Wednesday, October 05, 2011

A "New" Challenge to the Status Quo in Montenegro


“Generation X” is all grown up in Malësia. Who, you ask? Simply put, if you ask this post-communist cohort of young intellectuals who Tito was, you may get a reply straight from a textbook. That is because most of these youth only know about the former Yugoslavia and her bloody wars and venomous demagogues through history books, YouTube, and Wikipedia. In other words, a new generation has emerged, and with it, a new taste for change. In the highlands of Malësia e Madhe a new group has organized under the label "Democratic Forum for Integration" (DFI). They believe that the current political representatives of Albanians work more for their personal interests than to improve the political, economic and social lives of their brethren.

As the newly appointed leader of this civic association, Anton Lulgjuraj offers the same warning that organizations preceding FDI have argued: the citizens of the predominant Albanian region of Malësia are dissatisfied with the general situation their social, economic and political lives.

The fault lies primarily on the political representatives of Albanians, who for the most part serve their own self-interests instead of the constituents they represent. Lulgjuraj cites the absence of a local municipality in Tuz/Malësia as the main culprit for this stalemate, and coupled with skyrocketing unemployment and unbalanced budget revenues have crippled the region.

The head of the Mission Club of Albanian parties in the Montenegrin Assembly, Vasel Sinishtaj, however, expressed skepticism in the objectives of the FDI.

Sinishtaj envisions an organization that will harvest all Albanian political parties into one unit and collectively engage the Montenegrin government for greater socio-political rights in Malësia and elsewhere. However, "yet another association is conceived without any real policy position or platform on real political issues." Sinishtaj is skeptical as to whether their goal is to unite Albanians or create cleavages between an already united front.

On the other hand, Political analyst Dritan Abazović supports the formation of the FDI. He asserts that any group organization that seeks alternative means of articulating their legitimate demands are rightly justified, especially if the status quo has not ushered in any change through the failure of their elected representatives.

Abazović maintains that, "It is especially important to raise awareness about the importance of participation in the social processes. Malësia has a legitimate reason to be dissatisfied and has regressed politically and economically. The political elites have failed to fulfill their requirements as elected representatives and articulate the demands of the citizens of Malësia. Therefore, it is quite logical that such an organization would take birth; it is definitely a welcoming sign, especially if the FDI is founded on democratic principles with the desire to achieve prosperity for all citizens."

Although the names of the members are being kept under tight wraps, it is expected that a press conference will soon identify the rest of the group and their roles thereafter. All we know now is that “a new group of young intellectuals will be seeking change for Albanians in the Malësia region.” A very common declaration that has been undertaken by previous groups, but with little success.

Immediate reaction to the FDI have been mixed. Some are criticizing it as an attempt to alienate the Albanian political parties and their deputies in Parliament. Others have claimed that the group is a collection of college students and young professionals that reside outside Malësia and are "out of touch" with the political process. On the other hand, the FDI is being welcomed as a potential new beginning for the future of Malësia. Many of the members are not tainted by communist-era propaganda and politics, such that have corrupted the current group serving in Parliament and in the Urban Municipality in Tuz. Numerous citizens argue that the self-serving interests of Malesia’s current and former politicians led to the embarrassing defeat of Albanian parties in 2010 that allowed the Slavic-run DPS to usher in their own puppet-masters to govern Malësia.

The FDI seeks to bring legitimacy to the political process and strengthen democratic principles while exploiting the self-serving interests of political elites. Although popularly elected, Malësia’s quasi-government is controlled by the ruling DPS in Podgorica, a strategy put in place by the Dukanovic regime in efforts to stymie any unified front from developing and politicizing. The battle is now two-fold: on one hand you have the DPS levying their political influence to maintain control in a region predominantly Albanian, and on the other hand you have corrupt Albanian officials regulating their egoism first and then the needs of their constituents second.

15 comments:

Simon said...

"Sinishtaj is skeptical as to whether their goal is to unite Albanians or create cleavages between an already united front."

Ahahaha .... is Sinishtaj serious? What "united front" is he alluding to? What a joke! Albanian pol parties in Mont have NEVER been united. Sinishtaj, Dinosha, Bardhi, Camaj, Gjokaj, etc. have divided Malesia and presented her on a silver platter to Podgorica.

Arben said...

Not much info on who these "young" peaople are. Do they really exist?

How many are they? Are they college students? Are they professionals? If so, in what areas? Are they all Albanians or a mix? Are there any from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Diaspora, etc? Who will/are they associated with? Who will be funding them?

In other words? Who are they?

Mark D. said...

Who ever they are, I wish them the best of the luck. This is something that Malesia has needed for a long time. The youth in malesia has needed to step up. Eventually, i believe our political parties will be united with the next generation. Out with the old and in with the new (in this case young)!

Simon said...

Chill out Arben, you will find out soon enough. For now, just know that things will "change" in Malesia.

Anonymous said...

You know what, it doesn't matter who the hell they are; Albanians are so caught up on individual names and forget about the cause, or in this case the platform of the FDI.

Don't worry about names because the results will speak for themselves. Success in numbers is more realistic than individual statistics/qualifications.

One think I admired about shoqata Malësia e Madhe ne Detroit was their anonymity, especially between 2005-2008. They published scores of press releases, policy papers, and rebuttals on Montenegrin policy positions, yet no one took glory in signing them. IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT, AND BECAUSE IT CAME FROM THE ORGANIZATION, IT CARRIED MORE WEIGHT THAT KNOWING THAT ONE PERSON WROTE IT.

Anonymous said...

Yea, you're right, it does not matter who they are. However, I do know that the VP is Viki Lulgjuraj, the sexy singer from Malesia, and a student in her own right.

Hey if politics won't get your attention, maybe she will.

Anonymous said...

The leaders in Malesia place themselves before institutions. That is a fact, and until this cave mentality changes, we are not going to see any changes in Malesia! The current leaders are so goofy, tunnel thinkers, no-visions, and predominantly all their efforts are wasted on individuals, not on improving the political conditions of Albanians in Montenegro.

Some individuals in Diaspora have worked tirelessly, anonymously helping Malesia; defended courageously their political and civic rights- meeting with American and European politicians and Balkan experts, published documents and wrote various letters and emails to defend and promote our cause in Malesia. But, unfortunately, these people are being troubled by some ill -minded individuals here and back home, and step aside for now.
These individuals in Diaspora and back home, in many public meetings/activities shamelessly position themselves ahead of the entire Albanian population in Montenegro! They really caused lots of problems for the common goods of Malsore. Now, Malesia is paying for their irresponsible and self-centered actions. What a disgrace and betrayal!

Anonymous said...

I wish them well. If they fail to materialize and accomplish what they set out to do, I'm afraid it will be because their fellow Albanians will do anything to bring them down. This is the fate of Albanians.

Anonymous said...

Me duket se te njetin problem per fat te keq e paske edhe diaspora jon ne Amerik. Eshte nje karakteristike e njeriut te dobet, qe individed e posedojne per avancimin e pozites se tyre ne dem te nje bashkesis si teresi. Ne kemi ne Malesi teper, por duket se edhe juve ne mergim nuk u munguaken. Kjo fenomen eshte i ri per malesoret; gjat ter historise son, aq sa eshte e shenume, shihet se malesoret e kan pasur atedheun dhe poppullin para vehtes. Tani, duket se edhe kjo cilsi e malesorit eshte bastardhu. Shpresojem se dicka e re to dal, me nje qellim dhe projkte me te persosun per ne ne Malesi. Do te shofim!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Me duket se te njetin problem per fat te keq e paske edhe diaspora jon ne Amerik. Eshte nje karakteristike e njeriut te dobet, qe individed e posedojne per avancimin e pozites se tyre ne dem te nje bashkesis si teresi. Ne kemi ne Malesi teper, por duket se edhe juve ne mergim nuk u munguaken. Kjo fenomen eshte i ri per malesoret; gjat ter historise son, aq sa eshte e shenume, shihet se malesoret e kan pasur atedheun dhe poppullin para vehtes. Tani, duket se edhe kjo cilsi e malesorit eshte bastardhu. Shpresojem se dicka e re to dal, me nje qellim dhe projkte me te persosun per ne ne Malesi. Do te shofim!
Guri

Anonymous said...

Haha Guri, I hope you have some followers in Malesia, because your leaders don not believe in your ideas.You need to understand this!

Anonymous said...

Guri, stop blogging and start acting, alike with yur Malesia couch-potatoes

Go to the cafes in Tuz and tell your people that, we already know what needs to be accomplished.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dr. Truth said...

Come on ya'll, be real here:

Nothing matters until you/we see concrete evidence that any new/existing assmebly of Albanians (in Malesia) is making forward progress.

I mean, don't be fooled by all these newly-formed groups until you/we/I see results, such as those that the Diaspora has been bangin' their heads about for the past decade.

If these "young leaders" (or whoever may be pulling their strings) want results, well that will be their test -- get results and you will be rewarded! Otherwise go join the already defunked status quo establishment and don't waste our time because "we are busy getting assimilated or filing for visas to leave Montenegro."

Simon said...

The albanian "politicians" from Malesia/Crna Gora can assemble and "fight" under one voice all they want, BUT unless those in power are OUSTED! then nothing will ever get accomplished for the greater good of society.

SOLUTION: Kick them out of power and elect new leadership that hasn't been tainted by socialist/communist ideas. Kick out those idiots who legislate under the Slavic veil.