Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-06-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] DP DENOUNCES VIOLENCE ACTS DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGN - DP publicly denounces attack against SP general secretary -

[02] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GENERAL FORLANI

[03] EDU DELEGATION MEETS ELECTION AUTHORITY

[04] COURT REJECTS DECISION ON DISMISSING INSIG DIRECTOR

[05] SIX PEOPLE KILLED, 14 OTHERS INJURED IN SKRAPAR

[06] JOINT TRAINING EXERCISES COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 OPENS

[07] INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION FEDERATION DENOUNCES SERBIAN POLICY

[08] PRESIDENT BERISHA EXPRESSES AFFLICTION FOR VICTIMS OF KAPINOVA

[09] ALBANIA AND GERMANY SIGN ACCORD ON FINANCIAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

[10] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GROSSRUCK

[11] ARMED PERSONS ROB "GAZETA SHQIPTARE" AND MALTREAT THE GUARD

[12] STAFF OF HOSPITAL TERRORIZED IN GJIROKASTER

[13] POLICE INCREASE CONTROLS IN TIRANA

[14] ARMED PERSONS SHOOT BY FIRE WEAPONS AND ANTI-TANK SHELLS POLICE VEHICLE

[15] POLITICAL PARTIES CONTINUE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

[16] LETTER OF PRESIDENT BERISHA TO PRIME MINISTER FINO

[17] EDU - ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 29

[18] PRESIDENT BERISHA PRESENTS CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY IN TOWN OF VORE

[19] ARMED GANGS - AN INCREASING CONCERN IN BELSH

[20] GENERAL SHEEHAN MEETS WITH ALBANIAN UNIT PARTICIPATING IN COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 EXERCISE

[21] 10 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ALBANIA BY UNDP

[22] REPORT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY

[01] DP DENOUNCES VIOLENCE ACTS DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGN - DP publicly denounces attack against SP general secretary -

Armed persons fired over the crowd and threatened with bombs and terror aiming at preventing an election rally in Ballsh on Monday in which the leaders of the Democratic party Genc Pollo and Azem Hajdari presented the candidate for deputy Gezim Osmani.

Those persons are known by the Ballsh citizens as the armed ally of Kastriot Islami, one of the leaders of the Socialist party.

The Democratic party publicly denounced the repetition of these acts of terror, violence and pressure against leaders, members and activists of the DP.

It also strongly condemned all acts of violence against political forces including the event against Rexhep Mejdani on his way to Puka and it is for a quiet and peaceful campaign. kled/ak/sh/

[02] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH GENERAL FORLANI

Fino spoke about the measures adopted by the government to create necessary conditions for June 29 elections. He focused on successful cooperation with international organisations such as OSCE, ODHIR, CE and EU monitors.

Fino and Forlani exchanged opinions about engagement of multinational protection forces during the election process and particularly on the election day.

General Forlani made a coverage of the activity of the multinational forces in the framework of protecting representatives of international organisations taking part in the election process, extending their activity in other parts of the country and planning the task for election day.

Both agreed that the task of multinational protection forces within their mandate in support of June 29 elections will be an extra element in guaranteeing normal elections and confidence on the free vote, the press release said. ssh/eva/ak/e

[03] EDU DELEGATION MEETS ELECTION AUTHORITY

Grosruck expressed his interest on the work of CEC regarding the voter lists.

The EDU delegation is expected to have working meetings today with the Socialist and other political parties in Albania. eva/ak/E

[04] COURT REJECTS DECISION ON DISMISSING INSIG DIRECTOR

"It not a competence of the Finance Minister to remove or dismiss INSIG director," the court decided rejecting the order of Malaj.

The minister of the National Reconciliation Government has issued an order on May 22 asking the replacement of present director Disha with Sherif Bundo, chief financier of the Socialist party.

Disha brought a law suit against the minister Malaj on May 30. kled/ak/E

[05] SIX PEOPLE KILLED, 14 OTHERS INJURED IN SKRAPAR

Following are the names of those killed: Agim Dajlan Hasa born in 1960, inhabitant in Kapinove, Peme Syrja Hasa, married woman, inhabitant in Kapinove, Celnik Selim Hasa, born in 1969, inhabitant of Kapinove, Kastriot Nuri Cufe, born in 1968, inhabitant of Corrovode, Ilirjan Nuri Cufe, born in 1969, inhabitant of Corrovode, Arjan Nuri Cufe, born in 1971, inhabitant of Corrovode.

While the injured are: Muharrem Hasa, Arjan Hasa, Albert Perparim Nanushi, Begzo Hasa, Vesel Dajlan Hasa, Vituri Vessel Hasa, Pranvera Hasa, Aida Hasa, Klorentina Hasa, Marjana Bakiasi, Geralda Bakiasi, Mynevere Bakiasi, Gentian Bakiasi, Elinor Cela. They all are from Kapinove.

The Skrapar police commissariat said that the armed conflict happened because Tahir Cela has a land contradiction with Yzedin Hasa. Tahir Cela together with his three nephews, Kastriot Cufe, Ilirjan Cufe and Arjan Cufe who were killed during the conflict, left for the Kapinova village on Monday at 14.00 p.m. to clarify the problem but faced an armed conflict. ake/kled/ak/sh/

[06] JOINT TRAINING EXERCISES COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 OPENS

18 countries, members of the Partnership for Peace and four NATO members participate in this exercise.

"We will cooperate with NATO and these organisations both to assist the process of transformation in the Albanian army and contribute to the process of security in the region," Albanian Ambassador to Washington Lublin Dilja told journalists.

Atlantic Supreme navy commander and commander of U.S. marines General John J. Shcehan said "It is important that we have here troops from Albania which is now experiencing a difficult period. But we hope that it will quickly overcome this situation and go ahead with the same pace of the latest years."

These exercise includes four thousand troops divided in six companies. The Albanian unit is incorporated in the first company with the U.S., Hungary and Georgia. ake/kled/ak/E

[07] INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION FEDERATION DENOUNCES SERBIAN POLICY

"Serbia with its discriminating policy since 1990 when its president Sllobodan Milosevic deprived Kosova of its autonomy is continuing the control and violent administration in Kosova inhabited particularly by Albanians," the report said adding that this policy of Serbian police against Albanians aims at ethnic cleansing of Kosova.

"Over 40 thousand workers out of two million Albanians living in Kosova are dismissed," the report said. Experts used facts to show that Belgrade's regime use Serbian police to persecute leaders and members of the Independent Trade Unions of Kosova which is founded in 1991.

The report mentioned that the Albanian teacher Feriz Blakcori and the trade union activist Sefer Hasanaj died of police violence.ag/eva/ak/sh/

[08] PRESIDENT BERISHA EXPRESSES AFFLICTION FOR VICTIMS OF KAPINOVA

He condemns yesterday acts of violence, exercised against two main parties, the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party, and considers them terrorist acts, aiming to block the electoral process.

The President calls on all the Albanians to give their contribution for an electoral campaign, in which the alternatives, ideas, politicians and the candidates move freely in the whole territory of Albania. This is the vital interest of all political forces, engaged for democracy, the vital interest of Albania, ends the report of President's Press and Information Office. /jz/mt/Z/

[09] ALBANIA AND GERMANY SIGN ACCORD ON FINANCIAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

This project is applied in Albania by the Institute of Credit for Reconstruction (KFW).

The Accord for the protection of the family planning put at the disposal a financing of 3 million DM, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tirana reports. /eva/mt/Z/

[10] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH GROSSRUCK

"I avail myself of the occasion, stressed Berisha, to express also my opinion that without the help of OSCE and member countries we could not have this evolution of developments in Albania, which despite the serious difficulties, has as the only solution the June 29 elections."

"I assure you, said Berisha, that we are resolute to recognise the voting result and to cooperate will all the political forces, interested in the democracy of Albania.

President Berisha expressed the will that a delegation of the Austrian Parliament participate in the monitoring of elections in Albania.

Mr Grossruck, on his side, said that all the political forces in Austria have supported the political solution.

"The June 29 elections are vital for Albania and the aid after them will not miss. It is important that all the political forces are engaged to hold a quiet election campaign, to recognise the voting reslt and to declare a post electoral cooperation," said Grossruck. /jz/mt/Z/

[11] ARMED PERSONS ROB "GAZETA SHQIPTARE" AND MALTREAT THE GUARD

"The persons have threatened by weapons the civil guard of the paper, who was forced to open the inner door of the paper," Pashk Tusha, Director of Tirana Police, told ATA.

Gazeta Shqiptare is a daily paper, property of Edisud Spa of Bari, Italy, created in April 1993. /jz/mt/Z/

[12] STAFF OF HOSPITAL TERRORIZED IN GJIROKASTER

"The hospital of Gjirokaster risks to close, says the director, Hodo Cela, because the life of the staff is in danger, meanwhile that the bodies of local government have not helped us".

The medical staff of this institution, through a statement, addressed to the President of the Republic, Premier and Interior Minister, have asked necessary conditions to be created for the normal functioning of the work in the hospital.

The cases of threatening by weapons for the doctors and the staff of the emergency ward have increased, says Mr Cela. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[13] POLICE INCREASE CONTROLS IN TIRANA

The aim is to stop the penal acts, of keeping and using weapons, implementation of rules and movement of vehicles based on the rode code, implementation of requests of law on state of emergency.

Four people, who kept arms in public places, were caught in the action.

With regard to the violation of order and tranquility from the shots during the night, the police officers have made the verifications in the quarters of the town and the persons who will be detained will be under penal procedure. /jz/mt

[14] ARMED PERSONS SHOOT BY FIRE WEAPONS AND ANTI-TANK SHELLS POLICE VEHICLE

Due to this gunfire, six policemen were injured, as well as another citizen who was by accident in the place.

The police are working intensively to find out the circumstances and causes of the event, as well as to identify the authors of the crime. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[15] POLITICAL PARTIES CONTINUE ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUNE 29 POLLS

Vejsiu and Demi stressed in these meetings that DP presents the alternative of construction and minimization of pains, caused by the communist rebellion.

The candidate for deputy of the Democratic Party, Mr Edmir Kapidani, in the constituency no. 36 of the town of Durres, held Monday a meeting with inhabitants of this zone in the hall of cigarettes factory.

* * *

The chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, Zef Bushati, met a group of candidates for deputy from the districts of Shkoder, Mirdite, Kruje, Tirana, Elbasan and Lushnje.

The deputy chairman of this party, Halil Teodori, met with inhabitants of the electoral constituency no. 40 in the district of Tirana, where candidate for deputy in this constituency is Mr. Hamdi Kacani.

* * *

The chairman of the Human Rights Union Party, Vasil Melo, participated in an electoral rally, held in Lezhe. The candidates of the HRUP are in two constituencies, out of three that are in the district of Lezhe.

In the constituency no. 18 candidate for deputy is Gjon Nikolli, economist and journalists and in the constituency no. 19 is Gjon Ndreu, teacher.

Calling on the electorate not to vote for SP and DP, which according to him, the victory of one or the other would change nothing, Melo promised the electorate of Lezhe the organized emigration in Greece and Italy and recuperation of the agriculture and animal products in Albania, as well as the development of the nutritive and light industry, aiming to employ many people as the strongest weapon against criminality.

* * *

The branch of the Socialist Party in the town of Koplik, district of Malesi e Madhe, held Tuesday morning an electoral rally, to present the candidates for deputy of this party in the electoral constituencies no.1 and no.2 of this district, Ndue Kecaj, teacher, and Shaqir Vukaj, Defence Minister.

The SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, greeting the participants in the rally, said that SP runs in the June 29 elections with the belief in the victory of the socialist and social democratic alternative, which is in power even in 13 countries of the European Union. Further on, he explained the program of this party for the next four years. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z/

[16] LETTER OF PRESIDENT BERISHA TO PRIME MINISTER FINO

Honorable Prime Minister,

The constitutional prerogatives oblige me, before applying constitutional competence, to attract the attention for a fundamental question, that of the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes and the accomplishment of the moral and legal obligations of the Government of National Reconciliation in this direction.

It is already a common knowledge that the former-opposition, which is governing the country for four months now together with other parties, after the collapse of the pyramid investment schemes, declared before creditors that the lost savings have been stolen by the DP Government and that as soon as it comes to power, it would uncover the whole truth on the pyramid investment schemes, for which the former opposition itself had been silent for four years.

Precisely on this basis and in order to create the former opposition the possibility to tell the truth to all the Albanians, to prove them that the DP Government had taken their money, I believed the Albanian finance and, to be sincere, the post of the Prime Minister to the former opposition.

But, unfortunately, despite the promises of Mr Malaj in April this year that he would make the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes, despite his pledge before me and the obligation stemming from the law, which says: "On the basis of this documentation, the Minister of Finance, in cooperation with the group of experts, must control the fraudulent activity of the failed pyramid schemes and report to the People's Assembly in three weeks time from the date this law enters into force," Mr Malaj has not undertaken any act to keep his promise and apply the legal obligation, but he has made unacceptable efforts to exclude from the control the collapsed pyramid schemes, Populli, Xhaferri, Gjallica and Sude. Unable to carry this out, because the parliament refused this request, he is not applying the legal obligation for the transparence of these foundations.

In these conditions, on the basis of the constitutional provisions, I request from you as follows:

1. The Council of Ministers must appoint an observer for the pyramid schemes, because the representative of the Parliament and that of the State Control Service have been named long ago.

2. The local and foreign experts for the control of these firms be also appointed.

3. I want to have the decree on the appointment of the administrators and their competence as we have agreed upon with the IMF.

4. In my opinion, Minister Malaj, for party and personal motives, has opposed the legal obligation and I will support any proposal from you for any concrete measure towards his irresponsible behaviour in relation to the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes.

Mr Prime Minister, I think that during the four months of your governing the control of the pyramid investment schemes might have been realised several times.

I would like to guarantee all those citizens, who have believed or doubted that the Government of the Democratic Party has taken their money, lost in the pyramid investment schemes, that it is precisely this suspicion which makes me not accept the annulment of the legal obligation for the former opposition to make the transparence of the pyramid investment schemes. I have the profound conviction that the socialist electorate, and not only it, but all those who have lost their savings in those schemes, want and are impatiently expecting from the former opposition since four months of its governing, to bring to light documents, invoices and facts to prove the charges it has made for the former Government of the Democratic Party. This electorate expects from the present power-holders of the Socialist Party, the facts and proofs for the money allegedly plundered by the Government of the Democratic Party, it expects from the former opposition to bring facts to show who is "the competent" and the sum of money he has taken.

Otherwise, all those who have lost their money in the pyramid investment schemes will be convinced that the former opposition is either paid and completely corrupted by "the competent" or it, for amoral political motives, has deceived the creditors of these schemes.

On this occasion, Mr Prime Minister, I would like to reconfirm my proposal for a compromise on the independent realisation of the transparence of these pyramid investment schemes both by the former opposition that directs the finance, conformed to the legal obligation, and by foreign experts' teams, ends the letter of President Berisha to the Prime Minister, Fino. ssh/xh/Z/

[17] EDU - ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 29

"Despite the problems in the South, it would not be thought the elections to be hold in different stages, taking into consideration the influences of constituencies in different areas of Albania," said Mr Grosruch, referring to the report of the U.S. Democratic Institute.

The preparation of a real report for the elections in Albania, report which will be presented in a meeting of the European Democratic Union on Friday in London, was the aim of the visit and meetings of EDU delegation in Tirana.

Hoping that Albania will find the positive solution for the future, despite the voting result, Grosruch stressed that Europe will help Albania, but there are Albanians who will make efforts for their own selves.

