Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-12-06

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] REGIONAL POLICE DIRECTORATE CREATED

[02] SWISS ASSOCIATION OFFERS AID TO BERAT

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] FOREIGN DONORS TO HELP RECONSTRUCT SCHOOLS IN DURRES

[05] WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP ALBANIA WITH ITS REFORMS - Malloy

[06] KOSOVA HAS OUR HIGHEST ATTENTION - Malloy

[07] WORKSHOP ON ALBANIA'S ACCESS TO INTERNET ENDS

[08] ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERGO PROFESSIONAL TEST - Spokesman

[09] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CRITICISES DP GOVERNING

[10] IF ATTACK AGAINST JUDICIARY CONTINUES, WE WILL CUT EVERY COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT - Berisha

[11] ALBANIAN DP CHAIRMAN FAVOURS LEGALIZATION OF COMMUNIST PARTY

[12] HIGH COUNCIL OF JUSTICE CONVENES

[13] OFFICIAL VISITS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILO TO RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA

[14] TIRANA CONTINUES TO LEAD IN SOCCER BUT WITH A NARROW MARGIN

[15] GOOD COHABITATION AMONG VARIOUS RELIGIONS IN ALBANIA

[01] REGIONAL POLICE DIRECTORATE CREATED

The new structure aims at facilitating the work of the commissariats and creating a more flexible structure in the fight against crime, Legisi said.

Deputy prime minister Fino, presenting the government's measures to fight smuggling, spoke of a package of laws, which envisages reduction of confiscation period from 15 days to 48 hours for smuggled goods, 40 percent of the smuggled goods to be given as reward to those who seized it.

They also communicated the replacement of chief of police commissariat Sinan Meta with lieutenant colonel Ilirian Dedi, former chief of crimes in Kuçova. ake/kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] SWISS ASSOCIATION OFFERS AID TO BERAT

Swiss guests and George Fontana, aid coordinator for Albania hailed the readiness of the local government for cooperation.

Fontana, on behalf of the Swiss government, promised wide support for Berat and other districts of the prefecture.

Some 400 thousand Swiss francs will be allocated for medicaments, materials for surgery and different apparatus, which will be sent to the Berat central hospital and 700 other thousand francs for its modernization.

Switzerland will also send equipment for the telecommunication and construction specialists will be assisted by the Swiss specialists to build a defensive dam along Osum river.

Groups of doctors from Valesa canton have brought aid in medicaments, equipment and apparatus for the Berat hospital in the last three years. But part of them was damaged and grabbed during unrest. ake/kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

"Italy to offer Albania an aid worth 30.2 million dollars," writes the paper on the second page.

"The annual report of the organization "Human Right Watch" is published," writes the paper under the title "Berisha, symbol of fear and corruption." "Under the ruling of Berisha, Albania was a party state based on fear and corruption," underlines the paper. "Who mines the Albanian Right?" is another article of the paper on the third page.

"Attack on police commissariat, scenario prepared before handed to set the criminal free," is another article published by the paper. "7 million leks for the image of Tirana," writes the paper on the economic page. The paper also carries an interview with the deputy chairman of the Agrarian party, Edlir Petani, under the title "The restoration of the village is restoration of Albania."

"The Constitutional Court turns down the decision of deputies of the majority. The parliament, President and the government are illegal. The country sank into a deep institutional crisis," writes Rilindja Demokratike under the title "Gjinushi: We will dissolve the court." The paper covers the meeting of DP leaders with Malloy under the title "Malloy: There is no rule of law in Albania."

"The minister of Nano will respond for the insults against the judges, " reports the paper under the title "The Constitutional Court sues Imami."

"Almost all the deported refugees speak with sad tones for their calamity, the betrayal of Prodi and the cynism and contempt of Fatos Nano," reports the paper on the fourth page, under the title "We come to Albania and are treated like strangers." "The miners to Nano: The silence brings about hunger strike."

"SP and DP speculate with the grief," is the editorial of Republika. "The acts of the government's head are suspicious," says the editorial of the paper. "Gjirokaster breaks the quarrel. Fino is not defended in his town," writes the paper under the title "SP asks vote of confidence for Nano." "USA: continue the reforms, we are after you," writes the paper regarding the meetings of U.S. senior official, Malloy, in Tirana.

"Nano copies Godo very late," reports the paper on the fourth page. On the economic page the paper carries an interview with the specialist in the banking field, Adrian Kamberi, under the title "Banks, the only cause of pyramidal dimensions." "The strike before VEFA starts," writes the paper as well.

"The Albanian government, upon a confidential paper order selling of Rural Commercial Bank," reports Koha Jone under the title "The scandal of banks starts."

"The scenes of refugees' deportation are surely painful, but they are often despicable. People who accept to die and drag not to come back to their homeland, cannot cause only pain," says the editorial.

"The U.S. Assistant State Secretary promise aid for Albania," writes the paper under the title "Malloy: A very good situation." With regard to the publishment of the annual report of the organisation "Human Right Watch" on Albania, the paper writes "USA: CE did not criticize Berisha." "Alarm of the Italian right through Meksi. S.O.S for the Albanian right," writes the paper under the title "DP risks to came out of politics."

"We are reviving VEFA not to collapse. And this not to the interest of the weak staff of the company, but for many creditors," the paper cites the Chairman of the Supreme Monitoring Council, Farudin Arapi, in an interview, published on the tenth page.

"Fino: Gjirokaster, valley of smuggling," is another article of the paper.

"Albania towards dictatorship" the newspaper Albania reports. "A majority like the present one degrades the system to impartiality, which in essence is dictatorship," the paper says.

"Cynicism of president of Albanians," is the title of the editorial which says that president Rexhep Meidani is concerned about ... the variety show. The paper reports that the government declares capitulation as regard the order restoration under the title "Amnesty of March extended to January." "U.S.: No legal state in Albania," the paper reports in the third page referring to the meeting of the U.S. official with Democratic leaders. Justice prevents revanche of politics, the paper says under the title "Parliament-Constitution: War."

"IMF controls pyramid banks" the paper says in the economic column under the headline "IMF mission resumes anti pyramid action."

"Fino: changes in the government," the newspaper Dita reports. Gjirokastra people against ministers and central leadership, the paper says. "Constitutional court rejects parliament" is another article carried by the paper.

"U.S. assured prime minister for political and financial support," the paper says on the visit of senior U.S. official to Tirana. "Berisha's absence in the Rome conference has been unjustified," the paper quotes Malloy as saying.

One third of the sentence reduced for those who return voluntarily in prisons, the paper says under the title "Amnesty deadline extended". Lower salaries are the main reason of strikes and dissatisfaction of different strata of the society and are directly dependent on them, the paper reports under the title "Ministry of Labour urges increase of minimum wages."

"Gjirokastra: Fino you are used up," the paper Shekulli says under the headline "Strong debate between deputy prime minister and Socialists of Gjirokastra in the SP local conference."

"Last political act of constitution" is the title of the editorial. "Albania again in institutional crisis", the editorial says. "Malloy: Financial and political crisis" is another article carried by the newspaper on the visit of Malloy in Tirana. "Italian political parties have considered the repatriation of the Albanian emigrants a violent act, which has damaged Italy's humanitarian image," the paper says under the title "Violent return - a shame for Italy." Republican leader Godo said that by ignoring Tetova University Handjinsky directly negates Albanians living in Macedonia, the paper reports under the title "Godo: this is an anti Albanian attitude." "Italian marine-corps against contraband" is another article carried by the newspaper in the fifth page.

"Mafia in state structures", the paper Gazeta Shqiptare reports. The paper quotes the chief of investigation saying that the Albanian Mafia is being organised. "Changes in government soon" Bashkim Fino has said to the southern city," the paper says under the title "Fino: Changes in government soon." Killers of a teacher risk death punishment or life imprisonment, the paper says under the title "Teachers defended by law." Malloy from U.S.: Berisha, return to parliament," is another article carried by the paper in the second page. "Constitutional court rejects parliament" is another article of the paper Gazeta Shqiptare. kled/mt/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] FOREIGN DONORS TO HELP RECONSTRUCT SCHOOLS IN DURRES

The amount, expected to be collected for this purpose, will be worth 700 000 dollars, the director of the education department in Durres, Lavdosh Beqiraj, reported to ATA. Some 450 000 dollars have been accorded by Soros foundation, 180 000 of which will be used for the reconstruction of the school "Marie Kaculini," and that in Ishm.

The rehabilitation of the high professional school in Shkozet will be carried out with 90 000 dollars offered by the Swiss government, where the Albanian government has accorded a fund worth 9 million leks. While the other donors are the World Bank, the French Trade Center, and others. /s.sh/kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP ALBANIA WITH ITS REFORMS - Malloy

"We are very happy to help Albania both on bilateral plane, especially humanitarian, and on multilateral plane, in the context of U.N., NATO or financial institutions," said Malloy on the second and last day of her visit to Albania.

Malloy said that none of the problems connected with order, law, economic stimulation, political reconciliation has been resolved but no one has expected these problems to be resolved in so short awhile.

"It is important that the people and government of this country have started to work together," she said.

"Our message is that in order that these reforms continue a way should be found for the people to work together to resolve their oppressive problems".

"The government and the opposition need improve their interactive action. The opposition is duty bound to explain to the public its own alternatives on the main issues and the government is duty bound to undertake concrete plans, taking into consideration the opposition parties, non-governmental associations and specialists".

Referring to her meeting with the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, Malloy said that:"It is no secret that I asked him to find the ways for his party to join parliament. I do not deem it is right to comment here the causes of DP's boycotting parliament".

Malloy hesitated to comment the latest legal amendments especially the constitutional one by the parliamentary majority and much criticised by the opposition. As to changes to the secret service administration she called on the government "to hold a more pragmatic stand".

During her two-day stay in Albania Malloy, who is responsible for Southeastern Europe in the State Department, met with Albanian statesmen, ministers, opposition parties and non-governmental associations. a.ke/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] KOSOVA HAS OUR HIGHEST ATTENTION - Malloy

"Kosova is a question which has had our attention at least in the last 45 years," said Ms Malley, U.S. State under secretary for Eastern Europe who ended a two-day visit to Albania today. "When the war in Bosnia burst out, we though the conflict would spillover to Kosova too and we expressed this concern to the Serbian Government," she said.

"People in Kosove are losing patience: we and the Europeans feel that this may lead to violence and are seeking the ways to prevent the violence, " said Malloy, adding that the U.S. "is insisting in the Government of the Yugoslav Federation that the agreement on education with Kosova be implemented." "This is our greatest attention," stressed Ms Malloy. pas/KOSOVA HAS OUR HIGHEST ATTENTION - Malloy

TIRANE, DEC 6 (ATA) - By Aurel Simoni: "My forecast is that American- German initiative for Kosova will go ahead," said U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Aileen Malloy in a news conference in Tirane today. "I also foresee the the initiatives of international community as a group which will go ahead."

"Kosova is a question which has had our attention at least in the last 45 years," said Ms Malley, U.S. State under secretary for Eastern Europe who ended a two-day visit to Albania today. "When the war in Bosnia burst out, we though the conflict would spillover to Kosova too and we expressed this concern to the Serbian Government," she said.

"People in Kosove are losing patience: we and the Europeans feel that this may lead to violence and are seeking the ways to prevent the violence, " said Malloy, adding that the U.S. "is insisting in the Government of the Yugoslav Federation that the agreement on education with Kosova be implemented." "This is our greatest attention," stressed Ms Malloy. pas/xh/NE,

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] WORKSHOP ON ALBANIA'S ACCESS TO INTERNET ENDS

The workshop was also attended by the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani.

Some ten internet services in scientific academic organisations and non-governmental organisations currently operate in the capital.

As one of the first initiators of installing this network in Albania, Prof.Dr. Rexhep Meidani, said in his speech that this idea had been partially realised by the beginning of 1990 and the first message had been received by the Information department at the Faculty of natural Sciences of the Tirana University through the Zingel university in Germany.

Mentioning the latest meetings with foreign political personalities, the President pointed out that the message of Albania has been very clear: "There is no sense to deny a people of the right to education," said Mr Meidani, adding that the information through electronic media would turn into an anachronistic concept the prevention of a people in their right to higher education. "We have conveyed this message both to the representatives of the FYROM and those of other states," he stressed.

Present in the meeting also were the Minister of State in the Council of Ministers, Kastriot Islami, the Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka and personalities of international specialized organizations. pas/lm/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERGO PROFESSIONAL TEST - Spokesman

Blushi clarified the stance of the Albanian Government with regard to the relations in the region and the possibility of establishing contacts with the highest Yugoslav authorities. He said that "the Government has had continuous contacts with legitimate authorities of the Albanian people of Kosova. The Government, the spokesman said, has demanded that all representatives of the Albanians consolidate a joint formulae for the solution to the national question." The spokesman declared that the relations with Yugoslav authorities depend on the philosophy of the Albanian government for dialogue with the neighbours. He said that the cabinet Nano will determine the calendar of meetings only after the completion of elections in Serbia and the development of political rotation in Montenegro.

Asked about the declaration of Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Fino in Gjirokaster on possible shuffles in the cabinet, Blushi declared that the philosophy of the government is for a professional and capable administration. He denied a differentiated treatment of the members or militants of the coalition parties, explaining that everything would serve the new ideas on governing.

The spokesman declared that "there is no agreement for the repatriation of Albanian refugees from Italy." He explained the difference between the readmission agreement and the repatriation of those who had been in the Italian reception centres since March. "These people will have maximal priority for seasonal employment quotas and more facilities in receiving permits to stay in Italy," said Blushi. He declared that the visit of the Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini to Tirane is a further step in the very good relations between the two sides and another possibility for the well-treatment of Albanian refugees in the neighbouring country.

Regarding today's meeting of the Prime Minister with IMF representatives, the spokesman said this organization is completely pleased with what the government has realised so far. "Almost all the points of the bilateral agreements have been realised ahead of time," said the spokesman, who declared a number of figures.

"The -8.5. per cent forecast for the GDP is today at -7 per cent, the inflation envisaged to be 50 per cent is now 40 per cent, the budgetary deficit is 12 per cent when it was envisaged to be 15 per cent," said Blushi.

The spokesman also spoke of the relations of the government with the trade unions, the opposition and forms of privatization to be undertaken in the future. ake/pas/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER CRITICISES DP GOVERNING

"Berisha lost power because he did not build a democratic state but built it on the basis of corruption, smuggling, prostitution and pyramid firms," said Gjinushi.

At the conference of the Social Democratic Party of Shkoder, Gjinushi, who is also chairman of this party, dwelt on the political and economic situation of the country, He referred to the performance of the Albanian parliament after the elections and said that it is preparing for the country's new constitution as well as for a series of other laws linked with the private media, complete independence of judicial bodies and other laws.

Gjinushi said that a law on contraband and corruption will be passed in parliament soon. "All this smuggling is product of the DP, which stimulated it and today raises a hue and cry against allegedly contraband of the current government. We are determined that this traffic be halted immediately," he said.

Gjinushi also spoke of the Franco-German initiative on Kosova and said that Albania supports this and all other European and American initiatives for the democratic solution of the Kosova issue. a.ke/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] IF ATTACK AGAINST JUDICIARY CONTINUES, WE WILL CUT EVERY COOPERATION WITH GOVERNMENT - Berisha

"If the majority continues attacking the independence of judiciary, I warn that the Democratic Party will cut every cooperation with the Government, it will not recognize the government and will adopt a number of other measures, the responsibility for which will fall on the power holders themselves," said DP chairman strongly.

The pronunciation of the democrat chairman followed yesterday's declaration of the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi. "To avoid dissolution of the People's Assembly, the Constitutional Court will be dissolved" declared Gjinushi after the latest decision of this court to annul a constitutional amendment of the Parliament which demanded the replacement of some members of this Court.

"I demand urgent resignation of Gjinushi from every post," said Berisha, stressing that "finally the 29th of June was not a solution" and that "Albania can be saved only through new, free and fair elections."

With regard to some criticism that U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Malloy had made to Berisha, according to the spokesman of the PM, for not going to Rome and Brussels meetings with Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the ex-president said ironically that "the reports of the newly-appointed spokesman are worse than those of the Political Bureau of the Party of Labour."

During the period Sali Berisha was President, the opposition of that time had many a time criticized it for violating the independence of all courts, criticisms which have also come from the European community and the U.S. Department of State. ake/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN DP CHAIRMAN FAVOURS LEGALIZATION OF COMMUNIST PARTY

"I, personally, am not against political formations, if they do not infringe constitutional laws," replied Berisha a question by a reporter present who wanted to know his opinion for the legalization of the Communist Party.

Berisha considered more communist the Socialist Party, which, he advised, should "be dissolved and reformed in the December national conference," opening the way to the membership in the Socialist International."

Referring to the reformation of the party he is leading, asked lately by the European Right wing, Berisha said that "DP is the biggest party in Albania, with the greatest authority in the international arena and the only alternative." ake/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] HIGH COUNCIL OF JUSTICE CONVENES

Also, based on the proposal of the Prosecutor general, nominations and transferences were also announced at the meeting, presided over by the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani. a.ke/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] OFFICIAL VISITS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILO TO RUSSIA AND AUSTRIA

Minister Milo will hold official talks with the Russian Foreign Minister, Primakov and will have meetings with other senior officials of the Russian state and parliament.

The topics of the talks are expected to be the bilateral relations, the situation in the Balkan region and the problems of the global and regional security.

On December 11, the Albanian delegation will have a one-day official visit to Austria at the invitation of the Austrian Foreign Minister, Volfgang Schussel.

Official talks with the Austrian party are expected to focus on the bilateral relations, the situation in the Balkan region and the latest developments and initiatives in Europe. ake/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] TIRANA CONTINUES TO LEAD IN SOCCER BUT WITH A NARROW MARGIN

The nine valuable matches for the 13th week of the 59th national soccer championship were played Saturday afternoon.

STANDINGS			Pts
Besa - Apolonia			1-0
Bylis - Tirana			0-0
Laçi - Elbasani			1-0
Lushnja - Olimpik		0-1
Partizani - Albpetrol		5-0
Teuta - Tomori			3-0
Sopoti - Skenderbeu		4-0
Shqiponja - Flamurtari		3-2
Vllaznia - Shkumbini		3-2

STANDINGS AFTER THE 13th WEEK:

29 points	Tirana
28		Vllaznia, Partizani
26		Laçi
25		Teuta
23		Shkumbini, Sopoti
22		Elbasani
20		Tomori, Bylis
18		Apolonia, Flamurtari
16		Skenderbeu
15		Olimpik, Lushnja
11		Albpetrol, Besa, Shqiponja

/A.KE/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] GOOD COHABITATION AMONG VARIOUS RELIGIONS IN ALBANIA

During the concert ideated and conducted by Italo Gomez and produced by Petrit Malaj and Bepi Morano, renowned songs of Catholic traditions by Alessio Randon, Albanian-Orthodox traditional songs were sung by the chorus of girls of the Fine Arts Academy, traditional Moslem songs by the chorus of children of the Moslem community were also interpreted.

The days of Italian-Albanian cultural cooperation, organized by Euro- Mediterraneo-Culture dei Mari and the Tirane town hall, are being held under the auspices of the President of Albania and the President of the Italian Republic. pas/xh/

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