Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-16

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] GOVERNMENT MEMBERS MEET COMMISSION OF ALBANIAN PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

[02] GERMANY COVERS ONE THIRD OF AID PLANNED BY EU FOR ALBANIA

[03] ALBANIAN PRESS ON STRIKE

[04] PRESS REVIEW

[01] GOVERNMENT MEMBERS MEET COMMISSION OF ALBANIAN PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

According to the government's spokesman, the publishers commission asked the government representatives to lift all taxes on the press, reduce telephonic tariffs on the press at the level of family tariffs, credit the papers and magazines that may be mortgaged, and include the press in the emergency aid programmes demanded from the International Community.

Islami and Malaj guaranteed that these demands would be examined by government experts.

In conclusion the meeting decided that government representatives meet again with the Albanian publishers commission next Wednesday. a/ke/pas/lm/k

[02] GERMANY COVERS ONE THIRD OF AID PLANNED BY EU FOR ALBANIA

"But, our economic and financial cooperation also extends to our bilateral relations," Hasdel added.

He said that Germany has a new programme for Albania in 1998, which consists of a financial support of 30 million DM, of which five million for technical assistance, 2,8 million for the Albanians returning to work and invest in Albania and other fields.

Milo made known the major needs of the Albanian economy to attract German investment. He also demanded that talks to sign the financial protocol for the current year begin immediately, the joint commission of industry and trade convene to define the programme for the next year, and that separate lands cooperate with Albania in finance and economy.

Hasdel expressed readiness to encourage cooperation with the private sector and said that Germany is interested to cooperate with Albania also through the powerful firms such as SIEMENS, BENZ and other firms.

"We will be present in Albania, especially in 1998, with specific and concrete programmes for Albania.

In all meetings Milo was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Germany, Bashkim Zeneli, and other delegation members. a.ke/pas/lm/k

[03] ALBANIAN PRESS ON STRIKE

Besides Zeri i Popullit (of the Socialist Party) or some other newspaper, the papers Koha Jone, Gazeta Shqiptare, Dita Informacion, Albania, (independent), Rilindja Demokratike (of the Democragic Party), Republika (of the Republican Party) and other newspapers have not appeared today.

At an earlier meeting at the editorial board, the editors of the daily press, stressing that taxes could not be afforded, had warned that they would stage an undefined strike until their problems were resolved.

They said that the raise of the tariffs of the printing press, transport, TVA and other institutions, would lead to a forced closure of the papers.

On Saturday Minister of State Kastriot Islami and Finance Minister Arben Malaj, assigned by Prime Minister Fatos Nano, met representatives of editors' commission to find a solution on press problems.

The commission of the editors commission, composed of Shpetim Nazarko, Dalip Greca and Ylli Rakipi, at the meeting asked the government representatives to lift all taxes on the press, reduce telephonic tariffs on the press at the level of family tariffs, credit the papers and magazines that may be mortgaged, and include the press in the emergency aid programmes demanded from the International Community.

Islami and Malaj guaranteed that these demands would be examined by government experts.

In conclusion the meeting decided that government representatives meet again with the Albanian editors commission next Wednesday. a/ke/pas/lm/k

[04] PRESS REVIEW

The paper covers the meeting of Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo with his German counterpart Klaus Kinkel in Bonn citing the latter as saying: "Nano on a right path".

The paper says that the Albanian government decided on Saturday to approve a draft-law, which envisages a supplement to article 10, on the transparency of the loan-taking firms.

The paper says: Berisha should be left in his own grief". The paper also carries the feature:"One day in the Tirane jails".

"The year '98, is the year of building motorways", is one among the economic issues.

Rilindja covers the meeting of Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo with the German counterpart Klaus Kinkel under the title:"Albania is going ahead on the right path".

The paper covers a news conference of the DP chairman, Sali Berisha, who says that the DP will throw light on the Otranto drama. The paper also covers an interview with the Prime Minister of Kosova, Bujar Bukoshi, with radio Deutsche Welle under the title: "Some changes in politics, are harmful rather than helpful". kei/lm

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