[ALBSA-Info] Greece raises Himara issue in Europarliament

[Kreshnik Bejko]

[08] PASOK and ND Eurodeputies call for repeat of elections in Himara, 
Albania

BRUSSELS, 24/10/2000 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)
The heads of the PASOK and New Democracy parties' Eurodeputies George 
Katiforis and Antonis Trakatellis, addressing a European Parliament plenary 
session in Strasbourg on Monday, called for the repeat of local government 
elections held in Himara, Albania, earlier this month.
Katiforis said that incidents of violence and adulteration occurred during 
the recent elections, which were directed against the ethnic Greek minority 
in the region, which was ascertained by observers of the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"This is the first lesson in democracy we should teach this country, which 
is starting now to build democracy in it," Katiforis said.

Trakatellis also called on the EU to demand a repeat of elections in Himara, 
saying that the report by OSCE observers leaves no doubt as to violations of 
human rights and of democratic procedures.

"Such attitudes should not be accepted by the EU. Otherwise, we shall be 
closing our eyes to basic human rights issues and violations of minority 
rights," he said.

Meanwhile, the President of the European Parliament's Committee for 
southeastern Europe Doris Pak said the issue of the Albanian elections would 
be discussed at the Committee since "it constitutes a serious violation of 
democratic procedures in the heart of Europe."


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