Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-05

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press Review

[02] Water level lowers but road still blocked

[03] Landslide blocks movement

[04] Prime Minister asks maximum responsibility from government members

[05] President Meidani holds talks with U.S. congressmen -Full support for Albanian government policy-

[06] DAP supports prime minister's warning of changes in government

[07] British Helsinki corrects its report following OSCE letter

[08] Center Right boycotts parliament; DP supports it

[09] AUR against boycott of parliament

[10] Officers of criminal police to investigate also in Greece

[11] PM Nano did not speak of changes - says SP official

[12] French police ready to assist Albanian police

[13] British Minister calls on DP to join parliament

[14] Lloyd proposes EU office in Kosova to normalize situation

[15] Minister Solis should stay in government - says HRUP

[16] President of Austrian Parliament to visit Tirana on Monday

[17] Autonomy of local government in focus of national conference

[18] Lloyd urges Berisha to join parliament

[19] Agreements with EBI, clear signal for all investors - PM Nano

[20] "Greeks and Albanians are natural friends" - Kadare

[01] Press Review

"None should complain of the inherited shortcomings", is the title of an article of this paper, quoting Nano's words in this meeting.

The paper says that the prime minister has asked his cabinet members to make the balance sheet of their work and on this basis the political or administrative future of each of the cabinet members will be assessed.

The paper also carries the article :"Nano - the voice of civil concern".

Koha Jone considers the meeting of the Council of Ministers tense and carries the article:"Nano storms at ministers". The paper says that the prime minister has warned of discharges, citing him as saying:"It is high time to accept replacement by consensus or order".

It also carries the article:"Delayed waking of Nano", which says that yesterday, for the first time, Nano has been harsh with the ministers of his cabinet.

Also other papers cover the Meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Gazeta Shqiptare says:"Nano: it is our fault", and quotes him as saying:"Berisha is no more a cause, but pretext", "The Prime Minister harshly criticises ministers and warns of storm".

Rilindja Demokratike says:"The Prime Minister sincere in the government's meeting. The ministers and the opposition are to be blamed for the crisis". "Nano: We have failed", is the main title of this paper referring to the government's meeting.

Albania says:"The prime minister launches the idea of a new government cabinet". a.ke/lm

The papers continue to report on the visit of President Meidani to the U.S.. Koha Jone carries the article:"Meidani meets Clinton" and stresses that the Albanian President today will have a tete-a-tete meeting with the world's number 1.

The meeting was confirmed last night by the Albanian president's spokesman to the U.S. who also said that the two presidents will talk for 10 minutes.

Zeri i Popullit carries a clarification of President Meidani's press office that "The president has not requested a U.N. presence in Albania, but an increased influence of the U.N in easing tension in Kosova".

Meidani has asked aid to disarm the population in Albania, as according to him, "The U.N. and its bodies have a precious experience in this direction", the paper says.

Dita Informacion says:"Meidani, U.N. assistance for disarmament" and "Annan backs proposal of the head of state: 'We will support you". The paper carries the article:"Americans approve the Nano government policy".

Rilindja carries the article:"Meidani asked U.N. permanent presence in Kosova".a.ke/lm

The papers also dwell on the visit by the British Minister of State to Tirane.

Koha Jone says: "Lloyd: Kosova: not an affair of Yugoslavia". The paper says that Britain guaranteed, through British Junior Foreign Minister Tony Lloyd, the assistance the EU will provide to Albania.

Zeri i Popullit covers the meetings of Lloyd in Tirane yesterday. Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the paper quotes Lloyd as stating:"Many things have evolved for good".

As regards his meeting with Foreign Minister Milo the paper quotes him as saying:"We want to help you".

The paper says that Lloyd had denounced the DP boycott of the Albanian parliament and hailed the assistance provided by the European Troika to engage this party in the domestic legitimate processes.

Gazeta Shqiptare says: "British diplomat feels the pulse of official Tirana regarding the Kosova issue".

Dita Informacion cites Lloyd as stating:"The DP should take up seats in parliament".

Rilindja Demokratike says:"Lloyd for Milosevic: respect the Albanians' rights in Kosova" and "European Community calls on the parties to show self-control and not resort to violence".

Referring to Lloyd's visit to Tirane Rilindja says that his talks with the Albanian authorities focused on the situation in Albania and the Balkans".a.ke/lm

Analysing last year's events in Albania Koha Jone says that secret documents have been uncovered which testify of thousands of weapons in the hands of the SHIK under the signature of its former chairman Gazidede.

An article of this paper says that according to these documents Gazidede had taken the weapons before the imposition of the state of emergency.

"How were SHIK and the guard armed" is the title of another article of this paper which stresses that anti-aircraft guns, fire launchers, explosive devices, thousands of weapons had been in the hands of the agents.

