Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-13

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Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SLOW RATES IN MEETING THE DEADLINES AND FOLLOWING THE LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR JUNE 29 ELECTIONS IN PREFECTURE OF VLORE

[02] IRREGULARITIES IN CONSTITUENCIES ELECTION COMMISSIONS

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY INFORMS ON TERRORIST ACT IN ELBASAN

[04] ALBANIAN SPEAKER MEETS MOTHER THERESA

[05] IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PREMEDITATED ACTION - a guard's staff

[06] RIVAL GROUPS EXCHANGE FIRE

[07] DP PRESENTS CANDIDATURES FOR DEPUTY

[08] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SHOOT AND INJURE THREE POLICEMEN

[09] DP LEADER MEETS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN SALONIKA

[10] OSCE REPRESENTATIVES VISIT KORCE

[11] MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS ASKS ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL STATE AND NOT WITH ASSISTANCE

[12] MPF REACT AGAINST USERS OF WEAPONS

[13] FOUR PEOPLE DIED OF LANDSLIDING

[14] PRESS REVIEW

[15] UNESCO REPRESENTATIVES WARN VISIT IN MEMORIAL COMPLEX OF ALBANIAN LEAGUE OF PRIZEREN

[16] CEC EXPRESSES FINO CONCERNS ON WORK OF ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS

[17] VOTING RESULTS WILL BE INCONTESTABLE FOR GREEK GOVERNMENT - from meeting Nano - Pangallos

[18] PEASANTS BLOCK CUSTOM-HOUSE OF MORINI

[19] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

[20] SALVATION COMMITTEE IN KORCE DISSOLVED

[21] AN EDU DELEGATION TO COME TO ALBANIA

[22] CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX CHURCHES TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL NEUTRALITY

[23] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF U.S. DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE

[24] PM BASHKIM FINO MEETS PREFECTS OF ALBANIA

[25] CEC MEETING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES, CONCERNS FROM BOTH SIDES

[01] SLOW RATES IN MEETING THE DEADLINES AND FOLLOWING THE LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR JUNE 29 ELECTIONS IN PREFECTURE OF VLORE

The report stresses that the local government secretariat has received from the prefecture all the electoral materials but so far these materials have not been handed over to the election commissions of the constituencies because they are not yet functioning.

Despite the instistence by the Prefecture, the election commissions are still not functioning and the local government has not ensured the premises for them to work. Besides, the electors' lists have not been sent to the prefecture for confirmation and to make other copies of them.

In two districts of this prefecture, Sarande and Delvine, says the report, the election materials are in the Local Government Secretariat because the prefecture cannot send them to those districts.

It is also reported that the prefecture centre cannot contact by telephone with these two districts due to the damage in telepohone lines.

Besides, the candidates for deputies in those constituencies have not sent the documentation for registration, as the law stipulates.

It is reported that on June 9, 1997 unidentified people plundered a Benz of the Prefecture which was carrying electoral material to the town of Orikum. xh/E

[02] IRREGULARITIES IN CONSTITUENCIES ELECTION COMMISSIONS

According to Sadik Shkembi, CEC member, who was present during the inspection, in most of the commissions in constituencies they had found present only 4-5 members from 20-22 members that should have been there. None of the commissions had made their first meeting and secretaries were not yet elected.

Mr Shkembi, who was a member of the inspection group in the constituencies 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46 and 56 said that most of the election commissions in those constituencies had not received the necessary electoral materials and the members of the commissions have not been informed to coordinate the work for elections. The chairmen in two or three commissions were not present.

"The 56 constituency was closed and the chairman of the election commission for that constituency was in Turkey" said Mr Shkembi.

Consequently, on the basis of today's inspections and contacts by telephone in the CEC, it comes out that in some election commissions in constituencies there are weak points which, according to CEC members, must be avoided as soon as possible. xh/

[03] INTERIOR MINISTRY INFORMS ON TERRORIST ACT IN ELBASAN

The investigation team is trying to clarify the implication of the fourth Ilir Ranxha, 26, in this terrorist act.

Sources of the police commissariat in Elbasan said that the terrorist group which went away by a car the type and the number plate of which was identified opened fire against a police check point in the Cerrik cross road injuring four policemen. But their lives were not in danger.

In this situation a group of identified persons set fire to an ATA car.

Police is investigating on the circumstances and trying to find the authors of this terrorist act, the press release said. ssh/eva/ak/E

[04] ALBANIAN SPEAKER MEETS MOTHER THERESA

"I have followed with concern the tragic events happening in my birth place," Mother Theresa said adding "I and my sisters are praying for peace be restored in Albania."

She asked Arbnori on the causes which brought about this turbulence, the present situation and perspective for its solution.

At the end of one-hour meeting Arbnori said to Mother Theresa that she is welcomed by all in Albania.

Arbnori is accompanied by the Albania ambassador to U.N. Pellumb Kulla. l.gj/eva/ak/e

[05] IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PREMEDITATED ACTION - a guard's staff

Pashk Preng Domgjoni, of the third platoon of the first company at the Republican Guard said that the event happening about 12.00 p.m. in the way to Cerrik should have been premeditated.

He said that before he got shot, an unknown person driving a Benz car said to his in a provoking way "Go, go to Cerrik, a meeting is taking place there."

Domgjoni said that different passers by had said to them several times to leave the place they were standing since the early morning "because they could be killed."

The guard's member Kastriot Gjeci shot and injured by an automatic gun in the left leg said that the bullet came from his back.

Hospital sources said that three guards between 26-30 year old are under treatment in the Military hospital in Tirana and they are not in a serious health condition.

"This bullet proof jacket saved me", said the injured man who was shot again in the leg by people driving a high-speed white van after the first shot.

The car of the operation commander Sokol Mulosmani who arrived in the venue was shot at the tyres by automatic guns, Domgjoni said.

While Mark Ndoja, injured in the left leg said that during their duty in the road to Cerrik they had seen many cars without number plates or some with Vlora and Fier number plates passing by.

Eight people were injured including police and guard staff as well as civilians after a provocation at the end of the DP meeting in Elbasan. pas/ak/e

[06] RIVAL GROUPS EXCHANGE FIRE

Armed persons took away an ambulance of the Gjirokastra hospital on Wednesday. eva/ak/E

[07] DP PRESENTS CANDIDATURES FOR DEPUTY

Tanush Cabej is the candidate for deputy in the constituency no. 111 and Filip Cakulli in constituency no. 112.

The Socialists have presented Fatri Sinani and Vangjel Tavo in these constituencies, while the Human Rights Union party has its candidates Vangjel Dule and Dhimiter Shoni. ak/E

[08] UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS SHOOT AND INJURE THREE POLICEMEN

Unidentified persons driving a Benz fired at the policemen while they were on duty near Mjeda village.

One of them was seriously injured in the head and all three are in the civil hospital in Shkodra.

The persons who shot at the policemen were suspected for a theft in Puka on Thursday night. ak/E

[09] DP LEADER MEETS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN SALONIKA

Journalists expressed their interest in present issues in Albania such as elections campaign, observers' problem, communication between political forces and their programs to emerge the country from the crisis. They also were interested in the statement of the Socialist leader Fatos Nano in Vlora.

Shehu said that some areas which are under the control of rebel committees are a problem in Albania. He said that the SP has not yet distanced itself from these gangs and committees and is not signing a social pact presented by the DP.

Regarding Nano's statement in Vlora, Shehu said that this is a dangerous demagogic statement which apart from destabilizing the country does not bring about anything else.

Nano is convinced of the loss his party will face thus he made such statements to keep the fire burning even after the elections. In front of these irresponsible and adventuring statements, the DP has a realistic emergency program which aims at minimizing and eliminating the destructive consequences of the communist rebellion and compensating those who lost their money in pyramid schemes.

