Wikipedia: New edition for Despotate of Epirus 1205-1479

Precisely, on 25 November 2011, Wikipedia's History Department, issued in circulation new edition of the  Despotate of Epirus. Wikipedia page on dozens of languages ​​of the world, tells the story of the Byzantine state, the population who have lived in several centuries, until the Ottoman conquest.

World encyclopedia Wikipedia, is clear evidence for Albanian historians, who did not accept the arguments of modern European historical science, particularly before the Ottoman conquest, to be confronted with the stages of formation of the Albanian state, but especially with prepotence, that these historians, had made in Albanian school history books, ignored the glorious period of the Despotate of Epirus.

Book of the education system for Albania's history, published by the Albanian Ministry of Education, shows in a particular chapter, that Albania was occupied by the Ottomans, and Scanderbeg, was king of Albania.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despotate_of_Epirus

Tirana, "suicide," the director of the hypermarket "Carrefour"

Mysterious suicide, of the Director of hypermarket "Carrefour", Xavier Thibonet. 42-year-old Frenchman was found killed about 13:00 pm in his apartment on "Peter Budi".

The causes of the event remain unclear, while police have launched investigations.

Thibonet from recently living in Tirana.

Carrefour: "In relation to a personal situation"

In Paris, Carrefour Group is the second in the world for distribution, confirmed the death. "This death is associated with a personal situation of Mr. Thibonnet and is very painful, "the spokesman told AFP Carrefour.

Thibonnet Xavier, 42, had rented an apartment a month ago in Tirana, where he had come to see the opening of the first Carrefour store in Albania, qendëren TEG.

This supermarket of 6500 m2 was inaugurated in late November in Tirana, Albania first, and is operated in a franchising scheme, only the name. Carrefour is in fact a minority partner in the operation. The joint venture is 60% controlled by Marinopoulos and 40% of Carrefour Marinopoulos (itself controlled by the Greek group and Carrefour)

This means that Carrefour in Albania is not a branch of the French Carrefour, but a perodrim of Emer by a Greek businessman Marinopulis

Albania Holds Funeral for Self-Styled King Leka I

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  Dec. 3, 2011: The funeral procession for the self-styled king of Albania, Leka Zogu is seen in Tirana.

TIRANA, Albania -- The self-proclaimed heir to Albania's royal throne was buried on Saturday during a ceremony attended by the country's top leaders and broadcast live on national television.
Though a parliamentary republic, Albanian authorities held official ceremonies for the self-styled king -- who called himself Leka I Zogu -- at the Parliament building. They also declared Saturday a day of national mourning, with flags flying at and a minute of silence at noon.

Zogu, who returned home from exile to try to claim the throne himself, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 72.

He was the son of King Ahmet Zogu, a Muslim chieftain who proclaimed himself Albania's monarch in 1928 and ruled for 11 years during a time that many older Albanians now remember as prosperous and stable.
Albania's communist rulers abolished the monarchy in 1946, but, even in exile, the royal family insisted that Leka Zogu was Albania's legitimate ruler.
President Bamir Topi and Prime Minister Sali Berisha, joined hundreds of other officials and leaders in paying their respect during a ceremony that was broadcast live on public television and some other private channels. Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga also attended.
"We have come here today ... to honor, with full historic gratitude and national pride, the work of Leka Zogu, son of Ahmet Zogu, King of Albanians," said Tirana's Mayor Lulzim Basha
"Leka Zogu's commitment to the democracy in Albania was never separate from the extraordinary attention to Kosovo's fate," Basha said.
Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox prayers were read by religious leaders.
He was buried next to his wife's and mother's grave at the public Sharra cemetery in a Tirana suburb.
"I, Prince Leka II, swear in front of the body of my father that I will follow the road of King Zogu, of King Leka I to be at the service of the nation, the homeland," said Leka II, his only son.
No opposition leaders were present at the ceremony. Erion Brace, an opposition lawmaker, said that Leka Zogu was never the country's king.
Born just two days before Albania was occupied by Italian forces in 1939, Leka Zogu, the only son of King Ahmet Zogu, spent most of his life in exile in Europe and Africa while his country was ruled by Communists.
After Albania's Communist regime fell in 1990, Leka Zogu made two disastrous attempts to return home -- being thrown out during the first in 1993 and charged with leading an armed uprising during the second in 1997.
The six-foot, five-inch tall Leka Zogu finally settled in Albania in 2002, leading a quiet life with his Australian wife, who died in 2004, and son but never relinquishing his claim to the throne. The royal family's official website listed his interests as "arms, shooting, reading and history."
Leka Zogu's Hungarian mother, Queen Geraldina, died in 2002.
His family was given back some of its old royal properties and granted diplomatic passports.
Leka Zogu's son has since served as an adviser to several Albanian governments. Today, a small royalist party is allied to the governing Democratic Party's coalition of Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
The government has pledged to bring home from Paris the late king's remains, calling the monarch "one of the greatest, most distinguished personalities with a major contribution to the history of the Albanian nation."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/03/albania-holds-funeral-for-self-styled-king-leka/#ixzz1fUksDHf6

