Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-08-21

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] MASKED CRIMINAL GANG ARRESTED

[02] ONE USD BOUGHT AT 160 LEK IN THE FREE MARKET

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] SOME 40 000 HOMELESS FAMILIES WAITING FOR CREDITS

[05] NATIONAL CENTRE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY INTERESTED IN CONTEMPORARY ALBANIAN FILM

[06] TNT IN GJORM BRIDGE, POLICE AVOID ITS BLAST

[07] DP THINKS OF MOTION OF CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR INTERIOR MINISTER -secretary

[08] RELATIONS WITH EU, PRIORITY OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY - Milo

[09] POLICE OPERATION TO COLLECT WEAPONS IN GJIROKASTER

[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION CALLED BY DP POSTPONED FOR SEPTEMBER 5

[11] SIXTY PER CENT OF WEAPONS DISTRIBUTED IN BERAT SURRENDERED

[12] 200 METRES OF RAILS ON THE SHKODER-BAJZE RAILWAY

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION

[14] ALBANIA WILL MARCH AHEAD ON THE ROAD OF DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT - message

[15] FATOS KLOSI APPOINTED NIS CHAIRMAN

[01] MASKED CRIMINAL GANG ARRESTED

Sources from the criminal police reported to ATA that the citizen Cajup Qejvani and his brother Kujtim Qejvani were arrested on Wednesday afternoon, as well as a girl from the town of Permet, who was exploited from the members of the gang for prostitution.

The detained are accused of criminal activity and organization of masked gangs, aiming to plunder, mainly in the zone of Sarande- Muzine- Kakavije.

Both the arrested were sent on the same day to the police commissariat in Fier. This is the first case that the police of Sarande gives a direct blow to the heads of criminal gangs in this region. /jz/mt/Z

[02] ONE USD BOUGHT AT 160 LEK IN THE FREE MARKET

Today, before noon, 1 USD was bought at 160 lek and sold at 164 lek in the free market of Tirana, while in the exchange rate agencies 1 USD was bought at 158 lek and sold at 161.2 lek. In the offices of the Savings' Bank, 1 USD was bought at 156 lek and sold at 161.2 lek. /kei/mt/Z/

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike reports "Terrorist act on the journalists Muje Bucpapaj," regarding the injury of the political editor of Rilindja Demokratike paper, which considers the injury political revenge of the left extremists. Under the headline "Pjeter Arbnori (Former Speaker of the Albanian Parliament) in the second day of the hunger strike," the paper carries an interview with him, under the title "Censorship of the opposition warns the dictatorship." The paper also reports "The bank under the control of the installed power.

Republika reports "Meksi (former Premier) against Berisha (former President) and the army." The paper carries the editorial "The fate of emigrants crossed by diplomacy." With regard to the hunger strike of the former Albanian Speaker Arbnori, the paper reports that he has promised to stay 20 days without bread and water.

With regard to the discussions last week in the UN Security Council for Albania, Rilindja paper reports "The responsibility for the normalization of the situation lies on the Albanians."

The paper covers the meeting of Kosova President, Ibrahim Rugova, with the Political Director of German Foreign Ministry, Wolfgang Iscinger, under the title "Kosova, independent and neutral would calm the whole region down." The paper also reports that a senior delegation of the Kosova Democratic League will visit Albania soon.

Koha Jone reports "DP: In row to hand in weapons." The paper publishes the editorial "The strike, symbol of DP," and also reports "Arbnori, the last victim of Berisha." In the heading "Actuality", the paper writes "Tirana, network for the exploitation of beggars." The paper covers the letter of the Albanian emigrants addressed to President Meidani, by quoting "Nano, you are the main cause of our repatriation."

With regard to the injury of the RD journalists, Muje Bucpapaj, Albania paper reports "Bullets on the journalists of the opposition." The paper carries the editorial "A cell for Pjeter Arbnori." In the heading of chronicle, the paper writes that the police commissariat of Korce has been attacked.

