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ATA News from Albania (96-06-17)Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] DP WINS IN THE 17 CONSTITUENCIES IN JUNE 16 RERUN OF ELECTIONSTIRANA, JUNE 16 (ATA) - By Petraq Shuteriqi: On the basis of preliminary information that has reached the Central Electoral Commission, the DP has won in all 17 constituencies which had a rerun of polling on June 16 after irregularities noted in the first round of elections on May 26.In a news conference held in the Palace of Congresses in Tirana today the Central Electoral Commission representatives said that the voter turnout in the 17 constituencies was about 68 per cent, with only 18 per cent of the voters of May 26 not taking part in the rerun of voting. pas/xh/k/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] NARCOTIC PLANT TRAFFICKERS SENTENCEDSARANDA, JUNE 17 (ATA) - By Sh Hajno: Three defendants from the district of Lezha, N Marku, L Marku and P Lleshi, were tried on June 14, 1996 in the Saranda District Court under the charge of narcotic trafficking.At the end of the session, the jury declared the defendants guilty and sentenced two of them with four years in jail and the third with two years. The guilty were caught in December 1995 in Saranda while transporting a quantity of 14 kg of canabis sativa, sources of the Court said. ssh/kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] DP WINS IN THE 17 CONSTITUENCIES IN JUNE 16 RERUN OF ELECTIONSTIRANA, JUNE 16 (ATA) - By Petraq Shuteriqi: On the basis of preliminary information that has reached the Central Electoral Commission, the DP has won in all 17 constituencies which had a rerun of polling on June 16 after irregularities noted in the first round of elections on May 26.In a news conference held in the Palace of Congresses in Tirana today the Central Electoral Commission representatives said that the voter turnout in the 17 constituencies was about 68 per cent, with only 18 per cent of the voters of May 26 not taking part in the rerun of voting. The highest voter turnout has been registered in Peqin, Central Albania, southwest of Elbasan, 83 per cent; in Puka (Northern Albania) 81 per cent; Lushnja (Southwestern Albania) 78 per cent. The lowest participation in voting was registered in Saranda (Southern Albania) with a 40 per cent voter turnout. Polling attendance in other constituencies is as follows: in constituency 89 in Berat 66 per cent; constituency 90 Kucove, 65 per cent; constituency 42, Vora 71 per cent; constituency 113 Delvina, 68 per cent; constituencies 92 and 94 in Korca respectively 69 and 68 per cent; in constituency 24 Mat, 70 per cent; constituency 82 Patos 64 per cent; constituency 81 Libofshe 63 per cent; constituency 101 Tepelena 58 per cent; constituency 104 Vlora 66 per cent; constituencies 67 and 69 in Elbasan the voter turnout was 70 and 65 per cent respectively. The chairman of the Central Electoral Commission, Edmir Kapedani, in reply to questions from reporters present in the news conference said that "with their massive participation in the polling, the Albanian voters manifested once more their high democratic culture, which is, at the same time, a challenge to all those political forces in and out of the country, which tried to throw mud at the May 26 elections." Kapidani said that last Sunday's rerun of elections were monitored by foreign observers from international organizations too, OSCE and others. "We have requested to meet with ODIHR chairwoman after we noted that some of the observers this organization sent to Albania had previously been collaborators of the defunct Albanian State Sigurimi, as was proved by documents published in the Albania newspaper. We want to explain some of claims presented in the report of this office by some of foreign observers. CEC member Pellumb Cela rejected through concrete documents and facts the claims by various electoral subjects, mainly SP and its red front allies for alleged manipulation of May 26, 1996 elections. With regard to the first round of elections, "members of electoral commissions themselves, be they appointed by SP or other opposition parties, have declared verbally and without imposition that elections were free and fair, in conformity with the law and that they have not noted any irregularity. They also said they left the commissions upon order from the presidencies of their parties. The commission members are ready to admit these even through press and radiotelevision," said Cela. pas/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] EUROPEAN OBSERVERS CONFIRM ABSOLUTE FREE ELECTIONSTIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Nineteen European observers who monitored the rerun of parliamentary elections last Sunday confirmed they "have noted an absolute freedom during elections, regular voting procedures in all polling stations, calm and conscious attendance of voting, correct and accurate accomplishment of the task by electoral commissions and no voter intimidation, violence or imposition."The confirmation was made public in a joint declaration read Monday in a news conference by international observers invited by different authorities and associations, and authorized by the Central Electoral Commission to observe the elections in Albania. "No incidents occurred on the elections day, moreover there were no signs at all to prove the contrary," the statement signed y the observers says. xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] STRICTER CONTROL IN FISHING ACTIVITYAccording to sources of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, there are 26 centers of collecting and processing fish in Albania. This centers, spread all over the country, have been mainly focused in coastline cities, and have regular contracts with the fishing sector. Two joint Albanian-Italian enterprises have started the activity to produce tinned fish. The greatest part of the private centers of collecting and processing fish cooperate with fishing teams that work in the Adriatic and Ionian sea, but some of them catch fish in lakes. These centers process partly the fish, before exporting it or selling it in the domestic market. But according to specialists of the Fishing Department, due to the great number of private fishermen demands a better protection of natural resources. The new staff of Fishing Inspectorate, which controls the fishing activity, has started a training course in the context of a project of PHARE Progamme of EU. A specialized Italian center has won t!he tender for the implementation o f this project, will continue training of fishing inspectors in 10 other zones of the country with the aim to increase their knowledge in the field of biology of water organisms, varieties of fish, the respective equipment that serve for fishing, the ways of fishing according to seasons, in order to prevent abuses and protect fishing resources. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] JUNE 16 ELECTIONS ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS- OSCE observers -TIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA) By F Vladi - June 16 elections in Albania were conducted according to international standards declared in a press conference two OSCE observers, members of Irish parliament and one member of British Helsinki Committee. Liam Lawor, member of Irish parliament, Sean Doherty MP and former Minister of Justice and Daniel McAdams member of British Helsinki Committee started visiting the first polling station when they opened at 7 am. They visited some 18 stations all day long and the Central Election Commission. "We can say that Sunday's elections were organised with competence according to the election law" the observers said in their press release adding that "in a final analysis Sunday's we can say elections were of an international standard." Answering to questions of journalists regarding their observing status, Lawor said they were representatives of Irish parliament and authorised by OSCE to observe elections in Albania. He said that his group had consulted, Friday, OSCE officials and came to observe elections in Albania as it was not able for them to come in May 26 elections. He added that during talks he had with SP sympathisers he had seen disappointment regarding the SP boycott of elections. They said that the conclusions they achieved were the same with those of international observers from Italy, Austria and France after discussions they had with them. British Helsinki Committee member Daniel Mc Adams who had also observed May 26 elections in Albania said that the voting procedure had been regular. pas/fh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] DP WINS IN THE 17 CONSTITUENCIES IN JUNE 16 RERUN OF ELECTIONSTIRANA, JUNE 16 (ATA) - By Petraq Shuteriqi: On the basis of preliminary information that has reached the Central Electoral Commission, the DP has won in all 17 constituencies which had a rerun of polling on June 16 after irregularities noted in the first round of elections on May 26.In a news conference held in the Palace of Congresses in Tirana today the Central Electoral Commission representatives said that the voter turnout in the 17 constituencies was about 68 per cent, with only 18 per cent of the voters of May 26 not taking part in the rerun of voting. The highest voter turnout has been registered in Peqin, Central Albania, southwest of Elbasan, 83 per cent; in Puka (Northern Albania) 81 per cent; Lushnja (Southwestern Albania) 78 per cent. The lowest participation in voting was registered in Saranda (Southern Albania) with a 40 per cent voter turnout. Polling attendance in other constituencies is as follows: in constituency 89 in Berat 66 per cent; constituency 90 Kucove, 65 per cent; constituency 42, Vora 71 per cent; constituency 113 Delvina, 68 per cent; constituencies 92 and 94 in Korca respectively 69 and 68 per cent; in constituency 24 Mat, 70 per cent; constituency 82 Patos 64 per cent; constituency 81 Libofshe 63 per cent; constituency 101 Tepelena 58 per cent; constituency 104 Vlora 66 per cent; constituencies 67 and 69 in Elbasan the voter turnout was 70 and 65 per cent respectively. The chairman of the Central Electoral Commission, Edmir Kapedani, in reply to questions from reporters present in the news conference said that "with their massive participation in the polling, the Albanian voters manifested once more their high democratic culture, which is, at the same time, a challenge to all those political forces in and out of the country, which tried to throw mud at the May 26 elections." Kapidani said that last Sunday's rerun of elections were also monitored by foreign observers from international organizations, OSCE and others. "We have requested to meet with ODIHR chairwoman to clarify some of the claims OSCE office has presented on the basis of information from its observers in the May 26 elections," said Kapedani. He also added that some of the observers this organization sent to Albania for monitoring had previously collaborated with the defunct Albanian State Sigurimi, as was declared by the documents published in the Albania newspaper. CEC member Pellumb Cela rejected through concrete documents and facts the claims by various electoral subjects, mainly SP and its red front allies for alleged manipulation of May 26, 1996 elections. With regard to the first round of elections, "members of electoral commissions themselves, be they appointed by SP or other opposition parties, have declared verbally and without imposition that elections were free and fair, in conformity with the law and that they have not noted any irregularity. They also said they left the commissions upon order from the presidencies of their parties. The commission members are ready to admit these even through press and radiotelevision," said Cela. pas/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] SUPPORT FOR THE BALANCE OF PAYMENTSThe International Monetary Fund, IMF, has given to the National Bank of Albania from 1992 to 1995 64 million USD to help the balance of payments in the context of support of the balance of payments in developing countries. This sum is given in the context of support that this institution gives for economic reforms undertaken in Albania by the Democratic Government. According to Mr. Altin Tanku, responsible for the balance of payments at the National Bank, this contribution in years is as follows;1992- 14 million USD 1993- 17 million USD 1994- 22 million USD 1995- 11 million USD The fall of 11 million in 1995 demonstrate the improvement of this balance of payments and the reduction of the obligations of this bank against these countries. In 1996 IMF will accord for the same purpose 8 million USD. IMF does not play the role of a credit bank that finances projects of economic development of a country. Its aim is to improve and help especially pure financial institutions of a developing country. Concretely in Albania in addition to the above mentioned aid, it has contributed with technical assistance and training by different economic experts for the financial policies of the Ministry of Finance, the Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, National Bank, customs and others. "In the future we shall be active in support of financial reforms undertaken in Albania', Franc Drees, resident representative of IMF in Albania said. A.Lazaj Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] SLIGHT INCREASE OF CPI IN MAYAccording to official statistics, CPI increased slightly in May, 1 per cent against the previous month. According to INSTAT CPI in May went to 132.68 per cent. In comparison with one year ago, the increase is 8.4 per cent. Prices of food, drinks and tobacco has recorded an increase in May, influencing in the increase of CPI. In the group of vegetables and fruits, prices of apples increased by 6.9 per cent, oranges 6.4 per cent, beans 47.7 per cent, carrots 35.2 per cent , tomatoes 1.6 per cent. Cucumbers has recorded a price fall of 35.4 per cent and of onions of 12.3 per cent. The price of meat has increased. The price of chickens has increased by 6.5 per cent. Dairy products and eggs has recorded a fall of of 2.6 per cent against the previous month. The price of white cheese has fallen by 2.6 per cent, of eggs 3.5 per cent and of butter 1.8 per cent.The price of raki, beer, non alcoholic drinks in May has increased also, bringing about a total increase of this group by 1.7 per cent. Though the price of flour has increased by 1.3 per cent. the price of bread has fallen by 0.4 per cent. Women's clothes recorded a price increase in May. Prices of clothes increased by 4.1 per cent. Prices of household equipment increased by 2.2 per cent. M.Noti Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] JUNE 16 ELECTIONS RUN TO VERY HIGH STANDARD- Lawlor and Doherty TIRANA, JUNE 17 9ATA)- By Jerina Zaloshnja, The Irish government observers to the Albanian run off elections June 16, 1996, Liam Lawlor and Sean Doherty, Minister, say in a special report that the elections were run to a very high standard.Lawlor, member of the Iirish parliament since 1977, and Doherty, member of Parliament and former Justice Minister, say in their statement that during their observations in 19 polling stations and in three of the Central Electoral Commissions, none of the political party representatives expressed any complaint to them. "We found that each ballot box was sealed and each ballot paper was correctly stamped," they said in their statement. The Irish representatives say they received a very positive impression of the manner in which the elections were conducted and of the spirit of cooperation and the conduct of the polling station personnel in their interaction with voters. "In our discussions with other international observers from Italy, Austria, France the same conclusions were reached as to the running of yesterday's elections", the statement concludes. In the first round of the May 26 elections in Albania, the Democratic Party won 95 seats in the coming parliament, the opposition parties boycotted this round and did not take part either in the second round on June 2 nor in last Sunday's run off elections alleging that the elections were rigged. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] EUROPEAN OBSERVERS CONFIRM ABSOLUTE FREE ELECTIONSTIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Nineteen European observers who followed the rerun of parliamentary elections in 17 constituencies last Sunday confirmed they "have noted an absolute freedom during elections, regular voting procedures in all polling stations, peaceful and conscious attendance of the electorate, correct and accurate accomplishment of the task by electoral commissions and no voter intimidation, violence or imposition."This was confirmed through a joint statement read Monday in a news conference by international observers invited by different authorities and associations, and authorized by the Central Electoral Commission to observe the rerun of elections in which the Democratic Party won. "No incidents occurred on the elections day, moreover there were no signs at all to prove the contrary," the statement signed by the observers says. The signers of the statement include: Maurizio Venola, Nedin Vlora, Augusto Nidoli, Piero Pellicini, Paolo Senone, Sandro Delmastro, Delle Vedova, Franco Reale, Fernando Bolla, Peper Kapral, Wolfgang Grossruck, Liam Kowlor, Sean Doherty, Leszek Moczulski, Eligiusz Lasota, Yves Jego, Gerard Ecorcheville, Jerome Bleuchot, Alain Delcamp, Daniel Mac Adams, who represent various parties of Italy, France, Austria, Poland and other parties. "I might say that the elections have been increasingly qualitative and correct", Grossruck of the Austrian Political Party said during the news conference. Grosssruck has followed the three rounds of parliamentary elections in Albania. Jego from the French Party for the Union of the Republic said that "the technical procedures as a whole show that Albania is now at the level of democratic maturity of the major western countries". As regards the apposition allegations of vote rigging since in the first round and their boycott of the polls, the Polish observer Leszek Moczulski, who also referred to the Polish experience, said that "if the communists shout of democracy being violated, this does not mean that it is impaired". Referring to a question by a reporter of the Voice of America regarding the withdrawal of the opposition which is now "a fait accompli", the observers said that this act has no juridical consequence. Moczulski said that "in democracy people are free to chose whether to vote or not, just like the parties are free to chose whether to vote or boycott it". In the first round of the poll, on May 26, 1996, the Democratic Party won 95 of 115 constituencies. In the meantime, the opposition parties boycotted the first round three hours before the polls closed and did not take part either in the second round on June 2 or in the run off elections on June 16, alleging the elections were rigged by the party in power, the DP. lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR "EAGLE OF PEACE 96" EXERCISE UNDERWAYTIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA) By Aljosha Keko, Staff representatives of nine armies of NATO member countries and of partner ones who will take part in the multinational exercise "Eagle of peace 96", due in Albania in July, will also engage in another significant activity.After the Final Conference on Planning the "Eagle of Peace" exercise at the new National Training Center, in the context of Partnership for Peace Initiative, the exercise of the staff, as the final preparatory phase, will begin, according to the spokesman of the Defence Ministry. To this end, high ranking officers of the Albanian army have left for Vincenza of Italy, where together with military staff representatives of another eight states, will carry out the staff's exercise at several levels, from that of the brigade to that of the company. The eight states participating in these exercises include: the U.S., Italy, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] PRESS RELEASETIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA)- Several left newspapers of June 16, 1996 allege that deputy Prime Minister Dashamir Shehi has attacked reporter Frok Cupi, the spokesman of the deputy premier reports."Authorised by Shehi, I declare that we have only to do with a new fraud by Cupi, a new slander in the series of slanders and offences he has been undertaking of late against Shehi", the spokesman says. Shehi said that his position and ethics do not allow him to be of the level of Cupi and his friends and use a banal vocabulary, threaten or attack someone. The role of the victim, weakly interpreted by Cupi at Sunday's commercial press, seems to serve other goals Cupi is well aware of, the press release says.s/sh/lm/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS OSCE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONTIRANA, JUNE 17 (ATA)- The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received on Monday the OSCE parliamentary delegation, made up of two Irish deputies, Liam Lawlor and Sean Doherty, and confirmed the determination to respect to the end the will of the people, who freely expressed themselves in the elections to the People's Assembly.The observers of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly confirmed to President Berisha that based on their observations, the Albanian authorities had acted fairly and the elections had been run normally. lm/Z/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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