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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-15Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Serbian forces kill three Albanians in CarralevePRISHTINE, June 15 /ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Serbian forces yesterday killed three Albanians in Carraleve, on the Prishtine- Prizren road, in fierce assaults which yesterday afternoon extended to the Balince village, near Shtimje.Military troop reinforcements as well as heavy armaments were also sent in the direction of this region yesterday, according to Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) sources in Shtimje which also report on arrests among Albanians. /p.ta/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Police arrest man present at shooting scene of Italian investorTIRANA, June 14 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Police arrested late on Saturday Genc Shefqet Hajdari, who had been hunted down by prosecutor's office since January this year.Hajdari, 27, born and resident of Farke, village at the southeast of Tirana, was arrested because he had left the scene of shooting without providing testimony on the killing of the Italian citizen Stefano Rossi, a spokesman of the police directorate said to ATA on Sunday. On January 28, a day after the crime, Nazmi Avdillari was arrested and Flamur Hide was hunted down by police, both accused of killing the Italian businessman Rossi. Rossi, owner of the "Niki Shoe" firm, was returning from the Italian- Albanian Bank to his firm on January 27, 1998 with some 20 million lire to pay the salaries of workers. The police said that suspected killers ambushed him some 100 meters away from his shoe factory and shot Rossi dead with automatic rifle. They then took the bag containing 20 million lire. s.sh/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Thirty Albanian houses set on fire in attacked villages of DecanPRISHTINE, June 15/ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:Serbian forces attacked Decan and its suburbs (western Kosova bordering Albania) again yesterday shelling it from 6.00 a.m. and during the whole day. The shelled villages include Drenoc, Prejlep, Rastavice, Voksh, Sllup, Junik, Jasiq, Gjocaj, where during the afternoon assault 30 houses were burnt down and many others raided. In the Lebushe village alone, some 100 heads of cows have been taken away and sent to a base set up by Serbian forces in the Decan Monastery, the reports say, adding that a column of 66 military vehicles and troops arrived in Decan on the same day. /p.ta/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] LDK: Situation in Kosova requires international community interventionPRISHTINE, June 15 /ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:The Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) leadership in its meeting on Sunday assessed that the situation in Kosova keeps deteriorating and that the intervention of the international community is indispensable. A statement issued at the end of the meeting says that the Serb military and police forces intensively continue their attacks on the dwelling places of the communes of Decan, Gjakove and Drenice. Despite ultimate calls from international institutions to halt attacks and withdraw Serbian forces, Belgrade continues to send new forces and expand the areas of attacks on the Albanian inhabited and unprotected centres, with the aim to exploit the remaining time for ethnic cleansing, until an eventual intervention by the international community. The LDK leadership considers that such dramatic developments require urgent intervention to halt the war and prevent Serbian scenarios of ethnic cleansing in Kosova from being realised. Only an immediate international intervention will create the preliminary conditions for the Kosova issue to be resolved through peaceful means, through the negotiation process. The LDK leadership reconfirms the position that the Kosova issue should be resolved through political means and in accordance with the expressed will of the Kosova people, the statement says. /p.ta/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] NATO starts air exercises in AlbaniaTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - NATO warplanes started air exercises over Albania and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Monday at 11.00. a.m.The objective of "Determined Falcon" exercises is to demonstrate NATO's capability to project power rapidly into the region, a spokesman of the Albanian Defence Minister said. Around 40 aircraft from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Greece, England, the United Nations, and others are participating in the air exercises. The aircraft comprise fighters, reconnaissance, airborne early warning, tankers and helicopters, which will take off and land in their bases. NATO continues to support the efforts of the international community for a political solution to the Kosova issue, which brings an end to the violence in Kosova and in the region, provides an enhanced status for Kosova, preserves the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia, and safeguards of the human and civil rights and liberties of all inhabitants of Kosova despite their ethnic origin, the spokesman said. NATO reiterated the determination to contribute to efforts of promoting stability and security in neighbouring countries, with particular emphasis on Albania and FYROM. s.s/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Police detain four Kurds at Mifol bridgeTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - Four Kurd citizens heading for Vlora, southwestern Albania, were detained on Sunday midday by the police forces at the Mifol bridge.A spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said to ATA on Monday that the four Kurds detained at a police check point on the bridge at 13.00 p.m. did not possess regular papers and were taken to the police station of Vlora. The Albanian police have detained recently dozens of Kurd citizens heading for Vlora whose aim was to leave for Italy in exchange of a payment. s.s/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Serb forces shell SkenderajPRISHTINE, June 15 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari quoted sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) as saying that Serb forces pounded late on Sunday the city of Skenderaj and Llaushe village.Two houses were destroyed and set on fire by the shells in the hospital quarter, Skenderaj. Two buses of armed civilians were sent to Skenderaj on Sunday while the attack against Llaushe and suburbs of Skenderaj stated at 15.00. p.m. pta/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Two Albanians killed in fighting in MorinePRISHTINE, June 5 /ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:Two Albanians have been killed and another wounded in Saturday night fighting with Serbian forces in the Morine village of Gjakove, on the Kosova-Albania border. The border belt villages were attacked on Saturday, and on Sunday the assaults also extended to the regions of Dushkaja. The villages of Cermjan, Rakovine and Kramovik were bombarded yesterday and, according to LDK sources, the Albanians have put up resistance in defence of their hearths. Meanwhile the roads leading to the border belt and the region of Dushkaja and the Gjakova city have been blocked by Serbian forces. /p.ta/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Premier says Albania ready to put logistics at NATO disposalTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - Albania prime minister Fatos Nano said on Monday to Bjorn Fon Sydov Defence minister of Sweden, who arrived for a one-day visit to Tirana today, that "Albania is ready to put its logistics at the disposal of NATO and offers flight and landing facilities to its warplanes, as it happened today."Nano stressed the need for NATO to be increasingly present in Albania with specialised units, which would assist and help qualify the Albanian army. Sweden's support for Albania's integration into the EU through specific programmes, to bring the Albanian legislation and market closer to the International one, would help reduce tensions in the region, said Nano. Sweden Defence Minister said that NATO and the other international organizations, also including the U.N. Security Council, will continue to follow the situation closely and respect the deadlines given to Belgrade to withdraw troops from Kosova. Sweden and the Nordic countries in general will support the idea of extending the UNPREDEP mandate in FYROM and continue joint programmes in the Albanian army in the framework of the Partnership for Peace Initiative. /s.s/s.sh/das/ak/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] NATO's exercises - a decisive moment for Kosova, Rugova spokesmanPRISHTINE, June 15 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that the air exercises of NATO over Albania and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) had a powerful echo and were welcomed in Kosova.Xhemail Mustafa, a spokesman of president Ibrahim Rugova, said to ATA that the start of NATO air exercises around the border was maybe a decisive moment for Kosova as well as for peace and stability in the region. "NATO's exercises over the Albanian airspaces are also a testimony that Albania's role in resolving the Kosova issue is very important," he said. Through these exercises, the NATO member states convey a powerful and concrete message to Belgrade that it should take seriously Friday's London ultimatum of the Contact Group. cela/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Venetia Commission gives O.K. for draft of Albanian constitutionTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci: The Venetia Commission has given O.K. to the whole draft of the Albanian constitution, approved until now by the Constitution Drafting Commission, the two chairmen of the commission, Arben Imami (DAP) and Sabri Godo (RP), reported to ATA, after arriving from a three-day working visit in Venetia.)"It is drafted according to the standards of the European democracies, " Godo expressed the unanimous stand of the Venetia commission specialists. After the next regular consultation with the Venetia Commission, at the end of the whole draft, expected by the middle of July, only two steps have remained to be taken: the examination of the draft in Parliament and its approval later by a general people's referendum. The referendum is expected to be held by the end of November to enable entering into force of the Constitution on November 28, Albania's national holiday. Arben Imami told ATA that the option to draft a constitution which aims at creating a clear balance between the two powers; a president in the role of a referee, a stable executive power and an independent judiciary, has been accepted by the Venetia Commission as a good solution chosen by the Constitution Drafting Commission. The Venetia Commission, one of the most important bodies of the Council of Europe, is authorized to deal with the implementation of democracy through law. The experts of this commission arrived in Albania for the first time in Autumn of 1991. In May 1998, the President of this Commission, Antonio La Pergola and its staff were in Tirana and examined the part of the draft approved until then and considered it according to the standards of the European democracies. /mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albania welcomes NATO air strikes, government statementTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - The Albanian government greeted the beginning of the NATO air exercises over its territory on Monday. It considers them a clear expression of the joint will of the international community and mainly of the member countries of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), not to allow the repetition of "a second Bosnia" in Kosova. These air exercises are concrete operations which convey clear messages to the regime of Milosevic. They aim to stop the police and military violence of Belgrade in Kosova and the notorious policy of ethnic cleansing.The NATO maneuvers in Albania express the reiterated willingness of the Albanian government for the engagement of NATO in the solution of the crisis in Kosova, at a time when the diplomatic means are not giving the so wanted results. The military pressure of the forces authorized by the international community is one of the imposing ways to stop the conflict, with direct influence in keeping peace and stability. Just to give an end to the war in Kosova, to keep the threatened peace and stability in the region of the Balkans, the Albanian government is ready to cooperate with NATO and every other international structure which is involved in the solution of the crisis in Kosova. The Albanian government, in cooperation with the international community, will support all the alternatives for a quick, lasting and long- term settlement of the conflict in Kosova. /a.ke/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Albania's President meets Swedish military delegationTIRANA, June 15 (ATA) - The solution of the Kosova issue, the continuous strengthening of the relations between Albania and Sweden were in the center of talks that Albania's President Rexhep Meidani held Monday with the Swedish military delegation, headed by the Minister of Defence, Von Sydow, President's press and information office reports."We will make everything we can in the framework of the European Union, the Western European Union and NATO, as well as a Security Council member country to contribute to the realistic solution of the conflict in Kosova," said Sydow during the meeting. President Meidani considered as very important the NATO air exercises over the Albanian and Macedonian territories on Monday, underlining that continuation of NATO military operations is very important for to prevent further radicalization of the situation. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) decided Friday that NATO forces carry out military air exercises over its territory, an effort of the alliance to show its strength to Belgrade to force it to halt military and police operations in Kosova (with 90% Albanian population.) "There is no time to lose, air strikes on the Serbian military deployments in Kosova, if the bloodshed and ethnic cleansing continues, will increase the chances for a realistic settlement and an acceptable equilibrium from both parties," said Meidani. Attending the meeting also was the Albanian Minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga. /a.ke/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Greece and Albania sign a memorandum on cooperation in field of agricultureATHENS, June 15 (ata) - By R Goro: Albanian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lufter Xhuveli and the Greek Minister of Agriculture, Stefanos Xhumakas met Monday in Athens to discuss questions of bilateral cooperation. At the end of the talks, the two ministers signed a memorandum confirming the will of the two parties to promote cooperation in their respective fields.According to the memorandum, a special priority will be attached to the implementation of the protocol of the first meeting of the bilateral commission, especially in the branches of glasshouses, vineyards, vegetables, tobacco and bread grains. Through the state program for bilateral cooperation, the installation of a modern glass house in an area of 1 000 square meters in Albania, will be funded. According to a request of the Albanian party, Greece will provide for the qualification of 15 specialists of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Albania. Both sides stressed the need of an agreement to be signed in the field of agriculture and livestock. To this end, the Greek party handed to the Albanian group a draft agreement on agriculture, to be signed as soon as possible. Greece will deliver to Albania soon a food assistance to be used for the refugees from Kosova. All above mentioned points will be realised this year. A second meeting of the bilateral commission on agriculture and food was decided to be held in the first quarter of the next year in Tirane. /s.s./xh/ < Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Serbs challenge NATO - paperPRISHTINE, June 15 (ata) - "Serbs challenge NATO: raids have intensified in Kosove," writes today the newspaper Bujku of Prishtine, reporting that at least six Albanians were killed in the past 24 hours. The fighting took place in the outskirts of Gjakove, Decan, Shtimje, Suhareka, Rahovec, Skenderaj and Gllogoc, from the Kosove-Albania border up to Drenice.The NATO air exercises round Kosove, in Albania and Macedonia are a serious warning to the Yugoslav president (Slobodan) Milosevic to force him to halt raids and military operations against the Albanians in Kosove, the paper writes. The air exercises NATO held today in Albania and Macedonia, as a demonstration of strength towards Serbia, were considered "a success" by the Alliance Secretary General, Javier Solana. b.j./sara/xh/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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