Meeting with Leaders of Macedonian Organizations in Chicago
Dr. Vasil Babamov, President of the Macedonian American Friendship Association, addressing the meeting at the Hall of the Macedonian Church in Chicago. Shown from left to right: Mr. Blaze Mickalovski, from the Organizing Committee, Chicago, Mr. George Atanasoski, Ormond Beach, FL, President of the Macedonian Alliance, Mr. Rade Jankoski and Mr. Dane Popovski, Chicago, from the Organizing Committee, Dr. Stojadin Naumovski, Detroit, Vice-President of POMNI, Dr. Vasil Babamov, and Mr. Marjan Kochovski of the Macedonian American Friendship Association >> more pictures from the meeting
A meeting of the Macedonian organizations in the US was held in Chicago on May 18 in order to coordinate and unify the activities of the Macedonian American organizations in the United States. All the Macedonian American organizations in the US were invited to the meeting; the Macedonian American Friendship Association, United States nonprofit association incorporated in Ohio, the Macedonian Alliance, a Macedonian Political party registered in Skopje, and POMNI, a political party seeking registration in Macedonia sent representatives to the meeting. The meeting was was conducted by Mr. Dane Popovski, Mr. Rade Jankovski, and Mr. Blaze Mickalovski, long time Macedonian activists from the Chicago area
The President of the Macedonian Alliance Mr. George Atanasoski analyzed the political situation in Macedonia and pointed out that there is an urgent need for unifying the Macedonians in the Diaspora and their participation in the political process in Macedonia. He pointed out that the Macedonian Alliance is a Macedonian political party registered in Macedonia since 1996 that intends to participate in all the electoral the units in the forthcoming elections and invited the audience to support it.
The Vice-President of POMNI, Dr. Stojadin Naumovski pointed out that POMNI is also a Macedonian political party that is in the process of completing registration in Macedonia and is planning to participate in the forthcoming elections in Macedonia. He also invited the audience for a wider participation and support of POMNI.
The President of the Macedonian American Friendship Association, Dr. Vasil Babamov pointed out that the fate future of Macedonia is decided to a large extent in Washington and Brussels and the Macedonian Americans in the United States are in a unique position to participate in the formulation of the US foreign policy toward Macedonia by contact with their elected representatives in Congress and Government officials.
The Macedonian American Friendship Association has been promoting and representing the views of the Macedonian Americans in the US Government, Congress, and media and ensuring that those views are heard and respected in the formulation of the US foreign policy toward Macedonia. He distributed copies of the Annual Report of the Association and highlighted some of its content. The Association maintained a fully staffed office, holds regular meetings with Congressional Representatives and State Department officials and receives generous financial support from Macedonian American in the US. He also pointed out that the competing Albanian, Greek and other immigrant organization are still much better funded. He pleaded for more support from the audience and received several pledges for generous support from leading businessman from the area.
See also report by Makedonsko Sonce (in Macedonian) -- See Picture Gallery
