Show the Flag, Sing the Anthem, They May Not Last Long

This is one of the best English language articles that I have read regarding the use of ethnic symbols and flags in Macedonia. It is only natural given the contempt that the EU has towards the Macedonian identity, that Macedonia may be forced to change its new flag (again) this time to accommodate Albanian sensitivities. Can a change in the anthem be far behind? It is important to remember that Macedonia is voluntarily rushing to join the EU.


MAKNWS-L Archives -- June 2005, week 3 (#1): "MILS NEWS Skopje June 15, 2005

DIFFERENCES FOR THE DRAFT-LAW FOR SYMBOLS OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES INCREASES

The Municipal Councils will decide whether the flags of the ethnic communities will be used in the municipalities where the ethnic community does not constitute majority of the population. As 'Dnevnik' writes, this will most likely be the change in the draft-law for symbols of the ethnic communities, discussed by the coalition partners DUI and SDSM. Officially, representatives of the Ministry of Justice claim that the draft-law for symbols of ethnic communities will not undergo any changes, i.e. the flag of the ethnic community will be used only in municipality where the ethnic community constitutes the majority.

However, Fazli Veliu, MP from DUI, campaigns for changes in the draft by the Government, due to the low possibility the changes to be adopted during a parliamentary session. 'The councilors in the municipalities where the Albanians do not represent the majority should be able to reach decision for using the symbols of the ethnic communities. The Albanians should be able to use their flag in additional 10 municipalities with over 20% Albanian population, beside the 15 municipalities where the Albanians constitute the majority of the population.

This refers to Skopje, Kumanovo and Kicevo, and some other smaller rural municipalities. With this regulation the law for symbols of the ethnic communities will not be contradictory to the Framework Agreement, and the discrimination of the Albanian population in the municipalities with over 20% Albanians will be removed', stated Veliu. 'Dnevnik' writes that DUI exerts pressure over SDSM for changes in the draft-law for symbols of the ethnic communities.

According to 'Dnevnik', if the changes are not adopted, DUI will lose the support of its electorate. The pressure exerted by DUI has increased after the Alabamian opposition parties negatively assessed the draft-law for symbols of the ethnic communities.

'Dnevnik' informs that Veliu has also raised the question about the State symbols. 'DUI will not initiate debate in the Parliament for changes of the State symbols, only if the Macedonian political block agrees the Macedonians to adopt their own national flag, different from the State flag. The anthem and the emblem should be changed, and I believe that we will reach consensus regarding this matter. We have nothing against the State flag. The flag does not have to undergo changes, only if the Macedonians adopt flag different from the State one', stated Veliu. According to 'Vecer', the demand for changes of the anthem and emblem has recently been raised by Gzim Ostreni and Rafiz Aliti, members of DUI. They believe that the Albanians can not identify themselves with the current anthem and emblem and the same should be changed. Rafiz Aliti stated that the matter will most likely be discussed when the draft-law for symbols of ethnic communities is debated by the parliamentary commissions. The spokesperson of DUI, Ermira Mehmeti, stated that DUI will not demand changes of the current anthem and emblem. She refused to comment the latest statements issued by the members of DUI, according to which the current anthem and emblem are not Albanian symbols.

According to the spokesperson of SDSM, Boris Kondarko, the coalition partners have never discussed changes of the anthem and emblem. As 'Vreme' writes, representatives of LDP (coalition partner of SDSM and DUI in the Government) have announced that they do not agree with the draft-law for symbols of the ethnic communities. Officially, the party still does not have stand regarding the draft-law, but unofficially the use of foreign flags in Macedonia is unacceptable for LDP. 'If the other solution is not reached within the ruling coalition, MP from LDP will submit amendments for the law proposed by the Government. If Macedonia could have changed the State flag, why could not Albanians in Macedonia do the same and the flag to be different from the one of Republic of Albania', stated representatives of LDP for 'Vreme'. They stated that SDSM and DUI have reached an agreement regarding the draft-law for symbols of the ethnic communities, but LDP has remarks about the use of foreign flags in Macedonia. The representatives of LDP reminded that 1998 the party submitted an appeal to the Court of Appeals, which regarded the use of foreign flags in Macedonia as unconstitutional. Now the Constitution has been changed and allows use of foreign flags. However, we believe that DUI should have understanding, instead of leading one-way politics', stated representatives of LDP. 'Vreme' informs that the opposition parties VMRO-DPMNE and VMRO-National are against the use of foreign flags, while the majority MPs from the ruling coalition parties SDSM and DUI agree with the draft-law proposed by the Government. According to 'Vreme', the representatives of the international community in Macedonia appeals for passing the laws for symbols and languages of the ethnic communities by the end of July, which would close the Framework Agreement in the part of the legislature."