According to PM Milo Djukanovic, 2008 was the most successful year in the short history of Montenegro. In 2009, the economic crisis will slow the development of the take-off of Montenegro, but has a basis for the expected growth of the economy of five percent in the next year, a drop in unemployment to 24,000 and the average salary of 515 euros.
Gross domestic product (GDP) has already exceeded 3 billion euros - the next year’s GDP is projected to be around 3.7 billion euros. This was declared at a press conference in the Villa Gorica by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who also added that Montenegro has not been spared by the crisis, which has greatly affected Europe, but it is important that in 2009 Montenegro maintains its dynamic economic growth.
The government has defined a set of fiscal measures and socio-economic policies that will mitigate the negative consequences of the crisis in Montenegro. A law on measures to support the banking system and help define the instruments, with a budget for next year, has been adopted, and the package of measures which will reduce the fiscal burden of citizens and the economy, such as: (1) the reduction of burdens on earnings, before the time of internal debt repayment on the basis of restitution and the old foreign currency savings, and (2) the abolition of benefits for Motorways in the price of fuel. These measures should improve the competitiveness of the economy.
Unemployment today is not a problem in Montenegro, which has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Therefore, there is no reason for “strahovanje” of the realization of the key parameters of “zacrtanih” for the next year. Iin favor of this forecast comes preliminary data by the Central Bank, which reports that the net inflow of foreign direct investment for 11 months was 538.5 million (or 18 percent) more than in the previous year. We will also continue with preparations for the implementation of strategic investment projects, such as: (1) the highway Bar - Boljare the total value of 2 billion euros for which the tender has been extended to March 2nd of next year. Our estimates, despite the announcements for the reduction of interest for travel in the next year, say that tourism in Montenegro for 2009 will increase to 5 per cent.
Arabs want the sea
A key interest of investors from the Middle East is investment/purcj\hase of our sea coast, where they have submitted offers for the Adriatic shipyard, said the prime minister. If we accommodate their plans for these attractive locations, it will significantly influence the development of the economy of Montenegro. Tender for the purchase of the sea should be published in the next two months. In addition, the government has adopted a draft for the 15 study sites for valorization of tourist sites in the zone Morskog - Island cvijeća, Valdanos, Saint Marko, Čanj ... These are the prerequisites for large investments in this area.
On Kosova
Djukanovic reiterated that Montenegro has no open issues with its neighboring states. Recognition of the independence of Kosova is proof that measures to resolutely follow the state interests will strengthen the stability of the region, said Djukanovic.
On NATO membership
Montenegro is ready for the next steps in approaching NATO. He reminded everyone that Montenegro became a member of the Adriatic Charter, and was officially accepted membership in the MAP program, the courts of the NATO Alliance. After successful dialogue and responsible implementation of the IPAP and PARP programs, we are ready for further steps on the way to NATO, said Djukanovic.
PODGORICA, Montenegro -- Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic did not rule out the possibility of holding early parliamentary elections this spring. "Some developments are signaling that we should perhaps consider early elections," he told IN TV on Saturday (December 27th). This would allow "the government to dedicate itself to its obligations in Montenegro's EU integration process and to overcoming the consequences of the global economic crisis", Djukanovic explained. The current government's mandate expires in 2010, but a 2007 agreement set late 2009 as the date for the next elections.
PODGORICA, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Montenegro will test investor confidence in 2009 by putting up for sale a 22 percent stake in its power monopoly and opening up projects in energy, tourism and infrastructure.
'If we realise only part of planned investment in tourism, energy and infrastructure, it is realistic to achieve a more dynamic growth than the one forecast by the IMF,' Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic told a news conference on Monday.
The IMF said this month it expected Montenegro's economy to grow only 2 percent in 2009 and 2010, far below the rate of recent years, while Djukanovic's government expects a 5-percent increase.
Analysts say investment is vital to finance the current account deficit, estimated at 19 percent of GDP in 2008. The government expects this to fall to 18.5 percent in 2009.
Djukanovic said the country expected to finalise a tender for the construction of a 2 billion euro highway in 2009 despite the economic crisis.
'We will also soon announce a tender for the sale of a 22 percent stake in the Montenegrin Power Company as well as for the construction of new power utilities,' he said, referring to a planned capital hike in Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) power monopoly.
'Nowadays, every single cent available for investment around the world goes to the energy sector, therefore I am confident that the capital increase will be successful as well as other projects in the energy sector,' Djukanovic said.
Work on landing a 700 million euro undersea cable connecting Montenegro and Italy were also expected to start in 2009. The government would also offer for sale 15 holiday resort locations.
'All this is the grounds for our optimism in forecasting real growth of some 5 percent and the imperative is to maintain positive trends from past years,' Djukanovic said.
The former Yugoslav republic of 650,000 people ended its loose union with Serbia in 2006 and has since enjoyed strong growth, mainly driven by tourism. The economy is expected to have grown by 8 percent in 2008.
(Reporting by Dusko Mihailovic; Editing by Gordana Filipovic and David Cowell) Keywords: MONTNEGRO/SELLOFFS
The Center for European and Mediterranean Studies and the MA Program in the Department of Politics of New York University are sponsoring a one-day Conference on Contemporary Albanian Societies in Transition. The Conference will be held on December 19th 2008 at New York University. The conference will deal with issues that examine various social and policy problems related to contemporary Albanian societies and politics. The panels and presenters will include scholars, graduate students and professionals who specialize on Albanian issues.
Committee Chair: SHINASI A. RAMA, New York University Organizing Committee: AROLDA ELBASANI, University of Berlin, BESNIK PULA, University of Michigan, ELTON SKENDAJ, Cornell University, MIRELA BOGDANI, Oxford University, and VENERA BEKTESHI, Boston College.
GUEST LECTURER: Our Guest Lecturer is His Excellency, Prof. Dr. ENVER HOXHAJ, Minister of Education of the Republic of Kosova.
ROUNDTABLE: The Conference will also feature a Roundtable on Kosova led by Dr. SAMI REPISHTI, City University of New York.
BEST CONFERENCE PAPER: The Organizing Committee will select which, in its judgment, is the best paper presented at the conference. The author or authors of the selected paper will receive a prize awarded by the Editorial Board of the Albanian Journal of Politics.
PUBLICATION: Selected revised papers will be published in the Albanian Journal of Politics and in a separate volume.
PODGORICA -- The First Bank of Montenegro, which is partly owned by the Montenegrin prime minister and his two siblings, is asking for a 40 million-euro ($50 million) bailout from the government.
Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic owns about 3 percent of the bank, while his brother, Aco, owns about 30 percent. Their sister, Ana Kolarevic, owns a 1 percent share.
Opposition leaders and NGOs have been critical of the request, saying it's a blatant example of conflict of interest.
But Montenegrin Central Bank spokeswoman Radica Zekovic told RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service that the First Bank of Montenegro is not foreign-owned and has a legitimate claim to receive money from the government during the difficult situation caused by the global financial crisis.
Most other banks in Montenegro, Zekovic said, are owned by foreign banks and have received aid from those larger foreign banks.
