Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TIRANA696
2006-07-05 16:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:  

CHAM PROTESTS MARK 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF LEAVING

Tags:  PREF PREL PHUM PGOV AL GR 
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VZCZCXYZ0023
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTI #0696 1861634
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 051634Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4500
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 2942
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2175
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000696 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT),EUR/SE
ATHENS FOR GRISSETTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM PGOV AL GR
SUBJECT: CHAM PROTESTS MARK 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF LEAVING
GREECE

REF: 05 TIRANA 1676

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARCIE B. RIES FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000696

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT),EUR/SE
ATHENS FOR GRISSETTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM PGOV AL GR
SUBJECT: CHAM PROTESTS MARK 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF LEAVING
GREECE

REF: 05 TIRANA 1676

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARCIE B. RIES FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) Several hundred Chams gathered at a rally in Saranda
on June 23 to mark the 62nd anniversary of the Chams'
expulsion from Greece to Albania. The rally was organized by
the "Chameria" association and the Cham-founded Party for
Democracy and Integration (PDI). The following day,
protesters traveled to Qafe-Bot, a crossing point with
Greece, where Chams passed into Albanian territory in 1944
during the exodus from Greece. Press reports estimated the
number of participants as high as 10,000, but the actual
number was likely much lower.


2. (SBU) The protesters laid wreaths on a grave, where
reportedly dozens of deported Chams who did not survive the
journey to Albania were buried. Participants called for the
granting of Greek citizenship and restitution of their
confiscated properties. PDI Chair Tahir Muhedini said at
Qafe-Bot the issue was not only between Albania and Greece
and called for EU and U.S. intervention. SP MP Shpetim
Idrizi, of Cham origin, was the only mainstream politician
participating in the visit to Qafe-Bot.


3. (SBU) On June 25, press reported on a letter from the
European Commission, responding to an earlier letter from the
PDI to the Commission. The Commission's reply stated it was
aware of the Cham issue, in particular the issue of Cham
property rights in Greece; however, the Commission believed
it was a bilateral matter between Greece and Albania, and
urged dialogue between the two to find a solution. Media
reported on July 5 that the Chams have sent a letter to
Archbishop Janullatos, the Greek-born head of the Albanian
Orthodox Church, calling for recognition of the Chams as an
ethnic minority in Greece. We are now seeking a copy of this
letter.

BACKGROUND ON CHAMS


4. (SBU) Chams are ethnic Albanians who lived in northwestern
Greece. Near the end of World War II, between 20,000 and
40,000 Chams were expelled as "fascist collaborators" and
resettled in Albania. Chams and their descendants in Albania
have organized protests to demand Greek citizenship and
compensation for the loss of property. Protests have
occurred in conjunction with visits of Greek leaders to
Albania; in November 2005, Greek President Papoulias cut
short a visit to Albania and canceled a meeting with his
Albanian counterpart, citing security concerns arising from
Cham protests (see reftel).


5. (C) COMMENT: Chams are eager to involve the U.S. and EU in
their attempt to gain Greek citizeNship and compensation for
lost property, particularLy since the GoA, for fear of
straining delicaTe relAtions with Greece, has been unwilling
to gomuch beyond Prerident Moisiu's October 2004 call foR AQ
bilateRal experts' dialogue to resolve the icsUeQ whIcH hirQQ
then-Greek counterpart StdfanmpmulOsbahQad "cloSed." While
Embassy OffiCerc meetdRiE TiMato Time with AmCit Chams to
he@bdhel mEtQ OqQ Qcl`Bqar to avoid becoming involvaDQQpolItIaAhLyi Q`hseatter
which remains highlY ReLcidhFEQ
hOrQ Q``20 years on. END COMMENT.Q
RIES