March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

You have twice over the past month unwittingly given legitimacy to the claims of adjoining countries for traditionally Greek territory. Your Jan. 15 article on Thracian gold implies that Thrace is a Bulgarian territory. While portions of ancient Thrace extended into what is now Bulgaria and other portions were occupied by Bulgaria, Thrace is historically Greek.

Similarly, your recent (and quite informative) series on the American University in Bulgaria had maps showing the country of “Macedonia.” The recognized name of the country is the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” to distinguish it from the Greek province of Macedonia. Many Greeks resent having the adjoining country carry the name of their province since it adds to claims by a foreign power for a land that has been Greek for more than 3,000 years. Thomas E. Martin Ellsworth


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