Republican Sabri Godo dies
03/12/2011

Godo, was known as a leader of the Albanian nationalism with anti Greek sentiments, particularly for the issue of Northern Epirus. 

The Albanian well known politician and writer, Sabri Godo, died today at 82.

Godo was suffering from a severe lung disease for the last seven months. Despite the doctors’ efforts, his disease was very serious.

The Albanian politician, writer and scenarist, Sabri Godo, was the Honorary President of the National Assembly of the Albanian Republican Party.

He was born in Delvine, on 8 August 1929, where he started the elementary school. He continued the high school in Tirana, which he quit for participating in the Antifascist War, from 15 July 1943 to May 1945, when he returned from Yugoslavia.

He was very active in the Hosteni Magazine, where he has published more than 3000 pages of critics with pseudonyms. On January 1991, Sabri Godo founded the Albanian Republican Party and led it for seven years. He was MP at the Albanian Parliament for two legislatures, as Chairman of the Commission of Social Matters and Foreign Policy. Sabri Godo has been one of the writers of the Constitution and has been known in the Albanian politics as a wise and calm politician. 

Godo, was known as a leader of the Albanian nationalism with anti Greek sentiments, particularly for the issue of Northern Epirus. 

“Serbia should be given candidate status”

Source: Tanjug, Večernje novosti

BELGRADE -- Swedish FM Carl Bildt believes Serbia should be granted the EU candidate status in line with recommendations of the European Commission's enlargement package.

Carl Bildt

He said that a new kind of dialogue was needed between the EU and Priština which would address many issues, from the rule of law to the situation in northern Kosovo, and stressed that it was essential to maintain the current focus on dialogue between Belgrade and Priština.
“A number of different ideas are on the table, but at the moment it is crucial to maintain focus on the current dialogue between Belgrade and Priština,” the Swedish minister stressed.

“Based on this dialogue, conclusions on the enlargement process are to be taken on Monday, before the EU summit to be held on Friday, December 9,” Bildt told daily Večernje novosti.

He advocates a kind of contractual relationship between the EU and Kosovo, in order to have an intense dialogue with Priština on many issues, including the question of the rule of law.

Bildt said that the current dialogue between Belgrade and Priština was crucial and that good vibrations were coming from these meetings.

“Everyone is concerned about the situation in Kosovo. The recent statement by the Serbian President Boris Tadić is seen as a constructive contribution to the attempts to resolve a serious and grave crisis,” he was quoted as saying.

Bildt believes that the dialogue should not be carried out with any tough stance by any party.

“However, everyone probably agrees that the situation in northern Kosovo is unsustainable. It needs to be improved, if for no other reason, at least for the people who live there,” he explained.

“No one wants to have some kind of another frozen conflict in the middle of Europe,” the Swedish foreign minister concluded.

Tirana, the next, is preparing to hold new referendum for monarchy

Albania holds funeral for self-styled king Zogu

(AP)

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania is holding a funeral for Leka Zogu, the self-proclaimed heir to the royal throne of his father who served as king for 11 years before World War II.

Zogu, who returned home from exile to try to claim the throne himself, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 72.

Though a parliamentary republic, Albanian authorities held official ceremonies for the self-styled king, who called himself Leka I Zogu, at the Parliament building with "all the attributes of a king not in office."

Saturday has been declared a day of national mourning.

Albania's communist rulers abolished the monarchy in 1946, but, even in exile, the royal family insisted that Leka Zogu was Albania's legitimate ruler.

Zogu is survived by his son, Leka II.

E-Letter
Have you renewed your membership for 2012? The American Hellenic Council relies on contributions and generous donations from its members for its continued existence. Please support us by renewing your membership here!
Political Action The American Hellenic Council, along with other Greek-American and Armenian-American organizations lobbied against HR 2362, aiming to give preferrential treatment to Turkish firms in doing business with Native American Tribes. Unfortunately, HR 2362, sponsored by the Turkish Coalition of America, passed the vote on the Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Subcommittee of the House of Representatives in late November. The bill was opposed by Rep. Sarbanes (MD) who offered an amendment to the bill expressing concerns about giving preferred access to Turkish over other business interests. Also vocal in opposing the bill were , Rep. Niki Tsongas (MA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ). The American Hellenic Council praises those members of Congress for their position on the issue. News & Opinions Opinion: The Euro Crisis and New Strategic Vulnerability of Europe Erdogan as TIME's Person of the Year? The top 3 reasons why the answer is a resounding NO! Read analysis and vote online. Opinion: Friendly missiles, brotherly bombs by Burak Bekdil Turks to drill for gas in Famagusta US Vice President Joe Biden to visit Athens on Dec 5 - Nov 29, 2011	Upcoming Events This Sunday, Dec 4, 2011 in Covina, CA! Presentation by Father Themistocles Adamopoulos on the Greek Christian Missions in Africa (Kenya & Sierra Leone). Father Themi Fr. Themi is an inspiration to many people in many parts of the world for his missionary work in Africa. Click here for details. Dec 7, 2011 in New York , NY - 13th Annual Investor Forum on Greece. With Greek Minister of Finance Evangelos Venizelos as keynote speaker. Click here to view Agenda and Register. SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT US! AHC GRAND BENEFACTOR EARTH FRIENDLY PRODUCTS Dec 8, 2011 in Athens, Greece - The American Hellenic Institute organizes a presentation and reception with guest speaker the US Ambassador in Athens, Hon Daniel B. Smith. Click here for details. Dec 10, 2011 in Chicago, IL - Opening of the "Gods, Myths & Mortals" exhibit and GRAND OPENING at the National Hellenic Museum. Click here for details. Paramyth Films in producion of movie story-telling the life of AHC Honoree and "Green Entrepreneur" Van Vlahakis, founder and CEO of Earth Friendly Products. The film, directed by Nika Agiashvili, includes Louis Mandylor, Shannon Elizabeth, Debbie Matenopoulos and Alexis Georgoulis as part of the cast.

Embracing Democracy in the Western Balkans

Organized by the Wilson Center's European Studies

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In struggling to find a viable US policy to deal with the conflict in Libya, President Obama recently observed that his administration sought to "prevent a repeat of something like what occurred in the Balkans in the '90s," referring to Western inaction while regional warfare and massacres took place. Policy makers in Washington and around the world will also need to consider the lessons of the “Balkan syndrome” when they formulate policies that address the exceptionally difficult post-conflict and post-transition phases of regime change and democracy-building, a process that is only just beginning in other parts of North Africa and the Middle East.

Lenard J. Cohen, professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University and John Lampe, Wilson Center senior scholar discuss their latest book entitled Embracing Democracy which explores the complex and challenging facets of state-building and nation-building in weak states with little democratic experience and daunting socio-economic problems. It is the first study to comparatively treat the seven states of the Western Balkans -- that is, the six counties that previously were parts of now disintegrated Yugoslavia, along with Albania -- over the 15 year period since the end of the war in Bosnia.

Individual chapters carefully and comparatively analyze the legacies of communist one-party rule; the evolution, features, and dynamics of constitutional frameworks; efforts to establish uncorrupted and responsive public administration; the civic engagement and role of nongovernmental organizations, gender, and the media in political life; the transformation and role of political parties, the social basis of democratic development including the changing composition and impact of middle classes, the conflict between liberal and illiberal values, and the important dimension of economic change and reform. The final sections of the book provide an overview of successes and remaining obstacles to democratic consolidation in the Balkans, look ahead to the regions probable but very gradual entry into the European Union, and identifies the principal post-authoritarian lessons that can prove useful for other regions.

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7 December 2011, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
5th Floor Conference Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Visit www.wilsoncenter.org/es for more information and to RSVP.

Holocaust memorial desecrated in Kosovo

Source: AP, Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- Kosovo police are investigating who sprayed swastikas on dozens of tombstones in a Jewish cemetery in Priština.

“Jews out” was spray-painted on a memorial for Jewish families who perished during World War II.

Police Spokesman Brahim Sadrija said Thursday that police had sealed off the cemetery in Priština and were looking for clues. The vandalism is believed to have happened Tuesday, AP has reported.

”Kosovo police went to the scene and have taken the necessary steps. An expert from Priština’s Monument Directorate has also been contacted. The investigators are conducting an investigation in order to find out who the perpetrator of this act is,” Sadrija told Radio Free Europe.

He said he could not disclose more details pending the ongoing investigation.

Kosovo Albanian President Atifete Jahjaga and PM Hashim Thaci have condemned the act.

The U.S. Embassy in Priština was the first to condemn the incident and called on the Kosovo authorities to thoroughly investigate the case and bring the persons responsible for it to justice.

Kosovo's Jewish community left for Israel and Serbia during and after the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

Albanian KESH, expensive import
02/12/2011

The General Director of the Electric Power Corporation (KESH), Engjell Zeqo, says that the energy crisis that has affected the region is increasing the prices in the market.

“The entire region is facing a deep production crisis due to the drought. The situation is difficult throughout Europe, and being as such, the offer-demand ratio changes the price. The bigger demand has increased the price, because all countries of the region are importing”, Zeqo declared.

The head of KESH says that this doesn’t endanger the country’s energy supply, but it increases Albania’s energy import bill/

“This has been guaranteed with the agreement that we have, and has no danger for the part of electrical power. The agreements are credible, guaranteed and the power production part is guaranteed by other alternative productions”, Zeqo declared.

The government was obliged to give the first financial support for the corporation, which is enough only for covering the bills of this last month of the year.

“We have government support for the import bills for November and December. The bill goes to 5.6 billion ALL”, Zeqo explained.

But the crisis will end with the end of this year. There are big insecurities for the other year too, where if the drought will continue, KESH will also need bigger funds.

“With this price level, if we import the maximum allowed amount of energy, the bill would be greater than 100.000 EUR. There are two ways for securing it. Through the payments of CEZ and the government’s support for paying these bills”, the KESH director declared.

Albania is importing a record amount of energy, to 17 million KW hours per day, in order to fulfill the needs of the domestic market. The water the reserves are in their lowest points, around 259 meters in Fierze, near the level when the hydropower plant doesn’t produce anymore.

Albanian KESH, expensive import
02/12/2011

The General Director of the Electric Power Corporation (KESH), Engjell Zeqo, says that the energy crisis that has affected the region is increasing the prices in the market.

“The entire region is facing a deep production crisis due to the drought. The situation is difficult throughout Europe, and being as such, the offer-demand ratio changes the price. The bigger demand has increased the price, because all countries of the region are importing”, Zeqo declared.

The head of KESH says that this doesn’t endanger the country’s energy supply, but it increases Albania’s energy import bill/

“This has been guaranteed with the agreement that we have, and has no danger for the part of electrical power. The agreements are credible, guaranteed and the power production part is guaranteed by other alternative productions”, Zeqo declared.

The government was obliged to give the first financial support for the corporation, which is enough only for covering the bills of this last month of the year.

“We have government support for the import bills for November and December. The bill goes to 5.6 billion ALL”, Zeqo explained.

But the crisis will end with the end of this year. There are big insecurities for the other year too, where if the drought will continue, KESH will also need bigger funds.

“With this price level, if we import the maximum allowed amount of energy, the bill would be greater than 100.000 EUR. There are two ways for securing it. Through the payments of CEZ and the government’s support for paying these bills”, the KESH director declared.

Albania is importing a record amount of energy, to 17 million KW hours per day, in order to fulfill the needs of the domestic market. The water the reserves are in their lowest points, around 259 meters in Fierze, near the level when the hydropower plant doesn’t produce anymore.

World's Best Islands

Which islands are most worthy of the trip? We asked readers to cast their votes, and the results reveal one universal truth: a predilection for islands with astonishing natural beauty.

Santorini, Greece

Art Kowalsky / Alamy

Islands naturally ignite wanderlust. Whether your journey is a short ferry ride or oceans away, the extra effort it takes to get to that island seems to heighten the experience exponentially.

But which islands are most worthy of the trip? We asked readers to cast their votes in T+L’s 16th annual World’s Best survey, and the results reveal one universal truth: a predilection for islands with astonishing natural beauty. Bali continues to hold on to its ranking in the top five, but there are also surprises. Two of last year’s European islands fell off the list, while a desire for the far-flung raised the profile of destinations in the South Pacific and Asia. One such newcomer, Boracay in the Philippines, may be one of the last undiscovered Asian beach getaways............................................ see the list world best islands for 2011

No. 15 Mykonos, Greece

This year was the first that readers were able to vote on Mykonos as an individual island (and not as part of the Cyclades), and clearly, it was time to make the change—the destination surged directly into the list of top 5 islands of Europe. The Greek island of sun-bleached churches and throbbing nightlife may be a must-visit destination for club kids, but it’s also recapturing some of the low-key sophistication of its 1960s heyday, when Jackie O. and friends would sail into town. Then there are those legendary sunsets, which you can admire from the glamorous hillside spot CBar at the Belvedere Hotel.

No. 19 Corfu, Greece

Centuries of visitors and rulers—among them, Italians, Brits, and Turks—have felt the urge to claim this alluring Greek island for their own. It’s the farthest north of the seven Ionian islands and the greenest, with countless olive groves. And although the Ionian Islands (minus Corfu) made the World’s Best list for three years between 2004 and 2006, Corfu itself has never broken into the top 5. What’s changed? An improved score in the activities and sites category helped lift the destination’s rank in 2011.

Enter NOW for a chance to win a DREAM VACATION

http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/worlds-best-islands-045945567.html

Κλίμα διάλυσης του κράτους των Σκοπίων

Climate dissolution of the State of Skopje

The effort of the idea of Greater Albania during the centenary of the independence of the Albanian state, completed in 2012, suggesting that Skopje should say goodbye to the unity of the multiethnic state and society with multiple messages, according to experts, as presented by some Albanian serious incidents, writes the well-known newspaper Dnevnik 'in Skopje.

According Dnevnik....

"Albanians and Slavs experts agree that the situation has deteriorated, but disagree on the causes and possible solutions proposed. Within a few days the national flag of Skopje was burned twice: one in Kosovo in the game Sunday and the city of Skopje in Albanian Flag Day".

In Tetovo, the graffiti has sprouted on the streets by ethnic Albanians and the banner fell yesterday in court that "Skopje will end in 2012" and simultaneously lifted the Albanian flag. The Albanian party in Skopje, DUI, the Albanian Flag Day, refused to place the emblem of the Albanian flag - the two-headed eagle-in dimensions smaller than the flagAdditionally, the leader of another Albanian party Taci called the (Albanian) opposition to unite behind a platform for a new Slav-Albanian

The Agreement on Federalism and the State, Nefzat Halili raised once again for the question of the (Albanian) Illyridas ...

Belgrade-Priština talks completed without agreement

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- Another round of talks between Belgrade and Priština was completed in Brussels late on Thursday without “final results”.

Borislav Stefanović (Beta, file)

An agreement on administrative crossings and Priština's participation in regional forums was not reached and it is not yet known when the talks will continue, Tanjug has learned from Belgrade team chief Borislav Stefanović.

"Unfortunately, not even after 12 hours of difficult talks have we managed to agree on the issue of administrative crossings or Priština's participation in regional forums," he said.

"We remain ready to continue the talks but at this point we are not sure when this will happen," the team head added.

Stefanović pointed out that the Serbian delegation had proposed a number of possibilities, options and modalities in accordance with the Serbian Constitution and Resolution 1244, noting, however, that the problem was that "for some reason Priština opposes the Resolution 1244, even though on certain occasions they were prepared to refer to it."

“As for the issue of crossings, the Priština delegation requested that it should be completed and that Priština's symbols should be set up, but a huge problem is that they were not prepared to allow the crossing of vehicles with license plates of Kosovo towns issued by Serbia,” he underlined.

"Regardless of this, certain progress has been made, and we have yet to agree on several other issues. As for the implementation, we managed to agree on certificates for the crossing of the administrative line," Stefanović stressed.

The two delegations talked for over 12 hours on Wednesday in an attempt to achieve an agreement.

Beta news agency has learned from diplomatic sources in Brussels that there is a possibility that the talks will be continued during the weekend.

Albanian PM: Ahmadinejad is the new Nazi

He may be a Muslim country's leader, but that doesn't stop him from voicing pro-Israel opinions. Albania's PM Sali Berisha views Iran as biggest threat to world peace, opposes Palestinian statehood bid. 'The world must learn from the Holocaust,' he says

Itamar Eichner

Published: 11.30.11, 23:52 / Israel News

When Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha talks about Israel, one might mistake him for a Zionist leader who could easily fit into the Likud or Yisrael Beiteinu parties. But when these statements are made by a Muslim leading a moderate European Muslim country – they are definitely surprising. The highlight was at the United Nations General Assembly, after the famous clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over the Palestinian statehood bid. Religious Tolerance 1st chief rabbi inaugurated in Albania / Ynetnews Rabbi Joel Kaplan's first task will be to import kosher food into southeastern European country. 'This will be the first time in 70 years that there will be a minyan in Albania,' he says Full story When it was Berisha's turn to talk, he openly criticized the Palestinian move. His General Assembly address did not exactly benefit Albania's relations with Muslim countries, especially Iran, but he refused to take it back. "Iran and its leader, (President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, are the new Nazis, and the world must learn from the Holocaust and stop them before it's too late," Berisha says in an interview to Yedioth Ahronoth. "The Holocaust taught the free world's conscience not to let such a scenario repeat itself." When asked if Albania, as a NATO member, will join a military strike against Iran if and when such a decision is made, he immediately replies: "We'll support such a move and join it, just like we supported the operation in Libya. It won't be against the Iranian people, but against the nuclear facilities." Berisha with PM Netanyahu (Photo: Mark Israel Salem) It's no wonder that during his recent visit to Israel, his third, Berisha held meetings with the president, prime minister, Knesset speaker and foreign minister, and was praised for his courageous opinions. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman even informed him of his decision to open an Israeli embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana................... http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155550,00.html.

Biden in Athens on December 5

December 1, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics

Greek-American relations, issues of Greek interest such as the Cyprus problem, the Fyrom name issue, religious freedoms and the Ecumenical Patriarchate are expected to be on US vice-president’s agenda on his December 5 visit to Athens.

Joe Biden’s visit to the region also encompasses a call in Ankara on December 2 and Istanbul for an international conference on entrepreneurship.

The visit was announced on October 10.

Biden will be received by President Karolos Papoulias, while he will also meet separately with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, Pasok leader George Papandreou and New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras.

Addressing the press via a teleconference on Monday night, Biden’s national security advisor Tony Blinken noted that US president Barack Obama, when he called Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on November 21 to congratulate him, reiterated that the US supports Greece’s efforts to materialise the commitments it undertook with the EU-IMF programme.

He added that Obama reaffirmed that the US will stand strongly at the side of Greece, a friend and ally, in these difficult times.

Biden will display this support and encourage the further implementation of the necessary steps, Blinken added.

Asked if Biden would carry to Athens a specific proposal for US economic assistance, deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs Michael Froman said that the US acknowledges the sacrifices that have been made by the Greek people, as the process of reforms continues, and considers the fiscal changes agreed with Greece’s European partners and the IMF to be crucial.

He also stressed that the US stands by Greece, of which it is a firm friend and ally, adding that the US will continue to support Greece in this period that is full of challenges, together and through the IMF, of which the US is the biggest contributor.

Froman also said that Biden will be supportive of the entire reform effort and package of measures set out by Greece’s European partners and the IMF, including substantial funding and other mechanisms in order to aid the support of Greece in this transitional period.

That support will be towards the existing package of reform measures and the financial support provided to Greece, he added. (ΑΜΝΑ)

Source: athensnews.gr

Corruption levels, Albania worse than in 2010
01/12/2011

The Albanian Branch of the Transparency International published the corruption index 2011.

Even this year, as a repeated refrain, Albania remains very corrupted. Our country is even ranked eight places lower than last year. If in 2010 Albania was the 87th of 183 countries, with a 3.3 evaluation mark, this year goes to the 95th place, with 3.1 points.

In other words, Albania is ranked next to last in our region and leaves behind only Kosovo and Moldova, both of them in the last place. However, Albania is not the only country in western Balkan where there has been a visible decreases. Except Montenegro, which had an increase from 3.7 to 4 points, Croatia has had a slight decrease, getting equal with Montenegro. New Zealand is the first country for this year, with 9.5 points, followed by Denmark and Finland with 9.4%, then Sweden, Singapore and Norway.

In total, Transparency International evaluates that corruption continues to be destructive in many countries throughout the world. The organization says that 2011 is the year of governing crises, underlining that protest all over the world were an indicator of the people’s anger against corruption, encouraged by the lack of political stability and obvious perceptions of the citizens about the lack of transparency of their leaders and public institutions.

How is corruption being fought in Albania, so that the public perception changes for good? According to TI, the political commitments must turn into serious reforms. Removing immunity for high-rank officials, MPs, Ministers, prosecutors and judges would make everyone equal in front of the law.

"NEW GINES RECORD"

THE EVOLUTION OF THE ALBANIAN FLAG 1912 - 2011

ALBANIA, WORLD RECORD OF THE STATE`S HISTORY,19 TIMES THAT THE NATIONAL FLAG CHANGED

to 20 Dec 1912	Jun 1912 - 28 Nov 1912 Autonomous Albanians	28 Nov 1912 - 29 Jul 1913
19 Jul 1913 - 7 Mar 1914 Esat Toptani govt	7 Mar 1914 - 20 Jan 1920	Sep 1914 - 1915 (de facto)
21 Apr 1915 - 24 Feb 1916 Esat Toptani govt	Sep 1914 - 1917 (unofficial) Bairam Tsuri's flag	23 Jun 1917 - 1918 Republic in Italian Zone
1918 - 20 Jan 1920 Regency in Italian Zone	20 Jan 1920 - 8 Aug 1929	8 Aug 1929 - 1934
1934 - 3 Jun 1939, 25 Jul - 20 Oct 1943	3 Jun 1939 - 25 Jul 1943	20 Oct 1943 - 10 Oct 1944
14 Sep 1943 - 10 Oct 1944 (provisional; Communist govt.)	10 Oct 1944 - 14 Mar 1946	14 Mar 1946 - 7 Apr 1992
Adopted 7 Apr 1992 http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Albania.htm

N. Kosovo Serbs build three new barricades

Source: B92, Politika, Danas

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Even though President Boris Tadić called for removal of barricades,

The barricade in the village of Jagnjenica (Tanjug)

A barricade in the village of Dudin Krš has been reinforced.

Daily Politika writes that the local Serbs are keeping watch at all 19 barricades in northern Kosovo.

Northern Kosovo Serb representatives and local KFOR Commander Colonel Darius Nobs will meet in Jagnjenica today in order to try to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Nobs said that KFOR troops were performing control and preventing weapons smuggling but that it was unacceptable that the main road leading to Zubin Potok was blocked.

Situation was peaceful in northern Kosovo last night. B92 has learned that children from Zubin Potok, who did not go to school yesterday, have returned to their classes on Thursday.

Northern Kosovo Serbs “disappointed” in Tadić

The northern Kosovo Serbs are disappointed by Tadić’s call to remove the barricades, Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić said on Wednesday. Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić has said that the call is confusing and that he believes that it is a result of pressure from Brussels.

They told Politika that they would call an emergency joint session of four northern Kosovo Serb municipalities on Thursday in order to discuss the president’s request.

Daily Danas, on the other hand, writes that the northern Kosovo Serbs are ready for alternative resistance measures if the government decided to implement some temporary measures against them. The daily has learned that criminal charges against Belgrade team chief Borislav Stefanović will be filed by the local Serb representatives as soon as details about today’s talks with Priština in Brussels are made public.

The daily also added that the northern Kosovo Serb representatives will most likely request a parliament session so the MPs could discuss a change of the state policy which was announced by Tadić.

With intervention of Spyros Latsis the Hellenic Navy is supporting with oil

Greek billionaire, from his origin of Koritsa, Spryros Llatsis, all fuel supplies to the Greek Navy fleet.

The personal intervention of Spiros Latsis, whose group has control of Hellenic Petroleum, has discovered the issue with the publication of defencenet.gr, approved the provision of fuel to the Greek Navy. Good and holy intervention of the Greek tycoon, but rather should "pull some ears" in the company. Without HN (And subsequently Army and Air Force) would not exist either ELPE or even Greece ....

They left the fleet without fuel, ELPE after yesterday jammed the signing of the contract to supply the Greek Navy with fuel carburant. The most impressive of all is that ELPE refused to sign the contract despite the fact that they knew how to receive immediately the full amount of EUR 10 million euros.

As the announcement of Hellenic Petroleum, the company which was once public, the Greek state, cut off cooperation the Ministry of Defence, because they owe 80 million euro for Greek Army and Air Force. It is worth noting that apart from lack of fuel due to the refusal of ELPE to work with the MOD the Navy faces problems of lack of spare parts that affect a percentage of the potential of the Fleet to operate in the Aegean.

And all the time when the Turkish Navy literally pillaged the Aegean as the same as the Defence states on its website until September 2011 we had 168 violations of Greek territorial waters by the Turkish Navy as seen from the table below.

Serbia's interest “cannot be defended at barricades”

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Serbian President Boris Tadić stated on Wednesday that Serbian national interests in Kosovo could not be defended at the barricades.

Boris Tadić (Beta)

He added that a solution needed to be found by means of dialogue and negotiations about systemic resolution of problems in northern Kosovo.

“When it comes to northern Kosovo and Kosovo and Metohija as a whole, we are facing a systemic problem,” Tadić stated after a meeting with Republic of Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka, adding that this was also pointed out by Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and that EU officials were talking about it now.

“This issue cannot be pushed under the carpet, it needs to be solved,” the Serbian president noted.

He warned that any potential victim on the barricades would drastically reduce Serbia's potential for defending its legitimate national interests.

Tadić explained that the northern Kosovo barricades might have had a purpose back in July, when Priština launched its unilateral action.

Replying to remarks by certain political circles in Serbia who claim that he himself initiated the construction of the barricades, Tadić said that this was not true because he backed peaceful protests but he did not at any time even hint that he supported any use of force.

He said that leaders of northern Kosovo Serbs must not hide behind citizens and added that they should take responsibility for de-escalation of the situation, while KFOR must not get involved in pointless unilateral attempts of roadblock removal because new ones would be promptly put up.

“Serb leaders need to show responsibility and neither they nor anyone else must hide behind others,” Tadić said and added that the leaders of Kosovo Serbs had to adopt the decisions citizens choose because that was what democracy was for. He said that he voiced a call to citizens and their political leaders and took the responsibility for that himself.

FYROM asks Athens to pave way for EU accession talks

November 29, 2011 | Filed under: Geopolitics

The Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Nikola Gruevski, has appealed to Greece’s new unity government to back the launch of European Union accession talks for FYROM despite an unresolved bilateral row over the Balkan country’s official name.

In a letter to interim Premier Lucas Papademos, Gruevski called on the former technocrat “to use this unique opportunity” to allow Skopje to begin talks with Brussels, apparently referring to a forthcoming EU summit on December 9.

The move would contribute to “the European integration of the broader region” and would also help solve the name dispute, Gruevski said.

Albania’s self-proclaimed heir to the throne, Leka Zogu, dies aged 72

By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 1:21 PM

TIRANA, Albania — Leka Zogu, whose father served as Albania’s king until it was occupied by fascist Italy, and who twice returned home from exile to try to claim the throne himself, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 72.

Zogu died of a heart attack at the Mother Teresa Hospital in Tirana, said the family spokeswoman, Julinda Kamberi.

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( Hektor Pustina/file / Associated Press ) - FILE -- A June 25, 2002 file photo shows Leka Zog I, son of Albania’s exiled late King Ahmet Zog waving to wellwishers at Tirana International Airport in Albania. A spokeswoman for Albania’s royal family says that King Leka I Zogu, died Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011.

Zogu’s father, King Ahmet Zog, was this small Balkan country’s first and only post-independence monarch, reigning from 1928 to 1939, when he fled after Albania was occupied by Italian forces.

The king died in France in 1961 and is buried at the Thiais Cemetery near Paris, but the exiled royal family always insisted that Zogu was the country’s legitimate ruler.

Born just two days before Albania was occupied in 1939, Zogu spent most of his life in exile in Europe and Africa while his country was ruled by Communists who abolished the monarchy in 1946 and banned contact with the outside world.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/albanias-self-proclaimed-heir-to-throne-king-leka-i-zogu-dies-aged-72/2011/11/30/gIQAKOwaBO_story.html