Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIAN FINANCE MINISTER INSISTS ON CLOSING PYRAMID FIRMS

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] DATE OF REFERENDUM ON CONSTITUTION MAY BE PUT OFF - Minister

[04] FOREIGN CURRENCIES HIT LOW AGAINST LEK

[05] WIDER PARTY PARTICIPATION NEEDED TO DRAFT A CONSTITUTION -leader

[06] "CENTER RIGHT" ASKS INTERPELLATION WITH MINISTER OF FINANCES

[07] GOVERNMENT DECIDES ON FIELDS OF COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE

[08] COERCIVE MEASURES OF SERBIAN POLICE IN PRISHTINE

[09] ALBANIA'S TRADE UNIONS OPPOSE GOVERNMENT FOR THE INCREASE OF VAT

[10] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST HELP ALBANIA OVERCOME CONSEQUENCES OF CRISIS - Udovenko

[11] Albpetrol towards privatization

[12] Lek regains lost quotas

[13] STATE CONTROL SERVICE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

[01] ALBANIAN FINANCE MINISTER INSISTS ON CLOSING PYRAMID FIRMS

Malaj admitted that alongside congratulations from International Financial Organisations on the beginning of reforms, there has been also criticism of slowness of transparency about loan-taking firms.

"The Western aid will be in the limits of existence for as long as pyramids continue to exist, while after their elimination we will provide all the necessary funds for Albania's reconstruction and development," Malaj carried the message of Hong Kong.

In this context an urgent meeting of the government is planned to be held this noon. As regards the statements of VEFA president Alimuca against him, Malaj said he was ready to hold any debate with Alimuca and his staff, even in the VEFA TV station. /lm/jz/

[02] PRESS REVIEW

"Life in Vlore towards normalisation", the paper says in an article.

Under the headline: "New fiscal package in focus of wide public opinion", the paper carries the article:"'The V.A.T. 'scarecrow' and 'initiatives' of traders".

The paper reports that police have detained 11 people attending the DP illegal rallies. It carries the article: "'Open' army, 'surrounded' ministry".

Under the headline: "Parties of the opposition meet Alimuca: 'Without transparency, one cannot play with Albanians' savings", Rilindja Demokratike says:"Nano is suffocating VEFA".

The paper carries the editorial:"Albanian socialists, ugliness of Strasbourg". It says that police have detained former head of the State Control Service, Blerim Cela.

Under the headline:"The eighth day of demonstrations on 'Skenderbej' square, the paper says: "Violence and arrests do not stop protest".

Republika says:"South resumes protests" as well as the editorial: "Albania between two fires". The paper carries an interview with the chairman of the Republican Party, deputy Sabri Godo, under the title:"The PR is losing patience with SP's cards" under the title:"Transparency should be carried through for the VEFA company".

On the information page the paper says:"Disturbances in Fier, two attempted attacks. Police inactive".

Under the headline: "Ex-commander General of the Armed Forces has not exercised powers", Koha Jone says that Berisha will soon face trial on the March riots.

The paper carries the editorial: "Senior officials to the mercy of hazard".

The paper says that the former DP chairman and its deputy, Tritan Shehu, has considered correct the CE resolution for a return to parliament of DP deputies.

Under the headline :"Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly adopts resolution on situation in Albania", Rilindja says:"Europe to help Albania".

The paper also reports that Germany has requested the opening of a European Union representative office in Kosove. It covers a news conference of the Students' Independent Union of Pristine University, which says that protests would begin on October 1.

Albania carries the editorial:"Europe: Nano, turn back the money!". Under the headline:"Capital's police puts under chains those protesting against crime", the paper says:"Blerim Cela arrested".

The paper also runs the article:"Attempted murder against Hajdari: Expertise covers traces of crime".

Dita reports that Speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi has accused ex-President Sali Berisha of killings and not of protests on squares. It cites Gjinushi as saying:"He (Berisha) is a hooligan". The paper covers the Nano-Kinkel meeting under the title:"400 million DM for Albania".

