Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-12-09

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] SIMILAR VIEWPOINTS FOR FUTURE OF THE BALKANS - Nano-Shifter

[02] PRESS REVIEW

[03] STATES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS TO BUY LAND IN ALBANIA (President decrees amendments to the law on land transaction)

[04] ALBANIA'S STATE MINISTER ASKS ASSISTANCE FOR PRESS

[05] INTERIOR MINISTER ISSUES ORDER TO HALT SMUGGLING

[06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DENOUNCES ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

[07] SHKODER UNITED RIGHT AGAINST COOPERATION WITH DP AND ITS ALLIES

[08] US DOLLAR STILL UPHOLDS HIGH QUOTAS

[09] DP TO JOIN PARLIAMENT WITHIN JANUARY

[10] MILITARY PLANT AT MJEKES RESUMES OPERATION

[11] U.S. EXPERIENCE FOR MANAGEMENT OF ALBANIAN HOSPITALS

[12] REPRESENTATIVES OF INTER-BORDER POLICE MEET IN KAKAVIJE

[13] ALBANIA ATTENDS CONFERENCE ON GOLD LOOTED BY NAZIS

[14] THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS YEAR'S TRAGEDY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

[15] WE FAVOUR DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL, ESPECIALLY PARLIAMENTARY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS - Milo

[01] SIMILAR VIEWPOINTS FOR FUTURE OF THE BALKANS - Nano-Shifter

PM's spokesman reports that Ambassador Shifer said that "the only road for to change the Balkans are the investments and improvement of the economy through the development of regional projects." This is also the objective of SECI, South East Cooperative Initiative, said the Ambassador, which envisages a number of joint projects among Balkan countries.

Mr Shifter asked Albania's commitment to the creation of clearance facilities, projects for the electricity and water system, support for the small business through small credits and installation of natural gas network.

Prime Minister Nano said that "Albania will make its all contribution to advance the SECI projects because this is conformed to the philosophy of this government which sees the development of the Balkans in the creation of civil and financial structures which will neutralize the conflictual attempts."

Cooperation between Albania, Greece and Macedonia is serving as an inter-state model of cooperation, said the Prime Minister. They are daily advancing the compilation and application of bilateral initiatives as was seen last week when six agreements were signed with Skoplje.

Mr Nano guaranteed Ambassador Shifter of an Albanian experts' committee which will coordinate all SECI drives.

Attending the meeting also were the Austrian deputy chancellor and SECI coordinator Gerhard Busek and the Minister of State in the Council of Ministers, Kastriot Islami, who will lead the Albanian Coordinating Committee of Cooperation with SECI. ssh/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike covers the celebration on the seventh anniversary of the democracy in Albania quoting the Democrat leader Sali Berisha as saying "December '90 overthrew tyranny." "Democrats returned to the Student city," is another title on the same topic. The visit of president Meidani and prime minister Nano in Shkodra is covered by the newspaper under the title "Shkodra spat Nano and Meidani," under the headline "A visit of thieves, prime minister and president in a city symbol of anti-communism." In the fourth page the paper says "Three DP activists barbarously massacred." The paper reports "Milo includes Albania in Russian-Greek projects on the Balkans." In the Actuality column the paper reports "Dollar hits Lek within 24-hours" and "Money-lending regains their echo."

Today's editorial of Republika is entitled "Ideals of December misused by politics." In the seventh page the paper reports on "a new mode" of smuggling saying that the cigarettes are being transported by small cars, Benz, and buses of the Kakavija-Fier and Kakavija-Berat lines. The paper refers to a report of the police staff of Tepelena. On the same topic the paper carries an article "Nano, Fino and Malaj accused by an international institution," with the subtitle "Division 28' reports in Brussels: Cigarette smuggling in the Balkans coordinated in Albania. Coordinators, chief of the Albanian executive. Kukes, crossing point for tobacco to Kosova." In the economic column, the paper reports that the troika Malaj, Cani and Bode (the first two Socialists and the third Democrat) have done the utmost during the last days to increase the value of the foreign currencies and especially that of the dollar. "Three musketeers of the Albanian finances enter into duel with the lek," the paper says. "The right- wing will create Albania, but the former communists cannot create the right- wing," the paper reports in the Opinion column.

"The encirclement of Shkoder splits," is the title of today's editorial in Koha Jone. "Despite silence and some whistling by DP sympathizers, yesterday's visit of Nano to Shkoder put an end to the political separation of the country," writes the newspaper. With regard to this visit, the paper carries article entitled "Nano conquers Shkodra castle," and subtitle "DP militants against SP leader in the Square "2 April". In its second page this paper writes that Tirane police have sequestered 1 kg of heroin in a bar in the centre of Tirane. "Shifter, a new American mission," writes the newspaper on its third page.

"Figure of Gjata to be verified" is the title of another article covering yesterday's news conference of the Parliament Speaker Gjinushi. The paper also writes "Constitution: Commission starts the work." With regard to the cigarette smuggling, the paper writes "16 tons of cigarettes sequestered," and subtitle "Prosecutors' office starts investigation: Sarande-Gjirokaster, the golden valley." "'Ngjela' parliamentary commission started operation yesterday," writes the paper referring to the investigation initiated to find the culprits of this year's spring events in Albania. In its 10th page the newspaper carries an interview with the attorney of the survivors of the Otranto tragedy, Giussieppe Bafa. The newspaper writes that Tepelene police have accused local authorities of Gjirokaster for favouring the trafficking. In one of its economic pages, the paper writes "Credits of Islamic countries blocked," and subtitle "There are three years that the accorded credits have not been delivered. The reasons are technical as well as political."

Albania entitles its editorial "December, as seven years ago." "Seven years after the movement of the students which marked the fall of the communist dictatorship, the most extreme in all the communist bloc, the country is plunged into misery and the greatest poverty," writes the paper. On its second page the paper carries the article "Criminal Tafa, terror on democrats" and headline "Fier: Police provoke again Krasniqi family." With regard to the visit to Shkoder of the Albanian President and Prime Minister, the newspaper writes "Shkoder: Fatos Nano encircled," under the headline "After seven years, the last of the communists in the banned land." The news conference of Gjinushi, is covered by this paper in the article "Institutional crisis deepens - The state blackmails." In the page "Actualities," the newspaper carries the article "Brussels mocks at Tirane" headlined "Albania, 10 million Ecu-s of humanitarian aid."

In its first page Rilindja writes "Parliament threatens with dissolution of Constitutional Court," regarding the press conference of the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi. Under the title "Grave violations registered in Kosove," the newspaper carries an annual report of the "Human Rights Watch." In its first page, by citing sources of the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, the newspaper writes that "The U.S. extended sanctions for Belgrade for one more year." "Attorneys refute the charge through arguments" is the title of an article referring to the trial against 21 Albanians in the Serbian court of the Prishtine circle.

Under the headline "Naval base in revolt, ultimatum Nano-Majko from 21 rose 'motion signatories'" the newspaper Dita writes "SP: SOS! Durres in tentacles of DAP and SDP." Referring to the news conference of Gjinushi, the newspaper writes "Constitutional duel in the People's Assembly leadership." In its third page, the newspaper writes in commemoration of the student movement of December 1990. "Let us restore Berisha," the newspaper cities Azem Hajdari, one of the democrat leaders. "Arsenal of a masked gang seized," writes the newspaper under the headline "Police checking-point avoids a tragedy." In an article entitled "This is how privatization of economy will be made," the newspaper writes of the draft- strategy for the privatization of the economy. "Cases of corruption in medical sector are individual," the newspaper entitles an interview with the deputy minister of Health. "Grunjasi has had no license," writes the paper referring to the process of transparence of the former pyramid investment funds.

