Shaqir Vukaj
Minister of Defence
In office
11 March 1997 – 25 July 1997
PresidentSali Berisha
Prime MinisterBashkim Fino
Preceded bySafet Zhulali
Succeeded bySabit Brokaj
Personal details
Born20 August 1942
Shkodër
NationalityAlbanian

Shaqir Vukaj (born 20 August 1942) is an Albanian politician who served as Minister of Defence from 11 March 1997 until 25 July 1997, during the Albanian Unrest of 1997. He replaced Safet Zhulali, who fled to Italy with his family days after resigning. [1]

His short tenure as Defence Minister was not without conflict. Following the sinking of a boat filled with Albanian refugees by the Italian Navy, Vukaj met with Italian Minister of Defence Beniamino Andreatta to discuss the withdrawal of Italian troops from Albania.[2] The Italian military was present in the country as part of Operation Alba, a multinational force mobilized following the Albanian Unrest of 1997. Anger at the sinking of the refugee boat resulted in rebel groups threatening to fire on Italian troops.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Perlez, Jane (15 March 1997). "Albania Chief's Associates Flee; Gunfire Halts Evacuation by U.S." New York Times. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Boat tragedy splits Italy over protection force". The Times. 2 April 1997.
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