US defence secretary visits Kosovo

07/10/2008

PRISTINA, Kosovo -- US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday (October 7th) that US troops will remain in Kosovo at least until the end of 2009. Gates, who is making a daylong visit to Pristina, confirmed Washington's support for the young country. He is the most senior US official to visit since Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17th.

Gates met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. Sejdiu thanked the US for their continuous support and expressed his personal gratitude to Gates for his efforts. Gates said the discussions were productive, and he reaffirmed the US' commitment to all citizens of Kosovo.

Gates was also to meet with the 1,600 US soldiers serving in Kosovo. Later in the day, Gates will travel to Ohrid, Macedonia, to attend a two-day meeting of fellow defence ministers from Southeast Europe. (AP, Reuters, ITAR-TASS AFP - 07/10/08)

Damir Fazlliç, the way I knew him

"TEMA" Newspaper, Albania

By Mero Baze*

I personally know Damir Fazllic. I think I met him first time on the same day with Sali Berisha, unless the latter was feigning during that first meet in Washington , January 2005. The American company BG&R contracted him as a specialist for Balkans and he would be part of the team for helping PD electoral campaign in 2005. After contract was signed and it was agreed BG&R would stay by the side of PD, Fazllic asked for a contact person in Tirana. KOP (policy orientation committee) had 2 weeks it was created.

Lulzim Basha was not that known during the time. While I had his name on the tip of my tongue to give him as the contact person. Fazllic pronounced it almost like me.- He is the one I need, - he said. Wondered where they knew each other, but I had no bad impression. Like 2 people from Balkan emigrating to Europe and Balkan it was no wonder they knew each other. But BG&R left in July. Damir Fazllic, on the contrary deepened his friendship with Lulzim Basha and his brother-in-law, who for a reason always used to stay two steps backwards or open the car door. In September 2005, during the second week of PD coming into power, they were very clear in their plan. They would make money. Damir Fazllic opened 3 companies within 2 days which always had as administrator Lulzim Basha’s brother-in-law, Erion. He sold the 3 of them later: one in Cyprus and 2 partially to a former Partizani football player of Beograd .

There isn’t much importance on money transfer and fiscal infractions. The worst in all this story is that power moves from Lulzim Basha to Argita and Damir. The advocates she recommends, like Kola or Qeleshi, are the one who wrote the company letters; notary Pustina who works now with Shkelzen is the company notary; Brecani, Berisha’s niece is the company’s accounting expert; Enkelejda Isufi, cousin of Lul Basha brother-in-law is the translator… thus in an endless chain of connections enclosed within a sect which moves from Basha, to Argita and Fazllic flings the whole story of Berisha’s power cupola. By the end of 2005, I had a personal incident with him. Kosovo govt was trying to contract BG&R for lobbying about country’s independence. It was about an amount of $1.5 million. Ibrahim Rugova, who was in his last days of life, couldn’t convince UNMIK for the official payment, while he didn’t accept for underhand payment, like Fazllic proposed. The parties split even inside BG&R. to take control of the situation, Fazllic goes to Beograd and signs an informal agreement with the Serbian deputy Prime Minister, where mentioned that BG&R will lobby for the Serbian govt against Kosovo’s independence. The price was double and terms were lighter.

The other party within BG&R send to me a copy of Fezllic speculation and explained this was not true, but Fazllic was putting pressure on Kosovo’s govt, that if they didn’t sign for the money he would connect to the Serbians. It was hard for Berisha, as a popular person in Kosovo. The nephew Stanisic of was putting pressure on Rugova’s Govt, where he entered with Berisha’s business card.I sent by email to Berisha the contract model of Damir and Serbian deputy Prime Minister. I had no answer. He didn’t open it for three days. All of a sudden the contract was published in Gazeta Shqiptare. I was shocked, as the only person to have it on the email was Sali barisha and me. I asked his secretary about who opened the account profsberisha@albaniaonline.net. She told that only her and any PR consultant. She said possibly Sejamin. I didn’t ask further.

