Saturday, March 19, 2011

Albanian Opposition: Democratic protest to remove the government



The United Opposition said it would not stop until the remove of the government and will show the strength through the democratic means. Spartak Ngjela announced that the opposition will organize together with the people, democratic mass protests to remove the government.

"We demand early elections," said today Ngjela. While another appeal of Ngjela has been for foreign ambassadors in the country. Ngjela said that attention for the political crisis in Albania is needed and advised that the "ambassadors must not walk with people. "

Albania - Kosovo
Pacolli visits Albania on Monday



Behgjet Pacolli
The President of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli, will visit Albania on Monday. The news is confirmed by the press office of the President Bamir Topi. This is the first visit as president of Pacolli. Meanwhile, is learned that the meeting will be held at 11:30 at the Palace of Brigades.

In Pacolli′s agenda will be included meetings with the top leaders of the Albanian state. Even before in the interviews, after assuming the post of the president, Pacolli claimed that his first visit would be in Albania.
Greece to let bases be used for NATO operations in Libya

Athens unwilling to commit forces to military operations but will help with back up

The USA has a naval base in Souda Bay, Crete.

Athens will let NATO forces use military bases in Greece for operations in Libya after the United Nations approved the imposition of a no-fly zone over the North African country, the government appeared to decide on Friday.

Sources said that following a meeting between Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and Defense Minister Evangelos Venizelos and consultation with Prime Minister George Papandreou, it was decided that Greece would not take part in any military operations but would be willing to provide support for humanitarian needs or to help patrol the Mediterranean to ensure arms are not smuggled into Libya.

Greece, however, does appear willing to allow NATO forces to use bases in the country to be used for operations in Libya, where Colonel Muammar Gadhafi’s forces have been pushing back pro-democracy rebels over the past few days before announcing a ceasefire yesterday.

The two options for NATO if it wishes to use bases in Greece are at Aktio in the west of the country, where AWACS aircraft that carry long-range radars can take off from, or at Souda in Crete. Two US KC-135 planes, known as Stratotankers, which are used for midair refueling, are already at Souda, as is an American C-130 plane and a French C-160 cargo plane. The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge docked at the naval base in northwestern Crete on March 18. Some 400 US Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina arrived a few days earlier. There are also two US tankers and a French minesweeper in Souda.

“We are ready to contribute, in cooperation with our partners and allies, to the effort of ensuring that international law is respected,” said Droutsas, who added that the international community was correct to allow the use of “any means necessary” to protect civilians.

The Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) and the Communist Party expressed concern about Greek forces being involved in any military operations or forces in Greece being used.

However, Droutsas’s comments suggest that Athens, which has traditionally had good relations with Gadhafi’s regime, was encouraging a nonviolent solution. “Greece believes that everyone’s goal should be to solve the crisis in Libya, to restore stability and to ensure the smooth transition to democracy through a wide dialogue between the groups representing the country’s people,” he said.

Friday, March 18, 2011

The government started to manipulate the elections



Edi Rama
In a conversation with reporters, the opposition leader Rama stressed that efforts are underway to organize illegally salaried state election in the electoral campaign of 8 May.

He also stressed that the May 8 elections are not a guaranteed process by stressing that during the meetings with internationals, he has presented those concerns dealing with the necessity of ensuring the electoral process.
Greece, Extraordinary National Council on Foreign Policy, Libya




Image The convening of the National Foreign Policy Council, which will deal with the Greek involvement in the Libyan crisis decided by the government. The Council meets this afternoon at 18.00.

The range and type of Greek involvement in the operation against government forces in Libya will be the main subject of this meeting along with developments in Greek-Turkish relations.

Meanwhile, "orange" signal to the Cyprus Police sent Thursday Interpol, requesting to remain vigilant in case, when Muammar Gaddafi, his family members and close associates, try to travel through Cyprus or transfer assets.

It said police spokesman, Michael Katsounotos with the label, sent the police forces of all States parties to Interpol, with specific reference to 16 family or the environment Gaddafi.

He also said that the operation of Interpol part of the implementation of the resolution adopted by the Security Council, where the crisis began in Libya.

President wants "historic Kosovo solution"

18 March 2011 | 10:27 | Source: Tanjug
BELGRADE -- A solution for the Serbian-Albanian conflict cannot be a scenario in which Serbia will recognize Kosovo's independence, said Serbian President Boris Tadić.

Boris Tadić (Beta, file)


He believes that the solution must not be such that one side wins everything while the other loses everything.

The Serbian president told Priština-based TV station Klan Kosova that he hoped the introductory phase of the ongoing talks between Serbia and Kosovo would be followed by a search for that essential solution to the underlying conflict.

“Any agreement between Serbs and Albanians has to be legitimized by acceptance from both sides. Representatives of the people cannot accept an agreement rejected by the people themselves. However, those representatives are allowed to bravely step forward with ideas that might not be appealing to the whole people, but which could be accepted in the end through a referendum,“ he argued.

