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Albanian Times, 96-06-27
Albanian Times
June 27, 1996
CONTENTS
[01] Council of Europe Calls for Dialogue, No New Elections
[02] Two Albanians Die of Aids
[03] Socialist Supporters in Court
[04] US Says Closely Watching Albanian Situation
[05] Italian Official Discusses Albania
[06] Berisha Praises Papandreou
[07] Royal Roads Announces Acquisition of Ore Concessions in Albania
[08] Albanian Opposition Demands New Elections
[01] Council of Europe Calls for Dialogue, No New Elections
STRASBOURG, June 26 - In a vaguely crafted documet, the Council of Europe
called on the Albanian political parties to establish new eletoral rules
through round-table discussions but stopped short of demanding new elections.
The 39-strong European body contolled by the European People's Party, a
conservative group, blamed both the government and the opposition for the
irregularities that marred Albania's recent parliamentary elections. ``The
Council's parliamentary assembly proposes the holding of a round table of all
political forces (because) it is crucial that there be cooperation in order to
modify existing legislation,'' a resolution voted today by the assembly said.
However, the document dissappointed the opposition, who had demanded new
elections. The resolution said in diplomatic terms that the new elections
should be envisaged once new legislation was enacted, but mentioned no time
limit. The resolution also quoted an OSCE report to the assembly stating that
"the legitimity of the new parliament is
not questionable." President Sali Berisha has dismissed previous statements
by the European Parliament demanding fresh elections and has set July 1 as the
date for the new parliament to convene. (Albanian Times)
[02] Two Albanians Die of Aids
TIRANA, June 26 - Two Albanians have died of AIDS and 23 others have
contracted the virus, Reuter said. The first Albanian tested HIV positive two
years ago, Albanian doctors said. ``The main problem is transmission of the
virus through sex, but drug use could become a serious source of AIDS
infections in the next two to three years,'' they said. (Albanian
Times/Reuters)
[03] Socialist Supporters in Court
TIRANA, June 25 - A Tirana court charged 10 opposition supporters on Tuesday
with taking part in an illegal rally two days after the first round of
Albania's general election on May 26. The supporters were alleged to have
taken part in a protest called by Albania's main opposition parties against
what they charged were gross violations committed by the ruling Democratic
Party. ``They did not care about numerous and continuous warnings made by the
Interior Ministry...(and) provoked police forces, obliging them to intervene
to prevent an illegal meeting,'' the court said in a statement. Two of the
defendants did not show up in court and are said to be hiding. Police has
charged them as the instigators of the illegal gathering. If found guilty, the
defendants could be fined up to 200,000 leks ($2,000) or sentenced with up to
three months jail. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[04] US Says Closely Watching Albanian Situation
TIRANA, June 25 (Reuter) - The United States was closely watching
the
situation in Albania after a disputed general election, won by the
ruling
party amid allegations of vote manipulation, Washington said in a
letter
released on Tuesday. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum told the
leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance party that the United States
``closely followed the elections and the surrounding events.''
``Further U.S. actions will depend upon the response of both the Albanian
Government and political parties to the serious concerns expressed by
the
international community with respect to the elections,'' Kornblum's letter to
Democratic Alliance chief Neritan Ceka said. Ceka wrote to U.S. President Bill
Clinton on May 26 outlining what the opposition considered vote irregularities.
Kornblum said he was responding on Clinton's behalf. ``The U.S. Government is
working closely with other OSCE members to ensure that the Government of
Albania follows up the earlier recommendations in a credible fashion,''
Kornblum said. The United States called on the Democratic Alliance ``to seek
to resolve any concerns regarding the elections through peaceful means and to
cooperate with genuine efforts to investigate and correct the electoral
process in Albania.'' ``The consolidation of democracy is central to our
relationship with Albania,'' Kornblum said. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[05] Italian Official Discusses Albania
BRUSSELS, June 25 - The situation in Albania, Bosnia and the Middle East were
the focus here today of a meeting between Italian Foreign Undersecretary Piero
Fassino and deputies on the European Parliament's foreign affairs commission.
In briefing the deputies on the outcome of the European Council session in
Florence Friday and Saturday, Fassino held
out the prospect of an urgent European Union political initiative for Albania,
in conjunction with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
to activate a political dialogue and allow for the restoration of democratic
normalcy starting with local elections set for this fall. (Albanian
Times)
[06] Berisha Praises Papandreou
TIRANA, June 25 - Albanian President Sali Berisha praised former Greek prime
minister Andreas Papandreou, who died on Sunday, for helping to forge closer
ties between the two Balkan neighbours. ``I am sure Albanians will remember
for a long time his very important contribution,'' Berisha said after paying
his respects at the Greek embassy in Tirana. Papandreou, founder of the
Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), died after a heart attack aged
77.
``Papandreou was an historic personality of modern Greece, (and) of Greece's
contribution to European development,'' Berisha said.
[07] Royal Roads Announces Acquisition of Ore Concessions in Albania
CALGARY, June 25 - Royal Roads Corp. announced that it has received
confirmation from the Albanian Geological Survey (Gjeoalba) that Royal Roads
Corp. has been granted the right to earn an interest in four mineral
exploration blocks in Albania. The concession blocks total 737 sq. km. and
have mineral potential including gold, base metals, nickel sulfide, chromite
and platinum group elements (PGE). Royal Roads has the right to earn an 80%
undivided interest in the mining rights by spending U.S. $8,000,000 over four
years on the Tropoja concession and U.S. $2,000,000 over four years on the
other three concessions. Nebex Resources Ltd. (ASE - NBX) of Calgary has been
granted a ten (10) percent carried interest on the concession blocks up to the
point of earning by Royal Roads. Royal Roads intends to start exploration and
data compilation work in July, 1996. For further information: James Owen,
Director, Royal Roads Corp., (604)687-1334 (Albanian Times)
[08] Albanian Opposition Demands New Elections
STRASBOURG, June 24 - Representatives of eight Albanian opposition groups told
the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly in a closed-door session they
wanted new elections and that the election results posed an institutional
threat to the country. ``This is not only a political crisis but an
institutional one. It means we will be unable to build (democratic)
institutions,'' the President of the center-right Democratic Alliance, Neritan
Ceka, said. The assembly was expected to make a statement this week but new
elections were unlikely, given the weakness of the democratic
tradition in Albania, Deputy Secretary-General Penti Vaananen of the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said. ``There has
to be an agreement between the main parties to set up new
rules,'' he said. (Albanian Times)
This material was reprinted with permission of AlbAmerica Trade & Consulting
International. For more information on ATCI and the Albanian Times, please
write to AlbaTimes@aol.com
Copyright © ATCI, 1996
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