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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-02Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] No problem with emigrants changing names in Greece-By Albanian correspondent to Greece Robert Goro- ATHENS, Feb 1 (ATA)- A great number of Albanian emigrants in Greece have changed their real names into Christian names and now they hesitate to present themselves at the labour offices to benefit from the legalisation process.Naturally, when they appeared at the record offices or declared false names to their employers, they could not think that a day would come for them to have a legal status. But this does not relieve them of responsibility or unhappy consequences that might stem from the changed names. Hence, if an emigrant has declared a false name to his employer, the latter has recorded him with this name at the social insurances, also depositing the respective contributions. The juridical advisor of the Greek Ministry of Labour told ATA that the emigrants may present themselves with the name they want, suffice to declare on their own responsibility that it is their real name. Meanwhile, the secretary general of this ministry, Vasil Brakaculias, says that the emigrants should present their real name. "We expect them all to come with their own real generalities," said Brakaculias, asked by reporters. "They will suffer no consequence. Even if they are convicted of entering Greece without legal residence permits under a false name, they will receive the carte blanche". Brakaculias also expressed his predisposition to help the emigrants also with the social insurances issue, pledging that the ministry will ask from the Social Insurances Institution that the contributions of the emigrants deposited under a christian name be transferred under their real name. But he warns that this will be done only if the emigrants appear at the labour offices no later than May 31, 1998. cela/pas/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Snow covers Albania's northern areasPUKE, Feb 2 (ATA) - By M Malja: The national roads linking Puke Shkoder, Puke-Bajram Curri dhe Fushe-Arres-Kukes have been blocked as a result of the heavy snow falls during Sunday. The officer on duty in the police commissariat of Puke, Dede Deda, told ATA that "in some places like Qafe- Mali, Fushe-Arrez, etc, the snow has reached one meter."According to sources of the Road-Bridges enterprise department, two snow-blowers are working to open the roads Puke-Luf and Fushe Arrez- Kukes. "The supply of the population with electricity and water has continued normally," sources in the Puke town-hall report. /s.sh/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Elbasan soccer team says it will boycott championshipELBASAN, Feb 2 (ATA)-By P. Zekthi, The Elbasan soccer team said on Monday it would boycott the matches of the national soccer championship unless the respective federation annuls the second match between it and Apolonia for the quarter-finals of Albania's Cup, played at Fieri's stadium on Staturday.The chief of the Elbasan club, Zamir Arapi, confirmed and explained this with the violence and pressure exercised against the Elbasan team by the Fier public, coach Zylfo and leading staff of Apolonia. The Elbasan team, consisting of boys aging 17-22, is also pretender to the "Fair play" Cup and the decision to boycott the championship deprives them of this goal. s.s/pas/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Albanian Democratic Party produces institutes and figuresTIRANE, Feb 2 (ATA) - By E. Barci: "The Institute of Studies of Economies in Transition" has its seat close to the DP chairman, Sali Berisha. On January 31, on Saturday, the DP chairman distributed a press release on the economic situation in Albania, according to which, inflation in this country was 75 and over 80 per cent! The Albanian Government together with the IMF and WB have calculated the inflation in Albania in 1997 to have been 40 per cent.With regard to these figures, the party of former President Berisha has referred to the Institute of Studies of Economies in Transition (ISET.) This Institute, as to prove the figures that Berisha had declared, sent a fax to ATA with the figures it had uncovered. The fax number of the message to ATA was 003554228841 with the name of the famous criminal personage of Al Pacino, Tonny Montana. We tried to contact with this new institute but each time the answer was from the Democratic Party. We asked the help of the TELECOM to tell us the telephone number of this Institute, but such a number did not exist, it was a telephone number of the offices close to Berisha. Prior to and during the much contested parliamentary elections of May 26, 1996, the DP used many foundations and associations, which declared that DP would win the polls. During the hours when the electoral process was continuing on May 26, 1996, the state-run radio and Television broadcast the data (!) of the Foundation Fan Noli bringing guarantee for the very convincing victory of the Democratic Party. This time, from the fax under the criminal name Tonny