Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-05

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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 STRESSES THE WILL OF ALBANIANS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE

[02] FROM THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

[03] ALBANIANS WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE - Premier

[04] STATEMENT OF A GROUP OF DP DEPUTIES

[05] "ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT HAS ALWAYS REALIZED ITS ROLE AS LEGISLATIVE POWER" - declares Albanian Speaker

[06] MORE THAN 13.600 MILLION LEKS OF FOOD ARTICLES BLOCKED

[07] ON THE SITUATION IN SHKODER, ELBASAN AND POGRADEC

[08] "ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT HAS ALWAYS REALIZED ITS ROLE AS A LAW-MAKING BODY" - Albanian Speaker

[09] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION

[10] PEACEFUL GATHERING OF CHILDREN IN TIRANA

[11] ITALY TO HELP ALBANIA RECOVER EDUCATION SYSTEM

[12] PRESS REVIEW

[13] PRESS RELEASE

[14] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION OF CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC CENTRE PARTY

[15] ITALIAN CCD FAVOURS PEACE MISSION TO ALBANIA

[16] MEETING OF PRIME MINISTER FINO IN SHKODER FAILS

[17] ARBNORI MEETS RAPPORTEURS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ON ALBANIA

[18] DECLARATION OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

[19] KILLER CAUGHT BY ALBANIAN POLICE

[20] SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS OF TIRANE POLICE FORCES

[01] ALBANIAN PREMIER STRESSES THE WILL OF ALBANIANS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE

Albanian Premier asked Minister Dini during this conversation to report to Italian Premier Romano Prodi the preparations of the Albanian government to welcome the multinational forces, in the application of the resolution 1101 of the United Nations Organization Security Council.

Premier Fino declared on this occasion that he is following attentively the debate held in the Italian Parliament on this problem and said he would like to ensure that the concern, expressed by several forces of the parliamentary majority, is exaggerated. The Italian troops in Albania should have the maximal security and the complete support of the Albanian government and public opinion, has declared the Premier of the National Reconciliation Government, concludes the announcement of the spokesman of the Council of Ministers. /l.gj/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] FROM THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

The first topic was the discussion for the preparation of a draft-law to restart the teaching process in all levels of schools, and mainly in universities, which were closed with the introduction of the state of emergency.

The ministers focused in their the discussions on the platform presented to the Council of Ministers by the Ministry of High Education, which considered possible in the essence to start the teaching process in universities, following the principle of opening it step by step, based on the conditions of each university. In general, all the minister, despite the academic needs, considered the opening of schools as a symbol for the stabilization of the situation and restarting the normal life in Albania.

In the meeting was also approved a draft decree, which excludes the humanitarian aid from the customs duties and taxes.

Premier Fino also presented in the Council of Ministers a plan for the normal functioning of the Albanian judiciaries, and concretely the prosecutor's offices and courts. He considered this aid very important for the stabilization of the situation, restoration of order and functioning of the rule of law.

In the meeting of the Council of Ministers was also discussed the progress of preparations to plan the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid, as well as the definition of the necessary framework for the dispatch and operation in the territory of Albania of the multinational forces of defence, which are expected to come within this month. /l.gj/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIANS WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE - Premier

Albanian Premier asked Minister Dini during this conversation to report to Italian Premier Romano Prodi the preparations of the Albanian government to welcome the multinational forces, in the application of the resolution 1101 of the United Nations Organization Security Council.

Premier Fino declared on this occasion that he is following attentively the debate held in the Italian Parliament on this problem and said he would like to ensure that the concern, expressed by several forces of the parliamentary majority, is exaggerated. The Italian troops in Albania would have the maximal security and the complete support of the Albanian government and public opinion, has declared the Premier of the National Reconciliation Government, concludes the announcement of the spokesman of the Council of Ministers. /l.gj/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] STATEMENT OF A GROUP OF DP DEPUTIES

In this statement, they stress that the members of the DP parliamentary group ask the parliament to play its role as a legislative power, not to accept the dictate of the President in the decisions of the legislative power, not to accept the dictate of the current presidency of DP, which has considerable responsibility for the situation, not the accept the infringement of the personality and dignity of the deputy, etc.

This group of deputies has addressed an appeal to the DP National Council, aiming to return the trust in the democratic ideal, to save the fragile Albanian democracy.

