U.S. warns Albania against stoking nationalism

By Benet Koleka

TIRANA | Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:32pm EST

(Reuters) - The United States has warned leaders in NATO ally Albania in no uncertain terms to stop stoking nationalism in the run-up to an election because they risk destabilizing the region.
Facing a close contest in the parliamentary election in June, Prime Minister Sali Berisha has been ruffling feathers in neighboring states that are home to millions of ethnic Albanians with his increasingly nationalist statements.
Last November, the foreign minister of neighboring Greece boycotted Albanian centenary festivities in Tirana after Berisha hailed a town over the border as "Albanian lands". The president of Macedonia, where a quarter of the population are ethnic Albanians, also stayed away.
In a memo to the Albanian Foreign Ministry reported on Friday by a number of newspapers, the U.S. State Department said Albania's leaders were wading into "potentially dangerous" territory, given the history of ethnic conflicts in the Balkans.
Such remarks "not only promote more inflammatory behavior and distract from this region's priorities, but also potentially incite violence, erode peace and stability, and impact our relationship", it said.
Even more bluntly, it told Albanian politicians to "stay out of the affairs of Serbia", which is in delicate European Union-mediated talks aimed at normalizing ties with Kosovo, whose mostly ethnic Albanian population broke away from Serbia in 1999.
A U.S. embassy spokesman declined to comment on the memo.
HISTORY OF CONFLICTS
Berisha has repeatedly complained of foreign "Albanophobia", and raised eyebrows in Serbia last month when he referred to ethnic Albanian former guerrillas there as "heroes of the Albanian nation".
Ethnic Albanians waged insurgencies in both southern Serbia and Macedonia in 2000 and 2001. Those conflicts were a spillover of the 1998-99 war in Kosovo, which broke away from Serbia after a U.S.-led NATO air campaign halted a brutal Serbian offensive to quell separatism.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008. But poverty, unemployment and a lack of integration continue to fuel discontent among ethnic Albanians across the region.
Washington was the driving force behind Albania's accession to NATO in 2009, and is pressing Tirana to ensure that its election is free of the violence and fraud allegations of previous votes, so that its bid to join the EU can move ahead.
Analysts say Berisha may be responding to the emergence of a new nationalist party called the Black and Red Alliance, a name taken from the colors of the Albanian national flag.
"Berisha is wrong if he wants to build himself a flak jacket made of nationalism to protect him should the elections go wrong," opposition lawmaker and former prime minister Pandeli Majko told Albanian television.
But Berisha defended his approach.
"This nationalism does not have territorial claims," he told a session of parliament on Friday marking Kosovo's fifth year of statehood. "This nationalism is not based on doctrines of extermination, like the nationalisms around us."
(Editing by Matt Robinson and Kevin Liffey)

U.S. warns Albania to “stay out of Serbia’s affairs”

Source: Tanjug

LONDON, WASHINGTON -- The U.S. has warned Albanian political leaders to stop stoking nationalism and bluntly told them to stay out of the affairs of Serbia, Reuters has reported.

(Beta/AP, file)

Reuters also quoted parts of the State Department’s letter to Albania’s Foreign Ministry.
The U.S. administration reacted after frequent nationalistic statements of Albanian politicians ahead of the June elections that are “ruffling feathers” in neighboring states that are home to millions of ethnic Albanians.

Last November, the Greek foreign minister boycotted Albanian centenary festivities in Tirana after Albanian PM Sali Berisha hailed a town over the border as "Albanian lands". The president of Macedonia, where a quarter of the population are ethnic Albanians, also stayed away, Reuters pointed out.

The U.S. State Department said Albania's leaders were wading into "potentially dangerous" territory, given the history of ethnic conflicts in the Balkans.

“Such remarks not only promote more inflammatory behavior and distract from this region's priorities, but also potentially incite violence, erode peace and stability, and impact our relationship", the State Department stressed in the memo.

Even more bluntly, it told Albanian politicians to "stay out of the affairs of Serbia", Reuters reports.

A U.S. Embassy in Tirana spokesman declined to comment on the memo.

NATO, would "monitor" political elections in Albania

 British troops of Royal Navy, were installed in Porto Palermo, in Himara Region, at the end of last year.

Ministry of Defense of Albania, has warned developments joint exercises between the U.S. Navy and British Royal Navi, this year.

Has reached the peak of political developments in Albania. for safety and the development of parliamentary elections, which will be held in June 23, under the present of NATO soldiers.

This requirement for Albania, which is concluded by NATO headquarters, is forwarded to Tirana, from the OSCE ambassador in Tirana, who declared for the Albanian media, this decision. But besides this, the Albanian legislation, is limited to the presence of foreign troops, including NATO, up to 2,500 troops, and diplomatic efforts are being made ​​to increase the presence of troops without limit.

Albania, since its creation in 1912, never held a fair election and for which political, economic and security costs, at least during 22 years, is quite high.

But in particular, recent statements of the Prime Minister Sali Berisha, with the background the Greater Albania, have concerned neighbors of Albania, who have complained in NATO, including Greece.

According to analysts, the presence of NATO in parliamentary elections, is indicative of a new development that has background in regional security, but also to guarantee a very difficult political election process next June, in Albania.

Te rinjte nga Tepelena kunder eshtrave greke. Tema TV. 16 shkurt 2013

Albanians claim that the Greek army in the Second World War, has been occupying

Petition against Greek excavation

Tepelena patriotic boys group protested in front of the monument of Ali Pasha


Young men, in Tepelenë, who oppose the search for the remains of Greek soldiers fallen in Albanian territory, gathered to protest. Tepelena patriotic boys group protested in front of the monument of Ali Pasha, rejecting the argument that bone research as long as the Albanians have not found their rights in Greece, should not happen otherwise, reports Vizion Plus.

