Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA821
2009-12-24 09:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
Tirana Impressions
how-toVZCZCXRO5012 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHTI #0821/01 3580944 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 240944Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8699 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000821
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCRM KTIP AL
SUBJECT: Tirana Impressions
TIRANA 00000821 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000821
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCRM KTIP AL
SUBJECT: Tirana Impressions
TIRANA 00000821 001.2 OF 002
1. The following is a weekly report prepared by Embassy Tirana's
local staff to provide political and economic context and insight
into developments in Albania.
-------------- ---
ALBANIA'S POLITICAL VOCABULARY: A NATIONAL SHAME
-------------- ---
2. In recent weeks, the homes of Albanians were invaded via their
TVs by rivers of foul language and harsh tones coming from both
sides of the political spectrum. It happened gradually, day by day,
person after person. It started from the very mouth of the
country's Prime Minister and continued with the country's opposition
leader, and it was diligently pursued by high level officials of
both sides upon specific instructions from the top. The enduring
shock of every single Albanian citizen, including our Embassy staff,
gave birth to the idea of collecting a few choice words from the
endless terminology used. Although these words have been aired over
and over again for consecutive days, the very writer of these lines
was so dismayed by the process that he had to leave it with only the
below two paragraphs.
3. Terms used by PM Berisha and the ruling Democratic Party to
refer to the Socialist Party and SP Chairman Edi Rama: "We will use
the pincers of the law to pull out the teeth" (of the opposition),
Mafiosi; leader of the cupola of Albanian Mafia; goat-head; the last
castle of corruption; wife beater.
4. (U) Terms used by Edi Rama and others in the Socialist Party to
refer to PM Berisha and members of the Democratic Party: "We will
use our fist to break the teeth (of the GOA) one by one"; Greedy and
ignorant; liar; rooster strutting on top of a pile manure; Albanian
Duce; Stalin; tyrant; clown man; a pervert prime minister; mentally
incapable; Enver Hoxha's most distinguished hunting-dog; pitiable
ballot thief.
--------------
REDOUBLING EFFORTS OR ADMITTING DEFEAT?
--------------
5. Last week, on the grounds of combating trafficking and fighting
the mafia, the Council of Ministers extended for another three years
a moratorium on speedboats and small motorized vessels along
Albania's coast. Following the approval of the draft, Prime
Minister Berisha said that these small and fast vessels have nothing
in common with tourism, but are entirely an industry of the mafia
and trafficking, and if need be the ban would be "extended
indefinitely as long as we remain in power." The decision to extend
the moratorium for three more years has been controversial, and many
critics have voiced their concerns regarding its constitutionality
(claiming an infringement of human rights,) impact on tourism, and
the image of Albania as a NATO member country and aspiring the EU
candidate member status.
6. In April 2006, in an attempt to curb trafficking and improve
Albania's tarnished image, the Government of Albania (GOA) approved
a three-year term ban on speed boats and other small, motorized
water craft along the coastline. At the time, and despite
resistance by stakeholders and the opposition, the moratorium was
generally encouraged by average citizens on the grounds that it
would provide the government time to build the necessary
infrastructure and improve capacities to fight trafficking of human
beings and smuggling of goods, and contribute in Albania's
integration to Euro-Atlantic structures. The decision was also
praised by foreign governments, particularly Italy, which considered
the decision a positive sign. To some extent, since Albania lacked
the necessary capacities and infrastructure for its coastguard to
effectively patrol the entire coastline and territorial waters, it
was agreed that Albania had to pay the price of a total ban on
certain types of boats as it sought more liberal visa arrangements
with the EU.
7. Today, more than three and one half years later, when most were
expecting the moratorium to be revoked and the Albanian government
to demonstrate that it was ready and prepared to fight trafficking,
the government instead admitted defeat. It admits that in more than
three and one half years it was not able to improve its capacities
in fighting trafficking along the coast, and, furthermore that it is
ready to again infringe upon the constitution and human rights of
its people just to show willingness to fight trafficking. We all
are aware that those measures should be temporary and do not put an
end to trafficking, which has continued along other routes. It is
time to address the issue once and for all, and patches here and
there should be a thing of the past. The decision comes at a time
when the GOA is working to meet EU requirements for visa
liberalization, and has promised to achieve this by mid 2010. Let us
hope that, if nothing else, the extension of the speedboat ban will
serve to convince the EU to approve the visa free regime.
--------------
DEBATES OVER HIGHER EDUCATION IN ALBANIA
TIRANA 00000821 002.2 OF 002
--------------
8. A public and open debate has recently emerged about higher
education in Albania. Topics of discussion have encompassed the
Bologna process, higher education law (Law No. 9832),and the
autonomy of universities. The purpose of the Bologna Process is to
create a European Higher Education Area, and is based on cooperation
between ministries, higher education institutions, students and
staff from 46 countries, with the participation of international
organizations. Albania signed the Bologna Declaration on September
18, 2003, though discussions about the process had begun in 1999.
What it entailed for Albanian education was: adoption of a system of
easily readable and comparable degrees; a system based on three
cycles (undergraduate, post-graduate, doctorate); establishment of a
system of credits; promotion of mobility for students, academics and
administrative staff; consolidation of financial autonomy;
implementation of three cycle systems of studies following the
scheme 3+2+3 (academic years),improving recognition and
accreditation of foreign diplomas, etc.
9. Despite strides made in this process, the practice of Albanian
universities is actually a blend of the French higher education law,
the Italian practice of 22 subjects, and of course, the Albanian
context. The assortment of laws and various practices has not
produced a smooth transition into a well functioning system.
Nevertheless, there has been progress, and the Ministry of
Education now appears serious in its commitment to addressing some
of these issues.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
10. "Albania was protected by chance, made by idealists and killed
by politicians" - Faik Konica, one of the greatest figures of
Albanian culture in the early decades of the twentieth century.
