Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-03-16

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] OSCE head says no tension between religions or nationalities

[02] Some 30 Kurds detained and returned to Greece

[03] Robber of treasury bank in Shkoder arrested

[04] Greece offers aid for Albanian police

[05] Many Serbian forces deployed in ammunition factory in Skenderaj

[06] Hungarians of Vojvodina against propagandistic acts of Serbian government in Kosova

[07] Former chairman of Constitutional Court expelled from office

[08] Former chairman of Constitutional Court expelled from office

[09] Gjata "forces" Berisha to interrupt news conference

[10] Number of voters in Kosova to be 25-30 % bigger

[11] Draw for rotation of Constitutional Court members to be carried out on March 19

[12] Kosova issue cannot be resolved without international involvement

[13] Gjata speaks as chairman of the Constitutional Court

[14] FYROM Interior Minister arrives in Albania on Tuesday

[15] Prishtine Albanian women stage five-hour protest

[16] U.S. says best solution for Kosova is in framework of Yugoslavia

[17] Gjinushi leaves for Ankara

[18] Talbott says the U.S. and Albania hold same stand on Kosova

[01] OSCE head says no tension between religions or nationalities

The people in general go well with one another, he said, adding that we take care of those who are oppressed by the state or different institutions, thus we are active observers of relations between the state and the citizen.

In spite of the current positive conclusions, the chief of this office said that in the past several officers have been released from duty because of political affiliations or issues of nationalities, as well as officials fired from the local administration for the same reasons.

Svenningsen also said that "as monitors of the political developments outside Tirana, we notice that there is less tension in southern districts we cover than in the capital."

According to him, the OSCE mission in Gjirokaster is a contact point for QAKAPP (OSCE office in Tirana which coordinates public participation for a new Albanian constitution,) by distributing different materials for this aim, by managing the round tables of the political parties and different associations.

Svenningsen confirmed that his office is drafting several projects for prisons, which have not started yet, for NGO-s, as well as for the regional media.

The OSCE office in Gjirokaster was inaugurated in November 1997. Attending the ceremony was also the European mediator for the solution of the last year's Albanian crisis, former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky. /s.sh/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Some 30 Kurds detained and returned to Greece

For several of them this is not the first time trying to enter Kakavije.

The chief of police commissariat in Gjirokaster, lieutenant colonel Ilirian Dida, told ATA that there are many Kurd emigrants in vicinity of the Greek city of Patras. He also confirmed the existence of a traffic network of Kurd emigrants made up of Albanian and Greek citizens.

One of the traffickers of this illegal traffick says that a Kurd must pay 2000 to 4000 dollars from Patras to Italy. According to him, there are three ways to transport Kurds to Italy: the direct way by sea from the port of Patras, the way Patra-Igumenice-Sarande-Italy and Patras-Kakavije-Vlore- Italy.

The number of Kurds returned to Greece from Kakavije shows that this way is less exploited because of the difficulties created by the severe Albanian police control in this border point. /s.sh/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Robber of treasury bank in Shkoder arrested

According to the Interior Ministry spokesman, the forces of the criminal police of this Ministry arrested Sunday Gjon Prendush Gjeka, 37, inhabitant of Shkoder.

The spokesman said that Gjoka is also accused of active participation in the armed robbery of the charity center "Don Bosco" and destruction of the district prosecutor's office in February 1998.

Armed groups attacked and torched in March 1997 and February 1998 the police commissariat of the district and later looted several objects, like the courthouse, the prosecutor's office, the old library "Marin Barleti," and others. /s.s/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Greece offers aid for Albanian police

Lieutenant colonel Ardian Resuli, chief of the district police commissariat told ATA that the aid, mainly equipment and materials like portable beds, uniforms, rubber buttons, etc., came in the framework of implementing the cooperation program of counterpart police in both sides of the border.

The agreement envisages exchange of professional experience at expert level in the fight against crime.

According to Resuli, other aid is expected to come, mainly vehicles.

The cooperation between the Albanian-Greek police was intensified after the meeting of respective Interior Ministers Ceka and Romeos in October 1997 in Iaonnina. /s.sh/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Many Serbian forces deployed in ammunition factory in Skenderaj

Sources from this center inform that groups of policemen are keeping under severe control the road Mitrovice-Skenderaj, while on Sunday the Serbian forces in this axe of the road were doubled.

A representative of the Kosova Democratic League, branch of Skenderaj, said that the buses and vehicles of the Serbian forces were unloaded inside the factory of ammunition in Skenderaj and left again towards Mitrovice.

