Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-06-12

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Rent, water, fuel cost more dearly than the rest

[02] No looting occurred at Qafa-Thanes customs house -statement

[03] Albanian Red Cross continues to help Kosova refugees

[04] Albpetrol reconstruction study finished

[05] Ceka rejects reports on implication of Peshkepia in arm and drug trafficking

[06] Albania's deputy Speaker urges CoE to help Kosova refugees

[07] Ambassador of United Kingdom in Tirana presents the credentials

[08] Late April inflation was at 28 percent

[09] Deputy Speaker accuses Ngjela of violating human rights

[10] Ngjela vows to unveil names from former state and opposition

[11] No foreign secret service has influenced in Albanian crisis, Inquiry Commission

[12] Inquiry Commission: Prosecutor's office to investigate Berisha

[13] Fighting approaching Prishtine

[14] M3 component decline, but to increase further stock of M3

[15] Government coalition is on danger

[16] Drive to collect financial aid for Kosova begins

[17] FYROM prime minister to visit Tirana on Saturday

[18] Prosecutor's office urges detention of former interior minister

[19] Three wounded Kosova people arrive in north Albania

[20] International community, UN to contribute to people disarmament

[21] Weapons issue does not need mechanical solution, minister

[22] Albania puts its airports at NATO disposal

[23] SP officials urge chief auditor to reveal politicians involved in usuries

[01] Rent, water, fuel cost more dearly than the rest

Tirana, June 11 (ATA) - The Institute of Statistics reported Thursday the Consumption Price Index (CPI) for May 1998 dropped slightly of 0,19 percent compared to April.

But compared to December 1997 CPI rose 8,07 percent, while for the same period last year it mounted to 26,43 percent.

During May 1998 the prices of group "rent, water, fuel and energy" went up with 2,9 percent, where kerosine has the highest increase with 6,2 percent.

According to IS data, compared to December 1997 the CPI of this group rose 12,48 percent, while compared to May 1997 it went up to 27,17 percent.

The increase of ICP for this group is related with various factors. Thus apartment prices and their rent rose drastically.

The average price for one square meter in a new house is equal to $400-$500. While the monthly rent for a two-room, one kitchen apartment is around $200.

The price increase for this group will continue because in the privatization strategy are included the water enterprises, which after their privatization is thought to augment the water price. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] No looting occurred at Qafa-Thanes customs house -statement

Based on articles published by "Albania" and "RD" newspapers, customs' statement explains that not even a single incident has happened in Qafe-Thana but earning from this custom are on the rise recently.

The CGD has filed a suit against "Albania and "RD" newspapers for slandering state run institutions. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albanian Red Cross continues to help Kosova refugees

"The Albanian Red Cross, in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross, will send soon even a considerable quantity of chlorine for the aqueduct of Tropoje, sources of the Red Cross reported to ATA.

Sources from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent report that it is ready to be sent a convoy with 16 trucks carrying a new contingent of aid for the Kosova refugees. /mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Albpetrol reconstruction study finished

Tirana, June 12 (ATA) - The reconstruction study of state run oil company Albpetrol ended Thursday, chief of hydrocarbon department at the ministry of Public Economy and Privatization Kastriot Bejtja told ATA.

"The reconstruction process aims at converting Albpetrol into an oil and gas share holdings with a new structure able to face the challenges of the international business.

Oil and gas industry is one of the main branches of the Albanian economy, from the investments viewpoint and in collecting revenues for the state budget.

With the approval of privatization strategy by Parliament in March in the pre process of oil and gas privatization process are defined certain objectives.

Thus, the reconstruction of Albpetrol will aim in three directions. First the rehabilitation of production through activating the existing oil sources, secondly creating possibilities to explore new oil fields and last to upgrade the processing sector and marketing department.

These goals will be achieved based on the reconstruction study of Albanian oil company, initially enabling early investments by potential investors and the continuation of Albpetrol programs with foreign investors.

Albpetrol became a share holding in December 1995, with 100 percent state owned capitals.

At present it covers 50 percent of local markets needs with fuel. The annual output in 1997 was 380,000 tonnes of oil.

Country's oil reserves are estimated at 31 million tonnes. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Ceka rejects reports on implication of Peshkepia in arm and drug trafficking

"This is not true. The passport of Peshkepia was stolen in Italy by a person, whose name I cannot tell because of the investigation secret," said Ceka, also as the chairman of the Commission of Order and ShIK, referring to the Albanian police sources.

