ATA News from Albania, 96-08-29

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SHAMATA MEETS AD HOC COMMISSION OF THE CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

[02] VATICAN SAYS "BOOK OF MASS" NOT LOST

[03] SERBIAN ARMY USES SCHOOL YARD FOR MILITARY PURPOSE

[04] "LIFE" OF ALBANIAN SCULPTOR AWARDED FIRST PLACE

[05] SP REFUSES TO MEET AD HOC COMMISSION OF CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

[06] SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE CONTINUES

[07] ITALIAN SCOUTS IN MIRDITA

[08] TEACHERS FROM LIQENAS IN OHRID

[09] PRESS REVIEW

[10] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF ALBANIA GIVES A WORKING DINNER FOR THE CE DELEGATION

[11] PREMIER MEKSI MEETS WITH AD HOC DELEGATION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF CE

[12] MR ARBNORI MEETS WITH AD HOC DELEGATION OF THE CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

[13] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA

[14] IF OPPOSITION DOES NOT TAKE ITS SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT IT DENIES DEMOCRACY - Finsberg

[15] SHEHU MEETS WITH ENVOY OF ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

[01] SHAMATA MEETS AD HOC COMMISSION OF THE CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Shamata voiced in this meeting the work of his ministry, regarding the restructuring of its bodies for an efficacious fight against crime. He said that the civilisation of Interior Ministry is and will remain important objective of this ministry. He said they are working for the widening of the structures who have contacts with people, those dealing with human rights, political parties, associations and minorities.

He also acquainted the representatives of the Council of Europe with the Ethic Code and Law on State Police and Public Gathering which are compiled by specialists of this ministry and will soon be sent for approval to the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

Shamata, answering to the CE Parliamentary Assembly representatives, spoke about importance of the consolidation of Public Order Academy in the present conditions. He also reported about the situation before and after May 26 elections and the duties of police during the forthcoming local elections.

Interior Ministry, guaranteed Shamata, is engaged in assuring security and order, so that local elections be free, fair and democratic. fh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] VATICAN SAYS "BOOK OF MASS" NOT LOST

"Reports that the 'Book of Mass' by Gjon Buzuku had been lost were untrue", the Vatican Library prefect Leonard Boyle told on Wednesday the Albanian Embassy in Rome, adding that "the original copy should be for sure in one of our pavilions".

"It is in the nature of our work to move around the books, which number millions", Boyle said. He mentioned an example when the library had recently found a book it had been looking for since 1905.

The official of Vatican added that although most of the staff are on holidays we have assigned three employees to hunt it down.

"I can say that no one had been working since 1984 with its original copy, but with the photocopy or with the microfilm, said Boyle.

Albanian newspapers and Vatican radio's Albanian section reported last week on the loss of the "Book of Mass", the first major document published in the Albanian language in 1555. The prefect of Vatican Library told that all the reports were untrue and unfair./ mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SERBIAN ARMY USES SCHOOL YARD FOR MILITARY PURPOSE

The Albanian pupils have been expelled from the school and the soldiers have erected tents, the above source said.

The self-styled Yugoslavian army is recently conducting military drills in this area which is located near the Pristina airport. Hundreds of reservists are taking part in this military drill, the report said. lind/ak/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] "LIFE" OF ALBANIAN SCULPTOR AWARDED FIRST PLACE

"I took part in the Italian annual competition in Andria, Italy, with three sculpture works "Life", which was awarded first place, "Lovers" the 11th, and "Cloud" the 18th.

Llalla is being working for five years in Coratto, Bari, a region of Italy.

"I did not expect such a prize moreover in a national competition," Llalla said. Maybe "Life" opens me the doors of life," he added.

The works of the Gurgos competition are evaluated by a five-member jury including art professors and presided over by Dr Mario Piergiovani. jz/ak/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] SP REFUSES TO MEET AD HOC COMMISSION OF CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

According the agenda the SP should attend a meeting with political parties of the opposition. The SP representatives its deputy chairman Luan Hajdaraga and Et-hem Ruka came to the meeting and left after a short talk for some minutes with members of this Commission.

After the meeting, deputy chairman of the Republican Party Fatmir Mediu, said that "a member of the Ad Hoc Commission, Mr Buhler, said, they would not like to think this was a strategy of the SP policy."

The DP Secretary General, Besnik Gjongecaj, showed through facts that the DP and President of the Republic have been initiators of political round tables on local elections, thinking to start talking first and then institutionalise them.

He reported on the DP efforts to organise bilateral talks with the SP and confirmed its good will for the adoption of the CE recommendations, by showing the DP initiative for a round table of 22 political parties, which was boycotted by seven opposition parties, those which continuously boycott the dialogue. He added that "the reorganised 'red front' boycott is a boycott without reasons" acquainting the representatives of the Commission with declarations of this front about the boycott.

The DP representatives said that "the red front efforts to dramatise the situation in Albania is a farce, there are no reasons for boycott."

