Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Socialist deputy appointed member of constitutional court

[02] "Vellazerimi" newspaper republished in Athens

[03] Around 6142 unemployed have graduated from Universities

[04] "We fled to save from Serbian terror" - testimonies

[05] Luan Hajdaraga appointed Minister of Defence

[06] Brokaj named adviser close to President for policy of Defence

[07] Albanian killed in a shoot-out between Serbian forces, Albanians

[08] Situation under control in Kukes prefecture

[09] Over five hundred people flee hot spots in Kosova

[10] Grave and dangerous situation in commune of Decan

[11] Rugova says Serbs resort to incidents to spill over conflict

[12] USD quoted at lek 158,50

[13] Anastas Angjeli appointed Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

[14] Yeltsin shares preoccupation of Meidani on situation in Kosova

[15] Albanians have enkindled no provocation on Albanian-Yugoslav border

[16] Measures adopted to prevent arms-trafficking - Prefect of Kukes

[17] Refugees account Serbian atrocities

[18] Albania's DP against new appointments in Constitutional Court

[19] Decan asks assistance from U.S. Government

[01] Socialist deputy appointed member of constitutional court

Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional court, who was discharged for failing to pass the scrutiny commission, was replaced by Hajredin Fuga, who would be member of the court for three years, as he had the mandate of acting deputy.

Sokol Sadushi was also elected member of the court and the proposals were made on Thursday in a plenary session by Pandeli Majko, on behalf of the Socialist parliamentary group and that of the Social Democrats.

Abdiu, who was elected member of the court, will not enjoy the mandate of the deputy, the post of head of law commission and that of a member of the commission on constitution.

The newly-elected members of the court will soon elect their chairman. das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] "Vellazerimi" newspaper republished in Athens

According to sources from the Albanian Foreign Ministry, "Vellazerimi" is the only newspaper which started to be republished in the Albanian language in Greece. In the first number of the paper there is summary of the speech of President Rexhep Meidani in the meeting with the Albanian emigrants during his visit in Athens on March 10, 1998. The re-publishment of the paper was greeted by Sabri Godo, Daut Gumeni, Kosta Bajraba, Ilirian Zhupa and others. It is also printed the interview of the Albanian ambassador in Athens, Kastriot Robo.

In this number it is also covered the talk that the Albanian renowned writer, Ismail Kadare, held with the emigrants when he was in Athens. While the publicist Frrok Çupi carries in this number the article entitled "The white card and the politics." /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Around 6142 unemployed have graduated from Universities

The bulk of graduated jobless come from Shkodra town, north west Albania, with 1312 unemployed, then comes Vlora, south west with 1196 unemployed and last the capital, Tirana with 730 unemployed.

The figures show only people registered in the labour offices, but it is thought that their real number should be higher./gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] "We fled to save from Serbian terror" - testimonies

The group of refugees is installed in the town of Krume (some 10 km far from Kukes, Northern Albania,) and were welcomed by the citizens.

The oldest of them, 85 years old, told ATA that he accepted to speak before the journalists without being identified, adding that "the Serbs in the other side of the border may maltreat the whole village if they learn that we are denouncing their crimes."

The event, according to them, occurred on April 15, when at 5:00, some 60 Serbian policemen stormed the doors of the house and took five men, tied them up and pulled out in the garden. For more than 15 minutes they kicked them evrywhere and to terrorize them even more they put bombs in their breast. Meanwhile, they locked the women and children in the bathroom. Hearing the shouts and cries of her sons, their mother, some 87 years old, died.

After they were beaten, they were sent to Sup in Prizeren by a military truck and were kept there for some five hours. After that, they were freed to go and bury their mother, but they were asked to show up after three days. One of the boys said that "they (the Serbs) were looking for hidden arms and said that we supported the Kosova Liberation Army (UÇK). They made a detailed control for weapons, but they did not find anything. Anyhow, before leaving, in one of the rooms of the house, they nailed a big cross on the wall and wrote UÇK."

Since January, he said, the Serbian police have carried out more than 20 searches. /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Luan Hajdaraga appointed Minister of Defence

The President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, decreed Friday the release of the Defence Minister, Sabit Brokaj, after the request of the later for resignation, presented on Thursday, and signed the decree for the appointment of Luan Hajdaraga in the post of the Defence Minister, President's press and information department reported.

Luan Hajdaraga, deputy of the Socialist Party and chairman of the parliamentary commission of Order and SHIK, was proposed to this post by the Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, in the framework of reshuffles made in the government structure. /s.s/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Brokaj named adviser close to President for policy of Defence

According to President's press and information office, Sabit Brokaj presented Thursday to the President of the Republic his resignation from the post of the Defence Minister, giving the reasons for this act.

The President of the Republic, stresses the report, appreciating the request as a normal emancipating act, approved the request of the Defence Minister for resignation and decreed Friday his release from the post of the Defence Minister. /s.s/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albanian killed in a shoot-out between Serbian forces, Albanians

Serb sources closed to Yugoslav army had informed that Serbian units had prevented some 200 armed Albanians from Albania to enter Kosova on Thursday night and that an overnight fire exchange near Koshare claimed the lives of some people whose number was not reported, QIK said.

It said that Serbian sources justified part of the operations of the Serbian army in Gjakova on Thursday with a pursuit of groups who tried to cross into Kosova from Albania overnight. pta/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Situation under control in Kukes prefecture

The prime minister Fatos Nano had ordered the creation of a regional operation staff in Kukes given the latest developments in the prefecture where due to an increase of Serb repression in Kosova, some separate families in need arrived there.

He had urged the operation staff, including Kukes prefect, commander of the military unit, head of the local police and all the elected local authorities, the necessary information and measures to face the aggravated situation in the border.

A specialist team from the Ministry of Local Administration arrived in Kukes on Thursday to be acquainted with the situation and give necessary orientations.

The Ministry's structures and a team of the U.N. Higher Commission for Refugees had coordinated assistance and help for the Albanian families coming from Kosova, the daily said.

Nano urged the defence and order structures to strengthen the regime of defence and security aiming at eliminating border provocations, weapons trafficking, control and guarding of armament depots and communication lines.

During the recent days and especially on Thursday, the prime minister had been in continuous touch with defence and order structures. They had assured him that the situation in the border area was under full control.

The Albanian premier Nano reiterated on Thursday to the representatives of diplomatic corps and international organisations accredited to Albania, the constant attitude of the Albanian government against violence, weapons trafficking and pro peaceful and institutional solution to the Kosova issue through dialogue. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Over five hundred people flee hot spots in Kosova

The Republican Council on Emergency Aid (KRNE) said that over 500 people had arrived in Gjakova so far and their number was increasing.

Selatin Novosella, head of the council, said that KRNE representatives in Gjakova had tried to infiltrate into villages under Serbian attack but in vain as the region was under tight control and continuous shooting.

He said that the number of people who fled their houses was increasing and those who fled Babaloc, Decan, had arrived in Prishtina. pta/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Grave and dangerous situation in commune of Decan

Armed Serbian policemen, soldiers and settlers have shot from Suka e Baballoqi and other regions where Serbian settlers have been installed, some 500 m far from the attacked villages of Baballoq and Gramacel. There are no reports on causalities, but the witnesses say that the movements along the fields are very dangerous due to the shots and snipers, placed in these positions.

The Kosova Information Center reports that the inhabitants are trying to self-defend and the women and children from the villages of Baballoq, Rastavice, etc., have fled away.

The members of the commission for information of the Kosova Democratic League branch in Decan told the Kosova Information Center that new military forces, coming Wednesday from Peja and Gjakova, have been deployed in the settlements of the Serbian settlers and in the monastery of Decan. The above sources also said that many Serbian police forces took to the streets on Thursday and maltreated a number of citizens in the center of the town. People have been also maltreated in the police roadblock in along street Decan-Gjakove, while military jets have carried out flights over the region even last night. /p.ta/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Rugova says Serbs resort to incidents to spill over conflict

and everywhere in Kosova.

