ALBANIA, VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PRESS

The private car of editor Mero Baze is burned after a terrorist attack during the night

Photo: The editor of "TEMA" Mero Baze

The car of the editor of "TEMA NEWSPAPER" Mero Baze is burned totally even the Albanian authorities continue to inquiring the terrorist attack against most investigative journalist in Albania to explore the corruption of Berisha`s government and the links with Balkan mafia connection.

Mero Baze who has been the closer friend of PM Berisha for several years, has denounced the corruption of the family of PM Berisha linked with "Gerdeci blast", "The Fasllic issue", 'The ARMO privatisation corrupted process" and other important massive corruption in Albania during the governance of PM Sali Berisha.

Socialist Party of Albania and the union of Journalists, have condemned the terrorist attack against Base and call the government to inquire the attack against the press.

The police authority declared for the inquiring of the act that "the car is burned after an electric contact inside the car".

more see: http://www.top-channel.tv/new/video.php?id=2636

BUSH ADMINISTRATION, PLAN AGAINST GREECE
The President elected Barak Obama must stop the Bush strategy to destabilize Greece.

by Lambros Papantoniou
Washington D.C.

http://www.noiazomai.net/

ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: "FOR ALBANIA MORE IMPORTANT NATO THAN EU"

Tirana changes diplomacy, Jozefina Topalli Speaker of Albanian Parliament declared: "Greece is the only country that we are waiting to ratify the agreement with EU, but NATO is more imporant".

The Albanian parliament speaker Jozefina Toppali, declared for "ORA NEWS TV" an independent media in Tirana, that the integration of albania to NATO and EU is inevitable under a process in which Albania is realizing all the reforms to joint the euro Atlantic structures".

Anyway Topalli said also for the moment the goals of albanian diplomacy, is to realize successfully the joint of Albania to NATO alliance, even there are until now about 16 countries of alliance that have ratified the welcome of Albania to the next meeting of NATO in April 2009."

Asked why Greece continues to "hold in obstacle" the agreement of the stabilisation process of Albania with EU previsted to ratify by the Greek parliament, Toppali said that: "Greece is only country from 26 that has not still now ratified the agreement to joint Albania in EU, justifying the last violent protests in Greece, but is important to understand the goal of the Albanian diplomacy to have now as important priority the joint to NATO alliance, and we hope that Greece will have important role to help Albania joint the alliance".

One month ago, the Greek politic organisation in Albania "Omonia" sent strong message to Athens to stop any agreement with Albania, particularly to joint EU, if Albania does not regonize the southern Albania as autonomous region of Northern Epirus respecting the politically and civil human rights of the Greeks of Albania.

In addition, Albania passed the electoral law last day by parliament, but "Omonia" has declared to abandone the next politic elections if the electoral code shoud be voted.

Albania, Security News

Burned Byzantine church in Narta, Vlora`s Region, unknown the vandals

Photo: Orthodoxe Monastir of Zvernetsi, Narte.

According to “News 24 TV” an old Byzantine Church has burned in Narta, center of the Greek Community area, 10 km in northern Vlora town.

The church is burned totally even the inhabitants helped by authorities make every efforts to stop the fires.

This case is unique regarding the systematically attacks against orthodox churches in Southern Albania particularly Christian Byzantines more of 800 year existence. The Byzantine church of Narta is one of important cult of the Greek Ethnic Community area between Aulona and Apollonia old Byzantine centers of the region a front of Adriatic Sea.

Unknown the vandals but the event has happened during the period of Christmas day, when the region is populated by thousand inhabitants most of them are emigrant in Greece.

OMONIA CALLS TIRANA FOR ELECTORAL CODE

Tow big parties in Albania have changed the law in their favor voting, while the Greek minority threatens to abandon next politic elections of 2009

"The Greek minority may abandon the politic elections of 2009 threatening to the statements of the Mayor and Chairman of Himara and "Omonoia" Vasilis Bolanos, if Tirana does not change the electoral law passed recently in the Albanian parliament next days".

Mr. Bolanos noted that the law have caused disappointment to the Greeks of Albania, the latest developments with regard to the electoral law and especially in those articles which directly affect the transparency of the electoral process and affects the credibility of the elections.

The President of "Omonoia" expressed the concern at "the real objectives of the new electoral law, which does not pave new roads to the democratization in the country". The new electoral law submitted, said Mr. Bolanos, further conditions of equality, transparency and credibility of the electoral process, since the committees will be involved only the two major parties.

Mr. Bolanos urged that "it is reasonable outside the Greek Community and historically significant numbers living in certain areas, to refrain from electoral management where there is majority". It also noted that «the Greek minority in all post-elections has been target of the manipulation of the verdict of the electorate».

Alongside Mr Bolanos said the electoral code missed the opportunity "to finally open the way for the participation in elections of all those citizens who are in emigration particularly the coting process of Northern Epiriotes who live in Greeece.

more see: http://www.proinoslogos.gr/pn/

Former KLA members arrested in Preševo

26 December 2008

The Interior Ministry (MUP) has begun an operation to arrest former KLA members in Preševo on charges of war crimes committed against civilians in Gnjilane. Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and the War Crimes Prosecution confirmed for B92 that the operation began early this morning and is related to crimes against Serb and non-Albanian civilians in Gnjilane in 1999.

According to B92’s sources, 11 people have been arrested thus far and 17 locations have been searched. Dačić is at the scene and says that the operation is progressing smoothly.

more see: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/in_focus.php?id=91

Albania Seeks New Loan for Kosovo Highway

Tirana 24 December 2008

The Rreshen-Kalimash HighwayAlbania will seek a new €250 million commercial loan to finance the construction of a highway connecting its Adriatic coastline with newly independent Kosovo, the Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday . The170-kilometre highway, which will link the port of Durres with Albanian-majority Kosovo, is the country’s biggest public works project in decades. Albania has spent €328 million already this year on the road, some 89 percent of its capital expenditure budget.

“The Albanian Government represented by the Ministry of Finance is requesting an offer for financing of various capital expenditure needs for the year 2009,” the ministry said in a statement. “Proceeds... will be used in accordance with the priorities defined in the National Strategy for Development and Integration.”Albania had originally sought to finance the road with revenues from the privatization of public companies, but negotiations for the sale of Albanian Power utility, valued at around €102 million, have stalled.

Almost 200 million of the cost has been raised as syndicated commercial loans at high interest rates, attracting criticism from international financial bodies concerned about the country's monetary stability.There is no clear estimate of the total cost of the road, which opponents have slammed as a white elephant that will fail to return on the huge investment. Experts think Albania will need to invest another €250 million to complete the project, due to be finalised in the summer of 2009.

The project has already been tainted by a corruption scandal involving former Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha, who is charged with abuse of power and breaking tender rules relating to the project. The charges filed against Basha indicate that one particular 60-kilometer section of the highway will cost Albania over €1 billion.

USA, NEW DELICATE RELATIONS WITH BERISHA

Statement from the U.S. Embassy (December 23, 2008)

The U.S. Embassy closely followed last night’s vote in the Albanian Parliament that passed the Lustration Law by a simple majority. We are deeply concerned.

This law has raised serious legal, governmental, and constitutional questions among Albania's international partners, including the United States.

We call on the Government of Albania to take immediate steps in consultation with national and international experts to ensure that this law would meet international standards.

see: http://tirana.usembassy.gov/

ALBANIA, SECURITY NEWS

ALBANIAN EXTREMIST PLAN TO KILL THE PRESIDENT OF "OMONIA"

"Red Alarm" for the Greek FM and other security authorities including foreign intelligences in Albania.

http://www.zougla.gr/"

Strong meassures takeen by the Foreign Greek Ministry moves to the extreme elements in Southern Albania, on the «targeting» to the Chairman of «Omonoias» (The Greek Ethnic Minority of Albania) Vassilis Bollanos, reported sources from Greek Security authorities underliandenig informations by Albanian Masmedia in which member of albanian parliament are preparing to hold an extremist meeting in Himara, the Municipality when Vassilis Bolanos is Mayor of the Region.

"Greece is preocuped to monitor what is happening in Albania, in connection with the Party of the Greek national minority and its chairman, Vassilis Bolano", said for Zougla.gr a partner of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who wished to remain anonymous. In recent days, President of «Omonoias» accepts direct threats to his life, according to secure information zougla.gr, planned to rally against Himara people in the presence of parliamentarians and Albanians ... «charging» Albanian extremist citizens, which will be transferred to Himara by bus from Tepeleni.

The interest in this case, is that serious Albanian politicians are concerned about the actions against the Greek minority. The concern relates, in fact, in the same continued even after 'obstacles, the process for future integration of Albania into the EU In this climate, known Albanian politician in a recent in private conversation with Western diplomats in Tirana, expressed his concern for the activity of extreme nationalist circles in Himara Region, not excluding even the possibility of provocation by some violence.

Athens «Red Alarme» for the defense the greek minority.

The memorandum of «Omonia» Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Greek Parliament, which sought to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Albania and the European Union, where the neighborhood country must respect the rights of the Greek minority, based from international treaties and conventions. «Albania if it wants to integrate into the EU should understand the obligation it has towards minorities and specifically against the Greek national minority », said the chairman of «Omonoias », reiterating its full support to the European perspective of the country.

Albanian newspapers accuse the president of «Omonoias» for ... «separatist» and enemy of Albania. Feature is the front page of «Gazeta Shqiptare» to «see» request for autonomy in Northern Epirus, as requests Bolanos recognition of Northern Epirus», the title of the publication.

In addition some popular Albanian face book created exclusively to urging to kill Bollano, the chairman of the «Omonoias» and mayor of Himara seeking the head of Bolanou «on the table» The «head on the table» of the President of «Omonoias», requested member of the Albanian parliament, MPs of all parties, following the statements of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who described «extremists» the "Omonia".

Some Members asked directly to be prosecuted Vassilis Bolanou and dismissed from the post of mayor Himara. Others, undertones to be accused under process penal as enemy of Albania.

"For Bolanos is obligation to anyone Albanian who wants, to target hem. If the state does not take action against Bollanos, who has no link with the history and our state, citizens should be put into place", said Spartak Ngjela MP.

MP of Vlora Bujar Leskaj from the Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, called «dirt» the chairman of «Omonoias», which seeks to disrupt the «friendly» relations between Greece and Albania. «My personal view is that is a dirt, remnant of the past, the Greek extremist nationalist circles, who finds no ground in Albania, in this climate of very good friendly relations», he said.

