Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-18

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] RETURNING COUNTRY TO NORMALCY - PRIORITY OF ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

[03] I INVITE BERISHA IN BRUSSELS - Nano

[04] MALAJ, KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF DONORS' CONFERENCE

[05] $300 MILLION FOR 9-15 MONTHS, $1,5 BILLION FOR 5-7 YEARS - Nano

[06] I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER BERISHA WILL JOIN THE "SUNDAY DEBATE" PROGRAMME - Nano

[07] ANOTHER MEMBER OF CERRIK GANG ARRESTED

[08] ARREST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BEAT PUK CHAIRMAN

[09] ALBANIAN DIES IN BELGRADE PRISON

[10] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE VOICES CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN KOSOVE

[11] S.O.S VILLAGE IN ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

[12] Lek remains stable

[01] PRESS REVIEW

Under the headline "Total support for Albania, which is trying to restore its economy," Zeri i Popullit reports "Rome opens the doors of Brussels to Albania." The paper publishes an interview with Albania's PM Fatos Nano, after the conference, where he said: "The conference showed total engagement of participating governments, represented in the high ranking meeting of Rome, so that the emergency phase already closed, be followed by an active partnership in the implementation of reconstructing programs, in the creation of new jobs and in long-term processes of the economic increase in Albania."

Under the headline "The Rome Conference - The shame of Nano. The Western donors do not accept to offer money for a fraudulent and adventurous government," Rilindja Demokratike writes "100% conditions, 1% aid." The paper also reports "Nano incites the boycott of donor countries."

Republika carries the editorial "Cocktail of Rome, 12 million USD," which writes that the Albanians should stay calm for six months, "because if teacher Europe becomes angry, it does not give even a penny."

Koha Jone carries the editorial "Generous, but not spendthrift," which says that "It is true that Nano came back from Rome only with 12 million USD, with which he should provide the necessaries regarding the emergency payments, but he has in his pocket the cambial for long-term cooperation, which will provide in the future an amount several times bigger than the 350 million dollars of his request."

Rilindja reports regarding the news conference of Rome on Albania "The phase towards restoration starts," and covers the speech of Premier Nano under the title "Steps towards restoration of public order."

Under the headline "The Donors' Conference: Only 12 million USD. There is no money without the opposition," Albania paper reports "Nano fails in Rome." The paper carries the editorial "Rome 2, new conditions." Quoting the speech of Nano in the Rome conference, the paper reports: "The state banks have collapsed."

Dita paper writes "Nano, the surprise of 100 million USD." The paper also writes that the donors were pleased, but have also set conditions. The paper quotes Italian Foreign Minister Dini as saying "300 million USD in the future."

Shekulli paper reports "Rome, 120 dollars for every Albanian." The paper writes further on that the advisers of Premier Nano have detailed that the financing of the world is divided into: 100 million USD for the budget deficit, 170 million USD to start the projects and some other 120 million USD for the payments."

Under the headline "The Rome Conference closes its proceedings. The PM promises: We will close pyramids," Gazeta Shqiptare reports "Nano comes back with money," and "The West: "One milliard USD for five years." /kei/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] RETURNING COUNTRY TO NORMALCY - PRIORITY OF ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

TIRANA, OCT. 18 (ATA) - "This Ministerial Conference and the Donor's Conference due to be held a few days from now in Brussels, mark the culmination of all that supported Albania in this emergency post-conflict phase. We are grateful to all of you for that," said among other Albania's PM Fatos Nano in his speech, held Friday in the Rome Conference on Albania.

Following the July 31 Rome Meeting, which coincided with my government's entry into office, continued Nano further on, positive changes and progress have been recorded in Albania.

The political commitments by the Albanian coalition Government are supported by the rapid steps we are taking for the institutionalisation of the national reconciliation, which we see as an ongoing process. One of our principal commitments to ensure furthering of this process, has been pursuing the philosophy of co-governing and cooperation through a domestic, inclusive integration process and sharing of responsibilities with the opposition spectrum. Most opposition parties have recognised and accepted their responsibilities and are constructively cooperating in pursuit of this approach.

The opposition has been given the posts of chairman and secretary of a number of permanent parliamentary committees. The administration staff is being treated not on basis of the former government's law and criteria, but on basis of principles of governing a democratic state.

Talking about the situation of public order in these two months, on which he said that "The situation of public order is perhaps one of the most positive, obvious and tangible achievements," Nano underlined that "Returning the country to normalcy has been defined as one of the short- term priorities of this government. I can assure you that clear progress has been recorded in the restoration and stabilisation of public order."

In this field, the Albanian Premier said that foreign bilateral and multilateral assistance has played and will continue to play a vital role.

As regards to the armed forces, Nano said that "we have started and are continuing to recognise the army in close cooperation with NATO and with the governments of many members countries of the Alliance."

