PRINCE BECOMES ADVISER TO ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT Albania's Prince Leka began work on August 21 as an adviser to the Foreign Ministry. The ministry has not made it clear what specific role the 25-year-old prince will play, but in comments made to Albanian television on August 21, the prince indicated that he sees the post principally as an opportunity "to gain as much information as possible in a specific direction in a state institution." "The fact that I am the minister's adviser will enable me to gain as much information as possible about the existing situation in and outside Albania," he said, adding that "I believe that this will allow me to do even more in this area in the future."
Leka, whose education includes a stint at Britain's Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, told reporters on his first day in the job that "I will use the friendships of my family in the interest of the Albanian nation." Leka made his last high-profile public statement in March, when he backed independence for neighboring Kosova, which is predominantly populated by ethnic Albanians (see "RFE/RL Newsline," March 28, 2007). He indicated on August 21 that Kosova will continue to be a major interest, saying, according to Albanian television, that "as adviser and heir of the royal family, I will always be close to Kosova. I will work, within my possibilities, for the good of Kosova. I believe that the Kosova issue is presently at a historic stage and I hope that I will be in a position to do more about it." The prince's father, King Leka Zog, once worked as an adviser to the Saudi government, and "Gazeta Shqiptare" suggested on August 18 that the prince's appointment came at the king's instigation. The Albanian royal family was removed from power by Italian forces in 1939 and subsequently settled in South Africa, where Leka was brought up. Leka Zog reentered Albanian politics in the 1990s, but was charged with sedition after questioning the results of a 1997 referendum that rejected a motion to reinstate the monarchy. He withdrew from party politics in February 2007 (see "RFE/RL Newsline," February 7, 2007).RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY <http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/08/4-SEE/see-270807.asp> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com <http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour/?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000982>.
