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08 January 2013 | 14:26 | FOCUS News Agency
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According to Greek media, two of the possible suggestions would be Vardar Republic of Macedoia or Northern Republic of Macedonia.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
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According to Greek media, two of the possible suggestions would be Vardar Republic of Macedoia or Northern Republic of Macedonia.
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08 January 2013 | 10:09 | FOCUS News Agency
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Archbishop of Shkodra, Monsignor Angelo Masafra has submitted a detailed report to the ACR Foundation, which is a donor of the Catholic clergy.
"Radical Islam upsets the Muslim tradition itself. There are enormous funds pouring in from Saudi Arabia and Turkey", reads the report.
Ilir Kulla, former chair of the Association of Religious Communities, believes the last census in Albania has in a way accelerated radicalism.
According to him, the opening of the Islamic University will serve for gathering of young Muslims "in order to prevent them from schooling in other places and assimilating with other dogma".
Russian War Ships Pass Straits Of Gibraltar Heading In Full Force Towards East Med.
CLICK ON BOLD LINKS TO CROSS-REFERENCE ARTICLE
An unprecedented armada or Russian warships, consisting of the Northern and Baltic Sea Fleets just passed through the Straits of Gibraltar and is heading in full force towards the Eastern Mediterranean. All these ships are capable of amphibious operations and can certainly carry thousands of marines and scores of tanks and armoured personnel carriers. They are accompanied by guided missile destroyers and at least one cruiser.
A report on defencenet that was published late on Monday night said that the armada consists of a Yaroslavl mudra frigate, and the Kaliningrad, Alexander Sampalin and other LANDING ships. Accompanying them is a missile destroyer, a salvage tug boat SB-921, and the tanker Lena, etc.
Meanwhile, another series of boats requested permission to pass through the Black Sea.
Meanwhile at the other end of the Mediterranean, the electronic warfare ship Azov, which was already stationed here left the area and is already sailing into the Aegean. Accompanying this ship is the N. FILCHENKOV, (No. 152) Class Alligator. The latter ship was part of the first group that was going to get the cruiser Moskva, last November, but for unknown reasons this did not happen. Parallel to this, the PYTILIVIY (No. 808) Class KRIVAK frigate has also entered the Aegean. It too is being accompanied by another ship with dates of entry January 9 and January 13, respectively. Strangely the NOVOCHERKASS ship, is also on its way back to the Black Sea (January 12-13), but the Smetliviy destroyer ship (which is in the Aegean), will remain.
When all this re-shuffling of ships is complete the MOskva battle team will consist of 2 destroyers and 2 frigates. The report on defencenet noted that Russia is strengthening its battle units and thus gathering a large number of LANDING ships in the areas instead. Let us not forget that several units from the Pacific Fleet, including several battle ships are also expected to join the battle team very soon.
It is the largest Russian force in the area in well over four decades and quite a powerful armada. One really has to wonder what will follow in Syria. It is obvious that the a full-scale war against the government of Assad is being staged.
On January 6, Press TV headlined “Russian warships gathering off Syria waters to deter West: Report.” The Sunday Times was cited. It said Russia sent sent several landing ships. On board are military vehicles, hundreds of marines, and combat vessels.
“Russia should be prepared for any developments as it believes the situation in Syria might reach its peak before Easter,” it said.
A separate article from Stephen Lendman at sjlendman.blogspot.com quoted an unnamed diplomatic source as saying that Russia intends to deter “the West from deploying ground forces.” Moscow says its ships are to “improve the management, maintenance, and testing of the interaction of naval forces.”
On January 2, Iran’s Fars News Agency (FNA) headlined “Foreign Military Intervention in Syria: Red Line for Russia.” Mehdi Sanayee is a senior Iranian legislator a National Security and Foreign Policy Commission member and a Russian expert. Apparently he told the FNA that causing developments through military intervention and remaining empty-handed in the developments in Syria are Moscow’s red lines.
On the stop making sense news site we also read that deploying Russian forces represents a “new step” in the Syrian conflict. “Russia tries to prove on the international scene that it is committed to its strategy, which is opposition to and confrontation against foreign military intervention and unilateral moves in Syria to show that it has not surrendered on them,” he said. He referred to Vladimir Putin’s earlier comments. They suggested Moscow’s new position. It remains to be seen what follows.
As well as protecting Russia's interests in Syria, the presence of Russian marines was intended to discourage western countries from putting special forces on the ground in the uprising against Syrian President B.Assad. Officially the Russian navy said the ships were preparing for an exercise to improve the management, maintenance and testing of the interaction of naval forces, but from what it looks like Russia is preparing itself for any developments, as it believes the situation in Syria might reach its peak before Easter.
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2013/01/russian-war-ships-pass-straits-of.html
Things Are Getting Serious - France Sending Stealth Corvette Via "Greek And Cyprus EEZ"
The newfangled stealth corvette from the French fleet, "L'Adroit" -the first ship of the class "Gowind"- is going to make its appearance in the Eastern Mediterranean regions within Greece's continental shelf with a final destination in Cyprus on January 23. Already defence analysts are saying that this move speaks volumes in terms of France's geostrategic on the issue of Greece's and Cyprus' EEZ.
The ship, which is a top surface vessel class of 2,000 tonnes, is then set to remain in the port of Limassol.
The appearance of "L'Adroit" in the sea areas which Turkey's statements attempted to set ablaze on Monday was sparked after Ankara's refusal to accept Greece's continental shelf rights. It should be reiterated that while speaking on the Turkish TRT Channel on Monday Turkish Foreign Minister A. Davutoglu directly threatened Greece with a "hot" crisis -or WAR- if Athens even attempted to move ahead with the proclamation of its EEZ. And this because there are overwhelming reports in Athens that claim that the government of Antonis Samaras will make a proclamation of Greece's EEZ by sending the coordinates of the outer limits of Greece's continental shelf to the United Nations in the first months of 2013.
(Of course Turkey did the same thing with Cyprus, but then decided to stick their tail between their legs and just stomach what followed.) In any case, the presence of the French in this area of the Mediterranean is significant. It also shows that a mobility has begun to resurface the French frigate program FREMM for Greece.
A senior official told the military news site defencenet on Tuesday that the ship will sail to Greek and Cypriot areas or basically "through a backdoor" sequence of the Greek and Cypriot EEZ, thus rejecting all Turkish wannabe demands.
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2013/01/things-are-getting-serious-france.html
Monday, January 7, 2013
Kosovo: Serbs attending Christmas liturgy detained
Source: Beta, Tanjug
GRAČANICA -- The Kosovo police, KPS, on Monday detained several young Serbs after they attended Christmas liturgy in Gračanica.
Aleksandar Vulin in Gračanica (Tanjug)
Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Aleksandar Vulin told Tanjug that he wished to visit the police station in Gračanica, where the Serbs were being held.
He explained that nine young men from northern Kosovo, and one local youth, who came to the police station to inquire about the group, were all brought in.
Vulin stressed that he discussed this development with EU's special representative in Kosovo, Samuel Žbogar, and that the Serbs were "detained, but not arrested".
After he headed toward the police station in Gračanica, Vulin was stopped by members of the KPS who told him they were ordered to "escort" him to one of the crossings on the administrative line between Kosovo and central Serbia.
Meanwhile, Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić told Beta that the KPS detained a group of young men who were accompanying Vulin and attending Christmas Day liturgy in Gračanica.
Pantić, who is also Vulin's deputy at the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, said that he had received the confirmation of this unofficially from the KPS, and that Belgrade expected the international community to prevent this type of provocation.
Pantić also revealed the reason the group was brought in: they are suspected of being "members of the civil defense of the Serbian security services". This official denied the claims, and said the arrests were treated as "a serious provocation" staged on the "greatest and most joyous Christian holiday".
Belgrade expects the international community to urgently exert influence on Kosovo's Albanians to release the Serbs from custody, Pantić added.
Previously, the interior minister of the government in Priština, Bajram Rexhepi, said that nine persons were arrested in Gračanica and that he "was informed that the reason was that they were wearing insignia of the civil defense".
A large number of KPS members were seen in Gračanica this Christmas Day, according to news agency reports.
Protest against Golden Dawn
Top Channel TV
After the Greek Nationalist Party released offensive declarations
against the Albanian people, many groups have reacted from different
Albanian forums.
A reaction was organized in Tepelena by the forum “Boys of Gjirokastra, Laberia, Permet, Saranda and Delvina”. They held a meeting in front of the Ali Pasha Tepelena memorial.
The same meeting was organized in Delvina and Gjirokastra. The forum reacted to the declarations of the Greek Party “Golden Dawn”, which offended the Albanians. The members of this forum burned what form them represents the flag of the Greek Nationalist Party “Golden Dawn”.
Top Channel TV
A reaction was organized in Tepelena by the forum “Boys of Gjirokastra, Laberia, Permet, Saranda and Delvina”. They held a meeting in front of the Ali Pasha Tepelena memorial.
The same meeting was organized in Delvina and Gjirokastra. The forum reacted to the declarations of the Greek Party “Golden Dawn”, which offended the Albanians. The members of this forum burned what form them represents the flag of the Greek Nationalist Party “Golden Dawn”.
Picture: FOCUS News Agency
07 January 2013 | 14:59 | FOCUS News Agency
On January 2, 2013, under the pretext of carrying out a check for forged and fake documents officers with the Macedonian Interior Ministry rudely raided the homes of the six citizens of Strumica (all with both Macedonian and Bulgarian citizenship), who were legally authorised by Macedonian citizens with Bulgarian self-awareness to represent them in the application for Bulgarian citizenship.
After the raids the six were interrogated individually for two to three hours at the police. One of them was even taken away with a bag on his head.
The police told the people, who were under interrogation, that they did not have the right to file claims and threatened them not to complain before the Bulgarian Embassy. After the interrogation the six were released without being given any documents explaining the purpose and goal of the detention.
In one of the cases the police raid was done only at the presence of underage children, as their father was returning from a trip to Bulgaria. He was informed about the raid when arriving at the border. When the man returned to Strumica the check continued at his office, where the Macedonian authorities confiscated 22 ready Bulgarian passports, 22 ID cards and 30 sets of application documents.
In another case authorities confiscated 52 medical documents from healthcare institutions in Macedonia, which were translated and legalised and ready to be used in the application for Bulgarian citizenship.
All the people, whose homes and offices were raided, were banned from leaving Macedonia.
Many of the affected people sent written complaints to the Bulgarian Culture Club in Skopje. According to them, the latest action of the Macedonian authorities aims at threatening the Macedonian citizens, who express their Bulgarian ethnicity, Lazar Mladenov said.
Turkey Threatens WAR If Greece "Dares" To Proclaim EEZ
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| English: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. December 2, 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
More exactly, while speaking about the issue of EEZ on the Turkish TRT Channel on Monday Turkish Foreign Minister A. Davutoglu said that "we must ignore one-sided moves that might result to a (strong) 'response' by Turkey. In a period when relations between both countries (Greece and Turkey) have matured, it is vital that every decision that is taken is done so in cooperation. Of course we all recognize our national position, both country's recognize their positions. (If Greece proclaims its EEZ) In such an instance, Turkey will respond, but let us hope that this will not be necessary. There is a network of dialogue between us, as there are other avenues (as well)" said the Turkish FM.
Basically, he directly threatened Greece with a "hot" crisis -or WAR- if Athens even attempted to move ahead with this plan of action. And even though Turkey is presently busy with Syria, and the ongoing crisis there, he also left it to be understood that regardless of whether Turkey is busy in Syria or not, Ankara "will react instantly."
And as intimidating as this all sounds, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz on his part also threatened Greece not to even think of conducting surveys in areas of the Aegean which Ankara still labels as being "disputed" or gray without the consent of Turkey!
Yes you head correctly, Greece is not allowed to survey its own territorial waters.
Of course "virtual" diplomacy quickly took over -the Turks are really good with that- and Yildiz quickly said that "I do not think that the neighboring country, which is dealing with so many economic difficulties, will open new fields of litigation." (Fake tears). He said Turkey has not proclaimed its EEZ even though it has a (virtual) booming economy, and his government does not believe that Greece will do so because it's currently facing a terrible economic crisis. "We are not planning to operate in disputed areas of the Aegean. We have taken positive steps to strengthen relations between our countries and we plan to continue that way."
(It should be noted that when Cyprus was getting ready to make the same moves, he said the very same thing but he ended up swallowing the drill which was set up there a little shortly after and just had to stomach it.)
So the obvious question is why did Davutoglu feel the need to make these comments now? Well there are increasing reports that claim that the government of Antonis Samaras will make a "partial" proclamation of Greece's EEZ by sending the coordinates of the outer limits of Greece's continental shelf to the United Nations in the first months of 2013.
Hopefully the Greek government will not do that, and will rather be brave and make a full and not partial proclamation because it will immediately show its weakness and incompetence.
Turkey is busy with Syria and will not attempt aggressive moves.
Most importantly, there are many that say that the US, which has a strong influence in the region, is not against this Greek initiative either. So if Greece has the support of Washington then everything is OK right? Well... Yes. But Greek citizens are still weary because history has shown us that when the US has to choose between Greek and Turkish interests it definitely does not allow the scale to tip in the favor of Athens. So anything is possible.
