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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-09-25Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Albanian Foreign minister hails U.N. Resolution on KosoveTIRANE, Sept.24 (ata) - Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo hailed on Thursday the approval of the resolution on Kosove by the U.N. Security Council, the Press and Information Department in the Albanian Foreign Ministry reports."The approval of this resolution is another example of the commitment of the Security Council for the solution of one of the hottest conflicts for our region and for Europe," says a declaration of Albanian Foreign Minister. "We want to believe that the nature of an 'improved status' will have a concrete definition, which will be formulated after a process of talks between Belgrade and Prishtine," writes the declaration. Referring to Albanian Government stance for the solution of the crisis in Kosove, the chief of Albanian diplomacy said that "this is a resolution which proves the unanimous political will of the international community to find a negotiable and acceptable solution for both sides in the conflict, it conforms to the viewpoint of the Albanian government that a stable solution in Kosove is related with the respect of the right of the Albanians for self-determination. /mima/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] Arrest of Ekrem Spahiu, Leader of Legality PartyTIRANE, Sept 24 (ATA) By Th.Thanasi Ekrem Spahiu, leader of Legality Party, was arrested on Thursday on the charge of carrying out violent acts to occupy the state institutions, Police Department spokesman said.According to the spokesman, Spahiu was leading the crowd who entered into Albanian Radio-Television on September 14, 1998 and besides this he addressed mesagges through the television without having any legal right to do it. /mima/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] $835.9 million for investments in Albania's public infrastructure for 1998-2001TIRANE, Sept.24 (ata) - By E Metaj: Some $835.9 million are earmarked for investments in public infrastructure and the sector of services in Albania for the four coming years.Most of these investments will be made in the sector of transport, covering a total of $397.9 million. This sum will be used mainly to rehabilitate the road network in the East-West and North-South corridors and to improve the sea transport through investments in the port of Durres, Vlore, Sarande and Shengjin. The investments on the railway network and the Rinas airport complete the framework for the improvement of railway and air transports. The Albanian Government has allocated a total of $162.5 million for the sector of energy, to be used mostly to improve the present situation in the Albanian Energy Corporation and Albpetrol. Some $156 million are planned to be used in the water system. The development of rural and urban areas will attract in the four coming years $105.4 million. Investments for the construction of new flats will reduce the number of the homeless, actually is 11 000 families. Around $8.2. million will be used on the sector of communication. This sum will serve, among others, to improve respective legislation. For the sector of environment, including the public infrastructure and service, $6.0 million will be invested. Out of the total amount of $835.9 million that the Albanian Government has envisaged to invest in the public infrastructure and service for 1998-2001, $479.5 million are available while $163.4 million are promised by foreign donors. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] New tax invoice proposed for payment of VAT by subjects in AlbaniaTIRANE, Sept.24 (ata) - By D Koca: In the context of the continuous improvements of the fiscal legislation and the compulsory tax documentation and in order to limit to maximum the fiscal evasion, the Albanian Ministry of Finances has prepared and proposed to the Council of Ministers a draft law with essential amendments to the law 7928 "On the Value-Added- Tax."These changes consist in preparing a new tax invoice for the payment of VAT by the subjects. Referring to this invoice, now there is a strong conviction that these kind of documents need to be secret. Hence, the specialists have proposed to add the serial number in the VAT invoice, giving it the character of the vouchers. The approval of this and other amendments will bring about not only the improvement and evident growth of the incomes in the state budget but also a new mentality in the tax payers for the fiscal administration and the taxes they have to pay. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] Kondi says changes in government are natural -Justice minister interviewed by ATA-TIRANA, Sept 24 (ATA)-By E.Koraqi, Justice Minister Thimio Kondi on Thursday told ATA that it is high time to eliminate the aftermath of the abortive croup, through a reconstructive work to correct all the shortcomings in the current governing of the left coalition.Asked whether changes in the governments are indispensable for the current situation Kondi said that changes for a democratic government are natural. "Maybe the government should be renewed with new, more capable and more devoted people," said Kondi. Referring to the pronouncement of Prime Minister Nano on possible changes in the order and justice structures, Kondi said he shares the view that changes are necessary. "I hold the government's performance should necessarily be improved, fight against corruption and contraband should be intensified, people should be devoted to work and level of qualification should be enhanced," said Kondi. Referring to a work analysis in the Socialist Party leadership, in which shortcomings were mostly noticed in public order and justice, Kondi said that the institution he runs has been fighting contraband but has also encountered many difficulties. "With devotion and our professional skill we have tried to work well. If we are thought to be replaced with other people, more capable and more devoted, certainly, this is natural," said Kondi. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Fiscal balance - 45 billion lek incomes, 64.8 billion leks expensesTIRANE, Sept 24 (ATA) By Lolita Thanasi According to the Albanian Bank data concerning fiscal balance results that the total incomes reached 45 billion leks by the end of 7th month period to 34.5 billion it was by the end of 6th month period. Given in percentage against the annual Gross Domestic Production (GDP) this total was 10 %. Expenses by the end of 7th month period totalled about 64.8 billion leks, while as a percentage against the annual GDP they totalled 14.4 %.According to these data, budget deficit in August reached -19.8 billion leks to -15.4 billion it was in July. In percentage against GDP this deficit was -4.4 %. Financing of budget deficit is about 19.8 billion leks out of which 11.8 billion are domestic financing and 8 billion are foreign financing. /lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] Albanian inhabitants evacuated from Has of Prizren villagesPRISHTINE, Sept 25 (ATA)-A part of the Albanian population began evacuating from the region of Has (western Kosova, near the border with Albania) yesterday because of Serbian army pressure to hand over the weapons, the Kosova Information Centre, (KIC) reports.The leadership of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) branch in Prizren has called on the inhabitants to return to their homes and not create unnecessary panic. The number of the evacuated Albanians in Prizren reaches 45 000. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to visit AlbaniaTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA)-U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata is visiting Albania on September 28-29, 1998, the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Tirana reports.Ogata's visit to Tirana is part of a tour of former Yugoslavia (Belgrade, Prishtine, Podgorice), during which she will observe the situation of the Kosova displaced people due to the conflict in Kosova. During her stay in Albania Ogata is scheduled to visit Shkoder and Tirana, where she will meet senior authorities of the country. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Serbian forces keep burning villages of VushtrriPRISHTINE, Sept 25 (ATA)-The situation in the commune of Vushtrri is grave and alarming. The Serbian forces have burned the villages of Becuk, Pantin, Okrashtice and several houses of Shtitarice, sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Vushtrri report.Almost all villages of the eastern part of the Qyqavice mountain have been burnt over the last two days, the Kosova Information Centre (KIC) reports. /p.ta/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] Memorial of 54th anniversary of People's Hero, Hajdar DushiDURRES, Sept 25 (ATA) By G.Kabashi In one of the halls of Children's Cultural Center in Durres on Thursday, the local committee of the veterans of Antifascist, National-liberation Army, the association of martyrs' families and the association of the nation's heroes, organized a memorial activity on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the fallen of People's Hero, Hajdar Dushi.In this activity, veteran Sofokli Afezolli spoke about the life and the work of the son of Kosova, whose life was cut at the age of 28 by the bullets of the mercenaries. In the fascist archives of that period, Dushi was considered as a dangerous propagator of the progressive ideas in Durres, Vlore, Berat, Elbasan and Korce. In April 1942, Dushi was of the leaders of the first demonstration in Durres. He knew several languages and translated some books on the antifascist movement. For this reason, Hajdar Dushi was arrested and only 9 months later, he escaped from the prison. Travelling on a mission to the north zones of the country on September 22, 1944 Hajdar Dushi was killed treacherously near Kalaja e Dodes (Dibra district, east of Albania)./pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] Refugees in Mountains of Qyqavice try to escape encirclement of Serb forcesPRISHTINE, Sept.25 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: More than 100 000 Albanian refugees in the mountains of Qyqavice are trying to escape the encirclement of Serb forces. Sources of the Human Rights Council in Kosove reported last night that a column of about 20 000 refugees left towards Prishtine but has been stopped by Serb forces.According to the sources of the Kosove Information Centre more than 30 000 refugees have descended the mountains of Qyqavice in the village Reznik of Vushtrri and are expected to continue the way to the cities of Vushtrri and Prishtine. A source from the spot said that Serb heavy artillery is hitting also in the vicinity of village Reznik, where there are a lot of refugees. According to reports so far, in the attacks over the last two days in the outskirts of Vushtrri, Serb forces have killed at least 7 Albanians and have wounded scores of others. In village Bivolak also a 6-month child has been killed and 8 members of an Albanian family have been wounded during the bombing. A mission of the International Red Cross was stopped yesterday by Serb forces in Vushtrri and was not allowed to go to assist the Albanian refugees in village Resnik. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Text book publishing house has released 93 titles for studentsTIRANE, Sept.25 (ata) - By Ornela Kadaifciu: For the academic year 1998- 1999 the text book publishing house has published about 93 titles for students, sources of the publishing house told ATA.A special place in these publications take the scientific studies of the teachers of Tirane University, Aleksander Xhuvani University in Elbasan, Luigj Gurakuqi University in Shkoder. The publications have been furnished by the Albanian Government and by a supplementary fund given the Italian Government. /pas/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] SMART CARD - revolution in payment system in AlbaniaTIRANE, Sept.25 (ata) - By Lolita Thanasi: Improvement of the payment system has been a priority in the activity of the Savings Bank of Albania. After the system of telegraphic payments, according to the sources in the Savings Bank of Albania, last efforts are being made for the implementation of a new program in the payments sector. The introduction of the Smart Card may be considered a revolution in the payments system in Albania.According to the director of the Communication System Department, another form in the field of payments in the Savings Bank will be introduced at the beginning of 1999. /xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] "Festival '98": October, deadline for song presentationTIRANE, Sept 25 (ATA) By. Enkelejda Riza Presentation of the songs for the 37th Song Festival in Radio-Telivision will be over by the end of October, the organizer of the biggest activity of Albanian song, which is organized at the end of each year, said.Up to now, in the department of musical creativness in Radio-Tirana, which is one of the organisers of this festival, some songs of new groups of music are presented. Meanwhile the well-known light music singers keep working on the songs they are going to present in this year's edition of the newest Albanian songs. The singers think that "it is very early to hand their songs"./pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Rugova demands international protection to save people of KosovePRISHTINE, Sept.25 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: President Rugova reiterated today in his news conference the appeal for international defence of Kosove and its people and for urgent halt of the Serb offensive and security for the return of nearly half a million displaced refugees to their homes."We demand a greater commitment to save the people of Kosove, an international protection for Kosove, first of all from the U.S., the EU and NATO," said Rugova. In this context, he hailed the approval of the Resolution of the Security Council and the fact that it is based on the 7th Chapter of the U.N. Charter. Rugova also greeted NATO's readiness to protect the people of Kosove. The situation in Kosove, said Rugova, is very grave and dangerous, with a fierce terror by Serb forces, killings, massacres, bombing, destruction and burning in broad regions of the Rrafsh of Kosove, Drenice, Shale of Bajgore, Llap, Dukagjin, etc, where great ethnic cleansing is going on. The situation is worse for the displaced people who are surviving under the open sky, said Rugova. He reiterated the stand that the best solution is independence for Kosove with all guarantees for the Serbs and an international protectorate as a transitory stage. /p.ta/xh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Attempt in Prishtina Sabri Hamiti, Kosova deputy woundedPRISHTINE, Sept 25, Belul Jashari, ATA correspondent reported that yesterday evening after 21.00, Dr. Sabri Hamiti, deputy of Kosova Albanian Parliament, was injured by gunfire near his house in Prishtina. President Rugova said that it was an attempt to his life."Last night, after 21.00, in front of his house an attempt was committed to Sabri Hamiti's life, a deputy of Kosova Albanian Parliament, university professor, a remarkable intellectual and writer. The attempt was committed by unidentified persons. Sabri Hamiti is in the hospital at present," Rugova said to the journalists today. Rugova also considered the attempt as "an attack against Kosova institutions, public personalities and remarkable people of Kosova and region as well". "The attempt aimed to distance the people from Kosova independence path," said Rugova, warning that "all the measures will be taken in order not to allow something like this to happen." /lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Message of Albania's President Rexhep Meidani to People's AssemblyTIRANE, Sept.25 (ATA) - Albanian President Rexhep Meidani addressed on Friday a message to the People's Assembly. The message reads that the Parliament must stand above all institutions, subjects and individuals and this is the sacred reality of democracy which must be recognized and respected by all."The interests of the people, the nation should be the only point of reference for the acts of the policy, and if this is forgotten, the politics would be lost in the jungle of partial interests, while the country's fates would remain in a vicious circle of arbitraries," says the message of President Meidani. Mr Meidani considers the recent events a strong blow for Albania. "They cost people's lives, great material values were ruined, but above all the image of the country was shaken through the atavistic schemes of violence against institutions and with the revival of the so-called 'problematic Albania' for the international community," writes the message. Meidani considers the latest events a heavy blow to Albania. "Several lives were lost and huge material values were destroyed, but, above all, the image of the country was shaken with atavistic schemes of violence against institutions and the recurrence of the so-called 'problematic Albania' for the international community," the message goes on. President Meidani says that the Albanian state is determined to follow the road of democracy. He stresses that "democracy is stronger than the weapons" and that "parliament's laws, confirmed with the standards of the Council of Europe, should be respected to the end." In his message Meidani repeats the question he put right after lawmaker Azem Hajdari was killed: "Who were those enemies to peace and stability that caused such an evil thing?" He also points to his first steps to make the parties sit at a table, to avoid infiltration of acts of violence and possible anti-democratic and anti-national aims amid pain and indignation at the attack. "The latest events should make us all think of correction and self- correction, of efficient actions for a new, short and middle-term perspective, free of passions and emotions of the moment, to find sure ways for democratic progress," the message writes. After stressing that the failure of the armed challenge testified to the vital importance of independence and separation of powers, Meidani said that the work began to create and consolidate the state, despite difficulties and short time, has yielded the first positive results. "But the latest events brought to light, along with the high cost of losses and destructions, the known malady of the conflicting policy with all its aftermath as regards organised and ordinary crimes, such as in some cases it is difficult to clearly distinguish whether these kinds of policies encourage crime, or crime has taken them hostage, writes the message. Meidani evaluated the assistance provided for Albania over the last seven years, especially in 1997, by the most powerful organisations of the International Community. "But I might say that the outbreak of the violent acts was beyond any prediction and also challenged in some way the efforts of our international partners for stability and political and social-economic development of Albania. I state this to draw your attention on the important fact that Albania's destabilisation at proportions of those we experienced, is and cannot be solely product of our political and social malady, but also of other factors that have to do with balances and imbalances of broader interests in this part of the region, as well as with the the effect of old policies which seek to preserve the statuesque of Balkan injustices by sabotaging the Europeanization course of the the peninsula and by aiming to make the national cause of the Albanians vulnerable. In contrast with these aims, our policy, the Albanian policy, with its vices, its sense of pride, its egoism creates consciously or unconsciously the space, for what the people has expressed in the proverb "to take advantage of". /pas/xh/lm/ (more) Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Message of Albania's President Rexhep Meidani to People's AssemblyPresident Meidani called on deputies and all political forces to join a strategy of national security which would besides others imply adoption of some measures and definition of some medium and long term objectives which would guarantee a stable democratic normality. He also expressed some views on these cardinal issues.As regards Albania's national security, Meidani said that "Albania's safe present and future has one name: the West" and that the basic criterion to assess patriotism, skill and devotion of everyone is the contribution to get Albania closer to NATO and the European Union and to be included as full members in these structures in a nearer future. "This integration implies Albania's political, institutional stability. Instable countries are assisted but not integrated. Therefore, any action or stand which is against this course is at the detriment of the Albanian people, their future," the Albanian president said, adding that "the partnership and integrating process do not resolve 'deus ex machina' the stability issue. In his message, Meidani said that the strategy of Albania's security whose priority goal is to defend the Albanian sovereign and independent state should be based on other exclusively civil goals. Among these he ranked the consolidation of democratic institutions, development of a civilian society based on respect of law, guarantee of fundamental individual human rights and liberties, defence and promotion of Albania's interests with political, juridical, diplomatic, economic, social forms and means and others, protection of national identity of Albanians who live abroad and support through political and diplomatic means the legal requests of the Albanian people of Kosova. "Meanwhile, we should recognise the factors which threaten stability and national security of Albania. These are external and internal factors," president Meidani said. /pas/ak/ (more) Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] 37 Albanians dealing with drugs, falsification returnedTIRANE, Sept 25 (ATA) - 37 Albanian citizens are returned by force on Thursday to Tirana from countries which accused them of drugs distribution and falsification of documents.A spokesman of the Ministry of Public Order told ATA that "the German, Italian and Swedish police turned back forcibly late on Thursday 37 Albanian citizens who have been dealing with drugs and falsification in the above countries. /das/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] Albania's PM writes to Montenegrin President on Kosova refugeesTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano has told the Montenegrin President, Milo Gjukanovic, his concern for a quick solution to the issue of the Kosova refugees in the Republic of Montenegro.Premier Nano, in his letter to the Montenegrin President, says "appreciating the current engagement of the Montenegrin authorities in coping with the humanitarian situation after the arrival in your country of some thousands of Albanians, forced to abandon their homes due to the Serbian violence, let me express the concern of the Albanian government for several operations carried out recently by the Montenegrin border authorities with regard to blocking of the Kosova refugees in the border check point and sending them to third countries, or with the refusal to offer them the necessary assistance in several cases," the press and information department close to the Council of Ministers reported to ATA. At the end of his letter to the President of Montenegro, Gjukanovic, PM Nano voices the will and hope of the Albanian government and people for the government of Montenegro show the necessary understanding to stop such practises and provide treatment of these refugees based on international standards, already recognised and accepted. /das/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Customs director general dismissedTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - By E. Metaj: Albania's prime minister Fatos Nano dismissed on Friday the director general of customs Gezim Bleta.A spokesman of Finance Ministry said that prime minister Nano decided to dismiss the director Bleta based on the decision of the Council of Ministers on the competencies to nominate and dismiss chiefs of directorates and central institutions. Bleta has presented his resignation since September 9, 1998. /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Law on armed forces needs essential amendmentsTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: Law on armed forces in Albania was discussed by the parliamentary commission of Defence headed by deputy chairman Arber Qilimi and some military specialists of the Defence Ministry, Albert Mullai, spokesman of the Defence Ministry said to ATA on Friday.Specialists of the Defence Ministry presented useful views discussed before with NATO teams which had offered assistance to the field. Discussions on the policy of security and defence were of special importance. Deputy Defence minister Ilir Boçka was present at the discussion. /dast/ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Tirana currency ratesTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - By L.Thanasi: A dollar costs 147.30 leks in the Bank of Albania on Friday. Following are buying and selling rates of foreign currencies against the lek.Currency US$1.00 costs 147.30 German mark 87.10 Italian lire (1000) 87.70 Greek Drachma (100) 50.01 /ak/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Albania, Greece to cooperate in fight against fire along borderGJIROKASTER, Sept 25 (ATA) - By H. Cani: Representatives of the military and police units of the Gjirokaster and Ioaninna prefectures met Thursday in Gjirokaster to coordinate the operations in cases of fire in the border zones of both countries.In the meeting held in the "Laberia" division, the Ioannina division chief of staff, colonel Panajotis Nikas, expressed the complete readiness of the Greek party for signing an agreement to offer mutual assistance in cases of fire in the border zones of both countries. The "Laberia" division chief of staff, lieutenant colonel Rapo Nisllaj, expressed understanding for the initiative proposed by his Greek counterpart and added that the procedures of these operations will be soon sent close to the respective ministries of both countries in order to take a complete legal shape. This agreement will be executed for the summer season of next year. Meanwhile, a joint maneuver will be carried out on November 9-10 in vicinity of Kakavije, in the Albanian-Greek border line. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Legality members protest against arrest of their leaderTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The Legality Party protested on Friday against the arrest of the chairman of this party, Ekerem Spahia."The arrest of Ekerem Spahia is nothing else, except an act which carries in itself clear political motives," says a statement of the Legality Party Presidency, issued in a news conference on Friday. Ekerem Spahia, the head of the Legality Party, was arrested by police forces on Thursday afternoon in Tirana under the charge of "carrying out violent acts to occupy the state institutions." Spahia has been in the head of the crowd which stormed the Albanian Radio Television on September 14, 1998 and more over he has given messages through the television without having any legal connection with this institution, the spokesman of the Tirana Police said to ATA. /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[26] Parliament to support Albania President, says GjinushiTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - Albania's President has all the support of Parliament in his institutional engagement for the solution of the crisis, Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi told the press on Friday with regard to the message of President Meidani, addressed to the People's Assembly.Gjinushi, hailing the message of Meidani, stressed that "this is an important message in a difficult time." "The message clearly expresses not only his engagement for the elimination of the big consequences of the failed coup d'etat, bringing back to normality all the institutional relations and the realization of the economic reform, but above all, the President's message appeals on the deputies and the country's political forces in the country to react together and to join a strategy of national security, which would guarantee a stable democratic normality," he said. Underlining the idea of President Meidani for dialogue and civilized political cooperation, Gjinushi said that "the leadership of the Democratic Party should come back to the legal institutions of this country and to be useful to Albania and its democratic developments with alternatives and programs, through the legal institutional ways." /dast/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[27] Political forces to come to termsTIRANA, Sept 25 (ATA) - By A. Haxhiu: The Republicans expressed Friday the necessity of a dialogue among all the political forces."This political table, if it will have the spirit of understanding of all the political parties, would enable finding of common terms, coordination of all responsibilities to reconstruct Albania," the chairman of the Republican Party, Fatmir Mehdiu, told Friday a news conference. Mediu, on behalf of the political grouping the Albanian United Right (AUR), reiterated the request for the resignation of Albania PM Fatos Nano. The Albanian United Right voiced its opinion against the arrest of the chairman of the Legality Party, Ekerem Spahia, under the charge of "carrying out violent acts to occupy the state institutions," which was considered by the AUR as an arrest for political motives and which does not serve the political situation in the country. /dast/mt/ 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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