Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-23

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CRIMINAL GANG INJURE FIVE POLICEMEN

[02] EDU STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS INHABITANT OF VAU I DEJES

[04] ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS LEAVE FOR ROME

[05] THREE KILLED, TEN INJURED DURING WEEK END

[06] CRIMINAL GANG INJURES FIVE POLICEMEN

[07] FUTURE OF ALBANIA IS IN YOUR HANDS - Berisha

[08] OSCE OBSERVERS START NEW EXPEDITIONS IN ALBANIAN DISTRICTS

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SENDS A LETTER TO POL KARTERON

[10] 16 MPF ESCORTS TO ACCOMPANY 34 OSCE TEAMS IN ALBANIAN DISTRICTS

[11] POLICE TO GUARD POLLING STATIONS

[12] THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN ELBASAN

[13] ALBANIAN PARTIES SIGN IN ROMA PACT FOR THE FUTURE OF ALBANIA

[14] LEKA ZOGU MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF ELBASAN

[15] U.S CONGRESSMEN TO MONITOR ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

[16] TRIAL AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ALIA STILL POSTPONED

[17] STUDENTS OF ORDER ACADEMY AWARDED DIPLOMA

[18] MONEY OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE LOOTED IN GJIROKASTER

[19] STATEMENT OF ALBANIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY

[20] PACT OF ROME POSITIVE FOR AN ACCEPTABLE CAMPAIGN - SHEHU

[21] ITALIAN BUSINESSMAN IN ALBANIA KILLS THREE THIEVES

[22] JUNE 29 WILL BRING THE END OF SALVATION COMMITTEES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS

[23] POLITICAL PARTIES IN THEIR ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 PARLIAMENTARY POLLS

[24] MONTENEGRIN PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SERBIAN PRESIDENT FOR THE LACK OF SOLUTION OF KOSOVA QUESTION

[25] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF CONSTITUENCY 54 IN LAPRAKE

[26] OSCE PLEASED WITH ELECTORAL PROCESS IN ALBANIA

[01] CRIMINAL GANG INJURE FIVE POLICEMEN

[02] EDU STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Over the past year, the European Democrat Union, has sent 8 missions to Albania, in support of the democratisation process of this country. With regard to the forthcoming general elections in Albania on 29 June 1997, EDU reiterated that no Albanian party shall be allowed to continue its relations with the illegal committees, which are still controlling parts of the country. The final dissolution of the committees and the reestablishment of the legitimate state and local authorities are essential for free anf fair elections. EDU strongly condemns the outbrake of violance in the course of the election campaign, such as the terrorist attacks against Albanian President Sali Berisha.

EDU calls upon all parties in Albania to accept the elections results as approved by the international election observers and monitors. In the frame of the Albanian constitution, parliament shall reassume its work and the new government shall take up its responsibilities to again start the reform and development process in Albania.

EDU is in favour of continuing the mandate for the international troops in Albania. However, after the elections it is the responsibility of all parties and politicians in Albania to reestablish a functioning socio-economic and political order in their country. International presence and international aid shall not become a permanent feature in Albania./e

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS INHABITANT OF VAU I DEJES

President Sali Berisha was present and greeted the people in the rally.

The DP program foresees the construction of aqueducts in this area, improvement of electricity supply and telephone distribution, Berisha said.

Berisha called on the inhabitants of Vau i Dejes to participate in elections and vote for the DP candidate, head of City hall Nard Ndoka. ssh/kled/ak/E

[04] ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS LEAVE FOR ROME

Albanian political leaders are expected to sign a social pact which aims at recognising the election results of June 29 by all political forces if the international community say that they are free and fair.

The meeting in Rome is expected to consider a wide governing after elections. /kled/ak/sh/

[05] THREE KILLED, TEN INJURED DURING WEEK END

"I believe that tension created in Tirana in these days because of crimes and investigations is not related with the rapprochement of elections, because killings and wounding are not organised," Pashk Tusha, chief of Tirana police force said to ATA. eva/ak/E

[06] CRIMINAL GANG INJURES FIVE POLICEMEN

"The gang including 6 to 7 people on a Chevrolet car came in front of the police car and fired at it with automatic rifles, Pashk Tusha, Tirana Police chief said to ATA.

