A rift was exposed between the Australian Macedonian Advisory Council (AMAC) and the Pan Macedonian Association of Melbourne, Victoria.
During last Monday’s Open Forum organised by AMAC, tensions ran high when Peter Kalliakoudis from AMAC had a fiery exchange with the President of the Pan Macedonian Association, Dimitris Minas. The incident almost saw the two men come to blows according to eye witnesses.
Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) contacted Mr Kalliakoudis who confirmed there was a confrontation.
The confrontation was sparked by Mr Kalliakoudis’ response to a question from the floor regarding AMAC’s position on a composite name solution between Greece and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), whereby the name ‘Macedonia’ could be used.
Mr Kalliakoudis argued that given this solution is what the Greek Government is pursuing as a resolution to the ongoing dispute with FYROM, it would be reasonable for AMAC to adopt a similar position.
Mr Minas and the Secretary of the Pan Macedonian Association, Nikos Lalopoulos, who weren’t present during the confrontation, were alerted and rushed in to silence Mr Kalliakoudis.
“I said, ‘we have to be realistic and if the Greek government is taking this stance we may also have to compromise’ when all of a sudden there was mayhem and Mr Minas ordered me to leave the building and I refused,” Mr Kalliakoudis said.
He also revealed that Mr Minas has demanded that he be expelled from the AMAC Board.
The Director of AMAC, Paul Kyritsis, confirmed this adding that Mr Minas had also ordered the organisation to officially take a public stand on the naming dispute.
The Pan Macedonian Association has been consistent in its refusal to accept any solution that includes a composite name with the word ‘Macedonia’ in it.
NKEE understands that certain AMAC members are taking a moderate approach, echoing the Greek Government’s position on the issue.
Although AMAC was created after an initiative of the Pan Macedonian Association, it was established as an independent entity, to undertake lobbying efforts in Australia for the Macedonian and other of Greek national interests.
Mr Kyritsis revealed that a decision has not been reached either on the possible expulsion of Mr Kaliakoudis, or a public position on the name dispute.
He said that these may be discussed this week, as the President of AMAC, Nick Koukouvitakis was away last week.
NKEE spoke to the President of the Pan Macedonian, Dimitris Minas who played down last Monday’s incident.
He denied making any demands on AMAC. “Both Kyritsis and Mr Kaliakoudis are expressing their own views. I never made such demands, let them prove it” Mr Minas stressed.
Mr Minas refused to make any further comments.