THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 15-21, 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000218 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (2nd Correction)(SUBJECT LINE DATES) SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP EMBASSY SOFIA FOR LEGAT ROBERTS USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA, AID/W E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PARM MASS AL SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 15-21, 2008 REF: A) TIRANA 199 B) TIRANA 200 TIRANA 00000218 001.3 OF 002 ¶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. This week's report is dedicated to the victims and survivors of the disastrous explosions at Gerdec on March 15, and focuses on the social and political ramifications of this tragedy. -------------- POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶2. (U) AN EXPLOSION OF NUCLEAR PROPORTIONS: The tragic explosions in an informal ammunition disassembling unit at Gerdec, a few miles west of Tirana, have so far claimed the lives of 20 citizens and injured over 300. The terrible footage from the scene of the accident showed more than a thousand homes destroyed (over 350 flattened),and hundreds of businesses shattered, shocking a nation that is still trying to come to terms with the magnitude of the disaster. Thousands of live rounds were thrown up to three kilometers from the blast sight, where they detonated or came to rest on houses and fields. Propellant and gunpowder still litter the area, which is being cleared, painstakingly and by hand, by Albanian and international explosive ordnance experts. (For video, go to youtube.com and type in "Gerdec.") Initial reports suggest that substandard conditions and lack of enforcement due to corrupt practices led directly to the tragedy. ¶3. (U) WHO WILL PAY THE PRICE?: In the last few days, shock and sympathy have begun to make way for anger. The populace has made clear that it feels the state failed them, and that justice is due. As the government investigation continues, serious questions are being raised regarding the location of the site, so close to major inhabited areas and the only international airport. Following a recent honeymoon brought on by expectations of a NATO invitation, the political scene has since erupted into heated exchanges between opposition leaders and the Prime Minister, with the former calling daily for the latter's resignation. A noted political analyst said that Gerdec demonstrated "the honeymoon was virtual and that cancer �0A;lay beneath." Following the departure of Defense Minister Mediu, whose resignation, he said, was a moral responsibility, criticism turned swiftly to the PM, who has gone on the offensive to save his political career. ¶4. (U) DEMOCRACY AT WORK: Notably shaken by his visits to the disaster site, the PM continues his strenuous efforts to hold his ground, putting disaster cleanup and victims' assistance at the top of his agenda. However, in addition to the opposition, media and civil society activists have loudly denounced him as responsible - if not for the actions he has taken, certainly for what was left undone. Investigative journalism has gone into overdrive, and fresh news reports trickle in by the hour to reveal increasingly compromising bits of information. The full story has not yet come to light, but press reports fuel the public's general sentiment that government incompetence and corrupt practices have led directly to the depressing count of new bodies each day. With TV images portraying the carnage 24/7, the GOA is fighting an uphill battle to portray itself as a responsive, responsible, and uncorrupted entity. Cornered by relentless media scrutiny, the Prime Minister briefly lost his cool and portrayed some unspecified outlets as "mercenaries of the mafia." Although the disaster relief fund set up by the GOA this week may help alleviate some initial pain, the societal shock waves of the Gerdec explosions will continue to ripple across the political and social fabric for some time to come. ¶5. (U) Citizens of the area surrounding the blast site staged a protest Monday, rallying several hundred to march. A series of additional protests have been held or are planned, sponsored by diverse groups including the well-known Mjaft! civil society organization, the association of armed forces pensioners, student groups, and the opposition Socialist Party. All peaceful (and predicted to remain so),this democratic expression gives citizens an outlet for their anger. How high the volume will go is yet to be seen, but the number and frequency of scheduled protests is unusual. Meanwhile, opposition leaders continue to make the case for the government's resignation, hoping to take power themselves, and the blame game escalates among government officials. The opposition's TIRANA 00000218 002.2 OF 002 ability to mobilize political action will be tested this Friday in their announced mournful silent march of protest against the government. In the absence of real change in how Albania is governed, Gerdec could become the threshold for how much injustice Albanians are willing to take from their elected officials. ¶6. (U) THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY: From the ashes of this catastrophe has risen empathy for fellow citizens. There has been an intense outpouring of grief for those who died, followed by a profound desire to assist the living. Along with humanitarian assistance from local NGOs and international organizations, regular citizens are cobbling together temporary structures of support to provide cash donations, food, and other basic items for those who lost everything. Others have provided emotional support such as child care and post-trauma counseling. Blood drives have been overwhelmed by the numbers of people arriving to donate. Restaurants and cafeterias have offered accommodations and food for the homeless, who are currently sheltered in privately-constructed and government-provided facilities. Only a small number of politicians from either coalition have volunteered their own time and money to current assistance efforts. ¶7. (U) SURROUNDED BY INFORMALITY: The events in Gerdec tragically demonstrate the extent of informality in Albanian society. It is common for homes to be built close to military sites, breaking all rules of security as they are built without legal building permits. The tax office confirms that the number of factory employees varied widely each month from just a few to over 20 (though sources now confirm that there were more than 120 people working at the Gerdec site). Existing labor laws were clearly breached as well. Video confirms that children were working at the dismantling site, and former employees say none received the required training for the dangerous job of dismantling ammunitions. Finally, although a strong negative effect would usually be felt by the insurance industry following a disaster such as this, informality in the housing sector meant the majority of homes were uninsured. To date only 50 claims have been filed, mostly by businesses, though this is number is expected to grow. -------------- PERSON OF THE WEEK -------------- ¶8. (U) PROSECUTOR GENERAL INA RAMA: TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND THE ALBANIAN WAY (OF THE FUTURE): The government investigation into the Gerdec tragedy is the first major test for recently appointed Prosecutor General Ina Rama. Rama has been hailed as one of the new generation of young, western educated professionals taking increasingly important roles in government. Her ability to conduct a thorough, meticulous, and transparent investigation in the wake of chaos, rumor, and political pressure will prove crucial to the resolution of the current crisis of confidence. With all major government players currently under immunity from prosecution, she faces political and legal challenges to carry the investigation effectively to its end, letting the chips fall where they may. The hopes of the nation are riding with her to maintain her professionalism, keep her cool, and work within or against the political elite to bring the truth to light and administer justice without bias. We're rooting for her as well. -------------- Quote of the Week -------------- ¶9. (U) "According to approximate calculations, this was a very powerful nuclear-like explosion, like an atomic bomb going off but without the radioactivity." Excerpted from President Topi's address to the nation March 16. WITHERS