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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-05-05Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] State Control to investigate in Order Ministry, says MinisterTIRANA, May 4 (ATA) - By A. Simoni: The Minister of Public Order, Perikli Teta, will urge the State Control to investigate into the Order Ministry, Teta himself told Monday an interpellation during the afternoon session."When I left the post of the State Secretary for the Defence Policy, I urged the State Control to come in the Defence Ministry to investigate our work and not to abuse with the homeland, with its defence," said Teta. "I will do the same thing even in the Order Ministry, I am undoubtedly convinced that Ceka is not involved," added the successor of the President of the Democratic Alliance Party in the head of the Ministry. According to the law, approved last year, actually the Head of the State Control Commission is appointed from the opposition, respectively from the National Front Party (Balli Kombetar). /a.ke/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Head of Law Commission asks replacement of DP deputy chairmanTIRANA, May 4 (ATA) - By A. Simoni: The chairman of the Commission of Laws, Zamira Çako, urged Monday the People's Assembly to replace the democrat deputy chairman of this commission, because he has not come in any of the meetings held by the commission."We urge Parliament to replace the deputy chairman elected by the Democratic Party, because during the time DP took up seats in Parliament, he has not come in any of the meetings of the commission," said Çako, speaking on behalf of her commission. The Socialist deputy, Zamira Çako, was named Head of the Commission of Laws a week ago, after the removal of Fehmi Abdiu, appointed later Chairman of the Constitutional Court. /a.ke/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albania, Greece sign cooperation agreementTIRANA, May 5 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Albanian minister of Health Leonard Solis and his Greek counterpart Kostandinos Geitonas signed early on Tuesday an agreement on health cooperation between the Albanian and the Greek governments.A spokesman of the Health Ministry said that "the agreement envisages a promotion of cooperation in the health and helps exchange experience through joint research programmes, information on public health, hygiene, border cooperation aiming at preventing epidemics." The agreement said that part of the Albanian patients are going to be treated free of charge in Greek hospitals. Albanian citizens who have not been insured during their legal stay in Greece will be offered free medical help in cases of emergency. The accord also envisaged a number of scholarships for doctors, nursery staff and health administration staff. It also foresaw sister- relations between hospitals and cooperation between Greece's National Medicine Control Organisation and Albania's National Medicine Control Center. s.s/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Former chief of National Commercial Bank under investigationTIRANA, May 4 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Former director of the Albanian National Commercial Bank (BKT) will be questioned on abuse of large amounts of money by the president of the VEFA Holding Vehbi Alimucaj and other company staff."Eduard Ypi, the BKT former director, will be under investigation. He will be questioned on how individuals, former employees of VEFA company, have utilised large amounts of dollars," an investigation prosecutor said to ATA on Monday. VEFA is the largest of five investment firms operating in Albania for about four years which collapsed in early 1997. So far the prosecutor's office possesses evidence that seven persons have opened bank accounts for large amounts of money but there are also others who have abused them in cooperation with Vehbi Alimuçaj on VEFA's account. The evidence show that the amount worth $300 million available in the VEFA bank account between January - August '97 was reduced to $8 million at a time when the law envisaged a withdrawal of not more than 30 million leks daily by VEFA, the same source said. It added that BKT and VEFA cooperation will also be under investigation. ake/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Committee on economic policies discusses road infrastructureTIRANA, May 4 (ATA) - The interministerial committee on economic policies convened late on Monday under the prime minister Fatos Nano to discuss road infrastucture.First, the committee, attended by some members of the government cabinet and ministry specialists, assessed the analysis on the present situation and emergent undertakings to rehabilitate the road infrastructure in the Tirana city and interurban ones and then all over Albania, presented by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. They focused on rehabilitation of roads, which are in a poor state of maintenance, construction of new road segments and offering optimum conditions to road traffic. The committee also discussed the supply of population in urban and rural areas with running water. ake/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] One killed, four injured in PonoshecPRISHTINE, May 5 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported on Tuesday that one Albanian was killed and four others were injured, including two women and a child, during Monday's attacks against the Ponoshec village, according to official sources in Kosova.A dramatic situation prevailed in the border line between Kosova and Albania due to incessant military operations and attacks of the Serb military, police and paramilitary forces against the Albanian population. Late on Monday at 16. 