Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-01-11

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA RECEIVES DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN TIRANA

[03] PHOTOTOXINE PREFERED TO JOINT MAJORITY -Burrel

[04] ALBANIA PAPER CALLED IN COURT FOR SLANDER

[05] POWERFUL BRIDGES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALBANIA AND ITS DIASPORA

[06] IBRAHIM RUGOVA HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

[07] ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC SALI BERISHA AT RECEPTION FOR DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON NEW YEAR

[08] THE YEAR 1996, A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATIONS IN ALBANIAN ARMY'S REFORMATION

[01] PRESS REVIEW

"After pyramid schemes, the crisis occupies the banks," writes Zeri i Popullit. "According to a categorical order, the banks are not allowed to make payments over 30 million lek a day," writes the paper. "Yesterday, students in general strike without a fixed deadline," writes this paper in the feature "Actualities." In the page on economic reports, the paper has an article "Prices - a great speculation."

"The state to pay for the pyramid scheme," writes Republika. The newspaper entitles its editorial "Emigrants abandoned by their state." "Students and teachers divided," writes the paper regarding the yesterday's strike of the students.

Rilindja makes coverage of the news conference of the president of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova under the title "The question of Kosova is led by U.S. and EU." The meeting of president Berisha with the commander of the NATO Southern Wing Air Forces, Bethurem, is reflected by the paper under the title "In Kosova - peaceful acts and means."

Under the headline "New hypothesis on the fraud of pyramid schemes," the newspaper Albania carries the article "Money from pyramid schemes in western banks?!" "Accounts numbers for many firms do not exist in Albanian banks, at a time when they have accumulated millions of dollars," writes the newspaper. "Chinese flu, a slander of papers," writes this paper citing a refutation of the Institute of Public Health for Koha Jone, about the epidemic situation.

"Nexhmija: The Party of Labour jailed me," writes Koha Jone. Enver did not agree with the closure of religious institutions and with the class struggle," the paper cites Nexhmije Hoxha. "Lek anemia becomes more evident, " is another article in this paper.

Gazeta Shqiptare carries an interview of Nexhmije Hoxha, widow of Enver Hoxha, who released from jail yesterday under the title "The fault for my imprisonment also falls on SP." Dollar and other foreign currencies with rising exchange rates," writes the newspaper under the headline "In the money exchange market foreign currency is increasingly wanted." kled/xh/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA RECEIVES DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN TIRANA

In this traditional reception on occasion of the New Year, Berisha thanked all the representatives of the countries which have their diplomatic representations in Albania for their work and successful cooperation in 1996.

Berisha mentioned some of the most important political and diplomatic events for the past year.

After Berisha, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Bulgaria's Ambassador, Stefan Naumov, took the floor. He stressed some of the achievements of Albania during 1996 focusing especially on the results of the parliamentary elections held on May 26, 1996 and the local poll held on October 20, 1996.

Naumov considered the elections as a referendum in which the Albanian people expressed their will to live in a democratic society.

Attending the reception were the Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, deputy Prime Minister Tritan Shehu, government members, deputies, representatives of political parties, artists and reporters. kei/xh/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PHOTOTOXINE PREFERED TO JOINT MAJORITY -Burrel

"The 18 year old F.B. from Komisa commune, although was given the first aid, could not save from poisoning with big doses of phototoxine", said the doctor of reanimation, Xhavit Mara.

According to the unconfirmed sources, over 60 cases of poisoning with this medicine have happened this year.

Police have contacted with the phyto-pharmacists, who are told to be careful on the use and selection of clients for this medicine. /a.ke/rf/eva/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIA PAPER CALLED IN COURT FOR SLANDER

The other two times the document, signed by judge Petrit Kaja, was not sent correctly and was rejected by Albania paper. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] POWERFUL BRIDGES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALBANIA AND ITS DIASPORA

"The creation of this League would help defend the interests of the Albanians wherever they are. The existence of an Albanian lobby would contribute to exploitation to the benefit of our country of the intellectual and economic potentials it has," told ATA the director of the Institute, Xhevat Mustafa.

The half a century communist regime and the vacuum that was created by it are facing today a policy of establishing broad bridges of relations and communication of Albania with its Diaspora.

"Since 1997 is the year of the 85th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Independence of Albania, the initiating Commission which represents the existing associations throughout the world will convene to realise an Assembly of the League of Albanians in the world," said Mr Mustafa.

Created since 1992 in the Foreign Ministry, the specialists of this institute are working to explore and see the organization of the old diaspora and to give a more powerful support to the new diaspora.

"Therefore, the main objective," said Mr Mustafa, "remains the work with the emigrants who have left the country in the recent years, with their problems like legalization, employment, judicial and social protection." kei/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] IBRAHIM RUGOVA HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

Rugova reiterated that the solution of the Kosova issue should be led by the U.S., in coordination with the European Union based on the political will of the Kosova people for independence and freedom.

"The time has come that the Kosova independence is being achieved and will be achieved through an organised and civilised nonviolent resistance. In a word, historically Kosova has been a western country. Above all, with the vitality of its people it is today the strongest republic in the Southwestern Europe."

"The world is increasingly recognising and respecting this fact," he said.

Rugova hailed the EU approach that the sanctions against Serbia will not be lifted unless serious talks begin with the Kosova side. He also hailed the stand of the Albanian representative to OSCE on Kosova.

Further on, Rugova asked an end to the repression and provocations of the Serb regime in Kosova and a greater international presence, as a preventive measure. He also stressed that the best solution for Kosova is an independent and neutral Kosova, open to Albania and Serbia with all guarantees for the Kosova Serbs and a civil international administration as a transitional stage. kei.lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIC SALI BERISHA AT RECEPTION FOR DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON NEW YEAR

I avail myself of the opportunity to assure you of the real interest and unshakable commitment of Albania to consolidate, on the basis of reciprocity and values we share, the friendship and cooperation with your friendly countries and the institutions you represent.

The year 1997 will be a decisive year for the Albanians concerning the consolidation of the Rule of Law, the market economy and the integration into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

I am convinced as well that this year will be of great significance for the region, Europe and the World on the whole.

In spite of the problems, difficulties and challenges we faced, 1996 was another year of peace and stability, rapid increase and wise and determining decisions of the Albanians for Albania of today and of the years 2000.

This year, comprehensive legislative, political, economic and institutional reform reached new levels and spaces. The freedom and rights of the Albanian gained greatest dimensions than ever.

The political pluralism, during this year, reached its widest spectrum. Let me recall that over 20 political parties ran in the last election race with their programmes and candidates.

Free market and free initiative got new impulses and dimensions in 1996. Today, Albania, regarding the ownership over the land, dwelling houses and market, but also the GDP, is one of the most "private" countries in the world.

The complete liberalisation of wheat and fuel prices gave a new energy to the market freedom.

The implementation of VAT and the promotion of privatisation are other significant achievements of the reform.

But unemployment in 1996 was about 10%. There was an increase in the budget deficit for not having collected the foreseen revenues, the appearance of some grave forms of organised crime and an almost forced inflation increase.

It was another year of the rapid increase and double economic growth. The boom of the market, construction and transport have not recognised interruption.

The Albanian art and culture reached a new level this year.

The year 1996 will be remembered for Albania as the year of some of the wisest decisions in our entire history and this not only because we voted for the most serious political force and we were able to choose the best electoral programme but above all because we voted and have chosen not to turn back, to go fast ahead, and this, for a people who have lost 50 years, is the best, the wisest choice.

The year 1996 was another year of serious efforts of Albania to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation in the region and for its integration into Europe. We find our happier future and our stronger identity in the European Union and in Euro-Atlantic institutions. On the whole I might say that our cooperation with your countries and with the Euro-Atlantic institutions and others recognised progress and further consolidation. This year Albania hosted statesmen, government officials and citizens from many countries, signed treaties and economic, military and cultural agreements with the neighbouring countries, friendly countries in Europe, in America and in other continents, international organisations and institutions.

