ATA News from Albania, 96-10-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PCEC ISSUES LOCAL ELECTION FIRST ROUND RESULTS

[02] SERBIAN OPPOSITION DEMANDS FROM POLICE TO REGISTER ALBANIAN POPULATION IN KOSOVA AND EXPEL 300 000 ALBANIANS

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] EXPERTS OF WHO EXAMINE 900 FILES OF POISONED PUPILS IN TETOVA

[05] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER LETTER SHOWS HIS TIES WITH TERRORISTS

[06] LET US SUPPORT DP IN THE RUNOFF - HRUP

[07] SP'S STRATEGY IN LOCAL VOTE WAS WRONG - SP deputy chairmen

[08] OCT.20 ELECTIONS SHOW A POLITICAL CONSOLIDATION OF THE RIGHT WING

[09] ALBANIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN BSEC

[10] THIRD NATIONAL DENTAL CONFERENCE HELD IN TIRANA

[11] SOCIALIST PARTY CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS HIS CANDIDACY

[12] INSTITUTE "ROBERT SCHUMANN" OF EUCD HAILS DP POLLS VICTORY

[13] BALKAN CHILDREN SONG FESTIVAL OPENS IN TIRANA

[01] PCEC ISSUES LOCAL ELECTION FIRST ROUND RESULTS

According to the PCEC results, the Democratic Party won in 37 municipalities and 193 communes, the Socialist Party in four municipalities and 12 communes, the Human Rights Union Party in six communes, the Christian Democratic Party in one commune, while in the Vau i Dejes municipality won the independent candidate, Nard Lazer Ndokaj.

The elections are totally over in 42 out of 64 municipalities and in 212 out of 309 communes.

The Democratic Party won in these elections 88 % of the municipalities, and the Socialist Party 10 %.

As a whole the DP has won 91 %, the SP 6 %, the HRUP 3 % and the CDP 0 % of the municipalities.

For Municipalities Councils, on which the voting was held based on proportional criteria, the DP has gained 52.49 % of the vote for 488 councillors, the SP 31.19 % of the vote for 324 councillors, while the parties who came out third include the Centre Pole (the Alliance: the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance Democratic Party) with 38 councillors by 3.09 % followed by the Republican Party with 37 councillors, the National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) by 2.39% with 25 councillors and the Human Rights Union Party 2.333% with 30 counselors, the Social Democratic Union Party 1% with 12 councillors, while the other parties have won less than 1% of the councillors.

Runoff ballot will be held in 118 municipalities and communes on Sunday.

The runoff ballot will be held mostly between two main parties, the DP and SP, but there will also be runoff ballot between other parties, like the DP and the Shkodra Right Wing League, between an alliance of the National Front Party and Legaliteti, the DP and Social Democratic Union Party, the DP and Republican Party, the DP and Centre Pole, the DP and Human Rights Union Party. /kei/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] SERBIAN OPPOSITION DEMANDS FROM POLICE TO REGISTER ALBANIAN POPULATION IN KOSOVA AND EXPEL 300 000 ALBANIANS

During the presentation of the programs of their parties, several leaders of the opposition remembered the period of the Serbian rallies, in which the abolition of Kosova autonomy was requested, and it was violently removed against the political will of Albanians.

During the presentation of the coalition program "Everybody together", held in the sports centre "Boro and Ramiz" in Pristina, the chairman of the Serbian Democratic Party, Zoran Gigic, addressing to some 300 participants, members and supporters of the Serbian opposition , accused Milouseviç of realizing none of the promises for Kosova and stressed that "the Socialist Party and its alliances are preparing a scenario of federalism, similar to that of the former Yugoslav federation. But such federation will end the same as the federation of the former Yugoslavia," said Gingic.

"The democrat" Gingiç was engaged in the functioning of the "juridical state" in Kosova and added that "it is not known how many Albanians live in Kosova, because they have not responded to the registration of the population".

He accused President Milouseviç on his agreement to return the Albanian people who have requested asylum in Germany, and asked by the Serbian police, who protect Milouseviç, to go to Kosova and make the registration of the Albanian population, in order to verify the number of the Albanians who live in Kosova," he said.

Such a police registration, according to Zoran Gigig, will show the real number of Albanians who live as "emigrants" in Kosova, and on this basis there will be held talks with the Albanian representatives of Kosova, to return to Albania 300 000 "Albanian emigrants". /p.ta/pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit says that: "All to the runoff ballot for the victory of the socialist candidates". The paper also says that "The manipulations and irregularities of the October 20 elections continue to be denounced and the results issued arbitrarily on several communes and municipalities should be annulled".

Republika says that:"The electorate denounces the political stagnation through abstention". The paper says that the Democratic Culture Association that observed the elections has reached the conclusion that they "were free and calm".

The Centre Pole says that:"The first round results are issued but participation in voting is kept secret", as well as "Tereska (PCEC chairman) avoids clarifications on violations".

Albania says that:"The triumph of democrats made official". The paper carries new facts on the organisation "Albanian Justice revenge", according to which former interior minister says in a letter that:"The interception of the archives drives us all to ruin".

Tribuna carries an interview of President Berisha with the Italian newspaper "La Stampa" under the title:"The communist opposition is unimportant". The paper covers the meetings of the DP leaders, Tritan Shehu and Albert Brojka, in the course of the electoral campaign for the runoff ballot.

Dita Informacion says that referring to the Greek press: "The votes of the Albanian Greeks have been stolen". The paper carries an analysis of writer Dritero Agolli on the October 20 local elections under the title:"The opposition needs a symbol".

Rilindja says that the U.S. Congress asks international protectorate for Kosova". The paper also reports that the President of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, has been awarded the title "Doctor Honoris Causa" of the Paris University.

Koha Jone says that :"The banks are empty. Credits are converted into usuries". The paper also carries the results of the first round of local elections in Albania.

Gazeta Shqiptare carries the results of the October 20 elections first round. The paper says that the newly elected mayor of Roskoveci town has been injured at a bar by one of his relatives. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] EXPERTS OF WHO EXAMINE 900 FILES OF POISONED PUPILS IN TETOVA

The specialists' team visited the Medical Middle School, Textile Middle School in Tetova, and the elementary school "Abdyl Frasheri", in Bogovina village.

The WHO specialists examined cases where the symptoms and causes of intoxication are still present. /p.ta/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] EX-DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER LETTER SHOWS HIS TIES WITH TERRORISTS

The letter sent to two of his relatives shows that Hajredin Shyti is much more interested in covering up some traces of a clandestine activity still to be enlightened than concerned over the arrest of his older son Leart and the hunting down of his younger son Orik.

"I am afraid they have got hold of all the archives, this would be my greatest catastrophe, says the letter, whose facsimile is published by the newspaper.

Later he advises his relatives to find a letter "at the place you know which if found would drive the persons concerned to ruin".

The letter also expresses tension over the difficulties created to him to communicate with the outside, since after the arrest of Leart Shyti and many of the organisation's accomplices.

In another extract Shyti asks his relatives to send a letter to the newspaper Koha Jone for publication, Albania says.

The terrorist organisation members have committed over 26 crimes, including killings, bank armed robberies and car-bomb blast at the VEFA supermarket, in the Tirana centre. kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] LET US SUPPORT DP IN THE RUNOFF - HRUP

"The HRUP electorate should by all means support the Democratic Party in the constituencies which will have a second round such as in the districts of Saranda, Delvina, Gjirokastra, Southern Albania, for the municipalities of three cities where it competes for the post of the mayor, because only in DP the Human Rights Union Party may see its best ally," told ATA the member of the leading council of this party and former chairman of the district council of Saranda, Vasil Cako.

In the first round of elections for town-halls and communes on October 20, the HRUP won in six communes, thus having in national level 30 advisers and 2.33 per cent of the votes for the members of the district communes. kei/xh/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SP'S STRATEGY IN LOCAL VOTE WAS WRONG - SP deputy chairmen

They said that the loss in these elections was not a result of manipulations or law violations, as SP leaders said in Sunday's news conference.

"There is no doubt that the strategy of the party in the local vote was not correct. I agree with what papers write that 'affairs with the electorate could not be solved in cafes.'" Berisha, although having the power, went to meet the electorate himself in every village," said Luan Hajdaraga, presently released from his post as deputy chairman of SP in the second congress of the SPA.

In the Monday's news conference, SP secretary general Rexhep Mejdani said that "October 20 polls were another farce after those of May 26 and that these elections were held in a tense political situation."

Asked how he considered the October 20 elections, Hajdaraga said that "with regard to these elections my considerations are positive, firstly because they were held conformed to the election law in a very stable and calm political situation, and secondly, they marked a great leap forward as compared with May 26, 1996 elections."

Rexhep Mejdani, Namik Dokle and Kastriot Islami, SP leaders, said in Monday's news conference that "the elections were rigged by the party in power, by using a new strategy."

In the mean time, Hajdaraga said that "some technical or procedural irregularities, that might have been noted in some set points cannot harm the image of Oct. 20 polls, which did finally open to Albania a clear road towards democracy."

"I would like that the irregularities in the first round be corrected in the second one and the Oct. 20 polls give everybody a really full image of a democracy which is now being consolidated in Albania," said Hajdaraga.

"From a general consideration, I would say that a part of the socialist electorate has not take part in elections. This fact, which needs an attentive analysis by the party, may be linked with a crisis of confidence of the socialist electorate or with other factors. This is to be analysed in the party's forum." According to PCEC sources, the participation in the October 20 elections varies from 70-73 per cent. kei/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] OCT.20 ELECTIONS SHOW A POLITICAL CONSOLIDATION OF THE RIGHT WING

The Party of Balli Kombetar stresses through a declaration that with the Oct. 20 elections "the Albanian people dealt the last blow to communism in Albania and to the efforts to restore it," whereas a declaration of the party Movement of Legality says that "Today, after 50 years of legal political struggle between the authentic Albanian right and left,... the smog that communism had placed on Albanian monarchy is being dispersed."

Both these parties have linked in alliance and will compete with DP in the second round of polls for the municipality of the Shkodra city.

These parties consider the Right League of Shkodra (consisting of a union of the branches of these two parties in the city of Shkodra) as "the initiative that will establish the proper equilibrium in Albania."

Legaliteti declares that "finally a real triumph and authority is being given to the right wing in Albania."

"October 20 local vote was a step forward as compared with May 26, 1996 poll, says the declaration of Balli Kombetar.

Balli Kombetar won 2.39 per cent of the votes and Legaliteti 0.56 per cent on October 20. Balli Kombetar will face a runoff in five communes, in southern Albania and Legaliteti in Tropoja (Northern Albania.) jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN DELEGATION TAKES PART IN BSEC

A high ranking meeting which was held in Hotel President was proceeded by another meeting of the senior officials of the foreign ministries in which the Albanian delegation was represented by Foreign Deputy Minister Arjan Starova.

Attending the meeting were the President of Turkey, Demirel, of Bulgaria Zhelev, of Armenia Ter-Petrosian, of Georgia Shevardnadze, of Ukraine Kushman, of Moldova Snegur, of Azerbaijan Aliev, the Prime Minister of Russia, Cernomirdin, Premier of Greece, Simitis, of Romania Vakaroju and the Albanian Prime Minister Meksi.

In his address Mr Meksi described BSEC as a successful pattern of regional cooperation. "We are gathered here," said Meksi, "to once more confirm our common viewpoints for the perspective of the region, for its peace, stability and prosperity."

Focusing on Albania's commitments, Mr Meksi mentioned its cooperation with Italy, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey in transport for the East-West corridor and in telecommunication, the cooperation with the above countries for the transbalkan link and the ADRIA project together with Greece and Croatia. Meksi demanded a harmonization and facilitation in the customs procedures.

Premier Meksi is continuing his bilateral meetings with the leaders of the delegations and his counterparts present in Moscow. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] THIRD NATIONAL DENTAL CONFERENCE HELD IN TIRANA

These two non government organizations of North America have longsince helped the cultural and economic integration of Albania into the European community. Representatives of these two organizations, who are renowned specialists in medicine and dental surgery, come to Albania every year to demonstrate and introduce latest dental scientific achievements.

Through illustrations, the renowned names of world and Albanian medicine such as Savas Fortis D.D.S., Norman Miller D.D.S. Prof. Dr Keneth Bentley, Dr Mirela Bogdani, Prof Dr Pavli Kongo, Prof Dr Foto Toti, Dr Nazmi Koci and others brought in the conference the latest achievements of dental science.

Present in the conference also were Mr David Kilgour, deputy chairman of the Canadian Parliament, Mr William Johnson M.D. President of AHF and deputy minister of Health and Dr Mentor Petrela, General Director of the Student Centre of the Tirana University.jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] SOCIALIST PARTY CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS HIS CANDIDACY

"I, alone, cannot hold socialism," said Gjoni thus motivating his political "loneliness."

The victory of the candidates of the Democratic Party in all the communes and the municipality of the Mat district and the great loss of the political subject he represents in local vote, according to close sources with Gjon, have "frightened" him, and made him withdraw his candidacy for commune chairman only three days before the runoff. ssh/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] INSTITUTE "ROBERT SCHUMANN" OF EUCD HAILS DP POLLS VICTORY

"It is a special pleasure to hail DP and the wise Albanian people in my name and that of the Institute Robert Schumann," said Dr Marta Szalo, directress of this Institute.

"We assure you that the Institute, just like before, will support and provide you assistance in the qualification of the new leaders, for a reliable future towards western democracy," said Dr Szala. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] BALKAN CHILDREN SONG FESTIVAL OPENS IN TIRANA

Little artists from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Macedonia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Albania and Pristine, for three days will bring in Tirana the message of friendship and good will for the peninsula we live in.

The participating countries will be represented in the festival with only two songs besides other songs to greet the festival.

The festival has two juries, one with representatives of the participating countries and another with little singers, who have the right to vote but not to sing in the festival.

The Great Prize is that of the Albanian Ministry of Culture, besides other prizes by the Tirana Municipality, the Democratic Women League and the Coca Cola Company. ssh/xh/

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

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