Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-05

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] 84th ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING ALBANIAN ARMY COMMEMORATED

[02] CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ESTABLISHES LINKS WITH 40 SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

[03] WORKSHOP "NATIONAL LIBRARY - MOST IMPORTANT CENTER OF ALBANIAN BOOK" HELD IN TIRANA

[04] CERTIFICATES AWARDED TO SPECIALISTS ON PARTICIPATION IN U.S. PROJECT - PIET

[05] ALBANIAN PRE-HISTORY ONLY 25 KMS FROM TIRANA

[06] ALBANIAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN AN EUROPEAN MEETING

[07] STATEMENT OF RADIO TIRANA DIRECTOR

[08] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES CONFERENCE ON PEACE IMPLEMENTATION IN BOSNIA

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE AND UNDP

[10] PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY CONVENES

[11] NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "YOUTH AND AIDS" HELD

[12] DEPUTY REXHEPI: I DON'T REPRESENT SP IN THE PARLIAMENT

[13] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER REGARDING THE LONDON CONFERENCE

[14] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN LONDON

[01] 84th ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING ALBANIAN ARMY COMMEMORATED

He said among others that the Albanian Army aims at its full integration into the Atlantic structures, by the consolidation of the army and deepening of the reform.

Then, the State Secretary for the Policy of Defence, Leonard Demi stressed in his speech that this anniversary finds Albania with restructured armed forces, according to the European standards. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ESTABLISHES LINKS WITH 40 SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has established relations of cooperation with 40 similar institutions from the Balkans and various European countries, the spokesman of the insitution, Aleksander Papa, says.

During this year, the Tirana chamber has signed protocol-agreement of cooperation with HEPO, (Greek Board of Foreign Trade), established links with the Budapest Chamber of Commerce, signed agreement of cooperation with the Small and Medium Business Chamber of Athens, established relations with the Fiera of Milano fair and that of Gorizia, with the association of the Northern Greek (Salonica) Exporting Association, with the Toscana-Albania Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Zagreb and other associations.

The participation in the World med '96 activities and the signing of the agreement of cooperation with the Marseille Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Marseille-Provence, of the agreement of cooperation with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been very significant for the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Also, for the first time since the creation of the Eurochambres in 1958, the Tirana chamber of Trade and Industry was invited to take part in the 4th Congress of the Eurochambre, held in Athens. a.ke/jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] WORKSHOP "NATIONAL LIBRARY - MOST IMPORTANT CENTER OF ALBANIAN BOOK" HELD IN TIRANA

Referring the Albanian book, which is an integral part of the national Albanian culture wherever it is published, the director of the Library, Nermin Basha, said among others that the full collection of the "History of Scanderbeg" by Marin Barleti, and works of other Albanian authors document that during their whole existence, the Albanians managed to protect their existence, identity and the autochthonal culture.

Basha discussed in the seminar the pan-national problem on the necessity that every Albanian edition, within the Albanian ethnic lands, takes its own place in the National Library.

Attending the activity were the Albanian Minister of Culture Teodor Laco, Chairman of the Academy of Sciences prof. Shaban Demiraj, Secretary General of the Presidency Kolec Topalli and others. Participating were also personalities of the Albanian book from Kosova, Macedonia, Monte-Negro, Italy, America, etc.

After the discussions of the participants, it was presented the bibliographic edition "Albanian book published outside the Albanian borders", which includes the entrances of books in this Library during 1991- 1995, and was inaugurated the exhibition with Albanian books published outside the Albanian borders during 1991-1996. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] CERTIFICATES AWARDED TO SPECIALISTS ON PARTICIPATION IN U.S. PROJECT - PIET

Specialists from different government institutions are trained in USA during 1992-1996, in fields of economy, agriculture, banking, bank management, democratic institutions' building, international relations, journalism etc.

Attending the ceremony, organized on this occasion in the "International" Hotel, Tirana, were the American Ambassador in Albania, Mariza Lino, the USAID representative in Albania, Dianne Blane, Albanian Minister of Agriculture Bamir Topi, deputy Minister of labour and Social Affairs Fatmir Bektashi, and others.

The ceremony was opened by PIET director for Albania, Matty Thimm, who congratulated the guests and participants in the project.

Blane appreciated the role of participants in this project as "change agents" in Albania.

Ambassador Lino, after greeting the participants for the success attained during the short term training courses, handled them personally the certificates of achievement.

The deputy Minister of Labour and Social Assistance, Bektashi after greeting on the behalf of the Ministry he represents, expressed the desire for the continuity of this project, as well as financing on training not only of the specialists of ministries, but also for managers and specialists of Albanian private companies. /mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] ALBANIAN PRE-HISTORY ONLY 25 KMS FROM TIRANA

The black cave in the Skorana Gorge, 25 kms far from Tirana and 600 m above the sea level, although discovered five years ago, has not yet been studied.

