Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-03

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN SPEAKER HOLDS TALKS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

[02] PRESS RELEASE

[03] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS ATTACK A CRECHE

[04] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART

[05] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS BOMB BLASTS

[06] POLITICAL FORCES ANNOUNCE CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTY

[07] SPANISH DOCTORS HELP SHENGJIN INHABITANTS

[08] FMP FORCES NOT INVOLVED IN ATTEMPTED ATTACKS - spokesman

[09] PRESS REVIEW

[10] PREPARATIONS FOR JUNE 29 ELECTIONS INTENSIFIED

[11] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION INSISTS ALBANIAN PARTIES TO ACCEPT VOTING RESULT

[12] PREMIER FINO WISHES LIONEL JOSPIN, NEW PREMIER OF FRANCE

[13] PANGALLOS: GREECE INTERESTED IN STABILITY IN ALBANIA

[14] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER FINO MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

[15] PANGALLOS: GREECE INTERESTED IN STABILITY IN ALBANIA

[16] SMALL PARTIES REJECT AMENDMENT OF LAW ON ELECTIONS

[17] ANOTHER JURIDICAL PROCESS AGAINST 15 KOSOVA ALBANIANS STARTS

[18] MINISTER OF JUSTICE ASKS COMPLETE FUNCTIONING OF JAILS

[19] MEETING OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION WITH PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION OF INTEGRATION OF EUROATLANTIC STRUCTURES

[20] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

[21] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

[22] ARMOURED VEHICLES OF POLICE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ROAD VLORE - URA E MIFOLIT SINCE RIOTS SWEPT THE COUNTRY

[23] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

[24] THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS WILL BRING ABOUT THE OVERCOME OF THE CRISIS - Pangalos

[25] "COMMITTES REMAIN AN OBSTACLE FOR A NORMAL ACTIVITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN" - Shehu

[26] DAP WILL TAKE PART WITH ITS OWN CANDIDATES IN JUNE 29 ELECTIONS

[27] MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GREECE MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OMONIA ORGANIZATION AND WITH GREEK MILITARY FORCES IN ALBANIA

[28] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HIGH OFFICIALS VISIT THE INJURED FROM MONDAY'S BLASTS

[29] EXPLOSION IN DP BUILDING IN ELBASAN

[30] NEWS CONFERENCE OF GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

[01] ALBANIAN SPEAKER HOLDS TALKS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

Arbnori said that in fact there has been no civil war in Albania and no political killings though the people are armed.

"To contribute to a stability situation in Albania we have stated that we will recognize the outcome of new elections despite a defeat or victory," Arbnori said.

He added "we believe that such an important statement should be made by other left-wing parties and the Socialist party".

Albanian speaker said that in some districts in the south of Albania the military rebellion committees are a serious obstacle both for the election campaign of the right-wing candidates and press, the latter has no access to these districts.

"It is pity that the left-wing parties have signed statements with these committees and use them as an armed ally.

Head of the European parliament Doris Pack expressed the belief that the forthcoming parliamentary elections will be without incidents.

She confirmed once again the participation of the European parliamentary delegation after the invitation presented by Arbnori recently. s.sh/kled/ak/sh/

[02] PRESS RELEASE

Albanian president has asked the General Prosecutor to start immediately investigations for the identification of the authors of this act and their punishment in compliance to the law.

Berisha wishes a quick recovery to the injured persons and assures them that the authors will be punished. a.ke/ak/sh/

[03] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS ATTACK A CRECHE

Some masked persons shot at the building situated at the boulevard Vlore-Skele on Monday around 2.00 p.m. using different types of arms even the heavy ones. There was no one there but the building was partially damaged.

This is the first time such an action occurred against a children institution in Vlora, while during the latest months state and private buildings such as municipality, district council, culture palace, stadium and some cafe are damaged. a.ke/eva/sh/

[04] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART

Greek Ambassador in Tirana Kostantin Prevendurakis present at the meeting.

