89. Case Of Albania

404 Emporium Current Essays Emporium Current Essays 405 A small state of the shores of the Adriatic Sea, an insignificant political entity in the world with an isolationist diplomatic stance, had tried to unshackle its socialist bonds to bcconv. a 'Republic of Albania' but has fallen victim to a traumatic civil war. Insurgency from the south moved to the north, and germinated an uncontrolled and unwieldy phenomena which has unleashed disruptive forces to such a dimension that it entirely wrapped up the socio-political and economic life of the country. The people holding arms, looting businesses and disrupting existing norms an values, led to the paralysis of Albanian society. Sporadic resistance from the Government machinery created a chain reaction of explosive events, so that now it has become a mjnd-wobbling exercise to find a way out of this labyrinth. The journalists, scholars and political elites are trying their utmost to explore the reality of cause out of the mesh of events. Each such effort is leading to further confusion and the crisis is deepening. Decision makers of the European Community, the United States and the UN are involved in this crisis. Yet, their efforts are alarmingly slow and procedural. Also many questions arise. How any why has this unexpected volcanic eruption of discontent overrun the entire country? Who is conflicting with whom and why? Why does the Albanian government not appear serious in combating insurgency and the law violators? Why is the European Community thoughtfully watching the scenario? These questions demand cognitive and well thrashed out responses. Balkanisation to reunification of Europe is a long journey of Ideological conflicts, territorial adjustments and world wars. Out of the interplay of countervailing forces emerged a small state in 1912, became republic in 1925, communist in 1946 and then this Socialist linkage with the pro-Soviet block continued till 1-990. In 1991 free elections were held and in 1992 the Democratic-Party (DP) under Sali Bcrisha came into power. The Socialist Party was defeated. The success story .of Bcrisha owed credit to western countries «ho extended unconditional support to democratic forces in Albania. The critics delineate that an ambitious Sali Berisha used the democratic dice and rolled it tactfully, but once he had legitimately come into power, he proved to be an increasingly authoritarian and dictatorial leader. During 1992-96, multifaceted problems undermined the political and economic system of the country. The failure of pyramid investment schemes; cession of Kosovo; the insurgency of Nano, leader of the Socialist Party; and challenges of Skendcr Gjinushi of Socialist Democratic Party marred the transformation of the Albanian political edifice.

The smuggling of Vlore; criminal gangs linked up with arm-supplies to different groups in the Bosnian conflict and ethnic polarisation, added fuel to the fire. The elections were again held in 1996. The objectives were many folds. The first WA to legitimise the position of the party in power. The second was to dispel the onslaught of opposing forces and the third was to bridle various types of criminals \\ho had established their onn underworld empires, Unfortunately, this entire plan backfired. The opposition alleged that elections were rigged and thus boycotted them, hence leaving the democratic process in a lurch. The situation then became tumultuous and got out of control so that the foreigners began fleeing and even the indigenous population started migrating to Italy and Greece. This gloomy situation necessitated that the European Community explore the possibility of solving the crisis. The political breakdown persuaded the UN members of the Security Council to pass a resolution for a better Albanian future and its neighbouring countries also have been trying to help normalise these conditions. The political elites of the ruling party and concerned citizens at top echelons also requested the European Community to help then in controlling at affairs of the country. The European Community is still pondering whether to'involve themselves fully. This delaying strategy is aggravating the situation and providing incentive to disintegrate forces to disintegrativc forces to further destabilise the government. The UN shovld not be dragged into such an issue, because its credibility to diffuse conflict situations has already reached the 'owest ebb. It has not succeeded in resohing conflicts in various regions since its very inception. Humanitarian Assistance Prog •armnc &r< good, but remain without political gains. The whorl body should not be used by any hegemonic designs nor should it behave like a puppet on a string. Passing resolutions without effect! e irnj lenicnlation arc also futile effort to ensure peace. The American are seriously concerned about their nationals safe exit. In a brief from Albright to the State Department, praised. 406 Emporium Current Essays efforts of diplomats a 'just remarkable." she further reiterated that the work of the department of Special Task Force on Albania in coordinating efforts to evacuate stranded US nationals from that strife-torn Country has been commcndably followed. Even the statements of the US President focus on role of this Task Force more than anything else. The wilful abstention of US from playing an effective ro!e appears to be perhaps a chainlink of the global disorder perspective. Under the direction of the European Community an all parties interim arrangement under the premiership of Bashim Fino has not been success in taming the wild mare. The country is torn apart as far as political order is concerned and the world community is speculating a serious collapse.

No doubt, the environment in Trains is unpredictable and the suburbs are in suffering anarchic circumstances, Ghegs and Oskas are uncompromising: chaotic forces have been unleashed no formula for stability seems feasible. The European Community should take the initiative boldly and courageously to solve this riddle, It is true that to jump in the quagmire is easy but to come out of it is not so easy, yet it is not too gigantic a problem for the European Community to solve. If they fail now then the spill-over effects might lead to balkanisation of Europe. Yugoslavia's ethnic conflict has already damaged the credibility of NATO and UN forces. This issue would further dent the structural and operational unification of Europe. Albania is a member of NATO and being a signatory deserve special attention and unconditional support to overcome the treacherously triggered and childishly fostered crisis.