Dita paper carries the editorial "The French Maxima." The paper also reports "Arbnori staged the hunger strike," and "Meidani responds to the emigrants." The paper also reports that 3 people have been killed, 4 were hurt and 9 were arrested in Albania over the last 24 hours.

Gazeta Shiptare reports "Appeal of Meidani to Rome: "Don't bring the Albanians back", and publishes the report on the injury of RD journalist, Muje Bucpapaj.

Liria paper reports "Fatos Nano and Kurt Kola sing the farce of integration," regarding the establishment of the Institute for the Integration of the Former Politically Prosecuted People.

Sindikalisti paper carries the editorial "The West? How soon it has shown up the teeth!", and also reports "Pjeter Arbnori restarts the calvary." /kei/mt/k

[04] SOME 40 000 HOMELESS FAMILIES WAITING FOR CREDITS

The gravest situation is noticed in Tirana, where by the beginning of this year some 9500 families were added to the number of 6500 homeless families, who sold their money and lost them in pyramid investment schemes. Also, a large number of emigrants, left in the exoduses of 1991-1992, now returned to Albania, asked their apartments, occupied by other inhabitants.

The funds of the state to help the homeless people during the last four years have not passed 12-15 million dollars per year, which were considered as insufficient by the specialists.

According to Minister Apostoli, what is requested now is the urgent intervention of the state for at least 10 000 families which are in very difficult conditions. /jz/mt/Z/

[05] NATIONAL CENTRE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY INTERESTED IN CONTEMPORARY ALBANIAN FILM

During a news conference Ferri described as contemporary the law on cinematography of 1996.

According to theis law, the NCC is the institution which will have the political, cultural and financial monopoly.

For the first time in Albania, the concept of a producer equal with that of all world film studios is created.

According to Ferri, the contradiction for the failure of the observation of the law in all its extension stands in the trinominal NCC-Producer-Service, which is not functioning.

"Precisely the part of the law for Alba Film which should referred to as Service, has for a long time now remained in the drawers of the Ministry of Culture," he stressed.

The cinema employees consider the Law on Cinematography as the only "salvation" for the Albanian film.

"State subventions are for many years covering the salaries of the employees and not being used to produce films," said director of the NCC, Vath Koreshi, considering the phenomenon as a "hypocrisy of the state." kei/xh/sh/

[06] TNT IN GJORM BRIDGE, POLICE AVOID ITS BLAST

From the first examination by the specialists of the district police department, it resulted that over 5 kg of TNT had been placed in the bridge. According to police sources, its blast would have caused great damage to the bridge.

The same sources told ATA that the TNT was removed in a short period of time.

The bridge of Gjorm was built in '80s. It connects villages of Lumi i Vlores with the city and other parts of Albania. kled/xh/sh/

[07] DP THINKS OF MOTION OF CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR INTERIOR MINISTER -secretary

"We are waiting for Ceka's response on the incident regarding reporter Bucpapaj, and then we shall decide on a motion against him," DP secretary General Genc Pollo told reporters at a news conference today.

Pollo also attacked Ceka today as regards the disarmament of the DP members, stressing that the minister treats this issue in a wrong and often a personal way.

"I will hand over my pistol to Ceka himself, when he joins the parties' round table," said Pollo.

"I have taken the pistol in self-defence, but I have never fired it."

As regards the DP reporter's wounding, Pollo attacked the police of presenting three different variants on the event.

Pollo considered the incident not occasional but "incited by the clique in power" and with a political background.

He says that the DP will undertake for this purpose several actions in parliament, such as interpellation, motions and other actions. kled/lm/sh/

[08] RELATIONS WITH EU, PRIORITY OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN POLICY - Milo

Ambassador Germano said that EU is ready to continue its assistance for Albania's recovery, by accelerating its programs of aid both through the continuation of the PHARE program and through a possible extra financial support.

