The lands and propriety problem in Himara Region became the situation in the Greek inhabitant's region of Himara very critically.
Tirana November 13, 2002.
Yesterday in Dhrimades (Dhermi in Albanian), the big village inhabvitaed from Greeks ethnics after Himara`s Town, became the center information of Albanian press about the bombing fire during the last night to a "Magazine" of Presidential Residence of Albania in Drimades Beach. The owner Pavllo Vreto, with Greek nationality from Drimades, is wanted from Himara`s Commissariat as author of fire to Presidential Residence of Drimades. According to informations from Drimades the owner Vreto known in region for his propriety near of Presidential Residence, has been the person who is responsible of this story, but Vreto has the propriety of father in Drimades Village, but violated from Albanian government giving three years ago on falls documents the spice border propriety of Government Residence of Drimades.
All the villagers are with Mist. Vreto who wanted until now from Albanian authority for accuse of "Violation of Government Propriety and terrorism act". In fact the problems of Himara Region inhabited from ethnics Greeks, are very problematic, while the Albanian Parliament Commission for the Lands and proprieties, don`t want to give the lands to inhabitants of Himara region, favoring thousand Albanians from Northern of Albania to enter in Himara Region under the Strategy of Albanian Nationalism to assimillisation the Greek old Region of Himara, known as "Mitrovica of Albania". Nevertheless the European Commission sent some days ago e message to Fatos Fano for lands and proprieties of Himara Region to "Know all the rights of owners for their lands and proprieties" said Romano Prodi. Dhrimades village is the Greek old zone known for the beaches, 35 orthodox Byzantine churches and beautiful tourist images the best of Albania, but violated from Albanian Mafia particularly from politicians and member of government, including Albanian nationalism strategy. The Himara Community has informed the Euro Greek Parliamentars about the expansion of Albanian Mafia to rob and by lands in Himara Region, under the name of Albanian Nationalism Strategy, helping from ex member of "Sigurimi" now the new agents of SHISH operated in Himara Region. Is unacceptable the inferiority of Greek Government about new Albanian nationalism escalation in Himara Region, but the Human Rights Party Union of Albania known the Party of Greek Minority of Albania, doesn't comment about this escalation in Himara Region. They are the member of Albanian Government part of Fatos Nano Government.
NAYTEMPORJKI date, 20 May, 2002 07:00
ROUGHLY two thousands residents from the villages of province of Himara's realized yesterday the morning demonstration for the return
of their fortunes and the finish of illegal privatizations of extents in the akrocalassja this region.
The association "Enosi Himarioton", the association "Bregdeti" and other local organizations organized the concentration. Many from the speakers accused executives of government and previous governments that they have illegally privatized fortunes and extents that belong in Himariotes, exploiting their absence in Greece.
With the expiry of concentration was realized course up to the town hall of city, while the organizers dispatched message of protest to the Albanian government and the Parliament, asking is approved as soon as possible concrete law on the return of fortunes in this tourist region of Himaras. Also, message dispatched the Himariotes in international organisms.
Editors of "Himara" Internet newspaper.
NATIONAL - CULTURAL
ASSOCIATION "COASTLINE" CHAIRMANSHIP
Tirana on 2002
Address: Rruga'Mine Peza', Pall 103/1, Ap. 1/8 Kutia Postare258 PT Tirana
Subject: Albanian government and party leaders prior to going in the Brussels meeting should be obliged to take the decision on the return of private property
to legal land owner and correction of present mistakes for the population of
60000 inhabitants of the Ionian coast district from Vlora to Saranda
PRO-MEMORY ARGUMENT TO CHAIRWOMAN OF THE EU DELEGATION FOR EAST-EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
MRS DORIS PACK,
IN THE EC HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Dear HONORED MS PACK
Board of representatives of Albanian All-coastal Assembly and Association AK "Coastline", on behalf of more than 60 000 inhabitants of Ionian coast which lies from Vlora-Saranda, highly estimates your fruitful pronunciation, for the good of democratization of life in Albania and wants to thank you very much. For the fulfillment of your honorable mission, please accept this pro-memory-argument, prior to the meeting of January 24 to be held in Brussels with Albanian government and parties leaders.