Tadić refused to give any actual suggestions, explaining that it would not be wise at the moment.

“There are models that have already been implemented, as well as the possibility of the two sides coming up with a new type of solution,“ he added.

"It is not wise or purposeful right now to give actual proposals for a political solution, because we would not reach that solution then, and I think that it is wiser now to address technical issues and avoid politics," he noted, claiming he was prepared to take responsibility and offer possible solutions, but only once the time was right.

The president stressed that he could not give up on protecting the interest of the Serbs in Kosovo who did not wish to be integrated into the unilaterally declared state of Kosovo.

“I cannot search for a practical solution without taking into account the existing reality. Because if I denied the opinion of Serbs in Kosovo I would be acting like Milošević who, before the conflict broke out, denied the opinion of Albanians, who didn't want to live under Serbia's sovereign roof even before the conflict,“ he pointed out.


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more see: http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=03&dd=18&nav_id=73301
President Ivanov urges slavo Macedonians in Albania to Unite


Friday, 18 March 2011

President Gjorge Ivanov called on slavo Macedonians in Albania and the leadership of their only political party - Macedonian Alliance for European Integration (MAEI) - to unite in order to be able to ensure their minority rights and to improve their living standards in Albania, where local polls are going to be held in May and a census of the population in November.

Representatives from Mala Prespa, Golo Brdo and Gora - mostly populated by a slavo Macedonian minority in all of Albania - met with President Ivanov to discuss their problems, voicing satisfaction that their issues had been discussed at the highest level for the first time, MIA reports.

"The visit of the Macedonian president for us is crucial and the fact that talks were held with the premier and president of Albania to discuss openly about the problems of Albanian Macedonians, who are recognised only in Mala Prespa, Pustec municipality. Those outside of this municipality are not registered as Macedonians and thus do not enjoy any right. Hopefully, these bilateral meetings will finally solve the issue and Macedonians from Golo Brdo and Gora will be recognised as Macedonians by official authorities in Albania, stated Edmond Temelko - MAEI president and Pustec mayor.

Vasil Sterjovski - director of TV Kristal from Korca - said the President urged Macedonians in Albania to be united over their party, as a way to obtain their rights.

"Solely by engaging in Albania's politics, we will manage to integrate in local institutions and by securing posts in the local authority and MP seats, we'll have the chance to raise issues at economic and national plan," Sterjovski said.

He commended that Albanian President Bamri Topi for the first time discussed the minority issue.

"It is considered as an encouragement for all minorities. Topi has condemned hard-line nationalists who refuse to have a census with an ethnic section in the form, not only for slavo Macedonians, but also for other minorities, being scared Albania to become a multi-ethnic state," stated Sterjovski.

Talks also focused on the issue involving the Xhepciste - Trebista border crossing near Golo Brdo and the construction of a road, thus solving infrastructure shortcomings.


Cham Community is prepared to protest in the Greek territory

Idrizi of PDIU: Cham citizens will organize the trip to Greece


TIRANA-leader of PDIU Shpetim Idrizi reacted today after the return of two pensioner from the Greek border. They have not allowed to enter the Hellenic state, after first birth in passports.

Based on this incident, members of PDIU Tahiri and Idrizi and have decided to organize a visit to the neighboring state along with a group of citizens from the Camera.

"Two citizens of Cham origin were not allowed to cross the Greek border to" Chameria Region because "it was written in the passport. We will addressee to the Albanian authorities, meanwhile, will arrange a visit along with a group from Camera to Greece ", - said Idrizi.

The citizens from Vlora, member of Bajrami family, were come back a few days ago from the Greek border.

Ashton visits Kosovo



Catherine Ashton
Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for the Foreign Policy and Security, will visit Kosovo on 28 and 29 March. Her visit comes immediately before the second round of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels.

Head of the Kosovo team for the dialogue with Serbia, deputy Edita Tahiri said that during the visit of European diplomat in Kosovo will be required to make a clear agenda of the talks with Serbia and what wins Kosovo, being cooperative.

The first round of Serbia and Kosovo dialogue, brokered by the EU in Brussels have ended without any concrete results, while on 24 and 25 March will be held the second round, where will be discussed for the technical issues.

Ceku: Serbia, the sponsor of arrests



The Minister of Security Forces in Kosovo, Agim Ceku, has described yesterday′s arrests as an effort sponsored by Serbia to reject the holy and the right war of KLA.

According to him, the fact that in Kosovo a war happened is forgotten, and there have been the invaders in this case, Serbia, and also there have been the liberators, in this instance KLA.

Hoping that such a war will never occurs, Ceku said that war is not chess, but according to him, war is life and death.

He said that in every war there are victims, but it is known who is the victim and who is the aggressor and even who is the winner

Courts in Albania suspend changing nationality to Greek

18/03/2011

TIRANA, Albania -- A number of courts in southern Albania have suspended all nationality change requests, local media reported on Wednesday (March 16th), amid suspected violations involved in the process. It is believed that in the Gjirokastra and Permet courts alone, about 2,000 citizens have changed their nationality from Albanian to Greek. The courts of Permet and Saranda have asked the Constitutional Court to interpret the law on marital status, on which these requests were based.

The issue has become a hot topic, with the civil society working now on a petition asking parliament and the president to annul some parts of the law on marital status. They say that an increased number of Albanians declaring themselves as Greeks will encourage Greek nationalists to claim control of territories in Albania. The main reason behind changing the nationality is to receive benefits from neighbouring Greece. The government recently postponed the census, originally due in April, arguing it would hinder campaigning ahead of the May 8th local elections.

Thursday, March 17, 2011



Greek Gov't on fYRoM ICJ recourse

(ANA-MPA) -- Α foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday referred to the imminent opening of a hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) on March 21-30 over a complaint brought against Greece by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), underlining that fYRoM's recourse is a "legal process that was politically motivated when it was initiated".

In response to the Skopje government's claims that Greece has violated Article 11 of the September 1995 "Interim Accord", the Greek side has prepared "two well-documented legal memos and fYRoM's allegations are being refuted by the arguments included in their appendixes", spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said.

As regards ongoing UN mediation over the fYRoM "name issue", he merely said that Greece "adheres to the process taking place under the UN auspices". Commenting on negative actions undertaken over the recent period by the fYRoM government, he observed that "the use of ancient Hellenic symbols is in conflict with the Interim Accord".

Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Volkan"

President Christofias called on Israel to establish a military base in Cyprus to move troops"

The nationalist "newspaper in Northern Cyprus, Volkan", during an article of Birol Ertan columnist, argues that besides the issue of exclusive economic zone, the President called on Israel to establish a military base in Cyprus and transferred the army.

Allegedly the journalist Ertan, the information is put on alert in England, which has bases on the island, and the other will be cooled relations with the G / C and Greece, resulting in the EU supports Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots


Simerini

Unlike the version of the Albanian government to delay the process of census of the population because of the administrative elections, President Topi, blames nationalists


Topi, Census: ultra nationalists undermined the legal process


Bamir Topi, the President of Albania, said today that the issue of population census in the country is turning into a debate because of interference from ultra nationalist circles and not because the term registration of the population, because as he said this is legitimacy process to be followed.

After a meeting held in Tirana on Monday with President George Ivanov, President Bamir Topi was asked by the Macedonian media that, why in the census lists based on the term ethnic sllavo Macedonians there.

The head of state stressed that among his Macedonian counterpart Georgi Ivanov also discussed the census, what the presidents was followed by debate in the Balkans, because of the plea of ​​nationality and religion are two of the requirements of EU legal framework.

But the President stressed that Albania has faced this issue in a great debate and not without reason.

A week ago, the Albanian government, postponed the census process, being justified that were delayed due to local elections.

Meanwhile the Greek government has cast doubt on this process, which is to make requested by the European Union, giving 10 million euros funding.

Greece, Albania police security investments

Greek businessman donates 1500 flak jackets cost $ 1.3 million in HELPOLIS


Athens. In the "gift of life" 1500 flak jackets art, to the Greek police, costing one million euros (1.3 million dollars paid), went a few months ago one of the leading Greek businessmen and even wanted to keep the donations secret and it is also important because it proves that he did to obtain the spotlight, but because he had to provide security to those who care about our security.

"We believe that such moves should be highlighted and an example and stimulus for other entrepreneurs to take such actions to the homeland, not only in the Security Forces and the Armed Forces". And not to stay hidden. Do not forget that the battleship Averof thanks to which the Greek Aegean again become "lake" and freed the Greek population, paid in part by his great namesake benefactor.

These jackets even (not the same batch that gave the operator, but the same company that I had bought at his own expense, the police officer) and proved beneficial for one of the officers of the recent conflict. The entrepreneur is Andreas Vgenopoulos of MIG and send congratulations and public donation, but because they wanted to make the whole thing.

We expect from the tens of super-rich Greek businessmen to make similar moves, but also from those who have not already done so to continue this support. The Armed Forces and Security Forces are the "backbone" of Greece.

These jackets were first used by the newly formed group of DELTA and apart from the modern missile protection offered to load, protects them from accidents! Please note that bulletproof vests are consumable items with an expiration date and need replacing after some time.


US donated flak jackets for Albania police


TIRANË-In General Directorate of State Police today held a ceremony for the donation of flak jackets to state police forces by the U.S. Government through the program ICITAP.

This donation consists of 2036 vests, ranging from lightweight flak jackets the heavy reinforcement to be used in various operations by Special Forces. During her speech at the ceremony welcoming the Deputy U.S. Ambassador, Mrs. Deborah A. Jones praised the good cooperation between the two countries in law enforcement.

"My hope would be that none of the officers not felt the need to use the flak jackets but the reality is that the police officer risks his life every day to protect the citizens of the Republic of Albania. These vests are our contribution to reduce the risk of crime and to strengthen law enforcement in Albania. "Said Mrs Jones."

