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ATA News from Albania, 96-08-20

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

  • [01] MEMBERS OF CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION WHO LEAVE THEIR POST TO BE PUNISHED BY LAW
  • [02] SP CONFERENCE OF TIRANA, A FIGHT BETWEEN CLANS
  • [03] FIRST CENTRE FOR DRUG-ADDICTS REHABILITATION
  • [04] RECTOR STATOVCI MEETS WITH SECOND SECRETARY OF ALBANIA'S EMBASSY IN BELGRADE
  • [05] 18TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE OPENS
  • [06] STAR SYSTEM OF ALBANIAN HOTELS
  • [07] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MEETS WITH HIS MONTENEGRIN COUNTERPART
  • [08] BUILDING OF NEW CUSTOMS COMPLEX OF KAKAVIJA BEGINS
  • [09] ABOUT 600 THOUSAND ECU FOR RESTRUCTURING OF PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES- EU
  • [10] CAPITAL INHABITANTS BUY 50 PER CENT LESS MEAT THAN BEFORE JUNE DUE TO FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
  • [11] ABOUT 5.5 MILLION FALSE LABELS IN ALBANIA
  • [12] MEASURES ON WAGES OF WORKERS OF CHROMIUM AND COPPER INDUSTRY
  • [13] FOREIGN FIRMS WILL HELP CLEAN TIRANA STREETS
  • [14] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETS
  • [15] DM 4 MILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
  • [16] CUSTOMS COMPLEX IN QAFE THANA TOWARDS COMPLETION
  • [17] RALLY OF PROTEST OF ANTICOMMUNIST AND DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION OF THE FORMERLY POLITICALLY PERSECUTED
  • [18] NEW PORT TO FOSTER SEA INFRASTRUCTURE
  • [19] PRESS REVIEW
  • [20] SEA TRANSPORT BETWEEN ALBANIA AND GREECE TO IMPROVE
  • [21] EIGHT POLITICAL PARTIES FORMULATE A JOINT STATEMENT
  • [22] ALBANIAN MILITARY UNIT PARTICIPATES IN US MILITARY EXERCISES
  • [23] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECIDES TO SET UP COMMISSION FOR REHABILITATION OF ALL FIGHTERS
  • [24] Albanian-U.S. military exercises ended =
  • [25] TRIAL FOR NINE FORMER SENIOR OFFICIALS OF PLA AND COMMUNIST STATE
  • [26] MEETING FOR LEGAL DEFENCE OF COPYRIGHT TO BE HELD SOON IN TIRANA
  • [27] USD 3000 FOR SEAL KILLED IN ALBANIAN SEASIDE

  • [01] MEMBERS OF CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION WHO LEAVE THEIR POST TO BE PUNISHED BY LAW

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: The round table of eight Albanian political parties yesterday decided that members who leave the voting commissions as happened on May 26 this year with a part of SP commission members and of some other party will be punished by law.

    "This will be punished by law," said DP Democratic Party Tritan Shehu, because in the moment one agrees to be present during the voting process as a commission member, he becomes a representative of the administration, recommended by his party. Withdrawal may be made before the voting process starts."

    Along this, other questions discussed in the round table were some modalities of the election law, preparation for the election campaign, measures to be adopted for a calm election campaign, some amendments to the election law, control of senior official figures and the anti genocide law.

    Present in the round table talks were, besides the Democratic Party, representatives of the Republican Party, the Balli Kombetar Party, the Social Democratic Union Party, the Human Rights Union Party, the Legaliteti Movement Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Democratic Union Party. No reporters were present in the meeting. jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [02] SP CONFERENCE OF TIRANA, A FIGHT BETWEEN CLANS

    TIRANA, AUGUST 19 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: For the Democratic Party leader Tritan Shehu, the Sp conference for Tirana held Saturday, proved once more that a SP renovation needs a long time to be carried out.

    "It was organised by former secret police, which was rather active in that conference," said Shehu. "The conference showed of an inner fight among groupings..."

    During the past two weeks, conferences of the SP branches were held in the districts. Some of them supported F Nano (socialist leader imprisoned under the charge of falsification of official documents and corruption regarding Italian aid for Albania in 1991) some other were advocates of the SP Presidency.

    The contradictions in the fold of the largest opposition party were reflected so fiercely, even fists were shown in the Tirana conference.

