Monday, June 13, 2005

Hi Bob,

I am a journalist with Serbia's Vreme newsmagazine, where I write a column about the Internet.

I know you made this Kosovo song that was used (and fully credited to, even music) by Norwegian troops in Kosovo.

My question is, when was the song made and with what intention? I suppose it was in 1999, and media in Serbia believe it was made to mock the Serbian nation and its sacred things.

Have you ever heard of Milos Obilic? (Subtitles of your version of Kokomo in Serbia read "Milos Obilic you sorry son of a bitch" instead of Milosevic. The trouble is that this Obilic guy is 14th century Serb national hero from Kosovo.)

What do you think of this whole issue with Norwegian guys?

I hope you will get a minute or two to read this and answer. I'd like to set the record straight at least in Serbia.

Zoran Stanojevic

Vreme



My response:

Zoran,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Let me start by saying that the intent of the song was to mock my own country for its bullying ways around the world. The idea was to point out how casually the US plays World Police. The song takes on the persona of the US government, ridiculing the fact that we push others around without much concern. It is satire, which some have mistaken for literal propoganda. It was meant to be heard in the US and cause a US citizen to realize of how stupid our actions sound when put to music.

Here in America, while we love our country, a good many of us have real problems with our foreign policy. And it isn't just President Bush. After all, the Kosovo policy occurred under Clinton.

The global nature of the Internet resulted in unintended offense to some. I have responded to everyone who has written to me about this, and if you can help set the record straight I am most grateful.

The song has been stolen, video put to it, and I wish there were a way to stop it.

For several years, our radio show has aired regular interviews with a Serbian phone contact, and tried our best to shed light on the story. We would be happy to schedule more if you can refer me to an english speaking spokesperson.

Regards,

Bob Rivers

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Zoran's response:

Bob, thanks a lot.

I had the same feeling about the song (I got it from the friend in 2003, about a month before the Iraq thing) and it made my day (thanks for that as well). Therefore, I was even more surprised when it "topped the charts" few weeks ago with in a different context. And everybody here believes it was completely done by those Norwegian soldiers (even music).

Also, people in Serbia were more distracted by your song because they missed its irony. In that context, if you take words seriously, "we'll drop bombs wherever Serbian bad guys are" gets a totally different meaning. Especially if most of the lyrics are misheard for something they don't say (like this Obilic and Milosevic thing that I mentioned).

Thank you for your prompt answer, I am returning this a few hours later due to the time difference.

And I will quote you for my column. Also I'll put the link to your site.

Thanks again.

Z

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 tidligere 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.

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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.


Parlamentsvalget i 2005 [Præsidenten vælges af Parlamentet for 5 år, næste gang i 2007]: Se nærmere i: http://bjoerna.net/sidste-nyt/265.htm


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

  

Præsidenten har holdt nytårstale December 31, 2005

Dear co-citizens and compatriots where you might be!

After 365 days spent under the everyday life stress, tonight we need to take a break – to gather around family, relatives, among friends or even in the company of our age to wait as joyously as possible for the New Year.

By conveying and receiving wishes we strengthen what we need most: the friendship ties, family and society. It is easier for a united family to overcome the hardships and to secure its future. It is easier for a united society to face the challenges and to progress with quick steps towards development, prosperity and integration.

The year 2005 made some of our goals a reality. The parliamentary elections and the peaceful rotation of power that accompanied them demonstrated that Albania is a democratic country determined to move ahead in the reforms and integration path. As the President, I am proud of my citizens, who with responsibility and civil behaviour participated massively in the elections and respected the will of the majority. They left the political class, which owes to the citizens keeping the promises through a moral politics and honest governing, a few steps behind. We wish in 2006 the political parties and institutions not to misuse their human and material energies, but by preserving and strengthening the up to the present achievements, to use them in the service of citizens and country. We all expect from the politics to offer full solutions to the unresolved electric power problems, to still high unemployment, to the disturbing dimensions of the crime in the family and fight against corruption. We also expect the state, society and our families to have at the centre of the attention the problems of the younger generation: they want European education, better living conditions, competing jobs and based on the merits to take on more public responsibilities by offering them more faith and hope in the future of Albania.

Dear co-citizens!

In a few moments we will be in the New Year. We expect the year 2006 to be the year of the Albanians major achievements. Albania expects to successfully conclude the talks on the Association-Stabilization Agreement. We will conclude this way the transition period and enter into a new phase of development, stability and democracy. Kosova has entered the irreversible path of wining the final status. All the Albanians expect Kosova to become an independent, democratic and European state.

I am optimistic about the future and that is why I call on you too to optimistically believe in an Albania that will be different, in a future based on the Rule of Law, economic development, increased well-being and achieving the European standards. For the sake of the major interests that unite us, it is time to leave behind the ideological divisions of the past and the conflicts of transition and jointly work for the progress of Albania. We all must and can make the European Albania.

At these last moments of 2005 and while the New Year 2006 is knocking on our door, I am happy to share with you the most heartfelt wishes. Let us wish together Happy New Year to our sons who are serving as peacekeepers in Mosul, Kabul and Bosnia, to the orphans, the abandoned retirees, to those who misfortune did not give a chance to celebrate, to those who are on duty tonight and also to all Albanians, especially to those that have emigrated, for whom more care is needed from the government and the state.

Happy New Year to all! Health and happiness in your families!

May Albania and the Albanians be blessed!

May God be with us!


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

   

051228 PM Dr Berisha har haft møde i Tirana med den Italienske UM Gianfranco Fini:

Prime Minister Sali Berisha held on Wednesday a meeting with the Deputy Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini. After the meeting, both personalities said to the media:

Mr. Gianfranco Fini: I am happy to be today in Tirana and I remained really glad from the meeting with Mr. Berisha. I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Berisha in Rome, 15 days ago, where we pointed out our common will to consolidate further our relationship. There is a friendly relationship between Albania and Italy, which is updated through time. I do not hesitate to confirm that between the new government of Mr. Berisha and our government, has had an obvious improvement of these relations.

