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ATA News from Albania, 96-10-09Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] NEW POISONING OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN TETOVOTIRANA, OCT 8 (ATA) - After the poisoning of 150 students of the medical school in Tetovo three months ago, of 80 pupils in village Pirok on September 28, and 150 others in village Bubolline on October 1, new poisonings were announced Tuesday in schools of the areas inhabited by Albanians in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.In the elementary school "Fan Noli" in the village Trebosh, Tetovo, were poisoned about 150 pupils by a still unknown microbe, reports radio the "Voice of America" (VOA). School director Veli Vehbiu qualified these poisoning as a continuity of former ones. He said that "the lesson was interrupted from the first classes. Red marks appeared on pupils eyelids and then followed a splitting headache." Head of Tetovo police was present on the scene followed by his men. He was cited by the VOA as saying "We have taken samples of the air and necessary investigations are under way. They will be sent to responsible institutions for analysis." International Bodies, OSCE and the UN peace-keeping troops in Skopje were informed about this new incident. sk/n/fh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALBANIAN PRIVATISATION MINISTER MEETS BRITISH DIPLOMAT PARRYAlbanian Minister of Privatisation Dylber Vrioni met Saturday with the Director for Western Europe at the UK Foreign Office, Emyr Jones Parry. They discussed the aid the United Kingdom will provide to Albania for the creation of free market zones, industrial parks and air and sea port facilities.The also discussed the problem of the return of the Albanian gold. Vrioni said that on October 28 this year an Albanian delegation will go to London, and in cooperation with the three-party group, which administers the gold plundered during the Second World War, will finally transfer it to the accounts of the Republic of Albania. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] ALBANIAN AGRO-BUSINESS TO TAKE PART IN THE BERLIN FAIRBy M Spahivogli:The German Government has set funds for the participation of representatives of Albanian Agro-Business in the traditional fair of Berlin, said today in the news conference the representative of the German Project GTZ in Albania. "Albania has taken part in the last two fairs in Berlin and its participation has been successful," said Andrea Mase, representative of GTZ. The Berlin fair, to be held by the end of the next January, will also have a 30 square metre Albanian section. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] TRADE UNIONS STAGE ONE-DAY GENERAL STRIKEThe Union of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania (UITUA), after failing to reach a consensus in the talks with the government, decided to stage the one-day general strike on Friday."The sectors likely to be affected by the walk-out include education, health care, except emergency service, telecommunications, Independent Trade Union of Food Industry, chemical industry, urban, railway and maritime transports, all civil defence officials and other sectors. The wal-kout will also affect private firms and non budgetary enterprises," the spokesman of the UITUA, Zef Luca, says. In yesterday's meeting, the trade union representatives demanded that the problem of the bread price compensation be reexamined and treated. According to the UITUA deputy president, Estref Mersini, the number of the unionists to go on strike will amount to 200 000. According to the law in force the strike will be stopped because of the local elections. "After 21 days unless the government takes measures the strike will resume until our demands are met," Mr. Mersinaj said. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] GERMANY TO SUPPORT ALBANIAGermany will continue to support Albania in developing its democratic reforms said the Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for cooperation and development, Klaus Jurgen Hedrich in a meeting with the State Secretary for Foreign Economical Affairs, Selim Belortaja on Thursday.Belortaja thanked the German guest for the generous help given to Albania through the Ministry he represents. He stressed that he considered Hedrich visit an important political gesture and a great contribution in support of reforms in Albania. "We are pleased that Europe appreciates our political standards", said Blortaja, adding that Albania's priority is its integration in the European Union. Hedrich pointed out that a particular sympathy for the Albanians in Germany does exist. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] STRIKE NOT LARGELY SUPPORTEDThe government spokesman in a report for Albanian Telegraphic Agency ATA dismisses Friday's reports by agencies REUTER and AFP that the number of participants in the one-day strike held by the trade unions reached 200 000.This figure is not true for the very fact that the public sector workers in education, health care, food industry, energy, transport and other fields do not reach the figure of 163 000 people either; but also for the fact, as it comes out from the reports of the unionist leaders themselves, that the important public sectors including health care, energy and telecommunications did not join the strike. On the same day, on the Albania TV, the head of the strike committee of Albania's Union of the Independent Trade Unions, Estref Mersinaj, admitted that "health care was not affected by the strike because of the poliomyelitis vaccination campaign". More so, according to several reports, the leader of the health trade union himself was working on Friday. Also, the strike was less joined by the Confederation (of left inclination), and, according to the deputy chairman of the Trade Union Confederation, Xhafer Dobruzha, "the strike was also partly realised in the education sector, including several of Tirana's suburbs like Bregu i Lumit and other zones". The trade unions demanded full compensation for the bread price and the inflation index but, failing to reach an agreement in their meeting with the Minister of Labour, Arlinda Ymeraj, they went on strike, which was not largely supported. The director of the eight-year education at the Ministry of Education, Bashkim Berisha, himself, admitted on the TV that "the strike did not affect all the schools in the capital and districts". "That is, this figure is not real. It is blown out of proportions and does not respond to the reality, because according to accurate data, the participation of the workers in the strike on a country scale did not reach 10 000 people either," the spokesman says. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] ALBANIAN AND CROAT PREMIERS VISIT "PEZA-1" WELLCroat Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, who is on a two day visit to Albania, and Albanian Premier Aleksander Meksi visited Tuesday the "Peza-1" Well, 20 kms from Tirana. The drilling is carried out by the renowned Croat Company Ina Naftaplin.The "Peza-1" well has begun to be drilled on July 15, 1996 under the agreement signed in 1994 between the Albanian National Agency of Hydrocarbons and the "Ina Naftaplin" company. According to the director General of the INA Naftaplin, Andrija Kojakovic, positive and concrete results in finding hydrocarbons are expected in the period January-February 1997. The well which will reach the depth of 5500 metres is the first concrete project of "Ina Naftaplin" in Albania. Some 20 Albanian workers and 30 Croat ones are currently working in this well. So far the "Ina Naftaplin" company has been working as a contractor in drilling the Dumrea Well, Middle Albania. After a visit to the Kruja town the Croat delegation, headed by Premier Matesa, left Albania. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT CONVENESThe Albanian Council of Ministers adopted a number of decisions on Monday's meeting directed by Premier Aleksandder Meksi.The Council approved a draft-project on some amendments to the law on concessions for the natural gas supplies. The project expands the law action including the transport, distribution and storage of the gas. Besides, the projects to be contracted for the natural gas will also be approved by the Council of Ministers. The draft law "On the standartization and activities linked with it" was approved. Its aim is to harmonize the legal frame with that of the European Common Market countries. A reviewing of the Albanian standards will be made on the basis of the European and regional standards. Also the draft law on some amendments to the law "On the system of taxes in the Republic of Albania" was adopted in the meeting. Rules were set for the traffic tax which clearly defines cases when imported or locally produced fuel is used. The Council of Ministers also set up a special commission and charged the Bank of Albania with the liquidation of the legal obligations of Albania regarding the Albanian gold stolen during the Second Wrold War and its handing over to Albania by a tre-partite commission. In order to prepare the premises of Albania's membership in the World Trade Organization, the Council of Ministers authorized the respective structures to start preliminary talks with the countries which are members of this oranization about the obligatory tariff and service levels. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] INVESMENT MAKE VEFA CREDIBLEM. Spahivogli- VEFA is a credible company because it backs its activity on the investments which are always increasing, VEFA representatives, the largest Albanian company, told Wednesday in a press conference which was held in the Palace of Congresses.A brief description of VEFA investments was given to the journalists. They also provided by figures the multiplan activity of this company. VEFA cooperates with foreign companies for a part of Aggro - Food activity. It has big projects in this field, which aims at exploiting the interior sources. VEFA Holding considers market economy as a system of clients' independence, whose decisions determines the variety of products, as well as the amount of them sold in market. Opening of VEFA private bank, according to its president Vebi Alimucaj, still remains an unsolved problem: "We are ready to open it and fulfill all the necessary conditions, he said. It is in the hands of the state mechanisms to give way to this problem" Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] DP INTRODUCES CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF MAYORTIRANA, OCT 9 (ATA) By A Baci, M Malja, H Koci, I Manka Albert Brojka the DP candidate for mayor in Tirana held a meeting with the electorate of constituency 51 in Tirana, where he won in the parliamentary elections of May 26."Tirana will become a modern city, as it deserves to be" said Brojka, and continued with his project on the city cleaning, electric power supply, drinkable water and housing. He said that "the SP's failure to cut relations with its past reduce its chances for a victory. The SP has not the moral right to ask for political power. They changed four governments while in power. The DP has realised, within four years, as much as the Party of Labour did in 50 years" "We will handle unemployment problem with care and change its figures from 11 to 8 per cent in two years," added Brojka. The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Pjeter Arbnori, introduced Monday afternoon to the electorate of Malesia e Madhe, the DP candidate for mayor in Shkodra Islam Semaj. Semaj said that, if he won, he would work with devotion for the solution of problems concerning the municipality, which result numerous from the inefficient governing of the Socialists. The DP candidate for mayor in Vlora, South-western Albania, deputy Gezim Zilja, organised a meeting with businessmen of this town. Intellectuals of Lushnja, members and sympathisers of the DP gathered in the cinema hall of the town, where the DP branch introduced its candidate for mayor in the elections of October 20, Agim Fuga. The DP chairman, Tritan Shehu, took the floor after an opening speech by the leader of the DP branch of Lushnja Kamber Elezi. He considered October 20, elections as a contribution to Albanian democracy, where it was natural, he said, people will vote for the democratic alternative, for the candidates proposed by the DP. Fuga revealed to the electorate the alternatives he aims to achieve in the four years to come. kei/fh/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] SP CANDIDATES FOR MUNICIPALITY MAJOR PRESENTEDSHIJAK, OCT 8 (ATA) By S. Gjordeni, H. Koci - The Albanian Socialist Party started Monday in the Palace of Culture, Shijak, Central Albania, the elelection campaign by fielding its candidate Alush Xhihami.In his speech, candidate Xhihami, no party member, stressed among others that he will strongly support the interests of Shijaku people, despite their political ideas. The chairman of the Albanian Eurosocialist Youth Forum and member of the SP Leading Committee, Ilir Meta, called on the participants to be totally engaged in the election day. The SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, presented Tuesday in Vlora district the candidate, Eduard Alushi, to the post of Mayor. Currently Alushi holds the post of SP party branch chairman. Mejdani, in fielding the candidate, said the vote of Vlora people is vote for democracy, which according to him, is guatanteed only by socialists. Mejdani underlined that "we, the socialists, will make Vlora "the eye of Europe", an important port of trade and not of clandestines"./kei/ mt/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] ATA-TEXT INCREASES SELLING OF TV SETS WITH TELETEXTTIRANA, OCT 8 (ATA) - The furnishement of the Albanian Television with teletext service prepared by ATA, ATA-TEXT has increased the selling of the TV sets equiped with teletext.Based on the results of a poll made in some ten TV shops of the capital, it results that since the time teletext was set up in April this year, 64 per cent of all the sets sold are equiped with teletext, at front of 27 per cent that was before the Albanian teletext was set up. "Because of the large number of TV sets equiped with teletext, about 130 000, ATA-TEXT reaches the same run of the biggest newspapers, but its service is free", Genti Dilaveri, director of this service says. According to the poll conducted among the most important companies "Sony", "Philips", "Seleco", as well as in some commercial centers like "Pacific" and "Lindi", the selling of the decoding sets, despite of the higher price, reaches 60-80 per cent of the sets sold. The ATA Teletext service transmits every day about 60 pages of information, including news and several notices./ eva/mt Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] COORDINATOR OF AMERICAN STATE DEPARTMENT VISITS PRISTINATIRANA, OCT 9 (ATA) - Nancy Rafell, coordinator for the Balkan in the office on the Issue of Europe and Canada near the American State Department arrive Tuesday in Pristina. Rafell, as soon as she arrived in Pristina, told "Deutche Welle": "This is my first visit to Kosova and I will have a lot of meetings".The leader of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, met Rafell, who is accompanied by diplomats of the American Embassy in Belgrade. The high ranking official of the State Department will also meet the representatives of the Serbian regime established in Kosova. /l.t/n/jz/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] PRESS REVIEWTIRANA, OCT 9 (ATA)- Today's Rilindja Demokratike under the headline:"October 20 - contribution to Albanian democracy" carries the article entitled:"Local democracy".The paper carries the meetings of Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi and deputy Prime Minister and DP chairman Tritan Shehu with inhabitants of several districts entitled:"The DP victory ensures harmonisation of powers". Under the title "Albania lost its great friend" the paper reports on the death of Lord Finsberg. The paper carries the articles: "Former Party of Labour deputies, SP mayor" and "Who is the SP candidate for mayor in Tirana". Zeri i Popullit under the headline:" Where have 100 billion leks gone", carries the editorial:"Budget of 1996, electoral budget". The paper covers the meetings of the SP Secretary General R. Mejdani with the electorate under the title:"With the victory of the socialists starts the solution of political crisis". The paper also carries an interview with the candidate for the Durres mayor, B.Agasi, entitled:"Your trust is the greatest obligation for me". Rilindja reports on the death of Lord Finsberg. Albania carries the interview with the person holding hostage since two years ago one of the Albanian culture treasure, the epitaph of Gllavenica, entitled:"This is how I became a millionaire from a thief". Under the title "No danger for creditors", Albania carries the pronouncement of the Albanian bank governor K.Luniku: "No prejudice on Albanian companies". Dita Informacion carries the article:"IMF seeks to destroy Albania" as well as the article:"School abandoning phenomenon deepens". Koha Jone under the headline: "Albanian firms guarantee usuries" carries the editorial:"Usuriers make politics". The paper carries the article:"Mejdani: socialists will revive Albania". The paper carries the article:"great economic difficulties for science". Gazeta Shqiptare carries a pronouncement of the Albanian bank Governor K.Luniku entitled: "Luniku: will help create private banks". The paper carries the article:"Black market of passports. Millions of leks flow every day". Tribuna carries the article:"Brojka (candidate for DP mayor) will win for all". Liria carries today the article:"At the time of King Zog the left was neither denigrated nor labelled". jz/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] NEW POISONING OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN TETOVOTIRANA, OCT 8 (ATA) - After the poisoning of 150 students of the medical school in Tetovo three months ago, of 80 pupils in village Pirok on September 28, and 150 others in village Bubolline on October 1, new poisonings were announced Tuesday in schools of the areas inhabited by Albanians in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.In the elementary school "Fan Noli" in the village Trebosh, Tetovo, were poisoned about 150 pupils by a still unknown microbe, reports radio the "Voice of America" (VOA). School director Veli Vehbiu qualified these poisoning as a continuity of former ones. He said that "the lesson was interrupted from the first classes. Red marks appeared on pupils eyelids and then followed a splitting headache." Head of Tetovo police was present on the scene followed by his men. He was cited by the VOA as saying "We have taken samples of the air and necessary investigations are under way. They will be sent to responsible institutions for analysis." International Bodies, OSCE and the UN peace-keeping troops in Skopje were informed about this new incident. sk/n/fh/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] KOSOVA WANTS ITS GOLD FROM FORMER YUGOSLAV RESOURCESPRISTINA, OCT 9 (ATA)- By B.Jashari, Kosova is asking its own gold from the former Yugoslav resources, in the context of its right to inherit assets of the federation, where it had an equal status with six other federal units.Last week President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, asked Switzerland to block in its own banks the gold reserves of former Yugoslavia, until Kosova's right to inheritance is accepted. The gold reserves of former Yugoslavia continue to be a state secret but Albanian experts say that approximately it can be estimated as Kosova's share. Figures what Trepce's output can be or has been in a year are very well known. According to a scientific analysis on Kosova's resources, academician Minir Dushi has jumped to the conclusion that some 686 kg of gold and 204 tons of silver can be turned out in one year by "Trepce". Former director of "Trepce", Aziz Abrashi, has admitted that in cases of "low productivuty", Trepce's annual output was 270 kg of gold and 113 tons of silver, of great purity. According to experts and witnesses the whole gold extracted from the Kosova mines whose quantity has always been kept secret during the whole existence of former Yugoslavia, has been taken and sent to Belgrade, to the state's treasury, under a tight surveillance. The return of gold, which is an unalienable asset of Kosova, is an important segment of former Yugoslavia's inheritance. But without Kosova there can be no inheritance, and for this correct approach, the state and political leadership of Kosova demands and expects internationally backing as well as support from the former Yugoslav republics. p.pa/jz/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] POLITICAL PARTIES INTRODUCE CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTTIRANA, OCT 8 (ATA) By B Fejzullaj - The Republican Party branch for the Devolli district introduced its candidate Agron Lame for the post of mayor in Bilishti town, South-east Albania.Republican leader Sabri Godo was also present in a meeting organised on this occasion. Godo, after revealing some shortcomings of former local government, pointed out the competencies this government should have in the future, as democracy progress widely depends on them. He continued that municipality or commune councils should decide on its own, in the future local governemnt, about public works belonging to them. The candidate of this party promised that if he won he would work honestly to justify the electors' belief. Recently, in the hall of Korca theatre "A Z Cajupi", the Human Rights Union Party introduced its candidates for mayor and commune chairman. Vasil Melo chairman of this party was also present in the meeting. Melo said that general interests of the country have been taken into consideration while compiling his party's programme. "We want to implement the power expressed in our party's name, the power of human rights," stressed Melo in his speech. He introduced Gjergji Lika as candidate for mayor in Korca town and Biliman Merolli in that of Maliq. ssh/kei/fh/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] DEMOCRATIC ANTICOMMUNISTS DEMAND SEVERER SENTENCES FOR GENOCIDETIRANA, OCT 8 (ATA) By M Allushi - National Council of the Democratic Anticommunist Prosecuted demanded again Tuesday, in its routine meeting severer sentences for the people who are charged of exercising genocide.The report of the meeting kept a critical stand towards the Appeal Court, which has taken under protection some people who have been of main responsibility for the genocide exercised in Albania. "With regards to the genocide, I am of the same opinion with you, they deserve their punishment for the blood of thousands of people who died in prisons and internment camps" said in his greeting Speaker of Parliament Pjeter Arbnori. Among other problems the meeting also discussed about the efficacious use of bonds, by avoiding their fall in speculator's hands, the housing problem for the prosecuted, employment of recently graduated students who adhere in this association as well as association's relations with government. "We will fight that all veterans, belonging to every political colouring win their rights, as they have sacrificed their lives for them" said Arbnori. kei/fh/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] FIRST MATCH OF ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVE FOR WORLD CUP "FRANCE '98" QUALIFIERS TODAYTIRANA, OCT 9 (ATA) By Aljosha Keko, The Albanian national football team, lead by the coach N. Bajko will hold today in the national stadium "Qemal Stafa", Tirana, its first qualifying match of group 9 for the World Cup "France '98", facing the representative of Portugal.The possible formation of today's match may include footballers like: Nallbani, Dema, Vata, Abazi, Lekbello, Xhuma, Paco, Millo, Rraklli and others. Under the control of Bajko are also other players like: Strakosha, Malko, Shulku, Bellai, Kushta, Fortuzi, Prenga, Bushi and others. In "Euro '96" qualifiers, which was the main contest of an important international football activity, our representative team was included in the seventh group, besides Germany, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldavia and Wells. It conducted matches in this group, winning two of them and ended in a draw two others. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] SOCCER MATCH OF ALBANIA VERSUS PORTUGAL ENDS 0-3TIRANA, OCT. 9 (ATA) - Today the representative soccer team of Albania had its first eliminator match of the 9th group for the World Cup "France '98" with the representative soccer team of Portugal. The match was played in the Qemal Stafa national Stadium in Tirana.The first half ended 1-0 for the Portuguese team, with the goal by Figo in the 12th minute. The whole match ended with the score 0-3 for the Portuguese team. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] DP PRESENTS ITS CANDIDATES FOR COMING ELECTIONS IN 7 COMMUNES IN TIRANATIRANA, OCT. 9 (ATA) - By P Shuteriqi: Devotion and further improvement of the infrastructure in the countryside, greater decentralization of the local government and better harmonization of the competencies of the local government with the central structures were some of the objectives presented for solution yesterday by the Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi. Mr Meksi had meetings in seven communes of the Tirana district to present the DP candidates for the coming elections.In the meetings held with the electorate of DP in Petrela, Berzhite, Krrabe, Cekreze, Kashar, Vaqar and Ndroq Mr Meksi presented the candidates of DP for commune chairmen. He said that a part of these candidates come from the Youth Forum of DP. jz/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] "AFTER SOME DAYS WE WILL SAY WHETHER WE SHALL BOYCOTT ELECTIONS OR NOT" - Musa UlqiniTIRANA, OCT. 9 (ATA) - By Agim Baci: The SP branch in Tirana has sent to the municipality and the administrative units which deal with the preparation of the electors' lists six protests regarding "irregularities" noticed, according to it, in the registration of the voters as well as the conditions in the voting centres."We have declared our opinion about these irregularities," said the SP chairman for Tirana, Musa Ulqini. Copies of the protests have been sent to foreign observers as well. The Sp preoccupation to find out and denounce as many "irregularities" as possible has created, according to analysts, doubt whether Sp will take part in the local government elections or not. Asked if "all these problems do question SP participation in elections," Mr Ulqini said that an exact reply to this will be made public after some days. "We, as an opposition, feel our duty firstly to declare the irregularities, secondly to denounce them, thirdly to be fair in our denunciations. Further conclusions will determine things finally. We hope that through our activists we shall make all our best so that manipulations be not of dramatic proportions," said Ulqini. SP has frequently spoken of alleged irregularities in the voters' lists, saying that the Mayor of Tirana Sali Kelmendi has declared a greater number of the inhabitants of Tirana when he has referred to them as 460 thousand. Also in a news conference to declare the beginning of the electoral campaign, the SP Presidency has admitted that SP will take part in elections, but it still left open the possibility for a boycott. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LEAVES FOR THE UNITED KINGDOMTIRANA, OCT. 9 (ATA) - Albanian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the Democratic Party, Prof Dr Tritan Shehu left today on a working visit to the United Kingdom.Mr Shehu will attend the Congress of the Conservative Party of the British Prime Minister, John Major and will have many meetings with senior British personalities. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] "AN ARMED CONFLICT MAY OCCUR IN KOSOVA" - AndersonPRISHTINE, OCT. 9 (ATA) - "An armed conflict may occur in Kosova. The Kosova youth is manifesting an increasing dissatisfaction arousing from the great presence of the Serbs in Kosova," said David Anderson, director of the Institute "Aspen" of Berlin in an interview with newspaper Bujku. Experts of this institute and those of Karnegi have lately prepared a report named "Non-realised peace" on the problems of the Balkans, 200 pages of which are devoted to Kosova. If one day these youths loose patience and get supplied with weapons then a new war will occur and this war will be more brutal than that in Bosnia," said Anderson. According to him, the war may spread in the neighbouring republics such as Macedonia, then Albania, Greece, Turkey.The Serbian military and police presence in Kosova was considered by Anderson as a pressure for the Albanian people who make up the majority of the Kosova population. Anyhow, Anderson thinks that the conflict may be avoided through open and sincere talks between the leaders of Kosova and Belgrade. He stressed that "the Kosova people may request a solution, to have their autonomy and even an independent republic. Bot for the moment it is impossible to ask a unification with Albania because the Serbs will not agree to such a thing now," said Andersen. "I do not expect to see Rugova and Milosevic next week sitting by a table to talk about the solution of the Kosova question," said Andersen about a possible dialogue. But he suggested the creation of a group of Western European and American officials, and possibly Russian as well, who will talk with both parties in order to convince them to start negotiations. Perhaps Holbrook will tackle with the Kosova question as a necessary step after Dayton, said Anderson, although he accepted that he himself had not yet clear how to attain this. "Pressure must be exerted on Milosevic and Rugova to reach a solution to this long pending problem," said Anderson in his interview with Bujku. pta/jz/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] SERBIAN POLICE INTERVENE IN EDUCATION TRADE UNION HEADQUARTERS IN KOSOVAPRISHTINE, OCT. 9 (ATA) - A Serbian police patrol entered the headquarters of the Kosova United Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture in Prishtine and threatened with imprisonment terms the activists of this organization, the Information Centre of Kosova reports.Police controlled the offices, interrogated a number of people working there and asked details on the activity of the trade union. After the investigations and identifications on the spot, police warned for other controls in that trade union centre, which has increased its efforts for a release of the Albanian school buildings and visits by foreign delegations. pta/kled/xh/sh/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |