Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ITALIAN POLICE AUTHORITIES REPATRIATE ANOTHER 32 ALBANIANS

[02] PRESIDENT TO CONFIRM ALBANIA'S WILL TO COOPERATE WITH CE

[03] SOCIALISTS ASK FOR CHANGES TO STATE BUDGET

[04] POLICE UNCOVER AMMUNITION STORED IN A HOLE

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] BA Law to be submitted to Parliament soon

[07] ALBANIA, ITALY DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

[08] PREFECT OF GOSTIVAR RELEASED FROM PRISON

[09] FILE FOR FORMER SP DEPUTY MAZREKU ARRIVES IN TIRANA COURT

[10] FISCAL REFORM AND CUSTOMS INCOMES TO INCREASE BUDGET INCOME IN ALBANIA

[11] ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS IN NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

[12] ALBANIA DECIDED TO ESTABLISH ITS EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV

[13] ALBANIA'S DEALERS TO MAKE NEW DECLARATIONS FOR ANNUAL PROFIT

[14] FACTION MEMBERS OF DP DO NOT RECOGNISE CONGRESS OF THIS PARTY

[15] SERBIAN-ALBANIAN MEETING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL ACCORD STARTS

[16] CHAIRMAN OF CREDITORS' ASSOCIATION SUED IN PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FOR PARTICIPATION IN ILLEGAL MEETING

[17] SCHOOL OF MAGISTRATES OPENS IN ALBANIA

[01] ITALIAN POLICE AUTHORITIES REPATRIATE ANOTHER 32 ALBANIANS

Sources of the border control point told ATA that over the first week of October the Italian Police authorities repatriated some 350 Albanians.

The number of the Albanians returned from Italy since September amounts to around 3.450 people. a.ke/pas/lm/z

[02] PRESIDENT TO CONFIRM ALBANIA'S WILL TO COOPERATE WITH CE

[03] SOCIALISTS ASK FOR CHANGES TO STATE BUDGET

"This bill closes a series of measures, which guarantee full accordance with the important ones being planned together with international institutions," Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano said.

The government urged the parliament to pass a decision on suspending investments planned for 1997, investments, which did not start due to turmoil. These measures first aim at lowering the budget deficit.

The budget deficit it is foreseen to be at around 50 billion leks, or 16 percent of the GDP of '97.

Budget incomes will be achieved through application of value added tax (VAT) from 12.5 percent to 20 percent since October 1. While the freezing of foreseen investments for 1997 will enable a decrease of state incomes by further reducing the budget deficit.

The government will ask the parliament to allow ministries to reduce the operational spending according to their needs.

Curbing inflation increase and lowering of budget deficit would be a good presentation basis in donors' conferences in Rome and Brussels.

INSTAT reported on Wednesday that the inflation in the last nine months is recorded at 28 percent from 50 percent foreseen until the end of the year.

The government meeting, which considered changes to the law on budget, strongly criticised the previous Democratic government for fictitious budget changes to justify wages' increase. ak/sh/

[04] POLICE UNCOVER AMMUNITION STORED IN A HOLE

The ammunition includes 480 assault grenades, 117, 400 cartridges of various calibres, 340 kg TNT, 72 warheads for grenade launchers and 72 anti tank missiles.

"This ammunition threw doubt upon the fact that the persons who have stored it might have been involved in an anti-tank attack on the police commissariat last weekend," Sinani said. ssh/kled/ak/sh/

[05] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike in its editorial reports that the prime minister Fatos Nano has come to power as a result of a communist rebellion. The paper also reports on the freezing of money for VEFA creditors by the government and it carries the article "Nano, return the money." It covers yesterday's press conference of the Democrat leader Berisha which says that Albanians are threatened by the Nano government. The Albanian opposition is the most persecuted in the world, Berisha said. The same paper reports on the eleventh day of DP protests under the title "Nano to face trial for cheating," and "DP at the head of a series of protests." Another article says that the local government is terrorised by the Socialists. Mayors warn of protests unless the violence against them is interrupted, the paper says.

