VASSILIS BOLLANOS NEW ELECTED OMONIA`S PRESIDENT




Vassilis Bollanos the Mayer of Himara Municipality is elected the Head of Greek Ethnic Minority of Albania (Northern Epirus). Bollanos elected by majority votes of greek represent of Albania.

Bollanos will head Omonia for some months until general elections including all northern epiriotes to vote under the system "One member one vote".

Greece blocks Macedonia NATO membership, Albania is waiting.....

March 06, 2008 12:16 PM

BRUSSELS, Mar 6, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Greece on Thursday refused to invite its neighbor Macedonia to join NATO due to a decades-old name dispute.
"As far as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is concerned, I stressed to our allies that unfortunately, the policy that was followed by the government of our neighboring country ... does not allow us to take the same positive stance as in the case of Croatia and Albania," Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni told reporters after a meeting with her counterparts of NATO members.

Together with Croatia and Albania, Macedonia is one of the hopefuls to be invited to join NATO at the military alliance's summit next month in Bucharest, capital of Romania but its bid has been overshadowed by the issue of the country's name.
Greece has long argued that Macedonia implies territorial claim to a northern Greek province which bears the same name as Macedonia.
The dispute began in 1946 when the People's Republic of Macedonia was established as part of Yugoslavia and escalated when the republic announced independence in 1991.
Bakoyanni said the past 15 years of fruitless negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations left Greece with no other choice.

"Greece was therefore unable to provide its consent to the invitation, as I stressed to my fellow colleagues," she said, adding her country is ready to use veto power.
The founding treaty of NATO provides that the member states can, through a unanimous decision, invite any other European state to join the alliance, which means Greece's veto could successfully block Macedonia's bid for NATO membership.
With less than one month to go before the summit, Bakoyanni said she still hopes for a mutually acceptable and practical solution, which should be implemented immediately.
Greece has insisted that Macedonia is properly known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in international organizations such as NATO. But the majority of UN members have recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name -- the Republic of Macedonia.
U.N. envoy Matthew Nimetz has reportedly put forward a proposal, which identifies five name suggestions including Constitutional Republic of Macedonia, Democratic Republic of Macedonia, Independent Republic of Macedonia, New Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Upper Macedonia.

"It will contain the name Macedonia, but it will not monopolize Macedonia," Bakoyanni said, referring to an acceptable choice for the new name.
Bakoyanni warned defiance by Macedonia would deny the Balkan country a future both in NATO and the European Union (EU), of which Greece is also a member.
The entry of Macedonia into NATO appeared to be one of the major sticky issues when foreign ministers of the 26-nation transatlantic alliance met Thursday.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he would like to see Macedonia join NATO together with Croatia and Albania, but the coming weeks of negotiations with Greece was crucial.

"I would like all three countries to join," Steinmeier told reporters ahead of the meeting, "A lot depends on the question of whether these two states are going to be able to come closer together in the coming weeks."

Boat Sinking Kills 16 in Albania

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A boat carrying partygoers celebrating the birthday of 5-year-old twins sank overnight in a lake near the capital, killing 16 people, including the two children, police said Thursday.

The boat belonged to a restaurant on the shores of Lake Farka, about three miles east of the capital, Tirana. It had a capacity of seven, but was transporting 20 people from the restaurant when it sank shortly after midnight, Tirana police spokeswoman Alma Katragjini said.
Authorities believe the boat capsized because it was overloaded.

Four people survived, Katragjini said. Three hours after the sinking, authorities had collected 16 bodies from the lake: seven men, seven women and the 5-year-old twin boys, she said.
Fourteen of the dead belonged to two families, while two of the bodies could not immediately be identified, but were believed to be those of family friends, Katragjini said.
Outside the Tirana morgue, men wept and held each other as relatives and friends gathered to claim the bodies.

Lakeside and seaside restaurants are popular in Albania, but most are within easy reach of roads. The one on Lake Farka was more remote, and a small boat was often used to ferry passengers to it.

Security News

ALBANIA, NATO HELICOPTER` CRASHES (?)

Early morning Italian arenautic agencies start “SOS” signal for a NATO helicopter crash in northern Albanian mountains, albanian press "24 Ore NEWS" noted.

Inhabitants said they heared a strong blast early morning near “Jezerca” mountain (2690m) and where cooperating to find survivors by helicopter crash.
Policies Albanian forces require together with KFOR sending helicopters and Special Forces to localize the zone.

Albanian authorities confirm that the helicopter is not of Albanian Air Forces, when other information says may be is of "Italian Air Forces". Albania does not capacity to hold night operation security service since a presidential helicopter lost in Adriatic Sea, tow years ago. Another crash airplane in Albanian territory has happened in 2005 when a C130 of US Air Forces crash in Albanian mountains.

Anyway NATO does not confirm about helicopter crash, said in aftenoon the Albanian public television RTSH , while the Defensse Albanian Ministry said for "an unknown aircraft had lost contact with Albanian and Italian operators in the area near Albania's border with Montenegro and Kosovo".

Security News

NATO STRONG MEASSURES TO HOLD STABILLITY IN ALBANIA AND FYROM

Photo: The Greek Class Frigate "Hydra" at Durresi Gulf

Five of NATO Frigates (British, Germany, Greece, Turkey and Italy) jointed to Durresi Harbor in Albania, last week. The frigates are member of NATO Naval Base Group in Naples (Italy).

According to information the naval contingent of NATO for Mediterranean is opening a security corridor which begins from Durresi Harbor to FYROM, stabilizing the way and structure of military transport of NATO troops, to install more troops for any escalation which menace the stability of tow countries Albania and FYROM.

Albania has 1200 NATO troops when the contingent can raise more, based to agreement NATO Albania in July 2007. In 2005 the Albanian parliament approved a “law packet” for NATO installation in Albania. According to agreement, NATO can hold 2500 troops in Albanian Territory with a government decision, when NATO needs to install more troops to confront any escalation or destabilization is the parliament which could decide much more troops.

FYROM is confronting on diplomatic debate with Greece about the name of "Macedonia" but sources by albanian of FYROM say for separation of albanian of FYROM if Greece makes veto to FYROM to joint NATO alliance next NATO meeting in Bucarest. Italian troops of NATO will emerging FYROM passing from Albania to make stabillity of the country next days said albanian press.

JFC Naples Commander Admiral Mark Fitzgerald arrived for a 2-day official visit in Tirana on 21 February 2008.

“TO BE GREEK WHEN THEY ARE SINCE THE HELLENISM HAS BORNED”

Athens gives “The Greek Citizen” about 1000 northern epirotes today (!) The last paradox of Greek burocracy is to give next months more 600 thousand northern epirotes the Greek Citizen. After 18 years they living and working in Greece they "became greeks", while in Albania they continue to prohibit the politic and civil rights. During Albanian dictature thousand of northern epiotes killed and persecuted by regime only because they where Greek. "A PARADOX"

While Sofie has given about 150 thousand Bulgarian passports to Albanian orthodoxies, since 2007, time that Bulgaria joint to EU, Greece, continues to forget compatriots in Northern Epirus.

Albania continues to give Albanians of Kosovo thousand passports every month for their compatriots in Kosovo demostring a great sacrifice helping economically and giving international politically support. While the greek politic parties are interessed to have thousand votes by northern epiriotes claiming interests in Albania only for investiments and bussines linked with greek politicans corrupted.

Photo: 1946, Northern Epirotes escaped by Albanian Regime, protest near Albanian borders after US Senate Resolute decided to unite Northern Epirus with mother Greece.

ΟΡΚΟΜΩΣΙΑ ΙΘΑΓΕΝΕΙΑΣ ΓΙΑ 1.131 ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ

Παρασκευή 29 Φεβρουαρίου 2008
ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ

1131 πολίτες, ορκίστηκαν σήμερα ως Έλληνες, από το Νομάρχη Αθηνών, Γιάννη Σγουρό, σε ειδική εκδήλωση που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Γήπεδο του Σπόρτινγκ, παρουσία του Υπουργού Εσωτερικών, Δημόσιας Διοίκησης και Αποκέντρωσης κ. Προκόπη Παυλόπουλου, της βουλευτή του ΠΑ.ΣΟ.Κ.κας. Συλβάνας Ράπτη, του Δήμαρχου Καματερού κ. Νικήτα Καμαρινόπουλου και μελών του Νομαρχιακού Συμβουλίου της Νομαρχίας Αθηνών.

Οι πολίτες που πήραν σήμερα την ελληνική ιθαγένεια προέρχονται από 17 διαφορετικές χώρες του κόσμου, από την Βενεζουέλα και τις Η.Π.Α., μέχρι την Αιθιοπία και τις Φιλιππίνες και το 98% από την Αλβανία .Το 48% είναι γυναίκες και το 52% άνδρες. Το 99% των πολιτών είναι χριστιανοί ορθόδοξοι στο θρήσκευμα, υπάρχουν πέντε καθολικοί και δύο μουσουλμάνοι, ενώ δύο δεν δήλωσαν το θρήσκευμα τους. Ασκούν 115 διαφορετικά επαγγέλματα (π.χ. ιατροί, οικονομολόγοι, αρχιτέκτονες, ζωγράφοι, ιδιωτικοί και δημόσιοι υπάλληλοι, οικοδόμοι κλπ), με την πλειοψηφία να απασχολείται στον ιδιωτικό τομέα και τις γυναίκες να ασχολούνται με τα οικιακά.

