STOP THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HELLENIC COMMUNITY BY TRIBUNAL OF VLORA

The Head of the Court of vlora and Persecutor Office of Vlora`s Region is became strong brunch of Democratic Party. The Head of Vlora`s Court Artur Malaj and Persecutor Skender Dautaj, are linked politically to condemn rebelion against Sali Berisha on 1997, when for the albanian citizen with greek origin, they use national rethoric to discriminate and condemn member of Greek Community of Himara Region.

The Tribunal of Fieri some days ago decided to condemn the Head of the Court of vlora, Artur Malaj after the proces which Malaj was accused by advocate Sazan Aliko for discrimination of his family. Aliko former Head of Court of Vlora, maried years ago with a girl by the greek origin from Dropulli, accused Malaj for discrimination and human rigths violated against his family. On a secret report that Malaj sent to albanian superior authority, expressed his opinion to Aliko motivated as “on the interest of National Security”.

The Superior Counsil of Tribunal of Albania, some months ago, exclused four Judges by the Apeal Court of Vlora, all with greek origin, motivated for “corruption and misteake procedures of the proceses”. Also the Court of Vlora is in the first fase of the penal process to condemn 10 albanian citizens with greek origin from Himara Region, after a protest held at front of Police Departament of Himara. In center of accuses against they are the words used: “we want greek polices not albanians to protect us”.

Five years ago 5 of Himara citizens are condamned all togather 15 year by Court of Vlora headed by Artur Malaj after they protested with greek flags against violation of votes during local elections of 2003. Hunders of vlora`s citizen by greek origin most part from Himara, have oppened penal proces against Proprierty Regional Office of Vlora, after they "have lost" the original documents or have falsified them.

Vlora, the centre known as Avlona, an old byzantin point on the west south part of Albania, near Adriatic Sea, is populated for the seconde time after 1991, by thousands people come from other region of Albania. The half of popullation is in emigration, Greece and Italy, when the city is composed in majority by communities of orthodoxes, labes and chames. In 1997 the anti pyramidal protests of Vlora People bring the large “Civil War” on the albanian territor between southern (tosks) and northern (geghs) communities. Now Vlora is became a strong center of tourism in Albania but also a protagonist of varius international economic interests such are AMBO and Gazprom.

Arrest Albanian who made photos to the “Araxos Air Base” of Patras

Photo: the greek skuadron fighters

We spent three days since to “target” that illegal immigrant who was an appropriate means of penetration of foreign intelligence services and yesterday's publication of the greek newspaper "Proto Thema" confirmed the above saying.

Specifically is arrested a person of Albanian nationality to photografe facilities of the Araxos air base (the seat is 116 Combat Wing). This period is ongoing work to construct a Government hall and maintenance for the 335 and 336 Squadron and public hall engines, under the host of 30 new fighter Advanced F-16 Block 52 +. In 336 M gathered around 50 A-7E & TA-7C Corsair II and the D-7I & TA-7H of 335 M have been withdrawn.

It is recalled that the PM 116 had been aiming to sabotage the May 2003 when they found metal objects in aircraft engines at least three A-7, with then-A & JUL to talk about «treason» and «dishonesty». The publication also refers to military cooperation Ankara - Tirana but also the strategic importance of 116 PM.

No any response from albanian authorities about misterios imigrant who may be an espionage profferssionist linked with turkish intelligence said the greek newspaper.

BERISHA IS PLANNING TO VISIT HIMARA THIS WEEK

“Very preoccupied” the Albanian PM to visit Himara this week even dozens of himarotes with Greek origin are under penal accuse by the Tribunal of Vloraa`s district as protagonist of an peace protest against Himara Police Departament.

Berisha is planning to visit himara Region to inaugurate some Greek investments of the region such as the national way Saranda Vlora and water resource center of Drimades. Some information said about “very preoccupation of PM Berisha” to show “good sentiments” between Greek Albanian relations, but in reality the people of Himara Region “has finished the love” with his government even the Human Rights Party, one important electoral member of coalition of Albanian government continues to be in alliance with Berisha.

