Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK POLICE FORCIBLY RETURN ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] NEW INTERIOR MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GERMAN AMBASSADOR

[04] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ON CRIMINAL ACT IN PESHKOPI

[05] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS AMBASSADOR OF TURKEY

[06] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS TO ALBANIAN PRESIDENT FROM LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

[07] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS OF GREEK PM TO HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART

[08] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS KOSOVA REPRESENTATIVE IN TIRANA

[09] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS TO ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

[10] EXPLOSIVE MATTER PLANTED IN BRIDGE OF KARDHIQ AND VIROI

[11] PREMIER NANO MEETS ITALIAN AMBASSADOR

[12] NEW VISIONS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN AMBASSADOR

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT REXHEP MEJDANI MEETS WITH MR RAMAJLI

[15] MEETING OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER WITH RENEA POLICE EFFECTIVE

[16] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PASKAL MILO

[01] GREEK POLICE FORCIBLY RETURN ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS

A group of emigrants who were returned from Athens said to ATA that the Greek police had threatened them using knives, what had been reported by the media of the neighbouring country.

They have been maltreated by the Greek police who have used clubs and rifles' butts.

The situation in the Albanian soil is difficult for them because they experience the control of gangs and wrongdoers in the road axis of Kakavija-Ballsh. These gangs apart from grabbing money also exert terror causing wounds of physical violence.

Police commissariat of Gjirokastra said that drivers of urban and interurban bus lines are reluctant to travel out of the fear of gangs.

"We are seeing a possibility to reach an agreement with private bus companies guaranteeing the escort by our police staff," chief of the police commissariat Xhafer Xhoxhaj said.

Some thousands of emigrants have returned from Greece during this months. ake/kei/ak/k

[02] PRESS REVIEW

The newspaper Zeri i Popullit under the headline "President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani decrees new cabinet headed by Fatos Nano," says "Government to face challenges." The paper covers the first meeting of the new government and reports on the meetings of the President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani with the U.S. ambassador Marisa Lino and the Greek ambassador Preventurakis, and the Prime Minister Fatos Nano with Lino. The paper considers a terrorist act the planting of an explosive device in a flat in Peshkopia, which claimed the life of six persons.

Under the headline "Nano at the head of the installed administration, after the violated elections of June 29," the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike says: "'Nano 3' takes oath". The planting of an explosive device in a flat in Peshkopia, is considered by the paper "a fundamental terror", and says "Explosive kills people while sleeping." The paper says that nine persons died as a result of the explosion. The same paper carries a statement of the Democratic party under the title "Parliament to consider the hasty decision on lifting of state of emergency. " Regarding the violent expulsion of 700 Albanian emigrants from Greece, the paper says that the Greek police are torturing Albanians.

Republika reports "Nano: Program on Monday, in Rome on Wednesday," and carries the editorial entitled "Government, debts and portfolios." The paper says that the parliament has started an attack on Radio television. In the chronicle column, the paper says that seven people have killed in a clash between gangs in Berat and nine persons killed in an explosion in Peshkopi.

Rilindja covers the message of President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani to the Albanian parliament and people when he was elected in the post. The paper reports on the decree signed by Mejdani for the appointment of Fatos Nano as Prime Minister. The same paper covers the press conference of the President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova.

Albania considers "Nano 3" government a "Vorio Epiri" government and carries the editorial "President decrees the division of Albania," saying that 94 percent of the new government is from the area under Shkumbin river, Southern Albania. The paper carries the name of the cabinet members together with the birthplaces. Under the headline "Balance of first day of the Socialist power," the paper says "20 dead and 53 wounded."

Referring to the formation of the new cabinet, the newspaper Koha Jone says "Government, challenges of fire start," carries the editorial "Light and shade of 'Nano 3'" and quotes newly appointed prime minister as saying "To begin with corruption." The paper carries the biographies of the cabinet members.

The newspaper Dita says "New government and nine killed." In the Portrait column, the newspaper says "'Constructivism of DP and independent media." The paper says that the government will gain a vote of confidence on Monday.

Gazeta Shqiptare reports on the explosion in Peshkopi: "Massacre, a flat blown up." The paper informs on the formation of the new cabinet and carries the names of government members. It says that the gangs make the law in Berat where nine people have been killed. Regarding yesterday's debate on Albanian television in parliament, the paper says "Albanian television censured Mejdani's speech." kei/ak/k

[03] NEW INTERIOR MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GERMAN AMBASSADOR

The meeting focused on the assistance this organisation is giving and will give to restructure the Albanian police, a spokesman said.

Ceka presented the need of coordination and harmonisation of the aid rendered by special states like Italy, U.S. and Greece in the framework of bilateral cooperation with the aid offered by the WEU.

The meeting discussed the need for a closed collaboration of experts of this mission and specialists of the Interior Ministry. kei/ak/k

[04] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ON CRIMINAL ACT IN PESHKOPI

The President of the Republic sincerely takes part in this affliction and expresses his profound condolences to the families and beloved relatives of the victims. Such acts, which are product of the terrorist individuals and groups, clearly testify the necessity of taking urgent measures by the order forces to fight by the force of law all the hurtful and criminal elements, to bring the people tranquility and normality of life to the country.

The President asked the executive body to take the necessary measures to alleviate the pain of the families affected by this tragedy and within a short time to create the necessary conditions to prevent such events, ends the report of the President press and information office./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[05] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS AMBASSADOR OF TURKEY

Referring to the letter that the Turkish ambassador, Sulejman Demirel, sent on Friday to the President of the Republic, the ambassador reconfirmed the all-round readiness of Turkey and the Turkish people to help and face the difficulties in the economic and institutional restoration of the country. Turkey will have its part in this aid and this is the appreciation of the friendly and fraternal feelings that exist between both countries and people.

President Mejdani pointed out that the very good relations between both countries will develop in the future. The President expressed the gratitude for the support that Turkey has given to Albania during all this period and wishes the relations deepen in the future. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[06] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS TO ALBANIAN PRESIDENT FROM LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

While the message of the chairman of the Conservative Party, Armando Ruco, says: "Accept the best wishes of the Conservative Party and mine as well, for your election in the high post of the President, which will serve as a model for the best of our country"./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[07] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS OF GREEK PM TO HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART

According to the Premier press and information office, the message says: "On the occasion of taking your new duties, I would like to convey you the best wishes and congratulations for the success of your high mission. I would also like to assure you that during the current difficult period Albania is experiencing, Greece will continue to give, without reserves, its support for the Albanian people in his efforts to overcome the existing problems."

Simitis underlines that our countries have taken very important decisions over the last years, which aim at deepening the relations and storing of peace and stability in our region, to the best of our people and the whole region.

The Greek Premier assured the Albanian counterpart for the predisposition of the Greek government to further enlarge our relations of friendship and expresses his strong belief that during the mandate of Nano government, the bilateral cooperation will intensify and strengthen even more. Mr Simitis ends the message addressed to Fatos Nano with the best wishes for the friendship and welfare of the Albanian people. /a.ke/kled/mt/

[08] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS KOSOVA REPRESENTATIVE IN TIRANA

The senior representative of Kosova in Albania conveyed to Fatos Nano the wishes and greetings of President Ibrahim Rugova and Prime Minister Bujar Bukoshi, on the occasion of his election to the high post of the Premier of Albania.

During the meeting they also discussed about the current problems in Albania, Kosova and the Balkans. They focused on the concrete problems of the relations, as well as in the possibilities of a wider cooperation to the interest of the Albanian people and his national question. This, stressed Premier Nano, is an unshakeable credit of the new government which has just started to work./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[09] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS TO ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

Also the Archbishop of Tirana and the whole Albania, Anastas, sent a message to the President of the Republic, Rexhep Mejdani.

Another message for the President of the Republic, Rexhep Mejdani, Monsignor Frano Ilia, has been also sent by the archbishop of the metropolitan church of Shkoder. /a.ke/kled/mt/

[10] EXPLOSIVE MATTER PLANTED IN BRIDGE OF KARDHIQ AND VIROI

The explosion in the bridge of Kardhiqi occurred by 21:30 and all the nearby buildings were shaken, the windows were broken and the electric energy was interrupted for several hours.

According to the above sources the same quantity of TNT, some 30 kg, has been also planted in the bridge of Viroi, 3 km far from the town of Gjirokaster.

The bridge of Kardhiqi which is constructed in 1939 and is project of the Italian engineers, connects the South with the other parts of Albania.

During the months of riots, explosive matter has been planted several times in the bridge of Kardhiq and Viroi, and these bridges are gravely damaged./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[11] PREMIER NANO MEETS ITALIAN AMBASSADOR

The Italian Ambassador also gave a message of greetings of the Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini. In this message, Dini expresses his profound delight for the establishment of the new government, legitimated by a strong popular support during the elections, with which Italy has been very engaged and connected. These elections, stresses the Italian Foreign Minisetr, marked a radical turn for the life of your people and also for the end of an emergency phase.

The message stressed the engagement of the Italian government to continue and intensify the close cooperation between both countries. Italy, stresses Dini, will continue the engagement towards Albania to reach the common objectives for stability and prosperity of the country, as well as for the continuity towards Europe.

During the meeting, Premier Nano discussed with the Italian ambassador the aspects of the bilateral meeting, as well as of the Conference of Rome for Albania, which will be held on July 30 and 31 in the Italian capital. The Albanian Premier voiced the special pleasure for the readiness expressed by the Italian government for cooperation and aid to Albania and considered this a fundamental element in the reconstruction of Albania. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[12] NEW VISIONS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY

"We will work for the integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures and for a solid improvement of the relations with the neighbouring countries," said Paskal Milo.

The foreign policy will focus on the close cooperation with USA, EU, and particularly we will work for good relations with the neighbours, stressed Milo.

The foreign policy, which will serve to the pan-national question, will create new relations with the countries like Russia, countries of Eastern and Central Europe, or with other countries like China and Japan, reports Milo.

Respecting the alliance before and after the elections of the coalition of the center and the left center in the June 29 polls, the socialist Premier Fatos Nano gave important portfolios to SDP, DAP, HRUP, and AP in the establishment of the new government .

Paskal Milo, as the deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party, was appointed Foreign Minister in the new government. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN AMBASSADOR

The President voiced to the Italian Ambassador his thanks for the very warm message by the President of the Republic of Italy, Scalfaro, on occasion of his election to the high post of the President, as well as for the message and the spirit of understanding that the prime minister and the Italian Government have conveyed to the new Albanian Government.

Mr Mejdani pointed out the gratitude of all the Albanian people for the great assistance that Italy has continuously given to Albania, and in particular in the overcome of the grave political crisis in this country. The Italian aid both in the bilateral aspect and in the context of the quick response by the international community was decisive for the fates of the country.

Further on, President Mejdani expressed his full conviction that bilateral cooperation will be greater in the future in the difficult but indispensable work for the institutional, democratic and economic recovery of the country. The Rome conference and the big Albanian delegation that will attend it, will fix the pillars of this cooperation.

Mr Mejdani reconfirmed his official resignation also from his membership in the Socialist Party where he was ranked several months ago and expressed his total commitment to make everything he can so that in the political live and in the country's media starts a new climate of understanding, reconciliation and integration for all, without distinction, in the great process of the complete reconstruction of the country.

Italian Ambassador reiterated once more the congratulations in the name of President Scalfaro and voiced the full conviction of Italian Prime Minister Prodi and Foreign Minister Dini for an all-sided assistance of Italy not only in the bilarteral aspect but international aspect as well, in the context of the international organizations.

The two interlocutors shared the same opinion on the need of integration of all political forces in overcoming the grave situation the country is in, and exchanged opinions regarding the situation in the country, the question of the parliamentary and political life. ake/xh/

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT REXHEP MEJDANI MEETS WITH MR RAMAJLI

Mr Mejdani thanked the high representative of Kosova for the warm message that Kosova President Rugova sent to him on occasion of his appointment to the high post of the President of Albania and expressed to Mr Ramajli the pleasure to have the chance to meet Mr Rugova and exchange opinions with him.

President Rexhep Mejdani confirmed Albania's support for a correct and peaceful solution to the Kosova question.

Mr Ramajli said to Mr Mejdani that Albanians in Kosove and other areas have followed with deep concern the grave political crisis in Albania and expressed his satisfaction and that of the highest authorities of the people of Kosova for the realisation of the elections in Albania and the construction of the local institutions for the normalization of the life and consolidation of the country.

"The Albanian question" said the Kosova representative, "demands a strong and stable Albania, and only in this way, Albanians will have a stronger voice heard for themselves and on the international arena."

President Mejdani and Mr Ramajli exchanged opinions on various questions of Albania and the situation in Kosovas and other territories lived by Albanians. xh

[15] MEETING OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER WITH RENEA POLICE EFFECTIVE

"We came here," addressed Mr Ceka, the specialized police unit, "to greet and congratulate you for the bravery, correctness and courage you have manifested in the successful operations you have realised. I will greet in particular those who took part in the operation in Shkopet yesterday," said the Minister.

Mr Ceka guaranteed the effective of the police unit a greater support and attention because "you merit this with the mission and tasks you have carry out."

The tasks of that unit, underlined Minister Ceka, will be important both to guarantee the free movement of the citizens in general throughout the country's territory and to fight against crime in general and the organized crime in particular.

"We," he said, "have faith in you and will unreservedly support and assist you."

In his address, the State Secretary Ndre Legisi said that "our joint mission is the full restitution of law and order and we shall realise it very soon, because Albanians love peace and tranquillity and will support and help us."

Ceka and Legisi visited the premises of the RENEA police unit and promised a quick improvement of the conditions where those troops are trained and live, ends the report of the spokesman of the Interior Ministry. ssh/xh

[16] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PASKAL MILO

The Greek Ambassador reiterated to Mr Milo the readiness of the Greek Government to further help Albania in this situation of crisis by treating with priority and soon the granting of a material assitance for Albanian police.

During the meeting they exchanged opinions on the consolidation of bilateral economic cooperation and the intensification of the Greek investments in Albania. A special place in the talks took the question of legalization of Albanian emigrants in Greece.

The Greek Ambassador voiced to the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo the understanding of the Greek party regarding that question and underlined that the Greek Government is ready to sign with the Albanian government an agreement on the legalization of Albanian emigrants and to put into life the Agreement on seasonal employment which the Greek Parliament has already adopted.

On the same dy, the Foreign Minister Paskal Milo has a separate meeting with the Ambassador of Italy in Albania, Marcello Spatafora. The Italian Ambassador conveyed to Minister Milo the message of congratulations of the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and handed over to him an invitation for bilateral meetings in Rome before the conference on Albania, due to be held in the Italian capital on July 31,1997.

They talked extensively on the fields of assistance and the contribution of Italy to bringing Albania out of the crisis and to its recovery and on the short-term financial asistance that Italy will give for this purpose. They also exchanged opinions on the continuation of bilateral efforts for the adjustement of the question of Albanian refugees who have gone to Italy recently.

The meetings of Albanian Foreign Minister with the ambassadors of Greece and Italy passed in a rather friendly atmosphere. ake/xh

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