It's a shame that the internet is a virtual medium, because there are a lot of people out there that I'd like to express my deep feelings of friendship to, and having spent the last two years here in Serbia, I'd like to do it in a truly Serbian way.
Dustin the Turkey Ruffles Feathers In Macedonia Row
| 25 March 2008 |
“Macedonia is not a country, but it is a part of Greece,” one Greek wrote in his comment below the video of the song on popular video-sharing website, You Tube.
Several Greeks complained that Dustin's mention of Macedonia as a country, is a “provocation.”
The two countries have been embroiled in a long running dispute over Skopje’s constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia.” Athens argues Skopje's use of the name could imply territorial claims over its own northern province which is also called Macedonia.
“We had no intention to offend anyone,” the Irish team behind Dustin the Turkey said, adding geography is not their strongest subject.
They would not say whether the lyrics of the song will be changed.
Greece has threatened to veto Macedonia’s NATO bid if the dispute is not solved by the alliance's summit in Bucharest next week. Ongoing United Nations-sponsored talks between the two countries are being organised in New York.
Macedonia’s name has so far been recognised by more than 120 countries.
Dustin the Turkey, sometimes claiming the name Dustin Hoffman, is a popular Irish television puppet with a strong Dublin accent. He has starred in Radio-Television Ireland's The Den since 1990.