Shekulli entitles its editorial "The West, challenge to Berisha." "Berisha, more for psychological reasons than for political pragmatism, cannot agree to sit in line with other deputies, whom a short time ago, used to see from the top gallery. But such a kind of proud keeps a whole party hostage," the paper says. In the third page, the paper carries the article "Hajdari: DP died. We should revive it," with the subtitle "Graves, yes, but Nano, not a prime minister." "Godo urges aid from experts of Venice," the paper says referring to the draft of a new constitution. In the economic column, it carries, among other, the articles "Employment remains a dream this year" and "Albanian business a priority."

The newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare reports "Nano breaks the Shkodra ice," under the subtitle "Whistles, but prime minister greets waving the hand." Today's editorial is entitled "That ardent December of Tirana." The paper reports in the third page "Constitution, the table waits for DP." Referring to the public order problems the paper carries the article "Storm in commissariats" with the subtitle "Chiefs to be changed all over Albania." pas/ak/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] STATES, INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS TO BUY LAND IN ALBANIA (President decrees amendments to the law on land transaction)

Albania's president Rexhep Meidani decreed on December 2 the law no. 8260 date November 26, 1997 on an amendment to the law no. 7980 date July 27,1995 on land transaction.

A group of deputies of the Social Democratic party proposed that two other paragraphs should be added to the article five of the law on land transaction which envisaged the buying of private or state lands from states or international organisations.

These changes allow "states or international organisations which in similar conditions to the Albanian individuals or juridical persons to have the right to buy lands in private or state properties to set up their headquarters or mission, or buy the land on which they have built or are building them".

This will prevent property disputes, which have arisen between some embassies and foreign institutions in courts with legitimate land owners or those who claimed to be owners.

This is a mutual right and any state, which recognises the same right to the Albanian state can profit from this. ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIA'S STATE MINISTER ASKS ASSISTANCE FOR PRESS

In a meeting, held in the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, Islami talked about the economic difficulties the Albanian press went through recently, as well as about the cases where freedoms of press were restricted over the past months. Islami stressed that in order to give a full and real freedom to the press, the parliament that emerged from the June 29 polls, abrogated the previous law on radio & television, by approving a law which does not recognise anymore cases of freedom's restriction.

The attention was also focused on the electronic media and Islami requested assistance regarding the experience of legislation in different countries and staff training. The aid, stressed Islami, will not pass through the government, but through the ways that these organizations will find to cooperate with the free press.

Also, Islami reported on the establishment of the Information Department in the Council of Ministers, whose duty is to give its contribution in providing the transparency in the government's activity.

During the meeting, the representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and foreign organizations expressed their opinions regarding the way on how to coordinate the aid for the Albanian press in these moments. /pas/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] INTERIOR MINISTER ISSUES ORDER TO HALT SMUGGLING

"The persons who do not justify with their official paper the institution or the individual they represent should be detained or arrested for cheating and other acts they commit," says minister Ceka's order, which came into force today.

According to the spokesman, cases with persons appearing before police roadblocks, customs and border crossings with names of political and state authorities, or introducing themselves as their "friends" or "relatives", are not few.

"In this way they try to carry out smuggling, to reduce the financial obligation and annul fines in favour of their personal interests." kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DENOUNCES ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

According to the report of the Constitutional Court, the base of this denunciation has been the interview of Gjinushi given to the Albanian television on 05.12.1997, regarding the decision no. 57, of this court, dated 05.12.1997, who has said that "The Constitutional Court of Gjata is off side and is serving to foreign interests, outside Albania," sayings which were also repeated in the news conference on Monday.

"These statements are intended slanders due to the state activity against the chairman and members of the Constitutional Court, says the denunciation. In this way, Gjinushi publicly aims at discrediting the Constitutional Court in the national and international arena, and has seriously infringed our personal honour and dignity," says the press release of this Court.

