Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-05-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Aid by Croatian government for deported Kosovars

[03] Meeting of Council of Ministers of Albania

[04] Total commitment of Albanian Army in realization of Allied Harbour operation

[05] Our will to overcome emergent situation is maximal - Majko

[06] Koci withdraws decision to resign as Public Order Minister

[07] Koci: We agreed with Prime Minister to reestablish a climate of mutual understanding

[08] Majko: Ministers should understand the need for strict discipline of the executive

[09] Tens of Dutch soldiers dislocated at Vlore port

[10] Some 350 Kosovars enter Albania through Hani i Hotit

[01] Press review

The newspaper Koha Jone in the writing entitled "Let the bombing continue" reports that "Ibrahim Rugova thinks that halting of bombardments is not related with the realisation of the objectives set by G8, pointed out the Deputy European Parliament Speaker Renco Imbeni following the meeting he had with Rugova."

Referring to its interview with the Albanian Foreign Minster Paskal Milo, under the title "Rugova has not been taken hostage - Milo" Gazeta Shqiptare writes that "Mr.Rugova told me that he had stayed in Prishtine at his free will and left Prishtine at the time when he found there was nothing he could do there because most of the Albanians were violently evicted from Kosove and for the fact that almost all his collaborators were outside Kosova...He said to me that he had met several times with Milutinovic, with Milosevic and Shahinovic in an effort to find a solution to the crisis in Kosove."

While the writing entitled "European Parliament recognizes Rugova as the President of autonomous Kosova," his paper writes that "It was the deputy president of the European Union Renco Imbeni who declared yesterday after the meeting with the Kosova leader that Rugova will not be considered as a refugee and has no intention to demand political asylum anywhere."

The newspaper Shekulli, citing an interview with the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, under the title "Rugova has not been a hostage of Milosevic" writes that "(Rugova) said to me that he had made no declarations but joint press releases. Rugova said that his house and city quarter were under the control of the Serb militia."

In its article "Rugova against the halt of bombing" newspaper Republika writes that "even after bombs hit the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Rugova, for Imbeni, has not changed any opinion."/xh/

The Albanian press writes on Sunday of the visit yesterday to Albania

of the Italian President Oscar Luiggi Scalfaro.

The newspaper Koha Jone, under the title "Meidani: Don't favour Rugova" and subtitle "Scalfaro against bombing, Albanian state reacts" writes that "while Italian President has not hesitated to declare even amidst displaced Kosovars that NATO strikes must be stopped, Tirane has made clear its opinion that the fault for everything lies with Milosevic."

In the writing entitled "Dini highlights role of KLA!" newspaper Shekulli writes that "Dini, known for his positions close to those of Belgrade, said in a meeting with Albanian side yesterday and led by Albanian President Meidani, that role of the KLA in the solution to the crisis must be commended."

Gazeta Shqiptare, under the headline "Kosova parts Meidani from Scalfaro" writes that "Meidani and Scalfaro confront each other for the independence of Kosove and the roads to be followed to solve the conflict. During a strained meeting held yesterday in the Palace of Brigades in Tirane, it has been clear the division between the two states referring to the solution of the problem of Kosove and the way how respective diplomacies consider the coming status of the province, and the actors and political and military factors.

The Albanian Sunday dailies write of the killing of Fehmi Agani, one of the signatories of the agreement of Rambouillet.

Gazeta Shqiptare writes "Fehmi Agani is killed. Agani has been taken off the train forcibly and arrested on Thursday near Prishtine by Serb police and in the moment he was killed he was under arrest. In their variant, the Serb authorities have attempted to put the blame on the KLA as culprits for the killing."

Under the title "Serbs kill Agani" Shekulli writes that "Prishtine must have a little land not torched just to open a grave for Fehmi Agani. The fate of the one of the signatories of the Rambouillet Accord, who is now dead...Agani was detained by Serb police on May 6 while he was in a train near Prishtine and met his death while he was in detention."

In its writing "Fehmi Agani lives no more" Republika writes that "Serbians have killed the closest collaborator of Rugova. Police took him two days ago to bring him back dead."

Under the title "Serbs kill Fehmi Agani" Zeri i Popullit writes that "Shpend Agani, the son of the academician Fehmi Agani, in a news

conference in Skopje yesterday together with Edita Tahiri and

Dr.Rexhep Ismajli, admitted that his father, academician Agani,

70, one of the founders of the LDK, was killed on Friday in Lipjan,

by members of Serb militia.

The bombs hitting the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade for which NATO said it was a mistake, has been an event covered by Albanian Sunday papers.

In the writing "Chinese Embassy hit" the newspaper Koha Jone writes that "after some calm nights, Belgrade in blackout again under strikes of NATO which has bombed, certainly, by mistake, the Chinese Embassy, the first diplomatic headquarters hit in the 45 days of the military intervention..."

In its writing "NATO kills three diplomats" the paper Gazeta Shqipare writes that "China sent a special mission of its Foreign Ministry to Belgrade to start investigation into the bombing of its embassy during which three diplomats were killed."

Under the headline "Hitting of Chinese Embassy - a tragic mistake" and subtitle "NATO apologizes for the missiles that hit the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade" the newspaper Shekulli cites Pentagon officials saying that "we do not think there will be a pause. We have the best pilots in the world, the best aircraft and weapons and the best-trained forces." /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Aid by Croatian government for deported Kosovars

The charge d'affaires of the Croatian embassy in Albania, Romeo Deporte told ATA that the cargo destined for Kosovars in Albania, is worth 1769 097 USD while another amount of foodstuff will leave for Macedonia as an aid for the displaced Kosovars there, and estimated at 1 160 839 USD.

He stressed that Croatia is a friend of Albania, whose people are among the most ancient in Europe. Albania, he said, is and must be really in Europe. The Croats respect Albanians whom they consider friends. When Yugoslavia disintegrated under the bombs of war, the Albanians living in Croatia were on our side and against Serb regime. We want to live in peace and not in absurd wars, as Albania desires. Assisting the deportees from Kosove, we are also helping Albania which has now numerous friends wherever in the world and in Europe." /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Meeting of Council of Ministers of Albania

PM Majko asked at the beginning of the meeting from the Local Government Minister, Arben Demeti, to report on the situation in the Prefecture of Kukes. While the Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, informed those present of the reserves in medical supplies and the readiness of the medical institutions to cope with the situation in Kukes.

Speaking of the resignation of Minister Koci, Majko stressed. "As you have learned through the media, Mr Petro Koci has decided today to resign from his post. Naturally every person is free to take decisions. But at present, Albania is passing very difficult days and these difficulties demand the maximal commitment of everybody. However, I would like to thank you all for your contribution to overcome the situation and I guarantee all Albanian that this government is committed to cope with the situation up to the end with dignity and devotion." /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Total commitment of Albanian Army in realization of Allied Harbour operation

The Information office in the Centre of Coordination with AFOR Staff told ATA that over the past days, in the focus of the Allied Harbour has been the transportation of the deported Kosovars from the region of Kukes deep into the country. Vehicles of AFOR and those of the army could evacuate from Kukes nearly 5 000 people.

NATO snappers units are now rehabilitating an important segment on Puke-Kukes road. Units of the Air Force are assisting to unload 31 transport planes carrying material aid and foodstuff. A great volume of work is made for the the foodstuff transports for the Kosovars in Kukes and other areas. In the air lines Rinas-Kukes, Shkoder, Elbasan, 57 NATO helicopters have continued airlifting tons of food supplies. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Our will to overcome emergent situation is maximal - Majko

According to the spokesman of the Prime Minister, Majko considered important the relations between Albania and Denmark and underlined that these relations must be focused not only on the problems of how to cope with the present emergency but also on the creation of spaces for tomorrow.

PM Majko presented the viewpoints of the Albanian Government for the resolution of the conflict in Kosova and said that the partial solutions bring about a permanent conflict. He underscored the role Albania is playing in the stability of Macedonia and the Montenegro.

The Danish Minister Nielson said that his country is close to Albania in this situation, by offering its assistance. He said that Denmark has interest and concrete plans in various fields in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the future, adding that his country is for a complete settlement of the conflict in Kosove and supports the NATO air strikes. /led/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Koci withdraws decision to resign as Public Order Minister

Minister of Public Order Petro Koci on Sunday afternoon gave up his decision to resign from the position of the minister.

A senior official of the Albanian government told ATA that, at a meeting of the Majko cabinet a few minutes a go, Minister Koci decided to annul the resignation he had asked one day ago."

The official who declined to be identified gave no other details.

Koci assumed the position of the Minister of Order by the beginning of October last year, with the creation of the government of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. Koci, 35, had been Socialist Party Organisational secretary until October. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Koci: We agreed with Prime Minister to reestablish a climate of mutual understanding

"Under the influence of long discussions with the SP leadership on Saturday evening and meetings with the President and the Prime Minister this morning, I gave up the thought to resign from the position of the Minister of Public Order," Koci told ATA on Sunday.

Motivating this act, Koci said further on that "we agreed to reestablish a climate of understanding with the Prime Minister and decided to work together to govern the country, especially also taking into consideration the difficult situation it is undergoing."

On Saturday afternoon Koci told a news conference that he would ask from the President of the Republic and the SP parliamentary group his resignation from the position of minister. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Majko: Ministers should understand the need for strict discipline of the executive

TIRANE, May 9 (ATA)-By I. Paco,

Minister of Public Order Petro Koci on Sunday withdrew the decision of one day ago to resign from the position of minister.

The Ministry of Information reported on Sunday afternoon that the government of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko met and discussed the decision of the Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, to resign.

Koci made public his decision for resignation on Saturday afternoon, expressing dissatisfaction over Prime Minister Pandeli Majko's interference in his powers and the relations with him which he considered "strained".

According to the Ministry of Information "Prime Minister Majko informed the Council of Ministers of his meeting with Koci during which they had discussed in detail the reasons and circumstances leading to this decision".

The Prime Minister said that Koci had withdrawn his request for resignation.

Majko told the cabinet members that "it is of extraordinary importance for all the ministers to understand the need for a tight discipline in the activity of the executive, because this guarantees stability in governance," the ministry reports.

"We should raise above the numerous problems of the day which create conflicts, we should face any kind of pressures which aim to spoil the positive image of the government, we should understand the importance of the moment our country is undergoing with all asking for an effective governing and political stability in Albania."

The Prime Minister also told the cabinet members that "like so far I am ready to cooperate with all of you, based on the rules and norms which guarantee a good performance of the Council of Ministers".

Koci, 35, was appointed Minister of Public Order by the beginning of October last year, with the formation of the government of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

Koci replaced in this office Perikli Teta of the Democratic Alliance Party. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Tens of Dutch soldiers dislocated at Vlore port

Andoni added that the representatives of Dutch military forces did not say details on the travel itinerary or regarding their settlement, but they were delighted for the portal facilities created.

This is the third dislocation of military contingents, coming to Albania in the context of its humanitarian mission. As much as 100 Danish soldiers, and an Italian military battalion came in Vlore port some ten days ago. These two groups of military forces left for Kukes immediately. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Some 350 Kosovars enter Albania through Hani i Hotit

The spokesman of the Shkoder prefecture told ATA that the new arrivals are mostly women, children and old, who are being forced out of their houses by the Serb military and police forces.

They have been housed in the transit reception centre, premises of the tobacco-cigarette factory, in which the number of the refugees is estimated at around 4000.

From March 28 until today, some 37 000 Kosovars have arrived through the Hani i Hotit border point. A part of them have been transferred from Shkoder to other districts of the country. /lh/lm/

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

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