Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-03-05

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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] Ngjela Commission to gather evidence in Vlore

[03] "Miss Albania '97" to be organized in Tirana soon

[04] Fresh Serb attack in Drenice, dramatic situation in Kosove

[05] Kosova presidencey receives international contacts

[06] DP says red line is the only way to prevent violence in Kosova

[07] SP invites DP to return to parliament

[08] Congressman calls on US to be totally committed to Kosova

[09] Swiss, Canadian governments react on events in Kosova

[10] Kosova leader urges world leaders to use pressure on Belgrade

[11] Kosova, main topic for international community, German minister

[01] Press review

Zeri i Popullit carries the article "Kosova between war and peace." The papers write on the news conference held Wednesday in the Foreign Ministry regarding the Kosova issue, as well as the departure of the Foreign Minister Milo for Paris, where he will meet with his French counterpart Vedrin on the Kosova question. Zeri i Popullit writes that the Political Committee of the European Union has discussed the Kosova problem and carries the statement of Kinkel, according to whom "Kosova is the main international topic."

Gazeta Shqiptare reports "USA, blood in Kosova? We will intervene through weapons." The paper informs that the United States is ready to send a military force in Kosova in case the situation there aggravates.

Also, other newspapers write regarding the developments in Kosova and the international reactions.

Rilindja Demokratike reports on the round table, held Wednesday with the participation of 18 Albanian parties and 9 associations, which urged the international community to provide a military presence in Kosova and to organize a "Dayton" for the solution of the Kosova matter. /a.ke/mt/

(more)

"Government's scandals" says Koha Jone, referring to magazine "Eastern Europe newsletter", stressing that deputy Prime Minister Fino is accused of being the centre of corruption. The magazine says that SP, too, is involved in illegal trafficking, while Ceka is among the uncorrupt few people.

The papers also report on the problem of the chairman of the Constitutional Court, Rustem Gjata. Koha Jone reports on the ultimatum of the chairman of the Figures' Scrutiny Commission, Nafiz Bezhani, issued to the parliament's speaker:"Remove Gjata or I will quit". According to Bezhani, the whole staff of the commission threaten resignation.

"Mysteries of spy Gjata" says Gazeta Shqiptare stressing that he has been agent of UDB down to former State Security Service.

"File of spy Gjata made public" says Shekulli, stressing that "Gjata has a 33 year "Career" with the UDB and former State Security Service.

Covering economic issues newspaper Zeri i Popullit reports on yesterday's meeting of President Meidani with the IMF mission, which stated that "Albania has good macroeconomics indications". The same paper reports on the approval by the economy, finance and privatisation commission of two draft-laws of the World Bank, including $30.5 million in support of the Albanian government.

Koha Jone reports that VEFA president Alimucaj has not appeared in the investigation office, alleging he is ill.

Gazeta Shqiptare quotes Deloitte & Touche company as saying "Alimucaj has reached contracts without the company's permission".

Rilindja Demokratike says that the VEFA president blames certain state segments for the company's bankruptcy. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Ngjela Commission to gather evidence in Vlore

"The commission will obtain evidence from various citizens in the Vlore district prefecture," the chairman of this commission, Spartak Ngjela said.

Forms of evidence-gathering include camera shooting when it is about eyewitnesses of events which have still dark points.

The commission will consult all documents at the disposal of the district's local government bodies, but, given many of them were eliminated during the months of destructions, will also try to obtain them from the citizens.

So far the Ngjela Commission has reported in parliament on the basis of the archives of the Interior and Defence Ministries and National Information Service (SHIK).

The Albanian deputies showed reserves on the report as, according to them, it was not concrete and complete in terms of the responsibilities for the last year's events.

After Vlore, the commission is also expected to examine documents in Perment and Berat. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] "Miss Albania '97" to be organized in Tirana soon

The "race" will be held on Mach 8 and 9 in the main hall of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. The producer of the spectacle is Petri Bozo, while scenarist Roland Gjoza. The fashion-designer of the competition is Eni Velcani, 27.

After a series of replies, printed in the Albanian press between producer Bozo and the initiator for the organization of the first Albanian Miss in 1992, Vera Grabocka, whether another producer should organize the spectacle, the current staff is actually in the final stage for the realization of all links of this spectackle.

The main sponsor of this spectacle is the Albanian government, which, according to Bozo, is working to make active all its links, like INSIG, TELECOM. "Miss Albania '97" will be also sponsored by the private firm "Ariston," and the Albanian Television will provide it with technical assistance.

"Miss Albania '97", for the first time, will be awarded a golden crown.

The names of the Albanian beauties, who have awarded the first price, are Valbona Selimllari (1992), Sidorela Kola (1993), Monika Zguro (1994), and Hygerta Sako (1995). /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Fresh Serb attack in Drenice, dramatic situation in Kosove

The Serb forces, fortified around the Prekaz, Laushe villages, are shelling Albanians' homes. The Serb forces are also using heavy machine guns in their assaults in Prekaz, sources from Skenderaj, from the Human Rights Council and the Kosova Centre of Information told ATA.

Serbs' gunfire has killed and wounded many Albanians, Albanian sources say.

A grave situation is also prevailing in the Gllogoc town in Drenice, which is seiged off by big Serb forces terrorizing the the Albanian unprotected population.

Many Albanian families have left their homes in Gllogoc since last night and have been sheltered in remote villages. The Gllogoc residents today are staying indoors and the roads are deserted.

Meanwhile the villages of Modrine, Krusheve, Polluzhe and Rozalle have also been surrounded.

The Serb forcesin their attacks are making use of machine guns, rockets, mortars as well as helicopters. In face of this situation the residents are trying to flee in the direction of the mountains. /r.xh/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Kosova presidencey receives international contacts

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] DP says red line is the only way to prevent violence in Kosova

"I hope that this position be adopted by the Albanian government," Berisha said.

"We call on the United States and U.S. president Clinton to keep the red line drawn in Kosova as the only way to prevent possible flare-up there and in the region," Berisha said.

"If the Albanian parliament holds a parliamentary session on the above motto, we will participate in it," the DP deputy Azem Hajdari said. mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SP invites DP to return to parliament

"The DP deputies should come here to show together that we act as a unique nation," Majko said expressing the attitude of the majority parliamentary group.

Leader of the Social Democratic Union party Teodor Laço, included in the grouping Unity for Democracy together with the DP, said that the opposition parties have called on protest rallies all over Albania inviting all the political forces.

Majko said that his party has not been and will not be against peaceful protests in support of the Kosova issue but reiterated that parliament is the place, which can better show that the Albanians are united.

Head of the parliamentary foreign commission Sabri Godo informed the parliament that the situation in Kosova is escalating and urged the Albanian government to insist in a meeting of the Security Council.

He also urged that order and defence forces in Albania be put on the alert.

"As long as numerous villages are being attacked in Kosova, the matter at issue is not police but military forces," said Majko, who asked that the Albanian foreign minister and the defence one be summoned in a special parliamentary session to inform on Kosova. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Congressman calls on US to be totally committed to Kosova

"The United States cannot stand aside and allow the Yugoslav president Milosevic and his followers to kill people brutally without any reason," Engel said.

"The resolution I proposed asks for a special envoy and imposition of sanctions, strong and lasting ones, against Serbia as long as improvements in the economic, political, human rights, situation in Kosova are recorded, " he said.

Recalling the concessions of the U.S. government to some sanctions imposed on Serbia, the congressman said "it is right time to reestablish these sanctions, which were removed last week. It is time the outer wall of sanctions exerts its influence on and be extended."

He considered the repression on the Albanians' movement in Kosova an open undertaking to provoke them, to prevent them from exercising political liberties.

Engel said: "I often have said that the people of Kosova should enjoy the right of self-determination like all other peoples in the world, neither less nor much."

Both U.S. President Bush and president Clinton have said that the United States should undertake steps and will not stand aside in face of a brutal repression in Kosova, Engel said adding: "Bosnia can be considered lemonade to what could happen in Kosova if the international community, U.S. and the European Union will not intervene immediately."

He added: "It is only the United States, which can say to Milosevic and his followers that we cannot allow you to oppress the people of Kosova brutally."

"We should impose sanctions and have our special envoy. We should appeal for the freedom of the Albanian people in Kosova without any equivocal," said Eliot Engel. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Swiss, Canadian governments react on events in Kosova

"Immediate renouncement to violence by both sides, respect of fundamental liberties of the Kosova people as well as a quick implementation of accords signed in 1996 for exchanges in education fields are the necessary measures to build up confidence, which will serve as a basis for a political dialogue," Cotti said.

The Canadian government considered the recent violent events in Kosova "the worst and unacceptable" and denounced the use of force against Kosova peaceful protesters.

The Canadian side has expressed its concern on the Kosova events to the Yugoslav Ambassador in Ottawa considering them a step backward in Yugoslav-Canadian bilateral relations.

The message, which says "promotion of these relations will depend on a solution to the Kosova issue and respect of human rights," is also conveyed to Belgrade by the Canadian ambassador.

It urged both sides to start a dialogue for a peaceful solution of the issue (Kosova) within the borders of the Yugoslav Federation (Serbia and Montenegro), the statement of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Kosova leader urges world leaders to use pressure on Belgrade

In an appeal broadcasted today, Rugova called on international community to undertake preventing measures in Kosova and exert greater pressure on Belgrade in order to put an end urgently to police and military operations in some villages of Drenica.

Rugova also appealed to U.S. president Clinton, British prime minister Blair, French president Chirac and German Chancellor Kohl to use pressure on Belgrade's regime to stop Serb police and military operations.

He asked for an international presence of all forms to defend people of Kosova, which have said that they should fulfil their aspirations for independence through peaceful means.

Rugova urged his people not to submit to Serb provocations and misinformation, which aim at sowing fear and panic. To face this situation, he asked for mobilization of political parties in Kosova and communes.

It is necessary that the political forces in the neighbouring commune with Drenica be prepared to help its populace and get rid of the bad situation in that area.

He assured the people of Drenica and Kosova that he is in contact with international centers and that they are considering possible preventive steps in Kosova which aim at stopping Serb police and military operations.

Rugova asked the mass media to highlight the situation objectively. la/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Kosova, main topic for international community, German minister

In the interview with the German Radio "Deutschlandfunk", Kinkel said that "we should make Kosova a major topic of the international community."

Speaking about current diplomatic offensives and others to be undertaken on this issue, Kinkel said "it is necessary to start urgently a dialogue between Belgrade and Albanians of Kosova on its future status."

Kinkel said that "the present status-quo and the request for an independent Kosova cannot be the foundation of a long lasting peaceful regulation. The aim should be a special status for Kosova within the borders of the Yugoslav Federation Republic and a way out can be achieved only through dialogue and compromise."

"Implementation of education accord signed by Milosevic and Rugova in 1996 is very important and it will be the first very significant step to ease the situation," Kinkel said.

Europeans know and understand how critical is the situation they are facing. Therefore, they should cooperate with each other. 1.9 out of two million inhabitants of Kosova are Albanians, majority of them Muslims and the remaining Serbs and Montenegrins," Kinkel said.

Kinkel was of the idea of extending the mandate of the peace keeping forces in Macedonia, a mandate, which expires this spring.

He also urged the need of safeguarding the borders with Albania and other bordering states through police missions or other preventing measures.

"The international community cannot allow that, after the Dayton accord, a conflict in Kosova starts," Kinkel said, adding that "this cannot and should not be allowed." ake/mima/ak/

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

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