Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-01-17

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] FLUX OF EMIGRANTS RETURNED FROM GREECE GOES DOWN

[02] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE CAREFUL TOWARDS ALBANIANS' FATE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY IN PYRAMID SCHEMES - declares Albanian Minister of Finances -

[03] DRAFTING OF CONSTITUTION TO BE MADE BY PLURALIST PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

[04] GOVERNMENT WILL BE CAREFUL TOWARDS FATE OF CITIZENS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY IN PYRAMID SCHEMES

[05] REPUBLICANS APPROVE CHANGES IN THEIR PARTY STATUS

[06] QUIET SITUATION IN TIRANA

[07] APPROACH BETWEEN DPYF AND AEYF IS EXPLAINED BY YOUTH TENDENCIES TOWARDS DEMOCRACY - declares DPYF secretary

[08] INVESTORS OF LOAN-TAKING COMPANIES RECEIVES THEIR RETURNS

[09] PRESS REVIEW

[10] CEMETERY VIOLATORS GO ON TRIAL

[11] POLITICIANS TRY TO EXPLOIT TENSION DUE TO COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID SCHEME COMPANIES

[12] COUNCIL OF EUROPE READY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA

[13] INFORMIX: LICENSES WORTH 200 000 DM FOR TIRANA AND POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITIES

[14] BUKOSHI MEETS SENIOR ALBANIAN OFFICIALS

[15] SCHEME MANAGER SUDE ENDS IN PRISON

[01] FLUX OF EMIGRANTS RETURNED FROM GREECE GOES DOWN

There are 210 emigrants returned in these days, chief of the Gjirokastra Police Commissariat, Ilirian Kokalari told ATA. They had the permit of stay in Greece.

The number of returned emigrants from January 8-11 reached in 3000 persons.

The compulsory return of the Albanian emigrants from the Greek government was connected with the publicity by media of a robbery in a house, on which the Greek press accused "a gang of Albanian misdoers", as well as with the influence of Greek ultra-nationalist circuits near the government. /a.ke/kled/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE CAREFUL TOWARDS ALBANIANS' FATE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY IN PYRAMID SCHEMES - declares Albanian Minister of Finances -

Bode added that with the collapse of Sude firm, was proved the warning of the Albanian government given to citizens regarding the activity of these companies.

Bode said that "only companies which have big incomes from their producing activity are guaranteed", and made clear the fact that his ministry has licensed only companies which conduct producing activities in different economic fields.

The non-parliamentary commission which is conducting investigations on the activity of loan-taking companies, is expected to give the official version by the end of this week, regarding the phase of the pyramidal system of the other two foundations, "Populli" and "Xhaferri".

Bode meant by this that for the foundations with producing activities, the government can consider the possibility of a re-management of the firm and setting up of fiscal facilities in order to restore them.

On October last year, Bode declared that IMF (International Monetary Fund) requested the Albania government to stay away from the loan-taking companies. /pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] DRAFTING OF CONSTITUTION TO BE MADE BY PLURALIST PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

TIRANA, JAN 17 (ATA) - "The project-constitution must be drafted by a pluralist parliamentary commission, consulting with other political forces, associations or trade unions, as well as with bodies of the Council of Europe" - was declared Thursday in the meeting between the Albanian Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu and the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Piero Fassino.

In this meeting, which was held in the framework of the one-day visit of the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Piero Fassino, was also discussed on the ways of approving the new constitution in Albania, issue on which both parties shared the same opinion. /kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] GOVERNMENT WILL BE CAREFUL TOWARDS FATE OF CITIZENS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR MONEY IN PYRAMID SCHEMES

Bode added that with the collapse of Sude firm, was proved the warning of the Albanian government given to citizens regarding the activity of these companies.

Bode said that "only companies which have big incomes from their producing activity are guaranteed", and made clear the fact that his ministry has licensed only companies which conduct producing activities in different economic fields.

The non-parliamentary commission which is conducting investigations on the activity of loan-taking companies, is expected to give the official version by the end of this week, regarding the phase of the pyramidal system of the other two foundations, "Populli" and "Xhaferri".

