Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-07-16

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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] 204 PEOPLE KILLED SO FAR IN BERAT - Special forces from Tirana reach Berat today -

[03] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS OF PREMIER FINO TO TURKISH PREMIER

[04] OFFICER OF CRIMINAL POLICE KILLED IN ELBASAN

[05] TRIAL AGAINST SUDE POSTPONED AGAIN - one of the judges resigns

[06] RALLY OF PROTEST IN STRUGE IN DEFENCE OF ALBANIAN FLAG

[07] WORKERS OF CEMENT FACTORY IN ELBASAN IN GENERAL STRIKE

[08] SPECIAL FORCES OF POLICE CONTINUE TO PATROL IN BERAT

[09] POLEMICS ON ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS'S RETURN HOME FROM ITALY

[10] ROMANIAN CONTINGENT OF MPF LEAVES GJIROKASTER

[01] PRESS REVIEW

"SPA facing future challenges" is the title of an editorial of Zeri i Popullit. "The victory in the June 29 elections proved, besides others, of the force, the program and organizational vitality of SP," writes an editorial. "Italy unblocks the agreement" writes this paper. "The three-eyar agreement hd to be signed since Novemebr last year, but Berisha Government was an obstacle," stressed the paper. "DP makes false lists of the proportional system" writes this paper on its second page."The President abuses with the Constitutional Court," writes the paper. "Socialists in defence of legal business," writes the paper in its page on economy, whereas in the feature with analysis, this paper carries the article "Paralysis of Albanian trade unions and Hajdari phenomenon."

"Two big parties, SP and DP, continue to torpedo each other for the alleged responsibilities Albania has for ethnic minorities, for the innocence of the Macedonian state for the Albanian rebellion, for dignity and flag, for national culture and mother tongue," writes Republika in one of its editorials.

"Council and Assembly to be convened" writes this paper under the headline "DP presidency convened. Berisha curses the corrupted."

"Division of government posts, a process which now may be considered finalised, has likely stirred up in the fold of SP the struggle withi n the sort," writes the newspaper under the title "Fino: in dilemma for the new post."

"Night takes away Albanian flags" writes Rilindja regarding the lifting of the Albanian flags in Diber and Likove and their burning in Vertok over night hours. "A rally of protest in Struge "For the natio nal flag, against violence," writes this paper under the title "In defence of the legitimate and natural rights." The newspaper also makes a coverage of the news conference of the spokesman of the Government of Macedonia under the title "Flags have been removed in Diber too, but not by police."

"Newpaper 'Kathimerini' denounces strongly Nano opponents," writes newspap er Albania under the title "Athens: Fino 1.5 million drachmas a day." "At least two Albanian left reaporters tried in their papers yesterday to justify thesis of Fatos Nano for a 'Greek ghetto' in Albania and for an 'Albanians' primitiveness' in Macedonia," writes the newspaper in its editorial entitled "Unexpectedness which may disorientate the Balkans." "Solution and not elections. Parliament in doubt," writes the paper regarding yesterday's meeting of DP presidency. This paper also carries an interview with the DP Secretary General Genc Pollo under the title "Nano, the hunch of Socialist government." "Nano facing the Penal Code" is another article this paper carries in its third page.

"Mandate of Berisha, struggle in CEC" writes Koha Jone.

In its second page this paper carries an interview with the Tirane Mayor A lbert Brojka, under the title "I serve neither leftists nor rightists." "DP: This is the final battle," writes this paper concerning yesterday's meeting of DP Presidency.

"CEC: Leave Berisha," writes newspaper Independent. "Nano Government, the peacock tail" is the title of this paper's editorial. "Godo refuses Fatos Nano. I do not accept the post of the chairman of the Constitution Commission," writes this paper in its fifth page.

"SP returns to peace," writes newspaper Dita. "Revaluation of relations discourages the dissatisfied," the newspaper stresses. "Berisha's withdrawal prevents the results," writes this paper under the headline "Strong debate in Central Election Commission for the number one of DP's proportional list." "Pollo will lead up to the congress," writes the newspaper referrring to yesterday's meeting of DP Presidency.

"DP dismisses Berisha from its leadership," writes Gazeta Shqiptare. Pollo takes party's direction. Quarrel in opposition presidency yesterday, writes the paper. "Foreign currencies devaluate Lek," writes this paper in its page on economic issues. kled/xh

[02] 204 PEOPLE KILLED SO FAR IN BERAT - Special forces from Tirana reach Berat today -

According to statistics of Berat town hall, this figure is equal with 0.3 per cent of the city population. Hence, Berat has registered the climax of its tragedy within a 4-5 month's period of time.

"The killing of Muka, as many others, has been made for personal motives," sources of police say. They stress that "they are working to identify the authors of the last crime."

Many people of Berat continue to leave the city and settle in nearby towns. So far the number of the families who have left the city is 3000. Another phenomenon is the stealing of homes. Many a time the families whose homes have been plundered remain without any thing at home, somethimes even doors and window panes of their homes are removed. xh

[03] MESSAGE OF GREETINGS OF PREMIER FINO TO TURKISH PREMIER

After he expressed his delight for the establishment and the parliamentary vote of confidence of the new Turkish government, Fino voiced to Mr Jillmaz and the whole his cabinet the best wishes for complete success in their important mission.

Bashkim Fino expressed once again the warmest thanks of the government and the whole Albanian people for the help and all-round support that the Turkish people and the senior authorities of Turkey gave to Albania even during the very difficult mandate, but decisive, of the Government of National Reconciliation.

I am sure, said Fino, that under Your leadership, the Turkish government will continue the line of strengthening the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Albania.

At the end, in his post even as the representative of the party, which after the overwhelming victory in the June 29 polls will lead a wide governmental coalition, Bashkim Fino confirmed that the realization of this goal with values for the peace in the region, welfare and prosperity of our two fraternal people will be the constancy of the foreign policy of the new Albanian government. /mt/k

[04] OFFICER OF CRIMINAL POLICE KILLED IN ELBASAN

Sources from the police report that the authors and causes of the crime are not known yet, but it is thought that Kristaq Bregu, 40, could have been shot by people wanted by the police, who are in the lists of this commissariat.

The body of Bregu was found by some pedestrians who informed the blue uniforms in the center of the town.

His murder is the first case that has occurred in this district during this year, carrying the toll of victims to 60. /kei/mt/k

[05] TRIAL AGAINST SUDE POSTPONED AGAIN - one of the judges resigns

At the beginning of the sitting, the member of the court's jury, the judge Fehmi Petku, declared his withdrawal from this jury, because as he stressed, "His family members are creditors in this firm, which collapsed since January 17 this year, and that he can not take part in this judgement."

Due to this reason, the today's sitting was not carried out, but it was postponed until an undefined time, when another member of the court's jury will be appointed. /kei/mt/k

[06] RALLY OF PROTEST IN STRUGE IN DEFENCE OF ALBANIAN FLAG

The protest started with the Albanian National Anthem and a minute silence for the three Albanians who were killed by Macedonian police forces in Gostivar.

Those present, about 2500 people, say sources of ADP in Tetove, were addressed by leaders of party organizations of the commune ofthat zone and representatives of Albanian youth and women organizations.

Yesterday police of Macedonia removed the Allbanian flag in front of the Assembly of Diber Commune.

The Diber Council held a working meeting in an effort to formulate the stands about the latest situation.

In a sign of protest towards the events in Gostivar and Tetove, Albanian ministers in the Government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, did not take part in the regular meeting of that govenrment held yesterday. Also the Albanian parliamentarians of the two parliamentary groups (the Democratic Prosperity Party and the Albanian Democratic Party) did not take part in the meeting of the Parliamentary commission groups.

Albanian deputies have asked that the Interior Ministry of Macedonia prepare and present in the Parliament a full and detailed information of the events in Tetove and Gostivar.

Late on July 8, Macedonian parlianent decided on a limited use of the non-macedonian national flags in the FYROM. At 2 a.m. on July 9, Macedonian police removed Albanian flags in Gostivar and Tetove, accusing the Albanian political subjects of "not carrying out their duty to inform Albanian citizens in the FYROM of the new law." pta/mp/pas/xh/K

[07] WORKERS OF CEMENT FACTORY IN ELBASAN IN GENERAL STRIKE

A group of trade union members met today the factory director and have accused him of the present situation.

The chairman and deputy chairman of the trade unions, respectively Luan Bega and Roland Kokunja, told ATA that four months ago when the factory was privatized, they had not signed in the name of the trade union.

According to them, the auction sale of the factory on March 10, 1997, was exploited by set people, who have sold 70 per cent of their shares to a French-Libyan firm for profiting purposes.

