ALBANIA COMPLETES NATO RATIFICATION

UNCLAS TIRANA 000189 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO AL SUBJECT: ALBANIA COMPLETES NATO RATIFICATION ¶1. On March 26, The Albanian Parliament unanimously approved Albania's NATO Accession Protocol. Minutes after the Parliamentary session, Albanian President Topi signed the protocols into law, in what the media noted was "record time" for a law in Albania. Director of the Albanian MFA's America Desk Ilir Melo will fly the accession papers to washington this Sunday, March 29 to deliver to the State Department once Albania receives the official invitation from NATO SYG de Hoop Scheffer. ¶2. Comment. Theatrics during the Parliament vote were elaborate, including NATO blue roses at each desk and NATO and Albanian flags adorning the walls. PM Berisha entered to a standing ovation and, sporting a NATO blue tie and handkerchief, delivered a smooth, non-partisan speech in which he thanked all present and particularly the U.S. for its role in making NATO membership happen. WITHERS