Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-02-18

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Press review

[02] Bezhani asks Parliament no longer than three days to discharge "the impure"

[03] PRESS...........Part 2

[04] We are ready to help raise to a higher level postal service in Albania - Livey

[05] Arrest order ruled against 14 detained involved in Milot event

[06] Montenegrin border guards kill an Albanian national

[07] Some tonnes of 512 toxic residues pose threat to people's health

[08] Situation aggravates in Skenderaj

[09] About 1 million dollars for rehabilitation of schools in Albania

[10] Greek police deliver aid to Albanian police

[11] Promoting postal service is of importance, official say

[12] Court's rulings not serious at all, Prosecutor's office says

[13] HRUP strongly backs current coalition government, leader says

[14] Albanian politics reacts aganist Milosevic-Rugova meeting (Godo urges international guarantee for accords)

[15] Albanian politics react against Milosevic-Rugova meeting (2) (Meta urges presence of international factor)

[16] Prosecutor's office asks for DP deputy be deprived of immunity

[01] Press review

Zeri i Popullit points out in this regard that the charge of prosecutor's office has been for violent resistance to police and illegal arms possession. ZP publishes opinions by politicians with regard to the acts of Hajdari. Gjinushi has declared: "There is no immunity for terrorists," Gjergj Zefi: "Shkodra is not with the crime," Lufter Xhuveli: "DP wants destabilization of the country." ZP carries the article "Provocateurs" stressing among others that Berisha dreams with open eyes and that provocateurs of the Hajdari type cannot revoke the verdict of the people taken on June 29, 1997." The same paper writes that former SHIK chief, Gazidede had investigated Hajdari and opened a dossier for him.

"Marathon process in Tirane for the event of Milot," writes Gazeta Shqiptare and "Five days hope for the men of Hajdari." Shekulli writes: "Gjinushi: If asked by the Prosecutor's Office, we shall discuss in the parliament the immunity of deputy Hajdari."

Newspaper RD writes: "Attempt to Hajdari's life proved," while Albania stresses "A closed door political trial."

The dailies also cover on Wednesday the activity of Bezhani commission for the scrutiny of officials. Gazeta Shqiptare reports that on Tuesday Gjinushi has asked Bezhani to start scrutiny of parliamentarians as well. The paper carries an article "Bezhani: Scrutiny also for deputies," which stresses that the figure of Berisha and others will be verified again. This paper cites Bezhani to have said that the spy detected in judiciary must be dismissed as soon as possible.

Koha Jone writes that "Bezhani Commission finds improper for their posts people working in President Meidani's office." The paper cites Bezhani telling ATA that "the question of the person we have had problems has been clarified because there is a court decision for him."

Zeri i Popullit cites Bezhani to have told ATA that "a request had reached them from the leadership of the Parliament for another verification of the figure of deputies and this job will start this week." The paper cites Gjinushi, according to whom, "one of the most debated deputies is that of DP, Sali Berisha."

Dita Informacion writes today: "Scrutiny of Berisha starts. Gjinushi: He has always escaped control of the scrutiny of figures." (to be continued) xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Bezhani asks Parliament no longer than three days to discharge "the impure"

Twenty days ago the Figures Scrutiny state commission asked the dismissal of a senior official of Justice, dependent on Parliament, but he stills holds office.

"I agreed to extend to a further two-three days the legal deadline by Parliament. But, if Parliament does not agree to discharge him, then we will present our documents and made public the name of the person," he said.

Parliament's speaker Skender Gjinushi explains the delay with the procedures:"The discharge of the person is under procedure," he told ATA on Tuesday. "Parliament is among those bodies which delay examination and decision-making," he added.

Referring to Bezhani's statement, Gjinushi said:"I do not meddle in his affairs, but I believe we will end procedure in a week."

Meanwhile, all the other People's Assembly staff, of whom Gjinushi has asked scrutiny, have come out "pure" , according to Bezhani. /s.s/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] PRESS...........Part 2

Referring to this news conference, Gazeta Shqiptare cites Sherifi to have declared that "within four years about 200 thousand people will be employed primarily in public labour." He also said that at the beginning of March, the Italian Embassy in Tirane will take the list of those who need visas for employment in Italy."

Koha Jone writes of the fierce debate on the banking sector between bankers in the parliamentary commission of economy, finance and privatization in the context of the discussion of the draft of the law on the strategy of privatization. This paper also carries an interview "This government will privatize nothing," with Albina Karamitro, chief of DP department of economy.

Newspaper Shekulli cites in one of its articles Dr Selami Xhepa, director of the centre for encouragement of foreign investment, according to whom "the public sector demands immediate investments." "Presence of private capitals in the public sector is today of first rate importance," he stressed. /a.ke/das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] We are ready to help raise to a higher level postal service in Albania - Livey

TIRANE, Feb 17 (ATA) - "We are ready and totally committed to raise the level of postal service in Albania, that is why I have come here to see the needs of this service for equipment and expertise" Thomas Livey, General Director of the Union of World Postal Service said in a meeting with the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani on Tuesday, President's press and information office reports.

