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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-05Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Documentation to privatize state enterprises under wayTIRANA, Sept 4 (ATA) - By M. Pupa: A working group of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is considering what state enterprises on its dependant can be privatised, sources from the Directorate for the Administration and Privatisation of enterprises said to ATA on Friday.They have ordered, basing on the proposals and documentation, the turning of 33 enterprises into trade companies 18 of which are water distribution companies, privatisation of nine state enterprises and many buildings of the road maintenance sectors as well as the privatisation of a part of the state capital in 13 joint ventures out of 22 existing ones. All the enterprises possess the necessary materials to start procedures. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Albania beats Georgia 1:0TBILISI, Sept 4 (ATA) - By M. Sinemati: In the qualifying match of the second group of the European under-21 soccer championship, whose finals will be held in Belgium in 2000, the Albanian team Shpresa beat the Georgian team Shpresa 1:0 on Friday. The goal was scored at 88' by mid- field Albert Duro.The match held in Boris Pastadze" Stadium in Tbilisi was attended by 10.000 spectators. /das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Armed persons provoke guards of Korca division sub-unitKORCE, Sept 4 (ATA) - By B. Fejzullai: Two armed persons provoked on Friday the guards on duty at one of the sub units of the Korça division and later fired at them.Robert Topi, chief of the division, said to ATA that two gunmen came near the military unit of Mali i Moraves on Friday at 14.30. p.m. and asked for weapons. But the guards ordered them to go away. The gunmen fired at the guards from 200 to 300 meters. The guards responded to the fire and informed the military police of the division which came immediately to the site. The gunmen, taking advantage of the uneven terrain, managed to flee to an unknown direction. /das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Qipriot - master of XVI century iconographyTIRANA, Sept 4 (ATA) - By K. Shehu: The Albanian iconographic art of the XVI century besides Onufri, the great master from Berat, knew also the painter Onufri Qioprioti who had been trained, according to the historical data, as a painter in the studio of Onufri the great.Qioprioti together with the son of Onufri, Nikolla, represented the elita of the Albanian iconography in the XVI century. Scholars of iconography in Albania say that "Qiprioti is the first painter who signed his name in frescos and icons what cannot be noticed in Onufri who himself signed only the frescos." They also said that "he is one of the painters who used ornaments, decor in relief, but the structures of his compositions are more precise." As regards the origin of Qipriot, the iconographic scholars of the Institute of Monuments said to ATA that "his surname maybe implies that he is originally from Cyprus." They also say that "contacts with the Antique Museum in Greece reveal that no painting of him is there." His masterpieces are mural paintings in the church of Goranxhi village, Gjirokastra district, a place where Qiprioti worked after being trained in Onufri studio. A monograph including his works and 20 icons is being prepared by the iconographers of the Institute of Monuments. The Albanian iconography dated back to VI century with saints' paintings. In XII-XIV century the art of iconography was represented by the icons carved in wood and frescos in the church of Apollonia in Fier or church of Shen Triadha in Berat. They were followed by great masters of XVI, XVII-XVIII as David Selenica, brothers Kostandini, Athanas Zografi and others. /das/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Budget deficit recorded at 155.2 billion leksTIRANA, Sept 4 (ATA) - By E. Metaj: The budget deficit of Albania from January 1993 to June 1998 period was recorded at 155.2 billion leks. The incomes for the same period are 281.1 billion leks and spending 436.2 billion leks.The Ministry of Finance said that a budget deficit worth 137.9 billion leks has been accumulated for the last five years ('93-'97) which has been financed by both the domestic and foreign financing respectively 109.1 billion leks and 28.7 billion leks. In the first six-month period of 1998 the budget deficit was increased by other 17.3 billion leks. The domestic financing has covered some 45 percent of the deficit or 7.8 billion leks while the foreign one some 55 percent or 9.5 billion leks. Selling of treasury bonds is the key factor in the domestic financing while long-term loans and aid are key factors for foreign financing. 1997 recorded the highest level of budget deficit with 44.4 billion leks. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Albanians to protest for Kosova in WashingtonPRISHTINE, Sept 5 (ATA) - Thousands of Albanians living in the United States will gather in Washington on September 9 to protest against the situation of Albanians in Kosova, a statement of the Albanian-American National Council, obtained by the Center for Information in Kosova, said.The demonstration will be held in Lafayette Park, in front of the White House and later the protesters will start a one-hour march through Pennsylvania Avenue heading for Capital Hill, the U.S. Congress headquarters, it said. "The conflict in Kosova should be stopped now, otherwise the world will be witness of an open indifferentism and destruction of the human life in the hands of Milosevic (Yugoslav president Slobodan)," the statement said. /pta/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Macro-economic indices are overcoming the crisis - MinisterTIRANE, Sept.5 (ata) - By D Koca: "After 8 difficult months, the macro- economic indices of Albania have improved and are overcoming the crisis of 1997," stated today in a news conference the Albanian Finance Minister, Arben Malaj.According to Malaj, now Albania is on the verge of the realisation of the main objectives of 1998, creation of no new debts, lowering of inflation from 44.1 to 10 per cent, lower budgetary deficit financed by inner sources from 11.7 per cent of the GDP to 6.8 per cent. Besides, the cost of the internal debt has significantly lowered from 41 % in the climax of the crisis to 26 % and the aim is to further lower it. "This helps increase the possibility for more investments, more credits for business and its lower cost. In all the steps we have undertaken, on the basis of the fiscal or monetary policies has been the support for private business, growing efforts for a stable economic system, " said the minister. Focusing on the midterm objectives of the Albanian Government, Malaj stressed that "they are ambitious." "The main macro-economic indices should be near those of our main partners so that Albania be a possibility for development and not merely a country for trading," he said. The achievements attained so far, said the Minister, have been also supported by the activation of former projects and of many new projects supported by the World Bank, the European Bank of Investments, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Italian, Greek governments and many other donors. At the end of his news conference, minister Malaj said that in the context of the Government program, backed up by IMF, CE, WB, the Ministry of Finance will adopt other important steps to complete the legal framework, to step up cooperation with international organizations, for a reform aiming at a long term qualified administration, for greater investments in the financial system of the country and above all for a stricter control on the cases of smuggling and the fiscal evasion." /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Income from privatization in 1998 expected to be 1.5 billion lekTIRANE, Sept.5 (ata) - By Elton Metaj: The incomes created by the privatization during January 1994-June 1998 which are used to finance the budgetary deficit, are 4.26 billion lek.According to data of the Ministry of Finance, for the four year period, 4.19 billion lek have been encased to cover the difference between the incomes and expenditure in the state budget. The best year for the accumulation of incomes from the state property sales in the set period has been 1994. During that year, the state budget was added with 2.35 billion lek. In the following years, this amount has been several times lower than the record level of 1994. During the first half of this year, the incomes from the privatization are only 68 million lek, with 27 million in March. "For 1998, privatization will generate a total of 1.5 billion lek to be used to reduce the inherited budget deficit," Albanian Finance Minister told a news conference today, adding that 473 small and mid enterprises are in the procedures of privatization. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] 25 offers made for former pyramid schemes assets auctionTIRANE, Sept. 4 (ata) - By M Pupa: The public tender for the articles in the catalogues 7 and 8 of the assets of the collapsed former loan-taking firms which are being audited, ended. This sale consists of 128 items.In the catalogue 7, there are 20 real estates located in Tirane, Vlore, Korce and Leskovik. In catalogue 8 there are various vehicles, such as cars, vans, lorries and buses. So far 134 catalogues have been sold and 25 offers made. The results of the tender will be announced on Sept.6, at 10 a.m. The people who will appear for the sale must have paid in the Savings Bank current account up to 20 per cent of the price of the item they want to buy. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Foreign donations for employees in Albanian judiciary, police, customs and taxation systemTIRANE, Sept.4 (ata) - By A Metaj: Budgetary support from foreign donors for the Albanian administration is addressed to four main institutions namely the judiciary, police, customs and taxation system.As reported from the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Trade, in order to stimulate the work in the four important institutions of the state administration, foreign donors have granted 14.5 million ECU-s, while about 0.4 million ECU-s of this amount will be used for the assistance and management of this sum. In general those who have benefited or will benefit from this support, through the payments from the state budget, are about 6130 people working in judiciary, police , customs and levies sectors. Most of the assistance is earmarked for police and judiciaries. The forces of order benefit 37 per cent of the total or 5.3 million ECU, while judiciary benefits 36 per cent or 5.1 million ECU. In judiciary, the number of the employees who will benefit from the foreign donations is 2198 while in police 2091. The customs houses will profit in general a total of 1.5 million ECU, while employees working in the system of taxes will benefit 2.3 million ECU- s. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] All forces must contribute to calm political situation - Republican leaderTIRANE, Sept.5 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: The chairman of the Republican Party (RP opposition,) Fatmir Mediu considers the local political situation as serious with disagreements existing between the two largest parties in Albania."The political situation in the country is tense. This is due to the differences between the two largest political forces of the country, the Socialist Party (SP) and the Democratic Party (DP.) The situation may be calmed through talks and by bringing all political parties to the same table," declared Mediu in a news conference on Saturday. Regarding the role of the present opposition, mainly of DP, in reducing the tension in Albania, Mediu said that "the present opposition does not aim the country's development but only to take the power." DP has declared it will use all means to topple the government led by Socialist Prime Minister Fatos Nano, following the arrest of six former senior officials of this party under the charge of "Crime against Humanity, " committed during the unrest of spring 1997, which, according to DP, are politically motivated. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Narcotics smuggler detained in PermetPERMET, Sept.5 (ata) - By H Cani: Police of Permet detained last Friday in a roadblock near the town Kelqyre a drug-trafficker, whose destination was Greece, spokesman of police told ATA.The smuggler Mihal Hoxha, 27, from the city of Vlore, was caught red- handed with 10 kg of cannabis. The arrest of Hoxha followed a police control in the van the smuggler was travelling. During the past 20 days, police of Permet have arrested 6 people for drug-trafficking. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] OSCE to try to restore civilised dialogue to Albanian politicsTIRANA, Sept 5 (ATA)-By I.Luto,The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will continue its efforts to normalise the political situation in Albania, the ambassador of this organisation to Albania, Daan Everts, told ATA on Saturday. "Everts said that "it is in the nature of this high organisation to help solve ambiguous situations and that the OSCE mission to Albania will continue to be active in restoring civilised dialogue to the Albanian politics and pave the way for the country's progress towards democracy and development." "It is the duty of all parties to be conscious of their constructive role and act with responsibility based on democratic norms, avoiding provoking, violent and illegal acts," said Everts. Everts has attended as an observer the illegal rallies of the right opposition coalition "Union for Democracy". According to Everts the return of the parties to the yet uncalled table of the constitutional process should be the main concern of the Albanian politics. Referring to his meeting on Friday with the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP, opposition), Sali Berisha, Everts said that they spoke of the development of the political developments at home and the determining role of the political parties in halting violence and consolidating democracy. On his part Berisha told the OSCE ambassador in Tirana that pressures by the opposition coalition against the government would continue, but assured him that this would be done only through peaceful protests. The "Union for democracy" grouping has declared that this open political war (with the left coalition government), which was escalated with the arrest of six DP former senior officials, will continue until the accused are released without conditions, a process in which OSCE had excluded the role of the political parties, leaving it to the justice to have its own say. As regards the latest incident in Gjirokaster, whose national road was blocked for two days in succession and eight policemen were injured in gun-battles, Everts said that this incident should not be politicised like the arrest of the former senior officials. "It would be better to leave it to the justice to investigate and find out the authors," said Everts. /mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Lawyers of six former officials oppose prosecutor's officeTIRANA, Sept 5 (ATA)-By U. Bajrami, The lawyers of six former senior officials, accused by the prosecutor's office of "crimes against humanity", opposed the investigations undertaken by the prosecutor's office, at a news conference on Saturday."The proofs and facts that chief prosecutor Arben Rakipi has presented to the media have not yet been made known to us," the defence lawyers of six former senior officials of the Albanian state said. "Six former senior officials of the DP governing (DP,opposition), charged with "crimes against humanity" during the Spring '97 unrest, in which some 2 000 people lost their lives, were arrested on August 22, 1998. The defence lawyers admitted they have observed grave procedural violations both by the prosecutor's office and the Tirana district Court. They said the accusation of crimes against humanity is envisaged by the Civil Code, while the accusation against the six defendants is undertaken to be defended by the Military Prosecutor's office. Meanwhile, the defence lawyers favoured the presence of international observers and "if this international monitoring is accepted we have thought to bring an indictment against the prosecutor for his arbitrary acts," they concluded. /mima/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Lawyers can carry out investigations for their clients alone, prosecutor's officeTIRANA, Sept 5 (ATA)-By L. Thanasi, The lawyers are right to carry out investigations in defence of their clients, but they should not go beyond the limit defined by law, the prosecutors of the case against six defendants for "crimes against humanity" told ATA.The lawyers of four of six defendants, former senior officials of the Democratic Party government (DP, opposition) told a news conference on Saturday that they would carry out investigations in support of their clients' innocence. According to the defence lawyers their investigations would intend to throw light on the events the defendants were accused of and would define if there had really been crimes against humanity during unrest in Albania. Six former senior officials of the DP government (DP,opposition), charged with "crimes against humanity" during the Spring '97 unrest, in which some 2 000 people lost their lives, were arrested on August 22, 1998. The DP politically motivate the arrest. "The lawyers are right to carry out investigations, but only for the clients they defend," said the prosecutors investigating six officials accused of "crimes against humanity". According to the prosecutors, the lawyers' investigation "has a limit defined by law" and beyond this limit, they are "alike the other citizens". "Inquiries into facts and proofs for other persons cannot be carried out by lawyers. In this case, the lawyers, should necessarily report the facts they find to the prosecutor's office, which on their basis should continue investigation," the prosecutors said. /mima/lm/ 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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