Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-15

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SP AND SDP OPEN ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN LEZHE

[02] VOTERS' LISTS DECLARED IN DURRES

[03] BERISHA CONDEMNS TERRORIST ACT AGAINST DP HEAD FOR VLORE

[04] FORMER COMMUNIST DICTATOR ENVER HOXHA 'BROUGHT TO LIFE' IN CERRIK - in the entrance of the town are shown his photos

[05] SP ALONE AGAINST NINE POLITICAL PARTIES

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN MEETING OF PABSEC

[08] REPORT OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

[09] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA SALI BERISHA MEETS WITH PEOPLE OF KORCE

[10] DP PRESENTS CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES IN POGRADEC

[11] DP CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY PRESENTED IN BILISHT

[12] FUNERAL CEREMONY FOR DIRECTOR IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN SHKODER HELD

[13] ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN VLORE

[14] ALBANIAN TROOPS BEING TRAINED FOR OPENING CEREMMONY OF COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 EXERCISE

[01] SP AND SDP OPEN ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN LEZHE

SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, said among others that the guarantee for our victory in these elections is the new political vision for the Albanian right wing, which comes in the June 29 ballot together with SDP. Another guarantee, stressed the socialist leader, is the Government of National Reconciliation, headed by the socialist Fino.

Taking the floor in the meeting, Gjinushi said that on June 29 it will be defined whether Albania will follow the steps of reconstruction or will dissolve as a nation. That's why by saying 'no' to the new dictatorship, we will give another possibility to the survival of the people.

Then, Pandeli Majko said that here, in Lezhe, where our national hero, Scanderbeg, united the South with the North, the politics and free speech declare the big coalition against Sali Berisha./kled/mt/sh/

[02] VOTERS' LISTS DECLARED IN DURRES

[03] BERISHA CONDEMNS TERRORIST ACT AGAINST DP HEAD FOR VLORE

Voicing his profound grief and most sincere condolence to Grabova family for the loss of their relative, President Berisha invites all the citizens of Vlore and the whole Albania to condemn this ugly act of the political terrorism and any other terrorist act which is the effort of the extremists to block the electoral process and the political elections. /kled/mt/sh/

[04] FORMER COMMUNIST DICTATOR ENVER HOXHA 'BROUGHT TO LIFE' IN CERRIK - in the entrance of the town are shown his photos

The photos of Hoxha, surrounded with flowers, are the only pass to enter the town, reports the paper and adds that the armed persons force all the passengers to get off and stand at the salute before the photo.

"The people, known as activists of the Democratic Party, are forced not only to stand with the right fist raised to the forehead, but also to kiss the photo," reports the Independent.

Candidate for deputy in the town of Cerrik is the Secretary General of the Socialist Party, Rexhep Mejdani./kled/mt/sh/

[05] SP ALONE AGAINST NINE POLITICAL PARTIES

After the statement was signed even by the Democratic Party, the nine political parties have addressed to the Central Election Commission and ask the division of votes in proportional be 35 % by 65% in favour of small parties.

"If the CEC says this is not his competency, then the solution will be found in the round table with the President and Premier, says Sabri Godo, quoted by the Independent paper.

The political parties have reacted severely against the decision of the Constitutional Court, which decided the division of the proportional be not 75 % by 25% in favour of small parties.

According to the decision of the Constitutional Court, on June 7, 1997, the small parties will take as many seats from the proportional representation as the number of ballots they will win according to the percentage of the votes in 115 constituencies./mt/sh/

[06] PRESS REVIEW

"Bomb in a cafe in Cerrik. The owner is killed", reports the paper under the title "Mejdani terrorized Cerrik and Belsh". On the fifth page the paper carries the article "Economic market in front of the political 'market'".

"Gangs of Zani attack the train in Vlore," reports the paper under the title "Policemen disarmed, travellers plundered".

"Some 15000 Albanians meet with socialist leader in a grand rally in Kanikos of Athens," reports Zeri i Popullit under the title "Nano unites the Albanians against dictator Berisha." "ASP ready for the social pact", reports the paper.

The paper carries a memorial of the SP Presidency, addressed to the Government of National Reconciliation, Central Election Commission, OSCE Mission, entitled "Work of committees very worrying."

"The historic truth can be denied and removed only temporarily", is another article published by the paper on the third page.

"DP - SP and the technology of the Constitutional", is the editorial of Republika paper. "The decision of the Constitutional Court to invalidate two points of the election law, created a complicated situation for a big number of parties," says the editorial.

"The Albanian state has prevented the return of 500 million dollars," reports the paper, quoting an exclusive pronouncement for the paper of the attorney of "Iliria Holding", Shefqet Dizdari. "SP alone against nine parties," reports the paper with regard to the fact that the Socialist Party did not signed the compromise on the proportional system.

"For a new policy and governing, fair for all," reports Demokracia paper. The paper carries the list of candidates for deputy of the Human Rights Union Party in the June 29 ballot, and covers the meetings for the election campaign of this party.

"Free and democratic election to be held," reports Rilindja paper, with regard to the meeting of Premier Fino with the prefects of Albania. "The normalization of Albanian education in Kosova - major cause," is another article published by the paper, with regard to the European Conference of Education, which ended its proceedings in Luxembourg.

"Two weeks before the conduct of June 29 elections, the political crime appeared completely in the town of Vlore," says the editorial Albania paper, under the title "Ruka testifies the political offices of crime in the Socialist Party."

"Vlore: Nano covered us with blood," is another article published by the paper. TNT planted in the house of DP head for Vlore. Grabova surrounded for 12 hours by the gangs," underlines the paper. The paper carries on the third page a comment under the title "Doubt is being prepared for the Albanian elections."

Under the title "The hours are counted for Zani Caushi", the paper carries a pronouncement of one of the members of the yesterday clash in Vlore, Ardi Grabova. The paper publishes a statement of the Albanian Democratic Party, with regard to the yesterday event in Vlore, under the title "DP: Nano will answer for everything."

With regard to the event in the town of Vlore, Tribuna paper carries the article "Terror on the family of Argent Grabova, DP head for Vlore." "The weapons are dropped down with the order of SP", is the editorial of the paper. The paper also publishes an interview with the Albanian Speaker, Pjeter Arbnori, under the title "America melts the ices."

"How much does this President cost?", is the editorial of Koha Jone. "Kavaja: DP time for divorce", is another article published by the paper. The paper carries a pronouncement of the Albanian Premier, Fino, under the title "Fino: The government is not aware of 54 tonne of leks".

"The socialists alone against all", reports the paper with regard to the request of nine parties fr the proportional.

"People and countries," is the editorial of Dita.

"Nano received as Premier in Greece," reports the paper, referring to the Greek press.

Under the headline "After the quiet meetings of SP and DAP", the paper carries the articles "Terror in Vlore, 2 people killed." "Berisha to Vlore in two days."

"Enver Hoxha brought to life in Cerrik", reports the Independent paper. The ghost of the communist dictator is brought to life, reports the paper, which informs that in the entrance of the town of Cerrik, two photos of Hoxha are shown.

"20 tonne chemical weapons threaten Albania and the Balkans," reports the paper on the second page. The paper also publishes an interview with the socialist Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj, under the title "Berisha takes the pyramids hostage."

"The Premier confesses the coexistence with the President," reports Gazeta Shqiptare." Under the title "My tensions with Berisha," the paper carries an interview with Premier Fino. "Vlore: TNT against DP leader," reports the paper.

"The proportional: 35 by 65," reports the paper, which underlines that the small parties ask a round table with the Albanian President Sali Berisha./kled/mt/sh/

[07] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN MEETING OF PABSEC

Arbnori, along with the participation in this meeting, in the head of the Albanian parliamentary delegation, made up of the deputies Bardhyl Musaj, Idriz Xhumara, Musa Ulqini and Isa Sinani, is also expected to meet with the Greek Speaker, the President of the Republic, as well as with other senior officials of Greece./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[08] REPORT OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

In reply to this report, the spokesman of the President informs the public opinion as follows:

1. The spokesman of the Prime Minister misinforms the publik opinion when he neglects, for political aims, the position of the representatives of international institutions expressed at the end of the meeting of Rome, held on June 10, 1997, in which they proposed to stop relating the law of the parliament on May 9, 1997 with the draft decree for the administration of the loan-taking firms and the preparation of a new draft decree on the basis of the text worked out in the meeting, which should not abrogate the second paragraph of Article 7 of this law of May 9, 1997, which says: "On the basis of this documentation, the Minister of Finance, in cooperation with the group of experts, have to control the fraudulent activity of the collpased pyramid investment schemes and to report to the People's Assembly within three weeks from the day the law becomes enforced." For this proposal there is the whole documentation of the meeting.

2. The President of Albania demands from the Council of Ministers to analyse urgently the irresponsible stand of the Minister of Finances, who has not applied the legal obligation of Article 7 of this law and has not undertaken any act for the transparence of the failed pyramid schemes, thus proving either the great fraud by the chieftains of the former opposition before the manifestants in Vlore and elsewhere, ensuring them that as soon as they come to power they would find the money stolen by the government, or the direct involvement of the chieftains of the former opposition in these pyramid schemes or in their profits, to which the Albanian press has published even direct charges.

