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Albanian Times, 96-06-29
Albanian Times
June 29, 1996
CONTENTS
[01] Berisha Accepts Meksi's Resignation
[02] Berisha to Open Consultations on New Government
[03] Opposition Supporters Rally in Tirana
[04] Less Remittances From Emigrees
[05] Tourist Numbers Down
[06] Italy:Smugglers of Albanian Immigrants Arrested
[01] Berisha Accepts Meksi's Resignation
TIRANA, June 28 - President Berisha has accepted the resignation offered by
Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi after the expiration of the government's
mandate. He asked Mr. Meksi to stay on in his post until a new Prime Minister
has been appointed, Radio Tirana said on Friday night. (Albanian Times/Radio
Tirana)
[02] Berisha to Open Consultations on New Government
TIRANA, June 29 - President Berisha is inviting today all parliamentary
parties for consultations on the new government. The Social Democrats and the
Democratic Alliance, the so-called center polr parties that won no seats in
the new parliament, were excluded from the consultations. The parties invited
are: The Democratic Party, the Socialist Party, the Republican Party, the
National Front Party (Balli Kombetar), and the Human Rights Party. It is not
clear if the Socialists are participating in the consultations. (Albanian
Times)
[03] Opposition Supporters Rally in Tirana
TIRANA, June 28 - Albanian opposition parties rallied in Tirana to hail what
they considered European and U.S. support for their call for new elections.
International media said turnout was between 3 to 5 thousand and below
expectations. ``People are still afraid of being beaten by police and, besides
that, they expected more from Europe,'' said a member of the Socialist Party.
The United States has criticised the ballot and has suggested the Albanian
government ``go back to the drawing board,'' but has never demanded a new
vote. The Council of Europe called on all Albanian parties to hold round-
table discussions to establish new electoral rules, but also stopped short of
insisting on a fresh ballot. It also confirmed the legitimity of the newly
elected parliament. The cheering supporters, waved banners that read ``Thank
You, USA'' and ``Thanks, European Parliament. ``The main thing which came out
of the Council of Europe resolution was the return to the Albanian electorate
of democratic values, namely fr
ee elections,'' Socialist party leader Servet Pellumbi told the rally. He said
the Socialist deputies in the new parliament "were nominated by Berisha",
referring to the alleged widespread irregularities in the May 26 poll. Both
the ruling Democratic Party and the Socialist Party claim the resolution was
in their favor. The Democrats won 122 of 140 parliamentary seats in the poll.
(Albanian Times)
[04] Less Remittances From Emigrees
TIRANA, June 28 - Albanian emigrants are sending less remittances this year,
amounting to only $63 million in the first quarter, daily "Gazeta Shqiptare"
said. The total contribution of emigrants in net foreign currency and goods in
1995 was estimated at $450 million or 25 percent of the GNP. The remittances
from emigrants are seen as critical in supporting the economy. Without that
help, Albania would require twice as much aid as it does today, according to
an earlier report of the Albanian Ministry of Finances. The living standards
of families, especially in towns and cities unquestionably depend on the
direct help from emigrants. In 1994, it was estimated that every second
Albanian family had someone employed abroad. In October 1995, three fifths of
all Albanian families had at least one member abroad. According to the
Instituteof Statistics, about 13 percent of the Albanian population or 28
percent of its work force is employed abroad. In 1994, the remittances from
the emigrants amounted to $262 mil
lion or twice the amount of foreign aid and loans. Banking institutions now
regard emigrants' earnings as a very important source of foreign currency for
the strained finances of the country. Foreign currency earnings coming in in
the form of goods amounted to $120 million in 1994 and $150 million in 1995.
In most cases, emigrants have difficulties tranferring money to Albania
through banks or by mail. It is estimated that about 8 percent of depositors
in Greek banks are Albanian emigrants. It is estimated that about $900 million
worth of emigrant earnings languish in foreign banks. (Albanian Times)
[05] Tourist Numbers Down
TIRANA, June 28 - Albania was visited by some 50,000 tourists in the first
quarter of 1996, according to daily Rilindja Democratike. Foreign tourists
brought about $10 million in revenue, down from about $15 million in the
fourth quarter of 1995, Albanian officials said. The bulk of tourism revenue
comes from the neighboring Greece with many foreign cruisers entering Albania
for day trips. (Albanian Times)
[06] Italy:Smugglers of Albanian Immigrants Arrested
LECCE, June 28 - Italian police has cracked down on an immigrant smuggling
ring responsible of ferrying into the country more than 500 Albanian and other
illegal immigrants. The operation was carried out by police in the souther
province of Lecce. Thirteen people, including three women and an Albanian
citizen were arrested on criminal charges, Lecce police said. (Albanian
Times)
This material was reprinted with permission of AlbAmerica Trade & Consulting
International. For more information on ATCI and the Albanian Times, please
write to AlbaTimes@aol.com
Copyright © ATCI, 1996
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