Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Alia: international community should reconsider options on Kosova status(Interview of former Albanian president Ramiz Alia with ATA)

[02] Milo says a second Dayton, without casualties for Kosova

[03] Ten Albanians killed, twenty seven wounded in heavy fighting

[04] Government takes efficacious measures to fight contraband

[05] Serb forces torch quarters in Komoran, Llapushnik, Negrofc, Arllat villages

[06] Albanian producer focuses Kosova drama in celluloid

[07] Interministerial economic committee discusses agricultural package

[08] Heavy fighting in villages of Rreke e Keqe

[09] Prishtine-Peje, Prishtine-Prizren highways remain closed

[10] New reinforcement sent in Kosova from Serbia

[11] Demirel praises Albanian constructive stand on Kosova issue

[12] Ambassador Hill fails to go to Malisheve besieged by Serb forces

[13] Law package on restoring public order discussed

[14] "Museum" by Trebeshina to represent national theatre in Cairo

[15] Dramatic situation in Junik and Malisheve -Serb forces shoot dead 20 Albanians of one family

[16] Defence Ministry to respond to border provocations

[17] Ukraine: Crisis in Kosova to be settled through dialogue

[18] Nano - Cook telephone talk

[01] Alia: international community should reconsider options on Kosova status(Interview of former Albanian president Ramiz Alia with ATA)

Question: Which are the real factors of the tragedy?

Answer: From any point of view, responsible for the bloodshed, besides the Serb aggressors, is the international community, whose passiveness, delays, undecisive stands, affected the deterioration of the situation. The decisions of the first meeting of the Contact Group in London in March 1998 kindled hope that the war of Serbs would be stopped.

Almost five months have passed since that day. The Serb aggression and violence have intensified, it has extended from Drenica to the whole territory of Kosova affecting also the Republic of Albania.

Evidently nothing can be resolved in this way. On the contrary, it creates possibilities of war, it endangers a flare-up of the conflict all over the Balkans and broader. In fact, Serbs and Milosevic have been encouraged by an "indulgent" and non-consequent stand of the Contact Group.

Question: What do you thing of KLA as a factor of the situation in Kosova?

Answer: The Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) is neither an isolated sect nor a terrorist organisation, but it is Kosova itself, its entire people.

Question: Western diplomacies have undertaken some endeavours to resolve the crisis. What is your evaluation? Answer: All signs show that the Kosova people do not trust great powers.

Given these stands, it is quite logical that the Albanians themselves recall the historical fact that there were these great powers which at the Congress of Berlin in 1878 and the Conference of Ambassadors in London in 1913 ignored and violated the rights of Albanians, truncating their territory and putting a part of it under the foreign occupation.

Question: Which is the adequate solution to halt the war in Kosova?

Answer: Kosova has neither wanted not wants a bloody solution to its rights. But, Albanians explicitly ask why the recognition of their rights only harmed the balances in Europe? Frankly, they are asking nothing but the implementation of the international conventions on the rights of peoples for self-rule as it is sanctioned in the basic documents of the United Nations Organisation and the Organisations for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

They ask for Kosova win as much as the other nations comprising Yugoslavia won after its dissolution.

Question: Do you want to say that nothing should be expected from the international community on Kosova issue but everything should be resolved by Albanians, themselves.

Answer: Certainly, Albanians need an outer support to resolve their issue. But this does not mean that they should automatically accept their views and options. Albanians, today, need a unique stand on the basis of which they should try to convince the international opinion that Kosova is fighting for liberty and independence as the only and most efficacious way to secure durable peace in the Balkans.

Ramiz Alia, after the death of Enver Hoxha, was elected first Secretary of the Central Committee of the Albanian Labour party (the only party during the communist regime in Albania) and later President of Albania until democracy was introduced in 1990. He is considered as the one who did the gradual change from the communist regime into democracy. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Milo says a second Dayton, without casualties for Kosova

"A second Dayton, without casualties, is needed," chief of the Albanian diplomacy said.

Milo said that "we will support a peaceful solution and would like to see powerful actions by the European community."

Anne-Mari Lizin said that the alliance between Europeans and Americans was very important in the framework of a possible short term and indefinite mandate intervention. She said that Albanians should be united in their demands and in unison for what they are asking. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Ten Albanians killed, twenty seven wounded in heavy fighting

Serb forces using surface-to-surface rockets on Monday torched and destroyed hundreds of Albanian houses in Drenica, a border region with Albania, in Dukagjin and other regions of Kosova.

Serb forces reported on seven Albanians killed in Junik, near the border with Albania, a report not confirmed by Albanian sources.

In fighting in Prishtine-Peja highway, Serb forces are using over 60 tanks, cannons and other armoured carriers but their march has been stopped in Gjergjice village by the powerful resistance of the Kosova Liberation Army forces.

Convoys of military-police forces are being sent in from Serbia. Serb forces have had considerable losses. eva/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Government takes efficacious measures to fight contraband

Deputies of the SP parliamentary group who have requested a special hearing with the Minister of Finance Arben Malaj, Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta and General Prosecutor Arben Rakipi, considered their reports on key institutions which directly deal with the fight against contraband and corruption "serious" and the measures adopted "efficacious".

Socialist deputies asked from the Ministry of Public Order, Finance and General Prosecutor's office to intensify the work to uncover, catch and bring before justice people and state structures who handle illegal activities.

Minister of Finance Malaj responding to questions of Socialist parliamentarians said that the results of the war against contraband particularly in the last three months, "have secured millions of leks to the state budget and "recorded figures are higher than those of previous years."

Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta said that the number of crimes has been reduced. Nevertheless, he said that there is much to do in fight against crime in Albania, particularly when the state has not yet been consolidated after a total collapse last year.

Arben Rakipi General prosecutor said that the institution he was running has achieved some positive results in fight against criminality in general and contraband in particular.

Rakipi said that "he has a precise statistic on criminality in Albania, however, a total of 1.200 person have been arrested and some 7 thousand penal offences have been opened."

Chief prosecutor said that persons put into custody after cases of contraband were uncovered recently resulted to have been involved in other contraband activities and investigation will provide detailed reports on them.

Socialist deputies asked for corrupted people leave administration and institutions.

Later on Tuesday, the Albanian parliament will hold a close door special session on the situation in the northern area of Albania after the provocations of the Yugoslav army inside the Albanian territory. Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta and Foreign Minister Paskal Milo are expected to report in the session called by the head of the Socialist parliamentary group Pandeli Majko and backed by the head of Foreign commission Sabri Godo. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Serb forces torch quarters in Komoran, Llapushnik, Negrofc, Arllat villages

Serb forces are positioned in parts of Negrofc and quarter Gjergjica of Arllat and continue to pound incessantly the Albanian settlements.

Six Albanians were reported wounded, the population has fled the above villages and sheltered in safer villages, particularly in mountains of Kosmaç. /pta/eva/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albanian producer focuses Kosova drama in celluloid

"Our idea is to give the tragedy under way in Kosova through the eyes of children," Agim Buxheli, owner of "Gjeli Vizion" said to ATA on Tuesday.

The authors of this 90-minute documentary film have worked for almost three years to realise this. They have used films highlighting Kosova life in all its dimensions.

"Showing the tragedy through the life of children aims at personifying peace which is too far from Kosova," Buxheli said, whose studio has produced a series of documentary films and variety shows.

The documentary film of Çashku and Buxheli is thought to be seen soon by a team of the Albanian television, which wants to buy it. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Interministerial economic committee discusses agricultural package

The package includes four draft laws which defined the strategy for the development of agriculture in Albania and six draft decisions concerning the problem of lands, water, forests and livestock, press and information office at the Council of Ministers said in a press release obtained by ATA.

The prime minister Nano said that this package enjoyed the full support of international financial bodies.

He urged the heads of state institutions included in drawing up the strategy for the development of agriculture and rural areas in Albania "to put into full efficiency the necessary fiscal-commercial instruments which will contribute to having concrete results."

Nano also urged that this strategy should be taken into consideration even during the preparations for Albania's membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He asked that the executive be engaged together with the legislative power and civil society, in resolving the problem of compensating former owners. Saying that this problem has prevented many investment and created tensions, Nano said that a working group should outline an institutional scheme and undertake necessary legal actions to compensate land owners. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Heavy fighting in villages of Rreke e Keqe

Operation of Serb military-police and paramilitary forces were focused in the place called "Kallavaj", near Novokaz village. The Serbian army, backed by special police and paramilitary units, tried to infiltrate the villages of Shremet, Dobrosh and Junik following an intensive shelling on the area but the local resistance forces and those of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA), who are defending every inch of the front, fired back when they came under fire, QIK said.

There are no reports on casualties and wounded.

Serb forces have pounded the village of Dujake near the Gjakova-Deçan automobile road, while sources on the ground do not report on casualties but the people of Gjakova have been anxious in the last two days about the attacks of the Serbian forces. Serbian snipers have been positioned on all main buildings in Gjakova.

13 Albanian citizens from Babaj i Bokes were blocked on Monday by the police checkpoint at "Ura e Tabakut" in access road to Gjakova. pta/eva/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Prishtine-Peje, Prishtine-Prizren highways remain closed

No bus or other vehicle left Prishtina for Peja today though the Serbian media had informed on Monday that the way was opened. In areas along the road in Llapushnik Pass one can see houses of Albanians in flames and military-police Serb reinforcement.

The Prishtine-Prizren and Mitrovice-Peje highways were closed due to fighting.

Firefight between Albanian and Serbian forces started later on Monday in Nerodine e Eperme and Poshtme villages and in Ferrizaj area. Residents who fled these villages said that heavy fighting are going on and that units of Serb armed civilians are sent in to fight against Albanians. pta/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] New reinforcement sent in Kosova from Serbia

In a space of 30 minute four big trucks, one of them armoured, backed by an armoured carrier and two other police armoured carriers were heading for Prishtina, too.

The same source said that Serb military forces deployed near Llaushe village, continue to dug up fortifications, while residents of the surrounding areas were seen returning to their houses. pta/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Demirel praises Albanian constructive stand on Kosova issue

Demirel, referring his two-day visit in Albania from July 14 to 15, expressed gratitude towards the prime minister, government and the Albanian people for their warm hospitality towards him and his delegation, press and information office at the Council of Ministers said. s.s/eva/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Ambassador Hill fails to go to Malisheve besieged by Serb forces

The situation is grave and, according to Albanian sources, Yugoslav military planes hev been hovering over the town and its suburbs today.

The sources say that the U.S. ambassador in Skopje, Christopher Hill, who left this morning for Malisheve, failed to reach the town as he was turned back at roadblocks set up by Serb forces.

The Serb forces overnight bombarded the villages around Malisheve- Mlecan, Bubavec and Carralluke, over which smoke and flames are still visible.

Sources from the Kosova Information Centre (KIC) say that many inhabitants are fleeing the said villages along with thousands of others settled there after the massacres in Rahovec.

"If the Serb forces attack Malisheve, a real tragedy is likely to take place here," said a LDK activist from Malisheve. /p.ta/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Law package on restoring public order discussed

The package, which was examined several days ago by the Council of Ministers, consists of three important draft-laws: on the collection of arms looted from the state's depots", on the National Security Information Agency (AISK), as well as the draftlaw on administrating state secret.

Parliamentary commission today begun discussing the most important draft-law of this package, that of arms collection.

The draft-law defines the social structures to deal with this work, ways of handing over weapons, registration as well as defines the categories of the persons that can possess weapons by permission. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] "Museum" by Trebeshina to represent national theatre in Cairo

Last year in this traditional festival, in which are invited to take part theatre troupes from around the world, the Albanian actor, Mirush Kabashi, was awarded the "Golden sphinx" for the interpretation of the philosophical comedy "Apology of Socrates".

The part with which the troupe of the National theatre will be represented in this activity is the comedy "Museum", criticised in 1973 for "questions of ideas". /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Dramatic situation in Junik and Malisheve -Serb forces shoot dead 20 Albanians of one family

The situation in Junik and its suburbs is dramatic. Twenty Albanians, mostly children, members of one family in Junik, the major village of Kosova bordering Albania, were barbarously killed today by the Serb forces.

The macabre crime occurred in the suburbs of Junik while the family was fleeing the village to escape the attacks by Serb military, police and paramilitary forces.

Albanian sources say that the family peacefully surrendered, but the Serb forces, considering no war rule, opened fire at the civilians.

The fighting which has been going on for three days around Junik has also killed an Albanian fighter and injured 15. Junik and the other surrounding villages are being attacked from three strategic directions by many Serb military and police forces, infantry, artillery and motorised forces.

The Serb heavy artillery is constantly shelling Junik and its suburbs from the military positions in Podi i Geshtenjave, Cuke e Baballocit, in Cuke, in Bitef, Ponoshjec and in Kodra e Qabrait of Gjakova.

The medical centre in Junik in which were hospitalised the 15 injured Albanians was also pounded today.

The Serb heavy artillery is also attacking other villages of Decan country, Shaptejn, Gramacel, Irzniq, Prejlepin and Kodralin.

Heavy fighting is also taking place in Strello i Eperme, Carrabreg i Poshtem and in Lebushe, where two Serb policemen have bee killed. Many houses are engulfed by fires.

Gjakova, too, has been the target of Serb snipers positioned at strategic points of the city's high buildings for 24 hours and on.

The city and its suburbs have been under constant terror and are running out of food and medicines because of the Serb forces' complete blockade.

A great massacre is threatening Malisheve today. At 17:30, according to reports, the Serb forces were one km near Melisheve and on their way they are shelling and setting Albanian villages on fire. There is a large displacement on the part of the population, which are surrounded on all sides by the Serb police, military and paramilitary forces. /r.xh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Defence Ministry to respond to border provocations

"The incident that took place in the Morine customs early on Saturday is in the series of the provocations the Serb army has recently exercised on the Albanian-Yugoslav border.

Early on July 26, Albanian territory was violated by a Yugoslav army artillery attack near the border point of Qafe Morine. The Albanian government reacted shortly after this incident by handing over a strong note of protest to Belgrade.

On this occasion, the Albanian parliament this afternoon is holding a closed-door special session in which the Public Order and Foreign Ministers will report on the situation.

According to the spokesman, the Albanian army has been instructed to avoid in maximum any kind of provocation by the Serb army, police or border forces.

Mullai said that all measures are taken to guard the army depots and units of the border area. He stressed that "the army has received special order to allow no violation of the territory, that is, any attempt to violate our territory presupposes its protection by fire."

Since the beginning of incidents between the two borders, the Albanian army has been put on a new phase of alert. In this context measures have been taken to check depots, guard commands and passages of the militaries, Mullai says. /y.pa./das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Ukraine: Crisis in Kosova to be settled through dialogue

This is said in a statement of the Ukraine Foreign Ministry addressed to the Albanian Foreign Ministry, the ministry's press and information department told ATA.

Confrontation is a way without prospects which might desabilise the whole region, lead to military escalation and cause greater losses on both sides.

Ukraine is convinced that only a political dialogue between the two sides, backed by the international diplomatic efforts, can avoid a military conflict in Kosova and bring about the most favourable solution for both conflict-involved parties. /y.pa/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Nano - Cook telephone talk

The two shared the view on the substantial improvement of bilateral relations, which will soon be enriched with new high level government contacts.

Cook expressed the commitment of his government to help with a quick and peaceful solution to the conflict in Kosova. He stressed the support the European Union is offering in these important moments to the Albanian government, as an important factor of stability not only at home but also in the Balkans. /a.ke/das/lm/

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

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