Read the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (7 March 1966) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-01-23

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] Press review
  • [02] Constitution will not be of majority, but of all Albanian people
  • [03] Political structures preoccupied with political stability in Albania
  • [04] Energetic actions of police in Shkoder
  • [05] We want to respect the will of new Albanian government - Derejk
  • [06] Army's tunnel explodes in Burrel, one injured
  • [07] Ali Lacej named prefect of Shkoder
  • [08] Match for Albania's chess champion to start on January 26
  • [09] Compromise on Constitution demands tolerance - Fischer - The President of the CE Parliamentary Assembly sees no improvement in local political situation -
  • [10]
  • [11] Constitution to be adopted within 1998 - European Parliamentarians
  • [12] Europarliamentarians reject DP's demand on new elections
  • [13] Training of militaries at focus of Teta-Greko meeting
  • [14] A policeman killed in Vlora
  • [15] Data provided on explosions at army's tunnels in Burrel
  • [16] Fischer urges DP to end boycott and cooperate on constitution
  • [17] Euro-paliamentarians call for independence of judiciary
  • [18] Police curfew in Kline, one killed
  • [19] Florina, Kosturi police to help Albanian border posts
  • [20] Albania's president to visit United States
  • [21] Albanian state resolute to fight contraband and incrimination - Meidani
  • [22] Albanian president praises Italian-Albanian economic cooperation
  • [23] Athens radio to "speak" in Albanian language
  • [24] Albanian government pleased with Troika statement
  • [25] Albania condemns violence in Kosova
  • [26] Troika resolved all crises of Albania - Majko
  • [27] DP leader says national council to decide return to parliament

  • [01] Press review

    TIRANA, Jan. 23 (ATA) - "Berisha to be interrogated," is the main title published on the first page of Koha Jone newspaper. It reports that Berisha will be interrogated by the inquirers regarding the Shkoder events, together with several politicians and deputies of the Democratic Party. The paper quotes the statements of senior officials of the prosecutor's office, who have stressed that "If there are evidences, the immunity of deputy Topalli will be lifted." Koha Jone reports that the Court of Tirana decided on Thursday to sentence in jail the two former police officers, detained under the charge of the prosecutor's office "rebellion in collaboration." The prosecutor's office and SHIK cooperate together on the Shkoder events, writes this paper, quoting sources from the General Prosecutor's Office, which has reported that they are intensively working to throw light on the event.

    Zeri i Popullit, under the title "The ruling party with the opposition," writes on the round table of the parties which approved a statement against crime, boycotted by. The paper carries opinions of representatives of political parties, participant in the round table, like Majko, Zogaj, Kalakula, Kule. Under the title "The politics is punished through the vote...," Zeri i Popullit publishes an interview with Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, where he stresses that the most scandalous alternative one can offer to Albania is the return of Berisha. The same paper writes that the situation has turned to normal, meanwhile that it reports that Ali Lacej was named by the Council of Ministers on Thursday governor of Shkoder, replacing Podgorica.

    Also, other papers writes on developments in Shkoder. Thus, Gazeta Shqiptare points out that Shkoder has started the normal life after the anxiety; Dita reports that the Shkoder police started super operations; Republika publishes the article "Investigations into the Shkoder commissariat." Albania newspaper reports that Ceka has betrayed Shkoder, while Rilindja Demokratike writes "Ceka to face trial regarding the Shkoder events." The Friday papers make an extensive coverage of the visit to Albania of the European troika. "Troika: DP, come to Parliament," is the title of an article of the newspaper Koha Jone which points out that the delegation of CE, OSCE and European Parliament has demanded from DP to end boycott of the parliament and take part in the process of the constitution. This paper cites the politician Pack to have said to DP leaders "You do not want that the Constitution be approved by this Parliament." Koha Jone carries an interview entitled "We have no time to come here for nothing - Pack" with Ms Pack, who has also stressed that the "Parliament has irregularities and must be monitored by OSCE."

    This visit is also covered by newspaper Zeri i Popullit with the press release of OSCE "Call for DP: Don't boycott the constitution." The said paper cites Leni Fischer to have declared: "All Albanian political forces must find a compromise and join the way towards the constitution." This paper also publishes the article "CE: DP table not envisaged by law." This paper carries another article "Europe will assist you" about the meeting of President Meidani with the European delegation.

