Albania
Past and present, ancient and modern, young and old, Muslim and Christian, rich andpoor, north and south, urban and rural, monarchist and socialist: the extremes of Albaniansociety are vivid, it's tensions palpable. But Albania is not "another Yugoslavia:" it ismore like a tensegrity framework, a stable structure of rigid poles positioned in space -and linked together by flexible cables. The cables are stressed but, barring catastrophe,they will not snap. Albania, this land that is very beautiful, but only some Americans cantell Albania from Albany or Alabama, and fewer still would be able to find the country onthe map. Despite it's spectacular and varied beauty, it's rich natural resources, and it'sextraordinary tradition of hospitality, Albania has always been the most isolated country inEurope, and from World War II until very recently, one of the most isolated countries on Since 1991, Albania has welcomed foreign visitors but, as the poorest country inEurope, it has attracted relatively few of them. Yet there are many reasons why theoutside world should be interested in Albania and concerned for it's future. Albania is aBalkan country and thus a crossroads of East and West, North and South; i
Most investigations into political offenses lasted for several months. Traditional costumes are still worn in many rural andupland areas, especially among women. The country stillrelied on tens of thousands of Albanians who work in Greece, Italy, and Germany andsend money home to support their families. Traditional clothing was discouraged under the Communists in favor of inexpensive,modern clothing made by the state. In the countryside dwellings were usually one- or two-story familyhouses, mostly for peasants living on collective farms, and small apartment blocks forworkers on state farms. ( Albania a country study 213) Traditional clothing consists of colorfully embroidered shirts and dresses. As a result, somecities were overcrowded and the number of shanty dwellings grew. A prerequisite for membership in theCSCE is the protection of human rights. The majorityof the Albanians evidently recognize that national reconciliation, a major aspect of theprogram of the Democratic Party, is the best way for the successful revival of theirpoverty-stricken country. (Binder) Living standards have improved in Albania since the collapse of the Communistsystem, but the gap between rich and poor continues to grow. Alia alsocriticized the bureaucratic "routine and tranquility" of managers and state organizationsthat were standing in the way of reform. (16) Writing recent history is alwaysproblematic; an objective account of the past fifty years in Albania, where extremes andexcesses of the communist regime are recent memory, is probably impossible. Elections were held in March1992, and the Democrats took control of the People's Assembly. Power was consolidated in one man, Enver Hoxha, who ruled Albaniawith an iron fist and stifled any dissent.
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