Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-19

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albanian Government discusses final measures for constitutional Referendum

[02] Albanian Constitution guarantees rights of individual and of institutions

[03] Shkoder and Ulqin, two cities with traditional ties, seeking cooperation in the future

[04] 11,5 % of the value of Durres-Rrogozhine road section has been delivered

[05] Institute of Monuments and Culture in Tirane demands broader competence

[06] Christian Democratic International has not demanded annulment or adjournment of the referendum for Constitution of Albania

[07] Rewards for police forces of Albania - Solidarity Fund

[08] Over 2 000 enterprises in food production sectors

[09] Albanian police arrest a person accused of violating institutions on September 14 in Tirane

[10] Albanian patients treated abroad increases over 1998

[11] Albanian President expresses conviction that voting commissions will work with national and civic responsibility

[12] Approval of Constitution is a benefit for the people and all society - Meidani

[13] Dollar as against 141.7 Leks

[14] Albanian Foreign Minister to attend CEI Summit in Zagreb

[15] Prevention of HIV/AIDS epidemic attracts specialists' attention

[16] Interreg II program, another possibility to develop tourism

[17] Social security private institutions too soon to open

[18] Preparations to pull "Lezha" ship to the shore

[19] Ward to treat drug addicted persons to be opened soon in Tirane

[20] Accurate completion of voters' lists, an important legal task

[21] CEC boycott by "Union for Democracy", meaningless - CEC chairman

[22] Germany to support Albania on its road for peaceful development

[23] Meidani's ideas regarding political-intellectual forum evaluated

[24] Gjinushi says constitution is conform European standards

[25] Creation of judicial police structure close to Prosecutor's Office, indispensable

[26] Secretary General calls for widest possible participation in referendum on Albania's constitution

[27] Parliamentary Assembly: Appeal for a high turnout in Albania's referendum

[01] Albanian Government discusses final measures for constitutional Referendum

According to the Ministry of Information, Prime Minister Majko asked from all ministers to carry out their state duties conformed to the law, so that the referendum on November 22 be held normally and without excesses throughout the country. It is our task to prove before the inner and international factor that we may organize a calm and civil referendum creating all conditions for the citizens to take part in it massively, and their decision expressed through the free will, be guaranteed, said Majko.

Ministers which took the floor expressed the commitment of the ministries they direct for the conduct of the referendum in conformity to the law. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian Constitution guarantees rights of individual and of institutions

In his address Gjinushi focused on the guarantee of the rights of the individual and the institutions. He mentioned as very important for the Albanian reality the defence for the courts and other institutions of the judiciary system.

Participants in the meeting voiced their support for the legal group which guarantees equality between the man and the woman and in various social strata.

The speakers took interest in problems of the country's stability, public order, ownership, etc. Participants in the meeting considered the Constitution as one of the best drafts made so far. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Shkoder and Ulqin, two cities with traditional ties, seeking cooperation in the future

"Over 90s, both cities have held various activities such as exhibitions by Shkoder painters, presentation of two books and performances by the theater cast Migjeni in Ulqin," said in the meeting the director of Historic Museum, Mentor Quku.

Nail gaga, chairman of Art-Club Ulqin asked in his address assistance by authorities of the local government for the opening in Shkoder of two shops which would sell books by Albanian authors, further cooperation between theater casts and exchange of experience between respective children's cultural centers.

Taking the floor in the meeting, the Minister of National Minorities in the Montenegrin government, Luigj Juncaj, stressed that "in the conditions when the border point of Hani i Hotit is still is being closed for more than a year by the Yugoslav federation, we think that artists from Shkoder may come to our areas by giving them passing cards."

He also asked that the diplomas of the students from Ulqin who graduate from Albanian universities be unified by respective ministries of the two countries. /lh/xh/

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[04] 11,5 % of the value of Durres-Rrogozhine road section has been delivered

"During this period, the contractor SAFA has started work in the bypassing of Kavaje, and is working for some supplements to the project," said to ATA press office officials in the Ministry of Public Affairs and Transport.

Rehabilitation of Durres-Rrogozhime has a value of 19,22 million ECU, in the context of the PHARE Program. The implementation of the project started in January 1998 and will last 24 months. But the project has many delays in its construction work," says the press office.

The main road starts in the Port of Durres and ends in Rrogozhine, it is 38 km long and 10,5 meters wide. The deadline for its completion is 2000, according to the contract the two companies have signed. /lh/xh/

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[05] Institute of Monuments and Culture in Tirane demands broader competence

According to Shkreli, "this observation will start with the garden of the Palace of brigades."

