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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-04-10

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] MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE UNIONS
  • [02] ON THE SITUATION IN INDUSTRY, FINANCES AND AGRICULTURE IN ALBANIA
  • [03] ITALIAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION VISITS ALBANIA
  • [04] FROM THE VISIT OF ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER IN GREECE
  • [05] SOCIALISTS DEPUTIES DECLARE AFTER JOINING PARLIAMENT
  • [06] "NO RELATIONS WITH SERBIA AS LONG AS ITS POLICY TOWARDS KOSOVA IS NOT CHANGED - U.S. State Department spokesman
  • [07] PRESS REVIEW
  • [08] PUBLIC ORDER FORCES IN SARANDE TAKE UNDER PROTECTION BUTRINT ANTIQUE TOWN
  • [09] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS
  • [10] EDUCATION MINISTER MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR MARISA LINO
  • [11] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS APOSTOLIC NUNCIO OF VATICAN
  • [12] ITALY READY TO CONTIBUTE TO ALBANIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM
  • [13] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA
  • [14] POLICEMAN KILLED IN SHKODER
  • [15] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES DECREES
  • [16] LONG-TERM COOPERATION IN EDUCATION WITH ITALY
  • [17] LETTER OF ITALIAN CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES CHAIRMAN VIOLANTE TO ALBANIAN PREMIER FINO
  • [18] OWNER OF A BAR IN KUKES KILLED
  • [19] ITALIAN EDUCATION MINISTER HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE
  • [20] VISIT OF AMBASSADOR OF UNITED KINGDOM TO SHKODER
  • [21] MEETING OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT DEMIREL
  • [22] ONE KILLED AND EIGHT WOUNDED IN SHKODER

  • [01] MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE UNIONS

    TIRANA, APRIL 9 (ATA) - The Albanian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Elmaz Sherifi, met Wednesday the representatives of the trade unions of construction, transport, agriculture and mineral resources and energetic, spokesman of this ministry reports.

    The members of the trade unions expressed in the meeting their support for the work of the National Reconciliation Government, as well as their readiness to help in lessening the social tensions in the concrete situation.

    They presented to the minister several remarks on the situation of relations of labour and legislation of labour.

    The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Sherifi, appreciated the help of the trade unions in improving the legislation of labour and was engaged for a more fruitful cooperation in the future. /s.sh/kled/mt/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] ON THE SITUATION IN INDUSTRY, FINANCES AND AGRICULTURE IN ALBANIA

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA) - The industrial product in Albania, according to the Institute of Statistics, has marked a fall during the first three months of 1997, due to the destructions in several main producing enterprises.

    Some of these enterprises have risked the further production due to the delays of the arrival in Albania of the raw materials.

    The situation of the Albanian finances is shaken and the state deficit has become deeper. The Albanian currency, lek, is devaluated quickly within three months. At the end of December 1996, 1 USD was equal to 102 lek, while now it is equal to 152 lek.

    The crisis has gravely affected the pensioners and the strata with social assistance, as well as the employees of the budget sector, whose wages have not been changed, while the prices of the main food articles have increased.

    Thousands of workers in the damaged private enterprises and of those which were not privatized are unemployed and without incomes.

    Meanwhile, the situation in the sectors of agriculture is a little more optimistic. Despite the situation created, a part of the private farmers have continued to produce and are exploiting the conditions of spring for the new sowing.

    Italy confirmed the aid of some 1500 tonne seeds of maize for about 30 000 hectors of Albania, while the European Community will offer some 30 000 tonne of pesticides for this sowing.

    The framers, dealing with stock-breeding, have been now the main basis who have supplied the inhabitants with meat and by-products of milk. /kei/mt/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] ITALIAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION VISITS ALBANIA

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The Italian Minister of Education, Luigi Berlinguer, will come Thursday for a working visit in Albania to help the education system, in the context of the Italian engagement to help Albania.

    During his stay in Albania, Mr. Berlinguer will hold meetings in the ministry of High Education and Scientific Researches, and in the Ministry of Education and Sports.

    Minister Berlinguer will also meet with the rectors of the Polytechnic University in Tirana.

    "We will help the Albanian Universities and all the damaged educational institutions to normalize the education system in Albania," declared the Italian Minister of Education, Berlinguer. /jz/mt/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] FROM THE VISIT OF ALBANIAN DEFENCE MINISTER IN GREECE

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA) - A military delegation, headed by the Albanian Minister of Defence, Shaqir Vukaj, ended Wednesday two day visit in the Greek capital.

