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Albanian Times, Vol. 2, No. 8, February 26, 1996From: Albanian Times <AlbaTimes@aol.com>The Albanian Times (by AlbAmerica TRade & Consulting International) DirectoryCONTENTS[1] Powerful Bomb Shatters Central Tirana, Four Killed[2] Revised Law To Make Central Bank More Independent[3] Albanian Railways Snail Speed but Recovering[4] EU Plans to Bind Balkans to Europe to Prevent War[5] Socialdemocrats End Congress, Reelect Gjinushi[6] Coparex International Prospects for Deep Oil in Albania[7] Plan International in Albania[8] Albania to Get Back $30 m Gold Seized by War Allies[9] France Donates Wheat to Albania[10] Granic Ends Albanian Visit[11] Albania's Democratic Party Predicts Poll Win[12] New Customs Checkpoint on Albanian-Yugoslav Border[13] Canadian Mining Company in Mirdita[14] Turkish Ship Carries Wheat to Albania[15] Parliament Ratifies Financial Accord on East-West Corridor[16] US, Albania Start Joint Military Exercise Near Tirana[17] Justice Minister Ends Visit in Greece[18] Albanian Prisoners to be Moved Home from Greece[19] UK Backs Greater Rights for Kosova Albanians[20] Britain Appoints First Albania Ambassador Since WW2[21] Tirana Stock Exchange to Open in March[22] Balkan Countries Plan Pre-Olympic Training[23] Government Proposes Drug Subsidies[24] Albania to Remodel Stadiums for Euro Soccer Championship[25] Tirana Upgrades Crippling Telephone System[26] Montenegro Albanians Demand Albanian Consulate in Ulqin[27] Kosovan Group Denies Responsibility[28] Albanian Justice Minister in Greece[29] Slovenia's Litostroj Wins Power Station Contract[30] Berisha Promisses Return of Property to Clergy[31] British Foreign Secretary, Rifkind in Tirana[32] Croatian Foreign Minister, Granic in Albania[33] Tirana Marks Anticommunist Anniversary[34] Construction Business Explodes[35] More On North-South Motorway[36] Serbia's Border With Albania Still Tightly Sealed[37] Argentine Writer Ernesto Sabato To Visit Albania[38] Bushat Power Station Starting This Year[1] Powerful Bomb Shatters Central Tirana, Four KilledTIRANA, Feb 26 - A powerful car-bomb explosion in central Tirana has left four people dead and 27 wounded. The bomb was placed in a Fiat Tipo parked in front of a supermarket packed with people, police in Tirana said. Two of the victims died shortly after they were taken to a Tirana military hospital. Another two died later in the day in the same hospital. The recently opened supermarket, owned by Vefa, an Albanian holding company, was ripped off by the blast and later gutted almost completely by a huge fire. The explosion which occurred at 9:15, shattered the 9 story resident building sheltering the supermarket causing considerable damage in the appartment homes too. According to unconfirmed reports, authorities have arrested one former secret police official who was found near the scene. The man, whose name was not disclosed, reportedly covered Soviet affairs in the former Sigurimi establishment. President Berisha visited the site shortly after the event blaming the blast on "professional criminals". He said the blast was "carefully planned" and "was designed to kill as many people as possible." Berisha assured the victim families that the government would take all steps to identify and punish the culprits. Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi said the terrorist act "was aimed at destabilizing the political, social and economic life of Albania." He called on the Parliament to adopt tougher laws in dealing with crime. "We have noticed some leniency" in this field, Meksi said. The election campaign should not be disrupted by criminals, Meksi added, referring to the national ballot scheduled for the end of May. In an emergency meeting headed by President Berisha, the government promissed to identify the culprits and to seek maximum punishment for them. It announced a $50,000 ransom for those who would provide information leading to the arrest of the bombers. "Segments of the former professional secret police stand behind the attack," a government statement said. Monday's blast was sharply condemned by the ruling Democratic Party It blamed the terrorist act on the "old collaborators of the secret police." The opposition Socialists also condemned the attack, expressing support for the steps taken by the government to "identify as soon as possible the perpetrators and organizers of the massacre." (Albanian Times)
