Albania, Security News

BEGINS THE "COLD WINTER" BEETWEEN ATHENS AND TIRANA

Processs penal for the president of "Omonia" Bollanos urge member of albanian parliament,when the President of HRUP Evangelos Doules sends message to Tirana: "DON`T TUCH THE GREEK MINORITY"

Tirana. Members of albanian parliament particolarly part of minorance groups called yesterday the albanian authority to take under arrest the President of the Greek Politic Organisation "Omonia" Vassilis Bollanos.

According to geopolitic analists the clima after the declaration of Omonia for six point conditions to the greek parliament for agreement stabilisation process of Albania to joint to EU, is becoming one of most national albanian rethoric since the agravation of the relations of 1994 beetwen Athens and Tirana.

The orientation of the albanian media to the albanian nationalism began with the declaration of PM Sali Berisha who called the requests of Omonia as "Extremism rethoric" which composes the consecuenses of a situation instabille regarding the relations between greeks and albanian.

MP Spartak Ngjela called the albanian authorities to arest the mayor of Himara and president of the greeks of albania Vassilis Bollanos when spoken for individual attacks against Bollanos noting: "if the government does not make the costitutional obligations against Bollano, I call every albanian to make any duty towars national interests to Bollano and others" said Ngjela.

Imediate has been the reaction of the HRUP Evangelos Doules, which called the albanian politic "to have attention" their declarates accussing the albanian extremist as "very dangerous for the relations between Athens and Tirana".

THE DEMONISATION OF THE GREEK FACTOR

For the analists its very interesing the "albanian pragmatism" but also very dangerous to understand the apmlification of albanian propaganda against the greek minority and the human rights to the demonisation of the greek factor in Albania. The foreign obsservers are investigating a similar proces both in FYROM, but in Albania the agressive national rethoric and hate is target no to the greek investiments but to the leader the Greek Ethnic Minority.

The target adreesed to Vassilis Bollanos and the demonisation of the greek factor is linked geopoliticaly firstly for the riots and protests in Greece, which is considering as "Albania of 1997 by albanian media" and second for the "albanian national cause" to protect every efforts to divide albanian territory by anemies serbs and greeks.

Annyway Tirana is waiting for ratification from the greek parliament tow mostly important decision of the modern history , joint to NATO and the agreement stabilisation process with EU, when the albanian economy is totalny linked with greek investiments and albanian emigrants in greece.

Fears of New Ethnic Conflict in Bosnia

The New York Times

By DAN BILEFSKY
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Thirteen years after the United States brokered the Dayton peace agreement to end the ferocious ethnic war in the former Yugoslavia, fears are mounting that Bosnia, poor and divided, is again teetering toward crisis.

On the surface, this haunted capital, its ancient mosques and Orthodox churches still pocked by mortar fire, appears to be enjoying a renaissance. Young professionals throng to stylish cafes and gleaming new shopping malls while the muezzin heralds the morning prayer.

The ghosts of Srebrenica linger — recalling the worst massacre in Europe since World War II — but Sarajevans prefer to talk about President-elect Barack Obama or the global financial crisis.

more see "New York Times": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/world/europe/14bosnia.html?_r=1&ref=europe

Albania now pulling its 218 troops out of Iraq

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's Defense Ministry says the country is pulling its 218 troops out of Iraq. Albanian troops have been serving in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul since 2003.

Defense Ministry spokeswoman Albana Mustafaraj said Thursday the unit has ended its mission and will return home. She said Defense Minister Gazmend Oketa participated in a ceremony in Mosul where the Albanian flag was lowered.

Albania also has small army units in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Chad. The predominantly Muslim nation was invited to join NATO in April and expects to become a full member next year.

Himara - Χειμάρρα - Chimera: In www.himaraunion.com: Video from ERT 3#links#links#links

Himara - Χειμάρρα - Chimera: In www.himaraunion.com: Video from ERT

ALBANIAN TRIBUNAL SCANDAL

The "Kakomea Issue"

The villagers of Nivitsa, Lukovo Municipality, lost the "Tribunal Battle" with Government, based under the falls history of Albanian State.

The most important chapter of the Tribunal Decision of Tirana to favorise the Government was the historic issue and the origin of documents of villagers.

The Tribunal of Tirana, considers Albanian State before invasion of Ottoman Empire, after the Nivitsa community presented the old origin document of Ottoman Period as owners of Kakomea before the Independence of Albanian State of 1912.

See more original text in Albania.

The Newspaper "ETHNOS"

A DANGEROUS GAME FOR BERISHA

Not only on the national road Himara - Saranda, but also on the Christian Churches of the region of Himara are written national slogans against the religion sentiments of the population of the zone.

"A dangerous-climate is created in Southern Albania, (Northern Epirus) and especially in Himara. Last week, the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha condemned as «extremist rhetoric» the declaration of the Mayor Himara (and chairman of the "Omonoia", the Greek politic organization in Albania) Vassilis Bolanos, to the Albanian media, which asked the Greek government not to approve the Agreement Association of Albania with the EU", notet the greek newspaper "ETHNOS".

According to Albanian press referring to the Omonias six points, Mr. Bolanos as president of the Greek Organisation addressed Tirana the constitutional requirement to recognize the Autonomy of Northern Epirus, including a large territory in southern Albania where the Greeks are in majority.

The national rhetoric started by MP Berisha calling as extremist the President of the Greeks of Albania Vassilis Bollanos, has raised continuing a national campain movement in Albania firstly from the media, which is observing by geopolitics experts as critic faze very dangerous to inspire paramilitary groups such happened in Kakomea last month, to confront seriously with the population of the area inhabited in majority from Greeks.

One year ago a christian orthodox Church in Himara called "Saint Pandelimon" has been destructed with explosive by persons unknown from Albanian authorities, when the most dangerous incident is signed month ago in Himara Town known by experts as terrorist act killing a resident with Greek origin.

see more: www.ethnos.gr

Vote on Albania Lustration Bill Postponed

Tirana 16 December 2008

Sali BerishaAlbania’s parliament has postponed a vote on a lustration bill on senior administration figures, which has come under harsh criticism by the US, the opposition and interest groups.

The voting of the bill was postponed by the majority on Monday to make way for the new amendments. The United States embassy in Tirana criticised the bill on Tuesday and ask for more debate with the assistance of international experts.

more see: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/15581/

"CHICAGO SUN-TIMES"

Obama's basketball pal for governor?

2010 Close ties could give Giannoulias an edge

BY ABDON M PALLASCH

Photo: State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (left) was with President-elect Barack Obama on Election Day. They got acquainted while shooting hoops at the University of Chicago. Obama backed his primary bid for treasurer.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a protege of President-elect Barack Obama, is gearing up to run for governor in 2010, sources close to Giannoulias say.

Giannoulias has stepped up fund-raising and hopes support from the African-American community will give him an advantage over the other big-name candidate angling to run in the Democratic primary: Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

more see: http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/1319056,CST-NWS-gov08.article

NO COMMENT!

CAROLOS PAPULIAS, A STRONG MESSAGE


While Greece is passing a hard period by strikes and riots, the Greek President Carolos Papulias sends strong message to the Greek people. "The time in Balkan Region is to be united for Greek national interests".

Meeting in Athens with Bolano - Ntoule

With lot of interest and a good patriotic climate held the open debate organized by the Northern epiriotic Associations in Athens with the President of OMONOIAS, Vassilis Bolanos and chairman of HRUP, Evangelos Ntoules.

The discussion was moderated by journalist and former MP Sophia Voultepsi. Members also attended the PASOK MP Michalis Pantoulas, Athanasios Plevrios of MP LAOS and who always honored such events. The northern epiriotes associations in Athens through their representatives stressed once again their full support to the twin-OMONIA KEAD.

Proposal to create common agenda and more frequent contact with the presidency of OMONOAS-KEAD made by the chairman of Ne.V, Efi Seliou. During the meeting where present member of the greek parliament from ND, PASOK and LAOS.

NO COMMENT, DECEMBER 2008

KAKOMEA, SOUTHERN ALBANIA


See video by investigative TV Channel in Greece:

http://www.zougla.gr/news.php?id=16669

THE PRESIDENT OF "OMONOIAS" VASILIS BOLANOS IN ATHENS

The Northern Epiriotic Associations and Clubs of Greece will organize an open debate for the matter on the Northern Epirus future, with the participation of the President of «Omonoias» Vassilis Bolanou and the president of HURP, (the Party which supports politically the Greek Minority in Albania) Evangelos Ntoules.

The meeting will take place on Sunday December 14 at 11.00 am in Hotel «Park» on Alexandras Avenue 10, Athens.

All northern epiriotes are invited to participate. In the meeting will be take part many Greek politics and represents of Greek diaspora in USA , Europe and Australia.

"POLICA DERRA VRASES"

According to the greek newspaper "Elefterotipia" unknown origin of slogans written in Albanian were lying around in places around the Polytechnicum near the center of Athens. On the one hand, saying «POLICA DERRA VRASES» and other «HAKMARJE PER DREJTESI».

As resulted, after sufficient reflection, all Albanians who did the translation, the closest version of «HAKMARJE» in Greek is the "Vendeta". So the «HAKMARJE PER DREJTESI» means: «Vendeta for justice».

While the version translated to «POLICA DERRA VRASES» was direct to: «Pig killer police».

Anyway, even the inquiring of violented protests are clouse for the greek media, until now does not result any implication of albanian emigrants.

http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=112,id=66892340

ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER "PANORAMA"

GREEK FM SPOKESMAN KOMOUTSAKOS AGAINST OMONIA`S PRESIDENT BOLLANOS: "ABSURD PRETENTION OF BOLLANOS TO THE NORTHERN EPIRUS AUTONOMY"

According to albanian newspaper "PANORAMA" the Greek FM spokesman Georges Komoutsakos expressed his opinion about the seven points of the Greek organization of Albania "Omonia" adressed to Albanian government.

Komoutsakos said that: "the pretention of the president of "Omonia" Vassilis Biollanos is absurde and the greek parliament will vote very soon the agreemnet with Albania".

The response of Komoutsakos is considering from Greek annalists who live in Albania as iresponssibile and call the Greek Government to verify any declaration from Foreign Ministry spokesman to the Albanian Newspaper "Panorama".

The Greeks of Albania has been often shocked by some irresponsible declarations of closer collaborator of Foreign Minister Dora Bakogianis about the Greek minority of Albania.

more in albanian: http://www.panorama.com.al/panoramapdf.pdf

Youths firebomb Athens courthouse as riots enter fifth night

Greece's center-right government struggles to survive violence. A previously scheduled general strike shuts down most transportation.

By Maria Mikalef and Sebastian Rotella December 11, 2008
Reporting from Athens and Madrid -- Hooded youths attacked the Athens courthouse with firebombs Wednesday and a general strike by labor unions shut down most of the country as nationwide urban unrest entered its fifth night.

The worst riots in years, sparked by the fatal shooting by police of a 15-year-old boy Saturday, have left Greece's fragile center-right government fighting for survival. The strike by about 100,000 workers shut down most transportation as well as banks and hospitals.

more see: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-greekriots11-2008dec11,0,3671340.story

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN BERISHA’s ALBANIA

Aristide D. Caratzas
(Historian)

Copyright: Aristide D. Caratzas on line
Note: Visit also http://www.caratzas.com/

Rule of Law, Private Property and Minority Rights
A recent flare up near Loukovo, one of the towns in the predominantly ethnic Greek province of Cheimarra (Albanian, Himara) over questions of property rights suddenly raises questions about the nature and extent to which the Albanian government, headed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, has accepted basic democratic values such as the primacy of the rule of law, property rights and the basic human rights of ethnic minorities.

Indeed there is a clear sense that economic development (which ironically also was a major priority for the late and unlamented Communist regimes, their failures in this field notwithstanding) is used as a cover for organized violation of property rights and illegal seizures of property (even by Albanian law), which in turn are used to pressure the ethnic Greek minority.

more se: http://rieas.gr/images/KARATZAS.pdf

Albania condemns Omonia's memorandum

Albanian government denounced the Memorandum of Omonia - Association of Greek minority in Albania - Makfax correspondent said on Thursday.

The memo calls on Greece not to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Albania and the European Union as long as Albania grants administrative autonomy to Greek minority in Vorio Epi, southern Albania.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha labeled the memorandum "extremist outburst" and urged the Greek government not to cave in to Omonia's demands."Greek minority in Albania enjoys all rights it has been entitled to, and these rights will be expanded if it is necessary," Berisha said.

Some lawmakers in Albanian parliament called for indictment against Omonia leader Vasil Bolano, who is also a mayor of Himara. //12.11.08

Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

more see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_corruption_probe

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE"

OMONIA TO GREECE: NO AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA TO EU WITHOUT RESPECT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS

Tow week after the declaration, the Albanian press informs the opinion for the decision of Omonia into a memorandum to stop from the Greek parliament the SAA with Albania.

Considering the violence protest in Greece as Albanian of 1997, the Albanian press has forged that an political decision of Omonia tow weeks ago addressed to the Greek parliament about the agreement which will vote for the joint Albania to EU.

According to "Gazeta Shqiptare" the seven points of Omonia (The Greek ethnic organisation of Albania) addressed to the Greek parliament are the condition of Albania to acept the civil and politically rights of Greeks to live under a Territorial autonomy known as Northern Epirus in Southern Albania.

Athens, Rioting after teenager shot by police

Rioting broke out in Athens and other Greek cities in the early hours of Sunday, after news began to spread of a teenager's death at the hands of police in the Athens district of Exarhia the previous night. The 15-year-old boy was shot in the chest and died of his injuries shortly after being taken to hospital. The incident occurred shortly after 9:00 on Saturday night when a police patrol car responding to a call in the Exarhia district was surrounded by a gang of 30 youths belonging to leftist, anti-establishment groups that started throwing stones and bits of wood.

The two special guards in the patrol decided to pursue the youths and, in the ensuing fracas, one of them fired his service revolver to disperse them, injuring the 15-year-old highschool student. The officer who fired claims he shot twice in the air and once at the ground and that the bullet that injured the boy must have ricocheted.

The two officers have been placed under arrest, while Deputy Interior Minister for public order issues, Panagiotis Hinofotis, immediately initiated action to place the pair on suspension, as well as their supervisor at the Exarhia police station. Police headquarters said that an investigation was underway to determine whether the events had occurred in the way described by the two officers, while an autopsy has been order to confirm their claim that they did not shoot directly at the victim.