With respect to the urgent problem of the collection of weapons, even though it reminds difficult and complex, Nano informed that major steps forward have been taken, who focused further further on the work done on the new legislation which will modernise public administration in accordance with European standards, on the Parliament which has prepared the programme for the new constitution drafting and adoption, on the Supreme Council of Justice which has resumed its activity, etc.

"As a result of well-known recent events, the Albanian economy suffered a significant, about 8 % fall in GDP. The inflation rate is expected to reach more than 50 % by the end of 1997," said Premier Nano, regarding the economic situation.

The Albanian PM said further on that "we have taken stringent measures, including increasing VAT from 12.5% to 20%. We are waging war against corruption, while increasing the effectiveness of customs tax and duty collection, doubling our revenues within a few months.

Later on, Nano focused on some of the most urgent necessities. In the health and medical care sectors, said Nano, the Albanian Government's short and mid term objectives can be achieved through a financial support we have estimated to reach 76.8 million USD, of which only 9.2 million USD present immediate requirements focused on medicines and medical equipment. The financial requirement to rehabilitate school building as other related infrastructure amounts to 11 million USD, 8 of which have to go to pre- university education. The mid-term development programme is estimated to require a provisional total of 48 million USD, 34 of which is needed for pre-university education.

Representing with figures the problem of poverty and unemployment, Nano stressed the great need for resources for social assistance and pensions, for which the government have estimated a requirement of 35 million USD, but "we have been allocated only 22 million until now".

Nano mentioned as a main goal over a four-year period, the creation of 200 thousand new jobs by increasing investments, improving labour policies and the instruments in the labour market.

Nano represented as a priority in the framework of the assistance needed to increase public investments, particularly in infrastructure, the reconstruction of the very poor transport infrastructure.

Among others he stressed that "the rehabilitation of the national road network will there fore require an additional 187 Mil US $.

Nano said that an urgent intervention amounting to around 22.5 million USD in water and power supply is required.

Speaking about the agriculture, Nano said that "financial support of around 152 Mil. USD is required, of which 33 Mil. USD will have to be allocated immediately for damage recovery and to improve food safety".

The Albanian PM praised the support EBRD is providing for the privatisation of the banking system in Albania, but added that "it however, remains very modest since the amount of currency circulating today in the country reaches to some hundreds of millions of US dollars and the banking system is almost nonexistent".

Underlining that what he was trying to elaborate was the indicative of the tremendous amount of work carried out, Nano said:

"It is the task, first and foremost, of the Albanian people and Government to do their maximum to discharge their responsibilities as you all expect them to do".

"The programme we presented today to you, as well as what we will table in in Brussels requires a little more than 100 USD per capita worth of contributions of e different nature but well targeted", Nano told the Conference./s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] I INVITE BERISHA IN BRUSSELS - Nano

"The seat for Berisha was vacant," said Nano, "not only in the conference, but also in the plane, in the bus which took us from the hotel to the conference, it was also vacant in the microphones of local and foreign mediae that were interested in Albania."

"The invitation, which the conference in its political document and the political representatives of the participating countries extended to the opposition to cooperate with the new government, with the new institutions elected through the free vote of the people, to reconstruct together Albania, remained unanswered."

"Berisha," continued Nano, "is ruining his image and that of the party which unfortunately is keeping him in the lead. The vacant seats do not serve the future of Albania which is related in particular with the future of a powerful, loyal and constructive opposition." xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] MALAJ, KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF DONORS' CONFERENCE

Some days ago, the daily Gazeta Shqiptare criticized Nano for not taking the Finance Minister to the Rome meeting. But Malaj welcomed Nano at the airport, smiling as always.

"Malaj did not come to Rome because the Government must be present both here and in Rome," said today PM F Nano at the airport, adding that "Malaj is the key to the success of the transition from Rome to Brussels."

On October 17, Gazeta Shqiptare, cited Malaj "joking" that the fault for his not going to Rome rested on Berisha. On the contrary Nano declared: "The only vacant seat in the plane was that of Berisha because Malaj was in Rome and in Tirane at the same time." xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] $300 MILLION FOR 9-15 MONTHS, $1,5 BILLION FOR 5-7 YEARS - Nano

"For the mandate of the government I run it is the same figure we have pledged in the government programme, 200 000 jobs," said Nano at the airport after arrival from Rome.

"These are well reasoned figures. They do no more go to the pockets of officials, politicians or corrupt administrations, less so to banana boxes of pyramid scheme companies," Nano said.

"The success of the conference was greater than expected and the policy and the very responsible stand of the government and of all institutions in Albania to continue the process of National Reconciliation was mostly evaluated," he said further on.

Nano stressed that the period of emergency was considered closed in Rome and the way was paved for a stable economic and institutional development of Albania.

He said that the aid is conceived for a longer period than the legislative mandate of his government and added that now "we should not lose time with unproductive polemics any more."