Sources from the Kosova Democratic League also reported that a day ago, in vicinity of Morine village in Skenderaj, where the Serbian police have been deployed, heavy gunshots were heard. After the Serbian expeditions and the massacre of at least 80 Albanians, most of them women, children and old people, a situation of fear and terror dominates in Drenice, due to the danger of a new action by the Serbian forces, the above sources say. /p.ta/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Hungarians of Vojvodina against propagandistic acts of Serbian government in Kosova

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Former chairman of Constitutional Court expelled from office

(more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Former chairman of Constitutional Court expelled from office

Gjata entered the offices of the Court early on Monday and had informed press bodies on a news conference scheduled at 13:00 in the grounds of this Court.

The report was given by Gjata as the chairman of the Constitutional Court.

Albanian Parliament, at behind closed doors session on Saturday, dismissed Gjata from job, after a request of the Official Figure Scrutiny Commission, asking the discharge of Rustem Gjata from the post of the Constitutional Court chairman, because of his implication with the former State Sigurimi.

Gjata is expected to hold a news conference in the premises of Rogner Hotel. /s.s/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Gjata "forces" Berisha to interrupt news conference

The people's Assembly decided Saturday to dismiss Rustem Gjata from the post of the Constitutional Court Chairman, based on the request presented by the Official Figure Scrutiny Commission. While Nafiz Bezhani, chairman of this commission, was showing the documents of SHIK for Gjata in a behind closed doors session, the deputies of the opposition coalition "Union for Democracy" left the hall of Parliament.

To Berisha "today's order of Neritan Ceka given to the policemen not to allow Gjata enter the Court is one of the most irresponsible and absurd events," because, according to him, "the constitutional judges are judged only by the Constitutional Court."

Interrupting the news conference, Berisha invited the participants to go to the headquarters of the Constitutional Court which is in the same building with the Presidency of the People's Assembly. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Number of voters in Kosova to be 25-30 % bigger

These polls will elect 100 deputies through direct voting in 100 constituencies, while the other 30 places in the Kosova Parliament will be divided according to the proportional system, which will win more than 3% of the total number of votes. The commission informed that the elections in the zone of Drenice can be put off because of the current situation. It added that the polls will be attended by 1 500 000 voters and included in this number are also the members of ethnic groups of Bosnia, Turkey, gipsy, who expressed the readiness to take part in voting. In this number are not included the Serbs and Montenegrins living in Kosova.

The commission members said that so far only two candidatures have reached the commission. The first one comes from the Social Democratic Party with Luljeta Pula-Beqiri, while the other from the Kosova Democratic League, which has fielded Ibrahim Rugova. The candidature of Rugova has been supported by many other Albanian parties. /p.ta/pas/mt/

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[11] Draw for rotation of Constitutional Court members to be carried out on March 19

Based on article 2 of the law "On the procedures of the rotation in the Constitutional Court," Albanian Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi decided Monday "the draw for the rotation of the Constitutional Court members to be carried out on March 19 at 10:00 in the headquarters of the People's Assembly.

The draw will be carried out in the presence of public and journalists and will be broadcasted in the Albanian television.

The People's Assembly had decided that the rotation of the Constitutional Court members be carried out within November of last year, a decision that was not taken into consideration by the Constitutional Court, which first voiced its stand against the rotation and later decided that this process be completed on March 31, 1998. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Kosova issue cannot be resolved without international involvement

After the meeting of the Contact Group in London, there has been no important political organisation not to treat in its debates the Kosova issue.

He added that it is difficult to think the solution of the Kosova problem without the active role and involvement of the international community, because of the differences in opinions between the two sides in resolving the Kosova issue.

"The good willing negotiators, who are committed to resolving the Kosova issue through political means, should accept the intervention of the international community," says Lazic in his commentary published in "Dnevni Telegraf" on Sunday and released by the Kosova Information Centre. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Gjata speaks as chairman of the Constitutional Court

At a news conference held in "Europapark" on Monday Gjata still spoke in the capacity of the Chairman of the Court and, referring to constitutional provisions, said that "the decision of the People's Assembly for his dismissal from duty has been taken beyond its (parliament's) constitutional powers."

"I still consider myself Chairman of the Constitutional Court and do not present my resignation," said Gjata, adding that the effects of the parliament's decision begin one day after its communication.

The Albanian parliament on Saturday decided to dismiss Gjata from his office, based on the law "On the scrutiny of the figure of the officials and other persons connected with the defence of the democratic state" and the decision of the state commission of the Scrutiny of the figure of officials and other persons connected with the defence of the democratic state.

The request for his dismissal was made by the Figure Scrutiny Commission last January. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] FYROM Interior Minister arrives in Albania on Tuesday

Cokrevski and the high ranking delegation he heads arrives at Rinas airport on Tuesday at 11.30 and, after formal talks at the Interior Ministry, a press release will be issued, says the spokesman adding that other meetings will be held on Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry delegation of FYROM will leave Albania on Wednesday. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Prishtine Albanian women stage five-hour protest

"Some 30 000 Albanian women, who left Prishtine for Drenica at 9.00, but who were stopped by the Serb police in Fushe-Kosova after seven km march, did not disperse but continued their protest for nearly five hours.

The column of protestors returned to Prishtine, marched through the main streets and squares, and later returned to the starting place, before the U.S. office, the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Office of the Red Cross.

Near these international missions the women left the bread which they were not allowed by the Serb police to take to the children and women in Drenica as well as the message:"Help us go to help Drenica, where people are being massacred and killed and have remained without bread".

A delegation of the protesting women was received by the officials of the aforesaid missions. /p.ta/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] U.S. says best solution for Kosova is in framework of Yugoslavia

"The best solution for Kosova is in the framework of Yugoslavia", Talbott said at a joint news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano at Rinas airport, where he arrived on Monday for a formal visit to Tirane.

He warned Serbia that it would face three-facet consequences unless it provided the Kosova Albanians with full rights.

"The first consequence would be that Yugoslavia called in question its existence as a state, the second would be the probability of a war outbreak and the third the continuation of sanctions which would affect all Yugoslavia's citizens".

After the meeting with Tablott, Fatos Nano, the Albanian Prime Minister, said that he fully agreed with the U.S. stand .

"The Albanian government will develop all responsibilities that the Albanians continue to coexist with all ethnic groups wherever they are in the Balkans," said Nano.

Tablott and Nano favoured an unconditional dialogue by both sides in Yugoslavia. They considered the elections in Kosova necessary to reconfirm the authorities to represent the Albanian "Ethnic community".

"But these are 'shadow elections', we hope the Albanians of Kosova win the right to hold elections in the sunlight," said Tablott. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Gjinushi leaves for Ankara

Gjinushi plans to meet the President of the Republic of Turkey, Sulejman Demirel, Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Speaker of the Turkish National Grand Assembly, Hikmet Cetin, Foreign Minister Ismail Cen and other authorities of Turkish politics. /s.sh/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Talbott says the U.S. and Albania hold same stand on Kosova

The document of the Contact Group on Kosova is the first step, which should be followed by other diplomatic and political moves accompanied with sanctions on Belgrade," said Nano, stressing that Milosevic has escaped sanctions, therefore he is still able to supply the Serb war-machine.

Albania will continue to strengthen its ties with the most democratic regimes of the region, especially, asking cooperation with the Macedonian government as well as the new authorities of Montenegro, said Nano.

"The solution of the Kosova issue is closely linked with the democratisation of the region, especially Serbia, itself, which is not yet carrying out the communism-abolishing processes which have changed the entire East," he said.

Also, Albania, itself, is in the process of reconstructing its institutions and for this purpose it asks the aid of the United States and the entire International Community, as only a strong Albania with investments can play the role of the moderator not only in the interest of the Albanian nation, but also in favour of the region.

The presence of foreign diplomatic and military structures alongside the Albanian ones should not be only symbolic, but it should but more effective, helping the whole process of strengthening and qualifying the Albanian institutions, said Nano.

Deputy secretary Talbott, congratulating the prime minister for his clear constructive and calm stand said that the U.S. government is pleased that the two governments share the same views in the assessments and solutions they offer to the crisis in Kosova.

Only a moderated stand could guarantee a sure and lasting future for the region, especially for the people of Kosova.

The obligations the Contact group has imposed on Belgrade will increase unless its does not change its stance towards Kosova, said Talbott.

The United States will encourage the international organisations, including NATO and OSCE, to be closer to Albania in these moments, contributing to the reconstruction of the military and police structures.

"We will also continue the bilateral programmes which aim at making the Albanian institutions more efficient," concluded Talbott, who pledged to encourage the U.S. administration to intensify exchanges with the Albanian administration at all levels. /s.sh/lm/

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

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