Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-15

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Koci says there are political tendencies to create tensions in certain zones

[02] Psychological reorientation of military, special direction in army's performance - Meidani

[03] Albania, Greece agree to construct new National Theatre

[04] Monday, the deadline for reexamining voters'lists in Elbasan

[05] Establishments declared for privatisation to be revalued

[06] Aid for Kosova refugees in Shkoder

[07] Performance "Sounds for you" awards diplomas to little artists

[08]

[09] Meidani wishes luck to national football players with Greek team

[01] Koci says there are political tendencies to create tensions in certain zones

"However, I hold that the tensions emerging from Lazarat or any other zone have no reason, either psychologically, to affect the referendum activity throughout this southern area and broader," said Koci.

Referring to the situation in the Gjirokaster prefecture Koci said that "it has inherited problems in comparison with other districts, but thanks to the professional operation of the police and engagement of all social-political factors the referendum process is going on normally."

"I am concerned about developments in the Lazarat village, the tense relations among the inhabitants of this village and I would like that the referendum process does not turn into a moment of contradictions, ruining the unity of the 3 500 inhabitants of Lazarat," said Koci.

Responding to a question about the handling of the situation by the police on the day of the referendum, Koci said that not only the police, but also the local government and the commissions are responsible for a normal running of the referendum.

Turning back to the Lazarat village, Koci said that the "police are fighting every criminal element in Lazarat, like elsewhere, but distancing themselves from the previous bad tradition which considered Lazarat a hostile zone to the state."

There are positive elements, wise people who know to overcome this difficult moment, completely avoiding the forces which seek to instrumentalise Lazarat for ordinary and political reasons." /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Psychological reorientation of military, special direction in army's performance - Meidani

In the process of the army's step by step transformation, the moral and psychological aspect leads and encourages other changes, said Meidani.

Meidani dwelt on problems of the strategy of reconstructing and transforming the army. He stressed that the construction of a new army is not only a concern of the army but also of the whole society, of all state and political structures.

President of the Republic Meidani said that the Armed forces' reconstruction should reflect the needs and way to realise the defence of the independent state and other tasks raised by the constitution in accordance with the mission of the army.

Highlighting the importance of realising civil and democratic control and of the civil-military relationship, two basic characteristics of the armies in the democratic countries, he dwelt on the intensive aid provided by NATO and Albania's partners in the framework of the Partnership for Peace Initiative for the improvements taking place in the army's reconstruction and reformation.

"But we should bear in mind that the key factor is the performance within our country, the army, otherwise the foreigners' aid will be not efficient," said Meidani.

Further on he said that in order to change and profit from the aid of foreigners we should exploit the experience of the officers and cadre trained in the West, consider with responsibility the nomination of this contingent to the respective duties and at the same time exploit our national tradition.

The relations with NATO and partners should be constantly improved, keeping to the respective plans, programs and deals, he said. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Albania, Greece agree to construct new National Theatre

The development of the new cultural politics in Albania yielded positive results during a recent two-day visit of an Albanian government delegation (also including Minister of Culture Edi Rama) to Athens, sources form the Ministry of Culture told ATA.

These results include the signing of an agreement between the Albanian and Greek governments for the construction of a new building for the National Theatre, closed since five months ago because of the obsolete condition of its building.

Based on this agreement the Greek side undertakes to provide significant financial contribution as well as to negotiate with various international organisations to secure the fund needed to construct the new theatre.

Meanwhile a working group will be set up between the respective Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs.

This group will draft a project and strategy to gather funds and define the working stages. /f.n/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Monday, the deadline for reexamining voters'lists in Elbasan

Hysen Peja, head of the district's referendum commission, told ATA that regions 2,3,4 and 5 of the Elbasan city are to correct irregularities in the voters'lists until November 16.

Irregularities, which have to do with the artificial swelling of the lists by local government representatives, have been declared by the political forces of the "Alliance for State" grouping.

Peja also said that the voters' lists will be reexamined before Monday also in the communes of Shirgjan, Bradashesh and Zavaline.

The prefecture brought an action at the prosecutor's office against the chairman of the Shirgjan commune, H. Moli, as he had ordered to include 400 persons who are not inhabitants of the commune and remove 50 local ones. /s.sh/lm/

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[05] Establishments declared for privatisation to be revalued

"The commission, created on the basis of a decision of the Council of Ministers, No 197, dated 20.03,1998, will revalue these establishments to speed up their privatisation process," said the responsible for the National Privatisation Agency affiliation in this district, Sali Malaj.

"Some 20 establishments declared for privatisation after July in this district are expected to be privatised within this year," he added.

This year, from 40 establishments declared for privatisation, only six have been privatised, depositing over 1 million leks to the state budget.

Slowness in privatisation is also due to the lack of buyers. The inhabitants of this zone aim at leaving for lowland areas rather than invest in this district, says Malaj. /pas/lm/

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[06] Aid for Kosova refugees in Shkoder

The director of this association, based in Shkoder, Sahit del Hamit, said that the aid will benefit 1000 Kosova refugees, accommodated in Shkoder families.

Each of the Kosovars will receive a package of 20 kg. of various staples such as sugar, rice, cooking oil and a pair of shoes and a blanket, he says.

This is the third aid the "El-Reliev" Association distributes to the Kosova refugees in this city.

The said association, which has been active in this city for three now, has also brought aid for health care and education. /s.sh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Performance "Sounds for you" awards diplomas to little artists

Some 30 little interpreters, from 9 to 14 years old, performed renowned works of the international music.

In the end of the activity, the jury made up of Zhani Ciko, conductor, Floriana Paskali, specialist of music, Thoma Gaqi, composer, Siana Badivuka and Maja Kastrovic, Macedonian instrumentalists, as well as Peter Garst, president of the foundation "Switzerland helps Albania," awarded the first prize to the 12-year old pianist, Ana Kacinari.

The jury gave diplomas to all the participants in this activity, which was organized by the Albanian Ministry of Culture and the Foundation "Switzerland helps Albania." /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08]

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Meidani wishes luck to national football players with Greek team

Accompanied by his wife, President Meidani held a visit on Saturday morning in Hotel Chateau Linza, where he met with the football players of the Albanian team and its coaches.

Meidani congratulated the Albanian football players for the result achieved in the football match with Norway.

The heads of the national football team gave to President Meidani a blouse of the national team.

This is the first time that an Albanian President meets with a national football team before the regular match. /pas/mt/

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

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