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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-15Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Albania's Foreign Minister to take part in U.N. Human Rights Commission activities.TIRANA, April 14 (ATA)-Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo on Tuesday left for Switzerland to take part in the activities organised by the Geneva based U.N. Human Rights Commission.The Foreign Ministry press and information department reports that the minister will deliver a speech on the defence of human rights and freedoms on April 15,1998. The activities in Geneva also coincide with 50th anniversary of the Human Rights Universal Declaration. /s.sh/das/lm/ [02] Processed fish to be tax exemptTirana, April 15 (ATA) - Through partial support from the Phare program of European Community it is aimed a qualification and logistic support in the fishing sector.According to fishing department at the ministry of Agriculture and Food is being drafted a three-year plan for managing the fishing sector. Besides the construction of the two fishing markets in Durres and Vlore, it is also predicted the setting up of two fishing boats repairing centres, one of which in Shengjin. According to specialists the talks in lifting customs taxes for exported processed fish to the European Community countries have advanced. There are 35 fish processed centres that conduct their activity along the Albanian coastal line, constructed mainly by Italian entrepreneurs, who are demanding the lifting of these tariffs. Long term investments are predicted to be carried out in the coastal waters to exploit the fishing natural sources, setting up also new canneries. [03] Peshkopia connected with phone network through MacedoniaTirana, April 15 (ATA) - The telephone line connection of Peshkopia town after a year of suspension was re linked through Macedonia, sources from Albanian Telekom reported Wednesday.Meanwhile, Librazhdi town is also connected by radio relay system. Albanian Telekom is working to connect Saranda town, down to the south with the country's general telephone network. [04] Constitution Commission renews debate on death penaltyTIRANA, April 14 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, The Constitution Commission on Tuesday renewed debate on capital punishment but did not change anything from the decision of the previous meeting to leave two variants, which will be decided in parliament.It is about article 7 of the chapter "On the fundamental human rights and freedoms" which should define the cases of life deprivation. The first variant is taken from the Estonian constitution and says that "No one can be deprived of the right to live, in an arbitrary way". Sabri Godo, co-chairman of the commission, who proposed that the article be reconsidered held this was the only variant to be presented in parliament. The second variant supported by the other co-chairman of the commission, Arben Imami, is that the the Constitution should not at all express on death penalty and article 7 include only the first point which says that "the life of every one is defended by law". According to them and the staff of specialists, this definition does not exclude death penalty, which can be specified by law in the Penal Code. Most of the public opinion in Albania favours capital punishment, because of the current situation. If the parliament does not decide during the approval of the constitution on one of the variants, it remains to be decided by the Albanian themselves, through referendum. /pas/lm/ [05] USD quoted at lek 159,20Tirana, April 15 (ATA) - Wednesday's average exchange rate in the informal market of Albanian currency "lek" against foreign currencies like USD, DM, SFR, ITL was in favour of these last.So $1 = 159,20 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 159,30 lek. The DM was traded for 88,50 lek, gaining 0,30 points compared to yesterday's 88,20 lek. The ITL (1000) was traded for 88,60 lek gaining 0.40 points compared with yeasterday's 88,10 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. Wednesday exchange ratesCurrency Average exchange rates USD 159,20 lek DM 88,50 lek ITL (1000) 88,610 lek GRD (100) 50,30 lek SFR 106,10 lek FRF 25,70 lek GBP 230,40 lek JPY (100) 111,20 lek NLG 73,50 lek [06] Employment lists to Italy sent back to AlbaniaTirana, April 15 (ATA) - The lists of people to be seasonally employed in Italy are sent back in Albania.The people's names were sent to Italy based on the signed agreement two months ago, according to which Albanian immigrants were supposed to work in agriculture and construction sectors. According to sources from the Albanian Labour Ministry the drafted lists were not accepted by the Italian side. The same sources say that the Italian side has demanded from the Italian employers to submit their requirements for the needed labour force, but it seems that the time wasn't enough to pick up this information. A meeting was forecasted on April 15 between the Italian and Albanian parties and the Italian employers, but the meeting has not take place [07] Durres, pilot city in USAID projectsDURRES, April 15 (ATA)-By G. Kabashi, Durres will be a pilot city in the implementation of local and foreign projects, under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).The city's mayor, Arqile Gorea, said at a meeting on Tuesday with intellectuals, businessmen and local