For its part, Members of the Christian Democratic Party, Frrok Gjini, once characterized Himara as a «symbol of Albanian resistance» made known to be held protest demonstration in front of the town hall of Himara against Chairman Vassilis Bollanos.

The President of the «KEAD» Vangjelis Doules turned against the Albanian media, which, as noted, «misinforms the public» in the way they presented and continue to present its defense of «Omonoias» to the Greek parliament. «The pressures and threats of Vassilis Bolanou, is expected to peak as we approach the municipal elections said Doule.

The Greek FM and security authorities including the foreign intelligences NATO and Europol that are installed in Albania are observing any escalation against the Greek minority taking in consideration the "Red Alarm" of ethnic confrontation in Southern Albania

The "zougla.gr" contacted the Ambassador of Albania in Athens, Mr. Vili Minaroli, who calls the albanian authorities imediately to take in high consideration the threats to his life against the president of "Omonia" Mr. Bolanos, claiming that enjoys the protection of the Albanian state.

Replying to a question whether the violation of human rights in his country Albania, might be an obstacle towards accession of Albania into the European Union or other international organizations, Mr. Vili said he sees not an obstacle, indeed, recalled that the Greek Government and Tirana are goof relations in this process.

See: Albanian media TV appeals to "condemn Bollano"...

http://www.top-channel.tv/new/artikull.php?id=138131

http://www.top-channel.tv/new/video.php?id=2422

Albanian`s Berisha passes law on former secret police "SIGURIMI"

The US, British Embassies and OSCE, EU Missions called Berisha to stop the voting.

TIRANA, Albania — Albania on Monday passed a law removing from public posts people linked with the feared former Communist secret police, despite criticism from opposition parties and concerns within the international community. Lawmakers voted 74-2 for the law, while one abstained. The remaining 63 deputies in the 140-seat Parliament boycotted the vote. Prime Minister Sali Berisha said Albania needed "to cleanse itself from the communist calamity."

The law applies to all former members and associates of the Sigurimi secret police, from November 1944 when Albania was liberated from Nazi occupiers until the collapse of Communism in December 1990. The opposition Socialists and other smaller parties boycotted, saying they feared the law would be exploited by Berisha's Democrats to hit at political opponents.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe urged a postponement of the debate.
"The law has serious constitutional and political implications, and postponing the vote to allow for wider consultation and public debate would be welcome," the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights said in a statement.

The United States and Britain also urged postponement. For more than four decades, Albania was a xenophobic Communist dictatorship in which the secret services wielded vast power.

Vlachs in Albania demand their language to be official

Photo: Greek Orthodoxe Churche in Voskopolis, Albania

The Vlachs in Albania have demanded from the state authorities to introduce Vlach-language classes in schools and to make it the second official language in the municipalities where they are present.

Thanas Poci, the head of the Associations of the Vlach minority in Albania, said this at the annual assembly of the Associations that was held in Tirana."The right of education in mother tongue has to be respected and the authorities have to allow introduction of the Vlach as the second official language in the municipalities where there are inhabitants of Vlach nationality," Poci said.

Prior to this demand, the Greek minorities in Albania requested conducting a new census. Albanian PM Berisha said recently that his government is fully committed to observing of the minority rights. Some time ago, Berisha pledged to allow the respondents to declare their ethnic belonging at the next census.

Over 60% of 200.000 vllachs of Albania live in Greece Poci said. During the meeting was assisted the Charmain of UHRP Vangjelos Doules.

Epirotic Newsletter

Attached you will find the "December Panepirotic Messenger"

http://www.scribd.com/doc/9297617/EpiroticNewsletter

Albania, Security News

BEGINS THE "COLD WINTER" BEETWEEN ATHENS AND TIRANA

Processs penal for the president of "Omonia" Bollanos urge member of albanian parliament,when the President of HRUP Evangelos Doules sends message to Tirana: "DON`T TUCH THE GREEK MINORITY"

Tirana. Members of albanian parliament particolarly part of minorance groups called yesterday the albanian authority to take under arrest the President of the Greek Politic Organisation "Omonia" Vassilis Bollanos.

According to geopolitic analists the clima after the declaration of Omonia for six point conditions to the greek parliament for agreement stabilisation process of Albania to joint to EU, is becoming one of most national albanian rethoric since the agravation of the relations of 1994 beetwen Athens and Tirana.

The orientation of the albanian media to the albanian nationalism began with the declaration of PM Sali Berisha who called the requests of Omonia as "Extremism rethoric" which composes the consecuenses of a situation instabille regarding the relations between greeks and albanian.

MP Spartak Ngjela called the albanian authorities to arest the mayor of Himara and president of the greeks of albania Vassilis Bollanos when spoken for individual attacks against Bollanos noting: "if the government does not make the costitutional obligations against Bollano, I call every albanian to make any duty towars national interests to Bollano and others" said Ngjela.

Imediate has been the reaction of the HRUP Evangelos Doules, which called the albanian politic "to have attention" their declarates accussing the albanian extremist as "very dangerous for the relations between Athens and Tirana".

THE DEMONISATION OF THE GREEK FACTOR

For the analists its very interesing the "albanian pragmatism" but also very dangerous to understand the apmlification of albanian propaganda against the greek minority and the human rights to the demonisation of the greek factor in Albania. The foreign obsservers are investigating a similar proces both in FYROM, but in Albania the agressive national rethoric and hate is target no to the greek investiments but to the leader the Greek Ethnic Minority.

