Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-11-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH MR ADEM DEMACI

[02] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH MAYORS OF ALBANIA'S MAIN CITIES

[03] EMERGENT MEASURES TO ELIMINATE FLOOD CONSEQUENCES IN LEZHA

[04] PRESS REVIEW

[01] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH MR ADEM DEMACI

"I am so pleased to meet with you, who have been and remain a symbol of our national resistance," said Mr Berisha to Mr Demaci, wishing him welcome.

Mr Demaci congratulated President Berisha on the great electoral victory and the nonstop progress of the reforms in Albania. He expressed his deep concern over the situation in Kosova, which, said Demaci, "is characterized by an increase of the elements of Serbian violence and terror towards the Albanian population."

He reiterated his opinion on the Agreement of Education that the question of schools may be solved by the Albanian pupils themselves.

After stressing that he has supported and supports the Agreement of Education and considers it a step forward, President Berisha pointed out that the application of this agreement has a very great importance. It is a test for the will of President Milosevic to respect what he has signed.

Besides, President Berisha stressed that he would like that the Parliament and other institutions function in Kosova normally, something which would not complicate but on the contrary would contribute to the stability and a peaceful solution to the Kosova question, which is the most complicated factor of the Balkan crisis. ssh/xh/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS WITH MAYORS OF ALBANIA'S MAIN CITIES

In the talk with them, President Berisha described the new task of the elected from the free vote of the people an obligation for all the mayors as well as for the people who believed in them the fates of the cities where they live. In his address, the President hailed and appreciated the work of local senior officials who completed their mandate saying that they have the great merit that, after many decades, created the first communes and city halls.

"The task you are charged with is very noble and you will be successful if you are based on two main lines, the observation of the law and of the sensitization towards citizens' problems."

In order to make the execution of the law easier, said Berisha, "we shall create the municipal police and in this regard a draft law will be sent to the parliament soon."

President Berisha suggested to the present mayors to listen to the people's problems, to be sensitive towards their grievances, because only in this way they will merit their faith.

We are for a free movement of the people, underlined Berisha, therefore it is the task of the mayors to define the zones for the new comers on the basis of an urban plan, so that their homes be constructed in studied areas.

President Berisha highlighted in particular the creation of free zones which make possible facilitations not only for the foreign investors but also for the Albanian emigrants who want to return home. Berisha considered financial decentralization a key to the successes for the heads of communes and municipalities, because, according to him, the quota from the payment of taxes, which should be made completely, creates possibilities for their usage to meet people's needs. He assured that a scheme for the lowering of taxes is being studied.

Further on President Berisha focused on the cultural, educational and medical questions of the cities.

"It is you, said the president, who should support the activities which are related with the history of the cities, the celebrations of the cities must be considered as their birthdays. In the mean time, Berisha suggested cooperation with the town-halls of the neighbouring countries, establishment of sister relations with western cities as a possibility for development.

In the name of the mayors, Albert Brojka, mayor of Tirana, spoke.

At the end of the meeting, the President greeted all the new mayors and in a short talk with the mayor of Shkodra city- hall, Bahri Borici, he said: "I have welcomed with pleasure your election, the people do not make mistakes with the free vote. I am confident that Shkodra has made the best choice," said President Berisha. ssh/xh//E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] EMERGENT MEASURES TO ELIMINATE FLOOD CONSEQUENCES IN LEZHA

The continuous rainfalls in the recent days have made the situation worse. The 2000 hectares of land, inundated some days ago, are added with 600 other hectares.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Saturday delivered 700 thousand lek to put big hydro-pumps into action and it is expected to accord 1 million lek more to adjust the drag to deepen the River Drin.

Interior Minister Halit Shamata and Minister of Agriculture and Food, Bamir Topi, visited Saturday the inundated areas.

In a meeting held in the Lezha district council, Topi said that the coming Monday the government will approve a fund of emergence to be used for the reconstruction of the channels for the high-running waters of Zadrima.

"We shall realise a project for the drainage system of the districts of Shkodra and Lezha to be financed by the World Bank and our government," said Topi.

Minister Shamata said that police forces will help with all their means to eliminate the consequences of the flood. ssh/jz/eva/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] PRESS REVIEW

Zeri i Popullit writes that democrat deputy Azem Hajdari yesterday held an extraordinary congress of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (UITUA) which, according to the paper, elected Hajdari president of UITUA. The paper cites Hajdari to have said that he has been threatened by people in high posts."

Republika cites Hajdari saying that "the events in UITUA are like a coup d'etat." In regard to the question of usury, the paper writes that Gjallica firm will not lower the percentages of usury.

Albania carries an editorial entitled "To appear to Prosecutor's office for Azem Hajdari" which says that the editor-in-chief of newspaper Albania has been summoned to the prosecutor's office after testimony by Hajdari, according to which, in one of its articles, he was threatened with killing. The paper carries a special article "Political biography of the Socialist Party - fanatic-communist tests to take posts in the presidency."

Koha Jone publishes an editorial entitled "Opposition in its winter sleep." The paper also writes: "Trade union congress held. Hajdari re- elected UITUA president" and cites Hajdari saying that "God and the West tell me to continue my road."

Gazeta Shqiptare writes: "From the forum of the trade unions, again accusations and attacks against Meksi (Albanian Premier) and other segments of the state." "Lezha amidst other floods," writes the paper on the inundation as a result of the heavy rains in the northeastern city of Lezha.

Dita Informacion writes: "A 70 year old woman burnt with benzene," and "Hajdari, president of the Trade Unions - December, general strike." kei/xh/

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