Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-28

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] EMIGRANTS HESITATE TO COME TO VOTE THOUGH BUSES ARE PROVIDED

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] SP,SD,DA REPRESENTATIVES NOT PRESENT AT CONSTITUENCY 81

[04] BURST OF GUN FIRE AGAINST HEAD OF POLLING STATION'S COMMISSION IN KORCA - protest PD

[05] LMP REPRESENTATIVE IN COMMISSION OF CONSTITUENCY 21 KILLED IN LAC

[06] PREMIER FINO MEETS TROIKA OF COORDINATORS OF ELECTIONS

[07] LAST VOTERS' LISTS TO ARRIVE IN ALBANIA

[08] ALBANIA-ELECTIONS - HOT ZONES OF SOUTH STILL ALARMING

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA

[10] WE WISH ELECTORAL PROCESS IN ALBANIA BE HELD IN PEACE - LALUMIERE

[11] SDC TO ENGAGE 1400 OBSERVERS FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

[12] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS DELEGATION OF USA

[13] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC UNION

[14] GREAT FLUX OF REFUGEES FOR VOTING IN KORCE

[15] MEETING WITH LEADERS OF ALBA AND POLICE COMMISSARIATS

[16] DP CHAIRMAN WRITES TO MS LALUMIERE

[17] PROTESTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

[18] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH EDU DELEGATION

[19] MSF AND TIRANE POLICE TO COORDINATE ACTS DURING ELECTORAL PROCESS

[20] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[21] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA MEETS WITH OSCE COORDINATOR FOR ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

[22] IN THE MARKET OF TIRANE 24 HOURS BEFORE ELECTIONS

[01] EMIGRANTS HESITATE TO COME TO VOTE THOUGH BUSES ARE PROVIDED

The Socialist party and HRUP have called on the Albanian emigrants in poll rallies in Athens to come and vote. This has not happened with the emigrants in Italy.

The arrival of emigrants from Greece is directed by HRUP.

Ziso Lluci, member of the Omonia Steering Committee (Social political organisation of the Greek Minority in Albania) and the HRUP candidate for deputy, said "some 12 000 emigrants with regular documents provided by the Greek police are expected to arrive all over Albania."

The tickets are free and they (emigrants) have all the guarantees that they will turn back at their jobs.

Sources from Kakavija said that the number of emigrants who have returned so far is far from what has been foreseen.

Life insecurity, lack of free movement in some southern districts and the killing of a Greek minority youth in Goranxi village two days ago by unidentified persons, are the reasons which make dozens of emigrants hesitate.

Another reason may be that emigrants are not sure if they will turn back again in Greece after voting as it has happened other times.

The number of voters in the Saranda districts is reduced to 7 thousand voters in comparison to 16 thousand in past elections because of the emigration and insecurity. eva/ak/

[02] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit covers the rally of the Socialist party in Tirana under the title "People will defeat the dictator Berisha." It also covers the press conference of the Socialist, Social Democrat and Democratic Alliance leaders after the signing of a pact under the title "We will govern together". The paper carries in its sixth page a call of the Socialist party to its faithful in the U.S.

Republika carries a statement of the Republican leader on a future governing quoting him as saying "We will govern neither with the SP nor with DP." It carries two interviews one in the fourth and the other in the fifth page with the Republican deputy leader Fatmir Mediu and Finance minister Arben Malaj, respectively.

Under the title "Elections, fair and peaceful" Rilindja carries the call of the ministers of the European Union on Albania. The newspaper carries the press conference of the Democratic League of Kosova, instead of an editorial, under the title "Elections - the beginning of a new phase in Albania."

Koha Jone says "Rome: Plan on protecting vote by multiparty forces revealed." It carries the editorial "Safety of Albanian vote". Regarding yesterday's rallies of the Socialists and Democrats, the paper says "SP defeats DP in the center of Tirana." It also says "SP 'gives in', gives votes for the tiny."

Dita says "OSCE monitors only half of the votes," as well as "Tension continues in Vlora a day ahead of elections." It carries the editorial "Civil-military tour." Regarding a pact signed on Thursday among the SP, SDP and DAP on a post-election governing, the paper says "Berisha should step down, coalition government."

Independent carries the editorial "Tirana abandons DP." It says "Malaj (Finance Minister) establishes armistice in Vlora". Referring to the SP rally, the paper says "Tirana does not leave Vlora alone."

Tribuna covers the rallies of president Berisha with inhabitants of Tirana, Shkodra and Durres, under the title "Yes to Berisha, Yes to DP, No to rebellion." The paper carries the editorial entitled "Why does the DP want to win" giving the reasons of victory of the DP in June 29 elections. Referring to yesterday's press conference of Socialists, Social Democrats and Democratic Alliance the paper says "Nano says he will accept defeat."

Albania under the headline "100 thousand people celebrate the victory of the Democratic party in Tirana," says that "DP: the third victory." The paper says the Gjallica firm has given 550 thousand dollars to the Socialist party on January before it went bankrupt and carries a facsimile of the invoice. The same paper says "People of Libofsha disarmed Nano's armed gangs."

Regarding the decision of the Constitutional Court on the closing of polls, Gazeta Shqiptare says: "Votes to be cast before nightfall." In the chronicle column, the paper says "Vengeance returns to a massacre in Cerrik," eva/kei/ak/e

[03] SP,SD,DA REPRESENTATIVES NOT PRESENT AT CONSTITUENCY 81

The DP denounced the policy of boycott through which the left-wing tries to justify its defeat in Fier as well as the analogies it aims at creating through this boycott.

"The SP and its satellites have launched a campaign of open or closed rallies in the city of Fier and its candidates hold dozens of meetings," the DP press release said.

"There is no place to make parallelism with the cities in the South where the SP rules with the force of weapons, and the DP representatives are not allowed or attacked and even hold hostage and shoot by fire arms," the DP press release said. pas/ak/e

[04] BURST OF GUN FIRE AGAINST HEAD OF POLLING STATION'S COMMISSION IN KORCA - protest PD

There were no victims but only material damage, the DP said in a protest released on Saturday.

The Democratic party protests against this act considering it an escalation of violence by the extreme left which aims at physically and psychologically terrorising the DP representatives in the polling stations.

The DP calls on the Central Election Committee "to intervene in the Council of Ministers to adopt measures to guarantee calm at least in the election day." eva/ak/e

[05] LMP REPRESENTATIVE IN COMMISSION OF CONSTITUENCY 21 KILLED IN LAC

Family Miri, known as nationalist family in Northern Albania, was persecuted during the 50 years of the communist dictatorship, which has caused them 13 victims.

Sources from Lac connect the murder of Miri with his engagement as representative of Legality Movement Party in the electoral commission of the constituency./mt/sh/

[06] PREMIER FINO MEETS TROIKA OF COORDINATORS OF ELECTIONS

Mrs Catherine Lalumiere, representative of rotating OSCE chairman, Sir Russel Johnston, representative of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and Mr Havier Ruperez, representative of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, discussed for more than an hour with Premier Fino on the pre-electoral situation, the measures taken for the June 29 polls and the political situation in the country, PM's spokesman reports.

In response to the questions of the representatives of the international troika for the preparation of elections, Fino underlined the difficult situation under which they are being held, but also the belief that they will be conducted successfully, free and democratic. This, stressed Premier Fino, thanks to the obvious will of the Albanian people for change, of the measures taken by the government and the all-round aid of international bodies, mainly of OSCE.

Mrs Lalumiere appreciated the open and exact information of Premier Fino. She underlined the aim of Troika to be objective and neutral observers of the Albanian elections.

Mrs Lalumiere stressed that the conduct of the electoral operation in a quiet and regular way would be a colossal victory for Albania and Albanians. "OSCE is totally engaged in these elections and its aid is important, but the Albanians are those who will vote and lead these elections," said Lalumiere.

Troika pointed out the role of the political parties in these elections, the responsibility towards them, for the fact that the future of Albania will mostly depend on their stand for the voting result.

During the meeting, Premier Fino responded to the questions of Mrs Lalumiere and Mr Jonston and Ruperez, regarding the concrete problems of the electoral conduct, as well as the political, economic and institutional perspectives of Albania after the elections, says the report of the PM's spokesman. /s.sh/mt/sh/

[07] LAST VOTERS' LISTS TO ARRIVE IN ALBANIA

"There are some 200 000 lists which were changed, and which are arriving from Rome, meanwhile that the full lists had arrived before," said Mark Smith.

He expressed the hope that there will be no problem for the OSCE observers on the election day.

"We have overcome the main problems for the preparation of the electoral process," said Smith.

The OSCE observers will monitor the electoral process in almost all the territory of Albania, under the protection of the Multinational Protection Force.

"In all the electoral constituencies where the observers will be, the MPF will also go, which will escort the OSCE teams in their movement," the MPF spokesman, Giovanni Bernardi, told ATA on the same day.

Only due to the problems of transport the observers will not go to some constituencies of the country.

Bernardi said on Friday that the main activity of MPF, until July 8, is to support the observers of the June 29 elections, which will be realized through 2500 soldiers of the Force.

"80 per cent of the voters are covered by OSCE and Alba," said Tony Welch, OSCE coordinator for the elections in Albania, on Friday. Welch said that OSCE does not see Albania as geography, but as voting population.

Some 500 observers of OSCE with 250 teams will be escorted each by two armoured vehicles of 8 soldiers.

The Constitutional Court decided on Friday that the voting on June 29, also including a possible second round of polls, starts at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m./mt/sh/

[08] ALBANIA-ELECTIONS - HOT ZONES OF SOUTH STILL ALARMING

"It is drafted a detailed program, according to which the police will cover the polling stations and where it is also requested the cooperation with local government, which should organize the work in all the polling stations and at the same time the movement and distribution of the documentation," said the Interior Minister, Belul Celo.

"In most of the Albanian territory this is guaranteed. There are also constituencies where difficulties are faced, mainly in some southern districts on which we will see what special measures will be taken." said Celo.

The Interior Minister expressed his concern for the lack of the material basis and infrastructure. The policemen will be present in more than 4500 polling stations.

Special instruction are given to them, based on the laws in force to protect the polling stations, ballot boxes and not to allow armed persons in these stations. /pas/mt/sh/

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA

Attending the ceremony of the presentation of the credentials was also the Albanian Foreign Minister, Arjan Starova.

Spataforta was accompanied by diplomats of the Italian Embassy in Tirana. /kled/mt/sh/

[10] WE WISH ELECTORAL PROCESS IN ALBANIA BE HELD IN PEACE - LALUMIERE

Lalumiere was accompanied in the meeting by Sir Russel Johnston, representative of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and Havier Ruperez, representative of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Mrs Lalumiere was interested in the issues, regarding the reduction of the voting hours and the distribution of the ballot papers. With regard to the distribution of the ballot papers, the chairman of the Central Electoral Commission, Kristaq Kume, said that from the technic point of view, all the measures to sent them in polling stations are taken. The CEC has signed a contract with OSCE for the way the sufficient ballot papers will be eliminated.

With regard to the interest of Mr Johnston for the exactness in drafting the voters' lists, Kume explained that the special governmental commission and the local government bodies are charged to draft the lists.

Asked by Mr Johnston about the agreement of the proportional, the CEC chairman, Kristaq Kume, said that he had no other confirmation on reaching any consensus.