Koha Jone says that "On March 1 Gazidede asked the Defence Ministry to provide SHIK with 1.000 automatic rifles, anti-tanks, explosive devices, around 400 000 cartridges". Other data show that "Rockets were deployed in the Guard's territory, but the guards did not know to use them".

Zeri i Popullit also reports on the last year's events. "Vlore to be suffocated with poisonous substance", the paper quotes former Interior Minister, former Defence minister and their colonels as ordering on February 10.

"Former officers of the Interior Ministry testify: 600kg of war poisonous substance was transported in the morning of February 10, 1997 to Vlore", the paper says stressing that the "operation in Vlore was led by General Agim Shehu".

Gazeta Shqiptare says:"Ngjela: Investigations in the Presidency, a very important material requested" and "Its relations with the SHIK and the Interior Ministry during the time of Berisha questioned".

The paper cites lawyer Ngjela as saying:"From the materials we have gathered it comes out that the ministries have cooperated with the presidency and we will clarify several questions about possible links between them". a.ke/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Water level lowers but road still blocked

The improvement of weather during last night and Thursday's morning has lowered the water level of Drino river and Viroi Lake, but the motor road remains blocked, sources of Gjirokaster police department say.

The electricity enterprise is working to put back to operation the district's electricity substation, which has not been working since 19.00 on Wednesday, due to the Drino river flood water.

A state of emergency staff, headed by district governor Sotiraq Manthi, has been created to cope with this grave situation.

Meanwhile forces of the Interior Ministry in cooperation with those of the Defence Ministry have taken all the necessary actions to keep the situation under control. s.s/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Landslide blocks movement

The landslide, as a result of heavy rains, has taken place at the site called Cold Water of Tepelene, near the drinking water establishment, four kms from the Tepelene town, sources of the regional police department told ATA.

The road enterprise has taken all measures to enable movement on this road. s.s/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Prime Minister asks maximum responsibility from government members

"I have understood all obstacles created on our way due to the inheritance of a corrupt, swollen, clumsy and paralysed administration. But, the time has come for none of us to complain of the inherited defects. From now on the faults will be only ours," Nano said at the government meeting on Wednesday.

He stressed that each of his cabinet members has had time to define their staffs, as well as the goals these staffs will serve.

"Now Berisha and all the administrative disorder he caused can no more be considered a cause but a pretext," he said.

Speaking of the implementation of the reform in public sector, the prime minister asked his cabinet to meet its committment to provide the public with complete information and transparency also as regards job cutting.

"Meanwhile, even I, as a prime minister of this government have not yet received a full information on who has been dismissed, how many and why, and, what is more important, how the replacements have been made," Nano said.

Absorption of aid and its administration was another issue tackled by the Prime Minister Nano at Wednesday's meeting.

"The Albanian society is encountering difficulties in absorbing the aid and, what is worst, it is not being provided with the appropriate information on how much aid and how many projects have been adopted, where do they go and who cares for them, who administers them, what is the destiny of their implementation and result".

Nano says that the ministries as well as state agencies should do more to facilitate life for the citizens.

He especially asked from the ministries, which manage simple daily services such as water, roads, electricity, hospitals, schools, down to license like services, to be more active.

Nano regarded giving the country a constitution as "the year's political key priority". He said that voting for a constitution should be a voting for the government and its move.

"The day of the constitution is certainly also a day of evaluation for us", Nano said asking the ministers to promote coordination with each other as well as with the Council of Ministers. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] President Meidani holds talks with U.S. congressmen -Full support for Albanian government policy-

"Tell me what you need and we will help you," he told Meidani.

Meidani evaluated the all round cooperation and support of the U.S. Institutions and Congress for Albania and laid the stress on the aid provided to the Albanian society to normalise life, integrate into Europe and, especially consolidate the institutions of the Albanian state.

They also concentrated on the issue of the constitution, as one of the most imperative tasks of the present Albanian policy.

President Meidani was assured full support for the policy of the Albanian government also by congressman Eliot Engel, who is at the same time chairman of the U.S. congressman group on Albania CAUCUS.

Engel evaluated the ongoing performance by the Nano government, pointing to the way the current issues in Albania are treated. pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] DAP supports prime minister's warning of changes in government

DAP, one of the coalition's five parties with three members in the government cabinet and two deputies said it is sure the changes will not affect its representatives.

"No DAP minister will be changed," the DAP secretary general Prec Zogaj told ATA. He said the DAP ministers are the people the Government should be proud of.

The Social-democrat representative on Thursday rejected that Interior Minister Ceka, chairman of this party might be affected by the changes.

"This ministry has worked well and has been the Government's pride in and outside Albania," Zogaj said.

What will be the reaction if the DAP ministers are dismissed from the Government?

"These are only guesses," said Zogaj.

In yesterday's government meeting Nano included DAP in the progressive political spectrum,.

