ATA News from Albania, 96-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER

[02] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH VAN DEN BROEK

[03] VAN DEN BROEK VISITS ALBANIA

[04] ALBANIAN PRESS PROTESTS AGAINST SOROS INTERVENTION

[05] VAN DEN BROEK MEETS WITH ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES

[06] VAN DEN BROEK CONFIRMS EU COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

[07] PESTICIDE IMPORT TO BE RUN BY PRIVATE SECTOR

[08] ALBANIAN DEFENCE POLICY - PEACE AND STABILITY IN REGION

[09] PRISON DIRECTOR GENERAL SHOT DEAD, A PASSER-BY WOUNDED

[10] ALBANIAN POLICE ARREST ARMED HOSTAGE-TAKER

[11] EU says to end Mostar mission if impasse persists

[12] Senior Albanian official shot dead - police

[13] Albania police arrest armed hostage-taker

[14] GOOD RESULTS OF COOPERATION LEAD TO ITS PROMOTION -Broek

[15] SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA AND DEMOCRATIC LOCAL ELECTIONS-Broek

[16] OPEN, CONSTRUCTIVE COOPERATION BETWEEN CE AND ALBANIA

[01] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER

Shehu acquainted Broek with the programme of the new Albanian government, which will accelerate the economic and social development, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry said.

"The Albanian people on May 26 finally consolidated the victory of democracy in Albania and made a step forward in its road to Europe," Shehu said.

He also briefed the E.U. envoy on local elections, to be held in October, and the work the government is doing to organise normal and correct elections according to international standards. He said that measures were taken not to allow again another technical boycotting of elections, as an act causing destabilization.

The Albanian government has invited high ranking ODIHR's representatives to visit Albania and dialogue on the problems they mentioned in their final report about Albanian elections on May 26, Shehu added.

He also said that Albanian government is open to any kind of collaboration with all European democratic institutions and invites representatives of international bodies like OSCE, CE, European Parliament and others to observe the local elections.

Regarding the new constitution and its aproval the Albanian Foreign minister said that Albania is working to ensure a consensus of all main political forces in Albania.

Broek appreciated the importance of European collaboration with Albania as a country which has played and continues to play a very important role in stability and peace in the region. He also estimated Albanian economic development during four years of democracy and its active role in the Council of Europe, OSCE and Partnership for Peace initiative. The E.U. collaboration with Albania should reach higher levels which should bring about the Association Agreement.

The European Commissioner said that the second part of the E.U. aid to Albania for the balance of payments fund is expected to be released in September. kled/fh/k

[02] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH VAN DEN BROEK

"Your visit is a very important event in the relations between Albania and the EU," President Berisha said welcoming the Commissioner Van den Broek.

"Besides our gratitude for the EU aid and solidarity to Albania, I want to assure you that we will use the mandate of May 26 to consolidate democracy and its values to further reforms in a market economy," Berisha said adding that our major priority is Albania's integration into Europe.

Berisha stressed that we are determined to adapt and consolidate our legislation to European laws, agreements and conventions. We have been and are also determined to contribute to understanding, cooperation and stability in our region, he said adding that this policy results from our national interests and our Western European vocation.

President Berisha went on saying that we want to thank the Council of Ministers and the EU Commission for their readiness to promote institutional links between Albania and the EU.

"We want to assure that we will undertake all efforts to observe the criterion in order that the association agreement be a near reality towards our integration into Europe. I also appreciate your decision to release the second tranche for the balance of payment and Albania's inclusion in Cross Border, Intereg, Phare and others. Albania is ready to contribute and welcomes all the regional projects," Berisha said.

President Berisha said to Van den Broek that local elections will be held in a two-to-three-month period in Albania and we are taking all the measures to assure free and fair elections and avoid to maximum the irregularities even the unimportant ones. Berisha assured him that we will also avoid the effect of imported tricks such as the boycotting of the votes' counting and trends to manipulate the process of elections in Albania which will damage its sovereignty.

Referring to the Kosova problem President Berisha said, "The signing of the Dayton Accord and the EU recognition of former Yugoslavia make very imperative the fact that the solution to Kosova issue be put on the agenda and its solution meet the human rights and freedoms of Albanians in Kosova."

Van den Broek congratulated President Berisha for the unusual achievements in consolidating the rule of law and market economy and establishing macro economic stability as well as Albania's integration into Euro Atlantic organisations.

He highly appreciated the contribution of President Berisha in the democratic processes and said, "We are aware that president Berisha has done much for his country."

"The European Union, considering very successful the reforms in Albania, is determined to back them," Van den Broek said.

Thus, Albania will continue to benefit from the EU financial programs such as Phare. The EU will release the second tranche of financial assistance for the balance of payment.

The commission, he said, aimed at submitting a project-mandate on a new agreement with Albania to the EU Council of Ministers by the end of the year.

Regarding the debate on the EU expanding to the East, Commissioner Van den Broek assured president Berisha that Albania will not be forgotten.

President Berisha and Commissioner Van den Broek praised the importance of local elections and cooperation for their successful holding.

Regarding the Kosova issue, the Commissioner Van den Broek said that "without an acceptable solution to this problem there will be no normalisation and integration of former Yugoslavia. ssh/ak/sh/

[03] VAN DEN BROEK VISITS ALBANIA

"I am pleased to have the second possibility of discussing the ties between the European Union and Albania considering also the present situation here which will help us define perspective cooperation," Van den Broek said to journalists at the Rinas airport.

His visit coincides with the ratification shortly of the Charter on Human Rights by the Albanian parliament and it also takes place after a consultative decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on some irregularities in the elections of May 26.

He was welcomed at the airport by the Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister Tritan Shehu and other senior officials.

Shehu said that the visit is of special importance for Albania's integration into European structures. While the opposition, including Socialists, Democratic Alliance and Social Democrats, considers this visit a possibility to present its options which according to the SP deputy leader Servet Pellumbi will help "find a solution to the political crisis in the country." kled/ak/k

[04] ALBANIAN PRESS PROTESTS AGAINST SOROS INTERVENTION

The newspapers with a blank page are Albania, Gazeta Shqiptare, Dita Informacion, Rilindja Demokratike, Republika, Bashkimi, Tribuna, Poli i Qendres, Lajmi i Dites, Balli i Kombit, Rilindja, Drita, Sindikalisti, Liria, Sporti, Bota Socialdemokrate.

Directors and publishers of these papers gathered Thursday, to discuss about problems the printed media has to face. A joint press release said they have set up a group which will negotiate with government's representatives after detailing the demands so that the printed media be relieved of heavy taxes and duties.

"Numerous economic, financial and distribution problems and the taxes the printed media has to pay are seriously sending it toward bankruptcy" the press releaes sais.

The release after speaking on the situation created after the blitz interference of "Soros" Foundation for the newspaper Koha Jone, aid that flagrantly runs against the principles of the open society, stressed that "this aid become a dangerous precedent for the freedom of the press and openly violates free competition of the newly created Albanian press market." ssh/kled/fh/k

[05] VAN DEN BROEK MEETS WITH ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES

Besnik Gjongecaj, member of the Democratic party (DP) delegation, told journalists after the meeting that they briefed the senior Commissioner on the present political situation in Albania and presented the arguments on the veracity of elections which Van den Broek considered overcame and without any problem.

Gjongecaj said that they stressed some measures to be adopted for the local elections and that the DP has always been open to the presence of the foreign observers in elections.

Four deputy chairmen of the Socialist party (SP), Servet Pellumbi, Namik Dokle, Luan Hajdaraga and Ilir Meta, held a meeting with the European Commissioner Van den Broek.

Pellumbi refused to comment on the talks with Van den Broek but said that he was satisfied from the meeting.

"I consider both the meeting and visit very important because the visit aims at helping Albania overcome the political crisis it faces," he said.

Van den Broek also met the leaders of the Central Pole party, Social Democratic party, Democratic Alliance party and Right Democratic party.

Petrit Kalakulla, leader of the Right Democratic party told journalists after the meeting, "the European Union is very interested in and concerned about the political situation in Albania and insisted that a good climate characterise local elections."

Skender Gjinushi, Social Democrat leader, said that Van den Broek was interested in knowing the wayout, views and proposals of the opposition."

Neritan Ceka, Democratic Alliance leaders said, "We spoke about the conditions to hold free elections despite their nature. The dialogue takes place at a time when the opposition is excluded from the political life in Albania."

Representatives of the Republican party, National Front, Human Rights Union party, Christian Democrat party and Social Democratic Union party also held talks with Van Den Broek.

