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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-20Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Press Review(Part 1)TIRANE, Jan 20 (ATA) - "Spies, alarm in SP" is one of the headlines in the independent paper Koha Jone which covers the concern expressed in Monday meeting of the Steering Council of SP, stressing that "the militants are playing in two goals." The paper cites deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino to have said that "The people we have appointed are serving DP." Fino said in the meeting that "The directors named by SP in important institutions in the districts, attend DP meetings; they want to be good to both sides." With regard to that meeting, Zeri i Popullit, under the title "Socialists; dignified, open and cooperative," carries the address of the chairman of the SP, Fatos Nano. The newspaper publishes the press release of the SP spokesman "Albania is going towards normalization."Newspaper Koha Jone writes on Tuesday on the visit to Tirane of the delegation of the Council of Europe, which took interest in various issues, this preceding another group of representatives of CE to come the next week. Koha Jone cites the Foreign Minister Paskal Milo who met with this delegation that possibilities of cooperation exist between the ruling coalition and the opposition, an effort which according to Milo, is not being supported by a part of the opposition. Regarding this problem, Gazeta Shqiptare writes that the "Albanian policy is being confronted again in the eyes of Europe." This paper cites the leaders of the CE delegation saying that "Either establish dialogue urgently, or we will review our stance." (more) /a.ke/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] (Press... part 2)"Anti-Vlore plan disappears" says Koha Jone stressing that "the materials on crushing the rebellion are not found". The paper says that "the plan drafted the quashing of the massive uprising in the coastal city in February last year, and the killing of Artur Rustemi".Koha Jone quotes on this issue sources of the Attorney General's office, saying that ongoing investigations by the Vlore prosecutor's office show that the detailed police plan to stamp out the usury revolts by the beginning of '97 turns out to be lost. Republika says that "the operative plan signed by former senior official of the Interior Ministry, former Police Director General Agim Shehu, has disappeared". Gazeta Shqiptare quotes Prosecutor General Arben Rakipi as saying on Monday that "former Police Director General Arben Prrenjasi and former director of the Tirane Police Department Pashk Tusha, should be asked to explain the Vlore events of last March as well as the killing of Artur Rustemi. Shekulli also handles this issue saying that "Agim Shehu has eliminated proofs of the operation plan". Koha Jone, after reporting that Giani de Michelis, Graffini and administrator of "Levante & Co", have been cleared, regarding the Italian Aid to Albania in 1991, says that Fatos Nano will appear in the Tirane district court next week. The paper quotes Nano's lawyer, Perparim Sanxhaku, as saying that he would begin to apply new procedures on Nano's innocence next week. Meanwhile, DP leader Berisha told a news conference on Monday that "as I have decreed pardon for the current prime minister, I may as well return to parliament to raise my hand for Nano's amnesty". Newspaper Shekulli writes on Tuesday of the great pressure on the Prime Minister to sent to court DP chairman Sali Berisha. "Fight in SP: Sali Berisha to be tried," is the title of an article of this paper pointing out that Brokaj is against the SP leader regarding the stand towards former president. "DP is demanding confrontation at any cost, but we shall ignore it through our continuous calls to it to take part in the political life," said Nano in the meeting of the SP Leading Council yesterday. But despite the declarations of Nano, as newspaper Shekulli writes, many of the specialists at high levels are against this idea. "Nano does not make laws, " said Defence Minister Brokaj for Shekulli. In regard to this question, Gazeta Shqiptare writes that Attorney General Rakipi has declared "I am ready to investigate into Berisha." Rakipi, according to the above paper, said on Monday that the report sent to him by Commission Ngjela is on his table. "If the parliament will consider that material and give the green light, then that report will take the full value of an indictment," said Rakipi. Also the Parliament Speaker Gjinushi told a news conference on Monday referring to Berisha that "Berisha is a great political culprit and the main actor for the destruction of Albania." Zeri i Popullit reports that on Monday the Government adopted the budget of 1998, describing it as a "budget of the macro-economic stabilization ." Zeri i Popullit writes that "this budget is prepared after intensive consultations with IMF missions and by taking into consideration all the programs and projects of the assistance guaranteed in the Donors' conferences of Rome and Brussels." Focusing on the issue of economy, newspaper Shekulli writes that "German giants 'covet' the Rinas airport terminal." This paper also writes that millions of dollars by the PHARE Progran will be put at the disposal of the development of the agricultural sector in