THE GREEK “NOBEL” CANTIDATE MIKIS THEODORAKIS CLAIMS HIS MANIFEST ABOUT CRITIC SITUATION OF GREECE AFTER KOSOVO INDIPENDENCE.

"THERE IS VERY CLEAR, THE RAISE OF BALKAN DOMINO EFFECT TO CREATE “GREATER ALBANIA” AND MY COUNTRY GREECE, MUST BE UNITED TO CONFRONT ANNY DESTABILISATION INSIDE OUR TERRITOR THRAKI, EPIRUS AND GREEK ISLANDS”

Mikis Theodorakis manifest, adresed to hellenic people of the world.

Επιστολή Μίκη Θεοδωράκη Τέλος στην προδοσία και την ασχήμια!Ανεξάρτητα από τα αποτελέσματα των αμερικανικών εκλογών, δηλαδή ανεξάρτητα από το ποιος θα είναι ο μελλοντικός πρόεδρος, η κολοσσιαία πολεμική μηχανή έχει ήδη μπει μπροστά με στόχο την εξόντωση όλων όσων θεωρεί εχθρούς της. Ακόμη και αυτών όπως η Ελλάδα που δεν υπακούνε τυφλά τις εντολές της, Ιράν, Κορέα, Αραβικός κόσμος, μη υποτελείς και φυσικά άμεσα η Ρωσία και στο βάθος η Κίνα. Μετά θα έρθει η σειρά των « ατάκτων» της Νοτίου Αμερικής. Ένας άμεσος και θανάσιμος κίνδυνος, πολυπρόσωπος, πολυπλόκαμος σαν χταπόδι κάνει αργά αλλά σταθερά την εμφάνισή του στο προσκήνιο της παγκόσμιας ιστορίας. Σημερινός στοίχος είναι τα Βαλκάνια με κύριο σύμμαχο την «Μεγάλη Αλβανία», ξεκινώντας από το Κόσσοβο με συνεργάτες τους υπεύθυνους για μαζικές δολοφονίες U.C.K.Και σαν να μην έφταναν όλα αυτά, γεγονός πρωτοφανές για τη χώρα μας, μερικοί « επιστήμονες» επέλεξαν το αμφιθέατρο του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου για να αναπτύξουν δημόσια την υποστήριξή τους σε ένα βασικό αίτημα της « Μεγάλης Αλβανίας», την κατάκτηση της Ηπείρου έως την Πρέβεζα, με την δικαιολογία ότι ανήκε στην Αλβανική Τσαμουριά, από όπου τους έδιωξαν με εγκληματικές πράξεις οι έλληνες.Ασφαλώς πρόκειται για οργανωμένη προβοκάτσια των Η.Π.Α, ώστε να μελετηθούν οι δικές μας αντιδράσεις και να προπαρασκευαστεί ψυχολογικά η εδαφική επέκταση της Αλβανίας μετά το Κόσσοβο και σε ένα μεγάλο τμήμα των Αλβανοφώνων των Σκοπίων και ακολούθως και σε δικά μας εδάφη.Από την άλλη μεριά η σύμπλευση της Τουρκίας με τις Η.Π.Α στο Κόσσοβο, που έσπευσε πρώτη αυτή να το αναγνωρίσει, προετοιμάζει το έδαφος για πονηρά σχέδια σε βάρος της χώρας μας με βάση όχι μόνον το Αιγαίο και την Κύπρο, αλλά κα τη μουσουλμανική μειονότητα στη Θράκη, που ακολουθώντας το παράδειγμα του Κοσσόβου μπορεί να διεκδικήσει την δική της ανεξαρτησία.Η πολιτική ηγεσία των Σκοπίων φαίνεται ότι γνωρίζει από πρώτο χέρι τα σχέδια των Η.Π.Α και για αυτό δείχνει αυτή την αλαζονική αδιαλλαξία.