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Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 98-11-11Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>Albanian Telegraphic AgencyCONTENTS
[01] Armed men cause terror in ShkoderSHKODER, Nov. 10 (ATA)A group of gunmen, gathered at the center of Shkoder city on Tuesday afternoon, fired shots into the air, causing terror in the city, sources from Shkoder Police say. The incident began at noon, after police forces of Commissariat no.1 in Shkoder detained three persons on Tuesday at round 13.00. Afterwards, a group of people, identified as members of anticommunist associations, protested blocking the street from the Municipality to Prefecture. At around 14.00 they also seized a police car belonging to Commissariat no.1, while at around 16.30 gunmen within this group began shooting into the air. /dast/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] "Tirana Trade '98" Fair openesTIRANE, Nov. 10 (ATA) By D.Koca"Tirana Trade '98" Fair, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the auspices of Tirane Municipality, opened on Tuesday in the International Fair Center. Over 50 l9ocal and foreign companies from different producing sectors of economy, export, service, food and industrial goods trade take part in the fair. Present in the fair opening ceremony were also Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta, Minister of the Information Musa Ulqini and Mayor of Tirane Municipality Albert Brojka. According to the organisers, fair's aim is the confrontation of producers and traders in order to increase both the qualitative production, specially for export considering the competition of Albanian goods in the international market, and the export volume for 1999. Press conferences, business seminars and company presentations will be organised over the days of the fair. /lh/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] Calm situation in ShkoderSHKODER, Nov 11 (ATA)-The situation in Shkoder city last night was calm. There was no incident overnight. The police forces patrolled all the city's streets and important establishments, the spokesman of the district police department reports.Today the situation seems calm. Classes and pupils' attendance continues as normal in all the city's schools. Work goes on normally also in all state institutions, markets and public service units. Sources from the city's hospital say that there was nothing of concern overnight. A group of armed men fired shots into the air in the Shkoder city on Tuesday after noon, causing terror in the city, after the police forces of Commissariat 1 detained three persons at around 13.00. An expanded meeting is expected to be held in Shkoder Prefecture today, with the participation of local authorities, political forces and representatives from international organisations, present in the Shkoder city. /a.ke/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] European Parliament encourages Albanians to take part in constitutional referendumTIRANE, Nov 10 (ATA)-Albania should get a constitution and all Albanians must take part in the referendum of November 22,1998, says a joint statement of the European and Albanian Parliamentary delegations.The 5th Inter-parliamentary conference, European Parliament-Albanian Parliament, was held in Brussels between November 9 and 10. The Albanian delegation was headed by Maqo Lakrori, Secretary of State for Euro-Atlantic Integration. The delegation of European Parliament was headed by Ms. Doris Pack, head of the delegation for relations with Southeastern Europe, sources from parliament told ATA. The topics discussed at the meeting include the current political and economic situation in Albania and the steps to be undertaken. Albania's relations with its neighbors as well as the results of the International Conference on Albania, held in Tirana on October 30, 1998, were also discussed. The heads of the two delegations called for dialogue of all political forces and all politicians in Albania, to leave aside the spirit of distrust and confrontation, which hinders the country's development. They expressed the hope that the Majko government will be able to respond to the serious challenges Albania is faced with. The heads of the delegation support the stand adopted by the European Union Council on November 9 to develop closer relations between the EU and Albania. They also hold that the role of local authorities should be strengthened. The next inter-parliamentary conference will be held in Tirane by the end of 1999 after the European elections. /dast/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] 40 unemployed to attend professional courses in GreeceELBASAN, Nov. 11 (ATA) By P.Zekthi Regional Labour Office in Elbasan will soon send to Greece 40 unemployed, just graduated from the secondary schools, to attend 4-month professional courses."The 40 unemployed youths are from four districts of the Prefecture: Elbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd and Peqin," Spiro Fara, head of Regional Labour Office told ATA. The youths will be specialised in tailoring and information. /pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] Activities of Parliamentary Referendum CommissionTIRANE, Nov 10 (ATA)-Speaker of Parliament and chairman of the Parliamentary Referendum Commission Skender Gjinushi met with inhabitants of Puke town (Northern Albania) on Tuesday.Speaking of the performance of Parliament and Parliamentary Constitutional Commission, Gjinushi said that in contrast with Berisha, who in an illegitimate way bypassed parliament and decreed a referendum on the fundamental law without voting it in Parliament, that is an illegitimate referendum, the parliament of this legislature, through legal, constitutional procedures, examined the submitted draft. "Your representatives, deputies of the People's Assembly voted 80 % FOR the Constitution," said Gjinushi at his meeting with the Puke inhabitants. On the same day Gjinushi met with the inhabitants of Fushe-Arrez. Responding to several questions, the member of the Parliamentary Referendum Commission, independent deputy Nikolle Lesi, said that the new Constitution also includes the best chapters of this Democratic Party's draft. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] NPA declares auction to sell share packages of 9 companiesTIRANE, Nov 11 (ATA)-By M.Pupa,The National Privatisation Agency declares auction for selling share packages of nine companies: Sugar Factory in Maliq, Asbestos Production in Vlore, Tobacco-cigarette in Shkoder, Mechanical workshop in Kukes, Super- phosphate Kurbin in Lac, Construction Material in Elbasan, AJKA Milk in Tirane, Pesticide Production in Durres and Malto Beer in Tirana. For the Beer Malto and AJKA Milk companies, both in Tirane, the main production activity will be preserved, a condition to be included in the share transference act from the state to the buyer. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] Bari Municipality Mayor, "Durres Citizen of Honor"DURRES, Nov. 11 (ATA) By S.Gjordeni The Durres Town Hall Tuesday evening awarded the title "Durres Citizen of Honor" to the Mayor of Bari, Simeone di Cagno Abbrescia for his outstanding contribution to strengthen cooperation between the cities of Bari and Durres, establish sister-city- relations and provide concrete aid.Simeone Di Cagno is also the coordinator of Italian metropolitan cities Mayors and since 10 years he is Denmark consul of honor. He was awarded the title of honor Dammebrog "Knight of Order", attributed by Queen Margaret II of Danmark. Di Cango gave an impulse to the relations with Durres signing the Charter of Good-understanding and Cooperation between the two cities on October 2, 1996. While on June 25, 1997 Bari Town Hall approved the sister- city-relations with Durres. Over this period, Bari Municipality has assisted Durres in several directions. Thus, they brought considerable aid for the hospital and bus park of the city. /A.KE/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] Six projects from Albanian Fund of Development on infrastructurePOGRADEC, Nov 11 (ATA)-By B. Fejzullai, The Albanian Fund of Development, FSHZH, has provided some $600 000 to finance six projects on infrastructure in the Pogradec city.The regional inspector of this fund in the Korce prefecture, Stavri Collaku, told ATA that four projects have been completed, such as the Laktesh road, 5 km, the Trebinje road, 7 km, asphalting of the Petrushe- Cerrave-Leshnice road, 3 km, and the reconstruction of the Bucimas aqueduct. Meanwhile, the project on asphalting the Beragozhd-Starove road is being completed. Collaku adds that the project has completed and the bid on systematising public service conduits of Pogradec city will be held. FSHZH has earmarked $130 000 on this project. /a.ke/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] International Conference "Education in distance"TIRANE, Nov. 11 (ATA) By P.Shuteriqi The International Conference "Education in distance", organised by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), European Council, Soros Foundation and Austrian Ministry of Education and Culture, will be held in Tirane on November 14.Sources from MES told ATA that this activity was confirmed in a meeting the Albanian Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka had with the Austrian Ambassador in Albania, Arno Ridel. Also expected to participate in this Conference are the Austrian Minister of Education and Culture, Elisabeth Gehrer, the OSCE representative in Albania, Daan Everts, the U.S. ambassador in Tirane, Mariza Lino and other personalities. /pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] New trials against Albanians in PejePRISHTINE, Nov 11 (ATA)-The Serb tribunal of Peje (Western Kosova) yesterday ruled three year imprisonments for two Albanians from Siceva of Kline, accused of terrorism, the Kosova Information Centre (KIC) reports.Accused of "cooperation for hostile activity and terrorism", Muje Tafilaj, 30, and Sinan Tafilaj, 24, were each sentenced to three years in jail. Meanwhile two other Albanians have been arrested in Skenderaj. Muharrem Rama and Agim Prokshi, arrested near the premises of the "Mother Teresa" humanitarian association, are investigated as they are suspected of being members of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA). /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] Dollar as against 142.5 leksTIRANE, Nov 11 (ATA)-By L. Thanasi, Follows the Bank of Tirana currency exchange rate:foreign currency exchange rate with Lek $US 1 142.50 DM 85.10 ITL(1000) 85.60 GDR(100) 50.00 /lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] Kline: Three Albanian bodies identifiedPRISHTINE, Nov. 11 (ATA) Three Albanian bodies from Rudica of Kline were identified, told sources from Kosova Democratic League (KDL) in Peja. They were Niman Bajraktari, Haki Ahmetxhekaj and Bashkim Mehmetaj from Rudica of Kline, who had been missing since July 6 this year in Gorozhdec of Peje.The same source reports that three Albanians were massacred by Serbian paramilitary forces and their bodies missed the limbs. Serbian Police buried the bodies on July 8 and did not allow to make their identification, Kosova Information Center stressed. Meanwhile, sources from Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms in Prishtine say that nothing is known about the destiny of 13 Albanians taken as war prisoner in Sopniq of Rahovec during September 3 offensive. Report on violation of human rights in Kosova, published first week this month, made public the names of round 40 Albanians missing. These names are added to the list of 1 600 people missing in Kosova since January of this year. /pas/lola/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] Multi-faceted progress observed in Albania - MeidaniTIRANE, Nov 11 (ATA)-The vision to consolidate democratic institutions, national security and the country's development were the main topics Albanian President Rexhep Meidani treated in his speech at the Session on Albania of the North Atlantic Assembly, held in Scotland.Meidani portrayed the Albanian reality and its perspective, laying a special stress on the democratic developments, freedom, the country's institutional consolidation and other issues, according to the President's Press and Information office. Meidani said that today's reality is based on the inheritance of western civilisation, that of the value and reason. He referred to major objectives of the era such as general disarmament, a moral taboo on violence, creation of powerful international institutions and mechanisms, establishment of a real and tangible justice, mutual tolerance of states and nations towards changes, meeting of the fundamental demands for all people, care for environment, global fight against crime, corruption and human degradation. Meidani said that these issues are significant challenges for the Albanian society. Referring to the Albanian pluralism since 1991, Meidani said that a multi-faceted progress has been observed, although in certain moments this political life has experienced strong setbacks and signs of regress as against the aspirations of the Albanian people and applicable standards of genuine democratic institutions. /pas/lm/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] Tirane voting lists announcements overTIRANE, Nov. 9 (ATA) - By G.Dilaveri Finished on Wednesday the publication of Tirane voting lists for the referendum."We hope to correct directly many mistakes in these lists," the secretary of Tirana town-hall council, Perparim Bodinaku, told ATA on Wednesday. Three are the main mistakes encountered more frequently in the lists: the absence of the father's name, the birthday, and the exactness of the persons borned in 1980. The same names are repeated often. "In the majority part of the cases the correction is directly made in the lists," stressed Bodinaku. In the second phase after publicizing the lists, the bodies announcing them, made the corrections when the person has died or dies, is registered two times, is not registered in the list, does not have the right to vote, or is not in the Albanian territory. The corrections are made by a group composed of three persons (the administrative chief of the village and two other members of the biggest political forces who are presented in the town-hall council). These corrections can be made up to 48 hours before the opening of the polling stations. /pas/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] Constitution approval tests responsibility of Albanian political forces, MeidaniTIRANA, Nov. 11 (ATA) - Albania's President Rexhep Meidani, in his speech held in the Session of the Northern Atlantic Assembly, considered the approval of the Constitution a test of the responsibility of the Albanian political forces towards the democratic processes in the country."My main concern was to make the constitutional process all-embracing, educative and civil. I have encouraged the role of the local and international non government organizations (NGO), as well as the other organizations, the electronic media, the experts and intellectuals throughout the country to be fully engaged in increasing the sensibility of the public opinion in this process," said Meidani. "But how much can a democratic state tolerate the divergences and the political polarization in order not to be destroyed?", asked Meidani, pointing out that a minimum of consensus and not the boycott, an agreement for the rules of the game should be found for our country and people, as well as for the political forces themselves. President Meidani pointed out that the assistance of the international community is very important even to make clear that no political force can be treated as such if it will continue to sabotate the political and democratic processes in the country. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] Minister Ruka meets Education Federation trade union membersTIRANE, Nov.11 (ATA) - By P.Shuterriqi The Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka, met Wednesday morning representatives of Education and Science Federation Syndicate, headed by its chairman, Xhafer Dobrusha.The aim of this meeting, was "the immediate signing of a contract between the ministry and the federation, as an essential legal act in every democratic country," the spokesman of the Education and Science Ministry, Edlira Myrtaj, told ATA on Wednesday. The syndicalist leaders treated as well different problems on education, such as wages, the retiring of the teachers and other issues. The spokesman confirmed that the meeting was held in a climate of understanding between the two parts." /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] Our present and future have got only one name - west, MeidaniTIRANE, Nov. 11 (ATA) - The Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, in his speech held in the Northern Atlantic Assembly Session on Albania, after referring to the assistance given by the international community and other special institutions to smoothly overcome the Albanian transition, voiced that these attempts have not yet given the desirable results regarding the restoration of the democratic institutions, the organization of the effective public administration and the functioning of the rule of law.President Meidani stated that the climate of this cooperation and the challenges of the Albanian society, due to the consequences, inherited by the communist isolation and the polarization of the political life led to the creation of the "Friends of Albania." Meidani said that this group will give a new dimension of cooperation of Albania with the international community. After briefing on the efforts of the political class regarding the development of the rule of law, of the institutional independence, of the independence and efficacity of the judiciary, President Meidani said that there is no theoretical dilemma in Albania, because the political programs of all the political parties support the rule of law and the democracy built on basis of these institutions. He stressed that he considers the political state as an archaic mentality, which leads to hybrids which are more similar with the dictatorial and autocratic past than with the democratic future. "A special challenge for the Albanian political class remains the increase of confidence and the mutual respect between the state and its citizens, especially in these moments when there are many social problems and unemployment, and the hope for a normal living standard remains still low," said Meidani. President Meidani declared that the events which occurred by the middle of September showed that "we have more to do to strengthen the democratic institutions." In the end, President Meidani said that expanding of NATO, EU, and others, towards the East is a guarantee for irrevocable democratic transformations. "From these viewpoints, our present and future has got only one name - West," said the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani. /pas/A.A/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] International Monetary Fund estimates macroeconomics programTIRANE, Nov.11 (ATA) - By D.Koça The ten days discussions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission with the Albanian government on the proceedings of ESAF 2, the main macroeconomics indexes, the analyses on 1998 budget and the settling the main networks of the 1999 state budget, were in the focus of the press conference that the Finance Minister, Anastas Angjeli, and the IMF chief, Juha Kakhonen held Wednesday morning.The Albanian Finance Minister, Anastas Angjeli, evaluating the lek stability for more than a year, said that "the calculation of the actual deficit is foreseen to decrease in a considerable amount from 12 % of GDP last year in 8% this year." "The increasing of prizes 6% during the first three month period, shows that the 10% inflation during 1998, can be achieved within the possibilities," voiced Angjeli. Even the financial policies, according to the Albanian Finance Minister, have been effective. So the internal fiscal deficit is aimed to be 6.6% of the whole year GDP, as the monetary program is expected to remain within the objectives. The chief of the IMF chief for Albania, Juha Kakhonen hailed the work done for the realization of the macroeconomics program by the Albanian Bank and the Finance Ministry. /lh/A.A/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] We are working for an integrated region, in which physic borders should show geographical symbols- Kosova issue, serious problem of international community -TIRANA, Nov. 11 (ATA) - Albania is trying to find its place in the European and Euro-Atlantic Structures and it is politically engaged towards this goal, said Albania's President Rexhep Meidani in the Session of the Northern Atlantic Assembly, being held in Scotland.After mentioning what should be achieved in the interior level of the Albanian state, and after appreciating the constant improvement of the friendly relations with the neighbours, the Head of the Albanian State says that we are trying to build an integrated region, where the physic borders should show only geographic symbols of the territorial continuity. "It is my conviction that the development, prosperity and the integration of our society and of all the Southeastern European countries will remain a slogan if we do not back and implement the European integrating liberal concepts for the emancipation of the inter-ethnic relations," said President Meidani, stressing the importance for the restoration of confidence and understanding between the peoples and nations to gradually increase the exchanges and regional cooperation. Meidani expressed the necessity for the emancipation of the mediae and social mentalities against the xenophobia, nationalism and other issues which hinder the emancipation of the region. "The violence has no prospective in the solution of disagreements," he stressed. President Meidani said that as the legal requests of the Albanian people in Kosova were not fulfilled, this issue became a serious problem of the international community. "The intensive efforts of the international community in Kosova should become concrete soon by using the necessary ways and means for finding a solution for the present and the future," said Meidani. President Meidani presented that the tragic viewpoints of the situation in Kosova and added that the new positive developments in the region are threatened by the leading clique of Belgrade, which continues to be an explosive island of the ethnic hatred of non confidence, ethnic cleansing and genocide in the middle of Europe. /pas/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] Normal situation in ShkoderSHKODER, Nov. 11 (ATA) - By M. Malja: The situation in Shkoder has turned to normal on Wednesday, the spokesman of Shkodra police department, reported to ATA.The order police forces are present everywhere, in all the streets of the city. The people move normally and all the commercial units are open, said the spokesman, adding that the work has continued normally in all state institutions. According to him, the governor Ali Laçaj organized a meeting with representatives of the anticommunist associations and the local government, regarding the situation created Tuesday afternoon in Shkoder, where a group of people gathered and shot by gunfire. He explained to the participants that the detention of Marjan Gryka (one of the three arrested,) was not made for political motives, because he is accused of looting when he was member of the Guard of the Republic. The representatives of the anticommunist associations issued a statement asking to free Gryka, also member of one of these associations. Lacaj said that the problem of Gryka will be resolved by the justice. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] Constitution has been supported by international communityKRUME, Nov. 11 (ATA) - By R. Hoxha: The new Constitution is a document which has been supported by the whole international community, said Albanian Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi in the meeting with the inhabitants of Krume in the district of Has.The approval of the Constitution on 22 November is also a great support we give to Kosova in these difficult but historic days, when it is the time that its fate will be decided. In the end of his speech, Speaker Gjinushi said that one of the reasons that Albania has been destabilized was the lack of the Constitution, that's why it is important to vote for it on 22 November. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] Procedures for Constitution referendum to be acceleratedTIRANA, Nov. 11 (ATA) - By P. Shuteriqi: The voting commission in the Tirana district council asks acceleration of procedures for the preparation of the Constitution referendum, to be held on 22 November.In the meetings held Wednesday, this commission made several changes in the commission members of communes and town-halls, according to the proposals of the Republican Party and the recent instructions of the Central Voting Commission, the chairman of the district commission, Nezir Selimi, told ATA. Tonin Alimehilli, deputy chairman of the district council, as representative of the Democratic Party, was against the participation in these commissions of the representatives from the Republican Party and the national Unity Party by considering it illegal. The chairman of the commission Selimi also confirmed that all the voters' lists have been announced in all the polling stations. He added that "we are ready for verification and correction of all remarks that might be presented 48 hours before the voting." /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] Seven Albanian political activists arrested in GjilanPRISHTINA, Nov. 11 (ATA) - By B. Jashari: Political activists of the Kosova Democratic League were arrested on Wednesday by the Serb police in Dobercan village, 12 km northeast of Gjilan. Six other activists of the Kosova Democratic League in Gjilan are taken hostage in jail since the middle of October when they were arrested.The Serb police have given no reports on the reasons of these arrests. Some thousands of Albanians have been kidnapped and arrested during this year in Kosova by the Serb forces. /lh/mt/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] Ministry of Culture and "Butrinti" British Foundation sign accord "Protection of Archeological Park of Butrinti"TIRANA, Nov. 11 (ATA) - By K. Shehu: The Albanian Ministry of Culture and the British Foundation "Butrinti" signed Wednesday a five-year agreement for the protection of the archeological park of Butrinti, which will be implemented by the beginning of January 1999.Sources from the Ministry of Culture told ATA that "this agreement has to do with the protection of the archeological park of Butrinti and the grounds around it, drafting of a working program so that the visitors are better familiarized with the monuments of Butrinti, its role and history, improvement of conditions for the visitors, and others. The British foundation "Butrinti" was set up in 1993 by Lord Rothschild and Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover. /lh/mt/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |