Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-27

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] TIRANA POLICE ARREST INCRIMINATED PERSONS AND COLLECTS WEAPONS AND AMUNITION

[02] ELECTIONS IN KOSOVA WIDELY ENDORSED

[03] BLLATA CUSTOMS OPERATES NORMALLY

[04] TWO ROBBERS OF WEAPONS AND GOODS DETAINED

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] GUARD OF ITALIAN ENTERPRISE IN VLORE KILLED

[07] PLL FAVOURS MAJORITY ELECTORAL LAW

[08] NATIONAL CITY FOLK SONG FESTIVAL ENDED IN ELBASAN

[09] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION

[10] MASS IN SHKODER TO MARK ORTHODOX EASTER

[11] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION

[12] DEFENCE STAFF OF TIRANA PREFECTURE BANS EDITION OF NEWSPAPER KOHA JONE

[13] EASTER CELEBRATED IN TIRANE

[14] LEKA ZOGU VISITS LEZHE

[15] SPANISH PARLIAMENTARIAN JOSE FRAGA VISITED SPANISH TROOPS IN SHENGJIN

[16] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH PREMIER FINO AND MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET - press release

[01] TIRANA POLICE ARREST INCRIMINATED PERSONS AND COLLECTS WEAPONS AND AMUNITION

The forces of Commissariat 1 have caught and detained Agron Zydi Korjata for fleeing the prison where he was serving sentence.

The forces of Commissariat 2 have arrested Ruden Astrit Balluku, 17, a wanted person for attempting murder, as well as Julian Caushi, Arben Drenova and Gjergj Caushi who were armed and travelling after curfew had started.

The forces of Police commissariat 3 have also arrested Arben Haxhi Caushi, who had fired at the window of a citizen for personal motives. The same commissariat has also arrested Elis Meliku for stabbing and Fatos Sopoti and Dritan Kondakci for looting a shop for television repair and several stores with construction material.

The commissariat 4, in an operation in Yzberish of Tirana district has collected three antiaircraft guns, a heavy gun, 150 grenades, 100 000 bullets, three guns and a considerable amount of TNT, fuels and communication apparatuses.

Also, in a blitz operation of the special forces of the Interior Ministry in Elbasan, a group of five people, three of whom convicted of various criminal acts, were caught after they had robbed a Benz car, in which there were five automatic weapons, two pistols and many bullets. Penal prosecution has started against them. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ELECTIONS IN KOSOVA WIDELY ENDORSED

"Precisely for the current stage or that we have embarked on, it is important that the bodies enjoy the legitimacy of the vote and elections. The mandate for the Kosova president and parliament can be extended but the bodies, whose mandate can be extended, do not have the same legal power as the elected bodies", DLK deputy chairman, Fehmi Agani says.

Juridical experts have as well expressed themselves in favour of holding new elections. Prof. Dr. Arsim Bajrami has stressed that it is indispensable that the highest legislative body, Parliament, wins the legitimacy in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Prof. Dr. Esat Stavileci stresses that the new elections in Kosova should be held conform the constitution and law.

After consultations with the parliamentary majority group of the DLK, President Rugova will consult other parliamentary groups, political parties and coordinating council of the political parties of Kosova before the decision on new elections is taken. ag/b.j/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] BLLATA CUSTOMS OPERATES NORMALLY

Bilateral talks enabled the Diber traders and those of of Bulqize, Mat, Kukes and other districts, north of Albania, to resume trade with Macedonia, through the Bllata customs, the newest of Albania, according to customs sources.

Now there are no obstacles to the access of transport vehicles from the neighboring countries which carry especially mass consumer's goods such as food, fruits, vegetables and other articles.

The imported goods are subjected to a tight control, the sources say.

The engagement of the customs officials themselves helped the customs escape the wave of destructions. The resumption of its activity will help improve supply of the population of these districts with the necessary items. a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] TWO ROBBERS OF WEAPONS AND GOODS DETAINED

The robbers, Petrit Karaj and Shpetim Seferi, were found in possession of pistols looted in army depots, one pistol which they had stolen from a taxation police officer as well as an amount of liras grabbed from various people in the city.

The police found in their houses many other materials, which fully testify to their wrongdoing activity.

According to the Durres police commissariat chief, Arben Hasanbelliu, during the operation the two robbers did not respond to police forces calls to stop but shot at the police instead, causing damages to the two police cars chasing them.

Under these conditions, the police based on the law, opened fire on them. Hence, one of the robbers, Karaj, was injured in the leg and was sent immediately to hospital. Based on his testimony, the other robber was also detained. s.sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

The paper covers the meeting of Albanian President Sali Berisha with the delegation of the European Democratic Union (EDU) as well as with the representatives of the IMF to Albania.

The paper reports on the news conference of the EDU delegation in Albania, under the title :"EDU: One, who is for democracy should distance himself from the "committees".

As regards the visit of Albanian Foreign Minister Arjan Starova to Germany, the paper says:"Starova carries with himself the support of Germany".

Zeri i Popullit covers yesterday's meeting of the Socialist Party presidency as well as the meeting of the SP chairman, Fatos Nano, with the EDU delegation. In the commentary "Actuality", the paper says: "The sraft- law on elections should be changed and perfected".

The paper carries an interview with publicist Viktor Cami, under the title:"Sali Berisha prefers the seat rather than honour". The commentary: "Analysis", says:"Notes from the South : State under foot" as well as "Corruption is mutilating Tirana".

Republika carries the editorial:"DP corpse risks to contaminate the Albanian right wing". The paper cites the former Defence Minister of Albania, Safet Zhulali, as saying that "Berisha is the pivot".

As regards the operation Alba in Albania, the paper says: "Which is the flag of the Alba mission?", as well as "Rumanian chronicle on the Gjirokaster stones". As regards the first news conference of the Movement for Democracy party, the paper says:"MD marches right without the DP clutch".

Albania carries the editorial:""The committees speak in the SP language". The paper says: "Majority system- the abyss of the socialists".

As regards the visit of the candidate to the throne, Leka I, to Shkoder, the paper says:"Leka I rouses Shkoder".

The paper covers the visit of the EDU delegation to Albania. It carries the pronouncement of this body regarding the committees set up in the country's south:"There are no free elections with 'committees'". The paper covers the 'pyramid' of action of the 'Alba' mission to Albania.

Albania carries the article:"Koha Jone, mess of Charles Walsh", which, after mentioning the fact of Soros financing 180 000 dollars to this paper and the appointment of editor in chief Ben Blushi, says: "The fact that the SOROS money cashed to the newspaper Koha Jone within 24 hours, beyond the parameters and status of the foundation, hides behind another powerful hand. This hand was the man of U.S. secret notes, Charles Walsh. (director of the U.S. Cultural Centre in Tirana)".

Gazeta Shqiptare reports that :"The fleeing mysteries of Zhulali, ex- Defence Minister of Albania". The paper says:"Zhulali-Berisha or the enigmas of the great divorce", as well as "Southern committees: Who is thinking of the dialogue?".

As regards the operation Alba, the paper says:"First incidents: a French and a Turkish injured. The paper also says:"Committees cause splits among CE deputies". kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] GUARD OF ITALIAN ENTERPRISE IN VLORE KILLED

After announcement, the district police commissariat forces went to the spot but the armed men fled immediately,.

The aim of looting the enterprise was not realised.

Also, various sources report that only few hours after this incident, three wounded persons had asked immediate treatment for gunshot wounds at the district civil hospital and had left immediately without telling their identity.

The sources clarify that the above persons migh have been injured at the aforesaid incident. s/sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] PLL FAVOURS MAJORITY ELECTORAL LAW

"I hold the candidate for deputy should have his own direct contact with the people, this is related to the majority law", Guri Durollari, PLL chairman, says in an interview with Albania.

Asked whether the majority system is acceptable for the current conditions of Albania, Durollari says that the first thing to be done is to restore order, adding that this may be realised be registering the weapons.

"I am for a decree which provides the number of the weapon and the signs of the fingers of the persons holding them. After this the elections would be calmer and closer to the demands of all parties," Durollari says.

As regards PLL cooperation with the other right wing parties , especially the Democratic Party, Durollari says: "I consider open an alliance with the right wing forces, naturally also including the DP". kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] NATIONAL CITY FOLK SONG FESTIVAL ENDED IN ELBASAN

Participating in the festival were groups from 11 districts of Albania. The first prize was awarded to the group of Elbasan (for the second year in succession,) whereas the second and third prizes were given respectively to the groups of Shkoder and Tirane. ake/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION

Shehu briefed the euro-parliamentarians of the present social situation and the Albanian policy, the real causes that brought about the local crisis.

Mr Shehu also spoke to the European Parliament delegation of the great efforts and achievements of the ADP during its years of governing and all the steps it undertook to face with the phenomenon of pyramid investment schemes, despite the total lack of experience in such an economic reality.

The ADP chairman reiterated in the meeting the resolution of his party to stand loyal to the March 9 political agreement and denounced as a violation on the part of the Socialist Party its signing of a declaration with some illegal committees on March 28, 1997.

"The armed rebellion failed in Albania, now it has remained only to dissolve and disarm some illegal committees so that to create the necessary democratic climate for the new elections," said Shehu.

"But unfortunately, the SP's cooperation with these committees is going on, something which was also expressed in the request that these committees made some days ago for a proportional system election law, a request which sounded as a continuation of their March 28 agreement," said Mr Shehu.

