Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albania's PM Fatos Nano visits Salonica

[02] Albanian Government hails decision of Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group

[03] Holbrooke and Gelbard arrive in Prishtine

[04] Richard Holbrooke and Robert Gelbard to reach Tirane Sunday afternoon

[05] Statement of Albanian Government on conclusion of London G8 meeting

[06] President Meidani attends ceremony to mark 40th anniversary of Defence Academy

[01] Albania's PM Fatos Nano visits Salonica

The PM's spokesman said that Nano considered that in the present conditions of an eventual escalation of the conflict and flux of refugees, economy cannot develop and investors cannot come. Some efficient measures must be applied at any cost so that the situation be unblocked, Albanian PM added. Albania has asked from European security structures, such as NATO and the West European Union, more frequent exchanges with the Albanian army units, especially in the framework of the Initiative of the Partnership for Peace where Albania adheres to. In the mean time, the international community must step up pressure on Belgrade so that the latter withdraw the army from Kosova and accept the European negotiators.

The Greek Defence Minister said that his Government supports completely the approach of the Albanian Government and holds that the right time for concrete initiatives to create the necessary conditions for political talks.

During this month, both NATO and the European Union will examine the situation in Kosove, and Greece, as a member in these structures, will urge more concrete sanctions.

On Saturday morning, while commenting the consequences of the crisis in Kosove, the Greek Minister of Public Order, Romeos, said that Greece will assist Albania in such a tense situation.

Prime Minister Fatos Nano said that the Albanian Government has started a reformation in the police structures to help in the restoration of order.

He stressed that "we must allow nobody to spoil the good climate of cooperation and the fruitful relations created between our markets and citizens." /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian Government hails decision of Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group

This situation is accompanied with a great number of victims caused everyday mainly among the ranks of Albanian civil population. The Serbian forces are exerting terror on Albanian population in Kosove and applying the plan of ethnic cleansing. Through numerous Serb military concentrations on the border with Albania and the fighting operations on the border line, official Belgrade is trying to create a military "sanitary" cordon to include Kosove in the enclave of the military attack. But at the same time, the military build up in the border aggravates the situation in the border with Albania.

In these conditions, when Belgrade keeps imposing the policy of violence and interethnic repression in Kosove, the Albanian Government hails the latest decision of the Contact Group Foreign Ministers, gathered in London, who, with the exception of Russia, decided that the decision adopted in the Rome Meeting for embargo for any kind on investments for the FRY, enter into force.

The Albanian Government holds that every effort on the part of Belgrade to block political settlements for the conflict in Kosove must be accompanied with coercive measures. Belgrade must be forced to stop the policy of war and bloodshed in Kosove and sit by the table of negotiations with the Albanian leadership, in the presence of international mediators. This is the only road for Kosova not to become a second Bosnia.

The Albanian Government is ready, as it has been so far, to make its contribution to the cooperation with the international community, for a durable solution to the conflict in Kosove through peaceful ways. It will observe all international obligations to influence in a settlement in Kosove. /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Holbrooke and Gelbard arrive in Prishtine

The U.S diplomats arrived in Prishtine after yesterday's talks on Kosova in Belgrade with the Yugoslav chairman Slobodan Milosevic and other officials. Holbrooke has declared that he will go to Tirane, highlighting Albania's importance in the solution to the question of Kosova. He said he would have other talks with Milosevic in Belgrade. /das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Richard Holbrooke and Robert Gelbard to reach Tirane Sunday afternoon

As the press and information department of the Foreign Ministry of Albania reports, the ambassadors Holbrooke and Gelbard will meet with the President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, OSCE Ambassador in Tirane, Daan Everts and will issue a press release. /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Statement of Albanian Government on conclusion of London G8 meeting

The document also underlined the commitment of G8 to support the territorial integrity of Albania, promising that they will give all necessary support to assist Albania rehabilitate itself following last year's unrest. G-8 will encourage financial institutions and other international agencies to support this progress.

The Albanian Government considers the document of the London Meeting a great encouragement. On this occasion, it pledges to realise all its commitments, to carry out the process of reforms in favour of peace and stability in the region. At the same time, the Albanian Government will be a serious partner of the international community in the efforts for a settlement of the crisis in Kosove through peaceful means, ends the statement of the Albanian Government. /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] President Meidani attends ceremony to mark 40th anniversary of Defence Academy

Attending the ceremony also were military representatives of the foreign embassies in Albania.

According to the President's press and information office, after the addresses made by the commander of the Defence College, Pellumb Danaj and the first commander of the Defence Academy, Thoma Xhixho, the President took the floor and wished those present on occasion of the anniversary.

President Meidani spoke on the need of introduction of new concepts in the organization of the Albanian army conformed to its objectives to integrate into the Atlantic structures.

On occasion of this anniversary, Mr Meidani awarded this institution with the Golden Medal of Eagle.

Then, President Meidani visited the museum room of the Academy, and wrote a note in the visitors' book. /a.ke/das/xh/

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

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