ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVED: ALBANIA IN NATO

Photo: During the visit of the US President Bush in Tirana June 2007, the promise of the Joint of Albania to NATO

A historical Session of Albanian Parliament . The Assembly approve the unanimity, the package of laws of Albania's NATO membership. According to the declaration of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha, the decision passed after the aspiration of Albanian people to joint to the NATO alliance. Berisha stated that 96% of Albanian people wants the Albania to Joint NATO.

Photo: The friendly Albanian - Chinese solidarity 1962-1978

Anyway the joint of Tirana to NATO alliance is became a

"FACT" even Albania is the poorest country of Europe, with organized crime and contraband including massive weapons corruption, violating the human rights of properties and minorities, is the only country which never has make free democratic elections.

Photo: Albania Joint to the "Varsavia Treaty" with USSR against NATO

But during the modern Albanian history the country headed by dictator regimes was jointed to the other alliances against the Atlantic forces. On the period of the Second World War 1939-1943, Albania jointed to the "Axis Fascist Forces". While after during the dictator regime of Enver Hoxha Albanian jointed to "Varsavia Treaty" until 1968.

Photo: Italian fascist FM Ciano with King Zogu, Albania joint to the "Fascist Axis" 1939-1943

The last years Albania linked with China to the strong economic and military

cooperation until 1978. A historically carachteristic of Albanian state is the love to cooperate with the "great powers" with long distance as possible.

According to the albanian press the decision of albania to joint NATO alliance shows the new dimension as "Regional Power" of albanians in Balkan Region.

Sotiris Ninis: the rising star

The Champions League, which he has entered to play during the match Panathinaikos - Inter, offered for the Italian public the opportunity to admire a player of great talent such as Sotiris Ninis.

It is no coincidence, but there are several large clubs of the old Continent who already follow with interest the imagination of talented of Panathinaikos, including Manchester United, Milan, Arsenal, Real Madrid. The Athenian Society, for its part, has taken steps to protect Ninis who wants to pay about 15 million.

In a country with strong nationalism, such as Greece, it is interesting to note that Sotiris Ninis was born in Himara, a city south of Albania. This should not mislead: Ninis is pure greek origin. His parents, as several sources report, are of Greek ethnicity. In addition, Sotiris Ninis has actually ever lived in Greece, where his parents have moved since 1991.

more see: http://www.mondogreco.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503&Itemid=45

GREEK INDIPENDENCE DAY IN ARGIROKASTER

25 March 2009, Celebration on March 25 in Northern Epirus, Southern Albania.

Greek considerations & Obama’s Turkey trip

Greek American News Agency

By Ioannis Michaletos*
The developments that occurred over the past few weeks and after the end of the Gaza war, have showed to an extent that Turkey acquires a louder voice in the Middle Eastern affairs by promoting itself as the main Muslim power and in parallel trying to combine that with its ability of assisting the US withdraw its troops from Iraq.

The forthcoming Obama voyage to Turkey will mostly center on the Iraq issue and more specifically how Ankara could assist in securing an exodus for the American Army via its ports and airfields. In that sense it is quite natural for the Greek policy makers to fear that Turkey's role will be highly elevated and that may have deteriorating effects for the relations of the two states.

In reality all the aforementioned considerations are not valid in any sense since the Americans do not need Turkish assistance to secure their withdrawal from Iraq. They can perfectly use the Basra port or the highway connecting the country with Jordan. Turkey could just ease American retreat but just that. The real stake of Obama's trip could not be other than the all timely issue of Kurdish insurgence and the real possibility of the declaration of independence by the Kurds of Northern Iraq.

According to all current information, Washington will move a substantial part of its Iraqi forces into secure areas in Northern Iraq and in that sense it will not leave the country. As it can be understood that will elevate the role of the Kurds in the Middle East as the sole ethnic group that secures American presence in a period where Washington is under a serious negotiation process with powers such as Iran, Syria and in a wider extent with the whole Muslim world.

*Ioannis Michaletos is an independent Strategic Analyst. He was born in 1978 in Athens- Greece and pursued studies in the UK in the fields of Political Science and Human Resource Management. He is occupied as a South Eastern European Analyst of the Research Institute on European & American Studies, RIEAS, and as a South Eastern European Editor in the World Security Network Foundation, WSNF. Moreover he regularly publishes articles in www.Balkanalysis.com

more see: http://www.greekamericannewsagency.com/gana/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4784&Itemid=83

THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY IN TIRANA

For the first time the Greek Independence anniversary of 25 March, held without the presence of the President and the Albanian Prime Minister.

The Greek Independence day held in Tirana invited by the Greek Ambassador in Albania Nicolas Pazios. Where represent Albanian politic personalities and foreign representative embassies in Albania.

But for the first time that was missing the presence of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha on the event. Also The President Bamir Topi was not present during the anniversary ceremony.

PRESS RELEASE

HIMARA UNION

Athens, Grece

see more; http://www.himaraunion.com/

PRESS RELEASE

PANEPIROTIC FEDERATION CONDEMNS ACTIONS OF ALBANIAN COURTS AGAINST MAYOR VASILIOS BOLLANOS OF HIMARA

12 YEARS AGO

Photo archive: Vlore, Albania March 1997

The crisis that broke out in Albania, in early March of 1997, following the collapse of the banking system and the State of Civil War.

By the No. 1101/1997 UNSC Resolution, issued after the Report of the E.U. and the OSCE Working Groups, the establishment of a temporary, small scale OSCE-led Multinational Protection Force in Albania was authorized, in order to create a secure environment for the missions of the International Organizations in Albania, ensuring the conduct of free elections for the appointment of a new government.

Italy was the lead nation in the Multinational Protection Force, with participating nations France, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Denmark, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium and Greece. PARTICIPATION OF HELLENIC FORCES: The Hellenic Contingent in Albania consisting of 803 men and 224 vehicles arrived in Albania on the 5th of April 1997, in the context of operation “ALBA”.

THE GREEK NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE JAIL OF OMONIA`S PRESIDENT

In its edition of Sunday 22 March, the newspaper "Η ΑΠΟΨΗ" host full page tribute in the proceedings of Hellenism in Himara Region regarding the prosecution of the Mayor Vasilis Bolanou by the albanian authorities.

see more: http://www.himaraunion.com/documents/apopsi358_p52.pdf

A DANGEROUS GAME OF FOREIGN GREEK MINISTRY ABOUT THE WATER AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA

According to "Firence Protocol" of 1915, the Saseno Island is part of Ionian Islands of the greek national waters.

see more on Greek weekly: http://www.paron.gr/v3/new.php?id=39378&colid=37&catid=42&dt=2009-03-22%200:0:0

PRESSE RELEASE

THE WORLD COUNCIL IPEIROTON

SUPORTS THE PRESIDENT OF OMONIA BOLLANO

The World Council of Foreign Ipeiroton denounced the new scandal by the Albanian authorities to condemned the political institution of the Greek minority «OMONIA» by political persecution of its President Basil Bolanos

The World Council of Foreign Ipeiroton condemns these methods of the Albanian authorities. It calls the Albanian Government to stop these methods of intimidation of the Greek minority and to respect human rights values.

VANGJELOS DOULES ACCUSES ALBANIAN POLITICS FOR BOLLANOS CASE

HRUP has targetd state structures and in particular the Albanian justice, for the the case of Bolanos. The leader of this party, Vangjelos Doules, has called the judicial process in charge of the mayor and also the head of Himara OMONIA s, Vasillis Bollanos, an absurdity that Albania wants to keep away from what is happening in other countries of Europe modern.

Doules has made this statement during a meeting with the management structures HRUP the evening of Friday in Gjirokastra. "He who speaks for the rights of minorities is often biased, often found even charged, often also required penalized them, as in the case of the chairman of the Democratic Union of the ethnic Greek minority, Vasillis Bollanos, the fact that only requires also be implemented in Albania framework convention on the rights of members of ethnic minorities, as has the Albanian Parliament, "stressed Doules.

AHEPA praise for new NATO commander nominee

WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA) - The American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) this week expressed its satisfaction over a decision by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to propose the appointment of US Navy Adm. James Stavridis for the post of NATO commander in Europe.

"We are overjoyed with the news," said AHEPA President Ike Goulas said in reference to the highly decorated US admiral of Greek descent, adding that "we are extremely proud of his excellent achievements and we are convinced that, following his appointment, he will serve the nation and lead the Alliance in an excellent and discreet way."

THE GREEK NEWSPAPER "ELEFTEROS KOSMOS"

The Pan Epiriotic Federations send in The International Criminal Court of Hague the rights of the Greek Community in Albania

On 24 February 2009, has been submteed to the ICC (International Criminal Court, ICC) of the United Nations, with headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, the accuse against the Albanian state and the Albanian authorities for the violation of basic human rights for the Greek minority living in Albania.

On appeal, after the first mention in history, the undisputed Greekness of Northern Epirus and the struggles for independence, were violations of basic human rights regarding: Avoid the formal counting of the Greek population and other minorities in the country, the operation of Greek schools, the seizure of property of northern epiriotes both Greeks and the Orthodox Church, political rights and representation of the Greek minority in public service, sense of security the use of Greek as the official language of the rule which provides for the allocation of economic aid from the Albanian state and the representation of Greek northern epiriotes media in the country.

For all the above provided a wealth of evidence (documents, newspaper clippings, brochures, books, etc.) and a list with about a thousand signatures from Greeks of Northern Epirus. It should be noted here that both the list of evidence of violations of basic human rights and the list of signatures, remain open for further evidence and signatures of the Greek Northern Epirus.

It`s for the second time in history that the Albanian State is accused in the International Court of Hague for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. In 1935 the Himara Community has accused the Albanian state for the close of the Greek schools wining the right to reopen from the Hague the Greek institutions in Himara Region.

http://www.elkosmos.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=941:2009-03-18-15-55-57&catid=87:epikairotita&Itemid=277

A border dispute in Balkans imperils Europe's expansion

By Dan Bilefsky

OBREZJE, Slovenia, or BREGANA, Croatia: Thanks to the vagaries of history and an accident of geography, customers at Kalin, a rustic 180-year-old tavern here, can eat their roast pork dinners in Slovenia, step a few meters away to Croatia to go to the bathroom, saunter back to Slovenia to pay their bill and end their meal on Croatian soil over a game of billiards and a shot of local pear brandy.

Just in case clients are confused, Sasha Kalin, the 36-year-old owner, has painted a fluorescent yellow line across the floor to delineate the very spot — next to a pool table — where the border between Slovenia and Croatia bisects the property. Tipsy customers who step outside and accidentally walk through a row of concrete potted plants demarcating the border are stopped by unsmiling armed Croatian border guards.

...The disagreement also threatens to derail NATO's 60th anniversary celebrations next month in Strasbourg, where Croatia and Albania are expected to be admitted into the alliance. While the Slovene government insists that it supports Croatia's NATO accession, the Party of the Slovenian Nation, a nationalist Slovene group, is racing to gather 40,000 signatures necessary to hold a referendum on Croatia's entry bid. In the event of a no vote, Slovenia's government could be forced to block Croatia's entry.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/20/europe/border.php

Albania:Agreement Between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Albania on the Delimitation of Their Maritime Space and Continental Shelf Initialed

On 19 March 2009 the “Agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Hellenic Republic on the Delimitation of their Maritime Space and Continental Shelf” was initialed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This Agreement of special national significance for both our countries, which is based on the international law principles and on the UN Maritime Convention, is due to be signed soon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends the conviction that the conclusion of this Agreement will contribute to the further strengthening and intensification of the good and friendly relations existing between our two friendly countries.

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFINGBRIEFER: ROBERT WOOD, ACTING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMANSTATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, STATE DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.11:34 A.M. EDT, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

........ Okay, Mr. Lambros.

QuestionOn; Cyprus, Mr. Wood, for 36 successive years, Turkey has
occupied illegally the Republic of Cyprus, using ammunition and
weapons. But I cannot understand why Mrs. Clinton has given her
consent to receive here officially the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet
Ali Talat, without seeing first the president of the republic or the
foreign minister

It's confirmed. I would like to know when it's going to happen.
It's done.

MR. WOOD: I don't know. Mr. Lambros, I can't answer that
question for you. I'll see if I can get you an answer on that.

Question; Can you take this question? It's very important.

MR. WOOD: I said I would.

Question: On Northern Epirus, Mr. Wood, Mayor of Himare Vasil Bollano in Northern Epirus is under constant attack by the Albanian government of Sali Berisha. Without any excuse, Mrs. -- Mr. Bollano is going to prison for clearly political reasons. I know that Secretary Hillary Clinton has different opinions in respect with the Albanian court.

Once again I ask the government, the U.S. government, right now, in order to stop this unpopular Albanian political plan.

MR. WOOD: I'm not aware of this issue, Mr. Lambros. I'm sorry.

Question: But can you take this question? Because it's -- .
MR. WOOD: I'm not sure it's -- what's the question?

Question: The question is that the mayor of Himare is going to prison for political reasons. I would like you to get to the bottom to stop this movement.

MR. WOOD: I'm not going to take this it's not a question you're asking; you're making a request, and I'm ...

Question: No, the question is that he's going to prison for political reasons already.

MR. WOOD: Are you asking or telling me? I'm not quite sure here. What -- ..

Question: No, the question is, he's going to political for political reason. It has been done by a court, and I would like you to get involved.

US envoy to Albania cleared in Chinese arms probe

Photo: US ambassador to Albania John Withers

WASHINGTON (AFP)

The United States said Wednesday that its ambassador to Albania and five staff have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the alleged trafficking of Chinese weapons that surfaced in a newspaper report.In a letter last year to then-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Congressman Henry Waxman said Ambassador John Withers had helped hide illegal Chinese origins of ammunition that a Pentagon contractor bought to supply Afghan security forces.



"At the time, the matter was submitted to our inspector general for review," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Wednesday, reading a statement.
"The inspector general has reviewed all evidence made available and found nothing to substantiate criminal or any other allegations concerning Department of State employees," he said. "The Department of Justice has informed the Office of the Inspector General that these six Department of State employees at Embassy Tirana are not targets or subjects of investigation," Wood added.

"The department welcomes the statements by the Department of Justice and the inspector general and considers this matter closed," Wood said.The spokesman said "Withers and his team performed exactly as we would have expected them to do," adding that the State Department is "proud and grateful for their service." In June last year, Withers denied any involvement in the trafficking of Chinese weapons after allegations of US congressional investigators emerged in a New York Times report.


Seven people were arrested in Tirana after a blast in a military depot in March in which 26 people were killed and 302 were injured. The incident gave rise to suspicions of possible arms trafficking in the country.The New York Times said Withers "met with the Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu hours before the New York Times reporter was to visit the American contractor's operations in Tirana" in a bid to "hide several boxes of Chinese ammunition from a visiting reporter."


The ammunition was "being repackaged to disguise its origins and shipped from Albania to Afghanistan by AEY, a Miami Beach arms-dealing company," the daily said.At the time, AEY was under a contract with the US army as "the main munitions supplier for Afghan security forces" despite US law prohibiting trading in Chinese arms.AEY head Efraim Diveroli, 22, and three other people were charged in June with selling prohibited Chinese ammunition, presented as being of Albanian origin, to the Pentagon, said the Times.

US to pick admiral as NATO commander-officials

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - The United States is expected to appoint a Navy admiral, James Stavridis, to NATO's top command post as the alliance prepares to step up its Afghan war effort, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

Stavridis is currently head of U.S. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America, and previously served as the senior military assistant to Donald Rumsfeld when he was Pentagon chief. (Reporting by Andrew Gray, editing by Jackie Frank)

Albania Real State Shows Signs of Crises

By Gjergj Erebara in Tirana
Commercial tower in TiranaReal estate agents in Albania are seeing a drop in demand for property, forcing a decline in prices as banks tighten their rules on mortgage loans and as demand weakens.

Agencies in Tirana contacted by Balkan Insight say that they are currently flooded with offers to sell luxury apartments and commercial property. “Dozens of luxury apartments that costs at least €150,000, are now available for sale because many owners are eager for cash,” said one real estate agent.

“We have offers for commercial properties that cost up to €1 million”, she added.In Tirana's suburbs prices have declined by 20-30 per cent.

see more: http://www.balkaninsight.com/?tpl=304&tpid=144