00. p.m., the Serb forces opened artillery fire against the Pepec village, one km from Ponoshec. The Serbian attacks were intensive around the Morina village and other border points. Military and terrorist operations of the Serb forces continued on Tuesday in the border villages and suburbs of Gjakova. Serb armoured carriers and other heavy armaments of the Yugoslav army, truckloads of Serb special police and paramilitary were seen heading for the border. The city of Gjakova and all the regions is under full control of the Serbian forces, who maltreat and terrorize the Albanian population. bca/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Revenues from excise only 51 percentTirana, May 5 (ATA) - Earnings from excises were posted at lek 118 million or 51 percent of plan for April, which was forecasted to be lek 230 millions.Data from the Statistics Department at the Customs General Directorate show that excise tax is not collected in Pogradeci and Shkoder districts. Meanwhile in customs houses of Tirana, Vlora, Durres and Gjirokaster the excise plan is fulfilled at 91 percent. During this year around 2,7 billion lek are predicted to be collected in excise revenues, which is double the amount of the previous year. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Tirana Stock Exchange to help in formalizing hard currency marketTirana, May 5 (ATA) - Tirana Bourse aims at formalizing the hard currency market, which also means the first phase of its program.The second phase has to do with the operation of bourse as a seller and quoter of shares of most promising companies. Tirana Bourse is the first financial institution of this kind in Albania. As such it is trying to familiarize the financial system, legislation and Albanian public with notions less known in the market of capitals. It is trying to set up the vision of the market's capitals in the future, the duties and special role of financial institutions in achieving their goals. The current limited activity of the Bourse in selling treasury bonds or a limited series of obligations is an objective consequence of the Albanian legislation and economic system in generally and Tirana stock exchange in particular. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] 135 joint ventures operate in AlbaniaTirana, May 5 (ATA) - There are 135 public enterprises, converted into joint ventures with foreign and Albanian capitals.According to Albanian Centre for Economic Research, out of total number, 102 are joint ventures with foreign capital and 33 are joint ventures with private Albanian capital. The scheme of enterprises according to the type of capital No. of joint ventures !State possesses! State possesses! Total ! over 51% ! under 51% ! Joint vent with foreign! 3 ! 99 ! 102 capital ! ! ! Joint vent with local ! 18 ! 15 ! 33 capital ! ! ! ------------------------ ---------------------------------------- Total ! 21 ! 114 ! 135 ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- According to the same centre the public sector in industry encompasses three enterprises' categories In the first category fall state run enterprises and those transformed into share holding with 100 % state capital. In the second category are joint enterprises with Albanian and foreign capital, where state possesses over 51 percent of it. In the third category fall joint ventures with Albanian and foreign capital, where state possesses under 50 percent of it. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] WB mission visits tourist zone of SarandaSARANDA, May 5 (ATA) - By Sh. Hajno: A mission of the World Bank, headed by Tia Duer, director of the section for the development of the environment and the cultural heritage close to the World Bank, examined recently the construction of several tourist villages in the zone of Ksamil- Butrint near Saranda (Southern Albania).The recommendations of the mission, which was also made up of environmentalists, were for a better coordination of the touristic constructions with the environment of this area. The agreement for the establishment of the tourist zones has been realised with the Maltese company "AX Holding," with the company "Mak Albania," with the German firm "Kirschenberger" and with the Italian firms "Torcelo" and "STS." The authorities of the district council told ATA that the last year's turmoil interrupted the activity of the "Torcelo," company which has started work in 1996 and prevented the beginning of constructions of other companies in this zone. /s.sh/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Greece is ready to help Albanian system of health - Greek MinisterTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - Greek Minister of Health Konstandinos Gitonas declared on Tuesday in Tirane that Greece and international institutions it adheres to will support the restructuring and reorganization of the Albanian system of health, press and information office of the People's Assembly of Albania reports."We thank our southern neighbour (Greece) for the growing support for Albanian emigrants and for the free medical treatment for thousands of Albanians in the Greek hospitals, which is not only a humane act but also a political good will between our two countries," said that Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi during the meeting with Gitonas. Focusing on the latest tragic developments in Kosove, Geitonas said that his country supports the settlement of the crisis in Kosove through dialogue and with international mediation because any spillover of the conflict will have consequences for the whole region. Mr Gjinushi said that "further extension of the conflict may create uncontrolled situations, therefore it is the moment for the international community to be more resolute in its stands and acts." /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Gjirokaster to take part in conference "Balkan Cooperation network"GJIROKASTER, May 5 (ATA)-By H. Çani, The Gjirokaster city-hall has confirmed participation in the international conference "Balkan cooperation network. Water and environment", due in Salonika of Greece on Thursday.Gjirokaster will be presented in the conference with the study of the Proinvest association "The new system of sewers". The realisation of this study is estimated at 70 million leks. Taking part in the conference will be Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which will be represented by cities with a population of over 100 000 inhabitants, while the city of Gjirokaster has around 30 000 inhabitants. The amount at the disposal of the studies reaches $50 million. The sum has been earmarked by the European Union and is administered by the Greek government. /s.s/pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] World Bank to give 200 000 dollars for education of Albanian juristsTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi: Sandra Bloemenkamp, specialist of institutional and law reform in the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia and Erik G. Haythorn, World Bank adviser declared on Tuesday in Tirane that the World Bank will deliver 200 thousand dollars for the education of Albanian would be jurists, sources of the Ministry of Education say."In order to discipline the training of the coming jurists in three faculties, the system of correspondence will function only in the law faculty of Tirane and for a limited number of students," said Albanian Minister of Education, Et'hem Ruka during his meeting with the WB representatives. Speaking of the situation in the Albanian educational system, Minister Ruka spoke for the need of reform process in the faculties of law of the universities of Tirane, Elbasan and Shkoder. Present in the meeting also were the Rector of the Tirane University, Marenglen Spiro, the dean of the Law Faculty, Ksenofon Krisafi and the cabinet chief in the Education Ministry, Vaso Qano. Qano suggested to World Bank specialists to help in three main directions: improvement of the didactic programs, avoidance of cases of corruption in the admission contests in the law faculty and the training of the teachers. /a.ke/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Belgrade authorities step up tension in Kosove - FM statementTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - Albania's Foreign Ministry condemned in a statement today the policy of Belgrade which is increasing the tension in Kosove and reconfirmed its will that in cooperation with the U.S., NATO, OSCE etc., it to contribute to a stable, long term and peaceful settlement of the crisis in Kosove."In stead of responding to the repeated demand of the international community for the withdrawal of the Serbian police, paramilitary and military forces from Kosova, the Belgrade authorities are moving completely in the opposite side, by challenging and increasing the tension in Kosove," the statement says. "Serb military and police supported by radical ultra-nationalist paramilitary troops, are using in Kosova the scorched-earth tactics causing innocent victims among the Albanian civil population and ruining their dwelling centres," writes the statement. By denouncing the concentration of the Serb army and its heavy weapons in the border between Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the continuous threatening insinuations of Belgrade against Albania for alleged stirring up the conflict in Kosove, the statement points out that the policy of violence and repression is the worst choice that Milosevic and his team have made and are applying in Kosove. "This policy runs counter to all recommendations of the international community and the Contact Group in particular to ease the situation there and to prevent any spillover of the conflict in the region," says the statement. /a.ke/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] DP to present