Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-20

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Albania's Prime Minister visits Diber, Mat districts

[02] International community should support referendum in Albania - Shory

[03] Statement by the President of the Christian Democrat International on Albania

[04] Strike of Greek customs workers blocks goods flow on border

[05] Coach of Vlore football team resigns

[06] Snow blocks national roads of Northern Albania

[07] Disbursement for road supervision: 900.000 ECU

[08] Doris Pack to monitor constitutional referendum in Albania

[09] Material damages in Kosova estimated round 17 billion dollars

[10] 42-hours nonstop concert for Kosova on Christmas

[11] KDOM: tendency towards normality in Kosova

[12] Art's Gallery new line aims at finding out Albanian art typicality

[13] Kosova ours? Illusion that will cost much: Çoviç

[14] "Jesus Resurrection" Church in Korce at final working phase

[15] Observing mission to send observers all over Albania

[16] Rugova appeals not to prevent and risk OSCE verifying mission in Kosova

[17] Snow and ice block Qafe-Thana national road

[18] Message of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani on verge of voting for constitutional referendum

[19] We have adopted all measures to guarantee free movement of monitors throughout Albania - minister

[20] Cambridge International Biography Center honors Prof. Dr. Kiço Bihiku

[21] Arrest in jail for Eqerem Spahia by Appeal Court

[22] All political forces in Albania must take part in referendum - Lloyd

[23] Former chief of police commissariat in Tirane will continue to stay in jail - High Court

[24] Albanians who are not in Albania have the right to vote despite their names missing in lists

[25] BE calls on Albanians to take part in referendum - Pack

[26] We are fully committed to a stable and lasting solution of the crisis in Kosove - Milo

[01] Albania's Prime Minister visits Diber, Mat districts

After the governor's greeting speech, Majko took the floor dwelling on the historical importance of the Constitutional referendum.

The participants in the meeting assured the Prime Minister of the approval of the Constitution and asked from him and his cabinet members to better engage in resolving several specific problems for the towns of Peshkopia and Bulqize and the whole distrcit of Diber.

Later Majko visited the Burrel town.

Accompanied by local government officials and deputies of Mat, Majko held a meeting with local government officials and advisors.

Also at this meeting, Majko uttered his messages on the referendum and Constitution. "We all want rule of law, but it can not be realised without a Constitution, that is why we all should become conscious of the historical moment, when a big "Yes" to the Constitution is in reality a "Yes" to the rule of law, stability, law and order for all," said Majko. /lola/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] International community should support referendum in Albania - Shory

The statement cites Shopry as saying that the referendum in Albania is decisive for the stability and democracy in Albania and in the Balkans, the Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department reports.

"The new constitution will create the necessary conditions for Albania to finally make a significant step towards a social system based on democratic foundations," says Shory.

Shory, who visited Albania on Sunday and Monday, considers disturbing the fact that a part of the opposition refuses to take part in the referendum and, like EU, he calls on former President Sali Berisha, of the Democratic Party, to take part in the referendum and thus contribute to the national stability and reconciliation.

"Only cooperation among political forces can avert political tension in Albania. Massive turn out on November 22 is the best message the political leaders can receive," says Shory.

The OSCE is sending to Albania 165 monitors and observers for the referendum. Sweden will contribute with four representatives in the group to visit some 1.500 polling stations.

In his visit to Albania Shory also met with Prime Minister Majko and Foreign Minister Milo as well as the democrat mayor of Tirana, Brojka.

Apart from Belorussia, Albania is the only country in the former eastern bloc that is not yet provided with a democratic constitution. The proposal for a new constitution has been worked out carefully with the aid of the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe. It has now been accepted also by the Albanian parliament. /pas/lm/

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[03] Statement by the President of the Christian Democrat International on Albania

Considering recent develoments in Albania, in particular the assassination of the Democratic Party Member of Parliament, Azem Hajdari, and his bodyguard and the ensuing political violence.

Considering the conditions under which the constitutional work has been taking plave in recent work.

Recalls, in particular, the terms of recommendation 1386 (1998) of the Council of Europe made on 24 september 1998, wherein he Assembly demands that there be no more political prisoners in the future in Albania", and stressed that it is indispensable to find a political situation to the current crisis by embarking on an authentic dialogue between the Albanian political parties.

