Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRIME MINISTER AND OFFICIALS DISCUSS AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION LAW

[02] PRISHTINA UNIVERSITY ENROLLS 6 165 STUDENTS

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY CLARIFIES ON POLICE STAFF WAGES

[04] REBELLION COMMITTEES SHOULD BE DISSOLVED - veterans

[05] VENGEANCE ON A 22 YEARS OLD FROM BERAT

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH VRANITZKY

[07] BRIDGE OF KIRI EXPLODES IN SHKODER

[08] CATHOLIC CLERGY: ON GOD'S NAME, STOP THE COMMUNISTS!

[09] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH IRI REPRESENTATIVE TO ALBANIA

[10] SHOP-GIRL IN JEWELRY SHOP IN TIRANA SHOOTS ON THE ROBBER

[11] UNO AND ITALY WILL NOT WITHDRAW FROM PROCESS OF REORGANIZATION OF LIFE IN ALBANIA

[12] PREMIER FINO TO PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT IN TURKEY

[13] BRITISH DIPLOMAT INJURED IN TIRANA

[14] TRIAL AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ALIA STILL POSTPONED

[15] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS PRESIDENT OF FRENCH COMMISSION "JUSTICE AND PEACE"

[16] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS TURKEY

[17] STATEMENT OF DORIS PACK ADDRESSED TO PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY

[18] RIVERA APPRECIATES FOOTBALL MATCH ITALY-BRAZIL AS MOST AMUSING

[19] FINO DEMANDS INSTITUTION DEPENDING ON SOCIALIST MINISTER OF FINANCE MALAJ TO CARRY OUT COMPUTERIZING OF ELECTION MATERIAL

[20] DECISION OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL - SELFO

[21] FIRE, MILITARY FACTORY OF aEKIN ATTACKED - GRAMSH

[22] NANO PROMISES IN VLORE CONTROL OVER THE COLLAPSED FIRMS

[23] SCANDAL OF WHITE UNIFORMS IN IOANNINA HOSPITAL

[24] MOVEMENT OF LEGALITY PARTY OPENS ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN IN DURRES

[25] MEETING OF SP SECRETARY GENERAL IN CERRIK

[26] MEETING OF SP LEADERS WITH ELECTORATE IN ELBASAN

[01] PRIME MINISTER AND OFFICIALS DISCUSS AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION LAW

Fino, head of the National Reconciliation government asked these parties to express their thoughts on changes made by the Constitutional Court two days ago on the election law.kled/ak/sh/

[02] PRISHTINA UNIVERSITY ENROLLS 6 165 STUDENTS

For six years Albanian students and pedagogues have followed studies in houses because the Serbian administration expelled them from university buildings. lt/bj/kled/ak/sh/

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY CLARIFIES ON POLICE STAFF WAGES

The Ministry said:

1. The Council of Minister of the National Reconciliation government agreed on March 13, 1997 to increase by 300 percent the wages of police staff. This was communicated immediately to mass media.

2. After two days, the Finance Ministry asked the Council of Ministers to approve the decision "on rewarding the staff of the Interior Ministry" which defines not an increase of 300 percent but a reward based on their engagement starting from zero to three wages.

3. A fund approved for the Ministry in the 1997 budget is only an extra monthly wage equal to 33 percent of that promised by the National Reconciliation government.

Any kind of explanation on this issue is an open speculation for political aims a thing that does not serve the stability of the situation, the press release said. ssh/kled/ak/sh/

[04] REBELLION COMMITTEES SHOULD BE DISSOLVED - veterans

Veterans expressed "their regret for all victims of terror from the committees and strongly protest against them," it said.

At a time when the political parties have started the electoral campaign, the rebel committees are trying to destroy this political solution by killing people and attributing Albania a destabilizing image.

The members of this organization strongly support the statement of the Unity for Democracy of May 10 and consider this unity and the member parties "the only guarantee for our future."

They call on all the Albanian people "that in these moments when the communists are trying to take over by force, they should show their real values towards peace and Albania." kled/ak/sh/

[05] VENGEANCE ON A 22 YEARS OLD FROM BERAT

The killing is an act of vengeance in response to horrible killings, raping, theft and threatening made by him in the city. Berat people are taking vengeance on everybody who commits crimes.

This leads to 97 the number of people killed in this district since the massive attack on ammunition depots. ssh/kled/ak/sh/

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH VRANITZKY

Vranitzky expressed his deep regret to the latest event and greeted President Berisha for the failing attempt, highly regarding president's commitment to continue electoral campaign, the Press and Information office of the Presidency said.

Totally supporting Berisha's evaluation that elections are vital for Albania and its future, he presented some problems related to conditions on which foreign observers will operate, technical preparations of electoral process and safety during the electoral process.

Former chancellor Vranitzky reiterated to Berisha that after the elections the international community is engaged to help Albania to revive its economy.

"I have the satisfaction to welcome you and I want to thank you and those who accompany you as well as all the foreigners in your mission, who working in difficult and dangerous conditions are giving a very important contribution to prepare elections. Without this contribution we would not be in this stage in the run-up to elections which are the last chance and the only alternative to put Albania in the road to democracy and integration into Europe. I want to assure you that we are committed to a civilised electoral campaign, a social pact and recognition of the election outcome whatever it may be. We are decided to guarantee all facilities for political forces to develop a free electoral campaign," Berisha said.

"It is decided that the curfew will be lifted on election day. I consider important that a large number of international observers be present and we will do the utmost to guarantee conditions and security for their activity.

"Regarding the Constitutional Court I would like to say that I have declared in your latest visit that I will accept whatever percentage the Socialists would suggest on division of 40 seats according to proportional representation. They proposed 75 percent and we fixed their proposal in a law. But immediately after the approval of the law they asked for the rapport to be changed threatening to boycott the elections. They sent the prime minister and Justice minister to ask me to decree a change to this rapport pretending that it was unconstitutional.

"I refused a change categorically through decree because it was a fruit of a common party agreement. I said to them to address to the Constitutional Court regarding the constitutional character of the law.

"I held a meeting on Sunday with some alliance party and decided to leave them the free and safety constituencies because we considered very important their presence in parliament.

"I have asked the DP presidency to start negotiations with two other parties, the Republican and National Front parties in order that they have their representatives in parliament.

"We are decided to recognise the outcome and to govern in a coalition after the elections because we consider the process of reconciliation very important, and in case we oppose a coalition with Socialists, we are decided to hand to the opposition the mechanisms of state and society control leaving a large space to consolidate democracy and state.

"I express gratitude to all those who opposed boycott as a destructive act to vital mechanism, the electoral process, on which a free society is based," Berisha said. ak/

[07] BRIDGE OF KIRI EXPLODES IN SHKODER

The explosion of the bridge made it impassable.

It is the second time this bridge is damaged. Two weeks ago it was damaged due to the explosion planted by unidentified persons. /kled/mt/

[08] CATHOLIC CLERGY: ON GOD'S NAME, STOP THE COMMUNISTS!

The message that the Archbishop of Shkoder, Franco Ilia, addressed to all the parsons to read it in the Altar, as well as to the Islamic and orthodox community, appeals on all the Albanian voters to stop the return of communists in power.

"Do not vote for the communists, because if they come to power, the freedom dies. Violence and destruction is their profession. The churches and mosques are unacceptable for them. No more with blood, no more with destruction. No more with fear and terror. Let us protect the fraternity. We have been and are like our ancestors: For religion and Homeland", says the message of Mon Signor Franco Ilia.

"Do not forget that those who won the power by weapons in 1944 and kept it with blood for 50 years, are again with weapons and are causing again bloodshed. They want to divide this people in catholics and Moslems, in toskes (people in the South) and geges (people in the North). They are brandishing the weapons of death", says the massage of the Albanian catholic clergy.

"I call on you, from this holy Altar, to be careful with your votes on June 29. This vote separates the good from the bad" ends the message, which considers the current moment as an historic moment for Albania. /pas/mt/

[09] DP SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH IRI REPRESENTATIVE TO ALBANIA

Pollo familiarized the representative of IRI with the initiative of the Democratic Party to sign a social pact, necessary to create a favourable political climate for the conduct of a civil campaign. This pact was also greeted by the leftists and their satellites.

The DP Secretary General explained in the meeting the importance of the dissolution of committees in several districts of Southern Albania, because they are a hindrance for a territorial access of the development of the free movement of right political forces.

During the meeting, Pollo focused on the issue of the inter-party relations of the proportional. "We condemn the initiative of the Socialist Party to the Constitutional Court, as well as we express our surprise for the decision of the Constitutional Court, which has interfered into an issue which was object of the agreement among political parties,", said Pollo.

All the questions presented by Pollo found the understanding of Mr Jawett, who said that IRI will give its maximal contribution, not only in the election day, but also during the election campaign. /kled/mt/e

[10] SHOP-GIRL IN JEWELRY SHOP IN TIRANA SHOOTS ON THE ROBBER

According to the early reports for ATA, the shop-girl took out from the counter not the golden rings, but the pistol with which she shot on the robber. He saved and threw on the ground two grenades. /a.gj/kled/mt/E

[11] UNO AND ITALY WILL NOT WITHDRAW FROM PROCESS OF REORGANIZATION OF LIFE IN ALBANIA

"It was necessary for Italy to lead the "Alba" mission, because for Italy Albania is a country with which it has always had good relations, as long as it considers reasonable to give a greater contribution than the other countries," said in a meeting with journalists, after the visit in the commander of the multinational forces "Alba in Sauk, Tirana, the Italian deputy secretary for Defence, Gianni Rivera.

He estimated the fact that free elections and accepted by all will be held, and this means that the conditions for the vivification of Albania exist, despite the outer forces.

"I believe that UNO will not cause problems regarding the request of the government for the extension of the mandate of the Multinational Force. The mandate will be extended for a period of three months and the local activities are expected to be organized soon," said Rivera, with regard to the request of the Albanian Government for the extension of the mandate of the Multinational Forces.

The commander of the "Alba" mission, General Luciano Forlani, considered the visit of Rivera fundamental for the participation in the activity of Alba.

Forlani said that during the electoral process, the help of the Force will be in the field of logistics and security, with those means that are the disposal of the Multinational Protection Force. /mt/e

[12] PREMIER FINO TO PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT IN TURKEY

According to the spokesman of the Premier, a series of meetings are expected to be held during this visit, in which it will be discussed on the friendly relations based on the friendship and cooperation between both countries, as well as on other problems will mutual interest. /a.ke/eva/mt/E

[13] BRITISH DIPLOMAT INJURED IN TIRANA

Briggs is undergoing surgery in the Di Summa hospital, in Bridizi, Italy.

The British Embassy in Tirana did not give further details on the circumstances of the accident , because "the family members of the diplomat are not informed yet."

Meanwhile, sources of the Albanian police told ATA that they have no information for the wounding of the diplomat. /eva/mt/E

[14] TRIAL AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT ALIA STILL POSTPONED

In the today's sitting, the judge Martin Deda said that the court's jury will take the decision in absence for Alia, and the two former ministers, Hekuran Isai and Simon Stefani, accused of "genocide and crimes against humanity".

The trial against Alia has started on February 18, 1997.

The trial was postponed several times, because when the prisons were stormed during the recent riots, Alia is not shown up in the juridical sitting.

The other sitting will be held on June 16.

According to some information, he is in France, near his son, Arben Alia. /eva/mt/E

[15] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS PRESIDENT OF FRENCH COMMISSION "JUSTICE AND PEACE"

I am pleased to meet with you, said Berisha, and I appreciate a lot your solidarity and cooperation with the Albanian clergymen in their efforts to restore the Albanian catholic church. She, as one of the churches with an early tradition and with a precious contribution in the national and European history and culture, experienced, as our society, the most severe communist persecution . With the victory of democracy, the Albanian clergymen have played an important role for its revival, and together with the clergymen of the other religions, with an admirable cooperation and harmony, have given a precious contribution for the restoration of spiritual infrastructure of the Albanians, in general.

President Berisha also appreciated the role of the Albanian clergymen in this difficult period of the country, stressing that the Albanians are resolute through the elections to replace Albania in the road of democracy and integration.

Monsignor Jacques de la Porte estimated the cooperation with the Albanian clergymen, as well as their efforts, in very difficult conditions, for the revival of the Albanian catholic church. He said that he has followed with concern the developments of the recent months and wished that the elections be held in a quieter climate and open a new stage in the reconciliation, peace and stability of Albania. /a.ke/EVA/E

[16] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS TURKEY

According to the spokesman, along with the meeting with the Turkish Interior Minister, the Albanian delegation will also meet with the Director General of the Turkish Police, and will pay a visit in the Academy of the Turkish Police, where there are also Albanian students.

The delegation will hold talks at the technic level, aiming to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the field of police. /a.ke/eva/mt/E

[17] STATEMENT OF DORIS PACK ADDRESSED TO PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY

Mrs Pack appealed on all the parties to participate in the elections and recognise their results. It is worrying that only the representatives of the Democratic Party accepted publicly that they will respect the voting results in any case. The representatives of the other parties unfortunately were not expressed clearly on this issue. An important condition for a peaceful conduct of elections is the dissolution of committees, because they operate without legitimacy. It is to be regretted the fact that the socialists did not respect the Agreement of March 9, by signing another Agreement with the committees, on March 28. This had been a great political mistake, as one of the main leaders of the Socialist Party had accepted. /a.ke/eva/mt/E

[18] RIVERA APPRECIATES FOOTBALL MATCH ITALY-BRAZIL AS MOST AMUSING

"It has been a long time were not amused like this," said Rivera, who was in Tirana as deputy Secretary of the Italian Defence to visit the Commander of the Multinational Forces "Alba", in Tirana.

He did not give detailed opinions on the match, because he said he was not a coach.

The match, which ended in a draw, 3-3, was held in the context of the tournament of France, participating are the national teams of Italy, England and Brazil. /mt/

[19] FINO DEMANDS INSTITUTION DEPENDING ON SOCIALIST MINISTER OF FINANCE MALAJ TO CARRY OUT COMPUTERIZING OF ELECTION MATERIAL

According to these sources, Monday morning the PM Fino demanded from the chairman of the Central Election Commission that the computerizing of the election outcome be made by an institution of the Ministry of Finance directed by Socialist Arben Malaj.

This request has caused an immediate reaction of the INIMA's director Gudar Beqiraj:

"I cannot allow that the dignity of my institution and of the staff I work with be ignored," he said.

INIMA is an independent, non-party institution. Four former PLA secretaries continue to work in that institution, and one of them, Fotaq Nano is also a member of the Central Election Commission.

Beqiraj explains that INIMA has computerized the election documentation in the 1992 polls, during the Referendum, and those of the parliamentary and local elections of 1996, and none of the parties or electoral subjects has made any remarks for its work.

Beqiraj implied that "there is something else" in this point because this time, differently from other times when this process is realised free of charge, OSCE will pay for the service.

INIMA has experience not only in the field of processing election data, but it also has an experienced staff which deals with introduction of Italian cadastre data, along with its scientific work.

"We have prepared a working plan and also have the teams trained in this job which will be carried out in the premises of the Palace of Congreses, and controlled at any moment by the Central Election Commission," said Beqiraj.

Beqiraj added that during a talk in the Council of Ministers he had refuted the idea of the PM's adviser, Ylli Bufi, that in the condictions when a national network is lacking the election documentation be computerized in the constituencies, because, said Beqiraj, the constituencies cannot be controlled and may be manipulated, something which was approved by PM Fino as well.

"It is not the task of the institutions of the Finance Ministry and of the Economic Evidence Centre the processing of the election evidence," said one of the CEC members, Ylvi Kallari. "Let the Finance Ministry determine more clearly the budget necessary for the elections," he added. pas/xh/E

[20] DECISION OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL - SELFO

According to Selfo, the law on elections, and particularly the article 11, was a law approved by the Accord of 10 political parties on the election law of 1997, that's why the Constitutional Court had no reason to invalidate this accord.

This is an agreement, through which ten Albanian political parties established the Government of National Reconciliation, which is leading Albania in these difficult moments, but this is a mistaken step of Premier Fino". Selfo considered the act of Premier Fino "hasty" and "groundless".

"This indictment has the signature of Premier Fino and the Minister of Justice, Spartak Ngjela, whom we know where he comes from as well as his origin," said Selfo.

Selfo said that the ministers of the Albanian United Right (AUR), have not participated in a meeting of the Government where it was discussed the article 11 of the Law on Elections of 1997.

Selfo said that the solution could be found, as the decision of the Court can be not annulled, but in the election law there is an empty place, which is article 11, and it can be completed and approved only by the People's Assembly.

With regard to the indictment of the Socialist Party, Selfo said "We have noting to say for SP, we have nothing to prejudge more than history has prejudged for this Communist Party, which is called today Socialist.

In particular moments, she will surely ask the destabilization of the country, that's why she threw a stone in the river with the indictment to the Constitutional Court for the article 11." /pas/mt/E

[21] FIRE, MILITARY FACTORY OF aEKIN ATTACKED - GRAMSH

Sources from the local government of the district report that after hours of fire exchange between the rebels and the military men who guarded this factory, one of the members of the group was injured and later they stormed the factory, set fire on some of its main storehouses.

According to the eyewitnesses, the fire set in the late hours of Sunday night, it is not put off until the early hours of morning.

Along with the robberies of large quantities of cooper, special steel and different machineries, it is reported to have been destroyed the raw material of the factory, which supplied this enterprise for many years. /a.ke/eva/mt/E

[22] NANO PROMISES IN VLORE CONTROL OVER THE COLLAPSED FIRMS

"Socialists promise," said Nano, "that they will make everything they can and will ensure special sources for the return and compensation of the savings lost in collapsed firms."

It is the first time that SP declares such a thing. Precisely SP and the Socialist Minister of Finance, Arben Malaj opposed a law of the parliament which demanded, along with the control of the loan-taking firms, the re-control of those declared as collapsed, which served the opposition as a means to accuse the government of the democrats.

"A rapid, proportional and fair control of all loan-taking firms, of the existing ones and those which have failed, will be only the first step in the process," said Nano.

He explained that SP "would ask from the existing firms the correct application of the contracts with creditors, freeing scores and thousands of people from the anguish of insecurity and waiting." The socialists, who so far have demanded not to assist the loan-taking firms, said through Nano that "they will support loan-taking companies which are not pyramid schemes and have not carried out illegal activity."

In the rally of the socialists, held in the Flag Square today at 10.00 a.m., the SP chairman Fatos Nano and other SP leaders, together with the chairman of the Socialdemocrats, Skender Gjinushi, presented the candidates of these two parties.

The arrival of Fatos Nano was accompanied with the call "Down with Berisha!" and the slogan "We want our money!" The SP leader Fatos Nano greeted all the Vlora people and said that they, through their protests, freed him from jail.

Nano, who visited Vlore for the first time since disturbances in Albania started, spoke in front of thousands of people gathered in the city centre, under the guard of scores of armed civilians and Kallashnikovs. He said that "the socialists will guarantee public order, tranquillity, ownership and the assets of the Albanians." xh/

[23] SCANDAL OF WHITE UNIFORMS IN IOANNINA HOSPITAL

The Greek surgeon, Sotiris Jepejis is in trial under the charge of taking bribe.

Three days ago, this surgeon had demanded from the Albanian Armir Gushi a sum of 300 thousand drachmas in return of a surgery for his father-in-law. The police, informed by the Gjirokastra man Gushi, sequestered the money which was still in the office of the Greek doctor, becuase the numbers of the money were registered before.

After the beginning of the unrest in Albania, the public hospital of Ioannina has been saving the lives of many Albanians wounded by firearms, because the Albanian medical system especially in the southern districts, is in difficulty. ake/xh/

[24] MOVEMENT OF LEGALITY PARTY OPENS ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN IN DURRES

The LMP chairman, Dr Guri Durollari, said that his party was taking part in the polls as a separate electoral subject in 112 constituencies.

"Our message," said Durollari, "is to solve the question of the form of regime through the free vote, that homeland is above everything and for unity-fraternity."

Then, Durollari introduced the candidates for deputies of this party for Durres.

The Secretary General of the Christian Democratic Party, Gasper Mani, greeted those present in the meeting. ake/XH./

[25] MEETING OF SP SECRETARY GENERAL IN CERRIK

It was the SP Secretary-General Rexhep Mejdani who, right after he finished a rally in Elbasan in the morning, made for the small town of Cerrik, where he will candidate for the June 29 elections.

Mejdani was welcomed in Cerrik with cheers and enthusiasm by local people.

"I have not come here to beg your votes, but to solve your problems," declared Mejdani to those present in the rally. Later on he pointed out "the great indefferentism of the DP governing for that town in central Albania."

Also the socialist Maqo Lakrori and Gaqo Apostoli of the SDP spoke in the rally, pointing out the importance of the pre-electoral and post-electoral coalition of their two parties in order to win the electoral competition.

In token of greeting, the addresses of the speakers and later their departure were accompanied by salvos of arms by the "voluntary forces" who are presently controlling public order in Cerrik. ake/xh/

[26] MEETING OF SP LEADERS WITH ELECTORATE IN ELBASAN

Mejdani accused the 5 year governing of the DP as "rebellous" and brought to evidence as a positive fact "the support that Europe and the world is giving to SP and the Albanian opposition in general, where they," according fo Mejdani, "see the future governing of Albania." ake/xh/

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