Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-05

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] OVER 6 MILLIARD LEKS DEPOSITED IN SAVINGS BANK

[03] WAVE OF GRASSHOPPERS IN CAPITAL

[04] DP CHAIRMAN, TRITAN SHEHU, SHOT BY FIRE WEAPONS - statement of Albanian Democratic Party

[05] MPF PATROLS IN TIRANA, WITHOUT GOING BEYOND THE MANDATE

[06] PARTIAL DATA OF CEC FOR 107 ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES

[07] PREMIER FINO TO PARTICIPATE IN NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE REPRESENTATIVE

[09] WITHDRAWAL OF MPF WILL END ON AUGUST 12

[10] IRREGULARITIES IN PROCESS-VERBALS OF SOME CONSTITUENCIES

[11] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH LEADERS OF MINISTRY

[12] "ITALDRURI" ENTERPRISE SET ON FIRE IN ELBASAN

[13] ACTIVITY OF ALBANIAN EVIL-DOERS DECREASES NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN CORFU

[14] THE BEST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS MUST BE ENSURED FOR SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS

[15] REPORT OF DPA FOR CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION, COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND OSCE

[01] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit instead of the editorial carries a call of the National Reconciliation Government under the title "Laws be respected, provocations be avoided." In the first page the paper carries a letter of the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Prime Minister Fino. In the column "Actuality" the paper says "Armed attack of monarchists on election authority" - "Leka Zogu and Abedin Mulosmani under penal offence". Under the title "Full support and commitment to prevent any kind of attempt for destabilisation" the paper carries the statement of the Socialist leader Fatos Nano to yesterday's meeting with 10 parties and Prime Minister Fino.

"Albania is not of Socialists" reports the editorial of Republika. The paper covers yesterday's press conference of the Justice Ministry under the title "Monarchy does not deal with revolution". It says that the SP has reacted against accusation of Legality supporters of manipulation of their votes quoting the Socialist leader Pandeli Majko saying "How is it possible that only the Socialist representatives have made manipulations when the others have been present."

Albania carries the editorial entitled "June 29 and the Albanian crisis." Regarding the press conference of the Unity for Democracy the paper says "DP denounced the Thursday's incident in the rally of monarchists which claimed the life of a 25-years-old man. It added that this scenario is the same as that of communists six years ago on April 2, 1991 in the Shkodra massacre." The paper says that "Minister of Royal Court comments on Thursday's tragedy"- "Mulosmani: this is how communists kill". In the fifth page, the paper carries the article "Greek broom against Albanian refugees."

Regarding the proceedings of the European parliament on elections in Albania, Rilindja says "Socialists tries to limit referendum." It covers the press conferences of Mulosmani and Unity for Democracy in the third page.

Under the title "Leka I will become King? I am a candidate for kingdom of the South" the newspaper Indipendent quotes Zani, leader of salvation committee in Vlora, as saying: "I am more gangster than Berisha." The paper carries an appeal of the Salvation Committee of Vlora on the monarchist rallies in Tirana under the titles "Tirana - halt the marches of Leka, otherwise we will come and defend it." The same paper covers the press conference of the Justice Minister quoting him as saying "Fino threatened me, but it was purposeless." In the Chronicle column the paper reports that Italy will withdraw its troops part of the Alba mission in Albania on July 18.

Under the headline "Mission of the multi-party forces towards end, Koha Jone says that Alba, starts its great withdrawal." The paper carries the interview with Zani Caushi quoting him saying "Why Leka wants to be a King and not me? The paper covers the march of monarchists in Tirana under the title "Monarchy: automatic rifles under the jacket." It carries the article "Who defends the Republic." In the fifth page quoting Leka as saying "I am waiting, but the people are not" the paper carries the interview with Leka Zogu. The paper publishes an interview of the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare with the French magazine "Evenement du Jeudi" under the title "Right-wing, urgently abandon use of force."

Dita, referring to yesterday's meeting of monarchists in Tirana says "Monarchists and King without arms." Regarding yesterday's meeting of the parties with the Prime Minister the paper says "Round table does not solve anything."

Gazeta Shqiptare reports in its first page that U.S. president Bill Clinton has expressed his desire to talks with the Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino. It covers yesterday's meeting of monarchists under the title "Royalists sheathe weapons." The paper reports that Alba will withdraw from Albania on July 18. eva/ak/E

[02] OVER 6 MILLIARD LEKS DEPOSITED IN SAVINGS BANK

This quick increase of deposits, the specialists said, results from the closing of money lending firms which took money in high percentage.

In the second half of the last year, the deposits began to decrease as a result of high percentages from these firms. These deposits are increasing in some 6 milliard leks in comparison to last year and their tendency is further increasing. Bank specialists said that a positive factor for the increase of deposits is a rise of interest rates. Thus for one-year deposits the interest rates have increased from 17 to 28 percent, for a three-month period from 16 to 37 percent and six-month from 16 to 28.5 percent. eva/ak/E

[03] WAVE OF GRASSHOPPERS IN CAPITAL

This insect which damages the agricultural plants is spread all over the territory of Albania, Neki Gorica, chief inspector of the plant protection sector at the Agriculture and Food Directorate told ATA.

A great presence of this insect is seen in the areas of Vore, Kashar, Vaqar, Ndroq, Berzhite, Petrele, Kamez and Zall-Herr where the density varies.

Two seminars of specialists on plant protection are organised recently.

"The work was focused on those areas where the density is over the average (5 to 10 grasshoppers per square metres) and a fund worth 1 400 000 Leks is being used", Gorica said. eva/ak/e

[04] DP CHAIRMAN, TRITAN SHEHU, SHOT BY FIRE WEAPONS - statement of Albanian Democratic Party

The pub was nearly empty in its front part and we think that this had been exploited by the shooter. It aimed at the death-inciting and frontal shot towards the chairman of the ADP.

After the shot, the bullet was taken by the activists of the British Helsinki Group, who are actually accommodated in the Crystal Hotel, tel no. 39-772.

DP thinks that this was a terrorist act, performed by the gangs of the Ex-Sigurimi, as other similar acts that have been organized and taken place.

Similar acts foresee a severe campaign, not only against the Democratic Party and its people, but also against the Albanian democracy.

Only a few days ago, a DP activists, the young man Agim Gjon Pali, was shot by a sharpshooter from the police, while he together with thousands of supporters of Monarchy were peacefully demonstrating near the Palace of Congresses where the Central Election Commission is set.

Thus, DP asks all the extremist groups and left political forces which support and incite these extremes, to retrieve from the language of revenge and similar acts of the anti-democratic type./eva/mt/sh/

[05] MPF PATROLS IN TIRANA, WITHOUT GOING BEYOND THE MANDATE

"In all the places when the MPF has been present, no criminal acts have been committed, and in the cases when persons of different groups intended to perform them, have fled away as soon as they have seen the MPF," said Giovanni Bernardi.

Vehicles and MPF soldiers patrolled on Friday the area around the Palace of Congresses where the Central Electoral Commission is installed.

On the same day more than 15 armoured vehicles of the multinational forces patrolled around the CEC. /eva/mt/sh/

[06] PARTIAL DATA OF CEC FOR 107 ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCIES

According to the so far data from 10 constituencies, many parties have not reached the limit of 2 per cent. Thus, the Christian Democratic Party has won 1.00% of the votes, Social Democratic Union 0.84%, Agrarian Party 0.81%, PDD 0.80%, PBD 0.64%, PLD 0.31%, PUK 0.30, PBDK 0.30%, PK 0.27 %, PLK 0.15 and PPD 0.05 per cent of the votes.

According to the data, the participation in voting has been 70.29 per cent.

Meanwhile, the ballot papers for the second round of elections are printed in Italy and have arrived in the Central Election Commission. The printed ballot papers will be sent today in the electoral commissions of constituencies."/eva/mt/sh/

[07] PREMIER FINO TO PARTICIPATE IN NATO SUMMIT IN MADRID

The Albanian Premier, Bashkim Fino, has received on this occasion an invitation for meeting from the U.S. President, Bill Clinton, where they will discuss and exchange thoughts about the bilateral relations and other issues with mutual interest.

The participation and the message of the Albanian Premier in this summit of NATO will open a new page in deepening the cooperation and integration of Albania into the Northern Atlantic Treaty, ends the report of PM's spokesman./s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE REPRESENTATIVE

The Albanian President and Mr Russell discussed about the second round ballot and expressed the confidence that the voting tomorrow will be quieter than the first round.

President Berisha stressed that the Albanian Democratic Party, by not accepting the voting results in the zones of committees, has recognised and will recognise the voting result in general and agrees with the concept that the parliament elected by them is acceptable.

President Berisha appreciated that the cooperation with the Council of Europe is very important to Albania, and in the current conditions it should be intensified even more, ends the report of President's press and information office. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[09] WITHDRAWAL OF MPF WILL END ON AUGUST 12

"The plan of withdrawing 7000 soldiers of MFP can take the official shape on Tuesday," MFP spokesman, Giovnni Bernardi, told ATA on Saturday.

The Italian Defence Minister, Beniamino Andreatta, confirmed on Friday that the MPF will begin to withdraw at the end of July, but it is not possible to abandon the country. The mandate of the MPF was extended 45 days, beginning from June 29. He should end on August 12.

The MPF, which is under the Italian command, is made up of 7214 people, of whom 3777 are Italians. Attending the structure of the force are ten countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Rumania, Slovenia and Turkey./eva/mt/sh/

[10] IRREGULARITIES IN PROCESS-VERBALS OF SOME CONSTITUENCIES

According to the CEC member, Arben Voshtina, the most flagrant case was that of constituency 77 in Fier, where it come out that the commission of this zone has worked without secretary since on July 1, in distributing the ballot papers and the final process-verbal of the zone has arrived in the CEC without the signatures of the presidency members and without the seal of the chairman.

Based on these big irregularities of this constituency, the CEC decided that the voting in constituency 77 be repeated.

Problems have had even the constituency 75 in Lushnje, where the DP candidate has won against the SDP + SP candidate, Haxhi Aliko.

The Social Democratic Party claimed that irregularities have been manifested in this constituency which has influenced on the loss of its candidate. But according to the representative of this party in the CEC, Pajtim Bello, the commission did not take any decision, because 2/3 of the members did not agree.

"The SDP has addressed to the Constitutional Court now so that it takes a decision regarding this issue. Its decision should be taken within three days," Bello told ATA./eva/mt/sh/

[11] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER MEETS WITH LEADERS OF MINISTRY

In this meeting was also analysed the work of Tirana police commissariats, with regard to the events of July 3-4, 1997.

They also examined the concerns of some traders in different areas of Albania, with regard to their free movement, to provide the population with different goods and food articles. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[12] "ITALDRURI" ENTERPRISE SET ON FIRE IN ELBASAN

From the early investigation of police, the most possible cause of the fire, which has lasted for 4 hours, should have been any sign-leaving bullet, fallen in the territory of this enterprise, but the doubt for revenge, or causing panic with the aim to loot, are not excluded.

This enterprise, where 9 million dollars were invested after the privatization, has interrupted the production since three months due to the riots. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

[13] ACTIVITY OF ALBANIAN EVIL-DOERS DECREASES NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN CORFU

The local Greek authorities and those of tourism in Corfu have confirmed that a lot of clashes have happened between the Albanian armed groups and Greek coastal guards, while on Saturday, according to the Greek TV channels, at least five people have been killed in different towns.

Concern of the day is also the activity of sending illegal emigrants from Albanian-Greek traffickers in the naval line Sarande-Igumenice Corfu, as the Greek paper "Katherini" confessed.

This traffic is managed not only by the Albanians, but also by the Greek mafia, with the center in three main Greek towns: Athens, Salonika and Patras. /kled/mt/sh/

[14] THE BEST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS MUST BE ENSURED FOR SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS

"The high turnout of voters and their discipline at the first round of elections, despite the difficult situation, was an expression of the Albanian people's commitment to democracy and of their strong desire to see peace and calm return to their country. They must not be betrayed. This is no time for political bickering and polarization. The interests of the country must come first. Those who are deliberately obstructing the electoral process will be responsible for the consequences that may result from a failure to hold the second round as planned," he said today after meetings with President Berisha and leaders of all political parties. Yesterday he met Prime Minister Fino.

Sir Russell Johnston noted with satisfaction that all the political parties renewed their pledge to accept the results of the first round of the elections.

He urgently appealed to all political forces strictly to respect their obligations and commitments and to show their political wisdom and responsibility by avoiding provocation and restoring calm.

Sir Russell Johnston is also leader of the Council of Europe parliamentary delegation, present in Albania to observe the second round of elections./mt/sh/

[15] REPORT OF DPA FOR CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION, COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND OSCE

We inform you that some Socialist advocates have threatened the chairman of the DP section in village Rroboshte of Lezhe. They have cut all vineyards in his yard and have sent to him a letter of threats, which we are sending to you as a proof. Not only harsh words, typical for Enver's followers of SP but also the threat for torching and killing are a clear evidence of the continuous terror of the socialists throughout the country.

They who are aiming to take the votes through violence are stepping up the acts of crime.

The Democratic Party of Albania protests to your authority to make everything possible to halt the hand of such criminals and to protect the people's vote. Nobody must forget that the vote is sacred.

The DPA demands that while examining the results of the polls, this fact should be taken into consideration along with thousand of other facts. Attached to this protest is also the letter with the signature of the Socialist Party of Kallmet and let you yourselves judge on it. xh/

* * *

We inform also that the chairwoman of the polling station 12 in the constituency 37 of Durres Donika Rexha has been threatened by some known exponents of the Socialists Party. They have told Mr Rexha that "we shall set you to fire on Monday is SP does not win." This is a macabre and tragic threat, the more so when it is made to a woman.

Also in Durres, in the polling station 11 of the same constituency, another chairwoman of the election commision has been threatened by Tahir Haziri, SP secretary of the zone. He told the chairwoman of the election commission, DP representative, that if SP did not win she would be taken out from the polling station on a strecher. This is a flagrant case of the communist terror.

The Democratic Party appeals to you for the sake of the mission your have undertaken and the faith of the people in your authority and devotion, to intervene tomorrow on July 6, 1997 so that elections due on this day be free and fair, while police must adopt measures to protect the lives of these people. We judge that not only the free vote but also the life of the people is being threatened through these fascist methods. xh

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