ATA News from Albania (96-05-30)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT OF KOSOVA MEETS EU OBSERVING MISSION

[02] SECTIONS TO JUDGE ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL AND FAMILY DISAGREEMENTS SET UP

[03] DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES WIN IN 95 CONSTITUENCIES - Communique

[04] LEFT WING FORCES RAID HOMES OF DP ACTIVISTS

[05] SARANDA: ALBANIAN ECONOMIC EMIGRANTS RETURN BACK TO CORFU

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] "THERE WERE NO LEGAL VIOLATIONS AND I WAS NOT DETAINED BY FORCES OF ORDER" - SP representative

[08] HRUP TO TAKE PART IN SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS

[09] PRESS RELEASE

[10] FRENCH SENATE PRESIDENT GREETS ALBANIAN SPEAKER ON VOTING RESULT

[11] OPPOSITION FORCES ATTEMPT TO HOLD ILLEGAL RALLIES-ministry

[12] ALBANIA TO BE ADMITTED MEMBER OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE

[13] TEAM OF GERMAN ARMY GENERAL STAFF ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

[14] KOSOVA EDUCATION TRADE UNION ADMITTED TO EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

[01] PRESIDENT OF KOSOVA MEETS EU OBSERVING MISSION

Dr. Rugova firmly stands to the declaration for Kosova's independence, stressing once more that the systematically exercised violence of the Serbian regime in Kosova threatens a further destabilisation of the situation. The EU observers voiced the necessity of finding a solution on Kosova issue. lt/kled/fh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] SECTIONS TO JUDGE ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL AND FAMILY DISAGREEMENTS SET UP

According to Article 321 of the Civil Procedural Code, sections to judge the commercial disagreements will be set up in 17 district courts.

According to Article 2 of this decree sections on family diagreements will be set up in all districts' courts.

This decree comes into force on June 1, 1996. kei/fh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES WIN IN 95 CONSTITUENCIES - Communique

At the end of the first round, DP candidates won in 95 constituencies, SP candidates in 5 constituencies and Human Rights Union party candidates in two constituencies.

In 10 constituencies, in Mirdita, Librazhd, Lushnja, Korca, Pogradec, Vlora, Permet and Gjirokastra and in two constituencies in Elbasan, a second round of elections will be held because none of the candidates has won more than 50 per cent of the votes.

On the basis of the results from these constituencies, Socialist candidates will also contest in the second round of elections.

Since the general leading Committee of the Socialist Party on May 26, 1996 informed the Central Electoral Commission that it had withdrawn its candidates for deputy and would not recognise the election outcome, on the basis of the 4th paragraph of Article 8 of the law "On elections to the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania," "as a substitute candidate will be the candidate who has the greatest percentage of the votes as compared with other candidates who have competed in the first round of elections."

The Central Electoral Commission also unanimously decided not to recognise the election results in three constituencies: two in Fier and one in Puka, and ordered the election be repeated after numerous irregularities noted during polling procedure up to the issuing of the results there. kled/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] LEFT WING FORCES RAID HOMES OF DP ACTIVISTS

The act was carried out when an unofficial victory of DP in the May 26 elections was announced.

"The raiders broke in Mihallaqi's house when he, together with some DP sympathizers, wes celebrating the DP victory in a bar in Drenova," writes RD.

During the same night, after withdrawal of SP, DAP and SDP from elections, in the village Zvezda, in Korca, the private estate of Edmond Zhuti, chairman of the election commission in Zvezda, DP member, was raided. The former communist gangsters cut and destroyed 60 apple trees in the estate, says RD.

Three hours before elections were over on May 26, SP representatives in the election commissions and later those of other left wing parties, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, the Agrarian Party, the National Unity Party and the Human Rights Union Party left, claiming the elections were manipulated. kei/xh/k/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] SARANDA: ALBANIAN ECONOMIC EMIGRANTS RETURN BACK TO CORFU

According to port and border police authorities in Saranda, about 1 500 emigrants mostly with permit cards issued by the Greek police, have returned back to their working places after voting in Albania.

Emigrants passports for travelling abroad or permit cards from the Greek police have in all the cases the seal of the polling station which proves that the passport holder has voted.

Yesterday afternoon, the Greek-Ukrainian freighter Oleg Volvac, and the freighters Kamela and Harikla have continued running a Saranda-Corfu sea service to help Albanian emigrants return back to work in Greece.

Only 13 days ago, Albania and Greece signed an agreement of seasonal employment of Albanian workers in Greece. ake/kled/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike (RD) under the title "Absolute victory of the DP" publishes the list of candidates who won, and an editorial entitled "Parliament that avoids crisis".

