Albania: Goods sent to Kosovo, Serb boycott increases export

Source: Alsat

The value and quantity of all goods that Albania sends to the Kosovo market have had a decrease compared to one year ago.

The value and quantity of all goods that Albania sends to the Kosovo market have had a decrease compared to one year ago.

The comparative statistical data that Albanian Screen took from the Statistics Institution show that during this year, we have exporter more goods.

The export of food, drinks and tobacco has doubled compared to the previous year. Lek 363 million were sent from January to July of the last year. Meanwhile, this year, the value of export reaches to Lek 616.

There has been a high request even for chemical and plastic products, and for shoes and clothes.

According to comparative data, during June and July there was an evident increase of the request in the Kosovo markets. Construction materials with a value of nearly Lek 3.8 billion were sent to Kosovo during this year, which shows that this market has a high request; during the previous year, exports reached to nearly Lek 2.9 billion.

The value of goods exported from Albania to Kosovo from January to July reaches to nearly Lek 7.1 billion; one year ago, this figure was only 5.2. Imports have signed a modest increase, where there are mainly minerals and construction materials.

In 2010, the value of imports from Kosovo reached to nearly 2 billion; meanwhile, this year, this value reaches to 2.6 billion.

In a business forum, which was held few days ago in Tirana, leaders of the Economic Chamber and Kosovo businessmen said that after the decision to boycott Serb goods, the Kosovo markets will be supplied by Albania.

“Kosovo special police exercises represent provocation”

Source: Tanjug

KRALJEVO -- Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac has stated that Kosovo special police unit (ROSU) exercises in north Kosovo are inappropriate activities.

Dragan Šutanovac (novosti.rs, file)

He added that it was obvious that Priština still wanted to keep a high level of risk and anxiety.

“We have to remain patient and wise and not allow to be tricked by such provocations, since this was obviously a provocation intended to trigger a negative reaction and, if possible, again incite a conflict between Serbia and the international community. This time, it did not work,” the minister stated on Thursday.

He called on all citizens of Kosovo not to react to such provocations since, as he put it, this had already happened in the past and unavoidably led in the wrong direction.

"Gaddafi could seek asylum in Serbia or Croatia"

Source: Tanjug, Večernji list

ZAGREB, TRIPOLI -- Libyan Transitional National Council member Fatima Mahmoud has said that Muammar Gaddafi could seek asylum in Chad, Algeria, Venezuela, Croatia or Serbia.

A file photo of Boris Tadić and Muammar Gaddafi

She told Zagreb-based daily Večernji list that Gaddafi was still in Libya but that he had left Tripoli.

“We have information that he could seek asylum in five countries he has good relations with today, unless he gets caught or killed,” Mahmoud stressed, adding that those countries were Chad, Algeria, Venezuela, Croatia and Serbia.

“It is well known that those countries, their official governments or powerful politicians communicate with him and give him advice even today. It is known that he has very good relations with Serbia and former Croatian President Stjepan Mesić, who offered him help in the name of their great friendship,” she was quoted as saying.

Mahmoud claims that there had been “many mercenaries and military experts from African countries, but also from the former Yugoslavia, especially from Croatia and Serbia” among Gaddafi’s forces.

The rebels said on Wednesday night that they had captured five Serbians suspected of being Gaddafi’s snipers.

Socialist Party sends letter to spokesman of Parliament, Topalli: "Law on Census, manipulated"

Political parties in Albania, under nationalist race for Census


Socialist parliamentary group said today that the vote the draft law on census of population andhousing is mounted, fictitious and manipulated.

Through a letter to Assembly Speaker Jozefina Topalli, MP SP Sajmir Tahiri on behalf of the group states that the voting process of 7 July 2011 is not in accordance with the will of the members participated in plenary session.

It is not known yet what developments could take the Law on Census, as almost all Albanian political parties, are competing over who should meet the nationalist policies against ethnic groups in Albania, particularly to the ethnic Greek community.

NATO angry to Tirana, "send weapons for Gadhafi"

The capture of a ship full of weapons and ammunition, mainly shells, ranging in Tripoli for dictator Muammar Gadhafi

SManalysis

NATO "stay" inexcusable blunders to Albania for the tabulation of operational secrets. Coercive measures against our country have been increasing progressively since the moment when the Alliance with its specialized agencies caught in the net flow of information from the network and sell their services to the Serbian, Russian and Islamics.

After investigation found that the secrets were carried out by Albanian authorities. Generals appointed and certified for access denied involvement and were excluded from the investigation. Remained the responsibility of some members of the majority and the government, who were caught in close ties with foreign services. Sources close to the Defense Ministry said the agency, that although not a formal suspension of Albania by NATO without causing scandal to the world the first of its kind in the history of our country representatives are excluded from important discussions made by Council member countries.

Again and again the representative of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Army is not accepted in the internal discussions of the scandal of selling secrets. Over the months, Albania was ruled by ordinary meetings of the Alliance, after Jove is not caught on. While initially the country is deprived of the right to access the network and to view information of NATO or its operational movements.Already been excluded from important meetings, while learning that Albania is not part of the discussions or operations in Libya. Because it made the capture of a ship full of weapons and ammunition, mainly shells, ranging in Tripoli for dictator Muammar Gadhafi.

The Defense Ministry denied the news some months ago, officially, but the investigation proved the opposite of the Alliance, two people close to the prime minister and government of this traffic were intermediaries in cooperation with Bosnian Serb smugglers. After that came the next attack of NATO, the exclusion of Albania and its representatives at the headquarters to participate in the meeting.Just a month ago Albania excluded from the right to access the network and the first secret information about nuclear energy and other counterterrorism operations or those in Libya.

For several weeks learned that Albania is an honorary member of NATO, without the weight and value and not just to draw ink into the eye of world government, ALLIANCE leaders are not officially confirm the suspension, allowing us to set the country not reliable.

New Statue of Alexander the Great at the Airport of Skopje

A statue of Alexander the Great, 1.5 meter high, was placed at the new airport building in Skopje, that since late 2006 has been renamed “Alexander the Great” airport. The new airport building in Skopje will be inaugurated on September 8, the independence day of FYROM.

The head of the Turkish company TAV in FYROM Murat Ornekol said that the placement of the statue of Alexander has been agreed upon by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of FYROM. ”The Ministry of Transport has chosen and agreed on the placement of the new statue, which is the gift of our company to the new airport,” said Ornekol.

As of last year, TAV company the airport of Skopje. One more statue of Alexander the Great of huge dimensions, has been placed since last June in the central square of Skopje.

The statue in the square, which is officially called “the statue of mounted warriors” by the FYROM authorities, will be accompanied by ancient Macedonian soldiers in order of phalanx and lions.

The whole construction will be completed in the coming days, while according to the media in Skopje, the unveiling of the statue in the square of the capital of Macedonia, will be made by the Prime Minister of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski on September 8, in honor of the 20 years since the independence of Macedonia.

The government is planning many festivities.

Officials say Germany, Serbia do not agree on Kosovo

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- Serbian officials and experts are still analyzing statements made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Belgrade.

Angela Merkel and Boris Tadić (FoNet)

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić is satisfied with the fact that Merkel has supported Serbia’s European integration.

On the other hand, the foreign minister points out that Belgrade and Berlin unfortunately do not agree on Kosovo.

He stressed that Serbia and Germany had not managed to reach common ground regarding Kosovo, aside from the fact that they agreed that peace and stability in the province needed to be preserved and that unilateral moves did not help solve the problem.

Merkel said that it was necessary to renew negotiations with Priština, allow EULEX to operate in the entire territory of Kosovo and abolish parallel structure in the north.

“Belgrade is not surprised by the German chancellor’s requests. This could be anticipated from the previous messages we were getting, maybe just the sharpness of the request to abolish the institutions in northern Kosovo is something that was not expected,” Serbian Ambassador to Germany Ivo Visković said.

“The request is something that Serbian authorities absolutely cannot accept at the moment. They have some calculations and I am afraid that one of them that we are giving in to everything because of the candidacy and our wish to join the Union. We have warned them, but unfortunately the German side’s firm positions remain,” he explained.

The ambassador said that he had several times reminded Berlin officials that it had taken 20 years for West Germany to establish some sort of relations with East Germany without recognizing each other, while Serbia was being asked to do that in just two years.

Former Serbian Ambassador to Germany Ognjen Pribićević is not surprised by Merkel's requests either.

“I am afraid that a tough period is ahead of Serbia. A period with such messages from Brussels, London, Washington… I think we will need a lot of diplomatic skills and intelligence to find a solution for these issues, especially when it comes to northern Kosovo,” he pointed out.

“The messages came from a position high enough that they can be considered EU’s unofficial stance on Kosovo and setting the EU or Kosovo condition for Serbia,” said Political Science Faculty professor Predrag Simić.

“Merkel’s statements are a clear sign that Europe expects Ahtisaari’s plan to be implemented in Kosovo and that Serbia is now facing a dilemma – to continue the policy of not recognizing Kosovo or change the policy if we want to join the European Union,” the professor stressed.

Albania and FYR Macedonia agree to build a better legal and road infrastructure

Balkan Business News Correspondent - 24.08.2011

Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha received Mr. Fatmir Besimi, Minister of Defense of (FYR) Macedonia who is on an official visit. Welcoming the guest, Albania's PM Berisha took the opportunity and asked the minister to convey friendly greetings to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration Ali Ahmeti.

And he wished to the new coalition government of (FYR) Macedonia successes in its mission. On his part, Mr. Besimi thanked the prime minister for the hospitality and also gave the friendliest greetings of PM Gruevski and DUI chairman Ali Ahmeti. During the meeting the interlocutors positively assessed the very good political relations between the two countries and reiterated the determination and the commitment of the two governments to build a better legal and road infrastructure so that to increase and promote cooperation in all the fields.

In this context, Minister Besimi informed Albania's PM Berisha that the (FYR) Macedonian government has been working on the railway project to connect by railway the two countries and the government agenda carries certain road projects to be implemented within the current mandate which will establish a connection with Arbri road, actually under construction in Albania, and thus cut the travel time between the two capitals.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also highlighted the vital importance of Corridor 8 about cooperation between the two countries, but even in regional scale. Speaking about cooperation in the field of defense, Mr. Besimi said he was happy and proud of holding his first official visit to Albania, a NATO member country and a fine example for all the countries of the region aspiring to get membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. Albania's PM Berisha reconfirmed Albania full support for (FYR) Macedonia membership into the NATO and pointed to the fact that (FYR) Macedonia has fulfilled the military criteria for becoming an Alliance member country, and further expressed the wish that the two neighbors and friendly countries, i.e. (FYR) Macedonia and Greece, find a solution to the ongoing dispute over the name the resolve of which would pave the way for (FYR) Macedonia full membership into the NATO.

Albania's PM Berisha and Minister Besimi also discussed on the recent developments in the region and focused on events in Kosova. Albania's PM Berisha re-expressed the government of Albania gratitude for the stand that the (FYR) Macedonian government took on the recent developments in the Northern area of Kosova and emphasized that the rigorous respect of the current borders in the region and the consolidation of the rule of law in all the territory of the Republic of Kosova create a necessary condition for the stability and security in the region as well as for the successful fight against crime and illegal trafficking. Likewise, the interlocutors reconfirmed that the European and Euro-Atlantic future of the region remains the major project of these peoples in the framework of their efforts for peace, security and cooperation in the region. Source: Government

3

Albanian President Praises Libya Rebels’ Advance

Albanian President Bamir Topi has paid tribute to the Libyan rebels’ advance into Tripoli, describing it as a tipping point which could spell the end of the four decade dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

Libyans celebrate rebels advance into Tripoli | Photo by Fonet/AP

“This is a historic moment in the deposal of one of the dictatorial regimes of our era, which committed monstrous crimes against his own people,” Topi said in a statement issued to the press today.

“In the name of the Albanian people I would like to wish the Libyan people a swift and peaceful transition [to democracy],” Topi added.

The rebels swept into Tripoli during the weekend, but after a swift advance, they encountered stiff resistance in a number of areas from pro-Gaddafi loyalists.

In July, Albania recognized Libya’s main opposition group, the National Transitional Council, as the country’s legitimate government. It also backed the UN-mandated no-fly zone designed to protect Libyan civilians.

The Interim Transitional National Council is a political group formed to represent rebel groups seeking to overthrow the four decade-old regime of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Serbian state officials meet with German chancellor

Source: Beta, 92,

BELGRADE -- Serbian state officials, including the president, are today in Belgrade meeting with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

(Tanjug)

Merkel stated Tuesday following the talks with Serbian President Boris Tadić that Germany wants Serbia to become an EU member state.

We believe that Serbia's place is in Europe. We acknowledge and commend the courage demonstrated on that road, Merkel said at a joint press conference with Tadic.

We see Serbia's future in the EU, and we will do everything in our power to help Serbia overcome possible obstacles in that pathway in line with the European principles.

She underlined that, as regards the Kosovo issue, progress should be made in relations between Belgrade and Priština.

"We pointed out that Serbia recognized Kosovo, while Serbia did not. That's a situation where progress is needed - results in direct dialogue, work of EULEX and canceling of parallel structures," Merkel was quoted as saying.

