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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-03-25Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] PDSH CHAIRMAN MEETS BRITISH AMBASSADORTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA)- By A.Frasheri, British Ambassador to Albania Andrew Tresoriere met yesterday with the chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, (PDSH), Tritan Shehu, according to the PD Press and Information office."The self-style 'salvation committees' remind you of nothing but the Soviets of 1917," Tresoriere said. At this meeting the British ambassador expressed the support of the British Government for the Albanian Parliament and Government of National Reconciliation. He also expressed the position of Great Britain "on the indispensability that the socialist deputies take part in Parliament." Shehu appreciated the assistance and interest shown by Great Britain in Albania for the improvement of the situation created. He also welcomed the invitation of the Foundation "Westminster for democracy", presented by the Ambassador, for a selected group of PDSH and reporters to take part in the political elections in Great Britain. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] FIRST MEDICAL AID FROM ITALIAN GOVERNMENT ARRIVES IN ALBANIATIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA)- By S. Sharrexhi, The first Italian medical aid, consisting of 50 medicine kits, arrived at Rinas airport yesterday."The aid, worth 100 million and 300 000 liras, including surgery equipment, medicine and other medical materials, will be added to the fund of the Ministry of Health," sources of this institution tell ATA. The aid will be distributed to those hospitals, which during the recent turmoil were mostly damaged and which have greater material shortages. s.sh/kled/lm/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] CONFUTATION OF ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTRYTIRANA, MARCH 24 (ATA)- The Defence Ministry states that the AFP report on March 20, alleging that the aircraft AC-130 of the U.S. army has been a target of a surface-to-air missile, near the Durres port in Albania, is not true.Dismissing this report, the Albanian Interior Ministry confirms that during the whole period of the state of emergency no civil or military aircraft has been shot or aimed at by any kind of missile at the disposal of the Albanian army. The Defence Ministry expresses the full guarantee that all kinds of missiles possessed by the Albanian army are at the existing amount and completely secured. s.sh/kled/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] NUMBER OF WOUNDED BY FIRE ARMS IN TIRANA ARMY HOSPITAL REDUCEDTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA)-By M. Allushi, The number of the wounded by gunfire and explosive devices has been substantially decreasing, according to doctors of the Army Hospital, which is specialised for such cases.According to the latest information provided by the hospital department, since March 12, in this hospital have been cured some 350 patients, of whom 103 hospitalised. Some 18 citizens have died, despite the emergency aid. While 22 patients injured by explosive devices have been treated in the Hospital 2. Groups of first aid volunteers have visited the patients in these hospitals, taking care of them. jz/lm/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] THREE POLICEMEN KILLED IN VLORE - Interior MinistryTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA)-Three police officers were killed in Vlore last night at about 20.30, according to the spokesman of the Interior Ministry.Several armed unidentified persons seized last night a "Benz" vehicle in front of the police commissariat in Vlore and left at high speed. Police forces chased them immediately. Before arriving at the place called "Kali i Trojes" at the city's main boulevard, that of Vlore-Skele, the armed bandits opened fire at the police forces, killing three policemen, Spiro Toshi, 45, Besim Manoli, 30, and Gezim Shabani 28, the three inhabitants of Vlore. Meanwhile one of the armed bandits is seriously wounded. The police are working to fully identify the authors of the crime, the Interior Ministry concludes. a.ke/kled/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] INTERIOR MINISTER HOLDS MEETINGS IN FIERTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA)- Interior Minister Belul Celo met yesterday with the effective of the police commissariat in Fier, southwestern Albania, according to the Interior Ministry spokesman.Also attending the meeting were leading officials of the police commissariat of the Mallakaster district, southeastern of Fier. Celo ensured the participants that they would be fully supported by the ministry and the Government of National Reconciliation to restore order and peace in this district. The Interior Minister also met the prefect, the chairman of the district council, the mayor as well as leaders of the local government and prefecture of Fier. Celo asked the leaders of the local government to fully support the police in carrying out their tasks to restore order and calm. He said that the Government of National Reconciliation and the Interior Ministry recognise as legitimate only the local government bodies and structures, therefore the full operation of these structures and the strict application of the law make up a vital necessity. a.ke/eva/lm/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] TENSE SITUATION CONTINUES IN BERATBERAT, MARCH 25 (ATA) - The tense situation continues in the town of Berat (southwestern Albania).A 17-year old boy was found torched yesterday in this town. Sources of the expertise confess that the victim has been tied up in a tree, was sprinkled with fuel and then was set ablaze. The number of deaths in this town and its villages is 42 so far, but it is thought to be more than that. The district council analysed Tuesday the situation in this district and its economic problems. The tension in the town of Berat is obviously seen after 13:00. The gunshots are often heard, the streets are empty, the trade units are closed, while the police do not function. Ten political forces of Berat signed Monday a joint statement, asking Fino government to intervene to calm down the situation in the town. /a.ke/pas/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] EFFORTS TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION IN SARANDESARANDE, MARCH 25 (ATA) - By Shkelqim Hajno: The district council of Sarande (southern Albania) and the town hall of this city held Sunday and Monday urgent meetings to analyse the consequences of the recent destructions, as well as to take the measures for the reorganization of order.According to the deputy mayor of Saranda, Qirjako Martiko, the damage caused by the destructions and torching in this town is thought to be some 1.4 million dollars, excluding here the damages caused in the military units. A joint urgent meeting of the political forces, municipal council, and the district council was held Monday, under the direction of the district council chairman, Thoma Papagjika. After many debates, the political forces and local government have agreed to reorganise immediately the order forces and appoint the new chief of the police commissariat. It was decided in this meeting that the chairman of the district council and the deputy chairman of the municipal council should hold an urgent meeting with the government and the Interior Ministry to reorganize order and appoint the new chief of police commissariat. They also discussed a public statement of the political forces, district council and the municipal council, and expressed their total support for the Government of National Reconciliation. In the meeting was stressed that the constitutional bodies has led and will lead in Sarande in legal ways. The last point of the statement has to do with the distancing of all political forces from all those individuals who ask to change the constitutional order by the force of weapons. They asked that the representatives of the government and the Interior Ministryshould support immediately the reorganization of order in Sarande and send special troops, if these would be requested by the new leading staff of the police commissariat. Actually, the wave of destructions in the district of Sarande has come down, but the night is still insecure, because order is missing. Two week ago in Sarande was established the so-called "Committee of Public Salvation", who blocked the road which links Sarande with the other part of the town not to allow order forces restore order and tranquility in the town. This committee was also in favour of an "autonomous administration" of the town, and the resignation of President Berisha. /pas/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] DECLARATION OF U.S. AMBASSADRESS IN TIRANA, MARIZA LINO - Voice of AmericaTIRANE, MARCH 25 (ATA) - Today the U.S. Ambassadress in Tirana Mariza Lino, made a declaration explaining the stand of the U.S.Government towards Albania."I want to avail myself of the opportunity to explain some aspects of the policy of the U.S.government towards Albania," says a declaration of Ms Lino, on the Voice of America. She stressed that the U.S. continued to appeal on the citizens to surrender their arms and to work with the Government of National Reconciliation to find solutions to the political, economic and humanitarian crisis. "Since the period of President Wilson, the United States has supported the integrity and sovereignty of Albania. This stand remains unchanged. We have the same aims as those of the Albanian people, for freedom, democracy and market economy. We like to make everything possible to help the Albaninan Government and people to solve the present crisis. We will keep the Embassy open. We have heard that some are trying to find the culprits for the crisis and some have also blamed in some way the U.S.A. as being responsible for the failure of the pyramid investment schemes. This si totally groundless. The pyramid investment schemes failed because such is their end, because they are not legitimate businesses," said Ms Lino adding that "the U.S. has several times warned the Albanian most senior authorities that the collapse of pyramid schemes was inevitable," and that "the Albanian government should do something in this regard." "We have had not relation at all with these schemes. The latest reports that the U.S. Government has taken out of Albania by helicopter the presidents of two pyramid investment funds are completely false," said Ambassadress Lino. She added that the U.S. interests are for democracy, for a free market which would help Albanians become prosperous, and their economy develop." Ms Lino pointed out that during the past five years, the United States has granted Albania an assistance worth 200 million dollars and this aid was aimed at constructing the democratic institutions, at the independence of the judicial branch, the free market economy, the medical sector, the small and medium enterprises and the agricultural and livestock programs. "With regard to the future of the Albanian democracy, we hold that it is of vital importance that the democratic structures, such as the Parliament, be respected, protected and consolidated. In order that the government of national reconciliation reach its objectives, in the coming months it must cooperate closely with the Parliament. Therefore, it is logical that all the parties, participating in the government coalition and which have seats in the Parliament, must take their seats and use them to carry forward the work of the coalition government," said Ambassadress Lino. She also added that "the national reconciliation government needs the support of every citizen to restore peace, stability and prosperity in the country of eagles." sk/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED LAST NIGHT IN GJIROKASTERGJIROKASTER, MARCH 25 (ATA) By H. Çani: Two citizens from Berat were killed last night by fire weapons in the town of Gjirokaster, southern Albania.They are: Sali Kaci, 50, and his niece Aurora Tare, 19. It happened near the sport's hall of the town, and the motives and the authors of killing are still unknown. Last night was very dreadful for the citizens of the town. It was accompanied by bomb explosions and gunshots of different calibres. Another dangerous incident was registered last night near a billiard, where a drunk person threw a defensive bomb by injuring a citizen. Meanwhile in the city, as in the previous days, the first hours of Tuesday have been calm. Different from the other days, the people are provided with bread normally. The trade units are open, but the prices continue to be high. /kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] POLICE FORCES ARREST INCRIMINATED PERSONSTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA) - The police forces of commissariat no. 2 in Tirana arrested Tuesday the citizen Altin Koci, 23, from Tirana, who had escaped from the jail where he served the capital punishment, accused of robbing and killing a citizen, Interior Ministry spokesman reports.The police forces of the commissariat in Korce (southeastern Albania) arrested Monday the citizen Gezim Kolla, 31, because he had killed Sunday by fire weapons a citizen. The police forces of Mallakaster, southwestern Albania, arrested Mustafa Shehu from village Usoje, who is accused of killing two people in collaboration with other persons. /a.ke/kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] MEASURES FOR REAL ESTIMATION OF DAMAGES CAUSED BY RECENT RIOTSTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA) - The Government of National Reconciliation has decided to make a real estimation of the damages caused by the recent riots.For this purpose, the Council of Ministers, through a decision taken recently, has charged all the ministries and central institutions to take urgent measures for the real estimation of the damages caused in state objects, as well as in equipment. For the estimation of these damages the ministries charge the specialists who are under their dependence, and when it is impossible even specialists licensed against payment. The government has decided that the estimation of the expenses be made for each object with preventive, according to the prices in force. According to the decision, the preventives will include only the expenses to return the objects in their initial shape and not to change the base project. /kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] FRENCH HUMANITARIAN AID ARRIVES IN ALBANIATIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA) - By Agim Baçi: An airplane of the type "Iliouchine-176", arrived Tuesday in the airport of Rinas, which brought a humanitarian aid of 40 tonnes including flour, sugar, pasta, medicines, biscuits and milk powder.Italy brought on Monday a humanitarian aid of 50 boxes with different medicaments. /kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] PEACEFUL RALLIES IN TEPELENA AND MEMALIAJ IN SUPPORT OF FINO GOVERNMENTTEPELENE, MARCH 25 (ATA) - By H Cani: Inhabitants of the towns of Tepelene and Memaliaj today held peaceful rallies in support of the National Reconciliation Government, and calling for peace and tranquillity. Intelectuals and speakers in the parliament in those rallies laid the stress on the restoration of the public order and peace in their towns, and backed up the slogans chanted by the participants in the rallies, with flowers in hand, in support of the Fino Government, for peace and understanding. Hence, differently from the previous days, when only uncontrolled bullets of arms were common in those cities, causing panic and insecurity among the people, today messages of peace were conveyed. ssh/xh/Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS SPECIAL ENVOY OF RUMANIAN PRESIDENT AND GOVERNMENTTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA) - Albanian President Sali Berisha met Tuesday with the special envoy of the Rumanian President and Government, the ambassador George Miku, accompanied by the charge d'affaires of the Rumanian Embassy in Tirana, Bucura Gheorge.Ambassador Miku conveyed to President Berisha the complete support and the solidarity of President Konstantinesku and the Rumanian government, stressing that Rumania respects the legal institutions of Albania as necessity to realize the legal platform of political parties to overcome the dramatic situation of Albania. President Berisha thanked President Kostantinesku for the long conversation he had over the telephone in the most dramatic moments of Albania, and for the support of Rumanian government and its friendly engagement to overcome this crisis, which proves once again that Albania and Albanians find an unshakeable friend at the Rumanian nation. /s.sh/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] POLICE FORCES IN TIRANA UNCOVER A LARGE QUANTITY OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITIONTIRANA, MARCH 25 (ATA) - The police forces in the capital have uncovered and blocked a large quantity of weapons and ammunition during the controls exercised, Interior Ministry spokesman reports.The police commissariat no. 4 in Tirana have gathered a quantity of 1.2 million cartridges, as well as some weapons of different calibres, a considerable number of which was uncovered on Monday. The spokesman said that all the police patrols are equipped with bullet proof jackets, aid of the Italian government. A large quantity of bullet proof jackets was also given to the police commissariats in several districts. The police of the capital will make maximal efforts to empty all the objects occupied by force during these weeks from different elements, like gardens, nurseries, dormitories, etc, concludes the report of the Interior Ministry spokesman. /s.sh/kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS WITH COMMANDER OF THE 6TH U.S.FLEET, VICE ADMIRAL ABBOTTIRANE, MARCH 25 (ATA) - Today the Albanian Defence Minister, Shaqir Vukaj had a meeting with the commander of the 6th U.S. Fleet, vice admiral Abbot. He briefed Mr Abbot of the development of the situation in Albania and the gradual improvements towards restoration of peace and security in the country.Further on he focused on the considerable damage in the Albanian Army. "Now we are working intensively to reorganize the army, especially to collect the looted arms and munition," said Minister Vukaj, adding that "heavy armament and aviation are under the control of the Albanian Army." The minister also stressed that in not a long period of time "we will have an army set up on the basis of our national tradition, the conditions of the terrain by exploiting the experience of the western countries mainly of the NATO member states, and the armies of the countries which have similarities with our country." After making a panorama of the great work of the National Reconciliation Government to overcome the difficult situation and to carry the country towards fresh elections, Minister Vukaj confirmed to the commander of the 6th U.S. Fleet that Albania was completely ready to continue and further promote the cooperation with the USA in the military field. U.S.vice admiral Abbot said that the U.S. was satisfied with the progress made towards the restoration of stability in the country. Establishment of stability and normal life in Albania have a special importance both for Albania and its partners, he said. "We think that the good relations in the cooperation in the military field will resume and consolidate." The U.S. high military thanked the Albanian party for the realisation of the mission for the evacuation of the U.S. citizens from Albania and said that the ships of the 6th U.S. Fleet have saved the lives of many Albanians endangered at sea, in an effort to emigrate. Also present in the meeting were the Albanian Chief of the Army General Staff, Major General Adem Copani and the U.S. ambassadress in irane, Mariza Lino. At the end of the meeting, Defence Minister Vukaj handed to Ambassadress Lino a letter for the U.S. Defence Secretary. xh/ --- +++ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] STATEMENT OF THE ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMANTIRANE, MARCH 24 (ATA) - Commenting the declaration of the spokesman of the State Department of the United States of America Nicholas Burns on March 20 1997, which says "After the return of President Berisha to Albania from his official visit to Washington (on September1995,) people disliked by the President who did not favor the political system, including jonrnalists as well, were arrested," the spokesman of the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that no arrestment or punishment has taken place in Albania against politicians, journalists or citizens for motives expressed in the declaration of the spokesman of the State Department. Mr.Burns' declarations seem to be based on inaccurate reports or misinformation. Albania has been and is an open country. No govermment, institution or western organization including the diplomatic corps accredited to Albania, non governmental organizations or human rights groups do not result to have expressed similar accusations to the declaration of spokesman Burns. ---Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] PRESS RELEASETIRANE, MARCH 25 (ATA) - The President of Albania today had a meeting with the Prime Minister Bashkim Fino and ministers Arjan Starova and Shaqir Vukaj and the State Secretary in the Albanian Foreign Ministry."I would like to congratulate you on the successful visit you had to Italy," said President Berisha to Premier Fino and "I want to express my thanks to the Italian Government for its commitment to help Albania. I also want to express my profound gratitude to the EU and its member countries, to the governments and the foreign ministers of this Union, who are treating in several meetings the crisis our country is passing with a great responsibility, profound solidarity, friendly feelings and great determination to assist us in the restoration of stability in Albania." Berisha stressed that the "we will implement together with EU the political solution we made with it. The hand and solidarity of Europe towards Albania have had and will always have the gratitude of all Albanians." Premier Fino informed President Berisha of the results of his visit to Italy, the commitment of EU, the governments and Foreign ministers of its member states to assist Albania, and the readiness of some countries to help in the question of security in Albania and the distribution of humanitarian aid in this country. xh/ ---+++ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |