Greek revival: High style in Athens

Ochre & Brown Boutique Hotel has a prime location in the Psyrri district
The clothing boutique Bettina carries haute designers and edgier labels
Head to Pasaji for a mix of traditional and modern Mediterranean cuisine


By Eleni N. Gage


CNN -- Since the 2004 Olympics, Greece's ancient capital, Athens, has undergone a much-needed face-lift. And with a new look drawing international attention, the city is hitting its stride. Athens has a thriving contemporary art scene that contrasts with its ancient landmarks.
Stay
True to the hotel's name, the 11 modern rooms at the new Ochre & Brown Boutique Hotel (7 Leokoriou St.; 30-210/331-2950; ochreandbrown.com; doubles from $230) are swathed in earthy colors and brightened with accents of bright red, orange and pink. The hotel's best asset: a prime location in the up-and-coming Psyrri district, bridging old and new Athens. Stroll the nearby pedestrian walkway that encircles the Acropolis, or spend time in the modern art galleries and hub of Athens's thriving nightlife.

If you prefer Neoclassical opulence to boutique flair, check into the 1877 Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syndagma Square; 30-210/333-0000; grandebretagne.gr; doubles from $781). The ground floor holds a 12,000-square-foot spa with six thermal suites. Even more impressive is the rooftop restaurant, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Acropolis.

The affordable gray and blue Periscope (22 Haritos St.; 30-210/729-7200; periscope.gr; doubles from $200) pays homage to modern-day Athens. Twelve of the hotel's 21 guest-room ceilings are papered with aerial photos of the city.

Set in the fashionable Kolonaki neighborhood, the clothing boutique Bettina (29 Anagnostopoulou St. and 40 Pindarou; 30-210/339-2094) carries haute designers such as Superfine on the ground floor and edgier labels --ThreeAsFour and Greek newcomer Angelos Frentzos -- on the top two.

Around the corner, the tiny jewelry shop Apriati (29 Pindarou; 30-210/360-7878) sells whimsical baubles. Most noteworthy are the 18-karat-gold necklaces that come with your choice of pendants: a hotel-room key or a pig (in honor of the current Chinese year).

Greece's hottest export these days? Mastiha, or mastic, a pungent resin from a tree that grows only on the island of Chios and is known for its therapeutic properties (a mastiha spa just opened in New York City). At the Mastiha Shop (6 Panepistimiou Sudagma; 30-210/363-2750), you'll find flavored sweets as well as beauty products from the coveted Greek naturopathic line, Korres.

The Center of Hellenic Tradition (36 Pandrossou St.; 30-210/321-3023), arguably the prettiest store in Plaka, the city's tourist hotbed, forgoes kitschy souvenirs for ceramic plates from the island of Rhodes and intricately carved wooden frames and trays from Epiros.

Do . Athenian heritage is visible at every turn, from the sculptures at the National Archaeological Museum (44 Patission; 30-210/821-7717; culture.gr) to the collection of Cypriot antiquities at the Museum of Cycladic Art (4 Neophytou Douka St.; 30-210/722-8321; cycladic-m.gr). But over the past several years, the city's contemporary art scene has evolved, with museums such as the Herakleidon Experience in Visual Arts (16 Thissio; 30-210/346-1981; herakleidon-art.gr) and the new three-story Pireos Street Annexe (138 Pireos St.; 30-210/345-3111; benaki.gr) staging rotating exhibitions of recent art and photography.

After dark, bypass the touts trying to lure you into Plaka's mediocre night spots and head to Brettos Bar (41 Kydathineon St.; 30-210/323-2110). This narrow hideaway has 28 different liqueurs, all distilled in-house. Flavors range from amaretto to the surprisingly subtle rose petal. To hear live traditional Greek music, swing by the spacious, low-lit restaurant lounge Hrisomilo (12 Agatharchou; 30-210/331-7061), in the Psyrri district.

Eat. French food with a Greek twist earned Spondi (5 Pyrronos St.; 30-210/752-0658; dinner for two $200) a Michelin star in 2003. The three-story Neoclassical restaurant serves dishes such as roast lamb with candied lemon, pineapple, and coriander -- and, for dessert, a velvety chocolate ganache cake with tonka-bean ice cream.

At Cretan-inspired Alatsi (13 Vrasida; 30-210/721-0501; dinner for two $116), writers and artists gather for fresh stamangathi greens drizzled in lemon and olive oil -- the secret to long life, according to the locals -- and stewed chicken with noodles.

For a mix of traditional and modern Mediterranean cuisine, head to Pasaji (Stoa Spiromilou, CityLink; 30-210/322-0714; dinner for two $77). Don't miss the addictive Anatolian phyllo -- wrapped rolls stuffed with graviera cheese.

The low-key taverna Filoistron (23 Apostolou Pavlou; 30-210/342-2897; dinner for two $45) sticks to delicious basics such as rollakia -- braised suckling pig wrapped in eggplant. Snag a table on the roof deck for a spectacular nighttime view of Mount Lycabettus.

FIRE INSIDE ORTHODOX CATEDRAL OF KORICA

Photo:The Orthosox Cathedral of Korica

“Unknown persons” burned some objects inside cathedral but many people who where walking near cathedral at the moment, reacted immediately stopping the fires.

