Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-02

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS ARBNORI DRAFT-AMENDMENT AND LAW ON PRESS

[02] CREATION OF PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION TO DRAFT CONSTITUTION PROPOSED

[03] LEGAL PROCESS AGAINST STATE CORRUPTION IN PYRAMID FIRMS TO BEGIN SOON - minister

[04] "WE WILL HOLD ROUND TABLE ON USURIES AFTER GOVERNMENT STARTS REPAYMENT OF LOST MONEY" -Berisha

[05] "WE ARE INDEBTED TO VLORE" - President

[06] NO ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR DISCHARGED - minister

[07] MEMBERS OF HIGH COUNCIL OF JUSTICE TO BE ELECTED TO TOMORROW

[08] PRESS REVIEW

[09] FORMER ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER RETURNS TO TIRANA

[10] ALBANIAN PM EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA

[11] NEW LEADERS OF SHKODER POLICE NAMED

[12] BRITISH FOUNDATION "BUTRINTI"; PROJECTS FOR ALBANIAN ARCHEOLOGY

[13] DEPUTIES COME TO BLOWS, DEBATING IN PARLIAMENT "ON RTSH AMENDMENTS"

[14] SOME 500 WEAPONS HANDED OVER WITHIN THREE DAYS IN GJIROKASTER

[15] ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT BLOCKS DIPLOMATIC AND PASSPORTS OF SERVICE

[01] PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS ARBNORI DRAFT-AMENDMENT AND LAW ON PRESS

The first draft failed to be approved by the Media parliamentary commission, therefore it was changed by the democrats to be discussed today at plenary session.

Three representatives of the Media commission would visit deputy Arbnori in the environments of the hunger strike and inform him, on behalf of parliament, of the latest news on his draft for amendments to the Radio Television status.

Parliament will also discuss the draft-law of the Media commission on several changes to the law on the press./jz/lm/sh/

[02] CREATION OF PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION TO DRAFT CONSTITUTION PROPOSED

The commission will be composed of 21 members, with Sabri Godo and Arben Imami (DAP) co-chairmen.

The DP deputies rejected the project proposed at yesterday's parliamentary session. The DP secretary General Genc Pollo proposed a round table of all parliamentary parties to take a decision. The SP secretary General, Pandeli Majko, agreed to this, but no date was set yesterday for holding the table.

The draft of most of deputies also defined "deadlines of the constitutional process". The Parliamentary Commission will be created from September 1 to 5 and, after other procedures, the draft will be finally examined and approved in Parliament.

The campaign for the constitution will be held from February 10 to March 8. The referendum on the constitution is thought to be held on March 8.

A technical staff of five members will be set up close to the commission to deal with the juridical formulation without the right to vote. Five other consultative working groups specialised in various fields will as well be set up. kled/lm

[03] LEGAL PROCESS AGAINST STATE CORRUPTION IN PYRAMID FIRMS TO BEGIN SOON - minister

"The first step of the government is transparency on usuries", said Malaj, stressing the impartiality of the operation with the inclusion of foreign experts.

The minister said that the "Vefa" and "Silva" companies should declare their asset, as any other firm.

"If they do not this, it means they do not have money," said Malaj. The minister made public the opinion of the Nano cabinet to open trials against persons profiting in the privatisation of the DP power and have sold their properties.

Malaj stated that 20 million dollars are ready for a near project for the homeless and the numerous poor of Albania.

He assured the creditors that after the transparency to be realised by the government, the operation of reimbursing the money, based on several parameters, will begin. kled/lm

[04] "WE WILL HOLD ROUND TABLE ON USURIES AFTER GOVERNMENT STARTS REPAYMENT OF LOST MONEY" -Berisha

He said this in response to a request by the SP Secretary General Pandeli Majko to the presidency of Parliament for a round table on usuries.

The DP leader said at a news conference on Monday that the Socialist Party had appointed as chief inspector of usuries a person "loyal to the party".

Berisha has been accused during his presidency of allowing the flourishing of pyramid schemes, which swallowed the savings of thousands of Albanians and led to people's revolt which ousted the Democratic Party power.

Last Thursday, when the SP secretary, Pandeli Majko, set forward his request in parliament, the deputy head of the DP parliamentary group, Ferdinand Xhaferri, said that "DP is ready to cooperate with the SP to lessen the social effects of usuries". kled/lm/sh/

[05] "WE ARE INDEBTED TO VLORE" - President

He met with local government members, inhabitants, leaders of the students' hungers strike of March, families of the Otranto victims and others, at one of the "Ismail Qemali" University halls.

The Albanian president was accompanied by his political advisor, Prec Zogaj, and the Presidency secretary, Daut Gumeni.

Meidani had also invited at the meeting local government heads as well as Ministers Neritan Ceka and Arben Malaj.

After presenting the Vlore prefect, Tare Hamo, Meidani expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices of the Vlore people in the fight for democracy.

"I have come to thank and congratulate Vlore, in my own name as well as in the name of all the new institutions emerging from the June 29 elections," said Meidani.

The Albanian president expressed his satisfaction and that of the Albanian administration to restore order in the city and return to normality.

"Vlore, like the whole of Albania, has taken the breath of freedom and normality," Meidani said.

Meidani made a realistic presentation of all the legislative elements of the new power and the gradual reform in forming the state.

However the hottest point of the president's speech was the future of the coastal city and the projects for its reconstruction.

"When I decided to come to Vlore some friends told me to wait a little longer as the first results in public order and operation of institutions do not suffice, that other things are needed such as investments, financing, projects started or accomplished and so on, to realise a part of the obligations the policy owes to Vlore. I admit we are indebted to Vlore and the whole Albania," Meidani said.

The president then unfolded the whole master plan of development not only of Vlore but also of the whole country. He unfolded before the Vlore citizens the projects of an important port not only for the south of Albania but broader.

"Some four million ECU have been allocated by a European Community programme to rehabilitate and reconstruct the quay and other accessories to the port," the president said.

"If the project is signed as predicted, another eight million ECU are destined for the Vlore port on a second phase for 1998."

Meidani, Minister Ceka and Malaj as well as the Vlore district chairman, Xhelili, and Prefect Hamo, held a meeting at the city's police department where the president expressed thanks for the engagement of the whole police and Minister Ceka in restoring order in the city.

Meidani also had a meeting at the shoe factory "ALBA". This Italian-Albanian joint venture, which employs 600 workers, has never interrupted work since 1993 and is among the most productive ones in the country.

The president held a meeting at the city's centre with workers of the daily press distribution.

"I have heard that a part of the press does not reach here, but I see that I have been wrongly informed," said Meidani in front of the newspaper stand.

Debating the arrival of the opposition press in Vlore and south, the workers said that the opposition press has long since been reaching their city.

"Only it is not our fault that it is not sold," they said.

Meidani closed his trip to Vlore with a visit to the Independence museum of the city. pas/lm/sh/

[06] NO ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR DISCHARGED - minister

"Those who ran the state's pyramid for five years do not know even the most elementary things either of politics or of diplomacy," Milo told ATA.

Milo considered the Foreign Ministry's summons to ambassadors to come to Albania "a normal procedure, known from the point of view of international law, which has to do with preliminary preparations for return".

The Democratic Party, through a statement yesterday, considered "illegal the order of Foreign Minister for discharging the ambassadors".

"The only legal act for removing the ambassadors is the decree of the president," said Milo responding to DP's accusations./pas/kled/lm/sh/

[07] MEMBERS OF HIGH COUNCIL OF JUSTICE TO BE ELECTED TO TOMORROW

This week the Council will also elect three other members from among judges.

On August 26 the Parliamentary Law Commission agreed to the initiative of the President of the Republic for a change to the constitutional provisions as regards the High Council of Justice.

On August 27 the Albanian parliament approved the changes to the major constitutional provisions for electing the High Council of Justice.

The High Council of Justice is composed of nine members, three from among judges, two from among prosecutors and four from parliament. /kled/lm/sh/

[08] PRESS REVIEW

"There is a series of projects of foreign donors and our government for Vlore and the whole Albania," the paper cites Meidani as saying in Vlore.

Under the title "Strategy of privatisation very soon in parliament", the paper carries an interview with Minister of Public Economy and Privatisation, Ylli Bufi.

The paper carries the article "From populism to 'hostile' people".

"Meidani fails at the Independence Square", Rilindja Demokratike says regarding yesterday's visit of President Meidani to Vlore.

"Parliament to the proof", the paper entitles its editorial.

As Arbnori's hunger strike enters its fourteenth day, some 60 deputies gave their negative vote to imminently examine the Arbnori amendment," the editorial says.

The paper carries an interview with Albanian former deputy Foreign Minister Albert Rakipi under the title: "Albania should not lose independence in foreign affairs".

"Amendment of laws brings back the year 1991", the paper says regarding yesterday's conference of democrat leader Sali Berisha. "Parliament to court?" is the editorial of Republika. "DP - pyramid opposition. The positioning of this party after losing the June elections is a paradox," the paper says.

"Nano, diplomatic quake of embassies", the paper says under the headline:"New diplomats of Albania ready".

"U.S.-Tirana. Zhulali returns", Koha Jone says.

"Yesterday's visit of President Meidani to Vlore is the first by an Albanian head of State since last November, when ex-president Sali Berisha met the Vlore people," the editorial of the newspaper says.

"Meidani blessed in Vlore", the paper says regarding yesterday's visit of President Meidani to Vlore.

"Justice requires justice" is another article of the paper.

"The new academic year began in all the elementary and secondary schools of the Republic of Kosove yesterday," newspaper Rilindja says.

"Germany remains important partner of Albania," the paper says on its fourth page.

"The VEFA company presents indictment against government to the Appeals Court", newspaper Albania says under the title:"Alimuca: I will defend creditors".

"The President attacks Strasbourg from Vlore", the paper entitles its editorial. "Strasbourg: Albania threatened by dictatorship", the paper says under the headline:"CE Political Commission signals alarm on Albania".

"The Otranto victims protest against Meidani and ask that those responsible for the tragedy be found out," the paper says under the title :"The president fails at the Independence square".

"Cleansing begins in prosecutor's office", newspaper Dita reports.

"The ghost of pyramids" is the title of the newspaper's editorial. "SP dismantles democracy", the paper says regarding yesterday's conference of democrat leader Sali Berisha.

"Meidani held his first meeting in Vlore at the hall in which the hunger strike students had fasted a few months ago", the paper says under the title "Meidani 'strolls' in Vlore".

"Zhulali flees Italy as well", Gazeta Shqiptare says under the headline: "Unexpected return of the man accused by both sides of being the cause of the March tragedy". "Nano signs with the IMF today: Is it the end of usuries ?" the paper says in another article.

All today's newspaper report on Diana, Princess of Wales.

"The ambassadress of peace", Zeri i Popullit says.

While Rilindja Demokratike entitles its special:"Good Night Princess". The Fairytale ended".

"Lady Diana, the death of the fairytale" Republika says. While Koha Jone under the title: "The world mourns the princess" says: "Photographers of scandals accused".

"The Princess of Wales, Diana, lost her life", Rilindja says.

Albania says:"The Princess of Fairy-Tales meets death".

"Farewell sweet princess" says Dita.

Gazeta Shqiptare entitles its special:"The end of a myth from Paris". /kled/lm/sh/

[09] FORMER ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER RETURNS TO TIRANA

Zhulali, who left Albania in March of this year, arrived from Roma to Tirana by the "Alitalia" airline, accompanied by his two daughters, one with a simple passport and the other with laissez-passe and her name in Zhulali's passport.

Commenting the return of Zhulali, "chief of the Albanian ruined army, enemy to all", Koha Jone says that "he has come home as a free person, accused by none. It will be no surprise if he is not such tomorrow".

Gazeta Shqiptare, regarding the return of Zhulali as an "unexcepted return of the man accused by both sides as the cause of the March tragedy", cites his brother as saying: "Reports that he has asked political asylum in the U.S. have not been accurate. He has stayed for the whole time in Italy".

The army depots were looted in Albania in March and the situation in many towns came out of control.

Interior Minister Neritan Ceka has issued an order to for handing in weapons and has defined the restoration of order as a question of few months.lm/sh/

[10] ALBANIAN PM EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA

Opening the Book of Condolences in the British Embassy, Nano payed homages to the great civic values of this great symbol of today's civilisation. Her good name and deed to the good of mankind will remain alive even in the Albanians' memory. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z/

[11] NEW LEADERS OF SHKODER POLICE NAMED

In a meeting with the police effective of this district, the State Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Ndre Legisi, presented the director of Police Department of this district, colonel Skender Doda, former chief of police commissariat in this district.

Chief of Police commissariat no 1 was named the former officer, released from the reform, Ali Vokshi, while chief of police commissariat no 2 was appointed Ramiz Brahimi.

"The order forces should serve to the people and not to the politicians," Legisi said on this occasion. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z

[12] BRITISH FOUNDATION "BUTRINTI"; PROJECTS FOR ALBANIAN ARCHEOLOGY

Feeuedher underlined the necessity to harmonize the entire development of the nearby tourism with unique character of the extraordinary values of Butrint (antique city in Southern Albania, under the protection of UNESCO).

Nano expressed the readiness of the Albanian governmental bodies to support the activity of the foundation.

The British Foundation "Butrinti" is in the stage of elaborating a series of valuable projects for the Albanian archeology in close cooperation with the World Bank, European Union and UNESCO.

These projects, which will be adopted in cooperation with the respective Albanian institutions, will cover two main fields: beginning of constructions in Butrint and all-round development of infrastructure in all the southwestern part of the country. The aim is not only the rehabilitation of the ancient small town, but also the modernisation of the whole nearby zone, to attract as many investors and tourists as possible. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z

[13] DEPUTIES COME TO BLOWS, DEBATING IN PARLIAMENT "ON RTSH AMENDMENTS"

Deputies from all the sides of the parliament exchanged blows and constant insults with one another.

Three different draft-laws for amendments in the RTSH status are on the deputies' desks.

The debates are not over yet and the Presidency, together with the chairmen of the parliamentary groups are holding a meeting to take a position on the incident.

The Presidency carries on its meeting now and the plenary session is expected to restart.

Former Albanian Speaker Pjeter Arbnori, now DP deputy, is on hunger strike since 14 days, to protest against RTSH, which does not respect the rights of deputy and the opposition.

Arbnori's amendment for wider scopes in RTV has been the cause of today's dispute in Parliament. /jz/mt/Z

[14] SOME 500 WEAPONS HANDED OVER WITHIN THREE DAYS IN GJIROKASTER

"We are working to gather weapons also in remote parts of the district, despite the difficulties due to lack of vehicles," the chief of this police commissariat, Sinan Meta, reported to ATA. /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[15] ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT BLOCKS DIPLOMATIC AND PASSPORTS OF SERVICE

Prime Minister Fatos Nano stressed in the meeting that the reasons of taking the decision of blocking and that for their distribution were related directly to the representation of the state in the international relations by political and civil officials.

The turmoil and volunataryism in the distribution of diplomatic and service passports brought with it the speculation with them and on the other side lowering of the national dignity and also many problems defined in the relations with the friendly and neighbouring countries which are engaged to help Albania in its reconstruction, said Nano. /jz/mt/

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