OCTOBER 2009
Ambassador John L. Withers Connects with School Kids at the American Corner
On October 29, Ambassador John Withers reached the hearts and minds of 34 elementary school kids with…cartoons. Dealing with the lives of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, the cartoons gave the Ambassador a platform for discussing the importance of holding onto dreams and working hard to achieve them. He also answered questions about his favorite U.S. city, favorite food, and views of Albania. The event took place in American Corner Tirana and was covered by local media.
Weekly Eco-Gram: The White House Harvest
First Lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by children from a local elementary school, harvested enormous sweet potatoes, lettuce, carrots, and fennel from the White House Garden on October 29. About 740 pounds of food have been collected so far from the garden, which cost $200 to plant. The same children who participated in the harvest also helped with the spring planting and summer care of the garden. The White House Garden is part of a larger Obama Administration initiative to encourage both nutritious eating habits among kids and adults, and also community involvement in creating such green spaces nation-wide.
USAID Conference Highlights Need for Policies, Program for Women in Albania
Women’s rights activists, local and central government officials, and business women, met this week at a national conference in Tirana on “Empowering Women in Albania: A Strategy for Inclusive Development.” The conference was supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and organized by Refleksione, an Albanian women's organization based in Tirana. In her remarks at the conference, USAID Mission Director, Roberta Mahoney encouraged the government to devote more human and financial resources to support programs and institutions for women. The President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Bamir Topi, also delivered remarks calling for the elimination of gender-based inequality as an effective and key strategy for Albania’s progress towards EU integration. Participants discussed strategies for transforming recent laws and documents into concrete actions that would benefit women and girls throughout Albania and would enable them to make their contribution to a more prosperous society.
U.S. Embassy Honors Slain Police Officers
On October 26, the Albanian State Police, with assistance from ICITAP, organized a memorial ceremony to honor police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty. U.S. Ambassador John Withers presented four memorial boxes provided by the International Association of Police Chiefs to the families of the officers who gave their lives in Durres on August 7, 2009, while attempting to apprehend one of the country’s most wanted criminals. Since March of 1991, when Albania held its first multi-party elections, 238 police officers have died in the line of duty.
U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report, ALBANIA
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion.
The Government generally respected religious freedom in practice. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the Government during the reporting period.
There were no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom with the Government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights. (full report)
Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Withers Conference on Integrity (October 23, 2009)
I am honored in the presence of President Moisiu, President Meidani, Justice Kondi, and my dear friend Roger Sherrard and his gracious wife Katoo. The concept of having a conference on integrity is both simple and profound. It seems such an obvious concept, not only for Albania for any place in the world. As Einstein said, the best ideas are the simplest. And the simplest are often the works of genius. Integrity is a word we often hear but can be at times difficult to define. (full remarks)
Synopsis – Upcoming Solicitation for Health Insurance Services for Locally Employes Staff, U.S. Embassy, Tirana, Albania
Locally Employed Staff Health Insurance Services, U.S. Embassy, Tirana, Albania
Document Type: Pre-solicitation Notice
Solicitation Number: SAL600-10-R-0009
Description: (Please note that this solicitation is not ready to be issued as of this date.) The Embassy of the United States in Tirana, Albania, will issue a solicitation for health insurance services for locally employed staff. The estimated quantity is anticipated to be insurance coverage for approximately 386 locally employed staff and approximately 700 dependents.
The Contractor shall reimburse covered medical expenses incurred, subject to the stated limits. Payment will be made for reasonable and customary costs for covered benefits. The medical treatment must be prescribed or provided by a physician or nurse licensed in Albania, the United States, or in the country in which the treatment or prescription is received.
These requirements may change depending on funding availability in forthcoming periods. Anticipated performance is for one base year period and four one-year periods at the option of the Government.
All responsible sources may submit an offer, which shall be considered. The Government plans to issue the solicitation in November 2009.
Again, this solicitation will be issued electronically, via email, to interested responsible sources upon request to David A. Scott, email scottda@state.gov. No paper copies will be mailed.
U.S. Embassy Funds Renovation of the Health Center in Bregu i Lumit, District of Shkodër
On October 15, the US Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) LTC Martin Perryman, joined local authorities in a dedication ceremony marking the completion of renovations of the Health Unit in Bregu i Lumit, District of Shkodra.
The United States European Command, through the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation, renovated the Health Center in Bregu i Lumit, District of Shkodër at a cost of $450,000.00. This renovation was made possible through ODC Humanitarian Assistance funds. Renovation of the Health Center is as a part of an integrated approach to promote a sustainable health care system in Albania.
The renovation provided the Health Center with a new roof, interior and exterior walls and floors. Inside the building, ceramic tiling flooring as well as new restroom facilities were completely renovated. The project will provide the Albanian people in the Bregu I Lumit area access to improved medical care.
The United States Office of Defense Cooperation has been providing humanitarian assistance to Albania since 1999. Projects have included providing supplies, rebuilding schools and medical facilities, and developing water systems for the people of Albania.
Albanian Health Community Celebrates Achievements of USAID Health Program
The results of a six-year effort to develop Albania’s primary health care system were presented to over 120 experts, practitioners, and government officials at a conference held this week in Tirana. Albania’s Minister of Health, Petri Vasili, and U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers, II delivered remarks celebrating this achievement. In his remarks, Ambassador Wither’s referred to President Obama’s announcement in May of the $63 billion Global Health Initiative which calls for an integrated approach to fighting diseases, improving health, and strengthening health systems. Through USAID’s program, and in cooperation with several Albanian health authorities, Albania now has standardized health care delivery, financing, and information collection and processing, all necessary features of a fully-integrated primary health care system. Today, health centers across the Albania are using the new health information system developed and funded through the USAID health project, operate as financially autonomous bodies, and are staffed by doctors and nurses qualified to deliver a basic package of primary health care services and can respond to major public health threats such as Pandemic Influenza and HIV/AIDS.
U.S. European Command Donates Medical Supplies and Equipment to the Regional Health Center in Këlcyrë, District of Përmet
The United States European Command, through the U.S. Embassy’s Office of Defense Cooperation, delivered $59,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies to the Regional Health Center in Këlcyrë, District of Përmet on October 9, 2009. This health center serves a population of 12,000 inhabitants living in this area. This donation aims to improve the quality of health care service given to the people of Albania.
The United States Office of Defense Cooperation has been providing humanitarian assistance to Albania since 1999. Projects have included providing supplies, rebuilding schools and medical facilities, and developing water systems for the people of Albania.
President Barak Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Prize Committee announced October 9 that the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is U.S. President Barack Obama for his calls to reduce the world's stockpile of nuclear weapons and working for world peace. The first African-American to hold our country's highest office, President Obama has called for disarmament and worked to restart the stalled Middle East peace process since taking office in January. The Nobel Prize Committee praised the President "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Congratulations President Obama!
Public Affairs (PAS) Conducts Media Workshop for LGBT Activists
Concluding a week of activities designed to highlight the lack of full human rights for LGBT people in Albania, and assist the LGBT community to fight discrimination and promote visibility, the Public Affairs Office organized a media workshop for activists from the Albanian Gay-Straight Alliance Against LGBT Discrimination. PAS staff, along with U.S. Speaker Elaine Noble, a gay rights activist pioneer in the U.S., discussed effective media strategies in an environment where it is very difficult to be openly gay or lesbian. Afterwards, one activist said: “I feel so inspired from all the things that have happened these days…I have forgotten the strong taste of loneliness and fear that have been with me all my life.”
U.S. Embassy Supports Human Rights for All
In an event organized by the Public Affairs Section for the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) community, Ambassador Withers introduced a screening of the film, “Milk,” followed by a panel discussion of the themes raised in the movie. The film depicts the experiences of Harvey Milk, an openly gay man who organized San Francisco’s gay community in the 1970s to resist societal prejudice and mistreatment. Milk later won public office as a San Francisco City Supervisor. Panelists who discussed the film included U.S. Speaker Elaine Noble, the first openly gay/lesbian person to be elected to office in the U.S., as well as embassy community member Dr. Mindy Michels, human rights activist Elsa Ballauri, and Ambassador Withers. The film screening was an opportunity to lend embassy support for full civil and human rights to Albania’s still-hidden gay community.
Ambassador
Embassy Events
September_2009
