ABOUT THE DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN PM SALI BERISHA FOR PROPERTIES OF ALBANIANS IN GREECE. REACTION OF STATE DEPARTAMENT

Daily Press Briefing Index
Thursday, December 4, 2008
10:36 a.m. EST

Briefer: Robert A. Wood, Deputy Spokesman......

Lambros Papantoniou:

QUESTION: On Albania. Mr. Wood, Prime Minister Sali Berisha stated that Albania and Greece are involved in negotiation “at the legal level” concerning World War II issues on properties of Albanian Nazi collaborators. It was reported, however, that the Department of State plays a role in that process. Could you please comment on your role and elaborate specifically on your involvement?

MR. WOOD: I’m not aware of any involvement in the Department of State.

QUESTION: So you take this question --

MR. WOOD: We can see if we can find anything on that.

QUESTION: Thank you.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release December 4, 2008
2008/1004

QUESTION TAKEN AT THE December 4, 2008 Daily Press Briefing

Albania: Resolution of Property Thefts by the Nazis

Question: Does the U.S. have a role in the resolution of thefts of property in Albania by the Nazis near the end, or after, World War II?

Answer: The Office of Holocaust Issues is responsible for assisting U.S. citizens with any claim resulting from Nazi activities during the 1933-45 period. No claimants have requested assistance with claims against Albania. Any U.S. citizen who

STATE DEPARTAMENT: US expect no changes of Macedonia's border

Washington, December 3 (MIA) - The United States doesn't expect any change of the Balkan borders in the future, State Department's Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood told journalists in Washington. He was responding to a Greek journalist, who asked him to comment the statement of former CIA analyst Steven Meyer, who considers that Macedonia's borders are not settled and may be redrawn. The US State Department doesn't support such statements and expects no changes of the Balkan borders, Wood, said.

Our policy in regard to Macedonia is well known and has not changed, Wood said Daily Press

BriefingRobert Wood, Deputy SpokesmanWashington, DCDecember 2, 2008

Mr. Lambros PAPANTONIOU.
QUESTION: On the Balkans. Mr. Wood, Steven Meyer, former CIA analyst, DOS advisor and professor at the National Defense University here in Washington, D.C., stated in an interview (inaudible), quote, “Macedonian Albanians should decide where they want to live. They are (inaudible). The borders of Macedonia are not settled and they can be redrawn.” I am wondering if that is your policy behind the scenes.

MR. WOOD: No, you know what our policy is with regard to Macedonia, Mr. Lambros. I don’t have any – it has not changed.

QUESTION: Now, Professor Meyer also said, quote, “If the Albanians in Macedonia’s western part believe that (inaudible) with Albania proper is still strong, and if they want to act on this, they should do so. Why not vote for independence or some kind of union with Albania or Kosovo?” Do you have any comment?

MR. WOOD: I don’t have anything to say on that, Mr. Lambros.

QUESTION: And the last one to this effect?

MR. WOOD: Yes.

QUESTION: But almost similar to this, on November 25th, Assistant Secretary Daniel Fried, talking to us on upcoming NATO ministerial meeting, stated, quote, “But nobody in the Balkans is going to be changing their geography anytime soon.” Do you expect, as Department of State, change in the Balkans borders sometime in the future?

MR. WOOD: No, Mr. Lambros, I don’t.
Right here.

Italy and Albania sign power deal

3 December 2008 15:24 Source: EuroNews
TIRANA -- Italy and Albania have signed agreements worth an estimated EUR 2bn, boosting power supplies to both and marking a revival of cooperation between the countries.The two countries have also signed a 160 million euro agreement for an Italian cement plant and a joint plan for development cooperation.

Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his Albanian counterpart, Sali Berisha, watched as the deals were signed in Tirana. The gas and wind power deals will produce electricity for domestic use and also for export to Italy, to ease Albania’s own chronic shortages and help Italy cope with its power deficit. It could also boost Tirana’s hopes for closer ties with the EU

REGIONAL SECURITY ANALYSE

Kosovo’s dirty secret: the background to Germany’s Secret Service affair
by Peter Schwarz

The arrest of three German secret service agents in Kosovo exposes the sort of society that has been developed with German and American support in this former part of Yugoslavia—one mired in corruption, organised crime and secret service plots.

The affair began on November 14, when a bomb exploded outside the office of the European Union special representative, Pieter Feith, in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. The building was damaged but no one was hurt. Immediately afterward in a neighbouring building, a German man, Andreas J., was observed and questioned by the Kosovan security forces, and unmasked as an agent of Germany’s Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND, Secret Service). This is according to the public prosecutor’s office. German sources, however, claim that Andreas J. only came to the scene four hours after the explosion to take photographs.

Normally, such secret service affairs between friendly governments are settled quietly and discreetly, usually by the departure of the unmasked agents. Not so in this case. Last week, the police arrested Andreas J. and two additional BND agents, accusing them of having planted the bomb at the EU’s International Civilian Office (ICO) building.

more see: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11239

FOREVER UNITED TO PROTEST FOR OUR PROPERTIES

Another protest will hold on December 8, 2008 in Athens. The Himara Union calls again the northern epiriotes to demonstrate against new dictator regime of Albanian State.

Photo: the last protest of Kifisia Avenue from Himara Community.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1463312990/bctid3659022001

BERISHA AND NANO: STOP ROBBERY PROPERTIES IN NORTHERN EPIRUS

Successfully completed the gathering protest organized by the Himara Union on Monday, Dec. 1 outside the Albanian embassy. The more than 5000 demonstrators joined their voices against the effort of removal of property, against terrorism of the Albanian state and retain, to respect fundamental human rights.