    Gazeta Shqiptare focuses on the visit of the European delegation to Tirane, too. The paper writes that the high ranking European delegation has declared "No more with Assembly." The paper also writes "Europe: The constitution must be drafted." The newspaper Dita Informacion writes that "OSCE brings Berisha to heel, telling it 'Return to Parliament.'" The paper also writes "Troika and OSCE: DP will end the boycott." The newspaper Republika writes "OSCE ministerial Troika: DP, put an end to boycott." Newspaper Albania writes about this visit "Opposition presents its options in Europe." While newspaper RD cites Berisha to have said in the meeting of the delegation of European parliamentarians that "The Constitution is a pawn of the Government coalition."

    The dailies also write of the blasts in two army depots in Suc of Burrel. With regard to that explosion, Zeri i Popullit writes that "there were only material damage and only someone who was passing by was injured. The causes for the explosion have not yet been found. The blasts in Burrel are also covered by the newspapers Dita Informacion, Gazeta Shqiptare and Albania." ake/mt/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] Constitution will not be of majority, but of all Albanian people

    TIRANA, Jan. 22 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Albania's Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi declared Thursday in a meeting with the European troika delegation that the constitution to be approved by the Albanian Parliament will not be of the majority, or of a single party, but of the whole Albanian people.

    "All the Albanian political forces should find a compromise and join the ways towards the constitution," said the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, in the meeting held with Gjinushi, deputy Speaker Namik Dokle and the chairmen of parliamentary groups.

    The deputy President of the European Parliament, Renzo Imbeni, considered the absence of Democratic Party deputies as one of the main difficulties for coming to terms regarding constitution.

    The Chairman of the DP parliamentary group, Genc Pollo, said that the difficulties the country is going through are bigger than lack of constitution.

    Explaining the structure of the constitution Commission, Gjinushi said that the entire political spectrum has been represented in this commission and no party holds the majority.

    The European parliamentarians considered the blockage of the process of drafting the constitution an impasse created in Albania. /mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] Political structures preoccupied with political stability in Albania

    TIRANE, Jan 22 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: The chairwoman of the CE Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, voiced on Thursday during a meeting with Albania's President Rexhep Meidani the preoccupation of the most European structures for the political stability, the development of the parliamentary process and the drafting of the Constitution in Albania.

    President Meidani presented to the troika delegation of the European Parliament the general situation in Albania, pointing out in particular the legislative aspect for the improvement of the legislation according to instructions by CE and other European structures.

    Meidani highlighted the consensus reached on the content as the main element of this process and stressed that 1998 is the year of the Constitution, of "the greatest achievement of Albanian democracy."

    With regard to the tension created in some zones of Albania, Meidani said that it stems from the confrontation of old structures of economic crime and trafficking with the efforts for the establishment of the rule of law and the work for the recovery of its institutions.

    "The political tension, stressed the President, is creating an encouraging climate for this crime, which makes more difficult the work of the public order structures."

    Member of the delegation also were the Chairman of Honour of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Franc Swallen and deputy chairman of the European Parliament, Renzo Imbeni. /kled/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] Energetic actions of police in Shkoder

    SHKODER, Jan 23 (ATA) - By M Malja: Police forces of the district of Shkoder carried out energetic actions on Thursday to detain incriminated people, accused of various penal acts, such as killings, attempt to others'lives, violent lotting and illegal possession of arms.

    Police actions took place throughout the city, in the roads coming in and out the district, with police checking points, and patrolling. All police structures were on the alert, said to ATA the district police director, colonel Mit'hat Havari.

    During this action, said Havari, five people were detained, two of whom were declared wanted by police for assassination and three others for illegal possession of arms.

    "Actions of police will continue. We are searching for other suspects for various crimes," said Colonel Havari.

    In the mean time, the situation in the city of Shkoder has been calm. /s.s/pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] We want to respect the will of new Albanian government - Derejk

    - Belgian Foreign Minister meets his Albanian counterpart -

    TIRANA, Jan. 22 (ATA) - "We will try to be more realistic and objective," said the Belgium Foreign Minister, Eric Derejk in the meeting held with his Albanian counterpart, Paskal Milo, who is on an official visit in the Kingdom of Belgium.

    Derejk said that "We want to respect the will of the new Albanian government and demand the restoration of stability in Albania as soon as possible, so that to work for further strengthening of bilateral relations."

    Minister Milo briefed on the general situation in the country, focusing on the measures taken by the new government for the stabilization of order after the crisis last year. He talked about its efforts for strengthening the institutions, cooperation with the opposition and the process of drafting the new constitution.

    Focusing on the regional policy and the Kosova issue, the Albanian Minister said that "The new Albanian government aims at normalizing the relations with its neighbours in North and Northeast." In this framework, he mentioned the diplomatic steps taken by the Albanian government with Yugoslavia and made a brief description on the visit of Premier Nano in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). These, stressed Milo, serve to lower the tension, restore stability and find solutions to overcome the crisis that the region is going through. He declared that the Albanian government will support the Kosova Albanians in their efforts to enjoy the human rights and freedoms, based on principles and main acts of the international right. /s.sh/pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] Army's tunnel explodes in Burrel, one injured

    TIRANA, Jan. 22 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: A fire broke out on Thursday at 15:45 in a military depot of missiles in the town of Burrel, Northern Albania, causing successive explosive blasts, Defence Ministry spokesman reported to ATA.

    According to the above sources, no material damages are available, but a pedestrian, 29, was injured, who is out of danger.

    A team of specialists from different departments of the Defence Ministry, headed by the Director of Artillery, colonel Harillaq Stoja, went Thursday on the spot and are working to uncover the reasons of blast.

    The three guards of the army depot and the subordinate officer who were on duty on the day of the incident, will be interrogated by the military police. /a.ke/mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] Ali Lacej named prefect of Shkoder

    TIRANE, Jan 22 (ATA) - The Council of Ministers appointed on Thursday Ali Lacej to the post of the prefect of Shkoder and released from that post Gezim Podgorica, spokesman of the Prime Minister reported.

    Ali Lacej, 43, has been twice candidate for deputy of the Democratic Alliance Party.

    The Government appreciates the people of Shkoder, who in the recent days did not support the criminal acts of some incriminated people in the ranks of the police, but on the contrary, supported all the efforts of the public order to restore tranquillity so much wanted by the people. The Government is aware of the indispensable need of investments by the state budget and foreign investments by various donors.

    With the district of Puka there is an agreement with the Swiss government on special projects in all the elements of the infrastructure, while in Malesi e Madhe the projects of the water system of Duda and Koplik are being realised along with the rehabilitation of rural roads in the zone of Bajza and Rec.

    In the context of the financial support by the Albanian government, projects will be also drafted for the city of Shkoder.

    The Government hopes that, like in the recent days, the Shkodra citizens will understand the initiatives not only for the development of their city but of all the country as well. /s.sh./xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] Match for Albania's chess champion to start on January 26

    TIRANA, Jan. 22 (ATA) - By D. Grillo: The matches of four best chess- players of Albania, which will define the country's chesschampion for 1997 will start on January 26. Attending the match will be Lorenc Rama, Erald Dervishi, Zeqir Sula and Ilir Seitaj, who reached the quota of 8 points at the end of the national championship, held on December 1997 in Tirana.

    Also, the tour of "Masters '97" was organized in Tirana during the first days of December, declaring winner Erald Dervishi, 19, from Durres, International Master. /a.ke/pas/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] Compromise on Constitution demands tolerance - Fischer - The President of the CE Parliamentary Assembly sees no improvement in local political situation -

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: "We think that the situation is not improving," said on Friday the President of the CE Parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer in a meeting with the Parliamentary Commission for the drafting of the Constitution.

    "In order to reach a compromise," said Ms Fischer, "every political grouping must demand as many rights as much contribution it makes." For the European Parliament troika, it is important that all political forces take part in the process of drafting and approval of the constitution.

    "We have realised that the political forces agree on the content of the Fundamental Document of Laws, but they do not agree on the procedures to be followed for the preparation and adoption of the Constitution.

    "We have come to a deadlock," the head of the parliamentary Commission for the drafting of the Constitution, Sabri Godo told the delegation. "You have to solve in 24 hours a problem which we have not be able to solve for 6 years," said Godo.

    Godo sees the contradictions in the process of the drafting and approval of the Constitution not simply in the procedures, but in the claims of the grouping Union for Democracy regarding the legitimacy of the Parliament elected by the June 29, 1997 elections.

    "The Democratic Party has not yet named its members in the commission, " said Godo, adding that another problem is the fact that the Commission must take decisions with two thirds of the votes, for the very nature of the work of that commission.

    Godo asked from the delegation to make the necessary suggestions after investigating into the issue and hearing both sides.

    During its two-day visit to Albania, after coming to know, through various contacts, the situation in the country and the reasons which have blocked the process for the drafting and the approval of the Constitution, the European Troika delegation appealed to DP of Albania to take part in the Parliament and in that process "which is indispensable for the Albanians." /s./s/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10]

    TIRANA, Jan. 22 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: The Albanian Ministry of Education and Science has drafted a pilot project to open several engineering faculties from 3 to 4 years, which is being discussed by the leading staff of the Tirana Polytechnic University (TPU).

    The TPU rector, Tamara Eftimiu, told ATA that those engineering specialities, which better respond to the demands of the market economy, will be studied in these short-term faculties.

    The students who would like to study in these faculties should meet the same requests as the other students who attend the 4-5 year faculties. /s.s/mima/mt/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] Constitution to be adopted within 1998 - European Parliamentarians

    - Nobody must even think of new elections to be made - TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The high ranking European delegation was against the idea of holding new elections and in favour of the adoption of the constitution within 1998, in a meeting it had with Albania's Prime Minister, Fatos Nano.

    "None must even think of the idea of holding new elections or upsetting the political equilibriums," said the members of the European delegation which is on a two-day visit to Albania since Thursday. "We are for a legal solution to the question of the Constitution and this process must be completed at the end of this year," said they, assuring the Albanian PM both assistance during the process for the Constitution and a many-sided monitoring.

    "The Constitution will be made within 1998 according to the procedures determined by the multi-party Commission for the Constitution," said Nano, stressing that the Constitution is a guarantee to the foreign capital arriving in Albania.

    Nano said that this process "is being undermined by a terrorist political grouping, which is not yet swallowing the electoral defeat in the June 29, 1997 elections."

    During the past year, as a result of the street policy, Albania lost 2000 people and billions of dollars, a good part of which donated by the European Union and we do not intend to bring the country back where it was by responding the populism with populism, rally with rallies, banditry with banditry and terrorism with crime, said Nano. He held that "that way of governing being imposed to us by a part of the opposition will not urge us to use prisons against opponents, as they acted with us in the past."

    "We will work for the establishment of institutions, which will give legal response to all efforts for conflicts," Nano said to the delegation.

    PM Nano stressed that Albania not only accepts but also demands an international monitoring in the recovery and consolidation of its institutions, including the Constitution. /s.s/pas/xh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] Europarliamentarians reject DP's demand on new elections

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The Europarliamentary delegation, visiting Albania, told a news conference on Friday that they rejected the idea for new parliamentary elections in Albania.

    "We reiterate that the June 29 elections and legitimacy of parliament are acceptable and reject the idea on new parliamentary elections," Leni Fischer, head of the European parliament of the Council of Europe, told journalists after a series of talks in Tirana.

    Sali Berisha, the DP leader, was he, who had suggested the holding of new elections in Albania.

    The reaction of the European institutions to Berisha's suggestion was negative.

    Rejecting the idea on new elections only six months after the June 29 elections, which were intensively monitored by the European structures, the Euro parliamentarians supported the initiative of the Albanian government and parliament to create necessary settings to establish institutions, which are important to stabilize Albania and its further development.

    They called on the Democratic party to respect the results of the elections, which it said had recognised and cooperate in restoring political cooperation within legitimate institutions. kled/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] Training of militaries at focus of Teta-Greko meeting

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA)-By Th. Thanasi, The NATO experts delegation, headed by Colonel Greko, on Friday, ended the three day visit to Albania during which it held a series of meetings with Defence Ministry senior officials.

    The meeting between Greko and Secretary of State on Defence Policy Perikli Teta, on Friday, summarised the delegation's meeting.

    The NATO experts promised concrete assistance in training military cadres through different courses in NATO's most experienced countries in this field.

    "The clear tableau of the outstanding issues regarding the personnel's schooling will be presented in Mons," Greko said.

    "Handling problems inherited in organisation, social benefits and the issue of setting up an appropriate and efficient system of military education are Albanian army's objectives, to be realised through the aid of the NATO countries," said Teta. s.s/mima/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] A policeman killed in Vlora

    VLORE, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Harilla Koçi: A policeman was killed on Thursday at the place called Fusha e Aviacionit in the city of Vlora at 24.00 p.m., sources of the local police directorate said.