The injured policemen are: Police officer Astrit Marku, chief of forces on duty, Defrim Demaj, driver, Aleksander Lloshi, policeman of special forces, Arjan Ashiku, policeman of special forces and Ilir Kubati policeman of special forces.

"Forces of police commissariat no. 1, high ranking officials of the Interior Ministry went to the place. The lives of the policemen are not in danger due to the readiness of the staff of the Military Hospital," Tusha said.

They were part of a group of special forces of the Interior Ministry which were on duty patrolling the quarter no 22 in the capital.

Tusha said that criminal are identified but their names will not be revealed for investigation reasons. He added that from now on the police forces will strongly respond to criminals and catch them on flagrant offences. ak/e

[07] FUTURE OF ALBANIA IS IN YOUR HANDS - Berisha

Berisha said that the DP program is a program of hope for a quick development of economy and Albania's integration into Euro Atlantic structures, establishment of law and order.

"The future of Albania is in your hands," Berisha said adding that in June 29 no Albanians should be absent in elections because your vote should say no forever to communism.

Head of the Democratic party Tritan Shehu was also present. kled/ak/e

[08] OSCE OBSERVERS START NEW EXPEDITIONS IN ALBANIAN DISTRICTS

"There are 28 teams with 80-90 monitors each who will observe, advice and help the local government in Durres, Shkodra, Korce, Gjirokaster, Vlore, Kavaje, Gramsh, Lezhe and others," OSCE press office said.

Observers are backed in their activity by a vast number of Alba forces," who guarantee security and calm for them.

Long-term observers, distributed in different parts of Albania, will prepare reports on conditions and the stage of preparation and send them to the OSCE centre.

Short-term observers will stay in Albania until July 2 and after a final report on the elections' outcome they will leave it.

In case of a second round, the OSCE will confirm the further presence of the short term observers in Albania. kled/ak/E

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SENDS A LETTER TO POL KARTERON

The letter says: "I want to express my thanks and gratitude for the invitation to participate in the Crans Montana Forum which I highly regard and in which an important place has been let and a particular attention has been attached to Albania. This time I would have presented the achievements of the last six-year period in Albania and the causes of the communist rebellion but the coincidence in date between the Forum and elections makes my presence there impossible.

"I want to follow the elections and share the joy of the victory of democracy with the Albanian electors."/eva/ak/sh/

[10] 16 MPF ESCORTS TO ACCOMPANY 34 OSCE TEAMS IN ALBANIAN DISTRICTS

"No problems have been noticed so far along the way," one of the MPF spokesmen, Stefano Trevisan, told ATA.

The teams of observers have already gone to the districts of Shkoder, Lezhe, Kukes, Peshkopi, Elbasan, Korce, Fier, Berat, Vlore, Gjirokaster, Kruje, Durres, Kavaje, Lushnje, etc. /mt/Z

[11] POLICE TO GUARD POLLING STATIONS

Based on a decision of the Council of Ministers, it is expected that the polling stations are guarded by the police forces. With regard to this, it is expected the Interior Minister, Belul Celo, to issue an order.

The Central Election Commission reports that the process of printing the ballot papers have already finished for 75 constituencies, and today they will finish for all the 115 constituencies. The ballot papers and the process-verbals for the form of regime: monarchy or republic are printed.

According to the CEC member, Arben Voshtina, it is planed that the ballot papers be sent on June 25 and 26 in prefectures, and then it is the duty of prefectures to sent them in polling stations on June 27 and 28.

Four helicopters, aid of the Italian government, will arrive on Tuesday in Albania, to facilitate the work of the Central Election Commission and the Secretariat of Local Government in the election day. /pas/mt/Z/

[12] THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN ELBASAN

The guard of the Agricultural Enterprise, who was on duty, was also killed.

