Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-19

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH ALBANIAN COMPATRIOTS

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BERISHA SEEKS TRANSPARENCE FOR LOAN-RENTING FIRMS

[04] EUCD COUNCIL DISCUSSES SITUATION IN ALBANIA

[05] DAMAGES, WORTH MILLION LEKS, CAUSED IN THE SECTOR OF CULTURE IN VLORE

[06] LEK STRENGTHENS ON FOREIGN ECHANGE MARKET

[07] FROM TODAY'S MEETIGN OF THE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION GOVERNMENT

[08] MORE ITALIAN TROOPS ARRIVE IN DURRES

[09] CE BACKS PROPOSAL OF SALI BERISHA FOR PROVIDING THE COUNTRY WITH CONSTITUTION

[10] TWO EXPLOSIONS ROCK BERAT

[11] INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS PROVIDES AID FOR HOSPITALS IN PUKE

[12] VISIT OF INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ON ELECTIONS TO KOSOVE

[13] DEMOCRATIC PARTY READY TO TAKE PART IN ELECTIONS AS SCHEDULED

[14] MINISTER CELO MEETS ITALIAN UNDERSECRETARY FOR DEFENCE

[15] MISSILE DEPOT EXPLODES IN VILLAGE OF GJIROKASTER

[16] DP STATEMENT

[17] STATEMENT OF DP CHAIRMAN TRITAN SHEHU

[18] INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION CONFERENCE ADOPTS SUPPORTIVE RESOLUTION FOR ALBANIA

[19] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH LEKA ZOGU

[01] INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH ALBANIAN COMPATRIOTS

Çelo familiarized them with the work the Interior Ministry has made and is making to face with the situation created, and to restore order and peace in the whole country.

But he added that still there is much to be done, as the situation in several towns leaves much to be desired, because the legitimate local government has been annexed by the so-called illegal civic committees, which do not have any sort of mandate or contribution.

We, as police, have been totally engaged and are working to restore order and tranquillity as soon as possible in the whole country, he said.

The delegation of the compatriots expressed their solidarity and readiness to help Albania overcome this grave situation as soon as possible, and appreciated the work of police during the past weeks. /kei/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESS REVIEW

With regard to the round table on Albania in the Austrian Parliament, the paper carries the article "The Austrian conservators support completely the DP". "Berisha asks transparency on loan-taking", reports the paper regarding the meetings of President Berisha with the Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj and the Chairman of the State Control Blerim Çela.

"The communist press considered on Friday treason towards Vlore the meeting which was not held between Vranitzky and Zani of Vlore, chief of the gangs in this town, with whom the Socialist Party signed the accord of March 28", reports the paper under the headline "Recognize the armed wing of the Socialist Party!"

On the second page the paper carries a series of articles regarding the mission of the multinational forces in Albania, as well as a pronouncement of the commander of the operation, the Italian general Venturoni, who is quoted as saying "The goals attained in the first days of the mission in Albania are far better than the prevision". RD publishes an article of the paper "Tribune de Geneve" under the title "Who have caused the chaos in Albania".

"Open threatening for national splits", reports Zeri i Popullit under the headline "Berisha: two thirds against one third". Under the headline "The rebels surrender their weapons to the multinational forces", the paper publishes on the first page a photo showing some children and a soldier of the multinational force who is carrying a sling.

The paper entitles the editorial "Berisha! Disarm the Democratic Party". The paper covers the news conference of Vranitzky at the end of his two-day-visit in Albania under the title "Vranitzky: Mature optimism". "Fatos Nano participates in the meeting of the Forum for Democracy", reports the paper. "Each responsibility lies on the DP governing", reports the paper on the fifth page. "Pyramids - the Gordian knot which should be broken", underlines the paper.

"DP and SP in the government coalition after the elections", reports Republika. The editorial of this paper is "The peasants of the politics with a ray of citizenship. "Mr Vranitzky managed in a symbolic way on Friday to force the leaders of the largest political parties to shake hands together", says the editorial.

The paper carries an interview with Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino under the title "The gangs are not red or blue, but black".

On the third page, Republika paper quotes the leader of the National Front Party, Abaz Ermenji, as saying "The elections in riots are asked by the liars".

Ermnji is also quoted by Rilindja under the title "National Front favours an alliance with the parties of the right spectrum". "Alba spread out in the Albanian towns", reports Rilindja paper. The paper covers the news conference of President Rugova under the title "The office of EU should open in Kosova".

Albania entitles its editorial "Committees are managing the aid". "If the aid for Southern Albania will be taken by those who carry Kallashnikov, then these aid will not do anything else, except serving to an armed rebellion and giving them a concrete role in the destruction which they have created in the South", says the editorial. Under the title "Vlore is not your property, but witness of your crimes", the paper carries an open letter for Albert Shyti, the self-declared "commander" of Vlore. "You, Albert Shyti can not hide to the Albanian justice, only because you have shaken hands with any failed politician in Tirane. Vlore can vote against Berisha, but cannot vote for the criminals, or your friends, who are forcing us to leave our houses and become refugees in our homeland", says the letter.

"It is hard to think that former Austrian Chancellor Vranitzky had imagined while landing for the third time in the airport of Rinas that his mission would have a so unexpected end", reports Koha Jone in the editorial entitled "Who has taken Albania hostage?". "The voting in Bosnia, the same as in Palestine", is another article published by the paper. The paper carries an interview with the socialist leader, Fatos Nano, under the title "Nano: I am worried by the threatening of Berisha", and an interview with the Social Democratic leader, Skender Gjinushi under the title: "Fino should publish the conflicts with Berisha". The paper also carries an interview with the Minister of Justice Spartak Ngjela under the title "Ngjela: The plan against South, an insanity".

"Money printed for the pensioners", reports Gazeta Shqiptare. "The Financial Times paper, which cites the Albanian Minister of Finance, Arben Malaj, seems to confirm the doubts that the Albanian Bank is printing money to face the wages", reports the paper. Under the headline "The vanguard of the Italian Army arrives in the town", the paper carries the article "The landing in Vlore postponed: We will go next week". The paper quotes the Italian Defence Minister, who have accused the Albanian parties: "The Albanian parties should not play", has said Andreatta. /kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BERISHA SEEKS TRANSPARENCE FOR LOAN-RENTING FIRMS

Berisha asked Malaj, who comes in the Fino cabinet from the Socialist Party, to engage in this work the experts he wants and to control the whole activity of the investment funds Populli, Xhaferri, Gjallica and Sude, which are also checked by the Control Commission and to make public the results of this control.

Berisha also asked that these companies be also under an independent control by international experts.

He said that parallel with the control for these firms, also the control orf companies which have not failed must start by Albanian experts and by foreign teams consisting of experts by friendly countries and international institutions.

President Berisha stressed that in the meetings with representatives of international institutions, IMF and EU, in telephone talks with main leaders of the IMF, he had asked cooperation with these institutions for the full control of all the activity of the loan-taking firms in Albania.

Malaj told President Berisha of the readiness of the World Bank to send its experts to control the pyramid investment schemes. They also expressed the opinion that the foreign teams should work together with the Albanian prosecutor's office and the latter must be engaged in investigation for the fate of Albanian assets outside the country.

Cela and Malaj were committed to present within this week a platform of cooperation of the two institutions they direct regarding the issue. kei/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] EUCD COUNCIL DISCUSSES SITUATION IN ALBANIA

Also present in the meeting as representative of the DPA was the Secretary General of this Party Genc Pollo.

All the participants that took the floor in the meeting supported the Democratic Party of Albania and its position adopted in the situations in Albania. They stressed the indispensable need to disarm the rebels and the gangs throughout Albania to guarantee free and peaceful elections.

RD writes that the chairman of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka who represented his party in the meeting, attacked the Italian Christian Democratic Party of Buttiglione, for his supportive stand towards DPA.

Regarding the armed gangs in the south of Albania, Ceka, cited by RD, said that "they are armed people who are restoring order." kei/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DAMAGES, WORTH MILLION LEKS, CAUSED IN THE SECTOR OF CULTURE IN VLORE

Hence, the losses in the cultural centre of this city are valued to be around 3 million lek, not including here various equipment which this institution had in a relatively considerable amount.

Great damage have also be registered in the fund of books. Despite the measures adopted by the department of the cultural centre and the office of culture in the town-hall, the damage and plundering are still continuing.

The main performances hall of the palace of culture and some other halls which have so far escaped thefts may be prey of these acts at any time.

The director of the cultural centre has powerfully demanded in the municipality bodies and in the police commissariat that the palace of culture building, among the most important in the city, be guarded by armed people, something which has not yet be realised.

Great damage are also made in the stadium of the city. The comfortable places created as a result of the investments made in the past months are ruined and the damage is valued to be about 50 thousand dollars. ake/kei/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] LEK STRENGTHENS ON FOREIGN ECHANGE MARKET

This morning $ 1 US on the free market in Tirana was not bought at more than 139 leks. At the National Commercial Bank $ 1 US was bought at 142 leks and sold at 147 leks. a.gj/kled/lm/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] FROM TODAY'S MEETIGN OF THE NATIONAL RECONCILIATION GOVERNMENT

Upon a proposal of the chairman of the Council of Ministers made to the meeting, the Interir deputy Minister and Police director Agim Shehu was administratively released from his posts by the majority of votes.

This normally-held meeting of the government adopted a draft according to whhich the plants of iron-chrome in Burrel and Elbasan be proclaimed special important objects. The government also adopted a fund for the Interior Ministry and police commissariats to buy the necessary equipment needed to realise their tasks.

Those present in the meeting declared Albania country free from the foot-and-mouth disease, thus making possible a request that Albanian exports of animals and animal by products be not blocked any more.

Also today's meeting of the government adopted a decision which defined the functions of the state secretaries in the Nationbal Reconciliation Government, based on the consensus of the signatories of the March 9 Agreement.

According to this decision, the state secretaries in the Foreign, Interior and Defence ministries have coordinating and leading functions in the policy in their respective ministries. They sign together with respective ministers all the decisions taken by these institutions, ends the report of the Albanian Premier's spokesman. ssh/xh

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] MORE ITALIAN TROOPS ARRIVE IN DURRES

A contingent of Italian forces disembarked this morning from the military vessel "San Marco". s.sh/lm/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CE BACKS PROPOSAL OF SALI BERISHA FOR PROVIDING THE COUNTRY WITH CONSTITUTION

She also offers full assistance in this relation, according to the President's Press and Information office.

Fischer in this letter guarantees the president that the CE Parliamentary Assembly will help Albania with all means to overcome the current crisis. lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] TWO EXPLOSIONS ROCK BERAT

The police commissariat forces were on the spot but they were unable to specify the cause of the explosions, which also shattered the windows of the nearby houses and bars.

There are no reports of deaths. eva/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS PROVIDES AID FOR HOSPITALS IN PUKE

Aid from the International Red Cross has arrived and is being distributed to the hospitals of the Puke district, North of Albania.

"The relief, consisting of medicines, food and other things, is being distributed mainly to the hospitals of the remote mountainous areas of the town such as in Fushe-Arrez, Iballe and other areas, Red Cross secretary for this district, Eshref Bilali, told ATA.

The association will bring aid in food also for the destitute families in this district. s.sh/eva/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] VISIT OF INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ON ELECTIONS TO KOSOVE

They met Ibrahim Rugova, President of the Republic of Kosova, representatives of the Kosova Parliamentary Party, headed by deputy chairman Bajram Kosumi and a number of representatives of the Albanian language media.

The representatives of the IFE, wellknown organisation for the realisation of numerous election monitoring projects and programmes for civil education on the eve of elections, said that the aim of their visit to Kosove was to observe the current political situation in Kosove and examine the possibilities of the International Community's engagement in the successful realisation of elections in Serbia and of the elections of Albanians in Kosova.

At the press hall, the IFE representatives met representatives of newspaper Rilindja, Information Centre of Kosova and reviews Zeri and Ora. They showed interest in the situation of the Albanian media in Kosova and its performance. ag/kled/lm/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] DEMOCRATIC PARTY READY TO TAKE PART IN ELECTIONS AS SCHEDULED

The DP will abide by the political agreement of March 9 for holding free, fair and democratic elections throughout Albania.

"I stress that the elections will be such for all the Albanians all over the country," he said.

"The DP has started preparations and is sure to win," Minarolli said further on.

The DP is for the majority system because only in this way can political stability be secured, a stability which the country is so badly in need of. Albania need deputes and not to employ political party leaders, he said.

A part of the minor parties have declared themselves to be for the change of the electoral law into a clean proportional law.

The Democratic Party states that it is open to cooperation will all its natural allies as well as open to the necessary compromises.

"The Democratic Party knows that Albania is determined to march ahead. The experience of setbacks is evident also for the Albanians," Minarolli concluded . jz/lm/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] MINISTER CELO MEETS ITALIAN UNDERSECRETARY FOR DEFENCE

During the meeting Brutti stressed the role and contribution of the multinational forces arriving in Albania.

He said that the multinational force soldiers would support police to successfully realise the assigned task.

Later Brutti said that the Italian government was totally committed to help Albania overcome this situation as soon as possible.

On behalf of his government he promised a quick delivery of aid for the Albanian police, both in the context of the aid provided by the European Union and in the context of bilateral cooperation.

Celo said that: "We are committed to restore law and order all over the country as soon as possible so that the electoral campaign be run conform the law and without incidents.

But, Celo said, "several self-style Salvation committees, whose activity is illegal, make up an obstacle to this."

"These committees in several districts have forcibly replaced the legitimate local government, therefore the local government should be restored in all the country's districts and enable the free movement of the people, the development of the political activities of the parties all over Albania in order to realise democratic elections conform European standards, " Celo concluded. s.sh/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] MISSILE DEPOT EXPLODES IN VILLAGE OF GJIROKASTER

The explosion took five hours. The causes of the explosion are not yet known. There are no reports of casualties. However, the risk threatening the inhabitants of this village is evident as next to this depot there are three others, one of which with explosive devices.

An army specialist said that in case the depot with explosives blasts, it will not only destroy the Picar village but will have further consequences as well.

These three deports are out of the army's control and unsecured.

Also, some 4 km from the Gjirokaster town on the national route leading to Tirana, a driver of a long vehicle, coming from the border point of Kakavija, was shot dead and another was wounded, both from Fier, by gunmen. a.ke/JZ/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] DP STATEMENT

This issue was also discussed in this round table and was rejected.

We consider this conclusion as a provocation to the March 9 agreement, as a decision running contrary to the Government of National Reconciliation, which the Albanian parliament has voted for.

The DP asks the government to adopt decisions only in conformity with the agreement reached on March 9,1997 and its legal powers.

Therefore the DP, considering the aforesaid decision beyond the powers of the Council of Ministers as well as beyond the March 9 platform, asks its ministers to act in accordance with the legal provisions, the DPA statement concludes. a/ke/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] STATEMENT OF DP CHAIRMAN TRITAN SHEHU

"Nano's statement is completely irresponsible and dangerous for Albania's present and future. In this statement Nano compares Albania with Bosnia, the country of inter-ethnic and religious conflicts. He compares Albania with Palestine, which has not yet become a state and is the country of national conflicts.

With this statement Mr. Nano calls in question not only the present but also the future of Albania, calls in question the territorial integrity of Albania, its social, national and religions situation.

Albania can never be compared with any of these countries and any of these comparisons carries in itself conceptual risks and runs counter to the country's national interests.

The standard applied and that should be applied in Albania are and should be the democratic standards of Europe and of other developed countries, Shehu says in his statement. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] INTER PARLIAMENTARY UNION CONFERENCE ADOPTS SUPPORTIVE RESOLUTION FOR ALBANIA

The representative of the Albanian parliament, deputy Fatos Beja, addressed the conference attended by over 1300 parliamentarians from 136 countries of the world.

He spoke of the crisis in Albania, the support the International Community can provide to help pull Albania out of the situation created and the role this community can play in resolving the crisis.

On proposal of the Italian delegation, the conference also adopted a resolution on the situation in Albania which backs the deployment of the multinational forces to contribute to the creation of safe conditions to distribute humanitarian supplies.

It underlines the importance of building through international support the police administration and force and stresses the primary importance of holding free and fair elections as soon as possible.

At the same time it asks all governments and parliaments of the Inter- parliamentary Union to continue to provide Albania with humanitarian, financial and economic aid as well as with legal and administrative expertise. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH LEKA ZOGU

Present in the meeting also was the Foreign Minister, Arjan Starova, the Minister of Law, Spartak Ngjela and the State Secretary in the Council of Ministers, Ekrem Kastrati.

The meeting between Premier Fino and Leka I, who was accompanied by the Minister of the Royal Court, Abedin Mulosmani and the chairman of the Legality Movement Party, Guro Durollari, passed in a warm, friendly atmosphere of understanding. They discussed the present internal developments and exchanged opinions on the present and future of Albanian developments.

Mr Fino underlined that the coming of the heir to the Royal Throne Leka I to the Homeland is important, because this fact proves of maturity of the Albanian democracy to leave aside prejudices and to recognize and accept a period of the history of the Albanian people. He told the royal heir about the work of the government he is leading and the preparations underway for the general parliamentary elections, which will also make possible the organization of a referendum on the form of the regime in Albania. For Albania it is important, first to consolidate the democratic system and then, the people, through a referendum can express their opinion on the form of the state, declared the Albanian Premier.

Leka I expressed his thanks to Mr Fino for his personal contribution which made possible his coming to the Homeland and wished him success in his post. Leka I also expressed his full support for the National Reconciliation Governnment.

"My message since the very moment I set foot to the Homeland," said Leka I, "has been that of reconciliation and unity, and I insist in these directions, being convinced that in this way the Albanians will be able to have peace and prosperity," ends the report of the Premier's press and information office. lgj/xh

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