 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Monday, 18 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-10-27Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Nine customs officers firedPOGRADEC, Oct. 26 (ATA) - By H. Balliu: Nine customs officers have been discharged on Monday in the customs-house of Qafe-Thane.The spokesman of the customs branch in Pogradec told ATA that the nine customs officers of this customs-house were fired because of being involved in the illegal passing of 200 000 fiscal stamps, belonging to two citizens from Macedonia. A week ago, the customs police and the special forces seized 200 000 fiscal stamps of two persons from Gostivar. Upon an order of the new head of Customs, Fotaq Cali, nine of the customs officers were removed from the list of 26 customs officers under the charge of being involved in the fiscal stamps smuggling, explains the spokesman. The two citizens from Gostivar were detained and escorted to Tirana and are under the arrest order for 10 days. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] "Days of European Heritage" ends in VoskopojeTIRANA, Oct. 26 (ATA) - By K. Shehu: The international activity "Days of European Heritage," ended Monday in Voskopoja. This activity was held on October 23-25 in one of the Mediaeval dwelling centers of Voskpoje (South- Eastern Albania,) on the topic "Voskopoja, an Albanian and Balkan phenomenon."The organizers of this activity in the Ministry of Culture told ATA that during the two days of this activity, personalities of the Albanian art and culture, as well as foreign scholars, through their references, throw light on this important center of the Albanian cultural and historical heritage. Attending the ceremony of closing this activity, which was accompanied with the organization of a round table, was also Albania's President Rexhep Meidani and PM Pandeli Majko. In the end of this activity, the Albanian personalities put forward the idea of establishing the "Voskopoja" foundation, aiming at attracting the financial sources and sensitizing all the international bodies for the Albanian mediaeval metropolis, an idea which was considered necessary by all the participants. This activity, which is also held in 44 other European countries, was organized by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Culture. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Italy assists Albanian army and railwaysDURRES, Oct. 27 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: The ship "Major" arrived Monday in the sea port of Durres, loaded with aid for the Albanian army and railways.Based on two respective agreements between the two countries, the ship "Major" has brought 14 containers with spare parts for vehicles, logistic equipment, as well as two excavators for the army; while for the railways Itaky offered some 1005 wheel axes for the engines, as well as 1000 cross-bars. The aid was escorted by an Italian delegation with experts of the army and the railway. /s.s./mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Government adopts a draft-law, 14 decisionsTIRANE, Oct.26 (ATA) - By D.Koça: A draft for the finance of aqueduct project and drainage of Kruja district was adopted in the government meeting on Monday. This project, with a total cost of 13.4 million DM, finally puts an end to the potable water and drainage problems in Kruja district.Out of 14 decisions adopted in the government meeting, several of them are important in solving the economic problems. The " Financial Institution for small and middle enterprises" project was decided to be given an additional fund of 2 million DM, for continuing its grant finance by the German Government, in the framework of technical collaboration between the two countries. This project is to be carried out by FEFAD (Foundation for Enterprise Finance and Development). Another decision adopted had to do with the treating of the second load of 10 000 tons of wheat as well as 6.300 tons of sunflower oil, aid of the American government. Was adopted as well the decision of giving the Health Ministry an additional fund of 18 million leks to face the situation created in the north of the country due to the displaced Kosovars. This sum is to be given by the Council of Ministers reserve fund. A change was made to the decision "For the finance of health care, preventive and curative measures taken against the contagious disease". According to this change the administration of grant medicines given to the people suffering contagious deceases is to be given by the specialized health institutions where these people are visited and treated. So the people suffering infective deceases will take the medicaments given grant by the state when leaving the hospital, or after the visits in the specialized centers. The government adopted as well, the decision of delivering immediate economic assistance, for a two month period, in remote areas blocked during the winter period. Another important decision was the adoption of the expenses for the Constitution Referendum of the Albanian Republic, that is to be held on November 22. According to this decision, all the expenses beginning from the wages given to the commission members of the polling stations and up to the expenses for the whole infrastructure realizing this referendum are foreseen in a detailed way. On December 1, 1998, is to resume its activity the Commission for the Restitution and Compensation of the former owner's properties, that will continue to work to the end, to close the files and pass the property to the ex-owners.In this way this commission is to investigate 800 unexamined files.In the end of the meeting the Council of Ministers based on the law "For the Civil Service in the Albanian Republic" and with the proposal of the Prime Minister, decided: 1. Mr. Pellumb Xhufi is nominated Deputy Foreign Minister. 