Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-12-17

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Monetary program of Bank of Albania for 1999 adopted

[02] Teaching process continues normally in university in Gjirokaster

[03] New chairman of OSCE Office in Gjirokaster

[04] DP warns destabilization of situation in Albania

[05] Shkoder will be again surrounded by woods

[06] Meeting of World Bank conditions opens way to modernization of port of Durres

[07] Inter-ethnic tensions in Kosove escalate

[08] Strong artillery shelling in outskirts of Dragash

[09] Bulgarians, Naumov, present in the student strike in Tirane

[10] Food and clothes for Kosovars in Shkoder

[11] First Book Fair "Tirane '98" opens

[12] Nobody can force government to adopt measures under pressure - PM Majko

[13] Sakrahov price, an honor made to Kosova people; Rugova

[14] Serb military convoys in Prishtine-Prizren street

[15] Nobody can force government to adopt measures under pressure - PM Majko

[16] Sarande: Dynamite explosions in OMONIA leaders' houses

[17] University Hospital Center accorded an aid by Greek government

[18] Coalition parties support Majko government

[19] Part of students resume hunger strike

[20] DP protests in "Skenderbegs" square for Sali Berisha calling in enquiry session

[01] Monetary program of Bank of Albania for 1999 adopted

The main objective of the Bank of Albania for the next year will be a monetary policy which will help reduce inflation to the limit of 7 %. On the basis of the above objectives and supposing that the speed of the money circulation will be constant over 1999, an increase of money to the amount of 15.4 % has been forecast. Such a growth is presumed to be sufficient to meet the needs of the state budget, to keep the currency reserves at the necessary levels and to create spaces for the extension of credits for the private sector of the economy.

The crediting for the economy this year is envisaged to increase by 8 billion lek. /lh/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Teaching process continues normally in university in Gjirokaster

This was reported Wednesday evening through a press release by the Student Independent Union of that university. The statement wrote that "the union has conducted cultural, education and scientific activity for 1997- 1998 and is the only one recognized as such and representing only the interests of the students, without being influenced by political forces be they left or right.

Some of the representatives of the self-styled union have not hesitated to threaten the present leaders of the independent student union in order to force them leave the university classes and start a general strike in solidarity with the hunger strikers in Tirane.

The rector of the university Prof.Dr.Banush Mezini told ATA that the classes are continuing normally, considering the reports in some papers for the opposite as ill-willing and aiming to create an unfavourable situation for the didactic process in that university. /ani/a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] New chairman of OSCE Office in Gjirokaster

Bolinguer, after leaving Albania will go to Nicaragua at the beginning of the coming year, with the same mission.

Mourier takes the post, as he told the reporters in a short meeting with them, "as a connoisseur of Albania, but not of Gjirokaster." However, he knows for the southern district that "it is a zone which reflects culture and civilization in all the country of the eagle."

Settled in Gjirokaster two days ago, Mourier will start work on Sunday, the day when his compatriot will leave. /Ani.a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] DP warns destabilization of situation in Albania

DP deputy chairman Genc Pollo, in a news conference recently, accused the government coalition of the warrant for Berisha and envisaged a destabilization of the country, declaring that 'everything may come out of control."

The DP leader Sali Berisha was not present in the news conference, which did not made clear what will be the stand of Berisha towards the warrant by the Attorney General, whereas other leaders of that party did not pronounce themselves about this question.

The DP National Council is expected to convene on Thursday to examine the stand of this party towards the question of Berisha.

Last Tuesday, officers of judicial police handed over in the DP headquarters, a warrant for the DP chairman Sali Berisha to show up in the prosecutor's office on Dec.18, under the charge of being involved in the Sept.13,14, 1997 events. /a.ke/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Shkoder will be again surrounded by woods

Hysaj added that so far about 1 000 saplings of forest trees have been planted. During the first stage, nearly 5 000 saplings will be sown, while in the second stage 5 000 others will be added.

The project, which will be completed by the end of 1999, is being funded by the state budget and USAID, said Hysaj.