Italy is a very important economic and trade partner to Albania. Prime Minister Berisha is personally committed to remove some barriers and obstacles, as well as to solve some disagreements that derive from the past. All this will make Albania a very attractive market for foreign investments and capitals, especially for Italian ones.

I would like to point out that, the cooperation between our two governments is a very powerful and real cooperation, first of all, in fighting criminality and other negative phenomena. It is exactly thanks to this close cooperation, that Italy two days ago, took e very important decision, which I had the pleasure to announce to Prime Minister Berisha. It is about increasing by, more than 30% the number of the seasonal employees, and this decision will come to power next year. Therefore, there will not be 3 000 employees any more, but they 4.500. Working honestly, is the best challenge and the best way to fight criminality.

I once again made known to Mr. Berisha, the will of Italy to work for the stability of Balkan, which is a strategic region for the national interests of Italy. I was in Beograd and today morning in Pristine. And today also, I juxtaposed the point of views and stand of the Italian state to the point of views and stand of the Albanian state regarding Kosovo issue. I emphasized once again to the Prime Minister that, of course Balkan will be stabilized in the perspective of Balkan countries’ integration, first in NATO and then, when proper conditions will be established for the European integration of Balkan.

At the end, we decided to arrange a dinner together as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha: I, once again want to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini for the visit and to express my gratitude for the Italian government, for the President Mr. Berluskoni, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Fini, and the Parliament Speaker Pier Ferdinando Cassini, for their great support and the very friendly feelings shown to Albania.

It is with great gratitude I want to thank Mr. Fini for the last decision of the Council of Ministers of Italy to finance 8 important projects in Albania, with a value of 77.2 million Euro. I also want to thank him, for the fact that are thousands of Albanian students studying in the Italian universities, for increasing the number of visas for seasonal employees, the encouragement of the Italian investors to invest in Albania, and the commitment to move on the issue of “Corridor 8”.

We also talked about developments in the region. I am very happy that Italy supports Albania and Balkan EU integration, because this support is extraordinarily important. We talked about Kosovo status. I assured the Deputy Prime Minister Fini that the Albanian government insists in, totally respecting rights and freedoms of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo, homecoming of displaced Serbs and other citizens in Kosovo, implementation of decentralization based in the European Autonomy Chart, local government and independence, as a peace and stability factor in the region.

We are decided to give our assistance, to work together with our neighbor countries, in order, it will be a region of peace, stability and cooperation and it integrates in the European Union. I once again assured Mr. Fini, that the Albanian government supports minority rights and a multi-ethnic Kosovo. We consider as very important the fact of respecting minorities everywhere in Balkan, not only in Kosovo.

During the conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Fini, we received a surprise phone call from the Prime Minister Berlusconi, a phone call which gave a friendly message. I availed myself of the occasion, to give Mr. Berlusconi the best congratulations for Christmas and New Year, to him and Italian people too.

As Deputy Prime Minister Fini said, we agreed to arrange a dinner in Albania, as soon as possible.

Question to Mr. Fini: Which is the official position of Italy related to Kosovo issue? In Beograd Mr. Fini talked about a conditioned independence, while today in Kosovo he has shown a kind of lower tones when he said that the independence issue is not defined yet. Why is this change?

Answer, Mr. Fini: The final status of Kosovo will be the result of negotiations. There is not any final situation predefined. For the Italian government, it is essential that the process for the definition of the final status and the fulfillment of these standards should be two processes that move in a parallel way at the same speed. It is true what you said, that yesterday in Beograd I said to Serbian authorities that one of the hypotheses can be the independence with some specific conditions and I repeated once again to the Kosovo authorities that these conditions should be fulfilled. There should be a good will by all parties. European Union should play an active role in these negotiations. We will not just stay and be just like spectators. In addition, as Prime Minister Berisha said, it is very important that Albania wants to play an active and constructive role. I consider as very important the words of Prime Minister Berisha, about the official aspiration of Tirana for guaranteeing a multi-ethnic future in Kosovo, because you know that one of these international standards, which is not entirely respected, is exactly the right to return displaced Serbs in Kosovo.


UM Besnik Mustafaj har gjort status over de første 100 dage:

Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Besnik Mustafaj in the presentation of the activity of the MFA and Albanian diplomatic corps during 100 days

As I have declared in the parliament the day of the presentation of the Government’s Program, there is no need for us to change the course of the foreign policy of Albania, but there is a need to deepen this course and accelerate the pace of integration.

We had promised a strong support for the European integration process, through the intensification of the political dialogue with European Union with a view to conclude as soon as possible the negotiations for the Stabilization and Association Agreement. And we have kept this promise by developing this dialogue in the highest levels, either with the European Commission or with the Presidency-in-Office, that is Great Britain, and with the Austria Presidency as well, which commences on January 1, 2006.

In concrete terms:

· I have visited the European Commission and I have had discussions with the Commissioner for Enlargement, Mr. Olli Rehn. · Mr. Olli Rehn has visited Albania and has met with the highest authorities of our state and government. · I have been received in Brussels by the High Representative of EU for Foreign and Security Policy, Mr. Solana. · I met in the midst of September the British State Secretary for European Affairs, Mr.Dagllas Alexander, with whom I have talked about the position of the British Presidency on the steps to be taken by the Albanian Government concerning the negotiations for the Stabilization and Association Agreement. · I have received in Tirana the Ambassador Michael Jay, Secretary-General of the British Foreign Office. · I have met four times with the Austrian Foreign Minister, Mrs. Ursula Plasnik, with whom we have created our cooperation strategy during the Austrian presidency, with a view to achieve not only the conclusion of negotiations for SAP, but also its signature.

