Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Soccer: Georgia beat Albania

[02] Two brothers arrested for placing explosive device

[03] Soldier kills his friend out of carelessness

[04] Some 51 timber processing units function in Shkoder

[05] Academy to have its own publishing house

[06] Albania's foreign minister leaves on formal visit to Slovenia

[07] "Eagle" unit operates in Durres

[08] Austrian parliamentary speaker visits Albania

[09] Fields of cooperation between U.S. and Albanian Justice defined

[10] Special police structure to help collect weapons

[11] Operation to vacate public premises starts in Gjirokaster

[12] Law should not be contested by strikes, justice minister says

[13] District council chairman of Korce named

[14] Former Albanian president to be treated in Greece

[15] Privatization strategy discussed in parliamentary commission

[16] "Solution of conflicts and disagreements" foundation celebrates 2nd anniversary

[17] Union for Democracy meets Austrian delegation

[18] Blockage of parliament's work should end - Fischer

[19] Former political prisoners put an end to hunger strike

[20] Austrians promise status between autonomy and independence for Kosova

[21] Opposition and majority ready to draft a new constitution

[01] Soccer: Georgia beat Albania

The Albanian representative has suffered three goals, two of which halftime, by the team of the former Soviet Union.

Albania will play Latvia after two days.lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Two brothers arrested for placing explosive device

The blast injured a ten-year old boy and caused other material damages.

The police are working to throw light on the motives of the act. s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Soldier kills his friend out of carelessness

The incident occurred on Sunday evening in a military aviation unit in Rinas with the soldier Dashamir Peqini, 22, from the city of Elbasan fired a volley of shots and killed his fellow, Taulant Kullolli, 22, from Elbasan, the same sources said.

An investigation team from the military police and that of the police commissariat 4 detained the killer and submitted the case to the military prosecutor's office. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Some 51 timber processing units function in Shkoder

According to the district statistics department, the units turn over seven percent of the district's total industrial output. The enterprise "Italshqip" produces various furniture, such as beds, chairs, cupboards, mostly for export.

The items produced by the timber processing companies in Shkoder are demanded in many districts of the country, which has made this industry a profit-making business.

In 1990, this district numbered only 6-7 simple carpenter's workshops, dealing with repairs. Now they have expanded their productive activity, meeting the increasing demands of the population for furniture. a.ke/cela/lm/

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[05] Academy to have its own publishing house

Head of the publishing sector Artion Baboçi said that the idea is to extend this activity by applying contracts with the third, authors, scholars and academicians guaranteeing three favourable conditions: high quality, accuracy and low cost, in comparison to a competitive market of publishing houses.

"We want that the academic publications be subsidized," Mira said.

He added that the decision of the Council of Ministers of 1995 paved the way for such a possibility for 1996 but it was interrupted in the following years.

"Such publications cannot be republished every two or three years," Mita said.

He added that a preliminary estimation showed that an extra fund worth 3.5 to 4 million leks annually is needed for publications, which include works related to production, economic development, ancient and new tradition. s.s/cela/ak/

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[06] Albania's foreign minister leaves on formal visit to Slovenia

He is expected to meet his Slovenian counterpart and other personalities and discuss bilateral relations and relations with other Balkan states, presence of both countries in the Southeastern bodies and their common activity in other international European organisations, a spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said. s.s/ak/

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[07] "Eagle" unit operates in Durres

The Durres citizens can call number 19 to signal the 24-hour service of this unit of any disturbance of their security and calm.

The chief of this unit, captain Elda Qerfyci, told ATA that the European Community Mission (MAPE) has helped create the operation hall and equip the unit with six "Fiat" Brava vehicles.

A 50-strong effective began operation today, especially patrolling places near schools, bars and intersections with the aim to prevent and attack crime.

Qerfyci adds that the phone number 19, at the disposal of the citizens, communication by radio of the operation hall as well as the patrol means will make police performance more effective./s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Austrian parliamentary speaker visits Albania

The Austrian parliamentary speaker was welcomed at the Rinas airport by his Albanian counterpart Skender Gjinushi and representatives of parliamentary groups.

During his two-day visit, Fischer will hold a series of talks with Albanian senior officials, president of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Fatos Nano, his counterpart Skender Gjinushi and leaders of all political parliamentary groupings both of the ruling government and opposition, including the DP leader Sali Berisha.

Dr Fischer is expected to meet with co-chairmen of the commission on constitution.

The talks will focus on relations between the two countries and parliaments, assistance of the Austrian parliament to draw out a constitution.

