KFOR commander wants “barricades removed by Monday”

SOURCE: BETA, TANJUG

LEPOSAVIĆ -- KFOR Commander Erhard Drews has requested from representatives of the local self-governments in northern Kosovo to remove barricades from roads until Monday.

(Tanjug, file)

The meeting between Drews and mayors of four northern Kosovo towns was held on Saturday afternoon at the KFOR Camp Nothing Hill near Leposavić.

Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić has stated that the northern Kosovo municipal representatives asked for time to consult before they give their final answer to KFOR.

“Drews requested that we remove some barricades by Monday so KFOR troops could get basic supplies and we replied that it was a very short notice and that we needed to consult with our assemblies in order to get a mandate from them to continue the talks with General Drews,” he told reporters after the two-hour meeting.

Pantić stressed the meeting was constructive, that the mayors had presented local self-government and citizens’ views and told the KFOR commander that the barricades were not directed against KFOR but against the Priština authorities because they were planning on setting up its institutions in northern Kosovo.

“People don’t want to fight with KFOR, they don’t see an enemy in KFOR and Serbs will try to establish better cooperation with the military mission in the next period and earn back the trust that is seriously jeopardized,” he pointed out.

Pantić pointed out that they had asked the KFOR commander not to take any unilateral actions, especially not violent ones in northern Kosovo and not to try to remove the barricades because it would seriously threaten the existing fragile peace.

According to him, Drews stressed that he would try to bring food to his troops at the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings on Monday.

Today's meeting between the KFOR commander and the municipal representatives was the first since the German general assumed command of the military mission in Kosovo and it was organized at the initiative of local self-governments in northern Kosovo.

Established in USA The "Himarrioton Society of America"

Photo: Father Kosmas Karavellas

After several years of interruption, resumed activity of The "Himarrioton Society of America", which will be under the direction of well-known father Kosmas Karavellas Annapolis. The group organizer, in the presence of about 100 participants, presented the program of the Association, which will seek to achieve goals inherited from the founders in the early 20th century in USA.

The "Himarrioton Society of America", will make every effort to invoke the voice of the World personalities by Himara Region origin, such as "Cultural Ambassador of Himara in World", George Tenet and Olympic Weightlifting champion Pyrros Dhimas, also honorary member of The Himara Community of Albania.

Also, The "Himarrioton Society of America" would like to organize meetings in US Congress and Senate, to claim historical rights to Himara Region, by lobbying to the U.S. Department of State.

Further it under the program, the three associations of Himara in World, USA, Albania and Greece, will organize next year, to be called Pan Himariot Congress in Himara Town, with the participation of personalities throughout by the Diaspora.

The new address:

The "Himarrioton Society of America"
2747 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401-7202
(301) 261-8218
USA

Related

CONSTITUTION

OF THE HIMARRIOTON SOCIETY
OF AMERICA

" H XEIMAPPA" 1965


INTRODUCTION

The Himarriotans of America, who have in the past been organized in their historic Associations, initially in that of THE AGONIZOMENI XEIMARRA (THE STRUGGLING HIMARRA) and later in the AKROKERAVNIA - at a special meeting held in Washington, D. C. _ overwhelmingly decided to establish a new association which will follow in me noblest traditions '0£ the two preceeding organizatons, and which in a new and invigorating spirit will incarnate the National aspirations of the Himarriotans as true descendants of their Greek forefathers and will inspire towards a more dynamicand effective, patriotic, charitable and philanthropic endeavor.

Hungary threatens veto over restitution issues

Source: Tanjug

BUDAPEST -- Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi said Thursday there would be serious problems if Serbia kept its property restitution and compensation law unchanged.

The issue refers to the property seized at the end of the Second World War by the communist authorities of Yugoslavia (SFRJ).

At a press conference held on the occasion of the European Commission's (EC) recommendation to grant Serbia the EU membership candidate status, the Hungarian foreign minister said Budapest might veto the decision on accepting Serbia as an EU membership candidate in December.

“The Hungarian government believes that the law is morally, legally and politically unacceptable and that it causes discrimination of the Hungarian community in Vojvodina,” Martonyi said, adding that Serbia's failure to resolve the issue by December might cause serious problems.

Notwithstanding the demands from Serbia to amend its restitution legislation, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry issued a release late Wednesday welcoming the EC recommendation.

Berisha: Supporting mountainous tourism


But this decision of Tirana`s Government, would open great discussion in Albanian about taxes to discriminate of other touristic operators particularly in Southern Albania

From the National Park of Antigonea and the mountainous valley of Çajupi, Prime Minister Berisha promised more support for the mountain tourism in the Southern areas of the country and towards any kind of alternative tourism.

The Prime Minister released these declarations during the inauguration of the road that leads to the Antigonea Park, and the road that leads to the Çajupi Mountain.

“The Government is committed to build the needed infrastructure for these tourist centers. After this road, we will start with the Finiqi road, to the tekke, which is a holy location. We are advancing towards Bylis and all archeological towns that are innumerous in this country. In Albania, the cultures of different empires are interlaced more than anywhere else”, Berisha declared.

When asked about the tourist services in this area, which are one of the reasons that the tourists cannot visit the sites, Berisha declared that right after the roads, the next step is the tourist services. He added that there will be archeological diggings in the area, in Antigonea and the Drinos valley that will serve to tourism.

“The road was finished, and it was an investment of 280 million ALL. Together with the commune, we will work to make more diggings in the town”, the Prime Minister added.

But this decision of Tirana`s Government, would open great discussion in Albanian about taxes to discriminate of other touristic operators particularly in Southern Albania

Turks Interested in Purchasing Low-Cost Greek Yachts

There has been an increase in Turks buying Greek yachts at low prices due to Greece’s economic crisis. Over 300 people are in negotiations to purchase Greek yachts.

Marinas in Greece are full of sale announcements due to debts to banks and the inability to pay taxes. Many yachts sales take place secretly. Greek yachts for sale are of worth 300,000 to 12,000,000 euros.

Chief Executive of BC Marin, Erdem Gurler states that sales announcements have seen a rapid increase of 60% in comparison with last year, while hundreds of seized yachts have been collected by Greek banks.

Even Financial Crime Prosecution Unit has been conducting investigations in marinas, and thus the yachts’ sales have increased. More specifically, yachts of 2010-2011 are sold at a discount of 40%-50%.

Patriarch calls on northern Kosovo Serbs to persist

SOURCE: TANJUG

PEĆ -- Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church backed on Friday the right of northern Kosovo Serbs to defend themselves by putting up roadblocks.

Patriarch Irinej (Tanjug)

He called on the local Serb population to persist in the fight for their rights.

Irinej today served liturgy at the Patriarchate of Peć, located in western parts of the province.

The spiritual leader of the Serb Orthodox Christians was in Kosovo on the occasion of the Intercession of the Theotokos, which is one of medieval SPC monastery's patron saint days.

In a statement for reporters after the service, Irinej called on northern Kosovo Serbs to persist until, as he said, strongmen come to realize that Serbs are defending their country and that they put up barricades on their own land, in order to protect their homes and area in which they have been living for centuries.

Undersea Gas Reservoir Bigger Than Estimated – Report

October 11, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics

US-based Noble Energy has discovered gas in Block 12 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the reserve is thought to be 30-40% higher than estimates, according to a report by Philelftheros newspaper citing un-named sources.

The paper says that President Demetris Christofias is set to visit Noble’s offshore drilling rig in the near future to inspect it and attend an inauguration ceremony for the new well. Commenting on the report, Christofias said that any visit will be organised in due course and that it will be officially announced.

Microscopic bubbles of gas are already coming to the surface and everything is ready for the final stage of drilling, says the report.

Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou said that since drilling is being carried out, it means that hydrocarbon deposits are likely to be identified. But she cautioned that they are only half-way to drilling targets.

“We are now about 2200 metres below the seabed and the goal is to reach 4000 metres. This is where we expect to locate hydrocarbon deposits,” she said in a written statement.

She asked for patience and said that bubbles of natural gas could come at any stage of the drilling process.

“This does not mean that we’ve discovered the deposits and it is a shame that these impressions are created, keeping the world in suspense,” she said.

According to previous statements by Antoniades, confirmed initial results had been expected by December, and she reiterated this estimate. Parallel to any early positive indications in mid-December, Noble Energy will still have to do an assessment of the quality of the gas. This stage would take at least another six to eight months, she said. A decision on building a gas terminal will be made at the same time, she said.

