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Albanian Times, 96-07-22
Albanian Times
July 22, 1996
CONTENTS
[01] Socialist Leader Renews Call for Reform
[02] Dini Urges Democratic Dialogue in Albania
[03] Albania's Local Polls to be Held in October
[04] Albanian Government Lifts Price Controls
[05] Local Monitors Criticize Vote
[06] PFP Exercises Start At Bize
[07] Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania to Get U.S. Funds For Transport Projects
[08] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT
[01] Socialist Leader Renews Call for Reform
TIRANA, July 21 - Fatos Nano, the jailed leader of Albania's key opposition
Socialists, called on Sunday for sweeping changes in the party to make it a
stronger political force. The Socialists have faced numerous calls for reform
since their defeat in the country's third multi-party elections on May 26 and
June 2. ``The sooner we make this emancipating reform, the sooner we will get
out of the present political blind alley,'' Nano, quoted by the Socialist
daily Zeri i Popullit, wrote. Earlier this month, Nano wrote to party
headquarters urging far-reaching reforms in policy and leadership. Acting
party leader Servet Pellumbi, whose rivals call him a conservative Marxist,
responded by saying he would propose some changes at the next Socialist
conference. ``The (second) stage of the second Congress will strengthen the
Socialist Party and align it with the contemporary norms of democracy,'' Nano
wrote from his prison cell in southern Albania. He urged his party to shrug
off its ``bureaucratic mentality'' which
he said was an obstacle to political emancipation. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[02] Dini Urges Democratic Dialogue in Albania
ROME, July 18 - Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini urged upon his Albanian
counterpart Tritan Shehu the need for a democratic dialogue between government
and opposition leading to new general elections. Dini was speaking during a
meeting with the visiting Albanian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, and he
explained to him the concerns that have been raised in the Italian parliament
following the recent election in Albania. According to a Foreign Ministry
communique, Dini called for dialogue between government and opposition ''with
the objective of defining the political and electoral modalities which would
permit a return to conditions of full democratic and constitutional normality,
including the possibility of calling new elections within a reasonably short
time, in conformity with the requests advanced on several occasions by Italy
and the European Union.'' The communique said Dini had decided to send a
special envoy to Albania, Ambassador Vittorio Ferraris, to have talks with
government and opposit
ion parties. Today's meeting also covered bilateral relations, and Albania's
moves closer to the European Union, which Italy has supported. The Albanian
minister expressed his appreciation of the volume of Italian investments in
his country and said there would be new opportunities for investment created
by the government's privatisation programme. (Albanian Times)
[03] Albania's Local Polls to be Held in October
TIRANA, July 18 - Albanian President Sali Berisha said local elections would
be held in October, a decision welcomed by the main opposition Socialist
Party. ``After meeting with the other parties I can confirm there was
consensus on the date of local elections. We decided the election should be
held on one of last two Sundays within the legal limit (the end of October),''
Berisha told reporters. The decision was made with all parties who took part
in the last local elections in 1992, he said. Socialist acting leader Servet
Pellumbi, confirmed the decision. Pellumbi said a fair local ballot could help
restore Albania's tarnished image after the controversial general elections.
Berisha said parties would discuss the current local election law and changes
in local power structures. The president has ignored calls to repeat the May
26 ballot. ``The next parliamentary elections will be held in the spring of
the year 2000,'' he said. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[04] Albanian Government Lifts Price Controls
TIRANA, July 16 - Albania's government said it had lifted state controls on
bread, gas and kerosene prices, triggering widespread criticism and
predictions of a price explosion. ``The government decided on Monday to
liberalise the price of bread, gas and kerosene,'' a spokesman for re-elected
Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi said. It was the first executive decision
since a new cabinet was sworn in by President Sali Berisha on Friday following
a general election in May. Berisha's Democratic Party, which spearheaded the
ex-communist country's drive towards a market economy since it came to power
in 1992, controls 22 of the 25 cabinet seats. Media reports focused
exclusively on the potential effects on bread and
possible food shortages. Some newspapers fuelled concerns that prices
could
skyrocket in the impoverished state, where basic foodstuffs have been heavily
subsidised. ``Drastic price rises are expected,'' wrote the daily Poli i
Qendres. Bakeries expected prices to begin rising from Wednesday. An official
statement quoted by one newspaper however, said Albanians had
nothing to fear. ``We stress that the measures will absolutely not lead to
a
shortage of wheat and bread at the market,'' it said. The government said it
would supplement the income of all public sector employees and pensioners with
subsidies of 150-250 leks (about $17-28) per month to compensate for any rise
in bread prices, the semi-official Rilindja Demokratike added. It said
imported wheat and flour would still be excluded from customs tariffs and
value-added tax and bakeries would continue to receive subsidies
for electricity, water and fuel. ``Keeping the price (of bread) centrally
controlled would hurt consumers. It would be an obstacle to wheat production
and discourage private traders from importing wheat,'' the paper quoted
