Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-19

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Mithat Havari continues to run police directorate

[02] Italy deports 112 Albanian citizens

[03] Masked persons grab passengers of Vlora-Tirana bus line

[04] New vocabulary to defend Albanian language

[05] DP not playing a role of constructive opposition - speaker says

[06] Draw for quarter-finals of 46th Albania's soccer Cup carried out

[07] Kosova? Either fight or dialogue - Parliament Speaker

[08] Fran Ndoka named deputy director of police in Shkodra

[09] Artists from Albania win two first prizes in Gostivar

[10] Premier invites opposition to take part in drafting constitution

[11] Government will give all-sided support to foreign business - Nano

[12] Collective penalization of the old law "On figure of officials" was like class struggle

[13] Leaders of FILE to visit Albania

[14] I will not allow retaliation as long as I lead SP - Nano

[15] Ruci elected SP Coordinating Secretary

[16] With allies we have been dignified but also too tolerant - Nano

[17] We have created space of cooperation for opposition - Dokle

[18] CE considers opposition's boycott of parliament undesirable

[19] Arbnori Association of Formerly Politically Persecuted stages hunger strike

[20] CORRECTION-NANO-I will not allow retaliation as long as I lead SP - Nano

[21] Constitution, most important political initiative - Meidani

[01] Mithat Havari continues to run police directorate

The reaction of the political forces on Sunday in Shkodra and other local officials to replace Havari with Shyqyri Çela is not under their competence, spokesman of the Interior Ministry said to ATA on Monday.

Later on Saturday, leaders of the local government of Shkodra, representatives of some political forces discussed the situation in the police directorate after the chief Havari spoke of removal of the incriminated and unskilled from the police and decided to replace him.

Attended the meeting was a group of experts of the Interior Ministry but their presence had nothing to do with the legitimacy of changes in this directorate since they have neither authority not competence to make such changes.

Nomination or removal of senior police staff are under the competence of the Interior Ministry and prime minister.

A working group from the ministry, led by the Police General Director Sokol Baraj is in Shkodra to analyse the latest event.

Police forces have put the situation under control. s.s/kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Italy deports 112 Albanian citizens

Sources from the police in the port of Durres reported to ATA that 46 persons were deported on Saturday and 66 others on Sunday. According to one of the deported, they were detained by the Italian police with irregular documents and were later escorted to the nearest ports. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Masked persons grab passengers of Vlora-Tirana bus line

While the bus driver was forced to drive at the gunpoint, one of the masked persons grabbed passengers.

Sources of the Kavaja commissariat said to ATA on Monday that the amount of the money grabbed was estimated at 40 thousand Leks. They had grabbed a TT pistol to a police staff Agim Biba, 29, who was travelling with his family.

The armed persons left for an unknown direction. ake/kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] New vocabulary to defend Albanian language

It contains 620 articles and some 1 440 particular words.

Prof. Dr. Emil Lafe, reported to ATA that "this vocabulary will be soon displayed in our bookshops within February, with the good will and desire to also use it outside the borders of the Republic of Albania."

The working group for drafting the new vocabulary is headed by Prof. Androkli Kostallari and is made up of linguists from the Institute, such as Jani Thomai, Engjell Angoni and Emil Lafe. /s.s/kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DP not playing a role of constructive opposition - speaker says

"We judge that the destructiveness of Berisha's clan is trying to return the crisis on March '97 level," Gjinushi said.

A SDP press release said: "Berisha's clan, trying to convey his bill of state's disintegration, contraband and corruption to present coalition, is instigating and stimulating by every means the ordinary and political crime."

Gjinushi said that "this clan on one side calls for a rule of law and on the other side tries to block the draft of constitution, shouts for restoring law and calls on people not to surrender weapons, speaks of stability and urges new elections and care taker government."

He added that this strategy is doomed to fail because the government coalition is determined to carry out the main objectives and emerge Albania from the crisis, in which Berisha's clan led it.

Referring to Berisha's legal responsibilities, Gjinushi said that former president has grave responsibilities for Albania's destruction and courts should work independently to reveal the responsibilities of every state official.

Gjinushi, speaking of the DP participation in a draft to constitution, said that the commission on constitution will continue to exist and if the DP wants "let it participate or otherwise let it continue its news conferences which, nevertheless, are a form of participation."

Regarding the accusations on changes to a law on scrutiny of figures, Gjinushi said that those who start a hunger strike refuse to be examined by the state.

He said that according to the above changes the former deputies, deputies will undergo scrutiny and that this law will be applied for courts, administration and others. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Draw for quarter-finals of 46th Albania's soccer Cup carried out

The couples were defined according to their divisions in groups A and B, which are:

In group A: Vllaznia, Tirana, Flamurtari and Apolonia.

In group B: Partizani, Lac, Lushnja and Elbasani.

Thus, the teams will match according to this draw:

Elbasani - Apolonia

Lushnja - Flamurtari

Laci - Tirana

Partizani - Vllaznia

The matches will take place on January 24 and 31.

The couples in the previous season of Albania's Cup were as follows:

Apolonia - Olimpik

Vllaznia - Partizani

Lushnja - Teuta

Besa - Flamurtari.

/a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Kosova? Either fight or dialogue - Parliament Speaker

TIRANA, Jan. 19 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Albania's Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi told a news conference on Monday that "a possible meeting Nano-Milosevic-Rugova would be positive and help strengthen the dialogue."

"There are two ways for a solution of the Kosova issue: either fight or dialogue," said Gjinushi, stressing that Albania would not be obstacle for the development of dialogue in the Balkans anyway."

With regard to the stands of Berisha for the recent steps made in the Albanian foreign policy and the initiative taken for meetings with representatives of the Serbian state, Gjinushi accused DP head of using the Kosova affair as a card for the extension of the mandate.

"He replaced the fight in Kosova with that in Albania," said Gjinushi. In response to presumptions regarding background meetings, Gjinushi said that any step taken by Albania in cooperation with the Kosova representatives, would influence on finding a solution to this major matter of the Albanian nation.

"The greatest service one can do to Serbia is to weaken Albania, and after that no one can think of creating a new state without strengthening the motherland, Albania," said Gjinushi, who accused the former President Berisha of being responsible for the events of January-March 1997.

"If Berisha accuses Rugova of changing options, it is exactly him who has deviated and has not adopted a clear-cut stand regarding Kosova issue," Gjinushi added.

With regard to what is reached in such meetings, Gjinushi stressed that "any dialogue has a beginning and not everything is resolved within a meeting." He appreciated the French-German initiative, stressing that "a unique thought of the international community would greatly influence on a solution of the Kosova issue." /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Fran Ndoka named deputy director of police in Shkodra

A spokesman of the Interior Ministry said to ATA that Ndoka, former chief of crimes in the local commissariat 1 will also carry out the task of the commissariat chief.

Sokol Baraj, police General Director will run the work in Shkodra to reorganise the police directorate.

The Interior Ministry said that it is against efforts to give this problem a political character and will try to take it out of the realm of politics.

It rejected the reports on the removal of colonel Mithat Havari from the post of police director and his replacement.

Havari is on duty to crack down on crime. s.s/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Artists from Albania win two first prizes in Gostivar

Alqi Boshnjaku won the first prize for the best song text, while Aleksander Gjoka awarded the first prize as the best song-singer, among 26 interpretations from Kosova, Macedonia and Albania, sources from the Department of Culture close to Radio-Tirana reported to ATA.

Well-known groups and singers from Kosova, Macedonia and Albania participated in this festival.

The Albanian singers have successfully attended a series of such activities, organized in Macedonia, like "Tin-Fest," "Euro-Fest," and others. /s.s/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Premier invites opposition to take part in drafting constitution

On Monday, Nano told a delegation of the ambassadors of the Committee of the European Council of Ministers, headed by the ambassadors Johanes Dohmes and Tom Gronberg, that he has reiterated the invitation to that part of opposition, which has not been integrated in the draft and approval of constitution to take its place in this important process, Information and Media Department said.

He acquainted the guests with the seriousness the coalition government is working to restore reconciliation and assimilate philosophy of civil society.

The conflict existing now in the Albanian politics is that between the old populist politics of the road and the new one, which is a comprehensive politics and aims at establishing institutions, Nano said.

He said "we consider as important the fulfilment of obligations resulting from the Council of Europe membership and welcome every contribution to this end."

Ambassadors Dohmes and Gronberg said that the scope of their visit is to get acquainted with the situation through direct contacts with the Albanian authorities and political forces and their demands.

Albania is a member of the Council of Europe and we are here to assess the needs for assistance, to find ways for more efficacious assistance programmes, they said.

They also expressed the satisfaction for the existing cooperation and offered the help of the Council of Europe in working out a constitution, enabling it to be a strong basis for a democratic development in Albania. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Government will give all-sided support to foreign business - Nano

"Reform and intensive process of privatisation, which will be soon approved by the Albanian parliament, will pave the way for many other businesses," said Nano.

"Albania may offer not only its natural sources and assets but also qualified labour force and groups of experts, who, together with foreign businessmen, will manage to make the Albanian market a competitive one," said PM Nano.

The representatives of the companies thanked PM Nano for the support that the Albanian Government is giving to foreign investments and assured him that they were going to start their activity soon. /a.ke/mima/lm/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Collective penalization of the old law "On figure of officials" was like class struggle

He considered as positive the amendments to this law by the Parliament last Thursday.

"The old law was not democratic, and led to the sentencing of innocent people. According to this law, those presumed as culprits were sentenced," said Bezhani.

"Another weak point of the old law was the penalization for a vocational education. A person must be sentenced for the penal act he has carried out and not for the school he has attended," added Bezhani, referring to the school of the Interior Ministry or to the courses for informers.

Violation of hierarchic principles in the old law was one of other points Bezhani insisted in.

He explained that at a time when the law sentenced informers, the chairmen of the public order branches, the generals and voluntary collaborators, who had no dossiers but posed a threat, were not sentenced.

The law "On the control of the figures of officials and other people related with the defence of the democratic state," adopted in November 1995, limited the acceptance in state structures posts of set former employees who met all the conditions for the post.

With the amendment made to the law, limitations have been lifted for those who have graduated the Higher School of the Interior Ministry, for most of those who have worked in public order bodies, those who have been collaborators of the State Sigurimi structures, and are not involved in political activity and for many people who have witnessed in non-political processes.

Bezhani also raised the problem of the working conditions for the Commission and said that if these needs for the commission were not met within ten days, he would resign his post. /s.s/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Leaders of FILE to visit Albania

According to spokesman Agron Haxhihyseni, the delegation, to be headed by the Secretary General of FILE, Michael Dysen, and consist of Mario Pescante, President of the Italian Olympic Committee, and Mateo Pellicone, President of the Italian Federation of Wrestling, Weight-lifting and Karate as well as vice-president of FILE.

During their stay in Albania, the FILE top leaders will meet the deputy minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kreshnik Tartari. a.ke/mima/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] I will not allow retaliation as long as I lead SP - Nano

"A part of the DP is seeking bloodshed at any cost. There are two ways we are faced with: either to pay it back in the same coin or ignore that part, inviting the DP to cooperate and leave it to justice to act," said Nano at the General Steering Committee (GSC) of this party on Monday.

"It is not the old DP the real opposition. If we admit this we should lock parliament, abandoning them in their clamour. They have been boycotted by the majority of the people for their bad governing;

Let the General Steering Council keep calm because the real opposition are the people's troubles, their problems," he said.

"It is wrong to think that we will leave power under DP pressures," Nano told the GSC members. If someone takes power, this will not be Berisha, but the vote of the people."

"The country needs calm and we should not radicalize the situation," said Nano, adding: "Nano must have been the most radical persons if we consider the past, but he will allow no one to retaliate against political opponents as long as he is in power." a.s/mima

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Ruci elected SP Coordinating Secretary

"The sector of coordination was created to coordinate the work of the party with its legislative and executive structures," said the newly- appointed Ruci.

"The need for the creation of this sector aroused because SP is lacking the experience in the coordination of these structures," said Ruci.

Gramoz Ruci was Interior Minister at the beginning of 1991 and SP Secretary General until 1996, a post from which he resigned, while Luan Hajdaraga was deputy chairman of SP until its last congress in 1996 and presently he is chairman of the Parliamentary Commission of Public Order and SHIK. /s.sh./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] With allies we have been dignified but also too tolerant - Nano

"We have nourished clear ideas in the five party coalition. Nothing can be repaired without the contribution of all. A party which comes to power in the conditions we did, cannot resolve problems overnight. We will keep working to reconstruct the institutions," said Nano at the meeting of the General Steering Council (GSC).

"We have not met today to blame one another, but to speak of the future. What unites us is the philosophy of co-governing," said Nano.

"All are giving opinions, but few are working. No one should use the SP as a baton, or office," said Nano.

"No one should be surprised at the fact that the SP absorbs people who have no party cards or who have not shouted in rallies. Of importance is to attract people who can contribute to the creation of a new society," Nano said.

The GSC of the SP, which continues proceedings, is expected to coopt in its leadership two former members, Luan Hajdaraga and Gramoz Ruci.

At the end of the meeting the SP coordination secretary will be elected. s.s/mima/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] We have created space of cooperation for opposition - Dokle

They discussed the political situation in Albania, the question of the Constitution, DP's participation in the Parliament and the priorities of the Albanian foreign policy.

