Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-09-03

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] OSCE MISSION TO PROMOTE COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

[02] FATHER KILLING RAPER OF HIS DAUGHTER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS

[03] FORMER PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HOSPITALISED IN A COMA

[04] CORRECTION: FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS REPRESENTATIVE OF FOUNDATION "BUTRINTI"

[05] POLICE KILL VERY WANTED CRIMINAL IN BERAT

[06] KOSOVA-ALBANIA TELEPHONIC CONNECTIONS SET UP AGAIN

[07] IMF REACHES AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITH ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

[08] JURIDICAL SITTING FOR "XHAFERRI" FOUNDATION, EX-EMPLOYEES ASKED

[09] SOME 500 WEAPONS HANDED OVER WITHIN TWO DAYS IN KORCE

[10] PRESS REVIEW

[11] ALBANIAN CUSTOMS IN "SECI" PROGRAM OF WORLD BANK

[12] PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION AND REFORMS HAS STARTED IN ALBANIA AFTER ELECTIONS - OSCE Troika

[13] SERBIAN MILITARY AVIATION CARRIES OUT FLIGHTS OVER KOSOVA

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT WANTS TO PROPOSE CHAIRMAN OF STATE CONTROL FROM DP

[15] LIFE OF FORMER SPEAKER ARBNORI OUT OF DANGER

[16] SERBIAN MILITARY AVIATION CARRIES OUT FLIGHTS OVER KOSOVA

[17] DRAFT LAW ON CREATING APPEALS COURTS IN SIX DISTRICTS

[18] DP HAS NOT CHANGED ITS STAND FOR ZHULALI - Berisha

[19] GENERAL SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY TOWARDS RAPID NORMALISATION - IMF delegation observed in a meeting with President Meidani

[01] OSCE MISSION TO PROMOTE COOPERATION WITH ALBANIA

The special envoy of former chancellor Vranitzky and the head of this mission to Albania, Grubmayer, said at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, that a draft will soon be presented with future projects of cooperation of OSCE with the Albanian side, according to the ministry's press department.

On behalf of the Albanian government, Lakrori pointed to the special importance it gives to the country's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. s.sh/pas/lm

[02] FATHER KILLING RAPER OF HIS DAUGHTER SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS

The Tirana court jury pronounced today the verdict of sentencing citizen Xh. Xh, 41, to five years imprisonment on charges of killing citizen N. Dervishi, 26.

One year ago, the victim N. Dervishi, married and father of one child, raped the daughter of Xh. Xh, thirteen-years-old.

In June of this year Dervishi went to the house of Xh.Xh. and asked for his daughter, now 14.

Dervishi was then shot dead by the angry father with a Kalashnikov which he illegally possessed.

Later, Xh. Xh. surrendered himself to the police. jz/lm

[03] FORMER PARLIAMENT SPEAKER HOSPITALISED IN A COMA

His illness interrupted the 15th day of Arbnori's hunger Arbnori, who has served 28 years in the prisons of the communist regime, has gone on a hunger strike in protest against the TV, which has not fully covered the August 19 plenary sitting.

"The presidency and the heads of the parliamentary groups had agreed that the sitting be fully covered by the television," said Arbnori before going on strike. kled/lm/sh/

[04] CORRECTION: FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS REPRESENTATIVE OF FOUNDATION "BUTRINTI"

They spoke of the future of the project of this foundation, created by Lords Rothschild and Scinsbery. The project aims at promoting the historic values and tourist development of the of the area.

Fairwether stressed the indispensability of harmonizing the

Arbnori, has gone on a hunger strike in protest against the needs of tourists with environmental protection.

Minister Milo expressed the full support of the Albanian side on the successful development of the "Butrinti" project.

Also present at the meeting was the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Albania, Andrew Tesoriere.

On this occasion Milo conveyed to Tresoriere condolences on the death of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, and wrote a note in the book of condolences opened by the British embassy. pas/lm

[05] POLICE KILL VERY WANTED CRIMINAL IN BERAT

Xhaja was considered by the citizens of Berat as one of the criminals of a gang in the "Clirim" neighbourhood, and a perpetrator of many killings and torching of people, sexual violation, robbery of great amounts of money. /a.ke/jz/mt/Z/

[06] KOSOVA-ALBANIA TELEPHONIC CONNECTIONS SET UP AGAIN

[07] IMF REACHES AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITH ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT

The government's program aims to revive growth, reestablish macroeconomic stability and restart structural reforms to create jobs and reduce poverty. To achieve these goals, the government will need to take up strong initial measures to contain the budget deficit (especially by raising the VAT rate), wind up the pyramid schemes and reform the banking sector," says the release issued by Mr Juha Kaehkoenen, on behalf of IMF team.

These will need to be followed by comprehensive structural reforms in a number of areas, including tax and customs administration, civil service, privatisation and the creation of an agricultural land market.

If all goes well - and this requires strong international support in a donors' conference that could be held in Brussels within six weeks - the IMF's Executive Board could approve the post conflict emergency assistance by late October," the IMF delegation pointed out. /jz/mt/z/

[08] JURIDICAL SITTING FOR "XHAFERRI" FOUNDATION, EX-EMPLOYEES ASKED

Some of the witnesses of the list presented by the prosecutor's office were interrogated today; they have been employees of this foundation. They said they knew nothing about the large amounts of money, coming in and going out of the foundation.

The foundation "People's Democracy Xhaferri" has started its activity in 1992 in the town of Lushnje by the citizen Rrapush Xhaferri, 64, and later its activity was extended throughout the country. The bosses of usuries were arrested in January 1997.

Xhaferri and his sons are accused of "stealing through fraudulence." The four defendants are not in Albania, since prisons were stormed in March this year. /jz/mt/Z

[09] SOME 500 WEAPONS HANDED OVER WITHIN TWO DAYS IN KORCE

According to the spokesman of this department, only during Monday and Tuesday were handed in 14 heavy machine guns, 220 grenades, 58 machine guns, 219 rifles, 267 000 cartridges and 120 sign-leaving cartridges. /a/ke/jz/mt/Z/

[10] PRESS REVIEW

"Berisha brings quarrel and violence in Parliament" Zeri i Popullit says, citing the SP parliamentary group chairman, Pandeli Majko, as saying: "With Berisha, compromise is impossible".

The paper carries the article under the headline: "Democratic Party against professionalism and depoliticisation of television".

On this issue, Rilindja Demokratike says: "Definition of opposition by Nano approved", under the headline:"Parliament of Kalashnikov-s drops the Arbnori amendment. Socialists inspire violence in the hall of parliament".

Republika devotes its editorial to yesterday's parliamentary session under the title: "Parliament this ring of amateur boxers" saying among other things: "Parliament showed today it is not on the right track. Accusations and counter accusations were far from the real debate that could unblock the political situation".

"DP, gladiator deputies arrive", Koha Jone says on the first page. On the third page it says:"DP ruins the compromise reached". The failure of the attained compromise was sparked by the DP secretary, Genc Pollo", the paper says.

"Socialists recondemn Arbnori", Albania says under the title: "Parliament's majority puts up a "show" before cameras, but, on the backstage, it falsifies the project of the agreement".

The paper cites the DP leaders, Berisha, as saying: "Socialists completely violated the information space for the opposition". On the third page the paper says: "Communist Hasani beaten", under the headline "Hajdari hits the 'symbol' of Parliament".

"Hasani-Hajdari, fists and chairs on head", Drita says on the first page. On this topic the paper carries the article:"All compromises fail", under the headline:"Parliament fails to reach solution after eight hours of debates".

"Fighting with fists breaks out in parliament. The DP variant drops", Gazeta Shqiptare says. The paper devotes another article to this topic under the headline " Polemics on the Media. Eight hours of debate and insults. Hajdari strikes Hasani. Socialists drop DP variant.

Among the other topics treated by today's press follow:

"Diplomatic and service passports blocked", says Zeri i Popullit, regarding the decision of the Council of Ministers to declare invalid all diplomatic and service passports delivered so far.

The paper devotes three articles to the topic of restoration of order: "Police merit congratulations", "What we lost is being returned: calm" and "'Luxurious crimes' on the agenda".

"All in support of Europe's Mandela", Rilindja Demokratike says. The paper devotes its editorial to yesterday's protest of "thousands people", in support of deputy Arbnori who has been on a hunger strike since 15 days ago. "The Army of Northern Epirus in Vaqarr" the paper says on its third page.

Koha Jone:"In search f judicial scandal" regarding the the control of the Ministry of Justice on the Tirana Court's files.

Among the economic topics we cite: "Credits frozen until privatization", regarding the freezing of the National Commercial Bank and the National Agrarian Bank for one year.

Albania: "Tirana inhabitants take to the streets for Arbnori" and "Companies closed for six months". The paper entitles its editorial: "Revenge on ambassadors who opened Albania".

Dita:"Justice without top advisors".

Rilindja:"Kinkel receives Rugova" regarding the planned meeting this week end between German Foreign Minister and Kosova leader and "Policy of the West in the Balkans and interests of Albanians".

Gazeta Shqiptare reports on the first page "Zhulali has nor deserted," accompanied with a confession of the prosecutor in chief "We don't have any file for the Former Minister."

The paper entitles the editorial "Arbnori, victim of policy." /pas/lm/Z/

[11] ALBANIAN CUSTOMS IN "SECI" PROGRAM OF WORLD BANK

Included in this program will be Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Rumania.

"The Albanian party has prepared the study regarding this cooperation, because we consider very important the customs' cooperation among these countries, due to the great flux of commercial exchanges," the chairman of the branch of investments in the Department General of Customs, Edmond Osmanlli, reported to ATA.

The regular meeting to sign agreements with these countries for a more fruitful cooperation among the customs is expected to be held in October in Greece. /pas/mt/ Z

[12] PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION AND REFORMS HAS STARTED IN ALBANIA AFTER ELECTIONS - OSCE Troika

Confirming the will of OSCE to contribute in this process, troika said it will continue to provide a coordinating framework for all the international efforts to help Albania. /a.ke/kled/mt/Z

[13] SERBIAN MILITARY AVIATION CARRIES OUT FLIGHTS OVER KOSOVA

These military movements are carried out at a time when the provocations and the Serbian police repression are intensified. /b.j/p.ta/l/jz/mt/Z/

[14] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT WANTS TO PROPOSE CHAIRMAN OF STATE CONTROL FROM DP

Zogaj preferred not to announce any names of the candidates from the selections done.

According to the law, changed several days ago, the chairman of the State Control Commission should be elected by the opposition. The Secretary general of the Albanian Socialist Party, Pandeli Majko, said a few days ago that the deputies of his parliamentary group are ready to vote even in favour of a candidate from the Democratic Party, only that he "be symbol of anti-corruption." /s.sh/jz/mt/Z/

[15] LIFE OF FORMER SPEAKER ARBNORI OUT OF DANGER

Arbnori was urgently sent to the reanimation ward of cardiac-surgery in the Tirana University Hospital Center (QSUT.)

"The illness of diabetes, from which he suffers for many years, influenced in the aggravation of the health situation," specialist doctors confessed.

After three hours, the team of doctors succeeded in bringing Arbnori into a conscious state.

Arbnori was visited during the first hours of his stay in the hospital by his colleagues, DP deputies, Shehu and Hajdari and former deputy Spahia.

At 14:05, President Meidani and his counselor, Zogaj, payed a visited to former speaker Arbnori.

Arbnori (sentenced by the communist regime with 28 years in jail) has gone on a hunger strike to protest against the Albanian Radio Television (RTSH), which has not broadcasted fully the proceedings of the plenary session of August 20.

"The presidency and the chairmen of the parliamentary groups had agreed to broadcast the full sitting in the Television, but the cameramen were not allowed to shoot," declared Arbnori before going on strike. /s.sh/jz/mt/

[16] SERBIAN MILITARY AVIATION CARRIES OUT FLIGHTS OVER KOSOVA

These military movements are carried out at a time when the provocations and the Serbian police repression are intensified. /b.j/p.ta/l/jz/mt/Z/

[17] DRAFT LAW ON CREATING APPEALS COURTS IN SIX DISTRICTS

The Council of Ministers approved in its meeting yesterday a draft law for the creation of appeals courts in other areas of the country, according to the prime minister's spokesman.

The draft law provides for appellate courts to be created in six zones, with their centres in large cities (planned to be Shkoder, Durres, Korce, Vlora, and Gjirokaster, in addition to the capital). Final establishment of these courts will be determined at another meeting after the draft law is approved in parliament. pas/lm/ki

[18] DP HAS NOT CHANGED ITS STAND FOR ZHULALI - Berisha

Zhulali left Albania few days after the government Meksi 2 toppled. Then, former President Berisha and the DP deputies called him "trader" and "deserter".

The return of Zhulali has been welcomed by the socialists and the republicans.

While with regard to the grave situation of former Speaker Arbnori, Berisha said that DP will escalate its efforts to protest in favour of the former politically prisoner.

"Pray for Arbnori," said Berisha further on.

Today in the evening and every day, the democrats have decided to convene in front of DP headquarters in Tirana, to express solidarity with the hunger strike of Arbnori. /jz/mt/

[19] GENERAL SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY TOWARDS RAPID NORMALISATION - IMF delegation observed in a meeting with President Meidani

In the meeting, President Meidani stated that he considered foreign consultation as a very important aspect of the IMF aid in the areas of independence and the constant improvement of legislation as well as reform in general of the banking system.

Kehkonen said that the realisation of the transparency process involving the pyramid schemes and the presentation of strong economic reform by the Albanian government towards the international community will positively influence the donors' conference (which is expected to be held in Brussels within six weeks). He offered emergency credits from the IMF and the elaboration of a three-year program of cooperation. /s.sh/jz/mt/ki/Z

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article