Boston: Free Immigration Advice

Thomas M. Menino
Mayor of Boston

FREE
Immigration Advice

(2010 Schedule)

August 4 & 18
September 1 & 23
October 6 & 20
November 3 & 17
December 1 & 15

Room 804 in Boston City Hall
12:00 (noon) - 2:00 PM

For more information, please contact the
Mayor's Office of New Bostonians
Boston City Hall Room 803
617-635-2980

Downtown Harvard Club Screens "Divorce Albanian Style"

NEWS RELEASE

FROM: Quo Vadis, 288 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115 /
Tel: 617 421-9494 / Fax: 617 421-0928 / www.quovadistravel.com

Contact: Roxana von Kraus / 617 421-9494 / quovadis@usa.org


DOWNTOWN HARVARD CLUB SCREENS “DIVORCE ALBANIAN STYLE” IN BOSTON

A Bulgarian film about the plight of Albanian men and women who married foreign nationals during the communist era in Albania.

BOSTON, July 24, 2010 – The Downtown Harvard Club in Boston presents “An Evening of Bulgarian Film.” Club Member Roxana von Kraus’ latest film presentation is “Divorce Albanian Style,” an award-winning Bulgarian film about the plight of Albanian men and women who married foreign nationals during the communist era in Albania. Directed and produced by Adela Peeva (Bulgaria, 2007, 66 min, in Albanian-Russian-Polish with English subtitles) and narrated by Ben Cross, award-winning British actor, “Divorce Albanian Style” reveals the tragic misfortune of thousands of Albanian families who were forcibly separated for marrying foreigners under the totalitarian regime of Albania’s Enver Hoxha. It tells a story of love and forced separation that takes place in the surreal world of 1960s communist Albania as told by survivors of this extraordinary period.

In 1961, Enver Hoxha broke off Albania’s relations with the Soviet Union for its apparent rapprochement with the USA. Albanians married to foreign women and men were forced by the Albanian state to separate from their spouses who were subsequently expelled. The official reason for the communist regime’s actions was alleged “espionage.” While KGB-trained secret police were busy collecting “evidence”, minor clerks became “investigators”, carpenters were turned into prosecutors. Many of these “mixed marriage” couples were imprisoned for many years - the last person was released as recently as 1987. “Divorce Albanian Style” tells the stories of three of these Albanian/Foreign National couples, and of the apparatchiks and officers of the secret police who changed their lives forever.

With the advent of democracy, Bulgarian producer/director, Adela Peeva, made many award-winning films including “Born from the Ashes”, “Right to chose,“ “The Unwanted.” Peeva’s “Whose is this Song?” was nominated for the EFA’s “Best Documentary-Prix ARTE” 2003 award, shown at over 50 international film festivals, and awarded 16 prizes. “Divorce Albanian Style” was also nominated for European Film Academy’s Best Documentary-Prix “ARTE” in 2007 and has already garnered national and international awards.

Van Christo, who had sponsored the original screening of “Divorce Albanian Style” at the Rabb Auditorium of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in 2008, will provide a brief Commentary about Bulgarian producer/director, Adela Peeva and the multi- award-winning screenings of “Divorce Albanian Style” at international film festivals. Christo is the founder of the Frosina Information Network, a non-profit Albanian immigrant and cultural resource in Boston.

“Divorce Albanian Style” will be shown at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at the Downtown Harvard Club, One Federal Street, 38th Floor. in Boston. Reservations are required for this complimentary event. Call 617 542-2070.
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Useful immigration information in English & French

Here you will find many categories of useful information for Albanian and other immigrants.
Ici vous trouverez de nombreuses catégories d'informations utiles pour l'albanais et d'autres immigrants.

Immigration and Refugee Services of America (IRSA)
Immigration et réfugiés d'Amérique (IRSA)

Date posted: Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Date de publication: mardi 3 août 2004

Author: IRSA's Ms. Melanie Nezer
Auteur: Mme IRSA de Nezer Melanie

Albanian and other newcomers to America should take advantage of the important range of services offered by Immigration and Refugee Services (IRSA) which is the oldest and largest non-sectarian network of organizations serving immigrants, refugees, and other foreign-born people worldwide.

Albanais et d'autres nouveaux arrivants en Amérique devrait profiter de la grande diversité des services offerts par l'immigration et du statut de réfugié Services (IRSA), qui est le plus important et non sectaire réseau de-organismes au service des immigrants, des réfugiés, et d'autres nés à l'étranger des personnes plus anciennes dans le monde entier.


IRSA's national office, in Washington, DC, coordinates refugee resettlement and immigration programs, provides policy leadership, creates new programs, cultivates relations with other national organizations and agencies of the federal government, develops public information, and educates policy makers.

Bureau national de IRSA, à Washington, DC, coordonne les programmes de réinstallation des réfugiés et l'immigration, assure le leadership politique, crée de nouveaux programmes, cultive les relations avec d'autres organisations nationales et les organismes du gouvernement fédéral, développe l'information du public, et sensibilise les décideurs politiques.

IRSA's 35 agencies, located in small cities as well as major metropolitan areas, provide a wide range of direct services and local advocacy in 124 sites throughout the USA.

IRSA de 35 agences, situées dans de petites villes ainsi que les grandes régions métropolitaines, offrent un large éventail de services directs et la défense locale dans plus de 124 sites à travers les USA.

Its network contains some of the nations' foremost immigration attorneys and paralegals, certified English-as-a-Second Language teachers, and licensed social workers.

Son réseau comprend certains des plus importants d'immigration des avocats et des parajuristes du pays, certifié comme-un-professeurs de langues secondes, en anglais, et autorisé les travailleurs sociaux.

Current IRSA Partner Agencies are located in Akron, OH (International Institute), Albany, NY (International Center of the Capital Region), Atlanta, GA (Bridging the Gap Project, Inc., Binghamton, NY (American Civic Association), Boston, MA (International Institute of Boston), Bowling Green, KY (Western Kentucky Refugee Mutual Assistance), Bridgeport, CT

Actuel IRSA organismes partenaires sont situés à Akron, OH (International Institute), Albany, NY (Centre International de la région de la capitale), Atlanta, GA (Projet Bridging the Gap, Inc, Binghamton, NY (American Civic Association), Boston, MA (Institut international de Boston), Bowling Green, KY (Western mutuelle d'assistance aux réfugiés du Kentucky), Bridgeport, CT

(International Institute of Connecticut), Buffalo, NY (International Institute of Buffalo, New York), Chicago, IL (Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights), Cincinnati, OH (Travelers Aid International of Greater Cincinnati), Cleveland, OH (The International Services Center), Columbia, MD (Foreign-Born and Referral Network), Detroit, MI (International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit), Erie, PA (International Institute of Erie, Pennsylvania), Gary, IN (International Institute of Northwest Indiana), Honolulu, HI (Immigrant Center), Houston, TX (YMCA International Services), Jersey City, NJ (International Institute of New Jersey), Kansas City, MO (Don Bosco Nationalities Service Center), Lawrence, MA (International Institute of Lawrence), Los Angeles, CA (International Institute of Los Angeles), Lowell, MA (International Institute of Lowell), Miami, FL (Christian Community Service Agency), Milwaukee, WI (International Instutue of Wisconsin), New York City (Travelers Aid Services), Brooklyn, NY (Church Avenue Merchants Block Association), Oakland, CA (International Institute of East Bay), Philadelphia, PA (Nationalities Service Center), Providence, RI International Institute of Rhode Island), St.