government minister Hasan Halili as saying. Until now, the government
guaranteed to buy all wheat from suppliers at a fixed price of 20 leks (about
$0.2) per kg (2.2 lbs) and re-sold it to bakeries at 15.7 leks. Gas and
kerosene were subject to government price ceilings below the
market value. The government still controls the price of electricity,
petrol
and water. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[05] Local Monitors Criticize Vote
TIRANA, July 16 - Albania's general election, won by the ruling Democrats and
boycotted by the opposition, was marred by irregularities and did not meet
democratic standards, a U.S.-backed foundation said on Tuesday. The non-profit
Society for Democratic Culture (SDC) monitored the elections before and during
the two-round vote on May 26 and June 2. ``The SDC notes that in general the
level of political culture in Albania does not meet the necessary standards
for a democratic society,'' the foundation said in its final report. ``These
elections were accompanied by political tension,'' it said. ``During the May
26 elections the SDC observed a lack of transparency.'' The SDC, backed by the
U.S. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), seeks to
promote democracy in the ex-communist country. The NDI gives technical and
financial support to help countries hold free and fair elections. While the
SDC acknowledged there had been irregularities in the vote, they said the
Socialists were partly t
o blame for the election shortcomings. ``The decision of opposition parties to
withdraw from elections contributed negatively in the election process,'' the
foundation said. (Albanian Times/Reuters)
[06] PFP Exercises Start At Bize
TIRANA, July 15 - U.S. troops joined forces from Albania and seven other
countries Monday for six days of military exercises under the NATO Partnership
for Peace Program (PFP). ``This exercise is a real contribution...to
cooperation and stability in the southern Balkans,'' Albanian President Sali
Berisha said in an opening address. About 2,000 troops from Albania, the
United States, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania and Turkey took
part in ``Peaceful Eagle 96'' in Bize, about 65 km east of Tirana. They were
joined by an observer from Slovenia. Albania was among the first East European
countries to apply for NATO membership and sign the Partnership for Peace
program two years ago. This week's exercises are the 18th to be conducted by
the Balkan nation since 1995. ``We believe that through this kind of exercise
the young people from armed forces will learn from each other and work
together for peace,'' said Greek Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis. Berisha
thanked the United States for helping his
country build exercise facilities in Bize.
[07] Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania to Get U.S. Funds For Transport
Projects
SOFIA, July 15 - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a contract on
Monday granting Bulgaria $2.5 million for the construction of a railway and
for a container terminal feasibility study. Earlier this month the foreign
ministers of the Balkan states agreed to develop regional transport
infrastructure during their Sofia conference. Under the South Balkan
development initiative, the U.S. government is granting $8 million for 10
transport projects in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania. Bulgaria will receive
from the United States two million dollars for the construction of a railway
to its western neighbour Macedonia. Macedonia and Albania will receive $2.3
million each for technology, education and feasibility studies. Another
$900,000 has been provided for consultant services. (Albanian Times)
[08] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT
(Sworn in July 12, 1996)
President (elected 9 April 92)..................Sali BERISHA (DP)
COALITION GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister..................................Aleksander MEKSI (DP)
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister......Tritan SHEHU (DP)
Secretary General of the Council of Ministers...Arjan MADHI (RP)
MINISTERS:
Agriculture & Food..............................Bamir TOPI (DP)
Culture, Youth, Women's Affairs.................Teodor LACO (SDU)
Defence.........................................Safet ZHULALI (DP)
Education & Sports..............................Edmond LULJA (DP)
Finance.........................................Ridvan BODE (DP)
Health & Environment............................Maksim CIKULI (DP)
High Education & Scientific Research............Besnik GJONGECAJ (DP)
Industry, Transport & Trade.....................Suzana PANARITI (DP)
Interior........................................Halit SHAMATA (DP)
Justice.........................................Kristofor PECI (DP)
Labour & Social Affairs.........................Arlinda KECI (DP)
Mineral Resources & Energetics..................Abdyl XHAJA (DP)
Privatisation...................................Dylber VRIONI (DP)
Public Affairs, Territory Regulation & Tourism..Albert BROJKA (DP)
Without Portofolio..............................Hasan HALILI (DP)
STATE SECRETARIES:
Defence.........................................Leonard DEMI (DP)
Economic Relations..............................Selim BELORTAJA (DP)
Local Power.....................................Njazi KOSOVRASTI (DP)
Mineral Resources & Energetics..................Sokol BEJLERI (DP)
Sports..........................................Marjeta PRONJARI (DP)
Tourism.........................................Robert CEKU (DP)
Transport.......................................Arben BABAMETO (RP)
Youth & Women...................................Roza PATI (DP)
PARTY AFFILIATIONS:
DP -- Democratic Party
RP -- Republican Party
SDU -- Social Democratic Union
Speaker of Parliament (elected 6 April 92).......Pjeter ARBNORI
Central Bank Governor............................Kristaq LUNIKU
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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