[ALBSA-Info] News:Who keeps B&B away from Albania?

[KreshnikBejko]

Who keeps Brown & Roots away from Albania?

Joseph Limprecht: "US diplomacy will itself be orientated towards 
economic development of Albania. After a new concept construction of 
Corridor VIII, will first of all be finalised in Albania, Macedonia and 
Bulgaria"

Why are left aside offers of serious US companies, at a time when 
construction companies of neighbouring countries (beside the Macedonian 
one) are causing delays and work with a low rhythm in construction of 
highway network in Albania?

Ten months ago, in May 1999, the US Company "Brown & Roots" requested 
construction of road segment Kashar-Rinas through concessions. But 
Ministry of Transport has not even today responded and open the green 
light to this request. For the first time, the then Minister of Transport 
and Public Affairs, today Minister of Transport (MT), Ingrid Shuli after 
two months, in July 1999, engaged herself to get more information about 
the request of americans. According official information in the MT, at 
that time Shuli accepted the request only in principle. In order to 
profit the concession for construction of this road segment, 8 km long, 
the US company has drafted even the project. Shuli in their presence 
agreed about the project implementation but according representatives on 
both parties it was necessary a decision on the terms of reference and 
conditions on its taking through concessions. Actually what is this 
project about is not yet told in details by the MT. The US company Brown 
& Roots realised a number of investments on behalf of NATO, like the road 
leading to Rinas airport, rehabilitating works in the airfield, in Durres 
seaport and others where were employed some 2500 Albanians. But on August 
2, 1999 (when the war in Kosova ended) sources from Rinas airfield said 
that Browns & Roots would leave Albania. Sources said that the reason for 
their leaving were due to misunderstandings of the US company with 
Albanian government, responsible for infrastructure development sector. 
The reasons are numerous. During those days 13 officers of Rinas sold to 
NATO for some US$345 thousand an object which was not their property. 
Although the case is being treated by prosecutors office none believes 
that the NATO has forgotten it. The Albanian absurd reaches such a level 
where is demanded to the company to expropriate even canals?! The attack 
against kosovars' camps in Kukes, against Kukes airfield and others were 
other reasons. "Browns & Roots" has signed a five-year contract, but 
Albanian reality forced them to declare they're leaving without seriously 
beginning work in Albania. After 20 days the company requested to 
minister Shuli the right to take with concessions the road Kashar-Rinas. 
Due to the situation it seems the minister was forced to receive them. 
But nothing changed. Brown & Roots leaves Albania and only a 
representative remains here. Another US company comes into Albanian 
horizon. Red Horse has requested last August, a few days after the 
leaving of Brown & Roots to take with concessions Rinas airfield. In a 
meeting with Shuli the US company has requested to realise repair works 
in the airfield. The project foresaw even rehabilitation of the runway, 
of the connecting roadside and others. After realisation of this project 
Albanian travellers would profit as they would pay no additional 
expenses, differently from foreigners. But Shuli told to the US citizens 
the procedures, it is the Council of Ministers which will decide on it. 
Ministry of Finances on its part has given its OK for the project. But 
months pass by and the US companies have received no response by MT. 
There is no information where have negotiations stopped. Vice minister of 
transports Ahmet Cani said solution of this issue remains on hands of two 
people of the Minister of Transport, Ingrid Shuli and of Director of 
Foreign Relations in this ministry, Pali Xhelo. Xhelo gives no 
pronouncement on this issue while Shuli is not able to be contacted. The 
MT until arrival of the first request for concession complained that they 
were ready for concessions but there were no serious requests, which 
should be detailed, but after requests arrival the MT is hesitating. They 
are the only who know the reasons. Top MT officials know well what Oliver 
Deschamps, director in EBRD, meant when he said that Albanian 
infrastructure development was conditioned by concessions. Numerous are 
foreign investors in Albanian infrastructures but more numerous are their 
complaints. The Greeks of Sarandopulous have build in three years only 8 
bridges, or covered only three km highway in one year. The Turkish 
constructors are with a one year delay in the road Rogozhina-Elbasan, or 
the Italians of Falcione which have only complaints. Americans at least 
have given a proof. MT should not be afraid of Brown & Roots, they 
levelled and asphalted within a short time the road axis Vore-Rinas, 
which is evaluated by specialists of high standard. You can take more 
information about this company through Internet on its page "www.Brown & 
Roots communication". If the reasons which hinder MT to give its OK are 
others, it would be best to solve them out somewhere else and leave the 
company to start work.