Noble Energy has an exploratory license for Block 12 and started drilling on September 19th in an area that experts say could contain 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Earlier this year, a Noble Energy official said that natural gas could be delivered from Block 12 by 2014. Block 12 neighbors Israel’s natural gas field Leviathan which is considered to be one of the Mediterranean’s largest undersea gas reserves. The first well drilled on Leviathan alone contained 16 trillion cubic feet of gas.

RBA, "Albanian parade" in New York
11/10/2011

A red and black parade was organized today in New York, USA, organized by the Red and Black Alliance with the help of Albanian American youth, members of the Albanian Roots Organization (Kosovo and Muslim Community of Albania).

Columbus Day is one of the few occasions when the US Albanians, same as the other countries that founded it, could join to celebrate and show the Albanian roots.

Protagonist of the Albanian parade was Kreshnik Spahiu, leader of the Red and Black Alliance, who cooperated with three young Albanian Americans to enable the meeting of hundreds of Albanians in the center of New York.

The Albanian symbols covered the event that was dedicated to Chameria. Some well known Albanian singers lightened up the atmosphere in the Manhattan Center, such as Frederik Ndoci, Ciljeta and especially Genta Ismaili, who sang for the Albanian Americans the hymn of the Red and Black Alliance.

“The message that they want to inject on the Albanians’ mind, that there’s nothing can be done for Albania, must change. A lot can be done for Albania, and it must be done from those who think Red and Black. Some made our country red, and other made it black. It is time for Albania to become Red and Black”, Spahiu declared.

The most exciting moment of this parade was marked when hundreds of Albanian Americans marched on the 5th Avenue, one of most tourist frequented boulevards in New York.

For more than three hours, everything in the center of New York was Albanian; it was represented with dignity by showing to the world the western civilization of a small, but not forgotten country. As Faik Konica has said: “The Albanians are born Albanians in Albania, and they become patriots in America”.

This was a typical American parade, a tradition of the nations that built a free country. That’s how the Albanians are today, free and proud for everything that they have given and that they have taken in the “Promised Land” with merits, talent and pride.

Source www.top-channel.tv

Afghan Diplomat Named 9th UN Special Rep to Kosovo

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Afghan diplomat Farid Zarif as his special representative to the Kosovo Mission, UNMIK.

Fatmir Aliu

Pristina

Zarif, who is 60-years-old and has worked in high-level roles for the United Nations since joining in 1993, succeeds the Italian Lamberto Zannier. Zannier completed his term of office in June 2011.

The UN’s headquarters says that Zarif has extensive experience in diplomatic, international and United Nations affairs.

Within his previous role at the UN, Zarif served as the Director of the Europe and Latin America Division in the Office of Operations, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in August 2010.

Zarif is the ninth Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Kosovo, since the end of the war in 1999.

“Framework solution for N. Kosovo should be found first"

Source: Tanjug

PRAGUE -- Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanović said Wednesday that prior to the new round of talks Belgrade would try to find a framework for northern Kosovo solution.

Borislav Stefanović (Tanjug, file)

He stressed that it would be done in cooperation with the international community.

“When it comes to the dialogue with Priština, Serbia will be ready as soon as a framework for the solution for the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings is found, which will definitely be a topic of Serbia's talks with the international community,” Stefanović told Radio Free Europe.

“It is obvious that Priština is not willing to deal with the burning issue of northern Kosovo, showing thus how irresponsible it is with regard to what is going on out there and how much it really does not want the crisis to be resolved,” the negotiator pointed out.

When asked whether it is possible to reach a framework for the solution, as both Priština and the EU refuse to discuss the Kosovo north as part of the dialogue on technical issues, Stefanović said that the issue would not be touched on in the current Belgrade-Priština dialogue, but that it was debated very seriously outside the process.