Republika carries the editorial "Berisha to present again his candidature for DP leader." The paper carries a statement of the Tirana Prosecutor's office saying that the wounding of the Democrat deputy Azem Hajdari from the Socialist deputy Gafur Mazreku is an ordinary crime, not a political one. It also carries an interview of the Republican deputy chairman F.Mehdiu under the title "United right wing plays the role of the leader." The paper carries the news "SP allies threaten to quit."

Rilindja in its editorial says that the German official circles greet the decision of the Council of Ministers of the European Union on the opening of a European office in Kosova. The paper carries the article "U.S. condemns the use of force against Albanian protesters." It carries the article "Macedonian government is the one to be blamed for the Gostivar tragedy."

Albania entitles its editorial:"Nano deceives Albanians and attacks opposition". The paper says that the members of the gang of Cerrik, near Elbasan, have confessed that the massacre of six guard workers last March had been organised by the Elbasan and Cerrik SP secretaries.

"Nano's days are numbered", the paper says, referring to the democrats' protests in Tirane.

Reporting on yesterday's news conference of democrat leader Berisha, the paper cites him as saying that "Any DP government would be better than a former-communist one". "Some 4,5 million dollars to incite rebellion" the paper says accusing the current ministers of the left coalition, Ceka and Imami, of stirring up the rebellion at the beginning of the year.

Dita, under the headline:"The government's fight with the Alimucaj company", cites Prime Minister Nano as saying:"Vefa deceives Albanians".

The paper carries yesterday's news conference of democrat leader Berisha under the title:"Nano's reform affects Albanians to the bone".

It says that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will visit Tirane next Wednesday. The paper says that the head of department of the Tirane Police, Pashk Tusha, will propose the government to make invalid the law on rallies.

The paper cites the president of the VEFA company as saying: "My capitals will not go to the creditors' pockets".

Shekulli carries an article regarding yesterday's meeting of mayors under the title: "Uprising of mayors" under the subtitle:"We want independence, otherwise we will go on strike".

The paper carries yesterday's news conference of Democrat leader Sali Berisha under the title:"I do not want factions inside the DP".

The paper says that the Head of Department of the Tirane police accuses hospital workers of taking part in drag-trafficking. "The March dossier from parliament to the prosecutor's office", the paper says.

"Mr. Nano, Albania will be swept by protests", Sindikalisti says on its first page. On the second page it cites the chairman of the independent trade unions of Transport as saying:"Workers are determined not to tolerate abuses any more". "The Tirane education department is not respecting the Trade Unions of Education", the paper says in one of its articles.

Gazeta Shqiptare reports that the Cenaj company 'treasure'. "The Greek police find its seven million dollars", the paper says regarding the cenaj company.

"The new budget" more money for water, electricity and roads", the paper says regarding yesterday's meeting of the government.

"The budget is property of parliament", the paper cites Finance Minister Malaj as saying.

"Puke, demilitarization begins", the paper says as regards the collection of weapons in Northern Albania.

Koha Jone says in its editorial that the economic measures proposed by IMF and approved by the Albanian government might provoke dissatisfaction among the Albanians.

The paper carries the article:"Mayors go on strike", and "VEFA-Government; the time of great confrontation". The paper reports that control has been intensified in the border crossing points for fear that the VEFA president, Vehbi Alimucaj, might flee Albania.

Among the political topics the paper carries the article "SP: afraid of faction". The paper carries an interview with the FRESH chairman, Ilir Meta, entitled:"No compromise with Nano". It carries the news conference of democrat leader Berisha under the title: "Berisha: DP without factions". The paper reports on a cooperation between BBC and Albanian Radio-Television. jz/pas/ak/lm/sh/

[06] BA Law to be submitted to Parliament soon

In Albania's government program this step is considered as an urgent need to develop the institutional and legal structure governing the BA.

Through which the BA aims to achieve "stability in prices policy and to act as the guardian of financial system in Albania."

Now being drafted with technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund stuff, the revised law forecasts steps to increase central bank independence in an operational sense. This means the reduction of deficit by setting tight limits on direct BA financing of the budget deficit, and by taking measures to develop the Treasury bill market.

[07] ALBANIA, ITALY DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

Fassino positively praised the commitments and results of the Albanian government to stabilise the situation in Albania and expressed readiness of the Italian side to invest and contribute in all fields.

A spokesman of the Foreign ministry said that different projects outlined in the framework of a bilateral and multilateral cooperation to be applied in Albania and particularly in infrastructure, were presented in the meeting.

The Italian side confirmed an important assistance for Albania's gradual integration in the European Union and broader in the Euro Atlantic structures, what was discussed in a meeting between Lakrori and the Farnesina Political director De Franchis. During his Rome visit, Lakrori attended a conference organised in the Center for Higher Studies on Defence with the topic "Albania, a new formula of safeguarding peace." ake/kled/ak/sh/

[08] PREFECT OF GOSTIVAR RELEASED FROM PRISON

Osmani was jailed after the July 9 tragic events in Gostivar and Tetove, when the Albanians raised in defence of their flag and faced the brutal intervention of the Macedonian police.

The Gostivar tribunal sentenced Osmani to 13 years and eight months in jail, which met a severe reaction on the part of international and domestic opinion.

Osmani will be defended while on probation, until the final verdict of the Appeals Court in Shkup is issued. p.ta/kled/lm/k

[09] FILE FOR FORMER SP DEPUTY MAZREKU ARRIVES IN TIRANA COURT

"Mazreku will be tried by the judge who has less processes to judge than others," the chairman of the Tirane Court Pajtim Hoxha said to ATA.

Mazreku has accepted the charge against him and has demanded an accelerated process of trial, a request which has been accepted.

On October 18, Gafurr Mazreku wounded with a pistol in the Parliament building the DP deputy Azem Hajdari.

After the incident, DP supporters in the capital and other districts have protested to the attempted assassination of Hajdari.

At a time when Azem Hajdari has considered the act as a political crime against him, the Socialist Party has considered it an individual criminal act. kei/xh/k

[10] FISCAL REFORM AND CUSTOMS INCOMES TO INCREASE BUDGET INCOME IN ALBANIA

The improvements in this field are connected with the measures taken for the security in border points, for which the government has planned financial support by the international community. For this purpose, the government is asked to boost inter-border relations and cooperate with Italy, Greece and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to control the imports.

The decision of the government on Wednesday to increase the budget incomes by 1.2 milliard leks until the end of this year is expected to pass through parliament for approval next week.

Despite the increase of income in the budget, its deficit is foreseen to be at around 50 milliard leks or 16 per cent of the GDP until the end of the year, while the aim of the government for next year is that the budget deficit reach 9-10 per cent of the GDP.

The application of valued added tax (VAT) from 12.5 to 20 % since October 1, is expected to bring for the remaining months an increase in the income of the budget over 1 milliard leks and an increase by some 9 milliard leks or 2 per cent of GDP until the end of 1998. /kei/mt/k

[11] ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS IN NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Nano will hold his discussion on Saturday in the Civil Questions Commission of the Alliance during the annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly, in which Albania is an associate member.

Also attending the meeting will be an Albanian parliamentary delegation, which in fact will consist only of the chairman, socialist deputy Ilir Zela.

"This is because the Parliament is in financial difficulties," explained Zela.

The topics of the talks of 250 deputies from 31 countries will be the inner problems of the NATO, beginning with the dialogue with Moscow to the SFOR operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, from the reforms of the internal military structures to the safeguarding of the stability and peace in Europe. ake/kei/xh/k

[12] ALBANIA DECIDED TO ESTABLISH ITS EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV

"Albania aims to raise to a higher level the bilateral relations," said Nano.

He added that the Albania's Government was ready to go ahead on the irreversible road for its euro-atlantic integration.

Ambassador Millo considered as very important in the relations between the two countries the decision to open an Albanian Embassy in Tel Aviv.

The Ambassador made a positive valuation of the constructive contribution that the Albanian-Jewish community, whose influence is now also being felt in the assistance programs for Albania, is presently making. ake/kei/xh/

[13] ALBANIA'S DEALERS TO MAKE NEW DECLARATIONS FOR ANNUAL PROFIT

After an order of the Finance Minister, Arben Malaj, hundreds of private importing and producing subjects are undergoing the control for the declarations of the annual profit, realised in the tax offices.

The control includes big trade subjects of import and production of food, in which many speculations in the increase of prices are noted.

The trade subjects, which import and produce flour, oil, milk-products, etc., are going through this control all over Albania.

The declaration of profit is also asked to small retail dealers, where abuses in the increase of prises is noted. /kei/mt/k

[14] FACTION MEMBERS OF DP DO NOT RECOGNISE CONGRESS OF THIS PARTY

One of the leaders of "The Movement", Arben Mece stated this on Thursday.

"After the congress declared by Berisha, we will be self-declared-faction and will work as such in the Democratic Party. We will try to set up the institution of DP, with or without Berisha," said Mece.

Mece, one of the leaders of the Movement in December '90, which led to the toppling of the communist regime in Albania, invited the DP presidency to an open debate regarding the last political topics and considered illegal the congress of October 20-21.

"The dates of the assembly should be set up by the National Council and not by Sali Berisha; he is not even the chairman of this party," said Mece.

"Berisha says he supports the free expression, but he does not tell which institution defends the freedom of speech in DP. We are working for the establishment of this institution," said Mece further on.

According to him, former chairman of DP, Eduard Selami, will not be face to face with the former President in the next assembly of DP, because "The Movement" that supports him will not take part in this congress. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

[15] SERBIAN-ALBANIAN MEETING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL ACCORD STARTS

The meeting is held with the international mediation of three representatives of the San Egidio Community, headed by Vicenzo Paglie.

The meetings are held behind closed doors in the grounds of the National Library of Kosova and are expected to be difficult because the Serbian party has come to Prishtina with new proposals for the implementation of this agreement, Albanian sources report. /ag/kei/mt/k

[16] CHAIRMAN OF CREDITORS' ASSOCIATION SUED IN PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FOR PARTICIPATION IN ILLEGAL MEETING

In the meeting, Sabiti also held a speech, shouting slogans like "We want our money,"! sources from the Tirana Police Directorate report.

The participation of Sabiti in the illegal meeting of DP, according to the deputy director of the Tirana Police Directorate, Hasan Ahmetaj, is unjustified, because he, as the chairman of the association he represents, took permission for the organisation of the rally on Tuesday.

As the chairman of this association "He will respond before the law," and the prosecutor's office of Tirana "accepted the accusation," Ahmetaj added. /kei/mt/k

[17] SCHOOL OF MAGISTRATES OPENS IN ALBANIA

The school which opens with the contribution of the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the United States will train Albanian judges and prosecutors.

Attending the opening ceremony in the premises of the Geology-Mining Faculty where the school will be established, were the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, the Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Council of Europe.

President Meidani considered the new law school as a marked event in the system of judiciaries.

"People must believe that judiciary will know to fight crime and corruption without compromise," said Mr Meidani, who thanked the Council of Europe for the contribution to the establishment of the School of Magistrature.

The director of the Council of Europe's legal affairs, Guy de Vel, said that also in the future aid for this school will always be available.

The Ambassador of the European Commission in Albania, Elio Germano stressed that the school will seal the notion of independence for the judiciary in Albania.

The director of the school, Karmen Qineti and the U.S. Ambassador Marisa Lino also addressed those present in the ceremony.

Twenty postgraduate students, who have graduated with excellent results the Faculty of Law and won the right to study in the new law School after selected in a contest, will study in the school.

Many teachers from Europe will give lessons in the new school. kei/xh/k

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