Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-23

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS

[02] HUNDREDS OF WEAPONS COLLECTED IN GJIROKASTER IN FEW HOURS

[03] SERBIAN MILITIA PLUNDERS KUKESI DEALERS

[04] SHKODER METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP, MONSEIGNEUR FRANO ILIA, DIES

[05] SERBIAN MILITIA PLUNDERS KUKESI DEALERS

[06] "MOTHER TERESA" CHARITY FUND SET UP

[07] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT SAYS ITALY IS ALBANIA'S MAJOR PARTNER

[08] OSCE TO OPERATE BOTH IN NORTH AND SOUTH OF ALBANIA

[09] PRESS REVIEW

[10] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT HOLDS AUDIENCE WITH POPE

[11] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS ITALIAN HIGHER SCHOOL OF MAGISTRATURE

[12] UN DELEGATION VISITS KOSOVA

[13] CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY TO OPEN IN ALBANIA SOON

[14] ALL CORPSES RECOVERED FROM ALBANIAN SUNKEN VESSEL

[15] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO HOLD TRIAL FOR VEFA AND GOVERNMENT

[16] ALBANIAN COMMUNISTS DEMAND LEGALIZATION OF THEIR COMMUNIST PARTY

[17] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT AMONG RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS OF OTRANTO CHANNEL

[18] TNT FOUND IN ANCHORAGE OF FERRY-BOAT IN SARANDE

[19] WORLD BANK CHAIRMEN'S CONCLUSIONS ON ALBANIA DONORS CONFERENCE

[20] AMMUNITION LABORATORY TO BE REESTABLISHED SOON

[21] LEK SHEDS SOME GAINS

[01] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALIAN OFFICIALS

The talks were focused on parliamentary cooperation, exchange of delegations of both countries and assistance of the Italian parliament and specialists in drafting Albanian constitution.

President Meidani visited the Community of Saint Egidio and met with two main organisers Vincenso Paglia and Andrea Ricardi. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] HUNDREDS OF WEAPONS COLLECTED IN GJIROKASTER IN FEW HOURS

Police sources say that 230 light weapons, among which 44 Kalashnikov rifles, 14 heavy and light machineguns, 450 hand grenades as well as over 70 000 shells were voluntarily handed over to the police squads, which organised the operation.

During the period of riots some 25,000 weapons were looted from the army barracks in Gjirokaster. a.ke/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SERBIAN MILITIA PLUNDERS KUKESI DEALERS

Besides checking, they have also plundered the dealers.

"We will continue to plunder you every day because the Albanians in Montenegro have voted for Gjukanovic," a Serb militia-man said to Kukesi dealers, who trade with Prizren.

The Serbian financial militia continues for the third consecutive day to plunder the dealers, who go and trade with the neighbouring city of Prizren some 25 km from the border, which divides Kosova from Albania and some 40 km from the city of Kukes.

Kujtim Sula, a dealer, said to ATA that this is the first case in the last five years that the Kukesi dealers experienced such an intensive plundering.

The damage caused to these dealers is estimated at some tens of millions of leks. Many of them have suspended trade with Prizren unless the situation becomes calm. Some 200 people go to Prizren daily in comparison to 600. The Albanian dealers have also been maltreated recently.

The Prizren market has managed to "employ" many inhabitants of Kukes in the last years. When the trade was booming, over 1,000 people went to Prizren daily.

The Morina Pass had been closed during the unrest but was opened on July. ake/r.f/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] SHKODER METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP, MONSEIGNEUR FRANO ILIA, DIES

Monsegneur Frano Ilia was born in Juban of Shkoder district on February 21,1918. After the elementary school in his birthplace he graduated from the "Saverian" college and the Papal seminary in Shkoder.

He graduated for Philosophy and Theology in Genoa of Italy and in December of 1943 he was ordained priest. In 1954 he was nominated pastor in Milot and in 1952 secretary of the Durres-Tirane Diocese.

On September 23, 1967 the dictatorship punished him to death, which was later reducted to life sentence. He was released from prison on April 12,1986 and on November 11, 1990, many years after the churches were closed, he held the first mass in Juban at the request of the people.

His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, nominated him Metropolitan Archbishop of Shkoder on April 25, 1993. From this year until 1997 he carried out the duty of the Chairman of the Episcopate Conference of Albania. s.sh/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] SERBIAN MILITIA PLUNDERS KUKESI DEALERS

Besides checking, they have also plundered the dealers.

"We will continue to plunder you every day because the Albanians in Montenegro have voted for Gjukanovic," a Serb militia-man said to Kukesi dealers, who trade with Prizren.

The Serbian financial militia continues for the third consecutive day to plunder the dealers, who go and trade with the neighbouring city of Prizren some 25 km from the border, which divides Kosova from Albania and some 40 km from the city of Kukes.

Kujtim Sula, a dealer, said to ATA that this is the first case in the last five years that the Kukesi dealers experienced such an intensive plundering.

The damage caused to these dealers is estimated at some tens of millions of leks. Many of them have suspended trade with Prizren unless the situation becomes calm. Some 200 people go to Prizren daily in comparison to 600. The Albanian dealers have also been maltreated recently.

The Prizren market has managed to "employ" many inhabitants of Kukes in the last years. When the trade was booming, over 1,000 people went to Prizren daily.

The Morina Pass had been closed during the unrest but was opened on July. ake/r.f/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] "MOTHER TERESA" CHARITY FUND SET UP

This fund started its activity on Thursday by allocating 210 thousand Leks for serums in the city hospital, 150 thousand Leks for the handicapped school and a symbolic fund worth 10 thousand leks to a poor woman.

The fund will continue its activity following the example of Mother Teresa, the Albanian saint, who has helped the poor and needed all over the world.

This is the first Albanian charity association created in Albania because the humanitarian funds have been sent by foreigners or financed by foreign financial capital. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT SAYS ITALY IS ALBANIA'S MAJOR PARTNER

"Concrete cooperation existing so far between the two sides both in "Pelikan" and "Alba" operation and Italian investment in Albania as well as similar political concepts show that Italy is one of the major partners in Albania's political, economic and institutional recovery and will remain as such because the interests between the two countries are the same," Meidani said.

Asked by journalists whether Italy is Albania's major ally President Meidani said "the two countries and peoples are historically linked. I would like to quote the Italian president Oscar Luigi Scalfaro saying that the distance between the two countries across the Adriatic is very narrow." ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] OSCE TO OPERATE BOTH IN NORTH AND SOUTH OF ALBANIA

"The offices will be staffed by international officials, who are acquainted with Albania and its problems," the same sources said referring to the staff of both offices expected to be opened soon in Gjirokastra and Shkodra.

They said that these offices will not have any political lining.

Further democratisation of the local government, through technical assistance offered by international experts will be one of the priorities of the OSCE activity in both cities.

The OSCE aims at guaranteeing independence to judiciary, human rights and freedom. International experts will be engaged in drafting special programs to recover these regions in cooperation with domestic and foreign donors. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESS REVIEW

"We want Albania to become worthy partner of Europe", the paper entitles the speech of Prime Minister Fatos Nano at the donors' conference in Brussels.

Under the headline:"The years 2000 will find us with a developed and stable economy", the paper runs the article "Money will go to development programmes".

The paper covers yesterday's proceedings of the People's Assembly. Under the title "The Berisha clan responsible for army's ruining", the paper covers the question and answer session in parliament with Defence Minister Sabit Brokaj.

"Ruining of the army is an alibi to cover the scandalous corruption", the paper cites Brokaj as saying.

The paper also reports on the bomb placed in the house of socialist deputy Xhihani by unknown men. Under the headline:"The two sons, aged two and seven, still scared", the paper carries an article in which Xhihani says that the bomb was placed for "political motives".

The paper also reports on the visit to Italy of Albanian President Rexhep Meidani as well as on the operation to recover the Otranto channel victims from the sea.

Rilindja Demokratike says:"Nano spoils $1,2 billion". "Premier fatos Nano receives as much money as Ramiz Alia did in 1991. Also the U.S. puts conditions. Only 30 per cent of the money secured by the Meksi government promised", the paper says.

The paper covers the news conference of DP chairman Berisha under the title:"New elections, imperative for Albania". The paper carries the list of the new members of the DP National Council.

RD also carries an economic article entitled:"Socialists offer economic collapse".

Under the title: "Kosova between Belgrade and Tirana", the paper carries an interview with Gjergj Dedaj, chairman of the Kosova Liberal Party.

Republika carries the editorial under the title "Berisha drives owners mad...". "The new chairman of democrats beg pardon for the property", the paper says.

The paper covers yesterday's parliamentary session under the title;"DP stole the miners's wages", under the headline:"Meksi brought ghost firms in Albania. The copper industry was purposely destroyed".

