Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-24

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CEC DISCUSSES VOTING HOURS

[02] TENSION IN THE CITY OF GJIROKASTER

[03] THREE POLICEMEN HIT WITH FIRE ARMS

[04] PRISONER STRIKES DOWN AN IN-MATE

[05] DP CALLS ON SP TO ACCEPT DEMAND ON PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

[06] BANK OF ALBANIA TO ISSUE NEW SERIES OF BANKNOTES SOON

[07] SMUGGLING OF SOFT DRINKS INCREASES

[08] GERMANY CONTRIBUTES ON RENOVATION OF TIRANA AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY

[09] PRESS REVIEW

[10] TENSE SITUATION IN GJIROKASTER

[11] ACCORD BETWEEN ALBANIA AND WEU SIGNED WITH REGARD TO MAPE STATUS

[12] PROJECT ON MEASURES OF CONTROL AGAINST DRUGS SIGNED

[13] PROJECT ON MEASURES OF CONTROL AGAINST DRUGS SIGNED

[14] QUIET ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN IN HAS

[15] COMPLETE RESTORATION OF ORDER IN 75 DAYS THROUGHOUT ALBANIA - Berisha

[16] DP PROMISES FARMERS QUICK DEVELOPMENT AND NO TAXES FOR TWO YEARS

[17] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

[18] CONFUTATION OF PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF DEFENCE MINISTRY

[19] APPEAL FOR SOCIAL PACT IN SHKODER

[20] TWO PATROLS OF MPF, OBJECT OF SHOTS BY FIRE WEAPONS

[21] POLITICAL PARTIES CARRY ON ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

[22] VOTING HOURS DEMANDED TO BE DETERMINED BY CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

[23] DP ALTERNATIVE WILL CARRY ALBANIA TOWARDS EUROPE

[24] ALBA MISSION IN ALBANIA HAS ROAD ACCIDENT IN VLORE

[25] "ELECTIONS MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT WE WILL TRY TO HAVE NORMALITY IN THEM" - CE and OSCE officials

[26] ALBANIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN SESSION OF CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

[27] PRESS RELEASE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ALBANIA

[28] SPECIAL SESSION OF U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY STARTS

[29] PRESS RELEASE OF THE UNION FOR DEMOCRACY GROUPING AND SOME OTHER PARTIES

[01] CEC DISCUSSES VOTING HOURS

"We propose that the voting opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m." said the secretary of CEC, Thimio Kondi. The reduction of the voting opening hours was debated between the members of the commission who wanted not to reduce the hours at the disposal of the process of voting.

SP representatives insisted that the voting be over at 6 p.m. as they were instructed by their party.

Further on the CEC members discussed the possibility to include in the voting lists sent to Italy for printing the name of the candidate for deputy of the Democratic Alliance Party of Vlore, Frrok Cupi. The CEC opinion was that since the approval for the candidacy of Mr Cupi arrived late from the Constitutional Court and the ballots have been already printed in Italy, the candidacy of Cupi be not included in the voting lists.

Nevertheless, there was a debate on this issue, the CEC deputy chairman and a part of the socialist members of the CEC were against, whereas another part supported Cupi's participation in the voting lists.

The commission has not yet adopted a final decision on this problem.

The setting of the voting hours as a part of the election law is a competence of the President or the Constitutional Court. xh

[02] TENSION IN THE CITY OF GJIROKASTER

One of the doctors said that the wounded could be transported to Ioannna because his situation is rather serious. The second injured is out of danger.

Today in the morning, unidentified people kidnapped Ksenofon Mema, a meat seller, for unclear motives. xh/E

[03] THREE POLICEMEN HIT WITH FIRE ARMS

"The authors of the crime were on a white car and left towards an unknown direction. The group is thought to have consisted of 3-4 people," said Tuesday to ATA the director of the Tirane Police, Pashk Tusha. The wounded policemen are Ylli Kosta, who is in a grave state, Esat Nurja and Lulzim Shina who are out of danger.

The three policemen were members of a patrol team of the Police Commissariat 2 of Tirane.

A day before, in Tirane, a criminal group of 6-7 people opened fire against a police vehicle, wounding 5 policemen.

Tusha said the two incidents have not any relation. xh/e

[04] PRISONER STRIKES DOWN AN IN-MATE

"Lulzim Kurti, convicted of attempted murder, struck down Fatmir Xhixha, convicted of murder," Tusha said.

The same source said that Besnik Ymeri, inhabitant of Vaqarr was wounded by an unknown person, who asked to be dropped at Kinostudio, a suburb of Tirana.

The unknown person shot Ymeri with a pistol at the leg because he did not respond to his demand to be dropped where he (the unknown) wanted.

Unidentified persons have shot at Ahmet Jeshili with automatic rifles in his home on Sunday evening in quarter 62 in the capital. They threw an offensive grenade wounding his son and daughter but they are out of danger. ak/e

[05] DP CALLS ON SP TO ACCEPT DEMAND ON PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

The DP, considering the need for a wider representation of all the Albanian political specter in the future parliament, called on the SP to accept the demand of the 9 parties participating in the round table for a seat sharing of 35 percent to 6 per cent under proportional representation in favour of tiny parties or another possibility would be to ponder votes of these parties with a coefficient acceptable by them, the DP statement said.

We see that a continuous refusal by the SP to this demand represent a great obstacle to the Albanian policy, election process and consensus of political parties.

We reiterate our call that the SP accept a compromise with all other Albanian political parties to clear up the situation which is hindering a normal development of the elections process and is putting tiny parties under pressure, the statement concluded. shs/kled/ak/e

[06] BANK OF ALBANIA TO ISSUE NEW SERIES OF BANKNOTES SOON

"The decision to issue new banknotes was taken a year and half ago by the former governor and the supervising board of the Banks," said the governor of the Central Bank, Qamil Tusha.

"The biggest denomination would be 5000 lek, and then 1000, 500, 200 and 100 lek denomination."

According to Tusha all new Albanian banknotes have been printed on high quality cotton fibre security paper. Each banknote shows a three-dimensional watermark of a portrait corresponding to the main portrait on the banknote when it is held up to the light.

"The issuing of new banknotes is carried out to upgrade the Albanian currency to contemporary standards and adding new safety elements to prevent its embezzlement," Tusha said.

The new banknote shows the strength of a state, that of the Central Bank and the personality of the Albanians themselves, he added.

He explains that the same thing has happened with the American currency USD. Step by step when the new dollar banknote reaches the bank and Federal Reserves, they withdraw the old ones from circulation.

Banknotes of the 500, 1000 and 5000 lek denomination have an additional security intaglo printed feature with optically variable ink

On the front side of biggest denomination will be the portrait of Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu (1405-1468), historical headman of Albanian - Turkish combats, the logo of the Albanian flag and Skenderbeu's sword.

[07] SMUGGLING OF SOFT DRINKS INCREASES

Meanwhile the Coca Cola complex is having difficulties in the market, because of the competition of the illegal drinks.

The high recent temperatures joining uncontrolled foods and drinks, are causing the increasing of diarrheic deseas through adults and children.

The emergency is lounched from the ambulatories, hospitals, as well as from the Department of Food in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

45 labs of the control of food in the districts the were distroyed during the recent months of riots, as well as some customs offices.

These facts make a real danger the smuggling of uncontrolled foods in Albania.

[08] GERMANY CONTRIBUTES ON RENOVATION OF TIRANA AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY

A meeting was held recently between the Albanian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Myqerem Tafaj and the German Ambassador Hans Peter Disdorn to materialise the technical and financial aid.

The meeting focussed at the ongoing project between the Tirana University and the German Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). German side expressed its readiness to proceed with this important project.

Another additional fund will be injected to the project underway. As it is reported, Tirana University suffered great damage during the latest wave of violence that rocked Albania.

Albanian minister informed the German Ambassador on the continuation of the university renovation process and with the measures taken to wrap up this project as soon as possible.

[09] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike says in its editorial "Albanian Socialists sign on Monday in Rome a political pact including a promise for a peaceful and quiet campaign, and a day before some bandits from Tropoja were instigated to prevent a meeting of President Berisha in Bajram Curri." Under the headline "Parties signed a pact in Rome. Left-wing promises election recognition," the paper says "The SP: pardon our crimes."

Zeri i Popullit carries two statements of Fatos Nano, the Socialist leader, and Tritan Shehu, Democrat leader, on the signing of the pact and an article "A powerful support for a future government."

Republika under the title "Rome's agreement signed" says "the DP and SP find meeting points. Other parties opposed."

Rilindja says in its first page "A social pact between parties signed".

Under the title "Socialists give up in Rome," Albania says "To respect yesterday's agreement the Socialists should dissolve armed gangs which they control and the so-called committees." The paper carries the interview with the DP head Tritan Shehu quoting him as saying that "What DP has asked for was achieved."

Tribuna says "Peace established in Italy, fight continues in Albania." The paper carries a statement of the DP leader Tritan Shehu "Yes to agreement, No to violence."

Koha Jone covers the signing of the social pact in its third page. It says "Rome: Church baptises the big." The paper carries statements of party leaders after their visit to Rome.

Dita says in its second page "Vatican reaches a compromise." It carries an interview with the Socialist leader Fatos Nano under the title "Will Sali Berisha remain if you win, Mr. Nano?

Gazeta Shqiptare says "the DP-SP, great reconciliation" - "Nano and Shehu sign a peace agreement."

Other topics cover by today's press following:

Meetings of President Berisha with the inhabitants of Tropoja, Vau i Dejes, Koplik and Lezha, covered by the paper Rilindja Demokratike under the title "SP will not enjoy the votes of gangs." On the transparency of pyramid investment schemes, the paper says "President Berisha decrees suggestions of IMF and World Bank." It carries and article "Committee and its gangs continue to keep Vlora under terror."

Zeri i Popullit devotes most of its pages to the meeting of Socialist leader Fatos Nano with inhabitants of Pogradec, Korce, Kolonje, Kruje under the title "Left-wing victory is being signed."

Republika carries the interview with president of the Populli Foundation (a pyramid scheme foundation) Bashkim Driza under the title "Treasury bonds are bought with the Foundation's money." In its 13th page, the paper carries an appeal of the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare from Paris which says "We need an authority who can prevent us from self-destroying".

Rilindja says that new students have expressed their interest to be enrolled in the Prishtina University.

Albania carries an interview with the DP Foreign Relations Secretary Leonard Demi under the tittle "Nano ordered Ruci to let me free." Under the title "Democracy seals victory" the paper covers the meeting of President Berisha in Tropoje, Shkoder, Malesi e Madhe and Lezhe. Albania (the paper) says that Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe strongly criticises the Fino government on Monday for failing to fulfil commitments taken in Rome on May 1997 (for a normal process of elections) and denounces links existed between some Albanian parties and terrorist of so-called Salvation committees".

Tribuna carries the article "Denver discusses Bosnia and Albania." Under the title "This is how they took me hostage" the paper carries an interview with Leonard Demi.

Koha Jone says "Blue uniforms attacked: five wounded." The paper in the Political column carries the essay "This century of Vlora." On yesterday's meeting of the OSCE envoy in Albania Grubmayr with the election authority the paper says "OSCE is directly included in Albanian debate for polling hours."

Gazeta Shqiptare says that a police car was attacked on Sunday night in a suburb of Tirana by persons driving a military car. Four policemen were wounded, two of them seriously. eva/ak/sh/

[10] TENSE SITUATION IN GJIROKASTER

In the Northern entrance of Gjirokaster, an armoured vehicle is deployed, as well as many armed persons. The blue uniforms control in details every vehicles that enters the town.

The cafes of the town and the trade units were closed and the working hour for the state institutions is reduced.

Sources from the hospital reports that another person from Tepelena is injured on Tuesday, near the Market of Gjirokaster. /s.sh/eva/mt/sh/

[11] ACCORD BETWEEN ALBANIA AND WEU SIGNED WITH REGARD TO MAPE STATUS

For the Albanian party, the accord was signed by the State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, Pavli Zeri, while for WEU by the Ambassador of the French Republic in Albania, Mr Patric Christmand.

This agreement defines the status of MAPE, deployed in Albania, to give advice with regard of the police issues.

The decision for the installment of MAPE in Albania was taken before by the Permanent Council of the West European Union, the report of the Press and Information Department of the Foreign Ministry ends. /s.sh/kled/mt/z/

[12] PROJECT ON MEASURES OF CONTROL AGAINST DRUGS SIGNED

For the Interior Ministry, the deputy Interior Minister, Agim Shehu, signed the accord and for the office of PNUD, it was signed by its representative in Tirana, Mr Soren Tejno.

This project, which will be implemented under the care of the Office of the United Nations Organization for the International Control of Drugs, seated in Vienna, will include the amount of 257 000 USD.

The project will include short-term and long-term training, training of the Albanian drug officers, theoretical and practical preparations of the lectures and respective reports, study travels, as well as strengthening of logistics of this field. /jz/mt/

[13] PROJECT ON MEASURES OF CONTROL AGAINST DRUGS SIGNED

For the Interior Ministry, the deputy Interior Minister, Agim Shehu, signed the accord and for the office of PNUD, it was signed by its representative in Tirana, Mr Soren Tejno.

This project, which will be implemented under the care of the Office of the United Nations Organization for the International Control of Drugs, seated in Vienna, will include the amount of 257 000 USD.

The project will include short-term and long-term training, training of the Albanian drug officers, theoretical and practical preparations of the lectures and respective reports, study travels, as well as strengthening of logistics of this field. /jz/mt/z/

[14] QUIET ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN IN HAS

Seven political forces contest in this constituency, among which the candidates of SP and DP are the main competitors. The polling stations are also defined, 59 altogether, one of them in a private house.

The deputy chairman of the commission of this electoral constituency, Rexhep Palla, told ATA that all the political forces have launched a quiet electoral campaign, presenting their alternatives and avoiding the insults which irritate the people.

He said that the movement of commission members faces difficulties, because of lack of vehicles. /s.sh/mt/ Z/

[15] COMPLETE RESTORATION OF ORDER IN 75 DAYS THROUGHOUT ALBANIA - Berisha

"I have come here to confirm once again the fulfillment of all the promises made a year ago, and which were interrupted due to the rebellion. All those promises will be fulfilled for Maliq and the whole Albania," said Berisha.

"We, he continued, promise to restore order throughout Albania in 75 days and to overcome all the consequences, caused by the communist rebellion, in 100 days."

Talking about the alternative of the Socialist Party, Berisha said that they will make a "normal" Albania. But behind their "normal" Albania, is hidden the governing with gangs and committees, is hidden the return of old senior officials in the Government, the isolation of Albania, the class struggle, confiscation of your assets, progressive taxes. Their "normal" is the communist normal. We are and will be for a democratic Albania, he underlined.

Further on, he presented the candidate for deputy of this constituency, the intellectual Rexhep Bregu, former deputy of this constituency in the last legislature. /jz/mt/

[16] DP PROMISES FARMERS QUICK DEVELOPMENT AND NO TAXES FOR TWO YEARS

Berisha told the inhabitants that the alternative of DP will provide you properties, quick development, two years without taxes, modern agriculture and irrigation.

Berisha presented the candidate for deputy of this zone, Mr Ritvan Bode, considering him honest and distinguishing intellectual of Devoll, who has opposed the pyramid schemes, at the time when the current Minister of Finances, Malaj, led them.

Berisha expressed the conviction that Devoll will vote for the Democratic Party. /jz/mt/

[17] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

The demand of the President for the realisation soon of the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes is not only a political commitment of all the parties of the Albanian political spectrum but above all it is a legal and moral demand which stems from the financial calamity of thousands of thousands of people who lost their savings in the collapsed pyramid schemes, and a part of which was exploited unscrupulously by the former opposition, which was the one that projected and stirred up the general economic and institutional destruction of the country, the grave infringement of the territorial integrity and the loss of the individual's security for the life and property.

The demand of Albania's President for the transparence of these schemes is not an electoral policy, as the PM's spokesman says, but it is a determination not to accept the great and very dangerous deceipt for the future of Albania and the Albanians that the party of the Prime Minister is making to the creditors by promising them the full restitution of the lost money in exchhange of their ballots, with the aim of giving a legal covering to the bloody efforts it is making to take the power through the force of arms.

The former opposition which directs the Government at present knows well that the money is not stolen by the Democratic Party Government, it knows well that it cannot return the lost money to the Albanians as well as it knows that its electoral balloons are the greatest threat to every effort to restore order and peace in Albania.

For this reason, the former opposition insists forcefully that the transparence of the pyramid schemes be not made for lack of the time needed for its realisation.

The former opposition is leading for four months now the Albanian Government and finance and still the work for the realisation of this transparence has not started. While it has nearly the last four days to complete its four months in governing, the spokesman of the Prime Minister presents the absurd claim that the former opposition has not yet come to power, therefore it cannot carry out the process of transparence, thus creating a unique example in the state history of the world, where the prime minister of a country claims that his party and he have not yet come to power at a time when they are directing the government.

The PM's spokesman considers "absurd" the request of the Parliament for the Prime Minister to report within three weeks on the course of the control on the failed pyramid investment schemes, but he forgets to say that the fact that Finance Minister Arben Malaj, after four months to this post, has made nothing in this direction makes even more legitimate the Parliament request to put legal barriers to the irresponsibility that Mr Malaj manifested when he presented the draft law. It was this Parliament of the Democratic Party that gave the vote of confidence to the Government of National Reconciliation and which adopted unreservedly its program, and which demanded forcefully the quick realisation of the transparence. This Parliament did not make any electoral propaganda but implemented correctly this legal status which cannot be trampled underfoot arrogantly and illegally by Minister Malaj, who will bear the respective responsibilities for the non-accomplishment of his legal obligation.

The PS's spokesman speaks for a three year "fabrication" and "skill" when he refers to the pyramid schemes and presents it as a fact known by all. The real facts known and accepted by all are the efforts of the former opposition to conceal the truths in relation with the pyramid schemes to exploit the people's economic protests, to deceive and manipulate them in order to give spirit to the armed rebellion and the violent overthrowing of the legitimate power. If there is any talk about fabrications and skilled people, Minister Malaj, as the only person in Albania who is given the title Doctor of Sciences for these schemes, may be estimated as the chief master and chief expert of the creation of the pyramid investment schemes.

The Doctor of loan taking firms, in the draft decree he presented for approval on May 29, 1997, was careful to justify himself for the legal responsibility for the direction of the control of the collapsed pyramid investment schemes and for not putting into life the suggestions of the IMF and the World Bank for the appointment of administrators for the loan taking firms. Now that these two international organizations have presented their suggestions in details, stressing the importance of the establishment of the administrators for the elimination of the loan taking phenomenon in Albania, Minister Malaj tries to convince the public opinion that he is ready to realise the transparence, but there are these institutions which to do allow him to carry out this task.

The president of Albania signed immediately the decree presented according to the suggestions of the IMF and the WB, being convinced that in this way it would be put an end to the artificial obstacles raised by the Government and the Finance Minister regarding the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes. But on this occasion, it cannot be left without mentioning the fact that the Government needed a four months' time to come to the final text of the draft, which proves it lack of will to tackle with this problem, ends the press release of the Albanian President's press and information office. ssh/xh

[18] CONFUTATION OF PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE OF DEFENCE MINISTRY

The Albanian Defence Ministry confutes this article and stresses that it is a slander of any segment which wants to demolish the good image of the army, as well as to cause problems between the army and Albanian police.

Meanwhile, we report that during the riots on March this year, several cars of the type "Chevrolet" of the army were destroyed and looted. This might be one of the cases of their abuse.

The Defence Ministry also confirms that the army has not used and will never use either the means or the people for such acts, ends the confutation of press and information department of the Albanian Defence Ministry. /jz/mt/z

[19] APPEAL FOR SOCIAL PACT IN SHKODER

It says among others that the pre-electoral situation has been quiet so far in Shkoder. But in the following days of the electoral campaign which has reached its highest point and the political parties are declaring their alternatives, we call on all political forces to lower down the social tensions with their electorate.

They express their engagement to continue the protection of order and tranquility in all the rallies of the political parties. But they ask the political forces to sign a social pact today for a quiet campaign in the remaining days. /jz/mt/ Z/

[20] TWO PATROLS OF MPF, OBJECT OF SHOTS BY FIRE WEAPONS

"One patrol belonged to the regiment 151 of infantry, while the other to the regiment 18 of bersaglieri, who were moving from Fier to the camp of Kucove," said Bernardi.

The patrols stopped and the commander fired into air several times.

"We are patrols of MPF," said the commander and after talking with him, the persons left away.

Some bullets had damaged the vehicle partially.

"We think that the aim of the gangs was to steal, or they thought we were forces of the Albanian army," said Bernardi. /jz/mt/Z/

[21] POLITICAL PARTIES CARRY ON ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

The DP candidate for deputy in the electoral constituency, the engineer Gani Hoxha took the floor in the meeting.

* * *

The chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Zef Bushati, launched a meeting, where he presented the candidate Fran Babaj.

In the commune of Thumane, the CDP head for Kruje, Ahmet Hasani, fielded the candidate for deputy, the jurist Leonard Lushi.

* * *

The branch of the Social Democratic Party for Bulqize presented the candidate for deputy in the electoral constituency 25, Afrim Cenga.

The socialist candidate of the constituency 15, Namik Dokle, has continued the meetings with the electorate in Kukes, where he has presented the alternatives of the socialist program.

* * *

In the electoral rally in Korce, the socialist leader, Fatos Nano and Premier Bashkim Fino, stressed that "our power will avoid the new isolation of Berisha and will build a realistic policy, open and active." Nano held meetings even in Kolonje and Librazhd.

* * *

The deputy chairman of the Republican Party and the candidate for deputy of the United Right, Fatmir Mehdiu, met with the electorate of the constituency 77 in Fier. In the meetings held in the quarters of the town and in the Agim village, Mehdiu has presented the program of Albanian United Right.

"For usuries, we promise to uncover where did the money go, who have them and their return by also considering the national assets," said Mehdiu.

* * *

An electoral rally with activists of the constituency 46, where candidate for deputy is Thoma Petro was held Monday in the headquarters of the Human Rights Union Party. Attending the meeting was also the HRUP leader, Vasil Melo and the HRUP head for Tirana, Jorgo Vllahu.

* * *

The Social Democratic Party organized Monday in Tirana an extended meeting with the electorate. In the meeting spoke the SDP Secretary General, Gaqo Apostoli, who said that the victory of SDP and the left coalition is a necessity. Then SDP leader, Skender Gjinushi spoke in the meeting. The candidates for deputy for Tirana were presented, as well as the joint candidates with SP, Pavli Zeri, Lufti Mhmetaj and Kico Blushi. The SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, greeted in the meeting.

* * *

The Secretary General of the Democratic Alliance, Arben Imami, held meetings with inhabitants of Delvine, Sarande and Gjirokaster, where he fielded the candidates for deputy of this party.

The candidate for deputy of DAP in the constituency 18, Prec Zogaj, launched meetings with inhabitants of Rubik.

* * *

The Social Democratic Union held Sunday a rally with the electorate of Peqin. The Secretary General of this party, Shaqir Rexhvelaj, presented the candidate for deputy, the conductor Ferdinand Deda.

* * *

The chairman of the Agrarian Party, Lefter Xhuveli, held meetings with the electorate of constituency 87. Xhuveli mentioned three main actions of his party, the legislative one to draft a complete package of laws for the problems of the village and the agriculture, that of the rehabilitation of the draining system and the factories of fertilizers, the drafting of the strategy of development of agriculture.

* * *

While the conflict of HRUP with its candidates in the constituency 114 has finished with the appointment o Zisi Lluci as candidate of the party and Thoma Mico as independent candidate, in the constituency 115 a change is noticed by HRUP, the pedagogue Mihal Nace is changed with Kostandina Bezhani, economist and businessman.

Supported powerfully by OMONIA, the branch of Saranda, the candidate Bezhani has held a series of electoral rallies in villages.

* * *

Albania is experiencing one of its gravest crisis, but it will be solved by the people on June 29, who has raised against the dictatorship that caused the biggest bloodshed in an European state after the World War II, said SP chairman, Fatos Nano, in the electoral rally in Elbasan, attacking later on President Berisha, who according to him is the one who ordered and conceived the massacres and strategy of tension, that have swept the country.

Further on Nano called on Berisha to accept in a peaceful way the passing of power to the opposition.

The chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Skender Gjinushi, told the participants in the rally that "the best example of the bad governing of DP is Elbasan, champion of unemployment." He assured the participant, later on, the secure victory of the left coalition from North to South.

* * *

Meetings with the electorate were held even by other parties like the Right Republican Party, Albanian People's League, Democratic Union, National Union, Christian Democratic Union, Conservative Party, Albanian Democratic Progress, and others. /kled/jz/mt/Z/

[22] VOTING HOURS DEMANDED TO BE DETERMINED BY CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

"Based on the reply of the President who is cited to have said that he has no legal competence for such a change, the Central Election Commission would address the Constitutional Court," said the CEC chairman, Kristaq Kume in a news conference today.

His deputy Fatos Klosi said that for the said question "many jurists are of the opinion that it is not a matter to be dealt by the Constitutional Court because the question of the polling hours has nothing unconstitutional." jz/xh

[23] DP ALTERNATIVE WILL CARRY ALBANIA TOWARDS EUROPE

"Within a short period of time, after the creation of the democratic government," said Berisha, "we shall repair all the ruins from the communist rebellion, will work for the implementation of the projects of the development of the infrastructure, and the water supply."

Albanian President appealed to socialists of Pogradec and all Albania "to support the alternative of the Democratic Party." jz/xh

[24] ALBA MISSION IN ALBANIA HAS ROAD ACCIDENT IN VLORE

Protagonists of the accident were a car and a vehicle of the Alba forces which patrolled the city streets. The cause of the accident is not yet determined.

It is the first time that such accident occurs on the streets of Vlore. jz/xh

[25] "ELECTIONS MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT WE WILL TRY TO HAVE NORMALITY IN THEM" - CE and OSCE officials

"More than 500 short term observers are expected to arrive this Thursday to monitor on the election day," said that OSCE chief coordinator Tonny Welch.

The CE representative Egbert Aussems declared that about 40 European parliamentarians from the CE Parliamentary Assembly and OSCE will be present in Albania on the election day, "aacording to a request of the Albanian political parties," he added.

"It is impossible to monitor every polling box," said Welch, adding that "it is envisaged that one observer will monitor 10 polling boxes."

With regard to eventual problems of security for the observers on the day of elections, the OSCE chief coordinator underlined that "their activity will be secured by Alba soldiers in every step."

"Those who accompany the multinational force will determine whether security conditions allow the observers to stay longer or not by the polling boxes," responded Welch to a question on the possible dangers in the late hours in some parts of Albania.

Admitting that there would be difficulties in some parts of Albania for a normal realisation of the elections, Welch stressed that "there will be no perfect polls but we will try to have normal elections because the Albanian people demand this." jz/xh

[26] ALBANIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN SESSION OF CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

According to Parliament spokesman, among the main topics discussed in the session also were the creation of possibilities to ensure a correct monitoring in the parliamentary elections to be held in Albania on June 29, as well as the second round of polls if there will be any. In regard to this issue, the Bureau decided to send soon a delegation consisting of 35-40 European parliamentarians and 10 members of the staff for the organization of the concrete work.

Mr Ruscall Johnson was charged as the chief for the preparation of the final report on the polls in Albania for the Council of Europe.

Albanian parliamentarians expressed their concern for the lack of normal conditions for the elections in Albania, in which some of the candidates for deputies are either gangs chairmen or have their great support, and the possibility to monitor the elections from the south to the north will be difficult due to the activity of the gangs.

Despite these problems, was the conclusion of the discussions by European parliamentarians "we must not leave Albania in the hands of the terrorist groups and those called public salvation committees, or who are supported by political parties that claim the construction of a democratic state.

The speakers in the session stressed that elections in Albania must be held on the set date. jz/xh

[27] PRESS RELEASE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ALBANIA

The chairman of the Albanian delegation in CE, Ali Spahia, said that what happened in Albania was a communist armed revolution which aimed to bring into power the gangs and criminals who broke the prisons. The committees and the gangs are the armed wing of SP and Fatos Nano, who is organizing and uses them openly botht to terrorize the electorate and against the DP leaders and candidates for deputy.

Differently from this communist revival, DP has applied political solutions and the policy of national reconciliation, aiming at a social and stable peace and a restitution of the country's stability for the development of the interrupted reforms. DPA sees in the June 29 elections its triumph and the victory of the Albanian democracy, while SP and its allies see in these elections their shameful ending.

Spahia raised in the meeting the need for the broadest and most intensive possible monitoring of the June polls, asking from the Council of Europe to send to Albania as many monitors as it can. jz/xh

[28] SPECIAL SESSION OF U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY STARTS

Today at 9 a.m. the heads of the delegations were received by the UN Secretary General, Coffi Anan, the President of the General Assembly, Razal Ismail and the U.S. Deputy President Al Gore.

Today too the leader of the Albania delegation Starova had separate bilateral meetings with the Secretary of the Foreign Affairs of England, Robin Cook and the Secretary General for political and security questions in the Foreign Ministry of France, Jacque Blotte.

In these meetings, Mr Starova spoke on the situation in Albania. He expressed his thanks for the assistance and contribution for Albania to overcome the difficult situation and for the approval by the Security Council of two resolutions on the multinational force in this country.lgj/xh

[29] PRESS RELEASE OF THE UNION FOR DEMOCRACY GROUPING AND SOME OTHER PARTIES

We note with regret that the Socialist Party and the Social Democratic Party did not come in the meeting.

We invite the Socialist Party to accept the formula proposed for the division 65 with 35 per cent of the proportional list or the finding of an acceptable coefficient for the votes of the small parties so that the situation be unblocked and a consensus in the round table be made possible.

We also reiterate the demand that the CEC must examine the legal way for a possible change of the polling closing hour. The participants agreed that the next meeting on this issue be held on June 25 at 8 p.m. in the Palace of Congresses in Tirane. lgj/xh

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