Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-08-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] RTSH DIRECTOR GENERAL TO PROPOSE LEADING STAFF

[02] DP LEADER HOLDS TALKS WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

[03] PRESS CONFERENCE OF HEAD OF STATE CONTROL SERVICE

[04] ARBEN RAKIPI APPOINTED GENERAL PROSECUTOR

[05] GRAVE INCIDENT IN ALBANIAN-GREEK BORDER

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE

[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABLED ASSOCIATION

[08] COLONEL HAKI LICKAJ APPOINTED COMMANDER OF GUARD OF REPUBLIC

[09] JOZEFINA TOPALLI ELECTED DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY PRESIDENCY

[10] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT ASKS ASSISTANCE FOR HIS COUNTRY'S LEGISLATION

[11] FRENCH PRESIDENT INVITES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMIT OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

[12] FRENCH PRESIDENT INVITES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMIT OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

[13] BRITISH PROJECTS IN ALBANIAN HEALTH TO CONTINUE

[14] SOMEONE FOUND KILLED IN VILLAGE OF DURRES

[15] ARAB-ALBANIAN BANK VOICES READINESS TO CREATE FREE INDUSTRIAL ZONES

[16] DP PARLIAMENTARY GROUP JOINS PARLIAMENT - PLENARY SESSION INTERRUPTED

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES MESSAGES OF WISHES

[18] EXPLOSIONS IN SHOPS AND HOMES IN SARANDA

[19] EU COMMISSIONER VOICES READINESS TO BOOST RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA

[20] POLAND VOICES ITS WILL TO CONSOLIDATE RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA

[21] MINISTER OF EDUCATION RUKA MEETS WITH SWISS AMBASSADOR

[22] ALBANIAN PROTESTS FOR THE KILLING OF AN ALBANIAN ON ALBANIAN- GREEK BORDER

[01] RTSH DIRECTOR GENERAL TO PROPOSE LEADING STAFF

Minga asked the RTSH Leading Council on Thursday to postpone the meeting in order to have time to think about the candidatures.

The RTSH leading council elected Ylli Pango, a psychologist, as its head and Albert Minga, a producer, at the post of RTSH Director General. So far, both posts were held by Bardhyl Pollo. pas/ak/k

[02] DP LEADER HOLDS TALKS WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

Berisha acquainted the U.S. diplomat with the attitude of the Democratic party towards the latest developments and its determination to give a contribution to the protection and development of the values of democracy as a constructive, loyal opposition, the DP press release said. ssh/ak/

[03] PRESS CONFERENCE OF HEAD OF STATE CONTROL SERVICE

"These changes are prepared by persons which do not know how the supreme bodies of control established in the IX Congress of INTOSAI in Lima, Peru in 1979 and international control standards function," chief controller said.

Cela opposed the agreement reached in Rome, where the leaders of the main Albanian political parties agreed that this institution be on the hands of the opposition. He accused that the newly approved law "was secretly prepared without informing the SHKSH."

He said that in the last five years this institution has asked for over 5 billions of leks be returned to the state budget and has opened penal processes for 1 500 cases for about 2 300 persons and disciplinary measures be taken against 2 249 employees of all levels, despite their affiliation.

Cela said that SHKSH has asked for the dismissal of five district heads, named by the Democratic party and their three counterparts named by the Socialist party.

Cela replied to questions reiterating that this institution has denounced the misuse of Italian aid in 1991.

"For this aid, the court punished the then prime minister Fatos Nano, who now is again holding this post, but he owes to the state an amount worth 23 million leks, though he has been pardoned by a decree of former President Sali Berisha," Cela said.

He stressed that during the same period the SHKSH has denounced the scandal of walnut timber worth 320 thousand dollars which involved three ministers of the democratic government, without mentioning senior officials in ministries or local government who belonged to the DP or SP.

Cela conceded that the SHKSH leading staff has recently drafted a project to turn this institution into an Account court. This project foresees that the head and staff of this institution should not be involved in political activities or be deputy. pas/ak/

[04] ARBEN RAKIPI APPOINTED GENERAL PROSECUTOR

Rakipi addressing the parliament guaranteed that he will not save his intellectual energies and experience to carry out the task with correctness, being loyal to strictly implementing the law.

