Realpolitik “ Flash” No. 28
1 – 16 August 2022
EXCLUSIVELY at ARGUMENTUM,
BY
DR. JORGJI KOTE, “Grand Master” “ dots the i’s and crosses the t’s” on 4 major events in only 1000 words
1. What about Yuri Kim? This is the natural question posed after the tragic event in Himara, where the 7 year girl Jonada was hit to death by the powerful speed boat driven by a Chief Police Commissar! From everywhere messages of sympathy, except from the US Ambassador, Juri Kim. She did not leave good impressions, especially given the pain and tragic size of that event, the great responsibility of the government structures and police; moreover, till late, Juri Kim has not failed to speak on any news and topics, up to the culinary delicacies. We thought she could be on vacations, but no, since on that day, she hailed the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff, as if it was a big deal! We waited, but she said nothing for the little poor girl who came from UK to spend some vacations in our beaches! If Ms.Kim had an opportunity to voice herself after a long time and even criticise the government, it was Potam of 2 August. But, apparently, she has decided to show off only in sunny weather!
2. Pelosi in Taiwan, and then? It is about the latest visit in Taiwan on 3 August by the President of the US Congress, the 82 year old Nancy Pelosi, with the well-known results and effects. A controversial visit even within the democratic camp, which has further strained the situation there. DespiteMrs.Pelosi’s admirable boldness and determination to make the visit, just as in some previous cases, the US diplomacy did not give an answer to the following geopolitical questions: “ What next? Will USA recognize Taiwan? Will the situation calm down there? Is it wise for USA to open up a conflict with China now that Russia is fighting in Ukraine and when a new Serbia and Russian danger is appearing on Balkans horizon? Then, what problem did this visit solve and what about its costs and benefits? Actually, the US politicians should show more than ever responsibility to avoid any provocation, ease up and not deteriorate things in Taiwan. Diplomacy has many other efficient ways and means to overcome such situations and the USA has plenty of pozitive examples in this respect.
3.Rama&Erdogan, Kallkan! On 10 August, PM Rama met in Ankara President Erdogan. As the cause for this visit served the Islamic Olimpic Games where Albania was also present. The Office of PM Rama qualified the meeting “ as always fraternal” where the pressing issues of energy and food crises were dwelled” However, the photo of President Erdogan showed that the meeting was “kallkan“, i.e. ice-cold. Erdogan looks gloomy and indifferent there. Besides, the Turkish side did not say any word and made no comment on this meeting; it did not issue even a simple press release. Hence, the warm reception in January in Ankara with horses and pump and cannon salvoes seemed a distant memory; we did not see Erdogan show his office to the guest and his special souvenir that he was given this January in Tirana; neither said PM Rama any word after his return, not even for the results in the Olimpic Games; a grave silence which speaks much more for the disagreements that have surfaced concerning the gylenists, Erdogan’s ultimatum at the Albanian Parliament on shutting down schools and business under their influence and clearing off the chairmenship of the Moslem Community and other issues. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that the atmosphere of that meeting was indeed kallkan. We wish this situation passes quickly and everything be ok. In fact, Rama&Erdogan kallkan is a by product of an amateur policy and diplomacy, without an axis and freins. Accordingly, one should draw the proper lessons from its pains.
4. The bells toll for Open Balkans! Yes, and not one or two, but many everywhere. Serbia is making preparations for war when it is talking of peace. Together with the formal invitation to Kosovo to join “Open Balkans”, it never fails to send each day warmongering signals and messages. Only because Pristina wants to implement deals signed many years ago. Russia which has been supporting Belgrade has notified that it will build a military basis in Serbia; the latter has increased its war budget to 1 billion euro annually or ten ties larger than Kosovo, as Vuçiç declares proudly. But why and where does its danger come from, when Vuçiç with through Tirana loudspeakers is crying out for “ Open Balkans”? Which forced even NATO to respond with the tongue of force in case of Serbian provocation. On the other hand, the EU and USA are passing everywhere to the “ eye of a needle” all regional initiatives, including the Berlin Process. In order to oversee the political guarantees and assurances, since without them, as the Russian aggression against Ukraine showed there ca be no economic and trade cooperation, no free trade and open markets. Only the captured protagonists of “ Open Balkans” do not want to listen to these alarming bells. They are also heard sounding in Montenegro, where on 18 August PM Abazoviç who supported “Open Balkans” on personal basis threatens to fall down. We are not dwelling on B&H with its well-known probklems, where again the danger comes from the Serbian separatists. The same applies to Skopje and Tirana where the voices against “Open Balkans” that stinks are increasing. Because during its three years of existence, it did not bring us closer but far apart, it did not reconcile but increase hostilities among us, it did not clarify but added to the confusion as a defience to EU and Berlin. This is why the sounds of the bells toll very strongly but for those who want to hear.
Finally, if the magic solution would be “Open Balkans” as PM Rama claims, then it would no problem for Berlin, Brussels and Uashington to make us to join it and this story would be over. But, can they chew it up the failure of the Berlin Process and the Western Balkans Common Regional Market and hand over the “ champion’s cup” to Belgrade and Tirana for “Open Balkans?” Never, and most importantly, Berlin and Brussels are sufficient for us and even more than we need.
© 2022 Argumentum
