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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-14Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Serb police maltreated 134 Albanian citizens in six monthsPRISHTINE, July 14 (ATA) - Serbian police have maltreated 134 Albanian citizens during January-June period in the Ferizaj commune, the Center for Information in Kosova said.During this period the Serb security bodies have questions 95 Albanian citizens and raided 61 Albanian families in alleged search of weapons. Some 52 citizens as well as political and humanitarian activists have been arrested five of them sentenced to prison, 46 detained. Two Albanians have been taken hostage during the same period. pta/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Turkish president to visit Albania todayTIRANA, July 14 (ATA) - President of the Republic of Turkey Sulejman Demirel will start a two-day official visit to Albania on Tuesday on the invitation of the Albanian president Rexhep Meidani.Demirel was expected to arrive at the Rinas Airport at 11.00. p.m. He will be accompanied by the state minister Setkiner, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Iami Cagan, head of the foreign parliamentary commission and a large number of senior personalities, leaders of different Turkish institutions, businessmen and representatives of Turkish media. This will be the second official meeting between the heads of state of both countries besides a series of other meetings between Meidani and Demirel in the margin of other international activities, a spokesman of the Albanian president said. During this visit cooperation agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries' state radio-televisions, news agencies as well as cooperation agreements in the field of social assistance and social insurance. Demirel was expected to meet with the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano, parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi and representatives of political parties. The Turkish president will greet the Albanian parliament and hold a joint news conference with president Meidani. ake/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] BE-HA-SE Turkish company won tender to rehabilitate road segmentTIRANA, July 13 (ATA) - By M. Pupa: The Turkish company BE-HA-SE has won the tender for the rehabilitation of the Rrogozhina-Elbasan road segment, part of the eighth corridor.This road segment is the second after the works in the other part Durres-Rrogozhine have been undertaken by the Greek company Sarandopoulos and the Italian Falcione. Seven companies had presented their documentation for the bid but the Turkish BE-HA-SE won it as it met all requests, Gezim Bimbli, Director General of Roads said to ATA. The work in this important segment, which is 38 km long and 11,5m wide, is estimated at $20 million. A new lane to the Peqin area including two new bridges is going to be constructed besides the rehabilitation of the existing roads. The contract envisaged that the works will finish after 24 months by the Turkish company pledges to finish them in 22 months. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Nikita Sallabanda - Spain's honorific consul to AlbaniaTIRANA, July 14 (ATA) - By Flora Nikolla: Nikita Sallabanda, 43, neurosurgeon of Spanish nationality, has been declared late on Monday Honorific Consul of Spain in the Republic of Albania.The Ambassador of Spain in Rome, Juan Prat Icol, declared this title calling it "honorific" in a festive ceremony at the Tirana International Hotel. "This title, which will be followed by the creation of the Spanish consulate in Tirana, is the important step for bilateral relations between Spain and Albania," Spanish ambassador said at the presence of the Albanian president Rexhep Meidani, friends of Spain and Spanish-speaking people. "This will serve as a bridge between the two Mediterranean peoples, who are linked by an ancient friendship," Juan Prat Col said. Spain does not have an embassy in Tirana while Albania has its embassy in Madrid. "Albania is ready to promote cooperation with Spain in all fields," Paskal Milo, chief of the Albanian diplomacy, said to ATA. s.sh/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Turkish president arrives in AlbaniaTIRANA, July 14 (ATA) - By I Paço: The Turkish president Sulejman Demirel arrived on Tuesday for a two-day official visit to Albania.Demirel was received at the Rinas Airport by the president of Albanian Rexhep Meidani, deputy prime ministers Kastriot Islami, Bashkim Fino, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and others. During his visit, the Turkish president was expected to meet Albanian senior authorities and discuss the situation in Kosova. Turkey and its people was expected to express their support for a realistic and democratic solution to that. During this visit cooperation agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries' state radio-televisions, news agencies as well as cooperation agreements in the field of social assistance and social insurance. Demirel, who arrived in Albania on the invitation of the