government leaders that among the 35 projects approved by the municipality, the USAID, besides the "PAPA" assistance project for local administration, is also considering the possibility to help with the implementation of several other projects. The U.S. urbanist, Dr. Carlos, who for three weeks studied the real possibilities of the USAID assistance, set forward several alternatives for the application of the projects. Considering the personal experience with the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, which has similar characteristics to Durres, stressed the indispensability of defining the spaces to which the city will extend, of integrating the port, especially the ferries' terminal, into the civil life of Durres, and creating a business centre. He said that these are some of the domains in which the USAID will be present. /a.ke/pas/lm/ [08] Socialist parliamentary group presents draft-law on government's new structureTIRANA, April 15 (ATA)-By A. Simoni, The new Nano cabinet is expected to have 18 ministries instead of 22 it had earlier, according to a draft-law proposed by the SP parliamentary group and which is expected to be discussed in parliament this morning.Follows the new structure of the Council of Ministers:
[09] Demonstration of solidarity with emigrants held in AthensATHENS, April 15 (ATA)-By R. Goro, More than 10 000 emigrants demonstrated on Tuesday afternoon against the climate of xenophobia and racism being cultivated in the country and which is justified with a clamor against the emigrants' criminality.Placards written in various languages, which also included many in the Albanian language, demanded an end to the negative climate against the Albanian emigrants and protested against their expulsions, although the legalisation procedure is being impelmented. The protest also expressed solidarity of Greek workers with foreign emigrants. The demonstrators marched to the center of Athens, to the Omonia square, where they were met by a large group of Albanian emigrants. Later, they headed for the Greek parliament's seat, where they handed over a petition signed by 20 emigrant organisations and 17 Greek trade union, political and humanitarian organisations. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully and without any incident. The presence of a great number of policemen, who followed the demonstrators during their entire itinerary, also helped that the demonstration be held peacefully and without incidents. /a.ke/pas/lm/ [10] Stop deportation of Albanian emigrantsATHENS, April 15 (ATA)-By R. Goro, All the organisations participating in the big demonstration held in Athens Tuesday afternoon, in support of the foreign emigrants, handed over to the Greek parliament a petition, which condemns anti-Albanian xenophobia and hysteria recently dominating over a good part of the media, especially television, but also of the Greek society.The petition turns down as unacceptable the efforts to attribute to the emigrants the painful consequences that the globalisation of trades and new-liberal policy of the government causes to the Greek workers as well as the connection of the manifestation of crimes with the procedure of registration and legalisation of foreign emigrants in Greece. The petition says that the emigrants and the Greek workers have common problems. It is clear that the economic emigrants are not the cause of unemployment, dismissals from work, expensive living, privatisation, problems rising with the working hours and collective contracts, which are troubling millions of Greek workers, unemployed and pensioners. Therefore the unity of the Greek workers with the emigrants is the sole way to defend the rights of all, says the petition. /a.ke/pas/lm/ [11] Changes in government structure dictated by need to implement its platformTIRANA, April 15 (ATA)-By A. Simoni, Raising inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination to a higher level through strengthening the coordination institution requires removal of the position of the Minister of State close to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the creation in its stead of that of the Minister of Government Coordination; this is the reason that the position of a new deputy prime minister is added to the new structure of the government."The cabinet's composition will no more include the positions of the Interior Ministry Secretaries of State for Local Government and Defence Policy. These positions were established in the composition of the current cabinet in the conditions of the June 29 elections and as structures inherited from the national reconciliation government," the report accompanying the draft-law presented in parliament today by the Socialist Party (SP) parliamentary group says. "With the strengthening of the coalition and, as a result, of the enhancement of knowledge and mutual trust, such functions become not only unnecessary but also an obstacle for an effective running and organisation of the executive structures". "In order to ensure a more effective action and concentration on the tasks of restoring order and public peace, also based on the experience of such structures in other countries, the Interior Ministry is thought to be replaced by the Ministry of Public Order," the report says. "Given the realities created and aiming at a more effective activation of all the local government links and at a higher level of cooperation between the central and local governments, also supported by the necessary structures of finance and ncontrol, of the use of public funds in the new government structure, the Ministry for Local Government is created," the report says further on. "Aiming at the institutional strengthening of the governing element which covers economic cooperation and coordination of foreign donors' aid, also based on the functioning experience of the existing structures during this period, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism is thought to be added the function of the Minister of State for Economic Development and Cooperation, creating the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade in the government's new structure". "In the draft-law presented, the position of the secretary of State for Euro-Atlantic Integration is turned into the position of the secretary of state for Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Foreign Ministry. This change aims at better defining the objective of this position in the composition of the government cabinet, in order to implement the government's platform for a systematic preparation for our country's institutional, political and economic integration into the European Union." "In order to avoid existence of double inter-ministerial positions, the relations with the NATO Euro-Atlantic organisations and structures will be component parts of the functional tasks of the Defence Ministry". "In the structure of the new government cabinet the Ministry of Labour, Social and Women Affairs will be named the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, because the State Committee for Women and Children will be created at the Council of Ministers," the report says. /s.s/lm/ [12] Teenager removes Yugoslav flag from balcony of Yugoslav embassy in TiranaTIRANA, April 15 (ATA)-By I. Paco, A youth from Sauk, Tirana suburb, on Tuesday removed the flag fixed on the first floor balcony of the embassy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.Agim Ajazi, 18, at 8.30. a.m. climbed up the balcony of the embassy in Durres Street, unnoticed by the police on duty at first. He pulled out the Yugoslav Flag and threw it down, without obeying police orders to descend and surrender. Eyewitnesses and a correspondent of the Voice of America, who was there by chance, said to ATA that the policeman on duty shot twice in the air. After the teenager refused to obey him, the policeman fired a volley of gun fire. Police forces arrested Ajazi at 08.45 a.m. asking at first, as a press release of the Interior Ministry said, a permission from the authorities of the embassy to enter its territory. Police sources said to ATA that the detainee declared to have done this act out of his anger against Serbs, who, according to him, are oppressing Kosova brothers. The Interior Ministry said in its press release that "investigations are underway and police have taken measures to prevent repetition of such actions." s.s/pas/lm/ak/ [13] Funeral of Monsignor Robert Ashta heldSHKODER, April 15 (ATA) - By M.Malja: The funeral of Monsignor Robert Ashta, Bishop of Pulti, were held on Wednesday in the Cathedral of the city of Shkodra.The mass was said by Monsignor Angelo Massafra, Archbishop of Shkoder. Father Zef Pellumbi, speaking about Ashta's life, pointed out his contribution as clergy in one of the remote dioceses of the district, in that of Pulti, Dukagjin, a remote mountainous region in the Northern Albania. The coffin of Monsignor Ashta was placed in the church crypt. The first Albanian cardinal Mikel Koliqi, Archbishop of Shkoder, Frano Ilia and the Archbishop Ernest aoba were also buried in this crypt. The telegrams of condolences sent by the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Fatos Nano were read during the ceremony. s.s/ pas/ak/ [14] Parliament passes new government structureTIRANA, April 15 (ATA)-By Keida Kostreci: Albania's parliament passed on Wednesday the new structure of the government, without the presence of the Democrat deputies, who walked out of the hall, because they were not given a three-day time to present "their alternative of governing."Changes in the Council of Ministers, proposed by the Socialist parliamentary group, "were dictated by the need of implementing its platform," as the report attached to the draft law said. The leader of the Democratic party (DP) Sali Berisha reiterated the attitude of his party for "a caretaker government and new elections." "Berisha should correct the request for a draft law from his group. He should not forget that it is a minority and that his governing led Albania into chaos," Pandeli Majko, head of the Socialist parliamentary group said. Deputies debated some posts and the article on the coming into force of the draft law. Finally, the parliament voted that the draft law come into force within Wednesday. The new structure of the Council of Ministers, approved by the parliament, includes 18 ministries instead of 22. Following the new structure:
