Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-20

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER ADDRESSES OSCE REGARDING ISSUE OF SENDING A MISSION TO BELGRADE

[02] 10.5 YEAR IMPRISONMENT FOR PROTAGONISTS OF ARKOND COMPANY SCANDAL

[03] SOCIALISTS OF TIRANA DENOUNCE WORK OF SP PRESIDENCY

[04] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER ADDRESSES OSCE REGARDING ISSUE OF SENDING A MISSION TO BELGRADE

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ISSUE WARRANT FOR FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER RUCI

[07] ITALIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY CONFUTES BBC

[08] REPRESENTATIVES OF ALBANIA PAPER SUMMONED TO COURT AFTER INDICTMENT BY A GENOCIDE-INVOLVED MAN

[09] SERBIAN POLICE CONTINUE TO KEEP UNDER ARREST A NUMBER OF ALBANIANS RETURNED FROM GERMANY

[10] COUNSEL CENTRE SERVING VIOLATED GIRLS AND WOMEN INAUGURATED

[11] TIRANA COURT RULES 40 DAYS JAIL, PENDING EXTRADITION, OF TWO ITALIANS

[12] ARBNORI MEETS DEPUTIES OF KOSOVA PARLIAMENT

[13] KOSOVA ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED IN ROUND TABLE TALKS - Rehn

[01] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER ADDRESSES OSCE REGARDING ISSUE OF SENDING A MISSION TO BELGRADE

The letter of Minister Shehu is being discussed for two days in the Leading Council of OSCE, and its content has found understanding and support from the participating countries in this organization, Foreign Ministry press and information office reports.

In his letter Shehu says that he had been informed of the recent leeter correspondence between Serbian President Milishevic and U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, as well as of the letter addressed to you by Minister Milutinovic, in your capacity as chairman in Office of OSCE, inviting a "distinguished delegation of the OSCE to visit our country and obtain true information on all the facts".

In the letter Shehu mentions the fact that the OSCE has, during the last three years adopted a number of decisions, among other things, requesting Belgrade to accept immediate and unconditional return of the OSCE Long Term Mission to Kosova, Sandjack and Vojvodina, to stop repression and human right violations, to allow the opening of the democratic institutions, including the Parliament and the judiciary, and to start a substantial dialogue, in a third party presence, for the solution of the status of Kosova.

"The UN Security Council has also adopted Resolution 885, August 9, 1993, requesting Belgrade the immediate return of the OSCE Mission; the UN General Assembly, the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights has done so, and the reply from Belgrade has been a "flat "NO", says the letter.

"Now that Miloshevic seems to be in trouble, he is requesting the OSCE to send an "eminent" or a "distinguished mission". What about all the previous OSCE, UN and other organizations' requests to Belgrade? Do they want a mission as a face-savor, as a shield or something else? Other high profile representatives have visited Belgrade recently, and the statements released on the occasion have cast doubts on certain demands of the opposition, thus creating more confusion or makinf life easier for the regime in Belgrade.

Can we absolutely exclude the possibility that an OSCE mission fielded in haste may be used in the same way?" asks Shehu in his letter.

"This is a two-edged knife and the OSCE must be very careful about it. It is my opinion that we have to ask Belgrade, first to implement Resolution 855 of August 9, 1993, and all relevant OSCE decisions to that effect. Otherwise, the credibility of OSCE is at stake," writes Shehu further on.

In the letter, Shehu expresses Albania's reserves about the sending of a mission in Belgrade at such a speed, without analysing in details all the possible implications that might arise therefrom.

Without claiming to enter into the procedural aspects of sending Personal Representatives of the chairman, of fact-finding and rapporteur missions, as the only options according to the OSCE documents, Shehu informs that "we could approve of sending a mission or delegation to Belgrade, only if its mandate of terms of reference will automatically include unconditional return of long-term missions in Kosova, Sandjak and Vojvodina according to Resolution 855, of August 9, 1993, and the necessary efforts to establish a dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtine, in the presence of a third party.

According to Shehu, "I am fully confident, Mr Minister, that the Swiss Chairmanship will seriously take into consideration our concerns and will elaborate and accommodate them in the course of its efforts to provide the appropriate and good leadership of the OSCE. I would appreciate if you kindly inform all the participating states of the OSCE about this letter," writes Shehu. ssh/kei/mt/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] 10.5 YEAR IMPRISONMENT FOR PROTAGONISTS OF ARKOND COMPANY SCANDAL

But according to the final saying, the main culprit is thought to be the president of the Bushi firm, Mehmet Bushi, for whom were demanded four years in jail for the penal act of fraud in cooperation.

The prosecutor demanded 3.6 years in jail for Ferit Kastrati and 3 years for Irfan Canaj with the same charge as Bushi.

According to the final saying, the defendants have deceived in cooperation with one another a great number of citizens of Tirana, Vlora and Fier, by accumulating millions of money and misusing them in forms of bribing and honoraria for enigmatic Nigerian people.

The prosecutor's office accused the above mentioned defendants of the loss of 460 million leks, but the amount of money of a great number of nationals accumulated through contracts at monthly interest rates ranging from 8 to 15 per cent is much larger and until the day when the court will hold its decision, the deceived people have the right to deposit their civil indictments. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SOCIALISTS OF TIRANA DENOUNCE WORK OF SP PRESIDENCY

SP did not finish the analysis started with the results of the local elections of October 20th, which will also continue on Friday.

According to a quastionaire prepared by the SP branch and discussed Thursday in the meeting, 172 from 175 SP organizations in Tirana do not support the current Presidency of SP.

37 organizations in Tirana are in favour of the resignation without conditions of the party presidency.

During the meeting it is also said that if the Socialist Party will be led by the current presidency, it will have a hemorrhage of memebers.

At the beginning of this month, the socialists made the first attempt to conduct the analysis of the local elections results which failed after the confrontations between the presidency and the invited socialists.

The chairman of Tirana SP branch, Musa Ulqini interrupted the meeting because according to him, attending the meeting were also people who had entered without being invited and who represented a single wing. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER ADDRESSES OSCE REGARDING ISSUE OF SENDING A MISSION TO BELGRADE

The letter of Minister Shehu is being discussed for two days in the Leading Council of OSCE, and its content has found understanding and support from the participating countries in this organization, Foreign Ministry press and information office reports.

In his letter Shehu says that he had been informed of the recent leeter correspondence between Serbian President Milishevic and U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, as well as of the letter addressed to you by Minister Milutinovic, in your capacity as chairman in Office of OSCE, inviting a "distinguished delegation of the OSCE to visit our country and obtain true information on all the facts".

In the letter Shehu mentions the fact that the OSCE has, during the last three years adopted a number of decisions, among other things, requesting Belgrade to accept immediate and unconditional return of the OSCE Long Term Mission to Kosova, Sandjack and Vojvodina, to stop repression and human right violations, to allow the opening of the democratic institutions, including the Parliament and the judiciary, and to start a substantial dialogue, in a third party presence, for the solution of the status of Kosova.

"The UN Security Council has also adopted Resolution 885, August 9, 1993, requesting Belgrade the immediate return of the OSCE Mission; the UN General Assembly, the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights has done so, and the reply from Belgrade has been a "flat "NO", says the letter.

"Now that Miloshevic seems to be in trouble, he is requesting the OSCE to send an "eminent" or a "distinguished mission". What about all the previous OSCE, UN and other organizations' requests to Belgrade? Do they want a mission as a face-savor, as a shield or something else? Other high profile representatives have visited Belgrade recently, and the statements released on the occasion have cast doubts on certain demands of the opposition, thus creating more confusion or makinf life easier for the regime in Belgrade.

Can we absolutely exclude the possibility that an OSCE mission fielded in haste may be used in the same way?" asks Shehu in his letter.

"This is a two-edged knife and the OSCE must be very careful about it. It is my opinion that we have to ask Belgrade, first to implement Resolution 855 of August 9, 1993, and all relevant OSCE decisions to that effect. Otherwise, the credibility of OSCE is at stake," writes Shehu further on.

