Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA585
2008-08-01 05:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:  

BERISHA OUTBURST STILL THE TALK OF TIRANA

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM AL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTI #0585 2140541
ZNR UUUUU ZZH CCY ADXOOBF7068 WSC6398)
P 010541Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7316
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3526
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2412
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS TIRANA 000585 

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED)

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AL
SUBJECT: BERISHA OUTBURST STILL THE TALK OF TIRANA

UNCLAS TIRANA 000585

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED)

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM AL
SUBJECT: BERISHA OUTBURST STILL THE TALK OF TIRANA


1. (SBU) One week on, Prime Minister Berisha's July 23
outburst in Parliament - in which he insulted and then
threatened to kill opposition MP Taulant Balla in unprintably
profane terms - continues to be a major focus of the press,
as well as a source of speculation, head scratching and
embarrassment for Albania's political class. The early
morning rhetorical explosion by Berisha - in response to a
Balla reference to Berisha's daughter's political ambitions,
nearly resulted in a bench clearing brawl on the Parliament
floor, averted only after Balla and his Socialist Party
compatriots left the chamber.


2. (SBU) COMMENT: Although profane outbursts by Berisha in
Parliament are nothing new, this latest tirade by the PM has
shocked even Albania's hardened political class and media,
with embarrassment and shame the most commonly heard
reactions. Editorials have accused Berisha of damaging
Albania's image, while our European colleagues have reported
negative reactions from their capitals. Berisha's tantrum
has also led to speculation that mounting pressure in the
wake of Gerdec and in preparation for next year's
parliamentary elections may have finally gotten to Berisha.
END COMMENT.
WITHERS