Wikileaks should not influence US-Albanian relations

01. December 2010.

Even though they agree on the fact that WikiLeaks won’t damage relations with US, majority and the opposition have a different opinion in relation to the issue of Greece.

While the leak of thousands of classified US embassy cables has shocked the world, it may help Albania uncover details about the role its neighbours have played in the country in the past, especially during the massive unrest in 1997.

Referring to the 822 leaked US embassy cables related to Tirana, noted Albanian historian Sabri Godo, a former politician and one of the authors of the country's constitution, thinks that Albanians may finally learn the details of the unrest in 1997 that was sparked by the failure of Ponzi schemes and led to anarchy and violence in the country.

Even though they agree on the fact that WikiLeaks won’t damage relations with US, majority and the opposition have a different opinion in relation to the issue of Greece.

"The events of 1996 could not have taken on such significance if it were not for foreign support. But the details on how this was possible are not yet clear. Nevertheless, they belong to the past and they should not have any influence on current relations. But of course, we should take notes,” Godo said.

According to Socialist Deputy Ilir Gjoni, the country should revise its relations with the Helen country if the documents prove its intervention in our domestic issues.

Meanwhile, Democrat Deputy Edi Paloka thinks that every diplomatic move should come after this documentation has been completely proven.

“We will analyze this documentation in order to better understand our relations with Greece and every other country. Of course, the main purpose of this work will be to focus on our national interests. It is a good thing that public opinion is being given these documents, which have actually happened secretly and for which we were not aware,” said Gjoni.

“Firstly, we should analyze these documents and prove they are true. Their truth is still dubious,” said Paloka.

Meanwhile, Ilir Gjoni thinks that the publication of US secret documents should raise the alarm for the Albanian government.

“Funds for the Intelligence Service have been few, and for its staff it was impossible to exercise their duty and carry their missions. WikiLeaks phenomenon is another alarm bell, for which the government should immediately react,” said Gjoni.

Meanwhile, Democrat Deputy Edi Paloka thinks that if US diplomacy in Tirana has had its subjective opinion on the Albanian politics, this should not influence relations with US.

“Even if an US diplomat has a negative opinion, relations between Albania and US won’t change,” said Paloka.

“I am convinced of one thing… during that time, we certainly had foreign intervention. Things were not organised only from the inside.