Read the European Union Resolutions on The Cyprus Problem Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Albanian Times, 96-07-26

The Albanian Times (by AlbAmerica TRade & Consulting International) Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: AlbAmerica Trade & Consulting International <http://www.worldweb.net/~ww1054/>

Albanian Times
July 26, 1996


CONTENTS

  • [01] EU's van den Broek Visits Albania
  • [02] Government Wins Confidence in Parliament
  • [03] Albania Wants Stronger Ties With NATO
  • [04] US Officials to Review Relations With Albania
  • [05] Italy Smashes Drug Ring With Ties in Macedonia, Albania

  • [01] EU's van den Broek Visits Albania

    TIRANA, July 25 - European Commissioner Hans Van den Broek arrived in Tirana on Thursday for two days of talks focusing on the political situation in Albania and ways of improving ties with the European Union. Van den Broek, the commissioner responsible for Eastern Europe, is the first senior EU official to visit Albania since controversial parliamentary elections returned President Sali Berisha's ruling Democrats with a landslide majority. His visit is seen as a boost to Berisha's Democrats widely criticized in the West for alleged rigging of the May 26 vote. ``Obviously I am here to discuss relations between Albania and the European Union and to hear from the leadership here about the situation...and to discuss further prospects for strengthening our cooperation,'' Van den Broek said. Leaders of opposition parties appeared satisfied from their meetings with van den Broek, regarding his visit as an opportunity to explain their respective stands. "This will help find a solution to the political crisis in the country," Servet Pellumbi vice Chairman of the Socialist Party told reporters. The EU Commissioner also met with President Berisha but no details were announced. (Albanian Times)

    [02] Government Wins Confidence in Parliament

    TIRANA, July 24 -- Albanian government headed by Aleksander Meksi won undisturbed a confidence vote of the Democratic Party dominated Parliament. The government was approved by 113 deputies. The Socialist Party deputy Sali Rexhepi who abstained from voting asked for a stronger emphasis on the social agenda of the new government, demanding more subsidies and credits for farmers. He also called for tougher measures against corruption. Mr. Rexhepi is the only Socialist deputy attending parliament sessions, challenging his leftist party's colleagues who have refused to take their seats, in protest of what they call "severily rigged" May 26 elections. (Albanian Times)

    [03] Albania Wants Stronger Ties With NATO

    TIRANA, July 25 - Albanian Defence Minister Safet Zhulali said on Thursday Albania aimed to modernise its defences and intensify relations with NATO and its neighbours over the next four years. Albania was the first ex-communist East European country to seek NATO membership and among the first to sign NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP) two years ago. Zhulali said Albania had already fulfilled the political criteria for NATO membership and was making efforts to reach the required technical standards. ``The peaceful engagement of the army will consist of active political and military cooperation with the Atlantic Alliance, NATO countries and...active regional cooperation to strengthen peace, security and stability,'' Zhulali told a news conference. ``By equipping the armed forces with new arms and systems we aim to overcome technological backwardness,'' he said. The minister added that Albania also aimed to modernise its fleet over the next two years to step up sea defence. (Albanian Times/Reuters)

    [04] US Officials to Review Relations With Albania

    WASHINGTON, July 25 - US officials said they are initiating a "thorough review" of the US-Albanian relations, a move which they say includes the American assistance programs. In a congressional hearing on human rights and democracy in Albania held on Thursday in Washington, DC, Rudolf V. Perina, Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US State Department said the foundation of the US-Albanian relations has weakened after the May 26 elections, pointing to what he called "serious irregularities that marred the elections." His comments were echoed by a harshly worded Rep. Tom Lantos, who lashed out against President Sali Berisha and Albania's human rights record, especially with respect to the Greek minority. He vowed to ask the State Department to suspend economic aid to Albania. Highly critical to the Albanian regime were also Gramoz Pashko, former Vice Prime Minister and guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson School of Eastern European Studies and Nicholas Gage, President of the Panepirotic Federation. Rep. Benjamin Gilman drew attention on the achievements of the young Albanian democracy, calling for moderation in the criticism towards Tirana. Panelist Shirley Cloyes, Executive Director of the Albanian American Foundation, strongly defended Albania's achievements in implementing democracy. She harshly criticized Gramoz Pashko and Nicholas Gage, describing them as individuals pursuing their own agenda to the detriment of the Albanian people. The hearing was organized by the House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights(Albanian Times)

    [05] Italy Smashes Drug Ring With Ties in Macedonia, Albania

    CAGLIARI, July 25 - Sardinian police have smashed a major drugs ring after two officers posed as buyers and infiltrated a Macedonian-based gang in an operation lasting more than a year, a senior officer said on Thursday. Police said they had seized 20 kilos (44 lb) of heroin and arrested nine people to date. ``This is one of the biggest investigations we have ever had against this new drug source in Macedonia and Albania,'' Colonel Roberto Vernesoni said by telephone from the Sardinian capital Cagliari. The heroin, originally from Turkey, was brought by boat to the island of Sardinia via Macedonia, hidden in false panels. Vernesoni said eight Macedonians and one Italian were being held in Cagliari while investigations continued. (Albanian Times/Reuters)

    This material was reprinted with permission of AlbAmerica Trade & Consulting International. For more information on ATCI and the Albanian Times, please write to AlbaTimes@aol.com

    Copyright © ATCI, 1996


    The Albanian Times (by AlbAmerica TRade & Consulting International) Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    albatim2html v1.00b run on Friday, 26 July 1996 - 0:56:06