Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-12

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Foreign Ministry confutes "Albania" newspaper

[02] President Meidani arrives in Ankara

[03] Press review

[04] Five detained for robbing Italian national vehicle

[05] BC-ALBANIA-OSCE-STATEMENT

[06] Press review

[07] Archeological asset in Durres at stake

[08] Deputies displeased with Ngjela

[09] RTV orchestra to tour Greece

[10] European children song festival due in Tirane in May

[11] Braho speaks of attempts to poison population

[12] Korce commune water pipelines not chlorinated for lack of funds

[13] Albania's president meets with Turkish counterpart

[14] President says this meeting is of historical significance

[15] Albania, Turkey sign agreements of cooperation

[16] Italian guards turn back ten dinghies directed to Italy

[17] NATO, partner countries back restructuring of Albania's army

[18] Albanian deputy to visit Guardia di Finanza operation structure

[19] U.S. Ambassador visits Durres to discuss projects

[20] Police detain 27 people trying to flee to Italy

[01] Greek Foreign Ministry confutes "Albania" newspaper

The report says: "The Greek Foreign Ministry reported Wednesday that the news published in "Albania" newspaper, according to which the Greek politicians were involved in a plot at the end of March 1997 for killing former president Sali Berisha, is groundless and lacks seriousness." /a.ke/mt/

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[02] President Meidani arrives in Ankara

Albanian president is accompanied by an official delegation as well by many businessmen.

Present to welcome them at the airport were the Turkish Minister of State for Relations with Parliament, Council of Ministers and Sports, Jucel Seckiner, as well as diplomats of the political department of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Seckiner, in a brief speech at the airport said: "we are ready to provide you both with economic and military aid."

"We have old ties," said Meidani pointing to an agreement of 1923. "Our cooperation will help mutual developments," he said. a.ke/lm

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[03] Press review

Ngjela read a long report, which he considered "preliminary stage of document survey", Koha Jone says.

The list released at the end of the report, according to the paper, "consists of 12 persons, former President Berisha not included".

Among these persons, to be questioned by the investigating commission members, are current DP deputies, two former ministers and the rest generals of SHIK, Interior and Defence Ministries. Ngjela said that "the use of the army, by the side of the order forces, was an excess of President Berisha's powers".

SHIK has closely watched the opposition says Gazeta Shqiptare, which quotes parts of Ngjela's surveys, adding that "in contrast of what Gazidede has declared, no foreign secret service has been involved in the last year's turmoil".

The SP deputies asked the inclusion in the list of the investigated persons the then president, Sali Berisha, whom they considered "the number 1 responsible for Albania's tragedy", Koha Jone says.

It says that Spartak Braho "the falcon" of this commission, has said that "full documents exist on the criminal plans of the then statesmen, but they will be made public on the second stage of investigations".

Braho also openly accused former Defence Minister Zhulali, especially of the Permet events," Gazeta Shqiptare says on this issue.

The discussion of this report in parliament on Wednesday is also covered by gazeta Zeri i Popullit under the title "From Gazidede to Shamata in investigation"; Shekulli, which says that "former president has exceeded powers", Rilinja Demokratike, which says:"'McCarthy' Commission defends criminals" and Albania:"Albania was set to fire by communists". s.sh/lm/ (more)

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[04] Five detained for robbing Italian national vehicle

The five gunmen, aging between 19 and 24, in cooperation with one another and with another citizen, who has been declared wanted by the police, robbed the vehicle on Tuesday According to the Interior Ministry spokesman, two of the detained had also shot at policeman Viktor Xhelili, who was going to the scene.

The investigation materials against these persons were sent to the district prosecutor's office for penal prosecution. /s.s/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] BC-ALBANIA-OSCE-STATEMENT

TIRANA, Feb. 11 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) stressed Wednesday the need for early and broad consultations on legislative reforms in Albania. Publication and dissemination of proposed draft legislation is a useful method of generating public input into the legislative process prior to the final adoption of a law, says a statement of this organization.

At the same time, OSCE stresses that the public concerns should be expressed in a normal and constructive manner. "OSCE cautions against resorting to extreme measures such as a hunger strike, before exhausting normal methods of consultation and legal recourse," says the statement.

