President "not optimistic" ahead of EU decision

Source: Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Boris Tadić said in Belgrade on Wednesday that he "cannot express optimism" when it comes to Serbia's chances of being made a candidate for EU membership.

Boris Tadić (file)

The European Union is to announce its decision on March 1, but the Serbian president stated that a solution for "the problem of Kosovo and Metohija" was today "a little farther away than it was last night".
"The situation is worse compared to last night because of the way Priština is putting forward proposals," Tadić told reporters in Belgrade, specifying that the proposal in question was "out of touch with reality".

The president conceded that Serbia will find it "very difficult" to become candidate, but vowed to "make an effort until the last moment".

"It is not up to us alone, it depends on each EU member state", said the president, reiterating that the country will "never abandon its strategic goals contained in the 'both EU and Kosovo' formula".

Tadić stressed that it was "unthinkable" that the enlargement of the EU "perhaps also depends on Priština", which, he noted, "is not even a state in the classical international political sense, let alone an EU member".

Serbia will continue to insist on EU integrations and will protect its integrity in Kosovo, he said, and added that "in the coming days, it will be clearer if both goals can be achieved":

"We will see in the coming days whether that is politically sustainable. It will be a political test for me as well, and after all the conversations and negotiations, I will say what my position is on where to go from here."

The president described Serbia's problems in its attempts to join the EU as a consequence of "the imperfection of the political system in Europe, complexities of international relations, and everything that the region went through in the 1990s".

Asked whether the authorities made any decision regarding the holding of local elections in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, Tadić responded by saying, "across that bridge when we come to it", but added "decidedly" that Serbia will never give up on protecting its territorial integrity in Kosovo.

In the meantime in Brussels, delegations of the Serbian government and the Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština are meeting for another round of the EU-sponsored dialogue, in an attempt to find a solution to the problem of Kosovo's representation in regional gatherings.

This round of talks was described as "key for Serbia's EU membership candidate bid". It was scheduled to take place on Tuesday but was postponed for today after the Priština team failed to show up in Brussels.

Greek Deal Skepticism Weighs on Markets

By PAN PYLAS AP Business Writer

LONDON February 22, 2012 (AP)

 

Markets were subdued Wednesday as investors worried that the Greek bailout plan might not be enough to keep the country from eventually defaulting on its debts and possibly leaving the euro currency bloc.
Under a deal reached Tuesday, Greece will get euro130 billion ($172 billion) from its partners in the 17-nation eurozone and the International Monetary Fund to meet its immediate debt obligations. It is Greece's second bailout following a euro110 billion ($146 billion) rescue in 2010.
Separately, Greece's private sector bondholders will be asked to forgive euro107 billion ($141 billion) in Greek debt by taking a 53.5 percent loss on the face value of their bonds and accepting longer repayment periods and lower interest rates.

Though Greece's finance minister Evangelos Venizelos hailed the deal as "a significant development that gives our country a new opportunity," investors remained cautious, not least because Greece has to enact economic reforms in a very short space of time to get its hands on the money.
The package's lack of measures aimed at boosting economic growth also caused concern in the markets. Greece is entering its fifth year of recession and is forecast to contract a further 4 percent or so this year.
..............
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/asia-stock-markets-flat-greece-bailout-15762502#.T0Ti-3nW7Xg

Meeting Papoulias Stavridis in Athens

The greek President Karolos Papoulias, met with the NATO Suprem Commander Admiral James Stavridis, in occassionof 60 th annyversari of Greece membership in NATO.

Admiral James Stavridis, is with greek origin family in USA, since his parents left Zmirni (Izmir) in (Mikro Azia) during the Greko Turkish War on 1923.

INA Agency: The Party "MEGA" open calls for the Autonomy requires in the Northern Epirus

For the first time after so many years of politicians and party leaders of the Greek minority living in Albania "MEGA" openly demanded the autonomy of Northern Epirus.
This requirement is stated on their Sunday February 19, 2012 on the occasion of the announcement of Autonomy on February 17, 1914.
The event occurred in the village of the prefecture of Delvina Kranja on Sunday in the church of St. George.
Upon the announcement of the Autonomy of minority party representatives have gone on MEGA Thimios memorial Loli, a Adare who fought for the announcement of Autonomy Northern Epirus in 1914.
At the ceremony commemorating the journalist spoke Theodhoros Asvestopulos which traverse the historical event that led to the declaration of Autonomy on February 17, 1914, in Gjirokastra.
Further speech was party chairman Kristaq Kiços MEGA minority who said: "Every nation in the world has its heroes, and for this we have come today to commemorate our national heroes who fought for their rights, in their ancestral land, here in Northern Epirus (Southern Albania in). It is our duty to honor the heroes of yesterday and to get an example for today's fight. To maintain our education, our property, our national identity. To save all that our grandparents left for us that fought and sacrificed. All together we need to understand that going to achieve national ... "
Chairman further pointed Kristaq Kiços of MEGA Party, crops of flowers to the monument of the fighter Thimo Lolis who is from the village Kranja.
Kiços Kristaq Statement is the first statement of a minority politician who openly declares that continue their fight on the steps of the heroes of the autonomy of Northern Epirus. Recently been added activities to provoke destabilization Greek minority of southern Albania. (INA)

The "Patriotic Front" Conference in Athens for "Protocol of Corfu"

With decisive conclusions about the state of Northern Epirus, completed the workshop on the Protocol of Corfu

Athens, February 21, 2012
 With decisive conclusions about the state of Northern Epirus, completed the workshop Conference on the Protocol of Corfu.

With a key course for the Northern Epirus issue findings, completed the scientific conference organized by the Patriotic Front in Athens.

These conclusions, as exported from the work of the conference, after the long, multi-faceted and thorough presentation of the Treaty by the speakers-speakers are:

1. The Protocol of Corfu is a treaty in force is not rebutted by any other international treaty and provides in clear terms, the autonomy of Northern Epirus, the boundaries and how administration of the indigenous Northern Epirus.

2. The agreements which were signed by the Greek governments in Albania, from 1914 onwards, no effect at any point in the International Treaty of Corfu, since the signature was not involved Greek delegation.

3. Guarantors of international treaty to date is the "Great Powers", including Russia and the USA. While the Russia is particularly interested in promoting the treaty in all international fora, and the U.S. have a resolution of the Senate openly support the Protocol and the autonomy of Northern Epirus.

The Patriotic Front by his side, undertook to promote in all international bodies the scientific conclusions of the conference, the case of the Protocol of Corfu. He has already scheduled meetings with staff officers of the Russian Federation which will inform the conclusions of the workshop the next few days, and then, immediately after the elections in the Russian Federation, will present the issue of autonomy of Northern Epirus, at the session of Eurasian Union, which will likely take place in Kazakhstan.

To add that, given the intense interest of Russians for the Northern Epirus and the Protocol of Corfu, now clearly visible in the visible and very near future, the possibility of substantial changes in its course, particularly in Northern Epirus principle aim of protecting human of Northern rights and their property.The full video of presentations and interventions at the meeting on the Protocol of Corfu may be interested to see email address and http://vimeo.com/37119707 the website of the Patriotic Front

Wikileaks: Gjunkshi requires 7 thousand USD per soldier. Iraq will not Albanian peacekeepers are due to corruption

Since the Albanian media treats the issue of killing of a soldier Albanian peacekeeping in Afghanistan as a terrorist act, investigative media attention, has criticized the corruption and the inability of the Albanian forces, to fight in the first line of attack, although the Albanian soldiers, are trained and dressed with uniform armed same western countryes, they have no military motive, also due to poor history of Albania, as it not combat never in a real war front. (SManalysis)

Gazeta "Tema"
http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2012/02/20/wikileaks-gjunkshi-kerkon-7-mije-usd-per-ushtar-iraku-nuk-i-do-me-paqeruajtesit-shqiptare-per-shkak-te-korrupsionit/
 
This is kabllogrami that former U.S. Ambassador to Tirana John Withers, sends Washington with concern that Albanian troops are sent on missions abroad are unprepared because they are sent there by using corrupt practices. A concrete name that emerges is that of Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, Xhemal Gjunkshi. It requires 7 thousand USD for a soldier going to Iraq. If you do not have money, then they are required to take credit. Because of these corrupt practices, Iraq admits no Albanian soldiers in his country. Disaster for Albania is that they will need to turn soldiers into the country without completing the mission in Iraq and thus could not repay the loans they have taken to pay corrupt officials. For this reason, they will be sent urgently to Afghanistan, to receive full salary and pay the babëziturit of this country. Full kabllogrami below:
..........According to unofficial evidence, superior commanders require 7 thousand USD for a soldier who wants to be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. This amount represents half of the payment that a soldier receives from international sources during the six-month mission, assuming that the daily wage is 80 USD. Most officers can not pay this amount before starting the mission, so it was required to obtain a loan, which can pay regularly by sending half the payment they receive when they are deployed. Even after these payments, the amount that an Albanian military takes is good for an Albanian military and many are willing to pay bribes. But recently there have been complaints. In October, a group of soldiers from the regiment of commandos wrote an unsigned letter to the Albanian government and sent a letter to U.S. Embassy, ​​claiming Colonel Xhemal Gjunkshi , commander of the regiment, requesting bribes and is involved in other corrupt schemes; they threaten to send these complaints to the New York Times newspaper.


http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2012/02/20/wikileaks-gjunkshi-kerkon-7-mije-usd-per-ushtar-iraku-nuk-i-do-me-paqeruajtesit-shqiptare-per-shkak-te-korrupsionit/


Related:

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/two-albanian-army-officers-killed-in-afghanistan

Albanian Army Officer Killed in Afghanistan

One Albanian solder has been killed and another gravely wounded on Monday in southern Afghanistan after an attack by gunmen in Afghan police uniform, officials said.

Besar Likmeta

BIRN

Tirana

ISAF soldiers patrolling in Kandahar. Souther Afghanistan | Photo by : Allauddin Khan | AP

Monday’s shooting occurred in the village of Robat, near Kandahar. The NATO troops had gone there for a meeting about opening two schools and a health center, the Albanian defense ministry said.
“Unexpectedly, the local police opened fire with five automatic weapons and a light machine gun,” the ministry said. 

In the ensuing firefight, the two officers of Albania’s peacekeeping mission Eagle 4 were shot and gravely wounded.

Brussels: Greek bailout deal reached

Source: euronews, BBC

BRUSSELS -- Eurozone finance ministers on Tuesday reached an agreement on a second bailout for Greece, after 13 hours of talks held in Brussels.

Greek PM Lucas Papademos and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos are seen in Brussels (Beta/AP)

In return for loans worth more than EUR 130bn, Greece will have to reduce its debts to 120.5% of its GDP by 2020.
The country will also accept an "enhanced and permanent" presence of EU monitors to oversee economic management, the BBC reported.

Greece's debt currently amounts to more than 160% of its GDP.

Meanwhile, Greeks were "urged not to buy German and Dutch goods", euronews reported.

The boycott is meant to express protest against harsh economic austerity demands from the two countries, while items in question range from electronics to dairy products.

Ιtalian Mayors Donate their Salaries in Support of Greece

In a symbolic act of  solidarity towards Greece and its people, plagued by the economic crisis and struck by their lender’s excessive demands, two mayors from Italy have announced their decision to donate their salaries in support of the Greek people.

Marco Galdi, mayor of the Cava de’ Tirreni, outside Salerno, offered his 1,100 Euros salary per month to the Greek people, as he stated in a letter to the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz, the Italian PM, Mario Monti, and the Greek PM, Lucas Papademos.
The payment of the mayor’s salary to Greece will commence in March.
In his letter, Galdi wrote that “only one people across Europe claim not having brothers or sisters, and those are the Greeks. And in this particular moment in history they are absolutely right. Nobody in the world treats the Greek people with any sentiment of brotherhood.”

The same solidarity gesture was repeated by the mayor of the small town of Baronissi, Giovanni Moscatiello, who offered his salary of 780 Euros per month to Greece.
“All leaders of Greece have definitely committed serious mistakes over the years. We would be as irresponsible as they were, if we did not support the country that gave birth to the Western European civilization in any way we could” read Moscatiello’s letter.

Greece and Turkey: Offensive and Defensive Balance of Air Power in 2012

Lockheed Martins Falcon Evolves with New F-16V

February 19, 2012

By Ioannis Michaletos
The Greek and Turkish air forces are two of NATO’s strongest and most experienced. The chronic antagonism between the two neighboring states has meant that their pilots have received significant training as they have for decades often engaged in dogfights over the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Unlike planned exercises by NATO members, however, these dogfights have been deadly in the past and even risked a larger military showdown on several occasions.

The following detailed report will break down the inventory of the rival-but-allied air forces for 2012. This will also reveal that equilibrium of power has been established; the two countries have, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, reached an equal projection of air power, something that partly depends on the threat perceptions military planners have regarding different fronts. This dynamic is expected to remain as it is, at least for the mid-term, though pending acquisitions by Turkey could affect the balance in future. As with the case of India and Pakistan, an unwritten rule of preserving a balance of power has been set out by Western politicians and thus followed by industrial producers in Western countries.
All data presented below derives from official information gathered from the Greek and Turkish air fleet inventories, available in the archives of their respective military staffs and defense ministries.....



The Greek Air Force is oriented almost exclusively towards Turkey. The Turkish Air Force, on the other hand, has active obligations with the Kurdish conflict plus contingency plans for the Greek, Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean fronts. It can be concluded that a balance of power exists in the air, with no side having a definitive advantage for the moment due to strategic geography.

Advanced types
Greece: F-16′s (Block 50 and Block 52+) and Mirage 2000-5 Mk2: 113 jets
Turkey: F-16′s Block 50: 30 jets on order (an estimated 10 have already arrived)
Older modern jets
Greece: F-16′s (Block 30/40/50) and Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM: 92 jets
Turkey: F-16′s (Block 30/40/50): 203 jets
Older types
Greece: F-4 PI2000, F-4E/2020, F-4 RF and A-7E/H: 113 jets
Turkey: F-4 2020, F-4E, RF-4E and F-5: 144 jets
Transport planes
Greece: C-130 and C-27J Spartan: 27 planes
Turkey: C-130 and C-235: 80 planes
Training planes
Greece: T-2E, T-6A, T-41D: 103 planes
Turkey: T-38A/B/C, T-41D, SF.260D: 189 planes
General-purposes planes
Greece: Canadair 215, Gulfstream V, EMB-135, PZL, G-16: 58 planes
Turkey: Gulfstream IV, C650 Citation: 7 planes
Helicopters
Greece: AS332C1 Super Puma, AB 205, AB 212, A-109: 23 helicopters
Turkey: AS532 Cougar, UH-1H: 79 helicopters..................................

 continues ......http://www.balkanalysis.com/greece/2012/02/19/greece-and-turkey-offensive-and-defensive-balance-of-air-power-in-2012/

Two Albanian Commandos killed in Afghanistan

Two Albanian Commandos have been killed this Monday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, during a firefight.

The news was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense, according to which, the soldiers are Feti Vogli, Captain of the First Special Force, and Alexander Peci, an ammunition specialist.

According to a press release, the Albanian Commandos were attacked at 15:05 by a group of Afghan police, while they were accompanying the personnel of an USAID mission in the Robot village, Kandahar.

They were shot with automatic weapons and a light machine gun, which also left a wounded soldier from the ally countries.

The two Albanian soldiers received serious wounds and passed away in a Kandahar hospital, while their team arrested 11 Afghan police agents, responsible for the attack.

The USAID personnel was inaugurating two school and a health center at Robot village, Kandahar.

Evacuation warning to Britons in Greece as country prepares to sign off yet another rescue package

• Second Greek bailout 'to be approved by eurozone finance ministers today'
• 3,000 protesters clash with riot police in Athens over cuts as Greek PM Lucas Papademos flies to Brussels to seal bailout deal

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 1:20 PM on 20th February 2012

• Comments (203)
• Share

Warning: Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking on the Andrew Marr show yesterday, told Britions in Greece to prepare to leave if the country goes under

Britons in Greece were warned yesterday they may have to be evacuated.
It comes as eurozone ministers prepare to sign off another £108billion rescue package for the crippled economy.
Foreign Secretary William Hague revealed Britons were being urged to register with the consulate as officials are updating plans to evacuate citizens ‘on a daily basis’ in case Greece goes under.
There has been widespread civil unrest in the country as the prospect of it defaulting on its loans and exiting the euro has grown.
Last night 3,000 protesters clashed with riot police in Athens as Greek prime minister Lucas Papademos flew to Brussels for last-minute preparations to seal the bailout deal.
As demonstrators poured into he capital's central Syntagma square riot police shielded the national assembly.
Economists do not expect the new package to resolve Greece's economic problems which could take up to a decade to tackle.
French finance minister Francois Baroin told Europe-1 radio that Europe's leaders were committed to agreeing a new bailout package.
'We now have all the elements of a deal - elements of a participation that remains voluntary for banks and private lenders, and for public lenders states, central banks,' he said.

 

More...

• VIEWPOINT: The euro crisis drags a noble idea to disaster
• Staring into the abyss: Faced with losing her job, a Greek woman threatens to jump to her death in a desperate, despairing nation where hungry families are queuing at soup kitchens

'We hope we and the Eurogroup members can take into account all the Greek government has been done for several weeks - even several months,' he said.

Protests: A petrol bomb explodes near riot police officers in Athens last night during fresh protests over austerity measures in Athens

Riots: Protesters are clashing with police on a daily basis now as authorities try to keep a lid on public fury over crippling austerity initiatives

The Greek government has already pushed a massive austerity and reform package though parliament and is expected to introduce two more pieces of emergency legislation, including wage and pension cuts today.
Mr Hague said the bailout was a matter for Greece and the eurozone, but the UK wanted ‘an end to the uncertainty’.
He added: ‘We have prepared contingency plans if we need to help British nationals who are there in any way. We keep those up to date on a daily basis.’ 
Fellow Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt called on Britons in Greece to ‘register with a consular system so we can find them in situations of emergency’.
He added: ‘No UK national who is there at the moment is unaware of what’s happening, so we’ve got systems in place... should the worst happen.’

Austerity anger: A protester attacks police during a demonstration in Athens' main Syntagma square last night as the Greek parliament prepares to vote on cuts needed before a £108bn EU bailout

As the final details of the package are put in place senior eurozone and European Central Bank officials held a conference call yesterday to discuss the £108bn bailout programme.    

While there is still scepticism in Germany and other countries that Greece will be able to live up to its commitments - including implementing €3.3 billion euros of spending cuts and tax increases - officials said the deal is close to being signed off.
But the prospect of further disturbances in Greece loomed again when Germany was accused of seeking to undermine democracy in Athens.
Eurozone finance chiefs will consider a German proposal to ban the Greeks from receiving cash unless they delay their general election due in April.
German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble wants to keep a technocratic Greek government in place to ensure austerity measures are taken.

Storm: Riot police spray tear gas during the demonstration involving 3,000 people in Syntagma Square last night - a week after a much larger protest

Fury: Protesters outside the Greek Parliament campaign against plans by Lucas Papademos' government to save more than 3.3billion euros by cutting benefits and the minimum wage

Under the plan, officials from the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund will establish a permanent office in Athens to exercise day-to-day control of spending.
But Eurosceptics condemned the plans.
Tory MP Peter Bone said: ‘Greece is the birthplace of democracy and they fought valiantly against aggression during the Second World War to stop losing their identity.
‘What they’re being asked to do is sacrifice their sovereignty to stop them from going bust. It’s a recipe for utter disaster.
‘Good money is being poured after bad. They need to come out of the euro, devalue their currency and default on their debts. That’s the only future for Greece if they want to be a proud independent nation again.’
Mark Pritchard, secretary of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, said: ‘If true, this is a dangerous precedent which should be resisted at all costs.
‘Unless people have a stake in the future of their countries, they will be less likely to accept the remedies required.’
The Greek Minister for International Economic Affairs, Constantine Papadopoulos, denied that Greece has any contingency plan for a default.
He said: ‘No, because that would destroy the economy. You don’t factor in options that will kill off any hope for redemption.
‘Now we have to work within a very strict plan in the hope of returning back to growth and becoming a full-fledged member of the eurozone again. Not exit the eurozone.’
Under one crucial element of the new bailout deal, Greece will have around €100 billion of debt written off via a restructuring involving private-sector holders of Greek government bonds.
The overall objective is to reduce Greece's debts from 160 per cent of GDP to around 120 per cent by 2020 to put their debt on a more sustainable footing.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103578/Greek-bailout-Evacuation-warning-Britons-Greece-prepares-sign-rescue-package.html#ixzz1mwAltD4g

see also:

• By James Lyons
• Comments
• 19 Dec 2011 00:04

Evacuation plan for Brits in Spain amid warning euro collapse could leave them stranded

EMERGENCY evacuation plans for Brits living in Spain and Portugal are being drawn up amid fears of the euro collapsing.

 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/evacuation-plan-for-brits-in-spain-amid-98298

The Book of George Tenet, "At the Center of the Storm" published in the Albanian language in Tirana
 
"Called "In the eye of the storm," (Al) his confession that speaks exactly to the years 1997 - 2004 when George Tenet was at the head of U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, known as the CIA. I translated in many countries around the world, the book comes now also in Albanian, the place which brings blood Tenet. Although he calls himself Greek, somewhere between the lines reveals that his parents are from a village in southern Albania, and that when only when discussing a problem speaking Albanian. But, beyond that, "In the eye of the storm" in which George Tenet wrote in collaboration with Bill Harlow-n, shown on many important global event, September 11, war with Al-Qaeda, or the CIA covert operations- s work in Afghanistan"
(Vizion Plus TV).
 
SManalysis
 
Tenet, as World Cultural Ambassador of Himara expected to visit Albania and Himara this summer
 
Probably expected to assist for a ceremony last year (the unstable political situation of Albania), The Himara Community has honored to George Tenet, the title "World Cultural Ambassador of Himara". Also by the Community is honored Pyrros Dhimas, the World Champion in the Weight lifting, with the title, "The Lion of Himara".

When Tenet, a few days before he leave office in CIA on June 11, 2004, he had prepared a trip to Albania, after President George Bush, visited Italy.

According to sources, the man who possesses the secrets of the World, George Tenet, is expected to come to Albania and Himara, this summer, while he before is expected to meet Pyrros Dhimas and members of The Association of Himara in USA, in April in Washington.

George Tenet, is often met with senior Albanian politicians, for global security issues in Washington, including Sali Berisha, Fatos Nano etc and supports the aspirations of Albania to the European Union.

Himara, straight to a "special status"
 
Links to Himara, for reason of early parental heritage, George Tenet, and many other American Personalities originating from Himara have consistently assisted to preserve the historical heritage of 2600 years of independence, of the Region, to assist in integrating programs in collaboration with U.S. Department and World Bank, to consider the historical heritage of the Himara Region, as a World Heritage, that honors not only Albania, but the entire region.

It is great honor for Albania to establish Partnership relations with Himara, for preservation of beaches and villages of its architecture, which today are propagated as wonderful destinations of tourism, from prestigious organizations in the world, which offers hospitality and conditions to have prospective, to be elite tourism in the Balkans.

But often, the wrong propaganda and ethnic clashes, the killing of a boy because of the Greek language, stoping the problem of property restitution, the threat posed by the Mafia for extortion of lands, the cooperation of these elements with the courts and albanian institutions, to convert the Himara Region, in a cosmopolitan and chaotic region, as are all alienated Albanian coastal cities, have left open a big issue: Should Himara continue the tradition of self government and to hold its independence from 2600 years?

Priština urges EU not to make Serbia candidate

Source: B92, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The Priština government blames Serbia for the failure of the Kosovo dialogue and is urging the EU not to allow the country to become a candidate for membership.

Ivica Dačić (Tanjug, file)

This is contained in a letter sent from Priština to all EU member states, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić told B92 in Belgrade on Sunday.
Meantime, Belgrade negotiator in the dialogue Borislav Stefanović showed a copy of the letter while he was a guest at the state broadcaster RTS. The EU, which is set to decide on Serbia's bid at the end of the month, however, says they are "unaware of the letter".

"It states that only limited progress had been made in the dialogue, and points out to a lack of essential dialogue in implementing agreements on all open issues," according to Dačić.

The letter shows that the Priština government sees the dialogue only as a chance to pressure Belgrade and that they do not wish to reach a compromise, said he, and added it should be "condemned by the Serbian government".

"I think a letter of this kind is also a clear indicator that many things that are happening related to the candidate status are more political in nature than really about some criteria that Serbia should fulfill in order to become a candidate for EU membership," Dačić noted.

Borislav Stefanović described the move of Kosovo Albanian authorities as "very damaging," adding that "it seemed to him the letter at this time missed the target".

"It proves they do not understand the EU and European integrations," he stated, and added that "we profoundly believe that Priština is not the one to decide on European integrations and EU's enlargement. Brussels decides on that and I am certain that it will not look favorably at this truly empty move by Priština to damage our candidature."

There has been no confirmation from Priština that the letter had been sent, while Brussels said they knew nothing about it.

In the meantime, Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci said that the issue of the territory's representation in regional forums will be solved by "presenting Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, by mentioning its (unilateral) declaration of independence, the ICJ opinion, and UNSC Resolution 1422".

But Borislav Stefanović stated that Belgrade finds unacceptable any solution that mentions the UDI, made in February 2008.

The HAF rescues 8 French nationals in the Aegean during storm

On Friday the February 17 2012, a Super Puma helicopter of the Hellenic Air Force took off at 04:57, from the airport of the island of Chios, to rescue eight French nationals aboard the yacht «Yogi» (French flag), which was taking in water. The yacht was located between the islands of Skyros-Psara (21 NM west of Psara). The Super Puma was found at the point at 05:30. However, it was not possible to immediately haul the occupants due to unfavorable conditions. Then a second Super Puma helicopter took off from the 130 Combat Group at Limnos Airport at 6:49, which rescued the eight French and carried them safely on the island of Skyros at 9:10.

Landmark visit was ‘all about the gas’

Netanyahu visits Cyprus

February 18, 2012 | Filed under: Featured News,Geopolitics

 

ISRAEL and Cyprus are making up for lost time in the “natural” relations between two democracies, focusing their efforts on energy collaboration while leaving the door open for further regional cooperation, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Nicosia yesterday.

Netanyahu’s one-day visit to Cyprus marked the first ever by an Israeli PM, a sign of closer ties between the two countries following the finding of gas reserves in their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

“The flight from Israel to Cyprus is about 45 minutes… it has taken 63 years for an Israeli PM to make this trip and I want to thank you for the invitation and the friendship that is developing between the two countries,” he said..... more.......

Greek FM: NATO has not responded to Turkey’s threat

February 18, 2012 | Filed under: Featured News,Geopolitics

President Karolos Papoulias (L) and Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Greece’s participation in NATO has not managed to respond to the significant threat represented by Turkey, the foreign minister, Stavros Dimas, told a special event held to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s membership of the military bloc.

“Since the mid-1970s, Greece has been facing a standing threat by one of its [Nato] allies, Turkey.
Nato’s silence since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus has been deafening. The systematic dispute of Greece’s sovereign rights by Turkey is, and is being treated by the Greek people as, a real and direct threat. In that light, Greece’s participation has not managed to respond to this significant threat,” the foreign minister said.

Also addressing the event, organised by Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (Eliamep), was Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who is visiting Athens for the anniversary.

In his address, Rasmussen said that the global economic environment has led to uncertainty.

Replying to a question on the Cyprus issue, he said that the non-resolution of the problem was a cause of concern and has negative consequences not only for Cyprus and Greek-Turkish relations, but also for Nato-EU relations.

He called “on all sides” to make every effort to resolve the Cyprus issue, and soon at that, under the auspices of the UN.

“The existing plans appear to be very close to what apparently both sides can accept,” the Nato chief added.

Reception

Earlier, President Karolos Papoulias told Rasmussen of his annoyance over continuing Turkish violations of Greek national airspace, explaining that Greece continues to have problems with Turkey.

He warned that Ankara’s stance does not help in consolidating the neighbourly climate that Greece seeks.

“I was disturbed by the fact that yesterday, when I went to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Turkish warplanes were making overflights over a Greek island,” Papoulias said.

The president also told Rasmussen that Greece wants to see Turkey join the EU and is contributing to achieving that target.

Papoulias also raised the issue of Fyrom, and thanked the Nato chief for the position he has taken on it.

“You understand our sensitivities on this issue, given that our northern neighbours are maintaining a tough stance whereas we have extended our hand and are acting like good neighbours. We will continue in this direction so that a mutually acceptable solution may be found on the Fyrom name issue,” the president continued.

He further described as “a joke” Fyrom’s persistence in altering history and trying to present Alexander the Great as a “Skopjean”, and asked Rasmussen to help in overcoming this problem.

Defence not hit

In his meeting with the Nato chief, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos underlined that the country’s financial woes have not affected the country’s defence system.

He reminded Rasmussen that Greece continues to be an important factor of security, cooperation and understanding in the wider region.

In turn, Rasmussen noted that Greece is one of the longest-standing Nato members and a pillar of the collective security.

He praised the country’s contribution to Nato operations from Afghanistan to Kosovo, and also for the protection of the unarmed population in Libya.

He also spoke of difficult economic conditions and the need for Nato to make tough choices, expressing certainty that the alliance, as a “family that helps each other”, will emerge stronger from the crisis, that that this will be reaffirmed at a Nato summit in May.

Rasmussen also had a meeting with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos.

Source: athensnews.gr

Privatizing Albanian Castles Worries Heritage Experts

Historians and archeologists oppose plans to let entrepreneurs turn ancient monuments into bars, cafés and motels.

Fatmira Nikolli

BIRN Tirana

The ruins of the Illyrian castle of Akrolisi covered by mobile phone antennae | Photo by: Fatmira Nikolli

Illyrian and medieval castles in Albania could be soon turned into bars and restaurants according to a government plant to lease cultural monuments to local businessmen.

According to the plan unveiled in late January by the head of Albania’s Institute of Monuments, Apollon Bace, some 40 monuments would be leased for a period of up to 100 years, mainly because the government is unable to preserve them.

Bace says detailed plans for the use of these monuments will determine which parts of them are suitable for commercial activities and which parts should not be touched.

Rich with monuments dating back to Roman times, Albania has struggled for years to preserve them properly, as government after government failed to invest enough in restoration.

However, the proposal, which could be acted on as soon as next month, has drawn a fierce response from historians, archeologist and architects, some of whom accuse the authorities of failing to safeguard the nation’s heritage.

They point to the fact that two castles privatized under the previous Socialist government have not been preserved properly, and they argue that other monuments could have the same fate if the latest government proposal is finalized. 

“The Ministry of Culture’s proposal to grant concessions for cultural heritage monuments is an awful idea,” historian Auron Tare said.

“That the state is rejecting its responsibilities for cultural heritage and transferring this responsibility to private hands is testimony to the collapse of state institutions,” he added.

Bace, from the Institute of Monuments, declined to be interviewed for this story, but Enton Derraj, an adviser to the Minister of Culture said the accusations made against the project were politically motivated.

“Any interventions in these monuments will be carried out in accordance with the international treaty on restoration of cultural monuments,” Derraj said.  

The ruins of the Illyrian castle of Akrolisit, close to the town of Lezha were leased ten years ago to a local businessman, Gjovalin Kadeli, now a Socialist MP in parliament.

For the past decade the ruins have housed a number of mobile phone antennae built on a concrete platform, which preservation specialists say has damaged the site.

However, Kadeli defends his investment, arguing that what he bought was only a ruin, so talking of a “castle” makes no sense.

“I bought it lawfully and there was no castle there, just a two- metre-high wall, which they call a castle,” he said. The antennae have been put up on a hill and not on “the castle,” Kadelli added.

The medieval castle of Lekurs, close to Saranda, has also been the object of controversy after it was leased 12 years ago. The new owners restored it but also added a bar and a restaurant.

Cultural heritage specialist have complained repeatedly about the restoration of the monument, now owed by Vangjel Tavo, an MP for the Socialist Movement for Integration.

Lulzim Iljazi, manager of the Lekurs castle and its bar and restaurant, dismisses complaints that the monument has not been properly preserved. The accusers just want the castle for themselves, he says.

“We have worked a lot on this castle and everything has been done to preserve its historical value,” Iljazi said.

Gjergj Frasheri, a well known Albania archeologist, says that what has happened with leased out cultural monuments in the past should serve as a lesson.

He believes transferring more monuments to private hands will be a mistake as Albanians are notorious for carrying out building work for which they have no planning permission.

“Albania is a country of [hundreds of thousand] of buildings built without permits, where neither the state nor the law punishes people who build illegally,” Frasheri noted.

“Damage to monuments damages our historical record, and it is irreparable and unrecoverable,” he added.

Auron Tare, historian and former director of the Butrint Archeological Park, agrees.

“If the authorities cannot even control two single projects, the question is how will they be able to control more monuments?” he asked.

This article is funded under the BICCED project, supported by the Swiss Cultural Programme.

Rama: Supporting Kosovo and its government

Top Channel TV

The Socialist leader, Edi Rama, congratulated the Kosovo Albanians for their Independence Day, and wished to Prime Minister Hashim Thaci further successes in the governing of Kosovo, for the country’s progress and on behalf of all its citizens.

In a press conference, the SP leader underlined that the political force that he leads, and the opposition in general, will support Kosovo and its government, and will be against any effort that doesn’t accept the sovereignty of Kosovo and that aim the impossible return into a past that Kosovo has left behind for good.

Thanking the international community for their contribution, Rama underlined that the longer Serbia keeps its ties with the past, the more it loses for the future.

“Serbia has lost Kosovo once and for all, and by going behind this new state, all that Serbia does is keeping itself blocked in the EU integration road. The recent referendum was only a banal episode against Serbia’s prosperity”, Rama declared.

In this historic day for Kosovo, the Socialist leader expressed his deep respect for the great figures of our nation, Adem Jashari and Ibrahim Rugova.

Kosovo Independence Celebrations

"Top Channel TV"

Four years ago, on 17 February 2008, the centuries old dreams of the Albanians for the freedom and independence of Kosovo were accomplished, by transforming the history of this country and turning it into an independent and sovereign state.

Today is a great day that is celebrated by everyone with harmony and tolerance, without forgetting the people thanks to whom Kosovo arrived to this day.

The Kosovo Security Forces paraded in the “Skenderbeu” Square, in Prishtina.


Jahjaga: Proud for this big day

“The Independence of Kosovo, declared four years ago, is a century old effort, the fruit of the work of many generations that worked and were sacrificed in the altar of freedom, so that we can be free, equal and with the same dignity as all other countries of the world”, declared Jahjaga in the Kosovo Security Forces Parade.

“Today we remember with pride the people that never stopped working for their homeland; the activists, the intellectuals, the fighters, the workers, the farmers and common citizens who gave their lives and contributed with their everyday work to our great national cause, which at the same time is a human cause, a civilization cause, as is freedom and the self-determination of a people. The Republic of Kosovom a sovereign and independent country has its territorial integrity guaranteed and internationally accepted. Kosovo has its complete international representation, same as all other countries, in full equality and reciprocity”, Jahjaga declared.

The President added that the Republic of Kosovo is an undeniable and nonnegotiable fact, a reality accepted by everyone and that is valued as a factor of peace and stability, considered as the most righteous and only solution. The Republic of Kosovo is having bilateral relations with a series of states, while it has become a good example in the relations with its neighbors, which is respected and honored. Kosovo has been recognized by 87 states, and among them are the countries with the most developed democracy and economy in the world. However, this number is still not enough for the aspirations of the newest European state.

Uganda, the 88th country that recognizes Kosovo

The Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, announced in a press release that Uganda has recognized Kosovo’s independence.

Uganda, an African State with more than 30 million residents is the 88th country that has recognized Kosovo’s independence. This was made public in the fourth anniversary of Kosovo’s Independence.

Pacolli presented the verbal note with which Uganda confirms the recognition of Kosovo.

Greece and Serbia Sign Memorandum of Cooperation in Belgrade

The President of the Greek Parliament, Philippos Petsalnikos, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with his Serb counterpart, Slavica Jukic-Dejanovic, on Monday in Belgrade.
The Memorandum establishes the continuance of the cooperation between the Greek and the Serbian Parliament, and also stipulates that Greece will help Serbia in its EU integration process.
Petsalnikos highlighted that the Greek proposal was the best among 8 others launched by European Parliaments, and confirmed his country’s support towards Serbia in joining the EU.
The Greek deputy also met with the Serb President Boris Tadic.

Αdriano Celentano: “Greece Was Forced to Buy Weapons from Germany and France”

(original story in Greek by Inga Athanasiadou)
Internationally acclaimed Italian singer and actor Adriano Celentano, while at the San Remo Music Festival 2012, referred to the Greek debt crisis and the “compulsory purchase of weapons the country had to make from Germany and France”.
“Merkel and Sarkozy told Greece that if it wanted their help, it had to buy armored trucks and war vessels from them. Thus, imposing new austerity measures on the Greek people, who have now reached their limits”, commented Celentano.
“Not only Italian Corriere della Sera, but NY Wall Street Journal have revealed that Berlin and Paris sold weapons to Greece in order to help it financially. Is this the cynical Europe we want? A Europe full of weapons?” wondered the Italian singer.
Celentano also referred to the politicization of the catholic newspapers in Italy and to the Supreme Court of Italy rejecting the referendum proposal for changing the electoral legislation, while he described the new Monti government of his country as made of “first-class material but subject to the corrosive powers of the political parties”.

The Tunnel of "submarines" in Panormo, will be "Private Museum" of the Cold War

 
The State of the Culture Albanian Commission, has given to an Italian company, for it dishonored the "Cold War Museum", some part of the properties that belong to the people of Himara successors

At the same methods, the Albanian government is giving the fortress of "Ali Pasha Tepelena" without first asking the local population and its history
 
Actions considered "Mafia", have already included the Albanian government, which currently make decisions that are not in accordance with the sentiments of the people and history of Himara submits are cultural works, interest groups who have no connection with Himara community members, or their legitimate successors.
Decisions, are part of a non-transparent process with the people of Himara, which about 70% of the population living in the diaspora, which is attached, another process which is considered failure, the Tourist Development Plan for Region Himara sources to appropriate historical, cultural and economic of the Himara the Region.

Himara, posing risks for the history and heritage

No government, has never demonstrated to have feelings of the population, respect, which as a region, inherits a 2600-year history of independence from all systems and empires. The only area, the Himara Municipality, is considered by tourists and foreign experts in the field of tourism as the pearl of Albania and the World Destination of Tourism, but Albania and the International Mafia, helped by corruption on non trasparent process of registration of properties, whic is seeking to return to darling virgin, in a public territory, fulfilling the dream of Albanian nationalists, to consider Himara, as a core battle against Hellenism, at a time when the province is keen to build their own future, based on independence from Tirana and Athens.

Mayor George Goro again in Washington
 
According to sources from Himara Diaspora in USA, The Mayor of Himara Goror George, will visit Washington unexpectedly for the second time, but details of the visit, confirm to express criticism addressed to Goro, during the mandate of local government in Himara.

Also in Washington, will go very Himara personalities, including Olympic champion Pyrros Dhimas , mostly from Albania.
Sources: www.gazeta-shqip.com