FYROM: Census Cancelled, Albanians Are Below 17%

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

The ruling Government has decided to cancel and postpone the Census for some other time. No one is sure when would that be. The Census had counted nearly 1.3 million people so far and one thing became evident: the Albanian ethnicum will not be able to reach the coveted 25% they reached in a fraudulent census back in 2002. Information from ethnic Albanian census takers point that according to the numbers from the field, and despite ignoring the Census laws by counting people that were not present, the Albanian ethnicum would struggle to get to 17% of the population, as many had believed. Hence the alarm was sounded, all ethnic Albanians from the Census Bureau resigned, while the Macedonians resigned because the Census laws were ignored, people that were not present for years were being counted. NATO/EU's 25% Because of the "uprising" orchestrated by NATO/EU, which was intended to turn Macedonia into a second Kosovo and a base for NATO, the Ohrid Framework agreement written for Macedonia in Brussels before the conflict begun had stipulated law changes for ethnic Albanians should they be 25% of the population. The miracle happened in the 2001 census overseen by NATO/EU when somehow the ethnic Albanians pulled off an astonishing 25.2% of the population. Lets not forget, Crvenkovski whose party was in charge of the census was thrilled with the new numbers, which should have been a red flag... and it was. Now when the more realistic numbers have leaked, it will put the forever unhappy Albanians at less than 17% which in turn brings into question the validity of the Ohrid Framework Agreement! It also brings into question the number of DUI and DPA MPs in Parliament. Although Albanians are used to a preferred treatment in it that they are always right, must be appeased and their demands met, Eurocrat and Merkel worried for their own country had this to say: Giving rights to minorities doesn't work and creates instability. Either accept the German culture and language or return to your home country". Sarkozy said the same thing when speaking of France. In Macedonia, not just that the Albanian ethnicum has received more rights than the Macedonians themselves and other minorities, they publicly say they do not feel Macedonia is their country (most of them came as refugees from Kosovo). All of this as a result of a fraudulent census in 2001. Macedonia should for once take a page from Greece, Albania and Bulgaria and administer a census the way these countries administer it: Count people as "Macedonian Citizens" or "Non Citizens". Problem Solved. Albania even fines people $1,000 if you claim to be of other ethnicity. http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/19334/2/

World Security Network reporting from London in the United Kingdom, October 10, 2011

To SManalysis Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). "Al-Qaeda is losing ground in the Arabic World and the Middle East as a different narrative arises in those societies. It is operating on its periphery and faces an issue of credibility." Sir Richard Dearlove, Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service between February 1999 and May 2004, describes 9/11 in London as a defining historical moment. The event changed our view of the world and led to a rethinking of national security as well a new definition of security and defence budgets. US foreign policy was evaluated and changed as a result of 9/11. As the US thought itself to be immune against events of such magnitude, the psyche and politics of American society was changed. An event of such dimensions could not be handled only with the help of criminal law which explains those changes. The roles of the involved parties are nevertheless far from clear. Sir Richard Dearlove who was the leader of the British Secret Service during 9/11 stressed that under the presidency of Barack Obama there has been more action against Al-Qaeda – for example in the North of Pakistan – than there was under President Bush, even though the public often perceives the situation differently. Distrust and hate against Al-Qaeda have increased – also among the moderate Islamic parties that argue for the democratic rights that Al-Qaeda rejects. Such developments can be recognized in the events of the Arab spring. It can therefore be noticed that Al-Qaeda is losing ground in the Arabic World and the Middle East as a different narrative arises in those societies. Al-Qaeda faces difficulties with the implementation of their operations even though they have sometimes been successful – as the attacks in Madrid and London have proved. It thus becomes obvious that Al-Qaeda works on its periphery and faces an issue of credibility, says Dearlove. The new characteristics of intelligence work are also evoked by Dearlove: - interdependent, different intelligence agencies are internationally and domestically cooperating - political cooperation between states takes place even though their views on topics such as the treatment of human rights might differ - this cooperation can be compared to a mosaic which is very complex in its structure - a lot of material concerning the topic is produced which might not always be relevant to the daily work of intelligence agencies - challenges are created by the establishment of non-organisations as well as by the ephemeral nature of resource acquisition In any case, the possibility of another catastrophe has to be kept in mind at all times. Al-Qaeda is grasping for political influence. Dearlove makes it clear that Al-Qaeda is not identical to the Taliban movement. The association between the two is merely a relationship of convenience. As Al-Qaeda has no political agenda, it is not possible to start negotiations. No political or territorial objectives can be identified but we are instead confronted with a list of beliefs, values and religious aspirations. This differentiates them from groups such as the IRA or the Basque movement which clearly have a political program and are therefore able to participate in negotiations. Ten years after 9/11, Al-Qaeda still tries to make political impacts. The war in Iraq only accelerated the decline of Al-Qaeda as the group made mistakes and faced the union of Sunnite tribes which supported the US in the region. Dearlove adds that Pakistan seems to be the most probable target at the moment. As Al-Qaeda may try to stir up the relationship between India and Pakistan, this might cause a geopolitical destabilization. This situation also poses a very serious threat of nuclear war as a nuclear reaction can be set up very easily by Pakistan if the country faces attacks by its neighbour India. The Arab Spring and the events currently taking place in Egypt, Libya and other countries are moments of hope, says Dearlove. Nevertheless, risks of radicalization do exist. Dearlove worries that the uprisings in the Middle East might only appear to be in tune with our views and values on the face of it. He particularly worries about the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and wonders what their objects will be in the future. For Somalia, Dearlove sees hope in the faraway future, as local political structures should and can develop there. Nevertheless, Al-Qaeda will cause problems there. Yemen on the other hand seems to be a bigger concern. There must be an attempt to create a stable government and Yemenites have to be supported in building up security in their own country. Saudi Arabia only faces minor changes in social attitudes as well as minor law changes which mean that social change will only happen very slowly. In that time a radicalisation could take root within the conservative system but Dearlove adds that the region is too complex to predict its future development. Although Sir Richard Dearlove states that it is difficult to make sense of the future, he names several potential future threats: - he marks the potential of Iran to destabilize the region - Pakistan is once again named as a fragile country - one has to wait and see what the future holds for the states in which the Arab Spring took place - failing authoritarian regimes as well as tribalism will be topics to deal with in the future Nevertheless, counter-terrorism will only be one issue on the world’s political agenda. As Al-Qaeda loses ground, it will no longer be the centre of our attention.

The US vice president is coming to Athens

October 11, 2011

Joe Biden, the vice president of the United States will be in Athens Monday, December 5, and will meet with Prime Minister George Papandreou.

His visit comes about 3 months after foreign minister Hilary Clinton’s, and confirms the close relationship between the two countries.

America’s interest in solving the Greek debt problem is proven and this visit comes at a time of critical decisions for Greece and Europe.

Based on what has been broadcasted by the international media, president Barack Obama has pressed German Chancellor Angela Merkel several times to find an immediate solution to the debt problem plaguing Europe.
Earlier on Monday, Obama had a telephone conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

With Biden’s visit the Greek side expects to pass a message of stability to the markets since the U.S. Vice President will give a vote of confidence in Greece and the role that it can play in the Mediterranean region, the Balkans and the European Union, despite its major problems.

Of course, it is a long time until December 5, and it will be crucial in resolving the debt crisis in Greece and the Eurozone.

Biden maintains close contacts with expatriates in America and his nomination as vice-president was greeted enthusiastically. He has expressed himself several times in favor of ending the Turkish occupation in Cyprus and given America’s interest for the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, the developments in Cyprus are expected to be high on the agenda of his visit to our country.

Turkey, Albania pledge for more peace in the Balkans 10 October 2011, Monday / TODAYSZAMAN.COM, Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Albanian President Bamir Topi (Photo: AA). Turkey and Albania pledged on Monday to join their efforts to contribute to peace in the Balkans, further deepening their what they call “historical ties.” Albanian President Bamir Topi told reporters in Ankara that Turkey and his country will work together to strengthen peace in the Balkans and stressed that Turkey is a strategic partner of Albania. Topi made his remarks following talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gül on Monday where both presidents discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. Noting that Albania has fostered with Turkey very good relations based on what he said historical and modern values in the Balkans and beyond, Topi said Gül signed a protocol supporting Albania’s NATO membership in 2008 and that his country is now one of 28 members of the alliance. Albanian president said both Albania and Turkey are working together in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission in the war-torn country and that the two countries will work together for peace and security where necessary. He added that Gül stressed the importance of improving economic relations at a time when there are economic problems in the world whereas Turkey’s economy is booming, inviting Albanian businessmen to invest in Turkey. The visiting president said his country supports the economic growth of Turkey, adding that Turkey and Albania have to develop its relations in spheres of economy, education, health and tourism. He recalled numerous Turkish schools and hospitals in Albania which he said providing quality service, noting that his government promotes their increase.

GREECE AND ISRAEL IN AN ERA OF STRATEGIC FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

OCTOBER 2011 16:38

Vassilios Damiras (Counterterrorism and Defense Analyst, USA) Copyright: www.rieas.gr Greece and Israel's rich and complicated histories and cultures have seen them associated with all the crucial historical developments in the eastern Mediterranean, Balkan and Middle East regions. The Jewish Zionist movement that was created in the late 19th century by Theodore Herzl had very similar characteristics to the Greek irredentist movement of the “Great Idea.” Both nations have triumphed as Diaspora. Both ethnic groups have been occupied by the Ottomans yet still managed to influence the economy of the Ottoman Empire. Both countries are Western-style democracies, allied to the United States and located within a crucial geostrategic region. From the formation of the state of Israel in 1948 until 1991, the Greek political and social establishments perceived Israel as a major antagonist in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Athens followed a more pro-Arab stance reflecting the strong dependence Greece had upon crude oil from Arab countries. In the 1970s these Arab states imposed an oil embargo on the United States and Western Europe in order to curtail their pro-Israeli stance. Greek-Israeli diplomatic relations were stagnant for nearly forty-five years. The pro Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) socialist Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou viewed Israel as an American pawn that suppressed the self-determination of the Palestinian people. Under Papandreou's rule the PLO extensively acted on Greek territory. For example, on July 7, 1982, a Jordanian diplomat was assassinated and another seriously injured in Athens. The notorious terrorist Abu Nidal and his brutal organization found safe haven. Nidal's organization assassinated Cultural Attaché and British Council representative Kenneth Whitty on an Athens street on March 28, 1984..............................................................more:

www.rieas.gr

Albanian Inventory Violates Greek Minority Human Rights

The Albanian government is about to violate the human rights of the Greek minority in Albania during the coming inventory.

Despite the reactions of the Greek minority and the Greek government, the neighboring country has decided to change its inventory questionnaire and deter the Greek minority population from stating its nationality by imposing a penalty of 100.000 lek (700 euros) on anyone furnishing “false nationality information”.

According to “Typos tis Kyriakis”, the Hoxha regime had deliberately changed the nationality of the people of Greek ethnic origin into Albanian. Consequently, North Hepirotes, who will state Greek nationality in the inventory but are registered as Albanians by the Hoxha regime, will have to pay a penalty for stating “false nationality information”.

Elez Biberaj and "Albania (still) in Transition"

The well known journalist of VOA, Elez Biberaj, gave his opinion on the last two decades after the fall of the communist regime through the book “Albania in Transition”.

In this book he tells his own experience, which in the first years of democracy peaked with the translation of the speech that the US Secretary of State, James Baker, held in Albania.

In an interview for Top-Channel, Biberaj tells the emotions and memories of that time.

“I was very idealist at the time. I thought that with the collapse of the communism regime, the changes would happen fast and would be positive”, he declares.

However, the journalist admits that what has been achieved is not optimal.

“Albania has experienced big changes, but it is facing with many challenges. However, I am optimistic”, he says.

According to him, the fact that Albania is still in a transition phase, even after 20 years, is a responsibility of the political class, but not only.

“The political class is not the only responsible. The transition is a process where everyone should participate, but the political elite is the most important”, Biberaj underlines.

The journalist denies voices that his books aim to rehabilitate Berisha's image, once President and now Prime Minister of Albania.

“The idea that I am rehabilitating Berisha’s image doesn’t stand, because there are journalists that have made closer interviews with Berisha than me. I have expressed my opinions in this book, my stance towards some events”, Biberaj adds.

Another point of view on the transition was given a few times ago by the poet and writer Daut Gumeni, through the book “Transition or Heritage”.

Peter Lucas comments Alia's death

The Albanian-American writer and journalist, Peter Lucas, who visited Albania for the first time in 1988 and followed the fall of communism as correspondent of the Boston Herald, thinks that Alia was a good man, imprisoned by Hoxha’s inheritance.

Lucas, quoted by the Shqip newspaper, says that Alia was unable to understand what was happening, but that he should be thanked for leaving power without violence.

Lucas is the author of some books about Albania of the communist area.

“I was sorry to hear about Ramiz Alia's death. In the many occasions that I had met him, he was polite, with dignity and refined”.

