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

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Opel GM opens its car dealership in Albania

[02] Incomes increased, state budget high

[03] PRESS REVIEW

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[05] HRUP ASKS MORE INFLUENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN MINORITY ZONES

[06] ALBANIA ABSORBED ONLY 55 PERCENT OF FOREIGN AID

[07] NANO AND BROJKA DISCUSS RELATIONS BETWEEN CENTRAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

[08] EX-OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE EXPECT TO BE CLEAR

[09] DRAFT-LAW ON PUBLIC RTV FORESEES INDEPENDENT POLITICAL STRUCTURE

[10] ITALIAN PREMIER'S RESIGNATION CANNOT AFFECT DONORS' CONFERENCE FOR ALBANIA

[11] MEASURES TAKEN TO REFORM BANKING SYSTEM IN ALBANIA

[12] A GRENADE FOUND NEAR TIRANA MUNICIPALITY

[13] PROTESTS OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS OF KOSOVA ARE LIKELY NEXT WEEK

[14] ITALY'S COMMITMENT TO ALBANIA WILL BE INCREASING -Prodi

[15] LEK STABLE AGAINST FOREIGN CURRENCY

[01] Opel GM opens its car dealership in Albania

Located on the Tirana-Durres highway, at a 6,6000 square miles area the dealership will offer the full range of Opel cars from the city designed Corsa to the four wheel Frontera and provide a complete repair service for both motors and body work.

Noshi company has 22 employees "with Opel expansion some 23 more others are needed and will earn monthly around $300," Arian Musa, owner of the dealership said.

The investment worth million $ was financially assisted by the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund, German GTZ etc.

"Albania entered in Opel's map," said Kuins Leasi, Opel chief executive for South East Europe, in the inauguration ceremony. The opening of Opel complex, ranks Albania among 141 countries, where Opel GM has expanded its activity.

We estimate the initiative of Noshi company in cooperation with Opel and in this persistence is found the real way of development, said senior officials of Tirana Municipality .

The company's targets for the near future is to open modest version of the Opel complexes in Shkoder, Fier and Vlore towns and to set up a car rental company.

Other car dealerships in Albania are Mercedez Benz, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Lada, Nissan, Toyota and Ssangyong Motor.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Incomes increased, state budget high

Specialists say the high deficit is created because the budget for 1997 by the previous government was purposely determined on impossible income quotas, aiming to set up a fake image on the deficit, justifying with wage increase in budgetary sector.

Total incomes from taxes this "hard" year for nine month period were realised 70 percent. The minister of Finance, Arben Malaj, said that if in March and April the incomes target was realised to 4 and 5 million leks, this amount is currently collected in 3 to 4 days.

This income hike, especially after the establishment of VAT increase to 7,5 percent, the blocking of extra expenses for headcosts and the suspension of funds temporarily for new investments, will cause deficit reduction according to specialists.

Despite tax collection for nine-month period realised to seven billion lek, and by the end of the year is expected to reach to 1,2 billion lek as a result of Value Added Tax increase from 12,5 percent to 20 percent, again budget deficit is forecasted to reach to 50 billion lek by end-97.

Specialists say the high deficit is created because the budget for 1997 by the previous government was purposely determined on impossible income quotas, aiming to set up a fake image on the deficit, justifying with wage increase in budgetary sector.

Total incomes from taxes this "hard" year for nine month period were realised 70 percent. The minister of Finance, Arben Malaj, said that if in March and April the incomes target was realised to 4 and 5 million leks, this amount is currently collected in 3 to 4 days.

This income hike, especially after the establishment of VAT increase to 7,5 percent, the blocking of extra expenses for headcosts and the suspension of funds temporarily for new investments, will cause deficit reduction according to specialists.

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS REVIEW

"Important event for the integration of Albania in Europe," reports the paper regarding the participation of President Meidani in the head of an Albanian delegation in the proceedings of the Summit of Strasbourg." The money stolen to citizens continues to be used for the criminals and those who violate the law," reports the paper on the third page, under the title "Berisha and payed protesters in rallies." The paper carries a statement of the Tirana Police Directorate, under the title "The illegal rallies have started after the elections." "The deputies and the leaders of DP in Shkoder say on one side that they favour the restoration of order and support the police, and on the other side they lead the illegal rallies," reports the paper under the title "Shkoder is anxious!". "Projects - the key to attract investments," is another article of the paper.

"The Albanians are convinced more and more that are led since two months by a fraudulent Premier and a pyramid government, whose end seems to be the same with that of all pyramids," says the editorial of Rilindja Demokratike entitled "The fraudulent Prime Minister and the pyramid government of SP." "The polemic of government members with VEFA company continues," reports the paper under the title "General strike on the verge." "The government officials will leave Albania after three months," the paper quotes the President of VEFA company, Alimucaj.

"Protests in the Scanderbeg square continue," reports the paper on the third page under the title "Pollo: This government is led by guzzlers."

"Some one million weapons were looted during the months of riots in Albania. More than 90 per cent of the crimes have been committed with the stolen arms," reports the paper under the title "The antagonist alternatives of disarming."

"The students of the Prishtina University said that they will continue their peaceful protests to set free the school buildings after October 15," reports the paper under the title "The students promise continuation of protests."

"Meidani in interpellation before the Council of Europe today," is the editorial of Republika paper. "Albania-jungle of the anti-state and arena of confrontations between the government and the individuals," underlines the paper in the editorial. Under the title "The immunity saves from jail the heads of DP," the paper writes that there will not be any request to remove the immunity to deputies, who have organized illegal rallies in the Scanderbeg square.

"An employee of VEFA tells the escape of Alimucaj," reports the paper on the economic page. "The state on his side has accepted that it has lost the first battle with VEFA and will not send administrators there, and on the other side it does not hinder the company in its activity," writes the paper.

"The fugitive bosses of usuries might have escaped to the Albanian police but not to Interpol," reports Koha Jone under the title "Interpol pursues bosses of usuries."

"The forgiven creditors," is the editorial of the paper. "The president of VEFA, Vehbi Alimucaj has immediately reacted towards the report on a possible escape from Albania," reports the paper, which quotes sources from the Interior Ministry, according to which this ministry has issued an order to block the movement of the personal helicopter of Alimucaj."

"The socialists declared through their press office that they are not afraid of the factions," reports the paper on the third page, under the title "There is only -pseudo in SP."

"Efforts to unblock the agreement Rugova-Milosevic," reports the paper under the title "Prishtine, hard talks." "The result of the meeting, it is more consequence of the influence of the political factors," underlines the paper. "The crises has broken out withing the political grouping "United Right," reports the paper on the political page. "The South is commanded by the crime," reports the paper on the 13th page.

"Diplomatic sources confirmed on Thursday that the agreements with Albania are postponed to an unlimited deadline," reports the editorial of Albania paper, entitled "West postpones accords with Albania."

"The special man of Fatos Nano is strongly returned to Albania at the moment when the state demands collapse of Vefa company, without carrying out its transparency," underlines the paper under the title "Vefa sank, Hajdin Sejdia is back." "Former PM Meksi requests new elections," reports the paper, referring to an interview entitled "Meksi: Nano fought for eight months." "The protests of the capital on its 21st day," reports the paper under the title "It is time for change." "The Albanian state is brutally violating his laws, while violating systematically the homes of Albanian citizens, turning the process of disarming into a political fight without principals and into a denigrating measure for the fundamental human rights, " reports the paper under the title "The banditry of the state and the democratic 'rind'."

"The will of Albania to cooperate with the Council of Europe," reports Rilindja paper regarding the participation of an Albanian delegation, headed by President Meidani in the second Summit of the Council of Europe. The paper covers the news conference of the Independent Union of the Prishtina University Students, under the title "The students' protests continue until the requests are met." "Participation in protests was massive, the students showed high student and national self-consciousness, '"reports the paper. "Is the destruction of the Albanian Orthodox Church aimed,"? is another article published by the paper.

"Money of usuries outside Albania," reports Dita. The transparency begins in November and will end in March," reports the paper. "Problems in the block of ally parties of the government coalition appear," writes the paper on the political page under the title "The small demands solution in high political ranks." "The democrat leader Berisha yesterday used hard terms against the opposition in the meeting with the ambassador of the European Union in Tirana, Elio Germano, reports the paper under the title "DP head: They are eliminating us physically." "The Albanian school of magistrates inaugurated in Tirana," reports the paper under the title "Meidani" Judiciary system out of politics."

"Smuggling storms the customs," reports Shekulli paper.

"The coalition parties clash. All in block against SP. Dissatisfaction for the division of posts in local levels," writes the paper under the title "The coalition clashes with local government.' With regard to this the paper publishes a statement of the leader of the Human Rights Union Party, under the title "Melo confesses disagreements among allies." "The political parties have refused the invitation of Godo for a round table," reports the paper on the third page.

"Investigation for the illegal rallies in the main squares of Tirana, is blocked in the files of the Tirana Prosecutor's office," reports the paper under the title "The prosecutor's office blocks the investigations of rallies."

"The victims of usuries before the law," writes Gazeta Shqiptare." The police of Tirana denounce the chairman of the pan-national association of u

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[05] HRUP ASKS MORE INFLUENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN MINORITY ZONES

"In many southern areas the smaller parties may have more influence than the bigger ones. In this way their opinions should be heard and respected more, and, why not, be considered of priority," Vasil Melo, chairman of HRUP, which is part of the government coalition, told ATA.

He asked from the coalition a wider representation in the southern areas, where the Greek minority is living.

"As we defend the rights of the minorities and demand their integration in the country's political-social life, then our participation in the local government life should be broader," said Melo.

However, Melo said that his party insists on the respect of the unanimously signed political platform for a political coalition with the other parties.

The government coalition is composed of the Socialist Party, the Social- democratic Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Democratic Alliance Party and the Agrarian Party. s.c/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] ALBANIA ABSORBED ONLY 55 PERCENT OF FOREIGN AID

While for 1996, this aid is some three billion leks. INSTAT has said that in the first three months of this year Albania received an aid worth 109 million leks, but in the months to come it was limited to the minimum because of the crisis, which swept Albania.

The aid projects have resumed because of the government measures, but the credits are expected to be fully released after Brussels meeting.

In the first two years after 1990, 98 percent of the aid was humanitarian, while from 1992-1997, 44 percent of this aid was used for investment programs in productive sectors, 10 percent for humanitarian scope, 12 percent was food aid and the remaining was for technical assistance.

The foreign aid per capita has been an average of 27 percent of the GDP for 1991-1996.

62 percent of the total was a free aid, against 10 percent of trade credit and 28 percent for a long term soft credit.

Considering that the average level of disbursement of funds has been some 55 percent, the experts for economic development are facing the need to draft appropriate projects not to allow any released fund go to waste. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NANO AND BROJKA DISCUSS RELATIONS BETWEEN CENTRAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Fatos Nano, of the Socialist Party, and Albert Brojka, of the Democratic Party, agreed in a telephone conversation on Friday that no one has the right to violate the authority of local government representatives and that the use of violence against them is to be condemned both morally and legally.

Nano told Brojka that he, personally, and the coalition government he runs, are committed to realising the national reconciliation policy and the separation of powers.

He underlined that there should be no party propaganda and campaign in the offices of the central government.

"This has severely damaged the state administration, making it supplement to the party in power," Nano said.

Nano said that the government he runs is ready to find the ways of partnership and cooperation to help develop and increase local autonomy. a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] EX-OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE EXPECT TO BE CLEAR

The court was waiting for the administration of a decision from the Supreme Court which will decide whether the trial against former president Ramiz Alia, and former officials Hekuran Isai, Qemal Lame and Simon Stefani will continue or not.

It is expected that the Tirana court will give its final verdict whether the case will be ceased or not.

The Supreme Court has ceased the case against other former officials accused of genocide and declared them innocent. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] DRAFT-LAW ON PUBLIC RTV FORESEES INDEPENDENT POLITICAL STRUCTURE

If this draft-law is approved by parliament it will make invalid the composition of the current steering Council and the current law on the state-owned Albanian Radio-Television.

Consequently, it will make invalid the latest political amendments to divide the air time based on the number of votes won in the parliamentary elections.

The draft planned to be submitted to parliament in February 1998, when remarks from the Council of Europe are as well expected, aims at creating real possibilities for a public television competitive and independent of the current policy.

According to the draft-law presented at the media commission three members of the Steering Council will be elected from among the RTV workers, two from parliament, two from the Tirane University, respectively from the law and journalism branches.

A series of state and non-state institutions will be represented in this council by one member each.kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ITALIAN PREMIER'S RESIGNATION CANNOT AFFECT DONORS' CONFERENCE FOR ALBANIA

"Though the prime minister has resigned, the government remains in power until a new cabinet is elected. On the other side, president of the Republic will decide whether to accept or not Prodi's resignation after he consults the speakers of both houses of parliament, Senate and various political leaders," the same sources said.

The Italian sources said that Prodi will continue to stay in his post for a time and his resignation is not going to affect the donors' conference.

Italy is the organising country of the international conference for Albania. A meeting of experts which will deal with the preparation for a ministerial meeting of October 22 in Brussels will be held next Friday in Rome. ake/kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] MEASURES TAKEN TO REFORM BANKING SYSTEM IN ALBANIA

Beginning from October 1 this year the Agrarian Commercial Bank (BTA) will not accord credit funds, while the Bank of Albania has defined limits in providing new loans and carrying out new operations for the second level banks.

The latest measures are linked with the steps programmed by the government to reform the banking system in Albania.

"We believe the banking system will function on the basis of a good operation of private banks, according to the supervision carried out by the Bank of Albania," the plan prepared by the government says.

Procedures are over for 24 affiliates of the National Commercial Bank (BKT) and 26 affiliates of BTA to transfer them to the Savings Bank.

A group of Albanian and foreign experts will take part in the process of privatisation of the second level banks, (BTA) and ( BKT). kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] A GRENADE FOUND NEAR TIRANA MUNICIPALITY

The same sources said that the personnel and organisation chief of the municipality Asim Shehu found the grenade in a flower pot, 6 to 7 meters away from the main entrance.

The motives of putting the grenade there are not confirmed. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] PROTESTS OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS OF KOSOVA ARE LIKELY NEXT WEEK

This was confirmed by the chairman of this Union, Bujar Dugolli, at a meeting with the director of the U.S. office in Prishtine, Richard Hakebe, on Friday.

At the meeting Hakebe congratulated the Albanian students for their dignity and determination showed in the October 1st demonstration, which he considered peaceful.

Albin Kurti, member of the Students' Union presidency, said that he did not believe the Agreement on Albanian education would be realised.

The Albanian-Serb talks for the application of the agreement on the Albanian education in Kosova, mediated by the community of "St. Exhidios", were interrupted in Prishtine on Thursday, without any concrete result.

On October 1, over 30 000 Kosova Albanian students, professors and intellectuals staged a peaceful demonstration for an access to the universities and schools.

The protest was crushed by the Serb police forces, which injured many of the protesters.

The demonstration, planned to continue further, was interrupted after suggestions of western diplomats to put it off. ag/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] ITALY'S COMMITMENT TO ALBANIA WILL BE INCREASING -Prodi

In a telephone conversation on Friday Nano appreciated in maximum the performance of Mr. Prodi and the Italian government to constantly help Albania, according to the premier's spokesman.

"Albanians have seen in You a point of reference for a better future and the most proper man who proposed and resolved many problems through European democratic instruments," Nano said.

Nano assured Mr. Prodi that the Albanian government from now on will work on the basis of a common philosophy for a long-term cooperation.

Prodi expressed the belief that the Rome conference on Albania, to be held on Friday, will be an indisputable success.

He said that this opinion had also been expressed by many heads of states he had met in Strasbourg on Friday.

Prodi considered very fruitful his meeting in Strasbourg with Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani and reconfirmed that he is looking forward to meeting Mr. Nano a day prior to the Rome conference "to further mutual commitments to a concrete and quick realisation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs, to be crowned with the Rome and Brussels conferences". a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] LEK STABLE AGAINST FOREIGN CURRENCY

The average exchange rate on informal market

Currency	Average rate
USD		149.2
DM		 84.7
LIRA It. (1000)	 86.2
GRD (100)	  5.31
SFR		102.0

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