VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTI #0555 2061533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241533Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7283

UNCLAS TIRANA 000555 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: PGOV AL
SUBJECT:  Albania Shuffles Ministers 
 
¶1. (SBU) After several months of media speculation, Prime Minister 
Berisha on July 23 submitted the following proposed changes to his 
cabinet to President Topi for approval: 
 
-- Education Minister Genc Pollo, head of the New Democracy Party, 
will become Deputy Prime Minister. 
 
-- Deputy Speaker of Parliament Fatos Beja, Democratic Party, will 
become Minister of Education. 
 
-- Anila Godo, daughter of Honorary Chairman of the Republican Party 
Sabri Godo, but with no current political position, will become 
Minister of Health. 
 
COMMENT:  These changes seem to be no more than Berisha's attempt to 
satisfy some of his coalition partners and to put himself and his 
party in the most advantageous position for the 2009 elections.  We 
have no reason to believe that the changes to the cabinet will have 
any effect on Albania's continued, pro-US foreign policy.  End 
Comment 
 
¶2. (SBU) Pollo, an ally whose party has been losing influence, will 
be elevated in political stature as Deputy PM.  Beja, who is chair 
of the Parliament's Laws Committee, allegedly supported Berisha's 
clash with Topi by denying all six of Topi's High Court justice 
nominees.  Demo-Christian Party leader Health Minister Nard Ndoka, 
on the other hand, has been gaining power and opposing Berisha, 
leading the PM allegedly to orchestrate behind-the-scenes moves to 
undermine his party leadership.  Although the Republican Party, 
headed by former Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu, has been a loyal 
Berisha supporter, Mediu's resignation in the wake of the Gerdec 
tragedy and the looming investigation into his involvement has 
weakened the party and caused it considerable embarrassment. 
Although Godo has no previous political experience, she has no 
political baggage or enemies, and is linked to the PR through her 
father. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Brief bios of the nominees: 
 
Fatos Beja - Beja was born in 1948 and earned a Doctorate in 
Philosophy at Tirana University in 1970.  Prior to entering 
politics, he worked in academia at the Institute of Literature, 
Language and Science Academy.  He was President Berisha's Diplomatic 
Advisor before being elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1996. 
He is a member of the Democratic Party (DP) chairmanship and has 
been DP Secretary for Human Rights. This is his third term as an MP. 
 He is one of two Deputy Speakers of Parliament. 
 
Anila Godo - Daughter of PR Honorary Chairman Sabri Godo; 
pediatrician by profession. 
 
Genc Pollo - Genc Pollo was born in 1963 in Tirana.  He graduated 
with a degree in History from the University of Tirana in 1986. 
From 1986 -1988, he was a researcher with the Academy of Science. 
He completed advanced postgraduate studies at Vienna University 
(1998-1990). 
 
Mr. Pollo began his political career in 1990 as one of the founders 
of the Democratic Party (DP).  In February 1996, he was appointed 
foreign relations secretary of the DP and in April 1996 became the 
party's Secretary General.  Previously, Pollo served as adviser to 
the Albanian President (1992-96). 
 
In 1996, Pollo was elected Member of Parliament where he served as 
deputy chairman of Integration Commission and later as chairman of 
Foreign Affairs Commission. He was re-elected in 1997, when he was 
also elected Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party.  He served at 
the same time as Chairman of the DP Parliamentary Group. 
 
In 1999, Pollo challenged Sali Berisha at the DP Congress for the 
position of DP chair.  Upon losing, he left the DP and created the 
New Democrat Party, which he currently chairs.  (The Party is a 
small member of the governing coalition.) 
 
Genc Pollo was one of the founders of the Albanian Atlantic 
Association and from 1993-2004 he served as its vice President.  He 
speaks English, German, French and Italian. 
 
WITHERS