Koha Jone entitles its editorial:"Berisha incorregiable". "DP reelected Sali Berisha as its chairman, confirming once again that in Abania, a party leader (one who is first elected) is replaced only when he dies," the paper says. As regards the Brussels Conference the paper says that: "Albania, more aid than it hoped".

To this topic the paper also devotes the article:"U.S. $47 million". In the article "Donors were generous", the paper cites Prime Minister Nano as saying:"We had a greater cooperation and partnership than the Berisha government".

Continuing with socialist chairman Nano and former deputy chairman Servet Pellumbi debate, the paper carries a response of the latter:"Nano, be more serious".

As regards yesterday's news conference of democrat leader Berisha, the paper says that the DP has began electoral pledges. It carries an interview with ex-Prime Minister Meksi, entitled:"DP Assembly like Hoxha's congresses".

"Eighty per cent of police commissars discharged", and "Minister Brokaj issues new documents against Zhulali" are two other articles run by the newspaper. The economic topics include the request of the energy corporation to raise the electricity energy price.

Albania carries its today's editorial under the title:"National Reconciliation, a barricade in Brussels". Brussels made the economic aid to Albania yesterday contingent upon national reconciliation, because this is the basis to create the environments to rebuild democratic institutions", the paper says.

As regards the recovery of the Otranto victims from the sea the paper carries the articles: "'The ship of death' returns another 36 bodies" and "The Otranto tragedy, deed of Fino". "Malaj's people with Zani Caushi at their head checked the traffic and booked 'tickets' for travelling to death", the paper says. It carries other articles including: "TV turned into a police station" and "NIS threatens usury protests".

Rilindja says: "Over 600 million dollars of aid". It frontpages an interview with the Kosova president, Ibrahim Rugova, under the title:"Kosova, subject of the international politics". The paper covers the information on the round table of Macedonian president Gligorov with ten political parties under the title:"A meeting delayed but indispensable". "Serbia improved the industry of death" is another article of the newspaper.

Dita carries the article: "$600 for Albania" under the headline:"After the political OK in Rome the West loosens the purse-strings in Brussels. Aid, but also conditions. Order and closure of pyramids". The paper says that the DP new chief has unfolded the pre-electoral programme on the coming elections.

As regards the January-March events, the paper says that Defence Minister Brokaj has formulated before parliament the heaviest charge against Berisha. "Some 32 surface-to-air missiles bombed the South," the paper says.

Also, Shekulli reports on minister Brokaj's charges against ex- commander general Berisha. "Berisha attacked the south", the paper cites Brokaj as saying.

In relation to the recovery of the Otranto victims the paper says that:"Vlore and Brindisi affected by the tragedy". The paper carries the article:"Berisha urges early polls" under the subtitle:"Weapons should be kept home until the law enforcement". Gazeta Shqiptare carries today the editorial:"Where are the heroes who defended the army?". As regards the death sentence issued yesterday by the Kruje court against a 33 year old who killed six family members, the paper says:"Death sentence returns after the bloody spring".

"Brussels, only half of success", the paper says regarding the Brussels Conference.

An article subtitled:"Law suit against finance heads", the paper says that the anonymous association "Asi" has asked penal prosecution against finance Minister Malaj, former Finance Minister Bode and and INSIG director Bundo "for abuse of office".

The paper says that Macedonian border guards between Albania and Macedonia have been ordered to shoot without warning at any Albanian who would try to cross the border illegally. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT HOLDS AUDIENCE WITH POPE

President Meidani was accompanied by Albanian Ambassador to Vatican Pjeter Pepa and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

Meidani held a tete-a-tete meeting with his Holiness and at the end of the audience he met with the cardinal Sodano.

Both meetings were held behind closed door and their content was not revealed.

President Meidani, his wife Lydra and delegation laid a wreath on the "Altar of the Homeland" in Venice square in Rome.

The Albanian delegation was received by the commander of the central military region, General Zolda and laid a wreath in honour of the National Hero Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu in Albania Square.

President Meidani also visited the higher school of Magistrature. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS ITALIAN HIGHER SCHOOL OF MAGISTRATURE

He was received by the deputy president of the Higher Council of Magistrature Carlo Frederico Grasso and some members of the Higher Council of Magistrature.

President Meidani said that he considered very important the cooperation between the two institutions because the higher school of magistrature was opened in Albania three months ago and needs assistance in special lectures by the Italian institution.

He said to the Italian hosts that the Higher Council of Justice will be restructured because the mandate of the previous one had expired and also spoke of reform in the judiciary.

"I am the head of the Higher Council of Justice, but I believe that after the new constitution I will not have such powers," Meidani said.

The Albanian judiciary is organised based on the Italian model.

President Meidani and his delegation will go to the port of Brindisi later in the day where the recovery operation and identification of the Otranto victims are underway. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] UN DELEGATION VISITS KOSOVA

Upon her arrival in Kosova Rehn said that she is highly concerned about the grave situation there.

"This is why I should be more present in Kosova than ever because I cannot get acquainted with the situation here while staying in Belgrade," Rehn said.

She warned that Kosova will occupy an important place in her report to the U.N. General Assembly within three weeks.

The U.N. special envoy and her delegation had a meeting on Thursday in Prishtina with the President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova, head of the Parliamentary party Adem Demaci and leadership of the Council for the protection of human rights and freedom in Prishtina. bj/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY TO OPEN IN ALBANIA SOON

"Pope was enthusiastic about the opening of this university, which can start at the beginning with some faculties and to be enlarged later on, " President Meidani confessed during a news conference, held after the meeting.

One of the other problems that Pope John Paul II and President Meidani discussed in the meeting was the situation in Albania and Kosova. President Meidani asked the intervention of the international community for the solution of the crisis in Kosova.

The San Egido community, a catholic organisation which mediates for solution of crises, has been the organizer of the first meeting Milosevic- Rugova, regarding the education in Albanian language in Kosova.

President Meidani invited Pope to make a second visit in Albania. Pope John Paul II visited Albania for the first time in April of 1993. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ALL CORPSES RECOVERED FROM ALBANIAN SUNKEN VESSEL

"The victim was a woman and the husband identified her from the necklace," said the lawyer of the victims' relatives, Giuseppe Baffa.

He added that there was a large number of kids among the victims recovered.

The experts are actually taking photos of the bottom of the vessel.

Albania's President Rexhep Meidani will go to Brindisi to meet with the relatives of the victims. Meidani went Wednesday to Italy upon an invitation of his Italian counterpart Scalfaro.

"Two days ago I have sent to the prosecutor the request to judge the captain of the 'Sibilla' corvette, who, I think, is responsible for the tragedy," said Baffa.

Some of the relatives of the victims and the survived from the tragedy are in Brindisi, while some 40 others are expected to go from Albania.

Sources from the Italian Embassy in Tirana said to ATA on the same day that they have not left yet, but the embassy is currently working for their departure.

The Italian government has put at the disposal a flight of "Alitalia" to airlift the relatives of the victims to Brindisi.

One of the survived, Krenar Xhavarra from Vlora who lost his wife and six-month daughter, considered the recovery of corpses on Wednesday "a second death."

Xhavarra said that he and the head of the parliamentary commission for foreign policy Sabri Godo, has asked the deputy prosecutor Leonardo Leone De Castris that the Albanian side be present in investigation.

"We asked him that the corpses should be examined on the presence of the Albanian experts," Xhavarra said.

Giuseppe Baffa, lawyer of the relatives of the victims said to ATA on Tuesday that good possibilities exist to identify corpses and that they (corpses) are still clothed.

They are stored in special refrigerated rooms.

The recovery operation undertaken by Italy is expected to cost eight billion lire.

Between March 27 and 28 an Albanian ship with illegal aliens on board, left Vlora for Italy and collided with the Italian navy corvette Sibilla, a collision, which claimed the lives of 83 Albanians, majority women and children. /ak/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO HOLD TRIAL FOR VEFA AND GOVERNMENT

Planned for the past Thursday, the trial was called off because Rustem Gjata, the Court chairman was not present.

The Government spokesman protested strongly, suspecting that the "Constitutional Court is not attaching proper importance to the case."

"The Government spokesman is free to say anything he likes, my absence was for serious personal reasons," explained chairman Gjata on Thursday, "but the judges present in the case could go ahead with the case despite my absence."

Rustem Gjata has been criticized several times by the former opposition as "servant of Berisha" who has not acted independently.

"During the past five years," Gjata said on Thursday, "the Constitutional Court has not left any case untried."

Vefa Company has demanded from the Constitutional Court to invalidate an article of the law "On the financial control of judicial people, non bankers, who have taken loans from masses of people," and which would allow it not to have auditors named outside it.

According to its spokesman, the Government is seriously prepared to defend its law by putting at the disposal of the Court the Minister of Justice and the Judicial Director of the Finance Ministry.

"Very well," said Gjata, "we are ready to hear both parties."

On Tuesday the Constitutional Court will also examine an amendment to the law on the Bank of Albania, asked by the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party and the former Governor of that Bank, Qamil Tusha. ake/kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] ALBANIAN COMMUNISTS DEMAND LEGALIZATION OF THEIR COMMUNIST PARTY

"We want to be legalized on November 8," said the communists, revoking the founding of the party of the Albanian dictator, Enver Hoxha.

Gjinushi replied that "we will draft the laws conformed to international standards. There are not the viewpoints that are hindered in a democratic state, but the methods; everyone in Albania is free to think whatever he likes."

"It cannot be legal a party that in its activity uses violence, because the democratic state and the rule of law do not allow this," said Gjinushi.

"Nonetheless, the Communist Party cannot be legalized without a law, and to approve this law the will of the majority is needed," he added.

The Communist Party will not become legal unless it erases from its program the dictatorship of the proletariat, the violent overthrow of the state power and the class struggle.

In many cities and villages of Albania, the communists are preparing the lists with the names of the coming members of their party. ake/kei/mt/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT AMONG RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS OF OTRANTO CHANNEL

President Meidani entered the shipwreck and placed a bouquet of flowers to homage the victims of this year's March 28 tragedy.

After this, accompanied by Italian authorities and his delegation, President Meidani met with and stayed for several minutes with the relatives of the victims.

"This was a very great tragedy for Albanians, which will never be repeated," said Meidani before foreign and local reporters.

"I have confidence in the Italian judiciaries," said Mr Meidani in reply to a question about the inquiry into the great tragedy.

At about 6 p.m. President Meidani returned home. ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] TNT FOUND IN ANCHORAGE OF FERRY-BOAT IN SARANDE

The local police did not report on the motive of the attempt, but said to ATA only that "the explosive has been planted under water for motives of crime."

Although some 30 days have passed since the first blast explosion, which damaged completely the ferryboat "Violeta" of the Greek owner Jorgo Jerondati, nothing is published regarding the investigations into the same scenario, repeated some two other times.

Two ferryboats work in the line Corfu-Saranda, the ferryboat "Mimoza" of the Greek maritime association and the ferryboat "Kaliopi" with an Albanian owner. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] WORLD BANK CHAIRMEN'S CONCLUSIONS ON ALBANIA DONORS CONFERENCE

1. A Donors Conference, convened by the European Commission and the World Bank, was held today in Brussels to discuss Albania's economic and financial recovery programme and external financing requirements. The Albanian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Nano and included Minister of Finances Malaj and Minister for Aid Coordination Mrs Meksi. Delegates from more than 24 countries and 11 international organisations participated in the Conference. The co-chair was held by Mr Burghardt, Director General of DGIA, European Commission and Mr Linn, vice-president of the World Bank.

2. Support for today's meeting had been given by the Ministerial Conference held in Rome on 17 October 1997. That Conference had also fully supported the "Elements of an International Agenda for Albania" proposed by the European Union.

3. The Conference welcomed the statements of the Prime Minister and other members of the Government on the country's economic and development programme, the actions already taken by the new Government and its strong commitment to carry out the required priority actions in the post-crisis period. Participants to the Conference expressed broad support for the programme as presented by the Government.

4. The Government noted with satisfaction that the prerequisites for donor assistance adopted at the first Rome Conference on 26 May 1997 had been substantially met. While the situation is generally returning to normal, security conditions still need to be improved in some areas in order to enable investments and projects to be implemented effectively. The participants welcomed the contribution of the OSCE in providing support to the election process and of the WEU in providing assistance to the Albanian police. They encouraged the Government to continue its efforts to reinforce security measures. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] AMMUNITION LABORATORY TO BE REESTABLISHED SOON

Mr Williams expressed his positive impressionso of NATO-Albania cooperation. He stressed that "we will focus on the the training of specialists for the question of ammunition and will find sources for the compensation of the military base of the Albanian army."

Mr Teta made a panorama of the grave situation that the Albanian Army experienced in March this year, the reasons and consequences of the total ruin and the efforts underway to overcome the numerous difficulties on the road for the reestablishment of the army.

NATO contribution and that of the Italian group which is in Albania for a long time now, said Teta, "is related with the adoption of new practices for the construction of army-depots, their protection, the storing of ammunition which is being accumulated from the population and an administration and training conformed to contemporary standards." ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] LEK SHEDS SOME GAINS

Thursday exchange rate

Currency Average exchange rate

USD 146,75 lek DM 81,7 lek ITL (1000) 83,5 lek GRD (100) 51,9 lek SFR 99,86 lek

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