Sidste Nyt fra Albanien, Kosóva og Makedonien

Indholdsfortegnelse Contents

Ugeoversigt Summary

Internationale organisationer   International organizations
FN   UN
Verdensbanken, IMF m.fl.   World Bank, IMF etc.
OSCE, Europarådet   OSCE, Council of Europe (CoE)
EU   European Union (EU)
NATO   NATO
ICTY - Tribunalet i Haag   ICTY

Balkan, generelt   The Balkans
Kosóva   Kosóva [Kosovo]
Øst Kosóva / Presevo-dalen / Syd-Serbien   Eastern Kosóva
Albanien   Albania
Serbien og Montenegro. Serbien (alene)   Serbia-Montenegro. Serbia
Montenegro (alene)   Montenegro
Makedonien   Macedonia [FYRoM]

Grækenland   Greece
Tyrkiet   Turkey
Italien   Italia

USA   United States (US)
England   England
Tyskland   Germany
Frankrig   France
Danmark (Norge, Sverige)   Denmark (Norway, Sweden)

Rusland Russia
Kina China

Fodbold (FIFA's rangorden) Football (FIFA)

»Albansk Almanak 2003« bd. 1-3

Almanak'en for 2003 er udkommet. Her finder du årets nyhedsbreve. Årets litteraturkommentarer vil udkomme hen over sommeren 2005 i »Albanske Studier« ## 3-4.

Bogen findes i trykt form og på CD (som pdf-fil). Papirudgave på 800 sider i 3 bind. Bogen sælges som papirudgave m/ CD og som CD alene. Se pris på: Bestillingsliste.

Udgaven for 2004 ventes at udkomme medio 2005.

»Albanske Studier« bd. 1-2

Kommentarer til Bjøl, Huntington, Machiavelli, Sørlander, DUPI (Humanitær Intervention), Clausewitz, Mao Zedong, Lars R. Møller, Malcolm og flere andre (kommentarerne er suppleret ift udgaver i Almanak'erne m.v.). Englændere på rejse i Albanien: Edward Lear, Edith Durham og Robert Carver. Bøger om slægtsfejder og blodhævn. Diskussion af Anne Knudsen's disputats om blodhævn på Korsika og af Ismail Kadare's roman »Ufuldendt april«. Baggrundsmateriale om den Sønderjyske general Christian von Holstein, der deltog i Habsburgernes felttog ind i Kosóva i 1689-90. Sidst i bogen et forsøg på en sammenfatning i form af nogle 'grundlæggende synspunkter'. Desuden en kommentar til Hans Hækkerup's »På skansen«. På CD'en supplerende materiale om traditionelle Albanske klædedragter og om Holstein.

Du kan downloade indholdsfortegnelsen og kommentaren til Hækkerup fra: http://bjoerna.dk/albansk-historie/studier-2002.htm

Bogen findes i trykt form og på CD (som pdf-fil). Papirudgave 368 A4-sider i 2 bind. Bogen sælges som papirudgave m/ CD og som CD alene. Se pris på: Bestillingsliste.

Til dig der kigger på et ældre nummer af »Sidste Nyt«.

Seneste udgave af denne »annonce« kan ses på:

»Sidste Nyt« (klik)

Seneste 4 udgaver af »Sidste Nyt fra Albanien, Kosóva og Makedonien«:

Sidste Nyt #258 - frem til 13.05.2005 (klik tv.)
Sidste Nyt #257 - frem til 06.05.2005 (klik tv.)
Sidste Nyt #256 - frem til 29.04.2005 (klik tv.)
Sidste Nyt #255 - frem til 22.04.2005 (klik tv.)

Urolighederne i Kosovo / Kosóva marts 2004: Sidste Nyt #206 (klik tv.)

Sagen mod Slobodan Milosevic: (1) Retsmødet 5.7.2004. Udsættelser osv. Links & materiale: Om udskrift af anklageskrifter og retsbøger | (2) Milosevic' indledende forsvarstale; tildeling af Forsvarsadvokater | (3) Afhøring af de første af Forsvarets Vidner. Sagen udsættes til 12.10.2004. Skriftlig begrundelse for at tildele Milosevic Forsvarsadvokater | (4) Forsvarernes appel (29.9.2004; som pdf); (5) Appelafgørelsen der - i høj grad - gav Milosevic medhold (1.11.2004; som pdf); (6) Afhøring af Professor Mihajlo Markovic (Nov. 2004)

Sagen mod Fatmir Limaj m.fl.: Se under: ICTY.

Alle årets udgaver: http://bjoerna.dk/nyt-oversigt.htm

UGEOVERSIGT (resumé)

Kosóva: Bevaring af Kulturværdierne. Indlæg af Koïchiro Matsuura, director-general of UNESCO - og Søren Jessen-Petersen, SRSG.

NATOs Generalsekretær imponeret over danskere i Kosovo.

Albanien: Præsident Moisiu har holdt 'afslutningstale' i det Albanske Parlament. Der er sket fremskridt, men der må rettes op på forskellige ting. 'Vi må lære af vores fejl'. Det kommende valg er særdeles vigtigt; det SKAL gennemføres ordentligt.

Præsident Moisiu har deltaget i Europarådsmøde i Polen. Her holdt han en tale - og var også i 'chambre séparée' med den Finske Præsident, Halonen. PM Nano har ca. samtidig været i Ungarn for at drøfte ting af fælles interesse. Måske blev han nødt til at 'misse' Præsident Moisiu's afslutningstale til Parlamentet? Ungarn er måske ved at blive et vigtigt land for Albanien - både i politisk strategisk og i økonomisk henseende?

Jørgen Grunnet er ved at bringe Valg-overvågningsmissionen på plads. Han har haft møder med en række centrale personer og instanser; på det seneste har han haft møde med den Centrale Valgkommission.

IMF har været på besøg. Der er tydelige fremskridt, siger man. Men der er alvorlige problemer mht udenrigshandelen, hvor der er et meget stort handelsunderskud: Macroeconomic developments and prospects: A sustained period of prudent fiscal and monetary policies has permitted the Bank of Albania to lower its interest rate by 350 basis points since early 2003 while maintaining low inflation and a comfortable level of foreign currency reserves. This reflects stronger economic fundamentals and increased confidence by market participants in the careful conduct of economic policies by the Albanian authorities. Partly as a result of lower borrowing costs, credit to the economy increased by almost 50 percent in the 12 months to March 2005, thereby supporting dynamic rates of non-inflationary growth and increasing the relative importance of the private sector as a generator of employment and income. Increased domestic production, particularly in agriculture and energy, has led to lower imports as a share of GDP, while export volumes continued to grow, thereby reducing the trade deficit expressed as a share of GDP. All of these factors combined still point to a growth rate of around 6 percent for 2005 as a whole. ... "Medium-term challenges: Despite improvements to the overall macroeconomic outlook, a self-sustained, export-driven expansion has not yet taken root and continues to be hindered by severe infrastructure deficiencies and institutional weaknesses. Against the background of a still large trade deficit and the likely decline over time of external transfers (including workers' remittances), the growth impulse needs to come from productivity increases in the private sector. Albania needs to attract the large-scale strategic direct investments required to further increase its market share in both domestic and foreign markets. Progress in this direction will require public investments on infrastructure, as well as tangible improvements in the integrity of public institutions and the overall business environment. In this regard, we would welcome a successful and early conclusion of the privatization of Albtelecom, which should lead to improved and more competitive supply of telecommunication services, and better governance. Other multilateral institutions, including the European Union, the World Bank, and the OSCE, actively support the Albanian authorities in strengthening the rule of law, registering and enforcing property rights, and reforming the court system and the judiciary-all of which are also essential to improve the business environment.

Serbien: Der har været visse kontakter mellem "Beograd" og "Prishtina". Det er alt for tidligt at sige om "tingene er ved at rykke", men noget tyder på at "Beograd" har konstateret at en "stiv" politik vil føre til at man taber indflydelse - og til at det bliver næsten umuligt for Kosovo Serberne at vende tilbage. Den Serbiske Regering har aftrykt et brev fra PM Kosumi, Kosóva - hvilket er temmelig usædvanligt (for Balkan-regeringerne).

USA: Amerikanerne vil have løst Kosovo-problemet snarest muligt; det er der i virkeligheden ikke så meget nyt i, men man er tilsyneladende ved at blive utålmodige. Bush-administrationen mener tingene trækker for længe ud - på den anden side lover man at 'blive' indtil der er en løsning. (Hans Hækkerup fortalte for nogle år siden at da Præsident Bush kom på besøg var hans eneste ønske at Amerikanerne skulle ud).

Danmark: UM Per Stig Møller er ved at afslutte en rundrejse til forskellige Balkanlande, Serbien-Montenegro og Kosóva. Det har været overvejet også at besøge Albanien, men det kunne UM Møller øjensynligt ikke nå. Som det fremgår nedenfor er hovedanledningen til besøget at DK er Medlem af Sikkerhedsrådet, og at det nærmer sig med en afklaring af Kosóva's fremtidige status. Som bekendt er det en Dansker, Søren Jessen-Petersen, der er SRSG, dvs. FN's 'Guvernør' eller 'Statholder' (Søren Jessen-Petersen er i øvrigt én af Kandidaterne til posten som ny Flygtningehøjkommissær).

Albanien / Danmark. Det ser ud til at Bardhyl Agasi skal være ny chargé d'affaires i København, dvs. chef for Ambassaden. Han er født 18.10.1949 og stammer fra Durrës, hvor han også har arbejdet i mange år. Han har en universitetsuddannelse i Albansk, har været lærer og senere leder af Alexander Moisiu-teatret i Durrës. Indtil fornylig var han Parlamentsmedlem for Durrës. Han stiller ikke op til det forestående valg - angiveligt fordi Socialistpartiet ønsker fornyelse på visse poster. Han har været partisekretær i Socialistpartiet hvor han bl.a. har arbejdet med pressekontakter. Så vidt vides har Nano tidligere ønsket ham udskiftet som partisekretær. Der har været forskellige skriverier om hans evt. udnævnelse i Albansk presse.

Maleren Genc Permeti udstiller i Lyngby Kulturhus fra 19.5.2005. Sidste dag er 4.6.2005.

INTERNATIONALE ORGANISATIONER m.v.

Opmærksomheden henledes på Economic Reconstruction and Development in South East Europe. Adressen er www.seerecon.org. Her kan man finde materiale om aktuelle møder og konferencer.

VERDENSBANKEN, IMF M.FL.

Se under de enkelte lande / områder.

OSCE, Europarådet

Se under de enkelte lande / områder.

NATO

ICTY - TRIBUNALET I HAAG

Sagen mod Slobodan Milosevic: (1) Retsmødet 5.7.2004. Udsættelser osv. Links & materiale: Om udskrift af anklageskrifter og retsbøger | (2) Milosevic' indledende forsvarstale; tildeling af Forsvarsadvokater | (3) Afhøring af de første af Forsvarets Vidner. Sagen udsættes til 12.10.2004. Skriftlig begrundelse for at tildele Milosevic Forsvarsadvokater | (4) Forsvarernes appel (29.9.2004; som pdf); (5) Appelafgørelsen der - i høj grad - gav Milosevic medhold (1.11.2004; som pdf); (6) Afhøring af Professor Mihajlo Markovic (Nov. 2004)

Sagen mod Fatmir Limaj m.fl.: On 13 April 2005, the Prosecution concluded its case. The trial is to resume on 17 May 2005.

BALKAN LANDE, LANDE VED ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV

BALKAN GENERELT

Udsnit af EU's Europakort 2004. [Udsnittet kan forstørres ved at klikke på det]. Kortet indgår i en præsentationsborchure, der kan downloades som pdf fra: http://europa.eu.int/comm/publications/booklets/eu_glance/20/da.pdf.

KOSÓVA

Bynavne: Angives der to navne på samme lokalitet, er den Albanske nævnt først. Se oversigten på: http://bjoerna.dk/kosova/byer.htm ... Bynavne: Angives der to navne på samme lokalitet, er den Albanske nævnt først. Se oversigten på: http://bjoerna.dk/kosova/byer.htm ... Rapporter fra FNs Generalsekretær ... 040616 SG Kofi Annan udtaler at han agter at udpege Søren Jessen-Petersen som 5' SRSG. Søren Jessen-Petersen blev senere udpeget og tiltrådte i Kosóva 040816. ... 0308 Harri Holkeri tiltrådte som 4' SRSG. Fratrådt 0406 af helbredsmæssige grunde. ... 020214 Michael Steiner tiltrådte i Kosova som 3' SRSG og fratrådte i begyndelsen af 0307. ... En biografi over 2' SRSG Hans Hækkerup kan læses på Danske Politikere. En anmeldelse af hans bog »Kosovos mange ansigter« kan downloades fra: http://neva.hjem.wanadoo.dk/Haekkerup2.pdf (0,4 MB) ... Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government. ... Kosova's Regering. ... Webside vedr. 2004-valgene ... UNMIK Politiets oversigt over 2001 (artikler, billeder og statistik i pdf-format (fil'en er forholdsvis stor: 2,6 MB)) ... Kriminaliteten i 2002 - Oversigt kan downloades [klik på titlen]

Parlamentsvalget 2004 [Præsidenten - Ibrahim Rugóva - er valgt af Parlamentet, the Assembly], se: http://kosovoelections.org/eng/

Bevaring af Kulturværdierne [se også # 258]. CoE / Europarådet skriver:

By Koïchiro Matsuura, director-general of UNESCO.

PARIS - Six years ago, when the international community put an end to the oppression of the Albanian majority in Kosovo by the regime of Slobodan Milosevic, the change was spectacular: Kosovo was freed from a nightmare that had lasted more than a decade.

But the enforced peace that followed did not end the feelings of revenge and hatred that set the different peoples of this region against each other - feelings fueled by the violence and destruction that had led to calls for international intervention.

And despite the presence and commitment of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and support from the broader international community, sporadic violence continued.

The targets of this destruction were often places that embodied the spiritual values of a religious or ethnic community, its very heart or its soul; places that represented symbols of identity and emblems of a common history. Hundreds of churches, mosques, and traditional and distinctive kulla, or tower houses, were thus razed or terribly damaged.

The violence also overshadowed the small but significant steps that were being made by a range of dedicated partners to help rebuild Kosovo and heal its gaping wounds.

UNESCO would argue here that culture is a vital component in any social-political reconstruction, or healing process. This is especially true in a region such as Kosovo that is so pregnant with history, culture, and tradition.

Kosovo has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Recent archaeological finds date back to the early Neolithic period - the 6th millennium BC - and include various anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines of fertility and painted ceramics. In classical antiquity, there were highly urbanized centers of refined culture in the area of present Kosovo.

The Middle Ages and the Ottoman period witnessed the birth of outstanding architectural monuments such as 14th-century churches and monasteries of unique aesthetic accomplishments, and mosques of great stylistic perfection, as well as impressive fortresses, urban centers, and bridges.

The Monastery of Decani is a UNESCO World Heritage site and universally recognized as a fine example of medieval religious architecture in Europe, as is the Monastery of Pec, which is also the seat of the Serbian Orthodox patriarchs.

Following a fact-finding visit to Kosovo in April last year, a team of high-level UNESCO experts highlighted the precarious state of conservation of monuments and sites.

They pointed out that all ethnic communities should understand that the cultural heritage of each is the cultural heritage of all, and that respect for the shared legacy and cultural diversity was a matter of priority.

They recommended that joint efforts be made by relevant international organizations to restore, preserve, and protect cultural heritage sites in Kosovo as a matter of urgency.

Despite the important efforts that have been undertaken to safeguard Kosovo's cultural heritage, it is time to take a more comprehensive approach.

In an effort to contribute to the protection of monuments of major historical significance, representing both Islamic Ottoman and Serbian Orthodox traditions, UNESCO is holding a conference of donors Friday, May 13, in cooperation with UNMIK, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission. According to the experts, an estimated $40 million is needed to begin the most urgent repairs and restorations.

There can be no lasting peace without solid foundations. Tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect for the rule of law, minority rights, and cultural diversity are such basics. They are the "soft" ingredients for peace-building, a long-term process that must start in the mind of each of the citizens of Kosovo and its neighbors.

Education for democratic citizenship has to be strengthened, and work must continue on revising history textbooks and raising awareness for cultural heritage protection and preservation.

There will be no future for Kosovo unless it comes to terms with its past. This exercise includes the obligation to preserve its cultural heritage for future generations. *

UN conference seeks €40 million to restore cultural heritage sites in Kosovo

13 May 2005 – Donors gathered in Paris today for a United Nations conference to raise €40 million (euros) to repair and restore 75 cultural and religious monuments in Kosovo destroyed or damaged during the 1998-99 war and subsequent violence, or which have simply fallen into disrepair.

Among the sites singled out are 48 Orthodox monuments, 14 Islamic/Ottoman monuments and 13 examples of vernacular architecture and other historic sites, including the Decani monastery, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004. Dating from the 14th century, the Romanesque Byzantine church houses numerous Romanesque Gothic sculptures and some 60 icons, and its interior is almost entirely covered in remarkable frescos of more than 1,000 saints.

Søren Jessen-Petersen, head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), said: "Respect for preservation and reconstruction of cultural and religious sites is an integral part of the process of improving and consolidating relations between the different communities in Kosovo, particularly between the Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities."

He added that it was important for the sites to be preserved and protected not only because they were important symbols for the different communities but also because they had intrinsic value in themselves.

"These religious and vernacular sites belong, not only to the cultural heritage in Kosovo, but also to Europe and the world, and therefore must be preserved for future generations," he told the conference, organized by UNMIK, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

Mr. Jessen-Petersen assured donors that UNMIK and the international force for Kosovo (KFOR) were doing all that was necessary to ensure that the security environment remained as stable as possible. "We have placed 47 cultural heritage sites under protection throughout Kosovo and all of these sites receive regular patrols and security checks, while others are under full time international police and KFOR protection," he said.

Ugerapport fra Dansk KFOR. Hærens Operative Kommando skriver (på http://www.hok.dk/):

NATOs Generalsekretær imponeret over danskere i Kosovo

NATOs Generalsekretær, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, besøgte fredag den danske bataljon i Kosovo sammen med medlemslandenes NATO-ambassadører.

Af: Presseofficer Anders Mathiesen

Den fremtidige status for Kosovo skal forhandles på plads. Derfor ønskede NATOs generalsekretær at få et øjebliksindtryk af situationen i landet.

Efter ønske fra Generalsekretæren inkluderede besøget fredag d. 13. maj visit ved den danske bataljon, som netop er placeret i et område, der igennem årene har været arnested for mange uroligheder, nemlig byen Mitrovica i den nordlige del af Kosovo. Her bor kosovoserberne og kosovoalbanerne side om side, og det er den danske bataljons opgave at sikre et sikkert og stabilt miljø.

Fungerende chef for den danske bataljon oberstløjtnant Kim Kristensen mener, at KFORs indsats er blevet mere omkostnings-effektiv:

”Siden 1999 har de militære styrker i Kosovo traditionelt etableret en lang række mindre lejre i de mest problemfyldte områder. Det har bundet mange soldater og ressourcer. I takt med at det lokale politi (Kosovo Police Service) er i stand til at håndtere flere og flere sikkerhedsmæssige opgaver, lukkes disse mindre lejre med henblik på at samle de militære styrker centralt og dermed skabe mere mobile og fleksible enheder til imødegåelse af eventuelle uroligheder.

Disse enheder kan bedst sammenlignes med et ”brandvæsen”, der kan rykke ud hurtigt og effektivt, hvis der skulle opstå brand i området samtidig med, at de daglige småproblemer fremover kan klares af det lokale politi.

Ros fra Scheffer

Igennem flere år har kosovoserberne og kosovoalbanerne vænnet sig til, at KFOR-styrken har været placeret midt i problemområderne og derved har været med til at skabe en form for ”status quo” i deres bevidsthed. Da vilkårene for at omgruppere de militære styrker nu er mulig, er der sat en proces i gang, som gradvist udskifter de faste installationer med en mere mobil og fleksibel struktur.

Den danske bataljon har gennem de seneste måneder tilpasset sig denne virkelighed og har allerede haft succes med at lukke den første lejr i et af de oprindelige problemområder i Mitrovica. Frem for en fast og forudsigelig tilstedeværelse er de danske enheder nu blevet mere mobile og fleksible.

Denne ændring har betydet brug af alle ressourcer i bataljonen lige fra tæt dialog med de lokale talsmænd, koordination med lokalt politi til iværksættelse af projekter til gavn for begge parter. Bataljonen har udvist stor tillid til parterne, men har også en gang imellem – når det har været nødvendigt – måttet vise ”muskler” over for parterne.

NATOs Generalsekretær Jaap de Hoop Scheffer gav udtryk for, at han var imponeret over den måde, hvorpå bataljonen har formået at involvere begge parter i denne vanskelige proces. Han udtrykte stor glæde ved den professionelle måde, bataljonen håndterer den komplekse problemstilling på.

De danske soldater har f.eks. evnet at anlægge en lokal legeplads og minipark i samarbejde med begge parter, samtidig med at bataljonen også umiddelbart er klar til – og har vist vilje til – at bruge magt, når det er nødvendigt.