Bode meant by this that for the foundations with producing activities, the government can consider the possibility of a re-management of the firm and setting up of fiscal facilities in order to restore them.

On October last year, Bode declared that IMF (International Monetary Fund) requested the Albania government to stay away from the loan-taking companies. /pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] REPUBLICANS APPROVE CHANGES IN THEIR PARTY STATUS

According to chairman Godo, this project is expected to be examined next week in the National Council of the republicans. While its final draft will be made in the party congress which will be held soon.

"The changes in the project aim at a western European scheme of the party organization, election of the chairman, way of electing presidency and organization of republican forums in suburbs", said Godo.

According to this project regarding constitution, the Republican Party supports the establishment of a special pluralist commission by Parliament, which will draft the project constitution. This draft will be discussed in parliament and then will pass in referendum, stressed the republicans in the project of their party status. /jz/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] QUIET SITUATION IN TIRANA

"People seem quiet today and they only discuss among them; some of them guess while reading the newspapers", told ATA a police officer, near Sude's flat, where at 10:00 were gathered about 100 persons without causing troubles to the order.

Meanwhile, not far from her house, in the offices of "Xhaferri" foundation were gathered some 500 persons. Different citizens said that the delayed payments are being returned, although not as before.

The Council of Ministers decided to freeze the deposits of the foundations until the non parliamentary commission of transparency give the final conclusion on the pyramidal character or on of these foundations. These measures were taken in order to protect the citizens who have deposited their money in these foundations. /a.ke/pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] APPROACH BETWEEN DPYF AND AEYF IS EXPLAINED BY YOUTH TENDENCIES TOWARDS DEMOCRACY - declares DPYF secretary

In the meeting organized two days ago on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum foundation, participated also one of the DPYF leaders. Parllaku comments the participation in the AEYF jubilee, with the fact that the DPYF has always been opened towards all youth organizations.

The stand of the AEYF towards the alarming situation in the Socialist Party, has been the link which connected both forums in the tendencies to cooperate more with one another, according to Gazeta Shqiptare.

"The youths are more led towards development, towards democracy", said Parllaku, who explains the approach of AEYF and DPYF with the stand of AEYF towards SP policy.

"Meanwhile we should stress that SP has shown itself as a regressive force, always to the bad of democracy and its development in Albania", Parllaku told Gazeta Shqiptare. /kei/pas/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] INVESTORS OF LOAN-TAKING COMPANIES RECEIVES THEIR RETURNS

"I'll make you all rich. This is the foundation's goal", Albania paper cites the president of Xhaferri foundation, while talking to his investors.

Some 400 clients got Thursday the returns by the Xhaferri's offices.

"I will continue to distribute limited amounts of money, after the restriction of banks", president of "Populli" foundation, Bashkim Driza told Gazeta Shqiptare paper, regarding the seizure of depositions of loan- taking companies that Albanian government ordered Thursday.

VEFA company also gave only the returns to the creditors.

Along with the trouble caused by the failure of the "Sude" loan- taking company, there are some citizens that still deposit their money to this kind of companies. A citizen from Kavaja has recently deposited some $200 000 in the VEFA company, blocking this amount for six months, without receiving returns during this time. /kei/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] PRESS REVIEW

Rilindja Demokratike reports on illegal gatherings in Vlora, where one of the loan-taking companies, Gjallica, is not giving back the returns. The paper reports on the government meeting, held Thursday, which decided to freeze the deposits of the loan-taking foundations, at an amount of 25.5 billion leks.

Regarding the decision of the government to freeze the deposits, Zeri i Popullit reports: "The government continues to cheat with usuries". The paper calls on a "peaceful rally of protest on the violation of the citizens' economic rights".

With regard to the protests of Vlora citizens on the crisis of the loan- taking company Gjallica, the paper reports that citizens blame President Berisha and Premier Meksi.

Republika reports: "6 000 Vlora citizens occupy 'Flag Square'", regarding the protests in Vlora. "Sude risks to serve only 5 years in jail", reports the paper regarding the arrest to be defined Friday by Tirana Court for the scheme manager Sude. The paper also publishes the interview of Republican Party chairman Sabri Godo, under the title: "The government should protect the citizens' property".

Albania reports: "State protects the deposits of 250 000 Albanians", and carries the editorial: "Usuries in politics".

With regard to the clashes and the tension in Vlora yesterday, the paper reports: "Gjallica causes citizen revolt".

Dita Informacion reports: "Clashes in Vlora and Shkodra", as well as "Dogs and firemen disperse the angry crowd of Gjallica". The paper carries an exclusive interview with Rrapush Xhaferri, president of the loan-taking company "Xhaferri", under the title "I will give 200 00 dollars to Sude". With regard to the government decision, the paper reports: "The government blocks "Populli" and "Xhaferri" foundations."

Gazeta Shqiptare says that: "Several hours of clashes between the 'Gjallica' clients and the police. Fear and patrols also in Tirana".

Koha Jone says: "The government decides to freeze 250 million dollars of the foundations. Arrests in 'Gjallica'". The paper says that the opposition has called on the people to hold a rally on usuries at the Skenderbej square.

Today's press also covers the visit of the Italian deputy Foreign Minister Piero Fassino to Albania.

Rilindja Demokratike covers the meeting of Fassino with Albanian President Sali Berisha under the title: "Italy considers the relations with Albania of priority". The paper says that Fassino has asked Albanian socialists's participation in parliament, which was rejected by the socialists.

The paper also carries the meeting of Fassino with Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu and with Albanian political parties representatives.

Republika covers the meeting of Fassino with President Berisha, while Albania cites Fassino as saying that :"The SP should return to parliament".

Dita Informacion cites Fassino as saying: "Worry over the political crisis and usuries' scandals". kei/mt/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] CEMETERY VIOLATORS GO ON TRIAL

After the worry expressed by several families, who had seen the graves of their relatives which lacked the bronze decorations and other things, the police put the cemetry under control and on October 12 arrested E.C and E.H., while Bledar Mile could escape.

The accused confessed they had started this "activity" one month before their arrest. During this period they had sold 40 kg of bronze at the price of 30 leks (nearly one third of the dollar) per kilogram.

The first hearing was put off because of the absence of the defence lawyers. kei/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] POLITICIANS TRY TO EXPLOIT TENSION DUE TO COLLAPSE OF PYRAMID SCHEME COMPANIES

Gazeta Shqiptare blames the current situation on the Bank of Albania, as well as the Ministry of Finances and segments of state media. It says that:"it is a fact that 'the super-interests' of usuries largely influenced the increase of income of hundreds upon thousands of Albanian families".

As regards the previous stands of the Albanian opposition towards the "usury phenomenon", the paper says:"Considering more opportune for its own political goals, the opposition, on the threshold and during the two electoral campaigns held last year, hinted that it would not touch usuries in case it assumed power. Therefore the haste of the opposition to lead the people's indignation sounds amoral, now that the financial pyramids threaten to bury once and for all the toil, sacrifices and hopes of hundreds upon thousands of families".

The newspaper Albania says in its editorial that:"The Albanian left opposition, almost self-suffocated because of the lack of a clear political alternative, with a leadership strongly related to the past and because of the application of a complete nihilist spirit of the boycott policy, intends to regenerate itself" and exploit "a wretched personage, like a woman named Sude" to gain political credit.

The past four years have been enough for the Albanian left opposition to contribute to what has been built in Albania. This political and civic duty and responsibility has long since been abandoned by the Albanian left opposition. Its permanent boycotting position not only has not added anything to the economic and political construction of the last four years but has led to the loss of trust in it also in the future".

The paper adds that "the efforts to engage in politics and launch political moves through usuries, seems to be a consistent continuation of the previous stands" of the Albanian left opposition and "unfortunately", a further contribution to its consistent destructive stand". pas/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] COUNCIL OF EUROPE READY TO SUPPORT ALBANIA

This was confirmed by the CE representatives in the Strasbourg meetings with the Albanian Justice Minister, Kristofor Peci, according to the ministry's spokesman.

