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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-18Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Two electricity pylons blown up, TV broadcasts interruptedTIRANA, Sept 17 (ATA) - By Th. Thanasi: Police specialists said on Thursday that two electricity pylons in Dajti mountain were heavily damaged by explosive substance on Wednesday evening causing the interruption of the broadcast of some private TV channels since Wednesday evening.A spokesman of the Police directorate of the Tirana Prefecture said to ATA that two electricity pylons 350 meters from each other and 21 meters high were blown up on Thursday in the place called Fushe-Dushk in Dajti mountain. Both pylons supply with electricity the antenna in Dajti mountain for the broadcast of TV private channels such as Shijak TV, TV Arberia and others, the spokesman said. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Turkish news agency offers aid to Albanian news agencyTIRANE, Sept 17, (ATA) By Eranda Nepravishta: A ceremony on the delivery of computers by the Turkish News Agency Anadolu Ajans (AA) to Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), was organised on Thursday in the Turkish Embassy in Albania.Present at the ceremony were the staff of the Turkish Embassy in Albania, personalities and representatives of Albanian media and some politicians. The aid is part of the Protocol on Technical Cooperation between AA and ATA, signed by the respective directors, this July, at the presence of Turkish President Sulejman Demirel and Albanian President Rexhep Mejdani. Ahmet Rifat Okçun, Ambassador of Turkish Republic in Albania, in his speech, said that he had the honour to hand over the aid to ATA. "Turkey has always helped and will help the Albanian people," Okçun said. Frrok Çupi, Director of Albanian Telegraphic Agency, thanked the Anadolus Ajans for the aid and said that "the aid is not for mercy but it is an expression of love between the two peoples". This aid will help improve computer system in the Albanian Telegraphic Agency. /dast/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Serb forces offensive burning KosovaPRISHTINE, Sept 17/ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: Serbian forces are carrying on a fierce and atrocious offensive against Albanians in the northeastern regions of Kosova.By midday flame and billow engulfed Shale e Bajgores and the suburbs of Vushtrri and Podujeve. According to the latest reports, the Serb forces are also looting and burning the village of Dobrad of Podujeve. The villagers have been forced by the Serb forces to leave this village, while the Yugoslav army has been stationed in several houses and the building of a school. According to reports, heavy Serbian forces in the suburbs of Vushtrri burned the village of Panome and partly Smrokovnice in the afternoon hours. Fire has also engulfed Bare, Kullofc, Bajgore and other villages in the suburbs of Mitrovice. According to witnesses arriving in Podujeve, Shale e Bajgore, especially in the place called Pical, there are fierce confrontations between the units of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and the Serb forces. Many have been reported killed among the Serb forces and a KLA soldier injured. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] Large number of ferries, passengers in Durres portDURRES, Sept 18 (ATA) - By S. Gjordeni: A large number of ferries and passengers has arrived and left the Durres port terminal during the first eight-month period.Some 215 thousand passengers, 168 thousand of whom Albanians have entered and left Albania via Durres port, Xhevahir Bilo, chief of border police, said to ATA on Thursday. Some 24 thousand Albanians employed in Italy with regular papers have arrived in Albania only in August. 3.366 foreign citizens have arrived in Albania during August, 2.293 of whom Italians, 312 Yugoslavs and 298 Germans. Majority of them have arrived for tourism, trade, business and other services. During the eight-month period the total number of trucks and trailers transporting goods is 13.571. At the beginning of September, though the political tension was high, the ferry terminal continued its normal work. From September 1 to 18 all ferries of travel agencies operating in Durres have not interrupted operations to Italy and Greece. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Expired foods interceptedTIRANA, Sept 17 (ATA)-By E.Xhajanka, The Food Control department at the Ministry of Agriculture has tightened control on trade units and storehouses to prevent the sale of expired foodstuff by irresponsible traders, who try to profit from the recently created situation.Some 10746 kinds of foodstuff on a country scale have been checked since the beginning of the year, according to sources of the Food Control department. Over 2,5 quintals of food items, including chocolates, tinned milk, croissants and other items, whose value amounts to 180 000 leks, have been blocked in Tirana. "Control has also been exercised on domestic productions," Nazri Haxhia, head of the food department at the Agricultural Ministry, told ATA. Refreshment drinks, gas and natural water, various essences have also been under frequent control. /lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Austria allocates $100 million for Albanian railwaysDURRES, Sept 18 (ATA) - By G. Kabashi: Austrian government has foreseen to invest through Austrian National Bank some $100 million to rehabilitate and develop Albanian railways in order to include them in the European railway traffic.Director of the Austrian project for Albania, Ilir Osmani, said to ATA on Thursday that an agreement signed by both Transport ministers marked the beginning of the work by a group of 16 Austrian and Albanian experts in Tirana and at the Railway Directorate General in Durres. They will present a detailed study within January which aims at drawing up a regulator master plan on development of the Albanian railways and defining economic profitability and financial procedures for the export of financial capital to cover investments in Albania. The Austrian National Bank has put some Ecu 200 thousand at the disposal of the study. Osmani said that this medium-term project will be carried out within five to ten years and have to do with the interest of the Austrian side in using the eighth corridor and inclusion of the Albanian railways in the European railway traffic. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Joint transport commission to meet on September 21TIRANA, Sept 17 (ATA)- By M.Pupa, The Albanian-Greek joint commission, in implementation of the protocol signed by the two ministers of Transport, Apostoli and Mantelis, will meet in Athens on September 21 to discuss issues connected with air, maritime, railway and urban transport, the director for Foreign Relations at the transportation department, Ilia Cili, told ATA.Regarding urban transportation, concrete procedures will be discussed to enable the arrival in Albania of 50 buses, which will be donated to the Albanian government. As to railway transport the ways and possibilities of Pogradec- Florence-Salonika railway connections will be discussed. "In maritime transport Greek financial support for the rehabilitation of the Sarande and Shengjin ports will be considered," said Cili. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Higher school contests are overTIRANE, Sept 18 (ATA) By P.Shuteriqi Contests for access to Universities and other higher schools dependant on the Education and Science Ministry are already over.The last contests were delayed two to three days, Mimoza Hafizi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, told ATA on Friday. "This happened because of the riots taking place in during efforts to stage a coup d'etat in Tirana," she said. About one fourth of all contestants on a Republic scale competed in the Tirana University alone. The Tirana University dean, Marenglen Spiro, told ATA that 1 894 news students had access to this university. Some 6 800 news students (nearly 1000 more than in the past academic year) have access to all Albania's Universities this year. Many new students are Albanians living out of the state borders. The number of Kosova students enrolled in 11 Universities and other higher schools in Albania is doubled. Journalism, jurisprudence and psychology recorded the largest number of contestors. /pas/lola/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Ajka factory to become a share holder companyTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA) - By E. Xhajanka: "Ajka" factory built up with the help of the German government and actually under state administration is being prepared to become a share holder company to pave way for privatization."This is one of the main factories producing guaranteed milk by- products," Gjergj Kiri, inspector at the food control department in Tirana said to ATA on Thursday. This factory with a state-of-the-art technology has started operation on 1995 and produces high quality milk by-products. Its daily capacity is 300 hecto/liters and the pasteurized capacity is 30 hecto/liters. But the problem of the contaminated milk with low fat parameters and high microbe load have rendered difficult the operation of new processing lines. "The anachronical way of milking, lack of veterinary control in all trading units and lack of an appropriate law are factors which influence on milk contamination," Kiri said. Under these conditions it is foreseen that "Ajka" becomes an anonimous company and creates centers for the collection and pasteurization of milk. The German government has proposed an extra fund worth one million marks and the Austrian government will continue financial aid to help control milk. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Democrats protest again at Scanderbeg square in TiranaTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA)-By P. Shuteriqi, Democrats protested again at the Scanderbeg square in Tirana on Friday, sticking to their demand for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Fatos Nano.They staged their protest after a news conference of the DP leader, Sali Berisha, at about 11.00, who said that "he enjoys support from heads of western states and international organisations." Berisha told the news conference that he was determined to be "in the front of the people's movement until the resignation of Prime Minister Nano." Later, the protestors, DP members and sympathizers, headed by Sali Berisha, with his wife by his side, headed for the "Scanderbeg" square, carrying national and U.S. flags and portraits of the late lawmaker, Hajdari, and of DP leader Berisha. Meanwhile, the procession of the protestors continues peacefully, with slogans against the government, while many citizens of the capital calmly watch their movements around the square. Foreign observers followed today's protest closely. /s.s/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Parliament starts voting on Sali Berisha's immunityTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA)- By Y.Pata, Albanian parliament on Friday by midday started the procedure to examine the request of the Mandate, Regulation and Immunity Commission to lift the parliamentary immunity of Sali Berisha.According to the Parliament's regulation, the voting whether to lift the immunity of a lawmaker is secret. Parliament set up a five-strong commission to monitor the voting procedure and then count the votes. The commission is composed of two deputies of the Socialist party, one of the Social-Democratic party, one of the National Unity party and an independent deputy. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Health minister adopts measures for Kosova peopleTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA) - By R. Xhuvani: Minister of Health Leonard Solis has asked the Public Health Department in Shkodra to present as soon as possible requests to cope with the health situation of people arriving from Kosova via Montenegro.Solis said to ATA that the ministry had taken all the measures to cope with the influx of refugees after coordinating all actions with the local government in the city. The ministry has prepared a contingent of vaccines for children who are not vaccinated against contagious diseases. /pas/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Former head of State Control Service to stay in jailTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA)-By U. Bajrami, The former head of the State Control Commission (SHKSH), charged by the Military Prosecutor's Office with crimes against humanity, will continue to stay in jail.The Supreme Court judge-panel, which on Friday judged the recourse of the lawyer of former head of SHKSH Blerim Cela, to assess the arrest order ruled by the Tirana district Court on August 24, 1998, decided to uphold the Tirana Military Court's ruling on August 24,1998. The Tirana district Court, on August 24, 1998 ruled unlimited imprisonment term for Safet Zhulali, Halil Shamata, Blerim Cela, Sokol Mulosmani and Bujar Rama, while for Kreshnik Lushaj a fifteen-day imprisonment. The Appeals Court, after the end of custody, ruled house arrest for Lushaj. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Albanian parliament removes immunity of Sali BerishaTIRANA, Sept 18 (ATA0- Albanian parliament Friday decidedto remove the immunity of deputy Sali Ram Berisha. The decision was taken by a two-third majority. more /lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Customs deposit 3.3 million leks to budgetTIRANE, Sept 18, (ATA) By D.KoçaThe customs deposit 3.316 milliard leks, in August, to the state budget, or 96% of the monthly plan. These are the highest figures recorded since the begining of 1998. The plan is not fulfilled because of the unpaid 153.2 million leks. Customs incomes, in August, fulfilled the plan in the customs of Kapshtice with 159 %, Gjirokaster with 132 %, Korce 126 %, Lezhe with 151 %, while in Durres and Shkoder customs, the plans are fulfilled respectively 99 % and 94 %, said Valbona Nelaj, chief of Statistic and Information offices at Customs Department. Tirana and Elbasani customs fulfilled the plan at an average level of 61 % and 54 %. Excise deposits 246.5 million leks to the state budget or 99 % of the plan. VAT recorded high level incomes, 1.734 billion lek or 87 % of the plan. Tax incomes also recorded high levels, one billion leks or 87 % of the monthly plan. At the end of the first eight months of 1998, customs have deposited 24.1 billion lek instead of the planned 27.4 billion lek. Custom incomes during the first eight months of 1998 Month billion leks January 2.517 February 2.927 March 2.789 April 2.769 May 3.324 June 3.194 July 3.262 August 3.317 Total 24.099/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Rallies of Albanian Democratic Party in Shkoder and KorceTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - Branches of the Democratic Party of Albania in the districts of Shkoder and Korce held Friday morning rallies of protest marking the first anniversary of the attempt to this party deputy's life, Azem Hajdari, who was killed last Saturday in Tirane.Addressing about 1 000 people, the speakers in the rally in Shkoder, among whom the member of the DP presidency, Pjeter Arbnori, highlighted the role of lawmaker Hajdari in the democratic processes and described as politically motivated his killing recently. They reiterated the calls for the resignation of Nano cabinet. About 500 members and sympathizers of the Democratic Party gathered in front of the local DP branch headquarters in the city of Korce, launching slogans for the resignation of Nano government and for the creation of a technocrat Government. Participants in the rallies left calmly after the rallies were over. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] House-arrest for four former DP senior officialsTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Y Bajrami: The Military Court of Appeal held on Friday the decision for house-arrest for four of six former senior officials of the Democratic Party (opposition) accused of "Crimes against Humanity."This form of custody was passed for Safet Zhulali, former Defence Minister, Halit Shamata, former Interior Minister, Bujar Rama, deputy chairman of SHIK and Sokol Mulosmani, former chief of Police Commissariat of Vlore. The decision, held after the files for the four detainees were examined and their defence attorneys heard, annulled the decision of the Tirane district court, which had adopted unlimited custody for the above- mentioned, while Blerim Cela, ex-chairman of the State Control Service, will continue to stay in jail. The sixth of the group of DP senior officials accused of Crimes against Humanity, former colonel Kreshnik Lusha, is since two months in house-arrest. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Difficulties in depositing Value Added Tax in TiraneTIRANE, Sept 18, (ATA) By. D.Koça "Nearly 800 big business subjects have not paid the value added tax for August," Koço Gaba, chief of Tax Department in Tirana said to ATA.Gaba explains this with the recent situation in Tirane, but he is optimistic these subjects would pay VAT within few days. Until Sept 15, 40 % of the monthly plan was fulfilled and up to the end of the month it will be overfulfilled, Gaba said. Tax Department in Tirane has overfilled the plan by depositing to the state budget more than the half of the incomes on national scale. /lola/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] Albanian Parliament removes parliamentary immunity of deputy Sali BerishaTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Ylli Pata: Albanian Parliament decided on Friday to lift the parliamentary immunity of the opposition Democratic Party deputy, Sali Berisha clearing the way for the prosecutors to continue penal prosecution for him.Out of 113 parliamentarians who took part in the secret vote, 108 voted for the removal of Berisha's immunity, while five votes were invalid. DP deputies did not take part in the meeting of the Parliament for the lifting of Berisha's parliamentary immunity because they have been boycotting the Parliament for several months. After the voting, the Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi, on the basis of the Parliament regulation, opened finally the way for the penal prosecution of Berisha. The removal of the parliamentary immunity of Sali Berisha followed a request of the General Attorney's Office charging the DP leader with "Organization of Armed Uprising," and which was accepted by the Presidency of the People's Assembly. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Road blocks in all roads leading to TiranaTIRANE, Sept. 18 (ATA) - Tirane police forces have set up road blocks in all the main roads leading to Tirana Thursday night and early Friday, said to ATA the spokesman of the Police Department.According to the spokesman, the road blocks are checking vehicles and people on Elbasani street, Durres street, on the highway and on the road linking Tirana with Kamez. This control was made to seize the wanted and armed people and to prevent movements uf suspects who could join the illegal rally of the opposition Democratic Party, on Friday which was held without problems. "It's not true that the police forces have blocked cars or buses with passengers whic were going to Tirana", added the spokesman./mima/A.A/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Large delegation of European diplomats to arrive in Tirane on SaturdayTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Ilir Paco: A large delegation of European diplomats will come to Tirane on Saturday to mediate between Albanian political forces to overcome the crisis in Albania after the recent unrest in this country.Taking part in the delegation will be the Polish Foreign Minister and OSCE current chairman, Borislav Geremek, the Council of Europe Secretary General, Daniel Tarschus, assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Jorgos Papandreu and thePermanent Ambassador of Greece in CE, Dhimitri Costas, whose country has the rotating presidency of the CE Ministers' Committee. The Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini and the EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner, Hans van den Broek will not take part in the delegation. The European diplomats will meet on Saturday with President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, and at noon with the Democratic Party leader, Sali Berisha in Rogner Hotel. The last meeting of the group of European diplomats will be that with the Albanian Prime Minister, Fatos Nano. At the end of the meetings in Albania, the European diplomats will hold a news conference. The visit of the delegation comes only one day after the Albanian Parliament decided to lift the parliamentary immunity of DP leader, Sali Berisha. The decision followed a request of the General Attorney's Office, accusing democrat chairman of being the organizer of the last Monday's unrest in Tirane, where most important institutions of the Albanian state were stormed and damaged. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Albanian Defence Ministry and Army are national institutions to ensure state and country's stabilityTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Enklejda Koraqi: "Albanian Defence Ministry and Army are national institutions which ensure the stability of the state and country," said defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga in a separate meeting with the NATO Office chief in Tirane, Paolo Tonegutti, Defence Ministry spokesman told ATA.After briefing the NATO envoy of the recent developments in Tirane, Hajdaraga stressed that "we consider the event as an armed attempt of a group of people to topple the constitutional order." "We have adopted all the measures, he said, to help Armed forces to have a stable activity. We have also instructed the army clearly and categorically that it should stay far from confrontations and not fall prey to provocations, but protect fanatically all its institutions, units and objects." Further on Hajdaraga expressed Mr Tonegutti the readiness of the Defence Ministry to continue and develop continuously the very positive relations institutionalized between this Ministry and NATO. On his part, the NATO Office chief praised Mr Hajdaraja for the correct and mature stand of the Armed Forces during the violent unrest of last Monday, stressing that "the relations of NATO with Albania and the Albanian army will continue to develop constantly." He confirmed that in a near future, teams of NATO specialists will arrive in Albania, and the first team to arrive is that of mine-sweeping specialists. "The relations of NATO with the Albanian army are excellent," said Mr Tonegutti. /y.pa/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Albanian Minister of Finance asks extended assistance for Albanian customs housesTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Lolita Thanasi: According to the spokesman of the the Albanian Ministry of Finance, Minister Arben Malaj sent a letter today to the European Commissioner for Customs Houses in Brussels, Prof. Mario Monti, asking him a longer term assistance for Albanian customs houses through the Mission of Customs Assistance in Albania, with which Albania is cooperation since a year ago.Appreciating the role of the Mission in normalizing the activity in the customs houses, Mr Malaj demanded from the Mission to extend its activity in the north and south Albania where customs control is not complete. Malaj also asked the Mission for the training of Albanian customs specialists, especially now when the new customs code is being applied. The extension of the cooperation with the European Customs Houses Commission will have a positive impact on the modernization of Albanian customs houses, the growth of their incomes and the prevention of smuggling and corruption. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] I don't fear decision for removal of my immunity - BerishaTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By A Haxhiu: Sali Berisha, DP leader considered the decision of the Albanian parliament to lift his parliamentary immunity as a new act of the Albanian government to hit the opposition."Removal of my immunity does not fear me. I will keep fighting to oust the present government, in every place and position, wherever I will be," said Berisha in a news conference today. Albanian Parliament decided on Friday to lift the parliamentary immunity of the opposition Democratic Party deputy, Sali Berisha clearing the way for the prosecutors to continue penal prosecution for him. The removal of the parliamentary immunity of Sali Berisha followed a request of the General Attorney's Office charging the DP leader with "Organization of Armed Uprising," and which was accepted by the Presidency of the People's Assembly. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Commando forces and Military Police to guard state institutions in AlbaniaTIRANE, Sept.18 (ata) - By Enkelejda Koraqi: Commando troops and Military Police will be used only to guard special important institutions on the basis of a supplement to the law passed by Albanian Parliament on Friday, and decreed by the President of Albania, Rexhep Meidani, following the unrest in Tirane on Sept.14, 1998, reports the spokesman of the Defence Ministry."The commando troops and those of military police are guarding the institutions of special importance such as the the Council of Ministers headquarters, the President's Office, the People's Assembly Presidency, the Parliament, the state-run Television and the State Bank of Albania," said the spokesman. The commando Brigade is a permanent unit installed in Zallher, for the establishment of which a great assistance has been given by the Turkish army. The Brigade took part in the joint exercise with the NATO troops, cod- named "Cooperative Assembly," held in August in Albania. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[26] Serb forces set on fire 17 Albanian villages in Shale of BajgorePRISHTINE, Sept.18 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: During the fierce offensive in the past three days, Serb forces have torched 17 ethnic Albanian villages in Shale of Bajgore, east of Mitrovice.According to Albanian sources, there are 140 Albanian houses set on fire in Stanterg, 18 in Trepçali 18, 85 in Melenicë 85, 124 in Bare, 82 in Vidishiq, 66 in Reshan, 31 in Maxherë, 54 in Terstene, 46 in Mazhiq, 11 in Zjaqë, 25 in Zabërzhë, 32 in Kutllofe, 27 in Kovaçiçë, 145 in Bajgorë, 59 in Kaçanoll, 40 in Selac 40 and 27 houses were set ablaze in village Dedi. There are also reports of 6 Albanians killed and massacred during Serb attacks in Shale of Bajgore and in the outskirts of Podujeve and Vushtrri. Fierce fighting took place between KLA forces and Serb forces today at noon in Drenice, between villages Likoc and Makermal, which lasted for more than two hours, sources of the Commission for Defence of Human Rights report. /mima/xh/ 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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