I think that he was a good man, but that he also was imprisoned by Hoxha’s heritance, as he was imprisoned by Nexhmie Hoxha, Enver’s wife, and other leaders.

However, I found him unprepared for the changes that were happening in Albania and all over Southeastern Europe after he replaced Hoxha.

While the forces that were asking change were demonstrating on Tirana’s roads and other cities, and while the communist grip was fading, Alia seemed unable to confront it. He was blocked by the status-quo of the Communist Party.

He promised change, but it was too late and he was facing forces he didn’t understand. This made you feel sorry about him, in some sort of way. He inherited a house that was falling to pieces, and he didn’t know what to do.

I think that he was a good man, but I also think that he was imprisoned by Hoxha’s inheritance, Nexhmije Hoxha and other officials of the Communist Party who only wanted to keep their positions.

The final result was that all of them stepped asside. However, there was really no violence during the transition in Albania. There was no civil war or coup, no mass executions. This was very different to the period when the communists took power.

He moved away without bloodshed and he must be thanked for this. He simply disappeared like a mist, together with the dignity he could possess. I think that this was his character.

In other circumstances, he could have been a good leader. Unfortunately we cannot chose the time in which we find ourselves on earth”.

Ramiz Alia died this Friday in Tirana’s Sanatorium after a lung disease.

Landing Ship Caesar Kunikov Visits Corfu

Photo: Large landing ship Caesar Kunikov. Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group

Black Sea Fleet (BSF) large landing ship Caesar Kunikov called at Greek port Corfu on Oct 7, told Black Sea Fleet Information Support Group to Central Navy Portal.

Upon arrival to the port, cruise commander Capt 2 rank Sergei Zvyagin and the ship's commanding officer Capt 2 rank Sergei Larchuk paid traditional courtesy visits to local naval commander, city authorities, port administration and police.

Visiting Corfu, Russian crew will participate in Russian Week festival, attend liturgy in St. Spyridon Church and sacred procession to the monument of Greece's first president Ioannis Kapodistrias to lay wreaths. Then the procession will move towards monument to Admiral Fedor Ushakov where Russian mariners are going to lay wreath as well. Later on, they take part in opening ceremony of a bas-relief to Ushakov; that famed Russian naval leader liberated Greek island Corfu from foreign invaders in 1798-1799.

Crewmen of Caesar Kunikov will have eventful cultural program and coach tours around the city.

Three days Russian warship will be opened for public; in the night of Oct 9 BSF musicians and dancers will give a concert at Corfu central square.

Visit of the Russian ship to Corfu will finish on Oct 10.

STRATFOR: "Turkey loses the crisis and will react hot" October 9 2011		)
Risk "hot" trends sees now entirely up to the Eastern Mediterranean in the American Institute of strategic analysis STRATFOR which justifies the conclusion arguing something entirely logical: Turkey is at an impasse ("Ankara has made the stakes much higher than both the permit forces to the pass ") and because it will not be able to halt drilling and" locking "of the deposit that will change the history of Cyprus, will want to" get the blood back "with a victory in the field battle. Hoping that this will come back in the game or at worst will have to show a military victory that would redefine borders and control. Even strengthen their position by saying that ¨ lost for Turkey's incentive to refrain from haphazard actions that prospective entry into the EU! "No funds for the accession process of Turkey has not opened by July 2010", note analysts, adding that Turkey has already made known that it would freeze all relations with the EU, when he assumes the presidency of Cyprus in 2012 . This reality can lead to Ankara haphazard movements in the Mediterranean. Regarding the attitude of the U.S. is now "neutral" states the STRATFOR and Ankara is highly displeased by this, especially the issue of drilling. Ankara says it will launch its own investigations for oil and gas, but must also find a strong foreign partner, who did not come. The U.S. has taken a position in favor of Israel's choice, the French are opposing force, Russia is a competitor and rival of Turkey " As the STRATFOR, Turkey chose a tough rhetoric, especially against Israel, but it seems that it can support operations, at least for now. "If Ankara fails to stop drilling in Cyprus will be seen once again ineffective. And it is unlikely to stop, So we seek to prevail in another front. " In the "weak link" because now the government and economic turmoil, we say ... Department news defencenet.gr