    Asked whether this fight between clans may lead to a split of the SP into other parties, Shehu said: "It is difficult to say this. This may be a solution but I still cannot confirm anything about it because the fight in the party may lead to a destruction of clans or of a small clan, to a compromise within clans or within a weak clan or it may be a split."

    SDP leader of Italy Massimo D'Alema and Piero Fassino, in the name of the Socialist International, presented to SP deputy chairman Ilir Meta while the latter was on a visit to Italy recently, the demand that the SP should be unequivocally reformed into a social democratic party, something which, according to analysts, is difficult for SP to be realised. jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [03] FIRST CENTRE FOR DRUG-ADDICTS REHABILITATION

    BC-DRUG CENTRE

    TIRANA, AUGUST 19 (ATA) - By P Shuteriqi: A National Centre for the rehabilitation of drug-addicts will be furnished with equipment next week in the suburbs of the capital of Albania, in Kamza town.

    "According to reports we have so far, the number of the victims of the over dose usage by drug addicts is four, whereas the number of the drug- addicts keeps increasing throughout the country," says Theodhor Todhe, director in the hospital department in the Health Ministry.

    The construction of the rehabilitation centre of drug-addicts has been a donation by Albanian Caritas. Medical staff consists of psychotherapists, psychologists and social assistants from Italy.

    Such centre has not existed before in Albania but its opening to the world and emigration has made that Albania too be exposed to drug addiction which in on the increase. "The National centre of drug-addicts will consist of patients who want to stop using drugs voluntarily," said Todhe.

    The efficiency of this centre will be higher due to cooperation with specialised structures of the Interior Ministry and that of Labour and Social Affairs, thus creating a barricade to drug-traffickers and drug- addicts. xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [04] RECTOR STATOVCI MEETS WITH SECOND SECRETARY OF ALBANIA'S EMBASSY IN BELGRADE

    PRISHTINE, AUGUST 19 9ATA) - By B Jashari: Rector of the University of Prishtine Prof Dr Ejup Statovci today met with the second secretary of the Embassy of Albania in Belgrade Artan Begolli, Information Service of the Prishtine University reports.

    Statovci briefed the diplomat from Albania about enrollments for the new school year, the interest of the youths in studying and the preparations underway for the beginning of the new school year.

    He thanked the Albanian government, the institutions and universities for the support provided to the Prishtine University. Statovci also voiced the will for a higher support and described as very important the signing of the agreement of cooperation between the University of Prishtine and those of Albania. pta/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [05] 18TH INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ALBANIAN LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND CULTURE OPENS

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - By S Sharrexhi: The 18th International Seminar on Albanian Language, Literature and Culture, organized by the Institute of Linguistics and Literature in the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Albania, started yesterday. The seminar to continue up to September 1st is being held in the Palace of Congresses in Tirana.

    "We have gathered here to exchange opinions on our identity, originality, language, literature," said among others the director of the Institute of Linguistics and Literature, Prof Dr Bahri Beci, in the opening address for the seminar, which is being held for the second time in Tirana.

    The seminar is an all-Albanian institution, founded in 1974 in Prishtine and it has functioned for 16 successive years up to 1990. Since the seminar could not be held in Prishtine, the 17th session was held in Tirana in 1995 and was attended by over 100 Albanologists from Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro , arberesh from Italy, foreign scholars, albanologists and well-wishers from various countries of the world.

    The Seminar will consist of 34 reports on issues of linguistics and literature and on other questions of the Albanian culture. Besides well- known scholars from Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro and the Albanian diaspora, foreign scholars from other countries will also read their reports.

    Co-directors of the 18th seminar are prof Dr Bahri Beci and Prof Dr Zejnullah Rrahmani, dean of the Philological Faculty of the Prishtine University. JZ/XH/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [06] STAR SYSTEM OF ALBANIAN HOTELS

    Hotels will be classified for the first time in Albania on the basis of their quality, says a decision of the Council of Ministers, which has also set the criteria for their classification, according to the Prime Minister's Press Office.

    The decision intended for improvement of accommodation as a very important factor in the development of tourism, lays down obligatory minimum levels that should be abided by all accommodation units and regulates their institutional activity by dividing them into several major groups. From now on, Albania will have 1 to 5 stars hotels, 1 to 3 stars motels as well as tourists villages classified as comfortable, high quality and luxury.

    According to the decision, " the government will devide the tourist accommodation units into categories, classify and register them on the basis of the neccesary guide, which sets the criteria and norms for the qualification of the accommodation units and their institutional activity."

    The decision which has ben adopted a few days after an important meeting at the Ministry of Tourism between the representatives of Albania's main tourist agencies, is aimed at establishing order in the service, described as "poor" and "unqualified".

    Besides, the decision will also help establish a very broad basis of data on the flow of tourists into the country and the proceeds from this activity in Albania, eleminating attempts to conceale income and putting an end to the practice of calling "tourist" accommodation units, those units which do not deserve such qualification. M.S.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [07] ALBANIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MEETS WITH HIS MONTENEGRIN COUNTERPART

    Exchange of information on the situation of agriculture in Albania and in Montenegro and the respective acknowledgment of the situation regarding the foot and mouth disease were the main topics of the talks held in Tirana recently between the Albanian Agriculture and Food Minister Bamir Topi and the Montenegrin Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Radivoje Rashic.

    The two ministers and the groups accompanying them exchanged information on the situation of agriculture in the two countries. The main aim was mutual acquaintance with the present state of the foot and mouth disease which will lead to more efficient measures for its elimination in the future.

    The two parties considered the exchange as indispensable for the establishment of sound bases for a possible cooperation in the field of agriculture in the future. Those present in the meeting also discussed possibilities of cooperation in the fields of fishing, forestry, environmental protection, etc.

    Mr Topi considered important the beginning of cooperation between the two veterinary institutions, that of Albania and the veterinary Institute of Montenegro. He said that the cooperation between these two institutes will help exchange information and specialists. Of special importance was considered the cooperation between the customs structures of the two countries.

    Part of the working program between the two groups is a visit to the Albanian Institute of Veterinary Researches by a Montenegrin delegation. M.S.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [08] BUILDING OF NEW CUSTOMS COMPLEX OF KAKAVIJA BEGINS

    Works for the construction of a new customs complex, worth $ 1.8 million, at the border point of Kakavija in Gjirokastra district, southern Albania.

    The fund of 1.8 million dollars released for the construction of the Kakavija border point with Greece has been made possible by the PHARE Programme of the European Union and Albanian government funds.

    The construction company that has won the tender for this complex is "Tris" and the works are scheduled to be completed in five months. Over 100 workers will be employed.

    Kakavija's customs complex is the second of this kind built in Albania after that of Qafe Thane, border point with Madeconia.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [09] ABOUT 600 THOUSAND ECU FOR RESTRUCTURING OF PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES- EU

    European Union has accorded 600 thousand ECU in the context of the Phare Program for the consolidation of the laboratories in protection of public health in Albania, spokeswoman of the Health and Environmental Protection Ministry said. The project, started in the recent months, will be realised in two years.

    Consultant of the project is the German form Kitec, which, together with Albanian specialists, has studied the situation in the laboratories in the districts and has drafted the masterplan.

    "The project aims to increase the efficiency of work in the field of hygiene and to fight contagious diseases," said the spokeswoman.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [10] CAPITAL INHABITANTS BUY 50 PER CENT LESS MEAT THAN BEFORE JUNE DUE TO FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

    During June-July period, people in Tirana have consumed 50 per cent less meat because of aphthous fever.

    Specialists of veterinary office in the Tirana municipality declare that the small cattle disease has lowered the amount of fresh and processed meat trading.

    Meat sellers say that "papers cause panic among the people and now we have no work to do."

    Specialists say that the centre of the non-mortal disease is Korca, Southeastern Albania, is limited and 600 sick animals have been buried, while others have been vaccinated twice so far."

    Specialists have inspected 17 communes of Tirana district. Other dangerous diseases in animals have not been neglected as well.

    Recent data prove that the situation in the prefecture of Korca is stabilized as a result of the efficient technical-organization measures adopted.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [11] ABOUT 5.5 MILLION FALSE LABELS IN ALBANIA

    From 1 723 controls by Food Inspectorate during July in the private food trade firms in the Albanian market, it came out that 5.5 million labels were false.

    The greatest amount of the false labels was noticed in the district of Kruja, and was estimated art 1.5 million lek.

    The control found 44 serious administrative abuses by food firms throughout the country. Irregularities were noticed in the set amounts of refreshments and the use of false labels.

    About 40 tons of cooking oil has been blocked in the capital and this product will be traded after false labels will be corrected.

    Last month too, the control took out of marketing 400 tons of food products, worth 4.9 million lek, because they were below the standards.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [12] MEASURES ON WAGES OF WORKERS OF CHROMIUM AND COPPER INDUSTRY

    Sharp drop of prices on the international market in the second term of this year has led to problems in the chromium and copper mining sectors in the country.

    To ease the situation and to prevent social effects that go with such a phenomenon, a recent meeting of the government approved a decision to replenish the wages of redundant workers of this sector. The situation has resulted from temporary closures and reduction of the productive capacity of this sector. ALBCROM and ALBBAKER corporations are two major branches of the mining sector, most affected by the sharp drop of world market prices.

    As regards the chromium sector, information from London Metal Exhange (LME) indicates that prices will keep dropping, while specialists have assesed the present situation of world market chromium and copper prices as very unfavourable. Albchrom capacity will be reduced to the same level as that of several factories in Sweden and Italy.

    This situation has been brought about as a result of the closure of a series of chromium factories in Spain, France, Croatia, FYROM, the United States and other countries. As concerns in copper industry, which has also landed in a difficult situation, production will be reduced in the less efficient sectors./M.Noti/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [13] FOREIGN FIRMS WILL HELP CLEAN TIRANA STREETS

    "Four tender winning firms will clean a part of Tirana streets, 9 km long," Skender Muca, chief of public service section in the Tirana Municipality told ATA.

    Last year foreign cleaning firms like the Italian Nuova Ecolega and the Austrian Saubermacher started work for the cleaning of Tirana streets, and according to observers of the Tirana Municipality for these firms, the work is being carried out properly.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [14] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETS

    According to the government's spokesman the meeting of the Council of Ministers recently examined and approved the following decisions:

    Decision on classification and registration of tourist accommodation units and adjustment of their institutional activity. It is the first time in Albania, that compulsory minimum levels have been defined for accommodation units, which fall into the following main categories: Hotels with one up to five stars, motels with one up to three stars as well as comfortable high quality and luxurious tourist villages.

    Decision on expropriation of the land to be used for the Tirana - Vora motor way up to 6.54 kilometres for public use. Decision on financial support for the Memaliaj coal mine, estimated at leks 14 million by the Enterprises Reconstruction Agency.

    Decision on approval of the memorandum between the Albanian government and the European Union on the project of elimination of unusable pesticides estimated at ECUs 1.7 million.

    Decision on approval in principle of the draft agreement between the Albanian government and the Organisation of Islamic Conference on promotion, protection and guarantee of investments. The meeting also discussed the possibility of opening the Himara port as a merchant fleet port.

    For this purpose the meeting charged the Ministry of Financem, Ministry of Defence and that of Industry, Trade and Transport with making a study on the possibility of opening the port as soon as possible.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [15] DM 4 MILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

    An agreement on "Fund of Studies and Specialists" was signed between Albanian and Germany at the ministry of Transport, Industry and Trade, yesterday. The agreement signed by the heads of the two delegations, Minister Suzana panariti and the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Albania Hanspeter Diesdorn, is part of the framework of the annual protocols of financial and technical cooperation between the two countries.

    Under the agreement, DM four million have been earmarked for various studies and projects on development of infrastructure and other studies.

    Within the framework of the protocol on financial and technical cooperation for the year 1996 signed in Tirana, in May 1996 the German side has allocated a total sum of DM 86.85 million for technical cooperation. The funds are non refundable grants and soft credits to be repaid after 40 years at an annual interest rate of 0.75 percent. Repayment starts after 16 years.

    Other agreements will be signed this year within the framework of the protocols of financial and technical cooperation between the two countries. M.S.

    201150 G

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [16] CUSTOMS COMPLEX IN QAFE THANA TOWARDS COMPLETION

    The construction of the customs complex of Qafe Thana is expected to be over by the end of September. The investment for it is made by the U.S. Government, through UNDP, and by the Albanian Government.

    Near completion is the construction of the segment of the highway with 10 lines, two parking lots and some other compounds. Also near completion is the construction of a new customs building, including customs check point, banking offices, medical and veterinary control premises, minute control section and storehouses. With the contemporary equipment and the system of illumination this customs house will be one of the most modern in the Balkans.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [17] RALLY OF PROTEST OF ANTICOMMUNIST AND DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION OF THE FORMERLY POLITICALLY PERSECUTED

    SHKODRA, AUGUST 19 (ATA) - By M Malaj: The Anticommunist and Democratic Association of the Formerly Politically Persecuted held a rally of protest in the Renaj cemetery of Shkodra city, where the communist dictatorship killed scores of innocent people. The rally was held to protest the decisions of the Appeal Court for some former ex-senior functionaries.

    "We protest today resolutely to the decision of the appeal court for lighter sentences for representatives of the ex-communist dictatorship and moreover for the release of Haxhi Lleshi, Manush Myftiu and Foto Cami," said the chairman of the Association Gjon Shllaku. He added that "They were not rank and file people but ex-senior communist leaders, who launched the idea of and inspired crime in Albania. They are the main people responsible for thousand victims who were jailed, interned and killed, for thousands of persecuted people," said Shllaku.

    Five former communist chiefs, three of whom were given capital punishment in May this year, were received lighter sentences by the Appeal Court, directed by the chairman of the court Prele Martini in Tirana.

    Zylyftar Ramizi, deputy Interior minister had his capital punishment replaced with life sentence, Aranit Cela and Rrapi Mino, respectively chairman of the Supreme Court and attorney general in the time of Enver Hoxha and Ramiz Alia, had their capital punishment reduced to 25 years in prison. Two other leaders, sentenced to 25 years in jail during the same trial in May, will be released.

    Whereas Manush Myftiu and Haxhi Lleshi, respectively former deputy prime minister and former Parliament speaker, had their sentence reduced to five year probation.

    About 400 people present in the rally supported a demand of the Association that the former persecutors should by no means be released from jail. xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [18] NEW PORT TO FOSTER SEA INFRASTRUCTURE

    The sea port of Himara has been proclaimed open to trade activities and tourism. Some days ago, to improve sea infrastructure, the Albanian government decided to open the port, closed five years ago because of the exodus of Albanians abroad.

    "The opening of the port of Himara will bring two benefits to the Albanian economy at least: further development of trade and tourism," says Vladimir Naqellara, specialist at the directorate of sea transport at the ministry of Industry, Transport and Trade. "It will serve as point where holiday makers from Corfu (Greece), and Puglia (Italy) will come abroad yachts to partake of the beauty of the Himara beaches."

    Reconstruction projects will be drawn up to put it into operation after having built all the structures the same as the ports of Durres and Vlora such as custom offices, border office, sea agencies etc. Funds will also be allocated to finance its reconstruction on the bases of the projects, to be drawn up by state structures. The port is expected to be put into operation by the end of this year.

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [19] PRESS REVIEW

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - Rilindja Demokratike carries today an article entitled "Nano towards catastrophe" and the editorial "The red Front again in power." The paper reports of the participation of A Spahia, deputy chairman of DP in the Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party and a declaration of the DP chairman Tritan Shehu about the SP crisis. "It is a fight among clans," said Shehu. RD also published today and article entitled "Nano- if not a total victory, I will resign," and carries a communique of the political forces which took part in yesterday round table of political parties.

    Zeri i Popullit today carries an article under the title "We should not fear debate" and makes coverage of SP conference in various districts, under the title "Reformation seeks support from all." The paper also writes an article "Testimony to SP values."

    Republika publishes an editorial "Not always boycott brings about success" and reports of the visit to U.S. of the RP chief Sabri Godo to take part in the national convention of the U.S. Democratic Party.

    Poli i Qendres" publishes an article "Violence and manipulation - elements of victory 'at any cost'.

    Lajmi i Dites makes coverage of yesterday's meeting of the government.

    Rilindja today publishes an editorial "All national institution of Albanology" and an article under the title "We may contribute even more."

    Tribuna publishes an editorial entitled "Congress of socialist split" and another article entitled "Albania participating along with Military Alliance countries in the NATO."

    Albania today publishes an editorial "Formulae of Unity" and new solutions and an article "N Dokle - SP deputy chairman responds to dilemmas of socialists; Chairman thinks we have been wrong."

    Koha Jone carries a testimony by the person who, according to the paper, has tried to kill former dictator E Hoxha, under the title "Why didn't I kill E Hoxha." The paper also carries another article "Boycott to be punished by law."

    Gazeta Shqiptare publishes an article entitled "This is how we wanted to kill Enver Hoxha." The paper also writes an article entitled "SP senior leadership reduced in number."

    Dita Informacion maces coverage of the latest meeting of the SP presidency before the second SP congress under the title "No to limitation of mandates for the post of the chairman." jz/xh/Z/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [20] SEA TRANSPORT BETWEEN ALBANIA AND GREECE TO IMPROVE

    Albania and Greece are incrasing communication by sea in a near future. Work to improve the sea port of Saranda in the south of Albania and reopening the sea port of Himara will facilitate ties between the two neighbouring countries in addition to two present border crossings, which will soon be added to by another three check points on the Albanian - Greek land border in three regions of Albania and Greece.

    Signs testifying to growing sea transport between the two countries embodied in increased volume of handling operations in the sea port of Saranda have grown recently. At the same port, another three passenger sea lines with three new ferry boats have been added to the three ferry boats plying between the Greek island of Corfu and the Albanian coastal town of Saranda. In the future, another two ferry boats will also be used for foreign holiday makers. Apart from the coastline of the neighbouring country, tourists are also preferring the Albanian southern coastline to pass their holidays or to visit ancient and historic sites.

    The sea port of Saranda is expected to be improved under a Eu Crossborder project.

    At a joint meeting in Ioannina not long ago, Albanian and Greek specialists held discussions about the deadline of the implementation of the projects and the funds needed for the purpose.

    In the meantime the Albanian governemnt has decided to reopen another sea port at Himara in the south of Albania.

    The port, closed down some 50 years ago will go through several phases of construction to be carried out by Albanian structures. The exploitatino of the new port will help greatly improve domestic sea transport and increase trade exchanges between Albania an

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [21] EIGHT POLITICAL PARTIES FORMULATE A JOINT STATEMENT

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - At the end of a meeting initiated by the DP, eight parties represented in the local government have published a joint statement through which they show their determination to support the institution of dialogue and consider the boycott an expression of extremism.

    The parties attending the meeting were, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the Social Democratic Union Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Balli Kombetar Party, the Human Right Union Party, the Levizja e Legalitetit Party and the Albanian Democratic Union Party.

    The main points of the statement are: 1. The present law on local elections is considered a law of a good standard, but we agreed to reconsider some limitations in timing and some technical new elements, aiming an improvement of the election procedure.

    The political parties call all institutions of the state to cooperate for a correct implementation of this law.

    2. The political parties agree to support with determination the institution of dialogue and to consider the boycott in general as expression of extremism, fanaticism, dictatorial inspiration and lack of tolerance which bears in itself failed intentions.

    3. The political parties agree, not to abrogate the anti genocide law and the law on the scrutiny of political figures, but propose to Parliament its amendment to exclude all members of councils of every level.

    The Balli Kombetar Party was against this amendment.

    4. The political parties agree to enter, incite and continue the political public debate in the media and elsewhere. kei/fh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [22] ALBANIAN MILITARY UNIT PARTICIPATES IN US MILITARY EXERCISES

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - An Albanian military unit with two other units from the US and Romania were trained on August 17, the first day for the first battalion, how to defend a town with snipers acting.

    The training, held in the context of the military exercises in Camp Lejuene, US, was organised in a small town specially built for these military exercises and covering a 15 hectare-area.

    The unit was trained how to help and evacuate wounded civilians. They tried to act in true to life scenes, in a town reality, where "civilians" are walking or children playing with a ball.

    Commander of North Atlantic Forces, three-star general Wilhelm during the inspection of the peacekeeping troops highly estimated the rhythm and the seriousness of the Albanian military unit.

    He said the Albanian soldiers are well trained physically, act quickly and like to learn.

    "I am very much impressed they have come to US to participate in this exercises" said Wilhelm. eva/fh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [23] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT DECIDES TO SET UP COMMISSION FOR REHABILITATION OF ALL FIGHTERS

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) - President of Republic of Albania Sali Berisha decided Tuesday the creation of a commission to deal with complete rehabilitation of all fighters, who were punished by the dictatorship during and after the war for political motives.

    A statement of the press and information office close to President said that the rehabilitation will be for those people who were not implicated in crimes against humanity and Albanian people.

    Berisha stresses that the rehabilitation of such figures, complete rehabilitation of hundreds and hundreds of commanders and fighters, is a moral duty for the Albanian society today not only for the contribution they offered, their sacrifices in the defence of freedom and national dignity but even for the great courage they showed for their social democratic ideals and the values of liberty.

