Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-25

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] KIOSK BLOWN UP IN CENTER OF LUSHNJE

[02] BUS ROBBED IN KASHTBARDHE VILLAGE

[03] EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ALBANIA

[04] FOUR NAVY VESSELS ARRIVE IN DURRES

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] LORRY WITH SMUGGLING CIGARETTE BLOCKED IN SARANDE

[07] NATIONAL AEROBICS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS

[08] CLASSES IN BOARDING SCHOOLS NORMALIZED

[09] CONSTRUCTION REQUESTS INCREASE IN TIRANE

[10] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION APPEALS FOR INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF KOSOVE-ALBANIA RELATIONS

[11] SIXTY MOTORBOATS FOUND IN VLORE SHORES

[12] ECONOMIC COOPERATION IS OF PRIORITY IN ALBANIAN-CROAT RELATIONS

[13] ALBANIAN, ROMANIAN TIES EXPANDED - ambassador

[14] PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENT TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE PARTY - Pollo

[15] NEW ELECTORAL LAW TO BE DRAFTED SOON - speaker

[16] GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW THAT CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS BE BLOCKED - Minister Imami

[17] GREEK EUROPARLIAMENTARIAN DEMANDS LEGALIZATION OF COMMUNIST PARTY

[18] AGRARIAN BANK TO BE LIQUIDATED, TRADE AND SAVINGS BANKS PRIVATISED - chairman

[01] KIOSK BLOWN UP IN CENTER OF LUSHNJE

"The explosion was that powerful, so that most of the windows of houses and bars were broken. The kiosk was in flames and was completely torched," inhabitants of the nearby apartments confessed.

Police sources connect the explosion with problems of assets, while the people damaged gave no declaration.

A bomb was thrown in a family several days ago in Lushnje as sign of financial protest, but no victims were reported. /a.ke/pas/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] BUS ROBBED IN KASHTBARDHE VILLAGE

The three boys were without masks, one of the witnesses in the event reported to ATA. One of them, to frighten the travellers, thrust the knife into the body of a person, while another stayed with a Kallashnikov at the head of the driver.

Robbery of travellers, who moved towards Berat, Kucove and Skrapar, have happened even before in the segment of the road Lushnje-Karbunare- Kashtbardhe. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] EARTHQUAKE SHAKES ALBANIA

The epicenter of the quake, which ocurred at around 07.18 a.m., was 170 km in the Southeast of Tirana, near the Albanian-Greek border.

It was felt in the area of Permet and Kelqyre measuring 4 to 5 (EMS- 92) and less in Gjirokaster and Tepelene, South of Albania. No casualties reported. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] FOUR NAVY VESSELS ARRIVE IN DURRES

The arrival of these vessels, whose crew includes Albanians and Italian, is related to the recent tragedy in the Otranto Channel.

They will patrol the territorial waters with the border police and prevent illegal aliens trying to go to Italy. ake/kled/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

"We favour standard reforms with an opposition consensus," the paper quotes SP Secretary General Pandeli Majko as saying in the parliament. It carries a statement of former Austrian Chancellor Franz Vranitzky on the situation in Albania under the title "Political forces cooperate for the better of homeland." Boycotting parliament is not something to be backed by the international community, the paper says. Referring to the proceedings of the Third Albanian Atlantic Association, the paper carries the article "Dialogue and the Kosova issue." In the economic column the paper carries the interview with the SP deputy Luan Shahollari under the title "Albanian economy has just embarked on right track."

"On the eve of a general strike," the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike reports. Oil Trade Unions start a one-week strike. Metallurgists of Lac have started their strike. Workers of the Bajza railway in strike. Students of the secondary schools of the capital have started a one-week strike, the paper says.

"The government, which is sowing the death of the Albanians," is the title of the editorial of the newspaper. "If the victims of March 28, Malaj, Gjinushi and Brokaj have grabbed the money using the Kalashnikovs of Zani and its gang, the state officials conducting contraband use sophisticated ways to profit from the life and death of Albanians, the editorial says.

