Saturday, September 12, 2009


Ανακοίνωση Τύπου ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ

Το Γενικό Προεδρείο της Δ.Ε.Ε.Ε.Μ «ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ», συνήλθε στους Αγίους Σαράντα με την ακόλουθη ημερήσια διάταξη:Καθορισμός ημερομηνίας και ημερησίας διάταξης του Γενικού Συμβουλίου».Το Γενικό Συμβούλιο θα πραγματοποιηθεί στους Αγίους Σαράντα, στις 26 Σεπτεμβρίου 2009, με την ακόλουθη ημερήσια διάταξη:Παιδεία. Προβλήματα νέας σχολικής χρονιάς.Παρουσίαση προτάσεων της Επιτροπής Καταστατικού.Οργάνωση Καταστατικής Συνδιάσκεψης.Αποτίμηση αποτελέσματος των βουλευτικών εκλογών.

Οργανωτικά Παραρτημάτων Αγίων Σαράντα και Αργυρόκαστρου.Από το Γενικό Προεδρείου ορίστηκαν πενταμελής επιτροπές για το κάθε Παράρτημα, με αρμοδιότητα να καλέσουν τα συμβούλια των Παραρτημάτων, την Παρασκευή 11 Σεπτεμβρίου, για να εκλέξουν Υπερεσιακό Πρόεδρο Παραρτήματος μέχρι να πραγματοποιηθεί η συνδιάσκεψη. Η επιτροπή

Αργυροκάστρου αποτελείται από τους κυρίους : Γιάννη Γιάννη, Δημήτρη Μαλιούκη, Γρηγόρη Τζούμπα, Χρήστο Λεγκο, Θανάση Κύρο. Η Επιτροπή Αγίων Σαράντα αποτελείται από τους : Γιάννη Μπάμπη, Χαράλαμπο Παντέκη, Σωκράτη Καλτσούνη, Ηρώδη Νταλιάνη και Λεωνίδα Παππα.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

CORRIERE DELLA SERA,
Archive, January 26, 1999

HOW THE ALBANIAN MAFIA HIDE THE ALBANIAN IDENTITY, PRESENTING AS GREEKS FROM SOUTHERN ALBANIA?

The alleged boss, arrested at Malpensa for murder, was putting together a line of ferries in the Canale d 'Otranto.

"Killer accompanied the Albanian mission in Strasbourg"

"Politicians have given personal guarantees, but the financiers were not trusted"

The names and documents changes: from 'original Gazmend Mahmutaj to Raqi Gjoni from Eduart Toska to Kristo Dako, in all the cases changed to greeks of albania even assuming anothr still, the generality 'of Spyridon Malamatenios. For this mission 'high level was not afraid of obstacles. Moved along with two leaders of the governing coalition: Eduard Andoni, the Socialist Party, and Fatmir Mediu, the Republican Party, both with diplomatic passes. Along with their third government official, Artur Nuro.

Il presunto boss, arrestato a Malpensa per omicidio, stava costituendo una linea di traghetti nel Canale d' Otranto

"Killer accompagnava la missione albanese a Strasburgo"

I politici hanno dato garanzie personali ma i finanzieri non si sono fidati
Il presunto boss, arrestato a Malpensa per omicidio, stava costituendo una linea di traghetti nel Canale d' Otranto "Killer accompagnava la missione albanese a Strasburgo" I politici hanno dato garanzie personali ma i finanzieri non si sono fidati MILANO - Dal kalashnikov al doppio petto, dal gommone alla business class. E cosi' puo' accadere che un giovane padrino albanese giri l' Europa come accompagnatore di una delegazione ufficiale del governo diretta a Strasburgo: un ricercato per omicidio incaricato di presenziare alla ratifica del trattato per il Tribunale penale internazionale. Una scena degna dei cartelli colombiani o dei fasti antichi di Cosa nostra, che adesso si ripete sull' altra costa dell' Adriatico.

Con gli stessi sogni e le stesse ambizioni che spinsero i gangster di una volta a creare imperi commerciali. Anche il presunto skipetaro era pronto al salto di qualita' : gli investigatori sostengono che volesse investire i suoi capitali nella creazione di una compagnia di traghetti. Una linea perfettamente legale tra Valona e Brindisi, costruita con i frutti di anni di traffici e disponibile a chiudere un occhio sui carichi illeciti. A tradire i piani del presunto boss e' stata l' eccessiva sicurezza. Convinto della protezione degli amici altolocati non ha fatto attenzione al suo ultimo passaporto.

Nomi e documenti li ha cambiati spesso: dall' originario Gazmend Mahmutaj a Raqi Gjoni, da Eduart Toska a Kristo Dako come greci di albania; in un caso si e' persino finto greco assumendo le generalita' di Spyridon Malamatenios. Per questa missione d' alto livello non temeva ostacoli. Si muoveva assieme a due esponenti di punta della coalizione governativa: Eduard Andoni, del partito socialista, e a Fatmir Mediu, del partito Repubblicano, entrambi con lasciapassare diplomatico. Assieme a loro un terzo funzionario governativo, Artur Nuro.

Ma alla dogana della Malpensa i finanzieri si sono insospettiti. Il documento era troppo nuovo: a un rapido controllo sul computer risultava rubato anni prima. I militari hanno chiesto l' intervento degli specialisti del nucleo di polizia tributaria di Milano e hanno chiesto all' uomo di seguirli per accertamenti sulla sua identita' . Apriti cielo. I due politici albanesi si sono fatti avanti e hanno fornito "personali garanzie": " E' al nostro seguito, deve venire con noi al Parlamento per la firma dello statuto del Tribunale penale internazionale".

Ai finanzieri veniva mostrato anche l' invito ufficiale per la delegazione firmato dall' eurocommissario Emma Bonino. Si e' temuto l' incidente diplomatico. Ma il computer centrale del Viminale ha dissipato i dubbi: il confronto delle impronte digitali ha fatto comparire sullo schermo l' elenco dei nomi usati dal sospetto. E due mandati di cattura, uno dei quali per l' omicidio di un connazionale. Mentre la delegazione ha ripreso il volo per Strasburgo, Mahmutaj e' stato portato nel carcere di Busto Arsizio dove i giudici di Verona hanno formalizzato l' arresto. Le indagini vanno avanti e la ricostruzione della carriera del presunto killer sembra riservare numerose sorprese.

Gli investigatori delle Fiamme gialle ritengono che avesse assunto un ruolo di rilievo per i clan della costa. A soli trent' anni sarebbe riuscito a imporre le sue capacita' diplomatiche e manageriali, diventando una sorta di consigliori economico. E Mahmutaj avrebbe deciso di puntare sul sicuro: passare dai motoscafi ai traghetti, continuando pero' nel business dei trasporti con una compagnia legale. I piani erano a buon punto, mancavano solo le autorizzazioni italiane. I soldi c' erano, a Tirana poi tutte le porte erano aperte. In un Paese che gli esperti temono sia destinato a sperimentare un nuovo modello di sviluppo economico: dopo le narco - repubbliche sudamericane, la skafo - repubblica: una terra dove l' unica ricchezza e' il traffico di uomini attraverso il canale d' Otranto.
Gianluca Di Feo.

"THE NATIONAL PRESS"

George Tenet was a convenient fall guy

by Joel Weinberg

George Tenet is a registered Democrat. That he was allowed stay on at a senior post when George W. Bush took office is curious. The decision supposedly came from George H.W. Bush, the old CIA chief, who advised his son to preserve continuity in the intelligence community. Also, he liked the guy. Everyone did.

A product of public schools in Queens, Tenet graduated from Georgetown University and thoroughly became a creature of Washington. His first gig was as an aide to a solar power lobby. From there, he worked his way up the ladder until, in 1997, he found himself the Director of Central Intelligence under President Bill Clinton. Tenet did not have any special expertise in intelligence and covert operations. What he did have was a large personality. His outgoing warmth was a magnet for large egos that needed soothing.

The CIA had gone through a period of high turnover and declining budgets. It was an agency that was struggling with its image, much like Gene Simmons after KISS took off their make-up. The CIA was trying to define its role in the post-Cold War world. Tenet knew that the focus must be on independent terrorist networks, instead of enemy governments. He was credited with almost immediately boosting the morale of the downtrodden agents.

Tenet also developed a pleasant relationship with George W. Bush, despite their differing party affiliations. They had similar straight-talking styles sprinkled with sports metaphors that created a favorable environment for communication. The Bushies, however, were more circumspect in their dealings with Tenet. His close relationships with Colin Powell and Richard Armitage surely did not help Tenet in gaining access to the inner circle.

In 1998, two U.S. embassies in Africa were bombed. In 1999, Tenet had CIA operatives on the ground in Afghanistan. They were closing in on a plan to take out the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Bill Clinton did not give the go ahead to the mission. Politically, it could be viewed as a cynical distraction from Clinton's embarrassing liasions. Legally, there were qualms about targeted assassinations.