According to information, Berisha is playing the “Last Show” with the Greek American Lobby and the Greek Government of Kostas Karamanlis, to claim the trip in Himara region as diplomatic visit, but in fact the Greek Albanian relations has begun another start.

ALBANIAN DEVELOPMENTS


Stavros Markos (World Security Network Foundation Associate)


The daughter of the Albanian Prime Minister, Argita Maltezi is cooperating with foreign companies so as to exploit the scenic Ionian Coast of the Greek populated regions in Albania.
More specifically the company “Best Property Albania" represented by David Hentsell, is one of the contractors which will cooperate with the “Legal Office of Maltezi Group”.



Recently the representative of the Albanian Socialist Party Erion Brace made a statement around the aforementioned in the Albanian Parliament. He accused the Prime Minister Berisha of corrupting politically and economically foreign companies in collaboration with the Legal Office of his daughter Argita Maltezi.



According to highly reliable local information, the most important lands and properties are owned currently by Greeks. Moreover the efforts of the Albanian Mafia to take over those lands which constitute the so-called “Albanian Riviera” are also well known and documented.
On early July 2008 the city of Vlora`s Periphery Council approved for the second time the “Kakomea Project Beach” in collaboration with the “Club Med”. According to the Parliamentarian Erion Brace, the daughter of Berisha is linked directly both “Club Med” and the “Best Property Albania".



On June 2008, the well-known Albanian publicist Fatos Lubonja accused the Albanian Mafia of supporting politically the Prime Minister Sali Berisha.



Lubonja appeared on a TV along with the Tourism Minister of Albania Ylli Pango and the Director of World Bank Project for Ionian Coast Jamarber Maltezi (son in law of Prime Minister Berisha).



Lubonja commented that the attacks against the Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos and the Greek minority were made by the Albanian media linked with organized crime figures in the construction sector in order to take over the land and built a series of bungalows and tourist facilities.



In overall the Greek minority in Albanian is on a collision course with Berisha centered around the intention of the latter to proceed with the plans of his government on the tourist industry. It has to be noted that the above have galvanized to a great extent the Greek communities and there are fears of riots over the coming weeks.

origina. article: http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=691&Itemid=42



Sources (include Albanian newspaper news):

http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/05/albanian-publicist-fatos-lubonja-calls.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2007/09/raising-tension-in-southern-albania.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

TEN HIMARIOTES UNDER PENAL PROCES FROM VLORA`S PERSECUTOR

Not only the Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos but also the targets to “implicate” member of the Greek Community of Himara Region continue to raise the antagonism between Tirana and Athens.

This is a document sent to one of protesters in Himara Town from Persecutor of Vlora, which on April 10, protested at front of Police Department of Himara. The document of Persecutor Skender Dauti, underlines for penal process addressing to Andrea Beleri as “person who has take part during the violent protest at front of Police Department of Himara.

The penal process against not only to the Chairman of Greek Minority and Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos but also to other Himara citizens with Greek nationality could bring new “diplomatic sentiments” between Athens and Tirana, even Albania media supported by leadership of Tirana, continues to raise the anti Hellenic rhetoric, since member of the Greek community of Himara Region are actually the protagonist of Albanian tribunal.

Sixe years ago, five member of Himara Community protested during the local election at front of Himara Municipality holding on the hands the Greek flag, carried by the court of Vlora as anti Albanian protest. Now after six years other ten himariotes will procede by the Tribunal of Vlora against their national sentiments and the human values, to have the rights to espress free their nationality as citizen of a country such as Albania which wants to joint in EU.

AN OUTLINE OF GREEK-ISRAELI STRATEGIC RELATIONS
John M. Nomikos (RIEAS Director)

Ioannis Michaletos (RIEAS Junior Analyst and Editor at Southeastern Europe in World Security Foundation)

Copyright: http://www.rieas.gr/
Two nations that have been constantly active in world?s history since antiquity are the Greek and Jewish one. Since the era of Mosses and Ulysses those two nations have inexorably been associated with all the historical developments in the Mediterranean region and with active to every worldwide event worth mentioning. It would be interesting to illustrate that these two great nations have quite a few common elements as regarding to their history of national fulfillment and their aspirations in various historical periods.