Until the departure for Brussels, on October 22, "we will recapitulate the documents to be presented there, the ideas we have evolved, the new accounts, which could be understood, and, naturally, we will seriously keep to the mandate of the next government. We do not want to work for ourselves, only," said Nano. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER BERISHA WILL JOIN THE "SUNDAY DEBATE" PROGRAMME - Nano

This was confirmed by the Prime Minister himself right after arrival at Rinas airport from the Rome donors' conference, today.

"Tomorrow evening we will be "live: in the 'Sunday debate' TV programme. There you will be shown the views and results of the meetings held by our foreign minister with his very worthy counterparts from the participating countries."

"I will take part in the debate. I do not know whether Berisha will join".

This live tv programme is most followed by the Albanian TV watchers. The politicians invited at the previous broadcasts include Perikli Teta, secretary of State for Defence Policy, debating with former Defence Minister Safet Zhulali, Arben Malaj, Finance Minister, debating with former Finance Minister Ritvan Bode. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ANOTHER MEMBER OF CERRIK GANG ARRESTED

A member of the Cerrik gang, which had been active in the period of turmoil, has been detained by police.

Maksim Cengeli, 24, a very wanted person, was detained late on Friday, Cerrik police sources told ATA.

Cengeli, is accused of several macabre murders, robbing and suspected of taking part in the Cerrik massacre, in which five of the Interior Ministry special forces were killed.

Two other heads of this gang were caught by the Elbasani police some 40 days ago. s.sh/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ARREST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO BEAT PUK CHAIRMAN

The judge A Zeneli decided Saturday to pass this form of custody for Ibrahim Elezi, 40, Astrit Rustemi, 27 and Lirim Lumeshi, 26, the two first born in Tropoje and live in Kamez (Tirane) and the third was born and lives in Tropoje.

Last Thursday, the defendants were arrested near Hotel Drini in Tirane, waiting to leave for Tropoja. Police are also searching for the main bodyguard of ex-president Berisha, Izet Haxhia, who is also involved in the matter.

The defendants have refused the charge against them while Beqiri himself has accused the bodyguards of Berisha as the culprits of the violence on him.

The prosecutor's charge for the defendants is "hitting a person because of his post." ssh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN DIES IN BELGRADE PRISON

Zeneli was jailed in Prishtine on April 30 of this year, on charges of "terrorism" and, according to the Kosova Centre of Information, during the investigation process he had been subjected to tortures in order to accept the charge.

In a critical health condition, he had been taken to the Lipjan prison and a month ago the bodies of this prison transferred him to the Belgrade prison hospital, where he died yesterday.

On July 27 of this year, the Serb court in Prishtine brought charges of terrorism against 21 Albanians, among whom Jonuz Zeneli, the third victim of police violence since last January.

On February 23 the 30-year-old Besnik Restelica died in the Serb investigation office, while on Thursday the Serb police killed in Klicine the 25-year-old, Adrian Krasniqi, from Vranoci of Peja.

In two trials held this year against Albanians accused of "terrorism", the Serb court of Prishtine has sentenced 35 Albanians to a total of 371 years.

A third trial of this kind is planned to begin in Prishtine soon. p.ta/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE VOICES CONCERN OVER SITUATION IN KOSOVE

A declaration of the press deputy spokesman of the U.S. Department of State, James Folley, available to ATA today through the U.S. embassy in Tirane, says that the United States is concerned over the killing of an Albanian from Kosova by tortures exerted by Serbian police on Oct. 16, this year. The tension in the region keeps growing and the possibility of a tragic and violent confrontation between the Albanians of Kosova and the Serbs becomes ever more evident.

The U.S. and the EU Presidency published in October a joint declaration condemning the extreme use of force on the part of Serbian police and stressed the importance of a dialogue to be established between Belgrade authorities and the Albanian leadership of Prishtine.

The United States, said Folley, appeals to all parties for maximal self-control and to avoid provoking and confrontal acts which may lead to the use of violence. pat/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] S.O.S VILLAGE IN ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

There are 66 children in the S.O.S Village who live together thanks to donations by thousands of SOS friends from various countries of Europe.

"Cooperation and harmony between the S.O.S. Village and inhabitants of Sauk, the numerous activities they held together have been a great assistance for our children," said Director of the S.O.S. Village, Leka Filto. pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Lek remains stable

So 1DM was traded for 83,6 lek, ITL (1000) were traded for 85,2, GRD 100 were changed with 52,82 lek. The O.K. that the government of Albanian Premier Fatos Nano received for its results from Rome's Conference are expected to effect the stock exchange the coming week.

Saturday exchange rate

Currency                        Average exchange rate
USD                               147,75 lek
DM                                 83,6  lek
ITL (1000)                         85,26 lek
GRD (100)                          52,8  lek
SFR                                99,75 lek

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

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