Republican deputy chairman Cerciz Mingomataj told journalists, "the six parties shared the view that the local elections are held first and new general elections are held after the drafting of a constitution."

Head of the National Front Hysen Selfo said that his party protested about the technical and organization faults noticed during the elections which should be corrected in the local elections.

"But the people have accepted these elections and it is calm. We as a parliamentary party which gained about 5 per cent of the votes lost much from the electorate because of the propaganda of former communist party (SP). Our electorate was afraid of the SP and return of communism and gave the vote to the DP. All irregularities were brought about by the SP withdrawal from elections," Selfo said.

Head of Human Rights Union party Vasil Melo said, "Local elections should be really acceptable and held within the criteria and rules."

The European Union is one of the major supporters of Albania's economic development. The EU and Albania signed an agreement on trade and economic cooperation in December 1992 and approved a joint press release for a political dialogue between them.

Albania has benefited an aid worth 400 million ECUs in the context of Phare program during 1991-1995 ranking first in EU assistance on a per capita basis. pas/ak/sh/B

[06] VAN DEN BROEK CONFIRMS EU COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

"We are here to promote cooperation between EU and Albania in all fields with the aim of strengthening democracy in Albania," Van den Broek said.

He said that promotion of cooperation is conditioned on some elements among which "Albania's role and position as a stability state in the Balkans," and "its significant economic development during this period."

"We are convinced that Albania is an European-oriented country," he added.

The meeting focused on important issues of political situation in Albania, forthcoming local elections, approval of constitution, opposition's participation in parliament.

Arbnori assured free and democratic local elections and focused on financial independence of local government.

Seeing the interest of the EU politician in the ongoing work of parliament, present situation in which the DP has the majority and in the fact that the opposition has not taken up the seats, Arbnori reiterated his conviction that "the opposition is useful in parliamentary debate."

Van den Broek held a press conference on Friday and left for Ohrid, Macedonia, to meet senior officials there. pas/ak/

[07] PESTICIDE IMPORT TO BE RUN BY PRIVATE SECTOR

The government has not allowed the private import of pesticide as long as there have been pesticides in stock, Shpetim Bimo, the Executive Director of AFADA, Albanian Trade Association on Trade and fertilisers and other agricultural inputs, said.

Now that a considerable amount of them has been sold or destroyed, the government has decided to put them under the control of private sector.

AFADA organised a bid on pesticide granted by the European Community with the participation of over 150 dealers from all over Albania. It has also started negotiations with a Greek branch organisation of the AGROEVRO German chemical producer.

A group of Albanian specialists has visited this branch organisation and a second one will visit it soon.

The efforts of the Albanian dealers backed by AFADA in order to import pesticide are giving its first fruits. An amount of ENOVIT pesticide, bought by a member of the association Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Lutfi Isufi from the Italian chemical producer SIPCAM, arrived in Durres in the mid of June.

This amount about one ton shows the first step in the privatisation of pesticide distribution in Albania. kled/ak/sh/

[08] ALBANIAN DEFENCE POLICY - PEACE AND STABILITY IN REGION - Press release of Albanian Defence Minister -

The main objective of Albanian Defence Ministry will be preparation of the army to be introduced in the XXI-st century as a modern army.

Albania has signed military agreements with more than twenty countries. Parliament approved, last days, a collaboration treaty with Italy and Albania has built special ties with US and reached high-level collaboration with Germany, Turkey and other countries, Zhulali said.

He said that, besides visits of high ranking officials, main achievement were realisation of a meeting of Southern Balkans Defence Ministers, in April 1996, organisation of over 20 joint military exercises which were culminated with the military exercise "Peaceful eagle '96" and the participation of an Albanian company in the Peace Implementation Force in Bosnia.

Zhulali estimated military exercises "Peaceful Eagle '96" which were held last week with participation of more than 2000 military troops from the U.S. and eight other states of the region.

"I want to express my special respect for the US and their contribution in planing, preparation, development and the support they offered for this military exercises" Zhulali said.

He said that the final preparation are under way for the joint Albanian-US military exercises "Rescuing Eagle '96" (August-September '96), Albanian-German military exercises "Mati '96" (October '96), "Marex '96" with Turkey and others. In the context of "Partnership for Peace" program, Albania will participate with observers in six military exercises and with troops in three military exercises abroad, where most important are the bilateral and regional ones, Zhulali concluded. kled/fh/sh/

[09] PRISON DIRECTOR GENERAL SHOT DEAD, A PASSER-BY WOUNDED

Bujar Kaloshi, 40, was killed by two men who were wearing sports clothes when they ran close to the car he was stepping into and fired at him several times at the head. The assailants also fired at the driver who managed to escape and seriously injured a passer-by around fifty who was hospitalized.

Kaloshi, a father of two children, died on the spot.

The driver Arben Duka is on a bad psychic condition.

At the moment of the attack Kaloshi was accompanied only by his driver who was unarmed.

Witnesses said that the assailants left in a grey car thought to be of Fiat Regata type.

The event happened at 7.40 a.m.(local time), the spokesman of the Interior Ministry said.

Kaloshi lived with his family in a suburb of Tirana near an airfield in homes built for the formerly politically persecuted.

"We still have no information on the motive of the attack," a police source said to ATA.

The autopsy revealed that three out eight bullets had hit him on the head.

His Kaloshi family and relatives have been persecuted and interned since 1946 by the communist dictatorship.

Kaloshi was born in internment in 1956 in Grabjan, Lushnja, where he finished the secondary school (children of the persecuted families were not allowed to continue the higher studies). In 1990 he was one of the main organisers of the democratic processes in Lushnja and one of the founders of the DP division in Lushnja.

After the introduction of democracy, he was appointed as the chief of the Staff Directorate at the Financial Police Department and since 1995 he has been the General Director of the Prison Administration having a Colonel grade.

He graduated the Law Faculty and Military College in 1955. pas/ak/k

[10] ALBANIAN POLICE ARREST ARMED HOSTAGE-TAKER

The armed man, named Shpetim Cashku, had taken hostage two women officials of the Savings Bank.

A witness said the man might have been at a psychological crisis as he later attempted to commit suicide. Another witness said he had earlier asked a loan from the Bank.

"We do not know the motives of his act", Police Director General Agim Shehu said adding he would later provide further details on the incident.

The hostages are safe. rf/kei/lm/Z/

[11] EU says to end Mostar mission if impasse persists

"In the absence of co-operation from the Croats on the terms proposed, the European Union will have no choice but to terminate its presence in Mostar and reconsider its future attitude towards the Croat side," the European Union Presidency said in a declaration issued in Dublin.

The EU gave the Croats until midnight August 3 to end their boycott of the Mostar assembly which is supposed to provide a post-war unified administration for the divided city.

The row between the EU and Croats began last week when the EU decreed final results for June 30 elections for a unified city assembly. A local electoral comission, divided along ethnic lines, had failed to agree on results of the poll.

All 16 members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) boycotted the first session of the 37-seat city assembly on Tuesday, saying they refused to recognise the election results.

"The European Union expresses grave concern over the failure of the Croat party in Mostar to show genuine commitment to the reunification of the city," the EU said.

It urged the local Croats to adopt a constructive approach and co-operate with Moslem leaders, and appealed to neighbouring Croatia to ensure the compliance of its Croat proteges.

The EU called on the Republic of Croatia to "shoulder its responsibility for the behaviour of the local Croats and to exercise its influence, which the EU believes to be crucial".

The dominant Moslem party, which won a five-seat edge in the Mostar vote, convened a session of the assembly without the Croats, electing one of its own as head.

The Croats rejected the election results citing alleged irregularities in a small number of ballots at a polling station in Germany where Moslem rivals garnered thousands of votes crucial to their victory.

The EU also appealed to the Moslem-led Bosnian government in Sarajevo to do all within their powers to assist in resolving the impasse.

The EU said all parties in Mostar other than the Croats had given assurances of their readiness to accept a continued EU presence in the ancient Ottoman town.

Moslems and Croats, who began the Bosnian conflict as allies, fought a 10-month war in 1993-94. Mostar remains strictly divided into Croat and Moslem sectors.

Before the war, Moslems comprised 35 percent of the population, Croats 34 percent and Serbs 19 percent. Most of the Serbs fled the town after Serb forces withdrew early in the conflict.

REUTER

[12] Senior Albanian official shot dead - police

Bujar Kaloshi, 40, was killed and an unidentified woman seriously injured by two assailants, they said.

