Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA262
2008-04-04 16:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:  

THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2008

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DE RUEHTI #0262/01 0951601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDS
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FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6927
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
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SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2008


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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000262

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DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL

SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2008


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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 focuses on
the invitation to NATO membership extended by the Allies April 3 in
Bucharest, Romania.

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POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
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2. (U) "ALBANIA CHOOSES THE WEST": The headline summed it all up in
four words - Albania accepted its invitation to sit at the table
with NATO Allies. In the hearts and minds of Albanians, this is an
historic event second only to the independence of Kosovo. Prime
Minister's Berisha said movingly at the summit: "Our country embarks
upon a new era - not only is it free, but its freedom and future are
now secured. This is the greatest achievement of free citizens of a
free nation."


3. (U) Berisha's quote registers this achievement in the context of
the communist past. Communism derailed Albania's natural modern
progression, forsaking Europe and the U.S. in favor of five decades
of communism. The dictator's government was particularly ruthless
in its destruction of the previous pro-Western political
establishment. Hundreds of people were killed for anti-communist
beliefs and thousands more were persecuted for even the insinuation
of western affiliation. The communist regime built a military
apparatus designed to defend Albania from the threat of NATO
"imperialism." For those who survived the communist era, NATO
membership is a poignant moment - a remembrance of what was lost and
a sense of reclaiming its rightful place in the world. Albania's
departure from the communist nightmare is now reversed and its
ascent into Western democracy has been sealed through acceptance
into NATO.


4. (U) IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING: NATO and EU integration
signify the axes of Albanian foreign policy for the past 17 years.
This week's invitation is a long-awaited tangible achievement
crowning almost two decades of hard work toward integration
standards. Albania was the first post-communist country to submit an
official request to become part of NATO; the request was made soon

after democracy, in 1992. Then-President Berisha made the argument
that NATO integration should be quick for Albania since the country
had denounced the Warsaw Pact. The country was granted Partnership
for Peace Status in 1994. However, hopes for a quick NATO entry
proved unrealistic when Albania backslid into a period of transition
and ultimately chaos, culminating in the government collapse of

1997. Through the ensuing years of weak rule of law and democratic
governance, NATO integration was one of the few issues (aside from
support for Kosovo) on which the divided and combative political
parties agreed, and the one issue which encouraged incremental
improvements in the democratic process.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
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5. (U) IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!: Senior Albanian economists and
government officials have long highlighted the economic benefits of
NATO membership. Their thoughts reflect the uniformly positive
expectations of what NATO integration will bring to the country.
The upcoming accession process will keep attention focused on
improving Albania's military standards as well as meeting stringent
political criteria. Economic development is sure to increase, and
the economy benefit, from meeting NATO's high standards.


6. (U) Minister of Economy Genc Ruli emphasized April 3 that NATO's
invitation is a strong positive signal that will encourage foreign
investment, adding that the invitation also increases pressure on
the government to move forward with much needed reforms. According
to the former Minister of Finance Malaj, Albania will now face a
strict monitoring regime by the Allies. There is a general
consensus that NATO membership will improve political stability,
lower investments costs for foreign investors, and further the
reform process.

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PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS
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7. (U) THAT'S GREAT!...BUT REMIND ME WHY: Although the invitation
to join NATO is a landmark moment, little attention has been paid to
how NATO benefits the average Albanian citizen. If one was to ask
an average Albanian "What does NATO mean to you?" the response would
render hesitation simply due to a lack of knowledge on the subject.
Aside from the intellectual elite, the majority of Albanians have a

TIRANA 00000262 002.2 OF 002


vague, while extremely positive view of NATO benefits and a dearth
of information regarding responsibilities. Most view NATO
integration as a step along the path to the EU.


8. (U) Despite these misguided perceptions, the public is euphoric
over NATO acceptance, perceiving it foremost as a clear sign that
Albania is making its way West. The media has reinforced that the
invitation is an acknowledgment of Albania's concrete
accomplishments as a democracy rather than a push to strengthen and
accelerate democratic reforms. In reality, it is a little bit of
both.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK
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9. (U) This Week's Best Quotes:

"This is a miracle of freedom." Prime Minister Berisha, April 3, at
the NATO Summit

"Today is the day to recall that Albania receives an invitation to
rejoin its natural family, the Western family, the Euro-Atlantic
family, a family from which a cruel history detached it." Opposition
Leader Edi Rama, at the Tirana headquarters of the Socialist Party

"It is a day of celebration because, more than in any other case,
NATO is not just a Security Roof, but rather a Projector of
Democracy" Andi Bejtja, local journalist.

"This invitation was not a matter of luck or geographic location. It
was not a matter of geopolitical calculation. This invitation, pure
and simple, is a triumph of the Albanian people." Ambassador John
Withers

WITHERS