The DAP President confirmed that the above person will become object of a penal prosecution by police.

"The verifications have been made and the Italian authorities have been informed of this misunderstanding," said Ceka.

A report published by the Italian News Agency, ANSA, which refers to the attorney of Milan, Laura Barberini, said that some 125 arrest orders have been issued by the Italian authorities for arm and drug trafficking.

Among the names was also that of the DAP politician, as one of the leaders of a group heading this traffic.

Peshkepia himself confirmed on Thursday that he had lost the passport in Italy and rejected the accusations of the Italian Prosecutor's Office. /mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Albania's deputy Speaker urges CoE to help Kosova refugees

Topalli describes the poor situation of the refugees, but even the help offered by the Red Cross, which she says is insufficient.

"In such conditions, I address to you, knowing your humanism, to ask help for those children and women who do not have shelter, medicines, clothes, for those who do not know what to do today and tomorrow," ends the letter Josefina Topalli. /mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Ambassador of United Kingdom in Tirana presents the credentials

The department of state protocol reports that attending the ceremony of presenting the credentials was also the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo. /s.sh/mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Late April inflation was at 28 percent

During first quarter although the monthly rate declined from month to month thus in January it was 3,5 percent, February 1,8 percent and March 1, 2 percent.

This trend changed when monthly April rate registered 1,6 percent, contributing to a 28 yearly inflation rate, compared to a 24 percent at the end of first quarter 1998.

According to the BoA under these circumstances, it is difficultly to predict precisely the rate of inflation for the whole year.

Anyway based on the developments of the last years (excluding 1996) for the next three months a considerable seasonal decline on foods and alimentary goods prices is expected -- seems that inflation will match the target of 10 percent, according to the BoA. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Deputy Speaker accuses Ngjela of violating human rights

Dokle made this accusation after Ngjela spoke of several reserves he had for the final report of this commission (which he did not sign), according to which not only the state had given a blow to the people, but even the contrary had happened.

Ngjela declared that there has been insurrection and said that the imprisonment of several persons does not bring anything good.

"Ngjela does not know the truth regarding last year. A tragic event occurred in Albania between the two statements of 10 political forces, one on March 6 and the other on March 9, 1997," said Dokle.

A point of the statement on Match 6 said that "The ten political parties decide to stop the offensive operations against the population and southern zones."

Dokle said that this point showed that these operations had started.

Another agreement was signed on March 9, 1997, and the National Reconciliation Government was set up, which led the country towards the early elections.

"Only one person has not observed this point and he is the Chairman of the National Council of Defence, Sali Berisha, and the members of this Council," said Dokle.

Responding to Ngjela, who said in his speech that there are people in power today who did not accept the March 9 accord, Dokle read all the points of this agreement, of which it was not completed only one saying that the arms taken should be handed over within the week. /mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Ngjela vows to unveil names from former state and opposition

Ngjela read in parliament the Commission's report, which he, himself, had not signed as he had his own reservations.

Ngjela was asked about the position of former president Sali Berisha during unrest and the responsibilities of the former-opposition.

Referring to the report he read, Ngjela said that he could not reject the material in principle, but he would explain his vote against.

He said that the material prepared by the other part of the commission deals only with one topic: the position of the state towards the individual.

"The report presents only what the state has violated but does not explain how legal have the acts of the others been," said Ngjela.

He said that there had been partial revolts last year and asked whether there was a law to defend this.

"For me, from the juridical point of view, it is not important what was the aim, but what was done," said Ngjela adding that there is nothing more grave that the army's dismantling.

He said that the commission has not deeply considered the fact that the country reeled out of control, adding that only one was killed when the state existed. Ngjela asked the deputies whether anarchy should be regarded as a positive fact. He said the imprisonment of several persons is of no avail for the future.

"There are also people in power who did not accept the 9 March agreement reached among ten parties which led to the National Reconciliation Government. The peace of March 9 was destroyed and the commission has not said in the report who destroyed it," said Ngjela.

Considering the March 9 agreement a compromise between the two parties, the former state and former opposition, Ngjela asked whether this compromise was preserved.

"The 9 March agreement was not between two parties. We, as an opposition were not a party, because we were persecuted by the state. We only intervened between the state and the people, hoping to solve something, " said Majko, SP secretary General, in response to Ngjela.

After the session, commenting before reporters the opposition's non participation in today's session (DP has not recognised the Ngjela commission) Ngjela said that the opposition has its own right.

Majko said that its is high time that the names of the persons responsible are revealed, but, however, it is the prosecutor's office which will decide.

The fact that the DP in yesterday's session on usuries, was represented by four deputies and today it did not appear at all, shows DP's interest in unveiling the persons responsible for the unrest," said Majko after the session.

The document presented in parliament asks that the documents against former president Sali Berisha should be passed to the prosecutor's office and the conclusion be reached that the state has dealt a heavy blow to the people. /pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] No foreign secret service has influenced in Albanian crisis, Inquiry Commission

According to the report, the state dealt a blow to the people during the revolts, the state of emergency was unmotivated and SHIK had violated constitutional powers.

According to the evidence provided, until January 25 the protests were peaceful, only in search of the money lost in pyramid schemes.

The commission thinks that the President of the Republic, Parliament and the government could have neutralized the precipitation of the events if they the Meksi government was attacked for incapability in preventing the social and financial collapse.

"The March 9 agreement between ten political parties, the establishment of the National Reconciliation Government and the deployment of Alba forces restrained the total destruction of the Albanian nation and state, but the anarchy continued even later," say the reports.

In March 1997, the then chairman of the National Information Service (SHIK), Bashkim Gazidede, had accused in Parliament as authors of Albania's destabilization "chauvinist circles of neighbouring countries" and "other segments." /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Inquiry Commission: Prosecutor's office to investigate Berisha

According to the report, the state dealt a blow to the people during the revolts, the state of emergency was unmotivated and SHIK violated the constitutional powers.

"In January 1997, almost the whole authority of the state was concentrated on the President of the Republic, who, not only because of constitutional faults, but also because of his authoritarian psychology, violated the constitutional powers.

The Former President and Commander General of the Armed Forces, according to documents, has gone beyond the decision of parliament on the use of the armed forces in service of the public order forces. His order does not define the number of the public order forces to engage in this task and does not make clear that they will be used only in defence of the state institutions.

"The archaic way and without democratic sense of using the army created tension and helped the political opposition forces exploit the collective psychosis of fear and tension to lead the society to the parameters of a civil war," the analysis of the commission says.

The commission provides a wide documentary basis consisting of plans for military operation and orders for partial mobilization, movement of troops and light and heavy armaments towards Southern Albania by the army, orders for arming the structures of the Interior Ministry, Guard and National Information Service (SHIK) with heavy armaments such as rockets and cannons, armoured personnel carriers, machineguns, grenades and other weapons.

Considering the SHIK documentation for the 1992-1997 period, the commission has observed that it has gone beyond the legal structure, pursuing and surveying the opposition and political leaders while they were deputies.

Berisha is accused that during the March-June 1997 period, through separate decrees, pardoned a large number of criminals and wanted persons.

The commission holds that the former state and opposition should be responsible for what happened, especially those who ran the state should be responsible for their acts which led to the destruction of the Albanian state and elimination of its structures.

At the end, the Commission proposed to Parliament that the following persons are politically and legally responsible and have violated Articles 26 and 28/1 of the Constitutional Provisions:

Sali Berisha (former President,) Bashkim Gazidede (former SHIK chairman,) Safet Zhulali (former Defence Minister,) Adem Copani (former chief of the Army General Staff,) Halit Shamata (former Interior Minister,) Leonard Demi (former State Defence Secretary.) According to the report, the above mentioned must be further investigated by the prosecutor's office. /s.s./pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Fighting approaching Prishtine

Fighting is approaching the Kosova capital. The Serbian forces last night attacked the Albanian villages only 10 km west of Prishtine.

The attack concentrated on the villages Hamidi of Obiliq commune and Bivolak of the Vushtri commune and their suburbs.

The inhabitants of these villages, mostly children, women and old, left overnight in the direction of villages Zhilivode, Strofc, Becuk and areas around the Qyqavica mountain, bordering Drenice.

In defence of their hearths and families from the Serbian massacres, the Albanian population has been organised and there have been fierce confrontations, but there are no immediate reports on the consequences on the part of Albanians.