Patriotic boys group says that the initiative taken by the government would be opposed by many other citizens, as has begun collecting signatures of residents of the area to support a petition that opposes the process. On the other hand in the southeastern city of Korca, expected to be excavated in 73 areas, but older residents of these villages say that there were Greek soldiers graves.

Pear village of Korca, locals say there was no fighting in this area. The search for the remains of Greek soldiers fallen during the war, has brought the reaction of many institutions and organizations.

 

February 17, commemoration of the autonomy of Northern Epirus

Hellenic Navy, the major military operations in the Mediterranean


Greece in the deep economic crisis and a constantly increasing unemployment, showing the strength of its army, conducting military maneuvers and operations in Mediterranean and Ionian Sea, we use all kinds of weapons including missiles.

Greek military escalation is being performed to maintain exclusive economic zones, in all its maritime borders, using naval force, artillery and air ground. and warning any violation of its national territory, AOZ considered.



http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/index.php

Pyrros Dimas met the Northern Epirus Communities

On the initiative of PASOK, Pyrros Dimas, gathered the representatives of Northern Epirus Associations / Brotherhoods in the Greek Parliament (Room 150) and discussed issues concerning the Greek minority in Albania, as well as issues of Northern Epiriotes living and working in Greece. The discussion was welcomed by Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of PASOK, Yannis Maniatis, and also participated PASOK MP, Ulysses Konstantinopoulos. In warm climate and unifying mood Representatives of Organizations of Northern Epirus burning issues reported in the Greek community, like insurance, citizenship the communication  with the cities of Northern Epirus, and general issues related to national policy of conservation the Greek element in Northern Epirus.

Pyrros Dimas assured the participants for their sincere and unreserved support. Knowing himself firsthand the problems they faced and continue to face his countrymen, the PASOK MP called on enlisting in Northern Epirus front against bureaucracy, apathy and discord. Problems such as insurance can not be solved with declarations and wishful thinking. It takes hard work and persistence. Taking advantage of the opportunity that he gave PASOK located and working in the Greek parliament, pledged to the participants that will serve as their voice in committees, councils and conferences of the House in order to qualify for Northern finally fair and meritocratic treatment.

Are known Pyrros Dimas Questions in Parliament on issues of Northern Epiriotes and meetings with representatives of the Greek government for the success of common goals. As President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group in Greece with Albania intends to operate and externally to protect our national interest.

Responding to suggestions of MP was great and generous. It was agreed by both sides to resume contact and cooperation today cemented that for Northern order to be heard both in ministerial offices, and in advisory bearings.

Meteorite explosion injures hundreds in Russia

Source: B92, advance.hr

MOSCOW -- One or more meteorites that early on Friday exploded in Earth's lower atmosphere, above the Ural Mountains in Russia, left more than 700 people injured.

(Beta/AP)

58 of them are children, while 100 people - three of them with serious wounds - had to be hospitalized. Others suffered light injuries mostly inflicted by broken glass.
Three Russian cities saw panic as a series of balsts shook houses and shattered windows on homes.

Eyewitnesses said that the sound of the explosions was very loud, reminiscent of "a lightning strike and an earthquake at the same time".

It is unclear at this point whether more meteorites entered the atmosphere, or if one was shot down by the Russian military and thus fragmented.

Russia Today is reporting that a 6-meter crater had been found in the area, without any signs of increased radiation.

The Russian Academy of Sciences announced on Friday that the meteorite weighed 100 kilograms before entering the atmosphere. Reports earlier in the day suggested that it had a ten-meter diameter.

Some sources claim that it exploded a total of nine times, starting when it was 55 kilometers above the ground.

Strong light illuminated the skies over Chelyabinsk, Tyumen and Sverdlovsk, but also above northern Kazakhstan early this morning. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry confirmed that one meteorite hit the Chelyabinsk region.

The ministry also said it sent 20,000 rescuers to the region, and denied that telecommunication links had been severed.

It has also been confirmed that the roof had collapsed on a zinc processing plant.

According to the Russian media, the meteorite over Chelyabinsk was shot down by the Russian Air Defense, reportedly when it was 20 kilometers above the ground.

Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev stated that no serious incidents took place, and that the meteorite shower "could be a symbol of the upcoming economic forum in Russia". According to him, the event showed that "not only the economy, but the entire planet is vulnerable".

Macedonian town's decision to honor Haradinaj revoked

Source: Tanjug

SKOPJE -- The Local Self-Government Inspectorate has annulled a decision made by the Council of the Tetovo Municipality to declare Ramush Haradinaj an honorary citizen.

Haradinaj is a former war crimes indictee, acquitted by the Hague Tribunal, and a former leader of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
He now heads a political party in Kosovo, while after the war he at one point headed the government in Priština.

On Thursday, Inspectorate's Director Vančo Šehtanski told Macedonian media that he had signed the decision and that it would be published within a legal deadline.

The Inspectorate was asked to intervene by ethnic Macedonian members of Tetovo's Council, who said the move to honor Haradinaj was made without their consent, without a discussion in the Municipal Council for Inter-Ethnic Relations, and in violation of two articles of the law.

Hardinaj received the accolade in Tetovo on February 4 - a week after ethnic Albanian councilors made their decision by acclamation, after Macedonian members of the Council left the session.

PM addresses reports about "planned sabotage"

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- After security agency BIA warned him that his plane might be sabotaged, Ivica Dačić said this was "not the first time" that his security had been compromised.

Dačić addresses reproters last night at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla airport (Tanjug)

The prime minister, who also serves as interior minister, addressed reporters late on Thursday after returning from Ireland. He did not wish to say which criminal structures are suspected in the case, but stressed that "what is important is that the MUP and BIA did something coordinated":
"I will say it once again that this is the first time in the five years that I have been the police minister that BIA and MUP did something coordinated, that somebody told somebody 'let's do it together" and that is great progress. That's why I'm thankful to the BIA director, and of course, to my associates at the MUP."

