Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-05-28

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SP CALLS ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OPEN AND ASKS FULFILMENT OF ELECTION REQUESTS

[02] ALBANIAN DP CHAIRMAN HOLDS MEETINGS IN ITALY

[03] DEFENCE ATTORNEYS ASK RELEASE OF 20 ALBANIANS IN PRISHTINE

[04] KOSOVA DESTINY TO DEPEND ON ALBANIANS' DECISION - Gligorov

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] POLICEMAN KILLED IN ELBASAN

[07] ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE CALL CAUSES PANIC IN SAVINGS BANK EMPLOYEES

[08] AN ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATION IN PORTUGAL

[09] GUARD OF GAS WATER PRODUCTION UNIT IN PERMET KILLED

[10] ALBANIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CONSIDERS INCORRECT DISCHARGE OF INTERIOR DEPUTY MINISTER

[11] LEKA ZOGU MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF MIRDITE

[12] MINISTER OF EDUCATION GIVES INSTRUCTIONS ON ENDING SCHOOL YEAR

[13] OMONIA PROPOSES CANDIDATES FOE DEPUTIES IN SARANDE

[14] "WORD BOYCOTT SHOULD BE STRICKEN FROM ALBANIAN POLITICAL VOCABULARY" - U. S. GOVERNMENT

[15] HRUP GENERAL COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON CANDIDATURE FOR DEPUTIES - Melo

[16] OSCE TAKES STEPS TOWARDS REALISATION OF ITS MONITORING MISSION IN ALBANIA

[17] NO INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION HAS ASKED LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY - Speaker -

[18] ONE KILLED FROM BULLETS, ANOTHER DIES FROM HEART ATTACK IN GJIROKASTER

[19] MILOSEVIC EXPECTED TO GO TO KOSOVA

[20] DEMONSTRATIVE DRILL IN THE REGIMENT OF CIVIL DEFENCE

[21] LEK KEEPS DEVALUATING

[22] COMMISSION FOR OFFICIALS' SCRUTINY WAITING THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES

[23] DP BRANCH IN SHKODER HOLDS MEETINGS WITH INTELLECTUALS

[24] MANIFESTATION IN SUPPORT OF STRIKERS WHO DEMAND RECOVERY OF OTRANTO VICTIMS

[25] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG PARLIAMENTARIANS

[01] SP CALLS ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN OPEN AND ASKS FULFILMENT OF ELECTION REQUESTS

After a speaker called on some 5000 participants to spread over the field to create the image of a more massive participation for the foreign cameras, the SP chairman, Musa Ulqini, opened the rally.

In his speech, Ulqini said that the SP cannot take part in the polls unless the state of emergency is lifted and the voting closes at 18.00.

During the whole time the rally was held with slogans offending the Democratic Party and President Sali Berisha.

"The impasse will continue until Berisha quits. The fatal policy followed by him left Albania at the end of the Balkans and far away from Europe, therefore the people will vote for the SP and the progressive opposition, for Albania in Europe and not for Islamic Albania," the SP chairman, Fatos Nano said in his speech.

Nano negated every economic and political achievement of Albania over the last five years and told the participants that they would be achieved after the June 29 elections, with the inevitable victory of the SP.

Nano assured the participants, like on May 29, of a great victory of the SP and opposition, as "the SP alternative is for a democracy in which all win".

"This country cannot develop in dictatorship and monarchy," Nano said shouting: "all against Berisha".

The Public Relations Secretary, Pandeli Majko, reminding the participants of Vlore, hailed the U.S. and European policy, which, according to him, had backed the left opposition against the DP and Berisha.

Finance Minister Arben Malaj, also greeting the participants on behalf of Prime Minister Fino, and feeling himself proud of representing Vlore, said that "the socialists will know to convince the world of a Marshall plan".

Then, after demands of the participants, the floor was taken by the SP former deputy chairman, Servet Pellumbi, one of the severest critics and opponents of Nano. He said:"The SP is the major force in the country, modern and stable and capable of governing, because its programme is the best.

Among the last to speak at the rally was Defence Minister Shaqir Vukaj, who said:"We know to build a depoliticised modern and Albanian army".

At the rally, except calls for SP victory and Vlora-Vlora, there was no call for going towards the polls in peace.

Also speaking at the rally were other SP leaders, including Namik Dokle, Ilir Meta and chairmen of various SP forums. At the end the participants in the rally dispersed peacefully. pas/lm/sh/

[02] ALBANIAN DP CHAIRMAN HOLDS MEETINGS IN ITALY

At the meeting with Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, Shehu said that the terrorist gangs and committees remain an obstacle to hold a calm and equal campaign.

Dini stressed that holding the elections on June 29 is not only an implementation of a political contract, but also an indispensable step to pull the country out of the crisis and benefit international community aid for Albania.

He stressed that Italy will always be by the side of Albania to overcome this difficult situation and that the Italian government will not stop negotiations with other countries to help Albania.

At the meeting Dini reiterated that all the Albanian political forces should start the electoral campaign to conduct a fair contest of programmes and views.

At this meeting with leaders of Italian right wing parties, Pier Ferdinando Cassini, Gianfranco Fini, PDS International Relations secretary Ranieri and the Foreign Relations Secretary of Forza Italia Martino, Shehu received the political backing of these parties which expressed support for a greater assistance to the Albanian democracy.

Fini said at his meeting with Shehu that the real democratic forces should win in Albania and the leader of these forces, the Democratic Party, is the only political party working for a genuine democracy.

Cassini said that the victory of the Democratic Party is a need to prevent the return of communists to power.

Ranieri said that holding elections on June 29 in a calm political climate and pulling the country out of the difficult situation is indispensable for Albania.

Also, Martino assured Shehu of the support of his party for the Democratic Party, offering concrete possibilities for this backing.

At these meetings, which continue, Shehu made once again present the attitude of the Democratic Party, which has faced the violent elections with its own political solutions. These political solutions saved Albania from the chaos into which the extreme left forces were interested to plunge Albania. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[03] DEFENCE ATTORNEYS ASK RELEASE OF 20 ALBANIANS IN PRISHTINE

They stated that there was no evidence on the charge of terrorism.

"Such charges," the defence attornies said, "according to the Serb prosecutor and police, may be brought against any citizen of Kosova who has also declared himself for Kosova's independence by referendum and is committed to realising this political, national and democratic will of the people."

The trial will also continue today with the final statements of the accused and is expected to end this week with the verdict. a.ag/b.j./kled/lm/e

[04] KOSOVA DESTINY TO DEPEND ON ALBANIANS' DECISION - Gligorov

"The final word for the solution of the Kosova issue should be said by its inhabitants and the solution of this issue cannot be reached without direct negotiations between the two factors, that is between Yugoslavia and Kosova".

Gligorov added that:"The presence of the international factor can hardly be excluded from the very complex problem of Kosova".

Asked how he commented the idea for Kosova to win the status of the third republic in the FRY framework, Gligorov said that:"Macedonia has nothing against, if this responds the Albanian population. This is a sovereign right and an issue belonging to the future. Therefore, you, yourselves (Albanians) should determine your own destiny".

Comparing the situation in Macedonia with that in Kosova, Gligorov said that:"the situation in Macedonia cannot be compared with the situation in Kosova, where the army and police control the situation and where the minority is in power thanks to direct repressive actions." ag/lm/sh/

[05] PRESS REVIEW

"The SP does not sign for peace", the paper says. "An independent survey gives the Union for Democracy the historic victory of June 29. The democrats win 35 per cent. The Socialists under their historic quota", the paper says.

Under the headline:"SP vows non-recognition of the election results", the paper carries the article:"Nano insults Vranitzky". The paper covers Shehu's meetings in Italy under the title:"Italy: defeat the communists". The paper carries a feature on Vlore under the title:"In the jungle where corpses are shot at, the dead mount like infants once".

"Towards the great victory", Zeri i Popullit reports on yesterday's electoral meeting of the socialists in the capital. The paper carries the speech of socialist leader Nano at this rally under the title:"SPA, responsible prospective force".

"By keeping the state of emergency, Berisha takes advantage of using mercenaries against the opposition and repeat massacres like those on May 26 last year", the paper says under the title:"Social pact of Berisha, ill-omen demagogy".

The attack on the Military Hospital-test for coup d'etat", the paper says on its sixth page.

"The DP needs the state of emergency to steal the votes", Republika says in its editorial. "There can be no free elections with the voters' rights and freedoms being limited", the editorial says. "The social pact cannot be signed", the paper says.

"Postponement of elections is likely to bring back the same situations taking place in the country", the paper says under the title: "The elections should necessarily be held on June 29".

Under the title:"The voting results should be recognised", Rilindja says:"The Democratic Party initiates a social pact during the electoral campaign". "The International community ready to help in the maximum", the paper says regarding pronouncements of Italian diplomats after the Rome meeting on Albania.

"Return to schools - on horizon", the paper says regarding the beginning of the new school year in Kosove.

Under the headline: "The capital abandons leaders of Albania's destruction", Albania says carrying the article:"Nano:The south will win".

"The group of the progressive opposition, SDP, DAP, PRW, did not take part yesterday at the SP rally", the paper says under the title:"The SP abandoned by its allies".

The Socialist Party can win only through the gun, the paper says under the title:"Albanians, take up arms!", citing a leaflet of the so-called "Council of the Liberation Army". "The Council of the Liberation Army claims responsibility for the massacres on Albanians", the paper explains.

"The Socialists boycott the social pact", is another article run by the paper. The paper reports that leaders of pyramid scheme companies (Albanian) have met in Istanbul and discussed to help the SP on the eve of the electoral campaign.

Under the title:"Either victory in the election or blood", the paper covers yesterday's SP rally in the capital.

"Fino jeopardised by his 'friends'", the paper says regarding the SP relations with its allies.

In the feature "Politics" under the title:"Electoral reform", the paper carries an analysis printed from the Polish press regarding the voting systems and the damages the proportional system has caused to Poland's governing.

Dita under the headline:"Socialist party organises first meeting with electorate in open filed", says that "The socialists come out in ring". The paper covers yesterdays' meeting of nine parties to sign the social pact under the title:"The parties 'split' on curfew". The paper also carries the economic article;"Malaj refuses humanitarian aid".

Koha Jone says:"OSCE, 400 observers for Elections". The paper says in the editorial that "the OSCE office report on the number of observers (400) in the June 29 elections, was a real disillusion on the part of the Albanian opposition as regards hopes hung on the role of this organisation in these elections".

"The presence of the state of emergency holds the social pact "hostage" - "No compromise after meeting called by the DP", "The United Right wing against putting off elections", the paper says on the third page.

Indipendent carries an interview with Zani Caushi, the man who holds hostage the Vlore district, and cites Zani as saying that:"I started the Otranto Ship".

The paper says that:"The Socialists in their first meeting with Nano. Big unexpected rally". The paper says that:"Fino asks Berisha to convene parliament to reexamine the law on the state of emergency".

Gazeta Shqiptare under the headline "The Albanian lek devaluated up to eight percent in a day", Gazeta Shqiptare carries the article:"Dollar 'suffocates' the lek". "The Social pact: round table divided in two", the paper says about yesterday's meeting of the parties.

The paper says:"The millions of Grunas loans in court". The paper covers the first rally of socialists in the capital under the title:"Yesterday, thousands of people crowd the 'Stermasi' soccer stadium". kled/eva/lm/E

[06] POLICEMAN KILLED IN ELBASAN

Gezim Bushi was killed while accompanying a long vehicle on the Elbasan-Peqin national route.

The sources say that the armed and masked men had stopped the vehicle, forcing its driver, from Fier, to step down. Later, they had hit the driver with the butt of the rifle and killed the policeman after noticing his reaction.

After killing the policeman, the terrorist group threw a granade on the vehicle, gravely damaging it.

The dirver is in hospital. The killing is thought to be committed with the aim of robbing. kled/lm/sh/

[07] ANONYMOUS TELEPHONE CALL CAUSES PANIC IN SAVINGS BANK EMPLOYEES

The chief for the Protection of First Rate important institutions, Fation Sofi, declared that the telephone call was by a man half an hour before.

After the control in the building of the Savings Bank it resulted that no bomb had been planted there. ssh/kled/xh

[08] AN ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY DELEGATION IN PORTUGAL

The delegation will attend the regular meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council to be held in Sintra on May 30, 1997.

The meeting will approve, among others, a document on the founding of the Council of the Euroatlantic Partnership which is a new structure of NATO's cooperation with the partner countries, participants in the Partnership for Peace, ends the report of the Foreign Ministry. ssh/kled/x

[09] GUARD OF GAS WATER PRODUCTION UNIT IN PERMET KILLED

This attack killed one of the guards of this unit, Halil Shehu, 26, and wounded other guards. kled/lm/E

[10] ALBANIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CONSIDERS INCORRECT DISCHARGE OF INTERIOR DEPUTY MINISTER

"The competence to discharge or not Agim Shehu belongs to the President of the Republic, according to the law," underlined Gjata while reading the decision of the jury.

The Government's decision some weeks ago to discharge Shehu, which sparkled a debate, was called an "institutional conflict."

During the trial, general Shehu claimed that his discharge from the post of the Interior deputy Minister was not a competence of the government, and asked that the decision be declared illegal.

At a time when the Government's defence attorney, Thimio Kondiu claimed that "from the administrative point of view the disharge is a competence of the executive power," the spokesman of President Berisha said that "the discharge of General Shehu is a competence of the Commander of the Armed Forces."

After parties' arguments were examined, the Constitutional Court ended the conflict, thus closing the case of Agim Shehu. rf/xh/k

[11] LEKA ZOGU MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF MIRDITE

Leka Zogu was welcomed by the chairman of the district council, Dode Pepkola, the deputy Gjon Gjonmarkaj, and the chairman of the Legality Movement Party, Gjete Perndoj.

Later on in the meeting organized in the hall of the Culture Palace, Leka expressed the belief that if Monarchy wins, order and tranquility will be restored, and the improvements will come from year to year.

"Otherwise, he said I will give up politics."

Leka Zogu favoured a coalition governing and a pluralist parliament, as necessity to rule Albania.

Leka Zogu met on the same day with inhabitants of Rubik. /kei/mt/Z/

[12] MINISTER OF EDUCATION GIVES INSTRUCTIONS ON ENDING SCHOOL YEAR

The Ministry has given instructions that for the cases when the teaching program is not completed, the education department in districts should take measures that with the beginning of the new school year, the teaching program is completed.

This school year was interrupted on March due to the introduction of the state of emergency. The teaching process restarted in the last two weeks of April in Tirana, and gradually in other districts of the country. /jz/mt/Z/

[13] OMONIA PROPOSES CANDIDATES FOE DEPUTIES IN SARANDE

Sources of the leading council of Omonia report that five candidatures, who will contest in five constituencies of Sarande, Delvine and Gjirokaster were presented two days ago.

What is noticed in the lists of candidates, is the fact that the candidature of former deputy of three legislatures, Thoma Mico, is missing. The meetings in the zones of minority and in the mixed ones are expected to start after the approval of the senior forums of HRUP. /jz/mt/Z/

[14] "WORD BOYCOTT SHOULD BE STRICKEN FROM ALBANIAN POLITICAL VOCABULARY" - U. S. GOVERNMENT

"The basic responsibilities lie with the Albanian parties themselves. We expect all political parties to participate fully in the elections and to honor their results. As Assistant Secretary John Kornblum declared to the international conference on Albania, held in Rome on May 26, 1997:

"All talk of boycott should be left behind. The word boycott should be stricken from the Albanian political vocabulary".

The Government of National Reconciliation, says the release, must strive to set up conditions for the political campaign to proceed. This necessarily entails the full support of all political forces in the government and guarantee that all constitutional bodies will support the process.

There must be conditions for freedom of assembly, freedom of the press and so on, for an equitable campaign to be carried out.

"The OSCE will play an essential role in assisting in the conduct of elections," says the greeting of the U.S. Government for the conclusions of the International Conference on Albania, held in Rome, where it is stressed that "The task now facing all Albanians is to build an effective civil society." /jz/mt/k

[15] HRUP GENERAL COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON CANDIDATURE FOR DEPUTIES - Melo

The organization Omonia, organization of the Greek minority who lives in Southern Albania, has presented five candidatures who will contest in five constituencies of the districts of Sarande, Delvine and Gjirokaster, and has sent them to the HRUP presidency.

The chairman of HRUP is not included in the candidatures, proposed by Omonia.

Melo said that he did not agree to put his candidature because he has given Omonia the right to decide for those constituencies, but with the right that the presidency of the party make any possible changes.

Omonia and the HRUP chairman, Vasil Melo, have had severe contradictions between them during the recent months. /jz/mt/k

[16] OSCE TAKES STEPS TOWARDS REALISATION OF ITS MONITORING MISSION IN ALBANIA

Long and short term observers will enable the realisation of OSCE program for an intensive monitoring of the polls in Albania. Already 28 of 80 observers, whose role will be the creation of the basis for a valuation of the electoral process, are now arriving and spreading in some districts of Albania, such as in Durres, Kavaje, Elbasan.

