Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha visited Southern Albania in occasion of giving tow citizenship for christian community (Northern Epiriotes) which are waiting the final vote from the Greek Parliament next days.

BERISHA: "ALL THE GREEKS OF ALBANIA ARE WELCOMED TO INVEST IN THEIR LANDS. I HAVE PROMISED TOW CITIZENSHIP FOR GREEK MINORITY"

The Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha made a tour in Southern Albania (Northern Epirus) visiting some of villages when live a large Greek ethnic community. Berisha who was presented as "philo greek" during the meeting with a litlle group that present Greek families called to the Greek community to came back from emigration to invest in their lands and properties.

Under diplomatic references, Brerisha spoken also for tow citizenship for the Greeks of Albania saying that "I has been favorite since the greek government decision in 2006, for tow citizenship for Greek omogens of Albania".

But in fact Tirana is observing a decision voting from Greek Parliament which will give next days all greeks omogen especialy for northern epiriotes the tow citizenship and the right to vote next politic elections in Greece. According to Greek Foreign Ministry, the draft to vote Greek omogens in Parliament will be ready soon as possible.

Anyway, seeing the very critic situation of the Greek minority in Albania, particularly the robbery of the lands and property rights by Albanian authorities, the problems inside the greek education system for the children of the Greek Community closing elementary schools, the missing of the greek represents inside public administrate and military personnel and Finlay the collapse created in to the Greek Ethnic Organisation "Omonia" have motivated the Albanian PM Sali Berisha to send diplomatic messages to Athens and especially to the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

It`s very interesting that Berisha uses often messages and prognoses which are previsted also by geopolitical analists for the civil and politc rights for the Greeks of Albania, to be guaranteed after the request of the Greek Organisation "Omonia" to regonise the Greek official language inside the Albanian system administration.

Damir Fazlić arrested in Sarajevo

The most known strong adviser of PM Sali Berisha is arrested in Sarajevo togather with Bosnian Muslim wartime commander in Srebrenica Naser Orić. According to unofficial information,
Fazlić is a businessman whose name has been been linked to numerous scandals, not only in Bosnia-Hercegovina, but in Serbia and Croatia too.

The late Zoran Đinđić’s former adviser Vladimir Popović claimed on a number of occasions to have documentation on Fazlić pertaining to his criminal activities in Serbia and his links to the so-called Tobacco Mafia and its ringleaders, while he was also questioned by Serbian police in connection to Đinđić’s murder.

Fazlić is known for his activity in Albania, particularly a close adviser of Prime Minister Sali Berisha since politic campain contribut of 2005 and now coperations in varius bussines and contraband togather with Foreign Minister Lulezim Basha private company and the "Legal Office" of daughter of PM Berisha Argita Maltezi.

Fazlic was also once a close adviser to Federal Prime Minister Ethem Bičakčić, and he played a leading role in the privatization of tobacco plants in Sarajevo and Mostar.

Sources: "Vizion Plus TV" (AL), B92 Agency (Serbia)

THE POST DICTATURE URBAN KAOS"

The weirdest country in Europe

Photo: Arben Celi, Reuters

People sunbathe near a bunker in the Albanian city of Durres. The bunker shells are the remains of a defence line built by former communist leader Enver Hoxha.

Robert Fulford, "National Post" Published: Saturday, October 04, 2008

SARANDE, Albania -Here and there on the Mediterranean waterfront around Sarande, a little town currently publicized with wan hope as "the southern gateway for tourism into Albania," you can spot evocative relics of communist paranoia: the concrete-and-steel bunkers erected under the personal supervision of Enver Hoxha.

He was the Stalinist who ran Albania for four terrifying decades. He created a society so hysterically secretive that the few journalists who managed to enter were immediately relieved of any potentially dangerous printed material they were carrying. The late James Cameron, a first-class British author, discovered that at the customs office he had to surrender the books he carried with him around the world, his complete Jane Austen.

more see: http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=859679

The Greek Journalist against falls interview to “Panorama” newspaper.

KACIGIRAS: “I DENIED ALL THAT THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER REFEREED TO ME”

Photo: The falls interview addressed to the Greek Journalist by Albanian Newspaper "Panorama"

Mihalis Katcigiras, The Director General of "SKY NEWS" has denied that was published by the Albanian newspaper “Panorama” some days ago, about the question written on the history of Cham Community known by Greek historians as “collaborators of fascism” during the Second World War.

Kacigiras said to the correspondent of the newspaper "Panorama" in Athens who has falsified my words. “I spoken to the correspondent of “Panorama” the possibility to talk closely in my office, not speaking to the phone line” said Kacigiras for “Panorama”.

"I'm working in my emission for a general history of great battles of Greece and no particular question to what the newspaper in Albania wants to interpret as meaning contradictory. I deny all that is written by the "Panorama", says Kacigiras.

more in albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/index.php?id=19781

Hague prosecution to investigate alleged organ harvesting in Albania

04. October 2008. Source: SEtimes.com

The Hague tribunal says the Council of Europe has already formed a committee and a team of investigators to handle with the case. A delegation of prosecutors from the UN war crimes tribunal is expected to visit Albania shortly to investigate allegations hundreds of captured Serbs and Romas were murdered for their bodily organs, according to media reports Thursday (October 2nd).

Former chief UN war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte levelled the allegation in her book "The Hunt".She says the murders and organ removals occurred during the Kosovo conflict in the northern Albanian village of Gur.

The Hague tribunal says the Council of Europe has already formed a committee and a team of investigators to handle with the case. Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha and others insist the claims are "groundless".

"Associated Press"

Montenegro may recognize Kosovo

PODGORICA, Montenegro-Montenegro's foreign minister said Friday that Kosovo's independence was a reality, suggesting his government will recognize the new state even though that would anger traditional ally Serbia. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February. It has won recognition from the United States and most nations in the European Union. But Serbia, backed by Russia, has refused to acknowledge the split.

Montenegrin recognition of Kosovo would be a major blow to Serbia, because the two Balkan republics have close historical and cultural ties. Montenegro was the only former Yugoslav republic that stayed in the union with Serbia after the federation broke up in 1991. Montenegro split from Serbia in 2006. Serbian officials have appealed to neighboring states to refrain from recognizing Kosovo. In a latest bid to maintain claim on the region, Serbia has moved to question Kosovo independence at the International Court of Justice.

But Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen said during a parliamentary debate that "an independent Kosovo is a political reality ... and Montenegro has no right to close its eyes before that fact." He said it is up to individual countries to decide whether to recognize Kosovo or not.
In Pristina, Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu urged Montenegro and Macedonia, another former Yugoslav republic, to recognize Kosovo's independence quickly.

"It is a good answer from countries that are now sovereign and with which we were in a state union that is now destroyed and does not exist," Sejdiu said. Kosovo has been run by a U.N. administration since a 1998-99 war.

Athens must take responsibilities for the situation into the Greek Minority in Albania

OMONIA, TO THE DANGEROUS COLLAPSE

The Greek Ethnic Minority is living dramatic moments after contradicts between the resign of Labor Minister Kostas Barkas, General Secretary of Omonia, (the Greek Ethnic Organization) and the Chairman of HRUP (Human Rights Union Party) Vangelis Doules. The reason continues to be clear as new collapse created inside the Greek Minority of Albania.

Actually the Greek minority is passing the most critic situation without orientation to be united to resolve particularly the property problem and civil rights in Albania, showing “super survivor sentiments” during last 10 years, regarding the Greek Albanian relations

Anyway the most important responsible of the dangerous situation for the Greeks of Albania continues to hold Athens, particularly the Foreign Ministry which continues to ignore any sense of democratic values inside the Greek Community.

KOSOVO MAY SPLIT!

Speaking on state television, Serbian President stated for the first time open the possibility of partition of Kosovo. «I am willing to examine this option», he said, «if all the previous have been exhausted ...» However, immediately after stated that this option is not currently «on the agenda». He added: «There are still many possibilities for finding a solution within the framework of a meaningful autonomy.

