Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-29

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE SPECTRUM OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT

[03] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS U.S. MILITARY ATTACHE

[04] PRESS RELEASE

[05] RAILWAY LINE DAMAGED

[06] BROKAJ AND TETA MEET WITH U.S. AMBASSADRESS IN TIRANE

[07] CHIEF OF ITALIAN GENERAL HEADQUARTERS HANDS OVER MEDALS TO 21 MPF MILITARIES

[08] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PM NANO

[09] SPANISH TECHNICIANS REPAIR "ADRIA 1" TELEPHONE CABLE IN DURRES

[10] PRESIDENT OF SWISS CONFEDERATION CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT MEJDANI

[11] ALBA FORCE LEAVE VLORE, POLICE PROTECT OBJECTS

[12] REPORTED OF GAZETA SHQIPTARE KILLED

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEJDANI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR GRUBMAYR

[14] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER MEET WITH AMBASADOR GRUBMAYR

[15] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS WITH CHIEF OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OBSERVERS' MISSION

[16] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR THE NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEJDANI RECEIVES MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS

[18] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH OSCE REPRESENTATIVES

[19] BOOK WITH POEMS BY MPF SPOKESMAN PRESENTED IN TIRANE

[01] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit under the title "Platform of Albania's European reconstruction," carries the full text of the government. "A social broad-based governing in a real coalition," the paper says. "Prime minister of the Socialist installed government Fatos Nano presented on Monday a watered and demagogic program of the government at a time when he warned that the Musolinian era of his dictate on the Albanian state will start within the week," the newspaper Rilindja demokratike says under the title "President hands over Mejdanin.

"Government of hope or disillusion?" is the title of the editorial of the newspaper Republic. "For the Nano government remains a government of hope and not disillusionment, it should convey the message of revival to Albanians. Fraud can be "a trap" of the government itself," the editorial says. "Improvement of democracy and restructuring of institutions", the newspaper Rilindja says referring to the presentation of the government program by the prime Minister Fatos Nano in parliament.

"Prime minister who offers "Vorio Epirus" is the title of the editorial of the newspaper Albania. "Money, after VEFA's collapse," the paper says under the headline "Prime minister Fatos Nano presented a report of the 9th Congress of the Labour party of Albania to the parliament.

"'Nano 3, vote of confidence in Italy," is the title of the editorial Koha Jone. "Like all the programs presented by various governments after a vote of confidence, yesterday's program of Prime Minister Fatos Nano was hopeful in general," the editorial says. "Nano: money-lending as much as possible," the paper says.

"Nano dwelt at length on his right-wing program," the newspaper Dita says under the title "Nano, the rightist program than that of the DP."

"New Prime Minister opens up the old wound: "What happened with the pyramids," Gazeta Shqiptare says. "A control on money lending firms and finding out of the possibility to pay the people will start immediately," the paper quotes prime minister Nano as saying.

"Government program presented to the parliament. Urgent aim and elimination of criminal gangs," the paper says. kled/ak/sh/

[02] ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE SPECTRUM OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT

The role and weight of the international factor have been and remain irreplacable in the overcome of the political, institutional, economic and social crisis. The reconstruction of the Albanian democratic state and its consolidation, the restitution of order and stability, the economic recovery and the stability of the democratic values, the improvement of the image and future of Albania itself, demand that the international factor be appreciated with all its potentials, be respected and taken into account by the new government with the greatest seriousness. The new Democratic Government, consciouss of the tasks and mission it has to accomplish, has determined the fundamental directions of its foreign policy.

The foreign policy of the government will be led by the national interests and in their defence, it will be to the benefit of all the Albanians wherever they are, being dynamic and in equilibrium, searching the friendship of reliable and stable partners, it will deliever and create messages of understanding and cooperation, peace and security.

Our foreign policy will be transparent, will respect the institutions and will draw constantly their opinions and suggestions. It will be a consequence of the elaboration and implementation of collegial ideas and decisions freed from dogmatism and subjectivism, arbitrariness and authoritarianism.

The history of Albania, its geographic position and the interests of our people do naturally give to our foreign policy a profile and content which have as the fundamental goal the integration as soon as possible into the fold of the united European family and in euroatlantic structures. Albania's euroatlantic integration presupposes the development of all legislative, institutional, economic, social, scientific and military parameters and will be a strategic constant for the new Democratic Government and for our country.

We will turn Albania from a worring problem for the European democracy into one of its democratic segments, from a subject which needed the care of the Council of Europe into one of its constructive members, from a source of concerns for the European community to one of its loyal partners.

We will respect all the obligations stemming from our membership in the Council of Europe and will work for the extension of political, economic and cultural relations with the European Union, aiming especially at the promotion of contractual relations.

Our objective will be the accomplishment of all conditions to sign in time the associate agreement with the European Union. The new government will work that Albania be a worthy member of OSCE, that it overcome the infantile stage of democracy and carry out with full responsibility all its obligations in this organization, which has made so much to raise on foot the Albanian maimed democracy. Unfortunately, we are inheriting a situation in which regressive steps have been made regarding the integration of Albania into European structures, as well as in the NATO.

We shall make all efforts to raise the democratic, political and military infrastructure conformed to the Partnership for Peace and to regain the faith offered for Albania's full membership in the NATO.

Albania will, also in the future, be an active member in the relations with U.N. its specialized agencies and other international organizations.

The government which I have the honour to lead, said Mr Nano further on, expresses its profound gratitude to the U.S. Government and the U.S. President, Mr Bill Clinton, for the valuable assistance they have given and are giving to Albania and the Albanian people in the development of democracy and the market economy and to the elimination of deformations and authoritarian and subjective excesses which are manifested in these directions.

We consider the relations with the United States of America, Nano underlined, as very important for Albania, as vital for its democratic prosperity. Therefore, the new Albanian Government guarantees a sincere will and desire that these relations will develop and intensify on the basis of the observation of the democratic values, human rights and freedoms in Albania, the peace and security in the region, and on the basis of the mutual interests in all fields, political, economic and military.

The promotion, extension and intensification of bilateral relations with all European Union member countries and with other countries of Western Europe, said Albanian PM further on, will be a powerful dimension of our foreign policy.

The relations with the neighbouring countries and broader in the Balkans will be one of the basic dimensions of our foreign policy.

Focusing on the relations with the neighbouring countries, PM Nano said that Italy and Greece, taking into account the geographic-natural specifics of the neighbourliness with Albania, the intensity of the economic exchanges and the volume of investments, the extension of the human and cultural contact, their all-sided and detailed recognition of the Albanian situation by these friendly countries, of the role and priority contributions they have in the overcoming of the present crisis, as well as taking into account the logic of the perspective of albanian's integration in the European Community and NATO, will to be for us the main partner in the region.

We will intensify especially with these countries, the political, economic, cultural and consular relations. The assistance and support that the friendly governments of these two countries gave to the Government of National Reconciliation is a good basis of cooperation and understanding to overcome the extremely difficult and tense situation that Albania is in.

We want to hope that the encouraging promises of the Italian and Greek governments to help Albania's reconstruction also imply the objective for the legal adjustment of the status of the Albanians who are actually working and living in Italy and Greece.

The new Albanian government holds that questions of bilateral relations of mutual benefit may be discussed through dialogue concerning the relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Monenegro.) Understanding towards te legal rights of the Albanians of Kosova and their realisation will be a positive qualitative development of the relations between the two countries from which mutual profits will also derive.

The new Albanian Government considers the question of the Albanians of Kosova as a priority, all-national question, the solution of which demands the elaboration and application of a joint policy of these proportions. It will try to create most favourable conditions for the realisation of the legitimate rights of the Albanians in Kosove, through democratic ways and conformed to the recognized international acts.