When asked to comment Priština's announcement that it could take certain moves in north Kosovo before the continuation of the dialogue with Belgrade, she said that unilateral moves should be prevented.

For that reason, Germany wants to see the dialogue continued so the results of the talks could reduce the danger of unilateral moves, Merkel said at a joint press conference with Tadić. ........

www.b92.net

The opposition leader Edi Rama continues vacation in Himara

Besides Prime Minister Sali Berisha, in Himara holiday was the opposition leader Edi Rama. According to sources, he was guest in the villa of the Chairman of the Municipal Council of Himara Stephan Kokedhima , the man closest to the newspaper publishers 'Shekulli', Koco Kokedhima.

Edi Rama, has had confidential meetings with the mayor of Himara, George Goro, especially in the village Jale, on one of the new tourism center, with controversial recent months, to build under the powerful of left political of Albania.

K. Albanian armed group threatens "for action"

Source: Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- The so-called Albanian National Army (ANA) has threatened "armed action" in northern, Serb parts of Kosovo, according to reports on Sunday.

ANA members pose for reporters in 2007 (file)

Albanian language media in Priština quoted media in Albania and said the group announced the threats would materialize "unless Kosovo had an army by the end of September".

The group reportedly sent this message to the Kosovo Albanian prime minister and president, demanding that the "Armed Forces of Kosovo" be formed by September 30.

The ANA statement was signed by the group's "political spokesman" Sazan Toplica.

Should these demands be ignored, said the statement, the terrorists "will be forced to resume their military actions in the northern part of the republic of Kosovo".

The statement further noted that the group "temporarily suspended its activities after the proclamation of independence of Kosovo, in order to give Kosovo's institutions a chance to consolidate the armed forces of Kosovo".

"However, that did not happen," Toplica was quoted in the media.

The ethnic Albanian group was declared a terrorist organization by the UN mission in the province, UNMIK, after ANA members in 2003 planted some 60 kilograms of explosives on the railway line in the predominantly Serb, northern part of the province.

North Kosovo Serbs unblock KFOR unit

Source: Tanjug

LEPOSAVIĆ -- Leposavić municipality residents have unblocked a KFOR unit and allowed the troops to take a seized dredge from Srbija Šume plan near the village of Lešak.

The Jarinje administrative checkpoint

Leposavić Mayor Boško Ninić has said that the citizens unblocked the plant after their requests had been met.

He told Tanjug that the situation had calmed down after KFOR and EULEX showed a seizure warrant to the citizens and released a Srbija Šume plant’s security guard.

The Leposavić mayor said that the citizens removed the barricade after they had been shown a confiscation document and after the security guard had been released.

He added that KFOR and EULEX troops were allowed to leave with the seized dredge and that the situation was calm.

The seizure of a dredge used in setting fire at the Jarinje administrative crossing was ordered by the prosecution in charge of the investigation into the incident at the Jarinje administrative crossing, said KFOR Spokesman Hans Dieter Wichter on Sunday.

According to the KFOR spokesman, the dredge was used for demolishing of buildings and an attack on the KFOR members at the Jarinje checkpoint.

“This vehicle disappeared on the night of July 27-28 and has now been found in Lešak,” he explained.

Earlier on Sunday Leposavić residents blocked the KFOR unit which attempted to enter the Srbija Šume plant and seize the dredge.

Government of Kosovo wants to have helicopters and armored vehicles for the police

20.08.2011, ora 13:09

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci was complained that the Assembly of Kosovo has gone on vacation when the northern part of the state was declared a restricted military area writes "Koha Ditore".

The newspaper has learned that after the police action to seize control of customs points at Jarinje and Bernjak, head of the Government had plans to seek permission from Parliament to purchase sophisticated equipment for Kosovo Police. It is for the purchase of two helicopters and ten armored vehicles. Senior officials in the government, but also within the Police officials have confirmed that the plan for strengthening the logistics and the Police Operations, which is already approved, is expected to be presented in the following days the Assembly, when the autumn session will begin.

The newspaper′s sources have warned that the purchase of logistics for the police vehicles will be done through an open international tender.

Government of Kosovo wants to have helicopters and armored vehicles for the police

20.08.2011, ora 13:09

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci was complained that the Assembly of Kosovo has gone on vacation when the northern part of the state was declared a restricted military area writes "Koha Ditore".

The newspaper has learned that after the police action to seize control of customs points at Jarinje and Bernjak, head of the Government had plans to seek permission from Parliament to purchase sophisticated equipment for Kosovo Police. It is for the purchase of two helicopters and ten armored vehicles. Senior officials in the government, but also within the Police officials have confirmed that the plan for strengthening the logistics and the Police Operations, which is already approved, is expected to be presented in the following days the Assembly, when the autumn session will begin.

The newspaper′s sources have warned that the purchase of logistics for the police vehicles will be done through an open international tender.

“No perfect solution for Kosovo”

Source: Tanjug

BERLIN -- Belgrade will not recognize Kosovo’s independence but “together we can find a solution and a special model,” Serbian Deputy PM Božidar Đelić has said.

Božidar Đelić (Tanjug, file)

He pointed out that the issue of administrative checkpoints in the north of the province could be solved in near future, but added that Europe’s help was necessary in that department.

“Of course, but we need Europe for that, we can work through the dialogue. It is a shame that Priština sent special police to the administrative line in July. That was not helpful. We can solve everything through the dialogue, together with Germany and the United Nations. There is no other way for peace and future in the Balkans,” he told Deutsche Radio.

The deputy PM said that a new model for solving the Kosovo problem was necessary.

“There is no perfect model but we can find a special model for Kosovo and Serbia. I am sure we can find it,” he stressed.

When asked whether this meant that Serbia would not recognize Kosovo with its current borders, Đelić said that it certainly would not.

“Of course it won’t. It is impossible to accept the 2008 independence but together we can find a solution,” he explained.

He stressed that German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Belgrade was very important.

“The visit is very important to us, to Serbia and the Balkans,” the Serbian deputy prime minister said.

He said that Belgrade expected Merkel’s support and “not only wishes”, because as he said, Serbia can give a great contribution to both Germany and Europe.

“Together with Germany and Europe we can work on security, economy and culture. It is especially important for Merkel to come and directly see things we have already done,” Đelić concluded.

World Security Network reporting from London in the United Kingdom, August 19, 2011

Dear members of WSN Not more words but innovative actions are needed now in Syria: "Establish a "Syrian Centre for the Registration of Crimes against Humanity" – where prosecuters can collect evidence of crimes and murder and victims report them to the staff. Form a "Free Syrian Parliament in Exile" which will have representatives from all different ethnic groups, religions and political groups in discussion together.” The continuation of the killing of more than 1000 civilians in Syria by dictator Bashar al-Assad must now be answered by innovative actions by the Arab states and the West. Words are not enough anymore, he does not listen to them. The UN Security Council is blocked by the interests of two veto-members: Russia wants to sell more arms to Syria and China block any protest by all means as done in Beijing in 1989, when over 1000 Chinese citizens were killed. My proposals are: 1. Establish a "Syrian Centre for the Registration of Crimes against Humanity" - preferably in The Hague or Istanbul, Geneva or Berlin. Prosecuters can collect evidence of crimes and murder. Victims can report them to the staff. This has been successfully done by the German "Zentrale Erfassungsstelle Salzgitter" which for decades collected 42.000 pieces of evidence of crimes against Germans in the East German dictatorship (GDR). 2. Form a "Free Syrian Parliament in Exile", preferably in Istanbul, which will have representatives from all different ethnic groups, religions and political groups in discussion together. Collect signatures of Syrians to promote this free assembly. This has been done very successfully in Estonia where Tunne Kelam, Member of the International Advisory Board of WSN, and now a member of the EU Parliament, and the freedom heroes of his small Baltic country - which was forced into the USSR in 1940 - established the Congress of Estonia in 1990 where 499 delegates from 31 political parties were represented, including the ruling communists . The permanent standing committee of the Congress of Estonia - the Committee of Estonia (Eesti Komitee) - was chaired by Tunne Kelam. The Free Syrian Parliament as a first step should debate and agree on a modern constitution along the lines of the UN Charter protecting the freedoms of the people and promote religious and ethnic respect and tolerance. In the Charter of United Nations it says: “We, the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,… to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human being, … and for these ends, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.” In 1945, the founders of the United Nations saw tolerance as a key to the peaceful coexistence of the people of the world. The UNESCO in its Declaration of Principles on Tolerance in 1995 stated: “Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedom of others”. According to the UN and international law, universal human rights include: Freedom of speech, opinion, the press and religion. Societies like the dictatorship in Syria that disregard these universal human rights present present a threat to their own people as well as other countries, as in Lebanon where the Syrian Secret Service was involved in the killing of President Hariri in 2005. These actions should be funded by the EU and the US and must start soon. Dr. Hubertus Hoffmann President and Founder World Security Network Foundation

Merkel calls for Serbia-Kosovo dialogue

August 20, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she will push for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo when she visits Belgrade next week.

Merkel is to hold talks with Serbian officials on Tuesday, August 23, during a visit which follows a recent spike in tensions with Kosovo, a former province that declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Merkel said in her weekly video podcast Saturday that she will call "for dialogue with Kosovo to be resumed." She added that "there can be no European perspective for this region if all do not make efforts - even though the scars of the past still have deep and difficult effects."

Merkel's trip also will take her to neighboring Croatia, which has been cleared to join the European Union in 2013, the Associated Press reported.

Problems between NATO - Albania

Problems between NATO - Albania

NATO has restricted access to Albania's military information network, especially information related to nuclear energy.

The decision came after investigations carried out and revealed that people who had access to confidential documents and information of NATO associated with operations of war, provided a fee to Arabs, Russians and Serbs.

The Secretary General του ΝΑΤΟ Rasmussen went to Tirana and requested an explanation from Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The NATO research has identified the names of Members who entered into the system.

The information reported some significant effects on the 'Eastern Front' and terrorist operations. NATO concluded that Albania is a risk in maintaining confidential information. From today, no person-even the Prime Minister, will not be allowed to verify information on nuclear energy, businesses are defined as highly confidential and other data.

Investigations will continue to identify Albanian MPs who sold information to organizations or countries that are friendly to NATO and the U.S..

Ethnic Groups in Albania against Census

Associations of minorities seeking postponement of the census with six months after he was drafted by them without consultation with representatives of minorities. "This law was drafted by the Central Registration census now, without any consultation with the State Committee for Minorities and Minorities as our representative organizations. We, the representatives of the working group for minority organizations, express categorical opposition to the provisions adopted, which punish and kill free declaration of ethnic citizens of the Republic of Albania ", - stated Deputy of "Omonia" the biggest Greek organization, Nikolakis Brigo.

A few days ago was chairman of the Union for Human Rights which Vangjelis Dule expressing the necessity of the census provided for in September, expressed reservations about the European standards in this process. "We notice with regret that the recent amendments to the law on census abolished the essential right of self-declaration, it penalized at the same time violated the principle of confidentiality of census data.

Consequently, such a record can not be standards, but a hybrid recording on one side where the government wants to throw ashes in the eyes of the international community will in fact have a record similar to those developed in the totalitarian system, Dule stated.

Serbia Readies for Population Census

Thousands of Serbians have been queuing across the country to become official data collectors in the country's upcoming population census.

Bojana Barlovac

Belgrade

Among those were several hundred people waiting in front of the entrance to the building of Palilula municipality in Belgrade on Wednesday to apply for one of the 41,000 jobs on offer.

Unemployment currently stands at 22 per cent and the data collectors earn 210 euro for 15-hour days over the two weeks. The avarage monthly salary in Serbia is 350 euro.

The most important criterion when selecting candidates will be handwriting, and the unemployed and students will be given preference.

The head count in Serbia, to be held between , set to be held between October 1 to 15, was supposed to take place in April 2011 but has been delayed for six months due to a lack of funding. The survey will be partially funded by the EU.

The agricultural census will take place from October 1 to December 15, 2012.

The last population census was carried out in 2002, while Serbia has not had an agricultural census since 1960.

Ahead of the the 2011 census, the issue of whether Kosovo will be included has been hotly debated. Belgrade does not recognise Kosovo's independence, declared in 2008, and maintains that Kosovo remains a province of Serbia.

Pristina held its own census earlier this year, but was unable to obtain data in many areas were Serbs are a majority.

The Serbian government has agreed with the EU that the census in the Serb-dominated north will be carried out with the help of the UN Office for Project Services, UNOPS.

The first preliminary results of the census will be known on November 15 and the final data will be published during 2012 and 2013.

Opening Ceremony for Two New Churches in Saranda

Saranda

A pleasant atmosphere prevails over the city of Saranda. The efforts of local people and the Metropolitan bishops were not fruitless. Greeks celebrate the opening ceremony of two new churches that will host all worshipers wishing to serve God.

Under the encouragement and support of Anastasios Bishop, and the bishop living in Argurokastro, two beautiful churches are ready to enhance local people’s lives. One church is dedicated to Saint Kosmas in Livadia of Saranda and the other is located in Saranda town in honor of Saint Charalampos.