The target adreesed to Vassilis Bollanos and the demonisation of the greek factor is linked geopoliticaly firstly for the riots and protests in Greece, which is considering as "Albania of 1997 by albanian media" and second for the "albanian national cause" to protect every efforts to divide albanian territory by anemies serbs and greeks.

Annyway Tirana is waiting for ratification from the greek parliament tow mostly important decision of the modern history , joint to NATO and the agreement stabilisation process with EU, when the albanian economy is totalny linked with greek investiments and albanian emigrants in greece.

Fears of New Ethnic Conflict in Bosnia

The New York Times

By DAN BILEFSKY
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Thirteen years after the United States brokered the Dayton peace agreement to end the ferocious ethnic war in the former Yugoslavia, fears are mounting that Bosnia, poor and divided, is again teetering toward crisis.

On the surface, this haunted capital, its ancient mosques and Orthodox churches still pocked by mortar fire, appears to be enjoying a renaissance. Young professionals throng to stylish cafes and gleaming new shopping malls while the muezzin heralds the morning prayer.

The ghosts of Srebrenica linger — recalling the worst massacre in Europe since World War II — but Sarajevans prefer to talk about President-elect Barack Obama or the global financial crisis.

more see "New York Times": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/world/europe/14bosnia.html?_r=1&ref=europe

Albania now pulling its 218 troops out of Iraq

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's Defense Ministry says the country is pulling its 218 troops out of Iraq. Albanian troops have been serving in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul since 2003.

Defense Ministry spokeswoman Albana Mustafaraj said Thursday the unit has ended its mission and will return home. She said Defense Minister Gazmend Oketa participated in a ceremony in Mosul where the Albanian flag was lowered.

Albania also has small army units in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Chad. The predominantly Muslim nation was invited to join NATO in April and expects to become a full member next year.

Himara - Χειμάρρα - Chimera: In www.himaraunion.com: Video from ERT 3#links#links#links

Himara - Χειμάρρα - Chimera: In www.himaraunion.com: Video from ERT

ALBANIAN TRIBUNAL SCANDAL

The "Kakomea Issue"

The villagers of Nivitsa, Lukovo Municipality, lost the "Tribunal Battle" with Government, based under the falls history of Albanian State.

The most important chapter of the Tribunal Decision of Tirana to favorise the Government was the historic issue and the origin of documents of villagers.

The Tribunal of Tirana, considers Albanian State before invasion of Ottoman Empire, after the Nivitsa community presented the old origin document of Ottoman Period as owners of Kakomea before the Independence of Albanian State of 1912.

See more original text in Albania.

The Newspaper "ETHNOS"

A DANGEROUS GAME FOR BERISHA

Not only on the national road Himara - Saranda, but also on the Christian Churches of the region of Himara are written national slogans against the religion sentiments of the population of the zone.

"A dangerous-climate is created in Southern Albania, (Northern Epirus) and especially in Himara. Last week, the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha condemned as «extremist rhetoric» the declaration of the Mayor Himara (and chairman of the "Omonoia", the Greek politic organization in Albania) Vassilis Bolanos, to the Albanian media, which asked the Greek government not to approve the Agreement Association of Albania with the EU", notet the greek newspaper "ETHNOS".

According to Albanian press referring to the Omonias six points, Mr. Bolanos as president of the Greek Organisation addressed Tirana the constitutional requirement to recognize the Autonomy of Northern Epirus, including a large territory in southern Albania where the Greeks are in majority.

The national rhetoric started by MP Berisha calling as extremist the President of the Greeks of Albania Vassilis Bollanos, has raised continuing a national campain movement in Albania firstly from the media, which is observing by geopolitics experts as critic faze very dangerous to inspire paramilitary groups such happened in Kakomea last month, to confront seriously with the population of the area inhabited in majority from Greeks.

One year ago a christian orthodox Church in Himara called "Saint Pandelimon" has been destructed with explosive by persons unknown from Albanian authorities, when the most dangerous incident is signed month ago in Himara Town known by experts as terrorist act killing a resident with Greek origin.

see more: www.ethnos.gr

Vote on Albania Lustration Bill Postponed

Tirana 16 December 2008

Sali BerishaAlbania’s parliament has postponed a vote on a lustration bill on senior administration figures, which has come under harsh criticism by the US, the opposition and interest groups.

The voting of the bill was postponed by the majority on Monday to make way for the new amendments. The United States embassy in Tirana criticised the bill on Tuesday and ask for more debate with the assistance of international experts.

more see: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/15581/

"CHICAGO SUN-TIMES"

Obama's basketball pal for governor?

2010 Close ties could give Giannoulias an edge

BY ABDON M PALLASCH

Photo: State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (left) was with President-elect Barack Obama on Election Day. They got acquainted while shooting hoops at the University of Chicago. Obama backed his primary bid for treasurer.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a protege of President-elect Barack Obama, is gearing up to run for governor in 2010, sources close to Giannoulias say.

Giannoulias has stepped up fund-raising and hopes support from the African-American community will give him an advantage over the other big-name candidate angling to run in the Democratic primary: Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

more see: http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1319056,CST-NWS-gov08.article

NO COMMENT!

