Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-29

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Ngjela Commission to report in Parliament next week

[02] Press review (1)

[03] Press review (2)

[04] Alarm for drug distribution - consumers association

[05] Albania's PM wishes Moslem believers on Bairam

[06] Israelite state gives award for two families from Librazhd

[07] Albania's President wishes Moslem believers on Big Bairam

[08] All political forces should cooperate for Constitution

[09] Albanian, Italian premiers discuss bilateral relations on phone

[10] Italian entrepreneurs are not going to leave Albania, Fabri says

[11] Soros says Albania is one of my priorities

[12] Democratic party resumes parliamentary activity

[13] Has to have telephone code service

[14] Four people badly injured by a hand grenade

[15] Minister says police capable of tracking down killers

[16] Process to integrate Albania in EuroAtlantic structures speeds up

[01] Ngjela Commission to report in Parliament next week

"The report will be on the documents from the Interior Ministry, Defence Ministry and the National Information Service (SHIK)," the chairman of this commission, Spartak Ngjela, told ATA.

Ngjela did not give other details regarding the meeting, because the law does not allow this.

The investigation parliamentary commission on events of January-June 1997 functions on basis of a law, approved by Albanian Parliament in October last year. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Press review (1)

"There are spies with files in top ranks of the Albanian justice." The bomb, according to Gazeta Shqiptare, has been thrown by the head of the Scrutiny Commission, Nafiz Bezhani, right after the first meeting held Wednesday behind closed doors. "We examined high ranks of the Albanian justice," declared Bezhani, keeping their names top secret. According to the same paper, sources from this commission have said that "There are two spies, who were proved as such after the examination of documents."

Koha Jone, in the article entitled "Gjinushi: File for Berisha to be opened," explains that four members of the scrutiny commission and its head have decided to ask Parliament and the Council of Ministers the discharge within 15 days of these top officials of the state administration. Bezhani, according to this paper, has explained that "the discharge from job is personally communicated to the person interested. The request which is presented to the People's Assembly by the Commission, even the separate data, are secret and are protected by law." This request for the discharge from job of a top official, named by parliament, will be introduced in the agenda of the Assembly and will be examined within two weeks. The commission also asked on Wednesday the discharge of another official, depended by the Council of Ministers. The same paper quotes Speaker Gjinushi, who reported to ATA on Wednesday that "Also the figure of former president Berisha must be re-verified, although, in fact, his figure has never been scrutinized." Gjinushi also said that "Berisha's figure has never been verified because the law, drafted in 1995, was not applied for the people elected before January 1996, and the association of the formerly prosecuted did not complain of this, as it is doing now, demanding that the law be amended."

On the conclusions of scrutiny commission, as well as on the statements of Gjinushi, all daily papers write on the first pages, like Dita, Shekulli, Zeri i Popullit. While Rilindja Demokratike, which considers Bezhani "blind tool of the clique," has stressed in the subtitle that "the appointment in the head of the scrutiny commission of a person, unmasked in the past, has been considered as the best tool to politically use him." /s.sh/mt/

(more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Press review (2)

"Gjinushi: That's how we welcome DP," under this title Gazeta Shqiptare reports that Albania's Parliament Speaker has wished the democrats for changing their stand towards Parliament. "I wish they be prudent and give their contribution to the approval of laws," the paper quotes him as saying. But, according to Gjinushi, the denial of the boycott from DP is not directly connected with its clear political decision, declaring that "There has been the European troika and the clear message given from it to join parliament that has changed the line of boycott for Berisha and his deputies." According to the same paper, for Gjinushi "the aid that DP deputies should give to the debate and approval of laws in the Albanian parliament is important."

Koha Jone underlies the fact that the democrats have not replied in writing to OSCE. The demand of OSCE arrived Wednesday in the blue headquarters and according to DP leader, for the formulation of the reply, the presidency should convene. "There is no kind of obstacle, despite the presidency meeting, which should be held in order to give a preliminary reply," explained Berisha in a news conference on Wednesday.

With regard to this problem, Shekulli cites Berisha as saying "We should discuss it in presidency, and then sent it to the national council of the party," being sure that the current meeting of this council has to be convened only after three months, in April.

In this way, it seems that the high decision-taking body of democrats will define the further stands to be followed by DP, both towards Parliament and regarding the reply in writing for troika, stresses Koha Jone. It also says that the democratic leader in this conference, has plunged again into full mystery the stand to be maintained by the party he leads towards the parliamentary commission of drafting a constitution. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Alarm for drug distribution - consumers association

As the chairman of this association, Islam Cani, declared to ATA, in all the regions of Albania, hashish and cannabis are known as sedative plants since years '20, but at that time they have not been planted and there was no particular interest to use them massively. Around '60s, the Russians, the Italians and the Albanians who live in Macedonia and Kosova, the Albanians from Greece, but even those from America, pointed out these narcotic plants and other ones, talking about their positive "influences" in family conversations.

