Ndreca writes to Hillary Clinton

Gjergj Ndreca, the former political prisoner whose name became noted after the violent reactions against the politicians, culminating with his attempt to a public self-immolation on 8 October 2012, in front of the hunger strike tent, is now optimist that the strike will reach its goal, although it’s on its 28th day and no one from the government is sitting to dialogue.

With several wounds in his face and body, Ndreca says that his hopes are on the international factor.

“With this support that we have had from all Albanians, inside and outside the country, and from the international factor, even if I die in front of you today, I will be the most honoured man”, ndreca declared.

The rebel striker declared that he sent a letter to the US State Secretary, Hillary Clinton, in which he writes that the current government passed a law in 2007 for the compensation of the political prisoners and has the obligation to fulfil it within 8 years. On the fifth year of its implementation, the government has fulfilled 18th of the obligation, and on this pace, the law will be implemented after 40 years, when none of us will be alive.

“The core of our requests is based on a essential defect of our society, the lack of law implementation. Our requests were ignored and instead of dialogue, we were treated like ordinary criminals. My act and that of my friend, Lirak Bejko, is not an act of desperate people, but of citizens who are determined to bring hope to a society that is tired of disappointment, corruption and the authoritarian regimes”.

Ndreca writes that in 1997, when Bill Clinton was President, the Prime Minister burned the entire country only because he didn’t accept to sit and dialogue with his opponents, and hear the advises of the United States for free and honest elections.

“A man who accepted to set Albania on fire for protecting his post, has no problem watching his citizens get burned for their rights”, Ndreca declared.

Optimist from what he considers a support from the international factor, Ndreca says that he is disappointed from the President, who gave the first and the last sign of a dialogue that never started.

“The president is that kind of man that would give 1 billion EUR to each of us, but he can’t decide on his own and he doesn’t even know why he has that post”, Ndreca declared.

Ndreca thanked his fellow strikers and declared that he is certain for the triumph of the strike that has continued for almost one month.

“I appeal all citizens! Even if we all die, it’s an honour for us and for the respect received by the Albanian brothers”, Ndreca declared.

Reeker: Government, dialogue with the former political prisoners

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Asia, Philip Reeker, appealed the Albanian authorities to start a dialogue and find a compromise for the hunger strike matter of the former political prisoners.

Reeker appealed the authorities and the strikers to not undertake steps that would damage their lives and that of others. He added that the situation must be resolved with dialogue and calmness.

“Both parties must not start personal and political attacks, which have shown that they escalate the situation and block the possibilities for dialogue”, declared Mr. Reeker. He made these comments during a press release in Washington about Western Balkans.

Reekers declared that Albania received a positive evaluation from the European Commission regarding the EU Candidate status, but this is only one step towards the EU membership, and the country must continue the reforms.

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