ATA News from Albania (96-06-05)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CORNBLOOM TODAY IN PRISHTINE

[02] ALBANIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO - PRIORITY OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY

[03] NATO DELEGATION VISITS ALBANIA

[04] POLICE DISCOVER CIGARETTE SMUGGLING

[05] TWENTY-FIVE MEDICAL CENTRES REHABILITATED IN FIVE MONTHS

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] U.S. HIGH RANKING DELEGATION ARRIVES IN KOSOV

[08] SOME 5 800 TONS OF WHEAT ARRIVE IN DURRES POR

[09] "WE HAVE PLEDGED YOUR FUTURE AND FREEDOM" - Kornblum

[10] ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE DECLARES U.S OFFICE IN PRISTINA OPEN

[11] PRESIDENT OF KOSOVA MEETS U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

[12] FISCHER ADDRESSES LETTER TO ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

[13] BRITISH HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP POSITIVELY ASSESSES POLL IN ALBANIA

[14] HEAD OF POLLING STATION HIT WITH COLD WEAPON

[15] CDU DENOUNCES "PLOT OF SILENCE" AGAINST ALBANIA

[01] CORNBLOOM TODAY IN PRISHTINE

The delegation will also attend the ceremony for the opening of USIA Office in Prishtine for which all preparations are made.

USIA headquarters will be established in a building in Dragodani quarter of Prishtine.

The opening of the office also marks a step forward in the U.S. interest for Kosova and its presence in that dangerous zone of conflicts. bj/aca/gen/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO - PRIORITY OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY

At the beginning of the meeting, German Chancellor Kohl greeted. He highlighted the unchanged position of Germany for the consolidation of the alliance considering it not only as a military union but first of all as a community of the free democratic countries. He stressed the importance of the extension of the alliance and continuation of the dialogue between the Alliance on the one hand and Russia and Ukraine on the other.

Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi also took the floor in the morning session. He said that Albania's membership in the Alliance is a priority of its foreign policy. Serreqi underlined Albania's participation in the program of the Partnership for Peace and described it as the broadest democratic consensus our continent has ever known. He mentioned and appreciated the results of the meeting of the Defence Ministers of Southern Balkans, held in Tirana some time ago, noting that such initiatives serve the establishment of relations of good neighbourliness and the increase of security in the Balkans. He focused particularly on the situation in Kosova and reiterated the Albanian stand for an indispensable solution of the problems in time. "If the implementation of the Dayton accord is a fundamental element for peace and security in the region we would make a big mistake to neglect a very dangerous situation as that of Kosova," said Serreqi.

During his stay in Berlin, Serreqi had many bilateral meetings. gen/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] NATO DELEGATION VISITS ALBANIA

Colonel Bianchi heads this visit which is realised in the context of the visits NATO delegations are paying to Albania. They will meet officials in the Albanian Defence Ministry to prepare the visit of the deputy Commander of NATO Forces in Europe general Mackenzie.

Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali received the delegation in a special meeting, where they got acquainted with the victory of the democratic forces in Albania and their determination to continue the work to a further reformation of the Albanian army in its way to be up to the NATO standards.

Zhulali confirmed Albania's determination to continue the dialogue with NATO underlining the fact that President Berisha and the democratic government are intensifying their efforts to become a full right member of NATO.

Zhulali thanked NATO for accepting Albania's request to take part in the IFOR peace force in Bosnia and said that Albania will always be a serious partner continuously strengthening its cooperation with NATO.

He once more stressed the commitment of his country to contribute to the peace, security and stability in the region.

The delegation was also received by Sheme Kosova Chief of the Albanian Army General Staff.

The delegation will also visit the peace keeping company which is training in Albania to take part and carry out peace keeping duties in Bosnia. ake/gen/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] POLICE DISCOVER CIGARETTE SMUGGLING

In the mean time two soldiers were accompanied to the police commissariat.

Chief of the district Police Commissariat Shemsi Prenci told to ATA that "the event has started from May 30 at 24.00. The Albanian customer in collaboration with a foreign citizen enabled the lorry with smuggled cigarettes to cross the border."

The police have confiscated in the town market of Kukesi, 290 km from Tirana, a quantity of these cigarettes to be used as proof. ake/gen/fh/k

TIRANA, JUNE 4 (ATA)-Today's Rilindja Demokratike says that the Albanian electorate with its massive vote said "NO" to the red front". The paper also carries the editorial "Communism alone is a loser". The paper also carries the article "The June 2 second round ballot - confirmation of the sweeping victory of May 26".

Under the title: "Dokle uncovers 'the truth' of the elections on a foreign radio", the paper stresses that in the same interview Dokle at first declares that the SP had the majority of votes until it withdrew and, then, that the SP could not know it had lost when it withdrew.

Zeri i Popullit under the headline: "Hunger strike in the SPA is going on", carries the article "All together to defend democracy". The paper reports on the hunger strike under the title: "The socialist candidates for deputies determined to continue the hunger strike".

"Nothing confirmed about the fate of the elections outcome", says the newspaper Republika. The paper carries Monday's news conference of the democratic leader Shehu under the title:"Only the Constitutional Court can make invalid the elections result",.

Under the headline "Ceka and Gjinushi unfold the Brussel's platform", the newspaper Poli i Qendres carries the article "This is what we will ask in the European parliament!". Under the headline "The hunger strike of the Central Pole is over", the paper says that "This is only the beginning of our fight".

Balli i Kombit carries a statement which calls on the people to show self-control at these historic moments and not fall a prey to the dangerous 'game' of the former communists who intend destabilisation of the situation at home.

Lajmi i Dites reports on the news conference of democratic leader Shehu under the title:"DP victory and large participation in the second round". The paper also carries the chronicle of the government meeting on Monday.

Under the headline "Paradoxes of the left", "Tribuna Demokratike" carries the article :"The socialists cannot hold the congress". The paper also carries the article :"The West confirms full support for the DP victory".

Albania, under the headline "The communists preparing for a second April 2 in Tirana", carries the article "Musa Ulqini: Let's provoke bloodshed... only in this way can Europe take interest in us". Under the headline "The Second round of poll reconfirmed the first round results", the paper carries the article "The Opposition should respect the failure".

Rilindja reports on the meetings of President Rugova with chairmen of the DLK Branches under the title :"Kosova among the most serious problems in the Balkans". Under the headline:"Over 10 000 Albanians protested in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva", the paper says that "Unless the Kosova issue is resolved there will be no peace in the Balkans".

"The opposition again on the square", the newspaper "Dita Informacion" says.

Under the headline "The hunger strike of the SP candidates for deputies has entered its fifth day", Koha Jone says:"The life of the strikers at stake". The paper reports on the news conference of the Central Pole under the title:"Social peace and new elections".

"The second round, the right wing assumes strength", Gazeta Shqiptare says regarding the June 2 second round of poll. The paper entitles its fifth page :"Specials after the vote". kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] TWENTY-FIVE MEDICAL CENTRES REHABILITATED IN FIVE MONTHS

It is a project realised in collaboration with World Bank specialists which specifies the sanitary map and the kind of medical centres according to the number of the population each of them will cover. It foresees that 500 medical centers are necessary to cover all territories of the Republic with primary health care.

It goes to 325 the number of the centres rehabilitated with funds invested by the Albanian government, World Bank and contribution of other donors and non government organisations.

During 1996 some 54 centres will be rehabilitated in 18 districts and the E.U. PHARE programme will finish 18 centers in three other districts.

This programme will be finished within 1999. gen/fh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit writes: "Against the stealing of the people's vote, against state violence - Albania in protest," about the rallies held on Tuesday. The paper also writes: "76 candidates for deputy of the SPA give up their political hunger strike." Under the title "Today democracy needs more than ever our courage and determination," the newspaper carries a message by Musa Ulqini, chairman of the SP leading Committee for Tirana addressed to SP members and sympathizers.

Republika writes that "The Centre Pole yesterday withdrew from the initiative to hold a rally together with Socialist party." The paper also headlines another article "The worst evil is the monopolization of the power."

Albania writes: "300 aged people wanted the Scanderbeg Square - communists were betrayed." This paper also writes that U.S. President Bill Clinton recommends an extension of the status of the most favoured nation in trade for Albania and some countries of Eastern Europe and Asia.

Lajmi i Dites writes: "Hunger strike and SP rally of protest end." It says that the delegation of observers of the European Democratic Union has not noted any irregularities in the second round of elections in Albania. The paper reports that a delegation of the U.S. Military Academy of the West Point has arrived in Albania.

Rilindja writes: "U.S. Centre to be inaugurated in Prishtine today." The paper also writes that "Running water for Tirana next year."

Koha Jone writes: "Tirana in a curfew. Socialists resist." The paper writes about the news conference of SP in its headquarters citing the chairman of the hunger strike Pandeli Majko: "We bring our fast to a close but not our demands." The paper publishes an interview with the vice chairman of the Albanian socialist-democratic Party, Paskal Milo, under the title "For Europe and the U.S. Berisha has politically died."

Dita Informacion writes: "Scattered manifestation of SP in Tirana yesterday - The strike ended, the protest continues," whereas Liria writes "Monism in democracy." kei/xh/

U.S. HIGH RANKING DELEGATION ARRIVES IN KOSOVA

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] U.S. HIGH RANKING DELEGATION ARRIVES IN KOSOV

Cornbloom was received by Kosova's President Ibrahim Rugova. They had a tete-tete meeting, without the presence of journalists.

The U.S. delegation also includes the deputy Secretary State, Rudolf Perina. Many foreign diplomats are actually in Prishtina as well.

The U.S. office is expected to be opened up this afternoon in the capital of Kosova, as a first step in establishing foreign missions in Kosova. The office is being opened after the April armed incidents, which date back to the killing of a 20 year-old Albanian student by a Serb civilian.

Diplomats from U.S., German and Swedish embassies are going to attend Wednesday's ceremony, as well.

The Albanian charge d'affaires in Belgrade, Besnik Konci, and other Albanian embassy members will also be present. b.j/a.ca/g/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] SOME 5 800 TONS OF WHEAT ARRIVE IN DURRES POR

All measured are taken for the speedy unloading of the ship and the wheat's delivery to state's reserves. s.sh/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] "WE HAVE PLEDGED YOUR FUTURE AND FREEDOM" - Kornblum

"The opening of this office in Pristina is concrete evidence of the continuing U.S. interest," said Kornblum.

"The United States have for years promised the establishment of the fundamental human rights and of the democratic foundations in Kosova. Our presence here is also an opening to the world of information and a sign of U.S. commitment to the people of Kosova and their future," he said.

"We consider this center a meeting point and a place for references and talks for all the Kosova citizens, irrespective of their national and political convictions," said Kornblum.

"We have been constantly negotiating with all parties aiming at a standing and democratic peace. We have been constantly negotiation with all authorities in Yugoslavia to secure a brilliant future in Kosova like in the rest of the world. We have promised your future and freedom and hope that through its cultural and information activity this center can considerably render its contribution," said Korblum.

Anne Sigmund, USIA Director for East European Affairs, informed the participants of the nature of this office.

"We hope this office will lay the foundations to embark on a new age," she said.

Sigmund made known the aims of this office stressing that: "We want that in the American center in Pristina the Kosova citizens feel themselves at home; we want to contribute to the prosperity of the cultural and information life in Pristina and Kosova as a whole. This office is foreseen as the place where people can exchange ideas and enter the new century in which information is the key to progress for all".

The director of the U.S. office in Pristina will be Michael McLallen.

Attending the inauguration of the Information office which was symbolically marked with the hoisting of the American flag in Pristina, was the president of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, and other leaders of state, political institutions and associations of Kosova. Also attending was an Albanian delegation headed by the charge d'affaires of the Albanian embassy in Belgrade, Besnik Koci.

President Rugova thanked the U.S. government for this great donation to Kosova and the region and stressed that "this is a historic day for Kosova, for its major cause, for the people of Kosova, and for a peaceful and political solution to the Kosova issue based on the peaceful and political will of the people". a.ca/ksh/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE DECLARES U.S OFFICE IN PRISTINA OPEN

Korblum leads a U.S. high ranking delegation including the Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Rudolf Perina, and the USIA Director for East European Affairs, Anne Sigmund.

Attending the inauguration of the Information office which was symbolically marked with the hoisting of the American flag in Pristina, was the president of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, and other leaders of state, political institutions and associations of Kosova.

Also attending was an Albanian delegation headed by the charge d'affaires of the Albanian embassy in Belgrade, Besnik Koci. a.ca/n/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] PRESIDENT OF KOSOVA MEETS U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

Korblum stressed that the United States would continue to engage in the solution of the Kosova issue through a pragmatic policy. He expressed to President Rugova the commitment of President Clinton that the U.S. administration would engage in the realisation of the rights of the Kosova people and of peace and prosperity in this part of the region.

In a briefing with reporters after the meeting, Kornblum said that the U.S. Office, through its activity, will reflect the U.S. presence and interests, a significant aspect to carry dialogue ahead, and, through its performance, it will try to secure a peaceful and democratic future for all the people in Kosova.

President Rugova briefed Mr. Korblum on the general situation in Kosova. Due to the Serb regime systematic repression, the situation in Kosova continues to be grave and tense. But despite constant violence and repression, Albanians organised themselves in a powerful peaceful resistance and created the independent democratic institutions.

Rugova referred to the political solution of the Kosova issue and reminded that the people of Kosova declared themselves by referendum for independence and are determined to realise independence through peaceful and political means and through a democratic organization.

Rugova stressed that Kosova an independent and neutral state, open to Albania and Serbia, is the most optimal political and ethnic solution in the region.

Rugova reiterated that the Kosova leadership has asked a temporary international civic administration in order to calm down the situation and create the preliminary conditions for the solution of the Kosova issue through dialogue, in the presence of an authorised party.

"The Kosova people, through peaceful resistance and great sacrifices, avoided the open conflict in Kosova," Rugova said adding that he was expecting the International Community to reward this resistance and the unprecedented sacrifices of Albanians.

"Our people greatly trusts in the United States for their continuous concern and engagement in the Kosova issue," Kosova's President said. a.ca/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] FISCHER ADDRESSES LETTER TO ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

"I thank you for your letter and invitation to the Assembly today to send Assembly members as observers to the second round of the parliamentary elections, due on Sunday," Fischer says in a letter addressed to Arbnori.

"Although you invitation is of extraordinary importance, I am afraid the time at the disposal of our political groups and the Assembly Bureau is very short to assign a group.

"The news available on the first round of elections were certainly worrying. You, surely, are aware of the fact that the post-election statement issued by the OSCE Office of Democratic and Human Rights Institutions said that serious irregularities had occurred in the elections process.

"The head of this OSCE office called on the political parties in Albania to study all measures, including the possibility of partial re-run of elections, to solve the conflict.

"I have noticed that the Central Electoral Commission has not neglected these irregularities and has asked the President of the Republic to issue a decree to repeat the poll in three constituencies.

"The Presidency of the European Union appeals to the Albanian Government to make everything possible to secure the conditions for the regular continuation of the electoral process. The European Union advises all the parties to show the highest level of responsibility and continue the dialogue.

"I very seriously studied the invitation of the President of the Republic addressed to the opposition candidates to take part in the voting in the second-round constituencies, as well as that addressed to all voters to take part in the second round.

"Mr. Berisha also said that he would guarantee that the elections be held conform the law and that Albania guaranteed all freedoms and rights to gathering and protest conform the law.

"Our Parliamentary Assembly has been happy to work with you and other colleagues from your parliament to defend the pluralist parliamentary democracy in Europe", the letter says. s.sh/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] BRITISH HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP POSITIVELY ASSESSES POLL IN ALBANIA

The May 26 voting in essence was free and fair although its outcome disillusioned the opposition. This result coincided with the survey carried out by a U.S. Institute," the report says.

During the voting day the mission's observers noted that the Commission members and voters moved freely and that the police presence was less than that observed during elections in all former-communist countries.

The observers denounce the use of violence in the May 26 protest and stress that "the Albanian people should be congratulated for developing a multi-party democracy and for going to the polls with a good democratic spirit."

The report concludes that according to the mission the observers have monitored many elections in post-communist countries. They are conscious that their opinion of the elections in Albania is different from that of the OSCE international human rights delegation.

The report says further on that differences between their observations are amazing and that they are waiting for some concrete testimony of what several denouncing reports allege. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] HEAD OF POLLING STATION HIT WITH COLD WEAPON

Albert Ndrece, from the Mjede village, Shkodra district, northern Albania, was chairman of the polling station 12 in consistency 5 of the Mjede village in the parliamentary elections, which were held in Albania in two rounds, May 26 and June 2, in which the Democratic Party won.

Ndrece says he was threatened before and after the elections by Socialist Party militants.

The newly elected deputy of the above constituency and Speaker of the last parliament, Pjeter Arbnori, has asked police Commissariat bodies in Shkoder to enquire into this incident and identify the authors of the crime.a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] CDU DENOUNCES "PLOT OF SILENCE" AGAINST ALBANIA

"After a sensation created in the international and Italian press, why no one has no longer dealt with Albania, which held the second round of elections on June 2?", Folloni and Marinaci ask at a news conference covered by the ANSA news agency.

Marinaci, who, together with Buttiglione, signed an interpellation regarding this problem, compiled a chronicle of his mission in Albania confirming that the elections were held under a calm atmosphere.

"Even the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Paolo Foresti, did not conceal his surprise at the way how that Italian press covered the elections in Albania," Marinaci said.

"There was some irregularity, but this shows, in a paradoxical way, that the elections have been free if compared to the ever 'perfect and fair' elections in the Hoxha time".

In an interpellation with the Foreign Minister, CDU criticised the TG 1 correspondent because he had not correctly covered the events.lm

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