"Opposition denounces the political killings and the ongoing betrayal of the communist clique towards the national issue," the paper says on yesterday's news conference for the Unity for Democracy under the title "SP - a unit of political mafia." "President rests on the blood of Albanians," is another article carried by the paper.

"Prime minister plays with the fire" is the title of the editorial Republika. "Nano signs draft agreement of shame," the editorial says. "Otranto 2, intensive investigation starts," the paper reports in the second page. "Government does not find ways how to deal with children," is another article carried by the newspaper in the fifth page. "Students staying in dormitories can continue their strike for another two days, after this all will be out of school for unjustified absences," the paper says.

"Only state can stop illegal aliens," the paper says under the title "RP: Meidani, watch your own affair." In the economic column the paper carries the article "Malaj: Tax police, illegal business."

"DP divorced from road," is the title of the editorial in the newspaper Koha Jone. "DP is signaling that a possibility exists for its return to parliament," the editorial says.

"A call at the Interior Ministry, former police chief is asking guarantee," the paper says under the title "Agim Shehu will return." He is quoted as saying "I am innocent. I possess proofs that the present state officials are involved in crimes."

The Italian police are searching for a craft of refugees, the paper says under the title "Other seven Albanians lost their lives." parliament does not manage to pass a nomination list of the constitutional commission, the paper says under the title "Socialists, debate on constitution." Police stop cigarette smugglers, the paper reports in the economic column under the title "300 million Leks contraband seized by police."

Godo accuses DP for sabotaging the negotiations, says the paper under the title "Round table on Kosova failed."

"Otranto 3, seven other lost," reports Albania newspaper. "Seven other Albanians have sent the tragic call between life and death: SOS," says the editorial of the paper entitled "SOS of Albanians." The paper covers the news conference of the Union for Democracy, under the title "Otranto 2 was caused by the government." "The republicans against Nano," is another article of the paper on the same page. "The businessmen from Fier condemn the amendments of parliament," writes the paper under the title "The socialists return the cooperatives." "Strike of pupils in Foreign Languages High School continue. Their school mates from Shkoder and Elbasan express solidarity, the government keeps silent," writes the paper under the title "The strikers expelled form school." The chiefs of villages warn blockage of aqueduct," reports the paper on the fifth page, under the title "Tirana risks being without water."

Rilindja newspaper reports on the first page "Common American- European pressure for Kosova." On the same page the paper reports on the re- election of Kucan to the post of Slovenia President, as well as on the failure of the severe policy in the Serbian republic of Bosnia. On the second page, the paper publishes a declaration of Menduh Thaci, deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Albanians in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who says that the anti-Albanian position of the Macedonian government leads this government towards destruction. The paper also quotes DP head Sali Berisha as saying "The communism and anti- nationalism, the enemies of the Balkans."

Dita paper carries declaration of deputy chairman of the democratic parliamentary group, Ferdinand Xhaferri, who has said that will ask and give arguments on the necessity of DP return to parliament. The paper reports that the "independent" communist deputy, Maksim Hasani, has managed to provide aid from Greece. "The neighbours will provide the party-cards of the Communist Party," reports the paper. The paper writes that three Albanian youths were hurt by the Macedonian border guards, and the Macedonian party has refused to start the common investigation with the Albanians. The paper reports that former Republican chairman has declared that he will start "the fight for the land."

Gazeta Shqiptare entitles its editorial "The Adriatic sea, this bad bog." The paper publishes an interview with the SP Secretary General, Pandeli Majko, under the title "Majko: We have our friends even in the Democratic Party." The paper writes that the prosecutor's office has decided to close the file of VEFA and has not found elements of crime." "The transfers of money have been made according to the law," the paper cites sources from the prosecutor's office. "The gangs of Lushnje, now arrested," is another article published by the paper. On the sixth page, the paper publishes a reportage on the organization of the illegal emigration in the Albanian coast. /pas/kled/ak/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] LORRY WITH SMUGGLING CIGARETTE BLOCKED IN SARANDE

Sources from this commissariat reported to ATA that 300 packages of cigarettes have been found in the truck, while the driver fled away before, feeling the danger of arrest from police forces.

