Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-03-30

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Antoni Athanas praises Albanian government's performance

[02] Canada ready to help Kosova

[03] Grave situation in Decan commune

[04] Vanload of contraband cigarette boxes intercepted

[05] CE to aid Albanian prisons' administration

[06] Deputy Premier speaks of decentralisation of powers in favour of local government

[07] DP rejects fiscal policies

[08] Albanian MP urges Greece to respect education rights of Albanians

[09] PLL takes seat in constitutional commission

[10] Meidani says reality, perspective urge self-rule for Kosova

[11] Constitutional commission approves fundamental principles

[12] Greece assured to create conditions for Albanians' integration

[13] Albanian, Greek MPs favour dialogue to resolve Kosova issue

[14] Defence commission extends mandate of Greek company in Albania

[15] Albania PM says we are working for a new reality in the Balkans

[16] Albania favours long-term solution for regional stability

[01] Antoni Athanas praises Albanian government's performance

Athanas, who is a renowned businessmen in the U.S., assures Premier Fatos Nano of his personal and other Albanian-U.S. community members' support, the Council of Minister's Information and Media department reports.

Athanas informs Nano of his and other compatriots' initiative to create a special financial fund for Albania. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Canada ready to help Kosova

PRISHTINE, March 30 (ATA)-President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, yesterday had a telephone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Lloid Axworth, who is visiting Skopje.

Axworth expressed deep concern over the situation in Kosova and stressed Canada's commitment to resolve the Kosova issue through negotiations and political means, according to the Kosova Information Centre.

Rugova briefed the guest on the current situation in Kosova, which he considered grave and tense following the Serbian police massacres and operations in various parts of Kosova.

He said that the Kosovars are determined to realise their own political will through peaceful means. Kosova an independent and neutral state is an optimal solution to the issue of Kosova and the region, he said.

Rugova expressed readiness for unconditional dialogue with Belgrade and reaffirmed the demand that the U.S., in cooperation with the European Union (EU), mediate in these negotiations.

The Canadian minister expressed his country's readiness to help Kosova, also pledging concrete aid in education. /P.Ta/lm/

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[03] Grave situation in Decan commune

Three Serb security inspectors are also reported to have arrested Bujar Avdimetaj, worker of Tourist agency "Euroliza" in Decan, for allowing Red Cross International Committee activists to phone from this agency.

Despite the grave situation, in Gllogjan and the surrounding villages, the inhabitants have begun returning from the places where they are settled temporarily, but the women, children and the old have not yet returned. /p.ta/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Vanload of contraband cigarette boxes intercepted

The Benz type van, with Tirane number plate, was intercepted near the border point of Bllata.

The driver, who has been identified and is being hunted, fled in the dark.

The whole load of cigarettes has been sequestered. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] CE to aid Albanian prisons' administration

The delegation will also offer assistance in training the prisons' personnel, education and employment of the convicted, improvement of the prisons' infrastructure and in other aspects.

Kondi thanked the CE representatives for the assistance offered.

The delegation will also visit several of Albania's prisons and meet with leading officials of Reeducation Institutions. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Deputy Premier speaks of decentralisation of powers in favour of local government

At a meeting in the Kukes prefecture (North) with local government leaders of Albania's Northern districts of Puke, Kukes, Has and Tropoje, Fino, who is visiting this prefecture at the head of a government delegation, said that the fruitful cooperation between local and central governments would resolve the numerous problems the country is facing today.

"Considering the chaos of Spring 1997, the observation of the rule of law becomes indispensable," said Fino.

He also said that efforts should be made to attrack foreign investments.

Also attending the meeting were Finance Minister Arben Malaj, State Secretary for Defence Policy Perikli Teta, State Secretary at the Interior Ministry Ndre Legisi, and State Secretary for Local Government Lush Perpali. /s.s/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] DP rejects fiscal policies

The DP financial experts, Ridvan Bode and Albina Karamitro, presented their views that "the only concern of the present government is to secure budget income to increase wages for political posts, despite negative impacts, economic decrease and curb of free initiative."

Considering the changes approved by the legislation which consisted of a taxation increase of 20 to 30 in fixed quotas from what had been sanctioned by the previous law, Bode considered the law on tax over the small business a fiscal dictatorship, which "will lead to a passive bankruptcy and reduction of one of the most important promoters of the economy."

Leader of the Democratic party Sali Berisha said that his party backed the philosophy of fiscal stimulating policies and low taxes as an unchanged and successfully proven strategy during the years of its governing.

He said that "small businessmen should be excluded from taxes to give an impulse to Albania's economic development." das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Albanian MP urges Greece to respect education rights of Albanians

"Albania has always respected the rights of education for the

Greek minority in Albania. Greece should do the same for the groups concerned about Albanian education in Greece," Godo said to the Greek parliamentarian Foreign and Defence Commission visiting Albania.

Godo said that there are some 30 thousands ethnic Albanians in the regions around Kastoria and Folorina, near Albania's southern border, at a time when 250 to 300 thousands Albanian emigrants live in Greece.

He also said that both parliaments should discuss the problems of assets of the Albanian citizens in Greece and the Greek ones in Albania, a problem he called very troublesome.

Godo and the Greek delegation agreed that the two commissions exchange visits every three months and expressed the need for economic cooperation and political coordination, particularly considering the situation in the region. /das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PLL takes seat in constitutional commission

Albania's parliament has approved the PLL proposal to be presented by its deputy Spartak Ngjela at a time when other parties of the Unity for Democracy were not present on Monday's meeting.

After the PLL's decision to enter the commission, the Albanian Speaker Skender Gjinushi expressed his conviction that the DP allies in the Unity for Democracy grouping refused to take part in the constitutional commission due to its pressure.

According to him the parties of this grouping separately favoured the participation in the constitutional process especially after the troika's statements, but the DP pressure forced them not to take part. /das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Meidani says reality, perspective urge self-rule for Kosova

Press and Information office at the presidency said that President Meidani highly regarded the promotion of economic relations between the two countries and cooperation in all fields.

The Albanian emigrants in Greece positively assessed the people's hospitality and the will ofthe Greek government for their legalisation, President Meidani said.

He urged the Greek state to help create possibilities for the emigrants's children learn the Albanian language and not to feel themselves foreigners when they return to their homeland.

On the Kosova issue, president Meidani stressed his option for a long- term and perspective solution to the Kosova issue based on international charters and documents.

He spoke of the introduction of a new, realist balance, explaining that the autonomy of 1974 was very limited, while today's reality and its perpsective urge self-rule option.

"We should reflect on introducing the European spirit in the region, with physical borders eliminated and the spiritual ones emancipated with new dimensions," president Meidani said.

Greek former foreign minister said that Kosova issue was not only a Balkan issue but also an European one and its solution served the stability of the whole region.

Meidani said that speed-up procedures for a new Greek college in Tirana could help extend concrete possibilities for contemporary preparation of school-age students, besides other colleges functioning in the capital.

The Greek Ambassador to Tirana Konstandin Prevedhurakis attended the meeting. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Constitutional commission approves fundamental principles

After the approval of the article 12, which defined the position of religions in Albania, the representative of the Balli Kombetar party walked out of the meeting because his proposals for this article were turned down.

He proposed the commission to define three main beliefs and that the religious leaders have Albanian citizenship and nationality.

The points of the article 16, which defined Albanian as the official language, symbols, anthem, national holiday (Flag day, November 28) and capital (Tirana), were become separate articles upon the proposal of commission member Fehmi Abdiu, leading to 21 the number of articles of the fundamental principles. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Greece assured to create conditions for Albanians' integration

He expressed Greece's obligation after Gjinushi's request "for favourable conditions to help Albanian emigrants integrate in the Greek society."

Albania's Speaker thanked the Greek parliament for the approval of the legislation in the interest of the Albanian emigrants.

