Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-31

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] AID FOR MENTALLY DEFICIENT CHILDREN IN KORCA

[02] MEDIA HAS AN UNDENIABLE ROLE IN SENSITIZING PEOPLE OF THE DANGER FROM THOSE WHO GROW NARCOTICS - Interior Minister

[03] KATARI: 4 MILLION DOLLARS AIDS FOR POOREST STRATA OF SOCIETY

[04] MESSAGE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA ON THE OCCASION OF THE NEW YEAR 1997

[01] AID FOR MENTALLY DEFICIENT CHILDREN IN KORCA

"The aid has mainly been provided in clothing and food for the handicapped children," the director of this centre, Ylli Qirinxhi, told ATA.

During the last three years the association has sent the children of this centre for two-week-vacations to different tourist sports, providing the travel and food expenses.

The centre is serving for the rehabilitation of some 40 handicapped children. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] MEDIA HAS AN UNDENIABLE ROLE IN SENSITIZING PEOPLE OF THE DANGER FROM THOSE WHO GROW NARCOTICS - Interior Minister

"I think there is not any organized crime in Albania," said Shamata adding that "in my opinion, there is no refinery of drugs in Albania but only drug-trafficking," said Shamata During the discussion of the package of laws against crime and corruption, Albanian deputies debated a lot Article 34 of this package, which envisages imprisonment terms for those who grow narcotics.

Some deputies said the term should be shorter for these people, from 10 to 5 years, thus increasing the possibility for its implementation.

The deputies who defended the presented version, spoke of the danger that this crime presents to the people, it is a crime, which, according to them, "jeopardizes the name of Albania in Europe."

Finally, the 10 year imprisonment term was left in force, as it was in the draft, which was approved on December 23, 1996. kled/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] KATARI: 4 MILLION DOLLARS AIDS FOR POOREST STRATA OF SOCIETY

The charitable association Katari conducts its activity in several districts of Albania since 1992 with its mission to facilitate the social problems for the poorest strata of the society.

The quantity of aids of this association reaches so far the amount of 4 million dollars - said one of the directors of the association.

500 orphans receive every month a "pension" of 20 dollars, as well as food and clothes. The association has opened courses for learning foreign languages, computer and sewing.

During 1997 some 1000 persons will profit aids from this association.

The association has helped 50 poor families in Tirana, while during 1997, the number of families to profit from it will be 100. /kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] MESSAGE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA ON THE OCCASION OF THE NEW YEAR 1997

"The year 1996 was the fifth year of Albania in the uninterrupted year of freedom, reforms and with this the Albanian democracy showed its maturity and real success."

Comparing Albania of five years ago, which was just like the museum of poverty of the continent", Berisha underlined the fact that Albania is the country of a rapid growth of economy in Europe.

The living standard had a redoubling increase this year, the incomes per person were also increased, while the exports were increased by 20 per cent, the foreign currency reserves were increased by 16 per cent.

The private property and the free initiative faced development and important consolidation. Today, over 90 per cent of trade, tourism, constructions, services and transport belong to the private sector.

Further on the Albanian President talked about the achievements in legislation, army, culture and art.

As a result of the great engagement and devotion, the police forces and other institutions gave an efficacious blow to the organized crime and traffickers and an important decrease of criminality was also marked.

Albania, as a factor of peace and stability in the Balkan, had during 1996 an active and fruitful foreign policy, said Berisha further on, and added that the cooperation with the neighbouring countries and other friend countries, the countries of the European Union, USA and other Euro-Atlantic institutions has faced positive developments.

"The Albanian national issue was treated in all main Chancelleries, in world summits and in the resolution and international documents of the year.

But the year 1996 will be remembered by us as the year of the outstanding wisdom of Albanians, because this year, we with our free vote on May 26th and October 20th crowned the Albanian democracy with the crown of the years 2000.

The powerful democratic movement of this end of the century marked in the year 1996 not only its most land slide-victory, but also the most defining for the fate and future of it and Albania's as well.

Evaluating the year 1996 as the luckiest and wisest year of our history, I am not going to evaluate it as a garden of flowers. No. It cannot be denied that besides natural misfortunes and grave accidents, we experienced this year also social and political phenomena not worthy for a free society, unacceptable for the moral and values of our civilization.

In this way, the organized crime, as a continuity of the red state terror, killed in Tirana innocent people. While others to become rich were involved in drugs trafficking and prostitution, said Berisha.

The year 1996 was for the Albanians in Kosova, Macedonia and Monte Negro another year of serious efforts for freedom, dignity, human and national rights, said Berisha further on.

Two million Albanians in Kosova faced this year the severe invasion, the real Serbian apartheid against them.

I have my strong belief that the legitimate leadership, all the political forces, the intellectuals, students, youth, all the citizens of Kosova, far from every dogmas and political myopia, had the wisdom, bravery and the determination not to separate the historic moment from their historic responsibility, not to replace the active and peaceful resistance with silence, their freedom-loving spirit, their best tradition.

The way chosen by the Democratic League of Kosova, President Rugova and other political subjects and citizens of Kosova to re-win the dignity, freedoms and the national and human rights, the peaceful way with all its forms and means, although difficult, not short and full of sacrifices is the best, the most civilized, the most efficacious.

"I want to ensure once again my compatriots that Albania, by respecting completely the international borders, fully supports and without reserves all the efforts, protests and their peaceful means, for the re- winning of their lost freedoms and human rights and that with their peaceful and active efforts to help themselves, they will have the support of the European democratic countries, USA and all the other democratic forces in the world, said Berisha.

The year 1997 puts before us mayor objectives, challenges and problems that need solution. The consolidation of institutions and the functioning of the legal state in an efficacious way, massive privatization and the widening of the free initiative, important decisions for the constitution, the fight against criminality, increase in wages, pensions, standard of living, improvement of infrastructure, integration of the country into Europe and the further solution of the national issue are the most important and ambitious goals that we will realize during the coming year, continued Berisha.

At the end, President Berisha invited all the citizens and patriots to raise a toast to the Albanians in Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Monte Negro, emigration, diaspora and wherever they are tonight. /kled/mt/

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

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