ATA News from Albania (96-06-02)

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN NATIONAL KILLED ON SERBIAN-MACEDONIAN BORDER - report of Interior Ministry

[02] RECEPTION ON OCCASION OF ITALY'S NATIONAL DAY

[03] U.S SUGGESTS ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO STAGE PARTIAL POLL RE-RUN

[04] CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY DENOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF SP AND ITS ALLIES FROM ELECTIONS

[05] U.S., allies begin meetings to keep Bosnia peace

[06] Czech preliminary results expected by 1300GMT

[07] SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 9 CONSTITUENCIES IN ALBANIA TODAY

[08] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH SENATOR MARINACI OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION OF ITALY

[09] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF UNION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE

[10] SECOND POLL ROUND IN 108TH CONSTITUENCY OF VLORA

[11] SP ACTIVISTS THREATEN VOTERS IN KORCA

[12] CALM POLLING IN SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 68TH CONSTITUENCY IN ELBASAN

[13] ALBANIA TO BE ACTIVE MEMBER OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE

[14] PEACEFUL SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN LUSHNJA AND MIRDITA

[15] ABOUT 45-50 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE IN SECOND ROUND POLL UNTIL 17.00

[16] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS EDU SECRETARY GENERAL

[17] ABOUT 50.5 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE IN SECOND ROUND POLL UNTIL 18.00

[18] OPPOSITION STRIKE CONTINUES: ALBANIANS INDIFFERENT TO IT

[19] NORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN GJIROKASTER AND PERMET

[20] FOREIGN OBSERVERS FOLLOW SECOND ROUND OF POLL

[21] ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE FOR SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN ELBASAN UNTIL 20.00

[22] CENTRAL POLE ENDS STRIKE

[01] ALBANIAN NATIONAL KILLED ON SERBIAN-MACEDONIAN BORDER - report of Interior Ministry

The event took place near the village of Vrace, in Serbia. As a result of the fire, two of the five were wounded instantly, one of them, Aziz Abdi Beqja, 36, from Noveosej village of Kukes, died while being taken to the hospital.

The other wounded person managed to leave for Macedonia together with the rest of the group.

Today, Albanian border authorities are taking care for the the body of Beqja to be brought to Kukes and to learn about the fate of four other Albanians. ake/kei/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] RECEPTION ON OCCASION OF ITALY'S NATIONAL DAY

Attending were Albanian deputy Premier Dashamir Shehi, members of the government, deputies, leaders of political parties, heads of the Diplomatic Corps in Tirana and reporters.

Albania and Italy signed a treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Rome last October. At present Italian investments in Albania take the main place.

In the context of its rotating turn of the EU Presidency, Italy is committed to the signing of an association agreement between Albania and the EU within the first half of this year. kei/xh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] U.S SUGGESTS ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO STAGE PARTIAL POLL RE-RUN

The U.S. Department judges the Albanian Government may stage partial elections also as recommended by various OSCE and EU observers, the declaration says.

Mentioning Albania's progress for the past five years, the declaration notes regrettably numerous irregularities which marred the last elections. It lays the stress on the manipulation of vote counts and the presence of armed guards at some polling stations which might have influenced in the voting.

The statement says further on that the withdrawal of major opposition party candidates and their members of the electoral commissions made it impossible to gauge the true dimension of problems. The declaration notes that also opposition parties that boycotted the elections must accept their responsibility.

Finally, the U.S. Department of State calls on the Albanian Government and political parties to seek assistance from the International Community in investigating irregularities and identifying districts in which elections should be repeated, the RD writes referring to the U.S. State Department declaration. jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY DENOUNCES WITHDRAWAL OF SP AND ITS ALLIES FROM ELECTIONS

The Christian-Democrats think that this unprecedented act serves create a tense political climate.

Nevertheless, due to some irregularities noted during elections, CDP urges the Central Electoral Commission the annulment and a re-run of elections in constituencies 3, 19, 22, 31 and 74 and state's commitment to guarantee free elections in the second polling round. RD writes. jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] U.S., allies begin meetings to keep Bosnia peace

Christopher met Carl Bildt, international civilian coordinator for implemention of the 1995 Dayton peace plan, while U.S. Bosnia envoy John Kornblum had separate talks with representatives of Russia, France, Germany and Britain.

MORE

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Czech preliminary results expected by 1300GMT

With results from over 85 percenoft polling stations counted, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus's Civic Democratic Party maintained a slender lead over the opposition Social Democrats but unofficial projections suggested his centre-right coalition would fall just short of a parliamentary majority.

A final press conference with preliminary results from all of the country's polling stations had originally been scheduled for 1700 GMT on Sunday.