EU, US call for probe into violence against Roma in Albania

The ambassadors of the European Union and United States, along with the head of the OSCE office in Tirana, have called on Albanian authorities to investigate February 2011 incidents in which dozens of Roma families were forcibly evicted from their settlements in the centre of the capital city and were left homeless after their housing was set on fire.

The joint statement was issued on March 16 2011 by Eugen Wollfarth, the head of the OSCE office in Albania, Alexander Arvizu, US ambassador to Albania and ambassador Ettore Sequi, the head of the EU delegation to Albania.
"We note that these actions resulted in some serious injuries and the displacement of large numbers of people, including many children," the joint statement said. The statement listed a number of conventions and plans to which Albania had committed itself, against discrimination and towards Roma integration.

"The European Commission, in its opinion on Albania's membership application, identified the fight against discrimination and the protection of the rights of Roma as key priority areas needing particular attention from the authorities."
"In this spirit, we strongly urge the responsible authorities to take the appropriate action by investigating the disturbing February events in order to ensure that such acts are not repeated.

We also encourage the authorities to take the appropriate action to provide necessary social assistance, including housing, to those people who have now found themselves homeless."
"We are confident that the majority of citizens oppose such acts of violence against the minority group," the joint statement said. "The OSCE, the US and the EU align themselves fully with civil society representatives in calling for an end to discrimination and violence against Roma families and children."

Ex-KLA questioned, released

17 March 2011 | 10:41 | Source: B92
PRIŠTINA -- EULEX has released former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Fatmir Limaj who was arrested last night for war crimes committed in the village of Klečka.

Fatmir Limaj (FoNet, file)
Fatmir Limaj (FoNet, file)

EULEX should make an announcement regarding Limaj later today.

Limaj, former Kosovo transport minister and current deputy leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) turned himself in to the EULEX police last night at his home in Čaglavica near Priština.

He told reporters as he was leaving the house that he was "proud he took part in the war and in building Kosovo after the war."

Limaj also said he would answer to judicial bodies even though he believed they were wrong.

His arrest followed after yesterday's arrest of former KLA members in Prizren and other towns in Kosovo.

After two-hour questioning the former KLA commander was released. According to the media, the judicial proceeding will continue in the next several days.

“We have responded to the court subpoena and came to EULEX, Limaj said he would cooperate with the judiciary. He is going back home, to his family now,” Limaj’s attorney Tom Gashi stated.

The former KLA commander had already been put on trial in the Hague Tribunal but he was acquitted. B92 has learned that even though Limaj had been acquitted by the Hague Tribunal, the domestic prosecution has a court permission to conduct an investigation into the Klečka camp and one more locality.

Serbian War Crimes Prosecution has welcomed EULEX’s effort regarding investigation into the crimes committed against non-Albanians in Kosovo. Their latest operation is a result of a good cooperation between EULEX and Belgrade prosecutors who have been conducting the investigation into the events in the two KLA camps which were commanded by Limaj for three years now.



The Greek Turkish tensions on Aegean

STRATEGY: Greece, Ballistic missile ATACMS MGM-140A in the Aegean islands!

"In the decade we will have a major crisis with Turkey, a higher level than that Imia, which must at all costs to get out unscathed. Bleed daily and the blood draw the sharks' described the emerging situation in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean senior Defence officer, commenting on the strategy of what came to publicity for the Turkish plan landing SUGA.

The elaborated negative balance of military power between Greece and Turkey, but above all the negative political and economic situation is expected to take several years to bring in more disadvantaged Greece and the leaders of the more hesitant in making interception of Turkish expansion leads the Greek Headquarters in making emergency away from the limelight.

All three staffs, but mostly the army revises its plans and to prevent any successor to the design of "flexible defense" and then "counter-attacks." "That's losing ground, hardly was stopped. We have already lost since the battle of peace the reserves and improve their capabilities against their heavy weapons daily. This means that any counter-attack we will face major difficulties.


A crucial decision taken in the review of key points of the preventive strategy is to develop ballistic missile ATACMS MGM-104A Block I in the eastern Aegean islands. Given the problems that may arise due to the existing Treaty of Lausanne that prevents installation offensive weapons in the eastern Aegean islands, the development will not be permanent.
But there will be targeting, transport plans in less time points of development, etc. Each missile can in a few seconds to turn it into ... plot size of military installations with the appropriate heads, and all at a depth 165 km from the Greek islands.

"There are about 25 targets A 'Level in Asia Minor coast and the hinterland that could destroy the« Follow-on-Forces »occurred even before the main acts of aggression and that is our goal. We must do all we can to realize the face that projects such as SUGA will be dealt with all our forces and will cost them dearly, "notes a senior General Staff officer told the strategy.

