Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Meidani: Belgrade should urgently withdraw its troops from Kosova

[02] Schulze: A careful military intervention of NATO, the solution for Kosova crisis

[03] Meta: Actual situation in Kosova, dangerous

[04] Milo: Peaceful means do not convince Milosevic to stop aggression in Kosova

[05] Vice premier Islami meets chief of the EU observer mission

[06] Gjinushi: Parliament has supported self determination of Kosova people

[07] KDL: Fight is approaching Prishtine

[08] Protest against court sentences for nine Albanian students

[09] Chamber of Commerce will institutionalize relations with HELEXPO - chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry

[10] Role of Albanian economy in the process of Balkan development - deputy minister

[11] Only NATO intervention would prevent another Bosnia -Schultze

[12] Serb snipers kill an Albanian

[13] Two killed and one wounded in latest Serbian attacks in Gllogoc

[14] Albanian-Greek economic relations towards a new development - Minister

[15] Albanian Democratic Party calls for violent overthrow of Government

[16] Nano about arrest of DP former senior officials

[17] Meta says international community should help resume dialogue in Kosova

[18] Legislators to visit Kosova refugees in Northern Albania

[01] Meidani: Belgrade should urgently withdraw its troops from Kosova

"An immediate stop of bloodshed and a withdraw of Serbian military troops from Kosova territories are a necessity for the starting of a dialogue and for an acceptable solution for all sides in conflict", said Meidani, who also reiterated the necessity of a considerable presence of international community in the area.

"The lost time and lack of a strong pressure on Belgrade are putting far away the prospect of a realistic and democratic solution for Kosova issue", said Meidani.

Ambassador Parak was also interested on the direct influence war and Kosova crisis had in the diminishing of foreign investments in Albania./mima/fh/

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[02] Schulze: A careful military intervention of NATO, the solution for Kosova crisis

"This would be the most suitable option which will put an end to humanitarian catastrophe in Kosova", said Schulze in a press conference on Tuesday.

During his two-day visit to Albania Schulze met the highest political officials in Albania.

"In the centre of talks (with Albanian politicians) was the most important problem, that of Kosova, which disturbs now not only the region but implicates indirectly even Europe, which will have to face another massive exodus", said Schulze.

"Every passing day, exposes more and more toward a disaster the undefended Albanian population, that is why I back every option of NATO intervention, which would put an end to Serb violence in the region", said he.

"A wider autonomy" or "an independent republic" in the context of FRY, are the most suitable solutions for Kosova according to the German deputy, because, added he "an independent state of Kosova, would be accepted by no political force, while a unification with its origin state, would cause new tensions in the region."

Schulze (a deputy of political wing in power) said that German stand towards Albania and Kosova crisis will continue to be positive even after new elections in the country. (Germany is in the eve of new elections).

"We will put up our pressure, but decisions should be taken by the government," he said.

Problem of Constitution, was also an issue of the talks Schulze had with high Albanian officials.

"For this (Constitution) is needed more compromise from all parties included in its creation. No party is allowed to withdraw from the compiling of this law, so opposition should make use of the remaining days until Constitution will be passed in parliament", said Schulze./mima/fh/

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[03] Meta: Actual situation in Kosova, dangerous

"Unfortunately the widening of the fighting area and a further endangering of the situation, are the Serbian answer toward the will for talks of Albanian party, which was demonstrated especially with appointment of the new group of negotiators, and with the appointment of Dema�i as a political representative of KLA", said Meta during separate meetings with ambassadors and charge d'affaires of Contact Group.

Meta pointed out that creation of a group of more than 200, 000 displaced in Kosova, who are not allowed to return in their homes, may be used by president Slobodan Milosevic as a mean to create problems and tensions for Albania or former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which implies a real threat for stability of all region.

Meta, repeated the Albanian government stand that for the surpassing of actual crisis will be reasonable an interim agreement for a cease-fire among all sides, with international guaranties, which would open way to talks about the future of Kosova./mima/fh/

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[04] Milo: Peaceful means do not convince Milosevic to stop aggression in Kosova

Mr. Parak said that crisis in Kosova and security situation in Balkan comprise one of the main engagements of the EU observer mission.

Chief of the mission also said that Albania is an important factor of stability in the Balkans.

"Development of situation until now, make us think that Milosevic and his regime will not solve Kosova issue, without a strong pressure of international community", said Milo./mima/fh/

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[05] Vice premier Islami meets chief of the EU observer mission

Islami pointed out measures taken by Albanian government in achieving a full control and order in northeastern region of Albania, by underlining even an order of premier Fatos Nano on the approval of a group of special measures in the fight against trafficking and organised crime in this area.

About Kosova crisis, Islami repeated the Abanian stand in accordance with decisions of Contact Group in finding out a political solutions.

On his part Parak said that European politicians should exert a stronger pressure on Milosevic, and force him to sit at the table of talks.

At the end of the meeting, Franz Parak said "I am leaving your country with best impressions on the job your government has done", and underlined the great potentials Albania has, in human and natural resources, to become with dignity a member of European family./das/fh/

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[06] Gjinushi: Parliament has supported self determination of Kosova people

Gjinushi pointed out to Mr. Parak that the presence of Constitution in Albania, will notably influence in political stability and stability of democratic institutions in Albania. As for Kosova, the Speaker underlined that parliament has backed self determination of Kosova population, but this, he said, has been insufficient to offer a solution for Kosova crisis and reiterated that a NATO intervention would be of a decisive role in it.

Parak assured Gjinushi on the cooperation of the mission he leads with parliament and other institutions in Albania. Parak congratulated Gjinushi for steps made in preparation of Constitution, by praising that the prepared draft of commission, is of international standards. He expressed his deep concern on development of situation in Kosova and situation of the displaced people.

Parak assured Gjinushi for a support of international community on steps Albanian parliament and institutions are making in stabilization of situation in the region./das/fh/

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[07] KDL: Fight is approaching Prishtine

After warning for a further aggravation of the situation, KDL said that flames of fight are approaching Prishtine, and directed a call to international community in general and specially to the USA, Contact Group and NATO, to intervene urgently to stop Serb attacks and a disaster in Kosova./das/fh/

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[08] Protest against court sentences for nine Albanian students

The release considered these sentences a part of a campaign of Serb regime against Prishtine University and Albanians, and asked intervention of international institutions for the release of these students sentenced by a mounted political juridical process./das/fh/

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[09] Chamber of Commerce will institutionalize relations with HELEXPO - chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry

During this year our Chamber of Commerce and Industry planned to take part in the fairs the Centre organizes and Albanian businessmen have participated in two fairs, in the Marmin-Furnima" and "Infacoma" fairs held in February 1998. Beginning from September 1998, representatives of our Chamber will take part in the activities of this Centre of Fairs.

During the first days of September, our institution will sign two agreements of cooperation in Greece: one with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Salonica and another with the DIPEC Association, which is the centre of Interbalkan business and the Black Sea close to HELEXPO in Salonica. The signing of these agreements will help contribute to the increase and extension of the relations of business between our institution and the Greek one.

In the future we aim to propose the Institution of Fairs HELEXPO to sign an agreement with our Chamber of Commerce, as we have acted with the Milan Fair and others. This will contribute to the strengthening of the relations and cooperation as well as to the creation of facilities in the relations between our businessmen and those of the region of Salonica." /xh/

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[10] Role of Albanian economy in the process of Balkan development - deputy minister

"The geographic position of Albania with its basic economic resources has increased the interest for investments in this country from Greece and other European states. Investments have been offered by companies of these states in the field of transport, in the East-West and North-South corridors, in TELECOM which are some great projects of interest for the Balkan countries and broader.

In some fields, Albania's economy is reciprocally integrated with the Balkan economy. I would mention here the electro-energy, which is linked through water basins with the neighbouring countries but especially the close relations with one another for energy needs. Albania is linked with Greece through lines of 400 kilovolt and 220 kilovolt northwards. These lines convey energy to and out of Albania not only with the neighbouring Balkan countries but also in the European system. In this aspect is also seen the connection of Albania and the whole Balkans with the oil and gas systems. These systems are expected to reach Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and from there they will be linked with the oil and gas networks in Albania. Hence not only the connection for supply but also the future local Albanian oil and gas productions will be part of this system.

Investments can be made in Albania in the light and food industry and in the heavy industry, in mines. The interests of the Balkan countries are closely linked with the realisation of these investments because of their territorial vicinity. In addition, some countries are interested to invest in the field of tourism in Albania. So far, we have received requests in this regard. There are some Greek, Macedonian, Turkish and Croatian companies which are interested to invest in the food, light, heavy and other industries.

In the context of the process of privatization, a special interest has been manifested by Greece and Croatia. There are many Greek companies which have come and seen some objects in the strategic sectors and small and medium enterprises. They claim and for sure they will become partners and members in the process of privatization in Albania. In this respect, privatization can be considered a main aspect viewed in the entire economic cooperation and in the place Albania will take in the Balkans. In some industries, such as in that of chrome, Albania is very rich in, the interests will be of priority. This industry is rather attractive for the industrialists of the Balkan countries.

In the field of business and trade, the exchanges with the Balkan countries will take a considerable place due to their close distance." /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Only NATO intervention would prevent another Bosnia -Schultze

"We are making all efforts to set up a state on normal democratic basis and principles, despite the difficulties the Albanian society is faced with, especially now with the grave crisis in Kosova," said Meidani.

Meidani stressed the urgent need of ending the Serb military violence and genocide and added that the latest offensives of Serbian army, bombardments and burning of houses and villages in various regions of Kosova testify to Belgrade's continued challenge to the international community efforts to resolve the Kosova crisis.

Schultze said that "the creation of another Bosnia should not be allowed. A military intervention in Kosova is indispensable as the diplomatic way failed to yield any result."

But, he added, "it is significant that the political forces in Kosova unify their political position. He also pledged humanitarian and economic aid to reconstruct the war-stricken Kosova.

Meidani and Schultze shared the view of a swift approval of the Albanian constitution according to legal procedures, also stressing the need of a constructive participation of all political forces in Albania.

They also discussed issues dealing with the constant increase of Albanian-German relations. /das/lm/

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[12] Serb snipers kill an Albanian

Scores of villages of the commune of Kline have been ruined and set on fire by Serb forces.

Yesterday afternoon, the Serb tanks deployed in the town of Malisheve hit the village Banje, while villages Lubizhde, Drenoc, Carralluke, Lladrove, Terpeze were shelled during the night. /das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Two killed and one wounded in latest Serbian attacks in Gllogoc

According to Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) sources in Gllogoc, one of the victims was killed in his house, which he did not want to leave, while the other, a passerby, in the street.

The same sources report that the Serb police in the Korrotice e Eperme village have detained an Albanian family from the village of Zabel i Eperm of the Gllogoc village, which was going in the direction of Prishtine on tractors, and have arrested three of its members.

Eyewitnesses say that Serbian policemen have also taken two other Albanians, so far unidentified, to the Komoran police station. Nothing is so far known about the five people arrested.

Reports from Gllogoc say that a very grave situation prevails in this commune. Albanians' houses continue to burn since three days ago and their residents have been sheltered in mountains daily watching the flames engulfing their houses and assets or trucks loading with other valuable pieces.

Telephone line has been cut off since Sunday and electricity network has been destroyed in many villages. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian-Greek economic relations towards a new development - Minister

These changes are related with the new political and economic concepts on the partnership and the good neighbourliness.

In the course of these changes, natural partners of Albania, among which Greece, have regained the traditional position they have had in the economic cooperation with Albania.

"We are grateful to Greece for the delivery of 20 billion drachmas, of which 2 billion in the form of a grant for an immediate budgetary support and 18 billion in the form of a soft credit. Additionally, another agreement for a credit of 3 billion drachmas has also been signed to support Albania's balance of payments," said Meksi.

So far, about 200 Greek companies are conducting their activity in Albania in various fields of economy, in the sector for the production of shoes, food articles, ready made garments and auxiliary activities with a total investment of about 100 million drachmas. Greece takes the second place in the trade import-export exchanges with Albania.

Positive steps in the bilateral economic relations are considered the signing of the agreements on the elimination of double income tax, establishment of Greek banks in Albania, the cooperation in the context of the initiative PHARE/CROSS BORDER-INTRREG, which helps harmonize activities on the border areas of the two countries.

According to the minister, by encouraging the private investments, the Greek Government is a really serious partner also for the Greek investors who would find in Albania a reliable climate for their businesses.

I would like to stress, said Ms Meksi, the good development of the mutual exchanges in science, culture and other non-governmental activities which contribute to stronger and closer sister relations between various regions in the two countries. Such a possibility is also created with the inauguration of the HELEXPO Fair.

My opinion is that it is high time that the political relations between the two countries reach a new level which would enable the intensification of the economic relations, stressed Meksi. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanian Democratic Party calls for violent overthrow of Government

"The call 'Boys take up arms, death or freedom' is also relevant today," Azem Hajdari, one of the DP leaders declared today in the meeting of activists of this party Tirana branch.

Participants in the meeting demanded that the Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, live no more in the former-bloc, (special residential area in which former senior officials of the communist regime lived) and no censorship on the Albanian state-run Television, which, as DP leaders said, continues to be under the control of the government.

"If our demands are not met until August 31, besides peaceful protests and democratic means, we will respond to the government with all forms," stated Democrat leader Sali Berisha.

The DP meeting called on all DP members and supporters not to allow the Albanian Parliament to resume its sessions.

The DP National Council decided at the end of the extraordinary meeting on Tuesday through a draft-resolution to pursue democratic ways and means of protests, something renounced in today's statements.

The reasons which caused these decisions be adopted by DP, according to its leaders, "was the violence that the Government has exerted on the Albanian opposition in general and the DP in particular," and the detention of six of its former senior officials under the charge of having committed "Crimes to humanity." /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Nano about arrest of DP former senior officials

In his pronouncement for the public Nano said that "as head of the Coalition Government, I am duty bound to make public the opinion of the Albanian government regarding the arrest of six former senior officials of the DP power by the justice bodies.

Referring to the accusations by the opposition that Fatos Nano is the initiator of these arrests, Nano said that these are absolutely baseless, these are slanders and aim at inciting enmity between the people and their government.

"Deeply convinced of the indispensability of giving up old practices, I have never given a call to influence in the performance of the judicial power and in no case have I allowed government people to do such a thing. That is, as head of this government, I turn down with contempt any accusation leveled at me about the arrest of the six former senior officials of the DP power," says Nano in his statement.

Former senior officials Safet Zhulali, Halit Shamata, Blerim Cela, Bujar Rama, Sokol Mulosmani and Kreshnik Lusha were arrested on August 22, 1998, late at night.

The beginning of the penal case against the former senior officials accused of "crimes against humanity" has been largely opposed by the DP, which regarded this act as an expression of open war the government has declared against the Albanian opposition.

Other parties of the "Union for democracy" politically motivate the arrest of the former senior officials. /das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Meta says international community should help resume dialogue in Kosova

"Warnings by Emma Boninos (EU commissioner), who visited Kosova recently, are very meaningful as regards this humanitarian catastrophe. We believe that the international Community and the EU, as part of it, will intervene without losing time to put an end to this tragedy," said Meta.

Thirteen Albanian villages in the Rugove mountains (suburbs of Peja) were attacked on Sunday by Serb military and police forces, for the first time since the beginning of the conflict in Kosova (90 percent of the population is Albanian) and injured at least six Albanians.

The conflict's spill over also to Central Kosova and its association by the already known Serbian strategy of razing Albanian villages has caused thousands of Albanian civilians, mostly children and women, to make for Rozhaje, Plave, Guci and other regions of Montenegro to escape Serbian violence.

According to Meta, the energetic intervention of the international community to create conditions and guarantees to resume dialogue is indispensable after the Kosova Albanians' repeated expression of goodwill to negotiate.

Meta's meeting today is in the series of those started on Tuesday with representatives of the Western Diplomatic Corps to Albania. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Legislators to visit Kosova refugees in Northern Albania

The delegation will be headed by parliament's speaker Skender Gjinushi and composed of head of the Order and SHIK Commission Neritan Ceka, head of the Foreign Policy Commission Sabri Godo and deputy head of the Defence Commission Arber Qilimi.

"The representatives of the People's Assembly will closely follow the situation of the Kosova refugees and will compile a special report to be submitted to the government," Godo told reporters on Wednesday.

He also said that he had met with the Prime Minister of Kosova, Bujar Bukoshi, the Kosova representative in Albania, Iljaz Ramajli, on Wednesday, and discussed the situation of the refugees in Northern Albania.

The one day exercise "Drini '98" aims at making evident the military readiness of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania while the situation in Kosova is very grave. /mima/lm/

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