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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-07-10Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] First interrogation session for Director of Customs DepartmentTIRANE, July 9 (ata) - By Th Thanasi: The first interrogation session for Gezim Bleta, General Director of Customs Department of Albania, will start Friday noon.Bleta faces the charge of "abuse of office with great consequences," sources of Investigation department in the General Attorney's Office told ATA. The first inquiry for Bleta was fixed for last Tuesday but it was postponed, as the group of prosecutors said, "simply for procedural reasons." /s.sh./das/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Ruling coalition parties call on DP to return to ParliamentTIRANE,July 9 (ata) - The ruling coalition parties called on Thursday to the Democratic Party (DP opposition) and its parliamentary group to return to the Parliament.A joint declaration of the Socialist Party (SP Social Democratic Party (SDP,) Agrarian Party (AP,) the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP,) and the Human Rights Union Party (HRUP) says: "We appeal to the Democratic Party, in particular to its parliamentary group, to review with a cool head its decision and to come back to the Parliament." They consider the boycott of the Parliament by the DP parliamentary group as an hasty, groundless and harmful act which serves destabilization of the parliamentary political life and broader, at a time when the country needs stability more than ever. "This is a bitter act for Kosova brothers, for the European Troika, an act aiming to question the capability of the Albanians to respect institutions and law," writes the declaration. The Democratic Party decided to boycott the parliament last Tuesday, one day after the Parliament approved the final report on the Commission for the Investigation into the Unrest of 1997, where deputies of the Government coalition blamed DP leader and ex-president Sali Berisha and his collaborators for, as they called it, "the re-destruction of the Albanian state" last year when DP was in power. /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Albanian Government discusses measures to fight corruptionTIRANE,July 9 (ata) - Albanian Finance Minister Arben Malaj stated Thursday that the level of incomes from the customs houses during January-May was 92 million dollars from 60 million dollars in 1995, considered as the best fiscal year, while the amount of smuggled goods seized by competent bodies is the largest of all times, amounting to the value of 12 million dollars, the press office of the PM of Albania reports."So far, there are over 50 firms and a number of customs officials penally prosecuted but none has been sentenced by judiciary. Work between public order and SHIK (National Information Service) must be better coordinated," said Malaj in a meeting of the Government on Thursday. Albanian PM Fatos Nano asked Thursday from some ministers of his cabinet to declare openly figures and measures against corruption and pronounce themselves about some charges in the media made by opposition party representatives or those of the government coalition in the address of some senior officials. Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation and Trade, respectively Paskal Milo and Ermelinda Meski refuted statements of the opposition that the international community has interrupted the support for Albania because of the corruption, and said that the high levels of corruption are in general inherited from the Democratic Party governing. "The government is drafting programs and laws to prevent corruption, thus creating the climate and legal framework for the judiciary to act energetically against it," declared deputy Premier Kastriot Islami. On July 1, the Albanian Government and the World Bank held the Forum Anti-corruption which treated the present level of corruption in Albania and the measures to fight it. Albanian Prime Minister asked the ministers that, within 10 days, they must turn the conclusions of the Forum Anticorruption into legal acts and decisions and that each minister must identify within the same deadline what was inherited from the previous administration. /s.sh/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Draft of Albanian Constitution approvedTIRANE,July 9 (ata) - By Y Pata: The Parliamentary Commission for the Drafting of the Constitution adopted Thursday evening the draft of the fundamental law of the Albanian state.The Commission approved the version of one of its co-chairmen, Sabri Godo (RP.) On the basis of this version, the People's Assembly issues, in 2-3 years from the date the new Constitution enters into force, laws for the solution of questions related with the expropriations and confiscations made before the approval of this constitution. In this draft, the Prosecutor's Office is defined as a centralized structure directed by the Attorney General who is elected by the President of the Republic by the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. At the end of the meeting, on the basis of the compromise reached in the Venice commission, the provision related with the Council of the Assembly (Second chamber) was approved. Its competence is to examine important laws, or as called otherwise, organic laws, before they are sent to the Parliament. After some days, a delegation of the Commission for the Constitution will leave for Venice to take from the Commission of the Council of Europe (CE) "Democracy through Law" the