ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVED: ALBANIA IN NATO

Photo: During the visit of the US President Bush in Tirana June 2007, the promise of the Joint of Albania to NATO

A historical Session of Albanian Parliament . The Assembly approve the unanimity, the package of laws of Albania's NATO membership. According to the declaration of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha, the decision passed after the aspiration of Albanian people to joint to the NATO alliance. Berisha stated that 96% of Albanian people wants the Albania to Joint NATO.

Photo: The friendly Albanian - Chinese solidarity 1962-1978

Anyway the joint of Tirana to NATO alliance is became a

"FACT" even Albania is the poorest country of Europe, with organized crime and contraband including massive weapons corruption, violating the human rights of properties and minorities, is the only country which never has make free democratic elections.

Photo: Albania Joint to the "Varsavia Treaty" with USSR against NATO

But during the modern Albanian history the country headed by dictator regimes was jointed to the other alliances against the Atlantic forces. On the period of the Second World War 1939-1943, Albania jointed to the "Axis Fascist Forces". While after during the dictator regime of Enver Hoxha Albanian jointed to "Varsavia Treaty" until 1968.

Photo: Italian fascist FM Ciano with King Zogu, Albania joint to the "Fascist Axis" 1939-1943

The last years Albania linked with China to the strong economic and military

cooperation until 1978. A historically carachteristic of Albanian state is the love to cooperate with the "great powers" with long distance as possible.

According to the albanian press the decision of albania to joint NATO alliance shows the new dimension as "Regional Power" of albanians in Balkan Region.

Sotiris Ninis: the rising star

The Champions League, which he has entered to play during the match Panathinaikos - Inter, offered for the Italian public the opportunity to admire a player of great talent such as Sotiris Ninis.

It is no coincidence, but there are several large clubs of the old Continent who already follow with interest the imagination of talented of Panathinaikos, including Manchester United, Milan, Arsenal, Real Madrid. The Athenian Society, for its part, has taken steps to protect Ninis who wants to pay about 15 million.

In a country with strong nationalism, such as Greece, it is interesting to note that Sotiris Ninis was born in Himara, a city south of Albania. This should not mislead: Ninis is pure greek origin. His parents, as several sources report, are of Greek ethnicity. In addition, Sotiris Ninis has actually ever lived in Greece, where his parents have moved since 1991.

more see: http://www.mondogreco.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503&Itemid=45

GREEK INDIPENDENCE DAY IN ARGIROKASTER

25 March 2009, Celebration on March 25 in Northern Epirus, Southern Albania.

Greek considerations & Obama’s Turkey trip

Greek American News Agency

By Ioannis Michaletos*
The developments that occurred over the past few weeks and after the end of the Gaza war, have showed to an extent that Turkey acquires a louder voice in the Middle Eastern affairs by promoting itself as the main Muslim power and in parallel trying to combine that with its ability of assisting the US withdraw its troops from Iraq.

The forthcoming Obama voyage to Turkey will mostly center on the Iraq issue and more specifically how Ankara could assist in securing an exodus for the American Army via its ports and airfields. In that sense it is quite natural for the Greek policy makers to fear that Turkey's role will be highly elevated and that may have deteriorating effects for the relations of the two states.

In reality all the aforementioned considerations are not valid in any sense since the Americans do not need Turkish assistance to secure their withdrawal from Iraq. They can perfectly use the Basra port or the highway connecting the country with Jordan. Turkey could just ease American retreat but just that. The real stake of Obama's trip could not be other than the all timely issue of Kurdish insurgence and the real possibility of the declaration of independence by the Kurds of Northern Iraq.

According to all current information, Washington will move a substantial part of its Iraqi forces into secure areas in Northern Iraq and in that sense it will not leave the country. As it can be understood that will elevate the role of the Kurds in the Middle East as the sole ethnic group that secures American presence in a period where Washington is under a serious negotiation process with powers such as Iran, Syria and in a wider extent with the whole Muslim world.

*Ioannis Michaletos is an independent Strategic Analyst. He was born in 1978 in Athens- Greece and pursued studies in the UK in the fields of Political Science and Human Resource Management. He is occupied as a South Eastern European Analyst of the Research Institute on European & American Studies, RIEAS, and as a South Eastern European Editor in the World Security Network Foundation, WSNF. Moreover he regularly publishes articles in www.Balkanalysis.com

more see: http://www.greekamericannewsagency.com/gana/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4784&Itemid=83

THE GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY IN TIRANA

For the first time the Greek Independence anniversary of 25 March, held without the presence of the President and the Albanian Prime Minister.

The Greek Independence day held in Tirana invited by the Greek Ambassador in Albania Nicolas Pazios. Where represent Albanian politic personalities and foreign representative embassies in Albania.

But for the first time that was missing the presence of the Albanian PM Sali Berisha on the event. Also The President Bamir Topi was not present during the anniversary ceremony.

PRESS RELEASE

HIMARA UNION

Athens, Grece

see more; http://www.himaraunion.com/

PRESS RELEASE

PANEPIROTIC FEDERATION CONDEMNS ACTIONS OF ALBANIAN COURTS AGAINST MAYOR VASILIOS BOLLANOS OF HIMARA

12 YEARS AGO

Photo archive: Vlore, Albania March 1997

The crisis that broke out in Albania, in early March of 1997, following the collapse of the banking system and the State of Civil War.

By the No. 1101/1997 UNSC Resolution, issued after the Report of the E.U. and the OSCE Working Groups, the establishment of a temporary, small scale OSCE-led Multinational Protection Force in Albania was authorized, in order to create a secure environment for the missions of the International Organizations in Albania, ensuring the conduct of free elections for the appointment of a new government.

Italy was the lead nation in the Multinational Protection Force, with participating nations France, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Denmark, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium and Greece. PARTICIPATION OF HELLENIC FORCES: The Hellenic Contingent in Albania consisting of 803 men and 224 vehicles arrived in Albania on the 5th of April 1997, in the context of operation “ALBA”.

THE GREEK NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE JAIL OF OMONIA`S PRESIDENT

In its edition of Sunday 22 March, the newspaper "Η ΑΠΟΨΗ" host full page tribute in the proceedings of Hellenism in Himara Region regarding the prosecution of the Mayor Vasilis Bolanou by the albanian authorities.

see more: http://www.himaraunion.com/documents/apopsi358_p52.pdf

A DANGEROUS GAME OF FOREIGN GREEK MINISTRY ABOUT THE WATER AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA

According to "Firence Protocol" of 1915, the Saseno Island is part of Ionian Islands of the greek national waters.

see more on Greek weekly: http://www.paron.gr/v3/new.php?id=39378&colid=37&catid=42&dt=2009-03-22%200:0:0

PRESSE RELEASE

THE WORLD COUNCIL IPEIROTON

SUPORTS THE PRESIDENT OF OMONIA BOLLANO

The World Council of Foreign Ipeiroton denounced the new scandal by the Albanian authorities to condemned the political institution of the Greek minority «OMONIA» by political persecution of its President Basil Bolanos

The World Council of Foreign Ipeiroton condemns these methods of the Albanian authorities. It calls the Albanian Government to stop these methods of intimidation of the Greek minority and to respect human rights values.

VANGJELOS DOULES ACCUSES ALBANIAN POLITICS FOR BOLLANOS CASE

HRUP has targetd state structures and in particular the Albanian justice, for the the case of Bolanos. The leader of this party, Vangjelos Doules, has called the judicial process in charge of the mayor and also the head of Himara OMONIA s, Vasillis Bollanos, an absurdity that Albania wants to keep away from what is happening in other countries of Europe modern.

Doules has made this statement during a meeting with the management structures HRUP the evening of Friday in Gjirokastra. "He who speaks for the rights of minorities is often biased, often found even charged, often also required penalized them, as in the case of the chairman of the Democratic Union of the ethnic Greek minority, Vasillis Bollanos, the fact that only requires also be implemented in Albania framework convention on the rights of members of ethnic minorities, as has the Albanian Parliament, "stressed Doules.

AHEPA praise for new NATO commander nominee

WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA) - The American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) this week expressed its satisfaction over a decision by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to propose the appointment of US Navy Adm. James Stavridis for the post of NATO commander in Europe.

"We are overjoyed with the news," said AHEPA President Ike Goulas said in reference to the highly decorated US admiral of Greek descent, adding that "we are extremely proud of his excellent achievements and we are convinced that, following his appointment, he will serve the nation and lead the Alliance in an excellent and discreet way."

THE GREEK NEWSPAPER "ELEFTEROS KOSMOS"

The Pan Epiriotic Federations send in The International Criminal Court of Hague the rights of the Greek Community in Albania

On 24 February 2009, has been submteed to the ICC (International Criminal Court, ICC) of the United Nations, with headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, the accuse against the Albanian state and the Albanian authorities for the violation of basic human rights for the Greek minority living in Albania.

On appeal, after the first mention in history, the undisputed Greekness of Northern Epirus and the struggles for independence, were violations of basic human rights regarding: Avoid the formal counting of the Greek population and other minorities in the country, the operation of Greek schools, the seizure of property of northern epiriotes both Greeks and the Orthodox Church, political rights and representation of the Greek minority in public service, sense of security the use of Greek as the official language of the rule which provides for the allocation of economic aid from the Albanian state and the representation of Greek northern epiriotes media in the country.

For all the above provided a wealth of evidence (documents, newspaper clippings, brochures, books, etc.) and a list with about a thousand signatures from Greeks of Northern Epirus. It should be noted here that both the list of evidence of violations of basic human rights and the list of signatures, remain open for further evidence and signatures of the Greek Northern Epirus.

