ATA News from Albania, 96-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] ITALIAN DELEGATION OF TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE IN SHIJAK

[02] ALBANIAN LEADERS FROM MACEDONIA VISIT THE U.S.- VOA

[03] NINE SENIOR EX-COMMUNISTS FACE TRIAL

[04] U.S.CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON KOSOVA

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS

[07] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR IRELAND

[08] ALBANIAN SPEAKER INVITES INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO OVERSEE LOCAL ELECTIONS

[09] ALBANIAN OFFICIALS TO ATTEND PROCEEDINGS OF EU FORUM

[10] FOUNDERS OF RENOVATED COMMUNIST PARTY STAND TRIAL

[11] PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS ON INSTITUTIONALISATION OF WOMAN'S AFFAIRS

[01] ITALIAN DELEGATION OF TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE IN SHIJAK

The delegation, headed by Secretary of region's vice presidency Peter Van Tavon, expressed during a meeting in the town's municipality their readiness to finance in systematisation of Erzeni river banks, which will help the creation of a healthy microclimate and a good landscape for foreign visitors.

During their stay in Albania, the delegation having in it a representative of the white cross of the Italian section of the region, Albert Bonora, visited other towns with the same aim, to afford financially in sectors of the emergency. ssh/jz/fh/sh/

[02] ALBANIAN LEADERS FROM MACEDONIA VISIT THE U.S.- VOA

The delegation is made up of Iljaz Halimi, chairman of the People's Democratic Party, Myqereme Rusi, chairwoman of the Albanian Women's League in Macedonia, Avni Dika, prorector of the Tetova University and Arber Xhaferri, chairman of the Albanian Democratic Prosperity Party.

Halimi said that the visit to the U.S. has to do, first of all, with the latest imprisonments in Macedonia, concretely the jailing of the Tetova University recotr, doctor Fadil Sulejmani, and of other activists of the university as well as with other issues facing Albanians in Macedonia.

He added that his party, in cooperation with the Albanian Democratic Prosperity Party, decided to withdraw from the Macedonian parliament in protest against the latest arrests, impossibility to improve the Albanians' position and the Tetova university issue. lt/kled/lm/z/

[03] NINE SENIOR EX-COMMUNISTS FACE TRIAL

After the denouncation issued by the Independent Intellectuals Forum, the Tirana Prosecutors Office accuse them of "genocide and crimes against humanity", a penal act realised by signing orders of internments and expulsions of different people for political motives during the dictatorship.

Lenka Cuko, Llambi Gegprifti and Irakli Vero will be tried for the time they were head of the Party Committee respectively in Lushnja, Tirana and Fier town while Idajet Beqiri for the time he was head of court in Kruja, Agron Tafa, Veiz Haderi and Sulejman Abazi for the period they headed the Sigurimi secret police in Kruja, Saranda and Tropoja respectively, Nazmi Domi while being head of a directory in the Interior Ministery and Shkelzen Bajraktari while being director of Directory Nr 8 in Interior Ministry.

Witnesses invited by the prosecutor clarified the motives, circumstances and procedures followed for their internment and that of their families.

Genocide and crimes against humanity in collaboration are considered the gravest crimes and Penal Code envisages sentences ranging from 15 years in jail to death penalty.

This court has previously sentenced 14 people from whom three with death penalty, five with life in prison and others with long term sentences.

The Appeal Court by its decision of July 24, 1996 revoked death penalty for three former communist senior officials and eased the sentences for two others. They were Haxhi Lleshi former Speaker of Parliament, Manush Myftiu former deputy Prime Minister and chairman of Central Expulsion and Deportation Commission, Aranit Cela head of Supreme Court and member of the commission, Rapi Mino former General Prosecutor and member of the commission and Zylyftar Ramizi ex-deputy Interior Minister.

The Appeal Court sentenced Zylyftar Ramizi with life in jail, Aranit Cela with 25 years and Rapi Mino with five years in jail while Haxhi Lleshi and Manush Myftiu were released on bail. They were immediately released after the trial.

A month ago Tirana court had issued death sentence for Aranit Cela, Rapi Mino and Zylyftar Ramizi and life in jail for Haxhi Lleshi and Manush Myftiu. kled/pas/fh/Z/

[04] U.S.CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON KOSOVA

The resolution was presented by the democrat congressman from New York, Eliot Engel, and a group of other congressmen, concerned about the situation of human and political rights in Kosova who backed it, VOA reports.

Dack Bireuter, republican congressman from Nebraska in the the Foreign Relations Commission, opened the debate in the House of Representatives saying: "I hope you will vote in favour of a message addressed to the Kosova people telling them we have not forgotten them, that the U.S. Congress will continue to exert pressure for the establishment of human and political rights in Kosova".

The resolution, according to VOA, demands that the situation in Kosova be resolved before the outer wall of sanctions against Serbia is lifted. The human rights for the Kosova inhabitants should comply with the standards guaranteed by the international laws.

The U.S., the resolution says further on, should back the legitimate demand of the Kosova people to determine their own future political destiny, themselves. The international observers should return to Kosova as soon as possible and the elected Kosova government should be allowed to convene and exercise its own legitimate mandate, as a representative elected by the Kosova people.

All those were dismissed from work, because of their ethnic affiliation, the resolution says, should return to their previous jobs.

The Educational system in Kosova should be open to all inhabitants, despite ethnic affiliation, and Albanians should have the right to schooling in their mother tongue.

The resolution hails the opening of the U.S. Information Agency in Pristina and calls on President Clinton to appoint a special envoy in Kosova to help find a solution to the crisis in Kosova.

"The resolution addresses a clear message to Serbia," democrat congressman Engel said. "It also sends a very important message to the Serb government, especially Serbian President Milosevic. It tells him again that the U.S. are engaged in this issue. They are observing and will not tolerate human rights' abuses and violations among the majority in Kosova".

The solution of Kosova's status, it says, is of great significance for the future of peace in the Balkans.

The resolution adopted on Monday by the House of Representatives says that President Clinton has forewarned the Serb government that the United States are prepared to respond if Serbia triggers off the escalation of conflict in Kosova. lt/ksh/lm/Z/

[05] PRESS REVIEW

It also reports high level talks between the DP and SP under the title "Constructive steps in the continuation of the dialogue" and an interview of the DP organisational secretary Ylli Vejsiu entitled "Dialogue among parties will remain open."

On its third page the paper says that Dokle and Pellumbi, two SP deputy chairmen, are the main enemies the SP leader Fatos Nano has discovered in his party.

Zeri i Popullit carries the article "Fatos Nano a political prisoner of Berisha's regime" on his third year in prison. In this context the paper publishes the editorial "Malicious actions which aim the SP liquidation."

It also reports on the DP-SP talks under the title "The SP concertizes its proposals in the parties table" and carries a denunciation of N.Dokle, the SP deputy chairman entitled "Participation in elections will depend on the realisation of conditions to guarantee free elections." The paper carries an analysis "Consequent position of the US: New elections will return faith in democracy."

Republika's editorial is entitled "What prevents the extradition of Albanian prisoners?" and another article "The DP-SP: Disagreements and understanding."

Poli i Qendres publishes an article entitled "Berisha: Second act of the adventure" and another one "Demarcation line is that of the European-US resolutions." Another article is entitled "Be careful of young democrats."

Rilindja highlights a meeting of Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova with the Chairmen of Democratic League of Kosova entitled "A democratic order is created in Kosova and its competencies are clear."

It also carries an interview of Perina, assistant deputy US State Secretary with BBC under the title "Democratic development of Albania - the cornerstone for the Albania - US relations."

Koha Jone under the headline "Government sets salaries for the peacekeeping forces in former Yugoslavia" carries the article "USD 800 for peace in Bosnia." It also writes "Minister of Justice Peci: Yes, to the prisoners extradition." An interview with Gramos Pashko of the Democratic Alliance Party is entitled "Albania in perplexity."

Albania writes the article "F. Nano, imprisons the SP." Another article is entitled "Albanian-British understanding on the Albanian gold issue."