President of Albania Rexhep Meidani, is accompanied by the state minister Setkiner, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Iami Cagan, head of the foreign parliamentary commission and a large number of senior personalities, leaders of different Turkish institutions, businessmen and representatives of Turkish media. The Turkish president will greet the Albanian parliament and hold a joint news conference with president Meidani. ake/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] EU to help rebuild Albania, concerned on Serb violenceTIRANA, July 13 (ATA) - Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union published on Monday a statement saying, among others, that the Council expressed its grave concerned at the ongoing violence and loss of life in Kosova, especially among the civil population.The danger of a rapid widening of the crisis continued to exist, the statement quoted by the press and information office at the Albanian Foreign Ministry. The Council reiterated its call for a prompt cessation of all hostilities and the restart of a political process with the direct international involvement between sides. The statement underlined that Belgrade's primary responsibility in the origin of the crisis and therefore for creating the necessary conditions for dialogue. The Council discussed Albania situation and the EU Council strongly encouraged the government of prime minister Nano to continue policy of restraint and moderation as regards the Kosova crisis, which is now more necessary than ever. It also called on the Albanian government to increase efforts to prevent the flow of weapons to Kosova. The statement said: "The council called on the international community to find ways to back the Albanian government in its endeavour." It noted the decision of the permanent council of the West European Union (WEU) to prepare a feasibility study on possible options for an international police operation in Albania. The council encouraged the Albanian government to continue its progress towards the democratic stabilisation of the country, stressing the need for further efforts on the part of the government to fight corruption and restore order and law. The council called on all political forces to adopt a constructive role in the democratic process. It expressed its concern on the decision of the opposition Democratic party (DP) to start a second boycott in the parliament and called on the DP to reconsider its attitude and return to parliament. The statement underlined that the EU Council of Ministers supported the proposal of the Albanian government for a conference on Albania in an appropriate time and confirmed the European Union's willingness to continue to make its particular efforts to support the rebuilding of Albania. The council reiterated the closeness of the link existing between strong EU support for Albania and close cooperation of Albania with the European Union and the international community in its efforts to solve the Kosova issue. ake/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] World Bank engaged in fighting corruption with Albanian governmentTIRANA, July 13 (ATA) - Resident representative of the World Bank to Albania Karlos Elbirt has sent a letter to deputy head of the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Government Coordination Kastriot Islami saying that they were very pleased and impressed by the cooperation with the Albanian government in organizing a forum to outline anti-corruption schemes and strengthen public institutions."We hail the Albanian government especially for an active and stimulating role in this initiative and for a higher professionalism in organizing the forum," the letter said. "I would like to stress once again the pleasure of cooperating with the Albanian government, maximum engagement of the World bank to draw up an action plan of the forum, and the concrete steps to be undertaken to that," Karlos Elbirt, resident representative of the World Bank in Albania said. agj/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Detained Islamists aimed at giving religious character to war in Kosova, daily saidTIRANA, July 14 (ATA) - The two Egyptians arrested at the end of June had aimed at creating camps of Islamic youth in Elbasan and training them for Kosova in order to give a powerful religious character to the war there, the daily Gazeta Shqiptare said quoting sources of National Information Service (SHIK) in Elbasan.The paper, referring to the same sources, said that one of the Egyptians, put into custody by the Albanian authorities in the "El-Hagri" two-year Theology Institute in Elbasan "is organising a camp with Islamists between 17 and 18 year-old, coming particularly from the north of Albania." Four to five youths settled in the institute's dormitory disappeared after the Egyptian was detained, religious people running the institute said to the daily. Meanwhile, the Mufti center in Elbasan had warned of a possible connection between the two Egyptians and the radical sect of selefists, who appeared in Elbasan four years ago following the arrival of Sudani and Pakistani people. As regards the aim of the two Egyptians to infiltrate in the war in Kosova and give it religious character, the daily said that the SHIK sources had confirmed that. There were rumors in Elbasan for a suspected activity of both Egyptians though their declared activity was of the humanitarian character to help poor families, the daily said. The two Egyptians, Maget Mustafa and Muhamed Houda, temporary resident of Tirana, have been arrested on June 28 accused of cheating through fake documents and illegal possession of weapons. During a routine check in their apartment, the police found an automatic rifle, a rifle and 60 cartridges, seals of Public Order police directorate, seals of visa office, those of Rinas airport check-in, and lawyers' college. Mustafa, 36, and Houda, 39, held posts in "Revival of Islamic heritage" association operating in Albania. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Serb artillery pounds Drenoc villagePRISHTINE, July 14 (ATA) - The village of Drenoc came under heavy artillery fire late on Monday but the Council of Human Rights in Rahovec said that there were no damages and casualties among the population, the Center for Information in Kosova said.The situation is very tense in the city and the surrounding areas where the Serb police reinforcement is increasing recently with other 200, the same sources said. They said that a seven-and-eight-man police unit was patrolling the Rahovec roads while a police check point was operating in a cross road south of the city. pta/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Fighting continues in Kosova, Serb warplanes fly over PrishtinaPRISHTINA, July 14 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that fighting are under way in Kosova and near the border line with Albania, that is, Dukagjin, Drenice and Rrafsh of Kosova.In other areas, which are not affected by the war, reinforcements are increasing. Serb warplanes flew in low altitude over Prishtina early on Tuesday. pta/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] United States offer aid to Albanian health sectorTIRANA, July 14 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: An aid worth $2 million from the United States arrived early on Tuesday in Tirana.The United States Ambassador to Tirana Marisa Lino said in a ceremony that today's aid was neither the first nor the last and expressed the readiness of her state to help Albania and the health sector. The aid includes medicaments produced in western countries, medical equipment for surgery interventions of all kinds, medical apparatus and others. Negotiations for the aid have been held two years ago under the auspices of former US Secretary of Defence William Perry. The Albanian Health Foundation enabled the arrival of this aid which is going to be distributed by the Health Ministry. s.sh/pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Copper mine in Rehove resumes workKORCE, July 14 (ata) - By B Fejzullai: The copper mine in Rehove of Korce district (south-east of Albania) resumed work on Tuesday.The director of Albaker affiliate in that district, Thimaq Kreku, told ATA that 200 thousand dollars, accorded by the state budget, were used to put that mine to work. The monthly capacity in the extraction of the copper ore in this mine is 3 500- 4 000 tons. There are about 200 people employed in the mine. The Rehove copper ore stopped its activity in March '97, because of the damage it suffered during the unrest of that year. /s.sh/das/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Agrarian party responds to co-governing challenge - 3d congress of AP starts -TIRANE, July 14 (ata) - By Ledio Orozi: The 3d Congress of the Agrarian Party of Albania started Tuesday afternoon in the Opera and Ballet Theater hall.The opening speech was made by the AP Secretary General, Resmi Osmani, who focused mainly on the role that AP plays in the government coalition and the indispensability of cooperation of this coalition in facing the transition challenges. In the main report of the congress, the AP chairman, prof.dr. Lefter Xhuveli stressed that "as for its nature, program and the sphere of the extension of its activity, the Agrarian Party has a broad social spectre, it enjoys support not only in the countryside but also in such sectors as in the food industry, fishing, forestry, pastures, etc., activities which with which more than half of the population of the country is linked with." In his briefing of the political events in Albania, Xhuveli said that his party "responds to the co-governing challenge for the establishment of the rule of law." In his speech, the PM and chairman of the Socialist Party, Fatos Nano, stressed the importance the Government attaches to the very good Albanian tradition of supplying the Albanian market with domestic agricultural products. "Co-governing," said Nano, "is the main feature and the strongest weapon of our governing, every effort to spoil our relationship for progress is, for me, a political corruption." At the end of the session, Mr Xhuveli, said to ATA that "whatever political rotation, the AP will support the development of the agricultural