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

ALBANIA, MORE EFFORTS TO JOINT NATO ALLIANCE

US AMERICAN EMBASSY TIRANA Press Release (February 8, 2008)

"As NATO Contact Point Embassy, we note media reports of February 5-6 which suggest that a decision has already been made by NATO Allies to issue an invitation for membership to Albania or other Adriatic Charter countries. We wish to clarify that no formal decision has yet been taken on possible NATO membership for Albania or for any of the A3 countries. For an invitation to be extended, all 26 Allies must agree.

Recently, we have noted significant progress in Albania’s efforts to meet NATO’s performance-based standards as outlined in the Membership Action Plan. More, however, remains to be done.

We are encouraged by the improved bipartisan attitude toward cooperation evidenced, inter alia, by unanimous passage of an opposition-introduced resolution in support of reforms to meet NATO criteria. Nonetheless, a significant number of reforms, specifically in the areas of electoral and judicial reform, remain incomplete. We continue to look for further progress on these reforms to ensure that Albania is the strongest possible candidate at the time final NATO decisions are reached".

http://tirana.usembassy.gov/index.html

NOTE: THIS IS A REACTION OF US REPRESENT IN ALBANIA SEEING THE MASOVIC ALBANIAN MEDIA ROLE SUPORTED BY NATIONAL POLITIC RETHOTIC AS "ALBANIA IS ALWAS READY TO JOINT NATO AND UE ALLIANCE", WHEN THE REALITY REPRESENTS CLEAR AN INSTABILLE COUNTRY.

Poll: Majority of Albanians demand "NATYRAL ALBANIA"

February 6, 2008

An unscientific telephone poll conducted by the Albanian TV Station Vision Plus indicates that vast majority of Albanians favor acquiring territories from their neighbors - Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia and Greece - and constituting them into a one Albanian state known as "Natyral Albania".

Over 90% of the viewers voted for territorial acquisition of what they believe are the Albanian lands into a state they refer to as "one, natural Albanian state."

Former Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and analysts Koco Danaj and Sokol Dervisaj also supported the position. Vast majority of Albanian leaders across Balkans are conditioning their ethnic kin that acquisition of territory from their neighbors is a just policy. In Kosovo, Albanian separatists demand that the Serbian province becomes a second Albanian state in Europe.

Albanian separatists in Kosovo have warned that if the international community does to acquiesce to their demands for independence that they will turn to violence in order to achieve their aims. Albania will recognize independent Kosovo Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha said after meeting with Kosovo's officials because that will promote peace.

HIMARA WARNS TIRANA FOR TERITORIAL AUTHONOMY

Tow project law about lands and proprieties proposed by Albanian government and waiting to approve by parliament next days, have provoked an mobilization of himara`s NGO including OMONIA the Greek Minority represent in Albania, to menace the Albanian government for an eminent autonomy of Himara Region says the albanian newspaper "Shekulli" today.

"If the Albanian authorities do not stop the assimilisation process against the people of himara, refusing to register our lands of Himara`s community, we will claim the authonomy of Himara Region" said the neswpaper.

The protest has been addressed to the President Bamir Topi by many NGOs of Himara Region. On the letter was warned clear the ultimatum “We the people of Himara region together with Diaspora would to be known for the escalation of the protests until total autonomy of our region which historically has protected the lands and proprieties by invasions including the Albanian government.”

The ultimatum for proclamation for autonomy has been a precedent after some protests of Himara Community addressing to Albanian authorities for under ground corruption of cadastres and other offices of land registration process against himara`s people.

Joint to ultimatum of Himara Community has been also the member of albanian parliament from Himara, Nikolas Nerantzis who adressed to Prime Minister Sali Berisha accusing the governament for 'black scenaries" against Himara people to conquest land and proprieteis of the Ionian Coast.

Photo: Nikolas Nerantzis speaking in Albanian Parliament

In 2004 Father Kosmas Karavelas an American citizen by Maryland, send a letter to US Secretar Collin Powel to be known the transparence about the rights of lands and proprieties of American citizen with proprietes in Albania which must have in observer by the US Embassy in Tirana to protect the American community of Himara Region.

Many of protests of himara community has made since 1991 the last end was in Athens a front of Albanian embassy in November 2007. The rebellion until the decision for autonomy of himara`s people is clear; the Albanian parliament is waiting to approve tow laws to conquest the most part of lands of Himara Region. But actually the himariotes are decised to protect their lands bu albanian mafia instaled both in politics and organized crime.

