Dodik: We will not allow Bosnia to recognize Kosovo

Source: Tanjug

BANJA LUKA -- President of the Serb Republic (RS) Milorad Dodik that no amount of pressure would force this Serb entity to allow Bosnia-Herzegovina to recognize Kosovo.

Milorad Dodik (Tanjug, file)

"We have survived the pressure although it was very strong," Dodik told Tanjug and noted that he himself was exposed to "enormous pressure in order for Bosnia to recognize Kosovo in the euphoria surrounding the acknowledgment of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence."
"For Bosnia to recognize something, the RS position also has to be taken into account, and the RS does not and will not give its consent," he said.

Dodik also noted that the entity was "facing an absurd situation in which it is being accused by many for separating the RS (from Bosnia), while we are saying that we will not allow separatism in countries such as Serbia".

According to him, "Kosovo has been taken from Serbia" by a violent act of international factors and the international law was thus violated, while Serbia, all Serbs, were humiliated.

"Bosnia will not recognize Kosovo and no documents on slow or creeping recognition can be planted. We are following Serbia in this," said Dodik, noting that "those in Sarajevo" were irritated by that, but that the RS would do nothing, or give any contribution to any policy that is outside the bounds of Serbia's official policy.

RS president added that in the search for a solution, he personally would start with the fact that Kosovo, however important, must not entrap Serbia in the coming decades and the solution has to be a lasting one.

"Nobody mentioned that if Kosovo was reintegrated in Serbia's structure, (ethnic) Albanians would be brought back to the political system and form the most compact caucus in parliament, and would at the same time have the right to ask for one of the three most important offices on grounds of constitutionality which could be recognized in their case," Dodik was quoted as saying.

He went on to add that this would imply that "Albanian would have to be introduced in parliament as an official language".

Dodik believes that the approach according to which northern Kosovo has to remain a part of Serbia can yield results and added that he did not think that a multiethnic society cannot be set up in Kosovo.

He noted that he "does not believe Kosovo Albanians can establish a democratic society in which Serbs would feel comfortable":

"Even the foreigners who recognized Kosovo said that they did so because it is impossible to set up inter-ethnic cooperation between Serbs and Albanians. ed and noted that now that Serbs are a marginal minority in Kosovo, international community says that we must build a multiethnic Kosovo."

According to the RS leader, the international factor cannot expect Serbs, whether in Serbia or in the RS, to recognize Kosovo "in the manner in which they think it should be done".

He further believes that the problem if Kosovo "is no longer a problem of Serbia alone, because Serbs are united on this issue", but that it has in the meantime become a problem for those who hurried to recognize it as independent - "for which reason the EU has a crisis of unity on its hands today, making it impossible to establish a multilateral approach".

"The EU has more of a problem on how to solve this Kosovo issue, because Serbia has a clear stance on it, saying that Kosovo is a part of Serbia, and that's that," Dodik concluded.

  Picture: FOCUS News Agency

Press24: Greece’s Golden Dawn not to accept name with term Macedonia in it

 

02 January 2013  FOCUS News Agency

 

Skopje. Greek political party Golden Dawn announced it would not accept a name containing the term Macedonia in it, Macedonian online news edition Press 24 reported.

Party’s leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, said in an interview for Greek Stoxos newspaper that if the ruling in Athens accepted a name with the word Macedonia in it, they would have to face and deal with the Golden Dawn.

“I do not know what they would do, they are capable of anything. But if they recognise Skopje with a name that contains the word Macedonia, they would have to deal with us. Such a thing cannot pass. Macedonia is one and it is Greek,” Michaloliakos remarked.

  Picture: AFP

Albanian President praises Albanian contingent’s work in Afghanistan
 

02 January 2013 FOCUS News Agency

Tirana. In a video press conference Albanian President Bujar Nishani gave a high evaluation to the work of the Albanian troops in Kandahar, Kabul and Herat, KS Reporter informed.