After many years of hard work, these two buildings’ construction came to an end and are open to everyone. The magnificent buildings display the patience of the locals over the years, waiting for the churches to finish.

Hunger striking Albanian miners reject pay offer

Fri Aug 19, 2011

Reuters, By Benet Koleka

TIRANA Aug 19 (Reuters) - Albanian chrome miners on hunger strike for higher pay rejected a fresh offer on Friday and defied a court order to end the occupation of an Austrian-run mine.

A dozen miners, from among 700 who have downed tools since July 4, have been on hunger strike for 25 days some 1,400 metres below ground at the operation in Bulqiza in northern Albania.

The miners rejected an offer by Albanian Chrome Sh.p.k (ACR), a division of DCM DECOmetal, for a 20-percent wage rise and other benefits on condition they resume work.

"We want to sign an additional part to the contract to address our demands. If our demands are not met, we shall not quit the strike," said Kol Nikolla, the head of a trade union federation representing the miners.

ACR said it had met all the miners' demands and accused Nikolla of holding the mine hostage.

Managers have been evicted from the site and miners and their families have blocked a key access road. Miners have also blocked a lift inside the mine to prevent police from intervening.

ALTERNATIVE SUPLIES Continued...

More Islamist Mischief Aimed at Albanian Muslims

By STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

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Arid Uka, 21, a German-Albanian Muslim who killed two U.S. servicemen and wounded two more at Frankfurt Airport on March 2 of this year, will go on trial in a German court beginning August 31, on two counts of murder and three of attempted murder. The dead Americans were Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, 25, from South Carolina, and the driver of a military personnel bus, Airman 1st Class Zachary R. Cuddeback, 21, of Virginia. After shooting them, Uka fired into the bus, injuring two more airmen, Staff Sgt. Kristoffer Schneider (who was left blinded in one eye) and Senior Airman Edgar Veguilla, and threatening another. Uka’s gun jammed and he fled but was caught quickly.

Uka has confessed to the attack. When he was charged formally last month, the New York Times and other Western media reported that German officials said they “had no evidence that Mr. Uka, a Kosovar who grew up in Frankfurt, had accomplices or that he was part of a terrorist group.” Western media have further described him as lacking a radical background, and as having been motivated in his homicidal action by viewing a film, only the day before, purportedly showing foreign soldiers raping Muslim women..........

more see; http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/more-islamist-mischief-aimed-albanian-muslims_590341.html

Israel will not apologize to Turkey over ship raid

Source: B92

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has informed U.S. officials that his country will not apologize to Turkey over the 2010 raid of a Turkish vessel.

Binyamin Netanyahu (Beta/AP)

The ship was attempting to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists died when they clashed with Israeli naval commandos who raided the Mavi Marmara, one of the ships in a flotilla that was heading toward Gaza.

According to Israeli media, American officials "applied heavy pressure on Israel" to issue an apology, but Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Jerusalem would not do so.

Washington wishes to "stabilize Israeli-Turkish relations as soon as possible", as the crisis in those relations was "harming American interests in the region", Yedioth Aharonoth daily said.

Meanwhile, a report investigating the flotilla incident is expected to be published next week by the United Nations. The Palmer Committee probed the incident and will submit its findings to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will decide on the date of its publication.

Acceding to the Haaretz newspaper, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon addressed a ruling Likud party gathering this week to say that the committee had ruled in favor of Israel in regards to the legality of the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"The Turks are not ready to accept this. But the relationship had deteriorated even before. This is their policy, this is what they wanted, shame on them. So I said the Palmer Report needs to be published and I hope it will be published. Afterwards, we will meet (with the Turks)," the newspaper quoted Ya'alon as saying.

Is Himara paying extra taxes for Albania?

A citizen of Himara, sends letter to Albanian Ombudsman: The Municipality of Himara applies taxes, as in Benelux countries.

The Himara Municipality has taken taxes from its citizens forcefully, four times more than needs

NGO-s of Himara is seeing very critic the taxes situation of Himara Municipality, after property issue.

The Himara `s resident, Milton Polo, from Kiparo village, has asked the Albanian Ombudsman, to review the taxes that, The Himara Municipality has applied to their citizens. Milto Polo, a resident, complains that it is in economic assistance and is unable to pay four times the taxes that it is a municipality, as classified for Himara the third category Municipality, in Albania.

The complaint has come to the Himara Municipality and the Mayor George Goros, who has promised to call urgently the Municipality Council, for the tax reduction.

In fact, all campaigning for the Himara Municipality, has been characterized by a "hot war" between the candidates, in which, the winner should lower taxes for the local population, which is the only Region in Albania, that paying taxes regularly more 100%.

The new Himara `s Mayor, George Goros, has promised tax cuts to businesses and construction permits, which are four times higher in Albania, while has accused former Mayor Vasillios Bollano as "dictator to their citizens" separately, applying taxes, bigger than himself, to Benelux's countries.

During electoral campaign, former Mayor Bollanos declared that to the Albanian media, "We have applied four times taxes more than was planed by the Albanian parliament".

In addition the NGO-s of Himara Region, are seeing very concerning after the property issue, the taxes that the Municipality of Himara, applies for their citizens, considering the taxes to go extra for the Albanian budget, not for their residents.

"Serbia willing to accept customs form"

Source: Tanjug

VIENNA -- Serbian Ministry for Kosovo State Secretary Oliver Ivanović said Wednesday that the Serbian government was willing to accept a joint customs form.

Oliver Ivanović (Tanjug, file)

He pointed out, however, that Serbia would never accept a “Kosovo” customs stamp.

“Serbia would not like duties to be collected at administrative crossings,” he told Vienna-based daily Der Standard, pointing out that Belgrade wanted the implementation of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

Der Standard recalled that CEFTA's implementation did not mean that transit zones between central Serbia and Kosovo would be fully customs-free.

Ivanović pointed out he could not imagine a model according to which Kosovo Serbs would be linked by 80 percent to the government structures in Belgrade and by 20 percent to those in Priština.

“We are ready to take part in the elections in Kosovo and to be represented in its parliament, but we want our own identity cards, Serbian registration plates, and to maintain our Serbian passports,” Ivanović was quoted as saying.

Der Standard said that a partition of Kosovo was unacceptable for the West, as it feared a possible rebellion of Albanians in Macedonia. The daily added, however, that it was not quite clear how the model for the Kosovo north should look like.

The Belgrade-Priština dialogue meetings will continue this fall, after which the election campaign for parliamentary elections should begin in Serbia, so further talks would be futile until then, the Vienna-based daily said.

ALBANIAN PRESS, ABOUT THE MEETING FOR PROPERTIES IN DRYMADES, HIMARA REGION


http://www.gazeta-shqip.com/politike/f0a347d24815f9f89b8f3a42ff0e3ddf.html

About the resolute click here in Albanian:

http://www.noa.al/2011/08/bregdetasit-per-token-te-zbatohet-kushtetuta-dhe-jo-ligji-7501/

OSCE publishes the report for elections Albania in September

OSCE is preparing another report on Albania about the political situation in the country, including even the elections, which were held on 8 May of this year.

OSCE Ambassador in Tirana, Eugen Wollfarth will report to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, in early September on political developments in Albania.

The report is expected to include a detailed material regarding the May 8th election process, and especially the duration of the process.

The report will include opposition boycott of parliament, which in the last report was described by former Ambassador, Robert Bosch as an act that has led to the disapproval of some important legislative initiatives.

"Red and Black" Albanian Nationalist Alliance: The Decoration of Ikonomus, is a new provocation


The Alliance "Red and Black" has react today about the ceremony to honor the Greek consul in Korce, Theodhoros Ikonomu Kamarinos considering it a provocation.

In a press release, the "Red and Black" Alliance declares that the decoration of Ikonomus, has innovative intention of the census on ethnic and religious grounds.

The Alliance the "Red and Black" has called on the Albanian state to react on this case, as "unprecedented", recalling that the position of the Anti-based registration of ethnic and religion, is the protection of national identity and national integrity.

"The Decoration of Ikonomus and approval or silence of the Albanian politics are consequences for political instability and conditioning the integration process of Albania into the EU." Reads the statement of the "Red and Black" Alliance.

Dialogue will not solve the crisis between Kosovo and Serbia

Tensions in the north of Kosovo will remain even after the next round of dialogue which will be held in Brussels on September 5th, if the parties remain in current positions, writes the daily "Koha Ditore".

According to the newspaper, the solution for customs seals could be found in this round. But most probably there will not be found a solution for the customs officers at border gates in Bernjak and Jarinje. The Serbian government will not accept the Kosovo officers at these points.

Even Deputy Prime Minister, Hajredin Kuçi is opposed to Stefanovic Saying that they will talk with the official Belgrade about the Kosovo internal affairs, within which included the issue of sending officers at customs border with Serbia, in Bernjak and Jarinje.