states that Macedonian and Bulgarian are "more or less the same language". This statement is without foundation and is not borne out by objective research. While there are lexical and grammatical commonalities between the two languages-as there are also between Macedonian and Serbian and Bulgarian and Serbian-due to the fact that they belong to the South Slavic section of the Slavic language group, there are also significant differences which set them apart as distinct languages. For example, verb conjugation is different, as is the use of demonstrative pronouns, the use of the definite article is more complex in Macedonian (three forms versus one in Bulgarian), the double object exists in Macedonian whereas it does not in Bulgarian, accentuation is different, not to mention pronounced lexical differences (identical words can have completely different meanings). Such differences make mutual intelligibility very difficult at times. In any case, a degree of mutual intelligibility does not make distinct languages one and the same. (eg: Spanish/Portuguese, Russian/Ukrainian etc). The work of eminent linguists such as Victor Friedman, Christina Kramer, Horace Lunt and Reginald De Bray has firmly established Ma- cedonian and Bulgarian as distinct languages.

Bulgarian nationalists have long used the myth that Macedonian and Bulgarian are the same language, by which they mean that Macedonian is Bulgarian, to denationalize and forcibly assimilate the sizeable Mace- donian minority living in Bulgaria and to deny the distinct ethnic identity of Macedonians in the Republic of Macedonia, Greece and Albania.

It is unfortunate that Jo Lateu has uncritically repeated this fallacy and, in so doing, unwittingly undermined the unique linguistic and ethnic identity of Macedonians.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Chris Popov Executive Member Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee Melbourne, Australia.

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THE MACEDONIANS IN BULGARIA FACE A NEW CONTEXT

By Stojko Stojkov dertaken to protect their rights via the court in Strasbourg. The second, After the fall of communism, over with the establishment of a political the last quarter of a century Macedo- party, Macedonians attempted to nians in Bulgaria have lived and enter political life at the local gov- struggled in conditions which are ernment level, with the hope of not easy to explicate. On the one eventually electing a representative hand the state actively negates the to parliament and in that way, con- existence of Macedonians. It refuses tribute to the conversion of Bul- to engage in dialogue with Macedo- garia’s legislative house into a fo- nians; forbids the registration of Ma- rum that defends the rights of Mace- cedonian organizations and political donians. The hope was that Macedo- parties; limits the freedom of assem- nians would thus liberate themselves bly of Macedonians and confiscates from their fears and simultaneously, their publications etc. On the other convince Bulgarian society that it hand, Bulgaria was striving to create need not regard Macedonians as an image of democratization and ‘enemies’ but rather as civilized co- respect for human rights, in order to citizens. be able to join the EU. Thus the European Court of Human Rights in There were some successes in that Strasbourg seemed to become cru- regard and their value should not be cial for Macedonians in Bulgaria. underestimated. They were partially The Human Rights Court found in the result of democratization/Euro- favour of Bulgaria’s Macedonians integration, in spite of all its short- on eight occasions. Never-the-less comings; but equally, the efforts of Bulgaria’s older generation of Mace- Macedonians themselves, were fun- donians, still fearful as a result of the damental to the progress that was memories of the terror during com- made. It was because of the efforts munism and generally living in pov- of Macedonians that the total bans erty in a quasi-democratic state, against their freedom to assemble could do nothing to stem the tide of and against their right to express young Macedonians migrating out of themselves via newspapers etc, came the country, as the latter were cyni- to an end. All the same, too much cal about the ‘changes’ supposedly remained unchanged: the negation of taking place in Bulgaria. the existence of Macedonians; the refusal to register Macedonian or- In this context, Macedonian organi- ganizations; refusals to participate in zations concentrated their efforts in dialogue; the continued treatment of two main directions. The first in- Macedonians as objects of hate and volved legal defensive actions un- (Continued on page 18)

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(Continued from page 17) ance, so that while the activity of Macedonian organizations has dissipated considerably, it has not come to the desire of Macedonians for self-determination, was an end. In particular, OMO “Ilinden” PIRIN and and is still viewed as a form of national betrayal. “Narodna Volja” both carry on, due to the huge sacri- The latest developments in Europe have not helped. fices of some of their members. During this critical Of late, human rights have been seriously down- period, support for the Macedonian human rights graded in importance. The very court, via which some movement in Bulgaria, by Macedonians, wherever progress was made, has now been practically emascu- they may live, has become very important; that is es- lated. The first sign of this was when the Committee pecially the case in relation to the AMHRC and MHRMI. of Ministries began to declare their decisions as implemented, even though they had not been (as was the The Way Ahead case with the Macedonian political party in Bulgaria). More recently, it has begun rejecting the hearing of complaints without a proper examination of those complaints – such was the case with the organization of Repressed Macedonians in Bulgaria. The latter’s complaint was rejected without the right of appeal and without a proper investigation/hearing.

Euro optimism has now vanished. Prior to Bulgaria’s EU integration in 2006, many felt that integration would lead to a resolution of numerous problems and that made for a very enthusiastic activism on the part of Macedonians. Eight years after integration, such illusions no longer exist. Bulgaria has totally ignored all recommendations from international institutions, in relation to human rights and in turn, the international institutions have done nothing to ‘encourage’ Stojko Stojkov Bulgaria to respect the rights of Macedonians. All of that delivered a powerful blow against the Macedo- nian human rights movement. The realities of the current situation within both the Europe watched but not did not react, when in Bul- EU and Bulgaria, do not make it easy to map out the garia, it became common to ‘purchase’ votes during road ahead. Official participation in the political life election campaigns; nor did Europe react when the of Bulgaria has been made virtually impossible. Thus Bulgarian state falsified the census results by reducing the focus at present is on cultural activities and the the official number of Macedonians to 1,600 individu- organization of large gatherings devoted to building als and when it discharged public servants from the up the presence of the younger generation in the National Statistical Institute because they had at- movement, in order to prepare for the moment when tempted to place a Macedonian identity option on the more serious political activity becomes possible census forms. again. Moreover the blockade of the Republic of Mace- donia’s Euro-integration by means of absurd anti- Even these truncated plans are proving difficult to democratic requirements imposed by Greece and Bul- organize at present. The wide scale of youth immigra- garia silenced even the most strident Euro enthusiasts tion and cynicism is proving difficult to overcome. among the Macedonians in Bulgaria. All of the men- The mainstream Bulgarian political parties are man- tioned features, including the emasculation of the aging to attract the participation of some of the court system which was supposed to defend human younger generation of Bulgarians by offering definite rights, combined with the recent economic crises, cul- career opportunities. For the Macedonian movement minated in so much negativity that the very existence to do the same, is not really possible at the moment – of Macedonian organizations in Bulgaria, is now the work is done mostly on a voluntary basis. Never- threatened. the-less, larger scale cultural gatherings continue to be organized, as they are essential. Fortunately, thus far, certain Macedonians in Bulgaria have demonstrated an admirable level of persever- On the international front, more priority has been

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given to working with organizations like the European Macedonian movement took place) and December 7 Commission on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and (the birth date of Nikola Vaptsarov). The annual festi- the Advisory Committee on the Framework Conven- val held in Melnik on the date of Yane Sandanski’s tion for the protection of national minorities. Some murder (April 22) remains the most important of these progress has been made in cooperation with those or- gatherings. Over a thousand people usually attend, ganizations, though it remains for their findings to be including delegations from bodies in the Republic of forcefully and unambiguously brought before official Macedonia, Aegean Macedonia in Greece, the Bulgaria. Their conclusions relate to the basics: rec- AMHRC in Australia and MHRMI in Canada. ognition of the existence of Macedonians, the opening up of dialogue and equality before the law. The force Apart from the regular publication of the newspaper of their findings is limited and if the Macedonians in “Narodna Volja” and the occasional bulletin Bulgaria are to be finally recognized, more interna- “Makedonski Glas” (which is also distributed via the tional pressure will have to be applied. Official Bul- internet), it is also worth mentioning that some books garia is aware of this eventual possibility and that is have recently been published. This year a particularly why it makes enormous efforts to confuse the issues significant collection of documents about the repres- before the eyes of institutions like ECRI. sion of Macedonians in Bulgaria during the commu- nist era was published by the Association of Re- In order to help illustrate the current situation, I will pressed Macedonians, with the aid of the AMHRC. It mention some concrete examples of activities under- has 550 pages and brings to light a substantial amount taken by OMO “Ilinden” PIRIN. In October 2013, of evidence in relation to the terrorization of Macedo- representatives of OMO met with a delegation from nians and of course, demonstrates their existence in the Advisory Committee which was visiting Bulgaria. Bulgaria. OMO presented the delegation with a full report on all the problems faced by Macedonians in Bulgaria and Finally the creation and maintenance of various Ma- with proposed solutions to those problems. That was cedonian folklore groups needs to be mentioned. The followed up with a report prepared and sent by OMO, performances of these groups always liven up the to all relevant human rights or otherwise relevant or- large scale gatherings of Macedonians in Bulgaria and ganizations in regard to human rights violations ex- they have also begun performing at important celebra- perienced during 2013 by Macedonians in Bulgaria. tions in Aegean Macedonia and the Republic of Ma- The same will be done for 2014. cedonia and they do so, on a voluntary basis.

