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PRESS RELEASE
GREEK HELSINKI
MONITOR & MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE
CONTROVERSIAL
ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON HIMARA ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA
16/9/00
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GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR
(GHM)
MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE
P.O. Box 60820, GR-15304 Glyka Nera, Greece
Tel. +30-1-347.22.59; Fax +30-1-601.87.60
e-mail: office@greekhelsinki.gr Web Page:
http://www.greekhelsinki.gr
16/10/00
CONTROVERSIAL
ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE STATEMENT ON HIMARA ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA
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Greek Helsinki Monitor distributes the statement as all previously
ones issued by the Albanian Helsinki Committee, although it finds it
not correctly reflecting the situation in Himara. More specificslly,
it does not also address undisputable facts like the documented
anti-Greek hate speech before the elections and the serious
allegations of elections violations made by the Human Rights Party
candidate in Himara. While its reference to the education issue is
reflecting the state policy more than the universal principles of
equal treatment of minorities within one country, irrespective of
their territorial location.
Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group - Greece will bring
before the OSCE Implementation Meeting starting tomorrow in Warsaw the
issue of the Himara elections, that has indeed created an unfortunate
yet serious rift in Greek-Albanian relations somewhat reminiscent of
the "Omonoia trial" crisis in 1994.
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KOMITETI SHQIPTAR I HELSINKIT
ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE
<?/bigger><?/bigger>RR. Sami Frashëri, Pall.
20/1, Hyrja B, Ap. 21, Tirana - ALBANIA
Tel-Fax: ++ 355 42 336 71/40891 e-mail: helsinki@ngo.org.al
AN UNWANTED INCIDENT WHICH SHOULD NOT INFRINGE THE
FRIENDLY COEXISTENCE WITH THE MINORITY POPULATION
During the electoral campaign an unwanted incident suddenly happened
which was in opposition to the general spirit characterizing the
second round of elections.
The electoral competition of Himara municipality served as a cause for
this which took disproportional dimensions compared to a number of
localities with an inconsiderable population. Efforts overpassing the
objectives of the elections were made and this case was taken
advantage of in order to return to some goals and prejudices of the
ancient times.
Perhaps in some declarations of some parties some high emotional tones
should have been avoided. But the atmosphere was flared up severely by
the reactions of certain Greek circles. Some declarations with
threatening tones were addressed to the Albanian government.
Elementary regulations of the relations, which have been characterized
by a close cooperation between the two states, were openly violated.
Many Greek parliamentarians, journalists as well as diplomats without
having the status of observers arrived in Himara and observed the
electoral process. They did not hesitate to make propaganda in favor
of one party thus violating the Electoral Code. However, this has not
compromised the voting process which according to many observers have
been developed under normal circumstances.
The AHC has followed with special interest the minority issue in
Albania, the general situation of which is evaluated positively and
this opinion is expressed by the respective international
organizations. The AHC's monitors have been sent time after time to
the whole southern part in order to follow closely the developments of
the events as well as to identify eventual problems.
Our monitors not long ago than this spring have been in the region of
Himara and the findings were not new. The majority of the population
of this region is Albanian, there are, however, ethnic Greek elements.
The whole region is inhabited by an autochthon Albanian population.
The only issue that has been raised in these cases has been that of
teaching Greek as a foreign language in order to take advantage of the
facilities, which the knowledge of this language offers, for trade and
economical relations with Greek partners.
Taking into account the above, the AHC expresses its regret for such
an incident. This Committee believes that this will remain as an
isolated episode, which will be overcome by a spirit of understanding
and respective tolerance. This incident should never influence
negatively the position of the minority in Albania and will never
infringe the firmly established traditions of a friendly coexistence
with the minority population, which is a very important achievement of
the Albanian society.
16.10.2000
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