Albania Flag
Macedonia (05/05)
... After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, Macedonia, the former Yugoslavia's poorest republic, faced formidable economic challenges posed by both the transition to a market economy and a difficult regional situation. The breakup deprived Macedonia of key protected markets and large transfer payments from the central Yugoslav government. The war in Bosnia, international sanctions on Serbia, and the 1999 crisis in neighboring Kosovo delivered successive shocks to Macedonia's trade-dependent economy. The government's painful but necessary structural reforms and macroeconomic stabilization program generated additional economic dislocation. Macedonia’s economy was hurt especially by a trade embargo imposed by Greece in February 1994 in a dispute over the country's name, flag, and constitution, and by international trade sanctions against Serbia that were not suspended until a month after conclusion of the Dayton Accords. The impact of the 2001 ethnic Albanian insurgency in Macedonia, decreas ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Transcript: Powell Stresses Durability of Trans-Atlantic Alliance
To cite only one example, we are committed to seeing through all the efforts that we have made in southeastern Europe. Throughout the region, new institutions are being shaped, economies rebuilt and war criminals are being brought to justice. Just a few weeks ago, the European Union took over NATO's stabilization mission in Macedonia one great organization handing off to another. And to show you how complicated it can be and how tricky it can be, the European Union's mission now in NATO involved 27 countries putting together a force of 330 soldiers. Now this is a challenge for a battalion commander. (Laugher.) But it was done and it showed how everyone wanted to be a part of it. Everyone wanted to play a role. Everyone wanted to be part of this effort to bring peace and stability and a sense of calm and a sense of hope to this nation, Macedonia, that has had such difficulty and still needs the help of friends elsewhere in Europe, whether they come under NATO flag or an EU flag. The p ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, SEPTEMBER 15
Q: Three quick questions, Jamie. One, the young American who was arrested August 18 was remanded to a military court without the US Embassy being informed, nor his lawyer, and was given another six weeks in detention on charges of throwing stones, holding a Palestinian flag at a demonstration and possibly being a Hamas religious sympathizer. Are you satisfied with this response of the Israeli Government to your concern about his having been tortured? ... [Read More]
Greece
Anecdotal evidence suggests that thousands of individuals from Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran enter the country illegally each year; only a small percentage eventually apply for official asylum or refugee status. In June Port Authority personnel reportedly abused 164 migrants who came ashore in Hania, Crete (see Section 1.c.). During July, August, and September, over 900 additional smuggled individuals who arrived by boat on Greek islands applied for asylum. On November 5, the coast guard intercepted and assisted a disabled, Turkish-flag vessel that carried 714 persons believed to be heading for Italy. Most applied for asylum, and after initially refusing to allow their applications, the Government sent them to refugee camps or reception facilities for processing. Some of those who did not apply for refugee or asylum status remained illegally, often living in camps or in NGO shelters where conditions range from adequate to very poor. Others proc ... [Read More]
Greece
In one high-profile case, a public debate over whether a "foreign" student should be allowed to carry the country's flag was conducted in the media when an ethnic Albanian earned the right to carry the flag in a local 2000 national day parade by achieving the highest marks in his school. The controversy resurfaced in October when the same student again earned the right to carry the flag, but was defused when he declined the honor, stating that he wished to avoid creating problems. ... [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Greece
Widespread public debate continued during the year over whether "foreign" students should be allowed to carry the Greek flag at local National Day parades, an honor that is normally accorded students with the highest marks in their school. In October, classmates of one such student in Achaia occupied their school to protest her carrying the flag, and she subsequently declined the honor. Ministry of Education officials and local authorities condemned the protesters, and the Nomarch of Achaia said that the students' attitude neither honored the Achaia region nor reflected the feelings of the citizens, parents, and the school community. Another student in the northern part of the country gave up the honor before his classmates reacted. High school students in Thessaloniki organized protests against a school board decision to give the flag to an Albanian student. ... [Read More]
Country Files
Return to Guidance and Forms for U.S.-Flag Vessels Seeking Authorization to Conduct MSR in Foreign Waters. ... [Read More]
Global IQ Quiz > Printable Version
... 6. Which country's flag is this? ... [Read More]
Consular Assistance Abroad U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of State [Read More]
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