THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 22-28, 2008

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SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 22-28, 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 AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
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2. (SBU) Choreography of an Interpretive Dance: Socialist Party
Leader Edi Rama's carefully choreographed performance since the
tragic explosion at Gerdec is a welcome demonstration of political
maturity from the opposition. Under pressure to slam the government
over the gravity of the incident, Rama and other SP party officials
have consistently criticized in a temperate manner. While calling
for the Prime Minister's resignation, Rama also led a Silent Protest
of over 10,000 citizens last Friday, one of the most dignified and
reserved events of its kind since the fall of communism, in a
respectful tribute to those who perished at Gerdec.


3. (SBU) The images of disaster from Gerdec, the public anger over
this government's failure, and allegations of corruption and
government collusion have all contributed to a climate of public
discontent. However, to the surprise and often anger of his party's
leading activists, Rama has refused to take full advantage of the
situation or ride the wave of public discontent beyond the protest
staged last week. Acutely aware that a show of government
instability in the days before the NATO decision could damage
Albania's chances for entry, Rama has apparently chosen the high
ground, either in the interest of NATO membership or to buy his own
party time to regroup in case the current government cannot
withstand the Gerdec crisis. Whatever the reason, this
statesman-like quality is a welcome change in the opposition from
its more divisive strategies of recent years.


4. (U) Brotherly Nations: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan
visited Albania March 26 during a Balkan tour that also included
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria. In a visit twice postponed in
2007, Erdogan met with leaders including President Topi, Prime
Minister Berisha, Speaker Topalli, and opposition leader Edi Rama.
Confirming Albania's significant role in Turkish foreign policy,
Erdogan reiterated Turkey's support for NATO membership. Albanian
officials reciprocated with a nod for Turkey's EU membership bid as
well as for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in
2009-2010. At a Turkish-Albanian Business Council meeting the two
PMs expressed their determination to further strengthen trade and
economic ties between their countries through a Free Trade Agreement
signed in Tirana, which will take effect May 1. Finally, Erdogan
pledged support for the proposed Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)
project for transport of natural gas from Turkey to Italy through
Greece and Albania.


5. (SBU) Love Economic Style: Turkey has historically been an
important strategic and economic partner for Albania. Good foreign
relations with Turkey have aided in welcoming and balancing Greek
influence in Albanian society. Turkey was the first country to
grant Albanians visas upon arrival, without prior interview, and
this has made Turkey a popular tourist (particularly honeymoon)
destination. The country has also been a consistent and vital trade
partner. Trade volume rose to $347 million in 2007, up 37% from
2006 and six times higher than in 1999. Turkish foreign investments
increased following the 2007 privatization of Albtelecom by the
Turkish consortium Calik. Today, these investments are at $630
million compared to $35 million in 2002, throughout the
infrastructure, mining, telecommunication, textiles, health, and
education sectors. If love is based on a heavy purse, it looks like
the devotion between these two will only strengthen in the future.


6. (U) Afraid of the Needle?: Recent events in Gerdec highlight
another sub-standard sector in Albania: healthcare. The number of
injuries on March 15 overwhelmed local hospitals, which had
inadequate space and medical resources to treat the patients. Many
facilities quickly ran out of basic medications and lack equipment
to conduct proper examinations. However, this is only the tip of
the iceberg.


7. (SBU) It is uniformly agreed that the healthcare system requires
extensive and deep-rooted reform. Government funding is currently
inadequate to support existing public hospitals. In smaller
Albanian cities and villages, the problem is worse, as many clinics
and hospitals are non-operational. If they are open to the public,
their hours are limited, their staff lacks proper qualifications,
and the facility lacks suitable medical supplies and equipment,
sometimes including basic vaccines for newborns and other medicines.
Because health practitioners are among the lowest paid of any
trained professionals, the healthcare system is among the most
corrupted of public sectors, where extraneous "fees" are demanded

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for each lab test or type of medical care above the basic costs
covered by the state. Those who can pay these bribes get better
care, while those who cannot receive less attention and haphazard
care. Individuals who diligently pay taxes into the socialized
medical system are treated the same as those who pay nothing - there
are no healthcare cards to distinguish between the two groups.


8. (U) In response to these conditions, private clinics have sprung
up, where care and salaries are notably better, taking the best
doctors and nurses away from public hospitals to these clinics,
which remain beyond the means of the average Albanian.

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THIS WEEK IN ARTS AND CULTURE
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9. (U) Palace Concerts: The President of the Republic began a new
tradition last year through a series of Palace Concerts. The first
cultural initiative of its kind, its goal is to showcase talented
Albanian and foreign musicians performing classical music for a
selected audience. Invitees included government officials, members
of parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and other
Albanian art and culture personalities. The concerts take place at
the former Royal Palace of Albania, (the current official residence
of President Topi, where President Bush was welcomed last year)
adding prestige to the event.


10. (U) The first concert introduced an Albanian violinist Suela
Mullaj, soloist and co-founder of the well known United Europe
Chamber Orchestra based in Milan. She was accompanied by the
Italian conductor, pianist and composer Massimo Palumbo. Ms. Mullaj
has performed in more than 150 concerts in Europe with a repertoire
that spans from baroque to the great romantic and modern music
concerts.


11. (U) The series seeks to demonstrate the importance of promoting
arts and culture, and that Albanian leaders can and must do more on
this front. During Albania's years of post-communist transition
many talented artists left the country in search of better career
opportunities. Despite many success stories from this diaspora,
there has been little effort to inspire the Albania public with
these talents, a situation President Topi hopes to amend.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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12. (U) "The Mafia is trying to keep Albania from entering into
NATO. You gentlemen can save these accusations and use them as
toilet paper." Excerpted from Prime Minister Berisha's response to
opposition accusation in the wake of the New York Times' March 27
front page article on arms and ammunition sales to Afghanistan.

WITHERS