We also declare our sincere will for the further and useful development of the relations with the government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. We think that the publication, materialisation and guarantee of the internationally accepted and recognized rights of the Albanians in that country create vary favourable premises not only to solve the problems like those created recently but also to guarantee a better future for our neighbouring relations.

The new Albanian government is inclined to seek more possibilities for the extension of the relations with other Balkan countries and first of all with Turkey. The traditional cooperation and understanding will find new spaces. We will support and take part in every new regional initative or plan which aims the peace, security, understanding and cooperation between the peoples and countries of the Balkans and the Mediterranean regions,as well as will contribute to the organizations and initiatives which already exist in the region and outside it.

The relations with Russia will naturally be in the attention of the new government. They will be realised and further developed in all the mutually interested fields. We shall conduct an active foreign policy in the context of the European family also with other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Our governnment will develop mutually beneficial relations also with Asian countries, especially with China and Japan. The Albanian Government will further develop the relations with the countries of the Middle East and with every other country which will manifest its interest and readiness./xh/sh/

[03] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS U.S. MILITARY ATTACHE

Brokaj thanked the U.S. military attache for U.S. aid, support and assistance to Albania. Considering a priority the relationships with the U.S., Brokaj said that our goal is to carry out bilateral programs as soon as possible.

He acquainted the military attache with the present situation, the work for the restructuring of military units. He underlined some of the priority problems such as stabilisation of armaments, the ir safety storing and protection, functioning of all military structures according to our defence concepts.

Thus, U.S. urgent assistance to carry out a cooperation program in military fields between two armies is a necessity, he said.

The U.S. military attache, Colonel Dennis Fox, backing the continuation of army to army programs and that of security assistance, assured the Defence minister for the U.S. support for the Albanian army and Albania both in bilateral and NATO framework.

Fox also had talks with the Secretary of State for Defence Policy, Perikli Teta. They discussed the development of military cooperation in new level. ake/kled/ak/sh/

[04] PRESS RELEASE

The Turkish contingent has done his task in order to help friend and brother Albanian people and contribute to the return of normality in Albania. During more than three months, the Turkish contingent consists of 800 personnel and deployed in Zallher and Rinas Airport, secured the main road axes: Tirana-Lac-Lezhe, Tirana-Lac-Burrel-Peshkopi and Tirana-Vore by carrying out 96 convoy escorts, 21 road patrols, 85 VIP escorts and 14 recce missions. Meanwhile, Turkish vehicles have showed the flags of two brother countries, Albania and Turkey together. Turkish Regiment has executed his duty by travelling hundreds of thousands of kilometres without facing any unpleasant events in his area of responsibility. The Albanian people have embraced the Turkish contingent with love and enthusiasm.

During the ALBA Mission the following aid has been renovated and handed over to Albanian Commando Brigade. And it has been established a good relationship based on reciprocal confidence and friendship with this unit. Also 10 850 uniforms and equipment have been handed over to Albanian Armed Forces. In addition Tirana-Zallherr road, the irrigation canal, the school and the cemetery of Zallherr village has been restored by the Turkish Marine Regiment. Moreover, Turkey has donated 150 tons and 9 850 parcels of aid materials, 165 000 medical supply kits to the population of the brother Albania. At the same 1 210 Albanian patients have been treated at the camp hospital.

Turkish contingent is going back to Turkey by having belief and happiness of accomplishment of its own mission concerning providing the support of security and welfare in brother country Albania./sh/

[05] RAILWAY LINE DAMAGED

35 linear metres of railway were damaged a month ago in the Shtoj village with the aim of selling them to Montenegro.

Local police forces are recently patrolling the only international railway line linking Albania with Montenegro and Europe. The aid from the Council of Europe will be delivered through this line to Albania. ake/kled/ak/sh/

[06] BROKAJ AND TETA MEET WITH U.S. AMBASSADRESS IN TIRANE

Brokaj said that Albanians consider the U.S. support, stand and orientation as vital and indispensable for the democratic developments in Albania.

In this context, he voiced the will for the further intensification of the relations and cooperation in the military field.

The U.S. Ambassadress responded that "we will see the ways to help you as efficiently as possible."

Brokaj said that on the basis of a broad and full program, a part of which was forwarded in the Parliament, concrete tasks are determined to realise an army according to new concepts and the experience of the international military organizations and NATO.

Teta underlined that the most important is the creation of a new opinion among the militaries for a modern army. In these conditions, an increase of the level of cooperation is needed and the return of military mission in Albania is indispensable.

Lino said that the U.S. supports the development of democracy in Albania and in this context work is going for U.S. military missions to come in Albania. ssh/kei/xh/

[07] CHIEF OF ITALIAN GENERAL HEADQUARTERS HANDS OVER MEDALS TO 21 MPF MILITARIES

"The honour of the militaries was a significant completion of this multinational operation," said Admiral Venturoni after he handed over the medals and following the military ceremony held on the occasion.

Among the militaries who were given the medals were the MPF vice commanders General Maurice Godinot (France,) Gen. Theodhoros Katsaris and Gen. Ioannis Drougas (Greece,) Gen. Koksal Karabay and Gen. Fethi Tuncel (Turkey.) "What we had to do without interfering in the sovereignty of this country was to assist the Albanian people to have normal elections," said Venturoni.

He stressed that the medals are not to distinguish the merits of those who received them but of all other militaries who are members of various contingents.

"The departure of the Multinational Protection Force does not mean that we shall interrupt the assistance for Albania. I hope that the international community will continue its aid but not in the military field," said Venturoni.xh/

[08] FROM THE PROGRAM OF NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRESENTED TO PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY BY PM NANO

The further development of pluralism through the perfection of the parliamentary democracy and reconstruction of the democratic institutions, constitutional and practical realisation of the division and equilibriums of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

The development of the market economy in which the private sector dominates with the state social impact, the social insurance and assistance which are naturally interlaced.

The security of the country's independence and integration, by realising in the shortest possible time the active participation and membership of Albania in all international euro-atlantic structures, with the aim of finding a final solution to the Albanian national question according to the standards of united Europe.

Mr Nano said that the restitution of law and order will be a priority task of the new democratic Government which aims at returning the public peace and the proper climate for the quick absorbency of foreign investments and assistance, the creation of normal conditions for the energetic resumption of the economic activities and the return of social normality. In the first stage of the emergency, the aim of the new government is to restore peace and public security in cities, normalization of order, unblocking of national roads and their security from the activity of the armed criminal gangs, quick reactivation and physical security of the activity of the customs houses and land, air and sea border passing points, preservation and protection of important state institutions and objects of special importance, disarmament of civil population from all kinds of arms giving priority at first to the accumulation in well-protected depots of sophisticated dangerous arms.

"The government is resolute to realise quickly all the process of restructuring of the police and structures of order at all levels. This process will be realised conformed to all laws in force, aiming first of all the complete depolitization of the police structures, and their real transformation to a police which defend the interests of the nationals and state," said Nano, clarifying that the fundamental criteria of this restructuring will be based only on the principles of professionalism.

The Prime Minister added that in the context of these tasks of the first stage of the emergency, capital importance will be attached to the recovery and restructuring of the special forces of raid police and this would demand a package of emergent measures which the government is urgently preparing.

"This package included legal changes, sub-legal acts and operations and measures which would increase the guarantee, security and defence of the activity of police, the growth of the efficiency of their acts, placing first the observation of the constitutional laws on the fundamental human rights and freedoms.

With regard to the reconstruction of the forces of the army and other structures of defence, PM Nano said that this demands urgent measures for the accumulation of the armament and military technique, an immediate stabilization of the situation, the rehabilitation of active units, greater observation of rules and discipline, etc. "The deployment and concentration as soon as possible of the forces in garrisons according to new organizational structures to be created, the qualitative development of the training of the effectives of commanders and staffs, the gradual improvement of the infrastructure for a normal life and efficient training of the troops remain the main continuous and priority tasks for the army," says the program of the new government. With regard to the tasks for the reconstruction of the army, the Prime Minister Nano said that "a complete civil and democratic control in the army, complete and real depolitization and creation of sound civil and military relations will be the fundamental tasks to ensure the army's integration into the society," and that attention will be devoted to "the improvement of the professional level of human capacities, especially the completion of the staff with all the necessary members, the military training and its elevation to a social level."

Speaking of the institutional reform, Mr Nano said that Albania separated since 7 years ago from the one party system was not be able to set up a many party system and institutions which could make possible the continuous development of democracy.

"The new Democratic Government considers the institutional reform as the only road for the reconstruction and functioning of a democratic and legal state. In this context, priorities of this government include a careful and all sided constitutional and institutional reform, especially of the judicial system and all levels of the local government, administration and of the fourth power - the press and audiovisual mediae with the aim of putting them in service of the nationals to realise a state protection of the citizen and to improve the inner and external image of Albanian democracy. Being a property of the actual majority, the reform demands the commitment and cooperation of all the political forces and especially of the new opposition," says the program of the government read by PM Nano.

With regard to the question of the Constitution, the program says among others that "in the present conditions there is an optimal possibility for the preparation of the Constitution without losing time, because presently, the Constitution, may be more than ever, due to the imperative need for cogoverning, cooperation and institutional understanding a consequence of the consensus among the political parties of the position and the opposition, which would find a broad support from the people."

"The administrative reform does not aim at political purging or dismissal of employees on the basis of party-militant criteria, but the objective, conformed to the law, will be the construction and structuring of a modern public administration," says the program.

Concerning the administrative reform, the program says that the principles where it will be based must be indispensably reflected in the constitution and other fundamental laws for the state administration.

In this direction, the program defined that the new democratic government holds that the encouragement of public control is a very important factor for the creation of a quicker and qualitative service, for the reduction of corruption, etc.

"In the course of this process, the promotion of the reform in the local administration will demand a decentralization of competence, more efficient organization, increase of the budget, of the rights and responsibilities of local executive bodies at all levels," writes the program of the Government which PM Fatos Nano presented to the People's Assembly of Albania on July 28, 1997.

- to be continued - xh/

[09] SPANISH TECHNICIANS REPAIR "ADRIA 1" TELEPHONE CABLE IN DURRES

To repair the damage, the Spanish ship Teneo with respective specialists on board has reached the port of Durres. The ship which lays cables, started its work immediately and as officials in the Telecom affiliate in Durres said, the cable would be repaired today, making possible the regular international communication. The expenditures for the cable will be defrayed by the Albanian party. ake/kled/xh/

[10] PRESIDENT OF SWISS CONFEDERATION CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT MEJDANI

Mr Coller expressed to Mr Mejdani on his election to the post of the president the greetings of the Federal Council of Switzerland, the wishes for his mission as president and for the prosperity of the Albanian people.

During a meeting in the Presidence, Mr Mejdani asked the Swiss Ambassador in Tirane, Thomas Feller, to convey to Mr Coller his thanks for the message and the will to promote the cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

President Mejdani pointed out the commitment of the new government to take the country out of the crisis and the creation of the conditions for the greatest possible fruitful cooperation with the international community.

The Swiss Ambassador made a panorama of the bilateral relations with Switzerland highlighting his readiness and that of the Swiss Government to assist Albania in this difficult period.

"Switzerland will resume the application of the two initiated projects in the field of energy, the qualification of Albanian specialists and cultural exchanges of the youth," said Feller. ssh/kei/xh/k

[11] ALBA FORCE LEAVE VLORE, POLICE PROTECT OBJECTS

According to the chief of the district police commissariat, Haxhi Demiri, immediately after their departure, police put under its control the port, the former pioneers' camp, by organizing round the clock service.

