Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-27

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER ACCUSED OF KILLING

[02] OTRANTO WOUND: STEP BY STEP WITH THE TRAGEDY SHAKING THE HEARTS OF ALBANIANS

[03] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER ACCUSED OF KILLING

[04] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ALBANIA

[05] NANO OPEN TO MEET MILOSEVIC IN CRETE

[06] PENAL JURY SENTENCES MONEY LENDER TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON

[07] ALBANIAN WOMAN, VICTIM OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE

[08] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT URGES AMBASSADORS TO AVOID PARTY INFLUENCE

[09] DEMOCRATS NAME NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

[10] FORMER PRESIDENT'S BODY-GUARD UNDER HOUSE ARREST

[11] EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DESTROYS A BAR

[12] 410 THOUSANDS DOLLARS, AID OF EU FOR GJIROKASTER

[13] ALBANIA AND ITALY TO COOPERATE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

[14] ROMA, BRUSSELS ACCORD AID TO ALBANIA - Nano

[01] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER ACCUSED OF KILLING

The sources say they have enough proofs to support the charge and that they will ask arrest order and then extradition for Shehu, who is out of the state.

On July 26 last year, trader Shpetim Çashku, who was in debt, stormed the Savings Bank's credit office with a hunting gun in his hand and asked for credit.

Later he left the office threatening the police and special forces that he would commit suicide unless he was allowed to pass.

Then, Shehu issued the order of shooting him "to neutralize him".

Cashku was wounded and later died in hospital.

Shehu left Albania after the June 29 elections. kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] OTRANTO WOUND: STEP BY STEP WITH THE TRAGEDY SHAKING THE HEARTS OF ALBANIANS -DOSSIER- By Keida Kostreci,

Fifty-two dead bodies, many of them children, have been recovered from the boat, which sank on the night of Good Friday, at the dawn of March 28 in the Otranto Channel.

For seven months the boat had been lying 800 metres down on the sea bed, holding inside the horror of despaired souls, which, paying to travel to a better life, "bought" their death, instead.

OTRANTO TRAGEDY, PART OF NATIONAL TRAGEDY The refugees who died were part of over 16 000 Albanians who fled across the Adriatic to Italy early this year, when the state was disintegrated and Albania was swept by chaos.

After the collapse of the pyramid schemes, Albania suffered a general crisis. The state was no more a state. The deceived people demanded the resignation of president Sali Berisha and government, which they held responsible for the disaster.

Arms depots were raided. More than 1500 people were killed. This situation led to early elections. A commission has been approved by parliament to inquire into the responsibilities for Albania's tragedy, whose part the Otranto tragedy is. The Albanians are waiting for many questions to be responded.

UNFORTUNATE TRAVELLIG ON GOOD FRIDAY AND THE TRAGEDY The first news was broken by the Italian media. The announcement spoke of a collision of the "Kater i Rades" boat with the Italian navy corvette, Sibilla. It reported of five drowned and 30 survivors. It was quite unimaginable the idea of many people travelling on such a small vessel.

The collision took place on international waters.

The first information from Albanian source was that of the Albanian embassy in Rome, built on the testimony provided by the survivors which said that the Italian vessel had rammed the Albanian one, causing its immediate sinking.

The survivors were angry for being isolated and not questioned about the event.

March 31 was declared a day of mourning in Albania. On the same day the Albanian embassy in Rome informed that the number of the drowned reached 83 and the general number of the people in the boat had been 121.

NATIONAL PAIN AND REACTION OF SURVIVORS

The first reaction of the Albanians was blaming the pilots of the Italian vessel and disillusion towards a people who have always been a symbol of humanism for them.

On May 23, 14 of the survivers of the tragedy went on an indefinite hunger strike, asking the recovery of the drowned from the sea. The strikers were supported by the Italian Association "Centre of the Youths" in Brindisi.

Leonardo Leone De Castris, the prosecutor inquiring into the case, has said that the Italian justice is very much interested in throwing light on the truth.

ITALY'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS TRAGEDY

The senior Italian authorities immediately showed regret at the incident and determination to continue to support Albania.

