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by C Deliso
Macedonia, Bulgaria and the Myth of American Prosperity
by Christopher Deliso in Skopje
In Sofia, Bulgaria's stately capital city, the embassy of the United
States stands unassumingly on the ground level of a large and central
street. Save for a couple of Bulgarian police guards, the embassy is
not too heavily guarded.
On the other hand, the US Embassy in Macedonia- Bulgaria's neighbor
to the west- is hidden far behind an imposing fortress-like wall, in
a compound set apart in a distant neighborhood of the capital Skopje.
The difference is telling. Whereas Macedonia has been afflicted by
civil unrest from its Albanian minority, and rollover tensions from
Kosovo, peaceful Bulgaria has good relations with all neighboring
states and no security problems. America's covert support for the
Albanians in the 2001 Macedonian war led to a brief spell of anti-
Americanism, rabid protests at the embassy, and the ensuing
fortification of the grounds. Bulgaria, on the other hand, has
enjoyed uninterrupted and unabashed pro-American sentiment. Like most
of the other former communist countries, it began its post-Soviet
transition from a much lower economic and social stage than did
Macedonia, which enjoyed a relatively high standard of living,
services and culture during Yugoslav times. Yugoslavs were also more
independent-minded, confident in their ability to influence both
America and the USSR. The Eastern Bloc Bulgars were thoroughly docile
by comparison.
These differing experiences have bred different reactions to the only
remaining superpower. Macedonians- proud but vulnerable to domestic
terrorism and identity crises- became susceptible to the usual Balkan
paranoia and anti-Americanism. But Bulgaria, tranquil in its
backwardness, never questioned the motives of its new benefactor.
Nevertheless, both countries are seeking to appease America as much
as possible in regards to the war on Iraq. The Macedonian government
has gone to great lengths to prove its support. First of all, the
little country gave its airspace- though this would hardly be needed-
for US planes. Then it pledged two helicopter pilots for the cause,
though they would realistically also be of little use. In the past,
high US officials have mocked the abilities of Macedonians and their
helicopters (in my presence I might add). During the 2001 war, it was
the US that prevented them from defending their own country with the
then recently acquired Ukrainian choppers. This has not stopped the
Macedonian government from even offering itself up as a training
ground for Iraqi "freedom fighters." Although neither this offer nor
its acceptance has been confirmed, US ambassador Laurence Butler said
that he "could not rule it out." What is most comical is that
Macedonia does not seem to have asked for anything in return for
these appeasements. But then again diplomacy has been stillborn in
Macedonia since the country's inception.
What is clear is that the Macedonian government, in its usual
bumbling way, has tried to mimic those of its neighbors whose
overtures have seemed to be successful. The offer for "freedom
fighters" seems to be based on a similar program currently underway
at Taszar Air Force Base, near Kaposvar, Hungary. When I visited the
base in January, I found that both the local citizens and Hungarian
officials were suspicious of the program for a variety of reasons-
not least of all out of fear that it could invite pro-Saddam
terrorists to the area. Should a similar program be initiated in
Macedonia, the popular opposition would be even stronger, though the
government would probably prove more malleable. Indeed, Hungary has
recently shown some guts by issuing a "strongly worded" statement
charging the US with violation of its airspace last month. Such a
statement would be inconceivable coming from the weak government in
Skopje.
However, the neighbor Macedonia most emulates is Bulgaria. Noting
with envy the latter's quick moves towards the EU and NATO, forlorn
Macedonia stands outside the party, peering in the window. Like an
obsessive high school girl, it wonders what the US sees in Bulgaria,
what Bulgaria has that it itself doesn't. The answer? Location,
stability and boundless naпvete.
The recent announcement that the US will "punish" Germany by removing
its 70,000 troops and relocating them to Bulgaria was precipitated by
the debate over Iraq. However, it is likely that the move would have
happened anyway. Germany has no strategic value for the US, whereas
Bulgaria is on the doorstep of Turkey, very near troublesome Ukraine,
and potentially useful against Iraq. It borders on the international
waters of the Black Sea, limiting airspace problems for US planes.
The country, at least ten years behind its non-Soviet neighbors, is
also pitifully trusting. Like the Georgians, Bulgarians still believe
in the American dream and the essential justness of the American
cause. Bulgaria's leaders have supported the US all the way on Iraq,
thus incurring the ire of Jacques Chirac and other powerful EU
leaders who warn that Sofia is setting a bad precedent for its future
as an EU state. But the Bulgars don't seem to mind. They seem to
think that the payout earned from siding with the Americans will make
up for angering the second-rate French.
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Mac & Bul and the Myth of American Prosp