Και πράγματι σε αυτή τη φάση συμπορεύονται με την πολιτική που εκθέσαμε. Όμως τι θα κάνουν όταν ξεκινήσει η επόμενη φάση, αυτής της φολοαλβανικής τακτικής, οπότε το κρατίδιό τους θα κοπεί στη μέση, γιατί θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν τόσο αυτοί, όσο και οι ΗΠΑ, ότι μπορούν να αυτοαποκαλούνται Μακεδόνες, όμως φυλετικά είναι Σλάβοι και ως εκ τούτου κατατάσσονται ουσιαστικά στη χωρία των εχθρών των ΗΠΑ μαζί με την Ρωσία, τη Σερβία αλλά κα τη Βουλγαρία που και αυτή δεν πρέπει να έχει αυταπάτες.Έτσι γυρίζοντας σε εμάς τους Έλληνες θα πρέπει να δούμε ότι η κατάσταση όντως εξελίσσεται όπως εξελίσσεται και είναι παραπάνω από τραγική δεδομένου ότι οι Αμερικανοί δεν πείθονται, όσες υποκλίσεις και αν κάνουν απέναντί τους οι ποικιλόμορφες αμερικανόφιλες ηγεσίες, και αυτό γιατί φοβούνται, μισούν τον λαό μας, για τον οποίο είναι βέβαιοι ότι στη μεγάλη του πλειοψηφία απορρίπτει τα φιλοπόλεμα σχέδιά τους, για αυτό θέλει να μας τιμωρήσει με κάθε τρόπο εκτός και αν αποφασίσουμε όλοι μαζί να γονατίσουμε και να φιλήσουμε τα πόδια τους κάνοντας όρκους ότι από δω και στο εξής θάμασε καλά παιδιά και πειθήνια όργανα στην όποια πολιτική τους.Όμως αφού το παιχνίδι είναι για μας έτσι και αλλιώς χαμένο, τότε ας πέσουμε με το κεφάλι ψηλά. Ας μην περιμένουμε βοήθεια από πουθενά. Ούτε έχουμε συμμάχους, είμαστε εμείς και εμείς, ας φροντίσουμε λοιπόν να είμαστε τουλάχιστον ωραίοι, περήφανοι και γιατί όχι χαρούμενοι, αφού θα έχουμε πάρει τη μεγάλη απόφαση να γίνουμε όλοι μαζί μια γροθιά ενωμένοι μπροστά στην προδοσία και την ασχήμια που χτυπάει την πόρτα μας.Γιατί είναι προδοσία η αναγνώριση του Κοσσόβου χωρίς την έγκριση της διεθνούς κοινότητας του ΟΗΕ, δηλαδή μιας επαρχίας που από αιώνες αποτελεί τμήμα της Σερβίας και τι θα νοιώθαμε εμείς αν μεθαύριο έπαιρναν με το έτσι θέλω τη μισή Κύπρο , την Θράκη ή την Ήπειρο;Όπως είναι ασχήμια να ανεχόμαστε να μας περιφρονούν και να μας εξυβρίζουν οχυρωμένοι κάτω από τα σκέλια των Αμερικανών οι Σκοπιανοί και εμείς να τους παρακαλάμε και να ζητάμε μεσολάβηση των Αμερικανών, χάνοντας κάθε μέρα όλο και πιο πολύ την αξιοπρέπειά μας και την υπερηφάνειά μας.Ας κλείσουμε τα σύνορα, ας σταματήσουμε τις οικονομικές και διπλωματικές μας σχέσεις και ας τους αφήσουμε να αυτοαποκαλούνται όπως θέλουν, κοροϊδεύοντας τους εαυτούς τους.Οφείλουμε να περάσουμε και από αυτή τη νέα δοκιμασία με το κεφάλι ψηλά. Μπορεί να υποφέρουμε, όμως το ζητούμενο για μας είναι να παραμείνουμε Έλληνες και θα παραμείνουμε Έλληνες αν δεν ξεχνάμε από πόσες δοκιμασίες περάσαμε ως τώρα, όμως στο τέλος πάντα βγήκαμε νικητές.Το ίδιο θα συμβεί και στο μέλλον.Μίκης ΘεοδωράκηςΑθήνα, 23/2/2008

http://youtube.com/watch?v=icIXMhOq1io"

