Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-04-10

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Fortress of Gjirokaster - national museum

[02] Rumania interested in European solution of Kosova problem

[03] Co-governing with more scopes for local government, says Fino

[04] Antibiotic plant to resume work

[05] Kosova issue to be resolved through unconditional dialogue

[06] Some 40% of verdant grounds with unauthorized constructions

[07] Thousands of Kosova Albanians hold walking protests

[08] Foreign Commission asks parliamentary debate on Kosova

[09] Godo says Union for Democracy should explain requests for Constitution Commission

[10] Albanian Prime Minister meets U.S. Senate representatives

[11] Albanian and Italian Defence ministers meet

[12] Albanian Foreign Minister meets U.S. Senate representatives

[13] Albania does not allow creation of border incidents - statement

[14] SP leader dismisses reports on changes in its leadership

[15] Meidani says building of civil society requires engagement of all - Meidani visits district of Berat-

[16] Serbian Minister of Order says six Albanians killed by bandits

[01] Fortress of Gjirokaster - national museum

The fortress of Gjirokaster has been systematically robbed over the past years and actually no inventory of its objects exists there.

This fortress was constructed around the year 1100 and has been transformed a lot since then. It took its complete shape as one of the most typical medieval fortresses in 1800 under the rule of Ali Pashe Tepelena. A museum of arms has also existed in this fortress, but after the recent robberies, this museum has been obviously impoverished. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Rumania interested in European solution of Kosova problem

During the meeting, Minister Milo expressed the stand of the Albanian government on the Kosova problem.

"It is the right of the Kosova Albanians to decide on their future," he said. He stressed that the role of Rumania is very important to convince the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic, that it is the time of compromise. The Albanian government, stressed Milo, favours the peaceful solutions, as well as the proposal for the status of a third republic for Kosova in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He said that Kosova is not a domestic affair of Serbia, but an international issue, and all the Balkan countries should maintain the same stand in support of the decisions of the Contact Group for Kosova.

Donca voiced the interest of Rumania regarding this problem and appreciated the fact that the Albanian politics is interested in a peaceful solution of the Kosova problem. He expressed reserves regarding the time left at the disposal of Belgrade by the Contact Group, and the arms embargo. Expressing the concern of Rumania for the stability in the region, the Rumanian diplomat stressed that his country is interested in an European solution of this problem. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Co-governing with more scopes for local government, says Fino

Attending the meeting was also the Minister of Finances, Arben Malaj, the Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka, as well as leaders of local government.

Leaders of local government from the districts of the prefecture focused on the problem of collecting the local taxes and state investments for the development of the urban and rural infrastructure. /a.ke/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

TIRANA, April 9 (ATA) - In cooperation with authorities from the Albanian Ministry of Defence and local authorities in the Kucova administrative district, a unit of the United States Army Europe Joint Remains Recovery Team has traveled to the village of Goraj (Southern Albania) to retrieve the bodies of American airmen who died when their plane was shot down during World War II.

As a release of the United States Information Service (USIS) in Tirana reports, the B-24 bomber was returning from a mission over Rumania on August 10, 1994, when it was shot down by German anti-aircraft artillery based near Berat. The plane burst into flames and crashed near Goraj, within the Kucova district. Six of the crew-members died; the remains of five of them are believed to be at the site. Several residents of the farmhouse, where the plane crashed, were also killed.

The Recovery team will likely spend one week in Albania. The work is going well, according to U.S. Defence Attache, Robert Applegate, thanks to the "tremendous assistance and cooperation from both the Ministry of Defence and local authorities."

On Thursday afternoon, a brief ceremony took place to commemorate those who died in the crash. /a.ke/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Antibiotic plant to resume work

"The first investments for functioning of two lines which have to do with the preparation of medicaments and production of tablets of aspirins, are almost over," the director of the Antibiotic plant, Rasim Hamzarai, told ATA, adding that "it is expected the approval from the Ministry of Health which will open way to the functioning of the production."

Turned actually into a shareholding company, the drug plant which is named under "Euro Medica," has been bought with a value worth two million dollars by more than 300 shareholders, among whom a foreigner with 17% of the shares.

Hamzarai said that some 60% of the product is expected to be exported and some 50 workers will be employed in the beginning. Employees who have worked here before will be considered of priority, because they have also bought shares.

Along with the reconstruction of the existing lines, the managers of the Antibiotic plant have planed the construction of new lines. /pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Kosova issue to be resolved through unconditional dialogue

As the Kosova Information Center reported, during the meeting with the Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova, the ambassador said that Belgium is engaged for a solution through an unconditional dialogue of the Kosova issue.

President Rugova asked the increase of pressure for the withdrawal of the Serbian forces from the villages of Drenice and the whole Kosova.

"The people of Kosova is resolute to realize its will for an independent Kosova through peaceful means, said Rugova, re-stressing the readiness of the Kosovar leadership for an unconditional dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade with the mediation of a third international party. /p.ta/pas/mt/

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[06] Some 40% of verdant grounds with unauthorized constructions

The chairman of the construction police close to the prefecture of Vlore, Petrit Dervishi, told ATA that this surface covers some 40 per cent of the verdant ground in this town.

These constructions, more than 5 500, have been dispersed in all public-gardens, even near the Flag Square in the center of the town.

To prevent this phenomenon, he asked a greater coordination between the local government and the order police, as well as a clearer legal framework.

Dervishi said that it exists a confrontation between the law "On city- planning," and "On the construction police."

"Out of 140 denunciations and 90 administration orders, issued during this year by the town-hall for unauthorized constructions, none of them has been executed," Dervishi pointed out.

Actually in Vlore, the temporary kiosks without permissions are rapidly turning into permanent constructions. Included in this transformation are also many kiosks in the sidewalks of the main boulevard of the town, meanwhile that the park "Rinia" (Youth) risks to have only the name in the future. /s.sh/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] Thousands of Kosova Albanians hold walking protests

Thousands of protesters headed for the main square "Mother Theresa" and other squares and streets of Prishtina.

Some 12 political and non political subjects of the Kosova Albanians have invited the Albanians to walk every day along the streets of our towns from 12:00 until 12:30 to show their presence in Kosova and to convey the message that they do not intend to leave their country. /p.ta/pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Foreign Commission asks parliamentary debate on Kosova

"The draft-resolution will demand the deployment of NATO troops in Kosova as the first step for the prevention of the Serbian repression which is still continuing, as well as for the prevention of the extension of the threatening conflict there," the commission chairman, Sabri Godo, told ATA.

He added that the draft-resolution will urge the international community to force Milosevic accept the dialogue and to support and protect the rights of the Kosova Albanians.

The resolution will take its final shape next Tuesday.

"I think that even the debate will be held next week in Parliament," said Godo.

The member of this commission, Genc Pollo, said that it is necessary the participation of Premier Nano in this debate, "because in the session where he reported for the Contact Group meeting, no further debates were allowed for the work of the government regarding the Kosova issue."

The Albanian Parliament approved a statement by the beginning of March a statement urging Belgrade to give up violence and hold talks on the Kosova issue.

Godo said that different from the statement, the requests of the resolution are more concrete, taking into consideration the aggravation of the situation. /s.s/pas/mt/

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[09] Godo says Union for Democracy should explain requests for Constitution Commission

Meanwhile Genc Pollo, chairman of the DP Parliamentary Group says the requests set forward are very clear and reasonable.

"It should be explained what does blocking possibility with one third of the members mean: blocking of the commission's performance or of a single point?" Godo told ATA on Friday.

He added that this issue should be resolved by the People's Assembly, as the commission cannot decide on itself.

Pollo said that the discussion and fulfilment of the Union for Democracy's requests is a condition for their representatives' participation in the commission.

"The requests are reasonable and backed by the international organisations," said Pollo.

The Union for Democracy parties have asked that the composition of the Constitution Commission be reconsidered, claiming a blocking minority. They have also requested that one of the co-chairmen be representative of the opposition and that there should be no co-chairmen coming from the executive.

"It is not clear from whom do they ask the blocking minority. The request for the co-chairman is also unclear as one of them is from the opposition," parliament's speaker Skender Gjinushi told ATA.

According to him the official paper submitted to the Parliament's presidency is not clearly formulated.

The international organisations, such as the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe, as well as renowned constitutionalists have considered the Commission's composition completely regular. /s.s/pas/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Albanian Prime Minister meets U.S. Senate representatives

The representatives of the U.S. Senate, who are in Albania on an informative visit, briefed the Albanian Prime Minister on their visits to Belgrade, Prishtine and Podgorice.

"The United States regards the attitude of the Albanian government and of the Prime Minister to resolve the crisis in Kosova, as very correct, clear, transparent and fair," the two senators stressed.

During the meeting Nano portrayed the present situation in Albania, concentrating on the main points of the activity and reforms undertaken by the Albanian government, including the process of eliminating the pyramid schemes, and the reform in the judiciary system. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] Albanian and Italian Defence ministers meet

Brokaj, who is on a one-day working visit to Italy, evaluated the Italian military assistance in repairing Albanian ships, training Albanian militaries and other fields.

They also spoke of the situation in Kosova and issues of security in the region. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Albanian Foreign Minister meets U.S. Senate representatives

The U.S. representatives, who are on an informative visit to Albania, showed interest in the Albanian party's view on the latest developments in Kosova.

They discussed the role of the international factor, especially of the U.S., to resolve it, the latest political maneuvers of the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and the current developments in Montenegro.

Milo pointed to the indispensability of a strong and swift reaction by the international community, first of all of the U.S., towards Belgrade, so that the Bosnia experience is not repeated any more.

The U.S. representatives, after stressing the U.S. role in the context of the Contact Group, said that the lack of constructive steps by Milosevic to resolve this crisis is exhausting the U.S. patience.

They considered positive the latest developments in Montenegro and stressed that Belgrade's unchanging policy would mean deeper consequences for the country's economy. /s.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albania does not allow creation of border incidents - statement

A statement of the Foreign Ministry says that this incident has also been spoken about by the Yugoslav local commission, but which has asked no meeting with the Albanian local commission to survey the material evidence on the spot, based on a Albanian-Yugoslav agreement to resolve border incidents.

"At the beginning of this week, the charge d'affaires of the Albanian embassy in Belgrade, Florian Nova, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) by the former head of department for Neighbouring Countries, Mr. Ilic, who handed over to Nova a note of protest against a so-called incident which, according to the representative of the Yugoslav government, 'occurred on March 25 at around 9:15 and 9:50, when fire was opened from the Albanian territory against the border authorities of the Yugoslav army in the RFY territory in the region of the 10/13 post'.

According to the Yugoslav note of protest 'after the Yugoslav army authorities reacted to the fire, the armed persons retreated deep in the territory of the Republic of Albania'.

'Such border incidents might be of great and unpredictable consequences, the FRY Foreign Ministry remarked.

It seems this unproved incident is in a series of a number of incidents claimed by the Yugoslav side to certify their already known thesis that Albania incites the conflict in Kosova.

The Albanian government has publicly declared more than once that it neither allows nor causes border or any other incident in the interstate border.

In implementation of this policy, the Albanian government has also undertaken a series of concrete actions, including strengthening of the border regime and preventing any kind of smuggling into the other side of the border.

In this regard, the Albanian government is also cooperating with the international organisations to monitor the border, to bar the way to any kind of unilateral judgement on any kind of incident and, what is more important, to avoid it," the statement concludes. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] SP leader dismisses reports on changes in its leadership

"No changes have been proposed or requested in the SP leadership," Ruci told ATA on Friday.

Meanwhile, Bashkim Fino, also member of the SP presidency, speaking of changes in the Nano cabinet, told the SP newspaper (Zeri i Popullit) recently that:" I assure you, as deputy Prime Minister of this government, that the changes in the Nano cabinet and the SP leadership are regarded only as an element of progress and improvement in work and nothing else".

Ruci endorsed the idea of changes in the party, planned for Monday's meeting of the SP General Steering Committee, but said that they would not affect the SP leadership. /mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Meidani says building of civil society requires engagement of all - Meidani visits district of Berat-

Meidani first visited the town of Ure Vajgurore, Berat prefecture, and along with town mayor Abaz Gorani, in the presence of the numerous citizens who had come to greet him, unveiled the monument devoted to four policemen and a 19-year-old boy who were massacred on June 17 last year.

In Berat Meidani had a meeting with the expanded administrative council of the prefecture, deputies of the zone and leaders of the Berat, Kucove and Skrapar.

In this meeting the Berat Mayor, Ndue Gega, said that this district had 20. 243 unemployed, and credits for small and medium business were lacking. He highly estimated the police performance in restoring order and intercepting criminals, the efforts of the businessmen to reactivate the private economy.

Meidani said that in order to solve the economic problems it should be passed from trade to production, drafting short and long term plans.

He expressed regret at the great disaster engulfing Berat during the 1997 riots, in which 233 people were killed and 1.374 others were injured.

Evoking the ancient culture and history of Berat Meidani said that they should be kept alive and one should not be silent about the crime which ruined these great values.

Blaming the previous government for the total degeneration, Meidani said that for the construction of a civil society school and culture should be encouraged.

Meidani considered important the implementation of the law without party lining. /a.ke/mima/lm/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Serbian Minister of Order says six Albanians killed by bandits

Stojkovic said he was not yet aware of those responsible for the killing, but added that it was about "bandits and terrorists" who would be given "the deserved punishment". "This is an act condemned in the world and we also expect the world to condemn this crime," Stojkovic told the aforesaid paper.

The bodies of the six ethnic Albanians kidnapped, known as sympathizers of Serbians, were found dead on Monday, on the side of a road near Orahovac, southwest of Kosova. /p.ta/mima/lm/

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