The Jewish Zionist movement that was founded in the late 19th century by Theodor Herzl had a significant historical analogy with the then ?Grand Idea? of the Greek independent state. The Greek as well as the Jewish Diaspora was split in those that promoted the inclusion of all members of each nationality into a single nation state; and to those that had great economic and social interests and firmly believed that such a move would impair their live hood. The strong Jewish community in the Ottoman Empire feared that a newborn Jewish state would destroy ?as it happened- centuries of constructing extensive commercial networks in an area from Danube to Egypt.

http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=66

BERISHA CLAN PLAIN TO SELL IONIAN COAST BEFOR PROCLAMATION OF NORTHERN EPIRUS AUTHONOMY

The daughter of Berisha, Argita Maltezi is coppering with Foreign Companies to sell Ionian Coast in Northern Epirus. The foreign Company “Best Property Albania" represented by David Hentsell, is one of some contractors which cooperate with the “Legal Office of Maltezi Group”.

Not only “Mediterranean Club” is collaborating with the daughter of Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Argita Maltezi but one important issue to sell proprieties and lands in Albanian Riviera is denounced in Albanian Parliament by the represent of Socialist Party Erion Brace. He accused the Prime Minister Berisha to corrupt politically and economically foreign companies in collaboration with “Legal Office” of his daughter Argita Maltezi.

The accuses of Brace to the PM Berisha was directly for “Best Property Albania" which collaborates with Maltezi as priority to sell propriety and lands of tourist zones of Albania.

According to information the most important lands and proprieties which are target to sell are during the Albanian Southern Ionian Coast, known geopolitically as Northern Epirus territory, populated by Greeks. It’s very known the efforts of Albanian Mafia to conquest lands and proprieties of Hellenic population in Southern Albania under the model of “Northern Cyprus”. Some times the leaders of the Greek communities and municipalities are denounced the efforts of Albanian Government which supports Mafia Groups to conquest lands of Greek Community.

One more important accuse made by the Socialist Party in Parliament directly to the PM Berisha who is favorizing foreign companies such is the new office opened in Tirana, the “Best Property Albania" represented by David Hentsell. Some days ago the Vlora`s Periphery Council approved for the second time the “Kakomea Project Beach” to beginning way of the project in collaboration with “Club Med”. According to Brace the daughter of Berisha is linked directly both “Club Med” and “Best Property Albania".

The last movement to conquest the Ionian Coasts populated by Hellenic people, is denounced time ago by tow important mayors of Hellenic Community in the region: the Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos and Lukovo Vladimir Kumis, who accused directly the Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Albanian Mafia supported by the Albanian Tribunals.

One month ago the much known Albanian publicist Fatos Lubonja, accused Albanian Mafia supported politically by the Prime Minister Sali Berisha to conquest lands and proprieties of Ionian Coast. Lubonja refers a TV debate with presence of Tourism Minister of Albania Ylli Pango and the Director of World Bank Project for Ionian Coast Jamarber Maltezi (son in law of Prime Minister Berisha) who declared for developments of Ionian Coast constructing “Tourist Villages” on the lands of Himara peoples.

Lubonja comments that the attacks against the Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos and the Greek minority of this zone made by Albanian media linked with politic mafia which are exactly the idea to ocupet lands and to construct “tourist perandory” under the developing tourist villages such are Kakomea and Draleas..

More: see references..

http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/05/albanian-publicist-fatos-lubonja-calls.html

http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2007/09/raising-tension-in-southern-albania.html

http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

VASSILIS BOLLANOS AT FRONT OF VLORAS`TRIBUNAL

Vlore. Vassilis Bollanos the very known Mayor of Himara and the President of the Greek Minority of Albania has been present today during the first seance of Tribunal of Vlora District for the greek leanguage road tabels accused by the albanian governmanet.

Bollanos expresed his oponence at front of Tribunal as responssabile of autonomus territor of Himaras Municipality which dominated by strong old presence of greek minority (according to Municipality estimate, about 85% of Himara region is inhabited by the greek old popullation).

He said during the seance that the Albanian Government and Counsil of Europe have an agreement to respect the minorities and ethnic groups in all albanian territor where they liveing. Also Bollano espresed his oposite for the ritght of Municipality according to the albanian laws to put the road tabels as autonoms territor of Himara`s municipality.

Albania is confronting by strong oposite for the rights of the Greek Minority regarding the nationalist sentiments based under the slogan of the "Greater Albania" while the greek american lobby and members of American Congress urge to State Departament to obsserver strongly the human rights of Albania.

"Albania will not regonize the serbian Parliament of Mitrovica", FM Basha said

Question for Minister Basha: We notice a tendency for the establishment of parallel institutions in Kosovo. What’s your comment on this?

Minister Basha: The parallel structures have received a clear answer from Brussels and New York as well. They are totally illegitimate. In substance these are an ugly posing of certain circles of Belgrade, a self-ridicule of Belgrade and of Serbs in Kosovo, who’s future is in Kosovo, as a minority group, which based on Ahtisaari Plan enjoys the greatest rights ever historically known in our region and beyond.

In this context, the European future of Kosovo and we hope of Serbia and the entire region, will be safer when the neighboring countries will adopt stances based on mutual respect towards each other integrity and they will cooperate for the fulfillment of common goals of EU integration of all the countries in the region, including Kosovo and Serbia. In terms of new additional discussions between Pristina and Belgrade for Kosovo status I think that in this respect the answer to this is very clear: these discussions have already finished, they have produced a reality, - Kosovo is today an independent state, internationally recognized.

But do the neighbors have to talk to each other? I think yes. Surely, based on reciprocity and mutual respect, neighbors should share opinions on other issues, but the very issue of Kosovo status is closed and I don’t think that the UN Secretary General has on his agenda the opening of discussions between Pristina and Belgrade on this topic

more: http://www.mfa.gov.al/

Kosovo Serbs convene parliament

MITROVICA, June 28 (Reuters) - Serbs in Kosovo were due to convene their own parliament in the divided city of Mitrovica on Saturday in a fresh challenge to the authority of a state that only a vast minority of states in the world recognize as independent. Only few countries have recognized Kosovo as an independent state while vast majority of the world refuses to recognize its illegal status. The assembly has no executive authority, but reflects a deepening ethnic partition of Kosovo since its Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia in February, backed by the West but opposed by Belgrade and its ally Russia.

Its establishment coincides with St Vitus Day, or Vidovdan, when Serbs mark the 1389 battle at the heart of Kosovo which is their Jerusalem. The epic defeat to the Islamic forces of Ottoman Turks remains the pivotal event in Serb history. After decades of ethnic cleansing of Serbs, today ninety percent of Kosovo's 2 million people are Albanians. Their declaration of independence after nine years as a ward of the United Nations is a challenge to the international order, very charter of the United Nations, constitution of Serbia and numerous international treaties since the 19th century that define Kosovo as an integral part of Serbian territory.

NATO troops, including British reinforcements brought in at the end of May, manned checkpoints in armoured personnel carriers on roads leading to the capital, Pristina.
Hundreds of Serb attended a religious service in the monastery town of Gracanica, and will travel north past Pristina to the site of 1389 battle later in the day, before the parliament sits in Mitrovica. The assembly brings together local Serb officials from across Kosovo. It has no real executive authority, but will help "coordination" between Belgrade and the Serbs, officials say.
Kosovo's U.N. governor, Lamberto Zannier, has played down its significance, saying the assembly is merely "symbolic" and would change little on the ground. A U.N. spokesman said it was "not very serious" since it had no operational role.

But Kosovo Albanian leaders have condemned the move as a provocation. "It is an attempt to destabilise Kosovo," the so-called Islamic president of the separatists Fatmir Sejdiu said this week. The north, which backs onto Serbia, is beyond the institutional reach of Pristina and currently out of bounds for a new European Union police mission looking to take over law and order duties from the United Nations. Serbs have rejected Kosovo's secession. They are boycotting the police force and courts, and in February burned down customs points on the northern border with Serbia. Kosovo has been recognised by 43 states, including the United States and most of the European Union. Russia backs Serbia in its rejection of independence as do over hundred other states in the world.

Continues the "Domino Efect" on Balkans......

After Kosovo indipendence on february and serbska parliament of Mitrovitsa in the end of June, other minorities groups are waiting to claim their autonomy in Balkan Region. Step by step the albanians of FYROM and Preshevo (Southern Serbia) are preparing to claim autonom territorial which may bring new dimenssion to prepare geopolitic changes on Balkans.

ALBANIAN AMMUNITION SCANDAL

Daily Press BriefingTom Casey,

Deputy SpokesmanWashington,

DCJune 24, 2008

Yeah, Mr. Lambros, go ahead.

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

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

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

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

By Eric Schmitt
Published: June 24, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Human Rights of Greeks in Albania

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

Yes, Mr. Lambros.

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

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

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

Albania sacks top general for "Gerdeci Blast"

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

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

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

THE BALKANIZATION OF GREECE: THE UNFOLDING PROCESS

Nikolaos A. Stavrou

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

650 missille bought by China in 1996 menace Tirana

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

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

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

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

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

THE McCAIN, CLINTON OR OBAMA BALKAN LINE?

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

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

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

THE ECONOMIC PROJECT OF UNIFICATION OF “GREATER ALBANIA”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PM receives George & Barbara Bush

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

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

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

ALBANIA SOLD ILLEGAL WEAPONS TO CHAD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALABANIAN MEDIA ABOUT THE PAN EPIROTIC RESOLUTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cypriot Foreign Minister visiting Albania

6 June 2008 17:08 FOCUS News Agency

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

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

WORLD COUNCIL OF EPIROTES ABROAD

PRESS RELEASE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 June 2008

For more information contact: Menelaos G. Tzelios

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

Tel. 718 809-4005 FAX 718 956-9583

USA: MEMBERS OF THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT WITHOUT IMMUNITY

Photo: The Atorney Ina Rama and US Ambassador Withers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"KATHIMERINI"

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

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

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

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

US Archbishop Demetrios Meets With Patriarch Alexy of Moscow



MOSCOW -- Archbishop Demetrios of America and the members of the official delegation of the Archdiocese were received by Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia on Tuesday May 27th at the Official Patriarchal Residence inside the Danilovsky Monastery, the first Monastery founded in Moscow.



Before the 1:00 p.m. meeting with the Patriarch, the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate had arranged with the government for the Archbishop and the delegation to receive a private tour of the Grand Palace inside the Kremlin. This vast palace contains the official government ceremonial halls that have been used for state occasions throughout Russian history, as well as the private apartments of the Tsars and their royal chapel.



more see: http://www.greeknewsblog.com/

Blood, Kalashnikovs and fraud in FYROM elections

Kosovo went to vote with identity cards" ... FYROM

“Elefterotipia”

"Easy yesterday roads in Kosovo. Even restaurants and cafes serving roads remained closed. It is Sunday thought. The Kosovar Albanians met, but we explained that their compatriots were transferred to Skopje to vote, with buses and private vehicles. The fact was known even in the Greek Kosovo Force, taking part in NATO and has been entrusted with the responsibility of security. In Greek check point, just outside of Vitina, which is roughly half an hour from the borders of FYROM, we were assured that there was no traffic on the roads by 10 am on Sunday, and had great movement and early Saturday".

Elected representatives, municipal representatives of the southern Kosovo to us clarify that the areas south of the border are a natural follow-up, because all the villages are purely Albanian consider that it has not resolved the issue of borders, so assert northern part of FYROM. However with official diplomatic sources, many of the Kosovars Albanians managed to obtain two passports and two identities, production ... Tetovou - one of Kosovo and one of FYROM. They are included in the lists and participate in the vote. The city of Tetovo and Kumanovo villages is the natural follow-up who feel they belong and their support with their votes. Also, Kosovo Albanians have gone to the Albanian Gkostivar region, which is more remote from the borders but is inhabited by their compatriots.

More about article…in Greek newspaper: http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=111,id=6684712,14248360,28442408,52705448

"FYROM FALURE"

Declarate of Greek FM Dora Bakogianis about elections in FYROM

"We suggestions for more aggressive in the regular issue of the name of FYROM next time" receives from the diplomatic strains Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

"And how could it be otherwise when the sixth election in Skopje marked by widespread violence and fraud, when 25% of the population of multicultural state threatens to armed rebellion, leading to de facto pooling, where black has reached 60% when essentially "kept alive" FYROM with the support of Soros and ... Greek companies".

Actually Skopje have all the characteristics of a "failed state". The "failed" (failed states), "weak" (weak), "unstable", "under collapse" (failing) states are a "black hole" in the international security system and Greece is already face such a situation on its borders. Let us be ready for the next day and let us be more careful about the name that will give to a country tomorrow, there will be no ..."

Balkans are no longer a hotbed of crime, UN report says

"Albania has the worst crime problem in the region and remains the "soft underbelly" of the Balkans for organized crime", Costa said.

Published: May 29, 2008
BELGRADE: The Balkans, once known as a hotbed of crime and violence amid wars in Yugoslavia and the transition from communism, have become one of the safest areas in Europe, a United Nations report said Thursday.

But organized crime and its links to politicians and business continue to pose serious challenges in several Balkan countries, said Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which compiled the report.

more: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/29/europe/balkans.php

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
NEW YORK,
Greeks in Albania: Language Issues Land Mayor In Trouble

Saturday, 31 May 2008


The actions of a mayor attempting to highlight the marginalization of Greek language by removing Albanian road signs has landed him in trouble with Tirana. Below is an article published by BalkanInsight:
An ethnic Greek mayor in Albania has been indicted after he ordered the destruction of road signs because they were not bilingual. Mayor Vasil Bollano from the town of Himara on Albania’s coast, ordered the removal of the signs in December 2007 arguing that the signs should have also been in Greek, because he considers the area a Greek minority zone.


The removal of the signs caused road chaos because they were along a section of Albania’s coast which is very popular with tourists. Prosecutors have filed charges against Bollano for abuse of power, arguing that his actions were against the law and cost Albanian taxpayers roughly €170,000.


Bollano’s statements have got him in hot water before. He previously declared large swathes of southern Albania are Greek land and claimed autonomy for the area. Estimates of the Greek minority in Albania range from three to seven percent of the total population.

Ethnic Greek mayor charged over removing road signs

Thu 29 May 2008, 15:34 GMT

By Benet Koleka
TIRANA (Reuters) - An ethnic Greek mayor in Albania has been charged for removing road signs in his area and demanding they include Greek place names, officials said on Thursday. Sokol Malaj, the lead regional prosecutor, said Vasil Bollano had overstepped his authority and his actions disrupted traffic on a roughly 60-km (40-mile) stretch of road.

"Mr. Bollano has the right to manage the road inside his municipality, but not beyond. He issued an illegal order and damaged the signs," Malaj told Reuters by phone. The signs were written in English. "My witnesses say he told them the signs would be put back only if they are written in Greek," Malaj added. "Someone visiting the area for the first time wouldn't know where to go."
The indictment issued by the prosecutor requested for the mayor to be tried on charges of abuse of office.

Bollano is on his third term as mayor of the western Himara region, an ethnically mixed area stretching over the southern half of Albania's coastline across from the Greek island of Corfu.
Bollano has come to symbolize the push for more rights for Albania's ethnic Greeks, especially the use of their language. The large Himara region is mixed, with Albanian and Greek-speaking villages next to each other among rolling hills and olive groves.

Bollano told Reuters the signs bearing the words "Himara Municipality" and the emblems of the European Union and Albania, had been put up without his knowledge and in breach of the law.
"The language was not the issue, the official rules and competences were the issue," he said. "The signs were also written in English, and they could well be written in Greek. It is the municipality council that has to decide about it."

REGIONAL NEWS, ALBANIA

Albania warming to nuclear power

By Svetlana Kovalyova - Reuters
MILAN - Albania wants to develop nuclear power generation and is ready to invite Italians to build a nuclear plant on its soil, Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. «Our country is open to atomic energy. It is open to everyone,» Berisha said in an interview published yesterday. Berisha said Albania was still working with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the necessary regulatory work to start nuclear power generation.

«As soon as we are ready, it would be ideal to reach an agreement with neighboring countries, first of all with Italy,» Berisha said. Tirana would offer Italy a deal to build a nuclear plant in Albania financed by the two governments. If state funds were not to be available, Tirana would turn to private investors, he said. Berisha said his government has yet to contact Rome, but an Italian group which he did not name had already visited Albania to discuss building a nuclear plant there. The site is yet to be determined, he added.

Italy is the only Group of Eight industrialized nation without nuclear power after rejecting it in a 1987 referendum in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster. But calls for a nuclear revival have intensified under the new government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as oil prices soared to record highs. «I have not yet talked to the Italian government, because the previous one was against nuclear power. But with Berlusconi everything changes,» Berisha said.

Albania to Open Embassies in Estonia, Norway and PortugalBalkan Travellers

29 May 2008 The Albanian government has said it intends to open three new diplomatic missions in Estonia, Norway and Portugal, national media reported today. The need for opening the new embassies stems from the improvement of Albania’s relations and the intensification of its economic ties with the three countries, as well as the support they gave to Albania in its European integration, Lulzim Basha, Albania’s Foreign Minister explained.

His decision has been opposed by the Finance Mininster, Ridvan Bode, who suggested that embassies in neighboring countries continue to share the workload, in order not to increase public spending.According to the official website of Albania’s Foreign Ministry, the country currently has a total of 46 diplomatic missions in states and international organizations around the world. Albania has embassies and consulates in all the Balkan countries, except for Bosnia and Herzgovina, and in 14 Western and Central European states.

DEBATE IN ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT FOR THE “PROTOCOL OF CORFU”

Photo: Greek American Boston Parade 2008.

The Parliament calls PM Berisha to resign Bollano and Ksera.

Some member of Albanian Parliament denounced today the “anti Albanian rhetoric” used not only by Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos but also Argjirokastra Prefect Spiro Ksera.

The rise of attacks targets to the tow important high represent of Greek Ethnic Minority of Albania, the Chairman Bollanos and V/Chairman Ksera, under accuse of penal arrest against Albanian Constitution, understands the beginning start to the last politically offensive to block any geopolitically request based to the Human Rights of Greek Minority. The parliamentary member Arta Dade former F/Minister of Socialist Party, Pellumb Xhufi former V/Minister and represent of Movement Integration Socialist Group and Blerim Cela high represent of Democratic Party of Sali Berisha, called to arrest all persons beginning from Bollano to Ksera and others.

The member of Albanian parliament accused high represents of Hellenism in Albania as protagonists who want to create geopoliticaly problems between Albania and Greece for “Protocol of Corfu of 1914”. This protocol is firmed in May 17, 1914 in Island Corfu, under the represent of great powers with participation of Albanian, who decided to give large autonomy the Greeks of Albania.

According to “Gazeta Shqiptare” an Italian independent media very aggressive against Hellenism in Albania, in the anti Albanian rhetoric figures with authority, includes the Mayor of Argirocaster and chairman of Socialist Party Flamur Bine, who accuses by the newspaper as linked with northern epiriotes represent in Greece.

In addition the newspaper “Shekulli” writes for the decision of Vlora`s Persecutor to arrest Vassilis Bollanos. The offensive of Albanian media supported by Albanian institutions is accompanying as “last final act of strategy goals” to attack the Greek Minority by Albanian nationalist segments, obligating the high represent of Albanian State, to take strong measures shutting firstly politically represent of Hellenism in Albania, Himara and Argjirokaster.

According to publicist Fatos Lubonja one of tentative to arrest Vassilis Bollanos is the objective to conquest Ionian Coast territories by Albanian Mafia linked politically by Tirana.

ALBANIAN PUBLICIST FATOS LUBONJA CALLS ALBANIAN POLITIC MAFIA TO STOP OFFENSSIVE AGAINST HIMARA PROPRIETES

The most known publicist of Albania Fatos Lubonja, ex politic prisoner during Dictator Regime, under the title “The last massacre against Southern” comments on “Korrieri” Newspaper for e mafia plan against Himara Region and Ionian Coast line, to conquest land and proprieties of Himara people under the “Macro Developments Projects of Albania Tourism Strategy”.

Lubonja refers a TV debate with presence of Tourism Minister of Albania Ylli Pango and the Director of World Bank Project for Ionian Coast Jamarber Maltezi (son in law of Prime Minister Berisha) who declared for developments of Ionian Coast constructing “Tourist Villages” on the lands of Himara peoples.

Lubonja comments that the attacks against the Mayor of Himara Vassilis Bollanos and the Greek minority of this zone made by Albanian media linked with politic mafia which are exactly the idea to ocupet lands and to construct “tourist perandory” under the developing tourist villages such are Kakomea and Draleas..

Lubonja comments also the last visit of the Albanian president Bamir Topi in Himara who expressed his opinion to develop the Himara Region which “has remained backwardness since 1950” but in fact according to Lubonja tell us a strategy to change the vaw from ethnic historic characteristic villages with beautiful beaches of Himara Region to the massive building construction such is the Durresi, Saranda and Shengini Region.

“It is the conflict of the owner properties and panic of (Greek) minority to be occupied from incoming from all the other regions (of Albania) together with the small dangerous street that which have saved from (ecologic) massacre the rest virgin region of South Albania. I’m afraid the (whispering) campaign, even the attacks against the “Greek Bollano” could be effort to bear down the last obstacles for beginning of the massacre” notes Fatos Lubonja on his comment.

original in albanian: http://www.korrieri.com/index.php?news=300

Albania Insists on EU Visa Regime Liberalisation

27 May 2008 The speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, insisted that the EU liberalise its visa requirements towards Albanian citizens at a conference on the perspectives before South-eastern Europe that took place in Brussels recently, national media reported today.

The Albanian government is aware of its commitments, Topalli said at the conference, according to the daily Albanian newspaper Koha Jone, but using double standards towards various countries regarding the visa regime is not right. Topalli also claimed that the inability of Albanian citizens to move freely around the EU is causing them serious problems, which is why Albania will continue to negotiate the full liberalisation of the visa regime.

EU in an initiative to ease the visa restrictions for the Western Balkan countries, the EU has already started a dialogue with Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. Though all the countries are expected to fulfil certain criteria, such as document security and tackling organised crime and corruption before the restrictions are completely dropped, some benefits have been enjoyed by Albanian citizens since the beginning of the year: Some categories of visa applicants, such as students, cultural workers and journalists now go through a facilitated process and the fee to obtain the travel permit was lowered.

Greek FM criticises 'baseless irredentism'

Greece reacted immediately on Sunday to the latest provocation emanating from a high-profile official from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), with the foreign minister referring directly to "outdated and historically baseless irredentism", in reference to statements in Rome by the head of the unrecognised so-called "Macedonian Orthodox Church".

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said such irredentist statements are dangerous for "regional cooperation and stability in the fragile region of the Balkans".

more: http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6468003&maindocimg=6425949&service=94