REUTER

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 9 CONSTITUENCIES IN ALBANIA TODAY

Taking part in today's re-run are candidates of the Democratic party, the Republican Party, Social Democratic Union Party, Christian Democratic party, the League of Legality, Balli Kombetar party and the Human Rights Union party.

In the first round of the third pluralistic elections in Albania, held on May 26, the Democratic party won in 95 out of 115 constituencies and the Socialist party won in five constituencies. On the proportional system DP won over 65 per cent of the votes while SP over 22 per cent.

On May 26 elections, the Socialist party and the Centre-Pole (Democratic Alliance Party and the Social Democratic party) three hours before voting was over pulled out of elections their candidates alleging voting was not free and under normal conditions; and declared they would not recognize the election results. (Presently candidates for deputy of these parties are in a hunger strike.) xh/Z /

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH SENATOR MARINACI OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION OF ITALY

Senator Marinaci congratulated Berisha in the name of his party and the Italian Government on the DP victory in the May 26 elections. "In Tirana streets I saw calm people rejoicing over their victory," said Marinaci.

The Italian Senator pointed out that the way how SP acted made clear to everyone that everything was premeditated and prepared before hand. jz/xh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF UNION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE

Berisha expressed the gratitude for the continuous support of the party of Union for the Republic, the party of President Chirac and Prime Minister Jouppe for DP of Albania since its creation.

He said that immediate and unprecedented withdrawal from elections of the SP three hours before polling was over, created conditions for irregularities in some constituencies.

Ms Branchou congratulated President Berisha over the historic victory and said that the opposing stand of SP and other opposition parties regarding these elections shows that they are not in a position to tolerate such a landslide victory. jz/xh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] SECOND POLL ROUND IN 108TH CONSTITUENCY OF VLORA

Chairman of the election commission of this constituency Armando Dule told ATA that on the basis few reports that have reached the commission so far due to the mountain region, the participation of the electors has been good.

Competing in the constituency of Vlora are candidates of Balli Kombetar and the Human Rights Union parties, respectively Duk Azem Muco and Jorgji Dhimo Zaho, who in the first round of elections had won 1500 and 768 votes. The candidates of DP and SP in the 108th constituency of Vlora have pulled out of this round of election after personal demands they had presented in the form of a declaration to the constituency election commission.

Polling for the above mentioned candidates are being held in 50 polling stations today. sh/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] SP ACTIVISTS THREATEN VOTERS IN KORCA

According to the chairman of the constituency election commission, Ali Merolli, 58 polling stations have opened at 700 today and polling is going on normally. Competing in this constituency are the candidates of DP Rexhep Bregu and of the Balli Kombetar party Luan Mullaj. The total number of the registered eligible voters in that constituency is 21 500. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] CALM POLLING IN SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN 68TH CONSTITUENCY IN ELBASAN

None of the candidates in this constituency won the necessary minimum of votes in the first round of elections. Until 1100, voting has continued conformed to electoral law in about 29 polling stations, which include the town of Cerrik and its nearby communes. Such a thing has also been noted by numerous foreign monitors and reporters of various European agencies and TV. RP members in the election commissions also were of the same opinion.

Until 1100, according to the chairman of the constituency election commission, Shpetim Rami, around 30 per cent of the voters had cast their votes. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIA TO BE ACTIVE MEMBER OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE

Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi said Albania will be an active member of the Central European Initiative (CEI).

"We would like to assure you that my country will be an active member, a capable partner and an encouraging factor of cooperation," said Serreqi at Initiative Foreign Ministers meeting in Vienna on June 1, on the occasion of Albania's and other countries' admission to the CEI.

"Albania is ready to take a more active part in all the Initiative's activities and projects and its work groups," said Serreqi adding that Albania's readiness and devotion will also be based on the experience gained and the successes in the political and economic multilateral cooperation and integration.

Serreqi said that Albania considered that the CEI was offering an appropriate and realistic basis for the materialisation of many joint interests of the countries of Albania's region. jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] PEACEFUL SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN LUSHNJA AND MIRDITA

The participation in the polling station 24 was 40 per cent until 12.00.

According to the electoral commission in this polling station and a member of the Balli commission, the voting is being run in conformity with all laws, with the full participation of the commission and under a normal procedure.

Second round ballot is being held also in the constituency 20 in the Mirdita district, between the Albanian Republican Party candidate, Gjon Markagjoni,and that of the Social-Democrat Union Party, Mark Gjon Ruci.

According to the commission members in the Rreshen town polling station and according to voters, everything is running fairly and without problems.

This Sunday, the second round of parliamentary elections is being held in 10 constituencies. Taking part are the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social Democrat Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

In the meantime, the Albanian opposition parties, the Socialist Party, the Social-Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, the National Unity Party and the Agrarian Party have refused to participate in the second round of poll, alleging that last Sunday's first round was manipulated by the DP, which won in 95 out of 115 constituencies. The Socialist Party won in five constituencies and the HRUP in two constituencies.

In four constituencies, due to numerous irregularities in the voting procedure of May 26, the elections will be repeated, according to the Central Electoral Commission's decision.

Some 100 candidates of opposition parties, which do not recognise the first round outcome, are staging a hunger strike at the SDP and SP headquarters, in protest against these results. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] ABOUT 45-50 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE IN SECOND ROUND POLL UNTIL 17.00

The eloections which will close at 22.00, have been calm, normal and conform the laws, members of the constituency commissions and different people interviewed by the Albanian TV say.

The second round of elections is being held on Sunday in nine constituencies, as no candidate of these constituencies could capture 50 per cent of the votes in the first round last Sunday.

Taking part in the second round ballot are five parties: The Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social- Democratic Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

In the meantime five opposition parties, the Socialist Party (SP), the Social-Democratic Party (SDP), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), The National Unity Party (NUP), and the Agrarian Party (AP) have boycotted the elections since in the first round by pulling their representatives out of the electoral commissions three hours before the poll was over.

These parties are not taking part in the second round, either. They allege that the first round elections were manipulated by the Democratic Party, which, on a majority system, won in 95 of 115 constituencies, against five constituencies of SP, and two of HRUP.

In 1992, from 100 deputies elected on a majority system, 90 belonged to DP, six to SP, two to HRUP, one to SDP and one to RP. (The SDP and the RP captured these seats only in the constituencies the DP had put at their disposal).

The left parties (SP, SDP, DAP, NUP and AP), whose candidates are staging a hunger strike in protest against the election outcome, have called on their electorate not to take part in the second round of elections. lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS EDU SECRETARY GENERAL

Vintoriak brought greetings from the Union's chairman, Alois Mock, to Berisha and congratulated him for the DP victory in the May 26 elections.

The EDU Secretary General assured Berisha of EDU's and its member parties' support for the DP.

Mr. Grosrook, observer in the May 26 elections, present in this meeting, reconfirmed the normal and free character of the elections he had watched, and stressed that it had been clear that the DP would win the voting.

President Berisha stressed that the Central Electoral Commission is working seriously to ascertain irregularities, checking every ballot paper and any of its suggestions would be considered.

He said that the second round elections (being held today) has been prepared conform the law. s.sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ABOUT 50.5 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE IN SECOND ROUND POLL UNTIL 18.00

Some 55-60 per cent of the electors had voted until this time in Lushnja, 51 per cent in Vlora, 45-50 per cent in Korca, 53 per cent in Elbasan, 45 per cent in Pogradec, 35-40 per cent in Gjirokaster, 55 per cent in Librazhd, over 45 per cent in Permet and 55 per cent in Mirdita.

The elections which will close at 22.00, have been calm, normal and conform the laws, members of the constituency commissions and different people interviewed by the Albanian TV say.

The second round of elections is being held on Sunday in nine constituencies.

Taking part in the second round ballot are five parties: The Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social- Democratic Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

In the meantime five opposition parties, the Socialist Party (SP), the Social-Democratic Party (SDP), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), The National Unity Party (NUP), and the Agrarian Party (AP) have boycotted the elections since in the first round by pulling their representatives out of the electoral commissions three hours before the poll was over.

These parties are not taking part in the second round, either. They allege that the first round elections were manipulated by the Democratic Party, which, on a majority system, won in 95 of 115 constituencies, against five constituencies of SP, and two of HRUP.

In 1992, from 100 deputies elected on a majority system, 90 belonged to DP, six to SP, two to HRUP, one to SDP and one to RP. (The SDP and the RP captured these seats only in the constituencies the DP had put at their disposal).

The left parties (SP, SDP, DAP, NUP and AP), whose candidates are staging a hunger strike in protest against the election outcome, have called on their electorate not to take part in the second round of elections. lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] OPPOSITION STRIKE CONTINUES: ALBANIANS INDIFFERENT TO IT

Passers-by show no interest while passing by the Socialist Party and Social Democratic Party headquarters, both in the center of Tirana, where candidates for deputies of the Socialist Party, Social-Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, the National Unity Party and the Agrarian Party are staging a hunger strike in protest against the first round poll results, declaring the Democratic Party as the winner.

The Socialist candidates who are fasting in their party headquarters have said that will continue the strike until their demand for a re-run of elections is met. The Central Pole candidates (SDP and DAP), gathered in the SDP headquarters, have announced that their strike will be a three day one.