Since then, these narcotic plants were used in form of smoking (like cigarettes), in boiled water (hashish), in form of aromatic packages to calm down sensible kids, to release belly-aches, ear-aches, and others. These plants were also used in alcoholic drinks for men and aromatic drinks for women, to bring sleep or fun.

Due to observations, it comes out that in Albania, the number of those who have used drugs reaches 30 000. They belong to different ages. Some 20 000 of them have abandoned it.

The largest percentage of drug addicts is at boys, whose average age is 20-25 years old. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Albania's PM wishes Moslem believers on Bairam

Nano expresses the conviction that "The Moslem community and all the other religious communities are a great force which fruitfully influences on the minds and hearts of believers to calm down and pacify the spirits, to increase the love for work and the country's prosperity." /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Israelite state gives award for two families from Librazhd

Attending the ceremony organized on this occasion, was, along with local government leaders, the first secretary of the Israelite embassy in Rome, Tibor Sehlosser.

The human act of the inhabitants of Qarrishte village was remembered for the participants, who risked themselves to help Hebrew refugees coming from Greece. One of these families, Bicaku, has sheltered 26 persons. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Albania's President wishes Moslem believers on Big Bairam

"I wish all the Moslem believers and through them all the Albanian people for a happy year, and to enjoy not only Bairam but all the other holidays," said President Meidani.

"To work together for the social peace, for a real order and for the disarmament of population," said Meidani stressing the fact that "a cooperation with religious communities and associations would be fruitful for this problem, because the weapons in the hands of people are always a potential danger for the continuity of life and I think that such a cooperation will be reached."

"Let this be a day of reflection to build the state of peace, understanding and human love," ended President Meidani.

The chairman of the Albanian Moslem Community, Hadji Hafiz Sabri Koci, said that "The Bairam of this year should open the doors of luckiness and peace for the whole Albanian people."

Also, Hadji Hafiz Sabri Koci asked President Meidani to give an allowance for the construction of a big mosque, which according to him has been promised even by the previous government.

Meidani on his side promised that for this problem he would organize a meeting with representatives of local government and Moslem Community, in order to resolve this problem.

President Meidani also held a visit on the Halvetiane small mosque, wishing its leader and the believers on Bairam.

"Let the life, peace of the individual, family and the whole people triumph," stressed Meidani.

Also, Albania's PM and other representatives of the government, different political parties, senior officials of diplomatic corps, accredited in Tirana, wished the Big Bairam. /s.s/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] All political forces should cooperate for Constitution

SHKODER, Jan. 29 (ATA) - The local representative of OSCE office in Shkoder, Florian Ronik, held Thursday a meeting with representatives of domestic and foreign press.

After briefing on the work of this office, which covers the northern region of Albania, Ronik said that "we are attentively following the economic, political and social situation in Albania and we notice obvious improvements." This office keeps constant contacts with the bodies of local government and NGO-s, with which, according to him, "the cooperation has been fruitful for the further democratization of the life in the country."

With regard to the recent events in Shkoder, Ronik said that "we observe that events in Albania precipitate rapidly, for the good or for the bad." Order and tranquility should be restored immediately to let foreign investors come and invest in this region, he said.

Regarding drafting of a constitution, Ronik said that all the political forces should cooperate. Also, according to him, a commissioner for media is expected to come in Tirana soon, who will help its monitoring.

The OSCE office in Shkoder was opened four months ago with a ceremony attended by the former Austrian chancellor, Franz Vranitzky. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian, Italian premiers discuss bilateral relations on phone

A spokesman of the prime minister said that they discussed the preparations for the first "Fiera del Levante" fair in Albania in the premises of the International Culture Center and Palace of Congresses.

Both sides saw this activity as a very important event not only for the development of bilateral relations but also for the Balkan region.

Promoting common initiatives will help move ahead not only the process of dialogue already begun, but also the presentation of values, projects and concrete common commitments for development and strengthening of the Albanian economy.

Prodi congratulated the Albanian prime minister for a very positive evaluation by the European Union for the work of the government he leads, in the E.U. last meeting in Brussels.

He stressed the importance of promoting the project of corridor 8th, expressing Italy's readiness to contribute as a E.U. member state in fulfilling it in time.

The talks also focused on other aspects of Albanian-Italian cooperation, including important activities in art, culture and sports, through concerts, exhibitions or important soccer matches. s.s/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Italian entrepreneurs are not going to leave Albania, Fabri says

"Head of the Albanian parliamentary commission on economy conveyed his and the Albanian parliament's condolences," Fabri said after a meeting with the chief commissioner Anastas Angjeli. "We praised this and asked him to be a mediator to the Albanian government that the latter control the Albanian territory, not only for us, foreign citizens, but also for the Albanians themselves."