The year 1996 was another year of great solidarity shown by the European Union and its member countries as well as by other friendly countries, many of which have provided Albania with the highest aid per capita. I avail myself of the opportunity to express to you an all your countries and government our most profound gratitude.

During this year the close cooperation with the EU and its valuable assistance for the balance of Payments for the implementation of many projects in the framework of PHARE and Cross-border programme as well as the close cooperation with the Council of Europe in several projects and the electoral process have been for us of particular importance. Our cooperation with the NATO,too, was entirely successful. Over the last year multinational exercises were carried out. Albania took part in the IFOR's and now in the SFOR's troops. We also have shown special interest in our cooperation with the U.N. and its organisations, with the Breton Wood's Institutions, the UNDP, FAO, IFAD, UNICEF and the fruits from the cooperation with almost all these institutions are real. I have the special pleasure to affirm here that some momentary problems created with OSCE have found full solution as Albania gave evidence that its considers OSCE one of its own most important organisations while this organisation appreciates in Albania its own member, sincere and devoted to its principles.

The year 1996 was another year of peace for our whole peninsula with deep wounds and this constitutes a great achievements not only for the whole Balkans but also for Europe and wider. The IFOR troops have rendered a historic contribution to the implementation of the Dayton Accord.

The SFOR presence in Bosnia is one of the determinant factors which made possible the last developments in Serbia. We have hailed these developments not because we intended to interfere in the internal affairs of another country but because we think that the future of our region relies upon democratic values, upon real values and not prejudices. We have backed Belgrade's peaceful protests for the right cause they defend, for its civic and peaceful character. We have supported them not because they will or might have a determinant importance for the just solution of the Kosova issue. It is our profound conviction that Kosova, the grave wound of the old continent, the major issue of the Balkan crisis can be resolved only in Kosova. We will continue to fully support all the efforts, the peaceful protests and means that the political forces, citizens of Kosova have made use and will use to regain freedoms, as well as human and national rights they desire. This above all because we can not agree with the oppression, violence, apartheid of two million Albanians. I would also like to stress that by backing active peaceful protests we do not back violence and other non peaceful means which would have tragic consequences in South Balkans. We appeal on the European Union, its member countries and the whole international community to pay the due attention and the indispensable evaluation to the just solution of the Kosova issue," Berisha concluded.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] THE YEAR 1996, A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATIONS IN ALBANIAN ARMY'S REFORMATION

The most important activities of 1996 include the meeting of the Southern Balkan Defence Ministers, which was considered historic and successful by Defence minister Safet Zhulali.

The conference of the Southern Balkan Defence ministers was a real effort for building a new architecture in the regional relations as an indivisible part of the new architecture of the Eur.-Atlnatic security.

"The Albanian policy has shown that Albania's contribution during 1996 was significant as regards the preservation of peace, security and stability in the Balkan region and broader.

In 1996 the Albanian army signed five agreements and programmes of cooperation in defence with France, Poland and other states.

A significant moment for the Albanian army was the fact that in 1996, for the first time in the history of this army, the peacekeeping troops were trained. They participated in the IFOR and together with the German troops in the SFOR in Bosnia.

The inclusion of the NATO doctrines in the national military doctrines has been considered successful in the exchange of visits between the defence ministers of various countries, including the U.S., Germany, Austria, Greece and other states and the Albanian Defence Minister.

The year 1996 was the year of some 200 activities in the framework of the partnership for Peace programme. Over 20 important exercises were carried out in and outside Albania such as in the U.S., Greece and other countries. They were evaluated by the specialists because they enable the application of the contemporary methods and doctrines of NATO and other countries by the Albanian army.

The multilateral exercise "Peaceful eagle '96", in which took part 2000 troops who acted in 44 situations, is of great values for the specialists. jz/lm/Z/

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

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