The Sunday Times today (30 July) published a number of letters in response to AA Gill's article on Albania published last week. Correspondents include the Albanian ambassador to the UK and Professor Noel Malcolm.
I was watching Top Channel last night, first the news, then Fiks Fare. According to them Tirana's citizens now have a choice not only between Rama and Olldashi, but also between Rama and Rama. A minor right-wing faction, Parti 'Balli Kombetar' , submitted papers to the election authorities registering their candidate, Akile Rama. The people on Fiks Fare got hold of the papers and sent a reporter and camera team to the address listed for Mr A Rama. After much ringing of the bell the gate was reluctantly opened by a middle-aged woman who refused to speak to the reporter and tried to close the gate on her. Back in the studio Saimiri and Doctori - the two presenters of Fiks Fare - revealed that Mr Akile Rama was 73 years old, in hospital, and did not know he was now a candidate for mayor. They also compared two documents - the papers submitted on his behalf, and a genuine document he had signed. The signatures were not even remotely similar. There was an interview with the lea
Comments
His editor must have known Gills 'critique' of Albania and I suspect Gill was ready to do a 'hatchet job' on Albania even before he got to Heathrow.
I must admit I'd be outraged if Gill said similar about Serbia so I'm sympathetic towards Albanians concerning this.
Perhaps we ought to exchange blog links as well?
all the best