As for the flight back from Dublin, Dačić said that he "spoke to pilots, who carried out an emergency check of the aircraft", and that he suggested that they should use it to fly back to Belgrade.

"We concluded, bearing in mind the volume of the state obligations that we all have in the coming period, and which Serbia's future will depend on, that it's simply impossible to change the regime of travel. That means we will continue with our regular activities and that the police and BIA will change the manner in which they secure the aircraft both in the country and abroad, and more attention will have to be paid to contacts with foreign police and security services."

According to him, "criminal groups cannot influence the work of the government":

"If criminal circles, or some assassins and saboteurs will determine our schedule, then we really cannot go very far. I have faith in our state organs that they are capable of realizing their state functions, and one of them is to protect top state officials."

 

Pyrros Dimas calls for consulting the representatives of the Northern Epirus

The Member of Parliament Group of PASOK, Pyrros Dimas, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Parliamentary Group Yiannis Maniatis of PASOK, inviting representatives of the Northern Epirus on Friday 15/2/2013 at 12:00 to consult important issues that concern them.

According to isses, Pyrros Dimas, has been in the center of interest for the Greek school in Himara, for Greek pensions in Northern Epirus, and finally, by following the procedure of a new law to be apropved very soon, in greek parliament, for Greek citizenship, which will include hundreds of thousands of Greeks of northern Epirus.

Russian Military Chief Predicts Resource Wars Soon

General Staff chief Col. Gen. Valery Gerasimov

MOSCOW, February 14 (RIA Novosti) - The level of existing and potential military threats for Russia may increase significantly by 2030, and wars for natural resources should be expected, General Staff chief Col. Gen. Valery Gerasimov said on Thursday.

The level of military threats will be linked to the struggle among the world’s leading powers for fuel and energy resources, markets and “living space,” he said, adding that military capability will be actively used to ensure access to those resources.
Gerasimov, who presented his report to a conference entitled "Russia’s Military Security in the 21st Century," also said the share of new weaponry in the Russian armed forces should reach 70 percent by 2030 (16 percent at present), that all missile brigades will be equipped with Iskander theater ballistic missile systems by 2020 and that Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces will receive advanced S-400 and S-500 missile systems by 2020.
Military experts, however, were unimpressed by Gerasimov’s presentation, with some dismissing his remarks as repetitive and his ideas as banal.
“Everything that we heard at this event has been said a million times before to different audiences. All the participants were shrugging their shoulders, as if to ask: Where have these reports been copied from?” Mikhail Nenashev, chairman of the All-Russia Movement to Promote the Navy, told RIA Novosti.
“There is neither substance nor clarity of thought, only lecturing. It was a purely pro forma conference,” Nenashev added.

 

After Berisha, the Kosovo PM, is ready for unification of all Albanians
 
Thaçi: Albanians eventually merge into a state


PRISTINA - The head of the Government of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci criticized Brussels in terms of relations with Kosovo, has warned of the possibility of national unity in response to the policies of the EU, which has called unfair.

"If it continues to behave so Brussels regarding visa liberalization, the Albanians did not remain another space, only accommodate a single state in Brussels," said Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in the Assembly, in an attempt to remove the government's responsibility for failing to visa liberalization.

Thaci said that there are many bureaucrats in Brussels who treat Kosovo with the nostalgia of the former Yugoslavia, adding that the problem lies not in Pristina visa liberalization, but the disunity of the EU countries. The Prime Minister said that the criteria are met in record time by Pristina.

“State to focus on community of Serb municipalities”

Source: Beta, RTS

BELGRADE -- Marko Đurić says top officials have agreed to put the forming of a community of autonomous Serb municipalities in the center of their policy in Kosovo talks.

(Tanjug, file)

The Serbian president’s advisor told Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) that all modalities for negotiations were already prepared.
“Serbia has a full mandate to conduct the negotiations and to advocate requests presented in the platform and resolution adopted by parliament, which provide enough room to reach a compromise,” Đurić explained.

He said that it was time to determine the topics that would be discussed in the continuation of the dialogue and to reach an agreement on how the platform would be interpreted by the Belgrade negotiating team.

“The resolution and platform are unambiguous in that sense. The moment a solution in the political dialogue is reached, a constitutional law on the implementation of the Constitution should be adopted which would give certain authorities to the autonomous province,” Đurić noted.

He added that the community of autonomous municipalities would have its assembly and an executive council that would govern internal issues, judiciary and other areas that are important not only for Serb community but for other communities in Kosovo as well.

“With this we will guarantee preservation of our constitutional and legal position and leave room to Priština to preserve its political and legal fiction about its current status,” Đurić explained.

He stressed that Serbia was creating a “functional political atmosphere” in which it would be possible to say that both sides had achieved a minimum of their interests.

Commenting on a possibility of getting a date for the beginning of the EU accession talks, the presidential advisor said that Serbia had made crucial steps forward in the previous several months.

“I think we have the full right to say that Serbia demands and expects to get a positive signal in the continuation of the European integration. We demand and expect to get the beginning of the negotiations,” Đurić concluded.

Top state officials had a meeting in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon and one of the main topics was Kosovo and the continuation of the dialogue in Brussels.

AK proteste ne Korce. Tema TV. 14 Shkurt 2013

Red and Black Alliance in Koritsa protest against searches for Greek soldiers bones


According to the Red and Black Alliance, these "research stemming from collusion Sali Berisha with the government of Athens."

Red and Black Alliance representative, gave a statement strongly condemned the "collusion of Sali Berisha with the government in Athens, for searches for the remains of Greek soldiers of a war that did not exist at the center of the city of Korca."

Albanian Media Monitor

 

Dimitris Avramopoulos

Foreign Minister Avramopoulos meets with representatives of the Greek National Minority in Albania

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos met at the Foreign Ministry today with representatives of the Greek National Minority in Albania, with whom he discussed major issues facing the members of the Minority.