2. Mr. Taulant Dedja is nominated Deputy Local Government Minister. 3. Mr. Ahmet Ceni is nominated Deputy Public Work and Transport Minister. 4. Mr. Pellumb Hoxha is discharged from the post of Deputy Public Work and Transport Minister. /A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Law on SHIK object of parliamentary debatesTIRANA, Oct. 26 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: The draft-law "On the National Information Service (SHIK,) approved by Parliament in August and returned for examination by the President of the Republic, will be examined on Wednesday in a Parliament's sitting.Its introduciton in the weekly agenda of the parliamentary work was accompanied with debates and replies among the deputies of the Socialist group. The SP deputy Hamdi Jupe said that the examination of this draft-law should not pass in Parliament before the new Constitution is approved, while Speaker Gjinushi stressed that this would require a long time. But the proposal of Jupe was severely rejected by the socialist deputies Zihni Beqiraj and Zamira Cakaj, who insisted this draft-law to be included in the parliamentary debated on Wednesday. Jupe justified his reply with the necessity of examination and remarks made by the Council of Europe, along with those of President Meidani regarding this draft-law. According to the report that the permanent parliamentary commission of Order and SHIK, headed by Neritan Ceka, distributed Monday to the deputies, the main duties of SHIK are: collecting information from abroad to the function of the national security, the activity inside the country for the protection of integrity, independence and constitutional order, collecting information on terrorism, production and traffic of narcotic plants, production of massive extermination weapons, crimes against the environment, and others. The SHIK status defines that the chairman has the same post with a minister, while the deputy chairman holds the same post with a deputy minister. Based on voting, the Parliament decided that the examination of the draft-law in parliamentary session will be held on Wednesday. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Some 330 constructions without permit in Durres beachDURRES, Oct. 27 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Some 330 constructions without licenses have been pointed out by the local government in the beach of Durres.Along the sand, close to the national road, from Ura e Dajlanit to Iliria, various constructions without permits are noticed, one or two-store villas, restaurants, motels and three or five-store hotels. The chairman of the constructing police close to the prefecture of Durres, Meritan Stari, told ATA that the buildings have been generally constructed by occupying free territories and by damaging the sand of the beach. According to Stari, the possibilities of the constructing police to intervene with a staff of 4 people, are minimal. But the newly approved law on this body opens the green light for keeping under control the touristic line and gradual destruction of buildings without permits. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Government accords 13 mln lek for telephone connection in SarandeSARANDE, Oct. 27 (ATA) - By Sh. Hajno: The government has allocated a fund worth 13 million lek for the automatic telephone connection in three communes of Sarande. The director of the district Telecom affiliate, Sokol Godo, told ATA that this fund will enable the automatic telephone connection in the communes of Livadhja, Dhiver, Mursi, as well as the town- hall of Konispol.The air telephone lines, which connect the communes of this district with Saranda and other districts of the Albania, were destroyed during last year's turmoil. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] 47.000 homeless families registered in AlbaniaTIRANE, Oct. 27 (ATA) - By M.Pupa: The Minister of Public Works and Transport said that the number of homeless families registered in Albania is 47.000.Two groups of homeless families are observed during a study on shelter situation. In the first emergent group are comprised 15350 families, that have become homeless due to the implementation of the law on restitution and compensation of the former owner's property, and for having occupied the houses of refugees who left the country in 1991. The second group comprising 30000 families, is made up of families with very bad conditions. A part of these families live in dormitories and in cellars with very bad conditions. Only 10 % of these homeless people are treated during the last five years. Some 1200 families of former political prisoners are given houses, but there are some 4000 other families of this kind that have continue to be homeless. About 150 families possessing act-agreements with the local government, whose houses are destroyed as a result of the regulating plans, are also included in the list. Some other 6000 families have remained homeless due to the failure of the investment pyramidal schemes. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] IMF to discuss preparation of state budget for 1999 in TiranaTIRANA, Oct. 27 (ATA0 - By D. Koca: Albania's Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli met Tuesday with the mission of the International Monetary Fund, which has come to Albania to discuss the macro-economic situation and the preparations of the state budget for 1999 in Albania.The IMF mission, during its 2-week stay in Tirana, will also hold talks with leaders of different Albanian institutions. /mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Killer of Astrit Balluku identified and declared wanted- UITUA leaders arrested -TIRANA, Oct. 27 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: The police identified the killer of the citizen Astrit Balluku, chairman of the independent trade unions of Albania and declared him wanted, meanwhile that the other four persons were arrested, among them were also the two presidents of the Union of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania. The spokesman of Tirana police department told ATA on Tuesday that the perpetrator of Astrit Balluku's murder, which occurred on Monday morning in the UITUA headquarters, is Halil Mahmutaj, 34, inhabitant of Elbasan. The spokesman said that after committing the crime, the killer fled away. With regard to this event, the police arrested early on Tuesday Fatmir Musaku, 43, born and inhabitant of Lushnje. Musaku, claiming of being elected by the congress of the independent trade unions as president, together with other persons, went to the headquarters of the trade unions and stormed its main gate. Due to these clash, Astrit Balluku was shot dead, while Niko Koxhaku was wounded. The other arrested person, Xhevdet Lubani, 64, current UITUA President, is accused of illegal possession of weapon, with which the crime was committed. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Albanian president is to take part in the 75 anniversary of Turkish Republic proclamationTIRANE, Oct.27 (ATA) - By E.Koraqi: The Albanian president Rexhep Meidani, is to leave for Turkey on Tuesday afternoon, invited by his Turkish counterpart Sulejman Demirel, to take part in the 75 anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, the press and information department near the presidency told ATA.During his two day visit in Turkey the Albanian President is to hold different meetings with senior personalities invited in the ceremony. This is the second visit that President Meidani is paying in Turkey for this year. During his first visit, in the beginning of the year, he was awarded "Honor Doctor" title by the Istambul Technical University. The anniversary is to be commemorated in Oct. 28-31. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Gjinushi for more social-democratic leaning of Albania's united leftTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)- By I.Luto, Chairman of the Social-democratic Party Skender Gjinushi on Tuesday regarded the possibility of the unification of the "left" as a necessity of the political development in Albania with "the process of the new parties' formation going towards an end."Gjinushi said that the unification of the left means neither merger of parties nor domination of one party over another, but a form of cooperation very necessary for the political development. Gjinushi expressed himself in favour of a more social-democratic leaning of the Albanian left, "that is, a left similar to the social- democracies that have now won in the majority of the EU countries." On behalf of the SDP, Gjinushi said that the approval of the constitution by the Albanian parliament was a merit of the progressive political forces in Albania which knew to cooperate in commissions. Gjinushi considered the non-participation of the Democratic Party in drafting the constitution an "anti-democratic act", which, according to him, "is not a stand of a party, but of a destabilising clan led by Berisha." "Sali Berisha should be isolated," said the SDP chairman, "because he not only has not respected the calls of the International Community to give up his destabilising tactics, but continues to boycott all what is democratic and aspire what is destructive." /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Massive presence of Serb forces hinders refugees' return - RugovaPRISHTINE, Oct 27 (ATA)-The massive presence of the Serb military and police forces in Kosova is making the return of the displaced population to their homes impossible and unsafe, said President Rugova at a meeting with the deputy speaker of European parliament, Bertel Harder, in Prishtine yesterday.Harder, according to the Kosova Information Centre (KIC), showed interest in the existing possibilities to help Kosova so that the grave humanitarian crisis lessens and the necessary conditions to resolve the Kosova issue through political means are created. Rugova considered the withdrawal of Serbian forces an indispensability. He assessed the situation in Kosova as very difficult and dangerous because of the continuous offensives of the Serb force in various zones of Kosova. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Serb forces not withdrawn from Obiliq villagesPRISHTINE, Oct 27 (ATA)-In five villages of the Obiliq commune such as Siboc, Hamidi, Lajthishte, Shipitulle and Graboc i Eperm the situation remains unchanged due to the presence of the Serb police and paramilitary forces, which continue to hold them under siege, according to Kosova Information Centre (KIC).The Serb paramilitaries of Plemetin and Prilluzhe continue to be armed and fire sporadic shots, LDK sources in Obiliq says, adding that 518 Albanian families totaling 3 305 people are numbered as refugees in this commune. The same sources also report that since June 29 of this year, when the offensive of the Serb forces began in Obiliq, until now, 10 Albanians have been killed and 19 injured in this commune. /p.ta/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] October 28 - Greece's Commemorative National Day celebratedTIRANE, Oct 27 (ATA) By P.Shuteriqi October, 28, 1940, the day when Greek people resolutely said "No" to fascist aggression undertaken by Mussolin, was solemnly celebrated as the Commemorative National Day of Greece.The 58-anniversary of this important event in the Greek modern history was commemorated on Tuesday in an activity organised by the University Scientific Library, the Center of Greek Culture and the Friendship Association Albania-Greece. "Consolidation of the friendly relations between the Albanian and Greek peoples, among the oldest in the Balkan region, is a key problem of the Albanian foreign policy," said the academician Zija Xholi, chairman of the friendship association Albania-Greece. In the report held in this occasion Prof.Xholi described the development of historical events after fascist aggression undertaken by Mussolin against Greek people. "The Albanian people not only feel involved in this tragic event, but also is proud of his contribution in the Greek people's war against Italian fascist aggression," Xholi said. "Xholi stressed the fact that the Greek army had the support of the Albanian people and none of the Albanian military units took part in that war, but on the contrary "Tomori" battalion deserted the Italian-Greek front," Xholi added. In the ceremony, organised on this occasion in the National Historic Museum in Tirane, Archbishop of Tirane, Durres and all Albania Prof.Dr.Anatasi, deputy minister of the Ministry of Education and Science Andrea Marto along with representatives from the Greek embassy in Tirane, Rector of Tirane University Marenglen Spiro and personalities of culture, science and literature took part. The orators in their speeches stressed the role of literature as a bridge on relations and cooperation between the peoples of both countries, the importance and the participation of the Arvanites and the other Albanians in the Greek Revolution of 1821-1829 against Turkish Empire. Kosta Misis, professor of Greek language in Tirane University stressed the mutual exchange between Albanian and Greek educational institutions. In his speech, Pllatis Dimitris, Greek deputy ambassador in Tirane, evaluated the role of friendship and cooperation between both countries and confirmed the readiness of the Greek state and government to continue helping the Albanian people and government to integrate as soon as possible in Europe. /pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Government provides supplementary fund for health systemTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)-By R.Xhuvani, The government last night approved a decision which provides the Health Ministry with a supplementary fund of 18 million leks to cope with the situation created in Northern Albania, due to the Kosova refugees, and cope with the emergency situation in hospitals.This amount will be secured from the Council of Ministers' reserve fund. Minister of Health Leonard Solis told ATA on Tuesday that the amount allocated for the health sector from the state budget for 1998 was not enough, as a part of it was used for buying medicaments as well as additional equipment for the hospitals in Northern Albania. Solis added that although this ministry has addressed itself to various donors to cope with excessive expenditure, the supplementary fund provided by the government has been indispensable. Right after its approval, the fund will go to the proper destinations, mainly to the hospitals of Northern Albania such as Shkoder, Kukes, the University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa" and several obstetric-gyneacological hospitals. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Funds for referendum to be released as soon as possible - ministerTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)-By G.Dilaveri, Adoption of preparatory measures for the referendum on the Constitution were in the focus of a meeting of representatives from the Local Government Ministry with specialists at the Tirana city-hall on Tuesday.Minister of Local government Arben Demeti, present at the meeting, committed himself to releasing the budget funds planned for the referendum as soon as possible. Deputy-mayor Buron Kaceli said that the short time requires a more efficient work to cope with the difficulties. The participants at the meeting agreed that the lists be formulated based on the data received from the grassroots. The municipal specialists stressed that emigrants, too, should be recognised the right to vote, therefore lists should not be excluded. According to a preliminary calculation, Tirana has 270 000 voters. So far the city-hall has prepared the copies of the lists of the latest voting, June 29 '97, which will be corrected based on the data provided from the grassroots. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] 336 families' social benefits cut offKORCE, Oct 27 (ATA) By B.Feijzullai The social benefits to 336 families in the districts of Korca prefecture, who received them unjustly, were cut off, said to ATA Xhemal Vojkollari, the director of the local department of social benefits and services.According to him the measure was taken, because the exerted controls verified that in 112 cases the persons were employed illegally and some other 224 cases had profited the social benefit by means of invalid documentation. The state paid 1.3 million leks every month to those families. For this reason the local department of the social benefit and service has decided to fire 6 social benefit officials and fire three others. In Korca prefecture, the social benefit list estimates some 2540 incapable persons and 12 042 families with few incomes, who profit 28 million leks every month. /dast/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Government approves supplement to decision on curing infectious diseasesTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)-By R. Xhuvani, The government, at its meeting on Monday evening, decided on a supplement to the decision "Financing health care and measures to prevent and cure contagious diseases".According to the supplement the specialised health institutions will provide the patients with infectious diseases with free of charge medicaments. Based on this supplement Health Minister Leonard Solis told ATA that from now on these patients when they are released from hospital or after examinations in specialised centres will also carry with themselves the necessary medicaments to be provided by the state free of charge. Solis said that the supplement is also positive for the fact that the patients remain under the care of the specialist doctors also during the second stage of the disease, which is cured in outpatient clinics. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Cooperation with NATO reaching important finalizing moment - deputy- ministerTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)-By E.Koraqi, Our cooperation with NATO has reached a significant finalizing moment, deputy Defence Minister told the NATO's team of high experts on Tuesday, according to the Public Relations department at the Defence Ministry.The NATO experts, headed by Colonel Carlo Greco at the Atlantic Alliance International Headquarters, will discuss with Albania's General Staff military experts the final projects of Albania's Army, as a continued process for its complete restructuring. Attending the opening session of meetings were deputy Defence Minister Ilir Bocka and the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni. "Since August 97 and untilnow, the cooperation with NATO has been intensive and we have profited from it and have been encouraged in resolving many problems, in the context of the army's reconstruction," said Bocka. After portraying the ongoing performance in setting up a new structure for the Albanian army and the difficulties it has faced, Bocka expressed once again the importance of cooperation with NATO, at a time when new visions are being projected for the Albanian army. Also present at the opening session were the heads of the military assistance groups of Italy, Turkey and Greece. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Lufthansa representative - "Reason for leaving is economic"TIRANE, Oct 27 (ATA) By L.Thanasi "The reason Lufthansa planes suspended the flights is simply economic," Mr.Andreas Denecke, the representative of Lufthansa in Albania told ATA.On Friday its last plane took off. According to Mr.Denecke no decision has been taken regarding the suspending period. "Albania is a country with low profits for Lufthansa and for this reason the sources will be displaced from here,"said Mr.Denecke. According to him the sources will not be displaced to some new country, but they will be used to increase the number of the planes flying from Germany to Scandinavian countries. "Scandinavian countries offer us a bigger interest, because the profit there is bigger," Mr.Denecke said. Regarding Rinas New Terminal he said that "It is almost one year and half they have handed a Masterplan on the works to be carried out to the Ministry of Transport, but so far they have received no answer." However, Lufthansa planes will not fly for an unlimited period from Tirane to Germany. /dast/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Italian Interior Minister arrives in Tirana WednesdayTIRANA, Oct 27 (ATA)-By Y. Pata,Italian Minister for the Interior Rosa Russo Jervolino arrives in Tirana on Wednesday, the spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA on Tuesday. During her stay in Tirana Jervolino will hold formal meetings with Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, in the morning, and Public Order Minister Petro Koci, at 13:00. The Italian News Agency, ANSA, reports that the Italian Interior Minister will be accompanied in this visit by a delegation comprising undersecretary of Interior Ministry Nicola Sinisi, head of the minister's cabinet Bruno Ferrante and chief of the Italian police Fernando Mason. Jervolino took the decision to visit Tirana the morrow of her nomination as Interior Minister of Italy (last week), and in her statements to the Italian press she asked the Albanian authorities to intensify actions against illegal emigrants' traffic. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Still many Serbian forces not pulled out from KosovaPRISHTINE, Oct 27 (ATA)-ATA correspondent in Prishtine Behlul Jashari reports that there are still many Serbian forces backed by heavy weaponry, hidden in mountains and strategic sites, despite their substantial withdrawal.These are the latest reports available from Albanian sources in Kosova in the last hours of the additional ultimatum of NATO. Also in these moments Yugoslav military planes continue to hover over Prishtine and other places of Kosova. The Serb forces are still in the emptied town of Malisheve and over the past 24 hours they have shot in the direction of the villages of Ponorc, Sferke e Gashit, Rud, Llapceve and Bubel. This morning the Serbian police, from their positions in Malisheve and Llazic shot on the inhabitants wanting to return to their homes. In the villages of Balince and Carralluke the Serb forces also today torched several houses of Albanians. Also on the Kosova-Albania border belt there are many Serbian forces, although a column of these forces was seen overnight withdrawing in the direction of Gjakove and Prizren. /dast/lm/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.