At the end of his visit, Fischer is scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday at 14.30 p.m. in the Rogner hotel. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Fields of cooperation between U.S. and Albanian Justice defined

The U.S. Justice Department will help and cooperate with the Albanian justice in fighting organised crime, money laundering, illegal trafficking, smuggling and corruption, Kondi told a news conference on Monday, after a several day visit to the U.S..

According to Kondi, all the meetings pointed to the indispensability of uplifting the professional level of the Albanian justice by training judges, prosecutors and experts in the field of Justice.

The cooperation between the two justice institutions "will also include fight against drug and assistance for the prison system," said Kondi, stressing that his suggestion that the two institutions reach agreements for mutual juridical assistance in Civil, Trade and Penal fields, " had been welcomed by the U.S. Justice Department senior officials. /cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Special police structure to help collect weapons

Police deputy chief, Milto Kordha said to ATA on Monday that "a 20- member special group, including police and military specialists is operating in the district to collect weapons stolen from military depots."

Kordha said that this group is acting separately of other police and military structures and that its members are trained in blitz operations.

The scope of the group is to collect an optimal amount of weapons, which are widely available in the hands of the district populace.

First results are positive because it (group) has managed to collect 300 ammunition cases, 19 rifles, 23 grenades, 7 650 cartridges and different kinds of ammunition. s.sh./cela/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Operation to vacate public premises starts in Gjirokaster

The chief of the district police commissariat, Ilirjan Dida, told ATA that today at around 11.00 the Public Health Care building, which had been occupied by eight families since last year, was vacated.

The operation came after a warning, conform all rules, against people occupying this building and no accident took place.

The district police commissariat, in cooperation with the local government and senior officials of the institutions, whose buildings have been occupied, will vacate them in a short while.

Three kindergartens, the women's consultation centre, several offices of political parties, the district cultural centre as well as that of the children are currently occupied in the Gjirokaster district. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Law should not be contested by strikes, justice minister says

The requests of the former prosecuted strikers "can be resolved through mutual talks according to their nature," Kondi said.

"There are misinformations but the possibility for political manipulations is not excluded," Kondi said. "I personally do not believe that these problems can be resolved through strikes more over with hunger strikes.

Laws cannot be contested by hunger strikes," Kondi said. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] District council chairman of Korce named

Attending this meeting were the State Secretary for the Local Government, Lush Perpali and the governor of Korce, Bardhi Alickolli. A counselor of the Democratic Party group read a statement asking the postponement of the meeting, because according to them the procedures for the discharge of former chairman Babo were violated. But this was not accepted by the majority of counselors and after that the group of DP counselors left the hall.

Upon the proposal of the SP group of counselors, it was voted the candidature of Frederik Mico, which also won. Mico, 49, is a mechanic engineer and has worked both in his profession and in local government bodies. /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Former Albanian president to be treated in Greece

TIRANA, Feb. 9 (ATA) - By K. Shehu: Former Albanian president Ramiz Alia, hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the cardiology ward two weeks ago due to a heart attack, will continue his treatment in a Greek hospital.

This was reported Monday to ATA by the Albanian Minister of Health and Environment, Leonard Solis.

Minister Solis, who was informed of this only three days ago, said that "The cardiologist of the Salonika hospital, Panajot Spiru, who was in Albania since three days, will define the fate of Alia." The head of the Albanian health stressed that, "doctor Spiru is one of the most renowned cardiologists of Salonika and the doctor of 1075 Albanians hospitalized and completely treated in this hospital."

According to Solis" former President Alia, who did not have even a passport, will leave within two days for Salonika, accompanied by a family member, and will be treated there free of charge." /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Privatization strategy discussed in parliamentary commission

The commission chairman, Anastas Angjeli, presented the draft-program for the examination of the draft-law, urging at the same time all the commissions to express their opinions and suggestions regarding the privatization strategy. Further on, Minister Ylli Bufi presented the draft law.

Speaker Gjinushi, in support of the economic reform, talked about the importance of the draft-law "On the privatization strategy," asked a total engagement in its examination. He pointed out the fact that the examination of the privatization strategy should be transparent, by considering the opinions and organizing meetings with specialists of non government organizations, trade unions, pedagogues of the Faculty of Economy, and others. /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] "Solution of conflicts and disagreements" foundation celebrates 2nd anniversary

This foundation was established with the financial support of the Danish government, through the International Agency of Development DANIDA, presented in Albania by the company "Nordic Consulting Group," and led by an Albanian board, the chairman of the Danish Supreme Court, Hans Henrik Brundenschalt, stressed in the greeting address.