For these reasons the "I" visited the base of the largest concentrations of heavy weapons in the history of the Greek Army's 193 Squadron Eleftheroupoli WFP in Kavala, where executives of the Greek artillery ballistic missiles armed with ATACMS and MLRS systems 'promise' destruction, pain and blood throughout the Asia Minor coast.
Also you can read the future plans of upgrading the ATACMS to airborne systems to reduce further the current years growth in the eastern Aegean.

you can read: http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nationality, the Court of Permet sends a request in the Constitutional Court


After the Court of Saranda is the Court of Permet which sends a request to the Constitutional Court for the interpretation of the law on "civil state" where is used the term nationality.

Permet Court asks the Constitutional Court to declare as incompatible with Articles 19 and 20 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, the term "nationality" by the law dated 11.5.2009 for the civil "status".

According to the court the law is unconstitutional and that this law has opened the way in recent years to the massive changes in the Albanian nationality in the Greek nationality.

While accordind to the court of Permet, it has an influx of requests for the change of nationality where more than 550 Albanians have changed nationality.

While Vice President of High Council of Justice has described the masive change of nationality by the Albanian population in Greece as a violation of the sovereignty, as a result of seduction by the neighbor state.

Minister for Kosovo talks population census

16 March 2011 | 16:30 | Source: Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Belgrade believes that the census of population in Kosovo and Metohija should be conducted by the United Nations (UN) in all Serb-inhabited areas.

Goran Bogdanović (Tanjug)
Goran Bogdanović (Tanjug)

The census should start on April 1, and Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović added that it could also be conducted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), when it comes to Serb areas.

This in order to avoid possible manipulations regarding the number of Serbs living there, Bogdanović stated on Wednesday.

Stressing that Belgrade is not opposed to a census being carried out, but only considers it unacceptable for it to be conducted by the Kosovo institutions, Bogdanović pointed out that the UN should be the body in charge of taking the census in all Serb-inhabited areas - “both north and south of the Ibar River.”

In the north Serbs are a majority, while south of the river they live in isolated enclaves.

“We have double standards here. The international community accepted that the census be taken by the UN in the north and by Kosovo's institutions south of the Ibar River - which we cannot accept due to previous bad experiences in this regard and because citizens of Serbian nationality have no more trust in them,” the minister told Tanjug.

Bogdanović noted that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković informed Brussels about Serbia's position on the matter.

According to Bogdanović, the latest elections in Kosovo - organized by the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština - "showed massive manipulations and vote rigging, and census is and even more serious an issue than these".

“If you steal during elections, you are sure to steal during a census as well,” warned Bogdanović.

He assessed the situation as "fragile", since this is “not the first time that (ethnic) Albanians are trying to manipulate the number of Serbs living in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.”

Israel denies change of Kosovo stance


BELGRADE -- Israel has not recognized Kosovo’s independence and sees no reason to change its position.

This is according to a statement made by the Israeli embassy in Belgrade on Monday.

The embassy reacted to a report by Radio Kosovo that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman "promised Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto at their meeting that Israel would reconsider its stand regarding recognition of Kosovo's independence".

Israel does not recognize Kosovo's independence, the embassy reiterated.

The province's ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared independence over three years ago, which was rejected by Serbia's authorities as an illegal act of secession.

OSCE warns Albania ahead of elections

16. March 2011.

The Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) called on the leading parties in Albania to stop with mutual accusations and give their contribution so that the forthcoming elections would be held in a democratic atmosphere.

The Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) called on the leading parties in Albania to stop with mutual accusations and give their contribution so that the forthcoming elections would be held in a democratic atmosphere.

The political environment continues to be deeply polarized, with harsh rhetoric and personal attacks by the leaders of the main political parties, OSCE says in the report. Parties should demonstrate the political will for the conduct of democratic elections and they should discharge their electoral duties in a responsible manner for the general interest of Albania, the Balkan Insight portal reports.

No local elections have ever aroused so much interest in Albania and in the world like the ones to be held on May 8. Two leading parties, the Democratic Party of Albania and the Socialist Party of Albania, have not cooperated since the parliamentary elections in mid 2009. The Socialists never recognized the results of those elections as they claim they were stolen. Prime Minister Salji Berisa rejected those accusations, but neven agreed to a recount of votes and reexamination of the election material.

Political tensions increased ahead of the 2009 elections, particularly following the death of four opposition protesters during an anti-government rally on January 21. The opposition continued the protests, requesting from the government to resign and accusing them of murdering Albanian citizens, as well as of corruption and organized crime.

OSCE announced a robust presence in Albania during the local elections, with 30 long-term monitors and 400 short-term observers to follow polling day procedures. The international observers would support 900 local monitors, which are expected to be deployed by a coalition of Albanian NGOs.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Clinton: In Albania, must prevail the rule of law



U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has made a statement today on the occasion of 20th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Albania and the U.S..

"On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I send the best wishes to the people of Albania, at this moment when our states restore twenty years of diplomatic relations on 15 March. After a break of 52 years, 1991 was indeed a new beginning - not only for our bilateral relations but also for Albania′s development as a democratic country and an international partner. This day commemorates our partnership, reminds us of the progress made and highlights the promise of the future of Albania, especially while you take the steps necessary to achieve the goal of European Union membership, "reads the statement of Hillary Clinton.