"Kaloshi, who had just stepped into his car, was killed at 7.40 a.m. local time by six bullets fired at his head and stomach through the front window of the vehicle," an officer said.

Kaloshi, who was a political prisoner under Albania's former communist government, heads the Justice Ministry's prison department.

"The two gunmen, who were wearing sports clothes, also tried to kill Kaloshi's driver, but he escaped," the police officer said.

Witnesses said the 43-year-old woman, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, was recovering in hospital.

Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali visited the scene shortly after the attack and spoke to Kaloshi's family. Kaloshi was married with two children.

REUTER

[13] Albania police arrest armed hostage-taker

The unidentified man, who carried a hunting rifle, apparently threatened staff at the Savings Bank with the weapon after they refused to grant him a loan, witnesses said.

Witnesses said the man, his hand injured in a struggle with police, was taken to an ambulance. Police had surrounded the area, about 100 metres (yards) from the main Skanderbeg Square.

Police gave no further details.

REUTER

[14] GOOD RESULTS OF COOPERATION LEAD TO ITS PROMOTION -Broek

"Good results lead to intensification of cooperation", said EU's external affairs commissioner regarding the ongoing cooperation of EU with Albania, in the meeting at the Palace of Brigades.

Negotiations are starting in November to sign a new accord, which will strengthen economic ties, increase support for the reform and mark a rapprochement between EU and Albania.

"I confirmed EU's further aid and support for Albania in all my meetings in Tirana. We recognise your clear vision of Europe, we appreciate understanding with you," he said.

Meksi reconfirmed Albanian government's gratitude for EU's very significant engagement in Albania both in the first stage of emergency and through the PHARE, CROSS-BORDER and other programmes.

Meksi familiarised the commissioner with the priorities of his government's programme and stressed the importance of EU's support especially in developing infrastructure.

Meksi referred to the upcoming local elections and stressed that all measures would be taken for fair elections.

Regarding the situation in the region, the two shared the same view on the indispensability of solving the Kosova issue and its specific importance for stability in the region. kei/lm/Z/

[15] SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA AND DEMOCRATIC LOCAL ELECTIONS-Broek

European Commissioner Hans Van den Broek said on Friday that Albania will show that its democratic institutions are very strong to guarantee free and fair elections.

The EU's external affairs commissioner urged the members of the opposition "to participate in the upcoming local elections and participate fully in the work for preparing the constitution". "Inspite of political differences which are normal in democracy, an opposition which is normal in democracy, one should not show his protest by not participating," Van den broek told a news conference.

The commissioner linked the signing of Albania's associate agreement with the EU with the developments in Albania, especially local elections.

"Depending on developments in the second half of this year, whether by the end of this year we can propose to our Council of Ministers in the European Union a mandate to negotiate with Albania an upgrading agreement of cooperation," he said.

So Albania will continue to benefit from the EU financial programmes like Phare and others. EU will release the second tranche for balance of payments support".

He also considered important the work for drafting a new constitution.

The new constitution will not be prepared only by the party in power. Opposition members should also be able to take part in its preparation.The constitution needs a broad consensus, he said.

Asked whether he considered closed the chapter of the May 26 elections, he said: "Based on the present legislation, the local elections are of first priority", adding that "as far as elections are concerned I think that the upcoming elections which are the orderly one now on local level are an important test case for".

"If there is criticism on what happened in the May 26 elections, then, obviously there is also criticism in the direction of the opposition parties" which withdrew from the voting.

Van den Broek appreciated Albania's steps "towards market economy and improvement of the living conditions for its people," as well as Albania's stabilising role in the region, which "deserves international consideration", and in the treatment of the Kosova issue.

He said that President Berisha had asked technical assistance from European organisations in the local elections and the presence of observers from the CE, EU and OSCE for their normal development.

On the same day the European Commissioner Hans Van den Broek left for Macedonia. He was seen off at the Rinas airport by Albanian Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu. rf/JZ/lm/Z/

[16] OPEN, CONSTRUCTIVE COOPERATION BETWEEN CE AND ALBANIA

"I sincerely hope that we continue the open and constructive cooperation for the benefit of the internal developments in Albania and of the relations between the Council of Europe and Your country", Tarschys says in his message of greetings to Shehu. s.sh/jz/lm/Z/

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

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