Honored Lady, More than 10 years have passed by, from the turning point of Albania moving towards democracy and of a transition decade of post-communist government, but it was not enough to return the private property to legal owners of this area, a property which had been forcefully taken away from communist dictatorship. Government officials are privatizing and alienating it according to
the interests of clans and oligarchy in power. All segments of the executive
power, from the basis to central government continue to act through laws and orders, which run counter private property, in article 4, 41/2 and 181/2 of the Constitution in power, as well as article 1 of the Protocol of International Convention on Freedom and Human Rights. The judiciary violates the constitutional provisions protecting the right for private property, while the legislative power is not passing the law on the return of private property, violating even the maximum deadline of 3 years set by the Constitution approved in November 1998. The two bills prepared recently represent another sophisticated conspiracy of the social-communistic way of thinking against the return of property. They leave untouched law 7501 "On Land", passed on July 19, 1991, which negates private property and legalizes state as owner of all land, on the same way as did the PSRA Constitution, of 1976, article 18, paragraph 2, anathematizing private property as the source of capitalistic property with every passing hour and minute, the main great enemy (at that time) of social communism. These conditions are more than alarming and are present all over the country. They have been made present even to you and other higher authorities of EU, by the nationwide Association "Property with Justice" signed by more than 200 000 former owners and which is also supported by us, the coastal district from Vlora to Saranda. Economic policy with socialist ideas of Albanian government negating private property has sent
the Ionian coastal area from Vlora to Saranda towards an economic catastrophe in ecology and environment. This area with a history which dates back from 2400 years ago is now being destroyed and under genocide. The treatment of all the Ionian coast area as an agricultural land even under conditions of free market economy has blocked the quick development of tourist industry, which offers marvelous conditions, and brings an enormous economic loss for the area and the entire Albanian nation.
On behalf of the population of this area we are forced to disturb you and ask for your assistance, so that in the meeting of January 24 in Brussels, remind to Albanian government and political parties that construction of capitalistic
economy in Albania can not be realized through the failed strategy of utopic socialism, an experiment which has been so expensive for Albania in blood and economic backwardness. Albanian population merits its association in the EU, being one of the most ancient populations in Europe, but such a thing jointly with donations, funding and investments should be conditioned with the main problem, return of private property which is the foundation of actual and future results of Albania. We express our belief for your assistance in the solution of this vital problem for the Ionian coastal population of the district from Vlora to Saranda.
We thank you very much and express our highest consideration
BOARD OF ALL-COASTAL ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION AK "COASTLINE"
Prof. Dr. Viron Koka, Prof. Dr. Niko Pana, Prof. Dr. Aleks Vrana,
Prof. Dr. Polo Cakalli, Prof. Myzafer Ahmati, Prof. Arsen Jani,
Ing. Theodhori Bollono, Econ. Pirro Polo, Jurist Ahile Nini.
Financ. Dhimiter Gurra, Financ. Anastas Cipa, Journalist Stavri Marko,
Dr. Kristaq Jorgji
FOR THE BOARD OF ASSOCIATION AK "COASTLINE"
Chairman Vangjel LLAZARI
DHËRMI :
A TOURIST GUIDE FOR ALL VISITORS
The village of Dhermi,
One of the seven villages of the Himara region, is the second village a traveler will see once past the pass of Llogara and its national park. Located at the foot of Acrocerau-nian mountains, (which the Roman poet Horace calls as" infames scopulos Acroceraunia"), oversseing quite a long beach and a marvelous Ionian sea and amidst the green olives grooves and citrus plantations, the village possesses a magnificent beauty. The English landscape pain-ter Edward Lear describes it as " more magnificent in his location than any other village I have seen in Acroceraunia and resemble no little Atrani and Amalfi ". Dhermi is located in middle of a 5 kilometers long beach that begins in the peninsula of Karaburun and ends in the hills, above which stands the monastery of Saint Theodore. The village itself is composed of three quarters : Kondraqi-the first to be encountered by those arriving from Vlora, Gjilek - the second and the third quearter is Dhermi, after which the whole village is named. It's estimated that the village has some 600 houses, of which 300 are in Dhermi, 150 in Gjilek and the rest in Kondraq. The village is located 52 km from Vlora, 72 km north of Saranda and 210 km from the capital Tirana. Administratively is included in the municipality of Himara, region of Himara, district of Vlora.
Name.
As Himara ( Chimara) etymology is claimed to be from Greek Ravine or even Chimera, the explanination of the name Dhërmi is pretended to be the Greek term - "dhrima-dhes" meaning Oak tree - which is based in the local natural vegetation. A second hypothesis is again from a Greek term dhromos - Road justified by the location of the village near the road. The Albanian explana-tion is from dhe-mih - meaning dig the soil - because of the scarce soil resource.
History.
The foundation of the village is lost in the history. Himara, where Dher-mi is included, has been inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of Kaoni-ans. We know that Philip of Macedonia (father of Alexander the Great) attacked Himara in 214 BC and that in 167 BC, it was a Roman naval base. Julius Caesar was the first great leader that set his foot in the beach near Dhermi in his battle against Pompe-us and it is said that while he is sailing close to these dangerous Acrocerau-nian sho-res pronounce the famous sentences to his sailors" Don't fear as you are carrying the Caesar and his luck". For a certain period, Himara was under the Bulgarian rule ( 904 AD ). One relative of Gjin Bua Shpata (Lord of Arta about 1370 AD) came and was established in Dhermi. After the murder of Balsha II ( a famous Medieval Albanian landlord ) in 1385, his wife "a true amazon ruled upon Himara till 1392. Those were times of wars with Saracens, evidence of which are the Pirate's Cave and the place "Al-Evra.The famous Norman Guiskard and his son Boe-mund attempted to subdue the place, recognizing the strategic location upon the Otranto channel. Later (around 1400) Himara was under the domminion of Gjergj Aranit Komne-ni - relative to the Byzantine Emperors and the father of the Scanderbeg's wife- our national Hero. With the bride, Scander-beg took Himara as dowry. His son, Gjon Kastrioti, inherited Himara, where he landed in 1481 to organize an uprising against the Turks, after the death of his father, which proved unsuccesful. As result of Turkish occupation, many Himariotes left Albania and founded some villages in Southern Italy. Himara, unlike most of the country was never conquered completely by the Turkish. Together with Mirdita, both regions enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy. According to the status signed by Sulltan Bajazite II in 1492, Himara and her villa-ges, should pay to the Sublime Port the sum of 16,000 francs per year. However, the region was governed by the local demogeronds. Sulej-man the Magnificent (or the LawGiver) tried to submit Hima-ra, but in vain ( one Himario-te called Damian, succeed to enter in his tent in an attempt to kill -him). Himara ( at that time composed of more than 50 villages) was the center of several uprisings such those in 1481, 1488, 1494-1509, 1537, 1571, 1595, 1690 1713. Ali Pasha of Yanina was the only Turkish (or Albanian as he was Albanian by the origin ) ruler successful of occupying Himara ( 1797) and her villages. The story tells that he ordered to put the fire on the forest upon the village of Dhermi. According to the book of history of Albania, the Suliotes, that were the major contributors for the Greek Indepen-dence, were migrated Himario-tes. At that time Lord Byron wrote the famous verses :
Shall the sons of Chimari who never forgive
the fault of a friend, bid an enemy life ?
Let those guns so unerring such vengeance forgo ?
What's mark is so fair as the breast of a foe ?
After the Albanian Independence, Himara was included in the new state, although in March 1914 the region was declared autonomous. In 1927 it was signed the Protocol of Himara between the region and the Albanian state that recognized the privileges of the region. 1930 marks the end of Greek language teaching in Himara. During the First World War, the Italians using the Austro-Hungarian war prisoners, build the road that connects Vlora and the region that give a big boost to the economic development of the Riviera. During the Italian-Greek war in 1940 war Dher-mi was the most advance post of Greeks and his inhabitants had to be removed in Vlora, Durrësi up to Shkodra. The village took part in the National Liberation war and many of the inhabitants took part in the Riviera Fighting unit and in the XII th Brigade. Social-Economic Development. Edward Lear that visited practically the major part of Albania in 1848, wrote for the region that " the civilization of this part of Albania seems indeed beyond what I have seen ?. In early- XX century the village of Dher-mi has two doctors, graduated in Vienna and in Athens. The first school was opened in 1877 ??? and served as center of education for all the nearby inhabitants. Before the second World War, emigra-tion and agriculture (olive and agrumes growing) as well as trade, were the major activities. The grapefruit, most of it produced for the Jews Community, was the special trade commodity, together with the olive oil and agrumes. In that period, Dhermi has about 64 trucks, an indication of its wealth. Emigration, especially in Greece, US, Australia, France was another source of income for the family and at the same source of tragedies and disillusions. Petro Marko describes this wound :
It's said that the big stones below are the men that had returned back and had died here. While the men that had left and died abroad are transformed in clouds. They come, shed tears and leave. And the big stones, near the shore, collect their tears as the rain is collected.
During socialism ( Dhermi joined the cooperati-ve system only in 1957) - agriculture was the sole-income producing activity. Substan-tial migration toward the great cities of the country oc-curred at this time- Vlora, Durrësi, Tirana, Berati being the most preferred. Dhermiotes were famous in those days as good drivers and truck repairmen. A major part of the new generation were well educated in the universities and high schools. After 1990, the majority of the population migrated in Greece, taking advantage of the Greek language. At the same time, migration happened for US, Canada and other West-European countries. Only the olive growing and olive oil extraction remained profitable activities. On the other hand, tourism began to be an proved to be an important profita-ble activity, although the great potential available was not fully exploited. The former Worker's Rest House privatized in different parts, served as catalyst for the construction of many other buildings for the increasing requests from all the country and abroad . The riots of 1997 and 1998 had their negative impact, but now tourism is constantly picking up.
Language.
Like in two other villages in the region (Himara and Palasa), the daily lan-guage for the Dhermiotes is a vulgar form of Greek. Albanian comes second. A hypothesis for this is that Himariotes are a Greek minority. Another hypothe-sis is that the Greek was adopted as working language during Turkish attempts to occupy the place and the Himariotes were forced to flee in the neighboring Greek islands as well as during the trade with them, especially Corfu. An interesting fact is support this second hypothesis is that the songs and mourning are held in the Albanian language. Agriculture. The wealth of agriculture depends mainly on the olive tree - it's estimated that there are more than 47,000 trees. The cultivar Kalinjot, most valuable for olive extraction than for table olives, dominates - above 92% of the trees. The maximum production achieved is 1,500 MT and the olive oil production is 300 MT/year. Citrus (oranges and lemons), figs, grapes, nespolla are the most important other trees, not to forget the natural vegetation such as prickly pear (called French -or India figs by the villagers) ( in Latin Opuntia ).
Religion.
The inhabitants of the region are converted Christians since early times. It's reported that Himara had his own Bishop in the IX century. All the autochthonous inhabitants are Greek Orthodox Christian. Religion practices were observed even in the atheistic times of 1967-1990. An interesting fact here is that Dhermi has numerous churches, about 46, one in about 15 families. There are three major monasteries - that of Saint Theodorus located in the hill outside the village, of the Virgin in the top of hill of Dhermi, and the monastery of ???. There are two big churches, both located in the village that of Saint Harallamb and that of... refurbished in 1967. However, the major part of the churches of the villages are small, build mostly by the emigrants returning from abroad in the country. The chur-ches of Saint Stephens and that of Saint Dhimi-tre according to the text of History of Albania contain some of the oldest afrescos of Albani-a (XII century). Reports of the XVII century give evidence of the efforts of the Catholic Church, through the Basilian order, to convert the Himariotes and especially the Dhermio-tes. Basilians opened a seminar in Albanian language. Before the Second World War, the village had had eight priests. The most celebrated religious events are the Assumpti-on Day (Au-gust 15) and Christmas and the Orthodox Eas-ter.
While the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini was famous as the local goberning Code in Northern Albania, Himara abided to a special variant of Code called as the Kanuni i Papa Zhulit. (Priest Jule"s Code). Famous Dhermiotes. Captain Kumiu is the first Dhermiote to become important military leader in the court of theKing of Naples after the death of Scanderbeg. Dhimiter Leka was a famous general in the same court about 1820. (The Arberesh poet De Rada dedicated the famous poem Milosao - one of the beautiful romantic of Albanian renaissance - to him). Pano Bixhili is one the famous Dhermiotes who served for many years as envoy of Himario-tes to the Czar of Russia. Through Gjikë Bixhili, he helped the opening of the Albanian school in his village. Petro Marko is certainly one of the most succesful and productive writers of the post-- WWII period, born and buried in Dhërmi. He is recognized as such even by prestigious publications like the as the French Petit Larousse. Prominent sportists such as Strakosha, the goalkeeper of National Soccer team, and Andrea Marko, the famous player of Dinamo SC, Tirana of '80, are from Dhërmi. Other famous local players as the brothers Ruci (in the team of Flamurta-ri, Vlora) and Bifsha are native of Dhër-mi. Jorgo Rali, former Prime Minister of Greece and parliamentarian is of Dhermiote origin.
Tourist attractions.
Dhërmi is a location where the attraction from the deep, clean, blue Ioanian sea is combined with the clear and healthy air of the mountains. Pro-tected in the North from the winds by the peninsula of Karaburu-ni, the village is quite attractive even during winter times, not to mention during summer. Cited as one of the pearls of the Albanian Riviera, it is certainly one of the most attractive locations in Albania, reported as such in all tourist- and guide-books of Albania. The village presents a particularly beauty with its characteristic Southern architecture amidst the traditional Mediterranean greenness. The well-educated, polyglots and hospita-ble inhabitants enhance the values of their village. The big churches of the village, as the Monastery of the Virgin, located in the top of the hill of Dhërmi, and that of the Saint Theodore in the top of the hill facing the sea as well as the churches of Saint Harallamb and .... are interest-ing religious building, worth of visiting. The mass is hold usually on Sundays and the location of the ceremony is not same. Al-evra is an unusual place to visit and admired for the unusual deep blue water with the rock going almost vertically into the sea. A small, very attractive harbor with the rocky beach above which stands the hill with the its monastery on top, Alevra is a must for the visitors. The Pirate's cave is an interesting natural cave made famous by the book written by Petro Marko and the movie of the same title. It can be reached both from the sea and the land. The sea view is unique and very particular. Located in perpendicular rocks, in very deep waters it is one of most valuable tourist attraction, that brings you back in the Medieval history of Albania. The harbor of Gjipe is located in South of the Pirate's cave and has a clean and fine sand. Once visited by tourists searching some privacy, these days it is frequented by all vacationers and represents one of the most virgin beaches of Albania. Can be reached by the sea as well by the land. In Dhermi are offered water games, diving tech-niques and scuba-diving lessons.
HOTELS
Hotel Restorant Dhërmiu tel. +30-977 -
Hotel RIVIERA tel. 038-20-21-041 ose (04)-233304 -
Hotel Restorant KLUB 2000" tel.
Hotel Milton
Hotel LUCIANO Hotel KOCANI tel.(04)-234340
Hotel JANI tel. (04)-
RESTORANTS and COFFEE-BARS
Restorant Bar Dhërmiu
Restorant KLUB 2000....
Restorant-bar LUCIANO....
Restorant Bari në Potam
SHOPS
In Dhërmi : Marko Gjikopulli
In Kondraq : Erlder of the village Dhërmi : Kiço BIXHILI
Head of the municipality of Himarë : ANESTI DHIMOJANI
Punoi : dr. Kristaq Jorgji, Tiranë 2000
E-Mail - kjorgji@usaid.gov
The Big anniversary of "100 years of Himara`s Medallion and the Independence of Himara`s region from Ottoman Invasion" in Balkan. "
I come back in Himara" told Van Der Stoel the Commissioner of Human Rights in OSCE to Himariot Unite in Albania.
The Himariot Unites in Tirana have celebration 100 years of Himara`s Medallion and the Independence of Himara`s region from Ottoman Invasion" in Balkan. There are participations from Himara`s Intelligent, from Greek Embassy, from Diaspora ect. The President of Himara`s Unitet the journalist Stavri Marko, told about the history of Himara for Indipendence from Ottoman Invasion. The president of "The Acrocheranea Association" Theodhori Bollano, told for the big problem to himariotas, the Land and dhe legislation in Albania. In Himara Celebracion spook the General Greek Consul in Albania Kristos Kapodistrias and some himariotes personalities from Diaspora. Interest was the propose of Himariot Unite to High Commissioner of Human Rights of OSCE, Van Der Stoel to visit Himara in the future. The pictures of the artist from Himara Qiriako Meniko and Vangjel Gjikondi, were most interest about Himara`s region. In the End was a Cocktail.
Internet "Himara"
OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
Local Government Elections Second Round - 15 October 2000 Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions Tirana, 16 October 2000
- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the municipal elections in the Republic of Albania issues this statement of preliminary findings and conclusions before the final certification of the election results and before a complete analysis of the observation findings.
This statement should be considered in conjunction with the statement issued by the EOM on 2 October after the first round of voting. The OSCE/ODIHR will issue a comprehensive and final report approximately one month after the completion of the electoral process. Preliminary Conclusions While the first round of the local government elections held in Albania on 1 October marked significant progress towards meeting the OSCE commitments for democratic elections as formulated in the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, the second round was less transparent and inclusive. After the first round, indeed, the handling of complaints by the election commissions and the courts was inadequate and did not provide an effective means of redress. A number of valid complaints were dismissed without explanation. The Central Election Commission's (CEC) announcement of the final results was slow and incomplete, and the CEC did not take action to remedy some of the shortcomings observed on 1 October. The campaign environment for the second round was peaceful and calm overall. While the Socialist Party (SP) ran a high-level campaign, the national leadership of the Democratic Party (DP) decided not to participate in the second round. The failure of the CEC to set a deadline for candidate withdrawal in between the rounds created confusion on the eve of the election, when a number of DP candidates resigned following a call to boycott from the DP national leadership. In Himara, where there is a Greek-speaking minority, the end of the campaign at local and national level was marred by nationalistic rhetoric, reported at length in the press even on election day, in an environment of increased tension with a neighboring country. A broad spectrum of media reported on the elections, although the time given to candidates and the campaign was limited. The public television broadcaster, TVSH, gave overwhelming but neutral coverage to the SP. In the last days of the campaign, the press carried inflammatory language and nationalistic rhetoric against the Greek minority, in relation to the situation in Himara. On election day, voting and counting procedures were overall carried out in a calm and orderly manner in most constituencies. Some DP representatives resigned from their posts on the election commissions, thus depriving the process of an essential element of transparency. In Himara, the situation was marked by some serious irregularities, in an environment of increased tension with a neighboring country. In conclusion, the OSCE/ODIHR EOM notes that, overall, the electoral process for the Local Government Elections in Albania mark progress, but the second round in particular showed the need for further improvement in order to meet certain OSCE commitments. Preliminary Findings First round results First round results for mayoral contests gave an outright victory to Socialist Party (SP) candidates in 140 constituencies and to Democratic Party (DP) candidates in 67 constituencies; the Human Rights Party candidate won in five communes and the Albanian Legality Movement in one. Run-offs took place on 15 October in 28 municipalities, 127 communes and 10 administrative units of Tirana, where no candidate received more than 50% of valid votes on 1 October. New elections were scheduled in seven communes, where voting did not take place properly, or at all, on 1 October.
Based on information provided by Local Government Election Commissions (LGECs), the Central Election Commission announced the final results of the first round on 7 October. However, this CEC decision number 40 was incomplete as it did not contain the final number of voters registered, the overall turnout, nor the detailed results from the proportional ballot for municipal or commune councils. Moreover, in Tirana, the CEC accepted incomplete protocols from the city LGEC, which did not bear the required signatures and stamps, and failed to record the number of invalid ballots.
Election complaints procedure After the first round of elections, political parties filed a large number of complaints with the election commissions and the courts. Unfortunately, the election complaints procedure did not provide them with effective means of redress.
The provisions of the new Electoral Code on complaints are insufficient and the CEC and the High Court failed to establish comprehensive rules of procedure as foreseen in the Code. For instance the legal criteria for recounts are too stringent and were implemented selectively. On 7 October, the CEC decided, without providing a legal rationale, to reject the vast majority of complaints related to election day. Moreover, the CEC decision was made available only on 11 October when the deadline for appealing to the High Court could be considered as expired. For no clear reason, other complaints were referred by the CEC to local courts. At local level, LGECs dismissed cases hastily and, in some cases, gave no official reply to complaints received, or simply refused to investigate evident discrepancies. District and appellate courts were also reluctant, with few exceptions, to examine the substance of the complaints addressed to them.
The inadequate appeals procedure particularly penalized the Republican Party, which complained above all that some of its duly registered candidates did not appear on the ballots on election day. Despite appealing to various instances, the party was unable to obtain redress with the commissions or the courts. In Durres, the local DP candidate complained that, in four cases, the LGEC tabulated results did not match the figures of their official protocols. The tabulated results were not endorsed by the DP member of the LGEC and, in two cases, they also appeared out of scale compared to other voting centres. The discrepancy was large enough to require a run-off in Durres, but the LGEC and the CEC dismissed the complaint without adequate rationale. The DP chose, however, not to seek redress in court.
Legal and administrative framework for the second round The CEC did not take appropriate steps to remedy some of the shortcomings observed on 1 October. It did not provide lower-level election commissions with additional training and information on how to deal with inaccuracies in the voter lists, invalid ballot papers and election complaints. The CEC also failed to set a deadline for candidate withdrawal prior to the second round which created confusion on the eve of the election, when a number of DP candidates resigned. The CEC decided to ignore these withdrawals and to proceed with the elections as planned.
Election Environment and Second Round Campaign The election campaign between the two rounds of voting was generally low key, and for the most part, campaign activities took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
After the announcement of results, the SP launched a high-level campaign. While the majority of second rounds still included contests between SP and DP candidates, the focus shifted in certain constituencies to local competitions between the SP and its national junior coalition parties.
In the run up to the second round, the prospect of a DP boycott loomed over the campaign. As a protest against the alleged manipulations of the election process, the national leadership of the DP indeed threatened not to participate in the second round unless the CEC was changed, the voter lists updated and the election postponed. Both the CEC and the Government rejected these conditions. As a result the DP did not engage itself in the contest and the campaign was one-sided. In Himara, an unexpected coalition, including the DP, supported the SP candidate and resorted to inflammatory speeches in its campaign against the candidate of the Union for Human Rights Party (UHRP), pitting the Albanian against the Greek community. As a result, the last days of the campaign at local and national level were marred by ethnic and nationalistic rhetoric against the Greek minority. Media Coverage As during the first round, a broad spectrum of media reported on the elections. Overall, the time given to candidates and the campaign was limited, as the media preferred to concentrate on broader political issues such as the threat of a DP boycott and the situation in Himara. For its part, the public television broadcaster, TVSH, gave overwhelming coverage to the SP, reflecting the unilateral character of the campaign; the tone of this information however, was overall balanced. On 9 October, the National Council for Radio and Television issued a statement calling for professional media coverage of the second round. Moreover, the NCRT asked the CEC to fine a private television station, ATN1, for breaking the campaign silence on 30 September.
Election Day On election day, voting and counting procedures were overall carried out in a calm and orderly manner in most constituencies. Some irregularities were noted including late opening of polling stations and poor respect of procedures such as the inking of voters. Family voting was observed on a large scale, thus denying the secrecy of the vote to women in particular. The resignation of DP commissions members deprived the election of an essential safeguard and element of transparency, and, as a result, election commissions at times did not reach the legal quorum. In Himara, the situation was marked by some serious irregularities ranging from intimidation of commissions members, to one case of violence in which a ballot box was destroyed, to verified evidence of fraud in at least three voting centres. The Albanian authorities should ensure that all irregularities are fully investigated in accordance with the rule of law.
The ODIHR will monitor the follow-up to the election and stands ready to assist the Government in addressing the concerns highlighted in this and the previous preliminary statement. Mission Information The EOM, with Eugenio Polizzi (Italy) as Head of Mission, was established in Tirana on 25 August 2000 and shortly thereafter started monitoring the electoral process with 18 experts and long-term observers deployed in the capital and five regional centers. For 1 October election day, and in close co-operation with the Council of Europe, the EOM deployed 251 short-term from 26 OSCE participating States monitoring the polling and vote count process in over 900 voting centers out of 4,578. For the 15 October second round, the EOM deployed 80 observers from 18 OSCE participating States monitoring the polling and counting in over 300 voting centres throughout the country. The EOM wishes to thank the OSCE Presence in Albania for its support throughout the duration of the mission, as well as international organizations such as the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM) and diplomatic representations in Albania for their support on election day. Moreover, the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland provided substantial voluntary contributions which enabled the EOM to extend its presence in country and monitor effectively the second round. The EOM wishes to express appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission and other national and local authorities for their assistance and cooperation during the course of the observation.
For further information, please contact Eugenio Polizzi, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM, in Tirana (Tel: + 355-42-230012; Fax:+355-42-32522) or Elsa Fenet, OSCE/ODIHR Election Advisor, in Warsaw (Tel: +48-22-520-0600; Fax: +48-22-628-6967).
George J. Tenet The Director of Central Intelligence
George John Tenet was sworn in as Director of Central Intelligence on 11 July 1997 following a unanimous vote by both the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the full Senate. In this position he heads the Intelligence Community (all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States) and directs the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Tenet served as the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, having been confirmed in that position in July 1995. Following the departure of John Deutch in December 1996, he served as Acting Director. Mr. Tenet previously served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs at the National Security Council. While at the NSC, he coordinated Presidential Decision Directives on ''Intelligence Priorities,'' ''Security Policy Coordination,'' ''US Counterintelligence Effectiveness,'' and ''US Policy on Remote Sensing Space Capabilities.'' He also was responsible for coordinating all interagency activities concerning covert action. Prior to serving at the National Security Council, he served on President Clinto's national security transition team. In this capacity, he coordinated the evaluation of the US Intelligence Community. Mr. Tenet also served as Staff Director of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for over four years under the chairmanship of Senator David C. Boren. In this capacity he was responsible for coordinating all of the Committee's oversight and legislative activities including the strengthening of covert action reporting requirements, the creation of a statutory Inspector General at CIA, and the introduction of comprehensive legislation to reorganize US intelligence (from the CIA web). Prior to his appointment as Staff Director, Mr. Tenet directed the Committee's oversight of all arms control negotiations between the Soviet Union and the United States, culminating in the preparation of a report to the US Senate on ``The Ability of US Intelligence to Monitor the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty.'' Mr. Tenet came to the Committee in August of 1985, as designee to the Vice Chairman, Senator Patrick Leahy, after working three years on the staff of Senator John Heinz as both a legislative assistant covering national security and energy issues and as legislative director. Mr. Tenet holds a B.S.F.S. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an M.I.A. from the School of International Affairs at Columbia University. He is a native of New York and is married to A. Stephanie Glakas-Tenet. They have one son, John Michael. (from the CIA web).
Albania
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices -2000
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor February 2001 Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government The Constitution states that "Governance is based on a system of elections that are free, equal, general, and periodic;" citizens elected a government in 1997 in what international observers considered to be a satisfactory process, given the proceeding months of chaos and anarchy. In October despite procedural shortcomings and some irregularities in a few localities, citizens took part in local elections in a tense but generally peaceful atmosphere that were judged by the OSCE to have shown "significant progress" toward meeting international standards. International monitors considered the second round of voting "less transparent and inclusive" due to the failure to address inaccuracies in the voter lists, invalid ballots, and election complaints. Serious irregularities, including intimidation of election commission members, the destruction of one ballot box, and fraud in three other voting centers were reported in Himara.
Stavri Marko
THE JOURNALIST STAVRI MARKO WILL BE THE CANTIDATE OF PBDNJ AND OMONIA IN HIMARA FOR
FUTURE POLITICS ELECTION IN ALBANIA
Tirana. Himara`s Community in Tirana have proposed to ladder of PBDNJ Vasil Melo, ex journalist of BBC Radio Stavri Marko, the Candidate of PBDNJ and OMONIA in Himara, for future Politics Election in Albania, July 2001. From Dhermi, the tourist village of Himara`s Region, is lifted the propose to OMONIA the organization of the Greek Ethnic Minority in Albania and PBDNJ - Human Rights Unite Party of Albania to Marko`s candidate in Himara`s Region. The alliance PS - PSD have discussed his candidate in Himara actual foreign minister of Albania Paskal Milo, but the PBDNJ have contested this propose. According Vasil Melo this alliance isn't valid because The State Alliance Coalition and all the political party of Albania has attacked last October in local election in Albania, the candidate of PBDNJ and OMONIA, violating the votes. Stavri Marko is known in all Himara`s Diaspora in Albania Greece and in USA. He has big reputation both in Himara and in Laberia. He works now freelance journalist with some foreign press agencies, the weekly in USA "The Greek American" and Internet "Himara". Region of Himara has 25.000 people to vote, including Himara, Lukova (15.000) and Laberia (Vranishti, Brataj and Kota 10.000).
Balkan Report
South Slavic Service
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20 October 2000, Volume 4, Number 78
Greek-Albanian Tensions Rise.
Harsh words were exchanged on both sides of the Greek-Albanian border in the runup to last Sunday's regional run-off vote. It remains to be seen whether any political side-effects will be lasting. A Greek government spokesman on 14 October charged Albanian authorities with trying to prevent Albanian citizens working in Greece from participating in the election run off in Albania the next day, "Gazeta Shqiptare" reported. He called on the government to "lift the obstacles for Albanians living in Greece who want to return to Albania to vote."
The spokesman made the remarks as Albanian border police blocked several busses carrying about 700 voters from Greece to the southern Albanian coastal town of Himara. Officials said that the bus drivers lacked necessary documents. These obstacles did not prevent the migrant workers from voting, however, since the travelers--some but not all of them ethnic Greeks-- changed vehicles at the border and continued their journey. In the days before and after the elections, Albania's navy announced military maneuvers along the southern Albanian coast and closed the port of Himara for civilian ships, thus blocking a regular ferry connection with Corfu.
The Albanian government nonetheless issued a statement dismissing the Greek claims as unfounded. It added that it "guarantees to the international community and all partners security and cooperation in the entire region and will continue to respect and accept all democratic principles of free elections." Tensions between the ethnic Greek Human Rights Union Party (PBDNJ) and ethnic Albanian political parties have been on the rise for several weeks in Himara. This began after the PBDNJ invited Greek legislators to speak at election rallies there. Albania's electoral code prohibits the participation of foreign citizens in election campaigns.
Another factor that added to the tensions and had previously stirred up jealousy among Albanians were pension payments by the Greek government to some local people. These individuals are ethnic Greek citizens of Albania who never worked in Greece. Many Albanians regard the payments as unjustified, since they create disparities between ethnic Greeks and Albanians. On the other hand, many of the pensioners are grateful for and dependant on Athens' support, since Albanian pensions are only around $30 per month.
Himara is one of Albania's most scenic seaside towns and has around 4,000 registered inhabitants, most of whom are ethnic Albanians. Many young people do not live there, however, but work as migrants in Greece. During most of the year the actual population does not reach more than 2,000, and most of those who stay behind are pensioners. Only during the summer holidays in August does the population significantly increase. The high degree of media attention to the tensions in Himara suggests that many Albanians fear that the extensive migration, combined with what is perceived as increasing Greek economic influence, may be slowly changing the character of the town to become increasingly Greek.
In essence, the ethnic Albanian parties have accused the PBDNJ of trying to buy votes and spread Greek influence in the region by suggesting that Greek investments would flow into the area if the PBDNJ won. The PBDNJ denied the charge, arguing that it is trying to broaden its ethnic base and bring development to the region, many of whose inhabitants work in Greece, anyway. Prime Minister Ilir Meta chose Himara for his last election rally before the run-off between Viktor Mato of his Socialist Party (PS) and Vasil Bollano from the PBDNJ. The previous mayor of the city, Anesti Thimojani, is from the Democratic Party (PD). That party is traditionally a bitter rival of the PS, which formed a coalition with the PBDNJ in the 1996 elections.
Only the PS and PBDNJ qualified for this year's run-off, however. Meta turned the election in Himara into a question of national unity against a perceived threat by appealing to the supporters of the PD to vote for the PS. And Thimojani supported Meta's appeal and participated in Meta's election rally. Such coalitions are highly unusual, considering the confrontational relationship between the PD and PS (see "RFE/RL Balkan Report," 26 September 2000).
Meta, moreover, used conciliatory language towards the PD. He stressed that "when I had contacts with people from Himara, I never looked at their political coloring. Anesti Thimojani has done a decent job as mayor over the last four years. We have been friends and still are, independently of his being from the PD." But in an olive branch to the Greeks, Meta also stressed the importance of boosting tourism and developing good neighborly relations with Greece.
In the end, the elections proved that some Albanians' apprehension about what they saw as a pending takeover by Greeks was not justified. Out of around 3,100 voters, only about 700 voted for the PBDNJ (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 16 October 2000). It now remains to be seen whether the acrimony of the campaign will have any lasting effect on relations between the two capitals--and on the political and economic climate in Himara. (Fabian Schmidt)
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Compiled by Patrick Moore.