Abstract
This paper describes the struggles faced by the modern nation of Albania, from it's burgeoning independence movement before World War I until today. The author's tone is sympathetic toward the challenges this small Balkan state has endured as it strives to establish its place among the world community. Various problems that Albania has had to face following World War I are highlighted, such as being under-developed in terms of health, education, and industry. Additionally the author discussed how Albania has risen to the challenge of improving it's infrastructure and how potential membership in NATO and the EU would also improve its economic stability. The paper concludes by stating that despite its considerable challenges, Albania is considered a helpful partner in the world community today, especially towards the major Western powers.

From the Paper
"Yet after the end of World War I, the nation of Albania struggled. Despite its will to be independent, it lacked many of the qualities needed to be a fully functional, modern player in the world community. "About 90 percent of the country's peasants practiced subsistence agriculture, using ancient methods and tools, such as wooden plows. Much of the country's richest farmland lay under water in malaria-infested coastal marshlands. Albania lacked a banking system, a railroad, a modern port, an efficient military, a university, or a modern press. The Albanians had Europe's highest birthrate and infant mortality rate, and life expectancy for men was about thirty-eight years ("Social and economic conditions after World War I," 2005, Library of Congress). It was easily conquered by Italy in 1939. After the end of World War II, independent communist partisans occupied the country, first allying with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China until 1978. The nation grew closely allied with Tito's Yugoslavia, another technically communist, but largely left-wing independent nation that managed to elude the direct control of Moscow or Beijing ("Albania," 2008, CIA Factbook)."

Tags:Balkan states, Ottoman-ization, Turkey, communism

Abstract
This paper explores corruption in Albania. It examines how the corruption affects Albania's relations with NATO and the EU. The discussion also connects the corruption to the general terms of "effective governance" and "reliability". The paper begins with a brief historical overview of Albania and then analyzes political, economic and international relations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Brief Historical Overview
Political, Economic and International Relations
Political
Economic Relations
International Relations
Effective Governance and Reliability
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The end of corruption and membership to NATO and the European Union are important because they present the prospect of effective governance and reliability. Because of the communist and corrupt past of the nation effective governance has been difficult. In other worlds because of the former structure of power and the corruption that still exist, Albania's government could not govern in a manner that would benefit Albania and Albanians socially, economically or militarily. However, Albania's efforts towards the formation of a democracy have been instrumental in laying the foundation for more effective governance."

Tags:governance, reliability, EU, NATO

Abstract
This paper discusses the political and economic transition made by three East European countries after the fall of the Soviet Union. The writer shows how the political system and the economic systems are linked and how success in one aids with the other. Further the writer points out how well Bulgaria has done and how Romania has also achieved change, while Albania has had a more difficult time.

From the Paper
"After the breakup of the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc it controlled, the different countries of Eastern Europe faced the need to develop political and economic systems of their own. Pressure from the West was directed toward getting these states to create more democratic institutions and a free market system, though there were many obstacles to these goals, including history and the dire economic problems facing many of these countries. As a result, it is not surprising that results have been mixed, with different countries achieving different levels of development and political systems with differing degrees of democracy."

Tags:romania, bulgaria, albania

Abstract
The paper examines the effect of migration and immigration patterns on religious practices, women and minorities in Albania. The paper shows how while Albania has traditionally tried to preserve the rights of minority populations, the migration that Albania has experienced has created new and difficult challenges in relation to minority populations in the country. The paper then relates that the government of Albania has developed plans in addressing the challenges that minorities in Albania face.