"We are progressives because we want progress," said Zogaj insisting that he belonged to the centre-right.

Recently the leader of this party, Neritan Ceka, was invited to France by the RPR, the biggest party of the French right wing. lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] British Helsinki corrects its report following OSCE letter

On a recent visit to Tirana members of the British Helsinki Human Rights Group visited the Judges and were dismayed by the fact that other organizations mandated to deal with human rights matters in Albania had shown no interest in their condition. It was also unfortunate that statements made on Albanian television accusing these men of indulging in a deceit by eating and drinking while on hunger strike were not contested by any of these bodies.

As for the question of unanimity within international bodies I would like to add this. The joint statement issued by the Council of Europe, OSCE and members of the European Parliament was made after our own initial report. Statements made by the BHHRG are brought up to date regularly and this will be corrected. However, in the past there have been nuances in the approach of these different organizations to problems in Albania. Whether or not it is a good thing for these bodies to concentrate on urging the Albanian government to adopt a new constitution rather than sticking to their obligations under the present document is a matter of debate.

We shall continue to monitor the situation in Albania closely. In the meantime, your positive intervention in this tragic episode is to be welcomed". lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Center Right boycotts parliament; DP supports it

DP, through a letter of its chairman, Sali Berisha, addressed to OSCE on Wednesday regarding the statement of the European troika, supported the recommendations of the declaration and considered them acceptable regarding participation in parliament and the constitution issue. But right after the positive reply of Berisha for the interruption of the boycott, it seems to have been found another pretext to do the contrary.

In the letter addressed to OSCE recently, Berisha wrote that "the DP presidency decided to recommend to the national council of this party to end non participation as a sign of protest of the DP parliamentary group in parliament." But as it seems, this promise will be still far to be realised. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] AUR against boycott of parliament

"The problems cannot be solved through protests in streets, but by fighting inside the institution, such as parliament. The United Right considers the parliament legal, also based on the statement of the European troika for its legitimacy, added Mehdiu, although we support the idea of holding free elections. These should be held when the constitution is drafted, the election law is changed and a calm political climate is restored."

The chairman of the Democratic Right, Petrit Kalakula, considered groundless and personal the statements of the National Front leaders to freeze the relations of this party, as long as pseudo right forces take part in this grouping.

"We consider the National Front part of the United Right. It is their right to define their stand and position towards our grouping, although we have not taken any statement from the chairman of this party, Abaz Ermenji. No party, and more over Hysen Selfo or someone else, can decide the expulsion of a party or many parties from a political grouping. We have a common platform and thus we should take a common decision," said Kalakula.

The United Right voiced its reserves towards the government coalition, which should keep the promises. It condemned the violent policy of the Serbian regime against the Albanian population in Kosova, urging the international bodies to intervene for the solution of this issue. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Officers of criminal police to investigate also in Greece

This was the essence of the agreement reached between the leaders of Gjirokaster police and the leaders of police of Epirus, Ioannina, Igumenice and Corfu, in a meeting held Thursday in the police commissariat of Gjirokaster.

Both parties considered the agreement very important.

The Greek party also brought a quantity of aid, mainly typing machines, cellular telephones and others. The police of this region are expected to bring clothes, radio, batons and other equipment for the police of border zones in Southern Albania. /s.s/pas/mt

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] PM Nano did not speak of changes - says SP official

"The Prime Minister talked about increase of responsibility, said Ruci, I hope no changes will take place, but if someone does not fulfill his duty, even changes can be made."

According to Ruci, returned in SP presidency several weeks ago, the speech of Nano has been normally welcomed in this party: Fatos Nano spoke of his post as a Premier and at the same time as a party chairman, his concerns are also of the Socialist Party and its electorate."

Nano mentioned in his speech the public sectors with many problems: water supply, electricity, streets, which are concerns of all the people. There are people behind lack of water supply, and streets with holes, that's why these persons have to bear the responsibility. /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] French police ready to assist Albanian police

Geant stressed that the French party is ready to help training of Albanian students and officers and to help with technic assistance the Albanian special units.

Minister Ceka on his side, talking about the situation in Albania, pointed out the work done by the police in returning normality and restoring order in the country.

"The Albanian police, stressed Ceka, are facing the phenomena of the international crime such as terrorism, drugs and smuggling, meanwhile that they lack experience and the necessary material means."

Minister Ceka conveyed to the French police representatives the invitation to hold a visit in Albanian of his French counterpart Chevenement

Albania's Interior Minister Neritan Ceka was in France in the framework of an official visit. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] British Minister calls on DP to join parliament

After a two-day-visit in Albania, Lloyd held a news conference, reconfirming the commitment of the international community to assist Albania.

"We will help Albania in its road towards the European Union, taking into consideration the fact that this year we will hold the EU rotating presidency," said Lloyd.

He added that the political support of the European Union is conditioned by the progress and the democratization of Albania.

