Toronto and Melbourne - Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) and the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) denounce US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement that, "The government in Skopje needs to know that it will not be able to move forward on its European integration until it does resolve this (issue). And, obviously, Greece has to be willing to accept how the name is resolved."

In other words Clinton has told a sovereign nation - Macedonia - that it must surrender the most basic right possessed by any state - the right to self-identification; if it wants to become a part of Europe. The US, 'leader of the free world', as on other occasions in relation to Macedonia, has shown itself to be unequal to the task of upholding the most basic tenants of liberty and indeed international law.

The United States recognized Macedonia in 2004, yet it calls for a name change. The hypocrisy is astounding.

Considering the apparent inability of the EU to manage its economic affairs properly, MHRMI and AMHRC are not at all convinced that Macedonia's membership in such an institution is in its best interests. However, the point is that we cannot abide by declarations which amount to the blackmail of 'forgo your rights and change your name or else'. We have written to the State Department demanding an explanation and immediate US condemnation of the name negotiations.

MHRMI and AMHRC began an advertising campaign in Macedonia over a year ago, advocating an end to the farcical and racist name "negotiations" between Macedonia and Greece. For anyone interested in joining the Our Name is Macedonia campaign, please use the following link: www.mhrmi.org/our_name_is_macedonia

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Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information: www.mhrmi.org, twitter.com/mhrmi, facebook, info@mhrmi.org, 1-416-850-7125.

Established in 1984 the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is a non governmental organisation that advocates before governments, international institutions and broader communities about combating discrimination and promoting basic human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups throughout the world are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, or contact AMHRC by email info@macedonianhr.org.au or via +61 3 93298960.