    The same sources said that after a volley of gun fire by a group of persons, the policeman Andrea Kanani, 28, was killed.

    Kanani, member of a mobile unit, married with three children, is from Vranisht village of the Vlora district, who lived at his sister's for a period of time.

    This is the third case within this year that a member of the police forces was killed in Vlora. ake/kled/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] Data provided on explosions at army's tunnels in Burrel

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA)-The initial data provided by the Interior Ministry as regards yesterday's explosion at army depots in the Suc village of Mati district show that the lowland stores have been completely destroyed.

    The explosion has also partially damaged the nearby houses in the Suc village. There have been no casualties. The only one injured by these explosions, Lindita Bajrami, 29, inhabitant of this village was immediately sent to Bulqiza's hospital, where she was given first medical aid and her condition is not life threatening.

    The depots' guard is reported to have appeared at the brigade's command after the beginning of the explosions, while the three civil guards and a subordinate officer, at the moment of the fire, have left the unit first with the village's inhabitants and later to an unknown direction. s.s/kled/lm

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] Fischer urges DP to end boycott and cooperate on constitution

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Eva Allushi: The Europarliamentary delegation called on the Democratic party in a news conference on Friday to end immediately the parliamentary boycott and cooperate in drafting a constitution.

    In a press release, they stressed the need for a draft of constitution by all the parties "as a basis for the political stability in Albania and fostering support of the international community."

    Referring to the procedure on approval of constitution, which is a disputable point, Fischer said that after a draft on constitution worked out by the parliamentary commission, it is the referendum, which will decide on constitution's fate.

    Fischer said "if there is necessary the composition and procedures of the commission will be reconsidered."

    The Europarliamentarians proposed the setting up of an international consultancy grouping, which will represent the European parliamentary institutions and complete the consultancy of constitution commissions such as that of Venice of the Council of Europe, Administrative Center to coordinate assistance and public participation.

    The press release said that the European institutions are interested in respecting the parliamentary procedures according to democratic standards.

    They also proposed that the parliamentary practices be monitored by international observers. kled/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] Euro-paliamentarians call for independence of judiciary

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA)-By E. Allushi, The visiting Euro-parliamentarian delegation on Friday called for preservation of the judiciary's independence.

    "We want a quick solution to the conflict between the Constitutional Court and Parliament," says a statement issued by the three parliamentary missions, which paid a two-day visit to Albania.

    They also suggested that the selection and appointment of civil service workers, armed forces and police, be made on the bases of professional training.

    The Euro-parliamentarians asked the Albanian political class to cooperate and reach the necessary compromise on many issues, through political dialogue.

    Leni Fischer, member of the Troika delegation, said that the European institutions hope and expect that this high level visit and suggestions made on this occasion have served to promote political dialogue, especially cooperation in parliament.

    The delegation confirmed the interest of the international community to consolidate democracy, based on the Albanian state laws. kled/lm

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] Police curfew in Kline, one killed

    PRISHTINE, Jan 23 (ATA) - A person was found killed on Friday in a car riddled with shots in Jashanice te Eperme, the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) said in Kline, Dukagjini county, near Drenice.

    ATA correspondent in Prishtina said that this event was reported by the Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedom but the identity of the killed was not confirmed.

    The same sources said that Klina was put on Friday under curfew by the Serbian police forces. There are tight road controls and movement of people is banned.

    Military forces were seen in surroundings of Klina, in Dollc, and shootings were heard in Dush last night.

    Sources said that the Serbian police have arrested and maltreated some citizens in Kline and its surroundings. bj/pta/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] Florina, Kosturi police to help Albanian border posts

    KORÇE, Jan 23 (ATA) - By B. Fejzullaj: Police of Florina and Kostur brought on Friday a quantity of aid for the border posts of the regional directory of Korça police, Southern Albania.

    "The aid will be provided to all regional posts in the framework of cooperation between the police of interborder areas after the destruction of March unrest '97, a spokesman of the regional police directorate said to ATA.

    Representatives of Florina and Kostur police departments held talks with Albanian local authorities. s.sh/kled/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] Albania's president to visit United States

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: President of Albania Rexhep Meidani will start a seven-day informal visit to the United States during which he is expected to meet the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, a spokesman of the president said to ATA on Friday.

    President Meidani will leave for the U.S. on January 31, invited by Senator Daniel Akaka, the head of the committee, which organises the annual ceremony of the U.S. Congress.

    "This is the first visit in the framework of the first contacts with the whole Albanian diaspora in the U.S." said the spokesman.

    Meidani was expected to meet Albanian communities in Boston and New York.

    In New York, he is also expected to meet Kofi Annan.

    "At the request of some U.S. congressmen, Meidani will have talks with officers and leadership of congress and senior authorities of the U.S. administration in Washington D.C.," the spokesman said to ATA.

    President will be accompanied by the Justice minister Thimio Kondi, head of the Socialist parliamentary group Pandeli Majko and president's staff. kled/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] Albanian state resolute to fight contraband and incrimination - Meidani

    DURRES, Jan 23 (ATA)-By K. Kostreci, President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani, on Friday, visited the mission of the joint Italian-Albanian police forces at Durres port whose aim is to halt contraband, and illegal emigrants and drug smuggling from Albania to Italy.

    "The Albanian state will show the resolution of the new democratic government to fight any kind of contraband and incrimination in order to build a democratic state, in which people live on their sweat and work," Meidani said.

    "Some 1500 people have been intercepted in the Northern area. Much is expected to be done in the south and almost no dinghies have left the Durres area. So far, exodus has consisted of some 10 000 people.

    The performance of the Italian police backed by motorboats of Guardia di Finanza, closely linked with that of the Albanian border police, has been based on an exchange of experience and cooperation in guarding the Albanian territorial waters.

    Recently these forces have sequestrated two ships of contraband cigarettes.

    Meidani said during the visit that training of the Albanians and their fruitful cooperation with the Italians will further strengthen the fight against contraband. He thanked the Italian government for the unsparing assistance it is providing Albania with in this direction.

    "This visit is a sign of gratitude for the concrete results of cooperation attained so far, whose strategic objective is to create an Albanian operative independence and capacity in fighting against crime," Italian ambassador to Albania, Marcello Spatafora, told ATA.

    He considered the performance of the joint Italian and Albanian forces, as an example of cooperation in the fight against criminality.

    The Albanian president was accompanied in this visit by Interior Minister Neritan Ceka and State Secretary for Defence Policy, Perikli Teta. s.sh/kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] Albanian president praises Italian-Albanian economic cooperation

    DURRES, Jan 23 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Albania's president Rexhep Meidani praised on Friday the cooperation between Albania and Italy in setting up medium and large joint ventures in a visit to the Floryhen enterprise producing eggs.

    Meidani called this enterprise a model of cooperation.

    "A normal Albania can be built through the work and sweat of the Albanians themselves observing the law and working," said president Meidani.

    The Italian ambassador to Albania, Marcello Spatafora praised the will of the Albanian side to promote economic cooperation between the two states, which was seen in the visits of the Albanian president to two joint ventures in Vlora and the one in Durres.

    Floryhen supplies 70 percent of the Albanian market with eggs and it has produced 100 million eggs last year using the European standard of production.

    President Meidani is accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Lufter Xhuveli, which promised that the legal framework on food will be completed within six months what will lead to a production of the raw material in Albania and the decrease of production cost. ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] Athens radio to "speak" in Albanian language

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - A ceremony marking the start of broadcasting programmes in the Albanian language in Athens FM 98 MHz was organised recently in Athens radio in which Athens Mayor Dimitri Avramopulos was present.

    Avramopulos said "the presence of the Albanian emigrants in Athens is already a reality and they need to be informed in their language. This is why the broadcasting was enabled for the Albanian and Polish emigrants."

    The Albanian ambassador to Athens Kastriot Robo said "this will precede the process of legalisation of foreign emigrants in Greece." ake/kled/ak/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Albanian government pleased with Troika statement

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA)-By A. Simoni, The suggestions of the European Troika are in accordance with what the Albanian government has done and will do, the spokesman of the Albanian Prime Minister told ATA on Friday.

    Ben Blushi said this following a joint statement issued by the OSCE, the Council of Europe and European Parliament, at the end of the visit of their mission to Albania.

    "We are very pleased with the Troika statement. We are glad the parliament's legitimacy is not called into question by the international community," Blushi said.

    "We are also glad that like the Albanian government, the international community has realised the absurdity of the opposition's calls for new elections and change of the procedures to draft and adopt a constitution".

    The Troika statement suggestes independence of the judiciary and a quick solution to the conflict between parliament and the Constitutional Court.

    "It is a suggestion which does not concretely refer to the hunger strike staged by several dismissed judges. It is a statement which fully complies with the philosophy of the government to provide the judiciary with the maximum scope of activity," said the spokesman.

    "Prime Minister Fatos Nano supports the monitoring of any process in Albania. We have nothing to hide, on the contrary we wish to show that everything we are doing is in favour of changes, therefore the government is open to monitoring," the spokesman confirmed.

    Troika on Friday asked the Democratic party, opposition, to take join parliament and the commission to draft a constitution.

    "The government hopes that decisions in the DP are now taken by this party's incriminated part, which is in majority. This would be not only for the good of this party, but also for the good of the country's transformation processes," said Blushi.

    "The Troika statement is an encouragement for the government and verification of the fact that the government's initiatives have been not only conform the laws in power in Albania, but also conform the international standards," Blushi concluded. kled/lm/sh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] Albania condemns violence in Kosova

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - Albania's Foreign Ministry in a press release issued on Friday strongly condemned the violence exerted in Kosova and officially expressed its concern on the repression exerted recently by the Serbian authorities in the commune of Skenderaj.

    It said that the recent events in Kosova, concretely in Skenderaj commune after the attack of the Serbian military forces against men of Prekazi i Poshtem, and especially against Jashari family, are being followed with much concern by the Albanian public.

    "Use of force against unprotected population followed by bloodshed and curtailment of electric power and telephone connections in the region showed a physical and psychological terror by the Serbian militarised administration against the Albanian civil population," a ministry's spokesman said adding that "the ongoing policy of violence and repression is contrary to all international norms and practices on the basis of which the human rights and freedom and national rights are observed."

    He said that such actions ran contrary to the spirit of dialogue and cooperation encouraged by the Crete Summit as well as with that comprehensive spirit and integration, which inspire the European processes.

    The statement said "an end should be put to policy of violence and national discrimination because they are not ways to resolve problems." s.s/ak/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] Troika resolved all crises of Albania - Majko

    TIRANE, Jan 23 (ATA)-By A. Simoni, The statement of Troika (OSCE, Council of Europe and European Parliament) gives a complete response to all the political crises in Albania," Pandeli Majko, secretary general of the Socialist Party, told ATA on Friday.

    "The statement makes up the fullest support of the International Community for the new institutions emerging from June 29, which it evaluated both juridically and politically," said Majko, chairman of the SP parliamentary group.

    "From now on, any stand of the Democratic party different from the Troika statement will be a crisis only of this party: Berisha's pronouncement that the decisions to join parliament are taken by the DP council means it is a crisis of DP only."

    Troika also requests independence of the judiciary and quick solution to the Parliament-Constitutional Court conflict: "We have already started the dialogue to resolve the conflict and have said that after its solution there will be neither losers nor winners," he said.

    The three European institutions: OSCE, CE and European Parliament, also request in the statement the monitoring of the legislative activity:

    "In essence this does not worry us. The monitoring would make present the European influence in Albania and make known the factors of stability to Europe," he said. kled/lm

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] DP leader says national council to decide return to parliament

    TIRANA, Jan 23 (ATA) - By A Haxhiu: Assessment of recent events in Shkodra and the attitude of the Democratic party (DP) towards suggestions of the European troika for a cooperation of all political forces were on the focus of a news conference of this party on Friday.

    The DP deputies of Shkodra called the recent developments in the city "provocations on the part the Interior Minister, Neritan Ceka aiming at creating a wave of terror in Shkodra."

    Sali Berisha, the DP leader, considered successfully the visit of the Euro parliamentarians in Albania and said that "the suggestions of the European troika aim at consolidating democracy in Albania."

    Head of the European Council parliamentary Assembly, Leni Fischer, told a news conference on Friday "the legitimacy of parliament is indisputable" and "new elections should not be considered."

    He called on the DP to abandon the boycott of parliament and take part in commission to draw out a constitution.

    Berisha called reasonable the troika's request for the DP's return to parliament, but, according to him, it (troika) clearly knew the reasons of our boycott.

    "Thus, the European delegation has urged respect of the rights of parliamentarians and monitoring of parliament, what we welcome, but it would be the party's national council, which will decide whether we will take seats in parliament," Berisha said. ake/kled/ak/


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


    Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ata2html v1.01 run on Saturday, 24 January 1998 - 15:18:00 UTC