Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-18

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] U.S. ASKS FOR ALBANIANS' PRUDENCE AS REGARDS TO CONSTITUTION (U.S. ambassador to Tirana meets Republican leader)

[03] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS TRY TO LOOT A MILITARY DEPOT IN MAMINAS

[04] MASKED PERSONS CONTINUE GRABBING

[05] MACEDONIAN AUTHORITIES PREPARE ASSEMBLED POLITICAL PROCESS

[06] VEHICLE WHICH TRANSPORTED MONEY FOR SELENICA PENSIONERS ATTACKED

[07] U.S. - ALBANIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ASKS USA TO CONDEMN CRIMINAL ACTS OF MACEDONIAN POLICE AGAINST ALBANIANS

[08] CLASHES IN BOULEVARD VLORE-SKELE

[09] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS U.S AMBASSADOR LINO

[10] GREEK POLICE DEPORT ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS - GJIROKASTER

[11] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS NDI DELEGATION

[12] UNION OF ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA AIMS AT DEFENDING LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF ALBANIANS

[13] BODY OF CHILD WHO DID NOT HAVE ORGANS FOUND IN VLORE - MPF

[14] METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVENT DEPARTURE OF MFP REGIMENT

[15] DECLARATION OF BALLOT OUTCOME STILL BLOCKED IN CEC

[16] MACEDONIAN POLICE ARREST AND KIDNAP ALBANIANS

[17] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ON TRAGIC EVENTS IN MACEDONIA

[18] METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVENT DEPARTURE OF MFP REGIMENT

[19] MACEDONIAN POLICE ARREST AND KIDNAP ALBANIANS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

Under the headline "President's agony should not be turned into an agony of Albanians" the newspaper Zeri i Popullit says " Berisha is taking Albania hostage." The paper says "Pact of co-governing, proof of Socialist party emancipation." It carries the article "With determination and dignity towards NATO." The paper says "Berisha threatens two officials of the Election Commission." In the Actuality column the paper says "Rokad before justice" and "Away from those who destroyed DP". The paper carries a letter by a group of people from Himara under the title "Slanders of the Albania newspaper cannot cast slur on the patriotic history of Himara."

Republika says "Money-lending: Sejdia (the first who foresaw massive money-lending in Albania) comes to Albania with 500 million USD." The paper carries the editorial: "Albania from an authoritative president to a decorative one." It carries a report on a meeting between the Republican leader Sabri Godo with the U.S. ambassador in Tirana Marisa Lino.

Rilindja covers the press conference of the president Berisha quoting him as saying "I confirm my position to recognise the election result." Covering the speech of the former Austrian Chancellor Vranitzki in the NATO Council in Brussels, the paper says: "Albania's crisis risks spreading to Kosova." Regarding the latest events in Gostivar and Tetova, the paper says: "Parliamentary-governing crisis in Macedonia?" as well as "Republic of Albania condemns brutality against Albanians in Macedonia."

Albania under the headline "Candidate for prime minister has his file opened," says "Prison's file leaves Nano standing". It carries the editorial "Mini-transitions and logic of award and compensation."

Koha Jone says "Berisha: Nano like Enver Hoxha" and it carries the editorial "Berisha, or morale over the law." It also says "International traffic of Albanian children's organs."

Dita carries the editorial "Dead time, time of death," and reports "Greek broom restarted."

Indipendent says "SP, portfolios - Berisha, money," and "Central Election Commission, red and black quarrel."

Ushtria dhe Koha reports "From military 'Alba' to a constructive 'noon'".

Gazeta Shqiptare carries the editorial "After elections - a 'joyful' return to Radio Television". The paper says "Berisha respond to election authority: "You cheated in your post." kei/ak/k

[02] U.S. ASKS FOR ALBANIANS' PRUDENCE AS REGARDS TO CONSTITUTION (U.S. ambassador to Tirana meets Republican leader)

In a two-hour meeting on the request of the U.S. Ambassador Lino at the Republican party headquarters, Lino said that "Albanians should not hurry when taking such a step."

The Repubican leader Godo said to ATA that the meeting focused on the main issues of present and prospective policy in Albania as well as Europian and U.S. aid to Albania.

Regarding a delay on announcing the election results by the election authority, Godo said that "to simplify things, the Election Commission should give a mandate to Berisha and then when the parliament convenes, he should decide whether to stay as president or deputy."

Godo said that they discussed the problem of Albanians in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

"Albanians should not be deprived of the right to use their national symbo ls according to all international laws," Godo said. adding that the Macedonian police forces perpetrated a massive massacre there.

On the same issue, Lino said "both sides should solve the differences through negotiations for recent events be never repeated." ak/k

[03] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS TRY TO LOOT A MILITARY DEPOT IN MAMINAS

Soldiers on duty abandoned their posts out of panic.

The police commissariat was informed about the event and urgently sent two armoured carriers and a number of police forces. They found there the guard's officer, who was presumed to be taken hostage.

The police forces checked the military unit and informed that no weapon was taken away. Nevertheless, they stayed in readiness all the night to prevent any other attempt.

The present situation is normal but it is necessary that the Defence Ministry takes appropriate measures to defend all units which are dependent on it because the police have many other tasks to carry out, the chief of the police commissariat Arben Hasanbelliu said.

He added that persons who abandoned the posts should be brought under legal proceedings. pas/ak/

[04] MASKED PERSONS CONTINUE GRABBING

"Masked" have recently grabbed 1,4 million leks, the wages of the employees of the commune of Llugaj, in the Tropoja district, too.

Employees of both communes have not been able to receive their wages. Mark Doci, director of the local exchequer said that the employees should take the wages but this problem should be solved by state administration. He stressed that the state budget should recover these losses because it is not the fault of the employees for the money fail to reach the destination. pas/ak

[05] MACEDONIAN AUTHORITIES PREPARE ASSEMBLED POLITICAL PROCESS

[06] VEHICLE WHICH TRANSPORTED MONEY FOR SELENICA PENSIONERS ATTACKED

The victim is thought to be a financier, 55-60, while the other two people who were injured are policemen and they are A. Butaj, 27, and A. Kapaj, 22. They are immediately sent to the hospital of Vlore.

Sources from the hospital report that one of the policeman is in a grave situation and he is expected to be transported to Italy./kled/mt/sh/

[07] U.S. - ALBANIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ASKS USA TO CONDEMN CRIMINAL ACTS OF MACEDONIAN POLICE AGAINST ALBANIANS

In the letter it is said among others that due to the severe and unjustifiable brutality of the Macedonian special police, at least two Albanians have been killed, respectively Nazmi Sahliu, 31, with two children, and Dr. Shpend Hyseni, 33, also father of two children.

In the letter it is also underlined the arrest of the Gostivar Prefect, Rufi Osmani and of the deputy chairman of the Macedonian Helsinki Committee, Milaim Fejziu, who is gravely maltreated.

The non official data speak of 7 Albanians who were killed, and more than 50 Albanians and two Macedonian policemen injured. More than 400 Albanians are imprisoned by the Macedonian police.

In the letter it is pointed out that the bloody incident happened at the moment when the Albanian population rejected the removal of the Albanian flag from the building of the Gostivar League by the Macedonian police. This is carried out to implement the new law, approved some hours ago, which conditions the use of the national flag only in special occasions.

In the letter is also said that despite the legal aspect about the question of the Albanian flag, the fact that the Albanians were killed by the Macedonian police is a crime against humanity, against mankind and it should be strongly condemned by the international community, first by USA.

Three years ago, an Albanian was killed in Tetove, in defence of the right for opening the University of Tetove in Albanian language. "We consider this practice as dangerous and which threatens the political stability of FYROM, and neighbouring countries, that's why it should be interrupted, is said at the end of the letter of the Council of the U.S.-Albanian community, signed by its chairman, Sami Repishti. /p.ta/pas/mt/k

[08] CLASHES IN BOULEVARD VLORE-SKELE

A relatively large number of people is thought to have been hurt. Until 13:00 three injured arrived in the hospital and others are expected to come. The hospital is actually surrounded by the police forces. /kled/mt/sh/

[09] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS U.S AMBASSADOR LINO

It was a tete-a-tete meeting and Pollo did not want to pronounce more, considering it a normal working meeting.

The National Council of DP will convene on Sunday, which will discuss the causes of the loss of this party in the early elections of June 29, as well as about its renovation from the center to the grass roots, as the main opposition force in Albania. /kled/mt/sh/

[10] GREEK POLICE DEPORT ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS - GJIROKASTER

Albanian officials of the custom-house in Kakvije told ATA that more than 500 emigrants were deported only during yesterday, while today, confess the above sources, 4 buses with more than 200 emigrants were deported.

These sources said that along with many emigrants who did not have permission to stay in Greece, even those who were legally staying in Greece and who had regular visas have been deported. But in both cases violence was exercised on them by the Greek police.

The Albanian emigrants told ATA that although they had not attempted to resist, the Greek police hit them with batons or with the butts of their arms, and in many cases have kept them in cell without giving food before deporting to Albania.

Since July 12, the Greek police have carried out a wide operation for the deportation of the Albanian emigrants, which in the media of the country was considered as the appearance of the "sweeping operation" (this was named the operation of the massive expulsion of the Albanians from Greece in 1994-1995).

A day ago the Greek police maltreated and deported in the Kakavije border point Albanian citizens who were returning to Greece, after they had participated in the June 29 polls, independent news agency ENTER reported.

Sources from the spot told ENTER agency that the Albanian citizens were provided with special cards for returning to Greece, after taking part in the June 29 ballot.

According to these sources, a large number of persons have been deported, but their exact number is not made known yet.

The same sources confirmed that the Greek border police of Kapshtica have maltreated a number of citizens with wood sticks.

The Greek media in the police headings of the last week, have published at least two articles everyday, where the Albanian citizens were accused, the same as in 1992, where the Albanians were blamed for every crime committed in Greece, although the criminality of all the foreigners in Greece did not pass the figure of 2 per cent. /pas/kled/mt/sh/

[11] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS NDI DELEGATION

Pollo stressed that DP is resolute to accept the parliament which came from these elections as a political solution to the best of the country, although these elections were not free and fair, but only acceptable, as the troika of the foreign observers said, they are only a solution to overcome the crisis.

DP is resolute, different from SP in the past, to take active part in the parliamentary life.

Melia underlined that he appreciates the DP stand in its position since the first day after the elections as an opposition in the political life of the country.

The delegation stressed that NDI will continue to play its role to promote the democratic processes in Albania. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[12] UNION OF ALBANIAN PARTIES IN MACEDONIA AIMS AT DEFENDING LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF ALBANIANS

"In these tragic moments Albanians are passing in Albanian territories in the FYROM, this union too has its message that all Albanian political subjects have one signle goal, the Albanian legitimate rights in those spaces and their political act to converge," said spokesman Ernat Fejzullahu.

According to him, the final act on the unification of the Republican Party for People's Unity with the ADP is expected to be signed Sunday.

"Since the unification of the Party for Prosperity of the Albanians with the People's Democratic Party (which formed the ADP) a month ago (on Juny 11) also other meetings with other Albanian political parties which will accept to act on a political platform and one program, will be held," said Fejzullahu.

Regarding the declarations of Gligorov that Macedonian special forces have carried out their task, Fejzullahu said that they are not surprising," implying that they speak of a state structure inherited from old Yugoslav former communist systems.

Fejzullahu said that the views on the violence against unprotected and disarmed Albanians have been broadcast on Macedonian TV with the idea that "in that way the integrity of the Macedonian state has been protected."

He stressed that Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Cervenkovski has congratulated the special forces on the good job they have made.

"Only the Macedonian state bears responsibility for the relations between Albanians and Macedonian on these spaces," said Fejzullahu.

According to him, the campaign in the Macedonian press and television that Albanians undertake terrorist and illegal acts is not without any effect on the rank and file people,"the contacts have become more difficult and the Macedonians do not agree to discuss such problems."

The above stand has also been adopted by Macedonian political parties.

In late hours of July 8, the Macedonian parliament took the decision on a limited use of non-Macedonian national flags in the FYROM. At 2 a.m. of July 9, the Macedonian police removed the Albanian flags in Gostivar and Tetove, accusing Albanian political subjects that "they had not carried out their task to inform all Albanian citizens in the FYROM of the new law."

Three people have been killed and scores of other were wounded during the clashes of the Albanians of Macedonia with police, official sources say. xh/sh/

[13] BODY OF CHILD WHO DID NOT HAVE ORGANS FOUND IN VLORE - MPF

The MPF spokesman, lieutenant colonel Giovanni Bernardi, told ENTER agency that the body was found by ALBA, but ALBA was informed later about the cadaver.

"Alba was informed about the fact that it was uncovered a child's body who did not have the body organs," said Bernardi.

The Italian media have warned about "a traffic of women, children and organs which operates for years in Albania towards Greece, Italy, Switzerland." /kled/mt/sh/

[14] METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVENT DEPARTURE OF MFP REGIMENT

"The ship will make another effort today in the afternoon to enter the port," the MPF spokesman, Bernardi, told ATA.

He added that the warship was planned to leave today, but if it reaches the port today, the departure will be tomorrow.

The regiment 151 of the Sassari brigade has 266 soldiers.

All the contingents of MPF should leave Albania until August 12, 1997. /s.sh/mt/sh/

[15] DECLARATION OF BALLOT OUTCOME STILL BLOCKED IN CEC

"The declaration of the ballot outcome is hindered by the deputy chairman and the secretary of the commission, hence by a part of the SP representatives," said among others in a statement for the Albanian television, the member of CEC Pellum Cela, on behalf of 10 CEC members (out of 17 which is the total number of the Commission members), who have approved and signed the declaration of the polls outcome.

According to the HRUP chairman, Vasil Melo, quoted by Koha Jone paper on Friday, said that it does not belong to the CEC to judge the mandate of Berisha, but it is the parliamentary commission of mandates which discusses about this problem.

"The CEC should not be involved in this problem, but is should protect its duties to enable the starting of the parliament's proceedings," the paper cites Melo as saying.

The Republican leader, Sabri Godo, after a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Tirana, Mariza Lino yesterday, regarding a delay on announcing the election results by the election authority, said that "to simplify things, the Election Commission should give a mandate to Berisha and then when the parliament convenes, he should decide whether to stay as president or deputy."/mt/sh/

[16] MACEDONIAN POLICE ARREST AND KIDNAP ALBANIANS

On Tuesday, in Tetove, reinforcements of special police forces were noticed in all roads leading to the city, in the main crossroads and in front of some most important state objects. The return of those police forces surprised the citizens, but everything was clarified as soon as it was reported that five activists and officials of the ADP and the Democratic Youth were arrested by security structures of the regional units of the Interior Ministry, two of whom, were taken to an unknown direction. The secretary of the ADP Branch in Tetove, Zeqeria Rexhepi, deputy chairman of the Democratic Youth of ADP, Arsim Ceka, the chairman of the DPA affiliate in Recice e Vogel, Servet Ceka, member of the Central Assembly of the Democratic Youth, Arben Isaku and the activist of the Democratic Youth, Gazmend Etemi are being held in custody, says a report of newspaper Bujku, broadcast by the Information Centre of Kosova.

Nexhat Mehmeti, the defence attorney of the chairman Rufi Osmani, who had a meeting Wednesday with the defendant, said the security structures have not maltreated the Gostivar chairman and he has been allowed to meet his wife, and communication in the Albanian language had been realised through interpretor.

There is a small number of patients in the hospital of Gostivar, whereas a gravely wounded patient, the national of Albania, is named Astrit Loci. In the commune of Bogovina, nearly ten km from Tetove, the Albanian flag continues to be in front of that commune. The Albanian flag is reportedly still in front of the commune building of Tearce.

"After the violence and brutal intervention of Macedonian police in Albanian spaces such as in Tetove and especially in Gostivar, the Macedonian government is continuing systematically its violence against Albanian population," says a declaration of the Albanian Democratic Party centered in Tetove, and informed by the Information Centre of Kosova. pta/mp/kled/xh/sh/

[17] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ON TRAGIC EVENTS IN MACEDONIA

"Although the FYROM continues to portrait itself as a democratic state with tolerance and respect for the ethnic and national rights, the reality is different. Despite the fact that Albanians consist almost half of the two million population of that state, they continue to be treated as second hand citizens and are not integrated in the Macedonian society. Less than 1 per cent of the Albanian population has been employed in the public sector, in administration and local government, customs house and in police structures. Whereas less that two per cent is engaged in the government of Macedonia," says the declaration.

During the recent days, Macedonian police shot with fire weapons, and killed two people, wounding seriously 50 ethnic Albanians, at a time when hundreds of others were jailed, including the prefect of Gostivar. These repressive acts against a people because they have used their national symbols, are a great violation of the most fundamental human rights, which must be denounced by the international community, says the declaration.

Albanians are denied the right to higher education in their language and the use of national symbols. The Tetove University was declared illegal by the Macedonian government, whereas last month the Constitutional Court of Macedonia declared invalid the decisions of local authorities of Gostivar, outlawing the right for the use of Albanian flag in the premises of local government. The policy of ethnic discrimination of the government has encouraged similar reactions and hatred on the part of the Macedonian population. There can be no genuine democracy at a time when the citizens of a state are treated in that way and when the cultural tolerance towards an ethnic group is lacking, says the declaration. Therefore, Macedonia is not to be praised in the Balkans, as is claimed.

The Macedonian Government should understand that Albanians may be stabilizing factors in the country but its latest acts against them may be rather dangerous for the peace and stability in the region. The fact that Albanians are being killed by Macedonian authorities is a crime against mankind and as such should be condemned by the U.S. Such practices are very dangerous and must be halted immediately, says the declaration signed by Sami Repishti, chairman of the Albanian-American National Council. pta/mp/kled/xh/sh/

[18] METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVENT DEPARTURE OF MFP REGIMENT

"The ship will make another effort today in the afternoon to enter the port," the MPF spokesman, Bernardi, told ATA.

He added that the warship was planned to leave today, but if it reaches the port today, the departure will be tomorrow.

The regiment 151 of the Sassari brigade has 266 soldiers.

All the contingents of MPF should leave Albania until August 12, 1997. /s.sh/mt/sh/

[19] MACEDONIAN POLICE ARREST AND KIDNAP ALBANIANS

On Tuesday, in Tetove, reinforcements of special police forces were noticed in all roads leading to the city, in the main crossroads and in front of some most important state objects. The return of those police forces surprised the citizens, but everything was clarified as soon as it was reported that five activists and officials of the ADP and the Democratic Youth were arrested by security structures of the regional units of the Interior Ministry, two of whom, were taken to an unknown direction. The secretary of the ADP Branch in Tetove, Zeqeria Rexhepi, deputy chairman of the Democratic Youth of ADP, Arsim Ceka, the chairman of the DPA affiliate in Recice e Vogel, Servet Ceka, member of the Central Assembly of the Democratic Youth, Arben Isaku and the activist of the Democratic Youth, Gazmend Etemi are being held in custody, says a report of newspaper Bujku, broadcast by the Information Centre of Kosova.

Nexhat Mehmeti, the defence attorney of the chairman Rufi Osmani, who had a meeting Wednesday with the defendant, said the security structures have not maltreated the Gostivar chairman and he has been allowed to meet his wife, and communication in the Albanian language had been realised through interpretor.

There is a small number of patients in the hospital of Gostivar, whereas a gravely wounded patient, the national of Albania, is named Astrit Loci. In the commune of Bogovina, nearly ten km from Tetove, the Albanian flag continues to be in front of that commune. The Albanian flag is reportedly still in front of the commune building of Tearce.

"After the violence and brutal intervention of Macedonian police in Albanian spaces such as in Tetove and especially in Gostivar, the Macedonian government is continuing systematically its violence against Albanian population," says a declaration of the Albanian Democratic Party centered in Tetove, and informed by the Information Centre of Kosova. pta/mp/kled/xh/sh/

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