Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Message of Albania's President Rexhep Meidani to People's Assembly

[02] Co-chairmen of Constitutional Commision ask DP to call parties' meeting

[03] Armed people block national road near Lazarat village

[04] SOROS foundation finances 13 projects in education

[05] Selling of revenue stamps increases revenues in state budget

[06] Best-sellers for this week in Albania

[07] Gjirokaster-Kakavije road (south of Albania) unblocked

[08] A grenade explodes on trailer of a tractor in Qyqavice

[09] Albanian Institute of Monuments of Culture preparing a monograph for iconographer Qiprioti

[10] Medical centres to be reconstructed in Cerrik and Maliq

[11] All political forces who violate the rules of democratic behaviour must be isolated nationally and internationally

[12] International meeting of official women of finance sector in U.S

[13] Massive executions of Albanians in Qyqavice region

[14] First InterBalkan Multinational Peacekeeping Brigade to be set up

[15] "Festival '98" - Zhani Ciko, again head of artistic board

[16] Some 6 regional laboratories to examine bacteria

[17] One-month prison arrest for former police chief

[18] Seven killed, 70 wounded in Verbofc

[19] Meidani meets Italian DP (left) chief for Foreign Relations

[20] Football: 4-th week of 60th national championship

[21] Albanian Writers and Artists League condemns attack on Sabri Hamiti

[22] President Meidani addresses letter to President Clinton

[01] Message of Albania's President Rexhep Meidani to People's Assembly

"The interests of the people, the nation should be the only point of reference for the acts of the policy, and if this is forgotten, the politics would be lost in the jungle of partial interests, while the country's fates would remain in a vicious circle of arbitraries," says the message of President Meidani.

Mr Meidani considers the recent events a strong blow for Albania. "They cost people's lives, great material values were ruined, but above all the image of the country was shaken through the atavistic schemes of violence against institutions and with the revival of the so-called 'problematic Albania' for the international community," writes the message.

Meidani considers the latest events a heavy blow to Albania. "Several lives were lost and huge material values were destroyed, but, above all, the image of the country was shaken with atavistic schemes of violence against institutions and the recurrence of the so-called 'problematic Albania' for the international community," the message goes on.

President Meidani says that the Albanian state is determined to follow the road of democracy. He stresses that "democracy is stronger than the weapons" and that "parliament's laws, confirmed with the standards of the Council of Europe, should be respected to the end."

In his message Meidani repeats the question he put right after lawmaker Azem Hajdari was killed: "Who were those enemies to peace and stability that caused such an evil thing?" He also points to his first steps to make the parties sit at a table, to avoid infiltration of acts of violence and possible anti-democratic and anti-national aims amid pain and indignation at the attack.

"The latest events should make us all think of correction and self- correction, of efficient actions for a new, short and middle-term perspective, free of passions and emotions of the moment, to find sure ways for democratic progress," the message writes.

After stressing that the failure of the armed challenge testified to the vital importance of independence and separation of powers, Meidani said that the work began to create and consolidate the state, despite difficulties and short time, has yielded the first positive results.

"But the latest events brought to light, along with the high cost of losses and destructions, the known malady of the conflicting policy with all its aftermath as regards organised and ordinary crimes, such as in some cases it is difficult to clearly distinguish whether these kinds of policies encourage crime, or crime has taken them hostage, writes the message.

Meidani evaluated the assistance provided for Albania over the last seven years, especially in 1997, by the most powerful organisations of the International Community.

"But I might say that the outbreak of the violent acts was beyond any prediction and also challenged in some way the efforts of our international partners for stability and political and social-economic development of Albania.

I state this to draw your attention on the important fact that Albania's destabilisation at proportions of those we experienced, is and cannot be solely product of our political and social malady, but also of other factors that have to do with balances and imbalances of broader interests in this part of the region, as well as with the the effect of old policies which seek to preserve the statuesque of Balkan injustices by sabotaging the Europeanization course of the the peninsula and by aiming to make the national cause of the Albanians vulnerable.

In contrast with these aims, our policy, the Albanian policy, with its vices, its sense of pride, its egoism creates consciously or unconsciously the space, for what the people has expressed in the proverb "to fish in troubled waters".

President Meidani called on deputies and all political forces to join a strategy of national security which would besides others imply adoption of some measures and definition of some medium and long term objectives which would guarantee a stable democratic normality. He also expressed some views on these cardinal issues.

As regards Albania's national security, Meidani said that "Albania's safe present and future has one name: the West" and that the basic criterion to assess patriotism, skill and devotion of everyone is the contribution to get Albania closer to NATO and the European Union and to be included as full members in these structures in a nearer future.

"This integration implies Albania's political, institutional stability. Instable countries are assisted but not integrated. Therefore, any action or stand which is against this course is at the detriment of the Albanian people, their future," the Albanian president said, adding that "the partnership and integrating process do not resolve 'deus ex machina' the stability issue.

In his message, Meidani said that the strategy of Albania's security whose priority goal is to defend the Albanian sovereign and independent state should be based on other exclusively civil goals. Among these he ranked the consolidation of democratic institutions, development of a civilian society based on respect of law, guarantee of fundamental individual human rights and liberties, defence and promotion of Albania's interests with political, juridical, diplomatic, economic, social forms and means and others, protection of national identity of Albanians who live abroad and support through political and diplomatic means the legal requests of the Albanian people of Kosova.

"Meanwhile, we should recognise the factors which threaten stability and national security of Albania. These are external and internal factors," president Meidani said.

Among "external" factors which can threaten Albania's security, president Meidani mentioned:

1. Extension of the network of extremist and terrorist activities and organised crime which directly or secretly act behind other so-called legal activities which aim at turning Albania into a drill-ground and trafficking corridor.

Regional and sub-regional conflicts which can provoke chaos, dissolution and anarchy through different ways.

2. External support to groups which can operate in Albania's territory to undermine sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence of the Albanian state or its democratic institutions to create extra or supplementary crisis spots.

3. Limiting the presence of the Albanian state in some vital resources for the population and economy.

Among internal factors which can threaten Albania's security, Meidani mentioned:

1. Presence of corruption and economic-financial abuses and other criminal phenomena of this sphere which can endanger the functioning of fundamental state institutions.

2. Amplifying such actions which can lead to a crisis in structures and national wide governing authorities.

3. Extreme demonstrations which affect democratic institutions and constitutional order.

4. Political polarisation based on egoism and unrestrained thirst for power, self-judging performances or political revenge through illegal means and that of the power.

5. Lack of great economic and financial balances.

6. Degradation of living conditions until the poverty level, a phenomenon which affects biological and health potential of the population but increased due to the non-studied demographic movements.

President Meidani considered these factors "potential but not at all hypothetical" and said that when they were not neutralised they could bring about a tragedy in a country.

"This, for us, is not any more supposition, but an experience," he added. "Such a thing is true: no side confronts these risks. It is only Albania," president Meidani said.

Referring to a short term plan to overcome as soon as possible the events we experienced, Meidani urged a maximum engagement by special forces and any institution, in honour of the name and memory of the people's deputy Azem Hajdari, to uncover the truth on his killing.

President Meidani also proposed the parliamentary groups and parties as well as all the Albanian political specter: 1. a pact on public order and disarmament to express their solemn engagement, accompanied by concrete actions on the ground and media, to back police forces against crime and their efforts for disarmament in cooperation with the United Nations specialised structures which have prepared and are financing the logistics of this mission.

2. changes in structures and governing policy of coalition government with the possibility to extend it.

3. participation of all parliamentary groups in parliamentary proceedings, resuming of initiatives to launch constitutional dialogue and finalise this process with the widest consensus possible.

4. bilateral and multilateral political agreements to minimise temporarily rallies in the open until normal conditions are established.

5. approval of constitution by parliament and referendum and modern concept for governing policy and its restructuring following the approval, including also other variants and solutions.

President said that party, bipartite, multipartite, institutional and public opinion analysis would have been very useful and necessary to confront written programs and charters with the concrete activity of any institution, party or organisation.

"If written programs and texts are kept in drawers or archives, nothing is going on well," he said.

As regards the politics, president Meidani said that it was vital that the logic of dialogue includes finally the logic of confrontation, exception, provocation and capital political sentences of "either me, or he- type".