"I hope Albania have a political and economic stability," Pangalos said considering important the launching of free and democratic elections.

During his one-day visit, the Greek minister will meet with President Sali Berisha and Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. The talks will center on the forthcoming elections.

Pangalos is expected to hold a press conference in Rogner Hotel after the talks. pas/ak/sh/

[05] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS BOMB BLASTS

Police and SHIK directors were summoned to the government meeting.

The meeting considered the blasts in Tirana worse events of political character which occurred ahead of elections and when the political war has began. kled/ak/sh/

[06] POLITICAL FORCES ANNOUNCE CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTY

The Socialist party division in the district has proposed candidates for seven constituencies: Ahmet Ceni, Bashkim Zeneli, Skender Dizdari, Memli Salabegu, Fatmir Brahimi, Beqir Malja and two candidates for the constituency no.3 Vuksan Kola and Lek Cukaj.

The Democratic party division held an activist meeting on Monday discussing the measures to be taken for the elections of June 29 and presented candidates who will be submitted to the National Council of the Democratic party (DP). The DP General Secretary Genc Pollo was present at the activist meeting.

Two candidates for deputy have been proposed by the Human Rights Union party division in the district: Millan Vaso and Mahmut Coliqi.

Shkodra right-wing League, including National Front party, Legality Movement party, Republican party and the United Christian Democratic party, are expected to announce their candidates.

The Christian Democratic party has left this League and has become a member of the "Unity for Democracy", Karlo Cefa, head of the party division told to ATA. s.sh/kled/ak/sh/

[07] SPANISH DOCTORS HELP SHENGJIN INHABITANTS

The doctor Guiote told ATA that the spending are of no importance because friendship and humanism have not a money value particularly for the Albanian people who have experienced the sufferings of the most savage dictatorship in Europe.

He added that along with daily medical examination of some 70 patients they are donating four kg of blood every week to the Lezha hospital to help it face the emergency need for the wounded people by fire arms.

Zef Gjeka, a guard at the Catholic Institute of Nuns in Shengjin said "I will not forget the devotion and professionalism of the Spanish doctors who brought me to life after a heart attack I suffered"./a.ke/kled/ak/sh/

[08] FMP FORCES NOT INVOLVED IN ATTEMPTED ATTACKS - spokesman

"We express our regret for many persons who are wounded. The FMP stand in this mission is and will remain absolutely neutral," a statement of the spokesman of the lieutenant colonel Giovani Bernardi said.

Two bomb blasts rocked Tirana on Monday causing over 30 injured people./eva/ak/sh/

[09] PRESS REVIEW

Under the headline "Italian Prime minister tests the Albanian policy during election month", the paper carries the article "Prodi: Dissolve the committees". "Left-wing extremists planted a bomb in the center of Tirana - 19 wounded", the paper reports about the yesterday's blast in a cafe in Tirana under the title "Left-wing terrorists planted a bomb in the centre Tirana".

"Socialist leader boycotts the party presidency meeting and is not present in the courtesy lunch," the paper reports in the article entitled "Nano opens election campaign with machine guns." "Bullets and threatening for the Rilindja Demokratike's editorial office," the paper writes saying that the building of Rilindja Demokratike has been attacked on Saturday night.

Zeri i Popullit carries a statement of the Socialist party presidency under the title "Berisha and his clan are trying to make Tirana and Albania a burnt land."

"Berisha, hands off the political crime" the paper writes under the headline "Presidential newspaper Albania precedes the planting of explosive device in the center of Tirana. Some 20 injured." Under the title "Chronicle of a warned explosion," the paper reports on yesterday's blast in the cafe of the State Secretary of the Interior Ministry Lush Perpali.

"Berisha will be responsible for suspending the aid to Albania," the paper writes referring to the visit of Prodi to Tirana on Sunday.

"With bombs in the run-up to elections" is the title of the editorial of the newspaper Republika. "Social pact - a farce signed with TNT," the editorial stressed. "20 injured, 4 seriously wounded, a political attempted attack or ..." the paper writes in the second page. "Adolescents - authors of the attempted attack", the paper underlines. "An important issue concerning Italy today is the aid for the Albanian police to enable them collect arms," the paper reports.

With regard to the visit of Prodi in Tirana, Rilindja paper carries the article "The peacekeeping forces will protect the votes". With regard to the meeting of Kosova President, Ibrahim Rugova, with the chairmen of Democratic League of Kosova branches, the paper carries the article "Functionalism of state institutions - in cooperation will all the parties".

The U.S. State Secretary, Madeleine Albright, addressed a letter to Ibrahim Rugova, reports the paper under the title "USA support strongly the policy of non violence". "Bomb in the center of Tirana", reports the paper with regard to the yesterday's blast.

"The terrorism smears Tirana with blood", reports Albania paper. "The scenario of a warned bomb", is the editorial of the paper. "The political terrorist gangs in Southern Albania, to which belongs with the whole his naivety Mr Perpali, keep under terror for political motives the citizens of Vlore and other districts", says the editorial among others.

"The mission of Albania is not to put bombs", reports the paper, quoting Ylli Rakipi as saying.

Prodi: The committees should be routed", reports the paper with regard to the visit of Italian Premier Prodi in Albanian on Sunday.

Koha Jone carries the editorial "The bombs follows the propaganda". Under the title "TNT blast at noon in "Freskia" cafe", the paper reports "Tirana, the same as Algeria: Bomb at noon in the cafe of Lush Perpali, 20 victims." In the heading 'Politics', the paper reports "Prodi: Mandate of Alba can enlarge". On the thirteenth page, the paper publishes an interview with the leader of the Movement for Democracy Party, Dashamir Shehi, under the title "Albania should get free from the complex of ruling."

Tribuna paper, with regard to the blast in a cafe in Tirana, the paper reports "The bombs terrorize Tirana". "Prodi ends his visit in Tirana", reports the paper in the political heading.

Independent reports "Some 20 people injured in the center of the capital. Cafe of socialists hit." With regard to the appointment of the new Italian Ambassador in Tirana, the paper reports "Hurricane in the Italian diplomacy. After Foresti, the new ambassador also discharged."

Dita carries an interview with Premier Fino under the title "SHIK is not in my hands".

"Massacre in the center of Tirana", reports the paper with regard to the blast on Monday. "Prices of all goods in the market of Vlore increased, although the customs-houses function", reports the paper in the economic heading.

Gazeta Shqiptare in the headline "Fear and tension among the inhabitants of the capital. The politicians accuse: "Political motive", the paper reports "Two attacks smear Tirana with blood: 29 people hurt".

"Massacre in Erseke, 7 people killed", reports the paper in the heading "Actuality". /kled/eva/ak/mt/e/

[10] PREPARATIONS FOR JUNE 29 ELECTIONS INTENSIFIED

It is confirmed that some 20 per cent of voters' lists are ready so far, also with the consensus of the political forces. The number of voters in Tirana is expected to be some 265 000.

Kaja said that the "green light" is opened to the budget from the Secretariat of Local Government in the Interior Ministry. A fund of some 135 000 leks is expected to be accorded for the wages of employees charged with this election campaign and the necessary materials, their multiplication and other stationary expenses. /pas/mt/Z/

[11] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION INSISTS ALBANIAN PARTIES TO ACCEPT VOTING RESULT

"We expect any political party to take part in the elections and they all should accept their result," said the member of this delegation, representative of the European socialist group, the Austrian Johannes Swoboda.

The delegation of the European Parliament stressed that Europe will help Albania if the political parties will provide cooperation among them. The delegation stressed that "there will be no aid for Albania if the voting result is not accepted."