Special training centers, offering juridical consultancy, have been set up in Tirana, Shkoder, Vlore and others, along with many activities which include particular programs for the education of pupils. /ake/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Union for Democracy meets Austrian delegation

"It is established a parliamentary commission for drafting a constitution, but the co-chairman of the opposition has been named by the ruling party," was the objection of Starova. Union for Democracy returned once again to the argument of lack of parliament's legitimacy to draft a constitution. There are only two ways for this reason: either to avoid parliament or to set up a constitutional assembly."

Starova mentioned once again the idea of new elections. /mt/

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[18] Blockage of parliament's work should end - Fischer

He said that he would make efforts in this direction even during the meeting with the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.

"The DP boycott is accompanied with the requests for new elections and technocrat government. Therefore, the European troika urged the political forces to voice their stand regarding its statement. If parliament would be considered legitimate, all the political forces should take up seats in parliament," said Albanian Speaker Skender Gjinushi.

According to the democratic deputy speaker, Jozefina Topalli, who took part in the meeting as a deputy speaker for the first time since DP left parliament, the climate in which the elections were held was not normal.

"We considered parliament acceptable only to calm down this climate," said Topalli.

According to her, only political disagreements have dominated in the current parliament, and only amendments to the existing laws have been made over the last four months.

Speaker Gjinushi briefed on the work of the Albanian parliament which emerged from the June 29 polls.

Gjinushi evaluated the role of former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky in the solution of the Albanian crisis during 1997.

"The main duty of the Albanian parliament is the restoration of institutions so that Albania moves towards normalization," said Gjinushi.

"The contest of laws on justice from the Democratic Party after the approval does not serve to the solution of the situation," said Parliament Speaker.

Gjinushi expressed the engagement of parliament to serve to the economic reform of the government and expressed the estimation for the support of the international community for this reform in the conferences of Rome and Brussels.

He added that Parliament is waiting for DP to come back to parliament to approve its new regulation. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Former political prisoners put an end to hunger strike

The table will be held under the patronage of the OSCE ambassador in Tirana, Daan Everts and the agreement was reached after a meeting asked by Albania's President Rexhep Meidani with representatives of the hunger strike of the former politically prosecuted and Ambassador Everts.

Nine former political prisoners staged a hunger strike some three weeks ago, asking the abrogation of some amendments to the above law. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Austrians promise status between autonomy and independence for Kosova

TIRANA, Feb. 9 (ATA) - By E. Abilekaj: The Austrian parliamentary delegation promised the organization of a future Conference on Kosova and a status between autonomy and independence for it.

"We met with the Foreign Minister and agreed that the Albanian political forces should reach a consensus for this issue," said Alois Mock, one of the delegation members.

"There is no consensus," was the categorical reply of the Union for Democracy.

Former Foreign Minister in the Democratic Party government, Arian Starova, on behalf of the largest opposition grouping, declared Monday the big differences with the stands of the ruling party. "The Foreign Minister has treated the Kosova issue as a minority issue," was one of his arguments.

"If our government has been against the normalization of relations with former Yugoslavia without the solution of the Kosova question, the current government favours the normalization of relations and then the solution of the Kosova matter," was the second argument of Starova.

"We cannot hope that the same person who lifted the status of autonomy give it back to Kosova," insisted Starova, mentioning Milosevic. "The international opinion should help the Albanian government free itself from these illusions."

The Secretary General of the Socialist Party declared a few hours later in the meeting with the Austrian delegation that Kosova is not an issue of minority. "But Rugova is between two fires before the elections of March 22; between the pressure of Milosevic and the pressure of the Albanian radicals who are represented by the Kosova Liberation Army (UÇK)." According to the representative of the government coalition, this situation can bring the decentralization of Kosova and hence UÇK will gain more ground. "No one is interested in this, meanwhile that Milosevic perhaps might not accept to talk with representatives of Kosova if they will not have a full mandate." /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Opposition and majority ready to draft a new constitution

During the meeting with the Austrian parliamentary delegation, headed by the president of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Heinz Fischer, the parliament presidency expressed the necessity of drafting a new constitution with the participation of all the political forces.

"Our aim is not to make a monopoly of the majority the main laws of the state which are related with the Albanian institutions," said Speaker Gjinushi.

He explained the composition of the Constitution Commission, in which the representation has not been made based on seats in parliament, and no political force has the majority.

"The opposition should be more engaged for the constitution, because the constitution does not allow the state to abuse," continued Gjinushi.

"We are engaged in the dialogue and drafting a new constitution, but it should be not considered a passport of the government," said Topalli, the democratic deputy speaker.

The socialist deputy speaker, Namik Dokle, voiced the conviction that the problem of constitution will be soon solved.

"With regard to the constitution, we do not want to misuse the parliamentary majority," said Dolke.

Fischer and the delegation he heads expressed the readiness to give technical assistance for the new Albanian constitution. /mt/

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