Macedonian peacekeepers participating in the EU-led ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) were ordered to remove the state insignia "MKD" which was followed by a very strong reaction from the Macedonian Soldiers in Bosnia who planned to pack up their equipment (Helicopter...) and leave ahead of schedule, only for the EUFOR (ALTHEA) mission to explain they have made a 'mistake'. Later, the EUFOR mission (governed and funded by EU) told the Macedonian soldiers they don't have to abide by the rules, such as having a different code, they can still use their code.
Once the EU officials in Brussels saw that Skopje was about to withdraw Macedonian peacekeepers in Bosnia, those responsible tried to clarify the situation by saying it was a mistake.
The Greek soldiers stationed in Bosnia not happy with the outcome for their code change, defaced a poster at an Entrance door which was dedicated to the 11 Macedonian soldiers killed in a Helicopter accident few months ago. Greek soldiers had crossed out 'Macedonians' and wrote 'albanians' on it!!!
Unlike the case with Macedonian uniforms in France which ended up with an apology from NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer and inner probe within the Alliance, the latest humiliation against Macedonian soldiers will probably be hushed up.
The Government in Athens is aware they will either loose the name negotiations or Macedonia wont change the name. Governed by this knowledge, Athens is constantly attempting to provoke an armed incident either with Macedonian soldiers stattioned abroad or with Macedonian citizens who visit Greece or do business there.
According last news, Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski on his scheduled meeting with Nimetz has formally requested international mediation (UN, OSCE, EU) with Greece on properties belonging to forced out Macedonians, as well as cultural and educational choice for the Macedonians in Aegean Macedonia according to international standards.
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