During the course of every year no less than three We envisage the Macedonian human rights rising in large scale gatherings are held (in Melnik, Teshovo importance over the coming years, as a factor oppos- and Mosomishte) and around a dozen open forums in ing the politicking of the Bulgarian state, which all all the major towns of Pirin Macedonia (and in other the more of late, has been focused on denying the ex- parts of Bulgaria). These are connected to important istence of the Macedonian nation. The capabilities dates like February 4 and May 4 (the birth and death and efforts of Macedonians in Bulgaria cannot be ex- dates of Gotse Delchev); at the end of July (Nikola pected to bring about quick results, there is a long Parapunov); September 12 (the date on which a mass road ahead of us, but we shall stay the course. murder of leaders and members of the independent

Translated from Macedonian by George Vlahov. Stojko Stojkov is a member of OMO “Ilinden” PIRIN a political party struggling for the rights of the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. It has been banned since 2000, despite a 2005 European Court of Human Rights judgment ruling that the decision was a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. For more information please visit www.omoilindenpirin.org.

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PARLIMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN MACEDONIA: HAS ANYTHING REALLY CHANGED?

Zoran Zaev

In the case of Macedonia, the immediate cause of the By Dr Chris Popov snap parliamentary election was the refusal of the Background to the Elections governing VMRO-DPMNE and Premier Nikola Gruevski to accede to the demand of DUI, its junior Early or snap parliamentary elections are usually coalition partner, that both parties field a joint candi- called by a government when it feels that there is ei- date in the presidential election. Presumably, this ther some electoral advantage to be gained by doing would have meant either an ethnic Albanian candidate so- being returned to government and/or increasing its from the ranks of DUI or an ethnic Macedonian that parliamentary majority or limiting the electoral dam- DUI considered more acceptable and “Albanian- age that would otherwise ensue by holding the elec- friendly”. Gruevski naturally rejected DUI and its tions at a time determined by accepted political and leader Ali Ahmeti’s demand as it would have meant constitutional requirements- or in response to a politi- that the post of president would in all likelihood not cal, economic or social crisis which threatens the stability of a country. (Continued on page 22)

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(Continued from page 20) 27 April 2014 so as to coincide with the presidential elections which were held over two rounds on 13 and be held by its own VMRO-DPMNE candidate. More- 27 April 2014. over, he argued that the concept of a “consensual president“ directly undermined the democratic proc- ess as it effectively imposed on the electorate some- Election Campaign one who was the result of backroom party deals be- In the course of the campaign Prime Minister tween two parties and permitted the Albanian minor- Gruevski appealed to the electorate to give VMRO- ity, albeit through the influence and lobbying of DUI, DPMNE a clear majority of at least 62 seats in the to have a disproportionate influence on the choice of 123 seat parliament, so that the government could not president, effectively shutting out the will of the Ma- be “held to ransom” by the ethnic Albanian parties. cedonian majority and other smaller minority groups VMRO-DPMNE also stressed its successful steward- in the Republic of Macedonia. Other observers, how- ship of the country’s economy in the last three years ever, have claimed that the “dispute” over a consen- and during the global financial crisis, the increase in sual president was confected between the two govern- pensions and lowering of unemployment (claims ing coalition partners so that early general elections in which had some justification) and its determination which both have a vested interest could be held. not to change the country’s name under Greek and EU pressure. The DUI appealed to ethnic Albanian voters The elections were called early as Gruevski thought to boycott the presidential election- though notably that he could capitalise on fears on the part of ethnic not the parliamentary elections, as the post of president is essentially ceremonial- in the hope that the election would be rendered constitutionally invalid by not having 50% of all registered voters participate. The main Mace- donian opposition party, the Social Democratic Union (SDS), accused the government of being corrupt, incompetent and unable to solve the country’s severe economic and social problems, as well as the crucial name issue which is blocking Macedonia’s membership of the EU and NATO. Its presidential candidate, Stevo Pendarovski indicated that he as President would assist in achieving a compromise on Macedonia’s “international name” so as to advance its march towards full EU and NATO membership. (“Пендаровски е за државен компромис за името”, 28 March 2014 http:// www.utrinski.mk/?

Ali Ahmeti

ItemID=676360905A0BD14BB06642FA7B642F25) Macedonian voters and those of other ethnic commu- Pendarovski also controversially in the course of the nities that the Albanian minority was once again try- campaign visited Kosovo on April 25 and criticised ing to impose its will on the country and electorate. The DUI and its leader Ali Ahmeti on the other hand, the Macedonian government’s conduct of the bilateral sought to exploit the perception that the Macedonians relationship with Kosovo and Albania in a blatant attempt to attract Macedonia’s ethnic Albanian elector- were once again discriminating against ethnic Albani- ate. (“Пендаровски од Приштина со навреди за ans and their vital interests. Thus, the parliamentary Македонија”, 25 April 2014 http://kanal5.com.mk/ elections were brought forward one year and held on vesti_detail.asp?ID=37669)

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of fairness though, it must be said that such systemic In contrast, the President Gjorgje Ivanov, presidential failings were also observed during elections held prior candidate of VMRO-DPMNE stressed the fact that he to 2006 when the SDS was in government, especially had played a strong stabilising role in his five years as in those areas of the country inhabited by the Alba- president, and that he and the government had con- nian minority, although the international community tributed to economic growth, job creation and in- was less inclined to focus on them. creased pensions, while not losing sight of Mace- donia’s quest for membership of the EU and NATO. While the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co- (“Иванов: Работевме домаќински, успесите се operation in Europe) /ODIHR (Office for Democratic видливи”, 2 April 2014 http://www.novini.mk/ Institutions and Human Rights) said the voting in the read/719446/ivanov-rabotevme-domakjinski-uspesite- first round of the presidential elections was smooth, it se-vidlivi) did say that biased media coverage and the blurring of state and party activities were significant issues. It is important to also focus briefly on the conditions OSCE ambassador Ahrens stated that “there was a in which both the campaign and the elections them- lack of political analysis and independent reporting, selves took place. For many years, Macedonian NGOs and the public broadcaster failed to provide balanced and opposition parties have, not entirely without foun- coverage” before the polls. Ahrens also said that dation, alleged that Macedonian elections since 2006, Ivanov had a “significant advantage in resources and when the current government came to power, have predominance in paid advertising” over the other been marred by systemic faults like party-controlled three presidential hopefuls. police and judiciary, an established structure of political clientelism in the administration and state- In its preliminary report on the conduct of the elec- controlled media that manipulate and spread an at- tions, the OSCE calculated that while Ivanov had 23 mosphere of fear. There have also been claims that hours of paid political advertising during the cam- the electoral roll has been manipulated to favour the paign, his main competitor, Pendarovski from the So- ruling party (with deceased persons still appearing on cial Democrats, had only three. “The government’s the roll, voters residing at addresses where they do not clear support [for Ivanov] during the election cam- live, issue of fake ID cards etc) and its DUI coalition paign did not fully respect the separation of party and partner, that there has been a lack of civic control over the state,” Ahrens concluded. voting in the diaspora, as well as intimidation of voters at their workplaces and at polling stations which all help the ruling party retain power. In the interests (Continued on page 24)

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(Continued from page 23) "threats and blackmails and massive buying of voters". It announced that it would not recognize the results of the general elections and that its MPs would In March, Police Minister Gordana Jankuloska dis- not take up their seats in Parliament. (“OSCE Criti- missed claims that fake IDs and addresses were being cises Macedonia Over Election Shortcomings”, 28 handed out to people in preparation for the general April 2014 http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/ and presidential elections in April. Jankuloska stated that “the ministry conducts all activities prescribed by the law with maximum professionalism”, dismissing opposition claims as “attempts at self-promotion”.

Answering a question about cases of dozens of people appearing to live at the same address, her answer was that there were no legal obstacles to multiple people living under the same roof. (“Critics Claim Mace- donia’s ‘Smooth’ Election Was Rigged”, 18 April 2014, http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/critics- claim-macedonia-s-smooth-election-was-rigged)

Election Results The results of both the presidential and parliamentary elections were as expected and as had been foreseen by pre-election polls. In the second round of the presidential election held on 27 April 2014, Ivanov re- corded a convincing victory over the SDS’s Pen- darovski: 534,910 votes (55.28% ) to 326, 164 (41.14%). At the parliamentary elections which were also held on 27 April the results were as follows: The VMRO-DPMNE-led coalition gained 42.18% of the vote and 61 seats, the SDSM-led coalition, 24.91% of the vote and 34 seats, the DUI,13.48% of the vote and 19 seats, the Albanian Democratic Party (PDA- PDSh),5.83% of the vote and 7 seats the National De- mocratic Revival (RDK) won 1.56% of the vote and retained only one of its seats, while the Citizens’ Op- tion for Macedonia (GROM), won 1.56% of the vote President Ivanov and 1 seat. (“Gjorgji Ivanov is re-elected President of the Republic of Macedonia and the outgoing Prime osce-sees-reoccurring-shortcomings-in-macedonia- Minister’s Party wins the general elections”, 13 April elections). In mid-May 2014 all 34 SDS MPs formally 2014,.http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/doc/oee/oee- relinquished their seats in Parliament, although given 1502-en.pdf) that they have had their election ratified by the Parlia- ment there is still considerable debate about whether In the immediate aftermath of the elections the OSCE/ they have legally relinquished their seats by providing ODIHR repeated most of the criticisms that it had only notarized declarations. made after the first round of the presidential elections.

The OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission to Skopje said Predictably, VMRO DPMNE dismissed the SDSM that the polls were well-administered and fundamental allegations as a case of sour grapes and a futile at- freedoms were respected but there were a number of tempt by the opposition to justify its abysmal per- serious faults during the run-up to the second-round formance and manipulate public opinion, although it presidential vote and simultaneous parliamentary was more measured in rejecting the OSCE criticisms. elections. (“Macedonia's disputed elections were orderly: OSCE”, 28 April 2014 http://www.reuters.com/ article/2014/04/28/us-macedonia-election-osce- The SDSM and its leader Zoran Zaev backed up idUSBREA3R0WV20140428). OSCE’s criticisms and added that there had been

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legislation must be approved by it, and which it may Post-Election Manoeuvring still decide to block in order to extract concessions in other areas!). The reaction of the DUI, with which VMRO DPMNE is currently negotiating about forming a new government, was interesting. While it claimed victory in the However, a coalition with the DUI was also inevitable elections- a strange claim indeed, given that it won 19 given the expectation and pressure of the international seats and finished in third place, but which neverthe- community that ethnic Albanian parties should always less reveals its federalist agenda, as it considers itself be included in any governing coalition in order to se- the “winner“ in the Albanian political camp- it does cure internal stability, but, even more importantly, not recognize the re-election of President Gjorgje because the ethnic Albanian political block has con- Ivanov as legitimate, as he was not a “consensus” sistently threatened-in the post-independence epoch- candidate. It does say, however, that his re-election that there will be “consequences”, should they not be was, strictly speaking, legal. However, in keeping included in governing coalitions. No Macedonian with its stance on this matter, it- and the SDSM MPs- party since the declaration of independence in 1991 did not attend Ivanov’s inauguration on 12 May, but has been able to, or had the fortitude to resist this ex- bizarrely its spokesman Bujar Osmani stated that DUI ternal and internal pressure. It is clear that the Mace- would recognize the legitimacy of Ivanov’s re- donian and ethnic Albanian political elites in Mace- election if Macedonia became a member of NATO in donia have long ago made their peace, despite the ob- September vious tensions that exist between Macedonians and Albanians in general as evidenced by the latest mur- (“BDI: Albanians will recognize Ivanov’s legitimacy der and anti-Albanian violence in the Gjorche Petrov if the country becomes a NATO member”, 14 May municipality of Skopje. 2014 http://www.balkaneu.com/tag/bujar-osmani/).

An important outcome of this election has been the It appears that despite the campaign rhetoric from decision of the SDS to not take up its seats in Parlia- both VMRO DPMNE and DUI about defending the ment in response to what it terms “massive electoral interests of the Macedonians and Albanians respec- fraud”. While fraud may have played some part in the tively, nothing much has changed in terms of the in- poor showing of the SDS at this election-a total loss ternal logic of the Macedonian political system and its of 8 seats- it is clear that its policies and oft-expressed nature. Nikola Gruevski’s appeal to the electorate to willingness to consider a name change for the coun- give his party 62 seats so as not to be “blackmailed” try, have alienated voters. Its boycott of parliament is by the ethnic Albanian parties has been revealed as therefore, on the one hand, an attempt to divert atten- nothing more than empty rhetoric given that he has tion away from its own shortcomings and unpopular- accepted a mandate by the president to form a new ity and, on the other hand, a strategy designed to cre- government in coalition with the DUI. Given the pro- ate a political crisis in Macedonia which may lead to visions of the Framework Agreement of 2001 and new elections. For the moment though, it has margin- article 69 of the Constitution which states that laws alised itself and given the hold of VMRO-DPMNE on that directly affect the areas of culture, use of lan- government, the bureaucracy, mass media and other guages, education, personal documents and use of social institutions. SDS may find that it has very little symbols need the approval of a majority of those MPs alternative to returning to Parliament (if its seats in present who belong to communities other than the the interim have not been filled by other candidates “majority “community (in effect a double majority), it from other parties) as the international community has is clear that “blackmail” by the ethnic Albanian par- been urging. ties is built into the Macedonian political system. Gruevski, despite the fact that he could form a parliamentary majority, albeit slender, with the support of The likely formation of a VMRO-DPMNE/DUI coali- the GROM party’s sole MP, knew all along that he tion government will only underline once again the would have to form a coalition with DUI (or DPA in inevitable tension which exists between Macedonian the event that it garnered enough MPs) in order to and Albanian political aspirations in Macedonia. The guarantee that he could secure the necessary number name negotiations with Greece will continue in an of ethnic Albanian votes in Parliament to ensure the attempt to please the international community and passage of legislation requiring a double majority. placate DUI by showing that progress is being made (And herein lies the perversity of this system; which- to advance Macedonia’s “Euroatlantic aspirations”, ever Albanian party commanding a majority of seats however in so doing Macedonian identity and state- is invited to join a coalition government, even though hood will be further weakened as more pressure is its votes may not be required to form a parliamentary applied, both internally and externally, to arrive at a majority, as an incentive not to block legislation cov- ered by article 69, even though the content of such (Continued on page 26)

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(Continued from page 25) new political and social forces, built around policies designed to protect the country’s name, territorial in- “compromise”. Concessions will continue to be made tegrity, independence and identity are needed in order to the Albanian minority in the interests of “stability”, to safeguard its future, however the results of the re- however the practical effect will be to continue on the cent elections have once again highlighted that such seemingly inexorable path towards federalisation of movements and forces either do not exist or are so the country. In the absence of concrete measures de- marginalised, (such as the Makedonski Manifest or- signed to create employment opportunities for the ganization) that they present no credible threat to the youth of the country, the brain drain will continue current political elites. robbing Macedonia of precisely those skilled workers

essential to economic growth and progress. As has been stated many times in the pages of this review, Dr. Chris Popov

A PERFIDIOUS PLAN OF THE GREEK STATE: THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PROVIDED LOANS FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF “SOVIET GREEKS” IN THE AEGEAN PART OF MACEDONIA

Dr Dimitar Ljorovski Vamvakovski The lack of a dominant Greek population in the territories of In recent history Greek coloniza- Ottoman Macedonia which tion of parts of the territory of Greece had laid claim to was suf- Macedonia can be divided into ficient reason, among other meas- two stages. The first stage covers Ion Dragoumis ures, for concrete action to be the period when Macedonia was taken for the settlement of Greeks still part of the Ottoman Empire, from the Greek state, as well as while the second stage, which has During this period historical docu- from the remaining Ottoman terri- continued up until the present day, mentation records settlements of tories where Greeks lived. In was implemented in the wake of Greeks in the coastal parts of Ma- Greece the prevailing theory at the inclusion of the larger part of cedonia, in its central and south- that time was that “whoever Macedonian territory within the ern parts, especially in major ur- claims a population as its own, borders of Kingdom of Greece. ban centres, but also in low-lying will also claim the territory it lives While during the first period irre- villages. In a report at the end of on”. According to this logic, the dentist motives drove Athens to 1903, Ion Dragoumis, a national claims of Athens would have re- colonize Ottoman Macedonia with ideologue of the time, concluded mained speculative, had it not Greek settlers, during the second that the systematic settlement of “shown and proved” that a large period the aim was to bring about Greek farmers in areas inhabited “Greek population” lived in Otto- the homogenization of the Greek by the ethnic Macedonian popula- man Macedonia. nation in the Aegean part of Ma- tion was necessary, in the course cedonia. of which particular attention

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should be paid to the imposition tions and, later, the Lausanne recent creation of an independent of the Greek language on the Ma- Convention of 1923 between Tur- Macedonian state, the increased cedonians. He observed that the key and Greece for the mandatory internationalization of the Mace- Macedonians were a mostly agri- exchange of the Christian popula- donian question by the organiza- cultural people who had settled in tion of Turkey and the Muslim tions of children refugees from rural areas and claimed that they poation of Greece. By virtue of Macedonia and the large world- had moreover Macedonianized the the first agreement a significant wide Macedonian diaspora, were “Greek” and “Greek-Vlach” cities number of ethnic Macedonians, reason enough for Athens, after of Macedonia. Precisely because who were declared by Bulgaria adjusting to the new-found situa- of this fact, he considered it nec- and Greece to be “Bulgarians”, tion, to continue the past policy of essary that the mixing of Greek were forced to leave their centu- assimilation of the ethnic Mace- farmers with Macedonians take ries-old homes, while by virtue of donians in Greece. One of the place, so that the Greeks could the second, the Muslim population measures taken in this regard was impose the Greek language on the of Aegean Macedonia was forced the plan to settle "Soviet Greeks" latter. To bring about this plan, out completely. On the basis of in northern Greece, with funds Dragoumis considered it neces- these two agreements a large from the European Economic sary to buy agricultural plots and Christian population, which ac- Community (EEC), today the EU. resettle Greeks from the Greek cording to Athens was “Greek” state so that Greek enclaves could was settled in Greece, and espe- be created to bring about the as- cially in Greek Macedonia, such similation of the Macedonian that the ethnic structure of north- population. ern Greece was drastically changed. This practice continued

after the Civil War, which brought The second phase of Greek colo- about a huge depopulation of eth- nization began after the Balkan nic Macedonians in Greece. The Wars and the inclusion of the new situation was taken advan- largest part of Macedonia within tage of after the war, when in ac- the borders of the Greek state. In cordance with legislation enacted contrast to the preceding period, in 1953, plans were made for the

