VZCZCXRO5744
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBW RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTI #0399/01 1441604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDK
R 231604Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7111
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TIRANA 000399 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE 
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL AL
 
SUBJECT: THIS WEEK IN ALBANIA, MAY 17-23, 2008 
 
TIRANA 00000399  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) 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. 
 
---------------------- 
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
---------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) CHANGE, YES WE CAN: The newest Albanian political group, led 
by former civil society activist Erjon Veliaj, made its debut on 
Albania's public scene this week. Surrounded by hundreds of mostly 
young supporters, Veliaj said that the goal of the movement is not 
to create another traditional political party, but rather to 
establish a civic alliance among successful and well-respected 
regular citizens who want to revitalize Albania at this turning 
point in its democratic development.  The group's platform is 
founded on bringing together successful professionals and 
entrepreneurs who can lead the way toward new political values. 
"We're not a political party.  We're the non-party of non-voters," 
Veliaj said, claiming, "We want to talk about the right to dream and 
the courage to hope," rising beyond the failed expectations since 
the fall of communism 17 years ago. Refusing to be tied to a 
conventional label of right or left and pledging to do away with 
"the national sport of cynicism," Veliaj added that the mission is 
to bring Albania into the club of solidly well-functioning 
democracies. "To achieve this goal, Veliaj said, we have brought 
together some of the brightest minds in this country.  We will never 
promise what we cannot do, but we will keep every promise made. This 
is our New Covenant with Albania."  Asked to name his top 
priorities, Veliaj mentioned schools, hospitals, and Albanian 
emigrants' right to vote.  Asked to name his opponents, he answered: 
"the party of apathetic citizens and the governance of today." 
 
¶3.  (U) Veliaj often notes that he believes U.S. presidential 
hopeful Barack Obama is an example to follow and emulate.  While 
many in Albania don't notice the similarities, Veliaj's political 
discourse is saturated with Obama's themes.  Asked whether he 
considers his national challenge similar to Obama's, Veliaj rushed 
to answer: "Certainly - Change, change is our motto.  Obama is our 
story of inspiration."  Veliaj's personal story is strikingly 
similar to Obama's - raised without a father, he also began his 
public career with civic action, working to mobilize marginalized 
citizens.  Unlike the U.S. candidate, however, he has yet to prove 
his substance or skill as a political leader.  Veliaj has also never 
hidden his close association with SP Leader Edi Rama and their 
similar styles show in Veliaj's political parlance and demeanor. 
Many analysts have accused Veliaj of "style over substance," noting 
that he has yet to establish himself as a successful politician 
rather than community organizer.  Others perceive G99 as an avenue 
that exploits the split between Rama and his former coalition ally 
Ilir Meta (Chair of Albania's third-largest political party, the 
Movement for Socialist Integration, LSI).  Aside from any 
controversy, G99 represents a new development in Albania's political 
scene, the true impact of which will be judged by future successes. 
 
 
--------------------- 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS 
--------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) UNDER CONSTRUCTION! TRANSPORTATION WOES: The first thing 
that most newcomers to Tirana notice on their way in from the 
airport is the chaotic traffic of cars and pedestrians.  A series of 
connecting highways, town streets, sidewalks and bridges are 
currently under construction or being updated, creating a lack of 
proper signage, creative parking opportunities, and some interesting 
driving practices. 
 
¶5. (U) Tirana's Deputy Mayor recently emphasized that the future of 
Tirana is public transportation over private vehicles, and the 
municipality is striving to reduce the number of cars and level of 
pollution.  Even though the use of public transportation has risen 
over the years, its quality has not significantly improved.  The 
main mode of public transportation, the bus system, remains 
overcrowded and uncomfortable, lacking air conditioning in the 
summer months.  Rates are scheduled to increase by half at the 
beginning of next month.  Transportation may get more expensive for 
car owners too, as gas prices continue to rise. 
 
¶6.  (U) OIL TENDER MOVES FORWARD: The Ministry of Economy unsealed 
offers this week in the public bidding for a majority stake in the 
state-owned company ARMO, which produces and processes oil 
derivates.  Out of the 25 who had earlier expressed interest in 
buying ARMO, just four companies submitted bids to acquire an 85 
percent stake in the company.  The highest bid was submitted by a 
consortium including the U.S.-based refinery Associates of Texas and 
a local Albanian company, offering $200 million and pledging a 
further investment of $360 million over the next four years for 
 
TIRANA 00000399  002.3 OF 002 
 
 
rehabilitation and expansion. 
¶7.  (U) This offer was considerably higher than that of the 
remaining bidders, UK oil services company Petrofac, independent 
trader Vitol, and Czech-based Financial Group, Penta Investments. 
Albanian authorities will now consider the offers based on both 
price and investment and business plans before negotiating a 
contract with the top-ranking bidder.  However, the offer price will 
remain the main criterion for the ranking of bids. 
¶8.  (U) Many hope this is the first step towards a happy end for 
ARMO's privatization process, which has been plagued by problems. 
This was the second attempt to privatize ARMO following a failed 
2004 tender that did not reach the minimum price set by the 
Government at $15 million.  Clearly these are different times, as 
interest in oil projects has increased with the price of oil.  The 
government was delighted that the highest offer exceeded 
expectations, and was reported to be privately pleased with the 
outcome following rumors of a covert attempt to expand Russian 
influence through Albanian oil.  The tender was generally praised as 
transparent and fair, but not everybody was happy.  Members of the 
opposition had urged the government to postpone the procedure, 
arguing that ARMO could be sold at a higher price later if the surge 
in oil derivatives prices continues.  Albanians have a saying, "Good 
beginnings are indicative of a positive outcome," which we hope will 
be proven true in this case. 
 
-------------------- 
ALBANIAN PERCEPTIONS 
-------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) AMERICA - THE THRILL IS THERE: The following anecdote proves 
the popular saying, "Albanians are more pro-American than 
Americans."  An Albanian living in Austria since 1999, now an 
Austrian citizen, visited the U.S. in April and had the following to 
say:  "One thing left an extraordinary impression from America. 
Here, you feel a man like all others, no matter who you are.  You 
speak as you like.  All are friendly and courteous.  Police are very 
friendly.  My God, I told a cousin in New York one day, I feel like 
hugging all of them for how well-behaved and caring they are.  That 
won't happen in Europe.  Europe is very racist; I've grown wary of 
it.  America seems to belong to all.  I am enjoying the freedom of 
this place every day.  In short, I will go back with the best 
impressions of this country and I will always love it.  I promised 
myself to come here every year.  As you can see, I have fallen in 
love with this place, where man feels freer than in his own 
country." 
 
---------------- 
JOKE OF THE WEEK 
---------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) At G99's inaugural event this week, its leader Erion Veliaj 
broke the ice with this joke, a reference to his opinion of the 
level of trust in the government with Albanian property:  A 
businessman was trying to locate an on-street parking spot on 
Tirana's busy main road.  Finally, he parked his car right in front 
of the Prime Ministry, located conveniently next door to the popular 
hotel where his meeting was to be held.  Security guards approached 
him to say "Sir, you can't park here!  Remove your car!"  After a 
moment's thought he answered, "Thanks anyway, but I think it's safe. 
I just installed an anti-theft alarm system." 
 
WITHERS