PM Dačić addresses rally in K. Mitrovica

Source: B92, Tanjug

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- PM Ivica Dačić has called on the citizens of Kosovska Mitrovica to show unity and turn out to vote in the local elections that will be repeated on Sunday.

(Tanjug)

He said that is the only way to form the Community of Serb municipalities and the only way to defend Serbia and continue to act in the interests of the Serbs in Kosovo.
Addressing the gathering at the closing rally of the Citizens' Initiative Srpska campaign in the center of Kosovska Mitrovica on Friday, Dačić said that Serbia cannot defend itself with guns and tanks, but only through strong political connections and wise decisions.

“You have to understand, and you need to help us in order to help yourselves, so that we can continue helping you back. That is why you need to go to the polls,” Dačić told the gathering of about 5,000 people.

"The turnout does not serve to assist Priština and Kosovo Prime Minister Hahsim Thaci," Dačić said. Rather, it is the only way the Serbs in Kosovo can have the power that is not recognized only by Belgrade, but also by Priština and “which is the most important, by the international community as well, as without their recognition we can do nothing.”

“Make your choice in such a way that it is in Serbia’s interests. It is vital for the Serbs to show unity, to forget the differences between the political parties,” Dačić said.

This is about defending the interests of Serbia, and not on how to betray these interests, Dačić said, adding that it is necessary to win the elections and then constitute the Community of Serb municipalities, which means Serb authorities, police and judiciary.

“From 1999 onwards, Serbia has been present in Kosovo, but (working) from Belgrade. We need a Serb center of power right here in the (Kosovo) north, in Kosovska Mitrovica,” he said.

We have but one goal, Dačić stressed, "and that is to win more votes than the Albanian and Bosniak candidates for Kosovska Mitrovica mayor."

The vote at three polling places in north Kosovska Mitrovica will be repeated on Sunday, November 17, as incidents taking place in the first round of elections on November 3 caused early closing of the stations and annulment of the results.

After the rally, Dačić took a walk down the central street and then spent half an hour in a cafe, before leaving the town with police escort.

Reports said that he was welcomed with applause by several thousand people at the square where the rally was held. Beside the locals, people were also bused in from other parts of Kosovo in order to take part in the gathering.

"Voting protects jobs"

Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlović called on citizens of Kosovska Mitrovica to cast their ballot in the re-run of local elections on Sunday, saying it is the only way to protect jobs.

Addressing the present at the closing rally of the Serbian government-backed Citizens' Initiative Srpska in Kosovska Mitrovica, Mihajlović said that a community of Serb municipalities will be formed after the elections as that is the right way for forging closer ties and protecting jobs.

"We do not need a boycott. Those who call for the boycott are against hope. Ballots must be cast as that is the only way in which we can preserve jobs," Mihajlović said.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Minister without Portfolio responsible for Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin will also take part in the rally.

Voting will be repeated at three polling stations in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on Sunday, November 17, where the results were annulled due to the incidents that took place during the first round on November 3.

Statements of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ and Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi, following their meeting (Athens, 15 November 2013)

Current Affairs - Top Story

Friday, 15 November 2013

E. VENIZELOS: I am glad to have had the opportunity to receive Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi here at the Foreign Ministry today. His visit here comes just a few days after the visit by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, to Albania, and a few weeks after my own visit to Tirana, and he is here so that we can make the most of the momentum that has been created in Greek-Albanian relations.

Both the Greek and Albanian governments attach particular importance to Albania’s European perspective, as well as to our bilateral cooperation, which is useful not just to our two countries, but to the Western Balkans in general. We are linked by a Friendship and Good Neighbourliness Agreement, to which we want to impart the greatest possible importance. We are linked as allies in NATO, of which Albania is now a member, and we are linked by the prospect of Albania’s accession to the EU and, thus, its readiness to accept the European acquis and the rules of European legal and political culture, which is extremely important.

Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Peleshi will make all the necessary efforts toward the implementation of what we had the opportunity to discuss in Tirana with Prime Minister Edi Rama and my counterpart the Foreign Minister.

But we also discussed some additional issues, with particular emphasis on the energy sector. Greece and Albania are now being called upon to utilize and construct the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The two countries are now linked by this pipeline and also by the cooperation between the Energy Ministries. But the initiatives we are going to take with Mr. Peleshi will emphasize other aspects of energy cooperation as well. The production and distribution of electricity and the linking of distribution networks is always decisive. This also concerns the Mediterranean region more generally.

We also talked about cultural policy issues. An old initiative of the Greek government was to contribute some €2.5 million in funding toward the construction of the Albanian National Theatre, in the centre of Tirana. We are now reaffirming our willingness, and we are happy to contribute to the shaping of an emblematic building that symbolizes our friendship and the emphasis the Albanian government and the Albanian Prime Minister put on cultural issues.

We already have very good cooperation on cultural heritage issues, as well; cooperation that Mr. Peleshi promoted very strongly as mayor. All of the mechanisms of the Culture Ministry and the Culture Ministry’s agencies, like the European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, are at the Albanian side’s the disposal of for the protection of cultural heritage. And we also have very good cooperation within the framework of UNESCO.

I would like to welcome Mr. Peleshi once again and wish him every success in his duties.

N. PELESHI: I thank the Deputy Prime Minster. I would like once again to point out the importance of this visit as a follow-up to the successful visits of Mr. Venizelos and, afterwards, of President Papoulias. Two visits that were carried out in the framework and spirit of our strategic political and economic cooperation, as well as in the context of a new climate that today has the potential and the need to create fresh momentum, a new acceleration and dynamic, in the context of economic and political exchanges. It is no coincidence that recent months have seen a new dynamic exchange of political visits on the highest level.

