Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-18

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT AND UITUA COME TO TERMS

[02] STATE CONTROL TO BECOME ACCOUNTS COURT

[03] LEADER OF KOSOVA MEETS FRENCH OFFICIALS

[04] KOSOVA PRESIDENT SAYS SERBIA'S DEMOCRATISATION IS AFFAIR OF SERB PEOPLE

[05] INVESTMENTS FUND - A NEW REALITY TO ALBANIANS

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] PJETER ARBNORI MEETS A GROUP OF PAKISTANI REPORTERS

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF BELGIAN KINGDOM

[09] COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALBANIA AND BELGIUM SIGNED

[10] OVER 400 000 ALBANIAN PUPILS IN KOSOVA PROTEST AGAINST SERBIAN VIOLENCE

[11] ALBANIAN PRIMER MEETS WITH MAYOR OF ATHENS

[12] YASSER ARAFAT ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

[13] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH ATHENS MAYOR

[01] GOVERNMENT AND UITUA COME TO TERMS

"We agreed to renew the agreement we had with the trade union, first for the index of inflation, hence the increase of the wages according to the price rise for 25 articles, secondly for the possible and gradual increase of wages, thirdly, a greater guarantee also for minimal wage of private employees. We also set the dates of meetings of the National Council of Labour", said Premier Meksi.

One of the main achievements, as the chairman of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania, Valer Xheka, said after the meeting, was the agreement reached on a division between the rise of wages for the effect of the price indexation and the wage increase.

In this framework, they agreed to have a rise in salaries within February, if possible.

Another point on which both parties came to terms was the setting of a minimal wage for the privately employed people.

"The private sector is completely unprotected towards the arbitrariness by employers and the recognition of a minimal wage in the system of the wages for the privately employed people is very important", said Xheka.

According to him, the agreement was achieved as a result of trade union fight and the two strikes held by the trade unions.

They also agreed in the meeting on other problems of the budgetary and non-budgetary sectors, as well as on the sector of education and health care.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] STATE CONTROL TO BECOME ACCOUNTS COURT

Based on the principles and role of Public Control in democracy, the new institution will be fully independent of the executive," Cela said.

According to the draft-law, the chairman of the court will be elected by parliament for a seven year term, on the president's proposal, the judges will be elected by competition and the Public Prosecutor General will be proposed by the Prosecutor General of the Republic.

A leading board will as well be set up and the judges will have the status of the Supreme Court members.

"In drafting this draft-law we have based on the experience of several states, especially the Portuguese law, as the newest one, approved in 1990 and in which two control systems, Anglo-Saxon and German ones, are intermixed", Cela said.

In the meantime it has been adapted to the concrete conditions and comprehensive changes taking place in Albania. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] LEADER OF KOSOVA MEETS FRENCH OFFICIALS

Rugova considered very grave the situation in Kosova, as a result of repression and systematic violation of the Serbian regime, and talked about the efforts of Kosova people to overpass this situation and to achieve its aspirations by peaceful and political means.

In the luncheon given on the honour of President Rugova in Ke Dorsey, Rugova presented the project for the solution of Kosova issue: "Kosova, independent and neutral state, open towards Albania and Serbia, with an international temporary civil protectorate".

The state Secretary General, Dy Furek, said that the French government backs up a compatible solution with the aspirations of Kosova people.

Chairman Rugova met Tuesday Zhan-David Levin, special counsellor of diplomacy of President Jacques Chirac. They widely talked about the situation and issue of Kosova, as well as on the possibilities for its solution by peaceful means.

Levin stressed that President Chirac attentively follows the situation in Kosova. He added that France in engaged in solving the situation in Kosova through dialogue, which will also be acceptable for its people.

President Rugova met on the same day the chairman of "Franc liberte" foundation, the wife of former French President, Daniel Miteran, and conducted a long conversation with her about the situation in Kosova. /b.j/n.l/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] KOSOVA PRESIDENT SAYS SERBIA'S DEMOCRATISATION IS AFFAIR OF SERB PEOPLE

In an interview on Tuesday with the BBC, responding to a question on the wave of protests against Milosevic's regime which have prevailed Yugoslavia, Rugova expressed Kosova's support for the democratic movement in Serbia and Kosova's neighbours. ag/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] INVESTMENTS FUND - A NEW REALITY TO ALBANIANS

The fund has gathered so far 30 million dollars of privatization vouchers from 40 000 persons who have deposited their vouchers in this fund.

"The licenses to exercise this activity are also taken by the fund of investments New Albania, Nobel Albania, Investments Fund", says Ilir Zeqo, representative of the Committe for the Licensation of the Investments Funds in the Ministry of Finances.

The law to set up the investments funds, which accompany the process of privatization through vouchers, was approved by the Albanian Parliament last year.

"We think that within 12 years the share holders who have deposited their vouchers here, will be able to sell these shares", said Ganley, adding that "the profits earned by the companies where we invest, will be given to the owners of the shares". /eva/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PRESS REVIEW

Under the title "Scalfaro celebrates with the Arberesh" the paper says that the year 1998 is considered the year of understanding between the Italian and Albanian peoples.

The paper reports on today's visit to Tirana of the President of the National Authority of Palestine, Arafat. It also reports on the Japanese financing in the Albanian electric energy and carries the article entitled:"Will the SP chiefs betray their electorate again?".

Today's Zeri i Popullit carries an interview with the SP Secretary General, Rexhep Mejdani, after his visit at the head of a delegation to the U.S., under the title: "Meetings serving cooperation and friendship between Albania and the U.S..

The paper carries the political commentary :"CE: Constitution in the next parliament". In another article the paper says that the high level meeting between Italian Premier Prodi and Albanian Premier Meksi has been put off.

Rilindja carries the article:"President Rugova awarded title :"Doctor Honoris Cause of the Paris University". The paper commemorates the second anniversary of the Tetova University under the title:"The Arm of knowledge suppressed violence".

Albania carries the editorial:"The Milosevic Compromise" and the article: "The split in the opposition, the last hope of Milosevic". The paper also reports on the police operation of Tirana in intercepting an Italian band.

Koha Jone reports today on the usuries of the "Sudja" firm. The paper carries an interview with Genc Pollo, advisor to President Berisha, after his return from the meeting of the CE juridical commission entitled: "Constitution in Parliament". The paper also reports on the restitution to Albania of 78 archaeological objects from Germany.

Dita Informacion carries the article :"The name of the commissioners controlling usuries kept secret". jz/lm/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] PJETER ARBNORI MEETS A GROUP OF PAKISTANI REPORTERS

"We hope," said Arbnori, "that the good relations existing between Albania and Pakistan will assume new dimensions in the future."

In response to the interest of the Pakistani reporters, Mr Arbnori made a panorama of the economic and political developments in Albania, underlining that Albania is realising with success the economic and institutional reforms. Highlighting the importance of cooperation between the Albanian and Pakistani parliaments, Arbnori expressed the conviction that in the future the contacts, which should have been more intensive, will increase.

The Pakistani reporters told Mr Arbnori of the interest of the Pakistani press to make coverage of the democratic transformations taking place in Albania. ake/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH DELEGATION OF BELGIAN KINGDOM

President Berisha highlighted the signing of the agreement on the policies of employment between the two respective ministries as an achievement in the cooperation between Albania and Belgium. He stressed that Albania is interested to intensify cooperation in all the fields.

Ambassador Onkelinx pointed out the political stability in Albania, the will and commitment of the Albanian government to carry out the initialled reforms. He said he was optimistic that real possibilities exist for the extension of cooperation in different fields. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN ALBANIA AND BELGIUM SIGNED

According to the spokesman, projects of cooperation will start to be realised for different units of the two ministries. Each project will have the needed funds provided as well as its deadlines set. The funds will be furnished according to the financial rules of each party, including the possible potentials of financing on the basis of the international assistance schemes.

For the Albanian party, the agreement was signed by Minister Arlinda Ymeraj and for the Belgian party by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Andre Onkelix.

This is the second agreement in the context of the international relations of the Albanian Ministry of Labour, which minister Ymeraj has signed within few days. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] OVER 400 000 ALBANIAN PUPILS IN KOSOVA PROTEST AGAINST SERBIAN VIOLENCE

The protest was staged by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kosova on occasion of the criminal assassination through tortures by the Serbian police of the teacher Feriz Blakcori in Prishtine, one among hundreds of Albanian victims of the Serbian military-police terror.

The protest was held peacefully in classrooms, house-schools, cellars and other premises where Albanian independent school continues and is surviving against the Serbian violence.

The common message of the protest was: an urgent interruption of the violence and terror of the Serbian occupiers in Kosova, evacuation of the school and university buildings, recognition and respect of the national, political and democratic will of the Albanians and all the people of Kosova to be free and independent. bj/pta/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN PRIMER MEETS WITH MAYOR OF ATHENS

Mr Avramopoulos told Mr Meksi of the objective of his visit to Albania, which is to consolidate cooperation between the two capitals. Along regional cooperation in which he made evident the importance of the protocol of cooperation between the capitals of South Eastern Europe, Mr Avramopoulos voiced his readiness to promote Athens-Tirana cooperation, to convey the Greek experience in different fields.

Mr Meksi highlighted the very good climate in the relations between the two countries. He thanked official authorities of Athens and Mr Avramopoulos for the understanding and support for Albanian emigrants in Athens and asked that this spirit continue also in the future.

Mr Meksi accepted an invitation of Mr Avrasmopoulos to visit the Athens Municipality during his coming visit to Athens.

Also present in the meeting was the Mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka. ssh/kled/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] YASSER ARAFAT ARRIVES IN ALBANIA

In the Rinas airport President Arafat was welcomed by President Berisha and other senior Albanian personalities.

President Arafat will meet today with President Sali Berisha and Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi. ssh/xh/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH ATHENS MAYOR

Mr Shehu focused on the very good cooperation existing between the two countries both in the bilateral and multilateral aspects.

Mr Avramopoulos said that his visit would serve the consolidation of cooperation because direct contacts of the local administrations would strengthen the relations which give sense to the existing political climate between Albania and Greece.

"Important is be optimistic for the future," said Mr Avramopoulos, and "our plans of cooperation aim directly the technology of the year 2000."

Present in the meeting also was the mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka. ssh.kled/xh/sh/

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

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