[ALBSA-Info] Albanian Helsinki Committee Condemns Himara incidents

[Kreshnik Bejko]

An Unwanted Incident which should not infringe the friendly Coexistence with 
the Minority Population

Tirana, 16 October 2000. During the electoral campaign an unwanted incident 
suddenly happened which was in opposition to the general spirit 
characterizing the second round of elections.

The electoral competition of Himara municipality served as a cause for this 
which took disproportional dimensions compared to a number of localities 
with an inconsiderable population. Efforts overpassing the objectives of the 
elections were made and this case was taken advantage of in order to return 
to some goals and prejudices of the ancient times.

Perhaps in some declarations of some parties some high emotional tones 
should have been avoided. But the atmosphere was flared up severely by the 
reactions of certain Greek circles. Some declarations with threatening tones 
were addressed to the Albanian government. Elementary regulations of the 
relations, which have been characterized by a close cooperation between the 
two states, were openly violated. Many Greek parliamentarians, journalists 
as well as diplomats without having the status of observers arrived in 
Himara and observed the electoral process. They did not hesitate to make 
propaganda in favor of one party thus violating the Electoral Code. However, 
this has not compromised the voting process which according to many 
observers have been developed under normal circumstances.

The AHC has followed with special interest the minority issue in Albania, 
the general situation of which is evaluated positively and this opinion is 
expressed by the respective international organizations. The AHC's monitors 
have been sent time after time to the whole southern part in order to follow 
closely the developments of the events as well as to identify eventual 
problems.

Our monitors not long ago than this spring have been in the region of Himara 
and the findings were not new. The majority of the population of this region 
is Albanian, there are, however, ethnic Greek elements. The whole region is 
inhabited by an autochthon Albanian population. The only issue that has been 
raised in these cases has been that of teaching Greek as a foreign language 
in order to take advantage of the facilities, which the knowledge of this 
language offers, for trade and economical relations with Greek partners.

Taking into account the above, the AHC expresses its regret for such an 
incident. This Committee believes that this will remain as an isolated 
episode, which will be overcome by a spirit of understanding and respective 
tolerance. This incident should never influence negatively the position of 
the minority in Albania and will never infringe the firmly established 
traditions of a friendly coexistence with the minority population, which is 
a very important achievement of the Albanian society.


ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE
RR. Sami Frashëri, Pall. 20/1, Hyrja B, Ap. 21, Tirana - ALBANIA
Tel-Fax: ++ 355 42 336 71/40891 e-mail: helsinki at ngo.org.al



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