Dita Informacion carries an article which says "Only two months after the massacre on the journalist B. Lala, SHIK denounces journalists of this newspaper."

Tribuna publishes the article entitled "Table of parties and table of dialogue" and "Dialogue sets parties closer."

Gazeta Shqiptare carries an article where it says that Fatos Nano has not asked removal of Marx from the SP programme. jz/fh/sh/

[06] STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS

According to the statement, the envisaged compensation benefits only 33 per cent of the population.

The statement asks a 100 % compensation for the bread price liberalisation effects and that this compensation benefits not only the budgetary sectors but also all the working and non working strata, the statement says.

The Albanian government adopted recently a decision to liberalise, among other products, the bread price. According to the decision, the compensation for this liberalisation will be at the extent of 150-250 leks, according to the population's categories. jz/lm/sh/

[07] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR IRELAND

Ireland holds the present presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union.

The spokesman said that the chief of the Albanian diplomacy and the delegation he headed is expected to meet Irish senior officials.

European Commissioner for Relations with East European Hans van den Broek, who visited Tirana recently, said that the EU will continue to back Albania. He stressed that the relationships between EU and Albania are being developed on the spirit of partnership and EU is interested in promoting these relations.

Van den Broek considered very important the upcoming local elections of October 20 and invited all opposition parties to participate in the elections.

Diplomatic relations between Albania and Ireland have been established in January 1995. Financial and justice delegations have visited both countries. ak/k

[08] ALBANIAN SPEAKER INVITES INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO OVERSEE LOCAL ELECTIONS

In a letter to the head of the Council of Europe's Assembly Leni Fischer, Arbnori asked her for the Council's Parliamentary Assembly cooperate with the Central Election Commission in coordinating election monitoring in Albania.

Arbnori also invited the European Parliament, OSCE parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe's Congress for local government to oversee monitoring the elections. ssh/ak/k

[09] ALBANIAN OFFICIALS TO ATTEND PROCEEDINGS OF EU FORUM

They have been invited in this forum by the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.

The main topic of the forum will be information society and other topics such as information, telecommunication, role of industry, technology, education in an information society. ake/kei/k

[10] FOUNDERS OF RENOVATED COMMUNIST PARTY STAND TRIAL

Sami Meta, 62, Kristaq Mosko 45, Timoshenko Pekmezi 54, and Tare Isufi, 73, are accused of founding an illegal communist party.

At the beginning they accepted the accusation and according to the Code of penal procedure this will lead to short legal proceedings and extenuatory circumstances but when the prosecutor Kadri Skeraj presented the indictment the defendants opposed it.

The indictment said that the party program was based on the 45-year experience of the Communist party, proletariat dictatorship and use of violence.

During the interrogations, the four defendants have conceded that their aim is the recreation of a new communist party.

Meta, Mosko, Pekmezi and Isufi are also accused of possessing different documents and materials which according to the Prosecutors' office proves that they in complicity and secretly have gathered illegal and anti-constitutional materials to create a communist party.

Founding communist or fascist parties is considered an anti-constitutional and illegal act according to the main constitutional provisions of Albania and persons concerned will face up to five years in prison under article 224/2 of the Albanian penal code. kei/ak/k

[11] PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS ON INSTITUTIONALISATION OF WOMAN'S AFFAIRS

The new cabinet includes a special secretariat on woman, and youth's affairs which functions within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Woman.

The parliamentary commission debated on how to set up the structure of the new secretariat which includes a special directory responsible for woman's affairs, coordination with non governmental associations, parliamentary commission, mass media, international organisations and others.

Deputy women, employees of the woman's section at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Culture minister Teodor Laco, State Secretary Roza Pati were invited to attend the session.

The meeting suggested the setting up of a statistical department which will cover statistically the woman's affairs, deal with different projects, inter-institution links and future projects.

Considering the social problems of woman very broad and keen, the meeting urged that the women have legislation, take part in all state structures and her social problems such as employment, housing, family planning be solved. kei/ak/k

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

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