There have also been developments within the framework of economic exchanges, a joint Greek-Albanian economic and energy conference ethat was held during President Papoulias’ visit to Tirana. A Greek-Albanian business forum was also held in Tirana. And I came here today precisely to talk with Mr. Venizelos – and we had very successful talks – about the potential and mechanisms being mobilized on all the issues and in all fields, which creates the framework for our joint bilateral agenda.

I would like to stress again what I said to Mr. Venizelos: that our cooperation is based on three strong pillars. First, the agreement on friendship and good neighbourly relations. Second, our partnership in NATO. And third, Albania’s integration into the EU.

Regarding the agreement, we have talked about the possibility of developing and implementing the fields it creates: the setting up of joint committees, with a joint agenda and a joint action plan, as soon as possible, so that within this framework, this agreement, we can resolve certain issues – issues that may be technical, but that have an immediate impact on the lives of the citizens of our countries.

We talked about strategic projects, like the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is becoming a reality now, but we need to exchange information and collaborate with the Greek side, which has greater experience with such projects, so that the project can be accelerated and constructed within the agreed timeframe.

We also talked about other, future strategic projects in the context of energy. Energy is a very important, priority sector for Albania. It is a sector that cannot develop on its own, but requires links with neighbouring countries. This is why I want to thank Deputy Prime Minister Venizelos for the resolve he showed regarding the joint planning for the energy future between the two countries – that is, projects that bring us together.

I want once again to express my gratitude for the Greek government’s donation for the rebuilding of the national theatre. So very soon we will be able to start the project of the rebuilding of the national theatre of Albania, with the major assistance of the Greek government, and I would like to express our gratitude on behalf of the Albanian government.

The conservation of cultural heritage is one of our priorities, and we unquestionably need to share experiences with the Greek side. We have examples of successful cooperation on the local an national level in the past, but today, in the framework of a new climate and a new dynamic in the multifaceted relations of the two countries, perhaps we can create mechanisms that will give our country and its cultural heritage the potential to benefit from the Greek side’s experience; to exchange know-how and experience we have gained within the framework of conserving our cultural heritage.

I would like once again like to characterize as very successful the current rate of consolidation of our relations, which have gained fresh momentum following the two very important visits to Tirana by Mr. Venizelos and, afterwards, President Papoulias.

Thank you.

BBC: After Albania, France is a possible destination
15/11/2013

The citizens’ protest against the Syrian chemical weapons have been commented by foreign media outlets. BBC says that hundreds of Albanian protesters asked to say “no” to Syria’s chemical weapons.

The British media outlet says that if Albania will reject them, the 1000 tons of sarin will be transported to France to undergo the disposal process.

BBC says that the entire arsenal is under international control at the Latakia port, waiting for its destination.

 

OPCW misses Syria deadline as Albania refuses to host chem weapons destruction

Published time: November 15, 2013 1

Albanian environmental activists hold up national flags and signs as they take part in a protest in front of the Albanian parliament in Tirana on November 14, 2013, over the possibility of the Republic of Albania processing and destroying 1.000 tons of chemical weapons from Syria in its military facilities. (AFP Photo)

Download video (24.99 MB)

Albania will not host the dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons under the OPCW plan, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced. The country decided to turn the option down despite a request by its NATO ally, the US.
“It is impossible for Albania to get involved in this operation,” Rama said, following a heated debate in his country and discussions with several UN members, including the US. 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama delivers a speech during a televised address to Albanians in Tirana on November 15, 2013. (AFP Photo / Gent Shkullaku)

The possibility of Tirana inviting thousands of tons of toxic waste from Syria to be destroyed on its territory sparked protests, with hundreds of demonstrators taking to the streets to say “no” to such a plan.
Albania’s refusal coincides with the November-15 deadline for a detailed plan on chemical stockpile destruction to be agreed by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and Damascus. Syria needs to get rid of 1,300 tons of sarin, mustard and other nerve agents, which are too dangerous to eliminate amid the ongoing conflict in the country. 
Albania was considering hosting a facility for dismantling the chemicals at the request of the United States, its close Western ally.
However, an OPCW source told Reuters, Albania may not be the only hope for the completion of the plan.
“There will be no host country in the decision this afternoon. But they [the US] have alternatives,” the OPCW source said. 

A man wearing a gas mask joins Albanian environmental activists as they take part in a protest in front of the Prime Ministerís office in Tirana on November 15, 2013, over the possibility of the Republic of Albania processing and destroying 1.000 tons of chemical weapons from Syria in its military facilities (AFP Photo / Gent Shkullaku)

In September, Russia and the US brokered a deal with the Syrian government to destroy the entire chemical weapons arsenal of the war-torn country. The deal came after several chemical attacks, for which the government and the rebel fighters exchanged blame. While Russia said it believes at least one of the attacks was a provocation carried out by the rebels, the US blamed Syrian government forces for the deadly incidents, and threatened Assad with a military strike.
While the ensuing UN investigation stopped short of naming any side of the Syrian conflict responsible for chemical weapons use, the international deal on destroying the stockpile of these weapons in Syria averted US military intervention. The strike also proved to be unpopular among many US allies, with the UK parliament giving the thumbs down on UK involvement in any such action. US Congress was also apparently divided on meddling in the Syrian civil war. 
The joint Russian-US, UN-backed plan on Syrian chemical weapons destruction outlined a very tight schedule of procedures, stating that the initial on-site inspections and the elimination of related equipment should be finished by November, and all chemical materials must be completely destroyed in the first half of 2014.

An image grab taken from Syrian television on October 10, 2013 shows inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at work at an undisclosed location in Syria. (AFP Photo)

However, while the initial stage went smoothly in close cooperation with the OPCW and the Syrian government, the destruction of the chemical arsenal turned out to be a challenge, as it was deemed too dangerous to carry it out amid the war in Syria. The need arose for a third party country that would agree to host the operation, as well as concerns for the safety of the shipment of chemical materials through Syria and abroad.
Despite Albania’s refusal, the US remains “confident that we will complete elimination of the [weapons] program within the timeline agreed upon,” the US embassy in Tirana said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Taking into account the situation on the ground, the OPCW said it plans to finish its mission by the end of June 2014.
“Given the context in which the joint mission is operating, we will aim to remain flexible and responsive to developments on the ground, continually working toward the June 30 deadline to complete our mandate,” Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator of the Joint UN-OPCW mission, said in a statement on Friday.

Photo: An anti American slogan during the protest at front of Prime Minister building

Is the Albanian chemical protest, the first signs of an anti - American movement, in Albania?

 SManalysis

 Reuters has announced several days ago that protests for chemical weapons, which would be installed in Albania, had been growing sentiment anti- USA, in which sudden, the situation could deteriorate worse than in January 2011.Slogans and protests, arrived unexpectedly in front of U.S. Embassy in Tirana. for the first time over 23 years, a precedent also by the overwhelming compression experts and U.S. diplomats .

Albania, seen as the only country in Europe but also in the world, which had about 90 % pro-American feeling, the data according to Gallop.

 Writer and publicist Fatos Lobonja, during a debate on TV Klan , denounced as irresponsible several treaties to U.S. Ambassador in Tirana Alex Arvizou , which according Lubonja, has put pressure on the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, for receipt of chemical weapons in Albanian territory. Lubonja even asked the U.S. ambassador in Tirana Alex Arvizou, called as "Persona Non Gratta", while Albanian politicians, irresponsible who make decisions without asking the people.

Related:

For One Visit, Bush Will Feel Pro-U.S. Glow
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/09/world/europe/09albania.html?_r=0

 Albanians angry with U.S. over Syrian chemical weapons
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-syria-crisis-albania-idUSBRE9AB10A20131112

Fatos Lubonja: Arvizu te shpallet "persona non Grata"
http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2013/11/15/fatos-lubonja-arvizu-te-shpallet-persona-non-grata-ne-shqiperi/

U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Statement about Chemical Protest in Albania and the decision of the Albanian Government



We respect the Prime Minister’s decision. The United States appreciates that the Government of Albania gave serious consideration to supporting the international effort to eliminate Syria’s chemical warfare materials in a safe and secure manner.

The United States will continue to work with Allies and partners as well as the OPCW and the United Nations to ensure the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program. We remain confident that we will complete elimination of the program within the timeline agreed upon.

The United States and Albania have a strong and enduring friendship. We continue to support the government and people of Albania as they work to build a more just and democratic society.

New Event
 
HIMARRIOTON SOCIETY OF AMERICA 
Meeting with Mr.Christos Panagopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to the USA

Rama: Disposal of chemical weapons, impossible for us
15/11/2013

4

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, declared that it is impossible for our country to get involved in the operation for disposing the Syrian chemical weapons.

In a declaration that had the attention of all citizens, Rama expressed his stance about the reasons why he took this decision, and he attacked those who tried to throw mud against the discussion process with the allies, accusing him of lying to the Albanian people and that he had already taken a decision for bringing these substances in Albania.

Rama explained that Albania, as a NATO member country, and as a country that signed the resolution for Syria, it backed up those partners who supported peace and democracy. The Prime Minister declared that Albania has been contacted by the United States of America to take in consideration, in principle, the participation in this operation together with other countries. Rama confirmed that in this discussion Albania was in favor, because it was its obligation to support the big allies.

The Prime Minister explained that he didn’t talk earlier about the discussion phase, because this was a complicated military and civilian operation that could not be subject of a public debate, and that the government and Parliament could not be summoned in a debate before something is decided.

However, Rama guaranteed that the he never betrayed his country and that he would never do anything behind their backs that could damage their lives, safety or their future.

The Prime Minister reminded to the Albanian people that there are 31 polluted sites in Albania chemical substances that are killing everyday, and that part of his discussion with the allies was that after destroying the Syrian weapons, the experts would use their technology and stay in Albania until the country was free from all difficult substances.

12 migrants dead after boat capsizes in Greek waters, 15 rescued

 

 

(Hellenic Coast Guard/ Associated Press ) - This image made available by the Hellenic Coast Guard Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, shows a capsized boat on the coast of Lefkada, an island in the Ionian Sea, western Greece. Twelve migrants were found dead Friday and a further 15 were rescued after the boat capsized in western Greece, authorities said. The Merchant Marine Ministry said the victims included four children. The migrants were presumed to have been headed to nearby Italy from the western Greek mainl

By Associated Press, Published: November 14 | Updated: Friday, November 15, 6:42 AM

ATHENS, Greece — Twelve migrants, believed to be Syrians, were found dead in western Greece on Friday after a plastic boat still tied to rocks capsized in calm weather, authorities said.
Another 15 people survived the incident that occurred near the island of Lefkada and prompted Greece’s left-wing main opposition party to accuse the European Union of turning the Mediterranean into a “sea of death.”

 

Coast guard divers recovered the bodies of four children and eight adults after survivors alerted authorities, the Merchant Marine Ministry said. The migrants were presumed to have been headed to nearby Italy from the western Greek mainland.

Ministry officials said the migrants were aboard a plastic boat that was 7-8 meters (23-26 feet) in length. The survivors were being taken to hospitals for observation.
Lefkada Mayor Costas Aravanis said weather conditions had been good when the boat capsized, adding that smuggling was common in the area.
“There have been cases in the past where smugglers tricked the immigrants and left them on Lefkada, claiming they had arrived in Italy,” he said.
An official involved in the investigation told The Associated Press that most of the people on the boat were believed to be Syrians. He asked not to be identified pending official announcements.
Greece is the European Union’s busiest transit point for illegal immigration.
“The new tragedy off Lefkada, with victims including young children, confirms the need to immediately implement initiatives taken by the European Union, with Greece’s initiative, too, to deal with the problem of illegal migration,” said government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.
But the opposition Syriza party accused Greece and the rest of the EU of treating refugees like criminals.
“Europe is continuing its deadly pursuit of the victims of catastrophes who are seeking safe haven,” the party said. “This has gone on long enough. The Mediterranean must stop being a sea of death.”
___
AP writer Elena Becatoros contributed.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

US Ambassador in Tirana: A "no" would disappoint us

The US Ambassador to Tirana, Alexander Arvizu, explained on Top Channel’s “Top Story” the entire request as regards the possibility of disposing the Syrian chemical weapons in Albania. Arvizu explained that he had contacted with Rama a few weeks ago regarding this important matter.

Sokol Balla: What answer did the Prime Minister give when this request was made to him.

Ambassador Arvizu: The answer was positive in the sense that he understood the complexity of the problem, and the fact that this was a difficult international problem, product of a resolution undertaken by the Security Council of the UN and an agreement between the USA and Russia, which also required coordinated international efforts. He showed his readiness to see it in a positive way, due to the limited resources of Albania regarding these operations, which would be a difficult decision for every new government. Albania has a series of challenges, which we call hot spots. Toxic deposits gathered by military, industrial or agricultural wastes, were part of our discussions. We asked for a list of these locations and the level of toxic elements. It was reasonable to say that if this operation for Syria’s chemical weapons would be undertaken, we would try our best to treat these hot spots”.

Arvizu explained in details te matters that are related to the US support and Albania’s benefits. As for the protests and the citizen reaction, Arvizu declared that there would be another reaction if they knew what they were profiting. He added that the opposition has also been informed about the request.

“Washington contacted me and said that they wanted to talk with Mr.Basha, and we held a very nice conversation. His main concern was that there was not enough transparency from the Rama government, and an that they were not willing to share information. I told him that the lack of transparency is a subject of interpretation, but clearly it was a valid point from him. I let him know that I had instructions from Washington and that the solution of this problem had a critical importance for the USA, and he said: ‘Alex, I fully understand. We will not cross that red line. We’re in politics, but I will not’”, Arvizu declared.

Sokol Balla: “What you consider a red line, I guess has been crossed today by Mr.Basha and the Democratic Party?”

“The spectacle in the Parliament, on the streets and on the boulevard, was different from what I understood that we had reached. It was a heavy day for me. Naturally, the discussions with Mr.Rama were the main consideration. I also expressed to Washington some of the comments and actions taken by the DP, and I have to be sincere that it was taken by Washington with true disquietude, because Washington wasn’t happy about what we heard from the Democratic Party today. I think that the question here is if he forgot about it and if he chose to ignore it. Because I made it clear that I was talking on behalf of Washington. I had to do this, because some people, such as Genc Pollo, should be reminded for this. But I had to make it clear that it was coming from Washington, and the fact that this word was not kept, it suggests that they forgot and chose to ignore it, or if Basha is really the leader of the Democratic Party. I don’t know which one is more concerning”.

Greece’s bail-out

Little respite

A hard winter lies ahead for the Greek government

Nov 16th 2013 | ATHENS |From the print edition

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“IT IS the bad-news season,” says an adviser to Antonis Samaras’s struggling coalition government. He means the onset of winter, when cash-strapped Greeks start worrying about the price of heating fuel. A new property tax in next year’s budget, due to be presented to parliament on November 21st, is another headache. Farmers are being asked to pay tax on their landholdings for the first time. Squeezed by five years of austerity, one-third of property owners claim they will be unable to pay up, according to a survey by the Athens chamber of commerce.

Mr Samaras’s centre-right New Democracy party and its junior partner, the PanHellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok), narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in the early hours of November 11th. The motion was proposed by Alexis Tsipras, boss of Syriza, a hard-left opposition party, in an attempt to bring a fractious far-left faction of his party on board after he pledged in a speech during a trip to America that, if elected, he would not take Greece out of the euro. The coalition scraped through after a defection by a Pasok lawmaker, the sixth since last year’s general election.

In this section

 

The government can expect little respite. A vote on the new property tax is looming; it is unlikely to be approved by parliament in its present form. Rebel Pasok lawmakers say it should be replaced by a sweeping wealth tax, whereas New Democrats are under pressure from farmers to drop it altogether.
Greece’s creditors are turning up the heat on Mr Samaras. The “troika” of officials from the European Union, the European Central Bank and the IMF are pressing for new measures to plug a gap of about €1.5 billion ($2 billion) in the 2014 budget. The government says the shortfall is only €500m-700m and can be covered by cracking down on employers who evade paying social-security contributions. The troika is sceptical, as the finance ministry has missed all its previous targets for collecting unpaid taxes.
Mr Samaras and Evangelos Venizelos, the deputy prime minister and Pasok leader, plead that Greeks cannot take any more austerity. The timetable for structural reforms is slipping. With 4,000 civil servants due to be sacked next month, the government wants to avert more job cuts. It is fighting to keep open two heavily loss-making defence companies that the troika insists should be shut down. The coalition “just don’t want to fire anyone,” says Miranda Xafa, a former IMF official.

Talks on closing the fiscal gap will now drag into next year, say officials in Brussels. By then a new German government will be in place, which will ease decision-making. Assured of a primary budget surplus (ie, before debt repayments) and without any large bond issues to be repaid in the next few months, Greece is not in imminent danger of defaulting. But if the reform programme continues to founder, the markets’ new-found belief in a Greek recovery could quickly fade.

Gloomy Athenians are pondering the possibility of widespread political violence after the killing on November 1st of two members of Golden Dawn, a neo-Nazi party, outside its offices by a gunman who got away on a motorbike. The attack was seen as revenge for the fatal stabbing of Pavlos Fyssas, an anti-fascist rapper, by a self-proclaimed supporter of Golden Dawn. Police believe a local left-wing terrorist group is responsible. No arrests have been made. So far, said a police officer, extremists from left and right are lying low.

Anger in Albania over Syria chemical weapons plan

Protesters were joined by opposition politicians in Tirana

Continue reading the main story

Syria conflict

• Q&A: Geneva II
• Arms destruction
• Chemical stockpile
• 'Please let it be over'

Unconfirmed reports that Albania may take in Syrian chemical weapons for disposal have provoked angry protests in the capital Tirana.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside parliament and the prime minister's office on Thursday to chant "No to chemical weapons".

Prime Minister Edi Rama is due to make a statement later on Friday.

France has been named as a possible alternative site for destroying Syria's 1,000 or so tonnes of chemical arms.

These are believed to include the nerve gas sarin, the blister agent sulphur mustard and other banned chemicals. They were put under seal when production sites in Syria were destroyed.

The US threatened military action against Syria after a chemical weapons attack in the Damascus area on 21 August left hundreds of people dead.

Under a subsequent deal brokered by Russia to remove Syria's arsenal, it was agreed that chemical agents and precursor chemicals should be destroyed outside Syria if possible.

Discussions have been under way for weeks at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague about how to destroy the stockpile.

It is meeting on Friday to agree "destruction milestones" for the process.

Continue reading the main story

Albania and chemical weapons

• The ex-communist state declared possession of 16 tonnes of mustard gas to the OPCW
• It completed destruction of the declared weapons in July 2007
• When further chemical agents were discovered in September 2011, they were destroyed within a year

source: OPCW

• Q&A: Syrian disarmament deal

Norwegian ships

Albania is seen as a possible destination as it recently destroyed its own poison gas arsenal.

But on Thursday demonstrators in Tirana vented their anger at the proposal amid concern over the safety implications and possible impact on the tourism industry.

They waved placards that read "No to sarin, Yes to oxygen, let us breathe" and "No to chemical weapons in Albania".

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha joined the protestors along with deputies from his party. "We are not going to accept any chemical weapons in Albania, the prime minister has humiliated the Albanians," he said.

Mr Rama himself indicated earlier that he was in favour of the proposal.

"Our 'Yes' would be linked only to a plan and agreement that will make it clear to everyone that Albania will come out of this with its head held high, the richer for it and cleaner than it is today," he said on Wednesday.

A source briefed on the discussions told Reuters news agency that talks with Albania had reached a "technical level".

Norway has pledged to send a civilian cargo ship and a navy frigate to Syrian ports to pick up the weapons and carry them elsewhere for destruction.

The country said earlier that it could not destroy the weapons on its own soil because it lacked the expertise.

"EULEX, KFOR, UNMIK should stay as long as possible"

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- EULEX, KFOR and UNMIK should stay in Kosovo "as long as possible so as to ensure peace and security for all citizens, primarily Serbs," says Ivica Ivica Dačić.

(Tanjug)

The prime minister told reporters that he also said that to EULEX chief Bernd Borchardt earlier in the day on Thursday, stressing that the international missions are guarantors of the implementation of peace agreements.
"We are of the opinion that EULEX and all other international missions should stay in Kosovo and Metohija as long as possible, as they are guarantors of the implementation of various peace agreements," Dačić said.

The international missions should remain in Kosovo and Metohija, as it is in Serbia's interest that peace and stability be maintained, all citizens protected, and ethnically motivated incidents and attacks on Serbs prevented, he said.

"We are against a reduction in the functions and competences of UNMIK, EULEX and KFOR, which Priština is proposing, because Serbs do not place enough trust in Priština's authorities," Dačić said.

Although Serbia had reservations about the arrival of EULEX, it is important at this moment that the mission stays, that it does not reduce its scope and competences, he said.
"KFOR guarantees that some future army of Kosovo will not go into the territory populated by Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija, and UNMIK is the status-neutral UN mission that is very significant, and I think that is of vital importance for the stabilization of circumstances in Kosovo and Metohija," Dačić said.

"EULEX will react"

EULEX chief Bernd Borchardt said on Thursday that he was convinced that the repeated local elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on Nov. 17 would be incident-free, and added that EULEX was ready to respond if incidents did occur.

Borchard told Beta that, for the Nov. 3 elections, when masked attackers destroyed ballot boxes at three stations in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, EULEX had been asked not to be directly present at the ballot stations.

"After this experience, the OSCE has now invited the members of EULEX to be present also at the ballot stations, and we will secure a significant number of police officers for this," said the EULEX chief.

He also stated that KFOR and the Kosovo police, which are in charge of responding first in case of incidents, will also take care of the security of the elections and the voters.

First party with 22.6% Golden Dawn, the last polling in Greece


 

Rollover the political scene show the results of the online voting site «Zougla.gr» which was published late last night.

Based on the trends of the electorate were radically change the balance of power, the percentages of the Golden Dawn to pass in first place in terms of voting intentions, SYRIZA come first on the show and victory Antonis Samaras to gather the preference of citizens (compared with Tsipra) regarding suitability for prime minister.

Specifically, in voting intention comes the big reversal. The Golden Dawn appears first party with 22.6%. Following SYRIZA with 19.2% and ND third with just 16.7%. Here, Independent Greeks and KKE 4.9%, PASOK with 4.5%, while the Tourism Services outside parliament with a rate of 1.1%.

In voting intentions for the valid and the obscure vote 14.9% The percentages are as follows: Golden Dawn 26.6%, 22.6% SYRIZA, New Democracy 19.6%, and Independent Greek KKE 5.8% .

Albanians Oppose Dismantling Syrian Weapons

TIRANA, Albania November 14, 2013 (AP)

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About 5,000 Albanians demonstrated on Thursday against a reported plan for Syrian chemical weapons to be destroyed in their country.

"No to chemical weapons!" the protesters chanted outside Parliament and the prime minister's office in Tirana, the capital.

Discussions have been underway for weeks at the Hague headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about how to destroy Syria's stockpile of poison gas, nerve agents and chemicals.

Western nations and Damascus are believed to favor destroying the weapons in another country. Albania is apparently among possible venues because it has already destroyed its own stockpile.

The protesters questioned whether that can safely be done in their country and whether it would undermine efforts to boost their tourism.

A similar protest was held in neighboring Macedonia by members of an ethnic Albanian rights group.

The dozens of demonstrators rallied outside the Albanian Embassy in Skopje, their capital. Macedonia's green party, the Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, said officials should urge Albania to reject the reported plan, saying it would endanger the environment.

In Tirana, Albanian officials said no decision has been reached about whether their nation will take part in such an effort.

Serbia, Albania to open cooperation in all areas – Sertic

Tanjug

Find story with similar tags:AlbaniacooperationserbiaZeljko Sertic

BELGRADE – Serbia and Albania are open to cooperation in all areas for the sake of stability in the region and better use of the two countries’ potentials, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) Zeljko Sertic and representatives of the Albanian government and economy in Tirana and Drac stated.

Zeljko Sertic – Photo from: http://www.novosti.rs/

Albanian partners underscored the willingness of the Tirana government to realise joint projects, especially in infrastructure and trade, and to work on the removal of all obstacles to cooperation, PKS released.
During the meeting, the officials stated that there is a lot of room for increase of the two countries’ exchange of goods which now totals only around USD 100 million annually.
The officials also confirmed the willingness to organise a business forum in Belgrade in spring 2014 during which Serbian and Albanian businessmen would have direct talks concerning potential joint projects and jobs.
Sertic conferred with Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi in Tirana on the improvement of the two countries’ economic cooperation.
During the working visit to Albania, Sertic conferred with Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Entrepreneurship Arben Ahmetaj, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Edmond Haxhinasto and President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania Ilir Zhilla. The visit of the PKS president to Albania was realised within the activities aimed at promotion of Serbia’s business capacities, the release reads.

Faced with protests, Albania seeks rewards for destroying Syrian weapons

By Benet Koleka

TIRANA Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:22am EST

Demonstrators protest against the potential dismantling of Syrian chemical weapons in Albania in front of the Parliament in Tirana November 14, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Arben Celi

(Reuters) - Albania's government faced a growing chorus of opposition on Thursday to a U.S. request that it take on the job of dismantling Syria's chemical weapons, despite a vow by Prime Minister Edi Rama that the poor Adriatic nation would be rewarded financially for carrying out the task.
Rama, barely two months in the job, repeated that no decision had been taken, but indicated he was in favor.
"Our ‘Yes' would be linked only to a plan and agreement that will make it clear to everyone that Albania will come out of this with its head held high, the richer for it and cleaner than it is today," he said late on Wednesday.
In the capital Tirana, protesters outside parliament carried placards that read "No to sarin, Yes to oxygen, let us breathe", and "No to chemical weapons in Albania."
Albania has been identified as a possible destination for the weapons stockpiles, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has pledged to get rid of as he seeks to turn the tide of international opinion in a more than two-year civil war.
The request came under a Russian-American deal to destroy the weapons program by mid-2014, averting U.S. missile strikes threatened after an August sarin gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus that killed hundreds of people.
A source briefed on the discussions said talks with Albania had reached a "technical level".
The Adriatic nation of 2.8 million people is a member of NATO and staunchly pro-American.
But the prospect of hosting Assad's Sarin gas and other chemical weapons has stirred anger and complaints that the West is exploiting its poorer, Balkan ally, which is striving to become a candidate for membership of the European Union.
Albania has experience in such work, having dismantled its own communist-era chemical weapons with U.S. help in 2004 at Qafe Molle, behind Mount Dajt that overlooks Tirana. It also has a weapons destruction site at Mjekes, near the central town of Elbasan, where protests have also been held.
ANGER AND OPPOSITION
Inside parliament on Thursday, female opposition lawmakers seized the rostrum to voice their anger at the U.S. request.
"Disarm yourself before you talk about Syria's weapons," Rama's coalition ally, Ilir Meta, railed at the opposition from his seat as parliament speaker. "Everything will be done transparently. You should be calm about it," he said.
But a dearth of public information on what the exercise might involve has fuelled a frenzy of doomsday scenarios in Albania and angered environmentalists.
"This decision will be taken in full conformity with all the obligations the Albanian government and I personally have to every Albanian," Rama said. He said the government was seeking "full guarantees for the Albanian public and the future of the country."
The soul-searching, however, already marks a break with the past.
Albania readily offered up its territory for U.S. warplanes to bomb concrete bunkers as training before the 2003 invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraq.
In 2010, Rama's predecessor, Sali Berisha, agreed to a U.S. request to take in six Chinese Uighurs released from the U.S. jail in Guantanamo Bay and, this year, hundreds of Iranian opposition exiles from Iraq.
Berisha accused Rama's government of rolling over, and warned of unrest. "We would give you a referendum, as a choice, otherwise the squares and streets will become the parliament of Albania," he said.
Syria's Assad has said the total cost of dismantling the chemical weapons program could reach $1 billion. Experts believe it could be done for less, in the range of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on where and how the arms are destroyed.
(Additional reporting by Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam; Editing by Matt Robinson)

Albanian PM to visit Serbia "soon"

Source: Tanjug

TIRANA -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama will visit Serbia soon, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati has said.

During the visit of an Albanian delegation, officials will talk about a series of agreements on economic cooperation between the two countries, he said.
Transport, agriculture and tourism are the sectors of mutual interest, and these will be the most important topics, the Albanian news agency ATA quoted Bushati as saying.

The Albanian foreign minister said this in Durres, Albania, where the Regional Academy for Democracy is holding the fourth seminar titled "International Law and the Role of International Organizations".

Russia, Serbia Ink Military Cooperation Agreement

Russia and Serbia signed an agreement Wednesday on military cooperation
© RIA Novosti. Ruslan Krivobok

21:35 13/11/2013

Tags: MiG-29M, military exercises, MiG-29, United Nations, Sergei Shoigu, Belgrade, Serbia, Russia

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• Mikoyan MiG-29K

BELGRADE, November 13 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Serbia signed an agreement Wednesday on military cooperation as part of further development of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The deal was overseen in Belgrade by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose visit is being seen as a prelude to a possibly imminent deal on the sale of Russian fighter jets to Serbia.
Shoigu said contacts between the countries had recently reached new heights.
The agreements reached Wednesday included provisions, among other things, for collaboration in peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the United Nations.
Russia and Serbia have agreed to carry out joint military exercises and exchange visits of military personnel and hardware, including combat aircraft and aerobatics teams.

The main points of broader interest in the agreements hint at possible upcoming weapons purchases.
“Additional [military] agreements are being drafted, including an agreement on cooperation in defense industry and arms sales,” Shoigu said.
Serbian media reported in late April that the country hopes to buy a total of six MiG-29M/M2 fighters and two radar stations from Russia. It is believed the deal could be closed before the end of this year.

Greece, alarm against chemical weapons for Albania
13/11/2013

The daily Greek newspaper “Kathimerini” says that the news for dismantling the Syrian chemical weapons in Albania has alarmed the Greek government, which thinks that there is a potential environmental danger for the entire region, especially if they are planned to be dismantled in southern Albania, close to the Greek border.

There are many chances to spread the contamination, regardless of the preventive measures that official Tirana and the west could take, says the newspaper, quoting sources from Athens. For this reason, the Greek authorities have made a clear position on this issue and are taking diplomatic steps to stop this from happening.

“This could be reached by creating a joint front through the Albanian neighbors, who should cooperate and convince Tirana to not accept the elimination of the dangerous Syrian weapons, even if the western financial promises could be huge”.

What are the alternatives?

“Syria has uninhabited deserts in its southeastern territory, and since the weapons are already in their territory, it would be the best solution for dismantling or burying them. Russia and the United States could also have large areas within their territory where they could destroy these weapons, by sharing equally the number of weapons they decide to dismantle”, the newspaper says.

Fight against corruption
13/11/2013

The European Union Mission to Tirana, in cooperation with the Council of Ministers, organized the first National Conference for Anti-Corruption.

Since the beginning, the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, declared the determination of the Albanian government in the fight against corruption, by building a new approach.

“First of all, our philosophy in this battle is very clear. It is not the people who corrupt the system, but it is the system that corrupts people. Based on this philosophy, we feel the necessity for a comprehensive reform in all areas, so that we can make our system immune to corruption. There’s no doubt that this is the exclusive battle of the government, and there is no doubt that without the leadership of the government, this battle is simply impossible”, Rama declared.

According to the European Union ambassador to Tirana, Ettore Sequi, this conference affirms the seriousness of the government to fight corruption and an effort to make the anti-corruption fight effective. Sequi asked all anti-corruption actors to establish clear policies in this fight, since going against this phenomenon was not something easy.

All Rama Cabinet ministers unfolded their vision for facing corruption in the ministries they lead.

“Fight against corruption in the entire justice system will focus on dismantling the impunity wall by four main approaches: awareness, discouragement, prevention and punishment. As an immediate measure, we launched the online reports portal “stopkorrupsionitnedrejtësi” (stopjusticecorruption). This portal will make it possible for every citizen and the civil society to report and present every complaint for every judge, prosecutor, employee, the Probation Service, the Notary and the Property Compensation Agency… the entire justice system”, declared the Minister of Justice, Nasip Naco.

“We’re in the phase of processing a full and integral strategy for fighting and preventing every corruptive practice or the potential in every corruptive practice within the State Police. This starts with a new law that completely reforms the Internal Inspection Service and the State Police Directory of Standards. We are establishing the Green Line, which will work 247, so that we can give our citizens the chance to communicate directly with a structure within the Interior Ministry, but outside the State Police, so that they can report and follow their complaint for failing to implement the law, for poor performance and corruptive practices within the State Police”, declared the Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri.

Albanians protest over Syria chemical weapons dismantling proposal

November 13, 2013 1:30AM ET

Prime minister confirms he discussed the matter with US Secretary of State Kerry, but says no decision has been made

Topics:

Albania

Syria's War

Chemical Weapons

Demonstrators protest against the dismantling of Syria's chemical weapons in Albania, in front of the U.S. embassy in Tirana on Tuesday.

