SOUTH AFRICA: EXILED ALBANIAN KING LEKA PREDICTS UNREST IN HIS HOME COUNTRY AND SAYS HE WILL STEP IN IF THE GOVERNMENT FALLS
Record ID:
649352
SOUTH AFRICA: EXILED ALBANIAN KING LEKA PREDICTS UNREST IN HIS HOME COUNTRY AND SAYS HE WILL STEP IN IF THE GOVERNMENT FALLS
- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: EXILED ALBANIAN KING LEKA PREDICTS UNREST IN HIS HOME COUNTRY AND SAYS HE WILL STEP IN IF THE GOVERNMENT FALLS
- Date: 12th February 1997
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (FEBRUARY 12, 1997) (RTV) GV EXTERIOR KING LEKA'S HOUSE WITH BARBED WIRE (2 SHOTS) 0.11 SLV KING LEKA WITH HIS DOGS, GUN HOLSTER ON HIP 0.30 SCU KING LEKA SAYS: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND WE EXPECT THE PRIME .. MINISTER TO RESIGN SOMETIME TODAY OR TOMORROW. ALL THE PARTIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE NOW DEMANDING A REFERENDUM. (ENGLISH) 1.18 SV LEKA WITH REPORTER 1.19 SCU LEKA SAYS: I AM NOT INTERESTED IN AN ARMED INSURRECTION, IT WOULD BE VERY WRONG BECAUSE THERE'S ENOUGH PROBLEMS IN ALBANIA AT THIS STAGE NOT TO CREATE MORE... ALL THE REPORTS THAT I'M GETTING IS THAT THE ONLY PERSON THAT THEY SEEM TO HAVE ANY TRUST IN IS MYSELF. (ENGLISH) 1.43 SCU LEKA ADDRESSES PEOPLE OF ALBANIA IN ALBANIAN: DO NOT CARRY OUT YOUR DEMONSTRATIONS WITH VIOLENCE, DO THEM PEACEFULLY, MAKE YOUR DEMANDS THROUGH PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS AND ASK FOR YOUR RIGHTS. DEMAND YOUR RIGHTS. AND DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRESIDENT. (ALBANIAN) 2.29 SV LEKA AND REPORTER 2.33 Initials S3 P3 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 27th February 1997 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Royalty
- Reuters ID: LVABUJ9AOBHJO9EK3F9NAWUE9EYQ
- Story Text: - INTRO: Albania's exiled King Leka has predicted the wave of civil unrest in his home country will force Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi's resignation within 24 hours, and says he is ready to step in.
Leka Zogu, who aspires to reinstate the Albanian monarchy founded by his father King Zog in 1928, called on Albanians to press for the government's resignation over the failed pyramid savings schemes which have driven hundreds of thousands of investors in poverty.
In an interview with Reuters in his home near Johannesburg, Leka said he saw the civil revolt as a sign it was time to position himself for a possible takeover, but ruled out armed insurrection.
"All the reports that I am getting from Albania at this moment are that the only person they have any interest in is myself," the 57-year-old Leka said.
"We expect Prime Minister Meksi to resign sometime today or tomorrow. All the parties with the exception of the Democratic Party are now demanding a referendum." Leka said Albanians in contact with him did not trust the government. In a message to his homeland, he said: "My brothers and sisters... Make your demands through peaceful demonstrations. Ask for your rights and demand the resignation of this present government." An exceptionally tall man with a crew-cut grey hair, Leka wore a holstered pistol at his side throughout the interview. His South African home is protected by armed guards and five Boxer dogs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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