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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-03-02Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] United States concerned on ongoing violence in DrenicaPrishtine, March 1 (ATA) - The United States are deeply concerned on the reports of recent violence in Kosova which has claimed lives and many wounded in the Drenica region, Kosova.U.S. special envoy Robert Gelbard, visiting Belgrade and Prishtine, said that the situation in Kosova was "dangerous" and we called on all the sides to show self restraint. "Ongoing violence will complicate the efforts to start a necessary dialogue to ease tension and enable the province to escape repression, which characterises the unacceptable status quo," the communique said. The United States urged particularly the Serbian authorities to allow "that all its citizens" benefit health treatment. bj/ed/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Women protest against Serbian terrorPRISHTINE, March 1 (ATA) - Over 10,000 joined a protest rally on Sunday in front of the United States office in Prishtine against the struggle, terror and massacres of the Serbian occupying forces on the unprotected Albanian populace in Drenice and everywhere in Kosova.The rally organised by the Albanian Women League called on the United States, European Union and other international institutions to urgently intervene to stop the tragedy and struggle in Kosova. A 10-member delegation conveyed a message to the U.S. diplomats from the Belgrade mission, visiting Prishtina, asking the commitment of the U.S. diplomacy and the European one to prevent the Serbian war machine in Kosova. Other Albanian nationwide protests called in by political parties will be organised on Monday in Prishtina, capital of Kosova, under the motto "Stop Serb terror," "Drenice we are with you," "Stop violence," "Stop ethnic cleansing." The peaceful protest will start at 10.00 a.m. in the center of Prishtina. The call was strongly backed by the Independent Student Union of the University of Prishtina, which had invited all the students to join them. Over 300 Albanian intellectuals of Kosova urged the protest. bj/ed/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albanian foreign minister ends Germany visitTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - Albania's Foreign minister Paskal Milo ended his visit in the Bavaria and Baden Wurtemberg states, Germany.Press and Information office at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said that Milo had intensive talks with personalities of both states, businessman and wellknown companies interested in investments in Albania. The German side expressed readiness to cooperate in concrete projects. A consulate of honour of the Republic of Albania in Munich was formally inaugurated. Personalities present at the ceremony said that this consulate will be an important point of contact to promote cooperation between Albania and Bavaria state. Milo was accompanied by Albania's ambassador to Germany Bashkim Zeneli. pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Serb police intervene to disperse Albanian peaceful protestersPRISHTINE, MARCH 2 (ATA) - Serbian forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse over 300 000 Albanian demonstrating peacefully, beating them with rifle's butt, kicking and chasing them through city' paths.The protesters braved the police intervention who managed to push them some meters from the university building, from which they were expelled some years ago. Many protesters of the surrounding areas were banned to enter the city and joined the protest. Serbian police helicopters flew over Prishtina to control the protesters. The protests were monitored by representatives of the diplomatic corps in Belgrade who had come to Prishtina. They included representatives from the United States, European embassies in Belgrade and officials of the U.S. office in Prishtina. n.lazi/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] OSCE parliamentary assembly backs Albanian authoritiesTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - President of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) parliamentary Assembly Javier Ruperez has expressed its full support for the Albanian authorities in their efforts to consolidate democracy and rule of law.In a letter to Albania's Speaker Skender Gjinushi, he informed him on the results of the meeting of the OSCE permanent parliamentary assembly commission in Vienna on February 19-20, which considered the report of the troika mission to Albania. "I am pleased to inform you that the commission welcomed unanimously the report and approved its recommendations. It agreed that the OSCE parliamentary Assembly should follow commitments and suggestions included in the troika statement. To this end, the commission set up an ad-hoc commission, which will closely work with the Council of Europe parliamentary Assembly and European Parliament," Ruperez said. Frank Waalen, emeritus president of the OSCE parliamentary assembly and president of the Belgian Senate was appointed head of the ad-hoc commission. Other members are Senator Tana De Zulueta of Italy, U.S. congressman Alcer Hastings, Tekin Enerem head of the Turkish delegation in the OSCE and Marcus Kyprianou, head of the Cypriot delegation in the OSCE. Ruperez expressed his conviction that the ad-hoc commission will have the support of the Albanian authorities. "Sincerely, I hope that they together with their colleagues of the European Council and the European parliament can back the Albanian authorities and political leaders in consolidating democracy and rule of law," the letter said. s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Tension stirs up in KosovaPRISHTINE, March 2 (ATA) - Human rights council in Kosova said on Monday midday that the Serbian police were continuing to chase the Albanian protesters through Prishtina paths and barbarously beating a large number of them.The council reported on the killing of an Albanian student. It quoted witnesses as saying that a Serbian police put the pistol into his mouth and killed him when a police car rushed through a column of protesters causing over 10 wounded, four of them seriously injured. Serbian civilians also attacked the Albanian protesters while the Serbian students threw stones at the Albanian ones. The latter showed self restraint and did not counterattack. The Human Rights Council said that leaders of the political parties, distinguished intellectuals of Kosova who braved even the tanks and armoured personnel carriers approaching them, are leading the protests. edk/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Albania's government to accord funds to rehabilitate librarySHKODER, March 2 (ATA) - Albanian government will accord special funds to help repair social and culture buildings in the city of Shkodra which were torched and raided during an attack of a criminal group on February 22- 23.Minister of Culture, Youths and Sports Arta Dade said in a meeting on Monday in the Shkoder Prefecture that the government will allocate funds to repair the "Marin Barleti" library and other social cultural buildings. The library, one of the most ancient and richest in Albania with some 100 thousand books, suffered considerable loss. Computers granted by Soros Foundation were stolen, some 2500 books burned down and periodical press workshop was damaged. Dade said that the ministry has taken all the measures to release special funds to repair damages. She added that the ministry has special plans to rehabilitate many cultural buildings in Shkoder, one of them is "December 13" road, damaged during March unrest last year. s.s/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Albania Helsinki urges stop to Serb genocide in KosovaTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - Albania's Helsinki Committee expressed on Monday concern on escalation of Belgrade's oppressive policy in Kosova."All reports show that Belgrade is resorting violence and armed oppression instead of initiatives taken by different forums of the international community to find a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue, " said a statement of this forum, distributed after the tragic events in the Drenica province. "Milosevic is preparing a second Bosnia, which can have most dangerous consequences for peace in the Balkan region," the statement said. The Helsinki committee believed that "now all the Albanian political forces should leave aside differences and create a unique front against the Serb violence." It hoped that the Albanian government would not refrain from using all its links and means to urgently call the attention of the international circles. "Efforts should be done for these circles react immediately and determinately due to the dramatic situation to stop the oppressive pace of the Serbian authorities and put an end to genocide in Kosova," the statement said. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Albania president urges Serb forces withdrawal, end to violenceGJIROKASTER, March 2 (ATA) - By H. Çani: Albania's president Rexhep Meidani called on Monday on the international community and institutions to intervene as soon as possibleto ease tension and force Serbia to withdraw its military forces and stop violence in Kosova. Meidani said to journalists during a visit in Gjirokastra that he considered the situation in Kosova very troublesome. "This has been the reason that I, in all international meetings, starting from August and on, have urged an international presence as soon as possible and especially a U.N. mission in Kosova because the situation seems to precipitate to potential consequences, which can turn into real risks. Yesterday's events have shown that we are right," he said. Meidani called on the international community, institutions to immediately intervene to ease tension in Kosova, oblige Serbia to withdraw military forces and stop violence and terror in the region and broader, respect the education accord signed some 20 months ago with the support of the San Egidio community and create possibilities for further positive developments in conformity with international conventions. Meidani said that he is sure that if we failed to undertake a positive step to implement the education accord, the situation there will be more conflictual. The first step should be the observation of the accord and its implementation. s.s/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Albania's PM issues statement on events in KosovaTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - The Albanian government is following with great concern the deterioration of the situation in Kosova, the manifestation of the state violence against the population there, Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano, told journalists on Monday."The preliminary report, still not confirmed officially, speak of at least 30 killed and wounded. This dangerous situation has provoked the feeling of self-defence among the inhabitants of the attacked zones and thousands of people appeared on streets of Prishtina on Monday to protest against the Serbian military operations and to express their solidarity with the massacred population of Drenice." "I express my personal grief for these difficult moments that our brothers in Kosova are facing, said Nano. On behalf of the Albanian government I underline the solidarity with the innocent victims of the Serbian military and police violence and all the Kosova Albanians." "I would also like to inform the domestic and foreign public opinion that the Albanian government is very worried about what's happening in Kosova. The recent events in Kosova are far from the engagements taken by Serbia and Yugoslavia, as well as by the democratic principles which arrange the international and interethnic relations." "The Albanian government, by strongly