Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SIX ALBANIANS ARRESTED IN PRISTINA AIRPORT ARE STILL IN BELGRADE

[02] ALBANIAN SPEAKER MEETS DELEGATION OF ALBANIANS FROM DISPORA

[03] NEW CHIEF OF POLICE COMMISSARIAT APPOINTED IN SHKODER

[04] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS ENVOY OF ILO DIRECTOR

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS FORMER CHANCELLOR VRANITZKY

[07] SP CHAIRMAN MEETS OSCE REPRESENTATIVE VRANITZKY

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON MECCA TRAGEDY

[09] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER GREETS MOSLEM BELIEVERS ON GREATER BAIRAM

[10] SCHOOLS TO REOPEN ON APRIL 21 IN ALBANIA

[11] SHEHU AFTER HIS MEETING WITH VRANITZKY

[12] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS COMMANDER OF MULTINATIONAL OPERATION "ALBA"

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES

[14] TWO YOUTHS KILLED BY GUNFIRE IN GJIROKASTER

[15] ALBANIAN POLITICAL FORCES AGREE TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON JUNE 29- Vranitzky

[16] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER AND FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR REAFFIRM COOPERATION

[17] ALBANIAN POLITICIANS SAY THEY HAVE NOT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH VRANITZKY ON THE DATE OF ELECTIONS

[18] VRANITZKY DECLARES CONCLUSIONS OF HIS VISIT TO ALBANIA

[01] SIX ALBANIANS ARRESTED IN PRISTINA AIRPORT ARE STILL IN BELGRADE

The six Albanian workers were immediately sent in Belgrade, where they are still under arrest. /p.ta/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN SPEAKER MEETS DELEGATION OF ALBANIANS FROM DISPORA

Arbnori stressed in the meeting that "We have always respected the political alternatives, but we are categorically against the imposition of several committees for the legal institutions. Our stand in these days is irrevocable; to recognise only the legal institutions of this country."

The delegation of Albanians from Diaspora expressed in this meeting all-round support for the legal institutions in Albania. /eva/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] NEW CHIEF OF POLICE COMMISSARIAT APPOINTED IN SHKODER

He is the fourth chief appointed in the police commissariat of Shkoder within the period of one month.

The participants in the meeting issued a statement in which they supported the new chief of the police commissariat and the special forces who arrived Wednesday in the town to restore the public order. /a.ke/eva/mt/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS ENVOY OF ILO DIRECTOR

"We have come here not only as senior officials, but also as friends of Albania," - said Bernardo in this meeting.

Minister Elmazi presented to Bernardo the goals for the future regarding the development of the employment policies and social issues in Albania.

On behalf of General Director of ILO, Michel Hansen, Bernardo invited Minister Sherifi to participate in the International Conference of Labour, which will be held in Geneva in June this year. /s.sh/eva/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit reports: "Elections - salvation of Albania". The paper carries the speech of Socialist Party Chairman Fatos Nano in the meeting of the Leading Committee of Tirana under the title "Elections - salvation of Albania". With regard to the visit of Vranitzky in Albania, the paper cites the latter: "The deadline for the elections should be June". The paper carries a statement of USA under the title: "We will not accept any changes in the Government of National Reconciliation". ZP reports on the end of the visit of Albanian Defence Minister Shaqir Vukaj in Turkey under the title: Turkey does not support particular persons, but the Albanian people", and carries an interview with the spokesman of OSCE, Melisa Fleming, under the title "The Government of Premier Fino, direct interlocutor of OSCE and the international community".

Republika carries the editorial "The right wing does not owe anything to DP". The paper reports "Flirt of Social Democratic Party and Democratic Alliance in the offices of SP with the SP chairman Nano". The paper reports that the bridge of Gjadri in Northern Albania is blown up and three people were blocked in the tunnel filled with TNT. On the third page the paper covers the meeting of Premier Fino with representatives of political parties regarding the election law. On the same page the paper reports on the arrival in Albania of the chairman of the National Front Party, Abas Ermenji.

Rilindja reports on the meeting of the Prime Minister Bashkim Fino with the delegation of OSCE: "The end of June, last term for the elections". The paper writes that a resolution of the Commission of UNO in Geneva was approved Wednesday through which the Belgrade regime was accused of the flagrant violations of the national rights of the Kosova Albanians. According to the meeting of the Albanian Speaker Pjetėr Arbnori with Leka I the paper writes: "The people will decide on the form of regime".

Under the title "Vranitzky: "I don't recognize the rebels'", Albania carries the visit of the OSCE envoy, (Vranitzky) who is in Albania for the third time. The paper carries the editorial "Who creates obstacles to the Government of Reconciliation?". On the third page, under the title "Only the Socialist Party is interested in the Committees", the paper carries an interview with the Secretary General of Democratic Party, Genc Pollo.

Koha Jone carries on the third page the visit of Vranitzky in Albania under the title: "Berisha in Presidency, Vranizky in Vlorė". The paper also carries a statement of the Assembly of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) under the title: "The finding of responsibilities should start". In the heading "Chronicle" the paper writes that the Prosecutor's Office restarts the operations against the bosses accused of fraudulence in pyramid schemes, but only one of them, Sude, has returned to prison.

Gazeta Shqiptare instead of the editorial carries the report held by the Albanian Minister of Finances Arben Malaj in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, who declares that "the pyramid schemes have 'eaten' $1.2 billion". According to the statement of DAP the paper writes: "DAP alone against all". The paper says that the special forces from Tirana arrive in Shkodėr to restore public order in this city./kei/eva

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS FORMER CHANCELLOR VRANITZKY

They dwelt on the importance of holding free and fair elections for Albania's stability and future, the President's press and information office reports.

The two considered that holding the elections in the set time-frame is very important and that the government, in cooperation with the Albanian political forces, should make all efforts to create the conditions for the elections and organise a free and fair electoral process.

Vranitzky assured President Berisha that the international community is completely engaged in helping hold free elections with expertise, experts and in due time also with observers.

President Berisha reconfirmed his will and determination to contribute to free and fair elections, within the shortest time-frame as possible.

The conversation was open and characterised by a full spirit of understanding and they decided to keep constant contacts. kled/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SP CHAIRMAN MEETS OSCE REPRESENTATIVE VRANITZKY

Nano stressed that the proposal of the nine parties for a proportional law had to do with the "development of a calm electoral campaign and enabling the electorate to vote for the people its wants".

As regards the thesis of the population's disarmament as a condition to hold new elections, Fatos Nano said that:"My opinion does not differ from that of the European partners, who, although under difficult conditions, have adapted conditions for holding elections, for instance in Bosnia, where, despite the complicated situation, with inter-ethnic and religious conflicts, different from Albania, and where the population was also armed, they again held elections."

Also present at the meeting was the SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani. eva/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON MECCA TRAGEDY

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER GREETS MOSLEM BELIEVERS ON GREATER BAIRAM

"In these difficult days for the Albanian people and nation we pray to the Great God to head our beloved Albania towards peace and happiness," Fino says in his message. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] SCHOOLS TO REOPEN ON APRIL 21 IN ALBANIA

The Minister of Education and Sports, Luan Skuqi, said that all the schools opening in two weeks time, from April 21 to May 5, will apply the programme within a set deadline: up to July 5 for the secondary schools and within June for the eight year schools. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] SHEHU AFTER HIS MEETING WITH VRANITZKY

"We have expressed Vranitzky the will of the Democratic Party to closely cooperate with the OSCE and other international organisations. But, at the same time, we have expressed the indispensability of a neutrality of this mission having as interlocutors only central or local Albanian legitimate bodies," said Shehu.

Shehu said that free and democratic elections in Albania require the realisation of the people's free movement, free activity of all the political forces all over the Albanian territory as well as the restoration of local government all over the country.

Shehu considered the debate among the political parties for several changes to the existing electoral law "democratic and very much improved with the recommendations of ODIHR, OSCE and Council of Europe after the political elections". kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS COMMANDER OF MULTINATIONAL OPERATION "ALBA"

The Multinational Force commander spoke of the arrival of the various forces and the work carried out in cooperation with the Albanian forces for a good beginning of this mission.

Vukaj, on behalf of the Government of National Reconciliation thanked Italy as leader of these multinational forces ensuring it that the Albanian people are welcoming these forces. This was best seen, he said, in the reception the Vlore people extended to Italian Prime Minister Prodi.

Also present at the meeting was Italian ambassador Foresti and the Italian Military Attache, Colonel Russo.

On the same day Forlani was also received by the chief of General Staff, Major-General Adem Copani.

The meeting also tackled issues dealing with the ways of carrying out the "Alba" operation, the cooperation of these forces with the Albanian ones, and other issues./kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF ALBANIAN COMMUNITIES

Berisha expressed his gratefulness for their will to help pull Albania out of the difficulties. He stressed that their concern is legitimate for all those Albanians who love Albania and assured them that the country will overcome the difficulties to continue the road of democracy and integration into Europe. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] TWO YOUTHS KILLED BY GUNFIRE IN GJIROKASTER

According to the town's hospital sources, Aristotel Millo, 31, and Proletar Kore, 27, were killed by gunfire.

Together with the victims was also another person who was wounded but who is out of danger.

Police have started inquiries to find the guilty.

According to hospital sources two other persons have been hospitalised to be treated for gunshot wounds. a.ke/kled/lm/sh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] ALBANIAN POLITICAL FORCES AGREE TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON JUNE 29- Vranitzky

In a statement made at the beginning of the news conference, Vranitzky mentioned several preconditions for holding elections in due time: drafting the new electoral law and reexamining the legislation for using the media, especially the electronic one.

According to Vranitzky the meetings in Albania focused on two activities: the measures to prepare and distribute aid and stabilisation of the democratic political order through the new June elections.kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER AND FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR REAFFIRM COOPERATION

Vranitzky discussed with Fino the results of his two day mission in Tirana as speacial envoy of OSCE to Albania and several of the first conclusions he had drawn during his today's meetings with President Sali Berisha, Fatos Nano and Tritan Shehu.

He said that he appreciated the stand of the government and personally of Prime Minister Fino to hold elections within June and that he had observed that also the politicians and parties considered they should be held within this period, but, he said, it was necessary that a consensus be reached for this.

On this occasion Vranitzky underlined the fact that it should be clear to the the Albanian public and political opinion that no competition on Albania exists between the OSCE and the Council of Europe and that the OSCE member countries, also including Albania, have noted down Berisha's demand in the first meeting with their envoy for cooperation with this organisation and now they have also adopted the concrete measures.

Albanian Prime Minister thanked Vranitzky for his serious engagement and underlined once again that on this occasion he addresses Mr. Berisha and 10 political parties that it is not the time and moment to make each other's analysis, but to think of Albania.

This, he said, is done only by going ahead fast towards general political free and fair elections.

Precisely for this purpose, the government has asked cooperation with the OSCE and other international organisations, ready to provide help. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ALBANIAN POLITICIANS SAY THEY HAVE NOT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH VRANITZKY ON THE DATE OF ELECTIONS

Fino said this after the declaration of Austrian former Chancellor, Franz Vranitzky in a news conference on Thursday according to which elections in Albania would be held on June 29, 1997.

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu also belied allegation that there was an agreement between the political forces and the president concerning the election day.

Asked by ATA, Shehu said that "we have reiterated our readiness, in principle, to respect the dealine for the holding of elections, provided that first the so-called salvation committeed be dissolved and the legal local government resume functioning."

With regard to this question, the chairman of the Republican Party, Sabri Godo, said that "this is a decision to be adopted by all the parties, together with President Berisha and so far none of such a decision has been taken." kei/xh/+++

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] VRANITZKY DECLARES CONCLUSIONS OF HIS VISIT TO ALBANIA

According to Vranitzky, the aim of all the political forces and the president was that the elections be held in a proper time, in June.

Mr Vranitzky said at the beginning of the conference that "not yet a consensus has been reached on some preliminary conditions to be created in the appropriate time such as the preparation of the new electoral law and review of the legislation for the exploitation of meidas, especially the electronic ones."

Mr Vranitzky said that in the meetings he had, all his interlocutors expressed their will that the question of pyramid investment schemes be clarified.

Vranitzky said that the Albanian political forces and the President of Albania Sali Berisha have agreed that the new parliamentary elections be held in June 29.

According to Mr Vranitzky, the meetings he had in Albania were focused on two points, the measures for the preparation and delivery of aid and the stabilization of the political and democratic order through fresh elections in June.

Vranitzky said that the aid for Albania is based on three pillars: the European Union will deal with humanitarian aid, the OSCE with the aid in the political and constitutional direction and that of the human rights, as well as the assistance by the multinational forces.

The results reached during the visits were valued, according to Vranitzky, as satisfactory.

He said that Albanian politicians referred to the so-called committees with different names and that he had annulled his visit to Vlore himself because the meetings in Tirana had been more urgent.

He said that visits outside Tirana might be made in the future.

Asked about the relations he had with the South, Vranitzky said that "we, as OSCE, have relations only with the Government."

Vranitzky said that one of the results of his meeting with the Prime Minister Fino was that the Government would come out with a joint draft- program of action for the organization, coordination and observation of the elections, which will be monitored and applied by the Government and the Ministry of Law.

He said that EU, OSCE and CE would be predisposed to help the Albanian politicians and he introduced the permanent spokesman to Albania, Grumbayr.

In reply to a question regarding the disarmament of the population in Albani by the multinational forces, he said that the multinational forces would operate according to the mandate by the U.S. Security Council, to protect the aid.

"We have let the Albanians to surrender the arms themselves, because we do not have a mandate for this question," added Vranitzky.

According to him, the accumulation of arms is difficult and takes time.

"There are two possibilities," said Vranitzky, the first is that the arms be completely gathered, which would need whole months, and the second is that elections be held even in the conditions when these arms are in the hands of the people."

He added that in this case the solution would be that the elections be conducted under these circumstances, by adopting the respective measures.

"The holding of the elections in June is not an imposition from outside, but a desire of the Albanians, because in this way a number of questions related with Albania's future would be given a response," said Vranitzky in reply to a question. xh/++

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

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