Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-08-30

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] Berisha: Nobody can hinder our protests

[02] TNT blows a high-tension pylon in Gjirokaster

[03] Theatre of Opera and Ballet on eve of its 45 anniversary

[04] Banks disturbed about a nonofficial crediting market

[05] Albanians killed and wounded in the last attacks of Serb troops

[06] Serb Court of Peje starts investigation for 92 Albanians from Gjakova

[07] More than 32 thousand refugees in Prizren commune

[08] Greek consulate inaugurated in city of Korce

[09] Free border zone between Albania and Greece to be created

[10] Greek Book Section established in library of Fan Noli University in Korce

[11] Police give no permission for rally of Union for Democracy in Scanderbeg Square

[01] Berisha: Nobody can hinder our protests

"Nobody can hinder our protests, which until now have been only peaceful ones," declared Berisha in a press conference.

According him, members and sympathisers of the DP have never shown signs of violence, but such a thing is done, as he said, " by members of the secrete police who have entered among our people."

On August 27, the DP organised a protest rally in the "Skanderbeg" square, which was declared by police an illegal rally.

Police Department of Tirana prefecture had publicly called for the prohibition of this rally and had forewarned that its holding would be illegal, but its organisers took no notice of the warning and started the rally in Skanderbeg square, at about 19:00 of Thursday.

During this rally, as it is made known by sources of this department, protesters have used tension stirring slogans, and some of them have thrown strong objects to police forces, and wounded four policemen.

About these actions Albanian prime minister, Fatos Nano, declared Friday that law will be applied without hesitation against all those people who use violent means against state institutions.

Talking to journalists after a meeting with leaders of the governing coalition "Alliance for State", Albanian premier answered shortly in connection with the DP leader declarations, where he threatened to "use of every mean to overthrow the actual government."

"Every moment such declarations will become true, we will act severely according the law," said Nano./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] TNT blows a high-tension pylon in Gjirokaster

According to spokesman, south Albanian districts of Gjirokaster, Permet and Tepelena restarted to get electric power only after being connected to centralised system of electric power.

"It is not yet known the reason of this act," declared spokesman. During June of '97 in Dropulli area (Gjirokaster) a high-tension pylon was destroyed because of an attack with an antitank shell in village Derviçan./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Theatre of Opera and Ballet on eve of its 45 anniversary

Sources in the TOB said for ATA that "Many activities will be organised to commemorate this jubilee during all October and November to end on November 27, which is the date of the foundation of TOB, with a jubilee concert with the participation of all most renown artists of our country," said sources of this institution.

A bibliography will be published on this occasion, where will be reflected the history and multiplan activities of this institution.

A photo exhibition will also be opened during this time, to show the numerous artistic activities of this institution during its life in our country and abroad. A scientific conference will be organised and an audiovisual study will be inaugurated on this occasion.

TOB has actually 50 singers, 60 instrument players, 20 soloist singers and 40 ballet dancers./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Banks disturbed about a nonofficial crediting market

TIRANE, August 29 /ATA - By D. Koça/ - Although 20 months have passed by, from the closure of the pyramidal schemes, which devoured more than 1.2 billion dollars from Albanians and whose negative effects were also felt in our social life, there are again noted in Albanian cases of people offering loans to foreign companies.

Governor of the Albanian Bank, Shkelqim Cani, said: "Bank of Albania, based on the economic development on this period has noted that exists a nonofficial market of credits, where companies or private people take loans for development of their activities or businesses."

"It is created the idea," said Cani "that such a market is not dangerous for the people and companies implied in them and for the country's economy in general."

But judging with a logic of an economist and based on the experience of years 1996-'97, Bank of Albania is disturbed that this market, exploiting some clauses of the Civil Code on deposits and loans, which were also used to justify the activity of pyramidal schemes and being out of control of competent authorities, may help money cleaning, trafficking, drug trade and may result in a serious danger for our economy in general and individuals included in it.

Because of last year's lack of credits, and their minimal quantity during the first six months of the year, some people and businesses have started to gather loans from people for their businesses and activities.

This phenomenon, according to Cani exposes "the lender" toward danger of losing his money and fraud and the rate of danger is escalated with development of this market.

Bank of Albania directs an appeal to Albanian citizens about this danger and at the same time has started to take immediate measures to increase by already 5 times its credits in different sectors of private economy./fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Albanians killed and wounded in the last attacks of Serb troops

The same source said that Serb troops, situated on Çuka e Zabelit, have ordered inhabitants of this village to hand up their armament and leave this village. On Friday afternoon, the Serb military forces have scorched again houses of village Sankoc and their flames, which had covered all the quarter near Zabeli i Larte, have continued to burn until first hours of the morning, when Serb troops put fire even on the fields of cereals, said the above source.

It is not yet known the fate of many Albanians in Gllogoc and surroundings, who are considered missing from the beginning of the Serb offensive, on August 25, while sources of KDL say that the situation of the civil population in the mountains round Gllogoc, which is counted at about 20,000 people is aggravated in every passing day because of lack of food and medicines./mima/fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Serb Court of Peje starts investigation for 92 Albanians from Gjakova

The presidency of the LDK branch in Gjakove turned down the charge and described it a provocation by Serb investigation structures. A statement published on this occasion said that the Presidency of the LDK branch in Gjakove categorically refutes the latest provocation of Serb investigation bodies against 92 people from Gjakove, among whom some members of the presidency of that branch, including its chairman Aqif Shehu. It stressed that the presidency has so far carried out its political activity in conformity with the Statute and the Program of the LDK as the largest political force in Kosove. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] More than 32 thousand refugees in Prizren commune

The refugees are concentrated in the city and in the villages Mamushe, Medvec, Prane, Korishe, Grejkoc, Gjinoc, Randobrave, Krushe e Vogel, Landovice, Lutogllave, Malesi e Re, Dushanove,etc. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Greek consulate inaugurated in city of Korce

The establishment of the consulate is part of an agreement signed a year ago by Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano and the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis, and which will be followed by the inauguration of the Albanian consulate in the city of Salonica (Greece.)

In the inauguration ceremony Mr Milo considered the consulate as a brilliant example of the friendship between Greece and Albania and an important step which will encourage economic and cultural cooperation between our two countries.

"On this occasion, I express my thanks in the name of the Albanian Government for the support that Greece has given and is giving to Albania in these difficult days of transition," said Milo.

Greek Foreign Minister Pangallos considered a step forward the opening of the Greek consulate in Korce.

"I hope this will help intensify the cooperation between our two countries and will encourage Greek investments in the city of Korce in the future, which, however, have been considerable so far," said Milo.

Also present in the inauguration ceremony were deputies of the zone, local government leaders, representatives of religious communities, and others. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Free border zone between Albania and Greece to be created

"Within this year, the program for this free border zone will be completed tobe put into life in the coming year," said Pangallos in a meeting held in the prefecture of Korce which was also attended by Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo.

According to Pangallos, the free border zone will extend to the neighbor territories of the Republic of Albania and that of Greece, which have ancient traditions of economic, cultural and trade cooperation between them.

A consulate of the Greek Republic was inaugurated Sunday in the city of Korce (South of Albania) in the presence of the two chiefs of Albanian and Greek diplomacies, Paskal Milo and Theodoros Pangallos, the deputies of the zone, local government leaders, representatives of religious communities, and others.

"This important project will applied conformed to the rules of reciprocity, according to which the citizens of the two countries will have equal rights and possibilities for communication," said Milo in the meeting.

"Prefecture of Korce (consisting of four districts) has powerful natural and human resources. The fertile plains of that area, the picturesque lakes of Ohri and Prespa, mountain tourist zones etc., are a powerful potential for the development of economy and tourism," said the prefect of Korce, Bardhi Alickolli.

Many foreign investors, among whom 35 Greek firms are conducting their activities in the prefecture of Korce.

"The Greek consulate in Korce will serve as a bridge between the border regions and will help movement of the people on both sides of the border, the development of business, economy, culture, etc.," said Pangallos. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Greek Book Section established in library of Fan Noli University in Korce

"University of Korce has a powerful intellectual potential. Many of its teachers have been qualified in renowned universities of the West and Greece. It is an honour for this university to open the Greek book section with 186 titles and 1 303 books," said the Rector of the University, Gjergj Pandavinji.

The Greek minister, Pangallos, highlighted the educational tradition of the region of Korce and mentioned the University of Voskopoje as the first cradle of the culture throughout the Balkans. He said that the relations between the University of Korce and the Greek universities in the future should consolidate and they must exchange their experience for the development of sciences and the economic progress of the region.

A consulate of the Greek Republic was inaugurated Sunday in the city of Korce (South of Albania) in the presence of the two chiefs of Albanian and Greek diplomacies, Paskal Milo and Theodoros Pangallos, the deputies of the zone, local government leaders, representatives of religious communities, and others.

The Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangallos stated Sunday in a meeting held in the prefecture of Korce (South of Albania) that soon a free border zone will be formed between Greece and Albania, whose inhabitants will be given a special entry card for Greece and Albania.

According to Pangallos, the free border zone will extend to the neighbor territories of the Republic of Albania and that of Greece, which have ancient traditions of economic, cultural and trade cooperation between them. /mima/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Police give no permission for rally of Union for Democracy in Scanderbeg Square

According to the report, the rally is not allowed "because of the grave criminal situation in the city of Tirane and the information that this Department has had for possible violent acts that may be carried out during and after the rally."

The Police Department has addressed citizens of Tirane, the sympathizers of these political forces and political parties to "understand well the decision it has taken hoping that all will contribute to the observation of laws, order and tranquillity in the city of Tirane."

"Nobody can prevent our protests, which so far have had only a peaceful character," stated Berisha in a news conference on Saturday.

The Democratic Party held on August 27 an illegal rally in Scanderbeg square during which, according to the Police Department of Tirane, the demonstrators hurled stones on forces of order, injuring four policemen.

DP chairman Sali Berisha has stated that "all means will be used to topple the present government," following the arrest on August 22 of six former senior officials of DP under the charge of "Crimes against Humanity" committed during the unrest of Spring 1997 which cost Albanian 2 000 lives.

The Democratic Party and its allies of the grouping Union for Democracy claim that these arrests are politically motivated.

Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano said in a government meeting on Friday in reply to statement by Berisha for violent toppling of the government, that "In all cases when such declarations are made, strict acts will be carried out according to the law."

Nano also said that the government will allow the monitoring by respective international institutions of all the steps made by Albanian judiciary for the judicial process followed for the six former DP senior officials. /mima/xh/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article