Oberstløjtnant Kim Kristensen forsikrede NATOs generalsekretær om, at den danske bataljon vil gøre alt, hvad der står i dens magt, for fortsat at skabe et sikkert og stabilt miljø for alle kosovoserberne og kosovoalbanerne i bataljonens område.

Generalsekretæren opfordrede de danske soldater til at fortsætte kursen frem mod et sikkert og stabilt Kosovo.

*

Nøglepersonel fra hold 13 på besøg og husundersøgelser

Uge 19 i Kosovo startede med en rekord, stod i vores afløseres tegn og KFUM fik endevendt deres hus.

Af: Administrationssektionen

Nøglepersonel fra hold 13 på "undervisningsbesøg"

I den forløbne uge har vi haft besøg af vores afløsere, nærmere betegnet chefer og øvrigt nøglepersonel fra hold 13, der er planlagt til at afløse os i august.

Programmet, som det kommende hold 13 gennemgår, er ret omfattende. Det er et program hvor de får forevist alle sider af bataljonen samt det danske ansvarsområde. Alt sammen med det formål, at de er godt klædt på, inden de for alvor går i gang med deres klargøring i Danmark.

Hold 13 fik bl.a. forevist bataljonens kapaciteter på forskellige områder. Det var f.eks. kontrol med uroligheder eller mulighederne for at yde hjælp af forskellig slags. Denne hjælp kan f.eks. omfatte ambulance eller støtte med kran.

Derudover fik hvert medlem af hold 13 individuel undervisning af sin modpart fra hold 12, i de forhold som der nu eksisterer indenfor netop deres speciale.

Den meget opmærksomme læser af HOK hjemmeside vil bemærke, at besøg af staben for det kommende hold, normalt plejer at ligge en måned senere i forhold til rotationen. Årsagen til, at vi allerede har besøg af staben for hold 13 er, at hele forberedelsen fra og med hold 13 skal tilpasses hærens ændrede uddannelsescyklus.

Besøget afsluttedes med et grill-arrangement hvor de to hold ønskede hinanden lykke til fremover.

Her på hold 12 sender vi en stille bøn om, at hold 13 har fået så meget blod på tanden efter deres besøg, at vi ser dem igen til august. Det virkede sådan!

*

Hold 13 undervises

DANCON MARCH den 8. maj 2005

Dagen startede med solskin, blå himmel og 1471 tilmeldte.

Ved at gennemgå de gamle arkiver viser det sig, at DANCON MARCHEN der blev afholdt søndag den 8. maj, er den DANCON MARCH, der her i Kosovo, har samlet flest deltagere.

Stabschefen fik på fornemste vis, flettet alle de deltagende nationer ind i velkomsten til de mange marchgængere, hvilket bevirkede, at stemningen, allerede inden starten, var høj.

Der knytter sig en del rekorder til DANCON MARCHEN, hvor de to mest eftertragtede er: Hurtigste gennemførsel, der er på 2 timer og 6 minutter - og vægtrekorden, der er på 47 kg. Disse to rekorder blev ikke slået denne gang, men til gengæld var marchen den 8. maj den første, hvor den danske bataljon ikke kunne stille med det største hold. Der deltog 178 danskere, 191 amerikanere og hele 514 italienere.

Hurtigst var denne gang en tysk deltager der gennemførte marchen på 2 timer og 14 minutter. Hurtigste dansker var overkonstabel Frode Snitgaard fra sanitetsdelingen der gennemførte strabadserne på 2 timer og 45 minutter. Et af de mere bemærkelsesværdige indslag var en svensk deltager, der gennemførte de 25,2 km på 3 timer og 5 minutter – iført gasmaske.

Efter at BTN nu har gennemført to DANCON MARCHER med mere end 2600 deltagere, må konklusionen være, at DANCON MARCHEN er et stort tilløbsstykke, men også hårdt arbejde. Det hele opvejes dog af alle de gode oplevelser marchen giver de mange deltagere.

Der bankes på

Det gode samarbejde med Kosovo Police Service (KPS) er fortsat i den forgangne uge og er blevet udvidet til at omfatte nye områder. I den forløbne uge har 2. deling fra panserinfanterikompagniet øvet "housesearch" (husundersøgelser) sammen med de lokale betjente fra KPS.

Øvelsen foregik i området omkring KFUM soldaterhjem, kaldet "Kuffen", som er det mest civile hus vi har indenfor lejrens område. "Kuf-mor" og "Kuf-far" havde velvilligt stillet deres hus til rådighed, hvor kompagniet med stor brug af deres fantasi havde gemt bl.a våben de mest utrolige steder.

Politifolkene fra KPS blev bl.a. undervist i en "blød indgangsvinkel" (soft approach) til disse husundersøgelser hvor man stille og roligt forklarer hvad det drejer sig om. Politifolkene blev undervist i selve undersøgelsen, mens soldaterne sørgede for sikkerheden. Endnu en god oplevelse for såvel betjente som soldater, ved at erkende fordelene ved - hver for sig - at gøre det, man er bedst til.

ØST KOSÓVA / PRESEVO-DALEN / SYD-SERBIEN

For nemheds skyld bruges betegnelsen Øst Kosóva / Presevo-dalen om det omstridte område med byerne: Presheva, Medvegja og Bujanoci (Albansk stavemåde). Ca. 75 % af befolkningen skønnes at være etniske Albanere - måske omkring 70.000. En modstandsgruppe har været i funktion, men synes nu at være »lukket ned«. Gruppen kaldtes i forkortet form UCPMB (som står for noget i retning af: Ushtria Clirimtare e Presheva, Medvegja dhe Bujanoci; på Engelsk: Liberation Army of Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoci). Gruppen sagde at den intet havde at gøre med Kosova's UCK, og at den var en lokal gruppe.

ALBANIEN

Klik på kortet, hvis du vil have det forstørret / click http://bjoerna.dk/kort/Albanien.gif to enlarge it

Info fra Albaniens Statistik: Befolkningstal: 3,1 Mio (1.1.2004). GDP (Gross Domestic Product): 630 Mia Lek (2002, current prices); GDP-structure: Agriculture: 26 %, Industry 10-11 %, Construction: 7-8 %, Services: 55-56 %. Export: 54 mia lek (2003) [heraf til Danmark: 23 mio lek; størrelsesorden 1,2 mio kr], Import: 226 mia lek (2003) [Heraf fra Danmark: 855 mio lek; størrelsesorden: 45-50 mio kr], Tradedeficit: 171 mia lek (2003). Største import fra Italien (75 mia lek) og Grækenland (45 mia lek), største eksport til Italien (40 mia lek). Unemployment: 14-15 % (2004-III)

Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385522. Det Danske UM har pt ingen rejsevejledning, men henviser til det Engelske UM. Den Norske Ambassade kan findes på: http://www.norvegji.org/. Det Amerikanske UM har Juni 2004 offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Albanien: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm

Mother Teresa: http://bjoerna.dk/albanien/Teresa.htm.

Præsident Moisiu's aktiviteter [Billederne i denne sektion kan som regel forstørres ved at klikke på dem (mens man er på nettet)]:

Præsident Moisiu har holdt 'afslutningstale' i det Albanske Parlament. Præsidentkontoret har udsendt flg.:

ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT MOISIU TO THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT.

May 19, 2005

Distinguished Mr. Chairman

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

As your mandate ends and at the eve of new elections, allow me to express my high appreciation for your role and engagement in strengthening parliamentarian life. With your work you brought in a few innovations, the most important among which remains the fact that you brought back to normality the development of political life in institutions. You helped in developing the economy, strengthening of justice and the increase of security in the country by passing important laws. Through constitutional parliamentary initiatives, political debates, an increased scrutiny over the executive branch and, for the first time, through the election with maximum support of some of the main leaders of independent constitutional institutions, you played your role in strengthening the pluralist system, democratic society and institutions.

In the mean time, the four years of your work demonstrated also weaknesses of the parliamentarian work, which by evidencing them, help us to learn the lessons for the future. Thus there have also been problems and difficulties, especially in the ensuring of the basic principle of the balance and separation of the powers, the democratic control of the implementation of the approved laws and finding solutions to many issues that present greater interest than the narrowly political one. I am convinced that I am also expressing the view of the citizens that if you had channeled in the right direction all those energies that you used in verbal political battles, the value and productivity of your work would have been much greater for the country and for its citizens.

Through your political activity, you were at the same time lecturers and students of a new political school, for which the country has a great need. Fifteen years ago, the people that founded the political class came from different areas of social life. They didn’t have a chance to be tested in political academies or colleges, but they were tested in rallies and electoral campaigns. Based on that, we could call these developments revolution and evolution wrapped in one. These transition years have been one more opportunity to evidence and form characters and personalities that today are part of the Albanian political class. Albania is now ready to leave the transition period behind. A good part of the political class is demonstrating that it is able to take and carry the responsibilities. Although it is young, the political class has a chance to learn and should learn from the mistakes of the transition period as well as from the experience of other former communist countries. Time is ripe to reflect a new moral in politics, which conveys a high political and civil responsibility sense and that gives to politics a human face and puts it in the service of the citizens and country. The new challenges require each one of us to should ask ourselves the wise saying: “what did I do for my country;” and not “what did he do for me?” This means that national interests, the interests of Albania, must be come truly above any other interest be it political or personal.

Distinguished members of parliament,

In 45 days, Albanians will have the chance to elect a new Albanian parliament with their secret ballots. Everyone now accepts the fact that these are decisive elections for Albania. Their importance in my view can be compared to the elections of the first years of the great democratic transformation. At that time Albanians were leaving behind a political system that in its core, did not recognize free and democratic elections. Now we must leave behind 10 years of problematic and contested elections. We have always said that we want to become part of the European family. It is now time that together we give convincing proof that we are ready to accept and reflect in our political activity the values on which the United Europe has been built.

On July 3, we are not being asked for a miracle or a sacrifice above human abilities. The Albanians should go to vote and elect their representatives for the next four years as voters with free will and a secret vote. This is an experience that has been successfully done in all the nations of the region and the continent. Kosova went through it after a century of occupation. It was even successfully passed in the recently liberated countries of Afghanistan and Iraq. Albanians were successful in it in the early 1990s when we still did not have a full knowledge of democracy.

In the myriad of hurdles we have inherited from past elections, possible manipulations and alibis from the losing side, I don’t see any reason that on July 3 we should waste our European chance. To the contrary; we have unnumbered reasons to act differently, to make possible an electoral process that is truly free and fair, which will be able not only to produce legitimate and democratic institutions and to deepen reforms, but also will offer membership in NATO and later in the European Union. This is Albania’s interest. This is the hugest debt that Albanian politics have to the country’s citizens. In addition, an Albania that is democratic and stable becomes a real help for Kosova in the year of the decision on its final status.

Speaking about the electoral atmosphere, I can’t help but focus on a few positive trends, which give us optimism for the future. The leaders of the political forces represented in the Parliament of Albania signed on April 27 the Code of Conduct, a document of a special symbolic that expresses the public, moral and political commitment for an electoral process conforming to European standards. There is also for the first time a parliamentarian consensus, especially between the two main political forces and their allies, to hold elections with one round, to balance the make-up of the Central Elections Commissions, amend the Electoral Code, the division of the electoral zones, establishing the rules of campaign financing, the procedures for the compilation of the voters lists as well as the role of the police in the elections.

The achieved solutions have not always been of the right and pleasant quality and other political forces have not always been happy with them, however they remain very encouraging. Our elections have never suffered from the quality of laws. They have suffered from the lack of the needed political will to implement existing laws.

It is for this reason, that from this high tribune of democracy I invite you again publicly to respect the agreements and the consensual laws that you have signed or approved. In the wider setting, I invite you not to use things that are unclear or loopholes in the laws to gain mandates or political interest beyond the real will of the people and the spirit of the Constitution. Deforming the will of the voters is against the Constitution, our European image, the civic morals and the country’s major national interests.

I assess that the same importance should also be granted to the need to clearly separate the interests of the state from those of political parties. The state is not part of this electoral campaign. It is the political parties that compete in this campaign to lead the political institutions of the country. The core of the state, constitutional institutions, independent state institutions, the civil administration and other institutions based on laws should be left entirely untouched and uninfluenced by the electoral atmosphere.

Applying the Constitution, the Electoral Code, but also the Code of Conduct, I invite political forces, especially those in the government, not to incite, use or allow any political, legal or financial influence by these institutions in their political campaign. The funds and vehicles of the public institutions belong to all the citizens, and no one should be allowed to use them for electoral interests. I make the same call to the local governments ruled by the opposition.

In this aspect, respecting the right of individuals to run for office and the right of political parties to select their candidates, I think that elected or appointed heads of state and public entities, that administer large financial amounts or whose duty it is to secure basic services for the citizens, should review their official position relating to the electoral campaign. In addition to obligations set by laws there are also moral obligations, which in politics especially are of great importance. Those who aim to represent a new European vision and mentality of doing things, based on the moral following of democratic values and principles, have the best opportunity to show this through their concrete actions. Distancing one self from conflict of interest with the public or official function one holds, is another test for the visions and moral of those who want to lead for the next four years.

There is also worry tied with tendencies to compel and deform the vote through dubious funds or other compromising means. The voters should know the origin of the money used to finance the electoral campaign, to give luxurious gifts to the voters, to give humanitarian aid, or to organize large rallies and entertainment shows. Making these financing sources and the wealth of the candidates public will help the voters better decide and would increase the public’s trust in the elections. This condition is also one of the necessary integration parameters. So whoever feels clean lets prove this it with full transparence and accountability.

Allow me to also express my deep concern for the low number of female candidates in these elections. I am convinced that Albanian society is developed enough to have preferred more women running for office, as I am entirely convinced that the community of young ladies and women in this country has an intellectual potential that is as large as the other part of society. The low number of women running for office is a negative signal for these elections, a signal which I hope will be understood and will be reflected at the right level in the future government.

These elections are also a serious test for the local administration and elected officials. They should respect the laws and stop treating their political adversaries differently from other citizens in their cities and especially to solve with transparency and credibility the problems of the voters’ lists. Paradoxically, the problems until now have come from the capital and other major cities, where the infrastructure and the abilities to verify the lists are at a much higher level than the outskirts areas. The Central Elections Commission should demonstrate full impartiality, transparency and consensus in the electoral process. We all expect the political parties through their representatives to respect the legal deadlines and responsibilities relating to the Central Elections Commission and electoral commissions. These elections should bear testimony to the constitutionality, legality and accountability of independent state institutions, especially those of the State Police, the Intelligence Service, the Foreign Diplomatic Service, the Prosecutor’s Office and Courts.

Another important factor in these elections remains the media in its diversity. I am fully convinced that these elections will reaffirm the positive developments toward the increase of independence, professionalism, and abilities of the media in its irreplaceable role in informing the public and the creation of public opinion. I invite the media to be a tough judge of anyone, especially of whoever does not respect the law or violates the ethics of this election, as I invite it to create a real opportunity for the discussion of different programs and alternatives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I focused on the elections’ issue, because it remains the leading subject of political and constitutional activity for the next two months and a good chance to confirm the maturity of Albania’s democracy. We were potential candidates for membership in NATO and the European Union since the early 1990s, but as a result of electoral problems and a conflict-filled, polarized political life, we stand today in a position were we don’t like to be.

This is a message that must be well understood and well read, because it is in the country’s most basic interest that politics not move forward looking back, but to compare its work with the real potential that Albania had and still has. Otherwise future generations will despise us for the lost time, energy and chances. Recalling my September 13, 2004 message, I would like to stress that it must be finally understood that no one can hold on to power at any cost, and no one can get it at any cost. It is the people that decide through their vote. The sides in this race should show a clear political will to respect the law and then to accept with accountability the results of the elections as well as the institutions that come out of them.

I am personally one of the optimists and the citizens that believe in the idealism and consciousness of our society. From that viewpoint, I am convinced that the importance of these elections will be understood by all and we all are interested that in the days after July 3, our “mill” not to grind in vain and the millstones to erode one another, but to become the period of joining the energies in order to make up for the lost time. After the elections, the new parliament and the government will have an agenda full of problems that seek solutions. I invite the citizens to closely follow your electoral programs, with the wish that they offer solutions that are as acceptable as possible, as long-term as possible, and with a full effect for the increase of the quality of life, reduction of poverty, strengthening of democracy and the Rule of Law. All should try in campaigns to respect the ethical principles and honest competition. It is very important for the manner through which the campaign will be conducted to encourage for a large participation of citizens in voting.

On this occasion, as the President of the Republic who was elected by your secret ballot, I would like to especially thank you for the trust you placed on me and for your active cooperation in the direction of deepening the reforms, strengthening democratic stability, finding solutions through the use of dialogue based on the constitution for political crises and the further strengthening of independent institutions. We have gone toward the building of a communication model, whose strengthening remains a fundamental necessity for the future as a real contribution to the strengthening the country’s democracy and Rule of Law.

Naturally, where there is cooperation and work, there are also moments of tension, misunderstanding, in which emotions run high. However, I want to guarantee you that these moments have never impeded my work and my will to fulfill all my obligations based on the Constitution, which remains the compass of my work. I have been and still am entirely conscious and decisive to stay on the side of the Constitution and above political parties.

Once more, I thank you for the job you did for the benefit of the citizens and that of the country. I wish that these elections will be decisive in taking a secure step forward in Albania’s democratic and integration process.

Thank You!

Præsident Moisiu har deltaget i Europarådsmøde i Polen. Præsidentkontoret har udsendt flg.:

[På billedet tv ses Præsident Aleksander Kwasniewski]

Warsaw, May 17, 2005

Distinguished Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to from the outset to express my heartfelt thanks to the host country and to highly appreciate the excellent organization of this important Summit, which is the third in the history of Europe and the first in the new century. Europe has positively evolved since the Summit of 1997. New former communist countries have joined the European family. I have the pleasure to emphasize that the South East Europe region has also changed for the better. The ethnic war and conflicts have been replaced by understanding and cooperation. There is a political will among us to be integrated in the European Union. The Thessalonica Summit confirmed our European future. The values of Europe are also our values. We are conscious about that great cohesion required by the time and that inclusive unity that the democratic Europe requires.

In this framework of historical developments, the voice and the strength of the new community is being enriched by new dimensions. The reaction of the continent to the events and humanitarian catastrophe in Kosova, to the genocide in Bosnia and all the way to Afghanistan and in a wider context, the reaction against international terrorism are examples of a joint and successful cooperation and reaction. United Europe is no longer a dream. It is our project of the future. This transmits optimism and unites the people; feeds hopes for a better and safer future.

The European identity is appearing to us and we are living through it as a community of values, cultures and traditions that share common interests. In the countries with young democracies and integration aspirations we look up with admiration to the success of our neighbors of the former Eastern block and try to profit from their experience. The value of freedom, democracy and free market kept alive our hopes even in the most difficult times. You, but also our citizens naturally have criticism and displeasure about the level of democracy, about which there is full understanding, but what it is important is that we do not doubt the needs for the European democracy and values.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Soon Albania will mark the tenth anniversary of its accession in the Council of Europe. These years have been for us not only years of joint engagements and challenges, but also of the proof that we without a doubt belong to the European values. We come from an extreme totalitarian dictatorship and being such, in our country the needs for change do not appear only in the economic system, in the Rule of Law and in building the democratic institutions, but also in the founding of a new mentality, which is a complex process that requires hard work, energy and courage. On this occasion, I thank the Council of Europe and the member countries for the help given to my country in order to get Albania closer and quicker to the European values and standards.

The move from a totalitarian system, where human rights are limited by law, into a democratic system, where the defense and guarantee of human rights is the main principle of the state functioning, it is a complex process that is carried out gradually. We are conscious that without the expressed and guaranteed freedoms of the citizens, we cannot have a democratic society.

In a wider framework, Albania believes in the principles of the defense and promotion of human rights and thinks that the European Convention for the defense of the fundamental rights and freedom is the main legal instrument that ensures the highest defense system of human rights in the pan-European space. The Albanians, the way they believe in the European values, the same way they also trust its justice. Lately, for the very first time, there have cases when the European Court has positively judged and weighted the complains of some Albanian citizens. This is getting the European institutions closer to the citizens.

The Council of Europe has been active in Albania during these years in the fields of human rights, strengthening of the democratic institutions, measures against racism and intolerance, reforming of the legal and judiciary system, decentralization, in the fight against trafficking of human beings and in the assistance given for the better compiling and implementation of the laws that guarantee the defense of minorities. The activity of the Council of Europe office and the visits of the missions of the Council of Europe have founded by now a precious tradition in our relations with the Council of Europe.

The promotion of the functional and pluralist democracy is one of the primary objectives of the Council of Europe. Albania has entered in the electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections, which will be held on July 3. These elections are widely considered as the most important political challenge of our country since the years 1991-92. For this reason, our attention has been focused now on how to conduct free and fair elections, freed by the problems that have been noticed in the past and accepted and conform the European standards and values, because they are the foundation of the true and real democracy. We can say that these elections will put an end to the political transition and we can take a fundamental step forward in strengthening of democracy and on our Euro-Atlantic path. The electoral process in general is progressing well. The signing during the last days of the Code of Conduct by all the parliamentarian parties was a positive achievement. We expect a civilized electoral campaign where the programs and alternatives should compete and the will of the people to come out a winner.

