Albania, latest developments

SManalysis

Berisha says his government "has agreed to count the population on ethnic grounds, but to create a legal framework, not to produce false results, contrary to the national interests of Albania"

During a press conference in Tirana, the country's Prime Minister Sali Berisha, asked by a journalist that, if his government that he leads, may conducting the population census on ethnic grounds, he replied: "that" I agree in principle to count of the population based on ethnic grounds, but need to create a legal framework, that results to have not falls, at the expense of the national interests of Albania ".

According to Berisha, Albania is a stable country without identity complex and that the democratic country's constitution, has guaranteed the rights of its law.

For many analysts, Berisha, did not make, to carry the census registration of the population on ethnic grounds, the fact that, he is a nationalist leader, who is helping more Albanians outside the country as in Kosovo and FYROM, and not to guarantee a solution for ethnic communities of Albania.

Vangjelos Doules elected president of the HURP

With 95% of the votes of 465 delegates came from within and outside Albania, was elected at an extraordinary congress, Vangelos Doules at the top of HURP. In Congress, was invited and SP leader Edi Rama, who said that "should remain united as opposition, to remove from power Sali Berisha.

The future will show to what the new position will be placed HRUP, as always to search for alms from Tirana government, or will require together with the opposition, leaving through protests, against Berisha.

PASOK MP Pandoulias, were invited at HRUP Congress.

A party with an ethnic basis, is registered in Albania

According to Thomas Mitsos, initiator of the Party of Albania's ethnic Greeks, that the time has come to Albania to form ethnic parties, to be confronted with the absolute power of Albanians, but also to protect the constitutional rights of Greeks in Albania.

The Party of Ethnic Greeks, is an alternative which was born from the secession from HRUP and that claims to fight for themselves called on all of Albania's ethnic Greek community.

Minister of Labor and also member of DP, Spyros Kseras elected Member of National Council of DP. The country's Prime Minister Berisha, aims to deepen its influence in the Greek community, with the theme "divide and conquer".

Conclusion:

The internal developments in Albania, the political crisis involving to the country, has affected the Greek community, which is as rare here, is divided in at least 4 political parties. The rift that has included internal crisis in the Greek community, there are factors influenced by philosophy than political pressure from the Albanian government, but also the indifference of the Greek authorities themselves.

The future solution for civil and political rights of the Greeks of Albania, may come from external factors, as an absolute obligation of Tirana, to ensure standards that Europe requires, as the government continues to dominate so oppressive country, not issued for any right to the Greek community, furthermore wants to dictate the internal affairs of neighboring countries, often using the slogan as a member of NATO.

Thessaloniki resolute for Bollanos

RESOLUTION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THESSALONIKI ABOUT THE POLITIC PERSECUTION OF LEADER OF "OMONIA" VASSILIOS BOLLANOS


The Municipality Council of Thessaloniki, at its meeting Thursday, Dec. 17 unanimously adopted (on these) Resolution to support of Himara mayor, Vasilis Bolanos, for the politic persecution by the Albanian authorities

The resolution proposed by city councilor LAOS, John Kouriannidis on the occasion of the proceedings brought by the Albanian courts to Mr Bolanos. Is very known problems with the Greek property, which deliberately maintain Albania, trying to grab the land of the Greeks in Northern Epirus).

The text of the resolution is as follows: "The City Council of Thessaloniki became aware of the judicial persecution of the Mayor of Himara and President of "Omonia", Mr. Vasilis Bolanos.The prosecution was brought in derogation of any concept of law on the grounds that a license granted land claimed by a third persons.

The issue of Greek property Hellenism of Northern Epirus (Southern Albania) is an important factor in strengthening of Greek-Albanian relations and as such should be treated by the Albanian government. Unfortunately, actions like these are far in the spirit of respecting human rights and good neighborliness.

We condemn this unacceptable both prosecuting the mayor Himara Vasilis Bolanos, and the Targeting orchestrated by the media of the neighboring country, pointing out that similar practices in the past led to violent actions against him", notes the resolute.

Albania receives EU questionnaire on membership

TIRANA, Albania on Wednesday received a questionnaire from the European Union to test the readiness of the western Balkan country to join the bloc, one month after its membership application was approved by the EU.

Hlemuth Lohan, head of the EU mission in Tirana, handed over the document to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, saying that replying to the questionnaire is a demanding task which requires strong commitment from the entire public administration.

"I promise that my government will work with great dedication to make sure that answers the European Commission will get will be as true as possible," Berisha said after receiving the document.

He said about 800 government workers will be involved in studying and completing the questionnaire of 2,280 questions in 384 pages, which covers a wide range of areas, such as political stability and fight against corruption.

The EU agreed last month to formally approve Albania's membership application that the country submitted in April. The questionnaire is to help the European Commission form an opinion on Albania's application.

Albania is now in a deep political crisis, triggered by last June's parliamentary elections, which the Socialist opposition alleged were manipulated by the Democrats led by Berisha.

The opposition, led by Tirana Mayor Edi Rama, is holding country-wide demonstrations, asking for recounting of some ballots. They threaten to continue their boycotting of the country's parliament until their demands are met.

MINARETS

Following the Swiss referendum on banning minarets, many European politicians run head over heels to condemn this majority decision in perhaps the most intact model democracy worldwide as an incomprehensible slide toward “xenophobia” and, even, “racism.”

French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner, for example, who, as UN high representative, presided over Serbia’s amputation after the unilateral (and unprovoked) NATO attack upon that country over Kosovo, sped to occupy the high moral ground and voice his opposition to the Swiss majority vote thus: “I am a bit shocked by this decision… It is an expression of intolerance, and I detest intolerance. I hope the Swiss will reverse this decision quickly.” Similar, indignant, morally uber charged words came from scores of other leading, and not so leading, European fathers and mothers of nations.

Not to be outdone, and quickly following in the steps of M. Kouchner, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Turkish secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, weighed in by calling the ban an "example of growing anti-Islamic incitement in Europe by the extremist, anti-immigrant, xenophobic, racist, scare-mongering ultra-right politicians who reign over common sense, wisdom and universal values."
Let us set Mr. Ihsanoglu and his holy anger aside for a moment and focus on our own European yard....

more see: www.rieas.gr

Visa liberalization to begin at midnight

18 December 2009 09:54 Source: B92

BELGRADE -- Serbian citizens with biometric passports will be able to travel to countries of the EU Schengen Zone without visas as of midnight tonight. After two decades, Serbian citizens will not need visas to enter countries of the European Union. Serbian police (MUP) Director Milorad Veljović said that the border police are prepared for such a traffic regime. Serbian citizens will be on the white Schengen list and will be able to cross into Hungary and travel all the way up to Great Britain without visas.

“The border will be able to be crosses exactly at midnight. At the border crossings, police are completely prepared, all border police have instructions how this regime works and is controlled,” Veljović said. Visas are still needed to enter Romania and Bulgaria, which have not joined the Schengen zone yet, and for Great Britain and Ireland. However, visas have been abolished for non-EU member-states Switzerland, Norway and Iceland as well. EU officials in Brussels explained that the decision sends a clear message to Serbia that its place is within the EU, and is recognition of Belgrade showing excellent administrative capacities and achieving all obligations for visa liberalization in a short period of time.

Belgrade officials see the liberalization as the abolishment of the final set of sanctions against its citizens from the 1990s. Among the first people to travel without visas to the EU from Serbia will be participators in the “Europe for Everyone” project—50 selected citizens who will take off with Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić at one minute after midnight on a plane from the Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport en route to Brussels.