- - We had promised to give the MFA the leading role in the political dialogue with NATO during the process of completing the standards for our accession to NATO and we have kept this promise.

In concrete terms

- - The MFA has accomplished with a high quality the and in a record time the task of drafting of the seventh cycle of the National Action Plan (MAP) in accordance with the new government’s program an submitting it in due time of the plane to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. - - I have presented to a part of the Council of Ambassadors in the NATO Headquarters the program of our government. - - I have hold talking with the Secretary-General of NATO, Mr. Schefer in NATO. - - The Deputy-Secretary-General of NATO, Mr. Ricco, has paid a visit to Tirana and has had meetings with the highest authorities of the Albanian Government. - - The Chief Commander of the American army forces operating under NATO framework, Gen. Jones has paid a visit to Tirana. - - I have participated in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Adriatic Charter member countries A3, with the American Undersecretary of State, Mr. Burns. - - I have participated in the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO and Partnership for Peace member countries; - - In the new MFA structure will be foreseen a special department for NATO. - - We have promised to give our diplomacy an active role in the framework of international organizations, to which we are full members and we have kept this promise.

I will not mention how many times we have taken the floor in the UN. I will just mention:

- - The drafting very seriously of the platform upon which we will base our Presidency of the Central European Initiative, which was undertaken by us at the end of November. - - The qualitative drafting of the program of our Presidency-in-Office of the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative, which we have until next May. - - We are trying to face together with the Ministry of Defense, the presidency of the Secretariat of SEEDM, which we have for a year.

I highlighted these three cases to emphasize that we regard these three international structures as important challenges to demonstrate to our partners that we own sufficient diplomatic capacities to program and direct the multilateral cooperation organizations.

We are also preparing the strategy to make our country a candidate for a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We are also preparing a file to ask the full rights membership in the Organization of the Francophony.

- We have promised to strongly support the process for the definition of the final status of Kosovo that must be – the independence. And we have kept the promise.

To avoid the details to the public opinion, I would like to emphasize that very soon we succeeded in determining our action in this process that is: Albania will be active but not an actor.

- We promised to turn Tirana into an important address of the international diplomatic activity for the region. And we are keeping the promise.

The visits in Tirana of all the international actors to exchange opinions with us during this period, shows that our opinion is coherent, and has positive influence to the peace and stability in the region.

- We have promised to keep the activity of the Albanian diplomatic corpse to the service of the domestic transformations of Albania, to take the country away from the complex crises where it was at the moment of the formation of the government. And we are keeping our promise.

I would like to mention:

- The signing of the memorandum with the High Inspectorate for the estate control, to support through the instruments that MFA Owns, for the verification of the estates that the Politicians or high officials might have transferred abroad. - The signing of the Memorandum of the Cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce. - The facing of the organization of the talks with a number of Prime Ministers and Presidents of the country, which were imported electric power to solve the grave power crises, we found.

- We have promised to protect the diplomatic corpse from the change of the political power. And we keep the promise.

No diplomat is dismissed.

We have promised to make a deep structural reform of the MFA. And we are finalizing this reform.


Forsvarsministeriet. Årlig status:

On 24 December 2005 The annual report of the Ministry of Defense was conducted. The Minister of Defense Mr. Fatmir Mediu, Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Lt General Pellumb Qazimi, Deputy Ministers of Defense Mr. Petrit Karabina and Mrs. Zana Xhuka, Armed Forces Commands, Generals, Directors as well as High Ranking officials of MOD and General Staff participated in this meeting.

The annual report was presented by the Deputy Minister of Defense Mr. Petrit Karabina. Afterwards in his opening remarks the Minister of Defense Mr. Fatmir Mediu stated that 'There is more then three months till the New Albanian Government presented in the Assembly the new program in the Defense Field. This program determines the Governmental goals towards the consolidation of the democratic and civil control in the Armed Forces, the continuity of their transformation, modernization and further development as well as increasing operational capabilities and readiness of the military structures.

To continue Minister Mediu stated that: 'In less then three months, we have come to the conclusion that the policy management in the Ministry of Defense, is implemented and directed in close cooperation with General Staff Command and Armed Forces.

Following, Minister Mediu focused on issues regarding the assessment and the comprehension of AF reality and its conformity with NATO requirements, the implementation of all the obligations that the development of AF requires based in the strategic documents and the Government program, putting all the efforts in integration to NATO structures.

Regarding the report, the Chief of General Staff Lt General Pellumb Qazimi, focused on the work accomplished till now from the General Staff and its depending structures but also on the future tasks, regarding further development of the transformation, review of the Defense Plan, providing and improving the conditions of the militaries by training them and improving their qualification, draft low for SAR, successful completion of the requirements of the AF for Euro Atlantic integration, human resources, participation in missions etc.

General Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Mr. Ardian Mullai, presented a report on the activities for each directory in the Ministry of Defense and their achievements.

Afterwards the Ground Forces Commander, Air Forces Commander and Navy Forces Commander presented the annual report..

In conclusion the Minister of Defense Mr. Mediu pointed out the future objectives to be accomplished by the Armed Forces during the year 2006, to be considered as a very important year towards the achievement of the main goal that is the integration in NATO.


Statspolitiet/Indenrigsministeriet oplyser at man har anholdt Engin Cokguer der er sigtet for drab i Holland:

Engin Cokguer, a Dutch citizen has been arrested by the Albanian Police; He had been searched for on international level charged with murder

21.12.2005

Based on the information acquired from the National Central Office, Interpol Tirana, police have arrested a Dutch citizen, Engin Cokguler, born in 1976. He had been searched for on international level charged with murder. On 21 November 2005, Interpol Tirana had declared this person as searched for on international level. Due to the exchange of information with the Dutch police authorities it was made known that the Groningen Court in Holland issued an arrest warrant for this person because Cokguer was charged with the murder occurred on 13 November of the year 2005 in Groningen.


Albanian Media Institute har netop udsendt newsletter for December 2005:

LONG-TERM PROJECT FOR TRAINING OF YOUNG REPORTERS IS COMPLETED

Albanian Media Institute completed the implementation of the three-month training course for young print media reporters, designed to introduce them to the basic professional skills in order to advance in their careers. The ninth module was conducted by Benet Koleka, Reuters correspondent, on December 1, who focused on in-depth reporting and special events coverage, as well as feature writing. On the next day Ilir Aliaj, media legislation expert, instructed the participants on how to write an essay.

The next two modules took place on December 8-10 and followen on December 12-14, with Robert Slagt and Lutfi Dervishi being the trainers. These modules were conceived as a workshop, which focused on the practical ways of starting a newspaper, such as determining target group, story ideas and newspaper content, publication layout, usage of photos, practical details of publication, etc.

The final module incorporated the whole knowledge gained during the course and put it to test by preparing a newspaper issue by the participants. This module took place on December 15-17, with the guidance of Lutfi Dervishi and Benet Koleka, who employed the format of learning by doing. The final product was a 16-page newspaper, where all the participants contributed and testet their knowledge. This course was implemented by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Press Now.

ASSAULT ON LOCAL JOURNALIST

On 11 December, Engjell Serjani, director of Dita Jug newspaper and correspondent for Gazeta Shqiptare, was attacked and beaten up by two unknown persons in the city of Gjirokastra. Serjani was leaving a bar next to his office, in order to go home, when two persons stopped him and started hitting him until he lost consciousness. Later, Serjani recovered consciousness and was able to go to a hospital to have his injuries treated. The two perpetrators managed to escape. Journalists associations in the country reacted promptly, demanding police identifies the offenders and takes the necessary measures to establish the right climate for media freedom.

BOMB ON MEDIA HOUSE

On the night of 18 December, unknown persons threw explosives into an area close to the group of buildings that hosts the Spekter publishing group. Although the journalists were still working in the building, nobody was injured, but there was damage to property. This group is one of the most important in Albanian press, publishing dailies Shekulli, Sporti Shqiptar, and Biznes, and weekly magazine Spekter.

TRAINING ON GENDER REPORTING

The training on gender equality and the attention that media pays to it took place in the city of Burrel on December 9-10, 2005, with the participation of local journalists from print and electronic media in that area. The first lecturers were Reta Lika from the Center “Gender Alliance for Development,” and Anduena Sefgjini, local journalist. Lika addressed the concept of gender belonging as a social and cultural concept determined by the social environment where we live. She mentioned the stereotypes that exist on females and their transformation with time and location. She also introduced the findings of a monitoring of daily newspapers on the coverage of domestic violence. Journalist Sefgjini focused mainly on the problems of gender equality in the district of Burrel, addressing the attempts of media to struggle against prejudices.

Another lecturer was Ilir Duka from Center “Gender Alliance for Development,” who focused on the processes that lead to the emergence and strengthening of stereotypes, such as manipulation, channeling, oral labelling, and exposure to activities. He also stressed the importance of raising awareness on diversity with regard to gender issues.

On the second day lecturers were Lutfi Dervishi, freelancer, and local journalists Luftim Vani and Afrim Vani. Dervishi made a specific description of media outlets in Burrel, focusing on the space they dedicate to the issue of gender equality in articles and broadcasting. An interesting debate that took place was that of whether it was possible and proper to regulate with legal means the role of women in decision-making or whether this should be achieved through a change in mentality.

With the guidance of the other two journalists the participants discussed the idea of a newspaper supplement and a TV story on gender equality. The protagonists would be female and would express their views. All the participants gave specific practical clues and ideas on the ways to structure a newspaper supplement or a TV story on this topic. This training course was organized by Albanian Media Institute with the support of UNDP.

PROJECT ON SOCIAL ISSUES TRAINING CONCLUDES

At the end of the project “Improving social issues coverage with a focus on MDGs” the organizers thought it would be appropriate to complete the project with a conclusive phase in Tirana that would briefly address all the topics previously discussed in Elbasan, Fier, Shkoder, and Burrel. The participants in Tirana forum were journalists that covered the social problems in different media outlets in the capital.

The lecturers discussed with the journalists in Tirana environmental problems (Xhemal Mato, well-known environmental journalist); problems of corruption and access to information (Arben Ristani, Citizen Advocacy Office); poverty problems (Lindita Xhillari, Center for Promotion of Human Development) and problems of gender equality (Eglantina Gjermeni, Center “Gender Alliance for Development).

On the second day journalists Lutfi Dervishi and Arben Muka addressed problems of investigative journalism and focused extensively on the manners, techniques of coverage of social problems, the space media should give to these stories, etc. This forum marked the completion of this project, with previous training courses in Elbasan, Fier, Shkoder, and Burrel, organized by Albanian Media Institute and supported by UNDP.

DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING COVERAGE OF MINORITIES

A roundtable focusing on public broadcasting coverage of minorities took place in Tirana on December 12, with the participation of representatives from minority media all over the country, the Steering Council of TVSH, the public television, the NCRT, the regulatory authority of electronic media, media experts, etc. The aim of this discussion was to examine the way the public broadcaster meets its responsibilities and criteria regarding the minorities. Its local radio branches broadcasts programs in Greek and Macedonian, but this is insufficient. Recently a debate on the issue of programs in Greek on the public television took place, but a serious conclusion, in accordance with European standards, has not been achieved yet. This roundtable brought together the concerns, opinions, and proposals of minority media representatives regarding the public broadcaster, and the latter’s response and vision on how this problem could be worked out in the future. This roundtable was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Swedish Helsinki Committee.

RADIO PROGRAMS PRODUCED IN AROMANIAN

A group of reporters from the Vlah minority gathered to produce two radio programs of approximately 20 minutes in their language. The main aim of these programs is to promote media coverage of minorities in the country and provide a different voice for the minorities within the media landscape. The journalists were guided in these productions by Iris Luarasi, director of Radio Ime and professor at Department of Journalism, Tirana. These radio programs will be aired by Radio Tirana, the public service radio, and by a local radio. The production of the programs was implemented by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Swedish Helsinki Committee.

SURVEY ON MINORITY MEDIA

A survey on minority media was published in December 2005, containing a database on the main aspects and development trends of minority media in the country. Information for this publication was provided by owners, directors, and editors of minority media. After providing a brief glimpse of the general situation of minority groups in the country, the publication conveys an analysis of the main aspects of media development among minorities. Some of the trends featured in this analysis are the development of minority media through the years, the financial problems it faces, the frequency of publications, the fabric of the staff, in terms such as gender ration, dominating age groups, education, etc. The survey also has a section on training needs of minority media, as indicated by the representatives of these media.

This publication marks the conclusion of the extensive project “Minorities in media and minority media,” which involved training of minority and mainstream media journalists and the production of supplements on minorities, the production of documentaries on minorities, organization of one roundtable discussions with minority journalists and one with public broadcaster and minority representatives, and this research, published in both English and Albanian. This project was implemented by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Swedish Helsinki Committee.

ANOTHER DAILY PAPER EMERGES IN ALBANIAN MARKET

“Standard” is the latest title that entered Albanian market of daily newspapers in December. The number of daily newspapers competing in the small market has now reached 25, which is considered to be a quite large figure for Albania’s small population. Although there are no statistics or official figures on the circulation of daily newspapers, it is estimated as a low one.




Mjaft skriver:

Dear friend,

You will find below the reaction of the Mjaft! Movement, in relation to the issue of the overpass at \"Zogu i Zi\"

3 January 2006

The Mjaft! civic movement requested today publicly a local referendum on the overly-discussed issue of the overpass at “Zogu i Zi”. The leader of this movement said today in a media release that the citizens of Tirana are not only the beneficiaries but also the investors of the overpass issue, therefore they must have their say in the definitive decision.

According to the Mjaft! Movement, this issue has been transformed from a technical to a political one. It has skipped from the “are the licenses for the overpass legal or not” argument, to the “do we need an overpass or not” argument.

At this point, Mjaft! thinks that the fairest way to unblock the situation is holding a local referendum where the citizens of Tirana, as the beneficiaries and the investors of the overpass, can express themselves in favor or against this investment in the city.

Mjaft! argued today that the involved parties have to explain to the citizens the arguments in favor and against, also the respective reasons and to leave the definitive decision in the hands of the citizens. According to the Mjaft! leaders, this practice is not unusual, since similar experiences of exercising the direct democracy occur routinely in democratic countries.

Meanwhile, the Mjaft! Movement has been contacted by some international institutions, which have requested from this movement, explanations over the status of this issue, worried about the way this issue is escalating into a wild public debate, in a completely technical issue. Mjaft! Movement had another meaningful reaction by those who live in Albania, but also from a lot of immigrants or Albanian students that have come from abroad. They have expressed their preoccupation related to this tense situation, where the debate resembles to a rural quarrel rather than to a gentlemen rhetoric to find a solution on the interest of the citizens.

Mjaft Crew
Rr. Elbasanit, Nr. 77, Tirana
Tel/Fax +355 4 223 661
info@mjaft.org
http://www.mjaft.org




Den Amerikanske Ambassadør Marcie Ries er blevet interviewet om trafficking

Transcript of Radio Tirana Interview with Ambassador Marcie B. Ries

USAID-funded "Rruga me Pisha" Radio Program

Reporter: Ms. Ambassador, I am Diana Leskaj. Thank you for accepting our invitation for this interview.

Ambassador: Thank you. I am very glad to be here.

Reporter: Madam Ambassador, we know that the U.S. Government places a high priority on fighting trafficking in persons because it is a known violation of human rights and is a threat to national and international security due to its links to organized crime. You, yourself, have expressed a personal commitment to this issue. Can you say a little bit about why this issue is important to you?

Ambassador: Well, first of all, in my capacity as U.S. Ambassador to Albania, I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the victims of this horrible crime. They are brave women and girls from throughout the country who have suffered cruel manipulations and even violence. It is nearly impossible to be indifferent to stories of sexual trafficking and exploitation in general, and hearing personal stories from the victims. One can’t help but be affected and moved to action.

My professional commitment to this issue in Albania can be seen in the U.S. Government efforts to end the trafficking in persons; to protect and help victims, and to assist in the prosecution of those who treat people like commodities and keep them in slave-like conditions.

But of course, I also have personal feelings about this issue. As a mother and a career woman, I’m sensitive to women and children who haven’t had the same opportunities I’ve had or who may have grown up in extreme poverty, with limited access to education, or with violence in their lives. I am personally invested in helping to support projects in Albania that can work to make the lives of all Albanians better, and particularly those who are vulnerable to trafficking.

Reporter: Do you think poverty and the lack of education is the root cause of trafficking in Albania?

Not entirely. Traffickers are people who prey on weakness. There is no question that the difficult social and economic realities in parts of Albania, make some women desperate. I’ve met some of the victims of trafficking, and these girls tell stories of being promised marriage, an opportunity to live abroad with their boyfriends, and employment. Traffickers deceive young women by manipulating their hopes and dreams. Victims are pushed to find a way out of the hardships in their lives, but traffickers take advantage of this and lure women with these false promises.

Reporter: What should women and girls look for when they are confronted with an opportunity to go abroad or a marriage proposal?

Ambassador: I would advise young women to always check and then re-check any offer of employment abroad. Ask how the visa was obtained. If you are told no visa is necessary, then that should be a very worrying signal. Research it as thoroughly as you can. Ask about the specifics of the job offer. Check the internet for information about the company, ask friends and family for advice, and listen to people who might oppose your decision; they are trying to help you.

When you receive a marriage request, be prudent. In many trafficking cases, Albanian girls are manipulated through false wedding promises. To avoid be caught in a ruse, meet and speak with the man's family and friends. If the young man requests a confidential or hidden engagement, you must tell your family. If you decide to go abroad with him, have a plan of where to go and who to contact if it doesn’t work out.

Reporter: What message would you like women to think about or know about this issue?

Ambassador: In all of our countries we have a tendency to avoid talking about trafficking because it really is a shocking subject. And as a mother, I know that sometimes it can be difficult to talk openly to your children about tough social issues like violence, prostitution, or drugs, for example, but I strongly encourage those listening to this program to have those important conversations in your families and in your communities as a way to help your daughters protect themselves and not take dangerous risks. The ability to make good decisions is the most effective form of protection you can offer your child.

Reporter: And yet, Albania is still a very conservative society. Do you think victims of trafficking have any hope of regaining control and leading normal, productive lives?

Ambassador: There is so much stigmatization and discrimination against women and girls who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation in any society, it makes their recovery and reintegration into a healthy and happy life all the more difficult. My message to the families and communities in which these women originate would be to recognize these women as true survivors who deserve your respect, acceptance, and understanding.

Reporter: Do have any final comments today?

Ambassador: Yes, thank you. I would like to address the women and girls who have survived trafficking and may be listening today. I’d like to quote Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and a well-known reformer who worked tirelessly for human rights throughout the world, who said: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'” I hope you can get on with your lives and persevere in recognition of all that you have overcome and remember, that like Eleanor Roosevelt also said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Continue to have your own voice, fight for your dignity, value yourselves, and hold your heads up high, because you have the right and the capacity to accomplish great things.

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SERBIEN og MONTENEGRO. SERBIEN (alene)


Det Amerikanske UM har 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.


Regeringen vil ophæve licens til mobilselskabet Mobtel. Regeringen oplyser:

Government decides to revoke Mobtel's licence

Belgrade, Dec 29, 2005 – The Serbian government made a unanimous decision at its session today to revoke Mobtel's licence for performing telecommunication activities related to the mobile phone network on account of the severest breach of contract. Mobtel is one of the two mobile operators in Serbia.

The government found out that Mobtel signed a contract with a Kosovo mobile operator Mobikos without the government's consent, which is necessary for the contract to be valid. Mobtel has thus illegally given the licence for performing telecommunication activities in Kosovo-Metohija to Pec-based Mobikos, whose owner is Ekrem Luka.

By signing the contract with Mobikos, Mobtel has heavily damaged state economic interests and enabled Ekrem Luka to make enormous profits using Serbia's state licence and its infrastructure and exploiting the mobile phone sector in Kosovo-Metohija. Furthermore, it is clear that such a contract as well as the participation of Mobikos in Serbia's telecommunications system directly jeopardises its national security.

Though Mobtel was under obligation to ask for the Serbian government's consent before concluding the contract, the company avoided doing that because they knew that the government would never allow Ekrem Luka to use the state licence and the state telecommunication infrastructure in the province. The Serbian government has therefore decided to revoke Mobtel's licence.

The government is determined to protect state and national interests and will not allow any illegal activities and any abuses of state resources for profit-making purposes of the owners of Mobtel and Mobikos.

The government has taken all precautionary measures so that all users of Mobtel's 063 mobile phone network can keep using the company's services as usual.

Apart from taking away Mobtel's licence, the government has also sent directives to all ministries to look into the Mobtel-Mobikos contract within their own area of competence.

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MONTENEGRO (alene)


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

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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 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.

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.

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/.

Makedonien forhandler med EU om optagelse. Aktuel status, se: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/fyrom/key_documents.htm. Se også den generelle side: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index_en.html


MIA skriver om de nu overståede problemer med leverancen af Russisk Gas

RUSSIA'S GAZPROM SAYS SUPPLIES TO EUROPE FULLY RESTORED

Russia's state-owned natural gas monopoly has restored deliveries to European customers amid reports Gazprom is to resume talks with Ukraine to end a pricing dispute that halted supplies to that country.

"We have fully completed work to restore gas supplies to Europe," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told a news conference Tuesday in Moscow.

"At this time we are carrying out deliveries to European consumers in full."

Countries heavily dependent on Russian gas -- including Hungary, Austria and Slovakia -- confirmed Tuesday that deliveries had returned to normal.

Gazprom halted deliveries to Ukraine on Sunday after Kiev refused to meet its demands for a fourfold price increase.

The company -- which provides a quarter of Western Europe's natural gas needs, 80 percent of which flows through pipelines that cross Ukraine --said it had planned to continue shipping full supplies to those customers.

But shortly after supplies to Ukraine were halted, other countries began reporting reduced pressure in their pipelines -- some by more than 30 percent.

Gazprom, which supplies around one-third of Ukraine's natural gas, wanted to increased the price of gas from around $50 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas to $230 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas -- a fourfold increase.

---

GRÆKENLAND

Seneste Parlamentsvalg 040307.

Drab på Albaner på Kreta. Kathimerini skriver:

Cretan tension after killing

Police in Rethymnon, Crete, were yesterday bracing for a possible outbreak of interethnic tension following the fatal stabbing of an Albanian youth by a group of Greeks on New Year’s Day.

The 17-year-old Albanian died in hospital after being knifed 17 times by a group of seven Greeks, led by an 18-year-old army conscript and his 40-year-old father, police said. The conscript was charged with murder and the other six with complicity.

The seven are alleged to have attacked the youth after breaking into his home in the port’s old town shortly after an altercation between some Greeks and Albanians outside a bar early on Sunday.

Officers were on standby yesterday after around 200 Albanians staged a protest before accompanying the victim’s coffin to a ferry waiting to take him to Tirana for burial. By late yesterday, there were no reports of any violence.

It was unclear what triggered the clash that led to the boy’s death but police said it was probably past differences.

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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.

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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


   

051228 PM Dr Berisha har haft møde i Tirana med den Italienske UM Gianfranco Fini:

Prime Minister Sali Berisha held on Wednesday a meeting with the Deputy Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini. After the meeting, both personalities said to the media:

Mr. Gianfranco Fini: I am happy to be today in Tirana and I remained really glad from the meeting with Mr. Berisha. I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Berisha in Rome, 15 days ago, where we pointed out our common will to consolidate further our relationship. There is a friendly relationship between Albania and Italy, which is updated through time. I do not hesitate to confirm that between the new government of Mr. Berisha and our government, has had an obvious improvement of these relations.

Italy is a very important economic and trade partner to Albania. Prime Minister Berisha is personally committed to remove some barriers and obstacles, as well as to solve some disagreements that derive from the past. All this will make Albania a very attractive market for foreign investments and capitals, especially for Italian ones.

I would like to point out that, the cooperation between our two governments is a very powerful and real cooperation, first of all, in fighting criminality and other negative phenomena. It is exactly thanks to this close cooperation, that Italy two days ago, took e very important decision, which I had the pleasure to announce to Prime Minister Berisha. It is about increasing by, more than 30% the number of the seasonal employees, and this decision will come to power next year. Therefore, there will not be 3 000 employees any more, but they 4.500. Working honestly, is the best challenge and the best way to fight criminality.

I once again made known to Mr. Berisha, the will of Italy to work for the stability of Balkan, which is a strategic region for the national interests of Italy. I was in Beograd and today morning in Pristine. And today also, I juxtaposed the point of views and stand of the Italian state to the point of views and stand of the Albanian state regarding Kosovo issue. I emphasized once again to the Prime Minister that, of course Balkan will be stabilized in the perspective of Balkan countries’ integration, first in NATO and then, when proper conditions will be established for the European integration of Balkan.

At the end, we decided to arrange a dinner together as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha: I, once again want to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Gianfranco Fini for the visit and to express my gratitude for the Italian government, for the President Mr. Berluskoni, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Fini, and the Parliament Speaker Pier Ferdinando Cassini, for their great support and the very friendly feelings shown to Albania.

It is with great gratitude I want to thank Mr. Fini for the last decision of the Council of Ministers of Italy to finance 8 important projects in Albania, with a value of 77.2 million Euro. I also want to thank him, for the fact that are thousands of Albanian students studying in the Italian universities, for increasing the number of visas for seasonal employees, the encouragement of the Italian investors to invest in Albania, and the commitment to move on the issue of “Corridor 8”.

We also talked about developments in the region. I am very happy that Italy supports Albania and Balkan EU integration, because this support is extraordinarily important. We talked about Kosovo status. I assured the Deputy Prime Minister Fini that the Albanian government insists in, totally respecting rights and freedoms of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo, homecoming of displaced Serbs and other citizens in Kosovo, implementation of decentralization based in the European Autonomy Chart, local government and independence, as a peace and stability factor in the region.

We are decided to give our assistance, to work together with our neighbor countries, in order, it will be a region of peace, stability and cooperation and it integrates in the European Union. I once again assured Mr. Fini, that the Albanian government supports minority rights and a multi-ethnic Kosovo. We consider as very important the fact of respecting minorities everywhere in Balkan, not only in Kosovo.

During the conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Fini, we received a surprise phone call from the Prime Minister Berlusconi, a phone call which gave a friendly message. I availed myself of the occasion, to give Mr. Berlusconi the best congratulations for Christmas and New Year, to him and Italian people too.

As Deputy Prime Minister Fini said, we agreed to arrange a dinner in Albania, as soon as possible.

Question to Mr. Fini: Which is the official position of Italy related to Kosovo issue? In Beograd Mr. Fini talked about a conditioned independence, while today in Kosovo he has shown a kind of lower tones when he said that the independence issue is not defined yet. Why is this change?

Answer, Mr. Fini: The final status of Kosovo will be the result of negotiations. There is not any final situation predefined. For the Italian government, it is essential that the process for the definition of the final status and the fulfillment of these standards should be two processes that move in a parallel way at the same speed. It is true what you said, that yesterday in Beograd I said to Serbian authorities that one of the hypotheses can be the independence with some specific conditions and I repeated once again to the Kosovo authorities that these conditions should be fulfilled. There should be a good will by all parties. European Union should play an active role in these negotiations. We will not just stay and be just like spectators. In addition, as Prime Minister Berisha said, it is very important that Albania wants to play an active and constructive role. I consider as very important the words of Prime Minister Berisha, about the official aspiration of Tirana for guaranteeing a multi-ethnic future in Kosovo, because you know that one of these international standards, which is not entirely respected, is exactly the right to return displaced Serbs in Kosovo.

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USA




US Embassy Belgrade

December 19, 2005

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

Washington, DC

Appointment of Ambassador Frank G. Wisner As The Special Representative of the Secretary of State to the Kosovo Status Talks

I am pleased to announce my intention to appoint Ambassador Frank G. Wisner as my Special Representative to the Kosovo Status Talks. Ambassador Wisner is a seasoned diplomat with more than 30 years of international experience. He served his country with distinction as Ambassador to India, the Philippines, Egypt and Zambia and as the Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs and as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Ambassador Wisner will provide American support to the lead international negotiator, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, in his efforts to bring together Serbian and Kosovar leaders for discussions on Kosovo’s future status. Members of the Contact Group have determined that resolution of this issue is key to ensuring stability in Southeast Europe.

The United States encourages the parties to engage in these talks in the spirit of good faith and with a willingness to reach agreement on a broad range of issues important to Kosovo’s future. With our Contact Group partners and in support of the U.N. Special Envoy’s efforts, the United States will seek to secure a settlement on Kosovo’s status that promotes security for all peoples of the Balkans and advances the region’s integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions.

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ENGLAND

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TYSKLAND

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FRANKRIG

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DANMARK (NORGE, SVERIGE)


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

Norske KFOR-soldater: Musikvideo over Beach Boys' Kokomo . Der kom forleden en forespørgsel om en video der blev meget omtalt i forsommeren og sommeren 2005. Soldaterne spiller og mimer til et Beach Boys nummer Kokomo (ændret til: Kosovo); den nye udgave er skrevet af en Amerikansk DJ på Radio KZOK i Seattle: Bob Rivers [http://www.bobrivers.com].

Fra Serbisk side er video'en opfattet som negativ, som det også fremgår af flg. e-mails mellem en Serbisk Journalist og Bob rivers. Men det er en misforståelse, der er tale om en blanding af humor og (selv)ironi, som så er videreført af Norske KFOR-Soldater.

Norske Myndigheder har i forsommeren/sommeren 2005 set »på sagen«, men vil ikke forfølge den, eftersom de pgl. Soldater er udtrådt af Hæren.

Klip fra http://www.bobrivers.com:

Monday, June 13, 2005

Hi Bob,

I am a journalist with Serbia's Vreme newsmagazine, where I write a column about the Internet.

I know you made this Kosovo song that was used (and fully credited to, even music) by Norwegian troops in Kosovo.

My question is, when was the song made and with what intention? I suppose it was in 1999, and media in Serbia believe it was made to mock the Serbian nation and its sacred things.

Have you ever heard of Milos Obilic? (Subtitles of your version of Kokomo in Serbia read "Milos Obilic you sorry son of a bitch" instead of Milosevic. The trouble is that this Obilic guy is 14th century Serb national hero from Kosovo.)

What do you think of this whole issue with Norwegian guys?

I hope you will get a minute or two to read this and answer. I'd like to set the record straight at least in Serbia.

Zoran Stanojevic

Vreme



My response:

Zoran,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Let me start by saying that the intent of the song was to mock my own country for its bullying ways around the world. The idea was to point out how casually the US plays World Police. The song takes on the persona of the US government, ridiculing the fact that we push others around without much concern. It is satire, which some have mistaken for literal propoganda. It was meant to be heard in the US and cause a US citizen to realize of how stupid our actions sound when put to music.

Here in America, while we love our country, a good many of us have real problems with our foreign policy. And it isn't just President Bush. After all, the Kosovo policy occurred under Clinton.

The global nature of the Internet resulted in unintended offense to some. I have responded to everyone who has written to me about this, and if you can help set the record straight I am most grateful.

The song has been stolen, video put to it, and I wish there were a way to stop it.

For several years, our radio show has aired regular interviews with a Serbian phone contact, and tried our best to shed light on the story. We would be happy to schedule more if you can refer me to an english speaking spokesperson.

Regards,

Bob Rivers

---

Zoran's response:

Bob, thanks a lot.

I had the same feeling about the song (I got it from the friend in 2003, about a month before the Iraq thing) and it made my day (thanks for that as well). Therefore, I was even more surprised when it "topped the charts" few weeks ago with in a different context. And everybody here believes it was completely done by those Norwegian soldiers (even music).

Also, people in Serbia were more distracted by your song because they missed its irony. In that context, if you take words seriously, "we'll drop bombs wherever Serbian bad guys are" gets a totally different meaning. Especially if most of the lyrics are misheard for something they don't say (like this Obilic and Milosevic thing that I mentioned).

Thank you for your prompt answer, I am returning this a few hours later due to the time difference.

And I will quote you for my column. Also I'll put the link to your site.

Thanks again.

Z

Den originale Beach Boys-text kan findes mange steder, bl.a. på: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beach-boys/13920.html. Nogle steder kan man finde en MIDI-udgave.

Videoen kan findes på: http://balkansnet.org/videos/kosovo12.wmv [ca. 6,5 MB]. Den blev fundet via: http://www.dr.dk/NR/exeres/59699432-45A8-48B4-8A72-878A79672C63. Men se også: http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/innenriks/4750027.html og http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1040097.ece

Videoen vil blive lagt som bilag på CD'en til »Albansk Almanak 2005« [udkommer April 2006]

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


RUSLAND

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


MIA skriver om de nu overståede problemer med leverancen af Russisk Gas

RUSSIA'S GAZPROM SAYS SUPPLIES TO EUROPE FULLY RESTORED

Russia's state-owned natural gas monopoly has restored deliveries to European customers amid reports Gazprom is to resume talks with Ukraine to end a pricing dispute that halted supplies to that country.

"We have fully completed work to restore gas supplies to Europe," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told a news conference Tuesday in Moscow.

"At this time we are carrying out deliveries to European consumers in full."

Countries heavily dependent on Russian gas -- including Hungary, Austria and Slovakia -- confirmed Tuesday that deliveries had returned to normal.

Gazprom halted deliveries to Ukraine on Sunday after Kiev refused to meet its demands for a fourfold price increase.

The company -- which provides a quarter of Western Europe's natural gas needs, 80 percent of which flows through pipelines that cross Ukraine --said it had planned to continue shipping full supplies to those customers.

But shortly after supplies to Ukraine were halted, other countries began reporting reduced pressure in their pipelines -- some by more than 30 percent.

Gazprom, which supplies around one-third of Ukraine's natural gas, wanted to increased the price of gas from around $50 per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas to $230 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas -- a fourfold increase.

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KINA

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