The OSCE statement follows the meeting that President Meidani held Monday with representatives of former politically persecuted persons involved in a hunger strike, attending was also the OSCE ambassador in Tirana, Daan Everts. At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties agreed to term ending the hunger strike and to permitting further dialogue leading to a resolution of the issue. The OSCE voiced the readiness to assist in the organization of an expert review of the law and disputed amendments. /s.s/das/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Press review

"Storm against speedboats: 30 persons detained," under this title Gazeta Shqiptare writes on the operation against illegal emigrants in the coasts of Kavaje and Durres. According to it, "30 persons have been detained, who were waiting to go to Italy by dinghies or speed-boats. Among them, one was arrested because of illegally possessing a pistol."

Zeri i Popullit writes that "The operation of the police forces of Kavaje commissariat started by 15:00 and lasted till 22:00," referring to ATA, according to the Interior Ministry spokesman. During this operation, stresses the same paper, some 8 vehicles of these persons were also sent to the commissariat.

"The detainees came from different towns of the country, mainly from south and Tirana, and they were without documents," says Shekulli.

Some of the detainees, according to Gazeta Shqiptare, have explained in the commissariat that they were staying in the motels along the seaside of Kavaje. "This is a fair claim, but we will verify first and then will act," said an official of the Interior Ministry. He added that "These operations will be continuous, while the information of our agents will be collected soon in order to fight the traffic from its roots."

"The taxi cars of the sea cannot be stopped in any other way. They should be sequestrated," under this headline, Koha Jone reports that "The government should take a decision for the sequestration of all speed-boats, " this is the proposal of the Interior Ministry, two days after the third tragedy in Adriatic, according to the same paper.

Dita Informacion reports on the event "After Otranto 3, some 30 persons, who wanted to go to Italy, were detained," while Albania carries the article "Blitz operation of police in the coast of Kavaje." /s.sh/mt/

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[07] Archeological asset in Durres at stake

This is the opinion not only of specialists but also of the citizens and visitors of the most ancient city of Eastern Adriatic.

The approved or abusive constructions are suffocating especially the city's centre, which includes most of the archaeological monuments discovered or underground.

According to the founder of the city's archaeological museum, Vangjel Toci, the renowned Austrian archaeologists, Schober and Praschniker, who, in the context of military expeditions during the World War I, familiarised themselves with the great archaeological inheritance of Durres, have said in scientific magazines that the values of the city can be saved only if it continues to be built beyond the Dajlan bridge at the entrance of the Durres city.

The city, which was founded in 627 B.C., has also survived three strong earthquakes and tens of wars and occupations./s.s/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Deputies displeased with Ngjela

The Albanian deputies showed reserves regarding the report presented by the commission chairman Spartak Ngjela, considering it "vague and incomplete," as well as for the fact that former president Berisha was not included in the list of persons summoned by the commission to testify on the last years' turmoil.

"The effort for a North-South conflict is genocide, while the alibis for activity of foreign secret services are warmongering," said Braho.

In response to answers, he stated that documents have been torched in SHIK offices and rooms of torture have existed there.

Also, Braho confirmed that nominal orders were issued for the destruction of bridges of Mifol and Rrogozhine, and the jail of Bence, but he did not declare the name of the persons who ordered, because of the investigating secret.

"The military special plans for operation by land, sea and air are real and for this we have the maps and names of persons in the military hierarchy who have ordered these operations," continued Braho.

Braho accused former Defence Minister Zhulali and former deputy chairman of SHIK Bujar Rama of the events of Permet.

"The file of Permet is complete. Zhulali and Rama have issued direct orders to open fire in Permet," said Braho.

Commission chairman Ngjela was angry with the member of his commission for openly expressing himself in parliament and threatened he would resign if there were insinuations on his and the commission performance.

"I completely disagree with what Braho confessed. The investigation conclusions are not final. If water is three meters deep, we are still in the first," said Ngjela. /cela/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] RTV orchestra to tour Greece

It will be the Corfu island which will host the Albanian orchestra, with a joint concert with Greek instrumentalists, planned by the end of this week.

The programme of the concert contains music notes by two of the great figures of the Albanian music, composers Cesk Zadeja (People's artist) and Feim Ibrahimi (Merited Artist), who died sometimes ago.

Under the conducting of Ferdinand Dede and Jetmir Barbullushi the orchestra will execute parts from Zedeja and Ibrahim. The Albanian orchestra will also interpret music by the world renowned masters as Rossini, Belini and others.

This has been the first spectacle organised by this orchestra abroad, since the beginning of the artistic season last September. /s.s/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] European children song festival due in Tirane in May

In this musical spectacle, in which the singer, not the composer, takes part, the children from the countries of Europe will be divided in two groups according to their age.

The festival will be organised by renowned people of the Albanian pentagram.

