Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-03-06

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Serbian forces continued night operations in Drenice

[02] Ambassadors of Contact Group to arrive in Kosova

[03] Kosova issue to finally find quick and durable solution - Nano

[04] France backs wide-raging autonomy for Kosova, denounce repression

[05] Italy praises Albania's policy of good neighbourliness

[06] Kosova needs urgent food supply

[07] Kosova president calls on international community to stop Serbs

[08] Nano says policy, governing needs both realism, pragmatism

[09] Big rally in support of Kosova issue

[10] Albania's president says Albanians do not want war (Rally of all political parties, corrected version)

[11] Students hold peaceful rally

[12] Ruling for Alimucaj's house arrest upheld

[13] Albanian army to perform duty in defence of national interests

[14] Kinkel says an end to be put to repressive policy against Albanians

[15] Ways and means to peacefully resolve situation in Kosova

[16] Azem Hajdari summoned to Prosecutor's office

[01] Serbian forces continued night operations in Drenice

Early on Friday, intensive shots of cannons and tanks were heard in other villages in vicinity of Drenice. The whole region is surrounded by many police forces.

Meanwhile it is reported that other police and military forces are moving from Mitrovice towards Drenice. /edk/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Ambassadors of Contact Group to arrive in Kosova

They will have many contacts in Prishtine in the framework of the engagements of the international community to interrupt the bloodshed in Kosova.

The visit precedes the meeting of the Contact Group, which will be held Monday in London and Kosova will be its main theme. /edk/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Kosova issue to finally find quick and durable solution - Nano

TIRANA, March 5 (ATA) - Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano held Thursday a telephone talk with his Italian counterpart, regarding the tense situation in Kosova, PM spokesman reports.

Premier Nano urged Prodi to influence on the prevention of the armed operations of the Serbian military and police forces in Kosova in the meeting with Albright in Rome on Saturday and of the Contact Group on Monday.

The efforts for a quick and durable solution of the Kosova issue should start with the meeting of the Contact Group in London, said Nano, who added that it is urgent to mediate for the beginning of negotiations between Prishtine and Belgrade.

The Italian Premier, on his side, appreciated the pacifying role of Premier Nano and guaranteed the Albanian PM for the support of his government in easing tension and finding a favourable solution. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] France backs wide-raging autonomy for Kosova, denounce repression

"We are for wide-ranging autonomy. Our political tone will be stronger and the Albanians should exercise moderation," Vedrine said.

He added that they are for a continuous cooperation in trying to find an urgent solution to this issue (Kosova) respecting the international norms.

"We denounce the repression exerted in Kosova today seeing at the same time the danger for an extension of the conflict in the region," he said.

Milo urged his French counterpart that Franca as a member of the Contact group and initiator of a "special status" for Kosova with the German side to intervene energetically in Serbian authorities forcing them to promptly end the violence in Kosova.

"Serb police and military operations tell for new ethnic cleansing in Kosova which should not be allowed. Kosova should not become a second Bosnia," Milo said.

Vedrine said that during the first six months he will visit Albania and voiced France's interests in developments in Albania.

Milo said that cooperation, which existed especially in cultural and parliamentary relations between two countries should be promoted in other fields such as economy, trade exchanges, education, health, and police and defence.

During his stay in France, Milo met with president of the French Senate Rene Monori, Francophonia Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali, head of the National Assembly France-Albania Friendship Group deputy George Sar and the permanent Secretary of the French Academy Maurice Druout. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Italy praises Albania's policy of good neighbourliness

"I consider the statements of the Albanian government as moderated and responsible. I notice that the messages from Tirana are especially important, mainly in these moments for the credibility that the Albanian government gained from all, thanks to its policy of good neighbourlines and pacifying of spirits," stresses Dini.

The Italian Minister confirms that the Italian side is engaged in the bilateral plan with Belgrade and Prishtine and in the multilateral plan, particularly with the European Union and the Contact Group.

"The international community issues a unanimous and strong message which condemns violence and at the same time makes invitations for dialogue, through which all problems can be faced and solved," stated the Italian Foreign Minister.

Dini expresses the security that the Albanian party will continue to follow the same way in complete accordance with the international community and will know how to exert its influence mainly on the Kosovar community to encourage moderation and to invite it to distance from the other non peaceful methods.

Dini considers very important the fact of reaching a concrete working plan between Belgrade and Prishtina in the education sector based on the agreement reached in 1996, as a first step which will serve to build up a climate of confidence in the entire region.