That day in the evening I was in debate on Klan with Edi Rama. It was my first debate with him and I was frightened of getting nervous. The debate started in the most imponderable way to me. Edi Rama was also holding BG&R agreement with Serbia and opened the debate with it. I stopped him untactfully and started explaining it is a fraud. Berisha himself was confused from my explanation and after the debate asked me how “I knew all those things”. I told him I sent him by email, but it ended on Gazeta Shiptare. He never gave an explanation on this, though I understood his discomfort.Two days later I went his office and sent him what could be called “Fazllic“file. There were a pile of writings in the Bosnian and Serbian press accusing him on financial frauds, connections to Legija who killed Gingic but any harebrained person would accuse him either for being a British spy.

He sticked to this last one- They are closed minds. – he said -Don’t you see him named British spy?! - Not everybody, - said I. – Only one. The others call him thief and killer.- Don’t take it for granted, - he said. I had forgotten Damir Fazlliçin, though I saw him often in the boulevard, 2 steps forward Lulzim Basha’s brother-in-law, who continuously changed cars of over 100 thousand euro. One day, early 2006, showed up and told me he brought Tom Bridge as a consultant for Berisha. - I would have brought even Clinton , - said he – by early January 2007.-Great, - Said I and left. While working on the investigation of a terrible corruption file of Telecom, I ascertained that million euros were transferred to a private internet company whose owner brought the director of Telecom as an emigrant from US to Tirana. The director, Ilirian Kuko, an his side was wanted by the Albanian govt as he left without paying $250 000 he borrowed from a bank. Angrily, I go to the Premier and tell him Telecom director cannot be tolerated any further. I told him about the thefts. - I know, - said he, - but I’m afraid my audit made a mistake. That report must be corrected. Then I had to tell him Telecom director was a thief who was wanted and should get arrested. - Don’t publish anything, if I catch him I’ll put him in jail.Feeling uncomfortable, he picked the phone and started talking in English. He was talking to Damir. He asked to provide those papers he promised for Telecom.

After the conversation was closed and I didn’t understand how he would investigate it. Actually I started seeing Damir more often with Shkelzen. The later was kind of legal director “Eagle Mobile”, the lethargic mobile company of Telecom at that time. I don’t know what happened, but attacks on privatization of Telecom stopped and some months later was signed the agreement. The director I cared about was neither was criticized, dismissed or punished. He left free, settling his debt and earning other millions. Then, during summer 2006, an ex friend of Fazllic, member of BG&R, Hans Jones arrives in Tirana with a Greek businessman. He was looking for a kind of research on water-power station of Vjosa. He asked for some meetings with Prime Minister and Minister of Energetic. Berisha welcomed them and sent them to Bojaxhi. He also welcomed them decided to discuss positively when the study started. Some days later it happened to be present in meeting with lulzim basha and he chuckled about a dangerous person. He was Hank Jones. - He arrived in Albania secretly, - said he, - and somebody send him to Berisha. - I sent him, - said i. – As far as I remember he was a friend of Damir. - No, he cheated you, - said he. – he’s not a friend of Damir. He wants to make business here, but as long as I’m alive I won’t allow him. There was anger inside him. He, the man who smiles all of a sudden had become a beast. Someone entered his yard. I was surprised with his aggressiveness. Actually, it was quite otherwise.

I arranged a his meetings but he himself was a go-between for the Greek businessman, a nephew of former President Stefanopulos. Eventually, his project was shut down. No steps were taken to do a research on Vjosa. No consents were given by the Ministry. Later, I learned an Austrian company, behind which stood the ‘Consultancy” of studio “Malltezi” and Damir, was doing a full research on Vjosa. Lulzim Basha was still showing more tranquility.I had the chance to see him one weel later. I went to his office with Mitro Cela and Filip Cakulli. Llazar Angjeli, a distant cousin of Anastas Angjeli, had a serious issue. He was having a gas station along the motorway demolished at the exit of the road to Rinas. He claimed he has permits for it. The 3 of us went to Lulzim Basha. We explained briefly the issue, with the cheer of Filip and my brutality. I told Angjeli thinks you are demolishing it for political reasons. If so, don’t do that, because you have not been in Albania and don’t know who that businessman is. I told him Sali Berisha publicly promised in 2004 he wouldn’t touch the business, as like he said they have nothing with Llazi Angjeli, but they do have with Anastas Angjeli. Basha looked firm. “You’re wrong, - said he. – I have nothing politically, only technically. Even a sack with cotton we put there we have to move it, imagine now a gas station! It does not meet the technical conditions.