She continued by saying that even during the darkest years of the Cold War, the Albanians and Americans do not forgot the strong ties of friendship between our two countries.

She follows on to say that the United States continue to support Albania′s integration into the European Union. We welcomed the decision in late 2010 to allow the Albanians to travel visa-free anywhere in the European Union. Albanians have already achieved much, but more work remains on the path towards the EU - and this year will be crucial.


Kico Mustaqi: I'm Greek in my family origin

"Albanians attacked Greece in Greek - Italian war 1940"


"It is not true that the Greeks invaded Albania in 1940. Albanians had four battalions of the fascist army, caught most of them captives, and sent in Crete"


Mustaqi: "Secret Service chief of SHIK, Bashkim Gazidede, accused me in the Albanian Parliament in 1997, that, I was preparing a resistance in Northern Epirus, after the collapse of the Albanian state"


New developments in the political scene in Albania, Kico Mustaqi, where he lived those 20 years in Greece, former Defence Minister of Albania in 1991, is a new protagonist at epicenter of the Albanian opinion.

Former Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Army last ten years of dictatorship, has shocked the Albanian public, during an interview in "TV Ora News" for his statements in relation to his identity, Greek in origin family, but also for clashes with Albanian and international press, during the Civil War in Albania in 1997.

He responded a series of questions which most recently have put in Albanian nationalist movement with respect to the Albania - Greece relations. The Journalist's question why Greece has occupied Albania in 1940, after the offensive against the Italian fascists, Mustaqi replies: "It is not true that the Greeks invaded Albania in 1940. Albanians had 4 battalions in the Fascist army, most of them were robber and transferred in Crete Island"

In connection charges by Bashkim Gazidedes in 1997 for armed movements in the head of the cause of Northern Epirus, Mustaqi said: "With foreign journalists have interviewed those days, when Albania had exploded in the Civil War, in 1997, when forces of Sali Berisha, seeking to attack the South of Albania. I declared that I am against this military action and that people in Southern Albania, must defend itself. Then my words where transformed by newspapers that "I was in charge of military groups who are in the protection of Northern Epirus".

Meanwhile, Kico Mustaqi, said even for a military plan that was well aware in the Warsaw Pact in 1979, in which Albania was mentioned that in a moment in a time, had taken a decision by Tirana, to attack Kosovo.

Kico Mustaqi former Chief of Albanian Army, is accused by the Albanian secret service chief in 1997 Bashkim Gazidede, that he plans to organize an armed uprising a "coup d` etat" with the code name "Lotus" to relieve the Northern Epirus, for which is also accused by former Albanian dictator Ramiz Alia in 1991.

http://www.ora-news.com/v2/index.php?on=pr-details&id=4&nid=16&PHPSESSID=53c331fd1ed8fcf9490e5d082bcebb30

"Recognition in exchange for autonomy for north"

Europe Report N°211 14 Mar 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The dispute between Kosovo and Serbia is most acute in Kosovo’s northern municipalities. The North has not been under effective control from Pristina for two decades; its sparse and predominantly rural Serb population uniformly rejects integration into Kosovo. Though small and largely peaceful, it is the main obstacle to reconciliation and both countries’ European Union (EU) aspirations. A Kosovo-Serbia dialogue mediated by the EU began on 8-9 March 2011 and is likely over the coming months to look at some of the consequences of the dispute for regional cooperation, communications, freedom of movement and the rule of law. For now, however, Belgrade, Pristina and Brussels have decided that tackling the North’s governance or status is too difficult before more efforts are made to secure cooperation on improving the region’s socio-economic development, security and public order.

For some time, the North will remain in effect under dual sovereignty: Kosovo’s and Serbia’s. Kosovo seeks to rid the region of Serbian institutions, integrate it and gain control of the border with Serbia. It is willing to provide substantial self rule and additional competencies as suggested under the Ahtisaari plan, developed in 2007 by the then UN Special Envoy to regulate Kosovo’s supervised independence. But local Serbs see the North as their last stand and Mitrovica town as their centre of intellectual and urban life. Belgrade will continue to use its influence in the North to reach its primary goal, regaining the region as a limited victory to compensate for losing the rest of its former province.

Serbia and Kosovo institutions intersect and overlap in the North without formal boundaries or rules. The majority Serb and minority Albanian communities there live within separate social, political and security structures. They have developed pragmatic ways of navigating between these parallel systems where cooperation is unavoidable. Yet, in a few areas – notably criminal justice – cooperation is non-existent, and the only barrier to crime is community pressure.

Northern Serbs across the political spectrum overwhelmingly cleave to Serbia. However, Belgrade and the Northern political elites belong to different parties and are bitter rivals. Apart from the technical work of managing the North, they share only one common interest: keeping Pristina out and blocking any international initiative that could strengthen common Kosovo institutions, notably police and courts. Two other groups, former local leaders who retain strong influence behind the scenes and an organised crime underworld focused on smuggling, share this one overriding goal. Belgrade prosecutes criminals and rivals selectively, allowing others room to operate; their presence in the North provides plausible deniability for many of its actions.

more see...www.crisisgroup.org.


New Signs for cars, change the Albanian color symbol

Brussels requires Tirana, to remove the red color to them converted in blue and white, as European Symbol

While in Albania, has begun a nationalist movement against the census, the government of Albania, has begun distribution of new signals for vehicles of the Republic of Albania.

The particularly is the new model, which does not contain the color red, the symbol of background of the Albanian flag, but only the eagle, under the blue with white background.

And exactly this fact, cast doubts created by historians, that the autonomy of the Albanian and its national flag in 1912, raised "de facto" by the founder Ismail Qemali, was not red, but white, with the eagle of Byzantium in the middle.

Monday, March 14, 2011

EU agrees to roll over Greek debt

After long discussions, the EU summit meeting finally came to an end, concluding to the rollover of the 110 billion euro EU loan for 10 years, along with a cut in the interest rate by 1% relatively to the current rate. The Greek PM George Papandreou stated that the profit by this reduction of the interest rate surpasses 6 billion euro.

The conditions for this favorable regulations are not yet announced. However, according to Mr. Papandreou, the Greek fiscal consolidation program includes structural reforms, privatization plans and use of public property of 50 billion euro.

At the same time, a financial aid of 440 billion euro is also agreed to be given by the European Financial Stability Facility. Moreover, the Greek PM refered to the acknowledgement of Greek effords and to his refusal towards a constitutional regulation of the amound of the deficit and the debt.

Greece, anti terrorism measures

Raids on terror safehouses in Athens, Volos

Counter-terrorism police launched a coordinated raid on two suspected terror safehouses in Athens and Volos early Monday in an ongoing investigation into the "Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire" urban terror group, and found a substantial arms cache.

The raids took place at dawn in the town of Nea Ionia near Volos and in Athens, and took seven people -- five in Volos and two in Athens -- for questioning. The suspects are five men and two women.

Counter-terrorism police found and seized two kalashnikov assault rifles, six pistols, a revolver, large amounts of ammunition, wigs, police uniforms, bullet-proof vests, police wireless radios and beacons, PCs and other objects that were being examined at the police crime lab.

According to police sources, three of the detainees are wanted for participation in the Cells of Fire.

Official announcements are to be made later in the day by police headquarters.

Macedonia, will be formed the Movement "VETËVENDOSJE!"


The movement that is known as "VETËVENDOSJE!" is expected to become official in Macedonia. It is an initiative that comes from the Albanian Council of Organizations (ACO). ACO representatives said they soon will establish the movement, but there are not given details about this movement. It is not known if that will be one branch of the movement led by Albin Kurti, or any particular organization in Macedonia.

"Degradation of the Albanian political factor to nihilism, is obliging the Albanian forces to organize and operate outside the politics, in a movement that will be called ′VETËVENDOSJE′, consisting of about 40 nongovernmental organizations and Albanian civils in Macedonia.

Idrizi: Greek Consul must be declared "non grata"



Chairman of the Justice, Integration and Unity Party, Shpetim Idrizi has asked to the Albanian government the announcement of the Greek consul in Korca, Theodhoros Ikonomu as an undesirable person.

He stated that PDIU will increase its activities until his final departure from the country.

Idrizi statement comes after the restoration of the Greek consul, Ikonomu Theodoros, who with his statements prompted a strong reaction against his views.

Kosovar activist: We must unite Kosovo with
Albania


Demaci: "If the Albanians joined the Union will become a reality"


The 75-year old politician and activist, Adem Demaci considers that the association between Kosovo and Albania can be done in the future, though, of course, Belgrade does not change policy towards Pristina.

"One can not exclude the possibility of a union of Kosovo with Albania, if Serbia continues to be an obstacle to the existence and recognition of Kosovo. So a national unification of the two sides can not be excluded in the future. If the Albanians organized, then this union will become a reality, "said Adem Demaci.

Regarding the talks began between Kosovo and Serbia, the veteran activist said that these negotiations take place without of the Kosovars. According to him, the dialogue in Pristina imposed by the European Union.

"There are no talks without the presence of tears, as they themselves are organized by the EU and the UN. Europeans make concessions to Serbia, because interested in joining the EU, because Serbia is a major actor in Kosovo, "said Demaci.

Regarding the dialogue between the nationalities in Macedonia. The Kosovars - former political representative of the UCK, it will say that the dialogue that drive Serbian services have been installed in Skopje institutions in order to keep the hostility of the Albanians.

Demaci made these comments at a ceremony held in Skopje on the occasion of 30th anniversary of student demonstrations in Pristina.


Balkan free movements!

First Romanian Hungarians Get Dual Citizenship

Ethnic Hungarians in Romania seeking Hungarian passports will be able to realise their dream this week, though the benefits will be mainly symbolic.