PUTIN PLAIN TO "DOMINO EFFECT" IN EUROPE AND BALKAN, AFTER THE PROCLAMATION OF KOSOVO INDIPENDENCE

Elefterotipia Newspaper Greece

http://www.enet.gr/online/dspphoto?id=212861

CHAMERIA, INSIDE NGO DEBATE ON GREEK TV CHANNEL IN ATHENS

Athina, 22.2.2008

Υπέρ των ισχυρισμών των Τσάμηδων τάσσονται Έλληνες ιστορικοί

«Άναψαν τα αίματα» σε παρουσίαση μελέτης ιστορικών του Κέντρου Ερευνών Μειονοτικών Ομάδων για τους Τσάμηδες στο Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο. Το ακροατήριο που αποτελείτο από φοιτητές και ιστορικούς μέχρι βορειοηπειρώτες και μέλη της «Χρυσής Αυγής», αντέδρασε έντονα, όταν οι επιστήμονες υποστήριξαν ότι οι Τσάμηδες στην Ήπειρο υπήρξαν θύματα του Ελληνικού στοιχείου, κάνοντας λόγο για 50.000 Τσάμηδες, ανάμεσα στους οποίους πολλοί εκδιώχθηκαν, δολοφονήθηκαν ή δημεύθηκαν οι περιουσίες τους.

Ένα τμήμα του κοινού άρχισε να αποδοκιμάζει έντονα στο άκουσμα ότι 75 Τσάμηδες εκτελέστηκαν στην Παραμυθιά από τους Έλληνες. Κάποιοι από το κοινό αντέτειναν ότι αποδεδειγμένα Τσάμηδες συνεργάστηκαν με τις κατοχικές Γερμανικές δυνάμεις, οδηγώντας στον θάνατο εκατοντάδες Έλληνες και βορειοηπειρώτες. Από την έρευνα τους οι καθηγητές του Κέντρου Μειονοτικών Ομάδων συμπεραίνουν, ότι οι περιουσίες των Αλβανόφωνων στη Θεσπρωτία δόθηκαν στους Έλληνες πρόσφυγες την διετία 1923-1925, προκαλώντας έντονες αποδοκιμασίες.

Ένας από τους ιστορικούς που μετείχαν στη συζήτηση, υποστήριξε ότι οι Έλληνες της Βορείου Ηπείρου συμμάχησαν με τους Γερμανούς και ακολούθησε πανδαιμόνιο.
Την ίδια ώρα, Αλβανοί εθνικιστές προβάλουν στο internet μαρτυρίες ανθρώπων, που ισχυρίζονται ότι είναι Τσάμηδες και ότι υπέστησαν διωγμούς και σφαγές από τους Έλληνες. Οι Έλληνες απαντούν αναρτώντας στο internet τα ονόματα των εκτελεσθέντων συμπατριωτών τους κατά τη διάρκεια της κατοχής, υποστηρίζοντας ότι αυτό έγινε από τους Τσάμηδες συνεργάτες των Γερμανών.

Παρουσιάζουν μάλιστα φωτογραφία-ντοκουμέντο με έναν Τσάμη αξιωματικό να φορά τη ναζιστική στολή. Η συζήτηση έγινε για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα, σημειώνουν οι μελετητές του Κέντρου Ερευνών Μειονοτικών Ομάδων, για να προσφέρει υλικό για αυτοκριτική σκέψη. Το ερώτημα όμως που προκύπτει είναι όντως προσέφερε υλικό ή άνοιξε μια ακόμα πληγή στο ματωμένο κορμί της Ηπείρου.

http://www.alphatv.gr/index.asp?a_id=90&news_id=28322

Greece renews threat to veto Macedonia's NATO entry unless name dispute resolved

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece's prime minister renewed a threat Friday to veto Macedonia's bid to join NATO unless the nations can resolve their dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name.Greece argues the name «Macedonia» implies a territorial claim to a region in northern Greece with the same name. Macedonia denies the claim.«If there

is no solution, there will be no place for the neighboring country in NATO,» Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told parliament.The warning came hours before senior diplomats from Greece and Macedonia were due to meet in New York with a special United Nations envoy, Matthew Nimetz, who is trying to broker a deal.«I appeal to the leadership of the neighboring country ... to work toward a solution that will benefit the stability, peace, and development in the region,» Karamanlis said.

«They are not well served by insisting on a historically false rationale and by displaying intransigence.Macedonia is hoping to be invited to join NATO in April. But Athens says it will block the its entry without a settlement.NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will visit Athens Monday to discuss the dispute.

MEETINGS OF PAN EPIRIOTIC FEDERATION OF USA WITH CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS IN WASHINGTON D.C..

THE NEWSPAPER "ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ" OF GREEK DIASPORA IN BOSTON PRESENTS A LARGE REPORTAGE ABOUT THE VISIT OF GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER DORA BAKOGIANI WITH REPRESENTS OF PAN EPIROTIC FEDERATION OF USA.