Arben Celi/Reuters

The prospect of Syria's chemical weapons being dismantled in Albania triggered protests in the capital city Tirana on Tuesday, exposing a rare dent in the NATO member's loyalty to the United States.
Hundreds protested in front of the U.S. embassy in the Adriatic republic, chanting "Albania is ours" and holding banners that read "Yes, we can say 'No.'"
Several international media reports have named Albania as a potential destination for the weapons, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has pledged to get rid of as he seeks to turn the tide of international opinion in a more than two-year civil war.
Albanians have long felt a debt of gratitude to Washington over events stretching from the end of World War I – when then-President Woodrow Wilson saved the country from being dismembered by its neighbors – through the U.S.-led NATO bombing of then-Yugoslavia in 1999 to halt the killing of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

Click here for more on Syria's War

But news that Syrian chemical weapons might be dismantled in Albania has been met with anger and complaints of exploitation.
"Albania belongs to the Albanians, not the international community," said activist Aldo Merkoci. "Only the sovereign people can rule on this matter. We are here today to say no."
"No, no, no!" the crowd echoed him. Youths held placards declaring "Love Albania like the PM loves the U.S." A poster showed a finger-pointing Uncle Sam urging people to protest.
The protest followed smaller gatherings in the central town of Elbasan and its nearby Mjekes weapons dismantling facility, where the chemicals could be headed.
Some Albanians complain that dismantling the weapons there would damage the environment, along with efforts to market Albania as an emerging tourist destination.

No decision yet

Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, who took office two months ago, confirmed on Tuesday that he had discussed the matter over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, but said no decision had been made.
"I have not met the protesters simply because our silence does not hide anything and we are not at the point when we need to take a decision, and we might not get there," he said at news conference with visiting European Union enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule.
Rama is trying to breathe new life into Albania's bid to join the EU. The country joined NATO in 2009, but the West remains concerned about its level of democratic maturity.
"There is no doubt that were I not in my current office, I would have joined the protest upon hearing the experts painting such an apocalyptic scenario to Albanians," Rama said. "But in my office I do not see this apocalyptic scenario."
One senior opposition figure has branded Rama "Chemical Edi," accusing him of keeping the public in the dark.
With U.S. help, Albania successfully dismantled its communist-era stockpiles of chemical weapons. The destruction of weapons shells, however, killed 28 people in 2008.
The issue has echoes of a political row over waste imports, which also drew accusations that Albania was being exploited by its richer partners in Europe. Rama's government banned waste imports after taking office.
Rama on Tuesday said he would inform the public and parliament of the government's decision, pledging to uphold the interests of Albania.
Reuters

Nov. 12, 2013

Albanians angry with U.S. over Syrian chemical weapons

Reuters Middle East

* Albania possible site to dismantle Syrian chemical stockpiles

* Albanians protest, warn of exploitation, environmental damage
* PM says no decision has been taken
By Benet Koleka
TIRANA, Nov 12 (Reuters) - The prospect of Syria's chemical weapons being dismantled in Albania caused protests in the capital Tirana on Tuesday, exposing a rare dent in the NATO member's loyalty to the United States.
Hundreds protested in front of the U.S. embassy in the Adriatic republic, chanting "Albania is ours" and holding banners that read "Yes, we can say 'No'".
Albania has been named in several foreign media reports as a potential destination for the weapons, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has pledged to get rid of as he seeks to turn the tide of international opinion in a more than two-year civil war.
Albanians have long felt a debt of gratitude to Washington, stretching back to the end of World War One when Woodrow Wilson saved the country from being dismembered by its neighbours, through the U.S.-led NATO bombing of then-Yugoslavia in 1999 to halt the massacre of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
But news that Syrian chemical weapons may be dismantled in Albania has been met with anger and complaints of exploitation.
"Albania belongs to the Albanians, not the international community," said activist Aldo Merkoci. "Only the sovereign people can rule on this matter. We are here today to say no."
"No, no, no!" the crowd echoed him. Youths held placards declaring "Love Albania like the PM loves the U.S.". A poster showed a finger-pointing Uncle Sam urging people to protest.
The protest followed smaller gatherings in the central town of Elbasan and its nearby Mjekes weapons dismantling facility, where the chemicals could be headed.
Some Albanians complain it would damage the environment and efforts to market Albania as an emerging tourist destination.
NO DECISION YET
Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, who took office two months ago, confirmed on Tuesday that he had discussed the matter over the phone with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, but said no decision had been taken.
"I have not met the protesters simply because our silence does not hide anything and we are not at the point when we need to take a decision, and we might not get there," he told a news conference with visiting European Union enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule.
Rama is trying to breathe new life into Albania's bid to join the EU. The country joined NATO in 2009, but the West remains concerned at its level of democratic maturity.
"There is no doubt that were I not in my current office, I would have joined the protest upon hearing the experts painting such an apocalyptic scenario to Albanians," said Rama. "But in my office I do not see this apocalyptic scenario."
One senior opposition figure has branded Rama "Chemical Edi", accusing him of keeping the public in the dark.
With U.S. help, Albania successfully dismantled its communist-era stockpiles of chemical weapons. The destruction of weapons shells, however, killed 28 people in 2008.
The issue has echoes of a political row over waste imports, which also drew accusations that Albania was being exploited by its richer partners in Europe. Rama's government banned waste imports after taking office.
Rama on Tuesday said he would inform the public and parliament of the government's decision, pledging to uphold the interests of Albania. (Reporting By Benet Koleka, Editing by Matt Robinson and Janet Lawrence)