Albanian opposition to protest on April 30th for transparency on elections

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April 28, 2010 (MMD Newswire) -- On Friday, April 30th the Socialist Party led Albanian opposition is going to protest in the capital, Tirana, demanding full and thorough transparency of the parliamentary elections that took place on June 28th. The opposition is determined to persist in its protests until its constitutional right to an investigation into the elections is fulfilled.

The protest of the opposition does not aim to change the results of the election, but to achieve full transparency on said elections, as an indispensable precondition for free and fair elections in the future. In this action the opposition is supported not only by half the Albanian electorate who voted for them in the elections, but also by the thousands of Albanians who are suffering the dire economic conditions that have prevailed in the country since the elections; conditions which are a direct consequence of the abuse of public funds and finances by Prime Minister Sali Berisha for electoral purposes.

The difference between the Socialist led opposition and the governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, in the elections of June 28th amounted to a mere 1.5% of ballots cast; the narrowest difference ever in any elections in Albania. At the same time, international reports, such as by OSCE-ODHIR, underline the fact that "vote counting in a full one third of the voting centers was bad or very bad." Further evidence has surfaced in recent months of massive vote stuffing, of individuals having voted with multiple fake identity cards and of voting instead of emigrants who were not in Albania at the time of the elections.

To date the opposition has been denied its constitutional right to a full a thorough parliamentary investigation into the elections including the opening of the ballot boxes and the examination of electoral materials contained therein. Although the demand of the opposition for an investigation into the elections has been supported by many international actors including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, European Socialists and the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Europe Subcommittee Chairman Bill Delahunt, the government has so far been intransigent in its refusal.

In the first major, three day protest on November 20th 2009, upwards of 100,000 people poured out onto the streets in the name of democracy and free and fair elections; on April 30th and beyond, the scale and the duration of the protest will dwarf any protests Albania has experienced during its 20 year long transition.

The Albanian opposition cannot compromise on its demand for transparency. Its determination is born of the belief that free and fair elections constitute a cornerstone of democracy.

* For any information, footage and images of our protests or any other type of assistance that you may require please contact:

Endri Fuga

Press & Communication Officer
Socialist Party of Albania
Tirana, Albania
endrifuga@gmail.com
00-355-672-102-020 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00-355-672-102-020 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Maklen Misha

Press & Communication Officer,
maklenm@gmail.com
00-355-672-042-891 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00-355-672-042-891 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Etjen Xhafaj

Press & Communication Officer
etjen.xhafaj@gmail.com
00-355-686-014-477 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00-355-686-014-477

Albania: Counterfeit euro distribution network dismantled

Albanian police busted a group for distribution of counterfeit euro, Macedonian newspaper "Vecer" announced. Two of the detainees are albanian Macedonian citizens - Djeladin Demiri and Kemal Rejepi.

Together with them were arrested Avni Hayrulahu Kosovo citizen, leader of the group and of Petri Marku from Tirana, whose cafeteria was used as a warehouse for counterfeit euros.

Counterfeit bank notes had to be put into circulation in Albania. In the cafeteria the police discovered 75,000 counterfeit euro, printed in Bulgaria and moved through FYROM to Albania.

Thousands of K. Serbs stage protest

26 April 2010 Source: FoNet, Tanjug

GRAČANICA -- The Kosovo Serb protest in Gračanica against the violent disabling of Serbian mobile phone networks in parts of the province has ended. The protest in Gračanica today (Beta) Local officials called on the international community to react and to stop the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština from prohibiting Serbs from using the phone services of Serbian operators. The protests ended without incidents, and more were announced, with similar gatherings expected to be held every day until the Belgrade-based mobile phone networks have been reactivated. Some 3,000 Serbs from central and other parts of Kosovo participated in the protest march in Gračanica. There were ambulances ahead of the crowd of people, symbolizing the fact that communication with such emergency services is not possible without working phones. KFOR and Kosovo police, KPS, secured Gračanica during the rally, which stopped the traffic through the enclave. The Kosovo Albanian authorities in Priština targeted Belgrade-based operators over the weekend. www.b92.net

April 25, 2010 Greater Boston Parade

It is developed as each year, the biggest parades of Boston, the anniversary of the Greek national holiday of the year 1921 Participants at the celebration, was the Pan Epiriotic Federation of USA.

EC says Albania not ready for visa liberalisation

26/04/2010

TIRANA, Albania -- The European Commission (EC) says Albania has completed just one of four sections of its EU visa liberalisation questionnaire, local media reported on Sunday (April 25th). Government and local integration officials had assured the public that Tirana has met all technical criteria in the process.

The section praised by Brussels deals with securing documents. The other three sections -- deemed incomplete -- involve repatriation policies, fighting crime and corruption and dealing with the finances of criminal gangs.

Albania began working on visa liberalisation in 2008 and expects to complete the process by the end of this year.

Armed in Himara, come the members of the Front for Albanian National Union

In today's press release, DEEEM Omonia, denounces the rise of irredentist voices in Albania at the expense of Greece and Hellenism of Northern Epirus.

PRESS AND COMMUNICATION OFFICE OF "OMONIA"

PRESS RELEASE

While the Greek national minority and its political representative, the DEEEM "Omonia" at the forefront of the effort to integrate the country into the European Union and the Greek National Minority aims to calm and peaceful coexistence with the majority of extremist nationalist groups, continue to rise and affect its national.

Just yesterday, the only feasibility cause residents, called the Front for Albanian National Unification met in private in Himara, although in principle this was planned in the city of Fier.

Indeed, during the meeting, as noted by the press, participants from Albania, Kosovo and Skopje criticized Greece and EU for Minority.

However, the fact that Albanian media have emphasized today that in Himara, where not recorded any incident and the police had taken all necessary measures, amply demonstrates that this event aimed to challenge and disrupt the city and that probably the threads to move from state structures.

The gesture was preceded by some hothead campaign nationalists, who wrote provocative slogans on roads crossing the area of minority refers to a nonexistent issue, something that history has already been closed.Also unknown are the days defiantly tore it up the Greek flag at the Military Cemetery of Vouliarati, and the offices of Omonia in Saranda.

The DEEEM "Omonia" harshly condemns these challenges and acts it out in the Ethnic Greek Minority and asking the authorities to take necessary measures to fully respect all rights.

Albania and Kosovo

Tirana, Pristina to be joined by railroad connection

Tirana. Albania and Kosovo reached agreement to realize new project in the field of transport, albanian media news agency reports.

The project envisages a railroad connection between the cities of Tirana and Pristina.
The two countries are already realizing a joint motorway, which is already built up in the Albanian part, while the construction in Kosovo is yet to start.

Meanwhile today inaugurated the beginning of construction of highway works Morin-Merdar Vërmicë-Prizren which is described as a major project by the authorities in Kosovo and Albania.

At the festive ceremony on the occasion of the commencement of the works are expected to attend: Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, the Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha,

Greece: Gruevski opposes to name ‘Northern Republic of Macedonia’

The prime minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski opposes the possible suggestion ‘Northern Republic of Macedonia’ to solve the Greek-Macedonian name dispute, Greek "Express" daily writes on its website.

In an interview with the private Skopje-based television channel Sitel, which will be aired on Sunday, but parts of it have already leaked into the media, Gruevski says:

“If ‘Northern Republic of Macedonia’ is suggested for general use, provided that this name proposal is officially presented to the mediator Matthew Nimitz, I will put it to a referendum. If you are interested in my personal opinion – I will vote against.”

Albania, latest security and developments news

United Front of Greater Albania, an illegal rally in Himare

NATO security services in Albania, are alarmed by this development undesirable, jeopardizing the fragile geopolitical stability in Albania

Had come as tourists from Albania, Kosovo, FYROM, Montenegro and completed by developing a nationalist congress, provoking heavy feelings in the community of Hellenes in Himara.

While another Congress, just of "Omonia" is being held in Saranda, a group of "tourists", come in Himara from various regions of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and FYROM, organized in one of the hotels of the town, an Albanian Nationalist Congress.

The group was identified as the United Front of Greater Albania. The News is distributed by "Gazeta Shqiptare" and "News 24", which had filmed the development within the Hotel.

At the same time, hundreds citizens of Himara, were collected at the hotel, where was held The Congress of Albanian Nationalists and asked them to leave Himara as soon as possible, because the consequences could be unpredictable.

The Police Department caught the "surprise" tried to block the entrances of the hotel, so when "tourists guests" can be raise on the bus and depart for leaving Himara.

According to "News 24", the Albanian nationalists in Congress, were thrown psllogans as "will all die for Albania", "Himara is Albania", "Greater Albania by the Tivar in Preveza" ecct

Meanwhile the "Albanian Newspaper" thought that this leader of the nationalist group, has Gafur Adili, character sought by the secret services of NATO, isolated for years because it represents great risk for ethnic clashes in the region.

Sources from Tirana said that NATO security services in Albania, are alarmed by this development undesirable, jeopardizing the fragile geopolitical stability in Albania.

"Omonia"`s conference to reshape the Statute

HURP Chairman Evangelos Doules and Omonia President Vasilios Bollanos, will visit State Departament to Washington next days and will meet with the represents of the Greek American Lobby, including senators, congressmans ecct.

Photo" US President Joe Biden with President of "Omonia" Vasasilios Bollanos seen in Washington

The Conference of "Omonia" for the redevelopment of the Association, held in Saranda, sent a message of unity to all Northern Epirus, to participate actively in the processes of the organization.

The Conference was represented by PASOK Secretary for Integration Maria Dimitrakopoulos, which inter alia stated that "Governments and G. Papandreou, following a pragmatic policy, which aims to strengthen the Greek-Albanian relations, without prejudice to the rights of Northern Epirus."

The representative ND Stathis Konstantinidis, MP Florina said that "the interest of the current leader Antonis Samaras SW for the Greek minority in Northern Epirus is old and enduring. The integration of Albania into the European Union passes through the respect of human rights in Northern Epirus" The President of "Omonia" Vassilios Bolanos admitted that mistakes were made, but argued that they in no way justify the separatist tendencies that occur within the organization.

"We have a duty to keep alive the" Omonia "and make sure the European course of Albania," said President of HURPt Evangelos Doules.

The Meeting decided to extend the Political Council of "Omonia" from 45 members now amount to 61. Also tabled a proposal to participate in the Political Council of 15 representatives on Northern clubs and entities, operating in Greece.

Meanwhile, HURP Chairman Evangelos Doules and Omonia President Vasilios Bollanos, will visit State Departament to Washington next days and will meet with the represents of the Greek American Lobby, including senators, congressmans ecct.

Turkey, Bosnia, Serbia start trilateral summit

Apr 24, 2010

Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia started a trilateral summit in Ciragan Palace, Istanbul on Saturday.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Haris Silajdzic and Serbian President Boris Tadic attended the summit.

In a statement, the Turkish Presidency underlined that Turkey paid high attention to permanent peace and stability in the Balkans.

During the Summit, leaders will discuss new steps to be taken for regional peace and stability, the Turkish Presidency said.

After the summit, participants of the gathering are expected to hold a joint press conference.

LAOS MP, Johanis Corantis requires explanations for burning the flag of Greece, in Tirana

LAOS MP, Johanis Corantis, requires the Government of George Papandreou, explanations for the burning of the Greek flag at a nationalist demonstration in Tirana, during the month of March.

Among others, he stresses that this protest has been organized with participation of two members of the PDU (the party that supports the aspirations of the Community Cham.

Meanwhile, in a closed session on national issues, the LAOS leader George Karatzaferis, has asked the Greek Parliament, holding a public senace for the rights of the Greek minority in Northern Epirus and Relations of Greece with Albania in this context.

Dashnor Dervishi in the Albanian embassy in Athens

The cousin of Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, new Ambassador in Greece

Sure is, after today's hearing by the Foreign Policy Committee of the Albanian parliament, the installation of Dashnor Dervishi as head the Albanian embassy in Athens. First embassy which is headed to Mexico and is currently Ambassador of Albania in Bucharest. Dervisi, presented the committee with the goals and priorities of the mission:

Ntervisi, described his appointment as an important task for expanding cooperation and strengthening of bridges linking the two countries. Mr. Dervisi said that his position as a diplomatic representative of Albania in Athens is very important, since Greece is a strategic political and economic partner in the cooperation on bilateral, European and other issues.

"Greece is a strategic partner for Albania in a political and economic issues, European cooperation and beyond. One of the main tasks will be upgrading contacts at presidential and parliamentary level to deepen cooperation to increase across visits and strengthening existing bridges of communication, "said Mr.. Dervisi upon presentation of the Foreign Affairs Committee as proposed in the Albanian Foreign Ministry for the post of ambassador of Albania to Greece.

Dashnor Dervishi is the first cousin of Foreign Minister Ilir Meta. Derrvishi also was served as ambassador in Tel Avin and Italy.

Serbia: Cables of Serbian mobile operators in Kosovo severed

The Kosovo Serbs do not have a connection with the world after the authorities in Pristina cut off the cables of the Serbian mobile operators in Kosovo, "Glas Javnosti" daily reports.

The newspaper comments that 40,000 Serbs in Kosovo do not have mobile connection and EULEX is silent about everything.“The latest move prepares a new displacement of Kosovo Serbs,” writes Glas Javnosti. The telecommunications regulator in Kosovo in cooperation with the police severed the cables of the Serbian mobile operators in Badovac, Gracanice, Gusterici and Babin Most.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic described the events as a new attempt to isolate the Kosovo Serbs and called on the international peacekeeping missions to foil the incidents.The residents of the Serbian enclaves in Kosovo cannot communicate with the world – they cannot call a doctor or an ambulance, the newspaper writes.

K. Albanians disable phone networks in Serb areas

Source: B92, Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- The Kosovo Albanian authorities in Priština removed the equipment of all Belgrade-based mobile and landline operators this morning. This happened in central Kosovo, reports said. Eyewitnesses, who secured the premises, said that “special police” broke into Telekom, Telenor and VIP structures to help cut off cables and take down equipment, at around 05:00 CET. Eyewitnesses said that workers of a "telecommunications regulatory body" from Priština removed transmitters and randomly severed cables. As a consequence, 40,000 Serbs are either left without mobile service in that part of the province, or have very poor reception. In all, some 80,000 people have their phones cut off, reports said. Telekom Srbija said they would issue a statement once they have learned about what exactly happened and who was responsible for what they called an act of vandalism. Telekom workers are currently working to enable landline telephony in the villages surrounding the Serb enclave of Gračanica. The enclave's small base transmitter has not been destroyed, so the 064 network has weak reception there. Meanwhile, a body dubbed the Kosovo Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said this Friday that it had taken action to "put an end to the illegal operation of unlicensed and unauthorized providers" that have “built networks in Kosovo”, Tanjug reports. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=04&dd=23&nav_id=66665

The President of Albania gave amnesty to 367 prisoners

Among thieves, murderers and slave traders .. 140 of them won their freedom and for the rest of the sentence was reduced to less time than what was ordered.

For some up to 10 years less in the odd case is that among people who gained their freedom, but also those who reduced the sentences are murderers, thieves, pimps, who had been declared dangerous by Interpol and also people who were accused of pyramids (the fake companies) in 1997 brought the civil war in Albania.

Question: The European Union says something about this scandal?

We speak Griko!

Calimera (meaning “good morning”) is a small town in the “Grecìa Salentina,” or Greek Salento, at Italy’s Southern Apulia. Besides Italian, the inhabitants of Calimera also speak Griko, a linguistic amalgam comprising ancient Greek, Byzantine Greek and Italian elements.

In an effort to promote the dialect of Griko – also spelled Grico, a form of the Greek language spoken by people in the Magna Graecia region in southern Italy – the Organisation for the promotion of the Greek Language hosts an annual essay contest for pupils attending schools in Apulia on “The presence of Greeks in Southern Italy.”
Every year, the winners are invited to Greece for an educational trip during summer.
Magna Græcia (Latin meaning Greater Greece), is the name of the coastal areas on the Tarentine Gulf that was extensively colonized by Greek settlers.

The colonisers, who started arriving in the 8th century BC, brought with them their Hellenic civilization, which was to leave a lasting imprint in the Italian peninsula.
Grecia Salentina: Official Website & Grika milume: www.grikamilume.com

Greece: Papandreou announces use of EU-IMF aid


Prime minister George Papandreou on Friday announced that Greece is formally asking for activation of the EU support mechanism for the Greek economy.

“The time has come for the decision the leaders of the European member countries to support Greece to give us the time that the markets are not giving us. It is a national and pressing need to formally ask of our EU partners the activation of the support mechanism that we jointly created, Papandreou said in a televised statement from the island the southeastern island of Kastelorizo (foto), where he is on a visit.

Papandreou added that he has instructed finance minister George Papaconstantinou to make the necessary actions. The premier said that the revised figures of the true size of the Greek fiscal deficit for 2009 released on Thursday (by Eurostat) “reminded all of us of the “unfathomable mistakes, omissions and criminal choices and the storm of problems legated to us by the previous government”.

“We all — the present government and the Greek people — inherited a boat ready to sink, a country without prestige and credibility that had lost the respect of even its friends and partners, an economy exposed to the mercy of doubt and the appetites of speculation,” he said.
From the very first day the PASOK government rolled up its sleeves and went to work to reverse this negative climate, set out a plan, took tough measures that many times hurt, but regained the country’s credibility and created new alliances, Papandreou continued.

EU: Bosnia, Albania Need to Work More for Visa Free Travel

Brussels 23 April 2010 By Gjeraqina Tuhina


European CommissionBalkan Insight has obtained a copy of an EU assessment of the progress made by Albania and Bosnia in the implementation of the roadmap for visa liberalisation, which indicates that whilst both countries have made progress in meeting benchmarks, more effort is needed.

Although there is a chance that Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina might receive a positive recommendation from Brussels on the implementation of a visa free travel regime, Tirana and Sarajevo should not rest on their laurels as more work is needed before agreement is reached.

Without further progress, the two countries may well have to wait longer and will probably not enjoy visa free travel in time for the summer holidays, as they had initially hoped. The report, prepared by EU experts, guages the level of progress of both Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting the necessary requirements for the visa liberalisation process.

The European Commission was expected to deliver a positive recommendation at the end of May or the beginning of June but according to the experts’ report, further conditions will need to be met before such approval can be given.

The report was sent to EU member states last Friday and it underlines that both countries have met the “majority of benchmarks from the roadmap” that would enable them to be put on the “White Schengen” list - countries whose citizens do not require a visa to travel within the zone.

Last year, both countries were judged to have failed to meet the necessary conditions and were excluded from first wave countries in the region, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia which were added to the “White Schengen” list. ....

more see;

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/analysis/27572/

TERRORISTS, "OLD" AND "NEW"

Greek authorities, benefiting from an incident similar to the one that led police to discover the 17 November terrorist gang in 2002, have swiftly rounded up six suspects who belong, police say, to the "new generation" of Greek terrorists. The arrests came in the wake of a shootout in early March which resulted in the killing by police of a suspected terrorist, Lambros Foundas. An investigation of Foundas's unobtrusive but, as it turned out, quite busy underground past and present did yield enough leads to guide the anti-terrorist squad, authorities claim, directly to 17 November's successor terror gang, Revolutionary Struggle. Active since 2003, Revolutionary Struggle moved quickly beyond what "old" Greek terrorist were able or willing to do. For the first time in Greek domestic terrorism annals, large ANFO bombs exploded in the middle of Athens causing serious damage but thankfully no casualties. Revolutionary Struggle fired military rifles at police with complete abandon. In January 2007, a Revolutionary Struggle "stick" launched an anti-tank rocket at the American embassy in Athens -- causing little damage but establishing strong symbolic credentials with Greek and foreign security and intelligence agencies..... more see: www.rieas.gr

Albanian PM: Kosovo factor of stability

TIRANA - Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that “independent Kosovo has become an essential factor for stability and peace in the Balkans”

He said that the participation of Serbs in the last Kosovo elections is further proof of a high level of democratic standards achieved in Kosovo.

According to his cabinet, “during a meeting with Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni in Tirana the two officials talked about expanding and deepening the already excellent relations between Albania and Kosovo in all fields, especially in economy, trade, culture and Euro-Atlantic integrations”.

Berisha proposed that a feasibility study should begin for a large national project of building a railway between “the two countries”.

Hyseni informed Berisha of the activities and measures of the Kosovo government and all other institutions in Priština, said reports.

Greece, ready to recognize minorities!

In recognition of dangerous roads or even Turkish Macedonians minority in Greece, leading a curious correspondence between the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe Thomas Hamarmpergk and ministers Mich. Christohoides. The Commissioner says that we should resolve the matter of the citizens it claims live in Greece and abroad have been deprived of Greek citizenship under Article 19 of the same name code.