CAROLOS PAPULIAS, A STRONG MESSAGE


While Greece is passing a hard period by strikes and riots, the Greek President Carolos Papulias sends strong message to the Greek people. "The time in Balkan Region is to be united for Greek national interests".

Meeting in Athens with Bolano - Ntoule

With lot of interest and a good patriotic climate held the open debate organized by the Northern epiriotic Associations in Athens with the President of OMONOIAS, Vassilis Bolanos and chairman of HRUP, Evangelos Ntoules.

The discussion was moderated by journalist and former MP Sophia Voultepsi. Members also attended the PASOK MP Michalis Pantoulas, Athanasios Plevrios of MP LAOS and who always honored such events. The northern epiriotes associations in Athens through their representatives stressed once again their full support to the twin-OMONIA KEAD.

Proposal to create common agenda and more frequent contact with the presidency of OMONOAS-KEAD made by the chairman of Ne.V, Efi Seliou. During the meeting where present member of the greek parliament from ND, PASOK and LAOS.

NO COMMENT, DECEMBER 2008

KAKOMEA, SOUTHERN ALBANIA


See video by investigative TV Channel in Greece:

http://www.zougla.gr/news.php?id=16669

THE PRESIDENT OF "OMONOIAS" VASILIS BOLANOS IN ATHENS

The Northern Epiriotic Associations and Clubs of Greece will organize an open debate for the matter on the Northern Epirus future, with the participation of the President of «Omonoias» Vassilis Bolanou and the president of HURP, (the Party which supports politically the Greek Minority in Albania) Evangelos Ntoules.

The meeting will take place on Sunday December 14 at 11.00 am in Hotel «Park» on Alexandras Avenue 10, Athens.

All northern epiriotes are invited to participate. In the meeting will be take part many Greek politics and represents of Greek diaspora in USA , Europe and Australia.

"POLICA DERRA VRASES"

According to the greek newspaper "Elefterotipia" unknown origin of slogans written in Albanian were lying around in places around the Polytechnicum near the center of Athens. On the one hand, saying «POLICA DERRA VRASES» and other «HAKMARJE PER DREJTESI».

As resulted, after sufficient reflection, all Albanians who did the translation, the closest version of «HAKMARJE» in Greek is the "Vendeta". So the «HAKMARJE PER DREJTESI» means: «Vendeta for justice».

While the version translated to «POLICA DERRA VRASES» was direct to: «Pig killer police».

Anyway, even the inquiring of violented protests are clouse for the greek media, until now does not result any implication of albanian emigrants.

http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=66892340

ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "PANORAMA"

GREEK FM SPOKESMAN KOMOUTSAKOS AGAINST OMONIA`S PRESIDENT BOLLANOS: "ABSURD PRETENTION OF BOLLANOS TO THE NORTHERN EPIRUS AUTONOMY"

According to albanian newspaper "PANORAMA" the Greek FM spokesman Georges Komoutsakos expressed his opinion about the seven points of the Greek organization of Albania "Omonia" adressed to Albanian government.

Komoutsakos said that: "the pretention of the president of "Omonia" Vassilis Biollanos is absurde and the greek parliament will vote very soon the agreemnet with Albania".

The response of Komoutsakos is considering from Greek annalists who live in Albania as iresponssibile and call the Greek Government to verify any declaration from Foreign Ministry spokesman to the Albanian Newspaper "Panorama".

The Greeks of Albania has been often shocked by some irresponsible declarations of closer collaborator of Foreign Minister Dora Bakogianis about the Greek minority of Albania.

more in albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/panoramapdf.pdf

Youths firebomb Athens courthouse as riots enter fifth night

Greece's center-right government struggles to survive violence. A previously scheduled general strike shuts down most transportation.

By Maria Mikalef and Sebastian Rotella December 11, 2008
Reporting from Athens and Madrid -- Hooded youths attacked the Athens courthouse with firebombs Wednesday and a general strike by labor unions shut down most of the country as nationwide urban unrest entered its fifth night.

The worst riots in years, sparked by the fatal shooting by police of a 15-year-old boy Saturday, have left Greece's fragile center-right government fighting for survival. The strike by about 100,000 workers shut down most transportation as well as banks and hospitals.

more see: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-greekriots11-2008dec11,0,3671340.story

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN BERISHA’s ALBANIA

Aristide D. Caratzas
(Historian)

Copyright: Aristide D. Caratzas on line
Note: Visit also http://www.caratzas.com/

Rule of Law, Private Property and Minority Rights
A recent flare up near Loukovo, one of the towns in the predominantly ethnic Greek province of Cheimarra (Albanian, Himara) over questions of property rights suddenly raises questions about the nature and extent to which the Albanian government, headed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, has accepted basic democratic values such as the primacy of the rule of law, property rights and the basic human rights of ethnic minorities.

Indeed there is a clear sense that economic development (which ironically also was a major priority for the late and unlamented Communist regimes, their failures in this field notwithstanding) is used as a cover for organized violation of property rights and illegal seizures of property (even by Albanian law), which in turn are used to pressure the ethnic Greek minority.

more se: http://rieas.gr/images/KARATZAS.pdf

Albania condemns Omonia's memorandum

Albanian government denounced the Memorandum of Omonia - Association of Greek minority in Albania - Makfax correspondent said on Thursday.