During the meeting, Mr. Avramopoulos stressed Greece’s firm commitment to support the Greek National Minority, underscoring that the state will do everything in its power so that the problems of Hellenism in Albanian can be confronted.

Note:

The people of Northern Epirus, has deepened his faith with Athens

The ethnic Greek minority in Albania, currently in the mostly delicate phase of its existence, is more divided than ever in its history, as a result of apathetic policy of Athens, (probably intentional) and its leaders. What is seen in the horizon, is the lack of transparency, for which, people in Northern Epirus, should be said openly: "Do not go to the polls, the Albanian government, has been deleted you, from the list".

This confusing situation for the people of Northern Epirus, strangely are viewed in light of the creation of the Greater Albania, in which Athens, holds the recognition of Kosovo, while the response of the Albanians, seen day by day, as the anti Greek reaction, to practice a step, by "ethnic cleansing, to the Greeks in Northern Epirus".

A series of actions to mutual, Tirana - Athens, as happened with the "deletion" of the Greek Minority by Albanian Census list, deletion of the religios composition of the Orthodox Church in Albania, the property issue and registration process be failed by OSCE (is recording in favor of Albanian state), the blocking of pensions, abusing for not giving citizenship by Greek authorities in Athens, has caused a serious of crises at the inter Community of Northern Epirus.

Archbishop Janullatos, statement for Papa Ratzinger

Janullatos: Papa, interested for the Albanian Orthodox Church


In a statement to the media, in connection with the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Dr Anastasios of Tirana Orthodox said: "The resignation and now, missing in public life of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, warns a new presence of his own discernment in ecclesial life. "

According Albania Archbishop Janullatos, big surprise that brought this news followed a worldwide expression of respect for a man and rare religious leader. He thanks Pope Benedict for frequent meetings, fraternal letters, his love and his interest in Orthodox Church Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.

Serbs in north "won't accept dismantling of institutions"

Source: Beta

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Krstimir Pantić said on Wednesday that enormous pressure was exerted on Serbia from Brussels to dismantle its institutions in northern Kosovo.

Krstimir Pantić (Beta, file)

The Kosovska Mitrovica mayor, who also serves as deputy director of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, said that Serbs - who are a majority north of the Ibar River and reject the Kosovo Albanian authorities - would not accept such an outcome.
"What is most important and what the government of Serbia and the international community must know is that Serbs will never take part in elections organized by Priština, and they should also take into account the results of a referendum held exactly a year ago, when the citizens said it very clearly that they rejected Albanian institutions," Pantić told Radio Kosovska Mitrovica.

According to this official, who comes from the ranks of the ruling SNS party, in case the Serbian institutions were dismantled a security vacuum would be created, since nobody would be in a position to execute their authority in that part of the territory. This, he noted, would represent a problem both for the Serbian government and the international community.

"I'm certain that would not be in anyone's interests, that PM (Ivica) Dačić will not succumb to the pressure from Brussels as the (Kosovo) dialogue continues, and that he will not give up on the financing and functioning of Serbia's institutions in this part of the province."

Pantić also expressed his fear that Albanian extremists might launch attacks against members of international missions deployed in the north, to then falsely blame Serbs for the incidents, "which would provoke a reaction of the international community".

The goal of such an intervention would be to force Serbs to either accept Priština's institutions or leave Kosovo.

According to him, the agreement on integrated management of the administrative line is not being fully implemented because it is unfavorable for Serbs, who would never accept the deal "as something that is good for them":

"That's a message to PM Ivica Dačić to make no further concessions in Brussels, not to make deals that cannot be implemented on the ground because, I repeat, Serbs will never accept to be part of an independent Kosovo."

Dačić is set to meet with Hashim Thaci on February 19 and 20 in Brussels, with the northern part of Kosovo on the agenda of the EU-sponsored talks.

MOV08338

Pappas: The "Golden Dawn" wil liberate the Northern Epirus

Christos Pappas of "Golden Dawn", in support of the protest of Northern Epirus, in Athens, against pension reductions

TAP project pact signed in Greece

Albania, Greece and Italy signed an agreement about the construction of the Trans-Adriatic pipeline.

The agreement signed by the Albanian party through the Deputy Prime Minister and also Minister of Economy, Edmond Haxhinasto, allows the cooperation of these three countries to realize the project. If TAP wins against its rival Nabuco, Albania will turn into a strategic junction of natural gas transportation from the Caspian Sea to Western Europe.

The project foresees the construction of a 140 km long pipeline, with a $2 billion investment plan. Berisha says that the project will open 20.000 jobs and will provide gas in every Albanian family for low cost heating and cooking.

Άσκηση Πυρπολητής 2012

 Aegean, Greece, the largest Special Operations Command in Europe!

Greece, has made the largest Special Operations Command in Europe, which united all special forces, the Seventh Squadron Amphibian Battalion (Z MAK), the Special Parachute Department (RTD), the groups Underwater Demolition Command (IHR) Fleet Headquarters and 31 Squadron Operations Research - Rescue (31 SWG), and the practically owns the MVA / OS, the special operations unit of the Coast Guard.

 

Greeks of Northern Epirus and Russia, for the first time, politically oppose Athens

Demonstrations in Athens and Thessaloniki, against pension interruption to their fathers, from the Government of Samaras

Among the demonstrators, PM of "Golden Dawn" Christos Pappas, who was the main protagonist of recent statements for the liberation of Northern Epirus by the Greek Army

The Serbian-Greek plans for partition of Macedonia

Macedonia is debating about a Greek book titled "The Dirty Alliance" of the author Tahis Mihas, which sheds light on plans Greco-Serbian Macedonia sharing, transmitting INA.

This topic has sparked debate and analysis of the Macedonian political and analytical circles in Skopje, who have commented on the book and have targeted allocation plan in which it would be including Albania.

In 1992, in Athens, on the initiative of the then Prime Minister, Constantine Micotakis were held three meetings for the partition of Macedonia. At the first meeting, the president of Romania had refused the proposal of the Greek Prime Minister, and the representatives of Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia, the latter led by Slobodan Milosevic, had expressed opinions contained. At these meetings was not invited Albania. In the second meeting, this time without Romania, Bulgarian President Zhelju Zhelev was expressed restrained, while Slobodan Milosevic had asked that it should be expected a little more time because of his commitments in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. There was also the third meeting, only between Micotakis and Milosevic, where there was no agreement as stated it had loved Micotakis.

Only after completion of these three meetings, official Skopje was informed of the development and content. Plan for the Greek military aggression against Macedonia was confirmed by the Greek secret service officer Glikaris.

"There is no chance today, the Alliance Greek-Bulgarian and partly Romania, repeats the plan, but now blocking Macedonia's Euro-integration process to the EU. This time it goes into more sophisticated, unlike the old plan of aggression. Even after 20 years, the Greek strategic policy is guided by the same settings defined by Micotakis and his partner Samaras, who is the current prime minister of Greece, "writes Macedonian journalist, Aleksandar Damovski. Greek Plan - Serbian was clear to define the division of Macedonia and the establishment of the border between Greece and Serbia.

http://shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=16424&kat=91

Another attack against Orthodoxy in Albania






 









Christian Cross, in Elbasan, targeted to be destroyed by anti Orthodox movement

Large cross located at the national road axis Elbasan and Tirana set years ago in the village Fikas.

Police suspect that the cross damaged overnight attempted then expected to be sold for scrap, separating the event from religious motives.

But while on the Orthodox clergy have reacted event. At Irene Gega At Stavri Cipi urgent request from the State Police white cross damage authors. Disposal according to them follows the barbaric acts of destruction of frescoes Onufri a month ago, in the church of Vlash Gjinar Portland.

"Hopefully there is no tendency for disturbing religious harmony - clergy say, adding, that the clergy has always invested for religious harmony."

Albanians protest outside the consulate in Thessaloniki, on the issue of place names in passports


A Protest outside the consulate in Thessaloniki, held Albanians residing in Greece, asking for a solution to the display of place names in their passports.

The issue is pending for more than six months, and in passports issued by Albania entered the city and the country of origin of the holder with Albanian symbols as pronounced in the Albanian language, and not as it is the international designation and English writing. Greece is on the side of requesting the declaration of toponyms be done in accordance with that provided at European level for translations of official travel documents.

The involvement mainly affects young children of Albanian born in our country and given their passports translated into Albanian, as birthplace, Greek town and Greece as country of birth. Because of this engagement "trapped" in our country and can not visit the country and come back again in our country, nor may consider other documents depositing their passport to the Greek authorities.

The consular authorities expect the Albanian Foreign Ministry, if there is agreement with the Greek authorities on this subject, in time to inform their nationals living in the country for any development

Arvizu takon anetaret e Komisionit te Sigurise. Tema TV. 12 shkurt 2013

U.S. Ambassador in Tirana Alexander Arvizu has met with members of the Parliamentary Security Committee.

At the close of the meeting, Ambassador Arvizu told the media that the focus of talks has been the role of parliamentary oversight on military and security issues in the country.

PBDNJ per varret greke. Tema TV. 12 Shkurt 2013

OMONIA Association in Korca, has asked the prosecution to head Read and Black Alliance, Kreshnik Spahiu, the claim that is fueling hatred and instability in the country.

Bosnia Serbs Will Call Referendum on NATO

As Bosnia vows moves closer to NATO membership, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said a referendum needs to be held first on the issue.

Ratka Babic

BIRN

Banja Luka

Milorad Dodik said in Banja Luka on February 11 that if Bosnia wants to join the NATO alliance, a referendum will have to be held first in the Serb-led entity.

“Our policy is based on the fact that we cannot support any political decision reached by a narrow group of people, and citizens must express their opinion about it,” Dodik said on Monday on his return from a visit to Russia.

Dodik recalled that a popular vote on the issue would follow the practice of other countries when it came to joining the alliance.

“The Republika Srpska will undoubtedly be moving towards this goal [of a referendum], as earlier agreed by all major political factors here,” he added.

Most Serbs oppose joining the alliance, owing to its role in the bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999.
Dodik also spoke about the implementation of the 2009 Sejdic and Finci human rights ruling, which is impeding Bosnia's EU integration process, saying that Republika Srpska agreed on the need to eliminate discrimination.

The ruling of the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg told Bosnia to alter its constitution to allow minorities to run for top posts that are currently reserved for Bosniaks [Muslims], Serbs and Croats.
After complaining that “foreigners [were] taking things in their own hands again, trying to create models”, he added that "nothing can be done without our will, and our will is to accept the elimination of discrimination... when it comes to the Sejdic-Finci ruling.”

Dodik said that while the Republika Srpska wanted to move towards Europe, this had to be done in accordance with Bosnia's constitution, agreed at Dayton Ohio in 1995 and not at the expense of the Serb entity's autonomy.
“That is how we have reached the process of EU integration in Bosnia”, he said.

“A couple of months ago the EU financed a study stating that 70 per cent of the competences for [Bosnia's] EU path lie with entities, in our hands, and we do not want to lose that, but strengthen it,” he said.

“The ultimate goal of our movement towards the EU is strengthening our autonomy,” he added.
Dodik noted that Russia - Serbia's main great power ally - strongly supported the 1995 Dayton Accords, which created the two autonomous entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Russia objected to any violations of the accord and also supported the closure of the Office of the High Representative, OHR, the main international overseer of Bosnia. [Bosnian Serbs have clashed repeatedly with the OHR.]

Dodik said that his latest visit to Russia proved the success of Republika Srpska's  cooperation with Russia and had confirmed earlier agreements on important projects, primarily in the oil industry.

“It confirmed that construction of the gas pipe line through Republika Srpska represented an integral part of [the Russian] South Stream gas pipeline, of which I was informed by the Russian Energy Minister one day prior to my trip to Russia,” Dodik said.

The Republika Srpska needed to continue preparing for the construction of this major Russian energy project through the entity, he continued.

The dynamics stipulate signing an agreement on construction by the end of May between the Republika Srpska and Russia and a cooperation agreement, which would probably require certain harmonisation with institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he concluded.

Albania Court to Weigh Historic Trash Referendum

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday will hear arguments about a referendum on waste imports, the first such grassroots initiative in Albania’s history.   

Besar Likmeta

BIRN

Tirana

Plastic waste collection point | Photo courtesy of AKIP

The request, which is spearheaded by a group of activists, environmentalists and intellectuals, has collected more than 64,000 signatures, calling for the annulment of a law that allows waste imports into Albania.
The signatures, collected by the Alliance Against Waste Imports, AKIP, have already been certified by the Central Electoral Commission, which requires 50,000 signatures for a referendum. The court is expected to weigh on the constitutionality of the request.
If the request is approved it will mark the first referendum in Albania’s history called by voters. The only two referendums held since the collapse of the Communist regime of former Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha in 1991, were meant to approve Albania’s constitution.  
“A referendum through a citizens’ initiative has never been held in Albania’s 100 years of history,” says political scientist, Blendi Kajsiu, underling the importance of the court’s decision.
According to Kajsiu, the need for a referendum is more acute than ever, because the country’s nascent democracy is struggling with a crisis of representation and legitimacy, in which the citizens have been reduced into spectators.
“The public sphere has been usurped by private interests who talk to themselves in a vicious circle and not the citizens,” Kajsiu said.
“The first act to break this circle is this grassroots referendum, which will transform the citizen from a spectator into an actor,” he added.    
Arguing that Albania’s nascent recycling industry could not survive on the proceeds of domestic waste alone, in November 2011 the government approved a bill allowing some waste to be imported into the country so long as it conformed to a so-called “green list” of 55 materials.
After the approval of the law, activists joined forces and formed AKIP to condemn the change to the law and to demand a referendum on the issue, arguing that by allowing in such imports Albania was turning itself into the garbage can of Europe.
A report released on Saturday by the advocacy group underlines that since the approval of the law, Albania’s recycling industry has been orientated toward waste imports, and trash now dots highways, rivers and once idyllic beaches.
In total, since 2011, nine companies have requested import licenses from the Ministry of Environment. The ministry has approved requests for 692,200 tons of waste to be imported annually, mostly aluminum scrap, rubber, plastic and end-of-life automobiles.  The import quotas represent 92 per cent of the total installed capacity of the industry.
“The recycling industry is now oriented toward imports and the plants being built are located near border crossings,” says environmental activist Lavdosh Ferruni, who co-authored the report.
According to Ferruni, Albania’s corrupt public administration lacks the capacities to control a lucrative and high-risk business like waste imports, where globally elements of organized crime are involved, especially in its next-door neighbour, Italy.
“The fact the southern Italy is facing an acute problem with waste and that the business there is run by mafia, makes Albania an easy destination,” he said.  “The threat that the country might become Europe’s landfill is not theoretical but real,” Ferruni warned.

SPC reacts to Benedict XVI resignation

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- With his act of voluntary resignation, which is worth of respect, Pope Benedict XVI has demonstrated "consistency and high standards".

(Beta/AP, file)

This was said in a statement released by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).
"The age of Pope Benedict XVI is an age of deep crisis and controversy in the Roman Catholic Church. Time and the judgment of history will show whether he is an extremely controversial pope, as many in his church and particularly in his homeland believed, or a man who tried to preserve the churchism from the impacts of secularization, as claimed by others," it was published on the SPC's website.

However, even the fiercest critics do not question his theological competence and spiritual integrity, the statement reads.

Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he will leave office on February 28.

He is the first pope to step down after 600 years.

The Roman Catholic Apostolic Nunciature to Serbia has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI announced his decision to step down next month during his regular meeting with the cardinals on Monday, and said the move shows his courage in trying to do what is best for the Catholic Church.

"Once again, he showed the clarity, courage, humility and evangelical position of Peter's heir, guided by the Holy Spirit and the desire to act in the highest interest of the Church," the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgrade said in a release.

The Catholic Church received the news with the deepest emotions and disbelief, and the Pope's words require no comment, reads the release.

 

Pirro Dimas: Law of citizenship to foreigners determines Constitution


After removing the issue of pensions for the Greek minority in Albania, PASOK deputy in the Greek parliament, Pirro Dimas said the decision of the High Council of State to revoke the law "Ragusi", which was granted the right of immigrants to obtain citizenship Greek.

Referring to the statement of Socrates, that "the Greeks called them to take our education and not those that have the same origin," Dimas, according to the newspaper "Ta Nea", notes that in Greece, in the 21st century, the Supreme Court denied requests formal Act of 2010. "If you do not want to dwell on political considerations, the Council of state, among others, says that is not enough for 6 years to go to school to prove they are naturalized in Greek, but if we consider that what kind of education offered to our children, can hardly resist, "says Greek MP from Himara.

So according to him, the decision of the court to waive formal criteria for granting citizenship, in no way can be interpreted as an opportunity for obstruction, delay and arbitrariness. "In Greece, courts do not make laws. Who is Greek and what criteria they must meet to become such, this is determined by law. This is stated in the Constitution, "concludes Dimas.

"Albpetrol", second bid failed too?

Experts say that the bid of the company that was listed second in the Albpetrol tender is illegal, because it doesn’t fulfil the criteria set by the Albanian government.

“The company that was ranked second in ‘Win Business’ does not fulfil the main conditions to continue with the negotiations, and the Ministry asked this company to fulfil the respective document, something that the company has not done. In these conditions, the continuity of negotiations is a lost time”, declared Kastriot Bejtja, engineer and consultant for the oil industry.