According to Demiri, the normal functioning of the city port started today at 12.30 with the departure of a freighter planned for today.

The same source told ATA that the district police commissariat is the omnipotent of the city and its order. To this end, said Mr Demiri, work is going on carefully so that all the structures needed for police which he directs, be set up. ake/kled/xh/

[12] REPORTED OF GAZETA SHQIPTARE KILLED

With his origin from Kosova, the victim has been working for four years as a reporter in Tirane. Graduating the branch of geopolitics in Yugoslavia, Ukaj was studying journalism, fourth year, in Tirane.

According to sources of the paper Gazeta Shqiptare, the crime is supposed to have been realised by unidentified people after 11.00 a.m. Tuesday. xh/

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEJDANI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR GRUBMAYR

"I want to congratulate you on the sacred duty and to confirm OSCE's will and the full commitment of Dr Vranitzky that, following the satisfactory completion of the June 29, 1997 elections, our cooperation will be promoted in the great work for the economic and institutional recovery of Albania," said Mr Grubmayr. "Our missions will continue working towards this new stage and Mr Vranitzky will present in Rome the program of the international community for the cooperation with the new Albanian government, which includes the fields of the institutionalization of democracy and the contribution of the IMF and the World Bank and other donating countries also in the economic recovery of this country."

The President expressed to Mr Grubmayr the gratitude of the Albanian people for the very important contribution of OSCE and personally of former Chancellor Vranitzky to the solution of the local crisis and for their further commitment.

"We shall make everything we can to realise the necessary climate of cooperation with the international community," said Mejdani.

He highlighted the role of the new opposition's integration in the fates of the country and explained his commitment in the promotion of the process of understanding and national reconciliation. ssh/kei/xh/

[14] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER MEET WITH AMBASADOR GRUBMAYR

"We are pleased with the results of the work of OSCE for the realisation of earlier parliamentary elections in Albania," said Ambassador Grubmayr.

"The election of the new parliament, its leading structures, the election of the President and the Prime Minister, the adoption of the programs of the new government by the parliament," said Mr Grubmayr, "have created the proper premises for the implementation of concrete projects for the reconstruction of the country, to eliminate as soon as possible the consequences of the unrest of the last months in Albania."

Gjinushi and Dokle expressed their consideration for the OSCE contribution and that of Mr Vranitzky for the successful preparation of the earlier parliamentary elections in Albania.

Gjinushi also stressed the importance of a constitution for Albania conformed to internationally recognized standards. ake/kei/xh/k

[15] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS WITH CHIEF OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OBSERVERS' MISSION

Hans Ivawe briefed of some aspects of the mission over the process of polls monitoring, the economic and political development in Albania on the basis of the set mandate.

Brokaj spoke of aspects of the work for the implemetation of the most emergent tasks for the rehabilitation of the Albanian army according to a new concept and on the basis of the experience of the Western armies and NATO.

A special importance will be attached to the legsilation, army depolitization in order to enable it to observe only the military laws and rules.

"In the present conditions, after damages and the ruins made, the army needs emergent assistance," they in the meeting said.

Also other questions were treated in the meeting concerning the accumulation of armament from people, prevention of trafficking, renovation of the army leadership, negotiations for integration into NATO, relations of good neighbourliness and the principled stand of Albania regarding the ensurance of the rights of Albanians in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, on the basis of international conventions, ends the report of the spokesman of the defence Ministry. kei/xh/k

[16] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR THE NEW ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

116 of 118 deputies present voted for the program of the new government and two deputies abstained. The Democratic Party deputies continue not to take part in the People's Assembly sessions.

After the discussions, the chairmen of the parliamentary groups expressed their approval for the program of the new government presented by its chairman Fatos Nano.

After the voting in principle for the program of the government, every article of draft law for the vote of confidence of the government was voted.

The ministers responded the questions made in yesterday's sitting of the People's Assembly, giving detailed explanations for different points of the government program.

The deputies defined the program of the Nano Government in general as the best as compared with those of the previous governments and suggested new orientations which will further complete that program.

Deputy Sabri Godo, chairman of the Republican Party considered as unjust the support for that government program "which has pinned its hopes on the foreign investments."

Deputy Spartak Ngjela of the Movement of Legality Party qualified the program "without a financial basis," while Guri Durollari of the same party, expressed the viewpoints of his party regarding the referendum on the form of regime.

He considered unjust the presentation of the program of the Nano Government before the the Constitutional Court adopts a decision on the referendum for the form of the regime.

After the discussions, the deputies approved by majority of votes the law "On the granting of the vote of confidence of the government led by Mr Fatos Nano," as well as the structure of the new government cabinet.

The other plenary session of the People's Assembly on the transparence of pyramid investment firms will be held on July 30. kei/xh/k

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEJDANI RECEIVES MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS

The messages of congratulations are from the U.N General Secretary, Coffy Annan, the President of the Republic of Finland, Artti Ahtisari, deputy secretary of State on Foreign Affairs of Italy Piero Fassino, deputy chairman of the Parliament of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Prof Dr Xheladin Murati, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the Left wing Coalition and Progress Party, Sinaspimos, of Greece, Niko Constandopoullos.

Mr Mejdani has received messages of congratulations also from the chairman of the Albanian Moslem Community, Hafiz Sabri Koci.

The President has received messages of greetings from the chairman of the National Unity Party Idajet Beqiri, the Ambassador of Palestine, Ali Al Kurdi, the charge d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Bosnia Herzegovina in Albania, Muharrem Zejnullahu; the chairman of the Academy of Sciences, Prof Shaban Demiraj; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosove, Bujar Bukoshi and from some associations and organizations. ssh/kei/xh/k

[18] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH OSCE REPRESENTATIVES

Milo highlighted the OSCE activity in Albania especially the assistance for Albanian authorities for the preparation and the conduct of the election process.

Milo stressed that the cooperation with OSCE will continue to ensure a coordinated international strategy in which all international organizations that are ready to help Albania, will develop their activity in time and with complete efficiency.

Ambassador Grubmayr stressed that OSCE and its structures are ready and prepared to continue their cooperation on the basis of the decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.

Albanian Foreign Minister Milo and Ambassador Grubmayr shared the same idea that the adoption of immediate measures for the restoration of law and order in Albania is a task of priority for the new Albanian Governemnt. ssh/kei/xh/k

[19] BOOK WITH POEMS BY MPF SPOKESMAN PRESENTED IN TIRANE

"A chance of contact between Albania and Italy" was considered the presentation of the book by the president of the Scanderbeg Foundation which also protects the rights of the book.

The poetries are published both in Italian and in Albanian and all are written during Bernard's stay in Albania. They present the author not as a military but in his poetical relations with the people and Albania.

"Departure from Albania leaves today its traces from the difficult moments we passed together," said the Minister of Culture, Youth abnd Sports, Arta Dade.

She conveyed to the Italian author the greetings by President Rexhep Mejdani and Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

"My mistake was that I loved Albania, its people, the grown ups, men and women, the children, the great desire to live. To this end, as a man in love who is leaving, I wrote poetries," said the poet Bernardi.

Some of the poetries were recited in Italian by the author and in Albanian by actor Shkelqim Basha.

"We came as militaries, with pistols, rifles, helmets and with bullet-resistant jackets and we are leaving you a book of poetries," wrote among others in the book's preface the commander of the MPF in Albania, Luciano Forlani.

Over the Alba Operation in Albania, subcolonel Givanni Bernardi was in the post of the Chief of the Public Information Office and a Spokesman of the MPF. ssh/xh

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