Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-20

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] FAIR '97 SIGNALS TRUST IN FUTURE OF BUSINESS

[02] ARMED GANGS OPERATE IN ALBANIA-KOSOVA BORDER - LDK communique

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] HOMAGE PAID TO THE FALLEN IN NAZI CAMPS

[05] AUTHORITY OF TETOVA UNIVERSITY CAN BE SOON RECOGNISED BY MACEDONIAN STATE - Rector

[06] OUR PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNING IS TO DIRECT ALBANIAN SOCIETY TOWARDS PROGRESS - Albanian PM

[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG

[08] COUNCIL OF EUROPE OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ALBANIA IS FACING - Weber

[09] ALBANIAN PUBLISHERS END THEIR STRIKE

[10] LEK GAINS GROUNDS

[11] PRESIDENT MEIDANI MEETS WITH CHAIRMAN OF ATLANTIC EUROPEAN ASSOCIATIONS

[12] MEETING OF PRESIDENT MEIDANI WITH DELEGATION OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

[13] MEETING OF CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION, GODO: DP TO COME NEXT TIME

[14] GODO DOES NOT SPEAK WITH VOICE OF DP - Minarolli

[15] CE TO SUPPORT REHABILITATION OF EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC SYSTEM OF ALBANIA

[16] MORE DECENTRALIZATION AND AUTONOMY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

[17] HUNGARY TO REHABILITATE 470 KM RAIL ROAD

[18] WE WILL CREATE SCOPES TO ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COOPERATE FOR ALBANIA'S RECOVERY - Nano

[19] CE TO HELP IMPROVING RELATIONS STATE POWER-OPPOSITION IN ALBANIA

[01] FAIR '97 SIGNALS TRUST IN FUTURE OF BUSINESS

He added: "The fair will show that Albania and the Balkan countries are always dynamic and active markets, able to absorb every kind of offer."

"Fair '97" will be held from November 26 to 30 at the premises of the International Culture Center in Tirana and will display goods of construction, production and trade companies, and projects and programs for zootechnics, orchards, live stock and others.

Posters of airlines, transport and travel agencies will also be displayed.

This is the fourth year that the Klik - Ekspo - Klik opens such a fair. ssh/kei/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ARMED GANGS OPERATE IN ALBANIA-KOSOVA BORDER - LDK communique

These gangs, armed with automatic rifles and explosive devices, often masked, communicate, particularly, in Albanian language, but some time insult in Serbian language. One cannot clearly understand whether they are Albanians from Kosova or from the other side of the border (Albania), the communique said.

Bandits fired rifle shots without fearing guards of the inter-state border.

The LDK leadership in Gjakova said that it is time to urgently ask for a contingent of the U.N. forces in this border area to put an end to this situation. ag/pas/ak/ 201045 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

The paper considers the strike groundless as "there was no room for strike while talks were being held with the government", on problems the press is faced with.

Under the title:"The state is determined to protect citizens from thieves", the paper covers yesterday's parliamentary session when reintroducing article 7, which allows access of administrators to loan- taking companies.

The paper reports on a meeting of Socialist party leaders with representatives of the Council of Europe under the title: "We are open to cooperation with the opposition". It also reports on the meeting of State Secretary for Euro-Atlantic Integration, Maqo Lakrori, with a delegation of the German Bundestag in which Lakrori said that Albania considers relations with Germany of priority.

Under the headline: "False foreign currency on the foreign exchange market", the paper says: "'Piracy' of foreign currency flourishing". "Agrarian National Bank : Agency for state banks' debts!".

Rilindja covers the proceedings of parliament under the title:"Pyramids' transparency cleared up".

"I am pleased of the cooperation between the two countries", the paper cites Romano Prodi as saying in a letter addressed to Albania's President Rexhep Meidani.

The paper reports on the alleviating financial measures the government has undertaken on the press.

Under the title:"The situation is normalising", the paper reports on a meeting of the UNPREDEP representatives in Macedonia and EU observers' mission to Albania with representatives of the local governments of Diber and Prefecture of Peshkopi.

The paper covers the trial of 21 Albanians in the Serb court of Prishtine, under the title: "Interrogation under hypnosis!". kei/lm 201114 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] HOMAGE PAID TO THE FALLEN IN NAZI CAMPS

"By paying respect to them, we honour and remember all the martyrs of our district who were killed for the liberty, heroic war of the people for Albania's liberation on November 29," Martin Cukalla, prefect of Durres, said in a commemorative ceremony at the Shkozet memorial on the 54 anniversary of internment of dozens of Durres citizens in concentration camps from German nazi.

Cukalla evoked the war of the people against Nazi occupiers during which over 200 sons and daughters were killed.

Some 812 citizens of Durres, Kavaja and Shijak were jailed from German nazi on November 20, 1943. 70 of them were interned to Mathausen and other camps of massive extermination, in which 38 of them lost their lives. ssh/kei/ak/k

201349 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] AUTHORITY OF TETOVA UNIVERSITY CAN BE SOON RECOGNISED BY MACEDONIAN STATE - Rector

Present in Albania on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the University of Tirana, the delegation of the Tetova University meet on Thursday before noon with Minister Ruka.

Sulejmani briefed in this meeting on the latest developments in this university, and put forward the aims of the staff he heads to improve relations with the current Macedonian government./kei/mt/sh/

201608 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] OUR PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNING IS TO DIRECT ALBANIAN SOCIETY TOWARDS PROGRESS - Albanian PM

Mr Nano informed Mr Weber of the efforts that the government coalition is making to overcome the situation in Albania, to recover the institutions and the civil society to be able to allow nobody, individuals or political groupings to abuse with the power.

The PM also focused on the efforts for the broadest possible integration of the youth in the country's recovery and underlined "the importance of cooperation with the CE programs to support the educational system in Albania."

"A political class conscientious of the need of making changes in the obstructuve mentalities has come to power in Albania now," said Mr Weber, who estimated the level of cooperation of Albanian authorities with CE in the field of education, culture and sports.

He also spoke of the importance of treating the youth as a powerful reserve for the country's development and the cultivation of the sense of partnership with reference to the efforts for integration in the United Europe.

Albania's relations with the neighbouring countries, the situation of education in Kosove and others were problems which were discussed in the meeting. ssh/kei/xh/sh/

201619 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF GERMAN BUNDESTAG

According to Midani's press and information office, the parliamentary representatives of the German Bundestag, who are having a several day visit to Albania, wanted to know the opinions of Albanian President on the new constitution and and the ways of approving it, about the relations between the powers in the Albanian institutional configuration, the independence of the judiciary and the perspective for the creation of the civil society in Albania.

Mr Meidani considered their visit as an expression of Germany's interest of Albania and a proof of an increasing cooperation between the two countries. Meidani explained to the German parliamentarians his conviction in consensus as a only road for the approval of the constitution which, German parliamentarians considered as "the birth certificate" of a nation and which the people must sign. ake/kled/xh/ 201759 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] COUNCIL OF EUROPE OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ALBANIA IS FACING - Weber

The President's press and information office reports that Mr Meidani presented his concept on the competition of the private schools at all levels with the public ones, as a premise for the development of education in Albania.

Mr Weber highlighted the preoccupation of Albanian colleagues especially for scientific researching and presented to the Albanian President the solutions the Council of Europe offers for the problems Albania is passing, especially in the educational and cultural system. ake/kled/xh/ 201759 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN PUBLISHERS END THEIR STRIKE

The agreement between the publishers of newspaper and government representatives was reached on Wednesday by midnight after lengthy talks. The Albanian government took into consideration and examined with responsibility the demands of a part of the Albanian press for financial facilities in the publishing process of newspapers.

They concretely agreed to suspend the income tax for the next three years with the aim of re-investment in the press, adding a telephone number to the newspapers, which will be paid according to family tariffs, increase from 4-10 per cent of tax-free sponsoring of the press.

It was also decided that fresh investments for the press be introduced in Albania without paying customs duties, the state advertisements be distributed to the press according to a formula, defined by the publishers, and the Value Added Tax (VAT) on newspaper advertisements be abolished.

With this agreement, which put an end to the strike staged by publishers of newspapers, both parties, the government representatives and editors of main newspapers, signed an understanding statement.

All the Albanian paper, which were not showed for three consecutive days, are expected to be issued tomorrow. /mt/

201759 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] LEK GAINS GROUNDS

In the informal market the average exchange rate was $1 = 142,4 lek, lossing 0,15 points compared with yesterday's 142,55 lek. Whilke the German currency DM was traded for 81,90 lek, like it was yesterday.

Thursday average exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD 142,40 lek DM 81,90 lek ITL (1000) 83,32 lek GRD (100) 52,04 lek SFR 100,33 lek

201817 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] PRESIDENT MEIDANI MEETS WITH CHAIRMAN OF ATLANTIC EUROPEAN ASSOCIATIONS

According to the President's press and information office, during the meeting which was also attended by the Greek Ambassador in Tirane, Prevendurakis and the chairman of the Albanian Atlantic Association, Alfred Moisiu, Mr Georgiu told Mr Meidani of the work of these associations to educate the peoples they represent with Atlantic values.

President Meidani highlighted this important role for the creation of confidence among the peoples of the region, expressing the conviction that not only them but also the state structures of the NATO member countries or those of the Partnership for Peace may influence in the associations. ake/xh/sh/

201827 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] MEETING OF PRESIDENT MEIDANI WITH DELEGATION OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

The President's press office reports that the delegation, whose mission is to encourage the political dialogue in Albania, took interest in the role of the President in this direction, his relations with the opposition parties, etc.

President Meidani briefed the guests of his vision on the role of the President and of some of his steps during his short activity as the head of state, to give a greater role to the opposition in the institutional space, in representing the Albanian state, in international meetings, in mass media, etc.

"Naturally, the Albanian political reality is not uniform" he stressed. "At local level the political parties understand each other but this is not such in the central level. I consider as very important the participation of the opposition in the parliament and your preoccupation to encourage this participation."

"I am open to every constructive initiative which will improve the dialogue among sides, political and social climate in Albania," said Mr Meidani, "taking also into consideration the people's will to find the truth on the national tragedy in Albania at the beginning of this year and for the normalization of the political, economic and cultural life." ake/xhen/xh/sh/

201836 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] MEETING OF CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION, GODO: DP TO COME NEXT TIME

"The Democratic Party will come in the next meeting, said Godo, almost sure; today it was the opening meeting of the proceedings of the commission, while the absence of several parties will be solved in the coming days."

"The Albanians want their country with constitution, and that political force which will hinder this, will bear upon its shoulders a great responsibility, but I don't believe there is any political force," added co-chairman Godo.

His counterpart, Arben Imami, also Minister of Institutional Reform, said that the participating parties in the table called once again on the parties which were not present that they should come to the commission.

The deputy chairman of the National Front, Hysen Selfo, considered the meeting of Thursday "a historic act," "an important step for the Albanian people."

Albania's Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, who participated in the proceedings of the commission together with deputy Speaker Namik Dokle, said that functioning of the commission is "a constitutional obligation" for Parliament and that this is "the commission with more responsibilities of the legislative."

In its first meeting the commission approved the regulation of its work, while next Monday it will discuss in parliament the list of its members. /a.ke/mt/sh/

201843 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] GODO DOES NOT SPEAK WITH VOICE OF DP - Minarolli

"Some time ago, Godo initiated a round table which would also discuss the problem of the constitution," recalled Minarolli. "I don't understand this regressive step of his, it might have been perhaps a way to help him return to the Commission."

"We were discussing in our forums the possibility to participate again in the Parliament," said Minarolli, "but the fact that our delegation was not allowed to go to Vlore to attend the funeral of the Otranto victims and the latest acts of the majority in the parliament with the constitutional amendments have interrupted this discussion."

"Consequently, from the grass roots organizations we have received signals not to return to the parliament," said Minarolli adding that "nevertheless we shall consider the discussion of this question in the nearest meeting of the National Council of DP."

Although the democrats have expressed themselves for a total boycott of the parliament, also of the commissions and delegations, the DP Parliamentary group leader, Genc Pollo is presently in Paris attending a meeting of the judicial commission of the Council of Europe. ake/kled/xh/sh/

201854 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] CE TO SUPPORT REHABILITATION OF EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC SYSTEM OF ALBANIA

The CE attaches priority to the educational-civic role of the school at all its levels including the University, along with a greater assistance in the economic, technical and financial fields," said Mr Weber, considering it as an indispensability to ensure a success in the transition of the social system from totalitarian to a multi-party system the post-communist Albania is actually having.

Mrs Weber, the wife of Mr Weber, president of the International Association "Children help children," who has been to Albania several times, said that the Foundation she is leading has made possible an assistance for Albania for some years now.

The CE delegation had a working meeting with deputy ministers Hafizi and Marto, and with heads of departments in the Albanian Ministry of Education. kled/xh/sh/

201915 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] MORE DECENTRALIZATION AND AUTONOMY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The delegation, made up of chairmen of parliamentary political parties of the Council of Europe, held Friday a working meeting with leaders of the Association of Mayors, in the premises of "Rogner" hotel. /kled/mt/sh/

202001 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] HUNGARY TO REHABILITATE 470 KM RAIL ROAD

In the meeting the Hungarian specialists pointed out that the work should have started earlier, but the Albania side responded that the project was neglected by the previous government. The Hungarians promised to rehabilitate the rail road not in certain segments, but all of it and with contemporary equipment.

At present the company has already the project study for the rehabilitation of Albanian rail road network.

202011 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] WE WILL CREATE SCOPES TO ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO COOPERATE FOR ALBANIA'S RECOVERY - Nano

The chairmen of the Council of Europe political groups, showing interest on the problem of constitution, pyramid schemes and dialogue with the opposition, estimated the tactics of the government regarding the last solution of financial problems of the Albanian press, stressing that they are ready to offer help, beginning with the systematic appeal on the Democratic Party to return to parliament.

"The opposition heads five parliamentary commissions, said Nano, meanwhile that the same number has the biggest party of the majority, although these quotas do not correspond to the results of the proportional." Nano also mentioned the fact that the opposition has the post of the State Control Chairman, as well as 9 out of 21 seats in the parliamentary commission for drafting the constitution.

Responding to the interest of the Council of Europe parliamentarians, Nano pointed out that important steps are made towards consolidation of institutions during the hundred days of his governing. /kled/mt/sh/

202039 NEN 97 NNNN

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] CE TO HELP IMPROVING RELATIONS STATE POWER-OPPOSITION IN ALBANIA

They considered as "deep" the problem of dialogue between the government and the opposition. Lord Rassel Johnston said it was difficult to reach dialogue between the party in power and the opposition.

With regard to the stand of the Democratic Party and its ongoing will not to take up seats in parliament, Johnston underlined that nothing was said about this problem and remembered that the Council of Europe has been against the boycott of the Socialist Party in the past.

Johnston said that the main aim of this visit was to improve the national reconciliation and help reaching a dialogue between two main political forces.

Noting that further stabilization of Albania and restoration and stability of institutions need a constitution, the chairmen of the political groups of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly shared the thought that "the approval of the constitution should be realized by a wide consensus of all political forces in the country." /a.ke/kled/mt/

202055 NEN 97 NNNN

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