If the Win Business bid has legal problems, the government could value the option of the third bid, with only 106 million EUR, which for the experts is unacceptable and not worthy.

Katriot Bejtja says that the effort to privatize Albpetrol has now failed and the best solution for the government would be to cancel the tender.

"Win Business", problems with the guarantee

The first suspect is that the strategic criteria is not fulfilled, and this has been admitted by the government in in decision 634.5 which says that every Consortium must own 30% of the capital and voting rights in the consortium. Since Win Business is 100% owned by Brightoil, it doesn’t fulfil this criterion. The Government asked for additional documents, but this request was not accepted.

President, patriarch express concern over Kosovo

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić met on Monday in Belgrade with Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej.

(Tanjug)

A statement after the meeting said that they agreed that the mandate of international organizations in Kosovo, which Serbia also approved, obligates them to protect the rights and safety of people and guard the religious structures in the province.
Nikolić and Patriarch Irinej expressed concern about the safety of the people and the SPC in Kosovo, especially in light of recent events related to the Visoki Dečani monastery.

On February 8, ethnic Albanians protested near this medieval Serb holy place against the decision of the Kosovo Supreme Court which confirmed the UNESCO-protected monastery's right of property over 23 hectares of land.

The president also informed the patriarch about the content of the conversation he had with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul on February 5.

As co-chairmen of the organizing committee for the celebration of 1,700 years of the Edict of Milan, Nikolić and the Patriarch also discussed future events what will be held to mark this great anniversary, the president's press office said in a release.

Avramopoulos avoided the meeting with Berisha in Munich

Cause: The irridentism statement of Berisha, "Albanian in 5 states, where they live"

Explanations about the statement of Berisha, also asked MP of Golden Dawn, Christos Pappas



At the Annual Conference for Security (MSC) held in Munich attended by both Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Greece by Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos.

At the conference, Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos had, among other things, meeting with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan k.Elmar Mammadyarov. During their discussion, the two ministers gave particular emphasis to the issue of pipeline gas Transadriatic Pipeline (TAP). At the same time agreed to sign the intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco Transadriatic Pipeline (TAP) to be held in Athens next Wednesday.

According to reports, among other things, individual contacts with Mr. Avramopoulos has sought to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The meeting was not the minister finally after hearing the remarks of diplomats that it was not necessary as long as the cause continues Tirana Athens with irredentist positions and maintain subcutaneous volume.

The conference is held yearly and is the largest international forum on global security, while the character is informal General Assembly of the United Nations High Commissioner for Foreign and Defence Ministers of member countries of the international organization.

Analyst: Kosovo was illegally "taken away" from Serbia

Source: Politika, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- There is no final solution acceptable to both Belgrade and Priština, but that does not mean that they cannot improve and even institutionalize their relations.

The two sides are at the same time " aware that the main problem is unsolvable", David Kanin, a professorial lecturer of European Studies at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University, has said.
"Kosovo truly is a problem for Serbia because it was illegally taken away from them, and Belgrade does not accept its unilateral declaration of independence," Kanin said for Monday's edition of Belgrade-based daily Politika.

What both sides seem to be doing right now is trying to solve certain issues while freezing the main one, he added.

"Kosovo insists on its independence and sovereignty, end of story, and is not willing to compromise on that," said Kanin, who was also a senior intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) until recently.

On the other hand, Serbia is not ready to accept this "at the moment", he asserted, and added that this means that "there is no solution acceptable to both sides".

"This freezing of the basic question is not a bad approach as long as both sides, and others, understand that the main issue cannot be resolved, but only kept under control," he said, and added:

"The universal rule in politics is to tell the difference between problems that can be solved and those that can only be kept under control and to decide which are which. The problem is further complicated by the inconsistent attitude on the part of the EU because it is not clear whether setting up a border with Kosovo is a condition for Serbia's admission to the Union or not."

"Some Europeans say that it is, others say it is not, Kanin said. I think it would be much more effective if the EU simply said that neither Serbia nor Kosovo could become a member as long as they had not permanently resolved the Kosovo status issue," he was quoted as saying.

Professor Kanin further stated that two communities in the Balkans, namely the Albanians and Bosniaks (Muslims), are more than others under the patronage of the United States - "for historical and political reasons".

"When it comes to the Albanians, this applies equally to those in Kosovo and to those in Macedonia and Albania, as all of them rely heavily on the U.S.," said Kanin.

"The Albanian question is there because it is still not known how the Albanians will organize, as a single state or as more than one, what their relations with their neighbors will be like, and how the neighbors will adapt to the Albanian demographic expansion," concluded Kanin.

Pope Benedict XVI in shock resignation

 

 

Pope Benedict's announcement has surprised Catholics and the wider world

 

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month in an unexpected development, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

He became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II's death.
Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is quoted as saying he is "greatly shaken by this unexpected news".
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the news has come "out of the blue", and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

A Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said that even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left "incredulous".

But the brother of the German-born Pope said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months.
Talking from his home in Regensburg in Germany, Georg Ratzinger said his brother was having increasing difficulty walking and that his resignation was part of a "natural process".
He added: "His age is weighing on him. At this age my brother wants more rest."

U.S. and Britain warned their citizens: to be careful, expected protests in Albania


Embassies of the United States of America and Great Britain in Tirana, have warned their citizens in Albania to take care after the decision on January 21 could provoke protests.

"The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to the potential existence of spontaneous protests in response to the decision of the Tirana Court acquitted two persons who were on trial for their role in violent demonstration on January 21, 2011. While no demonstrations planned at this time, we urge U.S. citizens to be in care, when traveling to Tirana.

Embassy reminded that demonstrations and other large gatherings, which have peaceful purposes, can escalate into violence, "the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy warns its citizens to avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

"The political atmosphere is tense due to the general elections in June 2013. Take care to avoid demonstrations and large crowds, "said the notice.

Berisha`s declaration in Munich:  Security Commission in the Greek Parliament

Question of  Christos Pappas on new irredentist statements of PM Berisha

QUESTION TO:

1) FOREIGN GREEK MINISTER
2) INTERIOR GREEK MINISTER
       
TOPIC: "New Berishas irredentist statement:" The borders of Albania starting from Preveza»

According to reports, "struck again" Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha at the 49th International Conference on Security in Munich with new irredentist statement "today's of Albanians are divided in 5 countries' placing Greece in the frame, not as the host territory of Albanian populations but that they live as a minority, with the obvious aim to raise the issue of territorial claims. And of course that is reiterated his statement that "The borders of Albania starting from Preveza."

I`m asking Mr. Minister:

1) Is it true publication and if so, what measures the Greek Government proceeded given its participation in this conference?

2) How many Albanian citizens have been awarded the Greek nationality in the last 20 years and how many of them are expatriates and how omogenes (data by individual year)?

Athens, 07/02/2013

MP Christos Pappas

THE "GOLDEN DAWN"

 












Media in Turkey: Ali Pasha, ready to turn the "head" in Albania

Continues the Berisha`s Irredentism of the region

Prime Minister Sali Berisha has formally requested from Turkey returns Ali Pasha's head and bones of another nationalist Sami Frashëri. This was announced yesterday some of the mainstream media in Turkey, which have shed light on the details of a four-day visit to Turkey's Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz in Tirana.

Learned that Turkey's Defence Minister has taken into consideration the request of Prime Minister Berisha and expressed his readiness for the final resolution of this issue. With the title "staggering demand of the Albanians", Turkish media "Hurriyet", "Haber" "TurkTime" "Egedesonsoz.com", etc., report that the head of state explained the group Turkish diplomatic history of the execution of Ali Pasha and the origins of the contributions of Sami Frashëri in Albania.

Later Berisha has requested the assistance of representatives of the Turkish Government, formally requested the repatriation of Ali Pasha's head and bones of Sami Frashëri. Also the media in Turkey have commented on this request Berisha as a way to gain the votes of Albanian nationalists, as in the period of the election campaign. About a month ago the head of the government said that the return of the head of Ali Pasha and bone Frashëri brothers in Bangladesh will be among the main tasks of the Committee for the 100th anniversary will have to choose even though the festivities are over. "We must do everything to return from Istanbul, the head of Ali Pasha.

Ex CIA agent says Greek Gangs Criminal, Not Terrorist

Former CIA analyst John Kiriakou, who last month was sentenced to more than two years in jail for revealing the identity of a covert operative, said that a rise in political violence in Greece is worrisome, but more related to criminal activity and a backlash against austerity than terrorist.
In an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the Greek-American, who became the first CIA agent to have jail sentence levied against him for leaking the name of an agent to the media, said, “I would not describe recent attacks as terrorism; I would call them criminal. A lot of people are suffering the consequences of the economic crisis and this creates fertile ground for the creation of organizations of the far left or far right.”
He worked with Greek authorities between 1998 and 2000 to help catch members of November 17, which he described as “the most disciplined terrorist organization in Europe.”
He added that when Nov. 17 was spreading terror that, “There were never any leaks and there were hardly ever any accidents,” but that the group’s murder of New Democracy MP Pavlos Bakoyannis in 1989 proved a turning point as it turned public opinion against the group.
Greek police earlier this month arrested four self-styled anarchists, 20-24 years old, for robbing two banks and said they were members of one of a number of new terrorist groups sprouting up in the country. But he said they are very unlike the notorious Nov. 17 which killed American and British officials and Greeks before being brought down.
Kiriakou also suggested that American authorities intentionally allowed rumors about the PASOK Socialist government being linked to November 17 to circulate in the 1980’s. “Americans wanted a bad guy in Greece to blame for the bad relations between the two countries,” he said.
In 2007, Kiriakou became one of the first CIA officials to express concern about the agency’s methods, when he questioned the use of waterboarding. He told Kathimerini that he has fears about the course some of his colleagues at the agency are following.
“It is as if they enjoy torturing, killing with drones and spying on American citizens,” he said. “These are very dangerous developments that we have to stop before we find ourselves living in a country with no civil rights and personal freedom.”

Albanians Urge US to "Take" Part of Serbia In Fear Of Russian Canal To Thessaloniki

Albanians Urge US to "Take" Part of Serbia In Fear Of Russian Canal To Thessaloniki

Tirana-based Democratic Front of National Union has requested from the US to “take the Presevo valley away from Serbia”. The Democratic Front of National Union wants the US to seize the southern part of Serbia in order to prevent Russia from building a canal to Thessaloniki.

In a letter to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Front suggested the US to “take the Presevo valley away from Serbia” by declaring it an “overseas territory” like the Panama Canal.

The Democratic Front of National Union, which has a map of Greater Albania in its logo, believes that the idea to build the canal is “anti-Albanian and aimed at ethnically cleansing Albanians” and that it would give an opportunity to Russia to control the entire territory.

The Front reminded Clinton that the project for the construction of the canal was more than 100 years old and that it dated back to the time when The New York Times correspondent from the Balkans had released an agreement signed by the US and Russian capitalists in St. Petersburg.

They assert that the agreement entitles the U.S. to claim the so-called Preševo valley as its territory, writes the Macedonian daily, quoting parts of the letter sent to Clinton.

“The Presevo valley should be returned to the US focus of interest as an American overseas territory because it is just as important as the Panama Canal which is extraterritorial from Panama. The territory needs the US presence just like other similar territories,” reads the letter.

The Democratic Front of National Union believes that a principle of self-determination should be used to solve the Preševo valley issue and that ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia should have the right to express their stance.

“Those people should be allowed to have the final say as to whom they want to live with and to put an end to experimental policies in the Balkans,” the Front concluded in the letter.

http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2013/02/albanians-urge-us-to-take-part-of.html