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Indigenous Macedonians and the 'Slav' slur
Western media proliferates racist doctrines
Igor A. Aleksandrov
Dear representatives of the international media:
We write to once again express how deeply offended we are by those
members of the international media (including many at the 'New York
Times' and 'Associated Press,' as well as some at 'CNN' and 'BBC')
and Western diplomats (including NATO Secretary General, George
Robertson) that collaborate with various Albanian and other anti-Macedonian
nationalists in suppressing the indigenous Macedonian identity,
through use of the racist slur "Slav," with blatant disregard
for the basic human right to self-identification.
The proliferation of such racist doctrines would be shameful for
any member of a civilized society, let alone the self-declared representatives
and advocates of democratic values and the 'free world.' In the
past, many reporters could plead ignorance in defence of their use
of the 'Slav' slur. However, in recent times, Macedonians have conveyed
their position on such racist terminology very clearly to the relevant
media outlets and public figures.
Considering this fact, there is no reasonable explanation for the
continued use of the 'Slav' slur, except for the suggestion that
the said media and public figures have been captured by the ultra-nationalist
Albanian and Greek lobbies, in their attempts to abolish the indigenous
Macedonian identity and cover up the well-documented repression
and forced assimilation of indigenous Macedonians living under Greek,
Bulgarian and Albanian rule.
We hope that there are enough conscientious and dignified members
of the international media and Western political establishments
to put a definite stop to this heinous and hypocritical practice
of their colleagues.
Yours truly,
Igor A. Aleksandrov
Assembly Chairperson
Association of Macedonian Communities of Australia
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