Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-14

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] OSCE - Council of Europe joint statement

[02] Meidani-Prodi telephone conversations

[03] Italian Premier calls for dialogue among Albanian political forces

[04] Meidani meets opposition Union for Democracy and United Right groupings

[05] Public statement of Rexhep Meidani on latest developments

[06] Prime Minister's office attacked

[07] Saving deposits increase in leks and foreign currency

[08] New academic year starts in all capital's schools

[09] Berisha urges prime minister's resignation, calm

[01] OSCE - Council of Europe joint statement

In this statement the OSCE and the Council of Europe stress that the Albanian government should undertake the most vigorous acts possible to bring the culprits to justice.

"We understand the anger and emotions created from this tragic event. However we strongly denounce the emerging violence."

"We are fully convinced that the majority of Albanians do not want the reoccurrence of last year's anarchy and chaos. Therefore, we call on all political leaders and their supporters not to respond to the situation in an undemocratic and violent way.

The OSCE and the Council of Europe offer their full support in overcoming the current situation and addressing to the long-term problems of Albania.

In conclusion the statement says that the OSCE and the Council of Europe are ready to make possible a quick meeting with all political leaders to find a peaceful settlements to the situation. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Meidani-Prodi telephone conversations

Prodi, concerned about the negative evolution of the events in Albania, expressed to Meidani his own and his country's maximum support for his efforts in finding a solution to come out of the situation through institutional ways, accepted by all.

He expressed confidence in these efforts, considering his (Meidani's) ongoing balanced role during his term as president.

Constantly informed of today's events, Prodi expressed readiness to offer his aid in resolving the crisis.

Meidani thanked the Italian friend and the country he leads for their interest and assistance for Albania's stability and development. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Italian Premier calls for dialogue among Albanian political forces

He emphasised the need for a halt to violence and for the whole country and its political forces to renew their pledge to overcome difficulties in the name of the supreme and common interest to create conditions for a civil community, according to the Albanian Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department.

This statement was made at the end of an emergency meeting on Sunday between Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi with deputy Prime Minister Valter Veltroni, Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, undersecretary for Foreign Relations Piero Fassino and Defence Minister Beniamino Andreatta to discuss the situation in Albania.

"Prodi, who has had several telephone conversations today with the president of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano and chairman of the Democratic Party Sali Berisha, has condemned the murder in Tirana of the Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari, and of one of his bodyguards near his party's headquarters," the statement s says.

It says that based on the commitment of the Albanian political forces to overcome the difficulties in the name of the supreme interest, the international community and Italy will continue efforts to rehabilitate Albania and stabilise it within the framework of the European institutions."

"An end to any violent act, from all sides, and the stability of institutions are indispensable conditions for political and democratic dialogue to resume and international support in rebuilding the nation to continue," it added.

Saturday evening, at around 21.15, near the DP headquarters, the DP deputy and chairman of the parliamentary Defence Commission was shot dead by gunfire.

The shooting also killed one of his bodyguards, Besim Ceraj, while the other was severely wounded. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Meidani meets opposition Union for Democracy and United Right groupings

Meidani asked the political forces to try to find solutions to calm the situation and bring the country back to normality.

Meidani pledged that, within the constitutional powers, he will continue his efforts in this direction. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Public statement of Rexhep Meidani on latest developments

"Dear compatriots, mothers, sisters, brothers, young men and women.

I am speaking to you tonight, as your President, your fellow-citizen, as a parent, brother and as one of you. I wouldn't like to speak about grave things, because I know, we are weary of grave events. But, a fatal event took place, a deputy was murdered, a politician of the opposition, a parent, a husband, member of our Albanian family, Azem Hajdari.

I am convinced that we all are afflicted, we all condemn that bloody hand and are thinking who are these enemies to peace and stability.

Today I expressed my deep condolences to Azem's family, wife, friends and fellow-workers. I have asked the competent bodies to urgently investigate this terrorist act to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. This grave loss asks for justice.

The tragic assassination of Hajdari should in no way serve to bring back the chaos, which cost us dearly last year. It's our duty show self- restraint, to be united as a people and as a nation.

Let's mourn for the death of Azem Hajdari. Let the guns be put down, let the violence and the language of hatred be stopped. Let the law be our altar for everything we say and do. In this way do we defend democracy.

I assure you of my commitment for the competent authorities, law and justice to act quickly, efficiently and with transparence to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

It is the duty and honor of everyone for Albania to testify that it can and should build the rule of law and respect the law and state institutions. /das/lola/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Prime Minister's office attacked

Asking the resignation of Prime Minister Fatos Nano, as DP chairman Sali Berisha called for, the crowd of people threw stones and rocks at the prime minister's office, while its guards fired into the air.

Kalashnikov automatic crackles were heard for some moments from within and outside the prime minister's office, while the crowd of people also seized five tanks of the Guard of the Republic, positioned near the prime minister's office.

After making several demonstrative movements along the capital's boulevard, the five tanks loaded with dozens of people drove roundabout the prime minister's office and across from the Albanian RTV building.

The armed policemen of the RTV did not react when people from the crowd stormed the building.

The current situation in the capital remains tense, while the public life is completely paralyzed. There is no immediate official confirmation of Prime Minister Fatos Nano's resignation.

Prec Zogaj, advisor to the President of the Republic, in his pronouncement, insisted on "finding a political solution through institutional avenues". /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Saving deposits increase in leks and foreign currency

"The deposits in leks marks an increase of 35% as compared with late 1997, while those in foreign currency marks 19%," said Andon Vasili, director of this bank for ATA.

To his opinion the increase of the citizens' deposits shows the restore of confidence to saving banks. Vasili considers the reconstruction of the banks, which brought about the joint of both agriculture and saving banks, as a positive factor which influence the circulation of the clients'payments, reducing the procedures from 15-20 days to 2-3 days. Vasili said that the use of the cheque has noticeably influenced bank's payments, avoiding in this way the movement of the traders and businessmen with the money from Saranda to the capital and other parts of Albania, and vice versa.

Saving bank in Saranda was looted during the riots and chaos of 1997. The monetary value looted last year was estimated some 30% of the treasure. While the rest of the treasure was defended by the bank's employees, said the director./s.s./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] New academic year starts in all capital's schools

"Some 55 000 pupils flocked 75 schools, of elementary and high-school level, in the capital," Kujtim Kapllani, director of Education Department in Tirana said to ATA.

"In order to rehabilitate the 75 schools, of elementary and high- school level, in Tirana the project "Tirana 2 000" will start. This project has a fund of 500 000 dollars, provided by "For Education development" (AEDP) office of Soros foundation" Kapllani said./mima/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Berisha urges prime minister's resignation, calm

"We believe that every crisis cannot be resolved through violence but it needs a political solution," Berisha said on Monday.

He called on protesters to stay calm and avoid acts of violence.

Berisha' appeal comes immediately after today's protests when people irritated about the killing of the deputy Azem Hajdari, protested in front of the Council of Ministry building and Albanian radio television. Weapon confrontations were also reported. /s.s/ak/

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

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