In this appeal, these deputies ask to give a clear answer to the questions which have troubled everyone in these three months, and moreover about the unexpected and destructive blows of the last two months.

The group of deputies asks through this appeal an urgent joint meeting of the National Council and the group of DP deputies to analyse the situation created and take the measures which will change and renovate radically the Democratic Party. /a.ke/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] "ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT HAS ALWAYS REALIZED ITS ROLE AS LEGISLATIVE POWER" - declares Albanian Speaker

"There are incontestable documents that the parliament, although it had the majority of deputies from DP, has worked at full responsibility, by refusing, correcting of changing radically even many decrees of the Albanian President. There are also many draft-laws of the DP government, refused, improved of changed radically," says further on the statement of Arbnori.

In their statement, the DP deputies ask the parliament to play its role as legislative power not to accept the dictate of the President in the decisions of the legislative power, not to accept the dictate of the current presidency of DP, not the accept the infringement of the personality and dignity of the deputy, etc.

Arbnori says that if we were under the dictate of anyone, we should have accepted close-eyed many draft-laws, which in fact we have not approved.

"There are only three or four from the approved draft-laws, which have been connected with the political decisions of DP," continued Arbnori.

In the statement it is said that the deputies have been completely free to vote and nobody has been punished for his vote different from the other members of the parliamentary group.

"The fact, that a month ago, 16 form 17 deputies, by their free and secret vote, voted in favour of the candidature of the President of the Republic, shows that they did not think as they declare today," says Arbnori.

At the end, Arbnori stressed that "I am personally imposed in any case on no deputy how he or she should vote, and if they had asked me, I have responded that the voting depend on their conscience." /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] MORE THAN 13.600 MILLION LEKS OF FOOD ARTICLES BLOCKED

"From the food articles blocked, 291.5 quintal were eliminated", the inspector of this department Gjergj Kiri told ATA.

The conditions created during the state of emergency have encouraged the inspectorate of this department to draft efficient measures to prevent many goods without licenses which come from boarder checking points.

The controls exercised have pointed out that the goods sold are according to the conditions of quality and the legal standards. In cooperation with the technological sector, such controls were also exercised in the Albanian industry of food products. /kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ON THE SITUATION IN SHKODER, ELBASAN AND POGRADEC

The new chief of police commissariat, Martin Gjoka, told ATA that the police commissariat function with patrols and roadblocks during the day and the night.

In the last two days, no people have been hospitalized or injured by fire weapons, sources from the hospital report. /s.sh/mt/

* * *

ELBASAN, APRIL 5 (ATA) - By Pellumb Zekthi: The life in the town of Elbasan (Middle Albania) is turning to normal.

Although, fires into the air are heard during the night, the situation in the town and nearby villages is calm.

Sources from the police report that on the evening of April 3, one of the guards in an arm depot was injured, in an attempt to loot the object. The guard has lost a leg, after he had stepped on a mine near the depot. A doctor of the hospital said that during the last week, 5 people have been injured due to uncontrolled use of weapons. /a.ke/mt/

* * *

POGRADEC, APRIL 5 (ATA) - By Behar Fejzullaj: The situation in the town of Pogradec ( Southeastern Albania) continues to be tense.

Police patrols are seen during the day in their efforts to stabilize order, but anyhow the town lives under the terror of the armed gangs, who fire into the air and loot shops and houses.

Passengers have been robbed in the national road Pogradec-Qafe Thane.

It is reported that the district council, the town hall, the prosecutor's office, the court, the library, the hotel, the high school and all the other 8-year schools, the police commissariat and all the other institutions, including the customs-houses of Qafe-Thane and Tushemisht, have been looted and torched. /s.sh/eva/mt/

* * *

FIER, APRIL 5 (ATA) - Order and tranquility in the district of Fier (Southern Albania) is improving.

The police commissariat control the entrances in the town through road-blocks, established in all the national roads which connect Fier with the other towns of the country.

Along with this, in cooperation with the army, there are taken measures for the complete security of the arm depots which were not affected by the recent destructions. /a.ke/eva/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] "ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT HAS ALWAYS REALIZED ITS ROLE AS A LAW-MAKING BODY" - Albanian Speaker

"There are incontestable documents proving that the parliament, although with the majority of deputies from the Democratic Party, has worked with full responsibility, it has rejected, amended and even changed completely also decrees by the Albanian President. There are also many draft-laws of the DP government, which have been rejected, improved or radically changed," says further Mr Arbnori in his statement.

In their statement, the DP deputies ask the parliament to play its role as legislative organ and not accept the dictate by the President in its decisions as a law-making body, not to accept the dictate of the current DP presidency, not to accept that the personality and dignity of the deputy be discarded, etc.

Arbnori says that "if we had been under the dictate of anyone, we would have approved blindly many draft-laws, something which in fact we have not done."

"There are only three or four from the approved laws, which have been connected with political decisions of DP," continued Arbnori.

The statement also said that the deputies have been completely free to vote and nobody has been punished for his voting differently from other members of the parliamentary group.

At the end, Arbnori stressed that "I personally have never imposed myself on any deputy regarding how he or she should vote," /a.ke/kei/mt/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION

During the meeting, they discussed extensively the present situation in Albania, laying the stress on the restitution of order and tranquilllity in Albania, as an indispensible condition without which free and democratic elections can hardly be held in June this year, as agreed in the round table discussion of Albanian political forces.

Minister Starova considered as important the rapid reaction and cooperation between the Council of Europe, the European Union and OSCE to assist the democratic process in Albania and to send an international force to help deliver the humanitarian and economic aid in this country.

Minister Starova stressed the cooperation of the political forces in the National Reconciliation Government, which has contributed to a calmer local situation, reorganization of the public order bodies and refunctioning of the local government, as the only legitimate body elected by the free vote of the people.

The delegation of the Council of Europe reconfirmed the CE support for the democratic processes in Albania.

Also based on the experience of the monitoring of the local vote in October 1996 in Albania, the Council of Europe will step up its contacts and commitment to ensure an electoral process in democratic conditions and conformed to international standards. xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PEACEFUL GATHERING OF CHILDREN IN TIRANA

With bouquets of flowers and placards in hands, for more than 2 hours, the children asked that peace which they are lacking for so long time be restored. Through their songs and words all the children voiced their great desire to resume school as soon as possible.

Today in the evening, the opera and ballet troupe will give a charity concert to the memory of the drowned in the Straits of Otranto. eva/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ITALY TO HELP ALBANIA RECOVER EDUCATION SYSTEM

"Italian Minister of Education Berlinguer visits Albania in few days. This visit will be in the series of a comprehensive assistance," says Minister of High Education and Scientific Research, Myqerem Tafaj.

Berlinguer will meet Albanian ministers of High Education, Education and Sports and the minister of Culture.

"We will help the Albanian Universities as well as all the damaged education institution to normalise the education system in Albania," Berlinguer has said.

However, the emergency humanitarian aid to guarantee the refunctioning of schools, many of which gravely damaged, remains a priority for the conditions the education system in Albania is in. eva/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] PRESS REVIEW

The paper says that there are many undeniable facts about the causes and authors leading to the creation of destabilisation in Albania. The paper adds that the authors of torching, killings and anticonstitutional acts are known not only in Albania but also in Europe.

"It is precisely these elements who also built the pyramid schemes in Albania and who have taken part in the same political forums with the SP, which today is trying to charge the DP government with all the faults for the current crisis, the editorial says.

The paper says that precisely these mafia elements and ex-communists criminals are the authors of the latest burning, killings and terror in the country.

The paper also carries a statement of the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, under the title:"DP has respected and respects the diversity of thought and the free vote of each".

On the first page the paper carries a statement of the U.S. embassy in Tirana saying that: "The U.S. embassy in Tirana will not meet with any of the so-called "rebel" committee of citizens".

Zeri i Popullit reports on the meetings of Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino in Athens under the title:"Full International support for Albania". The paper carries the interview of the SP Secretary for Organisation and Coordination and head of the SP parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, under the title:"SP participation in parliament will help pull the country out of the crisis," as well as the interview of the Minister of Labor, Emigration and Social Assistance, under the title:"The solution must me swift through programmes and projects".

The paper cites Van Mierlo as saying in Athens, in his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Fino, that: "The close cooperation between EU and OSCE is of vital importance for Albania".

As regards the statement of the public salvation committees which is also signed by the SP, the paper says:"Contacts, talks and joint statements do not mean abolishment of the elected local government structures".

Under the title "Reconciliation is not achieved by fabricating enemies", the paper says that:"Neither the Socialists, who are cursed today for having signed a statement with the public salvation committees on March 28 in Vlore, nor the committees and the armed people in Albania themselves pose any sin for the situation created, for the only reason that their steps echo the stabilisation of the situation, a thing which in fact cannot and is not being done by the irresponsible statements of several parliamentarians." kei/lm/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] PRESS RELEASE

"I am pleased to meet you in the conditions Albania is undergoing. We determined together with the EU a political solution, which will guarantee continuation on the road of democracy and the country's integration into Europe. In this aspect the cooperation with the Council of Europe plays for Albania and its future an irreplaceable role, which, today, I think, is more important than ever before.

Therefore I ask your assistance in two directions: First, in preparing free elections as the sole and best way to restore stability to the country. We are determined to remain open and cooperate with the OSCE and all the other international institutions in this relation. But the Council of Europe should have a central role in this process.

Second, I consider that despite all serious difficulties Albania is living through, the drafting and approval during this period, with direct assistance and engagement of the Council of Europe, of a Western constitution for Albania, would be very precious for the country and the future of the Albanian democracy.

I will also discuss this issue with the political forces and I am convinced that our offer to choose as a pattern one of the constitutions of the European Unions countries, constitutes a broad and real basis of compromise for the political forces.

The return of socialists to parliament and the setting up of a parliamentary commission, consultative commissions, composed of other non parliamentary political forces and academic circles, the precious expertise of the Council of Europe, and the performance of all these years, are factors which fully enable the drafting and approval of a western Constitution for Albania by this parliament and later by referendum.

Mr.Van der Linden, on behalf of the delegation of the Council of Europe, fully committed himself to provide Albania with all the necessary assistance to prepare and hold free and fair elections. They also fully supported the view of the President to provide the country with a Constitution, which is also one of the main requests of the Council of Europe.

The delegation of the Council of Europe said that it highly appreciated the stand of the president, his efforts to avoid bloodshed, to defend his people. He also asked the president about the March 28 agreement of the socialists with rebel groups in the south.

The president said that the March 28 agreement counterpoises the March 9 agreement and is an overt declaration of alliance with individuals and rebel groups which the Parliament and the Government has not recognised as they have broken into banks and hold under terror and anarchy several cities in the south and make up a major obstacle for the Government of National Reconciliation to prepare free and fair elections.

Through the March 28 agreement the socialists ask the Government to recognise these groups as parties.

The delegation of the Council of Europe told the president that the Council of Europe recognises only the legitimate central and local governments in Albania and nothing imposed by force. lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION OF CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC CENTRE PARTY

"I avail myself of this opportunity to thank you for the friendly visit, as well as the Italian Government, political forces and your friendly people for the friendly solidarity and their so valuable assistance for Albania in this rather difficult period," said President Berisha.

Mr Casini conveyed to the President his and other leaders' of the Italian Right Centre greetings, Mr Berlusconi, Fini and Butiglione and their determination to back up the President, the Democratic Party and the efforts of the Government of Albania to prepare the coming elections.

They talked in the meeting of the present situation in Albania, the efforts of Albanian legal institutions to overcome the present crisis, the assistance that Italy and the International community are giving and will continue to give to Albania in these difficult moments for it.

The Italian deputies took interest especially in the realisation of the mission of the international force of defence of humanitarian aid and for the stand to be adopted regarding thousands of Albanian refugees who have recently gone to Italy.

The President assured the Italian guests that the international forces, including the Italian troops, would have the support of the Albanian official central and local authorities, because their coming to Albania is welcomed by the majority of the Albanian people. But this does not rule out any eventual danger as long as in several zones in southern Albania there are still some irresponsible armed gangs.

With regard to the three-month deadline Italy has declared for the return home of the latest Albanian refugees, the President said that this term must be considered in view of the course of stability in Albania and that Italy might also see these refugees' possible seasonal employment there. jz/xh/z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] ITALIAN CCD FAVOURS PEACE MISSION TO ALBANIA

"We favour the unconditional peace mission to Albania and its non- interference into the Albanian politics," the chairman of this party, Pierferdinando Casini, said at a news conference held in Tirana today.

The Italian CCD leaders, invited by the Democratic Party for a working visit to Albania, met today President Berisha, DP leaders and others.

During the news conference, the leaders of this party expressed their concern over the stand of several political forces in Italy which condition the deployment of this mission, thus, interfering into the internal affairs of Albania.

They said that "the peace mission should not interfere into the Albanian politics and there should be no preferences in the implementation of its role."

They stated that they support the institutions in Albania and as regards the institution of the President they said that: "The Government of National Reconciliation emerged from a round table initiated by Berisha and that the same parliament, which gave the vote of confidence to this government, voted for the reelection of Berisha as president," considering the presence of Berisha and Fino a manifestation of equilibrium between the major party forces in Albania.

Further on, concentrating on the situation in Albania, Casini said that :"We agree with the DP and our view is that the southern committees should not be legalised."

But, they also said that common language should also be found with the Socialist Party, for reasons of its existence in the Government of National Reconciliation, thus, not reconciling themselves with the March 28 statement issued in Vlore.

During their stay in Albania, the leaders of this party have had many contacts and in their talks they have also focused themselves on the issue of the Albanian refugees.

Thus Casini, referring to the tragic event of March 28 off Brindisi, stressed that "through our visit we want to eliminate the shadows created by this incident, in order to minimise its effect on the presence of the Italian military forces in Albania."

They highlighted the fact that the friendly relations between the two countries are ancient and will be further strengthened, stressing that the two parties the DP and CCD have fraternal relations as parties of the same political spectrum. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] MEETING OF PRIME MINISTER FINO IN SHKODER FAILS

The participants in the hall were told that in the Bushat village persons, thought to be armed, had prevented the Prime Minister and his companions to continue their way to Shkoder.

After confirming this event, prefect Elham Sharra, addressing the participants in the hall of the city's library, deplored this incident and reconfirmed the support of the local government bodies, of the political parties and religious communities of the district for the Government of National Reconciliation. s.sh/jz/lm/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ARBNORI MEETS RAPPORTEURS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ON ALBANIA

Arbnori portrayed the current situation in the country and said that there has been neither civil war nor victim for political reasons in Albania.

Several rebel military committees have dissolved and manipulated the legitimate local government in several areas of the country, claiming to establish after this their own power through the force of terror.

Arbnori said that the existence of these military committees puts in jeopardy the coming elections as well as the destiny of democracy in Albania.

"To meet or sign joint statements with these committees means to encourage them, also violating in this way the agreement reached between the political parties on March 1997. It is clear that if the SP does not support these committees they will dissolve very soon," Arbnori said.

Further on Arbnori, after evaluating the assistance of the Council of Europe, said that given the experience of the past local elections, a major role of the Council of Europe in the coming elections is welcomed. Other observers' missions including the OSCE, EU and other missions are as well welcomed.

"Our main aim is to help in holding free elections in Albania. We are prepared to help you as much as possible and we will do our utmost to support and organise these elections," the rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly said. a/ke/jz/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] DECLARATION OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

But in the vicinity of the village Bushat, an armed group of people blocked the road and threatened the officials with firing into the air and explosion of bombs, asking the Premier and his group to turn back. Taking into consideration the possible consequences of this grave event, the Albanian Government appreciates the stand of the Albanian Premier and the team accompanying him, for the self-control and non-implementation of the law to open the road through force.

The Albanian Government condemns this event as a serious incident against the National Reconciliation Government.

The Government has adopted all the measures to identify and catch the authors of the grave criminal and intentional incident, voicing its determination not to allow such events take place any more.

On this occasion, the Albanian Government appeals to Albanian political parties and public opinion to denounce these terrorist forces or segments, because such acts take, in one way or another, a political character.

The National Reconciliation Government declares on this occasion that it will continue resolutely to realise its program for the restoration of order, the institutional stabilization and the carrying of the country to general parliamentary elections in June this year. ake/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] KILLER CAUGHT BY ALBANIAN POLICE

Police are investigating into the complete circumstances and the motives of this macabre crime. xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS OF TIRANE POLICE FORCES

Whereas forces of the Police Commissariat No 3 in Tirana arrested Tomor Haxhiu from Tirane convicted of killing a citizen. These forces have also arrested Astrit Maci, who had also fled from the Tirana Prison charged with plunder.

Forces of this commissariat, in cooperation with special forces of the Interior Ministry, arrested recently Arben Xhaja from Berat, who had escaped from the jail of Kruje. Citizen Ardian Xhika was also arrested because while some police forces were entering the city of Berat, he had mined the Bridge of Uznova.

From the operation today by the forces of the Police Commissariat No 3, Tirane caught and blocked in Koder-Kamez a considerable amount of equipment which were stolen from the Agricultural University in Kamez. xh

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