Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-19

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Organiser of armed rebellion be punished

[02] Book on Albanian archaeology published in Italy

[03] Kosova president says temporary solution for Kosova under way

[04] European diplomats meet with president Meidani

[05] Rahovec: 26 villages burned, 200 victims, hundreds of people missed

[06] Berisha does not accept options offered by CE and OSCE delegation - foreign diplomat

[07] Full growing confidence from international community for Albania's President - Geremek CE appreciates work of Albanian President - Tarchys

[08] There can be no other solution but political for the Albanian crisis - French Foreign Minister

[09] Material incentives for doctors to work in zones with scarce medical specialists

[10] Chirac hopes political dialogue wins over confrontation

[11] European Troika: We will isolate Berisha if he keeps undermining institutions

[12] August: Albanian exports fall

[13] Grave situation in Podujeve

[14] Mediu denounces violation of Albanian institutions

[15] Special forces continue to check entry in Tirana

[16] Some 1000 refugees grave situation in Rugove

[17] Albanian NGO's urged The Hague to bring Miloshevic to justice

[18] Rally of DP at Scanderbeg Square

[01] Organiser of armed rebellion be punished

"The criminal, putschist, organiser of the crushed armed rebellion deserves an exemplary punishment according to the law," a statement issued by these parties said.

Saying that Berisha, during the years of pluralism, swamped the aspiration of the Albanian people for democracy, created his criminal gang whose tentacles extended all over Albania, stressed that the Albanian people and particularly the Vlora people have tragically experienced his anti national activity.

"People of Vlora are totally prepared to face successfully the situation and continue their normal life," the statement said. /mima/ak/

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[02] Book on Albanian archaeology published in Italy

This book published under the subtitle "Systematic bibliography of the archaeological spots in Albania" is included in the series of archaeological publications of the "Edi Puglia" Publishing House directed by Prof Giuliano Volpe, of Bari University.

The book published in Italian gives complex data on 23 antique centers of Albania, particularly the cities of Apollonia, Durres, Butrinti, Amantia, Bylis and others. /mima/ak/

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[03] Kosova president says temporary solution for Kosova under way

He asked for international security to help return refugees to their houses and also appealed for international protection especially from the United States, European Union, United Nations and NATO for Kosova and its people.

"The best solution is an independent Kosova, with all guarantees for the local Serbs and an international protectorate as a transitional phase," said Rugova.

Rugova said that the U.S. ambassador, Christopher Hill, has presented some suggestions for negotiations. All ideas are to be discussed including even the opinions of Kosova negotiating group, while the version of the Serb party is not made known.

Rugova said that the draft document of the Albanian negotiating group, according to which a possible transitional solution would be a Kosova Republic within Yugoslavia, is a means to launch a referendum for independence and not "a treason of 1994 referendum."

President Rugova thanked his U.S. counterpart Bill Clinton for the $20 million humanitarian aid, and the Japan government for $2.3 million aid for Kosova. /mima/A.A/

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[04] European diplomats meet with president Meidani

The European delegation, which arrived early on Saturday in Tirana, included present Borislav Geremeck, head of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), George Papandreou, Greek Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dimitris Kostas, Greece's permanent representative at the Council of Europe (CoE), whose country heads the CoE Foreign Minister Committee, Daniel Tarschys, CoE Secretary General as well as ambassadors and representatives of different international bodies accredited in Albania.

Nothing was said to journalists after the meeting. The European diplomats are expected to meet with Tirana-based OSCE staff and later with the opposition leader Sali Berisha and Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano.

They will also hold a news conference at 14.30.p.m. /mima/ak/

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[05] Rahovec: 26 villages burned, 200 victims, hundreds of people missed

Ibrahim Kryeziu, member of the chairmanship, said that the thousands of houses were burned down in the offensive. Five out of 31 villages of the commune were not destroyed. He added that the number of Albanians killed in Rahovec is over 200, while the number of the missed people, thought to be higher, cannot be established. /mima/A.A/

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[06] Berisha does not accept options offered by CE and OSCE delegation - foreign diplomat

A foreign diplomat accredited to Tirane said that for the moment the European diplomats are not optimistic following the meeting they had with the opposition leader, Sali Berisha. The diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said that the democrat chairman had not accepted the options offered by the CE and OSCE delegation. Now the group of diplomats is having a meeting in the Council of Ministers headquarters with Prime Minister Fatos Nano without the presence of reporters.

So far, no details have been available about the meetings, while at 2.30 p.m. the delegation is expected to declare its conclusions from the talks with the Albanian political class in a news conference at Rogner Hotel in Tirane. /xh/

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[07] Full growing confidence from international community for Albania's President - Geremek CE appreciates work of Albanian President - Tarchys

After voicing the appreciation for the institution which represents the work of president Meidani, the Council of Europe Secretary General, Daniel Tarchys, member of the delegation, stressed that "we are confident that your moral authority at home and abroad will influence in restoring the sense of national conciliation and unity."

As reported from the President's press and information office, President Meidani made a panorama of the situation in Albania and his efforts to bring political forces to a round table of talks. "Precipitation of the events on Sept.14," said Mr Meidani, "brought about developments which are unprecedented and condemnable in any democratic state. They crowned the continuous efforts of a wing of the Albanian opposition to destabilize the situation in the country."

"I have asked the opposition political parties," said President Meidani, "to denounce the acts of violence against state institutions and to disassociate themselves from the practice of arming the militants. This is both an indispensability and a responsibility before the internal and external opinions."

President Meidani said there is a correlation between the events in the region which aim not only the instability of Albania but also of other of its neighbours and the entire region. The problem of Kosove is a very important issue for the stability, and the international community must follow it closely and with adequate measures. The efforts to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Kosove, as a priority in this moment, should include an extensive and fast action to assist the displaced from Kosove in Albania, a great number of whom have reached Shkoder in the past few days and demand a full and quick assistance also from international organizations.

President Meidani pointed out in the meeting with the European delegation that cooperation with all political forces has been a fundamental element in the practice of his institution, and this is seen in the similar opinions of the ruling coalition and the opposition on essential questions of the society, in the numerous visits he has made in the country and outside it and in the efforts to guarantee the human rights and freedoms.

The political climate necessary for dialogue, said Mr Meidani, demands realism from the international factor, implying here the energetic and categorical condemnation of the violation of the democratic institutions in Albania, which was considered as a coup d'etat, and the condemnation of the militarization of both the hands and the minds. He also demands from the Albanian political forces both the ruling parties and opposition ones, to manifest good will and realism in order to restore the democratic normality to the country.

The head of the European delegation, Geremek, denounced the violence used on institutions and said that the international community will be active to change the negative tendency of the crisis in Albania.

Geremek stressed that the political class should restore the belief of all the Albanian society in the sound development of democracy.

Mr Geremek and other participants in the meeting asked President Meidani to take concrete steps, why not also for the creation of an "Independent Institution of the Truth" for the valuation of the events.

The participants in the meeting exchanged opinions on the present situation in Albania. /a.ke/xh/

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[08] There can be no other solution but political for the Albanian crisis - French Foreign Minister

"As for the present crisis, there can be no other solution but political. All the sides should meet for this goal. Restoring of stability of Albania and the recovery of the institutions is a condition for the economic development of your country and the continuous international assistance," writes in his letter the French Foreign Minister. /xh/

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[09] Material incentives for doctors to work in zones with scarce medical specialists

Solis said that some zones of Albania are lacking specialists on whom depend and function other links of the hospital medical service and that a problem for these zones is the sector of intensive care units. In the cases when the reanimation specialist is missing, the surgeon also is not available because the two can't do without each other.

"The four times greater salary for the doctor is also a solution to the present problem and a possibility for employment of the students who have graduated the faculty of medicine," said Solis. /pas/xh/

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[10] Chirac hopes political dialogue wins over confrontation

A message handed over to President Meidani by French ambassador Patrick Chrismant in Tirana says that France and the International Community keep to Albania's stability and that the resolution of the crisis in Kosova also depends in part on this.

The message says that "the Albanian authorities' efforts to find a political solution to this conflict are to be praised and pursued relentlessly."

"Any attempt to change the government by force are unacceptable," writes Chirac.

"I hope the political dialogue in an institutional framework wins over confrontation. International Community and European Union aid in particular will then function in an efficient manner," Chirac goes on.

The press and information office close to the President of the Republic reports that on the same day, Saturday, Meidani responded to President Chirac, thanking him for the assistance in resolving the complicated situation Albania is experiencing.

"I fully agree with you that the political dialogue in an institutional framework should win over confrontation. I would like to assure you that in my office as President of the Republic I remain determined to defend the legitimate institutions and find democratic settlements for a quick return to normality," says Meidani. /pas/lm/

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[11] European Troika: We will isolate Berisha if he keeps undermining institutions

TIRANA, Sept 19 (ATA)-By I. Paco, The Council of Europe and the OSCE on Saturday warned Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha that the international community will isolate not only his tactics of undermining institutions but also him personally, if he continues to develop them.

"I'd like to say to Sali Berisha that his and his party's tactics have undermined the democratic institutions, and if they continue, it is certain the international community will isolate not only his tactics but also him personally," George Papanedreou, Greek Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, whose country holds the current presidency of the Council of Europe Ministers' Committee, told a news conference on Saturday.

Papandreou, along with Polish Foreign Minister Borislaw Geremek, current chairman of the OSCE, the Council of Europe Secretary General, Daniel Tarchys, and other European diplomats, began a several hour visit to Tirana this morning to negotiate with political forces a solution to the crisis.

"The community is determined to help Albania and support the efforts of its legitimate government to overcome this situation."

Papandreou also said that the community has not spared criticism also towards the government, directly transmitting them to Mr. Nano.

The European delegation condemned the violence against institutions and murders and urged the government to bring Azem Hajdari's killers to justice.

"The DP leadership did not denounce the violence. It was involved in this violence with its tactics and we maintain that this should be considered a significant political solution and radical changes should be carried out," said Geremek.

He also criticized the Nano government for dragging its feet in fighting organised crime, contraband and corruption.

But the foreign diplomats did not say what should be the changes, saying that this is up to the Albanian institutions, government and parliament.

The European delegation said that it supports all initiatives of President Meidani to develop consensus and political settlement.

Geremek said that the international community will leave aside the extremist groups seeking to polarise the Albanian politics and society.

The Polish Foreign Minister said that the place of the opposition is in parliament, not in prison and not in street demonstrations.

Referring to the removal of the DP leader Berisha one day ago, Papandreou said that the international community will not intervene in the process of investigations.

Daniel Tarchys said that "Nano had assured him that, referring to his imprisonment several years ago, he would not allow that an opposition leader goes to prison."

However, a diplomatic source said that the European delegation has not been optimistic of a quick solution to the crisis because of the stand of the opposition leader, Sali Berisha, who has rejected the options offered by the European diplomats. /y.pa/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] August: Albanian exports fall

According to Custom Department evidences, the export of Albanian goods is estimated to be 2.611 billion leks in August, against 3.349 billion leks in July, which recorded the highest value of Albanian exports.

The 22 % fall of the volume of the exports in August happened because of the summer season, but according to the specialists, Albanian exports will increase in the next months./lola/

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[13] Grave situation in Podujeve

Witnesses, who managed to enter in Dobratin after Serbian forces' withdraw, said that the village was completely destroyed. More than 70 % of the houses were looted and many others were burnt. At the entrance of the mosque of the village, which was also damaged, the chetnik symbols with four S's were written.

Nearly 50 tanks were settled in Obrance village on Thursday night, while its inhabitants left for Prishtine.

The situation in Podujeve alone keeps being tense. Only a few shops and hotels work, the movement of the people are very rare. Nearly all the inhabitants of the villages, to whom the 24 hours ultimatum to hand over the arms was given by Serbian police, left the villages./P.Ta/lola/

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[14] Mediu denounces violation of Albanian institutions

The Republicans on Saturday denounced the violence exercised against Albanian institutions by armed people by the beginning of this week.

"The attack on the Albanian institutions is an unacceptable and condemnable act and justice should act against the persons who committed these acts and those hiding behind them," Fatmir Mediu, chairman of the Republican party, told a news conference on Saturday.

However, Mediu renewed his request for the resignation of the Nano government and for holding a round table with the participation of all political parties.

"This meeting will enable a political solution," said Mediu, adding that this solution is the creation of a new technical government, that would help restore public order, draft a constitution and set a date for new elections. /y.pa/lm/

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[15] Special forces continue to check entry in Tirana

TIRANA, Sept 19 (ATA)-By U. Bajrami, Calm is being returned to the inhabitants of the capital, still shocked by the violence of September 13 and 14.

The police forces, also backed by the RENEA and BRISKU special forces have managed to bring the situation under control.

All the Tirana roads, including those in the suburbs, are constantly patrolled by the public order forces. The state institutions and important establishments are now guarded by the forces of the Guard of the Republic in cooperation with those of the military.

The special forces of the Ministry of Public Order have long since been checking entry in the capital. Dozens of all persons have been detained for illegal possession of arms and dozens of others who had been declared wanted.

Last weekend Tirana lived through a violence which reminded them of the spring of 1997. Crowds carrying all kinds of weapons, volleys of gunfire under calls for revenge, vehicles and state institutions on fire, a national Radio-television handled as anti-national in those few hours of occupation, windows smashed and public properties looted, destroyed and razed to the ground, police tanks and vehicles seized as well as many killed and injured, this was the Tirana of September 12 and 13. /pas/lm/

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[16] Some 1000 refugees grave situation in Rugove

Montenegro police is toughing the stand towards Rugove inhabitants and refugees who keep being settled in this zone, the above-mentioned source said adding that in the last three days the police has maltreated 9 inhabitants from Rugove villages.

The road to Rozhaje, about 20 km long, is the only one to supply the zone with food and medicine, which is actually closed because of the police repression.

Since Sept 11 some 1000 refugees, directed for Montenegro, keep staying in this zone of Rugove, who after the close of the border are holed up in the villages of Kosove without any help./pas/lola/

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[17] Albanian NGO's urged The Hague to bring Miloshevic to justice

"It's eight years that Albanian people of Kosove have expressed their will for freedom and independence by Referendum. But Belgrade oppressive regime uses all means of violence to keep this people and their country occupied," the statement, signed by 23 non-governmental organizations of Albania, said.

The statement stresses the fact that during last six months Kosove has been subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing. "Serbian police and military forces, ordered by Miloshevic, terrorize the innocent, Albanian civilians in Kosove, by committing killings, massacres and massive cleansing, including here children women and old people," the statement said.

Among the organisations, which signed this statement, are Albanian Intellectuals Forum, Albanian Group for Human Rights, Organisation "For democratic culture", Friendship Organisation Albania-USA, Albanian Businessmen Organisation and Albanian Women Independent Organisation./pas/lola/

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[18] Rally of DP at Scanderbeg Square

Albanian parliament, yesterday, approved the removal of the parliamentary immunity of the democrat leader, Sali Berisha, at the request of the General Prosecutor's office on charges of "organising armed uprising".

Berisha told reporters today that he agreed to a "political solution", which for Berisha consists in "ousting the new-dictatorship through democratic ways."

Berisha invited the democrats present in the rally to visit the grave of Azem Hajdari (killed one week ago near the DP building), tomorrow.

Sali Berisha did not take part in today's peaceful protest of DP members and sympathisers.

The DP National Council met this afternoon to define the concrete ways of continuing the protests. /pas/lm/

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