ATA News from Albania, 96-08-01

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

CONTENTS

[01] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN IRELAND

[02] PARLIAMENT COMPLETES LAW ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

[03] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES EUROPEAN CONVENTIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND AGAINST TORTURE

[04] ITALIAN INVESTMENT - 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENT IN ALBANIA

[05] RP DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IN U.S.

[06] COMMITTEE TO DEFEND ALBANIAN ORTHODOX AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCH ISSUES PROTEST

[07] PRESS REVIEW

[08] SHARKS ON THE ALBANIAN ADRIATIC COAST

[09] DIVISION OF KOSOVA - A JURIDICALLY GROUNDLESS OFFER OF COMPROMISE, UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE ALBANIANS

[10] CONSTRUCTION OF BUSHAT HYDRO POWER STATION TO START SOON

[01] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN IRELAND

They exchanged opinions on the democratic developments in Albania, on the work of the Albanian new Parliament and on the future local elections, press and information office of Albanian Foreign Ministry said.

The delegation, during its first day in Ireland, met Mr.Rabit Minister of Technology, Science and Trade. They agreed to set up a joint commission in economic cooperation between the two countries.

Shehu, Minister Vrioni and other members of the delegation met the leader of the opposition Mr. Berti Aher and its General Secretary Mr. Pat Farell and exchanged opinions in the indispensability of wider bilateral cooperation between the two governments and between the two parties.

In the afternoon the delegation met former Irish prime Minister Mr. Reynold, parliamentarians and representatives of business. ssh/kled/fh/sh/

[02] PARLIAMENT COMPLETES LAW ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

It was issued by the State Secretariat of Local Government aiming an easier functioning of its administration and avoiding its incompatibility with the law.

This law eliminates a contradiction which lately made the Constitutional Court to declare anti constitutional the last line of the law which said: "In case, the Council of the district fails to elect its chairman, Council of Ministers dissolves the council and nominates a delegate to make the administration function according to provisions of this law."

This problem came into evidence when the Council of Minister dissolved the council of the Kukesi district. kled/fh/sh/

[03] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES EUROPEAN CONVENTIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND AGAINST TORTURE

Albanian Parliament ratified Wednesday evening the European conventions "On Human Rights" and "On preventing torture and inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment".

The deputies speaking at the parliament stressed the importance of this act undertaken by the new parliament and underlined Albania's engagement in the defence of human rights.

The chairman of the DP parliamentary group, Ali Spahia, said that :"The DP was founded as a party of human rights and freedoms and will remain as such. With the adoption of this convention it accomplishes its early commitments to the Albanians.

"The ratification of this convention is another guarantee providing the Albanians citizens with equal rights in the civilized Europe," Spahia said.

Last March, at the end of the past legislature, the Socialist Party insisted on the immediate ratification of the Human Rights Convention while two years ago it voted against the constitutional package on human right and freedoms, based on this convention.

It claimed an immediate ratification of this convention in parliament in order to make use of its articles 25 and 26 to make an individual application to the European Human Rights Commisison regarding the trial of SP chairman, convicted of embezzlement and abuse of office in relation to Italian aid while he was prime minister.

While now, after several of his motions from Bence against the SP presidency, the socialists are not showing themselves so persistent.

Also, the leader of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka, several days ago accused the Democratic Party, which has 122 seats in parliament, of "not ratifying the convention on purpose".

Zeri i Popullit said on Thursday that the "Nano" question is likely to be the first case to be filed to the Strasbourg Court by Albania.

The chairman of the Human Rights Union Party, Vasil Melo, said that :"the ratification was a landmark for Albania which wishes to integrate into Europe".

"The anti-genocide law should be effective for no more than one year and should be selective and not generalising", Melo said.

Socialist deputy Sali Rexhepi said "it is on the honour of this parliament to ratify of the human rights convention in Albania, where for 50 years they have been denied and trampled underfoot".

Gjon Markagjoni expressed the republican party's approval of this ratification and its stance always in defense of human rights and freedoms. He also referred to the issue of land ownership.

The convention includes 66 articles and supplement protocols. The convention stresses that fact that the right of the man to life is defended by law.

The conventions' articles emphasise the fact that every one has the right to have his private and family life respected.

The ratification of the European Human Rights Convention is one of the Council of Europe's recommendations on Albania on the occasion of its admission to the CE, alongside the drafting of the constitution and lifting of capital punishment.

The DP had opposed the then demand of the SP arguing that the CE had scheduled its approval in July this year. Now it met this demand on schedule.

Speaker of Parliament Pjeter Arbnori, declaring the proceedings of the first session of this legislature closed, said that precisely, the adoption of the two significant European conventions marks the accomplishment of Albania's commitments as a member of the Council of Europe.

The adoption of the two conventions and of the law on the Magistracy school also marked the end of the first session of the legislature. kled/lm/sh/

[04] ITALIAN INVESTMENT - 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL INVESTMENT IN ALBANIA

In this context "The company which produces and distributes the Florentine bricks", a joint venture with an Albanian firm, assured a financing of about one billion Italian lire for the production and selling of bricks and tiles after reconstruction of a brick factory in Shkodra.

Many Italian investors and businessmen are present in Albania now, where most of some 500 joint firms have got mainly a productive activity. The Italian investments cover about 70 per cent of all foreign investments in Albania.

Construction, transport, services, agro-industry, trade, finance, cloths and food industry have now consolidated Italian investors, who exercise their activity in form of joint ventures with Albanians or individually.

Italian businessmen have set up in Albania KKSI (Consultative Committee of Italian Businessmen) as a reference point for those who are present in Albanian and the others who want to invest in the future.

New financing of the Italian government will give a push forward to the interest of investors. They are offered against a very low and favourable rate of interest, which is 30 per cent lower than the interest rate of the crediting operations for the sectors of industry, trade and handicraft which is now about 3.5 per cent. These credits have a period of liquidation of 12 years, the first two without any payment. fh/sh/

[05] RP DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IN U.S.

Mediu voiced in these meetings the interest of the RP for the continuity of the Albanian-US relations. He made a briefing of the political situation in Albania after May 26 elections and expressed the RP stand about this problem.

He briefed them with the RP proposal for the surpassing of the political crisis through multiparty talks and the necessity of the US State Department presence during local elections in Albania. Speaking on the importance of the international stand and help for normal local elections in Albania, he stressed the importance of a thorough knowledge of the situation in the country.

Mediu expressed his surprise and disapproval regarding the proposal of the US Congressman, Tom Lantosh, who, on the pretension of violation of the Greek minority rights demanded a suspension of the U.S. aid for Albania.

Voicing his party's opinion, Mediu, highly estimated the US role for the future of Albania for its democratic and economic development.

Mediu is continuing his visit to the US. eva/pas/fh/sh/

[06] COMMITTEE TO DEFEND ALBANIAN ORTHODOX AUTOCEPHALOUS CHURCH ISSUES PROTEST

The Albanian Committee for the Defence of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church has issued a protest to the oecumenical Patriarchy of Istanbul, Fanari, and to patriarch Bartholomew against the appointment by the patriarchy of three Greek bishops as metropolitans of Gjirokastra, Vlora and Korca.

"The orthodox believers and the entire Albanian people consider this an illwilling act and interference into the internal affairs of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church (AOAC)", the protest says.

"The main point of the Autocephaly Status of the Albanian Orthodox Church attained in 1929, as well as in all other autocephalous churches of the other Balkan countries, requires that clergies and high ranking religious hierarchies of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church be of Albanian nationality and citizenship, excluding the minority zones, where minority clergies will say Masses in the Greek language," the statement says.

The Patriarchy, fully violating the status of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church of 1929, an autocephaly recognised in 1936, consecrated a few days ago, without the approval of the Albanian Church and State, three Greek bishops for three dioceses in Albania.

According to an information provided by Jani Trebicka, responsible for the church, the decision has been taken without the knowledge of the Albanian Orthodox Church and without the approval of Arch-bishop Janullatos.

However no protest has been launched by him and this hesitation is linked with the reaction caused by the appointment of Janullatos himself to lead the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church in 1991.

"I favour dialogue with Albanian state authorities," his Holiness Janullatos, who has not openly expressed himself against the patriarchy, has been cited as saying.

"We do not understand this attempt of the Patriarchy to deny the autocephaly of the Albanian orthodox Church after so many decades and usurp its leadership by Greek bishops and archbishop", says the protest, signed by the committee's chairman, Petrit Bidoshi.

A copy of the protest has also been presented to ATA for information.

The Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church is called by the entire Albanian people 'The National Autocephalous Church of Albania'. It is sacred for all Albanians and any kind of religion for its great contribution to national unification and fraternity. The autocephaly of the Albanian Orthodox Church is sealed with the efforts and blood of its best representatives," the protest says.

Arthur Liolin, head of the Orthodox Episcopate of the Albanians in America, has also sent to Metropolitan Theodosius, Primate of the Orthodox Churches of America, a fax, which stresses that this act of the oecumenical Patriarchy runs counter to its assurances that "the Holy Sinod of the Albanians will be created by the Albanian church, itself". pas/lm/sh/

[07] PRESS REVIEW

TIRANA, AUGUST 1 (ATA) - "The European Convention on Human Rights approved" is the title of Rilindja Demokratike (RD), regarding the Wednesday's ratification of the European convention on the principal human rights and the adherence in the convention on prevention of tortures and inhuman degrading punishments.

The paper also highlights a chronicle of the meetings vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu held in Ireland under the title "Good will between the two countries to cooperate."

It also carries "Kosova's division, an unacceptable offer for Albanians." RD also publishes a resolution approved Wednesday in the Parliament under the title "Albanian-Macedonian relations depend on the rights of Albanians in Macedonia."

With regard on the events inside the SP the paper carries an article of the deputy Azem Hajdari entitled "From the unanimous unity, to unanimous disagreement."

Zeri i Popullit carries a press release of the SP Presidency entitled, "Return of faith in democracy passes through new elections" and under the headline "On the eve of the new Congress" it says "Let the debate be oriented towards the fundamental problem."

Republika under the title "An applaudable step" says "The Albanian Parliament protests against the detention of Tetovo University officials." It also reports on a visit of the RP deputy chairman Fatmir Mediu to the U.S.

Poli i Qendres publishes "The opposition starts another campaign in Europe" where it stresses that, for the Albanian government time of the great confrontation is approaching.

It says regarding the approval of the European Convention "Albania fulfills the first condition, a year after its introduction into the EC."

Tribuna carries an article saying that the newspaper Koha Jone itself has acknowledged all hypotheses regarding the "aid" provided by Soros and has explained the way the newspaper was bought. "An additional passport for the Albanian people to Europe,", the paper says regarding the approval of the European Convention.

Albania carries the article "Fatos Nano or statue without pedestal". It entitles its editorial "The Macedonian state in the consensus of Albanians". "Another two AIDS virus carriers appear", says the paper adding that the number of the contaminated people reaches 27.

Under the headline "The U.S. Congress adopts a resolution on Kosova", Rilindja carries the article:"Support for the legitimate demands of the Kosova people". The paper also carries the resolution approved by the Albanian parliament under the title:"The jailing of the Tetova University activists condemned".

Legitimacy, the start for local elections", the newspaper "Liria A" says carrying the article:"Terrorism, a great concern for all".

"After five months of investigations the VEFA bomb reappears on the scene, Koha Jone reports regarding the bomb attack which blasted the VEFA supermarket near the Tirana center on February 26 and which caused the death of four people.

The SP presidency supported the U.S. statement on the rerun of elections, the paper says.

Dita Informacion carries an interview with Republican chairman Fatmir Mediu with the "Voice of America" under the title :"The State department to follow closely the developments of local elections". The paper also carries a comment of the "Deutsche Welle" radio entitled:"Shootings in the dark imperil cold peace in Kosova".

Under the title "Drug addicts 'attack' hospitals, the newspaper gazeta Shqiptare carries an interview with hospitalised youths fighting with heroine.

"The Socialist Party does not deserve Fatos Nano's offences. He runs counter to the messages sent to us", says the newspaper citing Socialist deputy-chairman Pellumbi as saying in his comment on the third Nano message. kled/fh/lm/sh/

[08] SHARKS ON THE ALBANIAN ADRIATIC COAST

According to him, the shark was two and a half meters long and weighing about 200 kilograms, writes the paper which says that the shark was 200 meters far from the coast of Shengjin.

A day before fishermen had informed of the presence of sharks near the Albanian coast.

Two months ago, two dead sharks were seen in the coast of Vlora, southwestern Albania, writes the newspaper. eva/xh/

[09] DIVISION OF KOSOVA - A JURIDICALLY GROUNDLESS OFFER OF COMPROMISE, UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE ALBANIANS

While this idea is supported as well as opposed among the Serbs, the Albanians refute it as a dangerous proposal that cannot be realised.

The academician Pavle Ivic (P.Express, 21.6) advocating the idea of the president of the Serbian Academy of Sciences, Aleksander Despic for the secession of Kosova from Serbia, finds the realisation of this idea "in the peaceful ways and in justice" and recommends that "Serbs must have the territories in which historical monuments have been erected." Architect Branislav Kerst goes even further in his book "Kosova between historical history and ethnic justice," in which he expresses openly the aims that "along cultural-historical monuments" Serbia should also have all the energy sources and mining riches."

But the academician Mihalio Markov, main former ideologist of the Socialist Party of Serbia, refutes this idea considering it a "capitulation and secession of Kosova" (P.Express, 22,6.) Markov proposes as an easier solution "the procrastination of the solution of the Kosova question," defining a "20 year deadline for the reexamination of this question." The scholar Milan Andrijevic expresses the same viewpoint when he says that "this is an alternative which should be studied" and puts the question: "What will be divided, because along with political problems there are the economic problemsas well."

Also Aleks Dragan has recently published a book which reflects the "worries" of the Serbian policy. The book is entitled "The Saga of Kosova" and reflects the idea of the division of Kosova between the Serbs and the Albanians. For the author the division of Kosova is "the only logical and realistic solution" which might offer Serbia the possibility "to save as many of its historical and cultural monuments as possible."

"The most sacred monastery for the Serbs," says the Albanian academician Mark Krasniqi, "is Trepca, the gold mine."

The reopening of this file at these moments in the Serbian Academy upon order of Belgrade in order to feel the pulse of the opinion and to prepare it for possible radical changes in Kosova, sounds as an offer for compromise on the part of the Serbian "democratic" forces.

"This is an 'old game" which has been played in 1920 in the Versailles Peace, in 1945 as well as several years ago also by the Yugoslav former president, academician Dobrica Qosic, says the President of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova. Qosic presented this idea officially to the co-chairmen of the International Conference for former Yugoslavia, Vance and Owen, but they refuted this opinion categorically.

The clear and categorical stand of the president of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova against a division of Kosova from the judicial point of view, has also found support in the London Conference (1992) and by the Badinter Commission (in 1991.) The London Conference decided that the borders of the republics and autonomous republics, and specifically those in Yugoslavia are invulnerable. lind/pas/xh/

[10] CONSTRUCTION OF BUSHAT HYDRO POWER STATION TO START SOON

On the basis of the agreement with this firm, the construction of the new hydro power station will be completed after three years. The expenditures which are estimated at 170 million dollars for the construction of the hydro power station will be defrayed with the money from the selling of electric power. The new construction in the Ashta village of the commune of Bushat will be the last in the cascade on the Drin River, Shkodra district.

The new hydro power station will have an installed capacity of 80 megawatt, two aggregates of 40 megawatt each. Annual energy production is estimated to be 350 million kilowatt per hour. ksh/xh/

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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