ATA News from Albania, 96-10-01

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] UITUA AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISCUSS BREAD PRICE AND WAGE INDEX

[02] SOCIALIST PARTY OPENS LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN DURRES

[03] ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS CE DELEGATION

[04] STATE SECRETARY FOR LOCAL POWER MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION

[05] DP PUTS UP ALL CANDIDATURES FOR MAYORS

[06] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS IN UNIVERSITY OF PRISTINA

[07] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR 1996-1997 BEGINS FOR ALBANIAN STUDENTS

[08] LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHO HELPED CRIMINAL ARRESTED

[09] CROATIAN PREMIER ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

[10] PRESS REVIEW

[11] ATA SIGNS COOPERATION CONTRACT WITH DOW JONES TELERATE

[01] UITUA AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISCUSS BREAD PRICE AND WAGE INDEX

The price index is treated on the basis of 24 main food articles discussed in the first meeting between the government experts and the UITUA.

The experts stated that the compensation was only related to bread while the kerosene and gas price hikes were not included in this compensation. "The compensation would benefit everyone", they said.

The compensation will be higher for the employed and lower for the unemployed and pensioners.

As regards the price and wage index, mainly based on the prices of 24 food items, the INSTAT representative presented the figure 12.36 % as a price change for the 24 articles of the agreement. The UITUA representatives rejected this figure.

The UITUA representatives are planning to stage a strike on October 4 for the fulfilment of their demands. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] SOCIALIST PARTY OPENS LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN DURRES

Besides the SP members and supporters, attending also were the Secretary General, Rexhep Mjedani, the secretary of public relations, Pandeli Majko and members of the SP Leading Committee, Kastriot Islami and Ethem Ruka.

The secretary of Durresi SP Leading Committee, Natasha Paço, presented in the opening address the candidatures for the elections of October 20 nominated by this party.

Bardhyl Agasi was declared candidate for the post of Durresi municipality chairman.

Agasi expressed in his speech the belief that SP will win the local elections. He also presented the options of the SP on unemployment, housing, investments, youth and women, culture, arts and sports, and stressed that they will insist to open an Italian consulate in Durresi district.

The SP Secretary General said that "the SP, in its political fight by democratic means, demands a parliamentarian Republic, separation of powers, without having an absolute 'number one'". /ksh/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] ALBANIAN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT MEETS CE DELEGATION

Arbnori stressed Albania's need for CE's assistance in the monitoring, together with the Central Electoral Commission, the upcoming local government elections, due on October 20.

Arbnori assured the delegation of the respect for the law and performance for free, fair and democratic elections.

"In your work you will find our full support", Arbnori said expressing the wish that the next elections be fairly won by the best alternative.

"Unfortunately in the past elections several observers invited by the Socialist Party were also enrolled as the OSCE observers. And it was tragic that the statement on the elections did not stress that the opposition ordered by above withdrew from the elections commission three hours before the polls closed. This act was a Stalinist attempt to undermine democracy," Arbnori said.

Arenc said that it was the second time he was visiting Albania. "The changes are great. I am not here as a controller but to help that the local government elections, like you said, be free, fair and democratic," Arenc said adding that the local elections were very significant, because the simple people had direct contacts regarding their problems with the local government and there they felt the level of the country's democracy.

Later they discussed technical matters of the performance of the CE delegation in coordinating the monitoring of the elctions. a.ke/kled/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] STATE SECRETARY FOR LOCAL POWER MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION

The CE delegation was made up of Patrick Acher, representative of the CE Local Authority, Gian Paolo Castenetto, envoy of the CE Parliamentary Assembly and Farada Zamal, administrative assistant.

Kosovrasti, after making a presentation of the local process organization and the attained level, stressed the two main elements making up the election process : The holding of free and fair elections according to European democratic standards and the technical preparation of the October 20 campaign.

Kosovrasti pointed out that the Council of Europe and SIGMA (Public Administration Forum for Central and Eastern Europe) have provided a great assistance in preparing the election law.

Asked by Arenci about the way in which the political parties are financed for the local elections, Kosovrasti answered that the government has given a fund of 2.5 million dollars and the criteria on which this amount will be distributed, will be defined by the number of votes attained by these parties during this campaign. Further on he explained the structures on which municipalities and communes function. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] DP PUTS UP ALL CANDIDATURES FOR MAYORS

The democrats have also completed the process of handing over to the respective commissions the lists of 309 candidates for for commune chairmen as well as of the candidates for commune, municipality and district councillors.

The Democratic Party is the first political party which closed the first phase for the October 20 Local government elections.

Gjongecaj invited all the parties to give up tension rising politics. He also warned against a possible boycott of the elections by a group of leaders of the SP, the Center Pole and the Democratic Party of the Right. lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS IN UNIVERSITY OF PRISTINA

It is the sixth year in succession that about 15 000 students and over 1 000 Albanian pedagogues in 13 faculties and seven higher schools will begin lessons outside the university grounds, which are still under the violent control of the Serbian regime.

The Albanian students and pedagogues are expected this year to be back in their university grounds, due to an agreement achieved a month ago between Pristina and Belgrade about the Albanian education in Kosova.

Nothing is done until now to carry out this agreement. /p.ta/kei/mt/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NEW ACADEMIC YEAR 1996-1997 BEGINS FOR ALBANIAN STUDENTS

The number of students to study this year in the Albanian Universities has increased by 25% as apposed the previous year.

In the frame work of cooperation, higher education institutions have set up mutual relations with similar instituitions in various countries of Europe, America and broader. The academic titles awarded to our pedagogues and professors are relatively comparable to those of foreign counterparts, on which the Council of Ministers has issued a particular decission./kei/mt/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHO HELPED CRIMINAL ARRESTED

He himself was dressed in a lower grade uniform.

Ciko is suspected of helping Nehat Kulla hide from police forces. Ciko has tried to reject the charge. Investigations into this case continue.

Kulla, was arrested on September 25 charged with several grave crimes such as the killing of citizen Petrit Moriceni from Durres, the abduction of a person and the killing of two police officials, Gezim and Besim Neziri on August 22,1996 at the place called "Kafja e Rremes".

Kulla has been convicted six times of wounding, assassination attempts, sex abuse and twice of killing.

During the operation to catch Kulla, the police forces also intercepted a "Kallashnikov" automatic weapon, a bag with four cartridge clips, 120 automatic cartridges and two pistols "TT" with 28 cartridges. The criminal used the automatic weapon to shoot at the two police officers. kei/lm/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CROATIAN PREMIER ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

Tomorrow the Croatian Premier has a meeting with the Albanian President, Sali Berisha and Defence Minister Safet Zhulali.

The Crotian Premier and the Albanian state and government authorities are reported to discuss the possibilities for further cooperation between both countries.

During his two-day stay in Albania, he will also pay visit to historical and cultural places. /mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PRESS REVIEW

Under the title: "Finally, the Albanians distance themselves from communism", the paper carries the address of Albanian Foreign Minister Shehu to the United Nations. On the third page the paper carries an interview with Afrim Krasniqi, chairman of the DP Youth Forum.

Zeri i Popullit carries an electoral message of the Socialist Party entitled: "With us for the triumph of democracy".

The paper covers the opening of SP's electoral campaign in Durres and Kolonje. The paper also carries the article:"The doors of knowledge open to those who will be the first specialists of the new century".

"The small power-holders against the President" is an article run by the newspaper "Republika". It also carries the article:"Anti genocide 5" boycotted by witnesses".

"The electoral commissions are lost", Poli i Qendres says. It also carries an interview with the candidate for mayor for the Centre Pole under the title:"My individuality is also defined by the family history".

Under the title: "The shape, size and colour of the ballot papers defined", the newspaper Lajmi i Dites covers the Government meeting on Monday.

The paper also carries an article regarding October 1, the first day of the National Day of China.

Tribuna carries the chronicle of the meetings of the CE delegation in Tirana under the title:"Arenc: We are not coming to be controllers of the elections".

Rilindja covers the meetings of President Rugova with representatives of the DLK branches under the title: "The first declaration in history on Kosova's independence". Under the title:"Serb language replaces the Albanian language", the newspaper carries an article on problems of the Albanian delegation in Montenegro.

Under the headline:"The Socialists have decided political boycott", the newspaper Albania carries the article:"Campaign for boycotting the elections". "This is the first time in the SP history when the the sports hall in Durres is half full", the paper says regarding the beginning of the SP electoral campaign in Durres yesterday.

Dita Informacion carries an interview with the chairman of FRESH, Ilir Meta, under the title:"Nano will come to my position". "Qirjazati falls from the throne", the paper says, reporting on "problems" inside the political association of the Greek minority in Albania, Omonia.

Koha Jone entitles the editorial:"The politics with polio". The Agr.- Food Fair started negotiations between firms, the paper says in the article:"VEFA and KAMBERI towards agreement".

"The commission Monday issued the last rules", Gazeta Shqiptare says in the article:"In the elections, observers without frontiers". kled/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ATA SIGNS COOPERATION CONTRACT WITH DOW JONES TELERATE

For the Albanian side the contract was signed by ATA director Ilir Zhilla and for the Dow Jones side by its Director on Central and Eastern Europe, Matti Laamanen.

Under this contract ATA will receive information on stock exchanges, vouchers and daily exchanges as well as information on on mineral and oil prices.

In his opening address at the ceremony Zhilla said that :"Our concept for the Agency will be: "The agency is the place where all should provide information and all will receive information" He considered the signing of the agreement with Dow Jones "part of this strategy".

Leemanen also held a briefing for the reporters present.

Later he told ATA that he chose it (ATA) for cooperation because "it is a good partner and is well-known in Albania. ATA has very good partners and its service can be used by the people".

Dow Jones brings out a large number of newspapers, the most renowned of which Wall Street Journal. The turnover of its concern is some two billions per year.

Attending the ceremony were Herald Leitner, representative of Dow Jones in Vienna, the President of the Albanian firm "Vefa", Vebi Alimuca, the chairman of the National Energy Committee, Bujar Nepravishta and others.lm/k

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article