Saturday, May 9, 2020

CIA, Greek, the second most spoken language in Albania

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Language holidays in Greece - Greece holidays | Greeka.com

Finding out which language is spoken most in a country is very easy as it is also the official language of that state.

But the second most spoken language in a country is not always easy to find.


But Olivet Nazarene University, Business Insider writes, has conducted a wonderful study discovering which is the second most spoken language in most countries of the world. These data were obtained from the CIA's World Factbook.

Interesting is the other fact that in Albania, the second most spoken language is not English or Italian, but Greek.

Analyzing the second most spoken language in a country we can discover a lot about the history of that country or even the surrounding region.

For example, Algeria, Tanzania, and Tunisia, all of the second most widely spoken languages, are French because they were colonies in France.

While Albania has neighboring countries Greece and a large part of Albanians have emigrated there, while in our country there are also Greek minorities.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the second most spoken language is Croatian, in Montenegro Serbian as well as in Croatia, while in Macedonia Albanian is predominant.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Fatos Lubonja: The pandemic has strengthened Rama's power over the opposition but has weakened him economically

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08/05/2020

The approval of the amendments to the Criminal Code was unconstitutional. This is a coercive method of Rama, which will have consequences in the future analyst Fatos Lubonja said.

 Lubonja commented on the latest political events in the country, emphasizing that Rama's government has done very little for citizens and businesses, remaining focused on the oligarchs.

"In some respects, the pandemic has strengthened Rama's power. In relation to the opposition and the results of the pandemic itself, its power has been strengthened. What I think weakens and continues to weaken is the economic issue. The government has done very, very little. It has continued to be a government focused on the interests of oligarchs. Protests over growing authoritarianism have exploited the pandemic of growing authoritarianism. We have less democratic sensitivities than Serbia or Montenegro, less dissent, and the people are poorer, more submissive. ” - said Lubonja.


He said the entire civil society is on state payrolls being paid there. Lubonja also commented on the university elections, saying that the government is demanding the capillary capture of everything, adding that no elections can be held at a time when Albania has the wildest guarantee in Europe.

Regarding justice, Lubonja said the reform was aimed at political warfare, adding that the system was sluggish.

He also added that President Meta is getting ready for the next bargain with Rama and if that happens, the loser will be the head of state.

"The approval of the amendments to the Criminal Code was unconstitutional. This is a coercive method of Rama, which will have consequences in the future. ” He said.

Vucic on the incident in front of the Assembly: We'll protect democratic values

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Printskrin: Instagram/buducnostsrbijeav
President Aleksandar Vucic encouraged all politicians and citizens in Serbia to strongly condemn today's incident in front of the Serbian Parliament.

SOURCE: TANJUG FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020

He assessed the incident as a fascist savagery of Bosko Obradovic and the Alliance for Serbia, and thus show that Serbia is a democratic country.

Addressing the citizens of Serbia, published on his Instagram profile, Vucic said that today the "fascist phalanxes" of Bosko Obradovic and the Alliance for Serbia physically attacked MPs, knocked them to the ground, tore their jackets, wanting to show that violence should rule in Serbia and should receive the majority support of the people.

"That is why I ask all citizens of Serbia to condemn the fascist savagery of these people in the strongest possible way and to show that Serbia is a democratic country," said Vucic.

He also encouraged all political representatives in Serbia to condemn the incident because, as he stated, politicians can differ in many ways and think differently on all issues, but fascism has never been present in Serbia.

"We could only see such incidents in the Nazi Germany in the 1930s and in the Ustasha Croatia in the 1940s," Vucic said.

He pointed out that Serbia will not allow fascism to win and that he is convinced that it will fight for the preservation of democratic values and democratic order.

"I expect the citizens to be absolutely united in condemning what happened today. And it is our obligation to fight to develop the country economically, to preserve democracy and to show on the elections who we trust and to defend and preserve the future of our children," Vucic concluded.

Richard Grenell reacts after news that he has been fired as emissary for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue

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Trump names Ric Grenell his special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo ...
May 7, 2020

The special envoy of US President Donald Trump for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Richard Grenell, has reacted after the news that he has been fired from this post, rejecting any allusions,

During these two days, the media reported that Joseph DioGuardi, the former US Congressman and president of the Albanian American Civic League in the United States, had confirmed the news of Grenell's dismissal.

Grenell reacted to this, where in a conversation with A2 journalist, Xhevahid Qadraku, he denied these news, which he called false.

He also asked who DioGuardi was.

"I don't know who DioGuardi is, but whoever he is, you don't have to listen to what he says. I am spreading false news. Who is DioGuardi? ”Said Grenell in a communication with A2 journalist Xhevahir Qardaku.

We remind you that Grenell is also the acting head of the US National Security Agency and also serves as ambassador to Germany.

He appeared very committed to ending the Kosovo-Serbia agreement as soon as possible. Link

«Εντολή» Μέρκελ σε Θάτσι και Βούτσιτς: Βρείτε τα όπως τα Σκόπια με την Αθήνα

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Προφανώς, η Γερμανία της Μέρκελ έχει μείνει μόνη της στην επίλυση του Κοσσυφοπεδίου.

Μάιος 8, 2020 Echedoros

Η Γερμανίδα Καγκελάριος Άνγκελα Μέρκελ κάλεσε την Πέμπτη τους ηγέτες του Κοσσυφοπεδίου και της Σερβίας να λάβουν σοβαρά υπόψη την υπάρχουσα κατάσταση και να καταλήξουν σε αμοιβαία συμφωνία.



 Στην παρότρυνσή της, η Μέρκελ ζήτησε από τον Χασίμ Θάτσι και τον Αλεξάνταρ Βούτσιτς να προετοιμάσουν τη συμφωνία μέχρι το τέλος του έτους.




Τα μέσα ενημέρωσης επισημαίνουν ότι η Μέρκελ έδωσε αυτό το μήνυμα στους αρχηγούς του Κοσσυφοπεδίου και της Σερβίας κατά τη διάρκεια της διαδικτυακής συνάντησης, στο πλαίσιο της συνόδου κορυφής της ΕΕ, η οποία είχε προγραμματισθεί να γίνει στο Ζάγκρεμπ.


Η Γερμανίδα Καγκελάριος Άνγκελα Μέρκελ κάλεσε τον Θάτσι και τον Βούτσιτς να διδαχθούν από τη Διεθνή Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών, η οποία υπεγράφη από τον Πρωθυπουργό της FYROM,  Ζόραν Ζάεφ και τον Αλέξη Τσίπρα της Ελλάδας, μια συμφωνία που έφερε σε πέρας τη διαφωνία δύο δεκαετιών με το νέο όνομα «Βόρεια Μακεδονία».


 Επίσης, ο ειδικός απεσταλμένος του Προέδρου των ΗΠΑ Ντόναλντ Τραμπ, Ρίτσαρντ Γκρενέλ, έδωσε εντολή να επιτευχθεί η συμφωνία φέτος.


Εν τω μεταξύ, ο εκπρόσωπος της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης για τον διάλογο Κοσσυφοπεδίου-Σερβίας, Μίροσλαβ Λάιτσακ, δήλωσε ότι μια συμφωνία μεταξύ Πρίστινα και Βελιγραδίου θα μπορούσε να επιτευχθεί φέτος, με μια πιθανότητα να παραταθεί μέχρι τον Μάρτιο του 2021, γράφει το αλβανικό δημοσίευμα.

Greek General to NATO: “There will be an accident if Turkey continues its actions”

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Greek General to NATO: "There will be an accident if Turkey continues its actions" 2
by PAUL ANTONOPOULOS

Greek City Times 

Greek General to NATO: "There will be an accident if Turkey continues its actions" 2
Greek General Konstantinos Floros held two teleconferences with NATO officials in which he made it clear that Turkey’s provocations in the Aegean and at Evros on the Greek-Turkish land border, will lead with mathematical precision to an accident with unforeseen consequences.

Turkey’s daily aggression against Greece are obviously well known in NATO, which systematically covers it up and protects them from international scrutiny.

The danger of an accident caused by the Turkish violations in the Aegean and more broadly by Ankara’s attitude towards Greece, was pointed out by Floros when he said “the risk of an accident and the serious consequences that such a thing will bring” is real.

More specifically, Floros held two teleconferences on Thursday.

One was at the request of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Sir Stuart Peach, as part of the forthcoming meeting of the NATO Military Committee to be held on May 14, 2020.

The other was with the Deputy Commander of the Allied Powers in Europe, General Tim Radford, at his request and in the context of his recent assumption of office.

A number of issues were raised, such as the coronavirus and military issues.

Floros referred to the recent escalation caused by the immigration crisis in Evros and in the Aegean, that was orchestrated by Turkey.

He also discussed with the two NATO heads about Turkey’s delinquent behaviour in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, as seen by the daily air traffic violations of Greece’s national airspace, including overflights at Evros and on the islands, as well as the illegal marine surveys and drilling in Greece’s maritime space, and the violation of the UN-imposed arms embargo on Libya, in addition to other provocative actions.

Floros also referred to the harassment of a Greek helicopter by Turkey, which was transporting him and Minister of Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, as reported by Greek City Times.

Ο FRONTEX προειδοποιεί για νέο κύμα μεταναστών στα ελληνικά σύνορα

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Μάιος 8, 2020. Echedoros

Βερολίνο.


Ο Ευρωπαϊκός Οργανισμός Προστασίας των Συνόρων- FRONTEX, προειδοποιεί για ένα νέο κύμα μεταναστών στα σύνορα Τουρκία και Ελλάδας, σύμφωνα με την γερμανική εφημερίδα  Welt, η οποία επικαλείται μια εσωτερική, εμπιστευτική έκθεση για την υπάρχουσα κατάσταση.



«Μόλις αρθούν οι περιορισμοί για τον κορωνοϊό θα υπάρξει μαζική μετακίνηση μεταναστών στα τουρκο-ελληνικά σύνορα», ανέφερε η έκθεση του FRONTEX.


Η Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία αναφέρει  ότι η πανδημία με τον Covid-19 εμπόδισε την ελληνική κυβέρνηση να εφαρμόσει το σχέδιο της  αστυνομικής ενίσχυσης στον ποταμό Έβρο.


«Η προγραμματισμένη ανάπτυξη 400 επιπλέον αστυνομικών στην περιοχή του Έβρου έχει καθυστερήσει λόγω του ιού», ανέφερε ο Οργανισμός.


Το έγγραφο του FRONTEX σημειώνει ακόμη ότι στα τέλη Φεβρουαρίου και στις αρχές Μαρτίου, χιλιάδες μετανάστες προσπάθησαν να διασχίσουν τα τουρκο-ελληνικά σύνορα.


Η πρέσβειρα της Τουρκίας στη Βουλγαρία, ανέφερε πριν μερικές ημέρες ότι δεν υπάρξει μεταναστευτική πίεση στα σύνορα της Βουλγαρίας από την Τουρκία, ενώ άφησε ανοιχτό το θέμα για τα ελληνικά σύνορα.
--
The Hellenic Information Team

Thursday, May 7, 2020

"It is not Grenell, Borrell and Lajcak who are changing the (Kosovo) borders"

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Serb Proposals for Partitioning Kosova - Transitions Online
LDK President Isa Mustafa says Pristina should not be afraid of dialogue and that foreign officials and mediators are not the ones deciding on Kosovo's borders.

SOURCE: TANJUG THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 | 16:30

"Neither Grenell, nor Borrell, or Lajcak can change borders or exchange territories," President of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said in a post on Facebook.

The LDK President says Pristina must trust its allies, believe in the US and EU, as well as in itself.

He also believes that the Declaration of Independence of Kosovo and the opinion of the International Court of Justice are closed topics, and that Kosovo has no reason to be afraid of dialogue, Kosovo online reports.

"We must have a dialogue so that, within these borders and with the territory we have, Serbia recognizes us, to enter the UN, so that five more EU countries recognize us and then, we should join NATO," he said.

He added that this is in the interest of Kosovo, as well as a mediator from the United States and the EU, because it provides stability and opens a new perspective for economic growth.

Μητσοτάκης για Αλβανία: Μένουν ακόμη πολλά για την προστασία της μειονότητας

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"Στο αποκορύφωμα της διπλωματικής πίεσης για μια ειρηνική λύση, στα σύνορα μεταξύ Κοσσυφοπεδίου και Σερβίας, ο Έλληνας πρωθυπουργός Μητσοτάκης έδωσε για άλλη μια φορά το μήνυμα στην Αλβανία, η οποία όχι μόνο δεν ενδιαφέρεται για τις περιουσίες των Ελλήνων στη Χιμάρα και σε όλη την Β . Ήπειρο, αλλά κάνει το αντίθετο, συνεχίζει το σχέδιο βίαιης αφομοίωσης των εδαφών που κατοικούνται από Έλληνες σε όλη την ακτή του Ιονίου".

 Dimitris Papamitsos
Sputnik

Στην ενταξιακή προοπτική της Αλβανίας στην ΕΕ αναφέρθηκε ο πρωθυπουργός Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης κάνοντας αναφορά στις υποχρεώσεις της γείτονος χώρας απέναντι στη μειονότητα.

Σαφές μήνυμα ότι η Αλβανία έχει ακόμα πολλά να κάνει για την προστασία των δικαιωμάτων της ελληνικής μειονότητας έστειλε ο πρωθυπουργός Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης που συμμετείχε στην τηλεδιάσκεψη Κορυφής του Ευρωπαϊκού Λαϊκού Κόμματος εν όψει της αποψινής τηλεδιάσκεψης Κορυφής ΕΕ - Δυτικών Βαλκανίων.


Προσαγωγές Ελλήνων στην Αλβανία: «Σήκωσαν έναν σταυρό και ορθόδοξες σημαίες»
Επανέλαβε ότι η Ελλάδα στηρίζει την ευρωπαϊκή προοπτική των χωρών των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, εφόσον εκπληρώσουν συγκεκριμένους όρους και προϋποθέσεις.

Αναγνώρισε ότι η Αλβανία έχει κάνει βήματα, ωστόσο, μένουν ακόμη πολλά να γίνουν στο ζήτημα της προστασίας των δικαιωμάτων της ελληνικής μειονότητας και στο κράτος Δικαίου.

Εξάλλου, ευχαρίστησε τον πρόεδρο της Σερβίας Αλεξάνταρ Βούτσιτς, καθώς η χώρα του ήταν η πρώτη που δήλωσε ενδιαφέρον  να μετάσχει στο πρόγραμμα μετεγκατάστασης ασυνόδευτων ανηλίκων.

Beyer: Kosovo-Serbia change of border dangerous, Germany’s position will not change

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Germany tells Serbia to give up northern Kosovo
Peter Beyer, member of the German Parliament from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and Rapporteur for Kosovo at the Council of Europe (CoE), in an interview with Gazeta Express reiterated his position against redrawing of border between Kosovo and Serbia. He said that Germany’s position remains unchanged when it comes to idea of changing borders between the two countries.

German MP said the only task in the negotiation table between Kosovo and Serbia is reaching a comprehensive and legally binding agreement. He said that Germany in coordination with other European partners should take leading role in the dialogue process.

Gazeta Express: How do you see the statement of the EU High Representative Mr. Josep Borell and do you think that the EU should focus on a dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia that would end in mutual recognition between the two countries and not on border change or land swap ideas?

Peter Beyer: I do not know the interview by Mr. Borell. In any event, our position remains firm: No touching of the borders between Serbia and Kosovo! Period! Nobody should live under the illusion of a possible change in Germany‘s position here. That will not happen. It is clear that the mere public pondering of such a notion is contrary to the interests of peace and stability in the whole Western Balkans region. It is also not helpful, if every now and then old or new ideas are tossed into the public debate. A focus on the normalization process with the aim of a comprehensive, legally binding agreement remains the homework on the table. No news there.


Gazeta Express: Do you think that Germany should play a key role in the facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia?

Peter Beyer: As in the past, Germany remains committed to the EU accession process of the countries of the Western Balkans in general and to the normalization process between Serbia and Kosovo in particular. I agree that Germany, always in close coordination with its European partners, should take leading role in this.

Gazeta Express: As a Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation of the Federal Government of Germany, how do you see the role of the Special Envoy of President Donald Trump, Richard Grenell in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia?

Peter Beyer: The United States of America are a close ally and friend of both Germany and the Republic of Kosovo. Both belong to the earliest recognizers of Kosovo as a sovereign state. There is a frequent exchange of experiences, ideas and political approaches between the USA and Germany with regard to the Western Balkans. The USA certainly understands that the integration and accession of the countries of the Western Balkans  into the European Union is foremost a genuine European issue. Only the EU can help to overcome political and historical challenges and lay the path towards an EU membership.

Yesterday as a Rapporteur for Kosovo in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe you urged political responsibility and respect for the rule of law after the Constitutional Court suspended the decree of the President of Kosovo until 29 may, to form a new coalition government.

Gazeta Express: Do you that Kosovo will overcome this institutional strangle and be ready to start the dialogue with Serbia?

Peter Beyer: The current political and constitutional crises in Kosovo come at a time where the world is hit hard by a global pandemic, resulting in an enormous hardship for the citizens of the small, poor, but proud country. I am still confident that political players will understand the signals and are lead by reason and responsibility. There must not be riots in the streets, nor in the parliament, as seen in the past. The people are suffering and need a perspective that the three crises are mastered by those in the nation‘s leading positions.

Today the EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit is being held, and on of the issues that people of Kosovo are still facing is the visa liberalization.

Gazeta Express: Do you think that the European Union should finally agree to give the green light for Kosovo and remove the visa regime?

Peter Beyer: Visa liberalization is overdue. I am ashamed that the EU has not delivered in this context, yet. There can be no further excuses by single member states of the EU if we do not want to put into question completely our credibility. But I also know that there is a lot of good will to make free movement for the citizens of Kosovo possible at last. /GazetaExpress/

Borrell says openly that the EU is also for a peaceful change of borders with Kosovo and Serbia

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May 7, 2020


With the coming to power, the Kurti government aggravated and severely damaged relations with the United States of America, it turned its eyes from the European Union as a solution to all issues and, most importantly, the final agreement with Serbia.

The now-dismissed prime minister, Albin Kurti, has worked closely with two EU officials, the Spaniard who opposes Kosovo's independence, Josep Borell, and German MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, who has recently been supporting Serbs in Kosovo.

European Union chief diplomat Josep Borrell has stated that he is not against changing the borders and it is up to Kosovo and Serbia to talk about it.


Borell said changing borders is a matter for the two countries and that they will only enable this final agreement to be reached.

"As I said, this is an issue that needs to be resolved in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. I see no need for us to be more Catholic than the Pope. It is not up to us to tell Serbs and Kosovars what they should agree on or not. Our role will be to facilitate dialogue. But as I said, we should not be more Catholic than the Pope, "said Borell

"I am just happy to be free. We need to facilitate dialogue and, as I said, consider the collateral effects of any kind of agreement in other parts of the region, where the problem of border movement has always been sensitive. I personally understand the position of Germany and others, but my role, and that of my Special Representative, is to facilitate dialogue, "Borell said.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the news agency "dtt-net.com", German MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel said that the idea of ​​more competencies for municipalities that have a majority with the Serb minority is an option that should is taken into account.

Von Cramon-Traubadel says more power or competence for Serbian municipalities will not have to be the same as the Serbian entity in Bosnia.

"It would make sense to give more power to (Serbian) municipalities, but it should definitely be part of Kosovo as a state. I would not compare it with Bosnia, because the situation there is completely different and that system was created immediately after the war, and it is quite debatable how well it works now. But a lasting solution will be found according to the drafting of the Ahtisaari Plan ", she said for" dtt-net.com ",

Thus, the EU's influence in reaching an agreement sends Kosovo into such painful compromises, analysts and Kosovars want the United States to be involved in the dialogue with Serbia.

According to recent polls, Kosovars demand that the United States play a leading role in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

«Ίλιντεν» από τα Τίρανα: Καταδικάζουμε έντονα τη διανομή βουλγαρικών διαβατηρίων

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Μάιος 7, 2020. Echedoros

Η ένωση των Σλαβομακεδόνων «Ίλιντεν» στα Τίρανα καταδίκασε τις πρόσφατες προκλήσεις του αντιπροέδρου της βουλγαρικής κυβέρνησης, Κρασιμίρ Καρακατσάνοφ, του ευρωβουλευτή Αντρέι Κοβάτσεφ και της  βουλγαρικής πρεσβείας στα Τίρανα, για τη διάθεση βουλγαρικών διαβατηρίων  στους Σλαβομακεδόνες  της Αλβανίας.



«Καταδικάζουμε έντονα την τελευταία πρόκληση του υπουργού Άμυνας και αντιπροέδρου της βουλγαρικής κυβέρνησης, Κρασιμίρ Καρακατσάνοφ, που είναι επικεφαλής του VMRO-BND και τον Αντρέι Κοβάτσεφ, ευρωβουλευτή από το κυβερνών GERB καθώς και τη Βουλγαρική πρεσβεία στα Τίρανα, οι οποίοι  θέλουν να αγοράσουν Βουλγάρους στα Τίρανα, παραδίδοντας βουλγαρικά διαβατήρια.


Με αυτό θέλουν να δείξουν ότι δεν υπάρχουν «Μακεδόνες» και «μακεδονική γλώσσα» στην Αλβανία, γράφει το κείμενο των Σλαβομακεδόνων  της ένωσης ‘Ίλιντεν’.


Σημειώνεται, ακόμη, ότι στην Αλβανία δεν υπάρχουν Βούλγαροι, αυτοί που υπάρχουν είναι Σλαβομακεδόνες και λόγω της δυσμενούς οικονομικής κατάστασής τους αναζητούν ευρωπαϊκά διαβατήρια, τα οποία προσφέρουν οι Βούλγαροι για να δείξουν ότι υπάρχει μια ανύπαρκτη βουλγαρική μειονότητα στη χώρα.


«Καλούμε το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο να λάβει μέτρα εναντίον του Αντρέι Κοβάτσεφ, ο οποίος από τη θέση του ευρωβουλευτή ασκεί πίεση στους ‘Μακεδόνες’ στην Αλβανία.

Καταδικάζουμε για άλλη μια φορά την κυβέρνηση της Σόφιας για τις διακρίσεις, τα ρατσιστικά και ναζιστικά αιτήματα για την μη ύπαρξη του μακεδονικού λαού και της μακεδονικής γλώσσας στο σύνολο της», όπως σημειώνει το κείμενο που υπογράφει ο πρόεδρος της ένωσης και πρόεδρος των Σλαβομακεδόνων του Γκόλο Μπάρντο, Ιλί Χαλίλ.

Albania and Romania collude to weaken Greeks in Northern Epirus

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Albania and Romania collude to weaken Greeks in Northern Epirus 3
by PAUL ANTONOPOULOS

greekcitytimes

The Romanian Senate has allowed the Latin-speaking Greek minority in southern Albania, known as the Vlahoi (Βλάχοι), from getting Romanian citizenship.

According to this law, in order to obtain Romanian citizenship, in addition to being of Vlaho origin, you must also have knowledge of the Latin language and some knowledge of Romanian civilisation.

Although the majority of the Latin-speaking Vlahoi in Albania identify as Greek, Romania is working very hard to Romanianize them. In 2013, a Romanian Information Center  opened up in the town of Koritsa (Κορυτσά, Albanian: Korçë), that teaches the Romanian language, culture and heritage for free – and on top of that, even offer some students free travel to European Union member-state, Romania.

Koritsa is considered one of the centres for the Greek community in Northern Epirus, southern Albania.

It is little surprise that Romanian-identifying Vlahoi only exist in places where Romanian language schools are set up with the blessing of the Albanian government.

In order to put pressure on the Greek minority in Northern Epirus (about 120,000 people) and control the social awakening of Hellenism, Albania recognised a Romanian-Vlahoi minority in 2012.

Romania believes that because the Vlahoi speak a language similar to Romanian, they are in fact Romanian and not Greek.

As Albania knows it occupies Northern Epirus that seeks union with Greece, weakening Greek identity with strong Romanian backing serves a powerful agenda for both of their countries.

Albania weakens the Greek minority while Romania can have a citizenship boost as its population continues to decline.

In effect, Albania and Romania are colluding in an anti-Greek action.

Greek City Times spoke exclusively with Mikel Mihallari, a Vlaho from Koritsa.


When asked by Greek City Times if the majority of Vlahoi considered themselves Greek or Romanian, he said without a doubt that “We are Greeks. Our origin comes from the Pindus Mountains and historically we are always side by side with other Greeks, whether it be in battle or creating families together.”

He told Greek City Times that Romania has one consulate in his hometown of Koritsa and sometimes they have some cultural evenings, “but only small ones.”

“Most Vlahoi in Koritsa consider themselves Greeks, as we have generation after generation,” he said.


Mihallari says that only a small amount of Vlahoi identify as Romanian, probably in the hope of getting a Romanian passport.

He said that Romania wants to “take our history and cause problems by saying that Greece has never been strong and that our real identity is Romanian.”

However, how is it that Greek people became Latin-speakers? Greek City Times spoke with historian and Balkan researcher Marios Mathios-Josefidis.

He explains that because the Balkan peninsula is the most historical place in Europe that had many events occurring in, there are many mysteries and challenges that need to be solved.

“One of these is the case of the Vlahoi – not only because the existence of this Balkan population, but because how they have become a diplomatic weapons for Romania, Albania and Greece,” he said, adding that “the Vlahoi are speaking a Latin language that is very close to the Romanian language, and for this reason the Romanian government tries to say they are a Romanian minority. This claim began in the 20th century and has created serious issues in Greek-Romanian diplomatic relations.”

The historian explains that the Romanians claim the Vlahoi left Romania between the 6th and 10th centuries AD in search of better agricultural lands, but that this theory has a “logical paradox.”

“Why would the Vlahoi leave the rich agricultural lands of Romania for mountainous and not profitable agricultural lands in today’s Greece and Albania, where they mostly reside today,” he questioned.

Although he says he does not know exactly where the Vlahoi came from, he emphasised that they have always fought in Greek struggles and identified as Greek, and explained the most credible theory known – that they were Latinised mercenaries in the Roman Army.

“According to this theory, the Vlahoi are successors of Greeks who were Latinised when they served as mercenaries for the Roman Army as a garrison force to protect Via Egnantia (Ἐγνατία Ὁδός), an ancient Roman road,” he said.

“Supporting this theory is the fact that the location of the Vlahoi is also along this road. In addition, the Vlahoi feel more close to Greeks, thus also supporting this theory too,” the historian said.

Mathios-Josefidis explained that Romania throughout the 20th century have attempted to Romanianise these people. Although they speak a similar language, all Latin languages in the Balkans are similar, and with this Romania has wanted to use them as a geopolitical tool.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Μητσοτάκης: Η Αλβανία έχει να κάνει πολλά ακόμη για την προστασία των δικαιωμάτων της ΕΕΜ

SManalysis
The New Greek Government and its Foreign Policy in the Balkans ...
"Ελπίζουμε ότι ο ελληνικός λαός θα καταλάβει γιατί οι Έλληνες της Βόρειας Ηπείρου υποφέρουν, το πολιτικό παιχνίδι της εσωτερικής Ελλάδας, αλλά κυρίως η γεωπολιτική των μεγάλων δυνάμεων. Μέχρι τότε, πρέπει να αναλάβουν την ευθύνη ότι ο χριστιανικός λαός σε αυτό το έδαφος δεν πρέπει να αφήνεται στα χέρια της μαφίας και των βρώμικων χρημάτων". SManalysis

Τετάρτη 6 Μαϊος 2020, 20:15


Στην τηλεδιάσκεψη κορυφής του Ευρωπαϊκού Λαϊκού Κόμματος με το βλέμμα στην αποψινή τηλεδιάσκεψη κορυφής ΕΕ-Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, συμμετείχε ο πρωθυπουργός Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης,

Στο πλαίσιο αυτής, ο πρωθυπουργός ευχαρίστησε τον πρόεδρο της Σερβίας, Αλεξάντερ Βούτσιτς, καθώς η χώρα του ήταν η πρώτη που δήλωσε ενδιαφέρον να μετάσχει στο πρόγραμμα μετεγκατάστασης ασυνόδευτων ανηλίκων.

Επίσης, ο κ. Μητσοτάκης επανέλαβε ότι η Ελλάδα στηρίζει την ευρωπαϊκή προοπτική των χωρών των Δυτικών Βαλκανίων, εφόσον εκπληρώσουν συγκεκριμένους όρους και προϋποθέσεις. Ειδικότερα, αναφερόμενος στην Αλβανία, τόνισε ότι η γειτονική χώρα έχει κάνει βήματα υπογραμμίζοντας ωστόσο, ότι μένουν ακόμη πολλά να γίνουν στο ζήτημα της προστασίας των δικαιωμάτων της ελληνικής μειονότητας και στο κράτος Δικαίου.

Παρόντες στην τηλεδιάσκεψη ήταν ο αντιπρόεδρος του ΕΛΚ και επικεφαλής της ευρωομάδας της ΝΔ Βαγγέλης Μεϊμαράκης και ο γραμματέας Διεθνών Σχέσεων της ΝΔ και βουλευτής Σερρών, Τάσος Χατζηβασιλείου.

ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ


Απάντηση Αλμπίν Κούρτι σε Ζοσέπ Μπορέλ για ανταλλαγή εδαφών με Σερβία

SManalysis


Echedoros
Αποστολή με μήνυμα ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου


Μάιος 6, 2020. 20:56

Η υπηρεσιακή κυβέρνηση του Κοσσυφοπεδίου θεωρεί απαράδεκτη οποιαδήποτε συζήτηση στην οποία θεωρείται ότι περιλαμβάνεται η αλλαγή των συνόρων του Κοσσυφοπεδίου.


Η κυβέρνηση με επικεφαλής τον Άλμπιν Κούρτι εξέφρασε τη θέση αυτή μετά τη δήλωση του Ύπατου Εκπροσώπου της ΕΕ για θέματα εξωτερικής πολιτικής και πολιτικής ασφαλείας, Ζοσέπ Μπορέλ, ότι η ΕΕ δεν αποκλείει το ενδεχόμενο ο διάλογος Κοσσυφοπεδίου-Σερβίας να συζητήσει την ιδέα της αλλαγής των συνόρων.


Ο εκπρόσωπος της κυβέρνησης του Κοσσυφοπεδίου Περπαρίμ Κρουεζίου, επανέλαβε αυτό που έχει πει επανειλημμένα ο νυν Πρωθυπουργός, Άλμπιν Κούρτι, ότι δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει «διάλογος με χάρτες».


«Όσον αφορά τη δήλωση του κ. Μπορέλ, η κυβέρνηση υπογραμμίζει ότι ο διάλογος πρέπει να βασίζεται σε αρχές. Έχουμε ήδη επαναλάβει τη θέση μας ότι δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει συμφωνία χωρίς διάλογο και διάλογο με χάρτες. Για την κυβέρνηση της Δημοκρατίας του Κοσσυφοπεδίου, οι συζητήσεις που έχουν ως αντικείμενο τα σύνορα της Δημοκρατίας του Κοσσυφοπεδίου ως προϋπόθεση για μια συμφωνία είναι απαράδεκτες, καθώς και μια συμφωνία που περιλαμβάνει την αλλαγή τους ως αποτέλεσμα ", δήλωσε ο Κρουεζίου για την «Gazeta Express».



Ανέφερε ότι η κυβέρνηση με επικεφαλής τον Κούρτι βλέπει τον όρο «αλλαγή συνόρων» ως ευφημισμό για το σχέδιο διχοτόμησης του Κοσσυφοπεδίου.


"Η αλλαγή των συνόρων, ως ευφημισμός για την εδαφική αλλαγή και η διχοτόμηση του Κοσσυφοπεδίου, είναι απαράδεκτη για εμάς", δήλωσε ο Κρουεζίου.


Είπε, επίσης, ότι η κυβέρνηση χαιρετίζει τη δήλωση του κ. Μπορέλ, ότι ο διάλογος μεταξύ Κοσσυφοπεδίου και Σερβίας πρέπει να είναι ελεύθερος και δίκαιος και ότι η τελική συμφωνία θα πρέπει να λαμβάνει υπόψη τις επιπτώσεις που μπορεί να προκαλέσει στην περιοχή.


Σε συνέντευξη με δημοσιογράφους τεσσάρων μέσων ενημέρωσης από τα Δυτικά Βαλκάνια, συμπεριέλαβαν επίσης το TIME της Πρίστινα, ο Μπορέλ, είπε ότι η ΕΕ δεν αποκλείει τη δυνατότητα συζήτησης της ιδέας για αλλαγή των συνόρων στον διάλογο Κοσσυφοπεδίου-Σερβίας.


«Όπως είπα, αυτό είναι ένα ζήτημα που πρέπει να επιλυθεί στο διάλογο μεταξύ Σερβίας και Κοσσυφοπεδίου. Δεν βλέπω καμία ανάγκη να είμαστε πιο καθολικοί από τον Πάπα. Δεν εναπόκειται σε εμάς να πούμε στους Σέρβους και στους Κοσοβάρους τι πρέπει να συμφωνήσουν και τι δεν πρέπει. Ο ρόλος μας θα είναι να διευκολύνουμε τον διάλογο. Όμως, όπως είπα, δεν πρέπει πλέον να είμαστε καθολικότεροι από τον Πάπα. Εάν συμφωνήσουν σε κάτι, πρέπει να μελετήσουμε έτσι τη συμφωνία ούτως ή άλλως, διότι κάθε συμφωνία μεταξύ Σερβίας και Κοσσυφοπεδίου έχει αντίκτυπο στην περιοχή», δήλωσε ο Μπορέλ, απαντώντας σε ερώτηση σχετικά με την ιδέα ανταλλαγής εδαφών, γράφει το αλβανικό δημοσίευμα.

Bulgarian Deputy PM: International communism created a fake Macedonia

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Bulgarian Deputy PM: International communism created a fake Macedonia 2
by PAUL ANTONOPOULOS

Greek City Times 

Bulgarian Deputy PM: International communism created a fake Macedonia 2
Greece’s northern neighbour now known as “North Macedonia” has a policy of imposing an artificial identity with a falsification of Bulgarian history that does nothing good and divides society further, said Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Krasimir Karakachanov according to Focus News.

The comment was made in an open letter in response to the chairman of the co-operation group between the parliaments of “North Macedonia” and Bulgaria Ilija Dimovski, who made a scandalous reading of our history, and concluded that “Macedonians are as Bulgarian as much as Bulgarians are Greeks.”