[15] Danish foreign minister to visit AlbaniaTIRANA, April 15 (ATA) - The Foreign Minister of Denmark Niels Helveg Petersen will arrive for an official visit to Albania on Thursday.During his stay in Tirana, he was expected to have separate talks with president Rexhep Meidani, prime minister Fatos Nano, parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi and his Albanian counterpart Paskal Milo. He was also expected to meet with the leader of the Democratic party Sali Berisha. s.s/pas/ak/ [16] Counterfeited USD of 1996 emission not discoveredTirana, April 15 (ATA) - Seized counterfeit US dollars and those supposed to have entered Albania by various individuals are many times fewer than the rumored ones, officials from the Bank of Albania told ATA Wednesday.The seize of 80,000 counterfeit USD in the affiliate of Savings Bank in Gjirokastra town, the sequestration of other 30,000 counterfeits USD in the apartment of a wanted person by police and some other cases in small amounts build up the tension in the informal exchange markets and local and foreign banks on the existence of an organized traffic regarding the entrance of phoney USD in Albania. Bur senior officials of the Bank of Albania assert that the counterfeit hard currencies are not an unknown or new phenomenon for the Albanian state. Only a few days ago some 300,000 counterfeited USD were caught in Ukraine. According to officials from the Bank phoney hard currency has circulated and circulates, and above all in Albania transactions in cash are to a high level. Meanwhile, figures from the BoA show that the sum of counterfeit USD 100 denomination emitted in 1990 and 1993, which is seized is insignificant in ratio with the same amount in circulation. Anyhow the increase number of phoney USD compared to the same period last year have tightened banks checking. BoA rejected the allegedly reports that counterfeit USD of 100 denomination emitted in 1996 are seized as well, by saying that this denomination has some characteristics of high security. [17] Rumania to grant Albania other 5,800 tonnes of wheatTirana, April 15 (ATA) - Late April will arrive in Albania the second instalment of 5,800 tonnes of wheat, gift of Rumanian government, sources from the General Department of State Reserves told ATA Wednesday.The shipment is a gift based on the agreement between two governments and the wheat is of a very high quality. With this part concludes the 10,000 tonnes of wheat granted by the Rumanian government. The first shipment worth of 4,200 tonnes reached Durres port some days ago and is deposit into state depots. In order to deliver this cargo rapidly, the state reserves department has signed an agreement with Trans Albania for the sea transport and with private subjects for road transport. [18] Former judge appeals for his dismissalTIRANA, April 15 (ATA) - By F. Zekthi: Former head of the Tirana Court Qazim Gjonaj has appealed in the Supreme Court against a decision of the Highest Council of Justice that ruled his dismissal, sources of the court's secretary said to ATA on Wednesday.Gjonaj was discharged as a judge on the decision of the Highest Council of Justice after a proposal of the minister of Justice Thimjo Kondi. During the months of unrest last year, former judge Gjonaj possessed six automatic rifles from the units of the National Information Service (SHIK) and had handed over only four of them but with different numbers. Minister Kondi said that these actions, which ran contrary to the law and the status of the judge, were enough for the Council to discharge Gjonaj from the post. s.sh/das/ak/ [19] Tirana Bank boosts interest ratesTirana, April 15 (ATA) - Tirana Bank has altered the interest rates for certain kinds of deposits.The interest rate for one month deposits in local currency with over 10,000,01 lek is augmented form 21 percent to 25 percent. Changes have also occurred in some other kinds of deposits. Annual interest rates---------------------------------------------------------------- Lek ! Account! 1M ! 2M ! 6M ! 12M ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 100,000-500,000 ! 2 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 23 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 500,001-1,000,000 ! 2 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000,001-3,000,000 ! 4 ! 23 ! 24 ! 24 ! 24 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3,000,001-6,000,000 ! 4 ! 24 ! 25 ! 25 ! 25 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6,000,001-10,000,000 ! 6 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! 27 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- over 10,000,001 ! 6 ! 25 ! 27 ! 27 ! 27 ! ---------------------------------------------------------------- [20] NEBEX completes third drillingTirana, April 15 (ATA) - Canadian company NEBEX terminates third drilling 700 meters deep in Munella copper field, north east Albania.This drilling follows up the two previous ones on the same depth. Alongside the Canadian expert work the Albanians as well. Soon NEBEX, based on the positive explorations will start the extracting of copper ore. NEBEX on December 11 signed with the state run Albakri company the agreement for the development and exploitation of Munella source. During a three year period it will invest some $15 million on feasibility studies, mineral exploitation and cooper processing. According to Albaker specialists, the copper reserves at Munella source are figured out over nine million tonnes. [21] Loan taking companies have declared lower figuresTirana, April 15 (ATA) - As it is reported, some 205 thousand people have deposit over $1 billion in Albanian loan taking companies, but suspicions are on the rise that these companies have declared lower figures, than those deposited by creditors.According to chief auditor, Farudin Arapi, the Financial