    During the stay in Athens, Vukaj held a special meeting with the Greek Minister of Defence, Cohakopullos.

    The talks between both military delegations focused on the issues of stability and regional cooperation, of the multinational force and the contribution of Greece in this force. They also spoke in the meeting about the issues of the bilateral cooperation in the field of defence.

    Cohakopullos stressed the support of European Union countries and of Greece for the Government of National Reconciliation.

    He stressed the importance of dispatch of the multinational force in Albania and expressed the conviction that it will be supported and welcomed by the Albanian opinion. Mr. Cohakopullos also presented the Greek force which will come to Albania in this context.

    Minister Vukaj thanked his Greek counterpart for the serious engagement of Greece to help Albania in this difficult situation. He spoke about the necessity to strengthen the cooperation as neighbouring countries, as well as the positive role of the minority in deepening this cooperation.

    Attending the meetings were also the Chief of the Greek Army General Staff and the deputy Chief of the Albanian Army General Staff, as well as the Albanian Ambassador in Athens, Hysen Çabej. /s.sh/eva/mt/E

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] SOCIALISTS DEPUTIES DECLARE AFTER JOINING PARLIAMENT

    TIRANA, APRIL 9 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: The chairman of the parliamentary group of the Socialist party, Namik Dokle, the chairman of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum, Ilir Meta and the only socialist who joined the parliament of May 26 elections, made statements on Wednesday, regarding their decision to take up seats in parliament, after about 11 months of its activity.

    "I do not think that our absence in parliament has deepened the crisis. It is not important today to deal with the theory of crisis, but to solve the crisis," said Dokle.

    He added that the socialist group "joins the parliament to support the Government of National Reconciliation as the optimal solution for the situation in Albania."

    The chairman of the Eurosocialist Youth Forum, Ilir Meta, who is also one of the SP leaders, expressed the opinion that the decision of socialists to join the parliament should have been done right after the platform of national reconciliation was signed on March 9 between President Berisha and the ten main Albanian political parties.

    Meta added about this decision that "the initiative to come in this parliament aims exactly at accelerating the solution of the political crisis, by respecting all the points of the March 9 accord."

    "I felt bad this morning, but also a bit relieved by the decision of socialist deputies to join the parliament, who filled that gap in the Albanian politics today," said the socialist deputy Sali Rexhepi.

    Sali Rexhepi was the only from the ten socialist deputies who accepted to take up his seat in parliament. In the second congress of the Socialist Party, Sali Rexhepi was expelled from this party and was called "The phenomenon Sali Rexhepi".

    All the political parties, as well as the allies parties had strongly asked the socialist deputies to take up seats in Parliament since on March 9, when the platform of national reconciliation was signed, and the government of national reconciliation was established, with the participation of all the political parties.

    They decided to join the parliament about a month after this accord was signed. /kei/mt/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] "NO RELATIONS WITH SERBIA AS LONG AS ITS POLICY TOWARDS KOSOVA IS NOT CHANGED - U.S. State Department spokesman

    PRISHTINE, APRIL 10 (ATA) - The spokesman of the U.S. State Department, Nicholas Burns described the New York talks as positive.

    "This is an effort to sit the Serbs and the Albanians for dialogue, to discusss the disagreements they have and that the rights of the Albanians be defended in Serbia and Montenegro," the Kosova Information Centre reports.

    Burns said that the U.S. government was disillusioned by the absence of the Belgrade authorities in these talks.

    "This is a fact which speaks a lot. It shows that there is a lack of readiness on the part of the Serbian Government to face with the problem of Kosova and to treat the Albanians of Kosova with dignity," he said.

    "We have ever since defended the rights of the Kosovars and their right not to live under the brutality the Serbian government is exerting towards them. We are so desparate by the fact that the Serbian government decided not to take part in this conference. This was a good chance to make efforts to improve the political climate in Kosova," Mr Burns told the Voice of America.

    Burns said further on: "We hold that the talks may end with success even without the participation of the Serbian government, but the word here is for a broader problem, for the fact that the Serbian Government does not accept the Albanian minority as a full member in Serbia and Montenegro. We think that the Serbian Government should change this attitude in order that Serbia be a stable country, otherwise there are few chances for the U.S. to have normal relations with Serbia until its policy towards Kosova is not changed, showing more respect for the human rights of the Kosova population."pta/xh/z/+++ < <

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA) - Rilindja Demokratike carries the editorial entitled "Finally the socialists decided to join the parliament." "The DP parliamentary group is resolute to strengthen the relations with the bodies of Western Europe, as well as with its neighbours and traditional friends," says the editorial. The paper reports on the meeting of President Berisha with ten political parties for the problem of the Constitution under the title "Constitution for today and for the future." "The climate of compromise to approve this major act should be exploited," reports the paper. RD publishes a statement of the U.S. state secretary, Nicholas Burns under the title "Peace and stability are hindered by the armed rebels." The paper also publishes the statement of the deputy president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Van den Linden entitled "President Berisha can play an important role in holding the new elections"; as well as the article "The Italian government respects the Albanian constitutional institutions". The paper carries an article of the London newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" entitled "The communists wanted civil war".

    Zëri i Popullit covers today the meeting of the Prime Minister, Bashkim Fino with the main political parties, under the title "The new law - indispensability for the conduct of free elections". Under the title "We offer understanding to all those who would like to cooperate", the paper reports on the decision of socialists to join the parliament. "For us (socialists), the real political life of this parliament starts on March 9th, not on May 26th", says the article. The paper also carries the note "The deputies who has left the Albanian Democratic Party reach to 40". In a special article, the paper asks whether the National Information Service (SHIK) should exist or no. Another article says that Fino's government was created to save Albania and not the Democratic Party.

    Republika carries the editorial entitled "Fino's government does not owe anything to anyone". On a special article the paper explains in details what happened in the ambush to Premier Fino in Bushat recently. According to the meeting of the President with ten parties about the problem of the Constitution, the paper carries the note "The Constitution remains in the Presidency". Republika reports also on the decision of socialists to take up seats in Parliament. The paper writes: "DP (Democratic Party): Survival or dissolution?"

    Rilindja reports on the round table of the President held Wednesday with the ten political parties under the title: "The Constitution can not be approved before the elections". In another article the paper observes that a month after the agreement of the political parties, the socialist deputies join the parliament. The paper writes on the last night approval of the Italian Senate to send the military force in Albania.

    Rilindja reports on the second day of proceedings of the Albanian- Serb talks in New York. /JZ/kei/mt/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] PUBLIC ORDER FORCES IN SARANDE TAKE UNDER PROTECTION BUTRINT ANTIQUE TOWN

    SARANDE, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By Sh.Hajno, After a three month retreat and looting in the antique town of Butrint, the police post, charged with the protection of the archaeological values of this antique town, has began operation.

    A large number of projects of special archaeological importance, connected not only with the archeological excavations of Butrint but also with other discoveries of the zones of Mesopotam, Finiq and other zones, have been looted in this archaeological museum of this town.

    Unidentified people, alongside great archaeological pieces, have also stolen, for smuggling purposes, a statue of a woman, resulting to belong to the Roman age.

    The beginning of life in the antique town of Butrint dates back to the late Bronze Age, that is 3.400 years Before Christ.

    The objects of special archaeological importance like the theatre, medieval building complex and other objects of Butrint have attracted especially the attention of UNESCO, which in 1993 declared this antique town as a world asset.

    In 1995, UNESCO accorded a fund of 50 000 dollars for the restoration of the objects discovered so far.

    Meanwhile, the "Butrinti" foundation, run by the British Lords Jakob Rothschild and John Seinsbury, was created in 1993.

    The March thefts have been the largest of the whole existence of this museum. a.ke/jz/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON PRESS

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By A. Frasheri, The Albanian parliament Wednesday decided to lift press restrictions, introduced with the imposition of the state of emergency in Albania on March 2 this year, after mayhem caused by armed gangs in the south of the country.

    The lifting of press restrictions was result of a consensus between the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party parliamentary groups, which discussed this issue together.

    Yesterday the parliament, according to the proposal of the parliamentary Media Commission, changed the measure which restricted freedom of the press under the state of emergency.

    After the parliament's decision on this issue, the chairman of the SP parliamentary group, Namik Dokle, said: "I appreciate this first consensus and hold that in this way we can bring about positive developments for the country."

    Constraints on the media were the first problem the SP deputies discussed in the Parliament's proceedings.

    Yesterday the socialists took part for the first time in these proceedings, after the boycott of parliament since the beginning of its mandate following the May 26 general elections last year. kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] EDUCATION MINISTER MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR MARISA LINO

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA) By P. Shuteriqi, Minister of Education and Sports Luan Skuqi met this morning with the U.S. Ambassador in Tirana, Marisa Lino.

    Lino showed concern over the problems the postgraduate education system is faced with during this period.

    Skuqi considered the resumption of classes of first priority for this institution.

    Skuqi thanked Lino for the comprehensive assistance the United States has given and continues to give based on an emergency programme in education, especially civil education, and for the assistance provided by the Soros foundation.

    He also pointed to the project of this Foundation "Tirana 2000" for the development and modernisation of the schools of this district, as well as to other U.S. programmes such as HEAD START for the preschool education.

    Asked about the reopening of schools, the minister said that in many areas, villages and prefectures they may open soon, maybe after April 20, guaranteeing a higher coefficient of security and peace. a.ke/jz/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS APOSTOLIC NUNCIO OF VATICAN

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)-Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino met Thursday with the senior representative of the Holy See, Apostolic Nuncio Giovani Bulaitis.

    Fino thanked him for the very warm and friendly reception extended to him during his recent visit to Italy as well as for the support his Holiness, Pope John Paul II, has given and is giving to the Government of National Reconciliation, according to the prime minister's press office.

    Bulaitis told Fino that his presence here was an expression of solidarity of the Vatican with the National Reconciliation Government.

    "His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, prays every day for Albania and the Albanians and has called on the European Community to help the Albanian government and people in these difficult days." Bulaitis said.

    "The Catholic church will help the Albanian people both in education, emergency humanitarian and health relief, and in long-term projects for the people's employment," the nuncio said.

    "In my meetings with representatives of various religious communities I have been pleased to notice the existence of a climate of tolerance to be united in overcoming the crisis in Albania," he said.

    On Sunday, one day after the Bushat incident I held a Mass in the Shkoder Cathedral, where I prayed for You and called for peace and benevolence, for an end to violence and any of its manifestation," he told Fino.

    "Albania needs to go smoothly to the June elections, in which its people will be enabled to express their political will, freely and democratically, correctly determining their future destiny.

    After thanking for the Mass and support of the Holy See, Fino stressed that "at these difficult moments we should be guided by the spirit of reconciliation, and then let the political views be expressed during the electoral campaign."

    He said among other things that the "Government of National Reconciliation, together with the political forces will take all the necessary measures to realise free and democratic elections because, otherwise, neither the people nor history would pardon us." s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] ITALY READY TO CONTIBUTE TO ALBANIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By E.Allushi, The need for an emergeny aid as well as long-term cooperation were the main topics of Thursday's the talks with the Italian delegation, headed by Minister of Education Luigi Berlinguer, at the Ministrty of Culture, Youth and Women in Tirana.

    Also attending the meeting were Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Myqerem Tafai, Minister of Culture, Youth and Women Engjell Ndocaj, Minister of Education and Sports Luan Skuqi and the Italian ambassador to Albania, Paolo Foresti.

    The Italian minister reconfirmed the readiness of the Italian government to help Albania. After listening to the proposals of the Fino cabinet ministers, he said that based on these proposals "we will draft a concrete plan in priority fields for the education institutions and the whole damaged system."

    The Italian delegation, during its several-hour visit to Albania, also met the University rectors. kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS MEETS U.S. AMBASSADOR IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Elmaz Sherifi met Thursday the U.S. ambassador in Tirana, Marisa Lino, at her request, according to the spokesman of this ministry.

    Lino expressed the support of the U.S. government for the National Reconciliation Government and its efforts to restore law and order and prepare the country for the new elections.

    Lino showed special interest in trade union relations issues as well as in the activity of the non governmental organisations in Albania.

    Sherifi made a presentation of the difficult situation in Albania, the efforts of the institution he runs, also through international support, to ease the social problems of the current crisis.

    Sherifi expressed predisposition for building correct relations between social partners as well as the commitment of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs to draft a contemporary legislation for the activity of the non governmental organisations.

    Sherifi thanked Mrs. Lino for her concern over the problems Albania is facing as well as for the support the U.S. government is providing to Albania in its efforts to democratise the society. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] POLICEMAN KILLED IN SHKODER

    SHKODER, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By M. Malja, Armed men opened fire on the police commissariat of the district of Shkoder, Northwestern Albania, today at about 9:15 a.m., killing one policeman and wounding another.

    The rapid intervention vehicle of this commissariat was as well damaged.

    After this grave incident, the police forces have been intensively working to hunt down the gunmen.

    During the last two-three days, the situation in this city has been improving, with no one being hospitalised. a.ke/kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES DECREES

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By A. Frasheri, The Albanian Pparliament today passed the decree for an amendment to the law "On state contribution for homeless families", the decree for an amendment to the law "On the disintegration of the Financial Police and the creation of the Customs Police and that of Taxation" as well as the draft-law for an amendment to the Albanian Penal Code.

    The decree for an amendment to the law on the state contribution for the homeless families gives priority to the homeless families, whose houses had been earlier destroyed due to the city adjustment plans and now are homeless.

    This includes some 150 families. As the specialists explain, this decree will also benefit the persecuted, those who live in formerly-private houses and those living in houses of refugees.

    The decree for an amendemnt to the law on the disintegration of the Financial Police and creation of the Customs Police and that of Taxation intends not to allow speculative profits for some traders through unreasonable price rises.

    The amendment to the Albanian Penal Code has to do with an article added to the section "Deliberately committed penal acts against health", of this code. This article envisages sentences regarding transplantation of organs. kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] LONG-TERM COOPERATION IN EDUCATION WITH ITALY

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By E. Allushi, The spirit of cooperation between the Albanian and Italian Universities as well as the commitment of the neighboring state to recover the universities were the main points in today's meeting with the Italian delegation, headed by Italian Minister Berlinguer at the Polytechnic University in Tirana.

    Attending the meeting were Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Myqerem Tafaj, rectors of the Albanian Universities as well as Italian ambassador to Albania Paolo Foresti.

    The two sides discussed possibilities to hold in the future a meeting between the Conference of Italian rectors and the Albanian ones as a step ahead in promoting cooperation. kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] LETTER OF ITALIAN CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES CHAIRMAN VIOLANTE TO ALBANIAN PREMIER FINO

    TIRANE, APRIL 10 (ATA) - The chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, Luciano Violante sent a letter today to Albania's Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, Government's spokesman reports.

    In this letter, Mr Violante expressed his thanks for the message that Premier Bashkim Fino had sent through him to the Italian Parliament and people. He writes that the Assembly had devoted a special attention these days to the shocking events in Albania, making a positive contribution to the solution of the present crisis in Albania.

    "I have the pleasure," writes Violante, "to inform you, Mr Prime Minister, that the House of Deputies yesterday approved the Italian participation in the Peace Multinational Force to Albania with the adoption of a motion by all the parliamentary groups, except the Communist Refoundation and the Northern League."

    The voting outcome, says the letter, was 503 votes in favour, 85 against and 7 abstentions.

    "Allow me on this occasion to convey to You the feelings of friendship and to express to you my esteem consideration," ends the letter of Mr Violante to Premier Fino. ssh/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] OWNER OF A BAR IN KUKES KILLED

    KUKES, APRIL 10 (ATA) - By R Hoxha: The national Qamil Shpata has been killed in his bar in the village Vrish of Kukes district. Inhabitants of the village say that the killing was made for the motive of plundering. This is the second killing committed for this motive in that district since the day when arms were looted from army depots.

    Since the beginning of the unrest in Kukes, 12 people have been killed and 80 have been wounded. s.sh/kled/xh/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] ITALIAN EDUCATION MINISTER HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE

    TIRANA, APRIL 10 (ATA)- By A. Pashko, K.Shegani, Italian Minister of Education Luigi Berlinguer, who arrived in Tirana today, held a news conference for Albanian and foreign reporters.

    Also attending the conference were Albanian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Myqerem Tafaj, Minister of Education and Sports Luan Skuqi and Italian Ambassador Albania Paolo Foresti.

    Berlinguer considered the several-hour visit of his delegation to Tirana as the first step of the Italian-led peacekeeping mission undertaken for Albania.

    He said that this visit was made in support of schools, universities and scientific research in Albania.

    "I would be glad for Italy to understand Albania as a country of higher education in which eight-year schooling is compulsory," Berlinguer said.

    Further on, he said that his delegation had come to Albania to cooperate with the Albanian institutions to invest in the future as well as to take emergency actions, because at these moments Albania also needs school emergency.

    "I think this is the most sincere and correct way to show our and my personal grief over the incident of the sacred Friday in the Adriatic," he said, reiterating that the Italian government would cooperate with the Government of National Reconciliation.

    Berlinguer said the Italian delegation was inter-ministerial, explaining that the aim of his delegation's visit was to give concrete aid.

    After talks with Albanian colleagues, the Italians will draft an operative programme and various Italian institutions will engage in its implementation, Berlinguer said.

    As regards the school problem, he said that the Italians had an education plan for some 3000 Albanian children who are in the refugee camps in Italy.

    He also spoke of plans to train teachers in cooperation with Albanian institutions. "As regards professional training there already exists a basis of an Italian activity in Albania," said Berlinguer.

    In relation to university training and scientific research he said there existed a plan for granting scholarships, a thing which was also favoured by the new Italian law.

    Later he spoke of cooperation at university level between the two countries.

    Asked by an Italian reporter regarding the time of the opening of schools, Skuqi said that the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research as well as the Interior Ministry were working to study the situation and thought that schools were likely to open after April 20.

    "Schools will open where the local government is completely efficient and the public order forces have the situation under control," Skuqi said.

    Asked whether the Albanian children in the refugee camps in Italy would be taught by Italian or Albanian teachers, Berlinguer said that the teachers would be Italians.

    Asked on the time these plans would be applied, Berlinguer said that they would be immediately applied in the refugee camps.

    While as regards the drafted programmes to be applied in Albania, he said they would require agreements and contracts and that the time of their realisation would depend on the sectors in which they would be applied.lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] VISIT OF AMBASSADOR OF UNITED KINGDOM TO SHKODER

    SHKODER, APRIL 10 (ATA) - By M Malja: On April 10 at noon, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Tirana, Andrew Tessoriere visited the city of Shkoder.

    At the beginning he met with the Mayor of Shkoder, Bahri Borici, who informed the British Ambassador of the situation in the city and the measures adopted by the local government to normalize it and to restore public order and tranquillity.

    Mr Borici asked the British Ambassador to assist the forces of the police commissariat with equipment which were ruined during the past unrest.

    Ambassador Tessoriere promised that he would mediate in his government to make possible the assistance requested for the police commissariat in Shkoder.

    The British Ambassador also had meetings with the prefect of Shkoder, Puka and Malesi e Madhe, Elham Sharra, who informed Mr Tessoriere of the situation in the districts of that prefecturre and the efforts underway to further stabilize it. ssh/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] MEETING OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT DEMIREL

    TIRANE, APRIL 10 (ATA) - The Albanian deputy Foreign Minister, Albert Rakipi, and the delegation of the foreign ministry of Albania met today with the Turkish President Sulejman Demirel. After wishing welcome to Mr Rakipi, Mr Demirel asked to know about the latest events in Albania.

    Mr Rakipi made a panorma of the present situation in Albania and of the fruitful work of the National Reconciliation Government to improve the domestic situation.

    President Demirel said that he and the Turkish people do powerfully support the Agreeement for National Reconciliation proposed by President Berisha and signed by Albanian political parties.

    "We," said Demirel, "are anxiuously expecting that public order be restored in Albania, which would also be the main condition for the conduct of elections, and we respect and recognize only the legal and constitutional institutions in Albania.

    Albania in these moments needs support and assistance and we as a fraternal and friendly people are making efforts and will continue to support Albania. The presence of the Turkish forces in Albania will be an expression of the assistance and old friendship existing between our two peoples. The Turkish Crescent has prepared a great contingent of humanitarian aid which will arrive in Albania as sson as the Turkish troops and those of other countries will be deployed there." Mr Rakipi thanked Mr Demirel for his cordial talk and stressed that Turkey has been and remains a friendly country. Then Mr Rakipi handed over to President Depirel a message by President Berisha.

    Mr Demirel said at the end of the talk: "I am sure that very soon the public order and peace will be completely restored in Albania and that the Albanian economy will be supported by Turkey and foreign investors, who will not forget your country." ab/xh/

    [22] ONE KILLED AND EIGHT WOUNDED IN SHKODER

    SHKODER, APRIL 10 (ATA) - By Myfit Malja: Last night and today have been rather tense in the city of Shkoder as a result of the uncontrolled fire of arms. Consequently, eight people have been injured and one person was killed at his house for lack of knowledge about the arm he had.

    Also today afternoon, at about 4 p.a., an armed person wounded gravely one of the surgeons of the hospital of Shkoder, Zamir Shazi, who was checking up one of his patients.

    According to Fatmir Brahimi, doctor in the hospital, the surgeon Shazi has received four serious wounds, two in the chest and two in the leg. Police forces came immediately to the spot and are working to identify and catch the author of the crime. ab/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

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


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