Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-08-28

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONFIRMS READINESS TO REALIZE PROGRAMS OF COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

[02] ALBANIA TO PARTICIPATE IN MEETING OF MEDITERRANEAN CREATIVE WOMEN IN SALONIKA

[03] PRESS REVIEW

[04] POLICE OF SARANDA DETAIN THREE KILLERS

[05] IMF SUGGESTS INCREASE OF VAT

[06] SOCIALIST PARTY RESTARTS DEALS ON CONSTITUTION COMMISSION

[07] COOPERATION WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE - PRIORITY OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

[08] CONSULTS OF FOREIGN AND ALBANIAN EXPERTS ON BANKS' PRIVATIZATION START

[09] POLICE OF SARANDA DETAIN THREE KILLERS

[10] SP PARLIAMENTARY GROUP CHAIRMAN DEMANDS ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON FAILED PYRAMID SCHEMES

[11] TWO CRIMINALS DETAINED IN BERAT

[12] CITIZENS OF TIRANE PROTEST FOR LACK OF WATER IN THEIR HOMES

[13] PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY DOES NOT APPROVE PROPOSALS BY PRESIDENT MEIDANI

[14] HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICIALS IN PREFECTURES PRESENTED

[15] MACEDONIA CONSIDERS DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA PART OF ITS DEVELOPMENT

[16] TWO CRIMINALS ARRESTED IN BERAT

[17] ALBANIAN-GREEK RELATIONS ARE A MESSAGE OF UNDERSTANDING FOR OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION - Konstandopoulos

[18] TIRANE POLICE COLLECT CONSIDERABLE AMMUNITION

[19] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS DELEGATION OF LEFT WING AND PROGRESS PARTY OF GREECE

[20] MITSOTAKIS TOLD ME TO APPOINT THREE PRIESTS - Berisha

[21] CE STRUCTURES COMMITTED TO A MORE ACTIVE PRESENCE IN ALBANIA

[22] BERISHA IS THREATENING US WITH WEAPONS - Movement for DP Reformation

[23] ALBANIA AND ITALY SIGN PROTOCOL ON COOPERATION IN DEFENCE

[01] COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONFIRMS READINESS TO REALIZE PROGRAMS OF COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

Lakrori said that the new programs, which will be adopted in the future, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, will operate in the field of justice, legislation, protection of human rights, and others.

Laurens expressed the engagement of the Council of Europe to boost cooperation with Albania and realize the joint projects. "The Council of Europe will give its contribution, so that the new government fulfills the urgent duties in the future," stressed Laurens. /kled/mt/sh

[02] ALBANIA TO PARTICIPATE IN MEETING OF MEDITERRANEAN CREATIVE WOMEN IN SALONIKA

Participating in this activity will be representatives from 22 countries and Albania will be represented with the producer Xhanfise Keko, the poetess Mimoza Ahmeti and the architect Mira Lufi," said Yllka Hida, director of the Woman Department in the Ministry of Culture. /kled/mt/sh/

[03] PRESS REVIEW

Under the headline "Severe telephone call between the Italian and Albanian Premier," Rilindja Demokratike reports "Prodi: Nano, you are a trader of people." The paper covers the letter of the Chairwoman of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, in support of the hunger strike of the former Albanian Speaker, Pjeter Arbnori, quoting Fischer as saying: "The rights of the opposition are violated." The paper reports "The Albanian government's members threaten Italy." In the heading of chronicle, the paper reports "The gang hits in Permet.' The paper also writes "Greece violates the borders in South."

Republika paper carries the article "DP and SP towards the Communist Party." In the heading of chronicle, the paper reports "104 kg of marihuana in diapers, two Albanian women and a Sicilian arrested."

Koha Jone reports that the constitutional law has been modified and "The Supreme Council of Justice: members added." The paper publishes the editorial "A step, but not everything." The paper reports that in Shkoder was held a meeting in support of the hunger strike of Arbnori. The paper also writes that the Interior Minister Ceka has ordered closing of public houses. In the economic heading the paper writes "The merchants reject increase of VAT."

Rilindja reports that in the parliament of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has started the debate regarding the information of the Interior Ministry of FYROM on the events in Tetove and Gostivar. The paper covers the proceedings of the People's Assembly under the title "The composition of the Supreme Council of Justice changes." The paper publishes the statement of the deputy chairman of the Kosova Democratic League, Fehmi Agani, under the title "The Kosova question at the top of the themes of Albania's diplomacy."

Under the title "The Albanian government wants to collapse the businesses and creditors of Albanian capitalists," Albania paper reports "The companies and money of Albanian to the grave." The paper carries the editorial "Bombs on the free speech." The paper writes that 9 persons were killed and 7 others were hurt over the last 24 hours. The paper quotes Arbnori as saying "I am not well, but I will continue..."

Gazeta Shqiptare writes "The gangs pass the border." The paper covers the debate on the Albanian refugees in Italy: "Do you want camps of refugees? Let's make them in Albania." In the heading of chronicle, the paper reports "Massacre in the bus: A traveller killed, ten others hurt."

Balli i Kombit reports "The Bolshevik clans name 'meritocracy'", while Sindikalisti paper writes "In front of the government: The solutions requested by the workers." /kei/mt/k

[04] POLICE OF SARANDA DETAIN THREE KILLERS

The police forces arrested on Wednesday Petro Babi from Sarande, accused of killing a person.

In cooperation with the special forces of unit 77 of the Interior Ministry, the police of Sarande arrested two brothers Haxhi and Izet Tare, accused of killing two persons.

The police forces have carried on recently the operations to gather weapons, patrol the streets of the town and the national axes and communes. /kled/mt/k

[05] IMF SUGGESTS INCREASE OF VAT

The figure of VAT is actually 12.5 %.

The meetings also decided to cut down to the maximum the excessive state expenses./kei/mt/sh/

[06] SOCIALIST PARTY RESTARTS DEALS ON CONSTITUTION COMMISSION

"We are undertaking our engagements", SP Secretary General Pandeli Majko said to ATA on Wednesday after a meeting with the Chairman of the Republican Party, Sabri Godo, regarding the constitution.

The SP chairman, Fatos Nano, had expressed previously his opinion that Godo be the head of the parliamentary commission.

"I will accept to cooperate for the constitution, but the decision on the commission should be taken by the Parliament", said Godo regarding this problem. /kei/

[07] COOPERATION WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE - PRIORITY OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

Considering the program of Nano government "as a very positive signs for the importance that Albania gives to the cooperation with the Council of Europe," Laurens stressed that the Council of Europe will support without reserves the efforts of Albania for a real, concrete and active integration.

He confirmed the readiness for the continuity of programs and drafting of new programs of cooperation.

Foreign Minister Milo confirmed that the Albanian party will establish soon a representing office at the ambassador rank in Strasbourg. /jz/mt/k

[08] CONSULTS OF FOREIGN AND ALBANIAN EXPERTS ON BANKS' PRIVATIZATION START

The privatization of the Savings' Bank, the National Commercial Bank and the Agrarian Bank, according to the experts, will influence on the improvement of the banking system of the country, which has been one of the weakest links during the transition process.

Hundreds of merchants, unable to operate with banking transactions to deliver the goods due to the delays are obliged to move abroad with large amounts of foreign currencies in their bags.

The experts of the IMF and WB have started the consults on finding the most efficacious ways to make this privatization without damaging the banking system.

In their plans is also included the offering of technical assistance in the banking field for the Albanian specialists who will deal with the privatization procedure of these banks. /kei/mt/k

[09] POLICE OF SARANDA DETAIN THREE KILLERS

The police forces arrested on Wednesday Petro Babi from Sarande, accused of killing a persons.

In cooperation with the special forces of unit 77 of the Interior Ministry, the police of Sarande arrested two brothers Haxhi and Izet Tare, accused of killing two persons.

The police forces have carried on recently the operations to gather weapons, patrol the streets of the town and the national axes and communes.

The special forces of the Interior Ministry have reached recently the town of Sarande, Southern Albania. These forces continue to control the roads, mainly along the seaside and that in Butrint, and undertake searches in houses of citizens suspected of keeping weapons without permission.