“We are proud of you and your readiness to serve in the name of democracy. Your sacrifice made Albania’s name stronger,” the president remarked.

Russia to Hold Large-Scale Mediterranean, Black Sea Naval Drills

Russia to Hold Large-Scale Mediterranean, Black Sea Naval Drills
© Svetlana Kostyleova

 

 02/01/2013

MOSCOW, January 2 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will hold large-scale naval drills in the Mediterranean and Black Seas in late January with the involvement of warships from the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific Fleets, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Wednesday. “The Russian Navy’s drills of this scope will be held for the first time over the past few decades and are designed to improve control, ensure and practice multiservice force interaction of the fleets in the far-off maritime zones,” the press office said.
The drills will be held in line with the Russian Armed Forces’ 2013 combat training plan and will aim to “practice the issues of establishing a multiservice grouping of forces (troops) outside Russia, planning its use and conducting joint actions as part of a united naval grouping based on a common plan,” the press office said.
The naval task forces from the Russian Fleets are currently heading towards the designated areas of the naval exercises.
The drills will also simulate operations to load marine troops and paratroopers from the rough coast of the North Caucasus onto amphibious ships and will help the Navy’s personnel acquire necessary marine practice skills during the performance of “combat training missions in the Black and Mediterranean Seas,” the press office said.

Raising again the etnic tensions, between Albania and Greece 





Red & Black Alliance: Golden Dawn, do not touch Albania, you will burn the earth under their feet

Red and Black Alliance reacted today to the Greek party statement, where the Golden Dawn, except protective response after its request for the removal of Archbishop Anastasios, listed a variety of insults and provocations for the Albanian nation.R&B says that is a party that seeks good neighborly relations in the region, but no relationship with the Nazi party, seeking to extend metastasis in the Albanian state. By R&;B, the Golden Dawn should fix better than in Albania will burn the earth under their feet and sneezing of the Greeks, the maximum can scare the Berisha government.  

Red & Black Alliance, said it will include the Cham issue in the party's agenda.Below the full statement of Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti, Foreign Relations Secretary in the Red and Black Alliance party:"Greek Nazis of Golden Dawn, call the Albanian nation as "Cacak nation "that does not" boast "consider" a nation made by Italy, by American Zionists, and the Ottoman Empire. "Greek Nazi Golden Dawn called "baseless and wild Albanian request to Cham issue" and warn that "will open their branches within the political borders of the Albanian state in Himara, Tepelenë, Gjirokastër and Saranda." 

Against this political attack and media orchestrated by Greek Nazis against the Albanian nation, the Berisha government shut demonstrating its servile subjection to Athens and Greek Nazis.Red and Black Alliance is born to meet god Albanian nation, Albanians throughout the world and to protect the identity, values ​​and our interests by any force that threatens them. Red and Black Alliance is proud of the support they have given historical and prospective allies, the United States of America, Italy and Turkey and is determined to be strategic allies forever.Red and Black Alliance said suggests Greek Nazi Golden Dawn that the Albanian nation is the nation's oldest, most cultured and most pro-European in the Balkans and has nothing in common with the Greek nation bankrupt politically, economically, institutionally morally nationally and internationally. 

 Greek Nazis can not transfer their state failure in Albanian lands and in relations with Albania.Red and Black Alliance was Greek Nazi suggests that as a political party and the more red and black government tomorrow, will include in the agenda of our national and international political and diplomatic solution of the issue of Cham as a matter of right and legitimate nation.  

The decisions of this parliament for not adopts resolution on Chameria, we will approve next parliament with red and black votes.Finally Red and Black Alliance warns Greek Golden Dawn Nazis do not tend to spread Nazi metastasis within the political borders of the Albanian state, because the Red and Black Alliance will make recall the tragic loss the Battle of Lëkurs in the beginning of the last century, leaving the bone Greek fascists of Metaxa in our territories during World War II and the Greek monarcho-fashsits, the fatal failure in the South, were displayed in 1949. 

Red and Black Alliance is for good neighborly policy, but based on the relationship of mutual respect and mutual interests. Greek Nazis to fix well in mind, that in Albania was burn the earth under their feet and that would just scare Greeks sneezing nationals Berisha government, but the nation never Albanian people ".

www.balkanweb.com
 
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Golden Dawn provokes Albanians
Top Channel TV

Through a highly offensive article that evokes hate, the Golden Dawn Greek Neo-Nazi provoked once again not only the common Albanian citizens, but the entire Albanian nation.

This article came after the Red and Black Alliance publicly asked the Orthodox Archbishop to leave Albania peacefully,  by defending the Autocephalous Albanian Church and the Orthodox religion.

The article starts with epithets that sow ethnic hate by considering the Albanians a nation of frightened and ragged bandits that are threatening the Archbishop, taking advantage by the weakness of what they consider the puppet government of Athens. Golden Dawn declares that the requests for the Albanian Chameria are unfounded and wild.

The article says that the Albanian nation was created by the Italians and that today is supported by the "Zionist American Factor". They consider Albania the remains of the ottoman empire in the ancient Greek land of Illyria. Golden Dawn states that the Greek Nationalists will return order, and as regards the neighbors (Albanians) who pride with their 100 years of independence, they say that it will just take for Greece to sneeze and the last Albanian in the world will shut his mouth.

According to the article, the Greek army liberated the Northern Epirus in 1940 and by then they did not encounter any Albanian army, but only bandits who went after the Italian army and were known only for avoiding battles and defecting. He added that the Greek nationalists have what to be proud about, different from the Albanian ones.

The propaganda article rejects that the Golden Dawn and the Red and Black Alliance are equal type of parties. They trumpet that time will come when they will found branches of this party in Korce, Himara, Delvine and Tepelena, satisfying this way the request for military Helenisation of the Northern Epirus.


 

Jahjaga "also ready to meet with Nikolić"

Source: Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- "The moment she took her office, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga expressed readiness to meet with presidents of the neighboring countries."

This is was said in a statement issued by her office in Priština, which added that this "included Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić".
The statement came in the wake of Nikolić's announcement that he had invited Jahjaga for a meeting.

"On the last day of the Summit in Budva, Montenegro, the Office of the Kosovo President was contacted by the Office of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić suggesting of a meeting between the two presidents,"Jahjaga's spokesperson Arber Vlahiu stated.

"High EU officials contacted President Jahjaga and discussed the possibilities and models of the meetings between the two presidents, as an encouragement to the dialogue process and reaching agreements whose goal is to facilitate the life of citizens and influence full normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia," the statement adds.

The spokesperson said that Jahjaga gave a positive response to such an initiative, adding that this was her initiative as well, and voicing belief that meetings between political leaders "of the two countries". contribute to the European agenda on "good neighboring relations and the resolution of open issues through dialogues and agreements".

"Jahjaga suggested to the EU leaders to organize and mediate the first meeting between the Kosovo president and the Serbian president, which could take place after the next meeting between the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia," the statement said.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians five years ago unilaterally declared independence, but Serbia rejected the proclamation as illegal and considers the territory its southern province. A dialogue between the two sides has been ongoing in Brussels under the sponsorship of the EU.

 

George Papaconstantinou has hinted that his political foes are trying to incriminate him

Greece: former finance minister faces prosecution

December 31, 2012 RSS Feed Print

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's coalition government called on Monday for the indictment of former Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou for allegedly removing the names of three of his relatives from a list of Swiss bank account holders whose tax records were to be re-examined.
Seventy-one deputies from the three-party coalition signed the proposal to indict Papaconstantinou for allegedly tampering with a public document and breach of duty — offenses that would carry a maximum 10-year jail term, according to legal experts.
Papaconstantinou, 51, served as finance minister between 2009 and 2011 in the previous Socialist government. But his party, which is part of the new conservative-led administration, is backing the proposed indictment.
The former minister has angrily denied the allegations, insisting the names were removed without his knowledge.
Despite the ongoing recession and frequent reports of financial scandals, prosecution of public figures is rare in Greece, largely due to strict statutes of limitation originally designed to prevent chaotic political feuds.
Under the proposed indictment, Papaconstantinou allegedly removed the names of his first cousin, her husband, and another relative from a list of some 2,000 account holders at Swiss branches of the British lender HSBC.
The list was provided by French authorities in 2010 from data on 24,000 customers reportedly stolen from the bank. Greek prosecutors found the three missing names last week after requesting that the French government resend the information.
Authorities are using the list of 2,000 Greek account holders to investigate possible tax evasion, and the public has sharply criticized their governments for taking so long to complete such probes as the country struggles to survive its deep financial crisis.
Parliament would have to approve an inquiry into Papaconstantinou's handling of the case, then vote to strip him of political immunity before he could stand trial. The three-party governing coalition controls 166 of Parliament's 300 seats, but no votes on the issue have been scheduled.
The catalog of Greek names has been dubbed the "Lagarde List," after Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who was France's finance minister in 2010.

Croat president: Meeting with Nikolić "not possible"

Source: Večernji list

ZAGREB -- Croatian President Ivo Josipović has responded to a statement made by his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolić about "Croatia not wanting to meet with Serbia".

Ivo Josipović (FoNet, file)

According to Josipović, "all the more so after that statement, a meeting is not possible".
"It's hard to imagine that in the light of such statements a meeting of the two presidents would be successful. We'll meet when we are confident that we can send a positive message," he told Croatia's state broadcaster HRT, according to the Zagreb daily Jutarnji List.

The newspaper also noted that Nikolić in his recent interview for Tanjug said that Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina had leaders who did not want to cooperate with Serbia.

"They are looking for an excuse not to cooperate with Serbia, Croatia has a genocide lawsuit, it has an open way to the EU, and the last thing it needs is to begin to negotiate with Serbia about the property of Serbs (from Croatia), (their) unpaid pensions and stolen apartments. Or about (Operation) Storm, which Croatia celebrates rather than mourns, as Serbia mourns Srebrenica."

Josipović's response to this was that "his country, too, mourns Srebrenica," and in addition - that it "recognized it as genocide, which President Nikolić does not."

"Of course we celebrate our victory, Storm, which finished off the dream and ambition of a greater Serbia, and at the same time I regret any innocent victim, including all those Serb civilians who were either killed or were the victim of crimes which the Croatian judiciary must punished," he was quoted as saying.

  Picture: FOCUS News Agency

Busy traffic at checkpoints on Greek-Albanian border 

30 December 2012 | FOCUS News Agency

Tirana. The traffic at the checkpoints on the Greek-Albanians border is busy, as emigrants return to their home towns, the Macedonian Sitel television station reported.

Most emigrants use Kakavija border checkpoint. According to Ora News television 5,739 Albanians and 1,297 cars entered Albania there in the past 24 hours, while 3,297 Albanian citizens and 742 cars left the country.

In the past 24 hours 4,277 Albanian nationals and 1,122 vehicles entered Albania at Kapshtica border checkpoint, whereas 1,854 Albanians and 505 vehicles left it. 255 foreigners entered Albania at this border checkpoint and 193 foreigners left the Balkan country.

The Unknown Greek-American CIA Agent In "Charlie Wilson's War" That Would Have Changed Modern Greek History

The Unknown Greek-American CIA Agent In "Charlie Wilson's War" That Would Have Changed Modern Greek History

credit newsbomb

Most of you have probably read and/or watched the movie "Charlie Wilson's War". The controversial movie, which starred Tom Hanks recounts the true story of US Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujaheddin during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. But did you know that there was a Greek link in this story?

Interestingly Gustav Lascaris "Gust" Avrakotos (January 14, 1938 – December 1, 2005) was a Greek-American case officer and Afghan Task Force Chief for the United States Central Intelligence Agency. He was actually unknown to the public until the 2003 novel "Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, by George Crile".

But there are other points of interest in this book that if materialised at the time would have altered modern Greek history as we know it. Avrakotos, who was the son of a Greek American soft drink manufacturer from the island of Limnos, was actually a "link" between the CIA and Greek Secret Service (KYP) and according to Wikipedia was also the man who was in direct contact with dictator Georgios Papadopoulos and other military men in the Greek military junta of 1967–1974. In fact he also played a role in approving the Greek Junta coup against Cyprus President Makarios and the subsequent Turkish invasion.

Most importantly, and in accordance with the book, this Greek-American CIA officer even unofficially advised his associates in the Junta to assassinate Andreas Papandreou, to not allow Papandreou to leave the country but rather "shoot the motherf**cker" because at some point Papandreou will make his comeback and destroy everything that you have built in Greece! (Oh how right he was.... )

Here are some excerpts from the book:

"On April 21, 1967, [Avrakotos] got one of those breaks that can make a career, when a military junta seized power in Athens and suspended democratic and constitutional government. Liberals in the United States and elsewhere were outraged, but overnight 'the Colonels' coup' turned Avrakotos into one of the CIA's indispensable, frontline players ... Avrakotos understood that the colonels had expected the United States to thank them, however discreetly, for preventing the anti-American candidate, Andreas Papandreou, from taking power [because] the polls had indicated that Papandreou would win the election..."
This is what Crile calls a "big career break" for Avrakotos: being CIA enforcer in Athens just when Phalangist colonels seized power to prevent a Leftist from winning a fair election. Avrakotos's friends the colonels arrested Papandreou, who had taught in America for years and had, inconveniently for the Junta, an American passport. The colonels asked Avrakotos what to do with Papandreou:
"...the [US] embassy sent Avrakotos to [tell] the Junta to permit [Papandreou] to leave the country. 'That's the official position. You should let him go,' [Avrakotos] told the colonels. 'But unofficially, as your friend, my advice is to shoot the motherfucker because he's going to come back to haunt you.' This was vintage Aliquippa [PA, the small town where Avrakotos grew up] wisdom [!] and just the right kind of statement made at just the right moment to cement a true conspirators' friendship."
So Avrakotos' "wisdom" was to advise the Junta to kill Andreas Papandreou, and what's more the author praises the wonderful timing of Avrakotos' suggestion calling it "just the right kind of statement made at just the right moment..."

In a bio on his life that was featured at the weekend on newsbomb, we read that one of the most difficult moments in Avrakotos' career was when CIA Chief Richard Wells was assassinated (December 23, 1975) by the notorious "November 17" terrorist organization. At the time, he had asked his superiors in America to give him the "green light" to find the killers and make them pay but according to newsbomb.. this request was rejected.

Interestingly, after Athens, Avrakotos was unable to find another mission. In fact the CIA considered him too raw and believed that the profile of a Greek immigrant did not fit with the Anglo-Saxon way of their sophisticated agency. Having survived a large clearing in the late '70s, Avrakotos eventually found a position with the CIA in Beirut, where he succeeded in all his missions and made a great name for himself.

http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-unknown-greek-american-cia-agent-in.html
References

• newsbomb - http://www.newsbomb.gr/prionokordela/diethni/story/266082/gust-avrakotos-o-ellinoamerikanos-thrylikos-praktoras-tis-cia
• Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Wilson%27s_War

Shkelzen Berisha reacts to accusations

Shkelzen Berisha, the son of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, reacted against the accusations launched by the Socialist Party through an e-mail sent to the media. He states that the opposition is lying about the transparency of his wealth and that of his sister.

Shkelzen Berisha denies being involved in any consult for any company regarding the privatization of any hydropower plant.

"Once again, Edi Rama, through Taulant Balla, brought the next lie in the media market by saying that I have served as a consultant for one of the companies that participated in the HPP tender. I want to make it known to the public that this is a low slander and that I have never given legal assistance for any company that has participated in public procurements", Shkelzen Berisha declared in his reaction.

The Prime Minister's son says that he will address to the Court for this defamation. Shkelzen Berisha adds that he has never violated the law with the wealth declaration.

"My legal obligation on behalf of transparency is to report each year my wealth at the High Institution of Audit and Declaration of Assets (HIDAA), which is verified by the institution for any conflict of interest. HIDAA, an independent institution, gave a public answer to the defamatory Balla and Rama by certifying my private activity. I have also opened a lawsuit to enable Rama and his defamatory paid people to prove their accusations in front of the justice institutions", the declaration continued.

Shkelzen Berisha's declaration concludes with a request addressed to the opposition leader, Edi Rama, in which he says that he asks Mr. Rama to convince Mr. Balla to not avoid the trial as a coward.

This is the second reaction of Shkelzen Berisha, after a previous one he made together with his sister, Argita, a few days ago.

DP accuses Rama

The DP accused the opposition leader, Edi Rama, of blocking the integration processes and for defamation against the Prime Minister and his family.

"The Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, gave as a greeting card for the holidays to the Albanians the blockage of the EU candidate status. The new "blockmen" are trying to cover this unprecedented act in the history of any other country in their integration process through lies and defamations against the Prime Minister's family. However, on June 23rd, the Albanians will bring down the blockage wall with their vote, as they brought down the isolation wall built during the dictatorship by the fathers of these 'blockmen'", declared Laura Vorpsi from the Democratic Party press office.

President Nishani visits Italy

The first official visit of President Bujar Nishani in Italy was held in a warm ambience of friendship and mutual valuation.

The Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, welcomed his Albanian homologue at the Presidential Palace this Friday where he stressed the excellent relations between the two countries and by valuing the work of the diplomacy in both countries.

He declared that Italy is interested for Albania to have a positive influence in the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia situation.

The Albanian President thanked for the constant help received from Italy in Albania's EU integration process.

Nishani valued the cooperation between the two countries in economy, culture and law enforcing agencies. He invited the Italian entrepreneurs to invest in energy, tourism and agriculture in Albania.

Both presidents visited the exhibit "Albanian Cultural Heritage Treasures", opened on NOvember for the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence at the Vittoriano Complex.

Before leaving, President Nishani invited his homologue for a visit in Albania.

Macedonian opposition holds protest in Skopje

Source: Tanjug

SKOPJE -- A protest of the Macedonian opposition started in Skopje on Saturday and participants will then march the streets.

(Tanjug, file)

Police have set up barricades and are out in force.
The opposition has been blocking traffic in Skopje for four nights but organizers have announced that today’s protest will be the last one this year.

SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski has announced that the opposition will leave parliament and that they “will fight in the streets”. He also accused the government of making a “police state” out of Macedonia.

Crvenkovski has also announced that he may not participate in the local elections next March unless all democratic standards are fulfilled and guaranteed by international organizations.

Northern Kosovo to be discussed in January, Ashton says

Source: Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton says that the Serbian and Kosovo PMs will discuss northern Kosovo on January 17.

Catherine Ashton (Beta/AP)

She told Priština-based Albanian language daily Koha Ditore that Serbian PM Ivica Dačić and Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci would at the next meeting in Brussels discuss progress in the implementation of agreements, especially the agreement on the integrated crossings management.
Ashton added that the partition of Kosovo was not an option and that the situation in the north of the province was “fragile”.

She did not want to comment on speculations that ex-Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj could be the next prime minister and on possible effects that such move could have on the talks.

“All I expect from Belgrade and Priština is to remain strongly committed to the dialogue,” Ashton was quoted as saying.