Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA727
2009-11-10 15:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
(C) DEMARCHE ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN ALBANIA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000727
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IR AL
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN ALBANIA
REF: EUR/SCE-TIRANA NOVEMBER 10 EMAIL
Classified By: DCM Deborah A. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000727
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IR AL
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN ALBANIA
REF: EUR/SCE-TIRANA NOVEMBER 10 EMAIL
Classified By: DCM Deborah A. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On November 11 DCM delivered reftel points to Deputy
Foreign Minister Edith Harxhi. Harxhi agreed fully with U.S.
concerns regarding proposed trade and cultural agreements
between the governments of Iran and Albania and direct
commercial air traffic between Tehran and Tirana.
2. (C) Deputy Minister Harxhi assured the DCM that Albania
will not sign the cultural or trade agreements with Iran.
She also said that the MFA will weigh in with the Albanian
Civil Aviation Authority against approval of direct flights
between Tehran and Tirana. Harxhi said that the flights
cannot commence without MFA concurrence, and assured DCM that
such approval will be denied. According to Harxhi, Albanian
Airlines is expected to present a proposal on the flights
soon, at which time she said the approval will be denied.
3. (C) COMMENT: Iran's new activism in Albania is worrisome,
particularly in light of the country's weakened coalition
government and the open desire of certain new ministers (e.g.
Minister of the Economy Dritan Prifti) to utilize their
positions to replenish their personal coffers. This makes
them vulnerable to Iranian emissaries with plenty of cash on
hand. We need be in no doubt about Deputy FM Harxhi's
assurances to oppose Tehran's new initiatives. Nevertheless,
we will have to remain vigilant against continued Iranian
attempts to establish footholds in Albania. END COMMENT.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IR AL
SUBJECT: (C) DEMARCHE ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN ALBANIA
REF: EUR/SCE-TIRANA NOVEMBER 10 EMAIL
Classified By: DCM Deborah A. Jones, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) On November 11 DCM delivered reftel points to Deputy
Foreign Minister Edith Harxhi. Harxhi agreed fully with U.S.
concerns regarding proposed trade and cultural agreements
between the governments of Iran and Albania and direct
commercial air traffic between Tehran and Tirana.
2. (C) Deputy Minister Harxhi assured the DCM that Albania
will not sign the cultural or trade agreements with Iran.
She also said that the MFA will weigh in with the Albanian
Civil Aviation Authority against approval of direct flights
between Tehran and Tirana. Harxhi said that the flights
cannot commence without MFA concurrence, and assured DCM that
such approval will be denied. According to Harxhi, Albanian
Airlines is expected to present a proposal on the flights
soon, at which time she said the approval will be denied.
3. (C) COMMENT: Iran's new activism in Albania is worrisome,
particularly in light of the country's weakened coalition
government and the open desire of certain new ministers (e.g.
Minister of the Economy Dritan Prifti) to utilize their
positions to replenish their personal coffers. This makes
them vulnerable to Iranian emissaries with plenty of cash on
hand. We need be in no doubt about Deputy FM Harxhi's
assurances to oppose Tehran's new initiatives. Nevertheless,
we will have to remain vigilant against continued Iranian
attempts to establish footholds in Albania. END COMMENT.
WITHERS