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

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT RUGOVA MEETS ELISABETH REHN

[02] ONE KILLED AND TWO INJURED IN SHKODER

[03] TEENAGER KILLED IN BERAT

[04] THREE KILLED AND THREE WOUNDED IN KELCYRE TOWN

[05] BUILDING HEALTH CARE STRUCTURES REMAINS AN EMERGENCY ISSUE - minister

[06] PRIMARY SCHOOLS REOPEN IN SARANDE

[07] TEENAGER KILLED IN ELBASAN

[08] PRESS REVIEW

[09] ANOTHER VESSEL WITH EMIGRANTS HEADS FOR ITALY FROM SHKODER

[10] SPEAKER MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF "ATDHEU" ASSOCIATION

[11] INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS DELIVERS AID IN SARANDE

[12] ROMANIAN MILITARY BATTALION SHEN GJERGJI ARRIVES IN DURRES

[13] STAROVA TAKES PART IN THE MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE COUNTRIES

[14] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTS FAMILIES IN VILLAGE SELIXE, IN BURREL

[15] A 21-YEAR-OLD BOY COMMITS SUICIDE BY ACCIDENT

[01] PRESIDENT RUGOVA MEETS ELISABETH REHN

Rugova referred to the latest situation in Kosova and said that Serb repression continued and it was spearheaded against the Kosova Albanians and institutions.

"The situation in Kosova is also increasingly aggravated by the grave social-economic situation," Rugova said adding that the Serb regime has intensified pressures on private economy in Kosova.

Rehn said that the tense situation in Kosova made up a constant concern for the world organisation and that this situation was unacceptable.

She appreciated the peaceful policy and practical and rational acts of President Rugova and the Kosova political leadership towards the latest developments in Kosova and region. p.ta/kled/lm/sh/

[02] ONE KILLED AND TWO INJURED IN SHKODER

The motives of the crime are not yet known. The gun fire also injured two other people in the car.

Hospital sources says that one of the wounded is in a critical condition. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[03] TEENAGER KILLED IN BERAT

The motives of the killing are not yet known. The killing brings to 67 the number of the people killed accidentally or for various motives since the army depots and barracks were deserted and looted. kled/lm/sh/

[04] THREE KILLED AND THREE WOUNDED IN KELCYRE TOWN

Buses and cars on the Permet-Kelcyre-Tepelene road continue to be the target of looters. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[05] BUILDING HEALTH CARE STRUCTURES REMAINS AN EMERGENCY ISSUE - minister

Bindi spoke of the concrete measures the Italian state will undertake and dwelt on the need of drafting and implementing a national health care programme.

"A technical commission with Italian and Albanian representatives will be set up to carry out this short and long term programme," she said.

Albanian Health Minister Astrit Kalenja considered "vital" the humanitarian assistance in health care.

The two counterparts signed an agreement for cooperation in improving health service and structures.

Bindi said that the Italian health Ministry, besides bilateral relations, would also play the role of coordinator for the international organisations that would like to contribute to the Albanian health care system.

After her visit to the Vatican hospital the Italian Minister of Health left Albania. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[06] PRIMARY SCHOOLS REOPEN IN SARANDE

Pupils' attendance these days has varied between 60 and 65 per cent, according to reports.

The pupils on the fourth year of the secondary school will resume classes tomorrow, the district education department confirms.

Schools in Saranda were closed on March 1 due to the anarchy. a.ke/kled/lm/s h/

[07] TEENAGER KILLED IN ELBASAN

The victim, Mirjan Llupa, 23, was an escaped convict. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/.

[08] PRESS REVIEW

"The statement of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, more than an attack against President Berisha, is an abortive attempt, amoral attack against the Albanians," the paper says.

The paper covers the meeting of President Berisha with the EU Commission envoys, Mr Rhein and Von Herdolf, accompanied by ambassador Elio Germano, under the title: "Berisha: SP has blocked the political life in the country".

"Mr Fino as a Prime Minister of a government whose main task of its mandate is to lead the country to elections, should ask from the U.S. Government its backing for free and fair elections as well as observers for these elections," the paper says under the title: "Visit to be exploited for the good of Albania".

"The tense situation in the south a cause to put off elections", the paper cites the leader of the National Front party, Abaz Ermenji, as saying to the paper.

"A report of the New York-based international organisation to protect journalists has released the list of 10 enemies of the press in the world among whom also Sali Berisha", Zeri i Popullit says under the title "Berisha enemy of the press".

"For the socialists the crisis only requires political solution," the paper says regarding the meeting of the SP leaders with the European Union delegation.

"Majority representation destroyed the state structures" is the title of newspaper Republika. "This law becomes more dangerous when served by bands and weapons," the editorial says.

The paper carries the article:"The DP-SP unprincipled confrontations are without ideas" and the article: "The SDP criticises Fino of the NIS chief".

"Through the labyrinths of the electoral law" is title of the editorial of newspaper Demokracia. "It seems Europe should again mediate" the paper says and underscores that the electoral law is again at deadlock.

"America believes Europe can resolve the crisis in Albania", newspaper Rilindja says regarding the mission of the Multinational forces in Albania. The paper also carries an interview of the Albanian Defence Minister, Shaqir Vukaj, with the Voice of America under the title: "Measures to prevent explosion of amunitions".

"Alibis on elections and solutions" is the title of the editorial of the newspaper Albania. "The Government is almost not working for any of its commitment made before the Albanian parliament but is dealing with the electoral make up of the SP," the editorial says.

"Strasbourg: 'War against committees'", the paper says.

"According to the leading officials of the main newspapers in Albania, the observation of the New-York based committee is completely inaccurate, with many of them describing Berisha as statesman who is most open and interested in the Albanian press," the paper says on its third page.

"Opposition, you will want Vlore!", is the title of the editorial of newspaper Koha Jone. "Vlore gave rise to the Albanian political opposition, but also to the Albanian civilisation which seeks to switch from the tribes to the state," the editorial says.

According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, "Berisha enemy in Washington", the paper says.

"Europe in Albania, crisis starts resolving", the paper says and stresses that the Council of Europe and Vranitzky to come to Tirana next week.

Dita carries an interview with the leader of the Public Salvation Committee of Vlore, Albert Shyti. The paper also carries the articles:"CE and OSCE in Albania". "CE to meet the political parties and Fino in Tirana today", the paper says.

Gazeta Shqiptare carries an interview with Alfred Serreqi, former Foreign minister under the title:"How was the U.S. parted with Berisha". "The day of the press: Media shocked in Albania" is the title of the newspaper's editorial.

"Is the Albanian spirit militarised?" is the title of an article run by newspaper Drita. kled/lm/sh/

[09] ANOTHER VESSEL WITH EMIGRANTS HEADS FOR ITALY FROM SHKODER

According to eyewitnesses on the spot, the ship carrying some 1000 Albanian citizens, the majority family members, had come from the Montenegrin coast.

Thousands of people, coming from Shkoder, Puke, Malesi e Madhe, Lac and other zones have been camped out near Velipoje for several days.

This is the second vessel fleeing accross the Adriatic to Italy from Velipoje beach. One week ago, 571 emigrants left for Italy aboard a vessel coming from Montenegro. The Italian authorities have returned some 200 of them.

The Montenegrin ship crammed with Albanian nationals is reported to be some 60 miles from Bari, accompanied by two Italian naval vessels. s.sh/kled/lm

[10] SPEAKER MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF "ATDHEU" ASSOCIATION

The chairman of the association, Llukan Xhagjika, raised several problems to be resolved with the help of state run institutions regarding the Albanian emigrants such as gradual legalisation of the Albanian nationals' free movement to Italy and Greece, beginning with the old ages, so that they can contact their children.

The Albanian emigrants have been and will be important economic and political factors of democracy in Albania, Arbnori said. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[11] INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS DELIVERS AID IN SARANDE

The representative of this organization, with its present regional centre in Gjirokaster, Darsy Krysen, told ATA that "the aid of the International Red Cross has been delivered recently in the hospital of Saranda and in the orphanage." The aid has passed through the customs house of Kakavija.

Also in the districts of the prefecture of Diber, Northern Albania, aid by the International Red Cross Committee has arrived for the second time. The destinations of this emergency aid, consisting of medicine, have been the hospitals in the three districts of the prefecture, Diber, Mat and Bulqize. ake/kei/xh/k

[12] ROMANIAN MILITARY BATTALION SHEN GJERGJI ARRIVES IN DURRES

The battalion consists of 392 soldiers and officers, 120 various vehicles, including armoured transporters and trucks, etc. Also a priest and a psychologist doctor are members of the group.

After arrival, the Romanian battalion left immediately for the city of Gjirokaster, where it will secure roads of communication and transport for the humanitarian aid in that region, as well as will assist the local government structures.

The Romanian military troops are the last to arrive in Albania, for technical reasons.

According to sources of the Central Staff of the Operation Alba, the Danish government will send to Albania 65 militaries to join the multinational force. The contingent, consisting of staff officers, military police forces, specialists of communication and a scouting unit, is expected to join the French battalion in Albania by May 10, 1997. ake/kei/xh/k

[13] STAROVA TAKES PART IN THE MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE COUNTRIES

The session will also discuss the situation in Albania. Starova is expected to have meetings with his counterparts, participating in the meeting, and with the former Austrian Chancellor, Vranitzky, who is invited in the session to report on the situation in Albania. ake/kei/xh/k

[14] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT ASSISTS FAMILIES IN VILLAGE SELIXE, IN BURREL

Sources of the district council say that the aid consists of food articles, such as flour, beans, cooking oil and will be mainly distributed to the victims' families and other families in the village. ake/kei/xh/k

[15] A 21-YEAR-OLD BOY COMMITS SUICIDE BY ACCIDENT

Witnesses say that the young man had decided to use the arm to fire at an object just for fun. He put the arm on his shoulder and fired it, but the shell was blocked in the arm and then blasted, causing the immediate death of the young man.

This killing carries the toll to 68 in Berat district since the unrest began and arms were looted from army depots. ake/kei/xh/

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