Based on the charter of Florence, which refers to the charter of Venice, considered as the constitution of restoration throughout the world, Shkreli explains that "the historic garden is an architectonic and vegetal composition which from the historic and artistic point of view presents a public interest and as such is considered a monument of culture."

According to Shkreli, "this may seem absurd for these moments because we were not able to maintain and guard these objects," but, he continued, "this is important because in various countries of the world, the attention is focused not only on artistic, architectonic monuments or on the works of art, but also in another field not treated before, the monumental gardens." /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Christian Democratic International has not demanded annulment or adjournment of the referendum for Constitution of Albania

The resolution of this Assembly demands that "the constitutional process improve with the aim that the independent advice and opinions by international judicial authorities be taken into consideration, and the organization of a genuine political dialogue between all political parties in Albania be established."

The Resolution of the 12th General Assembly of the Christian Democratic, held in Madrid from November 13-15, 1998 and which has reached the Foreign Ministry of Albania, writes explicitly that:

"The 12h General Assembly of the Christian Democratic International, taking into account the recent developments in Albania, and especially, the assassination of the Democratic Party deputy of the Albanian Parliament, Azem Hajdari and his bodyguard, and the violent policy which followed it; taking into account the conditions in which the constitutional process was conducted recently; attracts the attention especially in the terms of recommendation 1388 of the Council of Europe, made on September 24, 1998, in which "The Assembly urges that Albania must have no more political prisoners," stressed that it is indispensable for the political situation of the continuous crisis, to find the possibilities for a real dialogue among the Albanian political parties;

insists that the constitutional process improve so that to take into consideration the advice and independent opinions of international judicial authorities and the establishment of a real political dialogue between all Albanian political parties."

Important international institutions and organizations such as the Council of Europe, European Parliament, OSCE, the U.S. Government have appealed to the Albanian people to take part in the Referendum of November 22, 1998, for the Constitution of Albania.

In his statements, the President of the Venice Commission "Democracy through law" of the Council of Europe, Antonio La Pergola, has said that the Constitution of Albania respects completely the European and international standards.

"The Commission for the Constitution of Albania has already drafted, in close cooperation with the Venice Commission, a constitution which does fully observe European and international standards," stressed La Pergola in a press release. /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Rewards for police forces of Albania - Solidarity Fund

The decision confirmed yesterday by the Public Order Minister Petro Koci in a meeting with senior leaders of Tirane Police. Koci stressed that the blue uniforms will be highly committed in the coming days on the eve of and during the referendum for the Constitution. Minister Koci expressed his thanks for police structures for their high readiness during the football match with Greece on Wednesday. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Over 2 000 enterprises in food production sectors

About 2 027 enteprises are those in the private sector while 131 in the state sector.

According to statistics, 37 % of the 15.184 employed people in the two sectors are women.

Dominating in the structure of the production enterprises are the producers of flour and bread (66%,) followed by milk processors (6%,) those of alcoholic drinks (3%),etc.

The latest statistics on national level, there are 1 311 firms producing flour and bread, 324 firms for milk processing, 81 are producers of alcoholic drinks and 73 are meat processing firms.

The greatest volume of the production in the food production sector is realised in big cities, with Tirane taking the first place with 476 enterprises, followed by Fier with 266 enterprises, Korca with 244 enterprises, etc. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Albanian police arrest a person accused of violating institutions on September 14 in Tirane

The spokesman of police of Tirane prefecture, told ATA on Thursday that at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the citizen Mehill Fufi, 34, resident in Mamurras, declared wanted by police, was arrested after an warranty issued by Attorney General office on Nov.10, 1998.

Fufi is accused that during the funeral ceremony of the democrat deputy Azem Hajdari on September 14, 1998, has participated in the violent acts to topple the constitutional order.

On Spet.14, groups of people stormed with weapons of different kinds the building of the Council of Ministers, the Radio Television and other government institutions. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian patients treated abroad increases over 1998

Among the factors contributing to the growth of the demands for medical treatments in other countries, are the shortages in the hospital system in Albania, the little possibilities for diagnosing them and mainly the impossibility of the surgical wards for acute surgeries in patients.

A part of these patients cover their treatment expenses themselves or have received guarantees from foreign hospitals or individuals. In other cases, referring to the agreements signed with other states, a part of the sick who meet some criteria, has had medical treatment abroad free of charge.

The spokesman said that a considerable number of patients have been treated in hospitals of the Turkish state. According to the latest agreement signed on May 5, 1998 between Albania and Greece, respectively by the health ministers, Solis and Geitonas, 300 other Albanian patients will receive medical treatment free of charge in Greek hospitals. An agreement of the same character is underway with Macedonia. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian President expresses conviction that voting commissions will work with national and civic responsibility

Recently, independent press and private media have referred to a pronunciation by Pellumb Cela, representative of a part of the opposition parties in the Central Voting Commission, about a request sent to the President of Albania for the development of the work in that Commission. In this regard, and to clear the situation, the spokesman of the President, Sotiraq Hroni said: The President has not received any written request or protest, formal or informal," said Hroni, adding that, willingly or unwillingly the media has exaggerated some emotional stances of various representatives of the Central Voting Commission for the referendum.

"The institution of the President of the Republic voices the conviction that the Central Voting Commission and all other local commissions, will accomplish, in a spirit of national and civic responsibility, by consensus, in cooperation, qualitatively the task the law charges them." /s.s./xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Approval of Constitution is a benefit for the people and all society - Meidani

The adoption of Albania's new constitution was considered a concrete possibility for the assistance by the international community to be orientated towards the perfection of the legislation and its correct implementation to the benefit of the people and all the society in Albania, the President's press and information office reports. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Dollar as against 141.7 Leks

Follows the official exchange rate of the Bank of Tirane;

Foreign currency	Exchange rate in Leks
USD			141.70
DM			 84.80
ITL(1000)		 85.60
GRD(100)		 50.00

/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian Foreign Minister to attend CEI Summit in Zagreb

Parallel to the summit of the government heads, the Summit of the Economic Forum of the CEI will also be held for the first time in this city.

The economic summit will serve to increase investments in the member countries of this international organisation. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Prevention of HIV/AIDS epidemic attracts specialists' attention

Specialists at the meeting admitted the factors spreding the disease are mostly social.

The statistics available show that 82% of the infected persons are unemployed, mostly young and 65.71% of them have been abroad. Besides these 65.71 % of them have no education or have finished only eight-year school and only 5.71% have university education.

The control of the diseased persons have become difficult because of the irregular demographic movement of the population. Round one third of the population has been concentrated in Durres-Tirane zone which makes impossible having the diseased persons under control and providing them with necessary hygienic conditions.

85.7% of the cases are infected in sexual way and 44% of them are also drug abusers. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Interreg II program, another possibility to develop tourism

A study to form a tourist port network along the Albanian coast is foreseen in this program in order to attract tourists coming.

Interreg II is one of the cooperation and integration programs implemented by European Union, which aims the development of the tourism in Albania and in neighboring countries. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Social security private institutions too soon to open

Naim Zoto, press advisor of this ministry told ATA that the WB representatives gave a clear massage " be careful with the opening of social security private institutions."

The minister Rrapi said that he agrees with the suggestion of the WB representatives that " these private institutions should not be opened for the time being."

The law to open private institutions of social security is in force in Albania, but no license is given so far for this purpose. The social securities in Albania are covered by the Social Security Institution (SSI). /s.sh/A.A./

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Preparations to pull "Lezha" ship to the shore

Two weeks after the arrival of the tugboat "Audace" another specialised ship "Silni", 32 m long, arrived at Durres port to winch the sunken ship.

"The ship is envisaged to be completely recovered and sent to Durres- Gdansk shipyard, which is only some tens of meters far," Port Director Leonidha Gjermeni told ATA.

Gjermeni said that if ship's complete recover is not possible it will be dismantled by means of special devices to be winched in pieces. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Ward to treat drug addicted persons to be opened soon in Tirane

"There is no possibility to create clinics for disintoxication and cure of drug addicted persons," he said.

Referring to the last data of this ward, during the first five months of 1998 some 288 intoxicated persons were send to the hospital, and 90% of these persons are heroine addicted. Two persons have died because of overdose during the above mentioned year. Another problem for the persons addicted with injections (some 144 persons are declared so far), are their inflection with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and others.

Some 334 patients are declared to be intoxicated during 1997. During this year some 4 persons have died because of the overdose. The data of 1996-1997 show that 6.8% of the students use the drugs regularly, while 3, 8% of them use it occasionally. More than 62% use marihuana, 25% use cocaine, 12% heroine, while the rest use cannabis or their mixture. /lh/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Accurate completion of voters' lists, an important legal task

All lists should be improved in accordance with article 16 of the law "On the elections to the local government bodies," within November 20, said Demeti.

He adds that this task should be performed, even without the participation of elements of certain structures.

In these cases, says Demeti, the governor should issue a special order for each polling station to define the name, middle name and last name, the ordinal number of the voter and the reason for being removed from the list as well as the name, middle name and last name and the dates of birth of the voters added to the list.

In this order the governor confirms the total number of the voters of the polling station, which will be officially the total number of the enrolled voters contained in the minute of the polling station commission.

