Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Envelopes on buying first articles of loan-taking companies to open tomorrow

[02] Fino asks from local government greater engagement in realising budget income

[03] Italy to consider 60 billion lire in aid for Albania

[04] Killed Albanians buried in two mass graves

[05] Some 100 Albanian illegal emigrants returned from Italy

[06] Hundreds of narcotic plants eliminated in Elbasan

[07] Germany ready to restructure Albanian police

[08] Rugova demands international protection for Kosova

[09] Masked men carry out killings near Albanian-Greek border

[10] Parliamentary speaker visits United States

[11] Albanian president meets with German state secretary

[12] Albania president meets Greek constitutionalist

[13] Albanian minister meets with German state secretary

[14] 30 people from Kosova arrived in Has recently

[15] NATO military planning on Kosova is being carried out as foreseen

[16] Premier decides November 22 for referendum

[17] Premier says Kosova resembles Bosnia, urges political unity there

[01] Envelopes on buying first articles of loan-taking companies to open tomorrow

The first catalogue presents for sale vehicles as well as office equipment of five loan-taking companies.

The deadline of presenting the bids is until 12:00 while the envelopes will be opened at 14:00, also in the presence of notaries.

The winners of the auction will be declared on Monday at 10:00 a.m..

That is, the number of the intending buyers of first catalogue articles of the loan-taking companies will be issued tomorrow.

Meanwhile, two other catalogues have been available at the auction centre since July 20. The second catalogue includes 24 items, among which various tonnage machineries and office equipment. The auction for these articles is planned for July 31.

The third catalogue is of greater interest. It includes real properties, among which Iliria bar-restaurant at Durres beach and two warehouses near Uji i Ftohte in Vlore.

The articles of the third catalogue are given a longer time frame and the bids are envisaged to end by August 13.

Meanwhile other catalogues on certain items of these companies are expected to be available gradually. The amounts of money to be gained from the sale of these objects will address the global fund, which will later be used to pay off the cheated creditors. /lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Fino asks from local government greater engagement in realising budget income

Fino asked from local government bodies greater and more responsible engagement in realising the incomes of this budget.

Fino asked from the prefectures to exercise greater control on the elected bodies of this government as regards finance in order to combat corruption in local government bodies.

He said that corruption has been mainly noticeable in the use of local budget, organisation of bids and construction permissions.

He draw the attention of the governors to a more careful performance on the part of the local government bodies to see to the people's troubles so that they be resolved quickly and efficiently. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Italy to consider 60 billion lire in aid for Albania

The aid is meant to address power, drinking water system, infrastructure and other fields, according to the Albanian Foreign Ministry Press and Information Office.

"Italy's relations with Albania are closer than with any other country," said Dini.

"Italy has been the main partner of Albania, especially in difficult times for our country, such as in the year 1997," said Milo.

Responding to Milo's requests for a closer cooperation with Italy in fighting smuggling and corruption in Albania, Dini, on behalf of the Italian government, pledged a greater support in logistics.

Dwelling on the crisis in Kosova (90% of the population is Albanian) Italian Minister, after expressing concern at the massive killings of Albanians there, their forceful displacement from Kosova, as well the consequences the conflict reflects in Kosova, in Albania and other countries of the regions, said that the Albanians should have their own representing bodies in the talks with international organisations or even with the Yugoslav party.

Both stressed that only the Prishtine-Belgrade talks with foreign mediation can decide the coming status of Kosova.

Milo also had separate meetings with Italian Foreign Undersecretary Piero Fassino and the head of Lower House Foreign and Community Affairs Commission, Occheto. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Killed Albanians buried in two mass graves

Five Albanians' names (Bekim Bugari, Sadik Shala, Destan Sharki, Muharrem Kadri, Mehmet Kadri dhe Halit Hoxha) as well as numbers 1, 4 , 8 and 10, figures of unidentified Albanians, while the number of the buried Albanians is thought to be much larger, are written on the mass graves dug by the Serbian forces on Wednesday, according to sources from the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms in Kosova (KMLDNJ).

According to the same sources the Serbian forces on Wednesday dug by excavators two mass graves and buried the corpses gathered along the Rahovec town roads, about one hour before the arrival in the town of foreign reporters and diplomats.

According to the KMLDNJ the Serb forces have killed over 50 Albanians while many killed and massacred, who have remained in streets, houses, basements and fields have not yet been identified.

LDK sources in Rahovec believe there are hundreds of killed, massacred, burnt and injured.

The Kosova press and other sources compare the massacre committed by the Serbian forces in Rahovec with Srebrenice. /p.ta/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Some 100 Albanian illegal emigrants returned from Italy

One hundred Albanian illegal emigrants were returned from Italy to the Vlore port (Southern Albania) on Thursday.

The illegal emigrants, among who several young women going to Italy to exercise prostitution, were intercepted on the Puglia shores, according to Vlore port sources.

The repatriated returned on ferries "Miobe" and "Iliria Lines" of Otranto and Brindisi-Vlore service. /s.sh/eva/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Hundreds of narcotic plants eliminated in Elbasan

According to the source the police forces, during a control in the house of an inhabitant, suspected of theft, uncovered 60 narcotic roots in his orchard.

Then the police forces carried out a raid on the orchards of the inhabitants of this village and were surprised to find such a large amount of narcotic plants.

The spokesman says this is the largest amount of narcotic plants uncovered in the Elbasan district so far. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Germany ready to restructure Albanian police

"We will try to continue this aid and cooperation, having as main priorities teaching, training and qualification of the Albanian police forces," said Schelter at a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano in Tirana on Friday.

The two countries' Public Order Ministries have drafted a three-year plan (1999-2001), financed by the German government, which in May 1998 provided DM one million for the equipment of the Albanian army with transportation means.

They also discussed the crisis in Kosova and the performance of the Albanian police forces in preventing arms trafficking in northern Albania, bordering Kosova.

The two shared the opinion that the crisis in Kosova should be resolved through political means.

"The Albanian government is working to encourage cooperation among the political forces in Kosova, so as to speak with a single language before the international community.

Schelter evaluated the performance of the Albanian government in coping with the influx of the refugees from Kosova (90% of the population is Albanian).

He said he would closely see to the situation of 13 000 Kosova refugees, who are settled in Albania's north and would ask the German government not only to provide direct aid, but also to coordinate the aid offered by the international organisations to cope with the situation. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Rugova demands international protection for Kosova

"The situation in Kosova continues to be dangerous; Serbian police and army attacks are daily. A severe ethnic cleansing has started in Kosova, " Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova told reporters on Friday.

We want "international protection for Kosova and its people and an end to be put to the conflict's spread in the region," said Rugova.

The Serb police are allowing neither the burial of the killed after the massacres in Rahovec nor the arrival of international and national organisation in Kosova.

Thousands of Albanians have left the Rahovec town and its suburbs, said Rugova adding that attacks have been carried out and people killed also in other regions of Kosova, while the Serb police repression continues.

The International community, the U.S. and the European Union are undertaking all diplomatic as well as military steps not to repeat Bosnia in Kosova, said Rugova, responding to a reporter's question.

Rugova renewed the stand that "the best solution for Kosova is independent Kosova with all guarantees for the local Serbs and an international protectorate as a transitional phase." /p.ta/eva/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Masked men carry out killings near Albanian-Greek border

The incident took place at around 15.00 when armed and masked men ambushed a group of refugees making for Greece. After robing them of their money, they opened fire against the refugees, killing Afrim Perfundi, 23, and Fluturim Veizi, 30, and injured Lorian Perfundi, 30 and Shefqet Kaftirani.

The injured were rushed to the Korce hospital (south of Albania) and they are out of danger.

"The criminals after robbing us of our money opened fire without any cause and left towards the Greek border," Lorian Perfundi told the police.

In April '98 the Devoll police after a blitz operation arrested a gang of five men from the district of Kurbin who robbed the refugees on the border area of Kapshtice. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Parliamentary speaker visits United States

Gjinushi and the Ohio Senate chairman Richard Finan discussed the work of the Albanian parliament and a solution to the Kosova issue.

The meeting of Gjinushi and Senator Biden was focused on the developments in Albania and situation in Kosova.

Senator Biden said that he had often suggested President Clinton a U.S. intervention in Kosova in case NATO fails to intervene.

Gjinushi also met with the congressman Eliot Engel and the group of congressmen interested in Albania.

Head of the foreign commission in the U.S. congress Benjamin Gilman, speaking on behalf of the commission, said that the international community would not tolerate a second Bosnia.

These meetings were held at the end of the annual conference of U.S. legislators on July 18 in Las Vegal where Gjinushi, the Albanian parliamentary Speaker was invited.

Gjinushi attended a hearing of the foreign commission with the U.S. ambassador Robert Gelbard. Gelbard said that the main responsibility for what is happening in Kosova falls on Milosevic. ake/eva/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian president meets with German state secretary

Meidani expressed his satisfaction for the level of bilateral relations in all directions and his conviction that they would be promoted especially in public order section.

Schelter expressed the readiness of the German side to help stop criminal phenomena, which are present in development of liberties and opening of countries.

Referring to Kosova, president Meidani expressed his concern saying that "despite the engagement of the international community for a solution to the conflict it seemed that it would last as long as the situation on the ground, aspirations and concrete solutions seen on a historical plan and linked with the reality and prospective and especially with the demographic factor, were not understood."

President Meidani speaking on behalf of the Albanian state, expressed determination to continue the democratic road in order to strengthen stability in Albania, promote the authority of Albanian institutions against destabilizing tendencies. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albania president meets Greek constitutionalist

Present at the meeting were other Greek constitutionalists, Greek ambassador in Tirana Konstandin Prevedhurakis as well as head of the Albanian Constitutional Court Fehmi Abdiu.

In talks, which focused on the draft of constitution prepared by the parliamentary commission, president Meidani expressed his views on the draft's content, press and information office at the presidency said in a press communique obtained by ATA.

"The key issue in the chapter on president's institution is its separation from the political parties and this should be clearly set in constitution," Meidani said adding "the other problems are only derivations."

Prof Tsatsos briefed president Meidani on his remarks as regard different issues amended in the new draft. He expressed his regret for the absence of the Democratic party in the process of drawing up the constitution and wished this process gains

a wider consensus in referendum. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian minister meets with German state secretary

"Violence which is being exerted in Kosova can cause new influx of refugees, problems which directly affect Germany. It (Germany) is interested in the fact that refugees possibly stay in the region," Schelter said.

He stressed that given the situation, Germany was aware that the most important thing is a solution to the Kosova issue rather than Germany's problems with refugees.

The Albanian minister Milo thanked the German government for its advanced attitude as regards the handling of Kosova issue and stressed the will of the Albanian government to find a peaceful solution through negotiations with international mediation.

The meeting discussed the possibilities of promoting bilateral cooperation and it was agreed that the German side would continue aid in the framework of strengthening stability in Albania and security in the region.

"Albania is part of Europe and we are helping and will help it to become a partner in our long-term cooperation," Schelter said. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] 30 people from Kosova arrived in Has recently

"Around 30 people have arrived in the last three days from Kosova but there exists a possibility for a greater influx in the days to come," Zenel Kastrati, head of the Kruma town hall said to ATA.

The majority have been settled in families of the Golaj commune.

Muhamet Ukperaj, head of the commune, said that over 50 persons have been settled in this commune besides scores of others who have not been registered for different reasons.

Meanwhile, the city residents are being supplied with food reserves to cope with a possible influx from Kosova.

"I have sold thrice the amount of foodstuff recently," Hasan Musa, shop keeper in Kruma, said.

"The fear for another influx of people from Qafe Prushi makes residents prepare for difficult times," he said. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] NATO military planning on Kosova is being carried out as foreseen

"No decision has been taken on the NATO engagement either from the United States or the Alliance as a whole," Slocombe added.

He said that the NATO planning was focused on preventing options to avoid spill-over of conflict in Albania and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), escalating air operations to stop the Serb campaign of repression and violence and on operations to impose a ceasefire accord or a peaceful solution.

Planning troops for preventing operations in Albania and FYROM was under way and it aimed at reinforcing regional stability and preventing an extension of violence to Albania and FYROM and offering aid to Albania to help it safeguards borders' security, Slocombe said.

Options go from support to OSCE observing missions in Albania, operations to help impose 1160 resolution of the Security Council as regards the weapons' embargo as well as deployment to prevent a regional extension of conflict and weapons' trafficking to Kosova.

Slocombe said that measures which should be considered include exercises at the Partnership for Peace (PfP) framework, extended program on Albania and FYROM, visits of NATO Mediterranean Fleet ships to Albania as well as NATO preparations to help in case of a great influx of refugees from Kosova. The aim of this measures is to support self-defence abilities of FYROM and Albania to control their borders and prevent conflict extension.

Planning troops for air operations is already under an advanced stage, he said. These operations aimed particularly at preventing the systematic campaign of violent repression in Kosova, backing diplomatic efforts and helping pave ways for diplomatic serious negotiations.

He also said that planning troops for an imposed peaceful solution or ceasefire was under way. Planning foresees monitoring operations or imposing both a peaceful solution and ceasefire. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Premier decides November 22 for referendum

Nano, who is also the party leader, said that the fundamental draft law would be submitted to parliament in October and the referendum would be held on November 22.

The president of Albania will sign this fundamental document on November 28, Albania's official holiday.

The draft of the fundamental law for the Albanian state has been completed after it was drawn up by the special parliamentary commission.

The "Democracy through law" Venice commission gave the green light a week before to all the draft and now it needs the finishing touches.

The process of drawing up of constitution has been boycotted by the "Unity for Democracy" political grouping since the beginning. /das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Premier says Kosova resembles Bosnia, urges political unity there

"It is clear that the international community is reluctant towards an intervention in Kosova, but frankly saying, the Albanians are not in unison and are not managing, despite our efforts, to present unified requests to the international community," Nano told today's meeting of the Socialist party leading committee.

Focusing on the Kosova issue, which he considered "government's top priority", Nano said that "Kosova is slowly resembling Bosnia, with pounded, destroyed emptied cities, with massacred and uprooted people."

He urged the international community to urgently intervene to avoid a wide scale regional conflict.

The appeal of the Albanian government head to political representatives of the Albanians in Kosova urging them to be in unison in front of the international community is a result of some requests by the Western diplomacy for a unified political stand by the political forces and institutions in Prishtina for a solution to the Kosova issue. /das/ak/

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

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