Marian Chiriac
Bucharest

Thousands of members of Romania's ethnic Hungarian minority are to start getting dual citizenship this week.

The first group of Hungarians to take their oath on Monday will be in Miercurea Ciuc, in southeast Transylvania. Around 6,000 ethnic Hungarians have expressed interest in obtaining Hungarian passports.

One is European MP Laszlo Tokes, head of the Transylvanian Hungarian National Council, CNMT. Tokes and his family were among the first to apply for Hungarian citizenship early this year.

Hungary adopted legislation in May 2010 making it easier for the 3.5 million ethnic Hungarians outside the country to obtain dual citizenship. Most live in Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Pastor Tokes says dual citizenship should help the community "in its drive for greater autonomy and cultural rights". Hungarian citizenship would also mark "recognition that after 90 years of living outside Hungary, we still maintain our identity", he added, referring to Hungary's cession of Transylvania to Romania after the First World War.

Tokes's CNMT seeks greater autonomy for Romania's ethnic Hungarians and champions close relations between the community and Budapest. His defiance of Romania's former communist authorities in 1989 helped touch off the Romanian revolution that overthrew dictator Nikolae Ceaucescu.

While mainly of symbolic importance, dual citizenship papers will make it easier to obtain a US or Canadian visa and ease access to jobs in the European Union. Both Romania and Hungary are members of the EU and NATO.

About 7 per cent of Romania's 22 million citizens are ethnic Hungarian. The 600,000 or so so-called Szeklers in southeast Transylvania have long campaigned for an autonomous region in Transylvania.

Bucharest officials have no objections to Romania's citizens taking out dual citizenship. “We have no objections to the Hungarian law making it easier to grant Hungarian citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living abroad," President Traian Basescu has said.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

“Talks bad for Kosovo”

13 March 2011 | 15:11 | Source: Tanjug
PRIŠTINA -- Kosovo opposition party Self-Determination Movement has started a campaign against Belgrade-Priština talks.

The movement claims that the process is damaging “the state of Kosovo”.

Self-Determination Movement supporters have started their campaign in Priština in order to “affect the awareness of Kosovo citizens”.

They are handing out flyers pointing out the reasons why Kosovo should not take part in the talks.

The Self-Determination Movement claims that the talks will help Serbia integrate into the EU, that Serbia has not changed its Constitution according to which Kosovo is a part of Serbia and point out that ”Serbia has not apologized for the crimes against Albanians during the 20th century”.

The Self-Determination Movement, the third biggest party in the Kosovo assembly, has announced similar campaigns in other towns of Kosovo.

New Push for Judicial Reform in Albania

At a conference organised by the EU and US delegations in Tirana, participants called for reform of Albania's criminal code and changes to immunity rules that protect judges and politicians from prosecution.

Besar Likmeta
Tirana

Tirana

Tirana | Photo by : Pedrag Bubalo/ Flickr

Speaking during the roundtable on Friday, US Ambassador in Tirana Alexander Arvizu stressed that Albania’s criminal code was problematic in at least four areas, according to experts.

Arvizu identified Albania’s constitutionally guaranteed immunity for judges, parliamentarians and other high government officials as a significant problem, describing the practice as an “outdated privilege.”

“While many European countries offer various types of limited immunity to certain government officials, Albania stands alone in Europe in limiting almost all investigative activity,” said Arvizu.

“For investigations to be successful, they must be secret, while the current system requires the Prosecutor General to disclose not only the investigation but also much of the evidence which has been gathered in order to successfully lift immunity and proceed further in the investigation,” he added.

Arvizu said that the criminal code has strict time limits on criminal investigations which, according to both prosecutors and police, prevent the effective investigation of certain types of complex cases, especially corruption and financial crimes. .more see:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-push-for-judicial-reform-in-albania

New Push for Judicial Reform in Albania

At a conference organised by the EU and US delegations in Tirana, participants called for reform of Albania's criminal code and changes to immunity rules that protect judges and politicians from prosecution.

Besar Likmeta
Tirana

Tirana

Tirana | Photo by : Pedrag Bubalo/ Flickr

Speaking during the roundtable on Friday, US Ambassador in Tirana Alexander Arvizu stressed that Albania’s criminal code was problematic in at least four areas, according to experts.

Arvizu identified Albania’s constitutionally guaranteed immunity for judges, parliamentarians and other high government officials as a significant problem, describing the practice as an “outdated privilege.”

“While many European countries offer various types of limited immunity to certain government officials, Albania stands alone in Europe in limiting almost all investigative activity,” said Arvizu.

“For investigations to be successful, they must be secret, while the current system requires the Prosecutor General to disclose not only the investigation but also much of the evidence which has been gathered in order to successfully lift immunity and proceed further in the investigation,” he added.

Arvizu said that the criminal code has strict time limits on criminal investigations which, according to both prosecutors and police, prevent the effective investigation of certain types of complex cases, especially corruption and financial crimes. .more see:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-push-for-judicial-reform-in-albania