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Albanian Telegraphic Agency
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April 18, 1997
"WE FAVOUR POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS DEADLINE" Chairman of National Front
TIRANA, APRIL 17 (ATA) - By R.Floqi, The chairman of the National Front, Abaz Ermenji, told a news conference Thursday, after his return home, that his party was for putting off the elections deadline. "The situation at home is not suitable for elections as people are armed and as a result the elections would not be free. Therefore we are for putting them off to one or two months". Ermenji said that his party would continue to consider the dialogue of the National Front and that it was for an alliance with the right wing parties which were for the implementation of democratic principles. Ermenji left Albania after the May 26 elections. Asked regarding the stand of his party towards Leka Zogu, pretender to the royal throne, Ermenji said that "he like every Albanian concerned over Albania has the right to return to his homeland," but he has no right to claim to be successor of a dynasty, which ended in 1939. However he has the right to ask for the people to express themselves whether they are for a monarchy or not by a referendum". Asked about the time of holding the referendum in relation to the parliamentary elections, Ermenji said:"The elections will be held first and then the referendum". kei/lm/k
Le site de l'Agence Télégraphique Albanaise (http://www.hri.org/news/balkans/ata).