Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA579
2008-07-30 11:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
PARLIAMENT APPROVES HIGH COURT NOMINEES, ADJOURNS
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UNCLAS TIRANA 000579
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PHUM AL
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES HIGH COURT NOMINEES, ADJOURNS
FOR AUGUST RECESS
REF: TIRANA 452
UNCLAS TIRANA 000579
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PHUM AL
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES HIGH COURT NOMINEES, ADJOURNS
FOR AUGUST RECESS
REF: TIRANA 452
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Parliament ended its session on July 28 on
a much-needed quiet note, approving all six of President
Topi's nominees for the High Court, along with Prime Minister
Berisha's proposed cabinet changes. Parliament's approval of
the High Court nominees marked a welcome detente between the
Prime Minister and President, but came only after a spirited
round of horse trading between Berisha and Topi. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Parliament capped its summer session on July 28 by
approving all six of President Topi's nominees for the High
Court. The approval came after Prime Minister Berisha
reportedly instructed Democratic Party (PD) MPs to approve
the nominees. Parliamentary approval of the six justices
capped a months-long struggle between President Topi, Prime
Minister Berisha and the Parliament over the High Court
nominees (reftel).
3. (SBU) In return, President Topi reportedly agreed to go
along with PM Berisha's proposed cabinet changes, as well as
his candidate for the position of Chief of Defense (CHOD).
Topi also agreed to appoint the PM's longtime personal lawyer
to the High Council of Justice.
4. (SBU) The Parliamentary session didn't end without its
share of drama, however. A rumor that Prosecutor General Ina
Rama was about to submit a request for the arrest of former
Minister of Defense Mediu reportedly prompted the Parliament
Bureau to abruptly declare that July 28 would be the last day
of the current session. The sudden end to session not only
headed off any action against Mediu, but also postponed
parliamentary consideration of the new Electoral Law and a
host of other contentious issues.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: Parliament's approval of the High Court
nominees brought a welcome respite to the ongoing feud
between the President and PM over the High Court. It also
marked the beginning of Parliament's August recess, giving
Albania's political class time to rest up and head to the
beaches before what promises to be a contentious fall
session. In the end, both the President and Prime Minister
can claim victory in that both sides got some - but not all -
of what they wanted out of the Parliament.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PHUM AL
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT APPROVES HIGH COURT NOMINEES, ADJOURNS
FOR AUGUST RECESS
REF: TIRANA 452
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Parliament ended its session on July 28 on
a much-needed quiet note, approving all six of President
Topi's nominees for the High Court, along with Prime Minister
Berisha's proposed cabinet changes. Parliament's approval of
the High Court nominees marked a welcome detente between the
Prime Minister and President, but came only after a spirited
round of horse trading between Berisha and Topi. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Parliament capped its summer session on July 28 by
approving all six of President Topi's nominees for the High
Court. The approval came after Prime Minister Berisha
reportedly instructed Democratic Party (PD) MPs to approve
the nominees. Parliamentary approval of the six justices
capped a months-long struggle between President Topi, Prime
Minister Berisha and the Parliament over the High Court
nominees (reftel).
3. (SBU) In return, President Topi reportedly agreed to go
along with PM Berisha's proposed cabinet changes, as well as
his candidate for the position of Chief of Defense (CHOD).
Topi also agreed to appoint the PM's longtime personal lawyer
to the High Council of Justice.
4. (SBU) The Parliamentary session didn't end without its
share of drama, however. A rumor that Prosecutor General Ina
Rama was about to submit a request for the arrest of former
Minister of Defense Mediu reportedly prompted the Parliament
Bureau to abruptly declare that July 28 would be the last day
of the current session. The sudden end to session not only
headed off any action against Mediu, but also postponed
parliamentary consideration of the new Electoral Law and a
host of other contentious issues.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: Parliament's approval of the High Court
nominees brought a welcome respite to the ongoing feud
between the President and PM over the High Court. It also
marked the beginning of Parliament's August recess, giving
Albania's political class time to rest up and head to the
beaches before what promises to be a contentious fall
session. In the end, both the President and Prime Minister
can claim victory in that both sides got some - but not all -
of what they wanted out of the Parliament.
WITHERS