For this rather suspicious auction sale, they accuse as involved in the issue the chairman of the National Privatization Agency, Niko Glozheni. According to them, a group of trade union members were not allowed even to listen to the auction sale process. Taking part in the tender were only two firms, one of which "Cement Albania" was declared thhe winner for a value of 6 billion lek. According to the law, participating in the contest would have been at least three firms.

Although the cement factory in Elbasan is one of the most profitable among the enterprises of that district and one of the main producers of cement in the country, it interrupted its production two months ago because of various thefts and for the lack of security of the factory by forces of order.

The present Privatization Minister, Eduard Ypi, has declared that if he finds the smallest violation in the process of privatization of the factory, he would annul the whole privatization.

A document sent by the Council of Ministers a month ago, but not signed by PM Bashkim Fino, seems to have opened definitely the way to legalization of the auction, considering it as correct.

The workers have mentioned various names of high officials whom they think are involved in that privatization. ssh/pas/xh/K

[08] SPECIAL FORCES OF POLICE CONTINUE TO PATROL IN BERAT

On Tuesday, the leaders of the local government in the town hall, district council and prefecture met with senior officials of the Albanian police.

According to a source of the Berat town hall, it is reported that the deputy Interior Minister and the director of the Albanian police, Sokol Bare, has promised the complete restoration of order in Berat.

The above source quotes Bare to have said that "there will be no compromise for the implementation of law, for the protection of the life of the citizens, of their houses and properties".

Meanwhile, today, the newly elected deputy, Maksim Artani, told ATA that "From now and on, only the law will be implemented, and the rule of law will make no compromise with the crime."

During the riots in Berat, 204 people have been killed, more than 1200 injured, hundreds of families have left the town, scores of houses were violated and looted.

It is expected in the next days the distribution of wages and money for the pensioners, interrupted two months ago, while the deputies have called on the state administration to totally return to work. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

[09] POLEMICS ON ALBANIAN EMIGRANTS'S RETURN HOME FROM ITALY

"They are lacking the proper attention. They who pass the sea through sacrifices have been left at the mercy of the Italian fate and policy," today protested in the RTV the chairman of the Association Atdheu for the refugees and emigrants, Llukan Xhagjika.

While the Albanian Foreign deputy Minister, Albert Rakipi said that the Government and the Foreign Ministry of Albania have this issue in the centre of attention and are making everything possible for this matter within legal framework.

Mr Rakipi explained that the Foreign Ministry, as a specialized institution has treated this problem during the last 4-5 years.

So far only eight Albanian emigrants have returned home. Mr Rakipi believes that a part of the emigrants especially those who left Albania in the past six months when unrest started in Albania, will return home.

Mr Rakipi added that the Albanian Government and the Foreign Ministry are negotiating with the Italian party the possibility for the emigrants to stay in Italy.

"The situation in Albania is known now by all," said Rakipi, "and I don't think that the Italian party will hurry to return home the Albanian refugees who are presently in Italy."

"We hope," said Mr Xhagjika, "that cooperation between the Albanian and Italian governments will create the possibility for the Albanian emigrants to be granted long-term documents."

Mr Rakipi said that the press has speculated regarding the returning home or not of the refugees, adding that "The Albanian Government is interested that for the present conditions of the country, Albanian citizens continue to stay in the countries where they have emigrated...and that the contingent of incriminated emigrants should naturally return home."

The eight Albanians who have so far returned home said they could not endure the life in the refugee camps. xh/

[10] ROMANIAN CONTINGENT OF MPF LEAVES GJIROKASTER

"Romanian militaries left Gjirokaster at 4.30-5.00 hrs," said Andre.

On July 18, the Romanian militaries of the tactical unit "Shen Gjergji" who have carried out missions in the district of Gjirokaster in the context of Alba operation, will leave Albania, said a press release of the Rumanian Embassy in Tirane.

"Participation of Romanian militaries in the Alba operation is linked with Romania's efforts to ensure stability and peace in the Balkans, it is in the course of the traditional relations of friendship and fraternity between the Albanian and Romanian peoples," ends the press release. The Shen Gjergji unit has 392 militaries, 89 vehicles and is directed by colonel Ioan Sorin.

The Romanian contingent is the first unit of the MPF to leave Albania.

The withdrawal of all the MPF troops will be over on August 12, 1997. xh

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