"We have worked to create space of cooperation for the opposition," said Dokle.

Referring to the issue of the preparation of the Constitution, Dokle said that "The Constitution is indispensable for all political forces. The parliamentary majority is interested in a broad consensus of the political forces on this question.

According to Dokle, Albania's integration in the international structures is a priority of the Albanian foreign policy. Referring to the question of Kosova, he said that "the Albanian state is interested in establishing the dialogue between Kosova and Belgrade, which was also noticed in the Nano-Milosevic meeting in Crete, the first of this level after 49 years.

Speaking of the situation in Albania, Dokle said to the delegation that the present circumstances make the capital punishment an indispensability.

"We are holding talks with CE experts on this issue," said Dokle.

"We are for the Constitution and hold that a consensus must be reached among all political parties on this question," said Pollo, according to whom, negotiation in the round table on this or other matters has not progressed because the law on Radio and Television was not being observed. According to Pollo, this parliament has not the legitimacy to approve a Constitution. /s.s/mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] CE considers opposition's boycott of parliament undesirable

Albanian Speaker of Parliament Skender Gjinushi said, at a meeting on Monday with the CE Ministers' Committee delegation, which has been visiting Albania since Sunday, that the work to draft and adopt a constitution continues.

"The Constitution Committee has been set up, based on the constitution law, whose package is controlled by no party," said Gjinushi.

He stressed that the Democratic Party (DP) has boycotted parliament as it does not recognise it.

"The deep Albanian crisis should have been resolved where it began on May 26,1996. The June 29, 1997 elections, although under difficult conditions, were held peacefully and reflected the will of the people on their governing," Gjinushi said.

The CE delegation met Monday with Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Justice Minister Thimio Kondi, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and Albanian parliament' representatives to this Council. mima/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Arbnori Association of Formerly Politically Persecuted stages hunger strike

Bakalli warned for a general strike of this association in case the government does not accept the requests of the Albanian lawyers and does not annul the abrogation of the above mentioned law.

Also attending the news conference were the Union for Democracy parties.

Several judges, who were appointed to their jobs after attending a six-month legal education course, have been staging a hunger strike since two weeks ago, demanding the abrogation of a law on the system of Justice, which does not allow them to carry out the task of the judge.

The Albanian parliament, last Thursday, adopted several amendments to the law:"On the scrutiny of officials' figure" which allows employment of certain people who meet all the employment conditions. mima/xh/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] CORRECTION-NANO-I will not allow retaliation as long as I lead SP - Nano

"A part of the DP is seeking bloodshed at all costs. There are two ways we are faced with: either to pay it back in the same coin or ignore that part, inviting the DP to cooperate and leave it to justice to act," said Nano at the General Steering Committee (GSC) of this party on Monday.

"It is not the old DP the real opposition. If we admit this we should lock parliament, abandoning them in their clamour. They have been boycotted by the majority of the people for their bad governing;

Let the General Steering Council keep calm because the real opposition are the people's troubles, their problems," he said.

"It is wrong to think that we will leave power under DP pressures," Nano told the GSC members. If someone takes power, this will not be Berisha, but the vote of the people."

"The country needs calm and we should not radicalize the situation," said Nano, adding: "Nano must have been the most radical persons if we consider the past, but he will allow no one to retaliate against political opponents as long as he is in power." a.s/mima

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Constitution, most important political initiative - Meidani

Meidani pointed to the importance of improvements in the law system, to ensure independence and professionalism.

"Trust of the Albanian public in the law system is at the lowliest level, which makes it the sickest sector of the Albanian society."

The president stressed once again that "Drafting and approving a constitution is the most significant political undertaking of the country".

In this context he evaluated the commitments of the country's institutions that "the engine of this important national process be put to motion".

He also added that the country's legislation in many fields needs improvements and the new constitution will be a guarantee for the further improvement of this legislation.

Ambassador Dohmes and other delegation members expressed the will of the CE and other European organisation sto help consolidate the democratic process and rule of law in Albania and pointed to the"need of strengthening the climate of cooperation between Albanian and European institutions.

Meidani stressed that foreign investments are necessary to cope with the difficult social problems and restore the people's trust in the reconstruction of the Albanian economy.

The delegation members were also familiarised with the stand of the Head of State to resolve the issue of the Albanians in Kosova.

The participants in the meeting stressed the need of the international community's engagement in preventing an explosive situation in Kosova. s.sh/lm

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