[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF FLAKE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the events currently 
underway in the country of Albania. You may recall that ten years ago 
this Eastern European nation cast off the heavy burden of communism. 
Since its first elections in 1991, Albanian elections have been marked 
with partisan manipulation, which has resulted in the disillusionment 
of the Albanian people.
  The upcoming June 24th national elections are a significant 
opportunity for Albania to move towards establishing a transparent 
democratic government.
  While there is reason the be hopeful that these elections will be 
better than previous Albanian elections, there also remains cause for 
continued concern that they will fall short of the free and fair 
standard that not only we but the Albanian people themselves would want 
to see. It is my hope the upcoming elections will mean another step 
forward and not a step backwards in Albania's quest to establish a 
strong democracy in this troubled region.
  I call upon all my colleagues to join me in carefully watching the 
unfolding events in Albania.

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