He said that he has worked as a jurist, lawyer, head of the Foundation "Reconciliation of differences and solving of conflicts". He has also worked in the court of the Mirdita district during 1986-1990 and from 1990 to 1993 at the Tirana Court and also as an attached pedagogue of the Law Faculty. From April 1993 to June 1996 he has been a specialist in the Directory of Codification at the Justice Ministry and he has other duties in the judiciary.

Rakipi was born in Tirana in 1961 and was married with a child./ak/sh/

[05] GRAVE INCIDENT IN ALBANIAN-GREEK BORDER

Two Greek soldiers entered 250 to 300 meters inland the Albanian border and fired with automatic rifles at the Albanian citizens Agim Xhihani and Ardian Kreka, killing the first and wounding the second.

Sources near the investigation team of regional police commissariat said that the Albanian citizens had returned from Greece where they were working and were shot at the moment they were 700 meters inland the Albanian state border.

The investigation team which went to the site possessed the material proofs such as cartridges belonging to the Greek police and army and the testimonies of three persons which were at the site.

Inhabitants of Vidohove said to ATA that they knew the citizens who were shot by the Greek soldiers as correct and honest people.

Hospital sources in Korca said that the wounded Ardian Kreka, 26, is under intensive care to recover from the bad situation he is experiencing. ake/ak/sh/

[06] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE

Rotigliano informed Meidani on the programs of the U.N. bodies in Albania, their assistance in food and health, the press office at the Presidency said.

All programs and aid projects are changing according to the situation and problems facing Albania, Rotigliano said.

President Meidani appreciated the support and contribution rendered so far and expressed belief that the reports prepared by these bodies will serve as a basis to orient various donors for the needs of the Albanian economy and society.

The talks focused on UNICEF projects in Albania and the very important role in education and entertainment of children.

The construction of educating and relaxing environments for children, president said, is not only linked with their financing but more over with positive will and common efforts to maintain them. He added that the triangle parents-students-teachers should cooperate to enable the education of the children.

If we would detach ourselves for a moment from daily problems and direct our attention to the perspective, President Meidani said, the society should create an appropriate climate of consciousness that any contribution to the education and entertainment should be linked with the attention of all to protect them.

To construct a civil society, they said, one should pass through the care and help not only of the state and other institutions for financing, but also to the society, the press release said./ak/sh/

[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF DISABLED ASSOCIATION

They, speaking on behalf of 35 000 members, expressed the complete understanding for the difficulties Albania is experiencing. The representatives focused on the need to improve the legal framework and observer it and stressed that the possibilities in the interest of disabled workers are better used.

Meidani said that necessary dimensions should be created to use every possibility in and out of Albania to render help to disabled workers, the press and information office at the presidency said.

He praised the creation of a rehabilitating center in the framework of the assistance of different foreign associations and foundations.

Meidani expressed the readiness of the government and society to enable these people are integrated in work. ake/ak/sh

[08] COLONEL HAKI LICKAJ APPOINTED COMMANDER OF GUARD OF REPUBLIC

The ceremony of his presentation was held on Wednesday, attending were also the Interior Minister, Neritan Ceka, and the State Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Ndre Legisi, the spokesman of the Interior Ministry reports.

Colonel Licaj replaced in the post of the commander of the Guard colonel Reshat Lloi, who after the June 29 polls had replaced Xhahid Xhaferri, escaped in Italy together with the deputy Interior Minister, Agim Shehu. /kled/mt/k

[09] JOZEFINA TOPALLI ELECTED DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY PRESIDENCY

In the name of the DP parliamentary group, Genc Pollo proposed for this post two candidates, Pjeter Arbnori, former Parliament Speaker in the last two legislatures and Jozefina Topalli.

After the voting, Jozefina Topalli received 86 votes and Pjeter Arbnori 26 votes.

Topalli, jurist, has been elected deputy for the second time in Shkodra.

The post of the second chairman of the Presidency of the People's Assembly was vacant for the opposition, because the DP parliamentary group did not participate in the previous sessions of the People's Assembly which emerged from the earlier parliamentary elections of June 29, 1997.