At the end of the letter, the Italian Minister invites his Albanian counterpart to an intensive cooperation with the common goal to the favour of peace and stability in the region. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Kosova needs urgent food supply

The Serbian forces are preventing or raiding supplying firms and have blocked the distribution of International Red Cross aid.

Attacks continue in Drenica and roads of Prishtina are under tight control of Serb armed forces. cela/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Kosova president calls on international community to stop Serbs

Rugova asked for Kosova issue be considered by the U.N. Security Council and that Kosova be urgently put under international protection, what implies military protection.

He informed journalists on the arrival of the ambassadors of the Contact group in Prishtina.

ATA correspondent, referring to witnesses, reported on an extension of Serbs' battle front in Drenica.

Serb police and paramilitary forces undertook a massive attack at 11.30 a.m. against Llause, Raknice and Acareve villages. They are firing artillery shells from Pekazi and Klina. edk/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Nano says policy, governing needs both realism, pragmatism

"Experience of rallies, applauses, ranking of successes, hiding of problems, declaring enemy the one who criticizes, have damaged us and Albania a lot during the fifty years of communism and five years of bad governing, with a few democratic experience we have," Nano said.

He said that the coalition government is working to create an appropriate legal, political and social atmosfere to favour those who want to work.

Nano stressed that the inner emigration or leaving Albania as legal or illegal emigrants considered so far as the only way out, is not a final solution.

Focusing on economic problems, Nano said that "metastases of the Albanian economic, social and political cancer are not recovered completely."

He added that new agreements with international organisations foresaw a series of necessary measures including the eradication of pyramid investment schemes.

"We, as a government, have decided to fulfill till the end the obligations taken before the international community," said Nano, adding that "this needs coping with a set social cost, but negligence and avoidance of these promises risks plunging Albania into new chaos, more complicated than that we experienced last year."

Referring to events in Kosova, PM Nano stressed that "The democratic standards are necessary to be respected not only by Albania, as a state, but by the whole Albanians, as a nation," and "if we respect them ourselves, we have the moral and legal right to ask them be respected by all the others, said Nano."

"We ask this mainly to Belgrade, which is steeping the Albanians in blood, by ignoring everyone. It should be clear to Serbia that the way of confrontation and violence does not fear Albanians and that it is planning another Balkan drama, which will undoubtedly be to the detriment of its people."

"The Albanian government, strongly condemning the Serbian violence, declares that it will be on the side of the Kosovan brothers, ready to help them fulfil their fair national aspirations. Supporting the Kosova leadership and President Rugova, we reiterate our readiness to work for a solution to the Kosova problem peacefully and through dialogue, in the interest of the Albanian people and all the other peoples who live there, in the interest of stability, peace and prosperity in the Balkans," said Premier Nano. /pas/ak/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Big rally in support of Kosova issue

President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani addressed the Albanian people saying that he denounced the violence of the Serb police and military authorities against the innocent population of Kosova.

He voiced his support for the whole Albanian people from South to North, the Albanian population in Kosova, right solution to the Albanian national issue through dialogue, free of violence and repression.

Other leaders and representatives of political parties and different patriotic associations addressed the rally expressing their support for the right cause of the Kosova people.

The representative of the Kosova Republic to Albania Iljaz Ramajli conveyed the greetings of all the people of Kosova for the Albanian people.

"Your participation in this big rally is a motif to increase the resistance of the Kosovan people against the Serb occupier. Kosova knows that we are unique and will react as such," he said. ake/ak/

(more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albania's president says Albanians do not want war (Rally of all political parties, corrected version)

Speaker of the parliament, representatives of all political forces, patriotic associations attended the rally showing that the Albanian people are leaving aside the political convictions in interest of the nation.

"We Albanians here and across the border love peace and have given proofs of patient work, being convinced that the time of violent solution is over in Europe today. We do not want war. Those who are provoking it will be held responsible by history," president Meidani said.

"Today, in the Skenderbeg square and wherever in Albania the party flags have disappeared and the national flag has arisen. The martyr Kosova united us in this square to express unanimously, with the voice of national feeling, our powerful solidarity with the Kosova people and denounce the brutal violence of the Serbian regime against defenceless people, but proud as the people of Kosova," president Meidani said.

Meidani urged end to violence against the Albanian people in Kosova, withdrawal of military troops as well as the wide-ranging international presence to guarantee start of a fruitful dialogue for a lasting solution in conformity with international convention.

"The historical fate has placed us in this area bordering Serb people. No people can be free if it plans to oppress the other. Historical injustice cannot become eternal. The only way to live in peace is their solution. Our common appeal is "Stop violence in Kosova," Meidani said at the end.

"Hands off Kosova! Albanian people will not allow anyone to play with its fate, thus the Albanian nation will act under the motto "One nation, one position," Pandeli Majko, Socialist Secretary General told the rally.

Representative of the Kosova office to Albania Iljaz Ramajli, the representative of the United Right-wing formation, the DP leader Sali Berisha, head of the Kosova Association Murat Gjonbalaj also addressed the rally. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Students hold peaceful rally

The students carried placards condemning the violence exercised in Kosova and called on the international community to find peaceful ways to resolve the Kosova issue. /a.ke/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Ruling for Alimucaj's house arrest upheld

Brahim Lahi, the prosecutor of this case asked the Court house arrest order for Alimucaj charged with hampering the normal activity of the Deloitte & Touche company in VEFA's administration.

Alimucaj and his lawyer, Shefqet Muci, denied the charge brought by the prosecutor.

The judge of this case, Martin Deda, agreed to the prosecutor's accusation and request about the custody order and decided "house arrest order" for Alimucaj.

On Thursday the court ruled custody order for Alimucaj in absentia and on Friday upheld it in his presence. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian army to perform duty in defence of national interests

"The situation in Kosova not only is not calming down, but the Serb military troops have been placed on high alert in the military garrisons and the special forces have been involved in support of the police actions, opening fire on the innocent population."

"At the same time, the Serb forces have substantially increased movements and presence also near the border with Albania," the press release says.

It says that considering the worsening situation and mounting tension in Kosova the Defence Ministry has adopted and is applying a series of measures.

"The General staff has set up a team in the northeastern zone which, in cooperation with the respective commands, is closely following the situation, especially the political military developments in Kosova." /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Kinkel says an end to be put to repressive policy against Albanians

Kinkel says that only a quick Belgrade-Prishtine dialogue, to begin with the implementation of the education accord, could stem an escalation of the situation in Kosova.

"An end should be put to the repressive policy against Albanians," German Foreign Minister says, adding that Germany has asked that OSCE becomes active again in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

He says that during his visit to Belgrade on March 19, along with the French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, the Kosova issue will be the highlight. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Ways and means to peacefully resolve situation in Kosova

Nano says that "Serbia's intensification of state violence, President Milosevic's statements to continue the course of violence, and particularly, Serb government's lack of will to listen to international suggestions, make the perspective of the events' development very gloomy."

On behalf of the Albanian government, which will not withdraw in face of any violent pressure by Serbia, Nano calls on the Contact Group "to forcefully and quickly react so that other innocent victims are avoided, military troops and armouries are withdrawn from Kosova, and an action-plan and a package of measures begins to be drafted to evade a broader conflict, of consequences already experienced in the Bosnia tragedy".

Nano informs the Contact Group foreign ministers that Albania is ready to render all its possible contribution to overcome the crisis and finally resolve the Kosova issue.

On behalf of the Albanian government, Nano asks the Contact group to use "its influence and authority so that concrete pressures are exercised on Belgrade and at the same time ask the U.N. to extend the mandate of the UNPREDEP forces not to allow the conflict's spill over in the region".

Nano expresses the belief that the Group will succeed in making the Belgrade and Prishtine representatives hold talks as soon as possible.

"Albania holds that all the interested countries of the region can engage in drafting and implementing this strategy and renews the proposal of holding a summit conference in Tirane, with the aim to coordinate the bilateral and multilateral initiatives on the Balkans and Kosova," the letter says. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Azem Hajdari summoned to Prosecutor's office

Prosecutor Bujar Himci familiarised Hajdari with two charges brought against him:"Opposing state persons and insulting them because of their duty".

He was made clear of the legal obligation of being defended by an attorney and of the content of the questions to respond on the event as a whole and specific details, sources of the Attorney General's office told ATA.

Hajdari, according to the sources, claimed he was innocent and considered charges against him an injustice.

Hajdari did not accept the presence of an attorney, stressing he would defend himself.

The sources said that if there will be additional facts on on theer criminal acts, not linked to the Milot event, the prosecutor's office will renew request to the People's Assembly to allow it to summon him again. /das/lm/

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

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