Albanians are armed, record import of hunting weapons
 
Balkan borders dilemma and properties the first effect
Having a shotgun at home seems to become a new trend for the Albanians. For self defense purposes or just for hobby, the fact is that Albanians are armed dendshëm at least during the first six months of this year. The data come from customs import ratios, but also associations of hunters and hunting weapons dealers.
A part of those who need a gun for self defense, better choose to buy a shotgun to be okay with laws that are offered on types, brands or sizes after being held on home or car.
Referring to official data from the Directorate General of Customs, during the first four months of this year, in Albania are introduced shotgun and ammunition worth 108 million. This value is twice as hunting rifles ammunition introduced during the same period a year ago. According to the data, the quantity introduced in January-April 2011 had a value of about 55 million. The increase is significant compared with the same periods in previous years.
But how do they explain this phenomenon to deal every day of hunting weapons, traders and hunters? Albert Orhanlliu has a hunting gun store and other accessories in Tirana. According to him, the recent notice an increase in sales to tip hunting weapons "shot-gun". Such weapons are usually shorter than those of common, more usable, hold up to six cartridges as well as easily enabling the shot. Part of the lovers after this type are new hunters, but also persons who are more than the game, keep it for self defense. "More recently been introduced such as the type of" shot-gun is "not commonly used as a real shotgun but kept at home or in cars from people. This tip comes from Turkey, dealing with permits as hunting weapons, but rarely used as such ", - he explains.
Lelo Alex, is secretary of the Association of Hunters of Durres. According to him, increased tearing of hunting rifles is associated with fauna extinction in many areas of the country. He wears number of weapons facilitating conditions to obtain permission to use. "Some take the self-defense, especially now that are facilitating the conditions for obtaining a permit. Previously, that have received permission should pass an exam to forestry, the partecipation in a hunting association and now there is this condition, can get anyone. From about 4 thousand shotgun that are registered in Durres, only 1 300 persons appear as part of our society ", - he explains.
Official figures, is about 100 thousand the number of hunting rifles found in the hands of professional hunters but rather to those amateurs across the country. Of these, one finds that only 10 thousand guns belonging to registered hunters in the association. Increasing the number of hunting in the country, has become a problem in the Assembly earlier this year.

"Shekulli" newspaper
http://www.shekulli.com.al/website/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2073:shqiptaret-armatosen-import-rekord-i-armeve-te-gjahut&catid=100&Itemid=531

German Hockey Player Tweets Against Greek Athletes ‘Cowardly Fake’

By Stella Tsolakidou on July 27, 2012 in news, sports

 114  25

 

 0  171 The German National Olympic Committee rushed to condemn the “cowardly fake” Tweet post spread through the Internet on Friday concerning an alleged racist comment made by German hockey athlete Natascha Keller aiming at the Greek athletes of the London Olympics.
The controversial tweet read: “The Olympic village is filled with barefoot Greek athletes. As soon as we see them we are afraid that they will ask us for loans.” Soon it sparked anger among Greek bloggers who protested the unfair comment made just days away from the Papachristou expulsion case over similar reasons.
According to Reuters, the German Olympic mission chief Michael Vesper said in a statement that the whole act was cowardly and needed no further notice. The German athlete appeared to have shut down her public Facebook and Twitter accounts after reports of the tweet surfaced. However, the offending message could not be found on her Twitter account before it was shut.
Vesper also noted that the athlete was chosen to be the flag-bearer of the German mission in the London Olympics because of her so far dedicated life to the ideals of sports, her humble personality and successful performances over the years.

New Israeli taxes are steps towards a war budget

DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis

26 July. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz are rightly using a necessary austerity package as a lever for getting the country on track for a war economy, without saying so.

They avoid discussing the consequences and duration of the new measures because they can’t tell how long a war, which they believe may be close, will last or how it will end. DEBKAfile estimates that they are quietly building a $25-30 strategic financial reserve for the worst-case scenario.

Netanyahu said recent regional regime changes mean that Israel has to spend more on defense to maintain its balance of strength and face the challenges of a nuclear Iran, missile threats, cyber warfare and a colossal influx of weaponry to the region “which are in certain hands today and may be in others tomorrow.” 

How much would it cost to send troops into Syria to seize control of Syria’s unconventional war stocks and prevent their use against Israel?

Barak said Israel might have to make "tough and crucial decisions" about its security and future. "I am well aware of the difficulties involved in thwarting Iran's attempts to acquire a nuclear weapon. However, it is clear to me that without a doubt, dealing with the threat itself will be far more complicated, far more dangerous and far more costly in resources and human life than thwarting it "

This was a broad hint at Israel’s sense that it has no choice but to attack Iran’s nuclear program.

USA, 6 years in prison for Albanian diplomat
27/07/2012

Almost two years after extradited to America, the former secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Almir Rrapo, was sentenced to six years in prison in USA for “extraordinarily heinous” crimes with a Staten Island drug gang.

The 29-year-old old was arrested in Tirana while applying for a US visa. In the next six months, Rrapo made everything possible to avoid extradition.

The former adviser of the Foreign Ministry was handed over to the US authorities based on the only extradition agreement that both countries have since the ‘30s, when Albania was a monarchy under Zog, so that Rrapo could face trial for the accusations regarding the so called “Krasniqi Gang” and the charges for a murder in Queens, a violent kidnapping and others.

The Rrapo case troubled the judiciary but it also showed how the trials are delayed in our country. The Court of First Degree and the Court of Appeal sayd “yes” to Rrapo’s extradition to the US, but a delayed decision of the Supreme Court returned the case for a review exactly when Rrapo was extradited and he wasn’t in Albania anymore.

The Court of First Degree was finally able to give the extradition order while Rrapo was already being trialed in America and had decided to cooperate with justice.

Asked as member of the Krasniqi Group, led by the brothers Bruno and Saimir Krasniqi, Almir Rrapo testified against them which caused their arrest.

According to New York Post, defense lawyer Jeffrey Lichtman called Rrapo, 29, “a shining example of what a cooperator should be,” noting that “he ran away from these people because he had enough,” then turned his life around.

“I swear to God, I’ve been in prison for two years [and] I felt nothing but disgust for the corruptness and the wickedness that surrounds me each day,” Rrapo added, according to NY Post.

The testimony of Almir Rrapo helped the US authorities not only to find the killer, but also to destroy an international drug traffic led by the Krasniqi brothers, a traffic that was allegedly moving one billion USD.

FBI and DEA were after this organization for years, but they were unable to verify the traffic for which Rrapo’s testimony resulted decisive.

Ambassador: U.S. supports Serbian institutions

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The U.S. administration will cooperate with the new Serbian government and parliament, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick has said.

Mary Warlick

She added during a meeting with Serbian parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović that the U.S. was looking to expand the existing scope of cooperation even further.
After the meeting, Stefanović told journalists at the parliament building that he had discussed the prospects for further improvement in cooperation between the two countries and projects which the U.S. Embassy had facilitated so as to bring the parliament closer to the public.

The parliament speaker said that the projects financed by the U.S. Embassy assisted in strengthening democracy in Serbia, adding that the Serbian parliament would like to expand the scope of cooperation with the U.S.

Stefanović voiced expectation that today's meeting would be the first in the series of encounters between officials of the Serbian parliament and U.S. Embassy.

Warlick said that the U.S. would like to continue to cooperate with the Serbian authorities and back their efforts aimed at acceding to the EU.

“We want to continue to foster bilateral relations in all domains. We know that the parliament and government will have a lot to do in order to improve regional relations, progress in the dialogue with Priština and strengthen the institutions. We believe that it is of immense importance that the new government works as a team in relation to these issues, the rule of law and the fight against organized crime in particular,” she explained said.

Israeli president to visit Greece

Israeli President Shimon Peres (photo) is to visit Greece next month, following a visit by Karolos Papoulias to the Middle Eastern country this time last year, sources said on Wednesday.

It will be the first official visit to Athens by Peres, who is to meet with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and other officials, with talks expected to focus on the improvement of bilateral energy cooperation.

In 2010, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited then Greek Premier George Papandreou in Athens, marking the beginning of a new era in the diplomatic relations of the two countries.

Panariti: Not fearing war with Serbia
26/07/2012

"Albanians don’t fear war, but this is not the way that we have chosen”, answered the Albanian Foreign Minister, Edmond Panariti, to the Serbian Persident, Tomislav Nikolic, about his war appeals to Kosovo.

Panariti gave these comments during the homage visit in Prekaz, where he met the representative of the Jashari family, Murat.

“There is no threat that can frighten the Albanians, but this is not the path that we can chose for the problems. The Albanians, even in war, have shown that we are a peace loving people who wants to live in peace with the neighbors, and we have never been aggressors. We want to continue with this spirit”, declared the Albanian Foreign Minister in Prekaz.

Panariti was welcomed by the Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, and two deputy Prime Ministers of Kosovo, Behxhet Pacolli and Slobodan Petrovic. In these meetings there were discussions about the opportunity of increasing the mutual cooperation, especially in the economic development.

As the office of Parliament Speaker Krasniqi declared, panariti has offered full support to the functionality of the administrative office in north. During the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Pacolli they also talked about the cement fee. Pacolli explained the decision by saying that it was not against the Albanian export, but for defending the domestic market from the monopoly. 

UN head to help resolve Macedonian name dispute

Source: Tanjug

SKOPJE -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has stated that he would personally do his best to make the solving of a name dispute between Skopje and Athens faster.

Ban Ki-moon (Beta)

“We will make a maximum effort in the talks with the Greek authorities and I will try to do my best in talks with (Greek) Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in order to help speed up the process,” Ban said in Ohrid after a meeting with Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov.
The UN head stressed that he would send UN Envoy and mediator in the solving of the dispute Matthew Nimetz to Athens immediately.

“I stress my commitment to find a quick solution, my personal envoy Matthew Nimetz will inform the Greek government about the things we talked about and he will be engaged even deeper and more seriously in order to find a solution as soon as possible,” he told a press conference.

Ban expressed regret over the fact that the name dispute had hindered “regional cooperation, reconciliation and development,” AFP has reported.

The name dispute has existed between Greece and Macedonia ever since the former Yugoslav republic declared independence in 1991, bearing in mind that Athens believes that the name only refers to its northern province.

Macedonia got an EU candidate status in 2005 but the accession talks have not started yet since Greece has decided to block them until the name dispute is resolved.

The UN secretary general will today wrap up his two-day visit to Macedonia and will head to Bosnia-Herzegovina which is the last stop on his Western Balkans tour.

George Tenet visits for the first time Albania, Tirana and Himara official destinations

Along with Tenet, the deputy of PASOK Pyrro Dhimas, will stay in Himara.

The first visit of George Tenet in Albania and Himara planned since the June 4, 2004, when President George Bush, visiting Rome, Italy. But several days later resignation as CIA Director, failed to accomplish the mission in Albania.

But in his book "At the Center of the Storm", written in 2007, George Tenet, has inspired the Albanians, after telling of the life of his family, originally from Himara book that is translated and very well received in Albania .

However, Tenet's visit will be official in Tirana, friendly and family in Himara. Reliable sources say that the Professor of International Studies, George Tenet, will be accompanied in Himara, with the Olympic champion and Deputy Member of PASOK in Greek Parliament, Pyrro Dhimas.

For meetings in Tirana, George Tenet's agenda includes official talks with Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha as well as other personalities of the country.

While in Himara reserved meetings with close family districts, local authorities and especially the Civil Society of Himara.

Last year, The Himara Community, has honored respectively 'The world Culturar Ambassador of Himara "for Professor George Tenet and" The Leon of Himara "for Pyrros Dhimas.

For several months George Tenet has served as special envoy of the US President Barack Obama in Mediterranean Area particularly for Israel - Palestinian relations and entire region.

"Panorama" Newspaper

http://www.panorama.com.al/2012/07/24/shoqatat-e-bregdetit-ushtria-te-na-ktheje-pronat/#comment-101946

Himariotes NGO, "Albanian Army, must turn the properties of Himariotes family, sequestered by Dictator regime

"Coast Line Association" and "The Himara Community", call the Albanian Government to release the properties of people of Himara, which are target to privatize by Albanian Mafia.

"With Haradinaj as Prime Minister"
23/07/2012
Top Channel TV

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo excludes any chance of coalition with the government if Thaci remains Prime Minister. They would agree to cooperate only of their Prime Minister would be Ramush Haradinaj.

This way, the AAK denies the voices that they will replace Pacolli’s AKR in September.

The ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo is more reserved about this topic. Hajredin Kuci, vice leader of the Party, and Blerand Staliveci, spokesperson, declared that they have nothing to say about it.

The debates for a new government formula are being held due to the new challenges that the future political class might face in the future, such as the northern Kosovo problem.

Thaci is quoted to have said that he cannot face the northern crisis only with Pacolli in government, but this was denied by the vice leader of Pacolli’s party, Mimoza Kusari Lila, who is the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and who says that the current coalition is ready to face any kind of challenge.

"Serbia seeks Kosovo dialogue with UN presence"

Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- President Tomislav Nikolić told UN chief Ban Ki-moon that Serbia wanted the talks with the interim authorities in Priština to be held "with UN presence".

Nikolić and Ban are seen in Belgrade on Monday (Tanjug)

UN representatives should be present during the dialogue "in the future", Nikolić was quoted as saying.
Belgrade and Priština have been engaged in EU-sponsored negotiations since March 2011 - the first direct talks since the February 2008 unilateral declaration of independence made by Kosovo's ethnic Albanians, which Serbia rejected as illegal.

No statements were made after Nikolić's meeting with Ban in Belgrade on Monday, but according to a release from the president's press office, during his talks with the secretary-general Nikolić pointed out that the UN should play a more active role in the fight to preserve the principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of internationally recognized states that were also UN member states and in facilitating the implementation and respect of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

When it comes to the situation in the southern Serbian province, Nikolić said that recent frequent incidents - stirred by the government in Priština - were an attempt to provoke the Serbian side before the dialogue resumed.

Nikolić once again urged the international actors in Kosovo, including the mission of the United Nations, to discharge their duties in accordance with the mandates given to them and to ensure peace and security for all citizens of the province.

Ban expressed satisfaction with his visit to Belgrade, adding that he felt confident that "the Republic of Serbia would make a full contribution to the work of the UN, especially in the year to follow, when Vuk Jeremić will chair the UN General Assembly".

The UN chief arrived in Belgrade earlier in the day, and was greeted at the airport by FM Jeremić.

Ban was holding separate talks with Jeremić, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, and PM-designate Ivica Dačić.

The UN secretary-general will also visit members of the UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, and meet with officials of the government in Priština.

While in Kosovo, Ban will visit the medieval Serb Orthodox monastery of Visoki (High) Dečani, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He will also travel to the town of Prizren.

Ban's tour of the Balkans started on July 20, and he has so far visited Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro. After Belgrade and Priština, the UN chief will travel to Macedonia, and then Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Kosovo tops agenda

Serbian presidential adviser Marko Đurić said ahead of the UN chief's arrival here that Serbian officials would stress the country's dedication to the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts - when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, and all other conflict areas in the world.

"As the country presiding over the UN General Assembly this year, we will stress our readiness to work on the affirmation of the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution," said the adviser.

He also stressed that "a state consensus must be reached in Serbia on our national and state goals and our vision related to Kosovo and Metohija":

"There was a situation where Priština new what they wanted, while it was not entirely clear what Belgrade's position was. That must change, and President Nikolić will gather around him all important political and social factors."

When Ban's office announced that he would also travel to Kosovo, Nikolić said that the UN chief "must state whether he's visiting UN members there or was traveling to a Kosovo that thinks it can be a separate state".

Minister Vuk Jeremić said, commenting on the same issue, that Ban was "welcome in any part of Serbia", while Ivica Dačić noted that the visit was of "supreme political significance", and that he expected Ban to behave in line the status that the province has in the world organization.

The secretary-general later told reporters that his visit to Kosovo would be taking place "in the wider context" of the tour, and "in line with UN Resolution 1244".

Albanian special forces switch out at Spin Boldak

Story by Staff Sgt. Brendan Mackie

Staff Sgt. Brendan Mackie Albanian Capt. Simon Alikaj (left) and Albanian Lt. Col. Behar Mara case their unit's colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, July 15, 2012. Their unit served six months as part of the International Security Assistance Force here.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan – Faded, well worn uniforms, clean-shaven faces and form-fitting colored berets all combined to signal the conclusion of the combat deployment for 45 Albanian special operations forces’ soldiers here July 15. A transfer of authority ceremony and awards presentation marked the end of their deployment.

Commanded by Lt. Col. Behar Mara, soldiers in Team 4 of the SOF received the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for their six months of service in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

During the ceremony, Mara had the honor of casing his unit’s red and yellow colored guidon, signifying the completion of a successful tour. This furling is the final act by the commander as his unit heads home.

“I had no idea of the loyalty, dedication, skills and camaraderie of the Albanian army until I came to Spin Boldak,” said Lt. Col. Timothy C. Davis, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment and Combined Task Force Buffalo. “The dedication to the mission and team is unwavering. They accept every mission with confidence, never complain, and can always be counted on.”

During their tenure at FOB Spin Boldak, the Albanians participated in multiple joint patrols, several intelligence gathering operations and numerous air-assault missions. The SOF unit was also instrumental in providing security for officials at the Spin Boldak District Center and acting as the personal security detail, or PSD, for visiting general officers and other dignitaries.

“They are expert trainers in tactics for reconnaissance, PSD and direct action. Their field craft is exceptional,” Davis said. “Their understanding of the human terrain and dimension is a constant asset. The Afghans, our soldiers and I have learned a great deal.”

Despite their relatively small force, they accomplished a great deal with respect to their training mission with the Afghan Uniformed Police, said Australian Brig. Gen. Chris Field.

“The weapons, mortar and medical training you provided will endure with the Afghan National Security Forces long after the SOF teams redeploy to Albania,” said Field, the deputy commanding general of force development for Regional Command (South). “It’s that type of partnership that allowed RC (South) to become the first area in Afghanistan where ANSF have assumed responsibility for security efforts.”

During their tour, the Albanians participated in many multinational operations that focused on building ANSF tactical proficiency. The operations ultimately improved the safety and security for the people of Afghanistan, said Field.

“These efforts resulted in the AUP becoming a more professional fighting force capable of protecting the Afghan people,” Field said. “You, in partnership with your Afghan counterparts, successfully denied insurgent freedom of movement throughout the area of operation.”

The unit’s success did not come without sacrifice; they lost one of their own, Capt. Feti Vogli, who died Feb. 19.

The incoming Albanian army SOF unit replacing Team 4 is Team 5, commanded by Lt. Col. Ekland Dauti. Team 5 arrived in Afghanistan earlier this month and is slated to serve a six-month rotation.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/91942/albanian-special-forces-switch-out-spin-boldak#.UA2JHKCbJzQ#ixzz21T3wnvp8

Albania: growing Islamisation causing tension

By: John Newton

Peter Rettig Radical Islam is being imported into Albania leading to growing tensions in the country, according to an expert on the region. “In Albania, young imams propagate a different form of Islam from what is customary there. This is leading to tensions,” said Peter Rettig, head of the South-East Europe section of Aid to the Church in Need. Mr Rettig, who has just returned from a project assessment trip to the country, described how the growth of extremist Islam is leading to tensions not only within Muslim congregations but also with some Christian congregations. He said: “They are scholars who have been trained inTurkey and Saudi Arabiaand demand a ‘pure’, stricter Islam. The number of events shows a worrying trend.” He said that when he visited the country two years ago he received no reports of radical Islam, but during his recent visit he was not only told about such incidents, he witnessed one himself. Mr Rettig described how he was sitting next to a priest of Tirana Archdiocese during a public screening of the Euro 2012 match betweenGermany and Netherlands when the minister was approached by two young teenagers – who he estimated to be 12 and 13 years old – who tried to convert the cleric. He said: “He was wearing clerical clothes, they would have immediately seen that he was a priest.”  He also described receiving a report about a Protestant pastor near the Greek border who was beaten by an imam for distributing children’s gifts despite having the permission of the local school. Another report told of Muslim children near Lake Shkoder refusing sweets from religious Sisters because of their Christian faith. Mr Rettig added: “A priest in charge of education told me that they are happy that ethics courses are taught instead of religious studies in state schools as they fear the infiltration of radical Islam.” But Mr Rettig stressed that while there were growing tensions with Christians, primarily the growth of radicalism affected Islam. He said: “This conflict is first of all a conflict in the Muslim community between the local open-minded easy-going Islamic tradition and the new fundamentalist purified version.” He pointed out that the vast majority of people in Albania live together in peace. According to Mr Rettig there are no reliable statistics about religious affiliations in Albania. But it is estimated that some 60 percent of the 3.2 million Albanians belong to Sunni Islam. Some eight percent are Bektashi, an Islamic sect which was influenced by Sufism. Orthodox Christians make up 20 percent of the population and Catholics about 10 percent.

"Vojvodina’s rights are not diminished"

Source: Politika, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The Constitutional Court of Serbia (USS) has not expanded or reduced the rights of Vojvodina, USS President Dragiša Slijepčević has stated.

(sxc.hu)

“The Constitutional Court has determined which regulations of the disputed law on the Law on Establishing Jurisdiction of Vojvodina are unconstitutional,” he pointed out.
The Constitutional Court recently declared 22 regulations of the Law on Establishing Jurisdiction of Vojvodina unconstitutional, accepted appeals of 318 non-elected judges and prosecutors and declared that appointment of then President Boris Tadić for the National Infrastructure Council president unconstitutional.

Slijepčević rejected accusations that the decisions had been deliberately made ahead of the forming of the new government, explaining that “it was impossible to even imagine what the new government will look like “ at the time when they had been prepared for voting.

He told daily Politika that it was “a little worrying that those claim to be legal experts do not respect the fact that the procedure before the Constitutional Court is not at all simple and that decisions cannot be prepared over night”.

“When it comes to Vojvodina, the decision was being made for four months and three preparatory sessions and two public debates were held before it. The decision did not determine the limitations of Vojvodina’s autonomy. The Constitutional Court did not expand or reduce the right of Vojvodina but it assessed, in accordance with the valid Constitution, whether and to what extent certain regulations of the Law on Establishing Jurisdiction of Vojvodina were unconstitutional,” he was quoted as saying.

Commenting on PM-Designate Ivica Dačić’s statement that the Constitutional Court members had been chosen by the Democratic Party (DS)-led government, Slijepčević said that “the government does not choose the Constitutional Court and has no jurisdiction over it”.

Debt crisis: Greek economy is in a 'Great Depression' says Samaras

Greece is in a "Great Depression" similar to the American one in the 1930s, the country's Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told former US President Bill Clinton on Sunday.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras welcomes former US president Bill Clinton, during their meeting in Athens on Sunday. 

Mr Samaras's comments come two days before a team of Greece's debt inspectors arrive in Athens to push for further austerity measures if the debt-laden country wants to qualify for further rescue payments and avoid a chaotic default.

Athens wants to soften the terms of a €130bn euro bailout agreed last March with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, to soften their impact on an economy going through its worst post-war recession.

Greek GDP is expected by the end of this to have shrunk by about a fifth in five consecutive years of recession since 2008, hammered by tax hikes, spending cuts and wage reductions required by two EU/IMF bailouts. Unemployment climbed to a record 22.6pc in the first quarter.

"You had the Great Depression in the United States," Samaras told Clinton, who was visiting Greece as part of a delegation of Greek-American businessmen. "This is exactly what we're going through in Greece - it's our version of the Great Depression."

Athens must reduce its budget deficit below 3pc of GDP by the end of 2014, from 9.3pc of GDP in 2011 - requiring almost another €12bn euros in cuts and higher taxes on top of the 17 billion successive governments have cut from the budget shortfall.

"Bulgaria attack bears hallmark of Hezbollah"

SOURCE: TANJUG

TEL AVIV, SOFIA -- A suicide bombing in the Bulgarian town of Burgas bears hallmarks of Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, a Pentagon spokesman said on Friday.

 

The U.S. Defense Department has not yet concluded who was behind the attack that killed Israeli tourists.

“The attack on a bus carrying Israelis at a Bulgarian airport does bear the hallmarks of Hezbollah," Pentagon press secretary George Little told reporters. 

He added that Pentagon “is not in a position to draw a final conclusion”. 

However, U.S. intelligence sources, quoted by AP, claim that “there is a high level of certainty” that Hezbollah was behind the attack. 

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov said earlier in the day that the attacker, who killed himself and six others, was a foreign national. Sofia was investigating with the help of foreign intelligence services, he was quoted as saying by Reuters. 

Little turned aside a request to characterize the signs of a Hezbollah attack or how it could be distinguished from one by, for instance, al Qaeda, which is not linked to Iran. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hezbollah militants of carrying out the bombing Wednesday at Burgas airport, a popular gateway for tourists visiting Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Iran has denied any involvement, Reuters pointed out.

Is Greece one step away from the "hot" crisis-NATO- Russia?


New Strategy Report

The recent shooting of Turkish photo-reconnaissance / RF-4E fighter aircraft within the airspace of Syria, it was just a prelude of what is described and the strategy was released in all its dimensions: A clash of giants, so close to both Greece and directly related the Greek national interests that really scare someone to the extent possible, and as the risk before the Greek national interests to be affected by a key way.

With Russia for the first time since the creation of the modern Russian state from Peter the Great, to send two fleets and ground forces in overseas campaign and the West (USA, France and Britain, key) to send aircraft carriers by sea and land special forces by land, for a few things can be optimistic as regards the predominance of reason in the region. And all this, of course, with many leading international analysts believe the conflict likely to sweep along or start from Iran!


Of course, there are many unclear points from this very fact of the shooting of the Turkish RF-4E that was the fuse in the last act of the drama. Throughout this scene says the extensive survey by the Strategy which is based on elements of Greek military Staffs larger centers and strategic information.Elements that will really surprise you as to the facts of the incident of the shooting and in Itch predictions of what will happen in the region.

http://www.defencenet.gr/defence/index.php