Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Parliament passes anticrime law package

[03] Mandate commission to discuss immunity of DP's deputy

[04] OSCE ambassador Daan Everts visits Shkoder

[05] Police continue operations, arrest five other persons

[06] List for seasonal employment in Italy compiled in Elbasan

[07] Mandate commission upholds request to lift DP deputy's immunity

[08] Roadblock at Kukes entrance attacked, policeman injured

[09] Explosion wrecks water pipe line in Fushe-Kuqe

[10] Union for Democracy recognises constitutional commission -Decision whether to take part in commission to be taken at a round table called by it-

[11] DP turns a deaf ear to EU suggestions, continues road protests

[12] Bruner says constitution to be drafted even without opposition

[13] Venice commission to discuss pyramid schemes, legislation issues

[14] Police intercept foreign motor boats in Buna river outlet

[15] Five other persons arrested by special forces in Shkoder

[16] Parliament approves two laws of anticrime package

[17] Two deputies from Shkoder denounce terrorist acts in their town

[18] Member of DAP presidency taken hostage during riots in Shkoder

[19] Ceka not to speak too much - Zogaj

[20] DP hails suggestions of international bodies

[21] Mayors association against terrorist acts

[22] Terrorist act in Berat - four killed in coffee bar

[23] Unlimited home-arrest for 7 persons involved into Milot event

[01] Press review

But the letter the former Austrian chancellor has sent to the latter has shown that the cabinet of the prime minister has not changed the content of conversation with Vranitzky.

This is the topic highlighted by today's newspapers.

The former Austrian chancellor and the mediator to the Albanian crisis a year ago, Franz Vranitzky has sent on Saturday a letter to the DP leader Sali Berisha, the daily Koha Jone says adding that this was confirmed by the OSCE press office in Tirana.

"I am sure, dear Mr. Berisha, that you can guess that I and the others are very disappointed for the fact that your party has not assume its formal political role in the Albanian parliament," Vranitzky said to Berisha.

Gazeta Shqiptare reports that Vranitzky asked Berisha that the DP return to parliament and give its contribution to restore order in Albania.

"Berisha's claim is not true," is the title of the article carried by the daily Zeri i Popullit obtained by the ATA. It says that "because of misinterpretation and claims of the DP at some European chancelleries including the OSCE,

the office of Vranitzky has sent to the Albanian prime minister's cabinet the full correspondence between the DP and Vranitzky.

Dita Informacion reports on this topic under the title "Vranitzky to Berisha: I am disappointed".

Rilindja Demokratike upholds its claims saying "Vranitzky;

Nano has cheated," and the daily Albania says "Vranitzky: Nano cheats." Today's press highlights the statement of the European Union presidency on Shkoder events.

The E.U. presidency reacted immediately on Tuesday through a statement issued by the current president of the European Union and minister of State at the United Kingdom Tony Lloyd on events in Shkoder on February 22 and the latest decision of the DP national council to delay return to parliament until a future meeting, the daily Koha Jone says.

"Outbreak of violence makes the return of the Democratic party to Albanian parliament and its participation in the parliamentary constitutional commission very important," the daily quotes the statement as saying.

Gazeta Shqiptare says that "Berisha has failed to keep the promise he gave to the European troika" Lloyd warned adding that the DP should return as soon as possible in the legislative body.

Zeri i Popullit says referring to this statement that "it is unacceptable that Berisha continues to make backward steps".

The daily Shekulli under the title "Berisha, violates promise given to Troika" says that "the DP should be included in the democratisation process underway."

Wednesday's papers report on the approval of the anticrime package by Albanian parliament.

Since today the Albanian police can shoot on sight when seeing that their lives or of any other is risked. Koha Jone says that this was the main law from the anticrime package, adopted by Albanian parliament last night.

Gazeta Shqiptare says that parliament calls in chorus: "The Constitutional Court should urgently carry out rotation". It says that Gjinushi, Dokle, Abdiu and Majko have not hesitated to be categorical in their discussions and decisions.

"The law on the use of fire arms passed" is the title of an article in Zeri i Popullit on the beginning of the approval of the anti-crime package in Parliament yesterday. It says that Gjinushi said yesterday that "the Constitutional Court should be reorganised and there is no compromise with the law".

Dita Informacion says that Parliament suspends the Constitutional Court. Now this court cannot take decisions, which has been opposed only by Ngjela.

Shekulli says that parliament has asked that Rustem Gjata steps down.

Rilindja Demokratike says that now there is no more Constitutional Court in Albania while newspaper Albania cites Gjata as saying:"The court does not depend on Gjinushi". /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Parliament passes anticrime law package

The law package was urgently examined and passed by parliament, also considering the Shkoder event.

Parliament adopted the laws on the use of fire weapons, the code of police ethic, special and rapid intervention forces, and that on criminal police.

Parliament mostly debated the law on the use of fire weapons. The deputies asked that the cases when the order police shoot wrongdoers be defined better. For this reason several changes were made to an article of this law, clearly determining the cases of attack by the order police.

Interior Minister Neritan Ceka said that the draft laws had also been improved after consultations with the MAPE experts and foreign lawyers at the Interior Ministry.

He stressed that this package is indispensable, also considering the latest events. /a.ke/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Mandate commission to discuss immunity of DP's deputy

The General prosecutor urged the parliament to remove the immunity of the DP deputy to pave the way for further investigation after the incident ten days ago when an armed gang led by Hajdari resisted the order forces.

The prosecutor's office has accused the DP deputy for "stirring up violent acts and slandering the police," while the Socialist party, which has the majority in parliament as "leader of the armed gang, which refused to stop to the roadblocks of order police." mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] OSCE ambassador Daan Everts visits Shkoder

He first visited public institutions, affected by the wave of looting, burning and destruction, familiarising himself with the damages caused to this city on Sunday after an attack by criminals.

Later, in the OSCE regional office in Shkoder, he received representatives of three religious communities who described the situation in the city.

Everts also met with local government leaders, governor Ali Lacej, Mayor Bahri Borici and District Council Chairman Lorenc Mosi.

Local government leaders asked Everts that the international community focuses its attention on Shkoder, one of the country's less developed regions both during communist regime and the Democratic Party's governing.

Everts told local government leaders that foreign donors have many projects for Albania's development, especially the city of Shkoder. But what is more important, he said, is restoration of order and peace at home.

He said that MAPE experts will help restructure police forces in Shkoder, also providing them with logistic equipment.

During his stay in Shkoder Everts also met with political party leaders. The meeting was held behind closed doors. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Police continue operations, arrest five other persons

Some of them, according to facts gathered, have been involved in the raid on the "Don Bosco" charity center, the same sources said.

After the arrival of the special forces and re-mobilisation of local police, the number of the arrested is 22. Part of them are among the main organisers of the terrorism and destruction of institutions in the city of Shkodra in February 22. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] List for seasonal employment in Italy compiled in Elbasan

According to the regional labour office in this district they total 500 or make up one tenth of the country's emigration contingent.

Considering that Elbasani ranks second on a country scale as regards unemployment, it figures one of the most privieleged cities in the projects of the Ministry of Labour and Emigration as regard emigration for seasonal employment. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Mandate commission upholds request to lift DP deputy's immunity

Last Thursday, the prosecutor Rakipi asked that deputy Hajdari be deprived of his immunity with the accusation of resisting and slandering the police forces in the Milot event.

He said that the removal of immunity will pave way to investigation on the above case.

Zef Bushati, a member of the commission, said to ATA that he had voted against the request, though the vote was secret.

"I think that the prosecutor's accusations are insufficient for Hajdari be deprived of his immunity," Bushati said to ATA.

Hajdari was not present at the commission's meeting though he was summoned to.

Parliament is expected to discuss the request of the General prosecutor late on Wednesday. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Roadblock at Kukes entrance attacked, policeman injured

Unidentified armed men on Tuesday evening attacked a police roadblock at the Kukes town access road, injuring one policeman.

Sources of the Kukes district police station told ATA that the "event took place at around 22.00, with armed men attacking a police roadblock, set up at the big bridge over the Drin river, at the entrance of Kukes, and injuring policeman Sheptim Topuzi, 26, in his shoulder".

The mobile units of the Kukes police station were rushed to the area, but criminals, taking advantage of the uneven terrain and darkness, were on the run.

The same sources said that "a person, involved in the event, was detained on Wednesday morning.

They did not make known his name.

The wounded policeman was taken to the town's hospital immediately. "After doctors's intervention, his condition is not life threatening", hospital sources say. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Explosion wrecks water pipe line in Fushe-Kuqe

Ardian Radovicka, director of the water distribution enterprise in Durres said to ATA that unidentified persons had placed an explosive device 500 to 600 meters away from the central station closed to an irrigation channel.

This is the fourth time the water pipe line is blown up and the people of the three cities have run short of water for the twelve time.

Police forces went to the site together with a group of specialists from the water distribution enterprise to investigate on the case and find out those responsible, the same sources said. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Union for Democracy recognises constitutional commission -Decision whether to take part in commission to be taken at a round table called by it-

Zef Bushati, chairman of the Christian-Democratic party, confirmed this, on behalf of the Union for Democracy grouping, at a meeting of the commission on Wednesday.

However, the opposition grouping, still does not take part in the commission's proceedings; On Wednesday it sent a letter to the commission saying that, "positively responding to the European Troika recommendations, it will decide to take part in the commission after achieving an inter- party consensus at a round table called by the grouping and whose date will be set after preliminary consultations".

At this round table the Union for Democracy will put forward its remarks as regards procedures of the commission's election and composition, as, according to Bushati, it has not been allowed by the majority to make these remarks in parliament.

"We have often called on you to make these remarks in the commission, but you have always refused," replied Sabri Godo, co-chairman of the commission.

The commission continued proceedings, while Bushati left; but the fundamental issues of the draft-constitution were decided to be discussed at Friday's meeting, so that the commissioners are better prepared. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] DP turns a deaf ear to EU suggestions, continues road protests

"We will never reconcile with the policy the present government is following," the Democratic leader Sali Berisha said.

He called on Tirana citizens and whole Albania to launch new elections this spring and set up a new care taker government.

"We do not abandon our requests. The scenarios of the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano to fight the opposition are doomed to fail. We will take to the streets until we fulfil our intention - toppling the present government," Berisha said.

Other orators of the Unity for Democracy shared the same views.

In a letter to Sali Berisha on Tuesday the former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky said that he was disappointed for the fact that the DP had not yet taken up its formal political function in the Albanian parliament and "further more you have said that you will work to topple as soon as possible the new parliament and the ruling government."

The European Union shared the same view saying that the fact that Berisha had failed to keep the promise to the European troika to return to parliament was unacceptable and called on the opposition to be integrated as soon as possible in a democratic process and contribute to Albania's reconstruction. das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Bruner says constitution to be drafted even without opposition

"German Federal Minister Klaus Kinkel has been here recently and, as I learned from newspapers, Berisha had promised him participation in the constitutional commission. But, the vacant seats of the democrats show the contrary," Prof. Bruner said at the meeting of the commission.

The commission's co-chairman, Sabri Godo, says that Prof. Bruner, invited by the commission's presidency, is a renowned constitutionalist, dealing with the constitutions of several eastern countries. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Venice commission to discuss pyramid schemes, legislation issues

The discussion will be held on the requests of the Albanian opposition but also of the government according to Arben Imami, the minister of Institutional reform.

The Juridical Commission of the Council of Europe will discuss issues of the Albanian legislation.

Co-chairmen of the Albanian parliamentary commission on constitution Sabri Godo and Arben Imami will be present.

"Venice commission has set up a working group to help draw up a constitution," an official of the "La Pergola" commission told the Albanian commission on constitution on Wednesday. das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Police intercept foreign motor boats in Buna river outlet

A spokesman of the Interior ministry said that the forces of the police station in Lezha had deployed a motor boat 8.5 miles inland the Buna river at 14.15. p.m. on February 23 due to the situation in Shkodra.

They have intercepted a motor boat coming from Tivar to Rodon cape navigating parallel with the border coastal line for two miles when it noticed police movements.

The Albanian police chased for two hours the rapid and large motor boat and asked the Durres police command for help.

They approached it some 700 meters and opened fire, which forced it (motor boat) to change the course leaving the Albanian police motor boat two miles away.

Meanwhile, four other motor boats were seen in the direction to the Rodon cape which joined the first rapid one.

Than the five were directed to Montenegrin coasts. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Five other persons arrested by special forces in Shkoder

Arms and other stolen materials were found in their houses during the control. /s.sh/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Parliament approves two laws of anticrime package

The law "On the code of police ethic" sanctions the respect of the personality of the persons escorted, detained or arrested by police forces.

"For the first time in a code it is defined the right of police officers not to obey the orders of their superiors when they run contrary to laws in force, as well as the obligation of any police officer to penally or civilly respond for any damage caused to the public," Luan Hajdaraga, chairman of parliamentary commission of order and SHIK, said during the plenary sitting.

Meanwhile, with regard to the draft-law "On special and rapid intervention forces," Hajdaraga said that it provides high efficacy of these forces in the fight against crime and the invulnerability of freedoms and rights of citizen.

The special forces, according to the law, will be part of the structure of the General Police Directorate in the Interior Ministry.

The law guarantees that the members of these units keep the secrecy of their identity when on duty and after.

Parliament approved on Tuesday evening the law "On the use of fire arms." /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Two deputies from Shkoder denounce terrorist acts in their town

The deputy Leke Cukaj read in the plenary sitting a statement which condemned the terrorist acts in their city.

"Such anti-Albanian stands are backed by the clan of Sali Berisha," says the statement.

The Shkoder deputies asked by the government a greater engagement to prevent such acts in the future.

Armed persons attacked on Sunday the police directorate of Shkoder, looted and torched the prosecutor's office, courthouse, town hall, affiliations of the savings and commercial banks, as well as the old library "Martin Barleti."

Taking into consideration these events, the Albanian parliament is approving in an accelerated procedure a package of four anti-crime laws, aiming to increase the efficacy of order forces. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Member of DAP presidency taken hostage during riots in Shkoder

"Under the violence of four Kalashnikovs (I know three of the people personally,) I was taken hostage for three hours," said Zefi.

According to Zefi, the above persons, under the threat of weapons and in the name of Sali Berisha, asked him to declare in the local television of Shkoder the removal of the government.

"Thanks to the help of my friends, I managed to neutralize the four bandits and at 22:00 I issued a five-minute statement on TV 1 Shkodra, which was understood by the ignorant bandits as to their favour," stated Zefi.

"In this declaration, I have really blamed the government for its indolence in restoration of order in Shkoder, but on the other hand I have supported it and the law. It is not the first time I ask such thing, there are six months I have insisted in the reorganization of the Shkoder police, 20% of which is contrabandist," said Zefi.

"After we left the television, I went to my house escorted by the bandit and by 22:10 they fled to loot the banks and other institutions. I declare under full responsibility that the persons who destroyed Shkoder are the armed wing of the Democratic Party, which is installing violence and terror in Albania," said Zefi. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Ceka not to speak too much - Zogaj

"We think that the analysis in the Interior Ministry should go deeper, and the responsibilities should be found after the Shkoder events," said Zogaj.

"What we ask is that he who does not fulfill the duty should be fired, " said Zogaj.

"The indirect responsibility for Shkoder also lie on senior officials of the Interior Ministry and it is normal to correct them," added the DAP Secretary General.

"We support the work of Ceka, which has been successful in many areas, but Albania is complex," said Zogaj.

Also the Socialist Party (the largest of the coalition) has asked deep analysis of responsibilities, by not putting into question the post of Ceka as the Interior Minister.

Armed persons attacked on Sunday the police directorate of Shkoder, looted and torched the prosecutor's office, courthouse, town hall, affiliations of the savings and commercial banks, as well as the old library "Martin Barleti." /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] DP hails suggestions of international bodies

"But, he added, we will review our whole stand to join parliament. We will return there only after the current government fulfills the requests of the European Troika, in which the most important one was the respect of the opposition."

Pollo accused the Albanian government and police of carrying a new attack against the opposition, because as he said, right after the rally, held by the Union for Democracy in the Scanderbeg square (although without the police approval,) several DP supporters were arrested.

"Also, the request to lift the immunity of DP deputy Azem Hajdari is another blow to the opposition, despite the result of today's parliamentary sitting, which will decide on this, said Pollo.

The DP Foreign Secretary, Leonard Demi, accused Premier Nano of distorting the telephone talk with the Italian PM, Romano Prodi.

Prodi, in the telephone conversation on Monday, voiced his and the Italian government support for the Albanian government and Premier Fatos Nano.

"During the visit of the Albanian parliamentary delegation of foreign commission in Italy, Romano Prodi said that Italy does not interfere into the domestic affairs of Albania and the problems there should be solved by the Albanians themselves," said Demi. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Mayors association against terrorist acts

"The target of this terrorist activity are the public institutions, coffee-shops, cultural and education premises, aiming at keeping the population in our cities under terror," stresses the declaration. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Terrorist act in Berat - four killed in coffee bar

Police managed to seize two of the criminals.

The director of the district police department, Vasfi Cama, told ATA that "the police have put the situation under control, and the inhabitants of the zone helped us to detain the last criminals."

He did not accept to report the names of the criminals who detained or eliminated.

According to Cama, the motive of killing was revenge between two rival groups.

Today's event paralysed the life in the city, schools and state institutions were closed. /a.ke/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Unlimited home-arrest for 7 persons involved into Milot event

At the end of this sitting, the juridical council of the Appeal Court ruled "unlimited arrest for Julian Biba, Cezar Kokalari, Lulezim Bushati and Sali Hajdari, and home-arrest for Dem Dollapi, Clirim Bakiaj and Avni Mustafaj," sources from the Court of Appeals reported to ATA on Wednesday evening. /mima/mt/

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