DP resumes rally campaign against the Majko government Supporters: “Berisha-Rugova; Albania-Kosovo” DP resumes rally campaign against the Majko government Berisha: We will take over all the squares in the country Supporters: “Berisha-Rugova; Albania-Kosovo”

Diplomaticus In the current situation, and taking into account the direction in which the Kosovo crisis is moving, Albanian diplomacy should be more active. ...

LAZARAT TURN BACK! ONE-BY, ONE-BY...

be more active. Until now, it can be said that the main actors in foreign policy and diplomacy have played no more than the role of simple applauders of the steps taken by the USA, NATO and the other Western allies, as a result of which life has become increasingly difficult for Millosheviç and his regime. Specifically, Albania’s political leaders, although the Albanian issue has become the epicenter of international politics, do not appear to have put forward any ideas or options that could offer even minimal help to the “diplomacy of the great powers.” After the incident involving the missile mistakenly fired at the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, China, taking advantage of the opportunity, has greatly increased pressure on NATO and the USA, demanding concessions and, above all, an end to the bombing of Yugoslavia. At a moment like this, Tirana could take some step to make Beijing pause, if only for a moment, in its “anti-NATO” surge. Regardless of the scale of the effects that might follow, it should not seem such a great surprise if Tirana were to seek ties with Taivan, thereby imitating its other small Balkan neighbor, Macedonia. And the Macedonian experience showed that Skopje suffered no harm from establishing diplomatic relations with Taivan. China did indeed vote against extending the mandate of the UNPREDEP forces in Macedonia, but the 2,000 peacekeeping troops have now been replaced by a force numbering more than ten thousand. At a time when China is the most ardent defender of Millosheviç’s regime, surpassing even Zjuganov’s Russian communists, there is no reason for Albania to hesitate to build bridges with Taivan, going so far as to recognize it fully. Fearing the growing influence in our region of what Beijing considers to be part of its territory, it would be forced to make the necessary adjustments to its policy in the Balkans and, in particular, to its stance on the Kosovo problem.

Albania should establish diplomatic relations with Taivan Following the establishment of new diplomatic relations between Albania and several states that have maintained an indifferent stance on the Kosovo issue, or have sided with Serbia and against Kosovo, yesterday MP Nikollë Lesi called on the Albanian government to consider the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Taivan, even if this might arouse China’s jealousy. This diplomatic move would respond to China’s actions: not only did it allow Chinese protesters to attack our embassy in Beijing a few days ago, but China has also called for NATO to stop the bombing of Serbia, thereby taking a position against our national cause. With such a move, MP Lesi said, Albania would respond to China’s pro-Serbian interests in the Balkans, while also finding a way to attract millions of dollars in investment in Albania from Taivan. The neighboring state of Macedonia established diplomatic relations with Taivan several months ago, securing more than 1 billion dollars in investment. So why should Albania not benefit from this diplomatic opening, given that Taivan is at a point where it is seeking partners for relations, and not only economic ones? Last night, the Albania-Taivan Association was established by a group of Albanian MPs and intellectuals. They elected MP Neritan Ceka as chair and independent MP Nikollë Lesi as deputy chair. The association’s main aims are: 1—Encouraging the development of economic, cultural and political relations between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Taivan. 2—Promoting political contacts between the Albanian government and the government of Taivan in order to create the conditions for recognition of the Republic of Taivan and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 3—Promoting contacts between Albanian businesspeople and those of Taivan to pave the way for Taivani investments in Albania.