Alfred Moisiu Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Alfred Moisiu
Moisiu in 2009

President of Albania
In office 24 July 2002 – 24 July 2007
Prime Minister	Pandeli Majko Fatos Nano Sali Berisha
Preceded by	Rexhep Meidani
Succeeded by	Bamir Topi
Minister of Defense
In office 18 December 1991 – 13 April 1992
Preceded by	Ndriçim Karakaçi
Succeeded by	Safet Zhulali

Personal details
Born	Alfred Spiro Moisiu (1929-12-01) 1 December 1929 (age 95) Shkodër, Kingdom of Albania
Spouse	Milica Niça (before 2002)
Children	4
Profession	Military
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Branch/service	Albanian People's Army
Years of service	1949–1985
Rank	General

Alfred Spiro Moisiu (born on December 1, 1929) is a famous former Albanian military general, diplomat, and politician. He served as the President of Albania from 2002 to 2007. Alfred Moisiu is the oldest son of another well-known Albanian Army general, Spiro Moisiu.

Early Life and Military Career
Joining Politics After Communism
Becoming President of Albania
Awards and Honors
- From Albania
- From Other Countries
Images for kids
See Also

Early Life and Military Career

Alfred Moisiu grew up in the family of General Spiro Moisiu. In 1946, he went to the Soviet Union to study. He finished military engineering school in Saint Petersburg (which was called Leningrad back then) in 1948.

After returning to Albania, he began his military career. From 1948 to 1949, he worked as a platoon commander at the United Officers' School in Tirana. Then, from 1949 to 1951, he taught at the Skanderbeg Military Academy. He continued his studies in Moscow from 1952 to 1958 at the Academy of Military Engineering.

Back in Albania, Moisiu worked in the engineering department of the Ministry of Defense. He also commanded a special bridge-building unit (a pontoon brigade) in Kavajë from 1966 to 1971. In 1971, he became the chief of the Engineering and Fortifications Bureau at the Ministry of Defense. During this time, many concrete bunkers were built across Albania for defense.

In 1979, Moisiu earned a PhD in military science. He became Deputy Minister of Defense in 1981. He served in this role until October 1982. After this, he was sent to Burrel, where he commanded an engineers' company from 1982 to 1984. Alfred Moisiu left active military service as a general.

Joining Politics After Communism

Alfred Moisiu returned to public life in December 1991. He was chosen as the Minister of Defense in the government led by Vilson Ahmeti. He held this position until April 1992.

After a new government was formed, Moisiu was asked to be an advisor to the Minister of Defense. In 1994, he was appointed Deputy Minister. His main goal was to help rebuild Albania's armed forces, which were not in good shape. He also worked on preparing Albania to join NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).

In 1994, he started the Albanian North Atlantic Association and became its president. On January 24, 1995, he signed an agreement that connected Albania with NATO's Partnership for Peace project. From 1995, Moisiu attended special courses at the NATO College in Rome.

When the Albanian Socialist Party came to power in 1997, Moisiu left his job at the Ministry. In the years that followed, he was very active in non-government groups. He helped organize international meetings about security in Southeast Europe and how to control weapons.

Becoming President of Albania

In 2002, important international groups encouraged Albanian leaders to choose a new president. Sali Berisha and Fatos Nano agreed on Alfred Moisiu as a good choice for president. He was chosen after Rexhep Meidani finished his term.

The People's Assembly elected Moisiu by a vote of 97 to 19. He was sworn in for a five-year term as president on July 24, 2002. In Albania, after changes to the constitution in 1998, the government handles most political decisions.

Moisiu promised to help make Albania's democracy stronger. He also wanted to improve the justice system and help Albania join European and Atlantic organizations. The day after Moisiu became president, the Socialist Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, resigned. President Moisiu then appointed Fatos Nano, the leader of the Socialist Party, as the new Prime Minister of Albania.

Awards and Honors

Alfred Moisiu has received several important awards and honors during his career.

From Albania

"Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Decoration
Order of the Red Star

From Other Countries

Knight Grand Cross of the Croatian Grand Order of King Tomislav (July 2, 2007). This was given for his great help in building friendship and cooperation between Croatia and Albania.
Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great (March 27, 2007) from Lithuania.
Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George from the United Kingdom.
Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (2005) from Russia.
Honorary Citizen of Bari, Italy.