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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-20Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Six albanian military planes flew over capital of TiranaRINASI AIRPORT, 19 June (ATA)-Two Albanian MIG 15, one MIG 17 and three MIG 19 military planes, held, early on Friday, air exercises without live fire, to display the power of albanian air force.Friday's exercises with the participation of Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano and the Defence Minister, Luan Hajdaraga,was organize to demonstrate that the albanian regiments and air bases are ready to participate in NATO joint exercises. Rinas regiment, Gjadri and Koçova air bases took part in the exercises./ak/das/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Albanian air force ready to defend air spaceRINAS AIRPORT, 20 June (ATA)- Six Albanian warplanes, including two MIG 15, one MIG 17 and three MIG 19, held early on Friday air exercises at the Rinas regiment."Air force are totally ready to carry out tasks in defending Albanian air space," the commander of the Air Defence forces, Major General Perlat Sula, said at the end of the air exercises, according to Albanian Television. Prime minister Fatos Nano, Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga, Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Aleks Andoni and military attaches accredited to Albania were present at the exercises of the Albanian air forces. "This is a good message that the Albanian citizens and our Kosova brothers can gain, a message of patriotic responsibility, compatibility and cooperation with collective security structures in Europe and broader, which do not want the war causes other casualties but will try to safeguard peace in the Balkan region and secure establishing peace in hot spots," prime minister Nano said. He highly regarded the air exercises of the Rinas regiment stressing that the Albanian defence forces are being restructured. He assured the forces of the Albanian aviation for a full government support, pointing out future exercises in cooperation with the Atlantic Alliance. Later, Nano hailed the NATO air exercises and determination of the Albanian government to offer all kinds of air and port facilities to NATO in the future. Friday's exercises were organised to demonstrate that the Albanian regiments and air bases are ready to participate in NATO joint exercises. Rinas regiment, Gjadri and Koçova air bases took part in the exercises marking the end of the reorganisation phase of the military aviation./das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albania president urges quiet by-electionsTIRANA, June 19 (ATA) - President of Albania Rexhep Meidani called on Friday on all political parties in the local by-elections and inhabitants of the areas where the elections would be held to contribute to a quiet election process, according to a spokesman of the president."After the overall crisis last year, Albania, more than ever, needs a spirit of compromise, loyal and open dialogue between the political forces for a competition of alternatives and not artificial aggravation of the political climate in the run up to, during and after elections," the message said. The Albanian president said that safeguarding peace would be "a contribution of Albanians to the Kosova brothers, who are facing violence of the Serb machine for a right solution to the national issue, consolidation of democracy in Albania. ake/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] State Alliance ends electoral campaignVLORE, June 19 (ATA) - By H. Koçi: The political grouping of Alliance for State wound up on Friday the electoral campaign for local by-elections a meeting held in Flag square in Vlora city.Neki Dredha, the coalition's candidate, promised his electorate that he would resolve many problems which concerned Vlora. Skender Gjinushi, leader of the Social Democratic party, recalled the Vlora people the movement of Berisha's tanks towards Vlora. He considered the meeting of the Democratic party in Vlora a manifestation of democracy but added that it was not a pardon for the criminal Berisha. The Socialist Secretary General Pandeli Majko considered the great number of people in the square a prologue of victory of the Alliance for State coalition on June 21, adding that this victory is in response to Sali Berisha. Preç Zogaj, Secretary General of the Democratic Alliance party, deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers and minister of Local government Bashkim Fino, head of the national Unity party Idajet Beqiri as well as the SP coordination secretary Gramoz Ruçi addressed the crowd. There are seven candidates for the Vlora town hall representatives of the Alliance for State which comprises Socialist party, Social Democrat party, Alliance Democratic party, Agrarian party, as well as two other parties Human Rights Union party and National Union party, of the political grouping Unity for Democracy which comprises Democratic party, Social Democratic Union party, Legality Movement party, Democratic Union party, Christian Democratic party as well as united Right-wing, central party and three independent candidates. ake/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Trial against claimant to throne Leka ZoguTIRANA, June 19 (ATA)-By E. Koraqi, Trial against claimant to the Albanian throne Leka Zogu and his court minister, Abedin Mulosmani, charged with "organising armed uprising to topple constitutional order", started on Friday.On June '97, Leka Zogu, dressed in battle fatigues, with a group of royal backers, gathered before the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) at the Palace of Congresses, after an illegal rally at the "Skenderbej" square, claiming they had won the referendum on the June 29 early elections. The participants started firing which left one dead. The former police chief of Tirana, Colonel Pashk Tusha, the former chief of commissariat 1, Albert Dervishi, and the commander of the mobile unit, declared in this sitting that the July 3 rally was illegal. According to the testimony provided by the public order chiefs and 10 other policemen called to testify said that even after the crowd started shooting from various directions, the police did in no case counteract, but showed self-restraint to evade any incident. The charge brought by the prosecutor's office against Zogu and his supporter Mulosmani envisages that they face life in prison. Zogu came to Albania in March 1997 as claimant to the throne left vacant since his father King Zog fled Albania in 1939 before it was invaded by fascist Italy, at the time when he (Leka) was only two-day old. Leka was not allowed to come to Albania while the communists were in power. /a.ke/mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Four killed in DecanPRISHTINE, June 20 (ATA)-Reports from the Decan commune (Kosova) say that that four other Albanians have been killed in the recent days, bringing the number of the killed to 66 over the last weeks in the Decan Commune, according to the Kosova Information Centre.Also yesterday, the Serbian forces continued attacks on the Decan villages, such as Isniq, Strellci i Eperm, Prejlep, Baballoq and Gramacel, the source says. /p.ta/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Two Albanians killed in Gjakova, Deçan suburbsPRISHTINE, June 19 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that two Albanians were killed during the attacks of Serb forces which continued during Thursday night, according to the Council for Human Rights in Gjakova.A seven-year-old girl was killed by grenades in her house in Shatej village and a 28 year-old young man was also killed in Gramaçel. An Albanian from Hereq village is missing but thought to have been massacred by the Serbs. The Serbian forces have shelled early on Friday with cannon and armoured carriers the villages Prejlep, Voksh and Carrabreg i Poshtem from a military position in "Bridge of Bajram Hasanajve" in Deçan-Gjakova main road. Heavy artillery shelling were audible from the base of the Yugoslav army in Zagerle, Council of Human Rights in Deçan said. The same source said that some houses in Deçan town have been turned into camps for those Albanians who have been taken hostage and some women and young women are thought to have been sexually abused by Serb police, militaries and paramilitaries. fh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Tank car with 15 000lt of smuggled gasoline blocked in Malesi e MadheTIRANA, June 20 (ATA)-The Malesi e Madhe Commissariat Forces on Friday intercepted a tanker of 15 000 lt of contraband gasoline, the spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA.The tank car was number plated TR 5283 C, property of the "Universi" company. The rapid interference unit also arrested the driver, Enver Daut Selimi, 45, inhabitant in the Berdice village of the Shkoder district. According to the spokesman, the initial investigation show that the tank car had been loaded at the place called Buza e Ujit on the Shkoder lake side and was driving towards the Shkoder city. /s.s/mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Alliance for State leaders ambushed in Lazarat by armed menGJIROKASTER, June 20 (ATA)-BY H. Cani, Armed men on Friday evening prevented leaders of the Alliance for State leaders from going to Lazarat village of Gjirokaster district, in the context of the campaign for the June 21 local by-elections.The Secretary General of the Socialist Party (SP), Pandeli Majko, the secretary of the Democratic Alliance Presidency, Prec Zogaj, the chairman of the National Unity Party, Idajet Beqiri, said that the conflict was avoided after a meeting in Lazarat of all the parties taking part in the voting and the representative of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Lazarat, Tobias Sveningsen. "Order and justice will do their duty," Majko told ATA. "This situation is neither in the interest of Lazarat nor of Gjirokaster because life will follow its normal course, elections will be held and state established. We were faced with an adventure of irresponsible people which have a political support behind," sad Zogaj. "All the parties present committed themselves to contribute to fair elections," Tobias told ATA. /s.s/mima/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Villages of Gryka e Carraleva shelled, aircraft flights on LipjanPRISHTINE, June 20 (ata) - Serbian forces stationed in the place named Kryqi i Belincit continued to shell for more than 30 minutes on June 19 the villages of the commune of Shtime, namely Callaleve, Zborc, Pjetershtice and Belice, in the central zone of Kosove. As Information Centre of Kosova reports, sporadic gunfire continued, while many inhabitants have left their homes towards less risked villages, in urgent need of food articles and medicaments.Gunfire was seen in the direction of Gryka e Llapushnikut and inside the premises of the "Ferronikel" where, as eye witnesses said, Serbian policemen were settling accounts with those who were seeking to flee from their ranks, said Information Centre of Kosova. Yesterday morning, vehicles of Serbian police are seen moving along Gllogoc-Komoran zone. Serb forces have also moved in Lipjan, and during the day aircraft and helicopters have flown lowly on that township, heading towards Ferizaj. /p.ta/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Skoplje prepared for refugees from KosoveSkoplje, June 20 (ata) - The government of Macedonia has worked out a plan for an eventual arrival of refugees from Kosova, the Information Centre of Kosova reports.According to this plan, ten spots have been determined for the refugees to gather temporarily before they are sent to Albania through set corridors, said ICK. /p.ta/das/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] CORRECTION:Tirana-Durres highway to be completed within 24 monthsIn yesterday's story headlined "Tirane-Durres highway to be completed at the end of 2001" please read the title "....to be completed within 24 months" (correcting the deadline in the title.) The corrected version follows:TIRANA, June 19 (ATA) - By M.Pupa: The cost of the highway from Vora to Durres, which is co-financed by PHARE program of the European Union, is estimated at Ecu44 million. PHARE program has granted some Ecu17 million and the European Bank for Investment has offered a credit worth Ecu22 million for the highway. Gezim Bimbli, Road Director General, said that other efforts are under way with the World Bank to find new funds for underpasses and overpasses in the highway to facilitate road traffic in the area. The construction of the highway which links the capital with Durres city is part of the eighth corridor. Surveys show that 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles move along the Tirana- Durres road in 24 hours and it is foreseen that the density be increased from 13 to 15 percent in the next five years. The highway will be some 32 km long with four-lane traffic, each 3,5 meters wide and marked division of 1,10 meters wide. A possibility of building parallel roads to facilitate local traffic and lanes to industrial areas is under consideration. The Tirana-Durres highway will be connected with the Durres-Rogozhine superstrada, works of which started in March this year and foreseen to complete within 24 months. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] 11 billion liras for improvement of electric network of Tirane-Italian ENEL ready to realise the project -TIRANE, June 20 (ata) - By Nini Nano: Italian ENEL is ready to use as soon as possible the credit of the Italian Government for the third stage of the rehabilitation of the electric system of Tirane, the director of Investments in the Albanian Electric Corporation, KESH, Robert Lalo told ATA. The Italian company of electricity has completed the first two stages of the reconstruction of the Tirane electric network on the basis of a 25 billion lira grant by the Italian Government. "The fund for the third stage estimated at 11 billion lira, is ready for delivery by the Italian Government but possibilities exist that it be higher," said Lalo. KESH has prepared all respective projects for the 3d stage and its investment, thus work will soon start for the rehabilitation of the Tirane electric network before winter comes. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] AUR will not support any political force in local electionsTIRANA, June 20 (ATA) - By I. Paco: The Albanian United Right (AUR) declared on Saturday, a day ahead the partial local elections, that it will not support any political force in case of a possible second round.Fatmir Mehdiu, the chairman of the Republican Party, told a news conference that "the Albanian United Right will not support any political party because it will either win or face a second round." "This is an unfair campaign with slanders and insults, which we will oppose with our alternatives of law implementation, restitution of institution, fights against crime, smuggling and others," said Mehdiu, who hardly attacked both the socialists and the democrats. The Albanian United Right is made up of the Republican Party, the Right Democratic Party, the Movement for Democracy Party, the Conservative Party and the National Front Party (Balli Kombetar.) /s.s/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] USD quotes 154.3 lek in Tirane currency exchange marketTIRANE, June 20 (ata) - By Lolita Thanasi: Today, according to the average exchange rate in the informal market USD1 was changed with 154.3 lek, 1DM with 86.0 lek, LIT(1000) was traded for 87.0 lek, GRD(100) for 50.5 lek and FR was changed with 102.5 lek.Saturday exchange rates Currency Average exchange rates USD 154,30 lek DM 86,00 lek ITL (1000) 87,00 lek GRD (100) 50,00 lek SFR 102,50 lek /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Russian deputy Foreign Minister to visit AlbaniaTIRANA, June 20 (ATA) - The Russian deputy Foreign Minister, A. A. Avdejev, will hold an official visit in Albania on June 21-23.Press and information department close to the Foreign Ministry reported that during his stay in Albania, Avdejev will hold talks with the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, the deputy PM, Kastriot Islami and Foreign Minister Paskal Milo. /a.ke/das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Intensive fights in Kosova continuePRISHTINA, June 20 - ATA correspondent in Prishtina, Belul Jashari reports: The intesive fights have continued over the last 24 hours in Kosova.The military and terrorist operations of the Serbian forces are facing the resolute resistance of Albanians in the border line with Albania, in the regions of Dukagjin and Drenice, as well as in the surroundings of Shtimje along the road Prishtine-Prizeren. The Information Department of UCK (The Kosova Liberation Army,) through a relrease, published today by the press of Prishtine, has reported that "intensive fights are taking place in the operation zone no. 1, respectively in Karadaku, Llap, Drenice, Pashtrik, Erenik and Dukagjin, which aim at liberating and boosting the free territories." Different sources in Kosova report on continuous losses from the Serbian forces, both in troops and means. There are also reports on desertions from the ranks of the Serbian forces. "Bujku" paper informs that the forces of UCK, helped by the population, have put under complete control the villages of Runik, Kastriot and Radisheve. The roadblock in Runik has been totally isolated and the Serbian forces, stationed there, are expected either to abandon the road- block or to surrender. The UCK forces clashed last night with the Serbian forces in the axe of the road Mitrovice-Peje-Skenderaj, in Kline e Eperme village, where it is placed the fortified police road-block, set up since the beginning of fights in Drenice. The Serbian forces have also shelled the surroundings of Gllogoc, while a powerful explosion occurred in the combine of "Ferro-nichel," turned now into barracks of the Yugoslav army. Sources from the Human Rights Council reported Saturday on movements of the Serbian military convoys in Fushe-Kosove and surroundings of Obiliq, as well as on a very tense situation in many regions of Kosova. /fh/das/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |