SAE U.S.A - World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)

 By Theodore Spyropoulos, Coordinator SAE/ USA

The unexpected, provocative, and out-of-place recent pronouncements by the UN mediator, Ambassador Matthew Nimetz., in connection with the issue of Skopjie, are an insult to the high esteem with which the entire world views the personality of Alexander the Great.  Unfortunately, these pronouncements also undermine any hope for rapprochement between Greece and FYROM, especially in light of the upcoming critical period in the negotiations seeking a permanent name for FYROM.

Mr. Nimetz’s statement was a provocation and, obviously, an intentional misrepresentation of history, both incompatible with the sensitive role of a special UN mediator. On the contrary, statements such as these boycott the possibility of the creation of an agreeable climate between the two sides.

In his attempt to downgrade the accomplishments and impact of the Macedonian leader on human events, Mr. Nimetz said, among other things: “I will say that I personally am not the greatest admirer of Alexander the Great, although I know that this may cause criticisms in both states. He was certainly a great conqueror, but he massacred thousands of people and destroyed many towns. He was not a promoter of democracy and civic life, and, in my view, he did not leave behind the most positive long-term empire.” 

The American mediator ought to know that, according to the most distinguished historians, Alexander the Great was a genius strategist and a brilliant political personality, and the first visionary of a global society. Many military institutions around the world still study and teach his stratagem theories to this date.

This unique human being was first to speak for the “super-national unity of the world” which he envisioned to achieve by securing the sovereignty and freedom of every society and by respecting every country as equal. Alexander the Great, inspired by Greek Education, he had a realistic plan for worldwide unity with a human face and respect for cultural diversity.

Therefore, Mr. Nimetz, instead of attempting to pontificate, he should be drawing lessons in diplomacy and peaceful co-existence among peoples from the great leader.

 
In his attempt to lower the importance of history, Mr. Nimetz stated:  “ I prefer to look ahead, not back. I believe that the people in the region have the opportunity to build new relations and strong democratic and economic prosperity within the Euro-Atlantic frames, but only if they work together and leave some of these historical issues behind.” 

Is it possible that the UN mediator ignores that the future is built upon respect for the past because “people who do not remember history are people without a future?”  Peaceful co-existence among neighboring countries cannot be superimposed through the use of arguments suffering from a corrupted view of world history. 

A sense of knowing thyself and deep integrity are basic in creating a well-informed society, ready for the future. Knowledge is power. Forgetfulness prepares the way for mistakes, sometimes fatal mistakes in human history. 

Mr. Nimetz’s lack of world knowledge, especially in areas where he is called upon to play the role of the mediator, is enough to prove that he is not appropriate for this position. That’s why it is not accidental that his efforts have been ineffective over such a long time. His intention is clearly demonstrated by his statement:

“I currently have no plans to put a new proposal on the table. Various possibilities have been considered, but I do not wish to make suggestions when I do not think that it will be of any use.”!!