Papoulias and Gjinushi praised as very good the inter parliamentarian and inter state relations between the two countries. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian, Greek MPs favour dialogue to resolve Kosova issue

"Developments in Kosova are linked with the stability in the region. The conflict there is more dangerous than that of Bosnia, but the international community will not allow a repetition of the Bosnian tragedy, " Gjinushi said.

He said that Albania had intensively backed the Contact Group and hoped for "a realistic solution through dialogue and international mediator."

"Kosova is the most important and serious problem in the Balkans, which can undermine peace in Europe," Papoulias said expressing support for the orientations of Albania's foreign policy to that problem.

He believed that the "autonomy of 1974" was a good basis to establish relations." s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Defence commission extends mandate of Greek company in Albania

approved on Monday the extension of the mandate for a Greek logistic company in Albania for up top six months more.

Head of the commission, the Democrat deputy Azem Hajdari voted against the extension, while the independent deputy Maks Hasani abstained.

The extension was approved last Friday by the parliamentary commission on Foreign policy with the Democrat deputy Genc Pollo and Balli Kombetar deputy Hysen Selfo voted against.

The Greek company, which is in Albania in the framework of the NATO "Clearing House" body, has undertaken works in the ports of Durres and Saranda, infrastructure of two military units and a military hospital in Tirana.

The Albanian parliament is expected to consider a draft law late on Monday on the mandate's extension of the Greek company proposed by the government. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albania PM says we are working for a new reality in the Balkans

Nano said that "we are creating positive examples even for other parts of the Balkans, which are still isolated towards democratization and European standards."

"I believe that through our commitment, which is part of the international commitment, we will avoid risks for a war in the Balkans, cultivate spirit of mutual respect to resolve differences peacefully and through dialogue," he said.

Press and Information Department close to the Council of Ministers said that the Albanian prime minister Nano acquainted the Greek parliamentarians with Albania's views and those of its government on a solution to the Kosova issue, a stand he presented to the Contact Group.

Such a solution could have been a republic of Kosova like that of Montenegro and Serbia but without the right of secession from the federation, Nano said.

Nano positively praised the cooperation between the two countries and the personal contribution of Papoulias to their progress.

Speaking for the delegation he headed, the Greek former Foreign minister, Karolos Papoulias stressed that good neighbourliness relations between the two countries are considered a strategic factor.

"Our common efforts should aim at avoiding risk of war, which is now threatening the Balkans, by intensifying the political and diplomatic activity. Albania is a small country, but is actually giving a big contribution. We are backing your efforts and policy you are following to overcome the crisis," Papoulias said.

The Greek parliamentarian underlined as positive the fact that the Greek parliament voted for the legalisation of the Albanian emigrants, who are working in Greece.

Papoulias praised the very good relations existing between the Socialist party and PASOK.

The meeting was attended by Sabri Godo, head of the parliamentary Foreign commission, who shared similar views on the analysis for the situation in the Balkans and particularly the crisis in Kosova, but expressed reservations on the outcome of the Contact Group meeting, which, according to him, was not enough to prevent a spillover of the conflict. s.s/s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Albania favours long-term solution for regional stability

Milo thanked Greece for its aid rendered and was rendering in the interest of promoting relations between the two countries and peoples and expressed Albania's wish that "the existing good climate in the South of the region should not be discouraged or destroyed from what is happening in the North, in Kosova."

He hailed the attitude of the Greek government towards the phobia in the Greek media against Albanian emigrants and pointed out that "even an existing issue, should be resolved."

Focusing on the Kosova issue, minister Milo made evident the efforts of the Albanian government in finding out a long-term solution.

Papoulias, on his part, praised the very good relations existing between the two countries and the good political will to help resolve problems.

He assessed the work of Albania's Foreign Ministry, which "is in the first line of facing the Kosova issue" and said that "Greece can be available in your efforts for a peaceful solution from all sides to eliminate the conflict." s.s/das/ak/

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

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