Silvio Berlusconi, who visited the victims' relatives in Brindisi, blamed his country's government.

The former speaker of Italian Parliament, Irene Pivetti, had declared earlier that "The Albanian refugees should be thrown into the sea".

Italian deputy Foreign Minister Piero Fassino blamed "those who force Albanians to pay one million lira, who load them on dilapidated vessels and confront them with the marine".

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was the first to accept the idea of a bilateral Italian-Albanian investigations to clarify the event to the end.

On April 2 in Gjirokaster, during a meeting with the then Albanian Prime Minister, Bashkim Fino, Prodi promised for the first time to make the utmost to recover the bodies of the victims from the sea.

On April 13, Prodi was received in Vlore amid rousing cheers of the citizens.

THE TRAGEDY AND THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE

During the days after the tragedy, the sinking of the ship and the Italy- led multinational force were insolubly linked by politicians and mediae.

The U.N. adopted the resolution which authorized the dispatch of an Italy-led Multinational Security Force to Albania. The resolution was hailed by the Prime Minister of the National Reconciliation Government, Bashkim Fino. Only after the Multinational Protection Force came to Albania and many foreign soldiers were installed in Vlore, it became evident that Albanians had not changed their feelings towards the Italian people, sentiments which reflect the historical links between the two peoples.

POSITION OF ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE POLLS

At the time when the tragedy happened, Albania was directed by a Government of National Reconciliation with the participation of 10 political parties. This government was formed after Meksi Government resigned. The Chairman of the National Reconciliation Government, Fino and the ministers of that government, in all contacts with the Italian side had demanded that the bodies of the victims be recovered as soon as possible and a probe into the case to find who is responsible.

In a letter to his Italian counterpart, Lamberto Dini, the former Foreign Minister of Albania, Arjan Starova voiced the opinion that the calamity might be avoided, and the regret "for the improper use of the forces of the Italian navy at a time when the protocol of cooperation, which would give legal force to the letters exchanged on the Joint Patrolling, was not yet signed."

In the earlier parliamentary elections of May 29, 1997, the Socialist Party won more than two thirds of the parliamentary seats. Rexhep Meidani was elected President and Fatos Nano was elected Prime Minister. He created a coalition government with the participation of five parties. That Government changed nothing from the the commitment of the Albanian party to the solution of the question of the Otranto Channel tragedy, despite other problems it had to tackle with.

FROM THE LOCALIZATION OF THE SHIPWRECK TO THE RECOVERY OF THE BODIES

The ship "Kater I Rades," was localized on May 12, 1997, 790 meters under the sea. The oceanographic robot with a telecamera, "The performer," filmed the first views of the wreck in which some of the bodies could be seen. The shipwreck was about 40 miles from the shores of Brindisi.

On October 19 the wreck was removed from the sea bottom by a robot. On Oct. 21 the shipwreck was towed to shores of Brindisi. Attending the funeral ceremony on that occasion were the Italian Defence Assistant Secretary and Admiral Angelo Mariani, who expressed their condolences to the Albanian Ambassador in Rome, Pandeli Pasko. On the same day the first bodies were recovered. Still on October 21, the Socialdemocratic Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, and his socialist deputy Namik Dokle thanked through the Italian Ambassador in Tirane, Marcello Spatafora, the Italian Government for its commitment to the operation.

On October 23, 52 bodies were removed. Attorney Giuseppe Baffa said that most of the bodies were children. On October 24, 40 other relatives of the victims arrived in Brindisi from Vlore and the mourning atmosphere was also felt among inhabitants of Brindisi.

The operation cost about 8 billion lire (USD 4.6 million.)

Italian deputy prosecutor De Castris has demanded that the identification of the bodies be made by "Italian doctors and an Albanian doctor." He holds that nobody must approach the wreck because that may spoil the proofs to find the truth about the tragedy. The relatives of the victims asked the Albanian government to make a note of protest to the Italian Government for the missing bodies. Baffa said that he had sent a request to the prosecutor for the captain of Sibilla, whom he considers the culprit for the tragedy, to be tried.

ALBANIAN MAKES PREPARATIONS TO PAY HOMAGE TO ITS SONS

On October 20, the Parliament decided to interrupt its session on the day when the bodies will be brought to Vlore and that a group of deputies go to Vlore for the funeral ceremony. The Government Commission set up for the organization of the funeral ceremony, and led by Deputy Premier Bashkim Fino, decided that the day of the arrival of the victims be declared national day of mourning.

Premier Fatos Nano said last Wednesday in Brussels that the shipwreck will be brought back home to encourage the Albanians to stay at home and work for their country instead of leaving the homeland as "boat people."

Nano who took part in the Donors' Conference, said to REUTER that he had agreed with Prodi that the shipwreck be brought to Albania.

The investigators of the event say that it would take 90 days before they give full answers for the event. pas/lm/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER ACCUSED OF KILLING

The sources say they have enough proofs to support the charge and that they will ask arrest order and then extradition for Shehu, who is out of the state.

On July 26 last year, trader Shpetim Çashku, who was in debt, stormed the Savings Bank's credit office with a hunting gun in his hand and asked for credit.

Later he left the office threatening the police and special forces that he would commit suicide unless he was allowed to pass.

Then, Shehu issued the order of shooting him "to neutralize him".

Cashku was wounded and later died in hospital.

Shehu left Albania after the June 29 elections. kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT ALBANIA

Cem and his delegation are expected to meet with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, President Rexhep Meidani, Speaker Skender Gjinushi and Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

Both foreign ministers will sign a protocol of cooperation between ministries, said press director at the Albanian Foreign Ministry Sokol Gjoka. ake/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] NANO OPEN TO MEET MILOSEVIC IN CRETE

"We are ready to hold bilateral talks during the conference," declared the spokesman.

The summit of Premiers or heads of Southeastern European states will be held in Crete by the beginning of November, whose aim is "the discussion for more peace and stability in the region," Greek PM Costas Simitis, who is the organizer of this conference, said during his visit in Albania on October 15.

"There is no obstacle on our side in this direction, said the government spokesman, but we have nothing confirmed so far. This will the task of our diplomacy during the following days."

"PM Nano and Foreign Minister Paskal Milo will participate in the Conference of Crete to give our contribution in the discussion of problems of the Balkans," confirmed the spokesman.

The discussion of the Kosova question in the conference was announced by Greek Premier Simitis two weeks ago: "Kosova is one of the problems in the Balkans, which will be solved through dialogue," declared Simitis. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PENAL JURY SENTENCES MONEY LENDER TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON

Her four managers Hamdi Hysa, Dashamir Stolis and Yllka and Altin Lami were sentenced respectively to eight months of prison from twelve asked by the prosecutor's office, nine months from twelve and six months from nine months asked by the prosecutor. They were accused of "complicity in theft."

Since the money lender Sude Kadena had voluntarily reported to the court, the penal decided that she suffers one third of the sentence or three years and four months.

Yllka Lami, who was held in custody pending trial, was freed from the court room on Monday, while the others who have fled Albania since March will suffer their sentences when seized by the police.

The defence lawyers will appeal against the decision.

The pyramid scheme of Sude Kadena, 36, went bankrupt on January 17, 1997 leaving 18 904 creditors empty handed. ssh/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ALBANIAN WOMAN, VICTIM OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE

The woman is violated in village and town, she is violated in family, less in work and street, she is violated by the partner, less by the other family members and unknown people.

According to a study in three regions of Albania, in Kruje, Kurbin and Bulqize, it came out that in most of the cases, the violence has been exercised by the husbands.

Only 17% of the women, according to this study, declare their facts in public, 42% address to the court and 15% of them hide the problems they have inside the family.

The women' associations said that challenges to myths and prejudices are the most important ways to set the woman free from violence. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT URGES AMBASSADORS TO AVOID PARTY INFLUENCE

Meidani asked the ambassadors to be opened to foreign press in all contacts to reflect the Albanian state and government work for the democratic, institutional reconstruction and establishment of the civil society.

"You should use every space of free diplomatic thought, giving a realistic point of view to developments in Albania," president Meidani said.

Albania's Foreign minister Paskal Milo attended the meeting with the following new ambassadors Alfred Sejdiaj, Albania's ambassador to Austria, Kastriot Robo, ambassador to Greece, Fotaq Andrea, ambassador to the Albanian mission in Strasbourg, Agim Nesho to the U.N. mission in New York, Saimir Bala, ambassador to Turkey and Haki Shtalbi to Arabian Republic of Egypt. ssh/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] DEMOCRATS NAME NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

Bode, who has been minister of the Meksi 2 government, once attacked the pyramid schemes a year ago.

Genc Pollo, head of the parliamentary group, was formally nominated as party deputy leader.

The Democratic leader Sali Berisha said that one cannot say that Pollo or Bode is the number two in the party because "each has his powers according to the status and independent of each other."

The Council nominated Fatos Beja, Leonard Demi and Vili Minarolli as party secretary.

Berisha, the DP leader held a news conference with the four DP members, who are on their fifth day of hunger strike, in front of Radio Tirana. Their health situation is worsening due to the illnesses they suffer from.

The strikers Azem Hajdari, Ylli Vejsiu, Vili Minarolli and Shaban Memia and even Berisha refused to say that they will suspend the strike unless the parties sign at the presence of a European Union official an agreement for Arbnori amendment. ake/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] FORMER PRESIDENT'S BODY-GUARD UNDER HOUSE ARREST

Police arrested Haxhia last Monday because he was declared wanted for beating the head of the National Unity party Idajet Beqiri.

He was caught in possession of a TT pistol and a defensive grenade, which were seized by police. ssh/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DESTROYS A BAR

The relative of the shop owner Kico Dhima said that "the motive of this explosion is competition."

Three other explosions have happened in the first floor of the flat, in which the hall of gambling machines is. ssh/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] 410 THOUSANDS DOLLARS, AID OF EU FOR GJIROKASTER

This was reported to ATA by the mayor of Gjirokaster, Ylli Asllani, who had participated in the meeting between Albania and Greece, and the representatives of this program in Athens.

According to Asllani, this fund was approved after the Albanian party had presented times before the projects for the rehabilitation of the two main streets and for the improvement of verdant grounds inside the town.

There are also prepared some 80 per cent of other projects for city- planning, the aqueduct, as well as for the reconstruction of cultural buildings of the town. The other part of the projects will end by the beginning of 1998. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIA AND ITALY TO COOPERATE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

Albania's Justice Minister Thimio Kondi expressed readiness for this cooperation in a working meeting with the Attorney General of Italy, Piero Luigi Vigno, held on Monday afternoon.

In the meeting they exchanged thoughts regarding the cooperation between both countries in the fight against crime, drugs and weapon smuggling.

Minister Kondi thanked Vignon for the assistance that Italy has offered to the Albanian Government and mainly for the assistance given to the Justice Ministry for the penitentiary system. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ROMA, BRUSSELS ACCORD AID TO ALBANIA - Nano

Nano said that the two donor's conferences "have loaded the ships with projects."

"We presented detailed projects and programs and stressed that we are for a policy of national reconciliation with the opposition participating in the political and economic life," Nano said in his report.

The Albanian prime minister said that some $500 million are allocated only for the emergency phase, which will last six months.

"The international community, especially International Monetary Fund and World Bank have supported in maximum a package of reforms to be applied in Albania," Nano said.

He also said that the second phase, the medium one, will start in spring for which some $900 million will be released and it will last till 2000.

"This strategy, considering the Albanian crisis a long-range one, guarantees the belief of international partners. Now, one can say that Albania is no more a country of problems, but an equal partner with all the international community," Nano said.

Premier Nano recalled that some other $700 million, frozen due to the previous wrong governing, have been released.

Nano called on the opposition to participate in the political life of Albania and abandon its "feudal and primitive" theory.

The report was praised by all the heads of parliamentary groups, who called on the parties included in the Unity for Democracy to take seats in parliament. ssh/kei/ak/k

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