"We are sure for a victory because we have the alternative of construction while they go side by side with the gangs which have the alternative of destruction," Shehu said. ake/ak/E

[10] OSCE REPRESENTATIVES VISIT KORCE

The OSCE representatives were received by the Mayor Dhionis Kotmilo and other representatives of local government.

They were interested in the situation and security in the town of Korce, in the registration of voters, their identity cards, as well as in the situation of unemployment, etc.

Mr Kotmilo told the OSCE representatives that in the town of Korce, there are some 38 000 voters. At the same time 6 commissions of constituencies are established, as well as 63 polling stations.

Other observers of OSCE will arrive in Korce next week. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[11] MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS ASKS ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL STATE AND NOT WITH ASSISTANCE

The problems of the seasonal employment, social protection, emigration, etc, were in the focus of talks that Minister Sherifi held with his counterparts of Italy, Greece, Turkey, etc.

Sherifi focused on the needs of credits with alleviating conditions for the encouragement of small and middle enterprises, as well as in the necessity of reaching an agreement for seasonal employment with neighbouring countries, such as with Italy and Greece.

Organizer of the 85th Session of the International Conference of Labour, held in Geneva, was the International Labour Organization (ILO). /jz/mt/Z/

[12] MPF REACT AGAINST USERS OF WEAPONS

"It seemed as an attack against the hotel, but the persons explained that they not aimed at attacking the hotel," spokesman of the Multinational Protection Forces, Givanni Bernardi, told ATA.

A patrol of Italian bersaliers on Friday morning in Vlore, responded to the fire of two persons, who shot some 200 m far from the barracks of MPF, who fled away immediately.

The carabiniers of the first regiment "Toscanina" stopped on Thursday evening a car, where there was a person who shot by a pistol.

"The carabiners controlled the persons who were in the car, both of them drunk, and found inside the car two bombs, model RC2, a pistol "Tokarew", and a knife," said Bernardi.

The MPF made possible on Thursday the transport from Tirana to Bari of a person, who was burnt during an explosion in one of the furnaces of the cement factory in Elbasan, where three people died./jz/mt/sh/

[13] FOUR PEOPLE DIED OF LANDSLIDING

Sources said that it was very difficult to pull the bodies out of the massive ruins thus the bodies of the local government have asked for an emergency help from the Defence and Interior Ministry.

A landslide has happened in the same village a year ago and the local government has moved part of the inhabitants from this area. eva/ak/E

[14] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike, with regard to this event, reports in its editorial "Left scenario to kill Elbasan". Under the headline "Elbasan: The left extremists shoot on the crown gathered around President Berisha", the paper carries the special article "Rally of DP smears with blood".

Zeri i Popullit reports "Elbasan under the terror of volley of shots. Eight people were injured at the end of the meeting."

Republika pays attention to the event in the editorial "Meeting of Berisha smears with blood". The paper reports on the second page "All the variations of the yesterday incident in details," "Berisha attacked in Elbasan. Hajdari and Pollo locked in the town hall".

"Grave incident in the town of Elbasan at the end of the meeting of the President," reports Rilindja paper in its editorial.

"In front of the terrorism" is the editorial of Albania paper. The paper reports on the first and second page on the event. Under the title "Armed gangs of SP shoot on innocent people," the paper reports "If the socialists will continue the terror with the committees, the democrats will not recognise the elections in the districts which are under they control." "After the incident of Elbasan, an officer of the Guard of the Republic confesses" - "The criminals attempted to take the soldiers hostage". In the heading "Politics", the paper carries the articles: "The President in campaign, challenge the terror", and "Berisha: "The shots tells us that we will win."

Tribuna carries the article "The red terrorists are killing peace". The paper reports in the editorial "The crime hits again".

Dita reports "Bloody rally in Elbasan".

Koha Jone reports "Berisha in campaign, Elbasan in blood".

Independent carries the article "Cerrik take revenge of Berisha".

Gazeta Shqiptare under the headline "Two different versions on the causes. The Ministry confutes the witnesses," carries the article "Volley of bullets in the meeting of Berisha."

Among the other articles of the today's press we cites: RD: Neritan Ceka not to enter Vlore." "The socialists do not sign for the transparency."

ZP covers the meeting of SP leader in Greece. On the eights page, the paper carries an appeal of the publicist Viktor Cami, addressed to Albanians on the occasion of the June 29 elections.

Republika, under the title "The country is in the state of explosion", carries an interview with the RP chairman, Godo. "Scandal in the National Bank. Each of the chiefs take 4 million leks", reports the paper.

Rilindja covers in the editorial the arrival in Tirana of the New Italian Ambassador Spatafora. "Greece suggests signing of a social pact among the parties", reports the paper with regard to the visit of Shehu in Greece.

Albania reports "Demirel advises Premier Fino" - "The socialists should recognise the elections". Under the title "Luniku ordered some 120 tonne leks", the paper reports that the new amount of money which arrived in Albania was ordered before a year and a half by the former governor Luniku, to replace the old money which will be not used anymore.

Under the title "Godo attacks Fino", Tribuna reports "Fino is acting as SP chairman and not as Premier".

Dita in the heading "Actuality", reports "Serbian special forces enter the Albanian territory."

Independent reports "After 5 month some 500 creditors receive the money at Kamberi company. On this page the paper carries the article "The decision to print money is taken before one year and a half."

Gazeta Shqiptare reports "Italian warship returns the illegal emigrants in Durres."/eva/mt/sh/

[15] UNESCO REPRESENTATIVES WARN VISIT IN MEMORIAL COMPLEX OF ALBANIAN LEAGUE OF PRIZEREN

The warning of the visit follows the alarm of destructions from the violent Serbian acts in this major national monument of Albanians with international importance, which is registered even by UNESCO.

The chairman of the Pan-National Association for the Protection of Albanian-Illyr cultural-historic Monuments, in Prizeren, Enver Bahtiu, says that "this association has called many times on the national and international subjects to protect the Memorial Complex of the Albanian League of Prizeren, in the grounds of which it was warned the establishment of the Serbian colons."

In this association they hope that UNESCO representatives will visit other cultural and historic centers of the Kosova Albanians, against which are exercised the measures of destructions by the Serbian regime, aiming at giving Serbian character to Kosova, where more than 2 million ethnic Albanians are over 90 per cent of the population./b.j/ag/kled/mt/sh/

[16] CEC EXPRESSES FINO CONCERNS ON WORK OF ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS

"The attention focused on the realization in time of the ballot sheets and they asked Premier Fino to organize the government, secretariat of local government, Interior Ministry, to respond to the work of CEC", said after the meeting the member of the commission, Pellumb Cela.

The Commission asked Fino to draw the attention of all prefectures to solve on time the problems presented and to convene the members of commissions, so that the work starts immediately.

"We asked Premier in particular to be engaged in the order problems, as well as to put the parties before responsibility, to hold the elections by every means on June 29", said Cela further on.

Special responsibility, for the lack in the work of electoral commissions of constituencies, should bear the political forces, which have delegated their members and representatives in these commissions, but in many cases they were not shown.

Fino expressed the predisposition for the solution of these problems and answered positively to the call of the Central Election Commission to sign a social pact with all the political forces.

Today, at noon, Fino will hold a meeting with the prefects of the country, with regard to the problems put forward by the CEC on the work of the electoral commissions of constituencies. /eva/mt/Z/

[17] VOTING RESULTS WILL BE INCONTESTABLE FOR GREEK GOVERNMENT - from meeting Nano - Pangallos

According to BBC radio, in this meeting, the Greek party stressed that he considers the June 29 elections as the only solution for the normalization of life in Albania.

The delegation of the Albanian Socialist Party, was headed by its chairman Fatos Nano. /sk/pas/mt/Z/

[18] PEASANTS BLOCK CUSTOM-HOUSE OF MORINI

The blockage of the custom-house does not cause any trouble actually, because this border check point is blocked by the Yugoslav party since on March 13. Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, the Yugoslav custom-house is under constructions and will enlarge further more.

At the time when this custom-house worked, some 1000 persons from Kukes moved towards Prizeren. /a.ke/jz/mt/

[19] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

On June 12 and 13, 1997, the Albanian left wing press published some articles referring to the meeting held in Rome between the representatives of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Albanian experts from the Presidence, the Council of Ministers and the Finance Ministry, which discussed the legal roads to be searched for the final solution to the question of pyramid schemes in Albania.

These articles have raised the claim that the President of the Republic has prevented the legal inititive of the Government to complete the legal framework, opposing any of its efforts to realise the full transparence on the pyramid investment schemes. All these claims are completeley false.

The spokesman of the President reports that the draft decree of the Government of May 29, 1997 on some amendments to the parliament law, not only did not respond to the concept of the IMF for the changes to the law and the scheme proposed by them, but also excluded the transparence on Gjallica, Populli, Xhaferi, Sude by the Finance Ministry as envisaged in the law approved on May 9, 1997 by the parliament. For this reason the President of Albania did not sign that decree, but asked the opinion of IMF.

In reply to this request, IMF organized the Rome meeting, in which did not take into consideration the draft decree prepared by the Government because it did not respond to the IMF and WB concept but discussed the preparation of a new draft decree.

In that meeting, the position of the Presidence, also stressed by Albanian President in all the meetings he has had on this issue was: first, full agreement with the suggestions of the two international organizations on the transparence and administration of the loan-taking firms which are in activity, conformed to the concept of IMF and World Bank, second, the transparence on the failed pyramid investments schemes should be made by the Ministry of Finances in conformity with the law of the Parliament, because the former opposition encourages the people in protests, declaring to them that the Government has stolen the money and following their advent to power they would find the money and return it to the creditors. It's three months now since the former opposition governs the country and directs the Albanian finance, but still not a single invoice from the collapsed pyramid schemes has been controlled in order to tell the people the truth. On the contrary, the Minister of Finances, representative of the former opposition, after he pledged before the President in April this year that he was going to tackle with this question, later on, differently from what he had agreed upon, in the law he sent to the Parliament he had excluded from the government control the failed pyramid schemes.

But being aware of the importance of the control of the failed schemes by the former opposition, the Parliament did rightly charge this minister to direct the control on these schemes and with the legal obligation to make public the results of the control. After this Finance Minister Arben Malaj, not only did nothing to meet his legal obligation, but he sought to neglect it through a draft decree which demanded, among others, the annulment of the second paragraph of Article 7 of the law of the Parliament, a paragraph which charges directly the Finance Minister with the control of the failed pyramid investment schemes. The irresponsibility both from the legal point of view and the moral one stands in the fact that during this period the former opposition, which is directing the Albanian finances, has made all efforts not to make the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes at a time when now it is promising to carry out this task after the elections. But with regard to all these, the Presidence representative said in the Rome meeting that the former opposition which directs the finance cannot deviate from the legal obligation to make the transperence of the collapsed pyramid firms and that the decree on the administration and transparence of the loan-taking firms cannot annul the law of the Parliament on this point.

After coming to know these arguments, at the end of the Rome meeting, the jursits of international financial institutions proposed that the draft of the decree should not affect the respective article of the law which stuipulated the obligation of the Finance Minister to direct the work on the transparence of the collapsed pyramid schemes, that the law of the parlaiment and the draft decree be separated from eeach otheer and that a special draft decree should be worked out for the administrators and their competence.

The Presidence representative, on the basis of all the documentation of the Rome meeting, did fully agree with that concept, which was strongly opposed by the Government representatives who wanted to exclude at any cost the Finance Minister from the control of the pyramid schemes, thus blocking the whole decree proposed by international institutions.

On this occasion, the spokesman of the President stresses that the President agrees that the collapsed pyramid schemes be also controlled by international experts along with the control by the Finance Ministry, that is, by the former opposition. He can not accept the projects of the former opposition that exclude it from the control of these schemes now that it is directing the Government and has the financial power. This has been a public pledge it some months ago, wheres the postponement of this control after the elections aims to make the Albanians fall prey of its political fraud, ends the report of the Preisdent's Press and Information Office./xh/sh/

[20] SALVATION COMMITTEE IN KORCE DISSOLVED

The committee chairman, Guri Pejo, told ATA that "the committee of Korce carried out its task for the restitution of public order and peace and today it is opening the way to a calm and correct electoral campaign for the June 29 polls.

The salvation committee of Korce was formed on March 13 after unrest in that city and the armament of the people. xh

[21] AN EDU DELEGATION TO COME TO ALBANIA

The delegation is expected to have meetings with DPA chairman, Tritan Shehu, DP secretary general Genc Pollo, with the political grouping Union for Democracy, the Christian Democratic Party, the Albanian Democratic Union Party, the Social Democratic Union Party and others.

The delegation is expected to have meetings with the OSCE Ambassador in Tirane Grubmayr, with leaders of SP, RP, BK, HRUP and DAP.

Besides, the delegation will also have a meeting with the President of Albania, Sali Berisha. ake/xh

[22] CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX CHURCHES TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL NEUTRALITY

"In our Christian tradition, nationality is an honbour, while participation in political processes is a duty of every citizen.

The coming elections avail us of the opportunity to carry out this task by contributing to the realisation of a free, correct and fair electoral process," says a declaration of the Bishops' Conference.

Also the Albanian Autochephalous Orthodox Church has reiterated clearly that it does not meddle in politics. "Naturally, its members should be responsible citizens," says a statement of the AAOCH.

One of the main duties of a responsible citizen is his patcicipation in the elections of the political leadership of his own country," says a declaration of this Church.

The declaration of the Catholic Church says that they, as a church, do not focus on set parties or groups. This church declares that it supports the unity of Albania in pluralism.

The declaration of the AAOCH writes that every Orthodox is invited to judge with responsibility and according to his conscience, on the programs of the parties and to decide on concrete candidates." xh

[23] PREMIER FINO MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF U.S. DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE

According to the PM's spokesman, the representatives of the Institute highlighted the efforts and measures that the National Reconciliation Government has adopted to prepare and realise the June 29 elections, which they said, have a special importance for the future of Albania.

In the course of their interest in the political situation and especially the preparations for the electoral process in Albania, the U.S. representatives informed PM that a team of observers would come to Albania next week.

PM Fino expressed his thanks for the visit and the assistance that the U.S Democratic Institute has given and is giving to Albania. Mr Fino briefed the U.S. high officials of the work made by the government and other state structures in cooperation with electoral bodies and of the main concerns for the preparation and realisation of free and democratic elections on June 29.

On this occasion, he mentioned meetings he had on Friday with the Central Election Commission and the prefects of Albania, the government meeting planned for June 14, and the cooperation with OSCE and other organizations.

Responding to the interest of the U.S officials, Mr Fino offered his options for the improvement of the situation of security in Albania, the message of peaces abd political cooexistence for the Albanian electorate also by main state and party personalities in these hot political moments, and the indispensability of a possible coalition on a broad basis after June 29 polls.

Mr Fino explained that although he is a candidate for deputy, he has not conducted electoral campaign. Also in 3-4 electoral meetings which he will attend, Mr Fino said he would continue to spread messages of peace, reconciliation and understanding for all.

This would contribute positively, said PM Fino, to calm the situation and to a normal realisation of the electoral campaign.