"CHAM COMMUNITY NEVER HAS BEEN AGAINST GREECE"

Albanian Newspape "PANORAMA" comments an intervew of News Director of "SKY TV" Mihalis Kacigiras in Greece about the documentar for the Chams Community escaiped from Greece during the WWS.

According to News Director Mihalis Kacigiras that referees "Panorama", the cham community escaped from Greece during WSW as no collaborators of fascist axis but as troubling phenom of the Greek Civil War helped by American British forces together with Greek Democratic Front establish in Northern Greece. The "SKY TV" will continue to transmit every Monday night documentary series about the Chams issue, said "Panorama".

The newspaper said also for a Greek team professors that has been opened the cham issue during February seminaries in Greece but the strong nationalist Greek groups made to failed the history reference about the role of cham community regarding the relations with Greece.

see more in Albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/index.php?id=19620

Albanian explosions & the global arms contraband

"Greek American News Agency"
24.09.08

By Ioannis Michaletos*

Early March 2008 saw the outskirts of the capital of Albania, rocked by a series of explosions caused by the detonation of hundreds of tons of explosives that were supposed to be destroyed by a secure mode (1). The results were 25 people were killed, approximately 300 were badly injured and perhaps as much as 5,000 were force to temporarily relocate, whilst the Tirana suburb is still on an alert zone due to the existence of more underground bunker filled with ammunition.

It is estimated that over 100,000 tons of explosive material have to be decommissioned in Albania over the coming years and they still consist one of the major perils for the livehood of many districts. They are placed underground and scattered across the land.

Data that came to light over the past few months seem to confirm the existence of a well-formed network that exported illegally explosives and arms from Albania to various theaters across the globe and especially Afghanistan.

see more: http://www.greekamericannewsagency.com/gana/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3497&Itemid=83

About the Author -Ioannis Michaletos

PATSOS FAMILY SEND LETTER TO GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER ABOUT THEIR PROPERTY VIOLATED BY ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES IN VLORA CITY

Photo: Faximile of original documents of Patsos family

The scandal of "Could Water" in Vlora City between Patsos family, member of the Greek community in Vlora Region and Albanian Authorities is sent out of the institutions of Albanian state, to the Greek Foreign Ministry.

In the letter they ask the Greek authorities how is possible that the Greek Ambassador in Tirane is seeing with total indifference the problem of the properties of the Greek community in Vlora Region especially for their property rights "conquested" by Albanian Special Forces, when the albanian media contines to observe the scandal every day.

Also Patsos family has sent protest to the Balkan Helsinki Committee in Athens for the genocide methods used by Albanian state to escape from origin lands the Greek ethnic community of Albania.

video from Top Channel TV: http://www.top-channel.tv/new/artikull.php?id=129788

http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/vlora-greek-old-owners-crash-with.html

see more: http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/tow-standards-of-albanian-government-ex.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/albanian-press-very-preoccupied-about.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/scandal-of-could-water-of-vlora-on.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/propriety-scandal-of-vlora-patsos.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/httpwww.html
http://smarkos.blogspot.com/2008/09/investiging-vloras-case-about.html

Northern Epiriotes meeting with Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Greek Parliament.

NEW STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN EPIRUS BY HELLENIC NATIONAL COUNCIL

Northern Epirus forum met with Chairman of the Select Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Miltiadi Varvitsiotis. The Northern Epirus Forum, which caused the meeting, was represented by President Alkis Pappas, the Secretary General Costas Ioannou and the members of the D. S. Tallio Costas and George Hair. Moreover, attended by Vice-Chairman of the Forum F. Beleris Himarrioton Union and members of the Forum D. S. C. Tzomakas (Leivadeias Union), G. Stergios (Union Delvinou and Saint Saranda) and K. Nousias (Association of Artists VI).

The meeting was attended by M. Kirousis and representing the Union of Deropolis, S. Zotos the Federation «Agios Kosmas», former Parliament cantidate H. Karathanos and A. Dalton of the Association Voreioipeiroton and the well-known journalist and publisher of the "Promotion", etc.

Mr Varvitsiotis having welcomed the delegation stressed the following: «the« Northern Epirus»holds a prominent place in thinking and our policy and we are constantly seeking ways to resolve problems that concern the minority. The objective of the State is to strengthen the presence of Hellenism in Northern Epirus and to solve your daily problems in Greece ».

Then why was the president of the Forum Voreioipeirotikou A. Pappas, who stressed the need to establish a national strategy which will ensure the continued presence of Hellenism in Northern Epirus. «I want to emphasize the anguish of those who remain on ancestral homes and their sense that the metropolitan center is absent from the decisions and policies that affect them», said Pappas, and continued by proposing the Greek state to focus on the planning and operations into two separate elements which are crucial for the survival of Hellenism.

The meeting attended to the news strategy for the «Northern Epirus». «We have to continue this initiative and see what we want under the current circumstances, and to reach a workable and socially acceptable proposals», led by Mr Papadopoulos. Mr Varvitsiotis adopted the proposal of the delegation and pledged that in consultation with the Foreign Secretary Mr Kassimi and other parties involved in the committee will take the initiative of establishing an institutional dialogue which has resulted in a consensual and binding national strategy of survival voreioipeirotikou Hellenism.

THE GREEK AMERICAN LOBBY, MOBILISED FOR GREEK NATIONAL ISSUES

A full mobilization is the Greek expatriates in the U.S. and culminating processes to find a solution to the issue of the name of FYROM. Specifically there are entries in full-page newspaper «The Hill» and «Politico», the two prime political newspapers covered the "Washington Times" source of information for members of the House and Senate and their staffs, which indicated that 130 members of the Congress have called for the FYROM to stop the actions.

The entries, which highlight the fact that among the legislators who have signed the amendment to include the Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama, published by the National Coordinating homogeny organization of Greeks (The National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes) and cooperating closely with the senators Snoou and Menentez, who had the day before yesterday published an opinion article in the «Washington Times». http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/24/macedonian-quandary/

Information indicates that today - or tomorrow at the latest by-Barak Obama will make a statement on Skopia extremely positive for the Greek positions, which will be mentioned in the letter sent to Mr. Rice on the matter. Where been released this statement, will coincide with events of the Greek Diaspora in New York.

U.S. Election: The Emergence of Idealism or Redefinition of Realism

September 23 @ 17:15:26 EDT by greek_news

By Nikolaos A. Stavrou

The world is looking with interest and anticipation at the political drama played out every four years in the United States. After one of the most contentious primary seasons, the two parties selected their presidential candidates for the November 4 elections. Now, in an atmosphere of irrational enthusiasm, special interest and ethnic groups clamor for attention and pursue meaningless pre-electoral declarations from the two candidates to advance their causes. It is the season for transparent illusions and, as usual, inevitable disappointments. As history shows, pre-electoral promises, particularly in foreign policy issues, are rarely translated into post-electoral policies. But every new beginning raises expectations for a better future. This time the hopes are high that matters will not ultimately follow Giuseppe Mazzini's dictum of "things changing in order to remain the same."

see more: http://www.greeknewsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9138

FM addresses Greek-Americans to their vote

"Northern Epiriotes are obligated to vote next politic elections"

"We are determined to deal with the problems and move forward, all together. In this difficult environment, Greece is going through a period of change and reform," the minister said.

Lastly, Bakoyannis underlined the government's continued commitment to giving overseas Greeks the right to vote in national elections from abroad, noting that this was a long-standing demand and desire of expatriate Greeks throughout the world, while accusing main opposition PASOK and the other opposition parties of "delaying tactics" on this issue.

"For the Greek government, giving a vote to expatriates remains an important commitment that we will continue work hard to bring about, with a deadline at the end of this year," she said, adding that two draft bills had already been tabled and a third would be following soon.

more see: http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6879919&maindocimg=6658636&service=10

General Petreaeus comments Senate decision to joint to NATO, Albania and Croatia

Just What We Need: New Reasons to Go to War

By Sheldon Richman

"Does anyone wonder where the government obtains the authority to promise to go to war over Croatia and Albania? It is simply taken for granted that the government may do this. That’s what governments do. In the United States, it’s what presidents do. Especially this president, who has asserted extraordinary autocratic powers in the last seven years".

A few days before Gen. David Petraeus confirmed for Congress how overworked the military is in Iraq, President Bush was in Croatia talking about the significance of inviting that country and Albania to join NATO.

“Henceforth, should any danger threaten your people, America and the NATO alliance will stand with you, and no one will be able to take your freedom away,” he said.

Any danger. Under the supposed obligations of NATO, the American people will be committed to go to war if necessary to protect Croatia and Albania from ... anyone. Macedonia could be next, if Greece can be bribed to go along.

see more about article: http://mwcnews.net/content/view/25508/26/

Neglect and disrepair' leads Corfu dissidents to seek split from Greece

New self-rule party will fight in next election · Government accused of not investing in island

Helena Smith in Athens The Guardian,
Friday September 26 2008
Article history

The small village of Agios Gordis on the west coast of Corfu. Photograph: Oliver Koenig/AP
Nearly 150 years after it was united with Greece, unrest is mounting on Corfu, the country's premier tourist destination, amid unprecedented calls for autonomy from Athens.
With the embattled Greek government ensnared in scandals barely a year after its re-election for a second term, disquiet is growing on the island.

Dissent is such that community and business leaders enraged with the wayward practices of politicians they see as distant and corrupt have set up a party to press for self-rule.

more see The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/26/greece

FAMAGUSTA GAZZETTE

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania to visit Cyprus

By Staff Reporter 26.SEP.08

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania will be visiting Cyprus next week at the invitation of the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II. According to a statement issued Wednesday by the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus, Anastasios arrives here on October 2 for a seven-day official visit.

While being here, he will be received by the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and visit holy sites.

Europe Report N°196 25 September 2008

Kosovo’s Fragile Transition

"THE BALKAN RISK TO CHANGE BORDERS"

Kosovo has taken first state-building steps, but the inter­national community has not met its commitments to provide adequate support. A rule-of-law mission (EULEX), the EU’s biggest ever European security and defence policy (ESDP) operation, was agreed in February 2008 but has only started to deploy. The International Civilian Office (ICO), projected to supervise independence, is a shell.

The UN still functions in part as an interim administration, negotiating arrangements for Kosovo Serbs with Belgrade. The Ahtisaari plan, on the basis of which 47 states have recognised Kosovo, has been undermined by the international organisations meant to help implement it. The EU and U.S. are struggling to come to terms with Russia’s attempts to portray its support for breakaway regions in Georgia as a mirror image of what they did in Kosovo.

Most urgent now is for the EU to make EULEX fully operational before year’s end and use its leverage with a Belgrade government that wants membership to begin to make pragmatic accommodations to Kosovo’s new status.

more see: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm

ALBANIA BETWEEN JOINT TO NATO AND CIVIL RIGHTS LIMITED IN EXTREME

Albanian Press about the strong measures of PM Sali Berisha "to fight corruption and organized crime".

Albania risks to come back to the 1997 if the Parliament will approve laws which are against the human rights values, said the Socialist Party during a declaration for the Albanian media. The Albanian Government is making a project law to control the Secret Service of Interior Ministry known as SHKB replacing the National Secret Service SHIK.

According to Albanian politic opposite, the decision of PM Berisha may send the country 10 years ago regarding the tragedy Berisha History of 1997, when the President of the Country split Albanian in tow parts declaring "Civil War" and sending military forces to combat with "rebels" in southern albania.

see more analysis: http://www.balkanalysis.com/2007/03/25/security-and-politics-in-albania-a-limitation-of-civil-liberties/