Nonetheless, the government in the meantime is getting prepared. At present it knows the exact state of the Armed Forces especially its Navy and Air Force because EEZ type-games apparently require other types of tricks. A relevant report on defencenet says that they are looking into more powerful surface units with strong radars, powerful missile defense areas, aircraft naval cooperation, surveillance systems such as satellite communications and surveillance units, fighter planes that can patrol for 60" over the areas that will probably be exploited, etc.
This is all certainly necessary but it's really all a matter of political will and courage. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows the example of Cyprus which faced serious security risks when it proclaimed its EEZ -its armed forces are much weaker than that of Greece- then Greece does indeed have a chance to succeed. Cyprus who is led by patriots did not hesitate to proceed and exercise its international rights and Greece must do the same, so a "partial" proclamation will not suffice, our government must finally show decisiveness and political will and allow this country which has been oppressed for far too long to finally go forward.
Unfortunately for our country no one paid attention to the countless reports and calls for action that were published in various news sites and blogs on the decisions that were taken by the PASOK government last year (specifically Feb, 2012). At the time reports spoke about surveys that were being conducted by Turkey off of Adana, Antalya, Antioch and Mugla, and then later included areas in Greece's continental shelf such as south of Rhodes south and east of Karpathos, Kastellorizo, south and east of Crete and parts of the Cyprus' EEZ.
In the same period, we did not see any tears from that PASOK led government when the Turkish government gazette published a Council of Ministers decision on March 16, 2012 granting the Turkish State Oil Company (TFAO) licenses for hydrocarbon exploration in these areas (2012/2802, 2012/2968, 2012/2973 , 2012/2974, 2012/2975, 2012/1753).
The government only woke up when Ankara announced that it hired a Norwegian company to conduct hydrocarbon surveys. That is when they realized that Turkey is creating -de facto- situations in the Aegean and we are guessing that this made them come to the realization that in the long run this would obviously hurt Greek interests.
Let us hope that the government of Samaras succeeds and finally does what is needed. The conservatives cannot repeat the countless mistakes that were made by the socialists who allowed this country's political and economic oligarchs to never operate for the "we" (the nation), but rather for only for their own pockets.
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2013/01/urgent-turkey-threatens-war-if-greece.html
Source in Greek - defencenet
Two MPs expelled from DIMAR, Papakostantinou To Give Interview On ERT
Two MPs of the smallest of the three coalition government parties, Democratic Left (DIMAR), were expelled from the DIMAR parliamentary group on Monday by decision of party leader Fotis Kouvelis. In a letter to parliament president Evangelos Meimarakis, Kouvelis informed the House of his decision to expel Odysseas Voudouris and Petros Moutsinas, noting that "the two MPs have for some time, with their systematic and firm differentiation from all the positions and initiatives of the party, come to a full rift with the functions and directions of the DIMAR parliamentary group".
DIMAR, he added, has exhausted all margins for their continued stay in the party's parliamentary group "despite the disdain they have shown for our collective decisions". "What has become manifestly clear is that the two MPs do not simply express different opinions but support a different policy plan than that of DIMAR," Kouvelis concluded.
In early November, the DIMAR executive committee had condemned the stance of Voudouris and Moutsinas in not following the party's line in the vote for the omnibus bill introducing a new package of austerity measures, while Kouvelis had warned them over their tactic of not observing the party's collective decisions.
DIMAR is a junior partner in the Antonis Samaras coalition government. The party's line was to vote 'present' in the parliamentary vote on the austerity package, but the two MPs defied the party line and voted against.
The Lagarde list has provoked outrage among austerity-hit Greeks furious that authorities have done little to crack down on tax evasion by the wealthy elite. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras's government has rejected calls to look into accusations that Evangelos Venizelos -former finance minister who heads the PASOK party- has not done enough to pursue the alleged tax cheats. The government has instead focused on the role of Venizelos's predecessor at the finance ministry, George Papakonstantinou.
In the Greek blogsphere, it was announced that many revelations will also be made this week about this controversial case.
There is also talk about the "shady" role of some judicial authorities on this case, who are apparently in full consultation with the political and business elite to use Papakostantinou as a scapegoat and blame their own political and economic sins on him because of their greed. It is also rumored that one judge has been commissioned to make a lot of noise over this issue but then again, all of this is just blog talk and nothing to really make a fuss over.
On the other hand, what should be interesting is Elli Stai's talk show on Monday night. The head anchorwoman of the state-owned ERT Channel announced on Sunday that she was going to host Papakostantinou on her show on Monday night and we expect that this is going to be one talk show that will score big ratings.
Obama taps John Brennan to be next CIA director, White House officials say
Jewel Samad / AFP
White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan's career includes a stint as CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia.
Brennan worked at the CIA for 25 years, including a stint as station chief in Saudi Arabia. He also served as chief of staff to then CIA Director George Tenet from 1999 to 2001, when he was named the agency's deputy executive director.
Obama was expected to make the announcement on Monday.
RS president advocates partition of Kosovo
Source: Blic, Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Republic of Srpska (RS) President
Milorad Dodik has stated that he advocates partition of Kosovo in “two
states for two people”.
Milorad Dodik (Tanjug)
“Insisting on the partition of Kosovo in two states for two people, which is what I advocate, is the last line of defense of the Serbian national interests,” he told daily Blic.
However, Dodik added that the RS’ primary principle was to follow and back Serbia whatever it decided.
“Whatever Serbia’s position on Kosovo is, we will back it primarily in order to prevent Kosovo from being recognized by Bosnia-Herzegovina,” he was quoted as saying.
The RS president believes that northern Kosovo should be territorially incorporated into the Serbian territory and that Serbs south of the Ibar River who want to leave Kosovo should be provided housing and help for the making of new homes.
“We are even prepared to be a part of the process,” Dodik stressed and added that those who wanted to stay in Kosovo should continue to have protection of the state of Serbia.
Dodik believes that Kosovo will in a few months or a couple of years “de facto become independent thanks to the implementation of the Brussels’ policies”.
He said that the EU would eventually demand from Serbia to recognize Kosovo’s independence in order to join the EU.
“I think this story about Serbia and Europe is about giving nothing. They gave a candidate status without a date for the negotiations. What does that mean? Nothing. The accession negotiations are a serious thing,” the RS president said and assessed that “Europe will not want Serbia until a permanent solution for Kosovo is found”.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
K. Albanians try to prevent Serbs from visiting church
Source: RTS, Tanjug
ĐAKOVICA -- A group of Kosovo Albanians have
prevented a group of Orthodox believers from visiting the Church of
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary in Đakovica.
Ethnic Albanian Self-Determination Movement activists and Voice of Mothers organization members gathered in front of the entrance to the church on Christmas Eve and did not allow Serbs to go in.
Orthodox nuns did not even go out in the yard on Sunday.
RTS has reported that around 40 Serbs managed to bring the Yule log into the church despite the protest and then safely leave the town in a bus.
Kosovo police arrested two protesters and pushed several hundreds of Albanians 20 meters away from the church so Serbs could briefly enter the church.
The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and its believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar.
Berisha didn't answer for Pan-Albanian League
In Kosovo there’s hope that the declarations of the Prime Minister, Sali
Berisha, for creating a Pan-National Football League will be followed
by tangible steps.
The Kosovo Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, declared that this idea was discussed even earlier, but never became concrete.
“I trust that my homologue, Aldo Bumci, will take tangible steps. We need a proposition and then we could take the necessary steps in coordination with the respective federations, which are responsible for the organization of championships”, Krasniqi declared.
The Head of the Kosovo Football Federation, Fadil Vokrri, says that politics has its role, since federations can realize it within 24 hours if this will be allowed by FIFA, since KFF is not a member.
One of the oldest football clubs in Kosovo, FC Prishtina, asked to be part of the Superior League of Albania. The Albanian Football Federation Committee supported the idea, but in the decision they said that this must be seen from a wider angle not only legally, but also institutionally.
One day after Prime Minister Berisha’s declaration, the President of FC Prishtina, Remzi Ejupi, reminds that he had made such a request to the Albanian President, Bamir Topi, the Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, and the Albanian Parliament Speaker, Jozefina Topalli, but he had never received an answer.
However, he values the initiative as good news and hopes that it will not remain only a political declaration.
“The declaration was wonderful. This is a historical moment, although the declaration was delayed. But this could also be political marketing, as the Shengjin Port and the Albanian passports. However, it would be wonderful if this would come true”, Ejupi declared.
According to him, a common league would be more attractive and would increase the rivalry between groups and the interest of football fans.
The Kosovo Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, declared that this idea was discussed even earlier, but never became concrete.
“I trust that my homologue, Aldo Bumci, will take tangible steps. We need a proposition and then we could take the necessary steps in coordination with the respective federations, which are responsible for the organization of championships”, Krasniqi declared.
The Head of the Kosovo Football Federation, Fadil Vokrri, says that politics has its role, since federations can realize it within 24 hours if this will be allowed by FIFA, since KFF is not a member.
One of the oldest football clubs in Kosovo, FC Prishtina, asked to be part of the Superior League of Albania. The Albanian Football Federation Committee supported the idea, but in the decision they said that this must be seen from a wider angle not only legally, but also institutionally.
One day after Prime Minister Berisha’s declaration, the President of FC Prishtina, Remzi Ejupi, reminds that he had made such a request to the Albanian President, Bamir Topi, the Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, and the Albanian Parliament Speaker, Jozefina Topalli, but he had never received an answer.
However, he values the initiative as good news and hopes that it will not remain only a political declaration.
“The declaration was wonderful. This is a historical moment, although the declaration was delayed. But this could also be political marketing, as the Shengjin Port and the Albanian passports. However, it would be wonderful if this would come true”, Ejupi declared.
According to him, a common league would be more attractive and would increase the rivalry between groups and the interest of football fans.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Dodik: We will not allow Bosnia to recognize Kosovo
Source: Tanjug
BANJA LUKA -- President of the Serb Republic (RS)
Milorad Dodik that no amount of pressure would force this Serb entity to
allow Bosnia-Herzegovina to recognize Kosovo.
Milorad Dodik (Tanjug, file)
"For Bosnia to recognize something, the RS position also has to be taken into account, and the RS does not and will not give its consent," he said.
Dodik also noted that the entity was "facing an absurd situation in which it is being accused by many for separating the RS (from Bosnia), while we are saying that we will not allow separatism in countries such as Serbia".
According to him, "Kosovo has been taken from Serbia" by a violent act of international factors and the international law was thus violated, while Serbia, all Serbs, were humiliated.
"Bosnia will not recognize Kosovo and no documents on slow or creeping recognition can be planted. We are following Serbia in this," said Dodik, noting that "those in Sarajevo" were irritated by that, but that the RS would do nothing, or give any contribution to any policy that is outside the bounds of Serbia's official policy.
RS president added that in the search for a solution, he personally would start with the fact that Kosovo, however important, must not entrap Serbia in the coming decades and the solution has to be a lasting one.
"Nobody mentioned that if Kosovo was reintegrated in Serbia's structure, (ethnic) Albanians would be brought back to the political system and form the most compact caucus in parliament, and would at the same time have the right to ask for one of the three most important offices on grounds of constitutionality which could be recognized in their case," Dodik was quoted as saying.
He went on to add that this would imply that "Albanian would have to be introduced in parliament as an official language".
Dodik believes that the approach according to which northern Kosovo has to remain a part of Serbia can yield results and added that he did not think that a multiethnic society cannot be set up in Kosovo.
He noted that he "does not believe Kosovo Albanians can establish a democratic society in which Serbs would feel comfortable":
"Even the foreigners who recognized Kosovo said that they did so because it is impossible to set up inter-ethnic cooperation between Serbs and Albanians. ed and noted that now that Serbs are a marginal minority in Kosovo, international community says that we must build a multiethnic Kosovo."
According to the RS leader, the international factor cannot expect Serbs, whether in Serbia or in the RS, to recognize Kosovo "in the manner in which they think it should be done".
He further believes that the problem if Kosovo "is no longer a problem of Serbia alone, because Serbs are united on this issue", but that it has in the meantime become a problem for those who hurried to recognize it as independent - "for which reason the EU has a crisis of unity on its hands today, making it impossible to establish a multilateral approach".
"The EU has more of a problem on how to solve this Kosovo issue, because Serbia has a clear stance on it, saying that Kosovo is a part of Serbia, and that's that," Dodik concluded.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Picture: FOCUS News Agency
02 January 2013 FOCUS News Agency
Party’s leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, said in an interview for Greek Stoxos newspaper that if the ruling in Athens accepted a name with the word Macedonia in it, they would have to face and deal with the Golden Dawn.
“I do not know what they would do, they are capable of anything. But if they recognise Skopje with a name that contains the word Macedonia, they would have to deal with us. Such a thing cannot pass. Macedonia is one and it is Greek,” Michaloliakos remarked.
Picture: AFP
02 January 2013 FOCUS News Agency
“We are proud of you and your readiness to serve in the name of democracy. Your sacrifice made Albania’s name stronger,” the president remarked.
Russia to Hold Large-Scale Mediterranean, Black Sea Naval Drills
The drills will be held in line with the Russian Armed Forces’ 2013 combat training plan and will aim to “practice the issues of establishing a multiservice grouping of forces (troops) outside Russia, planning its use and conducting joint actions as part of a united naval grouping based on a common plan,” the press office said.
The naval task forces from the Russian Fleets are currently heading towards the designated areas of the naval exercises.
The drills will also simulate operations to load marine troops and paratroopers from the rough coast of the North Caucasus onto amphibious ships and will help the Navy’s personnel acquire necessary marine practice skills during the performance of “combat training missions in the Black and Mediterranean Seas,” the press office said.
Russia to Hold Large-Scale Mediterranean, Black Sea Naval Drills
© Svetlana Kostyleova
© Svetlana Kostyleova
02/01/2013
MOSCOW,
January 2 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will hold large-scale naval drills in
the Mediterranean and Black Seas in late January with the involvement of
warships from the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific Fleets, the
Russian Defense Ministry’s press office reported on Wednesday.
“The Russian Navy’s drills of this scope will be held for the first
time over the past few decades and are designed to improve control,
ensure and practice multiservice force interaction of the fleets in the
far-off maritime zones,” the press office said.The drills will be held in line with the Russian Armed Forces’ 2013 combat training plan and will aim to “practice the issues of establishing a multiservice grouping of forces (troops) outside Russia, planning its use and conducting joint actions as part of a united naval grouping based on a common plan,” the press office said.
The naval task forces from the Russian Fleets are currently heading towards the designated areas of the naval exercises.
The drills will also simulate operations to load marine troops and paratroopers from the rough coast of the North Caucasus onto amphibious ships and will help the Navy’s personnel acquire necessary marine practice skills during the performance of “combat training missions in the Black and Mediterranean Seas,” the press office said.
Raising again the etnic tensions, between Albania and Greece
Red & Black Alliance: Golden Dawn, do not touch Albania, you will burn the earth under their feet
Red and Black Alliance reacted today to the Greek party statement, where the Golden Dawn, except protective response after its request for the removal of Archbishop Anastasios, listed a variety of insults and provocations for the Albanian nation.R&B says that is a party that seeks good neighborly relations in the region, but no relationship with the Nazi party, seeking to extend metastasis in the Albanian state. By R&;B, the Golden Dawn should fix better than in Albania will burn the earth under their feet and sneezing of the Greeks, the maximum can scare the Berisha government.
Red & Black Alliance, said it will include the Cham issue in the party's agenda.Below the full statement of Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti, Foreign Relations Secretary in the Red and Black Alliance party:"Greek Nazis of Golden Dawn, call the Albanian nation as "Cacak nation "that does not" boast "consider" a nation made by Italy, by American Zionists, and the Ottoman Empire. "Greek Nazi Golden Dawn called "baseless and wild Albanian request to Cham issue" and warn that "will open their branches within the political borders of the Albanian state in Himara, Tepelenë, Gjirokastër and Saranda."
Against this political attack and media orchestrated by Greek Nazis against the Albanian nation, the Berisha government shut demonstrating its servile subjection to Athens and Greek Nazis.Red and Black Alliance is born to meet god Albanian nation, Albanians throughout the world and to protect the identity, values and our interests by any force that threatens them. Red and Black Alliance is proud of the support they have given historical and prospective allies, the United States of America, Italy and Turkey and is determined to be strategic allies forever.Red and Black Alliance said suggests Greek Nazi Golden Dawn that the Albanian nation is the nation's oldest, most cultured and most pro-European in the Balkans and has nothing in common with the Greek nation bankrupt politically, economically, institutionally morally nationally and internationally.
Greek Nazis can not transfer their state failure in Albanian lands and in relations with Albania.Red and Black Alliance was Greek Nazi suggests that as a political party and the more red and black government tomorrow, will include in the agenda of our national and international political and diplomatic solution of the issue of Cham as a matter of right and legitimate nation.
The decisions of this parliament for not adopts resolution on Chameria, we will approve next parliament with red and black votes.Finally Red and Black Alliance warns Greek Golden Dawn Nazis do not tend to spread Nazi metastasis within the political borders of the Albanian state, because the Red and Black Alliance will make recall the tragic loss the Battle of Lëkurs in the beginning of the last century, leaving the bone Greek fascists of Metaxa in our territories during World War II and the Greek monarcho-fashsits, the fatal failure in the South, were displayed in 1949.
Red and Black Alliance is for good neighborly policy, but based on the relationship of mutual respect and mutual interests. Greek Nazis to fix well in mind, that in Albania was burn the earth under their feet and that would just scare Greeks sneezing nationals Berisha government, but the nation never Albanian people ".
www.balkanweb.com
Reaction
Golden Dawn provokes Albanians
Top Channel TV
Through a highly offensive article that evokes hate, the Golden Dawn
Greek Neo-Nazi provoked once again not only the common Albanian
citizens, but the entire Albanian nation.
This article came after the Red and Black Alliance publicly asked the Orthodox Archbishop to leave Albania peacefully, by defending the Autocephalous Albanian Church and the Orthodox religion.
The article starts with epithets that sow ethnic hate by considering the Albanians a nation of frightened and ragged bandits that are threatening the Archbishop, taking advantage by the weakness of what they consider the puppet government of Athens. Golden Dawn declares that the requests for the Albanian Chameria are unfounded and wild.
The article says that the Albanian nation was created by the Italians and that today is supported by the "Zionist American Factor". They consider Albania the remains of the ottoman empire in the ancient Greek land of Illyria. Golden Dawn states that the Greek Nationalists will return order, and as regards the neighbors (Albanians) who pride with their 100 years of independence, they say that it will just take for Greece to sneeze and the last Albanian in the world will shut his mouth.
According to the article, the Greek army liberated the Northern Epirus in 1940 and by then they did not encounter any Albanian army, but only bandits who went after the Italian army and were known only for avoiding battles and defecting. He added that the Greek nationalists have what to be proud about, different from the Albanian ones.
The propaganda article rejects that the Golden Dawn and the Red and Black Alliance are equal type of parties. They trumpet that time will come when they will found branches of this party in Korce, Himara, Delvine and Tepelena, satisfying this way the request for military Helenisation of the Northern Epirus.
Red & Black Alliance: Golden Dawn, do not touch Albania, you will burn the earth under their feet
Red and Black Alliance reacted today to the Greek party statement, where the Golden Dawn, except protective response after its request for the removal of Archbishop Anastasios, listed a variety of insults and provocations for the Albanian nation.R&B says that is a party that seeks good neighborly relations in the region, but no relationship with the Nazi party, seeking to extend metastasis in the Albanian state. By R&;B, the Golden Dawn should fix better than in Albania will burn the earth under their feet and sneezing of the Greeks, the maximum can scare the Berisha government.
Red & Black Alliance, said it will include the Cham issue in the party's agenda.Below the full statement of Prof. Dr. Lisen Bashkurti, Foreign Relations Secretary in the Red and Black Alliance party:"Greek Nazis of Golden Dawn, call the Albanian nation as "Cacak nation "that does not" boast "consider" a nation made by Italy, by American Zionists, and the Ottoman Empire. "Greek Nazi Golden Dawn called "baseless and wild Albanian request to Cham issue" and warn that "will open their branches within the political borders of the Albanian state in Himara, Tepelenë, Gjirokastër and Saranda."
Against this political attack and media orchestrated by Greek Nazis against the Albanian nation, the Berisha government shut demonstrating its servile subjection to Athens and Greek Nazis.Red and Black Alliance is born to meet god Albanian nation, Albanians throughout the world and to protect the identity, values and our interests by any force that threatens them. Red and Black Alliance is proud of the support they have given historical and prospective allies, the United States of America, Italy and Turkey and is determined to be strategic allies forever.Red and Black Alliance said suggests Greek Nazi Golden Dawn that the Albanian nation is the nation's oldest, most cultured and most pro-European in the Balkans and has nothing in common with the Greek nation bankrupt politically, economically, institutionally morally nationally and internationally.
Greek Nazis can not transfer their state failure in Albanian lands and in relations with Albania.Red and Black Alliance was Greek Nazi suggests that as a political party and the more red and black government tomorrow, will include in the agenda of our national and international political and diplomatic solution of the issue of Cham as a matter of right and legitimate nation.
The decisions of this parliament for not adopts resolution on Chameria, we will approve next parliament with red and black votes.Finally Red and Black Alliance warns Greek Golden Dawn Nazis do not tend to spread Nazi metastasis within the political borders of the Albanian state, because the Red and Black Alliance will make recall the tragic loss the Battle of Lëkurs in the beginning of the last century, leaving the bone Greek fascists of Metaxa in our territories during World War II and the Greek monarcho-fashsits, the fatal failure in the South, were displayed in 1949.
Red and Black Alliance is for good neighborly policy, but based on the relationship of mutual respect and mutual interests. Greek Nazis to fix well in mind, that in Albania was burn the earth under their feet and that would just scare Greeks sneezing nationals Berisha government, but the nation never Albanian people ".
www.balkanweb.com
Reaction
Golden Dawn provokes Albanians
Top Channel TV
This article came after the Red and Black Alliance publicly asked the Orthodox Archbishop to leave Albania peacefully, by defending the Autocephalous Albanian Church and the Orthodox religion.
The article starts with epithets that sow ethnic hate by considering the Albanians a nation of frightened and ragged bandits that are threatening the Archbishop, taking advantage by the weakness of what they consider the puppet government of Athens. Golden Dawn declares that the requests for the Albanian Chameria are unfounded and wild.
The article says that the Albanian nation was created by the Italians and that today is supported by the "Zionist American Factor". They consider Albania the remains of the ottoman empire in the ancient Greek land of Illyria. Golden Dawn states that the Greek Nationalists will return order, and as regards the neighbors (Albanians) who pride with their 100 years of independence, they say that it will just take for Greece to sneeze and the last Albanian in the world will shut his mouth.
According to the article, the Greek army liberated the Northern Epirus in 1940 and by then they did not encounter any Albanian army, but only bandits who went after the Italian army and were known only for avoiding battles and defecting. He added that the Greek nationalists have what to be proud about, different from the Albanian ones.
The propaganda article rejects that the Golden Dawn and the Red and Black Alliance are equal type of parties. They trumpet that time will come when they will found branches of this party in Korce, Himara, Delvine and Tepelena, satisfying this way the request for military Helenisation of the Northern Epirus.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Jahjaga "also ready to meet with Nikolić"
Source: Tanjug
PRIŠTINA -- "The moment she took her office, Kosovo
President Atifete Jahjaga expressed readiness to meet with presidents of
the neighboring countries."
The statement came in the wake of Nikolić's announcement that he had invited Jahjaga for a meeting.
"On the last day of the Summit in Budva, Montenegro, the Office of the Kosovo President was contacted by the Office of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić suggesting of a meeting between the two presidents,"Jahjaga's spokesperson Arber Vlahiu stated.
"High EU officials contacted President Jahjaga and discussed the possibilities and models of the meetings between the two presidents, as an encouragement to the dialogue process and reaching agreements whose goal is to facilitate the life of citizens and influence full normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia," the statement adds.
The spokesperson said that Jahjaga gave a positive response to such an initiative, adding that this was her initiative as well, and voicing belief that meetings between political leaders "of the two countries". contribute to the European agenda on "good neighboring relations and the resolution of open issues through dialogues and agreements".
"Jahjaga suggested to the EU leaders to organize and mediate the first meeting between the Kosovo president and the Serbian president, which could take place after the next meeting between the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia," the statement said.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians five years ago unilaterally declared independence, but Serbia rejected the proclamation as illegal and considers the territory its southern province. A dialogue between the two sides has been ongoing in Brussels under the sponsorship of the EU.
Monday, December 31, 2012
George Papaconstantinou has hinted that his political foes are trying to incriminate him
Greece: former finance minister faces prosecution
December 31, 2012 RSS Feed Print
Seventy-one deputies from the three-party coalition signed the proposal to indict Papaconstantinou for allegedly tampering with a public document and breach of duty — offenses that would carry a maximum 10-year jail term, according to legal experts.
Papaconstantinou, 51, served as finance minister between 2009 and 2011 in the previous Socialist government. But his party, which is part of the new conservative-led administration, is backing the proposed indictment.
The former minister has angrily denied the allegations, insisting the names were removed without his knowledge.
Despite the ongoing recession and frequent reports of financial scandals, prosecution of public figures is rare in Greece, largely due to strict statutes of limitation originally designed to prevent chaotic political feuds.
Under the proposed indictment, Papaconstantinou allegedly removed the names of his first cousin, her husband, and another relative from a list of some 2,000 account holders at Swiss branches of the British lender HSBC.
The list was provided by French authorities in 2010 from data on 24,000 customers reportedly stolen from the bank. Greek prosecutors found the three missing names last week after requesting that the French government resend the information.
Authorities are using the list of 2,000 Greek account holders to investigate possible tax evasion, and the public has sharply criticized their governments for taking so long to complete such probes as the country struggles to survive its deep financial crisis.
Parliament would have to approve an inquiry into Papaconstantinou's handling of the case, then vote to strip him of political immunity before he could stand trial. The three-party governing coalition controls 166 of Parliament's 300 seats, but no votes on the issue have been scheduled.
The catalog of Greek names has been dubbed the "Lagarde List," after Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who was France's finance minister in 2010.
Croat president: Meeting with Nikolić "not possible"
Source: Večernji list
ZAGREB -- Croatian President Ivo Josipović has
responded to a statement made by his Serbian counterpart Tomislav
Nikolić about "Croatia not wanting to meet with Serbia".
Ivo Josipović (FoNet, file)
"It's hard to imagine that in the light of such statements a meeting of the two presidents would be successful. We'll meet when we are confident that we can send a positive message," he told Croatia's state broadcaster HRT, according to the Zagreb daily Jutarnji List.
The newspaper also noted that Nikolić in his recent interview for Tanjug said that Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina had leaders who did not want to cooperate with Serbia.
"They are looking for an excuse not to cooperate with Serbia, Croatia has a genocide lawsuit, it has an open way to the EU, and the last thing it needs is to begin to negotiate with Serbia about the property of Serbs (from Croatia), (their) unpaid pensions and stolen apartments. Or about (Operation) Storm, which Croatia celebrates rather than mourns, as Serbia mourns Srebrenica."
Josipović's response to this was that "his country, too, mourns Srebrenica," and in addition - that it "recognized it as genocide, which President Nikolić does not."
"Of course we celebrate our victory, Storm, which finished off the dream and ambition of a greater Serbia, and at the same time I regret any innocent victim, including all those Serb civilians who were either killed or were the victim of crimes which the Croatian judiciary must punished," he was quoted as saying.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Unknown Greek-American CIA Agent In "Charlie Wilson's War" That Would Have Changed Modern Greek History
 |
| credit newsbomb |
Most of you have probably read and/or watched the movie "Charlie Wilson's War".
The controversial movie, which starred Tom Hanks recounts the true
story of US Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with CIA operative
Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and
support the Afghan mujaheddin during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. But
did you know that there was a Greek link in this story?
Interestingly Gustav Lascaris "Gust" Avrakotos (January 14, 1938 – December 1, 2005) was a Greek-American case officer and Afghan Task Force Chief for the United States Central Intelligence Agency. He was actually unknown to the public until the 2003 novel "Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, by George Crile".
But there are other points of interest in this book that if materialised at the time would have altered modern Greek history as we know it. Avrakotos, who was the son of a Greek American soft drink manufacturer from the island of Limnos, was actually a "link" between the CIA and Greek Secret Service (KYP) and according to Wikipedia was also the man who was in direct contact with dictator Georgios Papadopoulos and other military men in the Greek military junta of 1967–1974. In fact he also played a role in approving the Greek Junta coup against Cyprus President Makarios and the subsequent Turkish invasion.
Most importantly, and in accordance with the book, this Greek-American CIA officer even unofficially advised his associates in the Junta to assassinate Andreas Papandreou, to not allow Papandreou to leave the country but rather "shoot the motherf**cker" because at some point Papandreou will make his comeback and destroy everything that you have built in Greece! (Oh how right he was.... )
Here are some excerpts from the book:
Interestingly Gustav Lascaris "Gust" Avrakotos (January 14, 1938 – December 1, 2005) was a Greek-American case officer and Afghan Task Force Chief for the United States Central Intelligence Agency. He was actually unknown to the public until the 2003 novel "Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, by George Crile".
But there are other points of interest in this book that if materialised at the time would have altered modern Greek history as we know it. Avrakotos, who was the son of a Greek American soft drink manufacturer from the island of Limnos, was actually a "link" between the CIA and Greek Secret Service (KYP) and according to Wikipedia was also the man who was in direct contact with dictator Georgios Papadopoulos and other military men in the Greek military junta of 1967–1974. In fact he also played a role in approving the Greek Junta coup against Cyprus President Makarios and the subsequent Turkish invasion.
Most importantly, and in accordance with the book, this Greek-American CIA officer even unofficially advised his associates in the Junta to assassinate Andreas Papandreou, to not allow Papandreou to leave the country but rather "shoot the motherf**cker" because at some point Papandreou will make his comeback and destroy everything that you have built in Greece! (Oh how right he was.... )
Here are some excerpts from the book:
"On April 21, 1967, [Avrakotos] got one of those breaks that can make a career, when a military junta seized power in Athens and suspended democratic and constitutional government. Liberals in the United States and elsewhere were outraged, but overnight 'the Colonels' coup' turned Avrakotos into one of the CIA's indispensable, frontline players ... Avrakotos understood that the colonels had expected the United States to thank them, however discreetly, for preventing the anti-American candidate, Andreas Papandreou, from taking power [because] the polls had indicated that Papandreou would win the election..."
This is what Crile calls a "big career break" for Avrakotos: being CIA enforcer in Athens just when Phalangist colonels seized power to prevent a Leftist from winning a fair election. Avrakotos's friends the colonels arrested Papandreou, who had taught in America for years and had, inconveniently for the Junta, an American passport. The colonels asked Avrakotos what to do with Papandreou:
"...the [US] embassy sent Avrakotos to [tell] the Junta to permit [Papandreou] to leave the country. 'That's the official position. You should let him go,' [Avrakotos] told the colonels. 'But unofficially, as your friend, my advice is to shoot the motherfucker because he's going to come back to haunt you.' This was vintage Aliquippa [PA, the small town where Avrakotos grew up] wisdom [!] and just the right kind of statement made at just the right moment to cement a true conspirators' friendship."
So Avrakotos' "wisdom" was to advise the Junta to kill Andreas Papandreou, and what's more the author praises the wonderful timing of Avrakotos' suggestion calling it "just the right kind of statement made at just the right moment..."
In a bio on his life that was featured at the weekend on newsbomb, we
read that one of the most difficult moments in Avrakotos' career was
when CIA Chief Richard Wells was assassinated (December 23, 1975) by the
notorious "November 17" terrorist organization. At the time, he had
asked his superiors in America to give him the "green light" to find the
killers and make them pay but according to newsbomb.. this request was
rejected.
Interestingly, after Athens, Avrakotos was unable to find another mission. In fact the CIA considered him too raw and believed that the profile of a Greek immigrant did not fit with the Anglo-Saxon way of their sophisticated agency. Having survived a large clearing in the late '70s, Avrakotos eventually found a position with the CIA in Beirut, where he succeeded in all his missions and made a great name for himself.
Interestingly, after Athens, Avrakotos was unable to find another mission. In fact the CIA considered him too raw and believed that the profile of a Greek immigrant did not fit with the Anglo-Saxon way of their sophisticated agency. Having survived a large clearing in the late '70s, Avrakotos eventually found a position with the CIA in Beirut, where he succeeded in all his missions and made a great name for himself.
http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-unknown-greek-american-cia-agent-in.html
References
Shkelzen Berisha reacts to accusations
Shkelzen Berisha, the son of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, reacted
against the accusations launched by the Socialist Party through an
e-mail sent to the media. He states that the opposition is lying about
the transparency of his wealth and that of his sister.
Shkelzen Berisha denies being involved in any consult for any company regarding the privatization of any hydropower plant.
"Once again, Edi Rama, through Taulant Balla, brought the next lie in the media market by saying that I have served as a consultant for one of the companies that participated in the HPP tender. I want to make it known to the public that this is a low slander and that I have never given legal assistance for any company that has participated in public procurements", Shkelzen Berisha declared in his reaction.
The Prime Minister's son says that he will address to the Court for this defamation. Shkelzen Berisha adds that he has never violated the law with the wealth declaration.
"My legal obligation on behalf of transparency is to report each year my wealth at the High Institution of Audit and Declaration of Assets (HIDAA), which is verified by the institution for any conflict of interest. HIDAA, an independent institution, gave a public answer to the defamatory Balla and Rama by certifying my private activity. I have also opened a lawsuit to enable Rama and his defamatory paid people to prove their accusations in front of the justice institutions", the declaration continued.
Shkelzen Berisha's declaration concludes with a request addressed to the opposition leader, Edi Rama, in which he says that he asks Mr. Rama to convince Mr. Balla to not avoid the trial as a coward.
This is the second reaction of Shkelzen Berisha, after a previous one he made together with his sister, Argita, a few days ago.
DP accuses Rama
The DP accused the opposition leader, Edi Rama, of blocking the integration processes and for defamation against the Prime Minister and his family.
"The Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, gave as a greeting card for the holidays to the Albanians the blockage of the EU candidate status. The new "blockmen" are trying to cover this unprecedented act in the history of any other country in their integration process through lies and defamations against the Prime Minister's family. However, on June 23rd, the Albanians will bring down the blockage wall with their vote, as they brought down the isolation wall built during the dictatorship by the fathers of these 'blockmen'", declared Laura Vorpsi from the Democratic Party press office.
Shkelzen Berisha denies being involved in any consult for any company regarding the privatization of any hydropower plant.
"Once again, Edi Rama, through Taulant Balla, brought the next lie in the media market by saying that I have served as a consultant for one of the companies that participated in the HPP tender. I want to make it known to the public that this is a low slander and that I have never given legal assistance for any company that has participated in public procurements", Shkelzen Berisha declared in his reaction.
The Prime Minister's son says that he will address to the Court for this defamation. Shkelzen Berisha adds that he has never violated the law with the wealth declaration.
"My legal obligation on behalf of transparency is to report each year my wealth at the High Institution of Audit and Declaration of Assets (HIDAA), which is verified by the institution for any conflict of interest. HIDAA, an independent institution, gave a public answer to the defamatory Balla and Rama by certifying my private activity. I have also opened a lawsuit to enable Rama and his defamatory paid people to prove their accusations in front of the justice institutions", the declaration continued.
Shkelzen Berisha's declaration concludes with a request addressed to the opposition leader, Edi Rama, in which he says that he asks Mr. Rama to convince Mr. Balla to not avoid the trial as a coward.
This is the second reaction of Shkelzen Berisha, after a previous one he made together with his sister, Argita, a few days ago.
DP accuses Rama
The DP accused the opposition leader, Edi Rama, of blocking the integration processes and for defamation against the Prime Minister and his family.
"The Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, gave as a greeting card for the holidays to the Albanians the blockage of the EU candidate status. The new "blockmen" are trying to cover this unprecedented act in the history of any other country in their integration process through lies and defamations against the Prime Minister's family. However, on June 23rd, the Albanians will bring down the blockage wall with their vote, as they brought down the isolation wall built during the dictatorship by the fathers of these 'blockmen'", declared Laura Vorpsi from the Democratic Party press office.
President Nishani visits Italy
The first official visit of President Bujar Nishani in Italy was held in a warm ambience of friendship and mutual valuation.
The Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, welcomed his Albanian homologue at the Presidential Palace this Friday where he stressed the excellent relations between the two countries and by valuing the work of the diplomacy in both countries.
He declared that Italy is interested for Albania to have a positive influence in the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia situation.
The Albanian President thanked for the constant help received from Italy in Albania's EU integration process.
Nishani valued the cooperation between the two countries in economy, culture and law enforcing agencies. He invited the Italian entrepreneurs to invest in energy, tourism and agriculture in Albania.
Both presidents visited the exhibit "Albanian Cultural Heritage Treasures", opened on NOvember for the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence at the Vittoriano Complex.
Before leaving, President Nishani invited his homologue for a visit in Albania.
The Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, welcomed his Albanian homologue at the Presidential Palace this Friday where he stressed the excellent relations between the two countries and by valuing the work of the diplomacy in both countries.
He declared that Italy is interested for Albania to have a positive influence in the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia situation.
The Albanian President thanked for the constant help received from Italy in Albania's EU integration process.
Nishani valued the cooperation between the two countries in economy, culture and law enforcing agencies. He invited the Italian entrepreneurs to invest in energy, tourism and agriculture in Albania.
Both presidents visited the exhibit "Albanian Cultural Heritage Treasures", opened on NOvember for the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence at the Vittoriano Complex.
Before leaving, President Nishani invited his homologue for a visit in Albania.
Macedonian opposition holds protest in Skopje
Source: Tanjug
SKOPJE --
A protest of the Macedonian opposition started in Skopje on Saturday and participants will then march the streets.
(Tanjug, file)
The opposition has been blocking traffic in Skopje for four nights but organizers have announced that today’s protest will be the last one this year.
SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski has announced that the opposition will leave parliament and that they “will fight in the streets”. He also accused the government of making a “police state” out of Macedonia.
Crvenkovski has also announced that he may not participate in the local elections next March unless all democratic standards are fulfilled and guaranteed by international organizations.
Northern Kosovo to be discussed in January, Ashton says
Source: Tanjug
PRIŠTINA -- EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton says that the Serbian and
Kosovo PMs will discuss northern Kosovo on January 17.
Catherine Ashton (Beta/AP)
Ashton added that the partition of Kosovo was not an option and that the situation in the north of the province was “fragile”.
She did not want to comment on speculations that ex-Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Ramush Haradinaj could be the next prime minister and on possible effects that such move could have on the talks.
“All I expect from Belgrade and Priština is to remain strongly committed to the dialogue,” Ashton was quoted as saying.
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