Independence for Kosovo: the domino effect

What borders for Albania?

By Jean-Arnault Dérens

In 1878 at the Congress of Berlin the German chancellor Bismarck declared that Albania was no more than “a geographical expression”. In the same year, however, influential delegates from the Albanian regions of the Ottoman empire gathered to found the League of Prizren, establishing the first modern claims to national status. Austria-Hungary defended the Albanian claims in the years that followed, in a standoff with Serbia and Greece who had entered alliances with Great Britain, France and Russia.

Ismail Qemal proclaimed a first, and ephemeral, Albanian republic at Vlora in 1912. But a year later the London Peace Conference created the Kingdom of Albania over only half of the regions with Albanian populations. The treaty also split Kosovo (predominantly Albanian) between Serbia and Montenegro. The Albanians have never accepted the prejudice to their people, and today its nationalists are intent on “rectifying” the “historical injustice”.

It is true that there was little guarantee of a future for the state of Albania at the time. It almost disappeared in the first world war, and there was no real settlement on its borders until the treaty of 1926, which was based on doubtful logic. The town of Gjakovë/Gjakova, for example, became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, despite the small size of its Serbian population. Similarly, territory that had always been part of the important municipality of Debar/Dibra was shared between the kingdom and Albania; today the city is part of the Republic of Macedonia, although its traditional hinterland lies in Albania (around the town of Peshkopi).

There are two issues intertwined here. The delicate balance between Albania’s neighbours (Montenegro, Serbia and Greece) and their powerful protectors had an influence on the definition of Albanian territoriality, as did Italy’s historical claims over the Albanian coastline. Also there are the problematic notions of an “Albanian region” or “Albanian cultural area”. Albanians have always lived in the midst of other national communities in these areas. Can we say that this or that town is part of the Albanian world because 50%, 60% or 80% of its inhabitants are Albanian? What percentage do we take and, more particularly, what scale of settlement do we include?

http://mondediplo.com/2008/02/11albania

related articles: "An end to Balkan national states"

Jean-Arnault Dérens in Le Monde diplomatique

http://tomorowwhat.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/an-end-to-balkan-national-states/

HILLARY CLINTON MAKES HISTORIC APPOINTMENT -- NAMES ELENI TSAKOPOULOS-KOUNALAKIS HEAD OF “GREEK-AMERICANS FOR CLINTON”

Photo: The Publisher of “Washington Monthly” Markos Kounalakis and his wife, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis.

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 1, 2008 -- Leading Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) recently named Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, President of the AKT Development Corporation, to head “Greek-Americans for Clinton.” This is the first time in history that a woman has been appointed by a leading Presidential candidate to that post.

Ms. Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is at the top of the list of Democratic contributors in California, a state known for its major political contributors. Both fundraising events she hosted for Senator Clinton in California were extraordinarily successful.

The combination of her fundraising skills and Senator Clinton?s record with the Hellenic and Orthodox community suggests a successful chairmanship for Ms. Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis. She is known throughout the Greek-American community for many things including an issue close to the heart of Senator Clinton – the crisis facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the nearly 2,000-year-old spiritual head of the world?s second largest Christian Church, Orthodox Christianity.

Senator Clinton was instrumental in creating the first visit of a sitting American President (President Bill Clinton) to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As well, Senator Clinton played a major role in beginning the practice of U.S. Presidents pressing the Ecumenical Patriarchate issue with every senior Turkish official visiting the White House Oval Office. That practice continued for over a decade and into the Bush Administration until it stopped during the last two such White House visits.This issue has also been a major focus of Ms. Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis.

She secured more signatures of United States Senators for a letter to President George W. Bush on this issue than any other Orthodox Christian. The letter urged the Ecumenical Patriarchal issue to be raised higher on America?s agenda. As well, she personally escorted California Senator Diane Feinstein, along with a consequential delegation, to visit Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2005. She is also well known for the creation of numerous Hellenic Chairs across the country at some of America?s top Universities, among other such comparable achievements for the Hellenic and Orthodox community. She and her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, were reported last year to have made an over $10 million “independent expenditure” in support of the campaign of Greek-American Phil Angelides for Governor of California. Such an expenditure, which is sanctioned by California state election laws, was repudiated to have played a significant role in Angelides? primary election victory.

When questions were raised about what the Tsakopoulos family was expecting to get from such a contribution, Andrew Athens, then head of the World Council of Hellenes, responded. He said in a statement to the media “all they expect from Angelides is to do a great job as Governor and to make them proud.”Ms. Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is undertaking this effort in addition to continuing in her role as President of AKT, the mother of two boys and wife of Markos Kounalakis, publisher of Washington Monthly and respected author and journalist.