Livey, on his first visit to Albania since it became a member of the Union in 1992, also asked the Albanian authorities to give a greater place to the development of postal service in the general program for the country's recovery.

After declaring his commitment to create greater possibilities of communication and exchange of information, President Meidani asked assistance by the world organization "to draft a national master plan for the development of this sector in Albania, and to determine the strategy of its development."

Livey said that he would send to Albania next month a group of regional experts to draft the strategic plan of development and to define the concrete steps to be made in this regard.

Mr Livey told the Albanian President of his efforts in encouraging the cooperation and assistance not only from his world organization but also on the bilateral aspect from various countries such as Switzerland, Great Britain, U.S. He said he was ready that, in cooperation with other organizations such as UNDP etc., to make a concrete contribution so that the Union help expand communication of Albania with other countries.

With regard to the request of President Meidani for assistance and expertise in the modernization of the postal service and the possibility for Albania to profit from a part of international postal services realised through the INTERNET, Livey expressed his readiness "to offer funds for the connection of Albanian central postal service with the international one."

Livey handed over to Mr Meidani "The Medal of Merit" of this world organization to mark the commitment of President of Albania to the development of communication among people.

According to the General Director, "this is the third medal awarded to a Head of State, and at the same time, it is an encouragement for Albania to continue considering as a priority the exchange of information and communication among the people." /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Arrest order ruled against 14 detained involved in Milot event

Arben Micka, the lawyer presiding the trial said that "prison arrest, ranging from five to 15 days, was ruled against eleven of them, and house arrest for the other three".

The detained, members of the armed group accompanying deputy Azem Hajdari, were initially accused of threatening, of violently resisting the police forces and of illegal possession of arms, Micka said adding that "after the trial they are only accused of violently resisting the police forces and of illegal possession of weapons.

If, after new facts and proofs, the custody term of five to 15 days expires, they will go on trial again to rule a new sentence or release order.

The request for arresting the detained persons on Sunday was issued by the prosecutors of the Kurbini district, Petrit Braho and Anila Seseri. /s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Montenegrin border guards kill an Albanian national

The Albanian was shot dead at about 5 p.m. by the Montenegrin border patrol in their territorial waters, sources of the Shkoder police commissariat reported.

As reported, last Saturday the Montenegrin border guards wounded two other Albanian nationals, who were passing illegally the Montenegrin border through the Lake Shkoder. /s.sh./das/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Some tonnes of 512 toxic residues pose threat to people's health

Since 1992 when the Chemical enterprise separated from that pesticides, 512 tonnes of lindane and bichromate have been administered by no one and these substances are likely to bring about perilous consequences for the nearby inhabitants.

According to specialists of the former chemical enterprise these toxic residues constitute a permanent risk, as their inactivation begins after 50-100 years.

They hold the only possibility to avoid danger is their removal and isolation in some deserted mine.

Regional environmental agency leaders in Durres say this requires considerable funds. However they should be found, as the endangered health of thousands of inhabitants would require much more funds.

The chairman of the Durres district Council, Medi Tatani, told ATA that a special project has been drafted to eliminate this phenomenon, engaging specialists of the former chemical enterprise, environmental protection agency and army. s.s/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Situation aggravates in Skenderaj

He cited numerous cases of maltreatment of the inhabitants of this commune and stressed that these reinforcements have made the people's free movement and their supply with the most necessary items difficult.

The situation is being aggravated also due to provocations and threats by armed Serb citizens to Albanians, the participants in the meeting said, referring to the case of Serb citizen Slava Shmigic, who two days ago opened automatic fire near the house of Ramadan Dragaj from Lecina in this commune.

Drenica, especially Skenderaj, communes north of the Albanian border, are almost under complete curfew, the speakers at the meeting said. /p.ta/das/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] About 1 million dollars for rehabilitation of schools in Albania

to deliver the remaining part of 528 thousand dollars of a credit

used in the first stage of the project "For the rehabilitation

of the educational system in Albania," was the result reached following the talks that Albanian Minister of Education had with Sue Berryman and Mansoora Rashid, delegates of the World Bank. This important international financial institution expressed its readiness to resume aid in the course of a second stage for the physical restructuring of schools, and "the perfection of didactic programs and text books in the conditions of privatization of their publishing houses."

World Bank representatives also presented "the possibility of an acceptable mediation for the delivery of a grant of approximately 400 000 dollars by the Japanese government for the second stage of the project for the restructuring of the educational network in Albania in all its levels, "

sources of the Ministry of Education and Science say. xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Greek police deliver aid to Albanian police

Police director of the Epirus region Ilia Kroqidhi and chief of the Police directorate of the Gjirokastra prefecture Islam Qibini considered very fruitful the relations between the two police departments.

The aid includes 300 police uniforms, logistic means and equipment for the police dormitory. s.s/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Promoting postal service is of importance, official say

"Postal service is being reorganised in the frame work of a restructuring process, which is going on in all institutions in Albania," Fino said, adding that within March a bill on postal service in Albania will be submitted to parliament. This law will define not only the rights and obligations of a regulatory body but also clarify rapports between private and public services.

In the framework of a National Strategy of Privatisation, the Albanian government is finding possibilities to turn the Albanian Postal Enterprise into a shareholding company.

"The World Postal Union sees with optimism the government's efforts to create sufficient legal dimensions to attract investments and grants in the post service sector," Livey said.

"It is time that the projects start even in this sector, in which you would have our support to set up a real national postal service to help repair objective shortage coming out particularly in mountainous regions," Livey said. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Court's rulings not serious at all, Prosecutor's office says

The same sources said that investigations are underway in Shkoder, Lezhe, Kurbin and Tirane to throw light in this case.

On Friday, the deputy of the Democratic party (DP) Azem Hajdari and some armed persons returning from a soccer match in the Shkodra, North of Albania, did not allow policemen of a roadblock in the Laç city to control them.

Sources of the Interior Ministry said that the armed gang had provoked the police forces in Shkoder threatening the lives of policemen after breaking the roadblock.

Police managed to detain 14 members at the entrance of Laç.

The court ruled home arrests from 5 to 15 days "making unacceptable time limits," they said.

The prosecutor's office does not need limited time to obtain further proofs because "the ones submitted to the court were sufficient for the former to ask that those persons be put into custody."

They said that the request of the prosecutor's office for an unlimited custody was motivated by facts obtained.

"Our request was important because it was related to a very grave event of social consequences."

The prosecutor's office was convinced that its charges: "objection to state representative and illegal possession of arms are based on proofs."

The accusation is the same for all 14 detainees because they acted in group, sources said. mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] HRUP strongly backs current coalition government, leader says

"The inhabitants living within a range of 20 to 30 km from the border with Greece will have the possibility to enter the Greek state soon without visas," Melo said.

Considering this news an omen, Melo said that the HRUP will meet its promise for a Greek consulate in Korçe, legalization of refugees and seasonal employment in Greece, which are underway.

Gjergji Leka, HRUP division leader, said, among others, in his report that his division has two deputies in parliament and representative in the local government. s.sh/mima/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] Albanian politics reacts aganist Milosevic-Rugova meeting (Godo urges international guarantee for accords)

The news was published by Belgrade's daily "Blic" on Wednesday and obtained by different news agencies.

"To talk with is a good thing, I do not see anything wrong in this direction, but in case of Belgrade one should recall what has happened in the past: Milosevic has signed accords, which he failed to implement later, " Godo said.

"An international guarantee should be urged and international structures should guarantee accords, which can be signed by sides," Godo, the Republican leader, said.

"The right of the Kosova people for self determination, what cannot be achieved in a day, but through negotiations without deviating from the final intention, should be taken into consideration during negotiations," Godo said.

Belgrade's daily said that the meeting will probably be held in Belgrade and will be preceded by a meeting of technical staff from both sides which will study how to implement the education accord signed by both leaders in September 1996.

Milosevic's invitation, Blic said, is related to the comprehension of the ruling Serbian Socialist party "that Serbia's and Yugoslavia primary interest is to eliminate the outer wall of sanctions" which is damaging country's economy. s.sh/ak/

(more)

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Albanian politics react against Milosevic-Rugova meeting (2) (Meta urges presence of international factor)

"Such news is not yet confirmed seriously," Meta said, adding that the source of information has not been identified. "Nevertheless, we have been and are that the Kosova issue be resolved through dialogue and every dialogue, or contact would have been in favour of changing the atmosphere, especially concerning the status of Kosova."

"We are not sure which is the agenda, but it would be of interest to guarantee implementation of education accord signed a year ago by Milosevic and Rugova in order to increase credibility for negotiations," Meta said.

"We are not contrary to meetings of Milosevic and Rugova, but in order to guarantee seriousness, continuity and concrete results from these negotiations all international initiatives will converge in a point, that is the presence of the international factor, which will play not only the role of mediator, if negotiations will remain half-way, but also that of a catalyst to reach as soon as possible solution and a change of atmosphere."

"We believe in dialogue as the only road to resolve the present crisis concerning the Kosova issue," Meta said.

Albania has recently shown that there has been a good will in the meetings between Milo and Milutinovic and Nano and Milosevic, but we unfortunately see that Belgrade is using dialogue to delay solution of issues and implementation of accords both with Kosova concerning the education accord and Albania with the Han i Hoti customs house still "held hostage". s.sh/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Prosecutor's office asks for DP deputy be deprived of immunity

Albania's Speaker presented the formal request of the Prosecutor General in a parliamentary session later in the day.

After the request is put on the agenda, the commission on mandates will start to consider the mandate of Hajdari.

The DP deputy Hajdari is considered by the police as the instigator of an armed conflict last weekend in the Lezhe-Milot road axis.

Meanwhile, he said that the police shot his car he was travelling from Shkodra to Tirana.

Hajdari told a news conference on Tuesday that he was ready to be deprived of his immunity as a deputy to pave way for investigation on the case. /ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

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