Also after 7.00 of November 20, the citizens who may come from abroad are not denied the right to vote. If they are not enrolled in the voters' lists, in accordance with article17 of the above law, they lodge their complaints with the court, which is duty-bound to decide on this and issue the respective decision for the citizen to vote. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] CEC boycott by "Union for Democracy", meaningless - CEC chairman

Prior to boycotting the commission, the Union for Democracy members came out with a joint statement, alleging great violations of procedures in compiling the voters' lists, in setting up parallel commissions, biased propaganda on TV. For these reasons they have asked from the President of the Republic to put off the date of the referendum.

"Their request to postpone the referendum date is absurd," said Cano.

"All the necessary measures have been taken for the referendum of November 22 to run conform all legal rules and procedures."

Referring to the drafted voters'lists, Cano explains that they have been drafted by the local government, in cooperation with the governors, who, based on the law, take the final decision.

"We have ascertained irregularities in the lists drafted by the local government as they have been compiled based on the past elections," he said.

"The Union for Democracy members ask that only the lists drafted by the local government be taken into consideration, while those of the governors come out offside," said Cano.

There are still three days in the run up to the day of the referendum on the Constitution.

"Through several corrections to the final draft of these lists, the Albanian voters will be enabled to give their option on the state's fundamental law," said Cano. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Germany to support Albania on its road for peaceful development

"At a time still characterised by mounting tensions in Southeastern Europe, I wish your country a peaceful development. Germany will continue to do everything possible to support your country on this road," writes Herzog in a letter to the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani.

"I am convinced that the already positive developments of the German- Albanian relations will continue also in the future," writes Herzog. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Meidani's ideas regarding political-intellectual forum evaluated

The President's press and information office close to the President reports that the Euro-parliamentarians inform Meidani through this letter about the contacts they have started with various authorities in the Council of Europe and Albanian politicians for the development of the said forum.

The letter says that the Euro-parliamentarians have valued several ideas expressed by Meidani during their recent visit to Albania and which will be materialised. These ideas have to do with the expansion of the base of the forum, not only with politicians but also with intellectuals as well as with the organisation of this forum as a permanent structure of dialogue.

The Euro-parliamentarians considered the support by the President as decisive for the development of this initiative. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Gjinushi says constitution is conform European standards

Gjinushi praised the transparency characterizing the constitutional process and close cooperation with the Venice Commission and with renowned experts in general.

Responding to the interest shown by Tsatsos, Gjinushi evaluated several of the main articles of the new constitution, such as that on private property, freedom of confession, freedom of the press, respect for human rights, form of the state (the Constitution sanctions Parliamentary Republic as the form of the state).

Considering the fact that the people are still sensitive to public order problems, the constitution does not scrap capital punishment, said Gjinushi, asked by Tsatsos about the people's assessments towards the Constitution. /dast/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] Creation of judicial police structure close to Prosecutor's Office, indispensable

"Creation of this structure, administratively depended on Prosecution's Office, is an indispensability, dictated by European experience and best serves investigation process," Pertef Hamzai, Anti-contraband Unit prosecutor told ATA.

He explained that lack of this judicial police structure have often caused anomaly in investigation and delay in arresting the persons responsible for the crime.

"Judicial police officers now carry out only investigations, gather facts and work on the file. But, as it operates in Italy, the judicial police structures for crime, customs and tax are indispensable to carry out fast and correct actions in operation and have the right to arrest the offender immediately," Hamzai underlined. /dast/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[26] Secretary General calls for widest possible participation in referendum on Albania's constitution

Tarschys' call for widest possible participation of Albanian voters in this all-national event was made public at a news conference by the head of the CoE observers' group, Viktor Ruffy.

Tarschys fully shares the supportive statements by the Council's Ministers for Foreign Affairs on 4 November and by the parliamentary Assembly today.

"This is indeed an important step forward on Albania's road to full democracy by providing the country with a constitution which has been finalised in cooperation with the Council of Europe's European Commission for democracy through Law (Venice Commission)," stressed Tarschys. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[27] Parliamentary Assembly: Appeal for a high turnout in Albania's referendum

"The referendum gives every citizen the opportunity, but also the responsibility, of deciding his country's future. It is an opportunity not to be missed," says the message read by the head of the CoE observers' group, Viktor Ruffy, at a news conference today.

"In the present situation, Albania needs a clear decision on this issue. It needs to consolidate its democratic institutions and to reinforce the rule of law and human rights. Albania also needs true political dialogue and reconciliation, so that it can concentrate on the country's vital economic and social problems."

An Assembly delegation will travel to Albania to observe the constitutional referendum being held on 22 November. They will be in Albania from 20 until 24 November and will meet representatives from the different political parties, members of the Albanian delegation to the parliamentary Assembly and diplomatic missions from Council of Europe member States. /dast/lm/

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