The memo calls on Greece not to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Albania and the European Union as long as Albania grants administrative autonomy to Greek minority in Vorio Epi, southern Albania.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha labeled the memorandum "extremist outburst" and urged the Greek government not to cave in to Omonia's demands."Greek minority in Albania enjoys all rights it has been entitled to, and these rights will be expanded if it is necessary," Berisha said.

Some lawmakers in Albanian parliament called for indictment against Omonia leader Vasil Bolano, who is also a mayor of Himara. //12.11.08

Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

more see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_corruption_probe

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE"

OMONIA TO GREECE: NO AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA TO EU WITHOUT RESPECT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS

Tow week after the declaration, the Albanian press informs the opinion for the decision of Omonia into a memorandum to stop from the Greek parliament the SAA with Albania.

Considering the violence protest in Greece as Albanian of 1997, the Albanian press has forged that an political decision of Omonia tow weeks ago addressed to the Greek parliament about the agreement which will vote for the joint Albania to EU.

According to "Gazeta Shqiptare" the seven points of Omonia (The Greek ethnic organisation of Albania) addressed to the Greek parliament are the condition of Albania to acept the civil and politically rights of Greeks to live under a Territorial autonomy known as Northern Epirus in Southern Albania.

Athens, Rioting after teenager shot by police

Rioting broke out in Athens and other Greek cities in the early hours of Sunday, after news began to spread of a teenager's death at the hands of police in the Athens district of Exarhia the previous night. The 15-year-old boy was shot in the chest and died of his injuries shortly after being taken to hospital. The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 on Saturday night when a police patrol car responding to a call in the Exarhia district was surrounded by a gang of 30 youths belonging to leftist, anti-establishment groups that started throwing stones and bits of wood.

The two special guards in the patrol decided to pursue the youths and, in the ensuing fracas, one of them fired his service revolver to disperse them, injuring the 15-year-old highschool student. The officer who fired claims he shot twice in the air and once at the ground and that the bullet that injured the boy must have ricocheted.

The two officers have been placed under arrest, while Deputy Interior Minister for public order issues, Panagiotis Hinofotis, immediately initiated action to place the pair on suspension, as well as their supervisor at the Exarhia police station. Police headquarters said that an investigation was underway to determine whether the events had occurred in the way described by the two officers, while an autopsy has been order to confirm their claim that they did not shoot directly at the victim.

Kosovo efforts to unify "Albanian lands"

December 5, 2008 – 2:05 pm
The assembly speaker in the Albanian parliament, Jakup Krasniqi, declared that a war may be started so that Albanians can unite all of the lands they conquered from their neighbors in the Balkans. “We don’t want war,” claimed Krasniqi “but if it is imposed on us we will think about it,” he said. Krasniqi said that the war will be “imposed” on Albanians if the Contact Group principles get changed in the northern Kosovo where Serbs live.

Those principles are a no return to pre 1999 status, no partition and no unification with Albania.
“If the Contact Group principles for Kosovo are changed only for one part of Kosovo, or for one part of the people, then Albanians have the right to unite their lands,” Krasniqi said.

Krasniqi said that Albanians have been damaged in the Balkans.
“Albanians were the most damaged from the ethnic aspect,” Krasniqi said.

NATO asks Macedonia to keep up accession efforts

December 05, 2008 11:12 AM
TIRANA, Dec 05, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- A senior NATO official said on Friday that Macedonia shouldn't lose its trust in the alliance but keep up its accession efforts instead. NATO Military Committee Chairman Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, who is on a visit to Macedonia, said Macedonia shouldn't feel discouraged by the delay of its admission to the alliance.

Macedonia's efforts to join the club was thwarted by Greece over a 17-year-long name dispute between the two neighbors at NATO Bucharest summit in April. Athens has been opposed to its northern neighbor being called the "Republic of Macedonia", arguing it implies a territorial claim over a Greek northern province also called Macedonia.

"Macedonia is a major player in the Balkans in terms of the reforms and transformation, and NATO hopes for full inclusion of the Balkans into its structure," Di Paola said after talks with Macedonian Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski.

STATE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS IN BALKAN. ABOUT NAZI COLLABORATORS, THE RIGHT PROPERTIES OF GREEKS IN ALBANIA AND FYROM

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFING BRIEFER:

ROBERT WOOD, DEPUTY DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN

STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM,

WASHINGTON, D.C.10:40 A.M. EST, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2008

Mr. Lambros PAPANTONIOU?

QUESTION. On Albania. Mr. Wood, I raised a question yesterday concerning the possible role of DOS, if any, related to Sali Berisha's recent comments about his, quote-unquote, willingness to resolve issues involving property claims via a, quote-unquote, "legal approach."

I am puzzled to learn that my question was referred to the Holocaust Office. That's irrelevant to what I asked, and I'm wondering why.

MR. WOOD: We did our best to answer your question, Mr. Lambros. I don't have anything further on it.

QUESTION. To clarify the whole issue, may I repeat again, once again, the question? According to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha Albania and Greece are involved in negotiation at the legal level concerning World War Second issues on properties of Albanian NAZI collaborators who escaped Greece. And it was said the Department of State plays a role. And I would like to know what exactly you are doing in this process. This question has nothing to do anything
with American citizen claims.

MR. WOOD: Mr. Lambros, I think we addressed the question. I'll take a look to see if there's any further thing that we can say about it.

QUESTION: Albania/FYROM. Mr. Wood, according to an interview, Assistant Secretary Matt Bryza made some absolute statements about minorities in the Balkans. When asked about the status and rights of the Greeks in Albania and FYROM, he dismissed the question as irrelevant: quote, he had "nothing to say" about them, unquote; or, quote, "even to hear the term 'minority,'" unquote. Since that reflects your policy, Mr. Wood, I'm wondering, is there any particular reason why the Department of State seems allergic to hearing about the rights of the Greek minority in the Balkans, but often goes to extra length to defend even imaginary minorities in Greece?

MR. WOOD: Well, I disagree with the premise of your statement, Mr. Lambros. Again, I have not seen what Matt has said, so it wouldn't be fair for me to comment on it. Our policy with regard to Macedonia is well known, very clear. We have said that -- (chuckles) -- many times from the podium.

QUESTION: No, I'm talking about the property and human rights of the Greeks in Albania and FYROM. They have been violated brutally by both governments. And what do you do as the Department of State from the human rights point of view?

MR. WOOD: Look, our position on human rights for minorities around the world is very clear, sir. I don't think I need to say more on that.

Thank you.

THE MAYOR OF LUKOVO VLADIMIR KUMI THANKS KARATZAFERI`S PARTY

According to albanian newspaper "SHQIP" which refered the protest a front of Albanian Embassy of Himara Community last monday in Athens, "the protest was organized by the greek extremist".

The Kakomea issue is became an nationalist instrument to justified the robbery of properties of Himara Community from Albanian mafia, which supported by Albanian authorities including the juridical system. Untill now the albanian press has not informed the Albanian opinion about what is happening in reality in Kakomea.

"SHQIP" refereed to the Mayor of Lukovo Municipality Vladimir Kumi, who accuses the albanian state for suporting the "Mafias investments" robbering their properties. Kumi thanks the LAOS leader Giorgos Karatsaferis and other Greek parliament member who take part during the protest to help Kakomea issue.

"They support us because we are Epirotes" said the Mayor of Lukovo, Kumi. He stressed in a letter to Albanian institutions and the OSCE continue the fight until the final victory. "We have lost a batlle with albanian authorities but not the War, noted Kumi..

PAPATHEMELIS CALLS FM BAKOGIANIS TO INVITE THE ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR IN GREECE

Another intervention of the Greek politics, the issue of restitution of himariotes properties by the Albanian Government, especially with regard to the large volume and pulse of northern epiriotes demonstration outside the Albanian Embassy, held on Monday December 1, 2008.

The Democratic Renaissance Party leader Stelios Papathemelis, calls the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to immediately invite the Albanian ambassador in Athens in which to make clear that Greece, it will not tolerate the brutal violations of international law, against property of northern epiriotes.

The Democratic Renaissance Party spokesperson Mr Stavros Vitali, attended the mobilization of northern epiriotes a front of the Albanian Embassy in Athens, and delivered to the Central Committee's intervention in the Democratic Renaissance International Organizations and the Greek government.

During the protest a front of Albanian Embassy in Athens, the member of the Greek parliament LAOS, Makis Voridis, called the Albanian government to release four villagers of Nivitsa which held in prison since last week.

ABOUT THE DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN PM SALI BERISHA FOR PROPERTIES OF ALBANIANS IN GREECE. REACTION OF STATE DEPARTAMENT

Daily Press Briefing Index
Thursday, December 4, 2008
10:36 a.m. EST

Briefer: Robert A. Wood, Deputy Spokesman......

Lambros Papantoniou:

QUESTION: On Albania. Mr. Wood, Prime Minister Sali Berisha stated that Albania and Greece are involved in negotiation “at the legal level” concerning World War II issues on properties of Albanian Nazi collaborators. It was reported, however, that the Department of State plays a role in that process. Could you please comment on your role and elaborate specifically on your involvement?

MR. WOOD: I’m not aware of any involvement in the Department of State.

QUESTION: So you take this question --

MR. WOOD: We can see if we can find anything on that.

QUESTION: Thank you.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release December 4, 2008
2008/1004

QUESTION TAKEN AT THE December 4, 2008 Daily Press Briefing

Albania: Resolution of Property Thefts by the Nazis

Question: Does the U.S. have a role in the resolution of thefts of property in Albania by the Nazis near the end, or after, World War II?

Answer: The Office of Holocaust Issues is responsible for assisting U.S. citizens with any claim resulting from Nazi activities during the 1933-45 period. No claimants have requested assistance with claims against Albania. Any U.S. citizen who

STATE DEPARTAMENT: US expect no changes of Macedonia's border

Washington, December 3 (MIA) - The United States doesn't expect any change of the Balkan borders in the future, State Department's Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood told journalists in Washington. He was responding to a Greek journalist, who asked him to comment the statement of former CIA analyst Steven Meyer, who considers that Macedonia's borders are not settled and may be redrawn. The US State Department doesn't support such statements and expects no changes of the Balkan borders, Wood, said.

Our policy in regard to Macedonia is well known and has not changed, Wood said Daily Press

BriefingRobert Wood, Deputy SpokesmanWashington, DCDecember 2, 2008

Mr. Lambros PAPANTONIOU.
QUESTION: On the Balkans. Mr. Wood, Steven Meyer, former CIA analyst, DOS advisor and professor at the National Defense University here in Washington, D.C., stated in an interview (inaudible), quote, “Macedonian Albanians should decide where they want to live. They are (inaudible). The borders of Macedonia are not settled and they can be redrawn.” I am wondering if that is your policy behind the scenes.

MR. WOOD: No, you know what our policy is with regard to Macedonia, Mr. Lambros. I don’t have any – it has not changed.

QUESTION: Now, Professor Meyer also said, quote, “If the Albanians in Macedonia’s western part believe that (inaudible) with Albania proper is still strong, and if they want to act on this, they should do so. Why not vote for independence or some kind of union with Albania or Kosovo?” Do you have any comment?

MR. WOOD: I don’t have anything to say on that, Mr. Lambros.

QUESTION: And the last one to this effect?

MR. WOOD: Yes.

QUESTION: But almost similar to this, on November 25th, Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried, talking to us on upcoming NATO ministerial meeting, stated, quote, “But nobody in the Balkans is going to be changing their geography anytime soon.” Do you expect, as Department of State, change in the Balkans borders sometime in the future?

MR. WOOD: No, Mr. Lambros, I don’t.
Right here.

Italy and Albania sign power deal

3 December 2008 15:24 Source: EuroNews
TIRANA -- Italy and Albania have signed agreements worth an estimated EUR 2bn, boosting power supplies to both and marking a revival of cooperation between the countries.The two countries have also signed a 160 million euro agreement for an Italian cement plant and a joint plan for development cooperation.

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his Albanian counterpart, Sali Berisha, watched as the deals were signed in Tirana. The gas and wind power deals will produce electricity for domestic use and also for export to Italy, to ease Albania’s own chronic shortages and help Italy cope with its power deficit. It could also boost Tirana’s hopes for closer ties with the EU

REGIONAL SECURITY ANALYSE

Kosovo’s dirty secret: the background to Germany’s Secret Service affair
by Peter Schwarz

The arrest of three German secret service agents in Kosovo exposes the sort of society that has been developed with German and American support in this former part of Yugoslavia—one mired in corruption, organised crime and secret service plots.

The affair began on November 14, when a bomb exploded outside the office of the European Union special representative, Pieter Feith, in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. The building was damaged but no one was hurt. Immediately afterward in a neighbouring building, a German man, Andreas J., was observed and questioned by the Kosovan security forces, and unmasked as an agent of Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND, Secret Service). This is according to the public prosecutor’s office. German sources, however, claim that Andreas J. only came to the scene four hours after the explosion to take photographs.

Normally, such secret service affairs between friendly governments are settled quietly and discreetly, usually by the departure of the unmasked agents. Not so in this case. Last week, the police arrested Andreas J. and two additional BND agents, accusing them of having planted the bomb at the EU’s International Civilian Office (ICO) building.

more see: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11239

FOREVER UNITED TO PROTEST FOR OUR PROPERTIES

Another protest will hold on December 8, 2008 in Athens. The Himara Union calls again the northern epiriotes to demonstrate against new dictator regime of Albanian State.

Photo: the last protest of Kifisia Avenue from Himara Community.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1463312990/bctid3659022001

BERISHA AND NANO: STOP ROBBERY PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN EPIRUS

Successfully completed the gathering protest organized by the Himara Union on Monday, Dec. 1 outside the Albanian embassy. The more than 5000 demonstrators joined their voices against the effort of removal of property, against terrorism of the Albanian state and retain, to respect fundamental human rights.

We found both near hellenic people who responded to the call of the Himara Union. Amid applause, the greek parliament member LAOS Makis Voridis, showed the sympathy once again and expressed the hope that there was as spoksman of the Greek parliament. Having not been allowed by authorities multi-police protest to be fairly close to the building of the Albanian embassy, the demonstrators symbolically took a lane on Kifissias Avenue.

The entire protest developed into a peaceful climate and ended with the greek National himn. It is recalled that the inhabitants of Nivitsas remain from Saturday, 22 November in the streets protecting their property.

Italy and Albania to sign energy deals

By Guy Dinmore in Rome and Kerin Hope in Athens
Published: December 1 2008 02:00

Grandiose energy projects, including what is billed as Europe's largest wind farm, will be on the table for signing when Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's premier, meets Sali Berisha, his Albanian counterpart, in Tirana tomorrow.

Albania's chronic energy crisis and Mr Berisha's ambitions to create a regional energy hub in Europe's second poorest country have opened a new market for many Italian companies.
There is also a sense of urgency for Mr Berisha, who faces elections in June and needs to convince Albanians tired of constant blackouts that relief is on its way. Mr Berisha is offering attractive terms to investors, including long leases on state-owned land for a nominal amount under his "Albania one euro" policy.

more see: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4a20cc9a-bf49-11dd-ae63-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

Note: Albania is confronting an important geopolitical contradict between tow European power states Italy and Germany for the energy issue and foreign investments in Albania. Particularly when in Kosovo the German agents "captured" from the Kosovo Security Forces under falls accuse with interferences of Albanian secret services, Berlin is very preoccupied for the future of geopolitical relations in favor of the Albanian interests in the region. Signing "more fast as possible" the energy agreements between Italy and Albania particularly in Southern Albania, zone inhabited by Greeks tells more implications of Albanian state against geostrategic interests of Greece to defense the lands and properties of Greeks in Albania.