ATA News from Albania, 96-10-04

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY

[02] EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TO OPEN ITS OFFICE IN PRISTINA

[03] DELEGATION OF CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO VISIT SLOVENIA

[04] ELISABETH REHN VISITS KOSOVA

[05] GERMANY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA

[06] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY

[07] TRADE UNIONS STAGE ONE-DAY GENERAL STRIKE

[08] DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON LOCAL ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

[09] CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION DECIDES OBSERVERS' AGE

[10] REPUBLICAN PARTY STARTS ELECTION CAMPAIGN

[11] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER AT INTERIOR MINISTERS CONFERENCE IN BRATISLAVA

[12] PRESS REVIEW

[13] DIALOGUE, ROAD FOR A FOREIGN POLICY OF STABILITY IN THE BALKANS - Shehu

[14] ONE-DAY PARTIAL STRIKE

[15] ALBANIAN AGRO-BUSINESS TO TAKE PART IN THE BERLIN FAIR

[16] RECEPTION IN ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

[17] WITHDRAWAL FROM ELECTION COMMISSION IS UNACCEPTABLE - Hedrich

[18] FURTHER STEP IN THE INTENSIFICATION OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS - Shehu

[19] PRESIDENT BERISHA MET WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTRY

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY

"I would like to cordially thank Prime Minister Major, the Conservative Party, the British government and institutions for the precious support in the triumph of democracy and its consolidation in Albania," President Berisha told the British delegation.

"I am very pleased with the level of relations and cooperation between our two countries and I am convinced of the very good perspective of these relations. We are totally engaged in the consolidation of the values of democracy and market as well as Albania's full integration into Europe. We also highly value Britain's aid and contribution to our efforts for integration," he said.

Deputy Tomason and other delegation members said they were profoundly impressed of the dynamism of the economic developement of Albania, the energy of the free initiative, courage, sincerity and hospitality of the Albanians.

"The extraordinary changes carried out in Albania are a merit of the DP programme and the country's governing. It is up to Albania's friends to make these achievements known all over the world," they said.

President Berisha and the British guests dwelt on the latest developments in Albania. Berisha stressed that the local elections would be free, fair and conform the law.

Observers from various countries have been invited to watch them, and the Council of Europe has assigned two deputy-presidents of the CE Parliamentary Assembly to coordinate the electoral process.

The British guests said that:"Communism should not be restored to Albania. The best guarantee is Albania's achievements and your efforts to consolidate the rule of law, market economy and integration into the European structures. For this you also have our full backing", they stressed.

The British guests expressed full confidence that the local elections in Albania would be of European standards. They also expressed interest in various issues of the country's economic developement, especially in the legal framework regarding foreign investment in Albania. a.ke/kled/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TO OPEN ITS OFFICE IN PRISTINA

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] DELEGATION OF CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO VISIT SLOVENIA

The delegation is headed by the chief of Foreign Affairs, Agron Kaiku.

Kaiku, authorized by CDP chairman Zef Bushati, will request the removal of the Democratic Alliance Party from the European Christian Democratic Union, which has deviated from the Christian democratic ideals of right center and has joint the left wing socialist and social democratic parties. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ELISABETH REHN VISITS KOSOVA

This is the third visit of Elisabeth Rehn in Kosova, the Belgrade paper, "Nasha borba" reported Thursday referring UNO office in Belgrade.

UNO high ranking commissioner will discuss about the Albanian education in Pristina with the Albanian side and the instolled Serbs, as well as with officials of the U.S. Information Service in Kosova.

At the end of the visit, she will give a press conference, and then she will hold several meetings in Belgrade. /p.ta/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] GERMANY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA

Belortaja thanked the German guest for the generous help given to Albania through the Ministry he represents. He stressed that he considered Hedrich visit an important political gesture and a great contribution in support of reforms in Albania.

"We are pleased that Europe appreciates our political standards", said Blortaja, adding that Albania's priority is its integration in the European Union.

Hedrich pointed out that a particular sympathy for the Albanians in Germany does exist. /s.sh/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY

The Albanian Premier briefed on the developments of the reforms and informed about the measures taken by the government to secure free and fair elections, confirm the law.

The English friends estimated the achievements in Albania and congratulated the serious engagement of the government to hold normal elections. They ensured Premier Meksi that the conservators and the English government will support the development of reforms in Albania. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] TRADE UNIONS STAGE ONE-DAY GENERAL STRIKE

The Union of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania (UITUA), after failing to reach a consensus in the talks with the government, decided to stage the one-day general strike on Friday.

"The sectors likely to be affected by the walk-out include education, health care, except emergency service, telecommunications, Independent Trade Union of Food Industry, chemical industry, urban, railway and maritime transports, all civil defence officials and other sectors.

The wal-kout will also affect private firms and non budgetary enterprises," the spokesman of the UITUA, Zef Luca, says.

In yesterday's meeting, the trade union representatives demanded that the problem of the bread price compensation be reexamined and treated.

According to the UITUA deputy president, Estref Mersini, the number of the unionists to go on strike will amount to 200 000.

According to the law in force the strike will be stopped because of the local elections.

"After 21 days unless the government takes measures the strike will resume until our demands are met," Mr. Mersinaj said. a.ke/kled/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] DELEGATION OF BRITISH CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON LOCAL ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

"These elections are not important only for Albania, but also for the Eastern Europe, because especially Albania turned its back to communism. The Albanian people will confirm this once again in these elections", said the chairman of the delegation, Roy Tomason, member of the British Parliament.

Tomason said that "we are very pleased by the performance of the Democratic Party about the elections and the selection of the candidates to the local posts, who will be able to solve the urgent problems concerning the people today".

The delegation member, Judy Fourner, said that "Tirana has today problems that London passed times ago, most of which are present in many European countries. It is not easy to achieve something. It will always take more time than it is thought. The DP has achieved great successes and will make a lot in the future, because it is on the right path".

Asked about his opinion on the general elections of May 26, Tomason answered that "the elections of May 26 were free and fair and expressed the will of the people". /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION DECIDES OBSERVERS' AGE

The commission, after several debates, agreed to lower the age of the observers, leaving the age 25 as a limit for the Albanian observers and 22 for the foreign ones.

The opposition representatives in the commission appreciated the age reduction but voted against setting age limits for observers.

According to the Permanent Central Electoral Commission (PCEC) regulation the foreign observers should have observation experience.

This, according to the commission, was done to secure worthy observers for the elections and this has nothing to do with the constitutional rights to election and voting.

The commission charged the juridical sub-commission with the task to offer some opinion on the possibility of signing by the SP deputy chairman of the envelopes with the voter lists to be examined tomorrow. pas/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] REPUBLICAN PARTY STARTS ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Gjok Beci, RP Deputy Chairman, briefed on the situation of the RP before the local elections and the political situation at home.

"We are late", said at the beginning of his speech the RP chairman, Sabri Godo. He informed that the RP runs for 52 municipalities and 300 communes with some 3400 candidatures at all the levels. "We have good candidates", declared Godo. He explained that the RP will cooperate only with right wing parties. /pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER AT INTERIOR MINISTERS CONFERENCE IN BRATISLAVA

Shamata met on Thursday with Austrian Interior Minister Gaspar Aimen and discussed the latter's visit to Tirana on October 9, 1996 as well as the points to be discussed on bilateral cooperation.

Shamata also met with Mr. Giacomelli, Italian ambassador in the capacity of the director of the U.N. anti-drug war programme.

The two exchanged very fruitful views on a closer cooperation between the Albanian Interior Ministry and the institutions he runs. Giacomelli expressed readiness to cooperate with Albania and help it regarding all the points discussed.

In these meetings Shamata was accompanied by the Albanian permanent representative to the international organisations in Vienna, ambassador Zef Mazi. a.ke/kled/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit in its editorial raise the question: "Who made the Albanian Independent Trade Unions go on strike"? It also publishes a statement of American State Department spokesman, Nikolas Burns, on the meeting of the Albanian Foreign Ministry, Tritan Shehu, with deputy secretary of state, Timothy Wirth, entitled "New parliamentarian elections - a logical result".

Republika carries an article entitled "The country does not bear the political anarchy anymore", in which it underlines the fact that it is high time for political parties to give up nervousness, to show objectivity, correctness and real democratic culture.

"American criticism on Shehu", write Poli i Qendres, regarding the visit of the Albanian Foreign Minister in USA. It says that "Timothy Wirth asks our Minister to re-run the elections. This paper also reports that Centre Pole has begun the electoral rallies.

"British conservatives appreciates the performance and preparations of the DP on local elections", writes Tribuna paper, regarding the meeting of the British Conservative delegation in Albania. "Dow Jones opens its branch in Tirana" is another article of this paper.

"Germany always supporting Albania", writes Rilindja paper, regarding the visit of the high ranking German delegation in Tirana. Liria paper publishes the article "opposition campaign to justify the defeat". Pasqyra newspaper reports on a 24 hour general strike to be staged today.

Albania paper under the headline "Kukes, Kruje: Chronicle of socialists' despair", publishes the article "We lose our votes with you", which stresses the fact that the grass-root socialists offended by abandoning votes counting.

Ushtria dhe Koha publishes a chronicle on the beginning of the Albanian-German joint military exercise "Mati '96".

"USA: Constitution and elections", write Koha Jone, regarding the statement of the State Department after the visit of Tritan Shehu in Washington".

Under the headline "The Confederation and Independent trade Union on the same front and the same goal", Gazeta Shqiptare publishes the article "Albania on strike on the bread issue". /kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] DIALOGUE, ROAD FOR A FOREIGN POLICY OF STABILITY IN THE BALKANS - Shehu

Shehu expressed on this occasion the stands and concerns of the Albanian party towards FYROM, Montenegro and Serbia.

"With the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania has many joint interests but it also has problems, which can be gradually solved in the spirit of understanding, by observing first of all the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Albanian population," said Shehu.

Asked by reporters of what Mr Shehu talked with his Macedonian counterpart Ljubomir Frckovski regarding the right of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia to have higher education in their national language, Mr Shehu explained:

"We presented to him our concept that Macedonia is a factor of stability in the Balkan region. We are for the preservation of the stability but we also expressed to him our reserves on the problems of the observation of the rights of the Albanian population there, not only in education but broader as well."

Mr Shehu differentiated the stands towards other former Yugoslav republics.

"With Montenegro we are inclined to an increase of the economic relations, whereas with Serbia they are conditioned and will continue to be conditioned first of all by the Kosova question and the perspective of its solution through the dialogue between Prishtine and Belgrade in the presence of a third neutral party which may be the European Union or the United States of America."

For Mr Shehu "the solution of the question of Kosova should be made in accordance with the will of this people, expressed in a democratic way."

Asked about the U.S. stand regarding the solution of the Kosova question, Shehu said:

"We expressed our will to the U.S. party for the solution in a peaceful way of the rights and will of this population. We voiced our full commitment to avoid any confrontation and undoubtedly asked Washington to be more committed."

Shehu said he had thanked Washington for the assistance, for the support for the question of Kosova and for the opening of the U.S. representation office in Prishtine, and asked an increase of the U.S. presence in Kosova. jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ONE-DAY PARTIAL STRIKE

The strike was in the course of the requests to the government for a compensation following the liberalization of the prices of the vital articles, for an increase of payments, etc.

The strike was staged by working people of education, public and transport services and the greenery enterprises. jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] ALBANIAN AGRO-BUSINESS TO TAKE PART IN THE BERLIN FAIR

"Albania has taken part in the last two fairs in Berlin and its participation has been successful," said Andrea Mase, representative of GTZ.

The Berlin fair, to be held by the end of the next January, will also have a 30 square metre Albanian section. ake/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] RECEPTION IN ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

During the talk, the two parties pointed out a powerful potential for economic cooperation existing between the two countries.

The Slovak party expressed the desire for the deputy Premier and Minister of Finances of the Slovak Republic to visit Albania in a proper time. They also agreed for the visit of a group of Albanian businessmen in the Slovak Republic, in which representatives from the Albanian Centre for Foreign Investment Encouragement will also take part. ake/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] WITHDRAWAL FROM ELECTION COMMISSION IS UNACCEPTABLE - Hedrich

"The opposition should bear responsibility for the May 26 elections because the participation in the election commission is a social duty," said Hedrich.

He added that "it is the electorate the one which takes decisions for the fate of the country and not political parties. Who boycotts elections boycotts democracy."

During parliamentary elections on May 26, the members of the opposition parties in the voting commissions withdraw from elections three hours before they were over. The opposition also boycotted the second round of elections, and the partial repetition of voting.

"We hold that Albania is following the right road and with our visit we wanted to stress that Albania is a part of Europe," said Hedrich regarding the aim of this visit.

Germany will be present in the local elections with its representatives of political foundations and with a delegation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Mr Hedrich.

Hedrich also stopped on the fruitful economic-financial cooperation between Albania and Germany.

Referring to the unstable situation in the Balkans, Hedrich appreciated Albania as a factor for stability in the region and elsewhere.

The Belgrade Government should find a solution which will fulfil the interests of Kosova. Serbia should be aware that the great Serb nationalism does not make any contribution to peace," he said. kei/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] FURTHER STEP IN THE INTENSIFICATION OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS - Shehu

According to Shehu, the visit to the United Nations and the meetings he had in New York, Boston and Washington, were another possibility to extend the contacts and the interests of Albania as well as the interests of others towards Albania."

"The perspective of the Albanian-American relations will be very good, and it has taken a very important place in the Albanian foreign policy," said Shehu. He thanked for "the U.S. assistance and support for the opening of the representation office in Prishtine and asked a further U.S. commitment to this aspect."

"I think that the visit served the consolidation of Albania's relations with the U.S. and was a manifestation of the mutual understanding and will to prmote these relations in the future." jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] PRESIDENT BERISHA MET WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTRY

"The joint Albanian-German exercise is a new important chapter in the friendship and cooperation linking the two countries and peoples," said Berisha to Geiger. "This is also a support and encouragement for Albania on the road of its integration in NATO and the Western European Union."

"Along cooperation in all other fields, the cooperation with Germany in the military field has been a very important factor in the reformation of the Albanian Army," said President Berisha.I may say to you with pleasure that this is a qualitative cooperation in the interest of military education, the Partnership for Peace and many other aspects of this field."

Mrs Geiger said "we are pleased with the level of the friendship and cooperation in the military field, which responds in the best way to the cooperation between our two countries in all the fields. The Mati 96 exercise is a nice symbol of the friendship and cooperation between our two peoples. We admire and appreciate you for everything you have achieved on the road of the reform. We assure you that you have our support in all your efforts." ake/jz/xh/

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

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