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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-03-04

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIOR MINISTRY
  • [02] VEFA COMPANY DISTRIBUTED DEPOSITS FOR 165 OTHER CREDITORS IN TIRANA
  • [03] NEEDS OF ALBANIAN POPULATION FOR BREAD ARE GUARANTEED FOR MANY MONTHS - State reserves General Department
  • [04] VLORE STUDENTS HUNGER STRIKE AND EURONEWS
  • [05] VEFA HAS ALL THE POSSIBILITIES TO PAY ITS CREDITORS - Italian firm
  • [06] ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE IN SARANDA DEMAND CREATION OF A "MUNICIPAL AUTONOMOUS COMMISSION"
  • [07] HANI I HOTIT BORDER CROSSING POINT NOT BLOCKED
  • [08] PROCESS OF PRIVATIZATION IN THE RIGHT TRACK
  • [09] FOUR KILLED AND 42 INJURED IN VLORE HOSPITAL IN THE LAST THREE DAYS
  • [10] TERRORIST REBELS IN VLORE EXECUTING FOUR CITIZENS AND WOUNDING MANY OTHERS
  • [11] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY
  • [12] INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE SERVICES ACTIVE
  • [13] CORRECTION
  • [14] ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE IN SARANDA DEMAND CREATION OF AN "AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPAL COMMISSION"
  • [15] FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE UNCHANGED IN TIRANA
  • [16] FOUR CITIZENS EXECUTED AND MANY OTHERS WOUNDED BY TERRORIST REBELS IN VLORE
  • [17] "KAMBERI" TO BEGIN REIMBURSING CREDITORS AFTER SITUATION CALMS DOWN
  • [18] "MAY BE SP IS BEHIND THE ATTACKS OF BARRACKS IN VLORE" - Italian citizen declares -
  • [19] CDP AND CUDP APPEAL ON PEOPLE AND POLITICAL PARTIES TO STAY COOL AND BE TOLERANT
  • [20] DISTRICT COUNCIL AND POLITICAL PARTIES ENGAGED IN NORMALIZING SITUATION IN SARANDE
  • [21] CALM SITUATION IN DURRES, BERAT AND ELBASAN TOWNS
  • [22] UNICEF WORRIED ABOUT CHILDREN' SITUATION IN ALBANIA
  • [23] CHAOTIC SITUATION IN VLORA TOWN
  • [24] SITUATION IN GJIROKASTER AND NEARBY VILLAGES IS UNDER CONTROL
  • [25] SHIK OFFICER, MASSACRED BY TERRORIST GANGS IN VLORE, BURIED
  • [26] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
  • [27] CORRECTION
  • [28] MEDIA OFFICE NEAR LOCAL STAFF OF STATE OF EMERGENCY OPENED IN TIRANA
  • [29] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
  • [30] SOME 3500 WEAPONS COLLECTED IN FIER
  • [31] GENERAL CHIEF OF THE MILITARY STAFF RELEASED FROM HIS DUTY

  • [01] ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTERIOR MINISTRY

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA)- Some 1500 fire arms of different kinds and an amount of munition were surrendered in the Fieri city yesterday, according to the spokesman of the Interior Ministry reports.

    At the Qafe Thane of Koshovica, Fier-Vlore roadblock, yesterday at 11.00, the police warned a van, with number plate VL 2540, to stop but the driver did not stop and quickly moved in the Vlore direction. The police forces fired at it and, as a result, the driver, Agron Zenuni, aged 39, from Vlore, was wounded in the arm, while citizens Bedri Rrusta, 49, from Lushnje, and Fehti Hoxha, 35, from Cekrani of Fier, got wounded in the legs, but they are out of danger. The police found and intercepted three hand grenades in their vehicle.

    In Durres, yesterday, at about 20:00, the police caught and arrested citizen Mirton Cuci, 25, for illegally possessing a "Skorpions" automatic weapon, and a cartridge. In Lushnje, the police detained yesterday citizens Agim Guri, 34, and Qemal Mero, 31, as a considerable amount of illegally possessed automatic weapons were found during the control in their "Benz" car.

    In Delvine yesterday, the situation was generally calmer than other days. The police, in cooperation with the army have organised yesterday roadblocks and meetings with various citizens. Some 20 different arms have been surrendered by the people.

    In Tirane, 48 people were taken to the police station for not respecting the state of emergency deadline. None of them were armed and did not confront the police. s.sh/kled/lm/E

    [02] VEFA COMPANY DISTRIBUTED DEPOSITS FOR 165 OTHER CREDITORS IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - By S Sharrexhi: Yesterday Vefa Company paid 165 other creditors (who have put up to 500 000 lek in Vefa) in its credit bank in Tirana yesterday.

    "The number of creditors paid today is lower as compared with previous days because of the limited working hours, until 15.00," told ATA the director of this bank Albert Lulaj.

    So far the number of creditors who have been paid their capitals from 100 000 - 500 000 lek amounts to 2 665 persons who have now interrupted their relations with VEFA.

    "Vefa Company will pay off in a record time all the investments to its creditors," said Vefa President V. Alimucaj last night.

    Soon the company will decide to pay the creditors who have deposited amounts over 500 000 lek." eva/xh/E

    [03] NEEDS OF ALBANIAN POPULATION FOR BREAD ARE GUARANTEED FOR MANY MONTHS - State reserves General Department

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - The needs of the Albanian population for bread are guaranteed for many months, says a report of the State Reserves General Department, made public today authorized by the Albanian Government.

    "Bakeries and grain processing factories are regularly supplied in all the districts of Albania, at a reasonable price, which favours considerably a fixed price of the bread and does not justify the increase of prices by traders," says a report.

    The State Reserve General Department guarantees at any time the non-stop supply of the southern districts in particular, along with private imports of wheat and flour, says the report of the General Department of State Reserves.kled/xh/sh/

    [04] VLORE STUDENTS HUNGER STRIKE AND EURONEWS

    TIRANE, MARCH 4 (ATA)-The Albanian TV broadcast last night a filmed chronicle from the TV network "Euronews" about the Vlore students hunger strike.

    The chronicle showed how the students, who were on a 10 day hunger strike, jumped for joy and danced rock music upon hearing of the government's resignation. However, after this, an order from out of the strike made them lie again.

    Meanwhile, the Albanian TV cite unconfirmed sources near Vlore as saying that last night the Vlore University students have ended their hunger strike.

    Some 42 students of this university went on strike on February 20. They demanded the government's resignation and full compensation for the money lost in the collapsed loan-taking company "Gjallica", asking that the national asset be sold for this purpose.

    On March 3, the 46 students of the "Eqrem Cabej" university students in Gjirokaster who had gone on a hunger strike in solidarity with the hunger strike in Vlore since February 27, ended the strike as well.

    The crowd supporting the students has seized weapons from military units and arms depots in Vlore and other southern zones, has looted banks and stores (including the VEFA supermarkert) and has ruined properties of the loan-taking copmany "Gjallica".

    In Vlore, the Professional Training Centre, project of the Danish government, worth $7 million, was attacked with fire arms and torched yesterday. kled/lm/e

    [05] VEFA HAS ALL THE POSSIBILITIES TO PAY ITS CREDITORS - Italian firm

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - By R Floqi:

    Representatives of Italian accounts firm Cecere & Caputo who are examining the economic balances of Vefa Holding company declared in a news conference last night that Vefa has all the possibilities to pay off its creditors regularly.

    "Creditors' money are invested in assets which are serving as a basis for the granting of a credit on a pawn basis by some Italian banks," said Emilio Oliveria.

    Unconfirmed sources report that the amount of this credit overpasses 200 million dollars.

    "What is happening in the south is not a matter of money, but terrorism. I am convinced that it is not the people fighting but organized mercenaries," said Oliverira.

    He highlighted declarations of the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini and his deputy Piero Fassino who spoke in favour of a concrete economic assistance for Albania.

    Regarding some factories that Vefa has set up based on a modern technology, and which are not yet commissioned, Oliveira said that they would be put to operation soon.

    "Vefa has the possibilities to employ up to 80 thousand people in its objects," he said.

    Vefa Holding, the biggest Albanian company, has accumulated a part of its capitals in the form of loan from the people, and a part of these capitals are invested in production units, which so far have not been in full efficiency, because of the high interest rate of this company for the creditors.

    Some time ago, Vefa declared that it would pay back the capitals and interests to creditors who have put up to 5 thousand dollars. So far the number of the creditors who have taken their deposits amounts to 2 665, without including here the cases of emergency.

    "Vefa company will pay off in a record time all its debts to the creditors," declare Vefa President V Alimucaj. kled/xh/E

    [06] ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE IN SARANDA DEMAND CREATION OF A "MUNICIPAL AUTONOMOUS COMMISSION"

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - About 3000 people gathered in Saranda today and asked for the creation of an "Autonomous Municipal Commission," AFP reports today.

    Yesterday a group of terrorists have pressurized the chairman of the Saranda Municipality Capajev Zera not to accept the declaring of the state of emergency in that city.

    Saranda is a small city in Southern Albania, in which there are also about 20 000 Greek minority people living. This city was not affected by the pyramid scheme phenomenon and it did not stage any protest until last Saturday, at about 19.30 when armed gangs from outside Saranda went into the city, provoked police, and rioted all the state institutions in that city.

    There were rumors at the beginning that the gang was from Vlora but they were not confirmed. pas/xh/e

    [07] HANI I HOTIT BORDER CROSSING POINT NOT BLOCKED

    KOPLIK, MARCH 4 (ATA)- By M. Malja,

    The Hani i Hotit border crossing point in the Malesi e Madhe district, Northern Albania, is not blocked.

    The customs director of the railway region in Albania, Engjell Leka, said that the work at the Hani i Hotit border point has not stopped for any moment.

    But with the introduction of the state of emergency in the country, the Hani i Hotit customs point has been operating only between 7.00 and 19.00.

    The traders of the Shkoder and Malesi e Madhe districts have been normally exchanging goods between the two sides of the border (Albania-Montenegro). eva/lm/E

    [08] PROCESS OF PRIVATIZATION IN THE RIGHT TRACK

    The process of privatization of small and medium enterprises in Mati district, central Albania, is moving ahead as planned.

    "For 22 enterprises, this process can be considered finished," told Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Fatmir Gjuci, chairman of National Privatization Agency of the district.

    Things are going well in enterprises of trade, construction and agriculture. This process is backed up by the use of vouchers and supporting laws regarding the privatization process.

    During the first two months of the year some 17 objects are being sold, with a four million lek profit for the budget. Only 20 percent of this sum is paid in cash.

    Some 168 objects were sold during the last year, with a value estimated to be around 30 million leks. In the process of privatization, problems are encountered with the privatization of wheat and wood processing companies, for which the necessary documents are not drafted yet.

    [09] FOUR KILLED AND 42 INJURED IN VLORE HOSPITAL IN THE LAST THREE DAYS

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - Referring to a report from the department of Vlore hospital on March 4, 1997, the Health Ministry says that 42 people have been hospitalized in the last three days in the hospital of Vlore. All of them had injures caused by fire arms, whereas four people were killed. They are Shamet Myzyri, who died while being taken to hospital, Astrit Hodaj, 30, Emine Hoxhalla, 8, and Shkelqim Selimi, who was brought to hospital a day ago.

