Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-17

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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] Events in Shkoder financed by Yugoslav secret police - Interior Minister

[03] (Press...3)

[04] Soccer: Unfavourable lot for Albanian representative -dates of matches for the second qualifying group of "Euro '2000" defined

[05] Korce regional police chief suspended

[06] Godo considers absurd idea of international investigation into Milot event

[07] RP says DP and SP treat Ngjela commission activity in their interest

[08] Former criminal police chief in Shkoder detained

[09] Italian investors to come to Albania

[10] Abortive attempt to hold illegal rally

[11] Court rejects DP request for international investigation

[12] Hajdari ready to be deprived of his deputy's immunity

[13] Hunger strikes did not change any law, speaker says

[14] SDP urges international investigation for DP deputy

[15] Speaker says Berisha's tactic to provoke a new crisis

[16] Explosion rocks SP headquarters

[17] Parliament urges Berisha undergo scrutiny test

[01] Press review

Koha Jone, referring to the interpellation in parliament by Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, says: "Terror with Serbian money" and "DP suspected of using dirty money to finance its pro-media," citing Ceka as saying.

The paper says that investigations have started into the Milot events by the Lezhe, Shkoder and Tirane prosecutor's offices.

The paper quotes prosecutors' statements that :"Hajdari's immunity will be discussed when proofs are available".

Koha Jone carries the editorial entitled: "Hajdari's immunity". It says that "The government should tell the citizens every day how to rebuilt the devastated state, implementing its laws equal to all. DP leader Berisha, the editorial says, deprived Azem Hajdari of his immunity several years ago, as he slapped the face of a person from the party administration.

The Interior Ministry has so far stated that Hajdari, two days ago slapped the state, itself. Now the state should either put its honour in place or turn the other side of the face to the DP leader and publicly beg him pardon for all what happened.

Zeri i Popullit reports on the news conference held at the SP headquarters which concentrated on the acts of the armed band of the DP deputies. The paper cites the SP Secretary General Majko as saying: "The terrorists to get the deserved response", and "Finally there are no more anti-law chieftains in Albania.. now every one will be able to learn what happens if the law is violated".

As regards this event the paper says that :"Crime is the second face of Berisha". The paper also carries a SPA press release which says that the course of the DP leadership is destructive".

Referring to the news conference of Interior Minister Ceka, Zeri i Popullit points to his statement:"Attempts for parallel state". /a.ke/lm/ (more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Events in Shkoder financed by Yugoslav secret police - Interior Minister

The Interior Minister was urgently summoned at the beginning of the Monday parliamentary session to report on the conflict of some DP deputies with police in Shkoder and on Lezhe-Lac road on Saturday.

Minister Ceka said that there are proofs to the fact that DP leaders have called on the people of Lac on a loudspeaker to oppose police, thus refuting DP claims that its deputies had not made such calls.

"Our efforts to restore the rule of law are receiving a revolutionary strategy response by set DP groupings, adding that "the people who stir up the revolt are trying to discourage police and to hit institutions."

"A part of the DP deputies go there where illegal acts are cooked instead of coming to the Parliament to construct the rule of law."

Asked by deputy of the Centre Right, Teodor Laco on the charge by deputy Azem Hajdari that his car was hit by police, Ceka said that this would be decided by the judiciary.

In a DP conference, the leader of DP Sali Berisha asked that investigation into the matter must be made by foreign investigators.

"We are an independent state and as such we decide ourselves with regard to justice," said Ceka referring to this issue.

By the end of the parliamentary session, deputy Fatri Sinani condemned through a declaration the violence exerted in Gjirokaster with two explosions blasted in Monday morning in the town hall, in which also the SP seat and the Prefect's office are located.

He demanded that this event must be uncovered by the state because this was the second act of this kind in Gjirokaster following two explosions in January this year which damaged gravely the local SP seat. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] (Press...3)

Koha jone says:"The constitution drafting commission meets. The Union for Democracy, one leg in the constitution".

Zeri i Popullit on this issue says:"The constitution process is proceeding normally" and then:"DP continues boycott". The paper also carries a press release of the parliamentary constitution drafting commission.

Gazeta Shqiptare says:"The constitution commission starts work. DP is absent".

Several of today's paper report on the visit of the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani to Greece between March 9-11, at the invitation of the Greek president, Costis Stephanopoulos.

Referring to economic issues Zeri i Popullit says that Finance Minister Malaj on Wednesday will attend a routine meeting with donors in Brussels which will also discuss the issue of transparency on the pyramid companies' activities.

The paper also carries an interview with the chief of the World Bank in Tirane, Carlos Elbirt, who says "There is favourable climate for foreign investments in Albania".

The paper also reports on the news conference of VEFA's president, Alimucaj.

Koha Jone says that Alimucaj responds to advisor Pashko:"It was not correct". "Vefa insists: I have money", the paper cites Alimucaj as saying. It also carries the article:"VEFA - Government deep gap".

Dita Informacion carries the article:"The companies' money should be returned".

Shekulli says:"Has VEFA gone bankrupt?".

Rilindja Demokratike says:"Thousands of creditors protest in front of the Council of Ministers' building; police massacre and eliminate creditors", and "Alimucaj: I have not gone bankrupt".

Albania says:"The state beats creditors" and "Alimucaj against hunger strike". /a.ke/xh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Soccer: Unfavourable lot for Albanian representative -dates of matches for the second qualifying group of "Euro '2000" defined

For the Secretary General of the Albanian Soccer Federation, Sulejman Starova, and the representative's coach, Astrit Hafizi, the lot to define the dates of the matches has not been favourable for our representative team, as both the start and end of the qualifying matches are difficult.

Our representative team will hold matches in the second group according to the following table:

September 5,1998: Albania - Albania October 10, 1998: Albania - Greqi October 14, 1998: Norvegji - Albania March 31, 1999: Slloveni - Albania April 28, 1999: Albania - Letoni June 5, 1999: Albania - Norvegji June 9, 1999: Albania - Slloveni September 4, 1999: Letoni - Albania September 8, 1999: Greqi - Albania October 9, 1999: Albania - Gjeorgji

A.E/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Korce regional police chief suspended

According to the same source, the provisional chief will be Melsi Alimema, who has been a specialist in crime in the Interior Ministry.

Along with the blocking of the three long vehicles with smuggled cigarettes in Pogradec which had passed the border point of Gorica at 1.30 a.m. last Saturday, four employees in this border point who were in service that day were also detained two days ago. Police declared wanted persons also three customs house officials and the three drivers who left to unknown direction. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Godo considers absurd idea of international investigation into Milot event

"There is no Constitution that allows foreigners to investigate into local events of a country. If the question is not solved here, there is an international court in the Hague," said Godo, supporting the opinion of Neritan Ceka, Interior Minister, on the issue.

Through a declaration, the Albanian Republican Party said that the incident in Milot will serve as a political capital for SP and DP.

"RP holds that the incident is an ordinary case to be dealt with by respective structures of investigation and the court," the declaration says. /s.s/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] RP says DP and SP treat Ngjela commission activity in their interest

"The RP asks the political forces to leave the commission to work in peace, and at the same time calls on the commission itself to reach the respective results as soon as possible," says a statement released by the RP at a news conference.

The chairman of the RP Assembly, Sabri Godo, expressed the view that the commission should carry its performance through to the end and work more seriously.

He stressed that files on the last year's events should be opened.

"Even if you try to obstruct it, the truth is never lost," said Godo. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Former criminal police chief in Shkoder detained

Deda is accused of illegal possession of arms and of organising the January 20-21 event in this city, with several former policemen of this commissariat firing arms into the air and taking the Shkoder district governor hostage for 24 hours, forcing him to resign.

Sources of this department told ATA that the detained has been sent to Tirana for further investigations. s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Italian investors to come to Albania

The conference is considered as very important for the Italian side which will bring to Tirane the Deputy Secretary of State in the Italian Foreign Ministry, Piero Fassino and the Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Antonio Cabras.

From the Albanian Government the conference will be attended by the Minister for Economic Development and Cooperation, Ermelinda Meksi, the Minister of Public Economy and Privatization, Ylli Bufi and the State Secretary for Local Government, Lush Perpali. /s.s/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Abortive attempt to hold illegal rally

Around 30 people gathered on Tuesday afternoon before the governor's building, launching slogans about the release of Ali Kazazi and against communism.

Despite the loud speaker installed at the entrance of the building, people passed by indifferent to repeated calls for rally.

During the gathering, which lasted for five minutes only, the chairman of the democratic politically persecuted, Medi Kraja, asked the release of Ali Kazazi and of other persons detained.

Meanwhile, in the park in front of the building, a person fired shots into the air, causing tens of youths there to leave immediately.

After the rally a group of ten people stood in silence before the building of the district police department and later dispersed. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Court rejects DP request for international investigation

"Our political prisoners are target of the attack of this government, but we do not abandon the request for an international judgement," the DP leader said.

A party press release said that 14 people detained after the Milot event were declared political prisoners.

Early on Tuesday the DP deputies, headed by Vili Minarolli, party's Secretary for Public relations, met with the chairman of the Supreme Court Avni Shehu and Attorney General Arben Rakipi.

The press release reported that the DP deputies explained to Shehu and Rakipi that the request for an international investigation of the case does not show the DP's lack of confidence in the Albanian justice, but the wish that judges and prosecutors of political cases do not become prey of government pressure.

The DP said that international agreements signed by Albania, concretely the protocol 1 of the Council of Europe, bind it to accept an international, independent investigation and judgement.

Albania's Interior minister Neritan Ceka, parliamentary Speaker and Social Democrat leader Skender Gjinushi as well as the Republican leader Sabri Godo rejected the DP's idea for an international investigation because this runs contrary to the constitution of every country. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Hajdari ready to be deprived of his deputy's immunity

"My immunity is 'free' to pave way for investigation on the Milot event," Hajdari told a DP's news conference.

Hajdari, who is considered by the police as responsible for provoking an armed conflict against police on Saturday, accused the director of the Water Distribution Directorate of Laç district of placing weapons found in his car on Saturday at 18.00 p.m.

He also accused the President of Albania Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano and Speaker Skender Gjinushi of organising a secret meeting and added that after the attempted assassination against him in parliament by the former Socialist deputy Gafurr Mazreku, Meidani and Nano had a secret meeting.

Asked why he did not make public the documents he possesses against the state officials, Hajdari said that the director of the Second Directorate of National Information Service (SHIK) has been a manager of the Gjallica pyramid scheme, presenting this as one of the facts he has. ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Hunger strikes did not change any law, speaker says

"None of the two contested laws is referred to parliament. Law on Justice and scrutiny of officials' figure are still in place," Gjinushi told today's news conference.

Parliamentary speaker and leader of the Social Democratic party said that the hunger strikers did not known the articles of the law they were on strike for thus they have not managed to change any law.

"The hunger strike of judges managed to put under consideration the article 48 of the Law on justice. This is the article on their favour," Gjinushi said.

"Neither the law on scrutiny of officials' figure was changed," speaker said.

He said that the strikers have accepted that the law be considered "for any irregularity", by foreign specialists, but the latter had seen these laws before they were passed by the parliament.

Gjinushi said that the hunger strikes were Berisha's actions, which failed.

The outcome of strikes was considered successful by the Democratic Party and the law they claimed to change, was considered changed without being considered by the parliament. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] SDP urges international investigation for DP deputy

"The immunity protects the deputy from being politically attacked, but if he is involved in petty larceny, he (deputy) cannot enjoy it," Gjinushi, who is also the Albanian Speaker, said.

He said that if the Democrat Azem Hajdari fails to show that he has no links with the gang detained on Saturday, he should not enjoy his immunity.

The Socialist party, which has the majority of votes in parliament, has declared that it is waiting for a request to lift Hajdari's immunity. The Democratic Alliance party was also pro lifting the immunity of Hajdari.

Hajdari was confronted with the police on Saturday and part of the people accompanying him had illegally possessed arms and was detained. Hajdari himself had asked for international investigation on the event.

"Hajdari needs an international investigation due to his reputation as an international bandit," Gjinushi replied.

The SPD leader agreed for such an investigation "if it is verified that Hajdari's gang has been active out of Albania."

Gjinushi said that the provocation of the DP deputy and the people accompanying him against the director of Shkodra police showed who tried to kill Shkodra.

"On November-December '96, the daily Rilindja Demokratike has recalled Hajdari April 2, '91; while the other daily Albania has made him 25 questions for different crimes."

Gjinushi's grave charges against Hajdari, if they had been verified, would have led the DP deputy to prosecutor's office without immunity.

This is the second time for Hajdari to be deprived of immunity. The first time the prosecutor's office asked for his immunity to be removed and it was lifted by the parliamentary group of the Democratic party, the then ruling party. Hajdari was the member of this parliamentary group and the reason was a quarrel between the deputy and an employee of the party administration. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Speaker says Berisha's tactic to provoke a new crisis

Gjinushi added that the leader of the Democratic party Sali Berisha decided to play the tactic of non-recognizing the elections though the difficult conditions, they were held, were not created by the then opposition, but by him.

"Due to the support of the international community the June 29 elections were the best to be held in those conditions," the Speaker said.

"The state is trying to establish order, a field in which significant successes have been achieved, while Berisha is doing the contrary. In every conflict between police and gangs it (state) will find militants of his party," Gjinushi added.

He said that the same can be said for Berisha's attitude towards the reform in justice, local government, administration, money lending phenomenon.

"The latter is a topic in which the parties should have had a common stand to resolve the problem, which was not created by the present ruling coalition," Gjinushi said.

Concerning the Albanian parliament's attitude, the Speaker said that he has been and is open.

"Really, the political life in Albania should be monitored and this will show, who is trying to destabilize Albania," the Albanian speaker said.

He said that the majority sees cooperation through law, which is obligatory for all. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Explosion rocks SP headquarters

There is no report on victims.

Police forces rushed immediately to the site to find the cause of the blast.

It is the second time that the SP offices in Shkodra are blown up.

A large quantity of TNT was placed months before damaging the doors of the building. No victims were reported. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Parliament urges Berisha undergo scrutiny test

"I received the formal request by the parliamentary presidency today after midday which urges us to re-examine the figure of all deputies and we will start work this week," Bezhani said.

"There have been many insinuations lately, particularly from the deputies of the Democratic party (DP) because 'we have tolerated too much'. Thus we urge all parliamentarians be subject to scrutiny," Gjinushi said.

"Deputies have asked in the evening parliamentary session that their figure be examined. It is the first time the state is seriously handling the scrutiny for its administration. Enough with insinuations and concessions, especially for high-ranking posts."

"This is why changes to the law on scrutiny were made and the law has been amended in order to help have a real thorough examination of state officials' figure. The reexamination point was also added to pave the way for deputies to undergo scrutiny," Gjinushi said.

One of the most disputable deputies is that of the Democratic party, Sali Berisha.

"The press speaks more about him, but he is one of those who can escape the scrutiny test because Berisha has been the one who controlled the Scrutiny commission and that the law made him as such to avoid scrutiny test as he really is: formally non-scrutinized." s.s/ak/

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