Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-03-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BEFORE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL FORCES

[02] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

[03] ACT OF NATIONAL CONCILIATION STANDS AN AN IMPERATIVE ON ALL OTHER ACTS - Berisha

[04] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

[05] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT INVITES SOCIALIST DEPUTIES TO TAKE THEIR SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT

[06] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON A VISIT TO ALBANIA

[07] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN ALBANIA TODAY AFTERNOON

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT PROPOSES ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION GOVERNMENT

[09] AGREEMENT OF ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES

[10] CHAOTIC SITUATION IN HOROVODE

[11] GROUPS OF PEOPLE STORM MILITARY HEADQUARTERS OF MORAVA - Berat

[12] AGREEMENT AMONG PARTIES GREETED IN GJIROKASTER

[13] DIRECTOR OF ALBANIAN TELEVISION RESIGNS

[14] TWO MOTOR FISHING BOATS WRECKED IN THE SEA - Shengjin

[15] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI

[16] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES APPRECIATE AGREEMENT REACHED IN THE ROUND TABLE CALLED BY ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

[01] DECLARATION OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BEFORE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL FORCES

"From this hall, let us together declare today that which Albania needs more than ever: the platform of national reconciliation.

I think that the situation created, a quick and immediate ending of the violent acts, the bringing of the country out of the very difficult situation demands first of all by the politicians of this country to rise above all party pressures and interests, to rise at the level of imperative demand, which for me today is national conciliation.

I have the conviction that this platform would be the best news we all have to convey today and for the future to every Albanian family, to every Albanian home. All Albanian nation expects this from us.

But this would also be the noblest message, the most civilized one we would convey to our friends, to our neighbours and all those who have assisted Albania with great hospitality during all these 5 years and who have followed and are following with a deep grief the latest developments in Albania.

During these days, in the efforts we all are making, in the efforts all Albanians are making to find the best solution to the problems, naturally, various variants and options have come up into my mind and into the minds of each of you.

But I have jumped to the conclusion that the act of national conciliation stands today as an imperative on all other acts. The alternative of national conciliation is the best alternative, the noblest one, therefore I invite you, representatives of the country's main political parties, I invite the Albanians wherever they are, to hail this alternative with an open heart at a moment when the country needs their support more than ever.

In this noble act, which is as magnificent as a human spirit, there are not and cannot be losers. Anything lost in the name of conciliation is worth losing.

I will launch here before you some ideas regarding this act, but I invite you to discuss and appear before Albania, before the Albanians and the Albanian nation with an unanimous opinion on this act, which, I will consider, for the moment, an extraordinary important, noble act:

- I think that the Albanian parliament should declare a general amnesty for all those civilians and military who were involved in the developments of the revolt of pyramid schemes.

- Sunday be declared a day of national mourning and pray for all those who lost their lives during this period.

- Let us agree to create a government which would have the participation of all political forces here, naming it a Government of National Conciliation.

- The parliamentary elections be held no later than in two months's time.

- In this act of conciliation, we invite SP deputies to take their seats in the parliament.

- International institutions must fully monitor the elections.

- Within a week's time, citizens must surrender all arms and ammunition.

- The government of National Conciliation, which would also prepare the polls, must start serious efforts with international institutions and friendly countries and take all measures to help, with priority, the damaged zones.

These were some of my viewpoints and ideas for the platform of national conciliation, which, I am convinced, is the one which Albania and the Albanians need so badly today.

I invite you to enrich this platform with your ideas," ends the declaration of Albanian President before his meeting today with representatives of political forces. ake/kled/xh/

[02] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

[03] ACT OF NATIONAL CONCILIATION STANDS AN AN IMPERATIVE ON ALL OTHER ACTS - Berisha

"The alternative of national conciliation is the best alternative, the noblest one," said Berisha who invited the representatives of the country's main political political forces, all Albanians wherever they are, "to hail this alternative with an open heart at a moment when the country needs their support more than ever."

"In this noble act, which is as magnificent as a human spirit, there are not and cannot be losers. Anything lost in the name of conciliation is worth losing," said President Berisha. kled/xh/E

[04] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT TO DECLARE A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR CIVILIANS AND MILITARY INVOLVED IN LOAN-TAKING RIOT - Berisha

Berisha also said in the meeting that the citizens must surrender all arms and ammunition within a week's time. /kled/mt/E

[05] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT INVITES SOCIALIST DEPUTIES TO TAKE THEIR SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENT

In the round table of the political forces, which was directly broadcast by Albanian television, all the participating political forces appealed to the Socialist party to take part in the parliament.

"Your presence in the Parliament is a very conciliatory message you convey not only to your electorate but also to the other electorates which want to see you in the parliament," said Berisha to SP representatives.

Representatives of the Socialist Party present in the meeting agreed on all the points presented by President Berisha.

With regard to a possible participation of the SP deputies in the Parliament, Socialist representatives asked permission to discuss the matter with their party's presidency. kled/xh/e

[06] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ON A VISIT TO ALBANIA

Mr Dini will meet with Albanian politicians. kled/xh/E

[07] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN ALBANIA TODAY AFTERNOON

During this visit, Mr Dini will have meetings with the President of Albania, Sali Berisha.

Although the program of Mr Dini's visit is not yet made clear, it is believed he will meet with representatives of political forces and senior official personalities of Albania.

Italy, one of Albania's neighbouring countries, where about 50 000 Albanians are working and living, has voiced its great concern over the latest events in Albania.

"The Albanian crisis is a typical European crisis of the post cold war, very far from U.S. to be of interest for it, and very near Europe to be ignored by it," said Mr Lamberto Dini in a speech in Venice last Saturday. xh/sh/

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT PROPOSES ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION GOVERNMENT

The representatives of political parties, participant in the meeting, agreed with the proposal of President Berisha.

"The parliamentary election be held no later than in two month's time", declared President Berisha in the meeting held Sunday with the Albanian political forces for the situation in the country.

International institutions must fully monitor the elections, said Berisha before the meeting.

"The Government of National Reconciliation, which would also prepare the polls, must start serious efforts with international institutions and friendly countries and take all measures to help, with priority, the damaged zones", said Berisha. /eva/kled/mt/sh/

[09] AGREEMENT OF ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES

1. Albanian Parliament must declare a general amnesty for all the civilians and military who were involved in the revolt caused by the collapse of pyramid schemes.

2. to declare a Government of National Reconciliation with the representation of all the political parties present in the round table discussion,

3. all citizens in districts of Albania hand in all their weapons and ammunition within a week.

4. Next Sunday, March 16, 1997, be declared a day of national mourning to pay homage to all those who lost their lives during this period.

5. parliamentary elections be held not later than June, 1997.

6. Parliamentary elections be conducted under full international monitoring.

7. The government, in cooperation with the local and international institutions, should adopt all measures to assist with priority the damaged zones.

8. To make the state of emergency less restrictive up to its lifting in the shortest possible time.

9. The parties must continue the dialogue.

To this agreement is also attached an invitation to the Socialist Party by all the parties to participate in the Parliament, and considered it a positive influence in the present situation.

The Balli Kombetar Party agrees on this platform but it is of the opinion that the Government must be named a Government of National Understanding. xh/sh/

[10] CHAOTIC SITUATION IN HOROVODE

The situation is not calm even in Polican. According to the sources from this town, two vehicles with armed people went in the town today, who after shooting several times volley of bullets in the center of the town, moved towards aorovode.

Meanwhile from Sinje, commune after Shpirag, according to the talk with the commune chairman, gunshots are often heard from the part Levan (Fier).

[11] GROUPS OF PEOPLE STORM MILITARY HEADQUARTERS OF MORAVA - Berat

Today, at 15.30, groups of people, mainly inhabitants of Morava village, went in front of the military headquarters which is near their village.

After the calls and the successive persistence "We want weapons, we want weapons", these people stormed the military unit and facing no resistance by the soldiers, they began to loot weapons and plunder the unit.

The majority of the newcomers were children 14-16 years old.

This military unit is situated close to the national road, some 10 km far from Berat and 2 km far from Ura Vajgurore. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[12] AGREEMENT AMONG PARTIES GREETED IN GJIROKASTER

In the statement was stressed once again the respect of the guards in the institutions of special importance, by not preventing them in accomplishing their task, as well as the patrolling of the groups in the town.

Meanwhile, the understanding reached among the parties was welcomed positively by the citizens. The declaration of the statement was greeted with volley of bullets.

In this context, as it is reported in the communique of the defence staff, a meeting with all political parties of the district will be held on Monday./kled/mt/sh/

[13] DIRECTOR OF ALBANIAN TELEVISION RESIGNS

Sakajeva told the Albanian television that the round table of political parties called by President Berisha marked today a real event for the solution of the difficult situation Albania is facing. /kled/ mt/sh/

[14] TWO MOTOR FISHING BOATS WRECKED IN THE SEA - Shengjin

Two motor fishing boats of the private fishing fleet in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, were sunk Sunday morning in the open sea.

The first motorman of "Oriona" ship, Preng Pjetri, told ATA that "a strong cyclone wind swept during all the night the bay of Shengjin, causing the wreckage of motor fishing boats "Liburna" and "Simaku", with 80 horsepower each.

The fishing ships have stayed in the open sea without crew, in the conditions of a bad weather, ordered by the boarder police, due to the gathering of people after a false news for massive exodus from the port of Shengjin. /a.ke/eva/mt/sh/

[15] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI

"My visit and presence in Albania right after this news shows that Italy greets this agreement and is near you and near Albania, showing that the real friends are near you in difficult moments. By conveying the best wishes of Premier Prodi and President Scalfaro, I would like to ensure that the establishment of tranquillity in the country makes possible and easy for us to help you as soon as possible", said Dini.

President Berisha thanked for the special interest of the friendly country, Italy, for the recent developments in Albania, expressed his gratitude for the support and encouragement of Premier Prodi and President Scalfaro to overcome the very difficult situation in the country.

President Berisha made a description of the agreement reached as a very good ground of cooperation, not only to overcome the current difficulties, but also for the future of the country. The decision to establish a government of national reconciliation is a good message for all the Albanians to start a new vital road for the future of the nation.

Italian Minister Dini ensured President Berisha that this agreement marks a very important moment for Albania, which opens way to the immediate aid to Albania in all the fields from friendly countries, as well as from international institutions.

President Berisha also stressed that Albania is resolute to put an end to pyramid schemes once and for all.

On this occasion, Minister Dini ensured President Berisha that in the meeting of March 24th, Italy will encourage and support the increase of aid to Albania from the European Union, and pointed out that the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are prepared to come with useful programs to help the country come out of the situation./mt/sh/

[16] REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES APPRECIATE AGREEMENT REACHED IN THE ROUND TABLE CALLED BY ALBANIAN PRESIDENT

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu, said that the agreement is an act of the President which provides national unity, peace and tranquillity of people.

"The Democratic Party, all its structures, activists and supporters, will work to disarm the people, maintain order, peace, tranquility, beginning the normal life, to help and support those zones which were gravely affected by the recent events".

Shehu said that they will work to provide a normal political life, and to conclude, a normal, open and democratic electoral process.

SP secretary Pandeli Majko said that the situation created in Albania, made conscious all the political forces, without exception, for everything happening in the country. "What happened today, I think was the beginning, and I hope to be a good one" - said Majko.

He added that all the political parties have experienced the loss of lives of the sons from all regions of Albania, from North to South, as well as the scenes we were used to see in Chechnya or in Afghanistan. "Now we are trying to offer with our responsibilities another view to Europe, to tell her we are part of it".

With regard to the invitation of President Berisha to take up seats in Parliament, Majko said that the invitation of Parliament was commented simply as a moral act to calm down the situation, but their answer was that "the moral act starts with Vlore".

The Republican chairman Godo said that the agreement today makes possible the pacification of the situation, "to save the Albanian people from the terrible conflict he started". "Now, I do not believe that there exist any reason to have conflicts, not to surrender the weapons and not to discuss further about the problems which need solution. It is done now everything it should be done to maintain order and to look forward", declared Godo.

"Today we have reached a historical agreement in a critical moment for Albania, and I am convinced that this agreement will calm down the situation", said Thoma Mico, representative of the Human Right Union Party, which protects the interests of the Greek minority in Albania.

Mico invited the minority that wherever it is in Albania to exercise its authority to the interest of applying this agreement and engaged on behalf of HRUP that this agreement will be completely implemented and will be efficacious.

The agreement was also greeted by the representatives of other parties participant in the round table which considered the table useful for the maintenance of tranquillity and security in the country and were in favor of the continuity of dialogue for other problems which should be solved./kled/pas/mt/sh/

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