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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-01Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] LAW ON STATE BUDGET '97 EXPECTED TO BE AMENDED IN PARLIAMENTTIRANE, SEPT. 30 (ATA)-By L. Thanasi, In ten days the Finance Ministry will submit to parliament a draft-law which stipulates the amendment of the law on the state budget 1997.The amendment intends to bring the figures of the law close to the reality both for the budget income and expenditures, Finance Ministry sources say. Despite amendments to be made to the law on the budget 1997, inflation until the end of the year is expected to reach 54 per ent. jz/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] 7.5 PER CENT HIGHER VALUE ADDED TAX STARTS TODAYTIRANE, OCT.1 (ATA) - By A Gjata: The application of a higher Value Added Tax, 20 per cent from 12.5 per cent that was so far, is enforced in Albania today.The increase of VAT for imported and local goods was approved by the Parliament as a measure to consolidate the state budget. The customs house employees will apply the VAT on all commodities that will be brought to Albania beginning from today and according to the deputy general director of the Customs Houses, Fotaq Cali, measures have been taken so that all traders pay the tax conformed to the law. During September alone, Albanian customs houses poured in the state budget 2.2 billion leks, an amount never realised before, as a result of the thousands of tons of goods brought in the country to escape paying the VAT with a 7.5 growth before October 1. But employees in the customs houses say that after Oct.1, the volume of import will fall because the quantities of goods that have been brought to Albania during the past two moths are several times greater than the consumption needs. The Value Added tax was imposed for the first time in Albania in the amount of 12.5 per cent on July 1, 1996. kei/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] SOME 20 000 ALBANIAN STUDENTS TO START PROTESTS IN KOSOVEPRISHTINE, OCT. 1 (ATA)- Over 20 000 Albanian students, along with their teachers, will start protests in Prishtine and other cities today to set free the school and university buildings, of which they were forcibly removed by the Serb administration seven years ago.The students have declared they will peacefully react even to the use of violence by the Serb regime. The meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosove, Ibrahim Rugova, requested by the Rector and the Prishtine University Organisational Council yesterday was not realized and the protests warned to be launched on October 1 will be held according to the programme, published on the same day by the media, says a Council report. Rugova said yesterday he understood the students' demands but suggested the protests be put off, in order to avoid dangerous situations, which would ruin the international positive initiatives regarding Kosova, according to the Kosova Centre of Information. The centre, which refers to Belgrade's "Blic" newspaper, reports that considerable amount of tear-gas has been sent to Kosova from Kragujevci recently. A delegation from the U.S., the European Union and several embassies in Belgrade visited Kosova on Monday and welcomed the statements issued by the local community and political leaders which expressed worry over the students' demonstrations and called for self-restraint. p.ta/pas/kei/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] PRESS REVIEWTIRANE, OCT. 1 (ATA) - Newspaper Zeri i Popullit today makes coverage of the meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group under the title "Dimensions of the work of the parliamentary group must increase." The newspaper carries a political pamphlet "Hajdarism" which says that DP deputy Azem Hajdari engaged in politics without minimal training. The paper carries an article entitled "Silva, ready for the transparency." In an interview with Farudin Arapi, representative of the Government in the Monitoring Commission, writes that the auditors do no prevent the business of the companies. Under the title "Now control in every house," the paper reports that the deadline for the surrendering of weapons ends today.Rilindja demokratike writes in its editorial today that in the meeting with high officials in the U.S. of Prime Minister Fatos Nano none believed him in his arguments for the latest developments in Albania. The newspaper carries an article entitled "State Department should not have received Prime Minister Nano." The paper publishes an interview with the Secretary for International Relations of DP Vili Minarolli which says that the socialist government cannot expel Abania from the CE. The paper reports that more than 20 DP people were arrested last night for taking part in the latest protests. Another article says that the promises of F Nano for the return of the money were an electoral strategy of the Socialist Party. The paper carries an article "Ceka, Interior Minister will gather the weapons after the mode of dictator Hoxha." The paper carries a note entitled "Presence of Nano compromises the process of transparency. Republika writes in its today's editorial that the possible return to Parliament of the Democratic Party (to denounce the issue of the pyramid investment schemes,) would improve its international image. The paper carries an interview with the Republikan leader S Godo under the title "SP authoritarianism aggravates Albanian crisis." The paper carries another article "Kosova resumes the great history." In one of its editorials today Rilindja points out that America and Europe started the initiative for Kosova (it includes the Albanian question in general.) The newspaper reflects the right for peaceful protests. Another article writes that the students demand only to return to their school buildings. Koha Jone, in its editorial considers positive the latest DP signals on the possibility of dialogue with the other parties. Another article says that democrat leader Sali Berisha is against dialogue with the socialists. The paper covers yesterday's meeting of the DP parliamentary group under the title:"SP should lead with an iron hand". The paper says that the formerly accused of genocide are now asking for the money of the prison time. The paper also reports that the renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare recently won the "Boccaccio" prize. Albania carries the editorial: "State inquires into itself" , which says that the vidio-cassetes of "the people's revolts" in the Vlore city have disappeared. The paper covers the 13th day of the DP protests in Tirane and reports that the DP deputy, Hajdari, will make a statement in Parliament today. The paper carries the note: "The U.S. cannot help the communists". Dita carries the article:"Nano from Washington promises transparency on pyramids". The paper carries an interview with the SP deputy, D. Agolli, which says that the party in power does not want to imprison democrat leader S.Berisha. Gazeta Shqiptare reports on a protest the "Sude" firm creditors are expected to launch today. jz/xh/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] POLICE INTERVENE WITH TEAR GAS IN PROTESTS OF STUDENTS IN PRISHTINEPRISHTINE, OCT.1 (ATA) - By Behlul Jashari: Serbian police blocked the students who were protesting in Prishtine and ordered them to disperse. At about 11.50 a.m., police intervened by using tear gas in the quarter Velania where the students were gathered. Tanks are heading for Velania.In the mean time, great police forces have surrounded the Rectorate of the Prishtine University. A part of the students have dispersed. xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] SOME 176 EMIGRANTS RETURNED FROM ITALY OVER LAST THREE DAYSDURRES, OCT. 1 (ATA)-By G. Kabashi, Some 176 Albanian emigrants, caught by Italian police authorities in the context of their operations to return illegal emigrants, have been repatriated over the last there days.Sources of the Durres port border police say that the number of the Albanians deported from Italy over the last three days has been smaller than earlier. Over 3000 Albanians returned by the Italian authorities have arrived at Durres port over September. The Italian government has implemented the Prodi decree for the return of the March refugees to Albania and for this purpose has organised a number of operations and controls beginning from the North of Italy: Milan and Turin down to Puglia and Calabria. The anti-mafia prosecutor, Pierluigi Vigna, said several days ago that Albania and Italy will increase cooperation in the fight against crime and illegal emigration. kei/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] POLICE OPERATION EXTENDS TO "HOTBEDS" OF TIRANATIRANA, OCT. 1 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Tirana police organised early Wednesday a massive operation, which extended to the "hotbeds" of the capital, aiming at collecting weapons.Considerable armaments were collected, a number of persons given into custody for illegal possession of weapons and wanted people were detained. Interior minister Neritan Ceka said in a television interview that the deadline for those who possess weapons will not be postponed and they will face justice for illegal possession of weapons. 14 persons were given into custody for illegal possession of weapons and three others, who were on the run and accused of heavy crimes, were detained, Director of the Tirana police Directory Pashk Tusha said to ATA. Police managed to collect 204 rifles, 71 automatic rifles, 14 light machine-guns, 12 antitank grenade launchers, 9 heavy machine-guns, 25 assault grenades, 7 antiaircraft grenade launchers, 6 antiaircraft missiles, 15 dynamite moulds, 2 TNT moulds, 15 detonators and 20 cartridges. kei/ak/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] POLICE INTERVENE WITH TEAR GAS IN PROTESTS OF STUDENTS IN PRISHTINEPRISHTINE, OCT.1 (ATA) - By Behlul Jashari: Serbian police blocked the Albanian students who were protesting in Prishtine and ordered them to disperse. At about 11.50 a.m., police intervened by using tear gas in the quarter Velania where the students were gathered. Tanks are heading for Velania.In the mean time, great police forces have surrounded the Rectorate of the Prishtine University. A part of the students have dispersed. The protesting students of the Xehtaro-Metallurgical Faculty and of the High technical School in Mitrovice have marched about three kilometers and then have been stopped by police. They have peacefully turned back to the starting place after threats and violence. Through all the streets in Vushtrice, especially through those leading to Prishtine, arrived reinforcements of police forces who prevented the flux of other students and citizens towards Prishtine. A tense situation is prevailing in Vushtrice too. The students are supporting through their protests an initiative of the Independent Student Union to demand their return to the school premises from which the Serbian administration has forcefully expelled them seven years ago. cela/pas/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] ALBANIAN STUDENTS INJURED DUE TO SERB POLICE INTERVENTION IN PRISHTINEPRISHTINE, OCT. 1 (ATA)- Many Albanian students have been injured as result of Serb police intervention in the peaceful protests today, the Students' Council for Medical Services reports.The protests have been organised by the Students' Independent Union of Kosove. A number of students and teachers have been beaten by police and many have been detained and taken to Serb police stations and jails, the ATA correspondent in Prishtine reports by telephone. sara/lm (more) Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] ALBANIAN STUDENTS INJURED BY POLICE IN PRISHTINEPRISHTINE, OCT. 1 (ATA)- Many Albanian students have been injured as result of Serb police intervention in a peaceful protest today, the Students' Council for Medical Services reports.The protest has been organised by the Students' Independent Union of Kosove. A number of students and teachers have been beaten by police and many have been detained and taken to Serb police stations and jails, the ATA correspondent in Prishtine reports by telephone. Although the students have been staging sit-down protests as a sign of peaceful reaction to savage violence, police have brutally interfered with batons and other means. Many young women, students of the Medicine Faculty have been beaten because of wanting to help the harmed students. According to the ATA correspondent, after 13.00 the Students' Centre in Velani seemed deserted. Instead of 30 000 other students and other protesters, the area was occupied by large police forces supported by armoured vehicles, water cannon and heavy armours. The police forces have also blocked the rectorate building. "Many injured students are sheltered in the rectorate, into which tear- gas penetrates. The angry police are tearing to pieces placards of the protesting students." "A very tense and unusual atmosphere is prevailing over the whole city of Prishtine, where over 100 000 citizens have taken to the streets, despite police curfew," the ATA correspondent reports from Prishtine. The Students' Independent Union of Kosove started today the organisation of peaceful protest to demand access to school premises, from which the Albanian students were forcibly removed seven years ago. sara/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] LEK KEEPS STABILIZINGTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - By L Thanasi: Albania's currency lek remained stable against hard currencies, compared with Tuesday.Today, 1 USD was bought at 147.1 lek and sold at 149.3 lek, while on Tuesday it was bought at 146.5 lek and sold at 149.3 lek. 1 DM was bought at 82.7 lek and sold at 84.4 lek, while on Tuesday it was bought at 82.8 lek and sold at 84.6 lek. The foreign currencies are expected to be raised in the following days, taking into consideration the increase of inflation up to 54 per cent./kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] ALBANIA TO BE INTEGRATED IN UNESCO UNIVERSITY STUDYTIRANA, OCT. 1 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: Albania is the first country in which a pilot study on the role of universities in institutional formation and social reconstruction in transition countries will be applied, sources at the Education and Science ministry said.An agreement signed in Rome between the Albanian Minister of Education and Science Et'hem Ruka, the UNDP deputy Secretary Nikitin Desai and Rector of the Rome University Giorgio Tecce envisaged that the results of the study will be presented in a congress organised by UNESCO in 1998 in Paris. The one-year agreement considers the role of the Albanian universities during the transition and in a society, which comes out of a deep political, economic and social crisis, the Albanian minister of Education and Science Ruka said. A special working group was set up including four to five representatives from the Albanian side and two to three representatives from the United Nations and La Sapienza University in Rome. Ruka, in a four-day visit to Rome, urged the respective personalities a fruitful cooperation between the Albanian and Italian universities, facilities in getting visas for pedagogical staff of higher schools and others. kled/ak/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] REPUBLICANS ASK FOR A ROUND TABLETIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - By V Carcani: The Albanian Republican Party requested on Wednesday during a news conference the organization of a round table for the discussion of a series of problems the country faces.The chairman of the Republican Party, Sabri Godo, turned down the possible rejections that this round table would double the parliament, and said that "the table should not be taken as attached to the parliament, but as help for it." Chairman Godo put forward as object of this table the discussion of the Constitution, regular functioning of the People's Assembly, cleansing in the administration, the public television, protection of citizens by the inflation and the unendurable raise of prices, pyramid schemes and strengthening of order. He did not consider the attempt on Hajdari's life as a political attempt, but a personal blood-feud. The Republican leader Godo criticized the position of the Socialist Party, which considers the situation in Albania improving, regarding order restoration, when contrary to this, the Albanians make all the efforts to leave the country. Godo put forward once again the measures to be taken regarding the beginning of the process of drafting the constitution. The Union for Democracy has not appointed yet its members in the Constitutional Commission, said Godo, who expressed his opinion that the new parliament should also have an office of senate. Chairman Godo, expressing the stand of his party for the economic situation in the country and the restitution of money, asked compensations for a basket of articles like bread and fuel, which can be completed by the VAT of other articles. In the news conference, Godo also spoke of the platform of his party for the restoration of assets to legal owners. /kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] ALBANIA TO BE INTEGRATED IN UNESCO UNIVERSITY STUDYTIRANA, OCT. 1 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: Albania is the first country in which a pilot study on the role of universities in institutional formation and social reconstruction in transition countries will be applied, sources at the Education and Science ministry said.An agreement signed in Rome between the Albanian Minister of Education and Science Et'hem Ruka, the UNDP deputy Secretary Nikitin Desai and Rector of the Rome University Giorgio Tecce envisaged that the results of the study will be presented in a congress organised by UNESCO in 1998 in Paris. The one-year study considers the role of the Albanian universities during the transition and in a society, which comes out of a deep political, economic and social crisis, the Albanian minister of Education and Science Ruka said. A special working group was set up including four to five representatives from the Albanian side and two to three representatives from the United Nations and La Sapienza University in Rome. Ruka, in a four-day visit to Rome, urged the respective personalities a fruitful cooperation between the Albanian and Italian universities, facilities in getting visas for pedagogical staff of higher schools and others. kled/ak/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] TIRANA BANK TO OPEN SUBSIDIARIES IN FIER AND DURRESTIRANA, OCT. 1 (ATA) - By R.Goro: Tirana Bank, a subsidiary of the Pyree Bank in Greece will open its subsidiaries in Fier and Durres, the Bank General Manager Bayron Picilidis said to ATA.The bank, which was opened in Tirana last year, has a capital worth 400 million Leks and aims at extending its activity by other 300 million Leks until the end of the year. Fier subsidiary will start operation in the beginning of 1998 and the other in Durres later in the year, Picilidis said. At present, the Tirana Bank has some 600 depositors. Administration staff is studying the possibilities to attract the deposits of the Albanian emigrants living in Greece. kled/ak/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] SERBIAN POLICE BRUTALLY DISPERSE ALBANIAN STUDENTS' PROTESTPRISHTINE, OCT. 1 (ATA) - Serbian police used tear gas and batons on Wednesday to disperse the protest of 50 000 Albanian students and citizens in Velania quarter, who are demanding access to universities, the Center for Information in Kosova reported.Unconfirmed reports said that police have arrested the Rector of the Prishtine University Prof. Dr. Ejup Statovci, deputy of the Independent Student Union Albin Kurti and other activists. Numerous police forces have intervened in other parts of Prishtine against citizens supporting the students' demands and beat and checked a number of passers-by. The leader of LDK (Democratic League of Kosova) activists from Podujeva Isa Restelica was detained by police near a police station and was beaten and pulled along in police station. Islam Begolli, leader of the LDK activists for Shajkofvc, Podujeva, was also beaten. It is also reported that Ismail Kosumi, chairman of the Kosova Sports Federation, has been arrested. Shaban Halili and Gani Prekopuca - chairman of the LDK branch in Fushe Kosove have been beaten. The peaceful protest of students in Gjilan ended at 11:40. Some 10 000 citizens participated in this protest to support the students. The students' protest in Prizren started at 10:30. It is reported that the students were backed up by some 8000 to 9000 citizens. In Mitrovice some 400 students protested and 2000 citizens supported them. The students of the higher trade school in Peje moved to the center of the city. By 11:00 they arrived at the "Ura e Zallit," where they faced the police cordon, which did not allow them to move forward. According to early reports, several citizens have been arrested and many others have been beaten in streets. /p.ta/kled/ak/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] AEC demands energy price increaseAlbanian Energy Corporation has asked the government for the electric power price augmentation at least to its cost levels.Since 1992 until 1996 the use of electric power is increased to 58,9 percent. A factor effecting the growth of electricity consumption is the increase of household appliances' use by the population. Second comes the price liberalisation for various derivatives of energy. Through price policy and the program to reduce the energy losses, for 1997 to 2000 period, AEC study suggests the means of energy derivatives' exploitation. At present the electric grid can sustain people's lightening and cooking needs, while for heating remains kerosine, gas, woods and coal. Albania is a country with the highest energy intensity in Europe. So the reduction of energy losses for our country comprises one of the main objectives of state strategy for energy. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] SOCIALISTS MAINTAIN RESERVES ON ROUND TABLES WITH DEMOCRATSTIRANA, OCT. 1 (ATA) - Aurel Simoni: Socialist party maintained reserves on holding round tables with the Democratic party, Socialist Secretary General Pandeli Majko said on Wednesday, referring to the idea of bilateral talks with Democrats."The idea on holding a round table with the Democratic party will be discussed in a meeting of the party chairmanship," Majko said. The idea of a round table with Socialists is being discussed in Democrat circles recently. Ylli Vejsiu, Tritan Shehu and Pjeter Arbnori are the DP leaders, who are expressed in favour of a round table, while Sali Berisha, Vili Minarolli reject this idea. Those pro said that it (table) should be held in the presidency at the presence of Rexhep Meidani. "We are not contrary to this," Majko said adding "President can undertake his initiatives." ssh/kled/ak/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] POSITIVE ESTIMATION OF WB FOR ALBANIA'S ECONOMIC STABILISATIONTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - The representatives of the World Bank, in a meeting held with Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, expressed positive estimation for the economic stability of the country and voiced the readiness of the World Bank and other European institutions to help in this direction.In the meeting with the WB director for Albania, A.Hartman, the regional director for the development of the private sector of the World Bank, Bokros, and the representative of this Bank in Albania, Karlos Elbirt, President Meidani said that "The implementation of The Law on Transparency of pyramid schemes, also approved by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, said Meidani, would serve to the normal progress of the country into the road of the market economy and will encourage investments and foreign capital." The meeting also discussed the international assistance in the privatization and increase of confidence on the banking system, as well as the encouragement of the small private business. The interlocutors offered the necessary assistance to avoid the economic corruption as an important factor to receive the foreign economic aid. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] NEW POLICE DIRECTOR NAMED IN SHKODERSHKODER, OCT 1 (ATA) - By M Malja: The new director of police, Sran Ndoi, was presented in Shkoder, Northwestern Albania, on Wednesday. Ndoi, former chief of police commissariat in Kurbin, replaced in this post Skender Doda, who was appointed deputy director of the Academy of Order.The police directorate was created a month ago in this district, which is made up of three commissariats, one of which covers the village. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] DEPUTY HAJDARI MAKES STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT REGARDING THE ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE TWO WEEKS AGOTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - By A Hasani: Albania's Parliament started its proceedings on Wednesday afternoon at 17:15 not usually. Members and supporters of the Democratic Party escorted DP deputy Azem Hajdari, who was on a wheelchair, from the headquarters of this party to the entrance of the parliament.Hajdari passed in the plenary hall, after laying a bunch of flowers in the place when in September 18, he was shot by SP deputy Gafur Mazreku. After that, Hajdari made a statement which stressed that "The attempt on my life was political and organized by the senior officials of the Albanian state." "This event is not related with the Kanun. The people of Has have to be calm and I respect them. I have forgiven the blood to Has," said Hajdari. Later, the DP deputy declared that his stand regarding the participation in parliament would be fixed after holding talks with the parties of the Union for Democracy. Hajdari called on the Rightist deputies, who are not included in the Union for Democracy, to join him to take a common decision. After this statement, Hajdari left together with his members and supporters of the Democratic Party, who were waiting him at the entrance of parliament. Parliament continued its proceedings with the agenda, first with a sitting of questions with the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Lufter Xhuveli./kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY VOICES EXTRAORDINARY CONSENSUS FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA - NanoTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The international community has voiced an extraordinary consensus for the developments in Albania and the visit in Hong-Kong and USA becomes of a special importance before the two conferences on Albania are held in Rome and Brussels, said Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano, who returned to Tirana on Wednesday.Regarding the meetings with the highest levels of financial institutions, Nano said that we are collecting donations and are coordinating the programs of development to pull Albania out of the crisis. With regard to usuries, Albanian Premier said that "All pyramid schemes, from Vefa to the smallest ones, should be destroyed and added that it is not a matter of cutting heads, but of extricating from roots the mechanisms and creatures which are not phenomena of a civilized society and of a society with a regular, open and free economy." /s.s/kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] TIRANA CALLS ON BELGRADE TO STOP VIOLENCE ON KOSOVA STUDENTSTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - Albania's Foreign Ministry expressed on Wednesday its concern regarding the violence exerted by the authorities of Belgrade against thousands of Albanian students in defence of the Albanian education and reopening of schools.In its statement published on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry called on the authorities of Belgrade "to avoid violence and the repressive measures on the Albanian students and population and to create possibilities for the free expression of their stand." Any episode of violence, says the statement, would remove the perspective of the newly started dialogue and would aggravate the climate already tense in the territory of Kosova. Albania's Foreign Ministry, stresses the statement, supports any kind of movement in defence of the Albanian education in Kosova, which is one of the fundamental rights of any people. On the other side, the Albanian Foreign Ministry repeats before the authorities of Belgrade "its request for the implementation as soon as possible of the educational accord Milosevic-Rugova, as a conditions for the normalisation of the situation in Kosova." Such a step, requested by the western chancelleries, would prove good will of the Yugoslav Federation (Serbia - Monte Negro), for the real lowering down of tension and the creation of conditions for the solution of the Kosova question. /mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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