Previously there were more than 10 000 forest trees planted round Shkoder, in the hills of Tebe and Renc, which besides beauty for the city, they helped protect it from erosion. But after 1992, some people cut those woods leaving the place barely.

The new project also covers the improvement of forest in village Velipoje, about 30 km, from the city of Shkoder. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Meeting of World Bank conditions opens way to modernization of port of Durres

After the reduction of the labour force and the leading staff of the Sea Port, soon the sector of goods handling will be privatized, the director of the port of Durres, Leonidha Gjermeni told ATA.

According to Gjermeni, after this process is over, this sector will have 50 per cent less workers. Two private cleaning companies have already started working and the ship piloting sector has been privatized.

The meeting of some other conditions related with the reduction of the number of the administration staff, the removal of the families who have made illegal constructions in the port premises, made the World Bank representatives give Okay for USD24 million which was previously earmarked for the modernization of the port.

In a recent meeting, WB representatives said that this amount of money and the coming year will mark the beginning of the work for the modernization of the sea port of Durres. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Inter-ethnic tensions in Kosove escalate

PRISHTINE, Dec.17 (ata) - ATA correspondend Behlul Jashari reports: In some cities of Kosove, armed groups of Serbs have clashed yesterday with Albanians on the streets.

An Albanian was killed by a Serb in village Haushiq of Peje and he is thought to be a victim of inter-ethnic tensions which followed a wave of protests by Serbs after the killing of 6 Serbs in a cafe in Peje city on Dec.14. On the some day, some Yugoslav military forces killed in Prizren 35 Albanians, whose bodies are now in the morgue of the hospital of Prizren.

As a result of this event, classes did not continue in schools yesterday in Peje and Prizren, while the city of Peje was blocked by Serb police and civil forces who maltreated Albanians passing on the street, causing scores of injured.

Injured people have been registered in other zones of Kosove too. In Ferizaj, Mitrovice, Prishtine, Kline and some localities, shops of Albanians have been stormed and ruined. According to reports, some Serbs and some Albanian youths have also clashed. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Strong artillery shelling in outskirts of Dragash

Reports from Prizren say that Yugoslav military forces have also shelled Cvilen, near the border with Albania, while Albanian forces from Dragash have not yet reported of the consequences. /p.ta/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Bulgarians, Naumov, present in the student strike in Tirane

Family Naumov, according to the Albanian daily, Shekulli, has Albanian nationality granted to him by former President Sali Berisha, by a decree signed by Berisha on April 9, 1997.

During the past week, Christian emerged as one of the organizers for the boycott of the classes in the Faculty of Law, to instigate a mass strike of Tirane students.

But according to the Albanian press, on the first day of the hunger strike, Christian, together with his friend, Shkelzen Berisha (the son of former President Sali Berisha) entered the building where the strike was going on. In the mean time, Ms Naumov has been present almost everyday in front of the building where the strike was going on and has sent bouquets of flowers to the students who were staging the hunger strike.

Also during the coup d'etat on September, 13, 14, 1998, the young Naumov has come in and out the headquarters of the Democratic Party, while the former Bulgarian Ambassador, now Albanian national, Stefan Naumov, has been on the side of the DP leader in the balcony of the DP headquarters on September 14, 1998.

Former Ambassador Stefan Naumov, at the end of his career, has been accused of corruption by the Albanian press. He has bought a very expensive flat in Tirane. Under charges of corruption by the Bulgarian government, Stefan Naumov, was discharged by the post of the Ambassador by Bulgarian President. In the moments when he was told of this report, according to the Albanian press, he used weapons against his colleagues in the Embassy in Tirane.

While his son, Christian Naumov, has been a trafficker of expensive vehicles.

When Naumov was Ambassador, he was considered "persona non grata" in Bulgaria. Then, he was given Albanian nationality and permission to stay in Albania by Albanian former President, Sali Berisha. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Food and clothes for Kosovars in Shkoder

The coordinator of the association, centered in Shkoder, Saib Del Hamit, said to ATA that the value of the aid amounts to 130 thousand USD. They are being distributed not only for the Kosovars in some Shkodra families but also for the 3 100 kosovars who have come to this city.

For the Kosovars in Shkoder, other associations too have offered assistance, such as the Albanian Red Cross, the Dutch Red Cross, the Italian Caritas, the Association Dardania centered in Germany and the British association Evangelical Fraternity. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] First Book Fair "Tirane '98" opens

About 60 private and state publishing houses from Albania, Kosova and Macedonia, have displayed in the fair their publications released over the past decade.

The Fair "Tirane '98" is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Association of Albanian Publishers, the International Cultural Centre, the Soros Foundation, the Fan Noli Foundation and the Agency "Expo Prima," which worked for the realization of the fair.

The Book Fair will be open four days. The organizers have programmed for these days many book presentations, press conferences, etc.

During the days of the fair, also the winners of national prizes in literature for 1997 will be announced. /pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Nobody can force government to adopt measures under pressure - PM Majko

"Last evening I called you in an urgent meeting of the Council of Ministers to discuss mainly the situation created with the students who were staging a hunger strike. Reports that terrorist acts were being prepared against them made more urgent the adoption of a categorical and energetic decision for the solution of this problem.

We, the Council of Ministers, decided to intervene in the halls were the student strikers were, first of all, to secure the lives of the students participating in the strike. I believe that it is understandable who would be blamed if the life of even one of the students was threatened? We are voicing an alternative in the name of the life. They, who want to make politics in the name of death, are already known, I do not want the name them concretely. I also think that this is a message showing that a right cannot be observed in Albania when the right of a majority of people is violated. Nobody is allowed to impose, nobody can think that he will force the Albanian Government to take decisions under pressure, coming from whatever direction. /s.s.pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Sakrahov price, an honor made to Kosova people; Rugova

The press and information directory in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that Mr. Rugova stressed in the news conference that he hold on this occasion, that this prize is above all an honor made to the Kosova people in his attempts to face the war of the Serb military forces, who want the Kosova ethnical cleansing. "The internationalization of Kosova issue and the international community intervention prevented the realization of such an objective," - said Rugova stressing that although the situation in Kosova continues to remain tense and perilous. "Although the OSCE missions are being settled in Kosove to calm the situation down, the Kosova people continue to be under the terror of Serb police forces and are always hoping more for the help of NATO troops," - added Rugova.

"We favour the Kosova independence, a legitimate aspiration of Kosova people, but for the time being we do not put this issue forward referring to the three years deadline for the solution of the status case," said Rugova.

Regarding Yugoslavia, he said that it is a country which does not exist any longer and that an independent Kosova will be a stability factor for the region and for Serbian itself.

Answering the question for the relationship with Albania, Rugova said that Albania has passed an agitated period, but a stabilized Albania is an important factor for Kosova. "We have never asked to be identified with Albania, we are for a more moderate, and more real orientation, we are brothers, but brothers live in two or three separate houses," said Rugova. /pas/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Serb military convoys in Prishtine-Prizren street

The Kosova Information Center, referring to Kosova Democratic League in Shtime of Mitrovice, said that a Serb convoy made up of 6 buses, 2 vehicles and several cars filled with police forces, has gone on early Wednesday towards Prizreni. Another convoy with three buses, 5 armoured vehicles and 3 other military means are seen to have passed in the same direction later.

The same sources inform that three lorries filled with military troops, and an armoured vehicle equipped with a missile, have gone towards Skenderaj in the same day. /Y.Pa/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Nobody can force government to adopt measures under pressure - PM Majko

"Last evening I called you in an urgent meeting of the Council of Ministers to discuss mainly the situation created with the students who were staging a hunger strike. Reports that terrorist acts were being prepared against them made more urgent the adoption of a categorical and energetic decision for the solution of this problem.

We, the Council of Ministers, decided to intervene in the halls were the student strikers were, first of all, to secure the lives of the students participating in the strike. I believe that it is understandable who would be blamed if the life of even one of the students was threatened? We are voicing an alternative in the name of the life. They, who want to make politics in the name of death, are already known, I do not want to name them concretely. I also think that this is a message showing that a right cannot be observed in Albania when the right of a majority of people is violated. Nobody is allowed to impose, nobody can think that he will force the Albanian Government to take decisions under pressure, coming from whatever direction.

I express my grief noting that the dialogue requested between the Prime Minister of Albania and the striking students was considered as a mean and not as a possibility for the solution of the problem with dignity.

I also notice that for the restoration of dialogue, the presence of two parties is necessary, which lacked in this case. The only partner in this dialogue has been the Albanian government and the urgent measures it took for the solution of the problem. While a part of the students, despite our desire, became the problem itself and did not help its solution.

Today, the police evicted the striking students. I underline that their intervention has been correct and no incident occurred. Medical care was supplied to the students, mainly to those who were in a worse condition than the others. Their life was for us more important than the political interests of the day. This is the logic which we will follow and I am convinced that we will move forward. It is not the logic of crowds and shouts, it is the logic of the state and its rules." /s.s/xh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Sarande: Dynamite explosions in OMONIA leaders' houses

"Both explosions occurred respectively in the flat of the Chairman of the Organisation of Minority Democratic Union (OMONIA), Jorgo Labovitjadhi at 23.55 and after 5 minutes in the flat of Secretary General of this Organisation, Vangjel Papakristo," chief of the police, Agron Agalliu told ATA on Thursday.

No one was reported injured exept for some material damages, doors and window glasses of these flats.

Asked by ATA about explosions' motives Papakristo did not exclude their relation with political motives and specially "with different clans operating" ahead new elections of OMONIA leaders, which are going to be held in Sarande next Saturday and Sunday. He did not mention any name, but implied that clans, supporting different candidates, exist within OMONIA. /pas/lola/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] University Hospital Center accorded an aid by Greek government

Mr.Ioannis Pediotis, a representative of the Greek embassy in Tirane, some representatives of the Greek Section of the "World Doctors" organization, and representatives of the Albanian Health Ministry took part in the ceremony of the delivering of this aid. The ceremony was held in grounds of University Hospital Center.

The aid of the pharmaceutical materials is given in the framework of the aid that the Greek government gives for the Kosova refugees settled in Albania.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Teodoros Pangallos, said his visit in Tirane, in July of the current year, that the Greek government will accord an aid worth $200 000 for the displaced Kosovars.

/s.s/A.A/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Coalition parties support Majko government

"The institutionalization of this table was one of the main points of the meeting held Wednesday between the Prime Minister and the heads of the coalition. This table would serve 'the good governing'. The table will have competencies on the political issue," said Ceka.

With regard to the situation in the country, Ceka said that "it is under control and the efforts for its destabilization are marginal, that's why the executive should not pay too much attention."

The DAP President stressed that the support for the coalition government was for those reforms and measures which aimed at solving the immediate problems, like the public order, creation of new jobs, the improvement of the image of Albania in the international arena, the efforts for the legalization of the Albanian emigration and others. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Part of students resume hunger strike

Some of the students gathered early on Thursday in the square in front of the building no. 13 in the Students' City. Attending were also representatives of the Democratic Party. The students shouted slogans against the government.

The crowd of students was also jointed on midday by the newcomers from the DP rally, which was held in the "Skenderbej" square.

The police, which were staying until then close to the grounds of the cultural center, were displaced.

A part of the striking students entered the halls of the cultural center by resuming the hunger strike. They declared they were resolute to carry on their strike. /lh/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] DP protests in "Skenderbegs" square for Sali Berisha calling in enquiry session

"We will not allow the arrest in jails of the leader of our party. Our people will know how to fight to protect the Democratic Party and its leader from the government provocations," said the vice-chairman of this party Genc Pollo in today's meeting.

The democratic leader Berisha, stressed the students hunger strike during his speech. Assessing the interruption of the hunger strike from government as " a violent act", he asked the participants in the meeting to favor the strike students enquiries.

Afterwards the protesters went towards the Students City, where the strike students pulled out of the grounds of the hunger strike on Wednesday midnight by the police forces, rebegun again the hunger strike on Thursday midday. /lh/A.A/

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