“A few days ago, former [Skopjian] Prime Minister Gruevski had written a lengthy interpretation of history on the internet, and I responded with arguments, fact by fact. It was not circulated by any [North] “Macedonian” site or “Macedonian” media, but my comment was read by over 36,000 people in [North] “Macedonia” as early as May 2nd,” the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Obviously this topic provokes irritation and debate in [North] “Macedonian” society and we are witnessing another politician, incompetent in the history of his own country and people, who is trying to interpret the facts in an extremely elementary, or I would say, illiterate way,” he added.

Karakachanov highlighted that in recent years more than 20 books have been published in “North Macedonia,” some of which are documents, and other original memoirs of Bulgarian militias that operated in Macedonia during the late Ottoman period. These documents speak of Bulgarians and not of “Macedonians” and the “Macedonian nation.”

“If these politicians like Mr. Dimkovski had bothered to read several books, not published in Bulgaria, but printed by the Macedonian Academy of Sciences or the Macedonian archives, they should have been a little more restrained in their reckless and illiterate comments and interpretations of history,” he said.

According to Karakachanov, the results of this policy are disastrous – the “Macedonian” population decreases and Albanian parties take more serious prevail. According to the current Constitution in “North Macedonia” it is not possible to form government without being in coalition with an Albanian party.

“The prospect is unhappy with those politicians who have locked themselves in their glass world from crooked mirrors and defended the Comintern [International Communism]. There is written evidence that the “Macedonian nation” is part of the Communist International’s strategy in Moscow to create new nations. The idea of a seperate “Macedonian nation” was imposed by force on the “Republic of Macedonia” because it remained part of communist Yugoslavia. You cannot create an identity by falsifying history from thousands of years ago,” concluded Karakachanov.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Tender process for Vlora airport in Albania to resume soon

SManalysis
The Turkish company Kalyon to construct the Vlora Airport ...
By bne IntelliNews May 4, 2020

The tender process for the construction and operation of Vlora airport in Albania will resume soon, local media reported citing the infrastructure minister.

The airport in Vlora will be the third in the country. Currently, only one airport is operational in Albania, in the capital Tirana, that is operated by a Chinese consortium, but works are also underway for the upgrade of Kukes airport in the country’s north.

12 days remain for international companies to file bids in a tender, which was suspended in late March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Minister Belinda Balluku was cited by Albanian Daily News on May 2.

Companies were given two to three weeks to ensure they had time to compile the required documents, she said.

The construction of Vlora airport was a promise of Prime Minister Edi Rama after the exclusive rights over international flights that Tirana airport enjoyed were removed in April 2016.

Albania's government also decided to guarantee the future concessionaire’s revenue for at least ten years if the offered price does not exceed €138mn.

Vlora airport will be given to a 35-year concession under the build-operate-transfer model (BOT).

Monday, May 4, 2020

Trump attacks Bush after 43rd president offers message of unity

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President George W. Bush Video Address at The George H.W. Bush ...
By Chandelis Duster, CNN

May 4, 2020

Former United States of America President George W. Bush looks on upon his arrival at the Theresanyo Primary school, on April 4, 2017, in Gaborone, during a two day official visit in Botswana.

Former United States of America President George W. Bush looks on upon his arrival at the Theresanyo Primary school, on April 4, 2017, in Gaborone, during a two day official visit in Botswana.
Listen to George W. Bush's message about Covid-19


Washington (CNN)Former President George W. Bush called for an end to partisanship in the nation's continued battle against the coronavirus pandemic, a message that was swiftly rejected by President Donald Trump, who attacked the 43rd president for not coming to his defense during the impeachment trial.

The episode starkly underlines how Trump views his role as the head of state differently from his predecessors. Whereas previous presidents, including Bush, sought to heal divisions in the country following crises, Trump has instead repeatedly blamed Democrats and the news media as his administration's handling of the crisis has been scrutinized, and he has frequently cast the nation's recovery from the pandemic in the context of his reelection.
"We are not partisan combatants," Bush said in a video message posted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center on Twitter Saturday. "We're human beings, equally vulnerable and equally wonderful in the sight of God. We rise or fall together. And we're determined to rise."
"Medical professionals are risking their own health for the health of others, and we're deeply grateful. Officials at every level are setting out the requirements of public health that protect us all. And we all need to do our part," Bush added.
"We cannot allow physical separation to become emotional isolation," he continued, adding: "This requires us to be not only compassionate but creative in our outreach and people across the nation are using the tools of technology and the cause of solidarity."
Bush, who has remained largely silent during the pandemic, said that following 9/11, he "saw a great nation rises as one to honor the brave to grieve with the grieving and to embrace unavoidable new duties."
"And I have no doubt, none at all, that this spirit of service and sacrifice is alive and well in America," he said.
Despite restrictions like social distancing measures, Bush said Americans "can find ways to be present in the lives of others to ease their anxiety, and share their burdens." And the former president asked that the country "remember how small our differences are in the face of this shared threat."
Bush's message was originally shared during "The Call to Unite" 24-hour event.
Trump, however, said Bush missed an opportunity to call for an end to partisanship during the Democratic-led impeachment trial earlier this year, tweeting Sunday that Bush "was nowhere to be found" during Trump's impeachment trial.

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump
.@PeteHegseth  “Oh bye the way, I appreciate the message from former President Bush, but where was he during Impeachment calling for putting partisanship aside.” @foxandfriends  He was nowhere to be found in speaking up against the greatest Hoax in American history!

A spokesman for Bush declined to comment on Trump's tweet.
Trump has occasionally publicly criticized Bush, attacking him on the campaign trail in 2016 over his response to the 9/11 terror attacks and accusing the former president of lying about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Trump's pointed response to Bush over the weekend also highlights how he stands apart from the fraternity of former presidents, who have occasionally called on each other in moments of crisis. One of the first phone calls Barack Obama made after the death of Osama bin Laden was to Bush, and the 43rd president called on his two immediate predecessors, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, to help lead aid efforts following the 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia.

But Trump, who has referred to his unorthodox personal conduct in office as "modern day presidential," has not shown much interest in seeking his predecessors' advice, though he did speak with his 2020 political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, by phone last month in regard to the pandemic.
"Look, I respect everybody, but I feel I have an incredible team and I think we're doing an incredible job," Trump told reporters during a White House briefing in March when asked if he has considered calling Bush and other former presidents. "So I don't want to disturb them, bother them. I don't think I'm going to learn much. And, you know, I guess you could say that there's probably a natural inclination not to call."
This story has been updated to include additional background information.

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Serb leader praises Russian arms 21 years after NATO bombing

SManalysis
Serb leader praises Russian arms 21 years after NATO bombing - ABC ...

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC, Associated Press
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s president thanked Russia on Saturday for making the country’s military “10 times” stronger than when it was bombed by NATO in 1999.

Aleksandar Vucic spoke Saturday while visiting an air defense unit near Belgrade that has recently been equipped with the Russian Pantsir-S1 system, which is designed to defend targets on the ground from cruise missiles, drones and low-flying aircraft.

