Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-03-05

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CONTENTS

[01] Joint program between Ministry of Public Order, MAPE signed

[02] Clinton welcomes ongoing relations with Albania

[03] Artists' Assembly decides to stage one-hour strike

[04] KMAM protests against landmines planted in Albanian territory

[05] Kosova an issue of great importance both for Albania and Turkey - Demirel

[06] Most wanted criminal killed in Vlore

[07] Drama of people awaiting to return home -Reportage-

[08] Retired generals, officers inspect border area in Has

[09] Rambouillet accord can be signed by Albanians before 15 March, Rugova

[10] Efforts to save life of little Jonada Dervishi

[11] Ministry fails to announce city for coming fest folk

[12] Two drug traffickers arrested

[13] Kosova President to meet Robert Doll in Shkup

[14] Eleven Kurds turned back; five Moldavians detained

[15] One hour stoppage by cultural institutions in Albania

[16] Police must act without slightest hesitation against criminals - President

[17] Albanian Helsinki Committee reacts towards the grave massacre in Berat on March 4

[18] Law on verification of figures must be further democratized - Bezhani

[19] There is no need for a written law to give the merited response to criminals - Premier

[20] Democratic Party condemns grave event in Berat city

[01] Joint program between Ministry of Public Order, MAPE signed

The Minister of Public Order, Petro Koci, and the senior representatives of MAPE mission in Albania signed on Thursday the joint program between this mission and the Albanian Ministry of Public Order for the organization of training courses of the Albanian police during 1999, which will last eight weeks each.

The aim of this program is to train the officers of criminal police, public order, traffic police and the border police. This program will be implemented by Albanian instructors and those from MAPE mission, ends the report of the Ministry of Public Order. /lh/mt/

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[02] Clinton welcomes ongoing relations with Albania

President Clinton said, among others, that he welcomed ongoing close relations with Albania and hoped to meet Majko again.

The Albanian government cabinet has not given further details on the content of the letter.

The high-ranking diplomatic intensity was increased recently between the U.S. administration and the Albanian government.

Two weeks later, president Clinton sent a similar letter to the Albanian head of State Rexhep Meidani.

Last month, the Albanian prime minister Pandeli Majko was on an official visit to United States and had a special meeting with president Clinton in Washington, D.C. /y.pa/ak/

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[03] Artists' Assembly decides to stage one-hour strike

This decision was taken during a meeting organized with representatives of the theaters of the country in the grounds of the National Theater, under the direction of the Artists Trade Union, because several demands of a petition were nor reached. This petition was sent on 16 February to all state institutions.

With regard to the fulfillment of these demands, representatives of cultural institutions in the capital held a meeting with the Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, on 26 February, who said that a part of these demands could be solved.

But, according to them, the solution of those demands did not receive any positive response, which forced them to convene and decide on this escalation of acts.

The requests which cannot be solved are the discharge of the Minister of Culture, Edi Rama, suspension of drafting the project-law on the live spectacle, declaration of the National Theater as monument of culture and others. /lh/mt/

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[04] KMAM protests against landmines planted in Albanian territory

This grave action against a sovereign state was done on the day when a treaty on anti-personnel landmines became law. The Ottawa treaty bans all the world from using, producing, transferring, storing anti-personnel mines, said a statement of the KMAM committee, obtained by ATA.

This action shows that the Yugoslav government not only violates international laws but openly challenges the world community both by words and deeds, the statement said.

Serbia rejected what was called a treaty of all the world such as that of the Ottawa and it continued irresponsibly using anti-personnel landmines particularly in the Kosova territory.

Albanian people joined all the world in the fight for peace on the day the treaty entered into force. We also see a great concern that there are regressive forces, who try to transfer war and mines in other territories, sow death and sabotage peace.

The statement called on the Yugoslav government to stop violence and war and get rid of anti-personnel landmines in Kosova as soon as possible. It also called on president of Albania, parliament and government to ratify as soon as possible the Ottawa treaty, which was signed by Albania, and turn to a reality the wish of the Albanian people for peace, solidarity and a civil society without violence, mines and weapons. /ake/ak/

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[05] Kosova an issue of great importance both for Albania and Turkey - Demirel

Majko considered the relations with Turkey consolidated and fruitful for both countries, which have a traditional friendship, the spokesman of the prime minister reports.

Majko also expressed his conviction that these relations will have a better future.

Demirel shared the same view with Majko as regards the level of relations between the two countries.

Majko considered the situation in Kosova very grave. He said that a massive massacre in Kosova will not be tolerated.

"In such a case the Albanians will respond with a collective self- defence. We are working not only to respond to the war scenario but also for peace. To work for the most difficult day means to work for the realisation of peace," said Majko.

"The Serbs' scenario was clear after what happened in Bosnia. Kosova is a significant issue both for you and for us," said Demirel.

NATO, according to him, is ready for action and Turkey will take part in a possible action in Kosova. He considered the signing of the agreement reached in Rambuje significant.

"After the first step, time will bring fresh possibilities," said Demirel, who considered wise the invitation of the Kosovar political forces to Tirane to realise the unification of stands.

Demirel said that Turkey follows with special concern the situation in Kosova and expressed his full conviction of his country's and NATO's engagement in resolving the crisis. "Otherwise peace will be at stake throughout the Balkans," said Demirel.

On Thursday, the second day of his visit to Turkey, Majko met with the deputy speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Uluc Gurkan.

The two underlined the traditional relations between Albania and Turkey and expressed themselves in favour of a further identification of means, ways and mutual possibilities to further them.

Gurkan hailed the governing by Prime Minister Majko and his efforts to stabilise the country. He said that the approval of Albania's new constitution is a great step ahead for the country's further democratisation.

The meeting with the chief of the Turkish Army General staff, Hysein Kivrikoglu, was the last meeting in Turkey of Prime Minister Pandeli Majko. The meeting focused on the situation in the region and cooperation in the military field between Albania and Turkey. /s.sh/lm/

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[06] Most wanted criminal killed in Vlore

According to this source, Sadiku was besieged on Thursday afternoon by the police forces in an apartment in "�ole" neighbourhood. The police forces, supported by the special forces, called on him to surrender. Sadiku responded to this with volley of shots, which forced the police to react in the same way. After Sadiku was wounded, according to the eye witnesses, he committed suicide to escape capture.

The police detained later on four persons, among them a woman, who were thought to be members of his gang.

Renato Sadiku, 20, known as "Llerka," escaped from the prison of Kruje, accused of committing many crimes. /pas/mt/

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[07] Drama of people awaiting to return home -Reportage-

In the room which serves as an office for refugees in Durres, Halil Gecaj, shows the calvary of his family which is divided into three parts. After the Serbian offensive in Drenice last August, the Llaushe village of the Skenderaj commune was razed to the ground. The 450 houses are now in ruins, while the remaining 100 inhabitants are sheltered in the barracks raised near the ruins of their houses.

Thirty-two members of the Gecaj village have crossed from Mitrovice to Montenegro.

"No one checked our documents. They wished us to go. While four brothers and my 20 year old son have jointed the KLA. I, along with my sisters in law, wife and all children have been settled in Durres," Halili goes on.

Halil Gecaj has come to the UNHCR office to enrol his family members to provide them with identity cards.

Gecaj, 43, tall and in a low and clear voice responds the questions by the specialist who fills the forms. Eight of the children attend the eight year school "Demokracia" in the 5th quarter, while the little ones stay home with their mothers.

"Five of the girls have to attend the secondary school but I am afraid it's too far."

Halili is the only man and should take care of all the women and children of Gecaj, and is concerned about five other members who, for several weeks now, are in Germany.

Shefqet Tallamyshi is only 10 years old and he has none in the world to take care of him. When he arrived from Kosova four months ago, his father was dead by a heart stroke a few days the war started, while his mother died in a car accident on her way to Albania. For three months in succession the child had slept wherever he could in the port. Some policemen took care of him until a mother from Durres, Xhemilja, took him to her house to grow him up with her children. But the trauma of Shefqet, and not only his, needs time to be healed.

Doctors, who take care of new arrivals said that children and elderly people are traumatized. The children cry during the night and ask for the photos of their relatives who are far away. There is a shortage of medicines not only for psychic disturbances but also for other diseases present at a community of over 6 000 people who have arrived in the seaside district.

To die and born away for home

Father Ademi is welcoming his guests, who have come to express their condolences for the loss of his wife. In a house he rented in the Durres beach, apart from Kosovars neighbours, quarter's inhabitants, also came.

"Death is dreadful but it is worse dying away from home," Ademi, 71, said, adding that he should meet the last will of his wife to send her body he buried in Durres to Kosova as soon as possible.

Rooms were full of people and a small child was crying.

"It is the daughter of my younger son," Ademi said adding that she was born three weeks earlier and her name was Qendresa (Resistance).

Since April last year, some 28 Kosova children are born in the child and mother hospital in Durres. Their names are significant. Graniti, Vlora, Fitorja, Liridona, Berati, Dardani, Fatosi, Valdrini will bear the name of Durres, their birthplace, in their papers.

Rambouillet - headline of a long way Idriz T. finds difficult to speak. He should represent the Kosova people settled in Golem, Qerret and Kavaja. They are said to go and take personal papers but ... "we have to wait until March 15. God helps us turn back to our homes."

Rambouillet is the headline of the recent days for all Kosovars placed in Durres. But they say that the French chateau was only the first leg of a very long way.

"It will need more blood, and we are sure that our leaders know what we are asking for. We trust them and they well know that we will return to our homeland even if they gave us the whole Europe," Halili said. /pas/lm/ak/

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[08] Retired generals, officers inspect border area in Has

During the inspection they will get acquainted with measures taken for the border defence, the level of military readiness and preparations for emergency situation.

The situation in the Albania-Yugoslavia border area continued to be tense, a spokesman of the Kukes police directorate, said to ATA.

Thursday was the most tense day all along the border line of the prefecture, especially in the Qafe-Prush area but also in Pogaj and Morina with shots audible all over the area, he said.

Our border forces, backed by forces of the second infantry division are in readiness but have not responded to Serb provocations, the spokesman said.

Albanian military forces are in full readiness to defend Albania's integrity but given the latest developments in Kosova and the approach of the second phase of Albanian-Serb talks in France, all efforts have been undertaken not to allow an aggravation of the situation in the border, the spokesman said.

The police spokesman said that a large build-up of Serb forces and military vehicles were seen near the border. They were also digging trenches in the area of Morini and Pogaj village.

Though the Albanian local interborder commission has demanded a clarification on provocations on Wednesday, the Yugoslav side has not responded to this. /s.s/ak/

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[09] Rambouillet accord can be signed by Albanians before 15 March, Rugova

The Ramboiullet accord for a temporary solution of the Kosova issue can be signed by the Albanian party before 15 March, the Kosova President, Ibrahim Rugova, told a news conference held Friday in Prishtina.

This accord is widely supported as a concrete step to create security and stability for all the Kosova citizens and at the same time it opens good perspectives for the future of Kosova," said Rugova.

Rugova drew the attention for the dangerous situation over the past days.

"Another zone of conflict was opened in Gryka e Ka�anikut, and many citizens were displaced. The refugees headed for Macedonia," said Rugova, adding that "the attacks of Serb forces were carried out to block the road to Shkup and to provoke the NATO troops, which are waiting to be deployed in Kosova."

Rugova asked an international intervention in Kosova and a severe action against Belgrade. He hailed the commitment of the United States, the European Union, as well as the work of the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosova. /pas/mt/

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[10] Efforts to save life of little Jonada Dervishi

It is still early to tell what her health state will be as the damage caused by gunfire for her age, six months and a half, is very great, Minister of Health, Leonard Solis, told ATA on Friday.

The leg of the child has already been cut off as her leg was as thick as the bullet. Now she is under anaesthetic to dominate the state created from the wound in the belly and stop the hemorrhage,.

In order to continue treatment, Solis thinks the child should be taken to the surgery intensive care unit of the University Hospital Centre where he thinks there are more suitable conditions for her treatment as well as specialist doctors for surgery in infants.

Solis also thinks that the child should be sent for treatment to some foreign clinic, but currently this is impossible as the child cannot be transported under the existing state.

Dervishi received the gunshot wound in a shootout between the police and three criminals, who had killed three policemen and four innocent citizens near the Pobrat village of the Berat district. In an effort to escape the police forces the criminals took the child hostage. /pas/lm/

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[11] Ministry fails to announce city for coming fest folk

Though the ministry said that the name of the city will be announced within March 5, the Directorate of the Culture Heritage at the Ministry of Culture said that the documentation submitted were under consideration.

The same sources said that cities, which are competing with each other as regard the Fest Folk scheduled to Autumn '99 would wait for another week.

The Folk fest is one of the most important cultural events in Albania which is organised once in five years. It was first held in '49 in the Tirana city. Later the fest was held in the Elbasan and Lezha city. From '68 to '88 the Fest folk was held in the castle of the Gjirokaster city while in '95 it was transferred in Berat castle. /pas/ak/

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[12] Two drug traffickers arrested

The spokesman of the police department told ATA that at the checkpoint of Maliq, the police arrested the citizens Durim To�a, 24, inhabitant of Manza commune and Alban Beqja, 27, inhabitant of Vore. During the police check, some 15 kilos of narcotic herbs (cannabis sativa), pressed and packed in plastic bags, were found in their vehicle.

This is the third case within a month that the police of Korce arrest drug traffickers. Some 190 kilos of narcotic herbs were seized in the two previous cases, which belonged to several persons from Fier, Lushnje and Korce. /pas/mt/

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[13] Kosova President to meet Robert Doll in Shkup

The President of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova and the other members of the Kosova delegation in Rambouillet left Friday for Shkup where they will hold a meeting with the special envoy of the U.S. President, Bill Clinton, on Kosova, Robert Doll. Attending the meeting will be also the chief of the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosova, Walker and the U.S. mediator for Kosova, Christopher Hill.

The former candidate for President in the United States, senator Doll, should have been Friday in Prishtina, but Belgrade refused him the visa. /p.ta/mt/

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[14] Eleven Kurds turned back; five Moldavians detained

The Public Order Ministry Press Office told ATA on Friday that the Kurds were detained at the border crossing point of Bllata but were turned back to Macedonia, after carrying out the necessary procedures.

The office also reports that the border police patrol detained five Moldavian nationals in the Lin village of Pogradec district who had illegally entered Macedonia by the lake. /pas/lm/

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[15] One hour stoppage by cultural institutions in Albania

"These institutions have interrupted their daily work from 10-11 a.m. in support of their demands for the discharge of the Minister of Culture, Edi Rama, the suspension of the project on scenic art and to declare the National Theater as a Monument of Culture," sources from the artists' trade union told ATA.

The decision for the general one hour stoppage with the participation of all country's theater casts was decided in a meeting on Thursday of the representatives of the local theaters held in the National Theater under the direction of the Artists' Trade Union.

As the chairman of the actors' trade union Vangjush Furxhi, told ATA, along with the suspension of performances in all the country's theaters, the artists also decided to hold a demonstration on streets of Tirane. /pas/xh/

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[16] Police must act without slightest hesitation against criminals - President

"The event of Berat, in which three policemen and four other citizens were killed by a criminal group, which was later killed as well, is one of the gravest events Albania has experience in the recent years.

Many families are mourning today their beloved who will not be among us any longer.

All of us are grieving. The state and the society are hit again.

I want to express my profound condolences to the families of the policemen who were killed, to their friends and colleagues in Berat and in all Albania, being convinced that this loss will increase more their determination in the fight against crime.

I want to express my profound condolences to the families of the innocent people who fell in the hands of the criminals.

On this morning day, I want to highlight the courage and the bravery of the Renea special police troops and the police of Berat who managed to stop the crime on March 4.

I know that everyone raises the question today when will we be free from the ordinary or organized crime which wants to keep us hostage and the society in anxiety.

Police are allowed, according to the law, to act without the slightest hesitation against the criminals and against anyone who breaks the laws and the state rules. The sound part of Albanian police will face this challenge and will come out victorious.

But I want to reiterate that the great cause of the public order is a question of all the people.

I call on all Albanian citizens to help police, to back up police, to increase to maximum the respect and love for the police.

The event of Berat cannot but raise the question what are these killers in a young age, who start with stealing and then turn into utter criminals. The illness of gaining unscrupulously, quickly and without toil has for many years affected a part of our society. This disease is affecting the adolescents as well.

I want to address in particular the mothers and fathers. Take weapons away from your children's hands! Show a greater care towards them! Teach your children to live on honest work and as is the tradition in the Albanian family.

I address the same appeal to teachers, adults and to everybody! /s.sh.xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Albanian Helsinki Committee reacts towards the grave massacre in Berat on March 4

Expressing its concern over the event, the Albanian Helsinki Committee considered it "an expression of the beastly character of the criminals who did not hesitate to use as a shield for their live even a 7- month old child."

"Though the criminal act received the deserved response, thus raising hopes for a more efficient reaction from the public order forces in face of the growing proportions of crime, it yet is not sufficient because crime is increasing the feeling of insecurity in the society," declared KSHH.

According to this committee, the wound of crime has few chances to be healed without a total commitment of the entire society. "The forces of order are on the front line but they cannot be left alone in this challenge."

According to KSHH, the political forces first of all, and the rank and file people too, must back up the public order forces effectively.

On Thursday three criminals killed in the district of Berat (southern Albania) without any reason, 7 innocent people, among whom three policemen in a police road check. Then the criminals were killed by the forces of order in their efforts to arrest the culprits. /pas/xh/

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[18] Law on verification of figures must be further democratized - Bezhani

Bezhani said that in a comment on this law by three CE parliamentarians, the three amendments added to the law were considered as positive and, as they said, that was the right step towards the establishment of the rule of law.

Bezhani defined some of the problematic points of the law related to the fact that "the right to be elected to a post must not be determined from the previous post of a person but from the quality of the work he has made."

According to him, the Law on Genocide is outdated because it has no more function to play after the adoption of the law 8043. Bezhani added that there must not a collective penalization.

In response to the questions of reporters, Bezhani stated that they have finished the verification of the senior officials of the Majko government, of the Foreign Ministry, the Defence and Public Order ministries. From the work made so far, the Government results to be with clear figures while the press has abused several times through some articles, he added.

Asked about death penalty in Albania, Bezhani accepted to give his answer not in the capacity of the chairman of the above commission. "As a citizen, I think that the death penalty would refrain crime," he declared. /pas/xh/

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[19] There is no need for a written law to give the merited response to criminals - Premier

Present in the burial ceremony were also the Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, the Public Order Minister, Petro Koci, the Minister of Information, Musa Ulqini and representatives of the local government, the opposition parties, and others.

PM Majko, speaking to the participants in the ceremony, expressed his deep grief for the loss of the policemen who were killed while on duty.

"The order is made public, it is verbal, there is no need to be sign or give it in written. The criminals must be killed!" stated Majko. "I am convinced that we are here not only to pay homage to the bodies of our brothers but also to take an oath. The fight will not be easy. There will be no more graves for policemen but for criminals." The Premier declared that from now on the state will put a strong resistance to all criminals.

Also today, the burial ceremony for the other four citizens killed yesterday, took place.

On March 4, a grave tragedy occurred in Berat with three criminals killing seven people among whom three policemen, and a 7 month old child injured. Then police could execute the three criminals. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Democratic Party condemns grave event in Berat city

The DP Organizational Secretary Fatos Beja, in a news conference today, after condemning the event, expressed reserves for the Albanian Government, which, as he said, "is not being able to establish law and order in the country."

In the name of his party, Beja asked the resignation of the Public Order Minister Petro Koci.

The DP chairman Sali Berisha, in a message to the families of the three policemen, who fell while being on duty, expressed the grief of the party he represents for the loss of the lives of three police members.

Last Thursday, three gunmen in Berat opened fire against policemen in a road check and some citizens, as a result of which three policemen and four other people were killed. Later the group of criminals was killed by police forces. /lh/xh/

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