condemning this violence, joins with the concern and the efforts made by the political forces in Kosova in order to prevent this new drama being played with the present and the future of Kosova. We are with them and repeat the appeal addressed to the Kosova people to calm and not to fall into the trap of provocations of Serbian extremists and of all other sorts." "The Albanian government - continued Premier Nano, has been in constant contact with the Chairman Ibrahim Rugova over the last two days in order to obtain the necessary information to precisely evaluate the situation. We have agreed together to coordinate our efforts for the sensibilization of the Euro-Atlantic chancelleries for this new aggravation of the situation, as well as to make evident the danger that the European peaceful effort is facing for the complete and stable solution of the Kosova cause." "At the function of this engagement, he said, I have also established contacts with European and Balkan leaders, asking their valuable contribution to calm down the situation there and to accelerate the political and diplomatic operations in order to overcome the crisis. Our diplomacy is in continuous touch with the European chancelleries, countries of the Contact Group and the European Union. Meanwhile, I have personally sent a letter to the diplomatic leaders of these five countries, who are directly engaged in the peaceful solution of the Kosova issue." In the end, I express once again my personal conviction and of the Albanian government that the Kosova problem is a problem which should be finally resolved in a peaceful way, through democratic means, through dialogue and with the powerful support of the international community. The events in Drenice show that the efforts for this solution cannot be put off for tomorrow and the Albanian government is ready to play its role in these efforts." "I express the belief that the acute and urgent situation, created in Kosova, will pass through common efforts and the precious aid of media and public opinion, in order to pave way to the logic of peace and dialogue. Our constant stand is that any incident or conflict, based on violence and use of weapons in Kosova, should be isolated, stopped and neutralized there where it occurs and immediately. If violence spreads to other parts of the province, a negotiated peaceful solution to the crisis will be difficult, if not possible." /das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Foreign parliamentary commission demands concrete international engagement for KosovaTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: The foreign parliamentary commission will demand a concrete intervention of the international community for the solution of the conflict in Kosova.This commission held Monday a meeting, attending was also the State Secretary for the Euro-Atlantic Integration, Maqo Lakrori, who informed on the contacts and engagement of international bodies regarding the conflict in Kosova. "The dialogue with Milosevic does not serve anymore. We cannot suggest to the international community the ways it should follow for the solution of the conflict, but this community should immediately intervene in Kosova," said after the meeting the commission chairman, Sabri Godo. /das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Union for Democracy invites parties in round table for KosovaTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci: The political grouping 'Union for Democracy' condemned Monday the massacre of the Serbian military and police forces in Kosova and invited all the Albanian political parties in a round table for the situation in Kosova."We will urge all the political parties to participate in the round table, because Kosova is an issue above the parties," the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, told Monday a news conference. Further on, Berisha stressed that only the international engagement can unblock the situation in Kosova. /das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Dini asks peaceful solution of Kosova issueROME, March 2 (ATA) - By I. Mehilli: The most important Italian newspapers on Monday report on massacres of the Serbian army and police in Kosova.Umberto Ranieri, secretary for Foreign Relations of the Left Democratic Party, the largest Italian party, in his statement published in today's dailies, says that "It is always more urgent that the authorities of Belgrade should recognise the region of Kosova, where ethnic Albanians make up 90 per cent of the population, the right of the political self- governing and evaluation of their own culture and traditions." If the regime of Milosevic thinks to tackle the Kosova issue through violence and terror, this would totally compromise the relations between the international community and Yugoslavia, and this regime will be severely condemned by Italy and the European Union," continued Ranieri. The Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, in a meeting with journalists on Sunday, remembered them that in the last meeting he held with his Yugoslav counterpart, Jovanovic, had stressed that "The solution of the Kosova question can pass only through dialogue, otherwise the international community cannot normalize the relations with Yugoslavia." /s.sh/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Protest held in Tirana to support Kosova AlbaniansTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - By A. Simoni: Some thousands of Albanian youths protested on Monday afternoon in the "Skenderbej" square and later in front of the Yugoslav embassy in Tirana regarding last events in Kosova.The demonstration, organized by the youth forums of the Albanian parties and students' organizations, started at 17:00 in the main square of Tirana, where the young people shouted slogans in favour of Kosova and Drenice and against the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic. After protesting for several minutes in front of the Yugoslav embassy, the demonstrators headed for the "Skenderbej" square, where they peacefully dispersed. /das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] EU Political Committee to discuss Tuesday situation in KosovaTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo informed Monday the Albanian Parliament that the Political Committee of the European Union will discuss Tuesday only about the situation in Kosova.Minister Milo said that it is also expected the official statement of the U.S. State Department regarding this problem. Milo stressed that the international community demands a political solution of the problem and prevention of violence in Kosova. "Anyhow, there are no clear-cut statements which condemn the Serbian repression," said the Foreign Minister, who added that the information received by the European chancelleries show that the European Community gives priority to the solution through consensus of the situation there. /s.sh/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Belgrade to give up violence against Kosova Albanians -ParliamentTIRANA, March 2 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Albania's Parliament approved Monday a statement, which urged Belgrade "to immediately give up the use of blind violence and answer positively to the request of the international opinion to talk without conditions for the peaceful solution of the Kosova issue.""The People's Assembly warns that the further escalation of the Serbian violence provokes a conflict with unforseen consequences which would gravely attack the stability in the region and beyond, and will increase the responsibility of the Belgrade regime," says the statement. On behalf of the Albanian people, parliament expressed the solidarity with the Albanian people in Kosova, with his efforts for self-determination and said that it condoles with the grief for killing innocent people there. Also, the Albanian parliament called on the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Contact Group to undertake concrete initiatives, which would put into motion the international institutions for their sudden presence in Kosova and concrete engagement for the prevention of the conflict. "The People's Assembly understands and voices its readiness to cooperate for the realization of every request, initiative and measures to be taken by the Contact Group or the Security Council, aiming at putting under control the situation in the region and finding a peaceful solution," ends the statement of the People's Assembly. The Albanian deputies stayed in silence for a minute in respect for the innocent victims in Kosova. /s.sh/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Albania's President visits GjirokasterGJIROKASTER, March 2 (ATA) - By H. Cani: Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, accompanied by deputy PM Bashkim Fino and Ministers Neritan Ceka and Gaqo Apostoli, went Monday to Gjirokaster. In the local aerodrome, he was received by the governor of Gjirokaster Sotiraq Mantho, Mayor Ylli Asllani, the district council chairman Jani Dako and others. Attending was also the Greek consul in Gjirokaster, Kostas Kaqutsis and the chief of the OSCE regional office, Tobias Svenningsen.Meidani held Monday several visits in some economical institutions of Gjirokaster, and launched a wide meeting in the theatre hall of the town with representatives of local government, intellectuals, representatives of different political forces of districts of Gjirokaster, Tepelene, Permet, Sarande and Delvine. Albania's President started his first visit in the 1000 year-old fortress of the ancient city. The district director of cultural museums and monuments, Vladimir Qiriaqi, made a presentation of the difficult and poor situation of the cultural monuments and other objects of the district. "The government should immediately intervene through according the necessary funds in order to save the monuments of culture, because the cultural and architectonic values of this city are the pride of the national culture," said Meidani. The President favoured the proposal of governor Mantho "to declare the old fortress a national museum," and promised that he will be interested in the realisation as soon as possible of this idea. Later on, the President and the members of the government cabinet accompanying him, visited the joint Albanian-Greek shoe factory "REKOR ALBANIA," where they held a meeting with the organization director of this enterprise, Flamur Cani. In the meeting, held in the theatre hall of the town, the governor of Gjirokaster, Sotiraq Mantho, said among others that "The policy of conflict should end, because this is not to the favour of Albania and Albanians." "We should all work for the all-round development of our nation, and in the conditions of the diversity of ideas, everything is going well," said Meidani in his speech. "To build a real democracy, the increase of the civil contribution is needed, as well as the increase of the civil responsibility," added the Albanian President. Further on, Meidani focused on the accute situation in the Balkans, where it still exists the old mentality of conflict, intolerance and hatred, and the Kosova Albanians are suffering this. We say 'no' to the Serbian violence. The international policy will triumph in all zones of the globe, ended Meidani. Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, in the framework of his visits in this district, held a meeting with inhabitants of Dervican village, where he confirmed that after a week he will go to Greece, invited by his Greek counterpart, Stefanopullos. One of the aims of this visit is to consider the interborder cooperation between the regions based on the mutuality of the two parties. The President also said that "the diversity of cultures is a great property, evaluated by our democratic government." /s.sh/das/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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