Yesterday, November 1, the World March reached the Republic of Macedonia, the 21st country of over 90 through which it will pass before culminating in Argentina on the 2nd of January. During a public meeting in Ohrid this evening, Dmitar Mirched, an advisor to the Cabinet of President Gjorge Ivanov, confirmed that the President will meet a delegation of the WM at 4pm tomorrow in Skopje.
Giorgio Schultze, European Spokesperson for the March will head the delegation and during meetings with panellists he promised to raise questions about the country’s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq and their stated policy of seeking NATO membership.
Earlier, the day began with a traditional ceremony of welcome at the border near Bitola, during which the Balkan team of the World March ate bread and salt offered by the local organisers of the 2 days of events in the country.
After a brief reception, during which children sang and danced to traditional folk music, the World March Bus carrying the team made its way to Resen where a reception took place with the Vice-Mayor.
Moving on later in the afternoon to Ohrid, a symbolic March was held with enthusiastic local school children through the town towards the picturesque lakeside square where the President of the Council, Dusko Jakovcesky was on hand to greet the Marchers.
The day’s programme was concluded with the public meeting, during which members of the Balkan team were given the opportunity to recount experiences from the various countries through which the March has already passed including Palestinian Territory, Israel, South Korea and Japan.
Members of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje faculty of Philosophy, institute for Defence and Peace Studies were there to give their support to the global March which is aiming for the withdrawal of occupying forces from foreign territories and the renunciation of war as a means to resolve disputes, both issues which are pertinent in the Republic of Macedonia.
Professor Biljana Vankovska, Professor of Philosophy in Skopje, quoting from Howard Zinn, said, “it’s impossible to be neutral on a moving train,” and went on to explain that neutrality in the face of violence is morally unacceptable. She also talked of how she drew inspiration from Martin Luther King’s speech against the Vietnam War. She added, “Borders are not made by higher powers, but by people and governments. That should be the starting point even for us here in Macedonia. We strongly desire to be part of the EU and be a free people. We feel like we’re in a ghetto as we need visas to go everywhere. I hope that when we achieve our freedom we will not forget those who don’t enjoy the same rights.”
Regarding the war in Iraq she added, “I believe we share responsibility for what’s happening in Iraq. We are in Iraq because our government believes it will help our entry into NATO. I believe this is too high a price to pay.”
During informal meetings later, the Professor together with Greek members of the WM team agreed to draft a statement regarding the ongoing dispute over the name of the country, which has been a source of tension ever since the Republic declared independence in 1991. (Source: World March in SEE)
