OPERATION ALBA/Italian Forces (Afghan Deployed, Carrier/LDP OSINT – Operation Alba - SUMMARY: 1996 – Albania: Socialists accuse Salih Berisha’s Democratic Party (DP) of electoral fraud and refused to acknowledge the landslide DP victory, which created a political deadlock with the opposition, led by the Socialists, boycotting parliament 1997 Albania: A vast pyramid scheme involving senior government officials collapses the – Albanian economy which drove inflation through the roof and disproportionately affected the South (Tosk areas)– by early 1997 government institutions failed to operate properly and the regular Albanian population is left without a voice to channel their grievances to government This leads to near-anarchy across the country, with civilians first protesting then rioting; some raiding military facilities for weaponry sporadic clashes between various groups – that could have degenerated into civil war as the ministry of interior and defense were not prepared to respond A massive crime wave ensued, as did rampages against public and private property Salih Berisha, then-President, appointed Bashkim Fino as Prime Minister Fino – was appointed by Berisha to quell the post-pyramid scheme collapse anger in Albania The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announces that it would support member states to send military or police to Albania to restore order in “Decision No. 160 of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, adopted at the 108th plenary meeting, on 27 March 1997 UN Security Council Resolution 1011 is passed in March 1997, authorizing a peacekeeping presence to allow for elections and a new government to take over Italian-led, 11-nation UN Multinational Protection Force (FMP) is deployed to Albania April 15 to restore order, distribute humanitarian aid, keep peace and ensure safe elections and government transfer of power, staying through the June to August 12 Strategic FMP Considerations Prevent a flow of Albanian migrants fleeing fighting (into neighboring countries and beyond) Prevent anarchy Albania (see previous bullet point) Maintain peace Allow for democratic elections and government transfer of power Tactical FMP Considerations Total Defense under Hoxa Thousands of defensive concrete pillboxes littered across key terrain across the entire country Arms depots (raided frequently) Disproportionately large armed forces Disproportionately armed population FMP Goals Stop the violence
OPERATION ALBA/Italian Forces (Afghan Deployed, Carrier/LDP – OSINT Operation Alba - SUMMARY: 1996 – Albania: Socialists accuse Salih Berisha’s Democratic Party (DP) of electoral fraud and refused to acknowledge the landslide DP victory, which created a political deadlock with the opposition, led by the Socialists, boycotting parliament 1997 – Albania: A vast pyramid scheme involving senior government officials collapses the Albanian economy which drove inflation through the roof and disproportionately affected the South (Tosk areas)– by early 1997 government institutions failed to operate properly and the regular Albanian population is left without a voice to channel their grievances to government This leads to near-anarchy across the country, with civilians first protesting then rioting; some raiding military facilities for weaponry – sporadic clashes between various groups that could have degenerated into civil war as the ministry of interior and defense were not prepared to respond A massive crime wave ensued, as did rampages against public and private property Salih Berisha, then-President, appointed Bashkim Fino as Prime Minister – Fino was appointed by Berisha to quell the post-pyramid scheme collapse anger in Albania The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announces that it would support member states to send military or police to Albania to restore order in “Decision No. 160 of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, adopted at the 108th plenary meeting, on 27 March 1997 UN Security Council Resolution 1011 is passed in March 1997, authorizing a peacekeeping presence to allow for elections and a new government to take over Italian-led, 11-nation UN Multinational Protection Force (FMP) is deployed to Albania April 15 to restore order, distribute humanitarian aid, keep peace and ensure safe elections and government transfer of power, staying through the June to August 12 Strategic FMP Considerations Prevent a flow of Albanian migrants fleeing fighting (into neighboring countries and beyond) Prevent anarchy Albania (see previous bullet point) Maintain peace Allow for democratic elections and government transfer of power Tactical FMP Considerations Total Defense under Hoxa Thousands of defensive concrete pillboxes littered across key terrain across the entire country Arms depots (raided frequently) Disproportionately large armed forces Disproportionately armed population FMP Goals Stop the violence
134800_OPERATION%20ALBA%20OSINT.docx