Albania. ake/lm/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albanian opposition is playing with the card of nationalist radicalization - MiloTIRANE, Jan 19 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: "In the steps undertaken by the foreign policy for the improvement of the relations and the establishment of the dialogue with neighbours, the Government is working under the pressure of a part of the opposition which is trying to play politically the card of nationalist radicalization," Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo said in a meeting held on Monday with the CE delegation, led by German Ambassador Jonannes Dohmes. Milo said that the government coalition wants to cooperate with the opposition but the latter has followed the road of abandoning the institutions and is seeking the weakening of the state. He also stressed that "The ruling parties are being tolerant and constructive by adopting the policy of division of responsibilities with the opposition, but they have not found the same constructive spirit."Nevertheless, according to Milo, the Government coalition is resolute to continue on the road of the democratic reforms and political cooperation with all partners. Milo aslo pointed out the role of the European institutions for gathering round the table the political partners in Albania and the establishment of the political dialogue among the parties. By considering the constitution as one of the main obligations of the Government coalition, the chief of Albanian diplomacy voiced the commitment of the government for the preparation and adoption of the Constitution. In reply to the interest of the European representatives, Milo stressed that "the Albanian Government has undertaken the initiative for the development of relations with Belgrade and Skoplje, being convinced that in this way it will contribute to the solution of the problems and the implementation of peace in the Balkan region. /s.sh./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Information centre for illegal emigrants opens in AthensTIRANE, Jan 19 (ATA)-An information centre for illegal emigrants opened in Athens, recently, the Albanian Foreign Ministry's Press and Information department says, referring to Greek press sources.The office will provide information on the procedures to enroll and legalise the illegal emigrants, who are in Greece. The main task of this office is to precede the process of the emigrants' applications for legal status (carte blanche) and act as communicator between the emigrants and trade unions. The centre will offer information in nine languages: Polish, Russian, Arabic, Albanian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, English and French. The president of the Greek Workers General Confederation (GSEE), Kristo Polisopulos, said at the center's inauguration ceremony that "the legalisation process for illegal emigrants will be free of the socalled racial stands". A statement quoted by Greek press sources says that the Greek Minister of Labour and Social Insurances, Miltiadhis Papajoanu, has ordered all officials and trade unions to support the process of enrolling and legalising foreign illegal emigrants. s.s/mima/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Albanian needs constructive ruling coalition and opposition - DAP representativeTIRANE, Jan 20 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: Albania does not need a governing on a broader basis but a constructive opposition, Arben Imami, Democratic Alliance Party representative told ATA on Tuesday.SDP chairman Gjinushi launched in a news conference the previous day the idea of a possible co-governing with the opposition, but 'without Berisha.' "If DP will expel from its ranks the incriminated represented by Berisha and his clan, then the social democrats are ready for a government coalition between the ruling parties and the opposition," declared Gjinushi. But DAP seems not to agree to this option, saying that the country needs to have a strong opposition. "Gjinushi wanted to say that one cannot cooperate with Berisha, that is why he has brought to the fore the idea of a governing from the left to the right, without Berisha," said Imami. "Albania has never had a strong opposition; it (opposition) has been missing under the communist dictatorship, or has not been strong in the period of neo-totalitarianism of Berisha, he stressed. The latest idea of Gjinushi for the realisation of an historical compromise for a governing of the country by a left-right coalition, aims at laying the stablest possible foundations of the state and its consolidation, following the crisis of January-March, 1997. Imami was of the opinion that with the present parliamentary majority, the opposition has enough space to play a constructive role in the efforts of the state to recover and strengthen the institutions. "The constructive opposition, a role which DP must play, is the road which will realize a cooperation to the benefit of Albania," said Arben Imami. /s.s/pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Changes in Prisons' General DepartmentTIRANE, Jan 20 (ATA)-By Th. Thanasi, Albanian Justice Ministers Thimio Kondi on Monday made public the organic structure of the Prisons' General Department as well as the criteria on every position, the spokesman of this Ministry told ATA.According to the announcement, Beqir Metani was named