In the letter, Shehu expresses Albania's reserves about the sending of a mission in Belgrade at such a speed, without analysing in details all the possible implications that might arise therefrom.

Without claiming to enter into the procedural aspects of sending Personal Representatives of the chairman, of fact-finding and rapporteur missions, as the only options according to the OSCE documents, Shehu informs that "we could approve of sending a mission or delegation to Belgrade, only if its mandate of terms of reference will automatically include unconditional return of long-term missions in Kosova, Sandjak and Vojvodina according to Resolution 855, of August 9, 1993, and the necessary efforts to establish a dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtine, in the presence of a third party.

According to Shehu, a personal representative of the OSCE chairman in Kosova would serve the objective to find a solution of the question there.

"I am fully confident, Mr Minister, that the Swiss Chairmanship will seriously take into consideration our concerns and will elaborate and accommodate them in the course of its efforts to provide the appropriate and good leadership of the OSCE. I would appreciate if you kindly inform all the participating states of the OSCE about this letter," writes Shehu. ssh/kei/mt/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit carries an article about a meeting of the Leading Committee of the Socialist Party under the title "Main worry: consolidation of SP." In the article entitled "Thousands of citizens intended to occupy the Scanderbeg square" writes of the firm of pyramidal scheme, "Sudja." In the pages on cultural activities, the newspaper writes "Fan Noli between Shakespeare and Tolstoy."

Republika writes that "The rentier asks self-arrest" regarding the dramatic situation created yesterday in Sudja firm. On the second page the paper writes of the meetings of the Republican Party deputy chairman Fatmir Mediu in the U.S. Department of State.

The newspaper Rilindja makes coverage of the meeting Berisha-Rugova in its article "The main question of the Balkan crisis is the Kosova question." The paper writes on the news conference of Elisabeth Rehn under the title "The talks between the parties will decide about a solution to the question."

Koha Jone writes in the first four pages about the situation in Sudja firm, under the title "Sudja disappears... She want to meet Meksi," "Pyramidal schemes explode," "These schemes - the narcosis of transition." The paper also reports of the meeting of the SP Leading Committee for Tirana.

Dita Informacion writes in a special article about Sudja firm and of a news conference by EU Ambassador Elio Germano given in Tirana yesterday.

Gazeta Shqiptare writes "No money until Monday in Sudja firm?" eva/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ISSUE WARRANT FOR FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER RUCI

Ruci, according to the paper, is accused of abuse of office with regard of the April 2, 1991 massacre in Shkodra, in which several people were killed. The charge for Ruci is related with the elimination of a number of top-secret documents of the defunct State Sigurimi for a period of 40 years, writes the paper. It adds that the documents are presumed to relate about the April 2 event. The file for Ruci will be examined paralel with that of last former communist president of Albania, Ramiz Alia.

For one year now, the Prosecutor's Office has examined at least 60 indictments in the address of Alia with regard to the April 2 killings in Shkodra.

Ruci, according to sources cited by newspaper Albania on Friday, has left Albania and works as a billiards guard in Athens. kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ITALIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY CONFUTES BBC

"Since his return from this visit," says the report, "Minister Napolitano has not made any declaration for the press about the agreement signed between Italy and Albania, and especially, he has not made any interview on this matter with BBC." ssh/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] REPRESENTATIVES OF ALBANIA PAPER SUMMONED TO COURT AFTER INDICTMENT BY A GENOCIDE-INVOLVED MAN

Beqiri accuses reporter Malo of slander and asks that Malo and the paper director be punished.

"Albania wanted to discredit before the Albanian public the chairman of the National Unity Party chairman, Idajet Beqiri, mentioning some information in the investigation file which are not true," says the indictment.

Albania explains that everything written about Idajet Beqiri and his friends involved in genocide, has been retrieved from the investigation files which had been proved twice by Albanian courts.

At present, Beqiri is serving a 15 imprisonment term.

Albania representatives say that it will not go to court today because they were notified for the date of the trial only one day before the session, and according to the law, the notification should be made three days before the trial. eva/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] SERBIAN POLICE CONTINUE TO KEEP UNDER ARREST A NUMBER OF ALBANIANS RETURNED FROM GERMANY

According to several sources, 7 Albanians are under arrest in the airport, and they risk to return back, with the claims that their traveling documents were irregular, meanwhile that the administration of the airport has not confirmed so far reports on the arrest of the Albanian travelers.

The Serbian police intercepted on December 7 in the airport of Pristina two Albanians, who had returned from Germany, while 12 Albanian citizens are kept in this airport since the end of the last week, and the Serbian police do not allow them to return to their families. /p.ta/kled/mt/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] COUNSEL CENTRE SERVING VIOLATED GIRLS AND WOMEN INAUGURATED

A telephone number has been put at the disposal of these girls who are counselled by a specialised psychologist and jurist of the centre.

"During our two month performance we have received 279 telephone calls and 23 personal contacts with violated girls and women, who first of all have had the courage to ask our emotional and material support," the executive director of the Counselling Centre Aida Bushati said at the ceremony.

The service offered by the centre during four weekdays is free of charge and these girls remain anonymous.

The assistance has been realised by the women's association "Refleksione".

The service has been financially realised by the Foundation of the Civil Association, NOVIB, SNV and Hhealth Action Overseas. kei/lm/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] TIRANA COURT RULES 40 DAYS JAIL, PENDING EXTRADITION, OF TWO ITALIANS

Cristina Quaglia and Ivan Cella are accused respectively by the Italian justice of supporting the author of the crime and of being accomplices in the murder.

Quaglia and Cella were arrested by the Albanian police after the request of the Rome Interpol to that of Tirana.

They had been sheltered for nearly three months in a flat at the "Siri Kodra" street in Tirana.

The police bodies had found in the Italians' flat falsified passports, materials testifying to their criminal activity as well as a big amount of money.

The 40 day arrest coincides with the necessary time for the extradiction procedures of the two persons and their handing over to the Italian justice.

On the same day, Thursday, the custody order was also considered for two Albanians, Ardian Bulku and Ardian Xhera, who have helped the Italian couple. The two Albanians have been detained under the charge of not denouncing the crime, Albania says.

As a custody for the two Albanians, the prosecutor's office ordered their appearance before the court. kei/lm/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ARBNORI MEETS DEPUTIES OF KOSOVA PARLIAMENT

"Albanian diplomacy and state have intensified efforts to support the national and human rights of the Albanians in Kosova, Montenegro, Macedonia and elsewhere," Arbnori said.

He said further on that "A democratic and economically developed Albania is also a strong support for the solution of the Kosova issue".

Arbnori presented the approach of the Albanian diplomacy on this issue and stressed that the new situations in the region require the definition of realistic policies in favour of the peaceful solution and positive dialogue.

Arbnori pledged support by Albanian parliament and State for the Kosova issue and expressed the conviction that the perspective would be even more favourable than so far.

The deputies of the Kosova parliament appreciated the Albanian state's contribution in supporting of the Albanian issue. They especially valued the contribution of Arbnori to the sensitization of the European governments and senior officials of the Kosova issue.

The Kosova deputies stressed the indispensability of clearing up the diplomatic terminology regarding the Kosova issue, explaining that the Albanians in Kosova are not a minority, they live in their own lands.

They also asked that the national rights the Albanians are deprived of and the fact that the cause of the Albanians in Kosova is not based on the idea of a greater Albania, as speculated in some case, should be considered. s.sh/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] KOSOVA ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED IN ROUND TABLE TALKS - Rehn

Rehn spoke of the situation in Serbia and dwelt on the latest demonstrations in Belgrade and the Kosova issue.

She referred to the Albanian education agreement and deplored its non application and the latest killing of an Albanian teacher by Serb police.

The Kosova issue is very significant but difficult to be resolved without the democratisation of the whole "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", she said.

The assistant of the special envoy, referring to Rehn's statements, mentioned Rugova's proposal for a transition period, overseen by the International Community.

She said that there would certainly be such a transition period, which means that the parties conduct talks. p.ta/l/z/lm/Z/

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