Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-23

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS ADEM DEMACI

[02] ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS ADEM DEMACI

[03] ACTIVE PEACEFUL RESISTANCE IN KOSOVA

[04] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES PACKAGE OF LAWS AGAINST CRIMES

[05] 15 YEARS OLD ELSA LILA - WINNER OF ALBANIAN SONG FESTIVAL

[06] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES DRAFT-LAWS AND TAKES DECISIONS

[07] THREE STOLEN ICONS FOUND IN TIRANA

[08] MEMBERS OF COMMISSION ON RENTING ACTIVITY OF FIRMS DEFINED

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CALLS AGAIN ON SOCIALISTS TO JOIN PARLIAMENT

[01] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS ADEM DEMACI

"One of the priorities of the foreign policy of the Albanian state is and remains the internationalization and full support for the solution of the Kosova question," said Meksi.

He underlined the need of a peaceful solution to the Kosova question and stressed the active role and participation of the Albanians.

Meksi highlighted the present democratic movements in Serbia.

"It is high tine that all of us contribute to the solution of the national question," said Demaci.

He voiced the opinion that the solution should come first of all by the people of Kosova. Demaci stressed the indispensability of the functioning of the institutions of Kosova elected through the will of the Albanians.

"I avail of the opportunity to thank you for Albania's full support for the Kosova question and express my conviction that your efforts for the consolidation of Albania are undoubtedly to the benefit of our national question," said Demaci.

Adem Demaci, Chairman of the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms, has served 28 years in the Serb jails.

He has won the Sakharov prize of the European Parliament.

Demaci has now become a member of the Parliamnetary Party of Kosova, with the aim of being directly engaged in the political life in Kosova./kled/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS ADEM DEMACI

The two discussed the Kosova issue and the possible ways to resolve this significant national issue.

Arbnori said that:"Albania has never considered the national issue apart from the solution of the Kosova issue" and that "Albania will keep to the European publicly declared principles for not changing borders through violence. Certainly, it will incessantly defend the human and national rights of the Albanians residing in their own lands in former-Yugoslavia".

Demaci expressed his positive impressions of the reality and atmosphere he found during his visit to Albania and in his numerous meetings with various political forces and authorities of the Albanian state.

Adem Demaci, Chairman of the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms, has served 28 years in the jails of Serbia.

He has won the Sakharov prize of the European Parliament.

Demaci has now become a member of the Parliamentary Party of Kosova, with the aim of being directly engaged in the political life in Kosova./kled/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ACTIVE PEACEFUL RESISTANCE IN KOSOVA

Demaci began with a description of the current situation in Kosova. He pointed to the colossal work carried out by the Kosova teachers, pupils and citizens, who have turned their homes into schools following the usurpation of the school buildings by the installed Serb power.

Demaci also said that in Kosova the Serbs have destroyed the cultural system, have closed down the Academy of Sciences, the Albanological, History Institutes, the State Archives, the Statistics Institute, and the People's University Library. They have ruined the health care system and that of information; Only two -three magazines and a newspaper are still surviving. The Prishtine radio and television are in the hands of the Serbs which emit anti-Albanian programmes.

The economy is in a lamentable state as well. Finances and Banks are all shut up. As a result, more than 150 000 Albanians have been fired from work. A very large number of Albanians are forced to leave Kosova, not only to escape the Serb violence but also for economic reasons. Thus, an ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosova has as well been made.

Question: The Belgrade students' movement has also began to extend to major cities of Serbia. How do you comment these events?

Answer: Here, I think, we have to do with the beginning of the political maturity and the beginning of a new epoch in the policy of Serbia. These events also come organised by personal acquaintances of mine from the Belgrade circle and many others. The events do not involve only the opposition called "Zajedno" but also students who at the beginning were not on "Zajedno's" side.

It is me who have supported them and I highly appreciate the support of the Americans, Europe and Albania to this movement. But I strongly disagree to certain people from Kosova who think that we should wait for the Serbs to give us Kosova and then support them. This is not a farsighted policy because endorsing these protests, we, in fact, support ourselves.

Also at the head of the opposition is Mr. Gjingjic, who has a dramatic past, but all people should change and can change if we support them, if cooperate with them;

Question: Serb President Milosevic has chosen the tactics of silence, wait, and here and there is making some allowances. What do you think, how will this situation develop? Will the protests be crushed with tanks, or will the regime be toppled? Answer:The suppression of the protests with tanks belongs to the history. Milosevic is trying to gain time, waiting for the Serb people to get tired. Milosevic is even organising anti-protests, which are weak, with some hundreds of people protesting in the Serb cities. In Kosova, too, the Serbs regime tries to organise anti-protests, but the small participation in them shows that the Serb people are tired of this regime. But Milosevic also has some strong points to remain in power. He has the army and police on his side. He has 70 per cent of the Serb economy which is run by the state and the whole of its structure is linked with it. He also has some remainders of the former fighters, pensioners and others.

But Milosevic will be forced to make some great allowances as there is no other way round.

It is important that some people like Qosic, who has nourished and cultivated big-Serb nationalism, also tried to involve in these events. The students in elegant manners said to Qosic: "Go away, we know your biography, we know who you are. Please leave us alone because we are not alike".

In this effort of the Serb people, the Albanian people should be active because Serbia is not far away from us. Our cause, the solution of our problem is directly linked with what Serbia we will have to do and it is wrong to think as some Albanians do that if Milosevic is there, the situation is graver and the freedom for us is closer. This logic is dangerous and leads to war. We are trying to democratise Serbia, because its democratisation will also change the substance and content of that opposition there, and as such, it cannot be indifferent to the Albanian issue.

But, we, the Albanians cannot wait for someone else to donate us the freedom. The Albanians should be active and impose themselves to all, both to Milosevic and those who will come tomorrow. They should show them that the Albanians are wise to win freedom. They are no longer children to be satisfied with some chocolates. The Albanians should be treated as real partners; Under these difficult moments, our pronouncement in support of these forces is significant and I do not think the Serb people will forget this.

Question: Mr. Demaci, a short time ago you addressed a letter to the Serb people which has been published by the newspapers there. You say that you have always believed and expected that the Serb people will rise to topple the dictatorship of Milosevic. Is this also a message for the Kosova Albanians to support the students?

Answer - In principle I fully believe in all the peoples of the world and I do not think there are bad people. I do not believe that peoples can be subdued. In this context, I have said we have done well in not fighting with the Serbs on account of the red gentlemen there. We have done well because the Serb people are trying to give up the past, the rotten consciousness and come on the scene and integrate into Europe with modern views and thoughts.

The Albanian-Serb context is today the most important context in the former-Yugoslav space. For this, the Albanians should make everything possible that in the Serb space win forces that love their own people, their own freedom, therefore, they will love the Albanian people and the freedom of the Albanians, because these things are inseparable from each other.

Question: There is a view in Kosova that the Albanians should not support the Serb opposition, as between Milosevic and the Serb opposition regarding the Kosova problem there is the same line, that is, there is no change, that is, they do not trust this opposition. How do you explain this? Answer:This is a superficial view of the problem. The Serb opposition knows it is still weak and has not the courage to come out with an attitude, with an open platform. It is not interested in the Kosova issue because Kosova is lost for Serbia. There are intellectuals in the opposition who have said that Kosova is lost for Serbia. But the question is that the opposition should strengthen its positions. It is not easy to fight with a consciousness cultivated since a long time ago in the people of Serbia, because the Serb regimes since 1878, when the new Serb state was created, have been trying to nourish in their youth and people the ideology that Kosova is for them a myth, a legend, that in Kosova they have waged heroic battles and other things.

Question: Mr Demaci, how do you think would be better for Kosova, a dictatorial Serbia or a democratic Serbia?

Answer: There is no need for question in this point. We always need democracy. We cannot wait for someone to donate us the freedom, but with a democratic regime we can talk better, explain things better, may have a greater freedom of action. One cannot work with hands and feet tied up, but with free hands and feet. So we should not fear democracy but we fear whether we should be able to behave democratically and to exploit all the possibilities that democratic life offers in order to attain our goals.

Question: Mr Demaci, there is years now that a passive resistance is being applied in Kosova. In the mean time, you have launched the idea to begin an active peaceful resistance. Why?

Answer: I think that an active resistance differs from a passive resistance. So far, the Albanians have taken part in the elections organized by Serbian authorities beginning with the elections of Dec. 9 1990 and other elections held by Serbia in Kosova, in which the Albanians have not taken part. This was a passive resistance which meant "I don't want to cooperate with you." A passive resistance also was the nonacceptance to take up posts in various levels of the state, neither in the government nor other posts, with some small exceptions. This had its own value but it does not suffice to force the Serbian regime to think that it should talk differently with the Albanians. We must be more active showing that we are resolute to win freedom through means which are allowed, through means which are applied in the present world, that is, through an active resistance with various forms. These forms are numerous and we can use them to make as many friends as possible within the Serbian people, so that we have the greatest possible understanding in the world and show it we are a force which does not want to use violence, but it also does not want to accept slavery.

Question: Do you think that active peaceful resistance will radicalize the situation in Kosova?

Answer: Precisely the halfway results or the stagnation of the Albanian resistance only in the context of a passive resistance and its non- transformation into an active resistance led to a differentiation within the Albanian people. The Albanian people are so much unsatisfied with the results of the policy followed so far. This is the main cause which made me get directly involved in politics. The aim is to prevent another pole which would use extreme means to emerge in face of this pole which is not yielding results any more, is in a lamentable state, which is bureaucratized. This would lead us to a very difficult situation, would lead Albania, our allies to a difficult situation, it would cause us a great harm.

Therefore, let us not allow the political situation and the political acts in Kosova be radicalized, we must strive to start an active resistance according to our conditions.

In the present time when Yugoslavia is ruined, when Serbia is tired, when there is the Hague court, when we have the outer wall of sanctions upheld by the United States, and we have the support of Germany and other states, there is no need for extreme means to be used.

Question: Our peaceful policy has been frequently considered as Gandhism at a time when gandhism has not only allowed but has applied the forms of the citizen lack of conviction and other active peaceful forms. Is there any talk of a sort of gandhism in Kosova? On the other hand, if the Albanians observe the financial obligations towards Serbia, does it seem that they, in one way are self-financing the Serbian violence exerted on them, Mr Demaci?

Answer: As for gandhism, here there is point to talk of. This has been made by some reporters who do not know what gandhism is. Gandhi at his time put England at a difficult position, whereas we have caused no damage to Serbia at all. We have only made some demonstrations. As regards the financing you refer to, in the general course of the failure of the Albanian policy until now, the Albanian people are providing for two states: the whole Serbia which with its police, judicial and administrative bodies receives three or four times more taxes and levies that it takes from Belgrade citizens, and the institutions of Kosova.

Question: Mr Demaci, after the signing of the agreement, you have said that the Albanian pupils and people in Kosova should occupy the schools. This did not happen. Why?

Answer: This did not occur because the DLK did not undertake such an action. Then, another question followed; what were they going to take, because the 61 secondary schools have been completely destroyed during the last 5-6 years. Great sums of money are needed to make those schools suitable for classes. The agreement should also include the salaries for Albanian teachers and the amount of money needed to rehabilitate all those schools. This would be the essence of the agreement and not just to say that Albanians have the right to return to their schools. But anyhow, Serbia did not release the schools. The responsibility rests with those who signed the agreement and did not forecast what would happen if Serbia did not observe the agreement.

Question: Do you believe that the agreement may be perhaps applied later?

Answer: The agreement may be applied slowly, because Serbia is interested to procrastinate this work and give the impression that it is giving to much, it is sacrificing too much, when, in fact, it is giving nothing, because the question of schools has been adjusted by international conventions.

Question: Mr Demaci, if what you said would happen, that is, the schools are taken by the pupils and an active peaceful resistance starts in Kosova, what is your opinion, will the International Community support Kosova or not?

Answer: The international community would strongly back up Kosova because there is no one in the world, no institution which agrees with the closure of schools of a two-million people.

Question: Do you think that the offical stand of Prishtine about the developments in Serbia may influence in another positioning of the international factor with regard to Kosova and its pending question?

Answer: I hold that firstly the Albanian people should be interested in what is happening within Serbia, because our affairs are directly linked with Serbia, we are under its occupation. Secondly, it is the duty of the Albanian people to show that they are and will be with the democratic forces in the world. I expected a reaction by official forces but when I found that there was not any reaction by them, I was forced to react myself.

Question: These days you have had talks with the Albanian opposition. What have you treated in these meetings?

Answer: I made well to meet, at my request, also with Mr Ceka, Mr Godo, Mr Laco and with representatives of Balli, Legaliteti and of the Socialist party. We presented various, opposite opinions, and others. They know that I support the policy of Sali Berisha, nevertheless they received me manly and were not indifferent towards the Kosova question.

That is they are in opposition and should be as an opposition. I told them it is not good to remain loose but to find the way to get closer and take part in the parliament. Just as they are interested that we in Kosova be united, we too are interested that the Albanian people and parties in Albania be united round the parliament. We left with some different viewpoints but we parted as friends.

Question: Which is the opinion of Mr Demaci about the present stand confirmed by the Albanian government that the solution to the Kosova question should be realised through an active and peaceful participation of the Albanians themselves, avoiding any possible confrontation.

Answer: In November I talked with Mr Berisha too and we shared the opinion that in order to make the parliament keep working and operating then all should be active as well. There is place for everyone in the political scene. The essence was that it should not be allowed that someone has the monopoly on the political life, other forces too should be allowed to emerge so that such a monopoly become impossible.

Question: Will the idea of an active peaceful resistance in Kosova be supported by the political forces or not?

Answer: I think this will be supported because this idea is in the spirit of the Albanian people. The Albanian people have never been violent, they have nothing against the Serbian people. The Albanian and Serbian peoples themselves have not made war. The Albanian people have survived in the terror that Serbian regimes have exerted since 1878 until nowadays. The Albanian people support the nonviolent method as a very good one, very appropriate and for which initiatives should be undertaken and methods found. I appeal on all of them to unite in this effort because this would be the best, reliable way with less bloodshed, although this road needs some sacrifice.

Question: When can we expect to see Mr Demaci to take a direct step towards his involvment in politics?

Answer: This depends much on many circumstances: we must counsel and talk in the party. We must see the program, make it appropriate, we have some organizational affairs to solve, but this will not last long.

Question: Mr Demaci, according to your opinion, which are the points that divide and unite the political parties in Kosova?

Answer: They all are united by an objective, all wish that the Albanians be independent, free and equal with others. There is a not yet reached an agreement on the way how to come to this point.

Question: The Kosova people have voted for the Republic of Kosova as an independent and sovereign state. Why is it now spoken about the Kosova republic as an independent and neutral state open both to Albania and Serbia?

Answer: Of importance is that the people have voted and expressed their own desire. But the people should be told very openly that the world is not giving us what we have demanded. The U.S. stands for autonomy within Serbia. Mr. Perry has told us that he is not for free sovereign and independent Kosova. They stand for a wider or limited autonomy within Serbia. Mr. Perry asked me if my party would be able to convince the people to give up the independence and freedom of the Albanians demanded by Mr. Rugova. I told him: "Sir, I highly estimate you, I love you, America is our friend, the other states are our friends, but because you are our friends does not mean that we should listen to you always. You are a free state and do not believe us what slavery is.

The Albanian people love freedom. We will try to convince you to give up the solution you offer us to remain a colony of Serbia".

But the people should be told: Do you love freedom?. Yes. Then, if you love freedom, you should engage yourselves in it. Freedom should be won through globally accepted methods.

Question: You delayed in joining a political party; How do you explain this delay?

Answer: I hold I should engage in this politics precisely now. It was only after the policy of Mr. Rugova was carried through to the end and the people could see that this policy yielded no results, that I engaged myself in politics, so as to avoid an unnecessary conflict between each other. a.g/lind/pas/lm/xh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES PACKAGE OF LAWS AGAINST CRIMES

"Some times, it is thought that in dictatorship the fight against crime was more efficacious. This is a big mistake. In dictatorship it exists the most dangerous and sophisticated type of crime, the state crime", the Deputy Premier and DP Chairman, Tritan Shehu, said among others in his speech. "If the democratic system does not hit and destroy crime, it is in danger", he continued.

The new law is drafted by several deputies and by the help of specialists and jurists, based mainly on the provisions of the French Penal Code of 1992.

"The measures for all these crimes will be severe and will be the merited answer to their authors and aim at preventing crimes", said the chairman of the Juridical Commission, Jozefina Topalli.

Albanian Premier Aleksander Meksi, said in his discussion about the package of laws on the improvement of the Penal Code that "it is the duty of the legislative, but also of the Executive to point out and analyse the negative phenomena in every moment of the country life, and to influence in improvements of laws and adequate measures at the levels of administration, with continuous restructures for the fight against the organized crime.

Interior Minister Shamata, who considered today's session as the most important one in the history of the pluralist parliament, said:

"The fight against crime cannot be done alone. The parliament precedes this fight with his initiative".

Shamata sees potential danger in the involvement of Albania into the corridors of drugs trafficking, and anyhow, he said: "The actions of police are a lot" and he considered "exaggeration" that what our media and the foreign one write about this problem.

The approval of the package of laws aims at strengthening of the institutions of the fight against crime, in order to make these institutions more efficacious in their fight against prostitution, drugs, children trade, prevention of revenge and others. The sanctions envisaged for such crimes like killing, sexual intercourse by violence, prostitution (its exploitation and mediation), kidnapping and taking persons hostage are very severe. The same are considered even punishments for acts like smuggling of the customs officials, hide of incomes and others.

The law was approved on principle by 101 votes for, no vote against and no abstention, while now it will be discussed on particular aspect of laws.

These are some of the improvements done to the Penal Code, approved in 1995, to strengthen the fight against crime in general and the economic one in particular. /jz/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] 15 YEARS OLD ELSA LILA - WINNER OF ALBANIAN SONG FESTIVAL

Meanwhile, this song was declared by the jury of youths in the final night as the most voted one by all the TV viewers".

Elsa Lila, pupil in the first grade in the high school "Petro Nini Luarasi" in Tirana, right after the decision of the jury said:

"Times ago I have never sung before the audience, although song and theatre are my hobbies".

The specialists of the Albanian light music point out "her successful vocal and her interpretation power".

To me she is a talent", said after the final night one of the members of the jury.

Thirty five songs were presented in the 35th Song Festival. /jz/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS APPROVES DRAFT-LAWS AND TAKES DECISIONS

The Council of Ministers approved on principle the draft-law "On some amendments in the law for local budget." The draft-law has considered the 4- year experience in Albania and is in accordance with the requests of the European Charter for Local Government. The draft-law enlarges the competencies of the local bodies and the financial possibilities to apply these competencies.

It was approved the draft-law on the adherence of the Republic of Albania into the conventions 81, 135, 142 of the International Labour Organization. The adherence in convention 81 is made possible by the existence of the law "On the state inspectorate of labour," and by the existing structures set up for the application of this law. The adherence in convention 135 is made possible because in Albania it is guaranteed by law and in practise the trade union freedom. The adherence in the convention 142 is made possible because our legislation recognises the right of organizing in trade unions of the rural employees treated in this convention.

On the application of the Labour Code and its decision no. 379, the Council of Ministers in accordance with the talks held with the trade unions, approved the makeup of the National Council of Labour and Social Issues. The National Council will examine issues with common interest for the organizations of employers and employees, aiming at reaching solutions acceptable for both parties.

The Council of Ministers took decision on the approval of the beginning of procedures to prepare the project of debt administration.

It was also approved the accord between Albania and the International Bank on Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to use the Japanese grant on partial financing of the privatization project and distribution of energy, as well as between Albania and IDA to use the Japanese grant for the improvement of water supply and drainage in some cities. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] THREE STOLEN ICONS FOUND IN TIRANA

The icons, with dimensions 1,1 - 0,7 meter and belonging to the XVI century were found in the house of Thomaidha Kosta, inhabitant in "Dibra" street in Tirana.

Police is working to clarify the circumstance in which these icons were stolen, as well as on the interception of the author. /s.sh/eva/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] MEMBERS OF COMMISSION ON RENTING ACTIVITY OF FIRMS DEFINED

Bardhyl Pelingu was appointed chairman of the commission to secure transparency in the activity of lending.

The other members of this commission are: Ramiz Hoxha, specialist in the directory of state control, Lorenc Kola, specialist in the Stock- exchange, Anastas Lika, specialist in the branch of levies, Viron Prodani, specialist in the directory of levies, Vjollca Karapici, pedagogue in the Faculty of Economy, Flutura Ahmet Tafaj, jurist, pedagogue.

The Parliament had approved before the law "On the security of transparency in the activity of lending by massive participation of the individuals in the Republic of Albania".

The duty of the commission is to supervise in a transparent way the renting activity of firms.

"The approval of the draft-law and the appointment of the extra parliamentary commission will make people be more careful and deposit their money in those companies which are more serious", said Ylli Vejsiu, being asked right after the approval.

Many of the Albanian serious companies have asked to build private banks. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CALLS AGAIN ON SOCIALISTS TO JOIN PARLIAMENT

"We miss today some of the deputies of the opposition and we all feel the absence of the opposition. That's why I call once again on them, to feel responsible towards the electorate, towards those who voted for them, to come and take their seats in Parliament", said Berisha, stressing that "the number of seats in Parliament is not determinative".

"We welcome their coming (of socialists), as we are resolute to use all the political mandate to draft and approve more democratic laws, to realize those standarts which are the most powerful catalyser of development, integration, building of the future", said Berisha.

"I thank all the deputies for their contribution in drafting and approving several important laws, as well as the President of the Republic Sali Berisha, who has stayed near us in our work", said Albanian Speaker Pjeter Arbnori in this ceremony.

Berisha appreciated the approval by Parliament of the package of laws against crime and corruption. According to him, such package of laws and many other important laws, is one of the main lines of the work of this Parliament for further improvement of the Albanian legislation, approved by the previous parliament. /kei/mt/k

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