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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 96-12-27Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] ARMED SERBIAN CIVILIANS THREATEN AND BEAT SEVERAL ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN PRISTINAPRISTINA, DEC 27 (ATA) - Five Albanian students were intercepted in the evening of December 25, in "N. Hikmet" street, quarter of Dragodani, Pristina, by three Serbian civilians and were threatened and physically maltreated, Center for Information in Kosova reports.The armed Serbian civilians threatened the students with weapons and asked them "why they had not participated in the gatherings to support Milosevic". The other students, who could avoid the meeting with the Serbian "civilians", said that their friends were physically maltreated. /p.ta/kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] GREAT AND CONTINUOUS ALBANIAN-JAPANESE COLLABORATIONTIRANA, DEC 26 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: In the context of bilateral cooperation between Albania and Japan, the latter has provided, in various forms, a considerable aid worth about 68 million dollars for Albania, thus giving a powerful assistance to the economic development of Albania.The cooperation started in 1992 in two directions, in the form of grants which Albania has been furnished through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the close relations with the Overseas Economic Corporation Fund (OECF.) Among the first projects financed in the form of grants by JICA, worth 3 million dollars, has been the study for the chrome mine in Sherbenik, in July 1993. This agency has also furnished 1.5 million dollars and is carrying out a study for the rehabilitation of sewage of Tirana, on the basis of an agreement signed in August 1996. In the course of this growing cooperation, in December this year JICA granted an amount of 6 million dollars to support the growth of agricultural production in Albania. A fruitful and continuous cooperation has also been that with OECF, another Japanese state-run institution for economic cooperation. A credit of about 20 million dollars has marked the beginning of this cooperation. OECF has also financed nearly 17 million dollars for a project for the rehabilitation of the Drini cascade of the hydro power stations in Fierza and Vau i Dejes. Another financing by the Japanese Government is that realised through the Trust Fund, a fund used by the World Bank to finance various projects in the form of technical assistance. Hence, a fund of about 7.5 million dollars has financed various projects in Albania. Lastly, with a 29.5 million dollar credit out of the total investment of 87.1 million dollars, the Japanese government will support the energy program in Albania. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] SP GENERAL LEADING COMMITTEE REJECTS MEMOIR ON VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TOWARDS PRESIDENCYTIRANA, DEC 26 (ATA) By Agim Baçi: The Leading Committee of the Socialist Party rejected Thursday in its meeting the memoir from 18 members of the SP Leading Committee, where on basis of an analysis done by them, was asked once again the vote of confidence for the Presidency and calling of an extraordinary congress."ASP is facing a deep crisis for a long period of time, which has lower down the force, the credibility and its image in the country and abroad. This crisis has also damaged the participation of a strong and objective opposition in the return of democratic normality and the continuity of democratic processes in the country", says the memoir of SP Leading Committee. According to this group, expression of this crisis is the situation in SP after the second stage of its congress, which was followed by the result in the local elections of October 20. "It should request the vote of confidence for the presidency and the call of an extraordinary congress, aiming at facing current crisis of SP and achievement of a dynamic unity within it in order to become a strong and constructive opposition, ready to offer democratic prospective", ends the memoir. From the presidency members, the first who approved the request for the vote of confidence was Namik Dokle. The members who had written the memoir accused presidency of considering opponent thoughts inside the party as "Betrayal against the party" and of interrupting the progress of reforms of the party towards a new party, finally separated from the past of Hoxha's dictatorship and continuity of Alia. "I appreciate the requests for the vote of confidence, as well as my resignation. I am in favour of holding debate and the continuous changes within the party", said the message of chairman Nano. But these proposals, put to the vote, were thrown down, by approving a project-decision, drafted by the Presidency report, and the Leading Committee assigned it to take all the necessary political initiatives, in which it was requested: "Drafting and approval of constitution through a constitutional assembly, elected by general voting and hold of elections based on the new constitution within 1997". In this way the General Leading Committee rejected the request for the vote of confidence and call of an extraordinary congress. /kled/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] USA SUPPORT EFFORTS OF RUGOVA TO CHANGE SITUATION IN KOSOVATIRANA, DEC 26 (ATA-CIK) - "Bujku" paper carries the editorial of the "Voice of America" for Kosova, regarding the U.S. official standpoints.The editorial presents the U.S. official standpoints as a result of the last visit of Dr. Rugova in USA, as well as the protests of the opposition and Serbian students against the manipulation of votes in the local elections by regime of Milosevic. Kosova leader met recently the U.S. State Secretary, Warren Christopher and deputy secretary Strobe Talbot. They reconfirmed the U.S. support to return the fundamental rights for Kosova people, as well as the support for Rugova engagement to make changes by peaceful means. In the press release, the spokesman of U.S. State Department, Nikolas Berns underlined this concern of the USA, says the editorial and further on it cites the statement of spokesman Berns. USA stress that the current situation in Kosova is not acceptable, they condemn the latest police brutality (connects it with the death of teacher Feriz Blakcori during the tortures) and ask a quick solution, which would start by applying in practise the agreement on education, signed by President Rugova and Milosevic. USA appeal on the democratization and respecting of human rights everywhere in Serbia and Kosova, as well as on the application in reality the agreement on education. USA encourage the dialogue between Albanians and Serbians aiming at decreasing the tensions and encourage Kosova people to gather efforts for promoting democratic changes all round Serbia. It is significant the attitude on the request of Rugova for a protectorate of the United Nations, which is officially said for the first time through the spokesman of the attitude, radio "Voice of America", as an option which does not enjoy the U.S. support. "USA continue to support an autonomy for Kosova, but not also independence or protectorate of the United Nations. The opening of the U.S. Information Office in Pristina, is the expression of the U.S. dedication. The Secretary of State, Christopher reconfirmed this attitude in his early meeting with Leader Rugova. USA completely support the efforts of the Democratic League of Kosova to change the situation by peaceful means", says the end of the editorial of "Voice of America", which presents the attitudes of the U.S. government for the Kosova issue, reports Bujku paper. /p.ta/kled/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] PRESS REVIEWTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA) - Rilindja Demokratike carries the memoir from a group of SP Leaders which requests hold of an extraordinary Congress and replacement of the existing leaders. The paper also reports that Albanian President Sali Berisha has remised all financial obligations for all the political parties that have participated in the parliamentary elections of May 26 and local elections of October 20. RD publishes opinions of the the Albanian justice personalities for the package of laws on the fight against crime and corruption, approved recently by the Albanian parliament, under the title: "The punishment of crime increases the space of freedoms".Zeri i Popullit carries the message of SP chairman Fatos Nano addressed to SP Presidency and General Leading Committee, under the title: "No steps back". The paper highlights the yesterday's meeting of SP Leading Committee. "Again rise in prices", reports the paper. Republika reports: The creditors challenge the crisis", regarding the problem of usuries, which have become very massive in Albania now. The paper reports: "Motion of non-confidence for the SP Presidency". Albania carries the editorial "USA connect Kosova fate with Serbia". The paper also reports: "The customs officials helped smuggling". The paper runs an article on the meeting of the presidents of Albanian companies, VEFA and Kamberi, Vebi Alimuca and Ferdinand Kamberi, in which they have both agreed to lower down the interest rates of usuries. Lajmi i Dites carries the decree of President Berisha who remised all the financial obligations for all the political parties that participated in the elections of May 26 and October 20. The paper also publishes the statement of the rector of Pristina University on the requests of the Kosova students on the current situation in Kosova. Rilindja carries the interview of Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova given to the French newspaper "Le Figaro", under the title "Independence - the only and the best solution for all". The paper reports: "The (bad) use of Albanians in the Serbian propaganda". Dita Informacion reports: "Alliance of Vefa with Kamberi" and "A policeman committed suicide on Christmas day". Koha Jone reports: "Less usuries for the New Year". The paper publishes the message of Fatos Nano addressed to the Leading Committee under the title: "No changes in the policy of changes". With regard to the problem of usuries, Gazeta Shqiptare reports: "Gjallica divides in half the interest rates". The paper also carries the article "The poor people celebrate Christmas and hope"./kei/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] TWO VERY WANTED KILLERS UNDER ARRESTTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA) - Two professionist killers were arrested Thursday evening from the criminal police of Commissariat no. 2 in Tirana.Sh. Kolgjini from Elbasani and I. Faruku from Durresi are the authors of killing four citizens, and have attempted to kill three other citizens, and are also authors of thieving an amount of 8 million leks to a citizen from Durresi. The arrested, Faruku and Kolgjini had also two pistols. The criminal police of Commissariat no. 2 in Tirana also arrested Thursday brothers Muzhaqi from Elbasani, who had sheltered Faruku and Kolgjini./kei/mt/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT GIVES LAST NEWS CONFERENCE FOR 1996TIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA) By Keida Kostreci: In the news conference given Friday morning, Albanian President Sali Berisha made a brief balance of the achievements and difficulties of Albania during 1996 in the fields of interior and foreign policies, of economy, in the judicial field, that of education, etc, and payed special attention to the Kosova issue."The year 1996 was the year of the luckiness and real wisdom of the Albanians", said President Berisha, considering this year characterized by defined developments "for today and Albania of years 2000". Berisha mentioned among the achievements of 1996 the victory of democracy in the parliamentary elections of May 26th, and in the local elections of October 20th, the setting up of the pluralist parliament and government, the important visits of the world personalities in Albania, like Scalfaro, Stefanopullos, and Araffat, participation of Albania in important international activities, among which Berisha mentioned as the most important one the summit of Lisbon. The Albanian President also mentioned the signing of a series of important international documents and some 30 accords and conventions from Albania, the approval of 64 laws by the Albanian Parliament. Berisha considered an important event the approval of the package of laws against crime and corruption. The questions of the journalist present in the news conference focused on the latest developments of Kosova issue. In his answers, Berisha supported the peaceful resistance of the Kosova people, Democratic League of Kosova and its Leader Ibrahim Rugova against the Serbian violation. /mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CONSIDERS COOPERATION WITH MONTENEGRO OF INTERESTTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)- By K. Kostreci, In his last news conference for 1996, Albanian President Sali Berisha said that he considered of real interest the development of cooperation between Albania and Montenegro.Berisha confirmed this in response to a question by a Radio Tirana reporter, who referred to Thursday's interview of Montenegrin President Bulatoviq, who also considered the relations with the neighbours and Albania. Berisha expressed delight over his meeting with Bulatoviq in Tirana and said he was willing to visit Podgorica. "I have always evaluated as realistic the stand adopted by the Montenegrin leadership over the last three years towards all the developments in the region. I as well understand the serious difficulties this leadership has encountered in adopting its stands," Berisha added. "I want to guarantee it that Albania is and will be very open," Berisha said. He stressed that he had asked the Albanian government to consider all possibilities of intensifying cooperation in tourism and other fields with the northern neighbour of Albania, Montenegro. lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] POLICE DETAIN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTIONTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)-Albanian police detained Thursday a group of customs officials and members of a private company who are accused of corruption and of violently trying not to clear the goods through the Durres customs.Arben Morina, chief of the Tirana customs, Rajmond Musaraj, Frederik Demi and Ylli Bilani, inspectors of the Tirana customs, were detained Thursday after violating on December 19 all the laws in their work, helping pass a considerable quantity of goods coming from Italy without clearing them through the customs. Riza Ceso, responsible for the uncleared goods, and Leonard Murati, who has beaten one of the customs officials to force him sign the papers, have been arrested as well. kei/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] STATISTICS REFUTE "KOHA JONE" ON NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS IN ALBANIATIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)- Leaders of the "Anti-drug" and "Eureka" associations, in cooperation with 60 psychiatrists, based on statistics, have ascertained that the current number of drug addicts in Albania is lower than the figure issued by the newspaper Koha Jone, Friday's Albania reports.According to statistics the number of the drug addicts does not exceed that 3000 or it is some 8000 less than the figure issued by Koha Jone a few days ago. Two groups of experts from Switzerland and France say the data on the drug addicts in Albania is much lower than that of the neighbouriong countries and Eastern Europe. In Albania drug is mainly taken by people aging between 20-30. Tirana, Durres and Shijak are the cities mostly affected by drug addicts, according to Albania. eva/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] ALBANIAN INTELLECTUALS DEMAND POSTGRADUATE STUDIESTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)- By E.Allushi, A