According to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the U.S. report proved "how much Albania had done in the fight against cannabis" while he stressed that much more remained to be done.
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE CYPRUS•Sunday, 19 March, 2017
Albanian politics has been engulfed by strong debates and trade of barbs on following the publication of the 2017 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report by the U.S. State Department.
The report underlined that Albania remained a significant source country for marijuana, as well as a transit route for cocaine and heroin destined for European markets.
Such findings brought several accusations raised by the Albanian opposition representatives, but also triggered strong debates within the ruling coalition.
According to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the U.S. report proved "how much Albania had done in the fight against cannabis" while he stressed that much more remained to be done.
But Albanian opposition head Lulzim Basha said the report included Albania in the blacklist of the countries known for money laundering.
Basha said the report also confirmed opposition's claims on the increasing cultivation of narcotics as well as huge growth of corruption in the country.
He blamed the government for such situation, and said that the report was yet another proof that the cause of opposition's protest was right.
The opposition has been protesting in capital's main boulevard since Feb. 18, and it has constantly declared its unwavering decision to continue protest till Rama resigns and paves the way for creation of a caretaker government.
Meanwhile, the report also spurred debates within the ruling coalition, namely, between the Socialist Party (SP) and Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI).
While calling the situation alarming, Luan Rama, General Secretary of SMI, called on law enforcing agencies to react more responsibly.
Reacting to such statements, the recently dismissed Minister of Interior Sajmir Tahiri said that such claims were inaccurate.
The latest findings from the U.S. report come only a few days after prime minister Edi Rama dismissed Tahiri over allegations of police involvement with drug cultivation and trafficking networks in the country.
Although Albanian authorities have reported an increase in arrests as well as destruction of cannabis plantations in 2016, there were also reports of increased cannabis cultivation within the country.
According to the report, major proceeds-generating crimes in Albania include drug trafficking, tax evasion, smuggling, and human trafficking while the country has a substantial black market for smuggled goods, which facilitated by weak border controls and customs enforcement.
No comments:
Post a Comment
smanalysis