Ruperez asked the opinion of the Central Electoral Commission, whether the Albanian people will run in elections without problems and in peace./kled/mt/sh/

[11] SDC TO ENGAGE 1400 OBSERVERS FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

"250 observers of the human rights societies will be added to the total number of 1400 observers of our society ", says Miranda Gace, leader of this society, which is sponsored by the U.S. Democratic Institute. /kled/mt/sh/

[12] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS DELEGATION OF USA

Fino expressed the pleasure for the presence of this high ranking delegation of USA in the June 29 polls, considering it not only a support for a free and democratic electoral process, but also a support that the U.S. Government and people are giving to the Albanian people in these difficult moments.

Fino expressed to the guests from USA the gratitude for the support that President Clinton and State Secretary Albright has sent through the messages to the Albanian people to participate in the June 29 polls, so that the crisis in Albania is solved as soon as possible.

Fino explained the steps taken by the government for the conduct of elections and thanked the international community for everything done for Albania in these moments. We are convinced, said Fino, that after the elections, the international community will deepen further on the contribution in Albania for the institutional and economic restoration of the country.

The assistant state secretary, Chaluc, referred once again to the support and importance of the senior U.S. authorities for the conduct of free and democratic elections, the message that the U.S. State Secretary sent recently to the Albanian people through television and the hope that the elections will create possibilities for the development of the country in the democratic way.

He connected his presence in these delicate elections, but very important for the Albanian people, with the importance that the senior administration of USA gives to this electoral process and stabilization of the country. He highly appreciated the work of the Government of National Reconciliation and the Premier, who, despite the difficult conditions in the country, enabled the conduct of elections on Sunday, June 29, where all the Albanian will express their will.

During the meeting both parties exchanged opinions regarding the electoral situation in the whole country and its particular zones. They also expressed the confidence that the electoral process will be quiet and without problems. They greeted the decision of the Constitutional Court for the reduction of the voting hours, which will contribute in the transparency of elections.

At the end, Premier Fino expressed his consideration for the role of the U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, Mariza Lino, during the Albanian crisis and the appeal addressed to the Albanian people through television on the eve of elections. /kled/mt/Z/

[13] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC UNION

President Berisha appreciated the contribution of the EDU delegation to monitor the elections.

President Berisha stressed that they will recognise the voting result and he was of the opinion that the country needs a broad-based coalition government. Actually, we are in coalition with four other parties, but remain open even for three parties of the right spectrum, as we are resolute to give a new dimension to the role of the opposition.

President Berisha said that main feature of the relations between the position and opposition after the elections, as the most important political base to overcome the crisis, is not the self-exclusion or the boycott by every means from the opposition, but its involvement in the state activities, giving of concrete and important responsibilities, mainly in the legislative and control activity, the increase of the opposition role. /jz/mt/Z/

[14] GREAT FLUX OF REFUGEES FOR VOTING IN KORCE

According to the chief of the police commissariat of Devoll, Vladimir Kotori, more than 3000-3500 refugees have come back. The police commissariat has taken all the measures to transport them without problems. /jz/mt/sh/

[15] MEETING WITH LEADERS OF ALBA AND POLICE COMMISSARIATS

Colonel Santoni, commander of the regiment, said that the main duty of Alba is to escort and protect the OSCE observers, as well as to patrol along the main streets of the town./kled/mt/sh/

[16] DP CHAIRMAN WRITES TO MS LALUMIERE

I would like to avail myself of the opportunity to renew to you my highest estimation for your engagement and also for the commitment of the institution your represent. Let me wish you success in your most noble mission. In the mean time, I am forced to inform you of an urgent issue regarding the conduct of the voting process and the security of the polls outcome.

As you are already informed, the representatives of the Democratic Party and its candidates have not been allowed to have free political activity in the the constituencies in some towns in the South of Albania, such as in Vlore, Delvine, Sarande, Gjirokaster, Permet, Berat, etc.

Actually, we are absolutely concerned for the conditions in which these polls will take place. There are great technical irregularities, as well as great pressure of terror against DP representatives in the commissions. We are very concerned about the fate of the polls in those zones. Facing a great terror, our people cannot get in touch with us, we cannot get in touch with them.

