State and federal MPs of Greek background have become the focus of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria’s ongoing campaign against use of the term ‘Macedonia’ for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

In an official letter addressed to MPs on Monday 28 March, president Peter Jasonides highlighted the important role that parliamentarians of Hellenic descent play in persuading domestic and international policy, and concluded with a request that “you outline your position on the naming dispute”.
In an interview with Neos Kosmos, Mr Jasonides said the reason for the letter is that “we have some reservations about certain expatriate members who have used the term ‘Macedonia’ unlawfully and against the UN resolutions”.

Of the seven federal and 19 state deputies of Greek origin, so far he says “two MPs said they have never used the term, but we expect the others to respond within the next four weeks”.

In the letter, the president took the opportunity to once again clarify the association’s stance on the naming issue.
“The naming of Macedonia, in our belief, is a matter of our identity that cannot be negotiated, and an issue of our heritage that cannot be disputed or spared,” the letter reads.
“The FYROM desires to be called ‘Macedonia’ and by usurping the name, it appropriates the Greek history and many other elements that go with the name such as identity, ancestry, culture ethnicity, belonging and cohesiveness.”

Mr Jasonides also reminded MPs of the Australian government’s recognition of FYROM in 1994.

“It was agreed then and still is to this day that the United Nations and its member states must use the nomenclature former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; a name that remains an interim measure in order to assist with the United Nations negotiations.
“As such, this is the policy that is followed by the Australian government until any agreements are made between Athens and Skopje.”

Still a highly-sensitive issue for the Greek Australian community, Mr Jasonides told Neos Kosmos that it is important for the community to know which MPs are using the term ‘Macedonia’.

For this reason, the association will be publicising the names of those who respond to the letter and those who fail to do so.

The president wished to stress, however, that by taking such action, the aim is not to wage a war against political leaders but to clarify matters once and for all.

“There are MPs who play the ‘double door’; they say one thing to the Greek diaspora, and then in their electoral offices and various public appearances say another,” he said.