The special forces have also taken measures to secure the road Gjirokaster-Sarande and Qafe e Muzines, where the criminal gangs have carried out many armed attacks. /kled/mt/sh/

[10] SP PARLIAMENTARY GROUP CHAIRMAN DEMANDS ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ON FAILED PYRAMID SCHEMES

Thousands of Albanians were ruined by the failure of the pyramid investment schemes and the Parliament should think for them," said Majko, asking the presidency to begin a round table discussion on this issue.

The deputy chairman of the DP parliamentary group, Ferdinand Xhaferri, supported only a part of Majko's address, because, he said "the rest is demagogy. Nonetheless, we realise that SP must keep the promise Nano made for the return of all savings to creditors, so we are ready to cooperate to ease the social effects of the get-rich-quick schemes. jz/xh/Z/

[11] TWO CRIMINALS DETAINED IN BERAT

"Aldo Bega and Vladimir Ethemi had been declared wanted by police for their grave crimes committed in July of this year," told ATA the director of the District police department, Mitat Havjari.

Bega, 19, was charged of wounding with a pistol Shkelqim Ruli, 49, who died later in Tirane hospital, while Ethem, 28, was accused of killing for weak motives two brothers, Petrit and Klodian Lico, 30 and 18 years respectively. A considerable number of weapons was found in their home when searched by police. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

[12] CITIZENS OF TIRANE PROTEST FOR LACK OF WATER IN THEIR HOMES

"We want water" was the main slogan chanted while protesters took to the street. "For more than two months we have presented our requests to the Water Supplying Department in Tirane town-hall and to the Government," said one of the inhabitants of Kombinat.

Police forces went immediately to the scene and despite their efforts to ease the protesters, they dispersed only after the deputy of the constituency of Kombinat promised them that the situation would improve. jz/xh/Z

[13] PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY DOES NOT APPROVE PROPOSALS BY PRESIDENT MEIDANI

The controversial points which the President proposed were the naming of the chairman of the State Control Service and the position of the opposition towards this post. The parliamentary opposition asked the majority in the Parliament to observe the agreement of Sant' Egidios in Rome signed prior to June 29, 1997 by Shehu (ex-DP leader,) Nano (SP leader) and Gjinushi (SDP leader,) on the basis of which the post of the chairman of the State Control Service would be named by the opposition. The President's proposal excluded from candidacy to that post candidates from the coalition parties which won in the polls.

The SP parliamentary group voted against two of the three proposals presented by the President, while the opposition, although it had declared previously its vote against, voted in favour of the initiative of Meidani. jz/xh/Z/

[14] HIGHEST-RANKING OFFICIALS IN PREFECTURES PRESENTED

The Minister of Law, Thimio Kondi today presented in Shkoder (Northwestern Albania) Gezim Podgorica, the new prefect of that prefecture, and Gjok Jaku, its secretary general. The prefecture of Shkoder consists of the district of Shkoder, Puke, Lezhe and Malesi e Madhe.

The Minister of Health and Environmental Protection, Leonard Solis, introduced the new leaders of the prefecture of Berat, which includes the districts of Berat, Skrapar and Kucove.

The Minister read the decision of the Council of Ministers according to which Ndue Gega was named prefect of Berat prefecture and Krenar Suku, its secretary general.

The Minister of Institutional Reform, Arben Imami, in a meeting with local authorities of the districts of Lezhe, Mirdite and Kurbin (Northern Albania) which was also attended by the Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka, today presented the prefect of Lezhe, Fran Nezha, former chairman of the SP branch in Kurbin district and the secretary general, Kujtim Dashi. ssh/jz/xh/

[15] MACEDONIA CONSIDERS DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA PART OF ITS DEVELOPMENT

Mr Lakrori said that having the same strategic objective for the integration into Europe, the cooperation between the two countries would also create more favourable conditions for a solution to the present questions.

The Macedonian Ambassador said that the platform of the integration in EU and in NATO helps solve the other questions in the bilateral relations. ake/jz/xh/Z/

[16] TWO CRIMINALS ARRESTED IN BERAT

"Aldo Bega and Vladimir Ethemi were wanted by police for serious crimes committed in July of this year," the director of the District police department, Mitat Havjari, told ATA.

Bega, 19, was charged with shooting Shkelqim Ruli, 49, who died later in a Tirane hospital, while Ethemi, 28, was accused of murdering two brothers, Petrit and Klodian Lico, 30 and 18 years old, respectively. When their home was searched, police found a considerable store of weapons. ssh/jz/xh/Z/

[17] ALBANIAN-GREEK RELATIONS ARE A MESSAGE OF UNDERSTANDING FOR OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION - Konstandopoulos

"The Albanian Government is committed to a new foreign policy which would reflect the historical messages of friendship, understanding and cooperation between the two countries," said Minister Milo.

"We want Greece to be Albania's reliable partner." ake/jz/xh/Z/

[18] TIRANE POLICE COLLECT CONSIDERABLE AMMUNITION

A part of these ammunition were weapons distributed on the basis of lists, but there are some which have been voluntarily surrendered or weapons found during police searches. jz/xh/Z

[19] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS DELEGATION OF LEFT WING AND PROGRESS PARTY OF GREECE

Mr Meidani welcomed the congratulations from the chairman of the Greek party, Niko Konstandopoulos, on his election to the post of the President. The delegation voiced the will to make everything possible that the bilateral relations and Greek commitment for assistance be realised as soon as possible.

Albanian President stressed that the all-round international assistance and that from Greece, asks, among others, the responsibility of the political forces in the country to eliminate destructive and conflictual policies. ake/jz/xh/Z

[20] MITSOTAKIS TOLD ME TO APPOINT THREE PRIESTS - Berisha

Ex-President Berisha unveiled for the first time to reporters today how Greek ex-Prime Minister had asked him to assist in religious problems.

"Mitsotakis told me to appoint three (Greek) priests, but I opposed him," the current opposition leader unexpectedly said today.

After this, the Greek government reacted very badly, the president said. "The Peshkopi massacre occurred and in July Mitsotakis read out a statement, which in fact was a platform of North Epirus".

The Simitis government (which took over later, was realistic," Berisha said adding that "we were for a sincere friendship".

Further on Berisha severely attacked Nano government's foreign policy.

"This government is causing quarrels with neighbors," DP chairman said , considering irresponsible the latest statements of foreign minister Milo regarding Italy.

Referring back to the Balkans Berisha said that "the current government members are wrong in belittling the Albanian factor.

"Good friends, but each his own home, it is indispensable," DP leader formulated his recommendation on policy with neighbors. a.ke/jz/lm/Z

[21] CE STRUCTURES COMMITTED TO A MORE ACTIVE PRESENCE IN ALBANIA

Mr. Laurens brought Nano greetings from the CE Secretary General, Daniel Tarchys.

Strasbourg expects Albania to become a normal active member again after the recent drama, Laurens said.

He expressed the commitment of all the respective structures of Strasbourg to a more active presence in Albania.

Laurens expressed his understanding of the vision of the Albanian government regarding the approval of the draft-constitution in parliament and the people's referendum next spring. The Council of Europe, through the Venice Commission, will help in this direction, he said. a.ke/jz/lm/Z

[22] BERISHA IS THREATENING US WITH WEAPONS - Movement for DP Reformation

"The Movement" accuses Berisha of plunging the Democratic Party into "apathy and failure." "We will respond with the strength of the free speech and thought to your fire weapons and continuous physical threats," the signatories address Sali Berisha in their declaration.

Today, in his news conference, the DP leader attacked the signatories of the Appeal. "Most of the 52 who have signed the Appeal have not been DP members," he said.

Arben Mece, one of the main signatories of the Movement said it was not important if the first 52 signatories have been or not DP members. From the present evidence, the number of their supporters is 350, all DP members. At present there are whole DP sections which are backing us," said Mece, adding they are from all sides of Albania.ake/jz/xh/

[23] ALBANIA AND ITALY SIGN PROTOCOL ON COOPERATION IN DEFENCE

The agreement was signed after the meeting of the two countries defence Ministry delegations, headed by ministers Sabit Brokaj and Beniamino Andreatta.

The protocol stipulates the establishment in Albania of an Italian military experts delegation of 10-15 officers, who will assist in restructuring the Albanian army.

Later, Brokaj and Andreatta, accompanied by the chief of the General Staff, Brigade-General Aleks Andoni and Admiral Venturoni, gave a news conference. jz/lm/Z

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