This is the first case over the past two months that the police forces of this district block a lorry with smuggling goods coming from illegal unloading points of ships which are in Greece. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] NATIONAL AEROBICS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS

The Federation organised a national practical and theoretical seminar with the participation of referees on the sidelines of the championship.

A national team, including three athletes and a reserve, will be selected by the championship and will take part in the Balkan championship for the youth. This will mark the first participation of Albania in this activity. ake/pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] CLASSES IN BOARDING SCHOOLS NORMALIZED

So far the state has paid 2 560 lek for each pupil with a scholarship but with the new market prices it was decided that the payment for them become 4 100 lek for a normal standard food for them, the director of Educational Department of Tirane, Kujtim Kapllani told ATA.

In these conditions, they have considered reasonable that also for the pupils who have won the right to study in that school but who have no lodging, the state pay expenditure for their lodging, illumination, heating, water and study in the hostel.

The boycott of the classes yesterday was caused, according to him, by some "people who have deceived the pupils with a call for a boycott of the classes." They have been "some irresponsible people, not to say set political forces who want a destabilization of the life at school," said Mr Kapllani. kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CONSTRUCTION REQUESTS INCREASE IN TIRANE

The subject of discussions in the routine meeting of this council was the construction of several five, 10 to 14 storied buildings for the inhabitants of the capital.

"Such meetings are usually held once in 18 months, while the citizens are daily demanding improvement of their living conditions", one of the council's members says.

The Tirane major, Albert Brojka, also chairman of the Council, told ATA that the construction sector in the capital is "perhaps one of the few activities that people are interested to invest in". pas/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMISSION APPEALS FOR INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF KOSOVE-ALBANIA RELATIONS

"The high-ranking meetings between Kosove and Albania, between the presidents and prime ministers of the two countries," said that chairman of the Commission, Sabri Godo, "will influence in a greater defence of the national interests, and that the authorities of the two countries speak a clearer language and an efficient strategy be elaborated."

Attending the meeting of the Parliamentary Commission also was the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, who reported on the stands of the Albanian Government in the Crete Summit and some of the latest declarations on the question of Kosova and Macedonia.

Absent in the meeting was only the representative of the Democratic Party which has boycotted the inner parliamentary activities after Azem Hajdari was wounded in the Parliament building by one of former SP deputies.

"The Commission members considered the road of dialogue the Government has chosen," said the Parliament spokesman, "as the only democratic and acceptable road to treat and solve the national question and to normalize the relations with neighbors." ssh/kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] SIXTY MOTORBOATS FOUND IN VLORE SHORES

Sixty motorboats are found today in the Vlore district. A considerable part of the anchored motorboats lack documents and are secured mainly through looting, sources of the district police department told ATA.

The boats have mainly been used for illegal emigrants' smuggling to Italy.

Police sources say that a crackdown will soon begin against illegal emigrants' smugglers.

Also in Durres, for two days on end, the police carried out the final inventory of the motorboats and dinghies owned by the Durres citizens.

"The dinghies, whose owners have no licenses, will be confiscated," the head of the district Police department, Arben Hasanbelliu, told ATA.

Four Italian police motorboats arrived in Durres port on Tuesday to cooperate with the border police to control the territorial waters and stop illegal crossing of the border by various traffickers. a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] ECONOMIC COOPERATION IS OF PRIORITY IN ALBANIAN-CROAT RELATIONS

Meidani and Juricic exchanged views on the situation in Albania and Croatia, bilateral relations and the situation in the region.

The Croat ambassador handed over to President Meidani a message from President Franjo Tudjman on the occasion of the Albanian National Day of Independence. s.sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] ALBANIAN, ROMANIAN TIES EXPANDED - ambassador

In the political-diplomatic field ambassador Teodoresku referred to the recent contacts between the prime ministers of the two countries.

Cultural relations between Romania and Albania over the last years have increased. The Romanian government has accorded other 70 new scholarships for the new academic year 1997-1998.

A series of literary works have recently been translated in Romanian and Albanian over the last years.

An indication of the Albanian-Romanian relations is the signing of many governmental agreements to encourage investments, lift double taxation, cooperate in technology and science and other agreements. s.sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENT TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE PARTY - Pollo

During a news conference in Durres on Monday, Pollo's deputy Ferdinand Xhaferri, chairman of the DP branch of the coastal city of Durres, said he personally was for participation of DP in the parliament, "but in the final say he obeys the will of his party."

"I stick to the same opinion I have declared before," said Pollo, not wanting to comment the declarations of his deputy. The question of the Parliament will be discussed in the party and then a decision will be taken."

The Democratic Party has decided to boycott the Parliament after one of SP deputies wounded DP deputy Azem Hajdari in the parliament building, but it has taken part in inter-parliamentary commissions or in some Albanian delegations.

The Council of Europe has suggested DP to go to Parliament, an idea which has also been agreed upon by some DP deputies, but the chairman of the opposition party, Sali Berisha, has opposed it. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] NEW ELECTORAL LAW TO BE DRAFTED SOON - speaker

Gjinushi criticised the level of the courts considering their shortcomings dated back to the previous legislatures, when their independence was gravely violated by the other powers, especially the presidential one.

"We are engaged in drafting a new electoral law, which will create equal chances for all parties and solve in time problems in connection with elections," Gjinushi said.

Referring to the opposition Gjinushi said that "We have often engaged ourselves in the cooperation between the government coalition parties and the opposition, but several forces refuse this cooperation under groundless pretexts".

Leonard Demi, democrat member of the Albanian delegation to the European Parliament, severely attacked the parliamentary majority saying that this majority was leading the country towards dictatorship. a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW THAT CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS BE BLOCKED - Minister Imami

Minister Imami said that "the government has called on the Democratic Party several times and on Mr Sali Berisha (DP chairman) to renounce the policy of tension and to act according to the rivalry of projects."

He stressed that all the constitutional process will be under OSCE observation because there is a mutual disbelief among the political parties.

During the meeting, Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi said that the constitution will not be examined in the Parliament without taking first the approval of the Venice Commission close to the European Council.

Minister Imami said that the reform for the decentralization of the local government will be carried out with the approval soon in the Parliament of the Local Autonomy Charter.

He added that work is also going on for the civil service law on the status of the employee which, in the context of the administrative reform, "will restore faith to the citizen for the state and the employee."

Imami mentioned the fact that in cooperation with the international organizations work is going on to radically dismantle the system of pyramid investment schemes. ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] GREEK EUROPARLIAMENTARIAN DEMANDS LEGALIZATION OF COMMUNIST PARTY

He is first deputy chairman of the delegation of the European Parliament for Albania, member of the Confederal Group of the European United Left and the Northern Green Left.

"In Greece, as well as in other countries of Western Europe, there are parties of a broad spectrum, even of extremes: I am socialist, but it is high time for the Albanian Parliament to see the possibility for the legalization of the Communist Party," said Theonas.

According to him, a democracy can be strong when all ideas are represented. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] AGRARIAN BANK TO BE LIQUIDATED, TRADE AND SAVINGS BANKS PRIVATISED - chairman

He said that they are also working with the World Bank to privatise the national trade bank and in three years the Savings Bank.

"In cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank we are also preparing a law which will be submitted to parliament soon to create the Foreign Investment Security Agency to protect these investments from various social crises," Angjeli concluded. kei/lm/k

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

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