Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albanian people's sculptor dies

[02] MAPE to stay another year in Albania

[03] Albania president visits Tirana garrison

[04] Albanian Premier hails peace deal in Northern Ireland

[05] Legality movement holds 14th congress

[06] Albania president greets Catholics on Easter holiday

[07] Premier says things be improved believing in God

[08] Shkoder people issue a petition in defence of Kosova issue

[01] Albanian people's sculptor dies

Rama, who died while working in his studio at 12.00 p.m., was one of the most distinguished sculptors after the war.

He was born in 1932 in Durres. Rama finished the "Jordan Misja" Artistic Lyceum in Tirana in 1951 in figurative arts. During 1951 and 1960 he continued his highest studies in the Academy of Fine Arts in Leningrad where he graduated sculpture.

Rama turned back to Albania and started work as an inspector of figurative arts at the Ministry of Culture and part-time pedagogue for sculpture at the Faculty of Figurative Arts of the Academy of Arts in the capital.

Many of his works are part of the selected works of the National Gallery of Arts in Tirana.

His talent made Rama one of the most distinguished students of the Artistic Lyceum and Leningrad Academy, and later one of the most distinguished sculptors of Albania. s.sh/das/ak/0

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] MAPE to stay another year in Albania

The spokesman said that this was made known by a written note of the Greek Embassy in Tirana because Greece is the WEU current presidency for the first six-month period of this year.

The MAPE mission will be present in Albania until April 12, 1992 paving the way for a possible renewal of the mandate, which will be reviewed in October this year. This decision was taken in a routine meeting of the WEU Council on April 7.

The MAPE/WEU aims at offering advices and assistance for a professional training of the Albanian police, Colonel Dennis, the MAPE chief in Albania, said.

Its objective is to secure the ongoing progress by the Albanian police, create a modern police in service of citizens by fully respecting the human rights and independent of political parties.

In no case has it been foreseen that "the MAPE police officers take part in the Albanian police operations," Colonel Dennis said, adding that "this is only an advisory mission."

Upon the request of the Albanian authorities the MAPE mission has been deployed in Albania since May 27, 1997.

The MAPE/BEP has increased its staff in Albania with 60 police officers from 20 states. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albania president visits Tirana garrison

First, he visited the brigade of tanks in Zall-Herr where he was welcomed by the Defence Minister Sabit Brokaj, Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Aleks Andoni and others. He later continued the visit in the Commando Brigade.

Meidani held talks with the officers of the Tirana garrison. Speaking about the loss the Albanian army suffered last year, President said that the army lost some $450 million equipment.

Now the Albanian army is being restructured quickly and is at the head of the integration process in a democratic society, Meidani said.

He also focused on cooperation with international military structures laying the stress on the military cooperation with NATO and other partner countries. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Albanian Premier hails peace deal in Northern Ireland

"It was, undoubtedly, an important historic event and was considered a triumph of democracy and good will," Nano said.

This agreement is the victory of peace, which through determination and perseverance braved the challenges and it neither gives up in front of violence nor reaches any compromise with them, he said.

Albanian primer congratulated the Prime minister Blair and the British government, Irish government and all sides, who signed the accord, which through dialogue, compromise and tolerance, opened perspective for durable peace.

Nano considered the peace accord in the Northern Ireland "another inspiring example for those who have chosen a wayout through dialogue and compromise. The Kosova problem has now another model to refer to and should do the utmost to return peace and confidence in the future even in this region, which is still in crisis."

Through this message, the Albanian prime minister reiterated his highest consideration for his British counterpart Blair and "wish to have constructive relations, which can help promote successful cooperation between Albania and Great Britain." ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Legality movement holds 14th congress

Under a message of Leka I that "the 14th congress of the PLL be held democratically, in peace, unity and fraternity" the legalists gathered in the hall of the National Theatre in the capital. They were greeted by a veteran, a party member since 1934, inhabitant of the United States who opened the congress.

Over 200 delegates from 30 party divisions of the Legality Movement but also royal and diaspora representatives had the possibility to hear the message of Leka I and the party report read by deputy leader Riza Mehmeti.

Mehmeti declared his resignation from this post and that of the Tirana division chief. He also invited Guri Durollari, present PLL leader, to do the same.

Greeting speech of Abedin Mulosmani, minister of Royal Court, and other messages from the Albanian right-wing party leaders were also read.

The Congress will elect the new leadership and the PLL leader. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albania president greets Catholics on Easter holiday

Thanking president Meidani on behalf of all worshipers, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, leader of the Albanian Bishop Conference made evident the contribution of the Albanian state for religion's revival.

President Meidani and his wife were warmly welcomed by worshipers and senior representatives of the Catholic Church and the Holy Seat in Albania.

Meidani's visit served also as a greeting message to all the Albanian Catholics in and out of Albania, in Kosova and diaspora wherever they live in. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Premier says things be improved believing in God

Albania's prime minister Fatos Nano was also present.

"I am honoured to be among you. Easter holidays like Bayram are symbols of faith, revival and hope," Nano said to Monsignor Rrok Mirdita.

Nano added: "In these days, we have much to do and should improve things and go ahead believing in God."

Monsignor Mirdita thanked Nano and said that "cohabitation of religious communities in Albania is a brilliant example in the world. It should be an example even for the political relations, construction of civil society in Albania." ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Shkoder people issue a petition in defence of Kosova issue

The petition said that "the situation in Kosova is increasingly worsening. Peaceful and democratic means are confronting with Serb violence and repression.

It called on the Contact Group and President Clinton to find a right solution to the Albanian issue in the Balkans.

The recognition of Kosova's independence is the only guarantee for peace in the Balkans, the petition said.

Some rallies were held in the district in defence of the Kosova issue.

The Albanian Youth Forum, in cooperation with the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) Youth Forum, held a peaceful rally at the city center three days ago in support of the Kosova youth and called on the Serb youth to renounce violence in Kosova. ake/das/ak/

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

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