candidatures to the ART Steering Committee after performance is analysed in this institutionTIRANA, May 5 (ATA)-By A. Haxhiu, The representative of the Democratic party (opposition party) in the parliamentary media commission, Vili Minarolli, said on Tuesday that the DP will present its candidatures for the Steering Committee of the Albanian Radio-Television (ART) after the commission analyses the ART performance.Referring to the Monday's meeting, Minarolli told ATA that "At yesterday's meeting I have not expressed myself for a boycott of this committee by my party. Before presenting the new candidatures I asked that the commission analyses the performance of the ART Steering Committee, as we have our own reserves about its activity". He said the resignation of the DP members in the ART Steering Committee was not because of the expiry of the mandate but because they did not agree with the ongoing performance of the ART. At yesterday's meeting the head of the parliamentary media commission, Musa Ulqini, (SP) denounced the democrat "boycott" by not presenting the new candidatures for the ART Steering Committee. /a.ke/mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] USD quoted at lek 157,00Tirana, May 5 (ATA) - Tuesday'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 = 157,00 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared with yesterday's 157, 10 lek. The DM was traded for 87,10 lek, lossing 0,10 points compared to yesterday's 87,20 lek. The ITL (1000) was traded for 87,70 lek lossing 0.30 points compared with yesterday's 88,00 lek. GRD (100) was exchanged for 50,40 lek, gaining 0,40 points compared with yesterday's 50,00 The Swiss Franc was traded for 104,30 lek lossing 1,00 points compared with yesterday's 105,30 lek and so on. Tuesday exchange rates Currency Average exchange rates USD 157,00 lek DM 87,10 lek ITL (1000) 87,70 lek GRD (100) 50,40 lek SFR 103,10 lek FRF 23,20 lek GBP 220,40 lek JPY (100) 111,30 lek NLG 73,20 lek /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] BoA becomes member of Central Banks ClubTirana, May 5 (ATA) - The Bank of Albania became a member of a common club of central banks of Balkan, Middle Asia and Black Sea countries.Central banks of these countries signed the protocol of the Governors' Club. Protocol's aim is the strengthen of the relations among participant countries. It will enable the exchange of experience, coordination of assistance and deepen of collaboration. The idea for the foundation of the club was launched by the governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, Gazi Ercel, who will preside the Club during a two-year mandate. Initially the protocol was signed by nine countries, meanwhile other countries like Bosnia, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazachistan postponed the signing. The countries which signed the protocol are Albania, Azerbagian, Armenia, Moldova, Kirgistan, Macedonia, Rumania, Yugoslavia and Turkey. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Around lek 8790 million collected from customs' dutiesTirana, May 5 (ATA) - According to figures from the Statistics Department at the Customs General Directorate, revenues from customs duties for April are realised to 72 percent.So from the forecasted plan of lek 1,2 billion, only lek 878,5 million are picked up during this period. The plan is surpassed by Korca, Lezha and Gjirokaster customs houses, while pitiable in collecting customs revenues are Tirana, Durres and Vlore customs, where only 72 percent of plan is expected to be realised by them. In 1996 revenues from customs were posted at lek 7,1 billion, in 1997 they reached lek 8,6 billion, while the ambitious target for this year lek 14,5 billion seems hard to fulfill. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Demolition of illegal constructions to start soonTirana, May 5 (ATA) - Wednesday will commence the destruction of illegal construction, planned to be implemented since April 27, but was belated due to a Tirana court decision, spokesman of ministry of Public Affairs and Transportation told ATA Tuesday.Also it is agreed that Tirana town hall will issue in due time the decisions of the Territorial Adjustment Council, without which the illegal constrictions can't be destroyed. /gen/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Dissatisfaction for Chairman is not sufficient to create a faction in SP- SP Secretary GeneralTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - By Keida Kostreci: Albania's Socialist Party Secretary General Pandeli Majko declared on Tuesday that SP supports the idea of various trends of opinions within the party, but dissatisfaction for the party chairman is not sufficient to create a faction."Some former socialist ministers discharged by the Prime Minister and SP chairman Fatos Nano have expressed their reserves for the way Nano is directing the government," Majko told ATA, refuting the idea for the creation of a faction in the Socialist party. "The policy and media are exchanging their mutual crises," said Majko, referring to the coverage by media of the problems within SP. "Important for us is to have various opinions within the party and these opinions exist," said Majko, illustrating this with the ideas expressed by Dritero Agolli and Servet Pellumbi, who have strongly criticized Nano's governing in their articles. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Number of arrested in connection with Ure Vajgurore massacre increasesBERAT, May 5 (ATA)-By I. Manka,The Berat district court on Tuesday issued a ten-day prison arrest order against Fatos Corodeni, charged by the prosecutor's office with involvement in the massacre of Ure Vajgurore (south) in which four policemen and a civilian were killed. His arrest by the berat court brings the number of the directly involved persons in this case to eight. The court has so far upheld arrest orders against several former local militaries. /mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Question of former pyramid investment schemes unites opposition political partiesTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - A Haxhiu: Representatives of opposition political groupings "Union for Democracy" and "United Right-Wing" together with four associations of the creditors of the former fraudulent pyramid investment schemes demanded Tuesday from the Government that the creditors be a party in the process of the transparence of these schemes and in that for the repayment, and that the draft law for the repayment of the creditors be not applied until the transparence is over.In a statement made at the end of a round table, the representatives of these parties and associations demanded that the names of senior officials or former officials, who have profited unjustly from the loan- taking firms, be made public. The statement also demands the creation of a parliamentary commission to be directed by the opposition in order to give a final solution to this problem. The parties of the government coalition did not respond the invitation to take part in the round table discussion. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] SP statute has spaces for faction - SP deputyTIRANE, May 5 (ata) - By Keida Kostreci: The Socialist Party deputy Servet Pellumbi, known for ideas different from those of the SP chairman, Fatos Nano stated on Tuesday that Nano has not respected the various opinions within the SP, which may lead to their institutionalization.With regard to the idea for a faction within the socialist party, he told ATA that "this idea is not yet shaped and not made public." Although the SP statute does not carry the idea of faction, Pellumbi said that "it has spaces which help factions be formed." Some former ministers whom the Prime Minister and SP leader Fatos Nano has replaced, have launched the idea of creating a faction. Pellumbi said that "Nano has curbed the inner democracy in SP." According to Pellumbi, "the SP chairman has not observed the diversity of opinions in the party." Pellumbi did not consider normal Nano's decision to make government reshuffles without prior consultation with the party. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] BC-ALBANIA-ANDREATTA-KOSOVAWe hope crisis in Kosova is resolved through dialogue -Italian ministerROME,May 5 (ATA)-By Ilenja Mehilli,Italian Defence Minister Beniamino Andreatta said in Rome on Tuesday that for the time being no one thinks to dispatch troops to Kosova."At the moment we are at a stage of evaluating whether there are perilous situations on the border between Kosova and Albania and between Kosova and Macedonia, as Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano said last Thursday," Andreatta said. Andreatta said that this topic has been discussed by Italy's High Council of Defence, Contact Group and NATO and "we will soon see what will be the result of these evaluations". "There are various techniques to cope with this problem; not necessarily that of a concentration of military forces on the border, but also military exercises in the Albanian territory," said Andreatta. "However, we are still considering in an evaluation period. Meanwhile we hope that in the next weeks the parties sit and begin discussion, considering without prejudice the issues that have emerged since in 1987-88, a period when Yugoslavia through a unilateral act eliminated the autonomy of Kosova within the framework of Serbia," he said. /a.ke/mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Coalition government will take part in elections with joint candidates - DAP leaderTIRANA, May 5 (ATA)-By I. Paco,Chairman of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) Neritan Ceka on Tuesday stated that the government coalition parties will take part in the local elections with joint candidates, hoping in realising an Italian "Ulivo" type of alliance. Ceka told ATA that "a round table of the coalition parties has been projected for the newxt week which will open the series of meetings to discuss the candidatures, symbols and other modalities of an electoral campaign". Ceka said that he has held talks with SP Secretary General Pandeli Majko, SDP chairman Skender Gjinushi and HRUP chairman Vasil Melo, who have endorsed the idea of creating an "Ulivo" type of coalition. /mima/lm/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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