| mafisKumA |
Dear Minister
I am writing to express my dismay with the abhorrent reference to "Slav" Macedonians in the Country Brief relating to Macedonia on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT).
The justification for my sentiment is that there is no such thing as a “Slav” people in Macedonia. Macedonians call themselves Macedonians, and have done so for many generations. Macedonia's population consists of a numerical majority of ethnic Macedonians. By refusing to refer properly to Macedonians, the DFAT is denying this community its cultural and ethnic identity.
Such unfortunate and offensive terminology is terribly distant from describing today's Macedonia; it would only be useful in history texts, as a description of the period from the 2nd through to the 6th century AD, when various Slavic tribes entered the Balkans and mixed with the various indigenous peoples there. In the 21st century, it would be appropriate to provide Macedonians as much rights to a heritage as any other people.
I concede that because citizenship is often identified with the ethnicity of the majority, there is potential confusion between Macedonian citizens and ethnic Macedonians, when one wants to differentiate between the latter and other ethnic groups who are also Macedonian citizens. But the same holds for the ethnic British, Germans, Russians and Romanians to mention just a few examples. Had the DFAT used the terms “Anglo-Saxons", "Aryans", Slavs” or “Latins” in the Country Briefs of the UK, Germany, Russia and Romania respectively (which it doesn't), then you may have convinced Macedonians that clarity was the only reason for it calling them Slavs, and that you were consistently applying that criterion.
Human rights organisations, most scholars and most reputable sections of the media (see the BBC World Service’s policy in this regard as an example) simply use the term "ethnic Macedonians". I suggest that this not only provides clarity, but also shows respect to the most fundamental human right of self-identification.
It is my sincere hope that the DFAT is not deliberately supporting any side in the ongoing regional political debate about the name of the Macedonian state and its people. If it is, the DFAT should reveal its position and not presume that its language is value-free. It isn't.
I call on you, therefore, to immediately take measures to correct the mentioned references, and to pay closer attention to material emanating from your department with regard to Macedonia in future.
Regards
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