The organising committee, which has started work, has said that "invitations have been delivered for the young singers from 47 countries of Europe," adding that "the participation of the children from Poland, Romania, Malta, Czech Republic and other countries, has already been confirmed.

An international jury will declare the winners of two age-groups at the end of the concert, thought to be held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirane for four nights in succession. s.sh/cela/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Braho speaks of attempts to poison population

The member of the parliamentary investigation commission on events of January-March 1997, Spartak Braho, declared in the last parliament sitting that although the poisoning of the population has been not realised, there has existed a plan to poison it.

"International conventions ban the use of poisons," said Braho who proposed that the material and plans of poisoning pass to the Court of Hague.

Ngjela told ATA on Tuesday that the commission members were informed of the report, and he was not able to explain the behavior of the commission members.

The other member of the commission, Nikolle Lesi, referring to this report, said that he did not agree with fact that DP has been not involved in the creation of pyramid investment schemes.

While for many other issues, the commission declared it has not reached the final results, he closed the problem of secret services, saying that no foreign secret service has been involved in the last year's turmoil in Albania.

With regard to the foreign secret services, I think that they have operated in normal conditions in Albania, thus it is indisputable to have operated in abnormal circumstances like that of last year," said Lesi.

He asked the removal of immunity for DP deputy Shaban Memia, on whom he said that there are facts which incriminate him even in torching the headquarters of Koha Jone newspaper, whose publisher is Lesi. /cela/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Korce commune water pipelines not chlorinated for lack of funds

"This is because communes do not have funds to chlorinate the water pipelines," the district Health Care director, Gjergj Mikerezi, told ATA.

Mikerezi said that "in Dovran the inspectorate has blocked two out of the three water pipelines of this village, while in the Vreshtas village the repair and chlorination of several pipes has been ordered".

He also said that the inspectorate has made evident the technical sanitary condition of all pipelines in communes and is making efforts to improve their condition, in cooperation with local government bodies./s.sh/cela/lm

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania's president meets with Turkish counterpart

A wreath on the memorial of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk marked the beginning of today's busy agenda, press information office at Albanian Presidency reported.

Both presidents made a short statement to the press, which is following the visit with great interest.

Demirel, after recalling the very good relations between the two states and their perspective, said "the present visit of the Albanian president takes place in the right time and will produce very fruitful results."

President Meidani, assessing the visit as important, said: "talks will pave way for new dimensions in cooperation and establish new directions in our common road towards progress and Europe."

The tete-a-tete talks between the presidents and the two delegations, headed by them, lasted about two hours and dwelt on a wide range of themes concerning bilateral and regional cooperation.

A special importance was devoted to the promotion of economic cooperation, to reach a higher stage of political and military cooperation. This will be possible, they say, through an increase of investment, presence of Turkish banks and entrepreneurs in Albania in the process of privatisation of strategic sectors of the Albanian economy.

Seeing the great interest of the Turkish president for the eighth corridor, President Meidani said that "Turkey's participation through direct finances or concessions to help construct certain segments of this corridor in Albania, is welcomed."

Two agreements on cooperation were signed later between the two Foreign Ministries and that for Customs Cooperation.

President Meidani addressing foreign and domestic media said that talks were very fruitful and of mutual interest in many aspects of cooperation in the economic, investment, defence, public order, transport, agriculture, education and science fields.

Meidani underlined that "we are satisfied because in the foreign policy we have a complete accordance of principles and interests on which this policy is based. He praised the ongoing support Turkey is offering in the interest of the Albanian issue in general and right solution of the Kosova issue in particular, without which there will be no lasting peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans.

Demirel accepted the invitation of President Meidani for an official visit to Albania.

Meidani held talks with the chief of the General Staff of the Turkish army, General Karadai in which Aleks Andoni, his Albanian counterpart, was present.

President Meidani acquainted the Turkish senior military official with the vision, on which the Albanian National Army is based and praised Turkey' assistance in the military field both in the bilateral and in framework of the Partnership for Peace.

Meidani expressed his commitment that depoliticizing is his own constant engagement in establishing the state institutions and especially in defence field.

The chief of the General Staff of the Turkish army said that taking army out of the realm of politics is of great importance and praised the so far work for the Albanian army's restructuring.

"We are in your country not only with our wish for a strong Albania, but also for a concrete assistance to establish it," General Karadai said. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] President says this meeting is of historical significance

The people I represent are closely following the developments and progress of the Turkish people wisely led by his Excellency Sulejman Demirel, the Albanian president said, adding that "we know and praised Turkey's important role in safeguarding stability and peace both in regional and international framework."

We also assess Turkey's help to Albania, especially in all aspects, Meidani said.

He also said that "in the view of important developments in the region and difficult times, with which the international community is facing, this meeting has special historical significance."

Expressing his belief that both sides have seen the fruits of friendship in reality and saying that "the treasure of this friendship is endless, just like the dimensions of cooperation between our two peoples," the Albanian president said: "My visit will mark a common effort in finding these dimensions and establishing new directions in our common road towards progress and Europe."

I am convinced that this meeting offers a brilliant possibility, but not the last one, to promote solidarity and cooperation between our two peoples, Meidani said, adding that the outcome of this meeting will be a contribution to cooperation in political and economic fields between the two countries, but also a common contribution to safeguard and guarantee peace in the region and broader. s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albania, Turkey sign agreements of cooperation

"The first agreement consists in cooperation and political consultation between the Albanian and Turkish Foreign Ministries, and the second one is for a cooperation and assistance for the Customs House," Meidani said.

He said that the Albanian state and government are totally ready to intensify dialogue between Albania and Turkey which will be possible through exchange of high-ranking visits, wide political cooperation with mutual interest for both friendly states and peoples.

President Meidani added: "The president of Turkey, His Excellency Sulejman Demirel would be very welcomed in Albania, whenever he sees it possible."

Later, the Albanian president focused on a fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the defence field, assistance Turkey has offered and is offering to Albania to help it restructure and modernise the Albanian army both in bilateral and NATO's Partnership for Peace program.

"We want more fruitful cooperation in law, public order and others," he said, adding "such aspects of bilateral relations in transport, telecommunication, agriculture, health, education, culture, science, and others, will be of mutual interest for two states and peoples."

Meidani praised as fruitful the bilateral agreements between Albania and Turkey in foreign policy and the bilateral and multilateral cooperation in different international structures and bodies and said that "our countries aspire to a full integration into the European structures."

He hailed Turkey's ongoing support in the interest of Albania's national issue, and stressed that "both sides are aware that without a right solution to the Albanian issue, in general, and that of Albanians in Kosova, in particular, there will be no lasting peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans." s.sh/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Italian guards turn back ten dinghies directed to Italy

authorised sources of the Italian Guardia di Finanza deployed at the Durres port said to ATA on Thursday.

Two ships of Italian and Albanian crews aboard intercepted a number of dinghies at around 17.00 p.m. until 21.00. p.m. which were trying to leave for Italy from the Vlora bay.

They managed to turn back 10 of the dinghies, which would have experienced a turbulent sea in the Otranto channel.

Lieutenant Vincenzo Kaci, member of the operation, said that "the persons who are fleeing Albania become prey of traffickers, who profit from them without taking into consideration the bad weather." ake/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] NATO, partner countries back restructuring of Albania's army

He proposed fields of cooperation between Albania and NATO, its member states and future partners.

Sources of the Foreign Ministry said that the meeting discussed how to put into practice the individual program of partnership between NATO and Albania and exchange information on bilateral programmes of NATO member states and Albania.

NATO's representatives, who have visited Albania in the framework of the Individual Program, reported on conclusions of their mission in Albania concerning the health service in the army, restructuring of military service, training and education of military staff, system of military police, preparing a concept for national security, and others.

The meeting noticed NATO's and partner countries commitments in support of restructuring Albanian army's structure. Legal aspects, policy of security, defence doctrine, documents, which define role and competencies of the army in the democratic society and challenges towards Albania's security together with mechanisms used to face them, were especially discussed.

The U.S. delegation, based on a report of its mission in Tirana, said that the situation of security has changed for the better and Albania is ready to accept, guarantee and use material assistance. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] Albanian deputy to visit Guardia di Finanza operation structure

The same sources said that the parliamentarians will see operation modalities of the structure and the main results in support of the Albanian police in fight against maritime illegal activities.

A demonstration action of the Guardia di Finanza ships is planned at the end of the visit. ake/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] U.S. Ambassador visits Durres to discuss projects

She held talks with local authorities in the city's town hall.

Goreja and Lino discussed possibilities to apply concrete programmes, which the Durres town hall aims at fulfilling in the future such as new urban areas, tourist complexes, agro industrial market and super markets, and others.

The U.S. ambassador also met with the governor of Durres and Kruja, Martin Cukalla. s.s/das/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Police detain 27 people trying to flee to Italy

Such operations, which aim at preventing the illegal traffic, will continue in the future, the spokesman said. s.s/das/ak/

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