Sources of the Council for the Defence of Human Rights report that the Serbian forces have suffered three killed and material damages.

Last night and this morning Serbian military and police forces headed for the attacked regions and are deployed around them.

Troops and heavy armaments have been deployed at the Plemetin village, near Obiliq, the reports say adding that the Serbian troops have also stormed Albanians' houses in this and other villages.

The situation is reported grave with military planes and helicopters flying over the attacked regions. /p.ta/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] M3 component decline, but to increase further stock of M3

Compared to the end of 1997, apart of time deposits the stock of M3 components registered reduced levels.

More concretely the stock of COB demand deposits and foreign currency deposits respectively were less lek 4,2 billion or 6 percent, lek 2,6 billion or 14 percent, lek 0,8 billion or 2 percent.

In contrast the time deposits were able enough not only to offset the M3 component decline, but to increase further the stock of last year by lek 4,6 billion more than the stock of last year.

The main stress should be put to the very low weight of demand deposits to the total M3 aggregate.

At the end of March 1998 this ratio in percentage was only 8 percent compared to 9,5 and 27 percent respectively at the end of 1887 and 1996. /gen/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Government coalition is on danger

TIRANA, June 12 (ATA) - The leader of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and former Interior Minister, Neritan Ceka, has declared that his party will leave the government coalition if the government members involved in smuggling are not discharged, reports Gazeta Shqiptare on Friday.

According to the above paper, Ceka has declared that his party will review its stand in the coalition if the Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj (SP) and the Director of Customs, Gezim Bleta are not fired, both accused by the DAP as traffickers who protected by the socialist Prime Minister, Fatos Nano.

"We cannot cohabit in a coalition where the incapable persons are not punished, people who have caused the state budget a loss worth $100 million, " the paper quotes the DAP leader as saying.

The Prime Minister, Fatos Nano has declared in press that the DAP leader does not understand how does the governing function, by protecting Minister Malaj and the Chief of Customs, Gezim Bleta.

"If Nano will defend with the same style incapable people, who have lost the battle with smuggling, he should be sure that this will be at his cost," Ceka told Gazeta Shqiptare on Thursday in response to the statements of Nano.

Ceka began the attacks against the Minister of Finances after his removal from the post of the Interior Minister in the framework of the government reshuffle. Ceka has spoken of the huge losses caused to the state budget due to the smuggling of cigarettes and other goods of the excise.

Meanwhile, leaders of the government coalition have reacted in different ways regarding the threats of Ceka for removal from the coalition.

The Coordination Secretary of the Socialist Party, Gramoz Ruci, supporting Nano, said Friday to Gazeta Shqiptare that "We rule even without Neritan Ceka."

"If the liberal democrats are not ready to respond to the formula of co-governing, but will deal with the mandate of proper names in the government cabinet, we can govern even without them," Ruci told the above paper.

According to Gazeta Shqiptare, to the chairman of the Social Democratic Party, also Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, the debate between Nano and Ceka has had a personal character and as such it does not risk DAP's quitting the coalition.

While to the chairman of the Human Rights Union Party, Vasil Melo, quoted by the same paper, the coalition would have no meaning if the member parties would quit.

Attending the government coalition, which has decided to field up joint candidates in the partial local elections of June 21, are the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, the Human Rights Union Party and the Agrarian Party. /mima/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Drive to collect financial aid for Kosova begins

"The government's drive to gather immediate and emergency aid for Kosova's independence, began today," says the statement.

It says that there are almost eight years since the Albanians outside Kosova, as well as the Albanians from the Albanian ethnic territories and those in Kosova, have been providing financial contributions for the resistance of the people in Kosova, creation of state institutions of Kosova and their recognition on the international arena.

"We are in a moment when Serbian aggression, through barbarous methods, is attacking and killing civilian population in Kosova, destroying their properties and assets, aiming at Kosova's ethnic cleansing."

"We are in a moment when along with the killed and massacred there are more than 100 000 people massacred," the statement says.

"Under these conditions, the state bodies expect from all Albanians, as well as from other people of good will, to financially support the battle waged by our people for Kosova's independence."

"We consider that these moments require a joint action of all in Kosova and outside it, but also a positioning which would respond to the situation created by all the state and political bodies, institutions and media," the statement says. /p.ta/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] FYROM prime minister to visit Tirana on Saturday

During his stay, Cervenkovski was expected to hold separate talks with his Albanian counterpart Fatos Nano, president Rexhep Meidani and parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi.