the prisons' vice-director general. He replaced Bedri Çoku, was appointed vice-director of prison 325. Thanas Remnica was named director of prison 325, replacing Medi Dema, who was appointed chief of education in the same prison. For reasons of job abolishment, the former chief of personnel was appointed inspector of education. s.sh/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] European Parliament troika to accelerate work for preparation of Albanian ConstitutionTIRANE, Jan 20 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: The main mission of the delegation of the European Parliament troika, which will visit Albania from January 22-23, 1998, is the acceleration of the work to draft the Albanian Constitution, a press release of the OSCE office in Tirane said on Tuesday."Albania is the only European country which has not a formal and compact constitution agreed upon by all the parties," says the OSCE press release. In his message on New Year, 1998, Albanian President Rexhep Meidani declared that this year "will be the year of the Constitution." Albanians have started the debate on the content of the constitution, which will replace the insufficient existing legal provisions. The delegation will consist of seven members, senior representatives of the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. These members are: Frank Seaelen, President of Honour of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and President of the Senate in Belgium; Tana De Zulueta (Italy) Rapporteur on Economic Issues in the General Commission of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; Ms Leni Fischer, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly; the rapporteurs on Albania in the CE Parliamentary Assembly; Rene van der Linden (the Netherlands) and Jordi Sole Tura (Spain;) deputy President of the European Parliament, Renzo Imbeni (Italy) and Ms Doris pack, chairwoman of the Commission for Relations with Southeastern Europe in the European Parliament. These lawmakers represent the Socialist and Christian-Democratic parties of the respective countries. "They, along with the international community, have expressed the worry that even after the elections, Albania continues to lack the consensus to build a civil society," the statement says. The visit of this delegation is the first joint visit of three major European organisations to Albania. The OSCE missionin Tirane will coordinate the 24-hour visit of the European mission. The delegation will meet Albanian government senior officials and party leaders, including the constitution drafting commission, which was set up by decision of the Albanian parliament on September 3, 1997. s.s/xh/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Arch bishop Anastassios helps University of GjirokasterGJIROKASTER, Jan 19 (ATA) - By H Cani: The arch bishop of Tirane and all Albania, His Eminence, Prof Dr Anastassios, accorded an assistance of 2 million drachmas for the University Eqrem Cabej of Gjirokaster."This assistance, sources of the University rectorate told ATA, consists of material basis, mainly tables for work and computers, chairs and other equipment, to be delivered on Monday and installed in the new building attached to the existing premises." The Rector of this University, Banush Mezini, said that the assistance was promised two weeks ago by Arch Bishop Anastassios in a meeting he had with leaders of the rectorate. According to him, "only a part of the assistance is being delivered because a part of it was looted some days ago from the storehouses of the city of Gjirokaster." His Eminence, Arch Bishop Anastassios Jannulatus has promised the University leaders that the rest of the assistance will also be delivered to the University. /s.sh./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Government adopts Budget of 1998Tirane, Jan 19 (ATA)-The Albanian government on Monday adopted the budget of 1998.The main aim of the budget is to establish macro-economic stability by reducing budget deficit, based on a strict monetary discipline, control of expenditures and increase of the coefficient of collecting revenues. One of the most ambitious objectives of this budget is to absolutely reduce domestic deficit from 38.6 bln leks envisaged for 1997 to 28.9 bln in 1998. This figure will only address expenditures to handle the old debt and represents a deficit of 6.4 per cent of GDP, 3.6 per cent less than envisaged in the Government's programme in July 1997. Public investments will total 26.7 bln leks, from 12.5 for 1997 and 12.7 for 1996. Although only one year after the crisis, the Government has tried to maintain a satisfactory level of investments from domestic sources, substantially increasing investments financed by foreigners. The measures adopted to lower the evasion and for the restructuring and consolidation of the fiscal system during the end of 1997 with the intention intensifying it during 1998 are the prerequisites for the increase of budgetary income. The latter are envisaged to be 85 870 million lek or 78 per cent higher in the budget of 1998 as compared with 1997. This growth is expected to come mainly from a better administration of taxes and customs houses and the abolition of the exemption from taxes. The incomes from taxes are envisaged to be 74.5 per cent of the total. An important element of this budget is the 50 per cent increase of the expenses compared with 1997. In this increase, for the first time the Albanian budget will cover in its running account the growth of expenses with the incomes, hence the Government will not, for the first time, produce a new debt to keep itself going, but will treat the debt as inherited from the past. Through the state budget, the Government expects to realise also set social objectives through expenses on social assistance or subsidies on housing sector and unemployment. /s.sh./pas/lm/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Group of criminal police attacks Shkoder police departmentSHKODER, Jan 20 (ATA)-Criminal police officers of the Shkoder police department, who, since several days ago, have asked the discharge of the district police director, Mit'hat Havari, fired a volley of shots into the air at the city's main boulevard, on Tuesday.Sources of the district police department say that by 11.30 a.m., a group of 10 criminal police officers, one of whom in uniform, fired shots into the air at the city's main square and at several other spots of the city. The shooting terrorised the citizens, and as a result, streets were soon emptied and trade units closed. Meanwhile, according to the district police director, colonel Mit'hat Havari, at around 12.30, this group shot at the building of the district police department, seriously wounding two members of the Hostile Element Elimination and Neutralisation Unit (RENEA), Genc Hoshapi and Sokol Shepedeja. Havari says that their situation is critical and they will be airlifted to Tirane. The police forces immediately reacted and caught two of the aggressors, whose names are not yet revealed. Colonel Havari says that now the situation is under the control of the police forces. Yesterday, the district military prosecutor's office opened penal case against the criminal police members, who triggered today's terror in Shkoder. The 10-member group of the Shkoder District Police, had earlier asked the discharge of the head of this department, colonel Mit'hat Havari, after the latter's statements for the dismissal of the incriminated persons from the police ranks. s.s/pas/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Situation in Shkoder under complete control of police - CekaSHKODER, Jan. 20 (ATA) - A group of former criminal police officers of the Shkoder police department, discharged from work recently, fired a volley of shots into the air at the city's main boulevard on Tuesday morning thus injuring two police officers and terrorising the citizens.Albania's Interior Minister Neritan Ceka reported to ATA that "the situation in the town of Shkoder has been put under complete control of police forces." Ceka declared that after the district military prosecutor's office opened penal case yesterday against the two former criminal police officers, perpetrators of such acts over the past days in Shkoder, a group of former police officers attacked the commissariat of the northern town. Police sources reported that these persons, who are identified so far, have been involved in crime and are known as supporters of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP). "The two injured police officers have been hospitalized and their life is out of danger," said Ceka. The Interior Minister also stated that police are working to neutralise and detain the culprits. The Interior Ministry called Tuesday on all political parties and different associations in Shkoder to work together to lower tension and fight against criminality. Forces of RENEA and MAPE, European police present in Albania, went to Shkoder early on Tuesday. /mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Consulting council of former ambassadors set upTIRANA, Jan. 20 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: A consulting council, including former ambassadors, was set up on Tuesday, on the initiative of Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo to contribute to the draft of Albanian foreign policy.In the meeting held on this occasion, Milo said that "the contribution given by the ambassadors for the Albanian diplomacy and their further consultancy will serve to the effectiveness of Albania's foreign policy." According to the participants in the meeting, the ranks of this Council should increase in the future with other former career diplomats, despite party affiliation. Considering that the foreign policy of the Albanian state is not monopoly of the ruling party, but of the political class as a whole, Albania's Foreign Ministry has organized consulting meetings with former foreign ministers and senior diplomats of Albania. /s.sh/mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Criminals aim at provoking a new April 2 in ShkoderTIRANA, Jan. 20 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: The criminals, who triggered terror in the city of Shkoder early on Tuesday, aimed at provoking a new April 2 in Shkoder, the Interior Ministry spokesman reported, who added that the situation in this town is under the complete control of police.Armed persons, who are identified so far, perfidiously opened fire towards the Police Directorate in Shkoder. Due to this, two special police officers on duty, Genti Hoshafi and Sokol Shepeteja, were injured. "The police of Shkoder refrained from taking any action to avoid innocent victims," sources close to the Interior Ministry reported. According to the same sources, the bandits are incriminated people who are accused of many grabbing. The director of criminal police in the Interior Ministry, Besnik Bregu, reported to ATA that the situation in Shkoder has completely turned to normal. "All the objects of special importance and order in general have been put under the control of police of Shkoder and special forces of the Interior Ministry," said Bregu. /s.s/mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Berisha, his clan responsible for Albania's destruction - SP saysTIRANA, Jan 20 (ATA) - Socialist party (SP) condemned on Tuesday the events in Shkodra and the people responsible and called on all Shkodra citizens not to be manipulated by destabilising scenarios of Berisha's clan.The SP issued a public statement on Tuesday calling on the Shkodra people that "despite their political affiliations, they should not allow Berisha's clan and his incriminated people to experiment destabilising scenario for their interest, whose consequences will be a burden to ordinary people." "Through their hysteric calls, Berisha and his clan have already branded themselves in front of all Albanians as the real responsible for yesterday's and today's destruction of Albania," the statement said. The SP believes that the leaders of the local DP division have instigated today's events in Shkodra and "are openly defending the incriminated people and are trying to oppose the law on using weapons through scenarios drawn up and led by them." The SP shared the legitimate demand of Shkodra citizens to restore order and tranquillity as soon as possible, strictly applying law against all those who, for mere political reasons of Berisha's clan, are trying to speculate with feelings, moral and citizenship of Shkodra people. On the other side, the SP urged the Interior Ministry and the justice bodies to observe their competencies in conformity with the law and not allow the road pressures of whatever nature, which damage the efforts and determination of the coalition government to establish a rule of law. s.s/mima/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] President says foreign investors to be stimulatedTIRANA, Jan 20 (ATA) - Albania's president Rexhep Meidani had a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation of the well-known German Siemens company, headed by Rudolf Bertch, director of the company for East and Central Europe.Bertch presented to the Albanian president the company's ambitious in the Albanian market whose annual budget is estimated at $ 70 billions. The Albanian market is "very important and attractive and it is favourable for Siemens to invest now in many sectors," Bertch said. Meidani assured them that he will back their plans. "We are determined to re-establish democracy but now the reconstruction of economy is necessary something, which cannot be carried out without the help of foreign investors. Opening new jobs will reduce social problems and develop Albania," Meidani said. "Our present problem is to set up expert groups of different fields to assess soon and correctly the drawn up projects," he said. The German ambassador to Tirana Hans Peter Disdorn accompanied the delegation, including representatives from energetic sector, telecommunication, medical technology, transport and others. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Shkodra prefect convenes a meeting of political partiesSHKODER, Jan 20 (ATA) - By M. Malja: The situation in the city of Shkodra is calm and everything is under full control of the order forces, local police said to ATA on Tuesday.Sources of the prefecture said the prefect Gezim Podgorica convened all political forces in a meeting at 17. 00 p.m. to assess the situation and adopt measures to stabilize it further. The meeting was underway. s.sh./mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Domestic Information Director in Albanian Television quitsTIRANA, Jan. 20 (ATA) - By F. Nikolla: Enton Abilekaj, 25, resigned Tuesday from the post of the Director of Domestic Information in the Albanian Television, the only state-run-television in the country. Abilekaj left on his free will due to the disagreements with the Directorate of the Albanian Television."I do not agree professionally and I cannot change the convictions of the Director of the Albanian Television, Edi Mazi," Abilekaj reported to ATA. He was appointed in this post on December 1, proposed by Mazi. Abilekaj has previously worked in the newspapers "Populli Po," "Koha Jone," "Indipendent," and has run Radio 1, an independent radio channel. He was severely attacked by the Socialist Party paper, Zeri i Popullit, which is commented by Abilekaj as damaging the interests of this party in the policy of personnel in the state media. The director of the Albanian Television, Edi Mazi, told ATA that "he knew nothing about the resignation of Abilekaj," meanwhile that the latter has said that the written statement for his resignation was given to Mazi on Tuesday morning. "The leading council of Radio and Television has continuously exerted pressure for his removal, but I have insisted in his staying," stated Mazi, the main person accused of Abilekaj's resignation. /mima/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic AgencyFrom the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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