Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-03

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Approval of Constitution - product of people's will and aspirations - Parliament

[02] Albanian Parliament approves working program for December

[03] Movement of vehicles in customs house of Kapshtice suspended

[04] Three Albanians killed in Prishtine

[05] Three years of Western Union in Albania

[06] 40 Kosova people have come to Shkoder from Tropoje

[07] "Days of Italian-Albanian culture" by mid-December in Tirane

[08] Changes in the Albanian family

[09] $ US as against 142.50 leks

[10] A citizen in jails for Sep.14 uprising -Accused on charge of violent participating in armed uprising

[11] Opposing stands within "Union for Democracy" political grouping

[12] Ioannina hospital to treat ALBPETROL workers

[13] Appeals Court to reconsider custody against participant in uprising

[14] Appeals Court to examine file of participant in armed uprising

[15] Festival of Balkan Theater Schools goes on

[16] Work invalids asking more economic treatment

[17] Balkan identity and universal theater discussed in Balkan Theater Schools Festival

[18] New constructions to improve infrastructure authorised

[19] Albanian ballerinas takes part in "Master Class" in Skopje, Macedonia

[20] General Prosecutor's Office working to bring Greek killer to justice

[21] Albania-Greece: readiness and will to correctly and quickly resolve Radat incident

[22] Auditing group - "Tom Lleshdedaj of "Agroni" company owes 600 thousand dollars to 30 creditors"

[01] Approval of Constitution - product of people's will and aspirations - Parliament

In the opening address, the Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi stressed that "the approval of the Constitution is a product of all people's wish and aspirations, of the experience and commitment of the parliaments in the past 7 years and especially of the 16 month work for the drafting and the approval of this fundamental act. The people voted a powerful "yes" to the Constitution in the Referendum of November 22, 1998.

With this approval, said Gjinushi, the Constitution won a greater stability and as such it is an obligation and responsibility to be respected and applied.

"The people's vote of confidence for the Constitution is an appreciation for the work of this assembly," stressed Gjinushi, pointing out the serious commitment and international support for the Constitution.

The plenary session of Wednesday examined the program for the work of the People's Assembly over Dec.2-12, 1998. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian Parliament approves working program for December

The parliament agreed to examine in its coming sessions a draft law for the state budget for 1999, which, by decision of the parliament, must be adopted within this year.

The parliamentary groups discussed in their meetings on Wednesday the election of the chairmen of the Permanent Commissions. Deputy Arben Malaj was proposed as chairman of the Commission of Economy and Finance while deputy Halil Lalaj as chairman of the Commission of Media. Deputy chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission was proposed deputy Arta Dade. These proposals were adopted by majority of votes.

With these elections, the plenary session of Wednesday closed. /xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Movement of vehicles in customs house of Kapshtice suspended

Safet Myrto, chief inspector of Kapshtice border point, told ATA that over 50 vehicles are waiting to enter Albania.

The suspension is due to the unlimited strike by Greek customs officials. Myrto said that even the buses of Albania-Greece passengers service has not been allowed to cross the border. Only the passengers who take Greek taxis in the neighboring country are allowed to pass the border.

The suspension of the movement of the vehicles in Kapshtice has hindered the clearance, creating a considerable deficit for the customs house, and risking to cause troubles for the market supply as well, said Myrto. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Three Albanians killed in Prishtine

The scene was encircled by Serb police, while one could see anything but a car ruined by the shots. The fire of arms during the incident shocked the capital of Kosove.

Sporadic shots are continuously heard in Prishtine, ATA correspondent on the spot and other local and foreign reporters could not take detailed information about the incident. /dast/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Three years of Western Union in Albania

On occasion of the 3d anniversary of the activity of this Union in Albania, the deputy president of the Western Union for Europe, John Skiner gave a news conference on Wednesday. He said that this network will be extended, besides Albania, in 7 other districts of Albania, such as in Durres, Elbasan, Vlore, Korce, etc.

Over 95 per cent of the money transfers by the Financial Union of Tirane are covered by services for Albanian emigrants and their families. For every 1000 USD the Union has a profit of 45-50 dollars, but according to Niko Leka, manager of the Union in Albania, the money transfers are guaranteed and reach the destination in 10 minutes. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] 40 Kosova people have come to Shkoder from Tropoje

The chief of the municipal office for the comers from Kosove, Esma Boksi, told ATA that over the past two days, about 40 kosovars have been accommodated in the beach of Velipoje, 30 km, from the city of Shkoder. With a fund from UNHRC, some of the hotels in the beach of Velipoje are being reconstructed, with the prospect of creating accommodation for nearly 300 Kosovars. The veterinary school and the hostel of the secondary music school are also being constructed with a fund of 50 million lek, in which nearly 900 people will be settled.

Ms Boksi said that also measures have been adopted for the heating during winter for the refugees from Kosova. Many humanitarian associations such as "Crystal Club," Islamic Reliev, Italian and German Caritas, Albanian Red Cross and the Norwegian Red Cross, and several Norwegian associations have brought to Albania gas heaters, who are distributed among Kosovars. These associations have also brought food and clothes for winter for the refugees.

Over the first half of September, 4 600 Albanians from Kosova crossed the border point of Vermosh (extreme north of Albania) and settled in Shkoder. At present there are 3 thousand Kosovars in this city. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] "Days of Italian-Albanian culture" by mid-December in Tirane

This year, the Albanian side has in the program also cultural groups from the town-halls of Shkoder, Durres, Kruje, Vlore, Sarande and Gjirokaster.

In the activities of the Italian side, along with artistic groups from the town-halls, also the cast of pantomime and a theater group of Sicily, consisting of Albanians (arberesh) living along Italian Adriatic coast for 5 centuries, will also take part.

During the days of culture, a Arberesh book exhibition will be displayed as well.

The organizers of the days of Albanian-Italian Culture from the Albanian party are the Municipality of Tirane, the Ministry of Culture, the Academy of Arts, the Ballet School, while for the Italian party are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Italian Institute of Culture in the Italian Embassy in Tirane. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Changes in the Albanian family

Most evident in these changes is the reduction of the family members as a result of the emigration, division of the family members because of divorce, and their separation from the family trunk. Now, cohabitation of generation is rarer than before.

In the small Albanian family, the woman has a tendency to be less dependant from the man, the children or the relatives, an independence which stems from the changes in the Albanian mentality and the possibilities that the Albanian woman has today to be economically independent.

A new element in the present Albanian society is also the introduction of the family planning methods. The communist regime stimulated a growth of the population and a big family. Abortion was illegal and subjected to punishment. It could be made only in the cases when pregnancy was dangerous for the mother's health. Abortion was legalized in 1991 in Albania.

In July 1992, the World Health Organization, WHO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Albania and UNFPA, initiated a program, in which family planning was included. The program, in which NGO were engaged, yielded positive results. 8 per cent of the women from 15-44 years in 1994 took contraceptives, while in 1997, this percentage rose to 12. While in 1994 there were 438 abortions in 1 000 births, in 1997 this figure fell to 358.

According to the figures on population from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) there is a change in the number of the children born by one woman. In 50s the Albanian woman gave birth to averagely 6.1 children, after 1995 this figure fell to 2.7 children for each woman.

Also mortality among mothers during childbirth has been reduced as well. In 1980, 32 mothers from 1000 births died during labour, while in 1997 this figure halved. Also infantile death rate is lower than before. In 1981 6.1 children from 1 000 newly-born babies died, while in 1995 this number was 4.2. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] $ US as against 142.50 leks

Currency	Rate
$US		142.50
DM		 85.10
LIT(1000)	 85.90
GRD(100)	 50.30

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] A citizen in jails for Sep.14 uprising -Accused on charge of violent participating in armed uprising

The police forces arrested the citizen Shemsi Prençi, aged 44, inhabitant in Tirane, who is accused of participating in the violence exercised over the state institution on September 14, 1998, the spokesman of the Tirane district prefecture policy, told ATA on Thursday.

According to him, this person is photographed in the interior grounds of the Albanian Radio Television while triumphing. The arrest of Prençi was made implementing the Prosecutor arrest order.

The Attorney's Office investigation have come as a result of consequences caused by an armed crowd of people who violently entered the state institutions and the private properties of Tirane citizens on September 14, 1998. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Opposing stands within "Union for Democracy" political grouping

Immediately after the declaration made some days ago by the biggest party of this grouping, the Democratic Party, according to which their stand against the parliament for a final separation from it is irrevocable has faced the opposition of its allies.

In the meantime the Demochristian Party has not boycotted the Albanian parliament, citing that the parliament is "the tribunal of expressing the free opinion", while the Liberal Party and the Right-hand Democratic Party, have changed their stand regarding the participation in the parliament.

