ATA News from Albania, 96-09-23

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEAVES FOR STRASBOURG

[02] ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR IN SARANDE

[03] ALBANIAN COAST IN FOCUS OF INVESTORS

[04] DEMOCRATIC PARTY OPENS LOCAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN

[05] FLOODS HIT LEZHA DISTRICT

[06] MACEDONIA HAS BEEN AND WILL REMAIN A STATE OF ALBANIANS AS WELL- reaction

[07] A WIDE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLIO TO START IN ALBANIA -Ages from 1 to 50 years old to be included-

[08] ISRAEL INTERESTED IN HELPING ALBANIAN INFRASTRUCTURE -Interview with the Israeli Ambassador to Albania-

[09] ALBERT BROJKA RESIGNES FROM POST OF MINISTER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, TERRITORIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND TOURISM

[10]

[11] ALBANIAN WORK AND SOCIAL AFFAIR MINISTER RECEIVES SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

[12] ALBANIAN PM MEETS SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

[14] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES STRATEGY OF STATE BANK PRIVATISATION

[15] SP MEMBERS OF ELECTION COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BOYCOTT - Mejdani

[16] FINANCE MINISTRY - NO FUNDS FOR SDP, IT HAS NOT CLEARED ITS LOAN OF MAY 26

[01] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEAVES FOR STRASBOURG

The Albanian delegation is led by Ali Spahia. a.ke/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE HOLDS SEMINAR IN SARANDE

Attending the seminar in Sarande were intellectuals of various fields, representatives of the Education department in the district and of the Greek ethnic organisation "Omonia".

The chairman of the Albanian Helsinki Commission, Prof. Arben Puto, the HRUP deputy, Thoma Mico, were present as well.

"All the participants in the seminar positively valued the Albanian government's latest decision to open the first Greek teaching classes for the minority children in the cities of Gjirokaster, Sarande and Delvine", Puto told ATA. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIAN COAST IN FOCUS OF INVESTORS

Based on the ministry's projects, the coastal area is divided into priority zones for the development of toursim. The projects include the setting up of tourist villages and hotels.

Besides fifty million dollars invested by foreign companies and firms, another 105 million dollars mainly for the development of toursim in these zones are being released.

According to the director for the encouragement of tourist investment, Arjan Skenderi, over 20 million dollars of investment carried out and underway only by foreign companies, are changing the view of the coastal area in the vicinity of the Kavaja city.

Two Italian firms have received license to turn Ksamil into a preferred tourist zone, based on the projects and a capital of 50 million dollars.

An Austrian firm is studying in detail the Ionnian coast from Llogara to Qeparo.

Alongside foreign investment in the development of coastal tourism, the investment of the Albanians themselves in these areas is increasing.

The inhabitants of these areas are turning their houses into small hotels hosting local and foreign tourists, securing a large income. kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] DEMOCRATIC PARTY OPENS LOCAL ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN

The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, was also present. In his address he referred to the May 26 elections underlining that "during these elections Albanians proved that democracy is their future whereas socialism their past".

Introducing Albert Brojka as the DP deputy for the post of the Tirana Mayor, Berisha expressed the belief that all Albanians on October 20 will vote for democracy that the boycott has no place in Albania and that the future is of democracy and its values.

Brojka, proposed by the DP for the post of the Tirana mayor, is one of the most outstanding people of the Democratic Party and is currently running the Ministry of Construction and Territorial Administration .

DP chairman Tritan Shehu considered Brojka the best alternative and candidature. Shehu expressed his belief that Brojka would work for the future of Tirana.

Prime Minister Meksi underlined the fact that "in the next four years the DP will provide Tirana with roads, water, electricity and that Albania's center will continue to be a great cultural, artistic and scientific center of the country". kled/pas/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] FLOODS HIT LEZHA DISTRICT

According to the information of the communes, there are damaged about 3 000 hectars of planted land and about 300 houses, in which the water has arrived the height above one meter, are temporarily uninhabitable.

The overflow of Manatisa stream has caused big damages in 12 houses. In Gryke Zeza village, Drini river carried away 40 pigs from the pig farm and 20 ones from the families and damaged 6 houses. In Zadrima village, 35 heads of smaller livestock have died. There are also damaged 10 hectars of glass-house.

The main street in Lezha district was impassable for about an hour today in the morning and water reached first floors of the houses in "Beslidhja" quarter, causing damages in shops.

The government invested some USD100 000 in Lezha district during this year, to systematize the high leveled waters, but their effect was very small.

Lezha was hit last year by two floods, on August 23 and September 21. /kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] MACEDONIA HAS BEEN AND WILL REMAIN A STATE OF ALBANIANS AS WELL- reaction

The release says that the statements run counter to the political demands of the Albanians in this Republic, the Kosova Information Centre reports.

The communique criticises the conditioning of the dialogue between the Skopje Government and Albania, on the position occupied by Albanians in Macedonia, by the observation of reciprocity in solving the minority issues in both countries.

The PPDSH also criticises the warning to eliminate the observing mission of the U.N. high commissioner, Elisabeth Rehn, and the exclusion of the Albanian issue from the conference on former-Yugoslavia.

The PPDSH stresses that Macedonia has been, is and will remain a state of Albanians as well, that they can in no way be a minority in Macedonia, that Albania has been and will be a state of Albanians where the others are a minority and that reciprocity relations on these issues cannot be established between these two states.

The PPDSH demands that the dialogue initially be opened with the Albanians, who make up one/third of Macedonia's population, who do not accept the imposed status in the system. It also demands that the government of Macedonia seriously realises that the Albanians of Macedonia are inseparable part of the national trunk, and they, sooner or later, will rightfully demand that their issue in former-Yugoslavia be integrally solved, because politically, ethnically and geographically it had always been as such. p/ta/l/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] A WIDE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLIO TO START IN ALBANIA -Ages from 1 to 50 years old to be included-

At the beginning it will be a contingent of 3.5 million doses, which will be followed later by another same quantity.

Age-groups form 1 to 50 years old will be vaccinated in order to prevent the disease.

Many countries have offered their help to accomplish the vaccination campaign. The donators of this campaign will be the European Union, different countries from Europe and the world. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ISRAEL INTERESTED IN HELPING ALBANIAN INFRASTRUCTURE -Interview with the Israeli Ambassador to Albania-

The positive climate is a good base and an infrastructure for further development of the relations, said the Israel's Ambassador. "We don't need to establish such a climate, it already exists", stressed Millo.

Asked about the main direction of the bilateral cooperation in the economic field, Millo answered that Albania is most interested in the infrastructure. Millo added that even in the field of agriculture, we have held a number of seminars. "Besides agriculture, the relations will be extended in other fields as well, like education, health, public administration", he said.

Regarding the last parliamentarian elections in Albania, Millo pointed out that after the post-electoral noise in Albania, Israel did not supported the critics of the European Union or other countries. "We think that things can be solved by Albanians themselves. I say that politicians in Israel have an immovable trust in the Albanian President, Sali Berisha. We are pleased that things are moving towards a reasonable way now", said Millo.

Regarding other meetings held with Albanian top officials, the Israel's Ambassador told there were held very fruitful meetings with Foreign Minister Shehu and Defence Minister Zhulali. "We, including our President, are very pleased about the progress achieved in our bilateral relations, like in economic, political, cultural, as well as in the field of private enterprises", stressed Millo. He pointed out that it exists a general positive feeling of the Albanian administration, headed by President Berisha, to support the relations between Israel and Albania.

After the exchanges at a parliamentarian level, Millo underlined the idea to establish parliamentarian associations of the mutual friendship between the Albanian Parliament and the Israeli Knesset. /kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBERT BROJKA RESIGNES FROM POST OF MINISTER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, TERRITORIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND TOURISM

Brojka motivated his resignation from this post with the fact that he is a candidate of the Democratic Party (DP) for the chairman of Tirana Municipality.

Brojka holds at the same time even the post of the chairman of DP Tirana section and that of the Foreign Secretary of this party.

Brojka, who is considered as one of the most completed figures of the DP, is in competition for the chairman of Tirana Municipality with the former famous basketball sportsman, Agim Fagu, candidate of the Socialist Party, and with the President of the Democratic Alliance Party, Neritan Ceka. /pas/mt

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10]

In the main hall of the International Centre of Culture in Albanian capital, just at the place where some years ago was placed the statue of the dictator Enver Hoxha gathered some 1500 invited youths and 400 delegates from all around the country under the motto "Approach to your future, Vision 2000."

This Convention is conceived in the form of a great spectacle where attended the highest ranking officials of the country, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Tirana as well as many delegations of the European Youth invited in it.

Chairman of YFDP, Afrim Krasniqi while analysing the work of the forum he has led for two years, pointed out that 34 per cent of its members have been active in the Democratic Party structures and that from 16200 members the Forum counted in 1994 it now has reached to 34700 members. He also mentioned the integration of this forum in the European structures and organisations.

President of the Republic Sali Berisha, addressing to the fourth YFDP Convention said "Albania has lost enough time, but now it is moving with a quick step in the consolidation of democracy. A promoter for this, is first of all your knowledge and devotion and that of Albanians in general as well."

Berisha said that, although Albania remains a poor country, it invests on education more than in all other sectors.

"I have the pleasure to confirm that this year we have increased the number of students by 25 per cent and in year 2000 this number will double aiming to become three and four times higher in the years to come" added Berisha.

Employment of the youth was considered by Berisha one of future priorities. "Your employment, is seen first in the creation of employment chances, widening of the space for free initiative, as it this free initiative which will create new jobs, not only for you but for the future generations as well."

The DP chairman Tritan Shehu said that "the YFDP is the greatest organisation of the Albanian youth."

"This Forum is the basis of our victory on May 26 elections" said Shehu and expressed his conviction that the YFDP will again be at the head of the election campaign and remain a very important element of the DP victory.

"Your example and our achievements managed to make sensible most of the Socialist youth, to shake them and awake from the indoctrinated sleep they were in, part from Marx and Enver's claws and be conscious of their aspirations" said Shehu.

The Convention was greeted by the German Christian Democratic delegation, Italian and Polish delegation and that of the Youth Forum of Kosova Democratic League. pas/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN WORK AND SOCIAL AFFAIR MINISTER RECEIVES SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

The meeting discussed the training possibility for Albanian workers in tourism and hotel management, culinary and tourism guiding. Both sides agreed to issue and sign in the future an official agreement in this field.

They also talked on the cooperation in the field of social assistance in protection of orphans and incitement of cooperation in the field of private investments in Albania. pas/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ALBANIAN PM MEETS SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

Meksi said that he considered important the increasing of bilateral contacts and finding out of the cooperation fields. He said that these fields may be tourism, telecommunication, banks and others.

"I think that the first step is the creation of a joint commission, which will concretely define the field of cooperation between Albanian and San Marino" said Meksi and adding that "of interest is even the multi party cooperation in the context of international organisations."

"We have expected with interest the visit to Albania and have considered it an important starting point for concrete and successful cooperation" said Gatti.

He expressed his admiration for the development of democracy in Albania and his readiness for cooperation in the fields which would serve Albanian and San Marino's interests.

He invited Meksi for a visit to San Marino which, as he said, "will serve to finding out and deciding of possibile bilateral cooperation." ake/fh/

TIRANA, SEPT 23 (ATA) - Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received Monday morning Foreign Minister of San Marino Gabrielle Gatti and the delegation he heads in a visit to Albania.

Meksi said that he considered important the increasing of bilateral contacts and finding out of the cooperation fields. He said that these fields may be tourism, telecommunication, banks and others.

"I think that the first step is the creation of a joint commission, which will concretely define the field of cooperation between Albanian and San Marino" said Meksi and adding that "of interest is even the multi party cooperation in the context of international organisations."

"We have expected with interest the visit to Albania and have considered it an important starting point for concrete and successful cooperation" said Gatti.

He expressed his admiration for the development of democracy in Albania and his readiness for cooperation in the fields which would serve Albanian and San Marino's interests.

He invited Meksi for a visit to San Marino which, as he said, "will serve to finding out and deciding of possibile bilateral cooperation." ake/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES SAN MARINO FOREIGN MINISTER

Berisha expressed his appreciation for the good relations between Albania and this small republic but with democratic traditions. He underlined that these relations should be present not only in the field of politics but in economy as well, like in investments in tourism, viticulture, financial cooperation and others.

