Irredentism in the Balkans

Your editorial on international irredentism (“Like Dracula, Irredentism Returns,” Nov. 15) talked about the morality of U.S. intervention to halt expansionism in certain areas of the world, including the Balkans.

Unfortunately, the writer either lacked an in-depth knowledge of the Balkan history, or attempted to distort it, when he talked about “Greek irredentist designs on Macedonian territory.” Since the eruption of World War II, Greece has never shown any type of aggression, neither military nor political. That country has always been on the defense.

Similarly, the idea that Greece is scheming to expand to the north, into Yugoslavian territory, is completely absurd and unfounded. On the contrary, once again Greece has to defend itself from potential aggressors who claim sovereignty over the Greek portion of Macedonia. Macedonia and its capital, Thessaloniki, established in 7th Century BC, has always been a Greek territory that became famous as the birthplace of King Philip and his son, Alexander the Great. Aristotle, whose writings are one of the cornerstones of Western civilization, was born and taught in the same area. The language of Macedonia, the numerous archeological excavations, the civilization and the way of life in this region have all been a link in the history of the Greek nation.

Greece is geographically located amid Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania; however, it has a very distinct culture and history from those nations and it should not be “thrown together” and judged with them.

LAZAROS PAPADEMETROPOULOS

President, Hellenic American

Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles