Tiranë, 29 mars - Me flamuj shqiptarë, këngë patriotike studentë nga veriu në jug janë bashkuar sot në Tiranë për të protestuar në lidhje me skandalin e ushtrisë greke ku gjatë paradës kombëtare kanë lëshuar thirrje antishqiptare dhe antimaqedonase.
Studentë të universitetit Luigj Gurakuqi në Shkodër dhe të universitetit Ismail Qemali në Vlorë janë vendosur sot rreth orës 13.00 për të protestuar para ambasadës greke në Tiranë.
Të veshur me bluza të kuqe me simbolin e shqiponjës së zezë, duke valëvitur flamurin shqiptar dhe duke kënduar këngë patriotike të rinjtë shqiptarë kanë marshuar paqësisht përgjatë ambasadës greke.
Fillimisht studentët e universitetit Luigj Gurakuqi në qytetin e Shkodrës janë mbledhur sot paradite para rektoratit të universitetit dhe më pas me flamuj shqiptarë në duar dhe në shpatulla kanë marshuar nëpër rrugët kryesore të qytetit për tu ndalur në sheshin “Luigj Gurakuqi”.
Të rinjtë janë ndalur në rreth rrotullimin, (kur dikur ka qenë busti i 5 heronjve te Vigut, sot është ndërtuar një shatërvan) ku valëviten flamujt e të gjithë vendeve anëtare të NATO-s.
Në shenjë proteste studentët kanë hequr flamurin grek nga grupi i flamujve të NATO-s dhe i kanë vënë flakën.
“Shpirti ynë atdhetar na thirri të bashkohemi në një protestë të organizuar nga vetë ne. Nuk lejojmë fyerje raciste kundër shqiptarëve. Është e disata herë që në Greqi ofendohet dhe shahet kombi ynë. .. Ne duhet të reagojmë”- deklaroi një protestues për mikrofonin e NEWS24. Protestuesi mbante mbi shpatulla flamurin shqiptar. Studentët paralajmëruan se protestat nuk do të ndalet por do të vazhdojë sot në kryeqytet. Sipas organizatorëve në orën 13.00 protesta do të zhvillohet para ambasadës greke.
Dy ditë më parë disa të rinj në qytetin e Burrelit dogjën flamurin grek në shenjë proteste. Një protestë e tillë u zhvillua dhe nga studentët e universitetit Aleksandër Moisiu në Durrës.
Një tjetër protestë e organizuar nga lëvizja Mjaft, Çamëria dhe PDU, u zhvillua të shtunën e kaluar para ambasadës greke si reagim ndaj videos skandal./NOA/
Digjen flamuj grekë në Gjilan
Gjlan, 29 mars - Në shenjë pakënaqësie me provokimet dhe fyerjet e ushtrisë greke ndaj shqiptarëve, disa të rinjë gjilanas, në mbrëmjen e të hënës janë mbledhur para
Teatrit të Qytetit dhe kanë djegur disa flamuj grekë. Djegien e flamujve grekë në platonë e Teatrit të Qytetit e ka konfirmar edhe Policia e Gjilanit. Zëdhënësi i Policisë së
Kosovës (PK) për rajonin e Gjilant, togeri Ismet Hashani, ka thënë se rreth 15 të rinj gjilanas, duke përfshirë edhe veteranë të UÇK-së, kanë djegur diss flamuj grekë.
Hashani bëri të ditur se nuk ka pasur incidente tjera dhe as fyerje në baza etnike. /NOA/
PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO -- Montenegro's leading opposition politician, Nebojsa Medojevic, was physically assaulted outside his home Saturday, according to local media reports.
The attacker threatened to "liquidate" Medojevic, he told a press conference, DPA reported.
Police have arrested the alleged attacker, reported local media. The arrested man is a close relative of another man whom Medojevic has regularly characterized as an organized crime leader. Medojevic called the attack "classic Mafia-style intimidation."
Medojevic has often accused the government of Montenegro's prime minister, Milo Djukanovic, of protecting criminal structures, especially the drug mafia.
Similar incidents of violent attacks on public figures are widespread in Montenegro, where the ruling DPS is known to suppress any opposition movements by illicit tactics. Djukanovic is known to have orchestrated many such abuses on people and groups that oppose his strong-handed rule by ruthless means.
A total number of 65 countries recognize Kosovo’s independence, including the United States.
Kosovo celebrates the 2nd anniversary of its independence from Serbia. Streets are adorned with flags and the government has announced a two-day official holiday.
The first ceremony was held in Prizren to commemorate martyrs. People has taken to the streets in Kosovo where blood and tears were shed for long years.
The Kosovo Parliament declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008.
Declaring the Kosovo’s independence as “illegal”, Serbia intended to seek international validation and filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice.
After the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, the United Nations Security Council placed Kosovo under transitional UN administration and demanded the Serbian forces to withdraw from Kosovo.
Following Martti Ahtisaari’s, a former President of Finland, proposal for a supervised independence in February 2007, the declaration of independence was made by members of the Kosovo Assembly meeting in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, on 17 February 2008. It was approved by unanimous quorum.
Turkey is one of the first states to recognize Kosovo’s independence, and the total number has reached 65, including the United States and majority of EU member states.
The European Union both controls and supports Kosovo’s march for independence.
Turkish Ambassador to Kosovo Metin Hüsrev Ünler expressed his support at the reception given by Kosovan President Fatmir Seydiu.
Great infrastructure and energy projects are underway in Kosovo in an effort to repair damages of the war, while the contry struggles with a high unemployment rate.
Applying for the EU membership, Kosovo is becoming a member of many international finance institutions and carries out reforms along with the help of Turkey.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Abdullah Gül sent a message to his Kosovan counterpart, saying: “On behalf of the Turkish nation, I congratulate 2nd birthday of the Republic of Kosovo with sincere feelings.”
Montenegro must tread carefully in order to resolve its outstanding issues with Serbia and Kosovo, with the latter required to fulfill three key conditions – border demarcation, the sustainable return of displaced persons and recognition of the ethnic Montenegrin community - before full diplomatic relations will be established.
By M. Bogetic
The decision to recognize an independent Kosovo was by no means an easy one for the Montenegrin Government. Bearing in mind the strong historic, economic and ethnic ties between Montenegro and Serbia, and the fact that one-third of the population in Montenegro declares themselves as Serbs, it was certain that such a decision would provoke outrage from Serbia and the Serbs in Montenegro. When the decision was finally made, in October 2008, it led to mass protests in Podgorica, whilst the Montenegrin ambassador in Belgrade was declared a persona non grata. The Government of Montenegro nevertheless stood by its decision, saying that recognizing Kosovo meant simply acknowledging the reality, and that Podgorica wanted to have good-neighborly relations with all of the surrounding countries.
Over the following year, progress in relations between Podgorica and Belgrade has been slow, but steady. Serbian tourists kept coming to the Montenegrin coast - the main source of income for Montenegro’s economy - and economic cooperation continued as usual. Still, it was only in November 2009 that a new Montenegrin ambassador to Belgrade took-up his post and diplomatic ties were fully normalized. During the same period, relations between Montenegro and Kosovo remained rather low-profile, with several working-level visits between Podgorica and Pristina. There had been no official bilateral visits throughout 2009, only a few meetings on the margins of multilateral conferences. The Montenegrin Government had apparently been trying to carefully balance between not alienating Belgrade again too soon, and showing Pristina that it wanted to be a constructive neighbor.
On 15 January 2010, Montenegro and Kosovo made a further step in their bilateral ties by officially establishing diplomatic relations. This decision could have been expected, because it represented a natural next step after the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. It provoked sharp criticism from the opposition in Montenegro, but this time there were no street protests and the Montenegrin ambassador to Belgrade was not proclaimed unwelcome. Nevertheless, Belgrade, as expected, heavily criticized the decision, and recalled its own ambassador to Montenegro “for consultations”; which, at the time of writing, are still ongoing. Concurrently, Belgrade delivered a €1.5 million bill to the Montenegrin Government for use of the villa where the Montenegrin Embassy in Belgrade is currently located.
Whilst both the decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence and to establish diplomatic relations had been “strongly encouraged” by Montenegro’s key international partners, and afterwards warmly welcomed, the next step - an exchange of ambassadors between the two countries - might need to wait a bit longer, despite continuous international “recommendations” to proceed with it sooner rather than later. There are three issues which Podgorica would like to resolve with Pristina prior to the opening of diplomatic representations.
Firstly, Montenegro and Kosovo will need to demarcate and delineate their mutual, 79 km-long border. Both sides have so far stated that the border issue was a technical, rather than a political one, and that the basis for negotiations is the border defined in the 1974 SFRY Constitution, which was later reaffirmed by the conclusions of the Badinter Commission. Nevertheless, there might need to be some minor exchanges of territories in the bordering areas, in order to accommodate local populations, which could prolong the whole process. Similar negotiations between Kosovo and Macedonia lasted for more than a year.
Secondly, Pristina would need to make a more concerted, visible effort to provide conditions for a sustainable return of displaced persons from Kosovo still residing in Montenegro. Out of almost 11,000 people, close to 2,000 have so far expressed a readiness to return, provided that some basic conditions are met, such as the return of their property, safety guarantees and opportunities for employment. So far, the Kosovo Government has made many declarations of good will, but taken insufficient practical action and dedicated insignificant sums of money for the return of the displaced from Montenegro.
Finally, Podgorica wants the ethnic Montenegrin community in Kosovo to be recognized in normative legislation, and be awarded proper representation in the Assembly, as well as proportional employment in state institutions. On this issue, again, Kosovo officials have frequently expressed their support, but nothing has been yet accomplished. Leaders of the Montenegrin minority in Kosovo emphasize the need to have the community recognized prior to the next parliamentary elections, which are very likely to take place in late-summer 2010. Only this way will the Montenegrins in Kosovo be able to vote and elect their authentic representatives to the Kosovo Assembly.
While in 2010 Podgorica will be working on the outstanding issues with Kosovo, it will also need to be addressing a couple of questions which remain open with Serbia. The key issue remains that of dual citizenship, on which negotiations have been stalled for months, without realistic chances of progress. Another matter concerns succession of property of the former SFRY, primarily gold reserves and diplomatic buildings abroad.
Montenegro will thus find itself in a delicate situation, because undoubtedly any visible advancement in relations with Kosovo, and an eventual exchange of diplomatic staff, will lead to worsening of relations with Serbia, even if only temporarily. Therefore, it remains to be seen if the official Podgorica will be able to “have its cake and eat it too”. It is encouraging that the EU has been recently sending much stronger signals that good neighborly relations in the Western Balkans will be a true prerequisite for any further progress down the path of European integration, which should, in turn, motivate local leaders to demonstrate more good will and practical actions to follow. Montenegro, which will be chairing several regional initiatives and organizations throughout 2010, will thus have an additional chance to demonstrate its true dedication to having the best relations possible with all of its neighbors. Hopefully, the neighbors will reciprocate.
M. Bogetić is a graduate of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna and the Johns Hopkins University-School of Advanced International Studies.
All Balkan countries except Bulgaria are better off today -- and more economically free -- than they were a year ago, according to the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal's (WSJ) latest global survey on economic freedom, published last month.
The 16th annual edition of the Index -- which lists Albania as the most economically free nation in the Balkans -- covers 183 countries.
Indicators include business freedom, trade freedom, fiscal freedom, government spending, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights, freedom from corruption and labour freedom.
The January 20th report was adamant that all Balkan countries must do a better job of fighting for property rights as well as combating corruption, if overall economic progress is to be made.
While Montenegro made the greatest progress in the world in 2009, it remained well behind Albania, the region's best scoring economy in the Index of Economic Freedom. Notable progress in seven of the ten areas of economic freedom allowed Montenegro to improve its grade by 5.4 points since last year.
Based on a score of 63.6, the Adriatic republic was ranked 68th in the world this year, up from 94th in 2009.
Countries were given scores from 0 to 100 on ten factors of economic openness. With scores from 60 to 69.9 points each, five Balkan nations -- Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro and Romania -- fell within "moderately free" economies.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Croatia and Serbia were among the 55 countries ranked "mostly un-free", with scores between 50 and 59.9.
The report cited "increases in trade freedom, property rights, freedom from corruption and labour freedom" as the main factors for Albania's 2.3-point higher total mark from the one it earned last year. The country's fiscal freedom was rated at 92.6 points, the highest score given to any Balkan nation.
"Despite the global economic slowdown, Albania has been able to maintain relatively sound macro-economic stability" and has taken steps to improve the business and investment climate in the country, the two US-based organisations said in the lengthy study.
Fifteen counties -- including Macedonia, Croatia and BiH -- gained at least 2.5 points in their economic freedom scores.
In spite of the financial difficulties, many countries have not abandoned the principles of economic freedom and have continued to adopt measures to liberalise and deregulate fiscal activity.
"Eighty-one countries -- almost half of all those ranked in the Index -- showed improvements in their overall economic freedom scores this year," the report noted. "The levels of economic freedom in 90 other countries, as measured in the 2010 Index, have declined."
Macedonia improved its overall score by 4.5 points and moved up 22 places to take 56th in this year's index. Croatia's mark for economic freedom increased by 4.1 points to 59.2, while BiH's new score of 56.2 is 3.1 points higher than last year. Both countries jumped up 24 slots on the list. Croatia was ranked 92nd and BiH came in at 110th.
Bulgaria lost 2.3 of its economic freedom score in 2009 due to "losses in investment freedom and freedom from corruption, and growth in government spending", the report noted. With its current mark at 62.3, the country fell 19 positions to the 75th in the 2010 Index.
Based on its overall score of 64.2, which is one point higher than last year's, Romania was ranked the 63rd freest economy this year. Serbia gained 0.3 point and moved up five places to the 104th, with a score of 56.9.
Hong Kong, followed by Singapore, remained the world's freest economies for the 16th year in a row. Of 179 countries ranked this year, only five others were classified as "free", with an overall score of 80 or higher. Another 23 with grades in the range of 70-79.9 points were rated "mostly free".
WASHINGTON - During his three-day visit, Montenegrin PM Milo Djukanovic will meet U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
It is believed that one of the main themes to discuss will be Montenegro’s bid to join NATO, and U.S. support in that matter. However, medias pointed out that vast majority of Montenegrin citizens is against the government plans to join the NATO, so it remains unclear on whose behalf is Montenegrin delegation leading the talks in Washington D.C.
Montenegrin Ambassador in Washington Miodrag Vlahovic said ”The program of the visit is very intensive and all our interlocutors are interested in meeting Montenegrin delegation and supporting our effort towards Euro-Atlantic institutions.” Besides the prime minister, the delegation consists of Foreign Minister Milan Rocen and Minister of Finance Igor Luksic.
Montenegrin delegation will also meet with heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Robert Zoellick. Prime Minister Djukanovic will visit Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, and give a lecture entitled “Montenegro’s path to Euro-Atlantic structures” at Johns Hopkins University.
PM Djukanovic seeks blessing for his successor after he ruled the country for 20 years?
German Radio Deutsche Welle reported that “according to Podgorica’s estimates the visit will determine the future political scene in Montenegro”. During his trip stateside, “Djukanovic is to receive approval for his successor at the position of prime minister”.
The radio emphasized that Djukanovic has been preparing for this visit for a long time through his lobbyists, and that he succeeded in being received at a high level. The report goes on to say that “before his trip to Washington, Djukanovic fulfilled the condition set out by the U.S. administration to establishment diplomatic relations with Kosovo”.
(From Serbian B92 English news service) High official of the Montenegrin opposition party Movement for Changes Koca Pavlovic stated for Deutsche Welle that the six-time Montenegrin prime minister understood the message sent by the West: he must withdraw so that Montenegro would move on, as was the case with Ivo Sanader in Croatia.
“Aware that he must back down, Djukanovic is trying to arrange a departure by the model he used in the fall of 2006 and that is why he took a projected successor Igor Luksic with him,” Pavlovic said, but “expressed doubt that Washington would agree to another farcical exit of Djukanovic like three years ago”.
Continuous accusations of Montenegrin Prime Minister’s ties with mafia: Djukanovic statements wanted in 4 murder probes
Montenegro’s Supreme Prosecution has submitted a request to the Podgorica Higher Court to question Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Serbian controversial businessman Stanko Subotic aka Cane, who is already on the Interpol wanted list.
Montenegrin PM Djukanovic stated many times that Mr Subotic is his friend, and that he has nothing to hide in that matter. He also denied all the links with mafia and criminal charges that are coming from many sides in the last few years.
Montenegrin daily newspaper “Dan” wrote that the pair, previously mentioned in connection to cigarette smuggling probes, should give their statements in investigations of four murders. Chief State Prosecutor Ranka Carapic has filed the request based on the statement of Montenegrin businessman and former Chief of Montenegrin Trade Mission in Washington - Ratko Knezevic, about the involvement of the Montenegrin prime minister and Mr Subotic in a total of nine murders.
The final decision will be made by Supreme Court of Montenegro, but many analysts consider this whole process a political theatre, since Montenegrin judiciary system is considered to be under complete control of Mr Djukanovic and his ruling Democratic Party of Socialists. They are in power of this small Adriatic country for last 20 years, after previously transforming themselves from the Communist Party and changing the political system into a facade democracy.
STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING
Thursday, 21 January 2010, 1:25 pm Speech: US State Department
Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
January 20, 2010
SECRETARY CLINTON: It’s a great pleasure to welcome the prime minister. We consider our partnership with Montenegro to be very strong, and we look forward to it becoming even more important in the future.
Prime Minister Djukanovic and I discussed a range of issues. We particularly focused on the Western Balkans and the role that Montenegro is playing to ensure stability. I congratulated the prime minister on Montenegro achieving MAP status with NATO, and pledged the United States’ support for Montenegro becoming an integral part of the Euro-Atlantic community.
I offered the support of the United States as Montenegro makes some of the reforms in the rule of law area that both NATO and the European Union are looking to see. And I thanked the Prime Minister for his country’s commitment to sending infantry troops to be part of the international force in Afghanistan.
And finally, I was delighted to receive an invitation to visit Montenegro sometime in the future, which I would very much hope to be able to fulfill.
PRIME MINISTER DJUKANOVIC (via interpreter) Ladies and gentlemen, before I begin, I would like to thank Secretary of State Clinton for the overall support that the U.S. has given Montenegro towards its European and Atlantic integration.
I would like to recall that during a difficult period in the Balkans in the 1990s, that we managed to build a strong mutual trust. That cooperation has helped us understand the values of the American society and has helped us restore Montenegrin independence in a situation and in conditions of full stability and to move today steadily towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
I wish to thank Secretary Clinton in support – for the support to Montenegro in pursuing our goal, which is membership action plan at NATO. And at the same time, I would like to say that we stand ready to work hard to fulfill all the obligations in the next stages of our integration. And I would like to announce with confidence that Montenegro will be the next state to become a new member of NATO. Our two challenges for the future are improving, enhancing the rule of law, and we stand committed to doing this in order to improve the quality of life of our citizens and achieve our European and Euro-Atlantic goals at – as early, as soon as possible.
And I would like to reiterate on this occasion too that Montenegro is and will remain a responsible and reliable partner to the U.S. and EU in dealing with the still outstanding issues in the Balkans. And we will also work closely with our partners in other places beyond our region, starting with Afghanistan.
And finally, I would like to say how grateful I am to Secretary Clinton for accepting our invitation, and I will be looking forward to her visiting Montenegro at a period convenient to her.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much. Thank you all very much.
Nga Brian Salmi për Southeast European Times në Podgoricë -- 21/01/10
Politikanët e opozitës në Mal të Zi prej kohësh janë ankuar në lidhje me zgjedhjet e vendit, duke i quajtur ato të paligjshme, jodemokratike dhe nën ndikimin e krimit të organizuar. Si protestë, tre prej partive më të mëdha të opozitës njoftuan se nuk do të paraqisnin kandidatë në një zgjedhje bashkiake më 6 dhjetor në Mojkovaç.
Duke shfrytëzuar këtë, Partia Socialiste e Popullit vendosi të kandidojë pasi sinjalizoi se do të bashkohej me bojkotin. Ajo morri 13 prej 31 vendeve dhe pjesa tjetër shkoi tek Partia Demokratike e Socialistëve (DPS) në pushtet. Pjesëmarrja ishte 70%.
Veprimi thekson më tej problemet me të cilat ndeshen partitë e opozitës. Sipas profesorit të shkencës politike të Universitetit të Malit të Zi Millo Beçiç partite kanë fonde të pamjaftueshme dhe janë të inatosura me paaftësinë e tyre për të sfiduar me sukses DPS-në.
Opozita vendosi të bojkotojë zgjedhjet bashkiake -- pasi kishte kërcënuar të qëndronte larg nga parlamenti -- kur zgjedhjet e përgjithshme më 29 mars u vërtetua se ishin të pafrytshme, tha Beçiç.
"Ata u përpoqën [të bojkotonin parlamentin] tre herë më parë dhe askush nuk u kushtoi vëmendje. Dhe ata nuk kanë asnjë ligjshmëri tek njerëzit për t'u përpjekur që t'a bëjnë përsëri atë, kështu që dolën me [bojkotimin e zgjedhjeve bashkiake]," tha Beçiç. "Dhe më pas ndryshuan mendje dhe u grindën mes vetvetes."
Ai thotë se arsyeja e vërtetë është se partitë e opozitës janë kaq të inatosura me paaftësinë e tyre për të sfiduar DPS-në sa që kanë hequr dorë."Nuk kanë dëshirë për të kandiduar në lojë," tha ai. "Nuk kanë para; nuk kanë interes të marrin pjesë."
Udhëheqësi i SNP Sërxhan Miliç ka thënë se partia e tij do të marrë pjesë në një zgjedhje bashkiake në Cetinjë, e cila është planifikuar tani për më 7 shkurt për shkak të gabimeve administrative. Partitë e tjera të opozitës thonë se do të vazhdojnë bojkotin e tyre, pavarësisht nga kritikat dhe madje edhe talljet në median vendase.
Përpjekjet për të krijuar një fort të bashkuar për t'u ndeshur me DPS nuk kanë shkuar gjekundi. Një prej partive bojkotuese, Lëvizja për Ndryshim (PfP), u përpoq të drejtonte një aleancë në nëntor, duke shpresuar të galvanizonte partitë politike, veprimtarët, intelektualët dhe udhëheqësit e OJQ-ve në një flamur të vetëm.
Iniciativa dështoi kur partitë e tjera refuzuan të marrin pjesë.