The latest explorations carried out by Albanian and Italian spelaeologists show that its was the "black pearl" of the Albanian paleontology and prehistory.

The 6-7 long and wide entrances, with other side-bifurcations yet unexplored, testify to the size of the cave.

It is formed through the slow corrosion of the calcareous rocks which have built the gorge during a period of millions of years, preserving there traces of great moments of the evolution of the earth's crust, the living world and human life.

But the speleologists lay importance on the paleontologies and archaeological findings because they have found there skeletons of cave bears (Ursus speleus), which according to biology specialists of the Natural Sciences Museum have lived from 400 000 - 10 000 years ago, while in Europe there are only five such caves, turned into museums and and the nearby areas into national parks.

This cave has three values, geographical, archaeological and paleontological, which make the Skorana gorge more attractive near the capital, the Durres port and Rinas aiport. jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN AN EUROPEAN MEETING

The meeting, sponsored by USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development), is entitled "Local Governments in the transition countries: A perspective for the year 2000". The meeting will be attended by the delegations of more than 18 countries.

The participants in this meeting will also discuss on topics about the fiscal and financial decentralization of municipalities, distribution of urban services and the municipality associations.

Attending the meeting will also be officials of USAID in Albania. /kei/mt/z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] STATEMENT OF RADIO TIRANA DIRECTOR

The Albanian language service of radio the "Voice of Iran" of the Islamic Republic of Iran is transmitted neither via the territory of the Republic of Albania nor through the waves and frequencies of the Radio Tirana channels or other radio-stations of Albania.

The director of Radio Tirana dismisses allegations that the Albanian language programmes of radio the "Voice of Iran" are transmitted via the territory of the Republic of Albania and stresses that this misinformation has certain political interests. jz/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES CONFERENCE ON PEACE IMPLEMENTATION IN BOSNIA

In his speech, Shehu appreciated the appeal of the meeting for the implementation of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Referring particularly to the progress reached in the regional stability, Shehu said that the progressive measures which were agreed upon by the participating parties in the agreement, could not be realised in fact.

"Essential difficulties, which put into question the calm implementation of the measures, have emerged" he said.

Speaking on the stand of Albania regarding this issue, Shehu said that it is necessary to ensure the internal equilibrium of the states of ex- Yugoslavia, as well as the external equilibrium with the participation of all the regional states.

"Anyhow, the situation is such and we are not in a position to take all the necessary steps for the moment," said Shehu adding that "we have no accurate information from reliable sources about this issue, to tell us how things are concretely going on there."

"All we know that in set regions there is a very great deployment of armament and staff, including militia and paramilitary troops. Such is the situation in Kosova where deployments are made for other purposes and not for defence purposes," said Shehu.

He doubted whether it (the situation) is being considered by those who should do so.

Shehu also expressed the indispensability of withdrawal of the uncontrolled deployments in Kosova and the ban of repression and all kinds of violence to ensure a climate of confidence necessary for the beginning of a substantial dialogue on the political questions of the status of Kosova, in the presence of a third party.

Shehu expressed Albania's readiness to work in a spirit of cooperation to reach long-term results. ea/kei/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE AND UNDP

Mr Kruiderink appreciated the fruitful cooperation between Albania and UNDP focusing on the development of the initiated projects. He stressed that possibilities exist for the extension of this cooperation in the future.

President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the support made so far and stressed that he would appreciate the UNDP commitment to the project which aims at introducing computers in all the school levels, including the elementary schools. The Ministry of Education is charged with the study and presentation of the project consisting of two-three stages about this very important process of the Albanian educational system.

President Berisha also said that cooperation with UNDP would be so appreciated in the process of decentralization which is one of the fundamental principles of our program and in the development of vineyard as a sector of priority in the future.

Mr Kruiderink assured President Berisha that UNDP will be fully committed to the project for the computerization of the school and will bring in Albania soon experts who have realised such projects in other countries. He expressed his readiness to cooperate for two other projects as well./ssh/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY CONVENES

Deputy Ylli Vejsiu stressed the creation of a non-parliamentary commission as soon as possible to control the usury process.

The secretary of the economy and finance commission Arjana Nati raised the question of the draft budget for 1997, saying that "this year's deficit has overpassed the levels set by the government."

The draft law "On customs valuation" and "On excises in the RA" were not examined in the parliament because it decided that the two drafts should be re-examined by the ministry of Industry and Finances.

The draft "On an amendment to the law on Vouchers," was approved.

At the end of today's session, the names of the deputies Sali Rexhepi, Albina Karamitro and Duk Muca completed the list of the members of the commission for the verification of the government members' assets. eva/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "YOUTH AND AIDS" HELD

The activity was held on the basis of a poll for the recognition and the risks of Aids. It conveyed to the audience the idea that complete information on the causes and possibilities to prevent this disease is the best "remedy."

The topics held by specialists of medical sector treated aspects of the siero-epidemiological study of the HIV/AIDS infection, the medical education of the children in 8-form schools as a new experience, information, stands and behaviour of youths towards HIV/AIDS, the clinical identity of infection, deontological, ethical and social aspects of it, etc.

According to official data, Albania has 31 registered people affected by AIDS, seven of whom are ill and four dead.

People in Albania are in general not sensitized and some do not know even the name of the disease.

On December 1, the International Day of the fight against Aids, various activities were held in Tirana and other districts of Albania, to sensitize the people about "the century plague" and the measures to be adopted to prevent it. kei/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] DEPUTY REXHEPI: I DON'T REPRESENT SP IN THE PARLIAMENT

"I do not represent SP in the parliament and I am waiting what will be the opinion of the presidency for the fact that SP representatives are not appearing in the parliament. I do not agree to be a member of this commission as a representative of SP," said deputy Rexhepi.

Sali Rexhepi is the only SP deputy taking part in the parliament. For this act, his party expelled him from its ranks.

"I have not received any document from SP to prove you have been expelled. These are internal affairs of your party," said Arbnori.

Asked today by ATA that which political force he represents in the parliament, Rexhepi replied:

"I am a moderate left wing advocate. I do not intend to change parties, but I am convinced that the SP reformist wing will support me." Hence, the only socialist deputy did not make clear whether the SP deputies would come in the parliament or not.

"I expect them to come in the parliament to show they are a genuine left wing," said deputy Rexhepi. kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] PRESS RELEASE OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER REGARDING THE LONDON CONFERENCE

"The London meeting to discuss the post-Dayton process was, without any doubt, a valuable meeting which brought to the fore the interest of all to ensure a stable peace in former Yugoslavia. Its basic elements were not only the will to respect what was reached in Dayton, but also the desire to give other broader dimensions to it.

The unique opinion to prolong the presence of INFOR is a very important element in this context, which is linked with the decisions for police, the Constitution and local elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. But this does not suffice. Important is to be understood that all the peoples have equal rights to self-determination. I refer here to the rights of the population of Kosova, a population which chose without doubt the most democratic and peaceful way for the realisation of its aspirations, becoming, like the Albanian State, a factor for peace and stability in the zone, says the communique.

It is high time to be made clear to all that without a correct solution to this question no stable peace can be established in the region. It is also high time that legal institutions elected by the free vote in Kosova begin functioning as a basis for stability and mutual relations.

On the other hand, I would like to say that the recent events going on in Serbia certainly are positive factors for the developments in the Balkans. They are part of the broad democratic movement, which shows that the aspirations for freedom and democracy are also emerging in the Serbian people. This must be hailed and supported by all the democratic countries and governments.

These events do not jeopardize at all the Dayton agreement but do only create premises to make it more realistic, extensive and efficient. We wish these movements make invalid the attempts of Milosevic to use the Dayton as a means for his salvation.

The democratic orientated developments cannot risk what has been reached on the road of peace and stability," the press release runs at the end. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] MEETINGS OF ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN LONDON

In the meetings with the State Foreign Affairs and EU Minister of Spain, Raimond de Miguel, Shehu discussed the need of intensification of bilateral relations and the support that Spain will give to Albania on its road of integration in the EU and NATO. Mr de Miguel expressed his desire to visit Tirana, the pleasure to receive Mr Shehu in Madrid and the readiness for the beginning of preparations for the signing of some joint agreements.

In the meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Mr Havier Solana, Mr Shehu expressed once more the constant commitment of Albania to integration into the Alliance through an intensive cooperation and partnership with it.

Mr Solana highlighted the democratic achievements of Albania and assured of a support and broader cooperation between the Alliance and Albania. He said that the relations of NATO with Albania will keep increasing, because the Alliance authorities believe in the democratic developments of Albania and that this cooperation is valuable for the stability in the region.

Mr Shehu also met with Mr Hans Van Der Broek, EU Commissioner, who assured Shehu of a EU support for Albania. They discussed the resumption soon of negotiations for the conclusion of an association agreement between Albania and the EU.

In another meeting with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Cornbloom, discussion focused on the grave situation prevailing in Kosova and the indispensability for a solution to this question.

The long meeting that Mr Shehu had with the Foreign minister of Holland, Mr Van Mierlo, focused on mutual cooperation in the bilateral relations. Regarding multilateral relations, the Dutch Minister offered his country's government support when Holland will take the presiding turn of the EU. Mr Van Mierlo also spoke of a support for the Albanian democratic processes.

During his stay in London, Mr Shehu had meetings with the Deputy Chancellor and Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, Kinkel, the President of Bosnia Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegovic, the British Foreign Minister, Rifkind, the Minister of defence, the baroness Coker, the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Dr Benita Ferrera Waldner, State Secretary in the Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic, Zieleniec, the Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, Hamzik, the Foreign Minister of Slovenia, Kreun, and others with whom he discussed the growth of cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral context between Albania and these countries. psh/kled/xh/

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