(Institut international du Connecticut), Buffalo, l'Institut international de Buffalo, New York), Chicago, IL (Heartland Alliance (NY pour les besoins de l'homme et des droits de l'homme), Cincinnati, OH (International Aid des voyageurs du Grand Cincinnati), Cleveland, OH ( Le Centre de Services International), Columbia, MD (née à l'étranger et transmis par le réseau), Detroit, MI (Institut international de Detroit Metropolitan), Erie, PA (Institut international d'Erie, Pennsylvanie), Gary, IN (Institut international du Nord-Ouest de l'Indiana ), Honolulu, (Centre d'immigrant HI), Houston, TX (YMCA International Services) de Jersey City, NJ (Institut International de New Jersey), Kansas City, MO (Don Bosco Centre de service des nationalités), Lawrence, MA (Institut international de Laurent), Los Angeles, CA (Institut international de Los Angeles), Lowell, MA (Institut international de Lowell), Miami, FL (Christian Agence de services communautaires), Milwaukee, WI (Instutue international du Wisconsin), New York City (voyageurs Services d'aide), Brooklyn, NY (avenue Church Block Association des Marchands), Oakland, CA (Institut international de la baie de l'Est), Philadelphie, PA (Centre de service des nationalités), Providence, RI Institut international de Rhode Island), Saint- Louis, MO (International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis), St. Louis, MO (Institut international de Saint-Louis métropolitaine), Saint- Paul, MN ( International Institute of Minnesota), San Francisco, CA (International Institute of San Francisco), Twin Falls, ID (College of Southern Idaho Refugee Service Center), Field Office: Burlington, VT (Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program). Paul, MN (Institut international du Minnesota), San Francisco, CA (Institut international de San Francisco), Twin Falls, ID (College of Southern Idaho Center Refugee Service), Bureau du champ: Burlington, VT (Vermont Programme de réinstallation des réfugiés).

For more information about IRSA, please contact: Pour plus d'informations sur IRSA, s'il vous plaît contacter:

Immigration and Refugee Services of America (IRSA) Immigration et réfugiés d'Amérique (IRSA)

1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 701 1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20036 Washington, DC 20036
-- Tel: (202) 797-2105 - Tel: (202) 797-2105
-- Fax: (202) 797-2363 - Fax: (202) 797-2363
-- E-mail: irsa@irsa-uscr.org - E-mail: irsa@irsa-uscr.org
-- Web Site: www.irsa-uscr.org - Site Web: www.irsa-uscr.org

Frosina wishes to thank IRSA's Ms. Melanie Nezer for supplying the above information Frosina tient à remercier IRSA de Mme Melanie Nezer pour fournir les informations ci-dessus

KERKOJ NDIHME /REQUEST HELP in research project

Our talented Albanian-American poet, Merita Bajraktari McCormack, who did such an outstanding job of translating the inspirational poem "Invictus" into the Albanian language as "I Pamposhturi," is seeking help in her research project about the book "Alice in Wonderland" that was published in the Albanian language years ago.

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KERKOJ NDIHME:

Te nderuar MIQ dhe MIKESHA:

Me duhen te gjitha versionet egzistuese (nga nje kopje -qe do t'i blej e do e paguaj posten), per efekt koleksioni, te librit-skenareve-ilustrime-bibliografi - dhe cfaredo tjeter qe eshte perkthyer ne gjuhen shqipe te librit/filmit "Liza ne boten e Cudirave" (Alice in the Wonderland) pergjate shek te 20-te dhe ketyre 10 vjeteve te Mijevjecarit te Ri. Kush mund te me ndihmoje? Nese keni informacion perkates dhe sugjerime ju lutem me shkruani ne emailinjmrome94@aol.com ose meritabmccormack@gmail.com

Ju falenderoj paraprikisht
Miqesisht
Merita

Here's the latest Frosina Advisory listing Sources for Helpful/Useful Information - most of them Free...

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A Frosina Information Network Advisory
_______________________________________________________________

SUMMER-2010 Consumer Information Catalog
Free and Low-cost information from U.S. Government

Albanians and other newcomers to the USA should be informed about the
SUMMER-2010 Consumer Information Catalog from the U.S. Government Printing Office that provides data about Health – Money – America and other, much useful information. Almost 100 booklets are free of charge (except for a $2.00 service fee to accompany an order) with other costs beginning at 50 cents and up per booklet.

Shown below is only a small sampling of the SUMMER-2010 listings by catalog number and costs – if any - for the new booklets. Multiple copies of some FREE titles are also available – call toll-free 1-888-878-3256 for more information.