"The number of the short-term observers, whose task will be the monitoring of elections on June 29, a very important day for Albania's future, will be 400," said to ATA, Joeff Murray.

In the mean time, many observers are expected to come from other international organizations and institutions, whose coordination of work will be made possible by OSCE.

With regard to the extension and control of the ballot boxes by international observers, Mr Murray said that "they will go wherever they can," thus voicing once more the full OSCE commitment to assist actively in the monitoring of the ballot in Albania.

OSCE activities in Albania will be carried out through the Office of Democratic Institutions and of the Human Rights, ODIHR. ake JZ/xh/Z

[17] NO INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION HAS ASKED LIFT OF STATE OF EMERGENCY - Speaker -

In an interview for the Albanian Television on Wednesday, he said that in the accords signed by ten political parties it was not included the lift of the state of emergency.

"This is a new movement of Mr Fino. I believe in his sincerity and good will on this issue, but I think it is early," added Arbnori.

He also explained that based on the article 80 of the law on elections, after the dissolution of the People's Assembly, a decree of the President is needed to convene the parliament again, with the proposal of the Council of Ministers.

With regard to the state of emergency, Arbnori said that "there is a reason, before a consequence."

"The cause is the violation of the constitutional and public order over the past months in Albania. The consequence is the introduction of the state of emergency. I think that the reason should disappear first, and then the consequence," said Arbnori.

The parliament has taken the decision "On the creation of facilitating conditions for the election campaign, in the context of the state of emergency," signed by Arbnori.

The first point of this decision says: The competent bodies are charged to take all the necessary measures to create and provide conditions for the political activity of the parties, on the occasion of opening the election campaign.

According to Arbnori the state of emergency does not deprive anyone of his freedoms.

"It hinders only the violence of armed rebellious committees and these committees are not legal. These are the armed gangs who rob and terrorize the population and the population agree that these gangs should be prevented," he said.

Arbnori expressed the opinion that all political parties have all the conditions to conduct the election campaign. /kei/mt/k

[18] ONE KILLED FROM BULLETS, ANOTHER DIES FROM HEART ATTACK IN GJIROKASTER

Another citizen, Sali Cako, chief of the civil defence near the district council, also died, due to the heart attack after the shock he had from the scene of the murder.

According to the eye witnesses, the victim (Ymeri) was shot by a pistol from an unknown persons, and the motives of this act are still not known. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z/

[19] MILOSEVIC EXPECTED TO GO TO KOSOVA

The center of the Pristine town was blocked today, may be due to this visit. /b.j/l/jz/mt/Z/

[20] DEMONSTRATIVE DRILL IN THE REGIMENT OF CIVIL DEFENCE

Attending the military drill were also the Defence Minister, Shaqir Vukaj, Chief of the Army General Staff, Adem aopani, as well as other senior military men.

According to the press and information office of the Defence Ministry, it was shown that the Regiment of Civil Defence is able to give on time humanitarian aid for the population, to take first measures in cases of natural calamities, or atomic and biologic pollution of the environment, as well as for the liquidation of consequences.

The effective of this unit participated recently in the military exercise "The rescuer '97", held in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. /a.ke/jz/mt/

[21] LEK KEEPS DEVALUATING

Today in the morning 1 USD was bought at 190 lek, while by 15:00 1 USD was bought at 185 leks.

Meanwhile, in the market of the imported goods it is noticed the tendency to sell only in foreign currency. Even the prices are evaluated in proportion to the devaluation of the Albanian lek against dollar. At the same time, due to the increase of prices in general, many trade units of the imported goods, mainly of the electric articles, are in difficulty.

It is reported that the Governor of the Albanian Bank met on Wednesday with the directors of banks of the country, but no reports on its results are available so far. /a.ke/jz/mt/k

[22] COMMISSION FOR OFFICIALS' SCRUTINY WAITING THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES

The Commission is now waiting for the lists of the people who will stand for the parliamentary elections of June 29, 1997, and of the formularies to be filled by every candidate for deputy. The formularies of the lists of the people to candidate by the subjects and the personal formularies will be filled by every person of the subject on the basis of the demands of the law of 1995 and the latest amendments to this law.

