[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 15584]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I am proud to cosponsor S. Res. 182, 
recognizing the democratic accomplishments of the people of Albania and 
expressing the hope that the parliamentary elections on June 28 
maintain and improve the transparency and fairness of democracy in 
Albania. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I am aware of what Albania 
has accomplished since its first multiparty elections in 1991, but I 
also know what a struggle it has been. Albania was under a ruthless and 
isolationist communist regime for decades. While not part of the former 
Yugoslavia, it was also impacted by the conflicts in neighboring and 
nearby Balkan countries in the 1990s, which was a setback for the 
entire region.
  The promise of NATO membership did much to encourage progress in 
Albania in recent years. While problems relating to the rule of law and 
fight against corruption persisted, we supported Albania's NATO 
membership with the understanding that reforms will continue. The State 
Department in particular emphasized that other NATO members continued 
the reform process after joining the Alliance. That is our hope for 
Albania as well.
  This resolution more actively expresses our hope as well as 
expectation that Albania live up to international standards it has 
accepted, in particular as they relate to the holding of elections. 
There are concerns about these elections, especially in regard to new 
voter identification cards and their distribution in time to allow 
citizens to vote. Even if Election Day does go smoothly, it is 
unfortunate that there was a delay in preparations--which causes 
confusion, frustration and suspicion among the Albanian electorate.
  Albania is a good friend of the United States, and by passing this 
resolution we are investing in that relationship to make it grow. We 
want Albania to succeed, and this resolution will hopefully encourage 
Albania to hold successful elections on June 28. I believe the 
resolution is balanced, raising concern while noting progress and 
clearly favoring no particular political party. While those currently 
in power may have the additional responsibilities that come with 
governance, all parties have a role to play in order to make these 
elections meet international standards.

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