Report: Macedonian Coalition On Thin Ice

Skopje | 17 December 2009 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

Gruevski and Ali Ahmeti

Macedonia's ruling coalition between VMRO-DPMNE and its junior partner the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, is on thin ice following the country's failure to get a start date for EU accession talks, local media report. The reports say that DUI is growing increasingly restless over the main VMRO DPMNE's apparent unwillingness to solve the name row with Greece which is hindering country’s EU and NATO membership ambitions.

“Although both parties try to calm tensions, insiders say that the coalition is seriously shattered and that it may crumble after the DUI congress set for Saturday,” the Vreme daily reported on Thursday.

Speculations of a possible break-up of the coalition grew stronger after the DUI leader Ali Ahmeti said that the party would seek to “redefine” the relations with VMRO DPMNE after the congress.

DUI promised its voter that the country would become a NATO member and would obtain the date for start of its accession talks with the EU by the end of this year. DUI previously gave “card blanche” to VMRO DPMNE to solve the name spat but added that its patience will not be endless.

Recently both parties exchanged barbs in public, seen by observers as a sure sign that the coalition in not doing well. Both parties said that these are only personal observations.

“I would rather not comment their discussions,” Prime Minister and VMRO DPMNE head Nikola Gruevski told media on Wednesday.

DUI’s high representatives Teuta Arifi and Ermira Mehmeti first blamed VMRO DPMNE for continuing its nationalistic agenda favoring the Macedonian majority which further deters Skopje from reaching compromise with Athens.

VMRO DPMNE legislator, Kosana Mazneva Nikolic replied by stating that DUI sees an agreement with Greece as a ''Kalashnikov'' and ''ammunition'' “to bring down everything that is national and progressive, everything that is Macedonian”.

Various opining polls have shown that the county’s Albanians, that make up approximately one quarter of the population, would much rather see their country in EU and NATO even if that means changing the country’s name under Greek pressure. Macedonians see the name as part of their identity and are far less willing to trade it.

Albanian political transition, risks to the stability of the country's third time

In 1991, formed by internationals "The Government Stability", while in 1997, was established "The Government of National Reconciliation", but in 2010, what government expect the Albanians?

"The boycott of the Albanian opposition, continues to be extended and the first months of 2010", then do not know! Many analysts said in the Albanian press, which does not give the prognosis, for exits from the country's political crisis.

For analyst Fatos Lubonja, Albania is experiencing a deep crisis, which could escalate with large consequences, perhaps even to put into question the sovereignty of Albania, said Lubonja. He asked one of the diplomats in Tirana mediator, why did not interfere with foreign institutions including NATO to solve the political crisis in Albania, and he just replied: "In that suggest us how to resolve the political crisis in Albania, then will be very difficult decision for Albania to accept challenges".

Meanwhile Lubonja sees no solution other than entering the Albanian opposition in Parliament. However, the last two decades have brought about early elections in Albania. In 1991, In Tirana formed the internationally "Government Stability", while in 1997 after Pyramids Collapse, was established "The Government of National Reconciliation".

In 2010, What is the next government expect the Albanians?

Campaign 2010: Giannoulias Ready to Take-Off

December 17, 2009 by Greek News

Apostolos Zoupaniotis

It was the biggest week yet for the frontrunner for President Obama’s former Senate seat, Illinois State Treasurer and Greek-American Alexi Giannoulias. With less than two months left before Illinois’ primary election, the Giannoulias campaign scored major endorsements and poll results that leave the Illinois Democrat in commanding position.

Giannoulias headed into the week with one of his primary opponents releasing a poll that showed the Treasurer holding a better than 20 point lead (all of Giannoulias’ main opponents having polling data that shows him with the same 20 point lead at this point). He also launched his television campaign, airing a commercial focused on his successful efforts to save Hartmarx and retain its jobs in Illinois – the commercial can be viewed on the campaign website at www.alexiforillinois.com.

On Monday, a string of coveted endorsements started coming in. First, Citizen Action, the state’s largest grassroots policy organization endorsed Giannoulias.

Then, on Tuesday, he earned the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO, capping off an unprecedented level of support by organized labor for a non-incumbent Senate candidate in Illinois.

“Alexi Giannoulias will stand up for working families in Illinois,” said Michael T. Carrigan, president of Illinois AFL-CIO. “His record with labor is strong and he has a plan to get our economy back on track so that all Americans can benefit from affordable health care, equal pay, fair trade and the right to join a union. Mark Kirk on the other hand is no friend to workers. His voting record shows where his true loyalty lies; with corporate interests. We need to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat with someone who fights for us.”

more see: www.greeknewsonline.com

Albanian Company Construction, leaves Kakomea

The great pressure, the inhabitants of Nivitsa, finally stop the works of economic groups interested in Kakoma Beach

According to news from Kakomea, construction company "Riviera" has suspended works in the Gulf of Kakomese, as a result of large protests of Nivitses inhabitants, Himara Region.

The Albanian government, had given permission to Riviera Company, which began implementing a project of building tourist villages in the Gulf of Kakomese, but suspended the proceedings after the confrontation moved to alarming size explosive being used constantly to developers.

The Riviera Company, had initially claiming that he had abused on contract with Club Med, France tourist known company, while the later used a fake trial for alleged state ownership of land to residents.

The trial decision was made ridiculous false that "Albania had been occupied by Turkey before the 20th century, while Albania itself was founded in 1913. The trial was returned to "comedy" in the Albanian opinion, which showed that Kakomea History of Albania based on false evidence.

Ambassadors warn Albania that clock is running

16/12/2009

TIRANA, Albania -- Foreign diplomats have warned political parties in Albania that time for resolving the political crisis in the country is ticking away. The head of the OSCE Presence in Tirana Ambassador Robert Bosch, and Dutch Ambassador Henk GC van den Dool said on Tuesday (December 15th) that Albania is risking its EU integration process as a result of the opposition's parliamentary boycott.

Opposition lawmakers say they won't return to work until the government investigates alleged manipulation in the June general elections. "The current situation is problematic, we consider that a non-functioning democracy is not a ticket to the EU," Bosch said, adding that the European Commission's review of Albania's request for EU candidate status could be affected.

Western Balkan countries join efforts to fight organised crime

16/12/2009

A recent joint sting operation underlines the effectiveness of a united regional front against crime and corruption.

By Jusuf Ramadanovic for Southeast European Times in Sarajevo -- 16/12/09

The arrest of the Elez crime group resulted from co-operation between the police forces of Serbia and BiH. [AFP]

Late last month, Serbia's Special Prosecution Office filed an indictment against Bosnian gang leader Darko Elez for a number of crimes. He and five others are charged with extortion, drug trafficking, illegal possession of arms, document forgery. Elez faces the additional charge of inciting murder.

The indictment also charges the six with assisting those wanted by the police to escape from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to Serbia. An investigation in BiH is under way, though the group has not yet been formally charged. Bosnian officials are co-operating with the Serbian authorities.

http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2009/12/16/feature-02

Provincial assembly of Vojvodina, proclaims statute. What comes after....

The Vojvodina statute has been proclaimed in ceremonial session of the provincial assembly this Monday.

Egereši is seen at the Vojvodina assembly today (Beta)Vojvodina Executive Council President Bojan Pajtić and Assembly President Šandor Egereši addressed the deputies before the statute was proclaimed.Egereši evaluated that the proclaimed statute is a “framework for concrete contents of autonomy” which alone would mean nothing. “The statute is the model not only for Serbia but also for Europe in promoting the rights of Vojvodina's citizens, their better standard of living, while together with the Law on determination of jurisdiction it is a prerequisite of economic development,” Egereši told reporters after the ceremony.

Egereši said that the statute means victory of democracy and confirmation of Serbia's European path. 86 members of the assembly from the ruling DS-led coalition voted in favor, while three deputies from the opposition DSS-NS list voted against. The opposition Serb Radicals (SRS) and Serb Progressives (SNS) did not attend the session, saying that the statute is a separatist act that will lead to the breakup of Serbia.

Serbian President Boris Tadić, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković and Parliamentary Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović have all been invited to attend the ceremonial session, but none of them showed up in Novi Sad today. Đukić-Dejanović sent a "telegram of support" to the Vojvodina assembly, reports said. The provincial assembly adopted the statute draft on October 14, 2008, but it took over a year to reach the agenda of the state parliament. The Serbian parliament approved the document, as well as all accompanying laws for transferring authorities to Vojvodina, on November 30, 2009.

"Serbia gets guarantee for integrity preservation"President Boris Tadić expressed his satisfaction over the proclamation of the statute of AP (autonomous province) Vojvodina and stated that Serbia got a firm guarantee for the preservation of the country's integrity and an opportunity to help the economic development of the state via regional European cooperation.

While visiting Sremska Mitrovica, Tadić pointed out that there are considerable funds for the regional development in Europe and pointed out that Serbia has to establish a state system which will enable an access to these funds. "People should have good living conditions in order to be proud of their country and to love it," the Serbian president underscored.

Tadić also stated said that Serbia should not stay isolated in the EU integration process not only in view of economy but also culture. "The fate of Europe was defined for many times on this territory and the anniversary of the Edict of Milan, which is to be marked in 2013, is approaching giving an opportunity to prove that Serbia is an inseparable part of Europe a year before the agenda presented by Georgios Papandreou," Tadić said.

Berisha reiterates the slogan: Mafia political left, will give the merited response

The day before, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, delivered a speech with the same settings: mafia that left the Italian policy, threat to democracy

My government is committed to give the answer against mafia, which damages the image of the country towards European Union integration

With these words, Prime Minister Berisha has publicly stated during the speech held in the National Assembly of the Democratic Party's commitment to fight the mafia, which according to him "every day destroys the future of this country".

"I declare publicly that this war, struggle and our efforts against the mafia has not and will have less political tendency, but there will be no vital interest and safety of Albanian citizens of his life," he said.

Berisha said that engages, that would respect freedoms and human rights, while the leader of the Greek community in Albania, was convicted for the second time, politically

Albanian leader meets Pope

According to confidential sources, the Pope expressed His support in Albania’s bid to join the European Union, but warned Berisha that there is no European Union for Albania without redressing the concerns of both the Catholic Church and the Catholic population.

by Pjerin Lumaj

Pope Benedict XVI met with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The meeting lasted for 15-minutes with the Pontiff www.catholicculture.org.

The meeting took place 543 years later on the dated (December 1466),when Pope Paul II met in Vatican with Gjergj Kastriot, the great Albanian warrior who lead the Albanian uprisings in defense of Christianity against Ottoman Empire.

Albania's strong tradition of religious tolerance is widely recognized. However, it should be remembered that historically this was not always the case, when some leaders endeavored to intensify regional and sectarian differences. Today, Albania is still vulnerable from such influences.

In recent months, many Catholic organizations and human rights groups have petitioned foreign embassies and institutions concerning the discrimination of the Catholic community by the Berisha government. According to Mr. Brisha’s spokesperson, Alida Tota, the Pope summoned Mr. Berisha to the Vatican, but denied to elaborates as to why.

However, it is alleged the Pope is concerned about the treatments of Albanian Catholics by the government of Albania and the recent incidents involving attacks on Catholic symbols and institutions by extremists, both Albania and foreign .

