ATA News from Albania (96-06-09)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CHAIRMAN OF CEC AND WERNER KALTERFLEITER RESPOND REPORTERS QUESTIONS

[02] DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT

[03] ANNOUNCEMENT OF DP PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

[04] PRESS REVIEW

[01] CHAIRMAN OF CEC AND WERNER KALTERFLEITER RESPOND REPORTERS QUESTIONS

After press statements, they responded reporters' questions: BBC: How did you decide to repeat elections in these 13 constituencies?

Kapedani: In order to find out these irregularities, the commission carried out surveys in several constituencies to see what could be real irregularities and what deliberate. The working group set these forth to the central commission and the latter found out which of these irregularities were real and which deliberate. We also defined the reason for a constituency to rerun elections. Before jumping to this conclusion, we asked the opinion of many foreigners who answered: "There is no such precedent in our countries and we cannot voice our view".

Being a very specific case, especially with the withdrawal of several electoral subjects by the end of voting, they wanted us, through this logic, to define the degree of irregularities.

The central commission after a full verification of large part of constituencies, over 40, and a partial one in many other constituencies, considered invalid the results of these 13 consistencies.

AS.PRESS: Some of the OSCE observers have reported other irregularities during the voting. How much can the central commission be able to ascertain these irregularities and how much of them can be noted during the vote counting?.

Kalterfleiter: These have occurred and it would be nonsense to say no. But according to my observation, they certainly have not effected the political result of the elections.

The chairman of the Commission: I would like to add something: I said foreign observers have not filed any kind of complaint at the central commission, but the latter has verified this kind of irregularity by comparing the number of votes with that of the ballot papers found in the ballot-box. And every irregularity has been accounted at the detriment of the winner. This is the how the central commission considers this.

TVA: Mr. Kapedani. There is something unclear. With observers you mean foreign ones? It is them that have not filed any complaints?

Kapedani: Yes. The foreign observers. They have filed neither written nor verbal complaints.

AFP: Normally, should they lodge complaints? Kapedani: This would help us.

Hamdi Jupe, Zeri i Popullit: Three questions to the chairman of the commission:

-What is the legal status of the professor? -Do you have a decision for the re-run of elections in these 15 constituencies or are you speaking of a possibility? -You have issued a decision according to which the DP has won 95 constituencies and SP five. According to the electoral law, only the constitutional court can oppose this decision. What is your legal basis to assume the powers of the constitutional court?

Kapedani: We have been open to all foreign observers, political subjects and candidates to follow the central electoral commission activity in order to be transparent and convincing in our decisions.

Under the electoral law, we asked a consultation after all the other foreigners did not give us this possibility saying only that "there is no such precedent in our countries" or that "we do not pronounce ourselves on such occasion".

It seems in our country there are always forces intending to lead us to unexplored roads. So, we considered this the best way to respond to this precedent.

Last night we reported that the results of these constituencies were annulled. Later we asked the president of the Republic that elections in these constituencies be repeated and the date for their repetition be set.

As regards the third question, first, the earlier decision was not a decision of the central electoral commission. We only issued a report of the constituencies' commissions. We did not issue a decision. Then, based on the complaints and irregularities ascertained by the central commission we decided to declare these results invalid. This was the second step. The third step is that the subjects can address to the constitutional court to declare these results.

Hamdi Jupe to Kalterfleiter: Should we believe that it is you that are coolheaded in your conclusions or the OSCE observers? -Why should the German ambassador be mentioned here? Are you speaking here on his or on your behalf? -You said you have come to Albania thrice. There have been four general elections in Albania, two for the parliament, one for the local government and one for the constitution.

Do you think the then infrastructure was better as there were no such problems?

Kaltersleiter: I appreciate your first question. I mentioned the German ambassador not to say that I spoke with the ambassador but to explain my delay. The meeting with the ambassador was the reason for my delay. Whatever I say is my own view and I do not care what the others think. This is the independence we enjoy in our country.

As regards the second question: The temperature in this hall is high and it is difficult to have a cool head. But I hold that even in this hot room I am able not to let my feelings control my judgement. But this is your judgement.

As regards the third question: Infrastructure has not radically changed. I do not criticise the country and it is quite normal under international competitive terms. And, as far as I know, it has not changed during these elections. The real political questions is why this time there was so much international clamour? I hold you should put this question to the Socialist Party. I respect this withdrawal from elections. This is a decision of a political party and any political party can take such decisions. The only problem I see is why did the electoral commissions' members withdrew, as well. With this they threw doubts on the democratic process. What I have learned these days in Albania is that this decision ought to have been taken at least two days before elections. And you should ask the Socialist Party what was its strategy of doing it.

Sulivan: You said that this withdrawal ought to have been done two days before the elections, didn't you? Kalterfleiter: It would have been better if the socialist party had withdrawn at least two days before the elections.

Sulivan: Are you are pronouncing yourself based on the view of the parties in the commission or also on that of the opposition parties after the withdrawal? Kalterfleiter: As I said, yesterday morning I had a long discussion with leaders of the opposition parties. And my reasoning is also based on the information I received from them.

Sulivan: As regards foreign observers, are you going to wait for a final statement like that of the OSCE or to voice you own view since now?

Kalterfleiter: Let me explain. I have seen at least 90 per cent of the written reports of observers that might have been here now and this is a very great number. Only few observers have filed complaints and the others said that everything was all okay. And after what I read, saw and heard here, I drew my conclusion.

REUTER: What party did the winners in the constituencies in which elections will be re-run belong to? Kapedani: The Democratic Party had won in the 13 constituencies in which the elections will be repeated. As regards the results for the proportional share, we must wait for the result of the re-run elections, some possible four round and after this the results for the 25 constituencies of proportional system will be issued.

AFP: Who proposed the reexamination of results in these 13 constituencies?

Kapedani: There have been requests from 11 parties. There are over 100 complaints corresponding to 60 constituencies. Various parties may have asked the reexamination of the same constituency.

AFP: The Socialist Party has asked the re-verification in 107 constituencies.

Kapedani: It is a total request it has made.

Kaltersleiter: They told me they will not take part. Let me provide you a simple argument. If you sit down and make a simple calculation, in order to change the proportional share, the result of repetition in these 17 constituencies should at least change by 10 points more than in the first elections.

REUTER: Not clear.

Kaltersleiter: There will be fresh elections in 17 constituencies, that is, 15 per cent of 115 districts. According to the electoral law, there are only 25 parliament members according to the proportional system. If you want to change the contribution to the proportional system, you should hold fresh elections in only 15 per cent of the constituencies. The difference in these constituencies should be at least 10 points to influence the proportionality. pas/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT

Acts of this kind have also been undertaken earlier against the deputy editor-in-chief of this newspaper, Edi Paloka. This is a clear manifestation of the former communists' intolerance against the freedom of the speech and the sacred mission of the reporter.

The Democratic Party expresses deep indignation and asks that these acts be not supported by left extremist forces, who resort to the violence of Hoxha dictator' system, the statement concludes. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ANNOUNCEMENT OF DP PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

Repeated cases of this kind in order to sow discord in the excellent relations of the Democratic Party either with diplomatic missions or international organisations, are now not only a boring practice but also misused way by the newspaper "Koha Jone", mostly known for minimum credibility among the media.

Another violation of this kind will make us address to the respective legal instances, the DP spokesman says. This official confutation is also addressed to the newspaper "Koha Jone" as all the international institutions, including the OSCE, CE, EU and other institutions, as well as to the national parliaments of all the countries the DP parliamentary group has relations with, the announcement concludes. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit under the headline:"The Socialists cannot be accomplices in violating democracy", the newspaper carries the article: "Let us boycott the last electoral farce of Berisha". The paper covers the chronicle of yesterday's news conference of the opposition parties.

"The socialists will fight as an opposition outside the parliament", Republika says about Saturday's manifestation at the SP headquarters.

Balli Kombetar will take part in 15 constituencies in the re-run of elections on June 16, the newspaper Balli i Kombit says.

Under the title:"The DP will win in all the 17 constituencies", the newspaper Tribuna carries the chronicle of the news conference of democratic leader Shehu. "This is the final destruction of the Socialist Party" is another article in this paper.

Albania entitles its editorial:"Great chances of the Albanian new politics". Under the headline:"Yesterday Servet Pellumbi admitted capitulation", the paper says: "The communists towards partizan war".

"The Socialists support the 'Agolli' scenario" says the newspaper Liria, which also carries the article :"Reform in the state apparatus an indispensability of the time".

Koha Jone carries the chronicle of the news conference of the opposition leaders under the title:"Europe does not accept a state of thieves".

"Brussels far from socialists", says Rilindja which also carries the article :"A concrete step in support of Kosova".

"Tirana in tension", says Dita Informacion which also covers the chronicle of the news conference of the opposition leaders.

Under the headline:"Yesterday the SP,SDP and DAP protest withing yards of their party headquarters", Gazeta Shqiptare carries the article "Opposition and blue uniforms in Tirana". kled/lm

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

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