[ALBSA-Info] NAAC Statement on Political Situation in Albania

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001
Brigada e Krajishtes, No. 8, 38000 Prishtina, Kosova
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
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For Immediate Release: February 7, 2002        Contact: Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900
 
PRESS RELEASE
 
NAAC Commends the Democratic Party for Joining the Parliament;
Urges All Politicians to Work Together in Country's Interest
  
Washington, DC, February 7, 2002: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement applauding the DPA's return to the Albanian parliament.
 
National Albanian American Council (NAAC) commends the Democratic Party of Albania (DPA) and other parties of the Union for Victory coalition for joining the Parliament on Thursday, January 31, 2002.  It is NAAC's view that boycott has not and cannot be a constructive means of political engagement and only serves to cultivate a contentious political environment which is a prelude to and contributes in the occurrence of greater crisis.  This pattern has clearly been demonstrated during Albania's not so past history, be that in 1996-1997 when the Socialist Party and its allies decided to boycott the parliament which was followed by the 1997 crisis, or more recent boycotts of the DPA which were followed by the deplorable Brussels incident.  Thus, whereas the political situation in Albania remains volatile, NAAC would like to see DPA's decision as a sign of political maturity and will hope that through participation in the Parliament, the elected representatives of the various parties will engage in a mature debate and start working together to help Albania move forward in its economic, social, and institutional development.  
 
There are many problems that the now all-inclusive Albanian Parliament can tackle and seek to resolve through bipartisan agreement or consensus.  Drawing lessons from the most recent institutional and political crisis, the people's representatives can find the political will to amend all those problematic Constitutional provisions that have not resisted time and have contributed to the prolongation of the current crisis.  The parliamentarians can work together in making all necessary changes and improvements to the current Electoral Code, in accordance with the needs of Albania's democratic system and the recommendations of international observers.  Furthermore, considering the universal aspiration of the people of Albania for Euro-Atlantic integration and the recently faded prospects for the signing of the Association and Stabilization Agreement with the European Union, the Albanian parliament should prepare a joint strategy for Albania's institutional and economic development to present before the EU institutions.  The Stability Pact (an initiative that has already slowed down because of the EU's internal bureaucracy) as well as other projects and initiatives driven by the international community will not be revived in any way by the continuous political squabbling over narrow interests.  The international community's attention has already shifted in more troublesome areas of the world and Albania and the Albanians in the region cannot afford to loose its support.
 
While we are pleased to see that the DPA has joined the Parliament, we have followed with concern the developments within the Socialist Party of Albania (SPA).  Whereas the SPA can handle its internal problems in any manner it deems appropriate, it is its responsibility as the majority party and leader of the governing coalition to guarantee the continued governance of the country and not effectively become the cause of an institutional paralysis.  We understand that the SPA is in the process of forming a new government.  NAAC calls that all efforts are made that the new government, regardless of who embraces this responsibility, enjoys a broad support from Albanians across the Albanian political spectrum.   Whether this is achieved through a political agreement among the major political actors in Albania and the President of the Republic or through some other negotiation mechanism, it is important to look forward into avoiding another potential crisis in the forthcoming presidential elections.   NAAC believes that expresses the feelings of many Albanians everywhere who are tired of inaction and would like to see its elected representatives to behave as nation's servants, and with the responsibility and patriotism that these historical times demand.
 
The new government, when formed will face many challenges ahead.   Building on the results already achieved by previous governments, this government must immediately and effectively address Albania's unprecedented energy crisis.  The government must prepare and implement a long-term strategy in its energy policies in conjunction with the opposition and under the advice of Albania's leading energy experts, considering different alternatives such as an Electro-Energy Corridor across the Adriatic Sea between Vlorë and Bari, Italy which would solidly link Albania and the Balkans with the Western European markets.   The ongoing energy crisis as well as Albania's instability has already greatly impeded Albania's economic growth, has increased its unemployment rate, and it has severely damaged Albania's attractiveness for the so much needed foreign investment.  In this regard, NAAC also believes that in light of the instability created because of the recent events as well as because of the unfavorable climate in the current world markets, the Albanian government should consider postponing the privatization of its national assets such as Albtelecom until it can reap the real value of these important segments of the Albanian economy from serious and reputable buyers.  The Albanian government must combat all monopolistic phenomena in Albania's economy, which jeopardize Albania's consumer interests, its business climate, as well as her integration aspirations in the competitive markets of the European Community.  
 
The new Albanian government must also capitalize on the current political climate of enhanced transparency, public debate and bipartisan desire to effectively fight corruption and crime.   Corruption in Albania is a suffocating phenomenon and NAAC supports every meaningful effort to minimize and ultimately eradicate it from the public administration.  However, in the past, anti-corruption initiatives have often been only part of electoral campaign mantras or have been used as political storms for power struggles which have tamed as soon as a particular goal was achieved.  Therefore, NAAC urges the Albanian government and all the Albanian political factors to provide all the necessary support and assistance to the Albanian judiciary and other law enforcement agencies in the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of all organized crime, trafficking, white collar crime, abuse of power, embezzlement and other negative phenomena of the Albanian society.  Time has long passed that declarations of "new wars" against crime and corruption are followed with credible actions which in turn would contribute to the establishment of the rule of law as well as would help create a favorable climate for economic development. 
 
The new Albanian government also has an uphill battle to repair the damaged image of Albania and Albanians across the borders.  NAAC forcefully condemns the Brussels incident, which was partly a result of the hostile Albanian political climate and partly due to the inefficiencies of the Albanian judiciary.   This shameful incident did not injure only the individuals who were present and against whom the brutal rage was directed.  This incident and its implications belittled the image of Albania's institutions, such as the Institution of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Albania, the Institution of the former President of Albania, the Institution of the former Prime Minister of Albania, as well as the institutions of the Albanian political majority and opposition.  Albania's institutions are held by individuals but they do not belong to individuals.  As long as they are elected by Albanians through a democratic process, the institutions belong to all Albanians and as such should be given the institutional respect they deserve and should be protected by all Albanians.  As the image of our nation has already been severely damaged in this past decade be that through our own actions or through malevolent propaganda, the new Albanian government must take a much more proactive stance in protecting Albania's institutions, Albania's image, and our nation's values.  
 
As Albanian-Americans, we urge all parties to sacrifice their individual struggles for political gains and contribute to the common goal of achieving faster and greater progress for Albania.  It is only through hard work and compromise that the country will move forward and become a dignified member of the Euro-Atlantic community.
 
The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs.  For more information on the National Albanian American Council please visit us on the web at: www.naac.org
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