Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-14

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

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CONTENTS

[01] Gjinushi: There is nothing new in what Nano says about changes in government

[02] Albanian premier responds to Socialist deputy

[03] Albanian premier attacks Democratic party

[04] Nano says there is only one authority in government

[05] Policemen killed while tracking down a criminal

[06] Rugova says U.S. should undertake leading role in resolving Kosova issue

[07] DP says state structures responsible for fake dollars

[08] Former leader says legalists' congress is illegal

[09] Prime Minister Nano offers condolences on death of Bishop Ashta

[10] Austrian tourists visit Southern Albania

[11] Legalists say too early to establish alliance with DP

[12] Minister Ruka calls 1999 the year of education

[13] Revenues from taxes in country scale over lek 4 billion

[14] USD quoted at lek 159,30

[15] Foreign Commission approves draft-resolution on Kosova

[16] Farmers prefer vine-growing and arboriculture

[17] Revenues from VAT prevail in first quarter

[18] Violence on mayor; he did not accept to violate laws

[19] New structure of government to pass in parliament on Wednesday

[20] Changes in government will not affect SDP, says Gjinushi

[21] Five coalition parties agree with new structure of government

[22] Four main ports have 32 canneries

[23] Savings Bank expands its activity

[24] Golden Medal of Eagle awarded to two policemen of "Brisku" Unit

[25] Tirana district collects more revenues than other ones

[26] Illegal construction to suffer heavy fines

[27] Welfare issue gathers town hall council

[28] Half of government members to be replaced

[01] Gjinushi: There is nothing new in what Nano says about changes in government

"In principle there is nothing new in what Nano says on changes in the government's cabinet. Changes are demanded by all, but each considers them according to his own view: each thinks he moves faster than the others, " Gjinushi told ATA on Monday, in connection with the speech of the Prime Minister and leader of the SP, Nano.

Gjinushi said that what Fatos Nano said in his speech today has also been discussed earlier in bilateral or tripartite meetings. But, he said, "it has not been discussed at a meeting of all government-coalition parties".

Also earlier, the social-democrats, like all the other coalition- government parties, have expressed the indispensability of a preliminary discussion of changes by the coalition's parties. /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian premier responds to Socialist deputy

"I do not want to hurl unworthy accusations at anyone," Nano said, adding that he would not allow anyone to heap common accusations on some 120 thousand employees of the public administration, who are not as it was pretended SP militants, but more than that: they are and will be militants of the Albanian state."

"I do not think of distributing the SP cards in any office of the Albanian administration by force, as Sali Berisha was forced to do during his five-year ruling and as Dritero Agolli is willing to do now," Nano said.

"It is unworthy to insult the work of hundreds and thousands Albanians, who are or not members of the SP," Nano said.

Meritocracy means to place state above the party, prosticracy means to place party above the state, he said.

"If we have come to power to employee Socialists, then I will say that we do not need this power," Nano said. s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albanian premier attacks Democratic party

"During the five years of a failed ruling by the DP, the policy has never been transparent," Nano said.

The change of its course, its names and actors was never done in direct communication with the electorate, he said.

"I want to recall their most significant political actions. They declared holding early elections on March 22, conditioned return to parliament by the resignation of its speaker, opposed the anti crime package, arms collection, laws on privatisation, one week pro and one week against the Kosova Liberation Army," Nano said, referring to some DP stands during the recent months. s.sh/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Nano says there is only one authority in government

"In the government there is only one authority, which is the mandate that you, the Socialist party, have bestowed on the government and me to run it," the prime minister said at the meeting of the SP General Steering Committee (GSC) on Monday.

"As long as this mandate is valid and incontestable by the Albanian electorate, then, its is we, that is, the Socialist Party, that should maintain order and discipline in governing."

Since the beginning of his speech, Nano said that "The governing needs the Socialist Party", repeating that "the socialists are ready to risk power to build the state".

Nano said that the socialists should accept their past and of the Albanians in general in order to change it: "It is true it is we, ourselves, that make up the problem. First of all it is we, the Albanians, because both Hoxha and Berisha were Albanians. And second, it is we the socialists".

Nano considered very significant the three-year agreement ESAF-2 with the International Monetary Fund whose signing, already "sure" in May, "is a sure guarantee for foreign donations".

Nano especially stressed the education issue considering the year 1999 the year of education in Albania, as the respective ministry, in cooperation with UNESCO, will carry out long-term investments in this field.

In conclusion, he spoke of the Kosova issue, stressing that "a strong Albania means Kosova in peace". /s.sh/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Policemen killed while tracking down a criminal

A spokesman of the Interior Ministry said Drini Mehmet Haxholli, 27, born in Bilisht and inhabitant of Tirana, and Artur Bardhosh Resuli, 22, born in Vlora and inhabitant of Tirana were killed on Tuesday at 01.40. while tracking down a person in Levan village, Fier.

The group commander Apostol Luca, 31, was injured in the thigh, but he was out of danger.

The Brisku forces surrounded the house of Bujar Suli in Levan and called on him to surrender but he responded with antitank.

Bujar Suli, the criminal, was killed in a shoot out between police. s.s/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Rugova says U.S. should undertake leading role in resolving Kosova issue

At a meeting with U.S. diplomats in Prishtine, the president of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, invited the United States to assume the leading role in resolving the Kosova issue.

Rugova yesterday met with a U.S. delegation, composed of Mark Kirk and Clifford Kupcan of the U.S. Congress Foreign Policy Committee and Andrew Ber of the office of Balkans special envoy Robert Gelbard. /das/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] DP says state structures responsible for fake dollars

Karamitro blamed the state structures for these occurrences.

DP leader Sali Berisha said that the circulation of fake dollars has been created according to the same scenarios which also framed last year's riots.

He also expressed himself against DP's participation in the the Parliamentary Investigation Commission on these events and regarded the invitation by the head of this commission, Spartak Ngjela, as "urged by other persons". /s.sh/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Former leader says legalists' congress is illegal

Leka I considered that (congress) "above the parties despite the greeting message to a grouping formally known by the Tirana court."

Ekrem Spahia, the newly elected leader of the Legality Movement party (PLL), would be soon among us in the Unity for Democracy, Sali Berisha, the Democrat leader told the news conference reiterating the attitude of the Democratic party (DP) towards the 14th Congress of the Legalists on Sunday in Tirana. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Prime Minister Nano offers condolences on death of Bishop Ashta

In a message of condolences, Nano considers Ashta's death "a great loss for the Albanian Catholic Church, the believers and his relatives".

"Monsignor Ashta devoted his whole life to the catholic faith, spiritual care for the believers, and despite the difficulties in his life, he preserved pure the figure of the servant of God and that of the good Albanian".

Nano says that "with his death the Catholic church loses one of its distinguished figure, the believers of the Pulati zone the spiritual father, who was always near them". /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Austrian tourists visit Southern Albania

Elida Birjani, president of the "Parnas" tourist office in Saranda, said that these visits are organised on the basis of a program drafted by the Austrian agency of tourism "Semioren Reisen" and the Corfu tourist agency "Petraqis Company."

The number of daily tourists, who will visit Saranda and Butrint within 10 months, is expected to be 4 to 6 thousand people.

The tourist season for 1998 was opened on Sunday in Saranda. Some 100 Austrian tourists and a 12-member group of journalists came via Corfu.

No tourist group came to this region last year due to the unrest, which engulfed Saranda and the whole Albania.

Tourist sources in Saranda and Corfu said that 25 thousand tourists visited Saranda and Butrint during 1996.

A program of the Butrint Foundation says that one hundred thousand tourists are expected to visit Butrint and Saranda.

The first group of foreign tourists, who arrived in Saranda on April 11 after the events of 1997, included 80 Austrians.

Representative of the Austrian side in Saranda, Weit Stimler, said to ATA that what the tourists saw in Saranda was not only the wonder of Butrint and the unique character of the coast but also the tranquility prevailing in the city. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Legalists say too early to establish alliance with DP

Spahia told journalists that the PLL followed the motto "peace, unity and fraternity," declared by Leka I when he arrived in Albania last year.

As the "oldest", more nationalist, anti communist, nation-based party, " the PLL did not want to urge conflict and divergency between the political forces, he said.

Orators in the party congress criticized the right-wing coalition government and the previous government of the Democratic party.

As regards the call of the Democrat leader Sali Berisha that the "PLL joins the Unity for Democracy grouping, Ekrem Spahia said to ATA that "this is a personal view."

"The PLL will decide in unison and an individual cannot decide on establishing alliances," Spahia said.

The basic principle of legalists will be the acceptance of royal alternative and the national issue, the leader said.

In today's news conference the PLL new leadership strongly denounced Serbian violence in Kosova urging "the implementation of the self-rule according to the verdict of the Albanian people of Kosova and other Albanian ethnic territories." s.s/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Minister Ruka calls 1999 the year of education

Ruka unfolded the programme of the five-party coalition governing, after yesterday's meeting of the SP General Steering Commission.

He called on "the whole society to resolutely go ahead with the reform in the education system at all levels".

Referring to the changes in the governing cabinet, Ruka sais that "it is an attribute of the chairman of the Council of Ministers to build the future cabinet with the same ministers or by replacing them."

In Albania, order, construction, roads, water, infrastructure and other sectors are of specific importance, but education is rightfully considered "priority above priorities" in the long-term plans of the Government. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Revenues from taxes in country scale over lek 4 billion

According to figures from this department out of lek 3,9 billion predicted to be realised for the first months, they are surpassed with over 4 billion leks.

Based on the indexes incomes from small business is realised 172,1 percent and taxation on buildings 136,3 percent.

It has been worked well in collecting revenues from national taxes with about lek 527 million or 117,3 percent and some lek 1,8 billion are collected or 107,5 percent from the Value Added Tax.

Meanwhile according to the same sources more money should be picked up from personal incomes, which have realised with over lek 198 million or 98 percent, some lek 668 million are collected from taxes over profits or 94,4 percent and from excise are realised lek 427 million or 74,6 percent.

Based on figures from the Tax General Department regretting is the collection of taxes from the games of fortune, though these last are on the rise. Around lek 46 million or 55 percent have gone to state coffers from their taxation.

Incomes from taxes compared with the first two months of the year are on the rise.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] USD quoted at lek 159,30

So $1 = 159,30 lek, lossing 0,50 points compared with yesterday's 159, 80 lek.

The DM was traded for 88,20 lek, lossing 0,70 points compared to yesterday's 88,90 lek.

The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,10 lek lossing 0.70 points compared with yeasterday's 88,80 lek.

GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,30 lek, gaining 0,20 points compared with yesterday's 50,10

The Swiss Franc was traded for 106,30 lek lossing 2,00 points compared with yesterday's 108,30 lek and so on.

Tuesday exchange rates

Currency Average exchange rates

USD		159,30 lek
DM		 88,20 lek
ITL (1000)	 88,10 lek
GRD (100)	 50,30 lek
SFR		106,10 lek
FRF		 26,10 lek
GBP		230,20 lek
JPY (100)	111,00 lek
NLG		 73,20 lek

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Foreign Commission approves draft-resolution on Kosova

The idea of the red line has been expressed by former U.S. President, George Bush, during the last year of his ruling and later even by Clinton. This term means that Kosova is under protection and Serbia cannot attack it.

"I hope the parliamentary debate on the draft-resolution will be held on Thursday, also with the presence of the government members and representatives," the commission chairman, Sabri Godo, told ATA.

The draft-resolution also asks the deployment of NATO troops in Kosova, as the first step for the prevention of the Serbian repression and extension of the conflict, which, according to Godo, is becoming even more threatening."

The draft-resolution urges the international community to force Milosevic hold dialogue and support and defend the human rights of the Kosova Albanians.

The Albanian Parliament approved a statement by the beginning of March, urging Belgrade to give up violence and hold talks regarding the Kosova issue.

Godo has said that different from the statement, the requests of the resolution are more concrete, taking into consideration the aggravation of the situation. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Farmers prefer vine-growing and arboriculture

The farmers have considered planting these because of the economic profit taken over the last 2-3 years from this sector. Among the most preferable trees have been peach, cherry, plums, and others. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Revenues from VAT prevail in first quarter

According to figures from the Tax General Department, revenues from VAT are realised with lek 1 billion and 802 million translated to 107,5 percent.

Tirana city holds a better position in meeting this target and has collected for state coffers around lek 1 billion, then comes Elbasani town with lek 130 million.

While the collecting of VAT in Hasi district is not to the required levels with only lek 934,000 or 22 percent and Bulqiza town with lek 4 million.

Considerable incomes are collected from the taxation of small business with over lek 257 million or 172 percent.

Durresi town with lek 60 million and Tirana with lek 50 million hold the bulk in collecting revenues from the small business.

Lagging behind is Kurbini district, where are collected lek 698,000 or 29,5 percent of the plan and Kruja district with lek 936,000 or 51,7 percent of the plan.

According to specialists from the Tax General Directorate, the data for the first quarter are encouraging to fulfill the plan in collecting incomes from the small business, which for 1998 are expected to be collected lek 950 million to the state budget.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Violence on mayor; he did not accept to violate laws

According to the police of this district, mayor Bilbili, doctor by profession, was barbarously hit from a person, already identified, while he was visiting the patients in the hospital of the town.

"Krenar Shehu, from Tepelena, asked him as mayor to recognise as privatized a building, forcefully occupied during the turmoil of 1997," the same sources explained.

Eye-witnesses said that during the debate, Bilbili mentioned the implementation of the laws. Irritated from this, Shehu hit him everywhere in the body and only the fear for the arrival of the police or special forces forced him to flee away. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] New structure of government to pass in parliament on Wednesday

After many consultations, the parties of the coalition and their leaders agreed on Tuesday about a new structure of the Albanian government, which will be presented in Parliament on Wednesday. As they have guaranteed in today's agreement, this structure will be approved.

Speaker Gjinushi, explaining the procedures to be followed further on, reported to ATA that the deputies of the majority will first approve the new structure and later the concrete names.

The Socialist Party, in the last meeting of its General Leading Committee, presented a structure with four fewer ministers, with two deputy premiers, with three new ministries, with joining of several ministries, and others.

According to Gjinushi, in the constitutional procedures, it is not necessary for the Prime Minister to present a formal resignation before the President of the Republic and be recharged again, because the changes are considered as changes of the ruling structure and not as a new government. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Changes in government will not affect SDP, says Gjinushi

"The parties of the coalition agreed on the changes in the structure of the government," said Gjinushi, who had Tuesday a meeting with Premier Nano, before the general secretaries of the five parties would sign their agreement.

"There will be reshuffles, but not in the relations of the parties among each-other," said Gjinushi.

With regard to the new agreement of the coalition parties, Gjinushi said that it serves strengthening the coalition, but it is still "very far" from the Italian model "Olivo" of the government coalition (Olivo is the Italian Government coalition of the left center.) /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Five coalition parties agree with new structure of government

The Socialist Party (SP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), the Human Rights Union Party (HRUP) and the Agrarian Party (AP) expressed these stands in an agreement signed on Tuesday.

The agreement says that the five parties "agree to institutionalize the table of political consultation between the representatives of the parties, participant in the government coalition for important political problems."

Also, the leaders of the parties, after the consultations with the Prime Minister, gave the approval for the posts offered on the occasion of the Government reorganization.

"Through this agreement, the parties avoided the public debate," said Majko after the meeting. He said that the coalition is ready to continue cooperation and all the parties will vote the changes in the government.

For the DAP Secretary General, Prec Zogaj, "the agreement aims at promoting to a higher level the cooperation of the coalition." /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Four main ports have 32 canneries

But the private entrepreneurs that exercise their activity in fishing sector are faced with some obstacles like the fuel high price, lacking of spare parts for fishing boats, the not allowing by the European Union to sell their commodity to the member countries and the lengthy procedures to go fishing, which according to sources from the ministry of Food and Agriculture will be eleminate gradually.

Though the qualitative fish is exported, local people consume imported fish of lower qualities.

Fish worth lek 289 million are exported during a year.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Savings Bank expands its activity

According to sources from the bank the inauguration ceremony takes place these days.

The Savings Bank has the biggest covering in the country. It has 23 branches, 123 banking agencies and 2240 employees.

Few days ago was inaugurated banks' affiliate in Berati town, south east Albania.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Golden Medal of Eagle awarded to two policemen of "Brisku" Unit

President's Press and Information office reports that Meidani handed over the medals to the family members of the policemen in the hall where the two bodies were placed for homages on Tuesday.

Accompanied by the Interior Minister Neritan Ceka, the President of the Republic honored a few minutes in silence the memory of the two policemen. /s.sh/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Tirana district collects more revenues than other ones

According to data published by the Tax General Department the main burden in collecting revenues is bore by Tirana district with lek 2 billion or 115 percent of the plan, out of lek 4 billion that was the total for the first quarter.

Good working pace is observed in picking up revenues from taxes in Kucova district with 174,3 percent of the plan, Durresi district with 153,7 percent of the plan, Elbasani district with 122 percent of the plan, Lushnja district with 132 percent, Pogradeci district with 114,5 percent, Vlora district with 113,5 percent and Librazhdi district with 111,8 percent of the plan.

Meanwhile, districts like Berati, Delvina, Gramshi, Kolonja, Lezha, Peqini, and Saranda have shown signs of improvement in collecting revenues.

But according to figures from this department not well is worked in Districts like, Mallakaster, Has, and Malesi e Madhe where is fullfilled only 25 percent, 26,3 percent and 39,2 percent of plan respectively.

Lagging behind in collecting taxes are also Gjirokaster district with only 60,4 percent of the plan, Dibra district with 62,7 percent of the plan and Shkodra district with 75,6 percent of the plan.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Illegal construction to suffer heavy fines

A lot of denunciations are submitted to administrative units and police precinct on illegal construction as in Tirana are suspended 19 construction activities and are put fines worth lek 350,000, in Durres also are suspended 28 construction activities, in Shkoder are suspended 34 ilegal construction activities and are put fines estimated to lek 2,8 million.

Objects under construction are suspended also in Vlora, Elbasani, Lezha, Korca and Berati towns and fines are put.

Also is being worked in finding out licensed constructions, which have infringed the technical rules.

Once the first phase is over, the second one will deal with the demolishing of these illegal constructions.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Welfare issue gathers town hall council

The meeting tackled the funds for this category of families, which during March reached 4,856 out of 4,704 families in February.

The chairman of the Council, Albert Bukeri asserted that the new welfare fund is the highest in the last five years.

The Council decided that based on the number of family members the aid should be allocated.

They also decided to deliver the aid during this week.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[28] Half of government members to be replaced

According to recent reports, confirmed in the party, headed by Premier Nano, the number of the government members will be reduced to 18 out of 22, and from the latter, some 10 or 11 names will be replaced.

The most discussed name is Neritan Ceka, actually Interior Minister, criticized a lot by the Socialist Party, but the SP Secretary General, Pandeli Majko, said on Tuesday that "the problem was neutralized."

The Prime Minister, charged by the coalition to present the new structure of the cabinet, will present in parliament on Wednesday the draft- law on the reshuffles in the government to take the vote of confidence for the new structure and ministers. /s.sh/das/mt/

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