In the same letter, the Commissioner stated that a discussion he had with George Papandreou on the issue of recognition of minorities in Greece and the necessity of signing the Convention of the Council of State for Minorities, Papandreou replied that it is consistent that the signature This contract is a "positive tool"!

Chrisochoïdis and C. Kastanidis is anything but prevent its minorities. They say, however, that the only recognized under international treaties minority in Greece is the Muslim minority in Thrace, but add: It is ongoing processes of the decision of the ECHR on the "Turkish Union of Xanthi" and pending further consideration to applications for recognition of three Muslim groups in the region of Komotini.

Recalled that the same commissioner during the three years 2006 - 2009 had sent similar letters to the then Minister Pr. Pavlopoulos, who refused to answer, just anticipating the risk if such an open dialogue with him ...

more see: http://www.paron.gr/v3/new.php?id=53134&colid=&catid=42&dt=2010-04-18%200:0:0

Kosovo police to patrol border with Albania

KFOR commander Markus Bentler says international peacekeeping forces would cede control over the Albanian border to the Kosovo police, KPS, late in April.

After meeting with U.S. Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, chief of NATO's Joint Forces Command Naples, Bentler said KFOR would continue to transfer responsibilities to the Kosovo police as part of the withdrawal of KFOR from the border area.

Bentler said this would be performed soon with the border zone toward Albania, and added that KFOR believed the Kosovo police to be increasingly prepared, professional and efficient.

He went on to say that the full transfer of authority would take place on April 28.

The KFOR commander stated that the transfer of border control competency to the Kosovo police would continue in other areas, but that there were no deadlines and that each country would be considered as a separate case. He did not comment on the possibility for the Kosovo police to soon take control over the administrative line with Serbia proper.

We are cooperating with Serbia on preserving security in that area of the border zone, Bentler said.

Adm. Fitzgerald stated that the transfer of authority to Kosovo institutions was an indication of progress in Kosovo. “We do not want to wait until the last moment to transfer the competencies, but to do it while KFOR still has a strong presence, so that we can supervise, assist and advise,” he said.

Fitzgerald arrived in Kosovo on April 19. A visit by members of the NATO Military Committee, scheduled for the same day, was canceled due to air traffic problems.

Albania's SP decides to ramp up protests

19/04/2010

TIRANA, Albania -- The main opposition Socialist Party (SP) says it plans to hold more protests against the government and in support of "revealing the truth about the 2009 general elections".

The decision, backed on Sunday (April 18th) at the party's congress, came less than two months after the SP ended a complete boycott of parliament staged for months over the government's refusal to open ballot boxes and investigate the June 2009 elections.

"We will continue to protests to give freedom to the people, not tyranny," SP leader Edi Rama said on Sunday. They will start on April 30th. The SP also presented a strategy to strengthen the economy.

Kosovo: Kurti Doesn't Show, Trial Postponed Again

Pristina | 16 April 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Albin Kurti, leader of Vetevendosje, says his movement could take part in elections

Kosovo police failed to bring Vetevendosje [Self-determination] leader Albin Kurti to the District Court of Pristina today. As a result Kurti's trial was postponed yet again; it scheduled to resume Monday, April 19.

EULEX, the EU rule-of-law mission, also said that the appointed ex officio lawyers did not show up at the courthouse, thereby violating their official duties.

“The court will issue a new order to compel Albin Kurti to be present for the next hearing,” the EULEX press release reads.

“The court will send the papers to the Kosovo Bar Association for the necessary steps to be taken in order to address the disciplinary infringements which were committed during the hearing.”

The trial has already been postponed on a number of occasions. Kurti was not present at yesterday’s hearing either, and the trial was pushed to today.

Vetevendosje activists claim that Kurti is not hiding and that he is continuing to work normally. This was the seventh attempt of the court to bring Kurti to trial.

The Prosecution is represented by a prosecutor from the Special Prosecution Office.

Three of the top ranking EU officials in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, the EU Special Representative in Kosovo; Yves de Kermabon, the Head of Mission EULEX Kosovo; and Renzo Daviddi, the Head of EC Liasion Office to Kosovo, issued a statement today condemning the attack on Kurti's former defence attorney, who was egged while entering the courtroom yesterday to tender his resignation.

In the statement: the three officials said: “We strongly condemn the attack yesterday on the lawyer in the Albin Kurti case, Mr. Avni Gjakova.

“It is vitally important for the rule of law that institutions and those who have the duty to work within them are able to work without political interference, disruption or violence. Respect for institutions and those who serve in them is a fundamental principle of the rule of law in a democratic society and a core European value.

“We call upon local authorities to protect the independence of the judiciary as part of the consolidation of the rule of law and advancing Kosovo’s progress toward a European future.”

Police finds on terrorist group

A car whose luggage compartment contained weapons, hard electronic computer discs, forged identity cards and many thousands of euros in cash, as well as two apartments that were possibly safehouses of the terrorist organisation "Revolutionary Struggle" are the new findings of the Greek police in investigations being carried out on the specific case.

Police chief Eleftherios Economou made relevant announcements on the findings on Thursday evening, beginning his briefing by referring to the vehicle found and which belongs to one of the defendants.

Greeks in New York Ready for Sunday’s Big Parade

Greek News

Philip Christopher, Ernie Anastos, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, along with Boy & Girl Scouts of America the Grand Marshals.

New York.- The 2010 Greek Independence Day Parade will be held Sunday April 18, 2010. This is the 72nd annual parade celebration of Hellenic heritage and freedom, commemorating the 189th anniversary of the Greek declaration of independence, March 25, 1821.

The Parade has become a New York City tradition since 1938, and attracts a vast number of New York marchers and participants. It is a culmination of a month long celebration of Greek heritage are hosted and organized by the Federation of Hellenic Society of Greater New York. Dinners, a White House gathering, a beauty pageant, City Hall celebrations, a ceremonial flag raising and numerous other activities all lead up to the Parade on Fifth Ave, commencing from the Pierre Hotel.

The Greek government will be represented by vice minister of Foreign Affairs Spyros Kouvelis, while it is expected the Cypriot government to be represented by a cabinet member. In addition 8 members of the Greek Parliament are expected to attend.

Kadare Cancels Greek Visit Following Racist Chants

Tirana | 16 April 2010 |

Ismail Kadare

Renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare has canceled a visit to Greece in the wake of racist chants against Albanians sung during a military parade in Athens at the end of March, local media reported on Thursday. Kadare was scheduled to hold a speech on April 19 at the Megaro Mousikis University in Athens. In a letter to the university Kadare wrote that, although he was a great admirer of Greek literature and culture, he does not find any trace of such culture in the recent military parade.

“Being aware of the recent events in Athens expressing racism against Albanians I am canceling my visit to your country,” Kadare is cited as writing by local broadcaster Top-Channel TV. “You know very well my admiration for Greek literature and culture, but I believe that in this climate that lacks civility, my visit would be premature,” Kadare adds.

Albania pushes for EU talks despite political deadlock at home

AUGUSTIN PALOKAJ AND SVETLANA JOVANOVSKA

Albania, whose Socialist opposition has been boycotting parliament for a year now, is pressing ahead with efforts to eventually secure EU membership.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Wednesday (14 April) submitted answers to a questionnaire that will enable the European Commission to issue to member states an opinion on the Western Balkan country's application to join the EU.

Tirana is pursuing EU membership

EU enlargement chief Stefan Füle told Mr Berisha that "the timing of the opinion will largely depend on the quality and completeness of the information". He told journalists that before the next local elections in Albania, due next spring, the Commission would deliver a "balanced and fair assessment"of the situation, paying particular attention to the country's fulfillment of the political criteria for admission.

International observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have concluded that general elections in June 2009 "did not fully realise Albania's potential to adhere to the highest standards for democratic elections".

In an interview with WAZ before meeting Mr Berisha, Mr Füle made it clear that the country needs to improve the functioning of its political system.He suggested that the commission might have additional questions once it studies the current answers.

"There are issues- and one particular - that makes the whole process more difficult and it is the stability of political institutions in Albania," Mr Fule said."I visited recently Albania and expressed deep concerns about the parliament still not being able to play fully its role."

The centerpiece of the commission's opinion will be Albania's compliance with the so-called Copenhagen criteria, which make a country eligible to join the EU. These criteria include having institutions to preserve democratic governance and human rights, a functioning market economy, and readiness to meet the obligations of EU membership. Member states, which have the final say on the issue, differ on the Albania's readiness.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy tried to reassure Mr Berisha calling his government's answers to the commission questionnaire a "historical document". But he warned that the EU is following domestic political developments with "interest and attention."

The commission is also studying answers by Montenegro, which, according to diplomats, stands a good chance of winning a positive opinion and possibly candidate status this year.

Member states are still expected to start the same procedure with Serbia, which applied for EU

membership last year. The application was not dealt with yet because of its failure to fully cooperate with The Hague war crimes tribunal.

Sllavo Macedonians want Bulgarian passports before visa liberalization out of pragmatism, says Branko Crvenkovski

The same request, they made the Albanian politicians in Tirana: Before the liberalized visa, then become Population Count.

Branko Crvenkovski, FYROM president between 2004 and 2009, thinks the Slavo Macedonians who want to get a Bulgarian passport after the visa liberalization has sharply dropped, FYROM media reported.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bulgarian Socialist Party Chairman Sergey Stanishev, Branko Crvenkovski said: “I cite your question and I do not agree with it: ‘Many citizens returned to their roots after Bulgaria joined the EU.’ Why did not they return before Bulgaria’s joining the EU?

Why in other cases in the region when a country joins the EU, do citizens of other countries want to have a passport to travel freely? Why after the visa liberalization, which was adopted as a measure in reference to FYROM, Serbia and Montenegro, did suddenly this process decrease radically? The people are pragmatic; they want to travel, get educated, trained, have business relations,” said Crvenkovski.

The same request, they made the Albanian politicians in Tirana: Before the liberalized visa, then become Population Count.

Tirana believes that the Albanians will be "sold" to the Greek passport if the General Population Count will be done before Europe offers to Albania for visa liberalization.

Albania PM Faces Criticism over Political Stalemate

| 15 April 2010 | Gjeraqina Tuhina, Besar Likmeta

Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha has delivered in Brussels a copy of his country's completed European Union pre-accession questionnaire, and faced criticism over the country's deadlocked political situation from the EU enlargement commissioner.

Berisha delivered the questionnaire, which concerns a country's readiness to join the bloc, to EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.

“I used the opportunity of our meeting to reiterate the concern over the lack of progress in normalizing the political situation in Albania,” Fuele said late on Wednesday.

“Parliamentary work does not comply with EU standards and democratic institutions,” he added.

Albania’s right-wing government, headed by Berisha, and the opposition have been locked in a dispute over the results of the June 28 parliamentary elections, which were narrowly won by Berisha's party. The opposition has been boycotting parliament and has called for massive protests against the government.

The proper functioning of state institutions is among the key conditions for countries aiming to join the EU. While the present political situation will be reflected in the European Commission's evaluation of Albania's responses to the EU questionnaire, Fuele noted that he hoped that this element would be included “in the past tense”.

“A lot is indeed at stake, and I pointed out that there is a certain window of opportunity for all those involved who have a share of responsibility to find a solution in such a way that the opinion refers to this issue in the past tense,” Fuele said.

Albania's responses to the EU pre-accession questionnaire are included in the several hundred page long document that the prime minister delivered to Fuele, calling it “the largest book printed in Albanian history”.

About 1,200 Albanian experts and more than 30 international experts were involved in completing the questionnaire.

According to Fuele, the date when the Commission might publish its opinion on Albania's responses will depend on the “quality and completeness of the information”.

The enlargement commissioner promised that the opinion will be fair and objective but warned that Brussels will give particular attention to Copenhagen Criteria and obligations from the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

More than seven months after parliamentary elections were held in Albania, the country still has not managed to solve the political crisis it faces and establish a properly functioning parliament.

The Socialist led opposition claims that the election was marred by fraud and seeks a recount, arguing that complete transparency in the electoral process is necessary in order to avoid irregularities in the future – a constant problem over the last two decades as Albania emerged from the Stalinist regime of former dictator Enver Hoxha.

Meanwhile, the majority refuses the recount, contending that the courts have already denied the Socialists such a petition and that parliament would be overstepping its position and taking on the role of the judiciary if it moved to recount ballots.

The Socialists, who have boycotted parliament for more than six months because of the disagreement and who have returned only to discuss the investigative parliamentary commission that would address the elections, have threatened to depose the government by protest if their requests are not met from the majority.

President of Albania, orders the construction of cemeteries for Greek Soldiers

Albania’s President, Bamir Topi (foto) ratified the agreement between Greece and Albania on the “research, identification and burial of Greek soldiers who died in Albania during the Greek – Italian war in 1940-41”

According to the relevant agreement, signed in Tirana on the 19th of November 2008, two cemeteries (and memorials) will be constructed in Klisura and Korce, in honor of Greek soldiers killed during the Greek – Italian war.

Samaras, Papandreou discuss economy

While in Albania, never has made meeting of politic leaderships, during the last years

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras met with Prime Minister George Papandreou at the Maximos Mansion on Wednesday afternoon and discussed developments on the economy.

"I was briefed, I briefed, we discussed in depth the crucial aspects of the economic crisis. I believe that with the suitable mixture of economic policy we can cope by ourselves," Samaras said after the meeting.

Asked by the press on the activation of Greece's support plan, Samaras said "the less we speak the better it is for the economy."

It is very interesting to note that, recently the Albanian media, disseminate "success of the government" for Albania's accession to the European Union, although the country is a deep political crisis and political forces interact with each other, including the Albanian opposition.

The example of Greece, the country which is in financial crisis, not missing the prime minister's meetings with the chairman of the opposition.

Ilir Meta pact with the party of the Chams

TIRANA - The Chams party, which has two MPs in Parliament has decided to cooperate with the SMI. The Agreement on Parliamentary Cooperation between the two parties, was signed today between the chairman of SMI, Ilir Meta and PDU's chairman, Shpetim Idrizi.

After the agreement two party leaders have declared that the respective parties have more in common goals, that integrative processes of the country, respect for human rights and the problem of "Cham case".

"Both parties have priority as the country's integration," said Meta, who stressed that the rights, must be recognized for the Cham population.

According to Meta, the collaboration will be extended further and will in Parliament and outside it, while the same Idrizi is declared, asserting that cooperation between parties would be counterproductive.

"We will meet all political forces, but point out that LSI was the only political force that the chame issue has been on its agenda," said Idrizi.

Ta Nea: Turkey accuses 3 Greek nationals of espionage

Turkish court brought accusations over espionage to three Greek nationals from the Muslim minority on the Kos Island, Greek "Ta Nea" newspaper reports.

According to the indictment, the three, who were detained on December 2009, used to provide information to the Greek secret services for USD 300 to ISD 2,000 monthly.

The three Greeks are threatened to up to 20 years in jail. Court hearings on the case continue.

Vecernje Novosti, Serbia: Georgios Papandreou – PM winner

Belgrade. Until recently he used to be just ‘son and grandson of great politicians’ but now Georgios Papandreou is ‘the winner in the Brussels battle’, the steersman of the Greek ship, which is still far from a safe quay, Serbian Vecernje Novosti newspaper writes, adding that it is absurd to call the person who is prime minister of the most indebted country in the EU a winner.

“Six months ago Papandreou took the hot potato, inheriting the irresponsible and corrupted rightist government. Suffering defeats, one after another, it finally seemed as if he is one step closer to victory, or at least to the real chance of thinking about it.

Despite German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German financial newspapers, Brussels sent the news for acceptable mechanism for European aid for Greece. It is not perfect credit but anyway beggars cannot be choosers. The International Monetary Fund, which is ready to pay for the euro area entry through Greece, is not rushing too much and soon the total sum of EUR 45 billion will be poured into the empty state funds.

Meanwhile, Greek police is neutralizing the Revolutionary Struggle terrorist organization in the country.Trade unions’ leaders realized the significance of the moment and the need to help the prime minister and the strikes were stopped.
The tourist season is drawing near and will bring fresh money to fill in at least part of the budget gaps.

In Istanbul, Turkish Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas is foreseeing ‘new age’ of the Greek-Turkish relations.A solution to the two decades old name dispute between Athens and Skopje is also coming into view.In Cyprus, where Papanreou is on a visit at the moment, we hear about ‘the unity and progress of the two communities’ more and more often,” the Vecernje Novosti writes.

Albanian President visit Skopje

Albanian President Bamir Topi will visit FYROM at the invitation of his counterpart Gjorge Ivanov, Albanian media informs.

Topi’s agenda also envisages meeting with the FYROM Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovksi and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

Topi will also make a statement before the MPs.

ALBANIA-EU: BERISHA, GREAT PROGRESS AND MEMBERSHIP CERTAIN

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS -
After years of large-scale transformations, for Albania, EU membership is not a pipedream, but a ''future certainty''. Premier Sali Berisha, who at a conference in Brussels on the future of Albania in the EU - organised at European Parliament by the Schuman Foundation - is convinced of this, and took stock of the achievements in the last five years which have changed the face of the country. ''I do not have a membership date yet,'' said the prime minister while speaking to journalists, ''but it will happen before I might suppose''.

The strong points of the government presented in Brussels by Berisha are currently the systematic fight against corruption and crime, fiscal reform and salary increases, in addition to the growth of the social budget and privatisations. All factors that have contributed to maintaining Albania's economic growth faced with the global crisis. ''Today - said the prime minister - exports are recovering, as are profits and bank loans''. ''In the EU membership process,'' explained Berisha, ''reforms for Albanian citizens have been started that provide the chance for people to have services and prospects equal to those of European citizens.'' According to Berisha ''now Albania is one of the safest countries, with the crime rate that is lower than the EU average''.

more see: http://www.ansamed.info/en/top/ME11.XAM16432.html

Ruling Albanian party threatens with parliamentary boycott

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) is straining the rhetoric towards its coalitional partner in the FYROM government VMRO-DPMNE, the "Dnevnik" daily reports.
DUI made it clear that it will block the adoption of the amendments to the Constitution unless its request for decisions at the Constitutional Court to be passed under Badinter principle is accepted.

After this statement of party’s leader Ali Ahmeti, on Tuesday DUI MPs left the Committee on Political System, as the materials for the sitting have not been translated in Albanian.

VMRO-DPMNE refused to comment on Ahmeti’s threats. Party’s chairperson Trajko Veljanoski declared he does not believe that DUI members will really block the work of the parliament.

Albania Submits Completed EU Questionnaire

Tirana | 13 April 2010 |

Sali Berisha

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha announced on Tuesday that the government had filed the EU questionnaire on the country’s readiness to join the bloc.

“We hope to receive an objective evaluation from those who review it,” Berisha said during a cabinet meeting.

The Albanian premier used the occasion to invite the opposition to contribute to the country's EU accession process.

“I call on the opposition to contribute with all its potential to the country's [EU] integration process,” Berisha added.

The 384 page document, which includes over 2,200 questions, is considered an important formal step on Albania’s road to the EU.

The completion of the questionnaire has required the involvement of all of the Albanian public administration in the last three months, including government agencies and the judiciary.

Albania received the 35 chapter questionnaire in mid-December; it was handed directly to Berisha by the head of the EU delegation in Tirana, Helmut Lohan.

Albania to destroy old ammunition by 2013

TIRANA, Albania -- Defence Minister Arben Imami said on Monday (April 12th) that the country plans to have all old ammunition destroyed by 2013 under a new dismantling effort in Elbasan and Polican, financed by Denmark. In need of dismantling are more than 90,000 tonnes of ammunition inherited from the communist regime.

After a ceremony to inaugurate the effort, Danish Ambassador Karsten Ankjaer Jensen said that by destroying the ammunition, Albania will separate itself from its past. More than two years ago, an explosion at a dismantling depot in Gerdec outside of Tirana, killed 26 people and left hundreds homeless.

Euro-Zone Nations Offer $40 Billion to Greece

Greece’s European partners say they are offering Greece euro30 billion ($40 billion) in loans this year to help ease its debt crisis.
Olli Rehn, the EU monetary affairs chief, says the International Monetary Fund will make a “substantial contribution” as well, probably about euro10 billion.
He says the funds will be available if Greece makes a formal request for financial assistance, something it has not yet done.

Rehn said Sunday at an emergency video conference, the finance ministers of the 16-eurozone countries agreed that the loans would carry an interest rate of about five per cent – less than commercial market rates but more than beneficiaries of IMF usually pay.
Greece’s debt crisis has hiked borrowing costs for the Athens government and slammed Europe’s common currency.