It also carries a declaration of President Berisha entitled "Albanians have voted for democracy, for their place in Europe" and on its third page the article "Fischer does not accept the opposition accuses".

The paper reports of important European institutions' personalities who have congratulated the DP on its victory and express their solidarity with it.

RD also publishes articles of foreign media on elections in Albania and an article "Albanians voted like in alarm against the SP danger."

Zeri i Popullit reports of an opposition block (left wing) protest against manipulation of May 26 elections which according to the paper continues in some southern districts of Albania.

On page four it holds the article "Police attacks the SP headquarter in Fieri (Central Albania)." In another article it writes some dailies and worldwide TV stations denounce "Manipulations of May 26 elections."

It also publishes the article "A journalist of 'Dita Informacion' tortured till in critical conditions."

Republika carries the editorial "Who is responsible for May 26 election results?" It reports yesterday's press conference of the Republican Party chairman Sabri Godo under the title "Political solutions to open way to democracy."

Poli i Qendres carries the article "OSCE may ask a renewal of elections after some weeks." It also publishes "Junta tortured the journalist Bardhok Lala."

Balli i Kombit editorial is entitled "Albania is finally separated from the past." It carries the article "The National Front Party will fight to institutionalise true democracy in Albania." In another page it publishes "Belgrade should give up from its colonising policy in Kosova."

Lajmi i Dites carries the declaration of President Berisha under the title "Everyone should obey rules of democracy" and the communique of Central election Commission.

Berisha's declaration is also published in Rilindja entitled "Albanian democracy is surer than ever today." In another article it says that Clinton has declared the economic pressure should necessarily remain in power against Belgrade and Serbs of Bosnia until free elections are organised in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Albania carries an editorial entitled "The Democratic Party 95, the Socialist Party 5", and another one entitled "Albania and its growing chances for stability."

It carries the article "Socialists ask votes from the dead" and "The Albanian democracy has the blessing of the people."

Tribuna's editorial is entitled "Strategy of tension has no future", "Europe does not help those who destroyed half of it" and "France congratulates the DP victory."

Gazeta Shqiptare carries "Elections, Europe overlooks."

Dita Informacion publishes "Europe harshly criticizes" and the article "Toward a non recognition of elections."

Koha Jone editorial is entitled "The opposition bursts in a wide-scale protest" and "European Socialists: Heavy violation in Albania." It also carries the article "An Eurosocialist 24 killed." jz/fh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] "THERE WERE NO LEGAL VIOLATIONS AND I WAS NOT DETAINED BY FORCES OF ORDER" - SP representative

In his declaration Lika said that Koha Jone wrote on May 28, 1996 that he was allegedly detained by the forces of order. He explained that at about 1130 on May 26, 1996 in the polling station where Lika was a representative of SP two photocopied process-verbaux for results of elections were caught, "which I had brought in polling station from the SP leading committee, according to instruction of this committee. I was taken to a police station where for 30 minutes I was interrogated about the documents caught in the polling center.

"I turn down SP allegations that I have been arrested because I opposed illegal acts," Lika says in his declaration. kled/xh/k/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] HRUP TO TAKE PART IN SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS

"Analyzing the situation created after May 26 elections and noting that even partially it has been accepted that there were irregularities and violations of the Electoral law, and after the Central Electoral Commission decided that the first round must be repeated in some constituencies and a second round of elections be held in many other constituencies, HRUP presidency reviews its previous position and declares that it will take part in the second round of elections, and in the fresh ballot in three constituencies," says this party in a declaration addressed to the Central Electoral Commission.

HRUP, according to released official election results of the Central Electoral Commission yesterday, has won in two constituencies in the south, where the Greek minority is concentrated, in the 112th and 114th constituencies.

HRUP previously joined opposition left wing parties in a declaration about irregularities in some constituencies, but it did not sign their declaration. HRUP pulled out of elections its representatives in the election commissions only in some of the constituencies, but it did not withdraw its representative from the Central Electoral Commission.

Albanian left wing parties withdrew their commission members about three hours before the voting was over.

"In order not to further complicate the situation, the HRUP presidency is of the opinion that this new stand serves the country good and allows a necessary dialogue be held, both in the parliament and with other political forces, and with the euro-american diplomacy," says the statement of this party.

In some constituencies in southern Albania HRUP candidates will compete the coming Sunday, June 2, 1996, in the second round of elections, since none of them has won more than 50 per cent of the votes.

Socialist candidates had also to compete in these constituencies but after their boycott of elections, HRUP and DP candidates and some of other parties will contest for parliament seats.

On the basis of the 4th paragraph of Article 8 of the law "On elections to the People's Assembly of Republic of Albania," a substitute candidate will be the one who has the greatest percentage of ballots among other candidates who have taken part in the first round of elections."

