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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-01-27Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] MEETING OF POLITICAL FORCES AND ASSOCIATIONS IN DURRESDURRES, JAB 27 (ATA)-By S. Gjordeni, The various political forces and associations of the Durres city, gathered at a joint meeting yesterday afternoon in the city-hall, after showing concern over the situation created in several cities of Albania, issued a statement calling on all the Durres citizens to distance themselves from all violent acts."We powerfully support the acts of the public order forces in implementation of the law", the statement says. Attending the meetings were representatives of the Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, Social-Democratic Party, The Democratic Party of the Right, the Republican Party, the Social-Democratic Union Party and all the district associations. On Thursday, January 23, groups of people in Durres protested against the loss of their savings in the "Xhaferri" and "Populli" foundations, which applied the pyramid schemes deceiving thousands of people. a.ke/kled/lm/e Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALL SERB ASSEMBLY IN PRISHTINETIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) - The Serbian Movement of Resistance and the Serbian Orthodox Church started the so-called all-Serb Assembly on January 25, 1997.The assembly, which has invited a great number of representatives mainly Serbs throughout the world, and which will discuss especially the question of Kosova, is seen with suspicion by the Albanians. In the mean time, the Information Centre of Kosova considers it as a provocation for the Albanians. The list of the participants itself proves that participating in the Assembly is expected to be Serbian nationalist elite which in the 80s brought to power the regime of Milosevic, says a comment by the Information Centre of Kosova. The presence of the ideologists of the Serbian nationalism again in Kosova may be explained only with fresh instigation of the Serbs against Albanians, despite the fact that this is camouflaged as a awakening of the Serbs of Kosova towards the regime of Milosevic. Noting that listed among the participants are also the people who compiled the notorious memorandum of the Serbian Academy and who are still working out plans for the truncation of the Albanian territories, the Information Centre of Kosova considers that the organization of this chauvinist assembly which recalls one of similar assemblies held in the time when the Serb regime mobilized the Serbian opinion in favour of the of the aggression in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a provocation for the Albanians and for Kosova. The coming in Kosova of these political, scientific and religious figures which have stirred up, supported and justified the Serbian aggression in Kosova, the commentary writes, will be another testimony to the present Serbian claims towards Kosova and another signal for the risk of possible conflicts. Kosova was separated from the Albanian trunk in 1913 by a decision of the London Conference, which sanctioned the occupation of the Albanian territories by Serbian armies during the First Balkan War. The expansion of the Serbian medieval state in the Balkans since the 12-14th centuries, did never manage to change the ethnic physiognomy of the region, which has always consisted of an absolute Albanian majority. Under the pretext that "in Kosova they have their cradle of culture," the Serbs are defending in Kosova their economic interests which are related with the underground assets of Kosova and especially its mines of gold. ag/kled/pas/xh/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] DEBATE IN THE MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT ON THE USE OF ALBANIAN LANGUAGETIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) - After the protests by Albanian students of the Pedagogical Faculty in Shkup that all subjects be taught in the Albanian language and against the protests of Macedonian students that the 7th Article of the constitution be observed, such an act is occurring these days also in the Macedonian parliament.The parliament is debating for several times now the issuing of a regulation of the work of the parliament which is presently based on the regulation of the communist system. Albanian deputies insist that the regulation should sanction the use of the Albanian language as it was in the past and which can be made possible by the point 2 of Article 7 of the Macedonian Constitution. But Macedonian deputies think that the Article 7 of the Constitution envisages only the use of the Macedonian language whereas the use of the languages of the nationalities is adjusted by the law on the local self-administration. In one of the commissions of the Macedonian parliament which convened recently, Albanian deputies Mevlan Tahiri and Rahmi Tuda expressed the idea that in such cases the multiethnic and multi-cultural reality of Macedonia should be taken into consideration and that the demand for the use of the Albanian language does not run counter to the official character of the Macedonian language. The use of the Albanian language in the Macedonian parliament should not be considered only from the judicial point of view but also as a political question which can be solved only with an agreement among political forces. If this is not reached, Albanian deputies have declared categorically that they will leave the parliament. This stand has been supported both in the past and presently by the leaders of the Albanian Democratic Prosperity party too. Despite the categorical stand of the Albanian deputies, the majority of the commission decided and supported the version of the new regulation which does not envisage the use of the Albanian language. It is also expected that the parliament, which must have the final say on this question, will not for the moment give the green light to this version. ag/eva/xh/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] ONE INMATE DEAD IN THE JAIL RIOT IN BARDHOR OF KAVAJATIRANA, JAN 27 9ATA) - By Agim Baci: One inmate dead and seven injured (five inmates and two policemen) was the result of the riot by inmates in the jail of Bardhor, 17 km from Kavaja (Western Albania.) The prison is out of use because inmates set fire to cells, General Department of Prisons in Tirana reports.The event occurred after a warden interfered to solve a conflict between two inmates. "The conflict was provoked to create inmates possibilities to break out of the prison by exploiting the recent situation in some towns of Albania," said deputy director-general of prisons, Bedi Coku. Coku said that the situation was now under control and that organizers of the riot would face law. "We are considering now the accommodation of the inmates because the existing cells were set ablaze," said Coku. The riot, the only of this kind during the last years, is thought to have been influenced by the situation in the country. Recently, groups of people who have lost their money in pyramid investment schemes from which they were promised 300 per cent or 200 per cent returns in three month's time, have protested in some towns of Albania. They have set fire to some offices of local government, police commissariats, savings banks and cinemas, consequently eliminating many important documents. In the lead of the protests have been left wing opposition parties. pas/xh/e. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF ACTIVISTS OF DP BRANCH OF TIRANATIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) - Terrorist gangs want to ruin democracy, therefore we appeal to the people to distance themselves from them, speakers in the extraordinary meeting of the Democratic Party branch of Tirana said today."We must save democracy from criminals, hence we call on institutions to observe the laws. The Democratic Party is resolute to carry to the end the economic reform program," said DP chairman Tritan Shehu. "Financial losses from pyramid investment schemes are being exploited by the Socialist Party and segments of the defunct secret police," said Shehu, adding that "we should bar the way to those who are ruining what we have constructed," said Shehu. Further on Shehu laid the stress on the responsibility of the state structures for the recent acts. Leader Shehu appealed to activists to hold a peaceful protest against violence in front of the SP headquarters, on Tuesday. Albert Brojka, chairman of the DP branch for Tirana, also took the floor in the meeting. He said that "while DP is making efforts to find a solution for the people disillusioned from the collapsing pyramid investment schemes, SP and other opposition forces are seeking to exploit this loss for their political goals." "Albania has been set on fire by the red elite which has the instinct of destruction," said SP Secretary General Besnik Gjongecaj, calling on the people that "it is high time to protect democracy." Ylli Vejsiu, DP organizational secretary, said that "now Europe has dismissed every illusion that the left wing forces may play a constructive role in the construction of Albania." kled/xh/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] MEETING OF COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TODAYTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) - Presided over by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, the Council of Ministers convened today to examine the situation created in Albania as a result of the violent acts of protesters who have invested their money in pyramid schemes. They also demanded from respective structures to accomplish their tasks according to and in support of the law in order to defend the interests of the nation.The government is constantly working to protect the interests of the investors in the foundations and according to the statement of the Prime Minister Meksi, the distribution of the money will start on February 5, press office of the Prime Minister reports. The participants in the meeting also adopted some laws and a number of decisions. ake/eva/xh/E Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] PEACEFUL PROTEST IN SHKODRASHKODER, JAN 27 (ATA) By Myfit Malja: In Shkoder, city 120 km north of Tirana, some 700-800 persons demonstrated peacefully on the main streets of the city, demanding the solution of the problems caused by the collapse of the loan-taking companies.The chairman of the district council, Lorenc Mosi, told ATA that "Shkodra of the democratic traditions, which has led the democratic processes, showed even today that it supports democracy, integration into Europe and the quick development of democracy on its secure way". While the Mayor, Bahri Borici, in his press release, thanked the Shkodra people for the tolerance and understanding manifested during the peaceful protest, showing once again that they are a democratic people. At the same time, on the behalf of the municipal council, he said that they were working intensively to solve this problem with the government and parliament. The protesters were dispersed peacefully. /a.ke/jz/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] TECHNICAL GOVERNMENT TO COOPERATE WITH PYRAMID SCHEMES TO GIVE MONEY BACK - Left oppositionTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) By R. Floqi: The Albanian left opposition declared Monday that it would solve the economic problem of the crisis caused by the collapse of pyramid investment schemes, after the resignation of the democratic government and with the establishment of a technical government. This government would call on the people to show self-control and would cooperate with the managers of these firms."This government (technical) in cooperation with the managers of these firms and the citizens' commissions would define the ways of distributing the money", says the statement of the left oppositions parties, SP (Socialist Party), SDP (Social Democratic Party) and DAP Democratic Alliance), read today before the journalists in a news conference held in SDP headquarters. Asked by ATA, if they would cooperate with the collapsed pyramid schemes and in what way would give the money back to citizens, SDP chairman Skender Gjinushi said: "When goods are stolen, first the thief is detained and then goods are distributed". Gjinushi and the SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, with the word "thief" implied the government and not the presidents of these swindler foundations. The government arrested recently the organizers of these schemes, froze over 30 milliard leks ($300 million) of these foundations in the state-owned banks and sequestrated some hidden million dollars. According to Gjinushi, "An implicated government is not able to return the money", and "there was no reason to arrest the presidents of these firms." The opposition had not presented so far any option on how to solve the problem, while Gjinushi said today: "This (technical) government, in cooperation with these firms and state means would verify what had happened and which is the level of abuse and laundry? Which are the firms that have any economic capital and which are those which are collapsed? According to Gjinushi the technical government "would distribute to people 70 %, 50 % or 30 % of the money found, although he declared that "the money are here in Albania and reach the amount of 2 milliard dollars" "The defraud people do not trust this government anymore, it is a thief government. It is urgent this government be replaced", said SP leader Rexhep Mejdani. According to the analysts, the left opposition (former communist) which lost in the last local elections, is trying to change by every means the movement of the economic revolt of people fraud by pyramid schemes into a political movement. "If this movement will not be changed in a political movement, it is for sure that every public building in Albania will be destroyed". /jz/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] ALBANIAN OPPOSITION DOES NOT DISTANCE ITSELF FROM DESTRUCTIVE ACTS, BUT FAVORS THEIR CONTINUIATIONTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) By Atlant Frasheri: The Albanian opposition party, SP (Socialist Party), SDP (Social Democratic Party) and DAP (Democratic Alliance Party), in the joint news conference did not disassociate itself from the acts of violence and destructions which occurred in several towns of Albania and considered the measures taken by the government to guard the important objects with limited army units as imposition of state of emergency."The only solution for the created situation is the establishment of a technical government. The current government should resign, before the wave of protests dominate and destroy the whole country", warned the DAP statement, handed over in the news conference. In this statement, DAP accuses the Democratic Party in power for all these acts of violence. "DAP finds out that it is the responsibility of the Albanian government for all these destructions and fires", says the statement. Talking about the yesterday's decision of the Parliament to use limited army units to help the Interior Ministry for a temporary time in order to protect government and public buildings, as well the free movement of people, the opposition called it as "imposition of the state of emergency and a anti-constitutional act". The left opposition parties were not supported by any political force and European countries, and broader. The demand to establish a technical government, according to SP leader Mejdani, will be followed by the conduct of new elections. The analysts think that "under the conditions created, a government resignation would cause anarchy and lots of problems difficult to be overcome." /jz/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] RESOLUTION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY ACTIVISTS' MEETING, TIRANA BRANCHTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA)- The Democratic Party, Tirana branch, held its activists' meeting and denounced the terrorist acts organised and lead by the chiefs of the extremist left parties in several cities of Albania.The meeting adopted the following resolution: 1. The Democratic Party of Tirana denounces the terrorism organised and led by the chiefs of the Socialist Party and of the other extremist parties against institutions of the democratic state created through the free vote. At the same time it asks the democratic government to do its utmost to compensate as soon as possible for the Albanians' loss of savings in the fraudulent foundations initiated and created by exponents of the Former Sigurimi. 2. The Democratic Party of Tirana calls on its members and sympathizers, citizens and the whole Albanian people to dissociate themselves from the chiefs of the extremist left parties, from the exponents of the former Sigurimi, from the bands organised by them, in order to enable the public order forces to implement the law and maintain the constitutional order in Albania. 3. The Democratic Party of Tirana resolutely asks the system of justice in Albania to examine the concrete activity of the political parties, to examine the connection of some of them with terrorism and, on this basis, to decide which of them, because of violating the constitutional order of the country, should be considered illegal. 4. The Democratic Party of Tirana, considering organised terrorism by the extremist left parties in several cities of Albania an act deeply linked with the fate of democracy and Albania, itself, asks from the Albanian state and President of the Republic to resolutely implement the law without any hesitation, assuring them of their full support on any occasion. 5. The Democratic Party of Tirana regards organised terrorism not only as a direct blow against the Albanian institutions and democracy, but also a great economic damage. It also asks the government to denounce the authors and hand them over to the justice. 6. The Democratic Party of Tirana will never allow organised terrorism to replace the constitutional order in Albania. It calls on all its structures, members and sympathizers to engage in a general political action, to turn into an insurmountable barricade and, by using all the democratic methods, to defend the new Albanian democracy and Albania itself, the resolution concludes. s.sh/kled/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] PRESS RELEASETIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA)- President of the Republic Sali Berisha has refused suggestions for full or partial imposition of the state of emergency in Albania, the Press and Information Office close to the President of the Republic reports.He has told Parliament he will not admit such a thing. As regards Parliament's decision to authorise the President of the Republic to provide the police with several army units, Berisha has said that it is about a very limited number of soldiers, for a brief period of time, needed to replace the police forces and guards in various institutions who have been injured during demonstrations. s.sh/lm/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] PEACEFUL PROTEST IN SHKODRASHKODER, JAN 27 (ATA) By Myfit Malja: In Shkoder, city 120 km north of Tirana, some 700-800 persons demonstrated peacefully on the main streets of the city, demanding the solution of the problems caused by the collapse of the loan-taking companies.The chairman of the district council, Lorenc Mosi, told ATA that "Shkodra of the democratic traditions, which has led the democratic processes, showed even today that it supports democracy, integration into Europe and the quick development of democracy on its secure way". While the Mayor, Bahri Borici, in his press release, thanked the Shkodra people for the tolerance and understanding manifested during the peaceful protest, showing once again that they are a democratic people. At the same time, on the behalf of the municipal council, he said that they were working intensively to solve this problem with the government and parliament. The protesters were dispersed peacefully. /a.ke/jz/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] TWO INMATE DEAD IN THE JAIL RIOT IN BARDHOR OF KAVAJATIRANA, JAN 27 9ATA) - By Agim Baci: Two inmate dead and seven injured (five inmates and two policemen) was the result of the riot by inmates in the jail of Bardhor, 17 km from Kavaja (Western Albania.) The prison is out of use because inmates set fire to cells, General Department of Prisons in Tirana reports.The event occurred after a warden interfered to solve a conflict between two inmates. "The conflict was provoked to create inmates possibilities to break out of the prison by exploiting the recent situation in some towns of Albania," said deputy director-general of prisons, Bedi Coku. Coku said that the situation was now under control and that organizers of the riot would face law. "We are considering now the accommodation of the inmates because the existing cells were set ablaze," said Coku. The riot, the only of this kind during the last years, is thought to have been influenced by the situation in the country. Recently, groups of people who have lost their money in pyramid investment schemes from which they were promised 300 per cent or 200 per cent returns in three month's time, have protested in some towns of Albania. They have set fire to some offices of local government, police commissariats, savings banks and cinemas, consequently eliminating many important documents. In the lead of the protests have been left wing opposition parties. pas/xh/e. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] MEETINGS OF POLITICAL PARTY REPRESENTATIVESPUKE, JAN 27 (ATA) By Myfit Malja: Representatives of the political forces in the district council and town hall of Puka, in a meeting organized today, discussed the situation created in southern towns of the country and issued a joint statement.The statement denounced among others the destructive acts which occurred in several towns and greeted the civilized stand of Puka people. All the political forces supported the decisions of the government and parliament to solve the problem of usuries. They engaged not to allow people fall prey to forces which does not want Albania's integration into Europe and the building of the democratic society in which firm steps have been taken. * * * LIBRAZHD, JAN 27 (ATA) - Upon the initiative of the Librazhdi Mayor, today was organized a meeting of the political forces regarding the situation created in the country. They supported through a statement the government decision to distribute the money to Albanian creditors and condemned the violent acts committed in several towns of Albania. The statement called on Librazhdi people that with democratic culture and maturity not to fall prey to calls of extremists of any vandal grouping to destroy. Attending the meeting were representatives of the Democratic Party, Socialist Party, Republican Party, National Front and the Democratic Alliance. /a.ke/pas/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] TRADE UNIONS ASK DISSOCIATION FROM FIRES, DESTRUCTIONS, CRIMETIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA)- The General League of the Trade Unions of Albania call on the Albanian workers and citizens affected by the savings issue to distance themselves from fires, destructions and ugly crime, the press and information office of this league announces.The announcement hails the Interior Ministry bodies' self-control in maintaining order. It also hails President Berisha's objection to the imposition of the state of emergency. s.sh/jz/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] ZHULALI HOLDS MEETING IN ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRYTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) - Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali held Monday a meeting with all the effective of the Defence Ministry.The spokesman said that Minister Zhulali made known the last night's decision of Parliament and the Order of the General Commander of the Albanian Armed Forces to temporarily put the limited army units at the disposal of the Interior Ministry forces to cope with the situation created. Afterwards he focused on the concrete duties and with responsibility of the military effective. Zhulali pointed out that "The army will respect the constitutional laws, decisions, laws of Parliament and Orders of the General Commander. The army in a democratic country can be never used against the people", said Zhulali. "But the state cannot exist without its own institutions", he said. "Our forces, by implementing rigorously the laws and orders, will always act within the framework of the duty, will protect the main government institutions, and will keep open the national roads", said Zhulali. Zhulali said that the situation has improved and underlined the fact that the army should be always ready, estimate the current situation in the region and round us. He underlined that "it is to be regretted the fact that certain forces always cause problems in Albania when the situation in Kosova is tense". Meanwhile, the army will carry out normally its main duties to conduct all the training activities, the activities in the framework of Partnership for Peace, in cooperation with the allied and partner armies, ends the notice of the Defence ministry spokesman. /s.sh/jz/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] CAPITAL COUNSELORS DECLARE THEMSELVES AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE ACTSTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA) By P. Shuteriqi: The members of Tirana municipal council, in their Monday meeting called for an end to destructions, acts of violence and clear disassociation from their authors.The capital counselors, representatives from different political forces, of position and opposition, condemned the destructions and disassociated themselves from the violet acts manifested Sunday in the main square of the capital after the meeting organized by opposition forces in the soccer stadium "Selman Stermasi", where a part of the angry crowd took to the Scanderbeg Square, breaking the glass of the Palace of Culture, of the cult institution and of some private trade units. The left opposition (former communist) which lost in the last local election, is trying to convert by every means the movement of the economic revolt of the people deceived by the pyramid schemes into a political movement. "If this movement will not be converted into a political movement, be sure that all public buildings will be razed to the ground", warned DAP leader Blendi Gonxhe at the end of a news conference. The capital counselors asked the competent bodies through their statement "to identify and hold responsible violators of material values and law." /jz/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] DEMOCRATIC PARTY ISSUES STATEMENTTIRANA, JAN 27 (ATA)- The Democratic Party of Albania today issued a statement which says that the ex-ministers of Ramiz Alia who lead the SP today, taking advantage of the despair and grief of thousands of citizens due to the collapse of the pyramid system, have organised, through elements of old crime structures and by paying ordinary wrongdoers, terrorist groups which are setting buildings and public institutions to fire.The statement says that they are the same persons who organised the February and April 2 massacres, burning alive the Fushe-Arrez citizens, and the bread panic in 1991. "The strategy of violence of the red front leadership aims through terror and terrorism to destroy the democracy we are building," said the statement stressing that "the ex-ministers of Ramiz Alia and the terrorist groups they head, showed once again that they are a clique whose only alternative is fire, chaos, destruction, while to the civilized Europe they showed their uncivilised stalinist face". The Democratic Party is confident that the institutions of the rule of law will punish all the criminal groups and their activities. The Democratic Party denounces the fundamentalists at the head of the SP in the centre and districts stressing that the broad masses of the SP members and sympathizers are not involved in this activity. The Democratic Party expresses its solidarity with the families who were deceived by the amoral loan-taking companies and states that it has not and does not incite usuries, has not and will not prohibit money borrowing and lending, but is determined to denounce any fraudulence against the Albanian citizens. The statement says that the DP insists that the government makes the best and legally possible solution to help the deceived citizens. s.sh/pas/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] EFFORTS OF LEFT OPPOSITION FOR VIOLENT PROTESTS FAIL - PermetPERMET, JAN 27 (ATA) By Hysni Cani: Today, at 10:00, small groups of people, who have lost their money in pyramid schemes, gathered in the main square of Permeti, protesting peacefully without shouting slogans against the government and calling for violence.Meanwhile, in front of the crowd, left opposition leaders, local leaders of SP and DAP, tried to convey to people the idea that everything can be solved by overthrowing the government. But the protesters rejected these leaders saying that "Why do you ask this from us?". Some of these protesters told ATA that "The government has nothing in common with the destructions, use of violence and fires. Permeti acted the same way even in 1991". After they protested peacefully, the groups of citizens dispersed in different directions. /s.sh/rf/jz/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] DAP LOCAL LEADER FIRES AT POLICE - PermetPERMET, JAN 27 (ATA) By Hysni Cani: The deputy chairman of the Permeti district council, Ilir Fico, one of the leaders of the Democratic Alliance Party fired a hunting gun at the police forces, sources of the police commissariat reports.In Sunday's midnight, police forces, who were informed that Fico had prepared leaflets calling on citizens to topple the government, went to his house to ask explanations. But Fico, who tried to escape, went out from the garden gate, shooting with hunting gun on the policemen. The same sources report that police officer Dritan Osmani is slightly injured. The whereabouts of the author of the crime is unknown. /s.sh/rf/jz/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |