Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-11

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Greece tries to facilitate policy of giving visas for Albania

[02] Press review

[03] Press...(2)

[04] Press review (3)

[05] SP deputy urges crack downs on DP deputies

[06] Deputies worry anticrime law package is not on parliament agenda

[07] New era in Albanian-Slovenian relations soon

[08] Police operations against illegal emigrants traffic

[09] Deputy prime minister criticises governors

[10] Three persons to be questioned on Shkoder event

[11] Nano, Berisha meeting resolves nothing, deputy primer says

[12] Human Rights in Constitution

[13] Albania's president unveils statue of Fan Noli

[14] Albanian-Greek relations are very good - says Greek consul

[15] President Meidani leaves for Turkey

[16] UNESCO allocates $100 000 for Butrint

[17] Berisha and DP did not avoid the tragedy

[18] Order of Berisha on SHIK competencies is illegal

[01] Greece tries to facilitate policy of giving visas for Albania

After explaining that the rule to give visas emanates from the Greek laws and the criteria of the Foreign Ministry, Kaqiusis said that "I do nothing else, except applying the Greek rule of law." According to him, the movement of family members of those who work in Greece and the movements for economic, commercial and educational issues "are of importance for both countries."

Further on, the Greek consul focused on the possibilities created for the treatment of hundreds of Albanians during the difficult year of 1997, in the hospitals of Ioannina, Patras and Athens, considering this "very natural." Kaqiusis added that "Greece is making all efforts to help the Albanian state overcome the difficult political, economic and social period." /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Press review

"President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani is concerned about the spirit of cooperation of the political forces in Albania," the daily Koha Jone quotes Hroni as saying. The spokesman said that "We would have been very pleased if an initiative of the president Meidani for a meeting between Nano and Berisha in the presidency headquarters had been successful."

Under the title "Berisha-Nano, Meidani urges dialogue," the daily Gazeta Shqiptare reports that Meidani is ready to mediate a "political reconciliation" between Berisha and Nano.

"President of the Republic would have done this willingly if he had seen such elements, which will warn a success of the meeting," the same daily quotes the adviser of president Meidani as saying.

As regards the same topic, the daily Koha Jone says that the result of Meidani's new initiative is still unknown. It reports that "sources close to Berisha says that maybe he can agree to join the round table with the opponent Nano on behalf of the national reconciliation."

Dita Informacion reports on this initiative "Nano-Berisha: to meet," while Albania says "Meidani: I will educate Albanians." s.sh/ak/

(MORE)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Press...(2)

"Past errors will not be repeated" is the title of an article carried by newspaper Zeri i Popullit regarding this meeting.

"We want to make evident our responsibilities to absorb development programmes which in Brussels were identified to be $640 million, in a midterm period," the paper quotes Nano as telling donors, representatives of European countries and international financial institutions, active in Albania, as well as numerous press representatives, on Tuesday.

The paper also quotes Nano as saying that "I express the commitment of the Albanian government not to repeat the past errors".

Koha Jone, quoting Nano says: "An aid worth $2 bln has been provided during 1992-1998, only half of it has been absorbed, of which one forth has addressed technical assistance. Therefore, more coherence and aggressiveness is required in carrying out the institutional reform to cope with the current situation in public sector, so that it is able to absorb all aid".

Rilindja Demokratike, regarding this meeting, stresses that:"Albanian Prime Minister admits failure of his governing before donors"./s.sh/lm/ (more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Press review (3)

"Vlora celebrates in "Artur Rustemi" square," is the title of the daily Koha Jone, which highlights the commemoration.

"The lecture, which yesterday's authorities learned from Vlora, though they have not understood it yet, has its values for us in power ..." Gramoz Ruçi, SP coordinating Secretary, attending the commemoration, said among others.

Ruçi and the Secretary General of Presidency, Daut Gumeni, have unveiled the memorial and the plaque, which gives the name of Artur Rustemi to the square, the daily Gazeta Shqiptare reports on the commemoration of this protest in Vlora.

"The best opposition is the people," Gumeni said adding that "now real possibilities have been created for the state, which being an obligation and security for all the citizens, needs us all," the same paper reports.

The daily Zeri i Popullit quotes the publicist and intellectual Frrok Çupi saying "I wish that Vlora be the first state of the Albanian state, and this because Vlora has an intuition, which cannot allow anyone to hurt the state ..."

Under the headline "Days, which topple Berisha" the paper Shekulli says "Vlora occupies the Flag Square."

The daily Albania says "Government fears Vlora," and the daily Rilindja Demokratike carries the editorial entitled "No senior state official attended yesterday's ceremony organised in Vlora by the city's Salvation Committee." s.sh/ak/

(end)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] SP deputy urges crack downs on DP deputies

As regards the participation of the Democratic deputy speaker Jozefina Topalli in a meeting of the Albania parliamentary leadership with the Austrian parliamentary delegation, Majko said that he did not understand the attitude of the Democratic deputies, who attended meetings with foreigners and boycotted parliament.

"I call this an administrative boycott and as a result disciplinary actions should be taken," Majko said.

Luan Hajdaraga, head of the parliamentary commission for Order and SHIK, said to ATA on Tuesday that sanctions should be imposed on the DP deputies.

He added that in the previous legislature, Pjeter Arbnori, former Democrat speaker, did not paid deputies, who were not present in parliamentary sessions.

Today, the Albanian parliament passed the agenda for the two coming weeks.

Late on Wednesday, the permanent commission investigating on January- March 1997 events will submit its first report to parliament. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Deputies worry anticrime law package is not on parliament agenda

"Two weeks ago an anticrime law package was reported to come to parliament for discussion. I do not understand why it has not been submitted by the government," said Fehmi Abdiu, head of the Law commission, in parliament on Tuesday.

Abdiu considered this delay a neglect on the part of the government.

Luan Hajdaraga, head of the Order and SHIK Commission, shared this view, stressing that it would have been better that the law package had been submitted to parliament rather than referred to the Interior Ministry by the Council of Ministers.

"This delay shows a pronounced lack of responsibility on the part of the Interior Ministry and the Council of Ministers," Pandeli Majko, head of the Socialist Party parliamentary Group, said in parliament.

"The parliament's Order and SHIK Commission will meet on Wednesday to discuss this issue and see to the remarks of the Council of Ministers' experts regarding the law package," Hajdaraga told ATA after the parliament session./lm/

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[07] New era in Albanian-Slovenian relations soon

Kucan said that he had always followed with interest the Albanian issue in general and the Kosova one in particular.

"Unfortunately, our leaderships have changed, while the Serbian leadership has remained in its old positions," he said adding "I have had and have the conviction that Albania's role has been and is constructive."

Underlining that "the rights of Serbs are violated in Serbia," Kucan said that "the remaining Yugoslavia cannot be considered a democratic country yet. As long as it remains like that, the Kosova issue cannot be an internal affair of Serbia."

He added: "The only solution is diplomacy and dialogue."

Referring to bilateral relations, Kucan said: "Slovenia considers a very positive experience the participation of its troops in Alba operation."

He said that after stability had already been reestablished, a new era is expected in bilateral relations which will contribute to this close cooperation for the fact that no problem exists between the two states.

On his part, Milo highly praised Kucan's contribution in favour of a solution to the Kosova issue at the beginning of 1990.

Reiterating Albania's formal attitude to the Kosova issue, Milo said: "the Albanian government is for a peaceful solution of the crisis there."

Milo asked president Kucan that the Slovenian side reconsider the possibility of opening its embassy in Tirana. ake/cela/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Police operations against illegal emigrants traffic

The operation began at around 15.00 and continued until 22.00. It covered a large territory from the Golem beach to the Turre Fortress.

In this operation, 30 citizens from Durres, Fier, Shijak, Elbasan, Berat, Tirane and Lac, were taken to the police station.

According to police, none of them possessed identification papers and the presence of citizens from other districts in this area, late in the afternoon, cannot but be considered an attempt for illegal emigration to Italy.

One of the citizens, Idriz Halim Kabashi, was detained by police because of illegal possession of a TT pistol.

Eight vehicles of these citizens were also taken to the Kavaje police station.

The spokesman said that the police forces' operations in coastal areas against illegal emigrants trafficking will continue. /s.s/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Deputy prime minister criticises governors

"Our philosophy, unlike the previous government, is to fight reliance on others to resolve our problems. Any other tendency is unacceptable," said Fino.

Fino put forward four main problems regarding the governors' tasks. The main one he considered the decision of May 30, 1994 on the duties of the regions' top central governors' offices, the governors' relations with the heads of departments dependant on ministries, which Fino regarded as relations of the government with ministers.

"We will start with a series of meetings with governors and secretaries, to be presided over by the leadership of the Council of Ministers, sometimes by Prime Minister Fatos Nano, often by me, as well as by the Minister of State close to the Prime Minister, Kastriot Islami," said Fino.

Also attending the meeting were Arben Malaj Minister of Finance, Elmaz Sherifi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and Lush Perpali, Secretary of State for Local Government.

Another problem, according to Fino, was the relations of governors with the local government bodies, the administration of these bodies, public order police, municipal police, and other bodies.

He said that by February 20, the Council of Ministers will define the organisational structure of the top central governors' offices, according to the governors' proposals. a.ke/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Three persons to be questioned on Shkoder event

"Shkodra issue is very important and the prosecutor's office is carefully considering every proof and evidences," sources of the General Prosecutor's office said to ATA on Tuesday.

"Persons involved in the events pose a great risk," the same sources said adding that "this risk is not only related to the Shkodra event."

Within a week, the investigation team of the General prosecutor's office will start inquiring other people related to this event, investigation sources said.

The same sources said that "three other people, who are believed to be aware of the Shkodra event and supposed to be held responsible for it, will be questioned. They will face justice if they are found guilty."

New facts have been provided to the prosecutor's office.

"These facts will bring other people before justice," sources of the Prosecutor's office said.

The same sources say that if in the past the prosecutor's office worked much with the defendants, now its methodology has changed.

Besides earlier evidence, incontestable proofs have been secured for the two arrested, former criminal policemen of the Shkoder police station, involved in the Shkoder event, investigative sources of the prosecutor's office admit.

Involved in the "Shkoder" event was a group of Shkoder former policemen, who terrorized the city by shootings, attacked the commissariat and wounded two policemen.

Regarding this event, two criminal policemen were arrested and sent to Tirane. A group of prosecutors from Tirane was created to carry out inquiries into this event in Tirane and Shkoder. The Shkoder prosecutors could not take part in these investigations as they were under the pressure of threats. /a.ke/ak/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Nano, Berisha meeting resolves nothing, deputy primer says

He was referring to a latest initiative of the president of the Republic Rexhep Meidani for a meeting between leaders of the ruling coalition and opposition.

"I do not see any problem with a meeting between the prime minister and the Democratic leader, but I do not believe that this meeting will lead to a solution, because Berisha will not change after meeting Nano," Fino said.

"I think that Berisha is playing a political game refusing a contact with the prime minister," Fino said.

The first effort for a meeting between the two leaders, after Nano was released from prison, was made last year by the OSCE mediator for Albania, former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitsky, but it failed because Berisha refused.

The DP leader has accepted recently to meet Nano in a televised debate in the presence of respective staff and journalists. s.sh/cela/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Human Rights in Constitution

The aim of the round table, held by the Albanian Human Rights Centre, is "to sensitize the public, in and outside the country, make it conscious of the indispensability of the role and influence of the non governmental organisations in the Constitution drafting and adopting process," Kozara Kati, chairwoman of NGO, told ATA.

The non-governmental associations, she says, "have been exercising a powerful role as a "third front" in the whole process of drafting and discussing a new constitution. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania's president unveils statue of Fan Noli

President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani unveiled the statue of Noli, former prime minister of Albania, leader of the Revolution of June 1924, founder of the Albanian Autocephalous Church, who defended the highest national interests and fought for the emancipation of the Albanian politics.

Noli's niece Ksanthi Korkus attended the ceremony invited by the Albanian Ministry of Culture. s.s/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian-Greek relations are very good - says Greek consul

"The current relations between the two neighbours are characterized by generosity, which is based on friendship and mutual respect, said the Greek consul; they are based on common economic interests." According to him, "included in this cooperation is the assistance in the social, health and education field (The University of Gjirokaster with that of Ioannina, the establishment of a library in the University of Gjirokaster,") and others. The new consulate of Korce has been almost opened, but it does not function yet for technic reasons, he said, stressing that "this would influence on the development and strengthening of relations between out peoples."

Kaqiusis also aid that "the effort to legalize and employ the Albanian emigrants is another expression of the good will in the relations between our countries." Here, he also mentioned the wide cooperation in the military field, as well as in the sector of police, defence of borders, in the common fight against crime and the contribution given to the Albanian police for the restoration of order and tranquility in the country.

"We cannot say that the achievements are only in the diplomatic field, because there is a very good level of relations and cooperation," ended the Greek consul. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] President Meidani leaves for Turkey

During the stay in Turkey, two agreements are expected to be signed, one for the customs cooperation and the other for the cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries.

The meeting Meidani-Demirel will be held on Thursday. President Meidani will also visit the Turkish Parliament where he will hold a greeting address and will meet with the Turkish Parliament Speaker, Cetin.

Also, Meidani will meet the Chief of the Army General Staff, General Army, Karaday, Foreign Minister Xhem, deputy Premier, Ecevit.

"This visit will serve to the continuity and further deepening of relations between the two countries," Sotiraq Hroni, President's adviser for Public Relations, had told a news conference on Tuesday.

President Meidani will go to Istanbul on Friday, and in the Technical University he will be given the Award of the Honorific Doctor in Science."

During the visit in Turkey, President Meidani is accompanied by his lady Lidra Meidani. Attending the delegation are also deputy PM Bashkim Fino, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Minister of Economy and Privatization Ylli Bufi, Chairman of the Foreign Parliamentary Commission Sabri Godo. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] UNESCO allocates $100 000 for Butrint

The same source confessed that a brigade is actually carrying out the work in Butrint to clean and protect the monuments, which is financed by the "Butrinti" foundation, seated in London.

"The works of the brigade prepare the ancient city for the new touristic season," said Llahnaj.

Butrinti was declared monument of UNESCO in 1993. Two years later it was established the "Butrinti" foundation, initiated by the English Lords, Sir Roschild and Sir Patric Fernever.

Several joint expeditions of the Archeological Institute in Tirana with archeologists of the British School in Rome have carried out excavations. /a.ke/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Berisha and DP did not avoid the tragedy

TIRANA, Feb. 11 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: The President and parliament could have avoided the tragedy of 1997, if they had ousted Meksi government and declared early elections, the chairman of the parliamentary investigation commission on the events of January-March 1997, Spartak Ngjela, told parliament on Wednesday.

"The country plunged into anarchy after the collapse of pyramid investment schemes," said Ngjela, who explains that as it comes out from the investigation of files, the revolt had simply economic character.

"The constitutional establishment of the state in this period was not perfect. Parliament had extraordinary competencies, while almost the whole authority was cumulated on the President of the Republic," said the commission chairman.

The commission has come to the conclusion that the reasons and cases when the state of emergency is introduced are not explained, as well as the competencies of the army and police and cases when weapons are used.

This, according to Ngjela, has brought about juridical ambiguity of the law on state of emergency.

"It is a fact that until March 3, 1997, when the state of emergency was imposed, only one third of the population was armed, while after its introduction, the whole people looted the army depots and some 1 million Kalashnikov-s were spread out," said Ngjela.

He added that it is documented that the Guard of the Republic and SHIK have distributed weapons based on political affiliations.

"In this point, the state has lost control by considering the unrest as a fight between the North and the South, and this is explained with the fact that the people were mobilized only in South," said Ngjela." /das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Order of Berisha on SHIK competencies is illegal

"From the examination of SHIK documentation during 1992-1997, this body has exceeded the legal structures," said Ngjela.

He urged parliament to carry out investigations on the activity of SHIK, which he considers very necessary.

"Although when the state of emergency was imposed, Gazidede was appointed general, no decree does exist for this post," said the commission chairman.

He added that from the documentation examined by SHIK, no data has been found for the implication of foreign secret services in the events of January-March 1997.

"The report of Gazidede in March 1997 is groundless. There is no file to prove implication of the U.S. CIA, while for Lotus plan, there was a file of the former state Sigurimi in 1989," said Ngjela.

He considered defect of the previous government the tendency to find the consequences of the tragedy outside Albania. /das/mt/

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