Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESS REVIEW

[02] THE NUMBER OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES DECREASES WHILE FONDS FOR THEM ARE HIGHER

[03] SECRETARIES ESTABLISH EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN ELECTED AND POLITICAL GOVERNMENTS - Imami

[04] PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO RETURNS HOME FROM CRETE SUMMIT

[05] DP ORDERS LOCAL LEADERS NOT TO IMPLEMENT LAWS

[06] ALBANIAN SPEAKER AND U.S. RI DIRECTOR DISCUSS ON CONSTITUTION

[07] REPUBLICANS STRONGLY OPPOSES DEMOCRATS

[08] TWO ALBANIAN WARSHIPS RETURNED FROM ITALY

[09] CORPSES OF OTRANTO VICTIMS TO BE RETURNED TO ALBANIA SOON

[10] GUARDS - VICTIMS OF MINED TERRITORY

[11] EUROPEAN UNION FINANCES TIRANA-DURRES HIGHWAY

[01] PRESS REVIEW

"Gligorov told me that Berisha had never talked with him on the Tetove University," the paper cites PM Nano in the article "See who has betrayed." Referring to Nano-Gligorov meeting, ZP writes that "a number of agreements are ready to be signed." The court may start the process of bankruptcy for Vefa Holding company, writes the newspaper under the title "Indictment for Alimucaj?" The news conference of DAP leaders is commented in the paper under the title "Government coalition stood the test to govern for four years- Ceka."

"The opposition denounces the inferiority and irresponsibility of Albanian Prime Minister in the Crete Summit. Strong reactions by political forces in Kosove," writes Rilindja Demokratike under the title "Nano-joker of Milosevic." "Nano's parting from Kosova is a dangerous precedent not only for the solution to its problem, but also for the very independence of Albania," says the editorial entitled "Nano without Prishtine." "OSCE reiterated on Tuesday in Tirane that the June 29 polls 'may be considered acceptable for the circumstances,'" writes the newspaper on its first page. "The political forces in Kosove oppose bargaining to their detriment," writes the paper under the title "No talk on Kosova without Kosova's presence." "Instructions from SP for purgings in the administration," writes the paper in its second page. "VEFA does not agree to talk on set conditions," writes the paper. "Police will intervene so that the government decision be implemented," says the paper.

Newspaper Republika devotes its editorial entitled "Also small parties elaborate a great policy," to the 3rd congress of the Republican Party which convenes today. "Union for Democracy comments the Balkan Summit, " writes the paper under the title "Berisha: Crete put off Nano's miniskirt." The newspaper cites the Republican leader Godo referring to meeting of Nano with Milosevic, saying that "the Albanian party should have been more prepared for that meeting." "Close collaborators betray Alimucaj, " writes this paper in its economic issues. "Drug distributors caught by police," writes the newspaper under the title "Chiefs of drug, in arrest."

"The dried power of Crete" is the title of an editorial in Koha Jone. "Milosevic would naturally be the first to offer a fuse to the Balkan powder as soon as his Kosova is threatened," writes the editorial. "The Socialist leadership decided to establish an iron discipline among the party deputies," writes the paper under the title "Socialists, like the PLA." "SDP leadership in different districts ask their center to part from the government coalition," writes the newspaper on its third page. "Today everything belongs to Fatos Nano as Sali Berisha was unjustly almighty," writes the paper under the title "Parliament and President - appendixes of the Prime Minister." The paper also publishes an exclusive interview with PM Nano under the title "Albania towards opening of borders." "Beginning of procedures for bankruptcy demanded," writes the paper under the title "VEFA will go bankrupt - Government!"

"The Kosova issue, betrayed by the Albanian communists for 50 years, is being buried by heirs to Enver Hoxha, now that it won its internationalsation, " says the editorial of newspaper Albania, entitled: "Nano kills the Albanian factor". The paper carries pronouncements of political party leaders on the Crete Summit under the title: "Nano shakes hands with Milosevic. Albanian politicians grate their teeth".

Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano has stated that Albania does not ask for the autonomy of Kosova and that in the event of a conflict there, Albania will give a free hand to the Serbs to commit ethnic massacres against Albanians, the paper says under the title:"Barisha: Nano, facade of killing the Albanians".

The VEFA president, Vehbi Alimucaj, yesterday ruined the governmental plan to install local administrators, the paper says under the title: "Alimuca: Malaj set me a trap".

Leaders left, differences remained, Rilindja says regarding the end of the Balkan Summit. Under the title:"It is due time to change the concept of the Balkans", the paper carries the speech of Prime Minister Nano in the Crete Summit.

Albanian students of the Methodology Faculty have warned through a press release they will hold a protest before the Macedonian government building today, the paper says under the title: "Protest of the Albanian students of the Methodology faculty in Shkup".

Under the title :"Milosevic has made fun of Nano in Crete", the paper covers yesterday's news conference of the Union for Democracy.

Journey of colour 'slaves' towards paradise passes through Tirane, newspaper "Dita" says under the title:"Arab Mafia, millions of dollars with the clandestini". Socialists quarrel in Vlore, the paper says regarding the activists' meeting of the Vlore socialists.

Alimucaj challenges government for the second time, auditors will have "forcible" access to VEFA today, the paper says.

"I want confidential meeting with Malaj outside the Council of Ministers' office", the paper cites Alimucaj as saying.

The paper covers a comment of democrat leader Berisha on the Crete Summit, especially on the meeting with the Serbs under the title:"Berisha: Nano, make up of Milosevic". Albanians suffered a loss, the Greeks helped the Yugoslav President, the paper says.

Those who lost the money in the pyramid schemes should enrol in the employment offices, the paper says under the title: "'Victims' of pyramids in employment lists".

Nano really met Milosevic, but this seems to have left a bitter taste in Kosova, Gazeta Shqiptare says under the title:"Nano-Milosevic in Crete: Kosova not feeling well".

Failure procedures to start against VEFA, which so much opposed administrators, the paper says under the title: "VEFA failed".

Albanian Secret Services along with the order's secret service fighting against smuggling, the paper says.

Police uncover 300 automatic rifles in a tunnel near the Bradashesh village in Elbasan, the paper says on the sixth page. kled/xh/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] THE NUMBER OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES DECREASES WHILE FONDS FOR THEM ARE HIGHER

During September, 11 506 families and 1600 individuals were given a full economic aid, assistance as disabled people or for care for a third person, on the basis of a total fund of 5 137 706 lek.

According to the assistance office chief in the municipality, Vladimir Zace, the number of this category of families is reduced to 11 500 from 11 700 it was several months ago. kled/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SECRETARIES ESTABLISH EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN ELECTED AND POLITICAL GOVERNMENTS - Imami

Responding to press criticism in connection with the recent appointment by the government of around 400 secretaries of local government, Imami explained that "secretaries follow legal procedures from the administrative point of view". The law on civic service has no supplement to describe separation of the local government's civil powers from the political ones.

"So far the commune secretaries have been politicised and will continue to be so for as long as tensions exist between the central and local governments," Imami said considering the government's decision "correct and productive".

Imami said there is a hierarchy in the selection of these secretaries which should begin from the grassroots to the above and not vice-versa as it happened in 1992 when the local government came out of control. kled/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] PRIME MINISTER FATOS NANO RETURNS HOME FROM CRETE SUMMIT

In the meantime, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, who took part in the Crete Summit, left for Strasbourg.

At the Rinas airport Nano improvised a news briefing based on two issues: First Nano evaluated the Crete Summit on multinational plane of the Balkans.

He said that the Balkan nationals should enjoy their rights and freedoms like all Europeans and at the same time communicate among them and the nationalities.

Nano had also expressed this view in Crete. He pointed to the importance of the Crete statement for an inter-Balkan cooperation in economy, transport and education.

The second question on which Nano focused in his briefing was his meeting with Yugoslav President Milosevic. He considered the meeting historic, underlining its concrete values. Nano said his mission in the meeting was the adoption of better relations with the neighbouring countries and the appeal for the defence of legitimate human rights of the people of Kosova. Nano called the Albanian people of Kosova a community differently from the unjust name Milosevic was referred to them in the meeting.

The Greek press wrote today that the Albanian delegation is the one which won most among the Balkan delegations in the Summit.

The senior state officials, who saw Nano off at Rinas airport when he left for Crete three days ago, reached the airport much later than the arrival hour. Nano had already finished his brief news conference and the luggage was unloaded. ake/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DP ORDERS LOCAL LEADERS NOT TO IMPLEMENT LAWS

Berisha also asked from some of the local officials of the Union for Democracy parties to continue their rejection against the acts of the central state power, not recognise the decisions of the superiors and to go on strike every Friday.

Together with the local government representatives of the Union for Democracy, the right leaders went out of the hall to the Skenderbej square, helding a rally and shouting slogans against the government and in favour of DP returning to power.

The removal of some 400 secretaries of communes and town halls, and the appointments of others from the government, is a legal step, government sources say.

DP head, on his side, has called on other local structures, elected by DP, not to recognize the laws and has ordered the secretaries not to hand over even the seals of their communes. Berisha has also spoken of massive protests, early elections and systematical violation of law.

Deputy PM Bashkim Fino declared on Wednesday that if the pressure of the opposition will continue to be carried out by violating the law, next local elections will be soon decreed.

Most of the votes in the local polls of October 20, 1996 were won by the Democratic Party, while the current opposition, which emerged from the June 29 polls, is a coalition of five parties: The Socialist Party, Social Democratic Party, Democratic Alliance Party, Human Rights Union Party and the Agrarian Party. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIAN SPEAKER AND U.S. RI DIRECTOR DISCUSS ON CONSTITUTION

Gjinushi said that "we are totally open so that the constitution be a product of the most advanced domestic and foreign experiences, not to be a politiziced constitution and as a result a biassed one.

"Today's parliamentary majority bears the maximal responsibility to offer a democratic constitution through legal and deeply democratic procedures. While DP and Berisha have chosen so far the road of blockage on behalf of the alleged consensus," said Gjinushi.

He added that the new parliament has set up a commission in which are represented parties from the whole political spectrum with the possible largest scope for the opposition, but DP refuses to take part.

Gjinushi thanked the director of the U.S. Republican Institute for financing the conference "Further democratization and the transparency of the People's Assembly," which is organized Thursday by the Albanian Institute of the International Studies. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] REPUBLICANS STRONGLY OPPOSES DEMOCRATS

"The DP is deviating when it says that is urging a political solution, " Godo said referring to the crisis, which engulfed Albania at the beginning of the year.

He added that military divisions led by Bashkim Gazidede (former chief of SHIK) were used against the people and when he (Gazidede) had a crushing defeat a salvation reconciliation government was planned which Godo considered a hand over to Socialists to save what had remained.

"The DP power was built on a similar structure to that of pyramid schemes," the Republican leader said.

Godo called the SP's role at the beginning of unrest destructive and said it was always ready aiming not Albania's salvation but its returning into power.

"What we feared is what is happening to Socialists: they are extending their power in every walk of life under the pretex of meritocracy and other slogans," Godo said.

The Republican leader said the RP is not going to cooperate with the DP if they continue fasting.

"Remarks against the DP and views different from us are something normal because we do not have a complete identity though we have adopted same attitudes on constitution and revanche. Thus, cooperation is imperative," one of the DP leaders Genc Pollo told the congress.

President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani and other Socialist deputies such as Namik Dokle and Dritero Agolli attended the congress early on Wednesday. ake/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] TWO ALBANIAN WARSHIPS RETURNED FROM ITALY

The motorboats 101 and 305 are the first two warships returned in their base after staying for eight months in the port of Brindisi, out of six which are ready to be returned.

Gravely damaged by the massive exodus of Albanians towards the Italian coasts, these warships were repaired by specialists of the Italian navy.

According to the accord signed between the Defence Ministries of Albania and Italy, eight other warships of the Albanian navy are under repair in the port of Brindisi. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CORPSES OF OTRANTO VICTIMS TO BE RETURNED TO ALBANIA SOON

"The Brindisi magistrature will reveal the lists of the identified corpses at the week end," Albania's ambassador to Italy Pandeli Pasko said to ATA.

Eight out of fifty-two corpses recovered, a recovery operation which started the day the sunken vessel was towed to the port of Brindisi on October 21, have not been identified and the experts are conducting the ADN analysis, Pasko said referring to the Italian official sources from Brindisi.

The Albanian ambassador said that the work for the identification has not been interrupted and the legal doctors have worked even on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Italian side has asked for complete lists of persons, who were thought to be on board of the Albanian vessel "Kater i Rades" when it sank after a collision with the Italian navy corvette "Sibilla".

Ambassador Pasko said that the lists should be drafted by the Albanian local government bodies in the cities the victims lived.

Some of the victims' relatives are still in Brindisi, while others will return there the day of the ceremony.

Referring to the victims' relatives, who claimed that the vessel could have been winched off earlier, Pasko, citing competent sources, said that some specialists pretended that the operation could have been undertaken earlier and others believed that the vessel had been winched off in time.

"Kater i Rades" left Vlora for Brindisi with some 120 people on board, the majority women and children. It collided with Sibilla, a collision claiming the lives of 83 persons while 4 survived. ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] GUARDS - VICTIMS OF MINED TERRITORY

The guards are: Guri Fili, 58, who has lost both legs and Alush Cela, 40, seriously injured.

Earlier on Wednesday, both guards entered the mined territory to verify some explosions a night before and to cover several mines uncovered from the rain, but they contacted with mines.

Sources from the hospital of Korce report that they are out of danger.

This is the second case in the units of the Korce prefecture division that mines against infantry seriously hurt people.

A month ago, in a military unit in Pogradec, a 18-year boy attempted to enter the military site to loot weapons and lost both legs in the mined territory. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] EUROPEAN UNION FINANCES TIRANA-DURRES HIGHWAY

The EU, through the PHARE Cross Border program for 1997 has accorded a fund worth 57 million Ecu to Albania for road infrastructure, 17 million of which will be used for the highway.

The agreement, which envisaged the construction of the highway within two years, was signed by the EU ambassador in Tirana Elio Germano and the minister of Public Works and Transport Gaqo Apostoli.

Some 70 percent of the EU aid will be used for the Albanian infrastructure.

So far only the first five km of the Tirana-Durres highway have been constructed. kei/ak/k

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

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