Statement by U.S. Ambassador John Withers on Albanian Parliamentary Elections
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Albania on yesterday's Parliamentary vote and to offer my praise for elections that, overall, were well-regulated and calm. We now await the completion of the vote count and the official tabulation of the results in the same orderly manner.
The International Election Monitoring Mission has produced a thoughtful and objective preliminary report that characterizes these elections as an improvement over past practices, but that also expresses concern over remaining flaws in the process. I concur with these findings and urge the Albanian authorities to build on yesterday's success to meet higher, more demanding international standards on future occasions.
Again, I commend the people of Albania on yesterday's strong showing and offer my best wishes for the future.
Ambassador and Albanian President Topi Urge Albanians to Vote
On June 28, Ambassador Withers met with Albanian President Topi and Ambassador Bosch of the OSCE. The three discussed Election Day and how encouraging it was to see Albanians actively participate in their democracy by voting. The Ambassador urged Albanian citizens to vote and reminded everyone of the importance of the day not only for them, but for the future of Albanian children.
Ambassador Urges Albanians to Vote on June 28
On June 24, Ambassador John L. Withers participated in a ceremony where monitors from the two Albanian NGOs, ECA (Elections to Conduct Agency) and KRIIK that will carry out the Parallel Vote Tabulation were accredited. OSCE Ambassador Bosch and CEC Chairman Ristani also participated at the ceremony. Ambassador Withers highlighted the importance of the first parallel vote count ever to be conducted in an Albanian parliamentary election project, saying, “As elections monitors, I believe that you understand the role that civil society must play in these elections. You understand that public acceptance of results depends on a process seen as transparent, free, and fair.” Withers expressed U.S. government's support for a free and democratic process and encouraged all the Albanian citizens to exercise the most cherished of all civil rights - the right to vote. (full remarks)
CDR. Moore: “The alliance and friendship between our countries is very strong”
American Defense Attaché CDR. Brian Moore gave a farewell interview for the Ministry of Defense official newspaper Ushtria. CDR Moore highlighted the positive reforms that Albania has accomplished in the military field and expressed his happiness to have been in the country during Albania’s NATO invitation and membership. Asked about his impressions of Albania, CDR Moore was quoted as saying, “I think Albanians are the most gracious people. I’m sad that I have to leave Albania but Albania will never leave our hearts.” On the country’s future collaboration, CDR Moore said that U.S. and Albania will continue to work side by side, for all those who want to live in peace and harmony.
Peace Corps Volunteer in Kukes leads students to leadership and intercultural exchange in UK
Through a grant from the European Commission and generous financial support from the US Embassy Public Affairs Office, Albanian secondary school teacher Aurora Haxhiu and Peace Corps Volunteer Tienmu Ma of Kukës successfully led 10 students from northeast Albania in an 11-day leadership and intercultural exchange held in the United Kingdom. The exchange was made possible by the European Commission's Youth in Action Program and was held at Green Templeton College of the University of Oxford. Along with 12 British youth, Albanian participants participated in seminars, presentations, and cultural events designed to broaden their cultural horizons and to enable them to serve their communities more effectively through activism and volunteer projects. The students from Kukes will share their experience on the leadership course with other students from several high schools in the region by organizing summer workshops and roundtables at the American Corner in Kukes.
Ambassador Meets Gold Medal of Honor Honorees
On June 24, Ambassador Withers met with a group of persons persecuted by the communist regime. They were awarded a Gold Medal of Honor by Albanian President Topi for their role in the movement against communism. During this meeting they discussed their contributions that led to the fall of the communist regime in Albania. The highlight of the discussion was the importance of documenting these testimonies as an important part of the Albanian history.
Future English Teachers Meet America
On June 24th a group of English Language students from the Foreign Languages Faculty in Tirana visited the Embassy as part of the Meet America program. They met with Public Affairs Officer Bix Aliu who talked to them about the Embassy’s activities as well as gave them an oversight regarding the U.S. Education system; the Political and Economical Chief Paul Poletes who talked about the bilateral relations between Albania and the United States and answered student’s questions. Ambassador Withers met with the students and welcomed them to the Embassy. He talked to them about his job as an Ambassador and answered their questions about his experience as a teacher once and advised them to always do their job with care and dedication. Ambassador Withers answered questions about the upcoming elections and he told the students how they are the future of Albania and the young leaders of the Albanian society.
Albanian Farmers Become Suppliers of the World’s Largest Food Retailer
Last week, with USAID assistance, a group of progressive farmers led by Bruka Seedling Company has supplied seedless personal-size watermelons to ASDA Supermarkets, the British subsidiary of Wall Mart; the world’s largest food retail chain. USAID sponsored a group of journalist from Albania's leading print and television stations to cover the preparation of the shipment. Journalist met with farmers to learn about how the project has trained them to grow crops to meet European standards requirements and had interviews with the exporter, project managers, and USAID's Mission Director, Roberta Mahoney. The media trip is the second organized by USAID/Albania to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of USAID assistance on the Albanian communities and citizens.
Members of Permeti Girl's Basketball Team Meet America
On June 22, the Permet Girl's Basketball Team visited the Embassy as part of the “Meet America” program. The team met with the Ambassador and discussed their passion for basketball and the challenges they face due to a lack of funding. A women’s basketball fan himself, the Ambassador told the team about his favorite women’s basketball team in the United States - the University of Connecticut Lady Huskies. The girls invited the Ambassador to Permet to see them play and he promised a visit. The Ambassador then told the girls that the Public Affairs Office will also be sponsoring a trip for members of the team to attend a basketball summer camp in Montenegro where two representatives from Georgetown University’s basketball program will teach the girls new techniques. At the end of the visit, the Ambassador announced that he now has two favorite basketball teams, the UCONN Lady Huskies and the girls from Permet.
Weekly Eco-Gram -- Great Outdoors Month
With the end of June fast approaching, U.S. Embassy Tirana would like to encourage everyone to take advantage of the remainder of Great Outdoors Month. On June 1st, 2009, President Obama formally decreed the month of June to be known as Great Outdoors Month. Whether it is a visit to the beach, a walk in a park, or a trip up to the mountains, take advantage of the abundant natural beauty that is found throughout Albania and spend some time enjoying Great Outdoors Month. (more)
Ambassador Withers Meets Albanian Artist Ndoc Tusha
Ambassador Withers opened a special exhibit of Albanian Artist Ndoc Tusha at the U.S. Embassy on June 22. As part of the Embassy Exhibit series, the exhibit reflects Mr. Tusha’s work over the past 40 yrs. All of the pieces are unique – crafted in straw collected in Albania. Mr. Tusha has exhibited in Europe and New Zealand, however, this is the first time Mr. Tusha has exhibited at the embassy.
Speakers Bureau Addresses to the Forum for Democracy and Ethics
On June 19, as part of the Embassy’s Speakers Bureau program, Dr. Maryruth Coleman addressed the members of the Forum for Democracy and Ethics. The group consist of academics, members of political parties, professors and students, young civil society activists and media representatives. Dr. Coleman spoke about the qualities that make leaders grasp challenges and bring change and cited President Obama as an example. Dr. Coleman noted that “President Obama offers Americans a vision of finding practical solutions for problems that would build on bipartisan support and on the essential values of the American people. We will see him implementing broad-ranging changes. ” A lively Q & A session followed her presentation.
Annual U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report 2009
U.S Embassy Tirana Announces the New Speaker's Bureau Program
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