Gatti expressed his admiration for Albania's achievements and the democratic course it is following. ssh/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES STRATEGY OF STATE BANK PRIVATISATION

This document clarifies government's objectives in the bank privatisation process, defines the criteria strategic investors should realise, methods and phases of privatisation process and the duties that state institutions and foreign advisers should resolve in realisation of this process.

The government is engaged, according this document, to realise bank privatisation within year 2000, starting with the National Agrarian Bank and continuing with National Commercial Bank and the Savings Bank.

Council of Ministers also decided that the Savings Bank should start on November 1, 1996, to give privatisation bonds for the second phase of this program. It also decided that the privatisation bonds of the first phase of massive privatisation may be used even in the second phase of this privatisation which will end in 1999.

The meeting also approved other decision like: on the opening of the Countability-Finance branch in Gjirokastra University with 24 students, on the financial support for the commercial navy fleet with a fund of 15 million Leks by the Restructuring Agency of Enterprises and other decisions. ksh/fh/ TIRANA, SEPT 23 (ATA) - Albanian Council of Ministers in its meeting Monday approved the decision "On approval of state banks privatisation strategy."

This document clarifies government's objectives in the bank privatisation process, defines the criteria strategic investors should realise, methods and phases of privatisation process and the duties that state institutions and foreign advisers should resolve in realisation of this process.

The government is engaged, according this document, to realise bank privatisation within year 2000, starting with the National Agrarian Bank and continuing with National Commercial Bank and the Savings Bank.

Council of Ministers also decided that the Savings Bank should start on November 1, 1996, to give privatisation bonds for the second phase of this program. It also decided that the privatisation bonds of the first phase of massive privatisation may be used even in the second phase of this privatisation which will end in 1999.

The meeting also approved other decision like: on the opening of the Countability-Finance branch in Gjirokastra University with 24 students, on the financial support for the commercial navy fleet with a fund of 15 million Leks by the Restructuring Agency of Enterprises and other decisions. ksh/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] SP MEMBERS OF ELECTION COMMISSION SHOULD NOT BOYCOTT - Mejdani

"The commission members should not withdraw anyway, as they represent the SP but they are state officials at the same time. Their basic document should be the law observation" declared today Mejdani in a statement for ATA.

The SP boycotted the May 26, parliamentary elections by withdrawing its members from election commissions three hours before the vote closing, under the pretension of "many irregularities" by bringing about many irregularities in the vote counting.

The last election law, passed by the Albanian Parliament, envisages three years in jail for members of election commission who will leave the commission. This caused reaction of the SP and some other parties of the opposition which nevertheless accepted to participate in the elections.

The number of commissions members "has been assured in the greatest part" but hesitation have also been because of the law misinterpretation, said Mejdani.

Regarding the common candidates with the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Agrarian Party (AP) and the National Union Party (NUP) Mejdani said the organisations in the districts have agreed on this issue themseles. "The SP is for cooperation and for common candidates with the DAP, SDP, AP and NUP have agreed the basis themselves in the districts" he said.

The SP created a cooperation with these parties for elections on May 26, which was called "the red front" by the Democratic Party (DP). The SP let free constituencies during May 26 elections for the DAP and SDP candidates. For Mejdani "the only problem remains guaranteeing of free elections."

Asked if he feels himself a young politician, he answered that politics "had been his hobby" but he "does not pretend to be a model for others and does not aim to become such."

"If politics will impair positive elements of my character and if I result invalid, the first idea which will strike my mind will be withdrawal from politics" said Mejdani. ksh/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] FINANCE MINISTRY - NO FUNDS FOR SDP, IT HAS NOT CLEARED ITS LOAN OF MAY 26

This was the statement of Chief of Department in the Budget Directory of Finance Ministry Avni Hajdarmati, who added that "the fund accorded to the SDP is kept to clear this loan."

According a decision of the government, the political parties which in the parliamentary elections did not assure the limit minimum should return to the state budged the fund they got from the government.

"The SDP should return the sum of USD10 thousand" said Hajdarmati.

"The SP has not yet taken its funds" said Hajdarmati, "as it asks to take 70 per cent of the total fund. If it is approved by the government, such a sum will be accorded to the SP" he added.

Despite the pressure of finance workers of the political parties the government believes reimbursement of the money is difficult like with the SDP. ksh/fh/

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

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