Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA411
2009-06-23 14:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
GOA PLEASED WITH TIER 2 RANKING
how-toVZCZCXRO6865 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHTI #0411 1741402 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 231402Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8238 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 3573 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 2511
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000411
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PHUM KTIP PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: GOA PLEASED WITH TIER 2 RANKING
REF: A) STATE 60435 B) TIRANA 74
Classified By: POLCHIEF PAUL POLETES FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000411
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PHUM KTIP PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: GOA PLEASED WITH TIER 2 RANKING
REF: A) STATE 60435 B) TIRANA 74
Classified By: POLCHIEF PAUL POLETES FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d).
1. (SBU) On June 15, Poloff delivered ref A talking points
and information to Ilir Melo, Chief of the Americas Desk at
the MFA, who was visibly pleased to learn that Albania had
been lifted to Tier 2. He expressed his gratitude for this
ranking and, recognizing past mistakes by the GOA in dealing
with this issue, said that the GOA will continue to move
forward on TIP. He was also quite interested in the fact
that Albanian TIP activist Vera Lesko is featured in the
report and present in Washington for the June 16 rollout. In
a separate meeting with Iva Zajmi, the National
Anti-Trafficking Coordinator at the MoI, Zajmi was less
enthusiastic with the Tier 2 ranking and asked what steps
Albania could take to be listed on Tier 1. Post explained to
Zajmi some of the improvements that could be made and she
pledged to do everything in her power to ensure that the GOA
would take the appropriate steps to move forward. The GOA
also touted its improved ranking in the media and in a press
confernce with Zajmi and Minister of the Interior Bujar
Nishani.
2. (C) Comment: Melo's joy at Albania being moved off the
Tier 2 Watch List should come as no surprise, since, as noted
in ref B, the GOA was clearly embarrassed by its presence on
the Watch List. The GOA has rightfully claimed credit for
its recent successes, and Zajmi's comments about moving to
Tier 1 are very encouraging, especially as she is currently
the lead official on this issue in the GOA. Over the past
year, the GOA has made several positive strides forward:
identification of victims is one area, and it seems to have
some momentum now as it moves forward to address other
aspects such as prosecutions. Regardless of the outcome of
the June 28 elections, we expect that the GOA will continue
to make progress in anti-trafficking activities. Post will
hold an anti-trafficking working group meeting next week to
review the recommendations in the report and plan next steps.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PHUM KTIP PGOV PREL AL
SUBJECT: GOA PLEASED WITH TIER 2 RANKING
REF: A) STATE 60435 B) TIRANA 74
Classified By: POLCHIEF PAUL POLETES FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d).
1. (SBU) On June 15, Poloff delivered ref A talking points
and information to Ilir Melo, Chief of the Americas Desk at
the MFA, who was visibly pleased to learn that Albania had
been lifted to Tier 2. He expressed his gratitude for this
ranking and, recognizing past mistakes by the GOA in dealing
with this issue, said that the GOA will continue to move
forward on TIP. He was also quite interested in the fact
that Albanian TIP activist Vera Lesko is featured in the
report and present in Washington for the June 16 rollout. In
a separate meeting with Iva Zajmi, the National
Anti-Trafficking Coordinator at the MoI, Zajmi was less
enthusiastic with the Tier 2 ranking and asked what steps
Albania could take to be listed on Tier 1. Post explained to
Zajmi some of the improvements that could be made and she
pledged to do everything in her power to ensure that the GOA
would take the appropriate steps to move forward. The GOA
also touted its improved ranking in the media and in a press
confernce with Zajmi and Minister of the Interior Bujar
Nishani.
2. (C) Comment: Melo's joy at Albania being moved off the
Tier 2 Watch List should come as no surprise, since, as noted
in ref B, the GOA was clearly embarrassed by its presence on
the Watch List. The GOA has rightfully claimed credit for
its recent successes, and Zajmi's comments about moving to
Tier 1 are very encouraging, especially as she is currently
the lead official on this issue in the GOA. Over the past
year, the GOA has made several positive strides forward:
identification of victims is one area, and it seems to have
some momentum now as it moves forward to address other
aspects such as prosecutions. Regardless of the outcome of
the June 28 elections, we expect that the GOA will continue
to make progress in anti-trafficking activities. Post will
hold an anti-trafficking working group meeting next week to
review the recommendations in the report and plan next steps.
WITHERS