Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-10-29

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT ADOPTS DRAFT OF THE LAW ON ORGANIZATION OF JUDICIARY

[02] DECISION TO APPOINT AND DISMISS LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIES

[03] FUNDS ALLOCATED TO IMPROVE SOLDIERS' CONDITIONS IN GJIROKASTER

[04] MONUMENT TO FALLEN IN ITALIAN-GREEK WAR TO BE ERECTED IN ALBANIA

[05] COOPERATION ALBANO-ITALIENNE POUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LE CRIME ORGANISE

[06] PEACEFUL PROTEST OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN PRISHTINE ENDS

[07] ALBANIAN STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE BEATEN BY SERB PEOPLE BUT BY CURRENT REGIME - Belgrade students

[08] FORMER SOCIALIST DEPUTY TO FACE TRIAL

[09] INTERNATIONAL DAYS OF CHAMBER MUSIC '97 - To be held this month under the auspices of President Meidani and Council of Europe Secretary General, Tarschys -

[10] ALBANIAN STUDENTS SUPPORT KOSOVA STUDENTS

[11] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES STATE BUDGET FOR LAST TWO MONTHS

[12] DP READY FOR CONSENSUS TO SET UP CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY

[13] TIRANA MAYOR MEETS WITH EUROPEAN COUNCIL DELEGATION

[14] IMF URGES ALBANIA TO CONTINUE REFORMS

[15] VRANITZKY TO VISIT ALBANIA AGAIN

[16] AMENDMENT TO LAW ON RTSH IS UNJUSTLY CALLED "ARBNORI AMENDMENT"

[17] FOREIGN CURRENCIES RISE AGAINST LOCAL CURRENCY

[01] GOVERNMENT ADOPTS DRAFT OF THE LAW ON ORGANIZATION OF JUDICIARY

On the basis of this law, said the Government spokesman, is the fixing of clear criteria for the naming of the staff in judiciary, such as the complete education in law schools, the age, career, things which will help Albanian judiciary be closer to the standards also set by the Council of Europe.

Prime Minister Nano declared that the draft is a very important legal adjustment which fills in gap in the organization of judiciary creating premises for the establishment of an institutionally independent status of it in the Republic of Albania. Nano added that the draft enables some legislative measures and other previous executive ones to be also applied for the judges who have made some 6-month courses and amends a mistake in implementation of the acts of the previous government.

A special place in the draft law is given to the addition of some legal acts which were missing in the Code of Procedure and which are linked with the norms of discipline of magistrature and guarantees for its protection.

Additionally, the governemnt passed a draft law on "The approval in principle of an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the UNDP" with regard to the project "Socio-economic development of woman in Albania," financed by the Italian Government estimated at 1 million dollars.

Among the decisions taken in that meeting also was that for the organization of cultural and artistic activities on occasion of the 85th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Independence and the decision "On the payment of expenditure for the funeral ceremony for the victims of the Otranto tragedy." These ceremonies will be furnished by the Council of Ministers reserve fund to be put at the disposal of the prefectures of Fier and Vlore. ssh/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] DECISION TO APPOINT AND DISMISS LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIES

The decision had been submitted to the government after full consensus of the government coalition political forces.

The decision reflects the current co-governing formula of the central government with the local executive. The candidatures have been chosen based on the law 7572, dated 10.06.1992 "On the organisation and functioning of local government". s.sh/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] FUNDS ALLOCATED TO IMPROVE SOLDIERS' CONDITIONS IN GJIROKASTER

Seven million leks will be used to reconstruct the garrison damaged during riots, and the rest to equip the canteens and barracks of soldiers and officers, says commander Anastas Gurma.

He adds that by the end of November the necessary contingent of soldiers in this division will be completed.

During the riots which took place by the beginning of this year, most of the barracks of the "Laberia" fifth division were burnt down or destroyed and all the arms depots were looted. The military officers estimate the damage at several million dollars. a.ke/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] MONUMENT TO FALLEN IN ITALIAN-GREEK WAR TO BE ERECTED IN ALBANIA

Special cemeteries will be build in Bularat of Gjirokaster and in Korce district and a monument will be erected in Kelcyre of Permet.

The press release says that the aforesaid agreement was reached during the visit of Albanian Defence Minister Zabit Brokaj to Athens last month but it was announced today, the day the 57th anniversary of the beginning of the Italian-Greek war was commemorated.

