Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCH ALLIANCE CELEBRATED IN TIRANE

[02] ALBANIAN "GOLDEN MEDAL OF EAGLE" FOR AMERICAN COLONEL DENIS

[03] "KADARE" PRIZE OF MILAN CUNDERA BESTOWED UPON FRENCH EMBASSY

[04] NO COOPERATION WITH DEMOCRAT PARTY AND ITS SATELLITES - league

[05] ITALIAN DEPUTY SECRETARY TO VISIT ALBANIA

[06] ALBANIA TO ATTEND MEETING OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES INITIATIVE

[07] FORMER DIPLOMATS OF MEKSI GOVERNMENT WANDER AROUND THE WORLD

[08] SUPREME COURT REJECTS LAW-SUIT OF VEFA COMPANY

[09] A BECTACHI FATHER ARRESTED FOR ARM POSSESSION AND PORNOGRAPHY

[10] PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS ENTERING INTO FORCE OF ARTICLE ON AUDITORS' RIGHTS

[11] ALBANIA GAINS OBSERVERS STATUS OF FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY

[12] READY TO HELP PRESS - Malaj

[13] ALBANIA REJECTS STATEMENTS OF BRITISH HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHDOG

[01] FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCH ALLIANCE CELEBRATED IN TIRANE

In cooperation with the French embassy in Tirane and the Cultural Foundation "Velija", the French Alliance organised the "Paris '97" exhibition of the renowned Albanian photographer, Roland Tasho, and the concert of the "Manfred" quartet, coming from France.

The head of the association, Drita Hadaj, said that the activity of the French Alliance in Tirane is a continuation of the old tradition of Francophony in Albania.

Tasho's photo-exhibition, held in the spaces of the foundation "Velija", presented 67 black and white and colour photos, displayed in cycles, "Monuments and people", "Face of poverty" etc.

The cycle on Albanians in Paris, including Kadare, Prelocal, two new painters from Tirane working in the French capital and others, occupied a special place.

At the concert performed at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the instrumentalists of the "Manfred" quartet, Marie Bereau, Christian Wolf, Luigi Vecchioni and Alain Pelissier, executed parts from Szymanowski, Bartok and Debussy.

Also present were French senators Andre Rouviere and Andre Boye, who visited Albania recently, and representatives of the French embassy in Tirane. pas/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN "GOLDEN MEDAL OF EAGLE" FOR AMERICAN COLONEL DENIS

The U.S Colonel, Fox, has served two years in Albania. He pointed out that premises are being created for a greater assistance and commitment of the NATO towards Albania. Colonel Fox will be replaced by Mr. Applegade.

Attending the ceremony were senior militaries of the Albanian Defence Ministry, military attaches from various countries accredited in Albania, the U.S. Ambassador in Tirane Marisa Lino and other guests. kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] "KADARE" PRIZE OF MILAN CUNDERA BESTOWED UPON FRENCH EMBASSY

At the ceremony, which was attended by personalities of the Albanian culture, President of this Foundation Vebi Velija, bestowed the prize upon the representatives of the French embassy in Tirane, after Czech writer Milan Cundera had been declared winner of the "Kadare" prize for 1996.

This prize worth $20 000 is awarded to foreign writers who meet two criteria: to be alive and not to have received the Noble prize.

A private ceremony has been planned to be held at the Cundera's house in Paris last April in the presence of the President of "Velija", Vebi Velija, the executive director of this Foundation, Mira Meksi, and of Ismail Kadare, himself, who would hand over the prize of the master of letters.

The tense situation in Albania delayed the ceremony until November, 1997.

In a letter Cundera sent to the Velija Cultural Foundation in November last year, he pointed out that he accepted the great honour "with a boundless pleasure."

Cundera, who has not attended any public meeting or ceremony for 11 years, proposed that the prize be handed over to the the French Ambassador in Tirane, or be given to him directly and intimately, at his flat in Paris.

The "Kadare" International Prize was conferred for the first time in 1995 to the great Argentinean writer, Ernesto Sabato, 85, who came to Tirane himself for the prize-giving ceremony.

The Velija Cultural Foundation is the first private foundation in Albania with Vebi Velija, Albanian businessman, as president, and it is created under the motto "In assistance to the Albanian culture." pas/lm/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] NO COOPERATION WITH DEMOCRAT PARTY AND ITS SATELLITES - league

A statement distributed in the news conference said that "certain forces are trying to keep the United Right-wing of Shkodra away from the Albanian right-wing."

Quku also accused the deputy head of Balli Kombetar, Hysen Selfo, who "asks, by every means, that this League joins the so-called Unity for Democracy led by the DP which includes some small parties.

He said that newspapers such as Rilindja Demokratike and Albania have also been involved in this campaign and are strongly attacking the league. All this is aiming at perpetuating the power of the SP neo communist and DP crypto communist to prevent the Albanian United Right-wing to strengthen and come into power in a near future.

Quku informed on a letter of Prof Abaz Ermenji, head of the Balli Kombetar, who lives in France, quoting him as saying that he approves the platform of the United Right-wing and his engagement to lead this league. pas/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] ITALIAN DEPUTY SECRETARY TO VISIT ALBANIA

Fassino's visit aims at signing a seasonal labour agreement and reacceptance agreement because November 30 is the deadline set by the Italian state for the return of clandestine Albanians to Albania.

Gjoka said that this agreement will be a precedence for Albanians, who live in camping and meet the demands for seasonal employment.

Families, persons, who are not involved in criminal activities and those, who have observed the Italian laws or the permanent status of refugees, will be a priority.

The Albanian government is interested in preventing the return of the refugees by the neighbour country, Italy, Gjoka said.

Referring to the agreement of reacceptance, the above source said that drastic measures would be taken against persons, who have problems of staying in Italy due to their involvement in crimes. The Italian side asks for the engagement of the Albanian government.

Fassino is expected to meet president Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Fatos Nano, Democrat leader Sali Berisha and his Albanian counterpart Maqo Lakrori. ake/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIA TO ATTEND MEETING OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES INITIATIVE

Some 16 countries participate in the Initiative of the Central European Countries, where Italy is the founder. The countries of the Initiative will give the message of Integration in the European Union with the objective for the strategy of integration in the 21st century.

At the end of the meeting, the participating countries will draft a document or an operating plan regarding the steps to be taken further on.

Attending the Albanian delegation, along with Fino, will also be the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] FORMER DIPLOMATS OF MEKSI GOVERNMENT WANDER AROUND THE WORLD

"The administration and civil norms have been violated going beyond the status of the diplomat," said Gjoka, adding that three former ambassadors have not returned to Albania, after finishing their duty and none knows their whereabouts.

Recently the Albanian Foreign Ministry issued a communique, informing on a scandalous behavior of the diplomat Skender Bucpapaj, in Switzerland.

Bucpapaj, secretary of the Albanian Embassy in Switzerland, refused to hand over the embassy's seal and daily correspondence to the newly elected ambassador Vladimir Thanati.

In these conditions, Bucpapaj was asked by Albania's Foreign Ministry to report to this institution and explain his position, which is contrary to all the norms and laws of Albanian state, press director in the Foreign Ministry reported.

According to Gjoka, similar acts, but not of this kind, have occurred even in other embassies, where diplomats of different levels have showed they have nothing in common with diplomacy.

Albanian former diplomats, ambassadors, counselors or secretaries, according to reports obtained by the Foreign Ministry, are in search of an asylum and of a permission status in the countries, in which they have represented the policy of the Albanian state. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] SUPREME COURT REJECTS LAW-SUIT OF VEFA COMPANY

The Supreme Court considered on Friday the recourse of the government officials in regard to a decision of the Appeal court on September 17 this year.

After a law suit by the VEFA money lender, the Appeal court rejected the point three of the government decision, which envisaged the presence of the audit commission in the company.

Though this was a clear-cut decision and no appeal can be lodged, the law foresees cases when the Council of Ministers can reconsider a decision turned down by the court.

While VEFA accepted the audit commission, the government was presenting the recourse in the Supreme Court.

"This was a normal procedure, which was carried out in conformity with the recourse presented by the government," Farudin Arapi, chief auditor said.

He added that the auditors started to cooperate with VEFA when the second decision of the Council of Ministers came out and said that this cooperation will continue.

Shefqet Muci, VEFA lawyer considered the problem resolved and backed the view of Arapi for cooperation adding that "we obey the decision of the Supreme Court, but, in this case, its decision is honorific."

Last week, the Constitutional court annulled the article 7 of the law on some amendments to the law on 'financial control of juridical non- banking persons, who have borrowed money from the public'", a law dealing with the rights of the auditors.

Minister of Justice Thimjo Kondi had considered this decision a foolery.

Kondi said that the government will take adequate measures in conformity with constitutional principles and acceptable norms of the international law to make the decision of the Constitutional court invalid.

Todays' decision by the Supreme Court is a step in the right direction in support of creditors' interests. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] A BECTACHI FATHER ARRESTED FOR ARM POSSESSION AND PORNOGRAPHY

The police forces of Tepelene, during a control exercised in the house of Father Rexhep Alikaj, 45, found an automatic rifle and a series of pornographic photos, used by him for profit aims, police sources report.

"Father Rexhepi, confess the sources, had regular relations with a 19- year old girl since two years. He has used this girl as model for the pictures he has taken, and which were found by the police in his house."

Father Rexhep left Monday his small mosque and is waiting the day of judgement in the cells of Fier.

According to police sources, this person has been punished 12 years ago for rape attempt of a 12-year old boy. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PARLIAMENT TO DISCUSS ENTERING INTO FORCE OF ARTICLE ON AUDITORS' RIGHTS

The Constitutional Court invalidated last week the above article which had to do with the rights of auditors, established by the government in the loan-taking companies, and which was considered foolishness by the Justice Minister, Thimjo Kondi.

The meeting, directed by Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, with the participation of the chairmen of parliamentary groups, discussed the two-week program of parliament's work and the permanent commissions of the People's Assembly, Parliament's spokesman reports.

The above draft-law will be examined on Monday afternoon by the commission of laws and the parliamentary groups and will be discussed on Tuesday before noon in plenary session, together with other draft-laws. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIA GAINS OBSERVERS STATUS OF FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY

The summit of the head of states and governments held from November 14 to 16 in Hanoi, Vietnam, numbered permanent representatives from 49 states and two special guests.

Albania was represented by a delegation headed by the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, including the Education and Science minister Et'hem Ruka.

Albania's unanimous acceptance as an observer can be considered as unanimous consideration for what Albania has done to normalise life and extend settings for human rights, necessary conditions to apply for in this community.

"I expressed my satisfaction for Albania's acceptance in the Francophone and hope that this will serve promote bilateral relations," Jacques Chirac, the French president, said to President Meidani, on the sidelines of the Hanoi summit.

This summit, which will be held in Canada after two years and is expected to consider Albania's full membership, also served for bilateral meetings between Meidani and his counterpart.

A new horizon is being opened for Albania to strengthen and further develop the political and economic relations with France and all other Francophone member states. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] READY TO HELP PRESS - Malaj

The session has been requested by the independent deputy, Nikolle Lesi, right after the strike of Albanian publishers which started Sunday.

Deputy Lesi stressed that the strike of press is not a political strike, as it has been considered by DP head Sali Berisha in a news conference.

He also said that "the press comes after four or five years of oppression by the state power of Berisha," and that the problems inherited from the past "should be solved by the Nano government."

Lesi asked the predisposition of the government to facilitate the life of the Albanian press.

Minister of Finances pointed out the haste with which the government is working for the normalization of the situation.

Malaj also said that the Value Added Tax (VAT) on press and a series of other articles will be soon lowered down. "There cannot be differentiated VAT in situation of crisis," noted Malaj. He promised that this tax will be lifted from the advertisements, printed in Albanian papers.

Malaj, in response to the strikers' demands, said that he did not agree with the equality of telephone charges with the family ones, "because the editor offices can be turned into post offices," he said. The minister also said that the press will be soon helped by credits and facilitating customs duties.

In response to sponsoring of special newspaper by pyramid schemes, the Minister declared that he was not inclined for financial controls in particular editor offices, but these moments will be clarified with the transparency of pyramid schemes.

Malaj declared that the state institutions have helped in the past the pro-governing papers, even in the moments when the enterprises were swept by financial crisis. He declared that the paper "Rilindja Demokratike" and "Albania," have been the most sponsored papers by the state during 1996- 1997.

Finally, Malaj and Lesi wished the solution of this crisis right after the meeting between the government representatives and the papers, expected to start Monday by 20:00. /a.ke/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIA REJECTS STATEMENTS OF BRITISH HELSINKI HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHDOG

The Albanian government described these as groundless and totally inspired with political reasons of the group and said that the reality is quite different.

A report of the Information and Media Department at the Council of Ministers said that this group, whose members have been close allies to the Democratic party, former ruling party, is in fact a private group, which has no relation at all with the Vienna-based International Federation of Helsinki on the Human Rights.

Referring to its statements on dismissals in the state administration, the government says that the cabinets of ministers have been reshuffled replacing part of the staff and this is a normal practice in all democratic states.

"A considerable number of experts still have their jobs," the report said adding that decisions to complete the administration are based on necessity to have skilled and professional staff.

The government said that different from previous administration of the Democratic party, the new government coalition is organising tests for new staff in diplomatic corps and customs houses.

As regards the claims that the new government "has exerted continued pressure on media," the report said that the new government coalition is trying to free media from solid political obstacles imposed on them by the previous administration.

The government backed it by a parliamentary abrogation of the law on press of 1993, which threatened Albanian journalists, editors and publishers with fines reaching some $8 000.

Referring to the Albanian Radio Television, the report said that it has a considerable participation of all opposition parties and a wider say from the public opinion and confronted this with previous practices "when the ruling party has a full monopoly on state television and radio." kei/ak/k

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