United Macedonian Diaspora
UMD's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., and it has representatives serving Macedonian communities around the world, including Brussels, Canberra, Chicago, Detroit, Kiev, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, St. Petersburg, Stuttgart, Sydney, Toronto, and Vienna.
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Articles by United Macedonian Diaspora
ICJ Ruling exposes NATO duplicity, Greece unintentionally hints at real root cause of "name dispute"
December 13, 2011
On December 5, 2011, the International Court of Justice ruled that Greece had illegally blocked Macedonia from joining international institutions such as NATO, in violation of the "Interim Accord" (1995). As a matter of law, the ICJ ruled that the U.N. Security Council brokered agreement precluded Greece from blocking Macedonia from NATO.
September 03, 2011
On August 30, 2011, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Ms. Noreeen Megay dismissed the complaint brought against the Macedonian newspaper by the Greek political lobby group AMAC, ending a two-year legal dispute.
August 20, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) expressed its outrage at Sunday´s sermon by Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki (Solun).* He called upon Greek youth and others to join him in 40-50 buses, travel to the town of Meliti (Ovcharani),* and destroy a planned Macedonian language radio station.
August 20, 2011
On Thursday, August 18, 2011, the Australia Macedonia Parliamentary Friendship Group in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia hosted a series of events at Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Macedonian Independence.
August 17, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is appalled at recent events in Lerin/Florina, where Greek national security officers and police detained two Macedonian journalists on suspicion of "photography in a public place."
August 17, 2011
The International Crisis Group report lacks credibility due to its blatant bias -- evidenced by its partisan demands, selective and misleading presentation of information, and inconsistency with its own positions set forth in a prior ICG report.
August 10, 2011
On this day 98 years ago, the Treaty of Bucharest formally ended the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars. Today, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) and millions of Macedonians worldwide solemnly commemorate the victims of those brutal wars. UMD reproaches Greece and Bulgaria for their over-a-century old (and continuing) policies of forced assimilation of Macedonian identifying people.
July 16, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to bring up Greece's misdeeds vis-ŕ-vis the Republic of Macedonia and Macedonians during her upcoming Greece visit on July 17-18, 2011.
June 04, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), on behalf of our nation´s more than half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, deeply mourns today´s passing of the 62nd Secretary of State of the United States, Lawrence S. Eagleburger -- one of Macedonia´s greatest friends -- often referred to as Lawrence of Macedonia.
May 24, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), on behalf of our nation´s more than half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, applauds U.S. Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton and the U.S. Department of State´s Office of Global Partnership on the successful organization of the first-ever Global Diaspora Forum.
April 14, 2011
On behalf of our nation´s close to half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, the United Macedonian Diaspora ("UMD") is proud to announce that United States Congresswoman Candice S. Miller of Michigan has formed the first-ever Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans.
April 14, 2011
Prime Minister Orban referred to the name dispute between Macedonia and her southern neighbor Greece as "absurd;" effectively, saying that it should not preclude Macedonia´s EU membership. He pledged that Hungary will raise the issue of opening Macedonia´s EU accession negotiations at the next European Council meeting.
April 11, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora ("UMD") expresses its strong outrage that the European Parliament has ceased referring – in official European Union ("EU") documents -- to the Republic of Macedonia´s language as "Macedonian" and, instead, has begun using the mindless term "official language". UMD, on behalf of its members and supporters in the EU, North America, Australia and elsewhere, calls on the EU to immediately end this highly offensive practice.
April 01, 2011
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) calls on the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos II, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to condemn unequivocally the blatant anti-Macedonian statements of Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, one of the church´s highest officials.
March 10, 2011
UMD is dismayed by the insulting "Insights To Hellenism" lecture – sponsored by the Greek government -- on March 5th at Hart House, the University of Toronto. The lecture spread hatred, intolerance and prejudice.
December 14, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) mourns the unfortunate passing of Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, a distinguished American diplomat and friend to Macedonia and the Southeast European region.
November 18, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) sent a letter this week to President Barack Obama reaffirming UMD´s request that the President and his administration clearly and forcefully express to our NATO allies that Macedonia should be formally invited to join NATO at the upcoming Lisbon Summit.
November 15, 2010
Hungarian American Coalition (HAC), the voice of 1.5 million Hungarian-Americans, sent a letter to President Obama calling for his clear support of Macedonia´s NATO membership.
November 12, 2010
Earlier this week, the National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA), the voice of over half a million Croatian-Americans, sent a letter to President Obama calling for his unbridled support of Macedonia´s NATO membership.
November 11, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) congratulated Macedonia today on its successful Chairmanship of the Council of Europe´s (CoE) Committee of Ministers. UMD congratulates Turkey on assuming the new role of Chair.
October 26, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) expresses its deep concern over the decision of the Government of Albania to eliminate sections in its upcoming Census forms designated for declaring a person´s specific minority status. UMD calls upon the Government of Albania to make every effort to respect the civil rights of their Macedonian and other minorities, and to abide by the principles outlined by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which it ratified in 1999.
October 01, 2010
19 Members of Congress sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to actively encourage the United States´ NATO allies to offer Macedonia a formal invitation to become a member of the alliance at the Lisbon Summit this upcoming November. Led by Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-North Dakota) and Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-Michigan), the letter stated "Macedonia´s future in Euro-Atlantic institutions, as well as the security and stability of Southeast Europe, must no longer be negatively affected by bilateral issues with Greece."
August 26, 2010
To commemorate her birth and her life, the Parliament of Macedonia will hold a formal session to mark the anniversary, and will hand out state awards named in her honor. An exhibition titled "100 Portraits of Mother Teresa" by artist Miftar Memeti will be opened, while a birthday vigil will take place later in the day. A monograph "Be Blessed, Prayers and Messages" by Stojan Trencevski will be launched and a documentary "Following the Footsteps of Mother Teresa" will be screened in the frameworks of an array of activities marking the 100th year anniversary of her birth.
August 02, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) announced today that its Board of Directors elected Stojan Nikolov as Chairman for the upcoming year. Nikolov takes over the role of Chairman from current UMD Vice President Aleksandar Mitreski who served as Chairman since July 2009.
August 02, 2010
Today, as it did over a century ago, Ilinden stands as a testament of Macedonian freedom, as well as a challenge to our future generations to keep this vision alive. On this day of the anniversary of Macedonia's nationhood, the United Macedonian Diaspora would like to salute all those who have fought to keep the Macedonian vision alive, and stand side by side with those who continue to progress towards a bright and free future for all Macedonians wherever they may be.
June 10, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora reiterates its unwavering support for retention of the one and only constitutional and rightful name of the Republic of Macedonia, rejects all attempts to change or impose any other name upon the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian people, and calls upon the Macedonian government to cease the ongoing UN negotiations and to submit a resolution before the UN General Assembly and Security Council to be re-admitted to the UN under its one and only constitutional and rightful name of the Republic of Macedonia.
June 08, 2010
The 2nd Annual United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) Global Conference was a huge success, with over 1,000 Macedonians and friends of Macedonia attending from close to 20 countries from June 3-6, 2010. The closing Gala on Saturday, June 5, 2010 brought together over 500 guests to the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto to honor UMD Goce Delchev Award recipient Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, UMD Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and pillar of the Macedonian community John L.N. Bitove, C.M. and UMD Macedonia Friendship Award recipient Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multicultural Minister Jason Kenney.
May 25, 2010
UMD is pleased to announce that Minister Jason Kenney, Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism will attend the 2nd Annual UMD Global Conference.
May 21, 2010
It is with distinct pleasure and privilege that the United Macedonian Diaspora announce it will honour The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, with UMD´s highest honour – the Goce Delchev Award – at the 2nd Annual UMD Global Conference Gala on June 5, 2010 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
May 20, 2010
It is with great pleasure to announce that the United Macedonian Diaspora will honor Mr. John L. N. Bitove, C.M. with the UMD Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Global Conference in Toronto, Canada - a truly distinguished Canadian Macedonian leader of the highest order. The award will be given at a Gala on June 5, 2010 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel.
May 11, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) congratulates the Republic of Macedonia for the start of the Macedonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe´s (CoE) Committee of Ministers. UMD wished Macedonia´s Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski success in chairing the CoE´s Committee of Ministers.
May 03, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) strongly condemns the recent re-emergence of violent extremist groups purporting to represent the interests of certain segments of Macedonian society.
April 30, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) rejected today statements attributed to Member of the European Parliament, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis of Germany and broadcast in an interview with Deutsche Welle. The interview quotes MEP Chatzimarkakis as saying, "that an expected United Nations proposal on Macedonia´s name will include a new name for the Macedonian identity and language."
April 20, 2010
United Macedonian Diaspora officially inaugurated its Los Angeles operations with a reception honoring UMD Outstanding Achievement Award recipient the world-acclaimed pianist Simon Trpčeski.
April 12, 2010
The United Macedonian Diaspora and its respective branches in Australia and Canada sent a letter of condolences today to the Polish Ambassadors in Washington, D.C., Canberra, and Ottawa over the tragic death of the Polish President.
April 06, 2010
UMD takes strong issue with the contention of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan that "Macedonians, as an ethnic group, do not exist." UMD also deplores his general philippic characterizing the Greek Government´s position on the "name dispute" as consistent with his statement denying the existence of a Macedonian ethnicity and deserving of the support of all Greek citizens.
March 18, 2010
The U.S. Census 2010 Form is now available on the U.S. Census Bureau website in Macedonian! This is quite an accomplishment, as it is the first time any U.S. Census Form has been translated into Macedonian.
December 16, 2009
It is with great pleasure that I send you the UMD Voice Winter Issue - the premier English-language Macedonian publication. This time we have more original content, and as usual, varied articles on different aspects of the Macedonian experience...from three continents!
December 15, 2009
Macedonian-American Organizations Form 2010 U.S. Census Coalition. Members of the coalition are Macedonian American Cultural Organization of New England, Macedonian American Friendship Association, Macedonian Arts Council, Macedonian Mission for Humanity, Macedonian Patriotic Organization, Macedonian Orthodox Philanthropic Society of Columbus, Ohio, and United Macedonian Diaspora.
December 15, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) in commemoration of the 61st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights urges Bulgaria and Greece to recognize the existence of the Macedonian minority within their borders. UMD calls upon the European Union to ensure that their two member states Bulgaria and Greece uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
December 10, 2009
UMD expresses its disappointment over yesterday´s conclusion by the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers to revisit opening of Macedonia´s accession negotiations during the Spanish Presidency in the first half of 2010. The Council further concluded that a mutually acceptable solution on the "name issue" is essential, hinting that the solving of the "name issue" may be a prerequisite to opening accession negotiations.
December 03, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) congratulated the Republic of Macedonia today on accession to the Schengen Zone "White" List and the removal of visa barriers to travel for Macedonian citizens.
December 03, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) expressed dismay over a December 1, 2009 resolution passed by the Council of Europe´s Committee of Ministers regarding the registration of the political party of the ethnic Macedonian national minority in Bulgaria, OMO Ilinden PIRIN.
December 03, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) commemorates today the fifth anniversary of United States recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name.
September 24, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) strongly condemns Kosovan Parliamentary Speaker Jakup Krasniqi´s direct attack on the Macedonian people in response to controversy surrounding the release of the Macedonian Encyclopedia, issued by the Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences (MANU).
September 21, 2009
The Republic of Macedonia´s decision to deploy an additional 80 troops to Afghanistan was applauded by the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) today. The plan calls for Macedonian troops to be paired with their U.S. counterparts from the Vermont National Guard - the first such pairing of American troops with forces from a non-NATO country.
August 11, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora is pleased to announce to you the release of our largest UMD Voice magazine to date - 36 pages in full color!
July 09, 2009
The Board of Directors of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) announced today that UMD President Metodija A. Koloski will serve UMD full-time effective July 13, 2009. Mr. Koloski will be based at UMD's Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
June 15, 2009
On June 13, 2009, on the occasion of the 1st United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) Global Conference, the UMD Board of Directors passed a resolution offering unwavering and consistent support for the protection of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.
June 05, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) today expressed strong disappointment towards the statement of European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, during which he referred to the Republic of Macedonia as "Northern Macedonia."
June 05, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) strongly condemned the appalling attack by militant operatives of the Greek Ultra-nationalist political party "Chrysi Avyi" (Golden Dawn) at a peaceful presentation of the 1st Greek-Macedonian Dictionary to be published in Greece written by Vasko Karadzha on June 2, 2009 at the Foreign Press Association in Athens, Greece.
April 06, 2009
On April 6, 2009, the United Macedonian Diaspora sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton regarding the lack of civil and human rights of the Macedonian minority living in Greece.
March 24, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) today joined the Coalition for the National Museum of the American People. The coalition comprises an alliance of ethnic organizations (Iranian, Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Polish to name a few) who have come together to promote the establishment of a major new national museum in Washington, D.C. The story of Macedonian-Americans will be part of the Museum´s collection and its legacy.
March 20, 2009
United Macedonian Diaspora published the Spring Issue of UMD Voice magazine featuring interviews with Australian fashion designer Toni Maticevski and Macedonia's two leading presidential candidates, Ljubomir Frckoski and Gjorge Ivanov.
March 17, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) urges Macedonia´s Government and political institutions to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections on March 22, 2009.
March 06, 2009
This independent report under the auspices of the United Nations sheds a clarifying light on the circumstances underlying the existing and long-standing violation of the most basic human rights of the Macedonian community in Greece. The report provides a vital insight into the reasons why Greece has continued to overreach its jurisdiction and impose a change to the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.
February 12, 2009
In the wake of the devastating bushfires which have killed over 181 Australians and destroyed hundreds of buildings including the St. Kliment Ohridski Macedonian Orthodox Monastery in King Lake, Victoria, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) would like to express its sadness for the tragic events and wishes for a speedy recovery of the affected communities and the scarred environment.
February 10, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) appealed today to the over 300,000 strong Australian Macedonian community to take action in support of the Victorian bushfire victims, in what is Australia´s worst bushfire tragedy in its history.
February 05, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) categorically condemns Sofia mayor Boris Borisov´s recent statements in Chicago advocating an effective "buyout" of Macedonia by Bulgarians to ensure "friendly relations" between the two states.
January 22, 2009
Macedonian-Americans are eager for leadership in the Euro-Atlantic Community that evaluates the candidacy of aspiring nations on merit. UMD looks forward to the day when, under your leadership, the Republic of Macedonia is granted the membership in NATO that it richly deserves.
January 07, 2009
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) takes this opportunity to congratulate Greece upon the occasion of its accession to the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
December 10, 2008
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today. "On this day, 60 years ago human rights for all people were enshrined through this important Declaration," noted Metodija A. Koloski, UMD President, adding also that "for Macedonians, this day is especially significant because, to this day, Macedonians living in Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania do not enjoy basic human rights."
December 10, 2008
United Macedonian Diaspora is pleased to announce the publication of its' third publication of UMD Voice magazine, a humble publication illustrating the rich diversity of the Macedonian experience for the English-speaking world to enjoy.
November 07, 2008
UMD extends warm congratulations on historic victory and pledges strong support to Barack Obama in advancing the relationship between the United States and Macedonia.
October 25, 2008
Greece continues to deny the right to religious minorities to open up their own religious institutions.
October 16, 2008
The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) today called upon the Government of the Republic of Macedonia to suspend UN brokered talks to resolve the Hellenic Republic´s* baseless objection to Macedonia´s name.