ATA News from Albania, 96-10-03

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ZORAN LILIC SETS CONDITIONS TO START NEGOTIATIONS

[02] OLD AND NEW LEADERS OF SP "TOGETHER TO POLLS"

[03] CENTRE POLE WITHOUT CHAIRMAN CAUSES ANOMALY IN THE PCEC

[04] INVESMENT MAKE VEFA CREDIBLE

[05] SON OF SUPERKILLER NEHAT KULLA ARRESTED

[06] ALBANIAN AND CROAT PREMIERS VISIT "PEZA-1" WELL

[07] SHEHU MEETS NUMBER 2 OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

[08] PRESS REVIEW

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MET WITH KLAUS JURGEN HEDRICH

[10] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH A GERMAN DELEGATION

[11] JOINT ALBANIAN-GERMAN EXERCISE, MATI '96 STARTED

[01] ZORAN LILIC SETS CONDITIONS TO START NEGOTIATIONS

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] OLD AND NEW LEADERS OF SP "TOGETHER TO POLLS"

According to the analysts, it seems that problems of the campaign have belittled the importance of previous ones, the fight of clans within the party, because the campaign needs experienced people like Servet Pellumbi.

Servet Pellumbi, former SP Deputy Chairman, resigned during the second phase of SP second Congress. He was accused by Fatos Nano, SP leader, as 'Marxist' and as one of the persons that caused the loss of the SP in the elections of May 26.

The second congress of the SP held its proceedings at the end of August. During this congress great differences flared up between the new SP leaders and those who were heirs to the Party of Labour of Albania. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] CENTRE POLE WITHOUT CHAIRMAN CAUSES ANOMALY IN THE PCEC

Irregularities in the introduction of the Centre Pole as a joint political subject have caused concern in the Permanent Central Electoral Commission.

"There is confusion regarding the communication of the district commissions and the PCEC with this electoral grouping," the chairman of the PCEC, Nestor Tereska, says.

The PCEC saw it reasonable to call on the Social-Democratic Party (SDP) leaders and the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), which make up the Centre Pole, to introduce the leader of this grouping before the commission.

"It is of no importance to the commission whether Ceka (the DAP chairman), Gjinushi (SDP chairman) or someone else is the leader of this grouping," Tereska said.

He added that often the papers filed to the Commission bear two seals or two signatures or only the signature or seal of only one party. The commission approved the emblem of this grouping several days ago.

According to the electoral law every electoral grouping has its own emblem and chairman.

In the commission both the representatives of the Socialist Party (SP) and the National Unity Party (NUP) demanded that the same thing be applied like with the grouping of Olivo in Italy which has a common emblem and leader.

The DAP and SDP, both Central Pole parties, declared 10 days ago, after several statements for boycott, their decision to be introduced as a unified electoral subject in the local elections.

The two parties denied alliance with the Socialist Party (SP) and stated that they had already been consolidated as a political subject.

In the past elections the SP did not put up candidates in the constituencies in which the Centre Pole had presented its own candidates. ksh/pas/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] INVESMENT MAKE VEFA CREDIBLE

A brief description of VEFA investments was given to the journalists. They also provided by figures the multiplan activity of this company.

VEFA cooperates with foreign companies for a part of Aggro - Food activity. It has big projects in this field, which aims at exploiting the interior sources.

VEFA Holding considers market economy as a system of clients' independence, whose decisions determines the variety of products, as well as the amount of them sold in market.

Opening of VEFA private bank, according to its president Vebi Alimucaj, still remains an unsolved problem: "We are ready to open it and fulfill all the necessary conditions, he said. It is in the hands of the state mechanisms to give way to this problem" /kei/mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] SON OF SUPERKILLER NEHAT KULLA ARRESTED

According to police confessions, the son is arrested first to protect his life, because the targets of some killers or Kulla' collaborators denounced by him are directed to the boy. Anyhow,Kulla's son is involved in some actions together with his father, but he is not directly responsible on killings or any other criminal act, ends the paper.

The superkiller, N. Kulla, was caught recently by Tirana police during a 'blitz' operation. He is accused among others of killing about two months ago Neziri brothers, both policemen. /jz/mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIAN AND CROAT PREMIERS VISIT "PEZA-1" WELL

The "Peza-1" well has begun to be drilled on July 15, 1996 under the agreement signed in 1994 between the Albanian National Agency of Hydrocarbons and the "Ina Naftaplin" company.

According to the director General of the INA Naftaplin, Andrija Kojakovic, positive and concrete results in finding hydrocarbons are expected in the period January-February 1997.

The well which will reach the depth of 5500 metres is the first concrete project of "Ina Naftaplin" in Albania.

Some 20 Albanian workers and 30 Croat ones are currently working in this well.

So far the "Ina Naftaplin" company has been working as a contractor in drilling the Dumrea Well, Middle Albania.

After a visit to the Kruja town the Croat delegation, headed by Premier Matesa, left Albania. kled/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SHEHU MEETS NUMBER 2 OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Turnof informed Shehu of the special interest of the United States of America in intensifying relations with Albania and its readiness to help with the development of the democratic processes and reforms in Albania.

Turnof said he was aware of the Albanian Government's measures to organise the October 20 local elections.

Shehu explained that the Albanian government considered the elections very significant and was making all efforts that they be peaceful and fair.

The Albanian government has prepared the necessary legislation, taking into consideration the proposals of the opposition and the recommendations of the Council of Europe to hold fair local elections on October 20, Shehu said.

Turnof stressed that the fact that a great number of foreign observers were invited to these elections, testified to the Albanian government's devotion and transparence. He expressed the view that the political situation after the end of elections would be quieter and the necessary conditions would also be created for the approval of the Constitution of the Republic.

Turnof also stressed the U.S. government's appreciation of Albania's role in preserving peace and stability in the region. He said that the U.S. was pleased with the agreement reached between Pristine and Belgrade on education, but "we hold that the other positive steps in this direction should continue".

The deputy Secretary of State expressed the conviction of the U.S. government that the outer wall of sanctions on Serbia would exist until a prominent progress was attained regarding the situation in Kosova. Turnof said that the two countries shared the same view on this situation.

At the end of the meeting Turnof expressed delight at the rates of reforms in Albania. He said that Albania had already made not a short way of democratisation and that it should not lose time but act quicly. s.sh/jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit carries the article "Victory in Tirana" about the electoral meeting held from the SP in Tirana. The paper reports an address of the SP Leader, Fatos Nano (actually imprisoned for corruption and falsification of the officials documents regarding the Italian aids when he was prime minister, in 1991), to Agim Fagu, SP candidate for the post of Tirana mayor. It also carries the article "We won't allow anti civilization to defeat civilization".

Republika carries the editorial "The Euro-American alternative of Fagu, SP".

Poli i Qendres carries out the article "The Central Election Commission gives against law advice instead of preventing the violations".

Balli i Kombit publishes the editorial "Local government takes advantages in the democratic countries".

Rilindja carries out the editorial "Kosova - a worldwide issue". It also reports the article "Kosova- a republic without having the right of separation".

Tribuna carries out the article "Number 'two' of the State Department: Albania must continue the ongoing way". It also reports the article "DP has estimated Tirana by nominating candidate for mayer A. Brojka.

Dita Informacion carries the article "The Americans to Tritan Shehu: New elections to be held next year". It also publishes an article entitled "There is no crisis in the SP".

Koha Jone publishes an article in which Neritan Ceka, Democratic Alliance Party leader, is quoted: "We want observers not foreign tourists". It also carries the article "SP resuscitates the opposition". The paper reports the article "Persecution of opposition and its press".

Albania paper carries the editorial "It is time to agree for Kosova". It also reports the article "No one will sing for the SP", which writes about the failure of the performance organized by the SP on the occasion of opening the election campaign, because of "lack of artists".

Gazeta Shqiptare carries out the article "Traffic of millions with false receipts", as well as the article "The Convention of the Human Rights for Albania in Strasbourg recognizes, but the anti genocide law still remains". /jz/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MET WITH KLAUS JURGEN HEDRICH

Secretary Hedrich told President Berisha that "before leaving for Albania, in a meeting with Chancellor Kohl he asked me to convey to you cordial greetings and to tell you that we consider you friends, we have appreciated and appreciate the important achievements attained under your direction. You have our full support and that of the German Government. I also would like to convey to you the cordial greetings of Minister Shpranger and to assure you of his support."

"I would like to greet," said Berisha, "and to express my profound gratitude to President Herzog, Chancellor Kohl, Minister Shpranger, the German Government and nation for the for the great and powerful support they have given and will give to Albania. Albania and the Albanians have seen and will see in Germany and the German people their great and natural friend.

The important political support and the hospitable German assistance have had a principled importance in the success of the reform and democracy in Albania.

"I express my pleasure for the very good level of the friendship and cooperation between our two countries, Berisha said. "I would like to assure President Herzog, Chancellor Kohl and the German Government that we are resolute to consolidate democracy, the values of the market economy and to work for Albania's integration in euro-atlantic institutions.

With regard to the local government elections, President Berisha said that the Government, the Central Election Commission and the Local Government Secretariat are seriously working and have adopted all the measures for a transparent process of elections, in conformity with the law. In order to have free and fair elections, they are closely cooperating with the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local Authorities of the Council of Europe which are asked to monitor and coordinate the monitoring of the local government elections in Albania.

"I am so pleased," said President Berisha, that the CE has appointed a socialdemocrat, Mr Ahrens, and a skillful liberal Mr Jung, to direct the CE mission in Albania.

President Berisha asked Secretary Hedrich to convey to President Herzog, Chancellor Kohl and Minister Shpranger his cordial greetings and the invitation to welcome them in Albania. kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH A GERMAN DELEGATION

After presenting the main priorities of the program of his cabinet for the four coming years, Meksi focused on the relations with prestigious international institutions. "At the end of this year, he said, we shall start to work with the IMF, the World Bank, European banks and others, for long term cooperation programs."

Concentrating on bilateral relations, Meksi considered them of a special importance for Albania and asked that the German presence for the programs of construction and rehabilitation of the infrastructure must increase.

Mr Meksi highlighted the good relations between Albania and the neighbouring countries and stressed once more Albania's European-western orientation.

Mr Hedrich appreciated the progressive changes which can be easily seen in Albania. "We have many friends in Germany and my visit too is being made in this context. We shall continue to support your admirable efforts for the development of democracy and reformation of the Albanian economy."

Meksi and Hedrich dwelt on the question of Kosova and were of the same opinion for its right solution. "There can be no stability in the region, said Meksi, without a final and just solution to the Albanian question." ake/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] JOINT ALBANIAN-GERMAN EXERCISE, MATI '96 STARTED

Mati 96 is being conducted in the context of the bilateral cooperation and the Partnership for Peace. It has a humanitarian character and aims to realise elements of the logistic, engineering, intercommunication services.

There are 600 participating forces consisting of Albanian special forces of the air defence force in cooperation with German troops, with a technical arsenal of weapons totalling 140, mainly engineering.

"The exercise is a materialization of the cooperation and the level of the excellent relations existing between Albania and Germany in the military field, of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the two governments and our two armies," said Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali in the opening address.

Present also were the chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, Sheme Kosova, the secretary of the Local Government Secretariat, Njazi Kosovrasti and deputy Interior Minister Agim Shehu.

Mr Zhulali thanked the German Federal Defence Minister Reuhe and the German Government for the support for the Albanian Government.

Zhulali highlighted the brilliant relations between Albania and Germany describing the friendship and the contacts as factors for the creation of the tradition.

The exercise which started today coincides with the date when the Berlin Wall fell, and Zhulali considered the date as not spontaneous for the exercise but as a "symbol which brings us nearer each other."

General Noj Bauer, co-commander of the exercise, appreciated the exercise as a great success of cooperation between the Albanian army and the German army.

"It is the first time in the history of Germany that the German and Albanian soldiers are having a joint exercise," he said.

"Albania and Germany are in a position to cooperate with each other. We are proud to be in your nice country," said Bauer. kled/xh/sh/

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

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