"Presently, EU and the World Bank have prepared the so-called program of recovery for Albania," said Germano adding that EU will give a broad support to the construction of institutions in Albania and at the beginning of 1998, projects for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure may begin." ssh/kled/xh/sh/

[09] POLICE OPERATION TO COLLECT WEAPONS IN GJIROKASTER

[10] ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION CALLED BY DP POSTPONED FOR SEPTEMBER 5

"After the hunger strike staged by Pjeter Arbnori and the event with Bucpapaj," said Pollo, "the political climate is not proper for the round table, therefore we decided to postpone it for September 5."

The Government coalition parties did not attend a round table initiated by DP on August 16, which, according to the democtrats, aimed the national reconciliation and realisation of the "conditions" set by the Rome Conference. According to them, Berisha demands through this round table discussion to replace the Albanian parliament and not to really reach reconciliation. Later on, the Republicans and Balli Kombetar parties questioned their participation in the discussion since the opposition is not taking part in it.

On the same day, Pollo recalled that he had heard for the first time about the idea for the round table by the Republican leader Godo, who again yesterday, confirmed the participation of the Republican Party. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

[11] SIXTY PER CENT OF WEAPONS DISTRIBUTED IN BERAT SURRENDERED

The chief of the district police commissariat, Fitim Sheshi, told ATA that after the appeal to these people, they are handing in their weapons, consisting mainly in automatic rifles, Kallashnikov, and pistols.

Sheshi says that the effective he heads is encountering difficulties in collecting the weapons of 120 former officers and policemen, who have worked in this commissariat and now have left without address.

"Now the policemen have guns while criminals have various weapons," Sheshi said. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[12] 200 METRES OF RAILS ON THE SHKODER-BAJZE RAILWAY

Some 11 km of primary line rails and 4.8 km of secondary ones have been looted since March.

Specialists of this department say that this "epidemic" has also been noticed in the Milot-Rreshen railway, in which 1.7 km of rails have been looted along with some 2.4 km of secondary line rails of the segment Kashar-Tirane.

In less that 6 months, the Albanian railways have lost around 20 km of rails, the replacement of which needs some millions of dollars, according to specialists.

Additionally, 220 km of telephone lines which connected the railways of Albania, have also been looted.ssh/kled/xh/sh/

[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Mejdani appreciated the positive results in extending security all over the country and the collection of armaments as "a good beginning and priority orientation to create all the necessary conditions for a democratic and economic normality in Albania", the Press and Information Office close to the president reports.

Mejdani considered of emergency the functioning of the whole system of justice in Albania on more legal and democratic procedural planes.

Ambassador Germano assured Mejdani of immediate assistance by the European Union and the Western-European Union.

Mejdani considered the drafting of the new constitution "open to western experiences of parliamentary republic and product of a wide public debate of experts, politicians and the whole public opinion".

The president appreciated the message of the European chief commissioner, Jacques Santer, "as a will and attention to promote Albania's cooperation with this very important European organisation".

Views were exchanged during the meeting also on various problems of the situation at home, especially on special aspects of the county's finance. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

[14] ALBANIA WILL MARCH AHEAD ON THE ROAD OF DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT - message

The message was handed over to President Rexhep Mejdani by the Cyprus ambassador in Tirana, Petros Mihailidhis, at a meeting today.

Mejdani pointed to the need of economic exchanges, investment in tourism and scientific and cultural cooperation.

* * *

At his meeting in Tirana today with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Cypriot ambassador in Tirana Petros Mihailidhis expressed the readiness of the Cypriot government for cooperation with Albania.

Mihailidhis expressed himself for close bilateral cooperation through signing agreements in various fields. He also brought to Prime Minister Nano greetings from his counterpart and the Cyprus government.

* * *

At a meeting today with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, the Cyprus ambassador to Albania Petros Mihailidhis said that "Cyprus is interested in a substantial cooperation with Albania in all fields of mutual interest and, in this context, the signing of a package of agreements would materialise this cooperation".

Milo said that "the development and intensification of relations with the countries of the region, among which Cyprus, focuses the foreign policy of the Albanian government".

Mihailidhis also handed over to Milo the invitation from the Cyprus counterpart for a formal visit to Cyprus. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

[15] FATOS KLOSI APPOINTED NIS CHAIRMAN

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