In 2000, the U.S.S. Cole was attacked. When Bush took office, Tenet again asked for increased authority in chasing and catching the bad guys. Bush refused, needing more time to develop his administration's attitude toward engaging terrorists. Tenet did go ahead and order the development of the Strategic Assessments Branch of the Counter-Terrorism Center. After much delay, the Branch went into action September 10, 2001.

Tenet was likely one of only a handful of people in the United States who immediately identified the culprits of the 9/11 attacks. He had considered Bin Laden his most formidable adversary for years, and now he knew that Bush would let the gloves come off, and he would be given the permission to crush our enemies. In the weeks following the attacks, the CIA fielded a lot of criticism for failing to prevent the bloodshed. Tenet claimed that he told Condoleezza Rice in the summer of 2001 that immediate action was needed to be taken inside Afghanistan. Rice disputes the urgency of Tenet's message.

When Bush was debating how to enter Afghanistan to take out the Taliban and destroy Al Qaeda, the Pentagon did not have much of a plan. Despite the considerable brow-beating abilities of Donald Rumsfeld, the lumbering Defense Department was in the developing stages of a plan of attack.

The CIA was ready. The Worldwide Attack Matrix drawn up under Tenet provided the first marching orders of the War on Terror. The CIA took the lead in an armed conflict for the first time. CIA spooks and assassins would end up fighting alongside military special operations. The Taliban was crushed. Al Qaeda was scattered, but the big fish swam away through the vortex of Tora Bora.

The CIA had been effective in funding and arming the normally dysfunctional Northern Alliance, which greatly helped defeating the Taliban. The inability to find warlords suitable enough to be on the payroll in the Eastern and Southern parts of Afghanistan was the major reason that Bin Laden was able to escape.

When the Bush administration abruptly turned its' attention to Iraq, the glory days for George Tenet and the CIA were over. The Pentagon took the lead in this build-up for war. Tenet could not find the Al Qaeda-Saddam links that Dick Cheney kept pressuring the CIA to unearth.
This was the time of the infamous "Slam Dunk" comment. It was not about going to Iraq being a Slam Dunk. It was not that the intelligence provided made invading Iraq a Slam Dunk. The real reason behind Dunkgate was more cynical. Tenet agreed that presenting Saddam's stockpile of WMD's as the public rationale for invading Iraq would be a Slam Dunk. It is deplorable that Dick Cheney and the former president himself later framed Dunkgate as the trigger that set the Iraq invasion in motion.

Tenet did believe that Saddam possessed a considerable stockpile of dangerous weapons. Although he had no hard evidence of this, he did not think that France would steer us in the wrong direction, no matter how many Freedom Fries. Tenet sat behind Colin Powell as the Secretary of State delivered the speech to the U.N. that would end both of their political careers.

Dick Cheney kept insisting that Saddam attempted to purchase uranium in Africa. The CIA had already debunked this claim, and Tenet repeatedly tried to get Cheney to tone down the rhetoric, but he did not try hard enough. The rarity, in this case, is that Tenet admits to this fact. He knows that if he felt strongly enough in opposition to all the administrations's claims and strategies regarding Iraq, he should have confronted Bush, Cheney, and Rice.

Tenet resigned in 2004, when the Iraq War was approaching its nadir and shortly before Powell and Armitage made their exits. George Bush then awarded George Tenet the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The old knife in one side and a medal on the other.
George Tenet still lies awake at night, feeling guilty about not preventing the 9/11 attacks. He is a passionate, emotional man. Stakes were high, and fatal mistakes were made. Unfortunately, Tenet approached his job in the fashion of a hard-working, loyal bureaucrat. This was not good enough in the face of Neo-Cons wearing rose-colored glasses and executives with biblical notions of Good vs. Evil.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Iconistas of Moschopolis Orthodox Church stolen

For the fifth time the vandals attack the Church of Moschopolis

Some unknown persons broke into the Church of Panagia in Moschopolis and removed part of the iconostasis. This Church which dating from the 18th century, has been stolen five more times (!)

This phenomenon is not isolated and has troubled many times the Orthodox community and the Archbishop Anastasios.

Also the State Department, during past years has critiqued Tirana for the indifference that the Christian Orthodox Churches has been stolen and vandaled puting in great risk the religious harmony of Albanian people.
Albanian PM Berisha, names new cabinet

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha named his new cabinet on Wednesday shortly after his appointment earlier in the day by President Bamir Topi.

Berisha named Ilir Meta, leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration party, as foreign minister, with whom he formed an indispensable alliance to stay in power.

Berisha's Democratic Party won 70 seats in the 140-seat parliament. It teamed up with Meta's left-wing party, which garnered four seats in the country's June 28 general elections, to form a majority.

Berisha also appointed right-wing Republican leader Fatmir Mediu, a former defense minister, as environment minister.

Mediu had been indicted for breach of duty over a blast that killed 26 and injured 300 people at an ammunition depot last year near the capital city of Tirana.

It was reported that a group of leading Albanian journalists and political commentators had signed an open letter and petitioned against his appointment.

The main opposition Socialist Party, which won 66 seats in the elections, is boycotting the parliament, claiming the Democratic Party rigged the elections and calling for investigations.

Berisha denied all the accusations.
SPIRO KSERA, NEW LABOR MINISTER OF BERISHA`S GOVERNMENT

For the first time since 1991 the Greek minority is living a dangerous period, separated politically between government and Albanian opposition

Needs urgent the interference of the Greek political opposition for the situation that is happening inside the Greek community of Albania

Now, everyone not believe that the hopes to build a new formation of leadership for the Greek community in Albania, will bring new moments in Tirana, which actualy controls everything that has to do with political future of hellenism in Albania.

All those actions are configuring just this time when in Greece the early politic elections, are in process, when the government of Berisha, still not known from albanian oposittion is adding efforts to establish a new control in the political leadership of the Greek community in Albania.

I`ts very important to undestant that the division of the greek community by the "foreign factors" should bring new conseguences to the relations between Tirana and Athens, since the Greek Foreign Ministry and the Greek Embassy in Tirana, continue to have total responsibility.

Four years ago the Greek Ambassador in Tirana, Karkabasis was accused from the greek organisations in Albania as "persona non grata" for the flirt policy that he suported the Albanian government against the interest of the Greek Community.
Security News, Greece

Former Director of Greek National Intelligence, Ambassador John Korantis, will head LAOS Party for Politic Election of October 4

The former Dirrector of the Greek National Intelligence, Ambassador John Korantis will be the Head of the Team which will organize for LAOS party the election process. The accession of Mr. Korantis announced after meeting with leader of LAOS George Karatzaferis.

Karatzaferis, expressed his superior relatives to Ambassador John Korantis who «has written golden pages in the diplomatic corps and has provided excellent service to the country five years ago, who was in command of the National Intelligence Service».

Mr. Korantis said to the invitation of the President of LAOS and joined the ranks of the party, bringing together the experiences of 36 years of diplomatic career and those of former Governor of the EYP in order to serve «the common values, which display on the home ».

For the first time that happened in Greek politic area since tow big parties PASOK and ND, are confronting the electoral programs to the economic crise of the country, while LAOS Party known as ultra nationalist Party for the national Greek issues is jointing important candidates on the field of security and strategic issues of Greece.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Albania opposition party boycotts parliament

By LLAZAR SEMINI
Associated Press


2009-09-08

Albania's Socialist opposition boycotted an inaugural session of parliament Monday, claiming conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha rigged his re-election victory in June 28 polls.

Berisha's Democratic Party and allies control 70 seats in the 140-member parliament, while the Socialists and their supporters have 66 seats. The leftist LSI party, with the four remaining seats, has agreed to join a coalition with Berisha's Democrats.

Berisha denies allegations of interfering in the vote counting process, but international monitors have cited irregularities before a final report from observers expected this month.

Albania, which joined NATO this year and is seeking EU membership, wants to improve its election record, which in the past has been marred by violence and irregularities.

The Socialists are demanding that parliament investigate the election fraud allegations, and pass legislation required for the process. Socialist leader Edi Rama said that would "secure the transparency of our claims about irregularities."

It was not immediately clear whether the Socialists would continue their boycott beyond Monday's opening session. The next session is Tuesday. Berisha is expected to announce his new 14-member Cabinet this week.


Terrorism in Greece

by Ioannis Michaletos

07 Sep 2009

Originally appeared in the World Security Network (1st of September 2009)

Recent news updates from leading Greek media citing commentary and exclusive information from high-level police and security circles indicate that arrests are underway regarding domestic terrorist groups that have managed over the past 5 years to launch impressive attacks against a variety of state, diplomatic and police targets.

According to the reports, there are indications that the Greek anti-terrorist unit and the Greek intelligence service have managed to acquire valuable information relating to the culprits of the attacks and several journalists have noted that arrests cannot be ruled out within the coming weeks.

The two most sought-after terrorist groups in Greece are the "Revolutionary Struggle" and the "Revolutionary Sect". The former appeared in late 2003 and has launched a series of attacks since then, the most important being the rocket attack against the US Embassy in Athens on January the 12th 2007.


The latter appeared in early 2009 and has attacked a TV station, public buildings and fatally wounded an anti-terrorist police Sergeant in June this year.
The present article will provide several notes and information regarding the attack against the American Embassy in Athens, streaming from news reports at that time and public commentary thereafter in the Greek and international media.

more see: http://www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=3123
The HRUP decides to support the Albanian opposite

Not to the government with Berisha

Vangjelos Doules, has decided in the name of HRUP to stay in politic opposition with Socialist Party, against Berisha-Meta`s Government The Doulos statements made after the discussion held in the press conference of HRUP building at 14.00. For some important things of CHRUP-Omonia and the actual political headed particularly after elections, Doule considered that this was expected, while refuting all those who wanted to participate again in the right coalition of Mr. Berisha.

The decision of HRUP for non-participation" to Mr Berisha Cabinet will continue with the project about the future of unification of the National Greek minority and to resolve the contradicts which made the division of coalition Omonia-HRUP during lst elections, Doules said.

In addition Evangelos Doules said that the Albanian elections of June 28, does not made any democratic progres without standards. We are opposite with politic elections proces during last elections, and call all the albanian politic parties to stand out of electoral commissions next elections" Doules said.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Crossroad of HRUP (The Human Rights Union Party)

SManalysis

The Strategy for which is established HRUP is clear, to be the only force in opposition to denounce violations of human rights in Albania. HRUP needs unity but over all, to reform itself and should open to all North Epiriotes.

Photo: HRUP slogan during campagne politic elelections in Albania, June 28, 2009

Which is the future of HRUP? To be ruling as always with the winners compromised by Albanian State strategy against Hellenic community interests, or reformed, to promote access to create a new policy?

As always the represent of political class of Greeks in Albania, has compromised the interests of the community being partner of Albanian government under the name "Friendly Bridge". This has happened since the time of dictator Hoxha and still is happening now. Since 15 years HRUP goes with the winners of parliamentary elections with extraordinary indifference of Athens to manage the political situation in Albania in favor of the Greek Community. In contrast to last politic campaign elections opn June 28, the slogan that is supported strongly the HRUP by PASOK and ND should be falls or defeat!

Now the question is: HRUP must joint to the new government coalition with Berisha - Meta or not? The reason that I understand is simple: The greek community wants to build a strong opposition to be confronted with the interests of the Albanian politically mafia, which is very strong in power installed, that with laws and government decisions, wants to "adopt" properties of north epiriotes?

If we are actually confronted politically with a new crise in which the socialist opposition boycotts the Albanian parliament, which would be the new strategy of HRUP: Does HRUP accepts parliamentary elections in Albania as a regular with standards, when NATO and OSCE declared that Albania has no progress and democratic standards on last elections? Why HRUP should joint to the Berisha-Meta new Government?

HRUP must now have the only strategy: to reform itself with its opening for northepirus community and to join with the opposition Socialists party may be to the new Left Federation headed by Socialist Party, to raise the voice to the international community for the robbery lands and properties of the Greek community and violation of dimensions of human rights in Albania.

"Strategy and Analysis", SManalysis

Photo: "The struggle for power wich brought dividing HRUP"

WHAT WE CAN DO WITH HRUP?

Observing the anticipated politic elections in Greece on Octtober 4 , the HRUP should take important political responsibilities, first of all an important to the new total reformation.

HRUP (The Human Rights Union Party) is in a reform process transformation and as such, all present should follow this strategy only on the way of being in opposition and not division portfolios often corrupted by any Albanian leadership.

HRUP must begins the way of development and big transformation only on the interests of northern epirus community which should have cleare the strategy only to this way solution:

1. To remain in the opposition united to support a Federation on the left politic specter together with Socialist Party.

2. To reform themselves to involvement in the democratic vote of all northern epiriotes.

3. The selection and carried under a democratic reform voting for the all northern epiriotes resident in Greece, USA and Albania (with electronic card).

4. This form to be an example for the inclusion of northern epiriotes in the next politic early elections in Albania.

5. The high forums of HRUP to be resigned and to have the open door to select by the new system of voting process.

6. The voting electronic process to get the dimensions for the future of political and civil rights for all members of the greek community in the international scene.