[2] Revised Law To Make Central Bank More IndependentTirana, February 25 - Bank of Albania, the nation's central bank will be more independent from the government in providing public funds and implementing short-term objectives to cut unemployment. A series of revisions made by the parliament to a key legislation concerning Bank of Albania defines in clearer terms the relationship with the government in the money exchange operations. The revised law sets the stage for the liberalization of the terasury bond market and establishes the conditions on central bank's lending to the government. (Albanian Times)
[3] Albanian Railways Snail Speed but RecoveringTirana, February 25 - Albanian railways are struggling to increase speed, currently by far lower compared to other European nations. A project to reconstruct the Tirana-Durres railway funded partly by Italy is due to be completed in May. The project costing $6 million of which the Italian side is constributing $4 million, aims at increasing train speed to 80-90 kilometers per hour, in an attempt to compete with motor road trasportation. After reconstruction, the distance from Tirana to Durres is expected to be covered in 35 minutes instead of 60. Albanian railways measure 447 kilometers in total length and serve a number of major mining and manufacturing companies, including Albbakri, Albpetrol, Superfosfate Facility and Transkrom. Last year the volume of railway transportation was 10 per cent higher than a year before. Officials said railway links between Albania and Montenegro will resume in March, after several years of interruption. The traffic of goods will resume at the beginning of next month, Arben Geci, General Director of Albanian Railways said. The next step would be extending the project to passenger traffic between Shkodra and Podgorica, which he said both sides acknowledge as mutually beneficial.
[4] EU Plans to Bind Balkans to Europe to Prevent WarBrussels, February 25 - The crucial but delicate task of putting the Balkans back together and tying the region to Europe to avoid a repetition of the Yugoslav war will be the focus of attention when European Union foreign ministers meet on Monday. ``The main business on Yugoslavia on Monday will be to find agreement on a regional approach to encourage cooperation between the former warring parties and their neighbours using EU leverage,'' one Brussels-based diplomat said at the weekend. At the same time the EU will use its persuasive powers to encourage neighbouring nations like Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria to develop their relations with the former Yugoslav states. ``It is crystal clear that we are not trying to rebuild Yugoslavia, but we do want to underline that they used to cooperate in the past and should do again,'' an EU official said. (Courtesy: Reuters)
[5] Socialdemocrats End Congress, Reelect GjinushiTirana, February 25 - Albanian Socialdemocratic Party ended a three-day congress Sunday reelecting Skender Gjinushi as party chairman. The party called for abolishing a law that bars former communist officials from holding public office until the year 2002. It also rejected the recently approved election law, which according to Gjinushi favors the ruling Democratic Party. The socialdemocrats, former allies of the democrats are the second largest opposition force in the parliament. President Berisha called on the Congress to avoid building alliances with his main rivals, the socialists, ahead of national elections to be held by the end of May. It is not clear if the socialdemocrats intend to seek such an alliance. The congress called on party members to avoid tensions during the election campaign. (Albanian Times, February 25)
[6] Coparex International Prospects for Deep Oil in AlbaniaTirana, February 24 - "Coparex International," an oil and gas prospecting company has been spending about $4 million in Albania since the signing of a contract in 1994, company officials said. Alban Collaku, Executive Director of Coparex in Albania said the company, after making the necessary logistcs preparations, has completed a series of technical works to determine the depth of oil. The seismical work is being done by the Italian company, SIAG in tandem with the Fier based Seismical Enterprise, Albseis. The information is being processed by the French company, CGG in Paris. Mr. Collaku said Albania is fully qualified to be considered a country rich in oil and gas. The greatest part of oil resources has been tapped and the remaining is the most difficult to access due to the depth of deposits, Collaku said. "Coparex International," with 38 years experience, is present in the Netherlands and North America from 1965, and in Indonesia from 1990. (Albanian Times)
[7] Plan International in AlbaniaTirana, February 25 - Plan international, a non-profit, non-religious organization fighting to improve children's life in underdevelopped world, said 4 percent of the Albanian population will have benefited from its projects until 1999. The figure represents about 29,000 families or 150,000 people. Annuska Heldring, Plan International representative for Albania said $570,000 were spent last year for the Albanian projects. For the current financial year, the organisation expects to spend about $800,000 while for the 1998-99 period the figure would be more than 1 million. Plan International's biggest project in Albania is a water supply system in Tirana's Ndroq village. The organization helped build a bridge at the nearby Ibe village to benefit area's school children. Plan International is currently working on 22 projects in Albania. In 1999 the organisation will have implemented 185 projects, including 45 water pipes, 100 kilometers of road, reconstruction of health centers, schools, etc. Plan International has focused its activity in rural areas of Tirana, Elbasan, Berat, Fier and Vlora and plans to expand to Mirdita, Mat, Kavaja, Kruja, Librazhd, Pogradec, Kucove, Peqin and other places. It has established cooperation with the British "Feed the Children" program, the U-S "Land O'Lake" project and other organizations operating in Albania. Plan International was founded in 1937 and started its activity in Albania in 1994. (Albanian Times)
[8] Albania to Get Back $30 m Gold Seized by War AlliesPARIS/TIRANA-Feb 22. France gave the go-ahead to return 1.5 tons of gold to Albania seized by German forces during World War Two and since held in Britain, the French foreign minstry said. French and Albanian officials signed an accord in the Albanian capital Tirana over the gold, worth about $30 millon and held at the Bank of England under the trusteeship of a mixed Anglo-American-French commission. The United States and Britain have already signed accords with Albania for the restitution of the gold and only Paris's signature was still missing for it to be returned. Albanian Finance Minister Dylber Vrioni said he expected the 1.5 tons of gold ingots and coins would be released by Britain's central bank and be back in Albania in March. ``Now the French will inform the commission and we think that the gold will be released and delivered to Albania by March,'' Vrioni said. A big obstacle to agreement was removed in 1994, after the end of communist rule in Albania. The allies took the gold, belonging to the Albanian state, a monarchy before the war, as Communist guerrillas took power when German troops withdrew at the end of the war. Britain had accused the communist regime of planting mines that killed 44 British seamen off the Albanian coast in 1946 and had blocked the handover of the gold. Diplomatic relations were resumed in May 1994 and on Wednesday Britain named its first ambassador to Albania. ``This is also a big political step because, in a way, it brings us away from the problems that link us with the past and allow us to project toward the future,'' Vrioni said. He added that Albania expected to receive the equivalent of $10 million because part of the money would cover damages owed to Britain and some had gone to settle American property claims. Asked what Albania would do with the gold, Vrioni said: ``We are told the amount consists of ingots and gold coins. We will study the matter carefully because the ingot has a value that can be quoted in the market and the price of gold has gone up. ``Meanwhile, the coins have a collectors' value." (Courtesy of Reuters)
[9] Granic Ends Albanian VisitTIRANA, Feb 22-Visiting Croatian Foreign Minister assured President Berisha of his country's supports for the rights of Kosova Albanians. "Kosova is undoubtedly the main problem," Granic was quoted as saying. "We will insist in the reckognition and the respect for the human rights and freedoms in Kosova." In talks with prime minister Aleksander Meksi, both sides identified agriculture, technology, construction, coastal tourism and farmaceutical industry as fields of mutual interest. They pledged to simplify travelling procedures for the citizens of both countries and discussed increasing sea transportation between the ports of Durres and Rijeka. Prime Minister Meksi proposed the setting up of a joint commission to study the possibilities of expanding economic cooperation. Also in Tirana, Albania's Minister of Agriculture Hasan Halili and his Croatian counterpart Mate Jankovic held detailed discussions on cooperation in agriculture, fishing and food inspection. (Albanian Times)
[10] France Donates Wheat to AlbaniaTIRANA, Feb 22-France will donate 3,000 tons of wheat to Albania to help Europe's poorest country overcome a slump in production of its staple food and soaring world wheat prices, officials said on Thursday. The soft wheat, with a commercial value of about $750,000, would be shipped from France to the Albanian port of Durres in March, French finance ministry officials said. Romania has already donated 10,000 tons of wheat to Albania and another 24,000 tonnes is expected by early March. Albania's 1995 wheat crop fell by 35,000 tonnes to 420,000 tonnes, half its annual demand. Albanian Finance Minister Dylber Vrioni said the French donation would help his government keep its pledge to keep wheat subsidised. A failure to keep the bread price at 28.8 leks per kilo (about 30 cents) could prove damaging to the government ahead of elections later this year. (Courtesy of Reuters)
[11] Albania's Democratic Party Predicts Poll WinTIRANA, Feb 22-Albania's ruling Democratic Party, describing itself as the only viable option, said on Thursday it was confident of winning forthcoming general elections. ``Based on what we have achieved up until now the Democratic Party will win since it is the only political power offering a bright outlook for the future,'' said Tritan Shehu, the party's secretary general. A U.S. polling firm said last month that President Sali Berisha, of the Democratic Party, had the backing of more than 40 percent of voters. Parliament is due to be dissolved in late March and polls are expected by the end of May, but Berisha has yet to set a date for the third free general elections since the end of communist rule. The pre-election period has been characterised by tensions between the Democratic Party and its main rival, the Socialists, reformed heirs to the communist party which ruled Albania for more than four decades. The U.S. poll suggested only 19 percent of Albanians intended to vote for the Socialists, ousted from power by Berisha's Democratic Party in a landslide victory in March 1992. Animosity between the two parties soared last year when Berisha introduced a controversial ``genocide law'' barring all former leading communists from government until 2002. The Socialists accused him of perverting the course of justice to try to eliminate the threat from his main opponents. Another dispute concerns a jail sentence on Socialist leader Fatos Nano. Nano, convicted of embezzlement, has more than three years left to serve, but his party says he is innocent and many international human rights groups have called for his release. (Courtesy of Reuters)
[12] New Customs Checkpoint on Albanian-Yugoslav BorderTIRANA, Feb 22-A new customs checkpoint will be built on the Albanian-Yugoslav border. The checkpoint to be built at Muriqam-Sukobina was decided after talks in Belgrade between experts of the two countries, Albanian ministry officials said. A joint group is expected to prepare full technical documentation and organize the construction work. The Muriqan - Sukobina checkpoint will initially serve for passenger traffic and later, with approval by both parties, may also be used for commodity transport. (Albanian Times)
[13] Canadian Mining Company in MirditaTIRANA, Feb 22-Canadian mining company "Nebex" has begun drilling in Mirdita tapping new mineral resources in an area of about five square kilometres. The drilling project is expected to be completed in a five month period. Two drillings have so far been carried out for collecting mineral samples which have shown satisfactory content of copper, zinc and other elements, including gold, a spokesman for the Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources said. The exploration team, which includes Albanian workers, has so far drilled the first 800 metres, part of a drilling plan of 10,000 meters for this year. Drilling in Mirdita started after an agreement with Albania's Gjeoalba company earlier this year. The Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, Abdyl Xhaja, who inspected the ongoing project, was briefed by the "Nebex" team chief, Michael Trapnel. The team says the beginning is promissing and plans to propose adding two other zones in the agreement.
[14] Turkish Ship Carries Wheat to AlbaniaDURRES, Feb 22-About 11,000 tons of wheat arrived in the port of Durres by a Turkish cargo ship "Anise Anne". The wheat was shipped from Constance (Romania). Durres port authorities have taken all precautions to process the cargo in a few days, ATA said. (Albanian Times/ATA)
[15] Parliament Ratifies Financial Accord on East-West CorridorTIRANA, Feb 22-Albanian parliament has ratified the financial contract among the Republic of Albania, The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the General Road Department, on the so-called East-West corridor. The East-West corridor from Durres to the West to Kapshtica to the East is made up of three segments: Durres-Rrogozhina, Rrogozhina-Elbasan and Pogradec-Kapshtica. The total financing amounts to ECU 58 million and is provided by a variety of sources. The feasibility study was conducted as part of the PHARE Cross Border Cooperation programme. An ECU 24 million credit allocated by EIB will finance the construction of the Rrogozhina-Elbasan road. The construction of the Durres-Rrogozhina part will be financed by the PHARE program while the Elbasan-Pogradec segment would be financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (Albanian Times)
[16] US, Albania Start Joint Military Exercise Near TiranaTIRANA, Feb 22-A US-Albanian joint exercise opened today in Biza near Tirana in cold weather conditions with the arrival of US Navy helicopters taking off from the US 6th Fleet ships off the Adriatic coast. The exercise is expected to end on March 1, according to Radio Tirana. Hundreds of US and Albanian troops are participating in the joint training. (Albanian Times)
[17] Justice Minister Ends Visit in GreeceTIRANA, Feb 22-Albanian Justice Minister Hektor Frasheri has ended a two day visit in Greece after talks focusing on juridical issues between the two countries. Frasheri and his Greek counterpart Evangelos Venizelos agreed to create facilitating conditions for the Albanian citizens in seeking their properties in Greece and to repatriate Albanian inmates so they can serve the remainder of their prison terms in their country. Frasheri was also received by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is expected to visit Albania in March.
[18] Albanian Prisoners to be Moved Home from GreeceGreece and Albania agreed on Wednesday to transfer about 750 Albanian prisoners from Greek to Albanian jails, justice ministry officials said. They said Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos and his Albanian counterpart Hektor Frasheri agreed that the prisoners would serve the rest of their sentences in Albanian jails. Some 300,000 illegal Albanian immigrants have crossed the border into Greece in the past five years and thousands are kept in local prisons for various crimes. They have often clashed with Greek inmates causing riots which resulted to deaths and injuries. The officials said the first 70 inmates would be moved to Albania in the next two weeks.
[19] UK Backs Greater Rights for Kosova AlbaniansBritain said on Wednesday it had urged Serbia to grant greater autonomy to ethnic Albanians in Kosova and linked the issue to Belgrade's reintegration into the international community. ``It is important to see progress with respect to Kosova. Kosova is unfinished business when one comes to think of the problems facing the region,'' Rifkind said during his first visit to Albania. After meeting Albanian President Sali Berisha, Rifkind said Britain and other Western countries had called on Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to ensure greater autonomy for Albanians in southern Serbia's Kosova province. Ethnic Albanians make up 90 percent of Kosova's two million citizens. Milosevic stripped the region of its autonomy in 1989, and human rights groups say Kosova's population suffers repression by the government. ``Only when there is important progress with regard to Kosovo, taking into account Kosova's distinct indentity, will it be possible for the government in Belgrade to fully benefit from cooperation with international financial institutions,'' Rifkind added. (Courtesy of Reuters, February 21)
[20] Britain Appoints First Albania Ambassador Since WW2British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind announced on Wednesday his government had named the first British ambassador to Albania since the end of World War Two. ``Today it is a historic day in the history of relations between Albania and the United Kingdom,'' Rifkind said during a one-day visit to Albania. Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, a career diplomat with 20 years experience, has previously represented Britain in the United Nations and Arab countries. ``He will be the first resident ambassador of the United Kingdom to Albania and this is a clear indication of the way our bilateral relations are continuing to go,'' Rifkind added. Britain and formerly communist Albania severed relations after the so-called Corfu channel incident in 1946 when 44 British seamen were killed after two destroyers hit mines off the Albanian coast. Britain accused the communist administration of the late Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha of planting the mines and blocked the Albanian gold looted by the Nazis in retaliation. The two countries resumed diplomatic relations in May 1991 after Albania had toppled its communist regime. The gold row has also been solved in the meantime. (Courtesy of Reuters, February 21)
[21] Tirana Stock Exchange to Open in MarchAlbania has unveiled plans to open the first stock exchange in its history, which would start trading government treasury bills and privatisation vouchers by March in a central bank vault in its capital Tirana. "Initially we'll trade government treasury bonds, privatization vouchers, foreign currencies and we'll have currency fixing (for the Albanian lek)," said Albina Karamitro, the newly-named chief executive of the Tirane Stock Exchange. At a second stage, when companies apply to be lised and we have traders and brokers, we will start trading shares," Karamitro said. "There will be many sections on the floor that will carry out different trading independently of each other and on different days," she added. The bourse would be organized as a department of the central bank, the Bank of Albania, with a special securities commission acting as a regulating authority, she said. Central Bank Governor Kristaq Luniku said mass privatization, macroeconomic stability, a stable local currency, lower inflation and a suitable legal climate had created the conditions for the establishnient of the market. Luniku warned that Albania's inadequate system of payments and accounts would have to be modernized for the bourse to be a success. "If the system of payments does not function quckly and cheaply, it may become an obstacle to the normal functioning of the stock exchange," he said. Britain's GMA Capital Markets United, a company which specialises in providing trainlng and advice to emerging markets, wlll begin training brokers in Tirana next week under a program sponsored by the British Know How Fund, a body funded by the Overseas Development Agency. The government has already sold about 70 state enterprises to 12,000 voucher-holders and a batch of 20 more is currently being prepared for sale. (Courtesy of Reuters, February 13)
[22] Balkan Countries Plan Pre-Olympic TrainingEight Balkan countries recently agreed to organise a pan-Balkan ``Olympic Days'' competition every four years to train the region's young sportsmen for the real Olympic Games, officials said. The countries are Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, ex-Yugoslavia and Greece, though sportsmen from other regions might also participate, Bulgaria's Olympic Committee secretary general Valentin Zayakov told reporters. He said the first such Balkan Games will be held in July, 1997. (Albanian Times/Reuters, February 17)
[23] Government Proposes Drug SubsidiesAlbanian government has proposed subsidies for another 100 medicaments adding to a list of 170 drugs announced last year. A bill drafted by Health Insurance Institute in Tirana calls for subsidies from 10 to 100 percent of real value of imported medicaments, Alma Cico, Director of the Institute told reporters. The lists would be distributed to some fifteen hundred drug stores all over Albania. Prices for widely used drugs such as antibiotics and insulin would be significantly lower. The legislation would primarily benefit those persons who make regular payments for health insurance.
[24] Albania to Remodel Stadiums for Euro Soccer ChampionshipAlbanian soccer authorities say they plan to modernise three stadiums to allow domestic clubs to participate in all European competitions. Soccer Association official Gjergj Thaka said stadiums in Tirana, Durresi and Kavaja would be remodelled. UEFA had asked Albania to modernise at least one soccer field for European matches. "Qemal Stafa" stadium in Tirana, the nation's largest such facility, is already being renovated for World Cup qualifying matches starting in October. Thaka said funding has been a problem since Albanian soccer clubs could not afford big outlays. Scores of Albanian players have joined foreign clubs in recent years, unsatisfied with domestic salaries ranging from $100 to $300 a month. (Albanian Times/ATA, February 19)
[25] Tirana Upgrades Crippling Telephone SystemTirana's telephone system is doubling the volume of calls it currently handles. A joint project of the Albanian Telecom and the Italian Alcatel is adding 20,000 new lines to the old-fashioned telephone system in the Albanian capital. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided $1,5 million for the project. A second phase would bring the total number of telephone lines to 43,000, from the current 13,000. The most difficulyt part is laying the lines and installing the telephones at people's homes, experts in Tirana said. (Albanian Times, February 22)
[26] Montenegro Albanians Demand Albanian Consulate in UlqinMontenegro Albanians have called on the authorities to allow Albania to open a consulate in Ulqin, saying this would help promote relations between the two neighboring states. The demand was promted by reports that a number of European nations plan to open consular representations in Montenegro. Ulqin is a overwhelmingly Albanian populated town. (Albanian Times, February 20)
[27] Kosovan Group Denies ResponsibilityAn illegal organisation called The National Movement for the Liberation of Kosova has rejected Albanian press reports making it responsible for the explosions in Serb refugee camps in Kosova on February 11. In a statement released Monday, a spokesman said the group has claimed no responsibility for the explosions. The spokesman said his group cannot be identified with the Kosova Liberation Army, which has held itself responsible for the attack. Reports on the existence of such an army have been received with suspicion by observers in Albania and in Kosova. Many believe the attack to have been a ploy of the Serb secret services. Observers have also warned against the instrumentalization of extreme Leftist groups of Kosova Albanians both in Albania and abroad. (Albanian Times, February 20)
[28] Albanian Justice Minister in GreeceAlbanian Justice Minister Hektor Frasheri was scheduled to arrive in Athens Tuesday to discuss issues concerning Albanian prisoners in Greece. Albanians constitute the majority of foreign inmates in Greek prisons, according to Athens News Agency. The Albanian minister will hold talks with his counterpart Evangelos Venizelos and will be received by Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos. On the eve of the visit, the Tirana based Chameria Association has expressed reservations on the way the issue of the Cham population has been treated in the context of bilateral relations, according to "Albania" daily. The Association has called on the Albanian government to insist in defending the Cham claim to return to their native territory in Greece, the paper said. The group called on the government to adopt a dignified stand in dealing with Greece. The Association has also asked Minister Frasheri to show what it called "authority" in the discussions with his Greek counterparts. Greek-Albanian relations have been showing further improvements recently. President Stephanopoulos is due to arrive in Albania on March 21 for an official visit, the first by a Greek head of state to the northern neighbour.
[29] Slovenia's Litostroj Wins Power Station ContractA Slovenian company has won a contract to participate in an Albanian hydropower project on River Drin. "Litostroj" construction company will be a major partner in the construction of Bushati power station in Shkodra district, Radio Tirana reported. The proposal came from the Albanian Energy Corporation (KESH) and was approved by the government on Monday. The Bushati hydropower station will be the last such project on River Drin. Its installed capacity will be 80 Megawatts with an expected power output of 350 million Kilowatts per hour. Construction work has been scheduled to start this year and is expected to be concluded in 1999. (Albanian Times, February 20)
[30] Berisha Promisses Return of Property to ClergyPresident Sali Berisha promissed the return all confiscated property to the clergy but he cautioned that the process has to be based on the law. In a meeting with Islamic community leaders on Tuesday, Berisha said the government has no hesitation in solving all the demands of the Albanian clergy to the property belonging to them. "But there are procedures and regulations that have to be observed," Berisha added, referring to the demands by the clergy on the return of all property confiscated by the past atheist communist government. Berisha used Tuesday's muslim celebration of Id Fitr (Bajram) to send a message of unity to the nation's three religious communities. (Albanian Times, February 20)
[31] British Foreign Secretary, Rifkind in TiranaBritish Foreign Secretary is expected to visit Tirana Wednesday to discuss the Balkan situation with President Sali Berisha and Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi. Albania is Rifkind's last stop in a Balkan tour that took him to Bosnia-Hercegovina and Greece. (Albanian Times, February 21)
[32] Croatian Foreign Minister, Granic in AlbaniaCroatian Foreign Minsiter Mate Granic was due in Tirana today to discuss Balcan situation and bilateral relations. Since the establishing of diplomatic ties in August 25, 1992, Albania and Croatia have signed 12 agreements, including 7 economic accords. A Croatian state run oil company has invested in Albania. President Franjo Tudjman visited Albania in February 1994. Albania reckognized Croatia in January 20, 1992. (Albanian Times, February 21)
[33] Tirana Marks Anticommunist AnniversaryTirana marked the 5th anniversary of a huge anticommunist protest that sent a decisive blow to the tottering authoritarian regime. The anniversary was celebrated with youth gatherings at the capital cultural center, once a memorial to former dictator Enver Hoxha. President Berisha sent a long message to the nation, with some harsh comments for the opposition Socialists (the former communists). In February 20, 1991, thousands of Albanians poured into the central square of the capital in support of the university students who were staging a hunger strike. The demonstrators pulled down a huge statue of Hoxha triggering similar protests throughout the country. (Albanian Times, February 20)
[34] Construction Business ExplodesConstruction has been considered a successful business in Albania in the last four years. The year 1995 saw an increase of construction activity by 30 per cent compared with the previous year.Construction sector is being dominated by private companies. According to the Ministry of Construction and Tourism, there are more than 2000 companies involved in construction, manufacturing of construction materials and building designs. Home building has been a priority, due to great housing demand. About 2,000 single homes and 11,000 condo apartments have been built in Tirana alone where the number of construction companies involved in house building has jumped to 400. The number of people employed in construction has also increased. Some larger companies employ 100-200 people, with monthly salaries of over $100. The latest figures provided by the Institute of Statistics show that wages in the construction sector have gone up rapidly. The biggest construction companies are in Tirana, Fier, Durres, Elbasan and Shkodra. Small firms are joining their resources to face the increasingly harsh competition. (Albanian Times, February 19)
[35] More On North-South MotorwayAlbania plans to complete a North-South motorway by the year 2000. The biggest road project in the nation's history will stretch from Kakavija to Hani i Hotit.The construction, financed by a $132 million World Bank loan, started by the end of January. The motorway will link the cities of Gjirokastra, Tepelena, Fier, Rrogozhina, Tirana, Lezha and Shkodra. The progress made on another highway linking Tirana with Durres, apparently served as a guarantee for the World Bank to grant money for the North-South motorway. Albania's Ministry of Construction said tenders on the project will continue. The ministry is asking bidding companies to offer sufficient guarantees on their ability to meet construction deadlines. Ministry officials describe the motorway project as highly lucrative for particpating firms. Experts say difficulties are biggest in the Tepelena-Fier section, where work has slowed down due to rugged terrain. A final project of this section is expected to be designed and submitted to World Bank for approval, ministry sources said.
[36] Serbia's Border With Albania Still Tightly SealedSerbia continue to apply severe limitation on its souther border, prohibiting Kosova Albanians to travel to Albania. The border is reportedly being patrolled by numerous Serb forces who, according to news media, have shoot to kill orders against any violators. In the recent years, dozens of Kosova Albanians trying to cross to Albania have been killed by Serb soldiers. A 1981 year law, still in force, allows all Yugoslav citizens to travel abroad without an exit visa, except to Albania. Exit visas for travel to Albania are hard to obtain, according to media reports. A larger number of Kosova Albanians travel to Albania via Macedonia or Greece. (Albanian Times, February 19)
[37] Argentine Writer Ernesto Sabato To Visit AlbaniaArgentina's renown writer Ernesto Sabato will travel to Albania to receive the international literary Prize "Kadare" for 1995. The awarding ceremony will be held on April 20 in Tirana. The Prize costs $20 000 dollars and is awarded by the Velija Cultural Foundation. Albania's most famous living writer Ismail Kadare will also be present at the awarding ceremony. The prize was announced on October 2, 1995, but Sabato could not attend due to the death of his son in an air accident. (Albanian Times, February 19)
[38] Bushat Power Station Starting This YearConstruction of a new hidro power station on River Drin is expected to begin later this year, Albanian government said on Monday. The power station to be built at Bushat, in the northern Shkodra district, will be the last such project on Albania's biggest river. The government has ordered the Energy Corporation (KESH) to start talks with Slovenian companies on the new power project. (Albanian Times, February 19)
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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