contemporary postgraduate qualification system should necessarily respond to the increasing demands of Albanian intellectuals to attend postgraduate studies."Efforts are being made to find a postgraduate system applicable in our conditions, considering the experience and the financial conditions, that will help set up this system," the director of Postgraduate Promotion at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Esat Malasi, told ATA. This ministry is studying the Italian, French and German systems. For this purpose, the government, by a special decision taken in June 1993, has promoted all the candidates of science, who remained as such three to five years during the previous regime, to the rank of doctors of science at university level. According to statistics, each year nearly 200 candidates of science have been awarded the title doctor of science at university level. Currently in Albania there are 288 doctors of science, a number which, in comparison with the other European countries, is five times smaller. Some 60 per cent of this number of intellectuals with this title are men and 40 per cent women, of an average age of 40. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT CONSIDERS SITUATION OF EDUCATION IN KOSOVA "A NATIONAL DRAMA"TIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)- By K.Kostreci, Albanian President Sali Berisha on Friday considered the situation of education in Kosova "a real national drama". He stressed that he had considered this as such everywhere."We have to do with two million Albanians, who for several years now have not had the conditions of a normal education," Berisha said at a news conference. He said that for this reason he had supported the agreement signed between Rugova and Milosevic, "although this agreement has been criticised by many Albanian authorities." "I have supported it, wishing this brings about a normalisation of the situation of the schools of the Kosova Albanians," Berisha said. lm/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT EVALUATES DLK AND ROGOVA'S CONTRIBUTION TO KOSOVA ISSUETIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, Albanian President Sali Berisha on Friday reconfirmed the undeniable, very significant contribution of the Democratic League of Kosova (DLK) and of President of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova to the Kosova issue."The DLK is the first Albanian anticommunist party which destroyed the communist structure, which were a double occupation of Kosova in Kosova," Berisha said in response to a question by a Radio-Tirana reporter at his last news conference for 1996. The DLK and President Rugova were wisely chosen for the peaceful solution to the Kosova issue and they rendered a very great contribution to the prevention of conflict, to the non-involvement of Kosova in conflict and the internationalisation of this issue, Berisha added. Berisha considered all these undeniable merits. Berisha reiterated the view that Rugova has represented the Albanians of Kosova and their cause with dignity. "I have supported the policy followed by the Kosova political forces and President Rugova and I still support them," Berisha said further on. Berisha regarded the peaceful solution, the peaceful resistance as the most dignified, the surest and the most successful way for the solution of the Kosova issue. In response to a BBC reporter on the Kosova issue, Berisha said that: "Kosova merits the Parliament for which it voted." He considered the instituting of Parliament and of all the other institutions in Kosova as an extremely important development in the political life of Kosova. Responding to the BBC reporter, Berisha said that there had not been any irreconcilability of views in his meeting with Rugova. Albanian President said that a few weeks ago in Lisbon he had stated that in any conflict the Albanian nation would react as one and the same. Berisha expressed his unshakeable view for the return of the institutions, for the normalisation of life, for dialogue between Prishtine and Belgrade in the presence of a third side. "The policy 'the whole or nothing' is a policy that does not and cannot suit the Albanians. The policy of step by step achievements, of life normalisation, restitution and functioning of institutions will create very wide premises for a greater understanding," Berisha said. lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] BERISHA IS CONFIDENT RUGOVA WILL CONSIDER SERIOUSLY PETITION OF KOSOVA STUDENTSTIRANA, DEC 27 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, Albanian President Sali Berisha expressed Friday the belief that Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova will consider seriously and with special respect the petition addressed to him by 600 students of the Pristine University.The petition forwards several demands for the radicalization of the protests against the Milosevic regime in Kosova and asks Rugova to "urgently" call the Albanian parliament of Kosova. In his news conference Berisha expressed the belief that "the students of the Pristine University, in their efforts to regain the freedom and rights they merit, will know to show their democratic and civil culture, to fully abide by the peaceful forms of movement for the realisation of their goals". lm/Z/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |