Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-05-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] FOUR PEOPLE KILLED BY ARMED GANGS IN VLORE

[02] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MEET REFUGEES IN BARI

[03] QUARREL BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES IN FIER CLAIMS TWO LIVES

[04] LEADER OF SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NOT ATTACKED BY GUARD OFFICERS - Ministry

[05] IRINI SHIP REFUGEES WAITING TO JOIN THEIR FAMILIES

[06] PRESIDENT BERISHA AGAINST EXPANSION OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE MANDATE IN ALBANIA

[07] PRESIDENT BERISHA AGAINST EXPANSION OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE MANDATE IN ALBANIA

[08] IT IS NOT PRUDENT THAT A SMALL COUNTRY HAVE IN ITS TERRITORY BASES OF

[09] BERISHA APPRECIATES ENGAGEMENT OF MRS ALBRIGHT FOR ALBANIA

[10] VEHICLE OF PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ROBBED IN BERAT

[11] OFFICES OF DISTRICT COUNCIL LOOTED IN GJIROKASTER

[12] GENERAL FORLANI VISITS RUMANIAN TROOPS IN GJIROKASTER

[13] CHIEF OF THE ARMY GENERAL STAFF OF RUMANIA VISITS ALBANIA

[14] DEPUTY ROBBED AND HIS CAR STOLEN

[15] A 13 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED IN BERAT

[16] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS BURREL

[17] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITING WASHINGTON

[18] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY

[01] FOUR PEOPLE KILLED BY ARMED GANGS IN VLORE

According to district police commissariat sources unknown men shot dead citizens Neritan Dednika, 30, and Edmond Dednika, 23.

On the same day, at the place called Lapidari i Sherishtit, a masked man wounded by gunfire citizen Gezim Mema, 25, who later died at the hospital.

Yesterday in this city closed with an attack on the police commissariat, with an armed group of 20-30 people trying to seize an armoured vehicle. Leaving the police commissariat the group opened fire, killing policeman Viron Rrapi, 37. kled/lm/E

[02] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MEET REFUGEES IN BARI

The Albanian delegation met all the refugees present. They found out that in these camps there were separated families, therefore the Albanian delegation asked the competent bodies the immediate joining of these families and were assured that this would be done as soon as possible.

The delegation also learned that the refugees were not yet granted sojourn permissions in Italy, under the decision of the Italian government.

For this reason Albanian delegation insisted that the competent bodies grant these documents to the Albanian refugees.

For the separated families which wanted immediate return to Albania the Italians took urgent measures.kled/lm/sh/

[03] QUARREL BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES IN FIER CLAIMS TWO LIVES

Quarrels between these two families have so far claimed three lives, according to sources of Fier district police commissariat. kled/lm/sh/

[04] LEADER OF SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NOT ATTACKED BY GUARD OFFICERS - Ministry

The spokesman of the Interior Ministry states on this occasion that none of the Guard's or police officers have been present or attacked citizen Skender Gjinushi.

What Gjinushi alleges is a slander for clear political motives, therefore the Interior Ministry will address itself to the court for this slander, the spokesman says. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

[05] IRINI SHIP REFUGEES WAITING TO JOIN THEIR FAMILIES

"We to join our families quickly and protest against our unjust return to Albania," the refugees said.

As regards Italian press statements which consider the refugees "undesirables", Zef Matia says that: We are not incriminated family members and nationals and are only looking for a better life".

Nearly 34 refugees of the Irini ship were repatriated recently by the Italian state without their wives and children.

The returned refugees have set up a commission of five members, advised by a lawyer, and ask reunion of the families in Italy.

Over the last two days several women and children have returned to Albania wishing to join their family members there. kled/lm/sh/

[06] PRESIDENT BERISHA AGAINST EXPANSION OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE MANDATE IN ALBANIA

In response to a question by a reporter Berisha said that the operation Albania has accomplished a lot since its arrival in Albania.

"All Albanians welcomed it, and this mission brought about a pacifying effect," Berisha said stressing that calming the situation further is first of all a task of the Albanians, themselves. lm

[07] PRESIDENT BERISHA AGAINST EXPANSION OF MULTINATIONAL FORCE MANDATE IN ALBANIA

In response to a question by a reporter Berisha said that the operation Alba has accomplished a lot since its arrival in Albania.

"All Albanians have welcomed it, and this mission has brought about a pacifying effect," Berisha said stressing that calming the situation further is first of all a task of the Albanians, themselves.

"Neutrality of the multinational forces is the key to their success in Albania," he stressed.

These forces cannot intervene under a chaotic and uncontrolled situation, pointed out Berisha.

With regard to the new elections, Berisha said that it belongs to the Albanians to show their engagement for free and fair elections, to respect each-other during the campaign, in the election day and during the vote counting.

As regards attacks on Italian investors, the president said that these attacks are carried out for ill-intended purposes, and in fact they are traps. "Respecting the mandate is the most valuable thing," Berisha said. lm/mt/k

[08] IT IS NOT PRUDENT THAT A SMALL COUNTRY HAVE IN ITS TERRITORY BASES OF A CERTAIN COUNTRY - Berisha

In response to a question on the base of Sazan, Berisha said: "Albania must not have bases of a set country, this is my concept. Others may have other concepts."

Referring to the polemics in the Albanian press regarding the military base of Sazan, President Berisha said that he did not intent to deal with such polemics. "What I can say to you is that I continue to be profoundly committed to Albania's integration into the NATO. Albania has been and is always ready to offer all stable and temporary air-portal facilities to the Northern Atlantic Alliance and the Western European Union," said Berisha.

He stressed that cooperation with Pentagon has been successful.

"I am grateful to the United States and the Pentagon for the assistance given to us," pointed out President Berisha.xh/k

[09] BERISHA APPRECIATES ENGAGEMENT OF MRS ALBRIGHT FOR ALBANIA

In response to a question in the news conference that President Berisha gave on Monday noon, he thanked Mrs Albright for the invitation made to Fino. "Diplomat of an excellent academic career, she cannot be anything else, except an anti-totalitarian and anticommunist. I am convinced that the visit in Albania left good impressions on Mrs Albright", said President Berisha./mt/k

[10] VEHICLE OF PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ROBBED IN BERAT

The two persons forced the driver to stop and robbed him the car of the "Benz" type, by saying "You have driven a lot".

The robbery of cars and other state or private vehicles has become something usual in Berat. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

[11] OFFICES OF DISTRICT COUNCIL LOOTED IN GJIROKASTER

After storming the office of the district council chairman, Jani Dako, they looted copy machines, computers, telephones, and others.

"The documents have been not touched," the secretary of this council, Isak Babaramo, told ATA.

He also expressed his remarks regarding the clumsiness of the police forces of this district.

One of the leaders of the Gjirokaster police commissariat told ATA that in the conditions when all the civil people are armed, the order forces feel insecure, being aslo not completed with technic assistance. /kei/mt/k

[12] GENERAL FORLANI VISITS RUMANIAN TROOPS IN GJIROKASTER

Forlani was accompanied in this visit by the commander of the Rumanian troops. This visit is payed on the occasion of the visit of the chief of the general staff of Rumania, Konstandin Dexheratu, in the place where this contingent is deployed.

According to the sources from "Alba" mission, these forces will complete the first duty for the moment.

The Rumanian detachment "St. George", led by colonel Ioan Sorin, was deployed near the Division of Gjirokaster on May 7. /kei/mt/k

[13] CHIEF OF THE ARMY GENERAL STAFF OF RUMANIA VISITS ALBANIA

According to the report of the spokesman of the Defence Ministry, general Degeratu, accompanied by the deputy chief of the Army General Staff of Albania, general, mayor Armand Vincani, inspected the Rumanian troops, deployed in Gjirokaster, in the context of the multinational forces.

Degeratu talked with representatives of local government and the commander of the Division for a cooperation between the Rumanian forces and the Albanian army in this region.

Degeratu held a separate meeting on the same day with the State Secretary in the Defence Ministry, Ali Kazazi.

Kazazi thanked on behalf of National Reconciliation Government for the participation of Rumania in the multinational forces in Albania, "in this important mission for the stabilization of the situation and leading the country towards the free and fair elections."

Further on, Kazazi focused on the work done in the army for its reorganization, and for the realization of the defence duties.

Degeratu and the parliamentarians stressed that they were interested in the stability in Albania and in the region.

The Rumanian military delegation also held another meeting in the General Staff, where were treated issues of cooperation and professional aspects, which enable a better cooperation between the Rumanian and Albanian forces, in the framework of "Alba" mission. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[14] DEPUTY ROBBED AND HIS CAR STOLEN

The event took place in the village Xibrake, about 8 km from Elbasan, Central Albania, sources of the district police commissariat report.

After his testimony to police, several hours later his Benz was found along river Shkumbini together with another car of Tirana number plate. The same source, points out that the motives of the plundering are unknown.

During the past two weeks, such cases have become frequent in the segment of the roads linking Elbasan with neighbouring cities. ake/kei/xh/k

[15] A 13 YEAR OLD BOY KILLED IN BERAT

Both the cause of the tragedy and the author are not yet found.

Besides, in one of the main vegetable-fruits big markets Qani Halili, 51 years, who was selling there, was killed.

Sources of the hospital say that thre, four and more people appear everyday in the hospital with wounds to be treated. The number of the wounded is more than 670 people.

On Monday, panic covered all the city, because news was spread that some people had supposedly entered the main water reservoir centre which supplies the city of Berat and have poured poison in it. Immediately the parents hurred to take their children from school, and within an hour the mineral water in the trade units was poured out for fear of being not drinkable.

During the past months in Berat and other cities untrue news have been spread.

More that 13 thousand families of Berat are usually back home at about 1-1.30 p.m. and after this hour see only few people can be seen passing on the streets, forced to go out for some urgent purpose, with cars moving fastly through the streets.ake/kei/xh

[16] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS BURREL

The first meeting was that held in the district police commissariat. Present in the meeting also were the deputies of the district, Idriz Xhumara and Jaroslav Alla, the prefect of Diber, Vasillaq Papaj, representatives of the district council, the town-hall, the court, prosecutor's office, etc.

After briefed of the real situation of the public order in Burrel district, Celo laid a number of tasks for the quickest possible stabilization of the situation in the city and communes, the growth of the striking force of police and restitution of order, tranquillity and normal life.

"Police forces," he said, "are those that create security also for the judiciaries and the local government," said Celo.

He guaranteed the effective of the commissariat for a total support by the Interior Ministry.

The second meeting was that held in the district council. This meeting also treated the situation of the order and peace in that district and concrete tasks were laid for the release of some objects occupied forcefully by some people during the latest unrest, for the free movement of the people and commodities on the national road, the functioning of hospitals, schools and the entire local government structures.

The preparations for the elections and the realisation of a normal electoral and democratic process were also treated in the meeting.

Celo had a meeting with representatives of the political forces at the request of the latter. They promised that they would also make their contribution to the improvement of the situation as soon as possible. ake/kei/xh

[17] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITING WASHINGTON

After appreciating the cooperation with these important international financial organizations, Premier Fino stresed that the continuation of this cooperation is not only a direct assistance but also an element of guarantee and security for the foreign investors in Albania.

Mr Fino asked the president of the World Bank, Johanes Lin for an reactivation of the existing projects, redimensioning of others in the situation created in Albania and the realisation of all the negotiated plans for Albania.

During the meeting, they discussed the isssue of the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes in Albania, their consequences and the roads to ease the situation related with these investment funds. Bashkim Fino asked from the senior World Bank leaders credits for the shelterless, support for various social programs of the Albanian government and credits in support of the private sector of the Albanian business.

Accompanied by the Finance Minister, Arben Malaj, Mr Bashkim Fino had also an exchange of opinions with a delegation of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development led by Alexander Lyn, its director. Mr Lyn voiced the all-sided interest and readiness of his Bank to assist Albania. Mr Lyn declared that all their projects were closely linked with the normalization of the situation both in the aspect of security and the establishment of the normality in the fiscal field, the customs and taxes systems.

In the meeting with the deputy director of the IMF, Jacque Arturs, Albanian Prime minister laid the stress particularly on the questions of the budget, monetary policies, programs and concrete aid, including those in the social field. Mr Jacque insisted in the full accomplishment of the work started with regard to the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes, because only after this position and character are clarified, the international organizations and various states will start working to help the Albanian economy.

Regarding the aspect of the refoprms, the IMF senior official focused on the need for a re-dimensioning of the taxes and customs administration in order to avoid inefficiency and corruption, and for the reform in the banking system. Both sides voiced their optimism for the potential possibilities of Albania to reconstruct its economy after the polls.

After these meetings Premier Fino and his delegation were invited in talks with the International Republican Institute.

At the end of today's visit, at 10.15 p.m. (Albania's local time) Premier Fino will meet with the Secretary of the U.S. State Department, M. Albright. xh

[18] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY

Minister Celo voices his condolences to the Rrapi family for the loss of their son, stressing that the criminals who killed officer Viron Rrapi, will be caught very soon. Albanian judiciary will give them the heaviest punishment conformed to the laws in force. xh

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