Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Greece denies interference in Albania's internal affairs

[02] Special envoy of European Union for Albania named

[03] Albania government strongly protests against violence in Kosova

[04] Police kill three, injured four gunmen

[05] DAP supports allies of government coalition

[06] Influx of passengers in navigation companies in Durres

[07] Secondary school "Honoured Cross" inaugurated in Gjirokaster - sponsorship by Albanian Orthodox Autochephalous Church -

[08] Ship "Lucky Mar" leaves secretly the Durres sea port but seized again

[09] Looters have preferred industrial goods and not food articles during Tirane recent unrest

[10] Albanian Finance Minister Malaj demands his personal assets be controlled

[11] Foreign investments to continue, funds signed

[12] My appeal is to ease tension, to respect laws, to restore normality and see forward

[13] Italian company "Cosmar" wins tender for reconstruction of Durres terminal

[14] EU committed to actively help solving present crisis in Albania - Grubmayr

[15] Six people arrested in police roadchecks in Tirane

[16] Albanian government says any delay limits possibilities for a political solution

[17] Yugoslav and Bosnian citizens of Albanian nationality arrested

[18]

[19] Serb forces burning Albanian villages near Stanterg

[20] Parliament to discuss Berisha's parliamentary immunity on Friday

[21] Grave situation in Vushtrri

[22] Meidani: We should show restraint to find better solution

[23] Dentist service store looted

[24] ATA has nothing to do with false news on DP leader's accident; the news has entered in internet from another source

[01] Greece denies interference in Albania's internal affairs

"Our presence in Albania is the result of international initiatives after the last crisis in Albania. We have a military presence there the largest part of which includes military specialists and we believe that their experience will be a modest contribution to the reconstruction of this friendly country," said Dimitris Reppas, a spokesman of the Greek government and minister of press and media.

As regards the latest developments in Albania, Reppas said that "all countries, based on their reasons, are interested in developments in Albania, but it is Albania's leadership which should resolve the problems concerning it and threatening stability and order in Albania." /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Special envoy of European Union for Albania named

Ambassador Brubmayer was last year adviser of the OSCE special envoy for Albania, Austrian former chancellor Franz Vranitzky.

The European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the West European Union, through a joint communique issued in Vienna, condemned Tuesday evening the acts of violence at the beginning of this week in Albania. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albania government strongly protests against violence in Kosova

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the deep concern of the Albanian government for the ongoing Serb military aggression against the Albanian civil population in Kosova, the statement said.

"It is very clear now that the goal of Belgrade circles is to return Kosova in an emptied and deserted land to carry out plans for an ethnic cleansing. The Albanian government strongly called on international public opinion, bodies and chancelleries, United States, European Union, NATO, on the basis of many conclusions and decisions, to undertake urgent measures needed in the present conditions," the statement of the ministry's press office said.

"The Albanian government is also concerned on the latest actions by the Montenegrin authorities against Kosova refugees who have become the target of Serb persecutors. They have been refused hospitality and left in the mercy of the fate. Such actions run contrary to the juridical and moral norms which should be obeyed by every government which calls itself democratic," the statement said. /dast/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Police kill three, injured four gunmen

A spokesman of the Public Order Ministry said to ATA on Thursday that a group of 80 people armed with automatic rifles, machine-guns, antitank and grenades, attacked on Wednesday at 22.10. p.m. the police commissariat in Lezha from all directions.

Police forces which were on alert in the commissariat building responded to the fire of the armed group which lasted 40 minutes.

Preliminary reports say that police forces suffered no casualties while three were killed and four wounded among gunmen, the spokesman said. He added that some 20 persons from the armed group were from Shkodra and its surroundings, persons who had taken part in torching institutions in city of Shkodra in February '98 and the rest from suburbs of Lezha and Laç cities. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DAP supports allies of government coalition

"The Socialist Party is motivated, its leadership is motivated and the socialist partners are resolute to create a government which the people will accept," explained Ceka.

The question of reformulating and reformating the government has been laid by the Socialist Party as well as by the coalition parties before destabilization started in the recent days in Albania.

According to Ceka, "even if what happened had not occurred, the reshuffles would have been made," adding that "the crisis caused in Albania in the recent days was a result of the bad-governing." "Especially the defects in the fight against corruption, the failure to establish the state and order," underlined Ceka, "were the possibilities which led to a destabilization of the situation."

Referring to the turmoil of the recent days, Ceka said that "law must act on both sides." There must be no illusions that "only the coup d'etat will be punished." "Also the other aspect will be treated, that related with the weakness of the state and those who bear the responsibility for the weakness of this state, for the failure to construct a state that would defend the life, the property and the peace of the citizens." /Y.pa/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Influx of passengers in navigation companies in Durres

"There is normal work in the navigation company, Taulantia which goes to Bari, Ancona and Trieste," sources from this agency say. But differently from other days, the influx of passengers travelling by these companies' ferry boats is greater."

Also La Vikinga sea company continues its itineraries according to the set time table. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Secondary school "Honoured Cross" inaugurated in Gjirokaster - sponsorship by Albanian Orthodox Autochephalous Church -

The 50 pupils of the school, of various beliefs and regions of Albania, have been accommodated in two characteristic Gjirokastra buildings, adopted into school premises with 20 classrooms, bedrooms and study rooms, where pupils learn and are accommodated free of charge during all the teaching process.

The program of the secondary general education, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Science, is taught in two languages, in Albanian and Greek, while English is taught as a second foreign language.

After wishing the pupils a good school year, Prof. Dr. Anastas said that the establishment of the school is "a message that the Orthodox Autochephalous Church of Albania gives for the time and the country." He stressed that this Church will soon open a university in Albania.

The Greek consul in Gjirokaster also addressed those present in the inauguration ceremony. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Ship "Lucky Mar" leaves secretly the Durres sea port but seized again

The spokesman of the Police Department of the Prefecture of Durres told ATA that at 02.15 a.m. on Thursday the Lucky Mar left secretly Durres sea port but it was stopped by Albanian border forces and two vehicles of Guardia di Finanza. After two hours of search, the ship was recovered 24 miles from the Albanian shore and was accompanied to the port of Durres.

Police are investigating into the event. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Looters have preferred industrial goods and not food articles during Tirane recent unrest

In the past two days, as a result of the turmoil in Tirane, the shops worked part time. Many shops in main streets, that of Durres, Kavaje etc., closed at noon yesterday, while today they opened early in the morning and continued work normally.

Owners of many shops in Tirane have taken measures to protect their shops themselves.

The Tirane market supply with various food products, fruits and vegetables has been normal. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian Finance Minister Malaj demands his personal assets be controlled

This demand came in response to direct charges against Malaj according to which, he has profited illegally considerable amounts of money.

Minister Malaj explains that he made his demand feeling it as a moral and legal obligation towards the public and political opinion to certify that his assets are legally made and conformed to the legal declaration for his personal assets. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Foreign investments to continue, funds signed

"Funds are available for the construction of road segments north- south and east-west," Apostoli said.

Minister Apostoli, whose ministry has the largest part of investment funds financed by foreign donors, explained media how the fund worth Ecu 170 million was being used for the main road axis.

"Some Ecu 21 million are allocated for the Durres-Rrogozhina highway while Ecu 20 million for Rrogozhine-Elbasan highway and other Ecu 6 million for Milot-Lezhe," Apostoli said.

Works in the Durres-Rrogozhine axis are being carried out by Sarandopulos-Falcione, in Rrogozhine-Elbasan axis by BE-HA-SE and Milot- Lezhe by Falcione.

"A tender was organised for the automobile segment Librazhd-Qukes which was estimated at Ecu 13 million. Now we are going to sign the contract with the foreign constructive companies," he said.

Other investments are those for the Durres-Sukth highway worth Ecu 23 million. The winning company "Ruscollo" and "Italstrade will construct the road segment Sukth-Vore estimated at Ecu 14 million while some Ecu 20 million will be invested for the Rrogozhine-Lushnje highway.

"We are ready to start the works for the part of the Fush-Kruje - Mamurras highway for which some Ecu 3.2 million are allocated, Apostoli said.

Apostoli rejected slanders on the suspension of investment funds for Albania. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] My appeal is to ease tension, to respect laws, to restore normality and see forward

TIRANE, Sept.17 (ata) - ATA reporter, Irena Luto asked today the pronunciation of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani for the latest events in Albania.

In response to this question, the political adviser of the President, Prec Zogaj, told ATA:

In addition to phone talks with presidents and prime ministers of various countries of Europe and with representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations in Tirane, Albanian President has also had intensive contacts in the past two days with representatives of political parties, organizations of civil society, the central and local governments, the Albanian public opinion, with various intellectuals and others.

They have expressed to the President their full support for his determination to overcome the situations created being loyal to the constitutional law and the values of democracy. In these meetings, President Meidani has highlighted the irreplaceable role of the sound people's opinion to be self-restrained and to quickly restore the normality in the country.

Further on, Mr Zogaj explained some of the valuations and stands of the President during these meetings.

"The difficult situation in the past days is improving slowly thanks to the legal and civic devotion of the soundest state structures and due to the wisdom of the people who knew to distinguish the border between freedom and anarchy.

The more the time passes, the more absurd the tragic and shameful events of September 14 seem.

The attempts to destabilize Albania are a constant of the anti- Albanian circles. Not rarely, these attempts tend to be realised by exploiting the inner problems of the country and the commitment of the people to manifest legitimately their convictions and demands. There have been signals of possible unrest in Tirane during September, both to divert the attention of the international community from the tragedy of Kosove, and to compromise the constitutional process. But nobody was able to imagine that these could be infiltrated through the funeral ceremony of a deputy, by exploiting the sincere grief of the people for the late and even the natural opposition sense of a part of the population for the governing.

The armed groups in the crowd were put consciously or unconsciously in service of the ominous goal to subdue and eliminate the Albanian state and its legal structures.

When we speak of these things, which have also been abused by the monist state in the past, there are people who think that a hypothetical rhetoric is being made. But the truth is that there are anti-Albanian circles which keep working, in the context of the open society, for an unstable Albania and with problems for the international community.

By admitting this, I know I am not saying anything new. It does not depend on us to choose these realities. But it is our duty to overcome and prevent together their rather negative effects for the country. Here the wisdom of the rank and file people must come to the fore, who, by exerting their freedoms and rights conformed to the constitutional law, should not not allow that their presence on streets and squares be exploited for illegal, unconstitutional and anti-national goals. I invite Albanian citizens to be very careful in this point. Let us manifest freely our opinions, convictions and sentiments. But let us make care that nobody abuses these sacred and invulnerable freedoms. The guide for everyone must be the law and only the law of the Republic of Albania.

Various dissatisfactions for the way of governing can never be an alibi and excuse to violate institutions and less so to occupy state bodies through weapons. The Republic of Albania is undivided and one from Vermosh to Konispol. The state power is an attribute of the sovereign people and nobody can take the power or use it without having the people's vote of confidence. Any other road only runs counter to democracy and the people.

Existence of different convictions and valuations is the most normal thing in democracy. The freedom of their expression is guaranteed by law. The democratic means and environment to have this freedom exists, it is the parliament, numerous public and private medias, papers and radios and television channels of every orientation, are the peaceful demonstrations, political round table discussions and other ways.

Tragic events of September 14 blocked, temporarily, the process of consultations between political parties to find better solutions which will help strengthen government, order, state and the further development of values of democracy in general. I am constantly convinced that conditions should be created as soon as possible to resume and finalise this process.

Violence against institutions and intentions to occupy the power by use of force, which were verified on September 14, deserve to be analysed and considered with calm and determination according to our laws which are in conformity with the European standards.

I invite all political parties to condemn and distance themselves clearly from violence and its authors. This should necessarily be done.

I invite all political parties to give a full political support to the order forces.

I invite the Democratic party, its leadership in all levels, to use their will and influence in handing over weapons, to distance themselves from armed people, for the latter be disarmed and returned to their houses, parents and be engaged in normal life differently.

I invite the coalition parties and their representatives in the government to carry out correctly and determinably the legal duties and avoid any form of verbal arrogance.

Even in these moments the parties of the whole specter and especially the parties which head the majority and opposition should find ways of communication and language of understanding in order to resolve problems. Tragic events, as I said, deserve to be considered according to laws, but they cannot serve to sacrifice dialogue, naturally without violating the law.

I appeal to all to ease tension, respect laws, pervade in wisdom, return to normality and go ahead.

Based on this and totally overcoming the consequences and any reminiscence of the events of September 14 I would like to resume negotiations to give the best responses to the problems Albania was facing.

Our respected partners of the international community, who have been closer than ever on these days, are ready to help with their democratic culture, with their benevolent presence the fragile democracy and the extremely exhausted Albanian people to overcome this depressive situation organised by irresponsible people." /xh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Italian company "Cosmar" wins tender for reconstruction of Durres terminal

On September 20 the Italian company will begin its work in the seaport, told ATA, Zamir Ramadani, the deputy director of the seaport. An international open tender for the project financed by European Council (EC) to rehabilitate the terminal of the ferry boat of Durres seaport, as the main port of the 8-th corridor, was organized not a long time ago. The winner of this tender which was monitored by EC, was the Italian company "Cosmar".

The investment has the total sum of 6.8 million ECU and its main aim is the modernization of the port according to program of World Bank and other financial bodies that have given for this aim a total sum of 34 million dollars.

For the normal going of the work in the terminal a graphic is being designed in order not to prevent the work in the existing terminal./A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] EU committed to actively help solving present crisis in Albania - Grubmayr

According to the President's press and information office, Ambassador Grubmayr voiced the commitment of the European Union to actively help solving the present crisis in Albania and offered continuous assistance for the economic and institutional recovery of Albania.

Grubmayr, Everts and Riedel asked the opinion of President Meidani about the recent developments in the country and the further steps for the creation of the conditions for a political and institutional normality in Albania.

President Meidani said that the country's political forces should bear responsibility and reflect calmly and constructively to find an acceptable solution in the created conditions. He demanded once more from political parties to denounce the acts of violence and armed usurping of the state institutions as an indispensability for their responsibility before local and foreign public opinions.

Those present in the meeting noticed that during this year, there have been constant acts of destabilization in the country and every further act in this direction seeks to instigate a lack of stability in the entire region.

President Meidani asked from western chancellories not to shift for any moment their attention from the events in Kosove because the Serb violence and the negative tendency of the situation there is a very active element for the destabilization of the situation in the whole region. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Six people arrested in police roadchecks in Tirane

During the controls, 50 people were accompanied to police stations for verification, five of whom were detained for illegal possession of arms, and one of them, besides this charge, was also accused of active participation with weapons in violating the state institutions last Monday.

Two of the detainees, Rexhep Sallari and Aizer Cibaku, are the first Bosnian and the second Yugoslav of Albanian origin, the spokesman explained.

During controls of some people and in vehicles, shops and bars in Tirane, police blocked 4 kallashnikovs, 4 pistols, 2 military telephone sets and one light machine gun. Police have patrolled also the suburbs of Tirane. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albanian government says any delay limits possibilities for a political solution

Amid maximum efforts for self-restraint and coordinated actions among all Albanian state legitimate institutions to finally neutralise through legal means all elements involved in the attempted coup d'etat, Sali Berisha as well as his armed staff in the Democratic party headquarters stick to their absurd road of self-destruction, inciting the ongoing arrival in Tirana of individuals and different criminal groups and organising terrorist actions against legitimate state institutions.

Such action, totally crushed by order forces, was undertaken last night against the police station in Lezha claiming the lives of three criminals and wounding some others.

These desperate efforts to keep alive the spirit of a coup d'etat by Sali Berisha and terrorist elements who replied to his irresponsible calls, do nothing but harm the position of the Democratic party leadership which has not yet distanced itself from the armed violence.

In face of this reality, the respective structures of the Albanian state will not hesitate in any case to act without mercy either by eliminating through the force of law whoever tries to violate public order by using arms or neutralising the already identified hot spots of criminals who continue to blindly support the plotter of the coup d'etat.

Neither Sali Berisha nor anyone else should think that they might escape without consequences if they continue to trust in the force of arms refusing to respond to the firm call by the Albanian government and the international community to give up plans or destabilising actions and hand over all the military arsenals at their disposal either in the Democratic party headquarters or in other hot spots of their desperate anti institutional war in the capital or elsewhere.

Reiterating that time is short and every passing minute limits the possibility for a solution to the political crisis sparked by an absurd war staff of Sali Berisha, the Albanian government reconfirms its will to eliminate without warning any individual or group of individuals who would dare raise his hand against public order or any other who, wherever, though armed, tries to hide himself, will not subject to public order forces unconditionally surrender. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Yugoslav and Bosnian citizens of Albanian nationality arrested

The police arrested Bosnian citizen Rexhep Sallari, 36, and Jugoslav citizen Aizer Cibaku, 39, a former convict, both residents in Tirana, at around 21.30, the spokesman said.

"The two were in illegal possession of arms at the moment they were arrested at "Sallari" bar," the spokesman added.

"Cibaku took part in the violent acts against state institutions on Monday."

The facts gathered were submitted to the prosecutor's office.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party lawmaker, 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/lola/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18]

"Forces of the military police have also been put at the disposal of the Ministry of Order. The police morale is very high but it is your turn now to take the situation in your hands," Teta told parliament in a question and answer session.

Various deputies, who spoke later, asked the immediate stabilisation of order and neutralisation of elements who seek to violently topple the state's legitimate institutions.

Socialist deputy Dritero Agolli said "we should not be euphoric, because in the DP headquarters there are still armed people, who at any moment might attack the state again."

Parliament called on the Ministry of Public Order to constantly inform the legislative on the situation.

The funeral ceremony of the Democratic Party lawmaker, 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

[19] Serb forces burning Albanian villages near Stanterg

Serbian infantry special forces have entered several villages and are looting and setting fire to Albanians' houses, while many other villages continue to be shelled.

Sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) and of Council for the Defence of Human Rights in Mitrovice says that the villages of Vidishiq, with 78 houses and Zaberxha, with 35 houses, as well as their schools have been burnt down.

Also 80 out of 100 houses have been torched in Melenice and 13 in a quarter of Maxhere village.

Sources from the area say that several Albanians have been burnt inside their homes and at least 13 Albanians are reported injured.

Early in the morning the Serb forces carried on shelling the Bare village.

Meanwhile, the suburbs of Mitrovice, Vushtri and Podujeve continue to be under siege, and more than 50 000 inhabitants have been displaced from the attacked regions of Shale and other suburbs of these communes bringing the number of the war refugees in Kosova to nearly half a million. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Parliament to discuss Berisha's parliamentary immunity on Friday

"After hearing the arguments brought forth by Attorney General Arben Rakipi, we decided that deputy Sali Berisha should be legally responsible for the violent events taking place in Tirana.

And, as Berisha's activity poses a high social danger we suggest to parliament to lift his immunity and help the Prosecutor's Office to start legal proceedings against him," said Spartak Braho, head of the commission.

The request of the Prosecutor General says that "lawmaker Berisha is charged with organising the armed uprising against the Albanian state institutions, a penal act envisaged in article 221 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, as to the request of the Prosecutor's office that parliament also expresses itself on the arrest order, the commission decided that this is not in the power of the legislative to decide but only of the justice bodies.

Parliament will examine the request of this commission at its plenary session on Friday.

The commission today also discussed the request of the General Prosecutor's office to lift the immunity of DP parliamentarians Vili Minarolli, Pjeter Arbnori, Shaban Memia, Jemin Gjana and Leonard Demi.

It decided that this request be referred back to the Prosecutor's office, under the motivation that the charges should be presented individually. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Grave situation in Vushtrri

Inhabitants of Posome, Terllabuç, Bajske, Sllatine and Smerkonice villages have left their homes and several people, among whom a woman, are reported to have been injured, the Kosova Information Center (KIC) says.

Some tens of thousands of refugees from Central Kosova have settled in Vushtrri and Mitrovice. Some 5000 Albanians have left the villages of the Vushtrri commune during the last 48 hours.

The situation in Vushtrri town is very tense, says KIC, adding that 35 000 persons from Drenice have already settled in Vushtrri. /P.Ta/lola/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Meidani: We should show restraint to find better solution

The Albanian president told reporters on Thursday afternoon that he had just have an ordinary working meeting with the ambassadors of the EU and the U.S., with whom he had discussed the recent situation in Albania.

"We discussed the situation and its return to normality," said Meidani, without giving further details.

Daan Everts, the OSCE ambassador in Tirana, present at the meeting, also said that self-restraint should be shown and that the International community should provide its own assistance in overcoming the latest difficult situation. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Dentist service store looted

Edmond Baze, chief of Dental Service Department, says that dental instruments and materials looted from the store is estimated worth of 700 thousand leks but the quantity remained guarantees the start of dental service at schools.

Public Service Department has taken the measures to supply the dental service at schools in order to ensure the continuity of the work.

The police has identified the looters and is tracking them down, the spokesman says./s.s./lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] ATA has nothing to do with false news on DP leader's accident; the news has entered in internet from another source

TIRANA, Sept 17 (ATA)-The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), after a false news was issued under its name on September 13, made public as the news on "car accident of the DP leader", has asked the ALBANEWS manager in the United States (where the said news is received from) to contribute to the discovery of the point in which the piracy of information is carried out.

"It quite clear that the news has been inserted in the internet by a hand outside the ATA...We do not think it is impossible to find the hand which has inserted this false and perverse news in the network. Maybe, you, too, can give your contribution in this direction."

This was ATA's recent request to ALBANEWS service.

Today, the director of ATA Technical Department, Mr. Bardhyl Vila, received a response in which the ALBANEWS manager, Mr. Cama, says that the false messages that have entered in the ALBANEWS have their source from the U.S. University in Bulgaria. I found this after several examinations.

Also, the computer is much likely to be found in some laboratory and it will be difficult to find the person who has sent the falsified messages. There are many Albanian students in this university and anyone can do such thing."

The false news has been inserted in the Internet in a piratic way under ATA's name, also copying several initials of names of reporters of this agency, on September 13, just one day before the coup d'etat was staged in Tirana.

This gave rise to alarm, with several lawmakers and newspaper editors close to Berisha severely accusing ATA of releasing this news.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency, in its efforts to find out the author of the news has also sent a request to the Parliament's Media Commission. The above testimony has once again made clear the fact that the news did not come from ATA. /dast/lm/

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