The law on elections and the preparations for them were discussed in the meeting. The delegation members assured of the solidarity, support and assistance of the European Union for the democratic consolidation of the Aalbanian judiciaries, public order and finance, ends the report of the press and information office of the Democratic Party of Albania. lgj/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] MASS IN SHKODER TO MARK ORTHODOX EASTER

During the Mass, the priest of the Orthodox church, Aleksander Petani, by recalling the sufferings under the communist regime, which ruined religion, stressed that "the revival of religious belief came only with the triumph of democracy."

On occasion of the Easter, representatives of the local government, religious communities and others went to the church. Also present was the chairman of the People's Assembly President, Pjeter Arbnori. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION

In this meeting President Berisha stressed that Albania experienced an armed rebellion which proved abortive. It was organized by former communists who did not agree with the loss of the power through the free vote. "But despite the damages caused by the failed rebellion, I am convinced that its consequences are transitory and the Albanians would continue the road of democracy and integration into Europe."

"We are greatly interested that free and fair elections be held in the shortest possible deadline and we think that they may and must be held within the timing set in the March 9 Agreement. The conduct of the polls within this deadline is vital for Albania, because it opens the way to the great projects of the reforms and European and international cooperation. The coming elections must be held under full monitoring of the CE, OSCE, the European Parliament and U.S. institutions.

At present the major obstacle which prevents the setting of the election date and the activity of the National Reconciliation Government are the armed committees, which SP, through the open alliance it struck with them on March 28, has declared them as its armed wing and asked the National Reconciliation Government to recognize them as a separate party. I think that SP must condemn this alliance and these committees not only because it has violated the March 9 Agreement and that they hinder the Government's activity, but also as an obligation that all the Albanian political forces should feel towards the European Union, the OSCE and the friendly countries, which are assisting Albania and are committed to the quickest possible solution to the crisis in this country.

With regard to the electoral Law, President Berisha stressed that the system cannot be a fundamental issue. During the time when the former communists were in power, the Albanians have voted on the basis of the full majority system as well as of the full proportional system. This time we think that Albania indispensably needs a majority system, whereas the parties may satisfy their interests through pre-election alliances.

We are grateful to the European Parliament for its interest to back up Albania in overcoming the crisis and as Italian euro-parliamentarians I express to you my gratitude to Italy, the Italian Government and in particular to your Party "Forza Italia" and other parties for the friendly sentiments, for the continuous support they have given to Albania.

Mr Podesta, by expressing the commitment of the European Parliament to contribute to the continuation of the process of democratization directed by the DP in Albania, said that, at present, the holding of the elections is the key question for Albania.

"We," he said, "will hold a number of meetings, we shall go to Vlore, but we will not meet with the rebels' committees and at the end of our mission in Albania, we will prepare reports to inform exactly of the situation here." ssh/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] DEFENCE STAFF OF TIRANA PREFECTURE BANS EDITION OF NEWSPAPER KOHA JONE

The Defence Staff banned the edition of Koha Jone because its today's article entitled "Tomorrow, 20 towns on the streets" violated public security and ran counter to the law on the state of emergency. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] EASTER CELEBRATED IN TIRANE

"The celebration of the Easter," said Arch Bishop Anastas, "is a pray which the crucified and revived God gave us to become humane as much as possible, that Albania enjoy peace, to march through a new epoch of political stability, freedom, social justice and spiritual development." kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] LEKA ZOGU VISITS LEZHE

While placing a bouquet of flowers in the Memorial on the Place were Scanderbeg was buried, Leka said that "we shall march on the road of reconciliation to bring Albania fraternity, peace and unity."

Leka Zogu was also welcomed in Lezhe by the prefect Sadedin Balla and leaders of the local government. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] SPANISH PARLIAMENTARIAN JOSE FRAGA VISITED SPANISH TROOPS IN SHENGJIN

The commander of the Spanish troops, lieutenant colonel Alonzo told Mr Fraga of the conditions and the moral state of the troops and underlined the warm welcome extended to them by the inhabitants of the region.

Parliamentarian Fraga, after learning of the emergent needs of that district for medicine and food stuff, said that he was going to make them present to the Spanish Parliament, with the aim of also sensitizing the non- government organizations, which have expressed their readiness to deliver aid for Albania. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH PREMIER FINO AND MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET - press release

In this meeting, President Berisha transmitted to those present in the meeting the serious concerns in some districts of Albania for the difficult situation of many families there as a result of the fact that the salaries for public workers have not been distributed.

Premier Fino and ministers Malaj and Celo told President Berisha of the difficulties which have prevented the normal distribution of the salaries and informed him that with the measures adopted by the Government in this regard, the workers salaries have been distributed throughout the country with the exception of three districts.

The conclusion of the meeting was that all the necessary measures would be taken to realise the distribution of payments in the three remaining districts within the next week. kled/xh/sh/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article