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.