Albania 1997

[Verdenhopf]

ehem from Wiki:

In the mid-1990s, Albania was becoming a liberalized economy after years under a controlled economy; the rudimentary financial system became dominated by Ponzi schemes, and government officials endorsed a series of pyramid investment funds. Many Albanians, approximately two-thirds of the population, invested in them. By 1997 the inevitable end came, and the people of Albania, who had lost $1.2 billion (out of a small population of 3 million), took their protest to the streets where uncontained rioting, fueled by their discontent at the state's failure to protect them from the fraud, led to the toppling of the government and the country descended into anarchy in which some 2,000 people were killed.

Albania disintegrated into chaos and armed revolt soon after pyramid investment schemes failed in January 1997. The schemes (actually fronts for laundering money and dealing in weapons) could no longer make payments once the number of investors grew to include the vast majority of Albanians, who had been lured by get-rich-quick promises.

Beginning in February thousands of citizens gathered daily, demanding reimbursement by the government, which they suspected of profiting from the schemes. By March 1997, the protests had turned violent in the south, especially around the port city of Vlora, where numerous residents armed themselves with weapons looted from army barracks. On March 2 president Sali Berisha declared a state of emergency, but rioting and destruction spread throughout the country, gripping the capital, Tirana, for two weeks. Although the government quelled revolts in the north, the government and military establishments began to scatter and anarchy swept across the country, the southern half of Albania falling under the control of rebels and criminal gangs.

On March 11, the members of the Socialist Party won a major victory when their leader Bashkim Fino was appointed prime minister. However, the transfer of power did not stop the unrest, as protests spread to northern Albania. By March 13, all major population centers were engulfed in demonstrations, and foreign countries began to evacuate their citizens from Albania. (see Operation Libelle, Operation Silver Wake)

Fearing the spread of unrest outside Albania's borders -- and alarmed at the third wave of refugees from the country in a decade -- the United Nations authorized a force of 7,000 on March 28 to direct relief efforts and to restore order. On April 15, the 7,000 troops participated in "Operation Sunrise," an Italian-led mission which helped restore rule of law to the country.

After the unrest, over 3,000,000 guns were transported to Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and the guerrilla forces of Kosovo Liberation Army had received considerable armament for its fights.

Hard to believe a goddamn get-rich-quick scheme would bring a nation down that quick.
pics:

"Show me the money!"



Then-PM (and current president of Albania) Sali Berisha addressing a crowd of supporters about the financial scandal and collapse of investments in Tirana, Feb. 19. His lassaiz-faire economic policies and mismanagement of the financial sector would bring his downfall.



Protesters in the Albanian capital, Tirana, requesting the government to make up for their losses, February. Many people, who were poorly informed on their very investments, lost their whole life savings in the crisis.





By March, protests would turn extremely violent, as police and army would be frequently engaged in armed clashes with the protesters.





Lek, the currency unit of Albania. Albanian money became nearly useless, much like the mark during the Weimar Republic.





Riot police face protesters, late Februrary. Rough-handed handling of the citizens' protests was another factor that lead to more calamity.







Albanian government troops(according to the caption) riding on armored vehicle trying to quell a riot, Tirana, March 12.





Government soldiers patrolling, riding on top of a BRDM.



Insurrection: Saranda, southern Albania. Souther part of Albania, bordering Greece, became totally usurped in chaos.





Protester wearing an old Soviet gas mask(how are you supposed to wear that thing, run, throw rocks at the police and run like ur ass is on fire at the same time?)



Albanian policemen, March 18. The police and armed forces were outnumbered by the number of angry mobs, and failed to prevent the violent protests from toppling the government and developing into a bloody anarchy.



Eventually the situation turned into a civil war by mid-March. Traditional family clans, Mafiosi, gangsters and Kosovar-Albanians hoping to use this opportunity to realize their separatist ideals exploited the situation, and the nation was carved into different factions, bearing resemblance to Warlord Era-China.

























Militants with a captured T-59 tank and heavy weapons. On the brink of a civil war, the Albanian police and military forces collapsed and units simply dismantled, defected to the militants(keep in mind that many soldiers and policemen had also invested in the failed schemes), or chose to flee to neighboring Italy and Greece. Militias and mafias looted military depots and armed themselves with heavy weaponry, becoming formidable warlord factions. Although some of these weapons would be traced back by a government disarmament program, most of the weapons would eventually end up on the black arms market, and find their way into armed factions in Kosovo, Macedonia, and Presevo valley.











Chinese 75mm recoilless rifles later recovered from the rebels.




More pics of international forces in Albania will follow.

Cheers.

[INAT]

Damn that sucks.Good thing they got a second state as compensation.

[enallos]

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΥΝΑΜΗ ΑΛΒΑΝΙΑΣ - ΕΛΔΑΛ
part of Multinational Protection Force - FMP

deployment: 5th April 1997
manpower: 803
vehicles: 224

Hellenic G-Wagons fitted with FN MAGs in the greek camp.

Hellenic Army M113 APC on convoy protection.

Hellenic M113 APC disembarking from HS Samos (Jason class LST).

Departing for Albania - ΕΛΔΑΛ 1

NATO-ALBANIA:TIRANA, 1SEP99 - Greek NATO soldiers listen to the NATO anthem during a ceremony to hand over command at Rinas airport, Albania, September 1. A new NATO mission called Communication Zone West has started being deployed replacing the humanitarian AFOR mission. It will support troops in Kosovo. lis/Photo by Arben Celi REUTERS

Hellenic M113 APC disembarking from HS Samos (Jason class LST).

Greek peacekeeper in front of HN Samos (Jason class) LST.

Deployed in Albania with a recently acquired VBL Pahnard armored vehicle - ΕΛΔΑΛ/FMP

Hellenic guard, probably in Dyrachio port.

Vehicle patrol in Aulona urban area.

Army medical staff performing medical/humanitarian tasks on local civilians.

Golden Eagle medal appointed by the President of Albania to the Hellenic Forces (ΕΛΔΑΛ).

ALBANIA - NHQT

The crisis that broke out in Albania, in early March of 1997, following the collapse of the banking system, spread quickly.By the No. 1101/1997 UNSC Resolution, issued after the Report of the E.U. and the OSCE Working Groups, the establishment of a temporary, small scale OSCE-led Multinational Protection Force in Albania was authorized, in order to create a secure environment for the missions of the International Organizations in Albania, ensuring the conduct of free elections for the appointment of a new government.

Italy was the lead nation in the Multinational Protection Force, with participating nations France, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Denmark, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium and Greece.

PARTICIPATION OF HELLENIC FORCES:

The Hellenic Contingent in Albania consisting of 803 men and 224 vehicles arrived in Albania on the 5th of April 1997, in the context of operation “ALBA”. The task of the Hellenic Contingent was to:

• Ensure the main entry points in the area of operations and secure the arrival of the humanitarian aid and its proper transportation to aid distribution points.

• Provide a secure environment for the International Committee and International Organizations operating there, and in the context of the provided assistance the safe conduct general elections in June of 1997.

During its stay in Albania, the Hellenic Contingent conducted reconnaissance missions, ensured routes and itineraries, escorted convoys of humanitarian aid of International Organizations in Central and South Albania, and offered protection to OSCE Observers during the conduct of Parliamentary Elections in the country.

The establishment, organization, training and expedition of the Force of 800 men approximately abroad, within a short period of time, as well as its subsistence under specific environments, have methodically been accomplished.

The participation of the Hellenic Contingent was exemplary and received complimentary remarks by the Commander of FMP, General Forlani, and the Chief of Defense of Albania, Copani as well as other Organizations (OSCE, CIMIC, etc).

Greece, in the context of Humanitarian Aid Missions, provided 80 tons of various types of humanitarian aid to the Albanian Armed Forces and to the city of Sarante (Agioi Saranta) by sea and air means, during the crisis in Albania.

The total cost of the provided humanitarian aid amounted to 90.000 €uros, including medical equipment. Greece also allocated five (5) officers from three Services of the Armed Forced, headed by a Brigadier General. They were tasked to provide assistance to the Albanian Armed Forces in their reorganization.

After the mission of FMP was terminated within the time limits imposed by the Mandate, the Hellenic Contingent began to withdraw and the operation was concluded in August 1997.

Following a bilateral agreement between Greece and Albania, a Protocol was signed for the Hellenic Military Liaison-Advisors Mission to remain in Camp ISBERISH and a new Hellenic Contingent in Albania to be established, consisting of a reinforced Company of 205 men. The Protocol was signed on the 25th of September 1997, with the provision that the Contingent would remain in Albania for a six-month period. Its stay was prolonged, after the allocated time span, following a request of the Albanian Government.

The main task of the Hellenic Contingent was to assist the Hellenic Military Committee in reorganizing the Albanian Armed Forces. More specifically:

• To establish proper working conditions, and to facilitate the Hellenic Liaison-Advisor Military Mission

• To secure Camp ISEBERISH and to develop the appropriate storage facilities as well as to secure and to deliver supplies and materials forwarded from Greece.

• To provide the necessary assistance for the reorganization of the Albanian Armed Forces in various training fields.

• To guard, upon request, the Military Hospital at Tirana

• To provide medical treatment to the local population of Tirana, at the Field Hospital of the Hellenic Contingent at Camp ISBERISH.

• The repair and construction of public buildings, school, and roads etc...

• To provide protection to the Hellenic Units participating in PfP exercises in Albania.

• To provide protection to the personnel of PfP cell, NATO in Tirana

As crisis broke out in Kosovo, Albania received an inflow of refugees. The Albanian Government declared that it was unable to provide housing and provisions and thus requested International Community assistance.

The Hellenic Government responded to the request and began forwarding assistance through the Hellenic Contingent.

The Hellenic National Defense General Staff allocated one (1) Engineering Battalion, one (1) CH-47D helicopter, medical personnel, seven (7) field kitchens and two (2) field ovens to Albania on the8th and 9th of April 1999.

Following the issue of NATO Operational plan “ALLIED HARBOR” which depicted the deployment of a NATO Force in Albania under the name “Albania Force”, (AFOR), to assist the Albanian Government and the International Organizations in providing humanitarian aid to refugees, the following Units have been allocated to AFOR specifically to the French Brigade-South (TF SOUTH) by the end of April 1999: one (1) Infantry Company, one (1) Engineering Company and one (1) Transportation Platoon. The total strength of the Force amounted to 170 officers and soldiers.

The Hellenic Government assumed the responsibility to organize and operate three (3) refugee camps.

• Camp “Athena” at Koukes, with a 1000 refugee capacity in 100 tents. The Camp operated from the 4th to 28th of April 1999, when it was handed over to the Albania MOD, while Greece continued providing provisions until the end of May 1999.

• Camp“Olympia” at Tirana, with a 2000 refugee capacity in 200 camper houses. The Camp operated from the 2nd of April to the 15th of July 1999, when it was handed over to ACT organization (Action by Churches Together Organizations).

• Camp“Vergina” at Pogradets, with a 2000 refugee capacity in 200 tents. The Camp operated until the 3rd of July 1999, when it was handed over to Pogradets Prefecture.

The construction of the appropriate infrastructure to accommodate the refugees was at the total expense of the Hellenic Government.

The Hellenic Contingent remained in Albania until the 31st of August 1999, when the Allied Mission was concluded.

On the 23rd of October 1999, Supplementary Agreements to the Assistance Protocol were signed between the Deputy National Defense Ministers of Greece and Albania. According to those Agreements, the Hellenic Contingent was renamed to “Hellenic Logistics Mission in Albania”.

The purpose of those Supplementary Agreements was to deal with the following;

• Construction of a Military Hospital at Argyrokastro
• Repair the infrastructure of RINAS Military Airport
• Monitor all reports on armistice violations
• Repair the Infrastructure of the Durres Naval Base
• Organizing and supplying the Rapid Reaction Brigade at Tirana, for the prospect of future works, if needed, when agreed by both parties.
• Guard and secure personnel, equipment and means allocated to Albania.

On the 30th of July 2000, a hand over ceremony of Camp IZBERISH took place. The Ministers of Defense of Greece and Albania attended the ceremony. The main part of the Hellenic Contingent was also repatriated on this date.

The 601st Airborne Infantry Battalion was awarded the Α’ Class War Cross, following a Presidential Decree, dated on the 6th of September 2000. The above Battalion formed the basic core of the allocated forces to Albania.

NATO presence in Albania continued with the Multinational Force, which was renamed to Communication Zone-West, under KFOR command.

On the 1st of August 2000, the new Hellenic Force was established in the context of NATO Operation “JOINT GUARDIAN”, located at camp “PLEPA” at Durres under COMMZ(W) command and consisted of one (1) Infantry Company, one (1) Engineers Platoon and a National Support Element, with a total strength of 95 men . The Force was supplemented with 33 vehicles.

The Hellenic Contingent -3 in Albania had as a main task to secure and to safeguard the road connecting RINAS airport with Port of DURRES , as well as the development and enhancement of its cooperation and confidence with the Albanian Authorities. Additionally, four (4) Liaison Officers-Advisors remained in Albania, in support of the Albanian Armed Forces in their effort to reorganize and to reach the Alliance standards. They were repatriated in early 2003, following the termination of their mission.

On the 17th of June 2002, NATO transformed KFOR Communication Zone WEST to a new NATO HQ in Tirana (NHQT), under the command of the Supreme Military Representative (SMR), in order to maintain stability in the Balkans. The SMR was subordinated to CINCSOUTH.

The task of NHQT, under the command of SMR, was to facilitate the coordination among the Albanian Government, the International Community Organizations and NATO. The HQ will observe communications between the Commander of KFOR and SMR at Scopje and provide support. The HQ consists of 600 personnel (military and civilians) from five (5) nations (Italy, Greece, Poland, Turkey and the USA).

Currently, SMR and NHQT are based at Durres. Plans are being elaborated to relocate the HQ to Tirana. A NATO Advisory Team is lodged at the Albanian MOD, in offices afforded by the Albanian General Staff.

Greece, in the context of NATO Forces reallocating in the Balkans, allocated one (1) Airborne Company (80 men) from the 601st Airborne Infantry Battalion , tasked to ensure communications and the trouble-free use of Tirana airport and the Port of Duress.

In 2004, and for an one (1) year period, Greece succeeded Italy in the command of NHQT. The Hellenic Force consisted of one (1) HQ Support Company and Staff Officers a total of 47 men.

Following the review of OPLAN 10501 concerning the operations in the Balkans in December of 2005, NATO HQT (28 military personnel) and the NATO Advisory Team remained in Albania while the Hellenic HQ Support Company was repatriated on the 21st of December 2005.

Since March of 2006 (and for a two year period ) Greece has allocated one General Officer with the rank of Brigadier General , as Senior Military Representative of NATO to Albania, who assumed the duties of NATO HQT Commander, and 14 cadres (Officers and NCOs from the three Branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces) to fill the HQ vacancies.

http://www.geetha.mil.gr/media/EIRIN...bania_NHQT.doc

[enallos]

A dramatic sequence of foreigners saved by the Hellenic Navy during the days of crisis.

March 15, 1997 - VICTIMS OF CHAOS: FOREIGNERS EVACUATED FROM ALBANIA © Sion Touhig/Sygma/Corbis

[Carib]

I wrote a term paper in College about the fall of Albania after that ponzi scheme and the subsqequent mass emmigration to Italy. It was well received

[Dark Avenger]

Sidenote: The police armored vehicle in the first post is not a wheeled BRDM, but a Chinese-made tracked Type 63 APC.

[KET]

Damn, I remember it like it was yesterday. We've come a long way in just 11 years.

[KoTeMoRe]

Sidenote: Fvck you democracy!

Sidenote 2: Did I saw type 63's?

[Verdenhopf]

Originally Posted by Carib

I wrote a term paper in College about the fall of Albania after that ponzi scheme and the subsqequent mass emmigration to Italy. It was well received

U nerd!!^^

more pics coming soon...as soon as i finish my professor's chores.

[Verdenhopf]

Originally Posted by enallos

A dramatic sequence of foreigners saved by the Hellenic Navy during the days of crisis.

any background info?

[Dark Avenger]

As I recall, foreign governments requested that the Hellenic Military aid with the evacuation of their subjects from Albania. So a rescue operation was planned with a frigate and a missile FAC. The evacuees arrived at the port, areas of which had been secured by MYK personnel (Greek SEALS). Then they were taken aboard the ships.

[enallos]

Originally Posted by Dark Avenger

As I recall, foreign governments requested that the Hellenic Military aid with the evacuation of their subjects from Albania. So a rescue operation was planned with a frigate and a missile FAC. The evacuees arrived at the port, areas of which had been secured by MYK personnel (Greek SEALS). Then they were taken aboard the ships.

thanks Dark Avenger.

[sammy03]

I didn't know that that Greek UDT(ΜΥΚ) secured the port for the extraction of the foreigners.

[enallos]

Originally Posted by sammy03

I didn't know that that Greek UDT(ΜΥΚ) secured the port for the extraction of the foreigners.

If I rememmber correctly there was some footage (I think it was Ant1 channel) of the UDT operators during that mission.

[sammy03]

Originally Posted by enallos

If I rememmber correctly there was some footage (I think it was Ant1 channel) of the UDT operators during that mission.

It was in Mega in "Empolemi Zoni".Last years episode.