ALBANIAN AMMUNITION SCANDAL

Daily Press BriefingTom Casey,

Deputy SpokesmanWashington,

DCJune 24, 2008

Yeah, Mr. Lambros, go ahead.

QUESTION: Why your Ambassador to Albania then endorse a plan by the Albanian Minister of Defense to hide several boxes of Chinese ammunition?

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I believe that we have just gone through saying that we have no reason to believe that that, in fact, occurred and that we are going to ensure that there is a transparent investigation by our IG to verify the facts and make sure that both Ambassador Withers, as well as Chairman Waxman, have a full and complete review done of this matter, so that there will be no questions about it. But certainly, I have no reason to believe that that, in fact, occurred.

more: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2008/jun/106226.htm

U.S. envoy to Albania linked to cover-up of Afghan arms deal

By Eric Schmitt
Published: June 24, 2008

WASHINGTON: A U.S. ambassador helped cover up the illegal Chinese origins of ammunition the Pentagon bought to supply Afghan security forces, according to testimony gathered by congressional investigators.
A military attaché has told the investigators that the U.S. ambassador to Albania endorsed a plan by the Albanian defense minister to hide several boxes of Chinese ammunition from a visiting reporter.

more:http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/24/europe/arms.php

Berisha-Thaci: No merging between Kosovo and Albania, but in Vlora he expresed his common sentiments for unification.

There will be no unification of Albania and Kosovo, said the prime ministers of the two countries Sali Berisha and Hashim Thaci. "Albanians have never been so close and stabile like they are now," Kosovo's PM Thaci said, adding that he is against shifting of borders, but supports regional integration.

The two prime ministers said that they would not allow any partition of Kosovo, either on ethnic or territorial basis."Kosovo is an independent, sovereign and indivisible state. There will be no enclaves, but the free movement of citizens on the entire territory will be ensured," Thaci said.

Albanian PM Sali Berisha added that Kosovo is an independent state and as such, its sovereignity must be respected. The two premiers signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will serve as a basis for signing of the future agreements between Pristina and Tirana.

Annyway Hashim Thaci was welcomed in Vlora town, the South West strategic Point of Albania on Adriatic Sea, founded by the greeks with old name Avlona. He honored"as "Vloras`Honor citizen"by the Municipality Counsil suported strognly by member of SP,DP, LSI and BDI (the chameria political represents). During a Solemn Meeting, he expresed common sentiments with Kosovo and People of Vlora as important national eveniments to the albanian and Kosovo proclamation for Indipendentes.

The Human Rights of Greeks in Albania

Daily Press Briefing Gonzalo R. Gallegos, Director, Office of Press Relations Washington, DC June 16, 2008 .......

Yes, Mr. Lambros.

QUESTION: On Northern Epirus. Congressman Gus Bilirakis has written Secretary Rice about continuing Albanian treatment against the Greeks in Northern Epirus and urging the Administration to press Tirana to respect the basic rights they are entitled under international agreements. I’m wondering if Secretary Rice is concerned about that since Sali Berisha Government most recently systematically attacks the Greeks in Himara of Northern Epirus?

MR. GALLEGOS: Well, I think in terms of communications, congressional communications, I’m sure that we – I haven’t seen whether or not we have received that or not. But I can assure you that it will be appropriately addressed and an appropriate response will be given.

more: http://video.state.gov/?fr_story=c550409074846a87983bf18e7a22f12164a0b4ae

Albania sacks top general for "Gerdeci Blast"

Tirana, Albania - Albanian President Bamir Topi sacked the country's top general Luan Hoxha on Monday, three months after negligence led to a huge blast in a military munitions depot and killed at least 25 people.

The blast occurred on March 15 during the cleaning of an old, Communist-era depot at Gerdec, on the outskirts of Tirana. The explosion of thousands of tons of decades-old ordnance turned the compound into a 100-metres wide crater. More than 300 people were injured in the blast, which was registered by Mediterranean seismographs.

Topi also sacked the commander of the military support unit at Gerdec, General Zija Bahja, while Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu and another general, Shpetim Spahiu, resigned in the wake of the blast. Initial reports indicated that the blast was casued by negligence during the clean-out operation at the depot, one of many Albania has to empty in a bid to become a NATO member.

THE BALKANIZATION OF GREECE: THE UNFOLDING PROCESS

Nikolaos A. Stavrou

(Professor of International Affairs (Emeritus) at Howard University)
Copyright: Nikolaos A. Stavrou on line

A dangerous illusion shapes Greek foreign policy in the era of post-Balkanization of the Balkans. It is the illusion of unsustainable self-importance displayed by the chief Greek foreign policy maker when in fact her role resembles that of a classic tap dancer, performing a choreographed task for the amusement of a pre-selected audience. Like classic Harlem tap dancers, the rhythm and intensity of performance are determined by the duration and intensity of the applause. Thus at the conclusion of the most recent appearance in Washington the Greek foreign minister seemed ready to trade the dignity of the Serbian nation and the honor of Greece in pursuit of resolution of what has been known as a "name issue".

The latest deal obligates Greece to "help sell the Kosovo" bitter pill to a demoralized Serbian nation in return for an acceptable substitute for FYROM. Such deals set in motion dangerous precedents and ominous implications for Greek interests and national security. A successful linkage of the Kosovo-FYROM issues, achieved by the chief handler of Greek officials in Washington, Nicholas Burns, leaves Greece vulnerable to future Balkanization; make no mistake about it.

more: http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=602&Itemid=66

Continues the pressing to Tirana by the Greek American Lobby for the rights of the Greek Minority in Albania.

THE CONGRESSMAN GUS M. BILIRAKIS SEND LETTER TO STATE DEPARTAMENT SECRETARY CONDOLESA RICE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA.

On the letter to US Secretary Rice, the Congressman Bilirakis as the Co Chair of the Greek American Hellenic Affairs, expressed his concern about the violation of the basic human rights in which the Albanian authorities do not respect the International Agreements.

Refereeing the ant Hellenism rhetoric used to the leaders of Greek Community by Albanian authorities particularly the Case of Himara`s Mayor Vassilis Bollanos, the Congressman Bilirakis calls the State Department to observe strongly the developments between Greek Albanian relations regarding the Greek Ethnic Minority for some issues that the Albanian authorities do not respect.

One week ago the World Council of Pan Epirotic Federation in Washington urges to the Albanian Government and his PM Berisha to respect the agreements for the human rights to the Greek Ethnic Minority.

650 missille bought by China in 1996 menace Tirana

The newspaper "Agon" urges for new "Gerdeci Blast" after the albanian military experts have rejected the ordain of DM Gazment Oketa to demontate missiles bought by Berisha in 1996, all Cinese productions.

According to "Agon" there are 250 air missiles and other 400 counter antitank missiles bought to the 6 milion $ in 1996, when in Balkan Region was agreed the "Deyton Peace Agreement"

The ammunition process of arsenal army after collapse “Civil War of 1997” in Albania, has periodically critiqued by Pentagon and NATO particularly after Berisha wined for the second time the politic elections in 2005. The Albanian Defenses Ministry has made export after demilitarized its arsenal of munitions in territory with about 120 thousand tone distributed to the 28 military bases considered very dangerous for population who live near of deposites. Acctualy inside albanian deposites are about 90 thousand tone munition.

One of important issue that accused Albanian PM Berisha and former DM, Mediu about “Gerdeci Case” is the contraband of Albanian munitions which are inquiring by Foreign Military Secret Services including NATO. Pentagon has requested general inquiring for Albanian corruption to the Army and General Attorney has opened penal process to the high governor represents.

The Albanian Ombudsman calls the Government to take extreme measures for about 26 munition bases which menace the population around military territories. The deposits when are put the missiles according to “Agon” there are 15 km out of Tirana and could explode again if the Defense Ministry does not react noted the newspaper..

THE McCAIN, CLINTON OR OBAMA BALKAN LINE?

Elisabeth Maragoula(European Union Affairs Editor)
Copyright: http://www.neurope.eu/

Which presidential hopeful will best lead the US into a new era will not necessarily be the best for its foreign policy in the Balkans. The US has maintained hegemonic policy in the Balkans throughout the 1990’s, fueling turmoil, and just recently supported another break-up in the region - Kosovo’s independence. Conservative Republican John McCain and Democratic heavyweight Hillary Rodham Clinton, both with a track record in US foreign policy, would likely continue the same policy, while, newcomer and Democratic candidate Barack Obama could likely be more questioning.

more: http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=613&Itemid=66

THE ECONOMIC PROJECT OF UNIFICATION OF “GREATER ALBANIA”

The newspaper “Korrieri” today edits a head article under the title “The Economic Project of Unification of Greater Albania”. The Newspaper underlines the economic commons legislative strategy to unit the economy both in Albania and Kosovo, to make common investments between Albanian industrialists and companies that operate between tow independent countries, as the first step to be virtually the politically unification of Greater Albania.

Just is the time that the borders of Albania and Kosovo are “inexistent” and the idea to unification after a decision next July by Pristina to naturalize the Albanians of Kosovo with Tirana as Albanian giving citizenship is the last barrier for unification of Albanian nationalist aspiration.

The economic project is claiming by the head of Albanian Industrialist Confederate Gjergj Buxhuku who declares for “Korrieri” the strategy which is waiting to approve by Albanian Parliament.

Since 2006, the Kosovo citizens are free to pass Albanian borders without taxes including vehicles, when most o them have Albanian passport. According to Albanian legislation, every Kosovo Albanian citizen could have Albanian citizen if studies in Albanian University or possesses a private activity.

Last month, a new Nationalist Party in Kosovo claimed to hold referendum for unification of Albanian lands including Kosovo and Western part of FYROM. According to Albanian Political Annalist Koco Danaj “The Natural Albania is more possible to create son as possible than to make the Independence of Kosovo, because the Albanians are more solid to organize the self referendums where live in their lands in five countries of Balkan Region which has not any cost by International Community”.

“PM SALI BERISHA WANTS TO CONTROL SUPREME COURT OF ALBANIA”

The Socialist Party Newspaper “ZERI I POPULLIT” appeals the International Community to observe the Legislative and Constitutional systems in Albania, after strong pressing used by Prime Minister Sali Berisha to opposite the President candidatures to the Supreme Court of Albania.

Albania to the crucial Constitutional interference from the totalitarian system installed by PM Berisha, who having in control General Attorney and Juridical System, wants full control to the President immunity to the Supreme Court of Albania.

more in Albanian: http://www.zeripopullit.com/

PM receives George & Barbara Bush

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and his wife Natasa Karamanlis on Wednesday received former US president George Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush at the Maximos Mansion government house in Athens, as Greece's prime ministerial couple hosted a luncheon for the parents of the current US president.

George and Barbara Bush vacation in Greece on almost an annual basis, usually as guests aboard a private luxury cruiseship owned by the Latsis shipping family. In the past, several Bush grandchildren have joined their grandparents in Greece for a summer holiday in the east Mediterranean country.

No official information was given on the itinerary of this year's cruise, although in past years the former US first couple visited several islands in both the Aegean and Ionian.

ALBANIA SOLD ILLEGAL WEAPONS TO CHAD

Photo: "Albania in NATO", the sllogan of PM Berisha

The Albanian Opposite calls the General Persecutor to be more transparent about the “Gerdeci Case” after Pentagon Official decelerate on VOA by the V/Under Secretary Daniel Feita about the trafficking of weapons of Albanian.

The newspapers “Korrieri” and “Shqip” accuse the Albanian Government which is implicated for “Gerdeci Case” selling weapons “under illegal way” to the problematic countries such as Chad, to anonymous “groups or persons” that they are on the “black list countries” of USA and NATO.

“Korrieri” accuses also the General Persecutor for the indifference to inquire the responsibility of government for the “trafficking weapons” by MEICO ((Military Export Import Company)) and other persons linked with weapons contraband by the Albanian Munitions Deposits.

According to information, “Gerdeci Case” a massive explosion when on March 15, 2008, died 26 and inured 400 persons, is more an Albanian inter problem, while NATO and Pentagon are very preoccupied for the trafficking of Albanian munitions and weapons from deposits of Albanian Army.

On an interview to the Italian newspaper “Corriere Dela Sera” the Prime Minister Sali Berisha accepts the weapons contraband made by Albania since the Yugoslavia conflict of 1992 and now. Berisha who continues to have control on the General Persecutor is defending the ex Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu to have the Parliamentary Immunity, after the request of Attorney Office to be taken as penal procession for “Gerdeci Case”.

From other side, PM Berisha has begun the politic campaign in Albania under the slogans “Albania in NATO”. Is not clear if the tour of Berisha who propagands the Joint Albania in NATO as “successful” of his personally efforts and the government or is wanting to justify the instability of economic reforms, corruption, organized crime and the trafficking weapons that Albania must to take in analyze by NATO meeting as candidate membership on July 9, 2008.


Even the Albanian government continues to accusing for selling weapons to Chad, the Parliament approved to send Military Mission in Chad, the last paradox of the country which aspirates to joint to the NATO alliance in the end of 2009.

Exchange of fire outside the home of Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci

Pristina: Unknown armed attempted to penetrate yesterday evening in the home of Prime Minister of Kosovo, Chasim Thatsi. Followed by an exchange of fire with bodyguards and escaped unknown, but one of them believed to be injured.

The security department of Thatsi, who was not present at that time at home, he saw the would-be attackers when they reached the second floor balcony. The incident occurred at midnight, Greek time, the district Armperia Pristina. At home were the wife and his son Thatsi.

Papandreou to French leader: "Kosovo, no peace contribut in the region"

ANA: Main opposition PASOK leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou conveyed a letter to visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday, in which he expresses his concerns over current developments in the western Balkans. Papandreou addressed his letter to the French president in view of France's assumption, next month, of the six-month European Union rotating presidency.

The Greek political leader said, in his letter, that whatever solutions "are to be given to the region's problems they should not reproduce new tensions and nationalistic practices." Papandreou also notes in his letter that the "unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and its recognition by some EU member-states in violation of the principles of International Law and UN Security Council's resolutions and without a previous decision by the EU's 27 member-states, does not contribute to the region's stability."

more: http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6510040&maindocimg=6348990&service=10

ALABANIAN MEDIA ABOUT THE PAN EPIROTIC RESOLUTE

The newspaper "Gazeta Shqiptare" writes under the titlle; Nicholas Gage suports Bollano, "Berisha has not changed"

Tow pages has been signed in the newspaper to the head of Pan Epiriotic Federation of the World Nicholas Gage (Gatzogianis) and his old realtions with Albanian State since 1991.

In the center of the comment is very cleare a declaration of the Pan Epirotic Federation of America and the World, to take in consideration the total suport for the Mayor of Himara and the leader of Greek Minority Vassilis Bollano by albanian PM Sali Berisha "who continues to be still not changed to persecute the greek leaders of Greek Minority of Albania".

"Gazeta Shqiptare" known as strong atni hellenist rethoric regarding the greek albanian relations, writes particularly for last incidents with Mayor Bollano and Argjirokaster Prefect Ksera calling the albanian parliament to the penal procedure against tow greek leaders.

The newspaper analise also writes for the relations between Berisha and Nick Gage during a visit of PAOKA leader Gage with PM Sali Berisha in 2006 and the promeses of Berisha for General Popullation Counting in Albania.

more in albanian: http://www.balkanweb.com/

Cypriot Foreign Minister visiting Albania

6 June 2008 17:08 FOCUS News Agency

Tirana. ‘Cyprus opposes the independence of Kosovo and will not recognize independent Kosovo’, the Albanian news source, citing the Foreign Minister of Cyprus Markos Cyprianou, who is visiting Tirana.

During a meeting with the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lulzim Pasa, Cyprianou said that on this issue the Government of Cyprus cannot have the same opinion as the Albanian government.

WORLD COUNCIL OF EPIROTES ABROAD

PRESS RELEASE

EPIROTES UNITE IN CONDEMNING ALBANIA FOR TRYING TO JAIL ETHNIC GREEK LEADER

Photo: NICK GAGE, THE PRESIDENT OF WORLD COUNCIL OF EPIROTES ABROAD

The Panepirotic Federation of America, the World Council of Epirotes Abroad, and the Panepirotic Federation of Europe denounced the Albanian government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha for indicting Vasilios Bolanos, the mayor of Chimara in Northern Epiros, for removing road signs in his region that did not identify areas in Greek as well as Albanian.

Prosecutors filed charges against Bolanos on May 28 accusing him of abuse of power for removing signs last December that were not bilingual, Mr. Bolanos, who is also president of Omonia, the human rights organization that represents the ethnic Greek minority in the country, removed the signs saying that they should have been in Greek as well as Albanian.
“Indicting Vasilios Bolanos now that he has been elected president of Omonia for actions that occurred last year is a blatant effort to intimidate him not to protest too loudly about continued abuse of the Greek minority by Albanian authorities,” said Fotios Galitsis, president of the Panepirotic Federation of America.

“The flimsy charges against the Mayor are not worthy of a country that wants to join the European Union,” said Chrysostomos Dimou, president of the Panepirotic Federation of Europe. He noted that all countries in Europe except Albania have signed a Council of Europe agreement that calls for bilingual signs in areas where ethnic groups in a country are concentrated.

“Albania has been promising since 1991 to sign the agreement but has yet to do it, which shows clearly that Albania refuses to grant rights to its minorities that are common in all democratic countries,” said author Nicholas Gage, president of the World Council of Epirotes Abroad, which unites Epirot communities throughout the world.

The Albanian government’s own State Committee on Minorities has repeatedly urged Prime Minister Sali Berisha to sign the agreement, but he has refused to do it so far, according to Menelaos Tzelios, head of the political action committee of the Panepirotic Federation of America. Mr. Berisha was president of Albania in 1994 when he ordered the arrest of five leaders of Omonia on false charges of espionage. They were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms but were released after 10 months as a result of an international outcry against the injustice.

Mr. Berisha’s relentless efforts to persecute the Omonia leaders on patently false charges ultimately undermined his international standing, especially in Washington, and he fell from power in 1997. He moderated his stance, declaring that Albania’s minorities were an asset for the country, and his party won the 2005 elections, returning him to power.

“The attempt to persecute Bolanos now on such bogus charges, coupled with his refusal to sign the Council of Europe agreement, shows that Berisha has not learned as much from his past mistakes as he should,” Mr. Galitsis said. “Washington, Europe and the rest of the world should take notice and we will do everything we can to make sure they do,” Mr. Gage declared .

Mr. Dimou, who is the WCEA vice president, said all major Epirote organizations have sent Mr. Bolanos pledges of support and were coordinating efforts to reverse the injustice against him.
Mr. Tzelios said the Epirote leaders met in New York last Sunday to forge a common strategy on the Bolanos persecution and to finalize plans for the first convention of the World Council of Epirotes Abroad to be held in Ioannina, the capitol of Epiros, from July 24 to 27. The group was formed by Epirote groups in all five continents in 2006.

2 June 2008

For more information contact: Menelaos G. Tzelios

11-25 30th Avenue, L.I.City, NY 11102
e-mail: mtzelios@yahoo.com

Tel. 718 809-4005 FAX 718 956-9583

USA: MEMBERS OF THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT WITHOUT IMMUNITY

Photo: The Atorney Ina Rama and US Ambassador Withers

PM Berisha and former DM Mediu “target” by General Attorney.

A special meeting held by US Ambassador J. Withers with Albanian General Attorney Ina Rama signed a “closer cooperation” between the “wars against corruption system” in Albania the must problematic country of Europe.

J. Withers expressed to Attorney Rama powerful helps to the every person with “immunity” accused by Office of the Persecutor Authority who abused under the “Parliamentary immunity” to confront with public accuses or to deviate the Tribunal Authorities.

According to Albanian Press, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the ex Defenses Minister Fatmir Mediu are under inquiring of General Attorney for Gerdeci Tragedy where dead 26 and wounded more 300 persons after the massive blast of March 15, 2008.

After the request of General Attorney addressed the Speaker of Albanian Parliament Jozefina Toppali for the immunity of Fatmir Mediu, also the Head of Republican Party, nothing has made progress, while US Embassy is very preoccupied for the diplomatic “transparence” of Albanian parliamentary speaker Topalli and PM Berisha.

According to “New York Times” more 40 $ million aid finances by US Defense Department to bay Albanian munitions for Afghanistan Army, results “missing” by politic corruption of Tirana.

Sarkozy: France solidarity with Greece On the issue of the name of FYROM

"KATHIMERINI"

Exclusive interview with the French leader in «Kathimerini» France «is and will remain solidarity with Greece» the issue of the name of Skopje assures the chairman of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy, in an exclusive interview to «K». The commitment of Mr. Sarkozy is of particular importance as the country takes over from July 1 the EU presidency, during which they discussed the integration of Macedonia.

Two days before the important visit to Greece, the French president speaks for the excellent level of cooperation between the two countries but also for its relations with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who stressed that «is not just a partner but a friend »And noted that they have common views on many issues.

Mr. Sarkozy arrives in Athens Friday and will meet with President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and political leaders, while will speack to the Hellenic Parliament, the first foreign leader to the 21 st century. The last set was a similar reception was the former U.S. president, George Bush in the summer of 1991

more: http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100051_04/06/2008_272545