Rugova told a news conference in Prishtina that the latest incidents in the border between Kosova and Albania "are efforts which aim at spilling over the conflict and are very dangerous not only for Kosova but also Albania."

He urged the Tirana government "to be attentive of the issue, inform and follow the events taking place in the border."

"Albanian sources said that there are casualties but no exact number is reported," Rugova replied to a question about the casualties following the recent Serb operations in the border areas.

President Rugova called on the international community to take preventive measures in Kosova in conformity with the resolution of the Security Council and denounce "violence, provocations and massacres of the Serb regime there and every kind of violence which can be provoked by different extremists."

He urged Serbs in Kosova to avert manipulation and all citizens of Kosova to show self-restraint.

Rugova reiterated the attitude for "a political, peaceful solution to the Kosova issue and negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade in a third country with the mediation of an international side."

Asked about possible negotiations after the latest developments and Serb attitudes, Rugova said that "negotiations should be possible, we are ready, but there is no signal by the Serbs."

Asked about "the involvement of Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) in negotiations", Rugova said "I am trying to see who they are, do they really exist or is it a Serb game. Evidently, legitimate representatives of Kosova will be present in negotiations."

He said that he "condemn every kind of violence in Kosova."

"No comment", replied Rugova to a question on Milosevic's invitation for "dialogue", an invitation made on Thursday during the vote on the Serb referendum. pta/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] USD quoted at lek 158,50

So $1 = 158,50 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 158, 60 lek.

The DM was traded for 88,30 lek, lossing 0,30 points compared to yesterday's 88,60 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,60 lek lossing 0.40 points compared with yeasterday's 89,00 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,10 lek, lossing 0,30 points compared with yesterday's 50,40

The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 2,00 points compared with yesterday's 106,30 lek and so on.

Friday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 158,60 lek DM 88,30 lek ITL (1000) 88,60 lek GRD (100) 50,10 lek SFR 104,30 lek FRF 24,80 lek GBP 230,10 lek JPY (100) 111,20 lek NLG 73,10 lek

/gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Anastas Angjeli appointed Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Yeltsin shares preoccupation of Meidani on situation in Kosova

TIRANE, April 24 (ata) - Albanian President Rexhep Meidani received on Friday the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Albania, Igor Saprikin, who handed over to Mr Meidani a message of President Yeltsin, in response to the letters that President Meidani had sent to him, press and information office of Albanian President reports.

In the letter, which expresses the Russian position towards the question of Kosova, Mr Yieltsin writes among others: "I share with you the preoccupation concerning the situation in Kosova and around it. Russia is and keeps being for the soonest possible resolution of the question of Kosova through political means on the basis of the principles accepted by all, of OSCE and the U.N. Charter, it is for an unconditional protection of the territorial integrity of Serbia and Yugoslavia, the observation of the rights of Kosova Albanians and of all regional inhabitants. At the same time, we hold that Kosova must be given the broadest possible self-administration. We condemn, Yeltsin continues in his letter, both the terrorist acts against the state representatives and sometimes the inappropriate acts of the forces of order towards peaceful population. This was openly declared also during the recent contacts in Belgrade of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation with the leadership of the FR of Yugoslavia and Serbia.

As a result of joint efforts by Russia and other countries, the Yugoslav leadership could accept many of the proposals formulated by the Group of Contact and later by the U.N. Security Council. But for the moment, the most important thing is not yet realised, that is a constructive dialogue between Belgrade and the leadership of the Albanians of Kosova.

Ibrahim Rugova and his advocates should accept dialogue, Yeltsin continues in his letter, give up preliminary conditions, and first of all, the demand for the independence of Kosova. The majority of the countries have a negative response to this demand. The leadership of the Albanian community is expected to make a public condemnation of terrorism, which, unfortunately, has not been made so far. I hope, writes Yeltsin, that You will use all your influence on the leaders of the Albanians of Kosova, so that the process of talks start as soon as possible. In the context of international efforts, Russia is following with consistency the line of preventing the creation of a fresh hotbed in the Balkans. Our representatives are now actively working in the Contact Group, U.N. and OSCE.

I hope that through joint efforts we will succeed in settling the Kosova problem through conditions that would meet the legitimate interest of the whole population of the region, Yugoslavia and the entire area.

I am pleased with Your assurance, Mr. Meidani, that the Albanian government will continue its course to strengthen mutual confidence in the relations with the neighbouring countries.

This gives hope that Albania will continue to pursue a moderated and balanced line in determining its position on the Kosova issue.

I want to believe that in resolving this issue Russia and Albania will work side by side for the good of the Balkan peoples, peace and tranquility in the region.

Expressing the belief that the issues concerning the two countries will be resolved satisfactorily for both sides, Yeltsin concludes with a positive assessment of the situation of the Russian-Albanian relations and the perspectives of the promotion of bilateral relations.

Yeltsin expresses the desire for strengthening the relations, what will also be confirmed in the coming meetings of the two presidents on Moscow. /a.ke/mima/xh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanians have enkindled no provocation on Albanian-Yugoslav border

At a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Chapelle also said that the international community is well informed of what is happening in this region.

"Our teams are acting almost along the whole northeastern line of the Albania-FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) border and have a fruitful cooperation with the Albanian local authorities and institutions," Chapelle said.

"We know well what is taking place in Kosova and what the situation is like in the Albanian territory. But, we regret the fact that in rare cases, such misinformation, as that of the border incident, is also spread by the western press," he stressed.

Milo said that Albanian specialised sources deny the existence of the so-called recent border incidents, which, according to Serbian propaganda as well as numerous official notes distributed by Belgrade, "come from Albania".

"It seems these "incidents" produced only by the Serb official propaganda and military machine, will continue, at least, until the meeting of the Contact Group on April 29. Through them Belgrade seeks to create the alibi of "Albanian fault" in the conflict in Kosova and justify ethnic cleansing there," said Milo.

The Serbian state press centre in the capital of Kosova (Prishtina), referring to Serbian military sources, reported on Thursday that units of the Yugoslav army clashed on Wednesday evening with some 200 armed men who tried to enter Kosova from Albania and that there were victims in this fight.

The same sources reported that the armed groups composed of Albanians from Kosova border villages, especially from the region in which the conflict took place.

They said that the groups are thought to have beeen trained for terrorist military activities at secret bases in Northern Albania. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Measures adopted to prevent arms-trafficking - Prefect of Kukes

Elezi told ATA that the increase of tension in Kosova has led to a greater possibility for arms-trafficking on both sides of the border.

"Police commissariat of Has, during the control in three houses, have sequestered about 50 automatic guns and detained the responsible people," said Elezi.

Border sources report that the situation in Qafa e Prushit is calm after the violation of the Albanian airspace by a Serbian two-engine aircraft which flew 300-400 in the border. Another Serbian plane has also flown on the border line but it has not violated the Albanian airspace. /a.ke./mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Refugees account Serbian atrocities

At around 11.30 on Wednesday, 21 members of one family, among which 12 children, left their homes in Planeje, 22 km from Prizren and four km from the state border with Yugoslavia, and entered the Albanian territory.

The accounts of this family members, almost all with wounds received because of the secret Serbian police cause a feeling of horror.

Also on their way to Prizren, they said, they were beaten and insulted by the police forces singing Serbian songs like "Who lies and who says there is no chetnik".

They also say that the situation is grave also in the villages of Lubishte, Domjan, Gjanaj, where Serbian military forces have been deployed and over which military planes fly occasionally. /s.sh/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albania's DP against new appointments in Constitutional Court

Bejo also said in a news conference that "with the quick election of three new members of the Constitutional Court following the discharge of its chairman and ignoring the fact that Rustem Gjata had won the draw, Albanian Parliament is plunging the country into an institutional crisis."

The former chairman of the Constitutional Court, Rustem Gjata won the draw cast to name the members of this court also after he resulted "impure" by the Commission of Scrutiny of Figures, which accused him as former- collaborator of the defunct State Sigurimi.

Albanian Parliament elected last Thursday three new members of the Constitutional Court, Fehmi Abdiu, Hajredin Fuga and Sokol Sadushi. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Decan asks assistance from U.S. Government

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