"The meeting with the head of the parliamentary commission showed the availability of the commission to hear our suggestions on Albanian economic and financial laws, to exchange information in the framework of the rapports between the Albanian parliament and the civil society," said Luigi Fabri.

On Tuesday, an Italian entrepreneur was killed in the suburb of Tirana and police managed to catch one of the killer on Wednesday.

Fabri praised the information given by Angjeli and confirmed that his nationals will remain in the country of eagles. s.s/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Soros says Albania is one of my priorities

"The Project on Development of Education and Foundation for the Open Society for Albania have been engaged in several projects from which a large number of Albanian citizens can profit. The help of the Albanian government is necessary to this end, particularly in creating customs' facilities, which can guarantee fruits of our works," said the letter conveyed on Thursday to Nano by the Soros representatives in Tirana.

"We will create facilities within a most appropriate time," Nano told the representatives of the project on Development of Education and Foundation of Open Society for Albania.

"Agreeing in principle with your requests, the government should find solutions, which cannot run contrary to commitments it has undertaken towards international financial organisations."

"The Soros's activity in Albania will be backed and guaranteed utilising all possibilities the Albanian government has in its disposal," Nano said and invited Soros to engage in other projects in Albania. s.sh/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Democratic party resumes parliamentary activity

The DP deputies Azem Hajdari and Ferdinand Xhaferri attended on Wednesday a meeting of the parliamentary commission of defence with a NATO delegation, headed by Ulrih Brandeburg, functionary of the political affair division in the International Staff of the North Atlantic Organisation.

A member of the NATO delegation said that the group headed by Brandenburg met with Hajdari and Xhaferri as members of the parliament commission and the first is the member of this commission.

Representative of the Albanian Defence Ministry said that the meeting was organised by the ministry in such a way that the NATO delegation had a meeting with the parliamentary commission and not with special opposition representatives.

Xhaferri, the DP deputy, told journalists that the meeting was "with a special representation," refusing to elaborate, while Hajdari refused brutally to speak to media and before TV cameras.

This was the first time after a legislative boycott, that the DP deputies attend the sessions of the parliamentary commission. Xhaferri, himself had rejected a few weeks before the participation of the Albanian delegation in an NATO conference. s.sh/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Has to have telephone code service

The telephone network will be extended to other 29 villages of the district.

Telephone lines were increasingly damaged during unrest last year, damage estimated at 6,6 million leks. ake/kled/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Four people badly injured by a hand grenade

Police sources said to ATA that the people wounded are Ardian Liçi, 26, Emiliano Miçani, 22, Hekuran Fuatllari, 32, and Orion Lloshi, 25.

A quarrel has been the cause of this incident, which includes other two inhabitants of the same road whose names were not revealed. They have thrown a grenade towards them (injured) and left for an unknown direction.

The injured were sent immediately to the hospital and hospital sources said that two of them were sent to Selanika while the other two had undergone an operation.

A passerby has also been injured due to the grenade explosion.

Police sources said that they have identified those responsible and are tracking them down. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Minister says police capable of tracking down killers

Referring to the latest killing whose victim was the Italian Stefano Rossi, 24, Ilir Çano, deputy Police Director General, said that police went immediately to the venue and managed to identify and the killers and catch one of them within a short time.

He considered this a crime "which has influenced ever so little acute problems Albania is facing" and added that "we are ready, in any case, for the foreign investors to cooperate with the order bodies, police directorate in Tirana, Interior Ministry and other local police bodies.

Lieutenant colonel Pascuale Guaglione of the Bari police headquarters, who runs the inspectors of the operation center 19 at the Tirana police directorate, said that this incident "being a criminal act without other links, can help the Italian community living or working here to stay calm. Police are showing how able they are in cooperation with the Italian force to track down the killer." ake/kled/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Process to integrate Albania in EuroAtlantic structures speeds up

This was confirmed on Thursday in a meeting of the Albanian Secretary of State for Euroatlantic integration Maqo Lakrori and the NATO expert delegation, headed by Ulrih Brandenburg.

Brandenburg praised the work of all Albanian respective structures to speed up processes for Albania's integration in the Euroatlantic structures.

"Albania's individual program of Partnership for Peace aims at creating most favourable conditions to bring it closer to NATO's structures, " he said, stressing the satisfied professional skills, which enables assimilation of NATO programmes.

On his part, Lakrori praised the NATO's commitment to help reorganise the Albanian army in the framework of the Partnership for Peace and Individual program of Partnership with Albania.

He reiterated the determination of the Albanian government to continue the democratic reforms and move ahead to achieve Albania's integration in Euroatlantic structures.

Lakrori acquainted the NATO delegation with the work to draw out a platform of a strategy of Euroatlantic integration, a process which guarantees participation of Albanian institutions based on nation-wide support and consensus of all political parties.

"Albania's preparation for NATO and European Union membership is part of this Euroatlantic integration," Lakrori said. ake/kled/ak/

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

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