Alex Ward (USA) wrote
Being Ethnically and Historically Accurate, and Respectful to All Sides
This brings us to today and to why the people of FYR Macedonia certainly have legitimate ties to the Macedonia region, yet their new state cannot imply that it represents all inhabitants of Macedonia by monopolizing the terms "Macedonia" and "Macedonian."
FYR Macedonia takes up 38% of the geographical region of the Macedonia province as defined by the Ottomans (ironically enough, it barely touches on the original geographical region of ancient Macedonia, which overlaps almost 100% with Greece’s Macedonia province).
FYR Macedonians have every right to a separate national identity, yet they do not represent all Macedonians. During the 1912-13 Balkan wars of independence, inhabitants of the Macedonian province picked the side alongside which the wished to fight. Greek Macedonians fought for independence alongside other Greeks and were hailed as Makedonomachi (Macedonian fighters). Their sacrifices and victories remain in history books, literature, novels and folk songs. Macedonians who aligned themselves with other nationalities were similarly honored by their respective people. FYR Macedonians too fought for independence. But the fact of the matter is that all other Macedonians in no way identify with the state that FYR Macedonians established after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
Calling a Spade a Spade
FYR Macedonians are free to choose any name they wish for themselves. And they have as close a tie to the Macedonian region as the next Macedonian. But that also means they cannot monopolize the name. And now that they have become an independent nation, in order to be ethnically and historically accurate as well as respectful to all other Macedonians, the new state should differentiate its people by using a composite name. Reasonable suggestions could include Slavomacedonia, Upper Macedonia, Northern Macedonia or even New Macedonia (as in New Mexico, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea).
http://politicante.blogspot.com/2008/04 ... icate.html