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Albanian Times, Vol. 2, No. 6, February 12, 1996From: Albanian Times <AlbaTimes@aol.com>The Albanian Times (by AlbAmerica TRade & Consulting International) DirectoryCONTENTS[1] Euro Poll Favors Rightist Parties[2] Albania Rejects Proposal on Belgrade's Readmission to OSCE[3] Albania Pledges Stronger Military Ties With U.S.[4] Berisha, Meksi on Campaign Track[5] $3 Million Dwelling Complex for Moving Farmers[6] Officials Unveil Sports Budget[7] Five Albanians in New Macedonian Cabinet[8] Skopje, Tirana May Have Solved Pending Issue, Paper Says[9] US Firm Launches Albanian Operation[10] Berisha Defends Controversial Law, Hails US Plans[11] Parliament to Clear Bills for Copper, Energy Companies[12] British Fund Spends $3 million in Albania[13] Foreign Experts Too Costly, Officials Say[14] NYT:Public Money Foots Bills for 'Privatized' Aid[15] Nato, East Europeans to Hold Exercise in Albania[16] Greek, Albanian Diplomats Explore Ties in Tirana[17] Tax Revenue For 1995 Less Than Forecast[18] Election Law Case Closed, Berisha Says[19] Parliament Debates Bill On Free Economic Zones[20] Democrats Poised for Election Battle, Target "Red Front"[21] Budget Chief Comments FY 96 Figures[22] Albania and Greece to Discuss Relations[23] Excise Tax Revenue Growing Fast[1] Euro Poll Favors Rightist PartiesA survey conducted in Albania by Eurobarometer, a European Union polling center, shows strong preferences for the rightist forces in the upcoming elections, Radio Tirana said. The poll conducted in November, shows 58 percent of Albanians favor right wing political forces with only 22 percent supporting leftist parties. The rightst parties, according to Eurobarometer, include the ruling Democrats, the Rightist League, the Human Rights Union and the Christian Democratics. In the leftist forces, the pollsters have included the Socialdemocrats and the Democratic Alliance along with the Socialist Party, the largest opposition force. Of the 835 polled persons, 45 percent support the Democrats who appear to have strengthened their positions following a setback in a national referendum more than a year ago. A party spokesman said Saturday the Democrats would be able to form a government in coalition with the Republican Party, which according to the survey could win 6 percent of the vote in this year's elections. The test shows gains for other parties as not exceeding 4 percent. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[2] Albania Rejects Proposal on Belgrade's Readmission to OSCEAlbania joined other OSCE nations to reject a Russian proposal calling for the readmission of rump Yugoslavia in the organization for European security and cooperation, Radio Tirana reported on Sunday. In a strongly worded statement, ambassador Zef Mazi told the OSCE General Council in Vienna, the readmission request can only be made by the interested party, calling Russia's proposal "premature." "Albania is not at all prepared to discuss such a draft," Mazi was quoted by the radio. The request was also rejected by the United States and other OSCE members. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[3] Albania Pledges Stronger Military Ties With U.S.Albanian Defense Minister Safet Zhulali has promised to increase military cooperation with the United States, a ministry spokesman said. Zhulali was meeting with U.S. army troops commander in Europe, General George Joulwan at his headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. The Albanian official expressed readiness to contribute for the NATO peacekeeping operation in Bosnia. Albania has announced it will send a platoon of about 50 troops for the Bosnia operation. In July, Albania will host exercises codenamed ``Peaceful Eagle '96'' with participation of troops from US and other NATO partners. Albania provided port and air facilities to NATO forces during the U.N. embargo against former Yugoslavia. It also offered air facilities to unmanned U.S. spy planes conducting missions over Bosnia. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[4] Berisha, Meksi on Campaign TrackPresident Sali Berisha and Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi have delivered campaign style speeches, in an apparent effort to boost their Democratic Party's standing four months ahead of national elections. Berisha picked Kavaja, the Democrats' anticommunist stronghold to enumerate achivements under his government, calling on voters not to lose sight of the great picture. "The complaints and worries, which are unavoidable...should not overshadow the great truths," Berisha said in a speech held Saturday in Kavaja's Synej village. In a meeting Saturday with Party activists in Korca, Prime Minister Meksi told his audience the Democrats have fulfilled their contract with the electorate. "Over 80 percent of the general output comes from the private sector," Meksi said, adding that Albania is "the only East European nation with double digits economic growth and the lowest inflation rate of 6 per cent." The Democratic Party has not yet announced an official kick-off of its election campaign where it will compete with the opposition Socialist party, the former communists. Both parties are predicting victory in the elections. A date for the national ballot is expected to be announced after the Parliament has been dissolved. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[5] $3 Million Dwelling Complex for Moving FarmersA new housing complex in Tirana suburbs will accomodate hundreds of farmers to be transferred from another area targeted for a water supply project. About 300 million leks (more than $3 million) will be spent to build 92 facilities and 150 condo apartments on 5 hectares of land in Kamza, officials said at a ground breaking ceremony on Sunday. The reservoir at Boville, has been designed to improve water supply for Tirana, a city ailing of chronic shortages caused by unplanned rural population shifts to its suburbs. Army engineers will also help in the construction project. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[6] Officials Unveil Sports BudgetAlbania's sports budget for 1996 amounts to $2.12 million, a figure 25 per cent bigger than last year, Culture Ministry officials said. About $1.3 million will be spent for the reconstruction of the existing sports facilities. About $200,000 have been allocated for the remodelling of nation's biggest such facility, the "Qemal Stafa" stadium in Tirana, an investment expected to start soon, according to officials. (Albanian Times, February 11)
[7] Five Albanians Elected in New Macedonian CabinetThe ethnic Albanian Parties are holding 5 portfolios in the new coalition government announced Saturday by Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski. The ministers of the second largest party, the Liberals, were thrown out from the governing coalition, despite opposition from President Kiro Gligorov. The new government has 20 members, of whom 13 belong to the Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia. The composition of the new government has to be approved Tuesday by parliament, but will almost certainly be passed, as the Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia holds 60 of the 120 seats in parliament and can rely on the votes of the 2 Albanian deputies, the French News Agency reported. (Albanian Times/AFP, February 10)
[8] Skopje, Tirana May Have Solved Pending Issue, Paper SaysMacedonian and Albanian governments appear to have overcome a misunderstanding involving the official name of the former Yugoslav republic stated in the cooperation agreements they will sign soon, according to Athens daily "Katimerini". Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi is expected to sign a number of agreements during his upcoming trip to Macedonia but the signing was postponed due to misunderstandings concerning the name issue. It is not known under which name will the agreements be signed, according to 'Katimerini'. (Courtesy of M.I.L.S. News, Feb 9)
[9] US Firm Launches Albanian OperationUS investment firm Elba Inc. is launching its business activity in Albania with promotion of Internet connectivity as a primary target. Midway Bank Corporation will be its financial partner in its Albanian venture that will involve support for a US business center in Tirana and efforts to open an American bank in the tiny Balkan country. Albania is the only European nation with no direct connection to the Internet. The connectivity project, officially launched Friday in Tirana, will be coordinated through INIMA, a UNDP built computer center in downtown capital. The venture also includes publication of the bilingual magazine Albanian Business Forum which will be distributed in the Albanian community in the US. (Albanian Times, February 9)
[10] Berisha Defends Controversial Law, Hails US PlansPresident Sali Berisha defended a controversial election law he signed days ago, denouncing the opposition Socialists, the former communists, for failing to reform themselves. The legislation, voted by the majority democrats in a stormy parliament session is considered important in view of national elections only four months away. The new legislation establishes an election system based on a majority representation, which the Socialists and other smaller parties say favors the Democrats. In a press briefing on Thursday, Berisha called the Socialist leaders fondamentalists and praised defectors in their ranks. Berisha welcomed the US plans to open an information office in Kosova and supported a US stand to retain the outer wall sanctions against Belgrade unless its leaders agree to engage in talks with Kosova's Albanians. Berisha also defended his plans to increase public workers salaries in May, ahead of the elections, denying allegations that the decision was intended to attract voter support. (Albanian Times, February 8)
[11] Parliament to Clear Bills for Copper, Energy CompaniesAlbanian Parliament voted Thursday to clear the financial obligations to the state budget of two major state run companies. The companies, selected for privatization, are Alb-bakri, a copper mining enterprize operationg in northeast Albania and KESH, Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare, the country's main electricity provider. The decisions were designed to boost their operations ahead of their complete privatization. Alb-bakri, a major employer, is the only source of income for thousands of people in northeast regions of the country. (Albanian Times, February 8)
[12] British Fund Spends $3 million in AlbaniaThe British Fund for Albania has spent about $3 million since the start of its activity in 1993, Radio Tirana reported. The fund has been involved in banking services, privatization and efforts to establish a stock market. A health care management program run by the fund has established links between blood transfusion centers in Albania and Wales. The fund is also running a media project, with the BBC World Service offering training in journalism for the Albanian radiotelevision. (Albanian Times, February 8)
[13] Foreign Experts Too Costly, Officials SayForeign experts in Albania are paid dozens of times more than local professionals, Albanian officials said. "An Albanian specialist can only be paid $10 a day, a far cry from an estimated $600 a day that foreign experts get," Eduard Prodani, director of World Bank division at the Albanian Ministry of Labor and Emigration said in a statement. According to ministry officials, over the last three years, the Albanian experts have gained enough experience in project coordination and Albania's intellectual capacities remain unexplored. Foreign experts are paid on the basis of an agreement between the World Bank and the Albanian government and their wages are part of a WB loan intended for technical assistance to Albania. Now officials think foreign experts are too costly for the country's economy and can be replaced by skilful locals. (Albanian Times, February 7)
[14] NYT:Public Money Foots Bills for 'Privatized' AidAn experiment in "privatizing" foreign aid has shown that the private sector does not offer a guaranteed cure for problems that critics say have plagued traditional foreign assistance programs: mismanagement, ineffectiveness, political infighting and conflicts of interest, The New York Times said on Wednesday. All these have cropped up at the Czech and Slovak American Enterprise Fund, part of a program that now involves more than $1 billion of taxpayers' money and some of Wall Street's biggest names. Similar funds have suffered from some of the same -- though less severe -- problems, according to the paper. Today there are 10 funds with total capital of $1.4 billion that can invest in more than a dozen countries, including Albania. Congress started the enterprise funds in 1989 to foster capitalism in Poland and Hungary, and the program soon spread to other formerly communist countries. The Albanian-American Enterprize Fund was established in early 1995 and reportedly operates with a capital of $30 million. (Albanian Times, February 7)
[15] Nato, East Europeans to Hold Exercise in AlbaniaThe United States, Italy, Greece and Turkey will join Albanian, Bulgarian and Macedonian troops for military excercises in Albania later this year, the Albanian Defense Ministry said Wednesday. Albanian and US teams conferred on the details of the exercises codenamed ``Peaceful Eagle '96'' which will be held from July 15 to 20 in Bize, 45 miles south of Tirana. The training will focus on peacekeeping operations, and will aim at improving coordination between the participants, Albert Lawson, head of the US team said. The exercises are part of the Partnership for Peace initiative, a loose military association with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Albania signed two years ago. Albania provided port and air facilities to NATO forces during the U.N. embargo against former Yugoslavia. It also offered air facilities to unmanned U.S. spy planes conducting missions over Bosnia. (Albanian Times, February 7)
[16] Greek, Albanian Diplomats Explore Ties in TiranaAlbanian foreign minister Alfred Serreqi told visiting Greek diplomats there are no obstacles in the Albanian-Greek relations. "Greece can contribute to the integration of Albania into the European structures," Serreqi said. Alexandros Filon, general director of the Greek foreign ministry's political affairs division and Dimitris Kypraios, director of the Balkan affairs section, held political discussions with their Albanian counterparts in Tirana. The talks focused on the situation in the region. Other important issues were the situation of the education for the Greek minority in Albania and the legalization of Albanian migrants working in Greece illegally. "We also raised the issue of the assets left behind by the Cham population forced to leave Greece and cross to Albania in 1944," Eqrem Mete, Balkan division chief at the Albanian foreign ministry told Radio Tirana. "They should't suffer collective punishment," he said. Greece and Albania plan to sign a treaty of peace and cooperation but no date has been set. "The Albanian side has completed its preparatory work," Mete said. (Albanian Times, February 7)
[17] Tax Revenue For 1995 Less Than ForecastAlbania's tax revenue for 1995 was 23.6 billion Leks (about $236 million), or 3.8 billion less than forecasted, according to Finance Ministry figures. Tax revenue did better than a year ago, officials say. Taxes on personal income and casinos were the only two categories that met the expectations. The biggest losses came from agriculture land with tax revenues 1,5 billion leks less than expected. Officials blame irregularities in land ownership documentation with deeds often not corresponding to actual owners. They also blame refusal by some farmers to accept the lots allocated to them, complaing of poor land quality. Taxes on profit raised about 800 million Leks (about $8 million) less than the forecast or 75.5 per cent of the objective. Analysts say less than expected performace was due to lack of raw material or funds in a number of state enterprises forcing them to suspend production. (Albanian Times, February 6)
[18] Election Law Case Closed, Berisha SaysPresident Berisha called closed the issue surrounding a controversial election law, which risked to undermine the position of his ruling Democratic Party 4 months ahead of national elections. In a meeting Tuesday with the Republican Party's chief Sabri Godo, who initiated an effort by both left and right wing parties to modify the election bill, Berisha said he considered the issue closed and sought to blame the sharp dispute on the Socialist Party. Berisha condemned those forces who in his words were trying to use the controversy against his own party and reassured Godo of his support. The democrats did make changes to their original draft without satisfying the opponents demands. The republican chief insisted the law is still unacceptable but added "it seems the issue is closed." The dispute concerning the legislation focused on those provisions of the draft supporting an election system based on a majority representation, which the Socialists and other smaller parties say favors the Democrats. (Albanian Times, February 6)
[19] Parliament Debates Bill on Free Economic ZonesAlbanian parliament is debating a draft legislation calling for free economic zones to attract foreign investors. The head of the finance commission, Genc Ruli told the Albanian radio the bill is intended to encourage foreign investments and alleviate unemployment. Ruli said all goods entering or leaving the zones would be exempted from custom or excise taxes. All activities within the free zones would pay no capital gain taxes for 7 years, Ruli added. The debate is expected to continue on Wednesday, the radio said. (Albanian Times, February 6)
[20] Democrats Poised for Election Battle, Target "Red Front"President Sali Berisha's Democratic Party has pledged to come up with an elaboarate program four months ahead of national elections, where it will seek to beat the opposition Socialists. More than a dozen of commissions will work to make party's choices more appealing to the Albanian voters to prevent a repeat performance of the events in most of Eastern Europe where former communists have returned to power. The party's national council meeting Monday in Tirana sad the commissions will be headed by cabinet ministers and will include lawmakers and other experts. The Democrats will conduct their campaign on a grass-roots level, Berisha told the meeting. He warned the party against the dangers presented to the Albanian democracy by what he called "the Red Front", a clear reference to the Socialist Party. The Democrats will debate their completed program in a national convention set for April 4. The Socialists also met on Monday to chose the candidates they intend to field in the elections. They are reportedly also discussing a contingency list fearing that some of the nominees may disqualify because of their communist background. (Albanian Times, February 5)
[21] Budget Chief Comments FY 96 FiguresAlbania's development spending for FY 1996 will focus on infrastructure building and amounts to 27.3 percent, budget officials said. Welfare and other social spending is targeted at 23.8 percent of the total, and a number of products and services continue to be subsidized by the state, Mimoza Dhembi, director of the budget office told reporters in Tirana. The average salary of government workers is expected to rise from a current 8,000 Leks (about $80) to 10.000 Leks (about $100) in 1996. This is an increase in real terms because it is beating the inflation and the adverse effects that other structural changes may have, according to Dhembi. As far as foreign loans are concerned, they are being used in sectors income generating sectors, such as roads, telecommunications and energy. Of the foreign money, consisting mostly of cheap loans, about 5 billion Leks ($50 million) will be used in electro-energy projects and a total of 6.5 billion leks ($65 million) in road construction. The major donators are the World Bank, EU, Italy and Germany, Albanian budget official said. (Albanian Times/ATA, February 6)
[22] Albania and Greece to Discuss RelationsAlbanian and Greek diplomats will meet in Tirana Tuesday for a review of relations, ATA said. The talks, to be held on an expert level, will also focus on the Balkan situation. The Albanian side is expected to present its view on a solution of Kosova problem, a foreign ministry spokesman in Tirana said. (Albanian Times, February 6)
[23] Excise Tax Revenue Growing FastExcise tax income in Albania is growing at a faster pace that all other fiscal revenue, according to the Albanian radio. In 1995, the income from taxing spirits, tobacco and other licenced goods was 10,4 billion leks ($104 million) up from 9,4 billion leks ($94 million) in 1994. (Albanian Times, February 5)
The material was reprinted with permission of AlbAmerica Trade & ConsultingInternational. For more information on ATCI and the Albanian Times, pleasewrite to AlbaTimes@aol.comCopyright (c) ATCI, 1996 |
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