Human Rights Developments

Defending Human Rights

The Role of the International Community

The Role of the International Community

Europe
Eager for stability in Albania, most European countries committed themselves to supporting the Socialist Party-led government, politically and economically. A February resolution of the European Union Council of Ministers supported the government, though calling for continued political reform. Foreign aid from the European Union and individual countries, such as U.S. $120 million from Italy, helped keep the country afloat. A tri-parliamentary delegation from the European Parliament, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly visited the country in January and June to try to break the deadlock over constitutional reform. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe assisted with the drafting of the new constitution, and the Council of Europe also placed a permanent representative in Tirana. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had a permanent mission based in Tirana with field offices throughout the country that helped mediate in political disputes.

NATO
In June, NATO opened an office in Tirana, mostly in connection with the fighting in neighboring Kosovo, and Albanian forces participated in Partnership for Peace exercises, such as those in September in Macedonia. In June, NATO performed Exercise Determined Falcon, in which aircraft flew over Macedonia and Albania in response to the Yugoslav government’s offensive against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

United States
As during the time of Berisha’s rule, the United States played a major role in supporting and influencing the Albanian government, both under Nano and Majko. Nano visited the U.S. in September and remained in close contact with Washington, especially regarding the situation in Kosovo. The CIA helped restructure and train the Albanian secret police.