In the meantime, some 30 000 inhabitants of Tirana have passed this Sunday at Durres beach, some 50 km from Tirana.

The SP, the SDP, the DAP and the AP boycotted the first round of elections some three hours before the voting closed and have not recognised the results of this round.

In the first round elections the Democratic Party won in 95 of 115 constituencies, while the SP in five constituencies and the HRUP in two constituencies.

The Albanian TV reporters have not been allowed to enter the surroundings where the strike is staged, while on Sunday the Euronews TV channel broadcasted views from the development of the strike staged by the opposition parties. The TV reporters have obtained information on the strike only from the spokesmen.

Second round voting have been held in nine constituencies and some 50.5 per cent of the electors had voted until 18.00 with the participation of the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social-Democratic Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

The left parties (SP, SDP, DAP, NUP and AP) have called on their electorate not to take part in the second round of elections. lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] NORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN GJIROKASTER AND PERMET

In constituency 111 in Gjirokaster, voters will chose between the candidate of the Democratic Party, Fatos Beja, and of the Balli Kombetar, Arshi Peca.

In this constituency in which some 20 000 voters have been enrolled in 46 polling stations, some 40 per cent of the electiors had voted until 17.30, while in several polling stations this figure is over 50 per cent, according to the chairman of the electoral commission, Agron Ahmeti.

The candidate of the Democratic Party, Genc Pollo, and that of the Republican Party, Perparim Skenderi, will compete in constituency 110 in Permet.

The Central Electoral Commission reports that some 50 per cent of electors had voted until 19.00 in Permet, while in the Gjirokaster city this figure is 40 per cent until 18.00.

The Prefect of Gjirokastra, Tepelena and Permet, Fatos Gjyrezi, told ATA that all measures have been taken on time . for al normal development of voting in all the polling stations of the above two constituencies. According to the latest information of this prefecture, the ongoing development of voting has been normal .

Some 50.5 per cent of the electors had voted until 18.00 in nine constituencies where the second round of parliamentary elections is being held, according to reports by the Central Electoral Commission.

Taking part in the second round ballot are five parties: The Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social- Democratic Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

In the meantime five opposition parties, the Socialist Party (SP), the Social-Democratic Party (SDP), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), The National Unity Party (NUP), and the Agrarian Party (AP), which have boycotted the elections since in the first round, are not taking part in the second round, alleging that the first round elections were manipulated by the Democratic Party.

The DP won in the first round of poll on a majority system in 95 of 115 constituencies, against five constituencies of the SP and two of the HRUP. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] FOREIGN OBSERVERS FOLLOW SECOND ROUND OF POLL

The ballot, which closes at 22.00, has been calm, normal and conform the laws, according to reports of constituency commission members and of various people interviewed by the Albanian TV.

Some 50.5 per cent of the electors had voted until 18.00 in the constituencies in which the second round of parliamentary elections is being held, according to reports by the Central Electoral Commission.

The second round of elections is being held on Sunday in nine constituencies.

Taking part in the second round ballot are five parties: The Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Social- Democratic Union Party, the Balli Kombetar Party and the Legaliteti League Party.

Five opposition parties, the Socialist Party (SP), the Social- Democratic Party (SDP), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), The National Unity Party (NUP), and the Agrarian Party (AP), have boycotted the elections since in the first round, when they withdrew their representatives from the electoral commissions some three hours before the voting closed.

These parties are not taking part in the second round, alleging that the first round elections were manipulated by the DP, which won in the first round of poll on a majority system in 95 of 115 constituencies, against five constituencies of the SP and two of the HRUP. kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF ELECTORS VOTE FOR SECOND ROUND OF POLL IN ELBASAN UNTIL 20.00

Until this moment, the voting has been calm and conform the law, according to the RP and DP commission members.

A great number of foreign observers are attending this constituency's polling stations.

Members and sympathizers of left wing subjects have also taken part in the second round voting in the villages of the Gjergjan commune.

The left opposition parties had called on their electorate not to take part in the second round of the elections.

The voting will continue until 22.00. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] CENTRAL POLE ENDS STRIKE

Only 10 people, among whom: Skender Gjinushi, Gaqo Apostoli, Neritan Ceka, Blendi Gonxhe, Gjergj Zefi, Prec Zogaj, all leaders of the two parties, which make up the so-called "Central Pole", were seen leaving the SDP's headquarters out of 74 people declared as participants in the strike.

The leaders of the two parties of the Central Pole, the Democratic Alliance Party and the Social-Democratic Party, went on a hunger strike on Friday, but they allowed no TV reporters to film the fasting participants during the strike. lin/lm

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