Gazeta Shqiptare reports that over 20 000 people have been organised in protests in search of the money lost in loan-taking companies. The paper also says that :"DP accuses police: Do not intervene in rallies".

As regards the meeting held three days ago between foreign Ministers Paskal Milo of Albania and Milan Milutinovic of Yugoslavia in the United Nations, the paper says:"The change with Serbia: The Milo meeting still vague".

Pasqyra says that Germany will provide Albania with 400 million DP. It carries an interview with deputy Luan Shahollari, under the title:"Economic development equal to macro-economic stability". kei/lm/Z/

[03] DATE OF REFERENDUM ON CONSTITUTION MAY BE PUT OFF - Minister

"It is not necessary that the referendum be held on March 8", Arben Imami, Minister of Institutional Reform and Relations with Parliament and co-chairman of the Constitution Committee, said on Thursday.

Imami expressed himself in favour of cooperation with the opposition on this issue.

March 8, 1998 has been set by Parliament as the day of holding the referendum on constitution, alongside with the other deadlines of constituting the Constitution Committee. But the deadline for the Committee has expired since two weeks ago.

"Deadlines may be reset," Imami said.

As regards the Constitutional Assembly Imami said that the Constitution cannot be adopted by Assembly. This is also admitted by the international community, which would not like to make expenses on new elections in Albania," he added. jz/lm

[04] FOREIGN CURRENCIES HIT LOW AGAINST LEK

The decline of foreign currencies against the Lek is recorded on Wednesday after increasing fluctuations when $1US cost 150 Leks. The fall of the US dollar in the Western stock exchanges against other major foreign currencies, seemed to influence a rise of the Lek in the domestic currency market.

The value of the dollar has fallen because demands of the dealers for foreign currencies are declining due to their inability to import goods in the run-up to October 1 when the value added tax (VAT) enters into force, money-changers say.

In the Savings Bank $1US costs 144 Lek and its selling rate is 150 Leks.

Currency exchange rates against the Lek

The Savings Bank      Buy             Sell
US$1.00               144             150
German Mark            83              84
Italian lire (1000)    83              87
Drachmas (1000)        51.2            54

[05] WIDER PARTY PARTICIPATION NEEDED TO DRAFT A CONSTITUTION -leader

Sabri Godo, like the other co-chairman of the commission Arben Imami, said that deadline set by the parliament can be neglected.

"Parliament's plan cannot be observed; we need a wider participation of parties in this process," Godo said.

The Albanian parliament decided at the beginning of September deadlines on drafting and passing the constitution and fixed March 8 next year as its final day with the launching of a referendum.

Asked what is hindering the draft of a constitution, Godo said "I should be neutral and not point at any political force. But, so far the drafting is being hindered by the absence of the Democratic party in parliament and the parties which make up the Unity for Democracy." ake/kled/ak/sh/

[06] "CENTER RIGHT" ASKS INTERPELLATION WITH MINISTER OF FINANCES

Leaders of this grouping declared on Friday that they will continue to hold meetings even with presidents of other similar companies, like "Silva", etc.

These deputies also confirmed on Friday their presence in Parliament, withdrowing from the statement they had signed together with DP in the grouping Union for Democracy.

The Council of Europe, through a resolution several days ago, called on the Albanian opposition to take up seats in Parliament. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

[07] GOVERNMENT DECIDES ON FIELDS OF COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE

The meeting decided to approve in principle a memorandum of understanding on the mission of customs' assistance of the European Commission, transfer of funds for the programs included in Phare program for 1995-1996 and Cross Border for 1997.

Regarding the transparency on pyramid investment schemes, the government reached a decision defining tasks of the supervising group who audit the juridical non-banking persons who have borrowed money from the people.

A special decision was reached to help families whose houses were damaged as a result of an explosion on July 25 this year in Peshkopia, North of Albania. ake/kled/ak/sh/

[08] COERCIVE MEASURES OF SERBIAN POLICE IN PRISHTINE

Despite the presence of the armed police, the main square of Prishtine was full of youths and citizens who demonstrated by walking along the sidewalks of the streets, Kosova Center for Information reports.

By 21:00, the police detained and maltreated physically two students of the Faculty of Electronics in the University of Prishtine. In the statement issued on this occasion, the students confessed that violence was exercised on them when police learnt that they were students. Being very infuriated, they tore us the documents and hit with fists, kicks and butts of machine guns. Other policemen threatened us with physical elimination, the students told Kosova Center for Information./p.ta/mt/sh/

[09] ALBANIA'S TRADE UNIONS OPPOSE GOVERNMENT FOR THE INCREASE OF VAT

Through the application of the fiscal packet, approved recently by parliament, where the law on VAT is of special importance, are affected 1 million and 200 000 workers, that's why the leaders of the confederation ask the government to set up dialogue with the trade union representatives to realize the partnership between the employers, employees and the state.

Leaders of Independent Trade Unions of Albania, as well as leaders of the opposition parties were against the increase of VAT rate./kled/mt/sh/

[10] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST HELP ALBANIA OVERCOME CONSEQUENCES OF CRISIS - Udovenko

The participants in the meeting exchanged opinions on the reactivation of the relations between Albania and Ukraine and expressed their full understanding on the intensification of bilateral relations and cooperation in fields of mutual interest. ake/kled/xh/sh/

[11] Albpetrol towards privatization

Converted to an anonymous company with 100 percent state shares, a year ago, the petrol extraction by Albpetrol at present is on the decline. The annual production in 1995 was 520,866 ton oil, while in 1996 was 488,052 ton. The only way to boost production are investments worth millions of US dollar. Having some joint agreements with foreign oil companies like "Premier Oil", Kitar Oil", "Ina-Naftaplin" and "Fountain Oil", this company is making steps to promote the production.

"Being a state owned company, the privatization strategy would start with "the golden act" meaning state intervention in certain stages, when it realises that national interests are endangered. Albpetrol appraisal will be carried out with foreign technical assistance headed by the World Bank, which has secured a grant fund from the Canadian government, selecting a reliable company for foreign investors," said Brovina. "It is aimed that selling shares are quotable in big international stock exchanges."

It is foreseen that the privatization law would leave some modalities like concessions or with management contract.

[12] Lek regains lost quotas

While in the morning $1 was bought with 146,5 lek, late in the afternoon it couldn't surpass 145,5 lek barrier.

As it is reported from the western bourses, USD has also lost points compared to other foreign currencies, and this has influenced the lek exchange rate too.

The Savings Bank bought Friday $1 with 144 lek and sold with 150 lek. While in the informal market $1 was bought with 145,5 lek and sold with 150 lek. The same thing goes for other currencies so 1DM was bought with 84 lek and sold for 86 lek.

The exchange rate on Friday afternoon

Savings Bank Currency Buy Sell USD 144 150 DM 83 84 ITL(1000) 83 87 GRD (100) 51,2 54

Informal market Currency Buy Sell USD 145,5 150,5 DM 84 86 ITL (1000) 85 88 GRD (100) 52,5 54,5

[13] STATE CONTROL SERVICE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

During the meeting with the present chairman of the State Control Service Mustafa Kercuku (candidate from Balli Kombetar,) and his deputies Ms Arjana Nati (candidate from Movement for Democracy) and Arben Kraja (candidate from SP,) President Meidani said, referring to the work of that institution under the Democratic Party, that "every corruption must be strongly fought and corruptions during the past years must be made evident."

"The corruption element in this institution must be eliminated," he stressed.

In a short news conference after the meeting, the President's spokesman Sotiraq Hroni laid the stress on the importance of the State Control Service activity and the transparence it must reflect regarding the assistance that will be offered to Albania and the ways how to use it. ake/kled/xh/sh/

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