On December 9, 2009, a cross was blown up with explosive in the village of Kok-Tapaj, in the Malesi e Madhe District. (En/News24/BalkanWeb) The same cross was attacked three years ago and a Moroccan national was then arrested as a suspect of this attack only to be released two days later and leave Albania in a mysterious way. Two years ago, another cross in the municipality of Bushat, Shkoder District, was destroyed by explosive. No one was ever arrested (www.kohajone.com). And, in 2006, another cross was destroyed in the village of Fikas, Elbasan (www.dardania.net). Also, in 2006, the Islamic Community of Shkoder refused the public placement of statue of Mather Theresa, an ethnic Albania, in the city of Shkoder, infuriating both the Catholic Church and the majority of the residents of Shkoder who happen to be of the Catholic faith (US Department of State 2006, Interreligious Freedom Report-Albania). And most recently, Sali Berisha insulted the Catholic community when he formed the new government without any Catholics being a member of it, making Albania the only country in Europe not to have any Catholics in such positions.

According to confidential sources, the Pope expressed His support in Albania’s bid to join the European Union, but warned Berisha that there is no European Union for Albania without redressing the concerns of both the Catholic Church and the Catholic population.

A spokesman for the Christian Democratic Party of Albania, a party which supports the Catholic causes in Albania, stated that “ Under Sali Berisha, the Catholic people of Albania feel very alienated and unsafe. They see Berisha as someone who is allowing Albania to come under the influence of the foreign Islamic leaders and missioners, who do not have Albania’s religious tolerance in their hart. Their aim is to destroy such tolerance and attempt to insult our national figures, such as Mather Theresa, and our Christian culture. We cannot join the EU while Berisha keeps these non-Albanian Islamic elements in Albania. They should be asked to leave for the sake of our future, of Albania’s future.”

Catholics in Albania are a minority, about 20% of the population, situated mainly in Northern Albania. They were severely persecuted by the Islamic communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, the predecessor and mentor of Sali Berisha.

http://www.examiner.com/x-23467-Albania-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m11d19-Albanian-government-endorses-discrimination-of-nonMuslims

FYROM develompents

Protectorate only salvation for Macedonia

DPA leader Menduh Thaci, has again reiterated its position that if the name dispute is not resolved, the best solution for the country is to become an international protectorate.

"Seeing the situation in FYROM, after "Greek veto", the only salvation, to deviate a possible destabilization of the countryis a protectorate, "said Thaci.

DPA leader has said, did not participate to the national meeting because leaders here, have political factions had no legitimacy.

"I think there are legitimate some political factions that have not absolute unnecessarily legitimacy. I think that is losing time, which is known problem.Must be achieved urgently a compromise, otherwise the hosts a dramatic period, "said the head of DPA

Berisha mission continues without end, against the Greeks

Greek minority in the situation alarming, used a Memorial, to continue eliminating

SManalysis

Regarding HURP, it must either change concepts and missions associated with a broad democratization, or must close its political activity, not to be disguised as an "official party", that protects Albanian interests, and not the Greek community.

Speaking at the ceremony held in memory of 4 young minorities who were executed by the regime of dictatorship on 12 December 1990, Minister Spyros Kseras, has attacked the head of HRUP Vangjel Dule saying that "stands next to those who gave orders to murder
of four martyrs".

Missionaries of government, must be stated first, in case of the president of Omonia, Vassilios Bollanos, which again required to punished by the courts of Albania, when they need to get the decision to resign and join a protest against the fascist regime of Sali Berisha!

Asking forgiveness first, many historical personalities of the Greek community and martyrs who were murdered and convicted of freedom, is very interesting historical fact that, people with intellectual elite privileged from Dropulli Region, historically and especially after the Second World War, have served all dictatorial and totalitarian regimes in Albania, categorically denying the existence of social and political protest, over these decades, to the Albanian oppressive regimes.

Regarding HURP, it must either change concepts and missions associated with a broad democratization, or must close its political activity, not to be disguised as an official Party, that protects Albanian interests, and not the Greek community.

see video: http://bw.balkanweb.com/videoAlbum/popup.php?vIDCategoria=48&IDVideo=967&va_id_video=967