JONES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCRM KTIP AL
SUBJECT: Tirana Impressions
TIRANA 00000821 001.2 OF 002
1. The following is a weekly report prepared by Embassy Tirana's
local staff to provide political and economic context and insight
into developments in Albania.
-------------- ---
ALBANIA'S POLITICAL VOCABULARY: A NATIONAL SHAME
-------------- ---
2. In recent weeks, the homes of Albanians were invaded via their
TVs by rivers of foul language and harsh tones coming from both
sides of the political spectrum. It happened gradually, day by day,
person after person. It started from the very mouth of the
country's Prime Minister and continued with the country's opposition
leader, and it was diligently pursued by high level officials of
both sides upon specific instructions from the top. The enduring
shock of every single Albanian citizen, including our Embassy staff,
gave birth to the idea of collecting a few choice words from the
endless terminology used. Although these words have been aired over
and over again for consecutive days, the very writer of these lines
was so dismayed by the process that he had to leave it with only the
below two paragraphs.
3. Terms used by PM Berisha and the ruling Democratic Party to
refer to the Socialist Party and SP Chairman Edi Rama: "We will use
the pincers of the law to pull out the teeth" (of the opposition),
Mafiosi; leader of the cupola of Albanian Mafia; goat-head; the last
castle of corruption; wife beater.
4. (U) Terms used by Edi Rama and others in the Socialist Party to
refer to PM Berisha and members of the Democratic Party: "We will
use our fist to break the teeth (of the GOA) one by one"; Greedy and
ignorant; liar; rooster strutting on top of a pile manure; Albanian
Duce; Stalin; tyrant; clown man; a pervert prime minister; mentally
incapable; Enver Hoxha's most distinguished hunting-dog; pitiable
ballot thief.
--------------
REDOUBLING EFFORTS OR ADMITTING DEFEAT?
--------------
5. Last week, on the grounds of combating trafficking and fighting
the mafia, the Council of Ministers extended for another three years
a moratorium on speedboats and small motorized vessels along
Albania's coast. Following the approval of the draft, Prime
Minister Berisha said that these small and fast vessels have nothing
in common with tourism, but are entirely an industry of the mafia
and trafficking, and if need be the ban would be "extended
indefinitely as long as we remain in power." The decision to extend
the moratorium for three more years has been controversial, and many
critics have voiced their concerns regarding its constitutionality
(claiming an infringement of human rights,) impact on tourism, and
the image of Albania as a NATO member country and aspiring the EU
candidate member status.
6. In April 2006, in an attempt to curb trafficking and improve
Albania's tarnished image, the Government of Albania (GOA) approved
a three-year term ban on speed boats and other small, motorized
water craft along the coastline. At the time, and despite
resistance by stakeholders and the opposition, the moratorium was
generally encouraged by average citizens on the grounds that it
would provide the government time to build the necessary
infrastructure and improve capacities to fight trafficking of human
beings and smuggling of goods, and contribute in Albania's
integration to Euro-Atlantic structures. The decision was also
praised by foreign governments, particularly Italy, which considered
the decision a positive sign. To some extent, since Albania lacked
the necessary capacities and infrastructure for its coastguard to
effectively patrol the entire coastline and territorial waters, it
was agreed that Albania had to pay the price of a total ban on
certain types of boats as it sought more liberal visa arrangements
with the EU.
7. Today, more than three and one half years later, when most were
expecting the moratorium to be revoked and the Albanian government
to demonstrate that it was ready and prepared to fight trafficking,
the government instead admitted defeat. It admits that in more than
three and one half years it was not able to improve its capacities
in fighting trafficking along the coast, and, furthermore that it is
ready to again infringe upon the constitution and human rights of
its people just to show willingness to fight trafficking. We all
are aware that those measures should be temporary and do not put an
end to trafficking, which has continued along other routes. It is
time to address the issue once and for all, and patches here and
there should be a thing of the past. The decision comes at a time
when the GOA is working to meet EU requirements for visa
liberalization, and has promised to achieve this by mid 2010. Let us
hope that, if nothing else, the extension of the speedboat ban will
serve to convince the EU to approve the visa free regime.
--------------
DEBATES OVER HIGHER EDUCATION IN ALBANIA
TIRANA 00000821 002.2 OF 002
--------------
8. A public and open debate has recently emerged about higher
education in Albania. Topics of discussion have encompassed the
Bologna process, higher education law (Law No. 9832),and the
autonomy of universities. The purpose of the Bologna Process is to
create a European Higher Education Area, and is based on cooperation
between ministries, higher education institutions, students and
staff from 46 countries, with the participation of international
organizations. Albania signed the Bologna Declaration on September
18, 2003, though discussions about the process had begun in 1999.
What it entailed for Albanian education was: adoption of a system of
easily readable and comparable degrees; a system based on three
cycles (undergraduate, post-graduate, doctorate); establishment of a
system of credits; promotion of mobility for students, academics and
administrative staff; consolidation of financial autonomy;
implementation of three cycle systems of studies following the
scheme 3+2+3 (academic years),improving recognition and
accreditation of foreign diplomas, etc.
9. Despite strides made in this process, the practice of Albanian
universities is actually a blend of the French higher education law,
the Italian practice of 22 subjects, and of course, the Albanian
context. The assortment of laws and various practices has not
produced a smooth transition into a well functioning system.
Nevertheless, there has been progress, and the Ministry of
Education now appears serious in its commitment to addressing some
of these issues.
--------------
Quote of the Week
--------------
10. "Albania was protected by chance, made by idealists and killed
by politicians" - Faik Konica, one of the greatest figures of
Albanian culture in the early decades of the twentieth century.
JONES