Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-12-04

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

[02] DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DENOUNCES VIOLENCE IN STADIUMS

[03] BANK GOVERNOR REPLIES ON INFLATION, BANKING SYSTEM

[04] PRESS REVIEW

[05] DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DENOUNCES VIOLENCE IN STADIUMS

[06] OPERATION FOR REPATRIATION OF ALBANIANS STARTS IN ITALY AMIDST PROTESTS AND DESPERATION

[07] SOME 254 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNED FROM ITALY - Durres

[08] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

[09] 43 ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS RETURNED HOME FROM ITALY

[10] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT ABLE TO COOPERATE FOR SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS - Hadjinski

[11] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER

[12] MINISTER BUFI DISCUSSES WITH IFM MISSION

[13] BILATERAL COOPERATION BASED ON OBSERVATION OF ALL RIGHTS OF ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA - Albanian PM Nano

[14] PRESIDENT MEIDANI DEMANDS ACCELERATION OF STEPS FOR OPENING CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN ALBANIA

[15] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES RETURN HOME FROM ITALY OF ALBANIAN REFUGEES

[16] ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS OPTIMIST FOR PROSPECTIVE OF ALBANIAN- MACEDONIAN TIES

[17] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER

[18] POLICE DEPARTMENT IN BERAT RIOTED

[01] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH MACEDONIAN COUNTERPART

Both ministers are accompanied by local authorities of the border regions Peshkopi and Diber e Madhe.

The Macedonian minister Handjinski said that the new Albanian government emerging from the election last June, is giving clear messages of comprehensive stability in Albania, peaceful and friendly developments in the region and contribution in European integrating processes.

Handjinski confirmed the views of his country to be closer to European and NATO integrating processes.

Referring to the agreements expected to be signed in Tirana on Thursday, Handjinski said that these agreements represent the legal basis for a stable cooperation on free movement of citizens of both countries and especially those of the border areas, as well as mutual economic and trade exchanges.

"We favour the creation of free trade zones in territories of both countries and these zones can be set up first in inter border regions," he said.

Albanian Foreign Minister Milo said that the new Albanian government has assumed to offer a policy of cooperation to the Balkan states interested in using this policy to resolve problems existing between them, promote and consolidate cooperation on concrete basis. He spoke of a positive climate between the two countries, greater facilities for free movement of people and goods, especially in border areas.

Milo said that both countries have agreed to sign six agreements on Thursday in Tirana, four of them for inter border cooperation and two for economic one.

He said that other agreements covering broader fields of cooperation be signed by senior officials such as those expected to be signed by prime ministers of both countries at the beginning of 1998.

"Good relations between the two states will influence on improvement of political, economic, social and education conditions of Albanians in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and those of Macedonians in Albania," he said.

He added that we should consider Albanians and Macedonians in respective countries as part of our common history and bridges between the two countries. ake/pas/ak/

[02] DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DENOUNCES VIOLENCE IN STADIUMS

Tomorri of Berati won the match 2:1, a match which was characterised by improper behavior of the Berati fans.

The commission decided that the match should be won by the Partizani team 2-0 and the city stadium was banned from hosting any match for four weeks. It also suspended the player Gjata, described as the initiator of the violence of Berati fans, for four weeks while Aliaj of Tomorri will not be allowed to play for hitting an opponent.

Though this is not the first time that the commission considered the violence in stadiums, many teams are afraid of playing in fields as that of Lushnja and Berat or any other.

On September 24, the matches were suspended in the stadium of Gjirokastra for four weeks and the commission banned the soccer player of Flamurtari for 12 weeks while that of Elbasan for four weeks and the one of Lushnja for two weeks.

The Appeal commission lessened the decision of the Disciplinary commission ruling that Shqiponja team plays two out of four matches and two matches in stadiums without spectators. It also lessened a suspension on the Flamurtari player from 12 weeks to 6.

Even the Lushnja field was banned from hosting matches until the week before the first phase as a result of violence against Partizani and Teuta teams. pas/ak/

[03] BANK GOVERNOR REPLIES ON INFLATION, BANKING SYSTEM

Cani said that inflation will be 40 to 45 percent at the end of the year and he was optimist that it (inflation) was put under control.