Gjongecaj continued that "The fact that the SP boycott is not an act of protest, but an alternative and political strategy was completely confirmed this afternoon with their boycott of this meeting."

"The SP refusal to take its seats in the Parliament," said Gjongecaj, "has created troubles in the Council of Europe including the Socialist group, as the resolution of this Council saying that legitimacy of Albanian Parliament is not to be doubted, was approved on consensus by all CE political groups." eva/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE CONTINUES

Prof Dr Aleksander Meksi was invited in the seminar and held a report on "Historical circumstances and Medieval architecture."

"This study envisaged the results of researches I and my colleagues have done since six years ago. We thought to put forward some new considerations regarding the new social and political terms and development of Albania and what can we further do to study the Medieval history of Albania and the history of Medieval architecture," Meksi said.

He suggested bilingual publications on Medieval history and architecture and put forward the idea for the setting up of an Albanological foundation named after Marin Barleti.

"It is necessary to further studies on history of medieval architecture because the documentation on the development of Medieval period are the only one after the archaeological ones. I think that the Academy of Science finds greater possibilities and has the support of the state in order to promote these researches which have been interrupted to a certain extent," Meksi said.

The afternoon session included scientific reports on problems of lexicology and terminology by Prof Dr Mico Samara, Prof Dr Jani Thomaj, Asst. Prof Dr Agron Duro and other scholars. eva/ak/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ITALIAN SCOUTS IN MIRDITA

"It is five years now that the Italian scouts realise admirable projects in Albania in service of a better life" said he.

Education of children with values of a humanitarian society and enlivening of their cultural life is the mission of 120 Italian scouts, who are realising a new project in Mirdita.

Members of the Italian Scouts Association will also engage in restructuring of schools and religious objects in three villages. am/jz/fh/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] TEACHERS FROM LIQENAS IN OHRID

The lectures treated problems of morphology and syntax of the Macedonian language, as well as up-to-date methods of the teaching process.

There are nine villages of the Macedonian minority in the Korca district with some 900 inhabitants, who have the right of education in their mother tongue.

The Albanian state has taken all necessary measures for the continuity of the teaching process in these schools. am/jz/mt/E.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESS REVIEW

Its editorial, entitled "The SP boycotts Europe " says that the Albanian socialists are against the CE resolution. Another article appears under the title "Albanian Greek relations will be a model."

Zeri i Popullit writes that "The SP representatives did not attend yesterday's meeting with the CE Commission with parliamentary parties because it sticks to its principled decision not to acknowledge the illegitimate Parliament of Berisha" in an article entitled "Socialists do not recognise Berisha's Parliament." It also carries another article "October 20 in the traces of May 26 elections."

Under the headline "CE meets Albanian political parties. The SP and Centre Pole boycott the afternoon meeting" Republika publishes the article "Fincberg: Socialists should enter the parliament."

"Severe warning arrives from the Strasbourg delegation" is the title of an article in Poli i Qendres, which says that Fincberg has declared that without free elections, expulsion from the CE is possible.

Another article of this paper says that "the Centre Pole does not set conditions for the non boycotting of local elections but offers proposals for their conduction according democratic standards."

Balli i Kombit carries the article entitled "We do not like communism. Help us to part with it."

Under the title "Council of Europe determined to cooperate closely with Albania", the daily Lajmi i Dites reports on the meeting of the president of the Republic Sali Berisha with Ad Hoc Committee.

"SP boycotts the Council of Europe" the daily Tribuna said. The paper carries the political commentary entitled: "Boycott - SP political strategy."

Rilindja carries the article "Opposition return to parliament" referring to the beginning of meetings of Ad Hoc committee with the Albanian authorities and politicians. The paper reports on the meeting of the President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova with the Political chief of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Robert Norman.

Albania carries the editorial entitled "Blocked ways of SP", saying that the Socialists confirmed their "reformation" after the second Congress by boycotting the Council of Europe. Lamberto Dini sends his special envoy to Albania, the paper reports in its article entitled "Another round table for the Albanian political parties."

"Council of Europe: Socialists in parliament" the daily Koha Jone reports under the headline "10 parties in a table with the Council of Europe. SP leaves: "We are not parliamentarians." In its third page the paper carries commentaries of the party leaders on the second Congress of the Socialist party under the title "SP on the focus of politics."

"Council of Europe invites the opposition to take up empty seats in parliament" the paper Dita Informacion reports.

Gazeta Shqiptare reports that the car of the Commissariat Chief of Kruja was shot at by a spate of automatic shots by two men driving a motorcycle, seconds after he came out of the car. kled/fh/ak/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF ALBANIA GIVES A WORKING DINNER FOR THE CE DELEGATION

After thanking for the assistance for Albania by the Council of Europe, Mr Shehu briefed the members of the delegation with the political situation in Albania on the eve of the local government elections and the serious efforts of the Albanian government for a normal electoral process. "The aid of CE for the improvement of the electoral process has a special importance and is in full accord with the objectives of the democratic government (of Albania) for an ever closer cooperation with CE, the European and euro-atlantic institutions," said Shehu.