Lloyd said that the European Union has allocated recently an aid worth 550 million ECU.

"We can help the reconstruction of the country, while Albania takes the decisions," said the British Minister. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Lloyd proposes EU office in Kosova to normalize situation

"The EU office would be to the good of Albanians and Serbs in Kosova, " said Lloyd.

He considered the situation in Kosova grave and warned that this situation may also have effects outside Kosova.

"The solution of this situation needs the European engagement and the international engagement for this problems is real and evident," stated the British Minister.

LLoyd stressed that the pressure exerted by the international community aims at engaging Milosevic to accept the dialogue for the solution of the Kosova issue.

"We call on Milosevic to take a decision for dialogue with the representatives of Kosova," ended Minister Lloyd. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Minister Solis should stay in government - says HRUP

"I don't know yet what has Nano said," HRUP chairman Vasil Melo told ATA on Thursday.

HRUP said it is very pleased from its representatives in the Government, particularly from the Minister of Health and Environment, Leonard Solis.

"He is not a candidature to be removed from the government, because he is carrying out his duty perfectly well," said Melo. The HRUP head did not show interest for the fact that Premier Nano mentioned the health sector as one of the problems of his cabinet.

Along with the Minister of State, the HRUP has also the deputy Minister of Labour in Nano government. This party has three deputies in parliament and has participated in different coalitions.

"I cannot say now what shall we do if our minister is removed from the government," said Melo. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] President of Austrian Parliament to visit Tirana on Monday

"The Austrian parliament has offered consultancy for the constitution drafting process, and this issue is expected to be among the main topics of talks that Fischer will hold in Albania," deputy Speaker Namik Dokle told ATA on Thursday.

Fischer will hold talks with President Meidani, PM Fatos Nano, Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, with representatives of the whole political spectrum, co-chairmen of the commission for drafting a new constitution, parliamentarians and government members.

"The visit of Fischer aims at developing the relations between the two countries and parliaments," said Dokle.

According to him, the concrete aid of the Austrian parliament for the Albanian parliament is expected to be discussed during the meetings. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Autonomy of local government in focus of national conference

The conference was organized by the Institute of Contemporary Service with president dr Genc Ruli, in cooperation with the International Republican Institute and the Secretariat for local government. It had in its focus the Card of Local Autonomy and the level of adoption of principles of this Card in the Albanian practice.

The director of local government department, Taulant Dedja, said that one of the main defects of this government, more than the legislation, has been the observation of law in practice. "The policy or militancy in one party or another should not infringe the observation of law," he said.

The specialists held a debate regarding the budget of town halls, improvement of laws, functioning of municipal police, new administration division in the Albanian territory, and others. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Lloyd urges Berisha to join parliament

Lloyd stressed the great importance of drafting a new constitution and greeted the decision of the DP presidency to recommend to the national council the return of DP parliamentary group in parliament. Also, Minister Lloyd hailed the stand of DP towards the Kosova issue, stressing that Great Britain and the European Union are against the violent change of borders and will be engaged for the solution of this problem. "We, stressed Lloyd, have urged Belgrade to open an EU office in Prishtine, implementation of the agreement on education and respect of human rights of Albanians in Kosova."

Berisha, on his side, stated that "we have been resolute not to stay outside parliament and did not want either to boycott it, but we could not allow them use us as a facade," DP release says.

"We are engaged in having a fruitful constitutional dialogue in the process of drafting a new constitution," said the democratic leader. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Agreements with EBI, clear signal for all investors - PM Nano

Nano also said that "Albania has no other solution, except being aggressive to attract foreign projects and investments, which will find here all legal guarantees and security, by accelerating procedures and training the experts, who despite the senior officials, will be stable partners of foreign financial organizations."

The government is seriously and urgently discussing the draft of a legal framework to resolve the difficulties created by the ownership on land, continued Premier Nano. We have inherited a legal chaos from previous administrations in this direction, but will soon find a solution, which should please all the old land owners," said Nano.

Along with the acts signed today for the road Durres-Vore, as well as the Agreement-Framework, said Matis, "The European Bank of Investments is very interested and is intensifying the steps to start the delivery of financing for the road corridor East-West and North-South." /s.sh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] "Greeks and Albanians are natural friends" - Kadare

The meeting is reported by the Greek news bulletin, Foreign Ministry press department reports.

Avramopullos also said that "the current period has been characterized by good and deep relations between the two neighbouring countries."

While our renowned writer stated that "The Greeks and Albanians are natural friends," adding that "Athens is a special city for Albanians."

Kadare also voiced his security that "the cultural cooperation will help the relations between the two parties even in other fields."

Ismail Kadare participated Monday in the presentation in the Greek language of his novel "Spiritus," an activity organized by the publishers in Greece and the French Embassy in Athens. /s.sh/mt/

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

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