    The situation in the hospital is tense, spokesman of Health Ministry says. Doctors have been threatened and volleys of bullets were heard fired in hospital corridors. Armed people have entered the theater halls as well. Hospital food warehouses have also been looted. ake/jz/xh/E

    [10] TERRORIST REBELS IN VLORE EXECUTING FOUR CITIZENS AND WOUNDING MANY OTHERS

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA)-Groups of terrorists linked with the extreme left in Vlore executed yesterday four citizens and wounded many others who were going to surrender weapons, responding to the state of emergency law.

    The arms of the terrorists have killed 19 people and wounded tens of others in Vlore recently.

    According to the testimony provided by various citizens to the TV on phone the situation in the Vlore hospital is very shocking. The communist rebels are creating terror inside the hospital, gunshots are heard and the doctors are prevented from coming to the prisoners' aid.

    The same sources confirm that the communist rebels have been seen to raid the hospital.

    A source from Vlore, who did not want to be identified, has told ATA on phone that armed bands have taken positions on the apartment buildings tops terrorizing the inhabitants, who are shut up home, and even making impossible to them to go shopping.

    The shops are closed and people are supplied with food through personal acquaintance.

    "The weapons are in the hands of the people who a short awhile ago had engaged in illegal activity, mainly illegal traffic and prostitution. Only the army can save us from the situation created," the source from Vlore said. kled/lm/sh/

    [11] REPORT OF ALBANIA'S INTERIOR MINISTRY

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - A four-year-girl, Shqiponja Rrapi lost her life while playing in the yard of her house from arms fire and three others were wounded as a result of the explosions and grenades used in Vlore city today.

    Spokesman of the Interior Ministry reports that on the grounds of operational information about the situation in the city of Vlore, the terrorist groups continued opening fire with arms today.

    The three children wounded by explosives are now under medical treatment in the hospital of Vlore.xh/sh/

    [12] INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE SERVICES ACTIVE

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA)- All the international airline services linking Tirana with several European capitals and cities have been normally operating also after the imposition of the state of emergency, Rinas airport officials told ATA.

    The travelers' movement to and from Albania responds to the normal average quotas, like other days, the officials confirm.

    All the bus lines in the capital have been normally operating. Also, the bus lines between towns, except for some southern areas in which the situation is tense, have been functioning without any problem yesterday and today. a.gj/kled/lm/E

    [13] CORRECTION

    In our story headlined "About 3000 people in Saranda demand creation of an 'Autonomous Municipal Council'" the beginning of the 3d paragraph should read:

    "Saranda is a small city in Southern Albania, in the district of which live almost 20 000 Greek minority people."

    [14] ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE IN SARANDA DEMAND CREATION OF AN "AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPAL COMMISSION"

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - About 3000 people gathered in Saranda today and asked for the creation of an "Autonomous Municipal Commission," AFP reports today.

    Yesterday a group of terrorists have pressurized the chairman of the Saranda Municipality Capajev Zera not to accept the declaring of the state of emergency in that city.

    Saranda is a small city in Southern Albania, in the district of which live almost 20 000 Greek minority people. This city was not affected by the pyramid scheme phenomenon and it did not stage any protest until last Saturday, at about 19.30 when armed gangs from outside Saranda went into the city, provoked police, and rioted all the state institutions in that city.

    There were rumors at the beginning that the gang was from Vlora but they were not confirmed.

    The gang stormed SHIK building, the port, it broke into the prison and freed the prisoners who were serving various punishments for ordinary crimes, it broke into the Savings Bank, rioted the police station where it looted about 400 arms, and some private speedboats who were in the port and set them to fire. The gang broke into the foreign currency agency in the port of Saranda and set fire to the city library as well.

    The terror in Saranda also continued on March 2, with INSIG and social insurances buildings set to fire, the naval unit and another military unit near the city occupied, the democratic party branch headquarters set ablaze creating suddenly a psychosis of terror in that city. pas/xh/

    [15] FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE UNCHANGED IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - Declaration of the state of emergency in Albania has not influenced in the foreign currency market in Tirana.

    Although the USD in the foreign currency markets rose yesterday in exchange with other main foreign currencies, the average exchange rate in Tirana yesterday was 1 USD = 145 lek in selling and 146 lek in buying, which is the same exchange level with that of March 1 and lower than that of the last days of February when one dollar was exchanged with 155 lek.

    Today before noon, the Savings Bank bought 1 USD with 142.5 lek and sold it with 146.5 lek, whereas in the free currency market, one dollar was bought with 145 lek and sold at 146 lek.

    Exchange rate of lek with foreign currencies on March 4, 1997 is as follows:

    Savings Bank

    Currency Buying Selling 1 USD 142.5 146.5 1 DM 83.3 86.4 1000 lira 83.6 86.6 100 drachma 52 55

    agj/kled/xh/sh/

    [16] FOUR CITIZENS EXECUTED AND MANY OTHERS WOUNDED BY TERRORIST REBELS IN VLORE

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA)-Groups of terrorists linked with the extreme left in Vlore executed yesterday four citizens and wounded many others who were going to surrender weapons, responding to the state of emergency law.

    The arms of the terrorists have killed 19 people and wounded tens of others in Vlore recently.

    According to the testimony provided by various citizens to the TV on phone the situation in the Vlore hospital is very shocking. The communist rebels are creating terror inside the hospital, gunshots are heard and the doctors are prevented from coming to the prisoners' aid.

    The same sources confirm that the communist rebels have been seen to raid the hospital.

    A source from Vlore, who did not want to be identified, has told ATA on phone that armed bands have taken positions on the apartment buildings tops terrorizing the inhabitants, who are shut up home, and even making impossible to them to go shopping.

    The shops are closed and people are supplied with food through personal acquaintance.

    "The weapons are in the hands of the people who a short awhile ago had engaged in illegal activity, mainly illegal traffic and prostitution. Only the army can save us from the situation created," the source from Vlore said. kled/lm/E

    [17] "KAMBERI" TO BEGIN REIMBURSING CREDITORS AFTER SITUATION CALMS DOWN

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA)- By S. Sharrexhi,

    The "Kamberi" loan-taking company will start distributing capital investment to its creditors, right after the easing of the situation in Albania, the president of the company, Ferdinant Kamberi, says through a press release.

    "The distribution of capital investment would begin on March 3, 1997. But because of the tense situation in Vlore and several other neighbouring districts, upon the approval of the creditors' representatives, was considered reasonable that the distribution does not start until the citizens' tranquility is restored," the announcement says. eva/lm/E

    [18] "MAY BE SP IS BEHIND THE ATTACKS OF BARRACKS IN VLORE" - Italian citizen declares -

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - According to an Italian citizen, who left Monday from Vlore, after the operation to evacuate 35 foreign citizens, may be the Socialist Party is behind the recent events in Vlore and the attacks of the barracks, which is encouraging (the people) in its effort to get the power.

    The Italian citizen confessed this in response to the question made by a journalist of RAI whether "is it true that there is a strong hand behind the attacks of the barracks".

    His testimony comes from Brindisi after the successful operation of the Italian Army helped by the Albanian government.

    SP, which has supported the protests of Vlore citizens in search of their money lost in pyramid schemes, has not published any official pronouncement to distance itself from killings, torching and destructions in Vlore and other Southern districts. /kei/mt/k

    [19] CDP AND CUDP APPEAL ON PEOPLE AND POLITICAL PARTIES TO STAY COOL AND BE TOLERANT

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 /ATA/ - The Christian Democratic Party and Christian Union Democratic Party appealed Tuesday to Albanian people and political parties to stay cool and show tolerance in this difficult situation the country is experiencing.

    "CDP and CUDP appeal to all Albanian people to stay calm and be tolerant, obeying to the public order and National Information Service bodies, which have a great duty to establish stability in Albania," the statement quotes.

    These two political forces in their statement call on all political forces "to give in for the important national issue, which is endangered by terrorist bands."

    In the current situation various political parties and association have appealed to the people to stay calm and distance themselves from armed terrorist bands.

    Meanwhile, the Socialist Party and its allies have not made yet such calls, but continue to keep silence towards the bandits' terror.

    CDP and CUDP in their statement congratulate Sali Berisha, President of the Republic for its second term in this post and wish him a quick overcome of the extraordinary situation in Albania.

    Also they appeal on, that after the overcome of the situation and tension drop, the political parties to sit on a table without conditions and prejudices for the further steps of democracy in Albania./a.fr/gen/k

    [20] DISTRICT COUNCIL AND POLITICAL PARTIES ENGAGED IN NORMALIZING SITUATION IN SARANDE

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - Press Office of the Albanian Government reported Tuesday regarding events in Sarande that despite the efforts of terrorist groups in this city, the District Council, as well as the political parties are engaged seriously to take all the measures to normalize the situation.

    The district council and the political parties in Sarande have established a working staff on this purpose, and helped by the citizens they have taken a series of measures to distance from the red terrorist groups.

    This staff is engaged to provide services for the population. The news broadcasted by AFP and RAI, according to which, the citizens of Sarande have asked the establishment of a autonomous commission, is not true, says the announcement of the government office. /kei/mt/k

    [21] CALM SITUATION IN DURRES, BERAT AND ELBASAN TOWNS

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 /ATA/ - The situation in coastal town of Durresi, 40 km far from Tirana, after the establishment of emergency rule, is calm now. People are obeying measures taken on this occasion.

    After a brief anomaly during the first day of emergency rule, now the situation on bakeries is totally normalized.

    All passengers and ferries commute regularly to Italy daily based on the time table.

    The situation in Berat, Tuesday is going toward normalization, inhabitants have agreed on emergency rule execution.

    Also, in Elbasani town and in three districts of this prefecture prevails a calm situation. According to Elbasani Police Commissariat sources not a single incident has occurred in the whole zone. /kei

    [22] UNICEF WORRIED ABOUT CHILDREN' SITUATION IN ALBANIA

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 /ATA/ - UNICEF's office in Tirana is deeply worried regarding the latest news on the murdered and wounded children during the violent events in Albania, reports an announcement issued Tuesday for the press.

    UNICEF is also worried about news of armed teenagers ready for combat, (in the southern part of Albania, where terrorist bands have stolen arms from army barracks.)

    "We remind all parties, that Albania has ratified the convention for the children's right in 1992," UNICEF announcement said.

    UNICEF calls on all people to avoid children's mingling in violent acts and work together for their protection and for the quick return of necessary conditions, concludes the report./kei

    [23] CHAOTIC SITUATION IN VLORA TOWN

    VLORE, MARCH 4 /ATA/ - The situation in Vlora town, according to various sources from the town, remained chaotic on Tuesday.

    "People move around the town armed with various types of arms, shooting them any time, while bomb explosions are heard", a citizen contacted by phone told ATA at about 6 p.m.

    Meantime, lack of food articles is evident in many stores. According to another citizen, contacted by telephone, "can be said that merchant service does not exist in town, for the goods or are bought or looted by people."

    The same source told ATA that in 18.15 p.m. VEFA supermarket was set ablaze. Meantime according to the above mentioned sources hundred of citizens have looted considerable quantities of wheat, worth of 3000 tons, from the state depot in the outskirts of Vlora town. /kei/

    [24] SITUATION IN GJIROKASTER AND NEARBY VILLAGES IS UNDER CONTROL

    GJIROKASTER, MARCH 4 (ATA) - The situation in Gjirokaster and nearby villages was under control on Tuesday evening. Along the road Jergucat-Tepelene are set up roadblocks with tanks, armoured vehicles and armed troops which maintain order and tranquillity.

    In Jergucat (18 km far from the city and near the boarder with Greece), key point in the whole zone of Dropull, and in Vrisera, the rebellious forces looted two shops two days ago.

    A rumor was spread out that two trucks with criminals came Tuesday in Gjirokater, which was not true.

    The tanks of the Albanian Army have moved on the road Jergucat-Tepelene. There is no armoured vehicle deployed in the Gjirokaster city.

    The roadblock of Jergucat, reinforced with armoured vehicles, makes impossible for the criminals to come from Saranda and Delvina in the zone of Dropull.

    There have also been attempts to loot the milk plant in Libohove, property of the collapsed pyramid company "Gjallica", but the reservists intervened and the wrongdoers left in panic.

    Along with Gjirokaster, where are taken all the measures to protect public and administration objects, the post office, automatic central, bakeries, etc, the situation have been normal on Tuesday even in the nearby villages of this district. /kei/mt/

    [25] SHIK OFFICER, MASSACRED BY TERRORIST GANGS IN VLORE, BURIED

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - On Monday evening, in the village of Cernice, district of Tropoje, Northern Albania, was held the burying ceremony of the SHIK officer, Lek Cokaj, 32, married and with a child, massacred by the terrorist gangs in Vlore by dawn of March 1st.

    "The coffin and the killed are not desecrated. This was done by criminals, this was not done by the Vlore citizens, but by those have sold their spirit to the devil and particularly to our secular enemies who attacked Albania when it had been in deplorable situation", said the victim's father, Fran áokaj.

    "My son was killed, but I call on all people to calm down, regardless of political affiliation, and to love Albania", he added.

    Four officers of the National Information Service were killed on March 1st in the Vlore city during the interior attack of some terrorist gangs on the SHIK building, and another was thrown down from the second floor of the building and although injured he was maltreated by the terrorist group that stormed the building. /kei/mt/k

    [26] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - President of Albania Sali Berisha today declared that he was committed that the implementation of the state of emergency have the less possible consequences in the infringement of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the nationals and guaranteed that the freedoms and rights envisaged as invulnerable by the Constitutional Law of the country and the Conventions where Albania is a party be not affected during this time.

    The forces for the crushing of the rebellion will make all efforts to facilitate the existence of the civil population and to save their lives and assets.

    The President of the Republic ensures that the law on the limits for the press be used in minimum and that it does not cover foreign language medias. xh/k

    [27] CORRECTION

    In the "Press Release of Albanian President's Press and Information Office" the third paragraph should read:

    "The President of the Republic ensures that the law on the limits for the press be used in minimum and that it does not cover foreign medias".

    [28] MEDIA OFFICE NEAR LOCAL STAFF OF STATE OF EMERGENCY OPENED IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - The local staff of the state of emergency in Tirana reports that beginning from March 3d the media office is created near it whose duty is to supervise the implementation of article 4 of the law no. 8195, dated 3.3.1997 "On some measures in the context of state of emergency".

    According to this article, the media office near the local staff of the state of emergency controls its implementation by media structures, of their legal obligation not to publish, distribute or broadcast materials which incite or call for violent acts against the national security, constitutional order, public security and the life of the individual.

    This office prohibits only the publication and distribution of materials (articles, announcements, news, etc) which have such content, and not the publication of full numbers of newspapers and magazines. In cases when the press organs change the content of materials, or in another way act contrary to the provision of article 4 of the above law, after taking the approval for publication by the media office, this office blocks the respective number.

    The local staff informs the public opinion that the nonpublication of the press organs today, on March 4, 1997, has nothing to do with the activity of the media office near this staff. From all press organs, only Rilindja Demokratike has asked approval for publication, which was put on sale today. The other press bodies have not published their regular numbers.

    The local staff informs that it is in complete disposition of press organs to implement the legal requests aiming to guarantee continues and regular information. /s.sh/mt/k

    [29] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT'S PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - Today Albanian President Sali Berisha had a meeting with the Secretary General of the Socialist Party, Rexhep Mejdani, and SP secretaries Namik Dokle and Pandeli Majko.

    Attending the meeting also were Mr Tritan Shehu and Mr Kolec Topalli.

    Socialist Party leaders demanded from the President:

    - the freeze of the state of emergency

    - the creation of an all Albanian technocrat government, in which all political parties be represented

    - organization of a round table discussion with all the parties.

    They declared to the President that their failure to come in the afternoon meeting of March 1 was a misunderstanding.

    President Berisha declared to those present that in the morning meeting of March 1, he had offered them as option a maximal political solution in order to avoid bloodshed, but you, said the President, considered it a sign of weakness or capitulation of the state institutions in face of violence and terror. My offers for maximal political solutions, without changing the constitutional laws, had to do with my determination to prevent a bloodshed, which you have interpreted in a very wrong way.

    You refused the meeting on which we had agreed upon together and which we had set to take place on March 1, 1997, in the afternoon, but your response was the organization of armed rebellion. For this, the democratic state laws will define each one's responsibility. I want to once more declare to you and those who advice you my unshakable determination for the full observation of the constitutional laws. Extension of the presidential mandate, in which you insisted, may happen in the republics where presidential putsches take place, but this will never occur in Albania.

    Any attempt to project this country outside European spaces in which it has emerged, will fail.

    I offered you a political solution in the name of the loftiest interests, be it my not standing for a second term, or the public guarantee which I have previously offered you, that in case you win in elections, I will not accept to share power with you even for four days. And then you may elect the President you want.

    With regard to a technocrat Government, you are speaking now differently from what you said in the meeting of March 1.

    In the latest meeting you declared that you too do not request and do not accept a coalition with the Democratic Party, whereas now you declared to me that with a technocrat Government you mean an all-Albanian government, a government with all the parties, with your presence as well.

    Socialist Party representatives said that their presence in that government does not imply a coalition.

    Your concept is wrong, said President Berisha, because one can speak of a government coalition only when a government consists of representatives of more than a political force.

    According to constitutional laws of this country, the President does not form the Government, but he appoints the Prime Minister. I cannot surpass my competence and cannot impose the party and the parties with whom they can make a coalition and I am against a Democratic Party-Socialist Party coalition. I will strictly observe the constitutional laws of this country. I am completely open to dialogue, but dialogue cannot be held outside the spaces of constitutional laws.

    I back up the idea of a round table among the parties, but I, as a President, have not legal competence to lead a round table discussion of the parties.

    I will always remain open to you and other forces for meeting and dialogue, as for the round table discussion, it must be organized by the parties themselves.

    But, I have to stress once more that you decided to repress the constitutional law and democracy in Albania through an armed rebellion and created a very great problem for the country. I invite you to send to court your leaders who are involved in its organization.

    On this occasion, I invite you to call on rebels to surrender their weapons.

    With regard to a freeze of the state of emergency, the President underlined that the restitution of the constitutional law and insurance of the country's integrity are most urgent present objectives and I will respect to the end the decisions of the Albanian Parliament. xh/k

    [30] SOME 3500 WEAPONS COLLECTED IN FIER

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) - According to the reports from the Fier prefecture, right after the introduction of the state of emergency on Sunday, some 3500 weapons, thousands of cartridges and different munition are collected. There are many others surrendered in communes and continue to be handed in near police bodies by different citizens.

    According to the prefect of Fier, Haki Mustafa, many weapons and munition are found on the streets, canals and fields. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

    [31] GENERAL CHIEF OF THE MILITARY STAFF RELEASED FROM HIS DUTY

    TIRANA, MARCH 4 (ATA) General Chief of the Albanian Military Staff, Sheme Kosova has been released from his duty, due to insufficient security measures related to lack of respect of the military regulations and orders which caused dhe destruction of several military objects and robbing from them of considerable quantities of and ammunitions by the terrorist groups, the Press Office of Council of Ministers announces./kei
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