Greek Language Proliferation Organisation helping minority schools in Albania

The Greek Language Proliferation Organisation has been taking action to help the 22 schools of the National Greek Minority in Albania since October 2007. According to an announcement by the Organisation, following a visit by 100 of its members to the regions of Gjirokaster and Sarande, educational and sports material was sent.

Last week, each school received a series of geographical atlasses to help the teaching of the lesson of Geography of Greece, a lesson that is being tought for the first time this year.

On February 3, the Organisation will be organising a conference at the Zappion Hall on the theme of "The finances of the proliferation of the Greek language," at which experts from the public and private sectors will be presenting financial and quantitative information regarding the teaching of the Greek language to overseas Greeks, as well as to foreigners all over the world.

The Organisation is a non-profit organisation that is financed by contributions from its members and by donations and sponsorships from its friends.

In Tirana the greek community represent in parliament Evangelos Tavos called the albanian governament for more rights to greeks in albania. Speaking in parliament, Tavo accused Interior and the Education Ministry for inferiority regarding minority zones.

THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER MENACES GREEK ORTHODOX COMMUNITY

The Albanian newspaper “SOT” comments an article about the “Mort Ceremony” of Archbishop of Greece Kristodoulos, under the title: “The Greek archbishop Kristodoulos buried as the spiritual general of Greek Army, such where Khomein of Iran”

The article which represents a “manifest of Albanian extremist media” comments the great figure of Archbishop Kristodulos during the mort ceremony, accompanied by Hellenic Army Troops. Inside the article, the comment offended the history of Greek Orthodox Church and the spiritual indication with Hellenic people and Greek army. Other alls the article referred the Archbishop of Albania Janulatos, named “The Greek Army General in head of Albanian Orthodoxy” since he has come in the Albanian territory in 1991. This ceremony was a military religious spectacle which removes the Greece by NATO alliance” wrote the article.

In the end, the article calls all the Albanian orthodoxies to be united with Albanian people not to joint the Hellenism strategy which wants to conquer historically Albanian territories. The article menaces the Greek orthodox Community evoking and calling the orthodox of Albania to be united with the Albanians not with Greeks because this adventure “should have the consequences of Greek community in Anatoly of Turkey after the First World War”.

By the Albanian Government has not any reaction about article even the measures and security of Greek community is not guaranteed by authorities. (?) NATO with 1200 troops installed in Albania is insufficient to control the Albanian paramilitary and extremist groups most of them are member of Special Forces.

Annyway the article of “SOT”does not represent the "friendly relations" between Athens and Tirana even the newspaper some times has been object of accuses against many personalities of albanian VIP society. The rethoric used by newspaper “SOT”, must take in consideration by Europol and NATO security forces which are working togather with albanian authorities for stability, security and the war against terror and organized crime of our region and particulatly for cooperation to joint albania in NATO and EU alliance.

http://www.sot.com.al/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=63676&lang=

UNDER THE NAME OF “KOSOVO INDIPENDENCE”...

Albania plans to interfere in Kosovo, when the leader of government Berisha is making the “emergence action plain” to conquest all Albanian institutions, economy, politic opposition, juridical system, business initiatives and particularly to have powerful control on southern Albania.

Photo: An old slogan picture of Albania under the dictator regime

Albania has drawn up plans to help Kosovo counter any blockade Serbia might impose in response to a declaration of independence by its southern province, Albania's prime minister said Wednesday. The Prime Minister Sali Berisha said Albania would open up road, sea and air links for the breakaway province, which is populated mostly by ethnic Albanians. "We have a plan to react in case of Serbian blockade in order to diminish the consequences of it in Kosovo," Berisha said in an interview during a visit to Brussels. He said the plan included granting Kosovo use of Albanian airports, the seaport of Durres and securing the road from Kosovo to the Albanian coast.

Anyway the leader of government Berisha is making in reality the “emergence action plain” to conquest all Albanian institutions, economy, politic opposition, juridical system, business initiatives and particularly to have powerful control on Southern Albania which offers about 65% of public funds of the country. The appointment of new top persecutor from northern begins in accordance to replace most important of than 14 persecutors from southern Albania, while the Justice Ministry and high Juridical Tribunal are replacing time ago. In addition the police authority have the rights to incurring the private correspondence and mobile telephony under the promises of “The war against corruptions and organized crime” but in fact this institution composts the most important instrument to shot any "element which oposes the democracy"

The government replaced also the General Director of Financial Administration putting an ex Director of Albanian Secret Service. The objectives according to Albanian press are clears: “to raise the public funds by business economy and public taxes using pressing metodes, most of them are established in southern Albania, particularly the Greek business which is passing burdensome taxes situation regarding in relations with Albanian authorities.

The Albanian opposite analists said often that “the Prime Minister Berisha is actually very power full leader” and very dangerous in his politically history since 1991”. Abusing under the slogan “Every thing for Kosovo” with a friendly ship relations of American investment such is “BETCHEL COMPANY” the most corrupted investment of Albania which is constructing the High Way Tirana Pristina, he is putting a new totalitarian system which menaces the democratic institutions and communities controlling everything beginning from parliament. It’s very significative the efforts of government to approve project laws and after to send to parliament which are replaced by the interests of the Greek community particularly for the lands and proprieties.

The Albanian government has encouraged giving total support an incurring sector inside Financial Ministry replacing the Superior State Control (The Administrative Tribunal of the State is only constitutional responsibility institution which controls the public finances of Albanian government). This sector, known as “Intern Auddition Control” is making the role of “politic attorney” accusing many opposite rivals for corruption as a pressing to frighten every alternative opponent or person during last politically mandate, when a number of personalities of Albanian opposite are accused by Prime Minister Berisha for corruption, such is the last confrontation between government and Albanian Football Federation.

The proclamation of Kosovo Independence and the declaration of Berisha to help economically the Kosovo people after Serbian blockade could bring series of dangerous consequences encouraging the Albanian nationalism and paramilitaries groups to begin an offensive against southern Albania (Northern Epirus Region) under the name of “Natural Albania”. Voices by the Albanian media said that the government can approve laws to put new taxes to help Kosovo even the most northern population of Albania supporter of premier Berisha do not pay taxes since 1991. The new organization of General Attorney, the "democratic reforms of Juridical system" and financial administration under total control of Prime Minister Berisha contents clear politically differences between north and south communities when the human rights continue to be a demagogy as long as both the Albanian politically opposite, media and the other democratic institutions are conquered by nationalist syndrome of leadership.

By another part the most power state of Europe, Albania continues to send troops in Peace Missions of the World, a paradox which based to the demagogy to joint to NATO and EU without build democratic institutions and to respect the human rights values. Not only the Kosovo matter but also the strong repressive propaganda as “The Last Kilometer to joint NATO” makes the situation of the country controlled often by “Stalinist Demagogy” since “to build Nuclear Thermo Central” and “to export the energy in Italy” even Albania actually has not sufficient energy for the economy.

The uncertainty circumstances of post Kosovo Independence and a possible escalation of ethnic conflicts on the region should have negative impact in Albanian stability particularly for the tragic situation of economy which is raising the inflation over 8%.

Albania to back Kosovo independence

Albania has said it wants to be the first country to recognise an independent Kosovo. The declaration came in a speech by president Bamir Topi on his first visit to the breakaway province since taking office last July. Kosovo's declaration of independence is only a question of time - diplomats believe it could come in February or March.

According to prime minister Hacim Thaci, it could be a matter of days.On a visit to Brussels, he has been holding talks with a number of senior figures including EU foreign policy envoy Javier Solana and NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Both NATO and the EU plan to send extra peacekeeping troops to Kosovo once independence is declared.Still a part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the UN since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces, putting an end to the killing of ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of the population. Washington and Brussels are expected to recognise independence, overruling opposition from Serbia and its Russian ally.

FIFA threatens to suspend Albania over alleged interference

Photo: “NOT ONLY SPORT” …The National Stadium of Albania “Qemal Stafa”

TIRANA, Albania - FIFA has threatened to suspend Albania from international matches because of alleged government interference with the country's national soccer federation. In a Jan. 21 letter to the government, world soccer's governing body gave authorities a month to cancel an audit of the Albanian Football Association, or FSHF.

A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press. "If FIFA and UEFA do not receive the requested written confirmation within the given deadlines ... FIFA and UEFA administrations will have no other options but to forward a report for the next meetings of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committee to take the necessary steps, which may lead to the suspension of the FSHF," it said.

Photo: The President of UEFA Platini with the President of AFF Duka.

The letter was signed by FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke and UEFA counterpart David Taylor and was sent to Albanian sport minister Ylli Pango.

