Last developments in Balkan

Hungarian leader: Belgrade pushes separatism

NOVI SAD -- Constant accusations of separatism coming from Belgrade could lead to those in favor of separatism in Vojvodina to organize, says an ethnic Hungarian leader. "It seem as if someone from Belgrade is working on it on purpose, to really have a radicalization of the political and wider public in Vojvodina and to really have those in favor of secession organize," Jožef Kasa, the honorary president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), was quoted as saying. But, he continued, "this issue" would not be initiated by the province's ethnic minorities; rather, Kasa said, it would be done "by the Serb youth when they've had enough of the constant reexamining of loyalty of Vojvodina residents to the state of Serbia and of the foul accusations of separatism." Kasa also said that "although Belgrade is always talking about Vojvodina's secession", this region in fact "never wanted to secede from Serbia". As for the draft statute of the province, currently in parliamentary procedure after a year of political wrangling, Kasa said "it misses its essence", and that is the province's "source income". "That's the key issue. And we're listening to the stories that Belgrade should give us something. That's not true, we're giving to Belgrade. Vojvodina residents make income and pay taxes to the central coffers, from which we must get back the share that belongs to us. That's the essence". But Kasa believes there can be no full autonomy for Vojvodina within Serbia, until there are "constitutional changes". "The Constitution that is in force was made in haste and without a public debate, that us, without a democratic procedure. And for this reason it cannot be said it has a legitimate basis," he was quoted as saying

Alternate FM Droutsas holds talks with Tirana mayor

TIRANA - Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas met on Saturday with main socialist opposition leader and Tirana Mayor Eddy Rama, concluding his contacts with the Albanian political leadership.

During the meeting, Droutsas presented to Rama the Greek initiative concerning the political aim of incorporating the Western Balkans in the European Union in 2014.

"Greece is a reliable ally and partner for Albania and in this course democracy, in the entire spectrum of procedures, is of great importance," he said.

On his part, Rama briefed Droutsas on developments in Albania which, at political level, are characterised by his party's refusal to accept the results of the June elections.

Albania opposition protests alleged vote fraud

November 20, 2009

TIRANA - Thousands of supporters of Albania's opposition protested Friday outside the main government building to demand a probe into allegations of vote rigging. The protest follows the narrow election victory of Prime Minister Sali Berisha's conservatives June 28.

The Socialist opposition has boycotted the parliament since the election and called for a re-count in several areas. The government says a re-count would be illegal. The conservatives and their allies control 75 of parliament's 140 seats; the Socialists and an ally control 65.

The rally, the last in a series of weekly protests since early October, will continue until Sunday, with Socialist lawmakers and supporters planning to pass the night in tents they will pitch around Berisha's office. A dozen opposition politicians spoke to thousands of protesters, who held up banners demanding a recount.

Socialist leader Edi Rama vowed to maintain the opposition boycott of parliament until the 'transparency of the June 28 vote" is secured. "If the ballot boxes are kept closed by force, we will forcefully demand that the government holds early elections," Rama said. "The free world has found an answer for regimes that refuse to listen — popular protest."

Friday's rally clogged traffic in the capital. International monitors said the June elections failed to fully meet international standards. The United States embassy, in a statement, called upon "all Albanians, both those participating in protests and those responsible for maintaining order, to exercise their rights and responsibilities calmly and respectfully."

Rama said Socialist lawmakers and supporters, including some 2,000 registered party volunteers, would continue the protest around the government building.

"This protest has just started," Rama said.

Alternate FM Droutsas holds talks with Albanian FM

TIRANA - Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, during his visit to Tirana on Friday, discussed with the Albanian leadership all issues concerning the two countries, heightening with the presentation of the Greek initiative "Agenda 2014."

"My presence here underlines the importance that we attribute to bilateral relations and to the European course of Albania," he said after his talks with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta.

Referring to reformist efforts for the country's approach to the European Union, he expressed satisfaction, stressing that despite the obstacles "all the political forces have committed themselves to its European course, the implementation of the principles and values of the European family."

Replying to the Greek initiative on the European incorporation of the Western Bakans with 2014 being the political and symbolical milestone, the Albanian foreign minister said that "we are very pleased for the dynamic impetus that the government of G. A. Papandreou wants to give."

