ATA News from Albania (96-06-30)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CONSULTS PARTY LEADERS

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] TIRANA POLICE ARREST SMUGGLERS

[04] REPRESENTATIVES OF "VERBUND" CONSORTIUM TO VISIT TIRANA

[05] DP PRESENTS ITS CANDIDATES TO RUN GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CONSULTS PARTY LEADERS

Only leaders of the Democratic party and the opposition parties such as Republican party, Human Rights Union party and Balli Kombetar (National Front) party were present. While the left-wing opposition, the Socialists refused to take part.

President Berisha addressing the meeting praised the readiness and commitment of the parliamentary parties to discuss the formation of a new government, its priorities in order that this government respond better to the demands for the development of the country and its future.

Leaders of all parliamentary parties appreciated the initiative of president Berisha for this round table and defined the privatisation portfolio as a key priority and very important for the economic reform.

In consolidating a rule of law and market economy they defined education, strengthening of law and order, improvement of social state, problems of emigration, environment protection, fight against criminality and corruption, institutionalisation of control and others as priority fields which should be considered carefully.

President Berisha underlined that he noticed the leaders of parliamentary parties held the same views regarding the problems and suggestions. Considering precious and useful their evaluations and views for the perfection of government, President Berisha pledged that he will encourage parliament and new government to consider the ideas expressed in this round table during the formation of new structures and portfolios.

After the round table, President Berisha held separate meetings with party leaders regarding the possible candidature for prime minister.

Asked by a TV journalist what would be his opinion for the refusal of the left-wing opposition to participate in the round table, President Berisha replied: "I am convinced that the dialogue is necessary for the solution of problems. We will be open to dialogue as before. The left-wing opposition will have its seats in parliament. I invite it to take part in parliament guaranteeing that its deputies' says, suggestions, views and initiatives will be respected and considered seriously. I reiterate my view that boycotting is a way to deny oneself." ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESS REVIEW

"Parliament without a mandate" this is the title of the editorial of the daily Zeri i Popullit. The paper carries the statement of a spokesman of the Socialist party under the title "We favour real cooperation, not political speculations." It highlights the press conference of the Poli i Qendres under the title "The only solution to overcome the crisis are new elections through political dialogue."

Regarding yesterday's meeting between president Berisha and leaders of parliamentary parties, the daily Republika says "Godo to president: New government to take care of emigration." DP National Council will vote for the executive. The paper carries another article entitled "Socialists refuse president."

Under the headline "U.S. government's new press release" the paper Poli i Qendres says "U.S. attacks the Tirana government again." In its opinion column, the paper carries opinions of the vice chairman of Social Democratic party Paskal Milo and the president of the Democratic Alliance party Neritan Ceka on the press release of the U.S. government broadcasted recently by the Voice of America. It carries a chronicle on the press conference of Poli i Qendres under the title "Now Albania is playing the defendant."

"Berisha invites parliamentary parties for dialogue," the paper Balli i Kombit reports. As it is foreseen the Socialists did not participate in yesterday's round table with the president and leaders of parliamentary parties but continue their "tactic" of permanently boycotting, the paper says.

Lajmi i Dites entitles its editorial "Opposition as a demagogy for its own electorate." It carries the article "Albania and May 26."

Under the headline "Consulting meeting with parliamentary parties" the paper "Tribuna" carries the article "Work of new government discussed." It carries the article "East towards West - left-wing opposition to the East."

"Socialists continue boycotting" the daily Albania reports. Under the headline "Tirana police arrest smugglers" it carries the article "Radioactive trade destined for chemical bomb." The paper covers the meeting of president Berisha with leaders of the political parties under the titled "Same views on changes."

Under the headline "New parliamentary parties meet with president," the daily Koha Jone carries the article entitled "DP discusses new government with DP." "Appeal to world's conscience" the paper reports on a statement of 43 world intellectuals addressed to Western government.

"Socialists boycot the meeting with Berisha" the paper Dita Informacion reports.

Gazeta Shqiptare under the headline "A meeting of parliamentary parties in Presidency on Saturday. The Socialists party did not take part" says "Government: new ministries and ministers." "Prime minister 'baptised' today" the paper says underlining that the DP Council appoints the parliamentary speaker.

Albanian poetry will be the honoured guest in poetry competition in Struga, the weekly Drita reports. kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] TIRANA POLICE ARREST SMUGGLERS

Police have confiscated two ampules each 5 grams with radioactive substances which can be used to produce an atomic bomb, the paper says.

The paper cited sources of the Tirana Commissariat no. 2 saying that three persons who collaborated with a foreigner have been arrested. The non- Albanian national acted as a mediator between them and the international network handling the illegal trade. kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] REPRESENTATIVES OF "VERBUND" CONSORTIUM TO VISIT TIRANA

During the stay, they will negotiate on funds for the construction of Banja hydropower station.

The Austrian consortium has expressed its interest in financing 120 million dollars for this project, the paper says.

The Consortium has negotiated with the Greeks and Croats regarding the export of energy after the hydro power station is put into operation, the paper added. kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DP PRESENTS ITS CANDIDATES TO RUN GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT

President of the Republic Sali Berisha who attended the meeting praised as "serious and civilised" the level of the electoral campaign launched by the DP and presented the basis of the program which will be applied by the party during 1 460 days of the new electoral mandate given by the people in the last parliamentary elections.

The DP National Council voted to give Aleksander Meksi another term as prime minister, a position he has held in the last four years, one of the most difficult periods, since the party came to power.

The DP chairman Tritan Shehu was nominated as deputy prime minister. Contrary to the previous government, the new cabinet will have only one deputy prime minister.

Today's voting also gave Pjeter Arbnori another term as parliamentary speaker, a position he has held during the previous parliment while Margarita Qirko, the DP deputy in one of the constituencies in Tirana was nominated at the post of the deputy speaker. The other deputy speaker will be a representative from other parliamentary parties.

According to the statutory rule envisaging that "the party deputy chairman is also the chairman of its parliamentary group," Ali Spahia who has been so far the head of the DP parliamentary group will remain in this post. Parliamentary groups of the new legislature will no more have a deputy chairman but a secretary general.

Fatos Beja, political adviser to President Berisha and deputy in one of the southern constituencies of Albania, will be the Secretary General of the DP parliamentary group. kled/ak/sh/

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

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