Montana, the DP is transmitting economic data which are far from being official. Berisha is trying to make Albanians believe that they are poorer than they seem, while when he was in power he tried to convince us that we were happier and richer than we felt (thanks to the pyramids). If economic figures have ever been contested, they are of the DP time. While the Meksi government and former president Berisha reported a two digital increase of the GDP, the international financial institutions accounted less than half of it. For instance, for 1996 Berisha declared a GDP increase by 14 per cent, while the West reservedly declared only 5 per cent. On February 16, Albanians will see whether they will receive a salary increase of only 6 per cent, as the DP says, or of 20 per cent, as decided by the government. The science fiction type tricks with institutions and foundations which emit data from the DP offices can only bear the criminal name of a drug distributor like Tonny Montana. xh/lm Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Shoe factory "Rekor Albania" resumes workGJIROKASTER, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By Sh. Hajno: Some 100 new workers resumed work in the shoe-factory "Rekor Albania" in the town of Gjirokaster, carrying to 500 their total number.According to the Albanian director of this enterprise with Albanian and Greek capital, Flamur Çani, another increase in salaries was made, up to 35-40 per cent, thus the average salary of a worker in this factory is 15.500 leks. The production in this factory was interrupted during the unrest. The workers have been paid regularly, despite any lack in raw material. The factory "Rekor Albania" started its activity in 1993. Its president is Spiro Papafotiu. Some 150 000 pair of shoes of various kinds are produced in this factory for the Albanian market and more than 350 000 pairs for the foreign market. According to a study carried out recently by the leading staff of the factory, some 200 other workers are expected to be employed here soon. /s.s/pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Decision of National Front is hasty - RP leaderTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The decision, taken Sunday by the national council of the National Front Party, member of the United Right, to freeze inter-party relations and alliances until the next congress of this party, was considered hasty by the chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mehdiu."The decision of the National Front is perhaps hasty, if we take into consideration the fact that it was exactly this party which initiated the establishment of this grouping. Anyhow, any political party has the right to be detached or no from a political grouping. The United Right and the Republican Party will continue to play the role of a constructive opposition in the political life of the country," Mehdiu declared to ATA on Monday. /mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Albania, Kosova to act together in case of a flare up - spokesmanTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: People of Kosova will have the support of Albania, in all it efforts, to defend their legitimate rights."We will act like an entire nation and will not be onlookers in front of possible flare-up in Kosova. We are for a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue to prevent the conflict from spreading all over the region, because this will have worse consequences not only for Albanians wherever they are but also for all the Balkans," a spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry told a news conference on Monday which dealt with the aggravated situation in Kosova. "Situation in Kosova is very tensed. The official papers of the Serbian government show that there is a military plan to intervene in Kosova in the framework of the fight against the Albanian terrorism. Arguments of the Serbian government, which have rejected the latest resolutions of the international organisations such as the Council of Europe and the European Union, to call the peaceful movement in Kosova as a separatist one, are made to justify its attacks against the Albanian population." Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and the Secretary of State for the Euro Atlantic integration Maqo Lakrori condemned the ongoing violence in Kosova and urged the European states during their stay in Brussels, of a wider autonomy on Kosova. "One should hold the reins of the current Serbian policy and Belgrade should reflect in the spirit of the European platform. Every kind of interpretation for Albanians be dismembered, left their territories or corridors be created for their movement is not acceptable not only for the Albanians but also for other countries," the spokesman said. a.k/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Only Nano, Republicans respond to OSCETIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - By Aurel Simoni: Albania's prime minister Fatos Nano and the Republican party (RP) have so far responded officially to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in regard to the European