    This Commission made up by historians and war veterans will be headed by Defence Minister Safet Zhulali. ssh/kei/fh/

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [24] Albanian-U.S. military exercises ended =

    Tirana (dpa) - About 3,000 Albanian and U.S. troops ended an eight-day military exercise along Albania's western coasts, Albanian state television reported Tuesday.

    The exercise, codnamed "Rescue Eagle 96", was part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Partnership for Peace programme.

    The United States and Albania have held several joint exercises since Albania joined NATO's PFP programme in February 1994.

    In April, U.S. Defence Secretary William Perry promised 100 million dollars- worth of military aid to modernise the Albanian army in the next four years.

    U.S. military experts are helping build a National Training Center in Bize, 50 kilometers in northeast of Tirana. dpa ac 201247 GMT Aug 96 nnnn

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [25] TRIAL FOR NINE FORMER SENIOR OFFICIALS OF PLA AND COMMUNIST STATE CONTINUES IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, AUGUST 19 (ATA) By A Frasheri - The trial for nine former senior officials of the Party of Labour of Albania (PLA) and the communist state charged with crimes against humanity, continued Monday in a session of hearing the witnesses.

    A panel of judges of the Tirana Court was presided by judge Mehmet Bicaj.

    The defendants are Lenka Cuko, Llambi Gegprifti and Irakli Vero ex- chairmen of the Executive Committees in Lushnja, Tirana and Fier respectively, Idajet Beqiri ex-chairman of Kruja Court, Agron Tafa, Veiz Haderi and Sulejman Abazi ex-chairmen of Secret police in Kruja, Saranda and Tropoja, Nazmi Domi ex-director of Directory for Tirana Interior Ministry and Shkelzen Bajraktari ex-director of the eighth Directory in Interior ministry.

    Witnesses answering to the questions, said they have been interned for political motives, taken by numerous police forces and were personally introduced with none of the defendants.

    They said they had taken no court decision for their punishment but only some small pieces of paper.

    Genocide and crimes against humanity, considered grave crimes according articles 73, 67 and 25 of the Penal Code envisage sentences ranging from 15 years in jail to death penalty.

    As some witnesses fail to be present, the panel of judges decided to continue trial on August 27 by questioning other witnesses. fh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [26] MEETING FOR LEGAL DEFENCE OF COPYRIGHT TO BE HELD SOON IN TIRANA

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) By F Nikolla - Tirana is elected the city where a meeting for Legal Defence of Authorship will be held, said sources of Ministry of Culture.

    This meeting, initiated by European Union in the context of programme PHARE, will treat the ways and possibilities that will lead to a unification of the legislation on authorship in a European level and the concretization of measures for a legal defence of the rights of intellectuals in European countries.

    This meeting will also discuss the legislative situation of intellectuals in East European countries, trying to reach the standards of the West European countries.

    The same source said that "the meeting, in a special session, will discuss the defence of authorship in Albania, completely unknown in Albania before introduction of democratic processes."

    The Albanian Parliament passed the law on the defence of authorship in 1995. jz/fh/k

    Albanian Telegraphic Agency

    [27] USD 3000 FOR SEAL KILLED IN ALBANIAN SEASIDE

    TIRANA, AUGUST 20 (ATA) By M Kora - The price of a masculine seal, weighting some 170 kg, which was killed in the Patok seaside (Northwestern Albania), by a fisherman who did not know what it was, has reached to USD3000.

    "I want to sell it" said the owner, asking some 3000 dollars for this rare sea mammal, to the specialist of the Committee for the Defence of Environment (CDE), who went on the place to confirm the news that it was a Mediterranean seal of the type monakus-monakus.

    According the immediate expertise, it resulted that the rare animal was not a treasure of the Mediterranean Sea but of the North Atlantic.

    "It has not been property of any zoo, circus or private pool, because it had no sign in its body except the bullets of the fisherman" said Arjan Gace, biologist in the above committee.

    "Patoku case, should be denounced by CDE according the law on the defence of the wild fauna and the person should be punished and his prey confiscated" said Gace.

    CDE asked only the seal, as the innocence of the fisherman clears him from the above charge. The fisherman did not agree to grant his prey because the Natural Sciences Museum would offers every sum to have it.

    "We are waiting to confiscate the seal which will be mummified or exposed as a skeleton in this museum" said Gace. kei/fh/k


    From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata


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