Albania rejects US request to host destruction of Syria chemical weapons

Jerusalem Post ^ | 11/15/2013 20:58

[Dave346]

THE HAGUE/TIRANA - Albania rejected on Friday a US request to host the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons, dealing a blow to a US-Russian accord to eliminate the nerve agents from the country's protracted civil war.

Negotiations went down to the wire, delaying the scheduled adoption on Friday of a step-by-step plan to get rid of 1,300 tons of Syria's sarin, mustard and other agents.

Albania's refusal marked an unprecedented break from its traditionally staunch allegiance to NATO ally Washington. It followed a storm of protest in the Adriatic republic, where protesters complained of exploitation.

"It is impossible for Albania to get involved in this operation," Prime Minister Edi Rama, just two months in the job, said in a televised address to the nation.

"We lack the necessary capacities to get involved in this operation," he said, following days of growing protests outside government buildings.

Hundreds of demonstrators, including students cutting school classes, gathered to denounce the plan on Friday, "NO" painted on their faces.

There was no immediate indication where the United States or Russia might look next to dispose of thousands of tons of toxic waste.

[Repeat Offender]

Why do all those barrels say - “Made in Iraq?”

[Carry_Okie]

Why not Jordan?

[Rup Rupert]

Obama’s a wussy pants when Albania rolls right over him

[cherokee1]

You can’t blame the Albanians for not wanting to clean up Syria’s stink. Who even thot that up? I looked in the big book to see who has the neatest hi-tech chemical disposal facility and Albania didn’t turn up. Basher made the problem. Make Basher clean it up-—with help from Iran. It’s possible to get really sick of tinhorns making messes then milking someone else to clean them up.

[Grampa Dave]

Good for them.

Identify where the wmds were made, publish that data on the internet and send the poison back to the country that made it.

[Kenny Bunk]

Granpa, if we really really wanted the Albanians to handle this we should merely put the materials in a new Mercedes SUV and walk away.

Within hours, the MB and the toxins will be on their way to colorful and quaint Albania, the only country in the world in which stolen cars and parts are a major economic sector (along with prostitution, extortion, and people-smuggling).