ATA News from Albania (96-06-06)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT BERISHA GREETS OPENING OF USIA

[02] FIFTY THOUSAND ECU ON CLEAN BEACHES

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] U.S. PRESENCE IN KOSOVA INSTITUTIONALISED

[05] DRAFT LAW ON DENTAL SERVICE

[06] DP CHAIRMAN MEETS WITH CDP CHAIRMAN

[07] ARBNORI LEAVES FOR HUNGARY

[08] UNCHR OFFICIALS VISIT KOSOVA

[09] U.S ROLE IN KOSOVA WILL NOT END WITH OPENING OF INFORMATION OFFICE-Engel

[10] ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIOR MINISTRY

[11] BALKAN PEACE TEAM TO OPEN ITS OFFICE IN KOSOVA

[12] FINAL SAYING FOR THREE FORMER SENIOR PLA OFFICIALS

[13] SDP DEMANDS ELECTION IRREGULARITIES BE BROUGHT TO EVIDENCE TEN DAYS AFTER IT WITHDREW FROM POLL

[14] INTERBALKAN SEMINAR ON FAMILY VIOLENCE

[01] PRESIDENT BERISHA GREETS OPENING OF USIA

Berisha considers this event a proof of the direct interest the U.S. administration and President Clinton have in a solution of Kosova question which remains essential for a long stability in the region. jz/fh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] FIFTY THOUSAND ECU ON CLEAN BEACHES

The 5th of June being the international Environment Defence Day has inspired this international organisation to accord this fund to Albania.

According to Drita Dade, specialist in the Department of Public Relation in the Albanian Committee on Environment Defence the 5th of June has been since 1992 even in Albania the day of sensibility of different environmentalist societies.

Governmental or non governmental societies have realised different projects in this field.

The most important of them was the demonstrative cleaning this year of our beaches especially that of Durres where the flux of people is greater. jz/fh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Its editorial is entitled "The opposition restrained in Brussels" and it carries the article "EC considers the Red Front leaders irresponsible" and a declaration of President Berisha on the opening of US Information Service Office in Pristine. RD also carries the article "An Albania without enverists is victorious."

Zeri i Popullit carries the article "We will ask for new elections as soon as possible." It also carries the articles "Albania on the eve of an international isolation", "Economy does not 'obey' to political victory" and "We will not allow the installment of Berisha's dictatorship."

Republika's editorial is entitled "Bitter joke of winning the elections" and "Democracy and the image of pluralism in the post dictatorship Albania."

Poli i Qendres carries an article "Albania should repeat elections" and "Albania in a historical turning point."

Balli i Kombit newspaper carries the editorial "National Front in new Albanian Parliament" and the article "Let us all join our forces for the unity of Albania and exalt its image."

Lajmi i Dites carries a letter Pjeter Arbnori received from Leni Fischer on elections of May 26 and the reaction of the Austrian press on them.

Under the title "We are engaged on your future and freedom" Rilindja covers the opening of the USIS Office in Pristine. It also carries a declaration of US Congressman Elliot Engel on this event under the title "US role will not halt here."

Gazeta Shqiptare carries the editorial entitled "Brussels: Parties should start dialogue" and "Clandestine trafficking - new influx towards Italy."

Albania newspaper carries an article entitled "Resignation of the SP deputy chairmen Namik Dokle and Servet Pellumbi is asked" and "EU: Return to Albania and give proofs of responsibility."

Koha Jone carries the articles "Albania toward its isolation: EU leader cancels his visit to Albania", "Five socialist deputies confute president" and "The boomerang victory of Berisha."

Dita Informacion carries the article "Europe tightens its grip" and "Who are responsible for the loss in elections?" Tribuna's editorial is entitled "Europe says halt to the revolutionaries of the Red Front." jz/fh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] U.S. PRESENCE IN KOSOVA INSTITUTIONALISED

The report underlines that the U.S.interest and support for the Albanian cause date back to early times and that Albanians recall with respect the interference in favour of Albanians of the U.S. President Wilson against Albania's division in 1920.

The U.S. interest in the Kosova Albanians' issue has been increasing in the last years, the report of the ATA correspondent says. It also also provides the following chronology of the increasing U.S. ties with representatives of the Albanian people of Kosova.

"In June 1990, the first delegation of the Kosova Albanians led by Ibrahim Rugova visited Washington upon invitation to provide for the first time testimony in the U.S. Congress. In the same year, in August, a delegation of seven senators headed by Bob Dole visited Pristine. The delegation was welcomed by thousands of Albanians who expressed trust in America against the terror exerted by the Serbs to break them up.

Rugova's frequent contacts with the U.S. ambassador Zimmerman in the years 1988-1990 were followed by higher level contacts in the U.S. administration and Congress.

In the spring of 1991, the U.S. secretary of State, James Baker, at a meeting in Belgrade with the delegation of the Kosova Albanians headed by Ibrahim Rugova, expressed the U.S. position that Albanians and Kosova will have their own place at the negotiation table about the solution to the Yugoslav crisis.

During these years the U.S. interest in Kosova has been constant.

In 1992, George Bush, pressuring the Belgrade regime, said that they would be responsible in case they provoked a conflict in Kosova and if so the Americans would intervene against Serbia. The reconfirmation of this "red line of danger" by the administration of President Clinton testified to the long-term and constant U.S. policy in the Balkans and in Kosova".

In 1994 President Rugova met with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore and last year had two meetings with the U.S. secretary of State Warren Christopher.

The same year, President Rugova asked in Washington the U.S. leading role for the solution of the Kosova question. On this occasion, Washington issued the decision of the opening of the Kosova office in Washington and expressed the possibility of the opening of the U.S. Office in Pristina.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, during a visit to Belgrade several months ago discussed the Kosova issue with Serb officials and proclaimed the decision of the opening of the U.S. Information Office.

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Rudolf Perina, in a visit to Pristina last month said that the opening of this office would be followed by other steps of U.S. engagement in Pristina". b.j/a.ca/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DRAFT LAW ON DENTAL SERVICE

The draft law includes articles adjusting this service in two sectors: state and private.

This is the first draft-law in the history of the Albanian dental service. The Ministry of Health has drafted the law based on the experience of the most qualified specialists as well as on the West European and U.S legislation. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] DP CHAIRMAN MEETS WITH CDP CHAIRMAN

Bushati congratulated Shehu for the DP victory in the 26 May elections.

They expressed the need of co-operation to promote democracy and continue reforms for the strengthening of the rule of law based on the fundamental democratic principles, as two forces taking part in the European Christian Democrat Union.

Shehu and Bushati discussed the possibility of cooperation in the constituencies where elections will be repeated.

There will be a re-run of the elections in four constituencies where the Elections Central Commission noted irregularities during the first round of poll on May 26, 1996.

None of the Albanian Christian-Democratic Party won either in the first round of elections on May 26 or in the second one on June 2. s.sh/kei/kei/lm/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ARBNORI LEAVES FOR HUNGARY

The conference is scheduled to discuss the role of the parliament in the construction and functioning of democracy under the conditions of market economy and in the solution of social problems as well as the European integration and cooperation of national parliaments.

Leni Fischer, Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr. Klaus Hansch, Speaker of the European Parliament, Ms.Rita Susmuth, Speaker of the German Parliament, Mr. Philipp Seguin, Speaker of the French National Assembly, as well as other European statesmen will report on this topic. jz/lm/Z/

U.S. HIGH RANKING DELEGATION ARRIVES IN KOSOVA

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] UNCHR OFFICIALS VISIT KOSOVA

The delegation which comprised Margaret o-Kifer coordinator of Belgrade's office, Rene Van Royen coordinator for special operations in former Yugoslavia and Bo Shack official of UNCHR met yesterday Dr Fehmi Agani, Hydajet Hyseni and Edita Tahiri, members of the Democratic League of Kosova (DLK).

The meeting discussed the problem of the Serbian refugees in Kosova. DLK officials declared that the bringing of Serbian refugees to Kosova has not a humanitarian character but is a continuity of the Serbian efforts to change Kosova's ethnic structure and its colonization.

They argued this by the fact that the population in Kosova has the highest density in Europe and a low economic development.

"At a time when Albanians are forced to leave Kosova, due to the Serbian violence, and are hindered to return, the bringing of Serbian refugees can be nothing else but a political action with a destabilizing aim" they said.

They added that to the Serbian refugees are offered good living conditions and jobs opened by the sacking of Albanians.

"Serbian refugees are the main factor of conflict in Kosova because they come from fighting areas" the DLK officials explained. They offered several cases of aggressive actions of the Serbian refuges in Kosova against the Albanian population. aca/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] U.S ROLE IN KOSOVA WILL NOT END WITH OPENING OF INFORMATION OFFICE-Engel

"As the author of the law through which the U.S. government was asked to open an office in Kosova, I powerfully support the founding of the USIS Center in Pristina. This is a decisive step testifying to the U.S. support for the people of Kosova.

"I hail the engagement of secretary Christopher who persuaded Milosevic to allow the opening of this diplomatic post," the statement says.

"The U.S. role in Kosova will not end with this," the statement says. "We should persuade the Serbs to allow the return of human rights observers, to stop the silent ethnic cleansing of the Albanian population, to allow the Albanian government to hold meetings and respect the Kosova people's self-rule," Engel says stressing: "We will not dare lift 'the outer wall of sanctions' on Belgrade without meeting the aforesaid conditions". a.ca/jz/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIOR MINISTRY

This dismissal is linked with the incidents created during the SP illegal rally on May 28, 1996, at the Skenderbej square in which SP chiefs and sympathizers wanted to protest the results of the first round of the parliamentary elections on May 26.

The Democratic Party won the majority of votes in this poll.

Despite public forewarning by the public order forces, some 200-300 people, members and sympathizers of the SP and other parties, led by their leaders Pellumb, Dokle and Gjinushi, tried to reach the Skenderbej square on May 28.

The police forces, after forewarning to disperse, intervened and broke up the small group of protesters, who came out of the SP headquarters.

The prosecutor's office is continuing inquiries into the incidents occurring after the disperse of the illegal rally. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] BALKAN PEACE TEAM TO OPEN ITS OFFICE IN KOSOVA

In a visit to the Albanian Christian Democratic Party, Royals said that the Balkan Peace Team is committed to help for the just and peaceful solution to the question of Kosova. "In this context we will open the office of the International Organization for peace in the Balkans," said Royals. He added that the peaceful policy of the people of Kosova should be rewarded.

CDP chairman academician Mark Krasniqi informed the guest of the activity of his party as one the parties with its influence in the political life in Kosova. Together with other parties, we are making efforts to sensitize international circles about the question of Kosova.

Kosova, situated in the territory of former Yugoslavia and with an over 90 per cent of ethnic Albanian population, was separated from the main trunk in 1913 after an unjust decision of the European Great Powers in the Ambassadors meeting in London. Krasniqi spoke on the history of the Republic of Kosova and asked the International Community to undertake concrete steps to prevent Serbian expansion in the Albanian ethnic territories. aca/n/gen/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] FINAL SAYING FOR THREE FORMER SENIOR PLA OFFICIALS

After a legal analysis of the penal acts carried out by the above defendants, prosecutor Skera asked the court to cease the case for the penal act of the crime of genocide, envisaged by article 73 of the Penal Code.

Pirro Kondi, Qirjako Mihali and Sulejman Bushati were brought to court after a testimony made by the Forum of Independent Intellectuals in the Tirana Prosecutor's Office. The Forum accused them of genocide and crimes in cooperation against humanity during the time they were first PLA secretaries in different districts.

According to articles 74, 67 and 25 of the Penal Code, those guilty of these penal acts face sentences from 10 years in jail to death penalty.

After hearing the final conclusions by the prosecutor, the jury chaired by Gjin Gjoni, decided to hear the final say by the defendants and their attorneys on June 12, 1996. xh/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] SDP DEMANDS ELECTION IRREGULARITIES BE BROUGHT TO EVIDENCE TEN DAYS AFTER IT WITHDREW FROM POLL

Wednesday SDP published in the Poli i Qendres paper (a publication of the Centre-Pole consisting of the SDP and the Democratic Alliance Party) a report asking its branches in the districts "to declare all the law violations made by election commissions in constituencies of polling stations by people in posts, by civilians or militaries, known or unidentified people, for all the run-up to elections, April 16-May 26, 1996."

The report also asked that "the irregularities must be documented through declarations, proces-verbaux, denunciations, etc."

Five opposition parties, Socialist Party (SP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and Agrarian Party (AP) boycotted the first round of elections after they withdraw their representatives from election commissions three hours before the poll was closed.

These parties did not take part in the second round of elections claiming that the first elections were rigged by DP which won two-thirds of the votes.

Left wing candidates for deputy, representing SP, SDP, DAP, NUK and AP staged a hunger strike recently protesting for the election outcome.

So far none of the above parties has requested in the Constitutional Court the annulment of the May 26 elections or their repetition, official sources from this court told ATA. xh/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] INTERBALKAN SEMINAR ON FAMILY VIOLENCE

As speakers in the seminar said on the first day, "the problem is deteriorating and exists in the Balkan peninsula due to social taboos which do not allow the woman to manifest its full emancipation in the society we are living and consequently making her a victim of violence in the family."

In today's discussion, representatives of the Refleksione Association, Human Rights Attorneys of Minnesota, representatives from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Rumania and others who took the floor stressed the fact that "a more active participation of the woman in the social, political, economic life beyond any conservatory concept is a decisive factor to eliminate her discrimination in the family and in the social life."

In the Declaration on the elimination of all forms of violence signed in 1994, the United Nations have powerfully denounced any form of violation on the woman including here the violation in the family. The United Nations have confirmed this Declaration also in the Platform for Action adopted in the Fourth World Woman Conference held in Beijing in September 1995, in which a delegation from Albania took part. gen/xh/g

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

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