ATA News from Albania, 96-09-13

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] EBRD CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA

[02] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECREES LAW ON LOCAL ELECTIONS

[04] BRITON FACES TRIAL FOR PERVERSITY WITH MINORS

[05] ALBANIAN VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

[06] SOCIALISTS UNABLE TO FACE ELECTION CAMPAIGN - Statement of the Democratic Party spokesman -

[07] ARRIVAL OF ALBANIANS IN ITALY TO BE COMMEMORATED

[08] OPPOSITION PARTIES AIMED TO BOYCOTT ELECTION COMMISSIONS

[09] FIRST NINE MISSES ARRIVE IN ALBANIA

[10] "ALBANIA" CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS PUBLICATION

[11] TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR BRITISH MANIAC

[12] PRESS REVIEW

[13] POLITICAL PARTIES REACTIONS REGARDING LEFT OPPOSITION DEMAND TO POSTPONE LOCAL ELECTIONS

[14] TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL COOPERATION PROGRAM BETWEEN ALBANIA AND FRANCE SIGNED

[01] EBRD CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ALBANIA

Descamps said: "You will have our support more than ever" adding that "EBRD has eight programs ready for Albania with a fund estimated to USD75 million."

Then Descamps confirmed once more the support for the private sector, but without ignoring social aspects of the projects.

"Results of the democratic government themselves have turned Albania in one of the main partners of the bank in the region. By a financial partner in Albania from the first steps of the democratic reformation and being well acquainted with Albanian reality" said Descamps, "we often have become attorneys of this reality."

"Promotion of achievements in Albanian reality is a necessity for the attraction of foreign investments, and the best guarantee we offer to foreign investors is continuity of our presence in Albania with eight new projects" concluded Descamps.

Shehu thanked EBRD for the help and support it has offered and continues to offer and said that promotion of achievements in Albanian reality is of vital importance for the attraction of foreign investments.

"Foreign investors should know that Albania of '92 was not at all the same with Hungarian, Polish or Rumanian reality of the same year" said Shehu, adding that "The progress we have made is really great, specially in the creation of the legislation and respective institutions, but we are conscious that we have much to do in the future."

Then Shehu acquainted Descamps with the political situation in the region and Albanian bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, which now is undoubtedly encouraging for the greater investments in field of reconstruction and development. am/kled/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

Shamata briefed Lino on bilateral cooperation and expressed his goals about the consolidation of the ministry he heads.

Ambassador Lino on her side, expressed the readiness in strengthening of bilateral cooperation, mainly in the new forms of crime. She was also interested in the preparations that the Interior Ministry is making regarding the local elections.

Shamata informed the ambassador on the preparations of the legal basis for the local elections campaign and explained the duties and services of the police during the campaign and the voting day to guarantee normal election, free and fair competition for all political parties. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECREES LAW ON LOCAL ELECTIONS

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] BRITON FACES TRIAL FOR PERVERSITY WITH MINORS

He was also hunted down by Interpol.

"Thomson has cheated two boys of 11 and 12 years old from Tirana. He has taken the children to Durresi by a taxi and went to a hotel there. In the evening Thomson undressed them and put under the shower and has patted every part of their body to enjoy his perversity" prosecutor Dritan Ribaj said.

The defendant lives in Devon, England and is divorced with two children and has come this year to Albania as a tourist.

The defendant who talked through his interpreter and his defendant attorney "accepted the charge and called it an ugly act of perversity and showed his remorse." He asked for a shortened trial procedure behind closed doors.

The panel of judgements headed by judge Gjin Gjoni decided for a shortened trial procedure and behind closed doors only while children's giving evidence.

Thomson has previously been sentenced 12 years in jail in the US for the same act with a couple of twins. He served only 5 years in jail.

Philip Bell 61, from Australia, hunted down from Interpol as a sex maniac, managed to escape arrest in April after staying in Tirana undisturbed for three years. kled/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] ALBANIAN VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

Minister Shehu aquatinted ambassador Won with the current political developments in Albania and with the achievements of the economic reform, which open perspectives for a fruitful bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Won, on his side, ensured that the assistance of Korea for Albania will increase and it will fully support Albania in the international arena. /s.sh/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] SOCIALISTS UNABLE TO FACE ELECTION CAMPAIGN - Statement of the Democratic Party spokesman -

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ARRIVAL OF ALBANIANS IN ITALY TO BE COMMEMORATED

A church ceremony will be organized in the morning of September 14, to commemorate and respect the Christian and human engagement as well as the solidarity that the church showed for Albanian refugees.

Church figures like Monsignor Carlo Colasuonno will be honoured on this occasion and a memorable stone will be unveiled as well.

A documentary film focusing on the moments of Albanians' "landing" to the Italian coasts five years ago will be shown in the afternoon. The New European Philharmonic Orchestra will give a performance in Bari as well.

Senior officials of the political life of Italy are expected to attend these activities.

The 5th anniversary of this arrival will be commemorated even in Firenze, where the Albanian singer and composer David Tukiqi will give a performance with Albanian music. Such activities are going to be held in Modena as well. /pas/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] OPPOSITION PARTIES AIMED TO BOYCOTT ELECTION COMMISSIONS

The SP, SDP, DAP, AP, RRP, PLP and NUP which boycotted the counting of vote procedure in May 26 elections, were against the article which envisaged sentences ranging from 1-3 years in jail for members of the election commission who would boycott the commission during the counting of ballots procedure.

All pretensions of these parties are problems previously discussed and with consensus have been resolved in previous round tables and at the last one organised by president of the republic with political parties which was boycotted only by the DAP.

The statement asked the removal of Nestor Tereska, Njazi Kosovrasti, Agim Shehu and others from their leading posts and in highlighting of elections. According the statement "they are responsible for elections of May 26." They have offered no argued evidence for such pretensions.

Even the EC Ad-hoc Commission was against such a stand of the opposition parties.

International monitoring of elections, demanded yesterday by the opposition was resolved in July, in a letter that Speaker of the Parliament Pjeter Arbnori has sent to the CE President of Parliamentary Assembly Lenny Fischer, where he asked coordination of the work to sent observers and to monitor local elections on October 20. This demand was accepted and Fischer confirmed this in her letter to Arbnori.

Opposition political parties yesterday demanded postponement of elections and appointment of a new date of elections through consensus. (October 20 was just the date asked by the SP in the meeting of the end of July.)

The demand of political parties for postponement of local elections, according to political analysts shows their fear for a lack of electorate and the need they have to absorb the SP electorate. All these parties except the SP in the last elections got not more than 4 per cent of the vote, which was necessity for a representation in the parliament.

This demand was supported by the SP because it according to inner sources "has not full command of its members and fears they will not support their party in local elections." /fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] FIRST NINE MISSES ARRIVE IN ALBANIA

The well-known producer Vera Grabocka and President of the Paris- based Organizing Committee of "Miss Europe '96, received them in the airport.

Misses are accommodated in "Tirana" Hotel. /kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] "ALBANIA" CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS PUBLICATION

Albanian President, Sali Berisha, Speaker of Parliament, Pjeter Arbnori, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu, deputies, ambassadors, journalists and many others attended the ceremony.

President Berisha greeted yesterday the 100th anniversary of "Albania's" publication by calling it a remarkable day in the history of Albanian culture and civilization.

Director of "Albania" newspaper Ylli Rakipi thanked the participants for their presence in celebrating the foundation day of one of the memorials of the Albanian letters and culture. /kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR BRITISH MANIAC

He was also hunted down by Interpol.

"Thomson has cheated two boys of 11 and 12 years old from Tirana. He has taken the children to Durresi by a taxi and went to a hotel there. In the evening Thomson undressed them and put under the shower and has patted every part of their body to enjoy his perversity" prosecutor of the case said.

The defendant lives in Devon, England and is divorced with two children and has come this year to Albania as a tourist.

He was discovered after the parents were troubled and told police for their boys who failed to come back home.

The defendant "accepted the charge and called it an ugly act of perversity and showed his remorse." He asked for a shortened trial procedure behind closed doors.

As Thomson accepted the charge, evidence of the boys was not asked to be presented. From this he enjoys lowering of his sentence and will serve only one third of the punishment asked by the prosecutors.

Thomson has previously been sentenced 12 years in jail in the US for the same act with a couple of twins. He served only 5 years in jail.

Philip Bell 61, from Australia, hunted down from Interpol as a sex maniac, managed to escape arrest in April after staying in Tirana undisturbed for three years.

An investigation of Interpol said that Albania and Romania are besides the Asian countries the most preferred countries of sex maniacs who often hide like tourists or members of foundations and clerical sects. kled/pas/fh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] PRESS REVIEW

It also publishes an article "Law on local elections of European standards" regarding the approval of this law by the Parliament yesterday. It says that yesterday President of the Republic decreed the law on local elections. The paper carries a statement of the DP spokesman under the title "Socialists unable to face election campaign."

Zeri i Popullit writes "Fassino: New parliamentary elections within few months" regarding the proceedings of the Socialist International. It underlines that lawful governing should be returned to Albania. The consulting meeting of the political parties is highlighted in an article entitled "Not yet guarantees for free and democratic elections."

"Jail for the boycotters, unnecessary harshness" writes Republika regarding the amendment of the election law. It also carries another article "Local government - basis of democracy."

Poli i Qendres writes "Opposition: Elections should be postponed." The paper also carries "Socialist International: Elections should be repeated."

Rilindja highlights a chronicle of a meeting of Ibrahim Rugova with German journalists under the title "Agreement on education - a step forward towards complete solution of Kosova issue." With regard to the discussion of law on local elections it carries an article entitled "The law reflects proposals of the political parties."

Tribuna carries the article "Opposition's knees tremble". Leaders of the left wing parties, SP included, warn boycott of the elections, by giving false pretensions, underlines the newspaper. The newspaper also carries the article "The red boycotters". Under the headline "Parliament approves consensus of the political parties", the newspaper carries the article "Boycott is punished by law". It also carries a chronicle of the meetings of the EBRD Director for the South-eastern Europe with senior Albanian officials.

Liria writes an article entitled "Presidency of former anticommunist politically prosecuted democrats convened", while Dita Informacion carries the article "The opposition: Postpone the elections".

Albania publishes the article "Socialists against themselves". The particularity of the socialists' return to the strategy of boycott stands on the fact that they have returned here rising against themselves, underlines the newspaper.

It entitles the editorial "The International: Trial for the SP congress".

"'Albania' a memorial of the Albanian culture", writes the paper regarding the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the first issue of "Albania" magazine and the first anniversary of the "Albania" newspaper.

Koha Jone carries the article "Jail for opposition passed." It also publishes a chronicle of Center Pole round table under the title "Albanian opposition asks postponement of elections". The demands: International monitoring, no jail for boycotters, underlines the paper.

Gazeta Shqiptare writes about the trial proceeding against the Briton Thompson "British sex maniac: This is how I abused with kids". The pedophile was previously sentenced with 12 years in jail from the US Court, says the paper. kled/fh/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] POLITICAL PARTIES REACTIONS REGARDING LEFT OPPOSITION DEMAND TO POSTPONE LOCAL ELECTIONS

Their pronouncements for newspaper "Albania" are against a decision of the left wing parties for the postponement of the date of elections.

"It is something quite different from their previous stand" said Godo, referring the fact that they had agreed in the meeting of the round table with President of the Republic where they decided for October 20, as the date of elections.

While Selfo calls on the left wing to withdraw from their strategy for the destabilisation of the country. "We are prepared and no logic exists in the postponement of elections" said Selfo.

The DP spokesman said that the decision of the left wing opposition to asking postponement of the date of elections is practically the decision to boycott elections. "Their demand for postponement of elections is lack of seriousness and expression of the deep crises that has gripped the SP" said the statement of the DP for this change of the SP stand.

Political parties of the left opposition asked yesterday in a round table convened upon the initiative of the Centre Pole the postponement of the date of elections of local government and issued some new demands for their participation in local elections of October 20. fh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL COOPERATION PROGRAM BETWEEN ALBANIA AND FRANCE SIGNED

The program envisages the development of relations between two countries in cultural, sport, educational and technical fields and also the comprehensive cooperation.

The program was signed by Met Dervishi, director of technical, scientific and cultural department to the Albanian Foreign Ministry and Bernard Malauzat, director of Scientific and Technical department to the French Foreign Ministry. kled/gen/Z/

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

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