The majority of seats, 100, belongs to the Socialist Party and 17 others belong to this party in coalition with other parties. Albanian parliament has 155 seats.

Speaker of the Albanian Parliament is Skender Gjinushi, of the Social Democratic Party, which is in coalition with SP. The other deputy chairman of the Presidency of the People's Assembly is Namik Dokle of SP. kei/xh/k

[10] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT ASKS ASSISTANCE FOR HIS COUNTRY'S LEGISLATION

In a meeting held with the President of that Association, Samuel Erikson and the prosecutor of laws, Roger Sherrard, Mr Meidani spoke of the questions related to the attraction of the scientific and public opinion at national level for the preparation of the new constitution, the fundamental law of the society.

Meidani presented his initiatives for the creation of democratic spaces so that the Supreme Council of Justice be unbiased.

He considered as very important the prevention of corruption in judiciaries and the education of a social confidence in an independent judiciary system.

Erikson promised concrete assistance in all the above mentioned fields. ake/kei/xh/k

[11] FRENCH PRESIDENT INVITES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMIT OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

The ambassador of the French Republic in Albania, Patric Christmant, gave on Wednesday to Meidani the invitation of Chirac.

Chirac writes "I would be very pleased with your participation, Mr Meidani, in this meeting, which I hope will promote the new activities of the Council of Europe."

Meidani assured Christmant that "his participation in this Summit will contribute to deepen the cooperation of Albania with this organization, which conveys the universal values of democracy."

"Albania, said Meidani, totally engaged to enjoy the same democratic principals of the civil society, considers this meeting as the continuation of the road started in the continent to extinguish the trails of the 50 year separation with the Western European civilization." /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[12] FRENCH PRESIDENT INVITES ALBANIAN PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMIT OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

The ambassador of the French Republic in Albania, Patric Christmant, gave on Wednesday to Meidani the invitation of Chirac.

Chirac writes "I would be very pleased with your participation, Mr Meidani, in this meeting, which I hope will promote the new activities of the Council of Europe."

Meidani assured Christmant that "his participation in this Summit will contribute to deepen the cooperation of Albania with this organization, which conveys the universal values of democracy."

"Albania, said Meidani, totally engaged to enjoy the same democratic principals of the civil society, considers this meeting as the continuation of the road started in the continent to extinguish the trails of the 50 year separation with the Western European civilization." /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[13] BRITISH PROJECTS IN ALBANIAN HEALTH TO CONTINUE

"Along with these, other projects will start in the health sector, which will focus on the technical assistance," said Tessoriere.

Minister Solis stressed on his side the great role of the privatization of the health sector in Albania.

"The strengthening of the Institute of Social Insurances, also including that in the hospital system, as well as the study of the scheme for the doctor of the family, will be of a special importance for the health system," ended Solis. a.ke/kei/mt/k

[14] SOMEONE FOUND KILLED IN VILLAGE OF DURRES

After the first investigations, it is reported that A. Hamzaj has been killed by fire weapons on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[15] ARAB-ALBANIAN BANK VOICES READINESS TO CREATE FREE INDUSTRIAL ZONES

The bank is expected to make investments for some industrial sectors to resume functioning. In order to encourage this process, along with financing of studies and projects, it will soon sponsor an international conference as well.

Prime Minister Nano highlighted the activity and projects of this bank stressing that the Government he is leading is giving and will continue to give the necessary signals for a normal carrying out of operations and for financial markets in Albania, without any prejudgement, and according to the motto that "bankers and the banks have no nationality."

PM Nano, in the name of the government, assured all present and coming banking and financial operators that they soon would feel themselves and their investments secured in Albania like in other countries. ssh/pas/xh/k

[16] DP PARLIAMENTARY GROUP JOINS PARLIAMENT - PLENARY SESSION INTERRUPTED

The participation of this party caused reactions on some of the deputies and the invited people in the open gallery.

At that moment, the independent deputy, Maksim Hasani, addressed to the DP leader, Sali Berisha, saying "criminal, thief, aren't you ashamed of entering this hall."

Right after this statement, the DP deputy Azem Hajdari reacted and addressed to Hasani with insulting words, so the situation became very tense in the Parliament's hall.