Outline:
Objective
Gender Issues
Statement Submitted by Albanian Government (2001)
Education Issues For Minorities
Racial and Religious Inequalities
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"It is reported that minorities are particularly vulnerable to "excessive use of force and ill-treatment by law enforcement officials" and additionally reported is "discrimination in employment in the public sector" by members of the Greek minority. The group most vulnerable to "marginalization and discrimination and particularly to human rights abuses" is the Roma/Gypsy community in Albania. (European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, 1999) The three primary religions in Albania are Muslim, Orthodox and Catholic as the majority of Jewish individuals have left Albania. The ECRI states that areas needing attention include: (1) the lack of fully-developed legal framework combating racism and racial discrimination; (2) the precarious situation of the Roma/Gypsy community and the need to counter discrimination, including police discrimination; and (3) the need to procure reliable information concerning the situation of minority groups in Albania. (Economic Council, 2001)"

Tags:women, religion, minorities, discrimination

Abstract
World War II proved to be a turning point in the world's economies. While most of the world had suffered from a devastating depression in the late 1920's and 1930's, World War II proved such an impetus as to pull the world out of the soup lines and on to the battlefields. The paper shows that after the war, the United States did not need to make the long, painful adjustment from rations to recovery; this nation actually flourished during the war and with virtually no damage to the country's infrastructure, was in an ideal position to become the world's most successful post-war economy. The paper shows that, in contrast, the Soviet domination and forced Stalinist collectivization of Warsaw Pact countries created an atmosphere of stagnation and repression, the most horrifying example being Albania. This paper compares the best and worst postwar economies, those of the United States and Albania.

From the Paper
"While the United States was clearly the best example of a booming postwar economy, having achieved unparalleled economic success which has led to the nation's current dominance as the sole superpower and largest economic power, the worst postwar economic development was perhaps suffered by Albania. During the course of World War II, the small Balkan nation had transformed from a fascist Italian possession on the other side of the Adriatic Sea to a government championing Communist ideals."

Tags:recession, Cold, War, communism, GI, Bill

Abstract
The political fate of Kosovo is still unclear. Since June 1999 Kosovo is under the supervision of the international community. The Serbian state refuses to grant independence to Kosovo while the ethnic Albanians in the area are either pro-independence or pro-union with Albania oriented. This paper aims at estimating the current political and economic situation in this region and at evaluating the EU involvement in Kosovo as a stabilization tool and trigger of reforms.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Political Situation in Kosovo
Human Rights Issues and Social Situation
What was the EU Financial Assistance to Foster these Ongoing Changes in Kosovo?
Overview of Economic Stability
Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"There are still a lot of legislative gaps in Kosovo's Civil Servant Law, such as the lack of a unified salary system. The maximum period of an employment contract, according to its regulations is three years, without any specifications for further extension(Stabilization and Association Report, p.54). A trend towards politicization of the civil servants can be observed. Structures such as the Independent Oversight Board and the joint UNMIK-PISG Steering Board on Public Administration were established to act against and prevent such kinds of corruption".

Tags:european, political, rights, PISG, Albania

Abstract
This paper explains that Lavazza coffee, the undisputed market leader of espresso in Italy, is known for its product quality. The author relates that, although the company concentrates on its domestic market, it also offers its products throughout the world via a distribution system with subsidiaries and authorized distributors located in cities around the world. The paper recommends that diversifying the target market will leverage Lavazza's name and optimize the firm's position in markets outside of western Europe, especially in eastern European countries such as Albania. The author cites that Lavazza's marketing budget under this recommended plan will equate to an average of 5% of total sales. The paper includes several graphs, figures and tables.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Business Description
Production Process
Overview of Lavazza Coffee's Production Process
Current Marketing Strategy
Marketing Goals
Situational Analysis
Market Summary
Target Market Forecast for Retail Line of Lavazza Espresso Coffee and Espresso
Lavazza's Target Market Growth
Lavazza's Customer Forecast
Lavazza's Target Market Growth Espresso Machines
Market Demographics
Italian Market
European Market
International Market
Market Needs
Market Trends
Key Consumer Growth
Defined Market Segments
Defined Distribution Channels
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Competitive Analysis
Competitor by Growth and Share
Competitor by Growth and Share
Marketing Strategy
Target Marketing and the Marketing Mix
Market Segment Analysis
Services and Service Marketing
Pricing
Promotion
Service/Marketing Research
Financial, Budgets, and Forecasts
Sales Forecast
Sales Forecast by Segment
Expense Forecast
Expenses by Segment
Contingency Planning
Industry or Economic Downturns
Loss of Key Resources
Country specific Economic, Social, and Political Changes
Concluding Remarks: Albania and Lavazza

From the Paper
"Lavazza has a mandate to provide quality products, this goal is extremely critical. Since the consumer base judges the company on the quality of the products sold. This is the primary - and in many cases their only - measurement of Lavazza's capabilities. Lavazza needs to subscribe to an international research institute to better understand the demographic, economic, political, and social structure of the target market. Additional research should involve tracking competitive activities, gathering data on key business clients and their industries, and watching the evolution of coffee habits and its impact on the industry."

Tags:italy, illay, technology, consumers, research

Abstract
The paper describes the result of a study on proposed taxation on energy provided services and how cost-effective this approach could be to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The paper discusses how the proposed tax or taxes are acknowledged to have a result of some negative effect on most areas of the Greek economy. The paper looks at the country of Greece and relates that Greece is located in southern Europe and borders the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey. The paper describes its economy as varied and vibrant and relates that to this extent, Greece has a capitalist economy and became a member of the European Union - EU - in 1981.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this essay is to describe the result of a study on proposed taxation on energy provided services and how cost-effective this approach could be to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed tax or taxes are acknowledged to have a result of some negative effect on most areas of the Greek economy. But before this discussion continues, some preliminary data regarding the country of Greece is provided, as follows:..."

Tags:greek, economy, taxation

Abstract
This paper examines the causes of the Kosovo war, the way the war was planned and carried out, the thought that went into the attacks against Serbia, how it eventually ended, and what the results were for both ethnic Albanians and Serbs.

From the Paper
"Clinton's administration, in 1993, re-stated a similar threat, albeit the concern of the U.S. (and Western allies) was not "self-determination" for Kosovo, but the protection of human rights insofar as ethnic Albanians are concerned. The U.S. and allies were not willing to witness a massacre " or pogrom " on any great level, especially so close after the atrocities carried out by the Nazis against the Jews in World War II."

Tags:albania, greece, macedonia, yugoslavia, slobodan, milosevic, brutal, blood-thirsty

Abstract
This paper explores the Kosovo conflict, its escalation in 1998 and its subsequent management. It is divided in four parts. First, it deals with the accusations of human rights violations within the province and presents diverse evidence from various human rights groups on the existence of such abuses. Second, it examines the Serbian response to these allegations and the reasons behind Milosevic's unwillingness to rectify the worsening situation. Third, it presents an evaluation of the need for intervention with regard to International Law and previous humanitarian practice. Fourth, it analyzes the diplomatic and military actions taken by the International Community.

Table of Contents:
Introduction.
The Human Rights Situation in Kosovo:
History of Albanian Mistreatment.
Allegations of Human Rights Violations.
The Serbian Response to Accusations of Human Rights Violations.
An Evaluation of the Need for Intervention with Regard to International Humanitarian Law
An Examination of the Accusations of Human Rights Violations.
On the Legality of Military Intervention.
International Action
International Humanitarian Action in Perspective: The Failure of Diplomacy and the NATO Bombing Campaign
Belated Recommendations: Was there an Alternative?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Bosnia and the Kosovo conflicts marked the biggest outbreaks of violence in Europe after the end of the Second World War. The unstable political environment in federal Yugoslavia after the fall of communism, brought about the emergence of salient ethnic issues, which led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The focus of this paper is the Kosovo conflict, the human rights violations that led to its escalation, and the international response that followed. Even though the situation in Serbia has changed and democratic parties are in power, the Kosovo question is still far from being resolved due to the mutual hatred of Serbs and Albanians. Moreover, the downturn of the Kosovo crisis gave credibility to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a political player, which has further exacerbated the situation not only in Kosovo, but also in neighboring Montenegro and Macedonia."

Tags:democratic, ethnic, law, political, politics, Albania