The UN have shown their interest in the position of Macedonians in Greece for the first time.
For whole seven hours UN independent expert on minority issues Gay McDougall, who is on several day visit to Greece, enquired whether minority whose rights Athens did not recognise truly existed in Greece.
She had a meeting with around thirty representatives of Macedonians in Lerin and official representatives of the Greek authorities in Solun.
On the trip to Lerin, there was a gaffer when Athens Authorities told McDougall they would take her to visit the grave of Phillip of Macedonia and the birth place of Alexander. The UN representative refused to go saying she was in Greece to investigate minority abuse, not to visit historic sites.
The unregistered party of the Macedonians Vinozito (Rainbow) views McDougall’s visit as historic. “I hope they will help in the democratisation of Greece so that the country is not a black hole not only in Europe, but even further regarding respect of basic human rights and national minorities,” stated Rainbow President Pavle Voscopoulos. Official Greece did not comment the visit of the UN expert.
Macedonian representatives who gathered from accross Aegean Macedonia (Solun, Voden, Lerin, Kukus, Kostur...) had presented documents, and photographic evidence in their talks.
At a press conference, the Greek media tried to immediately provoke the UN Representative, mostly when it came to the Macedonians and Turks, asking her what she would write in the report. McDougall did not answer their questions telling Greek Media they have already misrepresented her visit and the reasons for the UN visit."This is a process, I have the first impression, however further analysis and consultation is needed" said McDougall.
The UN representative did mention the deplorable conditions of the Roma population in Greece.
Bakoyannis to meet Obama, maybe
Greek diplomats work around the clock to book a meeting between US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis.
Bakoyannis will make a trip to New York and Washington DC, though will expect a call from Illinois. The Greek Government wishes to utilize their 'US voting power' which numbers between 1.5 and 3 million citizens with some connection to Greece. However, only half of these are in possesion of a US citizenship which will allow them to vote.
Greece is attempting to get 100% of Obama support for the name negotiations for which are using the help of several US Senators and Congressman that have connections to Greece or are under influence by the Greek Lobby.
However, our sources say Obama may not meet Bakoyannis because close Associates of the Democrats Front Runner have been running polls in known "Greek neighborhoods". The results showed Obama's ratings have taken a dive. Astoria of New York have seen 40% of the population voting McCain, according to the latest poll, Boston's Greek neighborhood showed Obama tied with McCain. Even more troublesome is the fact that wealthy Greeks donate money to the McCain Palin ticket, which does not go unnoticed.
For whole seven hours UN independent expert on minority issues Gay McDougall, who is on several day visit to Greece, enquired whether minority whose rights Athens did not recognise truly existed in Greece.
She had a meeting with around thirty representatives of Macedonians in Lerin and official representatives of the Greek authorities in Solun.
On the trip to Lerin, there was a gaffer when Athens Authorities told McDougall they would take her to visit the grave of Phillip of Macedonia and the birth place of Alexander. The UN representative refused to go saying she was in Greece to investigate minority abuse, not to visit historic sites.
The unregistered party of the Macedonians Vinozito (Rainbow) views McDougall’s visit as historic. “I hope they will help in the democratisation of Greece so that the country is not a black hole not only in Europe, but even further regarding respect of basic human rights and national minorities,” stated Rainbow President Pavle Voscopoulos. Official Greece did not comment the visit of the UN expert.
Macedonian representatives who gathered from accross Aegean Macedonia (Solun, Voden, Lerin, Kukus, Kostur...) had presented documents, and photographic evidence in their talks.
At a press conference, the Greek media tried to immediately provoke the UN Representative, mostly when it came to the Macedonians and Turks, asking her what she would write in the report. McDougall did not answer their questions telling Greek Media they have already misrepresented her visit and the reasons for the UN visit."This is a process, I have the first impression, however further analysis and consultation is needed" said McDougall.
The UN representative did mention the deplorable conditions of the Roma population in Greece.
Bakoyannis to meet Obama, maybe
Greek diplomats work around the clock to book a meeting between US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis.
Bakoyannis will make a trip to New York and Washington DC, though will expect a call from Illinois. The Greek Government wishes to utilize their 'US voting power' which numbers between 1.5 and 3 million citizens with some connection to Greece. However, only half of these are in possesion of a US citizenship which will allow them to vote.
Greece is attempting to get 100% of Obama support for the name negotiations for which are using the help of several US Senators and Congressman that have connections to Greece or are under influence by the Greek Lobby.
However, our sources say Obama may not meet Bakoyannis because close Associates of the Democrats Front Runner have been running polls in known "Greek neighborhoods". The results showed Obama's ratings have taken a dive. Astoria of New York have seen 40% of the population voting McCain, according to the latest poll, Boston's Greek neighborhood showed Obama tied with McCain. Even more troublesome is the fact that wealthy Greeks donate money to the McCain Palin ticket, which does not go unnoticed.
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