© Provided by Associated Press In this March 15, 2020, photo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a news conference in Belgrade, Serbia. Since declaring nationwide state of emergency Vucic has suspended parliament, giving him widespread powers such as closing borders and introducing a 12-hour curfew. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

“This is a great support for the defense of our towns, protection of our infrastructure and the strengthening of our military,” Vucic said. “We don’t want to attack anyone, we want to protect the future of our children."
Vucic’s visit to the air defense unit coincided with the anniversary of the day a U.S. Air Force F-16 jet was shot down over Serbia 21 years ago. The pilot, David Goldfein, was rescued by American commandos in a hair-raising operation. Goldfein is now a general who serves as the U.S. Air Force chief of staff.
“I’m proud to be visiting the brigade that has shot down the F-16,” Vucic, who was Serbia’s information minister during the NATO intervention, said.

Russia’s arming of Serbia with warplanes, tanks and anti-aircraft systems is watched with unease in the Balkans and the West amid simmering tensions in the region which went through a devastating civil war in the 1990s.
NATO intervened in Serbia to stop a bloody Serb crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists in 1999. Russia, led at the time by President Boris Yeltsin, stayed largely on sidelines.
Despite formally seeking European Union membership, Serbia under Vucic’s populist leadership has strengthened close political and military ties with Slavic ally Russia and China.
Serbia has pledged to stay out of NATO and refused to join Western sanctions against Russia for its policies in Ukraine.
Vucic's visit to the military base took place amid growing popular discontent in Serbia over the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his government's lockdown measures.

PYRROS DIMAS – CLEAN ANALYSIS

SManalysis
SportPYRROS DIMAS – Clean Analysis
Pyrros Dimas is one of the all-time best weightlifters ever. Everybody knows that, right? Well, if you didn’t know the name before (which is really hard to believe), you certainly will now! Over his career, he has set numerous World Records and, the most impressive of all, won THREE Gold Medals at the Olympics as well as the Bronze on his valiant attempt at Olympic Gold #4. Not too many lifters can stake claim to 4 Olympic medals. Needless to say, Dimas has been one of my favorite lifters for many years!

Success in weightlifting has to do with three basic components – technique, strength, and flexibility. The proper technique so as to best utilize the rules of physics and efficient biomechanics, the strength to maintain the correct positions that the proper technique dictates and the flexibility to get into those correct positions comfortably and consistently.

When you are winning Olympic Gold while setting World Records like Pyrros, you are definitely taking care of all of these components!

Let’s take a look at what his World Record Clean looks like. Keep in mind that when a lifter is in the throes of competition going for maximum weights, sometimes the technique isn’t as sharp or as crisp as with, say, 80-90%. But in this case, we are examining some really nice techniques!


All of his positions are biomechanically sound with excellent speed and meeting the bar in the receiving position smooth and solid. All of the “key positions” that coaches look for are pretty much classic. At the START and when the bar is at the KNEES, we look for flat back, head neutral, arms straight, and shoulders in front of the bar. Mission accomplished!

But as he passes through the POWER POSITION into EXTENSION, he has a bit of a unique style that needs to be mentioned. We typically will teach the concept that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. If the “action” is throwing the head and shoulders back at the top of the pull, the “reaction” will be a swing or horizontal movement of the bar. To keep the bar moving vertically and to keep the bar close to the body throughout, the head should stay neutral and shoulders more vertical elevation.

There are some out there who advocate the big horizontal movement as the most efficient technique for power and maximum weight. They justify their argument by pointing out that, hey, Dimas throws his head back at the top of the pull so it must be OK, right? Well, actually, NO!

Although he does do a bit of a hitch with the head and shoulders at the top of the pull, note that he is still following the rules of biomechanics that we preach. The bar still stays close to the body throughout and the bar stays pretty much over the middle of the foot for maximum vertical bar displacement. For most lifters, the bar will swing out with the head and shoulders whipped back, but it still works correctly for Dimas.

Remember the “10,000-hour” rule? Sometimes we forget that the top lifters have over the years developed their own little idiosyncrasies that work for them, but not necessarily recommended for everyone else to follow that lead. It is wise for coaches to continue to stress biomechanically sound

positions to be the safest, most effective way to train. Interestingly, when Dimas himself is asked about his “head throw”, he himself does not teach this or recommend it! He says that although he has developed this hitch, it does not cause bar separation and stays close throughout.

All of that being said, the bar path of this lift is effective and efficient. Right off the floor, the bar comes back toward the middle of the foot as the key positions are held strong and tight. Transitioning from the knees through the power position into full, triple extension, the bar shows the very little horizontal displacement. This powerful vertical extension ends up with the solid “catch”. The transition from the finish of the pull to the receiving position is smooth, meeting the bar with very little “crash” on to the shoulders. The strong recovery doesn’t happen as you see here without that effective bar path.

Thank you SportEdTV for the great Clean video of Pyrros Dimas! This is an awesome educational tool that lifters and coaches would be smart to take advantage of!

By Leo Totten

SportEdTV contributor

Acting Intelligence Chief says he's "increasingly concerned" over handling of sensitive U.S. person information among agencies and orders broad review

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Richard Grenell Named As Acting Director Of National Intelligence ...
BY CATHERINE HERRIDGE

UPDATED ON: MAY 2, 2020 CBS NEWS

The acting Director of National Intelligence has ordered all 17 of the intelligence community agencies to immediately review whether their handling and sharing of information that identifies U.S. persons — such as citizens and those with permanent residency — are in compliance with strict privacy policies and procedures, according to a memorandum exclusively reviewed by CBS News.


Richard Grenell, who became the acting intelligence chief in February, signed the memorandum with the subject, "Protecting the Privacy and Civil Liberties of U.S. Persons," on April 29.  It directs agencies including the CIA, the NSA, military intelligence and Homeland Security to report back findings, and identify specific actions that will ensure the rules are followed, within 30 days.

The memo does not make clear the catalyst for the broad review.  But Grenell wrote, "As the Acting Director of National Intelligence, I serve as the approving official for dissemination of unmasked congressional identity information...I have become increasingly concerned with intelligence reports that inconsistently apply the policies and procedures governing how U.S. person identities are masked."

Grenell continued, "To that end, I am directing all IC (Intelligence Community) elements to review their implementation of the applicable standard for disseminating U.S. person identifying information and, as necessary, modify internal procedures to ensure the rules..are consistently applied."


A senior administration official said the goal is to set uniform standards across the 17 agencies for identifying or "unmasking" U.S. person information, eliminating varying standards to protect privacy. The official added that the review reflects ongoing concern over the handling of such information during the last election cycle.

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In the course of intelligence collection, an agency may conduct surveillance on a target or
gather their communications. In the process, the intelligence may also incidentally capture an American citizen's name or job title, and there is an obligation to "minimize" or hide it.

Grenell wrote that while the "guidelines might use slightly different words and phases, the rules generally provide that our disseminated intelligence products should only include U.S. person identifying information if it is necessary, or reasonably believed to become necessary, for the recipient to understand, assess or act on the information."

