U.S. Recognizes Macedonia
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WASHINGTON — The United States recognized the independence of the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia on Wednesday after more than two years of sidestepping the issue in deference to North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally Greece.
A White House statement said that the people of Macedonia had chosen independence by democratic means and that recognition could help resolve differences with Athens.
Trying not to offend either side, the Clinton Administration chose to refer to the country as “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” the name by which the Balkan nation was admitted to the United Nations.
Greece contended that referring to the country as Macedonia implied it had a claim on the Greek province also called Macedonia.
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