At the end of the meeting, the U.S guests wished the Albanian PM full success in the preparation and realisation of June 29 elections. xh

[24] PM BASHKIM FINO MEETS PREFECTS OF ALBANIA

Also present in the meeting was the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Ekrem Kstrati, the CEC chairman, Kristaq Kume, the deputy chairman and secretary of this Commission respectively Fatos Klosi and Thimjo Kondi and other members of this Commission, leaders of the local governments, and others.

PM Fino and Mr Kume presented their common concerns with regard to the electors' lists, the location of the polling stations and especially the normal functioning, according to the law, of the election commission of the constituencies and those of the polling stations.

Mr Fino demanded the devotion and participation of all the structures, which in the spirit of understanding and cooperation, must eliminate any obstacle for the realisation of the fresh, free and democratic elections. He stressed the need of a higher sense of responsibility, the mobilisation of all and use of the experience and the existing possibilities in this direction.

The prefects and secretaries general of the prefectures reported on the development of the electoral process, bringing to the fore their problems and the necessary support needed on this occasion by the central administration and the political parties.

The meeting also suggested a greater assistance by the Radio and Television in the coverage of the activities expected to be conducted by the electoral commissions at all levels.

The general conviction was that despite the difficulties, the possibilities exist for a successful realisation of the June 29 elections.

At the end of the meeting, Premier Fino demanded that within June 14, the prefects must analyse the situation with priority and sent the necessary information about the concerns presented in their local meetings. These concerns and problems will be analysed on the same day by the Government which is expected to adopt the concerte measures for this purpose. xh

[25] CEC MEETING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES, CONCERNS FROM BOTH SIDES

Attending the meeting were representatives of the SP, RP, BKP, SDP, CDP and DAP.

The chairman of the CEC, Kristaq Kume, asked the participating representatives of the parties in the meeting to be committed to and support the work of CEC.

"CEC demands an acceptable situation for the electoral campaign. To this end the parties must sign a social pact for calm elections," said Mr Kume.

The SP representative, Kastriot Islami, expressed the opinion that non-appearance of the chairmen of the constituency election commission, members of the DP, especially in southern part of Albania, is a deliberate act to create the impression that they are not allowed to work.

The Balli Kombetar Party chairman, Hysen Selfo, said that the Interior Ministry is not carrying out its duty properly because there are difficulties for the electoral campaign which is going on amidst the arms barrrels. Hence, members of the election commission have fear in carrying out their duty.

According to Selfo, this is one of the reasons that the members of the election commission of the DP constituencies in th South have not appeared for their tasks. Hence there must be cooperation with the Interior Ministry, the local govenrment, the Prime Minister to calm the situation.

Regarding a recent decision of the Constitutional Court for the election law, namely the abrogation of Article 11, Selfo said that "CEC should, within its possibilities, protest for this decision. Removal of this article is a crime committed to the Albanian people."

While the RP chairman, Sabri Godo expressed his concern especially for the work of the constituency commissions in the countryside and the closing hour for the polling stations.

He said that "RP is ready to sign a social pact if the question of the closing hour for the polling stations is settled."

Also the SDP representative voiced his concern for the work of the constituency election commissions. He supported the idea of Godo to reduce the opening hours of the polling stations.

Whereas the Christian Democratic Party representative said that his party had adopted measures so that its members in the election commissions take upon themselves their duties.

He agreed on the social pact to be signed by the parties consisting the Government of National Reconciliation, in order to have free and calm elections.

The CEC member, Pellumb Cela, stressed that the parties will pay proper attention to the CEC concerns and they must work hard so that the members of the election commissions be ready to carry out their tasks.

According to Cela, the signing of a social pact must not be conditioned. While RP chairman Godo said that the prefects must notify the members of the commission to be present for their duties, and following this the CEC must decide on the further work in the commissions. The prefects must have their full responsibility."

At the end of the meeting, CEC chairman, Kristaq Kume stressed that the parties should appoint in the electoral commissions of the constituencies those people who are really committed to carry out the task they will be charched with. xh

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