ATA News from Albania (96-06-13)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] NEW DETAILS ON OSCE OBSERVER SCANDAL IN ALBANIA

[02] PRIME MINISTER MEKSI MEETS ELECTORS OF TWO CONSTITUENCIES IN KORCA

[03] RADIO TIVARI RESTARTS PROGRAMS IN ALBANIAN

[04] ALBANIAN SP INSISTS ON FRESH ELECTION

[05] PRESS RELEASE

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] NEW DETAILS ON OSCE OBSERVER SCANDAL IN ALBANIA

[08] PROMOTION OF SMALL AND MIDDLE BUSINESS

[09] PROTAGONISTS OF MILITARY PUTSCH TO FACE JUSTICE

[10] ALBANIA-FORMER-OFFICIALSFINAL SAYING FOR FORMER PLA SENIOR OFFICIALS

[11] ALBANIA-MEETING-SUBCOMISMEETING OF ALBANIAN-GREEK JOINT SUB COMMISSION FOR BORDER AND DEFENCE QUESTIONS

[12] ALBANIA-MINISTER-DEFENCEALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ZHULALI LEFT FOR BRUSSELS

[13] ALBANIA-BERISHA-RETURNSPRESIDENT SALI BERISHA RETURNS HOME

[14] ALBANIA-VRANITCKIAUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR REACTS TO A LETTER BY SDP AND DAP

[15] ALBANIA-CENTRALNEW ELECTRONIC TELEPHONE CENTRAL INAUGURATED IN VLORA - Meksi attends the ceremony -

[01] NEW DETAILS ON OSCE OBSERVER SCANDAL IN ALBANIA

This data is provided by the newspaper Albania on Thursday which explains that: "it turns out that Mr. Magnussen began to visit Albania since in the 70s.

Magnussen was chosen by the Socialist Party of Albania (SPA) to monitor the May 26 elections, and then, like nine other observers, also chosen by the SP from the Norwegian extreme left, was listed among the OSCE observers. pas/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRIME MINISTER MEKSI MEETS ELECTORS OF TWO CONSTITUENCIES IN KORCA

Withdrawal of opposition only three hours before voting closed gave rise to complaints. Surely the irregularities have been small and formal and have not influenced the election result, but the responsibility to be correct towards the law is great. That's why the Central Electoral Commission decided to rerun elections in 17 constituencies, he added.

Meksi continued that the election campaign the socialists conducted was a campaign of insults and threatening and it resulted, according to Meksi, in a loss of credibility among the Albanian electorate.

He criticized the SP allies Democratic Alliance and Social Democratic Party which protested, voted and threatened side by side with the SP.

"The Albanian electorate gave them only 1.7 per cent of the votes and left them out of Parliament," Meksi finished. ssh/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] RADIO TIVARI RESTARTS PROGRAMS IN ALBANIAN

Radio Tivari broadcasts daily a 15-minute program in Albanian. Until four years ago it broadcasted a 30-minutes program weekly.

Albanians make up 15 per cent of Tivari commune inhabitants. aca/kled/fh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN SP INSISTS ON FRESH ELECTION

"The SP and other forces have taken the decision to withdraw from the election process. This decision helps avoid conflict which would lead to a civil war. We isolated and inactivated the Berisha electoral farce," said Pellumbi, at a rally held on Wednesday in the "Asllan Rusi" Sports hall, on its fifth anniversary of its founding.

Pellumbi, one of the three socialist deputy chairmen, provided as an argument for this act of the socialists also criticised by their leader Nano, "the avoidance of civil war".

Precisely five years ago, when its name and programme was changed, the Party of Labour of Albania declared in its 10th Congress that it had also changed its mentality overnight.

Observers expected it to strongly denounce the past of the party-state of Albania so as to make credible its claim to be a new social-democratic force belonging to the European left. Unlike the other former-communist parties of Eastern Europe, like the Hungarian one for instance, it not only was not disintegrated, but preferred to avoid the question of its inheritance, leaving this analysis to the future.

"The Socialist Party, had a difficult but honest birth," said the SP chairman for Tirana, Musa Ulqini, in his opening address.

The SP continues to keep in its programme Karl Marks and in its lead many incriminated elements of the past.

"It is not shortsightedness, withdrawal from the race or political submission as ill-willingly interpreted by several people," said Pellumbi indefinitely but implying Nano's criticism, "but a responsible act not to allow deception of the electorate".

Pellumbi presented to the mainly old aged participants, who could hardly fill the hall, the three socialist options, which, according to him: "have a clear repercussion both in and outside the country. The first was a rigorous inquiry into the May 26 incident with the participation of all political forces and international observers, fresh elections, under really free, equal conditions and under the eyes of international observers; secondly the recall of the 1992 parliament to carry out changes in the voting procedures and create the necessary conditions for free elections; thirdly, the formation of a government that would enjoy the consensus of all political parliamentary forces, and, as a task, the holding of fresh free elections within 1996".

OSCE, the EU and the U.S. State Department have not expressed themselves in favour of annulling the elections, but of correcting them in several constituencies. In a final report on the general elections in Albania OSCE criticised on Thursday, May 13, violations of legal standards, but did not call for fresh elections. Pellumbi did not elaborate these statements, but called on the electorate to boycott the "the vote bazaar of June 16".

"We have not given up, the DP and President Berisha should well be aware of this," shouted the SP deputy chairman, criticised for shortcomings in spreading SP political views over the world. "We cannot accept that Albania be treated sui generis by certain European circles," he said. kled/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS RELEASE

The announcement says that Premier Meksi invites all parties, also including the left opposition, to take part with their candidates in these elections, showing civic responsibility and respect for the democracy rules.

Meksi invites all the Albanian electorate to cast its vote for the best candidate and programme on June 16, the announcement concludes.jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PRESS REVIEW

It highlights a chronicle of the DP leader, Tritan Shehu, in Southern Albania in Bregas, Saranda, Delvina and Tepelena under the title "Victory of June 16, a decoration of DP victory of May 26." The paper carries an article of the BBC analyst Gabriel Partosh entitled "Withdrawal of opposition from elections, sign of despair and loss."

Under the headline "OSCE observers give conclusions on elections in Albania" Zeri i Popullit carries the article "The election law is violated." Pre election campaign law has been violated in 32 articles out of 72.

Under the title "Fifth anniversary of the SPA: Celebration and protests in the Palace of Sports" the paper says "Party of modern and optimistic messages."

Republika carries an article entitled "A fruitless trip" under the title "The visit of the SP and Pole of the Centre leaders to Greece." "SP - the most isolated party in Europe" is a comment of Rudi Bobrati to the BBC and printed on the third page of this paper.

"Elections practically invalid" says Poli i Qendres regarding the final report of the OSCE observers. It also carries "Illegal power moves Eastward to exercise pressure to the West."

Balli i Kombit carries the article "With us for the unity and boosting of Albania's image." It also calls the Albanian electors under the title "All of you should vote for National Union Party as it will be an honest force in Parliament."

Lajmi i Dites reports a chronicle of the UN conference on "Habitat 2" in Istanbul where President Berisha attends and carries the article "Albanian opposition asks the Austrian Chancellor for an audience."

Tribuna on its fourth page carries an article where it says "Use of contingents of Enver Hoxha's Embassies throughout Europe as analysts, journalists and foreign communicators with Albania with the only scope to bring back communism in power was finalised on May 26 but for good luck it failed."

Rilindja publishes an interview of Albanian TV with Bujar Bukoshi under the title "The office will have a polyvalent role for Kosova's future" regarding the importance of the opening of the USIS office in Pristine.

Under the headline "Socialist's congress left for Autumn" the newspaper Albania publishes the article "Fatos Nano's dismissal is expected" and "New details on the scandal of the OSCE observers in Albania" where it says that the status of the OSCE observer was secured even by Tue Magnussen former collaborator of dictator Hoxha.

Dita Informacion carries an interview of the Austrian newspaper "Die presse" with President Berisha. Under the headline "OSCE Report on elections in Albania becomes public," the paper says "The OSCE observers: That is how we were duped on May 26." It also highlights the chronicle of yesterday's meeting of the SP in Tirana.

Gazeta Shqiptare writes that the report of the OSCE observers arrived in Tirana and carried critics for irregularities and manipulations during the election campaign. kled/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NEW DETAILS ON OSCE OBSERVER SCANDAL IN ALBANIA

This data is provided by the newspaper Albania on Thursday which explains that: "It turns out that Mr. Magnussen began to visit Albania since in the 70s.

In yesterday's issue, "Albania" reports that 9 from OSCE observers in May 26 elections in Albania, has been invited by SP. SP has chosen them from a Norwegian group of the extreme left( Norwegian Working Youth), that has nothing in common with the Social Democratic Party of Norwegian. This group of observers from Norwegian on May 10, was attached by the Central Election Commission, as observers called by SP and after ten days, on May 20, the OSCE observer Mark Power attached them by the Central Election Commission as OSCE observers.

"Albania" writes that the name of M. Magnussen figures at the head of the Economic Commission of the former Former relations Committee, an institution created during the dictatorship in Albania which had as a main duty the official propaganda of the communist administration outside the country as well as special duties of secret nature, covered with such economic names. Mr. Magnussen, according to documents of the former Foreign Relations Committee, has been for almost 20 years the most well known name among the political communist circles and had close relations with the dictator, Hoxha. At least, since 1976, the Danish Magnussen had the permission to pass the "armoured" Albanian border, "Albania" underlines. It was the time when foreigners that wanted to visit Albania passed carefully through the sieve of the secret police of the communist administration. During that time in Albania only terrorist groups, the so-called Marxist Leninist groups were welcomed. Documents have been already publicized which verify that these Marxist groups have been terrorist commandos financed with specialist funds of the party of Labor of Albania (solidarity funds).

The newspapers writes that the fact that this gentleman from Denmark with such a past have been chosen from the SP to observe the May 26 elections in Albania, is something normal, but the problem is that Mr. Magnussen has enjoyed another status, that of OSCE observer. " In spite of irregularities observed during May 26 elections in Albania, the inclusion with a double status of more than 30 per cent of OSCE observers might be compromising for the OSCE office, likewise the final report of the Office of Democratic Institution for Human Rights, ODIHR on elections in Albania", the newspaper writes.

The newspaper goes on that the OSCE and its office ODIHR, no doubt, have reflected the a strict seriousness in monitoring elections in many countries of the world. "The problem might be a kind of manipulation and compromise made to ODIHR mission to Albania during May 26 elections by Albanian communists. The fact of inclusion of observers of the Socialist Party as OSCE observers is compromising", the newspaper writes. Pas/ LA/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] PROMOTION OF SMALL AND MIDDLE BUSINESS

ople employed be increased. Priori ty has been given to credits for the production of construction materials, of greenhouses, motel restaurants and other activities. SME representatives say that the success of small business is related also with the creation of association of producers, in order to better protect their interests. AGj

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PROTAGONISTS OF MILITARY PUTSCH TO FACE JUSTICE

Kico Mustaqi former Defence Minister, Arsen Stroka former Commander of the Military Academy and Ksenofon Cani, former Commissar of this academy will be tried on June 24 by a panel of Tirana Military Court under the charge of abuse of office in collaboration, regarding the vents of 1991 in the Military Academy in Tirana.

The defendants after the falling of Enver Hoxha's monument in the centre of Tirana, on February 21, 1991, organised a military putsch by ordering the students to take arms. Because of irresponsible shooting two civilians and a policeman on duty were killed.

The trial as envisaged by the Penal Procedure Code will be carried out in absentia of the defendants and in the presence of the attorneys appointed by their families. Interpol is hunting down the defendants as they left for abroad. ssh.jz/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ALBANIA-FORMER-OFFICIALSFINAL SAYING FOR FORMER PLA SENIOR OFFICIALS

Xhelili and Ganaj demanded from the court to cease the case for these defendants for the penal act of genocide, envisaged in Article 73 of the Penal Code, asking sentences for them only for the penal act of crimes against humanity, in cooperation.

According to articles 74, 67 and 25 of the Penal Code, sentences for these penal acts range from 10 years in prison to death penalty.

Six former PLA senior officials Foto Cami, Prokop Murra and Muho Asllani, former PLA Politbureau members, Gaqo Nesho, former PLA first secretary in Vlora and in Tirana, Zef Loka, former director of the Interior Affairs Department of Tirana and Dilaver Bengasi, former deputy Interior Minister in the period of communist dictatorship in Albania, were brought to court after a testimony from the Forum of Independent Intellectuals to the Tirana district prosecutor's office.

Right after the testimonies, the prosecutor's office started investigations. It accused the defendants of genocide and crimes against humanity in cooperation in the time when they were in high PLA and state posts.

After hearing the final conclusions by the prosecutors, the jury, led by the judge Petrit Kaja, decided that hearing of the defendants and their defence attorneys be held on June 19, 1996. xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIA-MEETING-SUBCOMISMEETING OF ALBANIAN-GREEK JOINT SUB COMMISSION FOR BORDER AND DEFENCE QUESTIONS

The agreements are linked with the reconstruction and maintenance of the signs on the Albanian-Greek border line. The meeting also dwelt on the measures to prevent incidents on the border, stressing the importance and need of these interstate agreements to be reached as soon as possible. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ALBANIA-MINISTER-DEFENCEALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ZHULALI LEFT FOR BRUSSELS

Questions of security and partnership will be considered in the meeting in the view of most latest developments in former Yugoslavia and the experience of the IFOR.

In his address, Zhulali will express Albania's opinion on security and defence and the perspective of the protection of our country's and nation's interests.

The meeting will discuss the present stage of the Partnership for Peace, where Albania is a serious and active partner.

In the context of the cooperation in the field of defence, Zhulali will have meetings with the chairman of the NATO Military Committee Nauman, a special meeting with the U.S. Defence Secretary, William Perry and with Defence ministers of Holland, Greece, Turkey etc. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIA-BERISHA-RETURNSPRESIDENT SALI BERISHA RETURNS HOME

Yesterday's afternoon plenary session opened with the address of President Berisha who said that Albania was taking part in that important world conference after 50 years of isolation.

After pointing out the four difficult years of transition to establish a free market economy, Berisha said that Albania intends to take its place in Europe and to integrate into all its structures.

Yesterday Berisha also met with the U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali. Mr Ghali congratulated Berisha on the May 26 elections and wished him success in the consolidation of democracy and prosperity to the country. kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ALBANIA-VRANITCKIAUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR REACTS TO A LETTER BY SDP AND DAP

In this way Austria refuted a request by Albanian opposition leaders for support from Austrian Federal chancellory. The statement came after a letter Vranitcki received from leaders of Albanian opposition parties, the socialdemocrat chairman, Skender Gjinushi and the Democratic Alliance leader, Neritan ceka, through which they asked Austrian chancellor to mediate in relation to polling manipulations in Albania. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] ALBANIA-CENTRALNEW ELECTRONIC TELEPHONE CENTRAL INAUGURATED IN VLORA - Meksi attends the ceremony -

Attending the inauguration ceremony also was Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, deputy Prime Minister and deputy of Vlora Dashamir Shehi, Interior Minister Agron Musaraj, Vlora prefect Shanaj, deputies and representatives of the local government.

Addressing those present, Meksi said that "investments in telephone service are part of the democratic government's program of investments for all the fields in the past four years. Infrastructure takes a special place in this program which envisages high rates of development also in the future."

The new telephone central in Vlora is part of the masterplan financed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, the Swiss and Italian governments and the Albanian Telecom.

The central, produced in 1995, was installed by Italian Alkatel firm, whereas construction work was made by the local firm Xhaxho.

The central cost 1.8 million dollars. ssh/kei/xh/k

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