Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-17

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] DEALERS HOLD KALASHNIKOVS WHILE TRADING

[02] WE ARE NOT OBLIGED TO STATE AFTER GOSTIVAR CRIMES - intellectuals

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF METALLURGISTS IS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO KOSOVA

[05] POLICE FORCES IN TIRANA AND DURRES DETAIN AUTHORS OF CRIME

[06] SOCIALISTS DELAY ON PURPOSE FINAL RESULT OF ELECTIONS - BERISHA

[07] OPPOSITION WITH NEW GOVERNMENT - CONFEDERATION

[08] MEETING IN DISTRICT COUNCIL OF SHKODER

[09] RUMANIAN TROOPS START LEAVING - DURRES

[10] INSECURE SITUATION IN TOWN OF GJIROKASTER

[11] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

[12] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BERISHA REITERATES HIS DECISION TO STEP DOWN

[13] STATEMENT OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA

[14] DECLARATION OF CEC MEMBER, PELLUMB CELA

[15] LEADERS OF CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION ON THE DELAY IN ANNOUNCING FINAL ELECTION OUTCOME

[16] 7SERBIAN STRENGTH IN KOSOVA IS ALSO DEMONSTRATED BY JET AIRCRAFTS

[17] STAROVA WRITES TO ANAN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA

[18] REPORT OF DP OF ALBANIA

[01] DEALERS HOLD KALASHNIKOVS WHILE TRADING

They have used their weapons against masked grabbers which systematically taxed them in the Cerrik-Belsh road segment, near Shales village.

The dealers have "decided" to hold kalashnikovs because the movement through this road segment has been unbearable.

A dealer said that a group of grabbers blocked the road early on Monday and stopped the car they (the dealers) were travelling.

They got off the car targeting the masked grabbers with kalashnikovs. It seemed that this was the last resistance by the daily grabbers who have "abandoned" the place where they had stayed for two months. kei/ak/

[02] WE ARE NOT OBLIGED TO STATE AFTER GOSTIVAR CRIMES - intellectuals

The accusation said: "We as non-party people and without political ambitions believe that it is pity and even more to believe in this government, state institutions after the events in Gostivar, otherwise we show ourselves as criminals ... Frankly, after the crime in Gostivar we have no obligations towards this state, which never saw as reasonable to defend all citizens on equal footing."

We call on the head of the state, domestic and international public opinion that since the state arrested Rufi Osmani and hundreds of other Albanians, we feel ourselves as prisoners like them, because their greatest fault is national pertaining - because they are Albanians, the public accusation said. pta/kei/ak/k

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit says "Vranitzki: Berisha, prepare to resign." Referring to articles published on Wednesday by the press saying that the SP leader Fatos Nano, who was set free after being convicted of corruption, cannot be elected at the post of the head of the Council of Ministers, the paper carries an interview with Nano's lawyer Perparim Sanxhaku. He said "People's plebiscite vote has signed Nano's innocence," and "No legal obstacle for Nano." On the same issue, the paper carries the article "Fatos Nano, indifferent to attacks from presidential newspapers." In the Actuality column, the paper says: "Berisha's mandate delays declaration on final results of the election authority." In the same column, it carries the article entitled "Fight crime without mercy" saying that anti-crime should be the strongest guard of a simple citizen.

Republika carries the editorial "State, kept in suspense" with the subtitle "Political marketing delays government. Crime tours all over Albania." The paper says "VEFA: 80 percent of the money." In the chronicle column, the paper says "Terror in Vlora, 55 killed and 670 wounded in Gjirokastra, 'black masks' steal Gramsh, children take away the Benz car of the Durres town hall." In the fourth page, the paper carries an interview with the Republican leader Sabri Godo under the title "President should not create constitutional vacuum."

Dita says in its first page "Berisha impedes decree on government." Todays' editorial is entitled "Be careful of hangman's rope." In its second page, the same paper carries the article "Nano gives finishing touches to government," with the subtitle "Nano, prime minister, no legal problem." In the third page, the paper carries a statement of the member of the Democratic Alliance party under the title "Sharing SP's victory with allies is positive." Referring to the end of the Alba operation in Albania, the paper says "'Alba', still soon to leave."

Under the headline "Lawyer Sanxhaku tries to defend again Fatos Nano," the newspaper Albania carries the article "SP prepares new prime minister," saying that a fight has started in the SP on a new name. Under the headline "Washington cracks SP's victory," the paper says "Elections were irregular, the south was under political terror." Referring to a program transmitted by LCI, a French TV, on Albania, the paper says: "An aid thief, Prime minister!?" The same paper carries the editorial "Democratic party - resistance and defeated," and the article "Ad hoc governing or non-governing of Albanians." The paper carries the article: "Macedonia is not our common house anymore."

As regards the situation in Macedonia, the newspaper Rilindja says "Parliament is convened without Albanian deputies," and "European parliament discusses events in Gostivar and Tetova." The paper carries the article "Closed circle of the cyclic violence against Albanians."

Koha Jone says "Berisha, president until fall," and carries the editorial "Constitutional Court, Berisha's nail." Referring to Nano's appointment as prime minister, the paper says "Nano, prime minister? No juridical obstacle." The paper says "Vlora Committee, chairmanship divided."

Indipendent says "Local elections soon," and "Fino, last hours as prime minister." On events in Macedonia, the paper reports "Gligorov continues anti-flag action." The paper quotes the secretary of the election authority Thimio Kondi as saying "Berisha is delaying elections' publication."

Balli i Kombit referring to the events in Macedonia says: "Any anti-Albanian declaration should be ashamed of the blood shed by Albanians." The paper says "Who brought the former communists back to power."

Gazeta Shqiptare says "Berisha blocks parliament," and the editorial "Policy which hides after a mess of laws. kei/pas/ak/

[04] SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF METALLURGISTS IS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO KOSOVA

This meeting was expected to be held yesterday and it was planned since in the meeting of the metallurgists' representatives of 28 countries, held times ago in Slovenia, where the metallurgists of Kosova had presented the request to become member of the European Federation of Metallurgists. /p.ta/pas/mt/sh/

[05] POLICE FORCES IN TIRANA AND DURRES DETAIN AUTHORS OF CRIME

The Police forces of the Durres commissariat detained Gezim Gecaj who killed on July 12 Selami Haxhiu.

The police also blocked a rifle with which this persons had committed the crime, while in his house the police found a machine gun and a considerable quantity of cartridges, as well as a defensive grenade.

The police forces of this commissariat have arrested Julian Vasili and Ilir Faslliu, who stole a car several days ago. This commissariat has also arrested other persons who attempted to rob several citizens by violence.

The police forces of the commissariat no 1 in Tirana have carried out recently a series of successful operation, uncovering and blocking a considerable quantity of different fire weapons.

They have also managed to identify and later detain two citizens, who had robbed the citizens for several days./mt/sh/

[06] SOCIALISTS DELAY ON PURPOSE FINAL RESULT OF ELECTIONS - BERISHA

"Upon the order of the SP head, members and jurists of this party in the Central Electoral Commission do not sign the declaration of the final result of elections, said Berisha, delaying this way the decree to convene the parliament due to the blocking of the communique for two days."

Berisha confirmed that he is totally determined to decree the convening of the parliament as soon as possible and that the delay from the socialist leadership marks another new stage of their revenge against the state institutions, after the decision, which it looks like they have canceled in order to invest the prime minister with presidential powers and to create an honorific president." /kled/mt/sh/

[07] OPPOSITION WITH NEW GOVERNMENT - CONFEDERATION

"We consider the result of June 29 polls a victory of the whole people," stressed the chairman of CTUA, Kastriot Muca, in the meeting of the National Council of this organization, held Thursday in Tirana.

On the basis of the problems presented by the deputy chairman of the confederation, Alfred Xhomo and Xhaferr Dobrusha, the National Council discussed and took the respective decisions even for the issues related with the organization and administration consolidation of all the structures of the Confederation of the Trade Unions./kei/mt/sh/

[08] MEETING IN DISTRICT COUNCIL OF SHKODER

Colonel Alonso said that they found understanding wherever they went, both with the citizens and the authorities of local government. Our mission, continued Alonso, was successfully accomplished.

The Spanish troops, deployed in Shkoder upon the requests of local authorities, patrolled the main axe of the roads Lezhe-Shkoder, Shkoder-Velipoje, Shkoder-Koplik and Skoder-Puke.

They participated in the distribution of the humanitarian aid of the International Red Cross, where in this town some 4500 families profited. During the voting days, they protected 120 OSCE observers in the districts of this prefecture./kled/mt/sh/

[09] RUMANIAN TROOPS START LEAVING - DURRES

The soldiers and the materials of the Rumanian battalion "San George", began embarking. This battalion operated for three months in the zone of Gjirokaster, Southern Albania, in the context of the Multinational Protection Force.

It is reported that this warship will leave today in the afternoon towards the Rumanian port of Konstanca. /kled/mt/sh/

[10] INSECURE SITUATION IN TOWN OF GJIROKASTER

A storehouse of the metallic factory was torched a few days ago. The flames of the fire, set by unidentified persons, have torched almost all the storehouse, worth 2.5 million leks. The quick intervention of the fire brigade localized the fire which could have been spread out in the nearby buildings.

Frequent attacks have been carried our recently even against the merchants, aiming to kidnap them for profit aims. The last case occurred three days ago, when a trader of the alcoholic drinks was kidnaped by unknown persons and was set free after he payed a large amount of money. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[11] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

The FM spokesman is authorized to explain that the articles related to the foreign service are based on flagrant concoctions and deformations.

The changes withing diplomatic service are adjusted on the basis of the law on this service and not on political, party criteria.

Not believening that the campaign of the press of the party that won the last parliamentary elections aims at preparing premises for politically-motivated purges, unfortunately, we notice that most renowned names of the foreign serice, including intellectuals who have contributed to Albanian dipliomacy as well as many experienced diplomats, have fallen prey to the public attacks which have suspicious goals.

It is the right of the winning party to present new alternatives and programs in the country's foreign policy. The diplomatic service, as a specialized part of the civil service in Albania, does not belong to any political party. ssh/xh/

[12] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BERISHA REITERATES HIS DECISION TO STEP DOWN

"According to constitutional laws of Albania, the President cannot be forced to withdraw from his post either with two thirds or with three fourths of the votes in the Parliament," said Berisha.

He stressed he would not cohabitate with the socialists, despite his legal right to continue in the present post, because:

"In the latest elections, my moral right to direct the country fell in a minority and I have always been convinced and I stick unwaveringly to this conviction that in these circumstances, I must respect the moral right and prefer the minority rather than co-governing with the majority, because, I think, this is in the interest of my country and this is a better service to it." xh/sh/

[13] STATEMENT OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA

"I came today, in this meeting, first to guarantee you and all the Albanians that I am completely resolute and profoundly interested to decree immediately, as soon as the CEC declares the ballot turnout, the meeting of the parliament in its first session.

I have repeatedly confirmed this stand and also confirmed it to the PM of the National Reconciliation Government in the meeting held with him on July 14.

In the last two days, the propaganda of the election winners has been making a big noise about the alleged delay caused by the President of the Republic in convening the new session of the Parliament. With regard to this, I would like to assure as follows and explain:

I once more confirm my resolute position before the elections to recognize their results, although the victory, as it is clear to the Albanians and the international opinion, has its roots in violence, terror, attempts on other's lives, killings organized by the winners before and during the electoral campaign, it has its roots in the fraud for the creation of special sources for the return and full compensation of the creditors' savings and their interests rates lost in pyramid investment schemes. But before the elections and now, I hope this decision to recognise the polls outcome, is a possibility and hope to pull the country out of this crisis; let the history judge this.

I have always been unshakeable in my decision not to cohabit with a socialist government, this not because the socialists can use two thirds of the votes to impose my removal. In the constitutional laws of Albania, the President cannot be forced to resign, neither with two thirds, nor with three fourths. But I will not cohabit with the socialists, although I have my legal right to continue in the present post, because in the latest elections, my moral right to direct the country has fallen in a minority and I have always been convinced and I stick unwaveringly to this conviction that in these circumstance, I must respect the moral right and to prefer the minority rather than co-governing with the majority, because, I think, this is in the interest of my country and this is a better service to it. Today, I am more resolute in this stand, although I am elected by a legitimate parliament, with a voting much more free and fair than the current parliament, that comes from a victory which, due to its roots in the violence, terror and the cheating for the full restitution of money, I think, will soon fade away from the strong winds of democracy.

The delay to decree the convening of the Parliament comes as a result of the fact that the CEC communique on the polls turnout is being blocked by socialist members in the Central Election Commission for two consecutive days. Upon an order of the SP leader, members and jurists of this party in the CEC do not sign the declaration on the polls outcome.

On July 15, in a document, which came from the Central Electoral Commission without the signature of the Chairman, but only with the signature of the deputy chairman and the socialist Secretary, along with the CEC seal, through which, by taking over the competence of the Commission of the mandates of the parliament and why not of the Constitutional Court, I was asked through imposition a reply about the stand I will adopt towards my mandate as president or that as a deputy.

In the afternoon of July 15, another document came from the CEC, now signed by the two socialist officials who had also signed the first document, but also by the Chairman of the Commission, in which it was confirmed that the first document was not approved and sent by the Central Electoral Commission. Thus we have to do with an abuse in office. But let the justice bodies carry out this and not me.

What I would like to confirm once again is that I am completely resolute to decree the convocation of the Parliament as soon as possible and that delay on the part of the socialist leadership marks another of their new revanchist stage towards state institutions, after the decision, which is likely to have been annulled in order to shift presidential power to the Prime Minister and to create a decorative president.

In other words, this is made in to restore in Albania the period of Enver in the 50s, who kept both the post of the first secretary of the Central Committee and that of the prime minister with all the executive powers and thus having a president in the role of a puppet. Now, these politicians order their officials of the Central Electoral Commission, through the fraud and falsification of documents, to impose on the President of the Republic at a time when this question raised by the SP parliamentary group, if it liked, might have received a response from the Constitutional Court, not some days ago but several weeks ago.

In a conclusion, I would like to confirm my unchangeable decision that upon fulfilling my important constitutional obligations, will not cohabit with the government that came out of these elections, and I am determined, as soon as the final election results are made public, to decree the convening of parliament at the earliest date. The country needs an active governing to start acting to pull it out of the crisis. As I would like to confirm our unchangeable decision to be a constructive and loyal opposition, to be determined advocates of all the freedoms and rights of Albanians, of our alternative, alternative which undoubtedly received this time a minority of votes, but which is expected to be embraced more and more by the Albanian electors.kled/xh/mt/

[14] DECLARATION OF CEC MEMBER, PELLUMB CELA

"In the name of the majority of the CEC, who are ready for three days now to declare the final results of the elections, I would like to declare before Albanian opinion and the internatioal one that its work is being prevented by the deputy chairman of the CEC and the secretary of the Commission, hence by a part of the Socialist party representatives.

We have adopted this decision long ago, and it seems to me that there are political abuses regarding this issue. We have accepted the proportioal lists of the parties since June 27, and on July 9 we analysed and in particular, when it has been voted for Mr Berisha, and it has been agreed upon that he be in the nominal list of the Democratic Party, and we had taken a decision on this matter, it is in the protocol, I have the right that in the name of all other members, to consider that a political question is now present on the technical table of the CEC.

Three days ago, in a meeting of the CEC where we adopted the status of the CEC members, Mr Klosi and Mr Kondi, respectively the deputy chairman and secretary of CEC, laid again for the third time the problem of Mr Berisha. The Commission declared to them unanimously that this problem was closed and that you have no right that in the name of the Commission to address the President of the Republic, but as Albanian citizens, it is your right to do anything you like.

Precisely here occurred the great mistake of the deputy chairman and the secretary, who in the name of CEC, with a letter with a protocol number and a seal on it, they addressed the President of the Republic, which in my opinion was a pressure on the President in the name of this Commission, at a time when it is not our competence to decide about his preliminary withdrawal, so that to give him, then, the mandate of a deputy.

The commission convened in the afternoon and criticized this so wrong act of the two members of the CEC preidency and through a letter addressed the President in which we wrote: "The Central Election Commission stresses that the letter sent to you was not approved by the CEC abd was not sent by it. The letter and its content are quite personal opinions of its signatories."

I want once more to stress that it is not the right of CEC to deal with this matter, and that we must comply with the criterion that the President acts according to fundamental constitional provisions.

We must give him the mandate as all the others, and it is him to decide, to be a deputy or to keep the post of the President of the Republic. Moreover, it is the Commission of the Mandates' Verification in the Parliament, which, like for all the deputies, also for Mr Berisha will verify that if he does not step down from his post, he would not be allowed to enter the Parliament hall."

With regard to the announcement of the final polls outcome, Mr Cela said that "For us, the majority of the Commission members, the annoncement of the final results of the ballot has been realised. For us it has no sense to convene at a time when we have signed the announcement with 10 signatures of the Commission members, it is also another Commission member who does fully agree with this, but who is abroad during this time, hence we are 11 members, 6 of whom have not agreed to sign. For us, the announcement is ready and there is not sense to continue the delay." ssh/xh/sh/

[15] LEADERS OF CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION ON THE DELAY IN ANNOUNCING FINAL ELECTION OUTCOME

Asked what prevents the announcement of the results of elections, Mr Kume explains that there are problems with the number one of the Democratic Party proportional list if he will continue to be in that list or not. We have clarified this question in the commission and have been for that list," said Kume.

"After the completion of the second runoff poll, hence at the end of the electoral process, the election outcome was made ready to be announced," said Kume.

The only concern was the question of the president, said CEC deputy chairman, Fatos Klosi in reply to a question whether CEC has had problems regarding the drawing of the voting outcome.

"Berisha is the number one in the DP proportional list and according to the constitutional law he cannot be both in the post of the President and a deputy at the same time," explains Klosi.

"In a personal letter I sent him we asked that him to declare which of the two posts he was going to have," said Klosi, adding that they had received no reply to this question.

"I support the letter sent to him, that Berisha should explain his position. Without this clarification I consider impossible the announcement of the final results of the elections, because, in my opinion, and according to jurists I have consulted and the jurists in the commission this is a violation of the law. If we put his name in that list, we would give him the mandate of a deputy to the People's Assembly," said Klosi. In the name of 10 members of the CEC, who have approved and signed the final results of the polls, (out of 16 which is the total number of the Commission members) the Commission member Pellumb Cela made public through a televized declaration that "the announcement of the election result is being hindered by the Commission deputy chairman and the secretary, hence by a part of the Socialist Party representatives." xh

[16] 7SERBIAN STRENGTH IN KOSOVA IS ALSO DEMONSTRATED BY JET AIRCRAFTS

The threatening and provoking flights of the aircraft jets demonstrate the Serbian strength in Kosove along with police and military concentrations and the daily terror on unprotected Albanians. bj/ag/mp/xh

[17] STAROVA WRITES TO ANAN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA

"The Republic of Albania has denounced this unprecedented act of brutality against Albanians in Macedonia. It is the conviction of the Albanian government that the violence used on unprotected civilians is a pre-meditated act against Albanian population in the FYROM," stressed Starova in his letter.

"The use of strength towards Albanian civil protesters is completely unnecessary, it is a deliberate demonstration of the force aiming at crushing every democratic anmd peaceful effort of the Albanian population for equality and justice," wrote Starova. He voiced the concern over the indifference of the international community towards the use of force against Albanians in Macedonia recently.

Minister Starova invited the U.N. Secretary General to demand the preparation a general report on the events by the Commander of the U.N. Forces deployed in the FYROM and proposed that the report be presented to the Security Council.

Minister Starova also appealed to the U.N. Security Council to send to the FYROM a mission consisting of representatives of the member states of the Council to gather information on the situation there, ends the report of the FM spokesman. xh

[18] REPORT OF DP OF ALBANIA

The terror exerted on Cepele family is in the course of the violence that SP has undertaken for some months now against DP elected people, members abnd sympathizers, with the aim of preventing its activity.

DPA protests energetically against the violence towards its people, and it notices with concern a restoration of Albanis's politics of 45s.

It invites Nano and his segments of violence to halt the hand of the political crime and to make concrete the boastful declarations for "social co-existence."

The attempt on the life of Cepele family (it is the second time that left exrtremists cause trouble to this family) is too far from the demagogical statements that SP leaders publish in the press which depends so much on them, ends the report of the DPA press and information office. xh

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