In 2017, the House Intelligence Committee, then led by Republican Devin Nunes, launched an investigation into these identifications or so-called "unmasking." Among witnesses called were former National Security Adviser Susan Rice and former UN Ambassador Samantha Power. All transcripts from the closed door sessions have not been publicly released by the committee's current Democratic Chairman Adam Schiff.

The two-page memo also emphasized that, "It is critical that we afford the same rigorous privacy and civil liberties protections to all U.S. persons regardless of whether they are a private citizen, Member of Congress, or an official serving within our Government's Executive Branch."

The memo continued, "Moving forward, all IC (Intelligence Community) Elements should, by default, characterize U.S. person identities in disseminated intelligence reporting in a sufficiently generic manner to mask their identity, consistent with existing law and policy."

On Tuesday, a Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for President Trump's nominee to replace Grenell, Republican congressman John Ratcliffe.

First published on May 1, 2020 / 8:42 PM

© 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Συμμετέχει η Ελληνική Τράπεζα σε επένδυση της αλβανικής μαφίας στη Χιμάρα?

SManalysis

Oferta fantastike nga Alpha Bank Albania

Σταύρο Μάρκο

Σύμφωνα με τις πληροφορίες, ένας Αλβανός επενδυτής, αμφισβητούμενος με διαμαρτυρίες στη Χιμάρα, έλαβε δάνειο εκατομμυρίων ευρώ για την κατασκευή ενός πολυτελούς ξενοδοχείου στην ακτή της Χιμάρας.

Οι πληροφορίες που μας έρχονται κατά τη διάρκεια της έρευνας δείχνουν ότι η "Alpha Bank", υποκατάστημα της Αλβανίας, έχει επενδύσει μια ομάδα Αλβανών που σχετίζονται με επενδύσεις μαφίας στη Χιμάρα, ενώ το ζήτημα της ιδιοκτησίας και των επενδύσεων της αλβανικής μαφίας και ολιγάρχης γίνεται ακόμη πιο ανησυχητικό. Αυτό μας ανησυχεί σοβαρά ότι οι ελληνικές επενδύσεις στην Αλβανία, όπως αυτή η Τράπεζα, χρησιμεύουν για την επένδυση της αλβανικής εξτρεμιστικής στρατηγικής, για την απαλλοτρίωση και την απομάκρυνση του ελληνικού πληθυσμού από το ιστορικό της έδαφος.

Όμως όχι μόνο αυτό, θυμόμαστε πολύ καλά το έτος των διαδηλώσεων του 2016, όταν ακριβώς σε αυτήν την επένδυση, μέχρι σήμερα, οι διαμαρτυρίες του λαού της Χιμάρας, δεν σταματούν. Εκτός από το αλβανικό κράτος, τους ολιγάρχες και η μαφία, μέσω της νομιμοποίησης εσόδων από παράνομες δραστηριότητες, του εγκλήματος και των ναρκωτικών, έχει πλέον αποδειχθεί πλήρως ότι οι ελληνικές τράπεζες συμμετέχουν επίσης σε αυτήν τη στρατηγική εξάλειψης του ιστορικού εδάφους και των περιουσιακών στοιχείων της κοινότητας της Χιμάρας.

Η ελληνική κυβέρνηση, η οποία "έκλεισε τα μάτια της" και ψήφισε υπέρ της Αλβανίας να αρχίσει διαπραγματεύσεις, έχει ελάχιστο ενδιαφέρον για τις εθνικές υποθέσεις της Ελλάδας εναντίον της Χιμάρας και  Βόρειας Ηπείρου, ενώ οι ελληνικές τράπεζες επενδύουν κεφάλαια για αλβανικούς μαχητές.

Και μην ρωτάτε εάν κάποιος Έλληνας επιχειρηματίας ή πολίτης από τη Χιμάρα έχει λάβει δάνειο από τις Ελληνικές Τράπεζες, γιατί μας φέρνει μπροστά ακριβώς το Πρόβλημα Ακινήτων που κανένας από  Χιμάρα δεν έχει, και φυσικά το έχουν μόνο, Αλβανοί, ολιγάρχες και μαφία.

Υπενθυμίζουμε ότι στο ίδιο σύνδρομο, ο πρώην Έλληνας πρέσβης στα Τίρανα συμμετείχε, με τους ιδιοκτήτες ολιγάρχες της τηλεόρασης Klan, οι οποίοι σήμερα εισέβαλαν στους Δρυμάδες και τη Χιμάρα, ενώ είναι περιττό να πούμε ότι η ελληνική κυβέρνηση εξακολουθεί να ενδιαφέρεται για τη Χιμάρα και παντού στην  Βόρεια Ηπείρου, σε επίπεδο πρεσβείας και όχι μέσω των θεσμών ασφαλείας του ελληνικού κράτους.

Σας υπενθυμίζουμε επίσης ότι η "Alpha Bank" είναι η μόνη σοβαρή τράπεζα στην αλβανική αγορά, ενώ η "Bank of Pireas", η "Tirana Bank" και η Εθνική Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος, NGB πωλήθηκαν στους ίδιους Αλβανούς ολιγάρχες, για περισσότερα από 100 εκατομμύρια ευρώ.

Turkish jets harass & stalks helicopter transporting Greek Defence Minister and Top General

SManalysis
Turkish jets harass & stalks helicopter transporting Greek Defence Minister and Top General 10
by PAUL ANTONOPOULOS

Greek City Times Greece

breaking news
There has been an incredible provocation by Turkey today, as Turkish fighter jets harassed the helicopter carrying the Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and the Chief of General Staff General Konstantinos Floros.

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The Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff visited outposts in Oinousses and Farmakonisi in the eastern Aegean close to the Turkish mainland.

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After the helicopter carrying the two top military heads of Greece took off from Oinousses, a pair of Turkish F16 fighter jets flew next to the Greek helicopter, making dangerous maneuvers and harassing it.

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In particular, the Turkish fighters at 11:38 flew over 3,500 feet above Oinousses, harassing the helicopter carrying the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, shortly after taking off from the island.

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Then, at 11:58 a.m., the same pair of Turkish aircraft flew over Agathonisi at 1,700 feet.

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Turkey on a daily basis violates Greek airspace, and this time it was so blatant and in plain site of the Greek Defence Ministry heads.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his mad dash for a neo-Ottoman Empire pushes the dream of the “Blue Homeland” that aims to steal Greece’s Eastern Aegean Islands and maritime space.

This is in contrary to international law and Erdoğan openly supports this dream by even posing in front of maps of it.

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It is clear that Turkey are attempting to provoke a situation with Greece to distract their own population from the declining economic situation as the coronavirus continues to ravage the country.

The German Ministry of the Interior confirmed that a Turkish soldier fired a shot at 19:15 on Tuesday evening at German police assisting Greek soldiers at the Greece-Turkey border, as reported by Greek City Times.

This was then followed up again on Friday night when Turkish soldiers fired at least 50 bullets on the Greek side of the border, as again reported by Greek City Times.