He convinced the 3 of us it had to be demolished. He stayed later with me, as to show more confidentiality and re-convinced me for that thing. We painfully told to Llazi. One month later I was in Saranda with Filip, when the waiter offered us whisky for free.- It’s from Llazi, - said he. We greeted Llazi brokenly, as we didn’t finish him the job. But he seemed smiley.- Stupid me wanted to deal with you, - said he. – You just blow things. I sent you as there are rumours these guys of the Doctor don’t take money. How did I know they do, but not from you. We were perplexed until Llazi told us he solved this issue with money. And the gas station actually, though it’s not a sack with cotton, like Basha said, is in the right place. Lulzim Basha’s brother-in-law looked more boasted around. And with a new car also. The idea that Lulzim Basha was a thief stuck in my head.

The case was very illustrative. Damir Fazllic was there if he needed him for any deal. Durres-Kukes road was under tendering process and he was waiting for the new case. Meantime, his brother-in-law was assigned deputy minister and issued road tenders. He classified which was good and bad, according to the affinity they created with it. Fazllic was handling with the consultant company, while the brother-in-law with the Albanian subcontractors. On the Albanian side was found Riviera , a company almost out of all standards on road construction, while tens of other serious companies were in competition. The international consultant Ecorys Netherland BV , was found in Netherland, where Basha and his brother-in-law had arrived. A real mess was done, as the first decision of July 10 2006 assigned Ecorys as the consultant company, by the time when in June 14 2006 by CMD no 481 it’s mentioned this company which proposed the classification criteria of the international bid for Rreshen to Kalimash. (thus one month before it was assigned by CMD, Ecorys Group is mentioned in the CMD no 481) This scandal might not tell the essence of corruption on that road, but it tells the essence of arrogance and unprepared decisions of the duo Basha-Fazllic. By the time local elections were upcoming, lulzim basha was prepared to be the PD candidate for Tirana municipality.

At least, Berisha publicly insinuated this. With this he also justified the demolition of Zogu I Zi. This last one was a perfect combination of a simply personal interest of the closest person of Berisha’s son, Shkelzen, with the ugliness of that crossover. When I learned the true reason why it was being demolished, I felt grief, but when I though it had to be demolished because it was ugly I felt good. But I couldn’t stay tongue-tied. In the debate we had also on Opinion with Sali Berisha,I asked him:- Could you simply explain to us how the idea of demolishing Zogu I Zi generated? It was of you or someone suggested it being an ugly thing? The question was quite simple. He got slightly confused and invented sth. - I can’t remember well, - said he, - I received an official letter telling this is a shame ….He was quite unclear. Tomorrow happened sth which made me think about. Fahri Balliu, my friend from 55 newspaper, told me anxiously that question was the sneakiest. - Why? – said I. – that was a simple question, informative one. - Yes, yes, - said he. – That’s why it was sneaky.I didn’t pay much attention to him. But in the evening, an old friend of mine phoned me concerned. - I do need to see you, - said he. – I got sth to discuss with you. I thought that talk was stupid. Once he was in a club called fiesta with three other friends of Shkelzen who didn’t know he was my friend and heard with his own ears that “Mero Baze is poking his nose into our business and we’ll put in their proper place him and the other people around Berisha”I thought it was a very paranoid conversation. I asked who the others were. He mentioned the name of Raf and a bodyguard of Shkelzen living at Zogu I Zi.

But they didn’t say anything. The one who menaced was a little boy that he didn’t know the name as he was nicknamed “QukapI started laughing and thanked him. Don’t worry said to him, it’s just street talks.Actually, I remembered this episode while PD was choosing its candidate for election in Tirana. Since PD made Basha e hero in the demolition of Zogu I Zi we thought he would be the knight in front of Rama. Discussions started to change and Fazllic was more and more in Berisha’s office. For Basha going into elections would eclipse Fazllic from the scene. The almost guaranteed loss and break of deals for the roads which were a monopoly of the duo Isufi-Fazllic was an alarm. Sali Berisha admitted their schema. All of a sudden he acted like he hadn’t decided who would be the candidate and was looking more and more on Olldashi. This one being loyal to him, accepted, though he knew it would be tough. He handed over two terms and entered the competition. Fazllic showed up in Tirana. And now with 2 or 3 other Americans whom he introduced as consultants. Bombing was extreme. Sokol Olldashi was left in the dark and the campaign was undertaken by Sali Berisha. That was what Edi Rama wanted. He replied every day to Berisha while Edi Shalesi to Sokol Olldashi. Fazlliç and his Americans insisted on being Ok. Meantime, within PD the anger towards Olldashi was like a grief wave.