He said that the bank does not intervene in the control system on Lek (local currency), but only when speculative elements appear.

"Nevertheless, the Lek tends to fall," Cani said adding that the level of prices is higher than ever.

Cani said that a strong banking system is underway including nine Albanian and foreign banks. He guaranteed the depositors saying "their deposits are safe."

Albanian speaker Skender Gjinushi read a letter of the Finance Minister Arben Malaj saying that the deadline for a state budget for 1998 will be put off. The deadline was November 20. Deputies backed the minister's proposal. ssh/pas/ak/

[04] PRESS REVIEW

As regards the return of Albanian emigrants from Italy the paper says that the "return home is not a catastrophe". "It would have been good that all Albanian emigrants to Italy had been employed there for their benefit and of their society which wants reconstruction. But, the return home, with some privileges, is not a catastrophe, more over when this action is accompanied with the legalisation of Albanians whose number exceeds 20 times that of the returned ones," the paper says.

The paper covers the meeting between the Albanian and Macedonian Foreign ministers under the title:"Relations on the right track".

It also carries the article:"Amateurism in justice combated", under the title:"Debate at the law commission. Justice, the most serious problem of the Albanian society". As regards the new privatisation strategy, the paper says:"Privatisation to include all Albanians".

Rilindja Demokratike reports that only the opposition is supporting the refugees. The paper also carries a message of the parliamentary opposition addressed to Pope John Paul II. Under the title "Irresponsible government" the paper carries a commentary of the leader of democrats, Sali Berisha, regarding the return of the Albanian refugees from Italy. On this topic the paper also carries the articles:"The returned curse Albanian government" and "Opposition joined on refugees".

The paper says that the Bank satisfies the interests of the government". It says that the formerly politically association has accused the VEVE firm of creating a "pyramid with vouchers".

Republika entitles its editorial "Bitter hospitality" which is connected with the return of the Albanian refugees from Italy. The price the government seeks to secure aid should not take underfoot the dignity of its citizens, the paper says. On this topic the paper also says that violence is exercised against hunger strikers.

Under the headline:"Enigma of the Nano-Meidani relations. Prime minister against handing over the SP card" (by President Meidani), the paper carries the article:"Nano: the president made an unnecessary show".

The paper reports that two young Albanians have been found killed at the Albanian-Greek border, in the Albanian territory.

"The government replaces its spokesman", is another title of the paper. The paper also carries the article:"Kosova appeals: UCK cannot be ignored".

Refugees, violent return, says Koha Jone. To this topic the paper devotes the articles:"Italy, racist wave on Albanians" and "Opposition receives refugees".

The paper entitles its editorial "Bode like Bufi". "Alarming statements made two days ago by the ex-Finance minister, now SP secretary general, which remind you of those made by the former prime minister, who told Albanians they had bread for only six days", the editorial says.

The paper says that the Vlore court puts under house arrest two persons detained for cigarette smuggling and holds in prison the drivers.

Under the headline:"Government is preparing anti-contraband law after U.S. model", the paper carries the article:"Fino coordinator against smuggling". The government accepts the name of Macedonia, the paper says referring to the Milo-Hanxhinski meeting.

The paper also reports on the debate between Finance minister Malaj and former democrat Finance minister Bode.

Malaj: "The most secure place for Albanians' savings are the banks" and Bode:"Keep off the banks, you will experience the same fate as with the pyramids".

Referring to the March tragedy in the Otranto channel, the paper says:"The ship had aboard armed men, while the clan of Zani, the bandit, organised the departure for Italy for one million liras per each clandestini. Albanian captain is directly accused".

Albania devotes an article to Italian investigations into the March 28 tragedy. The Otranto tragedy was result of orders by Gjinushi, Brokaj and Malaj, the paper says under the headline: "Clamorous investigations develop into the Katri i Rades tragedy".

The paper entitles its editorial:"Emigrants expelled, government hides". To this topic the paper also devotes articles:"Refugees: Nano is drowning us like in Otranto" and "Don't return Albanians" under the headline:"Opposition appeal against government and Italian parliament".