The deputies Teodor Laço and Remzi Ndreu, representing the Right Center in the parliament, decided to leave the parliament on September 21, supporting the Democratic Party decision.

On Wednesday the leaders of the two parties, Laço and Ndreu have declared that "the place where the opposition should forcefully express its thought, is only the parliament." The liberals and the right-hand democrats invited the DP members to reobserve its decision regarding the parliament participation.

In connection with this problem, the DP leaders said that the parties of the "Union for Democracy" grouping are free to decide for their participation in Parliament.

The DP is advised even from the international bodies not to boycott the parliament and not to abstain the Constitution. The International bodies have asked the DP to reconsider its stand and to serve as a constructive opposition in the Albanian political life. /dast/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Ioannina hospital to treat ALBPETROL workers

According to the spokesman of ALBPETROL press, some days ago a group of this company leaded by the Director of Human Sources Islam Ahmeti, made a visit in Ioannina hospital which resulted in some negotiations and some concrete achievements. The Greece part presented by the hospital President, after studding the ALBPETROL economic and financial situation, expressed interest in protecting the workers from the professional deceases, the accidents, their treating as well as the readiness to help ALBPETROL with some services that can be realized in Janine.

The agreement between the ALBPETROL work group and representatives of Ioannina hospital, was held in the framework of the measures taken by this company to increase the quality of the health service. /lh./A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Appeals Court to reconsider custody against participant in uprising

The arrest of Kamberi, aged 17, on October 13, by the police forces, was carried out by order of the Prosecutor General's office for participation in the armed uprising of September 14 and violence against state institutions.

The Tirane district court has ruled prison arrest for Kamberi.

The total number of the persons under arrest for participation in the armed uprising of September 13 and 14 has reached 20. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Appeals Court to examine file of participant in armed uprising

Celkola, aged 25, inhabitant in Laprake, neighborhood of Tirane, was arrested by the police forces on November 19, for committing the penal act of participation in armed uprising in complicity.

Celkola is accused by the prosecutor's office of participating in the armed uprising of mid-September this year and violence against state institutions.

The Tirane district court ruled a 15 day-prison arrest against Celkola, asking from the prosecutor's office to present new testimony and facts within this period. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Festival of Balkan Theater Schools goes on

The first film "Such a perfect day", with the screen-script and production of two second year students of production branch, Rudina Deda and Enkela Paskali, directed by the professor Fahri Hysaj, treats drugs topic in round 20 minutes.

The second film, presented today, is "White and black in colours", with the screen-script and production of the students Saimir Gongo and Saimir Braho. In 20 minutes it treats a crucial problem of Albanian society such as that of the beggar.

These tow films are realised in cooperation with Albanian TV and Soros Foundation.

According to the professor Hysaj "this is a new genre, little cultivated in the Albanian stage-craft school, which wants an impulse towards perfection."

Balkan Theater Schools Festival, which is taking place in the capital, will go on with the works of Rumanian Theater and Film University and that of Bulgarian New University. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Work invalids asking more economic treatment

The president of the association, Abdulla Omuri, stressed that this strata should be assisted by the state, as injury while at work, has made their financial condition difficult.

Request for raising pensions was officially reiterated at the conference.

The Minister of Labour and Social Assistance, Kadri Rapi, as well as the Director General of Social Insurances, Naim Hasa, expressed themselves in favour of a further cooperation to improve the economic level and legal status of the work invalids.

There are more than 30.000 work invalids, who receive an average pension of 3.500 up to 3.700 leks per month. But there are other categories, from the former agricultural cooperatives, that receive 400 to 600 leks per month, at an average age of 39. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] Balkan identity and universal theater discussed in Balkan Theater Schools Festival

This discussion among professionals made evident the need to communicate between theater schools in Balkan, in order to be presented with dignity in Europe.

Adriatik Kallulli, critic and pedagogue in the Academy of Fine Arts, said that universal norms of performance should exist in theater, but he stressed that "art is not art if it can not succeed to preserve its national originality."

It is very difficult to speak about something special regarding Balkan identity. According to specialists there is too much to be done regarding Balkan affiliation.

This meeting made evident introduction of the new methods in arts and stressed the necessity to preserve the classic ones. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] New constructions to improve infrastructure authorised

Approval by the Territorial Adjustment Council to extend the boundaries of the building sites in Sarande and Ksamil is expected to improve the infrastructure of this tourist zone.

Numerous unauthorised constructions have been carried out along the shore of this zone over the last years but the approval of this project intend to turn this zone into a territory of contemporary infrastructure.

This council, at its latest meeting, also authorised constructions along the Milot-Shkoder road segment as well as construction of several bridges which also requires expropriation of 22 hectares of agricultural land.

Constructions were also approved for the improvement of the infrastructure at the Breglumas-Laprake area in Tirane as well as the construction of crude oil transport system from Marinza to Seman. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Albanian ballerinas takes part in "Master Class" in Skopje, Macedonia

"This is the first time, Albanian ballet school took part in an activity performing classic ballet and being represented with dignity," Ballet School Headmaster Arjan Shukniqi told ATA.

Participating in this activity were the ballet schools of Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, etc., thus mainly schools, which apply Russian system.

Albanian ballerinas, lead by Arjan Shukniqi and with the choreography of Shpetim Dajci, represented Albanian ballet school, which was evaluated from the critics "as a school offering a good professional level."

Albanian Ballet School is the only ballet school in the country with a high artistic activity in and out of the country.

It recently took part in the International Contest of ballet schools in Antalya, Turkey, where it was honoured with the first cup for choreography and music. /lh/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] General Prosecutor's Office working to bring Greek killer to justice

The spokesman of the Justice Ministry, Agim Neza, and of the General Prosecutor's Office, Ardian Visha, referring to the incident occurring in the Lazart village, told ATA that the prosecutor's office of the Gjirokaster district has began legal proceeding against Greek citizen Jorgo Makriu.

The first investigations show that he killed Albanian citizen Afrim Kazma and injured his brother Gezim Kazma.

The General Prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Justice, in compliance with the laws in force and the bilateral agreements with the Greek state, have started contacts and are insisting on an effective cooperation with the Greek legal authorities to bring the Greek national to justice.

The incident took place on November 26, at the site called Radat of Gjirokaster district. The inhabitants of the Lazart village, through a letter addressed to President Meidani, have roughly reacted, asking the extradition to Albania of the Greek national who has committed the crime. /lh/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Albania-Greece: readiness and will to correctly and quickly resolve Radat incident

The Albanian Foreign Ministry has closely followed the development of the events in connection with the criminal act committed inside the Albanian territory by Greek national Jorgo Makris, on November 26.11.1998, killing citizen Afrim Kazma and injuring his brother Gezim Kazma.

On November 27, right after the grave incident, the representative of the Greek embassy in Tirane was summoned to the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was asked that the Greek national, responsible for this act, should be arrested and legal proceeding begin to try and punish him based on the international norms dealing with these acts.

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry has given the respective instructions to the Albanian embassy in Athens and its consulate in Ioannina, which have established contacts with the Foreign Greek Ministry and leaders of Ioannina local government and police to further clarify and fairly handle this issue.

At the meetings held in Tirane, Athens and Ioannina, the Greek side has expressed regret at this grave situation and assured the Albanian side that the Greek authorities will seriously handle this issue.

At the request of the Albanian side, the Greeks have been contacted also today and have declared that the perpetrator of the crime in the Radat village is under investigations and will be subjected to a regular legal proceeding.

Like in all bilateral meetings with the Greek representatives on this issue, also in today's meetings, the opinion has been expressed that this event should not negatively affect the very good relations existing between Albania and Greece.

Likewise, they have stressed that such acts should not trigger uncontrolled reactions on the part of the citizens of the two countries.

Readiness and will to correctly and quickly resolve the Radat incident has also been expressed. /a.ke/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Auditing group - "Tom Lleshdedaj of "Agroni" company owes 600 thousand dollars to 30 creditors"

"Agroni" company began its activity with an initial capital of 10 thousand dollars in Albania in 1992. Its activity was concentrated in jewellery and fuel trading in 4 selling units in Tirane. In 1995 it began taking loans from the people with a monthly interests rate of 5-8%.

Considering the period 1993, 1994 and 1995, when "Agroni" company exercised the business activity the profit reached 2.4 million leks. In March 1996 this company declared its bankruptcy and the administrator Tom Lleshdedaj alone left Albania for Croatia, where he is presumed to live now. The debt to 30 creditors is estimated to be 600 thousand dollars.

During auditing, despite auditors' efforts to contact with the person himself and his accomplices, no concrete result was attained to make evident any part of the propriety, looted or hidden by him. /lh/lola/

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