troika's statement issued after a recent visit in Albania at the end of January, sources of the OSCE in Tirana said to ATA on Monday.The OSCE ambassador to Tirana Daan Everts sent a letter on January 27 to Albanian political parties, prime minister and speaker to know their official stance on the statement. It asked the opposition Democratic party and its allies of the Unity for Democracy for a concrete response concerning the points of the statement on an end to the DP boycott and return to the parliamentary commission on constitution, but the DP and its allies have not replied yet. The first to give an official response to the OSCE was the head of the government. In his letter to Everts, Nano said: "In support to the European troika's statement, analysing all the situation in Albania, political, social and economic situation, the Albanian government expresses readiness to be committed with all its might, to fulfil with success the process of constitution, normal monitoring of parliament, guarantee of judiciary's independence, equal rules of competition in media market and ongoing of an administration reform in conformity with the international standards." Albania's Speaker Skender Gjinushi has not yet given a response in writing, but he told ATA on January 27: "My response is positive, there are no divergences for any point of the statement." Parties of the coalition government have also not responded though they have no remarks. "The OSCE is waiting for the response, but as soon as they arrive the better is," the OSCE sources said. ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Big Cross of Legion of Honor for Archbishop AnastasTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - The Archbishop of Tirana and of the whole Albania, His Holiness prof dr Anastas has been honoured with the award of the Big Cross of Legion of Honour.On behalf of the Greek President, Kostandin Stefanopoulos, the award was handed over to Anastas by the Greek ambassador in Tirana, Kostandin Prevendurakis, in a ceremony held Sunday in his residence, press office of this embassy reports. Mr. Prevendurakis, in his speech, pointed out the great contribution of Anastas in Greece and broader, in the religious, scientific, educational and social field, as well as his devotion for the reorganization of the Albanian Orthodox Church. Attending this ceremony were Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka, senior officials of the government, minority, cultural institutions, diplomatic corps, accredited in Tirana, and others. The Minister of State close to the Prime Minister, Kastriot Islami, read a greeting message from PM Fatos Nano. /s.sh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Judges to consider files of 1997 and Shkodra eventTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: Prosecutor's office will submit files dealing with the events during 1997 and the recent one in Shkodra to the judicial bodies."These events cannot be divulged to the populace, because they are still a state secret. Nevertheless, the commitment of the prosecutor's office is evident," Luan Hajdaraga, head of the Order and SHIK parliamentary commission told ATA on Monday after a meeting with the Prosecutor General Arben Rakipi. Referring to the Shkodra event in which some former police staff tried to cause turmoil in the city, Hajdaraga said that the commission did not need any detailed information on the event but it was concerned on the investigations underway. Rakipi reports on the situation in the prosecutor's office and the measures to improve and restructure it. "These measures are important particularly in present circumstances where the crime in Albania has the right of citizenship, with attacks against the order and state bodies," Hajdaraga said. ake/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Lek losses more ground v USDMonday's average exchange rate in the informal market of Albanian currency "lek" against foreign currencies like USD, DM, SFR, ITL was in favour of these last.So $1 = 155,10 lek, gaining 0,50 points compared with yesterday's 154, 60 lek. The DM was traded for 85,15 lek, gaining 0,18 points compared to yesterday's 84,97 lek. The ITL (1000) was traded for 85,20 lek gaining 0.05 points compared with yeasterday's 85,15. GRD (100) was exchanged for 52,96 lek, gaining 0,44 points compared with yesterday's 53,40 lek and so on. Monday exchange rateCurrency Average exchange rate USD 155,10 lek DM 85,15 lek ITL (1000) 85,20 lek GRD (100) 53,40 lek SFR 103,24 lek Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Albania's Helsinki monitors delays, lack of public in courtTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - Delays in judging and lack of audience in legal proceedings have been the target of observation on the part of the Albanian Helsinki Committee during the October 1997-January 1998.The committee said that it has carried out a series of observations in Gjirokaster, Fier, Vlore, Korçe, Kukes, Burrel and others, to see how the legal norms have been observed in respect to those held in custody or detained. "The observation revealed that