After a meeting a front of Orthodox Cathedral of Korca by Romes Community, means that during the night “unknown persons” have burned some objects inside Cathedral, stimulated also with super carburant explosive. The reaction of orthodox community of Korca has been admired which together with police forces made under control the fires.

Is the firs time that failed a tentative to burn the must Orthodox Cathedral of Albania, in Korca Rergion, constructed after 1997. In Albanian opinion this tragic eveniment has been not evidenced as the bad precedent to destruct the religions harmony of Albania, even according to orthodox community, the vandalism against Byzantine Churches of Albania, have been target to violate existing.

Brutal incident against the represent of Greek Minority in Albanian Parliament

Photo: Vangjel Tavos

On Wednesday night the private house of Parliament Member of Albania (Socialist Party) in Argirokaster Region, Jorgutsati village, Vangjel Tavos has been violated from polices authority. According to “News 24 TV” an independent broadcaster media in Tirana, Tavos also a represent of Greek Minority in Albanian Parliament, has denounced the arrogance used from security authorities during a control with out persecutor office mandate.

Tavos accuses police Albanian authority for brutal violation of civil rights on press conference made after incident. Tavos who in this time was in Tirana, was informed from his parents in Jorgutsati for brutal intervention inside his private house from police uniform. “Is absurd this eveniment to control a member of Albanian parliament having also “special mandate”. “For what raisons makes ..said Tavos.

This is the second time that the Albanian authority has "violated" the Greek represent in Albanian Parliament. Tow years ago in an incident near village Nepravista, Argirokaster Region, Tavos has been target from Special Forces of Albanian authority violating him during a demonstration of his electorate minority zone.

Macedonian policeman killed in ambush near Kosovo

Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:58am EDT

SKOPJE, Oct 24 (Reuters) - A Macedonian policeman was killed and two were injured when their patrol car was ambushed by armed men in a volatile region near the border with the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, officials said on Wednesday."

A police team patrolling the area near the Macedonia-Kosovo border was ambushed and shot at with automatic rifles," a police spokesman told Reuters."They lost control and their vehicle crashed."The incident took place near the border post of Kodra Fura. The area is not far from the village of Tanusevci, an ethnic Albanian enclave that was at the centre of a 2001 separatist insurgency that was resolved by NATO and EU diplomacy.

Armed gangs and smugglers have carved out a police no-go area around Tanusevci, heightening fears of regional unrest if ethnic Albanians in Kosovo lose patience with the West's stalled efforts to grant them independence from Serbia.

Albania Lobbies for a NATO Seat

Albania's parliamentary speaker says with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, her nation is keen to align itself with the West, and wants Canada's support for an independent Kosovo.

By Jeff DavisIn advance of the 2008 NATO meeting in Bucharest where her country's entry into the security partnership will be decided, Jozefina Topalli, the speaker of the Albanian parliament was in Ottawa last week lobbying the Canadian government for its support. Ms. Topalli met with Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier, the speakers of both the House and Senate, as well as senators serving on the defence and immigration committees. She says that Albania has the support of the United States as well as "the main important countries of Europe," in its accession bid. She said that Canada's support is also very important and that she was "very satisfied" with the meetings she had. Ms. Topalli says her country has long desired closer ties with the West through NATO and the European Union. Membership in NATO, she says, would make the international community see her country as part of Europe and would be a step towards entry into the European Union. Despite not being a NATO member, she says, Albania has pulled its weight on peacekeeping missions and in the American war on terror. Albania currently has troops in Iraq and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as 200 in Afghanistan. While these numbers may be small on the grander scale, she says, it is a significant contribution for a country of only 3.6 million. She adds that for years her country has spent two per cent of its budget on the military–something many NATO members fail to do. The NATO memberships of Macedonia and Croatia will also be decided at Bucharest. Ms. Topalli also lobbied for Canadian support of the Ahtissari Package that would allow the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to transfer its responsibilities to Kosovo's government. The Ahtisaari Package, which must be adopted by the UN Security Council to take effect, would be a seminal step towards an independent Kosovo. Currently, Kosovo remains a province of Serbia although Serbia has not governed the country in any meaningful way since 1999 when the UNMIK took over after a war between NATO and Serb forces. Over 90 per cent of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian. The International Crisis Group, among others, says that Russia is using its power in the Security Council to limit Kosovo's independence. Russia has so far been successful, using its influence to have a draft resolution of the Ahtissari proposal formally discarded after it withheld support. Russia is using the Kosovo issue, Ms. Topalli says, as an instrument to pressure Western countries. "They are using Kosovo and they are blocking...the Ahtisaari Package because they want to demonstrate with this that they are an important factor on the global scene," she says. Her country is concerned with Russian actions, she says, because the region is not within Russia's sphere of influence and the resolution of Kosovo's status "is not a Russian issue." Delaying a final decision on Kosovo's status, she says, could destabilize the region. "I'm very concerned that if they're going to postpone and postpone the independence of Kosovo, the situation can be more risky," Ms. Topalli says. Piotr Dutkiewicz, director of Carleton University's Institute of European and Russian Studies, says he understands Russia's interest in Kosovo. The Balkan region, which is home to many Slavs and Orthodox Christians, bears many similarities to Russia and has traditionally had good relations with Russia. As a result, he says, the Russians see it as an area of interest to them and are resisting its drift into the Western sphere of influence. Furthermore, he says, "the way the Kosovo issue will be solved or unsolved will give Russia a good indicator how the international community will interpret some other frozen conflicts in which Russia is deeply involved." The term 'frozen conflicts' refers to a number of ongoing sovereignty disputes that followed the fall of the Soviet Union. These conflicts are transpiring in areas such as Transnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia –regions close to Russian borders. He says that statehood for Kosovo would inspire these areas to pursue a similar path. "This will trigger a process that will have major international implications," he says

ALBANIAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

The Research Institute for European and American Studies, Athens

By Stavros Markos

(Member of the World Security Network, Southeastern European Office)
Copyright: Stavros Markos on line

The Albanian Parliament prohibits the Hellenic Beneficences Activities in Albania

The Albanian Parliament approved the discontinuation (by law) of the activities of foundations operating in the country. The decision affected quite a few organizations but the most important ones where the Greek investments. The Diagnostic Orthodox Center, the Greek School “Arsakeio” in Tirana and some other benefactor activities of the Orthodox community are obligated to close down or would have to continue their activity in “accordance to their financial obligations to Albanian authority”.

The HRU Party has been against the government on this, even though it is a coalition member of Berisha`s cabinet. Vangjel Dule and two other MP's have voted against the decision requesting also the resignation of the Finance Minister Ridvan Bode and the reformation of the Albanian Government. Dule said that any new position of the government has to be particularly transparent in relation to the public finances.

The Diagnostic Orthodox Center has the most Modern Medical Scanner in Albania which was provided by an initiative of the Archbishop Anastasios and with the cooperation of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, and 2 Greek NGO’s: The Orthodox Center “Poreuthentes” in Athens, and the Human European Network of Human Development in Ioannina.

Medical clinics of the Orthodox Church also exist in other parts of Albania (Korça, Kavaja, Lushnja, Gjergucati, Gjirokaster), and a mobile dental clinic provides free dental care to young and old people in different parts of the country.

According to political observers and domestic analysts, the anti-Hellenic rhetoric continues to rise in Albania particularly because of the Kosovo status final negotiations; “Chameria issue" and the status of Albanian emigrants in Greece. In addition, last week in Southern Albania the community of Himara Region has demonstrated in the center of Himara Municipality against the land and proprieties assimilation process ordered by the Albanian tribunals and the government, which uses any “administrative measure” to change the property identity with false documents. The protesters sent an ultimatum to the Prime Minister Berisha to consider their requests before violent protests enacts against the local Albanian authorities.

ALI AHMETI: "One day Albanians of FYROM will unite with Albania"

Ali Ahmeti has declared to the Newspaper "SHQIP" the unification of the Albanians in FYROM with Albania and Kosovo. Ahmeti, who is the ex-political leader of UCK in FYROM on 2001; currently he is the leader of the Union Democratic Integration Party of FYROM (BDI, the most important Albanian Party in Parliament, now in opposition). The politician stated for an eventual union with Albania not only for the Kosovo Albanians but also for the ones residing in Western FYROM.

The declaration of Ali Ahmeti has shocked the foreign diplomats and institutions in Tirana, especially since another Albanian Kosovo politician, Rexhep Qosja, made similar remarks. Qosja in an interview on "SHQIP" newspaper called towards the Albanians of Kosovo to energize themselves for an eventual unification between Tirana and Prishtina. "The Greater Albania must become a reality" said Qosja on "SHQIP" newspaper.

One month ago, the former Prime Minister of FYROM Lupco Georgjewski declared around the very real probability of a division of the country in two parts between Albanians and the rest of the population. The Former Prime Minister also has declared himself a Bulgarian national in front of the country's parliament, thus socking the public and the opinion makers of that state.
Tirana is already "de facto" united with Kosovo, since the Kosovo Albanian frontier line is accessible for all Kosovo citizens with UNMIK document who travel en masse without border restrictions. Tirana provides Albanian passports to any Albanian of Kosovo who works or is student, while it prepares the provision of Albanian citizenship for all their ethnic compatriots across the neighboring states.

A week ago, BDI (The Democratic United for Integration Party), who is a non parliamentary member Party, but a strong supporter of the so-called "chameria community" urged the Albanian government to support their efforts against Greece in relation to the "chameria issue". The Chameria Community has members in the Albanian Parliament and in some Municipalities such are Vlora, Delvina, and Saranda.

During his speech last month in the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha declared that: "We do not support any rhetoric declaration for Greater Albania that it is being made by the Albanian nationalists. The Albanian Government is making every effort to join the NATO Alliance and the EU".

Ali Ahmeti has also visited Tirana last week ago and met the Albanian leaders including the President Bamir Topi. There are various political developments that are being surfacing lately in Albania and most certainly they are all related to the Kosovo resolution and the dynamics of the nationalism in the mainstream Albanian society.

http://rieas.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=445&Itemid=42

The Northern Epirus Forum and Himara Community will protest a front of Albanian Embassy in Greece at November 5, 2007.


The violation of Human Rights, the assimilisation process of lands and proprieties of Greek Community occupied from Albanian Mafia, the abusive decisions of fascist Albanian tribunals against the interest of Greek Community, the vandalism against Orthodox Churches, the prohibition of Greek Masmedia and TV stations for Greek Community who lives in Northern Epirus (Southern Albania) are the must important issues of massive protest against the Albanian government.

Tom Hanks helping Greece get back on Hollywood's radar

Photo: Rita Wilson, right, director of the short film 'The Trap,' arrives with her husband Tom Hanks for the premiere of 'Glamour Reel Moments,' a trio of short films directed by women and based on true stories written by Glamour magazine readers, in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

by John Hadoulis Fri Oct 19, 2007

ATHENS (AFP) - Decades after serving as the setting for hit films like "The Guns of Navarone" and "The Big Blue", Greece has elicited help from Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks to get back on Hollywood's radar.

The Hollywood star, whose wife Rita Wilson is of Greek descent, is helping bankroll two movies which officials here hope will translate into extra tourist arrivals at the country's archaeological sites and island holiday spots. One production stars Nia Vardalos, the Greek-Canadian writer and star of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", the 2002 romantic comedy that became one of the most successful independent US box office productions of all time.
Titled "My Life in Ruins", the new comedy centres on a tour guide played by Vardalos and was given rare permission to shoot in key Greek archaeological sites, including the Acropolis in Athens, Delphi and Ancient Olympia. The second production is a film version of the hit Broadway musical "Mamma Mia", starring Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep, and was shot on the Aegean islands of Skiathos and Skopelos in August.

The back-to-back Hanks projects are a welcome boon to a Greek state eager for a fresh start after decades of scaring away big-name productions with a combination of nightmarish bureaucracy, poor organisation and sheer ineptitude. "In the 1980's, the word in Hollywood was that Greece was an unwelcoming place to shoot a film," acknowledged Markos Holevas, director of the Hellenic Film Commission set up in May to facilitate foreign productions in the country.
"Now there is a desire to change things ... the Greek state has realised (the benefits) and wants to promote Greece through film ... and Tom Hanks with Rita Wilson were the first to respond to this policy."

"The message is: forget the past, let's make a new start," Holevas said.
Greece's picturesque islands, many of them major tourist destinations, have provided the backdrop for scenes in recent films, but have not served as major movie locations.
The Ionian island of Cephalonia was in 2001 the site of "Captain's Corelli's Mandolin" starring Nicholas Cage, while the Aegean island of Santorini had a scene in "Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life" with Angelina Jolie two years later.
Greece also apparently had a chance to host Oliver Stone's 2004 blockbuster "Alexander" but the government failed to pursue the offer, Holevas said. The country boasts impressive archaeological sites that have long been in demand for both television commercials and films, but projects have routinely run afoul of strict regulations laid out by Greek archaeologists. And amid price hikes following its adoption of the euro, Greece has had a hard time competing with neighbouring Balkan and eastern European countries which can combine lower production costs with similar landscapes for location shots.
"Foreign productions have a tendency to get ripped off here," noted producer Christina Aspropotamiti, who worked on an American documentary shot in Athens last year.
She said she was stunned when she sought permission to film long-range shots of the Parthenon, the classical temple atop the city's famed Acropolis citadel.
"The local archaeological office asked us for 1,500 euros (2,120 dollars) per square metre (per 10 square feet) of the entire Acropolis site ... at those rates it would have made better sense to just buy the place," she said.
Political sensitivities have also complicated film plans, as in the case of the 1984 production of "Eleni" -- an American film starring John Malkovich on the thorny topic of the 1944-1949 Greek Civil War. "The film showed the communists brutalising the areas they occupied during the Civil War," said the film's co-producer Nick Gage, a Greek-American journalist whose biography on his mother's execution by the communists was the basis of "Eleni".
"We had trouble with the film unions, which were communist-dominated at the time," Gage told AFP. "There was sabotage overnight as we began the shooting in Athens ... equipment was broken, you'd find your lights busted."
When the production company decided to relocate to southern Spain, Gage's home region of Epirus lost millions of dollars, he said.
"It was very unfortunate, we spent the equivalent of 50 million dollars in today's figures that could have been spent in Epirus, one of the poorest areas in Greece. It would have benefited the area considerably," he added.

NATO cautious on Albania's membership hopes
Published: October 19, 2007
BRUSSELS, Belgium: NATO warned Albania on Friday that it must push through more reforms of its justice and political system to win early membership in the Western military alliance.

"The invitation tickets are not punched yet; further reform is necessary," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after a meeting with Albanian's president Bamir Topi. "A lot of work will still have to be done and no guarantees can be given." Albania, along with Macedonia and Croatia, hopes to be invited to join NATO at a meeting of allied leaders next April in Bucharest, Romania.

Topi pledged that Albania would carry through the reforms and stressed the high level of support for membership among political parties and the Albanian public. "This is a very significant moment for Albania," Topi said. "I guarantee that we will deepen the reforms of the justice and electoral system, and focus attention on the fight against organized crime and corruption."


De Hoop Scheffer praised Albania's participation in NATO's military mission in Afghanistan and its "moderating voice" in the Balkans amid growing tension over the final status of Kosovo.
However, he said it was too early to judge if Albania would receive its membership invitation in Bucharest.
NATO officials say Croatia is expected to receive an invite in April, but doubts remain about the prospects for Albania and Macedonia.

Albania is one of Europe's poorest nations. Since the collapse of communist rule in 1991, it has sought to join NATO and the European Union, but its progress has been slowed by political instability and corruption.
However, Albania has developed military cooperation with the 26-nation NATO alliance and currently has 138 soldiers serving alongside NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Terms of Use

The Greek Journalist Llambros Papantoniu asks about ulterior develompents in Albania.

ALBANIA; Importance of Freedom of the Press, Monitoring by US Embassy

Daily Press Briefing Oct. 18, 2007

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey

The Greek Journalist Llambros Papantoniu asks about ulterior develompents in Albania.

Q.... On Albania, Mr. Casey, the Greeks in Northern Epirus, otherwise the Kosovo of Albania, protested yesterday against banning of Greek TV stations in Albania. Since the Albanian move against the freedom of the press, I'm wondering if you could any comment.

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'm not familiar with the individual incident. Obviously we support freedom of the press and freedom of expression, whether that's in Albania or Greece or any other country. We believe it's important for you and your colleagues and others in the news media to be able to operate freely, to report on individual policies and ideas and events as they see fit. So again I'm not familiar with this specific incident. But again we would encourage all countries to exercise tolerance and make sure that they are doing nothing that would inhibit freedom of the press.

Q....Mr. Casey, is your embassy in Tirana watching carefully the systematic destruction of the Greek Byzantine church in Northern Epirus by the Albanian authorities, as it was reported extensively? Any comment?

MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'd refer you to the embassy in terms of what they are following or not. Certainly any issues related to religious freedom as well as freedom of the press are things that our embassies all throughout the world routinely monitor and cover. Okay, Mr. Lambros. Now is the last --

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/oct/93662.htm

The Foreign Minster of Greece Dora Bakogianis met with the Director of Minorities Agency of Albania Kostandina Bezanis

Photo: Bakogianis and Bezanis

During the meeting in Athens, tow personalities spoken about Greek Albanian relations and particularly for the Greek Ethnic Minority which lives Albania.

Bezanis expressed Ms. Bakogianis the efforts of Minorities Agency of Albania to be implemented with European standards by Albanian state. Ms. Bakogianis who met Ms. Bezanis for the second time inside six months said for Albanian Greek relations and particularly the efforts of Greece to help Albanian`s integration to Nato and European Union.

Ms. Bezanis is also an American Citizen and member General Council of Pan Epiriotic Federation of the World. His father Theodoris Bezanis has been member of Trial hold against five Omonia`s represent in 1994.

Nevertheless the HRUP (The Party which supports politically the Greek Minority of Albania) has been against continuing of Albanian Government, proposing the new composition of Albanian Government headed from Sali Berisha. The Chairman of HRUP Evangelos Doules is counter balance to any pressing regarding the polemics about the General Attorney Theodoris Solaku.

HRUP is member of Berisha`s government coalition holding the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues since last parliamentary elections of 2005. HRUP Has three represent of Albanian parliament in total 140 posts. HRUP has been also member of government coalition headed from Fatos Nano from 1997 to 2005, declaring as “Indipendent Party, which support Minorities in Albania, particularly the Greek Minority.

European Commission gives €200 million to reform Albania's economy, judiciary, fight poverty

The Associated Press
Published: October 18, 2007

Poto: Solana and Berisha

TIRANA, Albania: The European Commission will give Albania €200 million (US$284.5 million) in a three-year program to help the country reform its economy and judiciary, promote social development and fight poverty, officials said Thursday.

The program, which will run until 2009, was announced by the commission's office in Tirana and the Albanian Ministry of European Integration. It aims to strengthen Albania's democratic institutions and the rule of law, reform its public administration, promote economic reforms, enhance human and minority rights and gender equality, develop civil society and regional co-operation, strengthen sustainable development and reduce poverty, according to a statement. The program will also help the country align its laws with EU legislation. The aid package comes under an assistance program for countries that are considered possible future members of the European Union.

Last year Tirana signed a pre-membership agreement with the EU, an initial step toward joining the 27-member union. The agreement allows it to benefit from the assistance program under EU budgets for 2007-2009 for transition assistance, institution building and cross-border cooperation.

Ambassador Helmuth Lohan, who heads the European Commission's delegation to Albania, said the Albanian government would be expected to gradually assume responsibility for implementing the program. Brussels also wants more media freedom, an independent judiciary, stronger property rights and a tougher fight against corruption in Albania, a Balkan country of about 3.2 million people, which is one of the poorest in Europe.

The EU is the biggest aid donor to Albania, providing more than €1.2 billion (US$1.7 billion) since 1991.

Omonia protests against banning of Greek TV stations in Albania, while in Southern continue violation of Byzantine churches.

Photo: The Orhodox Byzantine Monastir of Zvernetsi
Thursday, 18 October 2007

Omonia, the organization of the Greek minority in Albania, voiced criticism against the Albanian Government for shutting down of transmitting antennas of five Greek TV stations in southern Albania.

Omonia raised accusations that the Greek-language TV programs watched by the Greek minority have been shut down on purpose. The Albanian Government's move was condemned also by the Mayor of Girocastro and the other local authorities in the region. According to them, the Government suspends the right of Greeks to watch TV programmes on their mother tongue.

The Albanian Broadcasting Council set out a country-wide action for shutting down the TV stations that lack a proper broadcasting license. The Council announced that except for those in south Albania, a number of other TV stations in central part of the country have been closed.

In Addition of anti hellenisation process, a numerous orthodox Byzantine churches has been target by “as usually unknown persons”. The Old Byzantine Churche of Zvernetsi, part of Monastery in North of Vlora Region, where live a large Greek community (not known officially from Albanian authorities) has been violated.

THE GREEK FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES BEGINING...

Cabinet touches on foreign policy issues, EU Reform Treaty
PHOTO: Karamanlis and Bush

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Inner Cabinet focusing on foreign policy issues, especially the reform treaty for creating a European Union Constitution.

After the meeting, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said she had briefed the Cabinet in detail on the progress made on the Reform Treaty, saying the issue was "heading for a happy ending". She predicted that many months of work leading to the Reform Treaty would be approved by EU leaders at the upcoming informal summit in Lisbon, saying that it would allow Europe to turn a new page with the treaty in force. "We hope that this will happen before the end of the year, so that 2008 will be the year for the ratification of the new European Reform Treaty and the start of this new page, which will essentially be completed with the European elections of 2009," the minister said.

Another issue addressed during the meeting was Greece's dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the latter's name, and results of her talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on the specific issue a day earlier, Bakoyannis reported. "Apart from this, our positions on the FYROM issue are known and we have no new developments," she added. The foreign minister also clarified that the convening a council of political party leaders had not been discussed by the Cabinet.

"The Greek side has made clear that what it wants is to find a mutually acceptable solution, a mutually acceptable name, one that will allow both countries to set their relations on a new path and enter a better period," Bakoyannis stressed. Apart from the above, she added, the meeting on Tuesday focused on Kosovo and other issues of regional interest, in addition to a series of issues concerning Greek foreign policy.

Foreign Albanian Minister Lulezim Basha is involved at investigation for Durres Kukesi High Way corruption.

Photo: Berisha and Basha

The request was presented by economic crime directory and the request was confirmed from General Attorney. Charges against Basha will be present after communication with parliament.
The Prosecutor hands over request immunity removal.

During last days Theodhori Sollaku is target to leave his position as General Attorney by Government Coalition headed from Sali Berisha. Even the high level Organized Crime and Corruption risks Albania to joint to NATO Alliance and EU, the opposition coalition parties consider the polemics about General Attorney as “The Last Battle” of Prime Minister Berisha to unification his powerful mandate, a dangerous precedent seeing the his period when he was President of Albania 1992 - 1997. The new President Elected Bamir Topi was also high represent of Democratic Party of Sali Berisha

The Albanian Kosovo High Way, 250 km a “patriotic investment” is speaking in Albanian opinion as the investment of Greater Albania which links Kosovo and Albania with finances founds of Albanian people (!!!). The politic opposition of Albania is against Turkish American company “BETCHEL”, which is raising the abusive project from 450 to 850 million euro.

Albanian Government Decision to Give Albanian Citizenship to All Kosovars

Daily Press Briefing

Tom Casey, Deputy SpokesmanWashington,

DC October 12, 2007

....Okay, Mr. Lambros, on Kosovo.
QUESTION: On Kosovo. The Albanian Government has decided to give Albanian citizenship to all Kosovars. What is the U.S. position since this move is a big step for the creation of "great Albania."
MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, I'm not aware of what the Albanian Government may or may not have -- have chosen to do. Certainly each country is entitled to determine who is or isn't entitled to citizenship under their own appropriate laws and regulations. But the important issue for us, of course, with Kosovo is that we continue to work through the Contact Group and the troika on discussions between the Government of Serbia and the Kosovars on an equitable solution that's agreeable to all sides to the situation there.
Certainly, as we've said, if by the end of the established negotiating period in December the parties have not been able to come to an agreement, what we expect would happen would be a decision to move forward with supervised independence for Kosovo that is in keeping with the outlines of the Ahtisaari plan. I am not aware of anyone in this country or anyplace else that believes that independence for Kosovo would somehow result in or would lead to some kind of greater Albanian state.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) FYROM Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and the Albanian leader of FYROM Ali Ahmeti declared the other day the unification, "great Albania" all the Albanians in FYROM. Any comment?
MR. CASEY: No.
QUESTION: Because that contradicts whatever you are doing in order to find a solution (inaudible) --
MR. CASEY: Mr. Lambros, you're -- I think you've exceeded your quota for today. But look, we support the territorial integrity of the states in the region, of Albania, of Macedonia, Greece, the other players. Kosovo, as you know, is a unique circumstance. It's a unique circumstance because of the way the conflict occurred. It's a unique circumstance because of the current status of it, which falls under the outlines of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. No one views Kosovo and its probable independence as a precedent for any other conflicts. We certainly are not trying to reopen discussions that I think most of us believe were long settled over other borders.
Thank you.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2007/oct/93486.htm

Education minister attends opening of new Arsakeio school in Tirana

TIRANA (ANA-MPA - I. Patso)

Greek Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis on Friday attended the inauguration of new school grounds belonging to the private Greek-Albanian school operated by the Greek Arsakeio chain of schools in Tirana - the first of the chain founded outside of Greece. Also attending were the Albanian Education Minister Genc Pollo, ruling New Democracy party's Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis, former Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano, a number of former Albanian foreign ministers and Greek ambassadors to Tirana, as well as the former rector of Athens University and current president of the Greek Foundation of Culture George Babiniotis. In speeches at the opening of the new school, the two ministers said it would act as a bridge of friendship between Greece and Albania. Earlier, Stylianidis and Pollo had a brief meeting at the Albanian education ministry and expressed their satisfaction at the good level of bilateral ties in the education sector. According to the Greek minister, this cooperation would continue and would be built up "into a model of international cooperation that would be an example for other Balkan states".

The Albanian Parliament prohibits the Hellenic Beneficences Activities in Albania

Photo: The inaguration of Modern Medical Scanner in Albania

Tirana, October 8, 2007

The Albanian Parliament approves to put out of law the Foundations activities in Albania.
The decision took some Foundations activities but the must important of the country where Hellenic investments. The Diagnostic Orthodox Center, the Greek School “Arsakeio” in Tirana and some other beneficence activities of Orthodox community are obligated to close or would continue their activity in “accordance of their finance obligations to albanian authority”.

The HRU Party has been against government even it’s coalition member of Berisha`s cabinet. Vangjel Dule and tow other MP has voted against the decision requesting the demission of Finance Minister Ridvan Bode and reformation of Albanian Government. Dule said for immediate new position of government particularly to be transparent with public finances.


The Diagnostic Orthodox Center has the Most Modern Medical Scanner in Albania which was provided by the initiative of Archbishop Anastasios and with the cooperation of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, two Greek NGO’s (the Orthodox Center “Poreuthentes” in Athens and the Human European Network of Human Development, Ioanina)

Medical clinics of the Orthodox Church exist also in other parts of Albania (Korça, Kavaja, Lushnja, Gjergucati, Gjirokaster), and a mobile dental clinic provides free dental care to young and old people in different parts of the country.

According to observers, the anti Hellenism rhetoric continues to rise in Albania particularly during Kosovo Independence Status finale, “Chameria issue and the unknown status of Albanian emigrants” in Greece. While in Southern Albania the people of Himara Region a strong oldest greek community, demonstrated last Sunday in center of Himara Municipality against the land and proprieties assimillisation process from Albanian tribunals and government, which use any “administrative form” to change the propriety identity with falls documents. The protesters sent ultimatum to Prime Minister Berisha to take in high consideration their requests, before beginning violence protests against albanian authorities.

ALI AHMETI: "A DAY, THE ALBANIANS OF FYROM WILL UNITE WITH ALBANIA"

Photo: Ali Ahmeti and the map of "Greater Albania"

After Ex FYROM Prime Minister Lupco Georgewski and albanian kosovo publicist Rexhep Qosja, the Leader of BDI and MP of FYROM Ali Ahmeti, declares the Unification under "Greater Albania" to albanians of FYROM.

Tirana, October 8, 2007

Ali Ahmeti has declared to Newspaper "SHQIP" the unification of albanians of Macedonia (FYROM) with Albania and Kosovo. During the intervew Ahmeti, ex politic leader of UCK in FYROM on 2001, now the leader of Union Democratic Integration Parti of FYROM (BDI, first big Albanian Parti in Parliament, now in oposite) Ahmeti said for union in future with Albania not only Kosovo but also the albanians of Macedonia".

The declaration of Ali Ahmeti has been shoked the foreign diplomates and isntitutions in Tirana, which done after some days of another declaration of albanian kosovo publicist Rexhep Qosja. Qosja in an intervew on "SHQIP" newspaper called the albanian of Kosovo to be united for the unification of albanian factors in Tirana and Prishtina. "The Greater Albania must became a reality" said Qosja on "SHQIP" newspaper.

One month ago, the former Prime Minister of FYROM Lupco Georgjewski declared the realy provability of division of Macedonia (FYROM) in tow parts betwen albanians and macedonias. Former Prime Minister also has ben declared bulgarian nationality hemself in macedonian parliament suprised the "macedonian opinion" for individual declaration.

Tirana "de facto" is united with Kosovo, even the Kosovo Albanian border function to be free for all kosovo citizens with UNMIK document who move border sides. Now Tirana gives albanian pasaport for any albanians of kosovo who works or is student, while is waiting to give for all albanians both kosovo and FYROM albanian citizen from albanian parliament.

One day ago, BDI (The Democratic United for Integration Parti) , non parliamentary member Parti, but a strong supporter of "chameria community" urged to albanian government to support their efforts against Greece "chameria issue". Chameria Community has members in Albanian Parliament and in some Municipalities such are Vlora, Delvina, and Saranda.

During his discution last month in ONU, the Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha declared that: "We does not suport of any rethoric declaration for Greater Albania make from albanian nationalists. The albanian Government is making any efforts to joint NATO Alliance and EU". Ali Ahmeti visited Tirana some days ago who met the albanian leaders including the President Bamir Topi.

Sources: www.gazeta-shqip.com

THE GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA
Crucial choices
AUTONOMOUS REPRESENTATION OR ASSIMILATION?
by Nikos Meletis
The crucial choices faced by the Greek minority in Albania were brought to the fore in a particularly intense way in the recent municipal elections. The continuing depopulation of the areas where the minority lives, the lack of infrastructure, the conflict concerning minority properties, the problems with their education and the central governments aggressive assimilationist policies constitute an especially negative environment for the Greek minority.
I f we add to that the indifference of the Greek government, the personality clashes and conflicting interests within the minority, the situation becomes even more depressing. Despite this, the Human Rights Union Party (KEAD), the political wing of minority organization Omonoia (Concord), managed to retain the bulk of its voters, despite the truly difficult conditions.The victory at Himare, was a crucial and symbolic one, since this area has never been recognized as a minority zone. However, much as this victory dominated the election news, it could not overshadow the intense divisions within the minority and the loss of votes to the Albanian parties, especially the ruling Socialist party.In some areas, such as Upper and Lower Deropolje (in the Gjirokaster prefecture), the presence of a very powerful Socialist Party cadre, MP Mr. Tsavos, has eaten into Omonoias electoral support. The personal conflict with KEAD president Vangelis Doule, who has lost twice to Mr. Tsavos in national elections, has contributed to that. In recent years, the Socialist government, with the construction of highways and the improvement of infrastructure, has allowed its local leaders, who are also financially very powerful members of the minority to boast that concrete improvements have been made.The level of rivalry between supporters of the Socialist Party and KEAD, through the local minority newspapers, with accusations and invective being hurled from both sides, was truly shameful.Of course, such a situation can only work to the advantage of the Albanian establishment, whose standing goal is the gradual assimilation, political and cultural, of the minority.These last elections showed that part of the remaining minority, which had emigrated to Greece, has returned. The minority, however, is also more likely to follow the Socialist or the Democratic Party and thus acquire a closer relationship with the Albanian state rather than follow Omonoias autonomous and, often, dissident presence. The future political representation of the minority is an important issue; it must avoid dispersal and degeneration through the penetration of the main Albanian parties. It is imperative for Omonoia to reach out to the other minority members who support the main parties.It is difficult for the Greek minority to forget that both big parties, like Enver Hoxhas communist regime had done earlier, tried to resolve the minority issue in a violent way or used it in order to exact all sorts of concessions from the Greek government.It is also vital for the minority to seek, to the greatest extent possible, a common representation transcending ideological and party differences. This role must be played by a new, renovated Omonoia.Many conflicts within the minority also have their roots in areas where property issues, and conflicts, are the most acute, as in the areas of Sarande and, especially, Himare. Plans to turn Himare into a tourist resort have whet appetites.During the 1997 revolt and the anarchy that ensued, many properties belonging to the Greek minority, especially in coastal areas, were illegally appropriated, by other minority members who had stayed in Albania. Overnight, hotels and other structures sprouted in these properties as well as in communal land.People with strong ties to the central government, hoping that this illegal appropriation would become permanent, have opposed KEAD and Omonoia, which insist on the return of property to its legal owners. Some land-grabbers, with the complicity of the Albanian authorities, sell land they do not own to Albanian buyers, leading ultimately to a colonization of formerly pure minority areas.Another issue of concern is the role of the Autocephalous Church of Albania. Archbishop Anastasios, a very important Orthodox leader, has made many significant contributions. The question is, what will happen after him, when he will most likely be succeeded by an Albanian Orthodox and the church will cease to be another voice of the minority. The Churchs effort to promote private education or to claim for itself the old communal (minority) property is laudable but certain section of the minority have reservations because they believe that the goals of providing a Greek education and returning property to its lawful owners are being undermined. When, for example, a vocational school opened in Dervitsani, with the initiative and sponsorship of the Archdiocese, the number of students in the Greek section of Gjirokaster University, which had been founded after a great deal of effort, fell dramatically.The policy of the Greek government remains trapped in a longstanding pseudo-dilemma:- Acting as the advocate and guarantor of the Balkan states within the EU, or- Representing the interests of the minority, if sometimes only symbolically, and in the interest of petty party politics.The exclusion of areas where KEAD is dominant from EU assistance programs, and the failure of the Greek government to intervene; the unwillingness to exert pressure on Albania to recognize the area of Himare as a minority area and to resolve outstanding education and property issues; the thought, expressed without preparation, to provide double citizenship, which may contribute votes in Greek elections but would ultimately lead to the disappearance of the minority from Albania; all are symptomatic of the governments frivolous approach to the minority issue over the past dozen years, which makes the minority feel abandoned.Even in this late hour, Omonoia must transform itself to adapt to changing conditions and Greece, finally, must take advantage of Albanias fervent wish for closer ties with the EU in order to demand and impose respect for the Greek minoritys rights.Only thus will conditions of security and prosperity be created, allowing Greek-Albanians who have migrated to Greece to return to their ancestral homes and create better conditions.This would eliminate a permanent source of conflict in Greek-Albanian issues as surely as willfully avoiding the issues will not.