So along with gaining power through corrupt means Sali Berisha has founded it in himself to further danger the fragile Albanian state. In the 2011 census Berisha has commented that citizens' ethnicity, religion, and language should be included in the census. Some of you may not understand why this would be an issue, but assured it is. The completion of this census would put the security and sovereignty of Albania in danger.
To take count of the exact number of minorities in Albania would bring about a rise in nationalistic rhetoric from the minority Greeks along the Albanian and Greek border. If the 2011 census were to take place with the current alterations that Sali Berisha plans to implement, it could very well give these minorities the legitimacy to sum up any sort of international support from other countries that support strong Greek interests. With numbers behind them a claim for independence by ethnic Greeks could very well be under way in the foreseeable future. Granted that since Albania is a member of NATO there might not be any immediate threat to its borders, but history has shown us that when it comes to Albanian territorial disputes we usually receive the short end of the stick. As an example Kosovo's territorial claims had just recently been challenged by the Macedonians. This is a clear example of territorial challenges that have for to long been part of our history.
Besides the Greeks, people seem to forget the Roma. These people have for centuries failed to assimilate within Albania, and we are to recognize them as fellow citizens? This census could have disasters results in the redrawing of the Albanian political map. By legitimizing their very existence Albania will also put itself in a bad position for future membership in the EU. In order to become a member of the EU, any future members would have to oblige by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Roma's could very well bring charges of discrimination against the Albanian government and slow the process of eventual membership into the EU.
Lets also not forget about the economic impact that might come from recognizing certain minorities. Being recognized by the government, with statistics behind them, minorities in Albania can very well put significant pressure on the government for welfare programs that could include anything from health care to pension funds. This could crush the Albanian economy just as its stabilizing and growing.
This sort of legitimacy can not be given to minorities. Now is not the time! Albania is seeing strong economical growth that can not be slowed down by exorbitant issues that might come from the new census. Membership to EU is extremely important for it future economic growth and can not be slowed down by the trivial recognition of these minorities.
