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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-06Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] OSCE permanent council decides to increase monitors on Albania-Kosova borderVIENNA, June 5 (ATA) - In response to the worsening situation in Kosova, the permanent council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) decided on Thursday to increase the number of the OSCE monitors to 30 on Albania's border with Kosova.At Thursday's council meeting, delegates also discussed reports by the OSCE border monitors of heavy shelling by Serbian forces and the devastation of whole villages along the Kosova-Albania border. They condemned the escalation of violence in Kosova which has resulted in the movement of thousands of displaced persons and refugees. The OSCE states called on both sides in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to cease violence. They expressed the hope that talks tomorrow in Prishtina would move the negotiating process forward by tackling issues of substance. Serious concern was also expressed about the refusal by Serbian authorities to allow access to the international Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and other humanitarian organisations. Speaking at the Council meeting, ICRC president Cornelio Sommaragu said the Serb security forces were blocking access to the area in and around Decan. Belgrade authorities were called upon to allow immediate and full access to all organisations working to alleviate human suffering in Kosova. The OSCE operation to monitor the border has started in March 1998 with the aim of reporting on the situation along the border with Kosova. In close cooperation with the European Union monitoring mission (ECMM) and the West European Union (WEU), this operation serves also to facilitate the work of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ICRC and other international and humanitarian organisations in the region. This monitoring mission is part of the Tirana-based OSCE mission and the monitoring office in the border area, Bajram Curri and Kukes. It also has offices in Shkoder, Vlore and Gjirokaster. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Albanian government to accord 50 million leks for Kosova refugeesTIRANA, June 5 (ATA) - The Albanian government will accord 50 million leks from the state reserves to help the Kosovar refugees coming in Tropoje (North), based on the draft-decisions approved Friday "For offering aid to the families who shelter refugees," and "For several measures to strengthen the state structures to cope with the urgent situation created by the arrival of the Kosovar refugees," PM spokesman reported.The Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, told the government meeting that the amount worth 50 million leks will be accorded to the Ministry of Local Government and will be administrated by local units where the refugees have been accommodated. Based on the draft-decision "For offering aid to the families who shelter refugees," there will be a level of compensation worth 1.500 leks a month for the Tropoja families which have accommodated the Kosova Albanians. UNHCR (The United Nations High Commission for Refugees) sent Friday in Tropoja 35 tons of food stuff and medicaments for the Kosova refugees (90% of the Albanian population) mostly women and children who came in Albania fleeing terror. "We have increased the contacts with our western partners and allies to provide within the legal limits the presence in Albania and the region of an NATO military structure and the Western European Union (WEU) to stop the military operations and the Serbian genocide in Kosova," said Nano. Premier Nano urged the Ministry of Order and that of Defence to intensify the fight against the illegal arm trafficking and men smuggling, which can bring the destabilization of the situation in the country and the region." In the end of his speech, PM Nano called on all state structures and particularly on the political parties "to immediately stop the attacks against the government for party interests and the use of the situation for electoral interests by maintaining a responsible stand in order not to play with the nation's fate. /a.ke/mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Unidentified persons beat guard of Socialist party headquartersTIRANA, June 6 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Two unidentified persons beat on Friday night K.A., 25, the guard of the Socialist party headquarters and resident of Tirana, a spokesman of the police department said to ATA on Saturday.He said that the guard was beaten when he was routinely controlling the rear of the building in Tirana. Investigations are underway to establish the motives and identify those responsible. s.s/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Serbian forces set Pobergje village ablazePRISHTINA, June 6 (ATA) - The Serbian forces have torched almost all the houses of Pobergje village in the commune of Decan (Kosova), meanwhile that the exact number of victims is still unknown, the Kosova Information Center reported.In the villages of Dollove, Grabanice, Bokshiq, Çeskove, Kepuz and Zajm, which were attacked and torched by the Serbian forces, it is not allowed the movement of inhabitants towards their houses. The inhabitants of the commune Kline are facing lack of bread and medicaments, meanwhile that the telephonic connection has been interrupted. /p.ta/mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Serb patrols control Mitrovice-Skenderaj motorwayPRISHTINE, June 6 (ATA) - Serb patrols of 8 to 10 people have been placed in every 100 meters along the Mitrovica-Skenderaj motorway since Friday early in the morning, the Center for Information of Kosova said referring to the sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Mitrovice. pta/mima/ak/Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Republicans urge creation of national defence councilTIRANA, June 6 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: Leader of the Republican party Fatmir Haxhiu told a news conference on Saturday that his party reiterated its position for a national defense council, which will be open to all political forces in an out of Albania's state borders.The Republicans expressed their support for the policy of Kosova president Ibrahim Rugova and praised the determination of the Kosova people in defence of ethnic territories as an expression of a high patriotic tradition and request for a fundamental solution to the Kosova issue. Mediu considered the war in Kosova not only as an expression of Serbia's aims for ethnic cleansing of Albanians but also a real danger for Albania's integrity and independence. He expressed reservations towards the policy followed by the Albanian government for a solution to the Kosova issue. "The fact that the Albanian government applauds every decision of the Contact Group is linked with its wish to prolong its ruling and not with the real predisposition to resolve the Kosova issue," Mediu said. s.s/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Guardia di Finanza intercepts dinghies with Albanians aboardDURRES, June 6 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Motorboats of the Guardia di Finanza forces managed to intercept on Friday night five dinghies with Albanian refugees aboard which had left the Vlora shore for Italy, a spokesman of the Guardia di Finanza mission comprising Italian and Albanian personnel and deployed in Durres, central Albania, said.The same source said that the dinghies refused to turn back but headed for Italy in full speed. But finding themselves followed by the patrol motorboats they were obliged to turn back to the shore. "The dinghies leaving from Vlora for Italy are 10 to 12 meters long with two to three powerful motors. The maximum capacity is around 10 persons aboard but they carry thrice the capacity thus risking the lives of the passengers," the spokesman said. The Italian-Albanian mission of Guardia di Finanza is successfully working for the last six months in the framework of the Italian INTERFORCE mission to fight goods and people trafficking. Forces of the Customs Assistance mission on Sea (CAMSEA) have joined the mission on May 25 to help fight sea contraband. /ake/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] UNHCR representative hails solidarity among AlbaniansBAJRAM CURRI, June 6 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha: Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Andrei Harper, who is in Tropoje (northern Albania) for several days now, has highlighted the great solidarity of the Albanians to shelter and assist the refugees from Kosova who fled to escape the savage Serb violence and repression against innocent people.The UNHCR brought last Friday 35 tons of assistance, mainly food, mattresses, beds etc., for the refugees. Assistance contingents have been provided, besides UNHCR also from the International Red Cross, "Doctors without borders," etc. Other refugees continued to arrive in Albania on Friday, but their number is lower than the previous days. So far, the local government have registered 7 400 refugees coming from the western Kosove where fightings are taking place, but their number is presumed to be over 11 000. The district council secretary, Isa Kulici said that during the past two days, averagely 300-400 people from Kosova have arrived. The refugees are sheltered not only in the commune of Tropoje and the town of Bajram Curri (the centre), 10 km southwest of Tropoje,) but also in the communes of Bujan, Llugaj, Margegaj of this district. Many of the refugees are going to lowland cities and areas to find shelter in their relatives. /s.s./pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Greek Minister of Transports to visit TiraneTIRANE, June 6 (ata) - The Minister of Transports and Communications of Greece, Anastas Mandelis, will pay a working visit to Albania from June 8- 10 at the invitation of the Albanian Minister of Public Affairs and Transports, Gaqo Apostoli, the Greek embassy in Tirane reported.During his stay in Albania, Minister Mandelas will meet Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, Premier Fatos Nano and the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi. The Greek Minister will meet and have talks with his Albanian counterpart on the development of bilateral relations in the field of transport and communication, with the Minister of Economy and Privatization, Ylli Bufi, the Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade, Ermelinda Meksi and with the State Secretary for European Integration, Ilir Meta. /s.s./pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Bombing in Gjakove outskirts- A child and a youngster killed -PRISHTINE, June 6 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Since early morning hours today Serbian forces deployed in Suken i Biteshit started attacks with heavy artillery pieces against the villages Shaptej, Gramacel, Baballoq, in the outskirts of Gjakove and Decan (Western Kosove, near the border with Albania.) A three year boy, Leutrim Aga, from Gramacel was killed in his bed, a young man was killed in Bablloq and three other people were wounded. Sources of the Council for the Defence of the Human Rights in Gjakove report that today's bombing ruined scores of homes which are now in flames, while Serb forces units from Gjakove went in the direction of the villages near the Kosove-Albania border and Decan. /p.ta/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] German and Austrian senior diplomats in PrishtinePRISHTINE, June 6 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: President Rugova had today a closed-door meeting with the political director of Foreign Ministry of Germany, Wolfgang Ischinger, envoy of the German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, in Kosove.Rugova returned from Italy to Kosove, thus calling off his visits to some of Europe's countries. A night before, the Foreign Minister of Austria, Schussel, was in Prishtine and met with the members of the negotiating group and the advisers of Kosova's President Rugova, namely Dr Fehmi Agani and Veton Surroi. Mr Schussel went to Prishtine from Belgrade, while the German high diplomat went to Kosove following a visit to Tirane. /p.ta/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albanian monarchists ask urgent stationing of NATO troops in KosoveTIRANE, June (ata) - By A Haxhiu: Albanian monarchists told a news conference on Saturday that NATO troops must be stationed in Kosove."Albanians government must urgently demand the deployment of NATO forces in Kosove," said Ekerem Spahia, chairman of the party Movement of Legality, urging the Albanian government to strongly demand from international institutions an urgent operation to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosove. Spahia stressed that the Albanian Government and the entire Albanian people must make more to assist Kosova brothers who have come to Albania to escape Serb violence and terror. Monarchists' leader, who replaced in April Guri Durollari, qualified as a farce the trial for Leka Zogu. Last Friday, the prosecutor's office started the trial in absentia for the pretender to the royal throne Leka Zogu and his Minister of the Court, Abedin Mulosmani. The two monarchy representatives are accused "as organizers of armed uprising to topple the constitutional order." The charge is related with July 3, 1997, when Leka Zogu, armed and in a military uniform and amidst a group of monarchy advocates, marched towards the Palace of Congresses in Tirane, protesting against the results issued by the Central Election Commission for the referendum to decide between monarchy and republic, was held, and when the alternative for the republic won 66.74 per cent. /s.s./pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Albania signs BSEC fundamental CharterTIRANA, June 6 (ATA)-President of the Republic of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, along with leaders from the countries ringing the Black Sea, signed the fundamental Charter of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) group in Yalta of Ukraine on Friday.According to the press office close to the President of the Republic, Albania and the other Black Sea member countries signed for the creation of a new space of unlimited economic ties to cover a larger territory than that represented by the European Union, in 11 countries with more than 400 million inhabitants. The cooperation will consist of communication, telecommunication, trade, tourism, ecology and other sectors. The cooperation to build the eighth corridor, which was called by Meidani as "Humane corridor" is worth mentioning. Meidani and his delegation, also including Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, sensitised the participants on the dangerous situation in Kosova. The Kosova issue was present in the bilateral talks between the President of the Republic and his counterparts, Demirel, Stojanov, Shevardnadze, Kuchma, Greek Prime Minister Simitis and others. The President of the Turkish Republic called on the international community to intervene to peacefully resolve the Kosova issue. Many of Meidani's interlocutors showed evolution in their position on characterising the situation in Kosova, the consequences for the region and the ways of resolving it. Meidani devoted a considerable part of his speech to the grave situation in Kosova, economic, social, psychological issues, emerging with the arrival in Northern Albania of the forcibly displaced from Kosova, and the need for an international presence that would avoid radicalisation of the situation. "I feel sure that the perspective of a peaceful solution of the crisis in Kosova, where more than 90 per cent of the population is ethnic Albania, will have the support of the BSEC participating countries". Meidani appealed that the ethnic cleansing in Kosova is restrained. "In fact, a war is being waged in Kosova. More than 20 000 Albanians have left their homes and hundreds of others have been killed," he said. /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Constitution Commission approves four other chaptersTIRANA, June 6 (ATA)-Four other chapters have been added to the draft of the Albanian constitution. The commission engaged in its drafting also approved the chapters on the Armed forces, Emergency Measures, Public Finance and Senior State Control, in Durres on Saturday.According to the commission's press adviser the chapters have been approved by the commission members' full consensus. /a.ke/das/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Meidani urges international presence and pressure in KosovaTIRANA, June 6 (ATA)-At the last news conference, after the BSEC flag was hoisted, Meidani told reporters that "immediate international presence and pressure is required in Kosova so that the road of dialogue wins to resolve this issue."If asked about the situation in Kosova, Meidani would declare:"In fact there is a war, where whole villages have been scorched and some 20 000 other Albanians have left their hearths". Kosova topped the agenda of the bilateral meetings with the Ukraine, Bulgarian, Turkish, Georgian presidents as well as with Greek Prime Minister Simitis. In his meeting with the Ukraine President Kuchma, the latter, besides strengthening all-level bilateral relations, expressed the readiness of his country to contribute to the stabilisation of the situation and solution of the Kosova issue, depending on the evoution of the conflict there. After the meeting with Turkish counterpart Demirel, Meidani told a news conference that: "I and my friend President Demirel hold the same opinion on the Kosova situation". Demirel said:"I call on the whole civilised world to help resolve the issue of Kosova, whose crisis might spill over to the whole region". Greek Prime Minister Simitis said in his meeting with President Meidani that "the best solution is that through peaceful means and this solution should be acceptable for both sides". In the Foreign Ministry meeting, the chairman of the meeting, the minister of Ukraine, Boris Tarasiuk, expressed the concern of the participating countries over the very grave situation in Kosova and asked the BSEC Secretary General to handle it in the nearest meeting of this organisation. Meidani and Milo pronounced themselves on the situation in Kosova for all the world news agencies following this summit. /a.ke/das/lm/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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