ALBANIA'S ATLANTIC DREAM: NEAR OR FAR

AIM TIRANA, 20 JULY, 1999

Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko took advantage of a visit at the NATO's commanding centre (AFOR) based in Albania, in order to assure his compatriots that NATO's presence will be a permanent one, though he himself hasn't received from Brussels any official assurance if these troops would remain in Albania. NATO's troops staying or leaving probabilities makes up Albania's Atlantic dream. A dream which closely links this presence with a possible swift adherence to the Alliance.

Since the deployment of NATO troops in Kosovo in June 12, Albanians have hoped not only in the increase of Alliance military presence in the country, but also in the announcement of a membership date. An AFOR spokesperson gave the signal on June 30 that after the expire of troops humanitarian mandate, they would leave, causing a real shock in Albanian public and its policy as well, but at the same made clear to them the real situation. Albanian government found itself in an embarrassing situation, because one of its atu-s of governance was the setting up of a new link with NATO. The opposition took advantage of attacking the government in what has been its strongest point, accusing the ruling socialists as responsibile of Natoôs departure from Albania and as a result diminishing the chances of the adherence in the Alliance.

In an attempt to calm down the public and the policy, Albanian foreign minister hastily on July 2 tried to provide assurances that NATO'S troops presence in Albania will be a permanent one and categorically would be no departure from the country.

But Albania's government statements were not accompanied with same assurance from Nato's headquarters in Brussels or other foreign capital countries. In fact, in Clinton's message addressed to the Albanian people on June 21 was stated "we have to deploy more NATO troops in the country in order to support those who monitor the peace in Kosovo". While US state defence secretary William Cohen in a letter sent to Albanian Premier Majko on July in explaining the motifs of his visit cancellation, announced in advance, was evasive on the issue of NATO troops presence in Albania. The Atlantic Council in a meeting on July 19 in Brussels couldn't take a decision on the future of its troops in Albania.

The war in Kosovo and the commitments of NATO brought about the revival of the hope for a closer ties with NATO, going as far as the adherence. While entering the European Union Albanians are aware of overcoming many obstacles. The general opinion of adhering in the Alliance was that the war in Kosovo brushed away all obstacles. Putting at NATO's disposal its territory, air space and sea waters and the support of Nato's course in Kosovo crisis were considered as enough in meeting the adherence criteria. In backing up this image NATO has its share too, when at the climax of Kosovo crisis, May 20 stated that they were drafting planes to assist Albania and Macedonia to meet the Alliance adherence requires. Meanwhile German Chancellor Shroeder had pointed out in early May that Albania should be encouraged in its efforts for adherence to NATO and EU.

The end of war in kosovo and the entrance of NATO troops there boosted Albanians' expectations that the reward for the their readiness in assisting Nato troops in their military operation would come. Albania was the only country in the region that didn't hesitate in carrying out NATO orders, at a time when NATO member countries like Hungary, Czchec Republic or other candidate countries like Bulgaria, Macedonia and Romania showed signs of hesitations.

But the end of war in Kosovo and the departure of refugees brought about the reduction of NATO forces in Albania alongside the fading away of the Albanians Atlantic dream. Senior diplomats in Tirana say NATO hasn't decided yet what to do, while in relation with the membership issue, they don't talk. But they accept after the war in Kosovo, Albania's chances to adhere haven't been boosted. It is of significance that the commendations on Albania's readiness during Kosovo crisis have been high by Euro-Atlantic senior representatives and reached the peak with the evaluation from the chairman of joint chiefs of staff , General Shelton that Albania has been number one country of NATO's success in Kosovo. But not even him or other couldnôt go further.

It is unclear how four NATO member countries, with which Albania has signed Co-operation and Friendship treaties haven't taken the responsability of sponsoring Albania's adherence to NATO. Not even any powerful Nato country hasn't done this, when it is know that vigorous support within NATO for Bulgaria, Romania or even Macedonia exist.

Beyond the emotive character of NATO's need for Albanian territorial assistance during Kosovo crisis and the rewards granted to Albania, it clear that Tirana's government itself hasn't done or think to the required level in order to meet the parameters for adherance to the Alliance. Diplomats from NATO's member countries in Tirana openly say that the membership issue is not resting in Brussels, but in Tirana, concluding that it is Albanian government itself who should be the partner of country's stability and order.

Albania's government and its force incapability to protect refugee camps after the departure if AFOR forces, whom have build up the camps, certainly made a bad impression in Brussels. The resurfacing of collective plundering acts against the refugee camps, when within a week in July 8 camps were attacked and in Shkoder and Vlora towns arms were used, reopened Albanian file of NATO, not only the crime issue, but also peoples attitude towards NATO's objects and government's ability to protect them. This happens when in Nato's headquarters it is not only fresh, but it is front page the inability of Berisha government during Spring 1997 to protect the army barracks and its weaponry from the massive plundering. Even the Atlantic will of Premier Majko haven't put in the right track the red tape of its administration.

Albanian officials feel they are losing one of their priorities in staying in power, that's why they are trying hard to make other impression on the Albanians as if even the decreasing of troops or the change of their mandate do not sends away the Atlantic dream. But Albanians have been disappointed once by promises for swift adherence. The government of former President berisha was the first from ex-communist countries that in Spring 1992 made a formal request to adhere to the Alliance and in 1993 was among the first East European countries to sign the Partnership for Peace Treaty. Even in 1996 o lot was said for ranking Tirana at the top of the list for membership and also the meeting of Southern Europe defence ministers staged in Tirana organised by Nato for the first time and presided by Us Defence Secretary William Perry seemed to open Nato's doors.

But only after a few months and after the Spring 1997 events the Atlantic dream dissipated and the Alliance was more keen on Macedonia than Albania. Even Nato's plans for setting up the biggest training military base in Bize region central Albania, were moved in favour of Krivollakut base in Macedonia.

The government and the political parties in Albania, which probably have the most unique consensus in all former Eastern communist countries in regard to NATO membership issue, are not enough aware of the role played by the current internal situation in their relationship with NATO. Uncontrolled sources of tension as the organised crime, lack of state authority in many areas, high political tension, problems with the neighbouring countries, economic crisis, high unemployment rate and poverty make up potential sources of unrest that is why NATO comes to unpositive conclusions for a permanent presence and for the membership status. The three missing visits of senior American officials, like that of the president, who called Albanian leaders in Skopje in June 22 or the annulment of US state secretary Albright visit in June 12 and recently that of Defence Secretary Cohen in July 13 show that Albanians hopes need time.

Albania is eager to adhere to NATO and Albanians do not want to renounce from this dream. But Albanians and their government should get accustomed to the fact the achievement of the Atlantic dream starts from their home.

SHABAN MURATI