Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-07

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

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CONTENTS

[01] POLICE ADOPT MEASURES TO PREVENT CONTRABAND IN SOUTH

[02] FRENCH INTELLECTUALS APPEAL IN DEFENCE OF KOSOVA ALBANIANS

[03] SOME 100 YOUNG WOMEN OF INIMA ON STRIKE

[04] LA PERGOLA TO ENCOURAGE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS - deputy speaker

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] Changes inside SP are normal-deputy speaker

[07] Albania's north is short of jobs

[08] Some $18.2 million to help develop Northeastern Albania

[09] PRESS-REVIEW (2)

[10] UÇK claims responsibility for latest armed attacks

[11] Germany, Greece to back Albanian police restructuring

[12] NO MURDER COMMITTED IN TIRANA DURING FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF 1998

[13] BROAD UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN POLITICAL FORCES TO BE REACHED FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSTITUTION - Imami

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECREES CREATION OF SIX APPEAL COURTS

[15] Smuggling, main concern of the government - Finance Minister

[16] The gang that shot at police car in Korçë seized

[17] "The lowyers have been graduated in mathematics" - Laco

[18] Albanian actor arrested on charges of drug-trafficking

[19] Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature to visit Albania soon

[20] Albanian currency shattered by dollar

[21] Wage increase average to 20 percent, special sectors up to 50 percent

[22] Czechs demand Albanian iron-nickel

[23] Albpetrol oil daily quotas go up

[24] Around $18.2 mln to help develop Northeastern Albania

[25] Over 53 percent of Albanian producers work on obsolete technology

[01] POLICE ADOPT MEASURES TO PREVENT CONTRABAND IN SOUTH

Three weeks ago, vehicles carrying smuggled cigarettes travelled along the Bay of Bunec near Borsh, in Butrint, Ksamil and others without problems.

Senior officials of the Saranda commissariat said that the assistance of the Interior Ministry has been insufficient.

The contraband, mainly that of cigarettes and fuel by sea (via Greece), was favoured by chaos and lack of efficiency in the police bodies during the months of unrest last year what continued even in September and November. s.sh/kei/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] FRENCH INTELLECTUALS APPEAL IN DEFENCE OF KOSOVA ALBANIANS

In support of the Albanian students and professors, who have been staging protests in Kosova for an access to the schools and universities closed by the Serb authorities since 1989, the appeal underlines that: "The French students, teachers and scholars cannot admit that the rights to schooling of a whole people, who have been an example of patience and extraordinary wisdom, be taken underfoot".

The signatories ask that "pressure be exerted on the Belgrade regime" to respect the accord on education, signed in 1996 with the Kosova Albanians, but which has not been realised.s.s/kei/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] SOME 100 YOUNG WOMEN OF INIMA ON STRIKE

The strike was triggered by repeated delays in wage delivery.

"Although working contracts have been reached and money held, social insurances have not been payed," the striking young women say. They are also worried about unmotivated warnings of dismissal from work.

Director Beqiraj says that the delay in wage delivery is due to "technical reasons". "The money comes from Italy, through the bank and the banks are often delayed. Such difficulties are likely in the future, too, Beqiraj says.

He says that there cannot be a fixed day or hour for the wage distribution.

As regards the working contract's violation the director says that there has been no signalisation in this regard.

The representative of the Italian Bank, Catherina Innocenti, says that it is true the company has been in technical difficulties to deliver wages on the set day, but they have never been delayed for more than 3-4 days, and there have even been cases when they have been delivered earlier." s.sh/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] LA PERGOLA TO ENCOURAGE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS - deputy speaker

He said that La Pergola, whom he will meet in Tirane on Thursday, is one of the most outstanding European constitutionalists.

"Pergola's visit to Albania aims at encouraging this process. It will also be followed by visits of other international organisations authorities which will contribute to this direction," Dokle said.

"What will be the effect of Pergola's visit on the Democratic Party's stand on the constitution? "The DP, as a party, can be affected by the European politics but it is Sali Berisha who objects: As long as the DP is led by Berisha it will go ahead after his weathercock, which turns its arrow always against logic". s.s/kled/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

"Socialist party General Secretary states: Berisha tries to pass the DP crisis to the Albanian society," the paper says in the second page.

The leader of the Democratic party call on gang for help, the paper says referring to yesterday's news briefing of the Union for Democracy under the title "Blood-thirsty Berisha."

The Italian antimafia investigates in the Italian-Albanian bank. Great turn-over of money-laundering from crafts, drugs, stolen cars, the paper reports under the title "Money laundered in Tirana."

The same paper carries a statement of the Interior Ministry after the recent events in Vlora, Patos and Tropoja under the title "Last efforts of crime against reforming state."

In the economic column the paper carries the article "VAT: 11 billion of Leks in budget."

A state massacre in Tropoja. Senior officials of local police summoned to the prime minister's office two days ago. Fatos Nano has ordered the killings, the paper Rilindja Demokratike says under the title "State executes three DP activists."

Crime in general and political crime in particular have gripped the country, the editorial says under the title "State-gang". DP accuses the government for political killings in Tropoja, the paper reports under the title "Nano's clique kills students of December."

Unity for Democracy urges Nano, Meidani, Gjinushi, Ceka, Brokaj to resign as persons responsible for killings. Care taking government, the only alternative for Albania, the paper reports on yesterday's news conference of the Unity for Democracy under the title "Berisha: This is the state of bandits."

"Kosova's knot cannot be resolved through batons," the paper reports in the sixth page. "Government deprived the poor of the New Year," is another article carried by the same paper.

"State supplies mafia," is the title of the editorial of Republika." It is damaging the moral of honest people, the editorial says.

Unreliable sources at the SP have said that the changes in the government are inevitable, the paper says under the title "Ceka, deputy prime minister, Ruçi, the Interior minister.

We will propose the creation of a parliamentary commission on investigating contraband at the first parliamentary session, the paper quotes the Republican deputy Sabri Godo as saying. Unity for Democracy attacks state, the paper reports in the fourth page.

The Tirana municipality brings a law suit against the government, the same paper reports in the fifth page. "Prices make consumers made," is another article carried by the newspaper.

North, 20 hours of horror and shootings. Dozens of special forces left Tirana urgently, the newspaper Koha Jone reports under the title "Tropoja steeps in blood, five killed."

"Berisha's knot" is the title of the editorial which says that one of Albania's misfortune is that it lacks a serious opposition.

At least seven members of the Socialist party leadership will be discharged within January, reliable sources inside the main party headquarters said on Tuesday, the paper reports in the third page.

Under the title "Berisha showed video tape of horror," the paper covers yesterday's news conference of Unity for democracy.

The right-wing parties strongly criticised the two big parties, the paper says under the title "DBSH: DP is destructive and adventurous."

After being expelled from the court and church, the six-month jurists found a place to continue fast, the paper says under the title "Private house for the six-month strikers."

Prosecutor's office has started investigations. All have been involved in smuggling, the paper says under the title "Contraband, 15 police chiefs under charge."

"Doctors receive about 35 million leks annually from patients, the paper reports under the title "Corruption grips white blouses." ak/

(more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Changes inside SP are normal-deputy speaker

The daily Koha Jone on Wednesday quotes SP reliable sources as speaking of great changes in the party's leadership which would be projected in the party leadership's meeting on Saturday: seven new members to replace the old ones.

A socialist official (secretary general Pandeli Majko has denied changes) has told the daily that one of the new members will be former Interior Minister Gramoz Ruci, while the prime minister's advisor, Vladimir Prela, will replace Maqo Lakrori in the position of the secretary for foreign relations.

"I do not know anything true of Prela," Dokle, former SP organisational secretary, says on Wednesday.

At the meeting of the SP General Steering Committee last December some of Fatos Nano's aides in the Council of Ministers were admitted in this committee and the press spoke of Nano "strengthening power" in the party.

"There are no clans inside the SP, either in or without inverted commas. There are neither small nor large groups: there is a diversity of thoughts, but always respecting the ethic of opinions," says Dokle, who has been one of the opponents to the Nano motion in 1996.

"We do not say as Berisha does: 'It is precisely like what I say,' but we respect the ethic of opinions, which vary not for narrow interests or with the aim to create clans but to discuss the best solutions," Dokle concludes. s.s/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albania's north is short of jobs

The responsible of the district's labour and social benefits office, Gezim Omuri, told ATA that currently the number of the unemployed in this district has reached over 6.100, of which 2.174 are women.

The age-group 21 to 34, some 2 000 persons, makes up the largest number of the unemployed.

In the meantime only 1.102 benefit social benefits.

According to Omuri, at the beginning of this year the number of the unemployed will keep increasing due to the lack of jobs. The closure of mines has added to the unemployment in this zone. a.ke/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Some $18.2 million to help develop Northeastern Albania

The project for the rural development of the northeastern zone, which includes the districts of Kukes, Diber, Has and Tropoje, has begun application in 1995 and will continue until the year 2000.

According to the coordinator of this project, Roland Bardhi, the project is co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with $11,6 million, the Islamic Bank for Development with $5,5 million and the Albanian government with $1.05 million.

The Albanian Fund of Development deals with the application of the rural projects, crediting and support of the activities of micro-enterprises.

According to Bardhi, the investments of these project cover mainly infrastructure, rural credits, veterinary development, agricultural and livestock development, local government and other fields. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESS-REVIEW (2)

Tropoje: Three leaders of the DP killed. State produces criminals and killers, the paper says under the title "Misinformation, superpolice of terror."

Five parties of the Union for Democracy urge immediate resignation of government, dismissal of all those involved in crimes and creation of a care taker government as the only alternative to save the country, the paper reports under the title "Berisha: this is a bandit state."

The same paper reports of a video tape, which showed the police massacre in Fier.

"Why is the order not restored?" is the title of another article carried by the paper.

It carries an interview with the Tirana Mayor Albert Brojka under the title "Brojka: Tirana, getting worse."

Vefa said, money after transparency.

The Republicans initiate the creation of a parliamentary commission on fight against economic crime, the newspaper Shekulli said under the title "Godo: Parliament against contraband." The opposition parties should have the majority of the seats, the paper says.

"For Albania not to fly into rage," is the title of the editorial.

The Europeans to land in Tirana for the constitution, the paper says under the title "Council of Europe and OSCE to Tirana for the constitution."

Yesterday's news conference of the Unity for Democracy is covered by the paper under the title "Berisha: Government should resign, or Council of Europe isolate it."

Strategy of privatisation - an offer for the foreigners, the paper says in the economic column.

The European Union asks for fundamental improvement of the situation in Kosova, the newspaper Rilindja says in the first page. In the second page the paper quoting Albanian sources report that two ethnic Albanians were killed in two separate incidents in Prishtine, capital of Kosova, and in Gjakova.

The Dayton agreement for peace urges the warring sides to allow return of refugees in their settlements, the paper says under the title "Repatriation, worth 29 million dollars."

The prime minister of Albania Fatos Nano to visit Skopje from January 15 to 16 on the invitation of the Macedonian prime minister Branko Cervenkovski, the paper reports.

"Three funerals" is the title of the editorial of Dita. Investigation commission on January-March unrest to report to parliament soon, the paper says under the title "Lawyer frightens politicians."

The Unity for Democracy comments on Patos events using a three- minutes film, the paper says referring to yesterday's news conference of this grouping under the title "The truth according to DP".

Socialists condemn violence against blue uniforms and urge for self- restraint, the paper says under the title "SP: mafia scenarios against state."

A drug trafficking network seized in Tirana, is another article carried by the paper. Hospitals endangered by financial violations, the paper says in the ninth page.

Debates on shocking events in Fier and Tropoja reopened. While politicians continue to attack each other, many of the Albanian order and justice staff ask more competencies for police, the newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare reports.

Change the law: police have to shoot, the paper says. Massacre in Tropoja: Six killed within few hours, the paper reports.

Sabri Godo asks for a parliamentary commission to fight against contraband, the paper says under the title "Godo: Fino's anti contraband should be under investigation.

The Albanian prosecutors should investigate on domestic mafia, but this time in Italy," the paper says under the title "Prosecutors in Italy for mafia." kled/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] UÇK claims responsibility for latest armed attacks

On November 25, 1997, by decision of the central staff, the UÇK units carried out two armed assault against the Serb police: the attack against a police car in the Zakute village of Podujeve, and that on the Serb police station in Podujeve, the release says.

The organisation also claims responsibility for the attack on the court's building in Gostivar on December 16,1997 and that on the police stations in Kumanove and Prilep on January 4 of this year.

The above attacks caused no casualties besides some damages in materials. a.h/kled/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Germany, Greece to back Albanian police restructuring

In a symbolic ceremony marking the take over of the WEU presidency by Greece, the Ambassador of Germany Hans Peter Disdorn and the Greek ambassador Konstandin Prevendurakis expressed the readiness of their countries and governments to help restructure the Albanian police.

The Interior minister Neritan Ceka thanked them for the aid rendered so far and believed that 1998 will be a year of efficacious cooperation between the Albanian police and the WEU officials.

Attending the meeting were officials of the WEU mission (MAPE) and senior officials of the Interior Ministry. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] NO MURDER COMMITTED IN TIRANA DURING FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF 1998

Some 17 police roadblocks were organized on Wednesday before noon in Tirana, aiming to detain the persons declared wanted by the police, police sources of the capital reported.

Some 16 citizens, accused of different crimes, have been arrested over the last 72 hours in Tirana. /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] BROAD UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN POLITICAL FORCES TO BE REACHED FOR APPROVAL OF THE CONSTITUTION - Imami

"We have slowed down the steps so that to give time to the opposition to reflect and integrate itseld into this process," said Imami.

In September 1997, the Albanian Parliament adopted the stages according to which the Parliamentary Commission for the preparation and adoption of the Constitution would base its work, stages which according to Imami "will be reviewed by the Parliament."

In the mean time, EC delegation led by Antonio La pergola, chairman of the Commission "For Democracy through Law," or otherwise called the Venice Commission, will arrive on Thursday in Tirane to monitor the process for the preparation of the Constitution.

The round table of the political parties which has not yet come to a common point with regard to the question of the Constitution, has come to a standstill.

"It is DP the one which has expelled itself from the process where all the parties of the Albanian political specter are taking part," Pandeli Majko, chairman of the SP Parliamentary Group told ATA, when asked why this process was blocked.

He added that DP is holding pawn that which ensures stability to the country.

Majko said the process for the approval of the Constitution is going on slower, expressing at the same time the staunch stand of the parliamentary majority for the preparation and adoption of the fundamental law of the state. kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECREES CREATION OF SIX APPEAL COURTS

On the basis of this decree, the President's press office reports, from one Appeal Court in Tirane, now six of such courts will be formed.

The Appeal Court Tirane, centered in Tirane will cover the districts of Tirane, Kruje, Kurbin, Mat, Mirdite, Bulqize and Diber; that of Durres centered in Durres will operate in the districts of Durres, Kavaje, Elbasan, Librazhd, Gramsh and Peqin; the Appeal Court Shkoder, centered in Shkoder, covers the districts of Shkoder, Lezhe, Malesi e Madhe, Puke, Tropoje, Kukes and Has; that of Vlore, centered in Vlore will cover the districts of Fier, Vlore, Mallakaster, Lushnje, Berat, Skrapar and Kucove; the Appeal Court Korce, centered in Korce will operate in the districts of Korce, Pogradec, Kolonje and Devoll and that of Gjirokaster, with its headquarters in Gjirokaster, will extend its activity in the districts Gjirokaster, Sarande, Delvine, Tepelene and Permet.

The work in the new appeal courts, according to the decree, starts 10 days after the Supreme Council of Justice names the judges in them. ssh/kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Smuggling, main concern of the government - Finance Minister

This stand was voiced Wednesday by the Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj, in a meeting with leaders and financial experts of customs, tax, budget, treasure, bank and INSIG departments in the district of Korce, Southeastern Albania.

He also reported that during March-December 1997, some 230 employees of custom-houses have been discharged from work for inability or implication in smuggling, while 37 of them are penally charged, most of whom are from the customs of the Korce prefecture.

"The government has prepared and will soon present for approval to Parliament the new Code on taxes, customs and the new code of small business," he said and added that "the wages of the staff who work in tax and custom departments, prosecutor's offices and courts will increase by 50%," meanwhile that the average wage level in the other state sectors will sustain a boost of 20%.

"But the government is resolute to ask from this staff professional fulfillment of duties, without party influences," said the Minister of Finances.

Mrs. Natalina Cea, chief of the European Mission of the 21st Division, said that "the support with technic assistance for custom-houses will continue, as well as the cooperation with the Albanian government to stop smuggling." /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] The gang that shot at police car in Korçë seized

The names of the three detained are not made public because investigation which are underway. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] "The lowyers have been graduated in mathematics" - Laco

TIRANA, JAN. 7 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The parliamentary group "The Center Right" told Wednesday a news conference that "The six-month courses were necessity of the time to fill the gap created in 1992 for staff in justice bodies."

Having as object of the conference the hunger strike of eight jurists graduated as such only in a six-month course on law, the representatives of the Christian Democratic Party, Legality Movement Party, Social Democratic Union Party and the Christian Democratic Union Party condemned the reasons that led to the strike, as a precedent which infringes the judiciary.

Asked by ATA whether were six months enough to become jurist, Teodor Laco said that "the six month course jurists have been also graduated in other branches, like in mathematics."

"The problem should not be politicized," said Zef Bushati, chairman of the Christian Democratic Party.

The representatives of the Center Right stressed that they support the striker and favour an unpoliticized justice.

A group of jurists, graduated from a 6-month course on law, staged Monday a hunger strike in the premises of the Catholic church, in vicinity of the high school "Partizani."

The jurists have long been protesting against the decision of the Justice Ministry regarding their current functions in the Albanian justice. This contingent, although with insufficient schooling, have been at the head of the justice bodies, often attacked for incompetence. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian actor arrested on charges of drug-trafficking

Zhusti together with four other Albanians was arrested on Wednesday after a blitz operation by police forces in the quarter Kipseli of Athens.

During control, police found in Zhusti's home 11 kilos of heroin smuggled into Greece across Albania some days ago with the aim of selling it in the Greek market.

"If the sale was a success," Zhusti confessed, he would have taken a remuneration of 200 thousand dollars.

The incident made Greek authorities launch an alarm for signals that great amounts of processed narcotics would continue to be brought to Greece from Albania in the coming days.

According to the public security director of Athens who spoke to reporters regarding the arrest of Zhusti, the bosses of narcotics have chosen the Turkey-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania itinerary to smuggle packages of "white powder" into Greece and Italy. ake/kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature to visit Albania soon

This was reported to ATA by the director of the "Skampa" Theater of Elbasan, Astrit Cerma, who has received the confirmation from the renowned Italian dramaturgist to come in this town after an invitation made by the theater directorate.

The visit is thought to be held in spring of this year.

The comedies of Dario Fo "The thieves," "The man in dress-coat and naked," "The taxi-driver," "The wife of the businessman," and "Who breaks a leg is lucky in love," have been put on stage by the producer Cerma, all in the "Skampa" theater. /s.s/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Albanian currency shattered by dollar

So $1 = 153,25 lek, gaining 1,50 points compared with yesterday's 151, 75 lek. The DM was traded for 83,55 lek gaining 0,25 points compared with yesterday's 83,30 lek and ITL (1000) traded for 84,15 lek and so on.

Wednesday exchange rate

Currency                        Average exchange rate
USD                               153,25 lek
DM                                 83,55 lek
ITL (1000)                         84,15 lek
GRD (100)                          52,95 lek
SFR                               105,25 lek

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Wage increase average to 20 percent, special sectors up to 50 percent

But according to sources from the Ministry of Finance some sectors of a vital importance will have a higher wage increase. So a growth of wages up to 50 percent will occur at the Ministry of Public Order, Court, tax and custom departments, but even within these structures will have some variations.

A lesser increase will occur in current wages, which at present are the highest. Meanwhile, minimum pensions will go up as well.

This wage increase alongside the Government achievement to reduce inflation to 10 percent, which at present is 40 percent, will effect the Albanian incomes families up to 30 percent until the end of the year according experts of the finance department.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Czechs demand Albanian iron-nickel

Offers from Czech companies to buy considerable amount of the ore has reached Albania during the first days of 1998. Until 1990 Czechs were the primary buyers of Albanian iron-nickel.

There are around 300,000 tons of ore stored at Durres harbour ready to be sold pending various offers from foreign buyers. Meanwhile, mining specialists for this year figure out an output of 500,000 tons of iron nickel ore for the foreign markets.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Albpetrol oil daily quotas go up

The daily fulfillment of Albpetrol plans starting with the reorganization of its structures has brought about the output growth.

A boost of production is forecasted for 1998, so out of 360,000 ton oil turnout in 1997, some 420,000 tons are figured out in 1998. Even gas production will be clearly on the rise, so from 19 million N. m3, while this year some 22,800 million N.m3 are forecasted.

Albpetrol company plans to invest 880 million lek, while foreign investment will be worth $63,5 million which will boost its production indexes.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Around $18.2 mln to help develop Northeastern Albania

The project for the rural development of the northeastern zone, which includes the districts of Kukes, Diber, Has and Tropoje, has begun application in 1995 and will continue until the year 2000.

According to the coordinator of this project, Roland Bardhi, the project is co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with $11,6 million, the Islamic Bank for Development with $5,5 million and the Albanian government with $1.05 million.

The Albanian Fund of Development deals with the application of the rural projects, crediting and support of the activities of micro-enterprises.

According to Bardhi, the investments of these project cover mainly infrastructure, rural credits, veterinary development, agricultural and livestock development, local government and other fields.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Over 53 percent of Albanian producers work on obsolete technology

According to studies conducted by the Economics Faculty in cooperation with the Institute of Statistics results that the bulk of businessmen prefer to buy used technology for it is cheaper and they lack abundant financial resources.

Though the markets to buy technology vary in relation with the prices and quality, many Albanian businessmen are obliged to buy to buy in Eastern countries or used technology lines in Western countries.

As a result they are restricted in the local market and often face the threat of bankruptcy.

They also encounter difficulties in buying the construction site. Based on studies only 18 percent of them have inherited the site, the rest buy it so the initial costs of investment is high. Though the bid for site is higher than the offer, its prices are forecasted to go up so the initial cost of investment will be more greater.

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