Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-30

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] "RADIO TIRANA FAX" EXHIBITION OPENED

[02] LOCAL TAXES - A SOURCE OF INCOME

[03] SUCCESSFUL PROTESTS HELD IN KOSOVA -council (Serb police violence in Ferizaj and Peje)

[04] FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] TRIAL FOR SP FORMER DEPUTY GAFURR MAZREKU

[07] NOVEMBER 29, ALBANIA'S LIBERATION DAY - Parliament

[08] NANO-MILOSEVIC MEETING IS LIKELY TO BE HELD - minister

[09] NEW LAW ON SCRUTINY OF STATE PERSONALITIES PROPOSED

[10] ALBANIA HAS MADE STEPS TOWARDS NATIONAL RECONCILIATION BUT IT HAS STILL OTHERS TO MAKE - Vranitzky

[11] OSCE FIELD OFFICE OPENS IN SHKODER

[12] WINNERS OF NATIONAL LITERARY CONTEST "VELIJA" ANNOUNCED

[13] EXHIBITION OF ALBANIAN PAINTER IBRAHIM KODRA IN ALBANIAN EMBASSY IN ROME

[14] AMBASSADORS SHOULD WORK FOR ALBANIA'S INTEGRATION INTO EURO - ATLANTIC STRUCTURES -President-

[15] COOPERATION WITH NATO-THE ONLY ROAD TOWARDS ALBANIA'S EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION

[16] VRANITZKY, CO-CHANCELLOR OF THE NEW EUROPEAN ALBANIA

[17] ALBANIA HAILS CONTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR JUNE POLLS

[18] VRANITZKY CALLS ON DP TO TURN BACK IN PARLIAMENT

[01] "RADIO TIRANA FAX" EXHIBITION OPENED

President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Arta Dade, President of the Velija Foundation Vehbi Velija attended the opening ceremony.

The initiator of the exhibition is Gaetano Grillo.

Radio Tirana Fax, sponsored by the Italian Institution of Culture, Velija Foundation, Albanian Ministry of Culture and Cultural Association "Mediterranea" of Molfetos, was first opened in Italy on July this year. ssh/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] LOCAL TAXES - A SOURCE OF INCOME

Though the income from tariffs and municipal taxes for a nine-month period was recorded 114 percent and the tax-free income was 100 percent, increasing deficits were recorded due to a failure in fulfilling "property tax" by central tax bodies and suspension of land transaction because "of a lack of legal framework," Tirana Mayor Albert Brojka said to ATA.

Brojka said despite difficulties particularly in the six months of unrest the planned incomes since the beginning of the year have been 72 percent higher than in 1994 and some 20 percent more than in the same period last year. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SUCCESSFUL PROTESTS HELD IN KOSOVA -council (Serb police violence in Ferizaj and Peje)

Peaceful demonstrations of Albanian students demanding access to schools and universities were staged in the major cities of Kosova yesterday.

No incidents were reported in Mitrovice and Gjakove and the demonstrators dispersed peacefully, although the protest was staged under the siege of numerous police forces.

In Ferizaj the higher technical school students were forced to halt their protest after an ultimatum issued by the Serb police. Many students failed to take part in it as their were barred by the police forces who kept provoking the demonstrators.

In the meantime, in Peje numerous police forces baton-charged the peaceful demonstrations at around 9.45 before the protest began. The Serb police had blocked all the city roads and tried to prevent them from gathering at the planned place for the protest.

Albanian sources in Peje say that the Serb police have clubbed a large number of students and arrested many others. They have intervened without warning or cause.

After the violence against peaceful demonstrators the Serb police units tore through the house serving as a higher trade school of Peje smashing doors and windows.

In Gilan numerous police forces were deployed in the city and in front of the occupied school buildings.

"They have watched and filmed the Albanian students' demonstration," local sources say.

In Prizren the students' peaceful demonstration, in which took part some 600 students, was held under the siege of numerous police forces. Many have been detained, arrested and manhandled in the streets. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

He was welcomed at the Rinas airport by the Minister of State at the Council of Ministers Kastriot Islami.

Vranitzky is expected to meet with Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano and leader of the Democratic party Sali Berisha.

He will attend the opening of two OSCE regional offices in Shkodra and Gjirokastra, the OSCE sources said.

From Rinas airport, Vranitzky was airlifted to Shkodra to hold talks with the city mayor Bahri Borici, candidate of the Shkodra United Left-wing, actually in opposition.

After the opening of the OSCE office in the ancient city of Shkodra, Northern Albania, Vranitzky will visit Rozafa castle and water supply line, which is financed by Austria.

Vranitzky will hold talks in Tirana with President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani.

He is expected to have a tete-a-tete meeting later in the day with the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano, but the content of the talks is not known.

Early on Friday, Vranitzky will meet with the Democratic leader Sali Berisha and other senior party officials in the Rogner hotel. He will also hold a news conference between 9.00 and 10.00 (local time) in the hotel premises.

After the news conference, Vranitzky will be airlifted to Gjirokastra at the South of Albania to attend the opening of an OSCE regional office there, hoping the weather is good.

Vranitzky was appointed mediator for Albania at the beginning of March this year when Albania was swept by popular protests urging the resignation of president Sali Berisha.

Berisha's successor Rexhep Meidani accorded Vranitzky Albania's highest order "Skenderbeu", which was handed over to him in Vienna by the Albanian Premier Nano. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike entitled today's editorial "Difficult mission of opposition." "Ongoing revanche of former communists, which is engulfing every cell of the Albanian state and society, can be stopped only by democrats, who are ready for sacrifices", the editorial says. In the third page the paper covers yesterday's news conference of the Democrat leader Berisha under the titles "Consensus, victory of all", "Political mafia dominates Albania", "Government, an irreparable coalition", "Nano-Milosevic meeting serves the Serbian nationalism." The paper carries a statement of the former Democrat minister of Finance Ritvan Bode under the title "Socialists drive the economy into the abyss", and the headline "Contraband forced parliament to change the law on state budget." "Machine guns threaten legal proceedings", the paper says in relation to yesterday's trial against former Socialist deputy Mazreku. "Kosova in protests," the paper says in regards yesterday's protests of Albanian students in Kosova.

Republika carries the editorial "Vranitzky comes with a new political formula," with the subtitle "SP and DP engaged in a battle for existence." In the second page the paper covers yesterday's trial against former Socialist lawmaker Mazreku in an article entitled "Party betrays Mazreku". "Tightened security measures for former deputy." Hajdari refused to be reported in the court to testify," the paper says. The same paper reports that the Defence minister Sabit Brokaj is ready to bring a law suit against former president Berisha accusing him for the disintegration of the Albanian army at the beginning of the year. "Being a minister, the SP doctor accuses the DP doctor of creating mayhem. Maybe the history is said to be repeated when the government are changed," the paper says in an article related to the same topic. The paper covers the protests of the Albanian students in Kosova and rallies of the students in Albania in support of the former. "Poliçan, center of contraband," the paper says in the eighth page. Referring to yesterday's parliamentary session, the paper says that the government is putting off the process of privatisation and that a secret budget worth $300 million exists.

Koha Jone entitles its editorial "Berisha's diplomatic clock runs down." It says that the DP leader considered the future meeting between Nano and Milosevic from the point of view of an Albanian-Serbian contrast. "Berisha urged the presence of 'a third side' in negotiations with Belgrade. But it seemed that he had forgotten that the idea 'of a third side' was discussed on contacts between Prishtina and Belgrade and not Belgrade and Tirana," the paper says. It carries a statement of Prime minister Nano before his meeting with Milosevic. "I do not act like Enver and his student. I go to Crete to talk with historical enemies with the Albanians' European language," the paper quotes Nano as saying. In the second page, the paper says "Money-lending, investigations on foreign banks, " under the headline "What is the amount of money Xhaferri has deposited in banks of the city he is living, what is the amount he is spending for his luxurious life, where has he deposited them...". The paper reports that the Tirana prosecutor's office will ask for investigation and Interpol assistance. The same paper covers the news conference of the Democrat leader Berisha quoting him as saying "Strike, a new page in the Albanian history." As regards the party agreements on Radio Television (RTSH), the paper quotes Social Democrat leader and Speaker Gjinushi as saying "Agreement on RTSH, a political paradox." The paper covers the trial against former Socialist deputy Mazreku in the seventh page under the title "Mazreku: I did not want to kill Azem Hajdari." In the economic column, the paper carries the articles "1997 amended budget passed," "Green light for fiscal evasion." In the 12th page the paper reports that the Albanian border in Kakavija has been "attacked" by Turkish, Chinese and Kurd illegal aliens, who are trying to go to Vlora and then to Italy.

Albania carries the editorial: "Budget reveals contraband". "The government has undertaken a new fiscal package, raising other taxes besides the value-added-tax.

The implementation of this fiscal package should have reduced the budget deficit. But the contrary is happening, the paper says, adding that over the last two months this deficit has increased by another five billion leks.

Other titles of the newspaper include:"Attempt to kill Mazreku", "To whose interest would Mazreku's murder be". "The Mazreku farce started yesterday".

The paper cites DP deputy Hajdari as saying:"Mazreku will be retried with the triumph of democracy. The court is not competent. It is a special political court".

The paper also reports on the Albanian students' protests in Kosove.

It carries an open letter of the former Chemistry director in the army, under the title: "Poisoning substance is found only in Brokaj's mouth".

"Symbol of determination to have access to university and be free", Rilindja says. The paper also carries articles including:"Brutal police intervention" and "Pan-Albanian protest organised". It also reports that the Albanian students of the Shkup university have fully boycotted classes because of lack of Albanian language lectures.

Shekulli says that ecologists have denounced use of pesticides as a first raw material in cement factories. The paper cites specialists as saying that the poison is dangerous to life also on the wall.

"The situation dictates changes in the budget", the paper says regarding Parliament's proceedings yesterday.

"Failed attempt on the life of former deputy Mazreku", the paper says regarding the Mazreku trial. The paper cites Mazreku as saying: "I carried out the shooting, but I am not guilty". "Students challenge violence", the paper says regarding the Albanian students' protests in Kosove.

Among the economic titles the paper includes: "Heavy blow to fuel smuggling" under the headline "Brussels says OK to the General Customs Department, analyses show benzol".

"Chemical poisons turned into cement", newspaper Dita says under the subtitle:"Two million dollars of theft". As regards the Mazreku trial the paper cites deputy Hajdari as saying:"The Mazreku trial is military" and Mazreku:"I only wanted to wound him". The paper carries the article:"Eighth corridor and roads of international integration".

Gazeta Shqiptare carries two editorials:"Is the news measured by seconds?" and "VEFA and the time of dialogue". The paper says that the bodies of the Otranto victims will arrive in Vlore after ten days. pas/ak/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] TRIAL FOR SP FORMER DEPUTY GAFURR MAZREKU

At the beginning of the session, the defendant belied an editorial released by BBC yesterday that he had reserves for the jury of the trial.

Deputy Hajdari was not present in the session. The jury heard today SP deputy Gramoz Ruci as one of the witnesses of the case since he was present in the first moments of the incident.

On Sept. 18, former deputy Mazreku hit with a pistol the DP deputy Azem Hajdari in the building of the parliament. Mazreku was lifted the deputy immunity right after this act. While the Democratic Party considered the act as politically motivated the Socialist Party and the highest authorities called Mazreku an ordinary criminal. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NOVEMBER 29, ALBANIA'S LIBERATION DAY - Parliament

In 1992 the parliament had set November 28, 1994 as the liberation day.

According to the chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Pandeli Majko who had presented the proposal in the name of 31 deputies, the changing of the date by the DP Parliament was a "product of psychic oscillations of the Albanian policy."

Majko said that history is not made by some abortive politicians and historians. The socialist leader also added that the liberation day has not to do with communism or the dictatorship of Hoxha but it is a symbol day of 28 000 martyrs, 70 000 partisans and of all Albanians.

The Balli Kombetar deputy Hysen Selfo, the christian democrat Zef Bushati and the deputy of Social Democratic Union Teodor Laco said that November 29 was chosen as the liberation day by dictator Hoxha because this was also the liberation day for Yugoslavia.

Contesting this idea, the deputies of other parliamentary groups stressed that Albanian partisans did not fight for Yugoslavia, as some right wing political force tries to present it, but for the freedom of their country. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] NANO-MILOSEVIC MEETING IS LIKELY TO BE HELD - minister

"The philosophy that PM Nano practices is that of understanding and cooperation in the Balkans and he has applied this philosophy also in all international institutions, in bilateral and multilateral meetings he has made," said Islami.

The State minister said regarding a possible meeting of Albanian PM with the President of Yugoslavia in the Crete Summit (Greece) to be held from November 3-4, that Nano has also the support of international institutions, especially those of the U.S. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] NEW LAW ON SCRUTINY OF STATE PERSONALITIES PROPOSED

"The existing law has not legal basis and is not professional. Its legality is based on grudges, hatred and ordinary revenge, which proves of the poor level of the previous Parliament," Commission chairman Nafiz Bezhani told a news conference today.

Bezhani added that he had been against the institution he was leading precisely for this law.

The law, approved in 1995, Bezhani said, penalizes Sigurimi informers, and those who gave them shelter, the denouncers and fake witnesses, but not the high officials of the Interior Ministry, judges, prosecutors and those who ideated the class struggle. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ALBANIA HAS MADE STEPS TOWARDS NATIONAL RECONCILIATION BUT IT HAS STILL OTHERS TO MAKE - Vranitzky

"The opposition must be constructive, it must work with the ruling parties and they all will have the support of the international community," said the Austrian former chancellor who arrived in Albania on Thursday.

Vranitzky appealed to all Albanian political parties to work together.

Mr Vranitzky was in Shkoder today to inaugurate a OSCE regional office there. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] OSCE FIELD OFFICE OPENS IN SHKODER

Attending the ceremony, organized on this occasion, was the OSCE special envoy for Albania, former Austrian chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, the state minister near the Prime Minister, Kastriot Islami, State Secretary for Local Government, Lush Perpali, representatives of local government and OSCE in Tirana.

"We should all cooperate for the reconstruction of your country, destroyed during the riots of March. The Rome Conference confirmed once again the continuation of the OSCE work in your country to overcome the difficult situation you faced," said former chancellor Vranitzky.

He stressed that the international community will continue the work to help Albania in joining the big family of the international community, but for the restoration of the country, the work of Albanians is needed first.

"June 29 polls showed that the Albanian people love democracy and want to join the civilized world, and it demands its rapid integration into Euro-Atlantic structures," said the OSCE envoy.

On behalf of Albanian government, Islami thanked Vranitzky for the valuable contribution as OSCE representative in the solution of the Albanian crisis.

He said that the OSCE field office, opened in Shkoder, will give a precious help in the solution of many problems, such as the democratization of local government, technical assistance, etc.

Islami expressed the engagement of the Government to continue the work already started for the national reconciliation, as well as cooperation with all political forces to overcome the crisis, also taking into consideration the support of the international community, to move forward to the road of democracy. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] WINNERS OF NATIONAL LITERARY CONTEST "VELIJA" ANNOUNCED

The director of Velija, Mira Meksi said that the jury of the Foundation awarded its prize in the field of prose to the writer Vath Koreshi for the novel "Wolf and Willy" published by the Publishing House Onufri and in the field of poetry the renowned poet Xhevahir Spahiu for the poetical volume "Pendency" published by Onufri.

The value of the winning prize in prose and poetry is 2 500 dollars.

It is the third time that the first private Albanian cultural foundation, Velija, holds the contest. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] EXHIBITION OF ALBANIAN PAINTER IBRAHIM KODRA IN ALBANIAN EMBASSY IN ROME

According to sources of the embassy, it is the first exhibition of such a level opened in its premises.

The exhibition is being visited with interest by many artists and friends of Albania, diplomats of many embassies in Rome. ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] AMBASSADORS SHOULD WORK FOR ALBANIA'S INTEGRATION INTO EURO - ATLANTIC STRUCTURES -President-

President Meidani considered this integration prior objective of the Albanian foreign policy, during a meeting with the ambassadors of the Republic of Albania, Bashkim Zeneli in Bonn, Petrit Bushati in Washington, Luan S. Rama in Paris and Vladimir Thanati in Berne, before their departure in the country they are accredited.

Attending this meeting was also Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] COOPERATION WITH NATO-THE ONLY ROAD TOWARDS ALBANIA'S EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION

The Defence Minister of Albania, Sabit Brokaj declared this in a meeting on Thursday in Tirane with a team of NATO experts who are on a working visit to Albania in the context of the Partnership for Peace initiative.

The 12-member team, led by Donald Hutchines, will value the real state of the basic infrastructure of the Albanian Army with the aim of recovering the part which is considered most important.

Participants in the meeting discussed problems related with the contemporary conceiving of the military infrastructure in order to meet the NATO standards.

The NATO team expressed to Minister Brokaj their full readiness to assist the Albanian Army.

In order to see the situation of the infrastructure following the destruction in the Albanian army and to make the necessary valuations, the NATO experts visited the Vlore Garrison, some Albanian military-naval bases, the Marine and Aviation Academy, the Tirane Garrison, etc. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] VRANITZKY, CO-CHANCELLOR OF THE NEW EUROPEAN ALBANIA

TIRANA, OCT. 30 (ATA) - By A Simoni: Albania's Prime Minister considered the OSCE special envoy for Albania, Franz Vranitzky, co- chancellor of the new European Albania, "which is becoming reality."

Premier Nano declared this in meeting, held on Thursday evening in Tirana. The meeting with the former Austrian chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, lasted more than 60 minutes.

"The end of the mission of Vranitzky is not the end of his ties with Albania, and even of his contribution for the democratization of the life in Albania," said Nano.

"Along with Vranitzky, in Vienna will also be a lobbyist group, which will work for Albania," ended PM Nano The Prime Minister held a long tete-a-tete meeting with the OSCE special envoy, who arrived in Albania on Thursday morning. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ALBANIA HAILS CONTRIBUTION OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR JUNE POLLS

Albania's President Rexhep Meidani expressed this during a meeting with the former Austrian chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, held in the premises of Presidency.

President Meidani considered the opening of OSCE field offices in Shkoder and Gjirokaster as an attention of the international community in the process of the democratic institutional and economic democratization of the country.

President Meidani asked Vranitzky to continue his personal contribution for the restoration of Albania.

Vranitzky voiced the conviction that his future activity will find common things with the work of all Albanians for the country's economic recovery.

Vranitzky hailed as positive the political developments in the country and expressed the necessity that economy should be the main attention for Albania.

He added that the European Union is likely to undertake many important economic projects for Albania.

President Meidani said with regret that he still notes in Tirana expressions of the old policy of confrontation.

He estimated the encouraging cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition for the progress of work in many districts of Albania. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] VRANITZKY CALLS ON DP TO TURN BACK IN PARLIAMENT

"During my mission in Albania I tried not to interfere in the party policy and this is a very difficult duty, because the deep antagonism between parties was one of the problems in Albania," the special OSCE envoy for Albania Vranitzky said after a meeting with the Prime Minister Fatos Nano.

Vranitzky voiced the hope that in a near future all the parties will be present in parliament.

"This will happen for two reasons: first, because all the contesting parties in elections promised to take up seats in the parliament which emerged from these polls, second, because this would help the country, in the sense that not only the government, but also the opposition will contribute," said Vranitzky.

"It would be a great illusion to think that the work for Albania and the work in Albania is over, it is the contrary. It is difficult to start the contest, but the runners have just started it," said former chancellor Vranitzky. a.ke/kei/mt/k

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