"The European Parliament, said further on Mrs Pack, asks the committees not to prevent different candidates move freely and held their activity".

"These committees should respect by every means the legal local government elected by the regular polls of October 20", said Mrs Pack.

With regard to the lift of the state of emergency, Mr Pack said that she had taken guarantees from President Berisha that the state of emergency would have facilities during the election days, by postponing the curfew and being invalid in the election day. She said that even now, the curfew exists only de jure, but de facto the people move and the electoral activity has continued normally.

Berisha said the law on the state of emergency could be not lifted, because of the insecurity of people and the use of weapons, but all the possible facilities would be created within the law. For this, the Albanian political parties should present to the President the points of the law on the state of emergency they want to be lifted, said Mrs Peck.

The delegation of the European Parliament promised aid and financial support for Albania, but after the conduct of free and fair elections. /jz/mt/Z/

[12] PREMIER FINO WISHES LIONEL JOSPIN, NEW PREMIER OF FRANCE

"Your success in the last parliamentary elections in France is the reconfirmation for the importance and vitality of principles and alternative thoughts, and political rotation of power, on the basis of the free vote and will of the sovereign people", says the telegram among others. /jz/mt/Z/

[13] PANGALLOS: GREECE INTERESTED IN STABILITY IN ALBANIA

Minister Starova expressed to Pangallos the gratitude towards Greece for the aid given to Albania since the beginning of the democratic processes, as well as in this serious situation, reports the spokesman.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Pangallos, expressed the position of neighbouring Greece for the good relations and for their further development.

Later on, Pangallos said that "in Albania all the efforts should be made to hold normal elections and accepted by all the political parties, which will open way to the progress of Albania and developing further on the relations between both countries."

During the meeting, Albanian Minister Starova stressed the engagement of the Government of National Reconciliation to return the normal situation in the country and conduct free and correct election. He also stressed that despite the grave act of yesterday's blast, which infringes the order and irritates the political situation, Albania is resolute to hold the elections on June 29. For this, she enjoys the wide support of the international community, he stressed.

Both ministers also focuses on the aspects of the European aid for the elections and the contribution of Greece in this context, the work for the legalization of stay and creation of facilities for communication of the Albanian refugees in Greece and others. /jz/mt/Z/

[14] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER FINO MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

Mr Fino briefed the Greek Foreign Minister of the work of his government for the administration of the elections, the measures for the registration of the population, ensurance of high security materials and the bringing from abroad the logistic base for the ballot.

In the essence of the conscience of the Albanians, said Prime Minister Fino, stands the disbelief in a transparent electoral process, therrfore "I demand the greatest possible number of foreign observers and ample guarantee for the security of the polling stations.

Mr Fino considered as indispensable the assistance that Greece and the international community should give for the increase of the number of the soldiers of the multinational force and re-interpretation and extension of their mandate especially during and after the elections.

Yesterday's terrorist acts are a clear testimony to the political climate in which the polls will be held and everything must be made to help the Albanian police which is still not so organized after the recent crisis in Albania, said Fino.

He pointed out that the lifting of the state of emergency by those who imposed it will be a proof of the political will for a calm electoral campaign and at the lowest possible cost.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Teodoros Pangallos, thanked for the meeting and stressed the commitment of the Greek government to assist the Government of National Reconciliation in the realisation of free and democratic elections.

The Foreign Minister of Greece explained that the interest to help Albania in these difficult moments is not a diplomatic phrase but a vital question which aims at safeguarding and securing the territorial integrity of Albania, the existence of a normal democratic regime and the economic recovery and prosperity of this country.

This stems, continued Mr Pangallos, not only from the territorial continuity, but also the mutual existence of the Greek minority in Albania and of the Albanian emigrants in Greece.

"Without wanting to interfere in the internal afgairs of your country," said Mr Pangallos, "Greece will make everything it can so that the elections be realised transparently and that the Albanian people express their will."

For this, he continued, Greece would assist in the bilateral aspect and also in the context of the EU and OSCE so that the country receive the proper assistance for the polls and for an economic recovery.

The Greek minister listened to the demands for an increased number of observers and peace-keeping forces during the electoral process.

Minister Pangallos declared that the realisation of the Greek assistance for the Albanian police is underway along with the aid to get the income for the Albanian customs houses in the territory of the Greek party.

Mr Pangallos conveyed to PM Fino a messsage of greetings by the Prime Minister of Greece, Costas Simitis.

At the end of the meeting, Mr Fino and Mr Pagallos had a tete-a-tete talk, ends the report of the PM's press office. xh/Z

[15] PANGALLOS: GREECE INTERESTED IN STABILITY IN ALBANIA

Minister Starova expressed to Pangallos the gratitude towards Greece for the aid given to Albania since the beginning of the democratic processes, as well as in this serious situation, reports the spokesman.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Pangallos, expressed the position of neighbouring Greece for the good relations and for their further development.

Later on, Pangallos said that "in Albania all the efforts should be made to hold normal elections and accepted by all the political parties, which will open way to the progress of Albania and developing further on the relations between both countries."

During the meeting, Albanian Minister Starova stressed the engagement of the Government of National Reconciliation to return the normal situation in the country and conduct free and correct election. He also stressed that despite the grave act of yesterday's blast, which infringes the order and irritates the political situation, Albania is resolute to hold the elections on June 29. For this, she enjoys the wide support of the international community, he stressed.

Both ministers also focuses on the aspects of the European aid for the elections and the contribution of Greece in this context, the work for the legalization of stay and creation of facilities for communication of the Albanian refugees in Greece and others. /jz/mt/Z/

[16] SMALL PARTIES REJECT AMENDMENT OF LAW ON ELECTIONS

The law on elections, accused by the Government of National Reconciliation and SP in the Constitutional Court, is considered by them as "a law which does not favour the parties the same in the electoral contest".

But parties, like the Human Rights Union Party, the Republican Party, the National Front, the People's League were in favour of the current version of the law on elections and did not accept amendments on this law.

According to the current law, the two parties which are the first in the parliamentary elections will divide between them 25 per cent of the number of deputies of the proportional list, while 75 per cent of this list will be divided among the parties which pass 2 per cent of the votes.

The Minister of Justice, Spartak Ngjela, who is the representative of the government, which favours the amendment of this law before the court's jury of the Constitutional Court, considered the request to amend the law "technic and not political".

According to the chairman of this court, Rustem Gjata, "because the amendments of law were approved by the round table of ten political parties, by consensus, the opinions of all the political parties should be taken for the amendment of the article 11, point B of the law on elections.

The Social Democratic Party, which considers the law "unfair", was not present in the juridical sitting.

The decision of the Constitutional Court will be taken on Wednesday, after taking into consideration the opinion of other parties. /kei/mt/k

[17] ANOTHER JURIDICAL PROCESS AGAINST 15 KOSOVA ALBANIANS STARTS

The defendants, who risk punishments until 20 years in jail, are presented by the Serbian propaganda as members of the so-called "Liberation Army of Kosova".

The process, which opened today, is included in the series of judgements started in Kosova under the accuse of terrorism. These judgements are distinguished for many irregularities in taking the "facts" during the investigations. Such a trial sentenced last week 20 Kosova Albanians with 107 years in jail. For this process, the spokesman of the U.S. State Department, John Dinger, said on Monday that it was characterized by serious juridical irregularities. "We stress that the conduct of this process was not in conformity with the coherent juridical norms, including those which should exist, based on the Serbian constitution", reported Dinger. /bj/ag/pas/mt/Z/

[18] MINISTER OF JUSTICE ASKS COMPLETE FUNCTIONING OF JAILS

Ngjela asked by the leading staff of jails to put into function the jails and implement the laws with competency. On this purpose, through the international bodies the reconstruction of jails will be financed, to have in the future jails of the coherent standards, reports the spokesman.

