US: Policy on Macedonia recognition is long standing
There is no change in the longstanding U.S. policy to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name, State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey told the press conference on Thursday.
A reporter asked Casey why the U.S. decided to put a nameplate Macedonia in front of Macedonian delegation to a US-hosted nonproliferation conference in Washington.
The use of Macedonian name triggered stern reactions by Greek and Cypriot delegations, which left the conference in protest.
"First of all, longstanding United States policy as enunciated by Secretary – then Secretary of State Powell - is to recognize the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name. So I don’t think it’s any surprise to anyone, including our friends in Greece and Cyprus, that that is the name under which the U.S. Government recognizes Macedonia and that that is the way that they are generally referred to in all U.S. Government-led meetings and activities," Casey said.
"We very much respect and understand that there is a significant disagreement between Greece and Macedonia over the name issue, and we have been strong advocates before, during and after the NATO summit in terms of trying to support Ambassador Nimetz and his efforts to reach a mutually agreeable conclusion to this issue. And that continues to be where we are," Casey said.
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http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/1628/1/
There is no change in the longstanding 