The delegation of the CE Parliamentary Assembly appreciated the achievements of democratic Albania, its determination for a closer and continuous cooperation with CE and other euroatlantic structures, "whose assistance will never be lacking." am/jz/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] PREMIER MEKSI MEETS WITH AD HOC DELEGATION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF CE

After appreciating the important contribution of CE for Albania in the field of legislation for the construction a the rule of law, the assistance of CE in the field of economy, law, education and media, he described this contribution "as very important for Albania's integration in Europe."

Speaking of the local government elections, Mr Meksi stressed the serious commitment of the government to adopt all the measures so that these elections be free and fair, and held in a calm situation. He promised that the election law will be continuously improved taking into consideration the remarks and suggestions by experts of various political parties. Mr Meksi also all state structures will be activated for the elections especially laying the stress on the elections monitoring by foreign observers, whom, as he said,"will be created all the conditions to monitor the process of elections."

Lord Finsberg said that CE is ready to help Albania in the consolidation of democracy and improvement of the electoral process. "We follow with sympathy your developments in the years of democracy and consider them very important with regard to the participation of your country in the European family," he said. Mr Finsberg said that elections should be transparent, the people should be informed with their rights and duties in the election process. He added that CE is ready to provide technical aid for the October elections.

During the meeting, members of the delegation Ad Hoc made suggestions regarding the execution of the election law, the role of police and other state bodies for the normal conduct of elections, their procedure, the role of media, etc. eva/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] MR ARBNORI MEETS WITH AD HOC DELEGATION OF THE CE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr Arbnori made a panorama of the situation prior to local government elections in Albania concentrating on two main aspects: the discussion of the existing problems and their political and legal adjustment through dialogue. He explained the artificial question raised by the Socialist Party in order not to take part in the local elections. Then he voiced the will that all the Albanian political forces should take part in elections. "The opposition should recognize and respect the democratic institutions," said Arbnori.

Lord Finsberg voiced his considerations for the previous meetings with Albanian political parties and with political personalities. With regard to SP's absence in yesterday's meeting he said: "SP is theoretically in the Parliament and I hope that the socialists will not make use of the boycott if their reasonable and possible requests for local elections will be met." He added that "dialogue should continue in a common table for all political parties."

Questions by Lord Finseberg and other delegation members, Mr Arbnori replied through explanations about all the measures taken and still underway by the government and the parliament so that the election process be free and fair. Arbnori told the delegation that all the political parties have agreed on the existing law of elections despite some remarks of technical character which can be put right. xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA

They discussed technical details of the work of the election commissions, the central one and those in constituencies, many technical modalities which will help that the election process be held properly on October 20 were defined.

Mr Tereska briefed the delegation members of some technical questions emerging in the work of the commission for which CE promised that will be considered with priority in its meetings.

A delicate point also discussed, according to Tereska, was the professional qualification of the staff of election commissions especially in communes and municipalities of which European parliamentarians said would be realised through various seminars and consultations with CE specialists who may help the election process in Albania. eva/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] IF OPPOSITION DOES NOT TAKE ITS SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT IT DENIES DEMOCRACY - Finsberg

Appreciating the role of the opposition in a democracy and referring to the approach of the Albanian opposition which has not accepted to take part in the parliament, Finsberg said in his statement that "the opposition has the duty of opposing within the parliament in which it has been elected, despite the extend of its doubts on the result."

The senior European parliamentary also addressed his statement to the majority in the parliament, which "bears a great responsibility with reagrd to a proper treatment for the opposition, because it must be aware that one day the electoral situation may change and the majority may turn into minority."

Further on he told the press that "The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has demanded a round table for all the political parties in Albania to discuss all their questions including the constitution and the mechanisms of elections," said he in the statement.

Lord Finsberg said in conclusion: "If this table is not held then they who are responsible for this will bear a heavy burden on their shoulders." xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] SHEHU MEETS WITH ENVOY OF ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

He said that Mr Shehu appreciated the precious assistance by the Italian Government "for the democracy in Albania since its first steps and the contribution to the consolidation of cooperation in all the fields, stressing that the plans of Italian-Albanian economic cooperation have yielded their fruits and are very important."

"Italy, along with other countries, has always supported Albania's opening to Europe," said Shehu.

The same source said that Mr Ferraris pointed out in the meeting that Albania is an important country in the foreign policy of Italy, which appreciates Albania's stand in the safeguarding of the stability in the region and the determination of the Albanians to construct a Western democracy."

The spokesman said that Mr Shehu briefed Ambassador Ferraris of the measures adopted by the Albanian government for a normal conduct of elections in conformity with international standards of elections for the local government, stressing that the Albanian government is open to cooperation with the structures of the Council of Europe and broader for any possible improvement of the election procedures.

The meeting was held in the spirit of understanding on all the aspects discussed, the spokesman said. ssh/xh/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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