AGAIN NORTHERN EPIRUS IN AGENDA OF STATE DEPARTAMENT

Daily Press BriefingSean McCormack, SpokesmanWashington, DCFebruary 19, 2008

QUESTION: Mr. McCormack, why I was excluded from the yesterday’s conference call of Under Secretary Nicholas Burns? Is there any particular reason I received as yet nothing (inaudible) telephone call? It was on Kosovo. I’m wondering why this discrimination against the freedom of the press. I strongly protest and I demand an explanation.

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, protest noted. I don’t know if you got the e-mail or not. It was open to.

QUESTION: Nothing. Nothing. I received everything but this one.

MR. MCCORMACK: -- all the members of the press. I’ll have somebody follow up for you. It should have gone out to all members of our press corps that sign up for it. I – and I won’t ask for a show of hands in this room.

QUESTION: (Inaudible) indicated Albanians could never appear in any press briefing.

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, you know, like I said, we’ll have somebody follow up with you, Lambros.

QUESTION: I would like know if it was set up or how difficult it made the whole thing.

MR. MCCORMACK: Lambros, do you really think that this is the proper forum to get into housekeeping matters? Maybe we’ll have somebody to follow up with you afterwards.

QUESTION: Okay. On Kosovo, with the same token of your policy on Kosovo, do the Greeks in Northern Epirus have the same rights of self-determination like the Albanians in the Serbian territory of Kosovo? The (inaudible) of the Republic of Northern Epirus, Mr. McCormack, you know very well is pending since 1913 to the present with a signature to the United States of America. Your comment, please, in order to understand the double standard of U.S. policy.

MR. MCCORMACK: Lambros, you know well that the issue regarding Kosovo, in our view, is sui generis. It had absolutely no other impact on any other situation around the globe. It does not serve as precedent for any other situation.
Nicholas.

QUESTION: Still on Kosovo. Nick Burns yesterday talked about the NATO force and sort of mentioned some of its future responsibilities in training the Kosovars themselves to get ready to take over there on security. Can you tell us if NATO or you have more specific ideas about the force in terms of their daily duties now in terms of a timetable for potential withdrawal?

MR. MCCORMACK: I don’t. I’ll check with our folks to see what they have in mind, what they – what is their reasonable projection. There is – there’s a provision within the Ahtisaari plan and it’s something that the Kosovars signed onto that there would be this period of supervision or assistance as they stand up the institutions of a democratic state. I don’t know exactly what the timetable is for you. It’s a good question. I’ll see if people have been working on that.

QUESTION: And I’m asking partly because there was some violence today by some Serbs and, apparently, the Kosovar police just fled their posts. And so I guess the question is: Is the NATO force going to engage in trying to calm down situations like this or are they just going to be there purely for training?

MR. MCCORMACK: Well, no. The KFOR – KFOR has certainly responsibilities in terms of protecting populations and that is on both sides, both Kosovars as well as –
QUESTION: (Inaudible) change?

U.S. recognizes independent Kosovo

CNN) -- The United States officially recognized Kosovo -- the Balkan state which split from Serbia on Sunday -- as an independent nation on Monday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a written statement.

Kosovo Serbs wave flags in a protest against independence in the Serb-dominated Kosovo town of Mitrovica. "We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion," Rice said. "President Bush has responded affirmatively to a request from Kosovo to establish diplomatic relations between our two countries."
European Union nations Monday were also starting to individually recognize Kosovo as the world's newest nation -- but had not agreed collectively on the way forward.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Britain will now formally recognize Kosovo as an independent sovereign state."

France said it would recognize Kosovo, and is in the process of confirming that in writing. Germany indicated its support would come. But other EU nations including Greece, Spain and Romania have signaled that they would not follow suit amid concerns about the precedent that such a move would set. Spain -- where militants wanting a separate Basque nation have carried out a 30-year campaign of violence -- said it did not consider Kosovo's independence to be lawful.

Two pro-Russian separatist provinces in Georgia -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- were looking to use Kosovo's move to help them declare their own independence.
But the U.S. and EU say that Kosovo's move is not the precursor for a wave of declarations of independence.

Rice said: "The unusual combination of factors found in the Kosovo situation -- including the context of Yugoslavia's breakup, the history of ethnic cleansing and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, and the extended period of U.N. administration -- are not found elsewhere and therefore make Kosovo a special case. Kosovo cannot be seen as a precedent for any other situation in the world today."

Facing severe economic problems and high unemployment, Kosovo is banking on the support of Western powers including the United States and key EU nations. But while independence is broadly favored by the West, U.N. Security Council members Russia and China have expressed outright opposition and "grave concern" over Kosovo's unilateral decision.
Serbia insists it will not respond with violence to Kosovo's sovereignty claim, although it refuses to recognize the move.

In the Serb-dominated northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, scores of Kosovo Serbs took to the streets waving Serbian flags in a demonstration against independence.

ANYVERSARY OF NORTHERN EPIRUS AUTHONOMUS PROVINCE 1914 IN ATHENS

Athens, February 17, 2008

Αθηνών εορτάστηκε σήμερα 17 Φεβρουαρίου 2008, η 94η Επέτειος Αυτονομίας της Β.Ηπείρου

Παρ’ όλες τις δύσκολες καιρικές συνθήκες, αρκετοί ήταν οι Βορειοηπειρώτες και οι φίλοι του Βορειοηπειρωτικού Αγώνα οι οποίοι παρευρέθησαν στην εκδήλωση μνήμης του Αυτονομιακού Αγώνα του 1914.

Μεταξύ αυτών στη εκδήλωση έλαβαν μέρος βουλευτές διαφόρων κομμάτων, πολιτευτές, εκπρόσωπος του Δήμου Αθηναίων, εκπρόσωπος του Δικηγορικού Συλλόγου Αθηνών καθώς και εκπρόσωποι Βορειοηπειρωτικών Συλλόγων.

Μετά το πέρας της Δοξολογίας, ακολούθησε ομιλία του Προέδρου του Βορειοηπειρωτικού Συλλόγου κ. Χαράλαμπου Καραθάνου ο οποίος αναφέρθηκε στο χρονικό του Αυτονομιακού Αγώνα , καθώς και στις υποχρεώσεις που απορρέουν από τον Αγώνα αυτό, τις οποίες καλείται να αναλάβει η νέα γενιά.

http://www.greekamericannewsagency.com/gana/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2626&Itemid=83

The Greek American News Agency special report about escalation in Balkan Region.

Πιστεύετε ότι παράλληλα με το Κόσσοβο,
πρέπει να ανακηρυχθεί και η
ΑΝΕΞΑΡΤΗΣΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΡΕΙΟΥ ΗΠΕΙΡΟΥ;
ΝΑΙ ή ΟΧΙ

ΨΗΦΙΣΤΕ ΕΔΩ
και γράψτε την ιστορία!

http://www.noiazomai.net/

NATO peacekeepers on alert as Kosovo breaks away

Euronews

Ready to react should tension spill over into violence, NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo are on a state of alert.Security has been stepped up, not least in the ethnically-divided, flashpoint town of Mitrovica.

KFOR's commander Lieutenant-General Xavier de Marnhac said his troops "will react and oppose any provocation that may happen during these days, whether from the Albanian or the Serb side."

Serbs vow never to give up Kosovo, and, as the clock ticked away to today's independence declaration, protesters gathered in Belgrade.Steeped in history and the site of dozens of centuries-old Orthodox monasteries, Kosovo is considered a religious heartland by many Serbs.

Newspaper advertisements called for more demonstrations against what was dubbed this "punishment and humiliation." But, despite the strength of feeling and the backing of Russia, Serbia can now do nothing to stop independence or Kosovo's recognition by the West.

OMONIA, THE GREEK MINORITY TO BE TRANSFORMED INSIDE TO THE NORTHERN EPIRUS ISSUES

Athens, February 10, 2008

Photo, Reuters: The Greek Parliament Masoleum.

The Foreign V/Minister of Greece Theodoros Kassimis, met with “Omonia” delegation (The represent of Greek ethnic minority in Albania) as the first official contact of Athens with Greeks of Albania for challengers in Balkan Region. During the meeting Kassimis expressed the decision of Athens, Foreign Ministry and Greek Government to reorganize the Greek minority from “Omonia” to a large representation of all the peoples who are included inside Hellenic heritage in Northern Epirus Territory (Southern Albania).

The meting was organized by Foreign Minister Dora Bakogiani, in occasion of measures which obligate Athens to take in high consideration any escalation of Balkan Stability after self declaration of Kosovo Independence.

Kassimis said to be closed the époque of “Omonia” which since 1991 has been represent of Greek Minority of Albania, even “Omonia” has not part of politic pluralism of Albania, prohibiting by Albanian parliament to represent as politic party of Greek minority, considering the politic and civil rights of Greeks in Albania failed. Also the Albanian government never has realized a general population counting to be known officially since 1991 under the democratic individual declaration of the Greek minority who live in Albania an exactly number registered

However, “Omonia” is going to change the politic profile as the heard of Hellenic heritage, seeing for the big challengers in Southern Balkan Region with the self declaration of Independence of Kosovo. The territory when live the Greeks are the beautiful nature of dozens of Byzantine Churches and the oldest Hellenic culture even the people most part is emigrated in Greece and USA. Omnonia has been represented in Albanian parliament inside HRUP an Albanian Politic Party which has represented the minorities’ and ethnic group’s electorate in Albania.

Actually, the Pan Epiriotic Association of America which historically has played big international role for Northern Epirus Issue particularly for the friendly ship relations with State Department for the rights of Northern Epirus people has called Albania to respect the rights of Greeks in Albania. During 1994, when the relations between Athens and Tirana where in critic faze, the President of US Bill Clinton, urged a diplomatic mission the Ambassador Sheffer to go Tirana to liberate 5 members of Omonia, denied as “politic prisoner” of Albanian tribunals and the authoritarian system headed by ex President Sali Berisha. In 1995 the Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of the House Represent of US Tom Lantos, visited together the represent of PAOKA the Southern Albania to be known in reality the critic situation of the human rights of Greeks in Albania.

The pressing of Washington continued with European Commission wich makes VETO by the Greeck decision , blocking the Aids for Albania.

The totalitarian system guided by ex president Berisha, brings the anarchy to the Albanian Civil War of 1997, after the Pyramids schemes collapse which had transformed the country. “Omonia”, continued to be the epicenter of friendly agreements between Albanian and Greece. But since 1997 exactly 10 years, “Omonia” has lost the historically identity of Hellenic heritage transformed as a NGO of Albanian making “never democratic elections” inside the Greek minority. Now is the time to be reflected may be to transform inside to the Northern Epirus issue as long as the Northern Epirus people, must want more, firstly to have the politic and civil rights in their territory………….

IMPORTANT MEETING OF GREEK PRIME MINISTER WITH ARCHBISHOP OF ALBANIA ANASTASIOS

Photo: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, centre, is shown with officials of the ethnic Greek villages of Dermisi and Aliko, both in the Gjirokastr district of southern Albania, during a tour of the region in January 1999. Karamanlis, who was the main opposition leader at the time, was on a hand for the ground-breaking of a new aqueduct. Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios is also shown standing to the right of Karamanlis. ANA-MPA photo / A. Voutos.

The Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamalis met Monday, February 10, with Archbishop of Albania Anastasios at “Great Maximus” in Athens. During the meeting Karamalis – Anastasios which spent tow hours, they spoken about the Orthodox Church and the Northern Epirus people seeing the big politic changes in South Western Balkan Region, says a report of Greek Public Television NET.

During his visit in Athens, Archbishop Anastasisos met also with leader of Opposition Papandreu and the Head of Parliament Shufias.

The Greek Orthodox Churches in Southern Albania when lives a large Greek ethnic community is passing a dangerous period of destructing and vandalizing many of Byzantine Churches. One week ago the necropolis of antic center of Apolonia was destructed while in Korista Region the cemetery of Byzantine church of Mborie, has been attacked by vandals.

Chronology, the International Court of Justice 1935

Photo: The first page document decision of the International Court of Justice addressed Albania, by The League of the Nations in 1935 for the Rights of Greek Minority.

Albania has been penalized by the International Court of Justice for the Greek schools in Northern Epirus Autonomous Province in 1935 which has been closed by Albanian authorities. The original document tells clear the obligations of Albania for the rights of minorities. The Protocol of Corfu May 5, 1914, gives a large autonomy of Northern Epirus Province in Southern Albania.

Actually, the Albanian authority continues to not recognize The Protocol of Corfu since 1940. The agreement witch was signed by Greece, Albania and the Great Powers recognizing Northern Epirus' Greek character and accept its autonomy. The religious, linguistic and educational rights of its population, military, courts and greek institutions are established.

GREEK REPRESENT ACCUSES ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO PENALISE GREEK BUSSINES

Photo: The Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha

Evangelos Tavos, the Greek Parliamentary Represent of Socialist Party, accuses today the Albanian government for disaster measures against Greek business and investments installed in Albania. Tavos wars financial authorities which make penalty to Greek economy particularly in Southern Albania when live the hard of Greek ethnic community.

Tavos also calls all the Greek business member of minority to protest against authorities which only last tow weeks are intensified penalties to the business.

Southern Albania community and Greek business are together the most important of public funds of Albanian economy. But the Albanian government wants to take funds to replace the finances of the “Patriotic Investment Tirana Pristina High Way” penalizing economy and private initiatives of Albanian citizens.

The Greek investments size about 650 million euro since 1999 and Greece is first country which has the most investments in Albania particularly to the fields of mobile telephony, banks, agricultural economy and industry.

See video:

http://www.balkanweb.com/sitev4/newsadmin/video1.php?id=15907