The DP deputy, former Premier Aleksander Meksi asked the presidency to keep silent.

The insulting retorts continued for sometimes between Meksi and Hasani. There were also confrontation between the invited people in the open gallery.

The chairman of the presidency, Skender Gjinushi, suspended the setting and called in a meeting the chairmen of the parliamentary groups.

The DP group left the hall to discuss the situation created.

After entering the hall, deputy Sali Berisha took the floor, who made a statement on behalf of DP.

Maksim Hasani is deputy of Berat (Southern Albania). He comes from a zone where 1500 signatures have been put to remove the parliamentary immunity of the DP deputy, Sali Berisha. Some 4500 signatures have been also deposited against the parliamentary immunity of Berisha.

The Democratic Party which lost in the elections of June 29, 1997, boycotted the proceedings of the parliament, considering a part of the deputies elected in "illegal way." In its meeting in August 10, the national council of the Democratic Party decided that the democrats condition entering the parliament with giving the mandate of deputy to the Christian democratic deputy, Zef Bushati and of the Social Democratic Union Party, Teodor Laco, whose names were in the proportional list of DP. The parliament recognised the mandates of Laco and Bushati on August 11, 1997. /kled/mt/k

[17] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES MESSAGES OF WISHES

In his message, the President of Hungary, Arpad Gonzc, expresses to Meidani his sincere conviction that the stabilization of principals and democratic institutions in Albania will create the basis for the economic and cultural prosperity of the Albanian people and participate actively in deepening the stability and security in the region and Europe.

Meidani has also received messages of wishes from the President of Cuba, Fidel Kastro Ruz and from the Minister of the national Defence of Greece, Xohaxopulos.

Meidani has received messages of wishes from different associations, municipal councils, firms and individuals. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[18] EXPLOSIONS IN SHOPS AND HOMES IN SARANDA

"Within a week's time, two shops were exploded and an amount of explosion was placed in the house of the surgeon Arkad Lula," told ATA a source of the district police commissariat.

The police source added that the commissariat lacks equipment and specialists at a time when its building is out of use following its torching in March this year.

Threats to traders for sums of money continue in Saranda along with kidnaping of people who have not paid the money they have been asked for, which amounts, some times, to million of drachmas.

A source of the police commissariat told ATA that so far 7 people have been kidnapped and released only after they have paid the money asked by kidnappers.

Recently, Interior Ministry appointed the new police commissariat chief in Sarande but still police are not able to hit crime and to prevent it. ake/kei/xh//k

[19] EU COMMISSIONER VOICES READINESS TO BOOST RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA

Paputsis has also expressed this in a telegram of wish for the Prime Minister, Fatos Nano.

Nano has also received messages of greetings from the Premier of Malta, Alfred Sant and other senior personalities. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[20] POLAND VOICES ITS WILL TO CONSOLIDATE RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA

Mr Palash conveyed to Mr Meidani in today's meeting the greetings of Polish President Kwashiniewski.

President Meidani described as a priority the cooperation and economic exchanges between the two countries.

Meidani voiced the conviction that along with the greater security in the country, Polish investments will find a greater space in Albania. ake/kei/xh/k

[21] MINISTER OF EDUCATION RUKA MEETS WITH SWISS AMBASSADOR

Minister Ruka briefed the Swiss Ambassador of the rather bad situation in various sectors of education and science which they are facing presently and highlighted the Swiss contribution to the development of education and science in Albania. xh/k

[22] ALBANIAN PROTESTS FOR THE KILLING OF AN ALBANIAN ON ALBANIAN- GREEK BORDER

The Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, presented to the Greek Ambassador in Albania, Constandinos Prevendurakis summoned in a meeting in the Foreign Ministry by Milo, the protest of the Albanian Government for the incident.

Mr Milo pointed out that the climate of the relations between the two countries should rule out the repetition of such incidents in the future.

Mr Prevendurakis voiced his regret for the incident and stressed the readiness of the Greek party to investigate into the case and to punish the authors.

Agim Xhihani and Ardian Kreka who were returning home from Greece while they were hit by fire weapons within the Albanian territory. kei/xh/k

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