Mistakenly everybody identified him with Berisha’s power, while being nobody. The one who were his true power were against Olldashi either. I haven’t seen in any electoral campaign so many opponents within a party against their candidate. He had against him all KOP (policy orientation committee) leaded by Basha, has against all votes of old Tirana citizens who are identified as angry supporters of Bamir Topi, whom up to that time was left on the roads without any piece of power, and had against him the no-power people inside PD, as they considered him the pet of Power. He personally had only Sali Berisha, who thought he would help him undertake the campaign. Fazllic was very much worried, why I was so close to Ooldashi. He thought we were doing sth for him to win. And I tried to increase suspects whenever he asked me, though I knew it was a lost battle. Whenever I had him in front he asked me: “Will we win?” And I said Yes. The publication in Shekulli of a list of wanted persons as friends of Olldashi was corny to us knowing the reality, but it helped in creating an environment against him.

I knew it might have been Geri Kokalari to send him, as he had such lists into disposal. But Kokedhima insinuated there was somebody near Berisha and distant from Olldashi. Kokalari was simply used as a postman. But Olldashi lost deep and Fazllic disappeared from my eyes together with his Americans. For several days I had the feeling that if I bumped into Basha or him I would loose control. But it didn’t happen anymore. And I saw him rarely and rarely. By the middle of 2007 he usually stayed at Sheraton with Sejamin, a consultant of Berisha and Tom Ridge , whenever he was here. It seemed they had everything Ok. It was time when Shkelzen also frequented more often Sheraton both with Fatmir Mediu. It was a time in spring 2007 they stayed almost together day and night and got off the same car. It was a time Fazllic seemed calm and had his things going smooth. It’s time where I see he was able to sell a company without any balance, stock or any accounting activity, 1 million & 750 thousand euro a ghost company in Cyprus represented in Albania by the part-owner of the studio of Argita Berisha, Flutura Kola. It was indeed a glorious time for him. Since then, I haven’t seen him anymore. Yesterday, I heard he was arrested thus I wrote these story.

* Mero Baze is the Editor of "TEMA" an Indipendent Albanian Newspaper. www.gazetatema.net

Macedonia, a possible raising issue of Greek minority in the country

According to front page publication of FYROM newspaper "Nova Makedonija", entitled «The Greeks and our cause problems with the" small minority "», in anticipation of a positive report from the EU in early November, the so-called «small minorities» Skopie may evolve into a new open issue for the future of FYROM.

Diplomatic sources in the newspaper argued that Greek diplomats in Brussels to promote intensively by EU officials, the idea to check the address in Macedonia that have smaller ethnic communities, such as those of Serb, Roma, Turks and Vlachs. Following the improvement of relations between the VMRO-DPMNE and the largest Albanian party DUI, added to the publication, Greek diplomacy has identified small minorities as possible weak point of the operation of Principles of FYROM ", which may criticize the EU .

GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY

Challengers on Balkan especialy Kosovo?

Arbitrariness in Power

2008/10/03 BELGRADE/PRISTINA/BERLIN

(Own report) - Because of a Serbian UN initiative, Berlin's Kosovo policy is threatened with serious defeat. Belgrade is requesting that the UN General Assembly petition the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) for an advisory opinion on Kosovo's secession from Serbia. The Assembly is expected to vote on Wednesday. Germany was unsuccessful in mobilizing a majority against Serbia's initiative.

For the first time, UN member states have announced the intention of reversing their recognition of Kosovo, if the ICJ should confirm its secession was illegal. While EU functionaries declare that the International Court's decision would be of no consequence to them, Berlin is continuing its aid in consolidating Kosovo's illegal sovereignty. State officials, who, with Western help, had been brought to power in Pristina, are confronted with new accusations.

According to reports, new evidence has surfaced pertaining to criminal trade in human organs in Kosovo. Kosovo's "prime Minister" is suspected to be implicated in this crime. One of Pristina's designated "ambassadors" to a European country is also accused of serious crimes.

more see: http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/
more

DAMIR FAZLIC ON "TOP-CHANNEL TV" .. "

BERISHA IS MY FRIEND, I HAVE NEVER BEEN ARRESTED"

During an interview on Albanian national TV "Top Channel" from London, Damir Fazlic has been declared categorically against Albanian media and Albanian opposite which has been "called as traficant and mafios linked with contraband, laundering money and other.

During his interview Fazlic said also for the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha as "the best my Friend".

Some hours ago, the Opposite Leader Edi Rama, called the General Attorney to open penal process addressed to Damir Fazlic based to the information of Albanian media and the Albanian Parliament to use the vote for the resign the PM Berisha as impiced together with member of his family.

more see interview of Damir Fazlic to the Top Channel: http://www.top-channel.tv/new/artikull.php?id=131802

UNICEF chief spotlights plight of Roma children during visit to Albania

Ann Veneman with Roma children during a two-day visit to Albania6 October 2008 – The head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted the plight of Albania’s Roma children, especially the poor rates of school enrolment among the minority community, during a two-day visit to the South-Eastern European country. ..................

more see: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28441&Cr=Roma&Cr1=

NO COMMENT!

ALBANIAN PRESS: THE LINK OF BALKAN CORLEONE "THE FAZLIC`S DYNAISTY"

EXCLUSIVELY OF THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "GAZETA SHQIPTARE" ABOUT THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OF DAMIR FAZLIC ESPECIALY IN ALBANIA AND "BALKAN CONNECTION"

WWW.BALKANWEB.COM

ALBANIAN PRESS: "Bosnian trafficant linked with Tirana`s Klan and "Gerdeci Blast"

DAMIR FAZLIC, THE LOBBYIST OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT KLAN

The Independent Newspapers of Albania "SHEKULLI", "TEMA", "ALBANIA", "GAZETA SHQIPTARE", KORRIERI" ecct have inquiring the "black link" of the Bosnian traficant Damir Fazlic as the head of Albanian mafia installed inside of the Berisha Government, including Foreign Minister Lulezim Basha and the daughter of PM Berisha Argita Maltezi. Every think exploded after the arrest of Damir Fazlic in Sarajevo last day.

The implication of Damir Fazlic since the politic elections of 2005 when Fazlic where political consulent of Sali Berisha wined the elections representing the american company BG&R.

The business of Fazlic in Albania including 5 companies the most important where "AC European Finance", "Capital Investment Management Corporation", "ALPHA", all in collaboration with "Legal Maltezi Studio" the daughter of PM Sali Berisha Argita Maltezi and the Foreign Minister Lulezim Basha.

Damir Falzic according to Albanian press where also impliced with "Gerdeci Blast" as colaborator of Company "ALBA DEMIL" when the president Mihal Delihorgji is under arrest as responsible of the "Gerdeci Blast". Falzic was also important consulent for the national investment of Albania, the High Way Reshen Kalimash (links Albania with Kosovo) a question that accuses for corruption the FM Lulezim Basha.

But the most important implication of Damir Fazlic not only for the Klan of Prime Minister Sali Berisha is the his represent as "right brunch" of very known Former Director of "Home Land Security" Tom Ridge during a meeting with Prime Minister Sali Berisha in his office, transmitted by the albanian TV media last year.

Ridge’s work on behalf of Albania was well-documented, starting on Dec. 31, 2006, when the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Ridge “landed an unusual first client in the prime minister of Albania” for his new consulting firm.

The New York Times reported on June 9, 2007, when President Bush visited Albania that Ridge worked “on a range of issues, including the implementation of a national identity card” for the country.

The very known albanian analyst Mero Baze the Editor of Newspaper "TEMA" often has expresed his opinion about Gerdeci Blast with Berisha Klan and the trafficant Damir Fazlic as lobbyist and important consulent.

Sources:

www.balkanweb.com
www.shekulli.com.al
www.korrieri.com
www.gazetatema.net
www.gazeta-albania.net

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha visited Southern Albania in occasion of giving tow citizenship for christian community (Northern Epiriotes) which are waiting the final vote from the Greek Parliament next days.

