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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-12-16Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] EXPLOSION IN HOUSE OF FORMER DICTATOR HOXHA - GjirokasterGJIROKASTER, DEC. 16 (ATA) - By H. Cani: A considerable quantity of explosive substance blasted Monday at 20:35 in the house of former communist dictator Enver Hoxha in the "Palorto" neighbourhood of Gjirokaster.The director of the regional police directorate, Islam Qibini, reported to ATA that due to the explosion, the front part and the first floor of the house were damaged, a woman who lived in a nearby house was injured, a car was also damaged, as well as the high school "Asim Zeneli." The windows and doors of nearby houses were also broken. According to the local police, some 30 kg of TNT is thought to have been used. The damaged house is situated only 200 m far from the OSCE headquarters for the southern zone. This explosion occurred after the blast last night in a kiosk near the shoe factory along the national road in the "Pllake" neighbourhood of the town. The house of Hoxha has been declared museum house of the National Liberation War (LANC) since several decades. It is actually ethnographic museum of the district, dependent on the cultural center and is protected by the private police. /a.ke/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH CROATIAN COUNTERPARTTIRANA, DEC 16 (ATA) - Multilateral and bilateral relations and Kosova issue were on the focus of the talks on Monday in Zagreb between the Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and the Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic.A spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry said that Milo and Granic stressed that their aim is to be integrated as soon as possible in Euro Atlantic structures. Both ministers praised the role of regional initiatives, for instance the Central European initiative, to accelerate this integration. Milo expressed concern about the present developments and increasing repression of Serbs in Kosova. He reiterated Albanian government's stand on a political solution to the Kosova issue through dialogue. "Unfortunately, Belgrade is reluctant to change stance, but on the contrary it insists in its destructive policy. This was noticed during the conference of the Council for the implementation of peace in Bosnia- Herzegovina in Bonn, in which the Yugoslav delegation stormed out of the conference facing the strong criticism of the international community on the repression exerted in Kosova," Milo said. Both ministers said that such a policy is leading Serbia to complete isolation from the world. Milo said that Albania as an origin state will always be interested in the situation and rights of Albanians in Kosova respecting the will of the Albanian people and the legitimate institutions. He expressed his satisfaction that Croatia has backed all the U.N. General Assembly resolutions on Kosova. Granic, on his part, said that time is on the favour of Albanians of Kosova. During the stay in Croatia, the Albanian Foreign Minister met with the Croatian prime minister Zlatko Matesha. Official talks were concluded with a meeting with the Croatian Speaker Vlatko Pavletic, who expressed highest consideration for Albanian community in Croatia describing it a bridge of friendship between the two peoples. Milo said that the Kosova issue is imperative and there is no peace in the Balkans without an acceptable solution for Albanians. pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES MAIN DIRECTIONS OF COOPERATION PROGRAM WITH ITALYTIRANA, DEC. 16 (ATA) - Under the direction of deputy Prime Minister Bashkim Fino, the Albanian government examined in its Monday meeting two draft statements and two draft agreements, which will be signed during the visit that the Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, will hold in Tirana on December 18.The draft statement, approved in this meeting, defines the main directions of the three-year program of cooperation between both countries. Based on this program, the Italian government put at the disposal of the Albanian government a soft credit worth 22 milliard liras, destined for the priority sectors. Also, on this occasion, an aid worth 5.5 milliard liras will be offered to covers the immediate needs in the health sector. The protocol of Understanding was also approved in this meeting between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Albanian Republic for bilateral technic cooperation, as well as the Agreement for scientific and technic cooperation. /s.s/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] BOMB EXPLOSION IN SPONGE FACTORY IN ELBASANELBASAN, DEC. 16 (ATA) - By P. Zekthi: The object of a private firm which produces sponge, inside the territory of the metallurgic combine in Elbasan, was rioted on Sunday midnight with bombs by unknown persons. According to the testimony of the factory guard, property of the "Expansion" company, the first attack started with volley of machine guns against the facade of the building at 21:00. After four hours an offensive bomb was thrown in the object, whose explosion caused considerable material damages.The line of the sponge production of the "Expansion" company has started its work only three months ago and has many clients within this time. Police sources said that the motive of the attack is suspected to be competition. Only 24 hours before, unidentified persons raided the shop "Casa Italia," property of this company in the center of the town. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] SERBIAN COURT IN PRISHTINE SENTENCED 17 ALBANIANS OF KOSOVA WITH 186 YEARS IN JAILPRISHTINE, DEC 16 (ATA) - The Serbian Court of Prishtine today ruled its decision to sentence with 186 years in prison 17 Albanians of Kosova under charges of "terrorism and participation in the Kosova Liberation Army" and declared innocent two others. Two other Albanians who were under the same Serbian charge, have died before the trial started. One was killed by police and the other died of tortures during investigation.The sentences announced today range from four to twenty years in jail. The attorneys of the defendants protested to the imprisonment terms and reiterated the lack of proofs for the charge made. The trial was attended by foreign observers as well. The subjects of Kosova condemned the trial and warned of a possible aggravation of the situation. At least eight Albanians have been killed by Serbian police forces during this year in Kosove under the pretext of "being chased by terrorists." After a campaign of arrests of hundreds of Albanians at the beginning of this year, a number of judicial processes resumed in Kosove. In the three big trials of this year, including the one which ended today, the Serbian courts have sentenced with 557 years in prison 52 Albanians. Since demonstrations started in 1981 for the status of the Republic of Kosova, the numerous political trials against the Albanians have passed sentences which amount to 30 000 years of prison. bj/pta/pas/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WILL VISIT ALBANIATIRANE, DEC 16 (ATA) - By A Keko: Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini will pay an official visit to Albania on December 18, 1997.According to sources of the Albanian Foreign Ministry, the Italian high official will meet with the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the Parliament Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, etc. During his stay in Tirane, Minister Dini will sign with the Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo the Declaration of Understanding on Cooperation between Albania and Italy, the Agreement of Scientific and Technical Cooperation with the Minister of Education and Science, Et'hem Ruka, the Memorandum of Understanding for the Application of the Law 212 in Albania with the Secretary of State, Ermelinda Meksi and Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Intervention in the Sector of cooperation with the Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo. ake/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] LATEST EXPLOSIONS IN GJIROKASTER ARE TERRORIST ACTS - policeGJIROKASTER, DEC.16 (ATA)- By H. Cani, Three explosions have occurred over the last 48 hours in the Gjirokaster district, Southern Albania."The latest explosions in the Gjirokaster district are terrorist acts committed by certain segments which aim to disturb law and order in the city and create a psychosis of terror," the spokesman of the regional police department told the press on Tuesday. The explosion of a considerable amount of TNT, around 15 kg., completely wrecked a kiosk. Meanwhile, another TNT explosion took place on Monday evening at the city's ethnographic museum, dwelling house of former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. The explosion wrecked the facade of the museum at a 2.3 metres height and the doors and windows of the building, built in 1800. The other things and equipment of museum values were partly damaged. Another explosion occurred in the early morning hours in the health centre of the Lazarat village, as a result of a grenade explosion. Criminal Police inspector Ferdinand Nexhipi told ATA that several persons have been taken to the commissariat for verification purposes, but no suspect of these acts has yet been detained. Police have taken all actions to strengthen control in the most important establishments of the city, extending the police patrol groups to city quarters and creating a series of roadblocks at national road axes near the city, lieutenant-colonel Ilirian Dedi said. s.s/kei/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] ALBANIA ATTENDS MEETING OF MINISTERS OF EURO-ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCILTIRANE, DEC.16 (ATA)-By A. Keko, An Albanian Foreign Ministry delegation, headed by the Secretary of State for Euro-Atlantic Integration, Maqo Lakrori, left Tuesday for Brussels, to take part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.Afterwards, Lakrori will take part in the routine meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers, due in Denmark, current holder of he presidency of the OSCE. a.ke/kei/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER HOLDS MEETINGS IN LONDONTIRANE, DEC 16 (ATA) - Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano who is having an official visit to London met British high officials on Monday and Tuesday.Nano had meetings with the British State Secretary, Robin Cook, Economy Secretary Helen Leadle, State Minister for Foreign Questions and Commonwealth, Tony Lloyd, with Assitant Secretary of State for International Development, George Folks, the Information and media department of the Council of Ministers reports. In all the meetings, Albanian Prime Minister asked for impetus to Albania-Britain bilateral relations. In the Donors' Conference for Albania held in Brussels in September this year, the Great Britain promised to assist Albania in some projects including the reconstruction of hospitals, schools and faculties, after the destructions following the collapse of pyramid investment schemes in March-April this year. In the meetings with the Secretary of Economy, Leadle, with the Assistant Secretary of State for International Development, Folks, Albanian Prime Minister Nano asked legal assistance for the preparation of the legislation especially for the process of privatization of the Albanian stock exchange. In the meeting with Mr Nano, British Foreign Minister Robin Cook considered impressive the reform of the Albanian government and said that Albania has to do more especially for the collection of weapons and the closure of the pyramid investment schemes. In the meeting with the inter-party parliamentary group for Albania which was attended by many deputies who have monitored the June 29, 1997 polls, the British parliamentarians showed interest in the fields in which the British support can be focused in the future. A group of deputies of the Conservatory Party would visit Albania soon to talk, among others, with Democratic Party for its participation in the Parliament. In the meeting with the British Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth, Lloyd, developments in the Balkan region were discussed. The Albanian delegation had contacts with high officials of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. They discussed this bank's support for the process of privatization and investments in the Albanian infrastructure. During the meeting this bank promised a 10 million ECU support for the restructuring of the banking system in Albania. ake/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] COURT TO HOLD DECISION FOR GAFUR MAZREKU ON WEDNESDAYTIRANE, DEC 16 (ATA) - By Manjola Hodo: The jury of the Tirane district court will hold on Wednesday its decision for the former Socialist deputy Gafur Mazreku, who on September 18 this year shot with a pistol DP deputy Azem Hajdari in the Parliament building."Since the beginning of the case, we have accepted that the motives of the event have been completely personal, hence I demand the changing in the qualification of the act, because the charge 'shooting for special qualities' is groundless because both, the defendant and the victim had been equal before the incident happened, they were both deputies of the People's Assembly," said Mazreku's attorney, Riza Hicka today. While defendant Mazreku, who had objections to the charge, asked justice from the jury and a trial which will not be politically motivated. The head of the jury declared the case for Mazreku as closed. The prosecutor of the case, Beqir Kokoshi, has demanded 16 years in prison for defendant Mazreku. kei/xh/k TIRANE, DEC 16 (ATA) - By Manjola Hodo: The jury of the Tirane district court will hold on Wednesday its decision for the former Socialist deputy Gafur Mazreku, who on September 18 this year shot with a pistol DP deputy Azem Hajdari in the Parliament building. "Since the beginning of the case, we have accepted that the motives of the event have been completely personal, hence I demand the changing in the qualification of the act, because the charge 'shooting for special qualities' is groundless because both, the defendant and the victim had been equal before the incident happened, they were both deputies of the People's Assembly," said Mazreku's attorney, Riza Hicka today. While defendant Mazreku, who had objections to the charge, asked justice from the jury and a trial which will not be politically motivated. The head of the jury declared the case for Mazreku as closed. The prosecutor of the case, Beqir Kokoshi, has demanded 16 years in prison for defendant Mazreku. kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] ESCAPEE RETURNS TO PRISON VOLUNTARILYELBASAN, DEC.16 (ATA)- By P. Zekthi, A prisoner, who escaped prison in March of this year, voluntarily surrendered himself to the cells of the Elbasan district police department last night.R.Ç., aged 38, has served only eight years out of an 18 years sentence, on charges of sexual abuse, according to sources of commissariat 1. kei/lm/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] A CAR EXPLODS IN GJIROKASTERGJIROKASTER, DEC 16 (ATA) - By H Cani: A BMW was ruined on Tuesday evening in Gjirokaster as a result of an amount of explosion put in it, sources of criminal police of Gjirokaster district,southern Albania, told ATA.According to police, the motive of the act is presumed to be a settling of accounts between groups involved in illegal trafficking. These sources rule out any relation of this act with three blasts in that city in the past two days. Right after the explosion, the police forces seized a person whose name was not declared for sake of investigation. Police found in his home a machine gun "Zastava" and a considerable amount of bullets. ake/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] HEAD OF SHIK REPLACED IN BERATBERAT. SEPT 17 (ATA) - By I Manka: The career officer Perparim Hyseni has been appointed head of the Branch of National Information Service (SHIK) for Berat.He replaced Ilir Mehmeqeja who was holding that post since March this year. While SHIK will have a new director, its offices are still occupied by shelterless families for some months. ake/kei/xh/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] ALBANIAN PRISONERS BREAK OUT IN REVOLT IN SALONIKA JAILATHENS, DEC. 16 (ATA)- By R. Goro, The Albanian prisoners in the Diavatas prison of Salonika, Greece, broke out in revolt on Tuesday evening, attacking and taking hostage two prison guards.After two Albanian prisoners attacked the guards and attempted to snatch the keys to flee the jail, one of the guards shot and seriously injured one of the Albanian inmates. The other inmates, all Albanians at the same compartment, reacted by taking the guards hostage. The wounded was sent immediately to one of the Salonika hospitals and his condition is considered critical. The situation in the Diavatas prison continues to be tense. Numerous police forces have been deployed inside the prison and authorities are holding negotiations with the prisoners. According to initial assessments, this is the most serious revolt, after those of 1995, with the Albanian inmates being the protagonists. The Albanians in Greek prisons today total 2000. The then revolts, which extended to all the Greek prisons, claimed one life. s.sh/kei/lm From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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