1. Smart Savings For College, (504V), FREE, Page 3
2. Food Safety For Seniors, (593), FREE, Page 5
3. Mammograms, (548V), FREE, Page 6
4. Depression – Medicines to Help You, (551V), FREE, Page 6
5. Smoking – Medicines to help you, (610V), FREE, Page 7
6. High Blood Pressure, (557V), Free, Page 9
7. Looking For The Best Mortgage: Shop, Compare, Negotiate,
(334V), $1.59, Page 9
8. Managing Your Money in Good Times and Bad, (581V), Free, Page 10
9. Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities,
and Small Businesses, (317V), $1.50, Page 12
10. The Constitution of the USA, and The Declaration of Independence,
(110V), $2.75, Page 13

View Catalog listings by punching in Federal Citizen Information Center at www.pueblo.gsa.gov. Mail your order to: FCIC-09D, PO Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002, or go Internet: order publications online, and save the $2.00 service fee!

Phone toll-free 1 (888) 8PUEBLO to place an order M-F 6 am to 8 pm ET ______________________________________________________________________________________
The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) was established to help Federal agencies and departments develop, promote, and distribute useful consumer information to the public. One of the ways to do this is by publishing a new Consumer Information Catalog four times a year. Each quarter, FCIC searches out the best new consumer publications and reviews those already listed in the Catalog for accuracy.

BRAVO! Dr. Dennis Dimitri

I was so pleased - and proud - to read the front page article "A new practice: The doctor will see you today" in The Boston Globe 7/14/10 describing unique medical services provided to patients by Dr. Dennis Dimitri in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Dr. Dimitri is the son of one of my oldest friends, Nick Dimitri. Nick was introduced to me by my cousin, Terry Vasil, in the Coney Island restaurant in Worcester when I was about 10 years old - a long, long time ago!

Bravo, Dr. Dennis Dimitri!

Here's the Boston Globe link:

www.boston.com/.../07/.../a_new_practice_the_doctor_will_see_you_today/

World Bank Plans Over $400 Million for Albania|

Here's a bit of good news about - and for - Albania that states that “Albania is a development success story in many respects...."

Read the BIRN article bekow that also discloses that "the former Communist country has been one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe..."

Tirana | 16 July 2010

World Bank Plans Over $400 Million for Albania|

The World BankThe World Bank will finance up to $275 million (€214 million) from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, and up to $150 million (€116 million) from the IFC over the next four years in Albania.

“Albania is a development success story in many respects, having made remarkable strides in economic and social development over the past decade,” said Jane Armitage, World Bank Country Director and Regional Coordinator for Southeast Europe.
“The new Country Partnership Strategy aims to support a recovery in Albania’s growth rates through improving competitiveness, while also improving education and health services and strengthening the safety net,” Armitage added.

The new strategy will also assist Pristina in meeting the new challenge of climate change, through improving water conservation and management and increasing disaster preparedness.

Over the past decade, with average annual growth rates of six per cent, accompanied by rapid reductions in poverty.

Albania is one of a very few countries in Europe to maintain positive growth rates and financial stability in 2009 during the throes of the global financial and economic crisis. Going forward, Albania, in particular, faces a number of important challenges on account of the slower recovery in Europe and the uncertainties facing the Greek economy – a major economic partner.

“We are building on the previous successful cooperation of IBRD-IFC joint interventions in critical sectors, such as energy,” said George Konda, a senior economist at IFC.

The new strategy will support Albania’s development and help with key challenges, such as: consolidating its fiscal position to be able to weather the coming years; further improving the efficiency of public spending while addressing the still large infrastructure needs; improving the implementation of regulatory and institutional reforms to boost competitiveness and investment; raising education levels and skills to meet the demand from businesses; and strengthening social safety nets and key health services to ensure that the poor are protected from economic fluctuations

Albania became a member of the World Bank in 1991. Since then, 68 projects totaling $1.4 billion (€1.09 billion) have been supported by IDA and IBRD, and 10 projects totaling $185 million (€144 million

Albania Political Crisis Complicates Visa Liberalisation

The political standoff in Albania between Rama and Berisha goes on and on, and now, even Kosova, with its more recent status as a nation, is ahead of Albania in Visa Liberalization. Here's BIRN's recent take on the situation...

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Albania Political Crisis Complicates Visa Liberalisation

Brussels | 14 July 2010 | Gjergj Erebara

Bosnia and Herzegovina will be awarded visa liberalisation with the EU by the end of this year, but the situation in Albania is more complicated, MEP Eduard Kukan has said, adding that Kosovo's negotiations for visa liberalisation can begin despite existing issues.

Kukan, a Slovakian member of the European Parliament, is the chair of the Delegation of the European Parliament for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

In a meeting with a group of journalists from the Western Balkans, Kukan stressed that even Kosovo is on its way toward visa liberalisation, while the political crisis in Albania is undermining the achievements made on technical criteria.

“The sensitive issue in the discussion on Bosnia and Herzegovina was whether we have to grant visa liberalisation before the election or after the election,” said Kukan. “The European Commission set certain technical criteria to be fulfilled and once those criteria have been fulfilled, they should have the liberalised visa regime, otherwise the rest is politics and not correct,” he added.

According to Kukan, Bosnia has fulfilled most of the visa roadmap and there are only two or three details to be finalised.

“Bosnia has fulfilled the technical criteria but because of the legislative process, I do not think that it will be possible to take the decision in July. My prediction is that Bosnia will be granted visa liberalisation by the end of this year,” Kukan explained.

According to him, the situation of Albania is similar, but more complicated because of the opposition boycott of the parliament and the political crisis that has gripped that country for the past year due to the contested results of the 2009 parliamentary elections.

“Given the situation in Albania that we could call a stalemate, or crisis… it’s complicated in the sense that a country that has fulfilled technical criteria should have visa liberalisation but a country that does not enjoy the regular functioning of all democratic institutions has always been looked as a country that is missing something,” Kukan said.

Speaking about the situation in Kosovo, Kukan said that there has been progress, and the European Commission has authorised the start of negotiations, while adding that Europe’s newest country would not remain the only one without a chance at visa liberalisation, but that it would face an uphill battle to achieve it because Kosovo is not recognised by all EU member states.

“It is going to develop but I can’t tell you how much time it will take; the status problem does exist,” said Kukan.

Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia & Herzegovina are the only remaining Western Balkan countries that still must apply for and obtain visas to travel in the Shengen area of the European Union. Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro were granted a liberalised regime last year.

Albert Foundos Receives Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, in New York

Jane and I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Albert Foundos who recently received a Doctor of Humane Letters(DHL), Honoris Causa, from Saint Vladimir's Theological Seminary in New York.

Al Foundos is one of the first Frosina Founding Members who has faithfully supported Frosina's activities - morally and financially - since its inception in 1994 as a non-profit Albanian immigrant and cultural resource in Boston.

Bravo, Albert! URIME, URIME!!

Cherie Blair in Albania / Tony Blair in Kosova

Cherie Blair Begins Visit to Albania

Tirana | 08 July 2010 |

Former British first lady Cherie Blair arrived on Thursday morning at Tirana’s Mother Theresa International Airport on a visit to Albania, at the invitation of the controversial Albanian oil tycoon Rezart Taci.

The former British first lady touched down in Tirana on that same day that her husband, former British prime minister Tony Blair, is to begin a two day visit to Kosovo, where he is expected to get a hero’s welcome due to his role during the NATO intervention there in the late 1990s. Cherie Blair will later join her husband in Kosovo.

Cherie Blair is expected to hold a meeting with the women employees of Alsat TV, a Tirana TV station recently acquired by the Taci Oil Group.

Blair is also expected to hold meetings with Albanian first lady Teuta Topi, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, his wife Liri Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama.

Taci is known as one of the Tirana businessmen who belong to Prime Minister Berisha's inner circle. His company, Taci Oil International, has spent millions of euros organising charity football matches, with the proceeds donated to a children's charity headed by Berisha's wife.

He currently is on trial, together with two bodyguards, for the alleged assault of publisher Mero Baze in November, following a series of negative articles from Baze’s now defunct daily newspaper TemA. The businessman has denied taking part in the attack.

Irish Immigration Center in Boston Helps Immigrants

The Irish Immigration Center in Boston, headed by the incredibly hard-working and devoted, Sister Lena Deevy, is an outstanding source providing a wide range of beneficial services to immgrants arriving in Boston.

Shown below is a just-produced Frosina Advisory offering welcome news ro all immigrant newcomers to Greater Boston!

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A Frosina Information Network Advisory

The Irish Immigration Center

The Irish Immigration Center (IIC) was established in 1989 by a group of Irish immigrants to meet the needs of a large Irish immigrant population in Massachusetts and surrounding areas. Over the years, the IIC developed into a multi-service center and safe place for immigrants of all nationalities to turn to for advice and support on legal, employment, housing and substance abuse issues.

Today, the IIC serves immigrants from over 100 countries and is recognized for its work in promoting civic engagement and bridging cultural and other divides. We work toward partnership and solidarity, building an integrated society in which all people are treated with respect and dignity and enjoy equal opportunities and protections. IIC works individually and in collaboration with other organizations.

IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP SERVICES

Legal Services
The Irish Immigration Center offers legal support including consultations, case assistance, and full representation to immigrants from all nations. We consult with thousands of immigrants guiding them through the process of gaining legal status, reuniting their families, and completing their journeys to U.S.

Citizenship.Community
Counseling and Education ServicesOur Community Counseling Service provides counseling, referrals, and case management to people experiencing issues such as substance abuse, anxiety and depression. CCES also offers free health screenings and job skill building courses including computer and home health aide courses.

English for Speakers of Other Languages
We believe that facility in the English language is the key to leading a successful life in the US. Our experienced ESOL teachers offer classes designed to give immigrants the ability and confidence to converse in and understand English at work and at home.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
IIC works in Boston, Ireland, and beyond to build bridges between communities traditionally separated from or culturally suspicious of each other. Our International programs improve participants’ employability and provide them with skills, practical work experience and the social and personal development to be able to contribute positively to their communities. Our programs include:

• J-1 Visa Programs
• Work and Travel program; summer student program
• Wider Horizons Program

ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Partnering with other organizations, we advocate for a sensible and compassionate immigration system that honors and upholds our great American tradition of immigration.
IIC Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm; please call to schedule and appointment

Irish Immigration Center
100 Franklin Street, LL-1 (Enter at 60 Arch St. or 201 Devonshire St.)
Boston, MA 02110
Web: www.iicenter.org
Phone: 617.542.7654

Frosina extends special thanks to IIC’s Janey Tallarida for updating this Advisory

Seeks book "Alice in Wonderland" in Albanian

I recently received the unusual and interesting request below from Jon Lindseth who's seeking an Albanian writer, a copy of "Alice in Wonderland" in the Albanian language, and other items. I'm hopeful that someone will come forward to fill some - or all - of Mr. Lindseth's requests.

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From: Jalindseth@aol.com Jalindseth@aol.com
To: VanChristo@Frosina.org VanChristo@Frosina.org
Subject: Albanian writer needed

Attachments: Alice Guidelines July 7 JL.doc

Dear Mr Christo,

I am working on a project that needs an Albanian writer.

I am preparing a book on the translations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a book that is Albanian language. I need a writer as described in the attachment.

I am also looking for a copy of the first Alice in Albanian published in Tirane by Botonjes in 1944. I would like to advertise in US Albanian newspapers or in Tirane newspapers for a copy.

can you suggest a writer and point me to the best advertising locations?

Thank you, Jon Lindseth

English translation of Prof. Repishti's VOA interview

Below is the - instant automatic Google Translate - English translation of Prof. Sami Repishti's VOA original interview in the Albanian language about the current political scene in Albania (posted to the Frosina Blog on June 22, 2010).
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Albanian to English translation Show romanization

Colleagues
Below an interesting interview of prof. Sami Repishtit Voice of America.
cerciz

In Albania there is a serious political class, but two groups that fight each other
Ilir Ikonomi | New York Wednesday, 16 June 2010

A renowned scholar of Albanians in Albania means that there is a serious political class, but two groups that fight each other. In an interview with Voice of America, Professor Sami Repishti spoke on the relations between Albania and Kosovo and the issue of the massacre of Bar, which is the subject of discussion in the U.S. again.

Voice of America: What do you think about the tough political fight that takes place today in the U.S.?
Sami Repishti: My impression is that we have a serious political class in. In Albania there are two groups that fight each other, two groups that either do not accept diversity within or are subject to the will of a president. Albania has the need for solidarity between all those who love the country. Can not be denied the right to love asnjeriu Albania. Only those who were convicted by trial or who have dyed their hands with blood are not allowed to speak, all others have the right to speak regardless of whether or not in power. The way political life is organized today in the U.S. divided into two groups, or the Democratic Party or the Socialist Party, in my opinion is wrong. There are people who disagree even with the Democratic Party nor the Socialist Party, however, they are not given any opportunity to display their opinion because the political arena is occupied by the two parties. Today it's hard to say which party is better that mistake because they exclude any possibility of discussion or dialogue with the other side. Monologue time has gone. We live in a world with much variety and this should be reflected in Albanian politics. In Albania there is no consensus politics, there is only hatred and contempt. Language used in political discussion is so low as blushing. I am very concerned by the image that is today Albania projects abroad.

Voice of America: But to some extent could not be a successful policy of Albania Albanian membership in NATO?
Sami Repishti: Albania's entry into NATO is not the policy of Albania merit in itself but a process impartible. Albania is part of Europe and inadvertently we intentionally enter into Europe, even if the Albanians do not want to say Europe. Albanians have entered NATO because they have an important geographical position and of course they will follow the rules of NATO, will implement all the commitments and will have the benefits of NATO. But to say that Albania's NATO entry is deserving of this or that political group, it is exaggerated.

Voice of America: Is there a serious interest for Kosovo from Albania?
Sami Repishti: Often times, significant events in Kosovo are not declared in Albania or Albania has not taken a position assigned to them until they are pronounced the great powers. I think this is a great lack of Albanian politics. Albania should play a positive role, the role of leadership in international public opinion on the issue of interest Kosovës.Mungesa Albania to Kosovo shows that when the political situation in Albania is not egërsohet and political parties do not need to use the element then the problem of Kosovo Kosovo almost silent in. But as create a political situation in Albania infuriating, in order to avoid criticism or to mislead the public interest for one or the other Albanian political parties, then the murder of Kosovo. I believe this is wrong.

If the government of Albania will have had a really serious purpose to the Kosovo problem, they should have established an institute for early studies on Kosovo. This institute should have been done by researchers regardless of political affiliation, the elements that recognize Kosovo's status and history, by people who understand international developments in Europe and the world. And they would have been as guidance for the Albanian government.

Voice of America: The U.S. has come up on stage again the issue of the Bar where the massacre of many Kosovar Albanians killed by Serb forces at the end of World War II. Why the U.S. policy is reacting so late?
Sami Repishti: This is again a matter of negligence of government in Kosovo. The issue of the Bar should be followed in 1992, when the Democratic Party came to power. Bar Not only but also other massacres that have been made in Kosovo. This would give up the development of many events in Kosovo, but also public opinion to understand the problem of Kosovo because Serb oppression in Kosovo not only focuses on the years 1988-99. The world must be clarified. These are old things thrown on stage but as points of discussion each time they are squares for the troubled political situation in Albania. This is unfair.

Voice of America: Is the Albanian state has had opportunities to investigate the massacre, for example to open certain files?
Sami Repishti: The Albanian Government is in a position that has developed its own hands. Investigation of crimes are not even in Albania itself. There are only individual stories or articles here and there to any who has had the courage to write a book. How can you talk of war in Kosovo when talking about crimes that have been made in Albania? This should be done regularly. Crime in Albania should be noted, as well as those in Kosovo, the issue would be clarified with time and the world should be advising him. There is still a case, when Albania was created in 1912 and so far, the Albanian government has officially supported Kosovo. All have played an opportunistic policy, keeping good with Serbia to Greece or Italy. Kosovo problem is only set up in Albania for political gain.

Voice of America: The U.S. idea that has been laid last communist president Ramiz Alia should know about the issue of the Bar. Should he be investigated?
Sami Repishti: Ramiz Alia is able to know more than we know because he was divisional commissar in Yugoslavia and has been more or less informed. I do not believe that Alia has known all the massacres that have made the Serbs. Bar is just one of them but there have been massacres in Kosovo. He has kept your mouth closed and have to kill conscience, but do not believe that he could know everything.

Young Albanian Scholar Reps US at Symposium

It was brought to my attention that this remarkable young Albanian-born woman will represent New England because of her outstanding academic credentials and impressive worldly accomplishments. Bravo Mirjola!

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Dot scholar, 21, bound for Taiwan; will be N.E. representative at Global Initiatives session

By
Jonathan Rodriguez, Special to the Reporter
Jun. 24, 2010

Think globally, act locally. This is the message that Dorchester resident Mirjola Adhami will be bringing to the Global Initiatives Symposium in Taiwan next month. Adhami, 21, will be representing New England at the gathering, an honor bestowed on her by U.S. Sen. John Kerry for her outstanding academic achievements.

Adhami, who was chosen out of thousands of applicants, seems cut out for the job as an international delegate. Born and raised in Albania, she moved to the U.S. at age 13 and has adapted well to American culture. She is fluent in English, Albanian, and Italian. She was the valedictorian of her Boston high school, Another Course to College. Now, Adhami — who lives with her family in the neighborhood’s Polish Triangle section — is entering her senior year at Tufts University with a double major in International Relations and Economics.

The symposium invites delegates from across the world to develop new environmental and cultural strategies, for both emerging and developed nations, that can be used to efficiently manage natural resources.

Her global experience is not limited to her adolescent life abroad and the pages of her textbooks. Adhami has been a student of the world for some time. She taught English in a Tibetan village before arriving at Tufts. She also spent last summer studying in Switzerland. On top of these experiences, this past spring semester found her studying business and economics abroad in Hong Kong.

With such a résumé it is no wonder that she was asked to apply for the symposium. Her accomplishments were noticed by Kerry’s office after she had applied to a peace conference that was to be held in Kentucky. A few months later Adhami was accepted by the Republic of China as a delegate.

The symposium in Taiwan focuses on the problems that emerging countries are facing during stages of rapid industrialization. The delegates will work on three major topics: how to properly manage natural resources; the adoption of green technology by emerging countries; and the cultural diffusion of developing nations into developed ones.

It is the latter that Adhami is most interested in, and based on her background and studies, it is no surprise. “It sounds cliché,” says Adhami on what motivates her, “but I do want to help people.” With her eyes set on law school and her feet in so many doors, she seems destined to do just that.

There seems to be on end in sight to help ameliorate or otherwise resolve the long, bitter, ongoing political conflict between Rama and Berisha in Albania. Read on...

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Albania Opposition Threatens Boycott, Protests
| 01 July 2010 |

Opposition leader Edi RamaOpposition Socialist MPs in Albania have said they plan to withdraw consensus on all votes in parliament that require more than a simple majority, and they have threatened to hold new street protests in September.

The decision by the Socialist opposition, which holds 65 out of the 140 seats in parliament, was announced on Wednesday. It comes after the party ended its nine month boycott of parliament on May 24 following the initiation of EU-sponsored talks to resolve the country's political crisis.

The talks have not yet yielded any concrete results, but the parliament had largely returned to normal following the nomination by the Socialist opposition of a deputy speaker and committee members.

Albania has faced political deadlock since the country's June 2009 parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Sali Berisha from the ruling Democratic Party and opposition leader Edi Rama of the Socialists have been locked in a stalemate over the results of the elections, which Berisha's party narrowly won.
Berisha and Rama have so far failed to agree on the powers of a parliamentary commission set to investigate alleged irregularities in the parliamentary ballot held on June 28, 2009.

While the Socialists seek a recount of the ballots, claiming that the government’s alleged fraud was to blame for their