and livestock economy in all its components." The congress was also addressed by representatives of the European agrarian parties, who attended the congress and by the member of the Greek PASOK presidency, Ilia Urelidis. /s.s./pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] DP chairman hails understanding of political partiesTIRANE, July 14 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The chief of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, considered correct the stand of the political parties towards the DP's decision to finally boycott the Parliament."I hail the understanding that political parties manifested through their statements regarding our decision to boycott the parliament," said Berisha Tuesday in a news conference. The government coalition parties appealed Thursday to DP and its parliamentary group to take part in the Parliament. In a joint declaration of the government coalition parties, SP, SDP, AP, DAP and HRUP, on Thursday, called on the Democratic Party and especially to its parliamentary group to review "calmly the decision they have taken and to return in the Parliament." They considered the boycott of the parliament by the DP parliamentary group as a hasty, groundless and harmful act, which serves the destabilization of the parliamentary political life at a time when the country needs stability more than ever. The United Right wing political formation, consisting of Republican party, National Unity party, Movement for Democracy party, Right Democratic party considered hasty the act of DP to boycott the parliament. "The act of DP does not serve the local political situation if we bear in mind the developments in Kosove as well. For the republicans everything can be solved in the legitimate institutions of the country as the Albanian parliament is," said Friday Fatmir Mediu, Republican leader. The leader of Movement for Democracy party, Dashamir Shehi stressed that "any kind of boycott of state institutions is for us a dishonest political road, moreover for the present situation, despite the reasons that a party may present." Speaking Thursday in a news conference in the name of the parliamentary group of the Right Centre, the chairman of the Liberal Union Party, Teodor Laco said that "we cannot impose ourselves on DP, in the actions it takes, but nevertheless we are its allies, and we do not support this decision. We think that our parliamentary boycott would be an untimely act." /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Troika suggestions show support for DP - Berisha - Review your decision: Troika -TIRANE, July 14 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The largest opposition party in Albania, Democratic Party described Tuesday the suggestions by the European Troika following the decision of this party to definitely boycott the parliament, as a support for it."The demands of Troika show the support of this tri-parliamentary delegation towards our party," stated chairman Berisha in a news conference on Tuesday. Berisha stressed the DP stand would not change even if the European tri-parliamentary delegation returned to Albania to request its participation in the parliament, and that they would work to convince Troika of their decision, which, he said was correct. A joint statement of the OSCE Presence in Tirana and the special representative of the Council of Europe last Wednesday, only one day after DP's decision to leave the parliament said that "the OSCE Presence and the special representative of the Council of Europe are very worried about the decision of the largest opposition party to start a new, undefined boycott of Parliament and call on it to reconsider its decision." The DP decision was considered by these international organisations a counter-effect to the consolidation of a democratic state, based on the force of the law, which all the parties are responsible for. The U.S., through a statement of the State Department made public last Thursday, after powerfully supporting the joint statement of the OSCE Presence and CE, considers the DP decision to boycott parliament "a setback in the consolidation of democratic development of Albania, and calls on the DP to reconsider its decision and take up its seat in parliament." "This action of Sali Berisha is something very negative. Internal reconciliation remains the main demand of the International Community for Albania and in this direction Sali Berisha's action is wrong," German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel told reporters during his visit to Albania last week. /s.s./xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Turkish President supports peaceful solution to crisis in KosoveTIRANE, July 14 (ata) - Turkey's President Sulejman Demirel stated Tuesday in Tirane that his country energetically supports the condemnation of violence and the peaceful solution to the Kosove question, the Albanian President's press office told ATA."The world opinion, including Turkey, is with Kosove," said Demirel in a meeting Tuesday with his Albanian counterpart in Tirane, Rexhep Meidani. Meidani-Demirel meeting was held in closed