THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 8-14, 2008

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SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 8-14, 2008


1. (U) The following is a weekly report prepared by Embassy
Tirana's local staff to provide political and economic context and
insight into developments in Albania.

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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
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2. (U) CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO WORLDS - MUSLIM GIRLS AND THE SECULAR
ALBANIAN MAJORITY: Gentjana Hasani, an eighth grade student, and her
sister, Marsela, a sixth grader, were expelled this month from a
local school in Tirana over their insistence to wear Muslim head
covering in class. "I want both to go to school and be faithful to
my faith. I do not understand that in a school where most girls do
not wear a uniform, show off their belly and wear tight clothes, my
dress would be a problem," Hasani told the media, adding that she
wears the school uniform herself. The school director insists that
the law does not allow the display of religious symbols in class and
that she had done everything possible to convince the girls not to
wear the head covering in class, but to no avail. The Ministry of
Education supports the director's decision, affirming that the
measure is lawful and stressed that Albanian schools are secular.
The Albanian Islamic Community (AIC) criticized the school's
decision, asserting that such actions were a violation of the
freedom of religion in the country. A spokesperson for the group
added that the matter would be pursued in the Constitutional Court.



3. (U) This is not the first instance where bearing religious
symbols in public schools has caused strife. A year ago, the Durres
University Rector expelled two students, a girl wearing Islamic
head-covering and a man with a 'Muslim' beard. These incidents,
while scarce, have contrasted religion and the avowed secular nature
of Albanian institutions. The recent controversy over religious
symbols in Turkey and France has assumed a new level of relevance to
Albania. In a predominantly secular country, the overwhelming
majority of the people look with suspicion over displays of
religious zeal in schools. For now, the two girls, while generating
sympathy for their sincerity, face the stubborn wall of Albania's
secular tradition.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
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4. (U) MORE ATTENTION TO AGRICULTURE: The Government of Albania
(GOA) recently promoted a new program in state aid which aims to
develop the agriculture sector. The project envisages the
distribution of direct financial assistance to farmers who are
involved in growing fruit, wine production, and animal livestock
activities. VAT reimbursement, introduction of mechanization and
bio-production are also part of the strategy. This program was
introduced last year and, based on its success so far, this year
financial aid will double to nearly USD 10 million. The program's
main goal is to boost agricultural prosperity, traditionally the
poorest sector of the Albanian economy, and promote a sustainable
path of growth. Its successful implementation is crucial due to the
large portion of the population (nearly 55 percent) still living in
highly impoverished rural areas.


5. (U) In the early 1990s, agriculture was an important sector for
the Albanian economy despite continuous attempts during the
communist regime to develop and expand the industrial sector.
However, over the last few years, agricultural contributions to the
country's domestic production have continuously declined, reaching
22 percent last year as other sectors, especially services, rapidly
expanded. This has forced Albania to depend on food imports, which
represent almost 90 percent of domestic consumption. The small
farms which dominate in Albania do not allow the development of
large scale agriculture. Consequently, lack of financial support
for the agricultural sector has forced farmers to limit production
to their family consumption, with only 30 percent of agricultural
products sold in local markets. However, there is an increased
awareness of the potential benefits agricultural growth can bring to
the Albanian economy as farmers' associations and donors work
together to develop niche markets for Albanian agriculture such as
organic farming.

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EDUCATION AND CULTURE
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6. (U) THE PAGAN FESTIVAL OF SUMMER DAY: On March 14, 2008,
thousands of Albanians from around the country will travel to the
city of Elbasan to celebrate "Summer Day." The celebration is a
pagan tradition, coinciding with the spring equinox. The
traditional celebration moved gradually to Elbasan, where people
celebrate the departure of winter and the arrival of spring with

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carnivals, exchanging visits, and picnics in parks. The traditional
desert called ballokume, a biscuit made of honey, eggs, corn flour,
sugar powder, mixed by hand in a special container, is a specialty
of the day.


7. (U) Such was the pervasive enthusiasm of citizens everywhere in
Albania on this day that in 2004 former Prime Minister Fatos Nano
made "Summer Day" a national holiday. He took the opportunity on
the first official celebration in Elbasan to appear with his newly
wed second wife. Other politicians followed in his footsteps and
now participate in public celebrations in Elbasan and Tirana to mix
with the crowds and enhance their reputations as down-to-earth
members of society. One estimate says Elbasani bakers prepared
300,000 ballokume for the 2008 celebration. This year festivities
include a Colombian band singing on the evening prior to "Summer
Day," sponsored by the Mayor of Elbasan.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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8. (U) "I have followed closely reports of the cowardly assault on
journalist Besar Likmeta by Tom Doshi in the presence of Arben
Isaraj. These reports are all the more appalling since both are
Members of Parliament." U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers II
condemning the assault on the member of the press by two Albanian
MPs.


9. (U) "So what. Who is the U.S. Ambassador!" Tom Doshi, an
Albanian Member of Parliament, responding to the report that
Ambassador Withers had condemned his assault on the journalist
Likmeta.

WITHERS