In the context of holding elections on June 29, the EDU representative expressed security for a more exact and incontestable report of the international coordinator on the elections in Albania, quoting President Berisha as saying "I will accept the verdict of the people and the final report."

In this conference, the DP Secretary for Public Relations, Vili Minarolli, with regard to the visit of EDU delegation, stressed that "it enables the drafting of a real report on the electoral campaign, which being held in Albania." /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[18] PRESIDENT BERISHA PRESENTS CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY IN TOWN OF VORE

President Berisha highlighted the position of those electors "in favour of democracy and against the communist rebellion."

"You showed that you are dignified citizens of one of the newest municipalities of Tirane, when you voiced your confidence in democracy," said Berisha addressing the inhabitants of the town of Vore.

"All Abanians wherever they are must make their contribution to an electoral campaign in which all alternatives will compete freely and in which the best alternative and the best candidate will will and in which politicians will present their ideas freely."

President Berisha focused on the "pledges by SP leaders for the full restitution of the lost savings in pyramid schemes," pledges which he considered as a "deceipt by people irresponsible of the fates of the country, an amoral deceipt towar ds the Albanians and Albania."

Berisha promised that the first task in the DP program regarding the situation is the restitution of public order and the economic recovery of the country through their work and a plan of emergence worked out by DP.

"Let us give democracy our faith and encouragement and let us march on the road of democracy, which is the road of our national survival, the road of our national unity," said Berisha in conclusion.

The candidate for deputy and member of the DP presidency Shaban Memia also addressed the meeting. xh

[19] ARMED GANGS - AN INCREASING CONCERN IN BELSH

"Besides the money that the passengers had with themselves, the masked bandits hit one of the passengers for low motives," tells an eye-witness, 47, who did not want to be identified for fear of revenge.

Last Saturday, almost all traders who were returning in Elbasan after their sales in Belsh were plundered. The "fines" for them varied from 10-40 thousand lek, otherwise their life was endangered.

There are suspicions that the plunders are carried out by a local gang.

In the vicinity of the village Paper, close to Elbasan, a trader, Kujtim Asllani, was killed yesterday at noon. According to police sources, while Asllani was travelling with his car he was killed by people who wanted to take the money he had with himself.ssh/pas/xh

[20] GENERAL SHEEHAN MEETS WITH ALBANIAN UNIT PARTICIPATING IN COOPERATIVE NUGGET '97 EXERCISE

"It is important that Albanian troops are here, for people to see and believe. What happened in Albania was a grave thing, Albanians are capable and will solve their problems soon," said the General Commander of the Altantic Forces and Commander of the U.S. Marine Troops General Sheehan in a brief meeting with the effective of the Albanian unit, right after the exercise opening ceremony.

General Sheehan was also accompanied in the meeting by Albania's Ambassador in Washington Lublin Dilja and the second secretary of the Embassy Zhaneta Mancaku.

Mr Sheehan was optimistic that Albania would overcome the difficult situation soon, saying that after the elections Albanians will know to solve their problems because they are able to see beyond their country. "The bad events in Albania are only those of the last months, but everything will be restored soon, " said Sheehan.

While the congressman from Louisiana, Cooksat, who accompanied General Sheehan in the meeting, said that "we are friends and will cooperate with you." ssh/pas/xh

[21] 10 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ALBANIA BY UNDP

The agreement was signed by UNDP representative in Tirane, Sorren Tejno and for the Albanian party by the director of the Foreign Assistance Coordination Department in the Council of Ministers, Edmond Leka.

According to the agreement, the 10 million dollars will be used to eliminate poverty, create new jobs and to elevate the level of governing and legislation.

This agreement will be followed by others, was said by those present in the signing ceremony. ssh/pas/xh

[22] REPORT OF ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY

As a result of the riot, 8 policemen and two civilians, passersby, were wounded. Due to the grave wounds and burning of a high level caused by the anti-tank armfire, four of the injured died in the hospital, three of whom were policemen. Police are working intensively to make the full clarification of the circumstances and the causes of the event as well as for the identification of the authors of the crime. xh

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