We found both near hellenic people who responded to the call of the Himara Union. Amid applause, the greek parliament member LAOS Makis Voridis, showed the sympathy once again and expressed the hope that there was as spoksman of the Greek parliament. Having not been allowed by authorities multi-police protest to be fairly close to the building of the Albanian embassy, the demonstrators symbolically took a lane on Kifissias Avenue.

The entire protest developed into a peaceful climate and ended with the greek National himn. It is recalled that the inhabitants of Nivitsas remain from Saturday, 22 November in the streets protecting their property.

Italy and Albania to sign energy deals

By Guy Dinmore in Rome and Kerin Hope in Athens
Published: December 1 2008 02:00

Grandiose energy projects, including what is billed as Europe's largest wind farm, will be on the table for signing when Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's premier, meets Sali Berisha, his Albanian counterpart, in Tirana tomorrow.

Albania's chronic energy crisis and Mr Berisha's ambitions to create a regional energy hub in Europe's second poorest country have opened a new market for many Italian companies.
There is also a sense of urgency for Mr Berisha, who faces elections in June and needs to convince Albanians tired of constant blackouts that relief is on its way. Mr Berisha is offering attractive terms to investors, including long leases on state-owned land for a nominal amount under his "Albania one euro" policy.

more see: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4a20cc9a-bf49-11dd-ae63-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

Note: Albania is confronting an important geopolitical contradict between tow European power states Italy and Germany for the energy issue and foreign investments in Albania. Particularly when in Kosovo the German agents "captured" from the Kosovo Security Forces under falls accuse with interferences of Albanian secret services, Berlin is very preoccupied for the future of geopolitical relations in favor of the Albanian interests in the region. Signing "more fast as possible" the energy agreements between Italy and Albania particularly in Southern Albania, zone inhabited by Greeks tells more implications of Albanian state against geostrategic interests of Greece to defense the lands and properties of Greeks in Albania.

MUHEDINI: WE WANT TO RESOLVE OUR ISSUE WITHOUT BORDER CHANGES

One week ago the Greek FM declared that "for the Greece does not existe any cham issue"

During an interview to the "Voice of America", the head of Justice and Integration Party Tahir Muhedini (no member of Albanian Parliament) known as the Cham Community Party, said for the sensibilisation of the "Cham issue" but also for the indifference of Greece and Albania to resolve politically this problem.

Muhedini was welcomed in USA by the Albanian association "Vatra" an old organisation of Albanian community in Boston.

One week ago, after a declaration of albanian PM Sali Berisha during a treep in FYROM about the rights of Cham properties in Greece as tecnical issue, the spoksman of Greek Foreign Ministry said to the press that : "For the Greece does not existe any cham issue"

Interview in Albanian language: http://www.voanews.com/albanian/2008-11-29-voa10.cfm

Omonia sends Memorandum to the Greek Parliament

Albania must respect the human rights of the Greeks in Northern Epirus, if the ratification of SAA will send to vote by the Greek Parliament.

Athens: November 30, 2008. Omonia prepared a memorandum which sent in the Greek Parliament in order to put into consideration of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense Relations in the Greek Parliament, the issues of Hellenism of Northern Epirus. Followed by the announcement by Omonia Press Release, it was tabled in Greek Parliament the draft law «Ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Albania».

The Stabilization and Association Agreement is to replace those days in Greek Parliament by a numerous northern epiriotes associations which call the politic parties to debate seriously the agreement. The Democratic Union of Greek Minority OMONIA and organizations in Greece of Northern Epiriotes, but also the World Panipeirotikon Federations bring before the Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs of the House, by pleading the main issues involving the rights of the Greek minority in Albania and Hellenism in general and insufficient developments linked with the democratic progress of this country to the way of United Europe, and the ratification by the Parliament of this Pact.

more in greek: http://issuu.com/omonia/docs/ypomnima/1?mode=a_p

THE HEAD OF WORLD COUNSIL OF PAN EPIRIOTIC FEDERATION CHRIST DIMOU, HELD MEETING IN ATHENS WITH NORTHERN EPIROTIC ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING OMONIA. IN CENTER OF DEBATE ARE THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ALBANIA.

Thaci says six points "are dead"

30 November 2008

Hashim Thaci sent a message to Kosovo's public and that abroad on Sunday, saying that the six-point plan should be forgotten.The Kosovo premier was referring to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's plan on EULEX deployment, adopted by the UN Security Council earlier this week, based on an agreement between the world organization and official Belgrade, known as the six-point plan.

"Forget the six points, it will not be applied in Kosovo, they are not our topic, the topic is to implement the will of the people of Kosovo, to build and develop a state, to implement President Ahtisaari's document – the six points are dead," Thaci was quoted as saying while meeting with residents of a village near Prizren. Another reason for the plan to be forgotten, he continued, is because the six points are Belgrade's "bad dreams", saying that Priština's goal was to prevent the plan from becoming a part of any document.

Thaci also commented on President Boris Tadić's initiative to revise the Kumanovo accords, by saying that international officials and those from Belgrade can talk about problems "inside Serbia but not in Kosovo". He went on to say that Kosovo has "its army, its security organs, NATO", and that Kosovo's "sovereignty and integrity are inalienable". "Each Serb soldier and the Serb administration have left Kosovo, but Belgrade's dream remains, I will not prevent them from having that dream, but those dreams have died in Kosovo," said Thaci. He also stated that EULEX has an EU mandate, "and can function only within that mandate, respecting Kosovo's constitution and Kosovo's reality".

"I will ask for EULEX to become operational, I offer our full cooperation, and EULEX should operate in the north of [Kosovska] Mitrovica from day one." Thaci thanked all Kosovo Albanian political parties and civil sector for their unanimous position on the rejection of the six point plan. Beta news agency said in its report from Prizren today that Thaci "did not rule out the possibility of frustrated individuals", but that, "according to him, Kosovo's official position is acceptable to most Kosovo residents". Thaci also commented on the controversy over the arrest and release of three German intelligence agency officers in Priština, by saying that this was a matter "of implementation of laws and one for the judiciary, which means that politics should be kept as far as possible".

Albanian foreign minister charged

TIRANA, Albania-The Albanian prosecutor general's office says it filed charges against Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha after an investigation of corruption in a highway construction deal.

Spokeswoman Holta Zhiti has declined to say what the exact charges are. She says they were sent to Basha by mail.

Basha's lawyer Zef Nikaj says he is unaware of the charges as they have not yet arrived.
Investigators had been looking into allegations that Basha improperly favored a U.S.-Turkish company when awarding a $542 million highway contract in 2006 while he was transport minister.

Basha was stripped of immunity last year. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Once completed in 2009 the highway will link Albania's north with neighboring Kosovo.

EDI RAMA MYSTERIOUS VISIT IN ATHENS

Rama welcomes in Athens in a critic moment for Berisha. The Albanian President Bamir Topi visited Ankara.

Very interesting the ulterior diplomatic movements of Albanian politics. After Kosovo anniversary of Albanian Independence day, the trip of the Albanian opposite leader Edi Rama in Greece is very mysterious. Athens welcomes Rama to visit Hellenic Country for the first time as the leader of Albanian opposite.

According to information Edi Rama will hold meetings with high represent of Greek state including the head of PASOK and International President George Papandreu and Albanian emigrants.

The visit has been programed immediately after the visit of the Albanian president in Turkey Bamir Topi.

Anyway, the tension between Tirana and Athens has been in alert after a declaration of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha during the visit last week in Bitola (FYROM) where he declared about the "cham issue".

The regime of PM Sali Berisha continues to be against the Hellenic economic interests such are particularly the building of new Hydrocarbon thermocentral from the consortium of a Greek German joint group in Durresi Region and the ulterior developments in southern Albania, when the Greek community continues to resist the robbery of properties by the Albanian mafia supported from the Albanian authorities.

In January 09, Athens will head the presidency of OSCE , a year very problematic for Albania which will hold the political elections next summer.

Press Conference about the properties in Northern Epirus

Athens, Greece, November 29, 2008

About the protest demonstration outside of the Albanian Embassy on Monday, December 1, 2008 ..

The Himara Union in Greece held press conference about the ongoing events in Nivitsa - Kakomaia, Himaras historical province, following the efforts of the Albanian state to robber the land and proprieties of the Greek community of Albania. In a press conference was denunced the mafia efforts to robber the beach Kakomaias which belong to the residents of the village Nivitsa and the Greek Orthodox Church of Albania.

In addition last week, four members of the community including the mayor of the village are currently prisoned after a decision of Tribunal of Saranda under accuse of police Albanian authorities. During the democratic resistence to protect their lands, the villagers of Nivitsas are attacked by an Albanian paramilitary group, terrorizing inhabitants of the region.

The citizens are not opposed to tourism development when it contributes to the greater good of the region and respects the environment, but it is vertically opposed to the illegal seizure and effort of manipulation in progress. The chairman of the World Council Epiroton Mr Chrysostomos Dimu expressed its support of ipeiroton in the world and condemned the manipulation against the Albanian ethnic Greek minority, called to Albania to respect human rights of northern epiriotes and stressed that the road of Albania into the European Union should pass through the full respect of human rights.

The chairman of the Himara Union Mr Fredis Beleris described the political landscape of Albania and the timeless efforts for the depredation of restitution of property of northern epiriotes.

The press conference announced that on December 1, 2008 will be held on 18.00 AM, a protest demonstration outside the Albanian embassy in Philothei observing from OSCE and other european represent insitutions in Athens. Will attended Member of Greek Parliament as L.A.O.S. Party Mr. Thanassis Plevris and the member of general council of ND Mr Babis Karathanos.

sources: Himara Union,

Athens, Greece

ALBANIA AND KOSOVO TO BE UNITED TO ONE STATE

Photo: Krasniqi and Rama

The head of Kosovo Parliament Jakup Krasniqi declared the unification of Albania and Kosovo as only solution for the future of "One Albanian State", during the meeting with the Albanian opposition leader Edi Rama.

According to Albanian satellite TV ALSAT, during the meeting with the Albanian opposite leader Edi Rama, the speaker of Kosovo Parliament Jakup Kransiqi said for the press the prospective of unification of Kosovo and Albania to "One State of albanian people".

The declaration was made during the Indipendence day of Albanian State.

Anyway the center of indipendence day Vlora city, has been for the first time in albanian history out organisation of state anyversary ceremony, said the News 24 TV.

Albanian Press "Gazeta Shqiptare"

ATHENS DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CHAM ISSUE"

According to the Albanian newspaper "Gazeta Shqiptare", Athens does not recognize any cham issue, but only the friendly protocol between Greece and Albania of 1996 based to the right of respective citizen properties of tow countries.

more: www.balkanweb.com

NATO CALLS ALBANIA TO "OBSERVE" KOSOVO UNDER EULEX MISSION

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Lulzim Basha had an official meeting with Secretary General of NATO, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Mr. Basha informed Mr. Scheffer on the developments in Albania and the region. Minister Basha informed Mr. Scheffer for the progress of reforms undertaken by Albania, for the consensual climate especially in case of the adoption of the electoral code, an important reform for the integrating processes of Albania.

Mr. Scheffer expressed his appreciation for the "positive developments in Albania by evaluating the political stability, and the role of the country for the regional stability. Secretary General of the Alliance noted that NATO backs Albania and its stabilizing role in the region".

In this framework, Minister Basha informed Secretary General of NATO that Albania will contribute in the fund for the establishment of Kosovo security force with 100.000 Euro.
Likewise, Mr Basha said to Mr.Schefer that Albania will send specialists of its armed forces to train and assist the setting up of Kosovo security force.

During the conversation they tackled on the issues of regional stability and the developments in the neighboring countries, whereto they once again pointed out the constructive role of Albanian as a pillar of stability in the Southeast Europe.

Kosovo Albanian group takes the responsability for Pristina bombing

27 November 2008
An group calling itself the Army of the Republic of Kosovo has claimed responsibility for the bombing of the International Civilian Office (ICO) in Priština. Three German nationals were arrested on November 14 over the incident, but will probably be released due to a lack of evidence.

The Albanian group sent a message via a personal e-mail account, threatening the Kosovo government, media and international organizations in the province. “As long as the UN plan is in force, we will attack with full might and there will be no security for Serbs that live in Kosovo,” the organization stated in its e-mail, adding that severed Serb heads would be sent to Serbian politicians.

The organization also threatened to bomb EULEX headquarters as well if it remained neutral on Kosovo’s status, adding that there would be new conflicts not only in Kosovo but in other regions as well,” Kosovo Police Service spokesman Veton Elshani told B92.

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/in_focus.php?id=91&start=0&nav_id=55343

Press declaration of Himara Union, Athens

Protest a front at the Albanian Embassy
Kifissias Avenue
Athens - Greece

MONDAY DECEMBER 2008 at 18.00 AM

The demonstration is motivated by the efforts of Albanian Government to robber the lands and properties of the greek community area of Ionian Coast Line. The issue of Kakomaia - Nivitsa is one of most dangerous intervention of Albanian state against local governance and the community of Himara Region.

Violence and cruelty of Albanian forces of repression against the old men and other inhabitants of Nivitsa who resist to protect their lands and properties by Albanian mafia.

ALBANIAN STATE MUST TAKE THE RESPONSABILITY OF THE PARAMILITAR GROUP THAT ATTACKED THE VILLAGERS OF NIVITSA LAST WEEK, IF THE COUNTRY WANTS SERIOSLY TO JOINT NATO AND EU ALLIANCE.

BIG DEMOSTRATION A FRONT OF ALBANIAN EMBASSY IN ATHENS IS PREVISTED TO MAKE NEXT DAYS

TIRANA CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE POLITICAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE GREEK MINORITY

More than 500 residents of the village Nivitsa gathered once again to protest against the seizure of their land in the Kakomaias, last Saturday. Protest was a result of new arrests by the Albanian police. This time went to the arrest of the head of village Nivittsas , Klementes Bantzari.
Still now from the Greek state there is no reaction so far.

It is recalled that has already been granted permission to build a tourist complex of the Albanian Company "Riviera". Is very interesting to implicked the eforts under the name of frenc company "Club Med" by the Albanian media abusing against interests of proprietors of Nivitsa, when the "Riviera" Company is linked with Berisha`s family as important client of "Maltezi Legal Studio"

The inhabitants of Nivitsas, have made in the recent past and action to put an end to arbitrary effort seizure of the property. The board of the Himara Union has convened a meeting this afternoon to discuss the issue and decided the next steps, first to make a big demonstration a front of Albanian Embassy in Athens.

Some days ago the albanian PM Sali Berisha remembered to Athens a "technical" problem of the properties of the "Cham Community". According to geopolitic annalists, for Berisha the tentative to open the old discussion of Albanian properties in Greece could send immediately an agravation of the situation between Athens and Tirana, when in fact Berisha is using a strong diplomatic pressing remembering to Athens that: "In my state territory I can do everything".

FM thanks Albania over military cemetery agreement

BUT THE ROBBERY OF GREEK COMMUNITY PROPERTIES CONTINUE OPENING A LARGE AND DANGEROUS FRONT BETWEEN TIRANA AND ATHENS

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Friday praised an agreement with Albania that opens the way for the creation of two military cemeteries in the neighbouring country to properly bury the remains of Greek soldiers that fell there during the early stages of World War II.

"We would like to express our satisfaction and thanks to the Albanian government and to the Albanian people for their cooperation and understanding, which led to a successful outcome of this decades-old matter," she added

Anyway in this time in Southern Albania, Kakomea is became an important issue beetwen Tirana and Athens, since the protest of villagers of Nivitsa and Lukovo, continue to be provoked from "paramilitaries armed hooligans" under the interference of Albanian authorities. Five persons including the mayor of Nivista has been arrested while the situation is raising to an ethnic tension in future.

Kosovo: German suspects detained

23 November 2008
Three German nationals arrested in Priština this week will spend the next 30 days in detention, an investigative judge has decided.They are subject to an investigation, suspected of involvement in the bombing this month of the International Civilian Office (ICO) premises in Priština.

The defense lawyers said that the local judiciary was trying to charge their clients with "acts of terrorism", which carry up to 20 years in prison. Albanian language daily Express wrote yesterday that all three Germans work for the German secret service, BND, while officials refused to comment on these allegations. There were no injuries as an explosive device was set off on Nov. 14 in the yard of the ICO. The EU mission building sustained minor material damage, Beta news agency says.

BERISHA: ALBANIA SUPPORT ANY SOLUTION WITH EULEX MISSION IN KOSOVO

But FM Lulezim Basha some days ago declared that Albania is against six points solution of Ban Kim More for new mandate of EULEX.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosova Hashim Thaci. Both prime ministers are in Skopje to attend celebrations on occasion of the 100 anniversary of the Congress of Manastir.

The two premiers discussed bilateral relations and the recent developments in Kosova. They expressed their determination for consolidation of cooperation between the two countries in all the fields.

The government of Albania said Berisha during the meeting with Thaci, is following with great attention these developments and notices two projects, a 6-point plan and the 4-point plan of the government of Kosova.

Anyway some days ago, the Albanian FM Lulezim Basha declared against the new mission with six points mandate of EULEX in Kosovo.

Two Cemeteries for Greek Heroes in Albania

Two military cemeteries will be built in Albania for Greek heroes, who lost their life during the Greek-Italian war from 1940-41. The agreement was signed in Tirana and is the result of long negotiations with the Albanian side.Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis expressed her satisfaction to the Albanian government and people for their cooperation and understanding.

She also reported the agreement settles an issue of humanitarian and emotional importance to the Greek people.She also thanked Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis and the head of the negotiating team Ambassador Eleftherios Angelopoulos, the Ambassador Dimosthenis Stoidis and all the members of the Foreign and Defence Ministries, as they had worked hard and responsibly to settle the above issue.

Albania "hopes" by Athens the vote from the Greek Parliament about SAA process, negotiating for the Greek cemeteries but the Greek organisations in Diaspora and more half member of the Greek parliament are against joint Albania to NATO and EU if the politic and civil rights to the Greek minority of Albania will continue to be violated.

George Tenet suggests Obama for his chief of staff.

The man of Obama for the CIA

All show that the favorite for the post of Director of the CIA under the chairmanship of Barak Obama will be John Brennan who has a career behind him 25 years to tackle terrorism. J. Brennan has worked as an analyst and as an officer in the CIA offices abroad and was the first director of the National Antiterrorism Center . His link with Obama since the beginning of the campaign with the recommendation of Anthony Lake was national security adviser to Clinton and was his adviser on matters of information and asfaleias.

John Brennan served as a personnel officer of ex Director George Tenet and'90s decade was the CIA station in Riyadh, S. Arabia. He was the man who informed each morning the President Clinton will do the same with Obama in the case appointed Director of Central Intelligence.

As a close associate of Tenet as Cabinet Chief of CIA Director, John Brennan, pioneered in the program unacceptable kidnapping, imprisonment and interrogations by the CIA which has been publicly critical of Barak Obama, and the program of monitoring communications within the IPA.

Brennan was born on 22 September 1955 in N. Jersey, he studied political science at Fordham University, the American University of Cairo (the speaks fluent Arabic) and the University of Texas.

"STOXOS" IMPLICS BERISHA FAMILY FOR ROBBERY LANDS OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY

After the National Greek Newspaper "ETHNOS" which accused some days ago the MP Berisha for the scandal of Kakomea and particularly for the "Wold Bank Project" during Ionian Coast Line, today another newspaper in Greece the weekly "STOXOS" raises new accuse for the family of PM Berisha.

more see: http://www.stoxos.gr/

One day ago, the albanian press declared that : "Athens will regonize Kosovo"

"Greece won't recognize Kosovo"

19 November 2008
Greek Ambassador to Belgrade Christos Panagopoulos told Tanjug on Wednesday that his country's position on Kosovo remains unchanged.Panagopoulos said the position of the Greek government and its foreign ministry has not changed, and that Greece "will not recognize any time soon Kosovo, in keeping with respect of territorial integrity of states".

Priština daily Koha Ditore has misquoted Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis as saying that Athens will allegedly recognize Kosovo soon, Panagopouls said. Any wrong interpretation or undue tension should be avoided, as Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković when he visited Athens one week ago, he said.

"I do not know what will happen later, but I do know that we will not recognize Kosovo in the near future," Panagopoulos told the news agency, stressing this was "a very categorical position". Albanian television channel Vision said, and Koha Ditore, along with some other regional media outlets, cited its report that Bakoyannis announced a recognition of Kosovo. This media report was denied by the Greek foreign ministry earlier on Wednesday.

BERISHA STOPS GREEK INVESTMENT TO RIVIERA TOURIST ROAD DRIMADES - VUNO

Photo: PM Berisha during last tour in Himara.

Is unclear the position of PM Sali Berisha regarding the investment of national road Drimades Ag. Saranda financed by the funds of Pan Hellenic Federation of the World and the Greek Government. The segment Drimades - Vuno 8 km still stands closed since last year when the national road Vlora - Ag. Saranda to be inaugurated.

But something other is sure that the "World Bank Project" helped by the son in law of PM Berisha Jamarber Maltezi as the represent of Albania to the World Bank Coast Project, has financed the interurban way of "Gjipeas" while the national segment Drimades - Vuno has stoped the construction.

According to information, another tourist village in "Gipeas Bay" after Kakomea, Porto Palermo, Jali and Palasa, has been projected to start the construction from the Albanian National Council for Tourism. Some voices by the villagers said that Berisha`s family is linked with anonymous investors, client of "Maltezi Legal Office" in Tirana.

Sources from Albanian Press, one of most known investor client of Maltezi Legal Office" to construct Kakomea Tourist Village in collaboration with french company ClubMed is "Riviera Company".

One week ago the V/Chairman of Socialist Group Party, Erion Brace, denounced in Albanian parliament the link of Berisha`s son in law Jamarber Maltezi who has registered in Tribunal of Tirana as President of a private Company linked with objects that the World Bank Investments finances in Southern Albania.

GREEK FM BAKOGIANI "PROMISES" ALBANIA TO NATO AND EU

Satisfaction in Tirana about the declaration of Bakogianis to joint Albania to EU, but on the Greek Parliament began the debate about SAA with Albania.

The Albanian opinion thinks that Athens could ratifie the SAA to joint Albania to NATO and EU. During an interview of Greek FM Bakogianis for the Albanian Private Channel TV "Vizion Plus" becames very complicated the waiting campaing of albanian politics to acomplisce the obligations to the way to joint EU.

Bakogianis promises the Albanian opinion for Greek diplomatic decision but to have officially the Greek support must approve by the vote of the Greek Parliament which has begun last Monday the debate inside commissions of Parliament about SAA of Albania.

Photo: The greek member of Parliament (LAOS) Athanasios Plevris

But the Greek parliament "is unclear" to accept ASS with Albania since Tirana is unprepared to implemente the politic and civil rights of Ethnic Greek Community and some other issue which have been historically obstacle between tow countries.

On Monday the LAOS Party, member of Parliament Athanasiso Plevris asked during a debate of Foreign and strategic national interests V/FM Valinakis for the right of properties of the Greek minority who lives on Ionian Cast Line and particularly the Kakomea Issue, which is become an important matter for the National Strategy of Greece to protect the interests of the Greek community known as northern epiriotes, expressed that Albania does not take any ticket to joint NATO and EU without giving the politic and civil rights to the Greek community.

During debate, V/FM Valinakis expressed the opinion of Athens to support Albania to joint NATO and EU if the conditions of the Greek Ethnic Minority will be guaranteed and stability by Tirana. according to the international obligations of Tirana promised to the Human Rights chapters.

One week ago the Greek World Organisation SAE sent a resolute to the Greek Parliament to stop the SAA with Albania since the Greek minority continues to be discriminated by Albanian authorities.

US State Dept Calls On Kosovo To Support EU Police Mission

November 17, 2008
BELGRADE (AFP)--A top U.S. official Monday urged Kosovo to support a deal that would allow the deployment of a European Union police mission, but the Kosovan president reiterated his opposition. Daniel Fried, the U.S. State Department's top diplomat for European affairs, held talks with president Fatmir Sejdiu over a deal between Serbia and the E.U. on the 2,000-strong E.U. police and justice mission in Kosovo, called EULEX.

"I believe that despite the questions and concerns and even disagreement...the way forward can be found that allows EULEX to deploy promptly and throughout Kosovo," Fried said.
The U.S. "support the deployment of EULEX as soon as possible," Fried said, adding that the E.U.'s goal of activating the mission in December would be the best timing.
Fried said the plan could "do a lot of good and no harm." "But we respect the fact that the Kosovo government has a different view," he said.

Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February, has opposed the agreement between Brussels and Belgrade on the deployment of the law-and-order force.
Belgrade reached a deal with the E.U., which would keep local customs and police services in the Serb-dominated areas in northern Kosovo under U.N. and EULEX command.
The accord must be approved by the U.N. Security Council at Serbia's request.
The authorities in Pristina see the deal as a breach of Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Such a document is unacceptable for Pristina," Sejdiu said after the talks with Fried.
The declaration of independence by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders has so far won recognition from more than 50 states, including the U.S. and most members of the European Union.
Serbia, backed by its traditional ally Russia, promptly rejected the move as illegal.
EULEX was planned to replace a U.N. mission that had administered Kosovo since the end of conflict between Serb forces and pro-independence Albanian rebels in 1999.

MPs fast as OSCE urges Albania to improve vote law

The European Union has made it clear that the vote must be of a high standard if Albania wants to advance to join the 27-member bloc.

Monday, 17 November 2008 17:05
Europe's main security and democracy forum urged Albania's political parties on Monday to improve a disputed new electoral code that has prompted 10 members of parliament to go on hunger strike. Sitting in the debating chamber under a banner declaring "votes are sacred", the MPs entered the seventh day of their fast as police manned cordons outside the building, where hundreds of protesters had gathered. The lawmakers, all from small parties, believe the proposed new regional system of proportional representation will greatly reduce their number of seats at next year's general election.

The ambassador of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Robert Bosch, told reporters it would "not rubber stamp" the election code. The OSCE then issued a statement saying that "the draft Electoral Code, which was prepared by the Albanians themselves, was an achievement, but that it still needs some fine tuning". "For that reason, it needs to be discussed in the proper fora by the parties, but not under coercion by any one grouping," the OSCE said, referring to the hunger strike. The ruling Democratic Party and main opposition Socialist Party had been expected to force the new code through parliament in a vote on Monday.

But they postponed it until Tuesday, apparently in response to the OSCE comments and the protest by Socialist Integration Movement (SIM) and Christian Democratic (CHD) supporters. CHD leader Nard Ndoka said they had asked for two weeks to re-negotiate the draft code. The draft law does not formally require the OSCE's approval, but its opinion is important because its observers will be the arbiters of whether the election, expected next spring, is free and fair. The European Union has made it clear that the vote must be of a high standard if Albania wants to advance to join the 27-member bloc. Albania, which for decades was one of Europe's most rigid communist states, has yet to hold elections that meet international standards.

FYROM takes Greece to court over NATO

SKOPJE, Nov 17 (Reuters) - FYROM on Monday filed a lawsuit against Greece before the International Court of Justice in The Hague accusing Athens of blocking its NATO membership, the foreign minister said.

FYROM had hoped to receive an invitation to join NATO earlier this year along with Albania and Croatia. NATO-member Greece blocked the move because of a dispute over Macedonia's name, which is also the name of its northern province. 'We have thought this very thoroughly before initiating the case, but we don't see any other way to satisfy justice and protect our rights' said Antonio Milososki, Macedonia's foreign minister.

'We hope that this move will incite Greece to bring into accord its actions with the international legal obligations, and stimulate both sides to accomplish a final solution for the unsolved questions,' he said. In 1995, the two countries signed an agreement by which Macedonia agreed to use the provisional name 'The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' in international organisations while Greece pledged not to block FYROM's integration into the European Union and NATO.

FYROM says Greece has violated the agreement. Greece objects to the name Macedonia, saying it implies a claim on the northern Greek province of the same name.

The Greek Newspaper "ETHNOS":

Divided the Greek Minority to the next politic elections in Albania, "Athens is sleeping soundly...."

BERISHA`S SON IN LAW RESPONSIBLE FOR ROBBERY OF GREEK MINORITY LANDS

The Greek minority in Albania, is passing a dangerous period to the front of the politic elections next year.

The Battle for new members of Albanian parliament has divided in tow part the Human Rights Party - UHRP known as support of the Greek Minority in Albania. The internal conflict in UHRP manifested by the decision of the President V. Doules to dismiss K. Barka, who participated in the coalition government as Minister of Labor in connection with the dismissal of the General Secretary of Ministry A. Marto, a close friend of V. Doule.

At the same time the Himara Region is considered particularly negative development to "freeze" the distribution of property to former owners, and the Municipality of Himara accept criticism because he did not take initiatives before the law 7501 to be replaced in favor of old owners particularly for the best properties in the tourist area of Himara Region.

It also criticism that many of the local minority executives confrontation with the Albanian authorities are simply to cover the conciliation that exists in other «fronts».

In this region (Lukovo - Himara - Ag Saranda) , already the son in law of the PM S. Berisha (Jamarber Maltezi) as the important manager of World Bank programs to promote "tolerance of the Greek minority actors in the establishment and operation of "tourist villages" against any interest of the Greek Population property, while Mr. Berisha himself for obvious reasons chose an Orthodox in religion, an unknown personage, who were granted 8000 acres of property in the Greek tourist area, which supposedly belonged to the family of an Albanian doctor before the Communist regime.

Original article in greek: http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11378&subid=2&tag=8400&pubid=1862746

related articles:
The propriety scandal of Vlora
PATSOS FAMILY CALLS THE GREEK AUTHORITY TO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE RIGHTS OF PROPRIETY: “OUR LAND IS MUGGING FOR THE SECOND TIME”
Photo: properties original documents".

The high represent of Republican Guard the General Ndrea Prendi is observing the confrontation between the Albanian Authorities of Residence of Government and the legitimate owners in “Cold Water” quarter of Vlora. The owners Patsos Family came from Greece when they live since 1991, have raised their right about the propriety to the represent of Government Residence but has not any reaction.
According to Albanian Newspaper “KOHA JONE” the conflict is in high risk since one week ago, between guard’s troop, and private polices which have a contract with the Building Company.
Anyway according to newspaper the owners in collaboration with Company have opened penal process against Guard troops which armated with guns have menaced the right of propriety destructing the border.

more: http://www.northepirus.com/en/node/462

International articles:

SECURITY AND DEFENSE IN ALBANIA
Michaletos Ioannis (RIEAS Analyst)
Copyright: http://www.rieas.gr/
The Albanian state is heavily dependent on USA influence that spans through the entire military and security apparatus, as is the case in Kosovo and in general in all Albanian populated Balkan communities.
Historically, the Albanians were prone into embedding into stronger states that were characterized by global influence and were not neighbors of them. Examples include the Turks (Ottoman Empire), the German-Italian Axis, the Soviets, the Chinese and USA lately. The result in each case was catastrophic for the Albanians since their stance resulted in the alliance of their Balkan neighbors and the alienation of Tirana from major world developments that occur often in history and change dramatically the balance of powers in the Balkan region.

more: http://rieas.gr/index.php?Itemid=42&id=717&option=com_content&task=view

Tet a Tet Obama - Medvedev meeting in Athens!

Karamanlis initiative as new OSCE Presidency of Greece for 2009

The Greek newspaper Elefteros Tipos writes about a possibile meeting between US President Barack Obama with Russian counterpart Dimitri Medvedev in occasion of the Greek Presidency of OSCE which starts on January 2009.

Can imagine the Barak Obama to sit "tet a tet" with Dimitri Medvedef under the invitation of Costas Karamanlis? This ambitious project, according to secure information, is already the subject of intensive preparation a surprise under high-impact communication of the Greek Government and the Prime Minister Karamanlis from the pressures of domestic politics and the prestige of the country in the new international environment created by electing of BarakObama as the President of the USA.

The intention is to take place of the Summit of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) next spring (the Greek presidency starting in January) on European security, invited 56 heads of state and among them the new president of the USA and successor to Vladimir Putin to the presidency Dimitri Medvedev.

See more in greek newspaper: http://www.e-tipos.com/newsitem?id=61133

THE "KAKOMEA ISSUE" GOES TO THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

The Himara Union and The Northern Epirus Forum in Athens have sent to make debate in the Greek Parliament the Kakomea Issue.

On Monday, 17 November will be discussed in Greek Parliament the timely question of Member of the L.A.O.S. Party Athanasios Plevri about the violation of human rights in Northern Epirus, addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greek Republic Dora Bakogianis.

In Albania the crashes between the Greek community and Albanian authorities for the lands and properties issues have been debated on State Department and European Parliament. The Albanian laws and Tribunals often are instrument used by Albanian mafia supported as usually politically by authorities.

The discussion will transmit live on television on the channel of the Greek Parliament (via Satellite) at 18:00.

EU Condemns Explosion At Kosovo Envoy's Office

November 14, 2008 BRUSSELS (AFP)

The European Union condemned late Friday a blast at its envoy's office in Kosovo, but said it was determined to press ahead with its controversial police and justice mission there. "The presidency of the European Council firmly condemns the attack on Friday evening in front of the office of the European Union special representative to Kosovo," said a statement from France, which holds the rotating E.U. presidency. The presidency "reaffirms the determination of the European Union to work toward establishing the rule of law in Kosovo for the benefit of its entire population, through the European police and justice mission," it said.

The explosive device was thrown into the courtyard of the International Civilian Office run by E.U. special envoy Pieter Feith of the Netherlands in Pristina at around 5:30 p.m. (1630 GMT), a Kosovo police spokesman said. Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders in February unilaterally declared independence from Serbia, which has refused to accept the secession. More than 50 states, including the U.S. and most E.U. members, have recognized Kosovo's independence.
The explosion came as the E.U. hopes to see its 2,000-strong police and justice mission in Kosovo, called EULEX, become fully operational next month.

Kosovar authorities have rejected a deal between Serbia and the E.U. on the deployment of the force in Serb-dominated areas, saying the arrangement goes against Kosovo's sovereignty.
Under the deal, which must be approved by the U.N. Security Council, the EULEX presence in Kosovo wouldn't imply a recognition of its independence. The U.S. and European allies have launched an intense diplomatic effort to convince Kosovo to support the agreement.

Albania urged to respect Serb minority

Photo: Serbian Minister for Diaspora, Srdjan Sreckovic

Serbian Minister for Diaspora, Srdjan Sreckovic, said that the status of ethnic Serbs in Albania is at the impermissibly low level and urged all countries in the region to respect human rights of Serbs living there.

“At the moment, Albania has the biggest problems, because the degree of respect of the rights of the Serb ethnic community is at an impermissibly low level,” Sreckovic said.
Sreckovic said that Serbia is ready to fight for the rights of the Serbian ethnic community in a democratic and civilized way and in keeping with international principles and standards.

Sreckovic spoke at the Second Conference of Serb Associations from neighboring countries. The gathering ended with the adoption of a Declaration on cooperation and promotion of ties between Serbia and members of the Serbian community in the neighboring countries.

Political turmoil in Albania

Eleven lawmakers from small Albanian opposition parties have started a hunger strike to protest a draft electoral law

Photo: Albanian lawmakers during the seconde day of hunger strike inside the parliament

Eleven lawmakers from small Albanian opposition parties have started a hunger strike to protest a draft electoral law. The deputies, some of whom belong to a party in Prime Minister Sali Berisha's governing coalition, claim the draft law is aimed at keeping small parties out of Parliament. Ilir Meta of the opposition Socialist Movement for Integration said Monday the hunger strike was "the only democratic and civil means" of protest the small parties are left with. Berisha's governing Democratic Party and the main opposition Socialist Party backed the constitutional amendments in April regarding small parties.

Third biggest political party threatens with protests Socialist Movement for Integration, the third biggest political party in Albania, threatened with protests after an informal compromise reached by ruling Democratic Party and Socialist Party in opposition, to exclude small political forces from monitoring the electoral process. In the most aggressive language used since many times in Albanian politics, LSI officials threatened with violent protests. “They cannot halt our aim even if they use gunfire”, Petrit Vasili, General Secretary of LSI said.

Dritan Prifti, another LSI official said that its party will run a “democratic revolution”. During last two years, two biggest political parties in Albania had managed the electoral reform process. Small parties think that the reform aim to exclude them from political life. The majority created by government and the opposition, had changed the constitution and adopted a regional proportional system, decreasing sharply hopes for small parties to gain a important share in the next parliament.

The last compromise projected the exclusion of small parties like LSI from being represented in the Electoral Commission, an institution that should manage electoral process and vote counting. Vote counting had been the most criticized part of the election in Albania. Created in 2004 by a group of former socialist party officials, LSI had managed to gain 8.4% of the votes in 2005 general elections and 5 PM’s.

The Greek-Americans Played an Increased Role in Obama's Victory

THE GREEK AMERICAN LOBBY GREAT SUPORT FOR THE PRESIDENCIAL VICTORY FOR OBAMA PRESIDENT

Photo: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (The New President of USA) endorse Alexi s Gannoulias ..
http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/11/04/sot.giannoulias.obama.basketball.cnn?iref=videosearch
http://www.alexiforillinois.com/


Chicago.- By Apostolos ZoupaniotisGreek Americans in Chicago played a crucial role in the mobilization of the Community for the victory of the Obama-Biden ticket and the election night had an additional reason to celebrate his victory. Many Greek Americans were privileged with the golden ticket to the Grant Park victory celebrations, while others took part to a joint victory party at the Chicago Hilton, co-organized with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.

Endy Zemenides, political director of Illinois State Treasurer and executive director of the Greek Americans for Obama Committee, worked hard, both in Illinois and other states, to mobilize the community and others. We met him during Obamaós victory event at the Grant Park
“We all worked hard; there are a lot of people who worked hard for it, none more than Barack himself. Whatós amazing is, itós really a proud day to be an American.

So many people across the nation came and voting in record numbers and captured states that nobody in their wildest dreams thought that a Democrat and a black one would capture and itós really the first day in a new era or a new epoch in American history”, he told Greek News.

Photo: Kyriakos Tsakopolous and Sen. Barack Obama. Kyriakos Tsakopoulos has the connections to shake the money tree for Obama: he's a member of the Columbia University Board of Trustees, a trustee of California State University System, and sits on the board of the University of California at Davis M.I.N.D. Institute -- as well as being a California elector in the Electoral College in 2004 and 2008. He says his business partner Demetrios A. Boutris has also signed on to the Obama effort.

Peter Poulos, a Real Estate Appraiser and a Board member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, speaking to the Greek News says Obamaós election has inspired the American people.

“We have elected someone the American people can believe in. He raised our confidence level and he can reach across party lines. He really energized this race and have seen record voting in America.”

more see: http://www.greeknewsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9403

Search resumes in Albania after building collapse

The Associated Press
Published: November 10, 2008

Argirokaster: Rescue teams have resumed the search for three people missing beneath the rubble of an apartment building that has partially collapsed in southern Albania.

Fifteen people were evacuated, four of whom were slightly injured when part of the building collapsed Sunday. A 35-year-old woman, her 13-year-old daughter and a 65-year-old woman remain in the ruins.
Albanian and Greek rescue teams stopped searching late at night at the site in Gjirokastra, 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of Tirana, fearing the remaining part of the building might collapse. They resumed the search early Monday.

Gjirokastra police spokesman Genti Mullai said the collapse was believed to have been caused by construction work on an adjacent apartment building.