During his two day visit to Strasbourg, at the invitation of the CE, minister Peci met with CE top officials: the Head of the Juridical Affairs Department, Guy de Vel, the Head of the Public Affairs Department, Hans Piter Furrer, the Head of Human Rights Department, Henri Impert and others.

In these meetings they discussed cooperation between Albania and CE regarding juridical and human rights cooperation.

"Concretely, the CE will continue its assistance for the further improvement of legislation, which includes the law on the Justice Ministry, the law on the judicial system, the law on adherence to International Conventions. It will also provide assistance in setting up the Palace of Justice, assistance in setting up the Penitentiary Academy, and other institutions," the spokesman says.

At his meeting with Mr Furrer, during which they exchanged views on the approval of the Constitution, Peci expressed the desire of the Albanian Government for the approval of the constitution, aiming at having a more contemporary constitution.

At this meeting Furrer said that "The Council of Europe is ready to do its best for Albania".

During the meeting the CE representatives asked Peci suggestions on the Government Agent to the CE, the member of the Human Rights commission, from Albania. s.sh/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] INFORMIX: LICENSES WORTH 200 000 DM FOR TIRANA AND POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITIES

This donation idea has been a prelude of a programme that the Informix Software Inc., based in Menlo Park California, declared on January 7,1997, for all the universities and institutions carrying out research projects as well as for the non-profitable associations all over the world.

The programme includes: Informix r-Universal Server, On Line Dynamic Server TM, On Line Workstation and New Era TM.

Three of them as well as Metacube-tool will also be installed this January at the Tirana and Polytechnic Universities.

A group of teachers will soon be trained for the full use of them, which in a way, make up the key to success and development towards the future. a.m/jz/lm /Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] BUKOSHI MEETS SENIOR ALBANIAN OFFICIALS

"Under the conditions created, the Kosova issue calls for an urgent, correct and standing solution, Bukoshi said at the meeting.

On behalf of the Kosova Government and People he expressed gratitude to the Albanian state for its wise and constructive policy.

Bukoshi considered the deteriorating situation as well as the latest events in Pristine an aftermath of what all the international experts admit that Kosova remains a powder keg in the Balkans. But, he stressed that the lightening of the fuse should be avoided because it would be of unpredictable consequences for all.

Bukoshi reiterated the indispensability for the Kosova pupils to return to school this second semester.

Shehu, evaluating the peaceful democratic situation followed by the Kosova government and people, reconfirmed the conviction of the Albanian government that the Kosova people have the right to self-determine their future, like all the other peoples of former-Yugoslavia.

The Albanian government reiterates its stand against changing borders by force and against the policy of aggression and apartheid being pursued in Kosova.

The Albanian government will support all the active forms of peaceful democratic resistance which aim to reestablish the human and national rights of the Kosova people, Shehu said.

Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi in his today's meeting with Bukoshi denounced the policy of violence and apartheid of the Milosevic regime.

Meksi, too, made known the stand of the Albanian government against changing borders by force and stressed the importance of the Prishtine- Belgrade dialogue in the presence of a third side. a.b/s.sh/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] SCHEME MANAGER SUDE ENDS IN PRISON

"I have worked according to the pyramid scheme," she declared at the court's hall, adding that she had gathered nearly 50 million dollars from five thousand clients of which nothing had remained.

Charged with "theft in complicity through fraudulence in great amounts of the citizens' property," four persons, accomplices of the scheme manager, have been arrested in prison.

Also, the accountant has been put under house arrest. Agim Xhixha, president of a sausage factory, who has been an accomplice of Sude, has been arrested as well.

Sude was enrolled as a juridical person only of late," said the Chairman of the Tirana Court, Qazim Gjonaj. "She has not had any bank account. Thus, the defendant has done everything deliberately.

"Only 20 clients of the Sude company have addressed themselves to the court so far," Gjonaj says. jz/lm /Z/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article