Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] INFLUX OF COMMODITIES IN ALBANIA

[02] ALBANIA WILL BECOME STABILISED, WITH DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND CONSOLIDATED ECONOMY -Dini

[03] LUFTHANSA PRESENTS PROJECT FOR RINAS AIRPORT TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION

[04] SOME 7000 WEAPONS COLLECTED IN DURRES

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE URGES CHANGE OF INDICTMENT FOR TOP EX-OFFICIALS

[07] PENAL CASES START FOR SOME FOURTY PERPETRATORS

[08] SOME 61 ALBANIANS RETURNED FROM ITALY, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WERE PROSTITUTES

[09] Albanian foreign trade mainly in Europe

[10] Western aid to Albania depends on doing away with pyramid schemes - min

[11] PROCEDURES FOR CLEARANCE OF GOODS BAR THE WAY TO SMUGGLING

[12] BLOCK OF FLATS CONSTRUCTED, THE HOMELESS INCREASE

[13] A BLOCK OF FLATS SET ABLAZE IN GRAMSH

[14] VEFA under increased pressure for checks

[15] GERMANY FORECASTS TO GIVE ALBANIA 400 MILLION DM

[01] INFLUX OF COMMODITIES IN ALBANIA

Fifteen 15 ships have entered the Durres port over the last two days and tens of others are waiting to unload.

This inflow is also noticed in the Kakavije customs, through which around 40 vans enter the Albanian border daily.

Before September 15, 1997 the income plan was realised by 140 per cent and after this date it has been realised by over 170 per cent.

Some 66 000 tonnes of various commodities have been unloaded in Durres port.

According to customs' officials this influx is linked with the approval by parliament of the law on a value-added-tax raise from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent, which comes into force on October 1. jz/lm/sh/

[02] ALBANIA WILL BECOME STABILISED, WITH DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND CONSOLIDATED ECONOMY -Dini

Also attending the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, were Minister of State Kastriot Islami and Foreign Minister Paskal Milo.

Dini appreciated the ongoing achievements of the Albanian government and the determination to realise the set objectives.

"The reform you have undertaken will enable Albania to quickly reach real progress and democratic stability," Dini said.

Nano and Dini optimistically considered the bilateral relations and highlighted the common will to develop these relations further.

The preparation of the coming international ministerial conference on Albania, to be staged in Rome, occupied a special place at the meeting.

Dini confirmed once again the positive development of preparations, the interest and commitment of the participating countries and the possibility of coming out with numerous and fruitful programmes for Albania.

In this direction they pointed to the positive reception extended to the Albanian representatives at the annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF, which are at the same time the realisers of the concrete aid programme for Albania.

Dini expressed the Italian support for the Nano government's policy in the Balkans and its concrete commitments to it.

This policy, Dini said, presupposes peace, dialogue as well as a maximum interest in the Albanian issue, particularly the Kosova one, which he said is being considered by the international community and about which there are many plans that should be seen about calmly and and then react. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

[03] LUFTHANSA PRESENTS PROJECT FOR RINAS AIRPORT TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION

According to specialists, the works are thought to cost 50 million DM. The project will include all kinds of constructions and technical insurances.

It seems as if with the presentation of this project, LUFTHANSA is "declaring war" to another big German company, that of SIEMENS, which, after the construction of the airfield, intends the construction of the terminal.

The Albanian representatives seem to have not yet determined as to which firm will realise the works. But, as the Minister of Transport and Public Affairs, Gaqo Apostoli, has said, "the winning firm will be selected openly, with the aim that work begins immediately after this".

The LUFTHANSA representatives also present in their detailed project the cooperation firms, among which, LAXT, as well as the ALKATEL firm, which has a good experience from its activity in Albania. jz/lm/sh/

[04] SOME 7000 WEAPONS COLLECTED IN DURRES

Fifty-two automatic rifles, 57 guns, 25 hand assault and defensive grenades, five heavy and light machine guns, 15 000 shells, 52 cartridges and one radio-receiver have been collected in the last two days operations, organised by the two commissariats of this department./jz/lm/sh/

[05] PRESS REVIEW

The paper says that all programmes with the European Bank, World Bank, European Bank of Investment and the Bank of Europe for Reconstruction and Development have been released", the paper says.

"The Nano government, worthy partner of the West", the paper says regarding the meeting of Albanian PM Fatos Nano with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.

Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo comments his meeting with Serb Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, under the title:"Common will to resolve problems". "We should build a market economy without pyramid schemes", the paper says on its seventh page.

"Bells toll in the Council of Europe for the Nano imposed government", Rilindja Demokratike says under the title:"CE: Investigations about Nano".

On the same topic the paper says:"Session of debate on Albania at the CE Assembly. Euro-deputies observe communist revanche and call on Nano to return the money".

The paper says at the top of the page: "Mass bugging of the opposition, press and western embassies".

As regards the DP protests in Tirane, the paper says that:"Pressure of the imposed state on peaceful protests continues" and "Tirana fuels protest", under the headline"The seventh day of demonstrations of the opposition against violence and terror of the clique". "Disillusion in VEFA: Nano destroyed us", the paper says on its fifth page.

"Albanian politicians yesterday showed reserves in commenting the "Milo-Milutinovic" meeting, says Republika in the editorial under the headline:"Talks with Serbs in the presence of a third side".

"DP asked to rejoin parliament, while the government to eliminate bands", the paper says.

"Shkelqim Agolli, former head of NIS in Vlore during the March riots, found stabbed with a knife in the Greek capital", the paper says on its seventh page. "IMF courses Albanian banks", the paper says in its economic news report. "Prosecutor's office will present within this week a request to lift the immunity of a sued deputy," the newspaper Koha Jone reports under the title "Sali Berisha should be stripped off his immunity."

"Council of Europe, return to the past" is the title of the editorial. "A resolution passed yesterday by the Parliamentary Assembly in a debate on Albania urged the DP to interrupt the precedent started by Socialists a year ago when they boycott the parliament resulted from May 26," the editorial says. "Regional chief of SHIK for Vlora killed in Greece,"the paper says in the third page. "Price hike - speculation with VAT," the paper says in the Economic column.

"Albanian Helsinki Committee has presented a final statement against the newspaper Albania asking for lynching it, the editorial of the newspaper Albania says under the title "Albanian Helsinki Committee or the prosecutors of the free speech." "Chief of SHIK killed," the paper reports on the killing in Athens of the former chief of SHIK for Vlora. "Telephones of Albanian opposition are bugged," the paper says referring to Enter agency. "Albania's ousting or suspension under consideration. Reconciliation conditions CE aid," the paper says in another article. Under the title "CE can suspend Albania," The paper carries the statement of the DP deputy Genc Pollo from Strasbourg. Former Foreign minister Arian Starova comments on attitude towards Belgrade under the title "Kosova is being sold for the second time."

"Milo and Milutinovic talked on normalisation of relations," the newspaper Rilindja says. The paper carries an article in the first page on preparation of peaceful protests of students of Pristina University who asked to return to the University premises from which they have been forced to leave by the Serbian administration. "Massive 'marching' in Gjakova", the paper says referring to the same topic.

"National reconciliation is not the ideology of the defeated," the newspaper Balli i Kombit says. "Balli Kombetar will lead State Control," the paper says in the first page in a short biography of the newly-elected chief of the State Control.

"'Nano 3' installed economic violence" is another article carried by the newspaper Sindikalisti. "VAT cannot start without changing the structure of wages, pensions", the paper says under the title "Government projects poverty for Albanians."

"Job cuts in administration, 85 thousand unemployed," the paper Dita says. "Resolution of the Council of Europe Assembly for Albania: DP should return to parliament," the paper says under the title "Government-opposition, cooperate and we will help you." "Government coalition splits, SP opposes local elections," the paper says.

"Pyramid in investment schemes to be closed gradually" is the title of the editorial of Gazeta Shqiptare. "Strasbourg warns Tirana: Reconcile otherwise it would be worse," the paper says in the second page, referring to the resolution of the Council of Europe for Albania. "Bullets on former chief of SHIK for Vlora in Athens," the paper says adding that Shkelqim Agolli had led the Information Service at the beginning of protests. kled/pas/ak/sh/

[06] PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE URGES CHANGE OF INDICTMENT FOR TOP EX-OFFICIALS

The accused are Haxhi Lleshi, Rrapi Mino, Aranit Cela, Manush Myftiu, Zylyftar Ramizi, Qirjako Mihali, Sulejman Bushati and Piro Kondi.

The prosecutor told the Supreme Court that the decision of the Tirana Court and that of the Appeal are groundless because none can be tried for a penal offence which had not been envisaged by the then laws (before 1990).

They have been accused of genocide and crime against humanity while now they will be accused of abuse of power.

The Supreme Court is expected to give the ruling next Monday. kei/ak/k

[07] PENAL CASES START FOR SOME FOURTY PERPETRATORS

The chief of criminal police in the district commissariat, Belul Sinani, told ATA that "the work in this sector is focused in pointing out and gathering material proofs and completing the respective documentation for the perpetrators who have committed penal acts during the turmoil."

Officers of criminal police have expressed their dissatisfaction for the fact that prosecutor' offices and courts have not started the work yet, which has hindered the normal process of penal cases, actually treated.

The police commissariat has arrested so far and escorted to the commissariat of Fier for security reasons and lack of isolating cells, 6 perpetratos, accused of murder, robbery, and sexual violation. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[08] SOME 61 ALBANIANS RETURNED FROM ITALY, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WERE PROSTITUTES

Sources from the border police in this port told ATA that the girls were detained in Modena and Rimini.

The number of deported refugees on Wednesday was 58 and among them 23 were prostitutes, detained in the outskirts of Torino.

Some 100 Albanians have been returned every day in the port of Durres since the beginning of this month, and their total number reaches 2 500 persons. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[09] Albanian foreign trade mainly in Europe

The first country Albania exports to is Italy, where light industry and textile products hold the bulk of it. Second comes Greece mainly with garments production. Sweden is the biggest buyer of Albania's minerals, mainly chrome and its by products, which translated in leks is worth 10,000,000.

The Albanian export is towards expansion in other countries of Europe like France, Germany, Austria etc.

[10] Western aid to Albania depends on doing away with pyramid schemes - min

The minister declared that besides the compliment from the international financial bodies regarding the reforms, tough critics were launched in relation with slowness of transparency process towards the loan taking companies.

"With the pyramid investments schemes around, the Western aid will be on the limits of existence, while after their abolishment, all the necessary funds for the reconstruction and development of Albania will be granted", Malaj expressed so the clear message of the Hong-Kong meeting.

In this framework is forecasted an urgent meeting of the government Friday afternoon.

Regarding the VEFA's President Vehbi Alimucaj statements against him, Malaj said that he is at bay to develop any kind of debate with him and his staff even on VEFA TV station.

[11] PROCEDURES FOR CLEARANCE OF GOODS BAR THE WAY TO SMUGGLING

According to him, in the Albanian territory are cleared only the goods, reported by fax from the Greek customs in Ioannina.

"Due to this cooperation, the daily incomes are realized 200 per cent," said Rafti. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[12] BLOCK OF FLATS CONSTRUCTED, THE HOMELESS INCREASE

According to the Minister of Public Affairs and Transport, Gaqo Apostoli, the number of the homeless families, registered in municipalities throughout the country, is about 40 thousand.

According to specialists, there are thousands of other shelterless families which are not registered in the municipal housing offices..

A graver situation is in Tirane where 6500 homeless families recorded before were added with 9500 others at the beginning of this year.

These families have to be registered so that they take credits from the Savings Bank.

The prices of the flats have increased much in the past months.

The prices of flats in the private market of homes in Tirane average from 20 thousand to 35 thousand dollars and this depends on the size and the place of these flats in the city.

The new much comfortable flats have higher prices ranging from 45-55 thousand dollars.

This market has lower prices in Northern Albania (about 40-50 per cent of the sales in Tirane,) whereas in Southern Albania the prices of homes in the private market amount to 70-80 per cent of those in Tirane.

The process of privatization of homes in Albania started on March 1, 1993 and in a record time, for about 7-8 months, about 96 per cent of the homes was privatized.kei/xh/k

[13] A BLOCK OF FLATS SET ABLAZE IN GRAMSH

"The fire which came from a private bar in the first floor reached the two other floors of the building," one of the members of the eight damaged families told ATA.

Other eye witnesses said that the alarm for the fire was given too late late and only the people could be saved. The firemen of the plant of Cekin arrived one and a half hours after the fire had broken and burnt all the furniture and appliances of the people living in the block of flats.

With the help of the district police commissariat and of the people living in nearby homes, the affected families were evacuated.

"An emergent commission was formed today to adopt the necessary measures for the 8 families of the burnt building," said to ATA the mayor of Gramsh, Kujtim Kllogjri. ssh/kei/xh/k

[14] VEFA under increased pressure for checks

According to Arapi the check in VEFA company is indispensable. A reason for quick actions derives from the public declarations of company's president, Vehbi Alimucaj and the official papers he submitted to the Government. So in a VEFA's letter of August 27 sent to Premier Fatos Nano, it is written that VEFA possesses 177 objects worth $ 365 million. Alimucaj himself pretends that damage inflicted on company during the unrest was estimated to be $ 300 million. "Based on these figures, VEFA should be totally destroyed," explains Arapi, stressing the necessity of the checks in this company

Regarding the Appeal's Court decision, which prohibits the administrators to conduct checks on VEFA, Arapi said: "We have complained to the Supreme Court. The government has set up a working group headed by deputy prime minister Bashkim Fino. The group attached to Supreme Court is working in order to be more transparent with VEFA company and the people."

[15] GERMANY FORECASTS TO GIVE ALBANIA 400 MILLION DM

"I have the conviction that Albanian must be specifically assisted," said Kinkel.

Taking part in the meeting also were the State Minister at the Council of Ministers, Kastriot Islami, Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, and others, the spokesman of the Albanian Prime Minister reportes.

Mr Kinkel appreciated the steps adopted by the Albanian Government and the majority of deputies in the Parliament for the creation of a spirit of understanding and cooperation in the interest of Albania's progress.

Mr Nano welcomed the resolution of the Contact Group for Kosova and Mr Kinkel highlighted the Balkan policy by the Albanian Government as a commitment to turn the Balkans into a zone of peace and understanding and to introduce European principles in that region as well. ake/kei/xh/

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