[ALBSA-Info] Greece says Albanian vote fair for ethnic Greeks

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

Greece says Albanian vote fair for ethnic Greeks

  
ATHENS, June 25 (Reuters) - Greece said on Monday it was satisfied with the 
way its ethnic minority in Albania had been treated during Sunday's general 
elections in the small Balkan state. 

In the past Greece has strongly criticised Albania over allegations of 
discrimination against its ethnic Greek minority at elections. 

But Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters: "We believe 
the (Greek) minority voted under the best possible conditions in recent 
years." 

Last year ethnic Greeks claimed police kept them away from polling booths 
during local elections. 

Albanian socialist Prime Minister Ilir Meta claimed victory over the 
opposition Democratic Party's Sali Berisha on Monday but official results 
were expected later in the day. 

Southern Albania has a large ethnic Greek population with close ties to 
Athens.