The penal denunciation has been signed by the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Rustem Gjata, and its four members Hilmi Dakli, Manol Konomi, Halil Kopani and Alfred Karamuco.

The Constitutional Court is made up of nine members. /a.ke/s.s/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] SHKODER UNITED RIGHT AGAINST COOPERATION WITH DP AND ITS ALLIES

"No cooperation with the DP and its allies," the United Right told a news conference today.

The aspiration of the United Right is to fight together communism and all its camouflaged forms.

"This political alliance intends to get all political forces closer to the right wing programms as soon as possible. But we do not regard DP as a right wing force of the political spectrum," says a statement read on behalf of the Union Right by the the chairman of the Christian-Democratic Right Wing party, Ndreke Bazhdari.

"During its five year governing the DP strictly implemented typical left wing laws as regards land, privatisation and other issues. The DP not only refused to share power with the real right wing, but maintained splitting and even hostile stands against the formerly politically persecuted, legitimate owners, ex-kulaks and others.

Asked about the visit of Prime Minister Fatos Nano to Shkoder, this grouping said that "it would welcome any prime minister, of any government, for as long as he has come to power by the people's vote".

A DP statement today harshly criticises the visit of the prime Minister to Shkoder. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] US DOLLAR STILL UPHOLDS HIGH QUOTAS

In the informal market the average exchange rate was $1 = 153,45 lek. While the German currency DM was traded for 86,38 lek, ITL (1000) traded for 87,34 lek, and so on.

Tuesday average exchange rates

Currency	Average exchange rates
USD		153,40 lek
DM		 86,50 lek
ITL (1000)	 87,44 lek
GRD (100)	 55,88 lek
SFR		105,57 lek

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] DP TO JOIN PARLIAMENT WITHIN JANUARY

Sali Berisha said that the parliamentary boycott is "the only defect of the opposition" which "will be treated in the next meeting of the National Council.

"Only the problem of facade prevents us to join parliament," said former President Berisha, on the other hand there are the friends who insist in our participation as a form of protest against the government and you should accept even if the friends are not right.

It is the first time that Berisha expressed so openly the idea of joining the legislative, by "accepting" the constant suggestions of "friends," suggestions that were also listened by the member of the presidency, Azem Hajdari, during his ten-day stay in USA.

"We have debated a lot with Berisha and Pollo regarding this issue after my arrival from USA," said Hajdari. (The attempt on Hajdari's life has been the initial cause that DP deputies left the hall of Parliament.)

"We are examining this issue, added Berisha, which will be discussed in the next meeting of the Council: the statute envisages this meeting be held not later than three months from the previous one, we will not violate it."

According to Hajdari, even the members of Diaspora in USA will protest in front of the White House and State Department not to call the elections of June 29 "a step" anymore; Hajdari also said that two U.S. congressmen, Engel and Trafican, will come in Tirana within December of this year.

The Union for Democracy accused Tuesday the government of causing the "tortures" and "murders" in Sarande, Fier and Vau i Dejes, and asked that the guilty be immediately hunted down. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] MILITARY PLANT AT MJEKES RESUMES OPERATION

"Production relying on domestic resources is completely guaranteed until the end of December," the plant's director told ATA.

Contracts reached with several mines of the country for trading dynamite make production more stable.

Employment remains a problem as only 162 workers out of a total of 380 have been employed, according to trade union sources. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] U.S. EXPERIENCE FOR MANAGEMENT OF ALBANIAN HOSPITALS

The conference which was held Tuesday in the premises of "Europark" Hotel by the American International Health Alliance (AIHA), which manages along with the programs of inter-hospital partnership, also programs on the management education, focused on issues of financial system in Albania and changes in salaries, expected in the health sector.

This is the first conference held with Albanian partners.

The activities of AIHA in Tirana are financed by grants of the U.S. Agency for international development and includes programs of partnership between the hospitals of Butterworth in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Central Hospital of Traumas, Maternity-home no.1 and University Hospital Center "Mother Teresa." /kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] REPRESENTATIVES OF INTER-BORDER POLICE MEET IN KAKAVIJE

"We asked from the Greek representatives to give priority in the first stage to the assistance in logistic equipment," reported the chief of police commissariat in Gjirokaster, Ilirian Dedi, adding that "the Greek party expressed readiness to fulfill all our requests." /s.sh/kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIA ATTENDS CONFERENCE ON GOLD LOOTED BY NAZIS

The Albanian delegation was composed of scholar Arben Puto and director of the Foreign Ministry Juridical Department, Qirjako Qirko.

The history of the Albanian gold looting by the Nazis and the Jews' destiny in Albania were the two issues treated in the report read out by Qirko at the conference.

Representatives of Jewish organisations to the U.S. and Europe met with representatives of Albania and expressed the gratitude of the Israeli people for what the Albanian people did to defend the Jews from the Nazis during the World War Two. s.sh/kled/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS YEAR'S TRAGEDY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

VLORE, DEC. 9 (ATA) - By H. Koci: The murder of Artur Rustemi, who lost his life in the demonstration of February 10, 1997, was commemorated Tuesday in the town of Vlore. The association "Unity-Fraternity-February 10, " organized a meeting in the theater hall of the town, participating were relatives of his family, members of this association, intellectuals, and others.

The chairman of the association, Syrja Sherifi, remembered moments from that day, where the people of Vlore fought with police forces, event which marked the beginning of the revolt over the past months. Attending the meeting was the Secretary General of the Presidency, Daut Gumeni and the deputy Eduard Alushi.

Gumeni underlined that a detailed "inventory" of these events should be done, which will hunt down the persons who will assume the responsibilities regarding these events.

The presidency of the association distributed a press release, which asked among others to declare martyr of the nation Artur Rustemi, three persons killed from SHIK, as well as three policemen who lost their life during those days; bring to justice the responsible of this year's tragedy and former President Berisha; negotiate with the government for the restitution of money to the maximum extent; work for the national reconciliation, etc. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] WE FAVOUR DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL, ESPECIALLY PARLIAMENTARY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS - Milo

Primakov regarded this visit, the first by an Albanian Foreign Minister to Russia after 40 years, since the two countries broke off relations, as "very fruitful to exchange views on the perspective of bilateral relations and other matters of the region".

Good political relations should be backed by strong economic ties. As regards the Albanian government's new policy, aiming at normalising relations with northern and northeastern neighbours, Milo evoked the steps made in the diplomatic aspect with Yugoslavia and FYROM.

The Albanian government will help the Kosova Albanians with their efforts to win their national and political rights, according to principles of the International Law, said Milo.

He added that "a solution should be found now, otherwise Kosova will turn into a hotbed of very dangerous consequences."

Milo expressed Albania's trust in the role Russia can play in the region.

"We have maintained close relations with the countries of the region and have closely followed the events," Primakov said.

After confirming that Russia is very interested in the development of relations with Albania, Primakov spoke of the crisis in former Yugoslavia and the situation in Kosova.

"We consider Kosova part of Yugoslavia," said Primakov. "For this reason we are against any separatist efforts. But, we support all initiatives to provide Kosova with a wider autonomy and defend the national rights of Albanians."

"I have sent a message to Milosevic on Kosova, where I have made clear our position," said Primakov, adding that the Russian party backs the resolution of the Contact Group regarding the situation in Kosova.

"We hold Albania plays a serious role in the Balkans," he said.

Both Foreign Ministers signed protocols on exchanging ratification instruments on the consular convention and the convention to evade double taxes, as well as the plan of consultations between the respective ministries for 1998.

Further on they responded to questions by Albanian and foreign journalists.

Minister Milo invited his Russian counterpart to visit Tirana.

Milo also met with the Russian Finance Minister Kudrin. /s.sh/kled/lm/mt

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article