It`s for the second time in history that the Albanian State is accused in the International Court of Hague for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania. In 1935 the Himara Community has accused the Albanian state for the close of the Greek schools wining the right to reopen from the Hague the Greek institutions in Himara Region.

http://www.elkosmos.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=941:2009-03-18-15-55-57&catid=87:epikairotita&Itemid=277

A border dispute in Balkans imperils Europe's expansion

By Dan Bilefsky

OBREZJE, Slovenia, or BREGANA, Croatia: Thanks to the vagaries of history and an accident of geography, customers at Kalin, a rustic 180-year-old tavern here, can eat their roast pork dinners in Slovenia, step a few meters away to Croatia to go to the bathroom, saunter back to Slovenia to pay their bill and end their meal on Croatian soil over a game of billiards and a shot of local pear brandy.

Just in case clients are confused, Sasha Kalin, the 36-year-old owner, has painted a fluorescent yellow line across the floor to delineate the very spot — next to a pool table — where the border between Slovenia and Croatia bisects the property. Tipsy customers who step outside and accidentally walk through a row of concrete potted plants demarcating the border are stopped by unsmiling armed Croatian border guards.

...The disagreement also threatens to derail NATO's 60th anniversary celebrations next month in Strasbourg, where Croatia and Albania are expected to be admitted into the alliance. While the Slovene government insists that it supports Croatia's NATO accession, the Party of the Slovenian Nation, a nationalist Slovene group, is racing to gather 40,000 signatures necessary to hold a referendum on Croatia's entry bid. In the event of a no vote, Slovenia's government could be forced to block Croatia's entry.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/20/europe/border.php

Albania:Agreement Between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Albania on the Delimitation of Their Maritime Space and Continental Shelf Initialed

On 19 March 2009 the “Agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Hellenic Republic on the Delimitation of their Maritime Space and Continental Shelf” was initialed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This Agreement of special national significance for both our countries, which is based on the international law principles and on the UN Maritime Convention, is due to be signed soon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends the conviction that the conclusion of this Agreement will contribute to the further strengthening and intensification of the good and friendly relations existing between our two friendly countries.

STATE DEPARTMENT REGULAR BRIEFINGBRIEFER: ROBERT WOOD, ACTING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMANSTATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ROOM, STATE DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.11:34 A.M. EDT, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

........ Okay, Mr. Lambros.

QuestionOn; Cyprus, Mr. Wood, for 36 successive years, Turkey has
occupied illegally the Republic of Cyprus, using ammunition and
weapons. But I cannot understand why Mrs. Clinton has given her
consent to receive here officially the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet
Ali Talat, without seeing first the president of the republic or the
foreign minister

It's confirmed. I would like to know when it's going to happen.
It's done.

MR. WOOD: I don't know. Mr. Lambros, I can't answer that
question for you. I'll see if I can get you an answer on that.

Question; Can you take this question? It's very important.

MR. WOOD: I said I would.

Question: On Northern Epirus, Mr. Wood, Mayor of Himare Vasil Bollano in Northern Epirus is under constant attack by the Albanian government of Sali Berisha. Without any excuse, Mrs. -- Mr. Bollano is going to prison for clearly political reasons. I know that Secretary Hillary Clinton has different opinions in respect with the Albanian court.

Once again I ask the government, the U.S. government, right now, in order to stop this unpopular Albanian political plan.

MR. WOOD: I'm not aware of this issue, Mr. Lambros. I'm sorry.

Question: But can you take this question? Because it's -- .
MR. WOOD: I'm not sure it's -- what's the question?

Question: The question is that the mayor of Himare is going to prison for political reasons. I would like you to get to the bottom to stop this movement.

MR. WOOD: I'm not going to take this it's not a question you're asking; you're making a request, and I'm ...

Question: No, the question is that he's going to prison for political reasons already.

MR. WOOD: Are you asking or telling me? I'm not quite sure here. What -- ..

Question: No, the question is, he's going to political for political reason. It has been done by a court, and I would like you to get involved.

US envoy to Albania cleared in Chinese arms probe

Photo: US ambassador to Albania John Withers

WASHINGTON (AFP)

The United States said Wednesday that its ambassador to Albania and five staff have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the alleged trafficking of Chinese weapons that surfaced in a newspaper report.In a letter last year to then-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Congressman Henry Waxman said Ambassador John Withers had helped hide illegal Chinese origins of ammunition that a Pentagon contractor bought to supply Afghan security forces.



"At the time, the matter was submitted to our inspector general for review," State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Wednesday, reading a statement.
"The inspector general has reviewed all evidence made available and found nothing to substantiate criminal or any other allegations concerning Department of State employees," he said. "The Department of Justice has informed the Office of the Inspector General that these six Department of State employees at Embassy Tirana are not targets or subjects of investigation," Wood added.

"The department welcomes the statements by the Department of Justice and the inspector general and considers this matter closed," Wood said.The spokesman said "Withers and his team performed exactly as we would have expected them to do," adding that the State Department is "proud and grateful for their service." In June last year, Withers denied any involvement in the trafficking of Chinese weapons after allegations of US congressional investigators emerged in a New York Times report.


