Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-15

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Albanian president sends message to Albanian people

[02] Albania persident meets all coalition political forces

[03] Albanian finance minister resigns

[04] Interior Minister says coup d'etat failed

[05] Special forces engaged in seizing a tank at DP headquarters

[06] Interior Ministry appeals to terrorists to hand in weapons

[07] Albanian government decides to increase wages of order forces

[08] 1.221 Albanians killed in less than eight months in Kosova

[09] Speaker says failed coup d'etat seen by whole world

[10] Serb forces set houses on fire, pound village

[11] Albania enjoys full support for a democratic solution

[12] Democratic Party holds peaceful procession

[13] SP supports Meidani's statement addressed to Albanian people

[14] 4 persons, wounded with gunfire, treated medically

[15] Reppas says Greece does not interfere in Albania's internal affairs

[16] Two tanks keep staying near Democratic Party headquarter

[17] SP supports Meidani's statement addressed to Albanian people

[18] Prodi says Albania's president should find democratic solution

[19] Vlore rally in support of state institutions

[20] Kinkel condemns attempts to topple government through violence

[21] SP says DP should dissociate itself from Berisha and its paramilitary structures

[22] 50 wounded persons in Military Hospital

[23] Prosecutor's office: penal prosecution against armed rebellion

[24] Parliament's Presidency 7 years work looted

[01] Albanian president sends message to Albanian people

"On Sunday I started consultations with the political parties to find a political solution acceptable and fruitful for all Albanians for the present situation. But today some armed groups taking advantage of the funeral of the deputy Azen Hajdari dealt a blow at this process by attacking some state institutions and keeping the capital under terror for some hours," Meidani said.

The funeral of the Democratic deputy Azem Hajdari, who was killed on Saturday by unidentified persons, was organised on Monday during which armed persons attacked institutions looting office equipment, destroying documents and others.

Meidani said that he did not doubt that members and sympathizers of the Democratic Party know how to distinguish pain, revolt and their requests for justice and political solution from vandalism which served only a group on the detriment of all others.

He said that he had cooperated with the political parties and all political forces of the Albanian institutions to restore normality which was and will be a preliminary for efficacious political consultations.

"The international community, institutions present in Albania, numerous friends and partners, condemn violence for political reasons. This has been said in many contacts we have had with presidents and prime ministers of different countries and statements of international organisations, " Meidani said. /mima/ak/

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[02] Albania persident meets all coalition political forces

The political parties of the coalition government are represented by their leaders, while Socialist Party is represented by its Secretary General, Pandeli Majko, the press office at the presidency said.

President Meidani will carry on his attempts to restore institutional normality in Albania. /mima/A.A/

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[03] Albanian finance minister resigns

"For reasons already public i.e. for lack of responsibility on the part of Albanian politics, for lack of ethics and support in cooperation, I have been obliged to present my resignation twice but it has been turned down both in October 1997 and some days earlier," Malaj said in the message.

He said that he together with the staff had worked to establish good finances for Albania. He added that these successes are devoted "to the staff I have worked, to the government, to the understanding of people who accepted them as a solution."

"Every success in finance is not stable if the Albanian political class is not able to understand that the political crises which are not managed well bring about financial crises which are a burden to those people who hope for a better situation, and the successes can die out very soon together with our work," Malaj said.

"At present I will face a difficult personal situation, full of slanders, accusations, plots and false files as well as phone eavesdrop. The Albanian politics has always wanted scapegoat and has always had its victims," he said.

"In no case I would feel myself guilty of being an idealist for my country, in no case I would feel myself guilty of trying to introduce order in finances of my country even when this harms concrete interests, which concocted preposterous charges," he said.

Arben Malaj was appointed minister of Finance in the government of national reconciliation in March '97 and kept his post in the new government founded after the June '97 elections. /agj/ak/

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[04] Interior Minister says coup d'etat failed

The number one of the Albanian Police told the state media after attempts on Monday to usurp state institutions by force of arms.

The funeral of the Democratic deputy, Azem Hajdari, who was killed on Saturday by unidentified persons was organized on Monday. During this ceremony many armed people stormed their way into institutions looting offices, destroying documents of pensions, houses, estates, and so on.

Teta declared that the police were on alert to protect state institutions and properties of citizens.

"Me first and police forces that are on alert are ready to die in defence of the state".

He also said that he had not given permission for a rally of the Democratic Party, scheduled early on Monday.

"I have not given permission for this rally because many terrorist acts, which we themselves saw on Sunday, may happen. /mima/A.A/

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[05] Special forces engaged in seizing a tank at DP headquarters

A ministry's spokesman said to ATA on Tuesday that they expected that special forces undertake an operation to seize it and weapons the terrorist group was holding.

The spokesman said that negotiations held during the night and early in the morning by deputy minister and adviser of the Interior minister with the DP representatives failed.

"The DP leaders refused to persuade terrorists to hand in weapons," he said.

He added that the Ministry of Order had taken all the measures to face this situation. Some 2.000 forces have been deployed at the Ministry of Public Order while 1000 other were on incessant move in Tirana roads. /mima/ak/

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[06] Interior Ministry appeals to terrorists to hand in weapons

Until early in the mourning police have negotiated with the DP representatives to persuade them hand in weapons and draw back from their positions in order to avoid further incidents.

Hoping that the leaders of the opposition will become reasonable, police is waiting for weapons to be handed in. The terrorists have provoked police firing at the direction of the Interior Ministry, but more than provocations these acts show the desperation of criminals who loot others' properties as in Middle Ages.

The Interior Ministry called on the Democratic Party to distance itself from these persons, otherwise the DP would be responsible for all that could happen afterwards.

At the same time the Interior Ministry called on all international bodies operating in Albania to follow the situation near this ministry which on its part was decided to act with all its might to squash armed groups. /mima/A.A/

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[07] Albanian government decides to increase wages of order forces

A spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said to ATA on Tuesday that the government would issue a special decision to increase wages for order forces by 50 to 100 percent.

The Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta had ordered that forces dependent on this ministry would receive 30.000 to 50.000 leks reward for their devotion to the duty. /mima/ak/

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[08] 1.221 Albanians killed in less than eight months in Kosova

There are 99 children, 131 young women and women, 191 elderly people over 55 and 325 unidentified persons among the victims. Other victims are from 18 to 55 years old.

The Council said that the number of victims was higher but so far there were no reports on the fate of missing people and those buried in massive graves.

It has also found out 900 cases when people were missing, kidnapped or taken hostage by the Serb police forces.

The Serb forces have killed over 200 Albanians during August in Kosova, the council said. /mima/ak/

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[09] Speaker says failed coup d'etat seen by whole world

"It was a warned coup d'etat," Gjinushi said to ATA.

He added that "in the last two months the Democratic party (DP) has said that it would topple and take over the power at all costs but these warnings have been cleared on Sunday and Monday."

Gjinushi said that "this coup d'etat was seen by the whole world and Albania while Tirana experienced it."

Considering the attempts for coup d'etat a naive game by the opposition, Gjinushi said that "the DP should separate itself from this clique which tries to put Albania in a chaos and fratricide war."

In the last days the Albanian capital experienced preposterous events resulting from the killing of the Democratic leader Azem Hajdari. Armed crowds calling for government and prime minister's resignation attacked main state institutions and the Albanian television. /mima/ak/

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[10] Serb forces set houses on fire, pound village

Sources from the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) said that Serb police forces supported by 30 tanks, surrounded the village of Sterke today on midday and pounded it. Later they entered the village setting fire on all the remained houses. /mima/A.A/

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[11] Albania enjoys full support for a democratic solution

West senior officials stated this in a meeting on Tuesday with the president of Albania Rexhep Meidani, on their request.

Austrian ambassador Riedel, whose country is holding the presidency of the European Union, told Meidani that organisations and countries they represent backed him in his efforts to exert his authority in order to reach an acceptable political solution.

President Meidani said that the wayout from this situation would be find soon if the opposition representatives would put an end to any kind of idea to resort to violence against state institutions and condemn Monday's criminal acts. /mima/ak/

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[12] Democratic Party holds peaceful procession

Some democrats present at the Democratic Party (DP) headquarters since early in the morning headed for the main square of Tirana at about 11.00. to hold a peaceful procession.

At the end of the procession they headed for the DP headquarters where a rally called in the party leader Sali Berisha was under way.

All streets leading to "Skenderbej" square were full of police forces that had taken all measures to maintain order and law in Tirana. /y.pa/A.A/

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[13] SP supports Meidani's statement addressed to Albanian people

The Secretary for Public relations, Musa Ulqini, says at this meeting they discussed issues which have to do with the situation created in districts, especially in the capital where, according to this party's structures, everything is under control.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party (DP) deputy, Azem Hajdari, who was shot dead on Saturday by unidentified gunmen, was held.

During the ceremony armed men attacked institutions, looting offices' equipment, destroying pensions' documents, houses, properties and other things.

"The leadership, leading committees have gathered and efforts are underway to coordinate performance with the coalition parties, legitimate institutions, and order forces to calm the citizens," says Ulqini.

The SP leadership will make publicly known, through a statement, that it supports the statement of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, addressed to the Albanian people late on Monday.

The SP leadership is also reported to have decided at the emergency meeting that the socialist parliamentary group meet as soon as possible to sketch the political operation to calm down the situation. /mima/lm/

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[14] 4 persons, wounded with gunfire, treated medically

The citizens Astrit Arbana, 20 years old and Sanie Çeliku, 70 years old are medically treated while Bajram Veliu, 30 years old and Ferit Balla, 35 years old are operated, all of them have have been wounded by gunfire.

The same source said that 8 wounded persons are hospitalized and that there is only one case of death.

During the funeral ceremony of Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari, murdered by unidentified persons on Saturday, which took place on Monday, armed men attacked the institutions looting the office equipment and destroying the documents for the pensions, houses and properties ./mima/lola/

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[15] Reppas says Greece does not interfere in Albania's internal affairs

Reppas told a news conference that Greece and its Prime minister are not interfering in Albania's internal affairs and that "we have asked that in these moments of crisis there should be no pronouncements on the part of the Greek policy protagonists which will be taken as an interference in internal affairs."

DP leader Sali Berisha, at a news conference on Tuesday, accused the Greek forces in Albania of coming in aid to the Albanian police.

Referring to a request that the 280 Greek soldiers leave Albania, Reppas said that "the presence of Greek troops in Yzberish is based on the international agreement signed in '97 to stabilise the situation in Albania."

"We believe that their presence is necessary because the soldiers also offer aid for Albania's recovery," said Reppas.

Reppas assessed the current situation in Albania and stressed that "after yesterday's damages and violence, the first necessary step DP leader Sali Berisha ought to make is to dissociate himself from wrongdoers, who exploit the strained situation to realise their aims."

Reppas expressed hope that the situation in Albania will be normalised and the current crisis settled through political means. /mima/lm/

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[16] Two tanks keep staying near Democratic Party headquarter

Two tanks carrying masked armed men wearing keep staying in the street near Democratic Party (DP) headquarter. Besides the police calls to leave the tanks and to hand over the weaponry, the armed men do not move.

Meanwhile the streets connecting DP headquarter with the capital are being patrolled by police forces./mima/lola/

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[17] SP supports Meidani's statement addressed to Albanian people

The Secretary for Public relations, Musa Ulqini, says at this meeting they discussed issues which have to do with the situation created in districts, especially in the capital where, according to this party's structures, everything is under control.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party (DP) deputy, Azem Hajdari, who was shot dead on Saturday by unidentified gunmen, was held.

During the ceremony armed men attacked institutions, looting offices' equipment, destroying documents on pensions, houses, and properties.

"The leadership, leading committees have gathered and efforts are underway to coordinate performance with the coalition parties, legitimate institutions, and order forces to calm the citizens," says Ulqini.

The SP leadership will make publicly known, through a statement, that it supports the statement of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, addressed to the Albanian people late on Monday.

The SP leadership is also reported to have decided at the emergency meeting that the socialist parliamentary group meet as soon as possible to sketch the political operation to calm down the situation. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Prodi says Albania's president should find democratic solution

"It is the duty of the President of the Republic of Albania, as the highest representative of national unity, to find a solution to the crisis, through consultations with all the country's political leaders, which can secure the settlement of the crisis and return Albania back to the road of development, based on peace, democracy, and national understanding," the release says.

According to the above source, Prodi, since Sunday, when the country seemed to be subjected to a total anarchy, has had several telephone conversations with Italian ambassador in Tirana Spatafora as well as Albania's government head Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, U.S. ambassador Marisa Lino, the ambassador of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Tirana, Daan Everts, and the leader of the Democratic Party (DP opposition) Sali Berisha.

Prodi has called on all political factors in Albania to put an end to any violent act, from all sides.

"The international community will be unbending in its judgement of the actions of whoever allowed or provoked the use of violence," the release says.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari, who was killed by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, was held on Monday.

During the funeral gunmen attacked institutions looting offices equipment, destroying documents on pensions, houses, properties.

Democrat leader Sali Berisha has asked the resignation of Prime Minister Fatos Nano, whom he blames for Hajdari's murder.

A message President Meidani addressed to the Albanian people on Monday says among other things that the democratic future of Albania cannot be achieved through "coup" type occupation of institutions." /mima/lm/

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[19] Vlore rally in support of state institutions

Thousands of people from Vlore (south of Albania) rallied on Tuesday, in "Flamurit" square in support of the state institutions.

Representatives from local government decided the rally to take place in the Palace of Sport of the town.

Mourning mothers, who lost their sons in last year's tragic events, headed the participants and once again expressed their indignation towards Democratic Party leader (DP in opposition), Sali Berisha whom they defined as "Albanian's chief criminal."

The rally was greeted by the leader of Socialist Party (SP) for Vlore, Niko Veizi, the chairman of the town council, Medin Xhelili, the mayor, Neki Dredha, the socialist deputy Luiza Hoxha, who condemned the ways the opposition used to come to power through violence.

The rally also condemned the local Democratic Party leaders who went to Tirana backing the violation of the state institutions.

During Monday's funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari, murdered by unidentified persons on Saturday, gunmen attacked the institutions looting office equipment and destroying the documents on pensions, houses and properties.

Representatives from Organisation for Cooperation and Security of Europe (OSCE), who were also present, evaluated the calm the rally took place.

Vlore was the center of Feb.-March '97 riots which spread over south of Albania after the demise of pyramid schemes, where the Albanians lost their savings. These riots ousted the democratic government of the ex- president Sali Berisha. /mima/lola/

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[20] Kinkel condemns attempts to topple government through violence

"The anti-government protestors should immediately lay down their weapons and give up further violence and threats. The current conflict can be settled only through talks based on the constitutional order. We support president Meidani in his efforts to resolve the conflict," said kinkel.

He said that there is an acute danger that the success of efforts over the last year to achieve stability in the country will be carelessly gambled away by the violent behavior of rebels and the whole country will - as in spring 1997 - slide into chaos and anarchy."

"The international community is prepared to help mediate to end the conflict if it escalates further. In this regard we are holding talks with our partners of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO. The fateful events of spring 1997 must not be allowed to be repeated," said Kinkel.

He has also spoken of the creation, at his own initiative, of a crisis headquarters to monitor the situation in Tirana through constant contact with the Austrian presidency of the European Union (EU), to establish close cooperation and agreement on all matters concerning Albania. /mima/lm/

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[21] SP says DP should dissociate itself from Berisha and its paramilitary structures

"Monday's developments showed that the funeral of deputy Hajdari was used to destabilise the country and serve the political interest of Berisha, " the SP says in a press release.

His militants, exploiting the funeral ceremony of Hajdari, seized through the force of arms the most important state institutions, Parliament, Prime Minister's Office and Albanian Radio Television, terrorizing for hours the people of the capital who distanced themselves from the coup and supported the legitimate institutions emerging from the free vote, the release says.

Through this release, the SP leadership backs all the correct and firm stands of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, in defence of the constitutional order, evaluates the stands of the U.S., OSCE, EU, Council of Europe and other states in support of the legitimate institutions of the Albanian state and praises the restraint and determination shown by the country's structures.

The SP has also called on the reasonable part of the DP to act with civil courage in the interest of the country and genuine democracy and dissociate itself from Berisha and its paramilitary structures, starting the indispensable reformation process as a major political force of the Albanian opposition. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] 50 wounded persons in Military Hospital

"Some of the gun wounded persons received the first aid, while the rest, being in bad conditions, are still under medical treatment," Mastori said.

There is also a small number of policemen with different wounds in traumatology unit.

Two civilians were brought dead to the hospital, said Mastori. They are not identified and today they are sent to the morgue of the hospital.

"The situation in the hospital is under full control of military police, who sent today other forces./mima/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Prosecutor's office: penal prosecution against armed rebellion

The investigations are intensively being carried out by several groups of prosecutors and judicial police officers of the Tirana city.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari, who was killed by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, was held on Monday.

During the funeral gunmen attacked institutions looting offices equipment, destroying documents on pensions, houses, properties. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Parliament's Presidency 7 years work looted

All the offices and conference halls are out of use, not fit for normal work. It is destroyed all the computer system,the archive, the documentation on legislation, press office, research work office and the library," Skender Duka the spokesman of the parliament told ATA.

"What concerns us more it is not the loot of the equipment, but the loss of the discs having the 7 years work of this institution," he added.

During Monday's funeral ceremony of Democratic Party deputy, Azem Hajdari murdered by gunfire on Saturday, a group of armed men attacked Prime Minister's Office, Parliament's Presidency building and other state institutions./dast/lola/

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