World Briefing Europe

Albania: Whistle-Blower Found Dead

By C. J. CHIVERS

Published: September 12, 2008
A whistle-blower who uncovered evidence of public corruption and deceptive practices by a contractor in a Pentagon-sponsored arms deal was found dead on a mountain road on Friday.

Last year, the whistle-blower, Kosta Trebicka, 48, provided The New York Times and American investigators with evidence that AEY Inc., an American company, had bought aging Chinese cartridges for Afghanistan’s army and police forces, repackaged them in unmarked boxes that obscured their origin and claimed the ammunition was from Albania.

His accusations shook the Albanian government and the Pentagon. Mr. Trebicka had told reporters for The Times several times that he feared for his safety. He was found dead near his vehicle, and no cause of death was announced. Albanian investigators said an autopsy would be performed.

More Articles in World » A version of this article appeared in print on September 13, 2008, on page A9 of the New York edition

Flash news

Killed Kosta Trebicka, the most person known as the strong man who knows everything about Gerdeci scandal in Albania. Trebiska according to albanian agencies is killed during a touristic treep in Southern Albania.

Trebicka is an important man in Albania who has acused the Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his government for implication inside Gerdeci scandal of Abanian Army.

Kosta Trebicka was known also for the curagios information to the albanian opinion about implication of the family of Albanian Prime Minister and former Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu to the Gerdeci Case.

Trebicka wad killed in a critic moment for albanian justice which had accused the Defensse Minister Fatmir Mediu and member of albanian government including the Prime Minister Berisha.

According to "News 24 TV" Trebicka was linked with american intelligence service CIA for about the investigation of trafficking weapons of albanian army and albanian mafia and was top person who knows every thing for Gerdeci Blast scandal of Albania last March 2008.

Trebicka has been the only testimony to the US Congress about Albanian trafficking weapons.

Contiues the scandal in "Could Water" in Vlora city between the National Guard and greek citizen owners.

THE MOST POPULLAR ALBANIAN TV, TOP CHANNEL, CLAIMS AUTHENTIC IMAGINES BY VLORA.

http://www.top-channel.tv/new/artikull.php?id=129788

Terror and psikologic pressing to the member of Patsos family by Criminal Policy of Albania. 10 hours of the family Patsos to be passed in Police District of Vlora, under the pressing to firm a document which prohibite any reclaim against the Albanian state.

http://www.top-channel.tv/new/artikull.php?id=129788

All Albanian Press supports the propriety rights in Vlora conflict. Militarily Helicopter used from Tirana against the rights of citizens.

CONTINUES THE SCANDAL OF ALBANIAN STATE AGAINST GREEK ETHNIC OWNERS IN "COULD WATER" OF VLORA CITY".

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE" comments the conflict between the National Guard and owners as the rights of the propriety of every citizen which holds original documents to the Albanian corrupted authorities. "Its in our rights to build every thing according to laws and the licence taken by Vlora Municipality" said one member of Patsos family for the newspaper. In addition four personnel of National Guard are under Penal Proces accused as "violation of private propriety".




"SOT" newspaper, comments under the title "WAR IN VLORA BETWEEN NATIONAL GUARD AND OWNERS..."

Over the rights of the propriety, the violence used by Albanian authorities to the owners, most of them women, the newspaper comments also the scandal inside Albanian authorities, the Government Residence office of Vlora and Propriety authority. The propriety authority of Vlora is supporting the rights of owners, while the Residence Government wants to "legalise" whith out laws a big territory under the name "of Teritory of Government Residence of Albania". Is not very cleare ask the newspaper, why the Police Department of Vlora does not support the rights propriety of citizen but is one instrument which take directives from Tirana violating the Albanian laws and Constitution.


The newspaper "PANORAMA" comments the incident between the National Guard and owners as a dangerous precedent to escalate a social conflict. The conflict continues since 15 days ago and Albanian authorities continue to prohibit the propriety rights of owners who have came from Greece where they are emigrant. But is very important the observer of "PANORAMA" in which the Albanian author

ity has used Military Helicopter against citizens in "Could Water". Many military troops has been transported with a tecnic group came by Tirana to observer and control the situation, sended by office of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, comments "PANORAMA"

In addittion a document tells for the penal acuse made by the Building Construction Company to the National Guard Authority for violence used by 4 military personnel to the private territory.

The situation comments the media is very critic in Vlora even some international institutions including OSCE, The Helsinki Committee and the Greek Embassy are observing the conflict.

"Briefing News"

Patsos Family calls Athens to help for the propriety right.

CRASH BETWEEN OWNERS AND NATIONAL GUARD IN "COULD WATER" OF VLORA

Photo: Northern epiriotes during a demonstration in Vlora City against Berisha Dictature of 1997

At 13.00 the special troops from Tirana of National Guard installed in "Could Water" in Vlora City, crashed with dozens persons, many of them women, members of Patsos family, confronting face a face after a provocation made by guard troops . The prestigious TV station "News 24" linked directly with Vlora`s studio, tells for crash in thee moment of guard offensive against them.

Patsos family calls the Greek State to help seriously from aggressive intervention of Guard gunned Troops against their private territory and to resolve the problem. They have denounced to the Vlora`s Military Persecutor today for the second time the incident with National Guard while called the Helsinki Committee of Albania and other human right watch groups including Greek Helsinki Committee to use the human rights instruments against "fascist junta" of Albanian Government.

The Police Department of Vlora continues to stand "neutral" when the Head of municipality and Socialist Party suported the right of citizen propriety against vandalism of the Albanian state.

The incident is observing from OSCE in Vlora District and the Greek Embassy of Albania.

"ALBANIAN PRESS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF GREEK ALBANIAN CITIZEN TO VOTE FOR GREEK POLITIC ELECTIONS"...........

"Gazeta Shqiptare" today calls the albanian politic to observe the nationalist inisiative of Athens against albanian interests for about the "Northern Epirus Question"

But in fact, even the Greek citizens who live in Albania are also European citizens, against them continues the pressing from Tirana to prohibit the Civil and Politic Rights, an indifference very signified by accepted politically conjunctures of Athens.

Tow more important issues the civil and politically rights continues to be not implement by Albanian government. First, the Greeks of Albania called "Northern Epiriotes" have not the right for Greek official language, never to be since 1991 a politic represent known as Greek Politic Party of Albania even Tirana as member of Council of Europe has ratified the agreement about the rights of greek minority. Last July 2008, the Greek Organisation "Omonia" called to Tirana to know the Greek official language as the second language of Albania.

But the important issue of the civil rights of the Greeks of Albania is the question of proprieties. The Albanian mafia supported by Albanian administrate continues to take teritores who live member of Greek community such are, Saranda, Himara, Narta, Kortsa, Vlora, Lukova ecct.

According to Albanian and international press the "most important manager" which collaborate to sell the lands and proprieties of Greek community of Albania is the legal office of daughter of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Argita Maltezi.

Only during this week, in Vlora City the member of Greek community are confronting with National Guard of Albania which wants to stole for the second time their proprieties.

The tensions in Balkans and Southeastern Mediterranean

Greek Army chief in the U.S.

After invitation of the Head of Joint Staff, General Michael Mullen, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Dimitris Grapsas, will visit the U.S. from 15 to 19 September. The two heads will work together on issues of mutual military interest. The Armed Forces Chief of Staff will also be accepted by the Deputy Defence Minister Gordon Egland and Secretary of Defense for Homeland Security issues Paul Mc Hale. In addition, General Dimitris Grapsas, will visit the Norfolk (Virginia), which will be updated in HQs SACT.

According to today's publication of the "forum" to avoid U.S. government to set dates for the realization of ellinoamerikanikon defence talks (high level talks), the holding of which was scheduled for June in Washington. While that had been prepared by committees of experts, Greece is still awaiting the American invitation. According to Athens, the starting date for the talks may postpone for autumn. In these talks the Americans expected to raise issues directly related to their military presence in our country, the Balkans and Southeastern Mediterranean. Among the issues that will put the Americans is the extension of the wharf for the docking K14 nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines at the base of Souda, creating a security zone around the base, extending the runway, the use of the Navy Hospital Chania for the U.S. military personnel and possibly come again the question of extension of extraterritoriality.

http://www.strategy-geopolitics.blogspot.com/

RELATIONS AND TENSIONS IN THE BALKANS AND THE SOUTH-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Vice Admiral (ret) G. Demestichas H.N. Honourable Chief of Hellenic Fleet

Just by glancing at the Balkans’ and the South-Eastern (SE) Mediterranean’ map, one can see the uniqueness of this particular area. It consists of continental countries and islands; it connects three (3) continents while being the cradle of civilizations. Moreover, this area was also the field of intense competition among its people of the coastal states, world’s superpowers as well as strong economic interests. In this area, great religions and many national movements were developed. .........................

Today’s situation in Albania and the “Western Balkans” area, which is comprised of the artificial states that arose from the disintegration of the Former Yugoslavia, remains unstable. This situation, is in contrast to the Eastern Balkans (Romania, Bulgaria) since their recent accession in NATO and the forthcoming accession in the EU, creates the prerequisites for stability and peace.
This instability in the Western Balkans, which was intensified by the recent facts regarding Kosovo and FYROM and the observed exaltation of the minorities subjects was due, to a large scale, to the unredeemed policy that creates problems in the viable coexistence in Kosovo, FYROM, Serbia and Montenegro, with relevant extensions also in Greece. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, Western Balkans are considered as an active area of possible crises. Despite the end of the armed conflicts in the area of Western Balkans, the danger of resurgence has not disappeared since the tension focus still exists; hence, no serious problem has essentially been resolved. Moreover, the fact that all these countries support their European orientation and they are seeking for their accession in NATO and the EU, does not improve the situation because the course towards the aforementioned goals is long and unsure (of course with the exception of Slovenia that is the only nationally homogenous country with the fewer economic and political problems and a member of the EU). The multicultural societies are possible to operate effectively, as long as they do not offend predominant rights of neighbour states, or else they become the centre of future turmoil. The particularities of the Balkans must be taken into serious consideration for upcoming planning in order to settle down the “past passions” as well as not to create claims for the next generations.

Specifically, the course of the Western Balkan countries towards NATO seems to be controlled by the USA, which in their strategic aspirations’ framework, for the reassurance of willing, certain and completely controlled satellite-countries in the Balkans, find the “appropriate prerequisites” in the Western Balkans, under the present situation.

"In Western Balkans, Albania remains the “big question” since, in spite of its course towards the EU, a fact that is suspending itself, the vision for a “Greater Albania” concept is not prevented. According to the Plan of the Albanian Academy for “the solution of the national problem”, the following objectives are published:

Kosovo’s independence
Autonomy of the Western FYROM area
Special regime for Montenegro
Recognition of the Albanian minority (which actually does not exist) and Minority Rights in Greece. The unacceptable behaviour during the scheduled visit in Albania of the Greek President of Democracy, in early November 2005, demonstrates the actual intention of the county or the spirit that has been promoted among its people. At this point, we would like to mention that the terms have been inverted. Any change in the borderlines is not desirable. Nevertheless, in the case of such a change in the Balkans, Greece, and only Greece against Albania, factually claims Northern Epirus, as it was agreed by all Western Forces that were fighting in the Word War II against Nazism. .............."

full analysis see: http://www.elesme.gr/elesmengl/main.htm

The propriety scandal of Vlora

PATSOS FAMILY CALLS THE GREEK AUTHORITY TO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE RIGHTS OF PROPRIETY: “OUR LAND IS MUGGING FOR THE SECOND TIME”

Photo: Albanian Newspaper "KOHA JONE".

The high represent of Republican Guard the General Ndrea Prendi is observing the confrontation between the Albanian Authorities of Residence of Government and the legitimate owners in “Cold Water” quarter of Vlora. The owners Patsos Family came from Greece when they live since 1991, have raised their right about the propriety to the represent of Government Residence but has not any reaction.

According to Albanian Newspaper “KOHA JONE” the conflict is in high risk since one week ago, between guard’s troop, and private polices which have a contract with the Building Company.

Anyway according to newspaper the owners in collaboration with Company have opened penal process against Guard troops which armated with guns have menaced the right of propriety destructing the border.


Photo: Guard troops have destructed the border prohibiting the owners to build inside their teritor licenced by Municipal autorities of Vlora City. Inside is the vila residence of Dictator Enver Hotza.

In addition the represent of Patsos Family Rozalina Patsos, has called the Greek authorities to observer and to take in consideration their rights as Greek citizens who are old owners in Vlora City declaring that: “Albania continues to violate the human rights and proprieties of members of Greek Minority mugging proprieties by old Patsos generation”.

THE ALBANIAN LOVE STORY TO SEND TROOPS OUT OF THE COUNTRY CONTINUES WITH OUT LIMITE, WHEN THE ALBANIAN ARMY IS ACCUSED FOR TRAFFIKING BY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Albania sends more troops to Iraq

http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm 2008-09-05 05:48:23

TIRANA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A new batch of 120 Albanian soldiers left for Iraq on Thursday, bring the country's total troops in Iraq to 240. "Albania feels proud of its peacekeepers and its cooperation with the U.S.," said Prime Minister Sali Berisha at the send-off ceremony for the contingent.

Albania has already had 120 troops serving under U.S. command at Mosul airport in southern Iraq. The new troops will serve in another part of Iraq, but still under U.S. command.
Albania has been taking part in EU-led mission in Bosnia, NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and the U.S.-led forces in Iraq.

The western Balkan country has also sent troops to Chad and the Central African Republic to join the EU peacekeeping mission there. Albania, along with Croatia, signed accession protocols with NATO in July after they were invited to join the 26-member alliance at a NATO summit in April

UNDER THE WAY OF THE VLORA'S SCANDAL

INVESTIGING THE VLORA*S CASE ABOUT THE PROPRIETIES OF GREEK COMMUNITY

While the Journalists where very interesed about implication of Prime Minister Berisha Family in this case, the General Director of Police District of Vlora briefing met the owners saiding.. : *We are interesed to give much time with about three or four days to replace all the documentation needed from tow pretendeters, state and owner*

Photo; The vila of Albanian Prime Minister destructed by Ciwil War in 1997, Cold Water, Vlora

But in reality the Police Departament must never be Tribunal of albanian costitution. The albanian state both albaian citizens, are protected by laws of Albanian costitution. Albanian Mafia instaled inside the government continues to disinform the public opinion about respect of laws, while in this case we have tow standarts: albanian state as usualy an anty democratic system aginst owners and the citizen. .

In Case of 'Cold Water', the Patsos family most know what is in reality the position of albanian prime minister according to journalists who asked for implication or no of his dauter Argita Maltezi'...'NO any response...' ' We are seeing every implication against our family interests' and sure never to sell our propriety to the state. This propriety has 70 years in service of the albanian state.......they responde...

What could happen next days..........may be a decision of albanian government about governament residences teritores... let see in future, but the owners want all the trasparence of albanian institutions...but never to sell our proprieties to albanian state. 'We are seeing straight, not again to lost the times'.

For the 'Could Water Case' in Vlora City are intesifficaly interesed the Greek Embassy in Tirana in collaboration with Foreign Greek Ministry which are observing strongly any development to protect greek citizenship and politicaly rights in Albania.

The big Scandal notes to Athens to protect his conpatriotes and their proprietes in Albania.

VLORA: GREEK OLD OWNERS CRASH WITH ALBANIAN GUARD AUTORITYES

The Albanian newspaper "SOT" writes about the incident between realy owners and the autority of Governament resitence of Vlora.

According to "SOT" the conflict is raising every day between the realy owners of Patsos family (with greek origin from Himara Region) and the Guard troops of Albanian Autorities.

Patsos family are owners of a big territor in the most known place of Vlora City, in "Cold Water" preffered to graps by Albania Mafia supported by albanian authorities. 50 years of albanian dictature they have been prohibited to take the property which was the Enver Hoxha residence, and now after other 18 years to the "Albanian Free Democracy" are "prohibited" again to take and construct under modern urban parameters.

Patsos family since 1991 emigrants in Greece, as not only albanian citizen but also with greek citizen, are very preocuped after escalation of albanian autorities against them. They have authorized a Building Construction Company very known in Vlora, to construct in their propriety having the authorisation of Municipality of Vlora new modern buildings near the sea. But the albanian authorities have stoped the construcion justifing the decision as "The residence of Government".

But according to "SOT" the pretecst of "Government Territor" is the first step to graps the realy owners, accusing one of high albanian governor linked with albanian mafia and suported by albanian authorities.

According to Patsos family, they will meet the albanian ambasador in Greece Vili MInarolli to denunce the scandal which compost a realy diplomatic insident between Albania and Greece about the proprietes of Greek citizens who live historicaly in Southern albania (Northern Epirus).
The Himara Community and the greek organisation "OMONIA" has expresed the opinion about the great risk that the albanian mafia continues not only in Himara Region but also sistematicaly the proprietes in Vlora Region, which are in target by Albanian authorities fallsifing the old documents of proprietes.

Before 1944 the Orthodox Community of Vlora (big part are himariotes) had mostly of important territor of the Region.

ONU (UNPO) INTERESED ABOUT THE OFFICIAL GREEK LANGUAGE IN ALBANIA

Greek minority in Albania: Seek Official Language

Albanian Greeks see parallels to Macedonia which has declared Albanian as its second official language.

Below is an article published by UPI:A Greek minority group in Albania has petitioned the government to declare Greek a second official language in the country, local reports said.

The group called Omonia sent the request to Prime Minister Sali Berisha in Tirana, noting that neighboring Macedonia had already declared Albanian its second official language, Macedonian Radio & TV reported Tuesday [19 August 2008].

Albania's Koha Jone newspaper said the group contends such a move would show Albania is respecting various minority rights conventions it has signed.While there has been no official response from the Albanian government, the newspaper quoted an anonymous source as saying the population numbers don't make it feasible.

The official noted 40 percent of Macedonians speak Albanian, while in Albania, only 4 percent of the population speak Greek.

see more..http://www.unpo.org/content/view/8545/109/

The Albanian population issue

by Fanis Malkidis*

(Part 5 speech in the Panelladiki Meeting of the magazine Ardin «NEW CLASS - MINORITIES – BALKANS - COOPERATION ON NATIONAL IDENTITY AND ECOLOGICAL CRISIS» EDESSA 28-31 AUGUST 2008)

Developments in the Balkans since 1991, except for the very important issues have highlighted the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the cycle of violence is perhaps the sovereign, and highlighted the modern Albanian issue. Kosovo was the beginning and followed the Tetovo and Presevo in Macedonia important tool to display the Albanian national goals has been the demographic issue. The ongoing argument of the Albanian civilian personnel to the mother - home to the locations of the Albanian population living in the former Yugoslavia and the Diaspora was booming of the Albanian population, which in a very short time to become a minority by the majority.

Thus, the population growth was the reason for seeking more rights for the creation of parallel structures health, education, security, etc., for the emergence of Albanian issues in international organizations and friendly governments for the activity through organized channels crime, funding of the «liberation struggle». The violence in Kosovo and Macedonia, who came from «repression of the Albanian majority», according to the official Albanian and international terms, has led to a new de facto reality.

Kosovo is the main point of reference of the Albanian population primacy. In 1871, the figures gave the Austrian General Peter Kukulj, represented a total population of 500,000 people, of whom 318,000 Serbs (64%) and 161,000 Albanians (32%). Again the Austrians in 1899 indicate a population of 182,650 Albanians (47.88%) and 166,700 Serbs (43.7%). In early 20 th century British journalist H. Brailsford estimated that 2 / 3 of the region's population were Albanians and 1 / 3 Serbs. The census of 1921 gave the Albanian population of 288,907 (65%) and 93,203 Serbs, while in 1931 gave 347,213 Albanians (62.8%).

The continued and dramatic growth of the Albanian population is continuing and subsequent years. The first number indicates the year inventory, the second overall population of Kosovo, the Albanian party, with the rate and the last the Serbs. 1971: 1,243,693, 916168 (73.7%), 228,264 (18.4%). 1981: 1584,558, 1,226,736 (77.42%), 209,498 (13.2%). 1991: 1,956,196, 1,596,072 (81.6%), 194,190 (9.9%). In 1995 the Department of Demography of Pristina, which was created by the Albanian parallel structures gave the following figures: Total population: 1,600,000 (and 600,000 abroad), Albanians: 1,360,000 (89.9%) and 1,960,000 together with the 600,000 of the 140,000 Serbs and the Diaspora (6.3%). The latest sources (2003) gives a total population of 1,900,000 to 1,672,000 Albanians (88%) and 133,000 Serbs (7%).

In Macedonia, the census of 2002, one year after bloody fights of 2001 that resulted in the Ohrid Agreement and sygkyvernisi Albanian policy, the figures show the Albanian population explosion. The total population of the country is 2,022,547 people, of whom 1,297,981 stated «Macedonians» (64.17%, including Goranci at a rate 5.86% and 509,083 Albanians (25.17%) Albanians show (figures 2006) on average 4.1 children per family and their population after the Second World War, rose 3 times from 8% in 1948, was 25% in 2002 and in accordance with the Albanians in 35% (707,891 people).
In Montenegro, according to 2002 census recorded 672,656 people of which 47,682 Albanians (7.09%) and in accordance with the Albanian sources constitute 10% of the total population.

In Presevo, in the Serbian region on the border with Macedonia, the census of 2002 gave 34,904 people, of whom 31,099 Albanians (89.1%) and 2,966 Serbs (8.5%). The Albanians in 1992, according to the demographic situation after the vote suggested areas of Presevo, Mentventa and Bougianovats to unite with Kosovo, which applied to the period 1999 and 2001, received military and form with «Liberation Army of Presevo , and Mentventa Bougianovats ».

Where there were no indigenous peoples alvanikoi for creating the appropriate climate came migration to do so (the case of Greece and therefore the Greek-Albanian relations). Albania is ranked in the top positions worldwide, in terms of migration, with the official rate of 20% of its population living outside Albania, namely 613,855 people, a number that does not respond but in reality, if we accept that only Albanians in Greece Immigrants are between 600,000 and 700,000, according to the Albanian embassy in Athens and the Institute Watson. (Statistics in 2001 showed that Albania has a population of 3,069,275 people and 1989 3,182,417, namely the critical period of migration showed a reduction in 113,142 people (3.56% rate), data show large gaps and does not reflect clearly reality. parallel, in 2001 the Greek census gave 445,000 Albanians.

The main objectives of the national strategy of Albania for the migration of its citizens, focusing on protecting the rights of Albanian immigrants in strengthening ties between the Albanian communities abroad, investment in development, formulation of a policy on labour migration, to facilitate Albanians to travel visa equipped with a limited duration and in creating the necessary institutional framework for immigrants.

The demographic movement of Albanian populations in the Balkans, but also the continued migration outside Albania, creates a very significant and substantive developments that signal major changes in the region. Indeed, if the demographic movement of the Albanian population in the Balkans, with these rhythms described, it will certainly create new data not only where there are already developments (Kosovo, Macedonia) but also elsewhere (Presevo, Montenegro), while it remains to be determine if the issues of rights of the Albanian population will be politically or by other means

http://www.malkidis.info/en/

THEOFANIS MALKIDIS Phd

Alexandroupolis - Thrace - GREECE

Democritus University of Thrace.

He is Doctor of Social Sciences and he is teaching at Democritus University of Thrace. Member of International Association of Genocide Scholars for the study and member of International League for Rights and freedom of Peoples. He has realised interventions for the Pontian question και more specifically for the recognition of genocide, the freedom of Greeks in Pontos (Turkey today) and for the Pontians refugees from former Soviet Union. He has been honoured by the Council of Press of National Communities of Canada for his contribution in the promotion of culture and the comprehension between the National Communities.

“Is Northern Epirus priority of new Diplomatic Agenda of Athens?”

Strategic Analysis & OSINT Management -www.rieas.gr-
News-Analysis-Briefings-Reports, across the globe

GREEK ANALYST COMMENTS THE GREEK NATIONAL ISSUE AFTER NEW GEOPOLITICALY DEVELOPMENTS ON BALKAN REGION AND KAUKAZ.



by Konstantinos Holevas, Political Analyst

31st August 2008

The issue of Northern Epirus has gone into second place on official Greek politics and the public interest. But we should be dealing more with luck and the problems of our nationals living in southern Albania, but also more generally across the Albanian territory.

Firstly, because we leave them albanian nationalist circles think that we are separated from any think by our conpatriotes there.

Second, because we do not have as a nation other issue of territores and Northern Epirus is one of the few remaining alive and ancestral homes Hellenism abroad.

Thirdly, because it is not right to forget the Human Rights a real minority, while some neighbours are intessificating alleged oppression of minorities.
Our interest for the Greek Northern Epirus come to stimulated by remarkable events of recent months. We record some of them: With declarations in mid-April 2008 the Mayor Himarras and interim president of OMONOIAS Vassilis Bolanos made interesting comparisons between Northern Epirus and Kosovo and has, indirectly but clearly, issue of Northern Epirus Autonomy within Albanian territory.

Naturally, Bolanos has not forgotten the Protocol of Corfu, 17-5-1914, which has been signed both Albania and Great Powers and which provided a form of autonomy for Hellenism without calling into question the borders of Albania. This was the result of the eforts of Northern Epiriotes and referred to administrative autonomy, police, church and education.
On July 25-27 meeting in Ioannina the Pan Epiriotean Congress, which involving emigrants Epiroton from across the globe. The congress where partecipantes by representatives of political parties in Greece, as Mr. Constantine. Mitsotakis and Mr. Grigoris Niotis, and representatives of organizations of Hellenism of Northern Epirus. In the resolution, which was issued, there are several references to the problems of Voreioipeiroton, with the most important:
«… We condemn the climate of insecurity and intimidation that prevails at times against the Greeks of Northern Epirus and the whole of Albania.
We call on Albania to respect and restore to the Greeks of Northern Epirus and Albania across all educational, religious, political and cultural rights which arise from bilateral and international agreements signed by representatives from the day the recommendation of the State 1913, including the right of national self »
The last paragraph obviously includes the Protocol of Corfu in 1914, which mentioned. The climate of insecurity, which rightly mentioned in Resolution aggravated by some recent events, which are to be added to the continuous Albanian bad faith, which manifests itself with the issue of Tsamidon.

On August 10, a large number of Greeks Himarras declared against Law 7501, in which the Albanian state literally grabs property of citizens belonging to ethnic Greek community. Given these were the armed police, but the two important members of the small party LSI, namely the League of Socialist Integration, which belongs to the opposition. Besides the greek newspaper “ΑΞΙΑ” of 9-8-2008 read the following report by Katerina Karatzas:
«… Victim this time is the temple of the Birth of the Virgin Mary in Permeti. The Albanian state claiming the Orthodox Church to convert into the Hall of Culture, as that is operated in an era of Chotza. The Berisha government is moving to the footprint of the communist dictator who imposed in the country the status atheias ».
It is also characteristic that all post-Communism Albanian governments maintain the institution of «minority areas» introduced by the Emver Hotza and Ramiz Alia. Only some villages are considered minority and there allowed the operation with Municipal for the children of northern epiriotes. In larger cities, such as Gjirokaster, Himara, Koritsa ecct,not functioning greek public school and the gap is covered by private schools, which supports entrepreneurs and church volontares from Greece.
In this climate of the careful handling of the Greek diplomacy should use all existing legal and political arguments. Above all we must give incentives to Northern epiriotes not definitively abandon their land, but to return there with money, which they acquired in Greece. We need to push Albania, including through EU to halt any measure, which creates insecurity. To ask for money gives our country as economic assistance be invested by 70% in southern Albania, where they live Hellenism. To remind the government of Tirana its commitment towards European Union to make an objective inventory of national minorities. And certainly not a bad thing to remind and the Protocol of Corfu, always with respect for existing borders and placing good neighbourliness.
Let us be clear that relations between Greece - Albania and Albania-Europe depend on the rights of Greek Northern epiriotes.

original article in greek language:

http://strategicanalysis.wordpress.com/2008/08/31/

"Every day for 38 years! From Nixon to Barack Obama!"

The veteran Journalist in State Departament Lambros Pantoniou


Among those on hand was Lambros Papantoniou, known to everyone as "Mr. Lambros," a journalist for a Greek newspaper. He has been here a while."Every day for 38 years! From Nixon to Barack Obama!" he said in introducing himself.

With little competition, he managed to fire off three questions to Wood, on Afghanistan, Russia and Cyprus. But it's the nature of the State Department to be circumspect. "You have to know what you can say and what you can't say," Wood says. Papantoniou gets frustrated: "You don't get enough information to write something. It's never enough."

more about the article of Washington Post..:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/28/AR2008082803561.html

CONTINUES THE WEAPONS SCANDAL IN ALBANIA

In 2006 Albania sold weapons to Georgia

In 2006, Albania sold to Georgia ammunition in total value of 3 million US dollars.


The Albanian Foreign Trade Center, which is in constant cooperation with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), confirmed this information.


The report says that Georgia paid $3 million for procurement of handgrenades, shells and other ammunition from Albania.


The information is in direct collision with yesterday's statement of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha, dismissing Russia's allegations of weapon trade between Tbilisi and Tirana as a "fabrication".

WEAPONS TRAFFIKING: "ALBANIA SOLD TO GEORGIA 3 ML USD BOMBS"

The albanian media against the PM Sali Berisha: "Albania is one of most important export weapons to the conflicts between the states in Kaukaz" Georgia, Armenia and Azerbajian there are the origin of albanian munitions. Turkey accused last year Tirana for traffiking to Azerbajan.

The newspaper "Gazeta Shqiptare" has investigated the albanian import export weapons company "MEICO" which is responssabile of the massive blast of "Gerdeci" of March 15, near Tirana.

NIKOLLA GRUEVSKI, SAKASVILI OF THE "BALKANS"

Greek geopolitic experts comment the polemic for the name of "Macedonia" as new priority conflicts on the "Balkan", regarding the last conflict in Kaukaz.

REACTIONS ABOUT "OMONIA" DECISION FOR GREEK OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN ALBANIA.

Greek minority in Albania demands second official language

Tuesday, 19 August 2008

Albania should declare the Greek language as the second official language in the country, just as Macedonia did with Albanian language. The organization of the Greek minority in Albania "Omonia" demanded this from the Government in Tirana.

At the session of Omonia's General Council, held Sunday in Saranda, it was said that the organization, inspired by the decision of Macedonian Parliament which declared Albanian as the second official language, deems that the Albanian Government should follow and declare Greek as the second official language in Albania.

"Koha Jone" newspaper states that the demand addressed to Sali Berisha's Government adds that Albania with that would respect the minority rights conventions it has signed. Official Tirana has not yet reacted to the request, "Koha Jone" states.

The minorities in Albania, including the Macedonian one, since a while are demanding from Tirana authorities to set up a census of the ethnic origin.