The talks will focus on promotion of bilateral relations and situation in Kosova.

The two delegations were expected to sign some agreements.

Cervenkovski is going to visit the port of Durres on Sunday, some 40 km from Tirana, through which FYROM transports a great volume of goods. s.s/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Prosecutor's office urges detention of former interior minister

Shehu has been accused of failing to hand over his pistol and of illegal possession of weapons.

"Agim Shehu has left Albania without carrying out his obligations according to the law. Besides his personal pistol, he has also another pistol but not a TT-type, telescopic sight rifle and other armaments," Aleksander Goga military chief prosecutor said to ATA.

The military prosecutor's office will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Order and Interpol to extradite Shehu to Albania after the Tirana court considers his custody.

Agim Shehu has fled Albania after June 29 elections. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Three wounded Kosova people arrive in north Albania

Though the flux of refugees from the hot spots is decreasing "an average of 100 persons mostly women, children and elderly arrive daily," Isa Koliqi secretary of the district council said.

He said that some 8 thousand people had been registered while the number of Kosova people arriving there was over 15 thousand.

Humanitarian aid from the government, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Red Cross keep arriving in Tropoja, aid estimated at 400 tons.

Meat products and detergents were expected to come soon, Qemal Perllaku, the envoy of the Tropoja prefecture on the ground said. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] International community, UN to contribute to people disarmament

Dhanapala, who held talks with the president Meidani on Friday, headed a mission of the Disarmament Department to assist Albania collect weapons, according to press and information office close to the presidency.

President Meidani briefed the U.N. delegation on the total number of weapons, which are widely available in Albania, the danger of explosive substances collected or available in hermetically sealed depots.

Dhanapala confirmed president Meidani the readiness of the international community and the UN structures in drawing up a plan and its implementation aiming at collecting weapons widely available together with the Albanian authorities.

Referring to the Kosova issue and the efforts of the international community to prevent "genocide and ethnic cleansing there", president of Albania considered much necessary and hailed yesterday's decision of the NATO foreign ministers.

He said that a kind of international presence should have been installed in Kosova since February when he asked the U.N. Secretary General for.

"Now, it needs a real presence with "heaviest" structures which need a greater international or Euro Atlantic engagement, and even an authorisation of the Security Council," Meidani said to U.N. senior officials. ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Weapons issue does not need mechanical solution, minister

A spokesman of the Order Ministry said that Teta briefed them on the work of the order forces in collecting weapons and focused on difficulties the police were facing.

Representatives of the UN mission said that their organisation was ready to render the necessary assistance. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Albania puts its airports at NATO disposal

Fatos Nano, the Albanian prime minister, told journalists in a briefing late on Friday at the end of a government meeting, that "Rinas and other airports were put at the disposal of NATO starting from today."

Nano said to them that he and his government were feeling quieter and more optimistic for the fact that Albania's attitudes were on the same footing with those of the international community.

As regards the fact that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has so far opposed the NATO demonstration flights over its territory, Nano said that this topic would not be excluded from the agenda of a meeting on Saturday in Tirana with his Macedonian counterpart Branko Cervenkovski.

He said that the Kosova crisis was not only Albania's issue and he believed that a solution to this issue would be found.

The NATO foreign ministers decided on Thursday in Brussels to send planes to conduct military exercises over the territory of Albania and FYROM.

The meeting's final statement said that these exercises would have "a clear aim of displaying NATO's ability and make present its force in the region." das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] SP officials urge chief auditor to reveal politicians involved in usuries

Arapi refused to publish them saying that this needed a law to rule this.

"The Democratic party has accused us on Thursday through the Albanian television of profiting some $240 thousand in pyramid investment schemes while Dokle $120 thousand," Majko said to ATA on Friday asking Arapi to reveal their names in television.

Majko said that reluctance to publish names was giving momentum to the Democratic party in its campaign of slanders.

As regards Arapi's claim on a law that will allow publication, Majko said that he did not know any law which could hinder publication of persons.

Majko and Dokle said to ATA that they would bring a slander action against those who had accused them as they had violated the election law and Albania's penal code which punished those who slandered. das/ak/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article