Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-18

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] "WE FAVOUR POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS DEADLINE"- Chairman of National Front

[02] BOMB THROWN ON ELBASAN UNIVERSITY YARD

[03] GREATER BAIRAM CELEBRATED IN SHKODER

[04] OTHER "ALBA" MISSION FORCES REACH DURRES

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] FRENCH TOTAL CONTINGENT REACHES ALBANIA

[07] BURIAL CEREMONY OF THE SHKODER SURGEON SHAZI HELD

[08] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES LEFT FOR POLAND

[09] STILL INSECURE SITUATION IN GRAMSH

[10] ALBANIAN PREMIER CONSIDERS INCORRECT THE ACCUSATION FOR ITALIAN AMBASSADOR FORESTI

[11] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH LEKA ZOGU

[12] SPANISH SOLDIERS READY FOR THEIR MISSION IN ALBANIA

[13] PRONUNCIATION OF ITALIAN AMBASSADOR PAOLO FORESTI REGARDING AN EDITORIAL OF KOHA JONE

[14] TIRANA MOSLEMS CELEBRATE GREATER BAIRAM

[15] ASSISTANCE FOR ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY

[16] MEETING OF PREMIER FINO WITH ALBANIAN COMPATRIOTS

[17] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH COMPATRIOTS FROM CROATIA, SLOVENIA, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY

[01] "WE FAVOUR POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS DEADLINE"- Chairman of National Front

"The situation at home is not suitable for elections as people are armed and as a result the elections would not be free. Therefore we are for putting them off to one or two months".

Ermenji said that his party would continue to consider the dialogue of the National Front and that it was for an alliance with the right wing parties which were for the implementation of democratic principles.

Ermenji left Albania after the May 26 elections. Asked regarding the stand of his party towards Leka Zogu, pretender to the royal throne, Ermenji said that "he like every Albanian concerned over Albania has the right to return to his homeland," but he has no right to claim to be successor of a dynasty, which ended in 1939. However he has the right to ask for the people to express themselves whether they are for a monarchy or not by a referendum".

Asked about the time of holding the referendum in relation to the parliamentary elections, Ermenji said:"The elections will be held first and then the referendum". kei/lm/k

[02] BOMB THROWN ON ELBASAN UNIVERSITY YARD

"The bomb blast shattered a considerable number of windows, fixed a few days earlier in the context of the measures taken for the beginning of school", one of the university teachers told ATA.

There were no victims but panic among the inhabitants of the nearby apartment buildings was not small, some of them witness.

"A.Xhuvani" University is the institution mostly affected by the March 13-14 turmoil in this town.

The cost of the damage is estimated at around 300 million leks. The funds contributed by local traders and various organisations have helped repair the institution and resume the teaching process. s.sh/kei/lm/k

[03] GREATER BAIRAM CELEBRATED IN SHKODER

The Big Mosque in this city was thronged by thousands of Moslem believers, who prayed for weapons to be laid down and peace and tranquility be returned to the people.

Speaker of Albanian Parliament Pjeter Arbnori visited the town's Mufti on the same day .

Arbnori thanked the religions communities for their efforts to calm the situation.

"I believe that the Shkoder city of ancient traditions will continue its road towards democracy. Albania today needs peace, unification and fraternity. Therefore we ask all of you to work together in this direction". s.sh/kei/lm/k

[04] OTHER "ALBA" MISSION FORCES REACH DURRES

This was the fourth trip of this ship bringing soldiers and equipment for bakeries, household appliance and other equipment.

Also arriving in Durres port today at 7 a. m. was the French freighter "Napoleon", carrying 600 troops and 500 tonnes of military armories, including armoured vehicles, logistic apparatuses and transport trucks.

According to port officials other military vessels are expected to arrive from countries participating the in the multinational force to Albania to ensure a safe distribution of humanitarian aid. kei/lm/k

[05] PRESS REVIEW

The paper also carries Vranitzky's news conference citing him as saying: Elections but with consensus".

The paper carries the feature:"Terror and destruction under the leadership of 'Local Committees'".

The paper also says that:"The Democratic Alliance union with armed committees declared".

The apper carries greetings by President Berisha, Prime Minister Fino and DP on Greater Bairam".

Zeri i Popullit covers the meeting of Vranitzky with the chairman of the Albanian Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, under the title:"Provocative stands do not help solve the crisis". The paper carries an interview with Albanian Finance Minister under the title:"Unless the position of pyramid schemes is clarified, long-term investment will be lacking".

The paper says:"Berisha, stumbling block to democracy" as well as "Twelve deputies quit DP". The paper also carries the article;"Special forces are destined to fight crime, not to make noise".