Concerning the aforesaid, I would ask your kind assistance that some of the leaders of the Democratic Party be able to go to these towns accompanied by the Multinational Protection Forces of the Alba Mission.

I kindly ask you to mediate with the commander of the MPF so that our request be realised as soon as possible. We judge that our representatives may be joined by representatives of other parties in the framework of a mixed party commission," ends the letter. xh

[17] PROTESTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

"By the observations made in the constituencies 39 and 40 of Tirane it results that owing to the lack of the material base of the voting booths, these constituencies are not put to operation.

In the constituency 39 there are 12 polling stations, in constituency 40 there are 14 polling stations that are not put to operation up to 7 p.m. of June 28, 1997 along with 10 polling stations in Petrela.

We stress that this is because the Socialist Deputy chairmen of the election commission have not appeared to get the necessary materials.

The Democratic Party of Albania warns the CEC on the boycott line that the SP risks to put to operation in those constituencies where they are sure to lose."

* * *

"We inform you that the DPA candidate of the electoral constituency 88 has not been allowed to hold electoral meetings in the villages Starove and Bloce of the Berat and Polican towns. The Sp militants in Berat have directly threatened the DP candidate not to camapign, otherwise we would be shot dead. Such a threat has also been made to the DP local branch chairman of Berat.

The DP protests for the pressures on its people in the towns where SP commands through the armed committees and reiterates that this way of obtaining votes is shamfeul and anti-Albanian.

* * *

We inform you that the red terror conducted by the socialist leadership in the towns o Berat, Tepelena, Skrapar, Vlora, Gjirokastra and Saranda has reached its climax.

The armed gangs of the Socialist Party have undertaken the guerrillas-like action threatening from door to door all the Dp representatives in the polling commissions. "Do not dare come tomorrow otherwise you will be dead for certain".

The Democratic Party once again stresses that it is completely interested in a normal polling process tomorrow. It estimates polls as indispensdable.But protesting to the CEC for this Socialist-Communist type act, it also requists the safety for the life of its representatives be assured.

The Democratic Party asks the Government of the National Reconciliation to put under legal responsibility all those individuals that harass the fundamental right of the citizens.

[18] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH EDU DELEGATION

Starova stressed that the international community has an important role in an objective monitoring and reporting without ambiguities of the real situation during and at the end of the elections.

The EDU delegation took interest also in the priority aid that the international community should give so that the situation be stabilized as soon as possible, and the public order and faith in the constitutional order be restored.

In response to the interest of the EDU delegation, Minister Starova said that most emergent would be an immediate financial assistance, to be followed later by funds of aid or mid-term and long-term credits for plans of development in various fields of the progress of Albania. kled/xh

[19] MSF AND TIRANE POLICE TO COORDINATE ACTS DURING ELECTORAL PROCESS

The Director of the Tirane Police, Colonel Pashk Tusha and Colonel Leonardo Leso, commander of MSF carabineries for Tirane have come to an agreement to coordinate operations, which is also approved by the Albanian Interior Minister, Belul Celo.

"During a meeting I gave to Leso a detailed information of the questions of the order, the level of crime, the number of inhabitants in constituencies where the MSF will be present to offer security measures to the OSCE observers," said Tusha.

"The Alba forces will intervene in every case when there will be any violation of the public order, the life of citizens and if we demand their assistance for difficult criminal situations in somme set zones of Tirane district," said Tusha.

According to Tusha, this aid will be given through forces, means and special groups.

The zones where MSF will patrol are: Sauk-Farke, KAmez-Paskuqan, Kombinat- Zallbastar, Dajt, Peze-Ndroq, preze-Vore. If any problem emerges in the constituencies of these zones the MSF will inform the police. kled/xh

[20] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

Mr Dioguardi reported on the Resolution that the Democrat congressman James Trafficant presented before the U.S. Congress on the elections in Albania. The Resolution, he said, was approved after an accelerated procedure in the Congress with the full support of the International Relations Commission and the chairman Gillman himself.

* * *

Mr Arbnori today met with a delegation of Turkish parliamentarians who are in Albania to monitor Sunday polls. He told them he was for free and fair elections.

The Turkish parliamentarians expressed their confidence that after the polls, the situation in Albania would become normal.

* * *

Mr Arbnori met today with Ms Catherine La Lumiere, OSCE coordinator for elections in Albania.

"We," said Arbnori, "have declared and reiterate that we will accept the confirmed polls outcome even if we will lose. It would be reasonable if other political forces, had made the same declaration thus leaving no room for ambiguities.

Ms La Lumiere said that "we are totally neutral and like that the voting process be held without excesses and correct. We judge that all political forces must recognize the polls outcome because this the law of democracy, despite the fact that it is difficult to accept the loss," she said. jz/xh

[21] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA MEETS WITH OSCE COORDINATOR FOR ELECTIONS IN ALBANIA

"I have full confidence," said President Berisha, "that all Albanians, despite their party convictions, will manifest their maximal responsibility to help their country, to save Albania and its democracy, by taking part in the polls. I am totally convinced that despite the changing of the voting hours, the participation in the polls will be great. In some southern zones, the committees of the Prime Minister's party are exerting violence and terror on population and unfortunately in the zones of these committees candidates for deputy are the SP chairman and this party's present ministers in the government.

I would like to stress, said the President, that these elections could not be postponed, any of such act would worsen the situation. This is also for the reason that the Government of National Reconciliation is proving that it is unable to govern the country.

The fundamental issue, said Berisha, which is not yet solved is the transparence on the pyramid investment schemes. Despite my efforts and those of the parliament to charge the government of the prime minister who comes from the former opposition and the minister of Finance who also comes from the former opposition, to make the control on the pyramid schemes, we encountered their continuous and deliberate opposition, which as is being proven, has its basis on the involvement of their party in the pyramid investment schemes. In January, only some days before the bankruptcy of the pyramid investment scheme Gjallica, according to today's publication of authentic documentation, it results that their party had withdrawn from that firm more than half a million dollars, at a time when in the rallies of protests they had declared before protesters that the money was stolen by the democratic party.

Mr La Lumiere described as rather important and responsbile the fact that despite the difficult conditions in the southern zones, president Berisha and the Democratic Party have always been determined that the holding of the elections within the set time are vital and the last chance to take the country out of the crisis. She also appreciated their determination and declaration to accept the rules of democracy and the polls outcome recognized by the international community.

We are resolute, confirmed President Berisha, to respect the election outcome and to create space for optimism, as we have agreed upon in the agreement signed by Albanian political forces in Rome. jz/xh

[22] IN THE MARKET OF TIRANE 24 HOURS BEFORE ELECTIONS

"We feel unsure in this situation. We have obstacles in the supply with imported commodities and with commodities from some districts in southern Albania," says one of the shop-assistants.

The Tirane Police Director, Pashk Tusha declared that all the effectives of the 4 police commissariats of Tirane, along with special forces of the Interior Ministry are on the alert.

In the Avni Rustemi square, in which re is the greatest marketing of food articles, fruits and vegetables in the capial, there is the presence of an armed vehicle of Austria, included in the Multinational Security Force of the Alba mission, which was patrolling along with local raod police.

The prize for one kg of water-melon ranges from 80-100 lek, that of tomatoes from Shijak town amounted to 80 lek per kg. Competitive prizes come from vegetable cultivators in the suburbs of Tirane. One kg of peppers and lady fingers was up to 130 lek whereas the prize of potatoes was the same as two-three days before, 50-60 lek per kg.

A stability in the prizes is noticed for milk products, for instance one kg of white cheese is 200-220 per kg, yellow cheese ranges from 450-500 lek per kg. High prizes are registered for meat. One kg of veal, first quality, was sold today at 750-800 lek. eva/kle/xhe

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