World SAE President Andrew A. Athens today appealed to President Bush urging reconsideration of a State Department decision that recognizes FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) under the name οΏ½Republic of Macedonia.οΏ½
οΏ½Mr. President, Americans of Hellenic heritage are very disturbed by this announcement of the State Department, especially because it comes at a time when the Greek and FYROM governments are in negotiations over the name,οΏ½ Mr. Athens stated in a telegram to Mr. Bush.
οΏ½Unilateral use of that name by the U.S. is indeed viewed by Greek Americans as a negative development and it will undoubtedly impact negatively in the relations of Greece with FYROM and with the United States.
οΏ½Please consider withholding recognition of that name (οΏ½Republic of MacedoniaοΏ½) as we believe it will negatively affect political stability in the Balkans and between the two neighboring countries. We believe it is important that designation of FYROM by any other name is done through negotiations with Greece, an important U.S. ally.οΏ½
Mr. Athens also sent a copy of his message to U.S. Ambassador Tom Miller and the Greek government.

World SAE President Andrew A. Athens declares strong opposition to reported U.S. recognition of οΏ½Republic of MacedoniaοΏ½ name

CHICAGO, November 4 οΏ½ World SAE President Andrew A. Athens stated today that he is strongly opposed to the reported recognition by the U.S. government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as the οΏ½Republic of MacedoniaοΏ½ or the official use of any other name that is not accepted by the Hellenic government and the people of Hellas.
Responding to information that U.S. Secretary Colin Powell announced the designation of the small Balkan country as the οΏ½Republic of Macedonia,οΏ½ Mr. Athens said that he is certain he is speaking for the Omogeneia in the U.S. and around the world in opposing unilateral decisions on the use of any name that is not acceptable to Hellas.
Mr. Athens stated that the announcement about the use of the name took the Omogeneia by surprise as no information had been received in advance about a pending decision or announcement by the U.S. government.