International Community Expresses Concern Over Deadly Protests in Albania

22 January 2011

Opposition protesters throw stones at police after a pro-opposition rally in Tirana, Albania, 21 Jan 2011

The Tirana diplomatic missions of the European Union, United States and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say in a joint statement that they deeply regret the casualties in Friday's anti-government protests.

They also call for a compromise. That seems difficult.

Supporters of the opposition Socialists accuse the government of financial wrong doing and vote rigging during the 2009 elections. Tensions further increased this week when the country's deputy prime minister, Ilir Meta, resigned amid an alleged corruption scandal.

Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha has accused his opponents of attempting a "Tunisia-style uprising," a reference to the bloody overthrow of Tunisia's president in which scores were killed.

Mr. Berisha says Albania will not pass into a similar "state of emergency." He has told Albanians in televised remarks that "scenarios of violence will not be tolerated."

But those watching the recent demonstrations have already described them as the worst violence to erupt in the volatile Balkan nation in over a decade.

Video footage of Friday's protest shows that shots are fired as security forces try to push back an estimated 20,000 demonstrators.