Albania in nuclear export scheme John Hooper in Rome

Saturday November 10, 2007
The Guardian

It is one of the poorest countries in Europe, which still endures acute electricity shortages and almost daily blackouts, even in the capital.

Still, Albania is undaunted. In a proposal that has alarmed neighbouring Greece but elicited interest from Italy, the country is proposing to host nuclear plants that would supply electricity across the Adriatic by way of an underwater cable.

The news emerged at an Italo-Albanian business conference in Tirana, where the prime minister, Sali Berisha, said he aimed to turn Albania into a regional energy superpower - a glorified socket on the Adriatic capable of supplying cheap electricity to Balkan neighbours and Italy.

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He said the government was consulting contractors such as Westinghouse. Zana Gonxholi, an economic adviser to the Albanian government, said a Franco-Swiss consortium had prepared a plan for a nuclear plant at Drac on the north coast.

An Albanian civil nuclear programme could not only help the country fill its own gaping power shortfalls, but get around popular resistance in Italy to nuclear generation. A referendum there in 1987 led to a five-year moratorium on nuclear power, and no government has since dared reopen the issue. But the idea has prompted alarm in neighbouring Greece.

The daily La Stampa yesterday reported that talks had been held with the Italian grid operator, Terna, on linking the Italian and Albanian electricity networks. Pier Ferdinando Casini, a leading candidate to take over from Silvio Berlusconi as leader of the Italian right, said the chance "must not be allowed to slip".

The prime minister, Romano Prodi, is due to visit Albania for talks early next month.

THE MAJER OF HIMARA VASSILIS BOLLANO VISITS THE STATE DEPARTAMENT

The Head of Municipality of Himara Vassilis Bollano had a tour and meetings in USA. He met with US Orthodox Archibishop Demetrius and some other high functionaries of Greek American Lobby of America including Father Kosmas Karavellas from Himara his origin.

Also Vassilis Bollano met with high represents of State Department during his tour in Washington. Bollano had special meeting with Member of US Congress as Congressmen’s Bilarakis and Sarbannas.

In the end of his tour in USA Bollano met with represent of Pan Epiriotic Federation of USA. For Bollano`s visit, the Greek Ambassador in Washington Alexandros Mallias, who is "Citizen Honore of Himara" made a Diner.

Albania's parliament votes to oust top prosecutor
The Associated PressPublished: November 5, 2007

PRISTINA, Serbia: Parliament voted Monday to oust Albania's top prosecutor for allegedly violating the country's constitution and failing to fight organized crime.

Lawmakers voted 77-37 to dismiss Prosecutor-General Theodhori Sollaku — a decision that must be ratified by President Bamir Topi in order to take effect.

Opposition parties had boycotted most of the impeachment process, accusing Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democratic Party of trying to seize control of the judicial system.

In Monday's vote, lawmakers backed the findings of an investigation by a parliamentary committee. It found Sollaku had failed to cooperate international law enforcement agencies, approved the release of 22 convicted criminals without proper cause, and failed to act in serious criminal cases.

Sollaku, who was once Berisha's legal adviser, rejected the allegations and called the effort to oust him "a subversive act and an institutional coup."

Corruption and organized crime are rife in Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries. President Topi, who took office in July, is likely to back the top prosecutor's removal.

The Northern Epirus Forum and Himara Community protests in front of Albanian Embassy in Greece at November 5, 2007


The violation of Human Rights, the assimilisation process of lands and proprieties of Greek Community occupied from Albanian Mafia, the abusive decisions of fascist Albanian tribunals against the interest of Greek Community, the vandalism against Orthodox Churches, the prohibition of Greek Masmedia and TV stations for Greek Community who lives in Northern Epirus (Southern Albania) are the must important issues of massive protest against the Albanian government.