Insisting that the constitutional process be improved in order to allow the taking into account of the advise and indipendent opinions of the international judicial community, and the orgnisation of a true democratic concencus between all the parties in Albania.

A number of critical references to the Albanian Constitution were rejected by the Assembly at my request, the above text is the only one approved by CDI.

As former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, I have been following very closely the process of negotiating and drafting of the new Albanian Constitution. In the OSCE, as well as in the Europen Parliament and in the Council of Europe, we have done everything possible to bring together the political parties and agree on a text which could be the solid basis for the freedoms of the Albanians in the year to come. I am convinced that the text, which will put to a referendum in a few days time very clearly encompasses that hope. That is the reason why I am not, neither is the CDI ready or willing to accept or endorse any unfounded criticism against the text of the Constitution.

Furthermore, and for the very same reasons, I have taken all the necessary distances from those who, like Mr.Berisha and others in the Albanian plitical arena, have taken decisions or promoted actions which not only create opposition to the constitutional text but are also intolerable pressure and even violence.

Mr.Berisha was not invited to atend the CDI's Assembly and his party will not be asked to perticipate in our events before there is a drastic change of attitude of its leadership. Mr.Berisha's presence in Madrid was for us an unfortunate and unwanted turn of events, only due to his participation in meetings held just before ours. As President of CDI I openly refused to give him the floor when he intended to speak on the Albanian Resolution. Now, I ask him and his followers to respect the truth, to cease the gross distortions and manipulations in which once again he has dedicated himself and to try to build together with all of his countrymen a peacefull and prosperous Albania. Something which, for the time being, little if anything is owed to Mr.Berisha.

I - for my part as President of the CDI, President of the North Atlantic Assembly, President Emeritus of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Spanish Parliament - would like to invite all Albanians to actively participate in the coming Referendum on the Albania Constitution and to give a positive vote to that text. It is up to the Albanian people to take the future their own hands and build it up in accordance with reason and logic. I am sure that the draft Constitution could very well become the solid framework for that endeavour. I am sure the Albanians will know how to grasp the opportunity, which, through the Constitution, is opened for all of them to pave the way for a brighter and better future, in which the sad memories of the men and deeds of the past will be forever removed.

Javier RUPEREZ

President of the Christian Democrat International Madrid, November 19, 1998 /A.KE/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Strike of Greek customs workers blocks goods flow on border

According to the above sources, there are a series of high tonnage vehicles on the Greek land waiting for the strike to end and cross into Albania. Also, the cars' movement is at a standstill, but in cases of emergency it has been agreed with the Greek side to allow crossing.

The strike, according to Albanian customs, is foreseen to end by Saturday morning. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Coach of Vlore football team resigns

Vasil Ruci, coach of football team "Flamurtari" of Vlore, handed his resignation on Thursday.

Sources from this club confirm that the '80 renowned former player left the team, because of the weak results the team had during the last 10 weeks of the Championship, ranking with only eight points at the bottom of the standings.

At present the former players Latif Gjondela and Pano Xhaho are training the team.

Vasil Ruci was nominated as the coach of Vlore football team at the beginning of this Championship. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Snow blocks national roads of Northern Albania

Public Order Ministry's road traffic section reports that the heavy snow has blocked national road axes of Burrel-Bulqize-Peshkopi, Fushe Arres- Kukes, Fushe Arres-Bajram Curri, Vau i Dejes-Puke.

Drivers and passengers are ordered to cancel travels to the said axes until another order.

According to the report, the road axis from Elbasan in the direction of Pogradec, Korce and Kolonje functions normally. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Disbursement for road supervision: 900.000 ECU

Supervision of the works along Durres-Kapshtice road will be carried out by the French company "Scetauroute" and it is estimated to be 1.5 MECU.

This French Company carries out the supervision of the works in the three sections, either the ones financed by PHARE program, or the second section Rrogozhine-Elbasan, part of East-West Road Eight and financed by BEI. So far some 900.000 ECU have been disbursed, sources from press office at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport told ATA.

On July 12, 1996 the French company signed the said contract, which covers a period of 45 months. /lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Doris Pack to monitor constitutional referendum in Albania

This is said in a press release of the European Parliament, as regards monitoring the referendum in Albania, the Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department reports.

The mission to be carried out this weekend is a continuation of the devotion of the European Parliament to the process of the first constitution, after the overthrow of the communist regime of late former leader, Enver Hoxha, and to the difficult process of democratic transition in Albania, the release says.

The delegation of the European parliament will take part in a joint assessment of the referendum, along with the other parliamentary observers, an assessment to be made public in Tirane on November 23.

The release stresses that the European parliamentary delegation supports the joint statement of the heads of the delegations to the Inter- parliamentary meeting: European Parliament-Albania, held in Brussels on November 9-10, 1998, which calls on all Albanians to take part in the referendum, showing in this way their interest in a more viable future for their country.

The statement, which expresses support for the Majko government, says that the new Majko government, which enjoys broad support from the international community, will be able to respond to the serious challenges Albania is facing. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Material damages in Kosova estimated round 17 billion dollars

Bajrushi said that 441 Albanian dwelling centers, included in 18 communes, were burned and bombarded, while he stressed that in four communes (Decan, Gllogoc, Skenderaj and Kline) war operations have affected 90% of the dwelling centers. /P.Ta/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] 42-hours nonstop concert for Kosova on Christmas

The concert which will last 42 hours, is to be organized by the project of "The global movement of planet generation" in France, a movement which transmits peace all over the world, is presented some months ago in the Albanian Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Planed to be organized in the middle of September along Durres coast, the program was revoked because of the riots involving the capital during that month. In the meantime "The global movement of planet generation" has already confirmed the readiness to organize this activity exactly the night in which all the world would wish "Marry Christmas".

Sources from the Cultural Ministry told ATA that some 10 groups of French, American and English pop music, which are to transmit massages against the genocide that continues to be transmitted by the Serb part on the Kosova population through their music, are confirmed to take part in the concert so far.

Inniciated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and supported by the Albanian President the artists will come to the capital holding the name "Webstock Albania 1998" The French part, participant in the concert, has confirmed to the organizers the broadcasting of "Webstick Albania 1998" in the Internet network. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] KDOM: tendency towards normality in Kosova

"The KDOM representative also met with the Kosova Liberation Army, KLA, commander, who said that his troops are keeping to the accord, staying far from the main roads, but asked that the Serb police, too, abide by the accord," says the report.

"KDOM holds that its efforts to keep the regions of Malisheve and Podujeve calm have been successful," says the report of KDOM, which will soon be merged into the OSCE Verifying Mission in Kosova.

KDOM pointed to a constant tendency towards normality in most part of Kosova and that the civil road traffic as well as trade activity in the major cities is daily increasing. /p.ta/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Art's Gallery new line aims at finding out Albanian art typicality

The new line will involve the paintings of the Rennaisance, socialist realism, post communism periods, and a special pavilion is to be dedicated to sculpture.

These works, some of which exposed before, will come out of the National Gallery fund and are to be placed in this line. The ordering of the works would be special.

"The pictures of the social realism period will be placed in a special pavilion," the Director of the National Gallery, Gezim Qendro, told ATA.

The hall of these pictures will stay open besides the hall of the medieval art where are exhibited the XIII-XIX century iconographic art, the foreign authors' hall where are exhibited original works of these painters, as well as the hall of the Albanian romanticism where are involved works belonging to the year 1880. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Kosova ours? Illusion that will cost much: Çoviç

Çoviç criticized the Serb opposition, which seems that is making a competition with Milosheviç and Sheshel, said the Kosova Information Center. According to him, the greatest problem of the Serbs is the abuse with the national interests and their use to come into power, Çoviç said. /Y.Ta/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] "Jesus Resurrection" Church in Korce at final working phase

Leonard Vangjeli, the engineer applying the project, told ATA that this object, regarding volume and architecture, is one of the biggest objects of cult in Albania.

So far 80% of the volume of the works have been carried out.

The object, seven stories high, has two domes, five cupolas and arched doors and windows. Its surface covers 1 800 sq metres. Now they are dressing the walls with decorative stones.

Works, started in 1994, have been carring out by Greek firm "Interpalba". /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Observing mission to send observers all over Albania

"We will send some 200 observers all over the country, including parliamentarians from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of European Country, and the European Parliament," is said in the press release.

The statement of the Observing Mission follows an article in "Gazeta shqiptare", published on Friday, in which is said that "the OSCE observers who have come to monitor the voting process on Sunday, do not feel secure. From the election maps is seen that they have erased the hot regions. The referendum on the Constitution will not be observed by them in Kukes, Bajram Curr and Lazarat. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Rugova appeals not to prevent and risk OSCE verifying mission in Kosova

"The situation in Kosova is tense, and many military troops are not withdrawn, continueing their violence," said the spokesman, presenting the stand of Rugova that " more space and security should be created for the returning of the displaced Kosovars to their country."

"Kosova and its unprotected people need the continuous protection of the international bodies, while the best solution on Kosova is the independence with all the gauranties for local Serbs and an international protectorate in the transitory period," restressed Rugova, through his spokesman. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Snow and ice block Qafe-Thana national road

Everything has happened after 17.30 p.m on Thursday, the chief of the inspectorate, Robert Qipro, told ATA. Pogradeci and Librazhdi workers of the road enterprise worked on both sides to unblock the road, confirmed the head of this district police, Baki Muraku, and the road was opened in the morning although the snow countinued to fall. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Message of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani on verge of voting for constitutional referendum

Mr Meidani writes in his message that the vote of everyone is equal with the vote of the deputy, but the decision of the people on the Constitution stands above any other decision.

Meidani expressed the conviction that the decision of everybody and of all will be wise and in conformity with the Albanian national aspirations and with the personal and social needs for unity, democracy, freedom, peace and genuine progress."

Focusing on the foreign factor, Meidani expressed his gratitude to OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, U.N., European Union and the U.S. , the Venice Commission in particular and many other international organizations and forums that assisted to realise the contact of the Albanian people with the constitution of Albania (...)

"All this attention, assistance and above all, this sincere international interest to see Albania, too, with a constitution," stresses Meidani "cannot but encourage a simple thought: Western doors are now open. We must pass through them on our own feet."

Meidani calls on the Albanian people to apply the right of the ballot of the free citizen by taking part in the referendum. He invites the Albanians for a free and calm voting, "as a people worth of democracy."

"By supporting the process but not interfering in the content of the articles of the constitution, I have always encouraged an all-embracing process, so that the constitution ensures the broadest possible consensus between the political parliamentary and non-parliamentary forces. Unfortunately, this consensus was not attained completely in the parliament for reasons which, however strong, cannot be considered justifiable in face of the mission of the political class to make the country and people with a contemporary constitution," stressed President Meidani, inviting the electors to correct the lack of this consensus, "with the mass participation in the direction which seems to you most reasonable."

Appreciating the fundamental law of the state, Meidani stresses that - a constitution is not the roof but the foundation of a state:

- a constitution is not the crown of democracy but a compass and guarantee for the irreversible course of democracy; - a Constitution is not a dogma, but a living juridical corps;

- a Constitution is not the development itself, but a premise for all-sided development, is not the public order itself but a premise for a more reliable order, is not the stability itself but an irreplaceable premise for genuine stability, is not the independent democratic institutions themselves but it is a guaranty to establishing them. /dast/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] We have adopted all measures to guarantee free movement of monitors throughout Albania - minister

"When we asked that as many monitors as possible come for the referendum we have also guaranteed and secured their lives," said Demeti. Referring to some articles in today's press about threats to OSCE Ambassador in Tirane, Daan Everts, Demeti said that he had no knowledge of these threats and "many things we read in papers have proven to be untrue. They may only serve as signals to be verified."

Demeti singled out as problematic the situation in Tropoje and Kukes, especially after the bad weather conditions in the recent days and the snow falls reaching to half a meter thick. The bad weather makes difficult the distribution of the voting material basis and communication with OSCE monitors, but their their free movement in all the territory of Albania, is guaranteed. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Cambridge International Biography Center honors Prof. Dr. Kiço Bihiku

According to the Cambridge Center announcement, the name of Prof. Dr. Bihiku is involved even in the 30th edition of the work "International Who's who of intellectuals", in which also are present the names of distinguished intelectuals from 52 world countries, and his name is proposed as a candidate for the "20 century awards of achievement" diploma, a publishment which will be issued on the occasion of the end of the XX century and the beginning of the XXI century.

Prof.Dr. Kiço Bihiku has a creativity of more than 50 years in the field of studies on the Albanian literature and the literary critics. He has worked as a leader of the the History and Language Institute and others. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Arrest in jail for Eqerem Spahia by Appeal Court

Spahia is accused for the penal act of "organising and taking part in an armed uprising, and for violation of state institutions."

In all judicial sessions held in three judiciary levels, the prosecutor's office has presented as material proofs photos of the defendant Spahia amidst crowds of armed people and a cassette filmed with his address on the state-run Television on Sept.14, 1997 where he declared that allegedly the Government Nano was overthrown and that the situation was put under the control of the political grouping "Union for Democracy" where the Party of Spahia is a member as well. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] All political forces in Albania must take part in referendum - Lloyd

"The referendum for the new Albania's Constitution is a step forward in the determination of this country to consolidate democracy and civil society," stressed Lloyd.

In a press release issued on Friday, the press and information office of Albanian Foreign Ministry wrote that Minister Lloyd stressed the strong confidence of Britain that all political forces in Albania must take active part in the referendum and respect the voters' decision.

"It is of vital importance that the referendum be held without violence. Britain will bring 2 long-term and 15 short-term observers to monitor the process of the referendum," said Mr Lloyd in his meeting with Meta. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Former chief of police commissariat in Tirane will continue to stay in jail - High Court

The High Court examined requests by defence attorney of Shehu demanding the change of the form of custody for his client.

Sali Shehu is accused by the prosecutor's office for "participating in the armed uprising in mid-September this year and for violation of institutions." As material proof for this charge is a photo where the defendant is firing the building of the Council of Ministers. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albanians who are not in Albania have the right to vote despite their names missing in lists

"This is stipulated in Article 16 of the law on local government elections (adopted in 1992) to which refers the law on referendums passed in 1994," said Demeti. He added that the names of all these citizens, be they emigrants or those have left on business, must be removed from the voters' lists.

Stressing that the constitutional right of the citizens to vote must not be violated, Demeti said that serving this purpose are a number of legal measures, among which the decision of the Central Voting Commission which says that if the citizen has returned to Albania and appears in the polling station with a final decision from the court, be it even a minute before the voting closes on Sunday at 6 p.m., the commission of the polling station is obliged to register him in that polling station and allow him to vote. For this purpose, the courts will be open on Saturday and Sunday, Nov.21-22, for possible complaints by citizens who have not been registered.

In response to questions by reporters, Demeti rejected the existence of parallel lists, but only the lists drafted two weeks before the referendum date, which have been confirmed by the prefecture and made public. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] BE calls on Albanians to take part in referendum - Pack

A tripartite delegation consisting of representatives of the European Parliament, CE Parliamentary Assembly and OSCE, headed by Doris Pack (chairman of the EU parliamentary group for southeastern Europe,) which will monitor the referendum in Albania, considered the constitution to be voted on Sunday as acceptable.

"So far, I have not met anyone saying that he does not accept this constitution," said Pack. She added that "she does not accept the statement of Berisha that the international community is against this constitution."

Not wanting to be considered as supporter of one or the other side in Albania, Pack said she has been and is against the boycott.

"It would be much better if people go to vote, either for or against, than to remain indifferent on the voting day," said Pack.

Regarding the failure of the Democratic Party to take part in the process for the Constitution, Pack said that "I regret that DP did not take part in this process, losing a chance for presenting in time the amendments it proposed," which she considered good.

Doris Pack also criticized the government of Fatos Nano which, according to her, was not ready to create conditions for DP's participation in the process. "Here I mean the arrest of 6 former DP senior officials," she added.

Pack said she was pleased with the changing of the government, because now, she added, "a new generation, not involved in the past, is governing the country." /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] We are fully committed to a stable and lasting solution of the crisis in Kosove - Milo

The international factor must play a decisive role to reach a real and lasting solution to the present and future of Kosove, said Milo.

Albanian Minister had today separate meetings with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Eduard Kukan and the Foreign Minister of Croatia, Mate Granic. In both meetings the ministers asked further intensification of the bilateral relations in the political, economic and other fields.

The Zagreb summit started with the meeting of the foreign ministers of the CEI member countries and discussed extensively the situation in the region and that in Kosove in particular. The representatives of the CEI countries voiced the deep concern of their governments for the dramatic situation in Kosove, and their serious commitment to its lasting and the soonest possible solution. /dast/xh/

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