During the war, a very large number of Albanian conscripts under the Italian command massively deserted the army not to point their arms at their Greek neighbours. lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] COOPERATION ALBANO-ITALIENNE POUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LE CRIME ORGANISE

"C'est là un pas important dans la lutte contre le crime organisé et ainsi il sera rendu possible d'informer respectivement les deux pays lorsqu'un citoyen de chacun des deux pays deviendra l'objet de la recherche pour un crime organisé", a déclaré mercredi pour l'ATA le procureur général Arben Rakipi.

Selon un accord réalisé entre les deux parquets, les deux bureaux informeront l'un l'autre sur la production législative des pays respectifs dans le secteur de la justice.

Aussi bien en Italie qu'en Albanie il y a eu des signalisations pour l'existance d'un réseau de trafiquants, qui accomplissent une activité illégale, surtout trafic d'armes, de stupéfiants, de prostitution, et pour cette raison il est important pour les deux partis d'ouvrir ce bureau d'information près le Parquet général de la République d'Albanie./pas- tt

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PEACEFUL PROTEST OF ALBANIAN STUDENTS IN PRISHTINE ENDS

The protest started yesterday with the release into the air of many pigeons with messages for freedom and peace. The opening speech was made by the chairman of the Independent Student Union, Bujar Dugolli. He stressed that they had chosen the peaceful way to ask that their school buildings be evacuated. He pointed out that the demands of the Albanian students are not political and the students will not renounce these demands which were read out in some foreign languages.

The leadership of the Prishtine University and rector Ejup Statovci attended the protest in the tribune in front of the rectorate. The protest which lasted for about one hour, was seen by many representatives of the embassies and international observers.

About two kilometers far from there, several buses with policemen, a water cannon and a tank were stationed.

In general, the protest continued calmly and without incidents. bj/ag/pas/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] ALBANIAN STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE BEATEN BY SERB PEOPLE BUT BY CURRENT REGIME - Belgrade students

The correspondence carries a statement of one of the leaders of the Belgrade students, Ivan Bender, who stresses that the students' issues were at the centre of attention during the talks.

"We hold that the students of Albanian nationality should be guaranteed the right to peaceful protest to express their dissatisfaction and present their demands."

"We have condemned the use of violence, regardless which side uses it", said Bender, who asked the respect of human rights, adding that in this moment in Serbia they are at the lowliest level both as regards Serbs and the national minorities.

"We did not have a mandate to talk on political issues, but we stressed that in the university and society we cannot be divided in Serbs and Albanians. What we know is the fact that the Albanian students have not been and will not be beaten by the Serb people. They are being beaten by a regime, which is also beating us here", said Nebojsha Jevtic, one of the Belgrade students delegation members.

"In education, especially in university, programmes should be changed, particularly in the context of history, justice and literature. These subjects should be considered scientifically and not ideologically. We hold that, after these talks, cohabitation is possible," says Nebojsha Jevtic. a.g/pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] FORMER SOCIALIST DEPUTY TO FACE TRIAL

Mazreku shot and wounded Hajdari on September 18 inside the Albanian parliament five times with a pistol causing four wounds in the leg and three in the body.

He was accused of "special attempted assasination."

Hajdari and some other witnesses were not present at today's trial.

The witness Armand Hasani, specialist for parliamentary relations explained the first moment of the incident and the first aid he had given to the deputy Hajdari. Pellumb Karameta, a chief of directory at the Council of Ministers, who was on the site, testified on the case. The testimonies were upheld by the defence lawyer Riza Icka and the defendant, himself.

A policeman on duty at the main entrance of Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) and the ATA secretary, where the defendant was arrested after the attempt, also testified in today' trial.

One of the officers, who was on duty near the Albanian parliament, testified on the control of armaments of deputies.

The trial will continue on Thursday midday. pas/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] INTERNATIONAL DAYS OF CHAMBER MUSIC '97 - To be held this month under the auspices of President Meidani and Council of Europe Secretary General, Tarschys -

Renowned musicians, coming from France, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Italy, Holland, Swisszerland and Albania will present to Albanian art lovers new elements of chamber music of European standards for two weeks.

This festival is the fourth since its foundation in '94.

Two painting exhibitions (Swiss, Albanian) will be held during the festival, two renowned writers (Swiss, German) of our epoch will be introduced, as well as important books by foreign and Albanian authors translated in Albanian will be introduced.

The activity is held this year under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Rexhep Meidani, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Daniel Tarschys. /pas/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] ALBANIAN STUDENTS SUPPORT KOSOVA STUDENTS

In a protest organised by the Students League "Dardania", the leaders supported the peaceful protest of the Kosova students and asked the U.N. Security Council, European Council, governments of E.U. member states, U.S. president, OSCE to urge the implementation of an agreement signed by Milosevic (Serbian president Slobodan) and President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova.

The protesters asked that the Kosova issue should not be parceled out, all special troops should be withdrawn and areas inhabited by Albanians be demilitarised.

Thousands of Albanian students in Kosova protested on Wednesday to have access to universities in Albanian language, with Albanians making up the majority.

Students of the Fan Noli university in Korce, Luigj Gurakuqi in Shkoder and Eqerem Cabej in Gjirokaster held solidarity rallies on Wednesday in support of the Kosova students. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES STATE BUDGET FOR LAST TWO MONTHS

In the plenary session held before noon, Parliament, where almost all government members were present, discussed regarding the draft-law on some changes in the state budget.

Finance Minister Arben Malaj after putting forward the necessity of these changes, asked the parliament to vote the new law.

According to Malaj, the new state budget for 1998 will envisage a rise in salaries at the rate of 20%, as well as a gradual increase of pensions and payment for the persons who live on social assistance.

Minister Malaj declared that some 800 000 people live on social assistance, while the number of pensioners is some 400 000.

The essence of changes in the state budget for two months was the increase of the budget deficit by some 12 per cent.

This rise of the deficit, according to the Finance Minister, will be immediately put under control and during the new year it will not be increased anymore.

Deputies of all parliamentary groups discussed later on about the new budget and in essence, none of them was against it. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] DP READY FOR CONSENSUS TO SET UP CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY

"DP will give the consensus for the content of the constitution, if the majority gives the consensus for the procedures. The Union for Democracy is in favour of a Constitutional Assembly and DP will offer its consensus for the modalities of setting up this assembly in the round table of parties," declared on Wednesday midday the spokesman of this party.

Thus, the democrats withdraw from their position that the Assembly be constituted by every means through general elections and is ready to discuss regarding the other modality, that of nominating its members by the parties, according to the votes of the proportional, won in June 29 polls.

The Constitution is the third point of the agenda in the round table of parties, after the Kosova question, inflation and rise of prices.

With regard to the Kosova question, DP head Sali Berisha told Wednesday a news conference that the meeting Nano-Milosevic (in the summit of Crete) "serves only to ultra-nationalist interests of Serbia," because "Milosevic does not have the support of the electorate of his country."

While the political adviser of Premier Nano said Tuesday that the meeting is held in the framework of "a new policy of understanding and cooperation in the Balkans." /s.sh/kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] TIRANA MAYOR MEETS WITH EUROPEAN COUNCIL DELEGATION

The meeting requested by the Secretary General of the Secretariat of Local Authorities Congress at the European Council Fabio Peligrini and the administrator of the pan-European body Mr. Silvestrini dealt with progress of the National Association of Albania's Mayors.

Brojka said that they discussed the recent situation focusing especially on the legal and institutional reform, which should be carried out for the progress of local government in cooperation with the central government.

The European delegation was engaged in training local government staff, protect the personality of mayor and create conditions for its (local government) progress by contacting with parliament, government and other respective bodies. kei/ak/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] IMF URGES ALBANIA TO CONTINUE REFORMS

In a letter to the Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano, the deputy director for Europe in the IMF, Jacques R. Artus expressed his satisfaction for the positive results of the Donor's Conference for Albania, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Artus stressed the fact that "the approval to finance a six-month program enables its fulfilment."

Considering the work of the Albanian team for the success of the conference, Artus said that "from the point of view of the IMF, the results achieved will give a greater contribution to stabilise the fiscal policy for this year and 1998."

The Donors Conference, held in Brussels on October 22, decided to offer Albania 100 million USD for the balance of payments deficit, as an immediate aid, and 500 million USD aid credits and credits for projects of investments for a three-year period.

The Conference put as condition for offering the aid the immediate elimination and without hesitation of pyramid schemes, while the Albanian government decided on Tuesday in Tirana that state auditors work near loan- taking company VEFA HOLDING . /kei/ak/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] VRANITZKY TO VISIT ALBANIA AGAIN

TIRANA, OCT 29 (ATA) - Former Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky and the OSCE mediator for Albania will start a two-day visit in Albania on Thursday.

VRANITZKY'S FIRST VISIT TO ALBANIA

That day the Albanian atmosphere was pending. The anxiety, which had engulfed the Albanians, was directed to those, who "contributed" to such climax. The state was disintegrated within a day. Everyone questioned what was going to happen tomorrow or an hour later.

It was March 8, 1997. Former Austrian chancellor Franz Vranitzky was charged with finding a solution to the Albanian crisis. He knew that in a small Balkan country, in which the poverty was the deepest in Europe, the conflict had reached its climax, the army had handed over weapons to civilians, parties had been installed in opposite sides, the country was facing violence and anarchy. Albanians had no more trust in state institutions.

MEDIATOR "BROUGHT" DIALOGUE

"Force is not the means to resolve problems," said Europe's special envoy referring to the solution of the Albanian issue. The word dialogue, which was not much applied by the parties during a five-year governing, was the key to overcome the crisis.

"I told Berisha the need for the establishment of a care taking government," Vranitzky said.

The Albanian authorities met with Vranitzky for the first time in the San Giorgio ship.

During the visits of the former Austrian chancellor in Albania (he visited Albania eight times), important changes took place. The Albanians touched the bottom but rose again. Early elections were considered "a new chapter for Albania." Now the international opinion had understood that the Albanians did not trust the institutions and responsible state officials.

At the moment when the overcoming of the situation did not depend only on the political negotiations, the Alba mission arrived in Albania. All were interested in establishing peace in the small Balkan country. In this moment, Vranitzky said that the elections will be held on June 29. Irresponsible politicians were confused.

POLITICIANS "FORGOT" THAT ELECTIONS COULD BE HELD IN ALBANIA...

After 45 years of a totalitarian leadership, it was extremely difficult for the Democratic Party (DP), which won the pluralist elections in 1992, to easily understand the phrase said by Dr. Vranitzky.

The Albanian ruling politicians did not want to apply the rules of the electoral game. After endless contacts, it was difficult for Vranitzky to sign a political contract with the parties in Albania, and thus the consensus was reached.

On June 29, the Albanians voted against the state autocracy, massive theft, bombs and grenades, one could find everywhere in the Albanian soil. The tranquility of Albanians in front of ballot boxes showed the world their determination to induce a change.

July 1, 1997. Vranitzky arrived in Tirana and said: "Our efforts were rewarded."

ALBANIANS DO NOT FEEL ALONE ANYMORE

After this date, the Albanians try to reestablish their state, founded in 1912. Considering the role of Vranitzky irreplaceable, the Albanian state accorded him the "Skenderbej" Order.

The reknown mediator, whose mission was successfylly crowned, was present in the first Conference of Rome, which gave "the green light" for the continuation of aid offered by the international community for the restoration of the Albanian state, economic recovery, along with Albania's Prime Minister.

Vranitzky will come to Albania on Thursday and will meet with the Albanian authorities, now when the Albanians are trying to believe once again that the state works for them. /kei/ak/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] AMENDMENT TO LAW ON RTSH IS UNJUSTLY CALLED "ARBNORI AMENDMENT"

The draft-law did not include any formulation from draft signed by former Speaker Pjeter Arbnori and three other DP deputies last August, which was rejected by the Parliamentary Commission for Mass Media.

The draft approved by parliament was referred back by President Meidani and was finally approved with amendments and formulations proposed by President Rexhep Meidani.

After the amendment for the RTSH status was passed by parliament, Arbnori went on an indefinite hunger strike. The amendment and formulations proposed by President Meidani were considered by the Democratic Party an acceptance of the DP amendment called "Arbnori amendment."

The DP amendment asked that the opposition have one third of the time news bulletin in RTSH.

Claiming that this amendment was not observed by RTSH, four other DP deputies went on a hunger strike, which lasted almost a week in front of the RTSH building, and ended on Tuesday after a consensus was reached by nine parties for the implementation of the RTSH status. /kei/mt/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] FOREIGN CURRENCIES RISE AGAINST LOCAL CURRENCY

Other foreign currencies have also increased. Following are buying and selling rates of foreign currencies against the Lek in the free market today.

CURRENCY		YESTERDAY	TODAY
US$1.00 costs		144.50 leks	145.25 leks
German marks		 82.88		 82.90
1000 Italian lire	 84.16		 84.40
Drachmas		 51.99		 52.30
Swiss Francs		100.50		100.66

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