Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-05-27

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] INTERIOR MINISTRY CONDEMNS INCIDENT AT MILITARY HOSPITAL

[02] SDP PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION OF GERMANY TO VISIT TIRANA TODAY

[03] POLICE CAR SET TO FIRE, DRIVER BEATEN IN VLORE

[04] MAN KILLED AND KURBIN BOOKSHOP SET ON FLAMES

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] DEMOCRATIC PARTY GATHERS POLITICAL PARTIES AT ROUND TABLE TO REACH SOCIAL PACT

[07] LEK KEEPS DEVALUATING

[08] POLICE COOPERATION STARTS BETWEEN SARANDE AND IGUMENICE

[09] MEETING OF PRESIDENT BERISHA WITH PREMIER FINO

[10] CHIEF OF ARMY GENERAL STAFF OF AUSTRIA VISITS ALBANIA

[11] JAIL OF HIGH SECURITY IS BEING BUILT IN SHENKOLL - Lezhe

[12] RUMANIA TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID FOR ALBANIA

[13] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ALBANIA

[14] SMALL PARTIES - IMPORTANT FACTOR IN POLITICAL LIFE OF ALBANIA

[15] PREMIER FINO TO PARTICIPATE IN CEREMONY ON OCCASION OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARSHAL PLAN

[16] MEETING OF PRESIDENT BERISHA WITH PREMIER FINO

[17] BISHOP MASSAFRA MEETS WITH LEADERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - Burrel

[18] POLITICAL PARTIES SIGN SOCIAL PACT ON ELECTIONS IN KORCE

[19] SP AND FOUR POLITICAL PARTIES CONDITION SOCIAL PACT WITH THE LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY

[20] WE DO NOT FAVOUR TOTAL LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY - SELFO

[21] OSCE AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE MONITOR PREPARATIONS FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

[22] LIFE OF CITIZENS IN GJIROKASTER IS ON DANGER

[01] INTERIOR MINISTRY CONDEMNS INCIDENT AT MILITARY HOSPITAL

"This grave act, committed by several guardsmen, in the conditions of a great shock and pain for the fellow guardsmen killed in Cerrik, is an open violation of the law.

The Interior Ministry has adopted all measures so that such acts are not repeated and investigations are underway to throw light on the environments and causes of this event, punishing whoever responsible for this act," according to a report of the Interior Ministry spokesman." lm

[02] SDP PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION OF GERMANY TO VISIT TIRANA TODAY

The delegation will hold talks on the preparations for the elections, the political situation in Albania and the preliminary conditions for recovering the economy.

Deputies Dr.Eberhard Breht and Karl Hermann Haack as well as Peter Reuschenbach and Martin Weiss will conduct talks with President Berisha and Prime Minister Fino.

Also atetnding the talka will be deputy Foreign Minister Albert Rakipi, Interior Minister Belul Celo and Speaker of Parliament Arbnori, the report says. s.sh/lm/E

[03] POLICE CAR SET TO FIRE, DRIVER BEATEN IN VLORE

After disarming the driver they dragged him out of the car, sprayed the car with bullets and then burned it down.

The driver, could not escape the violence of gunmen, either. As a result he was hospitalised.kled/lm/sh/

[04] MAN KILLED AND KURBIN BOOKSHOP SET ON FLAMES

The town bookshop was as well burnt down on Sunday evening, according to the same reports. kled/lm/sh/

[05] PRESS REVIEW

"The democrats towards victory, the socialists towards boycott," the paper says under the title:"Europe:'To the polls'". "Statements of socialist leaders and articles in their newspapers prove that the Cerrik tragedy as well as that of Gramsh and others have been prepared in Tirana," the paper says under the title:"The big criminals are in Tirana."

"The Socialist Party comes up with a new alibi not to take part in elections," the paper says under the title:"The Nano condition-the bands should be free". "The June 29 campaign -campaign for Albania", the paper says about the meeting of President Berisha in Durres last Sunday.

"The shameful end of dictatorships" is the title of the editorial of Zeri i Popullit. "Electoral rally of the Socialist Party", the paper says.

As regards the meeting of the SP Leading Council of Tirana, the paper carries the article:"The socialists want an Albania normal for all".

"The west will not provide Albania with money and aid unless free and democratic elections are held", the paper says under the title:"Step Berisha down by free votes".

The paper also carries a pronouncement of Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino after meetings in Rome under the title:"I hope last May 26th is not repeated any more". "Berisha's guardsmen attack military hospital" is the title of another article of the paper.

"Hypocrisy of the campaign and social pact" says Republika "Violence the macabre leitmotiv of Berisha' campaign", the paper stresses.