The paper covers the Milo-Hanxhinski meeting under the title:"Milo: We are against Albanian separatism". It says that the Orthodox priest of Elbasan Father Nikolle Marku, has been threatened with physical elimination and child abduction "if he does not repent and kneel down to Janullatus". "Prison 313, brothel of criminals with mobile phones", the paper says.

Rilindja covers the Milo-Handjinski meeting under the title:"Let's bring calm to the Balkans". The paper says that Kosova is a European apartheid. As regards the return of Albanian refugees from Italy the paper says: "Italian government buys Albania's departure".

Under the title:"We are committed to furthering Albanian-Macedonian relations", the paper carries an interview with the Albanian ambassador to Shkup Fatmir Kumbaro.

Albanian opposition against return of refugees, newspaper Dita says. Another article says:"The deported: government sold us". The paper covers the Milo-Handjinski meeting under the title: "Only five dollars to cross the border" under the subtitle: "Meidani and Nano waiting Handjinski in Tirane. Border incidents at the centre of attention".

Under the headline:"Government committee to fight smuggling created", the paper says that laws on confiscations are ready.

The paper says that Albanian Interior Minister Ceka and his Greek counterpart Romeos have decided that three ships with joint crew patrol the Albanian shores to say "stop" to drug, smuggling and illegal emigrants. The year 1997, the year with the largest number of victims after liberation, the paper says.

Italian violence against emigrants says newspaper Shekulli. It entitles its today's editorial:"DP plays poker at the expense of others". "Debate on the news strategy of privatisation", the paper says.

The paper covers the meetings between Interior minister Ceka to Greece under the title:"Ceka signs cooperation" and the Milo-Handjinski meeting, in an article under the title:"Milo: process of normalising relations is indispensable". It carries the article:"Fino heads anti-contraband". And among the economic articles it includes:"State doubles income".

"Dramatic scene at Rinas airport. The unfortunate arrive", Gazeta Shqiptare says. "Some 100 murders remain a mystery", is one of the articles in the paper. pas/lm

[05] DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DENOUNCES VIOLENCE IN STADIUMS

Tomorri of Berati won the match 2:1, a match which was characterised by improper behavior of the Berati fans.

The commission decided that the match should be won by the Partizani team 2-0 and the city stadium was banned from hosting any match for four weeks. It also suspended the player Gjata, described as the initiator of the violence of Berati fans, for four weeks while Aliaj of Tomorri will not be allowed to play for hitting an opponent.

Though this is not the first time that the commission considered the violence in stadiums, many teams are afraid of playing in fields as that of Lushnja and Berat or any other.

On September 24, the matches were suspended in the stadium of Gjirokastra for four weeks and the commission banned the soccer player of Flamurtari for 12 weeks while that of Elbasan for four weeks and the one of Lushnja for two weeks.

The Appeal commission lessened the decision of the Disciplinary commission ruling that Shqiponja team plays two out of four matches and two matches in stadiums without spectators. It also lessened a suspension on the Flamurtari player from 12 weeks to 6.

Even the Lushnja field was banned from hosting matches until the week before the first phase as a result of violence against Partizani and Teuta teams. pas/ak/

[06] OPERATION FOR REPATRIATION OF ALBANIANS STARTS IN ITALY AMIDST PROTESTS AND DESPERATION

ROME, DEC 4 (ATA) - Let us start with the course of the events first. March 20, 1997. Through a decree the Prodi Government declared "National Emergency Status" after the arrival in Italy of almost 17 thousand Albanian refugees. Immediately permits for their stay until June 20 were issued. Upon another decision adopted on August 28, the deadline for the repatriation of the emigrants from Albania was November 30, 1997.

On Saturday, November 29, 1997, Italian Prime Minister Prodi signed a directive which decided the irrevocable repatriation of 5 000 Albanian refugees accommodated in various refugee reception centres. At the same time, an assistance of 300 thousand lira for adults and 150 thousand lira for refugees under 18 years old, and a promise to return to Italy again in working groups during various periods, were envisaged.

"Blitz" for Albanians. Operation for repatriation which has already started has led to the closure of seven reception centres opened in March. Protests and desperation of the women and children out of their desire to stay in Italy. Hundreds of policemen have used force for the evacuation of the centres. There have been no injured people reported.

The refugees are packed into buses as they were. 54 Albanian emigrants who agreed to be repatriated at their consent, left for Tirane airport yesterday. 256 other refugees have been gathered in Karloto barracks of San Marko battalion in the entrance of Brindisi.

Silence in prefectures. The "blitz" in midday in Kassano Murge, in which 100 people among whom 42 children were in the third day of their hunger strike, was spectacular, although in front of reporters and TV cameras. Only in the barracks of Karaffa of Brindisi which closed, 80 of 100 people have received a permit for job or are hoping to have a political asylum approved.

Italian PM Romano Prodi and his deputy, Valter Velteroni declared that the law must be observed and executed, "with humanity" as Mr Prodi added. Additionally, in a meeting held in London today between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italian PM Romano Prodi, the later has declared: "Italy is acting with wisdom. It is our preoccupation that the decisions adopted wisely and humanly be respected because in this way the laws of a state are observed."

The Albanian Ambassador in Rome, Pandeli Pasko, had asked Prodi to adopt concrete measures regarding Albanian refugees, and not only coercion. Mr Prodi replied that "the humanity which Italy is manifesting to carry its decisions ahead cannot be doubted."

Five thousand refugees, from 17 thousand, who have respected the law and stayed in the centres where they had been accommodated, will be repatriated, while 12 thousand others will remain in Italy. ake/kled/xh/

[07] SOME 254 ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNED FROM ITALY - Durres

On their way back home, the refugees were accompanied by forces of the Italian police. The refugees said that the Italian police had maltreated and beaten many of them.

"We are turning back without any desire and with great indignation for the Italian and Albanian government which could not sign an agreement to let us stay in Italy," they said.

This is the second contingent deported from Italy, after 70 refugees who came yesterday.

Some 500 Albanians will come today from Italy towards the Albanian coasts, according to a plan envisaged by the Italian government and approved by the Albanian authorities, official sources close to the port of Brindisi reported on Wednesday.

Another ship, "San Giorgio", is expected to arrive soon with some 156 refugees on board.

Seven reception centers, where the Albanians were sheltered since March of this year, after the exodus of Albanians during the crisis that swept the country, were closed on Wednesday without incidents by the order forces, Italian Interior Ministry reported. /kled/mt/

[08] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

The agreements signed recently open the way for further development of the bilateral relations, said Meidani. The Albanian President stressed the constant efforts made to set up a civil state, where the right for education in the native language is fundamental in the establishment of the country's interior understanding.

The parties considered with interest the cooperation to secure support for the eighth road corridor and the increase of the political and cultural exchanges between two countries.

The Macedonian Foreign Minister said that his government seriously follows the education question of the Albanian community and explained the work done for the cooperation with the Council of Europe in this direction.

Foreign Minister Handjinski appreciated the will of his country's authorities to boost the bilateral cooperation and invited President Meidani on behalf of President Gligorov for an official visit in Macedonia.

Attending the meeting was also Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the Macedonian Minister of Transports, as well as the ambassadors of both countries./kled/mt/sh/

[09] 43 ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS RETURNED HOME FROM ITALY

"We have been maltreated, violated by Italian carabinieri," says with tears in her eyes Enkelejda A, 30, from Lushnja.

The majority of the returned to Rinas today, differently from the 80 refugees brought home last night who were from Vlore, are from Southern and Central Albania, but among them are also three from Lezha and three from Shkodra.

Many of those who have staged hunger strike, according to Prodi directive, will not enjoy the approved privileges. None of the returned refugees has received the 300 thousand lira compensation they have been promised and the document which gives them priority in compensation and for later seasonal employment in Italy.

According to Rinas airport authorities, another aircraft with 80 refugees on board is expected to arrive in Albania until today evening. kled/xh/sh/

[10] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT ABLE TO COOPERATE FOR SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS - Hadjinski

The FYROM Foreign Minister, Handjinski, expressed the delight for cooperation with the new Albanian government, "because we see at it an open and able partner to cooperate in the spirit of dialogue and understanding for the solution of our problems, for the stability and bilateral and multilateral cooperation, different from the recent cooperation, which remained only in the declarative framework."

We are for a fruitful and broad economic cooperation, stressed Handjinski. We should realize common projects in the field of energetics, and road and railway communication. The eight-road corridor should immediately start because the interests are all-round. We are working to make perfect the 8-year and high school system, without taking into consideration any ethnic difference.

We should work together to find the way of unification of respective diplomas for the students, either Macedonians or Albanians, who study in our respective universities, said Handjinski.

Milo considered this visit "a turning point in the relations between both countries and a beginning for the institutionalization of bilateral relations to make concrete the high ranking meetings Meidani-Gligorov in Strasbourg and Nano-Gligorov in Crete."

"With the right of the mother country, we would favour the respect of Albanians' rights in FYROM, mainly with those which have to do with the problem of their education in mother tongue in all education levels, which we are respecting for the Macedonian population in Albania," underlined Milo. s.s/s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[11] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER

The agreements signed recently open the way for further development of the bilateral relations, said Meidani. The Albanian President stressed the constant efforts made to set up a civil state, where the right for education in the native language is fundamental in the establishment of the country's interior understanding.

The parties considered with interest the cooperation to secure support for the eighth road corridor and the increase of the political and cultural exchanges between two countries.

The FYROM Foreign Minister said that his government seriously follows the education question of the Albanian community and explained the work done for the cooperation with the Council of Europe in this direction.

Foreign Minister Hadjinski appreciated the will of his country's authorities to boost the bilateral cooperation and invited President Meidani on behalf of President Gligorov for an official visit in FYROM.

Attending the meeting was also Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, FYROM Minister of Transports Abdurraman Bexheti, as well as the ambassadors of both countries./kled/mt/sh/

[12] MINISTER BUFI DISCUSSES WITH IFM MISSION

According to the minister the current electric power output from the hydro powers and thermo powers is not enough to meet population's growing demands for year 2000.

He explained to the international financiers, that the lack of financial means to build new hydro powers or other energy network like gas and oil pipe lines doesn't guarantee the exchange of energy with neighboring countries.

Funds experts suggested that the Albanian government should ask the World Bank to provide the necessary finances in the energy field.

The output of electric power from 1990 to 1996 is boosted to 80 percent. The privatization strategy was another issue discussed between Bufi and IMF representatives.

Bufi presented the privatization strategy, which at present is under discussion with trade unions and non governmental organizations, before taking the official shape in Parliament.

Year 1998 will start the privatization process in vital sectors of economy like Telecom, mines, Albpetrol and state enterprises not privatized yet, said Bufi.

The IMF experts positively estimated the privatization strategy. Alongside the adjustment of legal package for this process, discussion focused also on market improvement in the process of privatization.

[13] BILATERAL COOPERATION BASED ON OBSERVATION OF ALL RIGHTS OF ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA - Albanian PM Nano

Our peoples on both sides of the border must communicate freely, exchanging without obstacles their ideas, cultures, education and commodities and keeping the inter-ethnic dialogue going.

In the context of the spirit of the Crete Summit, the triangle of the countries of Southern Balkans must impose a changed climate in the region and surround the conflicting elements which now are in minority with open societies and democratic institutions, which will force them to open the way to autonomous provinces.

The Foreign Minister of Macedonia, Hadjinski said in the name of his Government that he appreciated the rapid establishment of stability in Albania which helps improve the climate in the Balkans. After the signing of some bilateral agreements, he said, "we must elaborate the legal framework to continue with a package of economic agreements in which priority will be given particularly to the trade exchanges in the border zones.

Hadjinski added that the Macedonian Government is ready to build bridges of cooperation with Albanians, thus institutionalizing their integration through employments and education.

Albanian PM expressed his satisfaction for the Macedonian-Albanian co-governing and added that Albania has been among the first countries to recognize the sovereignty of the Macedonian state and as part of the Euro-Atlantic community will keep encouraging the integration of this country in the international structures.

"In January," said Nano, "I will be in Skoplje to see closely not only the level of the inter-ethnic relations in Macedonia but also to promote the spirit of bilateral cooperation through a number of important agreements which we will sign." ake/kled/xh/sh/

[14] PRESIDENT MEIDANI DEMANDS ACCELERATION OF STEPS FOR OPENING CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN ALBANIA

President Meidani demanded this meeting in order to exchange thoughts and encourage the parties to enable the realization of this project, which was discussed during his last visit in the Holy See, and thanked Vatican on this occasion for the serious engagement in its realisation.

The laic University, based on the pattern of one of 600 catholic universities opened throughout the world, is thought to have the faculties of justice, medicine, economy, the political and humanitarian sciences, and in particular the setting up in Tirana of the Institute of the Balkans Studies.

President Meidani encouraged signing within next week of a protocol of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Chairman of the Albanian Bishopric Conference, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, who is the envoy of Vatican, charged for the realization of this important project in Albania. /kled/mt/sh/

[15] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES RETURN HOME FROM ITALY OF ALBANIAN REFUGEES

Minister Sherifi stressed that the returning home of hundreds of people who left Albania during the unrest is being realised conformed to all international conventions and is almost unavoidable.

"Nevertheless," said Sherifi, "insistence by Albanian Government guaranteed a maximal support for 1842 Albanians who will leave barracks in southern Albania to return home."

According to the Minister, the Albanian Government has insisted that those people be well-treated and the program of repatriation be applied along with facilities and integration of these people in society.

Mr Sherifi said that the Italian Government has agreed to give each person a total of 300 000 liras and each minor 150 000 liras. The same amount of money will also be given to those Albanian emigrants who return home at their consent, thus a family with two children will receive 1 800 000 liras from the Italian Government. Besides, these people will have a priority in the seasonal employment, about 20 000 of them will be employed during 1998 only. The minister also explained that the great fuss by the Albanian opposition which, according to him, forced these people to leave their country when it was in power, is a politically motivated game.

Mr Sherifi said that on December 3, 53 people were repatriated while on December 4, 530 other refugees returned home. "During March this year, about 16 000 refugees fled Albania for Italy and only 400 families have returned so far," said Sherifi, who reminded the deputies that the Nano Government had postponed thrice the repatriation process and had created very favourable conditions for those who return home.

The opposition deputies criticized the repatriation of Albanian refugees, while parliamentarians of the governing parties said that a good treatment for the repatriated emigrants was the greatest possible maximum the Albanian Government had attained. kled/xh/sh/

[16] ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS OPTIMIST FOR PROSPECTIVE OF ALBANIAN- MACEDONIAN TIES

Minister Milo considered the six agreements that were signed today as strategic projects. Four agreements were signed to improve the situation along the borders between the two countries, while the others had economic character.

Milo declared that "the near visit of Premier Nano in Shkup, during the first two weeks of January, will further strengthen the relations between the two countries." /kled/mt/sh/

[17] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS FYROM FOREIGN MINISTER

According to the spokesman, the Macedonian Minister expressed his delight for signing six agreements with the Albanian government, for the relations between the two countries, stressing the will that these accords be followed by other ones with mutual interest.

Focusing on the meeting of parliament speakers of the Balkan countries in Athens and in the Crete Summit, Gjinushi said that the Balkan countries cannot be integrated alone, without facing problems widely encountered in the Balkans and broader, such as the Kosova question.

The Albanian Parliament, said Speaker Gjinushi, will not only welcome the agreements for ratification, but will also encourage the government for new agreements with mutual interest for both countries. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[18] POLICE DEPARTMENT IN BERAT RIOTED

Police authorities in the building asked the group of people to leave and were in full alert in defence of the building and to prevent some of the detained in the building to flee.

In order to avoid a possible arms attack of the building since there were armed people round the building, police fired warning shots in the air.

Police sources said that a person threw a bomb in the old soccer stadium in the city centre.

The warning shots continued for about 15-20 minutes. As a result, people in the streets vanished and sellers closed their shops.

The attack by the group of people from Vakef city quarter against police is related with the detention two days ago of seven residents of that quarter. Their family members and friends have declared that the act by police was arbitrary and that the accused had defended the quarter during the unrest from riots, theft and ill-doers.

Sources of Berat Police Department said that the seven detained are suspected to have carried out penal acts and that inquiry is going on about them. ake/kled/xh/sh/

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