Albania Security Clan

The Republic's police, under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), have responsibility for internal security. The Montenegrin State Security Service (SDB), also located within the MUP, has authority to conduct surveillance of citizens. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security services, there were a few instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of government authority. Some members of security forces committed human rights abuses. ... [Read More]

USIA, U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda, April 1998 -- EdmundHullon UN Peacekeeping

UN peacekeeping continues to offer the United States a valuableoption for dealing with threats to international peace andsecurity before they affect our interests so directly that wewould consider unilateral U.S. military action. The UnitedNations also provides us an agreed framework for burdensharing. Today, there are fewer than 700 Americans among the 14,700civilian police and military personnel serving in the 16 missionsthe United Nations has around the world. And while we arecommitted to paying 25 percent of the cost of the operations weagree to in the Security Council, working through the UnitedNations means that others pay the vast majority of the costs. Wealso benefit by being able to invoke the voice of the communityof nations on behalf of a cause we support. ... [Read More]

Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Albania

Local police units report to the Ministry of Public Order and are responsible principally for internal security. The military forces have a special 151-person "commando" unit, which operates in an antiterrorist role under the Minister of Defense. During times of domestic crisis, the law allows the Minister of Public Order to request authority over this unit. The State Intelligence Service (SHISH) is responsible for both internal and external intelligence gathering and counterintelligence. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control over the security forces. Some members of the security forces committed human rights abuses. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

In June 2001 Albania held Parliamentary elections.  According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) the elections improved over past elections in terms of the conduct of the campaign; however, ODIHR noted serious irregularities in the voting process. The Socialist Party (SP) and its allies won 88 of 140 parliamentary seats in general elections held from June through August 2001. ... [Read More]

Albania

Local police units that report to the Ministry of Public Order are responsible principally for internal security. The Ministry also has a small force of police officers organized into special forces units to combat organized crime. The military has a special 120-man "commando" unit, which operates in an antiterrorist role under the Minister of Defense. During times of domestic crisis, the law allows the Minister of Public Order to request authority over this unit. The National Intelligence Service (SHIK) is responsible for both internal and external intelligence gathering and counterintelligence. One of the most serious problems involving public order and internal security is the fact that police officers largely are untrained, ill paid, and often unreliable. The international community continued to provide training, advice, and equipment to improve the quality of the police forces; however, unprofessional behavior and corruption remained a major impediment to the development of an eff ... [Read More]

Albania

Albania is a republic with a multiparty parliament, a Prime Minister, and a President, elected by the Parliament. The Prime Minister heads the Government; the presidency is a largely ceremonial position with limited executive power. The Socialist Party (SP) and its allies won 87 of 140 parliamentary seats in general elections held from June through August 2001 that were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) judged the elections to have improved over past elections in terms of the conduct of the campaign; however, ODIHR noted serious irregularities in the voting process. Local police units that report to the Ministry of Public Order are responsible principally for internal security. The military has a special 120-man "commando" unit, which operates in an antiterrorist role und ... [Read More]

Albania

Albania is a republic with a multiparty parliament, and a prime Minister and a president both elected by Parliament. The Prime Minister heads the Government; the presidency is a largely ceremonial position with limited executive power. In October, local elections were held throughout the country, which were judged to be an improvement over previous elections, with only a few isolated incidents of irregularities and violence. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, corruption and political pressure limited its ability to function independently and efficiently. Local police units that report to the Ministry of Public Order are responsible principally for internal security. The military have a special 152-man "commando" unit, which operates in an anti-terrorist role under the Minister of De ... [Read More]