ATA News from Albania, 96-08-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] EUROSOCIALISTS SHOULD NOT ACCEPT NANO'S LEADERSHIP - Korwin-Mikke

[02] GENERAL SHEEHAN OPTIMISTIC FOR ALBANIAN'S INTEGRATION INTO NATO

[03] ALBANIAN-TURKISH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES "MAREX '96" START

[04] ERION BRACE ADDRESSES SECOND CONGRESS OF SP

[05] WORKING CONFERENCE ON IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND LAW

[06] SDP LEADER ON SP SECOND CONGRESS

[07] TIRANA INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER VIENNA SUPERVISION

[08] FROM 18th SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE

[09] AD HOC COMMISSION OF CE's EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY VISITS ALBANIA

[10] PRESS REVIEW

[11] SHAQIR VUKAJ ADDRESSES SECOND CONGRESS OF SP

[01] EUROSOCIALISTS SHOULD NOT ACCEPT NANO'S LEADERSHIP - Korwin-Mikke

"In my opinion, the Socialist Party (SP) should divide in two parts, SP and New SP or a Social Democratic Party. They try to cheat people by saying that socialism is good, but Eurosocialists should not accept it and Fatos Nano as their leader" said Mikke during the conference.

After expressing his high estimate for the DP's important role for the development in Albania, he said that "I have heard about the important steps your country has undertaken in the destruction of communism. I think that abolishment of Marxist-Leninist philosophy has been an important step for you. You, have made, in five years, important steps forward in politics and economy and have all chances to wipe out communism, which is very difficult to be achieved in Poland."

Answering to the question "What was his opinion for the SP, after the end of its congress" Mikke said "I do not think they tell the truth. If they get the power, they will try to keep it by all means. They will try by the ex-collaborators of former secrete police to paralyse all political parties, trying to push them completely out of the Albanian political life, like in the former Soviet Union and in Poland today."

He expressed his hope that even in Albania a true left wing of the West European type would be created, but, according to him a long time is needed and it is impossible to be realised by those who are today in the SP. "The people who comprise the SP and lead it are people with communist mentality and can not pretend to reform or create a new Socialist party" said Mikke. fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] GENERAL SHEEHAN OPTIMISTIC FOR ALBANIAN'S INTEGRATION INTO NATO

In a press conference, held right after the closing of military phase of Cooperative Osprey '96, answering to a journalist of "Army and Time" magazine about the perspective of Albania's introduction into NATO, Sheehan said that Albania has worked hard to achieve the NATO standards and it was best reflected during the last meeting of Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali with the US deputy Defence Secretary, Whito.

"I am optimistic about Albania. By continuing in this way will it will manage to be coordinated with NATO, toward its complete integration" said Sheehan. He added that, nevertheless, new membership into NATO will be realised in groups of 3-5 states and after the first group will follow the others. Every member country will give its opinion about the first group to be included into NATO and its selection depends on many factors, said Sheehan.

Asked about USD6.5 million spent for Cooperative Osprey '96, whether they were spent "for benevolence or like an investment" Sheehan answered by correcting him that some 8.5 not USD6.5 million were spent for them. He added the words of John Marshall, who, after World War Two said "This situation should be caught and used to serve to the peace." Sheehan said it was true even today.

Asked what NATO had benefited from this exercise, he answered that "No NATO officials but nations benefit from exercises." He reminded the joint exercises between US and Germany after the World War Two saying they were realised to improve relations between two nations. "This is the aim of these exercises" said Sheehan.

Another journalist asked about the new things introduced in these exercise, and Sheehan answered they have applied in them situations really met in Bosnia.

About the importance of the increasing number of NATO member countries, general Sheehan said, security of Europe cannot be assured unless all nations unite in a single block.

On the importance of Cooperative Osprey '96, he said that these peacekeeping exercises are part of a long process and today's phase is its second chapter.

Sheehan thanked the 19 countries participating in this exercise and stressed that its leaders have tried to put its level in a concrete situation.

In the four days to come, the participants in Cooperative Osprey '96 will organise cultural and sports activities. ssh/fh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIAN-TURKISH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES "MAREX '96" START

These exercises follow other land and sea military drills and exercises that the Albanian army has carried out in the context of the Albania's integration into NATO.

The aim of these exercises is the coordination of operations between the two fleets according the NATO standards.

The main elements of the first day were operations on sapping a canal, sailing of ships in this canal and sailing information to meet the NATO standards. /jz/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ERION BRACE ADDRESSES SECOND CONGRESS OF SP

Expressing this conviction sincerely I want to respond to some objections towards our organisation. FRESSH had ten candidates for deputy in the elections of May 26. Before accepting doubts or criticisms for them I would prefer a message of support. I would also prefer understanding and not attacks against a change in the statute for a 20 per cent representation of FRESSH in leading structures.

I think that this artifice brought as a change in the statute is a promoter of the DP renewal and the preparation of a new political class. Professor Dritero Agolli praised the creation of a new group of Socialist politicians as an achievement of the SP. Why shouldn't we sanction this? I know that there are people who think the contrary based on the principles which evaluate the competition and not fixed norms. I think that the FRESSH curriculum is so rich as to justify both the competition and the proposed change. But there are also some officials of the Labour Party who called us followers of that party. But there is a big gap between us and them. The 1991-1992 period found us as idealists in the SP while some of them as former ministers. I am not alluding of the prime minister Fatos Nano who for three days was imposed on to resign. I am referring to those who were invited by Ramiz to applaud in balconies for his policy "take it and leave it."

Everything is clear in this context. Noone is irreplaceable. But one who had the possibility to do something in the SP politics in the last four years and did only gross faults, one who had the possibility to deal with politics and fled, one who had the possibility to be someone and remained noone, he should be the first to leave. If we can speak of a crisis in the SP, I can say that it is a crisis of figures.

Mr. Islami, threatening is not a characteristic of open and civil societies which are aspired even by the leader Fatos Nano but of the dictators and others who have always remained behind them and have been presented as self-style politicians.

I am pleased to be member of a youth organisation as FRESSH due to my age, conviction and moreover idealism. ak/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] WORKING CONFERENCE ON IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND LAW

"It is a working conference, to discuss on the problems related to local elections, based on recommendations of IRI, EU, Society for Democratic Culture and different political parties in Albania" said IRI's representative and coordinator in Albania Peter Dickenson.

Main Albanian political parties the Democratic Party, Socialist Party, Republican Party, Social Democratic Party, Democratic Alliance Party, Balli Kombetar Party, Social Democratic Union Party, Christian Democratic Party and others are attending the conference. Representatives of the State Secretariat for Local Government and of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will also attend it.

First session of the conference discussed on problems related with CEC, time limits on administration elections, enrollment of voters and others.

The second and third sessions discussed on the transparence of the process, private radio and TV, coverage of debates between political parties and news about the election campaign, on which IRI offered recommendations. jz/fh/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] SDP LEADER ON SP SECOND CONGRESS

Gjinushi also added "It is a positive fact that from the struggle of two trends wins the one that demands tougher stands in the political fight with the ruling democratic party."

According to Gjinushi the fact that SP chairman Fatos Nano realised the centre Pole role as a balance force in the Albanian policy, is a new positive thing.

SDP chairman Gjinushi said that the conversion of the debate into personal clashes or among groups diminish the values of their convention.

"To wrapped it up I would say that if the target of the debate would be on Convention's content, it would have been more successful. Changing the course of the debate to personal or group clashes, certainly diminish the real value the convention aimed at reaching to." Gen/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] TIRANA INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER VIENNA SUPERVISION

The second phase of this project will be financed by the Austrian government. This news was officially told to the Albanian Ambassador in Vienna Albert Alickaj during a meeting with leaders of Vienna Land.

Prime Minister of Vienna Land and deputy chairman of the Austrian Social Democratic Party Michael Hojpel has officially invited in Vienna a delegation of the Tirana municipality.

The realisation of these projects is due to the traditional relations and their excellent level, concludes the paper. jz/fh/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] FROM 18th SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE

Prof. Dr. Emin Riza spoke in the morning about the Albanian folk architecture. The afternoon session treated problems of the new function of Albanian in the mass media, of the language and its literary standard in press and television.

Problems of the Albanian language, ethnography and culture were discussed during a session dedicated to different scientific references, mainly from foreign scholars like Prof.Dr. Odile Daniele from France, Prof.Dr. Anthony Young from England and others.

Scholar Rexhep Munishi from Kosova treated in his article problems of the function of music through folk phraseology. Other scholars from Kosova, Dr. Fazli Syla and Fatmir Sejdiu treated in their article problems of development and scientific activities in Kosova.

The seminar continues. /eva/mt./E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] AD HOC COMMISSION OF CE's EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY VISITS ALBANIA

The Commission is headed by Lord Finsberg, who is visiting Albania for the sixth time.

During their three-day stay (August 27-30) they will meet the President of the Republic Sali Berisha, Speaker of the Parliament Pjeter Arbnori, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi and other members of the cabinet.

Besides a special meeting as deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr Tritan Shehu will also contact them in the post of the leader of the party in power in the context of the meeting the commission will realise with parliamentary parties in the government and with opposition parties.

The program of the visit of the permanent commission of the CE Parliamentary Assembly also foresees a number of contacts with political parties which have assured more that 1 per cent of the votes in the last elections.

A special meeting will be held with chairman of the permanent Election Commission Nestor Therecka and General Prosecutor Alush Dragoshi.

It will also meet the present Albanian delegation in the EU and ambassadors of the EU member countries. jz/fh/ E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PRESS REVIEW

Its editorial is entitled "Local elections - again victory for the Democratic Party". Another article "Nano defamed even in his party" says "The SP congress completely defames Nano and reelects him chairman."

Zeri i Popullit writes on the first page "SP - a modern party". It also carries the resolution of the II-nd Congress of SP "The release of Fatos Nano, a request of national and international opinion".

The congress agreed to acknowledge none of the deputies who may use different tricks to enter the Parliament, writes the newspaper on its second page.

The SP crisis will be reflected in the elections of the presidency, writes Republika. It also carries another article entitled "Antigenocide four starts."

Poli i Qendres under the headline "Seminar of the American Republican Institute with Albanian political parties starts in Tirana" carries the article "DP turns upside down the American table".

It also carries on its third page different opinions of the leaders of Centre Pole about the second congress of the SP.

Lajmi Dites carries the article "General Sheehan optimistic on a possible integration of Albania into NATO." It also writes "Minority strengthens friendship between two nations."

Tribuna publishes the article "Who entered and who remained outside the SP." Sixty-five people won a seat in the Leading Committee and all of them finally lost it, says the paper.

Rilindja reports the arrival of an Ad hoc Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Albania writes "Here you are with the elimination scheme of the SP" under the headline "Letters from Benca, epicentre of the earthquake in the SP." Its editorial is entitled "Congress of the Stalinist continuity."

"Muslim fundamentalists scrap with knives the Albanian culture" writes Koha Jone. "Albania in a critical crossroad" is the title of another article of the paper.

Dita Informacion writes "After Pellumbi's resignation, Islami's candidature proposed by Nano is easier" in its article "Confrontations of candidates for the post of SP General Secretary."

Sindikalisti carries the article "The power, the only concern of the pretenders" while Liria writes "Impressions of an ex-member of polit- buro."

Gazeta Shqiptare publishes "Local elections: 'Secret' meeting of seven political parties." kled/fh/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] SHAQIR VUKAJ ADDRESSES SECOND CONGRESS OF SP

Expressing his concern about an incident during the first day of the congress after he read the letter of Gramoz Ruci, he said: "I took the letter at the last moment, I read it but not good in some cases and finally I said: Gramoz Ruci - not signed. A member of the Steering Committee not only demanded an explanation about this but also spoke harshly to me asking why did I said 'not signed'."

Vukaj said that he saw a list of names proposed by Fatos Nano on the composition of the Steering Committee.

"The presence of many former ministers attracted my attention. There is nothing wrong. They are my friends but I am convinced that we will be targets tomorrow. We will be attacked not only by the opposition but our electorate will also have doubts about us," he said.

Vukaj also focused on FRESSH saying: "We, the older people should be more tolerant with the youth, should let them make their own way for many reasons. I do not want to elaborate on this but I do not agree with the attitude of some of my friends towards the youth. They are young but we should remember that we have also been young just like them. Let's mentioned Ilir Meta. I have first acquainted him here in the congress four years ago. He is young and does not know everything and we should not pretend more, but he is devoted."

Later he said, "Now that Europe and the U.S. are not only recognising us but have also begun to accept us and this is very positive, we are against it instead of hailing this movement. Ilir Meta is being invited personally in the U.S. I am not one of those who pretend. But those who pretend are his friends, for example Erion Brace. I felt sorry when I heard from the letter of F. Nano what Meta has allegedly said in Skrapar. We should let the youth make their way because they are the future."

I want to speak about the relations with other parties, Vukaj said. "I do not really like Nano's attitude regarding the relations with PASOK. He ranks them first and creates the impression that Albania's relations with other countries pass through Athens. Maybe I was among a few or the only one who opposed the agreement signed with PASOK for many reasons," Vukaj said.

He added: "You have seen the attitude of PASOK towards elections. The PASOK government held not only a cold but a denigrating attitude towards our party. I have nothing against this, I want we have relations with it but I do not want that these be the first and the ties with other Socialist and Social Democrat parties pass through this party."

"Even when the case or the problem we have discussed was not related to Fatos Nano we have always included him," Vukaj said adding: "I have spoken about the blood feud and I have spoken about Nano, we have spoken about the November 29 and we have mentioned Nano, let alone rallies. We have developed a cult and he himself seems to be the victim. Please understand me when I say victim because I am open to what I say. To put the veto, as we heard the letter yesterday, it is not normal. I am the first to say that if we won something in the last five years, we won what it is a release from the cult and order. Before we had Enver Hoxha and said "amen" for him. Now, I do not think that there is anyone who accepts to do what the other say. I am the first to oppose this, I want freedom, freedom within the party but not dependent on the individual." ak/E From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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