Under the viewpoint of the known principles of the Council of Europe, Albania has reason to believe that it is progressing in the right direction. Today there do not exist anymore real basis for social and political crisis, there is an increasing boom and role of the civil society, media in its diversity manages to transmit information to the public, the model of the Rule of Law that we strive to build is becoming more and more a reality. Albania has been engaged even further in a reform of its laws and institutions in accordance to the European norms. We are fully engaged in the implementation of the Fourth Program of Cooperation with the Council of Europe in response to the need for strengthening of the quality and effectiveness of the legal system.

An active part of this engagement is the strengthening of the legislative process, the real independence from politics, training of the judges and prosecutors, legal education, the training about the administrative law, the reform of the penitentiary system, the fruitful cooperation of the Albanian institutions with the Venice Commission, the deepening of the fight against corruption and organized crime by implementing also the Convent of the Council of Europe on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds from crime and on the financing of terrorism.

On a wider level, Albania appreciates the condemnation of terrorism and through the Convention of the Council of Europe for the prevention of terrorism and we engage to take all the respective measures in cooperation with other European countries in order to strike it a decisive and unified blow.

On the regional level, Albania has been playing a positive and stabilizing role. Thanks to our common efforts, the Balkans of today offers a different picture from that of only a few years ago. It was left behind the period of ethnic conflicts and wars and is embarking on the road of bilateral understanding and cooperation. What is more important it sees the future in the integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. However, we cannot say that our region has freed itself from problems, which are related to the legacy of former Yugoslavia. A typical case in point is Kosova. The solution of the Kosova problem allows for no delays as any further delay might destabilize the situation there, which in turn, could send tremors in the region. We believe that after the disintegration of Yugoslavia, which no longer exists, Kosova deserves a clear Euro-Atlantic future, which will come about through a free expression of the will of all its inhabitants. in close cooperation and understanding with the international factors.

Within a few years we have managed to build relations of partnership and friendship through the intensive cooperation with all the countries of the region, including those with whom we have shared great problems in the past. The good neighboring policy and the intensive cooperation with the neighbors coincide also with the values of the Council of Europe about the need of dialogue and social and cultural exchanges.

Six months ago Albania became the host country of the presidents of the region in a political and academic manifestation on the inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue. We are proud that our model of coexistence among three different religious faiths presents a great national value, which is already recognized beyond our region and very important at the present. We shared this value with the others and stressed the need of the improvement of the inter-ethnic dialogue through the education of young generations. In our viewpoint, the education is the basic tool that allows us to develop the long-term dialogue ensuring the participation of all. Seen this way, the increase of the quality of education, civil education, the joint projects in various fields will contribute as understanding and cooperation bridges. Alongside it, also the cooperation in the cultural field plays an important role in deepening the inter-cultural dialogue and also in safeguarding the diversity and European cultural heritage.

Distinguished participants,

The Council of Europe is based on the concept of a unique Europe, without division lines and differences because of nationalities and religious beliefs. The system of values that brought the creation and later on the continuous enhancing and strengthening of the European Union, is guiding us for the reforms that we should deepen and the model we want to build. The strengthening of our ties, the holding of as many as possible joint activities, the separation and the exchange of the values and experiences will make possible for us to get closer, our joining together, our union as a community in cohesion and stances of our common European family, which has room for all.

During the Summit there will be the approval of three convents, which are an important part of our future responsibilities. Due to the lack of necessary time for the realization of the internal legal process, I am sorry that I cannot participate today in the signing of these convents. I would like to assure you that the Albanian government in accordance to the priorities of its program is engaged to sign as soon as possible the important acts.

Once again, I am convinced that each country separately and us jointly will manage to successfully face and overcome the challenges that lay ahead of our countries and societies. Albania will be an inherent part in facing them.

Thank you!

Blandt dem Moisiu særlig talte med var den Finske Præsident, Tarja Halonen (der ventes at genopstille i 2006). Mon der var bagtanker?

For nogen tid siden omkom en Amerikansk Militær Flybesætning i nærheden af Gramsh. Der har nu været en mindehøjtidelighed

Præsidentkontoret har udsendt flg.:

May 19, 2005

The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu participated today in the afternoon in the commemorative ceremony of the nine American military men who lost their life in the line of duty in the air accident of Gramsh on March 31, 2005.

President Moisiu bestowed upon the fallen “The Medal of Gratitude” under the motivation “As a sign of high praise for the sublime act of falling in the line of duty at the service of the military collaboration between Albania and the United States of America.”

President Moisiu stated that the American military men gave their life for their country by contributing to the safeguarding of peace and stability in the world.

“On this occassion I would like to express my condolences to the families of those military men that fell in the line of duty. We all were saddened. Albanian people cried for those nine young men and will safeguard the memory of this sacrifice that they made on the Albanian soil. They came here to collaborate with the Albanian military, to increase the capability of the Albanian Armed Forces, to further improve the inter-cooperation, and to enhance their military capabilities.” – stated President Moisiu.

The Head of State stressed that he would like to assure the American people and the American Armed Forces that the Albanians will be alongside them where the need might arise to defend the civilization, the future, humanism and the joint objectives.

At this ceremony took also part the Minister of Defense, Pandeli Majko, the United States Ambassador, Marcie Ries, the Commander of the Special Opperations for Europe and the representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces.

After calling the roll of the nine fallen warriors names, the participants observed a minute of silence in their honor. Then they were honored by twenty one artillery shots fired and military marches. Part of the ceremony were also the religious prayers for the fallen military men and blessing.

Den Amerikanske Ambassade i Tirana har udsendt flg.:

President Moisiu, Minister Majko, General Crsnko, men and women of the Three Fifty Second, ladies and gentlemen. Today is a day of remembrance, a day of honor, and a day of gratitude. It is a day to remember 9 fallen American heroes, warriors, who lost their lives in the unfortunate, but necessary need to prepare in this time of war.

We remember their commitment. Commitment to a profession that demands more than most will ever give.

We remember their quest for excellence; to be in special operations is a challenge most will never achieve.

We remember their families; they lost sons, husbands, brothers and fathers.

And we remember the friends they left behind-many of whom are here with us today.

These men were from different places and backgrounds, from Illinois to Texas, South Carolina to Utah, but all had one thing in common, they were committed to their duty and their country. They were warriors, called to the defense of freedom.

We remember these heroes now, and we will think of them long into the future. As we remember them, we pay homage to their courage and we humbly offer our respect.

They represent the best of mankind-those willing to risk their lives in order to serve others. If, for no other reason, these men, sons, husbands, brothers, and fathers; these warriors deserve our most sincere gratitude.

We thank you, gentlemen, for your sacrifice, always.

PM Fatos Nano's aktiviteter: [Billederne i denne sektion kan som regel forstørres ved at klikke på dem (mens man er på nettet)].

PM Nano har været i Saranda. Den Albanske PMs Informationskontor skriver:

The Prime Minister and Leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, Mr. Fatos Nano paid a visit in the city of Saranda.

Initially, Mr. Nano participated in the inauguration ceremony of the electrical substation of Saranda, one of the most important investments in the electro-energetic system.

The construction of the substation, of a value of 6.4 million Euro, is the first phase of the BISABU project for providing with electric power the southern Albania. This project of 20.5 million Euros is financed by the German government and KFË.

The first phase included the construction of the new 110 KV high power line between Bistrica 1 and Saranda, which is 2 km long and has a value of 1.4 million Euro, the construction of Saranda substation of 110/20 KV, of a value of 2.3 million Euro and the new 20 KV distribution net, of a value of 2.7 million euro. At the end of this phase there will qualitative and quantitative improvements in providing energy the city of Saranda. The new substation increases by 8 times the capacity of the distribution net of the city, fulfilling in this way the increasing demand for provision with electricity of this important area for the development of the tourism of the country.

While, with the construction of the 20 KV distribution net will be made the unification of this net with the ones of the main cities of the country and will be evidently decreased the loses in the net, the intervals of the power cut, etc.

The second phase will include the rehabilitation of the aggregates of the hydropower station Bistrica 1, together with all the hydro-mechanic, electric equipments and control and command systems of a value of 10.8 million euro. With the implementation of these investments it will be made possible the complete rehabilitation of Bistrica HEC.

The Prime Minister Nano had also a meeting with intellectuals, public and private entrepreneurs as well as with citizens of Saranda.

På det seneste har Nano været i Ungarn. Måske blev han nødt til at 'misse' Præsident Moisiu's afslutningstale til Parlamentet? Ungarn er måske ved at blive et vigtigt land for Albanien - både i politisk strategisk og i økonomisk henseende?

Den Albanske PMs Informationskontor skriver:

The Prime Minister Fatos Nano met in Budapest the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Ferenc Gjurcanj.

Both personalities appraised the very good level of the political relationship between the two countries, considering the visit of the Albanian Prime Minister in Hungary as an important moment for the further development of these relations. They shared the same consideration that this visit will already give a new impulse to the economic relations between the two countries with a concrete cooperation agenda to approach investors, projects and experts to this.

Mr. Gjurcanj appraised the quick progress Albania has made in the last years in its reform approach. He expressed the full support of Hungary for the integration of Albania in the Euro-Atlantic structures, pointing out that Albania is part of Europe.

During the meeting, Mr. Nano said that Albania is preparing itself for the coming general elections and the government and majority He leads is determined to contribute to reach standards. These elections, said Mr. Nano, are important for the integrating future of the country. While, the Hungarian Premier, expressed his consideration for this, wishing success to Premier Nano in the coming parliamentary elections.

Mr. Nano invited the Hungarian entrepreneurship to participate in the privatization process of strategic sectors in Albania. Meanwhile Mr. Gjurcanj said that the Hungarian investors are interested in the banking, tourism, and infrastructure field too. They also extended their support in all initiatives that extend the economic and commercial relations, such as; the preparation of joint program in the business and investments field, the cooperation in guaranteeing and providing exports, intensification of cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of both countries.

Both personalities talked also about the liberalization of the visa regime via the signing of the agreement for the facilitation of this regime for specific categories.

Talking about developments in the region, the Hungarian Premier appraised the important and constructive role Albania has in the region, as a peace and stability factor. Mr. Nano said that Albania has encouraged and will continue to encourage the dialogue between countries for the development of relations between them and for the prosperity in the region. Talking especially about developments in Kosovo, interlocutors shared the same opinion for the European future of Kosovo. Mr. Nano said that Kosovo is in a very positive moment, because it fulfills the necessary standards for a multi-ethnic society and democratic institutions.

At the end of the visit, responding to the media interest on the results of this visit, Premier Nano said:

”Let me say that the visit was sensitive, with a new quality of exchanges and relations, which have been matured during the democracy years between Budapest and Tirana and that already, based in some full agreements, is allowing to be programmed better the contact between authorities and governments, between heads of state, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and companies that lead in Albania and Hungary too, the opening of the two economies to the global markets; a process that will make a new substance of exchanges, investments and interests which will focus in the Albanian market via privatization packets that follow each other.

currently, it is in the interest and attention of the Hungarian partners the privatization of two other banks, the Italian-Albanian and Dardania ones, or of our public insurance company. The tourist potentials Albania offers are also at the attention not only for visitors, but also for Hungarian investors who are interested to the Adriatic basin or for the Mediterranean part where we are located. A number of economic and business initiatives are being examined, which are related to the interest of the Hungarian companies to export capital and to create vacancies for production lines of agro-business and products of the light industry or of fixing the new technology, which through training programs of new elements qualified in Albania, would become more advantageous to be liquidated as investments in the Albanian economy than with standards the Hungarian economy already has as a EU member.

For all these, I had the understanding of the Hungarian Premier that during the coming autumn the foreign ministers and ministers of economy will meet to establish this program of joint activities that will structure better the prior fields and interests, which will constitute the new package of relations of entrepreneurship and free exchanges between the two countries, as well as to establish contacts among more representatives of groups of interest and economic world, for which we will continue to work both our governments. Already there are structured interests and identified packets, there are actors moving after them and there is nothing else left just to program this process in a more productive way and more clear profits for both countries.

My counterpart facilitated me for this fruitful dialogue and expressed his support for the good preparations for the lections on July 3, and of course even for a victory of these elections as a warrant for relations between two political groups of the International and for the permanence of this progress and stability that has brought Albania and Hungary closer during the last years.

Parlamentsvalget i 2005 [Præsidenten vælges af Parlamentet for 5 år, næste gang i 2007]:

Valgloven for 2005 kan hentes i pdf-format på: http://www.osce.org/item/14076.html (Engelsk) og http://www.osce.org/item/14076.html?lc=SQ (Albansk).

HTML-udgaver: http://www.osce.org/item/14076.html?html=1 (Engelsk) og http://www.osce.org/item/14076.html?html=1&lc=SQ (Albansk)

Fifteen OSCE participating States are represented in the Mission.

Twelve election experts are based in Tirana and later this week 25 long-term observers will be deployed to the regions.

"The holding of democratic elections in which the voters can have confidence is the joint responsibility of the Albanian authorities, the political parties, the media and civil society," said Jorgen Grunnet, who heads the ODIHR Mission. "Our role here remains the same as in previous elections; to observe this process and report on our findings."

The ODIHR will assess the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections and national legislation, focusing on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, fairness of the election campaign, the media situation, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

The ODIHR has requested that OSCE participating States send 400 short-term observers to be deployed across Albania shortly before the 3 July polling. They will observe in teams of two, monitoring the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

The ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Albania, including the 2001 parliamentary elections and the 2003 local elections.

The ODIHR Election Observation Mission operates separately from the OSCE Presence in Albania, headed by Ambassador Pavel Vacek, which will continue to carry out its regular activities under its existing mandate.

Den Centrale Valgkommission har udsendt flg.:

The CEC Chair, Celibashi signs the agreement of donation with the Head of the OSCE Presence in Tirana, Ambassador Vacek

[16.05.2005] The Chairman of the Central Elections Commission, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi signed today the agreement of donation with the Head of OSCE Presence in Tirana, Ambassador Pavel Vacek. The agreement provides a loan of 100 computers, destination of which shall be the 100 Zone Elections Commissions.

The Agreement signed today continues the previous donation of the OSCE Presence in Tirana, in providing the Central Elections Commission with 20.000 copies of the Electoral Code for the upcoming election process.

The CEC Chair Mr. Celibashi estimated the support offered by OSCE for the CEC projects, whereas Ambassador Vacek declared that the CEC projects shall remain the priority of the OSCE Presence in regard to their support and implementation.

*

The Head of OSCE/ODIHR Election Monitoring Mission Ambassador Grunet meets the CEC Chair Celibashi for the 2005 Assembly Elections

[11.05.2005] The Chairman of the Central Elections Commission, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi, held today a meeting with the Head of OSCE/ODIHR Election Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Grunnet. The purpose of the visit of Ambassador Grunnet was the presentation with the activity of the Central Elections Commission in the framework of preparations of Albanian Assembly Elections, on July 3 2005.

At the beginning of the meeting, the CEC Chairman, Ilirjan Celibashi said that it is a very important visit because ODIHR remains one of the most respected and renowned institutions for Albanians. “Elections of July 3, 2005 are a passport for Albania to the integration process in the European Union and the CEC is determined to conduct a correct and uncontested process”, declared Mr. Celibashi during the meeting. The CEC Chair Celibashi guaranteed Ambassador Grunnet that the EOM cooperation with the CEC will again be excellent as it was cited in the final report of OSCE/ODIHR in regard to the 2003 local elections.

The CEC Chairman, Mr.Celibashi informed Ambassador Grunnet on the CEC preparations to accurately manage the July 3, 2005 Assembly Elections.

The CEC Chairman estimated the continuous and very positive cooperation with the OSCE Presence in Tirana, and declared to fulfill OSCE/ODIHR recommendations for the 2003 local elections.

Albansk Økonomi. IMF har udsendt flg.:

Statement by IMF Staff at the Conclusion of the Final PRGF Review Mission to Albania The following statement was issued today in Tirana by an IMF staff mission:

"An IMF mission has visited Tirana during May 4-17, 2005 to conduct discussions on the sixth and final review of the current program supported by the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The mission has analyzed macroeconomic developments and discussed economic policies for the remainder of the program period and up until end-2005. We congratulate the authorities on the successful implementation of the three-year program thus far. As on previous occasions, the mission has benefited from the authorities' warm hospitality and very constructive discussions, for which we should like to express our sincere gratitude.

"Macroeconomic developments and prospects: A sustained period of prudent fiscal and monetary policies has permitted the Bank of Albania to lower its interest rate by 350 basis points since early 2003 while maintaining low inflation and a comfortable level of foreign currency reserves. This reflects stronger economic fundamentals and increased confidence by market participants in the careful conduct of economic policies by the Albanian authorities. Partly as a result of lower borrowing costs, credit to the economy increased by almost 50 percent in the 12 months to March 2005, thereby supporting dynamic rates of non-inflationary growth and increasing the relative importance of the private sector as a generator of employment and income. Increased domestic production, particularly in agriculture and energy, has led to lower imports as a share of GDP, while export volumes continued to grow, thereby reducing the trade deficit expressed as a share of GDP. All of these factors combined still point to a growth rate of around 6 percent for 2005 as a whole.

"Relationship with the IMF: The current program will expire in November 2005. The Albanian government (as well as the opposition) has viewed the cooperation as helpful and, as a result, has expressed interest in negotiating a successor arrangement with the IMF. We expect to begin-upon a request by the new government-formal negotiations on an agreement later on this year. It will aim at maintaining macroeconomic stability and accelerating structural reforms, especially those in the areas of fiscal administration and financial sector development.

"Fiscal policy: Revenue performance, up until now, has remained consistent with budgetary projections in contrast to past years. For this, we commend the authorities. More broadly, fiscal policy is on track and within the limits defined by the 2005 budget. If budget discipline is continued throughout the year, it will deliver the first surplus on current operations since the beginning of transition. This implies that the government will borrow only to invest. Fiscal consolidation, together with the allocation of half the proceeds from large privatizations to redeem domestic debt, has resulted in the reduction of Albania's public debt burden to less than 56 percent of GDP at end-2004, as compared to 65 percent in 2002.

"Structural reforms: To increase budget revenue as a share of GDP and improve the business environment for domestic and foreign investment, the modernization of fiscal institutions needs to continue and, in many areas, accelerate. Indeed, one the key challenges over the medium term is improving tax collection, including by widening the tax base, tightening administration in the tax and customs directorates, and formalizing economic activities. In this regard, we welcome the recent deployment of the ASYCUDA computer system at six customs houses and strongly support the scheduled introduction of the risk assessment module in the Tirana and Durrës customs houses by early-July as a means to increase effectiveness and reduce public officials' room for discretion. It remains clear that progress in increasing the level of foreign direct investment and in reducing the large informal economy can only be made with a modern system of tax administration. The mission has been encouraged by the progress made in paying public sector employees through the banking system. We are confident that reforms in these areas will continue during and after the electoral period.

"Medium-term challenges: Despite improvements to the overall macroeconomic outlook, a self-sustained, export-driven expansion has not yet taken root and continues to be hindered by severe infrastructure deficiencies and institutional weaknesses. Against the background of a still large trade deficit and the likely decline over time of external transfers (including workers' remittances), the growth impulse needs to come from productivity increases in the private sector. Albania needs to attract the large-scale strategic direct investments required to further increase its market share in both domestic and foreign markets. Progress in this direction will require public investments on infrastructure, as well as tangible improvements in the integrity of public institutions and the overall business environment. In this regard, we would welcome a successful and early conclusion of the privatization of Albtelecom, which should lead to improved and more competitive supply of telecommunication services, and better governance. Other multilateral institutions, including the European Union, the World Bank, and the OSCE, actively support the Albanian authorities in strengthening the rule of law, registering and enforcing property rights, and reforming the court system and the judiciary-all of which are also essential to improve the business environment.

"Policies in 2005: We are encouraged that, for the remainder of the year and until a successor program is in place, Albania remains committed to maintaining stability-oriented macroeconomic policies and ongoing structural reform initiatives. Specifically, this includes (i) fiscal policies in 2005 that are consistent with the current budget; (ii) structural reforms in fiscal administration, particularly in the tax and customs departments; and (iii) reforms to foster financial sector development and electricity sector modernization."

IMFs Delegat - Julio Escolano - har besøgt PM Nano. Den Albanske PMs Informationskontor skriver:

The Prime Minister Fatos Nano had a special meeting with the Head of the IMF Mission, Mr. Julio Escolano.

During the meeting, interlocutors appraised the implementation of the objectives of the Albanian Government related to the Memorandum of the Economic and Financial Policies, and they expressed their positive considerations related to the implementation of the objectives that include this Agreement.

“We appraise the support you have given us and the cooperation with you in the progress we have achieved to establish the necessary economic and fiscal stability”, said Mr. Nano, adding, “We also thank you for the assistance you have given to bring the opposition in the right way related to the contributions it should give for the preservation of the macro fiscal stability, as well as the continuation of the reforms with the same intensity. We appraise this cooperation especially when it serves and assists us in getting contributions from the politics, civil society or the community of business, these important elements on which we have concentrated our efforts for reforms that serve the progress of Albania towards Europe”.

The Prime Minister Nano complimented especially the assistance given by IMF in establishing the necessary susceptibility for all political factors in the country, and especially for the opposition, related to definition of the right direction of the reforms initiated by the Albanian Government in a close cooperation with this important international financial institution.

The Head of the IMF Mission pointed out that the macro economic performance in all its indicators is considered to be really good, not only for the fact that during this year and especially during the last four months have been preserved all the macro economic indicators, but also that it is avoided completely the risk to abuse with the budget because of the electoral year.

Mr. Escolano presented Mr. Nano with the IMF considerations related to the fact that Albania has an important positive development accompanied with a stability of macro fiscal parameters, structural successful reforms undertaken by the Albanian Government.

Related to the government vision for the continuation of the economic increase of 6%, Mr. Escolano said that, considering the stable base of the macro economic situation established up to now, this projection is real.

SERBIEN og MONTENEGRO. SERBIEN (alene)

Det Amerikanske UM har Juli 2004 offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Serbien - Montenegro: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5388.htm ... Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386622 ... En biografi over tidligere Forbundspræsident Kostunica kan læses på Serbiske Politikere ... Mht ICTYs sag mod tidligere Præsident Milosevic, se (evt.) under ICTY ovenfor.

Præsidentvalg i Serbien. Boris Tadic blev i Juni 2004 valgt som Præsident. Seneste Parlamentsvalg: 031228.

Kosovo / Kosóva: UM Per Stig Møller er ved at afslutte en rundrejse til forskellige Balkanlande, Serbien-Montenegro og Kosóva. Det har været overvejet også at besøge Albanien, men det kunne UM Møller øjensynligt ikke nå. Som det fremgår nedenfor er hovedanledningen til besøget at DK er Medlem af Sikkerhedsrådet, og at det nærmer sig med en afklaring af Kosóva's fremtidige status. Se under: Danmark.

Der har været visse kontakter mellem "Beograd" og "Prishtina". Det er alt for tidligt at sige om "tingene er ved at rykke", men noget tyder på at "Beograd" har konstateret at en "stiv" politik vil føre til at man taber indflydelse - og til at det bliver næsten umuligt for Kosovo Serberne at vende tilbage. Den Serbiske Regering har aftrykt et brev fra PM Kosumi, Kosóva - hvilket er temmelig usædvanligt (for Balkan-regeringerne). Den Serbiske Regering skriver:

Kosumi’s condition to be treated as prime minister of a neighbouring country is beyond reality

Belgrade, May 19, 2005 – The Serbian government has stated that conditions for commencing talks set by Bajram Kosumi – for him to be treated by the Serbian government as the prime minister of a neighbouring country – are beyond reality and they in fact only serve to constantly delay the dialogue.

There is no alternative to patient conversation, without conditions and with a readiness to compromise and for that reason we expect that, over time, Kosumi will accept a beginning of dialogue, reads the statement, adding that the Serbian government’s invitation to talk about problems in the province without any conditions is still open.

Bajram Kosumi

Written statement by Bajram Kosumi

Belgrade, May 19, 2005 – The Serbian government has received a written statement from the office of Kosovo-Metohija Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi. The Serbian government’s official web site brings the full text of the statement:

The statement by the Kosovo Prime Minister:

The office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr Bajram Kosumi, received yesterday a request for a meeting from the office of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Vojislav Kostunica.

Regarding this invitation, the Prime Minister of Kosovo has made the following statement:

I welcome the wish and willingness of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Kostunica, to meet and talk with the Prime Minister of Kosovo.

I want to stress once again that I am ready to meet with Mr Kostunica to talk about the existing problems between our two countries and the progress in the commenced technical dialogue.

My country, the new Kosovo, free and democratic, wishes to have good neighbourly relations with Serbia. We have now established good relations with all the neighbouring countries. All the countries in the region, as well as the European countries, have been expressing the growing understanding for the new processes in Kosovo.

Especially with Serbia, we must talk about unresolved problems inherited from the difficult past. Kosovo, but I believe Serbia as well, wish to be democratic countries, integrated into the European family. These are reasons enough to promote good neighbourly relations and to establish the policy of peace between the two countries.

Also, towards building good neighbourly relations between our two countries, I am looking forward to a clear signal from the Serbian Prime Minster to those Serb politicians who are boycotting the Kosovo institutions to take part in them.

Having in mind the deciding role of the international community in Kosovo, the assistance that this community is offering in arranging a meeting between me and Mr Kostunica is in everyone’s interest.

Welcoming once again the readiness of the Prime Minister of Serbia to meet with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, I wish to express my conviction and the conviction of my Government that such a meeting must be coordinated by both sides and that a suitable date, place, and topics for the talks should be found based on the protocol. The Government of Kosovo will take all necessary steps in this direction to see that the meeting is actually productive.

MONTENEGRO (alene)

Præsidentvalg 030511: Filip Vujanovic blev valgt. Seneste Parlamentsvalg 021020.

MAKEDONIEN

Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386163 ... Det Amerikanske UM har Maj 2004 offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Makedonien: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26759.htm

Der er omkring 25 % etniske Albanere i Makedonien. Folketælling afholdtes 021101-021105.

Præsidentvalg i Maj 2004: Branko Crvenkovski - hidtidig PM - blev valgt (efter Boris Trajkovski som omkom ved en flyulykke). Seneste Parlamentsvalg fandt sted 020915. Der kan henvises til flg. OSCE/ODIHR-oversigtsside: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/field_activities/skopje2002/.

Folkeafstemningen 041107 om decentralisering (= imødekommelse af Makedonien-Albanske interesser): Folkeafstemningen "faldt". Stemmedeltagelsen var kun omkring 26 %. Hvis afstemningen skulle have kunnet udvirke en ændring af decentraliseringslovgivningen, skulle deltagelsen have været mindst 50%, og desuden skulle der have været flertal mod lovgivningen. Det var ventet at stemmedeltagelsen ville have været noget større, selv om både Regeringspartierne og den Albanske minoritet anbefalede at man blev hjemme. Man kan nu gå videre i overensstemmelse med Ohrid-aftalerne.

GRÆKENLAND

Seneste Parlamentsvalg 040307. Olympiade 13.-29. August (se Græsk side: http://www.athens2004.com/athens2004/ og Dansk side: http://www.dif.dk/index/ol-3/ol-ol2004.htm).

TYRKIET

UMs rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningTyrkiet.htm.

Seneste Parlamentsvalg blev holdt 021103. Det blev i December 2004 aftalt (med EUs Regeringschefer)at der i Oktober 2005 skal indledes forhandlinger om optagelse af Tyrkiet i EU.

LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. NATO-LANDE

ITALIEN

Mother Teresa. I anledning af saligkåringen ('beatificeringen') 031019 har Vatikantet etableret en internetside: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20031019_index_madre-teresa_en.html

USA

Amerikanerne vil have løst Kosovo-problemet snarest muligt; det er der i virkeligheden ikke så meget nyt i, men man er tilsyneladende ved at blive utålmodige. Bush-administrationen mener tingene trækker for længe ud - på den anden side lover man at 'blive' indtil der er en løsning. (Hans Hækkerup fortalte for nogle år siden at da Præsident Bush kom på besøg var hans eneste ønske at Amerikanerne skulle ud):

The US administration wants to speed up the resolution of Kosovo's final status and sees 2005 as the "year of decision," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told Congress Wednesday (18 May). Keeping Kosovo's future undecided was "not sustainable or desirable", he said. "We, and our allies, are entering a new stage in our policy towards the Balkans, one that will accelerate the region's integration into the European family and Euro-Atlantic institutions," Burns said, adding that US forces would remain in the province "until the job is done".

Also Wednesday, international media carried unconfirmed reports that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has written to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and expressed confidence that Ratko Mladic would be arrested and transferred to The Hague before 11 July, the 10th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.

In other news, Kosovo's Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi and President Ibrahim Rugova are prepared to meet with their Serbian counterparts Vojislav Kostunica and Boris Tadic, according to releases from their offices Wednesday. Kosumi repeated that the date and place of Kostunica's proposed meeting should be changed. A spokesman for Rugova said the Kosovo president would convene with Tadic during an international conference in Geneva next month. (Danas, Financial Times - 19/05/05; Tanjug, KosovaLive, Beta - 18/05/05)

ENGLAND

TYSKLAND

FRANKRIG

DANMARK (NORGE, SVERIGE)

UM Per Stig Møller er ved at afslutte en rundrejse til forskellige Balkanlande, Serbien-Montenegro og Kosóva. Det har været overvejet også at besøge Albanien, men det kunne UM Møller øjensynligt ikke nå. Som det fremgår nedenfor er hovedanledningen til besøget at DK er Medlem af Sikkerhedsrådet, og at det nærmer sig med en afklaring af Kosóva's fremtidige status. Som bekendt er det en Dansker, Søren Jessen-Petersen, der er SRSG, dvs. FN's 'Guvernør' eller 'Statholder' (Søren Jessen-Petersen er i øvrigt én af Kandidaterne til posten som ny Flygtningehøjkommissær). Nedenfor følger forskelligt pressemateriale:

Besøget i Beograd

Det Danske UM skriver:

Udenrigsminister Per Stig Møller har i dag den 18. maj haft møder i Beograd med den serbisk-montenegrinske udenrigsminister Draskovic, Serbiens præsident Tadic og premierminister Kostunica.

Formålet med besøget har bl.a. været at møde centrale politiske aktører i Beograd inden Sikkerhedsrådet i næste uge vil drøfte næste skridt i processen frem mod Kosovos fremtidige status.

Udenrigsminister Per Stig Møller udtaler:

”Vi havde en god diskussion af Kosovo inden mødet i Sikkerhedsrådet den 27. maj. Beograd er ved at indstille sig på, at spørgsmålet om Kosovos status ikke kan udsættes meget længere. Det er derfor positivt, at Beograd har fundet et fælles udgangspunkt for forhandlingerne: ”Mere end autonomi, men mindre end uafhængighed”. Mindretalsgarantier og beskyttelse af den serbiske kulturelle arv vil være helt centrale elementer i en løsning på Kosovos status. For at sikre størst muligt engagement i den videre proces er det vigtigt, at Beograd ikke længere hindrer Kosovo-serbernes deltagelse i Kosovos politiske liv. Det er også vigtigt, at Beograd bliver en del af løsningen og ikke en del af et problem.

Den seneste udvikling i Serbien og Montenegro har været positiv. Statsunionen er kommet et skridt tættere på EU. Det er vigtigt, at Serbien og Montenegro fortsætter bestræbelserne på at få Statsunionen til at fungere. Nu skal de arbejde for at få det bedste ud af Statsunionen. Men i sidste instans er det op til montenegrinerne selv at bestemme, om de vil fortsætte i statsunionen.

Serbien har taget et nødvendigt skridt i sit øgede samarbejde med krigsforbrydertribunalet for det tidligere Jugoslavien. Det er dog nødvendigt, at de resterende ICTY eftersøgte udleveres, herunder General Mladic, inden tiårsdagen i juli for massakren i Srebrenica. Mine samtaler i dag har vist, at det er de selv fuldt opmærksomme på.”

Den Serbiske Regering skriver:

Standards in Kosovo must be respected

Belgrade, May 18, 2005 – Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica held a meeting today with Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Per Stig Moeller to discuss the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, at which they agreed standards must be fully met in order to provide conditions for the return of Serbs and other non-Albanian populations to the province.

Kostunica noted that it is important to start a dialogue now, adding that the Serbian government sent an invitation to Kosovo’s Prime Minister to start talks.

The Danish Foreign Minister commended Belgrade’s initiative and noted that on his visit to Pristina he will insist that Belgrade’s initiative is accepted. Moeller also stressed that standards must be respected, as they are preconditions for talks on status.

The Serbian Prime Minister said that a compromise needs to be found, adding that the solution lies in a form of enlarged autonomy within the existing borders of Serbia-Montenegro and Serbia. He stressed that any change of borders would jeopardise regional stability.

Kostunica and Moeller agreed that relations between Serbia-Montenegro and Denmark are very good and expressed readiness to further develop economic cooperation between the two countries.

Kostunica pointed out that the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), due to take place in Belgrade from May 21 to 23, will stimulate foreign investment, while Minister Moeller said that Denmark is ready to invest in Serbia-Montenegro.

Besøget i Prishtina. Selv både Dr Møller og Dr Rugóva har studeret litteratur ved Sorbonne, var der næppe tid til 'dén slags':

Det Danske UM skriver:

I forlængelse af Udenrigsministerens samtaler i Beograd d. 18 maj ds. har Udenrigsministeren d.d. haft møder i Pristina med præsident Rugova, premierminister Kosumi, UNMIK chef Søren Jessen-Petersen samt den danske chef for politistyrken i Kosovo, Kai Vittrup.

I lighed med besøget i Beograd var formålet med besøget i Pristina at møde centrale lokale aktører inden mødet i Sikkerhedsrådet i næste uge, hvor Rådet vil diskutere næste skridt i processen frem mod Kosovos fremtidige status.

Per Stig Møller udtaler:

”Kosovo vil gå ind i en ny afgørende fase, når Sikkerhedsrådet som forventet tager skridt til at indlede den omfattende vurdering af de foreløbige selvstyrende myndigheders arbejde med at gennemføre standarder på dets kommende møde d. 27. maj 2005 under dansk formandskab. Jeg understregede under møderne, at hvis den videre proces skal føre til en holdbar løsning for regionen må Pristina og Beograd indlede en konstruktiv og åben dialog. Det er vigtigt, at også Beograd er en del af processen. Hvis Serbien ikke inddrages på passende vis er der risiko for, at en løsning fører til ustabilitet i Serbien.

Statusprocessen vil ikke blive uproblematisk. Der vil være behov for vilje til kompromis fra både Beograd og Pristina, hvis den regionale stabilitet skal bevares. Der er ikke plads til en proces med kun vindere og tabere.

Under mine samtaler blev det klart, at præsidenten og premierministeren fuldt ud forstod vigtigheden af, at Kosovo forbliver multietnisk. Opfyldelse af standarder, herunder især garantier for Kosovos mindretal og beskyttelse af den kulturelle arv, er afgørende. Der er ingen automatik i indledningen af statusforhandlinger. Også på længere sigt er fortsat opfyldelse af standarder vigtig for Kosovos egen udvikling og for et EU perspektiv.

Fra dansk side vil vi fortsat støtte bestræbelserne på at finde en løsning på Kosovos status. Vi vil medvirke til at opretholde stabiliteten og ikke lade Kosovo i stikken. Vi vil fortsætte i NATOs fredsbevarende styrke i Kosovo (KFOR) og vi bidrager til Kosovos økonomiske og dermed sociale stabilitet via Udenrigsministeriets Naboskabsprogram bl.a. med DKK 50 mio. til erhvervsudvikling og jobskabelse. Et af Kosovos helt store problemer er den enorme arbejdsløshed ikke mindst blandt den meget store ungdomsgeneration. En afklaring på Kosovos fremtidige status vil også være en forudsætning for internationale investering og dermed økonomisk vækst”.

Ugerapport fra Dansk KFOR. Hærens Operative Kommando - se under: Kosova.

Albanien / Danmark. Det ser ud til at Bardhyl Agasi skal være ny chargé d'affaires i København, dvs. chef for Ambassaden. Han er født 18.10.1949 og stammer fra Durrës, hvor han også har arbejdet i mange år. Han har en universitetsuddannelse i Albansk, har været lærer og senere leder af Alexander Moisiu-teatret i Durrës. Indtil fornylig var han Parlamentsmedlem for Durrës. Han stiller ikke op til det forestående valg - angiveligt fordi Socialistpartiet ønsker fornyelse på visse poster. Han har været partisekretær i Socialistpartiet hvor han bl.a. har arbejdet med pressekontakter. Så vidt vides har Nano tidligere ønsket ham udskiftet som partisekretær. Der har været forskellige skriverier om hans evt. udnævnelse i Albansk presse. Nedenfor aftrykkes to eksempler:

[SOT Datoen ikke kendt. Google har 'cached' artiklen medio maj 2005, men den er formentlig ældre] The socialist deputy, Bardhyl Agasi has decided to close within the time-limit the legal career as a deputy to start the duty as a diplomat. Agasi quit the deputy mandate a few months before the legislature of the Albanian Assembly and decided to represent the Albanian state in another important duty.

The fact he was one of the various names of the socialist majority in the assembly who shall not re-candidate in the coming elections made Agasi to think beforehand about his extra-assembly function. Durresi deputy after being told about his substitution in the list of candidates and the new duty decided to start as soon as possible the procedures of taking on another duty.

He has deposited a request at the heading council of assembly asking from the head of parliament, Servet Pellumbi to accept his resignation from the obligations as a deputy. From secure sources it is being made known that the removal of the deputies mandate of Bardhyl Agasi is a matter of hours and has not been approved easily by the head of parliament.

His place at the parliament will be taken from the “socialists’ patriarch” Dritero Agolli, who is also one of the most prominent art personalities of Albania, who shall represent this mandate of Durres until it expires. This is due to Agolli being the first in the proportional list of the Socialist Party after entering directly in year 2000.

Nano himself has asked Agolli to give his contribution in the parliamentary group of this party for the time remaining of this legislature. But though the substitution of Agasi is made already a fact, the high formus of the socialist party are still uninformed on this movement.

Agasi is a member of the leading council of the Socialist Party and until late was Secretary of Relations with Public in this party. It is made known that his resignation and substitution will be communicated to the leading council of the party next Monday. Agasi is expected to be appointed an ambassador at one of the countries of the region, most probably in Turkey. The example of Agasi could be followed also by other socialist deputies who after the exclusion from the list of candidates for deputies, are promised to take a diplomatic post.

[Tema. April 21, 2005] Text of editorial by Mero Baze, "New ambassadors from old Socialist Party", published by Albanian newspaper Tema on 21 April

Three former [ruling] Socialist Party [PS] deputies have recently been given formal promises that they would be nominated Albania's ambassadors to some Nordic countries and Argentina.

Bardhyl Agasi was officially presented as Albania's future ambassador to Denmark; Ejup Tabaku, a former deputy of Kajave-area villages, will be sent to Sweden; and a former deputy of Korce named Banush will be Albania's ambassador to Argentina. It is certain that none of the three deputies knows the language of the country they will be sent to or any other foreign languages, apart from the sort of language that is used at meetings of the PS General Steering Committee. The three of them are among the least favourably considered deputies of the Assembly of Albania; they have little to show for being representatives of Albanian diplomacy.

The situation becomes even more serious upon learning that Albania's former ambassador to Denmark has been called back to run for the PS in the upcoming election. However, in order not to endanger his accreditation and the comfort of his family in Denmark, the government has taken care to appoint his wife as consul at the embassy, so as to enable his family to keep its flat there at government expense.

All these moves have little to do with either the fate of Albanian diplomacy, or its good image or bad one. On the contrary, this is a typical case that shows that Albanian diplomacy is merely a valve for discharging the tensions and easing the problems the incumbent PS chairman has to cope with. He has constantly been using Albanian diplomacy as a function of the political interests of his party and, in more recent times, as a reserve means to neutralize the problems that exist within the PS.

This way of using the diplomatic corps not only is offensive for the Albanian state and the president of the republic, who appoints these ambassadors by special decree, but is also destabilizing for the tradition of Albanian diplomacy.

Surely, with the change of power in the next few months, these ambassadors will be discharged, but they will have damaged the work of the rest of the diplomatic corps, which, going by certain moves made by the current ambassadors, has shown that it is utterly politicized.

From the ambassadors who run for deputies and those who go to their assignments without taking their wives along, one can easily understand how distrustful the diplomats are about the chances of victory of the PS in the forthcoming election. Minxhozi has left his wife in Denmark and the others who will go to head Albanian embassies in foreign countries will leave their wives to continue their work in Albania.

Their nominations have little to do with either their personal capabilities or with Albanian diplomacy. They are taking refuge in the embassies as old representatives of the PS and they are being replaced by businessmen and people from [Prime Minister Fatos] Nano's clan.

Be it only for this reason, the president should do some hard thinking before allowing himself to be turned into a simple signatory of Nano's personal decrees.

Foto: Bjørn Andersen, 2005

Maleren Genc Permeti udstiller i Lyngby Kulturhus fra 19.5.2005. Sidste dag er 4.6.2005. Se nærmere på: http://miqesia.dk/Permeti-2005.htm

LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. IKKE NATO-LANDE

RUSLAND

UMs Rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningRusland.htm

KINA

Fodbold: FIFA meddeler med. Maj at Albanien ligger som nr. 93 med 499 points [forrige nr.: 89]. Andre lande: Makedonien nr. 96 [96], Serbien Montenegro nr. 46 [47], Grækenland nr. 12 [12], Italien nr. 10 [10], Tyrkiet nr. 14 [14], USA nr. 10 som Italien [10], Frankrig nr. 4 [4], Spanien nr. 8 [7], Tyskland nr. 19 [20], England nr. 6 [6]. Danmark nr. 19 [18], Norge nr. 36 [36] og Sverige nr. 13 [13]. - Brasilien ligger som nr. 1 [1].

Kvalifikationskampe til VM-slutrunde 2006 i Tyskland. Danmark skal møde Albanien, Georgien, Grækenland, Kasakhstan, Tyrkiet og Ukraine.

Du må citere hvis du angiver hovedsidens adresse: bjoerna.dk ... Siderne om Albanerne: bjoerna.dk/albanerne.htm ... Søgning på internettet: bjoerna.dk/soegning.htm