Information Centre is processing direct data from creditors, which will be published soon, aiming that in June - July period the delivery of remaining assets start. According to Arapi is the government that will decide on the delivery of money and not the foreign auditing company "Deloitte & Touche" as it is said. But the $11 million declared until now by these companies is very low, compared to value of $1 billion deposited in these loan taking companies. The amount of $11 million currently deposited in Albanian banks is expected to grow due to various assets these companies possess and the investigations being carried out on certain individuals who have illegally profited from the companies. According to Arapi during June- July period should immediately start the delivery of money to creditors, who have never received interests for their deposits. [22] Opposition attacks new government structureTIRANA, April 15 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: Unity for Democracy grouping strongly attacked on Wednesday midday in a news conference the new government structure approved by the Albanian parliament.The main opposition leader Sali Berisha explained journalists the walkout of the right-wing deputies saying that "they were refused to have three days to present their alternative on a new government." The deputy Speaker, Democrat Josefina Topalli justified the absence in the meeting of the parliamentary leadership saying that "she has been paying the last tributes to Bishop Ashta," whose funeral was held on Wednesday in Shkodra. Opposition deputies Zef Bushati and Remzi Ndreu also walked out of the parliament's hall and said to journalists that they were prepared to debate democratically but parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi refused to give the floor to us. Berisha said that the government structure was not going to be approved by the North Atlantic Alliance because, according to him, "the post of the Secretary of State for the European integration is dependant on the Defence Ministry." Considering insufficiently the replacement of some ministries and alternation of some ministerial departments, Berisha did not hesitate to reiterate to journalists the phrase of the Unity for Democracy "for new elections and care taker government." das/ak/ [23] Minister says human right, liberties brutally violated in KosovaTIRANA, April 15 (ATA) - Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, who was attending the 54th session of the Human Right Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, said that fifty years after the introduction of the universal declaration of human rights, Albania found itself in a difficult way of establishing an open and democratic society, press and information Department at the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.Minister Milo focused on the work for a draft on constitution, improvement of legal system, right to express ones views, and others. Speaking on the cynical violence and repression exerted by Serbs in Kosova, Milo said that "since 1989 when Kosova has been deprived of its autonomy, it ranks first in the list of countries where the fundamental human rights, sanctioned by international acts and conventions and first by the U.N. Charter of 1948, are brutally violated and disregarded." "This aims at obliging the Albanians flee their territories on the basis of the well-known platform of ethnic cleansing," Milo said. Expressing high consideration for the commitment of the international community on Kosova, Milo urged the latter to issue clear-cut messages on the Kosova issue parallel with calls for an end to violence and prompt start of dialogue. s.sh/das/ak/ [24] Meeting in support of Kosova issueSHKODER, April 15 (ATA) - By M. Malja: A meeting organised by the Kosova patriotic, culturor association in cooperation with the local administration, political parties and non governmental associations (NGOs) on Wednesday in the "Migjeni" theater in Shkoder, Northern Albania, was aimed at supporting a right solution of the Kosova issue.Kimete Jashari, from Drenica, Kosova, who attended the meeting, told about the Serb repression against inhabitants of this province. "We are determined to stay in our territory, where 90 percent of the population are Albanians," she said. A silent rally was held on Wednesday in the "April 2" square in the city by the Student Independent Union. s.sh/das/ak/ [25] DAP opposes division of Interior MinistryTIRANA, April 15 (ATA) - By Ilir Paco: The Democratic Alliance party (DAP) reacted on Wednesday against the division of the Interior Ministry as it was planned by the new government structure approved by the Albanian parliament today.Prez Zogaj, DAP General Secretary said to ATA that "Albania has committed itself before the Council of Europe to go ahead with its alternation into a civil-type ministry, which includes police, local administration, civil census and civil defence forces." He added: "An MAPE group was operating in the Interior Ministry and is assisting this important process." "I think that this division does not respond to the new vision for a democratic state but only to some needs of political balances," Zogaj said. He backed the attitude of the DAP president Neritan Ceka, who voted against the change in today's parliamentary session. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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