Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [1], 97-07-09

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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] ALBANIAN DELEGATION ATTENDS MADRID SUMMIT

[03] EUROPEAN UNION TO GRANT $1,82 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN AID

[04] ECONOMY IS ACHILLES HEEL FOR NEW GOVERNMENT

[05] MINISTRY OF EMIGRATION SHOULD DO MORE FOR ITS COMPATRIOTS

[06] ABOUT 10-12 MILLION LEK DAMAGE IN TIRANE ELECTRIC NETWORK

[07] ALBANIAN RIVIERA LACKING TOURISTS

[08] RALLY OF MONARCHISTS IN SHKODER

[09] LDK OFFICES IN PODUJEVA ATTACKED

[10] KOSOVA PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS

[11] ITALIAN SOLDIER KILLED, THREE HURT IN BLAST

[12] PRESIDENT BERISHA GREETS SUMMIT OF NATO

[13] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT EXAMINES INDICTMENTS OF PARTIES ON VOTING RESULT

[01] PRESS REVIEW

"Elections should be a foundation of a strong democratic system," Zeri i Popullit says regarding the OSCE final report on parliamentary elections in Albania. Referring to the participation of the Albanian delegation in the Madrid Summit, the paper says "Fino meets with Prodi." "Socialists win all over Albania," it is another article carried by the newspaper. "Berisha-Leka Zogu explosive agreement", the paper says in the seventh page.

"Why the result on referendum is being delayed?" it is the title of the editorial of the newspaper Republika. "Central Commission should not keep the results secret because the King is late and maybe should return to his royal court, there in the South Africa," the editorial says. The paper carries an interview with the Republican leader Sabri Godo in the third page under the title "Elections, Albania's victory. United right-wing should not be confused." "Lalumiere's report on Albanian elections ended", the paper says. "It is normally voted and counted. Numerous violations cannot be rule out," the paper says.

"OSCE - Albania's elections regular", Rilindja reports. "Legal proceedings against 15 persons continue in Prishtina", the paper says in its second page. "The defendants accused of terrorism should present their lawyers," the paper says. "One urges Alba mission to be replaced," the paper says referring to the Italian press on Albania.

"Nano 3 - third quarrel", the newspaper Albania says under the headline "Differences among Socialists on new government aggravated". "To choose among nothing" is the title of the editorial. "While the majority of the Albanians are waiting the new cabinet which will emerge the country from the deepest and political crisis, the struggle for power in the mid of Socialists has gained unprecedented dimensions," the editorial says. Under the title "Nano: Clinton, I am alone," the paper carries a registered talk from the office of Fatos Nano on Monday afternoon." "DP head for Tirana resigned," the paper says adding that Albert Brojka has explained his stepping down with the "defeat of the DP in the capital and his duty as Tirana mayor."

Koha Jone says "Long-hour meetings between SP and DAP, SP and HRUP in Berlin restaurant on the future cabinet.' The paper informs that Premier Bashkim Fino will meet Bill Clinton in Madrid. The paper covers an interview with Socialist leader Namik Dokle under the title "We will not have the DP fate."

"Legalisation in Italy and Greece: a dark dream of Albanian refugees," it is an article carried in the column "Chronicle". It also carried a statement of the Minister of Labour Elmaz Sherifi under the title "The return of Albanian refugees - an inhuman action."

Under the title "Inexperienced will leave, experienced to return to court", Independent carries a statement of the Socialist Fehmi Abdiu. The paper carries in the fourth and fifth page the OSCE final report on elections on June 29 in Albania as well as an interview of Vranitzky with Radio BBC.

Berisha will not use his constitutional competencies to appoint new Socialist prime minister, the newspaper Dita reports quoting Berisha as saying: "I will not appoint new prime minister". The paper reports in the fifth page on investigations of July 3 (monarchists' protests) in the Tirana prosecutors' office, but Leka Zogu (pretender of the royal throne) was not present.

Regarding the nomination of the new government the newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare reports "New government - meetings of the SP leaders and allies". It carries the OSCE report under the title "European troika decides: Albanian elections recognised." "Legal proceedings on money-lending start", the paper says. kled/eva/ak/sh/

[02] ALBANIAN DELEGATION ATTENDS MADRID SUMMIT

The Albanian Prime minister Bashkim Fino had cordial talks on Tuesday with the Italian Prime minister Romano Prodi and Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini. Pavli Zeri, the Albanian State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, attended the talks.

The meeting focused on the NATO summit in Madrid, post-election development in Albania and Tirana-Rome relationships.

Premier Fino thanked Italy's serious engagement in carrying out elections of June 29. He said to Prodi that the success of the Albanian government was also a success of the international community and first of Italy which led the multinational defence forces.

Fino, underlining the quiet and successful development of elections, acquainted them on the post-election policy in Albania. He stressed the fact that the creation of a new government will mark a new and real start of Albania's reconstruction. He reiterated the importance of the Rome conference as a key element in the international engagement to help rebuild a democratic administration in his country. Saying that the Socialist party and former opposition in general will not repeat the mistakes of the Democratic party, Fino reiterated that the future government will be fruit of a wider coalition.

Prodi, the Italian premier, considered the June 29 elections a first step and very important for the future of democracy in Albania, because the Albanian crisis found its wayout through a political solution. He said that in the first day of the Summit, high-ranking officials of NATO member states congratulated Italy and other states engaged in overcoming the Albanian crisis and especially the successful result of the elections.

The Italian prime minister evaluated especially the guarantees given to the opposition by the new majority. Prodi and Fino discussed the activity and presence of the FMP troops in Albania. He promised that the Italian forces will stay as long as needed and underlined that NATO was interested in helping Albania, too, on the demands of the latter.

However, Prodi said, the time of withdrawal and start of genuine economic cooperation are near. Albania has entered a new phase of development with the military to be replaced by reconstruction, cooperation, aid.

Fields of cooperation are various, Prodi said, and join work should start immediately after the creation of a new government. They defined that priority fields are police restructuring, administration reinforcement and social problems.

Prodi reiterated his desire to visit Albania immediately after a new government start working.

The Albanian Premier and other heads of delegations were invited on Tuesday evening in a dinner by the King of Spain Huan Karlos, the spokesman of the Prime minister said. eva/ak/E

[03] EUROPEAN UNION TO GRANT $1,82 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN AID

According to an official in Brussels the new funds will serve to deliver aid to the remotest area of the country and also for buying medicines, medical equipment and renovating schools.

According to the European Commission' procedures with the humanitarian aid, the accorded funds will be on the hands of various non governmental organizations active in Albania, including the Italian ones as INTERSOS and Cooperation and Development.

[04] ECONOMY IS ACHILLES HEEL FOR NEW GOVERNMENT

TIRANA,9 July/ATA/Now that the left wing forces won in Albania and the political war seems to ease slowly, the ruined economy remains the Achilles heel for the new government.

According to the preliminary data the first six months marked a 15 billion lek budget deficit. The GDP after a growth of 9,1 percent in 1996 is expected to go down to minus seven percent according to the economists

The fall was due to already known factors as the pyramid investment schemes, corruption and mismanagement of the national wealth that brought about the unrest, which rocked the business world encompassing an overall paralysis of the economic and financial life of the country.

Due to the looting and burning some 190 companies have been closed down and other hundreds have suspended their activity because of the country's unstable situation. That is the reason that the industrial sector would grow only 1 to 2 percent, compared to 13,6 growth last year. Only the agriculture is slowly overcoming the fall of pyramid investment schemes.

According to the economists this sector would mark an increase of five percent, from three percent it was last year.

Under these circumstances the government has to face up a chain of problems demanding emergent solutions. The economic program of Socialist party foresees as the first step to come out of the crisis some emergent measures, which will be achieved in collaboration with the international financial bodies.

But the international conference to support Albania is postponed for October and this can aggravate the economic situation. The emergency according to the Socialist party program consists in putting into efficiency the economic, financial and fiscal administrations and Banks keeping up the reform to achieve a macroeconomics stability and setting up a social market economy.

[05] MINISTRY OF EMIGRATION SHOULD DO MORE FOR ITS COMPATRIOTS

But up to now none of them have migrated "officially" based on an agreement for permanent or seasonal employment. The ministry of Emigration in years remained an uneffective institution.

In the recent month the situation of Albanian immigrants in Greece and Italy has changed. Some days ago the Greek minister of Labour declared that Albanian citizens employed in Greece will be excluded from the presidential decrees regarding their legalization. Now it is up to the Greek justice department Supreme Council to approve or contradict these decisions.

Some other 16 789 Albanian immigrants have entered Italy recently and after the elections plans for their repatriation are underway.

Under these conditions the Ministry of Emigration remains an uneffective institution, that is doing almost nothing to protect the rights of Albanian immigrants.

[06] ABOUT 10-12 MILLION LEK DAMAGE IN TIRANE ELECTRIC NETWORK

According to an affiliate chief, Qemal Serezi, the staff of the affiliate have repaired since February different kinds difects caused by the firing into the air up to explosives put in electric technical installations.

Defects by arms shooting have also been repaired in low, medium and high tension lines. According to the chairmwoman of the technical branch, Diana Reso, besides these acts, there are a lot of electric air lines and cables which have been stolen, as happened in the electric sub-station of Valias, where a damage worth 4 million lek was caused.

As a result of this defect, problems were created with the electric and water supplying of some Italian and Turkish units of the MPF deployed in the context of the Alba mission.

[07] ALBANIAN RIVIERA LACKING TOURISTS

The recent tourist construction in Golem beach, 40 km away from Tirana, where 70 hotels, motels, bars and a tourist village is still waiting for the holiday makers, local and foreigners.

"If last year many hotels were totally booked in, discarding the high prices, this year the holiday makers have withdrawn from the hotels, though we have reduced the prices," said a hotel owner.

Last year people had to pay 2000 to 3000 leks for a night while this year the price has dropped to 500 lek per night.

Holiday makers are worried about the arms' shooting and cars driving along the sea. Despite the temporary problems, Albanian coastal area is awaiting the holiday makers, offering comfortable accommodation for them.

[08] RALLY OF MONARCHISTS IN SHKODER

The chairman of the Legality Movement Party for Shkoder, Nikolin Destanishta, said that "we are gathered here for the form of governing and the victory of the democratic forces in our town."

The pretender to the royal throne, Leka Zogu, supporting the participants in the meeting said that a lot of manipulations have been made to the referendum and called on the Shkoder citizens to protect their votes.

Stressing that the LMP is waiting for the votes of the referendum, Leka Zogu criticized the Socialist Party, which according to him "is manipulating the victory of referendum in Albania."

The rally was also greeted by the minister of the Royal Court, Abedin Mulosmani, and the Mayor of Shkoder, Bahri Borici. /s.sh/kled/mt/k

[09] LDK OFFICES IN PODUJEVA ATTACKED

LDK officials said that unidentified persons have forcibly opened the drawers and stolen three seals, part of the documentation, complete documentation of the pay office and some 120 marks. They have also stolen the souvenirs that Youth Forum has given to the LDK after the youth demonstration "Vullneti '97" (Will '97).

Agim Veliu, LDK secretary in Podujeva said that this act is a form of cunning pressure against the activity of the office.

This is the second time here in Podujeva. Signs of the Serbian parties were designed in the office walls in the first incident./pta/mp/kled/ak/sh/

[10] KOSOVA PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS

The meeting with Lamberto Dino and his collaborators, in the Italian Foreign Ministry, focused on the situation in Kosova and possibilities for a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue, and regional developments.

Speaking about Kosova, Dr Rugova said that the situation there is increasingly tensioned because of the violence and systematic repression of the Serbian regime against Albanians.

Rugova, reiterating the plebiscite declaration of the Kosova people for independence, said that an independent and neutral state, and open to Albania and Serbia, is the best solution. He added that this solution will guarantee the interests of all in Kosova as well as pave the way for preliminaries for a lasting peace and stability in the Balkan region.

The Italian Foreign minister Dini said that Italy is concerned about the situation in Kosova and that his government backs an acceptable solution to this problem. He was interested in the perspective of the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

Rugova stressed the readiness of the Kosova leadership for dialogue with Belgrade with the mediation of a third authorised side. He reiterated the demand that the U.S. in cooperation with European Union, to mediate in the Prishtina-Belgrade dialogue.

Rugova and the Italian Defence Minister Beniamino Andreata talked about the situation in Kosova.

Dr Rugova met on Monday with Umberto Ranieri, responsible for Foreign Relations in the Left Democratic party and member of parliament.

President Rugova had talks in Senate and parliament with the head of Foreign Policy Commission of the Senate John Giacomo Migone and the head of Foreign Policy of the deputy House, Achille Ocheto. pta/eva/ak/sh/

[11] ITALIAN SOLDIER KILLED, THREE HURT IN BLAST

The final results of the investigations are not published yet, which is thought to have been caused by the manipulation of an explosive device which was not Italian-made.

Due to the blast, the Italian soldier, Diego Vaira, born on October 24, 1977, in Fossano, died. He was serving with the Taurinense Alpine brigade.

Marshal Francesko Seminara, born in Agira (Kaltaniseta) on January 19, 1961, was injured. He suffers injuries to his left hand and may need to have a finger amputated.

Paolo Spagnolo was also hurt. He was born in Avelino, on April 30, 1973, and suffered slight wounds to his left arm. Spagnolo worked at the field hospital as sanitary assistant.

Sergio Chiaramello was also hurt, born in Saviliano, province of Cuneos, on July 26, 1977, effective of the sanitary unit "Taurinense", working as electrician, who suffered light injueries all over his body.

Marshal Seminara will be evacuated by an helicopter of MPF in Brindizi where he will undergo an operation. /mt/Z/

[12] PRESIDENT BERISHA GREETS SUMMIT OF NATO

[13] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT EXAMINES INDICTMENTS OF PARTIES ON VOTING RESULT

Chairman Gjata, after registering the complaints, declared that the respective decisions will be taken soon.

The authors of the indictment in the constituency 2 of Malesi e Madhe, contesting were SP deputy Shaqir Vukaj and DP candidate Gjovalin Bzheta, were the Socialist Party, Christian Democratic Party and Christian Democratic Union Party. They complain that the June 29 ballot in the constituency 2 were held with great irregularities and 6 members of the commission did not accept to sign the process-verbal. They say the voting was held in private grounds and have been imposed. The request addressed to the CEC for the repetition of the elections in this zone was not accepted by CEC, which had declared winner the candidate for deputy of DP, Gjovalin Bzheta.

Another indictment was brought to the Constitutional Court from the Democratic Alliance Party regarding the constituency 16 in Kukes, contesting were Jemin Gjana, DP candidate and Milaim Cengu of DAP, SP and SDP.

According to the accusers, from the results of process-verbals of 19 polling stations of constituency 16 in Kukes, the candidate of the left alliance has been the winner, while the process-verbals of 21 polling stations have not reached the commission of the constituency for examination. In absence of a decision of the commission of the constituency to declare the possible winner, the CEC, based on the process-verbals of DP has declared winner Jemin Gjana and has not accepted the repetition of polls in this constituency. /pas/mt/Z

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