"People cooperate and co-habit normally despite affiliations. They urge parties to do so, but the latter failed to respond to. Albanians can hardly see political confrontation on different proposals, different programs, different visions. Political parties leave aside issues related to politics of international road axes, construction, agriculture, natural resources, environment and others," president said calling on political parties and organisations to rise upon this reality and come closer and cooperate on cardinal issues related to security and stability of Albania.

"The model already exists, it is that of the coexistence of religious communities which are very positive factors in the development of the civil society," Meidani said.

President Meidani presented the need for a strategy of development through recognition and operation of key natural resources of the national economy when Albania is opening as well as the introduction of an economic- financial modern system based on a market economy.

He said:

The social field needs guarantee of a considerable living standard for all the citizens of Albania, consolidation of the strata of small and medium entrepreneurs and fight against poverty and extreme social distinctions.

The cultural and education field needs development of a temporary education system through public and private schools, protection and development of national cultural heritage, extension of cultural links with the world and others.

The national security and public order urges reinforcement of institutional chain of action (Ministry of Public Order, Information Service, Justice) against corruption, organised crime, guarantee and protection of fundamental human rights and liberties, safety of citizens, public and private property, guarantee of democratic control on institutions operating in the field of national security and public order and others.

The national defence needs the consolidation of national army, its modernisation through ongoing reforms and training programs in the framework of Partnership for Peace, gradual integration of Albanian military forces in NATO.

The national issue and relations with Albanians abroad urges promotion of unified attitudes based on parliament for national issues in general and the Kosova issue in particular, coordination of the executive work to safeguard national identity of Albanians abroad and others.

The international relations urges guarantee and respect of international treaties and conventions of the United Nations (UN), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (CoE) and regional forums, boosting cooperation with NATO and the European Union for a quicker integration in these structures, development of privileged bilateral relations and strategic partnership with the United States, evaluation of the geostrategical position of Albania as an element of stability in the Balkans, in the south eastern Europe and broader.

"I have been and am always ready to serve without any prejudice for every solution which is in favour of Albania's stability, calm and security of Albanian citizens, of their thirst for a normal and dignified life. My party is Albania, the Albanian people," said president Meidani in his message.

He added that "all alternative the people want can and should be tested, put to operation in a normal and stabilised Albania." /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Co-chairmen of Constitutional Commision ask DP to call parties' meeting

The co-chairmen said that it was necessary to join a party round table, scheduled for August 31, within next week to discuss drawing up and approval of new constitution in order to enable all political parties, which have excluded themselves from this process, to make public their suggestions and remarks. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Armed people block national road near Lazarat village

A spokesman of the Gjirokastra police said that there were no reports on looting but the motives for such an action were still unknown.

They have halted traffic using stones and other means while armed people are positioned in hills overlooking the road and fire at the road.

Local police chiefs are in an urgent meeting to discuss the situation.

Lieutenant colonel Edmond Stepa, chief of the police station in Gjirokaster, said that nothing had been decided so far but added that the situation was difficult.

A series of vehicles coming from Saranda and Delvina districts and Kakavija are in Dervican village waiting for the road to clear. Others, including buses headed for Kakavija, are in Gjirokastra.

Anomalies are frequent in this road segment. /s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] SOROS foundation finances 13 projects in education

Gjergji Çiçoi, foundation's coordinator, said to ATA that education projects aimed at educating students, qualifying teachers, establishing cooperation with community and reconstructing school buildings.

Outdoor activities such as children song festival, publication of the first newspaper for eight year schools, activities for secondary schools to say no to alcohol, smoking and drugs have been organised.

Projects for education will cover other communes in the district. A fund worth one million and 683 thousand dollars are foreseen for reconstructions and new buildings planned until 2005. /pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Selling of revenue stamps increases revenues in state budget

Reports from the General Taxation Department show that during January- June 1998, there have been sold 16 375 610 revenue stamps of which 8 088 240 for locally produced cigarettes, 212 370 for imported cigarettes and 8 075 000 for confiscated cigarettes, with a value of 86.7 million lek.

After the amendment to the law on excises, there is a considerable increase of the sales of revenue stamps for the imported cigarettes mainly from private subjects as well as from state ones.

The value of the excises encased from the sales of the revenue stamps for spirits is satisfactory for the period January 1- September 24, amounting to about 161 million lek. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Best-sellers for this week in Albania

Although it is only several days since the book shops have on sale a new book "My Father" written by Ilir Hoxha, the son of Enver Hoxha, the book is one of the best sellers as well.

"14 Novels" by Anton Chekhov is arousing the interest of the readers. The novel with 240 pages has also a valuation by writer Maksim Gorki.

Another best seller in the capital of Albania this week has also been the novel "One Hundred Years Loneliness," by Gabriel Garcia Markez.

Also the book "Corruption and democracy" a volume from the series "Books for an Open Society" is in great demand. It treats problems of judicial institutions, the political processes and corruption in transitional countries of Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Gjirokaster-Kakavije road (south of Albania) unblocked

The spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA that after a rapid action of police at about 12 o'clock on Saturday, the segment of the national road Gjirokaster-Kakavije, near village Lazarat, was unblocked.

For the moment, said the spokesman, the traffic for small vehicles on both sides of the road has already resumed and later the circulation for heavy vehicles will start. Police are removing the stones on the road and have deactivated the grenades put on it.

The segment of Gjirokaster-Kakavije national road was blocked at about 5.30 a.m. on Saturday, near village Lazarat by an armed and masked group of people. Stones of different sizes and active grenades were placed on the road by armed people who had later taken position on the road and did not allow people and vehicles to move on that segment, by shooting on the asphalt. While police were clearing the road from the big objects on it, the armed group had left.

Irregularities on that road segment have been frequent over the past days.

Lieutenant colonel Edmond Stepa, chief of the police station in Gjirokaster, said that the movement of people and vehicles is now continuing normally.

The police spokesman told reporters that nobody had made any denunciation in police stations for acts of looting during the time the road segment was blocked, while for the motives for the blocking of the road, repeated several times recently, he did not make any comment. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] A grenade explodes on trailer of a tractor in Qyqavice

Sources from the spot report that family Klinaku was shot while they were leaving the warring zones bombarded by Serb forces. Near the place where the grenade blasted there are about 200 other tractors packed with women, children and old people who were leaving to escape the Serb offensive.

In the mountains Qyqavice, in village Reznik of the commune of Vushtrri, there are nearly 40 thousand people of the villages which were attacked recently by Serb military-police forces and people from the previously attacked areas. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian Institute of Monuments of Culture preparing a monograph for iconographer Qiprioti

Scholars of iconography in Albania explain that Qiprioti was the first to make mural paintings and icons, while Onufri was only for mural paintings. The scholars pointed out that Qiprioti is one of the painters that used ornamentation, relief decor and that the structures of his compositions were more precise.

As masterpieces of this painter are considered the mural paintings in the church of Goranxi village, Gjirokaster district (Southern Albania.) His are also 20 icons. To this end, the Institute of Monuments of Culture is preparing a monograph on the values of this master of painting.

Albanian iconography dates back to the 6th century. In the 12th-14th centuries, the art of iconography began to open virgin land, and to this prove the icons made of wood and the mural painting of world level in the church of Apolonia in Fier or in the Church of Saint Trioadha in Berat (Southwestern and western parts of Albania.) These masters were followed by the great masters of the 16th, 17th-18th centuries, among whom the master of painting David Selenica, brothers Konstandini, Athanas Zografi, and others. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Medical centres to be reconstructed in Cerrik and Maliq

The project envisages the complete reconstruction of the existing buildings of these centres and the necessary constructions for specialized medical units. The new buildings will be furnished with new equipment, mainly for the emergency services and for various treatments. These centres will also have their laboratories for the most important analyses. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] All political forces who violate the rules of democratic behaviour must be isolated nationally and internationally

TIRANE, Sept.26 (ata) - "It is of utmost importance to Albania and to the entire region that all political forces in the country refrain from the use of violence or other illegal means in the promotion of their policies," says the Statement of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Helle Degn.

"Any attempt to overthrow the legal government or undermine the elected parliament must be rejected," writes the statement. At the same time, the Government and the parties in power must respect the right of the opposition. All such political forces who violate these rules of democratic behaviour must be isolated nationally and internationally."

Mrs Degn congratulates through the statement the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, Mr Bronislaw Geremek, Foreign Minister of Poland and Mr.Giorgos Papandreou, Foreign Minister of Greece for their decisive and timely action. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly welcomes the Declaration of the OSCE, Council of Europe, European Union and the WEU and gives full support to the implementation of their recommendations.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly," says the statement, "reiterates its commitment, made together with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, to help and support Albania in the development of democratic Parliamentary practices and, in particular, in drafting the new constitution which Albania needs so much.

It also calls on "all parties, both in government and opposition, to cooperate constructively in these matters in the best interest of Albania." /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] International meeting of official women of finance sector in U.S

Minister Meksi will take part in the international meeting of senior official women in the sector of finance and economy, invited by the World Bank President, James D Wolfenson. She will make a panorama of the present economic situation in Albania and will present the measures of the Government to overcome the crisis.

The situation in Albania, especially following the latest events and the economic cooperation with the US, will be in the centre of the high- ranking meetings of Mrs.Meksi in the state Department, the same source confirms.

The priority needs, especially in the sectors of public order and the public administration and the roads for the intensification of the economic and trade relations between the two countries will be in the focus of the meetings expected to be held in the Trade Department, the Trade Representation Office of the U.S. and in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID.) Acceleration of the work for Albania's membership in the World Trade Organization will be another important question of the mission of Minister Meksi to the U.S.

Meksi will meet with the senior representatives of UNDP and will have meetings also with UNICEF and UNFPA representatives. In the centre of these meetings will be their projects for Albania and the contribution for the displaced from Kosove. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Massive executions of Albanians in Qyqavice region

Massive executions of Albanians have been carried out by the Serbian forces in the mountainous villages of Qyqavice, Galice and Dubofc in the commune of Vushtrice, while the inhabitants of the other village, Beliq, have been kidnapped and sent to unknown directions, the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF), reported, referring to sources from the field.

The CDHRF also stresses that it has no possibility to verify the reports due to the continuation of the fighting operations, but adds that the situation of some 100 000 refugees, who are in this region, is very grave and many wounded, who are among them, cannot be assisted with medical aid. /p.ta/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] First InterBalkan Multinational Peacekeeping Brigade to be set up

Albania's Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga left for Macedonia on Friday morning for this aim. The Inter Balkan meeting of the Defence Ministers will also discuss the place where the staff of the peacekeeping forces will be deployed, the concrete organization, as well as other problems regarding this issue.

This meeting follows the meeting of the Balkan deputy Defence Ministers, held previously in Tirana. This meeting widely discussed the idea of establishing the joint peacekeeping forces in Balkan, which was considered historic by the U.S. representative present in this meeting.

In the meeting, to be held today in the Macedonian city, Hajdaraga will also meet his Balkan counterparts. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] "Festival '98" - Zhani Ciko, again head of artistic board

After the accusations for "duty abuse", following the 36th Festival of Songs in Radio-Television, Ciko seems to have regain all the previous positions, denying all the accusations considering them as "baseless".

But the other organizers, who are going to work for the biggest activity of Albanian song, are not yet declared. Besides this, Radio- Television Council has not yet approved the budget for this activity.

Zhani Ciko has worked for several years as Artistic Director of Albanian Radio-Television and he has also directed some national activities./pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Some 6 regional laboratories to examine bacteria

This was reported in a seminar organized by Veterinary Department at MA with representatives from the Italian project and 6 cities, who are included in the veterinary project.

The goal of the seminar was the technique specification based on the fund of the project planned to build the laboratories in Tirane, Korce, Shkoder, Fier, Elbasan and Lushnje./pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] One-month prison arrest for former police chief

Sali Shehu was detained on September 24 by the police forces under the charge of "participating in the armed uprising of September 14, 1998."

The participants of the rally held by the Democratic Party stormed on September 14 several Albanian state institutions and occupied them for some hours. /dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Seven killed, 70 wounded in Verbofc

Kastrati said that three of the Albanian victims have been taken away and were latter massacred, while the other bodies have remained in front of the Verbofc mosque and can be neither taken nor identified due to the presence of the Serbian police forces.

Some 70 Albanians have been also arrested in this village, among them 6 children, while more than 100 houses out of 160 have been destroyed and torched. dast/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Meidani meets Italian DP (left) chief for Foreign Relations

Ranieri showed interest in the views of the Albanian President on the situation in Albania, developments in the Albanian political parties and his vision to get the country out of the crisis.

We in Italy trust in your role, for the Albanian democracy," the press office cites Ranieri as saying.

Meidani said that he considered his role of getting the country out of the crisis "only within the constitutional powers and political and institutional means."

"For this reason," Meidani said further on, "I addressed a message to parliament asking from all parties, through consensus and dialogue, to contribute to finding institutional and political ways to strengthen stability in the country."

Hailing the message, Ranieri expressed his party's hope that the Albanian political forces will try to follow the directions defined in the message of the head of State for Parliament, the press office says. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Football: 4-th week of 60th national championship

TIRANE, Sept 26 (ATA) By A.Keko

4th week of the 60th national football championship was opened on Friday afternoon with Partizani-Shkumbini match played in Tirana. Partizani won 1-0.

On Saturday afternoon the other matches of this week were played also and the results are as follow: Teuta - Dinamo 3-2

Vllaznia - Bylis 2-0

Tirana - Flamurtari 1-0

Besa - Laçi 2-0

Burreli - Apolonia 2-0

Tomori - Skenderbeu 2-0

Elbasani - Lushnja 1-0

Standings:

10 Points Vllaznia 8 points Partizani 7 points Dinamo

Tirana 6 points Lushnja

Bylis

Burreli

Elbasani

Besa

Teuta 5 points Tomori 4 points Laçi

Flamurtari

Apolonia 3 points Skenderbeu

Shkumbini

On Saturday, September 2, the matches of the fifth week will be played, the teams facing each other will be: Lushnja - Partizani

Flamurtari - Elbasani

Apolonia - Tirana

Laçi - Burreli

Bylis - Besa

Skenderbeu - Vllaznia

Dinamo - Tomori

Shkumbini - Teuta /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Albanian Writers and Artists League condemns attack on Sabri Hamiti

In a press release, the Albanian writers and artists expressed their deep sorrow for the barbarian attack and wished their friend and colleague a speedy recovery.

Sabri Hamiti, the Kosova Albanian writer and politician was gravely injured on Friday by a terrorist, yet unidentified, in front of his house in Prishtine. He is a member of General Council of Kosova Democratic League and deputy of Kosova Parliament./dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] President Meidani addresses letter to President Clinton

"Honorable President Clinton,

Allow me to express my cordial thanks for your message, which I highly appreciate as an expression of your constant will for a sound development of democracy in Albania.

The Albanian people are much obliged to the U.S. for their independence and democracy. I am especially pleased to see that this meaningful brilliant contribution is also present today, in these difficult days for the Albanian people.

Your engagement in defending and developing the values of freedom and democracy all over the world, that is, also in Albania and Kosova, makes Albanians confident that peace and entire emancipation of human society will triumph.

Your personal support for the initiative of creating a "Friends of Albania" group is an act of solidarity and good will of the U.S. and international community for my people and country.

I would like to guarantee to You, Mr President, that my efforts will encourage the Albanian people's belief in the construction of the rule of law, separation of powers and respect for universal human rights.

Like so far, I will carry on my efforts to encourage, in the Albanian political life, a favourable environment of citizenship, cooperation and understanding among the Albanian political forces, conscious of their responsibilities.

Your message, dear President, avails me of the opportunity to express my and the entire Albanian people's sympathy for your indisputable leadership in the country, champion of democracy, your efforts for a free and democratic world, for a sure human and civil development.

We Albanians find in your wise and courageous leadership not only the desire for the American people's prosperity, which your have realised with determination, but also the guarantee e and contribution of the United States in safeguarding peace and that under your leadership, the role and contribution of the United States in safeguarding peace and stability all over the world will continue to be determinant for the good of the peoples, democracy and peace. /dast/lm/

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

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