BERISHA: "ALL THE GREEKS OF ALBANIA ARE WELCOMED TO INVEST IN THEIR LANDS. I HAVE PROMISED TOW CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEK MINORITY"

The Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha made a tour in Southern Albania (Northern Epirus) visiting some of villages when live a large Greek ethnic community. Berisha who was presented as "philo greek" during the meeting with a litlle group that present Greek families called to the Greek community to came back from emigration to invest in their lands and properties.

Under diplomatic references, Brerisha spoken also for tow citizenship for the Greeks of Albania saying that "I has been favorite since the greek government decision in 2006, for tow citizenship for Greek omogens of Albania".

But in fact Tirana is observing a decision voting from Greek Parliament which will give next days all greeks omogen especialy for northern epiriotes the tow citizenship and the right to vote next politic elections in Greece. According to Greek Foreign Ministry, the draft to vote Greek omogens in Parliament will be ready soon as possible.

Anyway, seeing the very critic situation of the Greek minority in Albania, particularly the robbery of the lands and property rights by Albanian authorities, the problems inside the greek education system for the children of the Greek Community closing elementary schools, the missing of the greek represents inside public administrate and military personnel and Finlay the collapse created in to the Greek Ethnic Organisation "Omonia" have motivated the Albanian PM Sali Berisha to send diplomatic messages to Athens and especially to the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

It`s very interesting that Berisha uses often messages and prognoses which are previsted also by geopolitical analists for the civil and politc rights for the Greeks of Albania, to be guaranteed after the request of the Greek Organisation "Omonia" to regonise the Greek official language inside the Albanian system administration.

Damir Fazlić arrested in Sarajevo

The most known strong adviser of PM Sali Berisha is arrested in Sarajevo togather with Bosnian Muslim wartime commander in Srebrenica Naser Orić. According to unofficial information,
Fazlić is a businessman whose name has been been linked to numerous scandals, not only in Bosnia-Hercegovina, but in Serbia and Croatia too.

The late Zoran Đinđić’s former adviser Vladimir Popović claimed on a number of occasions to have documentation on Fazlić pertaining to his criminal activities in Serbia and his links to the so-called Tobacco Mafia and its ringleaders, while he was also questioned by Serbian police in connection to Đinđić’s murder.

Fazlić is known for his activity in Albania, particularly a close adviser of Prime Minister Sali Berisha since politic campain contribut of 2005 and now coperations in varius bussines and contraband togather with Foreign Minister Lulezim Basha private company and the "Legal Office" of daughter of PM Berisha Argita Maltezi.

Fazlic was also once a close adviser to Federal Prime Minister Ethem Bičakčić, and he played a leading role in the privatization of tobacco plants in Sarajevo and Mostar.

Sources: "Vizion Plus TV" (AL), B92 Agency (Serbia)

THE POST DICTATURE URBAN KAOS"

The weirdest country in Europe

Photo: Arben Celi, Reuters

People sunbathe near a bunker in the Albanian city of Durres. The bunker shells are the remains of a defence line built by former communist leader Enver Hoxha.

Robert Fulford, "National Post" Published: Saturday, October 04, 2008

SARANDE, Albania -Here and there on the Mediterranean waterfront around Sarande, a little town currently publicized with wan hope as "the southern gateway for tourism into Albania," you can spot evocative relics of communist paranoia: the concrete-and-steel bunkers erected under the personal supervision of Enver Hoxha.

He was the Stalinist who ran Albania for four terrifying decades. He created a society so hysterically secretive that the few journalists who managed to enter were immediately relieved of any potentially dangerous printed material they were carrying. The late James Cameron, a first-class British author, discovered that at the customs office he had to surrender the books he carried with him around the world, his complete Jane Austen.

more see: http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=859679

The Greek Journalist against falls interview to “Panorama” newspaper.

KACIGIRAS: “I DENIED ALL THAT THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER REFEREED TO ME”

Photo: The falls interview addressed to the Greek Journalist by Albanian Newspaper "Panorama"

Mihalis Katcigiras, The Director General of "SKY NEWS" has denied that was published by the Albanian newspaper “Panorama” some days ago, about the question written on the history of Cham Community known by Greek historians as “collaborators of fascism” during the Second World War.

Kacigiras said to the correspondent of the newspaper "Panorama" in Athens who has falsified my words. “I spoken to the correspondent of “Panorama” the possibility to talk closely in my office, not speaking to the phone line” said Kacigiras for “Panorama”.

"I'm working in my emission for a general history of great battles of Greece and no particular question to what the newspaper in Albania wants to interpret as meaning contradictory. I deny all that is written by the "Panorama", says Kacigiras.

more in albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/index.php?id=19781

Hague prosecution to investigate alleged organ harvesting in Albania

04. October 2008. Source: SEtimes.com

The Hague tribunal says the Council of Europe has already formed a committee and a team of investigators to handle with the case. A delegation of prosecutors from the UN war crimes tribunal is expected to visit Albania shortly to investigate allegations hundreds of captured Serbs and Romas were murdered for their bodily organs, according to media reports Thursday (October 2nd).

Former chief UN war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte levelled the allegation in her book "The Hunt".She says the murders and organ removals occurred during the Kosovo conflict in the northern Albanian village of Gur.

The Hague tribunal says the Council of Europe has already formed a committee and a team of investigators to handle with the case. Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha and others insist the claims are "groundless".

"Associated Press"

Montenegro may recognize Kosovo

PODGORICA, Montenegro-Montenegro's foreign minister said Friday that Kosovo's independence was a reality, suggesting his government will recognize the new state even though that would anger traditional ally Serbia. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February. It has won recognition from the United States and most nations in the European Union. But Serbia, backed by Russia, has refused to acknowledge the split.

Montenegrin recognition of Kosovo would be a major blow to Serbia, because the two Balkan republics have close historical and cultural ties. Montenegro was the only former Yugoslav republic that stayed in the union with Serbia after the federation broke up in 1991. Montenegro split from Serbia in 2006. Serbian officials have appealed to neighboring states to refrain from recognizing Kosovo. In a latest bid to maintain claim on the region, Serbia has moved to question Kosovo independence at the International Court of Justice.

But Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen said during a parliamentary debate that "an independent Kosovo is a political reality ... and Montenegro has no right to close its eyes before that fact." He said it is up to individual countries to decide whether to recognize Kosovo or not.
In Pristina, Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu urged Montenegro and Macedonia, another former Yugoslav republic, to recognize Kosovo's independence quickly.

"It is a good answer from countries that are now sovereign and with which we were in a state union that is now destroyed and does not exist," Sejdiu said. Kosovo has been run by a U.N. administration since a 1998-99 war.

Athens must take responsibilities for the situation into the Greek Minority in Albania

OMONIA, TO THE DANGEROUS COLLAPSE

The Greek Ethnic Minority is living dramatic moments after contradicts between the resign of Labor Minister Kostas Barkas, General Secretary of Omonia, (the Greek Ethnic Organization) and the Chairman of HRUP (Human Rights Union Party) Vangelis Doules. The reason continues to be clear as new collapse created inside the Greek Minority of Albania.

Actually the Greek minority is passing the most critic situation without orientation to be united to resolve particularly the property problem and civil rights in Albania, showing “super survivor sentiments” during last 10 years, regarding the Greek Albanian relations

Anyway the most important responsible of the dangerous situation for the Greeks of Albania continues to hold Athens, particularly the Foreign Ministry which continues to ignore any sense of democratic values inside the Greek Community.

KOSOVO MAY SPLIT!

Speaking on state television, Serbian President stated for the first time open the possibility of partition of Kosovo. «I am willing to examine this option», he said, «if all the previous have been exhausted ...» However, immediately after stated that this option is not currently «on the agenda». He added: «There are still many possibilities for finding a solution within the framework of a meaningful autonomy.

"CHAM COMMUNITY NEVER HAS BEEN AGAINST GREECE"

Albanian Newspape "PANORAMA" comments an intervew of News Director of "SKY TV" Mihalis Kacigiras in Greece about the documentar for the Chams Community escaiped from Greece during the WWS.

According to News Director Mihalis Kacigiras that referees "Panorama", the cham community escaped from Greece during WSW as no collaborators of fascist axis but as troubling phenom of the Greek Civil War helped by American British forces together with Greek Democratic Front establish in Northern Greece. The "SKY TV" will continue to transmit every Monday night documentary series about the Chams issue, said "Panorama".

The newspaper said also for a Greek team professors that has been opened the cham issue during February seminaries in Greece but the strong nationalist Greek groups made to failed the history reference about the role of cham community regarding the relations with Greece.

see more in Albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/index.php?id=19620