doors and lasted 30 minuted more than expected. The Turkish President considered the question of Kosove not only of the Albanians but of all the Balkans and the international community. Albanian President said that the Albanian people of Kosove are facing Serb fierce military violence, which is leading the whole region to destabilization. President Meidani considered the chairman of the Turkish state "a great friend of the Albanian nation." "This visit is a proof of our brilliant political relations and an expression of the friendship between our two peoples. Despite the political changes in Albania, Turkey has maintained a growing constant in the relations with Albania, which is based on the joint traditions and in the very great Albanian community in Turkey," said Meidani. The Turkish President said that the Albanians and Turkish are brothers and rejoice over the good, as well as regret for the bad for each other. "I am proud," said President Demirel, "that you consider me a friend of the Albanians." President Meidani voiced the conviction that his visit will give a new impetus to the bilateral relations in all the fields. Meidani and Demirel made the balance sheet of the bilateral relations. Turkish president Demirel laid the need of intensification of the work of bilateral commissions in all the fields and especially in the activation of the Business Council and the most possible implementation of the agreement on free economic zones between the two countries. They considered as important the Turkish aid for Corridor 8, the further cooperation in the restructuring of the Albanian army and police, in the infrastructure, in the field of transport, fight against drug- trafficking and addiction and other illegal traffics, in medicine, the protection of environment, etc. "We are ready to respond to all demands of the Albanian party," said Demirel. President Meidani highlighted as priority the opening in Tirane of a Turkish bank affiliate in support of Turkish investments. Meidani demanded more consular facilitation for Albanian citizens. They also praised the cooperation in the field of education and asked that the possibility for an equivalence between the higher education diplomas be considered. /a.ke/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] 55 tons of Turkish Red Crescent aid for refugees from KosoveTIRANE, July 14 (ata) - By Rudina Xhuvani: The Organization of the Turkish Red Crescent donated Tuesday to the Albanian Red Cross a 55 ton aid for refugees from Kosove who left their homes towards the North of Albania to escape Serb violence and repression."In the course of the support by analogous associations through the International Federation of the associations of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, for the Albanian Red Cross to help the refugees from the region of Kosove, the Red Crescent has delivered a contingent of assistance consisting of basic food items," the chief of the sector of Communication and Sources in this organization, Zamir Muca told ATA Tuesday. According to Muca, the aid consists of flour, sugar, cooking oil, rice, 2 500 blankets and 5 tons of medicaments for various infectious and chronic diseases. In cooperation with the International Federation of the Associations of Red Cross and Red Crescent, the Albanian Red Cross has sent so far 179 tons of food in the district of Tropoje and in the districts of Durres, Tirane, Kruje, where Albanians of of Kosove are accommodated. /a.ke.mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Very good level of Albanian-Turkish relations - Nano-DemirelTIRANE, July 14 (ata) - Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano and Turkish President Sulejman Demirel highlighted the very good level of the Albanian- Turkish relations and promised further cooperation in all fields of bilateral importance, the spokesman of Albanian PM told ATA on Tuesday after the meeting PM Nano had with Turkish President Demirel in Tirane."Being a key factor for the stability in the region, Albania may play a great role in the peaceful solution to the question of Kosove," Nano said in the meeting. Albanian PM added that the Albanian Government is holding talks with all main influential Albanian factors in Kosove and is asking them to be in unison and sit down for negotiations after an armistice is reached. "The international community must halt at any cost the Serb war machine to open way to the peaceful talks," said Nano. Speaking of bilateral cooperation, PM Nano said that "our governments must work to elaborate and realise programs for bilateral cooperation." President Demirel said that Turkey supports the policy of Albanian Government and hopes of a rapid recovery of the country following the unrest of '97. "It is very important that Albania has today the international support for the question of Kosove. Albanians of Kosove must be protected from the tragedy that happened in Bosnia, and Turkey, as a friendly country, will help restore peace and freedom in Kosove," said Demirel. /a.ke/mima/xh/ 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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