many penal cases, both in investigation and judicial bodies, have been delayed," the report said. Gani Tozaj from Vlora has been arrested in July 23, 1996 for murder and he is still held in custody pending trial though the trial has been decided several times since February 1997 until January 1998. He was not tried because "the order bodies have failed to accompany the defendant from Tirana, where he is held into custody, to Vlora, where he is expected to be tried." The reports revealed such delays in almost all the districts and said that the Helsinki committee knew the difficulties the prosecutor's office, judicial police and court is facing, "but such delays cannot be justified particularly in investigation and judging of some cases when the circumstances have been evident and proofs exist." "These delays cannot serve the prestige of justice ... and that they can encourage penal offences," the committee said. "Many of these penal and civil offences have been tried in judges' rooms without the presence of an audience," what is contrary both to our constitutional provisions and the European Convention on Human Rights and respective norms of the code of penal and civil procedure," the report said. The committee said that "the presence of the audience in the court hall is important not only for the directly concerned but is also a norm, which has to do with the transparency, objective development and impartial judgment, judicial education of the citizens themselves." The Helsinki committee suggested to the Justice Ministry and Supreme Court to adopt all the necessary measures to observe the principle of audience presence in court halls. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Prosecutor's Office faces ParliamentTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By Keida Kostreci: "Passing of prosecutor's bodies from the status of coexistence with crime and corruption into a new status of fight against these phenomena has caused the discordance between bodies of order and the Prosecutor's Office," the chairman of the parliamentary commission of order and SHIK, Luan Hajdaraga, told ATA on Monday.A better coordination of the work of Interior Ministry bodies and the Prosecutor's Office was discussed in a meeting between the parliamentary commission of order and SHIK with the Attorney General, Arben Rakipi. "It is a fact that crime and corruption were not fought for many years in Albania and the Prosecutor's Office coexisted with this situation, " said Hajdaraga. According to him, the problems between Order and the Prosecutor's Office are mainly of the objective character, because both bodies were damaged during the unrest of last year. Hajdaraga added that the bodies of the prosecutor's office are still more damaged than those of the Interior Ministry, and as it seems the process of their restoration will be longer. "Perhaps, the delays in the investigating process, manifested in the public opinion on the activity of the Prosecutor's Office, have to do with the situation we inherited," said Hajdaraga. During the meeting, Rakipi reported on many changes in the Prosecutor's Office, always based on the professional and moral criteria, as well as on voluntarily withdrawals from job. /mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] UNESCO coordinates assistance for projects of Academy of ScienceTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: UNESCO is ready to coordinate assistance for the projects of the Albanian Academy of Science, UNESCO delegation told on Monday the leadership of the Academy of Science of the Republic of Albania.Head of the Academy Ylli Popa acquainted the guests with the structures and functioning of the academy's institutions and the difficult situation they are experiencing in the transition to a market economy. He presented the OSCE delegation, headed by Horts Godiske, projects on coordination of scientific activity with the education one and the efforts to integrate the scientific work in higher education institutions. The meeting dealt with other important topics of national character in natural scientific, technical or social sectors, development of Albanology and problems on restructuring the academy and its links with international institutions. The UNESCO delegation expressed readiness to coordinate assistance of donors from international specialized institutions to help carry out projects related with protection of cultural, material and spiritual inheritance of the Albanian people, ancient and contemporary monuments of Albania. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Police detain people favouring illegal emigrationGJIROKASTER, Feb 2 (ATA) - By H. Çani: Police of Gjirokastra detained on Sunday night two people, who favoured illegal emigration in the neighbouring country."Robert V. Kociu and Leonard I. Duro, both from Gjirokastra, were caught in the act when they were trying to help two nationals from Fier and two from Lushnja to smuggle out of Albania in return of 1,000,000 Drachmas, " local police sources said to ATA on Monday. "They were stopped by a police patrol near the border crossing of Kakavija when the traffickers and their 'victims' were travelling by car," the same sources said. s.sh/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Conflict with parliament, Gjata does not give up- Court chairman: Constitution has taken its decision once -TIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By Aurel Simoni: "The Constitutional Court has nothing to resolve, it has already taken its decision," the chairman of this court, Rustem Gjata, told ATA on Monday. "Anyhow, the court is a collective body - stated Gjata. The spokeswoman will inform the press on Tuesday about its opinion regarding this issue." The matter discussed is the conflict that the Constitutional Court has with the parliament presidency, a conflict which began in November 1997, after a decision of this court to consider anti-constitutional an amendment of constitutional provisions, approved by parliament on the rotation of court members. The conflict was aggravated after the request of Speaker Skender Gjinushi to scrutinize judges' figure, depended by parliament, among them also the team led by Gjata. From this request, a senior official of the judiciary failed to pass the scrutiny test, but his name and the post he holds have been not made public yet. The chairman of the parliamentary commission of laws, Fehmi Abdiu, said several days ago that the conflict will be resolved these days by finding as solution the rotation of the members of the Constitutional Court. "I have nothing with Abdiu, said Gjata on Monday. I have never met him; but the Court has taken its decision once." /cela/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Files of Nano cabinet under scrutinyTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By A. Simoni: The state control commission on scrutiny of figures started Monday the verification of the file of current PM Fatos Nano and the other members of his cabinet, the chairman of this commission, Nafiz Bezhani, told ATA."Today I deposited request of the President for the verification of the government members in four archives we have at disposal, said Bezhani, thus I carried out the order of the President." "The verification of the Prime Minister figure is a little bit difficult, because he is elected, but as there is a request by the President, I could not neglect it," said Bezhani. "But the results will be not announced soon, because we are also working on others issues, that's why the procedure will last," added Bezhani. "All the state administration will be scrutinized, from the Prime Minister to the other officials, department directors in Ministry," continued the commission chairman. The commission, headed by Bezhani, sent several days ago a request to Parliament and the Council of Ministers to discharge within two weeks two senior officials of the judiciary, who failed to pass the scrutiny test. /cela/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Relations with Germany - Albania's priorityTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - By K. Kostreci: Germany's interest has increasingly risen since June 29 elections and we are interested in conveying the will of the Albanian parliament and political forces for we consider the relations with this state a priority, Albania's Speaker Skender Gjinushi, who is expected to visit Germany, said to ATA on Monday.He will leave for Germany on Tuesday at the head of a parliamentarian delegation invited by the president of the German Bundestag Rita Suesmuth. The three-day visit aims at promoting relations between the two states and especially two parliaments. "The relations between Albania and Germany have been good and consolidated. They were shaken by the events last year, taking in consideration that Germany, as all the international community, is concerned about the situation in Albania," Gjinushi said. The Albanian delegation is expected to meet with heads of the parliamentary groups and German officials. cela/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Berisha's figure to be scrutinized after the request - BezhaniTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - By A. Simoni: The parliamentary presidency has made a verbal request to the state control commission on scrutiny of official figures for the verification of the figure of deputy Sali Berisha, the chairman of this commission, Nafiz Bezhani, reported to ATA on Monday."I have received a verbal request from the parliament presidency, but I cannot undertake any action without having an official written request for verification; I am an official and act according to the laws of the state," said Bezhani. "I have asked from the Parliament presidency to send me an official request for the scrutiny, and perhaps there will be a reverification of the figure of deputies who were not elected directly, but who have taken the mandate through the nominal list," stated the chairman. Albania's Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi declared to ATA several days ago that he will urge the state commission to open the file of former President Berisha, whose figure, according to him, has been never verified. Berisha on his side, who is actually chairman of the Democratic Party, attacked by insinuating "corrupted" elements in the ranks of the ruling party, of whom he was aware of when he was the head of the state. cela/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Greece ready to assist Albania - StefanopulosTIRANA, Feb. 2 (ATA) - Greek President Kostis Stefanopulos reconfirmed "the predisposition of Greece to help Albania" during the meeting held with the delegation of the Human Rights Union Party (HRUP), which started Sunday an official visit in Greece, invited by the parliamentary friendship group Greece-Albania.The Greek President was interested during the meeting in the current situation in Albanian after the parliamentary elections of June 29. He showed particular interest on the Albanian refugees and informed the delegation on the progress of their legalization. After thanking President Stefanopullos for the help and support given to Albania during the months of riots, the HRUP chairman, Vasil Melo, voiced his delight for the high level of relations reached by both countries. The Minister of Health and Environment, Leonard Solis, deputy Minister of Labour and Emigration, Gjergj Leka, and the deputy Minister of Education, Andrea Marto, also spoke in the meeting. The relations between the two parliaments were in the focus of talks that the Albanian delegation held with the Greek Speaker, Kakllamanis. Chairman Melo conveyed to him the wish of the Albanian parliamentary commission "to establish close relations with the Greek counterpart commissions, to exchange experience and improve the activity of these commissions." Also, the HRUP delegation met with the Greek Foreign Minister, Pangallos. After the meeting, Melo and Pangallos issued a press release. Pangallos considered the visit of the HRUP delegation in Greece very important and evaluated the reputation that this party has gained in the scopes of the Albanian political life, as a balanced party, which "has always asked with an open policy the cooperation of political forces for the stabilization of the situation in the country." The Greek Minister confirmed once again "the readiness of Greece to assist Albania overcome the difficult situations it is going through and integrate into Euro- Atlantic structures." Milo on his side stated that "Greece will be always one of the main partners of Albania." He also informed the journalists of the political positions of his party, organization structures and the extension of its activity in the whole country. /s.sh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Father Liolin says we hope you join fractions of Albanian societyTIRANA, Feb 2 (ATA) - Father Arthur Liolin, Chancellor of the Albanian Diocese in Boston, said in a Sunday mass in Saint George church attended by the President of Albanian Rexhep Meidani, "we know that the burden you have assumed is serious particularly in difficult economic situation, personal stresses and moral temptations."This mass coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalus Church in Boston, United State, founded by Fan Noli. "We praised your reputation as a distinguished scientist and honourable person, hoping that your significant task will help rejoin different fractions of the Albanian society. "Albania is not only a nation of "history", culture, tradition and legends," Father Liolin said, adding: "It is the state of a people, which want to live in peace, pray freely, work to regulate house and country and look how children fulfil their dreams and potentials. This is the common hope of all Albanians either in Albania, Kosova or in any other region where they live." Father Liolin expressed president Meidani the wish of the Albanian diaspora in the United States for "a new canon, a new century - canon of heart and not revenge." We, he added, "want to see how the public order is being restored and law observed and this should be done by gaining faith and respect of all the Albanian people not resorting to disiplinary methods and fear." During his stay in Boston, President Meidani had a meeting with some 400 compatriots in the restaurant of Antony Athanas. Praising the contribution of the Albanian community in the U.S., Meidani said that Fan Noli was one of the Albanian men, who built a small Albania in Boston with his liberal spirit. He said that establishing contacts with all political and geographical strata of Albanians, who live in America, is very important. During the last five year, he said, the number of the Albanians, who have come to United States is doubled. This is a very significant element for the Albanian government both from economic and political point of view. The image Albanians are creating in America, President Meidani said, is very important for the present and the future of the Albanian people as well as for the Albanian issue. President Meidani praised the contribution of the U.S. administration, especially of the U.S. president Clinton to prevent deformity of democracy in Albania. He said that the U.S. assistance will lead Albania to Europe. ak/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |