TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, April 27 – There are almost daily activities which international diplomats exploit to make calls to the Albanian political parties and the government to hold normal May 8 local elections which are considered as a key test for the country’s democracy and its progress toward international democratic standards.
Last weekend Thomas Countryman, Deputy Secretary of State, called on the Albanian political forces to commit to fair elections, to respect the constitution for fair elections. Countryman also urged Albanian citizens to ask such things from their political representatives. He said both sides were expected to develop a non-violent campaign, to hold peaceful elections on May 8th and resolve any disputes over the elections through a constitutional process.
European Commission Ambassador in Tirana Ettore Sequi has also repeatedly called for calm and holding peaceful elections which will be a key test for the country’s progress toward integration steps into the bloc. Sequi has also asked Albania not to forget the 12 recommendations Brussels made it last year’s progress report for the country’s integration. He appreciated the role of civil society in the integration process, adding that this process requires the cooperation and involvement of all parties.
“EU considers the participation of civil society as something very important. We believe that the integration process is an effort of the entire society and all its elements,” he said.
US Ambassador Alexander Arvizu, OSCE Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth and Sequi also held a three-hour talk show at Klan TV station, in a further move to show their unison in the stand toward Albania’s democratic processes and standards.
“We represent different organizations, but the message is a common one; the theme is a common one. And that is that we support the growth and the development and the independence of the institutions here,” said Arvizu, who also hailed a relatively peaceful campaign until now, normal functioning of the Central Election Commission and an active coverage of the campaign from the media.
He also expressed concern on “some of the violent incidents.” “I think it is really incumbent upon the parties, their passionate supporters, the police, everyone to try to ensure that the environment is a safe one, that it is a neutral one, and that it affords for a peaceful expression of these views. It is okay to be passionate, but it just needs to be peaceful. ”
They also urged more participation of women in the political affairs and showed their support to the country’s police “given the current political environment in this country.”
“It is also important for all of us to be supportive of the police, because this is a difficult undertaking,” said Arvizu.
They insist that these are local elections and there is a strong emphasis on local issues. That means that Albanian voters should be more urged from their personal candidates and their interests rather than the political parties behind those candidates.
The ambassadors insisted that they hold principled positions on the issues, not taking sides, Š”that is strictly a neutral course that we try to follow.”
On the local politicians there were also identical reference and calls.
“They just need to rededicate themselves to the service of the country and its people,” said Arvizu.
“All that needs is good will and hopefully the portion of the good will that I see already will grow and will make this a very good and very viable election,” said Wollfarth, adding that “it needs the courage, the good will, and the discipline in accepting what Albanians as voters have decided.”
Wollfarth also said that given that the counting process, the decentralized counting process might be lengthy. Consequently the ODIHR Election Observation Mission has been considering in having a statement on Tuesday, two days later after the voting.
Ambassador Wollfarth called on Albanians: “Go and vote! Make your choice. Trust that your voice, your vote, your ballot will count and is counted truthfully and look forward to a peaceful future. Contribute, but first, go and vote.”