final approval for the draft of the fundamental law of the Albanian state. /s.sh/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] A police officer killed and two policemen injured in a police operation in TiraneTIRANE, July 10 (ata) - A police officer was killed and two policemen were wounded in an effort to free seven members of a family which was being terrorized by a policeman who also was killed in Thursday evening, spokesman of the Public Order Ministry reports.According to the spokesman at about 8 p.m., Lulezim Skender Kerciku, 26, resident in Tirane, policeman in the unit for the protection of important institutions of this city, rushed into the home of Jakup Kokonozi and opened fire with his weapon, terrorizing the family members there. The aggressor opened fire against police and special unit forces who arrived immediately in the scene, killing the police officer of RENEA unit, Elam Elezi, 29, and wounding in the leg the police of this unit A Ceka and another policeman. During the exchange of fire, Kerciku himself was also killed. The motives of the terrorist act are still unknown, said the spokesman, adding that prosecutor's office is working to throw light on the event. /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] A van with weapons detected in DurresDURRES, July 10 (ata) - By S Gjordeni: A van with weapons in it has been detected in the square of ferries in the Port of Durres (Central Albania.)The van with the number of plate ZG-394-TU, of Montenegro, had reached in the port of Durres on July 3 from Ancona (Italy) on the ferry San Sovino of the Company Adriatica. "For several days the van belonged to nobody. In these conditions, last Thursday we sent it to our branch in Shkozet, and in the presence of a joint commission with the forces of public order, we opened it," said to ATA the director of the Durres customs house, Petrit Kociu. "We found in the van different weapons, machine guns, automatic rifles and an amount of munition," said Kociu. Some time ago, another contingent of weapons was uncovered in a long vehicle loaded with detergents and coming in the Port of Durres through Italy. /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Prices for some food articles fallTIRANE, july 9 (ata) - By V Mehilli: During this week too, the prices for some food articles have fallen, according to the department of Statistics in the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods.The average prices have fallen mainly in the bread grains, dairy products, vegetables and eggs, while the average price for fruits has increased. There are no significant changes in the prices of other items like sugar, rice, meat etc. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Savings Bank of Albania offers money transfer service also to GreeceTIRANE, July 9 (ata) - By M Pupa: The Savings Bank of Albania guarantees Albanian emigrants in Greece a reliable transfer of their money to Albania. This can be realised through a cooperation with Macedonia Thrace Bank and Greek Postal Savings Bank.The amount of money to be transferred through these two banks is up to 500 USD, or the same value in drachmas, DM which may be transferred without the need of other documentation but the passport. Also people in Albania may get the deposited or transferred sums of money from the Savings Bank in any kind of currency. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Savings Bank of Albania sings agreement for money transfers with ItalyTIRANE, July 9 (ata) - By Lolita Thanasi: The Savings Bank has signed an agreement with Cariplo and Ambrosiano Veneto to carry out money transfers to Albania from emigrants living in Italy. It is the second agreement of this kind following that signed some time ago with Macedonia Thrace Bank and Greek Postal Savings Bank for money transfers from Greece to Albania."Soon, these transfers will be also extended to Switzerland and Germany where there are Albanian emigrants," director of the Savings Bank, Artan Santo told ATA. Actually, the Savings Bank is working with a special group on new services to be offered to clients, so that to facilitate money transfers. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] 100 tons of aid from Netherlands for refugees from KosoveDURRES, July 10 (ATA) - About 100 tons of aid has arrived in Albania from Netherlands for the refugees from Kosova in Northern Albania, who have fled their homes to escape Serb violence and repression.Thursday evening four long vehicles carrying aid from the Dutch humanitarian association "Hope for Albania" reached the port of Durres on the board of Palladio freighter. Association representatives told ATA that the contingent of assistance consists of food articles and clothes for the refugees from Kosove and teaching instruments for schools. Hope for Albania has been present in Albania also other times to assist inhabitants in different zones of the country, mainly in mountain areas. /s.s/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] LDK refutes reports of Morine village having fallen in hands of Serb forcesPRISHTINE,July 10 (ata) - Sources of the Democratic League of Kosove (LDK) in Gjakove refuted Friday reports that village Morine was in the hands of Serb forces. Fierce fighting took place in the past 48 hours in Morine, bordering Albania, between Albanian and Serb forces, following the artilley attack of the Serb forces against villages of Reke e Keqe.According to Information Centre of Kosove, the consequences of this attack, which was backed up by Serb police and paramilitary troops, are not yet reported. Information Centre of Kosova said that villages of Decan, Gllogjan, Gramacel, Baballoq, Shaptej and other villages were bombed last Thursday from positions of Serb forces and army in Suke of Bitesh and in the Hill of Zhdrelle. /p.ta/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] German experts to help Albanian ArmyTIRANE, July 10 (ata) - German military experts led by lieutenant-colonel Winter stressed in a meeting last Thursday with the deputy chief of the Albanian Army General Staff, Colonel Mehmet Musaj the need that the experience that Albanian experts have gained in arms-control training be put to practice, spokesman of the Defence Ministry of Albania told ATA.Colonel Musaj highlighted in the meeting the continuous assistance that German experts are giving in the field of military education in Albania. In the context of the OSCE and on the basis of the demands of the Vienna Convention of 1994, the Albanian Army has been offered assistance in two aspects: first, to know the demands of this Convention and second; to accomplish the obligations of Albania, which is a full member of the convention. The team of German experts is for three days now having meetings with Albanian military experts. /a.ke/mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] President of Republic of Kosove meets with German AmbassadorPRISHTINE, July 10 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: The President of the Republic of Kosove, Ibrahim Rugova met Friday in Prishtine with the German Ambassador in Belgrade, Wilfried Gruber. The meeting was held in closed doors, but according to a preliminary report by the German Embassy in Belgrade, Gruber wanted to inform Rugova of the conclusions of the latest meeting of the Contact Group in Bonn. /p.ta/mima/xh/Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] U.S. State Department on Democratic Party boycott of Parliament- press releaseTIRANE, July 10 (ata) - The United States State Department yesterday released the following statement concerning the Albanian Democratic Party's decision to boycott Parliamentary proceedings. Spokesman James P. Rubin made the statement in Washington: The United States strongly endorses the joint statement by Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Special Representative in Albania and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, which lamented the July 7 decision by the Democratic Party (DP) of Albania to resume its boycott of all Parliamentary proceedings, says the statement. We view this development as a step backwards in Albania's consolidation of democratic development, and we call upon the DP to consider its decision and take its rightful place in the Parliament. The United States believes that only through a constructive political dialogue and the opposition's full participation in the affairs of government, particularly in constitutional development, can Albanian successfully grapple with the urgent national priorities it faces. Recriminations over past differences only distract from the important business ahead. The U.S. Government remains committed to helping Albania in its efforts to implement democratic and economic reforms, says the statement. We urge the Democratic Party to end its boycott of Parliament and resume a meaningful legislative role. Political reconciliation and constructive cooperation among all Albanian political forces will be integral to any durable recovery from the extreme difficulties of the past year, ends the press release. The Democratic Party decided to boycott the parliament last Tuesday, one day after the Parliament approved the final report on the Commission for the Investigation into the Unrest of 1997, where deputies of the Government coalition blamed DP leader and ex-president Sali Berisha and his collaborators for, as they called it, "the re-destruction of the Albanian state" last year when DP was in power. In a statement Thursday, the ruling coalition parties called on DP to take part in the Parliament for the sake of stability of the country and of the Kosova brothers who are under Serb repression and violence. /s.s./mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Rugova says Contact Group should back independence of KosovaPRISHTINE, July 10 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that president of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova said on Friday that he backed the option for Kosova independence even after the latest proposals of the Contact Group."We want more. The solution is an independent Kosova which should be also backed by the Contact Group," Rugova told today's news conference in Prishtina. "We are insisting and working that the Kosova independence as well as an international protectorate as a transition phase be accepted and applied, " Rugova said, backing the plan and steps of the Contact Group for a peaceful solution. The Contact Group that convened on July 8 in Bonn called for "an immediate stop of fighting in Kosova to help pave the way for resumption of negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade for a future status of Kosova." Rugova said that "they praise the work of the Contact Group and its members and, obviously, we have asked the group to assess what measures adopted by the first meeting in London on March 9 have been carried out." "Obviously, any people like to live in a state, but, given the reorganisation in that part of Europe, we urge an independent Kosova and this would calm the region," Rugova replied to journalists about yesterday's statement of German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, who was quoted as saying "we do not accept a greater Albania." Rugova hailed the work of the international monitoring mission in Kosova. "The presence of diplomatic monitors to follow the situation on the ground is useful and important. We want other steps to defend the people of Kosova," Rugova said. "The situation in Kosova continues to be aggravated and dangerous. Attacks of the Serb forces continue therefore we urge an international protection for Kosova and its people," Rugova said. pta/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Israeli government to provide food aid for Kosova refugeesTIRANA, July 10 (ATA) - The Israeli government decided, through the embassy of Israel in Rome, accredited even in Albania, to send humanitarian aid to refugees of Kosova, who have been settled in north Albania fleeing Serb terror, Roma based Israeli Embassy said.The Israeli aid will be sent soon through the "World Food Program" organisation and includes foodstuff to meet the needs of thousands of refugees for a three-month period. rxh/mima/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] English investors invited to invest in agriculture, food industryTIRANA, July 10 (ATA) - By V. Mehilli: A delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food headed by the minister Lufter Xhuveli was for an official visit in England invited by the British government to attend the International Royal Agricultural Fair.Minister Xhuveli met with his English counterpart Jack Cunningham to discuss promotion of relations between the sides in agriculture and particularly the qualification of Albanian specialists and extension of links with British Scientific and Research Institutions. Xhuveli asked for technical assistance in agricultural marketing. He also met with representatives of the well-known English companies such as the mechanics, seed production, agroindustry and briefed them on the Albanian legislation on investments in the agricultural sector and food industry. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Institute of statistics to carry out census soonTIRANA, July 10 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: The Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) is preparing to carry out a new census soon.The previous census was done in 1989, Milva Ikonomi, director of the Institution said to ATA on Friday. She added that the new census will end within 1999. INSTAT is preparing a draft plan which will define criteria of census to be followed by counting of population on the ground and final conclusions. The institute will use administration data obtained by local government and civic state offices and a new element the cartography. s.sh/das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Imports expected to reach $900 million in 1998TIRANA, June 10 (ATA) - The total of Albanian imports for 1998, according to the Ministry of Finance, is expected to reach at around $900 million from $666 millions realised during the last year.For a five-month period starting from January to May this year, Albania has imported some $318 million of different goods, from which $223 million were import duty goods. During the same period last year the value of imports was estimated at $190 million and import duty goods some $120 million. It is foreseen that the import duty goods reach some $630 million. The highest import record in Albania was in 1996 estimated at $921 million while the lowest in 1994 at around $605 million. /agj/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Albania, Austria sign agreement on railway transportTIRANA, July 10 (ATA) - By M. Pupa: Albania and Austria signed recently a cooperation agreement in railway transport in Vienna.The Albanian minister of Transport Gaqo Apostoli, who signed the agreement for the Albanian side, said that this agreement would not only focus on such elements as researches, training, technical assistance, exchange of experience but also in projects of concrete implementation including the rehabilitation of the railway segment Durres-Rrogozhine- Pogradec, Vore-Shkoder-Han i Hotit and Rrogozhine-Vore. The Austrian counterpart Kasper Ainem said that Austria would grant 130 used passengers' wagons, telecommunication and communication systems for the Tirana-Durres railway segment and a considerable quantity of railway tracks. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Nano says future of Memaliaj town linked with mine's prospectiveMEMALIAJ, July 10 (ATA) - By H. Çani: Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano visited early on Friday the town of Memaliaj, south of Albania.He held a meeting with local government officials and administration and trade union leaders of the town's coal mine to discuss the idea on the creation of a thermo power plant near the mine which, together with the brick factory, would be the important and very useful consumers for the mine. "The future of the Memaliaj town is linked with the prospective of the mine and I believe in its restructuring," Nano said. Present at the meeting was the minister of Economy and Privatisation Ylli Bufi, and minister of Public Works and Social Affairs Anastas Angjeli. The mayor of the town of 10 thousand inhabitants, Syrja Hyseni, urged the government to help reduce unemployment. Minister Angjeli promised that Memaliaj will be included in immigration programmes with neighbour countries, Italy and Greece. s.sh/das/ak/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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