"It is still unknown whether he was killed on purpose or by any stray bullet," said Stermasi. /jz/mt/ z/

[13] ALBANIAN PARTIES SIGN IN ROMA PACT FOR THE FUTURE OF ALBANIA

This agreement was signed by the Democratic Party, Socialist Party and Social Democratic Party, and it was not signed by the Republican Party and National Front Party, which agreed with these points, but asked the change of proportional.

The statement, issued on this occasion, reads:

"We, the representatives of the Albanian political parties, in front of the grave situation of the country, in the brink of the parliamentary elections of June 29, 1997, sign as follows:

1. We recognise all the promises and measures taken by the Government of National Reconciliation, by the electoral commissions of all levels, as well as by OSCE and international community in the whole country (in every electoral constituency), all this as a precondition to have a complete electoral process on June 29, 1997.

2. We will continue to be engaged, so that our parties even during the last phase, launch an electoral campaign according to the norms of a correct political dialogue, avoiding any kind of violence that obstructs freedom of movement and of expression of political ideas.

3. The solution of the grave crisis which Albania is going through, as well as the establishment of a constant process of democratic evolution and the consolidation of a stable democracy, depends on the free and fair conduct of the elections on June 29, 1997.

It is only on conditions that the electoral results, confirmed by the international community, will be incontestable and respected not only by our political parties but, above all, by the Albanian people throughout the country.

4. We promise to guarantee the ruling of the country, conscious that his best and the development are absolute priorities of the programs and the consciousness of any party.

In this context, the grave situation in which the country finds itself requires the attention of all parties in the framework of commonly agreed political cooperation.

We therefore recognise the priority of a real coalition government, in which the majority party would be supported by other parties, deeply interested in the institutional, economic reconstruction of the country.

The opposition will have the right, among others, to hold institutional positions, such as the chairmanships of many parliamentary commissions, a vice-presidency of parliament and the presidency of Albania's state control commission, etc. /jz/mt/Z/

[14] LEKA ZOGU MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF ELBASAN

During the meeting, Leka responded to the questions of the participants, which were mainly focused on the ways to be followed by the king for the reconstruction of the country, in case of victory on the form of regime, his vision of the foreign policy, development of economy, etc.

"I do not promise the paradise, but a developed Albania, among the other European countries", said Zogu, who did not accepted to pronounce for the Albanian political class today.

In response to an answer on selling Sen Naum to the Serbs, he revoked several unknown historic facts, pretending not a selling of it, but a change of territories, where "the Albanian party has win more". /jz/mt/ Z/

[15] U.S CONGRESSMEN TO MONITOR ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

"I inform you that I will work with devotion to guarantee that USA will do the best to secure a democratic Albania," says the letter.

I, especially, will work in the Congress to assure that Albania will be finally a full rights member into NATO."

"I believe, says the letter, that the Albanian people will join the forces for the cause of freedom under the apt and farseeing leadership of the individuals like you and President Berisha." /jz/mt/Z/

[16] TRIAL AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ALIA STILL POSTPONED

The claim of the attorney for lack of evidence, the absence of the defendant, and non-appearance of the two prosecutors of the above case, have caused the postponement of the trial for the fifth time.

The trial against former President Alia, accused of "crimes against humanity" has started on February 18.

When prisons were stormed during the recent riots in Albania, Alia is not shown up in the juridical sitting.

In one of the sittings, the judge Martin Deda, reported that despite the efforts, the police do not have information where Alia is actually, and so the court's jury will take the decision in absence.

Former ministers, Hekuran Isai and Simon Stefani, accused of "genocide and crimes against humanity" will be judged together with Alia. /jz/mt/Z/

[17] STUDENTS OF ORDER ACADEMY AWARDED DIPLOMA

Belul Celo Interior Minister, Agim Shehu, deputy Interior Minister and others were present at the ceremony. eva/ak/

[18] MONEY OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE LOOTED IN GJIROKASTER

At 10:15, when the money were being distributed to the employees, armed and masked people, stormed one of the doors of the alms house, where this office is, then fired into the air and looted all the money," the director of labour office, Aferdita Papmihali, told ATA.

Some 600 citizens in the district of Gjirokaster, after the joint enterprises were closed, such as "Xhirotex", etc, receive social assistance. The robbers looted the amount of money of the three months which will be distributed to them. /jz/mt/

[19] STATEMENT OF ALBANIAN REPUBLICAN PARTY

The parties share the same opinion, regarding the signing of an agreement to run peacefully in the elections. But the signing of the accord was obstructed by the refusal of the Socialist Party for the division of 40 seats of the proportional in Parliament, which is 35 per cent for the first two parties and 65 per cent for all the other parties that pass the limit of 2 per cent of votes to take up seats in Parliament, says the statement further on.

Right after the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Socialist Party presented a new formula which changes the proportions 65 per cent and 35 per cent. This formula, which does not give space to the parliamentary pluralism, was refused by the other nine parties.

In these conditions, it was impossible to pass in the signing of the political accord to conduct peaceful elections. Nine parties decided to convene again on June 25, ends the statement. /jz/mt//Z

[20] PACT OF ROME POSITIVE FOR AN ACCEPTABLE CAMPAIGN - SHEHU

"This pact was a positive step for the conduct of an acceptable campaign," said Shehu, interviewed by ATA through telephone.

"It was signed what we have demanded for times, that all the political parties recognise the elections, despite who will win, and recognise the voting results, confirmed by the international community, whatever they be", said Shehu.

The Accord also stresses the necessity of a coalition governing after the elections and the opposition should be allowed to hold key positions in Parliament and the state control.

The Accord was signed by Tritan Shehu, chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Fatos Nano, chairman of the Albanian Socialist Party and Skender Gjinushi, chairman of the Social Democratic Party. The Republican Party and the National Front, although they agreed with the four points of the pact, did not sign the accord, because SP did not change opinion with regard to the percentage of division of seats according to the proportional.

"It will be desirable that all the parties in this meeting signed the pact, but Mr Nano did not take into consideration the requests of the other parties for a change in the proportional," said Shehu.

The small parties ask a division 65 per cent to their favour and 35 per cent to the favour of big parties, for the 40 seats of the proportional, which was not accepted by SP in Rome. The Constitutional Court had rejected an article of the election law which gave 75 per cent of the votes to the favour of small parties. /mt/Z/

[21] ITALIAN BUSINESSMAN IN ALBANIA KILLS THREE THIEVES

In the mean time, the Italian citizen found them stealing his commodities. During the clash, the Italian businessman killed the three thieves. Later on, Berberi together with three other Italians, found shelter in the home of a citizen in Lac who lived near his storehouse. xh

[22] JUNE 29 WILL BRING THE END OF SALVATION COMMITTEES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS

Speaking before inhabitants of constituencies 50 and 56 of Tirane, Berisha said in the meeting that June 29 would mark the shameful end of the opposition chieftains, who seek to steal the people's votes through hired killers and through those people who kept the dictatorship for 53 years and want to restore it.

In the presence of voters of the two constitiencies, Berisha presented Fatos Beja and Vili Minarolli as DP candidates for deputy in the coming Albanian Parliament. jz/xh

[23] POLITICAL PARTIES IN THEIR ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 PARLIAMENTARY POLLS

Regarding the comparison by Socialist leader Fatos Nano of June 29 with November 29 (day of liberation in 1944) Mr Pollo stressed that this comparison is a great offence for Albanians because November 29, 1944 marks the final driving out of the occupiers from Albania.

* * *

The Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party today at noon held a rally in the square in front of the Theater building of Korce with the participation of their members, sympathisers and citizens of Korce.

Nano appealed to the electorate of Korce to vote for the Socialist Party and the Albanian left, promising that it will fight against performances of the politicians who have no basis and that this party would bring Korce and Albania stability and a broad based governing.

This grouping of parties held rallies also in the city of Poragdec and Erseke today.

* * *

In the city of Korce the Albanian United Right Wing formation held an electoral meeting and presented its candidates for deputies in that district.

Referring to the collapsed pyramid investment schemes, the RP chairman Sabri Godo stigmatized Nano's promises and qualified them as political frauds.

Aleko Gjergo, Balli Kombetar seceretary general and Dashamir Shehi, of the Party of the Movement for Democracy also addressed the meeting.

* * *

The candidate for deputy of the Albanian United Right wing Beniamin Ceta held meetings these days with the electorate of the constituency 37 in Durres.

Ceta stressed that "we will make alliance neither with DP nor with SP, because we have emerged as a new political grouping which the people and the coming parliament need.

* * *

Leaders of the Albanian United Right Wing formation Ermenji, Shehu, Mediu and Dungu held meetings today with the electorate of Elbasan, where they presented the candidates for 7 constituencies of this district.

"The boastful campaigns of DP and SP, when the people have 1 million Kollashnikovs in their hands, is a real political crime," said in his adress Mr Shehi. Then he presented the platform of the United Right Wing and focused on the loan-taking activity, saying that "it was not a loan-taking activity but a theft and in an honest state it is totally possible to find where are the 1.5. diollars taken by the pyramid schemes."

* * *

In a rally held in Lac town today with electors in the constituency 21 the chairman of the CDP Zef Bushati, who is also a candidate in this constituency, said that he would have flown to Rome to sign the social pact between Albanian political parties but "I have judged that the best and most stable pact might be signed only through the free vote on June 29 with electors of constituency 21. kled/jz/xh

[24] MONTENEGRIN PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES SERBIAN PRESIDENT FOR THE LACK OF SOLUTION OF KOSOVA QUESTION

"I am sure that from the removal of the sanctions until now there has been ample time for the international community to have made the first step for the solution of the issue of Kosova," said Montenegrin Prime Minister in a meeting in the Faculty of Economy of Podgorica.

He turned down the version of the President of the rump Yugoslavia Zoran Lilic that the "question of Kosova does not exist" and stressed that Kosova is a grave question which needs a rapid solution.

"When we criticize the policy of the President of Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic, we have in mind the solution of the question of Kosova which is one of the conditions for the membership of the FRY in the international community," said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Gjukanovic, cited today by the Prishtine Albanian press.bj/pta/xh

[25] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH INHABITANTS OF CONSTITUENCY 54 IN LAPRAKE

Berisha underlined during a rally that the citizens of Laprake have welcomed during these days thousands of inhabitants from all Albania, because "they came here to get free from poverty and misery they were plunged into by socialism and now you all are living in harmony."

Presenting before voters of Laprake the candidates for deputies of the Democratic Party, the well-known painter Alush Shima and the historian and publicist Uran Butka, Berisha said that by voting for them you vote for Albani an real creative genius.

"I call on socialists of this constituency too to be convicend that with the Dp program and belief in this program, the 29th of June will separate Albania from the terrorists."

Taking the floor, the candidate for deputy Uran Butka assured those present that he would justify their confidence, their free ballot in the coming parliament and would represent them with dignity. xh

[26] OSCE PLEASED WITH ELECTORAL PROCESS IN ALBANIA

"Good signs," said Fleming referring to long reports by monitors for the realisation of the basic conditions for a normal voting throughout the country.

With regard to the final setting of the closing hour of the polls, a demand reaised by political parties, the spokswoman of the special envoy of Europe in Albania, Vranitzky, said that a legal confirmation as son as possible is needed for this point.

"Technical difficulties seem to prevent the solution of the question of the polls closing hour," explained Fleming, adding that "for the moment, nobody knows how can the law be amended, and whose competence will it be."

"The polling stations must not be closed at night," said Fleming, "because also the voters in some cities will have it difficult to vote in late hours."

For this question, she said that "perhaps the solution may be left to the Constitutional Court, also the parliament may be convened or the President may solve the issue through a decree." Despite the "satisfactory conditions" for the electoral preparations, Fleming voiced her concern about the local security conditions.

Concerning the announcement of the polls outcome, Fleming commented that "due to the lack of a wide computers' system, perhaps July 1 will be the day when the percentages of votes won by the parties will be declared," adding that there would also be another round of elections. xh

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