[ALBSA-Info] MPA - 10 April 2001

[Agron Alibali]

[14] OMONIA: PRESSURES EXERTED ON THE ETHNIC
        GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

Tirana, 10 April 2001 (17:48 UTC+2) 

   The ethnic Greek minority organization "Omonia" in
Albania in a statement it has issued condemned the
pressures exerted on the Greek minority members and
the efforts made which are aimed at creating a climate
of intimidation mainly in south Albania forcing the
ethnic Greeks to participate in the population census
that will be completed in Albania at the end of the
month. 

 In the statement it is stressed that the Greek
minority has responded positively
to the appeal issued by the "Omonia" general council
and abstains from the population census process in a
show of protest to its questionnaire that does not
give the opportunity to the Albanian citizens to state
their ethnic origin or religion
in the case they wish to do so. 

  The organization condemned the intimidation
incidents on behalf of the state authorities and the
unusual presence of secret service men in the regions
of the
ethnic Greek minority. Such pressures were recorded
mainly in the cities of Kato Dropolis and Chimara. In
the statement it has issued, "Omonia" calls on
the Albanian government and international
organizations to use their influence to end the
intimidation climate and interventions, while it also
calls for the adoption
of measures to correct the injustice made to the
ethnic Greek minority. 

   "Omonia" representative Michalis Latsos stated to
MPA that the adoption of a open procedure in the
registering of the ethnic Greek minority members,
allowing them to state their ethnic origin and
religion if they wished to do so, was always the firm
demand of the organization. 

    The issue is expected to be discussed today in a
meeting of Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta with
"Omonia" representatives. 

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