BELGRADE, Serbia -- An estimated 6,000 Albanians rallied in the streets of Presevo, southern Serbia, on Friday (November 28th). Waving flags, they demanded more rights for Albanians living in Serbia. Albanian flags were also seen at the town's city hall. Protestors said they want Serbian authorities to let them use the Albanian national flag in local government. They also insist that an Albanian-language university should open in Presevo and they called for the demilitarisation of the Presevo valley, which borders Kosovo. The demonstration, organised by NGOs on the occasion of Albanian Flag Day, ended peacefully.
EULEX: UN PLAN ‘ENDANGERS KOSOVO SOVEREIGNTY’ 15:52 Mon 17 Nov 2008 - BalkanInsight.com
Fifteen Kosovo non-governmental organisations are planning a protest against the six–point UN plan for the deployment of the EU’s controversial law-and-order mission, EULEX. The demonstration has been set for November 19 in Pristina under the slogan, "Demonstrate for a sovereign and democratic Kosovo and against the 6 points!" According to the organisers, the aim of the protest is the protection of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence and opposing every initiative for new negotiations on its status.
The organisers asserted that, the six points proposed by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, are not acceptable as they threaten Kosovo’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February and has been recognised by most European Union member states, objects to the plan being based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244. This resolution, passed at the end of the 1998/99 conflict between Serb forces and Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority, refers to Kosovo as Serbia’s southern province, not as an independent state.
Serbia insists that the EU cannot deploy a new civilian mission in Kosovo to replace the UN administration unless the mission is neutral in status and does not put into action the plan of former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari – which envisages internationally-supervised independence for Kosovo.
Belgrade also insists that the mission must be confirmed by the UN Security Council, in which it has a strong ally with veto power – Russia.
The proposal envisages the gradual replacement of the administrative UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which has been in the province since 1999, with an EU civilian mission of police and court officials.
The demonstration on November 19 is set to bring together anti-corruption watchdog, Cohu, as well as the hardline independence movement, Vetevendosje, the Women’s Movement together with other groups.
United States voices strong support for Kosovo Government position United States State undersecretary for Europe and Asia Daniel Fried has once again affirmed the support for the Kosovo government position. During the press conference in Prishtina this afternoon, Kosovo President said that Kosovo will stand behind the Joint Action Plan created with the international partners on the implementation of Kosovo independence. Both Kosovo PM and President reiterated that the 6-point plan is unacceptable and that they "trust in the support that the United States will give to Kosovo, as well as the countries of the European Union." PM Thaçi thanked Daniel Fried and the role of the government of the United States for supporting stability in the Balkan. Thaçi said that "EULEX should be extended on the whole territory of Kosovo. Kosovo independence was a two-year project of the international community. Kosovo has always found ways with its international partners to get out of situations, which others have created for her," concluded Thaçi referring to Serbia.
State Undersecretary Daniel Fried said that they had common support for EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo. Fried focused on the need to extend EULEX deployment throughout Kosovo and only briefly touched on the six-point plan. "
We agreed and understand the position of the Kosovo government and its mandate from February. We have supported Kosovo for many years. The United States have kept their word to the Kosovo people and will do so on the future. Although I do not represent Europe, Europe will also keep her word."
"The future of Kosovo is in Europe, hopefully as a member of the EU. We hope that EULEX is deployed throughout the territory of Kosovo in a satisfactory manner for Kosovo." Fried said that he brought with him NATO's SAUCER commander to prove his support for Kosovo.
Asked how he saw the solution to the negotiations blockade between Brussels and Prishtina, Fried said that the government of Kosovo has supported the EULEX deployment. "EULEX will be deployed in cooperation with the Government of Kosovo in every step of the way" and promised that he would get involved in the negotiations.
Fried said that "if the reformulation of the six-point plan created between Belgrade and the UN would satisfy Prishtina, he would agree with it, but this is not the case, and the UN should have talked to the sovereign government of Kosovo. EULEX is an ambitious plan and the US is part of this mission. I am convinced that the Kosovo leaders are doing their best," said Fried.
On the earlier statements made by US Ambassador to Prishtina Tina Kaidanow supporting the six-point plan, Fried said that Kaidanow was right, however "ultimately, it is the government that takes decisions. Our agreement remains with the sovereign government of the Republic Kosovo," concluded Fried.
Barack OBAMA becomes the 44th President of the United States of America. He will be sworn in and assume office on January 20, 2009, hence becoming the first African-American president of this nation's history.
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois, after winning the race for the White House Tuesday night. The following is an exact transcript of his speech.
Obama:
Hello, Chicago.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.
Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.
I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.
Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.
And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.
And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.
To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.
To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.
John McCain has been hammering rival Barack Obama for being little more than a vapid "celebrity" and "elitist." But The Nation has obtained a photo revealing just how star-struck a straight-talking maverick can become when offered the chance to celebrate his birthday aboard a yacht filled with celebrities--even if one of those celebrity types turns out to be an A-list con man.
The photograph substantiates reports that in late August, 2006, McCain celebrated his 70th birthday aboard a yacht, the Celine Ashley, rented by A-list con man Raffaello Follieri and his then-movie star girlfriend Anne Hathaway. In the current edition of Vanity Fair, Michael Schnayerson reported that Follieri rented the Celine Ashley for the month of August 2006.
Montenegro's leading dailynewspaper, Vijesti, earlier reported that during McCain's visit in 2006 he celebrated with birthday cocktails and sweets aboard the Celine Ashley yacht. In the photograph, taken in Montenegro at the end of August, McCain is shown boarding the yacht ramp towards the smiling Follieri and Hathaway. Just ahead of McCain and shaking hands with Follieri appears to be Rick Davis--McCain's top aide and now co-manager of his campaign, who accompanied him on the trip and advised the government of Montenegro.
A few months after McCain's yacht party, Follieri strengthened his ties to McCain's orbit by retaining Rick Davis's well-connected Washington lobbying firm, Davis Manafort, and offering Davis both an investment deal and help in securing the Catholic vote for McCain's presidential bid.
Follieri, who posed as Vatican chief financial officer in order to win friends and investments, pleaded guilty Wednesday in a Manhattan district court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. As part of the plea, Follieri admitted to misappropriating at least $2.4 million of investor money and redirecting it to foreign personal bank accounts that were disguised as business accounts.
Follieri's ties to McCain's orbit have been largely overlooked by the media. Follieri first met McCain when the Arizona Senator visited Montenegro from August 29-31 as part of a Congressional delegation that included Republican senators Lindsay Graham, Richard Burr, Saxby Chambliss, Mel Martinez and John Sununu.
[We'll have more on what else McCain was doing in Montenegro in a forthcoming article in the print edition of The Nation.]
What, exactly, was McCain doing aboard Follieri's yacht? Or put another way, was this McCain's 70th birthday wish--to spend an evening floating on the Adriatic with one of Hollywood's top actresses and her smooth-talking Italian beau?
An even bigger mystery is how Follieri's boat came to be docked in Montenegro on McCain's birthday. According to a journalist in Montenegro, the yacht had been anchored there for several days before McCain's arrival, and only sailed away after McCain boarded.
It must not have seemed that way to Follieri. According to the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, in January 2007 Follieri sent Rick Davis a packet of information on his companies Follieri Capital and Follieri Media, apparently hoping to get financing from Pegasus Capital Advisors, a hedge fund in Connecticut that Davis represented. "Follieri's proposal to Davis had two dimensions to it--first, as an investment opportunity for Davis's fund; but secondly, there was the political dimension, in which Follieri offered to help deliver Catholic votes to McCain," said Claudio Gatti, a reporter for Il Sole 24 Ore, who investigated Follieri for eighteen months.
In February 2007, according to a recent article in the New York Daily News, Follieri retained Davis's lobbying firm, Davis Manafort. According to the paper, "on Feb. 27, 2007, Davis Manafort partner Rick Gates signed a confidentiality agreement drafted by the Follieri Group. In the contract...Gates agreed not to disclose any information about Follieri's deal to get Clinton pal Ron Burkle to buy Catholic Church properties." (Gates did not respond to repeated requests for comment.)
Two months later, Burkle sued Follieri, who later repaid the $1.3 million owed to Burkle's Yucaipa Funds. That fall, the Wall Street Journal exposed Follieri's life as a high-society con man. In June of this year, Follieri was finally arrested and charged. Following his guilty plea this week, Follieri now faces up to five years and three months in jail.
Podgorica, Montenegro - Five members of the special anti-terrorist police (SAJ) will be spending only three months in prison for their excessive abuse and torture of 19 Albanians arrested in September 2006 in the case depicted "Eagle’s Flight.”
SAJ commander Marko Kalezić, Darko Šekularac, Nenad Šćekić, Milorad Mitrovic and Branko Radičković were found guilty for using excessive force on detainees held during trial proceedings for illicit charges of “terrorism.”
The abuses also led to the death of Pjeter Sinishtaj who later died from internal injuries suffered by blows to the head and organs, which consequently led to a fatal stroke.
According to reports, Sinishtaj was asleep beside his two grandchildren when the SAJ stormed into his house without warning and started kicking Sinishtaj on the head and body.
Sinishtaj’s daughter, Paulina Nikpreljaj, was outraged at the sentencing claiming that the SAJ purposely "killed her father." Nikprelaj stated that she witnessed first hand what passed through her father during his battle with life for 13 months. His pain and suffering ultimately led to a stroke which took his life, his honor, and left him humiliated in the hands of reckless and uncontrolled police.
LUXEMBOURG -- EU foreign ministers on Monday (October 13th) welcomed decisions by Montenegro and Macedonia to recognise Kosovo's independence. During a meeting in Luxembourg, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Serbia "will soon return to reality" after reacting to both countries' move by expelling their ambassadors from Belgrade.
Meanwhile, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said Podgorica's decision to recognise Kosovo's independence was not a result of foreign pressure. "We took into consideration our country's need to strengthen our partnership with EU and NATO members," he noted.
Opponents of the move staged another rally, this one in Podgorica, late Monday. More than 30 people suffered injuries, a third of them police officers, when clashes erupted between demonstrators and security personnel guarding the parliament building and nearby side streets.
There were 35 arrests. Opposition politicians demanded that the cabinet revoke Kosovo's recognition and schedule a referendum on the issue. Short of that, President Filip Vujanovic should call early elections by year's end, the opposition said.
Separately Monday, Nebojsa Medojevic, leader of the opposition Movement for Change, said recognition of Kosovo jeopardises stability in the Balkans. "[The government] cannot be expected to contribute to regional stability if it establishes relations with one neighbour while worsening relations with another," Medojevic said (NOTE: Medojevic was strongly supported by Albanian political leaders in Tuz when he ran for president).
09 October 2008 Podgorica -- Montenegro has recognised Kosovo’s independence, leading Belgrade to expel the small Adriatic state's ambassador to Serbia.
"Montenegro's government has decided to undertake such a move in the best interests of Montenegro and the Montenegrin people," Podgorica's Foreign Minister Milan Rocen told reporters. The move was a unanimous decision by the government. "The decision is being coordinated with the Macedonian government," Rocen said. Macedonia's Parliament is set to adopt a resolution urging the government to recognise Kosovo's independence. Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has since told Serbia's state-owned news agency that Belgrade is expelling Montenegro's ambassador in retaliation. Read more:
A Serbian Foreign Ministry also meanwhile announced Belgrade will return all its ambassadors to countries that it withdrew after their recognitions of Kosovo's independence. (Previously Belgrade had returned ambassadors only to European Union states which had recognised Kosovo's independence). Read more:
Podgorica's decision comes despite Montenegro voting at the United Nations General Assembly in favour of Serbia’s resolution to seek the International Court of Justice’s opinion on whether or not Kosovo’s declaration of independence earlier this year was in accordance with international law. Read more:
Yet earlier this week, Montenegro's President Filip Vujanovic indicated the country will recognise Kosovo's independence despite bitter opposition from traditional ally Serbia. Vujanovic said Tuesday that the decision will have to be made soon because of Montenegro's desire to become an European Union and NATO member. He said recognition of Kosovo is an "obvious condition" for integration. Speculation had been rife for weeks that Montenegro, which was in a loose union with Serbia up until 2006, was to recognise Kosovo’s secession from Belgrade imminently. However the issue in Montenegro is contentious and the leader of the country’s biggest ethnic Serb party has warned of mass protests if Montenegro recognises Kosovo’s independence. Read more:
A large proportion of Montenegro citizens, about a third of the population, declare themselves as Serbs, while ethnic Albanians also make up a sizeable minority in the coastal republic.
Formal statement from the Montenegrin government:
Podgorica, Montenegro
9 October 2008
Government of Montenegro and Government of the Republic of Macedonia, as immediate neighbors of both Serbia and Kosovo and as countries with clear European and Euro Atlantic orientation, have agreed to make the following joint statement in the context of decisions made in relation to the recognition of Kosovo:
Montenegro and Macedonia have consistently supported the process of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, and they consider the plan of UN Special Envoy for the Kosovo Status Settlement to be a good foundation for finding solution that would contribute to permanent stability and to the new European and Euro Atlantic perspective of the region. The declaration of independence of Kosovo came after the failure of the international community efforts for Belgrade and Pristina negotiations to result in solution for Kosovo status.
Montenegro and Macedonia are committed to permanent stability, peace, security and progress of all the countries of the region, with clear European and Euro Atlantic perspective. In this sense, Montenegro and Macedonia will strive for improvement of regional cooperation institutionalized through regional initiatives as well as for full implementation of the free flow of people, goods, capital and ideas.
Taking into consideration that Kosovo institutions made commitment to fully implement principles and provisions in the plan of UN Special Envoy for the Kosovo Status Settlement, the two countries support the building of democratic institutions in Kosovo with the aim to foster multiethnic society in which the rights of all ethnic communities on cultural, religious and language identity will be guaranteed.
The decision to recognize Kosovo by Montenegro, as a potential EU candidate country and Macedonia, as EU candidate country is a result of a careful political assessment and is based on conclusions adopted by the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on February 12, 2007 and February 18, 2008, as well as on decisions made by European Council on December 14, 2007.
Montenegro and Macedonia, guided by core principles of their foreign policy for building good-neighborly relations with all their neighbors remain committed to further development and deepening of relations with the Republic of Serbia in all areas of common interest, as well as to maintaining traditional close ties among the three countries and their peoples. At the same time, the two countries will continue to render support the Republic of Serbia on its way to European integration. Montenegro and Macedonia are firmly convinced that the European integration of the countries of the region in the spirit of the Thessaloniki Agenda represent solid and stable basis for faster economic progress, social development and prosperity which will bring better life to all its citizens.
PODGORICA, Montenegro -- A total of 77 criminal cases involving corruption, including those against two ministers, one ambassador and a significant number of corporate directors, have been initiated in Montenegro over the past eight months, police spokeswoman Tamara Popovic told the Dan newspaper on Sunday (September 28th). She refused to give names but said 55% of the cases involve abuse of office. The rest involve bribery, embezzlement and similar violations.
Commenting on a recent report by Transparency International, which described Montenegro as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, Popovic said the organisation has also noted efforts by the Montenegrin government to fight corruption.
US Senator Barack Obama, the democratic candidate for US President, has stated for the weekly Albanian-American newspaper Illyria that he strongly supports Kosovo independence and its democratic processes emphasizing that "as a President of the United States [he] will assist Kosovo develop a strong economy."
The US Senator from Illinois by reconfirming his strong support for Kosovo independence has said that he will personally work on strengthening the sovereignty of the newborn nation, the Republic of Kosovo.
The statement by Senator Obama is the first public engagement to communicate directly with the Albanian-American community in the United States."Barack Obama supports the independence of Kosovo and its democratic process towards full sovereignty," was said in the statement. "The United States must work assisting Kosovo in building a vibrant democracy, secured through law and order that guarantees all human rights."
The emphatic statement, giving powerful support to the Republic of Kosovo by Senator Barack Obama who is running for US President in 2008, is the first attempt of Obama to clarify some of the ambiguous and misleading statements made earlier to the Serb media and organizations, and court instead the Albanian-American communities who reside in the most contested states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, states that have determined the winner in the past two elections, and other ones such as New York, New Jersey, Texas, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
Many Albanian-American Democratic voters were ambivalent about Barack Obama due to his absence from national American politics during the Balkan conflicts in the 90's and dubious statements by various pro-Serbian media and think tanks that Obama could shift the American policy in the Balkans.
However, Senator Barack Obama on the day of the Kosovo declaration of independence, issued a statement expressing his genuine support for Kosovo independence and during one of the debates, in a follow up question, he stressed his commitment to defending Kosovo sovereignty from any possible Serbian aggression. His running mate, Senator Joseph Biden, has been a long advocate of Kosovo independence and a strong supporter of the human rights of the Albanians throughout the Balkans. Obama’s personal adviser, Richard Holbrooke, earlier this month visited the Republic of Kosovo, reiterating that "Senator Barack Obama will continue to support Kosovo in every possible way."
Obama’s latest statements go further, expressing his support for Kosovo’s integration into the euro-Atlantic institutions by building an open and tolerant society that guarantees the rights of minorities and protects the important cultural and religious sites. As President of the United States, Obama states that he is committed to work on "assisting Kosovo develop a strong and healthy trade, focusing on economic development and creating new jobs, and assisting the country to build a powerful infrastructure and energy system."
In his statement, Obama also praises the "important achievements in Albania." He congratulates Albania for the receiving invitation to join NATO and wishes Albania to become a member of the EU in the near future.Senator John McCain, the Republican Candidate for US President, has already a proven track record advocating for Kosovo. Senator McCain has also expressed his strong support in assisting Kosovo build its economy and strengthens its democratic and sovereign institutions for all Kosovar citizens.
THE ALBANIAN MINORITY AND CAMERIA MASSACRE IN GREECE THE GEOGRAPHY WERE THE ALBANIAN MINORITY LIVES AND SHORT HISTORY.
CAMERIA REGION BEGINS FROM THE SOUTH OF ALBANIA AND INCLUDES SOUTH EPIRUS WHERE THE ALBANIANS HAVE LIVED SINCE THE ANTIQUITY. THIS FACT HAS ALSO BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GREEK AUTHORS AND THE GREAT GREEK ENCYCLOPEDIA, THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE REGION AT PRESENT AND THE LANGUAGE THEY USE IS THE GREATEST PROOF OF THIS.
ALBANIANS ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST PEOPLE OF THE BALKAN PENINSULA AND ARE OF THE MOST DEMOGRAPHICALLY SPREAD NATIONS.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO GATHER THE ALBANIANS HAVING LIVED IN GREECE UNDER THREE GROUPS. THESE ARE :
1. ORTHODOX ALBANIANS (ARNAVITES)
2. MUSLIM ALBANIANS (CAMERIA)
3. EMIGRANTS, REFUGEE ALBANIANS COME TO GREECE AFTER THE COLD WAR.
ORTHODOX AND MUSLIM ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO EITHER EXILE OR ETHNIC CLEANSING OR ASSIMILATION IMPOSED BY THE GREEK STATE AT VARIOUS TIMES. ATHENS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED THEIR ETHNIC IDENTITY OR EXISTENCE AND AIM THAT ESPECIALLY THOSE OF ORTHODOX RELIGION ARE GREEK. ALTHOUGH IT IS KNOWN THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WITHIN THE ABOVE MENTIONED GROUP WHO DEFINE THEMSELVES AS GREEK, THE PRINCIPAL REASON FOR THIS IS THE POLICY OF GREECE BUSED ON ASSIMILATION. AS FOR THE MUSLIM CAMERIAN ALBANIANS, WHILE THEY HAD BEEN IN THE MAJORITY IN SOUTH EPIRUS UNTIL THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THEY WERE MASSACRED DURING THE GREEK CIVIL WAR IN 1944, THE SURVIVORS WERE FORCED TO FLEE TO ALBANIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES AS A RESULT OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.
THE ALBANIANS IN THE OTHER GROUP ARE THE EMIGRANT/REFUGEE 150-200 THOUSAND AND WHO, DURING THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TURBULENCE EXPERIENCED IN ALBANIA AFTER THE COLD WAR, COME TO GREECE THROUGH LEGAL OR ILLEGAL WAYS MAKING INDIVIDUAL OR MASS ATTEMPTS AS FROM THE LAKE 1980’S AND EARLY 1990’S AND WHO ALSO LOOKED FOR JOBS AND FOUND/DID NOT FIND THEM THROUGH LEGAL OR ILLICIT METHOD.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN SOUND AND NEW DATA ABOUT THE EXACT NUMBER OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN GREECE, AS IT IS THE CAUSE WITH THE OTHER MINORITIES. THE LAST TWO NUMBERS STATED BY GREECE IN THIS RESPECT BELONG TO THE YEARS 1926 AND 1951, THE NUMBER OF THOSE MOTHER TONGUE IS ALBANIAN WAS INDICATED AS 18.773 IN THE FORMER YEAR AND AS 22.736 IN 1951. IN THE FOLLOWING CENSUS AND STATEMENTS, THE LANGUAGE AND THE EXISTENCE OF THIS MINORITY HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED AS A RESULT OF CLAIMS OF BEING PERU GREEK AND HOMOGENEOUS GREEK. HOWEVER, HIGH NUMBERS HAVE BEEN PRONOUNCED CONCERNING THE ALBANIAN DIASPORA. THE DEMOCRATIC CAMERIA LEAGUE ORGANIZED IN THE USA GIVES THE NUMBER 100.000 FOR THE TOTAL ALBANIAN MINORITY. THE ORGANIZATION (FEDERAL UNION OF EUROPEAN NATIONALITIES) DEALING WITH ETHNIC PROBLEMS AND THE MAIN BRANCH OF WHICH IS LOCATED IN NORTH GERMANY.
FLENSBURG INDICATES THE POPULATION OF THE WHOLE LOCAL ETHNIC ALBANIAN MINORITY IN GREECE AS 95.000 THE CAMERIAN PATRIOTIC POLITICAL ASSOCIATION WHICH PUBLISHED A PAPER REGARDING THE MATTER IN JULY 1993 SPEAKS ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF APPROXIMATELY 250.000 – 300.000 ALBANIANS WHO DO NOT DISCLOSE THEIR ETHNIC IDENTIFY.
OPPRESSION POLICIES IMPOSED ON THE ALBANIAN MINORITY BY GREECE
A. FOLLOWING THE GREEK’S CLAIMS THAT THE ALBANIANS COLLABORATED WITH THE OCCUPYING ITALIANS IN WORLD WAR II AND CIVIL WAR, THE ALBANIANS WERE BANISHED IN MASSES BOTH ALONG THE BORDER OF ALBANIA AND IN THE OTHER REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY, MASSACRED OR DRIVEN A WAY TO VARIOUS REGIONS OF GREECE.
THE GREEKS MASSACRED 3.242 CIVILIAN, PEOPLE IN WHOLE CAMERIA FROM JUNE 1944 TO MARCH 1945; 2900 OF THEM WERE OLD PEOPLE OR YOUNG MEN, 214 WOMEN AND 96 CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, 745 WOMEN WERE RAPED, 76 WOMEN ABDUCTED, 32 BABIES YOUNGER THAN 3 YEARS WERE MASSACRED, 68 VILLAGES WERE DESTROYED, 5.800 HOUSES AND SANCTUARIES, INCLUDING MOSQUES WERE BURNED DOWN AND DESTROYED AND THE HOUSES WERE PILLAGED.
B. EDES (DEMOCRATIC GREEK UNION) FORMING THE ANTI-COMMUNIST FRONT IN THE GREEK CIVIL WAR AND MOVING FIRST ON THE REPUBLICAN, THEN ON THE MONARCHIST LINE AND ITS HEAD GENERAL NAPOLEON ZERVAS, ON THE ONE HAND FOUGHT AGAINST THE COMMUNIST FORCES AND ON THE OTHER HAND CONDUCTED CLEANSING ACTS AGAINST NON-GREEK ELEMENTS, MACEDONIANS AND ALBANIANS. A PART OF THESE ATTACKS WAR DIRECTED TOWARDS THE EPIRUS REGION AND THE ALBANIANS LIVING IN CAMERIA.
GENERAL ZERVAS WARNED OUT A WIDE-SCOPE MASSACRE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING IN CAMERIA IN JUNE 1944. THE IS SUE THAT OTHER STUDIES ALSO POINT OUT IS THAT CONDUCTING ETHNIC CLEANSING HAS BECOME A STATE TRADITION IN GREECE.
C. NOWADAYS, THE CAMERIAN ALBANIANS CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR THEIR RIGHTS AS VICTIMS OF THE GENOCIDE APPLIED TO THEM BY THE GREEK. WHILE THERE WAS 99% ALBANIAN POPULATION IN THE CITIES OF THE REGION AND 100 % IN THE VILLAGES UNTIL THE CAMERIAN GENOCIDE DAYS 24 JUNE 1944, THIS POPULATION IS NOW SPREAD. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ETHNIC IDENTITY OF THE ORTHODOX ALBANIANS IS DENIED AND ENDEAVORED TO BE SHOWN AS IF IT DOES NOT EXIST.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 1945 EVENTS, THE GREEK ADMINISTRATORS SETTLED GREEK, ULAH AND GYPSY POPULATION HERE TO UPSET THE DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE REGION AND THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE ANY RIGHTS OF THE ALBANIANS OF ORTHODOX SECTS WHO COULD REMAIN THERE. AS A RESULT OF THIS POLICY OF ATHENS WHICH DENIES THE ALBANIAN ETHNIC IDENTITY EXCEPT FOR THE ORTHODOX IDENTITY, THE CHAMERIAN ALBANIANS ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK THEIR OWN LANGUAGE ON THEIR OWN TERRITORIES AND WERE RESTRICTED THE GOODS AND PROPERTIES OF THE CHAMERIAN ALBANIANS WHO HAD BEEN EXPELLED, FO THE NEW RESIDENTS, HAVING NOT BASED ON ANY LEGAL GROUNDS.
NOWADAYS, THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO THE CHAMERIAN ALBANIANS TO ENTER THE COUNTRY AND CONDUCTS A POLICY OF ISOLATION AND DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS THEM. THE GREEK ADMINISTRATION HAS CHANGED ALL THE NAMES OF THE PLACES IN THE REGION INTO GREEK BY APPLYING A CULTURAL ASSIMILATION POLICY.
THE THEN PRIME MINISTER KONSTANTIN MITSOTAKIS MADE A SPEECH IN TIRANA DURING HIS ALBANIA VISIT AN MAY 1992 AND SAID THAT THE CAMERIA ALBANIANS HAD COLLABORATED WITH THE ITALIAN AND GERMAN OCCUPIERS AND THERE FORE THEY WERE WAR-CRIMINALS AND CONSEQUENTLY THEY WERE PUNISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GREEK LAWS AND WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO GREECE. HOWEVER, THE CAMERIA ALBANIANS DID NOT COLLABORATE WITH THE OCCUPIERS. GERMAN DOCUMENTS PROVE THAT NAPOLEON ZERVAS WHO KILLED THE CAMERIA ALBANIANS HAD COLLABORATOR WITH GESTAPO.
THE REACTIONS OF THE ALBANIANS TO THE ATTITUDES OF GREECE, AND THE PERSONS, INSTITUTIONS AND FOUNDATIONS WHO HAD STUDIES ABOUT ALBANIAN MINORITY, ALBANIAN PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY ACCEPTED AND PROCLAIMED THE DATE OF “27 JUNE” AS THE COMMEMORATION DAY OF CAMERIAN GENOCIDE WITH THE RESOLUTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ON 30 JUNE 1994. CAMERIA ISSUE WAS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE 4TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNREPRESENTATIVE NATIONS AND PEOPLES ORGANIZATION IN JANUARY 1995, THE HAGUE. IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 20-26 JANUARY THE FOLLOWING POINT WERE EMPHASIZED:
THE CAM PEOPLE SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND THEIR RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK. THE RIGHTS OF RETURNING THE PROPERTIES OF THE CAM PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK.
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS THAT STEM FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ADMITTED. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THESE ISSUES THE GREEK GOVERNMENT WAS ASKED TO ADMIT THE HISTORIC FACTS OF CAMERIA ISSUE AND TO TAKE SERIOUS STEPS TOWARDS SOLUTION AND RIGHTS.
COMMEMORATION DAY OF CAMERIA GENOCIDE HAD A GREAT EFFECT IN TURKEY AND THIS ISSUE TOOK PLACE IN TURKISH MEDIA. VARIOUS NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES PUBLISHED NEWS AND ARTICLES ABOUT CAMERIA ISSUE IN JUNE AND JULY 1998.
AFTER THE KOSOVO CRISIS, GREECE HAS PLACED SOME POSSIBILITIES OF ACTIVITIES AT THE AGENDA AGAINST CAMERIA WITHIN ITS BORDER. THE EXISTENCE OF SOME OF THE UNDERGROUND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE “CAMERIA LIBERATION ARMY” OF WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOLDER SECTIONS OF VARIOUS CAMERIA ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE MORE THAN 150.000 MEMBERS ONLY IN ALBANIA IS EXPRESSED WITH CONCERN BY GREECE ITSELF. IT WILL BE OBSERVED IN THE COURSE OF TIME THAT TO WHAT EXTENT SOME EFFORTS THAT STARTED AT THE END OF 1998 AND IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1999 TOWARDS A CLOSER RELATION BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES WILL POSTPONE THESE PROBLEMS.
THE CAM ALBANIANS WHO WERE EXILED TO ALBANIA BY GREECE TOOK THE PERMISSION OF ESTABLISHING ASSOCIATIONS IN THE TIMES OF SALI BARISHA, LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN ORDER TO RETURN TO THEIR LANDS AND DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AFTER ENVER HODJA HAD DIED, AND THEY PERFORMED ACTIVITIES IN 17 DIFFERENT PLACES HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER THE SOME GOVERNMENTS CLOSED THESE ASSOCIATIONS IN 1994 BY FORCE OF POLICE IN ORDER NOT TO CAUSE ANY PROBLEM FOR GREECE. AT THE TIME WHEN THE “ASSOCIATION OF CAMERIA” WAS CLOSED THE NUMBER OF ITS MEMBERS WAS 200 THOUSAND. THE ASSOCIATION WAS OPENED AGAIN BUT ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF FATOS NANO GOVERNMENT IT COULD NEVER BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA OFFICIALLY BECAUSE GREECE HAD POWER OVER THE COUNTRY. PRIME MINISTER ILIR META PAID A VISIT TO GREECE ON 22-23 DECEMBER 1999 AND IN THIS VISIT WHEN SIMITIS, THE PRIME MINISTER OF GREECE, DENIED THE CAM ISSUE AND THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THESE PEOPLE, ILIR META REPLIED THAT THE CAM ISSUE WAS A FACT AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
24 August 2008, TUZ, MALESIA E MADHE -- As the summer season winds down in Malesia, so does the tourism, and as many "Albanian-Americans" prepare to come back to reality and return to their jobs, families, and normal ways of life, they will take every opportunity to enjoy their last few days and hours in the land they consider theirs' -- MALESIA.
One of the last summer concerts in Malesia brought Kosova's sensation Shkurte Feza to Cavalieri to perform in front of a sold-out concert, where her lyrics have drawn thousands throughout the Balkans, and have especially drawn the admiration of youth and artists in what is called, "the sound of beauty and national pride."
But on this particular night, the "concert-of-all-concerts" was disrupted when, without warning, three unmarked jeeps pulled up at the Cavalieri concert venue loaded with special police units representing Montenegro's anti-terrorist division.
As they marched in, one policeman walked on stage and abruptly grabbed the microphone from Feza while she sang in stride. The rest of the troopers guarded the exits and positioned themselves for what would come next.
An announcement was made that everyone return to their seats and remain there and to not speak a word. There was no explanation as to what was happening, and the ensuing instructions commanded that all concert-goers were to be searched on their way out of the venue.
As everyone filed out the exists, troopers searched under chairs and tables looking for what, no one knew. Every male was padded down and searched for what seemed to be possession of weapons. Women were not touched.
The incident did not go without harassment, as many concert-goers reported intimidation and sneers by the troopers. Some were asked to go directly home because they seemed to be "drunk." Others were jostled and pushed as if they were the ones at fault for crimes unknown and reasons unsubstantiated.
After everyone was searched, there were no weapons found, no bombs disclosed, and no terrorist plans unfolded. With that, everyone was told they could return to the venue, but most people decided to go home with their families.
Ms. Feza was so shaken by the event, that she decided to cancel the rest of her performance and head back home. Those that did return, only sat in their seats and muttered among themselves in shock at what took place. Before long everyone deserted the concert and quietly went home.
A conclusion to a summer in Malesia turned out to be a night polluted with fear, intimidation, and ethnic profiling. It was perhaps Podgorica's gesture to Albanian-Americans that they remember what awaits for them next year, and thereafter. Who knows.
But one local student perhaps summed it up best: "Those of you that live in the Diaspora can now go home and forget this ever happened, but what about those of us that live here very day ... ? We are never allowed to forget."
20 August, 2008, Podgorica, Montenegro -- As a sure sign of illegitimacy and inept governing, the Montenegrin police forces gathered up and jailed all the accused from the infamous "Eagle's Flight" case that has gripped the Albanian community for the past two years.
The arrests were made in two fronts, the first coming Thur day evening and the rest on Friday morning. As the Court of Appeals waits to hear testimony from the defense, the detentions are thought to be those to fulfillthe verdicts after the August 5th reading from the chief justice.
Reaction from the Albanian community in Tuz came swift, where many were cited as saying that the temporary release of the prisoners was just a facade to lessen the blow when all those detained were found guilty of acts of "terrorism."
5 AUGUST 2008, PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO -- The case known as "Eagle's Flight" handed down its verdict today and found all the accused guilty of crimes charged. Under Montenegrin law, the prisoners will be relased to their families while the appeal process gets under way.
Doda Lucaj (Doci) was the exception, where he will serve six (6) years behind bars and was ordered not to be released.
ON BEHALF OF … the organizers of this event, the several Albanian-American associations throughout these United States, political and social activists defending minority rights, Albanian student organizations, and civic organizations – representing Detroit, New York, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Florida, Connecticut, and New Jersey,
We welcome you to Washington, DC!
Today we have gathered at the footsteps of Washington to highlight the continued inequalities besieging Albanians in Montenegro. With a single voice, we appeal to our United States, the international community, and the several institutions designed to defend those silenced by their state and oppressed because of their ethnicity.
WHY ARE WE HERE …?
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot speak out against state oppression and ethnic discrimination – for fear that their voices will be exaggerated and used against them to create a climate impregnated with fear, confusion, uncertainty, and corruption;
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot participate in social, political and economic institutions – for fear that their efforts will be for not, and if they choose to participate, it is by the rules of the majority, with no institutions, assemblies, and infrastructures to call their own.
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot achieve higher learning without assimilation – where the only means to academic success is to read Montenegrin, write Montenegrin, speak Montenegrin, and think Montenegrin – a program designed to construct a Montenegrin using Albanian parts.
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot attain equal employment without emigration – that if you want to feed your family, you pack up your belongings and leave your ancient homeland for a place that is less forgiving, where the politics of forced emigration render Albanians in Montenegro the least employed ethnic group in proportion to the state’s total population. It should be no wonder that less than 0.5% of Albanians in Montenegro are employed in state institutions.
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot reap the rewards of their labors – where instead Montenegro continues to profit from the toils of Albanian entrepreneurship; guilty of squeezing the fruit out of their vineyards, smoking the leaves in their tobaccos, and sacking the revenues from their salt factories.
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot defend their territories and homes from state confiscation – where our lands in Ulqin, Tivar and other coastal towns are illegally seized and monopolized by state-owned enterprises for financial gain by way of tourist revenues, where the kickbacks to Albanians are NISHTA!
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot worship in their mother-tongues – but instead have to adopt and inherit the language of the majority, because GOD, we are told, does not understand Albanian.
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot enjoy the benefits of local self-government – with no local institutions to call their own, with no local government to appease their grievances, with no local welfare programs to entrust in, with no budget, no municipality, no infrastructure, no electorate, no candidates, … therefore NO PROGRESS!
WE ARE HERE for those who cannot receive equal protection under the law – where instead judicial institutions are influenced by individuals for their own self-interests, that are ill-equipped to implement fairness and equal justice for all its citizens, and instead have produced a dangerous precedent where 16 Albanians currently detained in Spuz do not stand a chance at a fair trial, with charges unproven and unsubstantiated, under judicial proceedings besieged by corruption, inconsistencies and obstruction of constitutional, state, and international norms. And so “Eagle’s Flight” is threatening to tear the fabric of a civil society unless the whole multi-ethnic citizenry can benefit equally under the protection of the rule of law.
We have gathered here for those who CANNOT achieve the most basic human rights as bestowed upon us at birth, protected by international laws, guaranteed by state institutions, and implemented by good governance.
We are not asking Montenegro to give us our rights, we are asking that Montenegro PROTECT our rights.
WHAT CAN BE DONE …?
We demand that Montenegro:
Initiate equal rights and prohibit discrimination with programs that incorporate all people regardless of social, economic, political, linguistic, religious, and/or ethnic background;
Implement policies and programs aimed at leveling the playing field for Albanians in pursuit of jobs, admission to universities, and even government contracts;
Encourage public institutions such as universities, hospitals and police forces to be more representative of the population. Employ Albanians as judges, police chiefs, and medical directors in areas where Albanians constitute a majority. This will ensure public trust, public confidence and equal representation.
Establish a Commune in Malësia and create policies to provide employment and long term welfare to Albanians at the municipal level. This would no doubt encourage social, economic, and political development, bring government closer to the people and embolden a minority group that has been disenfranchised for so many years.
Redistribute a fair proportion of the national wealth in areas where Albanians comprise a majority, such as 85% in Ulqin and 92% in Malësia. Reinvestment in these regions guarantees increased wealth, growth, development and public consumption. The returns on these investments can be invaluable.
Encourage equity ownership, representation at both employee and management level, procurement to initiate Albanian-owned businesses and social investment programs, amongst others.
Create government-sponsored programs to educate the majority about the important contributions that Albanians bring to the country, including diversity, rich history, aptitude, and an unsurpassed work ethic – characteristics that can build a country and not break it apart.
Tear down state monopolies and encourage private ownership. Give back to Albanians those enterprises that were wrongfully taken away and given to corrupt government elites driven by personal gain instead of public service.
We ask Montenegro to read their Constitution – AGAIN – and adhere to those Articles set forth calling for these aforementioned protections. And in doing so, we ask that they protect the rights of our Fathers, our Brothers, our Sons and our Uncles who are counting the days until they are reunited with their families. For if their constitutional rights are protected and the rule of law is adhered to, your judicial system should rightfully declare: NOT GUILTY.
In Montenegro’s pursuit of Euro-Atlantic integration, the road travels through Malësia, winds through Plav & Gusi, cuts through Ulqin, stretches around Ana e Malit, passes by Kraja, and descends upon Tivar.
Unless these routes are paved equally, Montenegro’s passage towards Euro-integration will be bumpy indeed. Nonetheless, we will do our part. Now Montenegro, can you do yours’?
DEMONSTRATION CALLS FOR MONTENEGRO TO CEASE ILLEGAL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND INJUSTICES AMONG THE ALBANIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS
WASHINGTON DC, June 14, 2008 – The Albanian-American Diaspora, through its several organizations throughout the United States, have joined efforts to call together a peaceful demonstration to highlight the continued illegal detention of 16 Albanians currently detained on charges unproven and unsubstantiated, under judicial proceedings besieged by corruption, inconsistencies and obstruction of constitutional, state and international norms. We are demanding an end to violations of civil liberties, constitutional and human rights, which have consequently led to sharp cleavages in the social, political, and economic lives of Albanians throughout Montenegro. These infringements to the inherent rights of Montenegro’s largest ethnic group have led to the dubious arrests of 16 Albanians in the case contemptuously depicted as “Eagle’s Flight.” The Albanian-American Diaspora calls upon all Albanians and supporters of human rights to come together and proclaim an immediate end to these human rights violations at the following venue:
Washington, DC June 23, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.
Montenegro’s fragile democracy is being challenged by its inability to carry out the rule of law, where judicial institutions are influenced by individuals for their own self-interests that are ill-equipped to implement fairness and equal justice for all its citizens. Given the intricate network of party loyalties between judges, prosecutors, police and government elites, these corruptive associations have produced a disturbing climate where Albanians do not stand a chance at a fair trial, further evidenced by the following inconsistencies in their very own legal standards surrounding the case:
* This case against the accused cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt because the case necessarily relies upon the illegal conduct and perjured testimony of Police Officers * The trial prosecutor’s involvement in human rights violations renders her biased and she lacks the objectivity and independence required by the State Prosecutor’s Law to be the trail prosecutor. * Under Montenegrin law, the accused are entitled to five judges, however only three judges have been assigned to “Eagle’s Flight” in efforts to reduce the probability of dissent.
These above-mentioned violations have disenfranchised an entire ethnic group, where public participation in political, societal and community associations are discouraged and manipulated by the majority. In the same vein, the emergent distrust in government and state institutions, including corruptive law and judicial enforcements, are threatening to tear the fabric of a multi-ethnic society. As such, policies that favor government abuses and corruption, including confiscation of land and natural resources, have led to assimilation and forced emigration as the only means of survival, thus rendering the Albanians in Montenegro the most threatened national minority in the Balkans.
Acknowledgement of the aforementioned neglect to human rights have been clearly recognized and documented by international monitoring agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, Helsinki Committee of Montenegro, OSCE, European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Amnesty International, and Freedom House.
The magnitude of this rally has gathered the support of all Albanian-American organizations representing and working for the inherent rights of Albanians in Montenegro. This show of unity further underscores the need for international mediation to put a stop to the growing disparities between the majority and minorities in Montenegro. As such, this call for unification is extended to the Albanian-American community throughout the United States and abroad. Join us as we demonstrate for those who cannot. Together we seek Equal Rights and Equal Protection under the law for all Albanians in Montenegro.
SUPPORTED IN UNISON BY:
Albanian Catholic Churches Albanian Islamic Centers Albanian American Association (Shoqata Malësia e Madhe) Albanian American National Council Albanian American Student Organization Albanian Community Television Albanian TV of Michigan First Albanian Bektashi Monastery Homeland Unites Us (Levizja Atdheu na Bashkon) Humanitarian Fund “MALËSIA” (Fondi Humanitare “Malësia”) Plavë Guci Foundation Shoqata Ana e Malit Shoqata Ded Gjo Luli Zani Atëdheut (Homeland Voice)
FOR THE EQUAL PROTECTION OF: Human Rights • language • culture • employment • education • local self-government • Municipality of Tuzi
FOR PROTECTION FROM: Illegal detention • torture • ethnic profiling • government abuse/corruption • assimilation • forced emigration • Confiscation of land/territory & natural resources
THE PROTEST WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY – JUNE 23
VENUE:
10:00 a.m. U.S. State Department 2201 C Street NW 11:00 a.m. White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave 12:30 p.m. Montenegro Embassy 1610 New Hampshire Ave 2:00 p.m. U.S. Capitol Upper Senate Park/Taft Memorial Park
WASHINGTON, DC
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THESE PHONE NUMBERS:
BRUSSELS, May 29 (Reuters) - A decade after the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia, most of the Balkans is safer than western Europe, the United Nations said in a report on Thursday.
Levels of homicide, rape, assault, robbery and burglary were all lower in the region than elsewhere in Europe, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said, citing the benefits of the relative political and economic stability of recent years.
The one black spot remained organised crime and particularly the region's role in heroin trafficking, it said, calling for more cross-border cooperation between national police forces.
"At present, the levels of crime against people and property are lower than elsewhere in Europe, and the number of murders is falling in every Balkan country," UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said.
Costa said there was widespread collusion between business, politics and organised crime, but security sector reform and improved criminal justice made it riskier and less profitable.
"The stereotype of the Balkans as a gangsters' paradise no longer applies -- though serious problems remain," he said in the report, presented at a news conference in Brussels.
The report, based on U.N. and national police data, covered nine countries: Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and new EU members Romania and Bulgaria. The others are at varying stages of the lengthy EU accession process, with Bosnia due to start the first step next month.
The EU has made improving the rule of law, governance and other reforms conditions for EU accession.
Speaking with Costa at a later seminar, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said tackling organised crime and corruption remained "formidable challenges" in the Balkans.
"This needs to change if the region is to keep moving forward towards the European Union," he said, adding that those threats remained the greatest obstacles to visa-free travel to the EU for Balkan citizens.
"The fact is that EU states and public opinion are worried about organised crime in the Balkans," he said.
The number of reported murders in the region virtually halved from 2,185 in 1998 to 1,130 in 2006, the report found.
Costa said the lack of large-scale youth unemployment or steep income inequality and runaway urbanisation meant the basic conditions for high crime did not exist and the benign trend would continue as living standards increased.
Analysts point to continuing political instability as the major obstacle to foreign investment in the Balkans.
Serbia's government was initially set to launch a tender for local carmaker Zastava in April, but its plans changed when the government collapsed in March and an early election was called.
Officials said the deal then received a boost when Serbia signed a pre-accession pact with the European Union last month, which once implemented will lead to improved trade ties.
Shortly after this, Italy's Fiat announced plans to team up with the government to invest a combined 700 million euros ($1.09 billion) to produce two new car models at Zastava.
Risks to Western businesses though were underlined when Western stores and restaurants were vandalised in protests after the Western-backed secession of Kosovo from Serbia in February. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Mark John; editing by Andrew Roche)
TIRANA (Thomson Financial) - A U.S. consortium has won control of Albania's only oil refinery with a bid of 125 million euros ($197 million), the government announced on Wednesday.
The Refinery Associates of Texas and Antika Enterprises Consortium USA and Switzerland will own 85 percent of the state-controlled ARMO company, the economy ministry said in a statement.
"The offer by the American company was considerably better than the three others selected to bid out of 25 who had expressed an interest in buying ARMO," the statement said.
"The price was the most important thing," said Deputy Economy Minister Neritan Alibali.
Sources had said the bids for ARMO were to be judged 75 percent on the price offered and 25 percent on the prospective buyer's business and development plan.
ARMO owns two refineries, a research center, 11 depots and a network of gas stations, with a total worth of 109 million euros (170 million U.S. dollars).
Albania's Minister of Economy Genz Ruli had earlier said that AMRO generated profit of 1.7 billion Albanian lek (13.6 million euros) in 2006, compared to 365 million lek in 2004.
The Albanian government plans a series of privatisations this year with the sale of the last remaining large companies still controlled by the state.
PODGORICA, Montenegro, 20 May 2008 -- Five police officers were arrested today in connection with the beating and torture of Albanians arrested in September 2006 known as "Eagle's Flight." The officers are accused of using excessive force after breaking into the homes and arresting 18 Albanians from Malesia e Madhe on the eve of the parliamentary elections on 9 September 2006.
15 May 2008 | Albania’s rise as an up-and-coming real estate development destination was reconfirmed at the country’s first international conference on the issue, which took place recently.
“(We’re) at an early state of real estate development that will become an attractive market in three to five years,” Philip Bay of real estate consultants Colliers International was quoted as saying by media.
Low prices are already attracting some investors who plan on real estate developments in the country, such as the construction of shopping malls and other retail businesses.
According to publications, Tirana, Albania's capital, currently has just 28,000 square meters of office space, which it hopes to double in five years.
In addition, the government has marked land to build six business parks, one of them up to 850 hectares, all with good sea and airport access.
Another one of the country’s attractions is its many unspoiled areas, which experts advise the country to use in order to attract high-end tourism rather than completing with the low to mid-range offers by neighbouring Greece and Turkey.
These factors, combined with last month’s invitation to Albania to join NATO, pave the way fast-developing real estate sector. And although they are not exactly news, as BalkanTravellers.com reported on the country’s path to becoming the next big thing in real estate as far back as the beginning of February, the recent conference confirmed that this rise is continuing as expected.
PODGORICA, Montenegro, 12 May 2008 -- At today's protest before the court building in Podgorica where the Albanian prisoners are being tried, leaders of the three Albanian political parties, along with family members of the detainees promised to continue their show of support by peacefully assembling and declaring with one voice, "It's time our rights."
Member of Parliament, and leader of the Albanian Alternative Party, Vasel Sinishtaj stressed that the police forces responsible for the arrests and handling of the detainees over-stepped their duties by using excessive force. Moreover, he said that the judicial process has been unnecessarily delayed, where the very people (Albanians) that ushered in independence for Montenegro in 2006 have now been labeled as "terrorists" and as a result have been victims of ethnic profiling ever since.
This rally concluded what was a three-day international effort to bring attention to the prisoner's dilemma. On Friday, approximately 400 Albanian-Americans rallied in front of the United Nations in New York, followed by a protest in TUZ Saturday.