3. The President of Albania considers as deliberate the non-appointment, as Article 1 of the parliament law dated June 7, 1997 demanded, by the socialist-led government of the group of experts which would make the transparence of the schemes, and non-appointment conformed to article 2 of this law of its representative in the monitoring group, at a time when Albanian parliament and the State Control Service have named their representatives a month before, but because the government representative has not been named, the monitoring group has not yet started its functioning.

4. The President of Albania reiterates that he has not accepted and will not accept that the former opposition be released from the legal obligation to make the transparence. After four years of silence over these schemes, the former opposition carried out the electoral campaign in 1996 on these pyramid schemes and with their leaders. Some months ago, the former opposition declared to protesters that right after they come to power they would find the truth where the money of the creditors was and would return the creditors their savings.

Now it is the former oppostion which is governing the country for four months and no action has been taken to realise the transparance of the pyramid schemes, but on the contrary, this government has prevented it; it is the former oppostion that declared quite irresponsibly in Vlore the construction of the last pyramid in Albania, that of the full restitution of the money to creditors, synthetizing into one the morale of all the stealers and swindlers of these pyramid schemes, with the only aim to steal the votes of the Albanians.

The present Finance Minister pledged in April that he was going to make the transparence of these schemes, while now the leaders of the former opposition declare they will make the transparence after the elections. The question may arise: why after and not before elections, is it perhaps you are afraid of the transparence and its truth?!

By being categorical not to accept the exlusion of the former opposition from the control of pyramid schemes and to put an end to any polemics for this issue and its unfruitful politicization, by being always resolute in the realisaation of the full transparence of these schemes, the President of Albania proposes the government that the transparence be made independently by foreign companies and by the former opposition which directs the finance, conformed to the legal obligation. If this is not accepted than it is will be clearly and defenitely proven that the former opposition is afraid of the transparence and is determined to build its political ruins on the loss and calamity of hundreds of thousands people. ake JZ/xh/Z/

[09] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA SALI BERISHA MEETS WITH PEOPLE OF KORCE

Bujar Isaku, chairman of the DP branch for Korce said that Korca would again vote for DP, because DP has proven that it has the only alternative that guarantees tranquillity, welfare and stability.

Taking the floor in the rally, President Berisha thanked for the enthusiastic welcome and invited the Korca people and those of the whole district, to take active part in the electoral campaign of June 29, despite the political convictions, and make it an electoral process for free elections, proving before all the Albanian nation and Europe the brilliant values of the civilization of Korca and the entire Albania.

Korca, the cradle of culture and civilization of our nation, of the our freedom-loving and democratic tradition, he said, has given and will give a great support to democracy with its free vote. It will be in front of the history, in front of the victory.

Focusing on the DP alternative, Berisha said that it is the alternative with which we won the freedom and the rights we deserved, won our dignity, belief in God, in the future. This alternative made all owners of their homes, land, farms, business and made them entrepreneurs.

The DP alternative proved to be the alternative of the free movement, rapid economic growth of Albania, Albania's coming out of isolation and its membership in the Council of Europe. Today it is an alternative of a program of emergence, an alternative of consolidation of the institutions, lowering of taxes, creation of a free trade zone for Korce.

Referring to the SP alternative, Berisha said that it is the alternative which declared a year ago the private workshops and farms as prisons; it is the alternative of underestimation for the intellectuals who it qualified before as people without ideas, while now it is hitting them through terrorist acts. It is the alternative which organized the rebellion and tried to topple through violence the power which emerged from the free vote.

Today, through terrorist acts, this alternative is seeking to block the free elections, to plunge the country into a conflict and to isolate it again. This alterantive five years ago adopted an open position against Europe, against integration of the democratic institutions of Albania into it.

Concentrating in the loan-taking phenomenon Berisha said that "we have accepted before you and all Albania our responsibility for tolerating the loan-taking activity, although they were not in our alternative. But we will create conditions for a rapid development, will give credits to all those who lost their homes in the failed investment schemes, will establish social assistance for the affected. He considered a threat to all Albanians the delaration in Vlore by extreme left wing leaders of the pyramid of fraud, which, according to them, they would return to the creditors all their money lost in the pyramid investment schemes. Berisha called this promise as a great cynical and dishonest fraud.

In conclusion, Berisha told the Korca people that their city has been among the first to give the message of the victory of democracy and this message will be conveye throughout Albania.

Berisha presented before Korca electorate the candidates for deputy of DP, Genc Pollo, Kristaq Turtulli, Koco Bode, Fredi Olli, Rexhep Bregu and the candidate of the Union for Democracy, Teodor Laco.

In the name of the candidates for deputies, Genc Pollo addressed the people along with the DPA secretary for public relations, Vili Minarolli and Azem Hajdari. ake/ EVA/xh/Z

[10] DP PRESENTS CANDIDATES FOR DEPUTIES IN POGRADEC

In a rally held in Pogradec, which was also attended by Genc Pollo, Vili Monarolli and Azem Hajdari, the DP branch chairman for Pogradec district, Zino Pollozhani, said among others that the people of Pogradec know the truth of the ruin of their city two consecutive times by left extremists. He called on those present to vote for the DP alternative as the only one which brings welfare and progress.

DP secretary general, Genc Pollo, after highlighting the excellent patriotic and cultural traditions of Pogradec, declared the DP alternative, the alternative of freedom and human rights, of a quick economic development and progress. He stigmatized the alternative of SP and of left wing terrorists, who are killing and terrorizing DP members and sympathizers in Vlore while in Albania they have killed the freedom. Pollo stressed that this time too DP will win and restitute to Albania public order, peace, jobs and welfare.

Pollo presented Blerim Cela as candidate for deputy for constituency 98, and candidate of the Union for Democracy Muharrem Xhutollari for constituency 99.

In his address Mr Cela promised the inhabitants present that he would realise the alternative which has been already affirmed and which has brought to the people freeedom, well-being and progress.

Those present were also addressed by Mr Minarolli and Mr Hajdari.

[11] DP CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY PRESENTED IN BILISHT

Pollo presented Ritvan Bote, former Finance Minister, as candidate for deputy of the district. ake/eva/xh/e

[12] FUNERAL CEREMONY FOR DIRECTOR IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN SHKODER HELD

His body was placed in one of the halls of the town hall of Shkoder and homage were paid by hundreds of people.

Nderim Muja, as former chief of police in Shkoder and now in the Local Government Secretariat claimed distinction for the realisation of all the tasks he was charged with.

Attending the bural ceremony were the Interior Minister, Belul Celo, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Ekrem Kastrati,State Secretary for defence, Ali Kazazi, State Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Lush Perpali, DPA deputy chairman, Ali Spahia, representatives of the Local Government and others. ake/eva/xh/Z/

[13] ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN CONTINUES IN VLORE

SP, SDP and DAP opened the campaign through rallies held in the recent days. The United wright wing in Vlore in which RP, LD, BK and PDD take part, is continuing the campaign.

The division of constituencies in which representatives of the political subjects will candidate, has taken its complete shape already. Hence candidates in Vlore will be the present Finance Minister, Arben Malaj, of SP, Kurt Kola, chairman of the Association of the Formerly Politically Persecuted, Argent Grabova of DP, while the SP leader for Vlore Eduard Alushi will candidate in constituency 105.

In constituency 106 will candidate Liza Hoxha of the Public Salvation Committee, proposed by SP. She will compete with Arbert Shyti, leader of the public salvation committee, proposed as candidate by SDP.

The SDP leader, Skender Gjinushi, will be a candidate in constituency 107. The first candidate proposed for this constituency was the publicist Frrok Cupi as candidate of the Democratic Alliance Party, but he was not accepted by the Commission of Scrutiny of Officials. ake/jz/xh/E

[14] ALBANIAN TROOPS BEING TRAINED FOR OPENING CEREMMONY OF COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 EXERCISE

The ceremony will be held Monday with a show by aircrafts and parachutists. Attending this ceremony also will be Albania's Ambassador in the U.S. Lublin Dilja amd the second secretary of this Embassy, Zhaneta Mancaku, along with the ambassadors of all the participating countries. Also invited to this ceremony will be the Supreme Commander of the Atlantic Fleet and commander of the Marine Troops of the U.S., General John J Sheeban, who will address thge troops.

During the past days, Albanian company has conducted activities related with the training, reconnaissance of the place and getting used to the training conditions as well as other activities for leisure time. Saturday, the Albanian company consisting of 35 soldiers and officers, was familiarized with weapons, which implies information of soldiers from various countries about the arms of one another.

Participating in the said exercise are about 4000 troops from 18 members countries of the Partnership for Peace and 4 NATO countries.

The troops are divided in 6 companies and Albania is ranked in the first company together with the U.S., Hungary and Georgia. The objective of the exercise is the training of participating countries for peace-keeping operations and for humanitarian assistance in case of calamities.

The Albanian troops have participated several times in more or less similar exercises held in Albania and outside it. This is the third time that an Albanian team is in the U.S. for such an exercise. ake/xh/E

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