Patriotism or a necessary electoral tool?

TIRANA, Dec. 13 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha down its tone of nationalism this week.
At a cabinet meeting Wednesday Berisha said that the Albanian citizenship would be given to all people who invested more than $200,000 in the country. He also assured the neighbors that Albania thinks of no territorial claims surrounding its borders.
That was really a great change and a move very much required by everyone in the country and abroad.
Because until recently, or only hours before that the premier had hinted that the idea of a Greater Albania was not just a dream. Berisha had clearly said that Albanians cover a 67,000 square kilometer area and that they are spread all over the five countries in the Balkans.
That spread panic, starting with Greece and the other neighbors of its real meaning.
True that Albanians are spread in Kosovo, where they are now a new state, but also in Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and also Greece.
Berisha moved further and said that his government would prepare a law to offer citizenship to all ethnic Albanians in the world.
That was really a dangerous move as that would, by all means, be opposed by all the neighboring countries and also the European Union.
Many questions were raised for that move. How would Albanians prove they were really ethnic Albanians? What would their rights be after getting the citizenship, the same as every other Albanian in proper Albania? Would they be entitled to vote in Albania? Would they be required to pay taxes in Albania? And the questions, technical details on the issue could be prolonged more?
If Tirana wanted to join all ethnic Albanians under its arm, why doesn’t it first join Kosovo and then …?
There came immediate reactions from Greece saying that border changes are not thinkable in the Balkans, adding that such words do not help peaceful coexistence.
On Wednesday Berisha tried to calm them down and say there is no idea of any goal of border change or Greater Albania.
At the same time Washington also hinted that such nationalistic approaches are usually noted during time of crisis.
But is Albania in a crisis?
Internally yes, it has been likely during all the time since the fall of communism in 1990. The Albanian political fighting continues any moment in such a harsh and nasty ways that has negatively affected its normal proceeding toward the membership into the European Union.
Yes, Albania aims at becoming a member of the EU but that does not seem to be a near future because of such a fight.
And Berisha’s words have not helped that progress at all, not to say the contrary, hampering it further. Because Europe said that Albania will become its member only when it fulfills its requirements set on paper. It also added that nationalistic approaches do not help such a path.
And then, though it was not said, one may think that if Tirana would give citizenship to all Kosovars they would be free to move without visas into Europe. At a time when Prishtina is negotiating with Europe on the steps and reforms it should do to get the visa-free regime. That would likely mean a big no to Albanians for their visa-free regime, wouldn’t it?
Or are Berisha’s words a move to turn into a Balkan factor? Does he want to show that he is a big man, personality with such an influence in all the Albanian communities in the Balkans that he should be taken good care of? The moment that he mentioned such nationalistic words were amongst other Balkan officials or Albania top leaders and that may be a proof for that.
True that Albania was divided by the London conference a century ago. But what do these steps mean? Are they trying to ring bells to Europe and the world that it is their right to be together? Hardly so and Wednesday’s words proved that.
Or just that I am strong enough and you should know that.
Or that I am such a big leader that Albania deserves to keep it even after parliamentary elections next year.
Well that comes back to Albania proper again. Is it a move along the electoral campaign steps that the governing Democrats and their leader have initiated?
Though not officially acknowledged it has been learnt openly that tens of thousands of Kosovar Albanians have taken part in the previous elections, now moving so easily and fast through the road link. Is it a warm-up for the same thing to happen again next June 23 polls?
It could be none of these, or all of them together. It is only Sali Berisha who can explain it and say the real reason for such a move.
Meanwhile Albania and Albanians should strive hard to work and fulfill what they are supposed to do for the upcoming elections. Besides the three laws that have to pass with votes from both opposite political sides, elections seem to be the real focus which will clarify many things and its future.