Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [2], 97-07-01

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH VRANITZKY, LALUMIERE AND JOHNSTON

[02] STATEMENT OF JOHN DINGER, SPOKESMAN OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

[03] LEKA ZOGU DECLARES VICTORY OF REFERENDUM, BUT WAITS CEC TURNOUT

[04] ONE KILLED AND SEVEN INJURED DUE TO UNCONTROLLED USE OF WEAPONS

[05] DP RECOGNISES ELECTIONS, BUT WILL NOT RECOGNISE RESULTS IN ZONE IT WAS OBSTRUCTED

[06] INVESTIGATION FROM JOINT ALBANIAN-GREEK GROUP STARTS REGARDING MURDER OF GUARD OF GREEK CONSULATE

[07] STATEMENT OF OSCE ENVOY FOR ALBANIAN AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS

[08] PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF SDC OBSERVATIONS SAYS MONARCHY HAS NOT WON

[09] FOUR PEOPLE INJURED ON TUESDAY IN ELBASAN

[10] "CALM ELECTIONS", BUT DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN NOTICED FOR DP PARTICIPATION IN SOUTH - declares the Society for Democratic Culture

[01] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH VRANITZKY, LALUMIERE AND JOHNSTON

President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the important contribution of their mission, headed by former chancellor Vranitzky, and of the international community in the organization and conduct of elections in Albania. Despite the circumstances they were held, which were far from being normal, President Berisha confirmed once again the fundamental importance of these elections for the country. In spite of the results, which bear within them, several responsibilities of the democratic governing, the influence of the violence and terror, of the fraudulent promise for a 100 per cent restitution of their money lost in pyramid schemes, we recognise the voting results and we are resolute to work as an active and loyal opposition towards the laws of this country without interrupting in any case our efforts for the consolidation of democracy and integration of the country into Europe.

Former chancellor Vranitcky appreciated the role of President Berisha for considering the elections as vital and the only way to pull the country out of the crisis, as well as his contribution for their conduct in time, despite the very difficult conditions. In a particular way, he thanked President Berisha for the cooperation in reaching the success of his mission.

Mrs Lalumiere stressed that since the first moments of their mission in Albania they have had his support with the authority of the Head of the State, and for this "we are grateful to you", ends the report of Press and Information Office of President Berisha. /mt/Z/

[02] STATEMENT OF JOHN DINGER, SPOKESMAN OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

The U.S. delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights, observed elections Sunday in Albania.

The U.S. delegation, along with a 55 member group of U.S. observers, watched the election process in support of the international effort led by the OSCE.

The delegation noted that turnout appeared high and the atmosphere was relatively calm. They also noted reports of violence in some parts of the country didn't appear to indicate widespread problems affecting the overall process.

The delegation also observed the voting counting process, which was complicated and sometimes contentious, but within boundaries of overall international standards.

The Italian-led Multinational Protection Force, under the leadership of Lt. General Roberto Forlani, provided excellent security for election observers and international media covering the elections.

The delegation will wait the OSCE's judgement on the quality of the election.

We are pleased the people of Albania participated peacefully in this election, a crucial first step towards democracy and economic reform, ends the release. /JZ/mt/Z/

[03] LEKA ZOGU DECLARES VICTORY OF REFERENDUM, BUT WAITS CEC TURNOUT

Being secure of his victory, but anyhow waiting for the final pronouncement of the Central Election Commission, Leka Zogu said that "the fraudulence is not accepted by the kingdom."

"I will accept the verdict of the people in case of a loss, confirmed by the Central Electoral Commission," he said.

The Minister of the royal court, Abedin Mulosmani, gave severe answers, protesting for "a confiscation" of the vote, and found responsible for this the socialist leader Nano or even "the pressure exerted from abroad."

The heir of Ahmet Zogu did not also agree with the preliminary report of the OSCE troika, who declared on Monday that the elections "were correct." /jz/mt/Z/

[04] ONE KILLED AND SEVEN INJURED DUE TO UNCONTROLLED USE OF WEAPONS

The persons who was killed is Isa Hamdi Allaraj, 16.

"Despite the calls and explanations of the Police Department of Tirana not to shoot by fire weapons, especially in public and inhabitable places, yesterday in midday and during the evening, shots have been heard in the whole town of Tirana, " says the report of Police Department. /jz/mt/Z/

[05] DP RECOGNISES ELECTIONS, BUT WILL NOT RECOGNISE RESULTS IN ZONE IT WAS OBSTRUCTED

"By recognising the elections on the whole and our loss only because of national major interests, we ask to recognise as invalid the elections in the constituencies with great irregularities, especially in those towns where they were conducted under the power of the so-called committees. They, according to the March 9 accord, should have been dissolved before the beginning of the electoral campaign from the Central Electoral Commission," said the chairman of the Albanian Democratic Party, Tritan Shehu together with the Secretary General of this Party, Genc Pollo, during a news conference on the occasion of the end of elections.

The statement, published on this occasion, says that we should remember that the road for this electoral process was opened by the March 9 accord of President Berisha with the main political forces of the country, avoiding in this way a real national tragedy.

The victory of SP was undoubtedly based on a fraudulence.

To me, this was a very dangerous speculation for the stability of the country. Now it belongs to them to keep this promise they gave to the country," said Shehu, referring to the pre-electoral promise of the socialists for the restitution of the money lost in pyramid schemes, if they would win.

Shehu said that there are more than 30 constituencies which will face a second round, in the majority of which, he said that, DP will win and more than 23 candidates of DP have won so far in the majority system.

"Berisha has been and will be main figure of DP," said Shehu, with regard to the role of the President now and on.

"To compare and consider similar the elections of May 26, 1996 with those of June 29 1997, is very difficult, because they are contrary, they are two electoral processes far from each-other, because the elections of this year were held by weapons.

The May 26 elections were free and democratic, although with problems," said Shehu in response to a question. /jz/mt/Z/

[06] INVESTIGATION FROM JOINT ALBANIAN-GREEK GROUP STARTS REGARDING MURDER OF GUARD OF GREEK CONSULATE

The chairman of the Albanian group of experts, the chief of the criminal police of Gjirokaster, Agron Pipa, considered incited the statement of the Greek Foreign Ministry, according to which the mortal shot against the guard of this residence has come out of the territory of the Consulate.

This is the second killing happened in the area of the Consulate after the tragic suicide of the Greek lieutenant Nikos Markaqis in the Greek Consulate in Gjirokastra a month ago. jz/mt/Z/

[07] STATEMENT OF OSCE ENVOY FOR ALBANIAN AND FOREIGN JOURNALISTS

"I think I had a very important conversation with Premier Fino, because it must be clarified that the polls held on Sunday, and the second round which will be held next Sunday should be considered as the first step. The other step should be the reconstruction of Albanian, economy, social system, security, infrastructure, etc.

Tomorrow morning I will suggest to the Premier of Denmark in Copenhagen, the immediate establishment of a working group and I will present a series of ideas.

We are of the opinion that Albania can be based on the future. Meanwhile, I proposed Premier Fino to participate in this working group, because we can not take any decision without taking into consideration the suggestions and thoughts of Albanians. And from this point of view, I think work should immediately start, although the new government is not established yet. At last, I think that we should not wait until the new government is established, and with its establishment we should integrate it in this work. This is my first message.

My second message is that it should be very clear that the election day and some days after it, should not be the signal that anyone who belongs to the International Community should pack the baggage and go home. But, we should make clear that, from the viewpoint of security, of the establishment of the future, we will continue to stay in support of the future of Albania.

Thirdly, I had a meeting with President Berisha, with whom we held a brief retrospective conversation since the beginning of March and it was President Berisha who confessed that he, since the very beginning, was in favour of the conduct of elections. He thanked all of us for the contribution for the conduct of elections.

I think this is a very important message we should take into consideration, with regard to the comments made by the foreign press and organizations which doubted that the International Community imposed the elections in Albania, but which is surely not true.

But, as far as I can see today, the potential winners and the potential losers, seem to have understood that they should continue to work and contribute for the country. In the government, as well as in opposition, their aim and desire is to serve to the country and this is also a very important signal," ended Vranitzky. /jz/mt/Z/

[08] PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF SDC OBSERVATIONS SAYS MONARCHY HAS NOT WON

According to the observations in several districts of the country like in Elbasan, Fier, Kavaje, Korce, Devoll, the electors have voted n favour of the Parliamentary Republic. /jz/mt/ Z/

[09] FOUR PEOPLE INJURED ON TUESDAY IN ELBASAN

Sources from the hospital of this town report that the injured are out of danger. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[10] "CALM ELECTIONS", BUT DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN NOTICED FOR DP PARTICIPATION IN SOUTH - declares the Society for Democratic Culture

"The SDC noticed problems in many moments of the electoral process, including the composition of the electoral commission and the registration of candidates, who did not have at their disposal the necessary time," says the statement of the SDC on Tuesday.

The Society for Democratic Culture also estimates the contribution of OSCE and MPF, which helped in the improvement of the electoral process. /jz/mt/Z/

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