ATA News from Albania (96-07-03)

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] CONTINGENT OF U.S. HELP FOR ALBANIAN ARMY ARRIVES

[02] PRESS COMMENTS OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

[03] SOCIALIST PARTY PRESS RELEASE

[04] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ADDRESS TO NEWLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT

[05] KOSOVA WRITER JAILED DUE TO A VISIT TO ALBANIA

[06] "SP'S WAY OF BOYCOTT IS NOT RIGHT"- SP deputy

[07] PRESS REVIEW

[08] ANNIVERSARY OF CONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION ON KOSOVA CELEBRATED

[09] ALBANIAN AND GREEK BASKETBALL FEDERATIONS TO BOOST COOPERATION

[10] FOUR ALBANIAN STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

[11] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS GERMAN GENERAL

[12] ITALIAN WARSHIPS VISIT DURRES PORT

[13] PARTICIPANTS OF ILLEGAL GATHERING STAND TRIAL

[01] CONTINGENT OF U.S. HELP FOR ALBANIAN ARMY ARRIVES

First part of this aid began with 180 lorries of different types. Only for the transportation of this aid the US government has accorded a fund of USD2 million.

The US aid comes alongside with the preparation of the multinational military training "Peaceful Eagle '96."

"The material resources: machinery, necessary equipment for setting up of the camp and objects of the New National Training centre in Bize have arrived and continue to come. The largest military training in Albania with the participation of troops of armies from nine NATO member and partner countries will be organised in Bize" the spokesman said.

This contingent which will arrive in some phases includes various materials, means of transport, logistics equipment, communication technics and equipment for the completion of our peace keeping company.

US Defence Secretary William Perry during his visit to Albania last April said that the US government has accorded to the Albanian Army an aid of USD100 million. kei/fh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESS COMMENTS OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

The newspaper Rilindja Demokratike reports on the Parliament's first session proceedings under the title: "The parliament of freedom, dignity and sovereignty of Albania".

The paper carries the message of President Berisha on this occasion and the opening address delivered by Republican Party deputy Sabri Godo.

The paper also carries President Berisha's address at the joint meeting of the National Council and the DP deputy group under the title:"The DP mandate consolidates Albania's European orientation", as well as the speech of DP chairman Shehu at this meeting.

Zeri i Popullit carries the editorial entitled:"We do not recognise a parliament which does not enjoy the trust of the Albanian electorate". The paper carries the article "Fresh elections all over the country". The paper covers the meeting of the SP activists in Tirana in an article which says that "The intensive political action at home will accelerate fresh elections". It also carries the article :"Parliament without Assembly".

Republika carries the opening address of the RP chairman Godo at the first session of the 14th legislature under the title: "This Assembly should make the laws as required by the people". The paper also carries a chronicle of the parliament's proceedings.

Poli i Qendres under the headline:"The parliament of stolen votes convenes", the paper says that a government plunged in corruption cannot be renovated.

Lajmi i Dites, under the title "Fruitful work for Albanian democracy", carries the chronicle of the parliament's proceeding and the message of President Berisha.

Rilindja carries the editorial :"The new assembly embarks on the road towards 2000".

Tribuna carries the editorial: "The parliament will accomplish its historic mission". Under the title "Albania to march towards the road suggested by Europe", the paper carries an interview with speaker of Parliament Pjeter Arbnori, who calls on the SP deputies "To listen to reason". The paper also carries the article :The ice of boycott broken", regarding the participation in parliament of one of the ten socialist deputies.

Koha Jone entitles the article on the opening of parliament :"The May 26 illegal deputies gather".

In its editorial, the newspaper Albania cites President Berisha as saying:"The parliament will accomplish its historic mission". The paper carries an interview with the sole SP deputy participating in parliament, Sali Rexhepi, under the title:"Besides the party I also have my own name".

Dita Informacion also reports on Monday's proceedings under the title: "One socialist and no American in the hall".

Sindikalisti carries the article:"Parliamentary season begins under the observation of the people and world.

Gazeta Shqiptare front pages:"The new parliament starts. No U.S. representative in the hall". jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SOCIALIST PARTY PRESS RELEASE

This statement is published regarding the last invitations to the SP by President Sali Berisha to attend the consult of the parliamentary parties on the structure of the future government and that of the DP chairman Tritan Shehu about the structure of the future parliament.

The press release signed by the SP Political Information Department says that "the bilateral meeting would serve to start multi party talks among all political parties."

"The SP invites the DP in a bilateral meeting" the press release ends.

Yesterday convened the new Albanian Parliament where the SP has won 10 seats but was represented only by one deputy. The SP withdrew from May 26 elections only three hours before the polling closed and has boycotted the second round and partial rerun of elections in 17 constituencies.

After May 26 elections the SP has made calls to the Albanian electorate to boycott alleged manipulated polling but the electors' turnout decreased only by 18 per cent.

The Council of Europe approved on June 26 in its Parliamentary Assembly a resolution on Albanian elections where it acknowledged the legitimacy of Albanian Parliament. kled/fh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT ADDRESS TO NEWLY-ELECTED PARLIAMENT

"This parliament will provide the country with all the laws it lacks and draft perfect laws so that Albania enters the years 2000 with a complete and perfect framework of the rule of law, its institutions and laws", Berisha said.

He added that "The parliament, with its activity, its control on the executive, will help improve governing in Albania, consolidate the new institutions and rigorously implement the law".

Berisha said further on that the new parliament with its laws and activity would play a determinant role in implementing the DP electoral programme in Albania and stressed that its implementation would equally benefit all Albanians.

Berisha called on the left opposition deputies to abandon the "red" boycott and "not become guilty of one of the most ugly acts in the whole history of world democracy, an act which was prepared carefully somewhere to destabilise Albanian democracy and trade upon Albania's sovereignty.

"Expressing my unshakeable respect, I invite them to undertake all responsibilities stemming from the mandate of the elected, to represent with dignity the electorate that entrusted them with its vote, its democratic and patriotic ideals and take an active part in the construction and consolidation of Albanian democracy.

"I want to assure the left opposition deputies and the opposition as a whole of the unshakeable loyalty of the power emerging from the May 26 elections to the opposition and its role in the development of democracy", Berisha said. pas/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] KOSOVA WRITER JAILED DUE TO A VISIT TO ALBANIA

This sentence was taken by the Serbian Supreme Court on May 24, 1995, after Vinca's complaint against a verdict of Pristine Communal Court against infringement which had sentenced him with 30 days in prison and confiscated his passport for three years.

A reaction of Pristine Council for Human Rights said that Vinca's imprisoning was based on the absurd provisions of the former Yugoslavia law which demanded an exit visa only when a person entered Albania. It was a typical restriction of inner national circulation and discrimination for Albanians.

After continuous complaints of the international community this year it became invalid. Nevertheless consequences of this law continue and one of its last victims is professor Vinca.

The Forum of Albanian Intellectuals has also reacted against the sentencing of Vinca and through a letter to UNESCO and other institutions and associations asking his immediate release from prison and a pressure on Belgrade's government.pta/kei/fh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] "SP'S WAY OF BOYCOTT IS NOT RIGHT"- SP deputy

"Besides the party, I also have my own name and, above all, I have not seen any reason to withdraw. I will participate in the Albanian new parliament", Sali Rrexhepi, a well known doctor in the Librazhd areas, told the newspaper.

According to the paper, Rexhepi, asked by the SP presidency to withdraw from the polls, has been opposing this act since May 26.

Although admitting some violation in his constituency, Rexhepi told the paper that he did not agree with the boycott of parliament by the party he represented.

"I cannot boycott my electorate", Rexhepi said. However, he thinks that the left opposition should enter into talks for the solution to the political crisis in Albania.

Three hours before the May 26 polls closed, the SP boycotted the elections and later declared the non participation of its deputies in the new parliament.

Rexhepi is the only SP deputy who, of his own will and desire, will take part in this parliament.

Koha Jone on Sunday dismissed Rexhepi's participation in Parliament. jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike newspaper under the title "All the three were killed by communism" writes about three well-known Albanian intellectuals Selman Riza, Sejfulla Maleshova and Skender Luarasi prosecuted by the communist dictatorship. It also commemorates the Kosova constitutional proclamation of six years ago.

Zeri i Popullit publishes the articles "Where were the government's economists?" and "Tourist interests which bring hard currency."

Centre Pole writes that six US Congressmen have written to the US President Bill Clinton "Ask new elections in Albania." It also writes "Central Pole proposes the table of dialogue" and the article "Our only alternative is Europe and the U.S."

Republika writes "Meksi again Prime Minister."

Lajmi i Dites carries an interview with Meksi entitled "Program which will be realised for the benefit of people's demands."

Koha Jone writes "Network of strategic substances destroyed."

Gazeta Shqiptare in one of its articles writes about a possible trafficking of nuclear substances which includes Albania and Russia.

Tribuna carries a report of the World Bank which praises the reforms of the economies in transition.jz/fh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ANNIVERSARY OF CONSTITUTIONAL DECLARATION ON KOSOVA CELEBRATED

"Contrary to 1990 when Kosova and its problem in the international arena are hardly known, today Kosova is one of the major issues which is being evaluated by the international opinion and community because it needs a quick and right solution which will be a guarantee for a lasting stability in the Balkans and all over the region," Iljaz Ramajli, representative of the Republic of Kosova said.

Six years ago on July 2, 1990, the Serbian authorities tried to hinder the meeting of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosova. Through this Serbia tried to prevent the decision taken by the then Assembly that Kosova be an equal unit like other federal units in former Yugoslavia.

"On July 2 the parliamentary bodies in the world were unprecedentedly cut off," said Ramajli who was present when the deputies of Kosova were not allowed to enter the hall.

"But deputies by respecting the will of the Kosova people held the meeting out of the building of the Kosova Assembly and announced the constitutional declaration for an independent Kosova. Those were very difficult moments but there were also moments of pride because we were aware that we were doing what the Kosova people had dreamed about and that would evidently affect the history," Ramajli said.

The constitutional declaration was a determined act which led to other acts such as the declaration of the Republic of Kosova as a free and independent state and the campaign for free multiparty elections in Kosova which were not recognised by the Serbian administration. Now a parallel power is operating totally in the domestic level in Kosova.

"State bodies in the Republic of Kosova are organised in all fields of life and a general conviction is reinforced that the only way for Kosova is its complete independence," Ramajli said.

"The Kosova problem is known all over the world and this issue is included in the main agendas and a day will come soon when the international opinion, international community and Serbia will gather round the table and negotiate about its solution," said Ramajli in an interview to ATA.

Kosova has been an inseparable part of Albania until 1913 when it was truncated from the latter on the decision of the Conference of London. Today over 90 per cent of population in Kosova are Albanians. jz/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN AND GREEK BASKETBALL FEDERATIONS TO BOOST COOPERATION

A cooperation agreement was reached at the end of the negotiations. The agreement was signed by the Executive Director of the Greek Federation of Basketball, Teodoros Bafusias and the Secretary for the Albanian Basketball Federation Kastriot Mushi.

This agreement envisaged better organisation of Albanian Basketball Federation, qualification of its managers and coaches, and sports exchanges. ake/jz/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] FOUR ALBANIAN STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

The new Albanian mathematicians include four students of the secondary schools which have been selected among the participants of the Balkan Mathematics Competition organised in Romania in May.

This is the second time Albania participates in such a competition. The first one was organised in Turkey three years ago. ksh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MEETS GERMAN GENERAL

Zhulali thanked the senior German officer and the members of the delegation for their help and exchange of experience in the Military Academy and units.

He also thanked him for the readiness and contribution of the German side in preparing and completing the Albanian peacekeeping company whose forces will take part in IFOR to implement the peace plan in Bosnia.

Zhulali conveyed his thanks to the German Minister Reuhe saying that this visit and the recent qualification of the Albanian generals in Bundeswehr and other activities in the framework of bilateral cooperation and Partnership for Peace are a considerable support for the Albanian army to promote democracy in Albania which was shown by the Albanian people in the free elections on May 26.

Brigadier General Beck confirmed his readiness to support and help the Albanian army for a faster integration in the democratic society and introduction of standards of NATO's armies. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ITALIAN WARSHIPS VISIT DURRES PORT

The Italian officers held talks with the military personnel of the Defence Ministry and Albanian Navy.

The Italian Admiral Manglio Gallicia, commander of the Second Navy Division who was on board of the "Perseo" warship met with representatives of the port command, maritime district and local government in Durres. Admiral Gallicia also held talks with the Albanian Rear-Admiral Kucana.

During the two-day visit the Italian military personnel will visit cities and historical places. Officers of the Albanian Navy will exchange experience with the Italian officers. The Italian warships will launch a joint military demonstration with the forces of the Albanian Navy District in Durres. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] PARTICIPANTS OF ILLEGAL GATHERING STAND TRIAL

Astrit Hajdini, Muharrem Sinani, Bujar Hitaj, Petraq Papadhima, Pjeter Lleshi, Rasim Dushku, Faik Aliaj, Liman Dobi, Mahmut Laze and Bujar Dushku are charged with "participation in an illegal gathering even after the warnings from the competent bodies."

The ten defendants who are Socialist activists and former employees and collaborators of State Sigurimi have taken part in the illegal gathering organised by the political forces of the Red Front on May 28 in Skanderbeg Square. They ignored the continuous warnings of the Interior Ministry but provoked the public order forces and tried to gather in the square. The police forces were forced to intervene and prevent the gathering. The Interior Ministry had set other places for the gathering.

Defence witnesses failed to present proofs and facts which would serve the legal proceedings while the prosecutor Ferdinand Gjini revoked his demand to hear the accusation witnesses and read some materials about the file considering them important. He urged the court presided over by the judge Shaqir Hasani that the interrogation file be administered as a proof in the legal proceedings.

Astrit Hajdini and Bujar Hitaj, two accused who were absent at the first trial, were present at today's trial and presented their demands to the court. The court ruled that a hearing for them will be held on July 5. ksh/ak/

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

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