VZCZCXRO5012
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHTI #0821/01 3580944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240944Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8699
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000821 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KCRM KTIP AL
SUBJECT: Tirana Impressions 
 
TIRANA 00000821  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  The following is a weekly report prepared by Embassy Tirana's 
local staff to provide political and economic context and insight 
into developments in Albania. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
ALBANIA'S POLITICAL VOCABULARY: A NATIONAL SHAME 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶2.  In recent weeks, the homes of Albanians were invaded via their 
TVs by rivers of foul language and harsh tones coming from both 
sides of the political spectrum.  It happened gradually, day by day, 
person after person.  It started from the very mouth of the 
country's Prime Minister and continued with the country's opposition 
leader, and it was diligently pursued by high level officials of 
both sides upon specific instructions from the top.  The enduring 
shock of every single Albanian citizen, including our Embassy staff, 
gave birth to the idea of collecting a few choice words from the 
endless terminology used.  Although these words have been aired over 
and over again for consecutive days, the very writer of these lines 
was so dismayed by the process that he had to leave it with only the 
below two paragraphs. 
 
¶3.  Terms used by PM Berisha and the ruling Democratic Party to 
refer to the Socialist Party and SP Chairman Edi Rama: "We will use 
the pincers of the law to pull out the teeth" (of the opposition), 
Mafiosi; leader of the cupola of Albanian Mafia; goat-head; the last 
castle of corruption; wife beater. 
 
¶4.  (U) Terms used by Edi Rama and others in the Socialist Party to 
refer to PM Berisha and members of the Democratic Party: "We will 
use our fist to break the teeth (of the GOA) one by one"; Greedy and 
ignorant; liar; rooster strutting on top of a pile manure; Albanian 
Duce; Stalin; tyrant; clown man; a pervert prime minister; mentally 
incapable; Enver Hoxha's most distinguished hunting-dog;  pitiable 
ballot thief. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
REDOUBLING EFFORTS OR ADMITTING DEFEAT? 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Last week, on the grounds of combating trafficking and fighting 
the mafia, the Council of Ministers extended for another three years 
a moratorium on speedboats and small motorized vessels along 
Albania's coast.  Following the approval of the draft, Prime 
Minister Berisha said that these small and fast vessels have nothing 
in common with tourism, but are entirely an industry of the mafia 
and trafficking, and if need be the ban would be "extended 
indefinitely as long as we remain in power."  The decision to extend 
the moratorium for three more years has been controversial, and many 
critics have voiced their concerns regarding its constitutionality 
(claiming an infringement of human rights,) impact on tourism, and 
the image of Albania as a NATO member country and aspiring the EU 
candidate member status. 
 
¶6.  In April 2006, in an attempt to curb trafficking and improve 
Albania's tarnished image, the Government of Albania (GOA) approved 
a three-year term ban on speed boats and other small, motorized 
water craft along the coastline.  At the time, and despite 
resistance by stakeholders and the opposition, the moratorium was 
generally encouraged by average citizens on the grounds that it 
would provide the government time to build the necessary 
infrastructure and improve capacities to fight trafficking of human 
beings and smuggling of goods, and contribute in Albania's 
integration to Euro-Atlantic structures.  The decision was also 
praised by foreign governments, particularly Italy, which considered 
the decision a positive sign.  To some extent, since Albania lacked 
the necessary capacities and infrastructure for its coastguard to 
effectively patrol the entire coastline and territorial waters, it 
was agreed that Albania had to pay the price of a total ban on 
certain types of boats as it sought more liberal visa arrangements 
with the EU. 
 
¶7.  Today, more than three and one half years later, when most were 
expecting the moratorium to be revoked and the Albanian government 
to demonstrate that it was ready and prepared to fight trafficking, 
the government instead admitted defeat.  It admits that in more than 
three and one half years it was not able to improve its capacities 
in fighting trafficking along the coast, and, furthermore that it is 
ready to again infringe upon the constitution and human rights of 
its people just to show willingness to fight trafficking.  We all 
are aware that those measures should be temporary and do not put an 
end to trafficking, which has continued along other routes.  It is 
time to address the issue once and for all, and patches here and 
there should be a thing of the past.  The decision comes at a time 
when the GOA is working to meet EU requirements for visa 
liberalization, and has promised to achieve this by mid 2010. Let us 
hope that, if nothing else, the extension of the speedboat ban will 
serve to convince the EU to approve the visa free regime. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
DEBATES OVER HIGHER EDUCATION IN ALBANIA 
 
TIRANA 00000821  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  A public and open debate has recently emerged about higher 
education in Albania.  Topics of discussion have encompassed the 
Bologna process, higher education law (Law No. 9832), and the 
autonomy of universities.  The purpose of the Bologna Process is to 
create a European Higher Education Area, and is based on cooperation 
between ministries, higher education institutions, students and 
staff from 46 countries, with the participation of international 
organizations.  Albania signed the Bologna Declaration on September 
18, 2003, though discussions about the process had begun in 1999. 
What it entailed for Albanian education was: adoption of a system of 
easily readable and comparable degrees; a system based on three 
cycles (undergraduate, post-graduate, doctorate); establishment of a 
system of credits; promotion of mobility for students, academics and 
administrative staff; consolidation of financial autonomy; 
implementation of three cycle systems of studies following the 
scheme 3+2+3 (academic years), improving recognition and 
accreditation of foreign diplomas, etc. 
 
¶9.  Despite strides made in this process, the practice of Albanian 
universities is actually a blend of the French higher education law, 
the Italian practice of 22 subjects, and of course, the Albanian 
context.  The assortment of laws and various practices has not 
produced a smooth transition into a well functioning system. 
Nevertheless, there has been  progress, and the Ministry of 
Education now appears serious in its commitment to addressing some 
of these issues. 
 
----------------- 
Quote of the Week 
----------------- 
 
¶10.  "Albania was protected by chance, made by idealists and killed 
by politicians" - Faik Konica, one of the greatest figures of 
Albanian culture in the early decades of the twentieth century. 
 
JONES