In conformity with the Political Contract of May 9, 1997 signed by 10 political parties, the Albanian Parliament made some changes and tolerations to the law for the Officials' Scrutiny and the antigenocide law. According to these changes, only former officials and collaborators of the defunct State Sigurimi and ex-members of the Political Bureu of the former Party pf Labour are deprived of the right of candidacy, whereas former collaborators of Sigurimi who have not exerted their activity for the past 20 years are exempted from this law.kei/xh/Z/+++

[23] DP BRANCH IN SHKODER HOLDS MEETINGS WITH INTELLECTUALS

In the meeting spoke the DP Secretary for Public Relations, Vili Minarolli, who said among others that it is clear that the grave situation in Albania was created by the groups of rebels, supported by the left extreme, who wanted to take the power through the force of weapons.

"But it will be the free vote of people on June 29 that will decide on its fate for the development of democracy. For this we believe in the Albanian people, because he will vote once again for DP," said Minarolli.

Later on he spoke of the DP responsibility for the situation created in the country, but said that "this responsibility should not only lie on a single political party."

"We will continue to ask from all the right political forces not to allow ex-communist forces come to power," said Minarolli.

The deputy Gjana focused on the DP electoral program, which had to do with the urgent measures to be taken in order to overcome the situation created in the country, and economic development of the country in the next four years./a.ke/kei/mt/Z/

[24] MANIFESTATION IN SUPPORT OF STRIKERS WHO DEMAND RECOVERY OF OTRANTO VICTIMS

The protesters, according to a report of the chairman of Atdheu association, Llukan Xhagjika, are protesting against the indifference of Italian and Albanian authorities towards the fate of the victims at sea.

The strikers, who have received medical treatment, have again joined their friends in the hunger strike. Now 13 of 14 strikers that started the strike at the beginning are continuing the strike.

According to the chairman of the strike, Krenar Xhavara, it is expected that 150 Albanian emigrants accomodated in a camping in Brindizi, will join the strikers.

The hunger strike without limit started on May 23 at the hour when the incident occurred by the survivors of the tragedy of the Otranto Strait. Today the manifestants also protest against the indifference of Italian media, says the chairman of Atdheu association for refugees and emigrants, Xhagjika. jz/xh/

[25] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG PARLIAMENTARIANS

After wishing them welcome, President Berisha thanked the German guests as friends of Albania, the Bundestag and the German Government for their sincere, friendly and continuous interest towards the Albanians.

"During the past months," said Berisha, "Albania experienced an armed rebellion whose pretext was the collapse of pyramid investment schemes but the real reason was the fact that Albanian former communists could not accept the loss of the power through the free vote. The scenario was similar with that the communists have also used in other countries - the boycotting of the elections after being convinced they were not winning, their absence from the political life, manipulation and exploitation of economic protests for political motives, and coming to power through violence," said Berisha to the German parliamentarians.

"But we opposed all these with the platform of the national reconciliation and the setting of the date of elections as the most democratic procedure to get the country out of the crisis.

Further on Mr Berisha said in relation to elections that the freedom of gathering, the freedom of press and all other freedoms will be guaranted and the political forces do really wish to make a successful electoral process, despite the difficulties, thus ensuring the country through the free and fair elections the stability and peace so necessary for the present and the future.

"We insist in the social pact," said Berisha, assuring the German guests of the determination to contribute to a civilised electoral process and to accept the poll outcome whater it be. President Berisha said that the national reconciliation will be a non-stop process and it is indispensable for Albania's present and future and its integration into Europe that this vital process opposes the boycott.

Berisha said that "we are interested in the greatest possible participation of the observers in the coming elections, " highlighting the fact that many institutions have started to work in this direction. "We would also appreciate the coming of a more extended inter-party delegation from the German Bundestag."

After conveying to President Berisha the greetings of the German Bundestag President, Mrs Susmuth, the German parliamentarians appreciated the analysis of President Berisha. They stressed the importance of the commitment and participation of all the political forces in the electoral process for free and fair elections and in this context they described the boycott as unacceptable and antidemocratic.

The German parliamentarians expressed their preoccupation about the question how the rebels' committess would be solved. President Berisha said that the Fino Government must and will solve this question immediately. They appreciated the idea and efforts for the creation of a climate of understanding and cooperation between the political forces to realise a free and fair electoral process.

President Berisha asked the delegation of German parliamentarians to convey his greetings to the President of the German Bundestag, Mrs Susmuth and the desire to welcome her in Albania," ends the report of the President's press and information office. lgj/xh/

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