Meta thanked Droutsas for the continuous political support for Albania, even for the success of its accession to NATO and they agreed to close cooperation in the future.

After the foreign minister, Droutsas met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Parliament president Josefina Topali and President of the Republic Bamir Topi, while later in the evening he was expected to meet Greek community representatives and Archbishop of Albania Anastasios.

On Saturday morning, before the Greek delegation leaves for Athens, Droutsas will meet Tirana Mayor Eddy Rama.

Note: Since Karolos Papoulias took Tirana in 1986 during dictator regime until now, all Greek Foreign Ministers who have visited Albania, continue to consider the Greek Minority as "Friendly Bridge" between Tirana and Athens, nothing other even the human rights in Albania continue to be a slogan and instrument to manipulate the true inside another reality of Albania, member of NATO and candidate to joint EU.

U.S. Embassy Statement (November 20, 2009)

Washington calls Tirana: Opposite protest must be peaceful

The United States Embassy fully supports the right to freedom of expression and assembly for all people. Such expression should be peaceful and not infringe on the rights of others.

We call upon all Albanians, both those participating in protests and those responsible for maintaining order, to exercise their rights and responsibilities calmly and respectfully.

Continues the violations of Byzantine Churches in Southern Albania

Robbed the iconostasis of the Bizantin Church of Leusës in Permeti

PERMET- Events occurred during late night hours of Wednesday at the Church of Leuses in Permet where so far unidentified persons detonated the door of the church monument of Virgin Mary in Leusë, Permet, and then have naked iconostasis famous for its rare values engraved parts.

After finding, they have gone to the scene of specialized police forces, who are conducting investigations into the case. In a press release, the Orthodox Church of Albania expressed about violating these works often "without find the authors and vandals".

Meanwhile this iconostas considered a masterpiece of applied arts objects of worship in Northern Epirus (Southern Albania) from year 1817. While the church has become in 1812, and believed that its original building is old and has undergone reconstruction over the years.

In the years 1999-2000, this church was consolidated after scroll and present danger is completely reconstructed, as structure and frescoes, with funds provided by the Orthodox Church.

BLIC

Patriarch of Constantinople in Cathedral Church immediately after landing on Belgrade Airport

Vartolomey bows to Serbian Patriarch

Vartolomey, the Patriarch of Constantinople was among the first to arrive in Belgrade yesterday for the funeral of the Serbian Patriarch Pavle. Regardless of the protocol, Patriarch Vartolomey went right from the Belgrade Airport to the Cathedral Church where the body of the Patriarch Pavle is laid. He kissed the Cross and the Bible and held the service.

Tomorrow he shall serve the commemoration service to Patriarch Pavle in front of the St. Sava Temple. As we learn Vartolomey, the Patriarch of Constantinople met with Serbia President Boris Tadic yesterday evening.
After the morning liturgy the body of the Patriarch Pavle shall be taken out of the Cathedral Church. The funeral service shall begin at 11.00 CET in front of the St. Sava Temple, while to funeral shall be held at 13.00 CET at the monastery in Rakovica.

Metropolitan Amfilohije and the Patriarch of Constantinople Vartolomey shall speak in the name of the Serbian Orthodox Church and in the name of the whole Orthodox Church. The top Serbia officials shall attend the funeral, while more than 100 deputies of Serbia Parliament shall attend the service in front of St. Sava Temple.
Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic as well as ministers of health and culture Miodrag Radunovic and Branislav Micunovic shall also attend the ceremony. The President of Macedonia Djordje Ivanov is expected to come while Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Drucas shall represent the Government of Greece.
Top officials of the Republic of Srpska led by Prime Minister Milorad Dodik shall come as well as Nikola Spiric, chairing of the BiH Council of Ministers.

The UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zanier, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Cvetan Cvetanov, representatives of the Foreign Ministry of Cyprus, advisors to Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and delegation of Slovenian Government shall also attend the ceremony, as well as the Patriarch of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Mitropolitan of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia and Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The Russian Orthodox Church shall be represented by Philaret, Mitropolitan of Minsk and Exarch of Belaruss. Bishop Irinej is also expecting a high delegation of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Cardinal Angelo Sodano as his reparesentative at the funeral of Patriarch Pavle.
The Holly Athos monasteries have appointed its official delegation of three archimandrites.