Republika carries the editorial: "'Alba' jeopardised by Albanian secret service". The paper says: "Vlore:Italians disembark instead of Vranitzky". The former chancellor attaches his powers to his deputy". The paper carries the article: "Berisha accepts European experts in loan taking firms", as well as "Albania needs an electoral law with a clean proportional system".

Rilindja covers Berisha's meeting with Vranitzky, under the title: "Holding elections is very significant for Albania". Covering Vranitzky's news conference the paper says:"Parliamentary elections on June 29".

The paper reports that the Albania-Serb round table in New York fully testified that conditions for the start of the most serious international commitments, which would produce a faster solution to the Kosova issue, have been created".

Albania cites Vranitzky as saying at Thursday's news conference that:"Elections near, consensus far". The paper also says that:"Vranitzky cancels visit to Vlore and returns to Berisha". The paper carries the editorial:"Italian marines reach Vlore".

The paper covers the news conference of the chairman of the Balli Kombetar party, Abaz Ermenji, who said: "The elections should be put off".

Koha Jone carries the editorial:"Vlore betrayed" regarding the canceling of Vranitzky's visit to Vlore. The editorial says:"Vlore was again tragically betrayed yesterday". Its traitors were Sali Berisha and Italian ambassador Paolo Foresti.

While the victims remaining in the field of ugly betrayal are Vlore and Europe's envoy Franz Vranitzky.

The paper also says:"NIS withdraws four million dollars from the banks without permission of the Fino Government".

Gazeta Shqiptare says "Split inside DP, motionists quit". As regards Vranitzky's statement in the news conference that the elections will be held on June 29, the paper says that the parties have dismissed this report. kei/lm/K

[06] FRENCH TOTAL CONTINGENT REACHES ALBANIA

The 372 soldiers and the 103 vehicles that arrived on Tuesday in Durres on the board of the Orage freighter are deployed along the coast in southern part of Durres.

The French troops have 300 movable equipment, most of which tanks and other armoured vehicles.

The French together with a small Danish contingent will control the port of Durres.

Last night, on occasion of the departure to Albania of the troops in the context of the operation Alba, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Herve de Charrette said that "this was the first time that Europe demonstrated its capacity to take initiatives." kled/xh/sh/

[07] BURIAL CEREMONY OF THE SHKODER SURGEON SHAZI HELD

Thousands of Shkoder people paid homage to his coffin placed in the town hall of Shkoder. Attending the ceremony also were senior local government authorities, deputies to the People's Assembly, representatives of political parties, and others.

The city of Shkoder has declared Zamir Shazi a Citizen of Honour and the surgery ward of the hospital will hereafter take his name.

Shazi was wounded to death on April 9 at about 4 p.m. in Shkoder by an unidentified armed person while he was visiting one of his patients. rf/kled/xh/sh/

[08] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES LEFT FOR POLAND

Albanian representatives in the conference, through a declaration, will appeal to European countries to assist education in Albania.

Albanian Minister will also read a paper in the conference on the questions of Albanian education. kled/xh/sh/

[09] STILL INSECURE SITUATION IN GRAMSH

[10] ALBANIAN PREMIER CONSIDERS INCORRECT THE ACCUSATION FOR ITALIAN AMBASSADOR FORESTI

As the Premier's press and information office reports, Mr Vranitzky himself had declared to Mr Fino that he had considered necessary to stay in Tirana to talk once more with the leaders of the main parties and the President of the Republic concerning the June elections as the main aim of his visit to Albania.

Fino added that he considered incorrect the accusation by some paper towards the Italian Ambassador, Paolo Foresti, as a reason for the cancellation of the visit of Mr Vranitzky to Vlore and Shkoder. Italy has demonstrated a great readiness to assist Albania in these difficult moments, moreover that Italy is also leading the multinational force operation, Alba, which has already reached Albania.

Italian Prime Minister Prodi himself has come twice in Albania during the past month proving of the very high level of the bilateral relations, concludes the report of the Premier's press and information office. ake/kled/xh/sh/

[11] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH LEKA ZOGU

President Berisha expressed his pleasure to meet with Leka Zogu and appreciated the contribution of the Legality Party, which, by defending the monarchy concepts of the state, has supported and and is supporting the democratic developments in Albania.

Although Albania is passing difficult moments, President Berisha voiced the conviction that Albanians know to speak not through Kalashnikovs, but through the language of the free vote and are resolute that only in this way they can be able to turn the stability to the country and to continue on the road of democracy, the market economy and Albania's integration into Europe. The pyramid investment schemes were only the pretext, said President Berisha. The roots of the crisis are in the bitter past and in the irreconcilability with the power elected through the free vote.

President Berisha estimated as an achievement of democracy the fact that Albanian political forces have agreed that through the referendum, the Albanians would express their opinion on the form of the governing.

Thanking for the reception, Leka Zogu said he had come to Albania to cooperate in the spirit of peace and fraternity, to the benefit of the country. He highlighted the efforts of President Berisha to avoid the civil conflict and said that he saw in him the personality who knew to show in those difficult times that Albanians can decide themselves.

Leka Zogu voiced his gratitude for the support of President Berisha towards the Legality Party. ake/kled/xh/sh/

[12] SPANISH SOLDIERS READY FOR THEIR MISSION IN ALBANIA

The Spanish colonel Alonso Morcillo said that "we are ready to start our mission which will extend up to the zone of Koplik, nearly 200 km from Tirane."

Morcillo said that "they were pleased with the conditions offered to them and that they will soon set up their military camping."

325 Spanish soldiers reached Durres seaport on Tuesday. Spain has brought to Albania about 1 300 tons of materials, 42 PMR type armoured vehicles, trucks and jeeps.

The Spanish ship Valencia which will reach the Durres port on April 22, will carry on board 66 soldiers and various military materials. ake/jz/xh/sh/

[13] PRONUNCIATION OF ITALIAN AMBASSADOR PAOLO FORESTI REGARDING AN EDITORIAL OF KOHA JONE

Mr Foresti said, referring to Koha Jone, that it was the second time that this paper publishes scandalous and incorrect information in his regard.

"Certainly," says Mr Foresti, "I will not accept to be driven into slanders, falsity and vulgarity, features which are not part of my civilization and education."/rf/jz/xh/sh/

[14] TIRANA MOSLEMS CELEBRATE GREATER BAIRAM

President Berisha said that "Albanians will know to overcome the difficulties soon, they are resolute to the free vote and to continue on the road of democracy, the market economy and integration into Europe also in the future."

The chairman of the Albanian Moslem Community, Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koci said that the Moslem community too is helping in the democratic developments in Albania.

Premier Bashkim Fino also went to the Moslem Community seat for the Greater Bairam. "All religious communities have made their contribution in the difficult moments Albania is passing," said Mr Fino during his visit to the Moslem Community headquarters.

Other Albanian political personalities, deputies, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Tirane also went to the seat of the Moslem Community to express their wishes on occasion of Greater Bairam. ake/jz/xh/Z/

[15] ASSISTANCE FOR ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY

Representatives of this Ministry told ATA that the assistance brought to Albania in the context of the mission Alba consists of about 1 000 bulletproof jackets, 1 000 helmets and 1 500 mine-proof uniforms.

The assistance to the Albanian Interior Ministry is given by the Italian Interior Ministry. The Italian ship had also brought some auxiliary material for the Italian troops who are in Albania in the context of the Mission Alba. ake/jz/xh/Z

[16] MEETING OF PREMIER FINO WITH ALBANIAN COMPATRIOTS

Premier Fino expressed to Albanian compatriotis his pleasure that the message of the National Reconciliation Government has been hailed by the Albanians not only in the motherland but also by those living in other countries and their coming to Albania was for him a great moral support for the Albanian people and their government.

After telling the guests of the situation in the country and the work of the government to normalize the situation, Mr Fino added that with the support of the political forces, the Govenrment is resolute to carry the country towards new elections in the appropriate time.

Mr Tome Berisha, in the name of Albanian representatives, wished Premier Fino and the Government success in the realisation of their mission, stressing that the Albanians, wherever they live, are attentively following the developments in Albania. He pointed out that it is important that local institutional system be reorganized, and voiced the readiness of Albanian communities to assist in this direction. xh/

[17] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH COMPATRIOTS FROM CROATIA, SLOVENIA, SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY

Wishing them welcome to Albania, Interior Minister Celo informed them of the work his Ministry has made and is making to face with the present situation and to restore order and peace throughout the country as soon as possible.

Mr Celo stressed in the meeting that during the past weeks a great work has been made towards the reorganization of all police structures and the restoration of order in many cities where crime was rampant. But he added that still there is much to be done because the situation in some cities is not yet calm, because the legitimate local government has been annexed by some illegal committees so-called civic committees, which have not any sort of mandate or contribution. Additionally, the situation of crime in these cities is serious.

"We, as police," the minister continued, "have been totally committed to work for the establishment of public order and tranquillity as soon as possible in all the country and to put in complete efficiency all the local government structures in the districts."

The memebrs of the delegation of Albanian compatriots from Croatia and Slovenia voiced their solidarity and readiness to assist Albania to overcome the grave situation as soon as possible and appreciated the work of police during the past weeks. They said that Albania is the common homeland of all the Albanians, therefore they all together must contribute to its integrity and revival in the shortest possible time. xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article