EU contemplates sending special envoy to Albania

Date: 13/03/1997

By Mark Turner

EU DIPLOMATS are considering informal proposals to appoint a 'roving ambassador' to Albania, according to European Commission sources.

They suggest that, with rebel forces in control of close to half the country, an envoy could be appointed to shuttle between insurgents, government and opposition in a role similar to that of US troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke in Bosnia.

The idea has so far only been tentatively floated, but it could be broached when foreign affairs ministers meet informally in Apeldoorn this weekend (15-16 March).

The Dutch presidency is at present uncertain about the merits of appointing another EU envoy.

“There are already two mechanisms in place for contacts with Albania - the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the EU presidency. These should be used fully before one can discuss the added value of a special envoy,” said a spokesman for The Hague.

But some national diplomats say they are willing to consider the idea as a demonstration of positive action from the Union.

In the meantime, faced with another Balkan crisis, EU leaders stand accused once again of indecision and weakness in the face of profound regional unrest.

The collapse of Albania's pyramid investment schemes, in which up to half the country's 3 million impoverished citizens had placed their hopes for a better future, sparked off violent anti-government demonstrations some time ago.

But even with people on the streets, the Union did little to help, prompting criticism from Italy's Foreign Affairs Minister Lamberto Dini, who said it was “evidence of inadequate analysis and planning”. He added: “The EU must equip itself adequately in this respect and with the means to intervene rapidly, including the use of force.”

But Brussels sources say that it is very difficult to know what to do. A show of favouritism towards any of the sides involved in the conflict could make matters worse and granting macroeconomic aid (as requested by Albanian President Sali Berisha) to a reform-shy government would go against all principles of conditional help.

The Commission claims that it offered the Albanian government advice on how to deal with the pyramid schemes last year. But without domestic support for change, it argues, there was little it could do to avert the crisis.