The audit was ordered amid an ongoing dispute between the government and soccer federation.
In December, Pango asked UEFA to investigate alleged match fixing involving Albania's last two European Championship qualifiers against Belarus and Romania. He implicated FSHF president Armand Duka in the alleged scandal.

Photo: Sotiris Ninis soccer of Panathinaikos and Greece National Football team was born in the Albanian town of Himara (Northern Epirus). The Albania Football Federation “FSHF” warned to take Ninis by Greece for his National Team but their efforts resulted failed..

Last december, the Albanian authorities have called on European football's governing body UEFA on Wednesday to investigate its side's last two Euro 2008 qualifiers, accusing the chairman of the Albanian football federation of having rigged the results.

"There are clear suspicions that both matches might have been sold by the president of our National football federation," Ylli Pango, Albania's Sport and Culture Minister, said in a letter to UEFA.

Albania's national side lost two Euro 2008 qualifiers, 4-2 against Belarus in Tirana last November and 6-1 against Romania in Bucharest last month.

On the way to conquest the Northern Epirus lands…

Photo: Albanian police special forces against the rights of propriety owners of Kakomea, Himara Region.

"Albania must stopped on the way to EU and NATO if the lands are not come back to the legitimate owners of Himara`s people"

The Coast Ionian owners and Himara`s Community against the Republican Politic Party and the Albanian government - writs the newspaper “Koha Jone” on January 21. The Himara`s Community has strongly opposed the proposal of the head of Parliamentary Republican party Group Arian Madhi, who lately asked the Government to identify and make available the physical compensation those coastal lands which “are nobody`s and are not I use”.

The Himara`s Community which presents the legitimate owners of the elite tourist area of Ionian Coast line known as the beautiful are Vlora Saranda who lives the oldest Greek Community very rich with Byzantine and monasteries church, addressed a public letter to Madhi warning him of abusing with the duty and the confidence of people.

‘We sent this public letter to you to wanr you of abusing with the duty and with the confidence of people who have voted for you” says over alls the letter. Through this letter the Association underscored that “By embracing this ant owner political line constantly you, de facto are preventing the normal process of Albanian`s membership to NATO and EU and we must said: “NO ALBANIA TO NATO AND EU ORGANISATION SINCE THE PROPRIETY DOES NOT GO TO OWNERS”

One month ago during the visit of Albanian President Bamir Topi in Athens the Greek counter part Karolos Papulias asked Topi if the “Albanian government is making efforts about the propriety rights of Greeks in Albania as the positive way to joint Albania to Euro Atlantic organizations Topi expressed his responsibility to make pressing to Albanian plitic parties to resolve soon as possible the propriety issue of greeks who live in Albania..

But according to information a list of project laws made by Albanian government headed by Sali Berisha, are waiting to approve by parliament under the “legalization Process” laws which favorites the Albanians to conquest proprieties of Greeks who lives in in Northern Epirus particularly to the Ionian Coast Line, known as the Himara region.

“WE TAKE NORTHERN EPIRUS TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO”

The Albanian Newspaper “STANDARD” on January 21, 2008, comments an article of Greek daily “Eleferotipia” about the new dimension of Albanian Greek relations regarding Kosovo and Northern Epirus.

Elefterotipia, referred to the high official of Greek Defense Ministry Dimitrios Georgiu, who proposes between the Northern Epirus and Kosovo Independence to be resolved under friendly agreement: “We take Northern Epirus to recognize your Kosovo Independence”.

According to “Standard” the article of Greek press is based to new escalation of Balkan Issue particularly for the Kosovo Independence and the position of Athens regarding a “positive reaction for Kosovo”, but firstly Tirana must know the autonomy of Northern Epirus.

Georgiu referred the international agreements about Northern Epirus such are ‘The Protocol of Corfu of 1914” which gives large autonomy of Greek in Albania, the “Peace Conference of 1919” and the “Peace Conference” of 1946 where the Great Powers decided to know the unification of Northern Epirus with Greece, after unification of tow German states.

The declaration of Georgiu actually is the first of high level of Greek authorities to be clear of new position to next developments regarding the Kosovo Independence and Northern Epirus. It’s very significative a protest which will demonstrate in center of Athens by Albanian emigrants proclaimed for January 27, for Kosovo Independence, when Tirana continues “to be indifferent” for every escalation of its national interests.

ΝΟΙΑΖΟΜΑΙ - ΚΙΝΔΥΝΟΣ ΓΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΥ - ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΗΣΗ

"THE PANDORA`S BOX"

After the Indipendence of Kosovo previsted on February 6, will open the way to the changes proces of Balkan Borders. An analisy of Le Monde Dilomatique claims the "Domino Effect" of next developments and balkan state implications after Indipendence of Kosovo self Declaration.

see more;...

ΝΟΙΑΖΟΜΑΙ - ΚΙΝΔΥΝΟΣ ΓΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΥ - ΜΕΤΑΚΙΝΗΣΗ

FYROM, the Anti-Speed-Boat Law

By Plator Nesturi*

Weekly magazine “Klan” said in its issue (No: 545) that the smuggling of lambs or other far “more expensive” products is not a sufficient reason for the Skopia authorities to take such an extreme measure

The visa procedures for the Albanian citizens who want to travel to Macedonia will be the same with those of the EU countries. In other words, the chances of a common Albanian to go to Skopia will be the same with those of going to Italy while the queues in front of the embassies will complete one another.

All of a sudden, Albania, so much engrossed in being part of the EU integration, gets panicky of the free movement of its citizens.
What made Skopia towards which Albania has shown care, if not love, to take such an extreme measure which penalizes the free movement of Albanians? Albania is known as the first countries which recognized the new FYROM state. Moreover, in the time of Greek embargo to FYROM, the former Albanian President, Sali Berisha declared that he would put the Durres Port at the disposal of FYROM. Even later one, the cases when the official Tirana has helped in keeping the fragile state equilibriums of the Balkans have not lacked.

That’s why when Skopje has decided to show the door of embassy to the Albanians, it seems a wonder how the Albanian authorities were so much powerless to change this decision. What is ridicule is that instead of raising their voices, the Albanian authorities aim at raising the awareness about this issue through the protests of the Albanians in FYROM or through declarations of Albanian politicians there.

It has been often talked of the smuggling between the smuggling between the two countries. But neither the smuggling of lambs or other “more expensive” products is not a sufficient reason for the FYROM authorities to take extreme measures that impede the free movement of citizens between the two countries.

Note: Plator Nesturi is analyst for diplomatic and security relations in the albanian press.

BIN LADEN INVESTIMENTS IN ALBANIA

More scandals about Bechtel Investiment in Albania

The newspaper “Korrieri” of Tirana publics on January 6, the head article about the joint partner of Bin Laden to “Bechtel” an American - Turkish Company which is building the patriotic investment “High Way” of Albanian to link Kosovo 170 km. According to “Korieri” which referred to CNN 2003, that “Osama bin Laden family members invested $10M in an equity fund run by former Bechtel unit”.

Last December, the Albania's parliament stripped the foreign minister of immunity Thursday, paving the way for the public prosecutor to charge him with corruption and abuse of power. The lawmakers voted 107-12 in favor of investigating Lulzim Basha over allegations of improperly favoring a U.S.-Turkish joint venture in the awarding of a highway construction contract while he was transport minister.

Basha, who has not yet been charged, denies the accusations and says he is willing to answer any questions about his handling of the highway project, which he said was proud to have been part of.Addressing the parliament before the vote, Basha urged the lawmakers to remove his immunity, saying the move would be a break with the country's past of shielding officials.Basha, who was transport minister from September 2005 until becoming foreign minister in April of this year, could be tried for abuse of power, corruption and causing the budget to swell by some €385 million (US$548 million).The allegations against Basha are related to an October 2006 deal the state signed with the Bechtel-Enka consortium, made up of San Francisco, California-based Bechtel International Inc. and Istanbul-based Enka. The consortium was awarded a €418 million (US$595 million) contract to build a 65-kilometer (40-mile) section of road.

Bechtel Corp., a private construction firm based in San Francisco, recently was awarded a State Department contract, potentially worth more than $600 million, to help rebuild Iraq's infrastructure after the recent U.S.-led war there.

NO COMMENT…

THE CURCH AND THE GREEK COMMUNITY CIMITER OF TIRANA OF 1908

The photo made by Albanian legend photograph “Marubi” about the Hellenic Community presence in Tirana In 1908. Actually Tirana is became “metropolis” of Albania with 800 thousand people to about 3.5 million inhabitants of Albania.

Anyway never the Albanian state has not make a counting population process during 17 years of transition to build the democratic institutions and integration to Euro Atlantic alliances.
According to Greek estimates the Greek Community who lives in Tirana (including Hellenic Diaspora) begins from 50 to 70 thousand people.

The Orthodox Church in Albania continues to be autocephalous since 1922 when the Orthodox Patriarchal of Istanbul knows the independence of autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Albania. In Tirana which live thousand Greeks is prohibited to make the Greek orthodox spiritual rite, even the Archbishop of Albania is Anastas Janullatos, a Greek citizen, who never known the Albanian citizen by Albanian authorities.

The Hellenic National Council met for Balkan Issues

Athens, January 16, 2008

The Hellenic National Council met under ‘Clouse Doors” to discus about ulterior developments on Balkan Region, particularly with Kosovo Independence and after, considered as process which begins to change the borders in Balkan Region.

After the meeting has not any comment about debate which was focused on the new measures to protect the national interest issues and putting the strategy to the next faze.


Photo: The Hellenic National Council, Karamanlis, Mitsotakis, Simitis, Papandreu, Benakis, Kaklamanis, Shufisa, Karatzaferis, Papariga and Alavanos.

ALBANIA AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Foreign Press May Stop Distribution Published:

TIRANA, Albania International press distributors threatened Friday to stop sending overseas newspapers and magazines to Albania because of a new tax approved by parliament. Peter Emod, managing director of the Zurich-based agency Distripress, wrote a letter to Albanian President Bamir Topi urging him not to ratify the law, adopted by parliament last month, levying a 20 percent tax on all imported press products.A copy of the letter was faxed to The Associated Press.

"The new law (would) force the companies dealing with the distribution of foreign press products to stop their activity. This would mean the end of the presence of foreign press in Albania," Emod wrote. The law could also seriously affect foreign book imports, according to Distripress' Albanian affiliate Adrion Ltd.All foreign news media were banned in Albania during decades of Communist isolation that ended in 1990.

Among Distripress board members include Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Inc., a New York subsidiary of Hachette Filipacchi Medias, DPV Worldwide and Dogan Media International.

THE PAN HELLENIC SITE OF THE WORLD NEWS AND EVENTS...

NOIAZOMAI ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΟ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΟ ΔΙΚΤΥΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ
http://www.noiazomai.net/ ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΙΚΩΝ, ΓΟΝΕΩΝ & ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ

ΒΟΡΕΙΟΣ ΗΠΕΙΡΟΣ
ΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ «ΚΟΣΣΟΒΟ»

ΕΚΚΡΕΜΕΙ ΕΠΙΣΗΜΩΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΩΝ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ
ΤΩΝ Μ. ΔΥΝΑΜΕΩΝ (ΡΩΣΙΑΣ, ΗΠΑ, ΓΑΛΛΙΑΣ, ΑΓΓΛΙΑΣ) ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1946


ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΩΣΙΑΣ
Δια της Ρωσικής Πρεσβείας.................

http://www.noiazomai.net/

Daily Press BriefingTom Casey, Deputy SpokesmanWashington, DCJanuary 11, 2008


KOSOVO AND NORTHERN EPIRUS ISSUES....



Tom Casey...Okay, Mr. Lambros. We're back to you.

Question: On Kosovo, Mr. Casey, according to The New York Times and to International Herald Tribune, the U.S. government is going to recognize the illegal entity of Kosovo immediately after the elections
in Serbia.

MR. CASEY: (Laughs.)

Question: And I'm wondering why. Under which legal basis?

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, first of all, the United States position
with respect to Kosovo remains clear and consistent. You've heard it
from us before. We believe that, in keeping with U.N. Resolution
1244, it's time to resolve Kosovo's final status. That, for us and
for the broad cross-section of the international community, means
proceeding with implementation of the Ahtisaari plan, and that's what
we'll be working for in the coming days and weeks.

QUESTION: A follow-up. If the Greeks of Northern Epirus in Albania
will elect their own prime minister, like the Kosovar Albanians in
Serbia, I'm wondering, Mr. Casey, if Undersecretary Nicholas Burns,
with the same token, will congratulate such a Greek prime minister as
he did yesterday for Hashim Thaqi?

MR. CASEY: Oh, Mr. Lambros, what an unfair question! Mr.
Lambros, as you know and as everyone well knows, Kosovo is a very
unique situation, and it -- (audio break) -- and settlements are not a
precedent for any other region.And as you know, that's long been a consistent part of U.S. policy.

more: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2008/jan/99231.htm

THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TOPI ENCOURAGES CHAMERIA COMMUNITY FOR PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION
Photo: the Asspirated map of Greater Albania

The Albanian president Bamir Topi met some days ago a delegation of Association “Chameria”. During the meeting, the delegates of “Chameria Community” asked the President Topi about last visit in Greece and talks about the Chameria Issue.

To the Albanian President the “Chameria Community” expressed some questions for the future of Albanian leadership regarding the “Cham Issue”. Particularly the member of delegation asked the Albanian president for a “New Resolute of Chameria Issue” from Albanian Parliament as soon as possible seeing an initiative of Albanian Opposite Coalition addressed the Prime Minister Sali Berisha for collaboration with out politic reserves for Albanian National Issues Reforms” to Joint to NATO and EU.

“The Chameria Community” has intensified their efforts to International Community addressing to the International factors under slogans “Albania is incomprehensible with out Chameria and Kosovo” addressed they to the President Topi.

Some day ago the leader of politic opposition Edi Rama asked to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha “if he is ready to collaborate for the future reforms of Albania under strategic objectives regarding national issue Kosovo and others …. for the Integration of Albania to the Euro Atlantic Institutions. According to Albanian Media is possible a Resolution during the period of self declaration of the Independence of Kosovo by Albanian parliament when would be voted other alls the “Chameria Resolute.

According to “Albanian Daily News” the Chairman of Chameria Association Adrian Tana called on the Albanian Parliament to adopt a resolution which would unify the stance of the Albanian politics on the Chams Isue. “The cam question should be part of the official agenda of meetings between Albania and Greece” said Tana.

On June 2004 the Albanian Parliament refused to vote a Resolution for “Chameria Issue” even the Foreign Parliamentary Commission had voted in favor of request firmed by ex Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

This initiative makeit in a critic moment when the Balkan situation is under strong observation of Great Powers particularly waiting the self independence proclamation by Kosovo`s Parliament and the diplomatic pressing used to Greece to recognize the Independence of Kosovo and support Albania to NATO and EU.

VIOLATED THE BYZANTINE CHURCH OF LABOVAS

Photo: The newspaper "Pamorama" about Labova`s vandalism.
Argirokaster, January 7, 2008

The Byzantine Church of Labovas (Argirokastro Region) has been stolen by unknown persons. The vandals have stolen 18 old icons of Byzantine period and funds of the church.

The Byzantine Church of Labovas is known in Argirokaster as important center of orthodoxy of the region, serving to the Greek community. Labovas is the village of Zapas the Great Benefactor of Hellenic Culture.

Photo: The Labova`s church

According to Orthodox Church, during 2007 period over 100 Orthodox Church are violated or destroyed lot of them are Byzantine. One month ago, the Byzantine Church of San. Pandelimonas of Drimades in Himara Regiom, destructed by explosion material, considered as a terrorist act against community and orthodoxy.

During the summer 2007 many Archeological and Byzantine centers in Southern Albania has been under attacks of vandals, making fires such are Apollonias and Buthrintos the oldest Hellenic centers of the region.

Is a paradox for Albanian State when is preparing to advertising on CNN this year claiming the oldest values of Albania beginning from Apollonia, Buthrintos, Byllis, Antigonea, Berat, Argirokastro, Orikum all the part of Hellenic heritage of Northern Epirus, to Byzantine churches which continue to violate with out limit.

Pope warns diplomats that conflicts in Balkan must respects the rights of all peoples.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Addressing diplomats from around the world, Pope Benedict XVI warned that numerous armed conflicts and social disorders have left global stability in a fragile situation.

In Europe, he said, a definitive status for Kosovo needs to be determined in a way that respects the rights of all the inhabitants and avoids a return to "the specter of violence" in the Balkans

In a passage that hinted at a potential theme for his planned U.N. visit in April, the pope noted that 60 years ago the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrined human dignity.

"In every continent the Catholic Church strives to ensure that human rights are not only proclaimed but put into practice," he said.

Albanian Government wants more control to the Local Autonomy

The Abanian Premier, Sali Berisha, decided to give more copetences to the Legalisation Agency. Yesterday the government decited to send to parliament a project law which give more copetences for zones under legalisation proces in touristic areas.

According to the latest changes, the Agency of Legalisatiion should report to the Premier on the suggestions they have in regard to the contradict with Municipalities.

Anyway the control of prime minister to Municipalities is against any decision of the Charter of European Council for the Rights of Local Autonomy particularly for the Albanian Coast Line Areas. The must important contradict will be between the Albanian government and Himara`s Municipality when the community has opposed a Master Plan of World Bank, conditioned by the problems of proprieties. According to information the government wants to have more competences to the rights of tourist areas but the inhabitants considers as continuing efforts for assimilysation process.