"The state shows fist to itself" is the title of the paper's editorial.

In view of the electoral platform of the Albanian United Right wing, the paper carries the article:'No' to SP's negative vote, 'No' to Berisha's power. "Guardsmen manhandle the staff and disarm the police", the paper says regarding the incident at the Military Hospital".

"Social pact for elections", Rilindja says stressing that:"DP calls round table of the parties to decide on reaching a social pact to go towards the June 29 elections with as less excesses and problems as possible".

"EU will open office in Prishtine", the paper says citing the EU commission representative in Belgrade, Michael Grayem, as saying. "The flag is defended by the people", the paper says regarding the rally of protest in Gostivar for the defence of the Albanian flag.

"The chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, publicly claimed responsibility in the name of his party for the murder of six militaries in Cerrik town by an armed gang", the editorial of Albania says.

"The right wing wins over 50 per cent", the paper says referring to a survey of the Social Researches Institute "Albanian opinion". "The Union for Democracy unfolds anti-rebellion project", the paper says.

"Elections, the basis for aid", the paper says regarding the international conference on the Albanian crisis.

"The left repeats threat for boycott", the paper says also carrying four requests of these parties beginning with an end to the state of emergency.

Under the headline: "Two confessions of the chief of the band and terrorist of Vlore", Tribuna carries an interview of Zani, the man who has been holding the Vlore city hostage for several months now, with the British newspaper "Friday Morning".

"Democracy should be killed", the paper cites Zani as saying at the title of the interview.

The paper also carries a confession of Xhiku, the main rival of Zani under the title: "Zani - Gjinushi's ugly sosia".

As regards the conclusions of the Rome conference, the paper says:"Europe: No to boycott of elections". The paper covers President Berisha's meeting with Durres citizens under the title:"The deeper the victory the faster the revival".

Koha Jone, referring to the decree of the Electoral Commission, says: "Berisha signs the commission". In the political feature, the paper carries a statement of the DAP and the Forum for Democracy on the Cerrik town and military hospital events, under the title:"Berisha, Fino, Vukaj and Celo must quit". In the "Special" feature, under the title;"The town of revolt languishes", the paper says: "Vlore, 110 days of protest..."

Dita, under the title:"Opposition:'Elections' may be put off", says: "Nano calls into question the June 29 (election date)".

As regards the International Conference on Albania held in Rome yesterday the paper says: "Emergency aid for Albania". As regards the incident at the military hospital, the paper carries a rponouncements of the republican leader, Godo, citing him in the title as saying:"Those responsible should be punished". In the feature:"Actuality" the paper says:"Trial against Ramiz Alia put off".

Under the title:"Albanian crisis deepens further. The parties gather around Fino to decide", Gazeta Shqiptare reports on the end of the conference on Albania.

As regards the elections, the paper carries an interview with the socialsit leader, Nano, under the title:"Nano: Elections put into question". In the feature:"Actuality" the paper says:"Berat, food crisis threatens", "Vlore at election deadlock".

Independent reports on the electoral campaign of DP leader Azem Hajdari in Librazhd in which he said that he would hold the electoral campaign also in Vlore.

The paper reports on the June 29 elections saying:"Nano:The elctions likely to be put off".

As regards the invitation of the DP Secretary General, Pollo, to the nine parties to sign a social pact for a free electoral campaign, the paper says:"DP:Round table for social Pact". The paper covers the incident at the military hospital under the title:"The Guard, terror at hospital". kled/eva/lm/E

[06] DEMOCRATIC PARTY GATHERS POLITICAL PARTIES AT ROUND TABLE TO REACH SOCIAL PACT

The parties attending were presented a draft-statement, which says:

The parties meeting in Tirana today, May 27,1997, stress:

-The June 29 parliamentary elections are indispensable to get out of the crisis and return the country to normality.

-They declare they are completely committed to holding the whole electoral process correctly and within the legal framework.

They call on all the Albanian people, especially their members and sympathizers, to commit themselves to holding a civilised, tolerantly conducted electoral campaign, enabling a free exchange of various political views and the presence of each political party representative in every part of the country to present his alternative. Violence for political purposes, especially armed, is condemnable for all.

-We call on the Government of National Reconciliation to completely restore public order and peace and put into operation local government structures.

-We call on the international organisations to send the largest possible number of foreign observers during the June 9 elections, considering this a very significant element in the credibility of these elections.

-They declare themselves against contesting the June 29 poll results.

-They call on the Government of National Reconciliation to carry out a full transparency of the pyramid firms issue before the election date.

The DP representative and the organiser of the round table, Genc Pollo, said that it was indispensable that this social pact was reached today, and that it was conform the law. He also expressed his belief that the parties would not object it in principle.

A part of the parties at the meeting as well as the SP are expected to voice their options for lifting the state of emergency before they start their electoral campaigns.

The proposal for a social pact, in which all political forces will be committed to holding a serious, calm and normal campaign to avoid violence, was made by the DP chairman Tritan Shehu on May 17, at a meeting of Prime Minister Fino with the political parties. pas/lm/E

[07] LEK KEEPS DEVALUATING

On the foreign exchange market of Tirana which opened Monday, 1 USD was bought at 171 lek, while this morning 1 USD was bought at 173 leks, which makes up the highest exchange-rate so far. a.gj/eva/lm/e

[08] POLICE COOPERATION STARTS BETWEEN SARANDE AND IGUMENICE

The Sarande police was represented by the chief of police commissariat, Mustafa Golemi, and the Greek side by the police commander for the Igumenice-Corfu area, Johanis Kodo.

"The cooperation to prevent crime on both sides of the border was at the centre of the meeting between Greek and Albanian specialists, chief of Sarande Police Commissariat, Golemi, told ATA.

The Greek police appreciated the performance of the police post at the Konispol commune, which has returned to the Greek side a number of motorcycles and bicycles stolen at the Igumenice area by Albanian illegal emigrants. s.sh/eva/lm/E

[09] MEETING OF PRESIDENT BERISHA WITH PREMIER FINO

Premier Fino declared to Berisha that he does not agree with these stands and assured that he has asked to put an end to such a practice. /a.ke/jz/mt/k

[10] CHIEF OF ARMY GENERAL STAFF OF AUSTRIA VISITS ALBANIA

The Albanian Defence Minister, Shaqir Vukaj, had a special meetin on Tuesday with the senior military man of Austria.

Minister Vukaj informed the Austrian military delegation on the current situation in Albania, on the work done to have an Albanian army, suitable for the conditions of the country and really depoliticized. We, he said, aim at creating an army on the basis of NATO experience, but also based on our tradition, in the terrain, financial possibilities and the military context we have.

In the meeting was also stressed that all the possibilities exist to send forward the cooperation in all the fields, as well as in that between the armies of both countries.

The Austrian general Majcen conveyed to Minister Vukaj the greetings of Austrian Defence Minister, and said that he will visit Albania in June, where it can be defined the second phase of developing the relations and further cooperation between both countries and armies.

The Chief of the Army General Staff of Austria also met with the State Secretary in the Defence Ministry, Ali Kazazi, and Chief of the Army General Staff of Albania, general mayor, Adem aopani.

Attending all the meetings were also the Austrian Ambassador in Tirana, Mr Calica. /a.ke/jz/mt/k

[11] JAIL OF HIGH SECURITY IS BEING BUILT IN SHENKOLL - Lezhe

This jail will replace the jail of Bence in Tepelena and another one for the minors.

The constructing companies "Fratari" from Tirana and "Geci" from Lac, have started the work on the basis of the project of the Italian company "Gico", specialized in this field.

Within October this year, two new buildings will be constructed and the jail will be surrounded by walls 5 m high, and the existing grounds of the old jail will be reconstructed according to the European standards.

The old jail was damaged during the wave of riots in March this year, and 450 prisoners escaped from it.

The European Community has accorded 2.1 million ECU, for the financing of the project of the jail of Shenkoll, Peqin and Tirana. /a.ke/eva/mt/k

[12] RUMANIA TO SEND HUMANITARIAN AID FOR ALBANIA

The above source underlines that this aid, which come to Albania on the basis of a special decision of the Rumanian Government, includes sugar, milk powder, textile articles, clothes, shoes, as well as different medical articles.

The above aid is in the context of the Rumanian operations to support the Albanian authorities.

The cooperation and mutual aid between both countries has increased recently. It has become concrete by the mutual visits of the senior personalities of both countries, as well as by signing a series of accords. /jz/mt/k

[13] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ALBANIA

The Greek Foreign Minister will hold meetings with President Berisha, Premier Bashkim Fino, as well as with Foreign Minister Arjan Starova.

Pangallos will also visit the General Staff of the Multinational Forces, as well the Greek contingent of these forces.

Minister Pangallos will hold meetings with leaders of the Albanian political parties, and with representatives of the Omonia organization. /jz/mt/Z/

[14] SMALL PARTIES - IMPORTANT FACTOR IN POLITICAL LIFE OF ALBANIA

During a news conference, the chairman of this party, Novruz Maluka, focused on the program of this party, where there were underlined the policies of a stable economic development, opening of new job positions, as well as restoration of public order and tranquility.

The coordinator of the Federation of the European Green Parties, Anne De Boer, present in the news conference, underlined that "Albania needs a democratic perspective to integrate in Europe," considering the conduct of June 29 elections as "the first step" towards a stable future for the country.

In the conference it was underlined the opinion that the participation of small political parties in the elections is an important factor of progress of the political life in the country. /jz/mt/Z/

[15] PREMIER FINO TO PARTICIPATE IN CEREMONY ON OCCASION OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARSHAL PLAN

The Premier, who will leave for Hague on Tuesday afternoon, will be accompanied by the Minister of Privatization, Eduard Ypi and the State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Pavli Zeri. /pas/mt/Z/

[16] MEETING OF PRESIDENT BERISHA WITH PREMIER FINO

Premier Fino declared to Berisha that he does not agree with these stands and assured that he has asked to put an end to such a practice. /a.ke/jz/mt/k

[17] BISHOP MASSAFRA MEETS WITH LEADERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - Burrel

"Albania, is not Bosnia, where there is fight among religions, but a place of reconciliation among them. The tolerance exists among religions, and it should also exists among parties," he said.

Monsignor Massafara expressed the readiness for the organization of a catholic religious community in this town. /mt/

[18] POLITICAL PARTIES SIGN SOCIAL PACT ON ELECTIONS IN KORCE

This pact has 20 points, where among others, the political parties call on their members and supporters to manifest in a civilized way, to respect strictly the law on elections during this campaign.

The parties, signers of this pact, engage that they will propose people with clear moral figure in the election commissions.

The social pact is signed by DP, SP, LMP, NFP,RP, HRUP, SDP, MDP, DAP, NUP, and AP. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[19] SP AND FOUR POLITICAL PARTIES CONDITION SOCIAL PACT WITH THE LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY

To achieve an agreement on the social pact, the Socialist Party made a formula of compromise, in which they called on the government, taking into considerations the legal spaces, to eliminate everything from the measures of the state of emergency, that can infringe a free and quiet election campaign, but this was not supported by the Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party, Democratic Alliance, Human Rights Union Party and the Republican Party.

"We were ready to discuss also on the postponement of the curfew, which could go until 10:00, and a week before the election day it could go until midnight or later, always to the good of creating a suitable atmosphere for the correct conduct of elections," said DP Secretary General, Genc Pollo, after the meeting.

DP has agreed the government to lift the restrictions imposed by the law on the state of emergency for gatherings with political character and other similar gatherings.

"These proposals, said Pollo, were received with the persistent decision 'Either lift the state of emergency law, or we do not accept the social pact'".

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, the National Front Party, the Legality Movement Party, the Christian Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Union Party did not agree on principle to lift the state of emergency, but accepted the formula of compromise.

Although, some leaders hoped after the meeting that despite of the different opinions, the parties should agree on a social pact, for an appeal for a quiet campaign conducted according to the law and against the violence.

The parliament, several days before it was dissolved, approved a law, charging the government to create all the conditions for a quiet and normal conduct of the election campaign, which invalidates some articles of the law on state of emergency and the police were practically called in gatherings to guarantee order and tranquility.

"(The state of emergency) is still necessary and for this reason we can not give up from this practice, because it would give more space to criminality, gangs and anyone else, who is interested in violating the law or mining this country," said Pollo. /kei/mt/

[20] WE DO NOT FAVOUR TOTAL LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY - SELFO

"We favour the lift of some points of the law on state of emergency, that hinder the normal conduct of elections. If the state of emergency will be lifted, then we should think that the multinational forces have no reason to stay in Albania," said the deputy chairman of the National Front Party, Hysen Selfo, after this meeting.

SP, SDP, DAP, HRUP, and RP did not accept to sign this pact, although DP opened way for a compromise, as well as for changing several points of the law on state of emergency.

The hindrance for the elections, according to Selfo, are the difficult conditions in some districts, which hinder their normal conduct. /jz/mt/k

[21] OSCE AND COUNCIL OF EUROPE MONITOR PREPARATIONS FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

This meeting was held in the course of monitoring the pre-election and election process by the above institutions.

Dakli informed the foreign observers that the voters' lists are ready, but they will be reviewed together with the administration division of constituencies, after the exact proceeding of the election law.

The observers were also informed of the promise taken by the respective local institutions and all the political subjects for a complete guarantee of public order and tranquility during the election campaign and election day. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[22] LIFE OF CITIZENS IN GJIROKASTER IS ON DANGER

According to one of the doctors of the hospital, injured persons from stray bullets or due to the uncontrolled use of weapons come to the hospital almost everyday. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

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