In the meeting that Ngjela held with the prisoners, the later expressed their requests to reduce the punishment for those persons who were returned upon their desire after April 12, 1997, day when the law on Amnesty has finished.

"On those cases, which can be justified for cases of diseases and other special cases, the prisoners will address to the court, by presenting concrete reasons to benefit from the Law on Amnesty," explained the Albanian Minister of Justice, Ngjela. /jz/mt/Z/

[19] MEETING OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION WITH PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION OF INTEGRATION OF EUROATLANTIC STRUCTURES

They talked in the meeting on the pre-election situation, as well as on the preparations in the context of June 29 polls.

Mr Pollo stressed of a special importance the signing of a social pact by all the political parties, as well as the acceptance of the voting result by all parties, ends the report of the press and information office of the People's Assembly. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[20] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

"I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Government Simitis, to your country and other European Union countries for the commitment to and assistance for Albania in these difficult moments. I also want to thank you for your participation in the ALBA mission, and I am convinced that the friendship and cooperation are of a great importance for our two countries," said Mr Berisha to Mr Pangallos.

"Albania experienced a scenario similar with that which Greece experienced some decades ago. The intolerant left wing extremists, when they found they were losing the elections, boycotted them, they expelled themselves from the political life, exploited for political motives the economic protests anbd wanted through civil conflict to topple the legitimate power, but which failed through political means.

President Berisha highlighted the elections as the only road to solve the crisis, to reestablish stability in Albania and its further advance on road towards democracy and integration into Europe.

"I am of the opinion," said Berisha further on, "that all the political forces may contribute a lot to the creation of the most favourable possible climate in the coming elections."

After conveying to Mr Berisha the greetings of Prime Minister Simitis, Foreign Minister Pangallos backed President Berisha's opinion that these elections are of a vital importance for Albania and that all the political forces must take part in them.

"It is you, as a state leader, the Prime Minister and the political forces who must make all efforts to a successful accomplishment of this process," said Mr Pangallos. "Greece considers as very important Albania's stabilization and integration."

President Berisha also told Pangallos that he would so greatly appreciate an intensive international monitoring of the ballot in Albania in order to increase transparence in the electoral proces

[21] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

"I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Government Simitis, to your country and other European Union countries for the commitment to and assistance for Albania in these difficult moments. I also want to thank you for your participation in the ALBA mission, and I am convinced that the friendship and cooperation are of a great importance for our two countries," said Mr Berisha to Mr Pangallos.

"Albania experienced a scenario similar with that which Greece experienced some decades ago. The intolerant left wing extremists, when they found they were losing the elections, boycotted them, they expelled themselves from the political life, exploited for political motives the economic protests anbd wanted through civil conflict to topple the legitimate power, but which failed through political means.

President Berisha highlighted the elections as the only road to solve the crisis, to reestablish stability in Albania and its further advance on road towards democracy and integration into Europe.

"I am of the opinion," said Berisha further on, "that all the political forces may contribute a lot to the creation of the most favourable possible climate in the coming elections."

After conveying to Mr Berisha the greetings of Prime Minister Simitis, Foreign Minister Pangallos backed President Berisha's opinion that these elections are of a vital importance for Albania and that all the political forces must take part in them.

"It is you, as a state leader, the Prime Minister and the political forces who must make all efforts to a successful accomplishment of this process," said Mr Pangallos. "Greece considers as very important Albania's stabilization and integration."

President Berisha also told Pangallos that he would so greatly appreciate an intensive international monitoring of the ballot in Albania in order to increase transparence in the electoral process.ssh/kei/xh/k

[22] ARMOURED VEHICLES OF POLICE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ROAD VLORE - URA E MIFOLIT SINCE RIOTS SWEPT THE COUNTRY

Sources of the police commissariat in this district told ATA that after a long interruption, the armoured vehicles have put under control this axe of the road, which was considered dangerous several days ago for the travelers who came and went out of the town.

The armoured vehicles, two transporters of police, moved before noon until 11:30 .

No cases of attack happened in this axe, as it has occurred in the past days.

According to the same sources, the patrolling of the armoured vehicles will continue even in the following weeks.

Vlore was the center of rebellion after the collapse of pyramid schemes in Albania and storming of arm depots.

Official sources speak of more than 300 people killed, since the beginning of riots, including the victims of Otranto.

Meanwhile the bridge of Mifoli, which connects the district of Vlore with that of Fier, has risked several times to blow up by the armed gangs to interrupt the connections with Vlore. /s.sh/kei/mt/

[23] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

Premier Fino informed the European parliamentarians on the measures of the government for the preparations of the June 29 elections, as well as the efforts for the creation of a normal situation to hold free and fair elections.

Unfortunately, declared Fino, the two blasts yesterday in Tirana irritate further the climate and atmosphere on the verge of elections. He considered these acts as "political attempts" that have nothing in common with a civilized campaign.

The Socialist Party is not interested to come to power through such a high cost, with the blood of innocent people, and hopes that even the Democratic Party thinks the same, declared Fino.

The Premier repeated the necessity of signing and real engagement in a social pact through the political forces, followed by the lift of the state of emergency de jure.

Fino declared once again that Mr Arbnori, as Albanian Speaker, should give official answer for the request of the Government to lift the state of emergency and based on the main constitutional provisions, to convene the Parliament for the discussion of this proposal.

Further on, Fino responded to the questions and interest of European parliamentarians for the measures of the Government in the fields of security, the role of media and concrete aspects of the elections campaign.

Fino pointed out the advantage of the constructive climate of the Albanian press, to give messages of peace and political coexistence instead of "bombs and blasts".

They also talked in the meeting on the necessity and active engagement of the Multinational Protection Force in the conduct of quiet and free elections.

Mr. Pack assured for the all-round support of the European Union to return Albania into a democratic normality, ends the report of Premier press and information office. /s.sh/jz/mt/k

[24] THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS WILL BRING ABOUT THE OVERCOME OF THE CRISIS - Pangalos

"The Greek colleagues know the situation here and there is a join commitment that the problems be solved without explosions, tensions and through old policies," said after the meeting, SP chairman Fatos Nano.

They in the meeting also exchanged opinions on the way of how to overcome the crisis in Albania.

Nano said that "Greece, like other international partners, with its role as mediator, will help us solve the problems we have and in particular in the realisation of the cooperation programs which will follow the June 29 elections," something which, according to him, "has been made before by Vranitzky, Prodi and others."

The meeting also discussed multinational forces in which Greece has engaged about 750 troops.

"There are concrete commitments by all the multinational force members to be close to the electoral process, the numerous foreign observers and conformed to their mandate, their presence will serve as a further factor for the guarantee and tranquillity in the process of elections," said Nano. kei/xh/k

[25] "COMMITTES REMAIN AN OBSTACLE FOR A NORMAL ACTIVITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN" - Shehu

The existence and activity of the so-called salvation committees in some southern cities has prevented and continues to prevent the normal activity of the political parties in those cities, which has created a very dangerous precedent for all the political life of the country and for the electoral campaign itself," said Mr Shehu while he was exchanging opinions with Mr Pangallos on the present situation in Albania.

During the talk, Shehu told Pangallos of the pact that SP has signed with these committees.

"I stressed in the meeting," said Shehu, "that SP must disassociate itself openly from these committess and denounce them publicly, thus creating the possiblity for the political forces to carry out a normal activity in those areas."

According to Shehu, Pangallos considered, during the meeting, as indispensable for all the political forces a normal activity throughout the country's territory and elimination of limitations because this is a basic norm of democracy and a basis for the reliability in the elections.

Also further cooperation between the two countries was discussed in the meeting. kei/xh/

[26] DAP WILL TAKE PART WITH ITS OWN CANDIDATES IN JUNE 29 ELECTIONS

"We are preparing to have our candidates and do not intend to make any alliance," said DAP president Neritan Ceka today.

In the mean time, the Socialist Party has declared it will make coalition with DAP and the Social Democratic Party, with which it was in alliance in the May 26, 1996 parliamentary elections and in the local poll of October 20, 1996.

DAP, which in the local elections won 3.29 per cent of the votes together with SDP, opposed Saturday in a meeting of the Forum for Democracy, a SP proposal, supported by SDP, to stand for the coming elections with commom candidacies as a political grouping. jz/xh/

[27] MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GREECE MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OMONIA ORGANIZATION AND WITH GREEK MILITARY FORCES IN ALBANIA

They discussed questions of the Greek minority in Albania and other issues in the southern zone of Albania.

According to official statistics, around 60 thousand citizens of Greek nationality live in the southern part of Albania.

After the meeting, Mr Pangallos went to the military unit in Yzberish of Tirane, where the command of the Greek troops ranked in the international security peace force is. he met there with the commander of the Greek troops and the deputy commander of the International Security Peace Force, Brigade Gemeral Constandinos Xenitis, the commander of the regiment, colonel Georges Constopoulos and the commander of the Greek battalion in Yzberish, lieutenant colonel Costandinos Katsikogianis.

Minister Pangallos thanked the Greek soldiers and officers for the successful realisation of their mission so far, by assisting a friendly people and country like Albania in the difficult situation this country is passing. kei/xh/

[28] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HIGH OFFICIALS VISIT THE INJURED FROM MONDAY'S BLASTS

After meeting and talking with the wounded, the govenment representatives wished them quick recovery also in the name of Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. kei/xh/

[29] EXPLOSION IN DP BUILDING IN ELBASAN

Sources from the Elbasan commissariat say that volleys of automatic rifle bullets have been fired at the bulding as well.

This act has also been repeated before by unidentified people. kei/xh/

[30] NEWS CONFERENCE OF GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PANGALLOS

"Albania must have a consolidated democratic system and a government accepted by all, as an absolutely necessary condition for the construction of the country, otherwise there will be a period of problems with unprecedented consequences," he added.

Pangallos said that for the June 29 elections, "Greece will ensure the greatest possible number of observers."

Referring to the role of the ALBA mission in the electoral process, he supported the idea that the military forces present in Albania should make evident their presence during the election day.

Regarding an idea for the creation of conditions for the participation in elections of the Albanian refugees in Greece, Mr Pangallos said he had no knowledge of such an idea, but he was not against it.

"Anyhow, it is up to the Albanian authorities to decide on this question," he said, declaring the commitment of the Greek government to this direction.

According to him, for the Albanians who want to come to Albania for elections, the Greek Government has decided to give them a document despite their legal position in Greece, which will guarantee their return to Greece within a month.

Regarding a question if there are conditions for free elections in Albania, he said that "if elections are not held in the best possible way, then it would be an act of collective suicide, a total destruction of Albania. Enough destruction is made, now there are forces to overcome them."

Another question was that referred to Monday's blasts in Tirane considered as a possibility for destabilization, to which Pangallos replied that he could hardly believe that "these acts are related with a set political organization."

"Both main parties believe they will win in the elections, whereas the small parties believe they will improve their position, " he explained.

"It must be understood that democracy functions through the free vote," declared Pangallos.

Asked whether elections can be held under the state of emergency, Mr Pangallos responded that "it is a paradox to hold elections in a state of emergency, but the situation in Albania is not ordinary."

"I think," he added, "that the state of emergency must be lifted only several days before elections and agreement must be reached between various parties for any action which does not influence in the poll outcome." jz/xh/

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