Greece, making use of the new resettlement of persons with a situation, employed all instru- “tried and true national conscious- On 2 June 1990 in an “exclusive” ments of the state to change the ness” from central and southern report, the newspaper “Nova ethnic structure of the Aegean part Greece in the north western bor- Makedonija” featured a text with of Macedonia. The goal was the der areas of Greece; i.e., in those the title: “A New Colonization national homogenization of the areas inhabited by Macedonians. Awaits Aegean Macedonia”. In its northern part of the country subheading, the newspaper stated: where, in addition to the dominant “Perfidious measure of the gov- ethnic Macedonians, there also In any case, despite the numerous ernment in Athens to complete the lived a significant Muslim popula- measures taken by Greek institu- assimilation of Macedonians in tion, as well as Jews, Vlachs, tions to fully incorporate the Aegean Macedonia”, before im- Roma and Albanians. The Greek northern province into the “pure” mediately formulating the follow- community was the third largest nation-state, by the end of the ing question: “What do the secret in Aegean Macedonia in this con- 1980s it was clear that the documents of the EEC and the glomeration of peoples. This fac- “guardians” of Greek nationalism European Council regarding the tual situation was in stark contrast had not fully accomplished their plan for the resettlement of to the national theory on the mission. On the one hand, the de- 100,000 ‘Soviet Greeks’ in north- “purity” of the Greek nation and velopment of a contemporary Ma- ern Greece contain?” In the intro- state. One of the measures taken cedonian movement in the Ae- ductory part of the text, the to “correct the situation” was the gean part of Macedonia, which greater part of which we will re- resettlement of a large Greek and later developed into a political produce for purposes of a more Christian population in northern movement, under the leadership authentic presentation of the facts, Greece. In relation to this we of the “Rainbow” party, actively “Nova Makedonija” provides its mention the well-known Conven- worked for the recognition and opinion and analysis of the EEC tion signed between Greece and granting of basic minority rights document which it claimed to Bulgaria in 1919 for the in the country. On the other hand, have obtained from “its own “voluntary” exchange of popula- the fall of communism and the (Continued on page 28)

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(Continued from page 27) “confidential”. The document was government and that a quality as- issued by the “Fund for Social surance has been given, as well as sources”. “The plan contains a Development-Administrative the fact that the project anticipates strategy for the ‘reception and Council” in Strasbourg on 20 that it will have a positive effect resettlement’ of 100,000 refugees March 1990. It was proposed that on the accommodation and em- of Greek origin from different in Greece the project would be ployment of the refugees, and parts of the USSR and the con- carried out by the Agricultural having in his possession the posi- struction of apartments for 25,000 Bank of Greece, in whose name tive opinion of the Secretariat in families in those regions severely the Greek government on 1 March accordance with resolutions 199 affected by depopulation in the 1990 submitted a request for the and 934 of the Administrative period 1950 to 1970”. Moreover, grant of a loan worth 300 million Council, the Governor recom- the paper continues on, “this type U.S. dollars “for the partial fund- mends that the project be ap- of formulation, however cleverly ing of the program for the recep- proved and that a loan of 300 mil- it may have been drafted to con- tion and resettlement of 100,000 lion dollars also be approved. ceal the true goals, makes it clear refugees of Greek origin from the Paris, 16 March 1990, Roger Van- that the basic intention is to sig- USSR”. den Branden, Governor.” nificantly influence changes in the demographic map of Aegean Ma- cedonia, where the ‘Russian The document contained three At the very end we shall observe Greeks’ will be mainly resettled. parts. The first part, entitled that from today's perspective it is Namely, the question is one which “Report of the Governor on the clear that with the fall of commu- relates to the settlement of agri- Technical and Financial aspects of nism, the collapse of the USSR cultural land where the migrants the Project,” contained the entire and the economic collapse of the will be given apartments, 10,000 design and strategy for imple- Eastern bloc countries, a substan- hectares of land (only in the first menting the “project”. In the sec- tial number of Soviet “Greeks” phase) where 2000 farms will be ond part entitled, “Opinion of the immigrated to Greece. The exact created and all this will be occur- Secretariat of the Social Develop- number is unknown to us, but ring in the northern part of ment Fund”, the total amount of Athens, naturally, did not let slip Greece.” At the end of the first the loan which we previously the chance to settle as many peo- part of this report, the newspaper mentioned as being 300 million ple as possible in this category in observed and at the same time dollars was included, while it was the “sensitive” districts of north- posed the following question: also mentioned that the remainder ern Greece, which increased the “The impending Greek coloniza- of the loan would be financed by percentage of the Greek population of Aegean Macedonia, unfor- the Greek government. In addition. In addition, this project dra- tunately, is being carried out in a tion, the Greek government offers matically increased the opportuni- well programmed and unhindered a guarantee that the Agricultural ties for the Greek state to continue manner before the eyes of the Bank will repay the loan. At the on with its institutional assimila- Yugoslav and European public. end of this section the Secretariat tion of ethnic Macedonians in No one has tried to unmask before provided the positive opinion that Greece. the Council of Europe in Stras- “the application is acceptable bourg the true assimilationist from a statutory, political and so- goals of the proposed project, cial point of view”. This section Dr. Vamvakovski is a historian was signed by a Greek named which is contrary to the Charter based in Skopje. and spirit of Helsinki! Will Konstaninos P. Pilavaki on 15 Greece once again be permitted to March 1990. The last, third part of Translated from Macedonian reshape the ethnic map of Aegean the paper is entitled “Opinion for Macedonia with the oppression the Administrative Council and by Dr. Chris Popov. and eradication of the Macedo- Recommendation to the Gover- nian national element in the area nor”. It states as follows: “In con- where it has existed and fought to sidering the request for a loan of preserve its national identity?” $300 million which represents 40% of the total project cost of

settlement of Greek refugees from In the second part of the article, the USSR submitted by the Greek the newspaper published the en- government on 1 March 1990 and tire document of the European taking into account that the differ- Council, which was marked ence will be funded by the Greek

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SUBMISSION ON EXPOSURE DRAFT BILL ON AMENDMENTS TO THE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975

By Dr. Chris Popov the limited and inadequate protection in proposed sub- 16 April 2014 section (1). Sub-section (4) provides that the entire section will not apply to “…words, sounds, images The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Commit- written, spoken, broadcast or otherwise communi- tee (AMHRC) is deeply concerned by the proposed cated in the course of participating in the public dis- repeal of ss18B, C, D and E of the Racial Discrimina- cussion of any political, social, cultural, religious, tion Act which is detailed in the Exposure Draft Bill artistic, academic or scientific matter”. on the proposed amendments to the Act, released by the Attorney- General on 25 March 2014. In addition, the existing qualifications to s18C contained in s18D which protected free speech, by not The proposed amendments jettison key protections to deeming illegal anything said or done “reasonably and groups within Australian society which have for al- in good faith”, have been removed entirely. It is of most two decades contributed in no small measure to great concern that persons or the building and maintaining of a harmonious and inclusive Australian society.

We are particularly concerned by the proposed weak- groups will now be able to engage in racist vilification ening of s18C via the removal of the terms and intimidation, unrestrained by any obligation to “humiliate”, “offend” and “insult”. Moreover, the comment or act “reasonably and in good faith”. limitation of protection to vilification and intimidation, to mean respectively “to incite hatred” or “to We are also concerned by the inclusion of sub-section cause fear of physical harm”, will encourage ill- (3) which states that: intentioned individuals and groups to engage in racist (3) Whether an act is reasonably likely to have and hate speech. We do not accept the argument that the effect specified in sub-section (1) (a) is to be individuals who are subjected to racist hate speech determined by the standards of an ordinary rea- will be able to effectively counter such speech by us- sonable member of the Australian community, ing their own right to free speech, given the power not by the standards of any particular group imbalance that often exists between those who make within the Australian community. racist verbal attacks and the targets of such attacks. Inclusion of this sub-section means that the primary Moreover and alarmingly, the inclusion of sub-section targets of racist harassment, whether they be individu- (4) will have the effect of removing most, if not all, of als or groups, will not be those determining, on the basis of their own personal experiences, the level of offence, humiliation, intimidation or vilification felt, but rather a more nebulous “ordinary reasonable member of the Australian community” who presumably will not be able to provide the cultural and contex- tual background required when assessing levels of fear, psychological harm and threats of violence in particular cases. Equality before the law is not en- hanced by subordinating the rights of those who have (Continued on page 30)

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(Continued from page 29) exemptions so as to allow robust discussion of sensitive issues relating to race. We therefore request that been deliberately attacked and abused to the sensitivi- the Government abandon the proposed amendments ties of an “ordinary reasonable member of the Austra- to the Act in the interests of maintaining the social lian community”, who may often have no connection cohesion which has been a hallmark of Australia’s whatsoever with the ethnic, racial or minority group multicultural society. Free speech will not be en- being subjected to such mistreatment. hanced by legislative acts which will only create dis-

cord, division and enmity and place a greater empha- Our organisation and the Macedonian community it represents condemn all forms of bigotry and consider sis on the rights of bigots as against those of the vul- that racial bigotry in particular is pernicious in the nerable. extreme as it directly undermines social cohesion and harmony. The proposed amendments to the act will have the effect of emboldening those who wish to engage in racist hate speech under the guise of free Dr Chris Popov speech. Moreover, they will be able to do this unen- cumbered by the present requirement that any com- On behalf of the Executive of the Australian Mace- ments are made “reasonably and in good faith”. donian Human Rights Committee

The Macedonian community in Australia has in the recent past been the victim of a systematic campaign of denial by groups whose goal was to prevent it from freely identifying as Macedonian and calling its language Macedonian. Such a campaign is still continuing. Notably, from 1997-2001 the AMHRC fought a long legal campaign, the upshot of which was that the Victorian Government was found to have violated the Race Discrimination Act and was compelled to cease doing so.

We find it difficult to imagine that we shall be able to seek such redress against similar such discrimination in future if the proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act are passed. We believe that the current Racial Discrimination Act provides enough

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The works of Slavko Janevski

Slavko Janevski

the Tetovo region. That summer and fall I spent a A Literary Review by Dr. Michael Seraphinoff good deal of time helping my uncles and cousins with village chores and roaming the countryside with and without companions, just getting to know Mace- This time I would like to talk about the author Slavko donia. One little excursion took me by myself to Janevski. My intention in writing these columns is to Ohrid, where I stayed in a camping park on the stir reader interest in the beautiful and moving works shores of the lake. of so many fine Macedonian writers, and no review of such writers could be complete without mention of One day while I was too absorbed in my own this talented and prolific writer of poetry and prose thoughts I foolishly stepped over some barbed wire for both children and adults, whose life spanned most trailing down to the shore and after about another of the previous century. thirty steps I looked back to see that I had stepped over onto a military base. I immediately started to Before I begin though, I would like to tell a little retrace my steps back toward the camp, when a guard story that suggests how books change lives. It was shouted for me to halt, and I was taken into a room the summer of 1973. I had come to Macedonia for on the base for questioning. This dumb foreigner the first time after completing university to stay with could have easily ended up learning about life in a my father's older half brothers and their families in (Continued on page 32)

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(Continued from page 31) (a story, 1950), Lyric (1951), The Village beyond the Seven Ash-trees (novel, 1952), Sugar story (a story Yugoslav prison, if it hadn't been for the book under for children, 1952), Clowns and People (short stories, my arm that day. 1956), The two Marias (novel, 1956), Bread and stone (poetry, 1957),The Sleep-walker (novel, 1959), As the officers on the base began to question me, one The Shadow of Karamba Baramba (poetry for chil- asked what the book was that I was reading. It just so dren, 1959), Martians and Mice (poetry for children, happened that that day I was carrying around a biog- 1959), Bitter Legends (travelogue, 1962),Both Pain raphy of Gotse Delchev. I explained that I had come and Rage (novel, 1964), a new version of the novel to Macedonia from America to learn as much as I The village beyond the seven ash-trees (1965), The could about the land of my forefathers. I was still Gospel according to Peyo the Smart (poetry, 1966), struggling with the written language, but I was fasci- Black and Yellow (poetry for children, 1967), Kaina- nated by what I was reading about this remarkable velia (poetry, 1968), The stubborn ones (novel, man. Apparently this was the right answer, because 1970), Sultry days (short stories, 1972), The Chest they let me go after a brief argument between two (short stories, 1976), The Chained Apple (poetry, officers, one sympathetic officer, who I assume was 1978), Astropeus (poetry, 1979), Kites (poetry, Macedonian and another, who really wanted to see 1983), The Miracles of Awfulness -a trilogy made up me arrested for spying, who I assume was probably of: The Legions of St. Adonis, Dog's Crucifix and not. Waiting for the plague(1984), The nine Centuries of the Cherub (novel, 1987), Deaf Commands (selection Anyway, I take this as just one more small story of poetry, 1988), Dog's Woods (poetry, 1988), Mira- about how good literature can be for body, mind and cle Workers (novel, 1988), Roulette of seven num- spirit. And I still often carry some work of Macedo- bers (novel, 1989), The Petrified Orpheus (selection nian literature around with me as I go through my of poetry, 1990), Puppy Paff(prose in verses for chil- day. Always good. dren, 1991), Behind the secret door (short stories, 1993), The continent of Kukulino (prose, 1996), Those who grow up in the Republic of Macedonia Puppy Paff in the town of Sumsul (book for children are schooled in the works of most of the writers, such 1996), Puppy Paff watches from the space (1996), as Slavko Janevski, that I choose to review in this Puppy Paff the master of Dreams(1996), The dump journal. However, those of us raised overseas must (novel, 2000). make a special effort in order to understand and ap- preciate the works of Macedonian literature. That is Awards:"11th October", AVNOJ, "Miladinov Broth- one reason why I have decided to point readers to- ers", Racinovo Priznanie", "Miroslav Krleza”, “Koco ward the growing body of Macedonian literature and Racin” as well as the award by the publishing house information about the authors now available through “Misla” for his entire work. the Internet. Here is a lovely and quite beloved little poem by According to the Blesok on-line publishing house, Slavko Janevski. Lyrical and touching, it is a sad el- Slavko Janevski was a poet, novelist, screenplay egy to one who dies too young, in war. Let yourself writer and painter. Born 11th January 1920 in be moved by it. Is it not part of our nobler higher Skopje. Died in Skopje, 2000. Finished technical selves that we can be moved by the sacrifice and suf- school. Was director and editor-in-chief of the pub- fering of others? lishing house "Makedonska kniga" also editor of the literary journals "Nov den", "Sovremenost" and "Horisont". Member of the Macedonian P.E.N. Cen- Цветои tre. Member of the Macedonian Academy of Sci- ences and Arts (1967). One-time President of the Bo Тиквешко негде, в некое село Council of the Struga Poetry Evenings Festival. кај в слана тивко венеше цвете, Member of the Macedonian Writers' Association убија дете. since 1947. Was president of the same Association. Последна солза од око капна... Works: The Blood-stained thread (1945), The rail- Кога на ридот есента стапна, way track of youth with Aco Sopov (1946), Pioneers, в крви се изми утрото белo. Boys and Girls, little insects and Forest Beasts И кога в зраци челикот светна (poetry for children, 1946), A Million Martyrs (poem –последна мисла ко птица летна: for children, 1948), The Aegean gunpowder tale „Мајка ми сама остана в село!" (poetry for children, 1949), Poems (1950), The street

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О, детски очи! A final tear drop falls from an eye... Криевте в себе небесно катче... When autumn steps over the hills, Румено крвје течеше в жили The white dawn is washed in blood. в радост без почин... And when the steel rays of sunlight gleam -A final thought like a bird takes flight: Кај око детско натопи земја "My mother remains alone in the village!" гороцвет никна, разлиста пролет, кај крвта врела растопи слана Oh, eyes of a child! црвена роза закити поле. You've hid yourself in a heavenly hideaway, Red blood flows in your veins Мајската роза и цветот модер In joy without repose... в миризма молат: „Закити, друже, огнена пушка Where the earth through a child's eye peers out, со цвеќа млади, The asphodel blooms, and as springtime leafs out, па напред појди и други деца Where the warm blood melts the hoar frost брани со гради." The red rose decorates the fields.

В Тиквешко негде, в некое село, The mother's rose and the flower blue кај в слана тивко венеше цвете- In its fragrance they offer a prayer: убија дете... "Decorate, comrades, the fired gun With tender young flowers, Then onward go you young ones as well Flowers Defend them with your own breasts!"

It was somewhere in Tikvesh, in some village, It was somewhere in Tikvesh, in some village, Where the hoar frost gently fades on the wildflowers, Where the hoar frost gently fades on the wildflowers, They killed someone's child. They killed someone's child.

Transl. M.S.

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Interview with

MHR Review June 2014 page 34 1981 2nd Semi ‐ Alex Marcou takes a ripper of a ’specky’

h... ALEX MARCOU

Johnny Tsiglev manages to take a ‘specky’ with Carlton Football Club ‘Hall of Fame’ legend ‘Alex Marcou’

Yet again I’ve managed to interview someone who’s on the other side of the artist’s spectrum. Being an A-grade sportsman in his past life, AFL football as a discussed topic resides in a far away galaxy in my brain’s universe. A sport completely out of my (*cough*) league and definitely nowhere near my area of expertise, yet you’ll soon read that we Macedonians truly are a creative bunch of shape- shifting ‘Babari’ (Macedonian masked faces) who can sink their proverbial boot into anything!

Alex and I have already had a good JT> I guess what I’m interested Fitzroy? chat and discussed all manner of in to start with is what made a JT> Yeah, I helped put a book things before I commence the inter- young Macedonian boy decide to together for their 50 Years Jubi- view. I meet him at his warehouse play professional football? lee. studio which is in the suburb of….. Where did it all begin and what wait for it….. ‘Collingwood’! Alex AM> Wow!! I feel honoured to was it that got you into the game? introduces me to all his staff as; have gone! AM> I was born in North Fitz- “Hey, here’s another Macedonian” JT> I did it for Sveti Giorgi in roy…..you know, near Gertrude and; “You wouldn’t believe it, I’m Epping with Father Luca. He’s a Street. We used to go to the Mace- getting interviewed for the Macedo- top bloke. We had a few beers donian Church there in Young nian ‘newspapers’!” I knew we together. He sang some Maco were going to have a great inter- street. I used to walk to Edinburgh songs. view after he calls out another staff Gardens…. On a Saturday my dad member (and friend) and says; would take me to the Brunswick AM> Ohh yeah, in Epping. He bur- “Hey Johnny, this guy’s Greek”, Street oval and watch Fitzroy play. ied my father. My mum really re- and his Greek colleague replies; Amazing ha? spects him! “I’m from the south mate”, with a I can’t believe I can remember that JT> During weddings, christen- big smile on his face. It’s a multi- stuff. My dad used to say; “You’re ings, funerals, doesn’t matter cultural work place that works the only 5 years old, I can’t believe what it is, I’ll go up to him and way all multi-cultural things should you’re out there kicking the ball we have a good hug and a laugh. work, with mutual respect, and a around by yourself all day and AM> That’s the way it should be. damn good sense of humour! night”. I used to play first thing in the morning, after school, all the JT> Back to the ‘Fitzroy to time. Thomo’ thing… I talk about this JT> Hi Alex, how are ya mate? all the time, what a shame so JT> Ohh, you’re a true old- AM> Goooooood, thank you John. many Macedonians moved to the school Macedonian Fitzroy boy! (Alex slowly winds out with a smile) burbs and never established a I thought you were a Thomo boy, proper community in Fitzroy! JT>We’ve never met before, but like me? I still remember your name being AM> Yeah, I remember the old AM> We moved to Thomo, well bandied around during Colling- Macedonian coffee shops on actually Lalor. You know, the Vil- wood and Carlton games in the Gertrude St. We used to go to the lage there… (Alex laments with a early 80’s. Macedonian dances… It was some- sense of loss) thing. AM> You heard my name, really? JT> Did you know that the You Collingwood? JT> Ha ha ha, those Macedonian Young Street church was the first dances in Fitzroy. There are so JT> Ahh, yeahhh…(I say hesi- independent Macedonian church many crazy stories of fighting tantly) in the world? AM> Le, le… (Alex smiles) AM> What? The church there in (Continued on page 36)

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(Continued from page 35) my mum was one of them…the…. to carry on with the interview! what do you call them again? around those dances. But yeah, JT> Begaltsi. it was full of Nashi back then. JT> Alright, let’s get back to the Our own little village. What a AM> Begaltsi! Yeah, yeah, she questions! was sent to Hungary and then pity the community is no longer I was barely out of nappies (well Czechoslovakia. My dad came around there now. Gertrude 5 years old! J ) when you made over and setup camp here”. Street is so hip now. It’s like a your VFL (Victorian Football little SoHo in New York. JT> No way! Pity you couldn’t League) debut with Carlton in AM> My dad was a proud Mace- have come along! 1979. donian, both actually, mum and How did that feel when you dad….. My parents had a magnifi- started? You know, when you cent terrace house in Delbridge And then like clockwork he gets a actually made it. Were you on Street North Fitzroy… We used to phone call from a business top of the world or just too eager drive past it and my dad goes; friend….. to play football and not too con- “That’s our house”. I don’t want cerned with the popularity part to tell you what it sold for that comes with playing profes- (recently)! AM> “Another Macedonian is calling”. sional footy? JT> I can imagine! AM> John, to play at Carlton was AM> And then he (dad) goes; “i the greatest buzz you could have. maikati beshe stra ot ska- He puts on the speakerphone… Carlton was one of the three power lite!” (“and your mum was scared sides, together with Collingwood of the stairs”) (Alex says with a and Richmond. For me to get a laugh) AM> Hey, you wouldn’t believe game with the Jesaulenko(s), it, I’m getting interviewed by the Doull(s), Southby, who was a JT> He he he….The old wogs Macedonian Human Rights. Did great full back, and Maclure, to are classics! :) you know my mum was a part of just to name a few, was amazing! the Begaltsi? An honor. And to top it off, a little Macedonian boy to play in a Pre- I show Alex a copy of the MHR JT> A Begalka. miership side against your side, Review and explain what this in- AM> Yeah, a Begalka! Do you Collingwood. terview is all about. I was intro- know about this stuff? duced to him by Anton Klimev JT> Wow, yeah! I never (who you might know from an ear- thought about it that way. It lier interview and who also col- And the voice on the phone says; must have been a great thrill? laborated with me on my Detsa “Yeah!, and they were taken away AM> Ohhh yeah….great thrill al- Begaltsi doco/exibit). He initially by the Red Cross”. right.. (the look on Alex’s face is thought I was from the Macedo- priceless as he puts himself back in nian newspapers. Alex asks me a time. The genuine excitement is few questions about what I do AM> Is that right John? palpable) etc… I told him about my art and the exhibition. He says; JT> Yep. Apparently in the JT> Did you realise the signifi- name of safety, but they weren’t cance of it at the time? allowed back in if they called AM> Obviously! There were 100 AM> “Yeah, yeah, I remember. themselves Macedonian. thousand people attending the Anton told me about it but I could- AM> My God! For a blonde game! n’t make it because I had a footy (about woman on phone), you’re function on that night!” very knowledgeable! JT> It’s like being a Rock Star I guess??

AM> At the time yeah, there were Then he pauses for a minute and The voice on the phone quickly girls hanging around…. reflects…….His blue eyes light up responds; “I’m an educated with excitement; woman. There are a lot of things I JT> Le le full on! know about!” AM> Le le, ha ha ha… Heaps of women. Heaps of hanger-on-ers…. AM> Hey, you know what? I think We all have a good laugh and I try

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(Alex says smiling ) AM> Ohh yeah, for sure he would. AM> I think everyone goes out there for the right reasons. I would JT> Bloody hell! Full on Rock JT> And secondly to loosely con- be disappointed if I heard people Star! tinue on about the lucrative as- just played for the money. You’ve pects of the game… Do you think Today, so many parents I know, got your Buddy Franklins and the the players during your time, and in general I guess, push their like who make millions, but he just your peers I guess, were more kids into all sorts of sports in the goes out there and plays football purist in the sense that they hope of a lucrative career. Obvi- and he’s got pride in himself. Even played purely for the love of it ously back in the 70’s VFL footy like yourself (an artist), who does (the game) and not for the money players weren’t making any- paintings, there might be money in or popularity? where near the money of today’s it but it’s about pride. If you go out AFL players. AM> Let’s put it this way, we had there just for the money, you’re not no managers then. We had to do Firstly, what did your parents going to survive, they’ll pick you our own negotiations. We had to think about you playing profes- out straight away. go in (to meetings) ourselves and sional football at a time when JT> That’s great, I like to hear with our mates! Do you know how there weren’t many Europeans that sort of stuff. much pressure we were under? We playing football? had to go in and negotiate with peo- Do you consider playing in a mul- AM> Well, my dad, he came out ple like Ian Collins at the time. tiple (triple) Premiership winning when he was 16, and he basically side your career highlight(s), rep- So as purists yes, we didn’t have fell in love with the game. He did- resenting Victoria in interstate that managerial support like they do n’t push us into playing football. football, or were there better/ now and we had to think about eve- He supported us, my brothers and I bigger moments that we don’t rything ourselves. in all sports… my two younger know about? brothers. JT> Gee, that would have been AM> John…. (again saying my very tough and pretty stressful on JT> So did any of them become name to illustrate the enormity of a young guy who just wants to sports stars? it)…. To play at my age, 21. Play- play and think about footy. AM> My little brother who lives in ing in three Premiership sides in AM> John, 100 percent, that’s how Perth, he became a mobile me- four years, there was no bigger it was, exactly…. Sometimes I wish chanic and runs a good little busi- highlight. Probably my daughter we did have it (the support and ness there... They all know him being born, but that’s not the same management). over there, all the Macedonians. All thing. his business is with the Macedoni- JT> With all your years of ex- JT> Yeah huge. Do you have any ans! perience, is it obvious to you to- interesting stories about the day, who is playing for the right JT> Ha ha ha, he probably world of football that you’d like reasons? You know, what I mean knows Chris Angelkov. ‘He’s the to share with us?? Come on, by that; is a young guy who man’ when it comes to Macedo- don’t be shy :) might be a very talented player, nian stuff in Perth. He’s a real go AM> Yeah, I’ll just say, before the but just might be milking it for getter. something else, such as stardom? (Continued on page 38)

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(Continued from page 37)

81 grand final, I’ll just explain it to you. There is a YouTube video of it. You’ll have to look it up; Alex Marcou and Fabulous: http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=- fk0R1sbN54 It goes for 10 min- utes, and the prime minister of Australia at the time, Malcolm Fra- ser, before we ran out onto the ground against your team, Colling- wood…… JT> (I butt in)… Oh I remember that Grand Final… I was at the show grounds, you know, the Royal Melbourne Show. It’s at that time of year isn’t it?. Sep- tember? With some family friends….another Macedonian champion sportsman, but that’s an interview for another time. 1981 Grand Final ‐ The Blues doing a lap of honour ‐ Alex Marcou (centre) AM> (now Alex butts in) What? How old were you? How did you laughing…. Both of them! knees…all that sort of stuff. remember that?? JT> At least he stuck to his to JT> Ohh, now that’s a bit more JT> I was 7, you know what I word, unlike some other Prime noble. was talking about earlier. I re- Ministers! AM> Once a player’s career is member everything from my AM> Ha ha ha … that’s good over, the club tends to forget about childhood. John….. (laughing) you. Again, like a Rock Star, once AM> My God. That’s great. you’re gone…. see ya later! JT> That’s a great story, thanks JT> Sorry, continue with the Alex. story! Do you still have any involvement We’re sitting in the back room of- AM> Well, we were down in the with any of the football clubs you fice of Alex’s studio where all man- race there, and he the Prime Minis- played for/with or the AFL in ner of labels, clothes and ‘Point of ter (Malcolm Fraser) said: “Boys, if general? Sale’ promotional posters adorn you win today, I’ll fly you all up to the walls etc…. Today is the second AM> Yeah, ‘Spirit of Carlton’… ‘The Lodge’ (the Prime Minister’s day of our interview as Alex is a I’m on the committee. What we do house in Canberra), with your part- busy man, and had to dash out yes- there John is we have fundraisers ners, on a private jet and we’ll have terday to deal with some minor is- for the club. Dinners, lunches, and a big party! Can you imagine?... sues at his boutique in Spencer what we do is donate about Me, from Thomastown, and some Street in Melbourne; https:// $150,000 (a year) to the club so of the other boys. Some from www.facebook.com/ they can buy laptops and other Broady. Some from Bendigo! Alex TheCartelStore equipment... Anything the players Marcou and fabulous…… need. This time I bring with me a lovely ‘Fabulous’ was Macedonian too! drop of dedo’s (father-in-law’s) JT> I would have thought the JT> What, so you guys all flew Rakija (Firewater a Macedonian club would have had enough over? spirit). As soon as I walk through money for stuff like that? AM> Yep, all of us, wives, girl- his showroom towards the back AM> We help past players who are friends, the lot! And when I told meeting room I get stopped by his going through hard times, who this story 30 years later at a Carlton Greek colleague; “Is that what I have had football injuries where function, Malcolm and his wife think it is?” he quietly says. “Yeah, they can’t afford to pay for medical Tammie were in the audience and ‘Rakija’” I reply.... He’s so ex- bills. Stuff like hip replacements, they were pissing themselves cited! “Come, come, try this. I just

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made it with my they can maintain an involvement story. How he lost so much dad”, he excitedly or connection to their chosen ca- money on various addictions, liv- exclaims... We reer. The rest seem to buy pubs! ing the ‘Rock Star’ lifestyle, peo- share a little shot ple using him etc… It’s pretty sad JT> What made you get into the and then he asks to when you think about it. The lack fickle world of fashion? Why the try my dedo’s of support after the glory days. I jump and was it a difficult indus- batch. “Ohh my believe it’s a bit different in the try to crack? God, that really is States. They support their refined”. “Alex, try AM> Why I got into fashion….. ‘Stars’…. or ‘ex-stars’ a bit more this drop that My mum’s sister’s son was into than here I guess. Johnny brought fashion. He used to work for AM> Yeah, I’ve heard that about in”. So before we Sportscraft, and he asked me, he America too. But you’re right. It is even sit down and kept coming into the footy club sad! continue with the when we were training, and said; interview, we’ve “Get into business with me”, and JT> Ahhh, no wonder why footy already had a few that’s how I got into the world of players buy pubs. Their financial shots of the pure fashion. The fickle world of fashion advisors must tell them it’s a sure stuff! :) as you said. I was with him for 10 thing! years and then we went our own Why do think so many AFL play- way and… he kept manu- ers or ex-AFL players start their facturing and I started own clothing label these days? wholesaling, distributing, the Agency business AM> Personally, it’s like this; if (Alex Marcou Agencies). you’ve got your own label you’re I got sick of the factory, it somebody. “Look what I’ve does your head in….. I’ve achieved”. The only perception been doing it for 30 from the general public is: “Look at years! me, I’m successful. I’ve got a fashion label”. When you talk to them JT> 30 years! Maikata! about ‘grading’ (the sizing system AM> Ha ha ha… Mai- of clothing)… no idea! Little do kata! they know it’s a money pit. Your wife is correct (I was telling Alex JT> Did you contem- about having original art on my plate taking the yellow JT> So Mr. Marcou, after read- tees) because your artwork is not brick road to football eternity ing my prologue, there will be appreciated in the rag trade…. They after retiring or did you simply many of our readers out there just buy the stuff and that’s it! They need a change? What I mean is, who will be interested in your don’t really care or put any thought did you think about getting into transition from ‘Football to Fash- into it. ion’. We have a mutual friend in footy related stuff? JT> Do you think they simply use Anton Klimev, who introduced AM> Back then it wasn’t as popu- their celebrity profile as a sure me to you and made the transi- lar as it is now. Like Ricky Nixon fire marketing tool for success? tion from ‘Music to Fashion’, al- said, he’s a good friend of mine, he though he is still essentially a said; “When you were playing Al, AM> 100 percent! Spot on! I had ‘Musician’ who runs a fashion there was one journalist to every six Bryce Gibbs in here the other day. boutique. Age and fitness have players, now there are 6 ‘journos’ He’s started a label himself. I said no real bearing on quitting from to every one player”. That’s how to him, “What the f*ck are you do- being a musician, (or any artist big it’s gotten now. ing getting into the rag trade?” And for that matter), but it’s fairly he just thinks he can do it. Like Now they have managers, financial obvious that in sport there is an everyone thinks they can do it... It’s advisers, they save their money. expiry date where the body just not easy! Like you know. can’t keep up with the necessary We’d blow it on booze, going zeal, so many ex-sports stars tend out…. like ‘Rock Stars’ J. Football JT> I sure do know! is the same… to naturally gravitate to a sport- Were there any other footy playing related career post-game, for JT> Yeah true. Steve Kilbey ers that got into it back then? example: a sports commentator (from the band ‘The Church’) (Continued on page 40) or a coaching position so that was telling me the same sort of

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(Continued from page 39) JT> Well, I’ll tell you a great lit- in Macedonian about the Pizza tle anecdote about when I first we just bought. Out of nowhere, Maybe you were the catalyst or heard of you being in the fashion a bloke comes up to us and says; the inspiration for these other industry. My wife Meri and I “Ahh, vie ste Makedontsi?” It guys to follow (*pun*) suit! have a Men’s Clothing Label ended up that he was a builder (TSIG, which is sleeping at the who worked on the island with AM> Nahh…. I don’t think there moment) and we were in Sydney other Macedonian tradesmen, were other guys then? But Nathan a few years ago searching for but lived in a nearby neighbour- Brown was one of the earlier ones. stores in NSW. We went to a pop hood where he reckons thou- I don’t think I had anything to do -up shop in a mall at Manly and sands of other Macedonians live! with all these other guys doing it. got talking to the owner there. I AM> What? In Venice? Really? bought a really cool English That’s amazing! I later (post-interview) find out that jacket from her and she asked us there was a newspaper article writ- what nationality we were? We ten about Alex naming him “The said Macedonian, and she goes, Most Dapper (fashionable) Player “No way, the jacket you just off the Field”, so he must have bought is from my supplier who’s been a stylish man in his time! also Macedonian!” I asked her who it was and she said; “Alex JT> Do you have your own label Marcou”. And I said, “The ‘Alex also, or are you solely an Agent Marcou’. The Carlton footy player?” And she replied; representing others? “That’s him”. AM> I did have, ‘Mosquito’. It was very successful. I did it with a AM> Ohh yeah... that’s great. partner and things just changed. Yeah… that’s right. That’s her store there (in Manly). She’s a JT> Yeah, I remember that la- great girl. Ha ha ha fantastic. She bel.. Ohh gee, that was yours? sells ‘Duck and Cover’ for me. Fantastic! That’s good John. JT> That’s another great little Again, I find out later from my moment in our ever-decreasing brother-in-law (who’s a big Carl- six-degrees of Macedonian con- ton supporter), that ‘Mosquito’ was nectedness. We also supplied our the moniker for a group of players tees to three other boutiques with of a slightly smaller stature com- Macedonian owners, including pared to the regular blokes, Alex one in Brisbane. Do you find this JT> I heard you’re from the Ler- being one of the elite ‘Komartsi’ J happening to you with all your insko Selo Neret. We (the (Macedonian for Mosquito) travels and dealings with various AMHRC) have laugh with businesses? George Vlahov (the editor of this mag’ who is also from Neret) that AM> Yeah, all the time. There are AM> I have 10 labels that I repre- it seems like every Macedonian many Macedonian’s in the retail sent… My God! muso and business person we business that I bump into and also hear of comes from Neret! work with. Who was in Brisbane?? I strategically came in to Alex’s Bloody hell! George dismisses it office with a jacket of mine which I JT> Bill, at Wall Flower. You as being due to the large size of knew will rouse his attention….. know, in the Valley there just out the Village, but there must be of the city. more to it? Was there some sort

AM> Wow, yeah. I know Wall of surreptitious business school AM> John, that’s a ‘Duck and in Neret that the rest of the Vil- Cover’. How did you get that? Flower. He was Macedonian too? Wow! lages were unaware of? JT> Ha ha ha…. That’s why I JT> It just always happens to us AM> Nahh, I don’t know about brought it in! I knew you’d ask. I anything like that? (Alex says with wore it intentionally today! (my family). We were in Venice a few years ago and I was telling a wry smile) My dad was one of the AM> What the? I sell those. off my son in Macedonian for founders of the Neret Social Club, What’s going on there? making trouble, or complaining you know, the one down there in

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Epping. They’re doing alright. Do similate into the VFL and go JT> Bravo Nashyo! I guess you you guys (The AMHRC) use that? rather unnoticed/under the ra- don’t want to offend your fans dar, or were you quite vocal by being abrupt about it. JT> Yeah, we have our annual about your ethnicity? dinner dances there. Maybe you Did you contemplate or were guys (from Neret) don’t know of AM> To a certain degree, yes, but you interested in playing soccer, any secret school, but I still be- no one stopped me from being or “Wogball” as it was called lieve something’s going on who I was. during those years? there… Look, even your old man JT> Did you find any ethnic AM> Nope! Nahh. Not at all! was involved with the business prejudices toward you when There weren’t many of us (wogs) there! playing a mainly Anglo domi- playing football but I loved it. AM> Ha ha ha, no idea? :) nated (especially at that time) JT> Why didn’t soccer interest sport? JT> Why do you think Daics you? (fellow Macedonian VFL/AFL AM> John…. (again Alex says my AM> When I started playing star Peter Daicos) had a bigger name to illustrate the seriousness footy, soccer didn’t even come presence in the Macedonian of what he’s about to say) Of into the picture! community than yourself? Is it course. They talk about racial vili- because he put himself out there fication now! They called us; JT> Did you find you had some more, or does Collingwood have “You greasy little Wogs”....there similarities with our Aboriginal more Macedonian supporters? I was heaps of stuff. But back then brothers who would have faced for one, my brother and all the we took it all with a grain of salt. I many prejudices in the 70’s and Maco boys in the neighbourhood didn’t give a f*ck. I was proud 80’s? became Collingwood supporters when they called me that! AM> Yeah, we did. 100 percent. because of Daics. JT> I personally have friends Syd Jackson (Aboriginal player at AM> ’The Macedonian Mar- and know of many Australian the time), he copped heaps! vel’…. When you’re that good! born Macedonians who denied JT> Really! The media, once the media gets their cultural heritage in their onto you, that’s it! He was so youth, for various reasons, one AM> Ohh yeah! good. So skillful. A great player. being fear of reprisal or simply JT> How about in the fashion The goals he used to kick. He was not being accepted into main- industry? Do you think it makes a machine, the way he used the stream society. But then once a difference where you (or your ball. they reached a certain age, and parents) come from? particularly after having kids, JT> Ohhh man! I just loved they have almost done an ‘about AM> Nahh, nothing. watching him play. Something face’ and can’t get enough of died within me when he retired! their long-lost Macedonian heri- L But yeah, all the boys seriously tage. We’re having another little drop of followed the pies because of dedo’s special brew, and I spilt a Daics… All the Maco neighbour- Can you relate to this in any bit on his desk as I was pouring a hood kids. way, or do you know of anyone couple of shots….. Alex blurts out; else who has gone through some- AM> Yeah I believe that. “Was that for pari? (money?)” I thing like this? replied that I think it’s “Za Oum- JT> Do you know Daics? AM> Yeah, but I have never been brenite? (for the dead?). We did a AM> Of course I do! (Alex confi- embarrassed of where I’ve come “Na Zdravje” (cheers) to our lost dently answers as if that was the from, or where my parents come fathers. I ask Alex how long since dumbest question ever!). We don’t from, or my heritage. Look, the his father passed away? Alex re- see each all the time, but of course Greeks at the footy, still to this plies; “Two years” we know each other! day, 30 years later, think I’m Greek. They come up to me and JT> Yeah, derrrrr! speak Greek, and I go quietly; JT> Ohh, that’s not too long So many Macedonians I know, “Ummm, I’m sorry, but I’m not ago. Do you miss him? (especially those from Banitsa), Greek. I don’t speak a word actu- AM> Ohh yeah (a sudden sadness assimilated into the greater Aus- ally. I’m Macedonian, you know, sweeps over Alex’s face) My dad tralian community so well that from the northern part of Greece”. was in here (the warehouse) every most people thought they were And then they go silent. (Continued on page 42) ‘Yobbos’. Did you have to as-

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(Continued from page 41) your heritage. Believe in yourself… natural! (We both have a good “The pages of your youth turn laugh) day. He built the place. “Sho sakash quickly, make the most of them”. Al, thank you so much for your da te napram?” (“what do you want JT> Geee, I couldn’t agree time and I hope to see more me to do?”) He project managed more… It’s funny because Simon young Macedonians succeed in the place. He brought sandwiches Damevski (who I interviewed last sport (and the arts obviously!) the for the builders. It was the best! (the time and who’s mum is also from way you did. ‘Alex the Great’, sadness is fading as his face lights Neret) left me with a couple of now why didn’t that stick? up with fond memories of his dad) similar anecdotes... You bloody It’s been a great interview and I JT> That’s hard mate. I lost my Neretsi! feel honored to have met you! dad when I was seven, but I guess Is there anything I’ve missed, see- it doesn’t matter how old we are, AM> And I’m honored to have met ing as I’m an artist (who doesn’t our ‘tato’ is our ‘tato’! :( another Macedonian who’s proud really follow the footy anymore), (of his heritage) and to see you do What advice would you give that you might want to talk great work! young Macedonian kids out there about? wanting to make a professional JT> My pleasure mate! AM> Nothing!.... I’m pissed be!.... career out of AFL and are there What have you done to me? :) any pitfalls they should be aware of? JT> Ha ha ha, it’s a beautiful little drop…..and no hangovers or AM> Nah, no pitfalls. Be proud of headaches with this stuff. It’s

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RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT The AMHRC and MHRMI are part of an international Macedonian network that spans Australia, North America and Europe, including: AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

Address Suite 106, Level 1 MHRMI & 55 Flemington Rd North Melbourne, 3051 Telephone +61 3 9329 8960 Email [email protected] AMHRC Website www.macedonianhr.org.au

MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL

Address 157 Adelaide St. West, Suite 434 Toronto, Canada M5H 4E7 Telephone 1 416 850 7125 Email [email protected] Macedonian Website www.mhrmi.org

Human Rights MACEDONIAN ALLIANCE FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION The political party of the Macedonians in Albania

Movement Website www.macedoniansinalbania.org

International EUROPEAN FREE ALLIANCE—RAINBOW

(MHRMI) has been Address Stephanou Dragoumi 11 PO Box 51, 53100 Florina/Lerin, active since 1986. Greece Telephone +30 23850 46548 Email [email protected] or The Australian [email protected] Website www.vinozito.gr Macedonian OMO ILINDEN PIRIN

Human Rights Address Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad 2700 Zk ‘Elenovo’ bl 6 v. Bar. 6 p.k. Mechkaroovi Committee Email [email protected] (AMHRC) has been Website www.omoilindenpirin.org MACEDONIAN SOCIETY “ILINDEN” TIRANA A Macedonian cultural association in Tirana, Albania active since 1984. Website www.ilinden‐tirana.com

NOVA ZORA Both MHRMI and A pro‐Macedoniannewspaper based in Aegean Macedonia, Greece, edited by Dimitri Jovanov and with a printed circulation of 20,000 rcopies pe month AMHRC are non‐ Website novazora.gr

governmental NARODNA VOLJA A Pro‐Macedonian newspaper based in Pirin Macedonia, Bulgaria, edited organisations that by Jan Pirinski and Stojko Stojkov. The first edition was published in 1980

inform and Website www.narodnavolja.com advocate about TEAM MEMBERS combating racism and promoting MHRMI AMHRC Jovan Drenoski Treasurer Chris Angelkov Perth Representative human rights. Our Gligor Apoleski Sydney Representative Michael Georgiev Marketing Mitch Belichovski Online Management joint aspiration is to Donna Gulcev Ljubica Durlovska Review Production Designer/Assistant Editor ensure that Tomislav Jakovleski Tase Filipov Treasurer Velibor Jakovleski Ivan Hristovski New York Correspondent/Representative Macedonian Slavko Mangovski International Coordinator Jason Kambovski Communications Advisor/Executive Member Diane Kitanoski MHR Review Photographer Jimmy Mihajlov communities and Sasha Nackovski Political Liaison Officer Tonia Miovska International Coordinator Dr. Vasko Nastevski Secretary/Executive Member other excluded Bill Nicholov President Daniel Nikoloski Adelaide Representative/Online Management groups throughout Lazo Ognenov Lisa Penova Adelaide Representative/Online Management Andy Plukov Steven Petkovski Canberra Representative the world, are Dr Chris Popov Media Liaison/Executive Member Mark Opashinov Secretary Michael Radin Adelaide Representative recognised, Bill Pavlovski Public Relations Peter Sarbinov Deputy Secretary Liljana Ristova Ljupco Stefanovski Wollongong Representative respected and Silvana Talevska Vasko Tanevski Adelaide Representative Chris Terpos Marketing Manager Luby Vidinovski Vice President afforded equitable Jim Thomev Columnist for MHR Review Johnny Tsiglev Members’ Representative treatment. David Vitkov International Co‐Ordinator/Executive Member MHR Review June 2014George Vla hov Editor MHR Review/Executive page Member 43

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