The Central Electoral Commission yesterday ordered fresh ballots in the 81st and 82nd constituencies in Fier and in the 11th constituency in Puka due to irregularities noted in them. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESS RELEASE

The commissions, based on the last paragraph of article 8 of the law "On the Elections to the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania", are duty bound to declare the candidates for the second round.

The commissions should also be announced of the above. lm/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] FRENCH SENATE PRESIDENT GREETS ALBANIAN SPEAKER ON VOTING RESULT

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] OPPOSITION FORCES ATTEMPT TO HOLD ILLEGAL RALLIES-ministry

Regardless of police warnings, a group of people attempted to gather in the city's main square, shouting different slogans. At this moment, the police asked them to disperse as their gathering ran counter to the law. But, the group of people responded the police calls by throwing stones at them and wounding 10 of the policemen.

After the crowd violently opposed the police, the latter intervened and dispersed it. The appropriate measures were taken for the rally organisers, who violated the law and violently confronted the police.

On the same day, at about 18.00 p.m. in the Patos town, a group of 10 people, headed by the town's mayor Baftjar Zeqo, and the candidate of the SP deputy, Maksim Culi, tried to hold an illegal meeting. Police intervened immediately and called on the groups to disperse. The crowd responded the police appeal with violence, throwing stones at them and shouting illegal slogans. Four policemen were wounded as a result. The police dispersed the crowd and took the necessary measures, making the organisers responsible for the illegal acts.

Opposition parties tried to hold an illegal rally in Fier on Wednesday. The SP chairman for Fier, Petro Koci, together with the SP secretary, Sud Shehu, the candidate for SP deputy, Gjergj Kerri, and the chairman of the district Council, Maks Cuni, attempted to hold an illegal rally, gathering a group of people and shouting illegal slogans. They did not response to police appeals to disperse but opposed them violently, throwing stones at them. Several policemen and two police chiefs were wounded. Someone from the crowd also opened fire. However, police forces showed self-control and managed to scatter the crowd. The police are taking the necessary measures against the organisers.

There were attempts for illegal gathering also in Permet on Thursday. The crowd violently opposed police appeals to disperse and wounded two policemen.

The Interior Ministry once again calls on all people to dissociate themselves from the illegal and violent acts and respect law and order upheld by the Albanian judiciary. s.sh/lm/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ALBANIA TO BE ADMITTED MEMBER OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN INITIATIVE

Albania is expected to be admitted member of the Central European Initiative during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Initiative's member countries to be held from May 31-June 1 in Vienna.

Albanian Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi will also take part in the meeting. He left for Vienna Thursday at the head of a delegation, the spokesman of the Foreign Ministry reported.

Albania has been one of the associated members in this Initiative.

The decision for Albania's admission to the Initiative was taken in October 1995 in Warsaw at the Meeting of the member countries' heads of states and governments.

Admission with full rights to the Central European Initiative enables Albania to complete the whole cooperation framework in this regional organisation and participate in all the work groups and joint projects in all fields of cooperation, the spokesman said.

Albania, according to the Initiative's regulations, will preside one of the work groups.

During his stay in Vienna Serreqi plans meetings with his counterparts of the Initiative's member countries. He will also be received by the Austrian President, Tomas Klestil, and the Austrian vice-chancellor and Foreign Minister, Schussel. s.sh/gen/lm/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] TEAM OF GERMAN ARMY GENERAL STAFF ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

Albanian and Bundeswer experts will jointly discuss ways of holding the exercise, objectives to be attained and new training elements. This will further enrich the experience of the Albanian army after the Western armies' experience, and reach the NATO standards.

In the meantime, the German military officers will be familiarised with the region of the joint exercise. They will also define some of the directions of holding the exercise of a peace keeping character. /gen/lm/g

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] KOSOVA EDUCATION TRADE UNION ADMITTED TO EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

The international organisation includes over 260 national organisations from 150 states with some 25 million members, education workers.

The decision for the admission of the KTUESC was taken by unanimous votes.

The KTUESC chairman, Agim Hyseni, stressed in a statement to the Information Center of Kosova that his trade union had the first direct contacts with IFFTU and WCOTP, whose union forms the world organisation "The Education International", during the academic year 1990-1991.

He said that since that time, the KTUESC has had a privileged status at regional, European and world level from the Education International. This is also proved by its participation in the two congresses of the Education International in Stockholm and Zimbabwe.

The trade union's membership in the Education International, Hyseni said, is of professional, educational and trade union importance and it defends the rights of the education workers.

This membership will sensitize the members of the international to help with a fast and correct solution of the education issue in Kosova in cooperation with UNESCO, ILO and UNO.

This trade union has over 500 000 Albanian pupils, students, teachers and workers of science and culture. p.ta/l/gen

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