Seven people were arrested in Tirana after a blast in a military depot in March in which 26 people were killed and 302 were injured. The incident gave rise to suspicions of possible arms trafficking in the country.The New York Times said Withers "met with the Defence Minister Fatmir Mediu hours before the New York Times reporter was to visit the American contractor's operations in Tirana" in a bid to "hide several boxes of Chinese ammunition from a visiting reporter."


The ammunition was "being repackaged to disguise its origins and shipped from Albania to Afghanistan by AEY, a Miami Beach arms-dealing company," the daily said.At the time, AEY was under a contract with the US army as "the main munitions supplier for Afghan security forces" despite US law prohibiting trading in Chinese arms.AEY head Efraim Diveroli, 22, and three other people were charged in June with selling prohibited Chinese ammunition, presented as being of Albanian origin, to the Pentagon, said the Times.

US to pick admiral as NATO commander-officials

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - The United States is expected to appoint a Navy admiral, James Stavridis, to NATO's top command post as the alliance prepares to step up its Afghan war effort, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

Stavridis is currently head of U.S. Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America, and previously served as the senior military assistant to Donald Rumsfeld when he was Pentagon chief. (Reporting by Andrew Gray, editing by Jackie Frank)

Albania Real State Shows Signs of Crises

By Gjergj Erebara in Tirana
Commercial tower in TiranaReal estate agents in Albania are seeing a drop in demand for property, forcing a decline in prices as banks tighten their rules on mortgage loans and as demand weakens.

Agencies in Tirana contacted by Balkan Insight say that they are currently flooded with offers to sell luxury apartments and commercial property. “Dozens of luxury apartments that costs at least €150,000, are now available for sale because many owners are eager for cash,” said one real estate agent.

“We have offers for commercial properties that cost up to €1 million”, she added.In Tirana's suburbs prices have declined by 20-30 per cent.

see more: http://www.balkaninsight.com/?tpl=304&tpid=144

A double standard for Kosovo (Serbia - Albania)

Australian Macedonian Advisory Council
March 17, 2009

It is a year since Kosovo, with NATO backing, made a unilateral declaration of independence, breaking away from Serbia. Fifty countries, most of which have little knowledge of the political intricacies of the Balkans and even less about the complicated historical interplay between the various ethnic and religious groups living in the area supported the move. As a state it is doubtful whether Kosovo can survive. ............

.........The main argument of NATO for Kosovo's independence was that it was inhabited by a majority of Muslim Albanians who were oppressed by the Christian Serbs. If we accept this argument for secession why don't we look a little further and cast our eye on Albania proper. If the NATO Kosovo argument is valid, then why has NATO not supported the secession of Northern Epirus, the southern Albanian province populated by a culturally, religious, and ethnically oppressed population who are Greeks?

Northern Epirus has a better argument for secession than Kosovo because it is an area that always had a predominantly Greek population, it was a part of Greece, and at one time in the early 20th century even had several North Epirus Greek members sitting in the Greek Parliament.

Further, the Albanians themselves agreed to the self determination of the Greeks in their southern Greek provinces by signing the international Treaty of Corfu. It was a foregone conclusion that Northern Epirus would devolve to become a part of Greek Epirus, a logical development since the area was nationally, culturally and religiously a seamless continuation of Greek Epirus............

more see: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/94838

Albania Muslims Take Elections to Court Tirana

Muslims praying in Albania’s capital, Tirana.A group of imams have filed a civil court suit against the head of the Albanian Muslim Community Selim Muca contesting election procedures that they say will inevitably lead to his reelection.

Muca is standing for reelection, while no other rival has stepped forward. The elections are expected to be held at the next meeting of the community's general council in the city of Kavaja on March 21. The imams contest as irregular the absence of other candidates apart from Muca.

more see: http://www.balkaninsight.com/?tpl=304&tpid=144

Meeting of Deputy FM Mr. M Varvitsiotis with representatives of Greek national minority associations of Albania

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis briefed representatives of the nine biggest Greek national minority associations of Albania on his contacts and their results during his recent visit to Tirana.

Yesterday, Sunday, 15 March, Mr. Varvitsiotis attended an event organised jointly by the nine biggest Greek minority associations in Athens and referred to last week's contacts with Albanian government officials.

Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that in his meetings with the Albanian side, he unequivocally raised the long-standing problem of the properties of members of the Greek minority of Albania and stressed the need for their participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Albania.

Mr. Varvitsiotis also announced that two major road infrastructure projects – particularly helpful for regions with Greek minorities – have been initiated in consultation with the Albanian side.

He also pointed out the sensibility and care shown by the Greek government on issues relating to the Greek minority of Albania, through the resolution of a series of long-standing issues,such as dual citizenship and military obligations.

THE HIMARA UNION CALLS THE GREEK GOVERNMENT AND STRASBOURG FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE GREEK MINORITY

THE GREEK GOVERNMENT MUST STOP ALBANIA TO THE EURO ATLANTIC INTEGRATION IN NATO AND EU FOR THE EXTREME TRIAL AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF OMONIA AND THE MAYOR OF HIMARA REGION VASSILIS BOLLANOS

CRANS MONTANA ECONOMIC FORUM IN ALBANIA

TIRANA; 25-27 MARCH 2009

http://www.cmf.ch/events/tirana2009/main.php

"ELEFTEROS KOSMOS"

THE TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREEK ETHNIC MINORITY AND MAYOR OF HIMARA REGION VASSILIS BOLLANOS ON THE GREEK PRESS

SECURITY NEWS

Meeting in Athens for the Northern Epirus

On Sunday 15 March at 10.30 am hotel Titan (52 University, Athens) will be meeting on «Developments in the Balkans and Northern Epirus in Albania and Greece, Prospects and priorities ».

The extraordinary meeting is Organized by northern epirus associations: Association of northern epirus, Northern Epirus Forum, Himara Union, Youth of Northern Epirus , O.S.E.V. «Agios Kosmas», Association DELVINO & Saranda, E.K.A.V.I., Movement for the regeneration of Northern Epirus ecct.

ISLAMIC COUNTRYES AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA

Berisha firms the join of Tirana on Islamic Corporate giving exclusively priority in favor of Islamic Bank

According to the Albanian newspaper “Libertas” about the tour of Prime Minister Sali Berisha in Qatar referring that, Tirana is opened to the Islamic Conference supporting agreements on economic and investments field in Albania.

In addition, with Sheik of Qatar met PM Berisha asking the assistance of Islamic countries to solve the serious economic problems facing Albania. The Albanian prime minister said that both sides agreed that Qatar will send a delegation to the Albanian capital to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

"I am suprised that my visit to Qatar will be followed by a visit by the Emir in my country," said Berisha. Earlier, Albania and Qatar signed a joint-operation, technical, financial and commercial sector. More agreements are expected to be signed in Tirana. Berisha also called on Arab businessmen invest in Albania and especially in the tourism industry!

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

In the shops of Albania clothes Stolen of last December rots

in Lazarati! If you are wondering where did all those goods which disappeared in the twinkling loot held on «nights Alexis» (through the broken branches in the center of Athens), the answer is: in the bazaar stolen by revealing Albania.

According to investigation of the newspaper "Express" all the spoils of "protesters" last December in Greece are transported to neighboring countries and sold in «dream» prices in a hotel situated in the village Lazarati between minority village Dropoli and Gjirokaster!

The hotel has been transformed to the free market, with costumes of the really cost EUR 600 in Athens to sold only 50 euros in Albania!

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

U.S. President Barack Obama to attend March 25 national anniversary event

Photo: Archbishop Demetrios of America honored the two national co-chairpersons of “Greek-Americans for Obama”, State Treasurer from Illinois Alexi Giannoulias and Eleni Tsakopoulos

The Archbishop of America Demetrius will again be heading this year the expatriate Greeks who will be attending the event to be held at the White House on March 25, to honour the national anniversary of Hellenism.

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, is expected to speak of the values of Greek Democracy and Independence, as well as of Greek-U.S. relations. The Archbishop will be speaking on behalf of the expatriate Greeks, after previously holding a private conversation with President Obama.

The guests will include leading members of expatriate agencies, American government officials and Congress members of Greek origin, as well as Greece's ambassador in Washington, while the presence of Greek government and Parliamentary representatives cannot be ruled out.

Kosovo Battle Moves to Maldives

The recognition of Kosovo’s independence by the Maldives has created a furore in this small chain of Indian Ocean islands. After a good of lobbying by Kosovo politicians, the Maldives recognised the country on February 19. But just two weeks on, President Mohamed Nasheed has ordered police to investigate allegations that government officials were bribed to bring this about.

An alleged bribe of $2 million, according to media in the Maldives, was delivered by a Kosovo businessman, Behgjet Pacolli. Pacolli, head of the New Kosova Alliance party, AKR, the first public figure to announce recognition by the Maldives, has firmly denied the allegation. “This is speculation made up by the Serbian government,” he told Balkan Insight.

Pacolli, who has been publicly announcing and promoting himself as a lobbyist for Kosovo’s recognition, especially in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries, said that he was facing an active counter-lobby from the Serbian side. “Serbia is lobbying against Kosovo’s recognition in the same countries where I am [working],” Pacolli said.

He noted that a 21-member delegation from Serbia, led by the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies, CANVAS, had lobbied Maldives opposition groups to bring about a cancellation of the recognition of Kosovo.

more see: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/17301/

http://www.minivannews.com/news_detail.php?id=6125

Berisha calls Islamic countries for help

Qatar, Albania sign pacts to boost ties

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani receiving the visiting Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha at the Emiri Diwan yesterdayBy Nour AbuzantQatar and Albania yesterday reiterated their resolve to strengthen relations in all fields, especially in the economic sector.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, the visiting Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said his country might get a loan from Qatar for infrastructure development. The Qatari premier said that the visit of the Albanian leader further strengthened the strong relations between the two countries.

The premier said that both sides agreed that Qatar would send a delegation to the Albanian capital Tirana to strengthen bilateral economic relations.The Albanian premier said he came to Qatar holding a strong desire to strengthen the relations between the two countries, adding that his talks with HH the Emir and the premier were very fruitful.“I am happy that my visit to Qatar would be followed by a visit by HH the Emir and the Qatari premier to my country,” he said.Earlier, Albania and Qatar signed agreements for co-operation in the technical, economic and trade fields. More agreements are expected to be signed in Tirana.

The Albanian premier said that his country would soon open an embassy in Doha, urging Qatari businessmen to invest in his country.“There are many Qatari companies working in the tourism sector in Albania and they are achieving quick progress.”He said that his country welcomed Qatari companies working in the energy, health and education fields.

The Albanian premier said that HH the Emir and the premier showed great interest in the gas to liquid project in Albania which was a huge project “and Qatari investors are welcome”. The Albanian premier said that both Qatar and Albania agreed to facilitate the issue of visas for their citizens.

TIRANA, NEW CRASH WITH ATHENS

The new scenario risk to come back 15 years ago when the leader of the Greek Ethnic Minority was condemned by albanian tribunal

March 15, a protests in Athens will joint the northern epirotean association in Greece in an extraordinary meeting on the situation of Greeks in Albania, while just this day in Tirana the Albanian opposition will protest against Berisha government for the anniversary of "Gerdec blast".

Meanwhile the Greek American lobby has prepared a great protest to U.S. Department which must take powerfully consideration of the detention of Greek leader from the regime of Sali Berisha to discriminate the population of northern epirioteas in Albania.

A week ago, Deputy Greek Foreign Minister Varvitsiotis called Tirana to take measures for the problem of the rights of Greeks in Albania including properties. The case of Vassilis Bollanos can not stand indiferent by Athens, which some weeks ago approved for Albania the agreement to join NATO organisation, but without respects of the human rights of the Greeks in Albania the agreement could be considered failed.

15 years ago the regime of Sali Berisha, has influenced to the Tribunal to condemn 5 members of the Greek organization "Omonia" including its leader, which resulted to create a serious crisis beetween Greece and Albanian . Actually the scenario brings again to condemn and persecute the personalities of the Greek minority in Albania, which risks of blocking of Albania's perspective to the organization of NATO next summit in April.

Against the Greek ethnic minority Tirana continues to have pressure for assimilation by Albanians following the publication of the last census population by Tirana a month ago. According to recent statistics that the Greek minority in Albania compost only 1% percent of 4.2 million of Albanian population. Sources from the Greek American lobby said for the number of the Greek population in Albania is more 700 thousand people called northern epirioteas.

see also: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,HRW,COUNTRYREP,ALB,4562d8b62,3ae6a7e58,0.html

Albania aiming for June EU petition

TIRANA (AFP) – Albania is determined to submit its candidacy for European Union membership in June despite the global economic crisis and uncertainty about EU enlargement, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said.

In an interview with AFP, Berisha said an agreement “in principle” has been reached with the Czech EU president for Albania to apply for membership before its June 28 parliamentary elections.

“We agreed on submitting the request,” he said, noting that 96 percent of Albanians back their once-communist nation’s EU ambitions.EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has told Albanian news media that smooth conduct of the elections, in line with European criteria, is essential before Tirana can present its candidacy.

It would then be up to the 27 incumbent EU member states to unanimously approve the candidacy. Negotiations with the European Commission – the bloc’s executive arm – would follow.Albania is already on the threshold of joining NATO next month – a landmark that Berisha called “the biggest event for my country after independence” from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.

Since the demise of communism in the early 1990s, all elections in Albania – a predominantly Muslim nation of 3.6 million that remains one of Europe’s poorest countries – have been disputed and marred by incidents.

see more: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_world_0_10/03/2009_105370

ALBANIAN SECURITY NEWS

The Vlora`s Prosecutor wanted sentence for one year imprisonment for the president of the Greek Minority of Albania Vassilis Bollanos

One year in prison has wanted the albanian prosecutor in Vlora district for the president of the Greek minority of Albania and the mayor of the Himara Municipality Vassilis Bollanos.

The trial against the member of the Greek minority including the president of the Greeks of Albania Vassilis Bollanos continues to be object against the human rights of the Greek minority in Albania.

The ethnic Greek mayor of Himara Municipality in Southern Albania has been charged for removing road signs in his area and demanding they include Greek place names, officials prosecutor said before the trial. 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.

But any thing were replaced by the advocate of Bollanos saying that the only responsibility according to Albanian Constitution for the regional road singles is the Municipality.

Georgios Karatzaferis, Important meeting with Albanian Ambassador Vili Minaroli

Meeting with the Ambassador of Albania in Athens, Vili Minaroli had yesterday at the offices of LAOS, the chairman of the party George Karatzaferis. Mr Karatzaferis, there proposed issues that unite the two nations, but obstacles and problems and therefore «looking through dialogue to reduce what could hinder come closer to one country to another».

The chairman of LAOS stated that some proposals made for «the meeting will allow for greater issues between Tirana and Athens», as he noted. George Karatzaferis is a politician with great vision, understanding the problems of politics of tow countries and has a very informed about the relations between Albania and Greece for the rights of the Northern Epirus Issue.

The Albanian ambassador has praised his clear and honest attitude of the President of LAOS for the integration of Albania to the EU and NATO. From his part Mr. Minaroli thanked Mr. Georgios Karatzaferis to have positive views of the Albanian immigrants living in Athens.

www.ana.gr

ALBANIA, MUST BE GUARANTEED FOR THE PROPERTIES OF THE GREEK COMMUNITY

Vice Foreign Greek Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis calls the Albanian authorities to be guaranteed for the properties of the Greek minority

According to a interview on the Albanian newspaper "Koha Jone" V/F Greek minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis calls the Albanian government to respect the property right of the Greek ethnic minority in Albania.

Varvitsiotis noted that: "we have approved the agreement with Albania to joint NATO and BE but unfortunately we are observer that the practices of Albanian authorities still not realised reforms on the Field of human rights especially for the properties of the Greek ethnic minority, that live historically in Albania"

One day befor, Trasparence International Albania, has publiced a repoprt about the property right in albania. According to repport 60% of albanians continues to have problems with properties, as important issue for corrupsion.

World Bank panel inspetcion report critics albania for a "dangerous strategy" that be adapted to the Ionian Coast especialy in Himara Region to destructe houses and investiments of villagers of Jali.

Alexis Giannoulias Interest In The U.S. Senate Seat
The State Treasurer spent some time in Rockford today and talked to 23News about him considering a run for a U.S. Senate seat in 2010. The Chicago democrat has formed an exploratory committee, and he says during this time of perceived corruption in politics he feel it's even more important for young leaders to step up and answer the call to service.

"The people of Illinois need and deserve a Senator who's going to bring integrity back to the process. Who's going to stand up and effectively lead so we can focus on topics like fixing the economy, unfreezing the credit markets, getting people back to work, helping businesses come back to Illinois and deliver on the change that Barack Obama has promised to this nation," said Ginnoulias.

Giannoulias, who turns 33 this month would look to claim the senate seat currently occupied by fellow Democrat Roland Burris.

see video: http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/40753357.html

After the writer Petro Marko another northern epiriote Panajot Pano became "The Honor of Albania"

The Albanian President Bamir Topi honored yesterday Panajot Pano, an ex famos socker of albanian national team as the "Honor of Albania". Pano ex famous socker of Albanian national team and "Partizani" of Tirana, is became the second greek Albanian personality that has contributed historicly for the Albanian state.

Panajot Pano an Albanian citizen with Greek nationality becomes honored after another famous northern epiriot the writer from Himara region Petro Marko.

Often Albanian media opinion like to convert the Greek origin of the great writer Petro Marko from Drimades village of Himara region as Albanian.

The albanian government has financed a monument sculprure of the writer Petro Marko to put in Drimades without autorisation of the greek community of the area. The declaration has been held by PM Sali Berisha during a visit in Drimades on June 2008.

Albania borrows €250M from banks to fund deficit

The Associated Press

Albania's Finance Ministry said Thursday it would borrow €250 million ($313.6 million) from Deutsche Bank and Greece's Alpha Bank to fund its budget deficit. The two banks were selected after an international tender with seven bidders, the ministry said in a statement.

It gave no details for the loan, which is expected to fund the budget deficit and the construction of a new highway to neighboring Kosovo. Albania's 2009 budget deficit is projected at 4.2 percent of gross domestic product.

Last year, the government also took a €230 million loan to cover its budget deficit

Albania Torurism Minster Sacked Over Sex Scandal

THE "STATE ADVOCATE" OF KAKOMEA AND JALA OF HIMARA REGION AT THE CENTER OF THE STORM OF SEX SCANDAL

Ylli Pango Albania’s Minister of Torurism and Culture Ylli Pango was fired on Wednesday, after a video showing him allegedly asking sexual favours from young women applying for a job in his ministry was broadcast on TV.

The video and audio broadcast on the investigative program Fisk Fare on Top Channel TV shows Pango setting private meetings with two job applicants. One of these meetings was set in his private villa in Tirana, in which the sacked minister asks a girl to strip her clothes off.In the recording Pango is overhead repeatedly asking the girl to take her shirt off and come out in a bikini so that he can assess whether she is the right person for the job.

Thirty minutes after the broadcast Prime Minister Sali Berisha issued a statement sacking Pango as culture minister. “The Prime Minister Berisha has told the minister of culture, youth and sports that he is dismissed since the episode that appeared in the media is unacceptable for the morality and standards of his government," said a statement from the premier's office. Pango was not reachable for a comment; however in a statement to Berisha he claimed that the video is a “a fabrication by the media”.

PANGO WAS THE "ADVOCATE OF PM SALI BERISHA" TO SUPPORT THE ALBANIAN MAFIA IMPLICATING THE WORLD BANK TO DESTRUCT PROPERTY BUILDINGS AND TO ROBBER THE LANDS AND PROPERTIES OF THE GREEK POPULATION IN JALA AND KAKOMEA OF HIMARA REGION.

BOSNIA MAY SPLIT?

Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski, left, warned against Bosnia's "disintegration" after calls by a Serb leader said "that Bosnia be transformed into a federation in which the federal units shall have the right to self-determination".

Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue 'Key To Balkan Stability'Pristina

Dialogue between officials in Pristina and Belgrade is key to the stability of the Balkan region, International Civilian Office chief Pieter Feith . Serbia has vowed to never recognize Kosovo’s seccession and relations between Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians are tense and occasionaly hostile.

Serbia has blocked imports coming in from Kosovo and Serb officials have not been shy about flaunting Belgrade's reach in Serb-populated parts of north Kosovo, often coming into north Kosovo on 'official visits'. Kosovo officials have in turn threatened to arrest Serb officials entering unannounced for trying to breach Kosovo's territorial integrity.

“Good neighbourly relations and Pristina-Belgrade contact on practical issues are useful for regional stability”, Feith told Serbian daily “Dnevnik”. He said the EU was committed to regional stability and was prepared to mediate between Pristina and Belgrade. “The EU has to play a useful role in easing such a process

The Ionian Coastal Association accuses PM Berisha for the Jali Project

According to the newspaper of Socialist Party “Zeri i Popullit” the Ionian Coastal Association during a press declaration, has accused the Albanian PM Sali Berisha and other politicians for the destruction of Jali Village in collaboration with member of the World Bank Project.

The association before starting the project tow years ago, has opposed the World Bank Director mission in Tirana, declaring the property issue most important than the project proposed.

The project over alls has favorized the Albanian mafia with the support of Albanian authority segments and Tribunals to robbery lands and properties of the population who lives historically in Ionian Coast zone.

Albania and Croatia's accession to NATO can be postponed

FOCUS News Agency

Skopje. Macedonia’s accession to NATO is very significant. Likewise it is very important for the regional security Croatia and Albania to access NATO at the meeting at high level in April, Spic informs.

Croatian and Albanian media warns that Albania and Croatia accession on NATO can be postponed until the Croatian- Slovenian dispute is solved.

“Expansion of the Alliance is solemn act but if just one country accesses it not three there will be something not right and the process will be stopped,” unknown diplomatic source told Croatian Agency HINA.

Kosovo issue not finished yet, Bolton said

March 2, 2009
Former US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said that is not finished yet and will remain so until an agreement acceptable to all sides has been reached. “I think it’s positive there is no violence and ethnic conflict, but there is tension and it will remain a source of tensions until agreement is reached that all sides will accept.” Bolton told the Serbian service of the Voice of America.

Serbia has urged new status talks on Kosovo to commence but the separatists in the province have rejected the initiative. Bolton noted that the Barack Obama’s policy for the Balkans is still unclear but warned that just because the current situation in Kosovo is stable it does not mean that the problem has been solved.

“It is still unclear what the Obama administration policy in the Balkans will be, although the new state of Kosovo has been relatively stable since the independence declaration, this issue is not closed, nor have other issues that are the consequence of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia,” Bolton said.

IMF Warns Albania on Pre-Election SpendingTirana

02 March 2009
Premier Berisha inspecting the Kosovo highwayThe International Monetary Fund, IMF, warned Albania on Saturday it should be prudent in its spending ahead of its general election on June 28 or risk possible threats to its macroeconomic stability.

In its final report on Albania-IMF relations, the Fund warned that “without its program support—which has served as a policy anchor since the early 1990s—added prudence of policy makers is called for when, at the same time, upcoming elections may tilt political instincts in the opposite direction”. Albania ended its final supervisory agreement with IMF on Jan. 31, despite warnings from experts advising that it be extended to avoid the risks of a populist spending spree in an election year.

The centre-right government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha has already declared it intends to increase salaries and pensions as of May 1, two months before the elections. “The end of the program falls in challenging times. The external environment is deteriorating sharply and previously high inflows into the banking system have slumped,” the IMF said.

“Remaining structural problems in the utility sector, and elevated public debt aggravate vulnerabilities, meanwhile, the upcoming elections risk diverting policy makers’ attention from stability-oriented policies”, the fund added..

The veteran journalist of State Departament and Elefteros Tipos Lambros Papantoniou about a strategic annalisy on Albanian Press

more see: http://print.gazetalibertas.com/pdf/20090301.pdf