US warns on nationalistic rhetoric

14/02/2013 00:00

“We discussed our basic principles, since the US and Albania are NATO
allies. We emphasized one of the three basic principles, which is that
every NATO member should commit to have a functional and democratic
political system based on the market economy. The second principle is
the commitment for good relations with the neighbouring countries. The
third basic principle is the civil monitoring of military actions and
national security. This was a very productive discussion and the United
States is proud to be partners of Albania. We gladly look forward to
other communications of that kind”, declared the US Ambassador at the
Parliamentary Security Commission.

This declaration and his presence at the National Security Commission do not seem to be casual.

A few days ago the media outlets in Albania spoke about the existence of a confidential memo handed over to the Foreign Minister, Edmond Panariti, by the end of January 2013. The US Embassy was asked earlier by the Shqip Newspaper, but they did not comment on diplomatic exchanges.

Journalist Sokol Balla secured for Top Story the copy of a 2-page memo that is the strongest act of the American line against the political declarations with nationalistic tones.

For the first time and without equivocations, this document that will be partially published on Top Channel’s “Top Story” at 21:00, sheds light on the US concerns about the dangerous consequences of the Nationalist Rhetoric, consequences that start with the destabilization of the region, the relations with Serbia and that remove attention from the real problems in the country.

The serious warning was not welcomed by the Albanian government. A few days after this memo, the Albanian Prime Minister declared from the Security Conference in Munich that the Albanians live in five states, but they are not five nations.

“In the European map there is no other country surrounded by neighbours that have the same people, such as the Albanians. The Albanians are divided in five states and trying to divide them in five nations is not right. Albanophobia is in act. One speaks about European perspective and good neighbouring relations on one hand, but on the other celebrates dates on which persecutions against Albanians have started”, Berisha declared at the Munich meeting.

While the political elections are coming closer, this document that will be shown for the first time on Top Channel’s “Top Story” might shed some light on the question if America’s interest on Albania has changed its focus. Albania is a NATO member and with a pro-American population, but it has problems with the democratic institutions.

Will there be nationalism or free and honest elections? These questions might take an answer tonight, on Top Story.

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